'You want my wrist?'
I immediately understand what Jin Byuk-ho wants from me.
'After reaching the Heavenly Being stage, he should be able to see right through me. Asking for my hand must be because…'
Even for him, it's something unbelievable.
I obediently extend my wrist.
He slowly grabs my wrist then, like a doctor, he reads my pulse.
Woong!
Jin Byuk-ho's consciousness starts from my blood vessels and quickly sweeps through my entire body once.
"…You."
Jin Byuk-ho calls out to me with a somewhat heavy voice.
There's a troubled look in his eyes.
"...I've heard from the Grand Elders. That you began to learn all the methods of the sect.... Yes. So, I thought, maybe after studying the methods for about a thousand years, you would discover the hidden formula and the concealed technique. But…."
There's a mix of disbelief in Jin Byuk-ho's troubled look.
"To master all the methods in just 10 years and to reproduce a technique that has only been passed down as legend... I don't know whether to praise you for it… or to scold you… for carelessly discarding the overall Lightning Path Method and the Lightning Sacred Body you had developed."
"…."
I remain outwardly calm.
But the words Jin Byuk-ho spits out stirs a significant turmoil in my heart.
And then, Jin Byuk-ho continues speaking with a sigh.
"I don't know if Jin Hwi told you, but the real name of the technique that appears when you learn all the methods… is the Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens Technique. It is said to be the greatest enlightenment the founder wanted to leave in the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, passed down through generations of sect leaders."
"Is that so…?"
"There are two main characteristics of the technique. First, once you start learning it, all the Lightning Path Methods you have been practicing turn transparent and change into attribute-less spiritual power, losing all the benefits you've been enjoying from the Lightning Path Method. Second…"
With a slightly stunned expression, Jin Byuk-ho says.
"The original spiritual roots disappear, and the body becomes that of a mortal, losing the ability to cultivate further. In other words, the innate talent you were born with vanishes. Simply put… you are no longer capable of cultivation and can no longer pursue the path of immortality."
"…."
"If you had reached the Heavenly Being stage… there might have been a way."
Indeed, upon introspection, I can't feel the Five Elements Spiritual Roots I had formed through the Five Energies Converging to the Origin.
There is spiritual power in my body, but it feels like my flesh has lost the ability to absorb it.
Since I can no longer refine spiritual energy into spiritual power, I won't be able to recover spiritual power if I use any spells in the future.
However, Jin Byuk-ho does not seem too concerned about the loss of spiritual roots.
"Don't worry about the spiritual root itself. If we can find you a Red Spirit Ginseng that grants you the Red Spirit Tree Body or other special elixirs that can grant you a new spiritual root, it's not too big of a problem. But what truly matters is... you've lost your Lightning Sacred Body."
I observe Jin Byuk-ho's intent.
Externally he seems calm, but internally, he feels like he is about to explode.
'No wonder. Just when the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body had barely overcome its crisis, another one suddenly almost became a mortal, losing his talent.'
It wouldn't have been surprising if he suddenly grabbed me by the collar, wondering what had happened.
Considering his explosive temperament, he must be holding back with all his might.
"With the loss of the Lightning Sacred Body... can you remain in the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect?"
He asks me.
Instead of answering his question, I ask another.
"Before that, the Supreme Sect Master mentioned he knew the formula for 'Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens.' Do you know how to use this Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens Technique, what it is used for, and so on?"
"I have a rough idea. Extinguishing Divine Heaven Tribulation is not meant for cultivation but as a ritual rite, used in conjunction with various 'rituals.' I know it's a technique that maximizes the effect of said 'rituals.' Of course, the founder's intention behind leaving such a technique has not been transmitted…"
It seems Jin Byuk-ho only heard about the existence of Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens Technique and roughly what kind of technique it is.
It might have been transmitted that way originally, or perhaps it was well transmitted at first, but over time, what was passed down faded away.
"Is there any sect regulation related to Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens?"
"Hmm, I heard there used to be some, but by my generation, most of those regulations were no longer passed down."
"Is that so…."
I slightly furrow my brow.
In the case of a technique like Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens, which was directly left by Yang Su-jin, even a slight misstep can lead to great danger.
Regulations for such methods are crucial.
After all, merely by continuing to practice this technique, I might attract the attention of some powerful beings.
'I need to find out about these regulations.'
Since Jin Byuk-ho is unaware, I have no other choice.
He asks me about my current physical condition and my plans for the future.
"If you have practiced the Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens Technique, there's nothing you can do with the original Lightning Path Methods of the sect anymore. Since it has transformed into an attribute-less method, trying to use the original intricacies of the Lightning Path Method as before will be futile since the intricacies operated through attribute-less spiritual power will not function properly... Even if you try to learn a new Lightning Path Method, it will be absorbed by the Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens Technique
"Could it be... that I can no longer learn the Lightning Path Method, and hence I'll be expelled from the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect?"
"What?"
At my question, Jin Byuk-ho clicks his tongue and says.
"That's nonsense! Even if all your talent and Five Elements Spiritual Roots have vanished, you are still a mid Nascent Soul stage elder. Having condensed a Nascent Soul, you are one of the respected seniors even in the Bright Cold Realm. We can not afford to abandon such strength... Moreover, Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens is also a legacy left by our founder. You still have a duty to remain to steadily practice it and research what significance its intricacies hold."
'Is that so….'
I smile slightly.
After all, Jin Byuk-ho's words are quite true.
"You asked if it matters if I lose the Lightning Sacred Body, right? Yes, it does not matter."
"…!"
"As long as the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect continues to accept me, I will remain a disciple here."
"That's good... Thank you."
He pats my shoulder.
'Anyway, even if I can't learn the Lightning Path Methods anymore, there are things I must do….'
After all, I need to steal the Heavenly Lightning Banner.
That is also one of the goals of this life.
But whether Jin Byuk-ho knows of my malicious intent,
He pats my shoulder with a proud expression.
Startled, I flinch and wonder if he is scheming something, but fortunately, that does not seem to be the case.
"Though you've lost your spiritual root and Lightning Path Methods, you are still a talent of the sect. I will send you special elixirs later to supplement the spiritual root. Furthermore… Though it is regrettable, you are still a great disciple who has mastered all the methods of the sect. I look forward to your future."
"Yes."
After encouraging me for a while, he leaves my cave residence.
After he leaves, I close my eyes and introspect my body.
The attribute-less transparent spiritual power flows within me.
At the same time...
"...Finally."
I smile, realizing that the curse of lightning transformation, which had been gradually consuming my body, has finally disappeared.
"I've been liberated."
The curse that followed me for 500 years, even after dying twice, is finally lifted as the Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens transforms the lightning in my body into an attribute-less state.
Despite the significant events that have occurred, the fact that the curse is lifted means that I have achieved one of the major goals of this life.
'Of course, I haven't yet achieved the goals of reaching the Heavenly Being stage and stealing the Heavenly Lightning Banner….'
I take a deep breath.
Wo-woong!
With my breath, heaven and earth spiritual energy enters me.
I operate the Dragon Vein Qi Method, quickly beginning the complete transformation of the Five Energies Converging to the Origin once again.
Crackling...
There is hardly any change with the transformation.
Just loosening up the body?
However, I can feel the Five Elements Spiritual Roots being regenerated in my body as the spiritual energy of the Five Energies Converging to the Origin enters.
"Huuuuh…."
Feeling the restored Five Elements Spiritual Roots, I absorb the heaven and earth spiritual energy with the newly formed roots.
The depleted spiritual power rapidly replenishes, and I quickly recover to my peak condition.
'I have reached the mid Nascent Soul stage.'
Having succeeded in creating a Yang Spirit, all I need to do is gather Yang energy to lead the Yang Spirit to the peak and gain the momentum to advance to the late Nascent Soul stage.
From then on, it will be much easier.
'Well, then, let's reorganize everything I need to do and what I've gained.'
What I have gained is precious information and a technique to resist fate, Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens.
What I have to do is rise to the Heavenly Being stage and steal the Heavenly Lightning Banner.
But with the acquisition of Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens, another task has arisen.
'The Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect has not properly passed down the Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens technique.'
It doesn't feel like they properly understand it.
So, what should be done?
'I should find someone knowledgeable about the inheritance.'
I rise from my bed.
Perhaps due to the effects of visiting the bottom of the Netherworld, my body lacks vitality, and my whole body creaks like that of an old man about to die.
But after sleeping, it seems I can still move.
I head to the entrance of my cave residence and shout in demon beast language.
"Hong... Fan...!"
Wo-woong!
The vibration of spiritual energy echoes in all directions.
After a while.
Kugugugu!
A giant centipede, each segment now larger than a house, flies through the air towards me.
Hong Fan, boasting a black carapace, pushes its face towards me.
"What brings you to summon me, Master?"
"Bring me the list of new disciples from the Bright Cold Realm who have recently joined the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect in the last 10 years."
"Yes."
Swoosh!
Hong Fan flies away without a word and returns to me after a while.
In Hong Fan's forelegs are a few scrolls, small compared to its size, held tightly.
"Here is the list of new disciples."
"Right, thank you. Now, let's see..."
I spread out the scroll and quickly read through the names on the list.
After a while, I am able to find the name I am looking for.
'Here it is. A disciple who joined eight years ago… recently became a Green Lightning disciple due to their rapid cultivation speed attracting the elders' attention....'
I point to a name on the list and instruct.
"Hong Fan, bring this person to my cave residence."
"Yes, Master."
Hong Fan immediately flies off again at my command.
'I should ask her.'
Shortly after, Hong Fan flies back from afar, carrying an early Qi Building stage disciple in its mouth.
Whish, bang!
"Aaaack! Throw me gently!"
Thrown by Hong Fan, the disciple rolls on the ground. Clutching their head, they glare at Hong Fan with a sullen look.
Of course, since Hong Fan is at the early Core Formation Stage and silently stares back, the disciple ends up shutting their mouth.
The person glances at Hong Fan for a moment. Upon seeing me, they appear surprised and quickly show respect.
"Ah, ah... Green Lightning disciple of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, Yeon Jin (Abyssal Quake). I greet the Purple Lightning Elder."
A familiar appearance with mixed black and white hair.
A cultivator looking somewhat young, dressed in a golden robe.
It's my old friend, Yeon Jin.
"Sit down."
I call him inside my cave residence and have him sit down, then slowly move to prepare spiritual tea.
After brewing the tea leaves infused with spiritual energy and pouring him a cup, Yeon Jin has an expression of gratitude.
"Don't feel burdened."
"Thank you, Elder!"
"Ah, don't taste it just yet."
I warn Yeon Jin, in case he drinks it first.
"This Thunder Leaf Tea is very popular among the disciples of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect. It's a tea also enjoyed by the elders... just one sip can enhance the Lightning Path Method's spiritual power. It's a precious spiritual tea that can give even mid Nascent Soul stage cultivators the equivalent of spiritual power to one or two months of cultivation. For a Qi Building cultivator like you, it will probably increase your spiritual power a couple times more."
"To offer me such a precious thing..."
"If I am to treat a precious guest, I must prepare something valuable."
"I am unworthy, just a mere Green Lightning disciple..."
Woong!
I activate a strand of spiritual power, triggering the formations I have pre-arranged around my cave residence.
Tsstsstsst!
A barrier forms inside the cave residence, completely isolating us from the outside.
"Now, please come out, senior."
"Eh...?"
"As a junior, I wasn't sure what you'd like. Hence, I prepared a modest Thunder Leaf Tea, hoping it suits your taste."
Yeon Jin, seeing me suddenly using honorifics, wears a puzzled expression. However, his every intent is transparent to me.
The overwhelming majority of 'How could this be?' dominates his mind!
And then.
Wo-woong!
Something seems to rise from within Yeon Jin and his hair changes.
Creak, creak...
Yeon Jin, who is a boy.
His Yin and Yang reverses, and Yeon Jin transforms into a girl, giving off a completely different aura than just moments ago.
"Hmm..."
Yeon Jin crosses her arms and looks at me.
'No, it's not Yeon Jin.'
She scrutinizes me.
"How did you know?"
I am now facing Yeon Jin's ancestor.
'Yeon Wei.'
"A junior should have some skills, shouldn't they?"
