The Starlight Body Refinement Technique
Starlight Body Refinement Technique.
I skimmed the entire manual once, and something clicked in my mind.
“This technique seems to have only the middle section—no beginning or end?”
At my words, Changhoza laughed heartily, stroking his impressive beard.
“Uha ha, sharp eyes! Exactly! Originally, the Starlight Body Refinement Technique divides one art into three parts.”
His explanation continued.
“The Heaven-Cleaving Force Origin Seal handles attack and explosive power. The Starlight Body Refinement Technique handles defense and stability. The Five Elements Longevity Seal handles endurance, healing, and regeneration. These three techniques correspond to the first, middle, and last thirds of the original art.”
A blue light flickered above Changhoza’s hand.
It was the wood-attribute spirit energy filled with life and healing power.
“Disciples of Changcheon Gaebyeokmun usually begin by dividing the Five Elements Longevity Seal into five separate techniques, one for each attribute. They master those first, then move on to the Starlight Body Refinement Technique. Only when they are skilled enough do they learn the Heaven-Cleaving Force Origin Seal. After they have a solid grasp of all three, they start transmitting the combined ultimate art, the Blue Spirit Star Light Five-Color Great Law.”
“Thank you.”
I bowed after receiving the teaching from Changhoza.
Then curiosity struck me.
“By the way, could you tell me what teachings the Vice-Head, or Senior Oh… practices?”
“Ah, you mean Oh Hyun-seok?”
Changhoza thought for a moment, then flashed a wicked smile.
“It might be a bit mean of me to say this, but the guy is going to receive the full Blue Spirit Star Light Five-Color Great Law right away.”
“Ho…”
“Indeed, the first-generation successor is the first-generation successor. His combat instincts are still a long way from yours, but after repeatedly getting beaten and healed, his body has already become incredibly tough. We’ll first confirm the limits by sparring without teaching the art, and only then will we start proper instruction.”
“….”
In other words, I was going to get pounded nonstop from now on.
‘I wonder if the Vice-Head I met earlier would still be enjoying life most happily….’
Well, before he reached his true potential, getting beaten seemed to be his daily life.
I greeted Changhoza awkwardly, still full of energy at the prospect of beating up Senior Oh Hyun-seok, then returned to my quarters holding the stone slab engraved with the Starlight Body Refinement Technique.
There, I read the manual and realized the Starlight Body Refinement Technique was no simple art.
‘Even if the spiritual energy of the Gwanghan Realm is rich, I cannot look down on my own talent.’
I had long known the limits of my talent.
How long would it take for a body like mine to master proper techniques and reach a high realm?
After pondering for a moment, I remembered Changhoza’s words.
‘Clearly, disciples of Changcheon Gaebyeokmun first master the Five Elements Longevity Seal divided into five techniques before learning the Starlight Body Refinement Technique.’
That meant…
It would help to master the Five Elements Longevity Seal before attempting the Starlight Body Refinement Technique.
‘Yes. I won’t try to learn everything at once. Step by step.’
First, I headed to the Changheon Library to find the Five Elements Longevity Seal.
‘Let me see… The library was just reorganized a few months ago…’
I went to the summoning monument and set out for the Five Elements Training Hall.
And that was when I arrived at the Hall.
“…?”
I saw something strange.
‘Why does the library seem to be shaking…?’
I arrived at the location of the allegedly shaking library.
What I saw was an unbelievable sight.
“…S-Senior?”
Kugugugu!
Below the library building, a muscular man was puffing steam from his nostrils while repeatedly lifting and lowering the entire library with his upper body.
A single blue cloud was embroidered on his pants.
Disciples of Changheon Gaebyeokmun were classified by clouds.
Beginner disciples wore five-cloud robes—the Oun disciples.
Those at Qi Condensation level, after receiving instruction, became Saun disciples.
Foundation Establishment disciples were Sanun disciples.
Core Formation disciples were Iun disciples.
Nascent Soul disciples were ranked as Iun disciples, holding an immense position that also granted them the right to challenge the elders of Changheon Gaebyeokmun.
In truth, the elders and current sect leader of Changheon Gaebyeokmun were Iun disciples and the top tier of the hierarchy that led the sect.
From the Cheonin realm onward, they wore plain blue robes without any cloud pattern.
…And Changhoza, at the Four Pillars level, trained bare-chested.
Senior Oh Hyun-seok and I were technically Oun disciples in terms of realm, but thanks to my status as Changhoza’s direct disciple, I received the Iun pattern.
“Khhuuu…”
The Iun disciple who had been training his upper body against the library building looked my way.
Tianxun, whose name was Cheonhun, gazed at me.
“Oh, you must be the new disciple of the Ancestral Master! Let me think… How should I address you? …Hmm, I don’t know. Well, just call me Senior. Senior, what brings you to the library?”
He lifted the library with one arm while wiping sweat with the other and asked me.
I watched the terrifying sight carefully and asked cautiously.
“…I came looking for the five techniques that divide the Five Elements Longevity Seal.”
“Ah, you’re here for that. Haha, if you’re the Ancestral Master’s direct disciple, you could learn higher techniques immediately, but the fact that you’re starting from the basics looks quite admirable. Go into the second floor of the library. Right at the entrance, in the third bookcase on the third shelf, there are yellow-covered books. They are the foundational arts of Changheon Gaebyeokmun, so there’s no problem copying them. But if you want to take other technique manuals, you’ll need to prove your qualifications.”
“Qualifications?”
“Exactly. This sect does not allow unqualified people to simply take technique manuals and practice them. To learn advanced arts, you must take a test.”
“What kind of test?”
At my question, Tianxun grinned.
“Simple. Bring the technique manual to the librarian, let the librarian judge its importance, and then spar with the librarian until you win. Usually for Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment techniques, you just do arm-wrestling and win.”
“…Who is the librarian of this library?”
I looked at the man before me with narrowed eyes and asked cautiously.
However, Tianxun chuckled as if to say “What are you talking about?”
“Of course it’s me. What do you mean?”
I stared at Tianxun, who was lifting the library with one arm and flexing his muscles.
‘So I have to arm-wrestle him to take the manuals?’
Is he telling me not to train?
Tianxun must have read my expression, because he said.
“Ah, just in case you misunderstand, for Qi Condensation and lower techniques, the new disciple usually wins by arm-wrestling with my little finger. Don’t get the wrong idea. I only use my pinky, and the opponent can use their whole body.”
“….”
I looked at Tianxun’s pinky.
It was thicker than my thumb.
“…Then, since the Five Elements Longevity Seal is simple, can I just take it?”
“Of course! By the way, I was in the middle of training my upper body, so I couldn’t set the building down easily. Could you at least step in?”
“…Yes. Sure.”
I leapt up and sat down at the entrance high above.
From below came Tianxun’s voice.
“Thanks for understanding. I’m going to lift and lower the building a bit while I train my upper body, so if the library shakes, just bear with it.”
“…Do as you please.”
After giving up on understanding Tianxun, I headed upstairs in the library.
A while later,
I found the books titled “Five Elements Longevity Seal” where Tianxun had said.
The Five Elements Longevity Seal consisted of separate techniques like the Five Elements Entry Road Scripture.
Fire, Water, Wood, Metal, and Earth.
I unfolded each manual and memorized the entire manual.
‘This is roughly the feeling…’
Having memorized the manuals, I reached for the technique books on other shelves.
But…
Uuuung!
Every other manual was sealed with golden seals.
When I picked one up,
[Ah, Senior. If you want to master that, arm-wrestle me until you win and I’ll teach you how to break the seal.]
“….”
I quietly placed the manual back in its original spot.
Then I left the library.
“Thank you for your help, Senior. If I need to look for anything else in the future, I’ll come after I’ve mastered more techniques.”
“Haha, do as you like. Ah, and if you’re going to master the Five Elements Longevity Seal, you can probably get help from the Five Elements Pavilion.”
Tianxun pointed with one arm far away to five mountain peaks.
“You know what the Five Elements Pavilion is?”
“Yes, I do. It’s said to be the most active place for cultivating techniques in Changheon Gaebyeokmun. I understand it’s where disciples learn the respective attribute breathing arts.”
“That’s right. There are many Senior-disciple pairs there who are practicing the Five Elements Longevity Seal, and they’ll be happy to help you.”
“Ah, thank you.”
I thanked Tianxun.
I knew roughly what the Five Elements Pavilion was, but I had never been there before.
That was because restoring the location from the Water Realm to Changhan-do had taken a long time, and only recently had the restoration been completed.
Kugugugu!
Leaving Tianxun training in the library behind, I headed to the Five Elements Pavilion.
***
The Five Elements Pavilion.
Fire Body Training Hall.
Kugugugugu!
I realized something was wrong.
“Kahaha! Light the fire hotter!”
“Huuuuuuuuuak!”
“S-Seniors! Save me!”
“W-What are you doing? Burn all the new recruits you just received!”
Hwarururur!
Do you know the wood punishment?
They erect logs, tie up the criminal, pile firewood beneath them, and set them on fire.
And in the Fire Body Training Hall, they were supposedly training the Fire Longevity Seal by…
…tied up in a row of logs and setting fire to the disciples of Changheon Gaebyeokmun who possessed fire spirit roots.
“Hiiiiik! I-I’ll come back! I didn’t know this place was like this!”
“Be quiet! This powerful Changheon Gaebyeokmun exists because everyone in the Water Realm is this strong! In the Gwanghan Realm, with the denser heavenly spirit energy, the effect will be even greater! Light the fire!”
“Huuuuuuuuuak!”
Hwarururuk!
I stared blankly as Qi Condensation level disciples were roasted alive in the Fire Body Training Hall.
Swoosh!
Splash!
And I turned my head toward the Core Formation level Iun disciples training nearby.
Craters!
There was a volcanic crater beside them, and inside it, lava bubbled furiously.
“All in!”
The Iun disciples of the Fire Body Training Hall immediately held their breath and leapt into the lava the moment Tianxun gave the order.
Splash! Splash! Splash!
The Iun disciples disappeared beneath the lava.
“What! Why aren’t these guys coming up?!”
“They’re all sinking! Tianhye, pull them up!”
“Yes!”
The muscular Yeosu female disciple hesitated not at all and entered the lava, then dragged the Iun disciples who were now red-hot and brought them out.
I watched the sight for a moment, then turned around and ran back from the Fire Body Training Hall.
“It seems the Fire Body Technique doesn’t suit me at all.”
I walked to the Metal Body Training Hall on the next peak.
The Metal Body Training Hall looked quite different from the Fire one.
“Huuuuuak! Seniors, I don’t want to die!”
“Please save me!”
New disciples were tightly bound with ropes and slowly lowered into a small pit.
Kagagagagak!
Kagagak!
Kakakakak!
Upon closer inspection, inside the pit where the disciples were being lowered, thousands of tiny shark-like fish with sharp teeth swarmed about.
“All of you operate the Metal Longevity Seal!”
“If you are bitten by the teeth of the Golden-Toothed Shark Fish, you will feel the power of metal spirit. If you handle the technique well without missing that feeling, there will be no problem!”
“Huuuuuuuu! Stop talking nonsense! Crazy….”
Fwoo!
One Oun disciple who had been glowing fell straight into the swarm of Golden-Toothed Shark Fish.
“….”
Surprisingly, the Oun disciple was not bitten to death.
While operating the metal spirit energy, somehow he endured, writhing madly inside without dying.
I hurriedly turned and left the Metal Body Training Hall as well.
‘Are the rest of the training halls like this?’
I supposed so.
‘…For now, maybe there is some training that suits me. Let me check the others too.’
I took a deep breath and headed to the next hall.
Water Body Training Hall.
Splash!
“Krrurrrup!”
It was much more visually stable than the previous brutal halls.
But the Oun disciples of the Water Body Training Hall were pulled deep into the water by senior disciples and trained to endure immense water pressure.
‘…The depth is so great it’s hard to see.’
“Next! Enter!”
“Wait a moment! It’s not about surviving the water pressure, it’s about not being able to breathe…”
“Be quiet! There is no such thing as impossible for a disciple of the Great Changheon Gaebyeokmun!”
Splash!
“Krrurup…!”
The Oun disciples of the Water Body Training Hall, with one stone the size of their head tied to each foot, plunged into the lake before them.
The depth of the lake was so immense it was dozens of zhang deep, and after a while, the Oun disciples who had gone down were no longer visible.
I watched the sight and shook my head, then headed to the next training hall.
Wood Body Training Hall.
Twudududu!
“Kwaweeeeeeek!”
“Kuuueup!”
“Uueup!”
In the Wood Body Training Hall, Sanun disciples wielding healing and vitality power in their fists were tied to logs and beating Oun and Saun disciples mercilessly.
If the disciples from the previous Fire, Metal, and Water halls had been able to scream, their mouths pierced, the Oun and Saun disciples here, with gags in their mouths, could only grit their teeth and endure the Sanun disciples’ fists.
Twudududu!
Whenever the Sanun disciples beat the Oun and Saun disciples in the Wood Body Training Hall, their bodies were covered in bruises and their bones broken, but then the senior disciples’ fists made their bodies heal and regenerate instantly.
Every time their bones and flesh were torn, they healed in real time, and the flesh itself grew stronger and more resilient.
“….”
I watched the sight, held my breath, and fled the Wood Body Training Hall as well.
And finally,
Earth Body Training Hall.
“….”
Unlike the other terrifying and noisy training halls, the Earth Body Training Hall was very quiet and desolate.
The Iun and Iun disciples were training with their eyes closed.
Of course, like what Tianxun did, lifting a boulder the size of a library or mountain peak was a bit rough, but…
‘Where did the San, Sa, and Oun disciples go?’
That was when I wondered.
Fwoo!
Suddenly, a palm appeared from the ground in the Earth Body Training Hall.
“Kheo! Kheok! Kheok!”
A while later,
the fully surfaced man was an Oun disciple in tattered clothes.
He took a deep breath, climbed out of the ground, and began running madly toward me.
“This place is insane! Everyone is crazy! If I had known Changheon Gaebyeokmun was such a sect, I wouldn’t have come…”
And…
Kugugugu!
One Iun disciple who had been training his upper body by lifting a mountain peak silently set the peak down and dropped it in front of the Oun disciple.
“Senior, where are you going? You still have today’s training to do!”
“I-I don’t… want to live…”
At the same time, the Iun disciple spun his foot.
Kuekuekuegwang!
His kick created a massive crater beneath the Oun disciple who was trying to escape.
He grabbed the Oun disciple by the scruff of the neck and hurled him into the crater.
“Well then, come up again while operating the Earth Longevity Seal. You’ll be familiar with it soon enough.”
With that, the crater closed, and the Oun disciple from moments ago was trapped underground.
‘I see…’
The reason the Earth Body Training Hall was quiet was because lower-level disciples were buried in the earth.
Apparently, rising while enduring the pressure of the earth was the training method of the Earth Body Training Hall.
After watching all the training methods, I understood.
‘I should just quietly go learn the Starlight Body Refinement Technique.’
And that was when,
“Wait a moment. By the way, you… aren’t the new disciple recently taken in by the Ancestral Master?”
“….”
“Haha, this works out perfectly. Seeing you in the Earth Body Training Hall, I assume you’re trying to master the Earth Longevity Seal. Even though you’re the Ancestral Master’s disciple and could learn higher techniques, the fact that you’re starting from the basics looks quite admirable.”
Kung, kung, kung, kung!
Iun disciples and Iun disciples blocked my path on both sides and in front.
I smiled awkwardly and said.
“…I seem to have taken the wrong path. I was going to leave again, so… everyone, please continue practicing happily…”
“Haha, you can come in whenever you like, but not leave.”
Tat!
Together with him, the Iun and Iun disciples who surrounded us in all directions rushed toward me.
I read countless paths and trajectories with my full combat instinct for the first time in a long time.
‘I’ll escape…!’
Drawing out every ounce of willpower, I locked onto a path.
_
**To be continued…**