What Makes a Human (5)

p>Jeon Myeong-hoon opened his eyes and looked up at the sky.

p>The things he could no longer see had become visible.

p>His remaining lifespan, the vague notion called ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Heaven’s Chronicle…

p>“That’s the Heaven’s Chronicle…”

p>Geum Jin-chan had told him that the more he practiced, the clearer the Heaven’s Chronicle and fate would become.

p>“So this is the seventh stage of Qi Condensation…”

p>His chest swelled with hope.

p>Ten years of 7-Star Ceremonies… and finally reaching Qi Condensation seventh stage.

p>From now on, not only could he obtain a dual cultivation partner, but the training method of aligning with stellar alignment would be impossible until he advanced to Core Formation.

p>“From now on, it’s smooth sailing!”

p>Jeon Myeong-hoon, bursting ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠with hope, watched a massive centipede pass by.

p>“Ah, Hong Beom!”

p>It was Hong Beom.

p>Yet Hong Beom only gave a small nod before flying away somewhere.

p>“Hmm, busy again?”

p>Jeon Myeong-hoon tilted his head curiously at the hurried-looking Hong Beom.

p>A short while later.

p>“Hiiiiiaaaak! P-please save me, I don’t taste ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠good!”

p>Jeon Myeong-hoon saw a girl with half-white, half-black hair—looking like a Core Formation disciple of Geum Byeok-ho—being bitten and flown away by Hong Beom.

p>‘Wait… is that a he?’

p>Jeon Myeong-hoon, roaring in panic as he watched Yeon-jin fly away, momentarily wondered if it was male or female.

p>‘He’s such an interesting fellow.’

p>Jeon Myeong-hoon clicked his tongue, thinking the screaming Yeon-jin was amusing simply because of his appearance.

p>“Well, Hong Beom seems busy… Maybe I should meet him later.”

p>That was when he turned around.

p>“Jeon Myeong-hoon.”

p>“Hmm?”

p>Geum So-hae flew over on her flying sword and called for him.

p>“Your dual cultivation partner has been decided.”

p>“Ah, really?”

p>Jeon Myeong-hoon nodded.

p>Geum So-hae found his attitude a bit strange.

p>‘Back then he wrote on his face that he wanted a dual cultivation partner, but now he’s so calm?’

p>And she quickly figured out the answer.

p>“So-hae, could you… become my dual cultivation partner?”

p>“Hmm?”

p>Geum So-hae frowned slightly.

p>Jeon Myeong-hoon had always seen her only as a little sister and had never once thought of her romantically, making the proposal somewhat startling to her.

p>Yet his expression was serious.

p>“For the past ten years, honestly, I thought everyone was avoiding me. The ones who talked to me were only Hong Beom, you, and a few others.”

p>His words continued.

p>“Honestly, it was tough for ten years. I wonder what would have happened if you hadn’t been there.”

p>“Is that why you want to be my dual cultivation partner?”

p>“That’s not the end of it.”

p>Jeon Myeong-hoon’s eyes held solemnity.

p>Geum So-hae’s eyes sparkled.

p>‘He’s changed a little…’

p>“Over the past ten years, while I thought I’d been betrayed, I realized the entire sect was working for me. So… I think I understand what it means for the sect to be like family. If I form a dual cultivation bond with you, it’ll become even more like family. But So-hae, I…”

p>Jeon Myeong-hoon carefully voiced his true feelings.

p>“If I become a real family member here, I want to become a real family through you.”

p>“Hmm…”

p>Geum So-hae looked at him.

p>Was it because of the ten years of pain and resentment?

p>Or because she had experienced the feeling of resentment washing away all at once?

p>There was something strangely different about her, which intrigued him.

p>‘Has a person changed?’

p>For some reason, Geum So-hae felt a question rising in her mind.

p>‘If a person can change, just how far can Jeon Myeong-hoon change?’

p>The same chaotic Jeon Myeong-hoon who hadn’t learned etiquette, had talked nonsense to the elders on his first day and gotten hit, and had been taught manners by her.

p>For such a person to now be so solemn was beyond her understanding.

p>She was curious.

p>If he changed, just how far could he go?

p>“Hmm…”

p>In the end, Geum So-hae smiled.

p>“Okay, I’ll form the bond with you.”

p>“…”

p>“But the dual cultivation bond isn’t the end. Once you’ve really become comfortable with me, that’s when we’ll do it.”

p>“…”

p>“Thank you for giving me the chance.”

p>Jeon Myeong-hoon smiled back at her.

p>That day, Jeon Myeong-hoon could form a bond with Geum So-hae.

p>Geum Byeok-ho looked displeased, but he couldn’t stop Geum So-hae’s opinion.

p>And about a month passed.

p>***

p>“Huuu…”

p>Jeon Myeong-hoon took a deep breath from his lower abdomen.

p>Whoosh!

p>A white light glowed from his lower abdomen.

p>Qi Condensation thirteenth stage, first level of Yi Yuan Yi Rong.

p>And the final!

p>Kuuuung!

p>The condensed spiritual core in his lower abdomen exploded, and Jeon Myeong-hoon reached Qi Condensation fourteenth stage, stage of Wugeuk Yeong Un.

p>Kureung, Kururung!

p>With faint thunderclouds surrounding him, Jeon Myeong-hoon rose from his seat.

p>“Finally… I’ve reached the peak of Qi Condensation.”

p>Was it thanks to starting the dual cultivation bond with Geum So-hae?

p>Or was there no forced resistance left in the remaining stages to hold him back?

p>In just one month, Jeon Myeong-hoon had rapidly broken through from seventh to fourteenth stage of Qi Condensation with the foresight of Heavenly Gold Thunder Body.

p>A leap forward compared to ten years ago, when he had been flustered by not knowing the Heavenly Sovereign’s secret manual.

p>“Hmm, Jeon Myeong-hoon? You finally reached it?”

p>Outside Jeon Myeong-hoon’s lower abdomen.

p>Geum So-hae walked in and asked.

p>Jeon Myeong-hoon nodded with a smile.

p>“Yeah, now I can enter Core Formation!”

p>“Oh, then you’ll enter Core Formation?”

p>“No, I need to enter tomorrow. Today I’m a bit tired after breaking through fourteenth stage…”

p>“Yeah, yeah. Good work.”

p>Geum So-hae naturally flipped him over.

p>“By the way, you aren’t helping with my training?”

p>“Of course I should help!”

p>For a while, the two began the dual cultivation, and after a few hours, Jeon Myeong-hoon emerged from the lower abdomen with a somewhat dazed look.

p>“Entering Core Formation might make me feel a bit better… damn.”

p>He looked up at the sky.

p>Tomorrow he would enter Core Formation.

p>He had no intention of failing.

p>Jeon Myeong-hoon thought of Seo Eun-hyun.

p>‘Wait for me, Seo Eun-hyun. I’ll catch up soon!’

p>Jeon Myeong-hoon, burning with competitive spirit, wandered around the entire Geumshin Cheonroe Sect in search of the friends who had cared for him over the past ten years.

p>Once he reached Core Formation, probably only Hong Beom and Geum So-hae would remain as simple friends.

p>That was why he finally visited them for a last talk.

p>He already knew the entire sect had worked for him, not just them, but they were still emotionally precious friends.

p>Jeon Myeong-hoon looked around at the people who had been by his side for ten years, then headed back to his lower abdomen.

p>That was when.

p>“Hmm? Hong Beom!”

p>Jeon Myeong-hoon shouted as he saw Hong Beom gliding between the peaks of Geumshin Cheonroe Sect in the distance.

p>Hong Beom’s gaze turned to him.

p>[Ah, how have you been? Already aiming for Core Formation? Your talent is far greater than that of ordinary people, Jeon Myeong-hoon.]

p>“Enough. I don’t owe you anything. Your talent is also immense. By the way.”

p>Jeon Myeong-hoon told Hong Beom.

p>“I’d like to visit my master—the elder—after he reaches Core Formation. Is that possible?”

p>[Do you plan to enter Core Formation tomorrow?]

p>“Yes.”

p>[Then I’ll have to ask you to wait a bit. Tomorrow my master will also be at the level of transcending the threshold.]

p>“Is your master an early Nascent Soul cultivator? Then this time he’ll advance to mid-Nascent Soul?”

p>However, Hong Beom shook his head.

p>[No. My master will advance to late Nascent Soul tomorrow.]

p>“Uh? Ah, I see. Late Nascent Soul, then.”

p>Jeon Myeong-hoon quickly understood and secretly held great respect for Hong Beom’s master.

p>‘If he reaches late Nascent Soul, isn’t Heavenly Person right around the corner? It’s not even a dream anymore.’

p>“After entering Core Formation, I’ll visit him once he reaches late Nascent Soul.”

p>[Yes, that would be fine.]

p>“Then I’ll come visit tomorrow.”

p>[Thank you for coming.]

p>Jeon Myeong-hoon made the appointment with Hong Beom and headed back to his lower abdomen, thinking.

p>‘If it’s Seo Eun-hyun, he should have reached the peak of early Nascent Soul by now? I need to speed up too.’

p>And when Jeon Myeong-hoon returned to his lower abdomen, the one waiting for him was Geum So-hae.

p>“Since you’ll enter Core Formation tomorrow, let’s gather qi today.”

p>“Wait, So-hae. I think I need to recover my fatigue first…”

p>“Be quiet. Come in quickly!”

p>Jeon Myeong-hoon’s complexion paled as she pulled him into the inner part of the lower abdomen.

p>***

p>The next day arrived.

p>Kugugugugugu!

p>Jeon Myeong-hoon assumed the lotus position and absorbed the raging ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠thunder clouds of the spiritual qi surging around the peak above his lower abdomen.

p>Whoosh whoosh whoosh—

p>The thunder clouds rotated around him and seeped into his body.

p>At the same time, a white light exploded from the center of his lower abdomen.

p>True spiritual star!

p>Core Formation first layer, stage of Gak.

p>‘Now… I can enter Core Formation!’

p>And at the same time.

p>Jeon Myeong-hoon saw thunder clouds crashing down from the sky.

p>‘That’s…?’

p>And a blue lightning bolt revealed its fangs toward him.

p>Kwarurung!

p>A pillar of light descended onto Jeon Myeong-hoon.

p>But Jeon Myeong-hoon laughed inside the pillar of light.

p>‘Heaven’s Tribulation?’

p>Kwajijijik!

p>Heaven’s Tribulation that even loved his Heavenly Gold Thunder Body talent.

p>Blue lightning was being sucked into Jeon Myeong-hoon’s body.

p>And only then did Jeon Myeong-hoon realize how he could raise the talent of his Heavenly Gold Thunder Body.

p>‘I see, I don’t need to use law power to extend my practice. I can store the Heaven’s Tribulation inside my body and release it when needed for similar attacks!’

p>To Jeon Myeong-hoon, Heaven’s Tribulation was both a pill and a law treasure.

p>He stored the blue lightning deep inside his body.

p>This lightning would become a weapon to protect him in similar situations.

p>Kugugugugu!

p>At the same time, Jeon Myeong-hoon confirmed that fine pure qi flowed through his entire body.

p>“Huu…”

p>Now, as long as one of his three lower abdomens was not completely destroyed, he would never die easily.

p>Feeling the life force surging like a river in his blood vessels, a smile bloomed on Jeon Myeong-hoon’s face.

p>‘It’s done! Finally I won’t lose to So-hae!’

p>Of course, he didn’t show his inner feelings. He stood up and said.

p>“Well, then when my master—Hong Beom’s master—finishes his realm advancement, I’ll go visit him…”

p>And.

p>Kurururung!!!

p>Jeon Myeong-hoon hurriedly turned his gaze toward the place where the immense Heaven’s Tribulation aura was raging.

p>“That’s…!”

p>In other words, it was the bombardment of Heaven’s Tribulation.

p>A rain of thunder tribulation that couldn’t be compared to what Jeon Myeong-hoon had faced was crashing down from the thunder clouds far away.

p>***

p>Kureung, Kururung!

p>Late Nascent Soul, stage of Yeo-o-aek-ji-su (like the lifespan of the Five Great Mountains) requires uniting the Five Elements into one.

p>From this stage onward, even if one is a Heavenly Spiritual Root cultivator, they can accept law treasures of other attributes and handle the Five Elements.

p>So in the case of a Demonic Root cultivator who accepts ordinary Five Elements qi, stacks turbid qi, and converts life force and desire qi into one, is it easier to reach the stage of Yeo-o-aek-ji-su than ordinary Heavenly Root cultivators?

p>No.

p>Rather, because a Demonic Root cultivator’s qi is turbid, they had to perfectly divide the Five Elements to reach late Nascent Soul.

p>Heavenly Root cultivators reaching late Nascent Soul were mostly Heavenly Spiritual Root ones, so if they took time to cultivate law treasures and connect them, a Demonic Root cultivator was spending time dividing the Five Elements they already possessed.

p>But if so, what if a Heavenly Root cultivator born with all Five Elements attributes cultivates the Heavenly Five Elements Public Law and reaches mid-Nascent Soul?

p>Kugugugugu—

p>I smiled while watching the Five Elements power rotating inside my body.

p>‘As expected…’

p>In the Qi Condensation days, I had wanted to break through realms by mastering all Five Elements for Core Formation.

p>And I had the memory of mastering all of the Owol Ipdo-gyeong, the basic Core Formation manual, and breaking through the Core Formation law.

p>And now, at this moment.

p>Whoosh whoosh whoosh!

p>The law power of the Owol Ipdo-gyeong inside my body rotated fiercely as I contemplated the changes of the Five Elements.

p>The Five Elements Formation of the Owol Ipdo-gyeong-based Changryeong Seonggwang Ochae Daebeop, which had been transformed into a Demonic Water Public Law, divided into the Five Elements.

p>The ratio of the Five Elements was perfectly balanced with Ogi Jo-won.

p>And at some point.

p>Kwa-aang!

p>The Five Elements rotated around the divided Nascent Soul as Yin-Yang gods, and finally the qi of the Five Elements rotating inside the Nascent Soul flowed in.

p>At the same time, I felt the qi wriggling in the sky.

p>‘Late Nascent Soul Heaven’s Tribulation?’

p>Come.

p>Now you are no match for me!

p>When advancing from Core Formation to Nascent Soul, a single golden lightning bolt.

p>From early to mid-Nascent Soul, two golden lightning bolts.

p>From mid to late Nascent Soul, three golden lightning bolts descend.

p>Of course, I also added one blue lightning bolt, so I had to withstand six lightning bolts.

p>Kwarurung!

p>The twin-colored lightning bolts struck me.

p>But for me, who reached the realm by the method of both Demonic and Heavenly Roots simultaneously, this level of Heaven’s Tribulation was enough to endure.

p>The twin-colored lightning bolts struck me three times.

p>Kugugugu!

p>I finally broke through mid-Nascent Soul and reached late Nascent Soul, stage of Yeo-o-aek-ji-su.

p>“Huu…”

p>But that wasn’t the end.

p>‘I’m about to reach late Nascent Soul.’

p>I closed my eyes and raised my Nascent Soul to the upper abdomen, expelling it through the white bead.

p>My Nascent Soul appeared as the divided Yin-Yang gods with their center axis, and inside my body the Five Elements were arranged as if placed in the Five Directions.

p>That form had an eerie auspiciousness, yet at the same time looked somewhat artificial and unnatural.

p>To make that unnaturalness natural.

p>“U Sang Wol Eum Do (Right Upper Moon Yin Diagram).”

p>I assumed the lotus position and raised my right hand.

p>Then the Yin god separated from my Nascent Soul and gathered behind my right side, becoming the moon.

p>“Jwa Sang Il Yang Do (Left Upper Sun Yang Diagram).”

p>I lowered my right hand and raised my left.

p>The Yang god separated and gathered behind my left side, becoming the sun.

p>I felt the longing of a distant past from the sun and moon of Yin and Yang.

p>Mother… Father…

p>Mom, Dad…

p>Yin and Yang are the origin of existence.

p>I will never forget.

p>“Je Jwa O Aek Do (Imperial Seat Five Peaks Diagram).”

p>And the final diagram of the Five Elements Five Directions remained, transforming into five beams of light, forming five peaks behind me.

p>The peaks became the Imperial Seat, providing a seat for the master.

p>In that way, a perfect Sun-Moon-Five-Peaks Diagram settled behind me.

p>The Changryeong Seonggwang Ochae Daebeop had achieved perfect balance with the Sun-Moon-Five-Peaks Diagram.

p>‘From now on… it begins.’

p>Anyone who has reached late Nascent Soul can do this so far.

p>Reaching late Nascent Soul is from now on.

p>The Sun-Moon-Five-Peaks Diagram spread behind me had loosened my Nascent Soul.

p>While maintaining that Nascent Soul, I separated my consciousness once more.

p>Whoosh whoosh!

p>I released my consciousness.

p>This process was helped by the Gimyoseongsimjeon.

p>My consciousness spread completely in all directions, sinking into the surroundings in a daze.

p>Now, in this state, I needed to rely on one image and gather my consciousness in front of me.

p>This process was helped by the Muhyeong Sword.

p>I became the sword and merged with my consciousness.

p>When I cleared the slightly dazed consciousness, I now had ‘me’ and the ‘Sun-Moon-Five-Peaks Diagram’ in front of me.

p>I was the sword.

p>Yet at the same time, I was Seo Eun-hyun.

p>Step.

p>One step, and I gradually changed from sword to human form.

p>Step.

p>Two steps, and with the landscape of collapsing Yin and Yang, I almost returned to human shape.

p>Step.

p>Three steps, and while seeing countless laws and the world’s flow surging, I saw a faint light lingering on my human-shaped body.

p>Step.