The Seventh Stage Awakens
Ever since the birth of the Heavenly Martial Divine Demon (Cheonmu Shinma) Kim Young-hoon, the method of disrupting the consciousness of Void Shattering experts spread across the entire martial world.
At first, it had merely been slow to seep out as martial arts formulas aimed at senior elders of high-ranking sects.
But after the story of Kim Young-hoon—who was at the level of a Core Formation Void Shattering expert—fighting equally with Cheongmun Ryeong, the core figure of the Gwanghan Martial Alliance, reached the capital and even slipped into the ears of the criminals.
The Heavenly Demon Sutra (Shinma Gyeol) attributed to him began to spread throughout the martial world.
There was even speculation that Kim Young-hoon had personally distributed the formulas to various places.
And after that, the Core Formation and lower Void Shattering experts who governed the criminals could no longer look down on martial artists.
If they were mistaken, even nobles or royalty could have their necks cut by high-level martial artists.
High-rank Void Shattering experts were of no concern to them.
After all, even if martial artists grew a bit stronger, those who could wield widespread destructive techniques would cause no particular worry.
But the Core Formation and lower Void Shattering experts were different.
They were the very core of governing the criminals.
Once they realized that the criminals they had always treated as “livestock” could now counterattack, they could no longer afford arrogance.
Therefore, Jin Wi-yeon, a Core Formation 6th-layer Void Shattering expert, felt her tension rise the moment she saw the man before her.
’She was definitely a Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown master… and if he had also learned the Heavenly Demon Sutra from the Heavenly Martial Demon, he would have been in trouble if he had only been a normal Core Formation 6th-layer expert. But…‘
She had something on her side.
She carried advanced formations that could unleash more than Core Formation 12th-layer power.
The only flaw was that it consumed a bit more of her own energy, but she had plenty of spirit stones to replenish it. The odds were in her favor.
’I win!‘
She raised the red fire formation with a tiger head on either side and activated it.
’Li (離), Ten Yang (十陽)!‘
Whoosh—!
Ten fireballs shot out from the formation and enveloped the man.
Jang-hyeok, an outside member of the Jin Clan, formed a bond with Jin Wi-yeon and supported her.
’This is my chance! If I perform well in front of the young lady, my status in the palace will rise even if the Jin Clan doesn’t accept me! I’ll obtain the position of Chief Inspector of the Heavenly Observatory thanks to her favor!‘
Kwaaang—!
For a while, fierce fighting erupted inside the Heavenly Observatory.
The two Void Shattering experts fought with all their might against the treacherous martial artists who had invaded the Observatory.
And in the end, Jang-hyeok and Jin Wi-yeon managed to defeat the martial artists.
’I won! Hahaha, the blockage that was hindering my battle broke through during the fight! I’ve achieved the perfect foundation to enter the Core Formation 7th stage!‘
Jin Wi-yeon rejoiced at the spiritual connection that arose during the battle.
’Well done, Jang-hyeok! I’ll tell the Core Formation elders about you too! If your sincerity and ability are like this, I can even entrust you with the seal of the Ceremonial Office, which oversees the entire Heavenly Observatory!‘
Jang-hyeok was equally thrilled by her joyful words.
’Thank you! Thank you, young lady!‘
It felt like a dream.
* * *
’Core Formation 7th stage… in front of me…‘
’The elder… has acknowledged me…‘
I looked at the children who were sleeping soundly with their noses running as they snored.
’Seeing these kids again after a long time… they’re actually pretty cute.‘
Even the lowest-ranked disciples of the Gold Spirit Thunder Gate in the current era were at Core Formation 11th stage.
They had been dragged here from the Gwanghan Realm the moment they entered the sect.
Among the disciples originally from Water Realm, there was not a single one who had not yet reached Foundation Establishment.
To me, a Core Formation 7th-stage expert like this was the first in a very long time.
’Quite refreshing… Core Formation 6th stage.‘
I took a deep breath, withdrew the sleep-inducing technique that filled the entire Heavenly Observatory, and let out a small chuckle.
’Cute things. Sleep well.‘
I lay sprawled out and scratched the belly of the old man sleeping beside me, who resembled a red tiger.
He smiled in his sleep, as if enjoying a good dream.
Woo-woong—!
Naturally, my spiritual energy flowed into him and melted the impurities inside his body.
From now on, he would never have to worry about illness for the rest of his life.
And when I looked at the Core Formation 7th-stage expert, she automatically accumulated the perfect foundation to advance to Core Formation 8th stage.
’Grow strong, my child.‘
I decided it was time to leave before these troublesome kids kept coming to visit, so I stored all the astronomical records inside Jeomuldo and split the space to exit the palace grounds.
’I’ll probably have to read them comfortably at a nearby inn.‘
* * *
The food from the mortal realm tasted surprisingly good after a long time.
’Thinking about it, I haven’t tasted food since reaching the Core Formation stage.‘
Even after reaching Nascent Soul, I hadn’t drunk a single glass of water.
After all, my vitality was on a completely different level from the criminals.
’Jang-soi, one more bowl of noodles, please.‘
’Yes, sir!‘
I quickly finished the noodles and took out the astronomical records to read them.
’Let me see… First, the astronomical traces from 500 years ago until now… I’ll read the flow of the sun, moon, and stars…‘
I followed the astronomical traces and began inserting the formations into them.
’After inserting the flow of the Seventy-Two Zhi and Thirty-Six Thousand Gang into the celestial phenomena, and continuously ascending while aligning with the Twelve Seasons and Ten Heavenly Stems…‘
I floated a small strand of my spiritual energy in the air and implemented the basic formations in accordance with the flow of the celestial phenomena.
And a while later, I saw the energy lumps in front of me taking on one single shape.
’Eh? It’s taking a shape?‘
I hadn’t expected such quick results, so I examined the shape in detail.
One of the martial artists sitting nearby flung his chopsticks at another to declare a life-or-death challenge, and suddenly the inn became a battlefield for life and death.
I paid it no mind and focused on the shape.
It was a small inverted conical shape.
’Inverted triangle? Inverted cone? What is this?‘
Booom—!
But when I tried to observe the detailed shape of the cone, it dispersed and vanished.
’Is it a symbol? But an inverted triangle is too simple to be a symbol. No, since it dispersed the moment I tried to observe the more detailed form, I’ll have to look into it later.‘
One of the martial artists fighting beside me spat out Sword Gang and declared himself a Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown master, and the opponent was also revealed to be a high-level expert of the same level.
’Shall I try making it again?‘
Disrupting their consciousness, the weapons of the fighting martial artists struck me several times while carrying spiritual energy.
I scratched the hit areas and moved the formations in front of me again to create the shape.
’Hm!‘
When I tried to observe the shape again, it dispersed and disappeared.
’Hm… Even with my consciousness, it’s difficult to observe. Perhaps it will be easier once my consciousness size grows a bit larger. And… I’ll need more detailed records of the celestial phenomena itself from Water Realm. Since I only created it with the records from Yeon Kingdom, it may be inaccurate…‘
In the end, the fighting martial artists flew away in opposite directions, bleeding profusely.
They formed blood brothers with their opponents while bleeding and left the inn.
Having made my decision, I scattered the energy lumps in front of me, saying I would eat one more bowl of noodles and then go.
’The Seongje Kingdom side is probably most accurate when handled by the Gold Spirit Thunder Gate later, and I’ll have to visit the Northern Great Plains of Byeokra Kingdom and the East as well.‘
It wouldn’t take long.
’Jang-soi, is the noodle ready?‘
And then I discovered Jang-soi hiding under a nearby table, trembling like a leaf.
The entire inn was shattered as if a storm had passed through.
’Ah, thank you for helping, sir. Thank you for saving us. Those monsters must have thought we were terrified since we didn’t react at all even after looking at us several times, so they probably formed blood brothers just to escape.‘
’Eh? What hit me?‘
’The noodles are on the house.‘
’Thank you.‘
I enjoyed the free noodles at the inn, repaired the completely ruined inn with the Life-Recovery technique as thanks, and left.
’I was too focused and didn’t notice what happened right in front of me.‘
It was strange.
The inverted cone had indeed been very weak, but it seemed to possess a strange magical power that could captivate people.
’The desire to investigate it further is growing stronger.‘
What on earth had Cheongmun Ryeong seen?
I needed at least minimal clues.
* * *
’This place… is Water Realm?‘
Jeon Myeong-hoon sat with Kim Haemin and Kim Noryeon, listening to the government affairs while sighing.
’Eh? What did you say, elder?‘
’No. Then let the next one come in.‘
’Yes, the envoy of the Gongmyo Clan of Byeokra Kingdom is here.‘
’Byeokra Kingdom…‘
’It’s a country beyond Yeon Kingdom, next to the Seongje Kingdom.‘
’In other words, the neighbor’s neighbor? Who is the envoy?‘
Kim Haemin read the document and spoke.
’The Gongmyo Clan… Oh, I know someone too. Gongmyo Hui, son of Gongmyo Cheon-saek, the third great figure of the Core Formation level. He is talented and has studied diligently under Gongmyo Cheon-saek, becoming a Core Formation elder.‘
’…Third great figure of the Core Formation level? Core Formation elder? No, and he’s a son, yet his name is a woman’s name.‘
’The third great figure of the Core Formation level… Ugh, explaining it makes my mouth hurt. Please read this document later. The fact that he is a Core Formation elder is because all Void Shattering experts of Nascent Soul or higher originally from Water Realm ascended after the last victory.‘
’I see.‘
’Also, why is Gongmyo Hui’s name a woman’s name…‘
Jeon Myeong-hoon’s head was aching.
He had just settled into the newly established Water Realm.
The disciples originally from Water Realm were happy to leave the Gwanghan Realm while feeling regret, but for disciples who had been born in the Gwanghan Realm, it was literally the same as being in an alien land.
The spiritual energy they had breathed in so naturally in the Gwanghan Realm was extremely scarce in Water Realm.
Resources were also scarce, and the world was small.
Moreover, they had been thrown into Water Realm from the Gwanghan Realm where their families lived, so it was not even under the grand pretext of a victory but simply because of separation from their families.
And Jeon Myeong-hoon was similar.
He had been a victorious one too, but he had never even stepped on Water Realm soil; he had only stepped on the soil of the Gwanghan Realm from Deungsunhyang.
Everything felt too alien.
But among them, the most maddening thing was separate.
’What are those guys doing right now?‘
Jeon Myeong-hoon, with his vast consciousness of the Heavenly Person realm, met Gongmyo Hui who was introducing himself in front of him while staying below the Gongmyo Peak where the Gongmyo Hall was located.
They were the Core Formation experts trading there.
’This is the nail powder of our respected elder that we managed to obtain with great difficulty. It was ground finely at the pharmacy after we sharpened it last time. This is for the former elder, and this is for the second elder.‘
’The flesh of a Heavenly Person Tai Sui…!‘
’First, the former elder learned only the Brain-Gathering Technique, so the power of the Brain-Gathering Technique resides in this powder. And the second elder learned countless techniques in addition to the Brain-Gathering Technique, so this powder of the second elder can be used in every aspect.‘
’The condition is good and the spiritual energy is decent. Commodity medicine. Forty spirit stones.‘
’No, what does that mean? You’re selling the flesh of a Heavenly Person Tai Sui at such a low price…‘
It was dizzying just to listen.
When I tried to issue a prohibition order, I saw the face of the disciple who was selling his nail powder, which turned out to be the guy who had lost the Double Water Blade in the last Brain Tribulation.
’I’m going crazy. Do I scold him for stealing and selling his nails, or should I pretend not to know?‘
It didn’t stop there.
As he finished his government affairs and roamed the Seongje Kingdom, countless messages from Void Shattering experts flooded his consciousness.
And recently, medicine made from parts of Heavenly Person Tai Sui flesh was thriving in the Seongje Kingdom.
Naturally, they were made from the nails, hair, and saliva of Jeon Myeong-hoon and Seo Eun-hyun.
While I was wondering whether to pluck his head out because I was angry, seeing the disciples smiling cheerfully while selling medicine and gradually escaping the nightmare of the last Brain Tribulation made me want to leave them be.
’Originally, Void Shattering experts were like gods to Water Realm people.‘
If I thought that way, they were trading divine bodies.
’The spiritual energy is scarce in Water Realm, so… they could do that…‘
But no matter how much I thought, I felt angry.
However, seeing the laughter being trapped in his consciousness, I couldn’t say anything more.
’…Well, if that’s the case, I should stop allowing my things to be sold externally.‘
Jeon Myeong-hoon made his decision in his heart.
’Only Seo Eun-hyun’s things will be allowed external distribution.‘
’…Also, when we made the Northward Fleet, we dispatched technicians and obtained the previous technology of the “Northward Fleet.” In short, if our clan wants to make a Northward Fleet that transcends dimensions, it is possible.‘
’Northward Fleet… was the maker’s name North Hyang-hwa? A funny name that makes me think of General North.‘
’Excellent. Technology that transcends dimensions is essential when aiming for victory, so I’ll remember it.‘
Jeon Myeong-hoon nodded his head and sent Gongmyo Hui away.
’The name is funny, but according to Kim Haemin’s explanation, it’s the burning plate of the most important divine object of the Black Ghost Valley… Even if it means burning the divine objects of the Human Six Great Clans, I’ll remember it.‘
* * *
I took a moment to visit the territory of the Jin Clan when I had time and swept through their consciousness domain.
Most of the disciples had died of old age, and their descendants were still alive.
After confirming that, I flew toward the Byeokra Kingdom side.
At that moment.
[Master.]
’Hm? Hongbeom?‘
I reached into Jeomuldo in response to the spiritual voice coming from inside and pulled out the sealed jade bead that Hongbeom held.
After Hongbeom had passed the dangerous moment, I had left him there thinking he would escape on his own power, but it seemed he had finally finished interpreting the seal.
’Is it done?‘
[Yes, I will go out.]
’Good.‘
I lifted the jade bead.
A while later, cracks appeared on the surface of the jade bead and black venom began to spray out from inside.
[Since it is a seal that the Gold Spirit Thunder Gate carefully crafted, it will take some time to come out. I apologize, but could you wait just a little longer?]
’Of course.‘
I descended nearby, set up a suitable formation, and placed the bead Hongbeom was holding.
’The venom is gradually increasing…‘
It seemed Hongbeom had continued his poison research even while sealed, and his poison technique inside the bead had become even more concentrated.
’It has become much stronger.‘
[Yes. While researching whether the seal could be purely dismantled with poison, I have been glimpsing a new realm in poison techniques recently.]
’A realm worthy of being called poison technique…‘
I asked in surprise.
’Formless Poison!?‘
[Yes.]
I, who had once been a poison master, knew of that realm.
And I had looked it up once out of boredom after entering the capital world as well.
It was a dream-like poison that existed above any other poison, regardless of realm, and could poison anyone up to Integration Grand Completion.
However, it had been so legendary in the poison technique world that I had only treated it as a fantasy. Hongbeom had obtained enlightenment about it.
[It is not completely obtained, but it will probably take a long time.]
’Hoo, no. I can wait.‘
It was said that Formless Poison was related to the underworld in some way.
I didn’t know if it was true, but I sat down and waited while rejoicing in Hongbeom’s achievement.
Chi-iiii—!
’Is the formation melting because of Hongbeom’s venom…‘
I sat and watched Hongbeom while staring at the formation.
It was half a day later.
Kwaaaang—!
Suddenly, a powerful formation flew from outside the formation and collided with it.
It seemed to be for a different purpose rather than an attack.
’Hm, Void Shattering experts? But how did they find this formation at this level? Is there some trick?‘
Quite a few people had gathered.
[The person inside this formation, come out immediately.]
I looked outside in puzzlement at the echoing spiritual voice.
[The head of the Jin Clan is looking for you. Please come out and cooperate.]
I looked at them and laughed lightly.
’Sorry, guys, I have something to do sitting here for a while, so that’s impossible.‘
The Void Shattering expert who had spoken felt troubled at my calm voice.
[Hmm, judging by this, you seem to be a Core Formation senior… But no matter what, this is the land of the Jin Clan. If you do not cooperate, no matter how much of a Core Formation senior you are, you will have no choice but to use force.]
’Force?‘
[You may think it’s overbearing, but no matter how much of a Core Formation senior you are, you will never be able to ignore this many Core Formation elders. Please respond to our invitation.]
They bowed their waists respectfully to me.
I smiled faintly and looked at the Core Formation experts surrounding me outside the formation.
About 500 Core Formation experts had gathered.