The Eve (4)
Time flowed on.
Before long, the day I had promised Seo Ran drew near, and I half-opened my eyes.
“Huuu…”
As I exhaled, the spiritual clouds of Jiwol Ipdogyeol rose from my dantian.
Yellowish-brown clouds spread around me.
Yet at the same time—
Shaaaa—
Pitch-black clouds mingled with the yellowish-brown ones, and bichromatic clouds swirled around me.
Black clouds and yellow clouds.
The black clouds were the materialized energy of the water and yin qi from Suwol Ipdogyeol.
Huuuup—
When I inhaled again, both clouds were drawn back into my nose and mouth.
“Suwol Ipdogyeol, Qi Condensation fourteenth star — Wugeuk Spirit Cloud ascension.”
Since I had already opened all my spiritual meridians with Jiwol Ipdogyeol, there was no need to open additional blood meridians; I only had to accumulate spiritual power.
Moreover, because I had already grasped the enlightenment of each stage through Seongakhutong, I merely needed to consider the differences in the Five Elements and slowly break through.
‘Of course, even that took an incredibly long time…’
This was simply an unavoidable difference arising from one’s constitution.
‘But if I continue at this pace, in the end… I won’t be able to master all the Five Elements cultivation methods in this life.’
It seemed I would have to wait until the next life.
Uuuung—
I opened my eyes and released Ganghwan from my palms.
The Ganghwan split into five in midair and circled around me.
‘Only now have I reached five Ganghwan…’
I had realized it long ago and could handle five Ganghwan, but it was only recently that the five Ganghwan had completely stabilized.
‘Will I be able to handle nine Ganghwan like Kim hyung within this lifetime?’
Grasping the clue to the next Ganghwan, delving into it.
Creating another Ganghwan with great difficulty.
Stabilizing the created Ganghwan once more.
Repeating this process countless times, I had barely reached five Ganghwan.
Yet Kim Young-hoon created one or two Ganghwan in as long as a year, or as short as a few months.
He had gone through every step I had endured and obtained stabilized Ganghwan.
‘Still this slow.’
I was far from catching up to Kim Young-hoon.
He had spoken of great difficulty, saying that Deungbongjogeuk was the end of Wuji and the limit of humanity.
‘He will surely pioneer the next realm again.’
What lay beyond Deungbongjogeuk?
I, too, was deeply curious.
Yet I had no sense of how long it would take me to reach that stage.
Once I handled nine Ganghwan and reached the peak of Deungbongjogeuk, I would again feel an immense wall.
“Kim hyung, I believe you will advance further.”
I would never catch up to Kim Young-hoon.
Therefore, I could only pray for his future.
I wrote a letter to Kim Young-hoon using a spell and headed toward the Black Wind Sea to meet Seo Ran.
* * *
Chwaaa—
The waters of the Black Wind Sea were calmer and clearer than ever.
Especially as I approached Seo Ran’s dwelling, the sea grew even more tranquil and serene, giving off a pristine feeling.
Yet at the same time, I had to be astonished by the terrifying density of spiritual energy emanating from Seo Ran’s residence.
‘What in the world is this power!’
It was literally a force capable of destroying an entire island.
‘If this is the power accumulated over ten years by a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator…’
Chwaak!
I dove into the water and swam toward Seo Ran’s dwelling.
Perhaps because I had mastered Suwol Ipdogyeol, moving underwater felt far easier.
And then I saw the golden afterglow blooming below.
Golden energy enveloped Seo Ran’s entire residence!
‘Beautiful…’
I could not close my mouth for a moment before that aura, which almost seemed sacred.
Without Suwol Ipdogyeol, I would likely have drowned as all the air escaped.
I entered Seo Ran’s dwelling.
Chwaak!
Upon entering the cavern that served as his residence, it was literally a golden world.
And at the center of that golden radiance was Seo Ran’s bell, with Seo Ran himself infusing it with energy beneath it.
Paaaat!
Having noticed my arrival, Seo Ran stopped infusing energy and swallowed the bell.
The golden light that had been emanating from the bell vanished in an instant.
“You came?”
“Yes, Seo hyung. That power is truly… immense.”
“Immense, you say…”
Seo Ran smiled with a hint of self-mockery.
“I could drive away ordinary ghosts, but we must fight inside the Seopmyeong Ship, their stronghold. Moreover, if it is a Core Formation-level ghost, no matter how much power I have stored in the treasure, I can only bind its feet momentarily.”
A resolute expression settled on his face.
“…But I must obtain what lies within. Still, I have a secret art that can at least allow you to escape, so do not worry.”
“Seo hyung, what are you saying? If we agreed to go together, then we leave together as well.”
At my words, Seo Ran looked at me with a subtle expression for a moment.
The color of his intent was too complex to read.
‘He seems conflicted… But why show such subtle emotions toward me…’
If the emotion were clear, I might at least understand his intent.
But this was impossible to decipher—whether he held goodwill toward me or some other feeling.
‘Well, whether it is goodwill or not, it does not matter.’
I would repay the Sea Dragon King’s favor and stay with him to the end.
“…Right. You are correct. If we agreed to go together, then we should leave together.”
He nodded slightly and headed toward the entrance of the dwelling.
“Let us go.”
* * *
Seo Ran and I headed once more to the location of the Black Ghost Valley barrier.
Unlike before, however, I did not cling to his neck; instead, I formed a water-attribute spell seal and floated swiftly across the water’s surface.
“To have mastered a water-attribute spell in that time… you possess tremendous talent.”
“Haha, not at all. I merely poured time into it.”
Chwaaaa!
Before long, we entered the storm-ravaged sea region once again, and in the distance we could confirm the barrier’s location through the distortion of spiritual energy.
“Now cling to my neck again.”
“Yes.”
Chwaaak!
Once I clung to his neck, Seo Ran soared upward and pierced through the barrier.
Once more, a hazy sea fog enveloped us.
The familiar ghost valley cries could be heard.
Yet this time, Seo Ran began to exert his power.
Paaaat!
Golden light radiated from within his body.
The treasure he had stored inside emitted a faint power.
Flash!
Kyaaaaah!
I hate it! I hate it!
I know that light! I know that light!
The ghosts screamed and fled in all directions, opening a vast passage in our path.
Chwaaaak!
And so we completely broke through the second barrier once more.
Then we entered the region where the Seopmyeong Ship lay.
‘It is just as before.’
The Seopmyeong Ship bore the exact same appearance as when we had just left it.
Still a gloomy, desolate wreck of black hue.
Seo Ran and I slowly approached the wreck.
There was still no reaction.
And even as we climbed aboard the ship, the Seopmyeong Ship showed no response.
“It is quiet.”
Seo Ran spoke without relaxing his tension.
“Ghosts often fall into long slumbers to conserve power, clinging to their grudges, ghost qi, or specific objects to avoid the Yellow Springs. Perhaps that Deva-level soul fragment has also fallen asleep…”
We hesitated, then entered the interior of the Seopmyeong Ship.
Still a dark and vast warship.
“There is still no reaction.”
“We can only hope there will be none even if we descend to that floor again…”
Shwaaaa…
The seawater Seo Ran had drawn in lifted his body, allowing him to glide through the ship’s interior as if swimming.
Thanks to this, his footsteps made no sound at all.
I followed him while completely silencing my steps with footwork and the Ghost Breathing Technique.
We had already investigated the upper levels together last time, so today we only needed to descend to the lower levels.
We quietly headed toward the lower decks of the Seopmyeong Ship.
* * *
The same floor we had entered before.
Ghost qi still surged as it had last time.
After exchanging glances, we stepped into that lower level.
We communicated with our eyes and moved forward.
That was when it happened.
Huuuuu—
A yin wind blew, completely sealing the exit of the floor we had descended with ghost qi.
“…!”
“…!!”
[I have been awake since you set foot on the Seopmyeong Ship. I am currently borrowing the ship’s ghost qi and yin qi to endure the pull of the Yellow Springs… so I can sense any anomaly on the ship immediately.]
The voice mixed with ghost qi echoed from all directions once more.
[I knew you would return, you bastards…. And you, bastard child—what on earth did you come to find on the Seopmyeong Ship? I pondered it and eventually found the reason.]
Jingle—
From afar came the sound of a bell ringing.
Jingle, jingle…
In the darkness.
A single bell, heavily rusted and blood-red, floated in the air and rang.
Uuung—
At the same time, a jade slip appeared beside the bell.
A jade slip was a special book made of jade that could only be read through a cultivator’s consciousness.
The deeper and greater one’s consciousness, the faster one could read the jade slip and access its information.
Seo Ran’s gaze wavered as he looked at the jade slip and the bell.
The jade slip carried the same energy Seo Ran had once told me to remember.
[I personally found what you were looking for and prepared it, so how could you not be grateful? When I read the jade slip, it was a story I could not read without tears. Hahahaha….]
Kwadududuk!
Then, from where the voice had come, a ghost hand shot out and shattered the jade slip.
The fragments of the jade slip fell and rolled across the ground.
[Now what will you do? Your reason for coming here has vanished. Heheha… Show me your despair. How is it? Hm?]
The color of Seo Ran’s intent shifted.
It burned bright red.
He was enraged.
“Seo hyung, please remain calm. That existence is doing this to agitate you by sensing the aura of the treasure you brought.”
Though a ghost, it too possessed colored intent.
I read that color and understood its intent.
It seemed to mock and toy with Seo Ran, yet it was radiating immense wariness toward him.
When I struck at its state of mind, crimson light rose from the darkness.
Two blood-red eyes, with ghost flames burning within, flickered toward me.
[You… have you mastered a special art that analyzes consciousness…? Like that bastard Goe-gun…?]
I did not answer and merely drew up my spiritual power and inner energy.
“…Right. I understand.”
Seo Ran suppressed his anger and gritted his teeth.
“Rather… I am grateful. You found what I was looking for in advance.”
As he opened his mouth, a golden bell identical in form to the rusted one sprang from within his body.
“If I just eliminate you, I can obtain what I desire right away!!”
Flash!
Golden light spread in all directions.
At the same time, the lower level of the Seopmyeong Ship, previously hidden by ghost qi and darkness, brightened, revealing the interior of the ship.
Through spatial compression spells, the vast interior space became visible.
Shattered ghost statues and spatial rifts could be seen throughout the ship, along with fragments that had likely once been mechanical puppets scattered everywhere.
And at the center of the space.
Upon a throne made of pitch-black stone sat a single white skull wearing a black robe.
Crimson ghost flames flowed from the skull’s eye sockets, and the rest of its body, composed entirely of ghost qi, flickered unsteadily.
[You half-breed dragon bastard… dare to activate the Jeguiryeong inside the sacred relic of the Blue Ghost Valley? Even the disciples of our valley would receive the severe punishment of one month of hard labor at the execution ground of Ghost Valley Mountain for such an act…. You half-breed scum!]
The Core Formation-level elder ghost of the Black Ghost Valley, displeased by the golden bell, began to stir its ghost qi in anger.
“A ruined ship already destroyed by Goe-gun calling itself a sacred relic is laughable.”
And, as if Seo Ran’s words had struck a nerve, ghost qi began to swirl violently around the elder ghost soul.
[Do not speak of that matter regarding Goe-gun in my presence!!!]
Kugugugu!
The interior of the ship, brightened by golden light, darkened once more as ghost qi raged.
[I will kill you!!!]
Its ghost qi surged in all directions, beginning to drive back the light of the golden bell.
Yet Seo Ran focused his consciousness on the bell without any sign of tension.
“Do not worry. I have accumulated power for ten years. There is nothing to fear from a mere remnant soul that borrows the power of the broken Seopmyeong Ship to barely cling to life in order to avoid the Yellow Springs!”
Kugugugugu!
An even fiercer golden radiance burst from the golden bell, surging toward the elder ghost soul.
[At best, you Qi Condensation insects dare to wield a Core Formation-level treasure?!]
The ghost soul’s ghost qi seemed to repel the golden wave for a moment, but Seo Ran smirked.
“Do not bluff, old ghost. Is the Jeguiryeong not a treasure created by your very own Black Ghost Valley to suppress ghosts?
There is no treasure more effective against ghosts than one your own sect forged!”
[Kuuuugh!]
Overwhelmed by the explosive light erupting from the bell, the ghost soul could not open its eyes.
“Now is the time! It cannot exert its full power against the opposing treasure, so let us attack!”
Seo Ran and I split in opposite directions and began our assaults.
Chwaaaa!
When Seo Ran opened his mouth, a blue breath erupted from within.
Peong!
Blue light flashed, and the elder ghost soul groaned.
Pat, patzzzt…
The golden bell floating in midair began to move gradually above the ghost soul.
It resembled a golden sun rising to hang directly overhead at noon.
Flash!
The golden bell moved above the ghost soul, emitting an even brighter light, and began to tremble.
Jingle—
As the bell rang, the elder ghost soul appeared even weaker.
It was as if a golden barrier had trapped it and restricted its power.
“It is done! If we press the attack, we can win!”
That was when Seo Ran gathered energy in his mouth once more.
[You… insects….]
Kugugugugu!
Enduring the bell’s light head-on, the ghost soul rose to its feet.
[Does it look amusing that I, in this state, cannot touch the Jeguiryeong and must endure…?]
Zzzt, zzzt…
[You dare to challenge me, a Core Formation-level being? You insects…?]
While resisting the pull of the Yellow Springs and facing the opposing treasure’s energy—
As it stirred its ghost qi, pitch-black clouds of ghost qi spread, dyeing the surroundings.
[Abandon your vain dreams…!]
Kwaaaang!
From between the black clouds, pitch-black ghost claws shot out and swept over Seo Ran and me.
We narrowly dodged the ghost claws.
‘Fast!’
Because it lacked physical substance and thus faced no air resistance, the speed of the ghost claws was astonishing.
Kwang, kwakwakwang!
Pitch-black ghost qi scattered in all directions.
Twitch, twitch…
At the same time, something like black tentacles flowed out from within the ink-black clouds.
‘Gangqi…’
No, it must be what is called pure spiritual force.
Thousands of such strands extended, formed into the shape of ghost hands, and began flying toward us.
‘Acceleration, sixfold.’
Paang!
Surrounding objects appeared to slow, and my movements grew even faster.
I kicked off the air and dodged all the countless ghost hands.
‘Attacks do land.’
Bung, bung, bung!
Kaang!
I spun three times in midair and clashed my sword gang against one ghost hand.
‘It tingles.’
My sword gang was greatly damaged, but the ghost hand showed not even a scratch.
“Seo hyung! Prepare a decisive strike!”
I formed a hand seal while assuming the riding stance.
Bichromatic spiritual clouds erupted, and within them several spell seals formed.
I separated one Ganghwan from within my body, overlaid it with Gangqi in midair, and connected that Gangqi to the Ganghwan.
‘I cannot separate any more Ganghwan.’
Not only the ghost hands, but the ghost claws were too fast; I could be struck.
Seo Ran, perhaps because his scales were sturdy, could withstand several hits without dying, but I would surely be split in half and die instantly, protective Gangqi or not.
Danak Sword Art, Twenty-Third Stance, Mountain Beyond Mountain is Endless!
I assumed the Wolak stance, connected to the Ganghwan through Gangqi, and swung.
Kwaang!
The ghost hand that collided with the Ganghwan shattered and split apart.
Eleventh Stance, Cliff!
Chwaaak!
The Ganghwan scraped the floor and cleaved through the ink-black clouds where the ghost hands lurked.
My eyes met those of the ghost soul forming a spell seal at the center of the ink-black clouds.
Crack!
As the ghost soul opened its skull mouth, a massive red skull-shaped spell flew toward me.
I returned to the Wolak stance, drew back my energy to eliminate waste, then shifted to the extreme low stance and unleashed the Ipsan form.
Chwaak!
My sword gang extended beneath the skull, aiming for the ghost soul.
[Hmph!]
Kuung, kuung, kuung!
Yet ghost qi coalesced in midair, condensing into pitch-black tombstones that fell and blocked my Gangqi.
[You think you can contend with me using such petty tricks?!]
Kugugugugu!
The ghost soul completed its spell seal. Then thousands of ashen skulls rose around it.
‘Each one carries power on par with a Ganghwan!’
Kyaaaaah!
Ghost valley cries rang out as the ashen skulls flew toward me.
A single direct hit would mean death.
‘Stay calm. As long as my body holds, I can endlessly unleash forms through the Mountain Beyond Mountain is Endless stance.’
Moreover, since I had connected Ganghwan to my sword gang, the Ganghwan linked to me would continue to be maintained without consuming energy no matter how many times it clashed.
‘I must not face more than two skulls at once.’
I had to destroy them one by one.
Thousands of skulls.
Equivalent to thousands of Ganghwan.
Moreover, the ghost soul was forming another hand seal behind them.
It seemed intent on unleashing such a grand spell in succession.
‘Before that creature completes its spell, I will destroy every skull one by one.’
How simple!
Three skulls in front, sixteen above, twenty-two below—all opened their mouths.
Maintaining Mountain Beyond Mountain is Endless, I used Wansuigungmurok to sever perception for an instant and vanished before the skulls.
In the fleeting gap as the skulls faltered, I destroyed the three frontal skulls, and one each from above and below, using the forms of Deungmaek, Ipsan, Cliff, Yongmaek, and Yureung within the momentary world.
‘My inner core is aiding the flow.’
Because my inner core lent its power, the flow of Mountain Beyond Mountain is Endless was far less burdensome than before.
I felt I could last much longer.
The sword gang of Wolak, Layered Mountains, and Neunggokjibyeon flowed naturally, clashing with the skulls one by one.
It appeared as though dozens of sword gang flew, but in reality I was shattering the skulls one by one within the momentary world.
Wolak, Neunggokjibyeon, Sanmyeonggogeung, Yureung, Ipsan, Cliff, Deungmaek, Yongmaek, Seventy-Two Rays of Sunrise Peak…
Dozens of ultimate forms flowed naturally, forming a single current.
Immense power gathered within that current.
Twenty-First Stance, Celestial Pond!
Like a pond reflecting the sky, my Ganghwan contained this vast current entirely.
Several times the usual power gathered within a single Ganghwan.
Originally, the fifth secret of the Danak Sword Art, Danak, created a massive flow, stored it within the sword, and concentrated that power into a single point to unleash a form of power otherwise impossible.
Yet having reached Deungbongjogeuk, I had also mastered the method of reversing the Danak forms.
Instead of concentrating into a single point, I scattered the amassed power in all directions.
Danak Sword Art, Fifth Secret, Danak!
The immense power—tens, hundreds of times what the Ganghwan originally held—shot out in all directions, striking the skulls squarely.
Hundreds of skulls shattered and vanished at once.
I ignored the ghost valley cries, returned to the Wolak stance, and forcibly restrained the escaping power with Mountain Beyond Mountain is Endless, maintaining the riding stance.
‘The Ganghwan’s power has been somewhat damaged.’
Even while maintaining Mountain Beyond Mountain is Endless, I had shattered nearly a thousand attacks of equal level.
It could not be without consequence.
I gripped my sword gang and stirred my energy.
Yellowish-brown and black clouds gathered around me.
The bichromatic clouds began to spin around me.
At the same time, earth-attribute and water-attribute spells condensed at tremendous speed within them and shot outward.
Each individual spell was ridiculously weak compared to the skulls, but I fired dozens of spells per skull to dampen their momentum, then shattered the weakened skulls with my Ganghwan.
And I repeated the process against several more skulls.
* * *
The ghost soul, forming its spell seal, watched Seo Eun-hyun rampaging like a thunder god.
[How foolish. I do not know how a Qi Condensation cultivator can unleash Foundation Establishment-level strikes, but even a Foundation Establishment cultivator cannot hope to reach me—yet you dare to buy time before me.]
The next spell was already complete.
Seo Eun-hyun was still dealing with the skulls he had launched.
The ghost soul turned its gaze toward Seo Ran, who was gathering energy at his lips.
[The Sea Dragon race’s breath is fearsome, but to wound me, a Core Formation-level being, you must gather far more energy!]
It completed a new spell seal.
Pitch-black ghost qi coalesced, then spewed forth a swarm of tens of thousands of ghost insects.
The ghost insects let out ghost valley cries and flew toward Seo Ran.
It was as if a black cloud were moving toward him!
That was when it happened.
‘Wait a moment.’
The ghost soul’s gaze turned to Seo Eun-hyun.
‘Was that fellow always that fast?’
Seo Eun-hyun’s movements, which had already been striking down skulls at a speed rivaling even the basic flight techniques of Core Formation cultivators, far surpassing ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators—
began to accelerate further.
‘What…!’
And then—
Kwaaaang!
Light flashed, and all the skulls around Seo Eun-hyun shattered.
Even the ghost soul failed to properly perceive the scene.
‘I am resisting the Yellow Springs and dispersing my consciousness while resisting the Jeguiryeong, yet I missed it!?’
And in that instant—
Seo Eun-hyun’s figure vanished, appearing before Seo Ran, who faced the swarm of ghost insects.
Although each individual insect was far weaker than the skull spells he had just launched, their numbers were a hundred times greater.
Each one was a secret art equivalent to a spell cast with pure spiritual force!
He would surely be devoured and killed by the ghost insect swarm!
That was what it had expected.
Bung, bung, bungbungbung!
Seo Eun-hyun began to dance with his sword, releasing sword gang with one hand.
Each of his sword gang strikes collided with a ghost insect and annihilated it.
[Hahaha, no matter how fast you are, you cannot destroy tens of thousands of secret arts…]
And then, the bichromatic clouds spun around Seo Eun-hyun.
Black and yellow clouds.
From within the clouds, thousands of basic spells erupted and scattered in all directions.
Though the basic spells were slightly weaker than the ghost insects, they weakened the insects meaningfully, and Seo Eun-hyun’s sword gang swept through the weakened insects.
He continued to strike down one ghost insect after another.
And at some point, Seo Eun-hyun’s movements accelerated even further, transforming into something like a storm of light.
[This… madman.]
The ghost soul gaped its jaw and stared at Seo Eun-hyun in disbelief.
He had destroyed the entire swarm of tens of thousands of ghost insects.
[You… monstrous fellow…! Now I see that you are stronger than that half-breed dragon! How on earth, as a mere Qi Condensation insect… What kind of monster are you! What kind of monster?!]
The ghost soul raged, and Seo Eun-hyun returned to his original stance, gazing at it calmly.
A faint smile lingered on his lips.
Uuuung!
Orbs of light—Ganghwan—began to emerge around him.
The number of Ganghwan was six.
“…As expected, a martial artist grows only by crossing the boundary of life and death.”
Puheok!
At the same time, the Mountain Beyond Mountain is Endless stance Seo Eun-hyun had maintained was released, and the backlash caused blood to pour from his eyes, nose, and mouth.
* * *
Thud!
I had exhausted all the spiritual power in my dantian and the inner energy within my inner core.
I felt as though my breath would cease at any moment.
Gasping for air, I moved the six newly separated Ganghwan.
Flash!
Six attacks flew out, but when the ghost soul waved its hand, my Ganghwan simply dissipated.
At best, they were Foundation Establishment-level strikes.
They would not affect it.
Yet…
“Seo hyung, I have bought you time.”
If it was not a human’s attack, but a dragon’s attack, perhaps it would be different.
Seo Ran, who had gathered a great amount of blue spiritual power at his lips, flashed with light.
Seo Ran opened his mouth.
A blue flash erupted from within.