Awakening the Spirit Pill
After that, I kept going back and forth between Parachao Pavilion and the Rakshasa village, training in my quarters and repeatedly rescuing the people we'd sheltered in the guest hall.
As usual, while practicing the Thunder Cloud Heart Knot, Zhuque suddenly spoke to me.
—Master. Why don't you try summoning me?
"Huh? Why all of a sudden? Planning to attack me again?"
—No, no. Master. In a place overflowing with this much spiritual energy, I think I can maintain my reason even if summoned.
"Hmm."
As I hesitated, Zhuque elaborated.
—You've already consumed the Vermilion Spirit Essence, so you don't need to worry about my attacks.
The guy knew I'd eaten the Vermilion Spirit Essence. I'd recently revealed to both Zhuque and Angelica that I was a reincarnator. Convincing them hadn't been hard. Naturally, they were shocked.
I recalled what they'd said to me then.
'Whaaat...? Haa. No wonder you knew all the secrets of our castle. I should've realized something was off back then. Then I wouldn't be stuck sealed away like this. My pathetic fate. Haa... Haa... Haaaa...'
Angelica had let out sky-shattering sighs before settling into a pouty sulk.
'Hmph! Indeed... With abilities like that, you could certainly dominate me. I acknowledge you. Master.'
Zhuque seemed to have accepted me as his true master. Of course, it didn't change our relationship much. He'd already submitted to me before. And with him sealed in the Sealed Sword, he was like a rat in a trap anyway.
Shaking off the memories, I continued the conversation.
"Fine, let's give it a shot."
Even if Zhuque was lying, it didn't matter. What could a mere unawakened flame bird do to me?
I immediately chanted the incantation.
"Appear!"
Whoosh!
Red flames erupted from the sword blade. From within them emerged a small sparrow that spread its wings wide.
—Piii!
I readied the Moonlit Slash just in case, but soon realized it wasn't necessary.
—Pi! Pi!
The little guy flapped its wings frantically right in front of me, then began orbiting around me like a satellite. Whether it was thrilled to be out after so long, or because of the abundant spiritual energy in my quarters—or both—it zipped back and forth from one end of the room to the other.
Whoosh!
Fiery trails lingered in its wake. It was a mystical sight.
I crooked my index finger like I was luring a parrot and raised it to eye level. Zhuque caught on instantly and perched on my finger.
I chuckled and spoke.
"Feeling that good, huh?"
—Piii!
It spread its folded wings wide again and chirped—that seemed like a yes. The sight was so cute I absentmindedly stroked its head with my other hand. It rubbed against my finger in response.
Zhuque wasn't the type to act like this at all.
"So even my master gets to see this side, but reason's still a lost cause, huh."
—Piik?
Zhuque tilted its head, puzzled.
"Alright then..."
That was when it happened.
Fizzle...
Suddenly, the bird vanished like a dying ember flaring up one last time. I'd been about to run some simple training drills, but it got forcibly unsummoned.
"What the? What happened?"
—Hmm... I'm still not used to it, master. To stay summoned continuously, I'll need some training too.
"I see. Can you come out again?"
—Of course, master.
I summoned Zhuque again. This time, it lightly perched on my head and looked around.
Fwoosh.
Then it vanished.
—Hm! That lasted longer than before.
"Got it. Let's keep going."
And so, training sessions with Zhuque began. As time passed, the duration it could stay summoned grew longer.
In the meantime, Nam Bi came to my quarters to practice her spells. We grew even closer. I taught her basic swordsmanship, and she shared miscellaneous spells with me. I couldn't master them, but they helped with the Thunder Cloud Heart Knot, so I was satisfied.
One day, while immersed in training as usual, Nam Bi, who had been watching me operate the Thunder Cloud Heart Knot, spoke up.
Crackle, crackle!
"I thought you were no ordinary guy from the first time I saw you, but you're a cultivator too, huh?"
I twitched an eyebrow.
"Cultivator?"
Of course I was training. But for some reason, the way Nam Bi said "cultivator" felt different.
She nodded her tiny face.
"Someone who refines spells to become an immortal."
"...Immortal?"
I wondered what she was on about out of the blue, but soon realized why.
The Thunder Cloud Heart Knot was a spell Seon Ga-hee had taught me. Her Thunder Immortal Sect, and by extension the Eight Immortal Alliance, were renowned sects that had produced immortals.
"That Thunder Cloud Heart Knot you're practicing? It radiates such mystical energy—it's a true immortal art."
"Uh... yeah, I guess."
Section Chief Seon Ga-hee was training in arts to become an immortal. But I'd never thought of myself walking the path of an immortal—or cultivator.
"To meet another cultivator here. What a coincidence, right?"
I let out a small sigh.
"...Hoo. I'm barely hoping to reach Super Apex someday, let alone immortal—who the hell wants to be an immortal."
Nam Bi, squatting in front of me, poked her head forward and propped her chin on her hands. It was adorable.
"Jeongha. Don't you want to become an immortal?"
"If someone handed it to me, sure."
"Hmm. Then I can help."
"How?"
Recommend me as a disciple to the Iron Fan Immortal or something? But her answer was unexpected.
"I'll make you a Spirit Pill."
"Spirit Pill? Like some elixir?"
"Yeah. I eat them all the time. I know how to make them. Not the super good ones, though."
"What?"
She knew how to make Spirit Pills. And she was offering to make them for me. How could she be this amazing? Becoming friends with Nam Bi was the best decision ever.
But a question arose.
"If you can make Spirit Pills, why were you so obsessed with the Awakening Orb?"
"I can only make the kind that awakens the Immortal Pill. But a new elixir I'd never seen? Of course I was curious. I thought it might shorten my training time."
I doubted the [Awakening Orb] had that kind of power. Hunter Stock Company items only did exactly what their descriptions said—like machines.
I tilted my head.
"But what's an Immortal Pill? Is it the ultimate elixir immortals eat?"
"No. Just as the dantian holds internal energy and mana, the Immortal Pill is the vessel that holds immortal energy."
"Never heard of it."
"It's not formed inside the body, so ordinary people can't sense or even recognize it. If they could, anyone could become an immortal."
"Hmm..."
"You can't even be born with one."
I didn't fully get it, but Nam Bi's words made sense. Martial arts could be learned by anyone because everyone had a dantian from birth. But the Immortal Pill had to be forged postnatally.
"So immortal arts are made to awaken the Immortal Pill? And the Thunder Cloud Heart Knot is one of them."
"Exactly. You're quick."
"I was learning an immortal art without knowing."
"You didn't even realize? Opportunities to encounter immortal arts are rare."
"Got lucky."
"Hmm. I see. Well, I met the Iron Fan Immortal by sheer coincidence too."
I knew Section Chief Seon Ga-hee practiced that kind of art, but I hadn't imagined she'd pass it to me. Martial arts were made to kill—perfect for a hunter like me. That's why I learned it.
But an immortal art? Me, a total novice with no martial talent, on the path to immortality? I'd learned it on a whim for tracking skills, but it didn't quite click.
After that, Nam Bi prepared meals for every mealtime and made Spirit Pills during training sessions. I swallowed the round, herbal-scented pill.
"Ugh, bitter."
Good medicine tastes bitter, but I couldn't help grimacing.
"I made it for you, so chew it thoroughly. Don't just gulp it down. One each morning, noon, and night."
"Ugh..."
Days passed like that, and I made some progress.
Gongryeok rose by 10—whatever. The big change was Maryeok hitting D-rank. Now I could sense my middle dantian with just my mind, without drawing up energy. I could probably pick up common magic or spells easily.
But the standout was Sinryeok. A power I couldn't consciously use, no matter what—it seemed the Spirit Pills were slowly boosting it.
Nam Bi suddenly asked.
"How long did it take you to first awaken the Thunder Cloud Heart Knot?"
"Huh? Oh... that same day."
She looked shocked.
"Whoa, you're a genius!"
Since becoming a reincarnator, I'd heard "genius" a lot.
"Ordinary people take at least 5-10 years to awaken it. Sometimes decades."
Section Chief Seon Ga-hee had said even a prodigy took 5 years. Most followed a similar path.
"But it's weird. You seem like a new cultivator, yet you handle the Parachao Thread so skillfully."
"..."
I couldn't explain that.
"Maybe you've already formed your Immortal Pill?"
"What? Nah, no way."
"Let's check. Stay still."
She fetched a large wooden box and set out talismans and jade stones around me.
"What's this?"
"A formation."
Even checking for an Immortal Pill required special methods. No real expectations, but I was curious, so I waited quietly.
"Now give me your hands."
I extended both, and she grasped them, closing her eyes. She chanted something.
Then something amazing happened.
Whoosh!
The formation's edges blazed red, the flames spreading along its patterns. They gathered in the air, thinly enveloping my body.
Pop!
The fire died down. Nam Bi's eyes flew wide, hand over her gaping mouth.
"No way...! Such pure, mystical fire spirit energy! I heard this only exists in legendary divine beasts."
Admiration shone in her eyes. I scratched my temple.
"So, do I have an Immortal Pill?"
She nodded vigorously.
"You more than qualify. Keep refining your immortal art steadily, and you can become an immortal."
"Good."
I nodded. Even without full certainty, I figured the Immortal Pill was my Sinryeok. It had awakened when I ate the Vermilion Spirit Essence.
Realizing this unexpected potential sparked ambition. No idea when, but I resolved to pursue the immortal realm.
I only knew the Thunder Cloud Heart Knot so far, but since Section Chief Seon Ga-hee had taken me as a disciple, I could learn more from her.
Time flew, and in Parachao Pavilion's inner quarters, I finally achieved my goal.
Crackle, crackle, craaaackle!
"Finally, Thunder Cloud Heart Knot 4th Star."
Now I could emit thunder energy naturally anytime, even while moving!
"Time to learn the tracking technique."
—Ooh! Congratulations, master!
"Heh heh heh."
I felt like an immortal already.
—By the way, heading to get the Vermilion Spirit Essence now? I want some too!
"Wait a bit. Let's smash the Rakshasa King's pot first, then go."
—Hahaha! Keep your word, master.
"Yeah."
That was when.
"Jeongha!"
"Yeah?"
Since staying at Parachao Pavilion, Nam Bi and I had grown close fast. Her speech was soft and friendly—unbelievable for a Rakshasa.
"Your comrade's here. The woman with the longsword on her back."
"Got it. Coming out."
Speak of the devil. Right on time.
I met Kasumi, who spoke gravely.
"Kim Jeongha. Found the Rakshasa King. We'll raid tonight—handle the prep."
"Good."
I'd told Stella in advance to call me when they located him. Things to do before killing the bastard.
"Nam Bi. Let's go."
"Okay."
She naturally looped her arm around mine like always. Kasumi glared at her, then at me. She bit her lower lip and muttered something odd.
"One or two... I can overlook."
"...?"