Kindling the Nine Heavens
'That sheer drawing power. That must surely be the authority of the Dragon Lord.'
As the Dragon Lord's closest confidant, Hyeongu was privy to a few secrets kept from the rest of the world. For instance, the Divine Ability his master practiced shared certain similarities with the cultivation methods of the human race. However, aside from the core concept of drawing in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to refine it into one's own power, the Dragon Lord's Divine Ability differed vastly from anything the humans possessed.
There were several humans residing on Heukgyodo, and Hyeongu had watched them practice their arts countless times from the shadows, allowing him to understand the distinction perfectly. First and foremost, the sheer volume of spiritual energy being drawn in was on an entirely different dimension. If a human cultivation method was akin to transporting water drop by drop, the Dragon Lord's Divine Ability was like scooping it up by the bucketful. Furthermore, the Dragon Lord's technique was incredibly natural compared to human methods. It was like comparing the effortless, unconscious breathing of a sleeping child to someone forcing themselves to take deep, exaggerated breaths.
The fire energy swirling violently across Heukgyodo was remarkably pure. The process of it converting into monster power was also flawlessly smooth. It was so natural, as if the energy was simply flowing back to where it always belonged, returning to its original state. This very naturalness was why Hyeongu was absolutely certain that what he was witnessing was indeed a Divine Ability.
"It's hot, Father. No, it's burning..."
"Sigh!"
Hyeongu, who had been focusing all his senses to see if he could glean even a single shred of insight from the spectacle, could no longer tolerate his foolish son's whimpering.
"Fine! Go, then! Dive all the way to the seabed, or swim out of these waters entirely—do whatever you want!"
"Yes, Father!"
As if he had been waiting for those exact words, Bigu instantly vanished beneath the waves.
Jekyeong sat cross-legged amidst the roaring flames. This was no ordinary fire. It was a mixture of Yo-hwa, heavily infused with his monster power, and the Origin Earth Fire that emanated directly from his spiritual soul. Though he was currently in his human form, the modest ring of flames surrounding him was the absolute essence of the Origin Earth Fire he had painstakingly nurtured ever since acquiring the spark of the Sacred Fire in Jimagwon.
'Just a little more... just a little more.'
What Jekyeong was currently circulating was not his usual Bunyeomgong. It was a Foundation Establishment-level cultivation method that Han Cheongyu had gone to great lengths to obtain roughly three years ago, known as the Gusoyeommagong. Though the name made it sound like some wicked demonic art, it was actually an orthodox method dedicated to manipulating fire energy. However, because it was somewhat crude in how it refined spiritual energy and operated dharma power, some human cultivators regarded it as an unorthodox, heretical technique. It was treated as something useful only for reference, but never to be practiced directly.
In other words, it was a flawed product. But Jekyeong didn't care in the slightest. It was precisely because it was flawed that Han Cheongyu had been able to smuggle it out, and such "defects" meant absolutely nothing to him. If one were to talk about crudeness and lack of refinement, this Gusoyeommagong was still far superior to his original Bunyeomgong. Of course, one couldn't fairly compare a Qi Condensation method with a Foundation Establishment method, but after thoroughly reviewing the Gusoyeommagong, Jekyeong had deemed it perfectly manageable.
Still, one could never be too safe. Since this was his very first time transitioning between cultivation methods, Jekyeong approached the task with the utmost caution. He spent an entire month studying the Gusoyeommagong, and only after completely grasping its underlying principles did he begin to practice it, taking slow, deliberate steps as if tapping a stone bridge before crossing.
His training progressed smoothly. Converting the foundation he had built with Bunyeomgong into the Gusoyeommagong was not nearly as difficult as he had anticipated. Since his Bunyeomgong was already a heavily modified version of the human Bunyeom Sosimgong, it was practically a beast cultivation method already. Furthermore, monster power differed from human dharma power. To put it negatively, it lacked precision; to put it positively, it was far less finicky. Though Jekyeong hadn't expected it, this unique characteristic proved to be a massive advantage during the transition process.
"Whew."
Jekyeong let out a long, slow breath. In tandem with his exhalation, the surrounding fire energy and the dark crimson clouds hovering over Heukgyodo writhed in unison. This phenomenon signified that his control over the fire energy of heaven and earth had reached its absolute zenith. At this moment, Jekyeong felt as though he had truly become the Fire God of this small stretch of water.
For a very long time, Jekyeong had desperately yearned for a Foundation Establishment-level cultivation method. No matter how much he modified his Bunyeomgong, it could never transcend the inherent limitations of a basic technique. Just as knowing the alphabet didn't mean one could suddenly write a brilliant academic thesis, Jekyeong's knowledge and comprehension were only enough to make minor adjustments here and there. Yet, even the heavily modified version of Bunyeomgong had eventually ceased to satisfy him.
During his early days as a Great Yao, he had been deeply grateful for even a single drop of progress. But now that he had reached the mid-stage, and was pushing into the late-stage, he could train for months on end without feeling any noticeable advancement. He tried to remain detached, but it was impossible. The mounting frustration and helplessness had built up to the point of sheer exasperation. Only those who had known the path was right in front of them, yet were unable to take a single step forward, could truly understand this suffocating feeling.
Fortunately, Han Cheongyu had delivered the cultivation method at the perfect moment. Overjoyed, Jekyeong had rewarded not only Han Cheongyu but also the few humans working under him with immense generosity. Hyeongu had seemed slightly displeased by this for a while, but Jekyeong was far too preoccupied to care about such trivial matters.
*Crack!*
Condensed flames whipped out violently in every direction. Slashing wildly through the empty air, the ceiling, the walls, and the floor, the fiery constructs resembled writhing tentacles or lashing whips.
'This is truly no easy task.'
Jekyeong gritted his teeth and focused his mind even further. This whip, which constantly threatened to break free from his control, was one of the spells associated with the Gusoyeommagong, known as the Flame King Whip. The manual claimed that once mastered, the technique could unleash power rivaling a Dharma Treasure. Jekyeong had initially been disappointed by that description, but his perspective shifted entirely once he actually came to understand the spell.
'The claim that the Flame King Whip's power rivals a Dharma Treasure is based on the standard of an ordinary human cultivator using it.'
When he had first finished analyzing the Gusoyeommagong, Jekyeong realized that practicing this Foundation Establishment-level fire-attribute method shared certain similarities with nurturing his own Origin Earth Fire. While a Qi Condensation-level fire method refined the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to generate fire energy, a Foundation Establishment-level fire method like the Gusoyeommagong refined that very fire energy to kindle an even purer, more potent spark. In the grand scheme of things, it was fundamentally no different from his Origin Earth Fire.
Jekyeong had been slightly taken aback when he first realized this, but the truth soon dawned on him. It wasn't just this specific cultivation method; the entire realm of Foundation Establishment itself operated on this principle. No matter how elaborately the humans explained it, the core of breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm lay in transforming raw spiritual energy into refined dharma power. It was about inducing a qualitative change in the very nature of one's energy.
'I can complete the transition to the Nine Heavens Flame Demon Art at any moment. But it's still not enough.'
Since he was adapting a human cultivation method for a beast, some discrepancies were bound to arise. Jekyeong had anticipated these issues from the very beginning, and he intended to use his deep understanding of the technique to patch up as many of those flaws as possible. Frankly, even at this stage, the transition could already be considered a resounding success. His monster power had merged into the Gusoyeommagong with virtually zero loss, and his brief tests showed absolutely no awkwardness in channeling this new power.
Had it not been for the Flame King Whip, Jekyeong would have concluded the transition right then and there. It was solely because of his lingering attachment to this technique that he was dragging out a process that was practically already complete. He had no choice. If his understanding was correct, the Flame King Whip was far more than a simple spell. It was, in essence, half-spell and half-Divine Ability.
'No. My control is still lacking.'
Jekyeong strained with all his might, yet the whip of fire continued to thrash wildly, completely defying his will.
'Is it too much to handle while in human form?'
If he reverted to his true form, he was confident he could easily tame this disobedient whip, but doing so would defeat the purpose. A power he couldn't fully control in any form was nothing more than a ticking time bomb.
'I have no choice.'
If raw monster power wasn't enough to master the Flame King Whip, he would simply have to change his approach.
'Perhaps this is actually for the best.'
Jekyeong unleashed his Origin Earth Fire, letting it completely replace the Yo-hwa. The transition was astonishingly seamless, as if this was how the technique was always meant to be performed.
A high-level fire technique from the Nine Heavens Flame Demon Art, manifested as a highly destructive whip of fire, refined with innate Origin Earth Fire.
*Whoosh!*
The blazing whip, which had been thrashing like a rabid dog just moments before, instantly fell silent. Yet, even though its wild turbulence had vanished, the raw power radiating from it had grown exponentially stronger. Jekyeong was absolutely certain that if this whip of fire were to clash with a standard Dharma Treasure, the treasure would be instantly cleaved in two or melted into slag.
'So it ends up like this. Perhaps this was how it was meant to be from the very start?'
Watching the Flame King Whip move as smoothly as if it were an extension of his own limbs, a faint smirk played on Jekyeong's lips. However, fueling the Flame King Whip with his Origin Earth Fire was a double-edged sword. The advantage was obvious: the whip now possessed a destructive force truly worthy of its grand name. The sheer power of the Origin Earth Fire far surpassed any flame conjured from mere monster power or dharma power, and above all, it was infinitely easier to control.
On the flip side, the drawback was the inherent risk. His Origin Earth Fire was not some common resource that could be easily replenished with a surplus of monster power. Every single tiny spark was a treasure he had painstakingly cultivated; it was no exaggeration to say that each ember was a spiritual entity and a Dharma Treasure in its own right. Brandishing such a precious resource like a common weapon was, by any metric, highly unwise. What if the Origin Earth Fire sustained even the slightest damage? He didn't even want to imagine the sheer amount of effort it would take to restore it.
Yet, every tool had its purpose, and a treasure only truly became a treasure when it was put to use. Since things had already turned out this way, Jekyeong decided to look on the bright side. He simply had to refrain from abusing it, reserving its use for critical moments—or times when using it carried no risk of backlash.
After testing the whip a few more times, watching it slice through the air in perfect harmony with his thoughts, Jekyeong finally concluded his long and arduous transition. The flames of the Gusoyeommagong that had enveloped his entire body were drawn back deep inside him. Instantly, the oppressive fire energy swirling around Heukgyodo vanished without a trace, and the dark crimson clouds hanging in the sky rapidly dispersed.
"We humbly congratulate the Dragon Lord on his magnificent achievement!"
As Jekyeong stepped out of the half-melted Black Cult Palace, Hyeongu, who had already crawled up onto Heukgyodo, prostrated himself flat on the ground. Seeing this, the low-level water beasts and human cultivators who had followed him in a daze also slammed their foreheads against the earth, chanting the exact same words. The humans were one thing, but seeing even the simple-minded water beasts join in filled Jekyeong with a quiet sense of pride.
How much effort had it taken to find water beasts—creatures naturally lacking in intellect—who could actually understand commands and exercise self-control? Of course, Hyeongu, who was currently prostrated before him, had done almost all of the heavy lifting. Still, Jekyeong had waited with immense patience, consistently looking after and nurturing each and every one of the selected beasts. If Hyeongu was his right hand today, these creatures were at least his fingers. Naturally, he couldn't help but look upon them with a softer gaze.
"Today is a day of celebration."
Already in high spirits, Jekyeong decided to reward his quick-witted subordinates. He distributed his stockpiled alchemical pills and beast meat, sharing the joy of his breakthrough with his followers.
"We are deeply moved by the Dragon Lord's grace..."
As Hyeongu led the way, pouring out praises and flattery, the water beasts, who had been waiting for him to speak, repeated his words like a chorus of parrots. The human cultivators at least showed off their intellect by subtly varying their expressions of gratitude, but Jekyeong found himself feeling far more fond of the wide-eyed water beasts. Perhaps it was simply because they shared the same beast heritage.
"You burned it down again," Cheongo muttered dejectedly after flying a lap around the horribly melted Black Cult Palace.
"It couldn't be helped."
This was no mere excuse; Jekyeong had truly done his best to contain the energy. However, the sheer power of the Gusoyeommagong was on an entirely different level compared to his old Bunyeomgong. Despite his best efforts to suppress it, the palace had been melted beyond recognition. Though half of it technically remained standing, that was cold comfort.
Still, the ruined Black Cult Palace was of little concern. Buildings could always be rebuilt. The real issue lay in the future. Even if he rebuilt the palace, would it actually matter? He had already witnessed the devastating power of the Gusoyeommagong. While this particular session had been exceptionally destructive due to the transition process and his efforts to master the Flame King Whip, the sheer potency of the technique meant that his daily training sessions would be far from quiet.
'An ordinary building won't be able to withstand this anymore.'
To prevent his newly rebuilt Black Cult Palace from being hideously disfigured once again, he needed to find an alternative solution.
'I'll have to look into it.'
As he had always done, Jekyeong decided to seek the answer from the humans.