The Tribulation of Transformation
He had already thoroughly prepared by practicing the Transformation Secret Art, and he had perfectly solidified the form he would take upon transforming. Barring any unforeseen variables, he should be able to pass the Transformation Tribulation smoothly. The only reason he hadn't attempted it before was precisely because of that "unforeseen variable"—the Demonic Obsession that sought to taint him at every turn.
Jekyeong had worried that if he underwent the Transformation Tribulation while unable to control the Demonic Obsession, he might turn into a demonized being or, worse, be reduced to ashes by the violent lightning tribulation. Jekyeong knew that the Heavenly Dao fiercely rejected external anomalies, especially those from beyond the heavens like the Outer Demons. Consequently, when those tainted by the demonic tried to cross a tribulation, the Heavenly Tribulation they faced was basically twice as powerful.
Aside from the thorough suppression by the cultivators of the Changram Realm, this intense rejection by the Heavenly Dao was one of the main reasons demonic cultivators could never truly thrive in this world. Naturally, it was best to avoid avoidable risks. Jekyeong had no desire to test the wrath of the Heavenly Dao unless absolutely forced to.
Previously, he hadn't been confident in his ability to suppress the Demonic Obsession while undergoing the Transformation Tribulation. He had considered triggering a killing tribulation and then crossing his own tribulation while the Demonic Obsession was temporarily cooled down, but that was essentially a trick, and he couldn't be sure if the Heavenly Dao would tolerate such deception.
'There's no need to rush. It won't be too late to decide after observing a bit more.'
Jekyeong guessed that the power of the Sealed Title was a type of protective blessing, but he had yet to fully grasp its exact nature and function. Before undergoing the Transformation Tribulation, he needed to learn a bit more about this power.
'It's similar to presence, yet different. Is it a divine ability?'
Jekyeong recalled how the Sacred Heaven Dragon Palace was pathologically obsessed with "collecting" members of the dragon race. Recalling the questions Song Gwan had asked him, several vague conjectures about the mysteries harbored by the Sacred Heaven Dragon Palace began to form in his mind.
'The Sacred Heaven Dragon Palace claims the orthodox lineage of the dragon race. From their perspective, that's probably why they collect even the most diluted, mixed-blood kin.'
The power of the Sealed Title was formidable, but even more than that, it was mysterious. Even Jekyeong, who had interacted with various seniors and broadened his horizons after forming his core, had never heard of such a power.
'This is both a reward and a bait. Once you taste this sweetness, you can't give it up.'
No matter how powerful the Sacred Heaven Dragon Palace was, they wouldn't bestow such power on just anyone. If so, was what they possessed the collective destiny and fortune of the entire dragon race?
Whether it was because Song Gwan had played his cards well or because So-byeok-ik-wang's reputation had truly shone through... it was an undeniable stroke of good fortune that this power had fallen into his hands.
'The Sealed Title is also my link to the Sacred Heaven Dragon Palace. The power it grants must naturally stem from them, and looking at it this way, it really is remarkably similar to presence.'
In a sense, Jekyeong had become a sort of Qi-destined Child favored by the Sacred Heaven Dragon Palace.
'Awe-inspiring pressure and a protective blessing... are these the two core traits?'
According to Jekyeong's observations over the past few days, the power suppressing the Demonic Obsession was also the result of these two basic properties at work. This meant that the Sealed Title—the power of the Sacred Heaven Dragon Palace—recognized the demonic as something to be rejected.
'Perhaps that's only natural. The Sacred Heaven Dragon Palace is also a part of the Changram Realm.'
Whether the Sacred Heaven Dragon Palace's attitude toward the demonic was due to the Heavenly Dao or some other reason was unknown, but either way, it was highly advantageous for Jekyeong. Now that he knew the power of the Sealed Title specifically targeted the Demonic Obsession, Jekyeong felt a surge of confidence that he could overcome the Transformation Tribulation.
"Fatty."
"I'm not fatty."
"Make it stronger than usual."
"Huh? Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yes."
A few days later, after unleashing a slaughter in his dreams, Jekyeong, drenched in killing intent, soared straight up into the sky.
"I am going to undergo the Transformation Tribulation. Everyone, make sure you don't get caught up in it."
After notifying his subordinates below, Jekyeong stretched his body out in midair. His massive, fearsome pair of horns pointed toward the heavens, and his closed eyes looked inward at his mind.
To undergo a tribulation is to invite trial upon oneself; it is a challenge to the rules established by the Heavenly Dao. Of course, crossing a minor tribulation like the Transformation Tribulation was akin to a light backtalk, so what one received in return was merely a brief scolding. However, since the entity delivering the scolding was the Heavenly Dao—the world itself—even a minor tribulation was still a tribulation. It was never something to be taken lightly.
Rumble!
In an instant, the thunderclouds covering the sky began to roar. Yet, Jekyeong still did not open his eyes. His current state was not much different from deep meditation. What he needed to focus on was not the noisily roaring heavens, but his own squirming mind.
CRASH!
A golden bolt of lightning struck down. Jekyeong's serene face contorted slightly, but his eyes remained closed.
CRASH! CRASH!
Soon, dozens of lightning bolts struck in rapid succession. Ugly marks began to appear on his black scales, which had previously been as smooth as finely polished black jade. At the same time, dark smoke billowed from his entire body, and it wasn't just from the heat.
'The Demonic Obsession is being destroyed.'
Even as the Tribulation Lightning repeatedly battered him, Jekyeong did not stop his internal observation. He could feel that with every strike of the Tribulation Lightning, the Demonic Obsession he had suppressed was disappearing bit by bit. It wasn't just being temporarily suppressed; it was being utterly destroyed in the truest sense.
'I see. The Tribulation Lightning cannot tolerate the demonic.'
The corners of Jekyeong's mouth curled up involuntarily. This was an unexpected stroke of luck. To think the lightning tribulation would erase his Demonic Obsession! Now, he actually wished this painful lightning tribulation would last just a little longer.
"Heavenly Dao! Strike me with your lightning and banish the demon!" Jekyeong couldn't help but shout toward the sky with all his might.
Rumble!
The thunderous roar echoed from the black sky, sounding to Jekyeong's ears like the Heavenly Dao's response. What the Tribulation Lightning brought was not pain, but a profound sense of relief. Like washing away years of accumulated grime, Jekyeong felt the Demonic Obsession that had long gnawed at his mind being cleansed bit by bit. With every strike, the twitching corners of his mouth rose higher.
CRASH!
When an exceptionally massive and powerful bolt of Tribulation Lightning struck the crown of his head, Jekyeong could hear the screams of the Demonic Obsession. It writhed in agony and resentment. The targets of its resentment were the heavens pouring down the Tribulation Lightning, and Jekyeong himself, who had brought this upon them. That resentment only made Jekyeong happier.
The Demonic Obsession had always acted as if it were one with him, as if they were meant to be one. It had constantly tempted him, trying to seep into his very being. But now, it resented him.
'If you and I are truly one, why do you resent me? Can you not even endure this minor pain? You are nothing but persistent and insidious, yet utterly weak at your core.'
"Fuuu..."
When an exceptionally powerful bolt of lightning struck the crown of his head, Jekyeong instinctively knew it was the last. Unlike the tribulations faced when breaking through to a higher realm, the Transformation Tribulation was inherently lighter and weaker, so even this level of intensity was exceptionally violent. It was an abnormal danger brought about by the Heavenly Dao's rejection of the demonic, but for Jekyeong, that danger had turned into a blessing.
After the final Tribulation Lightning struck his head, Jekyeong felt that the Demonic Obsession in his mind had been reduced by more than half. Even what remained no longer felt sticky and persistent like before; it seemed to be barely hanging on. At this rate, he would be able to wash it all away before long just by maintaining steady meditation.
'Excellent. But this isn't the end.'
While having the Tribulation Lightning sear away his Demonic Obsession was an unexpected gain, his original purpose in undergoing the Transformation Tribulation was to obtain the ability to transform. Not an incomplete mimicry achieved through a secret art, but a perfect, true transformation.
'I am merely returning to what I once was.'
Though his senses had grown a bit dull from not having transformed for so long, it posed no problem for a Yao King like Jekyeong. With just a brief search of his memories, he instinctively fashioned his other form. There were no flashy flames, nor were there intense ripples of demonic power. The black Gyoryong, which had floated in the sky like a small island, naturally and instantly shifted into the form of a small human.
Deep within the Black Cult Palace.
Although he had undergone the Transformation Tribulation and obtained the true ability to transform, Jekyeong still maintained his original beast form. There was no particular reason; it was simply more familiar and comfortable. He would have to get used to being in human form eventually, but that wasn't something that would happen overnight.
Right now, what Jekyeong was focusing on was the weakened, listless Demonic Obsession sprawling in his mind. He still felt disgust and anxiety toward this Demonic Obsession, but it was nowhere near as intense as before.
'An unexpected stroke of luck indeed.'
A tribulation and Tribulation Lightning. Jekyeong suddenly wondered if he could use the Heavenly Dao to wash away the rest of the Demonic Obsession, but he quickly dismissed the unrealistic idea. Let alone artificially triggering a tribulation, Tribulation Lightning wasn't something he could just pull out like pulling weeds. If he made a clumsy attempt, he might end up drawing the wrath of the Heavenly Dao.
'Forget it. I'll just leave it as a whetstone.'
The years he had spent suppressing the Demonic Obsession had by no means been wasted. By constantly fighting against the demon that sought to consume him, Jekyeong's Mind State had become far more resilient than before. Delusions could no longer easily sway him, and ordinary hardships could not cast a shadow over his heart. This was perhaps a more valuable development than a simple increase in cultivation.
'Next is... a cultivation method?'
Though an unexpected fortune had been added, the Transformation Tribulation had ultimately gone smoothly, just as expected. Now that he had achieved transformation, it was time to consider how to increase his cultivation. Jekyeong decided to follow the same path he had taken during his time as a Great Yao. In other words, he would use a cultivation method to accelerate the accumulation of his demonic power.
The cultivation methods of the Human Race were highly efficient means of cultivation born of their race's wisdom. Since Jekyeong had already experienced their utility firsthand during his time as a Great Yao, there was no reason not to use them again. However, to increase his cultivation at the Yao King stage, a new cultivation method suited to his level was absolutely essential. One could not fill an ocean with a teapot, after all.
'Do I need to obtain a Golden Core cultivation method?'
This task was both difficult and not difficult. While it would naturally be impossible to extract cultivation methods from living Golden Core or higher cultivators, obtaining the legacy methods of deceased Golden Core cultivators was not entirely out of the question. In fact, Jekyeong already possessed one such method. It was Sangyoza's cultivation method. Unfortunately, his method was not a fire-attribute one, meaning Jekyeong could only use it as a reference; it was unsuitable to serve as the foundation for his new technique.
'I should look into the information of the neighboring cultivation worlds.'
While it would be hard to find in the Yangseo Lake cultivation world, he might find past Golden Core cultivators who practiced fire-attribute methods in other cultivation worlds. It would take time and a significant amount of Spirit Stones, but it was definitely worth a try.
Of course, if this method yielded no results, there was another way. He could go through the reliable seniors of Bul-mang-won. In the past, because his status and abilities were lacking, he had avoided taking conspicuous actions as much as possible, but things were different now. Furthermore, since he was now a Yao King who had just undergone the Transformation Tribulation, it was perfectly reasonable for him to show interest in human cultivation methods.
After all, there was nothing truly new under the sun, and there had been quite a few Yao Kings in the past who had tried to raise their cultivation using human methods. Of course, they had all failed, and the number of Yao Kings chasing such unrealistic dreams had dwindled significantly since then... but there were always those who claimed, "I am different." Thus, even if Jekyeong sought a Golden Core cultivation method, the seniors of Bul-mang-won would likely just view him as yet another eccentric Yao King.
'Hmm. It wouldn't hurt to try both approaches.'
If he could obtain a method around Yangseo Lake, his efforts in Bul-mang-won would be in vain, but even so, it didn't matter. Spirit Stones were important to a cultivator, but time was far more precious.
Jekyeong summoned Hyeongu and ordered him to investigate past Golden Core cultivators who had existed in Yangseo Lake and its surrounding cultivation worlds.
"I shall obey your command."
Hyeongu was quick-witted. Asking a fellow member of the Beast Race to investigate past human Golden Core cultivators was no different from telling him to find a lake in the middle of a desert. Thus, this order was clearly meant to be passed on to Han Cheongyu and Ju-hyeong.
Having received his orders, Hyeongu immediately set off. Previously, he had been able to travel long distances without issue thanks to the blood—specifically, the dragon majesty—bestowed upon him by Jekyeong. But now, having reached the mid-stage of the Great Yao Realm himself, he could move twice as fast as before.
Upon arriving at the rendezvous point, Hyeongu immediately summoned Han Cheongyu. In less than five days, Han Cheongyu appeared, rowing a small boat.
"Hyeongu. Have you broken through?"
Han Cheongyu recognized the change in Hyeongu at a single glance. At his question, Hyeongu nodded, doing his best to appear nonchalant.