All Things Change in Every Moment

The recent, sudden Water Tide had taken them by surprise, and their astonishment only grew once they uncovered the truth behind it. They had never expected that gloomy Black Flood Dragon, who usually remained cooped up in his nest, to suddenly stir up such a ruckus. The humans seemed to believe that the Black Flood Dragon had suffered another fit due to his Demonic Obsession, and the cunning beast appeared to be intentionally steering their assumptions in that direction... but to Myeong-ha, it was utterly laughable. Demonic Obsession? While it was true that the Black Flood Dragon had struggled with it in the past, he had likely overcome it completely by now—or, at the very least, he was no longer at its mercy. If he were not even capable of that much, how could the Sacred Heaven Dragon Palace have bestowed a Sealed Title upon him?

"I have to admit it. That Black Flood Dragon is truly an outstanding figure."

"An outstanding figure, indeed. But he harbors a secret."

"Does it make a difference?"

"None at all."

Myeong-ha reflected on what he knew of the Black Flood Dragon. Considering how the beast had steadily accumulated his cultivation from a mere Great Yao to form his core, his bloodline could not be very pure. To have reached his current height despite such an inferior lineage proved his exceptional fortitude as a cultivator, but cultivation was not something achieved through fortitude alone. The Black Flood Dragon undoubtedly possessed a secret, miraculous encounter—and it was bound to be something extraordinary.

"Every cultivator harbors at least one stroke of good fortune in their life, and that goes double for those who have achieved Core Formation."

"True, but aren't you tempted by it?"

"Of course I am. But I'm currently too busy digesting my own fortune. I'm already stuffed to the point of bursting. Isn't that precisely why you were born?"

The two Myeong-has locked eyes.

"If I ultimately fail to endure, my sole thread of life will depend on you."

"It depends on us."

An expression of utmost gravity settled upon the faces of both Myeong-has.

Jekyeong attended the trade gathering at the Manryongjeong. It was not because he particularly needed anything; rather, he wished to broaden his horizons while establishing connections with the other flood dragons of the pavilion. Jekyeong deepened his acquaintance with Gong Yo-pung and Byeokpa, both of whom had previously shown interest in him. Since the feeling was mutual, the three of them quickly grew as close as lifelong friends.

"Fellow Daoist Jekyeong, you mentioned that your territory is Yangseo Lake, correct?"

"That is correct."

"I looked into it out of curiosity after hearing about it before, but I couldn't find much information. What kind of place is it?"

"It is a small, insignificant place."

The more he conversed with them about the wider world, the more Jekyeong realized just how tiny Yangseo Lake truly was. Thus, whenever they inquired about it, Jekyeong habitually repeated that it was a "small place." When he followed up with brief descriptions, those who had initially shown interest quickly lost enthusiasm upon realizing that Yangseo Lake was indeed an unremarkable backwater.

In truth, Jekyeong preferred not to speak of Yangseo Lake, let alone his personal background. However, the Sacred Heaven Dragon Palace had already mapped out his identity, and Byeokpa had even personally visited him in the past. Acting overly cautious now would be meaningless. It was far better to clear his mind and accept their curiosity with poise.

"Fellow Daoist Byeokpa, have you prepared all your tribute?"

"Not yet. I expect to be frantically busy for the next thirty or forty years."

Byeokpa's complexion darkened slightly, and Gong Yo-pung sighed in sympathy. The tribute demanded by the Sacred Heaven Dragon Palace from its outer members was truly formidable. While it was not so severe that they had to starve themselves to meet the quota, it certainly prevented them from focusing on their cultivation in peace.

"I am in the same position."

Feeling their eyes on him, Jekyeong let out a heavy sigh, letting exhaustion wash over his face. His acting—which had reached such a masterful level that he could easily be considered a grandmaster of deception—fooled the two of them without a shred of suspicion.

This secret must never be revealed.

He had not realized it at first, but this exemption from tribute was an immense privilege. If this fact were ever exposed, it would not only incite immense envy and jealousy from others but might also draw the hostility of those with foul temperaments.

To think that even after achieving Core Formation, I still have to walk on eggshells around others.

A sudden sense of futility washed over him. Ultimately, it all boiled down to a lack of strength. If his cultivation had reached the late Yao King realm, he would not be feeling this anxious. However, raising one's cultivation was incredibly difficult. If accumulating power and advancing his realm during the Great Yao stage had felt like slowly swimming against a raging river, reaching the Yao King realm felt like trying to push a mountain with his bare hands. And even this progress was only possible through the power of his self-created cultivation art, the Nine Tribulations Ascending Heaven Art, meaning ordinary demon beasts would have to struggle through an even more treacherous path.

This must be the heavenly curse of the beast race.

They were born with robust physical bodies, enjoyed relatively long lifespans, and could grow rapidly by relying on their bloodline inheritance—yet their limits were clear. Once they hit that wall, taking even a single step forward was practically impossible unless they were blessed with a miraculous encounter.

Are there no more shortcuts from here on out?

Jekyeong knew that such complaints were merely the grumblings of the privileged. His current cultivation speed was already exceptionally fast compared to other demon beasts.

But I cannot compare myself to humans.

Not long ago, Ju-hyeong had broken through to the mid-Foundation Establishment stage. Since this was only known because Ju-hyeong had disclosed it himself and Hyeongu had reported it, the actual breakthrough had likely occurred even earlier. Upon hearing the news, Jekyeong had been quite surprised. He had never considered Ju-hyeong's talent to be lacking, but even so, this speed was far faster than he had anticipated. He had likely poured every scrap of resources gathered from his piracy into raising his cultivation.

By that logic, Han Cheongyu should be next.

The Han family had now fully established themselves, and their business was running smoothly. Once spirit stones accumulated and resources were secured, Han Cheongyu would also be able to dump resources into his cultivation just like Ju-hyeong. If that happened, he might even be able to attempt Core Formation before his vital energy began to decline.

It seems you had the same thought.

According to Hyeongu, Han Cheongyu had been in high spirits lately, which was undoubtedly due to this. Watching the spirit stones pile up in his hands must have kindled a spark of hope within him.

Upon returning from the Manryongjeong, Jekyeong immersed himself in cultivation once more. The second tribulation of the Nine Tribulations Ascending Heaven Art was still a distant prospect, but such was the nature of cultivation. It was a journey of groping forward through endless darkness. Having even a faint lantern to guide the way was a blessing, but even without one, one had to press on silently and without doubt. Jekyeong cleared his mind. Like polishing a stone with silk, he never ceased his training, even when progress seemed imperceptible.

While stubbornly practicing the Nine Tribulations Ascending Heaven Art, he also inquired about body-refining techniques through his various connections in the Bul-mang-won. This time, he did not hide his intentions as he had when searching for his primary cultivation art. Since any beast that had undergone the Transformation Tribulation and assumed a human form could practice body-refining techniques, there was no need for secrecy.

"You wish to practice a body-refining technique? But... are you not of the dragon race?"

To the senior cultivators who stared at him in bewilderment, Jekyeong replied in a firm tone.

"The stronger and sturdier one's body is, the better."

Naturally, his words carried little persuasion. However, seeing how resolute he was, they could only chalk it up to him having the typical eccentricities of a demon beast.

"This is quite good."

After repeated negotiations with several seniors, Jekyeong selected a body-refining technique. It was called the Ten Thousand Temperings Body Formation. Its utility was as simple and straightforward as its name. By continuously tempering the physical body to make it sturdier, it was a technique that, in theory, anyone could master as long as they possessed sufficient resources.

While the claim that "anyone could master it" might make it sound like a mediocre, third-rate technique, this body-refining method possessed a highly profound aspect. Upon reaching grand mastery, one could awaken a protective divine ability known as the Myriad Image Armor. Techniques that allowed one to awaken a divine ability after the fact were exceedingly rare, and the Ten Thousand Temperings Body Formation was one of those select few.

However, the Ten Thousand Temperings Body Formation required an astronomical amount of resources to practice. Furthermore, although the Myriad Image Armor was technically classified as a divine ability, its ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠practical efficacy differed little from standard protective spells. Consequently, despite its ability to awaken ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a divine ability, it was largely ignored by human cultivators.

It's not bad at all.

Jekyeong found his interest piqued by this technique that the humans shunned. Although the resources demanded by the Ten Thousand Temperings Body Formation were a burden even for him, the prospect of awakening a divine ability upon grand mastery made his heart race. The humans might dismiss it as useless, but a divine ability was still a divine ability. There was a reason it bore such a grand title.

But at this rate... my pockets are going to be drained once again.

Jekyeong smacked his lips as he thought of his storage bag, which had only recently begun to grow plump. To put it positively, it was a virtuous cycle: growing stronger to secure more resources, and spending those resources to grow even stronger... However, seeing the spirit stones he had painstakingly accumulated over decades of management vanish in an instant left him feeling somewhat hollow.

Body-refining techniques were notorious for devouring spirit stones, and the Ten Thousand Temperings Body Formation was exceptional even among those gluttons. It required refining all kinds of rare mineral ores and spiritual medicines according to the technique's instructions, and simply initiating the training demanded ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a chunk of Dosan Gold. Dosan Gold was a refining material primarily used in crafting magic treasures, a mineral so valuable that it was worth its weight in mid-grade spirit stones.

The fact that a precious treasure worth its weight in mid-grade spirit stones was consumed just to initiate the technique was testament to the sheer extravagance of the Ten Thousand Temperings Body Formation. Fortunately, although Dosan Gold was rare, it was a widely used mineral, meaning it could be acquired as long as one had the spirit stones. Jekyeong did not even need to rely on the Yeongbu Merchant Alliance; he was able to procure the necessary amount through Han Cheongyu and Ju-hyeong.

Crunch! A chunk of Dosan Gold the size of a human head slowly crumpled before turning to ash and vanishing. Feeling his body grow heavier, Jekyeong repeatedly chanted the mnemonic of the technique.

Truly marvelous.

Upon reflection, it was only natural. No matter what anyone said, the Ten Thousand Temperings Body Formation was one of the very few techniques capable of birthing a divine ability. Yet, despite its profound effects, the method of cultivation was incredibly simple. Absorbing and refining—that was all. Of course, while the method itself was simple, the actual practice was anything but. Procuring the expensive resources required for the training was a hurdle in itself, and refining them was no easy task either.

Thud! He took a light step forward, but the ground seemed to shake. Having absorbed the Dosan Gold, his body felt dozens of times heavier than before.

It will take at least a few years to complete the refinement.

The increased weight was not an issue. At most, it felt like wearing an extra thin robe—or even less than that. However, an unnatural sensation, like a boiling fullness from overeating, made him feel somewhat bloated inside. The moment this unnatural bloating subsided would mark the completion of his initiation into the Ten Thousand Temperings Body Formation.

Han Cheongyu and Ju-hyeong simultaneously sent news from the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Human Territory. While the reports did not contain the information regarding the Cultivator Alliance that he had been hoping for, they were far more intriguing.

Both of them reported the exact same thing, and their reasoning was sound. For some unknown reason, the True Inheritance Disciples of the two sects had clashed. It had not been a light, friendly spar either, but a brutal battle of spells that left one party severely injured. Furthermore, rather than hushing up the incident afterward, both sects bared their teeth at each other as if locked in a battle of pride. In the past, such an occurrence would have been unthinkable.

The two Golden Core sects were like the heavens of the Human Territory in Yangseo Lake. Even if a dispute arose between them, they usually resolved it quietly behind closed doors. Why, then, were they escalating the conflict instead of settling it discreetly this time?

"Tell them to investigate further."

"Understood."

Han Cheongyu and Ju-hyeong did not disappoint him. In less than three months, they delivered more detailed circumstances and speculations.

Han Cheongyu and Ju-hyeong speculated that Byeok Jeyun had likely failed his Core Formation attempt, and the resulting collapse of the balance of power between the two Golden Core sects was the true cause of this sudden friction.