Chapter 346
Chapter 346
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 346
Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm
-----------------------------------------------------------------
My nineteenth life had begun.
I'd melted away to death because of the curse, but once I reincarnated, there wasn't much pain. Probably because my nervous system had melted down completely, dulling the agony. But that slow crawl toward death, the despair and frustration I'd felt—those were beyond words.
I'd had training left in the Heavenly Realm, and the secret of the Heavenly Spirit Pill was right there within reach. Who could've predicted that out of nowhere, I'd get hit with retribution from the Vermilion Bird and die?
'No way I could've seen that coming.'
I'd already coordinated everything with Mangnyang and Jin So-cheong. I was certain that with divine power, we could wipe out the Vermilion Bird. In that situation, imagining death by curse was beyond ordinary foresight.
In truth, I should've discussed the fortune teller's warning with Mangnyang. But I rushed to the Seven Slayers Village, thinking borrowing the [Ancient Ruler]'s power might introduce variables. That was my mistake. I could only blame myself.
Ah. It hurts.
I miss Miho...
Suddenly melancholic, I wiped my eyes. My chest ached.
After a moment to shake off the shock, I decided to organize what I'd gained in my eighteenth life.
'First, I uncovered the Nangong clan's hypocrisy and learned the location of the Pure Language Relic, the treasure of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. From Jin So-cheong, I obtained the basics of the Three Steps Ultimate Arts; from Mangnyang, the spells of the Heavenly Spirit Scripture; and from the Zhuge family, the basics of the Great Separation Technique. On top of that, from the Thunder God Style, I tracked down Banggyun and Jeong Yunbo, who were on par with Lee Gwang as successors.'
I'd gained a lot.
But thinking of what I'd lost left a bitter taste.
'The right to ascend Mount Kunlun in the Heavenly Realm... the secret of the Heavenly Spirit Pill... and my life...'
None of those three were trivial. Overall, it felt like I'd died screaming without achieving a single major goal. After agonizing over it, I let out a sigh.
"Tch. Then this time, I need to change up my moves a bit..."
Up to obtaining the Heavenly Dark Secret Book and then the Teleportation Charm, things stayed the same. But now that I'd confirmed the Pure Language Relic in the Nangong family, my itinerary had to change. I pondered for a bit, then set into motion.
After getting the Heavenly Dark Secret Book, I raced furiously to Shandong to obtain the Teleportation Charm. The moment I had it, I reminded myself that now I had three groups to rescue.
The women captured by the pirate gang Blood Path Group.
General Hwang Yeon's Thunder Prison captives and prisoners.
The women abused in the Nangong clan's secret quarters.
Suddenly, it all seemed absurd, and my strength drained away.
'Why are there so many bastards in this world?'
Human trafficking, murder, and violence were rampant everywhere. As a kid, I'd never imagined the world was such a mess. Sure, I lived like a slave in the village chief's house, enduring a gloomy childhood, but at least the surface world looked peaceful and ordinary.
Is it because of the Yi clan?
Or are humans just such beasts by nature?
But dwelling deeper only brought depression, offering no help with changing circumstances. Instead of sighing, I snorted sharply through my nose.
"Hmph!"
Sighing felt like it drained all my energy through my mouth. But a nasal snort preserved a bit more strength. Nothing wise about it—just a trick I'd picked up from too many dogshit moments in life.
'I have to save them all, but first, the Thunder Prison.'
None were especially more pitiable. It was just that Mokgap was in the Thunder Prison, so securing him first would smooth out the rest.
Flash!
Using the Teleportation Charm, I went straight to the Thunder Prison and faced the giant toad. I considered using Yeo Dongbin's spirit possession but quickly changed my mind and fought directly.
"Time to practice the Three Steps Ultimate Arts."
[Groooaaar!!]
Soon, I was locked in a frenzied battle with the giant toad. Aside from its massive size making it take time to kill, dealing with it was no issue now. I was simply training to embody the tips Jin So-cheong had taught me for the Three Steps Ultimate Arts.
[The ultimate art Seven Stars Shadow Escape shifts through myriad changes following the Big Dipper's movements. And when the Seven Stars' energy reaches its peak, their positions reverse.]
I contemplated the elements of Seven Stars Shadow Escape.
Tian Shu, Tian Xuan, Tian Ji, Tian Quan, Yu Heng, Kai Yang, Yao Guang. The seven stars swirled in my mind. I knew that in Seven Stars Shadow Escape's footwork, freely shifting the Seven Stars' positions came first.
But shifting myriad changes with the Big Dipper's motion, and positions reversing...
No matter how much I learned, it didn't click in my head.
It felt like a metaphor for some unique transformation—what could it be?
Flash.
[Envision yourself as the axis of the Big Dipper's Seven Stars, and recall the movements of the remaining Six Stars in your mind. Only then can you connect the stars to complete the Three Steps of Heaven, Earth, and Man.]
I gritted my teeth and unleashed Seven Stars Shadow Escape's footwork. Dodging the giant toad's attacks, I tried to realize Jin So-cheong's teachings, but it didn't work as thought. The abstract essentials were useless in real combat.
'I don't get it!'
In the end, after over two hundred exchanges stubbornly sticking to Seven Stars Shadow Escape, I finally called Yeo Dongbin. I could've dodged longer, but dragging the fight with the giant toad served no purpose.
[The demon slayer has arrived to...]
'Yeo Dongbin!'
The moment he possessed me, I sent a mental scream. Yeo Dongbin, about to move my body to dispatch the giant toad, flinched. Using Phantom Shift to evade its claw strike, he countered.
[What's wrong, my fated one? I'll eliminate this demon.]
'No, that's not the issue!'
[Then what is?]
'The ultimate art Seven Stars Shadow Escape shifts through myriad changes following the Big Dipper's movements—do you know what it means to envision yourself as the axis of the Big Dipper's Seven Stars and recall the remaining Six Stars' movements in your mind?'
[...]
Yeo Dongbin seemed baffled. Then suddenly, he thrust his sword, unleashing a massive sword beam at the giant toad.
Boom!
[Kreeeech!!]
The giant toad seemed to lose a third of its body, including an arm, in one blow. As it thrashed and spewed venomous blood, Yeo Dongbin spoke.
[You're researching an intriguing technique, my fated one. From your memories, I see you've trained diligently.]
Muttering approvingly, Yeo Dongbin continued.
[Indeed, the Three Steps that conquer Heaven, Earth, and Man. A fine martial art, faithful to the basics. The creator's meticulous nature shines through.]
'Huh...'
I was stunned inside.
I hadn't even said Seven Stars Shadow Escape evolved into the Three Steps Ultimate Arts, yet Yeo Dongbin instantly grasped its pinnacle form. Even the genius Jin So-cheong had needed a month of grueling training to reconstruct it. Unbelievable.
As I marveled, Yeo Dongbin said.
[It's no surprise, my fated one. It's merely the difference between those who have attained and those who haven't.]
'What do you mean?'
Dodging thousands of venom droplets raining down with ease, Yeo Dongbin replied.
[You've reached the Sword Heaven realm. Thus, seeing lesser swordsmen's techniques lets you instantly discern their training period, level, principles, strengths, and weaknesses. Isn't that so?]
'Yes, but...'
[The same applies here. Having reached a realm equal to the creator of those Seven Great Ultimate Arts, I can immediately see the completed form and its pros and cons.]
[...!!]
He said it lightly, but I shuddered inwardly.
'Is... is this the power of a Fighting Immortal?'
Eyes that instantly analyze any martial art at or below one's level! It was superhuman, beyond mere mastery. No human could mimic even Yeo Dongbin's toehold. I'd once seen him as a convenient tool, but as my martial prowess grew, awe for him deepened.
The guardian of humanity's pinnacle, who slew thousands of demons with a single sword, ascended at the end of the martial path to become a Fighting Immortal!
That was the Sword Immortal Yeo Dongbin, incarnation of the Fire Dragon.
With his explanation done, Yeo Dongbin floated dozens of autonomous flying swords in the air. Forged from unyielding intent, they gleamed like beams of light, then shot forward at terrifying speed, exploding the toad's flesh.
Boom boom boom!
What followed was overwhelming slaughter. Dismantling the colossal toad like a lie, Yeo Dongbin said.
[I wish to aid your training, but that footwork's realm is profound—you must awaken it yourself. Better to hone it step by step.]
As the possession began to fade, I hurriedly used the Heavenly Spirit Scripture's spells to ignite flames on my ten fingers. My body jolted, and a bewildered voice rang out.
[What?]
'Sor... sorry.'
[You used sorcery to halt my departure?]
[...]
Exactly.
The Heavenly Spirit Scripture's spells controlled spirits, so I'd used it to stop Yeo Dongbin from leaving. After a pause, he spoke.
[Da Luo Golden Immortal-level sorcery. How did you obtain it?]
Makes sense—stemming from the Three Sovereigns' inner gates, it was Da Luo level. That's why it could hold a Fighting Immortal like Yeo Dongbin.
'I can't say...'
[You stopped me for a reason. Speak it.]
At his stern words, I hesitated, then said.
'My martial talent is lacking—even decades might not guarantee mastering the Three Steps Ultimate Arts. Couldn't you help somehow? If you do, I'll repay the debt without fail.'
[...]
As I pleaded earnestly, Yeo Dongbin seemed conflicted.
After a moment, he replied.
[A Fighting Immortal like me interfering in the human world is forbidden by karmic laws... However, since you're connected to me by fateful ties, it shouldn't violate them.]
'Thank you!'
Joy surged within me.
Why hadn't I thought of this sooner?
Yeo Dongbin, a Heavenly Realm Fighting Immortal equal to or surpassing the White Lotus Cult Leader, was always near! When my insights fell short, I could borrow his help. As I rejoiced inwardly, Yeo Dongbin added.
[But for now, I have nothing to teach you.]
'What? Why...'
[You’ve mastered all five stages of the Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship essentials: starting with Faith, flowing to Enlightenment, entering Cessation to realize Emptiness, achieving Heavenly Escape. You should have reached the Immortal Sword realm by now!]
[...]
[Yet somehow, the essentials only healed the contradictions within you, failing to elevate you to the proper Immortal Sword realm. In this state, I cannot teach more Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship.]
It hit me with an "aha."
Come to think of it, piercing the Aokigahara flood beasts required Yeo Dongbin's aid, using the Heavenly Escape essentials to resolve my sword style chaos. I'd received all the essentials then, solving the chaos—but that was it.
'A normal warrior would gain Immortal-level swordsmanship instantly... But I used its potential to fix my sword chaos, and it vanished!'
Regret flooded me. Yet I couldn't call that choice wrong, leaving me restless. Since Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship had no fixed forms as an immortal's sword art, begging for more was impossible.
As I panicked, Yeo Dongbin murmured slyly.
[However... there is one way.]
'What is it?'
[The treasure I used in my human days, the Fire Dragon Divine Sword, contains my master Fire Dragon True Man's enlightenments sealed within. I gained great power through them, so they'll greatly aid you too.]
[...!!]
Sword Immortal Yeo Dongbin's treasure, Fire Dragon Divine Sword!
Just hearing it stirred something immense. Especially after witnessing the majestic scene of him summoning the Heavenly Fire Dragon multiple times. Mastering its secrets might let me do the same.
In that instant, I set a new goal in my heart.
'Alright, this life, I'll seek the Fire Dragon Divine Sword first!'
One more objective to overcome the failures and disappointments of my eighteenth life.