Chapter 76
Chapter 76
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: Subduing Demon Hall
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Thunderclap Breathing was extraordinarily unique. Unlike ordinary human respiration controlled by inhalation and exhalation, it synchronized condensed breath with the qi throughout the body before expelling it all at once, requiring even the pores to regulate qi. Mastering this method, which blended dozens or hundreds of different flows and drew them up to the glabella, demanded tremendous training.
For the first month, I threw myself into mastering Thunderclap Breathing, skimping on sleep. Uncharacteristically, Lee Gwang taught me with bloodshot eyes, and I stripped off my upper garments to concentrate under the waterfall. It was an effort to control the natural qi without dispersing it, creating the perfect flow of thunder qi.
I poured every ounce of focus from my life into it with desperate resolve, clinging to it relentlessly. It wasn't mere training zeal; I instinctively knew there would be [no second chance] to learn this ultimate technique. Coincidences upon coincidences had moved Lee Gwang to pass down the true essence, but there was no guarantee it would happen again even after dozens or hundreds of tries. I had to maximize this opportunity seized after ten reincarnations.
I even mobilized the Mysterious Heaven Divine Art's operations, immersing myself day and night. The results appeared about four months later.
Wooong!!
'It worked!'
I felt Thunderclap Breathing envelop my entire body for the first time. Unlike Lee Gwang's effortless execution, it demanded a full quarter-hour of concentration, but it was a proper success nonetheless. Lee Gwang, watching from the side, spoke.
"You've finally mastered it. Well done."
"I'm sorry it took so long."
"No need. Now that you've learned it, few opponents will match you. Proceed calmly with the rest, and you'll reach the realm."
Suuu...
As I released the Thunderclap Breathing, I felt a massive amount of internal energy drain from my body. Maintaining it for just thirty seconds had consumed about a tenth of my total internal energy. As I stared blankly at my condition, Lee Gwang asked.
"How is it? How long do you think you can maintain Thunderclap Breathing?"
"About a bit over half a quarter-hour, I'd say."
"What monstrous internal energy. Most who first master it can't even last ten seconds..."
Lee Gwang wore a genuinely awed expression. After a moment's thought, he said.
"Try sustaining Thunderclap Breathing until your internal energy is depleted."
"Yes."
Wooong!
Following his order, I held the Thunderclap Breathing until my internal energy vanished. In this state, my reflexes and movements became extremely swift, making the world feel as if it had stopped. Moreover, the true qi's movements were incredibly agile, allowing me to execute any technique as an ultimate skill.
Crack, crack.
Just past half a quarter-hour, I felt my internal energy deplete and veins bulging on my skin. At that moment, hidden internal energy surged from my dantian, letting me endure a bit longer. It felt like the energy was regenerating on its own. In the end, I maintained it for just under one full incense stick before releasing it.
"Huff... huff..."
"......"
Lee Gwang stared at me in shock, slumped in exhaustion after nearly one incense stick of Thunderclap Breathing. He muttered in a trembling voice without realizing it.
"Nearly one incense stick of Thunderclap Breathing... Truly the world's greatest internal energy. It's approaching the Heavenly Spirit Core."
"Hah... hah... Master... what is... this Heavenly Spirit Core...?"
I gasped as I asked.
"You always mention this Heavenly Spirit Core... Please explain what realm it is..."
"The Heavenly Spirit Core means the middle dantian has opened. The qi accumulated in the lower dantian overflows, fully unblocking the eight extraordinary meridians and conception and governing vessels, yet still influences the surrounding space. By then, the gathered qi fully forms the core, granting semi-permanent internal energy that doesn't diminish no matter how much you use."
"......!!"
"But you haven't reached the Heavenly Spirit Core yet. From what I know, it requires a special process with your own qi. Proof of the Heavenly Spirit Core is near-infinite internal energy and exchanging bones while shedding form."
"Exchanging bones while shedding form?"
"Returning to youth from old age is part of it. After the process, one either becomes youthful like in one's prime or maintains a perfect mortal body. Since that hasn't come to you yet, it's not a complete Heavenly Spirit Core."
My heart raced realizing the legendary realm of exchanging bones while shedding form was within reach. As he said, it meant I too would shed my shell and obtain the finest body! But doubt arose simultaneously.
'I consumed Millennium Snow Ginseng and black-and-white lotus roots seven times. No one in the world has eaten more spirit medicines than me. Yet Han Baekryeong has already achieved exchanging bones and returning to youth. My internal energy surpasses his, so why the difference?'
Exchanging bones while shedding form wasn't just from absolute internal energy quantity. To learn more, I asked.
"Why haven't I naturally achieved exchanging bones while shedding form?"
"How should I know? I have a guess, but... better ask someone who's already attained it."
With a curt remark, Lee Gwang used qi to pull a wooden spear from afar through the air. Aiming it at me, he said.
"Now, use Thunderclap Breathing again. This time, I'll let you feel its power."
"Yes?"
"I know your internal energy is recovering on its own even now. Even for an instant, focus and use it."
With no choice, I mustered my stamina and mental strength to activate Thunderclap Breathing again. The moment pale thunderbolts flickered over my body, Lee Gwang unleashed a thrust without warning. His thrusts were brutally fast and merciless; I usually couldn't dodge and would get hit.
But now, I could see it.
I dodged.
Flash!
For that brief moment under Thunderclap Breathing, I evaded Lee Gwang's thrust and even advanced half a step to a safer position.
"Oh."
Stunned by the impossible feat with my previous skills, I heard Lee Gwang chuckle.
"That's the power of Thunderclap Breathing. Your reflexes, reaction speed, and true qi movement all explode exponentially. While maintaining it, the world will feel slowed."
"Yes."
"If you can hold it for a full incense stick, nothing more is needed. The casting time for Thunderclap Breathing is separate from internal energy used in other ultimate arts, so for that incense stick, you need fear no opponent."
"Indeed...!!"
I realized why it was called an ultimate technique. With this, not only my survival rate but victory chances in battle would skyrocket. Though it consumed vast internal energy, making casual use unwise, it was undoubtedly a tremendous gain.
For the next year, Lee Gwang guided me more meticulously in the Thunder Spirit Eight Forms while I practiced the basic spear techniques—pierce, draw, thrust—until calluses formed on my palms. Strangely, each practice made those basics feel like entirely new techniques, making learning enjoyable.
Occasionally, I saw disappointment in Lee Gwang at my slow progress, but he seemed determined to teach me steadfastly. It meant he now taught me with a clear 'purpose', unlike before.
On the first anniversary of my spear training, Lee Gwang said.
"Now, I'll grant you the license for the Thunder Spirit Eight Forms."
"That means..."
"I'll permit your initiation into the Heavenly Thunder Ultimate Spear and the Ten Thousand Riders Sword Formula."
My heart pounded.
The Heavenly Thunder Ultimate Spear was the Thunder God Style's most powerful secret spear art, and the Ten Thousand Riders Sword Formula was the advanced technique above Thunder Shadow Swordsmanship, boasting tremendous variations and speed. Mastering those two would qualify me as a true heir of the Thunder God Style.
Then, Jin So-cheong, who had been overseeing my spear practice, spoke.
"Isn't it a bit early?"
"It might be, but... we must consider the time to transmit the six forms of the Heavenly Thunder Ultimate Spear. No choice but to proceed."
"......"
From their conversation, I gathered my spear skills had only barely passed, not fully satisfying them. It was a precarious pass. Slightly offended but helpless, I stayed silent as Lee Gwang began teaching the Heavenly Thunder Ultimate Spear.
"Let's begin."
Time flowed like running water.
Train and train again.
Mastering the forms of the Heavenly Thunder Ultimate Spear took a full three years, and entering the initial stage of the Ten Thousand Riders Sword Formula took another year. It took about five and a half years since joining the Azure Dragon Martial Hall to roughly learn the Thunder God Style's advanced arts.
Yet over those nearly six years, I'd received so many glares that I tormented myself.
"Hah... should I just kill myself..."
I sighed deeply and slumped in the training ground. I'd come reluctantly today too, but thinking of Lee Gwang's menacing glare made my legs weak.
I could still hear his roar from back then.
[Damn it! To waste my life's work on such a dullard! What a waste of time! Arghhh!!]
During that period, Lee Gwang had lamented endlessly at the three years it took for the Heavenly Thunder Ultimate Spear, nearly beside himself. If Jin So-cheong hadn't intervened, I'd have died by his hand. Lee Gwang had invested everything with passion for a reason, but my dullness left him hollow.
That day, I was beaten so badly the first day's thrashing felt like child's play. Without Jin So-cheong's interference, I'd surely have died and reincarnated then. The extra year for the Ten Thousand Riders Sword Formula was entirely thanks to him holding Lee Gwang back. Even so, I was bedridden for a full fortnight recovering.
The reason I now seriously contemplated suicide was the daily torment of living under Lee Gwang's murderous gaze. Though no better place existed for training, it was agony.
'Damn... disappointing high expectations turns him that vicious.'
Lee Gwang now seemed to harbor outright malice toward me. As I grumbled and picked up the spear to practice pierce, draw, and thrust—
Screeech!!
Suddenly, a bird flew in from outside. On closer look, it was a paper bird. I snatched it and read. Paper birds were the mid-level spell Mang-ryang had used to contact me after mastering it.
The letter read:
[Are you training well at the Azure Dragon Martial Hall?
Thanks to you, I obtained a fortuitous encounter and have roamed the world seeking clues to the silver phoenix fragment. Along the way, I gained various companions, and quite a lot has happened over the years. But now I judge it's safe to tell you, so I'm sending word.
Come to Jin Rang Valley within three days.
From Mang-ryang.]
Mang-ryang had spent his own five years after getting the black-and-white lotus roots, demon night pearl, and phoenix fragment from me. The long-overdue letter brought tears of joy. The daily torment of training at the Azure Dragon Martial Hall made such news a godsend.
'Alright. Time to go out.'
I decided to meet Mang-ryang and hear his stories and info. I showed the letter to Jin So-cheong and said I'd go to Jin Rang Valley to meet a friend. He nodded.
"You've seemed down lately, junior brother. Good for a change of pace. Take as many days as you need and go relaxed. I'll handle telling Master."
"Senior brother, why are you packing?"
Sure enough, Jin So-cheong had a bundle on his back.
He smiled faintly.
"Nothing much. Thinking of venturing into the martial world."
I was startled.
"Master permitted it?"
"Of course. They said my realm is sufficient now. Time for me to properly travel and crush the demonic fiends of the jianghu."
"I see."
Jin So-cheong sighed with some regret.
"Can't go with you, junior brother. I have to head straight to Jiangnan."
"Jiangnan?"
"One of the Eight Demonic Lords of the Demonic Path, the Poison Demon, is rampaging there. Planning to subdue him."
"......"
I let out a hollow laugh. The Eight Demonic Lords were the heads of the Eight Demonic Sects, the pinnacle experts of the unorthodox schools. To casually say he'd crush the most vicious and terrifying Poison Demon like a neighborhood dog? But I knew Jin So-cheong had the power, so I said nothing.
'Senior brother is about to rise as one of the Ten Great Masters of the world.'
Perhaps this was why Lee Gwang resented me now. Sooner or later, Jin So-cheong would spread his wings and leave, but the precious time he could have devoted to his sole beloved disciple was wasted on me. Once Jin So-cheong began full activity in the jianghu, Lee Gwang would rarely see him, fueling such thoughts.
"Then I'll be off."
I bid Jin So-cheong farewell and headed straight to Jin Rang Valley. My steps toward it were light, my mood great. I'd trained diligently these years; I was excited to see how much Mang-ryang had changed.
Tadak.
But the moment I entered Jin Rang Valley, an ominous premonition struck.
'What is this?'
The village showed no major changes, but not a single person was in sight. Moreover, an unsettling, gloomy aura pressed in from all directions. Sensing baleful qi leaking from everywhere unexpectedly, I swallowed hard and ventured deeper.