Refining Energy 6-Star Breakthrough

"Hooah."

In the spacious living room of a penthouse in Gangbuk, a man was exhaling a long breath he'd drawn deep into his lungs. Inhale, exhale. Inhale again, exhale. It wasn't just simple respiration to sustain life—it felt like awakening every single cell in his body. His breaths were so thin and elongated that even holding a piece of paper to his nostrils wouldn't make it flutter. His chest rose and fell in the tiniest undulations, like footage slowed to extreme magnification, making one question if he was even alive. But he clearly was.

In the profound silence, the only noticeable change was the spirit stones fading in color with each of his breaths. Then, at some point...

The lightless spirit stones shattered one by one, and his aura exploded outward. The furniture in the room rattled, and wind whipped through the sealed space. The ceiling lights flickered before cutting out entirely. And when all the spirit stones had crumbled to dust...

A colorless wave dominated the space, shoving the fine powder far away. But just as whimsically, the reversed flow pulled the fragments back toward the man. The swirling spirit energy used the particles like brushstrokes, drawing patterns on the floor. First, a circle. Then, a taiji symbol. The circle split in half around the man. But the transformation didn't end there.

The curved midline bisecting the circle gained two strokes on either side, and the line split again. The completed form was the fire radical encircled by the ring. No flame in sight, yet scorching heat rose in shimmering waves. Thick smoke seeped into the man's body and vanished. All traces returned to nothingness.

Silence returned. The room was as quiet as if nothing had happened—a signal that his cultivation session was over.

"Hoo—."

I gathered my breath and slowly opened my eyes. The dim interior came into view.

"Did I turn off the lights?"

I couldn't remember. Eh, whatever. I could just flip them back on.

"Ugyagyagyagya!"

I twisted my stiff body side to side, stretching. It felt refreshing all over, like I'd gorged on nourishing food and slept like a log.

"So this is Refining Energy Realm 6-star?"

I clenched my fist experimentally, and flames shot up from it. Spirit energy flowed more freely, vitality surging through every corner of my body. A light jump nearly made my head hit the ceiling.

"Whoa!"

A bit ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠more force, and I'd have had to call an interior designer. The fruits of my humbled training amid the cultivators' mockery(?) had paid off. Humility really is key. Everything felt great.

One issue: the foul ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠stench wafting from my body.

"Ugh. The smell!"

My white short-sleeved tee had turned black. Sticky mucus clung to it—shower time, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠stat.

"Oh, right. Before that!"

Before heading to the bathroom, I snapped my fingers. Sparks from my index and middle fingers lit the incense candles scattered around the room. Nice aroma waiting when I got out.

"Huh? My body..."

There were more changes. Abs I'd never had as a basement-dwelling NEET were etched on my stomach. Sharp, imposing abs fit for a king.

"Am I destined to be king?"

I struck a dignified pose in the mirror and chuckled to myself. Looking closer, I'd even grown a bit taller. The wall-mounted toothbrush holder felt lower. My physique was sleeker, muscles dense and heavy. My skin was fairer, smoother, bouncier. All thanks to Myriad Meridian Self-Genesis, breathing life into my full-body acupoints.

Cheongsim. You're the real deal...

I sent silent thanks and began my bath. Under the pouring hot water, I scrubbed for a solid 30 minutes, but impurities kept oozing out—a real ordeal. Finally clean.

"Whoa. All this came from my body?"

Probably the impurities Cheongsim mentioned. Sorry, but I can't quit burgers.

"Whirling Lotus Flame!"

As I stepped out, I spun once, wrapping myself in flames. Moisture evaporated instantly, leaving me fluffy dry. Fire affinity for the win! But techniques like this—and others—had one downside: they burned my clothes. Everything else was great, but this was a problem.

"Gotta buy new clothes."

At full power, I'd end up butt-naked soon. Even Flame Orb singed long sleeves. With 6-star firepower...

Honestly, I didn't want to stumble around fighting goblins naked.

"Time for a full setup."

I'd lost interest in fancy homes, but dressing sharp was different. What would slackers know about tailored suits or luxury watches symbolizing success? They'd brag about prayer beads at best.

"Time to climb the Tower."

With 460 million won in the bank, it still felt short. Supercars, a collection of watches—check. Seasonal villas? My back might break. And awakener gear on top?

"Just blow it all?"

No wonder monks preach non-possession. You don't notice when you have nothing, but shopping reveals no end. Felt like pouring water into a bottomless jar. But hope remained. Higher difficulty meant better rewards—that's the rule. For a bright future, Tower time.

Oh, right. Galleries first.

I scrolled the gallery casually. No mentions of Unknown? Forgotten already? These fickle bastards. Rage flared—I'd rested a week, and the hype died? No way. Shower me with attention!

I replied to a buried post on page 3.

Wait up. Bro's coming soon.

Then, a certification post on Xianxia Gallery too.

A smile bloomed on my lips as I closed the phone. Ding-ding. The nonstop notifications thrilled me. This is why I can't quit galleries.

"Let's go. Time to make money."

A week was plenty of rest. Technically training nonstop, but no income meant vacation. By my logic. Time to flex—power up!

"Enter."

My vision flipped.

A familiar battlefield now. But floors expanded stages gradually. Easier for Wind and Earth Art stealth, while the wider swamp boosted Water Art power. Unfair. Hate monster-friendly terrain.

But I'm humanity's pinnacle. Earth's intellect. This time, I'd use terrain too.

The second 60 ticked down, I hurled fireballs into the brush. Training paid off—I could snap out orbs now. Weaker than full Flame Breath, but multiples dispersed. Flame Breath sealed for low power/range. Wait for it. I'll breath-fire someday.

"Kee, kirik!"

A green goblin burst from the brush in panic. Oops. Surprised? Flame orbs scorched foliage, singeing its sparse hair black.

"Krack, krack. Krarak!"

Pissed off. It charged, barking madly. But its speed felt... different.

Refining Energy 2-star!

Ripples spread underfoot with each leap, like rubber-boosting acceleration. Natural mobs leveled up per floor, but felt unfair.

"I'm burning lifespan here!"

How much left? 10 years? 20? 40? Low realm meant little burned in Intertwined Lotus Flame. But finite time loomed. Heart raced not knowing. Worst case, coffin tomorrow.

But...

That made me feel alive.

"Hahat."

Laughter burst out. Thrill on a cliff-edge path. Didn't know I got off on this. Deadline-fire types exist. I brimmed with vigor. Like rekindling the wick after losing family.

Mind cleared, vision widened. My waist pouch glowed.

The storage pouch from my pouch—early Xianxia Gallery gift from cultivators. One with spirit stones, one empty. Empty held the demonic manual.

Now it floated, unfolding rectangular.

"Three Prime Origin Scroll?"

Reading the ochre first line, the scroll-like leather flew at me.

"Wh-what?!"

I crossed arms to block, useless. It phased through like a ghost. Time froze. Felt like it. Soul jolted back. But resettled.

"...Fuck?"

Cold sweat down my back. What? Forced astral projection? Family waving flashed.

Then, some idiot interrupted.

"Ah, seriously! You scared ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠me!"

Heart pounding from shock, interrupted? I slammed the ground in fury.

"Kee, ruk..."

"...?"

Death rattle. Muddy blood on my shoe, from a Earth Art user stuck underground. Why there?

"Kkiruk!"

Dodged twist amid confusion. Shiiik—whoosh. Sneaky Fengdun slashed relentlessly. But I spaced out.

Weird?

Why omnidirectional vision?

"Fascinating."

Felt eyes everywhere. Bio-radar. Surroundings crystal-clear.

"What?"

I tilted head, evading. Linked to that phasing leather pouch? Damn, let me think.

"Kkiruk!"

Grabbed buzzing Fengdun wrist, snapped it. Idle hand snatched dagger, slit throat. Tossed limp body into brush—screams followed.

"Kki, kkiruk."

"...This is busted."

Then, new incantation surfaced in mind.

Who? Who pulled this stunt.