The Sun Golden Frog That Gives Without Stinting (2)
What was the Upper Dantian?
Unlike the common dantian located in the lower abdomen, the space where inner power directed toward the head—specifically, the brain—was called the Upper Dantian in the present martial world.
Originally, it was known that only Taoists pursuing corporeal ascension to immortality or divine monks approaching nirvana, from whose bodies sarira beads would emerge upon death, could rarely open this Upper Dantian.
'But a martial artist has opened the Upper Dantian?'
That signified something monumental.
It meant transcending the Entering Divinity realm, which fully surpassed human limits, and reaching the Martial God realm—a stage that existed only in theory, attainable solely by legendary figures!
"Hahahahaha!"
Hyeon Yucheon carefully stowed the Sun Golden Frog's inner core, rose to his feet, and laughed like a madman.
Though he had gained many fortunes until now, none had brought him such joy.
All warriors hailed as the supreme under heaven throughout history had reached the Entering Divinity realm.
In other words, attaining the Martial God realm meant one thing alone.
'Surpassing the supreme under heaven... to become the supreme across ancient and modern times!'
It meant literally becoming the protagonist of a new myth, ascending to the ranks of those who achieved corporeal immortality.
Of course, the Martial God realm and corporeal ascension were still out of reach, but the mere emergence of that possibility was fortune enough.
"Not only is an immense inner power swirling throughout my body, but it's resonating between the regular dantian and the Upper Dantian, generating endlessly!"
Hyeon Yucheon's mutterings rang true.
Opening the Upper Dantian meant transcending human limits to such a degree that one's inner power had no end, no matter how much was expended.
'Thank you, heavens! Thank you, Master!' 'Thank you, Mother, Father!'
Overwhelmed with joy, Hyeon Yucheon shed tears as he recalled everyone he was grateful to.
In truth, this was a stroke of heavenly luck.
Everything in the world had its affinities, and Hyeon Yucheon's constitution and martial arts were a perfect match for the Sun Golden Frog's scorching hot yang energy—like a match made in heaven.
Swoosh!
Hyeon Yucheon lightly raised his hand.
Whoooong, whiiing!
Merely spreading his palm summoned a Formless Sword Gang laced with razor-sharp sword intent around his hand.
Not a clichéd metaphor—his entire body had truly become a treasured sword.
It meant his physique was now optimal for manifesting and mastering the Formless Flash Quick Sword.
'This sensation, this energy—it's all new!'
Amid repeated exclamations of awe, the Demon Sword Prince Hyeon Yucheon finally realized.
"Master, are you watching? I have finally..."
Now he could declare it boldly.
"...surpassed you."
Even after mastering the first Formless Mystery, it had been a stretch to claim he fully surpassed the Demon Sword Ghost Elder Cheon Baeksang.
He had mastered a Formless Mystery his master never did, yet in a one-on-one duel, his master's proficiency would still prove a hurdle.
But now, things were different.
'And if I master this second Formless Mystery as well...'
How much stronger would he become then?
"Good."
With the idea fresh in mind, Hyeon Yucheon decided to test the second Formless Mystery right away.
He had already grasped its enlightenment and the sensation to unleash it.
The only shortfall had been his inner power—and that was now resolved.
"Huuuuu."
Hyeon Yucheon steadied his breathing.
Fwaaaaa!
His near-infinite inner power responded, enveloping his body.
Feeling as if he soared through the skies, Hyeon Yucheon envied no one in the world and feared nothing.
Swoosh!
He calmly assumed the stance for the second Formless Mystery, focused briefly, then thrust his hand forward.
The second form of the late-stage ultimate techniques of the Formless Flash Quick Sword, and the second Formless Mystery, had at last descended upon the world.
Splaaaa!
Among all forms of the Formless Flash Quick Sword, this Formless Mystery reigned supreme in speed, operating on an entirely different plane.
The sound reached only Hyeon Yucheon's ears as he unleashed it; to the target, it was nearly silent. But the true marvel was that velocity.
'Impossible!'
Hyeon Yucheon shuddered at the insane, light-speed swiftness of the sword flowing through his hands—a deranged quick sword beyond reason.
It wasn't mere flesh-cutting.
It cleaved space itself, slicing through anything in its path with razor-sharp energy.
"I see. While the first Formless Mystery, Formless Endless Sword, unleashes endless barrages of transformative Formless Sword Gangs, this Formless Flash Light Extreme Exhaust Sword is an extreme swift sword focused purely on instantaneous explosion."
Even more shocking: this form of the Formless Flash Light Extreme Exhaust Sword wasn't even at full power.
Being inside Demon Sword Sect territory, he had restrained himself... What limit would full force reach?
Brrrr!
It was a moment thrilling enough to gooseflesh even Hyeon Yucheon himself.
Now fully resolved, the Demon Sword Prince Hyeon Yucheon declared,
"No sword in this world will be stronger or swifter than mine."
All that remained was to charge toward the completion of his vengeance.
* * *
It had been over a fortnight since Hyeon Yucheon absorbed the Sun Golden Frog's inner core, opened his Upper Dantian, and perfectly mastered the second Formless Mystery.
"Fine weather today."
The three sworn brothers strolled leisurely through Demon Sword Sect, encountering many disciples along the way.
While savoring the warm spring breeze like that of the fifth lunar month, a sudden thought struck Hyeon Yucheon. He proposed it to his two senior brothers: Brilliant Light Demon Sword Ga Jinuk, the eldest, and Flash Light Flying Gentleman Eum Ji-myeong.
"Everyone's gathered today for once... How about the three of us have a friendly sparring match?"
Hyeon Yucheon's surprise proposal stunned everyone in Demon Sword Sect.
Especially the parties involved, Ga Jinuk and Eum Ji-myeong.
"Huh? Out of the blue?"
"All three of us?"
A clean one-on-one was straightforward enough.
But three made duels or winner-bracket tournaments awkward.
Hyeon Yucheon's solution was simple.
"Yes. I'll take on both senior brothers at once."
He meant facing Ga Jinuk and Eum Ji-myeong alone.
"Ho? Sounds fun."
"True, one-on-one would end too quick to learn much..."
Words that might bruise egos, yet the two showed no agitation.
They knew their junior brother would bestow great insights upon them.
Their sole youngest sworn brother never spoke idly.
Above all, they eagerly anticipated...
'Lately, a profound aura gleams in little brother's eyes unlike before.'
'An gaze even Master never had—and rumors say he's mastered the second Formless Mystery too. How intriguing.'
They were curious just how far Hyeon Yucheon had progressed.
"This should be interesting."
Even Bi Ryeong Sword Guest Dohyeonbo, leader of the Flash Light Demon Sword Squad, perked up at the Demon Sword Prince facing his two seniors.
"Ho ho~ This'll be a treat."
Not just him—the elders gathered too: Blood Moon Fist Demon Danlibyeok, Dawn Dominating Sword Gang Hwija, and Plum Death Gentleman Jeong Inheon.
How could they miss the Demon Sword Sect Lord demonstrating his prowess after so long?
"I hope I don't sully the eyes of our assembled sect members."
Hyeon Yucheon offered false humility, then took his stance.
He was bare-handed; naturally, his two seniors drew swords.
Ching, chaeng!
Gazing steadily, Hyeon Yucheon spoke.
"Ready?"
The moment they nodded, the spar began.
Paat!
At the start, Hyeon Yucheon immediately showcased his evolution.
Just a flick of fingers—and what was this?
Swaaaang!
Tiny Formless Sword Gangs swirled toward Ga Jinuk and Eum Ji-myeong.
It was a monumental leap.
Before, manifesting Formless Sword Qi for Formless Flash Quick Sword forms was required; now, a mere finger snap sufficed.
Ooooh!
Cheers erupted everywhere at Hyeon Yucheon's progress.
He had become a peerless warrior unbound by forms or techniques, unleashing devastating attacks from trivial motions.
Chaereong!
Ga Jinuk and Eum Ji-myeong were equally stunned.
Blocking was easy.
Just shocking.
'Impossible!'
'Even casual hand movements unleash this...'
Unbelievable, even seeing it.
Shock was fleeting.
As seniors, they couldn't stand idle.
Nod.
Exchanging glances, Ga Jinuk targeted Hyeon Yucheon's lower body, Eum Ji-myeong his upper—lunging fiercely.
True to their super peak master status, renowned across the world, their power was immense.
Right then, Hyeon Yucheon calmly demonstrated.
Of course, not at full power.
Shaped with minimal inner power and killing intent.
Not to harm his seniors, but to reveal the essence of this Mystery.
Splaaaa!
Even lightly unleashed, the air-splitting whoosh raised gooseflesh, cleaving space itself.
Onlookers shivered from afar; how must the targets feel?
"Eup!"
"Uh?"
Before they could react, Hyeon Yucheon's form struck first.
Straight on, it would have taken their throats—but his control was flawless.
Screeech!
He halted the blinding swift Formless Sword Gang right before them.
Grinning, Hyeon Yucheon replied,
"Thanks to you all, I've perfectly mastered the second Formless Mystery, Formless Flash Light Extreme Exhaust Sword."
Indeed.
Today's spar was his tribute of gratitude to his senior brothers and sect members.
And now, Hyeon Yucheon was truly resolved.
The time had come to resume his halted path of vengeance.
"Even the strongest of the Heaven's Five Venerables would face my smile."
Obviously, not all Heaven's Five Venerables equaled in prowess.
The deceased Doryeong Old Man Hong In-gyeol and Secret Lotus Nun Yeo Unsa-tae were the weakest; Plum Wind Cloud Jang Unhwi mid-tier; Fist Buddha Cheollim Seonsa and Taeguk Divine Sword Seonjong Jin-in vied for top.
'I might even take two at once.'
Hyeon Yucheon's justified confidence pierced the heavens.