Infinite Space
Infinite Space
Feather Transformation and Ascension.
It was the lifelong goal that Taoists from sects like Wudang, Huashan, Qingcheng, Kongtong, Zhongnan, or even smaller ones like Moyun, Zhenshan, Zhengyi... all desperately yearned for.
Dang Gunak had wanted it too.
Not so much to become an immortal, but because he yearned to experience the Immortal Realm.
He had accomplished everything there was to accomplish in the martial world.
He had avenged himself by slaying the Heavenly Demon and revived the Dang Clan, elevating it to the pinnacle family of the Central Plains.
Life had grown dull.
No delicacy from land or sea, no treasure, no beauty could spark joy anymore.
So he had tried everything imaginable to achieve ascension... only to unexpectedly encounter himself from another world.
Kim Taeju.
By vicariously experiencing his world, he gained profound insights, finally achieving the ascension he had dreamed of.
Now, Dang Gunak resided in the Immortal Realm.
No longer the Absolute Poison Demon, but as the Poison Immortal Dang Gunak.
His outward appearance was indistinguishable from a human's, but his essence had transcended mortal limits.
Could one truly call immortal—a being of eternal life and deathlessness, who commanded wind and rain, understood the tongues of beasts, and soared upon clouds—human?
Yet the Immortal Realm was nothing special either.
In truth, it was little more than an exile ground.
A place to elevate and confine absolutes who might disrupt the natural order of the human realm, granting them immortal status as a gilded cage.
He longed to descend to the Dang Clan in Sichuan and declare his ascension, but he could not.
Even with such overwhelming power.
An immortal's might could upend the causal laws of the human realm.
Of course, permission to descend occasionally arose, but even then, one had to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of an immortal.
What could he do?
He couldn't very well reject ascension after achieving it.
And so, he passed another bout of idle time in the Immortal Realm.
Hm?
A familiar sensation stirred.
The same feeling from before.
...Again?
At the same moment, a familiar face emerged from the depths of his consciousness.
Ha, what do you know.
It was Kim Taeju.
What force connected them, exactly?
This was the Immortal Realm.
For a connection to reach even here implied a power superior to the Immortal Realm itself. What could it be?
No matter. It was good to see him.
How long had it been?
Have you been well?
Dang Gunak observed Taeju closely.
Though separated by dimensions, he could perceive every detail of him.
Hunwon Musang Dokryeong Gong at the 7th stage already?
As expected of himself.
Even sharing memories and experiences, reaching the 7th stage in under a year was remarkable.
But there was a difference from before.
Dang Gunak could peer into Kim Taeju's consciousness and experiences, but Kim Taeju could not reciprocate.
Dang Gunak knew why.
Their souls were one, but their realms had diverged.
He had shed his mortal shell.
Whereas Kim Taeju remained bound to humanity.
Of course, there was a solution.
Simply lower his realm slightly and open the door.
Allow Kim Taeju's soul a shallow glimpse into his consciousness.
Not too deeply.
The gulf in their soul realms was vast; venturing too far might cause harm.
Very well...
Come in.
This was the second meeting between Taeju and Dang Gunak.
But there was a crucial difference from the first.
Unlike their encounter at Seoraksan Outpost, where their consciousnesses fully merged, he couldn't enter Dang Gunak's mind this time.
He only knew the young man before him was Dang Gunak.
He looks good, at least.
He had transformed from an elder to a youth.
Returning to his prime, no doubt.
But right then!
...Huh?
Suddenly, his consciousness was yanked forward.
A soul link forming?
And then he understood.
Finally, their souls had connected fully.
Ah...
As the link formed, Dang Gunak's memories flooded into Taeju.
My god!
Really?
Dang Gunak had become an immortal?
It seemed to have happened right after their first connection.
...Can I do it too?
But soon, he realized it was impossible.
This wasn't merely absorbing martial knowledge or memories.
Martial arts had formulas.
Once one comprehended the incantations, a set path emerged.
Follow that path, and success followed.
But reaching sublime realms had no formula.
It hinged entirely on 'chance.'
In truth, martial arts were similar.
Some had fixed formulas; others did not.
For instance, Hunwon Musang Dokryeong Gong.
Reaching the 10th stage perfection was possible.
But the ultimate realm of Poison Spirit might forever elude one.
Thus, the achievements of the Absolute Poison Demon—now Poison Immortal—Dang Gunak lay beyond Taeju's wildest dreams.
Yet he felt no envy.
On the contrary, joy swelled within him, as if it were his own triumph.
How could he not rejoice that the self from another world had fulfilled his deepest longing?
Congratulations.
Dang Gunak seemed to sense his sincerity, nodding with a smile lighting his face.
Dang Gunak perceived Taeju's genuine heart.
As expected, you truly are me.
No need for further words.
However, Kim Taeju was mistaken on one point.
That reaching the immortal realm was impossible?
Far from it.
Kim Taeju could achieve it too.
Whether he desired it was another matter.
Since they had met, there was something else to impart.
As kindred souls, their paths ahead would mirror each other.
Dang Gunak knew the greatest regret from his days dominating the martial world.
Kim Taeju must be feeling it now too.
Storage for hidden weapons.
Though the 7th stage allowed retrieval, it had limits.
The more hidden weapons one carried, the better.
Kim Taeju would undoubtedly reach the Poison Spirit realm. Even with the caveat of luck, he would manage it.
With a Poison Spirit, one could naturally unleash Myriad Heavenly Rain.
Not the crude fake of scattering weapons into the sky, but the true Myriad Heavenly Rain.
Imagine the Absolute Poison Demon Dang Gunak—or Kim Taeju—splitting into ten thousand selves, each unleashing hidden weapons simultaneously.
He himself had used Myriad Heavenly Rain in the great battle against the Demonic Cult.
To compensate for shortages, Dang Clan disciples had filled sacks with weapons, handing them over each time he deployed it.
He had always pondered it.
How to carry even more hidden weapons?
Ridiculously, the solution came only after ascension.
He had naturally awakened the technique to resolve it.
The Infinite Space Spell Formation.
He wanted to pass it on.
How?
The Infinite Space Spell required immortal energy.
The pure aura of a sacred immortal.
But Earth's Kim Taeju was no immortal.
He couldn't wield immortal energy.
If I transmit it...
Transmitting was simple.
He couldn't have as a mortal, but now as an immortal, it was feasible.
Yet two issues remained.
One: It might contravene heavenly secrets.
Immortals were forbidden from meddling in mortal affairs.
But that side isn't the human realm—it's another dimension, isn't it?
Correct.
The worlds differed.
Thus, no violation of heavenly secrets.
One resolved.
The second tied to the first.
Would immortal energy transmit to another world?
Let's find out.
It was straightforward.
Dang Gunak channeled a trickle of his immortal energy through their soul link.
And yet.
It works?
The immortal energy flowed.
To his other-world self, Kim Taeju.
Is some unknown power at play again?
Likely.
A force even he, an immortal, didn't comprehend.
No time for dwelling.
Send it quickly.
Immortal energy differed from inner power.
Depleted inner power refilled via circulation, but lost immortal energy didn't recover.
It required new accumulation through other means.
But what was there to regret?
He was giving it to himself.
Taeju remained linked to Dang Gunak.
Though words failed, his memories and thoughts transmitted like telepathy.
Infinite Space Spell Formation...
A form of immortal art.
It cleaved space to create a storage vault accessible only to the caster.
Drawn as a spell formation on the palm.
Put hidden weapons inside and carry them.
How convenient would that be?
But there was a catch.
It required immortal energy.
But I'm no immortal.
Yet.
Huh? He's sending it? Immortal energy to me?
No way that works!
Different worlds entirely...
In an instant!
What?
A mysterious power buzzed into his consciousness.
Sacred, noble, sublime, and profoundly moving—a holy force repelling all evil and depravity.
It actually works?
Reason be damned—he had to hurry.
The link might snap anytime, Dang Gunak urged.
Taeju reached out, groping the ground beside him.
A flying leaf dagger came to hand.
As instructed—and guided by the image in his mind—Taeju gripped the dagger and inscribed the spell formation.
Starting with his left palm.
Slash.
Immortal energy flowed along the blade.
Though carving his palm, no pain came.
Then the right palm.
Without hesitation, he sliced.
Each time, immortal energy seeped into his skin.
Hurry. Before it breaks.
Finally, two completed spell formations.
Truly grateful... Huh?
Dang Gunak's presence had vanished.
...The connection severed.
Ah!
He wondered if it was right to accept this so freely.
Will we meet again?
If only he could give something in return.
He stared blankly for a while.
Now, time to test it.
Did the Infinite Space Spell Formation function properly?
Infinite by name, but not truly boundless.
Per Dang Gunak's memory, its volume equaled ten massive granaries combined.
Living beings couldn't be stored.
Even poisonous herbs needed uprooting and time before storage.
Size limits too: roughly 1m cubed, slightly larger still fit.
No cars, then... A folding bike might work?
Though inscribed on both hands, it wasn't two separate spaces.
Merely different entrances to one space.
Let's try storing.
Starting with the scattered hidden weapons on the ground.
Willing them into his hand for storage.
Whoosh—they vanished.
"Oh!"
Imagining the stored flying leaf dagger and willing it forth.
Swoosh!
It was suddenly in his grasp.
"Heh heh heh, well now..."
Insane.
It was too perfect; laughter bubbled uncontrollably.
Hidden weapon storage had always plagued him.
To solve it like this.
An Infinite Space Spell Formation, far beyond any subspatial pouch.
All of them in.
He stored every weapon littering the ground.
And those in his torn coat pockets.
Stepping out of the burrow.
Three flying leaf daggers in the right hand, three in the left.
Swoosh!
Thirty iron orbs in the right, thirty Storm Rain Plum Blossoms in the left.
Swoosh swoosh!
Clatter!
"Hm."
A flaw: overflow spilled to the ground once hands filled.
Practice would overcome it.
Infinite Space Spell Formation confirmed.
Now, fruits of Hunwon Musang Dokryeong Gong 7th stage?
Drawing a single flying leaf dagger.
Swoosh!
Infusing poison essence.
Bzzz!
Blue sword aura blazed vividly along the edge.
"Hahaha."
Perfect.
Now he could carve through elite monsters effortlessly.
Of course, auras varied; breaching one stronger than his own would prove tough.
But every elite monster encountered thus far would die in one strike.
Then!
Crack!
Fissures spiderwebbed across the dagger's surface.
"Tch."
It couldn't withstand the aura's power.
A waste of a good dagger.
Taeju drew a flying leaf dagger, infusing only poison essence without aura.
Aiming at a tree ahead, he unleashed Single Flash.
Splat!
Kwack! Thunk!
It pierced the trunk with force to spare, vanishing into the underbrush.
Extending his hand simultaneously.
Woooong!
Whirrr!
Click!
The flung weapon returned to his hand.
Retrieval works too.
Not pulling the weapon itself.
Pulling the poison infused upon it.
The poison etched into his poison core.
The weapon followed naturally.
But a flaw here too.
After launch, poison evaporated over time, preventing retrieval.
Thus, recover within at least 30 minutes.
Retrieval checked.
Poison essence emission?
Tsssss...
Undeniably stronger.
Both speed and volume improved.
Overdo it, and the poison core drains fast. Need control.
Next, Blood Seal Poison Palm.
Insufficient power had barred the final stance, Poison Flower Endless Dance.
Papapapak! Papapapak!
Poison flowers bloomed in all directions.
Poison flowers.
An area-of-effect technique applying poison essence emission.
All life within the falling petals' range poisoned.
Elsewhere, Single Flash's power surged dramatically; Flying Waterfall Flash's range extended.
Phantom Bewilderment Step and Leaping Gale Step needed no mention.
The 7th stage's true boon lay elsewhere.
Upon reaching Hwagyeong, two auxiliary techniques deployed smoothly and reliably.
Reverse Face Technique and Bone Shrinking Skill.
Reverse Face altered the face; Bone Shrinking shrank the body.
With weak power, Reverse Face yielded ambiguous changes.
Negligible difference; fleeting duration.
Bone Shrinking similar.
But at Hunwon Musang Dokryeong Gong 7th stage—Hwagyeong—it transformed utterly.
Face became wholly another person's; height shrank over 10cm.
One could even conceal presence.
Like a mana adapter.
Even Oh Jinhyeong's lieutenant colonel wouldn't recognize him now.
Time to head back.
Test the rest at home.
The Jirisan monster subjugation operation neared its end.
How many elite monsters felled already?
Wave worries averted for the foreseeable.
But Taeju would participate to the finish.
Needed more elite mana crystals.
From tomorrow, solo hunts.
He'd wipe out Jirisan's elite monsters alone.
Sure, in a few years, regulars would evolve into elites anyway.
Infinite Space End
© Kuccikucci