The Golden Lotus Blooms Thrice

Three tiny sparks of flame slipped from his swinging hand, only to transform in an instant into the colossal silhouettes of firebirds. Two hurtled toward the Black Yin Hag, while one streaked toward the Six Vein Sword Demon.

Merely appearing, they unleashed a terrifying wave of heat. When the firebirds flapped their wings, the resulting explosions of flame made everyone looking up feel as though the entire sky had been swallowed by inferno.

At the heart of that blazing hell, a golden light flashed. The Lightgold Sword Energy that had previously slain the Bloodlust Demon Blade shot forward at blinding speed. At the same moment, Han Yujin’s eyes, glowing with violet radiance, locked onto the enemies—ready at any instant to unleash the Dream Illusion Mind Snatching Art.

The one who shouted was the Six Vein Sword Demon. His judgment in that brief span of time was truly outstanding, but the real problem began now.

The Black Yin Hag wielded the staff she had been leaning on as her primary weapon. Despite her hunched posture, she moved with such speed that afterimages lingered, continuously spewing black-green gangqi toward the two incoming firebirds.

The way that energy split apart like the roots of an ancient tree and spread in every direction was quite impressive.

Yet the firebirds, perhaps because the energy carried a wood-attribute nature, burned through the net of gangqi with almost no resistance and continued their relentless assault. The Black Yin Hag could only cry out in alarm and keep dodging desperately.

Wherever she fled, members of the Dark Shadow Demon Cult who couldn’t escape in time were engulfed by the firebirds’ flames. Dozens of people were reduced to piles of ash in a horrifying spectacle.

Meanwhile, the Six Vein Sword Demon put up a fierce resistance against the single firebird flying toward him and the dreadful Lightgold Sword Energy that followed.

His form seemed to melt more than halfway into shadow as he moved with blinding speed. Each swing of his sword released six sword energies of different colors.

They displayed unique movements—some striking the firebird to obstruct it, others colliding with the Lightgold Sword Energy to deflect its angle and slow its speed. It was immediately clear why he was called the Six Vein Sword Demon.

Naturally, Han Yujin was not idle during all this.

Still floating arrogantly in midair as he prepared the Thunderfall Art, he became an object of terror for many—especially the Dark Shadow Demon Cult members under attack.

Even Transcendent Realm experts could not remain floating in the air for long like Han Yujin was now. Even if they could, the internal energy consumption would be so great that they would never attempt it during combat.

If that weren’t the case, wouldn’t Transcendent experts already be fighting while soaring through the skies?

It was truly an absurd sight. Yet for Han Yujin, who had activated the Wind Riding Art, it was entirely possible.

Thus, without any significant interference, he leisurely completed the casting of the Thunderfall Art.

His first target was the Black Yin Hag, who seemed easier to finish off decisively.

The old woman had not yet suffered a proper attack, but the heat from the Fire Spirit Bird Art alone had singed all her hair and turned her skin a blistering red. She looked utterly miserable.

It was then that Han Yujin pointed a finger at her.

BOOM—!!

A flash that bleached the world black and white erupted, accompanied by a thunderous roar that shook the entire area. The thick bolt of lightning—powerful due to the long casting time—struck the Black Yin Hag with perfect accuracy.

“KYYYYAAAAAK—!!”

But as expected of one of the top masters in the murim, the old woman let out a ghostly shriek right before impact and unleashed black-green gangqi across her entire body.

Guided by some instinctive sense, the wave of energy spread like an umbrella, barely managing to block the lightning. Sparks of electricity exploded in all directions, charring everything within a ten-meter radius around her into blackened wasteland.

Yet although she had barely succeeded in defending herself, the old woman seemed to have exhausted every last ounce of her strength. She simply stood there in despair as the two remaining firebirds flew toward her.

WHOOSH—!!

There was no need for an explosion. After the two firebirds landed and passed, only a handful of ash and a staff—more than half melted and glowing red-hot—remained.

In that moment, the Six Vein Sword Demon launched a flying sword energy attack aimed at Han Yujin. It was a masterful move that embodied the principle that offense is the best defense, exploiting the brief opening.

However, it was completely blocked by the deep violet-gold radiance, creating only faint ripples. Considering that a Transcendent expert had poured his killing intent into the strike, the result was utterly shocking.

In the end, the Six Vein Sword Demon roared with his internal energy. At the same time, seemingly unconcerned about the damage to his reputation, he plunged into the midst of his own subordinates in an attempt to flee.

Without hesitation, Han Yujin commanded the three firebirds to incinerate the remaining Dark Shadow Demon Cult members.

Simultaneously, he began casting a new spell he had never used in actual combat before—one he had been practicing little by little in his spare time.

A brilliant golden energy of Lightgold coalesced above his solemnly raised palm, shining like a star. It gradually took shape, finally stabilizing into the beautiful form of a lotus flower.

RUMBLE—!

His body was enveloped in crackling lightning and vanished from sight.

Using the Thunder Riding Art, he reappeared on the opposite side of the Dark Shadow Demon Cult’s formation, directly blocking the Six Vein Sword Demon’s escape route. He then released the golden lotus from his palm.

Though spoken softly, the words rang crystal clear in the Six Vein Sword Demon’s terrified ears.

The golden lotus that had been floating gently forward suddenly swelled in size, spinning with dazzling brilliance.

Golden Lotus Threefold Rotation, Full Bloom.

A single golden lotus flower bloomed fully, exploding outward with terrifying Lightgold Sword Energy in every direction. For a moment, the entire world seemed dyed in gold, creating the illusion that the sky was filled with nothing but sword energy.

The Six Vein Sword Demon fought with everything he had to endure the wave of Lightgold Sword Energy. He dodged what he could, deflected and redirected what he could, and took what he couldn’t avoid on parts of his body that weren’t vital points.

Even though he had concentrated all his internal energy and avoided direct frontal clashes—maximizing the principle of borrowing force to redirect force—his gangqi was still torn apart savagely. The treasured sword inside it rapidly lost its edge, cracks forming as it threatened to shatter at any moment.

Yet he was, after all, a Transcendent Realm expert and a genius who stood at the forefront among the elders of the Dark Shadow Demon Cult.

Though he had reached a state where he could no longer continue fighting, he had somehow survived.

Just as a faint hope began to bloom in his heart—that the opponent might truly let him go—the golden lotus, now reduced to two-thirds its original size, spun once more and unleashed a second wave of Lightgold Sword Energy. Though slightly smaller in scale than the first, it was still lethally threatening.

In that instant, the Six Vein Sword Demon realized the truth.

There was still one more explosion left, and he would never survive it.

With a mixture of fear and lingering questions, he was swallowed by the golden beams of light and torn into dozens of bloody pieces that scattered into the wind.

The battle at the Ancient Tomb Grounds ended in a way no one could have imagined.

With nothing but his own power, Han Yujin had nearly annihilated more than half of the Dark Shadow Demon Cult’s elite force—including three Transcendent Realm experts. Searching through the entire history of ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the murim, it was doubtful anyone had ever displayed such divine might.

As a result, everyone firmly believed he was a Life-and-Death Realm expert.

By the time they finished all the excavations and returned to the Orthodox Alliance, Han Yujin had been given the grandiose title of Golden Lotus Martial Sovereign. Some of those present even insisted he should be called the Golden Lotus Martial God.

Though he found it a bit cringeworthy, Han Yujin was satisfied with the title. After all, receiving a title like this was proof that his fame would soon spread across the entire Jianghu.

Therefore, the moment he arrived at the entrance of the Orthodox Alliance, he declared that he would be leaving.

Many key figures, including the Alliance Leader, desperately tried to stop him, but he was not the kind of person to be held back by such things.

Eun Miryeong and Seogwang Gahu both announced they would abandon their status as combat members of the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Orthodox Alliance and follow him.

Even Dok Junseong—the leader of the Black Tiger Unit who had lived half his life in that position—casually declared he would discard his position without a shred of regret.

The Orthodox Alliance Leader let out a deep sigh as he watched, but he dared neither to stop them nor show any displeasure. Dok Junseong remained kneeling before Han Yujin, clearly prepared to stay there until permission was granted.

“Fine. You can come along too.”

Thinking the man would prove useful in some way, Han Yujin readily gave his approval.

Just before departing, his gaze briefly swept toward the direction of the Splendid Guest Pavilion. He couldn’t deny feeling a slight reluctance to leave behind the luxurious and abundant lifestyle he had enjoyed there.

Well… I enjoyed it as much as I needed to.

He easily shook off even that faint regret and spurred his horse forward. Eun Miryeong, Seogwang Gahu, and Dok Junseong followed behind him.

“Is there a region that feels like it lies between the Orthodox and Unorthodox factions, yet doesn’t belong to any major power?”

“Are you looking for a neutral location?”

“Yes.”

“In that case, it would be best to first look around the North of the River region.”

“North of the River… Isn’t that close to the Yunhoeseongbul Temple?”

“Correct. It’s near the Unorthodox faction’s sphere of influence, yet it has relatively few conflicts and remains quite prosperous.”

As expected, Dok Junseong possessed insight befitting his long career. Thanks to him, the discussion about where to settle proceeded smoothly.

During the journey, Han Yujin reflected on the spells he had used at the Ancient Tomb Grounds.

Since it was his first time using some of them in real combat, there were several unsatisfactory aspects. Moreover, the consumption of Dharma Power had been far greater than expected; he had nearly lost control of the Wind Riding Art he was maintaining.

That makes sense.

In truth, the spell’s original name was not Golden Lotus Threefold Rotation, Full Bloom, but Golden Lotus Ninefold Rotation, Full Bloom. It was a far higher-level and more powerful technique that circulated nine times, continuously triggering explosions of Lightgold Sword Energy.

It was a spell that should have been comfortably used only after reaching the Core Formation stage. Forcing it down to the Dharma Soul stage had naturally resulted in many mistakes.

Even so, its performance had been quite satisfactory. It made him eager to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠quickly test the other intermediate Five Elements spells as well.

The journey north of the river held neither shortages nor hardships.

Han Yujin had unhesitatingly revealed his abilities, using purification spells and the like without restraint. When food ran low, he generously provided Spiritual Wine and Jade Dew Wine. For comfortable rest, he freely created all sorts of structures with his Construction Art.

Then one night, when they were nearly at their destination, Seogwang Gahu cautiously asked what seemed to have been weighing on his mind.

Perhaps because of the new title, he had begun addressing him as Martial Sovereign instead of Great Hero.

At the question, Han Yujin let out a small chuckle and shook his head.

No matter how little knowledge this world had of cultivation, claiming to be an immortal while still only at the Dharma Soul stage was ridiculous.

In any case.

Upon arriving at Okhan Province in the North of the River region, Dok Junseong and Seogwang Gahu moved on their own to find a suitable manor where they would reside. In the meantime, Han Yujin and Eun Miryeong stayed at an inn and rested comfortably.

The two men clearly assumed that the relationship between Han Yujin and Eun Miryeong would soon deepen, but Han Yujin himself didn’t give it much thought.

Things will work out naturally as we live together.

As long as his own heart did not move on its own, he intended to maintain their current relationship. Eun Miryeong, for her part, showed considerable depth of character and never once made things uncomfortable.

A few days later.

A quiet manor built beside a small mountain on the outskirts of Okhan Province became Han Yujin’s property.

It consumed most of the wealth he had brought with him, but it wasn’t particularly important.

Now it’s time to focus on training and create a source energy cultivation method suited to the murim.

After touring the manor once, he nodded in great satisfaction and installed the Illusion Maze Formation.

After ensuring that the grounds could only be properly entered and exited through the main gate, he finally decided to begin the refinement of the Dragon Heart that he had been postponing.

The three stages of the Samgyeong Johwa-gyeol could be described roughly as follows.

The first stage, Heart Realm, connects with the target through the heart and achieves communion. It is similar to the link formed with Mu-yong through the Tongmyeong Eosu-gyeol.

The second stage, Energy Realm, connects with the target through energy and brings stability. It prevents the collision of energies that could diminish power or cause injury.

The third stage, Body Realm, synchronizes as if physically merging with the target. Rather than simply observing and understanding the opponent’s intentions or movements, one perceives them on an instinctive level, as if sharing the five senses.

It can only be described as a spiritual assimilation process that resolves all disharmony between two entities.

He calmed his mind as he gazed at the Dragon Heart before him.

There are no problematic factors… no matter how I think about it.

The moment he released its concealment, an enormous presence would spread out. It would quickly become a rumor across the entire murim.

Yet with his current fame, no one would dare covet it. Even if someone foolish enough to try appeared, he was more than capable of stopping them.

He had spent enough time fully grasping the level and structure of this murim world. No matter how many times he reconsidered it, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠there was no risk involved in refining the Dragon Heart.

Then…

Calming his slightly racing heart, he released the concealment on the Dragon Heart.

In that instant.

An overwhelmingly massive presence that could only be described as tremendous exploded outward in all directions.