Explosive Vitality Body Tempering Art
Explosive Vitality Body Tempering Art
Though I spoke grandly about the Dao of body refining and whatnot.
At its core, it is ultimately the physical body.
The best Dao of the Body (Dao of the Body) that I, in the Qi Refining stage, could envision.
That is a single canvas of Explosive Birth (Explosive Birth) expressed through combat.
Along with an elbow strike, I detonate the point of attack.
Yeon Biha's sword is repelled. My right arm, having lost its joint, stretches to twice its length.
Explosion is birth (Explosion is Birth).
Flesh, bone, and muscle surge forth at the elbow.
The spiritual qi in my dantian is consumed rapidly, completing the regeneration of my elbow.
Bung-bung.
Its state is pretty decent. In fact, it's even better.
The elbow's bones and muscles have become much sturdier and harder.
Aside from the severe consumption of spiritual qi and stamina, the function of the cultivation art is flawless.
How many more times can I do this? Before that, I pray Yeon Biha doesn't tire out.
"......!"
Did she sense the disadvantage? The corners of her lips, which had been curved in an arc, drooped slightly.
Whether my newly regenerated right arm seemed like a weakness, she occupied my right field of vision.
"Wrong."
I block the blade with my right arm.
The blade, wrapped thickly in spiritual qi, dug into my forearm far too easily.
"I don't need it, so you can have it."
Kwaang!
It felt as if an anti-tank mine had exploded right before my eyes.
She and I were simultaneously swept up in the explosive pressure and thrown far apart.
Due to the explosion that erupted inside my forearm, everything below my elbow was blown away.
Spiritual qi drains from my dantian once again.
Like the roots of a tree growing out, the blasted-off area rapidly regenerated.
It took two seconds for Yeon Biha to burst through the cloud of dust.
With my newly acquired right arm, I parry her sword.
"... Khk!"
Was it because the shock transmitted from the sword was extraordinary?
Yeon Biha did not continue her offensive and instead widened the distance.
"I didn't expect not a single wound to remain."
There's little point if only my right arm gets stronger.
My body as a whole needs to be evenly balanced.
"......"
Yeon Biha took an opening stance different from before.
Her fierce momentum settled down like a gentle sunshower.
Taat!
In an instant, the distance between her and me was erased.
If I hadn't reflexively defended with my right and left arms, my head would have been sent flying.
"What was that just now?"
As the price of defense, my left arm was severed. Behind me stood Yeon Biha, trailing smoke of spiritual qi.
"Huuu."
Yeon Biha exhales a hot breath.
Seeing how she sweat profusely, it was a technique she couldn't use often.
Was it a proud, decisive strike in its own right? Yeon Biha bit her lip tightly.
I detonated my shoulder, prompting the regeneration of my lost left arm.
It was a clear opening, but perhaps because the recoil from the previous technique was so massive, Yeon Biha did not move.
In the meantime, I escaped from being a one-armed man.
I beckoned with my hand as if asking if that was all.
Yeon Biha charged at me, pointing her sword.
The exchange of offense and defense continued without pause, but the situation reversed.
Yeon Biha became covered in wounds, while I replaced both of my legs.
There were no words between us.
She was anxious, and I was preoccupied with delving into the functions of the cultivation art.
The cultivation art is complete. That is how I defined it. Only development remains.
However, this body, born countless times through Dantian Explosion, cannot keep up with the cultivation art.
Because I envisioned something beyond the current level, not just where I am now.
With ninety thousand li left to travel, how could I be satisfied with the present?
Even if the regenerated physical body looks plausible, the physical strain is considerable.
Since I'm replacing bones and muscles in real-time, even my ocean-like dantian has been more than half depleted.
"... Are you exhausted?"
"No."
As I finish my words, I explode my fist. Even though it detonated right in front of her nose, Yeon Biha does not retract her sword, responding with a thrust.
Her clear golden irises reflect only me.
Following its master, the sword aims for my heart.
Detonating my waist, I forcibly twist my posture.
My spine is wrecked by the shock of the explosion, making it hard to even stand, but before I can even register that discomfort, my muscles complete their regeneration.
The tip of the sword naturally alters its path.
I marvel at her pure sword technique (sword technique) that does not rely on a cultivation art. It feels as though this single move alone could be separated and created into its own sword technique art.
Her flowing sword (flowing sword) rips through my chest.
While it missed my heart, the front of my chest was torn open horizontally.
Well then, that works. It's not a fatal wound that leads to death.
"One Mind (One Mind)."
Right. This is Xianxia. Not Wuxia.
At her trigger word, the wound glowed blue.
A sword strike surging from the wound bores deeper into my chest.
This time, it was deep enough to reach my heart.
If left alone, I'll end up like a certain Mr. Park with two hearts.
The Participant Token will treat me as deceased.
'It's a gamble, though.'
Before thinking, detonate first.
A cultivator can live without a heart.
Kwaang!
I vomit blood at the explosion surging near my heart, and Yeon Biha's pupils dilate slightly.
I stopped the sword wound from entering deeper. But all the organs near my heart were blown away—is this trade-off even worth it?
"It's fine as long as it's born anew."
Perhaps because I exchanged the most dangerous organ aside from my head, breathing and the circulation of spiritual qi became noticeably easier.
The energy cost required for regeneration decreased.
If I had known it would be like this, I should have blown it up sooner.
"... A monster?"
"Eo-heo, both of my parents are human."
"Why won't you die?"
"I don't know either. Maybe because I've done even worse things?"
Compared to lacking a bit of chest versus having my whole body swept into a formation, the former is much more livable.
As if the Participant Token agreed, it did not issue an elimination.
I don't know who made it, but the survival judgment is truly astonishing.
Ggu-uk.
Yeon Biha exerted force on her sword hilt.
If she has no more moves left like this, she will be defeated.
After creating the cultivation art, my realm advanced one step further.
She grew as well, but that was all.
"One hit."
"Alright. Come at me."
Heavenly Sword (Heavenly Sword), Void Sword (Void Sword), Heart Sword (Heart Sword).
These are the three sword factions (sword factions) supporting Taeheogeomjong.
Disciples of Taeheogeomjong choose one of the three factions to cultivate sword techniques.
It is difficult to reach the pinnacle even with just one. Among the Great Void Swordsmen throughout history, none except the Founding Master had mastered all three factions.
Yeon Biha followed the Founding Master and trained in all three sword factions.
Her outstanding comprehension and innate talent made this possible.
She looked at the enemy in front of her eyes.
She used the sword techniques of all three sword factions. Yet she could not achieve victory.
After he spoke the name of his cultivation art on the spot, the tide of victory tilted.
What kind of miracle was this? Was it a spell art she did not know?
— Wrong. He created a cultivation art suited to himself in an instant. A Grandmaster. A talent extremely rare even in the cultivation realm.
A voice struck into her mind—Yeon Biha's own voice.
It sounded ancient, yet like an old person steeped in time.
— With your current self, it is difficult. How about giving up?
The incantations that always hovered around one side of her mind.
Yeon Biha wanted to use that.
— It is impossible, but a cultivator is one who challenges. Go ahead and try.
She raises her sword. High Stance (High Stance).
She drags out the incantations in her head. The spiritual qi in her dantian creaks.
It was power unsuited to her level.
Congested blood naturally surged up.
Fine cracks split across her body like a breaking glass vessel.
Even so, she did not let go of the sword held in her hand.
If she simply slashes downward, the first move of the cultivation art will be completed.
— It won't do.
It speaks of failure with regret.
Yeon Biha felt a surge of stubborn pride, but her lacking enlightenment turned away from her.
— If it were that man, it would have been possible. He would have modified the cultivation art. No, creating a new one would simply be faster.
Along with the clicking voice, he entered Yeon Biha's vision.
It was already in a state of rampage to withdraw the sword.
If she forcibly interrupted it, severe injury would be unavoidable.
It was her own doing; if he blocked it and could save her life, that would be enough.
He without hesitation grabbed Yeon Biha's sword.
It was an unstable and clumsy single move, but its destructive power was exceptional.
His tough hands were burning in flames.
Hmjit.
Yet his eyes remained haughty, and a bright smile played on his face as if it were fun.
Yeon Biha trembled at the unfamiliar emotion.
"Explosion is birth (Explosion is Birth), but the ultimate point is annihilation (Ultimate Point is Annihilation)."
At that moment, Yeon Biha felt a touch stirring throughout her insides.
A leash was placed around the wildly raging spiritual qi. The explosive power of the sword flowed into him.
— That is no ordinary divine ability!
The voice inside her head grew excited.
It was the first time it had ever reacted to this extent.
In the meantime, the uncontrollable power spurted toward the sky.
Pa-ang! A tempest shaking heaven and earth swept in all directions.
Yeon Biha had no particular injuries, aside from her dantian being empty and being exhausted.
He, Mu Jayeon, spoke with relief.
"That was close."
Looking up at him catching his breath, Yeon Biha blushed as embarrassment rushed over her.
'Oh, oh.'
She was suddenly self-destructing, so I saved her, but the pose is rather peculiar.
It ended up looking practically as if I had pounced on her.
"Don't misunderstand."
"Yeah, I know."
Because she covered her chest with a flushed face, I was unquestionably made out to be the culprit.
'Ah, my back stings.'
Reproachful gazes piercing through space and flying toward me.
The soul talismans sway as if they might tear at any moment.
"Can you stand up?"
"Yeah."
While helping Yeon Biha up, I pulled out a robe from my interspatial bag and covered her embarrassingly exposed chest.
I wanted to coolly take off my outer coat to cover her, but it had long since been turned to rags from the aftermath of the explosion.
"Cheolwoo-ya, is it finished over there too?"
"""......"""
Two swordsmen and Gwak Cheolwoo cast bewildered looks.
Gwak Cheolwoo asked while breaking out in a cold sweat.
"What on earth did you just do?"
"I fought, I conquered."
"Don't mess around!"
At Gwak Cheolwoo's urgent tone, I shrugged my shoulders.
"I felt like I was being pushed back while fighting, so I just created a cultivation art. Why?"
"... Is it something you had been researching since before?"
"No? I was just living without a thought, and I just did it today."
Gwak Cheolwoo wiped his face in despair, while So Yeonggyeong and an unnamed woman let out sighs.
"We surrender. Please just don't eliminate us. We will definitely reward you outside."
So Yeonggyeong raised both arms and declared surrender.
I pointed toward their campsite, which looked newly set up.
"Forget about that, shall we sit down first?"
Since night has come, a place to sleep is needed.
"Ah, right. Since you lost, from now on, you are prisoners of the Cheolwoo Troupe."
Silent rebukes poured out, asking if it really had to be that way.
Eo-heo, once a concept is set, it must be maintained to the end.