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“Meditation training can’t last all day, after all.”

Ever since I revealed the Wudang Sect’s ultimate techniques to the Sword Demon, my daily routine changed to meditating from dawn until lunchtime and then training the techniques in the afternoon with him.

For those afternoon sessions, I mixed things up by heading to a secret training ground set in the nearby hills. The Sword Demon seemed to realize that Wudang’s ultimate skills were impressive and thought it crucial to keep it from leaking to the outside world.

Drawing from my earlier research in the Thunder God Lineage, I shared everything I knew about the ultimate techniques with him. I might not have gained the deep insights that Lee Kwang and Jin So-cheong did, but I could certainly explain the significance and variations of each basic move. When I also detailed some specifics of the techniques, the Sword Demon simply listened without a word.

Once I roughly finished the basics of the Cave-Collapsing Sword and Heavenly Contraction Sword, the Sword Demon exclaimed in admiration.

“So that’s why the Bright Dragon was so cocky!”

“What do you mean?”

“Twenty years ago, I faced off against the peerless Bright Dragon of the Wudang Sect. Back then, it was a close match, but he claimed that if one mastered the Cave-Collapsing Sword and Heavenly Contraction Sword, they could easily defeat me. I was skeptical back then, but seeing it now, it makes sense!”

That was something I had heard in my past life. Curious, I decided to ask the Sword Demon a question I had previously avoided.

“I’m sorry, but I’m still unsure.”

“Unsure about what?”

“I understand that the Cave-Collapsing Sword bends space and the Heavenly Contraction Sword manipulates repulsive forces, but… is it really better than other techniques?”

It was a valid question. All the utmost experts, including Lee Kwang, had praised the power of the Cave-Collapsing Sword and Heavenly Contraction Sword, yet I hadn’t truly utilized them effectively. Sure, there were moments they proved handy, but they seemed lacking when compared to top-tier techniques like Thunder God Spirit, True Martial Seven Cuts, or even Extreme Blood Wind Divine Art from the Four Great Families of the White Lotus Sect.

The Sword Demon responded, “Your comprehension isn’t high enough yet to grasp the true power of those techniques. Someone who fully masters both the Cave-Collapsing Sword and Heavenly Contraction Sword could easily dispatch me within a hundred seconds.”

“……!!”

“I don’t know what you’ve seen in other techniques, but the Cave-Collapsing Sword and Heavenly Contraction Sword possess characteristics that provide an overwhelming advantage in battles against peak experts. It’s all about the ability to dominate space.”

“Don’t other techniques also dominate space according to their intentions?”

The Sword Demon casually responded, “Heh… it seems you know more than I do, but it’s odd. Can it be that you really don’t understand how incredible the Cave-Collapsing Sword and Heavenly Contraction Sword are?”

“……”

With nothing to say, I fell silent, prompting a sigh from the Sword Demon as he began to explain. “Sure, an expert’s secret techniques can control space, but to dominate space means you can distort techniques that have already been executed.”

“Distort them?”

“Listening to your explanation of the essence of the Cave-Collapsing Sword and Heavenly Contraction Sword made me visualize a possible application should one achieve greatness with them. You could change the target point of your opponent’s technique using the Cave-Collapsing Sword, and with the Heavenly Contraction Sword, you could freely adjust the distance. This way, no master could smoothly attack or defend.”

Having explained that, the Sword Demon added, “What’s scarier is that these techniques become even more powerful when mastered in the stage of intent. It means they can be applied to any sect’s martial arts with ease. If this isn’t a divine art technique, what is?”

“Hmm…!!”

I suddenly had a thought. ‘Sky Island!’

It was the secret technique used by Lee Kwang when confronting the Dharma Guardian of the Wind Spirit Sect!

Jin So-cheong, who was watching from the sidelines, once mentioned that Lee Kwang advanced to a new level because he learned the Wudang Sect’s ultimate techniques from me. Sky Island must have been a technique that arose from that new mastery.

‘Lee Kwang’s Sky Island easily defeated the Extreme Blood Wind Divine Art. That means he overpowered the ultimate move unleashed by the Dharma Guardian!’

Another technique flashed in my mind. I recalled its name: ‘Reverse Scale Island.’

Yoon Bi-cheon had unleashed Wind Bullet with infinite internal power, obliterating it with a Thunderclap and ultimately severing the arm of the Wind Spirit Sect’s guardian, Yoon Bi-cheon! Jin So-cheong revealed that Reverse Scale Island was a technique developed jointly by himself and Lee Kwang. But sadly, he passed away shortly after, so I didn’t get to hear the full details.

I quickly began connecting the dots. ‘Sky Island and Reverse Scale Island… weren’t they perhaps employing the spatial domination of the Thunder God lineage martial arts?’

It was undoubtedly the case. The reason Sky Island pierced through Extreme Blood Wind Divine Art and why Reverse Scale Island wiped out Yoon Bi-cheon’s Wind Bullet could be explained all at once. As geniuses of martial arts, they successfully incorporated the advantages of the Cave-Collapsing Sword and Heavenly Contraction Sword into Thunder God lineage martial arts in just a few years.

As I was lost in thought, the Sword Demon chuckled heartily. “It feels like I’m finally enjoying the process of mastering martial arts again. Share more knowledge with me.”

“Got it!”

I responded enthusiastically. While I didn’t think I had reached the level of sharing secrets with him using obsidian, the Sword Demon certainly treated me with great kindness. He could be considered the biggest ally I have in this lifetime. If he could strengthen himself by practicing Wudang’s martial arts, then I’d surely benefit from the scraps he leaves behind.

‘Get stronger!’

I shared every last detail of Wudang’s ultimate techniques I knew over the next two months. I taught him the Cave-Collapsing Sword and Heavenly Contraction Sword, of course, as well as True Martial Seven Cuts and Heavenly Five Divine Decisions, Tai Chi Yau Ji Willow Sword, and even Seven Stars Shadow—everything I had researched and studied.

However, a problem arose. The Sword Demon tilted his head and asked, “What’s this ‘Peerless Technique’? What kind of skill is that?”

I scratched my head. “That… I don’t really know.”

Indeed, among the ultimate techniques passed down by Yuan Yuanzi to the Supreme Master Jang Sam-bong, the six major techniques possessed incredible power and were fairly clear in their martial arts. But the last remaining Peerless Technique in my memory was merely a principle without any explanation on how to apply it. After mulling over the principles and forms of Peerless Techniques, the Sword Demon said, “Fist techniques… or maybe it looks like a dance? And there are a lot of mysterious verses…”

“That’s why I haven’t been able to train in that at all.”

“That makes sense.”

What on earth was the Peerless Technique? Jang Sam-bong, being a Great Immortal, wouldn’t have held back in teaching me, so it must hold some significant meaning.

Yet even Lee Kwang and Jin So-cheong couldn’t figure out its true nature. All they could say was that the Peerless Technique was shrouded in mystery. It could very well be considered the most enigmatic martial art in the world.

The Sword Demon said, “Anyway, great. Now that our training has set on the right path, let’s start special training.”

“Special training?”

“That’s right. Uh… we’ll duel.”

Here it comes!

The Sword Demon had been watching for an opportunity to spar with me. He had held back because I looked busy with my daily meditation and instruction. But the time had finally come for our duel.

Considering that he had once cut off my arm, I felt quite hesitant, but I steeled myself and said, “I appreciate it in advance.”

“Don’t mention it!”

What’s the worst that could happen? If I die, I can just train again. Besides, no one would be unhappy if I were to perish in this lifetime, right?

With that mindset, I was able to accept it without hesitation.

And so began the duel with the Sword Demon in the arena.

Clang!!

The clash of sword flames echoed loudly. Like before, the initial exchanges were straightforward, as if gauging each other’s skill levels. After about fifteen seconds, the Sword Demon conveyed to me through a secret transmission.

[Gather your intent into your inner power.]

Gather my intent into my inner power? Before I could ponder the meaning of that, an attack from the Sword Demon came at me with terrifying speed. As before, it was an attack so swift that I could barely sense it. Knowing this was the Peak Expert’s Absolute Slash, I braced myself and focused on my inner power.

‘I can see it…’

As if time had stopped, I reached the realm of Heart Command Technique. I realized I had subconsciously connected to this world. I focused my eyes on reading the spiral of intent being unleashed by the Sword Demon.

‘Here!’

Swoosh!!

The peak expert’s attack brushed right past me, missing by a hair. It was a far better result than my first duel, and I couldn’t help but feel delighted.

‘I applied it!’

I had consciously pulled out my intent, successfully strengthening my inner power!

The Sword Demon retracted his technique and smiled, saying, “Well done. With this, it’s safe to say you’ve stepped into the realm of intent.”

“Huh? Just with this?”

“Just? You just clearly sensed my intent in that technique and adeptly avoided it, didn’t you? That alone makes a world of difference compared to the lower levels. It allows you to at least predict how your opponent will attack.”

“I see.”

Suddenly, the Sword Demon laughed mischievously. “Though there is a problem.”

Swoosh!

“……!!”

In that moment, I felt a line slicing across my waist and shoulder. By the time I checked, my clothes fluttered, yet miraculously, not a hair on my skin had been harmed.

‘When did that happen?!’

It wasn’t a recent cut. It had undoubtedly been from our previous exchanges. But how did I miss it?

As I struggled to comprehend, the Sword Demon explained, “I mixed in the Cave-Collapsing Sword a bit. It’s better than I expected.”

“Wait, what?!”

“Why are you so surprised? Since you taught me, it’s natural that I can use it.”

“……”

I was at a loss for words. The Sword Demon had only been training with the Cave-Collapsing Sword for about two months now. And he wasn’t even focused solely on that; he had invested precious time learning the other five ultimate techniques as well. Logically, he should have been a complete novice at the Cave-Collapsing Sword.

Yet he had already reached a level where he could apply the characteristics of the Cave-Collapsing Sword into his swordsmanship!

I realized the essence of Seo Mun-dae-ryong. ‘This guy is an incredible martial genius…!!’

Seo Mun-hye, who became a peak expert in her twenties, didn’t just admire her father for no reason. I should have noticed that Seo Mun-dae-ryong was on par with the legendary Bright Dragon even at a young age. He was the finest master in the heretical sect faction and a martial genius to boot.

Normally, at this point, one would feel despair, pounding the ground in agony upon facing such an overwhelming gap in talent. The moment one recognizes that difference, their mental strength tends to shatter. But I felt none of that. Instead, I focused back on the duel.

“Let’s go again.”

“Of course!”

Crash!

Clang!

As promised, I was defeated in less than a hundred seconds. Although my skills had improved significantly since my first entry into the Shadowless Gate, the Sword Demon’s prowess had also advanced even more. He was likely still progressing at an astonishing speed.

Yet, I felt indifferent about it all.

It wasn’t the first time I had been trampled by talent. I was so used to feelings of inferiority and defeat that they felt familiar, not overwhelming. Instead, those feelings faded, and I became solely focused on pursuing sheer [strength].

I wasn’t anything special.

Anyone who trained martial arts for over a hundred years while dying fifteen times would be just like me.

The Sword Demon said, “Alright, from now on, our duels should yield results. We’ll reduce meditation to one moment and use the rest of the time to spar with me. I think after about a hundred duels, you’ll be completely familiar with intent.”

“I have a question.”

“Ask away.”

I cautiously inquired, “I only managed to strengthen my inner power and step techniques with intent. Why couldn’t I blend it into techniques?”

“Hmm… let’s say it’s a matter of imagination.”

“Imagination?”

The Sword Demon nodded, saying, “The ultimate techniques released after extreme training by peak experts tend to transcend human physical abilities. They often display an overwhelming presence, like something out of a fantasy tale. This is because the techniques are a culmination of one’s imagination.”

“……?”

“The techniques of intent embody the strongest form a person envisions, maximizing its effectiveness.”

“Is that possible?”

“Of course.”

He continued, arms crossed. “Everyone referred to as a peak expert is undoubtedly a master or genius in a specific field. The blood and sweat they shed to reach that realm surpass the imagination of ordinary people. Once a person reaches that level of training, they acquire their own philosophy.”

The Sword Demon gazed calmly at the sky. “That philosophy is essentially their personal answer to what [ultimate strength] is. Imagination helps bring that vision to life, unlocking superhuman skills.”

“Ah!”

“Of course, reality isn’t kind enough to transform that imagination into perfection. Thus, you should envision the manifestation of your highest skill only reflected in the absolute techniques you have honed the most.”

Today, I felt I understood almost everything about the battles of peak experts. Fundamentally, it involved performing exquisitely precise exchanges of techniques at extreme moments while employing one’s utmost skilled ultimate techniques to counter the opponent’s techniques! That was the battle logic of the top-tier experts in the Central Plains.

‘I now understand why Jin So-cheong practiced the basic spear technique, Ranna Chul!’

Jin So-cheong could have refined advanced spear techniques of the Heavenly Thunder Infinite Spear, yet he refrained because he understood the combat of peak experts. As one approaches the ultimate level, techniques become simpler, and optimizing the technique of intent is critical, which is why he perfected the basic techniques with the fewest openings.

The Sword Demon concluded his explanation and said, “Therefore, for you to blend intent into your ‘techniques,’ you must first determine what kind of strength you wish to attain. Even if you don’t, it’s possible to forcibly enhance techniques, but the power would drastically diminish.”

And so, a new challenge emerged for me. What was the ultimate technique I desired?

It was essentially asking what form my envisioned ultimate martial arts would take.

 

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