770 ———————————————-

Dark Heaven Village

I swung my dual-bladed weapon to target another core, and with a deafening explosion, it shattered, leaving only one more to destroy.

Drip, drip…

“Ugh!”

Following Toyo’s advice, a caustic liquid kept raining down from the ceiling, and tentacle monsters popped up from all directions. The pathways resembled a labyrinth. Thankfully, thanks to Toyo’s warnings, I managed to get through with some ease, but had I charged in without any prior knowledge, I surely would have met my end devoured by the tentacle walls.

Boom!!

With the reflexes of an expert, I maneuvered through the erratically opening and closing tentacle walls. A normal person would never have made it through; they were absurdly tough. I could feel the challenge intensifying, and I grit my teeth.

‘Damn it! Even knowing the method, it’s this hard!’

My martial prowess was among the best in the human realm, and my protection energy and internal power were even greater. If I was struggling this much, for an average human, breaking through Toyo’s tentacle maze would be outright impossible. Of course, the Dharma Guardian could likely do it with their infinite internal energy, but that didn’t mean they could take it lightly.

I couldn’t spare a moment to stop the protection energy. If I let it down, I’d have no way to survive against the tentacle’s magical power and the deadly liquid everywhere. Sure, I could dodge with light body techniques or soul removal techniques, but those were all high-level skills that drained a lot of mental and physical strength. It was far more cost-effective to keep the protection energy active.

Whoosh!

I spun around in place for around eight and a half rotations before darting right, left, and then diagonally upwards. Suddenly, as the tentacle maze shifted unpredictably, the traps sprung to life, and the tentacles launched attacks at me, forcing me to dodge with all my might. A hundred spear-like tentacles rushed at me, and I used my skill to dampen the impact mid-air.

‘Here it comes!’

Using every trick in the book, after clearing about fifty more barriers, I spotted the last core ahead. To my surprise, as Toyo had predicted, high-level otherworldly beings resembling moths were summoned around the core.

Swish, swish, swish –

The moth-like beings slowly flapped their wings, dispersing a powder that filled the air.

Just touching that powder would infect a being with a vile curse. Of course, I couldn’t just hold my breath and expect to get away; it would penetrate the pores, making it nearly impossible to avoid or block with normal methods. For an ordinary martial artist, they would be facing a nightmare. Even using Xuyou or Fire Spirit’s techniques wouldn’t fully block the powder.

But I half-opened my eyes and began to channel the Thunder God Lineage’s ultimate technique.

Thunder God Lineage

Decisive Enlightenment

Thunderclap

Extreme Expansion

Ascension Technique

Split Heart Revolve

Whoosh!

My entire body transformed into a gigantic flash of lightning, engulfed by the power of the thunderclap. Although I was continuously maintaining the power, what I unleashed now amplified my physical strength beyond previous limits. It could be equivalent to opening half of the Eight Gates.

At the same time, I harnessed the ascended energy, raised the Xuyou and Fire Spirit techniques in both hands, and let the opposing Yin and Yang energies swirl around me. My whole being radiated immense magnetism, forming a powerful resonance between the opposing forces. The result was a collection of high-level formless waves that surged forth in multiple streams—something that couldn’t be created with simple martial arts.

Whoosh!

The formless waves I created sent the powder scattering away, leaving no gaps for even the tiniest speck to slip through! No matter how fine that powder was, it couldn’t get past the Mind Control Technique’s formless wave!

Brrrring –

The moth-like beings shrieked in agony as they were forcefully slammed against the walls as if stuck. It was as if they were being crushed by an invisible barrier. I pressed the moths with the Mind Control Technique and launched a Thunder Sword strike, finishing off three in a single blow.

Swipe!

Only two remained. They had ascended into the air, avoiding the wall position. Unable to deal with them all at once, I focused on Xuyou and swallowed hard.

‘Hmm… Split Heart Revolve. This was an applied skill I learned when I picked up the essence from Lee Cheong-un’s teachings, but I’m still not very skilled with it.’

In fact, this technique is a complicated high-level application. By using the Thunderclap, which is the ultimate technique of the Thunder God Lineage, I made my body the axis of rotation and utilized the Split Heart Technique to create opposing energies on both the left and right sides that clashed. What was used here was the resonance technique from the True Martial Seven Cuts Classic’s essence. Finally, I slapped my energy against the walls to propagate it all around, using the Light Body Technique’s finesse to manipulate space.

I could never have come up with this technique on my own, but the genius Lee Cheong-un developed it on the fly and taught me how to use it. He humbly attributed this to his exceptional materials, but it was undoubtedly a product of brilliance.

If used correctly, this skill could pin all nearby enemies against an invisible wall, while countering every attack that came my way with their death. It was a unique technique combining attack and counterattack, but it was far too complex and difficult, so I could barely handle even those moths.

So I shot into the air and unleashed the Heavenly Sovereign to attack.

CRUNCH!

Suddenly, the moth-like beings transformed into a massive muscular monster, swinging a fist the size of a ten-foot tentacle towards me. It was a sudden transformation, but I had faced plenty of opponents by now and didn’t panic; I dodged using the Soul Removal Technique and countered.

SWISH!

As I wrestled with them for about thirty seconds, I saw my chance with the sword and struck them down. They weren’t too difficult, but considering their durability, strength, and agility, they were still a challenge even for peak experts. After adjusting my breathing, I crossed Xuyou and Fire Spirit to smash the last core.

BOOM!!

The light of Divine Killing flashed, and the core exploded. In that instant, the tentacle walls that surrounded me fell limp, turning black, and I instinctively realized I needed to escape. Quickly, I resonated both weapons to pierce through the tentacle wall and burst outside.

WHOOSH

Finally freed from the annoying pile of tentacles, taking in the fresh air felt rejuvenating. Glancing down, I saw Toyo had shriveled to half his earlier size. His gray eyeball peeked out as he spoke.

[Well done. You’ve completely destroyed all the cores… Now my magnificent second transformation begins… Get ready….]

“……”

[What? What’s the issue…?]

I shouted in disbelief.

“Hey!! Where’s the second transformation? Just falling over isn’t going to hurt you, right?!”

[Calm down… It’s nothing serious….]

Toyo began explaining gently and kindly.

[When I undergo the second transformation, I can recover all the damage taken during the first… And I will transform into a human-like form…, showcasing tremendous combat ability. My specialty will be summoning clones from parallel dimensions after distorting time, so be careful… Occasionally, I will brainwash enemies with the magical power of the otherworldly beings…. Avoid eye contact with my clones if you can… Though it’s a low probability, I might just send you flying through a tear in time… Normally I’d use Time Stop and Time Recovery as well, but… I won’t, so don’t worry…. I might also fire a super destructive laser that you’ll need to block with a technique, but I’ll give you a heads-up before I do….]

“……”

No, I’m really getting worried now.

There’s no way we could clear such a dreadful trial, right?

But Toyo spoke earnestly. Realizing he wasn’t joking around, I felt a sinking feeling.

“…Wait, I paid an offering! Are you freaking kidding me? Is there a third transformation?!”

[No third transformation… Isn’t that quite reasonable?]

“……”

[Hmm… It seems you’re not considering the challenge… Wait a second….]

When Toyo met my gaze, he seemed to ponder heavily. Then he said.

[…Alright. I’ll exempt you from the second transformation… I’ll just die here instead…. But in return, hand over 70% of Baek Woong’s lifespan.]

“So you’re asking for my lifespan as an additional offering?”

[It’s quite the bargain… I was meant to handle the trials… I can’t give up beyond this point….]

“Well…”

I hesitated.

Looking at Mangnyang and Zhuge Sa, they both spoke at once as if it went without saying.

“Hand over 70% of your lifespan.”

“Just give it.”

…That makes sense, huh? What good would it do for me to live long in this situation? Even if 70% of my lifespan is taken, I’ll still have 30% left, which should at least be around ten years. As long as I don’t die immediately, it’s disproportionately favorable for me. I spoke to Toyo.

“Alright! Let’s go with that.”

Woosh –

As soon as I agreed, formless energy flowed from my body, absorbing into Toyo. Toyo seemed pleased and remarked as he consumed 70% of my lifespan.

[Hah…, my role is now complete…. A slumber lasting eons awaits….]

Drip, drop

Drip, drop

Toyo began to shrink, seemingly keeping his promise. Even as his body melted away, he showed no sign of pain at all. It appeared that, for a spirit, his physical form here was nothing more than a doll. The pile of tentacles had already left no trace, and it felt like they would dissolve and disappear any moment now.

I asked Toyo.

“Toyo, how strong is the Sun’s protector? Can you tell me their identity or weaknesses?”

[…You must have heard that they are the lords of this star. That being is… our original master, a companion of the Spirit Beast King…. A true being that has walked alongside the origin of this land….]

“Are you saying the Spirit Beast King refers to Shenglong?”

[Exactly….]

Drip, drop

Toyo continued to melt, and my impatience grew. My gaze faltering, Toyo continued.

[Shall I give you one last piece of advice?]

“Lay it on me!”

[You seem to be using the dual weapons, thinking Fire Dragon Sword is unnecessary for this trial… but it would actually be wise to bring it out….]

“……?”

[Well then, farewell…. You may not have the current power to pass this trial, but I hope a miracle occurs….]

Swish –

With those final words, Toyo completely vanished. I quickly pulled out the Fire Dragon Sword from my wooden armor based on his last advice.

Wooo!

Though it had become as powerful as the Seven Luminaries currently, I refrained from using it since relying solely on the Xuyou and Fire Spirit techniques was my limit and best efficiency. Even with a dual-wielding style, I didn’t have the capability to use something as intense as a triple-wielding style. Having more weapons doesn’t mean you automatically become stronger. Moreover, if I passed the Fire Dragon Sword to someone else without them being recognized as its master, they wouldn’t be able to harness its true power, so I left it be.

But why did Toyo recommend I summon the Fire Dragon Sword?

Unsure of the reason, I turned to the Fire Dragon Incarnate.

“Fire Dragon Incarnate! Are you aware of our situation? We just broke through the trial of the Six Needs.”

[Ah, I see… I understand now.]

“Toyo said I need to unleash the Fire Dragon Sword’s power against the Sun’s trial. Do you know anything about the Sun’s protector? What kind of existence are they?”

[……]

The Fire Dragon Incarnate remained silent for a moment before answering.

[Yunja, it’s not about me demonstrating my power. That’s likely just a minimum precaution.]

“What do you know?”

[The moment we came here, I realized my original existence…, the significance of this space…, and everything that is about to unfold.]

Boom

The Fire Dragon Incarnate erupted in flames, manifesting in human form to address me.

[Yunja, your chances of defeating the Sun’s protector are virtually nonexistent. Will you still press on?]

“There’s no other way.”

[Very well…. Until the end, I will exert all my strength for you, Baek Woong. But I must remind you, I can only prevent minimum instant death.]

Creak, crack…

At that moment, waves of darkness began rolling in from beyond the horizon, slowly enveloping the expansive plains. The waves soon reached the trial grounds of Toyo.

“Get out of the way!”

“Let’s head to the center.”

We hurried towards the central trial grounds. When we arrived near the enormous pillar in the center, the waves of darkness eliminated everything they touched but couldn’t reach the area surrounding the pillar. Zhuge Sa, gauging the distance between the waves and the pillar, spoke up.

“The waves have stopped about seventy yards from the pillar. That space will be the battlefield against the Sun’s protector. Considering the range of the abilities of these great beings, it’s a pretty tight fit…”

“Is the Sun about to descend now?”

Just then, Jin’s voice echoed.

“You took down Toyo. Impressive.”

“Jin, your minions must have been consumed by the waves of darkness and vanished.”

I replied sarcastically, and Jin chuckled leisurely.

“They’ve become useless now that we’ve reached the trial of the Sun. The Sun shouldn’t be fought unless with my power.”

“Oh really? Now that the Non-aggression Pact has been nullified, are you looking for a fight?!”

I barked fiercely, and Jin waved his hand dismissively.

“Quite the opposite. Let’s join forces when fighting the Sun.”

“……”

“At first, I considered killing you all… But it seems it’s not that kind of situation.”

“Fine, don’t attack us.”

“No, that won’t suffice. Hand over one of your Seven Luminaries.”

“Not happening.”

When I dismissed his offer, Jin remarked.

“Don’t you feel the anger of this land? The instance the sun ascends, I sense the entire essence of the land is roaring with spirit veins activated, and all of nature is celebrating the arrival of a single existence.”

“What are you talking about?”

“The great nature… We may end up fighting it itself. If you don’t grant me one of the Seven Luminaries, we might have no chance.”

He seemed quite uneasy. This was a sign that the situation was severe enough to make him lose his cool. While I pondered what to do next, the sun began to rise beyond the horizon.

As it climbed slowly to zenith, Jin suddenly trembled and shouted.

“Quick! Hand over your Seven Luminaries!”

“What?”

“Can’t you feel this… tremendous power? Aaah…!!”

With that, Jin fell to his knees, shivering.

“No way…. It can’t be this much…!!”

Why’s he acting like that all of a sudden?

Puzzled, I noticed something strange. I alone remained steady while my companions – Mangnyang, Zhuge Sa, Zhuge King, Cheon Gong-pyo, and Master of Zen – all knelt down, shaking. They seemed utterly stunned, finding it hard to move as if confronting something beyond imagination.

Zhuge King nearly gasped as he uttered.

“…Baek Woong…, give him a Seven Luminaries… quickly… We’ll be lucky to last a moment otherwise.”

“Understood.”

Reluctantly, I handed over the Fire Spirit to Jin. He hardly returned to standing, burdened by the dread, yet his reactions were no different from the others.

The sun was soon reaching its peak.

Near the sun, I caught sight of two stars slowly orbiting it.

The twin stars began to encircle the sun like dueling shadows.

Mangnyang, gazing at the twin stars, mumbled absentmindedly.

“Nahoo and Xuyou…”