879——————==

True Martial Home

I was pondering what to do until the advisors finished their preparations. It probably wouldn’t take long, and frankly, no matter how hard I trained in martial arts during this short period, it would be pointless. While I was thinking about what tasks remained for me, I suddenly remembered my meeting with the Master of the White Lotus Sect, so I asked Mangnyang what I should do.

Mangnyang responded immediately.

“It’s a delicate situation to contact the Master of the White Lotus Sect right now. You don’t need to worry about it.”

“But doesn’t the law of causality apply here?”

“Just keep in mind that we are currently coordinating with Zhuge Yulong, our former enemy. If we add another unconventional element while struggling to sync with him, when the law of causality breaks down, we won’t be able to handle it.”

“……”

I sensed something strange in Mangnyang’s words.

‘We won’t be able to handle it…’

That implies the law of causality does have its limits. And if we brought the Master of the White Lotus Sect to our side, it would mean we couldn’t manage the aftermath. So, he might be suggesting that we could still deal with Zhuge Yulong somehow. I understood Mangnyang’s point and said, “Even so, there’s nothing I can do now, right? I really want to help.”

“Go to Miho and learn how to harness Amaterasu’s power.”

“Ah!”

“You still don’t know the proper operational methods, but the born spirit being Miho can be of help.”

Following Mangnyang’s advice, I asked Miho to teach me how to use Amaterasu’s power. Miho, hearing my request, replied, “Can’t you already use Amaterasu’s power like you handle spirit power? I don’t really have anything more to teach you.”

I glanced at Miho. I had previously given her obsidian, but at that time, Seimei had set up a barrier to prevent any leakage of my information to the Queen Mother of the West, making it unlikely she learned anything back then, especially since I had awakened as a divine being now.

“But if Mangnyang said that, you’ve got something to teach me, right?”

“Hmmm… I want to feel that power directly for a moment.”

Without hesitation, I took Miho’s hand. I activated Amaterasu’s power through our joined hands, and that energy gradually flowed into Miho. She closed her eyes for a moment to feel the power before murmuring.

“I see. Mangnyang is indeed a genius, isn’t he? How could even this divine being not have considered this with a human’s insight…”

“What do you mean?”

“Baek Woong. Amaterasu’s power is similar to spirit power but completely different. They are not the same kind of divine energy. Let me explain the difference starting now.”

Miho crossed her arms and began to explain.

“To put it simply, that power is the corpse of a god. The spirit and essence of Amaterasu have left for a far-off dimension, but the dead body that still holds divine power remains, of which you’ve gained half. This is vastly different from spirit power because spirit power is merely the residue of a god’s presence. It can’t compare to Amaterasu’s force.”

“A residue of a god?”

“That’s right. Imagine if Jeon Wook were in a situation similar to Amaterasu’s—facing death and his spirit trapped elsewhere. If you were to acquire his remaining body, it would be similar to the current situation, but would you think the power gained then would be spirit power?”

“……”

Now that’s a scenario I hadn’t considered.

As I contemplated, I spoke up. “Of course, it wouldn’t. Jeon Wook’s divine energy is spirit energy…”

“No. The power you’d gain would be spirit energy, but it wouldn’t be just spirit energy. It would be something more—divine nature. This is because the spirit energy you currently possess has a very low concentration of divinity, whereas the power gained from Jeon Wook’s corpse would have a very high concentration of divinity—it’s tangible.”

“What are you saying? I’m not following. Divine nature…”

“Hmmm… Didn’t Master Mangnyang once say something like that?”

Miho continued, “To obtain the realm of chaos and the primordial void, and to fight evenly with the body of the Three Sovereigns at the pinnacle of the world, you’d need at least tens of thousands of years of training.”

“Ah.”

Now that I think about it, that cat once mentioned something along those lines.

[To train in the realm of fusion means that one hones divine power in the body of a mortal being to become a god. It would require at least a few centuries, and only after thousands of years would one be useful even in the divine realm.]

[To fight equally with the body of the Three Sovereigns at the pinnacle of the world, you would need at least tens of thousands of years.]

That was from a past life.

To learn about the Master of the White Lotus Sect’s unique realm of chaos and the primordial void, I went to visit Wang Shouren with Lee Cheong-un and explored various places until I finally managed to glean information from Mangnyang by offering him treats. Back then, Mangnyang explained the nature of that fusion and told me that with proper training, one could polish chaos’s divine nature to ascend to the divine realm.

As I recalled that memory, Miho interjected, “To hone chaos’s nature and become a god ultimately means condensing divine essence into a divine position. Even I have become a divine being now, but that’s only possible because I bear condensed divinity.”

“Condensing divine essence?”

“Think of it as an extremely accumulated and compacted crystallization of chaos…? It’s a fundamental requirement to become a universally powerful being. Yet, spirit power is merely the residue of a god, and what you’ve gathered is just scraps of power left here and there by Jeon Wook for fun. While it may make you nearly invincible in the human realm, it’s absolutely insufficient for condensing divinity and achieving transcendence.”

“Hmmm…”

“The reason Master Mangnyang used the term ‘tens of thousands of years’ is precisely that. Just like a stalactite in a cave gradually elongates over many years, an enormous amount of time and accumulation is needed. Though it’s referred to as tens of thousands of years, considering Jeon Wook’s caliber, it could very well be hundreds of thousands or even millions of years.”

I think I’m starting to get it.

By human standards, to achieve mastery of spirit power would roughly take a couple of centuries, but even at that level of mastery, one couldn’t truly claim to have become a god. I’d be powerful, but that wouldn’t even compare to the divine realm—helpful though it would be for learning techniques and spirit communication.

As I grasped Miho’s explanation, I spoke thoughtfully. “So does that mean Amaterasu’s power has a state where pure divine force remains, unlike spirit power, which has already congealed with a high density of divinity?”

“Exactly.”

“But… for such a powerful quality, I’m finding it to be weak. Even when compared to my spirit power, it doesn’t seem that strong.”

That’s the crux of my confusion. Even if Amaterasu’s power has a much purer and stronger essence than the minuscule spirit power I gain from Jeon Wook’s statue, the power I obtained from Seimei isn’t significantly more potent than my current spirit energy. Given that it is supposed to have condensed divine force, that was odd.

Then Miho said, “Amaterasu is a long-dead ancient god and is currently undergoing a lengthy revival cycle that spans thousands of years. She can’t even begin to compare with the full-bodied glory of Jeon Wook. Plus, when it passed over to the human Seimei, it would’ve lost a lot of strength, and Seimei most likely consumed most of that power for the seal of life. Having been passed on while already over 90% weakened, it makes sense, doesn’t it?”

“Hmmm…”

“So even if the absolute quantity is lacking, the purity of the power is high, which is likely why Seimei judged it to be a significant gain if you could keep accumulating.”

“That was the intent then.”

“But Baek Woong, if you intend to use that power immediately, that’s another story. Utilizing that force as you would spirit power or demon power would just be a waste.”

“Don’t use it like spirit power? Then how should I use it?”

“Now, pay close attention… to divine nature.”

Suddenly, Miho’s eyes turned bright gold, and her tail popped out and transformed into a similar golden hue. I had seen Miho’s golden transformation before, so as I gasped, Miho flicked her golden eyes and reached out into the air.

Zing!

The very fabric of space seemed to grasp at her hand, and it was soon torn apart. A sphere of chaos glimmered like a droplet of water, bouncing into existence.

This was the kind of power typically wielded by divine beings. After tearing space, Miho inserted her hand into the tear, extending it even wider. Moments later, she pulled her hand back, and the space returned to normal.

“If done correctly, one can tear through dimensions.”

After demonstrating the process, Miho remarked, “Those who have acquired divine nature possess the ability to manipulate time and space. They can tear dimensions or temporarily alter the flow of time and space. Amaterasu’s power, being the divine essence of a high-ranking ancient god, should be used in this manner.”

“……!!”

“I’m sure you’ve seen powerful demon kings or the Eight Parts of the Divine fighting in similar ways. They might not fight as well as the Old Ruler, but they still manage it decently. They also possess significant chaos.”

Is this really possible?!

‘What if I…’

I looked at Miho in surprise and attempted to gather Amaterasu’s power in my hand, trying to tear the dimension like Miho. However, nothing changed and I was just waving my hands uselessly in the air. Miho then said, “Master Mangnyang mentioned that you must realize chaos as naturally as a fish swimming in water. Likewise, to properly use that power, you need to understand the techniques of utilizing divine essence amidst chaos.”

“Miho! Can you teach me?”

“That’s why Mangnyang sent you to this maiden.”

While Miho replied nonchalantly, she hesitated for a moment.

“… But even so, you are human. Your level of contact with chaos cannot compare to a divine being. I’m not sure if you can grasp it.”

“Well, I have to try something!”

Unless I do, nothing will change.

I had no choice but to give it a shot.

“Alright then. Let’s go for it.”

I began to draw forth Amaterasu’s divine nature from Miho and worked hard to learn how to manipulate time and space. But as Miho suggested, this operation felt closer to an instinct rather than an exact technique, and learning it was a tough task. We trained for three whole days and nights, but as we grew weary, Miho remarked.

“If the law of causality were working, this shouldn’t be happening…? If you could gain the ability to manipulate time and space, it would surely be a huge help for the Celestial Realm Assault, so why isn’t fate supporting you?”

“……”

“Or perhaps achieving divine nature itself is bound to a greater destiny that overrides this one.”

“Miho, I’m sorry. I don’t have the talent…”

“It’s not about talent, so there’s no need to worry. Originally, it was something near impossible. It was strange that you even tried to learn. Humans generally shouldn’t be able to master such things.”

That’s when it hit me.

“Miho. Is it possible to change Amaterasu’s power into spirit power?”

“… What did you say?”

“If it’s a power that humans can’t really use properly, wouldn’t it be better to convert it into spirit power? Speeding up my mastery of spirit power would be a better approach, wouldn’t it?”

“……”

“Oh, can I not?”

At my suggestion, Miho wore a thoughtful expression. Then she replied, “No, that’s a feasible idea. But I can’t help you alone; we’ll need to go to Seimei.”

Bang!

We explained the situation to Seimei. He nodded in understanding.

“It can be done.”

“Is that really possible?”

“We will mobilize the power of the Tsuchimikado clan to prepare the altar and the ritual. But I must warn you, great pain will follow, so prepare your mind.”

“I’m ready.”

After a full day of preparation, I stepped onto the altar. With Miho and Seimei leading the ceremony, I sat cross-legged in the center of the Taiji diagram, where yin and yang were drawn, and began to draw up both spirit power and Amaterasu’s power simultaneously.

Gooooh!

Dark chants echoed around me as I felt the vigorous struggles of Amaterasu’s power, which could be considered yang, fiercely writhing against the attempt to convert it into a different kind of force—spirit power. The resistance began to cause me to writhe in pain, as though my whole body was being pricked by thousands of needles.

Beads of sweat formed on my forehead as I clenched my teeth.

‘Time is running out. I must grow stronger quickly!’

While I couldn’t resort to immoral methods, I shouldn’t limit myself within the possibilities! In the face of pain that felt as if my tongue twisted awfully, I continued to maintain my cross-legged stance, and suddenly, I felt like the vision of a goddess appeared before me.

In that moment, when time itself seemed to stop, the goddess spoke to me. Though her radiant halo obscured her face, I could tell she was an ethereal and beautiful existence.

[My name is Amaterasu. I am the one who restrains the evil of the Ruler.]

As Amaterasu’s lips slowly parted…

[The weaving of the Great Universe is coming undone. It has turned into a battleground where great chaos collides with great order, and henceforth, it will no longer be manageable by human strength… I wish to know what you desire.]

I responded with equal determination, “What I desire is to kill all the gods.”

[Killing the gods… How intriguing.]

[For that, I wish to transform your power into spirit power.]

[Ha ha… The axes of chaos and order are about to clash… Yet you speak of such trivial matters even now… I cannot fathom what kind of being you are.]

[……?]

[You seek to pursue inner goodness, yet you are chaos incarnate, unable to discern between good and evil… Our ancient deities shall watch your actions closely.]

Bang!

In the next instant, Amaterasu’s vision vanished, and I felt her power fully merge within me. The once boiling force surged and transformed instantly into a form of spirit power, becoming an enormous quantity.

“……!!”

What in the world is this quantity?

It seemed that Amaterasu’s power and spirit power were at similar levels, but how could there be such a drastic change…?!

‘Is it because of density?!’

It appeared that if divine nature was in a condensed state, it would significantly strengthen the essence. I couldn’t determine how much power I had now, so I held my breath and sat cross-legged, accepting the flow of energy. While my internal power did not accumulate, I could clearly feel my spiritual structure rapidly rising.

Eventually, as the absorption of power concluded, I realized one crucial fact.

‘Done.’

I could feel it.

Spirit power had reached its peak.