전생검신 95권 06화

As my spirit body began to revolve amidst countless meteors, I recalled the time when I practiced the Soul of the Evil God.

‘Nine Chambers of Thunder Technique.’

Yang Energy

Separation of Soul and Spirit!

Crackle!

With this, each meteor accelerated even faster in its revolution. I was applying the essence of the Nine Chambers of Thunder Technique, originally used to separate the Thunder Soul and Thunder Spirit, onto the outer object of the meteors. This was a technique I had employed to enhance control when the Thunder Spirit’s power was great; after all, strengthening rotation and control should make it ultimately easier to claim the meteors for myself.

Vroom vroom vroom

While no sound could be heard in the vastness of space, I felt powerful waves pulsating every time the meteors revolved. This wave was not physical; rather, it was a result of my [power] resonating with surrounding objects as I controlled the meteors. Once I gathered enough strength to control the meteors, I gradually pushed them outward, widening the distance between each entity.

A rotation pattern akin to that of colossal meteors mimicking human form! I positioned my spirit body close to an area resembling a heart and reached out, focusing intently. And I wondered.

If I amalgamate these meteors into a rock-like body, could it withstand my divine power?

No. Definitely not.

No matter how physically solid, divine power can’t be contained by mere physical strength. It would almost certainly shatter like a human body would.

Nonetheless, the reason to create a rotating form resembling a human is—

‘…… The power permeating the star itself. I want to grasp that power.’

Power of the Stars!

Not only had I vaguely sensed it, but this was also noted in Ji-seon Mang-nyang’s sorcery knowledge.

[The constellation of the stars possesses immense divine power and sorcerous authority. This is because the constellations are the territory of the [Old Ruler], and the main stars symbolizing the constellations are inherently powerful celestial bodies, fragments of the vast universe. The [Old Rulers], who do not require faith, covet the territory of the constellations for this very reason.]

Indeed, constellations are not only stars that belong to the territory of the [Old Ruler] but also entities that accumulate formidable sorcerous power!

Thus, it is common for the homes of powerful sorcerous races of the universe to be constellations, and beings that manifest from constellations have even transcended into other divine beings. The celestial maidens of the Big Dipper, whom I have seen, are likely such entities.

‘Without a doubt…… the fact that Nüwa crafted the Queen Mother of the West’s body by weaving starlight means she created a body that directly reflects the [power of the stars]!’

In other words, the Queen Mother of the West herself is a crystallization of the powers of the constellations!

It wouldn’t be surprising to say that she can fully utilize the powers of the Three Sovereigns, Nüwa.

If that is the case, wouldn’t it be incredibly powerful if I could also create a body infused with the power of the stars like the Queen Mother of the West?

However, with my ignorance of the constellations, I would first attempt to use meteors, or any nearby star showers, to integrate the soul powers of the Soul of the Evil God and attempt to create a body.

‘Self. If the power of the stars exists…… Show yourself through the Soul of the Evil God’s orbit, squeezing out your essence!’

Vroom vroom vroom!

But after spinning for a while, I felt no particular power. I sighed, thinking this was futile.

“Tch…… That star shower doesn’t seem to have any significant sorcerous powers? Then I might as well just start moving the rocky body with the powers of the Soul of the Evil God….”

In truth, it wouldn’t be possession but more like controlling a puppet, yet for now, it should suffice.

Thinking so, I began to maneuver the flow of Qi according to the basic operational techniques of the Nine Chambers of Thunder Technique.

The Thunder Soul rotates and completes according to the trinity of cosmic elements.

Following the method Lee Kwang taught me regarding the Thunder Soul, the rotation of the trinity was expressed from every part of the meteors, starting their self-rotation, and eventually, the meteors, which had been performing a bland revolution, began to rotate more actively and took on irregular patterns.

Vrum vrum vrum!

With a violent vibration, the rotation speed drastically increased; however, the fascinating fact was that even amidst such varied and rapid rotations, there wasn’t a single collision or explosion among them. This was expected since, no matter how fast the rotations were, the flow governing them was akin to my Heart Thunder; as long as my mind remained steady, the velocity of the rotation was irrelevant.

Even now, there are countless trajectories of meteors swirling in my mind, but I’m not perplexed in the slightest. Compared to the splendid transformations and world-class martial skills I had witnessed countless times as an expert, all those trajectories were simply quicker yet fundamentally simpler. Repetitive motions devoid of any intent or will are actually easier to interpret.

The reason I am spinning them is simple.

Can the Soul of the Evil God truly manifest even in a body that is not of flesh but an aggregate of inorganic matter?

Right now, I am forcing the essence of the universe’s Qi to pull through with my divine power and execute the principles of the Soul of the Evil God, but in essence, this is external magic. This cannot be fundamentally compared to the operation of the Soul of the Evil God, which relies on the innate internal power and will of biological entities. However, if such an attempt could be feasible, then far more could be possible than I initially thought.

‘Indeed…….’

Moments later, I quickly retracted the Thunder Soul circulating around my spirit body.

Swish

As expected, the moment I did, all the meteors’ revolutions abruptly ceased and flung outward! I watched in awe as the meteor bodies dispersed instantaneously.

‘…… As I thought! Just forcing the Thunder Soul into my spirit body and the external objects themselves lack any essence of the Thunder Soul, so…… the Soul of the Evil God doesn’t manifest.’

I used my divine power to draw in the dispersed meteors all around and pondered.

Just like that time.

When I briefly returned to the current world and obtained a mechanical body, the Soul of the Evil God did not manifest then either!

I had assumed it was only natural that I couldn’t use the Soul of the Evil God back then. And now, perhaps I’m in a situation not much different from that mechanical body.

A conversation with Ananda surfaced in my mind.

[Then why don’t you use the Soul of the Evil God in our fight?]

[I told you. The Nine Chambers of Thunder Technique is based on the flow of energy from the Lower Dantian, but right now, I don’t have a Dantian itself…….]

[The Nine Chambers of Thunder takes lightning itself as its form. So, does the lightning in soul form still require internal power and will?]

This conversation raised questions in my mind about whether the Thunder Soul was indeed dependent on the Lower and Middle Dantians.

And recently, after experiencing utilizing the Middle Dantian within Yeodong-bin’s body, another question followed.

‘Yeodong-bin comprehended the entire foundation of the Lower Dantian and used the grounding point of the Middle Dantian to accelerate the mysterious energy’s speed several times over. This means it breaks the notion that the Middle Dantian must reside in the heart. If that is so…….’

What about the Thunder Soul?

Is the location of the Thunder Soul important?

‘What is the Thunder Soul in the first place…….’

Inserting the Thunder Soul into the mind and nurturing it is the key essence of the Nine Chambers of Thunder Technique—essentially, the relationship between the Thunder Soul and the mind is almost indispensable. And only biological entities can harbor a soul; thus, nurturing a Thunder Soul without a body should be fundamentally impossible.

……

Wait a minute…… Why can only biological entities house a mind?

Why can’t inorganic matter contain a mind?

As I pondered this fundamental question, I suddenly gasped.

‘Ah!’

This question…… It’s the same.

It’s the same.

[Baek Woong, is this hair alive or dead?]

[Every inanimate object in this world also possesses will and mind. There exists that possibility. Demonstrating that fact is the true essence of the world, the Eight Consciousness. Thus, when using the Eight Consciousness, one can inflict pain upon machines, which means those machines may also potentially harbor a mind.]

Eight Consciousness!

The very words Su-bori had imparted immediately came to mind.

I continued to recall Su-bori’s teachings within my memory.

[However, the stone over there, or the wind that sweeps by, also possesses a [mind], but it’s not as complexly developed as yours. They merely exist at a very basic level of mental constituents.]

[Recognition…… means that it generates [mind]?]

[The ability of the Eight Consciousness is to awaken the latent [mind] inherent in all beings through this principle. By utilizing feelings of suffering.]

……!

In that moment, I felt a jolt.

The fact that even inanimate objects might contain will and mind…… the Eight Consciousness, perception, the idea of mind!

This seemed to imply that even the lifeless Thunder Soul could exist independently of the soul’s residence!

‘Then…… Should I locate that mental constituent within the Thunder Soul and awaken it?’

Although a grand path appeared to stretch out, I still lacked a concrete method.

However, that vague feeling excited me, as navigating through the unknown while discovering things was enjoyable.

I closed my eyes, meditating while once again revolving the meteoric body of the Soul of the Evil God and contemplating.

‘Su-bori said recognition creates the mind…… I believe I’m sufficiently aware of the Thunder Soul already…… Is the recognition Su-bori mentions different from what I comprehend as recognition?’

…… I once realized while contemplating the Void (Emptiness) that all things in this world are composed of [mind].

If the mind is equivalent to the Void, then ultimately, everything in this world could be Void.

‘Then, what is recognition within this world of [dream]….’

I had never thought this far.

I only instinctively felt that something more complex existed beyond simply the Void, but it was difficult to delve deeper into it.

……

Recognizing the lifeless Thunder Soul……?

‘Idealism…….’

Then am I recognizing the Thunder Soul as something void or something existent?

Could it be that the Thunder Soul is a manifestation of the Void…….

It was a moment of vague realization.

Thump!

Suddenly, I could feel my entire spirit body trembling as a colossal darkness swept over the world with closed eyes. Just closing my eyes was already darkness, but the physical darkness creeping in couldn’t compare to the pitch-black void that began to engulf my entire mind.

……

An unknown resonance passed like a single drop of water having fallen onto the surface of my consciousness.

Then, as I reached out, I realized my palm had unexpectedly touched the surface of this void.

Suddenly, from the void made of darkness, a haunting sound emerged.

[…… Why……. are you searching for the mind…….]

I could not ascertain where the voice resonated from. However, I could feel the essence of [will] itself traveling through my fingertips. In that state, seemingly devoid of rational thought, I desperately tried to retract my hand from the surface, but at that moment, a dark droplet suddenly erupted from beyond the surface.

[Do you…… have a reason…… for that?]

The howling resonance in the darkness drenched my heart.

‘……!’

I was startled as a boiling drop of liquid encircled my arm like a chaotic vine, stretching and wrapping around me. I thought I could resist it with the boundary recognition technique that Lee Kwang had imparted, but the ability of that [darkness] seemed to surpass my capacity to resist. Gradually, the tendrils extended, coiling around my arms and my entire body, rendering me utterly immobile.

Is this…… the end?

‘Damn……!’

Just when I was about to give up entirely.

Flash!

In an instant, a vast radiance enveloped me and the entire darkness. This light was neither magnificent nor intense; it felt as pleasant as the sunlight on a spring day. As though I were engulfed in mercy itself, my entire body relaxed, while in stark contrast, the oppressive power of the darkness slowly began to recede.

What is this light……?

I found myself atop a celestial palm in the vast expanse of space, my spirit body adrift. Though I could not discern to whom this great hand belonged, this warmth felt undeniably akin to enlightenment, and I desperately wished to remain like this forever.

[Oh…… Infinite Law…… Even knowing all of this is meaningless…… yet still…… endeavoring to save life in the name of sentience……!]

An unknown desperate cry echoed from the [darkness].

But regardless of the dark presence’s emotions, the radiant light calmly pushed the darkness aside, gradually causing it to vanish beyond the cycle.

Chiriri ring…….

It was as if a clear, sweet sound rang throughout the vastness of space.

That grand and compassionate energy felt as though it could embrace all sorts of chaos, yet the chaos itself was of a type that could scarcely endure.

‘…….’

I lay there, blanking out, gazing up at ‘that being.’

Could it be…… you are…….

Yet, I heard no response from ‘that being.’

And the moment I beheld the great being’s smile, I was jolted back into the reality of the world.

Swoosh

‘…… Ah…….’

Was everything until now merely an illusion?

However, what I witnessed was undoubtedly…… both an illusion and something real.

That darkness couldn’t possibly be ‘that’ which Dao Xin mentioned…….

I could not fully grasp what had begun, but based on past experience, I could surmise.

[The unconscious one beyond your perception…… that in itself calls forth the [dream]. That [dream] being the primitive chaos of the origin that cannot be described…… The more you gain realizations from the trials of this world, the more the dark reality you hadn’t even recognized within yourself may awaken.]

……

The words of the high master of the divine realm, Dao Xin, about the [dream]…….

Could it be that as I seek enlightenment, this [dream] is responding and drawing closer to me?

‘Why must such a dreadful presence approach me as I seek enlightenment?’

I can’t understand…….

But one thing is certain: this marks the commencement of calamity. It is obvious that from this day forth, that [dream] would surely try to contact me continuously.

And while I was engulfed in confusion, I soon became aware of yet another change occurring within me.

Kugugugugu!

‘What is this?’

The powers of chaos have amplified……!

It felt as if the underlying limit of magical power had opened, making its depth far more profound. In an instant, I sensed an immense increase in the limits of magical power that my spirit could bear! This would undoubtedly impact my divine powers; thus, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say my capabilities as a [god] had substantially grown.

However, it wasn’t all rosy, as the heightened chaotic tendencies might have diminished my capacity to wield the powers of ancient deities, which adhere to order. It could be said that I’ve grown closer to the demon realm.

And within me, something awakened.

For some reason, I instinctively felt that this ‘something’ was the heavenly treasure mentioned by the Necronomicon. I still don’t know what this heavenly treasure is, but I have the intuition that I will gradually come to understand.

‘What has happened?’

I suddenly realized that the strong chaotic tendencies had arisen from my contact with that earlier [darkness]. I felt conflicted about whether I should be elated that the darkness granted me new strength.

What in the world is that existence called [dream]?

Why does it want to engulf me, and does it grant me power by merely making contact?

What would transpire if I were engulfed?

‘…….’

Simultaneously…… the [being] that had just saved me…….

I couldn’t clearly see the face or form of that being. However, it was evident that this immense presence couldn’t reasonably be judged under the laws of this mundane realm or its [power]. Up to this point, my insights had been merely objective, yet in my heart, I vaguely suspected who it was that had rescued me.

The supreme Law Body of enlightenment.

If that’s the case…… Could what I just witnessed be the smile of blossoming enlightenment……?

‘…… Somehow…… I don’t think I’ll be so fortunate next time…….’

I muttered bitterly.

Although I’m not certain why, an instinct told me I was unworthy of being saved by that being. I’m not sure why I felt this way, but it’s possible that simply being saved by that being was absurd.

I merely sensed that their action of driving away the darkness had rendered me a period of ‘grace.’ I would likely not be visited by such nightmares for an indeterminate amount of time.

‘Phew…… I am utterly sick of all this chaos.’

Alright.

Regardless, what matters now is to acquire my [body] and further elevate my martial accomplishments!

I vigorously shook my head. That was enough of pondering over matters I could not comprehend; I resolved not to expend unnecessary mental energy on them. Then, focusing intently on the thread of thought I had grasped just before the darkness invaded, I engaged in concentration.

‘Right. I have no idea how to awaken the mental constituents of the Thunder Soul…… But the Thunder Soul is also a martial essence, thus must contain a form!’

Form is Void, Void is Form.

That one line I had recalled earlier!

If mastering martial arts leads to achieving the Void through Form, then it stands to reason that the martial essence of the Thunder Soul is indeed a Form.

Then, the concept becomes simpler.

Void is Form!

‘If I am uncertain about [mind]…… Then I should first deepen the Thunder Soul itself as a martial arts to its utmost level!’

Extreme opposites converge, so the moment I truly comprehend the power of the Thunder Soul, I should also comprehend the [mind] within it.

With such simple reasoning, I began to accelerate the revolutions of the meteors that formed my body even more swiftly.

Vroom vroom

‘Huuh!’

Simultaneously, I began to absorb all the cosmic dust and rocky fragments drifting in space with my divine power and added them to the rocky body I was spinning.

Boom! Bam!

Crackle!

I could feel the body’s mass growing larger. Even amidst countless chunks colliding, I continued to use the Thunder Soul to maintain the spin, causing the gathered rocks to crack away while commencing a powerful rotation filled with sparks and lightning.

Kikikikiki!

Before long, the size of my body seemed to exceed dozens of times, yet I refused to stop and kept the revolutions ongoing. Along this foolish outer wheel, I repeated the rotates with the belief that the Thunder Soul might resonate with my spirit and awaken its mental constituents.

Kuo oooo!

Days seemed to pass in the blink of an eye as I continually grew larger, yet I maintained a kind of meditative focus born of unity. And after what felt like considerable time had elapsed, I sensed a minuscule depletion of the Thunder Soul’s aura.

‘Finally!’

In the depths of unconsciousness, I had lost track of how much time had passed, yet now I finally sensed that the Thunder Soul had consumed even a fraction!

Feeling that this was sufficient, I temporarily relocated my spirit from the center of my body to assess the external form objectively.

Whoosh

…… What’s going on? Why have I been flying forever yet remain within my own body?

I felt puzzled as I continued to soar in spirit form, yet the exterior silhouette was invisible.

After what felt like an eternity of flying, I finally broke free from my body, and only then did I grasp the bizarre magnitude of my actions, leaving me dumbfounded.

‘……?!’

W-What the heck!? Why is it so massive……?!

The shape was grand enough to appear at least hundreds of li, perhaps even thousands of li, long!

Staring at my rocky [body], which might even equal the size of a continent, I found myself grappling with disbelief. Could it really take a body this immense to deplete just a little bit of the Thunder Soul?!

‘So this is why Shin Su-ryeok was taken aback by the amount of my Thunder Soul……!’

As I activated the Nine Chambers of Thunder Technique again and began the rotations of the trinity within this colossal rocky body, I suddenly felt an intense surge of vibrations flooding my head.

Thump!

W-What is this?!

In that moment, everything in the distant universe appeared to be formed of delicate lines, particles, and waves. With this realization, I unwittingly began to synchronize with the [body] I had formed, as if my spirit had been sucked into the head region, sharing the perspectives of living beings.

‘Huh?!’

Could it be I was naturally possessing it?!

Well, a body of this size should be able to handle divine power, but……!

Zzzzzzzz

Even at this moment, the enormous cosmic rocks that composed my body continued to whirl ceaselessly, while the Thunder Soul erupted forth like a volcano, flooding me with a fervent essence. The sheer intensity of the outer wheel’s spinning had created a phenomenon not unlike that of a star.

‘Could it be…….’

And without even realizing it, I reached out toward a nearby small satellite, grabbing onto it. In turn, the pulling force emanating from the Thunder Soul began to draw the satellite slowly into my body, whereupon I observed that its size closely matched my current form.

And just as my palm pressed against its front surface.

Nine Chambers of Thunder Technique!

Thunder Soul Destruction!

Boom! Bang!

‘……!’

All I did was perceive the wave that the satellite emitted upon contact, pulling that wave toward the Thunder Soul. Yet it shattered as easily as a broken apple. Moreover, before I even consciously activated my will, the Thunder Soul automatically absorbed the fragments of the shattered satellite back into my body and seemed to grow over twice its previous size.

Kugugugu……!

As my body expanded further, I worried about rapidly depleting my divine energy, but miraculously, my divine power was hardly consumed. This was because the Thunder Soul itself moved as if it were alive, engulfing the wave of the satellite, and through that absorption, it achieved an enhancement rather than a loss of power.

It felt akin to a martial essence culmination.

A new factor had been added to my martial interpretation: the ‘wave’ of physical matter.

I lifted my head to observe a planet far off in the distance.

It appeared significantly smaller than Earth, possibly about the size of the Moon.

‘…… Alright…… Let’s go all the way.’

If I couldn’t devour anything larger than myself, then perhaps by trying to swallow something as large as that planet, I might push the limits of the Thunder Soul and attain enlightenment within the Void!

With this thought, I soared toward that nameless primordial planet and soon collided with its surface. I reached out my hand and extended my palm.

Thunder Soul Destruction!

Flash!

Boom! Bang……!

In an instant, I witnessed the planet shatter, leaving a gaping hole down to its core, rendering me frozen in place, flabbergasted.

‘W-Wait, how is this possible?!’

Such force is impossible to achieve by simple physical strength; yet here I am, achieving it!

And simultaneously, it dawned on me that I had grasped a new attribute of the Thunder Soul.

If the Thunder Soul grows strong enough, it can manipulate the wave itself.