1014——————==

Soul of the Evil God

Han Baek-ryeong gazed at me in the gray space and said,

“I want to know what happened to you.”

“Well….”

Swoosh.

She raised her hand as if to stop me. I stared at her hand, and she simply gazed back at me silently. Realizing what she meant, I nodded.

‘You want the obsidian.’

Whoa!

I handed the obsidian containing all my memories to Han Baek-ryeong. She closed her eyes for a moment as if savoring the memories and then spoke as if enlightened.

“So this is what it feels like to gain memories….”

She didn’t seem too surprised. After all, she probably heard everything about me from her companions even without the obsidian.

“I want to know what’s happened so far too.”

“The answer from this maiden is the same as the last two people. There have been too many events over the past five hundred years. Most of the incidents are recorded in the Cheon Woo-jin, so if you can access that, explaining is unnecessary and far more efficient. But since that’s not possible, I’ll tell you step by step.”

Han Baek-ryeong continued.

“You know there was a war with the Eight Parts of the Divine, right? During that time, the three Dharma Protectors followed the Sect Leader’s orders to fight fiercely against the Eight Parts of the Divine. Individually, each of the Eight Parts was tough to deal with, but if we combined our strength, we could at least restrain or injure them.”

“Oh!”

So that’s how the demon war unfolded!

“And when we caught one of the Eight Parts, the Sect Leader would either seriously injure or finish them off. Moreover, while we held off the Eight Parts in the front, it gave the martial artists in the back time to grow. They joined us later and became a great help.”

“I see. That’s a good strategy.”

“But that only worked in the early stages of the war. The leader of the Eight Parts, known as Gin Nara, was clever and started utilizing their strength strategically. Our Heavenly Spirit Pill’s limitations also became glaringly obvious.”

“Limitations?”

Han Baek-ryeong nodded.

“The Heavenly Spirit Pill, with its infinite internal power, had a weakness we didn’t know about. There was a clear limit on enhancing the Intent Techniques.”

“…?!”

“No matter which grand technique our Dharma Guardians practiced, we couldn’t grow any further.”

What?!

I was stunned to hear this for the first time. I leaned slightly forward in shock.

“Please elaborate on that.”

“As you know, when experts perform the Ultimate Techniques, they consume both internal power and intent. Our Dharma Protectors, consuming very little intent while utilizing infinite internal power, become formidable. If a Dharma Guardian possesses the Heavenly Spirit Pill, even someone who has reached the peak of peak experts can recklessly unleash their ultimate techniques since they can withstand significant consumption. So, we believed we were unbeatable in the Jianghu.”

Crack!

Han Baek-ryeong took a sip of tea and continued speaking.

“However, the basic attack and defense power of the Eight Parts were so strong that they could often disregard or deflect our ultimate techniques. So we tried to enhance our existing techniques but could never surpass a certain level. I’ve received countless teachings from those who reached the Absolute Realm among your obsidian friends, but it was futile.”

“What…?!”

“To ordinary martial artists, these techniques might seem overwhelming, but they had their limits when facing transcendent beings. Until then, we had only dealt with humans, so we had no idea.”

“Ugh…!!”

I was internally shaken by Han Baek-ryeong’s words. The Intent Techniques theoretically should grow stronger with powerful intent and willpower. So naturally, the martial experts thought that the Dharma Guardians’ Intent Techniques would possess infinite might. I too had believed that simply unleashing powerful techniques was the way for the Dharma Guardians’ strength, but in reality, there was a limit to their power!

“How could this be? From my perspective as someone in the Absolute Realm, this shouldn’t be possible. If there exists the Intent Heavenly Pill, then such restrictions shouldn’t apply!”

“…….”

“And the Master of the White Lotus Sect didn’t have any restrictions on technique power, did they? Why is it only the Heavenly Spirit Pill that has such limitations?”

I retorted vigorously. It made sense as the Intent Heavenly Pill should allow for infinite power theoretically, with only my capacity being limited. To feel the limitations of the Intent Techniques was utterly absurd! It conflicted with the theories of Muwak, and I felt at a loss.

Then, Han Baek-ryeong smiled wryly.

“…That was precisely the constraint imposed on those who acquire the Heavenly Spirit Pill.”

“Constraint…?”

“The Sect Leader revealed to me much later that while the Heavenly Spirit Pill grants the user infinite energy, it is akin to giving up the right to enhance its powers by identifying the essence of intent within the vast energy—namely, the Primordial Void.”

“……!!”

“The Sect Leader knew this and first completed the training method to separate the Void and Chaos, acquiring the Primordial Spirit slowly after. In other words, they reached the Absolute Realm first before embedding the Primordial Spirit within themselves… unlike us.”

I calmly organized Han Baek-ryeong’s explanations in my head.

“Is that so…. Then, does Lee Cheong-un from the Thunder God Lineage…”

“That was the case too. After obtaining the Thunder Spirit, they gained the Heavenly Spirit Pill.”

“…….”

I shivered at the thought.

‘What if I had obtained the Heavenly Spirit Pill back in my early reincarnation….’

If that had happened, I would have wielded the powerful energy of the Heavenly Spirit Pill, making my reincarnation journey significantly easier and faster, but I wouldn’t have reached the Absolute Realm while understanding the Primordial power and establishing the Intent Heavenly Pill! Because realizing the Intent Heavenly Pill within the overwhelming energy and chaos would have been infinitely more challenging than for average martial artists.

Back then, what seemed like an impossible choice turned out to be a stroke of luck.

Han Baek-ryeong looked up at the sky with somewhat vacant eyes and said,

“I genuinely wanted to kill the Sect Leader back then. But by that time, I was already far away. It was meaningless to even think about independence from the Fire Spirit Techniques…. That absurd disaster called the end of the world.”

“…….”

“That occurred right after the demon war, immediately after the great confrontation with the Eight Parts of the Divine. Perhaps due to the significant damages from the demon war, the Sect Leader passed on the true technique of [Fusion] solely to me, the last remaining Dharma Guardian. I believe the Sect Leader worried they might die fighting a formidable enemy at any moment.”

“Fusion?”

“You know, the merging of Chaos and the Primordial Void….”

“……!!”

I felt a jolt of surprise.

Han Baek-ryeong continued.

“Thanks to that training, I was able to overcome my lifespan limits and live to this day. I am still refining that technique. Without it, I might have grown weak by now, but I’ve been able to maintain my vitality.”

So that was how Han Baek-ryeong overcame the limitations of longevity typically acquired from the common Rebirth of Flesh techniques!

I understood the situation. No matter how potent a Dharma Guardian or someone who underwent Rebirth of Flesh, they should be around three hundred years old by the end of the demon war. But Han Baek-ryeong, through the training of Fusion, had sustained their peak vitality and achieved a near-immortal life.

“And during the decisive battle against the Third Empire, the Sect Leader suffered a grave injury. They successfully repelled the Apostle of the Old Ruler with their comrades, but right after, they were attacked by the Asura’s mad sword.”

I grit my teeth in anger.

“Asura…! Ugh, that scumbag…! Did we take down Asura?”

“Somehow we managed. But they only sustained injuries and escaped.”

“Ugh.”

So the Asura fled….

That meant there was a high chance I’d face the Asura again in this era. They would also be aware of the end.

“The losses were immense. Nearly everyone there perished.”

With that, Han Baek-ryeong slowly continued.

“And from that moment on, I have lived as the Sect Leader of the White Lotus Sect. I’ve collaborated with Sagong Lin to expand our influence in response to the newly emerging scientific powers. I’ve dedicated most of the year to closed room training, striving to complete my power in preparation for the end.”

“So that’s how you gained the Primordial Spirit, Han Baek-ryeong….”

As I nodded, Han Baek-ryeong blinked for a moment and said,

“What do you mean? I haven’t obtained the Primordial Spirit.”

“…Huh? If you received the training on fusion, wouldn’t that be the Primordial Spirit?”

“Not at all. The two are separate. I still hold the Heavenly Spirit Pill, but practicing the fusion technique doesn’t mean it will evolve into the Primordial Spirit.”

“Wha, what?!”

“The Primordial Spirit itself was severed with the death of the Sect Leader, Dokgo Uncheon. And he thought that passing on the methods of the Primordial Spirit would hinder your journey as a Reborn Person, so he didn’t pass that knowledge to me.”

What the hell?

I was completely lost trying to comprehend the relationship. As I wore a dazed expression, Han Baek-ryeong sighed.

“…Baek Woong, wait for the Cheon Woo-jin to be restored. It seems a bit overwhelming for me to explain everything to you right now.”

“Overwhelming?”

Han Baek-ryeong nodded.

“Honestly, I sometimes find parts confusing too…. I’m afraid I might instill misunderstandings. Unlike the Sect Leader, I’m not particularly knowledgeable about the Devil Path, so I haven’t fully grasped all the information I’ve received. That’s why I’ve inputted everything into cheon Woo-jin word for word. That way, once it’s reviewed, it should be easy to understand.”

“Okay. Anyway, there are still 17 years left, so I should be fine by then.”

“To summarize it simply, the Primordial Spirit differs fundamentally from the Heavenly Spirit Pill. It doesn’t end with merely drawing strength from the Throne. It was a special power created for conducting rituals as part of the White Lotus Sect, thus fundamentally distinct from the Heavenly Spirit Pill.”

“Hmm… Is the reason it restrains me because of that ritual?”

“That could be said, yes. That’s all I have to share. Do you have any other questions?”

Questions, huh.

I pondered Han Baek-ryeong’s words and said,

“By the way, I heard that Dokgo Uncheon, the Tactical Forces Agent, was talking about some legendary master class, but does that mean there aren’t any experts in the Absolute Realm in this era?”

“That’s the case.”

Han Baek-ryeong crossed her arms while sitting and said,

“All the historically notable masters of the Absolute Realm are present in the Celestial Realm, as per Mangnyang and Zhuge Yulong’s plans. Hence, we can say that no experts of the Absolute Realm exist in the current age.”

“Huh? Celestial Realm?”

“Yes. You might not have heard, but it was Mangnyang and Zhuge Hyun’s plan.”

They have such a plan?

I was dumbfounded.

“Wha, what do you mean? I just saw Mangnyang, who became the Great Immortal, at the Heavenly Altar a short while ago, and he didn’t utter a word about such plans.”

Han Baek-ryeong looked at me as if I were a fool and slowly produced her pipe.

Then, just like before, she began to smoke her pipe leisurely.

“…Of course, it’s a plan that is being carried out with little to no disclosure to the Celestial Realm. As Mangnyang mentioned, that position had ears to every corner of the Celestial Realm, so why would he foolishly reveal the secret plan?”

“…….”

“To put it simply, if experts in the Absolute Realm were left in this era, there was a risk of power leakage before the end approached. Thus, they artificially relocated the masters of the Absolute Realm to the Celestial Realm as a power preservation plan.”

“So that’s what happened….”

“Heh heh…. While you were gone, everyone was preparing with their intelligence and strength.”

Han Baek-ryeong chuckled softly and said,

“But this maiden is eager to assess your skills.”

“Eh?”

“The way martial artists unwind isn’t just about chatting. Especially if you are from the Thunder God Lineage.”

Swoosh.

Han Baek-ryeong silently stood up. At the same instant, the scenery of the tea party vanished, transforming the surroundings into a training ground. As I looked around, Han Baek-ryeong aimed one of her twin swords at me.

“According to your memories, you came at me countless times with death on your heels, and through continued martial arts training, you eventually surpassed this maiden in her early iterations.”

I nodded in agreement.

“Yeah, that’s true.”

“That fact ignites this maiden’s pride.”

With her next words, I swallowed hard.

“Do you truly believe you can win against this maiden, who has trained for over five hundred years? Could you surpass this maiden again in your future reincarnations?”

“…….”

The glint of the sword flickered like a cold blade. It implied that Han Baek-ryeong’s martial prowess threatened me.

“If you are a Reborn Person, you must surpass me. If you can’t beat this maiden now, you won’t stand a chance against Sagong Lin.”

I had never even dreamed of such a thing.

But I steeled myself and grasped the basics of the sword technique. I held the foundational moves of the Thunder God Lineage’s Manseong Sword Technique, while my opponent, Han Baek-ryeong, maintained the starting form of the Fire Spirit’s Dragon King’s Sword Technique, keeping a triangular distance between us. I could feel the intense qi flowing through Han Baek-ryeong’s body.

Intent Heavenly Pill.

I saw the solid pillar of intent forming the pillar of Heaven, Earth, and People. Additionally, I sensed the deep black internal energy bubbling constantly within her.

“Then let’s clash for just a hundred seconds.”

Fire Spirit Techniques

True Night Sky Wolf Sword

Ultimate Technique

Moon Shadow’s Descent

Her attack brought with it overwhelming intent, rushing toward me like a wolf cleaving through the dawn. I stiffened my face, recognizing it as True Night Sky Wolf Sword, one of the most exquisite techniques of the Fire Spirit.

I aimed to deflect it with my Cave-Collapsing Sword.

Whoooosh!

As the sword’s power flowed like the moonlight into the trajectory of my attack, it attempted to scatter into pieces. In that moment, Han Baek-ryeong swiftly lunged forward, performing a rapid downward strike with her left sword.

What was that?!

An unexpected response took me by surprise. Han Baek-ryeong’s speed was so tremendous that she reached me before I could formulate a counter.

Secret Technique

Cave-Collapsing Sword Rebound!

Clang!

“……!!”

I realized my sword’s power crumbled abruptly, feeling my body get knocked back. This collision resulted from our techniques clashing and the overwhelming impact of the Intent Heavenly Pill. I soared through the air, doing a quick somersault before landing, but the Moon Shadow’s Descent was still barreling towards me.

Boom!

I quickly parried the Moon Shadow and recoiled two steps back. Regaining my stance, I spoke to Han Baek-ryeong.

“Could it be that was… the Cave-Collapsing Sword….”

“Exactly. I pried it open. I wanted to demonstrate this to you during our spar. You must definitely grasp it within this brief time.”

“Wha…!”

I was caught off guard, but Han Baek-ryeong remained unfazed.

“Did you think that the martial arts of the Wudang Sect’s supreme master, Jang Sam-bong, would maintain its undefeated legacy for centuries? Not to mention the once-in-a-lifetime geniuses who now benefit from the Celestial Realm’s support continue researching and evolving.”

Han Baek-ryeong’s blade slashed through the air with a whoosh. She smiled knowingly.

“Come. I’ll show you that the Seven Great Techniques have already crumbled into our hands.”

“Bring it on!”

Woosh!

Feeling the competitive spirit rise, I charged forth.

‘The technique that breaks the Seven Great Techniques? I want to see it!’

In that case, it seemed best to focus only on the Seven Great Techniques while fighting. I felt an unspoken agreement with Han Baek-ryeong, and I initiated the attack with the Heavenly Contraction Sword.

Zoom—

A gravitational pull erupted, drawing Han Baek-ryeong closer as I expanded my attack range. The Heavenly Contraction Sword’s allure was quite annoying; even a peerless master could misstep in its grasp, leading their attack astray or exposing fatal weaknesses. Han Baek-ryeong swiftly switched her form with her twin swords into the Dragon King’s posture, inscribing two lines in the air with her intent.

Heavenly Contraction Sword Breaking Technique

Reverse Heaven Flying Dragon

Swoosh!

‘Uh-oh, it’s penetrating…?!’

In an instant, the space of gravitational pull was sliced by an unseen edge, heading toward me at terrifying speed. However, I realized that this wasn’t purely about speed; she was cleverly utilizing the gravitational pull of my Heavenly Contraction Sword against me. Rather than simply pulling away, it accelerated my perception of her incoming attack.

Whizz!

Just barely, I evaded with the Three Treasure Technique, narrowly avoiding the counterattack from the Reverse Heaven Flying Dragon. Although I found myself in a completely unexpected situation, the special properties of the Three Treasure Technique allowed me to stand firm. However, I couldn’t completely avoid it, and I ended up with a scratch on my cheek.

“Huff.”

I caught my breath and unleashed a series of techniques.

True Martial Seven Cuts Classic

Tai Chi Yau Ji Willow Sword

With one hand, I generated a defensive aura from the True Martial Seven Cuts Classic, wrapping it around myself while simultaneously executing the Tai Chi Yau Ji Willow Sword with the other. After mastering the advanced techniques of Jang Sam-bong, it became possible to deploy them separately. This combination allowed the defensive aura from the True Martial Seven Cuts Classic to deflect her attacks, while the Tai Chi Yau Ji Willow Sword struck at her openings, creating an exceptionally formidable tableau.

Suddenly, Han Baek-ryeong crossed her twin swords. I thought that posture indicated defense, as it was a common defense position for dual sword techniques, but contrary to my expectations, she utilized her crossed swords to rebound forward with force.

Was that a counterattack?

Ultimate Technique

Crossing Magical Dragon Twin Blade Slash!

Swish!

“……!!”

The first strike of her cross sword met the incoming force of the Tai Chi Yau Ji Willow Sword, and I felt the impending chance that my blade might clash with hers. Ridiculous as it was, the fierce intent housed within her cross blades suddenly soared past my own. I had no choice but to pull back my aggressive stance, fearing that I might get caught by her devastating cross blade as her attack continued unabated.

Boom!

“Ugh…!!”

With a thunderous explosion, I felt myself pushed back across three steps. Just barely managing to defend myself, her counterattack completely shredded apart my defensive aura, and it was only thanks to the Three Treasure Technique that I got off relatively unscathed. Han Baek-ryeong, who had me on the ropes, softly said:

“There isn’t much difference in pure internal power or intent between us. But if we respond via breaking techniques, it will put us at a significant advantage, making it difficult to win in a direct match.”

That was certainly true. An overwhelming difference in ability didn’t exist. She had also trained for five hundred years, so her internal power couldn’t be lower than mine, and with precise counterattacks and the leverage of the Seven Great Techniques, I found it tough to gain the upper hand. I could only admire her skill.

“Impressive. Did your companions create this?”

“Yes.”

“…But I don’t quite understand.”

As I regained my composure, I continued speaking.

“Why would they create a breaking technique? The Seven Great Techniques were mostly obsolete in my past life. I resurrected them by summoning Jang Sam-bong from the Celestial Realm to grant us his blessings. So aside from my companions and me, there shouldn’t be anyone left who could learn these. Why create the breaking technique?”

“…….”

Han Baek-ryeong’s face darkened slightly. I pressed on without pausing.

“A breaking technique is specialized against confrontational techniques, so just because it’s strong doesn’t mean the technique levels up. If it’s only us using the Seven Great Techniques, what’s the point?”

“Yes… Originally, it would have no meaning. But we had no choice but to create one.”

“Why?”

With her next words, I solidified in shock.

“Reborn person Yong Junil learned the Seven Great Techniques after passing them to the Dan Clan and betrayed his comrades.”