1132——————==

Soul of the Evil God

Jang Sam-bong replied to my words.

“Of course, I’ve come to fight. Coming as the Guardian of this tower means just that, doesn’t it?”

“……!!”

His words made me think, “So I really have to fight?” and without realizing it, I reached for my weapon. But unexpectedly, Jang Sam-bong didn’t show any killing intent and simply gestured to a little boy Taoist beside him. The boy Taoist then brought over a cup of warm tea from somewhere and handed it to me.

As I accepted the cup, Jang Sam-bong said.

“I just want to chat a bit with you, Baek Woong.”

“Me? What do you want to talk about?”

“Baek Woong, how much do you know about Yin and Yang?”

I casually responded to Jang Sam-bong’s question.

“I know what I need to know.”

“Just as well… if not, you wouldn’t be able to use the Peerless Technique.”

I blinked my eyes.

“How do you know that?”

“I’ve been in and out of the twin star realm, a secret passage to Fuxi, countless times with the exploration team. I’ve helped them numerous times and occasionally guided them in martial arts. That’s how I found out.”

“Um….”

“It wouldn’t be unusual even if you’re climbing the tower with us. However, there was a reason I stood in your way. More precisely, because of you.”

Jang Sam-bong looked at me with profound eyes as he spoke.

“Do you know why I created the Peerless Technique?”

“Um…. I understand it was the ultimate martial arts presented to the gods, the answer to that question.”

“Then why do you think the Peerless Technique isn’t a Divine Skill?”

“……?”

Huh?

As a totally unexpected subject was brought up, I widened my eyes in surprise. It was a question I couldn’t afford to ignore, especially considering that my utmost curiosity also lies with the Divine Skill in this current state. Not to mention, it was Jang Sam-bong who asked!

“I never thought about that….”

The effects of the Peerless Technique were so outstanding that I hadn’t considered it deeply. I thought hard and spoke.

“Perhaps it’s because it hasn’t stepped into the domain of the gods…?”

This was information from the time I heard about the Divine Skill in the Void Space from the Divine Thief. Although I didn’t fully grasp its meaning when the Divine Thief told me back then, I felt this was the answer to Jang Sam-bong’s current question.

Sure enough, Jang Sam-bong nodded.

“Exactly. As long as your limited focus and physical strength support it, you can activate the Peerless Technique as much as you want. Even if failing means death, that’s just a ‘technique.’ And it doesn’t consume the Law of Cause and Effect either.”

“…….”

“If you could use the Peerless Technique as a Divine Skill, what would be the difference from the current one?”

“Uh… that would be….”

What difference would there be? I thought about the limitations existing in the current Peerless Technique and replied.

“It can nullify the abilities of most gods, but it seems ineffective against the highest gods…. Are you saying the Peerless Defense works even against absolute beings?”

“Hahaha.”

Jang Sam-bong suddenly burst into laughter.

“Your words make it sound like you’ve already used the Peerless Technique against the highest god…. Hahaha! Quite interesting.”

“…….”

“Ha ha ha ha.”

Did I really need to mention how the Peerless Technique was utterly countered when I used it against the Thunder God in the Land and Earth Diagram? Moreover, since Jang Sam-bong didn’t provide any further answers, it seemed he wasn’t going to clarify the effects of the Divine Skill at all.

“Damn. This is nerve-wracking.”

What on earth does he want by blocking our path? I couldn’t read his intentions at all.

After some pondering, I spoke to Jang Sam-bong.

“It seems we’re going around in circles. If you want to enlighten me, please be straightforward.”

“As I said before, your ability to use the Peerless Technique means you’ve awakened to the principles of Yin and Yang. Therefore, can you explain the Law of Cause and Effect with the principles of Yin and Yang?”

“Ughhhh.”

That was a conceptually difficult question that made my head hurt. As I found myself at a loss for words, Mangnyang, who was next to me, calmly spoke up.

“Cause means that there is a reason, so there has to be an effect. Therefore, the ’cause’ of the cause is emission and beginning, which would be Yang, while the ‘effect’ is the result, which is acceptance, hence Yin, don’t you think? Yin and Yang are the dualities of the world, so it covers everything.”

That was quite a philosophical explanation. After listening to that, Jang Sam-bong fell into a brief silence before replying.

“Indeed, a reply worthy of the past greatest scholar. Theoretically, it’s flawless.”

“But in reality, you can’t explain the Law of Cause and Effect with Yin and Yang?”

“That’s correct. That’s why Yin and Yang are fundamentally complementary and carry infinite power yet cannot replace the consumption of the Law of Cause and Effect. I only realized that fact after ascending to the rank.”

“…….”

“There is no point of differentiation from other Divine Skills.”

Mangnyang’s expression turned serious. He then spoke.

“Yin and Yang are ultimately just lower principles created by the gods, so they have limits…. Is that what you wanted to convey?”

“That’s right.”

“What’s the reason for bringing this up?”

“To give you a clue for an assault.”

Upon hearing that, Mangnyang closed his eyes and sighed.

“You truly are a complicated individual….”

Lower principles?

At that moment, I recalled my battle against the Thunder God.

[You dare to challenge this body that burns the heavens with mere Tai Chi’s principles? I’ll tear you apart!]

I had tried to block the Thunder God’s attack with the Peerless Technique, but it simply pierced through and struck me instead. I still vividly remember being utterly shocked when he dismissed the Peerless Technique as nothing. As I recalled that memory, I realized what Jang Sam-bong wanted to say.

‘Tai Chi is a principle created by Fuxi, and Tai Chi encompasses Yin and Yang. In other words… Tai Chi won’t work against the Three Sovereigns or any beings of greater stature.’

So, does that mean I need martial arts that contain principles higher than Tai Chi?

But what on earth is a higher principle?

Swoosh

As I pondered deeply on Jang Sam-bong’s words, he slowly rose from his seat. He then stood in the middle of the training ground with an air of confidence and said.

“Baek Woong, shall we make a bet?”

“A bet?”

Boom

Jang Sam-bong kicked out, as if provocatively, and with a short tremor, a circle of One Palm size was drawn on the ground around him.

“From now on, come at me one by one. However, I won’t move more than three steps from this spot, and I’ll defend against your attacks. If any of you land a hit on me, you win.”

His following words shook the room.

“Moreover, you must yield three moves to the challenger.”

“……!!”

“Can you do that? If not, you might as well give up on attacking the tower and go back. Forever.”

Wooow!!

In that moment, all the members of the exploration team exuded an overwhelming air. I felt a chill at their might.

Each one was a peerless master who had diligently trained for hundreds of years!

Offering a challenge like Jang Sam-bong’s was a massive hit to their pride!

Mangnyang spoke, sounding troubled.

“Ah, this is… you’ve provoked a martial artist’s pride. That makes a cooperative assault impossible.”

“…….”

He was right. Even I felt a surge of desire to take down Jang Sam-bong one-on-one just from what he said earlier, let alone them. If he could provoke the pride of these peerless masters this much, there was no way they could cooperate.

‘Ugh. But it would be foolish not to cooperate for an attack on the tower…’

So I asked the Sword Demon beside me just in case.

“Sword Demon. If we all just teamed up on Jang Sam-bong, we could probably pass this level…”

Even if I had the powers of Nüwa, I didn’t think we’d be unable to take down just one Jang Sam-bong. But the Sword Demon firmly said.

“No way. I can’t force them to cooperate, and if I did, they wouldn’t follow Baek Woong anymore.”

“…….”

I looked back at the martial artists. They were all burning with competitive spirit, their eyes glowing with challenge. The Sword Demon murmured.

“The pride factor cannot be helped. They all secretly want to defeat Jang Sam-bong.”

“Why…?”

“Because they admire his strength after sharing the same space for so long.”

Damn….

I couldn’t help but feel gloomy, thinking Jang Sam-bong had struck right at the heart of the exploration team’s weakness. When it came to fighting monsters, there wasn’t a weakness, but when provoked for a martial artist-to-martial artist duel, all control would be lost.

But could the exploration team really take him down if they all charged at once? I felt uncertain. I couldn’t shake the thought that with so many peerless martial arts accumulated, they couldn’t break through, but on another level, knowing the absolute power of the Peerless Technique was disheartening.

I looked at Mangnyang, but he shook his head and sent me a message.

[If I, not a martial artist, try to intimidate them with authority, it will only lead to massive revolt. We have no choice but to accept this.]

That was far too true; there was no room for any trickery. I never expected to meet the Guardian of the tower demanding one-on-one duels, so I nodded with a bitter expression.

“… It seems I have no choice. Jang Sam-bong, I won’t rush in repeatedly. Please allow me the time to study your martial arts before I attack.”

That was about all I could manage as the leader of the exploration team. Jang Sam-bong nodded with satisfaction.

“Do as you wish. After all, it’s you who should be in a hurry, not me.”

I let out a sigh at this frustrating situation.

“Haa…. You know the end is near, so why are you making this so difficult? If I fail this trial, I will have lost the means to prepare for the end, don’t you realize?”

“Baek Woong, do you think trials are necessarily a bad thing?”

“Excuse me?”

“Trials aren’t always bad. Those who go through trials are bound to grow.”

After exclaiming loudly, Jang Sam-bong spoke calmly.

“Nüwa isn’t testing you without reason. The moment I accepted her proposal, I felt her uncontainable will stirring within.”

“…….”

“Even if you were to climb up this tower and meet Fuxi and Nüwa as you are now, it might be difficult for you to meet their standards. No, you might not be able to overcome the remaining Guardians of the tower. That’s why before you ascend any further, I intend to give you a hint to gain greater power.”

“Is it possible if we break through the Peerless Technique?”

“You’re talking too much. The trial has already begun.”

With a forceful gesture, Jang Sam-bong clenched his fist so tightly that the veins bulged and thrust it towards us.

“Speak with your martial arts if you’re a martial artist!”

“……!!”

Crack!!

In that moment, a streak of crimson lightning charged towards Jang Sam-bong like a bolt.

Absolute Realm

Heavenly Blood Lightning!

‘Extreme Tiger!’

The first one to challenge Jang Sam-bong was the Extreme Tiger. The absolute realm he achieved, Heavenly Blood Lightning, was based on the Thunder Spirit, possessing both speed and tremendous attack power. When the crimson lightning erupted alongside the Bangcheon Hwa-gyeok, it unleashed attacks significantly more powerful than the strikes of regular Thunder Spirit practitioners.

It was a slightly slower version of Thunder Spirit but with enhanced attack strength!

However, slow meant slow in comparison to Thunder Spirit’s perception, and in any case, the Peak Experts could not respond to Extreme Tiger’s lightning speed. Plus, having practiced for hundreds of years, at that point, Extreme Tiger could undoubtedly rival the levels of celestial combat!

Boom!!

Extreme Tiger’s Bangcheon Hwa-gyeok was blocked just three inches away from Jang Sam-bong’s brow. The one who paused it was Jang Sam-bong’s perfectly spread palm, and with his eyebrows twitching, Extreme Tiger said.

“Is it the Seven Great Techniques Bowing Sky Slash? No, more like the Bowing Sky Technique? Why didn’t you use the Peerless Technique?”

“Oh, I forgot to mention something earlier.”

Jang Sam-bong responded nonchalantly, infuriating Extreme Tiger immensely.

“If I can’t draw out my Peerless Technique in these conditions, then you should just go down this tower.”

“Wha…!!”

Snap!!!

Severely provoked, Extreme Tiger suddenly entered a massive Lightning Spirit state. It transformed him completely not as the usual light of Thunder Spirit, but rather as a person dyed entirely crimson with lightning. I had witnessed Extreme Tiger fighting before, but never had I seen him get that deeply red before, causing me to murmur in astonishment.

“What is that?”

“That’s the Heavenly Blood Lightning he fully channels. He only uses it when his life is in danger, and I’ve only seen it once while we attacked the twin stars together. It’s a kind of mutually assured destruction technique.”

Startled by the Sword Demon’s words, I gasped.

“What? Then his life is in danger…?”

“There’s no opponent he could win against without that level of determination.”

The Sword Demon’s eyes sharpened.

“That will temporarily break the constraint that Heavenly Blood Lightning is slower than Thunder Spirit. In other words, it’s an enhanced version of Thunder Spirit. You’d better watch this competition closely.”

Creaking –

Suddenly, Extreme Tiger’s body made a strange sound and rippled like water, completely vanishing. But disappearing only meant he was no longer visible. In reality, he was moving in a world reminiscent of the Extreme Moment in the speed of Thunder Spirit, only perceptible through Intent Heavenly Pillar.

‘He’s lurking around.’

Real lightning speed! I felt my palms sweat as I focused intently.

‘Is he about to enter?’

In a flash!

For a moment, it seemed as though light itself was generating a whirlwind, and a geometrically bent bolt of lightning first appeared in my line of sight, with the sound and result manifesting only later. Finally, Extreme Tiger struck Jang Sam-bong with his maximized Heavenly Blood Lightning!

However, the result was bizarre. Both Jang Sam-bong’s body and Extreme Tiger’s passed through each other immediately, as if intersecting without any resistance. I heard Jang Sam-bong murmuring “Two seconds,” and once again, Extreme Tiger aimed for Jang Sam-bong’s heart with Heavenly Blood Lightning.

The Bangcheon Hwa-gyeok vibrated. The vibration reached right in front of Jang Sam-bong’s heart, yet for some reason, it could not proceed any further. Jang Sam-bong’s eyes shone brightly.

“I’m done yielding.”

Kablam!!

“Cough…!!”

Extreme Tiger flew into the wall of the training ground, crashing against it. In that brief moment, he was counterattacked by Jang Sam-bong’s Seven Great Techniques combined move, the “Three Extremes No Extremes Palm.” The perfection of the counter was so remarkable that the instant Extreme Tiger was hit by the Three Extremes No Extremes Palm, he seemed to lose consciousness and helplessly lowered his head.

Jang Sam-bong shook his hands off dusting them and said,

“I intended to kill, yet he’s still alive; truly excellent, Extreme Tiger.”

“…….”

I stood motionless, watching the scene in disbelief, murmuring.

“This is insane….”

“Baek Woong. Have you realized something?”

“This is nonsense.”

I took a step forward decisively and shouted at Jang Sam-bong.

“Jang Sam-bong!! You’re telling me you achieved another Absolute Realm!”

There’s no doubt about it. Although it looked like he simply repelled Extreme Tiger with normal techniques without even using the Peerless Technique, my keen senses sensed that was not the case. Jang Sam-bong successfully countered Extreme Tiger’s brain with some kind of power resembling a new technique from an Absolute Realm.

Attempting to dismiss this notion, Jang Sam-bong shook his head.

“There’s nothing like that. You know well that a trivial Absolute Realm cannot break the Thunder Spirit.”

“Just a moment ago, the Intent Heavenly Pillar was indeed connected. If that wasn’t the Peerless Technique, then you must have used a different technique….”

“Then do you comprehend how I countered?”

“Ugh, that’s….”

I knew there had to be something, but I couldn’t discern the principle. As I grew frustrated, Jang Sam-bong took the basic stance of Tai Chi and said.

“Now, come at me until your spirit is released. Figuring that out should also be entertaining.”

“…….”

At that moment, one of the exploration team members who had been quietly watching suddenly spoke up.

“It’s Tai Chi, Baek Woong.”

“Huh?”

“Look at the Intent. If you only look at the power of the martial arts, you won’t see his true abilities.”

Everyone’s attention focused on him. A person with a sword sheathed at his back said,

“Jang Sam-bong, I admit you are stronger than I am, but you’ve become a bit too smug. Yeodong-bin wouldn’t have done that.”

Jang Sam-bong, seemingly familiar with him, chuckled and replied.

“Will you challenge me then?”

“Of course.”

Whoosh –

As he slowly drew his sword, its blade was covered in pure white lightning. It seemed as if only lightning remained, his sword resembling nothing but the essence of thunder. He walked within Jang Sam-bong’s One Palm range, pointing the sword at him, and said,

“This is my chance to prove my sword is faster than the Thunder Spirit.”

Thunder God Sword Dance!

World Severing!

In the next moment—

Dokgo Seong’s single strike cut through Jang Sam-bong’s neck.