“I see.” Perhaps Han Jin-seong from the Fire Spirit Sect was learning something similar.

“Now let’s move on to the basics of the dance.” The Thunder God Sword Dance consists of a total of 12 basic forms, which were quite ordinary. Like other swordstyles, they didn’t have many intricate variations or peculiar forms. In a way, they seemed like regular techniques, but I realized they were different.

‘Thunder Principle!’ Each ordinary-looking movement couldn’t connect unless the Thunder Principle was unleashed, meaning that only upon mastering the principle could one effectively wield the martial art. I followed Dokgo Seong and practiced the forms all day, starting to understand them to some degree.

Dokgo Seong said, “The key lies in how freely you can handle the Thunder Principle. Only when the sword lightning moves in response to your will while standing still, can you claim to have mastered the Thunder God Sword Dance.”

“How long will it take to master it?”

“Well… If a talented person practices hard, it would take around ten years.”

Ten years! That felt like a long time, but considering that the Thunder God Sword Dance is the pinnacle technique of the Thunder God lineage, it doesn’t seem like such a long stretch. Perhaps its actual difficulty lies at a medium or upper-medium level, not exceeding an ordinary standard.

‘I guess I should aim for twenty years.’

As I pondered, Dokgo Seong spoke again. “I’ll provide guidance on techniques based on your progress. Don’t worry; if you learn from me, you will soon grasp the purity of the Thunder God sword technique.”

“Thank you.” While it felt a bit underwhelming given that I was receiving the pinnacle sword technique of the Thunder God lineage, it was probably normal. It didn’t make sense for a skill to have an absurd difficulty level when it was the qualification to become a priest and the Master of the White Lotus Sect. Rather, it was impressive that Dokgo Seong had become an unparalleled peak expert by developing this Thunder God Sword Dance into his own style.

After my training session, I spent the remaining time teaching Dokgo Seong and Cheongwol the techniques of Jang Sam-bong. Like during the time with the Sword Demon, the two experts seemed overwhelmed with amazement.

“This is an astounding martial art!”

“Indeed…” Even the brief demonstration of techniques seemed to impress them. Their eyes sparkled with childlike curiosity, signaling that they would dive wholeheartedly into their martial arts training.

Suddenly curious, I asked them, “How does Jang Sam-bong’s techniques compare to the Master of the White Lotus Sect’s martial arts?”

“Hmm…” Cheongwol looked troubled, while Dokgo Seong seemed to be deep in thought. Then he finally spoke, “It’s hard to say.”

“Why’s that?”

“Both are ultimate techniques beyond our level, making comparison impossible—it’s as silly as debating the peak from below the mountain.”

Dokgo Seong murmured bitterly. “But if Jang Sam-bong’s six ultimate techniques are fully realized and integrated, perhaps we could challenge the Master. It seems these techniques have no limits.”

While that was an optimistic statement, it did little to brighten my mood. Looking at it another way, the current Master of the White Lotus Sect’s martial arts were equivalent to those of the Great Immortal. No, if truly assessed, it would be impossible to determine which was superior. They were indeed terrifying superhumans.

Over the next two months, I trained together with the experts of the Thunder God lineage. Dokgo Seong devoted himself to teaching me the Thunder God Sword Dance, while I shared Jang Sam-bong’s techniques with them. Our discussions about martial arts continued day and night.

Then, on the third month, Dokgo Seong finally spoke up. “You seem to have fully adapted to the shape of the Thunder God Sword Dance. From today, I’ll start teaching you how to generate the sword lightning.”

ZZZZZT!

At that moment, lightning crackled from the tip of Dokgo Seong’s sword. It was an occurrence that frequently happened if one harnessed the power of the Thunder God lineage and achieved the Thunder Spirit. However, the sword lightning emanating from Dokgo Seong carried a level of gravitas that was on another dimension. The sparkling lightning took on a clear and definite circular shape.

“This is sword lightning. An ultimate attack technique achievable through the Thunder God Sword Dance.”

“Is sword lightning different from sword strength?”

“That’s a strange question,” Dokgo Seong replied bluntly.

“Whether it’s sword lightning or sword strength, both are manifestations of the mind control technique. But if I had to nitpick, I’d say sword lightning can have attributes assigned.”

“Are those attributes related to lightning?”

“Hmm… You make it sound like higher-level martial arts can be understood so simply.”

He scratched his head and pondered before saying, “Seeing is believing. Let’s clash sword strength with sword lightning.”

I prepared and focused sword strength on my blade. My sword strength resonated with a faint Thunder Spirit, but it lacked the distinct shape that Dokgo Seong’s sword lightning had. Moments later, we held our breaths and unleashed a fierce clash of rapid swords.

Ka-THWANG!

“……!!”

Even though it was just one basic exchange, I watched in shock as my sword broke in half and flew backward. Clearly, the internal power reinforced in my sword strength shouldn’t have lost, yet upon contact with the sword lightning, it was severed as if it were soft tofu. As I floundered in surprise, Dokgo Seong chuckled.

“In a real battle, you wouldn’t just take it head-on like that. If you used variations, that wouldn’t have happened. But the extreme level of sword lightning has the power to cut through anything, no matter how strong it is.”

“In our last sparring, it didn’t seem this powerful…”

“Now that you’re my disciple, why would I hold back?” Dokgo Seong muttered, sheathing his sword.

“Well, if I intended to end it, I would have used it long ago.”

“……”

It seems Dokgo Seong had been very lenient with me from the beginning. After all, he was the current peak expert of the Thunder God lineage. As I stood there stiffly, Dokgo Seong added, “Sword lightning isn’t just about condensing the Thunder Spirit. You could say it’s the lightning of thought.”

“Thought…”

“What is sword strength? It’s the most efficient and powerful means of attack created not from qi, but from intent. The strength and form resemble that of celestial constellations, hence the term ‘strength’. Similarly, while sword lightning may resemble lightning, its essence is entirely different.”

He clasped his hands together and said, “Create lightning in your heart. This lightning is the fastest, strongest, and most free in the world. The Thunder God Sword Dance is the most suitable training for nurturing the lightning within your heart.”

“Understood.” So, the Thunder God Sword Dance is the foundation for developing one’s own sword lightning!

Even though mastering the forms of the Thunder God Sword Dance doesn’t take much time, the reason it takes a minimum of ten years to achieve complete mastery is exactly that. It requires ample time to cultivate and enhance an individual’s sword lightning based on the Thunder God Sword Dance.

Mastering sword lightning is essentially the upper tier of sword strength! It’s no wonder it’s called the peak of the Thunder God lineage martial arts.

While I diligently meditated to create my own sword lightning, I became curious and asked Dokgo Seong, “But if sword lightning is so incredible, how does it fall short behind spear techniques? I don’t get it.”

The power of sword lightning was truly astonishing. Dokgo Seong could compel even the Sword Demon to perish alongside him with it, and he could slice through dozens of demon beasts in one strike. Among all martial arts I had witnessed, it held supreme attack power, even dwarfing the Thunder Cloud Palm technique of Lee Kwang.

Yet, despite possessing such sword lightning, why did the Thunder God lineage sword techniques significantly lag behind spear styles? I just couldn’t wrap my head around it.

Then Dokgo Seong made an uncomfortable face and said, “That’s because the spear techniques also possess sword lightning’s level of power.”

“Huh?”

“To be precise, it’s known as Heavenly Thunder, classified under the utmost principles of the Thunder God lineage. In other words, the master of the Heavenly Thunder Infinite Spear inevitably reaches the level of generating the lightning of the mind. However, spear techniques have no weak points along the way and continuously exhibit overwhelming strength, which is the issue.”

“……”

“The very Thunder Principle is a level achievable through the Ghostly Spirit Sect’s techniques.”

This was news to me.

“Of course, among those surviving from the current Thunder God lineage, only a handful have reached the Thunder Principle realm. The Thunderbolt Three Saints, including that Cheongwol kid, haven’t reached it either.”

“What do you mean? Are you saying that during the heyday of the Thunder God lineage, there were far more who reached the Thunder Principle?”

Dokgo Seong nodded.

“Absolutely. At the time, there were at least four or five just from my and Lee Cheong-un’s generation. They likely perished during the purge of the Thunder God lineage or have since gone into hiding.”

“Hmm.”

“I entered this path because of the extreme martial arts of the Thunder God lineage.”

This was unexpected information. Based on what Dokgo Seong just said, during its heyday, the Thunder God lineage had four or five peak experts far exceeding the current Thunderbolt Three Saints. It made my legs tremble upon comparing that with the martial world.

‘The strength of the Thunder God lineage during its prime could easily annihilate the Nine Great Sects.’

As if the Master had purged those terrifying experts, I began to understand why the survivors of the Thunder God lineage feared the White Lotus Sect so profoundly.

Suddenly, my thoughts drifted to the Sky Island that Lee Kwang had used during the re-emergence of the Thunder God lineage.

‘Maybe the Sky Island was also part of the Thunder Principle realm?’

The Sky Island was indeed mixed with the strong currents of Jang Sam-bong’s techniques, not just any celestial energy. At that time, my level was too low to fully grasp its significance.

However, hearing Dokgo Seong’s words now, it was clear that back then, Lee Kwang had enhanced his martial arts level high enough to master the Heavenly Thunder, using that force to effortlessly penetrate the protective barrier of the Dharma Guardian, Cheon Woo-jin, and sever his arm. Dokgo Seong’s comment about spear masters reaching the realm of the Heavenly Thunder proved to hold truth.

“So, Master, have you reached the extremes of the Thunder Principle?”

At my question, Dokgo Seong wore a sheepish expression. “If I had, even the Great Immortal could never have beaten me so easily.” He added, “I’m still short of reaching Lee Cheong-un’s level after six years.”

Dokgo Seong was a humble man without vain pride. Having dedicated his life to perfecting his martial arts, it made sense for him to maintain an objective self-assessment. Yet, his humility left me in awe.

“How can a human be so strong…”

“My disciple, the Dharma Guardian Lee Cheong-un, was an extraordinary genius and the only expert who could contend with the Master of the White Lotus Sect. He was believed to be the first in Thunder God lineage history to surpass the Thunder Principle realm.”

“What kind of realm is that?”

“I don’t know. I can only speculate that it must be the Absolute Realm; it was too far beyond what I could grasp.”

“Hmm…”

“Let’s cut the chit chat for now,” Dokgo Seong said sharply. “Aren’t you still unable to defeat me? Focus on your training.”

“… Yes.”

That hit home. I wasn’t even at a level where I could mention the legendary Dharma Guardian. If I faced Dokgo Seong with my full power, I’d probably be slaughtered in three hundred exchanges. Sure, I could bring out the Great Destruction and Thunderclap, but it amounted to the same result—a guaranteed death.

Sighing, I resumed my training when Dokgo Seong added, “And in a month, I plan to take a break from training and go find the Old Sage of Mount Tai.”

“Huh? Already?” I blurted, surprised.

Dokgo Seong nodded. “It seems Cheongwol has regained quite a bit of his spirit and body. It’s about time we went to seek out the Old Sage and dish out some justice.”

“Isn’t it still too early?”

“If we delay further, it could become a problem. To reestablish the Thunder God lineage, we need to ascertain the whereabouts of other survivors. The purpose of seeking the Old Sage is much larger than mere curiosity.”

“……”

Indeed, that day had come. Currently, Dokgo Seong was building confidence in practicing the Wudang Sect’s techniques and seemed to act out of duty as a Dharma Guardian. Naturally, his goal would be to revive the Thunder God lineage, so knowing the whereabouts of its survivors was understandable.

‘What to do?’ If I provided knowledge and wisdom to him, the Thunder God lineage would quickly rise. Perhaps it would become even more formidable than before, potentially breaking free from the White Lotus Sect. But I already knew that would be utterly meaningless, and I was in a dilemma.

A moment later, I decided to gamble. “Master, I have something to say.”

“What is it?”

I looked him straight in the eye and said, “I believe the true intent of the Master of the White Lotus Sect is to obtain the ultimate technique of the Thunder God lineage. Without this ultimate technique, reviving the Thunder God lineage would be meaningless. Otherwise, we would end up continuously entangled in the Master’s clutch and eventually be devoured.”

Dokgo Seong flinched! He seemed visibly shocked, unable to hide his expression. He shouted, “Ultimate technique?! Who told you that!”

“……”

I quietly pulled out the obsidian I had taken from Dongyoung and extended it to him. Since I completely exhausted that obsidian, I’d have to go mining for more. I stared directly at Dokgo Seong and continued, “Would you take a look at my memory?”

This was a gamble I had to take. I needed to gather as many allies and strength as possible before joining Mangnyang. If I left Dokgo Seong to act recklessly in pursuit of reviving the Thunder God lineage, there would be serious trouble. Although I didn’t place much trust in him yet, I felt forced to gamble on accepting him as my true ally.

Dokgo Seong glared at me as if he wanted to kill me, but he placed his hand on the obsidian.

WHOOOOSH!!

“……!!”

Dokgo Seong absorbed my memories for a moment, wearing a dazed expression. It seemed he was thrown into confusion by the memories I had shared with him. Then, as if he finally understood, he spoke in utter disbelief, “Reborn person… Yes… That’s why your external achievements and talents don’t align.”

“Exactly.” I knelt before him and bowed deeply.

“As you saw in my memories, even if we revive the Thunder God lineage, we must eventually obtain the Master’s true intent, the ultimate technique. That person intentionally left the Thunder God lineage alive to acquire the ultimate technique. If we act recklessly, we may extinguish our chances forever.”

“……”

“As long as you, Lee Kwang and Jin So-cheong, are here, we can rise at any time. Now’s the time to gather strength.”

Dokgo Seong fell silent for quite a while.

Then he spoke, “I don’t get it. You’ve already become one of the top peak experts in the world; in terms of medical skills and various fields, you’re well-versed. With treasures and knowledge, you can enjoy wealth and fame easily, yet you still thirst to see the ultimate realm of martial arts. Why do you continue to fight against colossal forces like the Heavenly Realm or the Imperial Palace for a hundred years?”

I smiled bitterly and replied, “Because I do not have the confidence to endure the tyranny of something transcendent for an eternity.”

“So you’re trying to uncover the lid of this beyond-heaven realm to find a way to counter it?”

“Even if it takes hundreds of years, I will do it.”

“What a remarkable individual…”

In disbelief, Dokgo Seong murmured, “Fine. Since it’s a proposal that’s hard to refuse, I accept it. I will also become your companion and fight alongside you.”

“Thank you.” I breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed Dokgo Seong surprisingly accepted without much fuss.

“But there’s a price. You must fulfill my request.”

“What is it?”

Dokgo Seong said earnestly, “Use the power of the Divine to kill the Master of the White Lotus Sect!”

What a twist! Assassinate the Master of the White Lotus Sect using the power of the divine? That was not the price I expected. As I stood there dumbfounded, Dokgo Seong smirked.

“You just need to eliminate the Master. After that, everything else will work out somehow.”