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In this situation, I had no veto power. Sure, I could just bust out the flame technique and make a run for it, but that would mean turning the White Lotus Sect into my sworn enemies, and that’s not just a casual affair. I had just spilled the maximum truth moments ago because whether the White Lotus Sect would antagonize the Imperial Palace was a really big deal.

“Understood.”

Right now, I could say this situation was half a success. At least I could bring up a conversation with the big shots of the White Lotus Sect. Whether the sect master would actually join the fight against the Imperial Palace was a different matter, but I had at least succeeded in diverting the arrows aimed at me.

Han Baek-ryeong spoke, “Let’s move with the Flame Spirit.”

“Sure.”

I followed Han Jin-seong and Han Baek-ryeong deeper into the Han Clan’s territory. We entered a space where a massive furnace sat, but there was no fire lit. Then, as Han Baek-ryeong touched her fingers together, a streak of flame shot up, bringing fierce fire to life in the furnace.

Shortly after, Han Jin-seong pulled out a red bead from his breast pocket and handed it to me. I was puzzled about what it was, but Han Jin-seong quickly explained.

“Hold that bead in your hand. No matter what happens, do not move.”

His hand rested on my shoulder.

Whoosh!

“Hah!”

The next moment, my vision flipped upside down, and I felt my body surrounded by scorching flames. Oddly enough, I didn’t feel hot or in pain; it felt like I was becoming part of the fire. Han Jin-seong, with his hand on my shoulder, seemed to transform into the very flame itself.

Flicker!

Once again, it felt like my body was being transported somewhere. After a couple more sensations of moving, I found myself in a place I had never seen before. It was a huge building with an empty auditorium, and in the center sat a gigantic furnace. I was standing right in front of it, with Han Jin-seong and Han Baek-ryeong by my side.

‘What just happened?’

As if he read my mind, Han Jin-seong spoke up.

“This is the main base of the Fire Spirit Sect. Prepare to meet the sect master.”

“…!!”

Wait, is this Gansu Province?! To get from Luoyang all the way here in one jump would take at least a thousand li. That was no trivial distance, yet here I was! Sure, I could also use the flame technique to travel similarly, but this unexpected turn was wild! Did the Fire Spirit Sect have teleportation skills of such caliber?!

“Is this really the main base? How…?”

“The bead I just gave you has likely vanished.”

I opened my hand and checked my palm. Just as he said, the round red bead, the Flame Spirit, had completely disappeared without a trace. Han Jin-seong continued calmly.

“Once the Flame Spirit Divine Art reaches a certain level, it can merge with natural objects. This furnace is a device that combines that ability with technique, allowing one to move through the flames. But since you, Baek Woong, haven’t mastered the art, you used up the Flame Spirit to travel with us.”

“No way…”

I was taken aback. A furnace for flame travel! If what he said was true, the Fire Spirit Sect could traverse hundreds or thousands of li just by setting up a furnace and traveling from flame to flame. I never suspected the Fire Spirit Sect had such a trump card! While it couldn’t compare to the flame technique, having such a transportation device on the vast Central Plains was a monumental advantage.

Suddenly, I spoke up, “Could it be that the Han Clan’s business has thrived a lot because…?”

“Whenever important trades or movement requests come in, we often use the Flame Spirit. It’s saved us more times than we can count.”

So it seemed that there were furnaces established throughout the Jianghu, not just in the main base of the Fire Spirit Sect and the Han Clan, and that the fire spirit experts could use them freely. Of course, only those who reached a high level in the Flame Spirit Divine Art could use it, but even so, it was unrealistically powerful. They could transport goods across the entire continent in an instant!

That was likely the reason the Han Clan amassed such unrivaled wealth.

As I was lost in thought, Han Baek-ryeong’s sharp voice broke through, “Let me remind you once more. Speak of everything in front of the sect master. Otherwise, your entire existence will be obliterated by the power of the White Lotus Sect.”

“Understood.”

With that, Han Baek-ryeong strode out of the Fire Spirit Sect’s main base.

“Sect Master!”

“We greet the Sect Master.”

“We greet the Sect Master.”

All around, the fire spirit experts who had been training suddenly stopped and bowed before Han Baek-ryeong. With every step she took, the number of bows increased until, in less time than it took to walk a hundred paces, the experts flanked her left and right, creating a spectacular sight.

Gulp…

I swallowed hard. The experts lined up on either side were no pushovers. There were several peak experts who could strut around as elders in the martial world, and at least a dozen had the air of peak experts! Watching them bow respectfully before Han Baek-ryeong really made me grasp just how immensely powerful she was.

The leader of the Fire Spirit Sect and the Supreme Being! The ultimate Dharma Guardian with infinite internal power! That was Han Baek-ryeong.

Eventually, we left the realm of the Fire Spirit Sect and approached the main gate. On the way, we bumped into a group of young men, who immediately bowed their heads in a hurry.

“We greet the Dharma Guardian!”

“Rise. We have work to do.”

“Yes.”

“Make sure to inform the Elder Council that I need to see the sect master urgently.”

“I’ll inform San Ro first.”

That guy yelled and dashed inside the gate.

I knew who that was. Back in my previous life, when I visited the White Lotus Sect, he was the security captain, always roaming in a bunch to keep the peace. Ever since he took that spiritual pill, he often flaunted an arrogant attitude at every encounter. Yet here he was, frozen like a mouse in a cat’s gaze the moment he faced Han Baek-ryeong.

After a short while, we reached the main gate, where a middle-aged man in white stood, sporting a displeased expression. He was an elite expert from the Elder Council named San Ro, who I had met in my previous life. San Ro spoke, glancing at Han Baek-ryeong with a hint of disdain.

“How presumptuous. Didn’t the sect master say she was too busy to meet everyone?”

Although he looked to be over a hundred years old, it seemed he was too afraid to use informal speech with Han Baek-ryeong. She replied with a tone that implied it was obvious.

“For trivial matters, maybe. But this situation is a matter of great significance that could determine the fate of the sect. Step aside.”

“Do not issue commands. No matter how much of a Dharma Guardian you are, we don’t have to follow your orders.”

“So, you don’t want to listen to the Dharma Guardian’s orders? How foolish…”

Han Baek-ryeong sneered, continuing, “Can’t you tell when to pick your battles? Please.”

“…!!”

San Ro’s eyes sparked with fury at her blatant provocation. The powerful aura of a peak expert filled the area, causing tension to hang in the air. San Ro had an impressive level of internal power, making him almost unmatched in the martial world. Yet in the end, he couldn’t unleash it and reluctantly ground his teeth.

“Fine. I’ll relay your message to the sect master, so wait.”

“Go quickly.”

San Ro gritted his teeth and swiftly disappeared into the inner gate using light body technique. He was likely headed straight to the sect master’s hall. I tilted my head, still confused. I sent a secret message to Han Jin-seong.

[ What’s with the relationship between the Elder Council and the Fire Spirit Sect? ]

[ Which of the Four Great Families has a good relationship with the Elder Council…? They’re the sect master’s loyal force and everyone views them with skepticism. ]

[ What about the Su Shin Sect? ]

[ The Su Shin Sect has their own area and tends to gather like a village. They hardly interact with outsiders, so I can’t tell. ]

[ Hmm… ]

So it meant that currently, within the fortress of the White Lotus Sect, there existed both the Wind Spirit Sect and the Fire Spirit Sect. The Thunder God Sect had been ousted a while ago, so they didn’t count, and it seemed the Su Shin Sect lived separately outside the fortress.

“The sect master has permitted a meeting. Follow me.”

Moments later, we entered the sect master’s hall, following San Ro. Just like before, the sect master stood with a shadow cast behind him. As we stood in front of him, Han Baek-ryeong bowed respectfully.

“The Dharma Guardian of the Fire Spirit Sect, Han Baek-ryeong, urgently wishes to report to the sect master and has requested a swift audience. If my presence has tarnished the sect master’s dignity, I apologize a hundredfold.”

The sect master responded with his celestial realm tone.

[ Not at all. I’m not displeased. However, I trust you haven’t forgotten the protocol we discussed previously? ]

“Of course, sect master. You stated that I should only request direct help when the three Dharma Guardians can’t handle something. Otherwise, communication through letters would suffice.”

[ Well said. ]

The sect master’s celestial realm continued.

[ Yet, I find it intriguing that you directly sought me out… ]

Han Baek-ryeong seemed to take a moment to organize her thoughts, and then pointed at me.

“This is Baek Woong, and the reason for this meeting.”

[ Very well, tell me more. I am ready to listen. ]

​

I nodded and stepped forward to bow once more.

“I, Baek Woong of the Thunder God Sect, greet the sect master of the White Lotus Sect. I assure you what I am about to say contains no exaggeration or lies, so please believe me.”

The sect master appeared surprised.

[ Thunder God Sect…? Is that truly the case? ]

“Indeed.”

[ Good, proceed. ]

I began to share everything that had happened to me, including my encounter with Han Baek-ryeong and what I experienced in this life. I intentionally skipped over any lengthy tales, like the one about sneaking through the Aokigahara Life Sea, figuring that would just bog things down. After detailing everything about the Emperor and the Offering Ceremony, quite a bit of time had passed.

“… So, that’s what happened.”

[ …… ]

The sect master remained still, not moving. Then, he raised a hand and said, [ All members of the Elder Council should prepare for immediate action. Go inform the Fire Spirit Sect’s Dharma Guardian, Yong Bi-cheon, to stand by. ]

[ Understood!! ]

All of a sudden, celestial realm echoes sprang up from who knows where, retreating into the ether. It seemed the Elder Council’s experts had been hiding in the shadows. After issuing orders to the Elder Council, the sect master leaned forward slightly and asked, [ Quite intriguing. Baek Woong, why did you consider obtaining the rights to the Offering Ceremony? ]

This was a plain yet pointed question. I had anticipated this query, so I answered without hesitation.

“Behind the Imperial Palace lies a faction called the Demon Subduing Hall, which belongs to the Old Ruler. To fight against them, I thought I equally needed divine powers.”

[ So you aimed to gain strength through the Offering Ceremony… Hmm… ]

The sect master pondered for a moment before continuing.

[ Baek Woong. Did you express the desire to become my disciple? ]

“Yes. I wish to be the disciple of the world’s strongest expert.”

[ You do realize that I was the one behind the extermination of the Thunder God Sect, correct? ]

“My master, Dokgo Seong, welcomed the idea of me becoming your disciple. He mentioned that there were misunderstandings regarding the past, and he spoke highly of you.”

This was a lie. Dokgo Seong never actually said that. While he didn’t actively oppose the idea of reviving the Thunder God Sect, he also didn’t feel great about its extermination. However, I was aware of his connection to the sect master, so I threw it out there to gauge the master’s thoughts.

‘I need to see what the sect master is really thinking.’

To my surprise, my words had an unexpected effect. Upon hearing them, the sect master seemed to tremble slightly. He then spoke wearily.

[ Seong… thought so? That he would still have faith in me…? ]

“If you wished to uproot the Thunder God Sect, you would have done so immediately. While it’s not an easily forgotten grudge, I believe you must have had your reasons.”

[ … Is that so… ]

After a moment, the sect master spoke up.

[ Very well, Baek Woong. I will accept you as my direct disciple. Additionally, I appoint you as the Dharma Guardian of the Thunder God Sect. ]

“……!!”

Dharma Guardian of the Thunder God Sect! That meant I was taking the place of the former Dharma Guardian, Lee Cheong-un! This also meant I would gain access to the ultimate internal power, the Heavenly Spirit Pill!

From the look on Han Baek-ryeong’s face, it seemed she had no objections, which meant it was practically a done deal.

The sect master declared, [ In five days, we will gather the forces of the White Lotus Sect to extinguish the evil Imperial Palace. Until then, get prepared thoroughly. ]

[ Understood. ]

[ And Baek Woong. There’s something you must do before you receive my teachings. ]

Something I must do? I looked bewildered.

With a calm voice, the sect master said, [ I will give you five days. Relay my wishes to the experts of the Thunder God Sect and persuade them to return to the White Lotus Sect. You can manage it. ]

 

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