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“I’m back at the main hall, but it looks like you’ve replaced the sect leader with one of the elders to wait for me.”

A little kid appeared, looking almost my age. He chuckled and said, “I’m Ilro. I’ve come to deliver the sect leader’s message to the Dharma Guardian.”

Noticing the name connection with Samro, I thought they might be like sworn brothers. The Half-Transition Master, Ilro, continued, “Before relaying the order, I want to hear about your battle progress.”

“Sure,” I replied, detailing my experience in battling the Otherworldly race. Ilro pondered for a moment and said, “Glad to hear you succeeded in your mission.”

“Yeah, I got lucky.”

“Now, to convey the sect leader’s order: the Dharma Guardian is to engage in self-training until called upon.”

“……”

“Also, since you’ve succeeded, you’ll receive a reward in your quarters. Good job.”

Ugh! More self-training? I stood there dumbfounded, indifferent to the reward. What on earth does this command mean?

“Why did the sect leader issue such a command?”

“Because he’s in closed room training.”

“Closed room training?”

Ilro nodded.

“We of the Elder Council have an obligation to protect the sect leader, so I can’t say more. However, as your master’s disciple, I’m just giving you a hint. Please don’t leak any secrets.”

“Understood.”

I stepped back and returned to my quarters, only to find several carriages pulling in with dozens of servants to pile up supplies in one corner. Upon closer inspection, there was luxurious furniture, gold, silver treasures, and rare items filling the space. It took about half a moment for everything to be stacked up, and my mood was quite dismal.

I stared at the treasures without a thought, just a feeling of bewilderment. ‘What in the world was this foolishness?’ The sect leader bestowing rewards while commanding self-training was no coincidence. It was due to my failure to grasp the Seven Great Techniques of Jang Sam-bong. Given that the Techniques were considered peerless martial arts, it wasn’t too surprising.

But Jin So-cheong had managed to digest them within a month and even recreated the Three Treasure Technique, while the Sword Demon typically grasped the Techniques within a month as well. Conversely, I had broken down and tried to explain the Sacred Techniques several times over two to three months, and still, I was struggling to absorb them.

Disappointed, I had a chat with Zhuge Sa.

[Think of it simply. The sect leader’s talent doesn’t compare to Jin So-cheong’s. He may even lag behind the Sword Demon.]

[How can that make sense? That guy is undoubtedly the best under heaven, yet he can reach such heights without being the top talent.]

[Don’t argue with me. It’s true. And keep in mind that the talent of Jin So-cheong and the Sword Demon is among the highest across the Central Plains.]

[……]

[If it were me, I’d approach it from a different perspective.]

[Different perspective?]

Zhuge Sa chuckled and said, [Well, it’s good news. Use the excuse of self-training to slip out of the sect. With the sect leader himself in closed training, the surveillance will ease, allowing you to roam freely.]

[That makes sense.]

That day, I relaxed and relieved my fatigue, and the next day at dawn, I called for the Four Great Spirits and swiftly left the sect. The first place I went after taking the Four Great Spirits was Jinrang Valley, thinking that Mangnyang could give me good advice regarding my situation.

However, upon reaching Jinrang Valley and climbing up Mangnyang’s cabin, I found it eerie empty, all his stuff had vanished. Asking the locals, they told me he had abruptly left one day.

‘Mangnyang vanished?’

While I stood in shock, Zhuge Sa remarked, [Hyun has received the blessing of the Three Sovereigns’ Inner Gate and the Human Sacrifice Technique, making it a perfect timing for training. If I were Hyun, I’d also hide and focus on growing my own abilities before seeking you out.]

[Hide? Why?]

[Not long ago, the sect leader became the Lord of Jangryeong Valley and started absorbing the martial world forces. Naturally, Jinrang Valley must’ve become a target, and sensing something was off, he vanished.]

[Ah… that makes sense.]

Mangnyang likely heard the rumors that the Lord of Jangryeong Valley was in fact the Master of the White Lotus Sect or a peerless expert and figured I might be in some trouble, prompting him to lay low. If Mangnyang had made up his mind to hide, finding him now would be a tall order.

‘Not impossible, but with the attention of the White Lotus Sect spreading everywhere, digging deeper will raise suspicions…’

Joining forces with Mangnyang immediately seemed unlikely. For now, I could only trust that he would handle things well. While I contemplated, I asked, “Zhuge Sa. Do I really have to go to Xinyang?”

[Of course. If you don’t, you’re dead. You might end up regretting being alive.]

“Tch… then I have no choice but to go right now.”

With a whoosh! I rode the Four Great Spirits to the mountain region of Gansu Province. I gently stroked the mane of the Four Great Spirits and asked, “Can you please take me to Xinyang?”

Until now, I had only used the Four Great Spirits’ teleportation abilities and had never asked it to run. I was afraid it might throw a tantrum since it’s a Spirit Beast. As I quietly made my suggestion, the Four Great Spirits responded.

[Of course.]

“Huh… you’re actually doing it?”

[Thanks to the blessing of the Human Sacrifice Technique, our bond has formed, so it’s a given! Just tell me the exact destination.]

“Then we need to go to the Qingzhang Plateau in Tubo (吐蕃). You know it, right?”

[Of course!]

The sound of colors erupted around us—

In an instant, my surroundings lit up in a dazzling array of colors as the body of the Four Great Spirits shimmered and dived into a passage. It was as if space itself was bending and twisting in an illusion.

After what felt like a moment, the light faded away, and the Four Great Spirits landed gently on a plateau.

[We’ve arrived.]

Whirr—

The place I arrived at looked like a vast plain with towering mountains in the distance, but due to the altitude, the air felt thin. The desolate plateau emanated an exotic aura, and I could see sheep grazing far away.

Curiosity bubbled up, so I asked the Four Great Spirits, “Did you know about this place before? How did you find it so quickly…?”

[The gaze of the Celestial Realm extends over the whole world, so I simply tapped into that information to pinpoint your desired location. This is a skill that any Spirit Beast possesses!]

“Whoa…”

If that’s the case, could I travel anywhere just by declaring it, even if it’s not within the Central Plains? That was a prominent advantage compared to the Golden Lamp’s ability that could only transport me to places I had previously visited.

[Then I’ll head back now.]

As soon as the Four Great Spirits completed that line, it disappeared again. I remained rooted in place for quite a while, taking in the view of the Qingzhang Plateau.

Strictly speaking, Tubo wasn’t part of the Central Plains but was instead known as the Barren Lands. Although it is said there exists a kingdom founded by the Tubo people, I had no knowledge of it. I had traveled across Mongolia and numerous wild territories but never ventured this far west.

Breathing in the earthy scent, I turned to Zhuge Sa, saying, “Now what do I do from here?”

[Under normal circumstances, you should summon the Ground Ghost to take you to the designated location.]

“The ground ghost, what’s that?”

[It’s an Otherworldly race, think of it as a huge squid living underground.]

With a quick retort, Zhuge Sa continued, [Since you don’t have the ability to manipulate artificial demons, you’ll have to use the Heavenly Secret Technique to summon the souls of the Baehwa Sect.]

“Do you have any reasons for being so confident…? To be summoned to the Heavenly Secret Technique, that soul must’ve been extraordinary in life.”

[I didn’t mention it. Where you are headed now is the sacred site where the historical Masters of the Heretical Sect are buried. The soul of the Master of the Heretical Sect is your destination.]

Sacred site! At that, I took a step back as Zhuge Sa added on, [Given the terrain, it shouldn’t be too far, a day at most should suffice.]

“You mean to say the historical Masters of the Heretical Sect came here and died?”

[Something along those lines.]

With Zhuge Sa casually replying, he urged me to move on, [Is there really a need to chit-chat? Hurry up and find that sacred site. The sooner you finish this, the better.]

“Fine, I’m going already.”

After grumbling, I pulled out the Heavenly Secret Technique from the Ten Fingers.

Whoosh—

Having used the Heavenly Secret Technique frequently, I felt like my proficiency increased, broadening my perception. Originally limited to examining souls within twenty li, it had now expanded to thirty li. I focused intently, examining the colors of the souls until I spotted particularly large one and summoned it towards me.

As the soul neared, it spoke, [I am Karan Lama. What brings you to seek me?]

“Lama? What does that mean?”

[It means monk.]

He seemed to be a high monk who had advanced to a significant level in the Western Esoteric Buddhism. He must have possessed considerable mystical powers in life. Nodding, I said, “I’ve come to find the sacred site of the Baehwa Sect, reaching all the way to the Qingzhang Plateau. Do you happen to know of such a place?”

[Hmm… what you’re referring to sounds like the ruins of Juuban. I know that place well.]

“Juuban?”

[Juuban is the first divine being and creator who gave birth to Ahura Mazda, the benevolent god, and Angra Mainyu, the evil god, whom the Baehwa Sect worships. It’s said that the followers of the Baehwa Sect built ruins to honor Juuban in this area.]

“Then please guide me there.”

[Well then…]

Woosh!

Karan Lama’s soul merged with mine. Through the Heavenly Secret Technique, the empowered Karan Lama examined my physical condition and remarked, “Ah! What incredible power you possess…”

He then utilized a technique I’d never seen before, using my internal power to run. His speed was astonishing, indicating he must have been someone capable of martial arts in life. After dashing along the plateau for a bit, Karan Lama approached an intriguingly narrow landscape after about half a moment.

Karan Lama gazed at the steep mountain ridge and said, “The white temple you see on the mountainside is the ruins of Juuban. Now I’ll return your body.”

Wait, why? If we’re going, shouldn’t we go all the way?!

Showing my confusion, Karan Lama replied with a bitter smile, “I’d like to, but that is a relic of another religion. We can’t simply trespass.”

With that, the spirit transfer ended, and Karan Lama left. I felt absurdly perplexed.

‘What? Even in death, he’s tied to the rules of religion?’

Who would stop him from acting as he wished now that he was dead? Feeling disdain for Karan Lama’s restrictions, Zhuge Sa chimed in, [Not necessarily. In this world, religion represents a form of posthumous salvation…]

“Sometimes I can’t make heads or tails of what you’re saying.”

[You’ll soon find yourself face to face with him. Be on guard.]

I lifted my Soul Removal Technique and headed for the temple. Even if it was perched on a steep cliff, there was no terrain I couldn’t ascend with my current light body technique. Once I stepped inside the temple, I found an incredibly spacious area, far exceeding what looked possible from outside. To cast away the darkness, I used the Fire Technique.

Blaze!

Walking further inside the temple, I came across a statue of a deity with the wings of an eagle and the face of a human, along with an altar. However, I frowned at the strangely familiar ambiance surrounding the space.

‘This looks familiar.’

The meticulous decoration resembled that of the Water Spirit’s ruins, and there was even a distinct altar that appeared to be designed for human sacrifice.

Just then, a voice broke the silence. “Is Zhuge Sa dead?”

Startled by the dry voice, I instinctively drew my sword and prepared for confrontation. As a figure slowly emerged from behind the altar, I gasped.

“Bulgyeong the Wall!”

Much to my disbelief, it was the Demon King, Bulgyeong, who was waiting in this temple. It felt as if she had been here from the start, which was absurd. There was no way she could avoid my Supreme Master’s senses unless she knew exactly when I would arrive and prepared in advance.

It was as if she had appeared the moment someone stepped foot in this temple. Bulgyeong stared at me intently for a moment before stating, “You’re sharing the soul through the Soul Exchange Technique. That means there hasn’t been any soul theft or absorption… a bizarre occurrence indeed.”

Swallowing hard, I responded, “That’s correct. And I came all this way because I was told I must meet you.”

“……”

Bulgyeong fell silent, and it was an ominous silence.

“Can you say something, Bulgyeong?”

“What do you want me to say?”

Finally, I couldn’t contain my frustration and shouted, “Are you really the first leader of the Heretical Sect who made a pact with the Old Ruler to become the Demon King?”

 

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