796——————==

True Martial Home

I first sent Jin So-cheong a generous dose of my martial arts experience packed into that obsidian stone. Honestly, with her talent, I didn’t need to go overboard, but I thought I’d speed things up a bit by giving her Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng and Black and White Lotus for rapid internal power growth.

That part was typical. The real dilemma came next.

Can I even reach the Absolute Realm by learning from Jang Sam-bong?

I dove into intense training with reckless abandon, yet a nagging sense of anxiety loomed over me. Should I really consider Zhuge Sa’s words and brace myself to sacrifice a life to delve into the Life Sea? But I steeled my resolve.

“No matter how great the intel or treasures I acquire, if I lack the power, it won’t amount to squat.”

I had to gain strength at any cost. And since gaining power through martial arts or magic would only bring about limits sooner rather than later, I had to elevate myself to the Absolute Realm, meet the Martial God, and find hope through him.

[Your willpower seems strong.]

“We absolutely must grow stronger.”

[What’s the reason we need to grow stronger?]

“…To attain hope.”

After replying, I reinforced my determination and yelled at Jang Sam-bong.

“I will share my martial memories!”

Pa-at!

[No… What in the world is this?]

Jang Sam-bong seemed more flustered than when accepting my martial memories before. Honestly, I had accumulated a huge reservoir of memories and experiences since then. Plus, I had made considerable progress in the development and research of the Eight Immortals Divine Art, so he must have felt like he was stepping into an entirely new martial world.

I informed Jang Sam-bong, “I’m mastering the Seven Great Techniques and their derivative, the Eight Immortals Divine Art. And I’m also practicing Yeodong-bin’s Heavenly Escape Sword Technique and Thunder God lineage martial arts.”

[Hmm… You’re gathering an impressive array of martial skills, aren’t you?]

“However, I still haven’t fully stepped into the Absolute Realm. My talent just isn’t enough!”

[……]

I lamented, wallowing in self-pity.

“What even is the Heavenly Pillar of Intent? Why is it that after gathering all of the world’s peerless martial arts and spiritual pills, I still can’t reach the pinnacle level!?”

[Ah, I understand your situation.]

Jang Sam-bong nodded and said,

[Those who cultivate martial arts say that comprehending the Intent to reach the Heavenly Pillar is harder than passing through the eye of a needle. Yet, it feels like I’m witnessing the most desperate case I’ve ever encountered.]

“Desperate? Don’t tell me you haven’t seen countless talentless warriors in the Martial Arts World beside me?”

[That’s true. But most talentless folks give up or settle for reality when faced with their limits. And I’ve never seen anyone push themselves to this extreme level without talent. You originally should have ended your life as a second-rate warrior.]

“……”

It was chilling how accurately Jang Sam-bong assessed my level of talent. When I fell silent, he continued.

[The martial arts memories you sent hold many secrets. It’s hard to believe that someone your age has gathered such an impressively diverse and extensive amount of practical experience… Regardless of your life circumstances, it’s impossible.]

“What are you implying…?”

[It seems you’re hiding some secrets from me. Only by sharing that secret can I genuinely become your master and guide you to the Absolute Realm.]

Apparently, Jang Sam-bong had sensed something off just from reviewing my martial memories. After all, the level of martial accomplishments and experiences I had gathered felt entirely out of reach for someone my physical age. After pondering for a moment, I awakened the Immortal Sword Technique.

Swoosh—

Kiiing!!

A white light resembling vague sword qi swirled around my sword. This was the phenomenon that occurred when I activated the Immortal Sword Technique – it didn’t possess any remarkable power in this state, just ordinary sword qi rising.

I recalled an earlier explanation about the Immortal Sword Technique.

[Yeodong-bin, the best Immortal Sword user in the Celestial Realm, not only uses the Six Intent Saintly Heaven Diagram and Heavenly Escape Sword Technique under the title of Immortal Swordsmanship, but he’s also renowned for creating an incorporeal sacred sword that can do just about anything.]

[It’s the accumulation of cause and effect.]

[The Immortal Sword Technique has the ability to condense all the user’s causes and effects into a sacred sword. This includes skills or experiences. Essentially, it’s a technique that transforms the incorporeal Great Immortal into another object, which is a ‘sword.’]

[In other words, the Great Immortal can use the Immortal Sword Technique to create a unique sword and accumulate causes and effects within it.]

In the Sacred Realm, only two users possess the Immortal Sword Technique: the Heavenly Mysterious Woman of Nine Heavens and Yeodong-bin. The Heavenly Mysterious Woman taught it to Yeodong-bin, who is the only one to elevate it for practical use. Additionally, the Immortal Sword Technique could gather and condense causes and effects, letting mortals use the battle experiences of the Great Immortal. Most importantly, it could sever ties with the Celestial Realm.

In the past, Yeodong-bin suspected the very essence of the Celestial Realm and transformed himself into a sacred sword using the Immortal Sword Technique, escaping in the process. The Immortal Sword Technique was arguably the only method to slip through the unnoticed surveillance that spread among the immortals of the Celestial Realm.

I held the Immortal Sword Technique and said to Jang Sam-bong, “Grand Master, I’m currently casting the Immortal Sword Technique. Oddly enough, I can use it now too.”

[That’s… certainly not a common occurrence.]

“And since you’ve received my martial memories, you must realize that if you grasp the Immortal Sword Technique, you can free yourself from your station in the Celestial Realm.”

[Hmm… No way.]

“If you could do that, I’d share all my secrets with you.”

Thud.

“Please, sever the ties between yourself and the Celestial Realm using the Immortal Sword Technique!”

I knelt and pleaded with Jang Sam-bong. He looked down at me with a heavy gaze before responding.

[Ren, do you consider the Celestial Realm to be evil? And it seems that there’s something about your secret that would cause a problem if it were to come to light in the Celestial Realm.]

“The Celestial Realm itself isn’t evil. But I believe… there’s a chillingly powerful demon lurking behind it. If that entity discovers my secret, I risk being captured and used instead of training!”

[……]

“Please, I beg you. I must either reach the Absolute Realm in this life or gain a clue to it. I’m prepared to sacrifice anything for that!”

Honestly, it was an outrageous request. Yeodong-bin had severed ties with the Celestial Realm before, but that was because his own ideals overtook his loyalty to that realm. He was a special case.

However, the position of the Great Immortal in the Celestial Realm undeniably held influence and power; casting aside that position was simply unreasonable. After struggling through countless hardships to eventually ascend and compete in that brutal realm only to abandon it for a mere human… it just didn’t make sense!

‘If he can’t, there’s nothing I can do but train like crazy…’

With trust still shaky, my chances of only hearing teachings from the Great Masters would certainly be limited, but hey, I wouldn’t sweat it! If I gave the obsidian to Jang Sam-bong, any secret of the reincarnated person would undoubtedly seep into the Celestial Realm, and both the Queen Mother of the West and Nüwa would find out about it, including the Primordial Void Ruler. They’d surely want to get in my way, so perhaps dying might be preferable.

As I nervously awaited his response, I finally heard the answer I anticipated.

[I’m sorry, but I cannot do that.]

“…I understand.”

Looks like I had no choice.

As I resignedly stood up, Jang Sam-bong sighed and said,

[If it were just my matter, I would have thrown aside my station as a Great Immortal for you without any hesitation. But gaining the position of Great Immortal holds another reason as well, so I can’t take it lightly.]

“What is that other reason?”

[The Martial God.]

What?!

I jumped at the sudden mention of that heavy title and stared at him. Seeing my reaction, Jang Sam-bong seemed intrigued.

[You know of the Martial God.]

“Of course. Ultimately, my purpose in training martial arts was to meet him. Jin So-cheong met him during her childhood.”

[Oh… I see.]

“What do you mean by saying you obtained the position of the Great Immortal because of the Martial God?”

In response to my question, Jang Sam-bong said, [In my time, during the Yuan Dynasty’s invasion of the Central Plains, the world was chaotic and in disarray… At that time, I immersed myself in my training, lamented the suffering of the people, and had a strong desire to quell the chaos in the world. Therefore, I honed my craft and reached a level where I could establish the Wudang Sect and dominate the Martial Arts World.]

To dominate the Martial Arts World, quite the direct expression, isn’t it?

But it’s true. According to the Martial History, Jang Sam-bong became a renowned contender in Hubei merely ten years after founding the Wudang Sect, and in another decade, they were recognized as one of the closest sects to the summit of the world’s Dao Veins, with Jang Sam-bong crowned as the number one master after effortlessly defeating all the other top contenders. It was hardly surprising to say he dominated the Martial Arts World.

In front of me was Yuan Yuanzi, a living legend from the turbulent ends of the Yuan Dynasty.

I couldn’t help but ask, “Did you learn a legendary martial technique from some ancient sect?”

[Not at all. I created everything through solitary study.]

“……”

[However, after defeating the peerless warrior known as Kong Lingzi from Goryeo, I experienced a strange phenomenon. Kong Lingzi had reached the Absolute Realm, and our struggle was fierce, but the moment I shattered his Kong Lingbaekpahlhwan, I entered a bizarre space.]

“A bizarre space…”

[I encountered the Martial God at that moment. He reignited my spirits and pushed me to pursue excellence in martial prowess, reminding me that in order to fulfill the Martial God’s will, I needed to become a Great Immortal of the Celestial Realm to prepare for the future. After that, I ascended to the Celestial Realm and tirelessly worked to become a Great Immortal.]

I found Jang Sam-bong’s specifics about meeting the Martial God fascinating.

‘Kong Lingzi… he must be the ancestor of the ten great masters from the current Twelve Joules, King Hong Gil-dong. I heard that guy used Kong Lingbaekpahlhwan, too.’

Rumors floating around suggested that Kong Lingzi, famed as Goryeo’s greatest genius, had been defeated by the Martial God, Jang Sam-bong, and apparently, that rumor was true. However, it seemed Jang Sam-bong had a tough fight against Kong Lingzi back in the day.

I inquired about something curious. “What do you mean by needing to be a Great Immortal to prepare for the future?”

[I’m afraid that’s a secret I can’t share with those who haven’t reached the ‘Gate’.]

“You’re saying the same thing as Yeodong-bin.”

[Oh, seems he had ties with the Martial God as well. Ho ho.]

Hearing my words, Jang Sam-bong displayed a hint of intrigue. I wondered if I had said too much, but it didn’t seem that significant in the grand scheme. I shook my head and said, “You must have your own circumstances. But I’m in a more urgent state than ever, so I absolutely need your assistance!”

[As I mentioned, detaching from the Celestial Realm is not possible right now. However, I will do my best to aid you.]

“Thank you.”

From that day forth, under Jang Sam-bong’s guidance, I rigorously trained in the Seven Great Techniques and Eight Immortals Divine Art. Meanwhile, Jin So-cheong began honing her martial arts autonomously, and honestly, she seemed to evolve more rapidly than anyone else, making having a master unnecessary.

Days passed. Weeks went by.

About five months later, I came to realize something.

‘I haven’t made any progress…’

Sure, my competence in the Seven Great Techniques and Eight Immortals Divine Art had generally improved. I was training my butt off and barely sleeping while receiving Jang Sam-bong’s teachings. I had devoted nearly six months solely to martial arts, cutting back on sleep and meals.

However, there was a clear issue: my martial arts hadn’t improved. I still didn’t grasp the essence of the Heavenly Pillar of Intent.

How long would it take to reach the Absolute Realm like this?

‘… It’s only been half a year. I know nothing substantial can be achieved in that time. But…’

I glanced sideways.

‘Jin So-cheong…’

Exactly, my impatience stemmed from Jin So-cheong.

In just five months, she underwent literal leaps and bounds and had seemingly risen to a martial level that could rival or even surpass mine. It seemed she was hitting a wall too, but witnessing her nonsensical growth made my heart race with anxiety.

Eventually, feeling frustrated, I spoke up to Jang Sam-bong.

“Grand Master, I have a request.”

[What is it?]

“I can’t grasp anything just by laying the foundations like this. I crave more intense experiences.”

[But aren’t we already practicing sparring as close to real combat as it gets…?]

As Jang Sam-bong pointed out, I was indeed gaining real combat experience daily through his extraordinary teachings. My understanding of the Wudang martial arts was also improving, so ordinarily, one could call this an opportunity from the heavens, but I shook my head.

“That isn’t enough. Since it’s a simulation, it’s basically a virtual sparring match.”

[What do you want to get at here?]

“I wish to witness the battles of the greatest masters firsthand.”

In that moment, Jang Sam-bong seemed startled by my suggestion, but then his competitive spirit seemed to flare up, leading him to agree.

[Very well.]

Whoosh.

I watched as Jang Sam-bong’s spirit slowly entered Jin So-cheong’s body. Since she consented, Jang Sam-bong could temporarily take over her body, allowing him to move through her. This was possible because we shared the bonds of a master and disciple, with at least a thin layer of trust.

As soon as Jang Sam-bong possessed Jin So-cheong, I slowly awakened the concept of using the sword and said, “Come forth, Yeodong-bin.”

Pow!

Yeodong-bin’s spirit showed signs of approaching. Then he questioned me.

[What’s the message behind summoning me?]

I relayed our situation to Yeodong-bin, who stayed silent for a while before responding.

[Okay.]

Jin So-cheong and I faced each other about one palm’s length apart. However, my body was possessed by Yeodong-bin, while Jang Sam-bong inhabited Jin So-cheong. My glowing eyes emitted a divine aura, unlike any human’s.

I started observing the situation from an outsider’s viewpoint. With Yeodong-bin controlling my body, he slowly raised his sword and spoke.

[Jang Sam-bong. I was unaware that you were also challenging the ‘Gate’.]

[Yeodong-bin, I kindly request a favor.]

[I would also like to ask for one….]

This was it.

An epic duel between the Great Immortals and the Immortal Sword users – those who once passed through the legendary status of world-class warriors!

I sought to accumulate experiences through this battle and advance further.