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Chapter 7: The Light of the Sky

Swoosh—!

Light descended from the sky, gradually spreading beneath the bright white rays. It settled softly, like fireflies lighting upon the ground.

I stared blankly up at the sky.

It was a sky brimming with energy—a sky that I had created myself.

“Hahaha.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight. How could I not?

“So this is actually happening.”

It actually worked.

Ever since I reached the pinnacle of the Technique of the Flame Wheel, I had tried this countless times.

I had no idea how to do it; I had only seen it. I was fumbling around, unsure of what to do.

But now, I finally understood.

‘…There was no need to learn or even recognize it.’

There was nothing I had to do to gain this power.

‘Just realizing it was enough.’

Once I touched it, I knew automatically.

It felt like a dragon’s power awakened within me.

Flare!

I spread my palm and summoned flames.

The blue flame surged upward, but it was undeniably different from its original hue.

‘It’s a bit brighter.’

No, it wasn’t just a bit. It was much brighter.

What used to be a deep blue was now reminiscent of a clear sky. The radiant light had a somehow sacred quality to it.

Thud.

I clenched my fist, extinguishing the flames.

Once again, I looked up at the sky.

The sky was still clear, enhanced by the energy. I pondered.

‘Is this transcendence?’

Transcendence.

It was the term given to the peak of realms a martial artist could reach.

A state only reachable after mastering one’s martial arts.

In my previous life, I had certainly never reached such a place.

Zii—!

I briefly froze, watching the curling flame behind me.

‘…Did I actually reach it?’

I had termed it transcendence.

The enlightenment I obtained by using the Heavenly Demon Technique. The moment I earned it, I felt as if a shell had broken away.

‘…I have reached transcendence.’

By the time I realized it, my realm had expanded.

Flare!

When I exerted my physical power, the flames transformed. They no longer enveloped me; I truly became flames.

It was a strange sensation.

Though I had felt somewhat awakened after reaching the pinnacle, I never expected it to become this natural.

Moreover, recalling what I had just used, I had to tremble my fingertips.

The ultimate technique of the Technique of the Flame Wheel.

A power demonstrated by my father against a White Grade Demon Beast back in the day.

‘Extreme Gu Flame Mountain…’

It was a power gained only by achieving transcendence with the Technique of the Flame Wheel.

Zii—!!

As I unleashed it from my fingertips, the sky-blue flame grew even brighter.

Before long, it radiated a white light and began to heat my palm.

This wasn’t the white flame; I hadn’t summoned the power of my title, Pa Ma.

It was simply heat that had gathered and transformed into whiteness.

“…”

Is this what the ultimate technique is?

With this power, I cleared the sky ahead.

Is this bright light also a result of it?

Then,

‘What effect does this power hold?’

I had used the ultimate technique but needed to understand its clear significance.

Fortunately, I could instinctively grasp that too.

And besides, wasn’t there already a world my father had shown me?

Reaching out toward the sky, at that moment—

Whuaaaaa—!!!

The blue sky, which had been turbulent like daylight, began to sway. It spiraled and coalesced before—

Boom—!!!

Finally, like a beam of light, it began to converge in my hand.

The sky reached a White Night state; however,

what I saw wasn’t just that.

‘It’s Red Sky.’

The domain technique of the Technique of the Flame Wheel.

It was Red Sky.

Merely mixed with the ultimate technique, the effect had been maximized.

The effect of Red Sky was the increase of heat and the amplification of flames.

The technology derived from the Technique of the Flame Wheel seemed to transform when merged with the ultimate technique.

‘It feels like I’ve truly crafted a sky.’

An incredibly brilliant spectacle unfolded before me.

Gently, I gathered it into one hand, as if to release it.

Zii—!!!

The sky condensed in my hand.

What emerged was a Flame Jade with a refreshing hue.

‘This is amazing.’

Though I created it myself, I marveled at the sight.

Not only was it alluringly integrated, but the color was unlike anything I had seen before—the quality of the energy was different.

Was this because I had reached transcendence?

As I gazed at the Flame Jade cupped in my hand, I took a step forward.

At that moment—

Splash.

“…”

My vision shifted back above the lake.

Just moments ago, it had been filled with pride and arrogance, but now the lake’s depths seemed shallow.

If I fell in, I’d feel like I’d lose myself in the deep waters, but—

‘It’s shallow now.’

Somehow, it had become incredibly shallow and revealed the bottom.

What was this? How did this happen?

Just as this question crossed my mind—

“Looks like you’ve got time to spare.”

A voice reached my ears.

Far away, standing across the lake from me, was Shin Noya, arms crossed in nonchalance.

“You’ve finally reached the critical point after arriving at the peak. How does it feel?”

“…”

How does it feel?

“I’m not really sure.”

I wasn’t sure what I was feeling right now.

Is it simply admiration? Or confusion?

I expressed my doubts about my own feelings.

“Well done. That is the correct response.”

Noya smirked, clearly satisfied with my answer.

“Embrace that strange and subtle emotion. And hold onto that fleeting emptiness.”

Swish.

As he spoke, Noya finally uncrossed his arms. In his hand was a sword.

I widened my eyes.

‘Gui Jeong…?’

It was indeed Gui Jeong. I hurriedly glanced at my left arm. Nothing was there.

The Gui Jeong that should have been bound to my arm was now over there.

When did that happen? I didn’t even notice.

Gui Jeong had transformed from its bandaged form into a sword.

As Noya wielded it,

Kugugugugu—!!!

An overwhelming aura began to emanate. The lake trembled beneath me.

As the water stirred and brushed against my ankles—

“…!”

My vision returned to normal.

I widened my eyes, realizing the bright night sky I had created had dissipated from my hand; however, that wasn’t the case for my surroundings.

Flare—!

Zii—!

The remaining embers were igniting everything around me, and rocks and trees melted down, releasing a burning scent.

Could it be—

‘Did I do this?’

I had no memory of it, but seeing the shape of the flames, they undoubtedly belonged to me. To prove it, as I reached out to reclaim them, the flames began to gather around me.

As I gathered the flying flames, I directed my gaze toward Noya.

Noya, still radiating overwhelming energy, advanced toward me.

“You seem to have regained your senses, so shall we continue?”

“…”

What was I even fighting the old man for?

I was having considerable difficulty comprehending the situation.

Clearly.

‘After seizing the white flame…’

Using the Heavenly Demon Technique, specifically the Tua Mu Quan intertwined with Heavenly Demon Illusion.

I had used that to subdue the white flame.

Had it triggered something, causing me to break through a wall?

And—

‘The memory felt hazy.’

What happened next? I instinctively sought Noya, as if I believed he could offer a solution.

In haste, I must have rushed here to find him, and now here we were.

Crack—!

I felt pain, pressing my hand to my chest.

My palm was stained with blood. I had sustained wounds.

This was also just moments ago. I remembered being cut by Noya’s Heart Sword.

Thank goodness I had somewhat healed.

Since the sun hadn’t yet risen—it was still night—the body of the Moon Night Clan was intact, boosting my regeneration ability.

The problem was,

‘…Do I have to fight?’

Whether my body healed or not, must I continue to fight Noya?

If I were to question why he was engaging me in a battle, it would likely be due to my own actions.

‘Was he trying to bring me back to my senses?’

As the saying goes, sometimes a good beating makes one better; it seems this old man’s approach had done just that.

The rising pride and arrogance had vanished like a dead rat.

What remained was excitement about the newly achieved realm.

Should I say I’d regained my senses and ask him to stop?

I was sure that would be the right thing to do.

“Phew.”

I exhaled a sigh and clenched my fist.

This was a matter of greed.

‘I want to see.’

Just how much had I changed?

What on earth was this transcendence that I had longed for?

I didn’t want to miss this opportunity, so I glared at Noya.

Weird kiiiing—!!!

The swirling blue flames behind me began to spin wildly.

Heat poured out, and I became fully energized.

Flare—!!

Flames coursed up my shoulders.

I pushed the flame that surged from the clear Flame Jade into my hands.

Flare—!!

In an instant, it emitted a brilliant light. The size didn’t increase.

However, I could feel the power contained within it multiplied.

What exactly was the ultimate technique of the Technique of the Flame Wheel?

It wasn’t about acquiring a new power.

It was—

‘Making what I have burn hotter.’

To enable it to incinerate anything.

The ring moves faster, and the flames burn hotter.

Intuitive and simple, yet the gains from this were far from minor.

I grasped the Flame Jade. At that moment, its shape transformed.

It changed into the form of a spear, and I seized it.

I didn’t even use the power of the heart realm.

To complete the Flame Jade Sacred Spear this easily astonished me.

“Phew.”

Holding the pale blue spear, I looked at Noya.

Just how much stronger had I become? I felt excitement at the opportunity to test it out.

‘If it’s Noya.’

I had faith that he would withstand whatever power I unleashed.

Realizing that, I focused my strength underneath me.

Fwhoosh—!

Sparks erupted as fire mingled with ki.

Kugugugugu—!!!

Noya roared, countering the surge of my ki.

‘Break through in one fell swoop.’

I had to be prepared for the swift Heart Sword that might come flying at me from anywhere while remaining alert to Noya’s quick swordsmanship.

But for now, I focused on pushing through.

‘Here I go.’

I launched without releasing the sacred spear, mustering all my strength.

Kwahhh—!!!

I aimed at Noya, who simply stood there, brimming with overwhelming energy.

Then, just as I was about to rush in with all my might—

“Cough—!”

“Hmm?”

I widened my eyes and froze at the sudden sound that rang out.

Noya abruptly covered his mouth with his hand and coughed.

As a result, the aura surrounding him immediately dissipated.

What was happening? Why was he acting this way all of a sudden?

Was he trying to feign carelessness? If that’s the case, why so casually?

It was ridiculous; I shot a bewildered glance at Noya.

“Noya, what are you—”

“Cough…! Hack…!”

Noya coughed violently, kneeling on one knee.

Drip—!

Blood dripped from his mouth, staining the ground.

“Noya…? Noya—!”

Only then did I realize that something was terribly wrong.

I rushed over to check on the fallen Noya.

“Noya…! Noya, what’s happening to you!? Please stay conscious…!”

“…”

Even when I called out, he remained unmoving.

Shin Noya was unconscious.

“Noya!”

And he lay there, bleeding a purplish-red.

 

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