Editor: Z0Rel
Wo-woong!
Numerous gazes suddenly turned in this direction.
Among them, the most noticeable is the Administrator of Thunder Spirit Island.
It's the gaze sent by the clone of Wi Ryeong-seon.
Wo-woong!
As Wi Ryeong-seon's clone focuses its spell and concentrates its gaze above, the sky suddenly starts to tint with a faint green hue.
I do not hide and directly meet Wi Ryeong-seon's gaze.
Kugugugu!The sky suddenly vibrates and along with the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy, the voice of Wi Ryeong-seon resonates.
[Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect's Elder Jin Eun-hyun, can you tell me what just happened?]
Wi Ryeong-seon's will is heard from the sky.
I shamelessly respond with a thick face.
"I was practicing a cultivation method, but for what reason does the Administrator of Thunder Spirit Island take interest in me, a mere Nascent Soul stage Elder?"
[The aura of Heavenly Tribulation was sensed, making me wonder if someone was attempting a breakthrough in their cultivation level. If Elder Jin rises in cultivation again, this time to become a Heavenly Being stage Grand Elder, it would be necessary to congratulate you once more…]
"Hahaha, I'm grateful for your kind view."
[However, the energy I felt just now was indeed very similar to that of Heavenly Tribulation. Is it really just a phenomenon that occurred during the practice of a cultivation method? To my knowledge, only the Heart Tribe can induce energy similar to a Heavenly Tribulation during their practice….]
"That is a misunderstanding. Our Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect studies and delves into understanding and controlling lightning and thunder, mainly focusing on Heavenly Tribulation. Perhaps the result similar to a Heavenly Tribulation was just a coincidence while delving into the Lightning Path Method?"
[Really, it was just the Lightning Path Method that gave such a similar feeling to a Heavenly Tribulation?]
"Hmm, is it that strange to try to manifest the power of heavenly lightning through the Lightning Path Method?"
It's then that a hint of suspicion lingers in Wi Ryeong-seon's gaze.
Kururung!
The sky roars with golden lightning, and Jin Byuk-ho flies up to the sky towards Wi Ryeong-seon's gaze and shouts.
"Greetings to the Administrator. But, what is the Administrator doing right now?"
[I was observing the movements of Elder Jin Eun-hyun of your sect.]
"Did Elder Jin do something wrong? Did he learn some vicious devilish arts that are forbidden in Thunder Spirit Island?"
[That is not the case…]
"Then why is the Administrator peering into the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect's internal affairs and digging into the secrets of our sect's Lightning Path Method without restraint?"
Jin Byuk-ho's words seem to make Wi Ryeong-seon hesitate for a moment.
Regardless of the reason, Wi Ryeong-seon is clearly scrutinizing the interior of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, as well as practically interrogating one of the elders about his cultivation method.
"Our Elder Jin Eun-hyun's method is peculiar even compared to other methods of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, which might have given you an unusual feeling. This matter is a secret of our sect, so please withdraw."
[…I understand. I was overreacting.]
After finishing his words, Wi Ryeong-seon withdraws his spell. The sky, which had been filled with Wi Ryeong-seon's gaze, once again returns to its original color as his will dissipates and the sky that had been dyed green is restored.
Jin Byuk-ho, who had stood in the sky blocking the will of Wi Ryeong-seon, comes down to where I am.
"Are you alright, Jin Eun-hyun? No, no, rather than that…"
Kugugugu!
As Jin Byuk-ho clenches his fist, thunderclouds form in the sky, blocking observation from beyond the sky.
A prohibition is set up, preventing the surrounding Heaven and Earth spiritual energy from being monitored.
"I felt a powerful force of Heavenly Tribulation. It's clear you should have lost all attributes of the Lightning Path Method due to the Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens Technique!"
"Ah…"
Not knowing exactly how to explain, I pause for a moment before attempting an explanation.
"I was trying a few things to revive the attributes of the Lightning Path Method and coincidentally managed to manifest the power of heavenly lightning."
"What?!"
Jin Byuk-ho's eyes widen at my words.
"Is that even possible!?"
"Well… it just happened."
"Heh, huh… Hahaha…."
He stands dumbfounded for a moment before beginning to laugh heartily.
"It wasn't that the founding ancestor chose you because you have a Lightning Sacred Body, but rather, he gave his arrangement because it was you."
Jin Byuk-ho pats my shoulder as if to commend me.
I flinch but don't show it.
"Indeed, you are the future of our sect. Lately, you've hardly had any time to practice because you've been looking after Jeon Myeong-hoon, right? Tsk, that Jeon Myeong-hoon… Still, since he also possesses the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body, he seems to be growing quickly. Once he reaches the Nascent Soul stage, you'll also have a comfortable environment to challenge the Heavenly Being stage."
"…How could I ascend to the Heavenly Being stage first? Since we joined the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect on the same day, it seems only right to ascend to the Heavenly Being stage on the same day as well…"
"What are you saying?! You should ascend to the Heavenly Being stage as soon as possible! Even if you don't have time to ascend to the Heavenly Being stage because you're looking after Jeon Myeong-hoon, everyone knows that if you just had a bit more time, you'd reach it!"
'Given time, it's true that I would ascend.'
I awkwardly smile at Jin Byuk-ho's enormous wall of misunderstanding.
"Sparing time to help a fellow disciple is never a waste. Even if my rise to the Heavenly Being stage is delayed, I will do my best to help Jeon Myeong-hoon improve his cultivation."
"You…"
Jin Byuk-ho looks at me with eyes full of pride.
After expressing my gratitude to Jin Byuk-ho, I go search for the escaped Jeon Myeong-hoon.
After the day's events, I return to my cave residence and call for the guy who should be practicing nearby before contacting Kim Yeon.
"Hong Fan, come here for a moment."
Swish!
Despite not calling out loudly, a dark centipede suddenly appears in front of me.
"Did you summon me, Master?"
"Yes. I heard from Jeon Myeong-hoon today. You taught him, didn't you?"
"I worry if I've inadvertently taught Jeon Myeong-hoon some bad habits with my modest skills."
"Hmm, no. Anyway, he's not primarily focused on martial arts…. More importantly, at one moment, his movement reached me. Jeon Myeong-hoon said he received your guidance. What kind of guidance did you give him?"
Hong Fan lowers his head and says to me,
"I may have overstepped. I advised him that if he wishes to reach Master during a confrontation to wait until Master is deep in thought after finishing the conversation. By drawing Master's attention with the Lightning Path Method when Master is engrossed in thought, and then striking towards the most seemingly impregnable part, it might be possible to reach Master."
"Hmm…."
Jeon Myeong-hoon's movement had a martial element, but it was Hong Fan who had completely grasped my habits and routines to teach him the gaps.
"That alone wouldn't have been enough for Jeon Myeong-hoon to reach me. His movement had the characteristics of a stepping technique for a moment. Did you also teach him that stepping technique?"
"I slightly adapted the stepping technique you use, Master, to suit Sir Jeon Myeong-hoon."
"…What? That was my Mountain Lord's Soaring Steps?"
I'm dumbfounded, recalling the stepping technique that was completely different from what I use.
He modified the movement technique I use to teach Jeon Myeong-hoon, but it transformed so much that I couldn't recognize it.
"If I have displeased you, I sincerely apologize. From now on, I will not recklessly share Master's martial arts with others and will keep them to myself."
"…No, it's not that. But, Hong Fan, you…."
I look at Hong Fan and feel anew how incredible he is.
'In about 500 years, I might be calling this guy my master.'
"Do you have any interest in learning martial arts?"
If Hong Fan also has talent in martial arts, not teaching him will be a tremendous waste of talent.
Hong Fan gladly nods.
"I would be honored to learn from Master and will gratefully do so."
"Well, it's an honor for me to teach a genius like you."
"A genius? I am no genius."
"Your words just now are deceiving to countless dullards. Haha… Now, what martial art should I teach you…"
I ponder over what martial arts would be suitable for Hong Fan.
Then, it strikes me that there is no need to ponder. Among the martial arts I had developed in the past, there is one that would be the best fit for him.
'Yes, that would be the best fit for Hong Fan.'
I take out a few hidden weapons from my storage scroll.
"The martial art you will learn is called the Fighting Monster Hidden Weapon Technique."
As a centipede demon beast, Hong Fan is a master at producing and dispersing poison, and there is no martial art more suitable to be used with poison than the Fighting Monster Hidden Weapon Technique.
From then on, I spend the days hitting Jeon Myeong-hoon with a stick while practicing my Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, teaching Hong Fan the Fighting Monster Hidden Weapon Technique in the evening, and teaching Kim Yeon martial arts at night.
Like so, about two months pass.
Wheeze—
This day is unusually cloudy, with dark clouds covering the sky and strong winds swirling around.
'It's cold.'
I'm outside the territory of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
"When will she arrive?"
A few days ago, Hon Wei contacted me to meet alone, and according to her message, I have been waiting here for a while.
'Today might be the day to have a decisive discussion with her.'
She also seemed to plan to make me her slave through a decisive meeting, making today the day of a final confrontation.
After a while, Hon Wei appears in the distance, flying towards me with her Flying Escape Technique, and lands in front of me.
"It's been a while. So, have you still not changed your mind?"
She asks, feigning a hearty laugh and crossing her arms.
I smile wryly and reply.
"I apologize, but no matter what you say, I am content with my current state."
"Hmm…"
"If you want all the spirit stones you've given me so far, I will return them. It would be good if Cultivator Hon could gradually let go of her intentions."
"There's no need to return them. They were given for you to use. But really, you won't marry me?"
"Yes."
"Not even a dual cultivation partnership?"
"That's right."
"Hmm… Do I lack appeal as a woman?"
"Cultivator Hon is beautiful. However…"
That's when I notice,
She is secretly forming hand seals behind her back.
"Enough. Let's end this. Even if you don't accept my love, you're just..."
The next moment.
She smirks and completes her hand seals.
"Making me seem like a villain by forcing you into submission."
With that, Hon Wei shouts while still forming her hand seals.
"Abandoning Mountain Formation, activate!"
"…"
"…"
"…"
And nothing happens.
"Uh...? Why isn't it activating…?"
Seeing her confused, I smirk.
"You planned to use the activation of the formation as a signal to shoot a tranquilizing dart from afar, but it seems you're flustered because it got tangled up from the start."
Hearing that, her face stiffens.
"You… how did you...!"
She emits killing intent.
"I don't know how you found out, but you're making things difficult."
"Making things difficult? I don't think so…"
"What… Huh!"
The next moment, against her will, she raises one arm and sends a signal to someone far away preparing the tranquilizing dart, a gesture that means 'wait a moment' among the signals exchanged with her servant.
"What is this! What have you done to me…"
She rolls her feet, raising dirt walls in all directions.
Instantly, a house made of her spiritual energy surrounds us.
"Now, shall we have a more comfortable conversation?"
"…You."
At the same time, the confident smile vanishes from Hon Wei's face, leaving only a chilly expression.
"What have you done to me?"
***
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