There is a legend about an imugi.

It’s a story about an imugi that has trained for a thousand years, and if it is called a dragon by a person it meets before ascending, it becomes a dragon, and if it is called a snake, it fails to ascend.

But did a mere human’s words have such an effect? And on an imugi that was said to be divine at that.

I am now recalling that old saying.

Because in this world, Baek Hasin was the true hidden dragon, the imugi.

‘To think a kid like this was rotting away in his family.’

A flashing gaze and a momentum that had entered a state of immersion. He was holding his ground without a single breath being disturbed.

‘It’s beyond imagination.’

The advice I had given earlier about not being obsessed with form was originally an enlightenment that a different Baek Hasin was supposed to have experienced in the student representative match.

‘I tried it now just in case, but I never thought it would work.’

I felt like I knew what it meant to be taught one thing and know ten.

I gripped my sword, looking at Baek Hasin, whose eyes were shining.

His aura was unusual.

As if he were slowly breaking away from something. The statically refined qi wave was scattering in all directions, one strand at a time.

That sight resembled an imugi right before its ascension.

‘Perhaps the difference that separates a dragon and an imugi is a trivial one.’

The legend of the imugi creates various interpretations.

First, the fear of words, of definitions.

Next is the problem of the dragon itself, the importance of ability or appearance, that if it had been a dragon in anyone’s eyes, it could have become a dragon.

But my thoughts were different. What was it that the imugi, which had trained for a thousand years, lacked?

In the end, it was itself.

If the imugi had had confidence, it would have been different.

If it had stood on its own with its own power, without being swayed by the definitions of others.

‘He’s coming.’

Soon, a swift sword was shot along with a white sword light. The moment of impact, a heavy sensation was transmitted to my palm.

‘What is this?’

A much softer sword strike than before.

I checked Baek Hasin’s charge, which was trying to come over the sword, with flame magic.

I had shot a flame right at the back of his head.

Slice!

However, Baek Hasin, as if he had expected this, corrected his sword path and cut through the flame with a minimal movement.

My brow furrowed for a moment at that sight.

‘Was the core of the mana composition cut?’

Until now, since he had only cut the form of the mana, I had made a long-range additional attack by burning the remaining embers of the mana, but now he had cut the core of the magic itself.

‘He’s no joke.’

A chilling talent. But because of that talent, it was even more regrettable.

If he had learned a martial art that suited him better, the position of the top student would have been different.

Originally, the White Dragon Star Heaven Sword is a half-baked martial art.

Although it is an advanced martial art in itself, it is difficult to achieve great success as you go to the later stages, and it is an unstable martial art whose final oral secret has even been lost.

This is connected to Baek Hasin’s situation.

The appearance of wanting to stick to the family because he has been cast out by the family.

He has been devoted to the family’s sword to replace the lost bond.

Like a child who becomes more obsessed with what they don’t have, mother and family, bond and recognition.

That’s why Baek Hasin had to break away from the family’s sword.

That was the path for him to become truly strong, and the way to become strong while standing alone as a martial artist.

‘I will set you free.’

The blade, with its sword qi condensed to the limit, pushed back Baek Hasin’s swift sword.

Along with the cry of the sword, a shockwave scattered, and we each took two steps back.

Although I was barely managing to counter Baek Hasin’s swift sword with the advantage of a heavy sword by imitating its subtleties with sword qi, this was also just a temporary measure.

It was not enough to face Baek Hasin, who was getting stronger in real time.

I opened my mouth to buy time to gather mana.

“That martial art doesn’t suit you.”

“It’s none of your business. What do you know.”

“Since my family is my family, I’m good at analysis. A hegemonic martial art suits you. You’re weak because you ignore your own nature and fit your body to the martial art.”

I stated my business as if throwing it out and raised my sword.

‘I’ll end it in one blow.’

It was useless to use flame magic and surround myself with sword qi to launch a surprise attack on Baek Hasin.

Even if I created a crisis situation, he would fend it off with a flashing sense each time.

As expected, he was a monster who was considered one of the best in the work in terms of martial talent.

So I was planning to put my remaining mana and all my energy into this one blow.

Woooong-

The tip of the sword rings clearly. A vortex of fire formed by mana was overlaid on the sword qi, which had been filled with mana and true qi to the limit.

A fierce flame that burned as if to suck in and burn everything.

“What?!”

“Is that the ultimate of the Flame Art!”

The surrounding cries of astonishment scattered in the wind pressure, and the sword slowly rose.

As if he had noticed that it was the final blow, Baek Hasin’s sword also undulated with a faint white energy.

Without anyone saying anything, we each took a step forward.

The first form of the Three Talents Swordsmanship, the vertical cut.

A single sword that dared to mean heaven was brought down with flames. Like a meteor shower.

Form and style eventually unite.

In this moment, both magic and martial arts converged into a single line before the principle of martial arts.

My blow blazed on the sword of the genius who had just begun to awaken.

* * *

“This is… amazing.”

Instructor Jeongmuk’s voice echoed.

In the middle of the training ground where everyone’s gazes were gathered, the flames that had burned the mana scattered in all directions.

What was revealed in the center of the dying heat was the two martial artists who had passed each other and were standing.

At the same time, blood flowed from the inside of my shoulder and Baek Hasin’s side.

“Did you hold back?”

In the silence, as if the sounds of the world had disappeared, Baek Hasin’s voice was heard in a low voice.

Perhaps from his perspective, it would look like I had been lenient. Because my sword strength had weakened at the last moment.

But he doesn’t know that it was because of my physical part.

“You’re the same.”

Shoulder and side. At a glance, the shoulder injury looks weaker, but if I had cut just an inch further to the side, it would have been the neck.

It meant that if Baek Hasin’s swift sword had been a little more flexible in the last move, the one who would have fallen would have been this side.

‘Still, I’ve made it to this situation anyway.’

I slowly turned my body.

I had used up all my mana and internal energy. Moreover, I had seen blood, and we had shown each other as much as we could.

Unless it was a life-or-death battle, there was no reason to do more than this.

Pretending to be calm, I opened my pale lips, feigning composure.

“Let’s call the duel a draw.”

And with those words.

“Waaaaah!”

In an instant, a cheer poured out in the venue.

However, my current state was not one to handle the fervent cheers.

Due to the excessive operation, my acupoints were twisted, and my circle was also empty.

A situation where I felt like I would collapse at any moment.

But still, I had to finish it.

“Keep in mind the advice I gave you. If you want to become stronger, that is.”

Even if it seemed obnoxious, I had to emphasize it. Even if I would be branded as a scoundrel with a bad reputation who suddenly picked a fight and then lectured.

‘Looking at it like this, I’m a complete madman.’

Come to think of it, it was inevitable that my favorability would be low.

As if to prove that prediction, Baek Hasin just bowed his head without a word and turned around. However, he added a word softly.

“I’ve learned a lesson.”

A faint word of thanks. It was a tone that somehow felt relieved.

‘Well, it’s not bad.’

As a result, I had induced Baek Hasin’s awakening and had also shown my martial prowess in front of everyone.

Today’s events must have left a deep impression on the instructors.

In a situation where one spot for the junior student representative was vacant, they had no choice but to keep an eye on Baek Hasin, who had fought on equal terms with the former top student who had defeated Oh Chosam.

‘And there were other achievements as well.’

I gently closed my eyes and was examining the twisted acupoints in my body, when I could feel it instinctively.

‘I’ve achieved great success in the Three Talents Cultivation Method.’

The enlightenment in this duel did not come only to Baek Hasin.

The experience of directly facing the sublime martial art of the White Dragon Star Heaven Sword was a valuable time for me as well.

Witnessing the growth of a genius who had reached a state of self-forgetfulness and responding in real time had given me the inspiration to overcome the final wall.

The talent of the Limitless Martial Body had blossomed in conjunction with the genius’s enlightenment.

‘Amazing.’

I opened my eyes, feeling the qi and blood that had become stronger than before.

Of course, there were still innate limitations and debuffs, but I could feel that it had improved much more than before.

As I was feeling the afterglow of my growth, I sensed two pairs of fervent gazes.

“…What is it?”

“It was an incredible martial prowess!”

“Amazing! Great Hero!”

Lee Huimun and Gu Dong, who had come down at some point, were making a fuss next to me.

You know how it is. When you don’t dislike it enough to be serious, but you’re tired and everything becomes a hassle.

That was exactly my situation right now.

“I’m going to get treatment.”

Just as I was about to pass by the students after saying that. There was a low voice calling him.

“Was that sorcery just now?”

This time, it was Instructor Jeongmuk.

“It’s a family matter, so it’s difficult for me to say.”

When I brought out the excuse I had prepared in advance, the people around began to murmur.

“No wonder, was it a secret art of the Zhuge family?”

“He burned a talisman, didn’t he? It might be a heretical art.”

“Does fighting with an artifact like that also count?”

I was wondering why those words weren’t coming out. When I enhanced my hearing with mana, I could hear various murmurs.

Looking at the public opinion, half of them didn’t know, and among the remaining people, it was half and half between it being unacceptable and it being okay.

It’s a matter of fairness. It was a controversy that couldn’t be easily overlooked.

As the debate showed signs of intensifying, Jeongmuk dismissed it.

“Whether it’s a talisman or sorcery, it doesn’t matter if it was manifested with one’s own power. As long as it doesn’t ruin the body or harm others, it can’t be called a heretical art.”

The Martial Academy was a place that handled and researched all the martial arts of the Central Plains. As long as it wasn’t a heretical art that went beyond the righteous path, it was a place of learning and trial where one could challenge.

Perhaps it was a natural conclusion, but it was an undeniable fact that it had helped this side.

I gave Jeongmuk a silent bow and quickly escaped the crowd.

As I headed to the medical center for recovery, Go Wontae clicked his tongue.

“You’ve come back injured again.”

“How long do you think it will take?”

I asked, entrusting the treatment of my shoulder.

There is a friendly exchange match next week. The opponents are the top of the intermediate students. It would be insufficient even if I faced them in my best condition, but I couldn’t fight with an injury.

“It’s not as deep as I thought. I’ve applied a wound medicine, so it will probably take about ten days.”

Slow. I can’t wait for recovery until then.

“Is there no other way?”

“It’s possible if you train a technique that increases your healing power, or if you eat an elixir.”

It was the answer I had expected.

Now it’s time to receive the reward. Around the time the treatment was over, I opened my mouth in a low voice.

“I’ve come to receive what was promised.”

“…Wait a moment.”

Go Wontae took out a wooden box from his bosom and handed it to me. I could feel how cherished it had been kept from the wrinkled hand that handed it over.

When I opened the wooden box, a clear fragrance spread gently in the area. Inside, a red pill the size of a strawberry was showing off its appearance.

“It would be better to take it here. No one will come near for a while.”

A divine energy was felt from the fragrance it exuded. In an academy teeming with masters, just having an item like this was a risk factor.

“Is it okay? I’ve eaten too many elixirs recently.”

“It’s not for increasing internal energy, but for improving the constitution, so its action is different. And it was manufactured quite purely, so it should be fine.”

Even if he looks like that, if you just consider his skills, he’s a capable person who wouldn’t be inferior anywhere in the Central Plains. To the point where it’s strange that he’s working in a place like this.

‘I can trust him, right. There was no mention of any problems with this in the guide.’

After a moment’s hesitation, I swallowed the pill. The moment I put the sphere in my mouth, the divine energy melted away as if dissipating.

It was different from an elixir where a refined vital energy rushed in like a wave.

Slowly, delicately, and gently, it moistened the blood vessels like a spring breeze.

At that ticklish sensation, I immediately entered a state of qi circulation.

I could feel the energy veins, which had minor injuries from excessive growth, recovering, and the innately shallow qi and blood membrane becoming more elastic.

The Three Talents Cultivation Method, which had achieved great success, responded to my will and assisted the changes in my body.

The Three Talents Cultivation Method was a cultivation method that strengthened the body according to the subtleties of heaven, earth, and man in the first place.

Meeting the elixir that improves a weak constitution, it brought out its effect to the maximum.

‘I’ll go further from here.’

In a moment of immersion, I sensed that I could move on to the next realm.

I instinctively operated the Reverse Heaven Cultivation Method and began to swallow the Three Talents Cultivation Method, which had achieved great success.

It feels like my true qi will explode from the unique reverse flow of my internal energy.

To any master, my current state would look like I was on the verge of qi deviation. And yet, a miraculous qi control allowed me to cross the boundary between life and death.

It was a monstrous qi operation method. It was an extreme technique that was impossible without control over all the points of the lower, middle, and upper dantians.

Not only the talent of the [Limitless Martial Body] was insufficient, but the circle also rotated fiercely. The transcendent sense of [Absolute Magic] controls the reverse-flowing qi and blood from the middle and upper dantians.

The absolute talent reverses all the qi paths of the Three Talents Cultivation Method. It dismantles and absorbs all the order of the qi and blood, the fine vessels, and the meridians.

The acupoints, which were pulsating as if they would explode, are pulled taut at some point as if being sucked into a bottomless pit.

Upper, middle, and lower, all the dantians follow the Reverse Heaven Cultivation Method and each swallows the insight that the Three Talents Cultivation Method has accumulated. It is engraved on the spirit white that exists deep in the dantian with will.

A moment of a clear mirror and still water. The world of the small heavenly circulation stopped, and I carefully opened my two eyes like a newborn child.

‘I did it.’

I had finally completely absorbed another cultivation method through the Reverse Heaven Cultivation Method for the first time.

My acupoints are clean, as if I had undergone a marrow washing.

This is the foundation.

It was a means of training the qi and blood, and also a polishing that honed the raw stone of talent to the limit.

“…I thought he was a dead man walking, but he was an absurdly strange person.”

Go Wontae’s trembling voice was heard from the side. It had looked like he had reached qi deviation, but suddenly his qi wave changed, and an ultimate achievement that he had never seen before followed.

It was like seeing the Five Qi Courting the Origin. Of course, the level was absolutely not that, but that’s how Go Wontae felt.

“Thanks to you, I’ve gained an opportunity. Would you mind standing guard for a little longer?”

I asked him in a low voice. Go Wontae nodded his head without a word at the hegemonic aura that was subtly exuded.

Again, my two eyes closed, and I observed my whole body.

The perfectly polished qi and blood, and the acupoints that had been emptied to the limit by the Reverse Heaven Cultivation Method.

The innately weak energy veins were still the same, but it was a much better achievement than before.

Now that the foundation has been laid, it’s time to learn another cultivation method.

‘Six Harmonies Art.’

I fell into a new martial art, recalling the oral secrets of the Huashan Sect cultivation method, which was at the next stage.

(End of Chapter)

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