With everything wrapped up at the Yeon Clan, it was finally time to depart.

But not to Sichuan, where the Tang Clan resided, rather to Wuhuan City, home of the Murim Alliance.

When Seol Lihyang and I quietly handed over the poisonous spirit core, Tang Jincheon received it with a pleased smile and said:

“We plan to depart tomorrow, but Clan Heads Peng and Yeon won’t come themselves. They’ll only send a few people along with the Blood Vitality Pills to oversee those who’ve taken them.”

“I expected as much. It makes sense.”

Even though the Demonic Cult’s infiltration had been rooted out, the Blood Vitality Pills had already spread across Hubei Province, and many martial artists from various clans had likely taken them.

The two clan heads would be busy handling the aftermath, so their external activities would probably be limited for a while.

“Don’t you feel anything about this, son-in-law?”

“Hm… That nothing in this world comes free, so we should never rely on luck and must always use our own will as a guiding light?”

“Nice words, but what I mean is—once again, I’m the one stuck with all the troublesome follow-up!”

“Isn’t that a good thing? It means the Tang Clan’s contributions are being recognized and your influence within the Murim Alliance is growing.”

“The Tang Clan is already strong, with or without that. It’s not like we’ve been politically active, so what’s the point of having more say?”

That was true. The Tang Clan was inherently an insular family, maintaining its status as one of the Five Supreme Clans with only the bare minimum of external interactions.

There was even a saying that the Tang Clan’s greatest external activity was revenge missions.

The exact opposite of the Namgung Clan, who were always eager to show off.

Tang Sowol called the Namgung Clan excessive, but honestly, the Tang Clan was just as eccentric in its own way.

So it was understandable why Tang Jincheon was grumbling.

But really—what could he do at this point?

“In any case, your son-in-law has done a good thing. You can be proud of him, father-in-law.”

“Huh??”

Tang Jincheon grabbed his forehead, looking baffled.

“How did I end up like this…?”

“Speaking of which, what were you like back in your youth, Father-in-law? I mean, when you were our age and went on your own martial journey.”

“Why bring that up all of a sudden?”

“We’ve only experienced martial adventures like this, and we know this isn’t exactly normal. I’m just curious what the typical journey was like. I remembered the Head of the Zhongnan Sect once mentioned traveling with you back in the day.”

“What exactly did that brat tell you?”

“Just that the two of you wandered Murim together, and that you met my late mother-in-law during those days.”

“Hmm. That’s about it. We wandered around, beat up any villains we saw, avenged our injured or fallen friends when needed…and when it came time to inherit the clan, I returned home.”

“That sounds pretty similar to what I’m doing now.”

“The enemies I fought were different, you reckless brat.

Sure, I wasn’t as strong as you at your age, but I wasn’t as foolhardy, either.”

“Foolhardy? I only take action when I see a chance of winning.…Even if that chance is a bit slim.”

“We call someone who throws himself into danger on a sliver of hope a reckless fool.”

Clicking his tongue in exasperation, Tang Jincheon continued with a look that said he truly didn’t know what to do with me.

“In any case, considering the situation, you should take your elixirs today. I can assist with energy guidance if needed.”

“I’ll be fine, but—”

“I was asking Miss Seol, not you.”

“Eh? Me?”

Seol Lihyang blinked wide-eyed, then quickly shook her head.

“I appreciate it, but I think I’ll be fine.”

“I know your physique is unique, but handling vast energy is a different matter. Are you certain?”

“Hmm… It’s hard to explain, but I really feel like I’ll be okay.

In fact, I think it might be easier if I do it alone.”

“Very well. Sowol’s Poison Spirit Body also reacts better without my guidance when handling poison. You’re probably the same. Trust your instincts—but make sure you have someone watching over you just in case.”

“Yes! I was thinking of asking Sister Seo Mun.”

“If it’s Clan Head Seo Mun, she’s reliable. But… the way you address her…”

Tang Jincheon shivered slightly at the idea of Seo Mun-Hwarin, who was around his own age, being called “sister” (or ordering others to call her that). Still, he ended with a short sigh.

“If you’re sure, I won’t say more. I have some matters to discuss with the others about this incident, so I’ll be off.

I wish both of you great success.”

Waving his hand, Tang Jincheon walked off.

Seol Lihyang and I gave a polite bow, then returned to our room.

I decided to take the elixir while under the protection of Tang Sowol and Seo Mun-Hwarin.

The initial consumption was the toughest part—afterward, I’d be able to absorb it gradually, even while on the move.

“Open it up already, Cheon Hwi! I already saw mine, remember?”

“Judging by the nature of Heavenly Tiger Pill, it won’t give off a unique aura like the Dark Spirit Yin Pill did.”

“Still, I’m curious! Right, Sister Tang? Sister Seo Mun?”

Seol Lihyang turned to the two with a grin. They both nodded enthusiastically.

“It’s rare to see secret elixirs from other clans. Each one is fascinating!”

“Indeed. I’ve consumed many elixirs, but I’ve rarely seen one worth truly studying.”

“In that case…”

Since they were all so curious, I nodded and opened the box alongside Seol Lihyang.

From hers, the same cold aura I’d sensed earlier poured out again—filled with Yin and Demonic energy.

Mine, on the other hand, was much subtler.

A refreshing, mind-clearing fragrance.

It had a mild, calming energy—abundant, but not sharp or overwhelming.

In fact, elixirs that leak too much energy tend to be less effective.

Even the Dark Spirit Yin Pill would only release a faint aura. Its chilling presence was due to its Yin nature, not because it was actively dispersing energy.

“All done? I’d like to take mine now.”

“Ah! Yes! I’ll watch with Sister Harin, so don’t worry, Brother Cheon!”

“That was my plan from the beginning.”

Chuckling softly, I popped the Heavenly Tiger Pill into my mouth—and immediately understood why it was considered a top-tier pill even among the Peng Clan.

The moment it touched my tongue, it melted like water.

At the same time, a massive wave of energy erupted from within it.

Kkkraang—!

A roar of energy so fierce it almost made a sound.

Like a slumbering tiger awakening, it surged down my throat, racing toward my dantian.

Too impatient.

I activated the Raging Wave Death-Stealing Art at full strength, wrapping the incoming energy.

Rather than wrapping—it was more like reining it in.

I forcefully restrained the energy from rushing into my dantian, guiding it instead through rhythmic qi circulation in line with the art’s formula.

One cycle. Two cycles. Then three.

By that point, the once unruly energy—intent on charging toward my core—began to settle.

Like a tiger slowly bleeding under relentless attacks from a pack of wolves, the energy shrank.

As the energy of the Heavenly Tiger Pill weakened, the Death-Stealing Art grew stronger.

My internal energy continued to cycle and reshape the Heavenly Tiger Pill’s force until it turned the same “color” as my own.

Until the once-pristine tiger was dyed red in blood—matching my own hue.

Huu…

Only then did I guide the refined energy to my dantian and opened my eyes.

I had successfully absorbed around eighty percent of the Heavenly Tiger Pill.

The rest had dispersed into my body early in the process but would be slowly absorbed through future meditation.

The real issue wasn’t the missed portion—it was how the absorbed energy would affect my body.

Crack.

A sensation of something breaking inside me.

But not a bad sign—this wasn’t damage or internal injury.

It was the sound of constraints, consciously or unconsciously placed to protect my body, finally being released.

For the first time in ages, my dantian felt full—and that fullness transformed my entire body.

The energy stretched beyond major meridians into even the smallest of vessels, sharpening my senses to the extreme.

It was like perceiving the world not through my eyes, but through my skin.

Thanks to this energy reaching my micro-meridians, my entire system became interconnected—efficient and unified.

The energy spread naturally through my limbs, enhancing my tactile awareness of the world.

Meridians are different from blood vessels.

Though invisible, they serve as channels for qi—intangible yet real.

But if qi flows throughout the body, like blood through veins, the two become nearly indistinguishable.

Though my dantian remained the energy’s base, the new core of circulation had shifted slightly.

Toward the center of the body—near the heart.

This was what Murim called the Middle Dantian.

A realm where qi and body unite.

Where one moves qi as if moving the body—and the body as if moving qi.

The result was a body naturally fortified with energy, even without conscious effort—like something beyond human.

This was called Sub-Perfection Master.

“Finally…”

I had reached Sub-Perfection.

A balanced, stabilized form that I could sense instinctively.

My body felt lighter, filled with energy.

Now I could use Sword Flame without strain, and I no longer needed to worry about injuring myself from uncontrolled enlightenment.

Of course, I wasn’t quite at the peak of my past life.

Back then, I stood at the very end of the Sub-Perfection stage.

Now, I had just stepped into its beginning.

Still, reaching the same realm carried great meaning.

Though I lacked the endurance and raw strength of my former self, I could now do everything I used to.

In fact, thanks to the sword techniques I’d gained post-regression, I might even surpass myself in certain ways.

This was a turning point.

Not a restoration of my old martial strength—but the beginning of something greater.

“Flowering Stage…”

In this life, I had to reach it.

At the very least, I needed that level if I hoped to stand a chance against Cheonma, the Heavenly Demon.

That resolve stirred briefly within me—until I noticed Seol Lihyang seated in meditation nearby.

Frost had formed over her body.

Each breath she exhaled froze the air, and yet—she wore a serene smile.

Summer wasn’t even over, and she was already forming a winter of her own.

Wait, she’s not going to surpass me before I even reach the Flowering Stage, is she?!

Apparently, I wasn’t the only one thinking that.

Tang Sowol approached, sweating nervously, and whispered:

“Brother Cheon! At this rate, Lihyang’s going to surpass me in a few years! How’s that going to look? I’m her older sister, you know!”

“Shall we begin a top-secret training regimen together starting today?”

“Secret training…!”

Tang Sowol’s eyes lit up with anticipation.

So devious.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep