chpater 12

Chapter 203: Shattered Heart (2)Chapter 203: Shattered Heart (2)

Whoosh!

Without any time to react, a bright light burst from between her eyebrows.

Simultaneously, the light emitting from her brows transforms into a green radiance, condensing a green podao in the air.

The Esteemed One's strike embedded in Yu Hwa's heart essence!

That strike of the Esteemed One flickers in the air before gradually changing its form.

I watch the process intently, repeatedly expressing my astonishment.

'What incredible mysteries are mixed into each and every change...?'

The enlightenment connected to the Sea of Righteousness and Mountain of Grace is felt through the heart essence.

The enlightenment connected to Treading Heavens is shown in the process of the podao transforming into a body.

And then, countless other mysteries that can not be fully comprehended intertwine in the air as the podao takes on a familiar form.

"I pay my respects to the Esteemed One."

Yu Hwa bends her legs in respect to him.

Despite her discomfort with the Heart Tribe, Gyu-baek also bows to Jang Ik.

"I pay my respects to the Esteemed One."

I follow their lead and pay my respects as well.

"I pay my respects to the Esteemed One."

Wo-woong!

The cluster of light coalesces, taking the complete form of a small greenish figure.

'This is… the Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One.'

This is the second time I've seen him, counting my past life.

I hadn't looked closely before, but now, I can clearly see his appearance.

The Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One manifested from Yu Hwa's strike wears tattered clothes and has green skin.

His ears are as large as fans, and his nose is as big as a fist.

His teeth are also jagged, and his fingernails are sharp.

If not for one thing, he might have seemed somewhat feeble.

And that one thing is his muscles!

Despite his small stature, upon closer inspection, his entire body is packed with compact muscles.

He seems capable of fighting against any Core Formation stage demon beast with his sheer physical strength alone.

As I am observing him, suddenly Jang Ik's gaze meets mine.

"...!"

It feels piercing.

Standing before his gaze, it feels as if he could decapitate me at any moment with a strike.

I break out in a cold sweat under his gaze for a moment.

After looking at me for a while, he strokes his chin as if intrigued.

[Impressive, how did someone of the Human Race manage to step into the second phase of Manifestation? Moreover, looking at the energy, Core Formation, no, Nascent Soul stage? And despite being of the Heaven Tribe, I sense Earth Tribe methods. Huh...]

He chuckles heartily.

[Heaven, Earth, Heart — have you integrated all three? Since you seem to have a righteous heart… no need to kill you, then.]

His casual remark makes me sweat profusely.

Jang Ik recognized my potential, and had there been even a hint of malice in my heart essence, he would have been ready to cut me down instantly.

[So, you called me?]

"Heart Tribe agent number 1798, Yu Hwa, greets the Esteemed One of the Heart Tribe."

[What exactly happened that an intelligence agent who should be operating in the Bright Cold Realm's mainland ended up falling into the Astral Realm?]

Jang Ik looks at us with a somewhat incredulous gaze.

[And that is... a 'fragment'?]

His gaze shifts to Gyu-baek.

['Fragments' are born only from cultivators of at least the Four-Axis stage... Yes, I seem to have glimpsed the corpse of a Golden Dragon while sending my consciousness to this star, are you a fragment of that Golden Dragon?]

Gyu-baek nods with a somber expression.

"…Yes. A remnant left by Gyu-ryeon, the Ark Controlling Envoy of the Earth Tribe True Dragon Alliance… Gyu-baek, greets the Supreme Leader of the Heart Tribe."

[The envoy of the True Dragon Alliance... That deck cleaner, right?]

Jang Ik may have demeaned the envoy to the level of a cleaner, but no one present dares to object to his words.

Gyu-baek slowly nods her head.

[Let's hear some explanations first. What's up with this complete Heaven, Earth, and Heart Tribe guy, why has a Heart Tribe agent fallen here, and why is a fragment of the envoy here?]

With that, I, being the most knowledgeable about our situation, slowly explain everything to Jang Ik.

My story went on until the morning sun turned into evening twilight.

I started with how I knew of Seo Hweol's wickedness and did everything to control him, how Gyu-ryeon was used by Seo Hweol, and how Yu Hwa got involved.

Since Gyu-baek had also come to know the true nature of Seo Hweol, there was no reason to hide anything in front of her anymore.

After listening to my story until the end and hearing everything from Yu Hwa's perspective, Jang Ik finally asked Gyu-baek.

[What about you, the fragment of Gyu-ryeon, Gyu-baek, was it? Do you have anything to say from your perspective?]

"...Please do not honor me with such a lofty title as 'fragment.' I am merely the remains left by Gyu-ryeon, so please refer to me as such, Esteemed One."

[If that's what you wish, I'll do so.]

Jang Ik chuckles and crosses his arms.

After staring blankly into space for a while, Gyu-baek began her story.

Her narrative was mostly disjointed.

Most of it revolved around how Gyu-ryeon felt towards Seo Hweol and the pain of being betrayed.

And how she was born out of that resentment and pain.

Yet, Jang Ik listened to Gyu-baek's disjointed story to the end.

Gyu-baek's story dragged on, lasting until two moons rose high into the night sky.

"...and so, Seo Hweol abandoned me, and finally, I ended up here."

Overwhelmed by her emotions, Gyu-baek wipes away her tears as she finishes her story.

After hearing all our stories, Jang Ik nods.

[So, the madman Seo Hweol is currently stirring trouble in the Bright Cold Realm's mainland.]

"...Well, to sum it up, yes."

Jang Ik speaks as he sits down on a rock.

[Do you know why I listened to all your stories?]

We shake our heads.

[It's because as one tells their stories, the depths of their heart essence are revealed. I listened to your stories to decide whether or not I should help you.]

Jang Ik looks at Yu Hwa.

[Yu Hwa, you pass. Your determination to accept the new recruit, Baek Nyeong, is strong. With a little help, you will be able to carry through with your will.]

"Thank you."

Jang Ik then looks at me.

[Monster, you also pass.]

"Why am I a monster?"

[You're not asking because you don't know, right? Anyway, I felt an endless indomitable will deep within your heart essence. Your heart essence itself is quite marvelous, beautiful enough to be felt, and you seem like someone who would make it worth my while to help a little.]

Jang Ik then finally looks at Gyu-baek.

[You, the remnant, fail.]

"...!"

He looks at Gyu-baek and clicks his tongue.

[You don't even know what you're seeking. Well, that's the identity of fragments, I suppose.]

"…"

Gyu-baek does not argue against Jang Ik's words and just listens quietly with a gloomy look in her eyes.

Or perhaps she is just letting it pass by.

[Until you solidify your identity, I won't offer you any help.]

"...Do as you please. I wasn't hoping for the Heart Tribe Esteemed One's help anyway."

[Impudent. Is it because I'm just an avatar that you're underestimating me?]

"What does it matter when I could die at any moment anyway."

[Well, fine. It's a loss for me to deal with a dead soul who can't die.]

Jang Ik looks around at us and says,

[I can offer you three types of help. First, I use my strike here to create a spatial rift connected to the Bright Cold Realm. Second, I stay here to train you, drawing out your potential so you can ascend on your own. Third, I contact the Highest Council of the Heart Tribe and send a rescue signal so they can come for you.]

He asks us as if leaving the choice to us.

[Choose one of the three. Whatever you wish, I'll grant it. But!]

Jang Ik looks at Gyu-baek.

[If you choose the first, I'll create a spatial rift that only the two of you can enter. If you choose the second, I'll teach only the two of you. And if you choose the third, I'll make sure they only come to rescue the two of you. I don't want to help someone who can't even find their own identity.]

Hearing this, I don't hesitate to choose the second option.

'Choosing the second means there's still time to slowly persuade her. Plus, if we can change her mind, the Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One might also be willing to teach Gyu-baek a bit...'

Jang Ik chuckles at my choice.

[A kind-hearted one, aren't you?]

"…"

He seems to have read my heart essence directly, knowing why I chose the second option.

[What about you?]

Yu Hwa looks to ponder for a moment before speaking with determination.

"I also choose the second. I'd like to rush to save my disciple right now... but being in the clutches of that monster at the Integration stage, there's nothing I can do even if I do go now. Instead, I'd rather receive teachings from the Esteemed One here to gain the strength to save my disciple later!"

Pleased with the response, Jang Ik nods approvingly.

[Good. Since you're on the verge of achieving the third step of Manifestation, it will be enjoyable to teach.]

Thus, we were granted the opportunity to receive teachings from the Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One, Jang Ik.

Wo-woong!

I connect the formation I created for gathering dragon veins that were intended for recovering my cultivation to Jang Ik's avatar.

His avatar, which looked a bit faint, became fully solid once connected to the formation.

[Hm. Is this where you've been staying?]

"Yes, that's right."

[Then let's move a bit further away to start training. It would be problematic if your dwelling gets completely destroyed.]

"Understood."

[Follow me.]

With a flash, Jang Ik's avatar steps through the air and flies off somewhere. Yu Hwa follows him, turning into a crimson river and disappearing.

I look at Gyu-baek and ask,

"Aren't you going to watch, Miss Gyu-baek?"

"...Forget it. What's the use of watching the Heart Tribe train?"

She chuckles emptily and turns her head with a vacant look in her eyes.

However, I cautiously speak to her, reading her heart essence.

"...Regardless, it's an opportunity to see the power of the Esteemed One. Aren't you curious?"

"Hmph! The Dragon Race also has an Esteemed One. Though he's on an expedition, I've seen the power held by an avatar of the Dragon Race Esteemed One when I was very young, so it doesn't matter."

'When she was young...'

Is she truly Gyu-baek?

Or is she Gyu-ryeon, mistaking herself for being dead.

I'm not sure.

However...

"Still, come and see just once. Who knows, it might be useful for studying the Heart Tribe's weaknesses later?"

"...Fine, if you insist that much..."

Gyu-baek sighs and gets up as if bothered.

I smile slightly.

'Did you think I wouldn't realize you were somewhat hoping to be persuaded to come along?'

She seems inwardly curious about the power of the Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One, a Heart Tribe Esteemed One.

I, too, am in favor of her taking an interest in something other than her murderous intent towards Seo Hweol, as it would somewhat ventilate her heart essence.

I take out a flying magic artifact from my storage bag, have her board it, and follow Jang Ik and Yu Hwa.

"Do the clothes fit well?"

I ask Gyu-ryeon, who is wearing thick clothes I had taken out from my storage bag.

As her spiritual energy reduced to that of a mortal, flying at high altitudes made her feel quite cold.

"Yes, it's... it's fine. I was much warmer when I had scales..."

"It's not about the scales. It's because your Pure Spiritual Force isn't flowing properly now."

"Being in a dragon's body was really convenient..."

"Since it's impossible to get back the body of a dragon given the current situation, how about considering learning the Heart Path Method?"

"...Didn't I say I would think about it?"

"Understood."

As we chat and fly through the sky for a while, we arrive at a vast wasteland far beyond Gyu-ryeon's corpse, where Jang Ik had reached.

The wasteland, filled with stones, seems quite suitable for a training ground.

Whizzing―

I descend from the paper boat-shaped flying magic artifact and stand before Jang Ik.

Worrying that Gyu-baek might get caught in the aftermath, I send the paper boat far away.

Jang Ik, seeing me and Yu Hwa, crosses his arms.

[First, let's properly gauge your capabilities.]

Swoosh―

Thump, thump, thump, thump!

Four green podaos materialize around Jang Ik, embedding themselves in the ground.

He enters the center of the podaos, crossing his arms as he speaks.

[Before we start training... if you have any questions, ask them now. Once the training begins, both of you will be crawling on the ground, beaten to a pulp.]

"…"

Such confidence!

It feels almost maniacally so.

Yu Hwa seems to be organizing her questions and I ask what I am most curious about.

"As the Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One knows, I am not officially a member of the Heart Tribe. Officially, I belong to the Earth Tribe. Why then do you offer me your assistance?"

[Because you're also part of the Heart Tribe.]

A straightforward and concise answer.

But I glance back and stealthily observe Gyu-baek.

"Then, if Miss Gyu-baek, who is not of the Heart Tribe finds her identity, do you also intend to teach her?"

[Of course.]

"May I ask why?"

[Because that fragment has the potential to achieve Manifestation.]

"...!"

Gyu-baek has the talent to reach the Beyond the Heavens?

I quickly ask in surprise.

"Do you mean Miss Gyu-baek has such potential?"

[Yes. Well... from what I see in your heart essence, it seems you might be misunderstanding something. Let me tell you, the 'potential' you're thinking of and the 'potential' I'm thinking of are quite different.]

"What kind of potential are you thinking of, Esteemed One?"

What follows from Jang Ik is beyond my imagination.

[None.]

"...?"

[I believe that every being in this world has the potential to achieve Manifestation. Therefore, the 'potential' I'm talking about is practically non-existent for you.]

His eyes shine.

[Manifestation to you… from your Heart, Earth Tribe's perspective, what do you think the Heart Path Method is?]

"…"

That's a difficult question.

I have always pursued the martial path, but I had never thought about what the martial path itself was.

[For starters... I don't like terms like Heart Path Method, so let me tell you the term I use. I call it Fighting Spirit.]

"Fighting Spirit..."

[What do you call your Fighting Spirit?]

There is a tremor in Jang Ik's question.

Feeling that tremor, I realize that simply answering with 'Beyond the Path to Heavens and Treading Heavens' would not suffice.

'Fighting Spirit... What is my Fighting Spirit? What should I call it?'

A culmination of all the techniques I've learned, my combat experience, my enlightenment.

It is...

After a moment of contemplation, I realize the answer. An answer almost absurdly simple.

'Ah... So it was that simple.'

"Martial Arts."

I respond to Jang Ik with the name of what I have learned.

"What I have learned is, Martial Arts."

"Martial Arts... That's a good name."

Somehow, Jang Ik seems satisfied with my answer.

[Then let me ask again. What does Martial Arts mean to you?]

"It's a part of my life."

[Then, do you think there's something special about those who have learned Martial Arts? Born with a certain quality, a certain lineage, or a certain spiritual root?]

"No. There might be differences in talent, but Martial Arts can be learned by anyone."

[Exactly, that's it.]

Jang Ik smiles, seemingly pleased.

[My Fighting Spirit, Yu Hwa's music, it's all the same. Anyone can learn it. That's why I believe every being in this world can achieve Manifestation through Fighting Spirit. That's one of the reasons I want to help you.]

"If that's one of the reasons, are there others?"

[Of course, there is.]

"What is that reason?"

Jang Ik's expression turns serious as he speaks.

[To you, is Martial Arts only a part of your life?]

"...? Yes, but..."

[My Fighting Spirit isn't just that.]

"...?"

[If you come to understand the meaning of the Martial Arts you've learned for yourself, you'll properly understand why I'm helping you. Now, is that all you're curious about?]

Yu Hwa and I nod for the moment.

Jang Ik assumes his stance.

Chills!

'I'm going to be cut!'

For a moment, I feel as if my entire body is being sliced by Jang Ik's podao.

Sharp.

The tension makes every hair on my body stand on end. This experience is similar to the feeling I had when fighting Kim Young-hoon, who was of a higher realm than me.

Jang Ik moves his hand towards his podaos, smiling.

[Now, come at me, kids. Let's see what you've got.]

Yu Hwa readies her instrument, and I grip my Formless Sword at the same time.

In the next instant.

My Martial Arts and Jang Ik's Fighting Spirit clash, baring their teeth.

Chapter 204: Shattered Heart (3)Twang!

The start of the battle is signaled by Yu Hwa's zither.

As her zither plays, crimson rivers overflow in all directions.

The sunset envelops the surroundings, summoning demonic mists.

I dodge the hues of her sunset, careful not to touch it, as I search for an opening in Jang Ik's defense.

'There's no opening.'

He truly does not allow even a single gap.

'If I go in now, I'll be beheaded.'

My intuition warns me of this.

Swoosh!

Yu Hwa's music sweeps over Jang Ik, who leaps into the air to avoid it and reaches for the four podaos.

The next moment.

Bo-oong!

Suddenly, one of the podaos in his grasp flies towards me.

Whizz!

The podao whirls through the air, aiming straight for my neck. I barely manage to dodge it by kicking off the ground.

'Sword control?'

Jang Ik's podao pursues me freely through the air. After deflecting his podao with my Formless Sword, I observe it.

'No, it's not that.'

It isn't sword control. Jang Ik and his podao's handle are connected by thin strands of Qi, and he is manipulating the podao in the air by moving the connected Qi.

It's a completely different method from sword control, where one detaches their consciousness to imbue a weapon with action.

Bo-oong, woong, woong, woong!

As I observe Jang Ik's podao,

Jang Ik rotates the two podaos in his hands and the two connected by Qi strands around him, maintaining his position.

'He's preparing some technique.'

Then, it will be wise to see what technique unfolds.

As I brace for his move.

Wo-woong―

The air seems to be sucked in.

Around Jang Ik, not just the surrounding air but also the spiritual energy itself is slowly being absorbed.

Zap, zap...

I feel a tingling sensation throughout my body.

Simultaneously, a chill runs down my spine.

'No, I thought wrong.'

If that technique is completed, Yu Hwa and I will die.

Yu Hwa, sensing the impending danger, begins to play her zither even faster.

I swiftly circle around Jang Ik, looking for an opening.

At one moment, I find what looks like a gap in Jang Ik's posture.

Zap, zap...

My intuition warns me.

That gap is definitely a trap.

Entering that trap will surely lead to disaster.

However, I clench my teeth and dive into the trap like an arrow.

'I may face disaster, but without doing this, there's no chance at all.'

Jang Ik is a giant cliff.

Not just a high cliff, but one with a waterfall crashing down, making it impossible to climb.

To overcome this cliff, even if it is a trap, I have to boldly enter!

Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, Transcending Peaks!

Flash!

Entering the gap shown by Jang Ik, I grip my Formless Sword and execute a horizontal slash towards the gap.

But in an instant, Jang Ik maneuvers his small frame into the air, evading my Formless Sword, and plunges the two rotating podaos towards me.

I hurriedly try to dodge backward, but I feel something catch me from behind.

These are, Qi strands!?'

The Qi strands that Jang Ik has been using to rotate the podaos are preventing me from moving back.

'He wasn't just rotating the podaos!'

Through the podaos, he scattered his Qi strands all around.

Soon, the area is densely covered with Qi strands, making them hard to detect.

[Got you.]

Jang Ik smirks and throws the podao in his hand.

I transform my Formless Sword, cutting through the Qi strands and retreating backward.

The podao barely grazes the tip of my nose as it passes by, but I manage to dodge it just in time.

However, the next instant.

Bo-oong!!

Following the Qi strands spread around, the podao rotates in the air and shoots back towards me.

The Qi strands I had cut somehow reconnected.

'At this rate, it's impossible to even get close to Jang Ik.'

It might seem like just four podaos rotating around him, but those four podaos are constantly scattering Qi strands. Jang Ik is controlling these Qi strands to manipulate the four podaos like puppets.

These Qi strands can either obstruct the opponent's movement by applying physical force or enclose and slice the opponent by applying sharp energy.

'This requires an insanely precise level of control...'

Jang Ik is pushing me back, freely manipulating these precise Qi strands.

'First, I need to deflect or dodge the incoming podaos and then charge at Jang Ik.'

The scattered Qi strands are annoying, but if I cut them at the plane level using the abilities of Treading Heavens, I should be able to sever them.

Then, the right approach would be to block or deflect the podaos once and then look for an opportunity to attack Jang Ik.

Just as I organize my thoughts and extend my Formless Sword towards Jang Ik's podao.

"...!"

Boom!

A tremendous explosion rings out, and I spit out blood.

Gush!

The shock makes me feel as if my insides are about to burst and clenching my teeth to stop myself from spitting out blood is the best I can do.

'In an instant, the power scattered in the Qi strands concentrated to a single point!'

At any time, the dispersed power can be concentrated back to a single point to strike the opponent.

What a terrifying skill.

As I am regaining my composure from the shock, the area around Jang Ik and me is filled with Yu Hwa's sunset-hued river.

She engulfs even me in her attempt to lay Jang Ik to rest, attacking us from all directions with her river.

But the next moment.

Whiz, whiz, whiz, whiz!

The scattered Qi strands begin to shine.

Along with it, Jang Ik's podaos crazily rotate around following the trajectories of the Qi strands.

Whizzing!

It's akin to a storm.

The greenish podaos are creating a violent storm.

"Cough...!"

In the instant Jang Ik creates the storm for 'defense,' I put all my strength to escape his Qi strand's domain. Soon after, the greenish storm sweeps away the crimson river.

[Try a bit harder. The energy contained in this avatar isn't even at the Qi Refining stage. Even with that, I'm conserving energy, yet you can't even attack me properly?]

Shh...

After Jang Ik's storm passes, I watch the path cleared by his podaos and laugh bitterly.

"This is crazy..."

A diameter of 30 zhang (100 metres) is completely swept away.

Of course, a Qi Building cultivator can sweep that much just by indiscriminately casting spells.

But my astonishment is for a different reason.

'The amount of energy used in Jang Ik's Qi strands, and the energy infused into the podaos, was clearly just enough to maintain Sword Energy for about an hour.'

That is, the total amount of power Jang Ik used was less than a single swing of Sword Gang.

Swinging Sword Gang can cut through a rock, yet such a wide range of destruction is impossible.

'How did he do it?'

Yu Hwa also seems to realize this, her expression darkening.

'Yu Hwa's music, in terms of total energy, is comparable to a full-force strike from a Nascent Soul stage cultivator.'

Yet Jang Ik repelled a strike from a Nascent Soul cultivator with merely the power weaker than a martial artist's Sword Gang.

Truly a feat of "using four taels to lift a thousand catties"!

'Even for a Star Shattering stage being, does this make sense?'

It couldn't have been just the power of Sword Gang that repelled a strike at the Nascent Soul level.

There had to be something more.

Exchanging glances with Yu Hwa, I charge at Jang Ik with all my might.

Her Illusory Play Under the Rosy Afterglow supports me from behind as we both attack Jang Ik together.

But the next moment.

Bo-oong!

Jang Ik again scatters Qi strands and hurls his podaos through them at us. I dodge on the spot, attacking Jang Ik alongside the river created by Illusory Play Under the Rosy Afterglow

The next instant.

Zzzeng!

The podao I dodge causes an even more enormous explosion than the previous storm, tearing through the nearby ground.

'What in the world...!'

It doesn't make sense!

Even if all the dispersed Qi Strands were combined together, the power contained in the podao just now was weaker than Sword Energy!

But how did such destructive power emerge?

'It's not just a simple case of using four taels to lift a thousand catties.'

There is something. Something Jang Ik is hiding from us.

I heighten my senses and observe his Qi strands while rotating around Jang Ik.

Suddenly, I notice something familiar about his Qi strands.

'That's...'

Somehow, it reminds me of the moment when Kim Young-hoon used his external Inner Core to grasp the clues of Treading Heavens Beyond the Path.

Kim Young-hoon connected meridians and blood vessels externally, creating an external Inner Core to amplify the attack's power.

"...! That's not just Qi strands."

I ask Jang Ik with a trembling voice.

[Oh, you've noticed already? How did you know?]

"...I've seen something similar before."

[Something similar? Oh....]

"This entire area is essentially 'you'."

That is it.

The Qi strands created by Jang Ik swinging his podao are not just simple Qi strands.

They were meridians and blood vessels made of energy, spiritual veins.

While Kim Young-hoon aimed to enhance his power by connecting external spiritual veins with internal life force, Jang Ik is different.

He breathes life into the external meridians, sucking in the heaven and earth spiritual energy from the outside, drawing in more energy into those Qi strands than his body can absorb.

'I thought it was being sucked in by the rotation, but it wasn't.'

With the rotation, the Qi strands Jang Ik laid down became spiritual veins, breathing and inhaling the surrounding spiritual energy.

I am astounded not just by Jang Ik's technique but by its control.

'To suck in external spiritual energy to strengthen one's attack?'

If it were that easy, everyone would fight that way. Who would bother learning conventional martial arts?

It requires control akin to one's own body.

If the control isn't on par with one's own body, the spiritual energy Jang Ik sucked in from the outside would just scatter again, becoming useless.

Swoosh, swoosh....

While Jang Ik seems to praise me for catching on quickly, he continues to rotate his podaos, expanding the domain of his Qi strands.

Simultaneously, I realize the malevolence emanating from the podaos is intensifying.

'The wider the domain of Qi strands, the stronger Jang Ik's attacks become with infinite potential.'

In a way, it resonates with my Foolish Old Man Moves Mountains.

Stepping into the domain of Qi strands to counter it means facing Jang Ik's freely moving podaos and being constantly harassed by the Qi strands.

'...I'll decide it in one go.'

If we keep dragging on, Jang Ik will become infinitely stronger.

Of course, since Jang Ik is in his avatar form, his body might fail to withstand and explode. However winning that way would be meaningless.

I exchange heart language with Yu Hwa.

We synchronize our intentions, position ourselves on both sides of Jang Ik, and unleash the greatest attacks we can muster.

Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, ultimate technique, Severing Mountain.

Illusory Player Under the Rosy Afterglow's ultimate technique, Illusory Heaven.

Kugugugu!

Twenty-one techniques unfold at once, striking at the widest gap among Jang Ik's Qi strands. Eight streams of crimson river converge into one, rushing in like a torrent through Jang Ik's Qi strands.

The next moment, Jang Ik smiles and lifts the podaos in his hands.

[Impressive. Should I exert a bit of effort too?]

The name of his profound technique resonates in the world of intent.

Fighting Spirit, First Step.

I can feel it.

The strike Jang Ik is about to use corresponds to the enlightenment of Beyond the Path to Heavens.

In other words, Jang Ik had been fighting us with pure techniques that didn't even reach Beyond the Path to Heavens up to now.

Jang Ik dances on the spot with his rotating podaos, scattering attacks in all directions.

Four Treasures Annihilating Heavens Blade (四寶滅天刀).

Executing Immortals Annihilating Heavens (誅仙滅天).

Slaughtering Immortals Annihilating Heavens (戮仙滅天).

"Ah..."

Beautiful.

In my previous life.

The strike that split the Mad Lord's Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress in half.

Now, even closer, Jang Ik is unfolding in detail as if to show and teach me, making its beauty even more palpable.

'Intent is...'

Essentially Qi.

Just as Jang Ik's Qi strands concentrate to show tremendous power, Jang Ik's intent concentrates, descending to the plane of Qi.

His consciousness, having descended to the plane of Qi, becomes one with countless Qi strands, manipulating the energy drawn from the surroundings.

The energy of the podaos, honed to such extreme sharpness, fly towards Yu Hwa and me who are each unfolding our ultimate techniques.

Wizzz!

It's clean.

That is the end.

The ultimate technique of my Severing Mountain Swordsmanship is directly cut through by Jang Ik's Executing Immortals Annihilating Heavens.

Zing!

The ultimate technique unleashed by Yu Hwa is torn to shreds by Jang Ik's Slaughtering Immortals Annihilating Heavens, scattering it apart.

The technique of sheer violent destruction disperses her ultimate technique.

Fwsh!

Before I know it, I realize my body has been cleanly split in half vertically.

'...Tremendous.'

Thanks to Jang Ik's consideration, my Golden Core is not split, allowing me to survive.

However, I feel chills all over my body realizing that in a real battle, not just my Golden Core but even my Nascent Soul would have been split in one strike if I faced Jang Ik's technique.

Kwoooong!

Yu Hwa, having been hit by Jang Ik's technique, is bruised all over and sent flying far away.

I let out a hollow laugh.

It's a perfect defeat.

Jang Ik disperses the energy condensed podaos and crosses his arms.

[So, did you all understand what I'm trying to say?]

"...Yes. It was a valuable lesson."

Only after sparring with Jang Ik do I understand what he is trying to convey.

I also roughly understand why he asked such questions before the spar.

[The method of the Heart Tribe, the Fighting Spirit, is about standing against the strong from the position of the weak!]

Exactly.

From the perspective of the strong, they wouldn't need to bother with such complex manipulations such as the impossible precision and control demonstrated by Jang Ik. A simple punch would suffice.

However, Jang Ik displayed attacks of power several times greater than a Nascent Soul stage with just the energy equivalent of a single Sword Gang.

It's not just about using four taels to lift a thousand catties but using that power to multiply strength, subduing the opponent with lesser force.

Jang Ik, himself, is not strong.

Because he was born into a weaker race, he had to amplify the power of his techniques by complexly manipulating energy to face terrifying races like dragons, humans, and giants.

The supreme technique he created to face those formidable races!

That is precisely his Fighting Spirit.

[As the weak, as slaves, as insignificant beings! To resist against the strong, the masters, the rulers. The intent of striving to prevent the unjust oppression of the weak is precisely my Fighting Spirit!]

Jang Ik's statement that 'everyone has the potential for Manifestation' meant that all beings living in this world could someday find themselves in the position of the weak.

Thus, he wants to teach the weak.

[I'll ask you again.]

I deeply contemplate Jang Ik's question.

[To you, what is Martial Arts?]