Chapter Title: Celestial Realm
Paat!
I immediately headed to Dragon King's Valley in Sichuan. I had already figured out exactly what to say if I came face-to-face with Dokgo Seong again. Dragon King's Valley, with its solemnly drifting sea of clouds, was a treacherous and harsh place in itself—a natural fortress of the world that didn't seem ideal for human habitation.
Amid the massive, thick fog, I sensed a faint killing intent.
'Is this what it was?'
Before, I had wondered why the Sword Demon had suddenly leaped out. But now, though I couldn't pinpoint it, I could tell there was something stimulating my senses—a killing intent coming from somewhere. It seemed to be a phenomenon born from deepening my transcendent true realm and growing accustomed to spiritual sense. There was no direct presence, yet I could feel the horrifying existence more fearsome than a tiger lurking somewhere.
coming from somewhere. It seemed to be a phenomenon born from deepening my transcendent true realm and growing accustomed to spiritual sense. There was no direct presence, yet I could feel the horrifying existence more fearsome than a tiger lurking somewhere.
I stood quietly atop the mountain and began executing my martial arts.
I started with the Thunder Spirit Eight Forms using a large tree branch nearby. Once that unfolded, I unleashed the Heavenly Thunder Infinite Spear, then sequentially displayed the Thunder Shadow Swordsmanship and Myriad Victory Sword Arts, occasionally mixing in Heavenly Lord Killer.
Papatapat!
My body whipped up a vortex of wind like a whirlwind defying the vast forces of nature. The momentum soon infused with thunder qi and danced, becoming a trance-like display. I was organizing everything I'd learned so far while devoting myself fully to the sword dance.
Only after a long while did I stop executing the Thunder God Style martial arts and settle back to my original spot.
Then, a presence appeared about ten paces away and sent me a transmission via Six Harmonies True Energy.
[You are an expert of the Thunder God Style. State your name and title.]
It was a different reaction from when I'd come with the Sword Demon. That was because I knew Dokgo Seong took an aggressive stance toward strangers, so the key was to lower his guard and pique his curiosity. To that end, I'd deliberately showcased my mastery of the Thunder God Style to him. No matter how aggressive Dokgo Seong was, he wasn't the type to outright attack a fellow disciple.
I looked toward where he was and said,
Dokgo Seong took an aggressive stance toward strangers, so the key was to lower his guard and pique his curiosity. To that end, I'd deliberately showcased my mastery of the Thunder God Style to him. No matter how aggressive Dokgo Seong was, he wasn't the type to outright attack a fellow disciple.
I looked toward where he was and said,
"I am Baek Woong of the Thunder God Style. I have come seeking Senior Dokgo Seong, bearing the earnest wish of the Thunder God Style."
Dokgo Seong fell silent for a moment, perhaps taken aback by my response. Then he appeared at a visible distance and spoke not with true energy, but with his actual voice.
"How do you know my name?"
"While scouring heaven and earth, I learned that among the Thunder God Style experts, you, Senior Dokgo Seong, rank right below the Dharma Guardian Lion. Having finally found you after exhaustive efforts, I am deeply moved."
"......"
Dokgo Seong turned his head away, looking embarrassed. Certainly, with the Dharma Guardian Lion Yi Cheong-un dead, he was now the foremost expert of the Thunder God Style, but hearing such an evaluation directly from another must have felt unfamiliar. Still, it was an objective assessment from Han Baek-ryeong, the Incarnation Style's Dharma Guardian Lion and a close friend of theirs, leaving no room for doubt.
"What do you mean by bearing the earnest wish of the Thunder God Style?"
I dropped to my knees in prostration right there and said to him,
"By a stroke of fortune, I achieved great completion in the Thunder God Style martial arts, but I came to realize my own limitations. Moreover, with our Thunder God Style in such dire straits, I grew anxious about the school's future and could not help but seek you out, Senior. Please accept me as your disciple."
"Eum."
He let out a troubled sound. And well he might—he was a hardcore martial artist and training fanatic who ignored worldly affairs entirely, devoting himself solely to his own cultivation. It would be hard for him to accept a fellow disciple suddenly showing up begging to be taken as a student.
After a moment, Dokgo Seong spoke in a slightly sharpened tone.
"I'm sorry, but I cannot accept that request."
"Why not?"
"Having a disciple as outstanding as you is a great fortune and supreme destiny for our school, but I have circumstances that prevent me from venturing outside. You already possess the qualifications to become a sect master, so you can manage on your own."
Circumstances preventing him from going outside.
If I had come here clueless about Dokgo Seong, I would have been flustered at this point. It made no sense for the current top expert of the Thunder God Style not to help a junior. But because I knew the reason, I regarded him coolly and said,
"Is it perhaps because of Dokgo Jun, the Beast Heart Style's Dharma Guardian Lion?"
"......!!"
Dokgo Seong's face showed genuine shock. He was so stunned he couldn't even hide his expression. He hesitated before saying,
"Is it perhaps because of Dokgo Jun, the Beast Heart Style's Dharma Guardian Lion?"
".......!!"
Dokgo Seong's face showed genuine shock. He was so stunned he couldn't even hide his expression. He hesitated before saying,
"You've investigated and come here knowing quite a bit about me."
"I already know that you and Dokgo Jun are cousins. I surmised he came to your hidden retreat and forced you into seclusion."
"Hmm... That's exactly right."
Dokgo Seong sighed and said,
"As things stand, there's no hope of the Thunder God Style standing against the White Lotus Cult on our own. Yi Cheong-un was the strongest Dharma Guardian Lion in our history, and even he fell—what can we do?"
"...I see."
Fundamentally, Dokgo Seong shared the same perspective as the Thunderclap Three Venerables. As former active elders of the Thunder God Style, they viewed the power gap between it and the White Lotus Cult more objectively than anyone. I looked at Dokgo Seong calmly and said,
"Even so, I wish to delve deeply into the Thunder God Style swordsmanship. In the world, you alone, Senior Dokgo Seong, can teach me."
"Eum... There was something unique in your swordsmanship realm."
"Even if Senior Dokgo Seong never steps into the martial world, if you teach me, wouldn't that greatly aid in reviving the Thunder God Style? Isn't that the duty you must fulfill as an elder of the school?"
"Revival..."
Dokgo Seong murmured, then asked me,
"Are you perhaps aiming to become the Thunder God Style's sect master?"
Sect master!
The term meant more than just a pinnacle expert of the school. It was the leadership position that commanded all the school's experts and masters—a role originally held concurrently by the Dharma Guardian Lion. But with the Thunder God Style fragmented and splintered, no one could claim the title lightly. Even that Lee Gwang had only attempted it after reaching an otherworldly level in his martial arts, and even then, he earned harsh criticism from the Thunderclap Three Venerables for falling short.
I shook my head.
"I know I am still greatly lacking. So I will only do what I can."
"And what is that?"
"I will uncover the White Lotus Cult's weaknesses and build the strength to oppose them."
"Eum... You could easily reign at the pinnacle of the martial world, yet you choose the thorny path."
"That is the duty of one inheriting the school's legacy."
"......"
Dokgo Seong's silence stretched on. After crossing his arms and pondering deeply, he
path.
"That is the duty of one inheriting the school's legacy."
"......"
Dokgo Seong's silence stretched on. After crossing his arms and pondering deeply, he uncrossed them and said,
"Very well. Then I will teach you. It feels like that's what I should do."
"Thank you."
Afterward, I briefly explained to Dokgo Seong how I'd ended up here. I had an initial master who taught me the basics of swordsmanship, spearmanship, and footwork before passing away, after which I'd gained a fortuitous encounter at the Wudang Sect and apprenticed under the Sword Demon of the Shadowless Gate to cultivate sword qi. Of course, the details were completely different, but since it wasn't entirely false, Dokgo Seong listened with keen interest.
He said,
"That Wudang Sect absolute art piques my curiosity greatly. What kind of martial art is it?"
"Would you care to exchange a dozen or so moves directly?"
"That sounds good."
Kiiing!
Sword gangs clashed like a torrent. Just like when I'd sparred with the Great Sword Gate Master in Luoyang, it was a single unchanging straight thrust, but unlike then, I felt an intense pressure surging right to my throat. Dokgo Seong's sword gang carried such profound and wondrous momentum that I couldn't neutralize it in time.
No doubt about it. Excluding the Dharma Guardian Lion, Dokgo Seong was one of the supreme experts.
pressure surging right to my throat. Dokgo Seong's sword gang carried such profound and wondrous momentum that I couldn't neutralize it in time.
No doubt about it. Excluding the Dharma Guardian Lion, Dokgo Seong was one of the supreme experts.
Soon, I saw lightning erupt from his blade with a roar, and I hurriedly adjusted the distance using Coiling Dragon Sword and Tianzhu Sword. Flashes exploded in place ten times over, and each time, I flipped my body precariously to barely fend them off.
Tadat
Even after merely exchanging a dozen moves, I felt utterly drained. And inwardly, I broke out in cold sweat as I thought,
'Just as the Sword Demon advised. Sword Thunder is truly terrifying.'
Sword Thunder!
It was a technique even the Sword Demon, who had reached otherworldly heights through the Wudang Sect's absolute art, had greatly feared. It went beyond merely emitting lightning from the sword, possessing outright lethal power—leaving no choice but to adjust distance and evade. It was a slaughter technique impossible to defend against.
Dokgo Seong's eyes gleamed as he said,
"You evaded my Sword Thunder. A sword path that freely manipulates space and distance... Profound and powerful indeed."
"Huu... I thought I was done for."
"That Wudang Sect absolute art is a transcendent martial art. I'd like you to teach it to me as well."
Unlike before, Dokgo Seong now showed greed for the Wudang Sect absolute art. Previously, he'd glanced at it with interest and moved on, but today there was emotion surpassing mere
"That Wudang Sect absolute art is a transcendent martial art. I'd like you to teach it to me as well."
Unlike before, Dokgo Seong now showed greed for the Wudang Sect absolute art. Previously, he'd glanced at it with interest and moved on, but today there was emotion surpassing mere curiosity. That was probably because the Dokgo Seong eight years from now had solidified his achievements, leaving no need to pursue other martial arts.
'What to do? Teaching the Wudang Sect absolute art to Dokgo Seong...'
Without a doubt, if he learned Jang Sam-bong's insights, Dokgo Seong would grow dramatically stronger. He might even surpass the Sword Demon of the past to become a transcendent supreme expert.
But what such a supreme expert Dokgo Seong would do, and whether I could control him, was utterly unpredictable. It would be one thing if he stayed hidden in the valley forever, but if he emerged into the world, who knew what would happen. The biggest issue was that there was scant trust between Dokgo Seong and me.
After a moment's thought, I said,
"Of course I can teach you. But in return, I ask one favor."
"What is it?"
"Dokgo Jun will come looking soon—please speak well of me to him."
"What do you mean by that?"
I told Dokgo Seong about the events in Luoyang. He listened to the end and said,
"So your plan is to become a disciple of the White Lotus Cult Leader."
"Yes. I believe that's the best way."
"Eum..."
Dokgo Seong let out a groan.
"I don't mind you impersonating my disciple. Seeing as you've honestly confessed it to me, I can tell you have no ulterior motives. The problem is I don't understand why you're going to such extremes to become the White Lotus Cult Leader's disciple."
I looked him straight in the eye and said,
"As you know, the Beast Heart Style harbors a massive secret. You're well aware, aren't you?"
"......"
"Especially, I believe there's something only the current White Lotus Cult Leader knows. No matter how genius he is, it's impossible for a human to unify the Four Great Styles and wield them freely at that level. I think becoming his disciple is the way to uncover what secrets and weaknesses he holds, allowing us to oppose the White Lotus Cult."
"Secrets... Eum..."
Dokgo Seong seemed to hesitate deeply. Then he said,
"Truth be told, I couldn't bear the weight of that secret and fled my clan. It's too profound and vast—perhaps beyond human strength to handle. And still, you want to become the White Lotus Cult Leader's disciple?"
What was this?
Startled, I said to Dokgo Seong,
vast—perhaps beyond human strength to handle. And still, you want to become the White Lotus Cult Leader's disciple?"
What was this?
Startled, I said to Dokgo Seong,
"What do you mean?"
With a dark expression, Dokgo Seong said,
"The current White Lotus Cult Leader is my uncle. Since he became the clan's sect master, the Beast Heart Style has changed greatly. I was so afraid of those changes that I joined the righteous Thunder God Style to pursue pure martial arts, but even after half a century, I still fear the secret he bears."
"What is that secret?"
"I'm not entirely sure, but... my uncle received help from something other than martial arts—a 'something.' The Beast Heart Style clan, excluding me, has ceased being human."
He let out a heavy sigh.
"As you think, uncovering the Beast Heart Style's secret may be the priority. But even for a transcendent expert like you, it'll be a thorny path so dangerous you could die midway without a word of complaint. Will you still become the White Lotus Cult Leader's disciple?"
"......"
I sensed something ominous in Dokgo Seong's words. But my resolve was already firm, so I nodded decisively.
"Of course. Even if it kills me, I will uncover that man's weaknesses and report them to you. If we can just topple the White Lotus Cult Leader, the rest can be handled somehow."
"Eum!!"
At that moment, Dokgo Seong's face showed deep emotion. The sight of a young Thunder God Style genius staking his life against fate seemed to move the elder profoundly.
"...Very well. Let's do it. From now on, I formally accept you as my disciple—our fates will be linked."
"Thank you."
I could tell a minimal foundation of trust had formed between Dokgo Seong and me. To save time, I explained in detail the chaos in my sword styles and the walls I faced in my martial arts. After hearing me out, Dokgo Seong said,
"Indeed, as you say, becoming the White Lotus Cult Leader's disciple may be the only way."
"Yes. An absolute being in martial arts could provide the help."
"Hmm, but somehow it feels like you have another plan."
"Pardon?"
Dokgo Seong smiled oddly and said,
"It's just a hunch, but you don't seem like you're relying on the White Lotus Cult Leader. Do you perhaps know of an absolute being on equal footing?"
"...You are correct."
I said to Dokgo Seong,
"It seems I could break through by borrowing the power of Sword Immortal Yeo Dong-bin."
"Ho!"
I presented the hypothesis that if Sword Immortal Yeo Dong-bin descended into my body and I learned his Heavenly Concealed Swordsmanship, it might shatter my current boundaries. I also mentioned receiving the Water Lord's blessing from him, but Dokgo Seong seemed to have little interest in sorcery.
Having listened, Dokgo Seong exclaimed in admiration,
"You show no signs of rejuvenation and look so young—what hellish battlefields have you traversed? You've accumulated experiences that would kill an ordinary person ten times over."
"...Well, after dying about sixteen times, anyone might."
"Ng?"
"It's nothing."
I shook my head and said,
"Anyway, what do you think?"
"Hmm..."
After pondering, Dokgo Seong finally said,
"I've thought of a perfect method. One that benefits us both."
"What method?"
I couldn't help but be shocked by Dokgo Seong's next words.
"Have Sword Immortal Yeo Dong-bin descend and spar with me."
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter