Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm

The next day, the transmission of the Thunder God Sword Dance began. Dokgo Seong personally handed Cheongwol a porridge made from ground grass roots and said,

"The quintessence of the Thunder God Style swordsmanship, the Thunder God Sword Dance, unlike extremely practical spear arts, developed as part of sacrificial rites. It is the ultimate expression of reverence to the gods, infused with Heavenly Thunder Qi. Mastering it proves one possesses the qualities of a high priest and qualifies them to become the leader of the White Lotus Cult."

I had heard this explanation before. So I asked the question that had long piqued my curiosity.

"If that's the case, does that mean other martial styles also have ritual arts like the Thunder God Sword Dance?"

"Indeed."

Dokgo Seong stared at Cheongwol, who was forcing down the grass root porridge with great difficulty. Cheongwol looked like he desperately wanted meat, but as Dokgo Seong had suggested, he needed to eat the porridge to restore his body and mind. Only after Cheongwol had consumed more than half did Dokgo Seong finally turn his head.

"To be precise, the spirit-summoning sword arts exist in all four great martial styles. And the masters of each lineage are obligated to pass them only to their successors."

Hwajin-seong of the Incarnation Style probably knew something similar.

"Now, let's begin with the forms."

The Thunder God Sword Dance consisted of a total of twelve forms, which was fairly standard. It didn't have the numerous variations of other sword arts, nor any bizarre stances. At first glance, it seemed like just an ordinary sword art, but I could tell it was different in practice.

"Heavenly Thunder Qi!"

Each seemingly ordinary movement required the emission of Heavenly Thunder Qi to connect properly. In other words, it was an art that could unleash its full power only under the assumption that one had mastered Heavenly Thunder Qi. After practicing the forms all day following Dokgo Seong, I felt like I had grasped them to some extent.

Dokgo Seong spoke.

"The key lies in how freely you can wield the Heavenly Thunder Qi. Only when the sword thunder responds to your mere will, even at rest, can you claim to have achieved great success in the Thunder God Sword Dance."

"How long does it take to achieve great success?"

"Well... for a talented individual who trains diligently, it would take about ten years."

Ten years!

It felt like a considerable time, but considering the Thunder God Sword Dance was the pinnacle supreme art of the Thunder God Style swordsmanship, it wasn't all that long. Its actual difficulty was probably mid-level or upper-mid-level, nothing beyond the ordinary.

'I'll need to allocate twenty years for it.'

As I pondered this, Dokgo Seong said,

"I'll provide detailed tips and guidance according to your progress in the Thunder God Sword Dance. Don't worry—study under me, and before long, you'll grasp the essence of the Thunder God Style swordsmanship."

"Yes, thank you."

It felt a bit deflating that the supreme sword art of the Thunder God Style wasn't all that difficult to learn, but in truth, this was only natural. It would be absurd for the art that qualified one to become a high priest and leader of the White Lotus Cult to have an overwhelmingly high difficulty. Instead, Dokgo Seong, who had elevated this Thunder God Sword Dance into his own style and become an absolute peak expert, was the truly remarkable one.

Once my training ended, I spent the remaining time teaching Dokgo Seong and Cheongwol Jang Sambong's ultimate arts. Just like with the Sword Demon, the two experts seemed repeatedly swept away in awe.

"This is an incredible art!"

"Indeed..."

Even though I had only shown them the surface, the profound aura of the arts had evidently moved them. Seeing their eyes fill with childlike fascination, I knew they would dive into training with unparalleled passion.

Out of curiosity, I asked them,

"How does Jang Sambong's ultimate art compare to the White Lotus Cult Leader's martial prowess?"

"Hmm..."

Cheongwol looked troubled, while Dokgo Seong fell deep into thought. Then Dokgo Seong spoke.

"I can't put it into words."

"Why is that?"

"Because both are absolute realms of martial arts beyond our level of description. It's as ridiculous as debating the summit from the foot of the mountain."

Dokgo Seong muttered bitterly before continuing,

"But if one achieves great success in all six of Jang Sambong's ultimate arts and integrates them, they might even stand a chance against the Cult Leader. This art feels limitless as well."

It was an encouraging statement, but my heart didn't lighten. In another light, it meant the current White Lotus Cult Leader's martial arts were on par with Dae Ra Immortal's. No, if they truly clashed, it would be impossible to say which was superior. He was truly a monstrous superhuman.

For the next two months or so, I trained alongside the Thunder God Style experts. Dokgo Seong taught me the Thunder God Sword Dance with all his effort, and in return, I passed on Jang Sambong's ultimate arts to them. Days and nights were filled with nothing but researching and discussing martial arts.

Then, on the third month, Dokgo Seong brought it up.

"You seem to have completely familiarized yourself with the forms of the Thunder God Sword Dance. From today, I'll teach you how to generate sword thunder."

Ziling

At that moment, lightning sparked from the tip of Dokgo Seong's sword. It was a common phenomenon for those who circulated Thunder God Style internal energy and had achieved Thunder Spirit attainment, but Dokgo Seong's sword thunder carried an overwhelming presence on another level. The brilliant lightning had coalesced into a distinct circular form.

"This is sword thunder. It is the ultimate attack technique achievable through the Thunder God Sword Dance."

"Is sword thunder different from sword aura?"

"What a strange question."

Dokgo Seong replied curtly.

"Whether sword thunder or sword aura, both are intent-based absolute techniques that manifest the imagination. Well, if I must point out a difference, it's that sword thunder can be imbued with attributes."

"The attribute of lightning, you mean?"

"Ugh... You're trying to understand advanced martial arts stages far too simplistically."

He scratched his head vigorously, pondering deeply. Then he said,

"Seeing is worth a thousand words. Come, let's clash your sword aura against my sword thunder."

As he requested, I channeled sword aura energy into my sword. My sword aura faintly resonated with Thunder Spirit, but it didn't take on as distinct a form as Dokgo Seong's sword thunder. Moments later, we exchanged an explosive swift sword strike while holding our breaths.

Kagang!

"......?!"

In just one exchange, I watched my sword snap in half and fly backward. There was no reason my internal energy infused in the sword aura should have been inferior, yet the moment it touched the sword thunder, the sword aura was sliced clean through like tofu. As I stood stunned, Dokgo Seong grinned.

"In actual combat, you wouldn't take it head-on like that. With variations, it wouldn't cut through. But sword thunder at its extreme realm possesses the power to sever anything—sword aura or whatever."

"In our last spar, it didn't have this kind of power..."

"Why would I use a killing blow on my own disciple?"

Dokgo Seong muttered as he sheathed his sword.

"Besides, if I intended to end it, I would have used it ages ago."

"......"

Dokgo Seong had been holding back considerably from the start. As expected of the Thunder God Style's current foremost expert. As I stiffened, Dokgo Seong said,

"Sword thunder isn't simply condensing Thunder Spirit energy. To put it another way, it is the lightning of thought."

"Thought..."

"What is sword aura? It is the most efficient and powerful attack method created not from qi, but from intent. Its power and form evoke the image of a starry cluster, hence called 'aura' (罡). Likewise, sword thunder merely resembles lightning, but its essence is entirely different."

He clasped his hands together and said,

"Create lightning within your mind. That lightning is the fastest, strongest, and freest in the world. Deeply think of the Thunder God Sword Dance as the most suitable training to nurture the lightning in your heart."

"Understood."

In essence, the Thunder God Sword Dance was a sword form for cultivating sword thunder!

That explained why, despite the forms being quick to learn, it took at least ten years to achieve great success. One needed ample time to develop and refine their own sword thunder based on the Thunder God Sword Dance.

Achieving great success in sword thunder was undoubtedly the superior evolution of sword aura!

There was no doubt it represented the pinnacle realm of Thunder God Style swordsmanship.

I meditated tirelessly trying to create sword thunder, then out of curiosity asked Dokgo Seong,

"But if sword thunder is such an extraordinary realm, how could spear arts surpass it? I can't comprehend it."

Sword thunder's offensive power was truly tremendous. Dokgo Seong had forced the Sword Demon into mutual destruction using sword thunder and cleaved through dozens of zhang of demonic worm in a single strike. Among all the martial arts I had witnessed, it possessed the highest offensive power, and even Lee Gwang's Thunder Sphere Formation would pale before extreme sword thunder.

Yet the Thunder God Style swordsmanship, which possessed this sword thunder realm, had been overwhelmingly defeated by spear arts!

I simply couldn't fathom the reason.

Dokgo Seong replied with a slightly uncomfortable expression.

"Because spear arts also have the sword thunder realm."

"Pardon?"

"To be precise, it is called Heavenly Thunder in spear arts and understood as the ultimate principle of the Thunder God Style's supreme realm. In other words, masters of the Heavenly Thunder Ultimate Spear inevitably reach the realm of generating the lightning of the mind. However, the problem is that spear arts have no weak phases on the path to that realm and consistently display overwhelming power."

"......"

"Even the Heavenly Thunder itself is achievable through the Ghost Sect's Taoist arts."

It was news to me.

"Of course, among the current surviving Thunder God Style practitioners, only a tiny few have reached the Heavenly Thunder realm. Even the Wall Thunder Three Venerables, including that Cheongwol fellow, haven't attained it."

"What do you mean? Are you saying there were more who reached the Heavenly Thunder realm in the Thunder God Style's prime?"

Dokgo Seong nodded.

"Of course. In my generation and Lee Cheong-un's, there were at least three or four. They were probably all killed or went into hiding during the Thunder God Style purge."

"Hmm..."

"I joined the Thunder God Style because I was captivated by that supreme martial prowess."

It was unexpected information. If Dokgo Seong was telling the truth, the Thunder God Style in its prime had three or four absolute peak experts who far surpassed the current Wall Thunder Three Venerables. Comparing them to the world's martial forces made my legs tremble.

'With the Thunder God Style's power alone in its prime, they could have easily annihilated the Nine Great Sects.'

And the Cult Leader had purged such supreme Thunder God Style experts. It was no wonder the survivors feared the White Lotus Cult so much.

Suddenly, I recalled the Heavenly Firmament Spear that Lee Gwang had used when he was active in reviving the Thunder God Style.

'Perhaps the Heavenly Firmament Spear was part of the Heavenly Thunder realm?'

The Heavenly Firmament Spear contained not only Jang Sambong's space-distorting principles but also another ferocious flow. Back then, my level was too low to properly discern it.

But hearing Dokgo Seong's words, it was clear: at that time, Lee Gwang had elevated his martial prowess to comprehend Heavenly Thunder and used that power to effortlessly pierce through the Wind God Style guardian deity Yong Bi-cheon's protective aura, severing his arm. Dokgo Seong's claim that even spear art masters inevitably reached Heavenly Thunder rang true.

"Then, Master, have you reached the extreme of the Heavenly Thunder realm?"

At my question, Dokgo Seong looked embarrassed.

"If I had, not even the Great Luo Immortal could have defeated Yeo Dong-bin so pitifully. I still can't even match a fraction of Lee Cheong-un's prowess."

Dokgo Seong was a man without pointless pride. Having devoted his life to perfecting his martial arts, his self-assessment was naturally objective. But his humility only frustrated me further, and I muttered,

"To think a human could be that strong..."

"My junior brother, the guardian deity Lee Cheong-un, was an unparalleled genius and the only expert who could stand against the White Lotus Cult Leader. He is believed to have been the first in Thunder God Style history to surpass the Heavenly Thunder realm."

"What realm is that?"

"I don't know. I can only speculate it's the absolute realm, but it's too far beyond my level to comprehend."

"Hmm..."

"Enough chit-chat."

Dokgo Seong said sharply with piercing eyes.

"You can't even beat me, let alone Lee Cheong-un. Focus on your training."

"...Yes."

He hit the nail on the head. I was nowhere near the level to discuss the legendary Thunder God Style guardian deity. If I went all-out in a life-or-death battle with the Dokgo Seong before me, I'd undoubtedly be torn apart and killed within three hundred exchanges. Even if I resolved to die and unleashed Great Luo Annihilation Formation and Thunder Command, the outcome would be the same death—what would be the point?

As I shuffled back to training, Dokgo Seong continued from the side.

"And in one month, we'll pause training briefly to seek out the Mount Tai Old Man. Keep that in mind."

"Pardon? Already?"

When I questioned him, Dokgo Seong nodded.

"Cheongwol seems to have recovered much of his weakened body and mind. It's about time we track down the Mount Tai Old Man and punish him."

"I feel it's still too early..."

"Any later would be problematic. To revive the Thunder God Style, we need to at least locate the other survivors. Finding the Mount Tai Old Man serves that greater purpose more than anything."

"......"

The day had come, as expected. Dokgo Seong, having trained in the Wudang Sect's ultimate arts, had gained some confidence and was now driven by his duty as a Thunder God Style guardian. His goal was naturally the revival of the Thunder God Style, so it was only natural he'd want to know where the survivors were.

"What to do?"

If I shared my knowledge and wisdom with him, the Thunder God Style would flourish in an instant. It would become a far more powerful force than before and could even gain independence from the White Lotus Cult. But I already knew it would end in tragic futility, leaving me torn.

After a moment, I took a gamble.

"Master, I have something to say."

"What is it?"

I looked him straight in the eye and said,

"I believe the White Lotus Cult Leader's true intent is to obtain the Thunder God Style's ultimate quintessence. Without it, reviving the Thunder God Style is meaningless. Because without it, we'll endlessly be drawn into the Cult Leader's demonic grasp and devoured."

Flinch!

Dokgo Seong reacted violently. He seemed shocked beyond hiding his expression. He bellowed,

"Ultimate quintessence?! Who told you about that?!"

"......"

I silently pulled the obsidian from my bosom and offered it to him. The obsidian extracted from the bronze mirror was now depleted, so I needed to mine more soon. I continued, staring directly at Dokgo Seong.

"Will you view my memories?"

I had no choice but to gamble.

I needed to gather as many allies and forces as possible before reuniting with Mangryang. If I let Dokgo Seong act freely for the Thunder God Style's revival in this situation, disaster would follow. I didn't fully trust him yet, but I had to gamble on making him a true ally.

Dokgo Seong glared at me murderously before placing his hand on the obsidian.

Woong!

"......!!"

Dokgo Seong absorbed the memories briefly and became dazed. He seemed plunged into confusion after reading my memories up to now. Then, as if incredulous, he spoke.

"Reincarnator... So that's why your external achievements and talents didn't match up."

"Yes."

I knelt, formed a fist salute, and replied.

"Having seen my memories, you should know that even if we revive the Thunder God Style, we'll still need to yield the ultimate quintessence to fulfill the Cult Leader's goal. He deliberately spared the Thunder God Style to obtain it. Rash actions could lead to our complete annihilation."

"......"

"As long as you, Lee Gwang, and Jin So-cheong remain, we can rise anytime. Now is the time to build strength."

Dokgo Seong fell silent for a long while.

Then he said,

"I don't understand. You're already one of the world's top absolute peak experts, erudite in medicine and various fields. With your treasures and knowledge, you could live in luxury anytime, yet you don't seem driven to witness the limits of martial arts. Why are you fighting for over a century against colossal powers like the Heavenly Realm or the Imperial Palace?"

I smiled bitterly and replied,

"Because I lack the confidence to endure the tyranny of some transcendent entity for eternity."

"You're seeking a way to counter it by confirming the lid of that Beyond Heaven?"

"Even if it takes centuries, I will."

"What a guy..."

Dokgo Seong muttered in exasperation before saying,

"Fine. It's an offer too hard to refuse anyway, so I'll accept. From now on, I'll be your ally and fight alongside you."

"Thank you."

I breathed a sigh of relief. Dokgo Seong had accepted surprisingly straightforwardly.

"But there's a price. You must grant it without fail."

"What is it?"

Dokgo Seong emphasized forcefully,

"Use the power of the gods to kill the White Lotus Cult Leader!"

Assassinate the White Lotus Cult Leader using the Reversal Authority?

It was a price I hadn't even imagined. As I stood blankly, Dokgo Seong grinned.

"Just eliminate the Cult Leader. Everything else will work itself out."

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