Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm

I continued receiving instruction in the Three Treasures Ultimate Arts from the Cult Leader starting the next day. After teaching me silently for about a month, the Cult Leader spoke.

[Baek Woong. Your memory is exceptional.]

I glanced at him upon hearing that. As he said, I always operated the Thunder Scripture whenever memorizing things, so my retention was outstanding. Even without using it, decades of practice had given me a memory far superior to an ordinary person's. That was how I could dredge up and understand events from past lives decades ago.

The Cult Leader continued.

[But your insight is quite lacking. Relatively speaking, compared to geniuses. Teaching you wears on me at times.]

"...……"

[Even so, it's amusing. Seeing you work hard without tricks.]

Was that a compliment?

[It'll take time for you to master the Three Treasures Ultimate Arts, but today I'll share the deeper insights I've gained into Jang Sambong's Seven Great Ultimate Arts.]

I brightened and replied.

"Yes!"

[The brilliance of the Three Treasures lies in harmoniously combining the three great essences of Turtle Shell Sword, Heavenly Pivot Sword, and Seven Stars Evasion Shadow to achieve perfect evasion. Moreover, its principles can be blended into offense and defense. In theory, fully mastering the Three Treasures makes it a peerless martial art with scarcely any rivals in the world.]

The Cult Leader's words flowed as he circulated his qi.

[That said, the same applies to the other Seven Great Ultimate Arts. I haven't grasped Unparalleled Tyrant yet, but I've discovered the others can be combined too.]

"...……!"

Other combinations were possible?!

I stared at him in shock, and he slowly extended his hand forward.

[Behold. This is what happens when you infuse extreme inner power into the Mysterious Heaven Five Gods Art.]

Thud!

Light gathered at his five fingers and shot forward. Finger qi formed and blasted out at terrifying speed, punching a hole in the stone wall six paces away. No explosive sound meant he'd precisely controlled the qi force. After demonstrating, the Cult Leader addressed me.

[Now watch closely what happens when combining the Mysterious Heaven Five Gods Art with Supreme Ultimate Willow Sword.]

Shing!

Once more, qi gathered at his fingers and scattered forward. Astonishingly, hundreds of spiderweb-like qi threads overlapped, weaving in all directions. They carved a massive go board into the stone wall.

"...……!!"

The technique had completely transformed!

I realized the terrifying variations embedded in it and shuddered.

'Could I have dodged that if it came at me...?'

It wasn't just crisscrossing horizontally and vertically. Amid the flashing intersections, further changes writhed, making real combat trajectories unpredictable. And he'd only fired it straight ahead—actually, it could be wielded with countless variations. As I swallowed hard, the Cult Leader said.

[As you see, it becomes a peerless art in itself. I haven't named it, but with further refinement, it could rival the Three Treasures Ultimate Arts.]

"I... really?"

[That's why Jang Sambong was a true immortal.]

Gazing at the sky with genuine admiration, the Cult Leader continued.

[The Seven Great Ultimate Arts each possess unique traits, and combining those traits yields new results without the slightest friction. This defies martial principles—meaning they've been forged into treasures through immense enlightenment. Perfect mastery would conquer the world with ease.]

"...……"

[I never met Jang Sambong, but he was truly a great warrior. One who appears but twice in millennia of martial history.]

I'd never heard the Cult Leader praise anyone so highly. He'd rated the Twelve Lords as equals but subtly treated them as inferior. Yet his tone toward Jang Sambong held pure awe and reverence beyond respect. It felt like glimpsing an unexpected side of him.

[Only Unparalleled Tyrant... I simply can't fathom it.]

"Unparalleled Tyrant can't be deciphered?"

[Correct. It's ambiguous for offense, defense, or evasion. Everything about it is inexplicable. It doesn't even mix with the other six. I've researched its purpose endlessly, to no avail.]

His words stirred past memories.

A domineering art unbelievable from Jang Sambong's hand.

When I'd only learned its forms, it felt that way—but to the Cult Leader, even that was mere surface. Simultaneously, I recalled Myeongryongga's words.

[Even I, who spent a lifetime on Wudang arts, might barely grasp Unparalleled Tyrant at life's end. None of us three could master it easily. It's brutally difficult.]

[Achieve Sword Heaven. Only then will you qualify to study Unparalleled Tyrant.]

[Somehow, I sense that harmoniously mastering the other six—including Seven Stars Evasion Shadow—is needed to even begin Unparalleled Tyrant.]

"...……"

From clues on Unparalleled Tyrant so far, I had the bare minimum qualifications to study it. I'd reached Sword Heaven, manifesting Intent Absolute Arts.

Yet Jin So-cheong's words rang true—I was still lacking. He'd inferred from gaining Three Treasures that harmonious mastery of the other six was key.

'I thought it irrelevant since I'd learned all Seven Great forms before. But...'

What if Jin So-cheong's "harmonious training of the six" meant absolute mastery, including all derived ultimate arts...?

I flinched!

Predicting that terrifying realm sent chills over my body. At the same time, I faintly sensed Unparalleled Tyrant's essence. Likely because I'd grappled with the Seven Great far longer than the Cult Leader.

The Cult Leader spoke.

[Baek Woong. I haven't told you this, but recently I've had Dokgo Jun-seok assist in researching the Seven Great Ultimate Arts.]

"What?!"

[Dokgo Jun is a martial prodigy too. This will accelerate our progress.]

I barely suppressed a scowl. Sharing the Seven Great was inevitable since he'd given them to me, but it spreading further twisted my gut. Even mentioning it felt petty, especially since I couldn't stop it anyway. Regardless, he continued.

[Dokgo Jun suggested yesterday that sharing with the other Guardians would be faster. He said solo research can't keep up with their depths.]

"No way..."

[Indeed. I plan to teach Han Baekryeong as well.]

Was he toying with me?

I couldn't hide my sour expression anymore.

"Do as you will, Cult Leader. How dare I interfere?"

[I'm not teasing you. Han Baekryeong is among Incarnation Style's top martial geniuses, enabling more efficient study. Still, it feels somewhat lacking.]

Catching his implication, I said.

"What must I do?"

[Bring someone.]

As expected.

For serious research, he needed greater talent—and was ordering me to fetch it. Staring him down, he said.

[The one to bring is Dokgo Seong—former Thunder God Style Guardian and our Water God Style clanman. He's secluded in Sichuan's Dragon King's Valley. Ride the Four Not Images statue and escort him here.]

"...……"

Dokgo Seong!

His sudden mention left me flustered. Why now? Then Jeokgal-sa cackled inwardly.

[Worth mentioning. He joined Thunder God Style late yet rose to top-tier expert instantly. A genius who mastered two styles simultaneously. Currently, the finest talent the Cult Leader could seek.]

[What now?]

[Accept immediately, and he'll suspect. Push back once.]

Following Jeokgal-sa's advice, I openly showed displeasure.

"Cult Leader. When you took me as subordinate, didn't you promise not to use me for gathering Thunder God Style?"

[I did.]

"I want no ties to Thunder God Style. If someone else can do it, please allow it."

[Heh...]

The Cult Leader chuckled lowly beneath his mask.

[It's not about Thunder God Style. Dokgo Seong was our clan's greatest martial talent—a nephew of mine. This is Water God Style and family business, so you have a duty.]

"Urk..."

[His current skill matches yours. Fight if needed, but try persuasion first.]

His assessment placed current Dokgo Seong at my level. Agreeing, I had no quarrel with that. Feigning resignation, I nodded and asked.

"Cult Leader. How did a Dokgo clan prodigy end up in Thunder God Style...?"

[He disliked my path to strength. People differ. Had he obeyed, he'd be Water God Style Guardian now—not Dokgo Jun.]

"...……!!"

That exceptional?

'Thunder God Style's prime truly gathered geniuses and prodigies.'

As I pondered, he said.

[One more task. Listen well.]

"Yes."

[Success or failure with Seong, afterward go to the Imperial Palace and deliver this letter to Inner Yellow Horn Master Jeokgal Bu.]

He clearly had no intent to force Dokgo Seong by force. In other words, he respected him somewhat, and Unparalleled Tyrant research wasn't urgent.

Swish.

He tossed a red-sealed parchment via void grasp. It bore an ominous, unknown aura. Curious, I asked.

"Just deliver it? What's inside...?"

[No need to know.]

So firm. Scratching my head, I asked.

"Then... get a reply from Jeokgal Bu...?"

[No. Deliver and return.]

"...Yes."

"Today's discussion ends. You have three days' grace. Complete both tasks by then."

Whoosh!

He vanished the instant he finished. Clutching the letter, I stood dazed until Jeokgal-sa's voice snapped me out.

[What are you doing? Move.]

[Right, Dokgo Seong...]

[Foo? He gave grace on purpose—why rush? Go to Astana's Prophet first. It won't take long.]

True.

Flash!

I rode the Four Not Images to Astana as advised. Entering the grand building and dismounting, the Prophet appeared as before.

[Human...]

"Prophet. I came to trade!"

[Trade...?]

I nodded.

"You know the Water God's Demonic Grimoire? I found its location—and offer that info in trade!!"

[Hmm...]

He seemed intrigued. Silent in the darkness for a while, he replied.

[If true, I'm willing.]

"Good! Then I have questions about the contract via that Water God's Demonic Grimoire."

[I don't know you, but must I answer all? Need commensurate payment. Location alone insufficient...]

I grinned confidently.

"Payment? Fine. I'll add secrets of Heavenly Lord Taeheo."

[Taeheo Heavenly Lord...? Why...]

"I offered. Weigh the value and choose."

He hesitated. Then:

[...Agreed. Feels like a loss, but I'll share info.]

Yes!

Soon, I revealed what Taeheo Heavenly Lord hid in the Seven Desires contract—especially on demand—drawing from my past life's knowledge. The Prophet shuddered his tentacles in shock, glaring.

[That brand... A reincarnator...]

"So what? I gave what you wanted."

[True... Acceptable...]

I waved it off.

"I gave info. Your turn."

[Fine. Ask about that contract... I'll advise.]

I confided my suspicions on White Lotus Cult Leader, Heavenly Spirit Pill, and its contract. The calm listener replied.

[That White Lotus Cult Leader... mad. Only possible because humans are chaos beings drawing Father's interest...?]

"What's the link between Heavenly Spirit Pill and Water God?"

[Slave contract.]

Bluntly, he continued.

[I know without seeing details—thanks to my Water God and demonic lore. Likely, Water God relays to Chaos Throne: half soul to Throne, half to him. Usually trades sacrifices for treasures, but he appended terms for infinite inner power...]

Half soul to Chaos Throne, half to Water God. Mulling it, I tilted my head.

"So he sold his soul to a god. Don't warlocks do that?"

[No...]

His next words stunned me.

[Souls devoured by Water God end in brief agony... But those absorbed by the great one—Father's Throne—endure eternal despair to universe's end... Even [Ancient Rulers] would pity them. A stupid, foolish contract no warlock would dare.]

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