Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

Tszzt!

The moment Yeo Dongbin possessed me and got ready, Yi Cheongwoon unleashed Thunder God Soul to burrow in and targeted Yeo Dongbin's throat with his sword finger. It was a simple technique, just like when he had sparred with me, but that sword finger thrust held a killing power that almost no one in the world could block. Even a Dharma Protector Lion would have no choice but to take the hit.

But Yeo Dongbin was different.

Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship

Moon Crossing Realm Piercer

His vision and senses freely detected the enemy within the extreme moment of time, allowing not even the slightest gap. He was the one who had previously struck down the countless strands of energy extending from Infinite Sky Demon in his battle against the White Lotus Cult Leader. Moon Crossing Realm Piercer served as his senses and eyes, functioning as Moon Crossing Heaven's Eye, and Yeo Dongbin lightly moved his sword to deflect Yi Cheongwoon's thrust.

Clang!

Even as sword met finger, it rang out like iron blocks colliding. That was because Yi Cheongwoon had concentrated the power of Thunder God Soul into his finger.

Seeing his first attack fail, Yi Cheongwoon raised his spear. He then once more thunder-transformed his body, entering a combat stance.

Thunder God Soul

Heavenly Thunder Limitless Spear

Lightning twisted as Yi Cheongwoon's assault began. Blue lightning sparked, suddenly distorting the air and spawning countless whirlpools.

Barrier

Converging Form

Heavenly Scripture Boiling Slash

"......?!"

What the hell was that?!

The barrage of lightning orbs pouring down in an instant was a mix of so many martial arts that it was impossible to tell. He could grasp that it was an application of Heavenly Thunder Limitless Spear's ultimate techniques at its core, but as it flowed irregularly into Barrier with endless variations, it was utterly incomprehensible. I was bewildered, but Yeo Dongbin, inhabiting my body, showed not a shred of agitation as he slowly circulated his sword formula.

Six Intents Star Heaven Art

Sea Formula

Sword formulas rippled out like a dancing sea. Yi Cheongwoon's initial thunder spear spun with terrifying momentum in its assault, but as it was enveloped by the Sea Sword Formula, it lost its power. Then lightning orbs surrounded me like exploding fireworks, unleashing hundreds of strikes.

Piping!

A thunder dragon surging like a geyser in the ocean depths!

That was how to describe the current clash of ultimate techniques. Yi Cheongwoon's form was completely invisible as Yeo Dongbin repelled the infinite thunder dragons with formless sword arts. Hundreds of attacks poured out and retracted in a single exchange—it was clearly a contest of their enlightenments.

Boom

Suddenly, in one instant, the blue lightning reverted to Yi Cheongwoon's body, and he thrust a straight punch right in front of me. It looked like a surprise attack, but in truth, Yeo Dongbin had detected the assault with Moon Crossing Heaven's Eye and tried to behead Yi Cheongwoon, who countered the counter with a fist half-clenched, twisting the technique.

Kwaang

Kwaang

Each time Yi Cheongwoon's hand struck toward my throat, Yeo Dongbin parried it one by one, and explosive blasts of qi echoed with every clash. I realized with inner awe that Yi Cheongwoon wasn't just freely wielding the Eight Methods of spear arts but was also seamlessly incorporating advanced martial intricacies I didn't know. The very rhythm of this martial dance was something my own skills could never match.

Thud

Had we exchanged around three hundred moves like that?

Yi Cheongwoon halted his offense and reverted to human form. Dusting off his hands, he gave a wry smile.

"You're really going easy on me. As expected of a Combat Immortal."

Going easy?

I couldn't detect any such hint in that fight at all, but Yeo Dongbin replied as if it were obvious.

[ I need only strike with full power against demons. How could I fight with killing intent when your thunder soul is so wicked sorcery? ]

"I do have my own killing moves, but they don't seem to work at all. That 'eye' of yours is truly remarkable."

[...... ]

Yi Cheongwoon muttered, then wore a strange expression as he spoke.

"But is that swordsmanship truly creating something from nothing?"

What kind of question was that?

The comrades watching from the sidelines looked puzzled. But only Yeo Dongbin seemed to understand, his expression growing grave for a moment before he replied.

[ It's merely a realm arbitrarily defined by the human martial world. My formless sword cannot be described in clumsy words. ]

"I see. Nothing is something, something births, birth is enlightenment... Truly the swordsmanship of an immortal."

[ If you understand, then you should pursue the realm of formlessness yourself. ]

"Hahaha! Don't tease me. The Sword Immortal's formlessness and my martial arts have different endpoints."

Yi Cheongwoon laughed heartily before saying,

"Yeo Dongbin. You must know that Baek Woong's martial vessel has only about ten years left."

[ Of course. ]

"There's only one way. Strengthen your Heavenly Escape Sword even further... Can you do that?"

[ It's possible. ]

Yeo Dongbin affirmed Yi Cheongwoon's words but added a caveat.

[ However! It is merely a delay at best. And unless you offer lifespan as the price, pay a commensurate tribute to me. ]

"Understood. I'll discuss it with Baek Woong."

[ That was an enjoyable bout. ]

Swoosh...

Yeo Dongbin's possession ended. The moment the match concluded, the massive drain on my inner energy left me utterly exhausted, and I dropped to my knees in the training ground.

"Huff, haa... haa..."

We'd only exchanged three hundred moves, yet it felt like I'd been running nonstop for seven days straight. Clashing at the Absolute Realm had pushed my mind and qi to their extremes. As I knelt there, Yi Cheongwoon approached and said,

"Baek Woong. You know what I just meant, right?"

I wiped the sweat from my chin and replied,

"Yes, I do. Archmage Jang Sam-bong told me."

I remembered.

In my past life, when Archmage Jang Sam-bong had taught me martial arts, he had said,

[ The vessel you forcibly sealed with Yeo Dongbin's immortal sword will soon fill up. Not just the Seven Ultimate Arts, but each of the Eight Derivative Possibilities are peerless divine skills honed by geniuses. It's impossible for you to master them all. ]

[ The fundamental solution is to reinforce the Heavenly Escape Sword embedded in your soul. But only Yeo Dongbin in this world can do that. All I can do is expand your vessel slightly and delay the limit... ]

[ My child. First, I'll bestow my blessing to grant you about ten years of training delay. From now on, I'll teach you the Seven Ultimate Arts to the utmost, but I hope you'll control your own training later. Otherwise, cracks will form in your vessel, and madness will invade your mind. If you wish to avoid true demonic possession, heed my words. ]

That's right. After the Seven Ultimate Arts, I'd gained the immense fortuitous encounter of the Eight Immortal Divine Arts, but my talent's vessel was far too meager to assimilate it. Thus, even Yeo Dongbin's immortal sword, which had been steadying the chaos of formlessness, was approaching its limit. The only way to resolve it was to strengthen the immortal sword—and only Yeo Dongbin could do that.

Fortunately, Yeo Dongbin had given a positive response that he could strengthen it, so all that remained was convincing him. Yi Cheongwoon stroked his chin and said,

"I think it would be best to offer him the treasures you currently possess as tribute. Even if you call your life worthless, casually offering lifespan isn't wise."

"Agreed."

"And one more thing... The limit of your vessel seems to have more room left than expected."

"Pardon?"

"In that spar just now, it seemed like you couldn't grasp most of my variations and ultimate techniques."

I nodded reluctantly.

"You're right."

"You've had transcendent powerhouses possess you and fight multiple times, but you lack the capacity to assimilate that combat experience. But even failing to recognize the techniques of someone like me, a fellow Thunder God practitioner... Your soul couldn't keep up with my variations and failed about, so Yeo Dongbin had to forcibly rein it in—it was obvious."

"......"

Exactly. I'd tried to focus my mind a bit during the possession to experience the Absolute Realm myself, but it had only hindered Yeo Dongbin. Yi Cheongwoon must have sensed it with his unique perception.

"You need to train longer in Thunder God techniques. A solid foundation is required to ascend."

"Hmm... My training has been lacking."

I understood what Yi Cheongwoon meant. In other words, while Jang Sam-bong had said my capacity limit was ten years, in reality, more than that remained because my understanding of Thunder God arts was lacking. It was good news in a way, but it indirectly pointed out my training deficiencies up to now, making my face burn.

Yi Cheongwoon chuckled.

"Don't be too disappointed. It's just that the Absolute Realm and Thunder God practitioner standards are exceptionally high—you're plenty an expert. Besides, you rarely devoted yourself solely to martial training during your reincarnations, did you?"

"What should I do going forward?"

"Consult with Zhuge first. We need to decide what tribute to offer Yeo Dongbin."

We went to Zhuge and explained the situation. Zhuge thought for a moment before replying,

"Yi Cheongwoon. I'm not a martial artist, so I don't get it, but how many hurdles does Baek Woong have left to reach the Absolute Realm?"

"Even if Baek Woong has reached the brink of Transcendent peak, there are still at least five hurdles to the Absolute Realm. That's why the martial world is so vast and profound. And considering how much he benefits from his massive inner energy, he's still far off."

"Why is it so complicated?"

Zhuge grumbled before saying,

"No helping it, then. Rather than casually offering tribute in a possessed state, we have no choice but to do it properly with due rite as a formal offering ritual. That should be more efficient..."

"Got it."

Flash!

I arrived at Mangryang Seosan's village loaded with treasures. I met Cheon Woojin and told him I was there for the offering ritual. His gaunt face looked displeased as he said,

"...Must it be here? Since your soul-link with Yeo Dongbin is connected, you could offer it directly..."

"Offering with heavenly rites sends more back to Yeo Dongbin."

"Sigh... Follow me."

As Mangryang had said. He'd apparently arranged it beforehand, so Cheon Woojin agreed to do it without haggling over payment.

I prepared for the hand-offering ritual and immediately summoned Yeo Dongbin from the start.

"Come forth, Yeo Dongbin!"

Flash!

Yeo Dongbin appeared above the altar and said,

[ What a hassle you're making... ]

"I'm making sure you don't complain later and take good care of it."

[ How materialistic. ]

Who are you calling materialistic!

I ground my teeth inwardly but first presented the tributes to Yeo Dongbin.

"Here—Silver Phoenix Carving, Yodo Muramasa, gold and silver ingots, hide peeled from the Moon Beast, and Crescent Blade. This should be enough, right?"

It felt like dumping everything except the essentials. Especially those gold and silver ingots seized from the pirates—I hated to part with them since they'd help expand my funds. But without showing regret, I looked at Yeo Dongbin. He stared down impassively before speaking.

[ Sufficient. ]

"Ooh, then the immortal sword reinforcement..."

[ But this... why did you put it up? ]

Humm

Yeo Dongbin exerted mystical power, floating the Silver Phoenix Carving onto his spirit palm. He gazed at it with clear displeasure. Puzzled, I tilted my head and said,

"Huh? I don't really know what it is, but it seemed like treasure, so I thought you'd like it..."

[ Hmph. ]

"......"

Curiosity piqued, I asked,

"What exactly is it?"

[ This is... ]

Yeo Dongbin hesitated as if reluctant to answer, then said,

[ A treasure held by the Bohai royal family. I have bad blood with them, so I don't want it. ]

He openly turned his head away, clearly hating the Silver Phoenix Carving.

"Bad blood?"

[ No need to explain. ]

It seemed like no ordinary grudge. I hurriedly retrieved the Silver Phoenix Carving from the altar, and only then did Yeo Dongbin accept the tributes, emitting bright light.

[ I shall reinforce the immortal sword to stabilize your vessel. ]

Flaaash!

I distinctly felt my mind clearer than before. At the same time, something like a gleaming white blade flickered within me. The blade quietly rested in the darkness of my heart, exuding an extraordinary pressure.

'This is the immortal sword?'

With the deed done, I returned to Jangryeong Valley. I reported to Zhuge, who said with interest,

"Bohai royalty?"

"That's what he said."

"Give me the Silver Phoenix Carving."

Zhuge examined it from all angles before saying,

"Looks like we need to investigate this item's origins in detail..."

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