Reincarnation Sword God

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00542 Dark Heaven Village

From that day onward, I continuously practiced the Thunder Dragon Sword’s basic technique and repeatedly accepted the Thunderbolt Technique, all while honing my swordsmanship with greater precision. Although I had mastered many sword techniques, I had never fully grasped their essence, leaving me feeling like an empty vessel as I delved deeper into the intricacies of swordsmanship. With my immense internal power and the might of the Cave-Collapsing Sword, I wasn’t overwhelmed by opponents of lesser stature, but when facing a peak master, it was an entirely different story.

On the day when a month had passed since I began my training, Dokgo Seong exclaimed in astonishment, “You truly possess incredible internal strength and stamina!”

“Is that so?” I replied.

“You’ve hardly taken a ten-minute break. It must be the result of converting your internal power into stamina, making it seem like you don’t even have a limit…”

As he marveled, Dokgo Seong continued, “But there are traces of other sects in your swordsmanship; what’s that all about?”

“……”

“You should tell me this so I can help you progress faster.”

I discreetly used a suspicious fishhook technique to contact Lee Cheong-un for advice. He said,
[It’s fine to pass on the Cave-Collapsing Sword to your senior. It’s okay to share the Seven Great Techniques or the Eight Immortal Divine Art as well.]
[But might Dokgo Seong turn out to be a significant variable later on?]
[My senior won’t step into the world until he reaches his absolute peak. And even if he does, he will undoubtedly be on my side.]
[Hmm… I see. Then why did you say not to give him the obsidian?]
[I’ll explain that once you finish your training there. Anyway, for now, you can’t give him the obsidian.]

[Understood.]

Following Lee Cheong-un’s advice, I explained the Cave-Collapsing Sword to Dokgo Seong. He was taken aback.

“Wow! Such a sword technique…”

He seemed lost in thought as he memorized the basics. Then, with a voice filled with skepticism, he asked, “You’ve learned such a peerless technique, yet you’re still studying the Thunder God School’s swordsmanship? Why?”

“The more sword techniques I learn, the broader my horizons become. Furthermore, even the best techniques from external schools belong to the Thunder God lineage, and I am destined to master this path.”

Seemingly satisfied with my answer, Dokgo Seong said, “Alright. I’ll keep a closer eye on your training. And whenever you can, share the Cave-Collapsing Sword with me.”

“Yes.”

Buuuuuung
Buuuuuuung

From that moment on, I dedicated myself to training for nearly three months straight. I had committed to a relentless repetition without a moment of rest, all while forecasting the faintest spark of inspiration. Another month later, Dokgo Seong remarked, “It seems you’ve gathered enough Thunder Energy. But your mental focus appears to be lacking, preventing you from taking that final step.”

“Mental focus?”

“Didn’t you say the Thunderbolt is the lightning of thought? It requires a strong mental capacity. Not only that, you need a Natural Spirit Energy that can convert into thunder; that’s the unique aspect.”

Dokgo Seong continued with a light explanation. “What is lightning? What is the strongest thunder technique in the world? You need to materialize the strongest lightning in your mind. However, it appears you lack sufficient contemplation on the matter.”

“The strongest lightning…”

I pondered for a moment before speaking. “Are you suggesting I need to build confidence?”

“…That could be similar, but truly consider what mental focus means.”

Dokgo Seong clenched his fist tightly and declared, “Improving your focus allows you to accomplish even this. Just like with ancient techniques.”

With a crash!

In that instant, several large branches behind Dokgo Seong lost their shape and crumbled. He had created a massive intangible fist with his concentration, applying pressure to the space around him. He dusted his hands and said, “You can achieve this too. However, when actually fighting with martial arts, indirect attacks like this aren’t often used, and instead, focus is mixed into basic techniques to enhance them. Why do you think that is?”

I calmly answered, knowing full well, “Because the mental energy consumption is too great. It doesn’t balance out to be used only with mental force.”

“Exactly. That’s the answer. But why is the consumption so high?”

“Because it’s tremendously difficult to interfere with this world using only mental strength. Intangible fists like that don’t exist in nature.”

Dokgo Seong nodded in agreement. “Then… would creating lightning, a natural phenomenon that exists from the start, be difficult too?”

“……”

“The reason you gathered Thunder Energy from practicing the Thunder Dragon Sword was to lower that difficulty. In other words, materializing the concept of [lightning] has become easier because the Thunder Energy within you acts as a medium.”

His eyes sparkled. “That is the pinnacle of the Thunder God lineage, the Thunder Principle Realm! With years of Thunder Energy training, the difficulty has already diminished. So unlike other mental concepts, you need not hold back your power. Picture the strongest thunder technique you imagine!”

Listening to Dokgo Seong’s advice, I realized what my problem was. ‘Of course! I was misled into thinking it had the same difficulty as other mental techniques until now.’ Unlike other schools, the Thunder God lineage—including the Four Great Families—was founded on Natural Spirit Energy, and I had trained with this natural energy from the very start. Because of that, masters who had trained for a long time with the Four Great Families could be said to have exceptionally high affinity with that energy. Therefore, mental techniques that utilize existing natural energy will undoubtedly be stronger.

Just as a warrior manifests mental techniques through their sword, for the masters of the Four Great Families, Natural Spirit Energy serves as their weapon!

I took heed of Dokgo Seong’s insights and from that day forward reduced my Thunder Energy training by half, dedicating the rest of my time to meditation. As he had pointed out, I needed to refine my mental strength within to manifest the strongest lightning.

However, after another two months of struggling to grasp this, I felt frustrated. Eventually, I asked Dokgo Seong, “Things aren’t improving for me.”

“It can’t be helped. Achieving the Thunder Principle Realm isn’t something that happens overnight. It’s a level only a few could reach even at the peak of the Thunder God School.”

Saying this, Dokgo Seong added, “If all else fails, why not recall experiences from battles against strong opponents? It would help if you’d fought against masters from the Four Great Families.”

“……!!”

“They also harness Natural Spirit Energy.”

At that moment, something clicked in my mind, and I involuntarily clapped my knee in realization. “Thank you!”

Experiences from fighting against masters of the Four Great Families?
I had more than enough!

I had fought numerous times against Yong Bi-cheon, a practitioner of the Wind Spirit Sect, and Han Baek-ryeong, a master from the Fire Spirit Techniques. Moreover, I had faced off against members of the Su Shin Sect several times. Not to mention, I had fought with fellow practitioners within the Thunder God lineage, such as Jin So-cheong and Lee Kwang. Furthermore, during my time learning the Seven Great Techniques from the sect leader, I had witnessed their applied techniques and secret moves many times! I began to recall all my combat experiences against them.

I envisioned their basic techniques and the Natural Spirit Energy they manifested.
‘The strongest lightning… it must have the power to overwhelm the Natural Spirit Energy of other Four Great Families.’

Lightning began to grow within my heart. It seemed to have been there for a long time, but only now was it taking shape and beginning to expand. Simultaneously, I contemplated whether the strongest masters I had seen could withstand my lightning.

“……”

It was daunting. While I could easily imagine lightning powerful enough to overwhelm the techniques of the Wind Spirit Sect or Fire Spirit Techniques, envisioning outmaneuvering the Heart of Heaven’s Abundance or Miyamoto Musashi’s Divine Kill Slash, or the Master of the Twelve Joules’ Perfect Freedom was far more challenging. Even merely imagining it caused my entire body to contract tightly, breaking out in a cold sweat.

The Absolute Realm was the final place a human could reach—those who attained such a level were powerful enough not to even need to mingle with lower beings.

If only I hadn’t seen that realm with my own eyes several times, I wouldn’t feel such despair. Could I truly defeat them using the techniques of the Thunder God lineage?

The only reason I was not swept away by despair was because of Lee Cheong-un’s Thunder Spirit Technique, which was comparable to the Absolute Realm. The Thunder Spirit Technique was one of the highest peaks of the Thunder God lineage and I held onto the hope that someday, I would reach that level as well.

‘Wait. But what could be stronger than the Thunder Spirit Technique?’

I struggled to imagine such a thing. Could there truly be a more powerful lightning that could penetrate the body and approach the near-immortal state? With Lee Cheong-un’s strength, I felt he could pierce through the Heart of Heaven’s Abundance, which was troubling.

Eventually, I stopped my musings and returned to practicing Thunder Energy. When my head ached too much, moving my body provided a little relief.

As another three months passed, Dokgo Seong spoke up. “Thank you.”

“What?”

“Thanks to you, I’ve acquired the Cave-Collapsing Sword and Heavenly Contraction Sword. My progress has ascended another level.”

“……”

Why was it that I had to attain Thunder Energy, yet Dokgo Seong advanced first? As a tinge of jealousy surged within me, I was astounded by my own feelings. Even if the Thunder Principle Realm was challenging, I never suspected I’d be outpaced in talent. Nevertheless, I steeled my resolve and focused once again on my training.

Yes, hadn’t I known from the beginning?
My talent was at the bottom. Even if I ascended to the peak, the lack of tremendous insights would hinder my progress. Thus, even gaining insight would not allow me to easily reach that realm. Because of this, I must dig my heels in and train harder.

“I need to take that first step.”

I had to grow stronger to prevent my comrades from needlessly perishing. To shorten my cycles of rebirth and break the fateful despair of this world.

“……”

As I swung my sword, stray thoughts crossed my mind. Perhaps saving the world was never my destiny. There might be someone more suited for it than I. I was aware that my efforts could simply be a manifestation of my selfishness. It might be better to live comfortably, letting go of the specter of my past lives and dying peacefully.

But what meaning does passing my burdens onto someone else hold? That would truly render the sacrifices made by my comrades into nothing. Even without talent, I am not such a pitiful person.

I cannot afford to complain. If I start lamenting, that would be the end. Despite lacking in talent, appearance, and intelligence, I’ve navigated through this stormy world purely by my roots of persistence.

I collapsed in exhaustion on the mountain’s field, gazing up at the sky. “I can’t abandon this.”

This is proof of my existence.
Grit and effort.
While it won’t resolve all worldly matters—still, I have no choice but to try. What can one do without the will to endure in this harsh realm?

As long as I am alive, with each breath I take, I shall never give up. No matter how insignificant my grit or effort may seem compared to talent, I will never kneel.

I rose again to accumulate Thunder Energy and immersed myself in focus.

Lightning—Arise.
Grant me courage.

Had it been two or three months of training?
Dokgo Seong spoke again, this time sounding displeased. “This is odd. I expected you’d achieve the Thunder Principle Realm by now… Are you still condensing lightning within?”

“……”

“I don’t know; it seems I’ve exceeded what I can teach. As long as you don’t give up, I will continue supporting you.”

The fact that Dokgo Seong said this indicated that he, too, had become somewhat despondent. He must have anticipated I would reach the Thunder Principle Realm as a disciple of the sect, so perhaps I had disappointed him. Most would have their mental fortitude consumed and give up in situations like this.

Yet I maintained silence, focusing intently on my training. Complaining wouldn’t improve anything.

“… Arise.”

Lightning—arise.
Grant me courage.

Daily, I recited those thoughts, visualizing lightning so large it would engulf the world and mountains in fire, or lightning capable of piercing the Golden Hall. Yet none of those thoughts managed to materialize into the Thunder Principle’s essence, fading unknowingly.

As I stacked Thunder Energy repeatedly, I began to grasp something faintly. ‘It must be due to fear of losing.’

No matter how mighty the lightning I conjured with a flimsy imagination, I had continuously felt the barrier of the Absolute Realm—thus, imagining overcoming it was impossible. Because of this, my mental concept never crystallized into the strongest thunder.

Mental concentration embodies imagination, yet it’s also the strength of the heart.

If my heart couldn’t break that wall, then it would never take shape.

What if I called upon the Thunder Spirit Technique?

However, that mental manifestation far surpassed the limits of my existing capacity for mental techniques. As the pinnacle of the Thunder God lineage, it would require mastery of dozens of high-level insights to manifest adequately. Exceeding the limits would lead to mental collapse and self-destruction.

With no other alternatives available, I continued this arduous cycle of training tirelessly until I fell asleep each night.

One day, Yeodong-bin appeared to me in a dream.

[Dear protector.]

Yeodong-bin held a sword close to his heart as he gazed at me.

[Are you training with the sword to defeat evil?]

I was puzzled as to why Yeodong-bin suddenly asked me this. Nonetheless, I chose to answer sincerely.

[No, I’m not.]

[Then?]

[I’m here to overcome the fate that binds this world.]

[……]

[You do it to survive in a world where even the soul cannot be saved.]

When I spoke bitterly, Yeodong-bin replied, [You dream big without the ability.]

[I hear that all the time.]

[I’ve been watching you for a while, but it’s been frustrating, as you’re hopelessly indirect.]

Slowly, Yeodong-bin continued, [Dear protector, your sword calls out to you.]

[Huh?]

[I’ll grant you the chance to hear the voice of your sword.]

Ssssss

Gradually, Yeodong-bin’s form began to fade. I realized he intended to convey memories to me through the dream. Yet, I couldn’t comprehend, so I shouted at him.

[Wait! Don’t you despise involving yourself with the protector or this world? Why so suddenly…]

[……]

Yeodong-bin’s reply did not reach me. And then, I awoke from the dream.

“Ugh!”

At that moment, I saw flash before my eyes a total of 96 seconds of sword dance, passing like a phantom.

Squeezing

I clenched my fist tightly, mulling over that phantom in my mind. Simultaneously, I felt a tingling in my hands as enlightenment began to bloom.

Zzzzzing!

Something burst in my mind. Simultaneously, the Saint Sword pierced my head like a beam, as if a massive impact struck within me. At the same time, I fervently began to consist my sword technique, intertwining the techniques of the Thunder God lineage.

[Do you desire lightning?]

Yeodong-bin’s voice echoed in my mind.

[What could your fantastical lightning do to this sword!!]

Pababababat

Strangely, not a single basic move from the 96 seconds of sword dance came to mind. Clearly, it was powerful swordsmanship, yet I felt a compulsive need to render the techniques of the Thunder God lineage instead. As I was swept away in a daze, time felt as though it were slowing down.

The conflict of sword and dance unfolds.
It sings.

“……!!”

Indescribable, my heart raced. I seamlessly wielded my sword across my chest, merging into a state of unity. Without such harmony, it seemed impossible to contend with the waxed engravings etched within the 96 seconds of sword dance.

Such a sword exists in this world?

I felt as if I was engaging in a sword dance of the Thunder God lineage against that absolute sword technique.

If only that were real, it felt as if Yeodong-bin would stand valiantly before me.

The mist and fog melted away, and the sun and moon crossed paths. No matter what sword technique I dared to utilize, I found it impossible to overcome. My arm muscles felt like they would give out, yet I poured all my strength into resisting that unearthly technique.

Once that fierce sword dance concluded, I lay back, staring at the star-filled sky, murmuring, “Let’s start over.”

And so, after another half-year of grueling training, I dedicated myself to mastering the fundamentals of my swordsmanship—without any invocation of lightning or thunder. I had yet to manifest even the slightest technique from the 96 seconds danced before me. No, I couldn’t unfold a single one.

Sweat streamed down as I struggled onward.
Every day, I replayed the movements of triumph, polishing the Ten Thousand Success Sword Technique and the Thunder Dragon Sword, meticulously refining each part of my swordsmanship. I continuously researched what I lacked. In the process, my inner lightning steadily grew.

Lightning—settle.
“You reside within me.”

Murmuring, I organized the basic techniques of the Thunder God Sword Dance. I must have performed it thousands of times, yet every time felt refreshing. I was reminded anew that I truly knew nothing of what I thought I had mastered.

Then, one day, I approached Dokgo Seong to challenge him to a spar.

Zzzeerrrr!!

“Hah!!”

Dokgo Seong leapt back in surprise. For a split second, he misjudged the range of my attack, nearly getting cut in half, but he escaped using the Thunder Shadow Step and addressed me with a heavy glance.

“You’ve achieved it.”

“Yes.”

I nodded. Indeed, the power of my sword now brimmed with Thunder Energy, producing a sensation of sword thunder. This revelation struck me as I trained. Dokgo Seong seemed overjoyed.

“Has your inner lightning grown?”

“No, that’s not important.”

“What?”

Shocked, he asked, yet I firmly replied, “I merely heard the voice of the sword.”

I had been misled thus far.

I thought I’d just have to unleash the lightning from the sword without realizing that I’d been flip-flopping between merely the concept of Natural Spirit Energy. However, the moment I compared the swordsmanship I absorbed, I was enveloped in an irresistible sense of inadequacy.

That sword dance was overwhelmingly perfect.
It stood at the pinnacle of the Cave-Collapsing Sword, rivaling or perhaps exceeding it!

Boundlessly free and powerful, it embodied the sword capable of dominating the entire world—one only the Overlord could wield.

Feeling disheartened by that degree of perfection, I feared I would forget all I had learned in the Thunder God lineage’s sword techniques. To uncover whether the techniques of the Thunder God lineage faltered in comparison, I diligently revisited the fundamentals for half a year.

Ultimately, it seems I hadn’t stumbled. The Thunder God lineage also possessed ample potential to reach that sword dance. However, my failure to solidify my mastery of the basics had diminished that potential. I had been straying from the orthodox path by attempting to conjure lightning through the shortcuts.

In that moment of realization, the sword thunder naturally became mine. I no longer needed to conjure a powerful lightning; the sword and the will of the Thunder God lineage had become one!

With no mental depiction of lightning destruction necessary, I was confident that my swordsmanship alone could ascend to celestial realms! That was the driving force that granted me the sword thunder.

“……”

“That’s how it unfolded.”

“Building the concept of sword resonance with enlightenment… that’s a thought I’ve never considered. Discovering deficiencies through comparison, thereby ascending your realm… however, to attain that would take nothing less than celestial skill…”

Dokgo Seong stared blankly, mouth opened in astonishment before finally asking, “Can you manifest the 96 seconds?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“I forgot. After the first day of being taught, none of it remains in my memory.”

I spoke with a wry smile. Yeodong-bin had likely intended it that way.

In response, Dokgo Seong sighed. “Ha! If I’m not mistaken, that must be the Heavenly Escape Sword Technique from the Sword Master Yeodong-bin.”

“Really?”

“It’s undeniable. I’ve seen it in scripts from the Thunder God lineage.”

Dokgo Seong’s lips trembled and his voice quivered.

“That technique was already heralded as the strongest sword technique in the history of the Central Plains during the Tang Dynasty! If you compare this to the Thunder God lineage, it’s only natural to feel inadequate.”

“……!!”

“Hahaha! The Sword Master openly presented the lesson of breaking through to you while comparing the Heavenly Escape Sword Technique with your Thunder God lineage! How arrogant, yet I can’t help but feel impressed. One must respect the Heavenly Escape Sword Technique!”

He chuckled heartily, seemingly unfazed.

Yet I had my doubts.
‘But why?’

As Dokgo Seong mentioned, the Heavenly Escape Sword Technique was the strongest sword technique in the Central Plains during the Tang Dynasty. And I had been motivated to elevate my realm thanks to the unfinished teaching of the Heavenly Escape Sword Technique.

Moreover, Yeodong-bin had mastered that technique to a high degree. So why did he choose to pass on the technique as an unfinished concept to me, turning it into something with no base?

What difference does the existence of basic techniques make?
Why did Yeodong-bin abandon the foundational techniques as he evolved the Heavenly Escape Sword Technique?

‘I think I’ve heard something similar from Lee Cheong-un.’
Don’t masters in the Absolute Realm grasp the significance of these differences?

As I was lost in contemplation, Dokgo Seong called me, “It’s been a significant amount of time since you started training. Rest well today and return tomorrow.”

Of course, I wasn’t overly fatigued; I could return to Jangryeong Valley at any moment.

But recognizing that Dokgo Seong had something he wanted to relay to his junior in the Thunder God lineage, I nodded in agreement.

“Yes.”