NOVEL NEXT Chapter 627
Dark Heaven Village
Yeodong-bin was increasingly aware of the potential of his sword style, which he referred to as the Six Intent Saintly Heaven Diagram. However, since it was essentially a completion without prior basics, it was ambiguous how to measure its completeness. This also implied that Yeodong-bin had a long journey ahead before he could truly grasp the Six Intent Saintly Heaven Diagram.
At Yeodong-bin’s request, the Eight Immortals began to act swiftly. Lee Cheol-goi and Nam Chae-hwa focused on subduing demon beasts and rescuing humans, while Cao Guojou and Jang Gwa-ro, along with Ha Seon-go, set up a battle ground near the big city to support their efforts. Though they had been hunting demon beasts all along, this was the first time that five of the Eight Immortals coordinated their movements. The energy cost was severe, and they bore intense mental fatigue, but they persevered.
And so, Yeodong-bin entered closed room training, with Zhongli Quan and Han Sang-ja standing guard to shield him from attacks by cunning demon beasts or monsters.
On the first day of training, Zhongli Quan solemnly spoke to Yeodong-bin. “Dong-bin, you must be aware that in the celestial realm, there are many greater beings than us, yet our Eight Immortals must take the initiative to hunt monsters and otherworldly races on the ground.”
Zhongli Quan was another mentor for Yeodong-bin. Meeting his gaze, Yeodong-bin replied, “It’s due to the law of cause and effect.”
“Exactly. The otherworldly races and demon sorcerers always calculate their plans to make it difficult for us to interfere from the heavenly realm. Thus, we, the apprentices in their early stages, have no choice but to act.”
Zhongli Quan said bitterly, “In a way, the chaos in the world and the rampancy of the otherworldly races is why the Great Tang Empire has managed to maintain its lineage. Had they caused more upheaval, the casualties would have been great, but many powerful Great Immortals would have descended…”
“…”
“Dong-bin, all of us in the Eight Immortals are evaluated as having the potential to become Great Immortals based on our martial techniques. However, you alone have come here by solely practicing martial prowess, and yet among the Eight Immortals, there’s no doubt that you are the strongest.”
Zhongli Quan viewed him with prideful eyes. “You have performed miracles in battles against the otherworldly races.”
“Your compliments are undeserved,” Yeodong-bin replied, but Zhongli Quan shook his head.
“Sometimes I think, perhaps the path of the sword you pursue truly showcases the potential of humanity…”
At that moment, Han Sang-ja, who was nearby, grumbled, “But Master hardly teaches me sword techniques.”
Han Sang-ja had become Yeodong-bin’s disciple during an exorcism journey, but she had only recently started studying ancient techniques. However, due to her innate genius, she quickly stood at an equal level with the other Eight Immortals and began her exorcism work.
Responding to this, Yeodong-bin flatly replied, “Each person has their own strengths. For you, ancient techniques may be more suitable than martial arts. I almost took you on as a disciple of someone else, but you insisted on becoming my disciple.”
“Master, you are the benefactor of our village! You saved my life!”
“That’s…”
Just as Yeodong-bin was about to say something, Zhongli Quan burst into laughter. “Hahaha! Han Sang-ja, this fellow can only do martial arts, so he’s been curt with you because he feels bad he can’t teach you ancient techniques.”
“…”
“Let’s stop the small talk here. From now on, Han Sang-ja and I will protect you with ancient techniques. You will have a year for this! During this time, no one will be able to attack or ambush you.”
Sssssss
Zhongli Quan’s and Han Sang-ja’s forms slowly faded. Here, their ethereal bodies were manifesting. Their actual forms were casting ancient techniques beyond where Yeodong-bin stood. Gradually, tranquility spread all around, and Yeodong-bin realized that a protective barrier was formed around him.
‘ Until now, due to the ambushes by demon beasts, I’ve had no time to calmly reflect on my sword techniques.’
For an expert like Yeodong-bin, he could handle any ambush, but if a powerful higher otherworldly race were to stealthily attack, the story would differ. Given the fame of the Eight Immortals in the Central Plains, they also had a strong motivation to attempt assassination.
Realizing he had not allowed himself time for personal training outside of real combat, Yeodong-bin began to contemplate his sword.
What is a sword?
What is nature?
A perfect collection of impeccable quality that suppresses [flow]!
A state forged through tens of millions of instances of ‘determined intent!’
If he were to attain this state, wouldn’t the Six Intent Saintly Heaven Diagram come within his grasp too?
However, on the third day of training, Yeodong-bin realized that this path was not meant for him, and he gave up. Sheathing his sword, he murmured, “That was yet another absolute realm…”
Yeodong-bin acknowledged that his momentarily experiencing an extreme state was fleeting; he couldn’t yet grasp the absolute state that allows one to perceptively control the flow of all things. With the unreasonable level of training required, and with time running short, he had no choice but to let it go.
Of course, if Yeodong-bin bore down on training for dozens or hundreds of years, he might attain invisibility, but that would be meaningless. This was because he was already on the path of the Six Intent Saintly Heaven Diagram; trying to forcibly learn another state would only undermine his potential and wouldn’t genuinely strengthen him.
An absolute realm wasn’t a convenient consumable meant to be added and applied one by one like ancient techniques. It was the very essence of the martial artist’s life, so mastering more than one was redundant.
From then on, he repetitively swung his sword day after day—not simple swings, but a training process that integrated the realizations he’d gained through countless real combat experiences, leading him towards an elevated state.
During this time, Yeodong-bin realized something.
There isn’t just one absolute realm.
Every human possesses their own absolute realm!
That is the truth!
Currently, Yeodong-bin knew of three or four absolute realms, but the emergence of another martial master might reveal an unexpected style. This was because it was a culmination of an ultimate technique honed through their life experiences, making them unique to each person.
While one could follow someone else’s path to achieve the same absolute realm, even in such instances, the nuances of martial style and directional focus would vary distinctly. The characteristics of usable techniques would also differ.
Exploring this ever-changing realm of heavenly martial arts left Yeodong-bin in awe.
‘ So then… what is the ultimate in martial arts?’
If one were to delve into their own path and reach a realm beyond the absolute, what would be revealed? As he pondered this, an overwhelming sense of futility washed over him. This was because, as of now, the martial world had yet to define a state beyond the absolute, nor had it ever been defined.
Even those referred to as absolute beings often realized the peak they had achieved only after conquering the martial world on their own. A level so extraordinary that just one or two appeared in an era, making it difficult for them to find suitable comparisons. Oftentimes, they would simply enjoy a leisurely existence after reaching martial supremacy before eventually fading away into oblivion.
But what if there exists a ‘higher’ state to the absolute realm?
What on earth would one call that?
“Ultra Absolute Realm…”
As Yeodong-bin murmured that, the Fire Dragon Incarnate spoke up.
[ That’s a pretty juvenile name.]
“Master.”
Feeling his face grow hot, Yeodong-bin heard the Fire Dragon Incarnate chuckle.
[ Hahaha! Just joking. Still, you are remarkable. It seems no one has thought beyond the absolute realm until now.]
“I think any master who achieved the absolute position in martial history must have pondered it at least once.”
[ But they realized the futility of it and ascended to the celestial realm.]
“Indeed…”
[ Even within the absolute realm, there exist disparities. However, regardless of how wide the gap may be, if it’s the same absolute realm, there’s always a chance of reversal, for even if differences in capacity exist, they can’t be deemed differences in realms.]
The Fire Dragon Incarnate’s words were utterly correct. Having been a sword master like Yeodong-bin, he was capable of giving advice on the matter.
[ The absolute realm is a state that possesses the ability to alter the laws of the world through intention. Such transcendental levels of power are beyond what normal martial cultivation can achieve. Even the most extraordinary of realms—would you be able to imagine anything beyond that? I was unable to find an answer and ultimately gave up on such thoughts.]
“However, I must transcend the absolute realm.”
[ So, you aim to refine the Six Intent Saintly Heaven Diagram? Do you believe achieving it will enable you to defeat the apocalyptic dragon?]
“… I cannot say for sure. All I can do is try.”
[ ……]
After a brief moment of gazing at Yeodong-bin, the Fire Dragon Incarnate spoke.
[ For now, let’s train. If your progress stalls, we’ll have to seek alternative methods.]
Thus, Yeodong-bin devoted every ounce of energy to honing the Six Intent Saintly Heaven Diagram for a year. However, the more he put in, the weaker its form became. The absolute techniques, containing only his intent, inherently tended to regress when subjected to forced training. Yeodong-bin lamented that simple effort alone would never allow him to achieve the Six Intent Saintly Heaven Diagram.
“How on earth can one attain the Six Intent Saintly Heaven Diagram…!!”
As the year quickly approached its end, Zhongli Quan and Han Sang-ja released the barrier and came to find Yeodong-bin. They asked about his achievements, but he ultimately failed to grasp the Six Intent Saintly Heaven Diagram, having only improved the proficiency of smaller techniques. Zhongli Quan spoke.
“Dong-bin, in the year that’s passed, the number of otherworldly races throughout the Great Tang Empire has significantly diminished, and now there’s a prevailing expectation that the situation will come to an end in the celestial realm. This is thanks to the tireless efforts of the other Eight Immortals in hunting them down.”
“Master.”
“I believe you no longer need to solely devote yourself to training. If the three of us pursue exorcism together, we can bring peace to the world.”
“…”
“Whatever that dragon is, we’ll deal with the demon sorcerers first and then consider it.”
Yeodong-bin was engulfed in anxiety. Was it truly right to finish closed room training like this? Would everything be alright?
But with the peace he desired for the world so close, he couldn’t refuse. Just as he was about to nod his head,
Whoosh!
Suddenly, the Fire Dragon Incarnate sent out an apparition and shouted.
[ Zhongli Quan! Leave Yeodong-bin alone.]
“Immortal!”
[ If you’re satisfied with the peace visible before your eyes, then you wouldn’t have started training at all. That apocalyptic dragon will undoubtedly come! Do not pressure my disciple because of your wish to ascend to the heavenly realm!]
Zhongli Quan then stuttered in response, “Uh, no, it’s not that I particularly want to ascend quickly…”
Looking at Zhongli Quan, who was mumbling nonsensical words with a disgruntled gaze, the Fire Dragon Incarnate said, [ I will take Yeodong-bin to the greatest being I know. Make sure to report to the heavenly realm about it.]
“What? Who is that?”
[ Master Mangnyang.]
“……!!”
At that moment, Zhongli Quan’s complexion turned pale, and his legs quivered. He sweated profusely and shouted, “W-What!! Master Mangnyang? How could…”
[ If it is he, he could definitely help Yeodong-bin.]
“That’s absurd. Doing that would put not just me, but all of the Eight Immortals in jeopardy. Contacting Master Mangnyang is a taboo in the celestial realm.”
[ Do not worry.]
Though Zhongli Quan was drawn pale, she tried to dissuade him, but the Fire Dragon Incarnate said, [ There are two implications in a lack of interest in humans. For Master Mangnyang, it leans towards a good meaning, so there’s no need to worry.]
And so, Yeodong-bin followed the Fire Dragon Incarnate toward the village where Master Mangnyang resided.
Arriving at the village where Master Mangnyang lingered, Yeodong-bin quickly headed toward the village shrine to pay his respects, but at that moment, Master Mangnyang spoke to him.
[ Yeodong-bin.]
Yeodong-bin tensed and replied, “Please, speak, Master Mangnyang.”
The being whom all in the celestial realm feared and regarded with trepidation—Master Mangnyang. It was he who once obliterated a Great Immortal in a single strike, erasing an entire portion of the celestial realm in the process. An absolute divine entity who even the Jade Emperor treated as an equal; his presence was here.
[ In the back mountains of this village, there is a two-thousand-year-old sea dragon. Bring it to me, and then I will listen to your words.]