NOVEL NEXT Chapter 852
Chapter 15: The True Martial Home
“It’s said to be a spirit summoning technique.”
In that moment, I remembered what Cheon Woo-jin had said in the past.
[Are you using the technique of spirit summoning? No matter what, you can’t escape the Illusion Fog.]
When I had challenged Cheon Woo-jin’s Illusion Fog before, I used the Soul Removal Technique to dodge his encirclement but failed, ultimately having to draw upon the Seven Luminaries to break his formation. Back then, Cheon Woo-jin had referred to the Soul Removal Technique as a summoning technique. At the time, I brushed it off without much thought, but looking back, it seems greatly related to what the Supreme Thief said.
‘If I think of it like this, it really is just a technique…’
Originally, the Soul Removal Technique was a martial art that was impossible to master without the innate talent known as the Wandering Soul. Yet, researchers among the Dongyeong Martial Artists and the study of Lee Kwang’s Split Heart Technique managed to modify it into a technique that could be learned. Gradually, I developed this Soul Removal Technique and eventually reached an apex after rescuing Cheongwol, the Elder of the Thunder God Lineage, at the Life Sea and receiving the secret technique, Heavenly Light.
Looking at the flow of this acquisition, the Soul Removal Technique is undoubtedly a martial art.
Then what exactly is the Soul Removal Technique that I have learned up to this point?
Is it a martial art? A technique?
While I was in confusion, the Supreme Thief spoke.
“Don’t keep the person waiting too long. They’ve been wanting to talk to you for a while now.”
“Who…?”
“Look beside you.”
When I glanced over, there stood an ancient martial artist with crossed arms. The reason I called him ‘ancient’ was that he was dressed in attire from at least a thousand years ago. Flipping through my hazy memories, it seemed to resemble clothing from the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. I could tell because it was formal wear.
‘Is he a former official? No… it looks more like ceremonial robes.’
He chuckled lightly and said, “I didn’t expect to be summoned to a place like this, but it’s good to see you, my descendant.”
“…Who are you? You appear to be dressed in the style of the Later Liang.”
“I am Zhu Ling-tong, the Fourth Master of the Thunder God Lineage! Ha ha!”
The Fourth Master?!
Surprised by his statement, I looked at Zhu Ling-tong, who then turned to the Supreme Thief watching from the side.
“This doesn’t seem like an ordinary place. Where are we, and who are you?”
“The Seat of the Martial God. And I am the Supreme Thief of the Eight Immortal Era of the Great Tang Empire, and the owner of this seat.”
“Seat…?”
Zhu Ling-tong tilted his head in confusion and said, “In any case, since I’ve appeared here not as a spirit but in essence, this means we are in a different dimension, not the afterlife. I need to pass on my legacy to my descendant, so I ask for your understanding.”
Upon hearing this, the Supreme Thief clicked his tongue in disbelief.
“Honestly… you can’t be serious. If I were to run into you in the Jianghu, you’d always be this reckless.”
“Flattery won’t get you anywhere.”
“Speak when you’re done.”
Zhu Ling-tong smoothly brushed it off, and the Supreme Thief seemed to lose interest, sprawling out in a way that suggested he was about to doze off. With the Supreme Thief, the owner of this space, clearly showing he wouldn’t intervene in this matter, Zhu Ling-tong turned to me.
“Once again, congratulations on reaching the peak of the Soul Removal Technique.”
“Peak? What do you mean? I’ve been practicing the Soul Removal Technique for nearly several decades and I’ve also mastered the secret technique, Heavenly Light. So I thought I had already reached that level, but now you’re telling me it’s a peak? Moreover, why is there spirit summoning mixed into the Soul Removal Technique?”
“Hmm, it will be confusing indeed. Let me explain one by one… um?”
Zhu Ling-tong suddenly narrowed his eyes and reached out to examine my shoulder, his face showing surprise a moment later.
“Wait… you mastered the Soul Removal Technique without having the required innate talent? And you even reduced the efficacy of your Upper Dantian? How? This is quite… not what I intended.”
“……?”
“I need to gather my thoughts.”
What is this ancient master talking about?
Zhu Ling-tong pondered for a while before fiddling with his ceremonial robe and spoke.
“Well… my descendant, you may not know but to master the Soul Removal Technique, a special talent is originally required.”
“I know. It’s the talent of the Wandering Soul, a pursuit of freedom without constraints… something like that.”
“I’m relieved you don’t need an explanation.”
“Is there a problem with that?”
“Yes, it seems you acquired the understanding to split your heart into dual minds somewhere and used that to lower the entry barrier by separating talent and martial art. That’s not a bad method in itself, but ultimately it distanced me from my original intention.”
“What do you mean…?”
Zhu Ling-tong said, “The Soul Removal Technique is a martial art based on summoning techniques. Unlike ordinary martial arts, it requires innate talent, and builds upon that innate talent to fortify the Upper Dantian until it transforms into the ultimate divine technique. Therefore, a talentless individual forcibly mastering it while excluding the element of talent can be seen as a poison.”
“……!!”
“Your achievements and experience were already more than sufficient to reach the peak, yet it was only now that I attained the initial spirit.”
Could it be that by using the Split Heart Technique derived from the Wudang Sect’s Dual Mind Cultivation to learn the Soul Removal Technique came with such drawbacks?
I was perplexed and asked, “Why create such a martial art in the first place? The Soul Removal Technique can stand on its own; why on earth involve spirit summoning or the power of the Upper Dantian?”
“Well… I suppose this is a part that ought to be explained separately.”
Zhu Ling-tong showed a bit of annoyance at the repetition.
“Perhaps your understanding of the Soul Removal Technique’s essence has changed now, but operate the technique according to that essence.”
He instructed me to follow his guidance. As I complied, I felt that riding the Soul Removal Technique was unlike the usual rush; instead, it felt as if I were dragging enormous weights tied to my legs. Thanks to my internal power, I could still attain a typical pace of divine technique speed, but this was definitely not the usual sensation of the Soul Removal Technique.
“What… what’s going on?”
“In the original Soul Removal Technique, the importance of spirit summoning was 50%, and martial arts also held 50%. It was perfectly balanced. Yet with your modification, its importance has fallen to below 20%, emphasizing martial arts, making it easy for even an ordinary person to learn.”
“Umm.”
“That returns to its original form, tipping the balance to be fully dependent on spirit summoning.”
“…….”
“When you reach the peak, the martial art itself evolves. I designed it to be that way from the start.”
I was flabbergasted.
So now that I have finally reached the peak, isn’t it a loss for me to be unable to use the Soul Removal Technique at all?! Seeing my disbelief, Zhu Ling-tong glanced at the horizon and said, “However, if you can properly utilize the changed Soul Removal Technique reaching its peak….”
Whoosh!
“……!!”
In that moment, I realized Zhu Ling-tong had traversed approximately twenty miles of horizon back and forth in a matter of blinks. The speed was so astounding that it barely registered in my eyes. This was no ordinary human speed in martial techniques. The only comparison would be with Lee Cheong-un, who had accomplished the Thunder Spirit Technique.
“Truly, you can obtain the world’s finest divine technique.”
Amazing.
Even the Supreme Thief, who had been uninterested up until now, looked curious as he gazed at Zhu Ling-tong. I felt my chest pounding and said to Zhu Ling-tong, “Please teach me the peak Soul Removal Technique!”
“Of course, I will teach you. That’s exactly why I bound my spirit to the Soul Removal Technique. I intended to appear myself to teach future generations so they wouldn’t forget.”
“Thank you.”
“However, to be honest, I am somewhat hesitant to teach you….”
“What?”
“Making spirit summoning the primary focus implies you must rely entirely on innate talent. The Wandering Soul talent you just mentioned, indeed. Thus, acquiring the peak of the Soul Removal Technique and gaining several times higher speed may feel like a lengthy undertaking.”
“…….”
I lack the Wandering Soul talent.
Knowing what sort of grueling path awaits without talent is why he hesitated.
“This situation is beyond even my predictions, making it quite troublesome.”
At that moment, the Supreme Thief, who had been listening, threw out a loud voice.
“Seriously! I need to teach him the Shadowless Escape technique, yet this idiot is eating up all the time—what’s so impressive that you can’t just get on with it!!”
Though his words were harsh, they held a grain of truth. Zhu Ling-tong sighed slightly.
“Well, I have no choice.”
Under the Supreme Thief’s insistence, Zhu Ling-tong finally shared with me the essence of the technique.
“The trick is to maximize the pathways of the Upper Dantian that have been opened within the realm of the Soul Removal Technique, that is, the channels for the spirit summoning. By summoning, you can transcend the limits of spirit and flesh and penetrate the boundaries of matter. It’s not running with the body, but leaping with the mind.”
“I understand.”
“Well then… give it a try.”
Whoooooosh!!
At that moment, I felt as if a massive bell had been struck within my mind, and my entire body turned cold as I felt light as a feather. This wasn’t just the feeling of lightness from the Soul Removal Technique; it was as if my very essence could evaporate. Simultaneously, I powered through, racing toward the horizon, and upon reaching my intention, my body followed suit. When I returned, Zhu Ling-tong stared at me in disbelief.
“Ah… ah… no?! You clearly had no talent of the Wandering Soul, so how is it that the moment I teach you…?”
“Well, it worked, didn’t it…?”
“Umm… I don’t understand! I need to know more about your life journey.”
I shared everything I’ve learned and the techniques, martial arts, and sorcery I had practiced with Zhu Ling-tong. After listening intently, he was astonished.
“…Oh!! So the lack of practice with the Soul Removal Technique was compensated by the treasures and the Seven Luminaries you gained along the way!!”
Now that I think about it, I had received a magical tool from Miho for training and had consumed Yin Spirit Power frequently while acquiring all sorts of treasures and Seven Luminaries, which had continuously enhanced the potential of my sorcery. It seems that had returned to me as surplus experience to fill the gap in my training of the Soul Removal Technique.
Zhu Ling-tong patted my shoulder, laughing heartily.
“Hahaha, I have no regrets! Finally, one who has truly reached the peak of the Soul Removal Technique has appeared! I am proud of you.”
“…….”
Just moments ago, he seemed as if he was going to die…
I gave him a disapproving look and said, “But I don’t feel this imaginary realm of the Beyond Sky.”
“That will probably manifest when you run with every ounce of your being, pouring all your existence and spirit into a single dash.”
“Are you certain?”
“Or not.”
“…….”
“Well then, I’m off. It feels immensely satisfying after a long time.”
“Wait a moment!!”
Whoosh.
“Why did you call?”
Zhu Ling-tong paused mid-disappearing. I sighed in relief and said, “Please tell me about the Four Great Artifacts and the White Lotus Sect from that time.”
“The Four Great Artifacts? That was something lost in my generation, and born as a prince of the Later Liang during the Five Dynasties, I abandoned the intrigue of the Imperial Palace and entered the Thunder God Lineage. Apart from that, nothing particularly special.”
“Stop lying. Why were you so fixated on the Soul Removal Technique or Beyond Sky, then?”
“…….”
“Were there no responsibilities you held as a master? I need that information.”
“Hmm.”
Zhu Ling-tong fidgeted with his ceremonial robe and said, “Actually… calling it a responsibility might be an exaggeration, but I split the Thunder God Lineage.”
“You divided it?”
“The Thunder God Lineage was flourishing, and myriad martial arts and techniques were conflicting, leading to frequent clashes between martial artists and sorcerers. Many perished foolishly trying to learn both. As a master, I had to separate the lineage of sorcerers to quell the chaos.”
“Could it be…”
“A branch of the divided lineage turned into the Ghostly Spirit Sect, and I wonder if it continues in your era. Regardless, it seems I devoted my life to pacifying the discord between the main lineage and the Ghostly Spirit Sect….”
Of course, I knew.
The Ghostly Spirit Sect!
They were the only sect within the Thunder God Lineage that did not specialize in martial arts. They focused on sorcery and razor techniques, shrouded in secrecy. My heart raced as I prepared to ask the most crucial question.
“Then… my last question.”
“Go ahead.”
“Tell me what you know about the Martial Soul.”
“What is that?”
“…….”
“If I don’t know it, I can’t answer you.”
Ah, then again, nearly a thousand years ago, starting from Lee Cheong-un’s fifth ancestor, he wouldn’t know anything about it. I realized asking this question would be futile.
As Zhu Ling-tong began to slowly fade away, he said, “If you can demonstrate the realm of the Soul Removal Technique, then the Ghostly Spirit Sect will genuinely follow your lead….”
Once Zhu Ling-tong vanished, the Supreme Thief spoke gruffly.
“Is it over?”
“…Yes.”
“Tsk.”
Seemingly disgruntled, the Supreme Thief remained silent for a while. Then he said, “This won’t do. My pride can’t take it any longer.”
“What?”
“I have imparted the Shadowless Escape. During my time in the Jianghu, my speed had earned me the title of fastest in the Martial Arts world. Honestly though, the Shadowless Escape is inferior to your Soul Removal Technique.”
His words continued.
“Instead, let me reveal my true secret technique.”