When I regressed, I was a martial arts genius

The Green Zone Gate was located beneath the main building of the Martial Arts Academy.

Typically, there would be guards stationed at the gate, but this was a martial arts academy—specifically Mu Rim Academy. The Academy Head, a direct descendant of the Jin Ji family, inherited the martial arts of the famed Zegal family.

Known for their sharp intellect, advanced formations, and intricate machinery, the Jin Ji family was renowned for their “Formation Scholar” title.

The reason the Academy Head sealed this gate was simple. The boss monster inside could only be defeated by elite awakened warriors. Moreover, the rewards were far below the cost, making it unprofitable. Therefore, it was sealed with a formation.

Lee Joon descended the underground staircase.

On the storage door, five talismans were affixed.

“[Five Elemental Formation, huh. It won’t be difficult to break through this.]”
The Master of Wuwei quickly assessed the formation.

“Is it the Five Elemental Formation?”

What followed was even more surprising.

“[I can break through the top formation of Zegal, the Eight Gates of Gold Sealing. What is a mere Five Elemental Formation?]”
At this point, surprise had lost its impact.

Following the Master of Wuwei’s words, Lee Joon carefully removed the talismans affixed to the door.

Opening the door, he entered.

A pitch-black room lay before him.

Yet, the temperature was chilly.

It was as if spring breezes were gently blowing, only for the intense heat to suddenly rise.

“[Breaking the Five Elemental Formation is simple. Just identify which element the caster focused on. The one who set up this formation centered it on Water. Their personality flows like water—passive and elusive.]
“How did you know?”

“[The characteristics of those who have learned Zegal’s formations. They reflect their personalities in the formations. Water can be absorbed by Wood. The life gate lies within Wood. Move forward only when the energy turns green.]”
Following the Master of Wuwei’s instructions, Lee Joon moved accordingly.

When the surrounding area turned into green lines, he moved forward. When the lines changed color, he stopped.

A small light appeared before him.

Walking toward it, Lee Joon discovered the Green Zone Gate standing firmly.

“It’s the Gate!”

Stepping out of the Five Elemental Formation, Lee Joon saw the Gate.

Before entering, he hesitantly asked the Master of Wuwei.

“Should I remove the inked iron bindings around my wrists and ankles before entering?”

He wondered if it would be better to release the bindings as a precaution.

“[That is also part of your training. Go inside.]”
That wasn’t an option.

After some hesitation, Lee Joon finally entered the Gate.

***

In the sweltering sun over a vast desert, Lee Joon stood alone.

Looking around,

his body stiffened.

He turned his head, maintaining his guard.

“[No need to be so anxious. There are no monsters around.]”
Only then did he finally relax his vigilance.

“Phew…”

The place he had only heard of through rumors.

It was still uncertain whether he could survive in this Gate.

“[Now, I officially bestow upon you the title of Heaven’s King Guard, my disciple.]”
As soon as the words of the Master of Wuwei ended, a message appeared.

[Heaven’s King Guard (B) has been acquired.]
[You can now use Heaven’s King Guard (B).]
It was remarkably easy to gain a martial art.

There was once a time when gaining martial arts seemed strange, leading to his clan seemingly abandoning him.

Lee Joon smiled faintly, then drew his hand down from above.

[Basic Information]
Title: Youngest Disciple of the Hermit (and others)

Name: Lee Joon

Age: 18

Potential: Beyond Rank

Unique Skill: Cosmic Divine Power (SSS)

General Skill: Heaven’s King Guard (B)

Traits: +Path of the Immovable Way of Wuwei (??)

∴Tech Tree Points: 50,000p

[Attributes]
Health: 37/100

Body: 33/100

Strength: 55/100

Dexterity: 33/100

-Special Sections-

Inner Energy: 103/620

Mental Strength: 42/150

-Status-

Combat Power +10%

Having trained while wearing an inked iron weighing nearly 200 kg, all attributes had improved evenly.

Lee Joon happily gazed at the status window before shutting down the hologram.

“[I’ll begin modifying your body. Not just your inner energy, but also your physical capabilities. Follow closely.]”
“Yes. If you train me strongly, I’ll do anything.”

“[Very well. I will take you through hell. Oh, look, a monster has appeared. Get ready.]”
As if sensing the intense training, a monster emerged from the distance.

***

The monster that began appearing in the desert was a Flame Hori.

A fox with flames roaring across its entire body.

The strength of the Flame Hori varied depending on its tails. Typically, it had anywhere from two to three tails.

Lee Joon faced the Flame Hori with two tails.

“[Listen carefully. Huangbo Clan’s martial arts are based on sheer brute strength. Their techniques haven’t changed; they solely pursue power—simple and straightforward. So, it suits you, who has just begun mastering martial arts.]”
The Flame Horis had quickly closed the distance.

Grrr…

Baring their sharp fangs, the Flame Horis became increasingly cautious toward Lee Joon.

“[They’re coming.]”
Four Flame Horis charged toward Lee Joon.

These creatures were incredibly intelligent.

Blocking any escape route, they rushed in, leaving Lee Joon no place to flee.

“[Use Heaven’s King Guard to take two steps to the right and twist your body as much as possible, then slide back.]”
Having trained intensely and being an awakened D-rank survivor, Lee Joon thought he could handle these four Flame Horis.

But it wasn’t enough. The Flame Horis were far stronger than expected.

Repeating his master’s words, Lee Joon used Heaven’s King Guard.

‘Take two steps to the right.’

Lee Joon’s body smoothly glided to the side.

‘Twist your body as much as possible.’

Bending his waist deeply, he managed to slide beneath a charging Flame Hori.

With a chance to evade, Lee Joon slid back.

Thunk!

The Flame Horis collided with each other.

“Got it!”

“[The battle isn’t over yet.]”
Lee Joon’s face, which had briefly shown triumph, quickly turned desperate.

More than just four Flame Horis were present. More of their kin were appearing from the surroundings.

Swoosh—

“Argh!”
Caught off guard, another Flame Hori slashed Lee Joon’s arm with its claws.

The deep wound bled heavily, and crimson droplets fell onto the desert sand.

Pain shook his entire body.

“[Don’t panic. Continue using Heaven’s King Guard.]”
Lee Joon relied on his master’s words and activated Heaven’s King Guard again.

The four Flame Horis, attacking as a group, forced Lee Joon to evade. However, due to his inexperience with real combat, he couldn’t dodge perfectly.

“Grr.”

The result wasn’t easy to handle.

Lee Joon’s clothes had quickly turned into tattered rags.

The sharp claws and teeth of the Flame Horis left Lee Joon injured everywhere—his thighs, arms, and sides. No part of him remained unscathed.

It was no ordinary Green Zone monster.

Even a C-rank awakened warrior would not be safe from such relentless attacks.

Lee Joon was bleeding profusely now.

Whenever his vision became hazy with pain, the voice of the Master of Wuwei echoed in his ears.

[Can’t you focus! Against such monsters, what are you doing?]
The scolding snapped Lee Joon back to reality.

To endure the pain, there was only one thing—using the Cosmic Divine Power.

Simultaneously, he had to evade the Flame Hori’s relentless attacks with Heaven’s King Guard.

If he took any more injuries, he might truly die.

Swish, swish—

Lee Joon poured all his concentration into Heaven’s King Guard.

His movements became faster than ever before.

Lee Joon’s body shimmered as it disappeared and reappeared in rapid succession.

The Flame Horis snapped and clawed at him, but Lee Joon narrowly dodged each attack.

As this cycle continued, the Flame Horis began to show signs of confusion.

Grr, grr!

The Flame Horis became increasingly enraged, their mouths lighting up with flames.

[Even this can’t be evaded.]
The Master of Wuwei’s confidence bolstered Lee Joon.

Trusting his master, Lee Joon continued using Heaven’s King Guard.

***

“Huff… Huff…”

Lee Joon panted heavily, his face pale and bloodless. His upper body was torn apart, with his shirt long gone. His body was marked with numerous deep gashes.

The most prominent wound was near his neck—a cut that was dangerously close to being fatal.

Blood had clotted, forming scabs over his wounds.

“Phew…”

Even the Flame Horis seemed exhausted, sticking out their tongues and breathing heavily.

Lee Joon had managed to evade the Flame Horis with Heaven’s King Guard for half a day.

He barely stopped for six hours, constantly moving.

Without inner energy, he relied solely on the paths dictated by Heaven’s King Guard, while Cosmic Divine Power gradually restored his inner energy.

Lee Joon endured solely on mental strength.

The thought of dying here wasn’t an option.

A single-minded resolve—becoming stronger to defeat Yi Hong, proving his existence to his clan, and ultimately standing tall in South Korea.

Fueled by this determination, Lee Joon endured with relentless effort.

The Master of Wuwei provided unwavering support, gradually exhausting the Flame Horis.

Now, there was a momentary calm.

[This is the opportunity. When the enemies are exhausted, strike their necks.]
“Just a little… Huff… can’t I rest for a moment?”

[If you rest like those monsters, there will never be another chance. Do you think you’ll recover faster, or will they? The Flame Horis, who have been resting, will recover faster. That means you’ll fall first. Do you want to die?]
Lee Joon shook his head rapidly, his breaths erratic.

“Huff… No, I can’t…”

[Trust in the recovery of Cosmic Divine Power. This is a perfect chance to elevate both your inner energy and physical strength. Now is the time.]
Lee Joon squeezed out the last bit of Cosmic Divine Power stored deep within him.

Whoosh—

A faint gray aura enveloped his body.

The air quivered, trembling in waves.

Lee Joon didn’t use any martial arts techniques. Instead, he relied solely on his hands and feet to attack the Flame Horis.

Thud, thud—

Gack!

Two of the Flame Horis were knocked aside by Lee Joon’s punches.

Fearing danger, the Flame Horis unleashed flames from their mouths.

Whoosh, whoosh—

Intense flames burst forth from all around.

Lee Joon closed the gap with the Flame Horis at lightning speed and swung his fists with all his might.

Bam, bam, bam!

One by one, the Flame Horis fell.

Suddenly, a surprising message appeared:

[Cosmic Divine Power has reached 3 stars.]
[Your previously empty dantian is now filled with Cosmic Divine Power.]
[Your health, once below 10%, is now fully restored.]
[Incredible growth. You have been rewarded with 250,000 Tech Tree Points.]
[The passive skill Fear of Cosmic Divine Power has been activated.]
[Nearby monsters are terrified of the caster.]

Lee Joon’s heavy breaths stabilized quickly.

Meanwhile, the remaining Flame Horis lowered their bodies and retreated in fear.

The oppressive aura of the passive skill of Cosmic Divine Power spread around them.

When Lee Joon’s eyes widened, the Master of Wuwei chuckled softly.

[Haha, a prodigy indeed. In just two months, you’ve reached the 3-star level in Cosmic Divine Power… You have a talent similar to my first disciple.]
The Master of Wuwei spoke of the first disciple for the first time.

“Your first disciple?”

[The one my master first taught. Your eldest senior, essentially.]
“How many more were there before me?”

[…Four more. Enough of that! Look at those monsters fleeing! Go and finish them!]

The Master of Wuwei quickly changed the subject, his tone carrying a tinge of bitterness.

Lee Joon didn’t press further, instead addressing him again.

“Master.”

[Ah, hurry and hunt the monsters.]
“Would it be possible to learn another martial art?”

[Martial art, you say?]
“Yes. Instead of just mindlessly swinging my fists, I thought it might be better to learn a martial art and practice it in combat.”

Lee Joon spoke first, briefly worrying that the Master of Wuwei might scold him for trying to get something for free.

However, the response that followed was positive.

[That’s a commendable thought. Very well. I will give you a martial art suited to you.]