Several days had passed since Namgung Jincheon had given Seo-jun a chilling lecture about the Demonic Cult.
The sheer amount of information was overwhelming, but what stood out most was the story about "Ma".
Seo-jun had assud the Demonic Cult would hate being called "Ma" or "demonic cultivators." Surprisingly, they took pride in it.
Apparently, the very character for "Ma" had been created to phonetically transcribe the true na of their deity, Mara Pasun.
When Seo-jun asked if that ant there were no demonic saints before then, Namgung Jincheon admitted he wasn’t sure.
Perhaps there were, but they were likely called "evil saints" or sothing similar.
That part wasn’t important, though.
Today, Seo-jun had sothing far more urgent to handle.
"Alright, listen up."
In a secluded training chamber arranged by Namgung Jincheon, Seo-jun stood before Namgung Su-a with a serious expression.
"Chun-bong, how about getting off my back now?"
"…Tch."
Chun-bong, who had been clinging to his back, grumbled as she slid down. When their eyes t, she giggled. Seo-jun fought to suppress his lips from curling upward and forced himself to maintain a grave tone.
"This is serious. No laughing."
"Okay."
Chun-bong nodded. Seo-jun turned to Namgung Su-a.
"Any questions?"
"No. I asked everything last ti."
With no gaps in their knowledge, there wouldn’t be any accidents caused by ignorance.
Seo-jun motioned for Chun-bong to sit down.
"Let’s start with you, Chun-bong."
"Why first?"
"Because you’re the least likely to screw this up."
Seo-jun knew Chun-bong’s body better than she did. If necessary, he could even take control of her Qi circulation and forcefully break through the Gate of Life and Death himself.
"Hmph."
Chun-bong smirked, as if flaunting her superiority to Namgung Su-a, and sat cross-legged.
"Let’s go, Oppa."
"Alright, Chun."
"Okay, Seo."
Chun-bong peeked one eye open.
"I think I’d do better if you gave a kiss first."
"Focus. No impure thoughts allowed."
"Tch."
Chun-bong shut her eyes again, while Namgung Su-a watched her with an odd look.
Seo-jun gave a sheepish smile and placed his hand on Chun-bong’s back.
"Let’s go."
*****
The principle behind the Life-and-Death Resonance Technique was simple.
It involved breaking through the Gate of Life and Death, which blocked the energy flow between the Ren and Du ridians.
Once unblocked, internal energy would circulate freely through the body, naturally absorbing the energy of the heavens and earth.
During this process, the Middle Dantian would fully activate, and the Upper Dantian would partially open—allowing Qi to blend with Spirit.
In short, it enabled one to ascend to the Absolute Stage.
Chun-bong closed her eyes and swallowed the golden Qi core Seo-jun had given her.
Fwoosh—!
Azure Qi from her Azure Cloud Art erupted, filling her body.
At the sa ti, she activated the Life-and-Death Resonance Technique. Her Qi began surging wildly, turning into a torrent that raged through her ridians.
‘Focus…!’
Chun-bong poured all her strength into controlling the flow.
This wasn’t just about advancing—it was a step closer to Seo-jun.
If breaking through ant transforming into a curvaceous, bombshell Chun-bong, all the better.
Sharpening her focus, Chun-bong began to shape her internal energy.
Rumble—!
Her Qi condensed into the shape of a battering ram, like a siege weapon smashing through a gate.
She didn’t know how this worked, but this was the essence of the Life-and-Death Resonance Technique—an absurd martial art that defied reason.
‘Ugh…!’
Chun-bong sharpened her focus further. Just a little more.
Fwoosh—!
Her Qi fell under perfect control. Chun-bong felt Seo-jun’s intent embedded in the golden Qi core guiding her.
Her chest swelled with emotion. Sweat beaded on her forehead.
‘I can’t just keep relying on him.’
At that mont, her Qi—shaped like a spear—pierced through the Gate of Life and Death.
Boom—!!!
The heavens and earth seed to tremble. Her mind went blank as energy surged through the tiny opening.
‘One more push…!’
Rumble—!
Her Qi shot through the Ren ridian—Baihui, Yintang, Tiantu, Tanzhong, Zhongwan, Qihai—down to Huiyin.
Then it ascended through the Du ridian—Huiyin, Weilu, Mingn, Yangguan, Dazhui, Yuzhen—and finally returned to Baihui.
Fwoooosh—!!!
The Gate of Life and Death shattered completely, and Chun-bong’s Qi began circulating rapidly through the Ren and Du ridians.
"Ah…!"
Chun-bong’s eyes snapped open, glowing with a platinum light.
She trembled, overwheld by the raging flow of internal energy.
‘So this is…the world of the Absolute Stage…!’
Her body floated slightly above the ground, and she fought to maintain focus as euphoria threatened to overwhelm her.
Crack—!
Her body broke apart and reconstructed itself—Rebirth through Bone Refinent. A miraculous transformation.
‘Argh…!’
Chun-bong gritted her teeth through the agony.
Just a little more.
The era of the new Chun-bong was about to begin.
*****
Seo-jun watched intently as Chun-bong underwent her rebirth.
Behind her head, three faint flowers blood—an indication of achieving the state of Samhwa Chwijeong. She had reached a new realm.
Not wanting to disturb her concentration, Seo-jun exchanged a glance with Namgung Su-a. She nodded, and the two quietly left the training chamber.
"Ah, my aching body…."
Crack— Seo-jun stretched his limbs.
"Good work."
"I didn’t do anything. Chun-bong did all the work."
He was just stressed from nervously watching.
Namgung Su-a giggled and hooked her arm around his.
"By the way, did sothing happen between you and Chun-bong? The atmosphere feels completely different."
"Well… yeah, sothing did."
"Hmm…."
Namgung Su-a narrowed her eyes, her blue irises glinting slightly.
"Don’t forget my wish, okay?"
"Yes, ma’am."
"Hehe, let’s go."
Namgung Su-a led the way, pulling Seo-jun along.
There was no need for her to break through in the sa room as Chun-bong. If their energies clashed, it could cause a disaster.
Namgung Su-a planned to attempt her breakthrough in a separate chamber not far from Chun-bong’s.
As Seo-jun was being dragged away, a thought crossed his mind.
‘Two flowers… If I ss this up, I’m going to get stabbed in both sides.’
A chill ran down his spine.
He was terrified.
*****
Namgung Su-a also succeeded in breaking through the Gate of Life and Death after consuming the elixir core.
Seo-jun left the training chambers quietly, giving the two won space to adjust to their new realms. Finally, he could breathe again.
"Whew."
Crack— He stretched again, but as soon as he relaxed, Pae Jin-gwang stomped toward him.
"Finished?"
"Yeah, pretty much."
"This is insane."
"What now?"
"I’m talking about that technique—the Life-and-Death Resonance Technique. If this spreads through the martial world, martial artists’ levels will skyrocket in no ti."
"Huh, is it that big of a deal?"
Pae Jin-gwang let out a booming laugh.
"Yeah, it’s a huge deal. And you—didn’t you say you couldn’t maintain that state before?"
"And?"
"Let’s spar today. I’m gonna beat the crap out of you."
Pae Jin-gwang grinned widely, but Seo-jun gave him a deadpan stare.
‘Co to think of it….’
Seo-jun still had a grudge against him—for daring to receive Chun-bong’s imaginary flirting in his head.
Unaware of his impending doom, Pae Jin-gwang grabbed Seo-jun by the collar and hoisted him up.
"Let’s go!"
Seo-jun delivered violence with absolutely no justification.
*****
An entire day passed.
"You crazy bastard…."
Pae Jin-gwang stared at the sword pointed at his throat and let out a dry laugh.
"You said you couldn’t maintain it!"
Seo-jun’s sword hovered in midair, glowing with the Reverse Celestial Sun and Moon Aura, pressing against Pae Jin-gwang’s neck.
Normally, Pae Jin-gwang could brush off any ordinary blade. But this one, cloaked in destructive energy, wasn’t sothing even he could ignore.
And for so reason, Seo-jun had been swinging his fists today with more spite than usual. He wasn’t injured, but it still felt unpleasant.
As Pae Jin-gwang grumbled, Seo-jun, collapsed on the floor from exhaustion, answered.
"I can’t maintain it."
"Then what the hell is this?!"
"I just… got stronger."
"Qi-Controlled Swordsmanship just ‘grew,’ huh?"
"Yup. Still not even at the Transformation Stage."
"You’ve gotta be kidding … I just can’t accept this world anymore."
Pae Jin-gwang spat on the ground in frustration.
How could soone like Seo-jun even exist? Any martial artist would fall into Qi deviation just from standing in front of him.
Seo-jun withdrew his sword and sheathed it.
"It’s not like it’s a big deal. I an, it’s not like your neck is actually going to get chopped up by my aura."
In truth, Pae Jin-gwang’s body was ridiculously tough. Seo-jun had seen it firsthand—it was like steel. Hamcheon Stage, was it? No matter how strong soone’s body was, it couldn’t possibly be tougher than that.
"What are you talking about? My muscles are far from finished."
"Yeah, sure. Good luck with that."
Seo-jun yawned and stood up.
‘By now, it should be done.’
*****
When Seo-jun returned to the training chambers, he spotted Namgung Su-a stepping outside just in ti.
"Oh, hey—wait, what."
Seo-jun’s eyes twitched violently. Namgung Su-a, freshly washed and dressed in clean clothes, looked… different.
"…Okay. I admit it. I was wrong."
So breasts really could get bigger, huh?
Her usual clothes looked noticeably tighter—especially in certain areas.
And since rebirth through Bone Refinent naturally optimized the body for martial arts, her proportions were now practically perfect.
It wasn’t the grotesque kind of oversized. No, this was balance sculpted by divine design.
"Hmm… I didn’t expect this either."
Namgung Su-a smiled awkwardly.
"It’s not uncomfortable, is it?"
"No. My body feels lighter than ever."
"Then it’s fine."
Actually, it was more than fine.
Seo-jun nodded in satisfaction, and Namgung Su-a’s face finally broke into a cheerful smile.
"Anyway, what about Chun-bong?"
"Huh? She’s not out yet?"
Seo-jun had assud Chun-bong would’ve co out first. But apparently not.
His expression hardened.
‘No way.’
There was one thing that had been bothering him.
When the Sword Deity’s spirit had settled into Chun-bong’s body, it had expanded her spiritual vessel—her capacity to contain divine energy.
As long as it didn’t expand too much, it should’ve been fine… but what if it had?
Seo-jun kicked off the ground.
Boom—!
His body shot forward, blurring as he activated Moonlit Phantom Steps.
Moving stealthily, Seo-jun approached the chamber where Chun-bong had been training. He carefully pushed the door open—
"What the—"
The mont he dispelled his stealth technique, his eyes t Chun-bong’s.
"Oh, hey! You’re here?"
Chun-bong casually waved at him, completely at ease.
Seo-jun slapped his hand over his mouth.
"You—what is that…."
What the hell!? Chun-bong’s appearance—!
Reviews
All reviews (0)