Chapter 649: Back to the Central Plains.

The Composition of the Nine Flames Wheel Technique (Nine Successes).

It’s the realm I reached in my previous life.

It was a realm where I could create tsunamis made of flames, or fly through the air using heat.

It was also a realm where I became able to use all sorts of things.

If there’s a difference from my previous life.

‘Now is much better.’

Physically, or in terms of enlightenment, or the amount of internal energy, I can say my current state is much more refined than in my previous life.

Hwa-reureu-reuk-!

I modified the Essence of Flame gathered at my fingertips little by little.

The shape of the delicately gathered sphere changed.

Deu-deu-deu-deu-deuk.

As it was accompanied by rotation and compression, friction arose in the internal energy, causing vibrations.

Thus, without rushing, I modified it little by little, controlling the energy.

Seu-eu-eu-eu.

Soon, it took only a few seconds to become the shape of a long spear.

However.

Jjijik-! Jjijijik–!

As I tried to form and maintain the shape, the internal energy couldn’t withstand it and was about to burst. Seeing that, I made a disappointed expression and overlaid a mental image.

Only then did the internal energy calm down and take its proper form.

It was the Essence of Flame’s transformation technique that I made. The Essence of Flame Star Spear.

I had first used it just a few days ago, and its completion level is much higher than back then.

Unfortunately, because I ultimately had to overlay a mental image, I can’t say it’s perfect.

The fact that it’s easier to cast than back then means my realm has become that much higher.

Furthermore, to put it another way.

‘I’ll only be able to use the Star Spear perfectly once I achieve Great Accomplishment.’

It also meant that the difficulty level of the transformation technique I painstakingly created was too high.

Damn it. I’ll only be able to use it properly once I achieve Great Accomplishment?

‘What bullshit, to make something like this of all things.’

It still lingers.

The completed version of the Star Spear that was held in my father’s hand.

For a moment, while feeling like it was stolen, desire also permeated me.

Since it meant it could be made to that extent, in a way, it was also hope.

‘Great Accomplishment.’

Hwa-reuk-!

As I recalled the Star Spear, I thought.

Six years have already passed since I regressed.

I turned twenty years old. My life became somewhat different from my previous life.

What was I doing around the time of my previous life, when I was twenty years old?

‘What else, I was a total degenerate.’

It was a point in time when I had already fallen out of favor with the clan. It seems like it was around the time I ascended to the position of Young Master.

It was also the day I was dragged to the Dragon Phoenix Gathering and suffered humiliation. Like being called the degenerate of Shanxi. Or that a dog was born from a tiger. I heard all sorts of nonsense, threw fits, and got beaten up.

It wasn’t a memory I particularly wanted to recall.

‘Compared to that….’

Now, beyond twenty years old, I’ve regained the realm of my previous life. As I’ve gained a reputation, though not exactly a good one, in my own way, and while thinking it’s better than my previous life.

‘The things I need to do haven’t decreased.’

Actually, there were just too many accumulated tasks to enjoy the changed life.

‘In the first place, I don’t even intend to enjoy such things.’

Tuk-tuk.

Brushing off my hands, I erased the remaining internal energy.

Right now, I was constantly checking my changed body.

Since my realm increased suddenly, I had to fully grasp the difference.

‘My internal energy capacity is double. Even compared to my previous life, it doesn’t fall behind.’

It meant I wasn’t at the level where I’d be gasping anywhere, saying I lacked energy.

‘It seems like the physical aspects might take some time to get used to….’

As my skills rapidly increased, disharmony arose in my body. This should be solvable if I train for a few days.

The other problem here is….

‘It’s good that my internal energy increased, but…’

The energy itself increased significantly, but there’s a slight problem with that energy.

That problem is precisely.

‘The cold energy hasn’t completely melted yet.’

The point is that the cold energy, converted into energy, was all contained in the vessel, but it hasn’t all changed into heat energy yet.

‘The amount was just too much to melt it all.’

It was cold energy condensed over several hundred years. It was insufficient to purify it in an instant.

In the end, I had to hope that the Nine Flames Wheel Technique would melt it all over time.

‘What can be considered fortunate at least is.’

Seuuk.

I raised my palms facing each other.

Then.

Jjeojeo-jeok-!

Cold energy gathered from my fingertips, and tiny ice crystals were formed.

Seeing that, I let out a hollow laugh.

‘I didn’t expect to be able to use cold energy.’

It was a change that occurred as the energy of Ice Essence was contained in the vessel.

Since my body learned fire arts, cold energy might seem not very useful.

The coexistence of extreme energies gave me a strange feeling.

How is this possible?

It’s a bit late to think about such things.

‘I don’t understand my own body either.’

Another one must have been added to the already abundant energy.

I decided to just understand it that way.

‘Even if the cold energy melts completely and is converted to heat energy, will I still be able to use cold energy?’

If I can’t use it, there’s no problem.

This was just a curiosity.

‘Anyway, it doesn’t seem like the power is enough to use in battle.’

I don’t think I could use it like the Ice Palace clan did.

‘…Maybe it’s just useful enough for when I drink some cold water.’

Thinking like that, it’s really useless. To be useful enough for making ice water…

It’s not enough to use in battle.

Especially, that level of something like armor that Yuseon showed was even more impossible.

‘Yuseon.’

The moment I recalled the annoying daughter of the Palace Lord, the part I finally needed to check came to mind.

It was about the authority I obtained from Mang, the authority Yuseon used.

I obtained a total of two authorities from Mang.

One is about regeneration, but since it was the point I handed it over to save Woohyeok, let’s move on.

One authority that I hadn’t handed over yet remained.

Seuk.

Like before, I raised my hand.

And I visualized a small jewel in my mind.

A hexagonal jewel with a blue light.

Roughly the size of a thumb.

So earnestly. And earnestly again, I focused.

At that moment.

Ung.

A small vibration occurred inside my body.

Seu-eu-eu-eu.

The jewel I had imagined appeared exactly onto my palm.

Seeing it, I grasped it slightly.

I could feel the texture. The sensation was just like that – cold and hard.

It seemed real enough that anyone would believe it was a real jewel, but.

“Hoo.”

As I exhaled and relaxed my grip.

Sa-a-.

The jewel turned into smoke and disappeared like a lie.

Seeing the energy scattering in the air, I nodded.

‘The time it can be maintained is, at best, a short while.’

If I make it this small, it’s a short while, and if I increase the size or add detail, it will decrease further.

‘It’s really troublesome.’

Each and every one of the authorities I stole was bothersome.

The jewel just now was an illusory image created using the authority.

It can be called an illusion, or a falsehood.

I thought of this as a falsehood close to the truth.

It materializes not only sight but also senses like touch and smell.

Not to mention the space that Yuseon had created.

All those moments that I suffered from her were like that.

Wind.

Earnestly wish and wish.

Then it will be realized.

This was the authority’s name and usage method.

‘How simple it is.’

I just have to wish.

I wondered if there was anything easier than this.

As much as it can create something similar to substance, it’s at least a much more useful thing than cold energy, but.

‘This one too, in the end, its efficiency has decreased, just like regeneration.’

Since I stole regeneration with Greed, it couldn’t exert its full power.

The same was true for Wind/Wish.

‘Really, if I steal authorities with Greed, does the efficiency decrease?’

I consume and steal the Dragon’s authority.

That is the exact part I know about Greed, but.

Here, I needed to express a slight doubt.

Perhaps.

‘The stolen authority isn’t weakening, but rather.’

Isn’t it simply because it doesn’t suit me?

That kind of doubt.

How I harbor such doubts is because I could understand by recalling the fundamental aspect of authority.

My authority is Greed (貪).

I have much greed and dislike being robbed.

The authority tailored to my nature is Greed.

Since I don’t want to lose it, I steal it.

I wonder if there’s anything that fits me better than this.

‘Isn’t Wind/Wish or regeneration also that aspect?’

Wasn’t it because the fitting authority for that guy Mang was like that, that such efficiency was shown?

Such doubt arose.

‘To say it’s not, it somehow feels like it is.’

The reason this doubt started arising is from when I handed regeneration to Woohyeok.

It’s true that my recovery increased as regeneration was contained in my body, but.

The moment I handed it over to Woohyeok, I could see his body being healed rapidly.

It was a strange part.

‘If the efficiency worsened when it came to me, it’s strange that it improved when I handed it over, isn’t it?’

Thus, I reversed the hypothesis.

The authority isn’t worsening as I stole it, but rather.

‘It was an authority that didn’t suit me.’

In the first place, it didn’t suit me.

If there’s a part I don’t understand here.

‘What determines suitability.’

If we simply consider suitability by nature, there was no reason for me not to suit regeneration.

‘I am in need more than anyone.’

If only regeneration had suited me well.

I could fight while enduring my arm being torn or my chest being pierced.

Since that’s not possible, it’s just regrettable.

There must be some other reason.

I couldn’t figure it out that far.

Keu-reu-reu-reung.

The lowly growl that was heard.

Hearing this, I turn my gaze.

“Hoo.”

Before I knew it, a large head had approached beside me; it was Ddol-ddol-i.

Ju-reu-reuk.

Something flowed down onto the floor.

It was blood water.

Blood water was flowing from what Ddol-ddol-i was holding in its mouth.

It’s a monster resembling a wolf with red fur.

Ddol-ddol-i had approached me, holding a red monster in its mouth.

Considering that the size of a red monster is, on average, as big as a small room.

I could tell how huge Ddol-ddol-i had become, holding that in its mouth.

“Haa…”

Seeing that, after letting out a slight sigh, I swung my hand recklessly.

Ppa-ah-k-!

Keu-reung-!

Ddol-ddol-i, hit on the head, staggered.

“Damn it… Why did it get so big again! I told you to grow moderately.”

Keu-reu-reung….

“Bullshit about being wronged. Even without this, food costs are high and I’m annoyed to death. Seeing its appearance, it’ll eat even more.”

Keu-reu-reung.

“You say you take care of yourself and eat? If you go around by yourself with that size, you’ll surely manage well.”

Keu-reu-reu-reung….

“Then why don’t you take care of me a bit? Look at your tone? You haven’t been disciplined enough lately…”

Keu-reung-!

As I tried to grab its fur, Ddol-ddol-i quickly ran away.

Whoo-ook–! As its large body went up into the air, dust spread and wind gusted.

Seeing that, I frowned and said.

“Aren’t you coming down?”

Keu-reung.

“Yeah, okay. Since I won’t hit you, come down.”

Keu-reu-reung.

“If you’re not going to believe me, why did I even say it! Aren’t you coming quickly?”

As I was about to get angry, Ddol-ddol-i sped up and flew far away.

Despite its huge size, it’s damn fast.

“Ha.”

Seeing its retreating figure, I had to let out a hollow breath.

Its size had easily doubled compared to when I came to the Northern Sea.

I wonder what happened in the time I wasn’t looking, but.

‘What’s there to say. It’s because of me.’

I can tell by looking.

That its size and appearance have changed because my energy increased.

‘That guy is linked with me.’

Whether my realm increases, I become physically stronger, or my internal energy increases.

Every time I changed, Ddol-ddol-i also changed.

‘When I became physically stronger, its appearance changed.’

It gradually changed into an appearance that would make one’s legs tremble just by looking at it, becoming more ferocious and fierce as a monster.

‘When energy increases, its size grows.’

Perhaps because it surpassed the skills of my previous life, Ddol-ddol-i’s size became too large.

Do you know what’s funny?

‘Even though that bastard can shrink…!’

Ddol-ddol-i, like me, can use Body Transformation Arts, so it’s quite free in increasing and decreasing its size, but.

Since it seems to like its increased size, it was deliberately acting like this.

“Agh….”

Who on earth does it resemble to live like that.

Shaking my head, I watched the disappearing Ddol-ddol-i and thought.

‘A monster that grows linked with me.’

At first, it was the one born from the magic stone of a red monster, consuming my energy.

Such a creature has changed like that.

Recalling that, I thought of Mang.

‘Mang’s true form was also the form of a monster.’

The white monster called a Dragon.

That was Mang’s true form, which emerged from the Ice Essence.

‘Do all Dragons have a true form like that?’

Mang was a pureblood Dragon, and I was also called a pureblood Dragon.

Then, do I too have a separate ‘true form’ like Mang?

‘I haven’t particularly felt anything like that, but if there were.’

Just then, the one in the form of a monster that grows together as I grow was the one that just flew away.

‘…’

Could it be that guy?

As I recalled the thought, I shook my head.

‘Even if, I am the true form, not that guy.’

In the first place, the concept of a true form itself is a strange thing.

I am the true form; where else would there be another?

It must just be a baseless thought.

Seu-reu-reuk.

While clearing my thoughts, I untied the bandages wrapped around my chest and set them ablaze.

Hwa-reureu-k-!

As the bandages burned, a foul odor wafted slightly.

It was because the bandages were soaked with blood water.

“My internal injuries have all healed.”

Three days have passed since engaging in a fierce battle.

Even though it was a wound from being stabbed by a sword and having cracked bones, the external and internal injuries healed in just a few days.

‘My regenerative power has indeed become superior compared to before.’

Clearly, considering the regeneration authority has been stolen, it’s correct to assume my regenerative power itself has simply increased.

‘If it’s this much….’

‘I can train a bit more intensely.’

To regenerate in just a few days, even if bones break or flesh is torn.

It could not help but be the most satisfying part of this growth.

Pa-sak.

At the sound of footsteps, I turn around.

A handsome young man with pale skin, dressed in neat martial attire.

It was Seong-yul.

He had bandages wrapped around his arm. It seemed his left arm was broken in the fight with the monster.

“Perhaps, did I interfere?”

“No, I just finished. Why.”

“The Palace Lord is looking for you, Young Master-nim.”

At Seong-yul’s words, I nodded.

I was about to go find him anyway.