Chapter 997: The Divine Tree and the Master.

Swoooosh-.

Light descends from the sky. Slowly, little by little, beneath the spread-out white light. Like fireflies landing, the lights settled softly.

I blankly look up at such a sky.

It was a sky formed by energy. It was a sky I had made.

“Hahaha.”

Seeing that, I couldn’t help but let out a laugh. I couldn’t help it.

“It actually works.”

It worked.

This was something I had tried several times after my Nine Blazing Flame Wheel Technique reached the Great Accomplishment stage.

I didn’t know how to do it; I had only ever seen it. It was something I fumbled with, not knowing how to proceed at all.

Now I finally realized.

‘…There was no need to learn it, nor any need to specifically seek it out.’

This power required nothing to be done to obtain it.

‘Is it just about realizing it?’

Something you naturally know once you reach it.

I realized it, much like a dragon’s authority.

Hwaruru.

I spread my palm and created flames.

Azure flames bloom. However, the feeling was distinctly different from its original color.

‘It’s a bit brighter.’

No, I can’t even say ‘a bit’. It’s much brighter.

If it was originally a deep blue, perhaps like a clear sky now? Containing clear light, it somehow looked sacred too.

Tuk.

I clenched my fist and extinguished the flames.

I looked up at the sky again just like that.

The sky, still cleared by energy. Seeing that, I thought.

‘Is this Transcendence?’

Transcendence.

It’s what’s called the end of the realm a martial artist can reach. It was the realm said to be reachable only when one’s martial arts reached the Great Accomplishment stage.

A place I obviously couldn’t reach in my previous life.

Chiiiiiiik-!

Looking at the wheel of flames spinning behind me, I had to wear a blank expression for a moment.

‘…I reached it?’

I said Transcendence.

The enlightenment gained while using the Demonic Heaven Godly Art. The moment I gained it, I felt a sensation like a shell shattering completely.

‘…I have reached Transcendence.’

By the time I noticed, my realm had increased.

Hwaruru.

When I put strength into my body, it turns into flames. It wasn’t wrapping flames; it was truly turning into flames.

It’s an alien sensation.

Although I had a sense of this rising to some extent upon reaching the Great Accomplishment, I didn’t expect it to change this naturally.

Moreover, recalling what I just used, I had to tremble slightly at my fingertips.

The ultimate and secret technique of the Nine Blazing Flame Wheel Technique. The power Father showed me once against a Rank B monster.

‘Nine Blazing Extreme Mountain Five Forms…’

The Nine Blazing Flame Wheel Technique’s power was something obtainable only upon reaching Transcendence.

Chiiiiiiik-!!

As I manifested this at my fingertips, the sky-blue flames began to grow brighter and brighter. Then, soon, they took on a white hue and began to heat my palm.

It’s not white flames. I wasn’t emitting demonic energy. It was merely that heat gathered and gathered until it became white.

“…….”

Is this the secret technique?

This power is what cleared that sky. And is it also what emits such bright light?

Then.

‘What kind of effect does this power have?’

I used the secret technique, but I needed to know precisely what meaning it held. Fortunately, I could instinctively know that too. Besides, didn’t Father already show me the world?

I looked at the sky and reached out my hand.

At that moment.

Huwaaaaaaaah-!!!

The blue sky, which had been reversed as if it were daytime, writhed. Afterward, it gradually gathered into a vortex shape.

Kwaaaaaa-!!!

Soon, it began to gather towards my hand as if shooting light.

The sky reaching a state of white night was nothing else. It looks like white night, but that is.

‘It’s Red Sky.’

The domain technique of the Nine Blazing Flame Wheel Technique. It was Red Sky. It was simply mixed with the secret technique, its effects maximized.

The effect of Red Sky is the increase of heat and the amplification of flames. It was a technique evolved from the Blazing Wheel of Flames that emits fire, but when mixed with the secret technique…

‘It feels like I truly created the sky.’

An incomparably brilliant sight unfolded. I gathered and condensed it into one hand as if to release it.

Chiiik-!!!

The sky gathered into my hand. What was created was a flame jewel of a clear hue.

‘Amazing.’

Even though I made it myself, I burst out in admiration. Not only was it alluringly condensed, but along with a color I had never seen before. It was because the quality of the energy was different.

Is it thanks to reaching Transcendence?

Holding the flame jewel in my hand, I took a step forward.

At that moment.

Chalbak.

“…….”

My vision had once again changed to being above a lake. The lake, which had been filled with exhilaration and arrogance just moments before. The deep, dark lake, where I felt I would flail and lose myself if I fell in.

‘It has become shallow.’

Before I knew it, it had become endlessly shallow, revealing the bottom.

What is this? How did it become like this?

What had changed?

The moment I thought of the question.

“It seems you have time to spare to focus elsewhere.”

A voice was heard. Across the way. Further than where I stood in the lake, an old man Shin stood with his hands behind his back.

“You’ve reached the extreme and finally touched the realm. How does it feel?”

“…….”

How does it feel?

“I don’t really know.”

I don’t know.

What kind of feeling am I experiencing right now? Is it purely admiration? Or confusion? Since I’m questioning myself about something I don’t know.

“Well done. That is correct.”

The old man chuckled, as if satisfied with the answer instead.

“Hold onto that alien and subtle feeling. And the fleeting emptiness.”

Seureung.

As he spoke, Old Man Shin released his clasped hands. A sword was held in his hand. Seeing that, I widened my eyes.

‘Gwijung…?’

It was Gwijung. I quickly checked my left arm. It wasn’t there. Gwijung, which should have been tied to my arm, had somehow moved over there.

When was this? I didn’t notice.

Gwijung had shed its bandage form and taken the shape of a sword. And towards Old Man Shin, who wielded it.

Kugeugeugeugeu-!!!

An overwhelming fighting spirit began to emanate. The lake spread across the floor vibrated. Just as the water surged and brushed against my ankles.

“……!”

My vision returned to normal. Seeing that, I widened my eyes. I had erased the white-night sky by putting it into my hand, but the surroundings were not the same.

Hwaruru-!

Chiiiiik-!

The remaining embers were burning everything around, melting rocks and trees, emitting a smell of burning.

Could this be…

‘Did I do this?’

I didn’t remember it, but seeing the shape of the flames, they were indeed mine. As if to prove it, the moment I reached out to recall them, the flames gathered towards me.

Adjusting the incoming flames, I sent my gaze towards Old Man Shin. Old Man Shin was still approaching me, emitting an overwhelming fighting spirit.

“You seem to have regained your senses. Shall we do this again?”

“…….”

Why were that old man and I fighting again? It took considerable effort to understand the situation.

Clearly.

‘Capturing the White One…’

The Demonic Heaven Godly Art. Specifically, the Demonic Heaven First Art, created by linking it with the Fist of Invincible Might. Using that to execute the White One. Perhaps stimulated by what I felt there, I broke through the wall.

And then.

‘My memory is hazy.’

And then what happened? I think I instinctively sought out Old Man Shin, feeling something had gone terribly wrong. I believed Old Man Shin could solve it. Seeing me arrive in such a hurry, Old Man Shin grabbed me and rushed outside. And now we’ve reached this point.

Jjigeun-!

I felt a sharp pain and touched my chest with my hand. Blood stained my palm. There was a wound on my body. This too happened just moments ago. I remembered my body being cut by the Heart Sword used by Old Man Shin.

Fortunately, it had regenerated to some extent. It was also still night, before sunrise. And since my Moonlit Beastkin body remained the same, my regeneration increased, and my body was healing.

The problem is.

‘…Do I have to fight?’

Whether I should fight Old Man Shin to the end, regardless of my body healing. If I were to consider why that guy is brawling with me, it’s probably because of me.

‘Was he trying to make me snap out of it?’

As the old saying goes, ‘tough love works’; getting beaten by that old man definitely improved my condition. The rising exhilaration and arrogance disappeared as if dead and buried. What remained beneath was the excitement about the newly attained realm.

So, should I say I’ve snapped out of it now and suggest we stop? Although, logically speaking, that would be the right thing to do.

“Hoo.”

I let out a sigh and clenched my fist. This was greed.

‘I want to try.’

How much have I changed? What exactly is this Transcendence I’ve spoken of and yearned for? Because I wanted to see it, without missing this chance.

I poured strength into my entire body and glared at Old Man Shin.

Giiiiiiing-!!!

The azure flame wheel that appeared behind my back spun roughly. Heat emanated, and strength surged through my body.

Hwarureureuk-!!

Flames rose along my shoulder lines. I pushed the erupting flames into the clear flame jewel held in my hand.

Hwarureureuk-!!

In an instant, it emitted light. The size didn’t increase. However, I could feel the power contained within being maximized.

What is the secret technique of the Nine Blazing Flame Wheel Technique? It’s not about obtaining some new power. It’s this.

‘Making what you possess hotter.’

So that anything can be burned. Making the rings faster, and the flames hotter. It’s intuitive and simple, but what’s gained from it is by no means small.

I gripped the flame jewel. Its shape immediately transformed. It changed into the form of a spear, and I grasped it. I didn’t even use the power of my mindscape. To think the Flame Jewel Spear was completed so easily. I was surprised even after doing it myself.

“Hoo.”

Gripping the light blue spear, I looked straight at Old Man Shin. I wondered how much stronger I had become. I felt excitement at being able to test it.

‘If it’s Old Man Shin.’

Because I had faith he could handle whatever power I unleashed.

Feeling that, I put strength into my toes.

Hwaruk-!

Embers sparked, and a fighting spirit mixed with flames radiated.

Kugugugugugu-!!!

It roared fiercely, as if confronting the fighting spirit emanating from Old Man Shin.

‘Break through in one go.’

While preparing for the unseen Heart Sword attacks, and needing to be wary of Old Man Shin’s swift swordsmanship. First, I intended to push it aside and break through directly.

‘Here I go.’

I break through while maintaining the Holy Spear without throwing it. For that, I raised my power.

Kuaaaaaaaaaa-!!!

I aimed at Old Man Shin amidst the fiercely rising fighting spirit. Then, the moment I was about to charge with all my might.

“Kullluk-!”

“Huh?”

Hearing the sound, I froze, my eyes widening. Suddenly, Old Man Shin covered his mouth with his hand and let out a dry cough. Then, the emanating fighting spirit also vanished momentarily.

What is this? Why is he acting like this all of a sudden? Is he trying to lure me into a false sense of security? If so, what kind of false security is he inducing so ridiculously?

Taken aback, I looked at Old Man Shin and asked.

“Old Man Shin, what are you suddenly doing-.”

“Kullluk……! Keok…….”

Old Man Shin coughed more violently than before and knelt on one knee.

Tududuk-!

Blood flowed from his mouth, wetting the floor.

“Old Man Shin……? Old Man Shin-!”

Only then, seeing that, did I realize something was wrong. I rushed over and checked on the collapsed Old Man Shin.

“Old Man Shin……! Why are you like this, Old Man Shin! Snap out of it…!”

“…….”

No matter how much I called him, there was no response. Shin Noyah had lost consciousness.

“Old Man Shin!”

And what’s more, while bleeding dark purple blood.