Chapter 1000: The Divine Tree and the Master.

I must find the Divine Tree.

Not the three Divine Trees that generals would supposedly have, excluding those of the Mount Hua Sect.

But the one Divine Tree located in the space where the Master resides.

There, I am with the God.

To fix Lord Noyah, I must find it.

Setting the goal like that, the very first thing I did was nothing else.

Hwa-reureureuk—!!!

I slowly recalled the flames I had ignited all around.

The flames gathered in my palm, then seeped into my body.

Feeling the gradual surge, I narrowed my eyes.

First, the very first thing I did was check my condition.

Although I had reached transcendence, I needed to see exactly what had changed.

To do that, I spent time figuring out the changed power.

As a result.

‘…It’s considerable.’

I could tell the level of change was higher than expected.

Although I broke through the wall and awakened my state, my energy hadn’t increased rapidly.

Nor had my grip strength or other aspects strengthened.

If you ask what had become considerable, then…

‘The quality of my flames has changed.’

The flames of the Nine Fiery Wheel Technique contained within my body.

The quality and heat of those flames had changed.

Hwa-leuk.

The burning flames possessed clarity.

Although they were originally a bright, deep blue, this was different.

‘Vitality.’

I could feel vitality in the flames.

Hwa-leuk.

The embers burning towards the sky were particularly beautiful.

Even though they were flames I created, I found myself involuntarily gazing at them.

The flames were flawless.

I knew instinctively that if I wished, I could add more heat here.

And that even doing so wouldn’t change the flames’ color.

Seeing this, I recall.

‘Then, what were Father’s flames like?’

What were the flames of Father, who had surely reached transcendence?

I try hard to recall it, but…

‘…I don’t know?’

I couldn’t remember well. Ironically, it was true.

It was because I had never focused so intently on Father’s flames.

It couldn’t be helped.

‘Because I thought they were the same kind of flames.’

At best, I probably imagined they were hotter, or contained much vaster energy. Something like that.

Or perhaps…

‘That he used flames more delicately than I did.’

The flames I saw from Father back then were viewed with precisely that level of focus, but…

‘…They were different.’

Now that I had reached transcendence, they looked different.

It wasn’t purely a matter of controlling the flames or not.

Nor was it likely a difference in the amount of energy.

It was…

‘Whether I could become the flames or not.’

It wasn’t a concept of control.

Just action.

It was a difference that could only be seen because the flames were like my body.

I sent energy through my blood meridians, converting my internal energy into flames.

Whereas before, controlling and handling them was the end of it.

Now…

‘Even using the same energy, the feeling is completely different.’

Even when I wielded flames using energy, it was still energy after all.

Now, it wasn’t much different from the sensation of moving my arm.

How should I put it?

‘…Like growing wings I didn’t have, but having no trouble moving them?’

Like suddenly sprouting a couple of extra arms.

Even if the wings felt strange and foreign upon appearing.

The feeling of being able to handle them so skillfully.

If I had to express it, that seemed about right.

Hu-a-a-a-ak–!!!

After gathering all the flames I was manipulating back into my body, I clenched and unclenched my fists a few times.

I grasped to some extent how much I could handle.

I also checked the flames’ versatility and maximum firepower.

‘With this much.’

I dare say.

‘Perhaps I could even reach the Three Venerables?’

Isn’t it now that I can finally fight the Three Venerables… or even Cheonoecheon of the Central Plains?

Such a thought occurred to me.

It wasn’t certainty.

It was a fact that could only be known by facing the Three Venerables directly now.

‘…In the end. I’ve come this far.’

Setting that aside, I have indeed come this far.

Since my regression, starting as a third-rate nobody, then becoming second-rate, first-rate, surpassing the peak, breaking through my previous realm before regression…

And even surpassing that to arrive here.

How much time has passed? Even counting the instances, it couldn’t have taken ten years.

I rose steeply.

Although I should be sentimental recalling that.

Kku-uk.

I clenched my fist for a moment, shaking off my emotions.

‘It’s not time yet.’

It’s not that I don’t feel anything.

However, now wasn’t the time to feel it.

I looked up.

Past noon, the sunset was gradually setting in.

I spent a long time assessing my strength. Night would arrive soon.

So. Should I wait for night to fall again this time?

Normally, I would have.

It’s easier to move at night, and in many ways, waiting for nightfall would be right, but…

Hwa-reureuk.

I didn’t wait and quietly ignited my flames.

Impatience welled up.

There was no time to rejoice in the realm I had reached.

Plans laid out in my mind repeatedly swam ceaselessly, but…

Even those were swept away and extinguished by the flames ignited within my body.

Tung.

As I lightly stepped forward, my body became embers, transforming into a streak of light that shot out.

The speed of flight was extraordinary.

My speed increased, yet energy consumption decreased.

Since my internal energy was already abundant, this would allow me to build up even more firepower.

I passed through the barrier.

Stepping outside the Mount Hua Sect, the scenery changed instantly.

I increased my speed to the maximum.

Kwa…!

The sound of departure was heard, and silence followed in my ears.

The sound couldn’t keep up with my speed.

Flying and flying like that, soon Yakwol came into view.

It was a landscape I had seen so often it was now tiresomely familiar.

Hwa-ak.

Arriving at the city wall, I set foot upon it.

“Hmm.”

Climbing the high city wall, I surveyed the area below. Heightening my five senses allowed me to perceive the unfolding scene better.

The problem was…

‘The population has decreased.’

The number of people visible had significantly decreased. Just yesterday, it seemed quite crowded.

‘As expected.’

I knew the reason.

‘It must be because of me.’

The incident I caused yesterday. That must be why the crowd was so sparse.

As if to prove it, unlike the reduced crowd, the number of troops had increased.

I could feel the fear and anxiety clearly etched onto the soldiers’ faces.

There was only one reason for this.

‘The White’s death.’

The head of the White family died last night.

While the head of the Blue family, though attacked, did not die.

In the previous attack, amidst countless individuals, the White died, thus anxiety in Yakwol must have soared to extremes.

‘Hmm.’

While observing such people, I leaped lightly.

Becoming embers once more, suppressing my presence, I entered an alleyway between the densely rising buildings.

Since I didn’t bring any spare clothes, there was nothing to change into.

There was no need to wear a mask either.

Because today, I hadn’t come as Cheonma.

At least.

‘Not during the day.’

Right now, there was no need to change my appearance.

I checked for any presence in a deserted area. There was nothing felt nearby.

Having confirmed that, I focused strength into my heart.

Threads of magic spread through my entire body, and soon ears and a tail sprouted.

Since it was daytime, I couldn’t become a Woliyak, so I had to use magic.

“Hoo.”

Confirming my changed body, I moved.

I stepped out into the street and surveyed my surroundings.

“…What on earth is going to happen.”

“Is it okay for us to just stand by like this…? What if we get hurt because of this…”

“What about the other nobles? What are they doing…”

The reactions were unusual.

Despite it being daytime, the faces filled with anxiety were grim.

“In just a few days, two leaders have fallen…”

“One even passed away…”

“What on earth happened… I can’t live with this anxiety.”

When will another attack break out?

What kind of incident might occur in such an attack? Furthermore, what will happen to Yakwol because of the events that unfolded?

Such worries and fears were evident.

Moreover.

“What are the nobles doing.”

“…At times like this, they should be joining forces…!”

The negative emotions arising from that lead to cracks.

Especially since two of the four balancing families were shaken, it was the perfect situation for something to break.

As always. To bring something down.

‘Rather than moving directly.’

Making them fight amongst themselves is the best method.

“I believed them because they were nobles, but they’re busy protecting their own territories even in this situation…”

“If it’s like this, what are we supposed to believe in?”

Those nobles who show no significant action even when incidents occur.

Seeing them, the people of Yakwol grow distrustful.

Observing this, I touched my lips.

‘It wasn’t exactly intentional, though.’

I had predicted it might turn out like this, but it wasn’t intentional.

Fundamentally, this wasn’t what I wanted.

‘I only intended to cause moderate chaos to make things easier to move.’

Perhaps the distrust towards nobles was deeper than I anticipated, as the reactions felt intense.

It’s better this way.

‘Thanks to that, it should be easier to make moves.’

Let the fallen ones be.

What are the remaining ones doing? People might be curious about that, but…

‘Those guys can’t move.’

The Black was petrified through demonization.

The Red was beaten by me and had its ankles bound.

I don’t know when they’ll recover and reappear, but…

‘Well. Even if they reappear, will anything change?’

Even if they show themselves now, it doesn’t seem like much would change.

It’s too late for that.

Ta-bak.

I walked slowly. I hadn’t decided on the destination of my steps.

It was true I came with a purpose, but that was because I shouldn’t seek it out first.

‘How long will it take.’

I deliberately wore the Mount Hua Sect’s attire.

I deliberately revealed my face.

Since I was walking around so openly like this, I judged that they would appear soon.

‘Now.’

So, hurry up and take the bait.

I don’t have much time.

As I recalled that and suppressed my impatience…

“You there.”

“…”

Hearing the voice, I stopped walking.

Turning my head in the direction of the voice, I maintained a blank expression.

If I wasn’t careful, my expression might contort.

‘They’ve come.’

The one I was waiting for took the bait.

The one making eye contact with me.

That guy was Yu Sa.

“…Follow me. I have something to say.”

The fellow said to me with a heavily scowling face.

“Sure.”

Upon hearing that, I immediately nodded.

Of course, I have to follow. I came specifically to see you.

I could do that anytime.

The reason I came here from midday was that guy.

More precisely, it was the information that guy would know.

That guy would know.

‘The location of the Divine Tree hidden somewhere here.’

For that, I had to stir up trouble, even if it was risky.

The original plan?

I erased such things from my mind.

Executing things one by one while maintaining safety? It’s futile right now.

I was going to find the Divine Tree somewhere in Yakwol today.

And while I was at it.

‘I’ll get rid of everyone.’

That guy and this guy.

I’ll wipe them all out.

So that the heavens, which might be watching me, could see clearly.