Chương 248: Multi-faceted (5)

Wo-woong!

The dragon veins converge, forming a massive clump of spiritual energy.

"Blood Soul."

I bring over pieces of the Nascent Soul that I scattered throughout Thunder Spirit Island during the early stages of creating the Nascent Soul of the Earth Tribe, and place them into the cluster of spiritual energy.

"Spirit of the Mysterious Bizarre Gu."

Then, I insert the Mysterious Bizarre Gu into the clump to form a consciousness.

Wo-woong— My vision splits in two.

I look at the Nascent Soul floating before me, surrounded by a faint red aura.

And from the perspective of the Nascent Soul, I can also see 'myself.'

It's my second Nascent Soul, created by combining the techniques of the Blood Soul and the Mysterious Bizarre Gu.

As long as this second Nascent Soul is alive, I can use it to cheat death once even if my original Nascent Soul is destroyed.

Swoosh...

I insert the second Nascent Soul into Yuan Yu's body.

Kugugugu!

Energy surges within Yuan Yu's body, and Yuan Yu, who had been at the Grand Perfection of Core Formation, rises to the Nascent Soul stage.

Since Yuan Yu is kind of my tool, there's no Heavenly Tribulation even when he reaches the Nascent Soul stage.

With this, I now have at least two entities at the Nascent Soul stage at my disposal right away.

Hong Fan and Yuan Yu.

Zzzt...

I fill Yuan Yu's body with my curse spells, modifying Yuan Yu so that I can use him as a curse doll whenever necessary.

Utilizing Yuan Yu's cockroach-like tenacity as my curse doll to assist me will elevate my power by a notch.

"Congratulations, Master."

Hong Fan, standing next to me with his back hunched and hands behind his back, speaks.

"It's nothing. At best, he's a usable curse doll..."

I look at Hong Fan and say,

"Rather, Hong Fan, I have higher expectations for you."

"Hehe, that's an overestimation."

"Overestimation? What..."

I smirk at the tingling aura emanating from Hong Fan.

A deadly level of poison energy.

Poison, although seemingly weak on the surface, can wield a power stronger than any weapon depending on how it's used.

Moreover, if mixed correctly, it can inflict fatal wounds regardless of the opponent's level.

Therefore, even though Hong Fan's realm is only at the early stage of Nascent Soul, he can potentially inflict fatal injuries on cultivators several stages above him by using poison.

'The poison cultivation Hong Fan has mastered...'

There's a significant difference between poison methods of cultivators and that of martial artists.

Martial artists typically hide poison in pouches to coat their weapons during emergencies, sprinkle it in powder form, mix it in food, disperse it in the wind, or dissolve it in water to poison their opponents. This is the usual 'toxic method' martial artists learn.

However, the 'poison cultivation' of cultivators is different.

They accumulate toxic energy in their bodies, cultivate poison pills that can store and mix poisons, and release them from within.

Cultivators who practice poison cultivation often consume potent poisons to enhance their cultivation.

Such cultivators usually have immunity to the poisons stored in their poison pills and specialize in creating endless variations of poisons to combat their enemies.

And in Hong Fan's case, early on, that is, during the Qi Building stage, I shared some of my knowledge on poison cultivation with him, but afterwards, he self-taught himself and developed unheard-of poisons. He advanced his poison cultivation on his own and has long since surpassed me in terms of poison.

"Your poison is something even I would find difficult to neutralize, so you will be a great asset to me in the future. Be mindful."

"Hehe... My poison is nothing special. These material poisons can be detoxified with some time. They are merely ordinary. The true pinnacle of poison is your curse poison, Master. In front of it, whatever poison I develop cannot compare."

"Well, a curse isn't exactly a poison, but regardless," I look at Hong Fan.

Hong Fan had succeeded in his transformation, and Yuan Yu had ascended to the Nascent Soul stage.

Although Yuan Yu is essentially a backup life or a curse doll, I have regained all the powers of my prime with this.

"Your role from now on is crucial."

"Yes, I will engrave it in my heart."

I recall the incident a few days ago when Jeon Myeong-hoon was enchanted by the Heavenly Lightning Banner.

One must never be careless when dealing with entities related to a True Immortal.

The memory of Thunder Spirit Island evaporating when I carelessly summoned Zhengli after feeling reassured by looking at the celestial energy.

Having experienced tense confrontations with Seo Hweol, I know how cunning and sinister those related to True Immortals can be.

'Although I rescued Jeon Myeong-hoon before he called Zhengli... At that time, Zhengli had done something to Jeon Myeong-hoon by manipulating the lightning energy in his upper dantian.'

Knowing this, I can't be careless.

I have to prepare even if it means overreacting.

'It wouldn't be surprising if the Owner of Heavenly Punishment shows up above the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect right now.'

I look at Hong Fan and Yuan Yu, and beyond them, at the main building of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.

I am currently in a valley a little distance away from the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect to elevate Yuan Yu to the Nascent Soul stage.

"It's about time…"

As I look up at the sky, a golden light flashes in the distance, and Hon Wei flies towards me.

Unlike before, she openly brings along a cultivator at the Heavenly Being stage, not concealing her attendant at all.

Her gaze falls on Yuan Yu and Hong Fan as she approaches me.

"Hmm, I heard your pet beast underwent transformation… What's that one over there?"

"One of my forces. Think of him as my subordinate."

"Well, as long as your power increases, it's good for me."

Hon Wei smirks and asks.

"So, is everything going as planned?"

"Yes. I plan to expand my influence step by step. In fact, many followers have recently joined me in the sect, which will make it easier to take action when the time comes."

"Haha, that's very good. Then, what's the reason you called me today?"

"To amend the content of the secret pact we made before."

"Oh?"

Several years ago, I made a secret pact with Hon Wei, who wanted to establish a close relationship with the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.

The content of the pact is as follows: Law Enforcer Hon Wei of Penglai Palace and the future Sect Leader Jin Eun-hyun of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect agree to the following secret pact: If the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect loses its legitimacy due to an unforeseen accident, the Law Enforcer of Penglai Palace will assist the successors of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect in rebuilding it.

During this process, the Law Enforcer of Penglai Palace will support the legitimacy of the newly rebuilt Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect and unconditionally support the decisions of its leadership to prove its legitimacy.

If the rebuilt Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect successfully restores at least 20% of its original size in terms of legitimacy, the sect will appoint a representative from Penglai Palace as an honorary Grand Elder of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.

The rebuilt Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect promises a sisterhood alliance with Penglai Palace through the future appointed honorary Grand Elder.

The rebuilt Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect will establish a shrine to honor the ancestors of the old Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect and allow members of sects allied with the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect to pay their respects.

This is the content of the secret pact between Hon Wei and me.

The "unforeseen accident" mentioned in the first article is in anticipation of me stealing the Heavenly Lightning Banner in the future.

A secret pact made to seal the Heavenly Lightning Banner in the Head Realm if Jeon Myeong-hoon turns out to be a lost cause.

'If Jeon Myeong-hoon turns out to be hopeless, I plan to steal the Heavenly Lightning Banner, declare a new Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, and transfer the sect's main base to the Head Realm.'

The second clause's 'support the legitimacy of the newly rebuilt Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect' means that even if there is opposition from Jin Byuk-ho or the grand elders, Hon Wei, as the Law Enforcer of Penglai Palace, will support it.

Furthermore, the 'legitimacy' of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, represented by the divine object, the Heavenly Lightning Banner.

The clause stating 'unconditionally support the decisions of its leadership to prove its legitimacy' means assisting and supporting me when I go to seal the Heavenly Lightning Banner in the Head Realm.

Clauses 1 and 2 are about providing aid for me to seal the Heavenly Lightning Banner through the new Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, while clauses 3, 4, and 5 are for Hon Wei's benefit.

Clauses 3 and 4 will make the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect and Penglai Palace closely related, and clause 5 is to allow Hon Wei's father, Hon Won, to visit the shrine honoring the ancestors of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.

According to her, her father, Grand Cultivator Hon Won of the Integration stage, still longs for his true love. Therefore even without us marrying, this arrangement will sufficiently satisfy both parties.

I can seal the Heavenly Lightning Banner, the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect can avoid destruction, Hon Wei can gain her father's recognition, and Hon Won can feel the presence of his true love through his daughter. It's a win-win pact for all parties.

Initially, I was content with this arrangement.

But thinking about what happened to Jeon Myeong-hoon with the Heavenly Lightning Banner a few days ago, I became anxious.

"Originally, I planned to create many factions within the sect that follow me, take the Heavenly Lightning Banner, and declare a separate sect."

"That would indeed prove the legitimacy."

"However, I would like to add a clause that even if I take only the Heavenly Lightning Banner without a part of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect's forces, you will still recognize me personally as the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect."

"...? Do you think that makes sense?"

Hon Wei furrows her brows.

"The reason I agreed to join hands with you is because my father loves the 'Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.' If there are no disciples, and only the Heavenly Lightning Banner and you personally are recognized as the 'Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect,' my father will never acknowledge you as such.'"

"I have received the Jin surname, which signifies the position of Sect Leader of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, and I have mastered all the methods of the sect. With only the Heavenly Lightning Banner, which signifies the legitimacy of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, it would not be difficult to accept new disciples and establish another Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect as the Sect Leader."

"Hmm... I'm not convinced."

I read Hon Wei's intent.

'It's not about convincing her. She wants me to offer more favorable conditions.'

"What do you want?"

I ask, realizing she wants some benefits.

After all, her goal is to gain recognition from her father through her relationship with the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.

So, I am prepared to create an honorary position that can symbolize her relationship with the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.

However, Hon Wei's next words exceed my expectations.

"You said you wouldn't marry me or become dual cultivation partners, right?"

"Yes, but..."

"Then become my adopted son."

"...??"

"Affiliation to a sect doesn't depend on blood relations, so even if you become my adopted son, there won't be any problem in the rebuilding of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect. Considering the age difference, this should have been the correct approach from the start. It will give me more to say to my father, making it a beneficial condition for both of us, no?"

"..."

'I'm not that much younger than her, what is this...'

I stare at her in disbelief for a moment, dumbfounded.

I press my temples with my index finger, feeling a headache.

"... Becoming an adopted son... seems rather difficult."

"Hmm, then it will be difficult for me to modify the pact..."

"Instead, how about making the vice-sect leader who will assist me your adopted son? The sect leader position involves a lot of symbolic duties, so if I become your adopted son, I might even have to pass the Jin surname to you. But for a vice-sect leader, there's no need for the Jin surname, and in terms of actual authority, they might even have more than the sect leader."

"Hmm..."

Since I plan to appoint Yuan Yu as the vice-sect leader anyway, it doesn't matter to me.

"Well, okay."

Fortunately, it seems my persuasion works as Hon Wei nods in agreement.

"But, I have a condition."

"What is it?"

"Honestly, recognizing and supporting you alone as the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect doesn't make sense. So, even if you obtain the Heavenly Lightning Banner and establish a separate Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, there must be 'at least three' individuals from the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect who follow you. Understand?"

"Including myself, is a total of four people acceptable?"

"Yes. Can you gather that many?"

I ponder.

'If I mention sealing the Heavenly Lightning Banner, Yeon Wei will definitely agree, and being Yeon Wei's descendant, Yeon Jin can be swayed to my side.'

That's one person.

'Jin Hwi, Jin Byuk-ho, and others would flip if I said I was going to steal the Heavenly Lightning Banner. Jeon Myeong-hoon... I'd have to tell him the truth to persuade him, but that might drive him mad, so that's definitely not an option. The same goes for Jin So-hae, who is one with Jeon Myeong-hoon….'

I think about the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect's key figures and the disciples who pledged loyalty to me.

'Those who claim to follow me are loyal to the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect's system, not to me personally. They all have high pride in the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect's history and will never accept what I'm doing. So...'

I start to filter through those I can persuade, and eventually, another candidate emerges.

'Hong Su-ryeong. If it comes to it, I might be able to persuade Hong Su-ryeong.'

That makes two people.

'And lastly... since Yuan Yu has mastered the Taiji Quaking Lighting Body, I can insist that Yuan Yu is also a disciple of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect. This way, the numbers add up.'

That makes three people.

Including myself, that totals four people.

"Yes, I can gather the required number of people."

"Good, then I'll modify the pact."

We add a special clause to the pact.

In essence, if I am to steal the Heavenly Lightning Banner due to an unforeseen event and flee, and if I have three disciples of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect who follow me, she will recognize and support us four as 'the legitimate new Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.'

'With this, the conditions are set.'

If Jeon Myeong-hoon fails to meet my expectations and doesn't grow quickly enough, I plan to steal the Heavenly Lightning Banner and run away under the pretext of establishing a 'new Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect' with my followers.

However, in case of an emergency.

If something happens between Jeon Myeong-hoon and the Heavenly Lightning Banner, forcing me to steal the Heavenly Lightning Banner hastily, as long as I have three supporters, I can be recognized by Hon Wei and Penglai Palace for my legitimacy.

'Even if I steal the Heavenly Lightning Banner and run away, as long as only the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect is chasing me, I should be able to hold out.'

My concern is if the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect will issue a bounty for "traitor Seo Eun-hyun" to the Human Race Grand Alliance.

While I can handle the power of one sect, it'd be difficult to withstand if the elites of the Human Race Grand Alliance came after me.

But having made such a pact with Hon Wei, I will have the support of Penglai Palace, one of the six major sects of the Human Race. This way, no bounty should be issued.

After modifying the pact, Hon Wei leaves, and I return to the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.

'Then… before any unforeseen events occur, I need to persuade Hong Su-ryeong.'

I head to Hong Su-ryeong's cave residence.

''I wonder… will Hong Su-ryeong accept such a proposal?'

Although it's for preventing the demise of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, it is entangled with True Immortal-related matters so I can't properly explain. Furthermore, what I am planning is essentially a betrayal.

'Even if I propose this, given her reclusive nature, she probably won't go telling the sect leader...'

Though we are nominally dual cultivation partners, I doubt she will accept such 'betrayal.'

'I'm not sure if she will accept or not.'

Given her character, she wouldn't spill this to anyone else, so there's no issue in terms of secrecy. The real problem is her refusing to accompany me.

With a nervous heart, I enter her cave residence.

And then.

"Alright."

"... Yes?"

I'm dumbfounded at her refreshingly straightforward acceptance.

"Well, as long as you let me continue my research and cultivation without any issues. Besides, you've practically mastered all the Lightning Path Methods of the sect, you have the Jin surname, and, as you said, if you obtain the Heavenly Lightning Banner, there shouldn't be any major issues regarding legitimacy."

"No, that's not the problem…"

I ask in bewilderment at her too easy acceptance.

"Isn't this essentially a betrayal against the current sect leader and the Supreme Sect Master? You're okay with accepting this so easily?"

"What's the issue? Historically, the leaders of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect have always devoted themselves to the sect. I might not say it often, but I've always respected them. And…."

Hong Su-ryeong speaks while looking into my eyes.

"Don't even think about avoiding my gaze. Dripping with the intent of 'solely for the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect' while playing coy about betrayal won't work on me."

She laughs.

"No matter what, you're not intending to harm the sect, are you?"

"…"

I nod slowly, without saying a word.

Seeing my silence, Hong Su-ryeong continues.

"Just promise me one thing."

"…What is it?"

"If what you've said happens, and you end up needing to act after obtaining the Heavenly Lightning Banner, the elders and grand elders of the sect will surely mobilize to capture you."

"That's very likely."

"I know you're hiding your true strength. I feel it every time we spar. Even if I give it my all, I wouldn't be a match for you. To even briefly match you, I'd have to invoke all my life force and cultivation.... Your true strength is probably on par with, if not surpassing, the Supreme Sect Master."

I'm taken aback but manage to control my expression and intent.

"If you find yourself facing the elders and grand elders... show mercy, so none of them end up dead."

"... I promise not to let anyone die."

"Good. That's enough for me."

I look at the easily accepting Hong Su-ryeong. After a moment of silence, I ask.

"…But why do you think a Nascent Soul stage elder like me would have such power?"

I have never truly shown my full strength in our spars, always ensuring she couldn't gauge my real capabilities.

Yet, unexpectedly, Hong Su-ryeong has a sense of my real strength.

Hearing my question, Hong Su-ryeong smiles slightly.

"A woman's intuition."

"…"

At her response, I can't help but let out a bitter laugh.

"... Thank you."

That's all I could say.

Kurung, Kurrurung!

"Die, Seo Eun-hyun!"

I dodge Jeon Myeong-hoon's lightning while still beating him.

'His skills are improving. No...'

Even with Hong Fan reaching Nascent Soul, my daily life remained the same.

I continued to teach Jeon Myeong-hoon, focusing on elevating his cultivation through the methods of the Azure Heaven Creation Sect.

And it seems to be effective, as Jeon Myeong-hoon's cultivation and skills have been rapidly improving lately.

Crackle!

Red lightning, alive and unpredictable, shoots towards me from an unexpected angle.

Swish!

The lightning momentarily turns into a sharp blade, leaving a small cut on my cheek.

"... Impressive."

I genuinely look at Jeon Myeong-hoon with astonishment.

'The Red Lightning Quaking Scripture has evolved to the point where it can be considered a completely different method.'

"In about a hundred years, you might manage to put a couple more scratches on my cheek."

I tease Jeon Myeong-hoon, provoking him as I hit him.

Jeon Myeong-hoon's intent reddens further with my words, and each time, his lightning grows even more intense.

Provoking Jeon Myeong-hoon's anger is also part of the training.

Since he's been pampered within the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, provoking his anger to elevate his cultivation is quite effective.

"Damn it!"

Kwajijijik!

Jeon Myeong-hoon unleashes all his lightning energy at me, then collapses to the ground, drained.

I speak to the fallen Jeon Myeong-hoon.

"Well done for today. Just keep growing like this."

He breathes heavily, calming his anger, and I conclude today's training and return to my cave residence.

'Grow quickly, Jeon Myeong-hoon.'

Though I have plans to steal the Heavenly Lightning Banner as a last resort, that's insurance for the worst-case scenario.

The best outcome will be for Jeon Myeong-hoon to awaken his abilities and seal the Heavenly Lightning Banner with his own hands.

To prevent the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect's demise, it's necessary to expedite Jeon Myeong-hoon's growth.

"Damn it, damn it!"

Jeon Myeong-hoon curses at Seo Eun-hyun, who had left for his cave residence.

"Damn! It's still not enough!"

He irritably stands up and paces around.

'I need more...!'

What Seo Eun-hyun didn't realise is that Jeon Myeong-hoon's red intent includes not only anger but also 'inferiority.'

Recently, Jeon Myeong-hoon's sense of inferiority has been intensifying.

'More, more...!'

Jeon Myeong-hoon sits down and operates his method, gathering lightning energy. He focuses on the 'voice' within the lightning.

Wo-woong!

Whisper whisper whisper…

A strange voice reveals to him a cultivation method far more advanced than the Seven Lightning Quaking Scripture.

It's a method even more suited for controlling lightning.

Zzzt!

Jeon Myeong-hoon feels something leaving his body as he follows the voice but doesn't care.

Anyway, as long as he follows the voice's instructions to guide his spiritual power, he gains even stronger power.

He doesn't mind that his feelings of inferiority and anger strangely intensify as he focuses more on the 'voice.'

He has always had an inferiority complex, after all.

'I will definitely… by following the guidance of the lightning… surpass Seo Eun-hyun!'

Driven by the desire to surpass Seo Eun-hyun, Jeon Myeong-hoon is step by step growing stronger.