Chapter 44

Chapter 43. Secret Scroll Enhancement (2)

"Truly an extraordinary martial art."

While examining the techniques of the Lesser Heart Demon Art, Seohwi couldn't hide her excitement.

The Lesser Hand Demon Art, known for turning both hands into something impervious to blades and spears.

However, this Lesser Heart Demon Art wasn't limited to just the hands.

As the name "Heart" suggests, it made the entire body impervious to blades and spears.

<Imitating Lesser Heart Demon Art>

Of course, it was impossible in her current state.

Based on her guess, she would need to at least reach the intermediate level in proficiency to manifest it.

But there was something she could do even in her current state.

Even at the imitation level, she could unleash the power of Bingjing (Ice Crystal), which was similar in strength to sword qi.

This could be considered a martial art that surpassed the Lesser Hand Demon Art, known as an extreme yin martial art, by one level.

"Isn't it more powerful than the Four Great Extreme Demon Arts now?"

With her current abilities, she would have to side with the Lesser Heart Demon Art.

The Four Great Extreme Demon Arts hadn't even reached the imitation level yet.

"Let's try more!"

Seohwi, now highly excited, started to combine other martial arts.

After several attempts of adding and removing them,

she managed to complete another demon art.

<The Blazing Fist Demon Art (焦熱拳魔功) has been completed.>

It was a combination of the Crimson Demon Art and the Supreme Extreme Demon Art.

The power of fire had increased even more compared to before, and it had become more efficient, allowing her to manifest it with less inner energy.

However, the original Crimson Palm and Explosive Strike were both fist and sword techniques, but the combination resulted in a fist technique, which was a bit peculiar.

"Ah, can't do it anymore?"

Seohwi tried combining the One Element Demon Art, the Four Great Extreme Demon Arts, and the combined martial arts, but they didn't connect.

In the end, she was satisfied with this and looked up at the martial arts list.

[Martial Arts List]

<One Element Demon Art> Advanced Level

<Lesser Heart Demon Art> Imitation

<Blazing Fist Demon Art> Imitation

<Four Great Extreme Demon Arts Wind> Beginner

The martial arts list divided into four.

Suddenly, she felt a strong urge to bring the Four Great Extreme Demon Arts to the imitation level.

Because it seemed that it would appear in the turn-based list.

"There must be something else..."

In the room where mysterious notifications appeared,

Seohwi began to doubt everything.

Creak.

Inside the storage cabinet, on the shelf, the jewelry, the wooden floor—she even tapped on them.

She felt the walls several times.

Soon, she gave up.

There was nothing special left to find.

After a quick look around, Seohwi turned her gaze to the window.

She saw the warm sunlight seeping into the house.

"It's the new year."

Life is a continuous series of mysterious experiences.

The inscription that appeared at the crossroads of life and death brought many things to Seohwi.

And this fortuitous encounter was like a lighthouse in the dark night, illuminating her path.

<Set the schedule for January 96th year (5/36)>

▶ Learn Martial Arts

▷ Accept Mission

▷ Martial Training

▷ Explore the Surroundings

Seohwi chose to learn martial arts.

<What would you like to learn?>

▶ Guide of the Education Hall <Beginner>

All the contents disappeared, leaving only one.

How long would it take to master this?

<Starting the Guide of the Education Hall today.>

With the inscription, her vision turned white.

* * *

Xuanwu Hall.

A place for training and educating the Yin Ying Corps, located in a villa surrounded by forests and mountains.

Composed of one Education Hall Master and over thirty Education Hall members, they were responsible for training the three units under the Yin Ying Corps.

Swish—

When the blinding light subsided, Seohwi saw a training ground inside the Xuanwu Hall.

In the center stood the Education Hall Master, Jifah.

"Although I heard that Kunma specifically chose you for training..."

He was three steps away.

With a sword at her waist, she was already listening to his words.

"To complete the training that even talented Yin Ying Corps members take over three years in just four months is truly astonishing."

His expression brightened as he slowly turned his head.

There was no sense of hostility or malice, and he seemed genuinely friendly.

'Indeed, he has reached the supreme level.'

Seohwi thought as she observed the Education Hall Master Jifah.

There was no trace of the demonic nature that usually emanates from demons.

Of course, his green eyes occasionally flashed, but that was a minor detail.

She could feel a sense of comfort from him.

That meant he had transcended the level of merely seeking power.

His ability stats also reflected this.

Jifah [Education Hall Master of the Yin Ying Corps]

Strength: 6,600,000/6,600,000

Inner Energy: 5,600,000/5,600,000

Realm: Supreme

Combat Power: 8,500,000

His stats were similar to those of the Yin Ying Corps leader, except for his strength and inner energy.

What was curious was that his combat power was significantly higher compared to his strength and inner energy.

"One, with your current abilities, you can't be of any help to Kunma."

"......What do you mean?"

"What do you think the full power of the Heavenly Demon's disciples is?"

The atmosphere suddenly became heavy, and Seohwi fell silent.

She was curious about his intention for bringing up this topic, but she was more interested in the full power he mentioned.

She had always been curious about the strength of the Heavenly Demon's disciples.

Moreover, this would greatly affect her future.

The Heavenly Demon's disciples are chosen by the 'Heavenly Demon's Selection.'

The more powerful they became, the closer they would get to the position of the next sect leader, and it was clear that she would be caught up in their power struggles.

"I will remember it if you tell me."

Seohwi bowed slightly and waited for Jifah to speak.

He looked up at the ceiling for a moment before speaking softly.

"The first disciple. There are three supreme demon experts around him who have a significant impact on his full power. The first disciple is also a supreme demon expert, so we can consider there are four in total."

"Supreme demon experts..."

Seohwi knew that those who reached the absolute realm were called supreme demon experts.

The ultimate realm, known as Wu Shen (武神) or Ru Shen (入神).

Didn't the past Huashan Sect's Gou Zhongming reach that level?

"The second disciple has two supreme demon experts. However, there are dozens of experts who, while not at the supreme demon level, are close to it."

Chao Ma.

On the verge of reaching the supreme demon level. Due to a lack of enlightenment, inner energy, or strength, their growth has stopped.

This is also the stage where the most self-destructive, bloodthirsty demons are born due to the abnormal situation of breaking through the supreme level but failing to reach the supreme demon level.

"The third disciple also has two supreme demon experts. However, the core experts supporting the third disciple are not supreme demon experts but unknown experts. It's said that some reclusive experts who don't involve themselves in the secular world are backing her."

"Then, Kunma..."

Seohwi hinted.

Even without directly asking, he would understand her intention.

"Unfortunately, there are none."

"Excuse me?"

Seohwi initially thought she had misheard.

But observing Jifah's reaction, it didn't seem to be a lie.

The first, second, and third disciples each have more than two, but Kunma has none.

"Then, the experts who have reached the Chao Ma level..."

"How many are there, indeed?"

"......!"

The power dynamics shrouded in darkness were revealed.

At this level, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they were overwhelmingly outmatched.

"Then, why is Kunma still standing?"

It might be a rash question, but she had to ask.

She needed to find a way to survive in this abnormal power structure.

Fortunately, Jifah didn't seem to mind such formalities.

"Interestingly... it's due to the fourth disciple's capabilities."

He made a face as if deep in thought and worry, then turned his head and continued.

"Have you heard of the Heavenly Killer Star (天殺星)?"

"Surely, the fourth disciple is the Heavenly Killer Star?!"

Seohwi was so surprised that her voice echoed.

The Heavenly Killer Star.

A once-in-a-thousand-years talent bestowed by heaven.

A person who can manifest any martial art they learn and has the aura to reach the Wu Shen realm without deliberate practice.

Moreover, it is said that if a person with the Heavenly Killer Star learns demon arts, no one can stop them.

Possessing a bloodthirsty aura and demonic nature, it's like giving them wings.

"But I heard the Heavenly Killer Star can't live past sixteen."

Seohwi asked a question that came to mind.

Most of the Heavenly Killer Stars die because they can't control their madness. Yet, Kunma is still alive.

"Kunma was chosen as the fourth disciple by the Heavenly Demon for that very reason. Kunma is different from the typical Heavenly Killer Star."

The most fatal flaw of the Heavenly Killer Star is their lifespan.

Their innate yang energy is so strong that they burn through their innate energy and die before turning sixteen.

Yet, Kunma survived.

"Then, can the fourth disciple become the sect leader?"

Seohwi asked, and Jifah shook his head.

"No. Even if it's a rare coincidence, the Heavenly Killer Star is still the Heavenly Killer Star. If Kunma decides to release all the power within, he will die at that moment."

Kunma's power is almost unimaginable.

It would certainly surpass the power of a supreme demon expert.

"Just once. The fate of using his full power and then dying."

"......"

Seohwi finally understood the numbers and form that appeared with Kunma.

Especially the '∞' symbol.

This symbol represented the infinite strength of the Heavenly Killer Star.

'A monster itself...'

Kunma.

A person who should have died long ago and yet survived to become a young man.

It made sense why the other disciples didn't dare to fight him.

"Now, do you understand? Your skills are of no help to Kunma."

"I understand."

Seohwi agreed.

Compared to him, her strength was insignificant.

She hadn't even reached the Chao Ma level.

"Then, what is the purpose of Kunma's unit, the Yin Ying Corps, with such a fate?"

She wanted to clarify one thing.

If it was a life that would shine once and then disappear like a moth to a flame, they needed to be clear about what they should do.

"Our goal is to disrupt information and cause the disciples to destroy themselves. And the final battle with the remaining disciple. We aim to end it in one decisive battle."

His words meant they would create a situation where the outcome was uncertain.

A strategy to avoid losing in a battle they couldn't win.

A realistic approach, but also a path with a predetermined fate.

"Don't be disappointed. No one knows how life will turn out. In that sense."

Jifah looked at Seohwi and raised his finger.

"To become a commander, you need to be far beyond your current level. I will train you to reach a higher realm."

"......I'll do anything!"

Her hand clenched tightly.

It wasn't the time to worry about the future.

Now, she needed to become stronger.

That was all.

"Then, let's start the training."

Seohwi looked at his lips, determined.

A higher realm.

She was eager to see what kind of training she would receive.

However,

"Ten thousand times a day. Horizontal slash. Vertical slash. Diagonal slash."

"......?"

"Upper thrust. Middle thrust. Lower thrust."

"......?"

What?

What was he saying?

But he wasn't joking.

[Day 1 of Becoming a Supreme Expert]

<Slash>

Horizontal Slash [0/10,000]

Vertical Slash [0/10,000]

Diagonal Slash [0/10,000]

<Thrust>

Upper Thrust [0/10,000]

Middle Thrust [0/10,000]

Lower Thrust [0/10,000]

An absurd requirement.

But the inscription in front of her eyes was making her comply.

"Start."

Such an absurd assignment.