Chapter 16. 3rd Edition 2nd Revision (1)

Spirit Blood.

It was an unknown realm.

Although many masters had opened their spirit blood and achieved the Hwashin realm, in truth, they did not know everything about spirit blood.

The concepts of spirit blood and Hwashin had only been properly established about 100 years ago.

There was still more to explore and develop in the realm of spirit blood and Hwashin than what had already been discovered.

Opening spirit blood was a matter of talent.

Not everyone could open their spirit blood just by being taught the theory, and this made it a secretive aspect of advanced studies.

Therefore, Yo-han was confident.

Most masters kept their knowledge about spirit blood hidden like they would hide their pocket money.

He believed no one knew more about it than he did, except perhaps the Sword Master.

He had spent decades meeting numerous masters and discussing spirit blood to create new martial theories and body techniques.

After dedicating so much time to research, Yo-han found Geul's condition even more absurd.

'Spirit blood with a core? It sounds ridiculous, but the force and flow that strongly draws mana from it is definitely a core.'

Although he couldn't inspect someone else's spirit blood perfectly, the intense power and flow that drew mana were undoubtedly a core.

'How did he create a core in his spirit blood? How exactly?'

When he met and exchanged ideas with various masters, they all agreed on one thing:

[The spirit blood is a mirror, and Hwashin is the self reflected in that mirror.]

The spirit blood was compared to a mirror because it reflected the self to draw out the Hwashin, but it was also because it was so fragile.

How many people had become fools or madmen by trying to open their spirit blood with the wrong methods or by force?

In the realm of illusions beyond the spirit blood, the idea that a mana core could be created in the material world was incomprehensible to Yo-han.

When Yo-han explained this, Geul scratched his ear.

"Eh... What are you talking about?"

As expected, it was a reaction of hearing something for the first time, and a deep sigh escaped Yo-han's lips.

"Ha... How can you not know your own body? Or, do you even know anything at this point?"

"I wouldn't have tolerated such nonsense in the past... But now, I'm not sure myself."

Geul had only recently learned about the concept of spirit blood, so how could he have known if there was a core inside it?

'Really, when did this start?'

Since becoming involved with Yo-han, Geul had realized that his body was in many ways extraordinary.

Nodding in agreement, he suddenly took a step back.

Yo-han's eyes narrowed.

"What are you doing?"

In response, Geul wrapped his arms around himself.

Trying to look as weak and frightened as possible.

"No, no!"

"......?"

"No dissection! Save me!"

Geul had finally understood the meaning behind Yo-han's muttered words, "This brat... I should dissect him."

'If I were in his situation, I'd want to dissect him too.'

How fascinating would it be to others if his own body was already so intriguing?

Realizing that Yo-han's words about dissection were serious, Geul took another step back, his face filled with fear.

Yo-han's face twisted in disgust at Geul's theatrics.

"Stop it before I really split your head open."

"Okay."

Geul quickly wiped the frightened look from his face and approached Yo-han.

Then, he cautiously began.

"Hey, old man..."

"What?"

"Then, how do I create a core? Is it possible?"

A core was an organ that condensed mana strongly.

If one core already existed, creating a new one was almost impossible.

Still, Geul asked with hope.

"Isn't there a body technique that allows for multiple cores? Is it possible for me too?"

"Your current condition is a bit different from the typical multiple cores."

While there were body techniques that allowed for multiple cores, they were designed to create multiple cores during the initial process of core formation.

This did not apply to Geul, who needed to create an entirely new core in addition to the existing one.

As the news got worse, Geul's face hardened.

Yo-han sighed and waved his hand.

"Don't worry. There is a way."

"Really?"

Geul's face brightened instantly.

Yo-han crossed his arms and nodded.

"Yes, having a core in your spirit blood might actually be a good thing."

If the core had already taken root in his physical body, they would have had to undertake the extremely dangerous task of breaking the existing core.

'If we can make good use of Geul's current situation... This brat will possess two cores with entirely different characteristics in one body.'

This could be a groundbreaking achievement for humanity.

Yo-han's eyes gleamed with excitement.

"Consider yourself lucky to have met me. Without me, you wouldn't even have tried."

Yo-han's shoulders rose with pride.

Geul, who had now understood Yo-han's tendencies, acted accordingly.

"Of course! How much effort has Lord Yo-han put into making a nobody like me into a proper person?"

"Hmm! Did you just realize that, you fool?"

"Yes, I, this fool, have just realized it! If you make a nobody like me into a proper person, I will engrave your great kindness in my bones!"

"Good, good! A person must know gratitude. Ahem!"

"Long live the great Lord Yo-han!"

"Hem!"

Yo-han, puffing up with pride, and Geul, shouting "long live" like a sycophant, continued their farce on the cruise ship, which was now sailing smoothly.

Three days later.

* * *

Horn!

The sound of a massive horn signaling the arrival of the ship woke Geul from his mana cultivation.

"Ah..."

He let out a small sigh and gently massaged his navel area.

Thump, thump.

A strange sensation he had not felt before.

It felt as if a small heart had formed in his abdomen, but it was not an unpleasant feeling.

In fact, his heart seemed to throb in response, giving him a pleasant sensation.

The more he focused, the more vividly he could feel the presence of the mana core, which heightened his emotions.

'This is... a mana core.'

Four days ago, with Yo-han's help, Geul finally succeeded in creating a mana core.

And he realized once again how foolish he had been to rely solely on a Hwashin.

'Just having this tiny mana core has made such a difference.'

The mana core he had cultivated over the past four days was only the size of a fingernail.

Yet, his senses had greatly improved, and his body was brimming with vitality.

It felt as if he had been reborn.

Horn!

"Ugh!"

Hearing the horn signaling the arrival again, Geul stood up and stretched.

His face looked refreshingly cheerful.

However, Yo-han looked extremely tired.

In just a few days, Yo-han's face had become quite haggard.

He looked at Geul with obvious displeasure.

"...Feeling good?"

"Yep, couldn't be better. Why?"

"......"

Look at that sunbathing cat-like face.

The desire to slap the back of his head grew stronger with each passing moment.

But.

'I don't even have the strength for that, ugh...'

Despair filled Yo-han's eyes as his shoulders slumped.

Is it just my imagination, or does the sky feel unusually close and warm today?

As if inviting him to come up quickly.

As if there is no pain here, tempting him.

'What a groundbreaking achievement for humanity... I might be the one to go first.'

Yo-han rubbed his aching back and glared at Geul.

'You damn brat! I thought it would only take once!'

The reason he was cursing and groaning was entirely due to Geul.

The method he used to create a core for Geul four days ago.

It involved using his own power to block Geul's spirit blood.

Then, redirecting the mana that was seeping out of the spirit blood back into the physical body to form the core.

It sounded simple, but it was far from easy.

If he made a mistake and damaged Geul's spirit blood, it could result in the boy becoming a fool at a young age.

Therefore, it required a high level of concentration, which was mentally draining.

Yo-han tried this method because he thought it would only take once.

If successful, the core in Geul's physical body would have enough cohesion to allow him to accumulate mana on his own without Yo-han's help.

He was confident it would work.

But...

'I've dug my own grave.'

After great effort, Geul succeeded in creating a core.

However, the core in his physical body did not have the cohesion he expected.

No matter how he circulated the mana, the core in his spirit blood would suck it all up.

'Damn it! How much cohesion does the core in his spirit blood have?'

This meant the core in Geul's spirit blood had stronger cohesion than the one in his physical body.

In other words, as long as his spirit blood was open, Geul could not accumulate mana in his physical body.

'Even the newly created core is unstable and needs to be fed mana consistently to anchor it in the physical body...'

Given the situation, what could he do?

Every time Geul circulated his mana, Yo-han had to block his spirit blood.

This consumed an enormous amount of mental energy, leaving his old bones aching.

But the bigger problem was yet