Chapter 177
Four days later.
Jaseong summoned everyone to his room.
Lee Rin, Gu Janghu, Gal Seo-ryeong, even Han Soweol. All eyes were fixed on Jaseong's lips.
Jaseong, gazing at the jade vial placed atop the table, finally spoke.
"Now, I will take the Heaven-Transforming Creation Elixir."
Everyone's expressions instantly hardened. They all knew what that meant.
It was an opportunity bestowed by the Celestial Realm, a legendary elixir.
If successful, one would ascend to an unfathomable realm, but if one failed, the cost could be death or lifelong ruin—a double-edged sword.
Lee Rin asked with a worried look,
"Great hero... must it be now? Your body isn't fully healed yet. Shouldn't you rest a little longer...?"
"No. My stamina and internal energy are fully recovered."
"......."
"We never know when the Demonic Cult will strike again. And the orthodox factions won't leave us alone, either. The strength we have now isn't enough. If we want to overwhelm them, I must reach the Transformation Realm."
Transformation Realm. At that word, everyone's faces stiffened again, this time with new meaning.
It was a level every martial artist dreamed of, but one almost none ever reached.
Even now, Jaseong was already powerful—if he became more of a monster, who knew how great he'd be?
Perhaps, this moment, Jaseong's companions were about to witness the birth of a legend, the World's Greatest.
Han Soweol asked calmly,
"Then, will you attempt it here?"
"No. I will go to a mountain cave half a day's journey from here. I've scouted a remote spot with rough terrain—easier to defend."
Gu Janghu stepped forward, clenching his fist.
"Understood. We'll guard the entrance with our lives. While the Sect Leader absorbs the energy of the elixir, not even an ant will get through."
At that moment, Gal Seo-ryeong came forward seriously.
"Sect Leader, let me accompany you inside."
"Right Protector?"
"According to legend, the Heaven-Transforming Creation Elixir possesses a ferocious nature. The risk is too great for one person to handle. I will keep watch by your side and ensure you absorb the energy without incident."
Jaseong hesitated for a moment, then nodded. With the aid of the supreme peak expert Gal Seo-ryeong, the odds would be much better.
"Very well. I'll leave it to you."
And so, Jaseong and his companions made their way to the mountain cave. It sat midway up a sheer cliff—a naturally formed cavern.
The entrance was narrow, ideal for defense, but within, the space spread deep and wide, perfect for cultivation.
"We'll protect the outside."
Gu Janghu, Han Soweol, and Lee Rin set up a formation at the cave's entrance.
Jaseong nodded silently and went deeper inside with Gal Seo-ryeong.
The innermost part of the cave was cold and quiet. The only sound was the regular drip of water from the stalactites above.
Jaseong took his seat atop a flat rock at the far end of the cave.
Crossing his legs to meditate, he steadied his breath and pulled the jade vial containing the Heaven-Transforming Creation Elixir from his robes.
'At last... this moment has come.'
As he popped the stopper on the vial, a rich fragrance filled the cave in an instant.
It was a mystical aroma, like flowers yet like aged medicinal herbs.
Within the vial was a single pill—its colors, red and blue, swirled together in an uncanny spiral.
After a deep breath, Jaseong swallowed the pill.
'Here goes.'
Gulp.
The moment the pill passed down his throat—
KWAAAAANG!
It was as if a great explosion erupted within. His entire body was engulfed by a burning heat.
It felt like he'd swallowed molten lava. But at the same time, a deadly chill that could freeze him to the bone surged through him.
Extreme yang, and extreme yin.
The two opposing energies clashed within Jaseong's body and began raging wildly.
"Guh...!"
Jaseong clenched his teeth, stifling a groan. Thick beads of sweat fell from his brow, as if in a rainstorm.
His dantian swelled to its limits.
Even though his dantian already contained the internal energy of this sixty-year cycle, the energy from the Heaven-Transforming Creation Elixir was vaster and more violent by far.
'I must endure...! If I can't make it through, I'll fall into ki deviation and be ruined...!'
Desperately, Jaseong began to circulate his internal energy using the Heaven Evading Celestial Formula.
Brilliant golden true ki surged up, trying to subdue the rampaging spiritual ki.
Behind him, Gal Seo-ryeong sat down and placed her hands gently upon his back.
"Sect Leader, stay focused! Don't try to force the energy down, follow its flow!"
Infusing her own internal energy, Gal Seo-ryeong supported Jaseong's energy circulation.
Her steady, calm power protected his energy channels and guided the stream of spiritual ki.
But the might of the Heaven-Transforming Creation Elixir defied imagination.
Crack! Creak!
Bones screamed inside Jaseong. Agony, like his energy channels were about to rip apart, crashed over him in waves.
Muscles convulsed, blood vessels burst. It was like his entire body was being disassembled and reassembled anew—a nightmare of pain.
His skin split open, bleeding through the cracks.
Jaseong was soon covered head-to-toe in blood. Black-red blood even flowed from his lips, nose, and ears.
'This... is so much stronger than I imagined...!'
His mind started to go hazy. The pain made him want to simply let go and lose consciousness.
That's when it happened.
Fwoosh!
A vision unfolded before his eyes.
The Red Light District, engulfed in crimson flames.
Within the fire, people screamed and died.
—Jaseong... how could you run away alone... What about your sister-in-law... your nephew...
His eldest brother, covered in blood, reached a pleading hand.
—Young master... save me...
His sister-in-law collapsed, clutching her belly.
And in their midst, laughing as they swung their blades, were the demonic cultists and the hypocrites of the orthodox faction.
Experts from the Murong Clan, Hebei Peng Clan, and Zhongnan Sect grinned like fiends.
'This is... a heart demon.'
Jaseong realized instinctively.
The energy of the elixir was burrowing into his mind, dredging up wounds hidden in his soul's depths.
The more he writhed in pain, the more it tormented him.
The memories of powerlessness and despair threatened to swallow him whole.
Briefly, he wondered if surrendering wouldn't be easier. He wanted to dash into those flames and join his family.
But....
'... I made a vow.
That I would become an expert who could dominate the world,
tear apart the arms and legs of those who killed my brother and sister-in-law,
and annihilate all the evil of both orthodox and demonic worlds.'
A fierce poison surfaced in Jaseong's eyes. He tasted blood from his bitten lips.
'I... am no longer that helpless boy.
I am the Sect Leader of the Hao Sect, and alliance leader of the Evil Path Association.
I have slain countless enemies, saved many lives.
Just recently, I avenged my sister-in-law and nephew by beheading Ghost Mother of the Nine Heavens....
And through this elixir, I will gain the power to wipe out all who remain...!'
Resolve blazed in his eyes. As his will became like steel, the vision wavered.
FLASH!
The heart demon screamed and receded. The flames died away; the laughter of his enemies faded. In their place rose halos of golden light.
At the same time, the raging heat and cold began to subside as if it had all been a lie.
The energy of the Heaven-Transforming Creation Elixir spun around his dantian, forming a massive vortex.
'Heaven Evading Celestial Formula, Dao Soul Return.'
Jaseong welcomed the energy. His dantian felt endlessly expanded.
Formerly blocked micro-channels burst open, and all the energy channels throughout his body cleared.
At that instant, Jaseong's consciousness expanded beyond his body.
The cave ceiling vanished and the night sky spread above.
He felt the cold energy of an underground stream far below.
He could hear Lee Rin's nervous breathing, Gu Janghu's heartbeat outside the cave, and even the sound of leaves rustling in the wind.
It was as if he could clearly sense everything in the world.
The realm of becoming one with nature. A rebirth, transcending the human shell.
'So this is... the Transformation Realm!'
Jaseong's eyes snapped open.
Golden radiance burst forth from his pupils.
WOOOONG!
The entire cave reverberated on a grand scale. From Jaseong, waves of golden ki spread like a storm.
* * *
At that moment— The ones on guard at the cave entrance all jumped in surprise.
"Wha...?!"
Lee Rin shouted in alarm. The ground was rumbling as if in an earthquake.
KWAAAAANG!
A tremendous surge of energy erupted from the cave entrance.
Like a dragon ascending, a golden pillar shot into the sky.
Gu Janghu, Han Soweol, and the northern sea protectors staggered back, shocked by the overwhelming presence.
"G-Great hero...!"
Lee Rin couldn't look away; the light was dazzling and sacred.
Gal Seo-ryeong soon staggered out of the cave, drenched in sweat but glowing with joy.
"The Sect Leader... has succeeded...."
At her words, chills ran down their spines as one.
Soon, the golden energy gradually subsided and the cave fell silent again.
Step. Step.
Footsteps echoed. Everyone held their breath, staring at the entrance.
From the darkness, Jaseong slowly emerged.
His appearance had completely changed.
The blood that once covered him had vanished, skin now smooth and translucent as jade.
His muscles looked firmer, more balanced, and he seemed a little taller than before.
But most of all, his eyes had changed. What were once unfathomable abyss-like eyes now sparkled with star-like brilliance.
Just by standing there, he seemed to dominate the entire space—a presence that overwhelmed everything.
Like a mountain itself come walking—such was his aura.
It was the dignity reserved for true heaven-level experts.
"Kyiruuk!"
Mansul, perched on Jaseong's shoulder, chirped happily.
The guy's fur glowed even glossier.
Lee Rin, snapping out of her daze, rushed over.
"Great hero! Are you all right? Are you hurt anywhere?"
Jaseong offered a gentle smile.
"I'm fine. No—in fact, far beyond fine."
Looking down at his hands, he felt overflowing strength.
A confidence that he could grasp the world itself filled him.
"My body feels lighter than ever. Like a feather... and yet I feel power like a mountain."
He raised his hand lightly.
Even without using any internal power, fallen leaves around him floated into theair, obeying his will.
He had reached a state where he could freely control the energy of nature.
"So... Great hero, you really have reached the Transformation Realm?!"
After Lee Rin, Han Soweol could not contain her wonder.
"When the Sect Leader said he had a Celestial Realm elixir here, I doubted it at first... but what a remarkable opportunity you've obtained!"
Amid the companions' exclamations, Jaseong drew the Wicked Flame Sword from his hip.
Srrng.
The black blade resonated with Jaseong's golden light.
"Well then, shall I test it out?"
He swung the sword lightly—no sword ki, no sword aura, just a simple cut through empty air.
SHWAAAK!
But the effect was devastating.
Invisible sword ki struck a massive boulder dozens of feet away.
BOOM!
The rock split cleanly in two, its cut face smooth as polished glass.
It was a power on another level, incomparable to before.
'An incredible transformation...!'
'So this is the Transformation Realm...!'
The group trembled with awe, again and again.
With this power, wouldn't he be able to defeat even Namgung Cheon-rui, the Murim Alliance leader discussed as a candidate for World's Greatest, the sect leader of Mount Hua, or even the heirs of the Heavenly Demon?!
Such expectations naturally filled them.
Gal Seo-ryeong approached, asking,
"Sect Leader, congratulations. Now, what will you do with that power?"
Jaseong looked up at the sky.
"Now... it is time to bring this to an end."
"The end...?"
"I must finish my revenge. The Murong Clan, Hebei Peng Clan, Zhongnan Sect... and at the pinnacle of all this hypocrisy, the Murim Alliance Leader Namgung Cheon-rui. And the Demonic Cult."
"......!"
"I will annihilate them all."
Chill light shone in Jaseong's eyes.
The giants of evil who murdered his family and brought chaos to the jianghu.
Now, the strength to destroy them all was in Jaseong's hands.
"Let's go."
He began to walk forward, his loyal companions following behind.
Now, both his vengeance and Heaven's Mandate were entering a new chapter.