Chapter 185
Jaseong floated a translucent scroll in midair.
It was what Sword Immortal Lü Dongbin had bestowed upon him as Heaven's Mandate.
The Celestial Realm's Kill List.
Written upon it were the following names.
[Alliance Leader of the Murim, Namgung Cheon-rui]
[Thirteenth Heavenly Demon, Dokgo Hyun]
[Head of the Murong Clan, Murong Cheolsan]
[Sect Leader of Zhongnan, Zhong Yeob]
[Head of Hebei Peng Clan, Peng Yun-ho]
[Head of the Sichuan Tang Clan, Tang Tian-yue]
.
.
.
[Second disciple of the Heavenly Demon, Hwa Mu-ja]
[Blood Demon, Chu Hyul-gwang]
With this journey, a bold line was drawn through four of these names in total.
[Head of the Murong Clan, Murong Cheolsan]
[Head of the Sichuan Tang Clan, Tang Tian-yue]
They were giants of the jianghu, executed by Jaseong's hand.
'Now, only about half of the giants of evil remain.'
In fact, every Heaven's Mandate up to now had been a stepping stone to execute these giants of evil.
He had sharpened his blade by removing the Little Evil, and expanded his power by defeating the Middle Evil.
He cultivated strength by expanding his forces and created a rift in the jianghu, fracturing their alliance.
'As a result, I've hunted them down to this point.'
Jaseong slowly scanned the Kill List once again.
Namgung Cheon-rui, the Blood Demon, and the disciples of the Heavenly Demon.
Each was an absolute master leading a vast force in the martial world.
Every single one possessed martial prowess capable of shaking the world, and commanded tens of thousands of warriors.
'I hope the reward I gain this time becomes the ultimate stepping stone to eliminate those giants.'
Jaseong immediately headed to Black Union City's underground training chamber.
He sat cross-legged and drew out the translucent manual, the Heaven Evading Way, from his robes.
Chwararak!
As the manual unfolded, a new chapter appeared before Jaseong's eyes.
'Last time, I mastered the high-rank cultivation method of the tenth chapter. Thanks to the Heaven Evading Celestial Formula I learned then, I was able to open my middle dantian and wield the Wicked Flame Sword freely... I wonder what amazing martial art I'll gain this time....'
But the instant he looked at the new chapter, Jaseong's eyes widened by reflex.
[Chapter Eleven: Footwork—High-rank]
'High-rank footwork...!'
Jaseong's eyes flashed.
Up until now, the Heaven Evading Phantom Step he had learned was a mid-rank footwork.
Even that alone had allowed him to toy with peak experts in the jianghu and escape numerous crises.
And now, to be offered a footwork technique a step higher—a high-rank technique.
'If the Heaven Evading Phantom Step creates afterimages and lets one move like the wind, just what kind of realm does a high-rank footwork reach?'
His heart pounded with anticipation.
Jaseong steadied his breathing, about to check the manuscript's content.
At that moment—
Wuuuuuuuunng!
Suddenly, the entire training room began to shake violently.
This wasn't a mere earthquake.
A strange wave that seemed to twist the very space itself enveloped Jaseong.
'This is...!'
Jaseong instinctively knew.
This phenomenon was an omen—the sign that, when a new martial art of the Heaven Evading Way was about to be opened, the executors of Heaven's Mandate of previous generations would appear.
'Who could it be this time? Baek Cheon-gwang? Or Hong Gukyul?'
Jaseong instantly leapt up, taking a guarded stance.
Brilliant rays of light surged down from the ceiling, floor, and all the walls.
The light was so intense that it illuminated the underground chamber as brightly as noonday.
Saaa—
The swirl of light gathered into one, slowly taking on a human shape.
But this time, something was different.
It wasn't a single figure.
'One... two... three?!'
Jaseong's pupils shook.
Three figures were emerging from within the light at once.
The first was an elderly man with flowing white hair.
Clad in a robe as white as snow, with a vintage sword strapped to his back.
He was Baek Cheon-gwang, the Seventh Generation executor who had transmitted the Heaven Evading Three Talents Sword Technique and the Heaven Evading Flash Sword to him.
The second was a middle-aged man dressed in shabby rags.
A flask hung from his waist, and mischievous eyes gleamed between his tangled hair.
He was Hong Gukyul, the Fifth Generation executor who had taught him the Heaven Evading Phantom Step.
And the third.
A middle-aged man clad in jet-black clothes, exuding an icy murderous intent from his entire body.
He was Yeon Muhan, the Sixth Generation executor who had imparted the essence of the Heaven Evading Shadow Annihilation Sword.
Jaseong's eyes widened further.
"This time... three of you at once?"
Up until now, only one would appear at a time to pass down their teachings.
Yet now, the three strongest predecessors in history had gathered together.
The pressure from their very energy alone felt as if it could collapse the underground chamber of Black Union City.
Baek Cheon-gwang was the first to speak, with a warm smile.
"It's been a while, student. I hear you've been stirring up quite a ruckus in the jianghu."
Hong Gukyul shook his flask, giving Jaseong a once-over from head to toe, eyes wide in astonishment.
"Heh heh, what's this... You've stepped into the Transformation Realm! Not just at the entry level, but already nearing the mid-stage!"
Astonishment colored Hong Gukyul's words.
The last time he'd seen Jaseong, he had only just crossed the threshold of the peak.
Yet in just a few short months, Jaseong had broken past human limits and set foot in the realm of saints.
Yeon Muhan, the Sword Demon, also nodded with a surprised expression.
In his icy gaze lay deep admiration.
"Amazing. Of the three of us, none ever reached the Transformation Realm in life... Truly, the word 'monster' suits you."
Despite the older executors' praise, Jaseong remained unshaken.
He respectfully offered a cupped fist salute and asked,
"You honor me. But... may I ask, why have all three of you appeared together? Is the martial art I must learn truly so difficult?"
At Jaseong's question, the three exchanged glances.
Then Baek Cheon-gwang took the lead, smiling gently.
"That's right. The art you will learn this time is that challenging, and that extraordinary."
Hong Gukyul added with a look of deep emotion,
"It's a technique the three of us devoted our whole lives to pursuing, but could not even cross the threshold. To transmit it to you, the Sword Immortal summoned all three of us together."
... A footwork technique no one managed to master?
So that's why all three transmission masters descended this time?
"What is this footwork technique?"
Jaseong asked.
Hong Gukyul replied slowly, enunciating each word.
"Heaven Evading Clone Step."
Jaseong's brow shot up.
"Clone Step? Is that different from Heaven Evading Phantom Step?"
Baek Cheon-gwang nodded and explained,
"Yes, as you know, the Heaven Evading Phantom Step is a footwork that creates afterimages. By utilizing the refraction of light and residual traces of energy, it deceives the opponent's eyes."
Jaseong nodded.
With Heaven Evading Phantom Step, he had been able to create a hundred or more afterimages.
Those afterimages had proved tremendously useful when dealing with enemies like the Black Wind Society and Three Souls Hall.
But there were obvious limitations.
Against peak experts, especially those with opened Samadhi Eyes, the afterimages were useless.
They could immediately distinguish the real from the false by reading intent or the flow of ki.
Against foes like Namgung Ak, Peng Yun-ho, and Zhong Yeob, the afterimages only served to buy a fleeting instant.
That was why recently, Jaseong had focused on maximizing evasive speed using the "lightest step"—the core of the Heaven Evading Phantom Step—rather than bothering with afterimages.
Hong Gukyul continued his explanation.
"But the Heaven Evading Clone Step is different. It doesn't make afterimages... it makes real clones!"
"What?!"
Jaseong was astounded.
Not afterimages, but real clones?
That belonged not to the realm of martial arts, but rather to that of magic—or perhaps even supernatural power.
"Real clones... how is that possible? Does it involve splitting the body in two?"
The Sword Demon, Yeon Muhan, folded his arms and answered.
"It uses the Innate True Ki of the Heaven Evading Celestial Formula. You merge the innate true ki gathered in your middle dantian with the internal power from your lower dantian, and materialize it as a mass of highly condensed energy."
Baek Cheon-gwang added,
"A clone created this way is no mere illusion. It has substance, moves as you will, and can even wield a sword to strike down your foes."
"......!"
Jaseong's jaw dropped.
A clone with substance.
For someone like Jaseong, who often fought against multiple enemies alone, it was a dream come true.
"And as those afterimages overlap and overlap... the clone can possess up to half the strength of your true body!"
At Hong Gukyul's words, Jaseong's mind spun rapidly.
'Half the strength of the original... that means I could attack in tandem with a second Jaseong!'
At his current might in the Transformation Realm, even half his power was enough to overpower most peak experts.
Even a single such clone would exponentially boost his total fighting force.
Baek Cheon-gwang gazed into the distance and said,
"Sword Immortal Lü Dongbin could produce up to a hundred clones using Heaven Evading Clone Step."
"One hundred...!"
"He had already ascended to immortality, thoroughly surpassing the realm of mortals."
Jaseong's eyes widened further.
A hundred clones.
A hundred Jaseongs, each possessing half the strength of the original.
That was combat power rivaling an entire sect—or even an army.
'If I could create a hundred clones....'
Just imagining it made him shudder.
Not even the Murim Alliance's great army led by Namgung Cheon-rui, nor the Ten-Thousand-Mountain Range of the Demonic Cult, would be a threat.
'I must master this. If I do, I'll be able to face Namgung Cheon-rui, the Heavenly Demon cult leader, and even the Blood Demon!'
Jaseong's eyes blazed with determination.
"Please teach me. No matter the suffering, I will master it."
Hong Gukyul laughed boisterously.
"Good! I like that look in your eyes. But steel yourself. This technique will be grueling, gnawing at not just your body, but your mind as well."
The Sword Demon added coldly,
"Handling Innate True Ki is like walking on a knife's edge. If you lose control, the energy could run rampant and split your very self. If you don't want to be consumed by your own clone, unyielding mental fortitude is essential."
"I will endure it."
Jaseong's reply was firm, without a hint of hesitation.
"Then let us begin."
Baek Cheon-gwang raised his hand.
At once, the air in the training chamber changed.
The three former executors released their energy simultaneously, bearing down on Jaseong.
"The first step to Heaven Evading Clone Step is to split your own energy and give it form. Divide your intent in two!"
Jaseong sat cross-legged and closed his eyes.
He activated the Heaven Evading Celestial Formula and drew up the Innate True Ki from his middle dantian.
White, flame-like energy ignited near his heart.
'Divide it... my will, my energy....'
It was agony more excruciating than carving bones—a pain as if his soul were being torn asunder.
But Jaseong didn't stop.
Cold sweat poured down his forehead like rain, but his focus never wavered.
Sssss—
White energy seeped from Jaseong's body.
It gathered in midair and slowly began to take on human shape.
Faint, yet unmistakable—another Jaseong.
"Ooh..."
Hong Gukyul murmured in awe.
"To form a shape in just one attempt... truly a monster. Not only has he reached the Transformation Realm, but he even has the special talent of Samadhi Eyes..."
But Jaseong wasn't satisfied.
It was still only a shell, a mere wraith with no substance.
'More... I need to push more in.'
He drew up internal power from his lower dantian and infused it into the clone.
Golden internal energy flowed into the white figure.
How long did he concentrate like that?
Shushushuk!