Ascension of the Heavenly Demon - Chapter 268

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 268

To summarize, ascension was an expression created by humans. Huabuyuan called it ‘crossing boundaries,’ and said that multiple such boundaries existed.

‘Perhaps what they call Upper Immortals is yet another boundary.’

It might be a world of those far stronger than Huabuyuan, so now wasn’t the time to think about it.

It was a name to keep only in memory.

And those who crossed boundaries existed in All Under Heaven, not in a new world.

They were simply invisible.

Just like how the boundary between immortals and mortals was divided by barriers.

‘I learned more than I expected through Huabuyuan.’

It was fortunate.

If he had considered me an enemy, I would have turned into blood within a day.

He was someone who blocked that deadly poison that felt like it would melt my entire body with a single gesture, and made that terrifying snake disappear with a single talisman.

‘Meeting Elder Uncle back then was truly a fateful encounter.’

It made me pat my chest in relief once again.

“Hmm.”

But then, Huabuyuan’s eyes narrowed slightly as he suddenly extended his hand.

Then the Silver Cold Staff that had been tucked behind my waist smoothly slipped out.

Void Grasping?

No, it seemed like a much higher level technique than that.

In any case, to take another’s weapon without permission…

This was a taboo in Murim that warranted a fight to the death, but that was impossible.

He wasn’t someone I could politely resist by saying ‘Why are you doing this?’ or ‘It’s mine, please return it.’

A child and an adult.

‘No, more like the difference between an infant and an adult?’

Zhuge Munhyeon silently gazed at his eyes that were empty and devoid of greed.

“How curious. Not only was the Bagua Heavenly Cycle in your family, but it chose you.”

“Do you know about the Silver Han— no, the Bagua Heavenly Cycle?”

“I know it. Not just me, but anyone who has reached a certain level would know of it.”

“…”

“It’s a dangerous object. It was created to oppose gods.”

Zhuge Munhyeon nodded with sparkling eyes.

I had already heard this before.

Chiljangjja had said he saw similar records on a cave wall in the Kunlun Mountains.

“Do you perhaps know who made it?”

“I don’t know that.”

“Pardon?”

“The Bagua Heavenly Cycle has existed since before my life began. I heard it was created before the concepts of Yo and Goe, spirits and immortals were established.”

“Ah… Then can you perhaps read the inscriptions on the octagonal faces?”

“I cannot read them.”

“Pardon?”

He can’t read them?

Then these are ancient characters that even immortals don’t know?

“So you’re saying these aren’t characters used by immortals?”

“Immortal characters? Hahahaha!”

“…”

Huabuyuan suddenly burst into laughter.

What was so funny?

He wasn’t even giving me satisfying answers to what I wanted to know.

“Did I not tell you? Immortals exist together within the framework of All Under Heaven, just beyond the boundary.”

“You did say that.”

“Therefore we use the same characters. There’s no such thing as separate immortal characters.”

“Ah…”

“Moreover, I never saw such characters even when I lived as a human.”

“When was that?”

“Hmm… about seven hundred years ago?”

I was speechless.

He was seven hundred years old?

He must have taken good care of himself.

He didn’t look more than a few years older than me.

What incredible youthfulness.

After admiring this briefly, my expression naturally became dejected as my hopes of learning more were dashed.

Perhaps reading my inner thoughts, Huabuyuan continued speaking.

“However, I can tell you one thing: I heard the inscriptions on the Bagua Heavenly Cycle possess miraculous power.”

“Miraculous power?”

Zhuge Munhyeon perked up his ears with interest.

“The Eight Trigrams explain the principles of all things in the world. Therefore they naturally contain fundamental power. However, the inscriptions carved on the octagonal faces were said to be incantations that activate completely different power from what we know.”

“Incantations that control power?”

“That’s right. Originally, each magical treasure possesses different powers… hmm, it would be difficult to explain with words.”

After thinking briefly, Huabuyuan pulled out a small pouch tied to his waist to show me.

“This is my pseudo-treasure called the Spirit Talisman Pouch.”

“Spirit Talisman Pouch?”

The pouch was divided into several compartments and contained talismans along with several brushes.

It seemed to be some kind of storage pouch.

But why was he showing me this?

“The Spirit Talisman Pouch is an artifact that preserves the spiritual energy contained in talismans.”

“Ah…”

“As you’ve already seen, I can use various powers besides my innate Wood Spirit power because of these talismans.”

That was true.

Huabuyuan had used different elemental energies as if he had mastered all Five Elements.

“I can make talismans imbued with Wood Spirit energy myself, but to create talismans with other energies, I must go to places abundant in those powers. Those containing Metal Spirit power must be made in places rich with metal energy, those with Water Spirit power in places abundant with water energy… However, since the power of such talismans is not unlimited, they must be stored in this Spirit Talisman Pouch.”

“I see. So is this Master of Bosan Pavilion’s magical treasure?”

“Magical treasure? You weren’t listening carefully to my words. I clearly said it was a pseudo-treasure.”

“…”

“What are called magical treasures are not simple objects as you think, nor are they objects that just anyone can possess.”

I felt unnecessarily embarrassed.

I had only half-listened while examining the Spirit Talisman Pouch closely.

I naturally assumed it was a magical treasure.

But pseudo-treasures were a different concept?

Seeing me tilt my head in confusion, Huabuyuan sighed softly and kindly(?) added more explanation.

“Pseudo-treasures are merely imitations of magical treasures. Creating and using real magical treasures is only possible for Upper Immortals. I, who haven’t even crossed that boundary yet, cannot use them.”

“But the Silver Cold Staff is…”

“That’s why it’s miraculous. It lends its power even to those who aren’t Upper Immortals. Moreover, the incantations written on it were said to be able to exert tremendous power not just through the wielder’s strength, but on their own.”

At those words, Zhuge Munhyeon couldn’t help but look at the Silver Cold Staff even more lovingly.

You, this fellow…

Were you really such a thing?

I knew you were precious, but you were such a noble thing that even Upper Immortals use?

“In any case, the Bagua Heavenly Cycle is an object that can’t even be compared to my Spirit Talisman Pouch. Indeed, as its reputation suggests, it amplifies your power several times over.”

“Well, that’s…”

“I also saw it change the very nature of your power. That was something even I didn’t know about.”

“Ah…”

My heart swells with emotion.

To think it’s an item that even the Ancestor doesn’t know and praises so highly.

If Eunhangon had life, I thought its pride might have grown taller than Mount Tai.

“However, there are limits.”

“Limits?”

“That’s right. No matter how great the Eight Trigrams Heaven Wheel may be, if you don’t know how to use it properly, it’s nothing more than a club. Just like you are now.”

“That’s true.”

“When I watched you fight Cheonggyeo, you seemed to cleverly understand the principles of mutual generation and mutual destruction.”

“I happened to realize it.”

“But that’s not everything.”

“Pardon?”

At the questioning response, Huabuyuan smiled slightly and extended his hand holding the wood spirit energy forward, causing the ground to tremble faintly as root-like things suddenly shot up.

It was a technique similar to how Cheonggyeo had controlled earth using earth spirit energy.

“This is the basic usage of wood spirit energy.”

“….”

“Since wood spirit generates fire spirit… it amplifies that power.”

He pulled out a talisman and threw it into the air, immediately causing flames to surge up.

And when wood spirit energy was added to it.

“Gasp!”

In an instant, the sky was covered with crimson flames, radiating tremendous heat, causing Zhuge Munhyeon to startle and sit down in shock.

“This is a technique called Heavenly Tribulation Fire. And….”

As Huabuyuan continued to wave his hand, the flames that had filled the sky split into dozens of streams and poured down.

It was a rain of fire.

“When wind is added to what falls, it swirls violently.”

Whoosh!

With the sudden wind, the fire rain became a storm and whirled around.

Though it dissipated before touching the ground, if left alone, it seemed like everything visible would have burned up.

“That’s what mutual generation is. It’s not just about adding power, but because you can use that power in various ways, it’s infinite. Your spirit energy is formless. Since you can transform it into all forms through the Eight Trigrams Heaven Wheel, constantly research its usage methods. Then you’ll be able to easily block something like Cheonggyeo’s poison.”

“….”

“Mutual destruction is the same. You can fight by countering your opponent, but when extreme meets extreme, even more terrifying power can be produced. However, it’s not omnipotent, so be careful. Anyone who has surpassed a certain level can do this.”

Zhuge Munhyeon could only swallow nervously with a tense expression.

What a strange connection this is.

Yeongmun taught him the basics, and Huabuyuan taught him the next stage.

“When one is added to one, it might become two or three. Don’t limit your thinking. If you’re trapped in conventional concepts, you won’t be able to exert power beyond that.”

“….”

“Also, work constantly to create your own immortal techniques. Since you weren’t born with immortal roots, there will be many paths that even the Ancestor cannot define. And probably, the reason the Eight Trigrams Heaven Wheel chose you is… because it read the desire to become stronger that’s contained in your eyes now.”

“The desire to become stronger?”

“That’s right. Your eyes hold a light that only those who have never been satisfied possess.”

My heart stung.

It seemed he had indeed been observing me thoroughly.

“My consideration ends here. Let’s part ways now.”

“What? Part ways?”

“That’s how destined connections are.”

“But after receiving such teachings….”

“Why? Are you planning to become my disciple?”

“Well….”

“Indecisive fellow. I don’t particularly feel anything from you, and our sect’s techniques don’t suit you anyway.”

That’s true.

Even when I tried to imagine it, I could hardly picture myself fighting while throwing talismans around.

“But why did you help me?”

“Because I judged that your connection is linked to Yeongbuhwa.”

“Pardon?”

“Also, I was planning to go west anyway.”

“West?”

“Yes, because the energy of another disciple of mine disappeared from that direction. But I felt Yeongbuhwa’s barrier talisman activate from this place as she headed to Yunnan, so I just stopped by briefly.”

“….”

“However, if the time comes for you to decide your whereabouts, go find Taeudon.”

“Taeudon?”

“Yes, since your beginning originated from martial arts… if you go there, you’ll be able to meet similar types. If connections align, you might walk the same path as them.”

“Where should I go to find Taeudon?”

“Since we have no exchange, I don’t know the exact location, but I heard it’s somewhere in Geollyeongji.”

“Geollyeongji is….”

“The name you people use is Huashan.”

“Ah!”

One of the Five Sacred Mountains, located in Huayin County, Shaanxi.

It’s where the Huashan Sect is located.

“Thank y….”

Just as I bowed my head to express gratitude to Huabuyuan, who had perhaps shown me the path for my next journey, Zhuge Munhyeon could only blink his eyes in bewilderment.

“…Amazing.”

He had disappeared.

Both his presence and his form.

I had only bowed my head briefly, but he had vanished without a trace like someone who had never been there in the first place, like wind that had simply passed by.

Though it was brief and I couldn’t gain more learning than what he permitted, it was an encounter that came with intense resonance.

I learned about the usage of Eunhangon that I had vaguely understood, and also learned about methods to expand abilities through the mutual generation of power.

And.

“…Huashan.”

A new journey has emerged.

My heart races.

Of course, I won’t be able to visit right away.

I need to recover the spirit energy consumed in the fight with Cheonggyeo, and I also need to contemplate the new teachings.

Zhuge Munhyeon descended the mountain while holding Eunhangon in his arms.

More preciously than ever before.

Very tightly.

…I won’t let go.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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