Chapter 52 – Heavenly Thunder Dao Body Art

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Translated by Frog in the Well

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net
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***

After Jin So-myeong replied to Deacon Go,

an old man with an impressive pure white beard that grew down to his solar plexus visited the cave dwelling.

“Haha! Fellow Daoist Yeo. It has been a long time. I am truly glad to see you like this.”

“I am glad to see you too, Senior.”

“Aha! What do you mean by senior! Just call me fellow daoist. Aren’t our realms the same now?”

“…Understood.”

It was quite embarrassing to call an old man who looked well over a hundred years old a friend, but he nodded his head.

In this world, it was natural for seniors and juniors to be divided by realm. He had to get used to it.

“Ah, right! Here is the gift I mentioned in the Voice Transmission Talisman.”

“Hmm? Thank you.”

To think it was real, not just empty words. He scanned the wooden box handed over by the old man with his Divine Sense, and a dense spiritual power was felt.

“It is the Yellow Essence Pill , a Rank 2 cultivation medicinal pill. Its medicinal properties are perfectly suited for the early stage of Foundation Establishment, so it will be useful to you.”

“Oh. I needed it anyway, so thank you very much.”

Unlike when they met at the Deacon’s Office, the old man, who was acting exceptionally kind, asked in a cautious tone.

“Haha. How much could a few Yellow Essence Pills be worth anyway. Mmm… However, though it might be rude, could I ask one question?”

“Please speak.”

“How old are you? I think you used a disguise dharma treasure, but I am asking because you look young at first glance.”

“It is just that I do not age due to the nature of the cultivation method I practiced; my actual age is greater than you think.”

“Heh! Then I am even more envious. Doesn’t that mean you will remain the same even after a hundred years pass?”

The old man, who was fiddling with his pure white beard, let out deep sighs. He did not seem to like his own wrinkled face.

Since he did not particularly want to talk about the Five Viscera Hundred Tempering Art, he changed the subject.

“Deacon. Since I was focusing on cultivation, I am ignorant of recent news. Have there been any incidents over the past few years?”

“There have been many incidents. The war between the Demonic Sects and the Righteous Sects is continuing to intensify. A year ago, Red Yang Market fell to the side of the Demonic Sects.”

Jin So-myeong’s brow furrowed.

To think that Red Yang Market, where he started his cultivation, had fallen to the demonic forces. The war seemed far more serious than expected.

“Red Yang Market’s situation is relatively fine. They hardly resisted, practically surrendering, so there were almost no casualties.”

“…They surrendered?”

“Yes. Actually, it turns out the Red Yang Sect was a force secretly raised by the Demonic Sects. What was their name, Shim something? Anyway, a Foundation Establishment elder with the surname Shim opened the formation protecting the market, and it was occupied in an instant.”

“Good heavens.”

A chill ran down his spine at the joy and sorrow that diverged due to a single decision he had made in the past.

If he had practiced leisurely without challenging the secret realm, he would still be in Red Yang Market.

Had that been the case, he did not know what state he would be in after being forcibly conscripted by the Demonic Sects.

The Righteous Sects at least saved face, but the Demonic Sects had no line of decency at all.

If they could get stronger, they were fellows who would literally devour humans.

A few senior brothers and sisters came to mind, but he could only offer them a silent prayer.

‘Whew… It was a good thing I left early.’

This world was a place where one could not do so even if they wanted to cultivate leisurely.

One never knew if a choice that seemed safe for now would be the path leading to a place of death.

At the moment when he was inwardly letting out a sigh of relief,

he suddenly recalled what the deacon had said and asked.

“If Red Yang Market is on the relatively fine side, what happened to other places?”

“About two months ago? Yellow Wind Market was completely turned to dust. It was caught in a Golden Core-grade battle and annihilated. Probably not even a single ant survived.”

“…”

He was lost for words at the shocking news.

Just as he was contemplating how to cope with the major event of war,

“Hm, hm. The world is indeed turbulent these days. That being said, do you have any future plans?”

“…Well.”

“How about joining our Azure Elixir City Deacon’s Office? Wandering alone in times like these is not very good. For your information, we are a neutral force that does not intervene in the war.”

Deacon’s Office…

Since he had anticipated it from the moment the Azure Elixir City deacon visited, he was not surprised.

When he fell into contemplation in silence, the deacon spoke.

“There is no need to think too hard. Just try it first, and if you do not like it, you can leave at any time.”

“I can leave?”

“Of course. Our Deacon’s Office is not some sect, so would we hold you forcibly? There isn’t much to do either.”

Jin So-myeong, who listened to the explanation that followed, nodded.

“So you mean it is done once we do a public patrol once every month or two.”

“Yes. Simple, right?”

It was literally so.

What Azure Elixir City wanted was the rumor itself that a Foundation Establishment Grand Cultivator was managing public order.

There was certainly nothing difficult about it. It did not seem like it would hinder his cultivation either.

“To be honest, it is hard to say the compensation is spectacular, but it won’t be too bad. The Rank 2 cave dwelling you currently live in will naturally be provided for free, and you can choose to practice one of the Rank 2 cultivation methods every half year.”

Rank 2 cultivation method.

He did not care about the rent of the cave dwelling since it was not much of a burden, but he coveted the cultivation methods Azure Elixir City had collected.

Just breaking through Foundation Establishment, he needed many cultivation methods or spells.

‘I also need to newly learn a stealth art, disguise art, and movement technique.’

Perhaps noticing that his heart was swayed, the deacon’s voice grew a level louder.

“Haha. Since I also came from a rogue cultivator background, I know well. You probably practiced the Five Elements Qi Condensation Art, right? Since you reached Foundation Establishment, shouldn’t you change to a decent cultivation method?”

“Mmm. That is true.”

Although the Five Elements Qi Condensation Art Jin So-myeong practiced was far superior compared to others, it was not exactly wrong.

If he registered a Rank 2 cultivation method in the mastery system to evolve it, a far more powerful cultivation method might come out.

“For your information, among the cultivation methods our Azure Elixir City has collected, there is also a thunder art .”

“…A thunder art? Are you referring to the Thunder Dao cultivation method, which is called unrivaled among the same rank?”

There were few existences famous for powerful combat strength like sword cultivators, and one of them was a cultivator who practiced a thunder art.

To think it was lightning, called the leader of ten thousand laws.

Lightning strikes were famous for their swift and domineering power, even putting aside casting out evil.

As Jin So-myeong’s attitude turned active, Deacon Go, perhaps flustered, avoided his gaze.

“Ah, well. Yes. A thunder art is indeed called unrivaled among the same rank.”

“Is there perhaps some problem?”

The behavior that seemed guilty was suspicious. As Jin So-myeong stared blankly, the deacon spoke embarrassedly.

“Actually, although thunder arts are powerful, aren’t they famous for being difficult to that extent. You will probably find it hard to practice too.”

“Could it be that one must possess a thunder spiritual root to enter the art?”

“It is not that, but…”

“As long as it isn’t a thunder spiritual root, it does not matter. I will join the Deacon’s Office. I want to challenge myself to see if I can practice it.”

“Well… Sigh. It seems I made a slip of the tongue. Let us go together first and take a look at the Thunder Dao cultivation method.”

He arrived with the deacon at a building managed by a strict formation, and soon a jade slip was placed in Jin So-myeong’s hand.

“May I look at it?”

“Yes. If you still want to practice it after looking at the beginning, I won’t stop you.”

Jin So-myeong, who nodded his head, scanned the jade slip with his Divine Sense.

Due to the restriction, he could only read the front part, but it was enough to know what kind of cultivation method it was.

Heavenly Thunder Dao Body Art .

‘If one refines… utilizing the inner core of a Thunder Strike Beast, one can protect the meridians. In addition to this, as long as the perfect balance of… is met, one can enter the art even without a thunder spiritual root.’

Jin So-myeong’s mouth fell slightly open as he read the jade slip.

‘If one achieves great success, beyond becoming one with lightning strikes, can one obtain a spiritual body called the Heavenly Thunder Dao Body?’

It was because of the sentence that followed. To think one could artificially obtain a spiritual body?

A spiritual body was a special quality possessed only by geniuses among geniuses, a blessing-like talent that provided all kinds of help in cultivation.

For example.

The Heavenly Thunder Dao Body increased affinity to lightning, and while extremely raising resistance to various lightning strikes, it also possessed the ability to absorb lightning and convert it to spiritual Qi.

If there was one problem…

“It seems some characters are damaged; was it originally like this?”

“Yes. It was originally a cultivation method hard to practice, but because it got damaged, it became even more difficult. For your information, the Thunderstrike Beast is already extinct, so its inner core cannot be obtained.”

“Is there really no way? I do not mind even if it costs some spirit stones.”

“We cannot find it even if we search our entire Damun Kingdom. Just give it up. There are many other decent cultivation methods, so do not be too disheartened.”

“…No. I like this cultivation method.”

“Huh? Will it really be alright?”

“Yes. I feel I won’t regret it only if I try.”

“Mmm… Alright. Lightning is domineering, so it is easy to suffer internal injuries. Since you have just risen to Foundation Establishment, do not overexert yourself too much.”

“I will be careful.”

The deacon’s worry was reasonable, but Jin So-myeong had a method. As long as there was the mastery system, even a damaged cultivation method could be practiced.

He wanted to register it in the system right away, but he endured because there were watching eyes.

At the moment when he was inwardly smacking his lips,

“Normally, I should give the cultivation method only after you have completed patrols for six months, but… since I feel sorry for the slip of the tongue, I will give it to you half a year early.”

“Oh. Then I would be grateful.”

Afterward, he followed the deacon and received a handover regarding the patrols.

Since it was finished by just revealing his Foundation Establishment spiritual power and making a round of Azure Elixir City, there was nothing difficult.

Jin So-myeong, who finished the patrol, returned to his cave dwelling.

With his eyes shining in anticipation, he took out the Heavenly Thunder Dao Body Art jade slip.

To think he could handle lightning, which symbolized the power of heaven. It seemed one of the dreams he had inwardly yearned for would be realized before long.

There was no need to hesitate. He first looked into the cost of registering the Heavenly Thunder Dao Body Art in the mastery system.

‘Five hundred?’

He was slightly puzzled. It was not because it was too much, but because it was too little.

For a thunder art rumored to be difficult to practice, the cost was low.

‘Let’s register it first.’

Half a month later.

Jin So-myeong, who was only waiting for the Supreme Great Ability to recover, consumed five hundred beads at once,

and at the same time thousands, tens of thousands of characters floated in his head and were reconstructed.

Rumble!

Five-colored lightning strikes falling within his mindscape mixed with one another.

Red , Blue , Gold , Green , Yellow .

The lightning strikes emitting brilliant light repeatedly split and merged without rest.

Sometimes becoming two as if symbolizing Yin and Yang, and sometimes dividing into five to circulate like the five elements, it eventually returned to one.

“…Ah.”

He was dazed by the complete Law engraved in an instant. Jin So-myeong, who was soaked in the lingering imagery, quietly closed his eyes.

He clearly felt a bolt of lightning engraved in his mindscape.

He could know without even trying. A conviction that he could command thunder if he just extended his hand arose.

【Cultivation Method】

Five Elements Qi Condensation Art (Mastery 1620 / 10000)

Five Viscera Hundred Tempering Art (Mastery 379 / 40000)

Heavenly Thunder Dao Body Art (Beginner 1 / 20000)

Looking at the status window, a laugh naturally came out.

‘To think the mastery is in units of ten thousand from the beginner stage. It probably means it is just that powerful?’

Just imagining how powerful it would be if he handled lightning and Sword Qi at the same time made him look forward to it.

Also, upon entering the Heavenly Thunder Dao Body Art, his doubts were resolved.

For practicing this cultivation method, several conditions were required, and to list only the most important ones:

First. Strong meridians that can withstand domineering lightning strikes, or the help of a corresponding spiritual object.

Second. Possession of a thunder spiritual root, which is a mutated spiritual root, or possessing perfectly balanced five elements spiritual roots.

Although there were many other minor conditions, to list only the most important ones, there were two.

Generally, they were conditions extremely difficult to achieve.

‘Especially the second condition is hard.’

Since a thunder spiritual root was originally extremely rare, excluding that, it was also not an easy thing for the five elements spiritual roots to achieve perfect balance.

People were bound to have innate attributes, so how could one accurately match the balance of the five spiritual roots?

Jin So-myeong also had the water-attribute spiritual root as the strongest in the past.

If not for the Five Elements Qi Condensation Art evolved by the system, he would not have been able to achieve this condition.

‘But it does not matter now.’

Was it a stroke of luck? Jin So-myeong was almost ready to practice the Heavenly Thunder Dao Body Art.

Of course, it was not just luck.

Thinking about it, with his physical durability, he could practice almost any cultivation method.

Thanks to the blessing-like effect of the Five Viscera Hundred Tempering Art, his foundation had become solid!

‘To think a body tempering cultivation method that trains the body from the inside possessed this kind of advantage as well…’

Sitting cross-legged, he concentrated on his breathing.

He gathered all the five elements attributes and guided them to the lightning in his mindscape.

***

Time passed quickly within the peaceful daily life.

On the day when Jin So-myeong turned exactly twenty-two years old,

Rumble!!

a red bolt of lightning struck from the cloudless, clear sky. Smashing the earth, it emitted intense heat.

Sizzle!

It was so hot that the soil holding spiritual Qi was on the verge of melting.

Subsequently, Jin So-myeong chanted the mnemonic of the Heavenly Thunder Dao Body Art.

The moment he drew out the bolt of lightning settled in his mindscape,

Thud!

with a roaring sound, lightning struck again.

Yet, strangely, this lightning was blue.

When the blue pillar struck the earth, the surging heat subsided in an instant.

Sssss…

Even a coldness that felt like it would freeze the skin spread.

Jin So-myeong, who was ceaselessly striking lightning in a deserted wasteland, smiled.

It was because the result of practicing the Heavenly Thunder Dao Body Art for half a year was satisfying.

‘Indeed, it is worthy of being called the Five Elements Divine Thunder . At this level, it will work in real combat.’

The lightning divine ability he had just used was highly versatile, as it could contain all sorts of attributes, including the five elements.

The point that he could deploy various tactics tailored to the enemy pleased him perfectly.

‘Now I finally seem like a Foundation Establishment Grand Cultivator.’

The feeling of growing stronger step by step was pleasant. Watching the earth devastated by lightning, he caressed his chin.

‘I should develop the mine just a little more and slowly obtain Rank 2 dharma treasures as well.’

For your information, his daily income now was three mid-grade spirit stones.

It was the result of steadily developing the Secret Realm of the Mind within a range that did not strain his meridians.

Since he thought of it, he counted the collected spirit stones.

‘Is it around one hundred and fifty mid-grade spirit stones.’

After contemplating for a moment, he invested spirit stones into the mine. Consuming a total of one hundred, he increased the daily income to four mid-grade spirit stones.

Looking at the state of his meridians, there was some leeway. It seemed he could strengthen it a bit more.

‘I just need to grow the production volume to five and wait for the Azure Elixir City auction.’

It seemed he could obtain a usable dharma treasure at the auction where transactions became active.

At the moment when he was checking his plans,

a Voice Transmission Talisman that flew with a streak of light delivered news.

‘The Lord of Azure Elixir City summoned all deacons?’

It was the first time such a thing had happened during the half-year he spent as a deacon.

Jin So-myeong, who narrowed his brows, soared vertically. Without even stepping on the ground, he flew through the air toward Azure Elixir City.