novelraw Chapter 37
Chapter 37
Episode 37: Flying Sky Island
They called it a battle formation, but there was nothing particularly special about it.
Makjang simply ran over to the Deputy Leader and took over the controls of the Flying Magic Device.
Vroooom—
With the controls in hand, Makjang changed the course of the Flying Magic Device.
Judging by his skill, this wasn’t his first time doing something like this.
The Imoogi seemed startled when it realized its ambush had been discovered.
After all, to spot its hiding place from such a distance, there had to be a true master aboard the Flying Magic Device.
But looking at the device, that didn’t seem to be the case.
Deciding that someone must have a device for scouting at long range, the Imoogi burst out from the clouds.
ROOOAAAR!
The Imoogi let out a thunderous roar toward the sky, its massive body writhing as it charged at the Flying Magic Device.
At that, the members of One Group launched their attacks in unison.
The first to act was Han Sa-jeo.
Whoosh!
She held the Soul Destroying Bow in her hands—a small weapon, but one of tremendous power.
As her arrow flew, the sound of thunder echoed.
Thud!
The arrow shot straight for the Imoogi’s head, striking its forehead with perfect accuracy, as if imbued with some secret technique.
Yet the Imoogi didn’t even flinch.
With a contemptuous glint in its eyes, it raised a massive forepaw to swat at the Flying Magic Device.
The claws at the ends of its iron-like toes looked sharper and stronger than any Dharma Treasure.
Just as the Imoogi lifted its thick, jar-like foreleg, the Leader hurled the Returning Spear, a magic weapon.
Swish!
As the Leader threw the Returning Spear, a dazzling red light streamed from the spear like morning sunlight.
But unfortunately, it failed to pierce the Imoogi.
Clang!
The Imoogi batted the Returning Spear away with its forepaw, then opened its jaws, aiming to bite into the Flying Magic Device.
Fwoooosh.
At that moment, Sanggwan Cheonse’s Fire Serpent soared into the sky, striking at the Imoogi’s head.
Han Sa-jeo’s arrow, fired from the Soul Destroying Bow, flew straight into the Imoogi’s mouth, and the Leader sent the Returning Spear flying at the beast again.
Rumble—
Crack! Crack!
Makjang, piloting the Flying Magic Device, unleashed a barrage of Thunder Strike Talismans, hammering the Imoogi’s head in rapid succession.
Faced with the fierce resistance of One Group, the Imoogi retreated a short distance.
But it didn’t seem to have suffered any serious damage.
Crunch, crunch.
The Imoogi spat out the arrow Han Sa-jeo had fired, its eyes flashing with malice once more.
When even the Returning Spear and Thunder Strike Talismans failed to pierce its scales, it seemed to conclude that there were no true masters among them.
Fwoooosh.
Sanggwan Cheonse’s summoned Fire Serpent swelled in size.
As it opened its jaws and spewed flames, the Imoogi, looking annoyed, lashed out with its tail.
Whack!
Struck by the Imoogi’s tail, the Fire Serpent’s form flickered and blurred.
The Imoogi’s tail was imbued with powerful Demonic Power.
Right at that moment—
Jang So-cheon soared into the sky.
Whoosh!
Equipped with the Flying Divine Artifact, Jang So-cheon flew straight for the Imoogi’s head.
He thrust the Primordial Divine Sword at the Imoogi’s brow, but the beast countered by ramming him with its horn.
Slash!
But then, something incredible happened.
Contrary to all expectations, Jang So-cheon didn’t drop his sword or die impaled on the horn—instead, the Imoogi’s horn was severed, and a deep wound appeared on its forehead.
Splurt!
Blood gushed from the wound like a waterfall, and the Imoogi quickly withdrew from the Flying Magic Device.
A sword that wasn’t even a Dharma Treasure had cut off its horn and pierced its scales...
It was hard to believe.
‘Could that sword be the Sacred Fire Sword of the gods from another world? Or perhaps the Primordial Demon Sword of the demon clans?’
But the sword looked far too ordinary for that.
Thinking it couldn’t be, but still feeling uneasy, the Imoogi began to back away.
But Jang So-cheon had no intention of letting it escape.
Flash!
Brandishing the Flying Divine Artifact, he sliced off one of the Imoogi’s whiskers with the Primordial Divine Sword, then summoned a massive Vermilion Bird to burn the beast to ashes.
Fwoooosh.
The Vermilion Bird, emerging from Jang So-cheon’s palm, was so imposing in size and aura that even the Imoogi tensed up.
It was on a completely different level from Sanggwan Cheonse’s Fire Serpent.
As the Vermilion Bird beat its wings, feathers wreathed in flame whipped up a massive firestorm and hurtled toward the Imoogi.
ROOOAAAR!
But the Imoogi was not one to flee so easily.
With a mighty roar, it plunged into the flames, biting and clawing at the Vermilion Bird with ferocious strength.
But as it realized the Vermilion Bird was a true immortal phoenix, it faltered in confusion—then suddenly, searing pain shot up from its tail.
A human sword had left a long, deep gash.
Fwoooosh
Seeing that even its scales had been sliced away, the Imoogi retreated ten zhang without even noticing its tail was on fire.
Without looking back, it turned and fled, employing the Thirty-Six Stratagems to make its escape.
As the Imoogi ran, the group members stared at Jang So-cheon in shock.
His martial prowess was far greater than they’d expected.
Still, they only patted him on the shoulder in encouragement, saying he’d done well.
Even among sworn brothers, it was taboo to pry into secret techniques.
Some time later.
Sanggwan Cheonse, who had been standing in deep, somber thought, approached Jang So-cheon.
His expression was a bit complicated.
[You came because of the Vermilion Bird, didn’t you? You’re curious how I managed to create such a powerful Avatar....]
Instead of answering, Sanggwan Cheonse simply nodded.
He just couldn’t believe it.
He’d first encountered the Five Elements Heavenly Record nearly thirty years ago.
Yet, after less than a year of studying the techniques, Jang So-cheon’s Avatar was already far stronger than his own.
If Jang So-cheon’s cultivation level was higher, it might make sense—but that wasn’t the case.
Jang So-cheon was at the mid-stage of Qi Refinement Assembly.
He himself was already at the early stage of the tenth star, a much higher level.
[On my way back from the Demon Clan territory, I happened to acquire a relic left behind by a sage of the Ancient Sect. It’s a manual called the Nameless Manual of Intent, which strengthens one’s consciousness. Would you like to see it?]
[Is it really okay to just show that to someone?]
[Not really. The book is sealed with a forbidden spell, so it’s not easy to read. And if the Ancient Sect found out I had it, they might try to wipe me out.]
[So it’s not something you should show to others.]
[Still, if you want, I’ll show it to you. If we’re lucky, it might help strengthen your consciousness and boost your Avatar’s power....]
[No, that’s fine. I’ll look for another way, so let’s not discuss this further.]
[...Understood.]
The senior brother refused for Jang So-cheon’s own safety.
Jang So-cheon understood this perfectly, and even after answering, he felt heavy-hearted.
After days of contemplation, Jang So-cheon realized his own mind was narrower than he’d thought.
His senior brother had passed on the Five Elements Heavenly Record without asking for anything in return.
Realizing his own pettiness, Jang So-cheon summarized and organized a method for strengthening the intent of fire-attribute Avatars, based on the Nameless Manual of Intent.
He handed it to Sanggwan Cheonse.
“What’s this book?”
“It’s called the Socheon Record—a book I compiled recently. I’m giving it to you, senior brother, so feel free to pass it down to your descendants.”
“So it’s fine to show it to others?”
“Of course. Just don’t go handing it out to everyone.”
Jang So-cheon joked to lighten the mood, but Sanggwan Cheonse couldn’t bring himself to take the book so easily.
He could already guess the contents.
“Senior brother!”
When Jang So-cheon urged him, Sanggwan Cheonse finally accepted the book.
It wasn’t something he could refuse.
“I’ll keep it to myself.”
“You can show it to your future wife, if you want.”
“Hmph. You talk like you know everything.”
Jang So-cheon just shrugged in response.
Sanggwan Cheonse put the book away in his Heaven and Earth Pouch, thanked Jang So-cheon, and walked over to Han Yeo-ok.
Watching his senior brother’s back, Jang So-cheon felt his mind clear.
He felt as if he’d shed a layer of narrow-mindedness thanks to this unexpected turn of events.
“Wow! It’s the Heaven and Earth Sea!”
Standing above the ocean, Jang So-cheon and Makjang shouted with excitement.
The sea was vast beyond words.
And mysterious.
Whooosh!
Waves as tall as mountains crashed in white foam, like thousands of White Horses galloping together.
The sky trembled, and the earth shook.
The two, entranced by the magnificent sight, only came to their senses after a long while.
“Leader! Have you ever been to the Heaven and Earth Sea before?”
“Of course. I’m not that young, you know.”
“What about you, Deputy Leader?”
“There’s nowhere I haven’t been.”
Makjang looked at Han Sa-jeo, who answered first.
“I was born right on the coast.”
“I see. So-cheon, you learned underwater combat at the Dormant Dragon Pavilion, right? Are you good at swimming?”
“So-so. What about you, Makjang?”
“Me? They used to call me ‘the seal’ back in the day.”
“Yeah, right.”
They’d reached the sea, but the island they were aiming for was still far away.
When they asked the Leader, he said it would take another two days of flying.
From above, the sea truly lived up to the name Archipelago Sea, with countless islands scattered across the water.
They came in all shapes and sizes.
Some were lush and large, teeming with living creatures, while others were nothing more than a single jagged rock jutting from the sea.
“Wow! Leader! Is that an island too?”
Makjang pointed in surprise at an island floating high in the sky.
“That’s Flying Sky Island. Let’s steer clear of that one.”
“Why? Are there Demonic Monsters living there?”
“Something even scarier. Even Void Refining Stage masters avoid it....”
Makjang stared at the sky island with a pale face as the Deputy Leader changed course.
Once they’d safely passed by, a sudden flock of water birds attacked.
Screech! Screech!
The birds were larger than a grown man, but posed little threat to the group.
“I’ll handle these.”
Makjang stepped forward and pulled out a strange magic device from his Heaven and Earth Pouch.
It was a net called the Heavenly Net Trap, found in the Demon Clan elder’s pouch.
Whoosh!
With a flick of his wrist, Makjang cast the transparent net, which soared a hundred zhang into the air.
It spread out in a circle, instantly trapping four water birds.
Screech!
As the net tightened, the trapped birds panicked and cried out.
But that was as far as it went.
Makjang’s cultivation was too low to tighten the net any further.
But Makjang still had a trump card left.
Whoosh!
With another flick, he sent two Flame Talismans flying into the air.
Fwoooosh.
The flames spread along the Heavenly Net Trap, instantly igniting the birds’ feathers.
Whoosh!
Once he confirmed the birds had burned to death, Makjang retrieved the net and cast it into the sky again.
Screech. Screech-screech.
This time, the birds scattered in all directions to avoid being trapped.
Thanks to that, the Flying Magic Device easily slipped through their encirclement.
After retrieving the net, Makjang approached Jang So-cheon.
“How about that? Impressive, right?”
“Yeah. Is this your first time using it?”
“Not exactly... If my cultivation hadn’t improved recently, it wouldn’t have been this effective. Once we’re underwater, it’ll really be my domain.”
“Hey, how about you master the device before talking big? You can’t even use Flame Talismans underwater.”
“Heh heh. I’ve got it covered. This is called the Harpoon Talisman—you can use it even underwater. Want a few?”
“You already gave me ten Thunder Strike Talismans and ten Invisibility Talismans, and now you want to give me more?”
“Can’t have too much of a good thing! Just take them.”
With that, Makjang handed over ten Harpoon Talismans to Jang So-cheon.
“Thanks. I use them the same way, right?”
“Just infuse them with Law Power and focus your intent.”
“Much appreciated.”
“Don’t mention it...”
Makjang spoke lightly, but Jang So-cheon knew just how much effort had gone into making those talismans.
He’d poured his very life into them.
Remembering what Makjang had said before, Jang So-cheon carefully placed the talismans in his Heaven and Earth Pouch.