novelraw Chapter 95 : Strengthened Advancement (5)
Chapter 95 : Strengthened Advancement (5)
Chapter 95: Strengthened Advancement (5)
“Jin Geonmu, come here and sit.”
Gugwi commanded firmly.
He had always spoken respectfully before, claiming it was difficult not to, yet at that moment, his tone was not that of a superior to a subordinate—it was as if he were dealing with a child.
Everyone’s faces reflected their confusion.
“Sit!”
Jin Geonmu obeyed naturally, stepping forward and sitting before Gugwi.
“Stay still. Don’t move.”
Gugwi moved behind him and placed his hands on Jin Geonmu’s shoulders. His palms touched the man’s back, tracing along the spine. He seemed to be inspecting Jin Geonmu’s bones and muscles. Was this Physician of Clarity’s Medical Arts?
Swish!
A cold palm pressed against Jin Geonmu’s Myeongmun Acupoint. Instantly, his back twitched.
“Wait, what are you doing?”
Tension filled Jin Geonmu’s voice, and his shoulders stiffened.
“Be quiet.”
“What are you doing! I won’t accept this unless you explain first!”
Jin Geonmu looked ready to rise at any moment.
To touch the Myeongmun Acupoint meant one of two things—
Either to strike and cause internal damage, or to channel Qi and heal it.
“I’m going to pass my Qi to you.”
Gugwi answered calmly. Yet, as soon as the words left his mouth, the air inside the cave grew taut.
“That’s impossible!”
Jin Geonmu tried to stand. Every martial artist knew the rule—giving one’s inner Qi to another was akin to crippling oneself. The very thought of it made his voice tremble in fear.
“Sit.”
Gugwi’s command fell heavy as stone.
When his hand pressed down on Jin Geonmu’s shoulder, he felt as though a mountain had descended upon him. His body sank back into place.
“This strength… it’s of no use to me anymore.”
“That can’t be….”
“There are two Qi within me.”
Gugwi spoke slowly, his voice echoing softly against the cave walls.
“It may sound unbelievable, but one Qi rests in my Dantian, the other inside my Spirit Flow Core. The Qi in the Dantian was copied into the core. I don’t know why, but I can use both. The one I’m giving you is the Qi that once belonged to the Nameless Martial Artist. It’s useless to me now.”
“That’s impossible!”
“I told you you wouldn’t believe it. But it’s the truth, so take it. Do you think I’d cripple myself at this age?”
Paaang!
A faint tremor began in Gugwi’s palm.
Qi started to flow through his hand. A gentle warmth—pure Qi left behind by the Nameless Martial Artist. The steadfast Qi anchored in his Dantian separated from him and seeped into Jin Geonmu’s Myeongmun Acupoint.
“Ugh….”
Jin Geonmu’s body began to shudder violently.
The foreign energy raced up his spine and plunged straight toward his Dantian.
It felt like a furnace had ignited inside him.
The blazing energy coursed through his meridians, colliding with his own inner power.
‘Something’s wrong… it’s too hot….’
Jin Geonmu’s skin flushed red.
Sweat rolled down his forehead like beads, his breathing ragged as if his lungs were being torn apart.
Neither of them truly understood the process of Qi transference. In fact, very few martial artists did. No one ever gave or received Qi—martial artists would rather die of old age than part with their inner strength.
Naturally, neither knew what would happen during the process.
As Gugwi continued to transfer his Qi, he spoke calmly.
“Physician of Clarity said this process would not be easy. Our Qi have completely different natures, so there will be side effects. You must endure them.”
Paaang!
Gugwi carefully expanded Jin Geonmu’s meridians with his Qi, injecting power into them.
“Ghh—!”
Jin Geonmu let out a pained groan.
It felt as if every bone in his body were breaking. Waves of agony crashed through him. His back arched like a bow, blood seeping between his clenched fingernails. His bloodshot eyes looked ready to burst.
Yet, amidst the pain—he felt something else. Power.
He was growing stronger.
From deep within his body, a new force surged upward.
Sweat dotted Gugwi’s brow as well.
Transferring Qi was perilous not only for the one receiving but also for the one giving.
Only after an entire sijin passed did the transfer finally end.
When Gugwi lifted his hand, Jin Geonmu gasped for air, clutching his chest.
Slowly, he stood and grasped his spear.
At that instant, something unexpected occurred—the moment he touched the weapon, it vibrated like a living serpent. The tremor ran from the shaft, through his arm, and across his entire body.
Shweeeek!
A red aura burst forth from the spearhead like a waterfall.
The crimson light cascaded along the cave walls, painting strange shadows.
“This…”
He could not finish his words. When he swung the spear lightly, the air itself split apart with a sharp tearing sound.
Paaang!
A bright red trail marked the spear’s path, and heat lingered in the air where it passed.
Jin Geonmu turned to face a boulder and aimed his spear.
He inhaled deeply, then unleashed a lightning-fast barrage of thrusts.
Tak! Tak! Tak! Tak! Tak!
Like stabbing tofu with an awl, ten clean holes appeared instantly. Shards of rock scattered in all directions, some clattering against the floor.
Jin Geonmu lowered his spear and looked at his hand.
His fingertips trembled slightly—but not from fear. It was exhilaration.
“This… this kind of power…?”
His voice overflowed with awe.
The strength coursing through his body was incomparable to before.
“It feels like… I could move mountains.”
Gugwi looked upon the group with satisfaction.
Yeon Sohye and Jang Unhyeok had become Spirit Resonance Summoners commanding three spirits each. Jin Geonmu now possessed enough inner power to stand against the sect leaders of the great orthodox schools.
“This is where it truly begins.”
Gugwi murmured softly.
The Spirit Flow Core within his chest glimmered faintly, as if heralding the inevitable clash against the Manifest Demon Emperor.
“Let’s head outside. I want to test it for real.”
Yeon Sohye was the first to step out of the cave.
The dawn breeze scattered her hair into the rising light.
The brookside was a natural training ground gifted by the heavens. Clear streams flowed gently between smooth rocks, producing a soft murmur. Round stones lay scattered in perfect harmony, forming an ideal space for training.
A wide clearing—just right for cultivation.
“First, we need to stabilize your spirits.”
Gugwi approached the two slowly.
Both Yeon Sohye and Jang Unhyeok had their inner energies in disarray due to the new Spirit Union spirits. Yeon Sohye’s fingertips trembled faintly, while beads of sweat formed on Jang Unhyeok’s forehead.
A gentle light began to radiate from Gugwi’s chest, where the Spirit Flow Core resided. The blue glow flowed to his fingertips and wrapped softly around the two.
As Yeon Sohye’s body was enveloped in the light, the clashing spirits within her began to merge, blending together into one harmonious form—like colors of different paints combining into a single painting.
The same happened for Jang Unhyeok.
The unstable heat rising from his back gradually settled, bringing him calm.
“Now, try it.”
Gugwi stepped back as he spoke.
Yeon Sohye took a deep breath and slowly extended her hands forward.
First, So Ryeonghwa appeared behind her. A silver mist rose from Yeon Sohye’s ankles, winding up her body in ethereal waves. A dreamlike aura filled the air.
At the same time, Gale Spirit Guest appeared to her right. Blue winds spiraled from his fingertips, swirling around Yeon Sohye.
Then Baek Seonnyeo emerged on her left, casting a soft, moonlight-like radiance that shimmered across the mist and wind, creating a breathtaking scene.
At the moment the three energies fused into one, an astonishing phenomenon occurred.
The silver mist coiled upward into the sky in a spiral. Within it, a moonlit brilliance danced like a living serpent. The blue winds wrapped around it all, sharpening into countless blades.
A chilling presence filled the air.
It felt as though hundreds of invisible blades floated around them.
When Yeon Sohye flicked her wrist, the silver vortex slid forward toward a boulder.
Jjwaak-jjwaak-jjwaak!
The boulder was sliced apart like thin sheets of paper, scattering into the wind.
As if dozens of razors had cut through simultaneously, the rock split evenly into flawless fragments.
The cut surfaces gleamed like polished mirrors.
“Silver Phantom Triple Severance…”
Yeon Sohye murmured unconsciously. The name of a new martial art had formed naturally on her lips.
“Now it’s my turn.”
Jang Unhyeok rolled up his sleeves and stepped forward with determination.
The Fire Spirit Warrior appeared behind him, scattering crimson flames in all directions. The flames danced in midair, radiating scorching heat.
Wind Sword Wolf materialized to his right, summoning fierce gusts of wind. When the wind met the fire, it grew even stronger.
Then Iron Flame Monk appeared to his left, lifting a massive hammer above his head.
The surface of the hammer gleamed with a metallic luster.
The powers of the three spirits began to merge.
Red flames and blue winds intertwined, forming a massive vortex. At its center, Iron Flame Monk’s hammer grew larger, glowing like molten lava.
Inside the whirlwind, the hammer spun at tremendous speed.
The air reeked of burning, and the surrounding temperature soared.
“Go!”
Jang Unhyeok shouted with all his might.
The molten hammer shot forth like a cannonball and struck the boulder.
Kwaang!
With an ear-splitting explosion, the rock was reduced to dust.
A crater as tall as a person formed at the impact site, and all the nearby grass was reduced to ash.
Even the water evaporated, white steam rising in curls.
“Windfire Destruction!”
Jang Unhyeok exclaimed, clenching his fist in awe.
Gugwi smiled in satisfaction. The two were far stronger than he had imagined.
“Now, try individual control.”
“Individual control?”
“Like Sa Hyeollin—hide your spirits separately and ambush. I think you can use them that way too.”
Yeon Sohye’s eyes sparkled, like a child discovering a new toy.
She moved her finger slightly.
Instantly, So Ryeonghwa slipped behind a rock and vanished completely. Her presence disappeared as if she had never existed. Gale Spirit Guest rode the wind upward, hiding within the branches, his trace masked by the rustling leaves.
Baek Seonnyeo merged with the moonlight, sinking into the water.
She blended so naturally that it was impossible to distinguish her from the reflected light of the moon.
“Try to find them.”
Yeon Sohye said confidently.
Gugwi scanned his surroundings carefully. No matter how much he focused, he couldn’t sense the spirits’ presences at all—as if they had never existed. Without using the Spirit Flow Core, there was no way to detect them.
“Now!”
Yeon Sohye snapped her fingers.
At that instant, attacks poured in from three directions simultaneously.
From behind the rock, a silver dagger shot forth like lightning. From the tree above, blue blades spun as they flew. From the water, condensed beams of moonlight fired like arrows.
Gugwi swiftly twirled his spear to block them.
The blue whirl of Cloudfire Spear Slash neutralized all three attacks at once, though his heels dug deep into the ground.
“Truly impressive!”
Gugwi exclaimed, raising his thumb in admiration.
Yeon Sohye’s individual control was beyond expectation. The three spirits, each hidden in different positions, launched a perfectly synchronized assault.
“I think I can do that too.”
Jang Unhyeok stepped forward with a confident grin.
With a wave of his hand, Fire Spirit Warrior sank into the ground, leaving only traces of molten red energy. Wind Sword Wolf merged with the air, turning completely invisible. Iron Flame Monk blended into the surrounding rocks, transforming into a massive hunk of metal.
“Try guessing where they’ll come from.”
Jang Unhyeok spoke with an easy smile.
At that moment, the three hidden Spirit Union spirits were already on the move—no longer where they had been concealed.
Gugwi surveyed the area closely, but no matter how hard he focused, he couldn’t detect them.
Suddenly, heat surged from beneath his feet. Simultaneously, unseen wind blades struck from behind, and a colossal iron hammer roared toward him from the right.
Gugwi twisted his body and leapt into the air.
The three attacks collided where he had been standing, erupting in a powerful explosion. Dust and fragments of rock shot skyward.
“Wow! Want to spar with me next?”
Yeon Sohye clapped her hands joyfully, her eyes glimmering in the moonlight.
“Later. Techniques like this need more practice before they can be used in battle. For now, let’s focus on training.”
Gugwi said as he landed on the ground.