Chapter 127
As soon as he returned to his room, Baek Mu-Gun took out the leather pouch that contained the Three-Headed Centipede’s silver beast core from his pocket. The silver beast core contained roughly a hundred and twenty years’ worth of energy. Under normal circumstances, absorbing all that would be so difficult that it would already be fortunate for one to successfully absorb seventy to eighty percent of it using an Upper Ascension Realm internal energy cultivation method.
However, Mu-Gun was different. Apart from having the Heavenly Thunder Constellation Divine Art, an Upper Ascension Realm internal energy cultivation method, he also had excellent internal energy handling ability. Hence, he could absorb at least ninety percent of the energy. To top it all off, the thunder qi inside the Three-Headed Centipede’s beast core was the same as the Heavenly Thunder Constellation Divine Art’s energy, making it much easier for Mu-Gun to absorb the beast core’s energy.
To fully absorb the beast core’s energy, Mu-Gun had to immerse himself in qi circulation for at least an entire day without being disturbed by anyone. Failing to find enough free time for the entire process until now, he refrained from consuming the beast core. Fortunately, now that he was back at the Baek Sword Sect, he could finally absorb it. Not wanting to delay the process any further, Mu-Gun ordered his servants not to let anyone enter his residence until he came out on his own accord.
“Let’s get started.”
As soon as Mu-Gun popped the silver beast core into his mouth, it melted like snow and flowed down Mu-Gun’s throat. As it did, Mu-Gun assumed a lotus position and began to circulate his qi. He didn’t get any response at first, but before long, a wave of hot and intense energy rose within him. The beast core’s energy was finally reacting.
Mu-Gun executed the Heavenly Thunder Constellation Divine Art and redirected the beast core’s energy to his dantian, causing the Thunder God qi inside it to react violently. Although the energy also contained thunder qi, it could never be completely similar to the Thunder God qi that the Heavenly Thunder Constellation Divine Art had refined. Hence, the Thunder God qi instinctively expressed hostility when unidentified energy entered Mu-Gun’s dantian.
Instead of panicking, Mu-Gun tried to harmonize the Thunder God qi and the beast core’s energy, and since the two were fundamentally thunder qi in nature, he managed to quickly complete the harmonization process. However, it didn’t completely merge them together. He had to make it go through countless direct circulations first to convert the beast core’s energy into Thunder God qi.
Mu-Gun began to use the two energies to circulate his qi. Pairing the Heavenly Thunder Constellation Divine Art with his outstanding ability to handle internal energy, he seamlessly absorbed the beast core’s energy. His lower dantian was already full, so he gathered all of the energy in his middle dantian instead. Mu-Gun circulated his qi from noon until the next morning. After absorbing all the beast core’s energy, he finally opened his eyes, revealing an intense glow that quickly dissipated.
Mu-Gun took his time examining his internal body. His internal energy, which used to be worth a little over three hundred years, was now worth around four hundred twenty years. Considering the beast core contained a little over one hundred twenty years’ worth of energy, that meant Mu-Gun had managed to absorb more than nine percent of it.
“With this much internal energy, I can now use the fourth and fifth techniques of the Heavenly Descent Thunder God Sword Art.” Mu-Gun smiled in satisfaction after measuring his internal energy.
Mu-Gun refrained from using the Heavenly Descent Thunder God Sword Art’s fourth and fifth techniques since they consumed huge amounts of internal energy. However, now that he had four hundred twenty years’ worth of internal energy, he would no longer have trouble using those two. He could only use the fifth technique twice at most, but being able to use the Heavenly Descent Thunder God Sword Art’s fourth and fifth techniques without worrying about immediately depleting his internal energy increased his martial prowess severalfold. That was how strong those two techniques were.
“This makes me wonder if Cho Woo-Kyung can properly absorb the beast cores, though.”
If the fire qi and ice qi beast cores also contained over one hundred twenty years’ worth of energy, then with Woo-Kyung’s current capabilities, he would have trouble fully absorbing them. Their energy could go on a rampage inside him and throw him into qi deviation with just one mistake. It was better to split and transfer their energy into spiritual pills before consuming them to safely absorb the beast cores.
However, Some of the beast cores’ energy would inevitably be lost in the process of concocting the spiritual pills. Consuming several spiritual pills instead of the entire beast core all at once could also build up a tolerance to them. That would result in a significant decrease in the amount of energy absorbed.
It was at least better than suffering from qi deviation and becoming a cripple. Mu-Gun knew Seok Gang and Geom Woo-Saeng would know the right thing to do, but just to be sure, Mu-Gun paid them a visit and told them his concerns.
“You don’t have to worry about that. I will guide the energy myself to ensure nothing goes south,” Seok Gang reassured Mu-Gun. Just like Woo-Kyung, Seok Gang also used the Qiankun Harmony Body Cultivation Technique. Hence, he could divert Woo-Kyung’s energy on his behalf. With Seok Gang’s martial prowess, he could fully control the beast core’s energy.
Woo-Kyung could absorb more than seventy percent of the energy with Seok Kang steering his internal energy for him, but that didn’t mean it was a good method. Directly manipulating one’s internal energy while absorbing the beast core’s energy resulted in various enlightenments. If Seok Gang did that on his behalf, it would be difficult for Woo-Kyung to gain any enlightenment.
Woo-Kyung could still directly feel the entire process since it would take place inside his body, but it wouldn’t be similar to taking leading the entire absorption process. For now, however, safely absorbing as much of the beast core’s energy as possible should be the top priority. Once Woo-Kyung’s internal energy had increased, he would likely advance to greater heights.
“That settles it then. It seems I was worried for nothing,” Mu-Gun said in relief.
“No, we are beyond grateful that you keep an eye even on matters like this,” Seok Gang responded.
“When do you plan to absorb the beast core’s energy?”
“We are actually going to start today.”
“I see. I’d like to see the process for myself. Would that be okay?”
“You want to observe, Young Patriarch Baek?” Seok Gang asked in surprise.
“I am well aware that you are both skilled enough to do it, but on the off chance that things get out of control, at least I would be around to help.”
“I heard that you suffered from qi deviation before. Perhaps that’s where your worry stems from. Feel free to do as you please, Young Patriarch Baek. Having a master like you with us would further reassure us.”
“Understood. Please let me know when you’re about to begin, and I will immediately come to you.”
“We will.”
Mu-Gun returned to his residence in the meantime. Two hours later, Seok Gang and Woo-Kyung called Mu-Gun over to their residence again. As soon as Mu-Gun arrived, Seok Gang and Woo-Saeng immediately gave the fire qi beast core to Woo-Kyung. Woo-Kyung consumed it and immediately began circulating his qi. Subsequently, Seok Gang sat down behind him.
Seok Gang took a deep breath, put his palm on Woo-Kyung’s myeong-mun pressure point, and began redirecting his energy to flow into Woo-Kyung. When Woo-Kyung’s internal energy reacted to Seok Gang’s, Seok Gang’s focus deepened. Woo-Kyung’s internal energy dared not resist Seok Gang’s guidance. After all, although their internal energies were similar, Seok Gang had a much higher level of enlightenment.
Mu-Gun carefully examined the qi flowing between Seok Gang and Woo-Kyung. It wavered a little in the beginning, but it quickly stabilized. The flow remained steady since then, evidencing Seok Gang’s complete control over Woo-Kyung’s internal energy. All he had to do now was use it to absorb the beast core’s energy.
With his martial prowess and enlightenment, Seok Gang could easily absorb the beast core’s energy. However, he still should not let his guard down. Humans were susceptible to making errors, after all. For an entire day, Mu-Gun remained on alert as he watched Seok Gang and Woo-Kyung circulate their qi. Their concentration never wavered.
Another day passed by. Mu-Gun and Woo-Saeng were still watching the two without moving an inch. Eventually, Seok Gang removed his palm from Woo-Kyung’s myeong-mun pressure point and stood up. He was exhausted. Meanwhile, Woo-Kyung continued circulating his qi. Seok Gang had guided the energy to the right area. It was now up to Woo-Kyung to digest it.
Woo-Kyung needed time to make the beast core’s energy fully submit to him, but he would not be in any particular danger for as long as he did not try to reach the Absolute Realm by force after absorbing all the beast core’s energy. Mu-Gun, Woo-Saeng, and Seok Gang went outside so that Woo-Kyung could focus on circulating his qi.
“Great work back there,” Woo-Saeng said.
“Thank you for your hard work.” Mu-Gun further added.
“Huff, Honestly, I did not expect controlling someone else’s internal energy to be so difficult. I doubt I can do that again.” Seok Gang shook his head. He was sick of it.
“Woo-Kyung still has to absorb the ice qi’s internal energy, though. Do you think you can also handle that?”
“That’s all on him now.” Seok Gang said.
“There’s a chance that absorbing the ice qi beast core’s energy would put him at the doorsteps of the Absolute Realm. However, whether or not he can handle it remains uncertain,” Mu-Gun said.
The two beast cores had over two hundred forty years’ worth of energy combined. That amount of energy would be enough for Woo-Kyung to reach the Absolute Realm without much difficulty. Although only his internal energy would be at that level at first, his other martial arts would naturally catch up sooner or later.
Just because he had a lot of internal energy did not mean that he could advance into the Absolute Realm, though. He would require a similar level of enlightenment first. Woo-Kyung had exceptional talent, but it was not enough to catapult him into the Absolute Realm. Someone would have to help him reach it. Even then, what he would reach would be nothing more than a superficial Absolute Realm. After all, he did not reach it with his own enlightenment.
Still, a martial artist in that half-assed Absolute Realm would still be considered an Absolute Realm master. Moreover, reaching it would allow him to gain enlightenment in due course by feeling the differences that the Absolute Realm brought. It was like solving a problem that he already knew the answer to. It would be hopeless if he did not have the slightest clue about what the answer was, but since he had the exact answer to it, he could find a solution through it. If the Absolute Realm was the answer, then the enlightenment he had to obtain was the solution.
That being said, with the beast cores’ two hundred forty years’ worth of energy, Woo-Kyung could advance to the Absolute Realm by force. Seok Gang was the only person who could help him do it now, but there was a world of difference in the difficulty between helping Woo-Kyung absorb the beast cores’ energy and helping him advance into the Absolute Realm. Naturally, the latter had a higher level of difficulty and far greater risks.
They could not recklessly tackle this matter even with Seok Gang’s great martial prowess. However, they could not give up on this amazing opportunity either.
“We can’t miss this chance. I’ll have to somehow do something about it.” Seok Gang decided to lead Woo-Kyung to the Absolute Realm despite the risks.
“It would be great if he could reach the Absolute Realm, but I disagree with risking his life for it,” Woo-Saeng rebutted.
Woo-Kyung’s path to the Absolute Realm would be much easier if he could obtain two hundred forty years’ worth of internal energy. With his talent, he would likely advance into the Absolute Realm on his own within two or three years. They did not have to overcomplicate things just so he could reach the Absolute Realm now. Seok Gang was not confident in the process either, so he could not refute Woo-Saeng’s rational remarks.
“If you don’t mind, I can do it in your stead,” Mu-Gun said, expressing his intention to help Woo-Kyung advance into the Absolute Realm on behalf of Seok Gang.
Mu-Gun was unrivaled when it came to controlling and handling internal energy. With his skills and enlightenment, he could certainly lead Woo-Kyung into the Absolute Realm by force.
“You and Woo-Kyung use different internal energy cultivation methods, Young Patriarch Baek. How would you do it?”
“My internal energy cultivation method can handle all types of energy. The Qiankun Harmony Body Cultivation Technique’s energy is no different. I just have to study its scriptures.”
In his previous life, Mu-Gun had gathered multiple experiences in helping others forcibly advance into the Absolute Realm. Hence, it would only be a little exaggerated to say that he was now accustomed to and skillful at the task. With him at the helm, the risks that came with the procedure would be greatly reduced, so he willingly stepped up to help Woo-Kyung.
“Does that mean I have to teach you the Qiankun Harmony Body Cultivation Technique, Young Patriarch Baek?” Seok Gang asked.
“Please do not misunderstand. I do not have a shred of greed for the Qiankun Harmony Body Cultivation Technique. I simply want to help your disciple attain the Absolute Realm,” Mu-Gun explained.
“I am fully aware of your intentions. Compared to your internal energy cultivation method, the Qiankun Harmony Body Cultivation Technique is not worth much. You are, after all, the Thunder God’s successor.”
“If the Qiankun Harmony Body Cultivation Technique is not worth much, then all other internal energy cultivation methods are straight-up garbage.
“I am having trouble coming to a decision. Would it be alright if I think about it for a while?”
Although Seok Gang knew that Mu-Gun had a more outstanding internal energy cultivation method than the Qiankun Harmony Body Cultivation Technique and that it was of no use to him, he was still reluctant to teach him. After all, only he and his disciple knew about it.
“Of course.” Mu-Gun did not bother going out of his way to urge him. It was not urgent anyway. It would take at least a month for Woo-Kyung to make the fire qi beast core completely submit to him and get used to it. Consuming the ice qi beast core would have to wait until then, so they had plenty of time.
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