935 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Chapter 935: The Undefeated Competitor's Childhood Friend A soft rustle echoed. As if bandages were being wrapped around a wounded arm, I felt something intertwining inside my heart. Energetic forces that would never naturally mix were forcibly tangling together. The searing heat of the Gu Yom Hwar Rankong. And the ensuing pain of the Tuapacheonmu gradually started integrating. Or perhaps not. They weren't truly mixing. Like water and oil, they were merely tangled without merging. "Ssss...!" My breathing grew increasingly labored. Energies erupted turbulently from the central dantian. A surge was rushing through. It felt like thunder was cracking the sky. Earthquakes were erupting all around. Everything I'd barely managed to sustain was crumbling apart. Should I call it a catastrophe? In my core, jolting occurrences were uncoiling, enough to make one's head spin. "Grk...!" After a moment, pain followed. Energies unable to intertwine were clashing, threatening to explode from my body. A perfect repulsion. Hardly a mere friction. It was outright rebellion. An extreme unwillingness to blend. "..." The interlocked fingers trembled. The grip was so strong it felt as if my bones might snap. "Ugh...hh...!" The energy wasn't simply flowing through my blood vessels but violently bursting forth. It felt like my arteries might rupture. Had my body not adapted and awakened through shedding its limitations, it would have burst long ago. Such immense force was upon me. The more I sensed, the more I felt this was the work of utter madmen. How could it be that only these unruly forces existed? Once joined, they clashed as though trying to obliterate each other. The problem was that I had to bear the full backlash alone. 'Thinking about it that way...' I might be quite the madman myself. I face this scenario because I stubbornly pursued something they advised against. When I first attempted this, no... To be precise, at the moment I announced my intention to try it. They regarded me as if I were insane. True, I was always viewed as somewhat insane, but it felt more intense this time. - Have you lost your mind? The compelling voice of Pajeon reached me. - Do you know what it is you're attempting? - I have an inkling. - Yet you insist on proceeding? Pajeon's voice bore incredulity. Indeed, even from my viewpoint, it was a rather nonsensical endeavor. - You want to weave two well-established heart techniques into something new? Unless you wish for death, that is inconceivable. I sought to unify the heart techniques contained within my body. It was what I told Pajeon I aimed to attempt. Hearing that, Pajeon half-angrily retorted. - As I've said before, if you wish for death, just say so. I could accommodate such a request. - How harsh, Master. - What else can I do when a disciple talks of self-destruction out of the blue? - Who mentioned death? - There's no difference from saying you'll die. Pajeon's tone was unusually grave. - I know you possess an unusual body. - Unusual, you say? What are you saying about a person...? - Yes, thanks to that, you're unscathed despite holding various heart techniques in your body. That was the first time I saw Pajeon genuinely angry and frowning. - To mix them, however, bears a wholly separate meaning. Fool of a disciple, you think it's as simple as mixing water and food. - That's not it. - If it's not, then that thought is impossible in itself. Pajeon clenched his fist and showed me. Within that fist, the energy of the Tuapacheonmu flickered. - Unleash the flames. At his word, I released flames onto my palm. Woosh-!! While gazing at the flames, Pajeon continued, - The flow of energy varies with each heart technique. - The difference between your flames and the Tuapacheonmu is clear enough. - The directions and speeds of energy flow are completely different. How could they possibly be unified? - That's different from merely harboring diverse heart techniques within the body. Pajeon continued with numerous reasons for why success was impossible, why it shouldn't even be attempted. I understood the ultimate reason was his desire to persuade me. So I listened quietly. His genuine concern was rooted in the hope that I wouldn't err. After absorbing a lengthy discourse, - So.... - Do you remember what you always used to say? I interrupted Pajeon's speech abruptly, posing him a question. - What? - The words you consistently told me. - And what were those words? While training or engaging in combat. I often recalled Pajeon's words. Those words had become notably significant to the current me. - If it can't be done, make it so. - ... - It was the advice you always imparted to me. - You must understand that was not intended for situations like this? Showing partial anger now, Pajeon's expression became half annoyed. - Whether it succeeds is a matter of trial. - Sure, as you've stated, it might work. True enough. However... Pajeon's kind eyes transformed, becoming piercing. - What arrogance it is to tamper with two incomplete techniques when neither has reached mastery. - .... For a moment, I had to hold my tongue. - Do not be mistaken, disciple. Pajeon stepped forward, standing right before me. Pajeon was about half a finger's height shorter than me. Perhaps it was the aftermath of experiencing reversals. Yet, strangely, Pajeon felt immensely larger before me. - What angers me isn't just that you're attempting something unnecessary, but your arrogance in seeking alternate paths without achieving anything fully. - .... I found nothing to argue against his words. They struck true. Trying other endeavors without achieving even one at mastery. The words were so true that offering any excuse seemed foolish. However... - So, if I achieve mastery in even one aspect, you'd consider it worth trying, right? -...This fool? Was he really getting angry? The pressure from Pajeon was heavy. I trembled in fear. - I'm serious. Whether it's feasible can only be determined through an attempt. And, if I achieve mastery in even one area, wouldn't it be worth a try, as you say? What I said was almost stubborn. Hearing my words, Pajeon paused in his anger and, perhaps detecting some oddity, narrowed his eyes at me. "Why are you so obsessed with this?" Pajeon asked, perplexed. "You've already gained much. What is it you truly wish to achieve?" Guyoem Hwa Ryunkong and Tuapacheonmu. A life woven with countless fortuitous encounters. In truth, what I had already attained was more than sufficient. Especially when compared to my past life. "What drives your urgency?" he continued. "If things progress as they are, even surpassing the Tri-Sovereign shouldn't be that far-fetched." It was somewhat surreal to hear such words from the Tri-Sovereign himself. It was the first time Pajeon spoke to me like this, and I was slightly taken aback. If things continued as they were, I indeed contemplated the possibility of surpassing the famed Tri-Sovereign, renowned across Zhongyuan as celestial figures. That notion lingered in my mind, yet... "Someday, that might be too late." I knew that was the truth. It was uncertain how much time it would take—years, decades. I didn't have that kind of time to spare. "I cannot comprehend it," Pajeon admitted. "Your impatience, your belief in gaining more power by blending heart techniques. What makes you see it this way?" Pajeon was evidently baffled by my fixation to combine the heart techniques. It was indeed a mad endeavor. Even I questioned it. Initially, it was a fleeting fantasy I dismissed. What kind of lunatic would entertain such an idea? I could've let it pass as a mere thought. Yet, inexplicably, the notion lingered. It was as though some force was compelling me to pursue it. Telling me I could do it. Assuring me that, if I succeeded, an entirely new world would unfold. This accumulated emotion led me to address Pajeon further. "So, do you think it’s impossible?" I asked. "Of course..." "I'm not asking if it's impossible. Do you think something interesting could happen if it were possible?" For once, Pajeon fell silent at my question. Blending two heart techniques—should I succeed—what might it reveal? Pajeon's expression subtly shifted, betraying a familiar curiosity. "That would..." He hesitated. The direction of energies. The frequency of vibrations within the energies and the meanings these techniques held were entirely distinct. What if combining them actually succeeded? If I could control the friction between the techniques. If I could transform the resulting pressure wholly into power. "Something remarkable might indeed emerge." Pajeon, speaking not as my teacher but as a martial artist, reluctantly conceded. If I were to succeed, something extraordinary could come into being. Yet, it was an endeavor no one else could undertake. Even maintaining two heart techniques within one body was challenging. But I had the ability. Perhaps I was the only one who even had the chance to try. I wasn't sure why my body allowed it, but... If I could use it, I would attempt it. And thus, it began. After hearing Pajeon's words, I made a promise. Not with anyone else, but an oath to myself. Should I choose to attempt it, I vowed to achieve mastery in at least one martial art first. Driven by this determination, I reached mastery in the Guyeom Hwa Ryunkong. "Haaa—" Beginning at that point, I conducted several attempts in recent times. Binding the heart techniques. Creak—!!! The backlash exploded violently. Binding was within reach. This was the realm of sorcery. Thin, creeping threads wove in. These weren't merely qi but sorcerously woven threads. I bound them this way. I uncovered something about sorcery. Sorcery posed a domain not easily shattered by sheer energy. Meeting specific conditions or unlocking its intricate rules made it easier to defeat. This meant that... 'A complete dichotomy of energies.' Conversely, this implied... 'When it comes to ensuring energies remain bound, there's nothing as convenient as sorcery.' I wasn't entirely certain. I knew sorcery was needed to achieve my goal, but... I wasn't familiar with the specific methods to use sorcery for binding. Currently, it was just an instinct. Attempting with merely the aim of binding. In that manner, I bound energies that differed in speed and recoil. Creak—!!! The forcibly clumped energy grinded as it wound around my arm. The pressure was immense, causing my arm to tremble intensely. I barely managed to gather the energy, yet it felt as though my arm might crush under such strain. Truly insane. 'Hoo…' Feeling the pressure, I slowly unclasped my interlaced fingers. Both arms were already quivering wildly. Upon one arm, something resembling—but not quite—flame coiled. It was a chaotic color. Was it a broken flame? It wasn't like the black flames of demonic energy. Nor was it fully a pure azure flame—it was far too dull for that. Perhaps it was due to the influence of the Tuapacheonmu? Possibly. But there wasn't time to dwell on it. "Ugh." With a sharp inhale, I moved my left arm. My stance was messy, and my speed compromised by enduring the force. Yet, I extended it. My fist cut through the air slowly. Soon after, it stopped. In that instant. Thud. With a vibration. Screeeeeeech—!!! The energy screamed. Aaaaahhh—!!! My breath halted. It felt as though my ears were deafened. Perhaps even my vision, smell, touch—all my senses momentarily ceased. Darkness engulfed my sight. What was this? Floating within a dark night's sky. Could losing the senses be akin to this? It felt alien. What sort of sensation was this? As I pondered the sensation of being swept elsewhere. Swoosh-! Abruptly, my senses returned. Sssshhh. The sound of wind reached my ears. A scent grazed my nose. A harsh, burnt smell. The distance blurred as sight returned. What was obscured before became visible again. "...!" I widened my eyes at the sight. "...Haha..." Before me, a direct line had turned into a mess. Not only had a vast circular hole been punctured, but flames had ignited wherever the gap scarred through. And then... "...Haha..." At the heart of the devastation stood Shin Noya. His martial robes were in tatters. "You reckless brat," he muttered. Holding a single sword in his grip. "What in the world have you created?" His expression was one of sheer disbelief as he looked at me. --- Martial Arts, 3 Comments 3.1 / 80 Hideto 2024.10.17 12:10 Report Is Yangcheon reaching the level of a Grand Master? 0 Gumbang Bank 2024.10.20 17:32 Report No end to the madness it seems. 0 Yeonwoo 2024.10.29 06:22 Report So there was a reason for risking your life for sorcery. 0 Only logged-in members can post comments. Weekly Bestsellers Adult BL/GL +401 Abandoned 6★ Heroes Are Obsessed. +2092 How to Live as a Wizard at a Magic School +693 Liberated Slaves Are Obsessed +294 The Apocalypse Seems Too Easy Just for Me +1425 The Genius Magician Who Takes Medicine +216 Something's Wrong with My Skill Tooltips +717 Double Agent of the Heavenly Demon Sect +158 Genius Predator in the World of Destruction +479 Became a Necromancer in a Zombie World +14910 The Undefeated Competitor's Childhood Friend +511 Infinite Evolution Hunter +2512 The Wealthy Billionaire with 100 Trillion Assets +1513 Mistaken as a Genius Strategist +1414 Became the Goddess of the New World +4915 Life's Easy When You're Handsome +3516 Dr. Maeng Wants the Big Ear. +2817 Normalizing Dark Fantasy +9018 Reforming the Academy Villainess +6319 Former VTuber Wants to Try Again +6220 The King of the Underworld is Tired New posts + See More New Is it just me...? Turns out the roulette is giving me only 10 miles, haha... 3 PM +10 +2 11.11 Random 8 11.11 Requesting The Ending of the Villainous Pig of Novelpia +2 11.11 The Hero Returns is up for sharing 3:30 PM +1 11.11 Requesting Anniversary genre novels that were popular back in the day +3 11.11 Re: [Martial Arts] Requesting The Youngest Son of Eunhye Merchant Guild!! +4 11.11 Re: [Contemporary Fantasy] Requesting "Nevermind" or "Top Consultant" by EasyLife +4 11.11 Keyword: Cooking, I'm also sharing one 11.11 Requesting Various Unorthodox Novels +10 11.11 Recommending a Western-style Regression-Cycle Novel? +1 11.11 🥬Dearafter🎄🥬 Chapter 935 of The Undefeated Competitor's Childhood Friend (935/1059)