832 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

**Chapter 832: Friend of the World's Greatest Martial Artist** The dough had been perfectly fine just moments ago, yet now it was completely spoiled and unusable. "As you can see, this is the situation." "...Yes, I can see that." With this, not only any miraculous pills, but we're at a loss for what to do. Judging by the sheer amount of spoiled dough in the room, it's obvious how colossal the failure was. 'How much money does it cost to make just one of these?' It's not just one or two pricey herbs involved. 'At this point, it would've been wiser to just consume it while the dough was fresh.' Although unknown about the miracle pills, the intact dough I just examined was of quite a high caliber. Comparatively, it wasn't as good as the Great Elixir of Shaolin, closer to the lesser pills. Even so, it was bound to be an astonishing elixir. 'Naturally, Dokwang wouldn't be satisfied with this.' He had witnessed the lost Eternal Elixir with his own eyes. How could anyone forget such impossibly mesmerizing brilliance? It was an elixir comparable to the level of the Great Elixir. Having seen that with his own eyes, he couldn't possibly settle for something as low as this. Especially when he was at the final stage of the process. Given such circumstances... "Are you truly saying you can resolve this?" I unintentionally declared that I could solve this problem. I couldn't help but harbor expectations. The issue, however, was... 'Sigh...' Even I wasn't entirely confident in my assertion. '...Having seen it firsthand, I understand even better.' The problem was identified. 'It's as I suspected.' The demonic energy in the powdered demon stone. As soon as it's added to the dough, it repels fiercely. It immediately spoils fresh ingredients and scatters the much-coveted brilliance. As if it refuses to accept any energy other than its own. 'It's such a brutishly obstinate energy, no matter how you look at it.' With something like that added, there's no way the elixir can be completed. The idea of making it seems almost absurd. 'But there must be a reason to include it.' I didn't dismiss it outright. After all, the one who provided the formula was none other than Dang Sunbae. The formula itself couldn't possibly be wrong. It was those executing it who were mistaken. I was certain of this, and it was time to try out the method I had in mind. "It's not certain, but... I have a few ideas I want to try." "We've already exhausted countless possibilities and failed every time... Finding new methods won't be easy." "Yes. I understand." Even so, it wasn't like there weren't any methods. However. 'I can do what others can't.' There were definitely techniques that couldn't be used no matter how many possibilities were tried. And I possessed one of those techniques. If nothing else, I'm confident when it comes to demon stones. 'I've consumed so many demon stones.' Combining my previous life and current one, I've absorbed countless demon stones. Hence, if the final issue is with the demon stone, it may very well be worth attempting. "Do you have more demon stones?" When I asked Dokwang, he pointed to a spot. It was a cart in the room, with a few demon stones piled inside. There weren’t many. At most, three? It was fewer than expected, but I wasn't disappointed. Naturally-colored demon stones aren't easy to come by. Over time, their color fades. And these are red demon stones. Even with the frequent appearance of red demons, it wasn't common to hunt specifically for their stones. It was rather impressive that the Dang family had managed to acquire and experiment with this many demon stones. 'At least I can try everything possible.' Nodding, I picked up a demon stone and brought it over to the prepared dough. "Dang Gaju-nim." I cautiously spoke to Dokwang. "Please promise me just one thing." "What is it?" "Promise me that what you witness here, you'll never speak of it to anyone." "…" A look of unease crossed Dokwang's face. To never speak of what he'd see? It sounded threatening. Ordinarily, it would've been a request he'd never accept, but... "…Alright. I promise on my name and the honor of my family." Dokwang seemed to understand the gravity of the situation and accepted. However... "That's not enough. Please swear on Dang Soyeol as well." Even with that assurance, it wasn't enough for me. I needed something weightier. "…!" Hearing this, Dokwang's expression hardened. It seemed the mention of Dang Soyeol angered him considerably, aside from the implication of mistrust. "Please." I wasn't about to back down, and truthfully, Dokwang had only one choice. "…Fine." "I've confirmed it. Oh, and one more thing." Holding the demon stone, I added for Dokwang. "Please stop with the formal address as well." I distinctly recall dropping the formalities before, but perhaps the past 'incident' left him lingering with childish disgruntlement. "…About that." Just as Dokwang was about to comment... Woooooong—!!! "…Huh?" He never managed to finish his sentence. I started the process, cutting off any further conversation. His mouth dropped open as he watched. The demon stone in my grasp began to lose its glow. Thanks to the activation of Magi Nullification Technique. Demonic energy flowed steadily into my heart. While the infused demonic energy was substantial, it didn’t take long to absorb it all. In an instant, all color had drained away. The once vibrant stone now transparent. I applied pressure to the stone in my hand. Snap-! The demon stone shattered instantly. Transparent stones, I noticed, had notably reduced durability. With that, I kneaded the powder into the dough a few times. "Hmm." Touched it again like before, but there was no reaction this time. After checking, I spoke to Dokwang. "The first attempt has failed… Gaju-nim?" I spoke calmly, but Dokwang's expression was quite a sight. His eyes and mouth were wide open as if he'd just witnessed something unthinkable. He was looking at me with an expression he'd likely never shown anyone before. Though expected, his reaction was even more significant than I'd anticipated. Well, draining the color from a demon stone instantly truly was unbelievable. "Wh-what did you just do?" "It's nothing special. Just remember the promise you made." "It can't be considered 'nothing'..." "Next." Ignoring Dokwang's reaction, I continued with the process. I had no time to address each reaction individually. **"The First Attempt Was a Flop."** Dokwang had already tried with colorless stones, but I wanted to be sure, so I attempted it as well. The result was predictably a failure. The only difference was the dough didn't spoil this time... Still, without a noticeable change, it was a failure. 'Let's move on to the next method.' The real challenge starts now, as I would have to attempt something I'd never done before. *Hssss—!* I focused my energy on my heart. 'When magic energy enters, it causes a reaction.' It rendered the whole mix unusable. 'But still, the demon stone must be used.' If I add it without any energy, it has no effect. 'This means the demon stone plays a crucial role in all this.' Even as I failed to fully understand it, another peculiar thought struck me. 'Why specifically a red demon stone?' Why did Dang Sunbae specify a red demon stone? There are green and blue stones available—why is it the red one? What significance does a demon stone hold in creating the Eternal Elixir? Questions continuously surfaced. My hands didn't stop moving, though. *Saaash!* Energy from the demon stone entered my body. Just like before, extracting its color. The same method as earlier. Dokwang's eyes filled with doubt, likely puzzled by my repeated attempt at a failed approach. But— What I intended to do began only after the energy left the stone completely. Once it was drained and the stone was hollow, I seized the moment. “…Hsss.” I exhaled slowly and altered my approach. Instead of extracting magic— "Inhale." I ushered energy back in. Through my heart, energy flowed into the stone. The empty stone absorbed my energy. The difference was I was infusing it with the Essence of the Fiery Wheel, not demonic energy. As energy filled the now-transparent stone, it regained color—entirely different from its original hue. Originally red, it now shimmered in a pale bluish-green, resembling a blue demon stone at a glance. My energy must have altered its color, I speculated quickly, though my focus wasn't on the color. 'The color is irrelevant now.' The hue of the stone was insignificant. That was for later consideration; the priority was reviving the Eternal Elixir. Making that judgment, I reached out to Dokwang. Still bewildered, I addressed the puzzled Dokwang. "Could you please hand me what you're holding?" "Ah…" As if in a trance, Dokwang handed over the tool. It was the same one used to grind the demon stone. Taking hold of it, I ground the stone without hesitation. *Creaaak—!!!* Using more force, it ground faster than before. Its shape unchanged. Powdered stone fell, mixing with the dough. Once a suitable amount was integrated, I set the tool aside to knead the mixture. Then— *Crash-!!* "Hm?" Turning slightly, I saw the recently filled stone crumble into pieces. "What is this… oh well." Momentarily startled, I focused back on the dough. I applied pressure, thoroughly mixing the powder into the dough. Soon enough, I sensed a change within the dough. *Ssssss—!! 'The energy is stirring.' Energy within the dough swirled. However, remembering how previous ingredients had spoiled, I remained cautious. Slowly, meticulously, I kneaded while checking its condition. *Saaash—!! The energy continued to circulate. Confirming there was no foul odor unlike previous failures— *a brilliant flash—!!!* "Oh?" Suddenly, the dough emitted a radiant glow. The familiar pale blue-green gleam, unmistakably. "Wha…! Could it be!" Taking aback, Dokwang approached excitedly, and I too smiled at the sight. "It's working." The light intensified with each swirl. Undoubtedly, this wasn't a failure. If it wasn't a failure, there was only one conclusion. 'Success.' In this moment, I succeeded in reviving the greatest treasure Dang clan had lost—an elixir rivaling even the Great Elixir, the Eternal Elixir. "This is unreal…." Disbelieving, Dokwang approached. I addressed him as he did. "See here, Dang Gaju-nim. Didn't I tell you I had methods?" This had to be worthy of some praise, I thought, as I caught my breath and spoke to Dokwang. "My son-in-law… did you really manage this?" "Can't you see it… what?" A rather unexpected phrase reached my ears.