Into the Creations 1196

## Chapter 1196 – 1196. The Ascent To Radiance

Wei Yu and I stood on the water of the valley stream below the waterfall.

Thanks to my ‘Blessing of Water’ skill, I could easily stand on the water, while she used her internal energy to stay afloat.

“The modified Spirit Stream Style slightly alters the basic stances and overhauls the Spirit Stream Qi Cultivation, lowering the entry barrier for the Spirit Stream Style.”

“Does that mean anyone can learn the Spirit Stream Style now?”

Wei Yu nodded.

“Anyone will be able to start learning the Spirit Stream Style. However, reaching higher levels will still require talent. This is no different from any other martial art, so it can’t be considered a disadvantage.”

Wei Yu taught me the modified Spirit Stream Style. Perhaps it was because I had mastered the characteristics of the Spirit Stream Style, but I understood her modifications instantly.

The Spirit Stream Style is broadly divided into three parts: basics, practical techniques, and advanced techniques. Most people fail because they can’t master the basic stances, but thanks to her modifications, many more people will be able to learn the basics.

The practical techniques of the Spirit Stream Style are applications of the basics. With effort, one can master the practical techniques. However, the advanced techniques, which are divided into Shadow Veil and Lightning Flash, are in the realm of talent. Only those with talent will be able to master the advanced techniques.

I am satisfied with just this. Jin Se-young will be too.

“I told you before to abandon the Shadow Veil of the Spirit Stream Style and focus only on Lightning Flash.”

“Yes. I’ve let go of my attachment to Shadow Veil.”

“The Heavenly Thunder Core will be a good alternative.”

“…Did you combine the Heavenly Thunder Core with the Spirit Stream Style?”

“The stances of the Spirit Stream Style remain the same. I’ve supplemented the Spirit Stream Qi Cultivation with the Heavenly Thunder Core.”

“…Is that even possible?”

“The unique nature of the Heavenly Thunder Core made it possible. The Heavenly Thunder Core is a martial art, yet it is not a martial art.”

“What is the Heavenly Thunder Core?”

“It is a mental cultivation method. It transforms the spirit like lightning, training the mind. And when the mind changes, it affects the body as well.”

“…Not a breathing technique?”

“It seems that these days, mental cultivation methods are equated with breathing techniques… Mental cultivation is a higher-level martial art. Of course, this is only true for proper mental cultivation methods.”

“The Heavenly Thunder Core is a proper mental cultivation method, then.”

Wei Yu slowly shook her head, denying my words.

“The Heavenly Thunder Core is not a pure mental cultivation method. It contains immortal techniques. The Heavenly Thunder Core is a martial art for ascension.”

Immortal techniques.

In a narrow sense, it refers to the techniques of the immortal realm, and in a broad sense, it refers to techniques that are above the highest-level techniques.

And ascension is similar to becoming an immortal, but slightly different. Ascension means transcending the laws of this world and becoming a god.

Not only does it contain immortal techniques, but it can even aim for ascension?

“…The Heavenly Thunder Core was an incredible treasure.”

“Well, it’s impossible to reach ascension with just that. Still, if you master the Heavenly Thunder Core, you’ll at least have a clue about ascension.”

“Did you master the Heavenly Thunder Core, Master?”

“I only learned a little to teach you. I have no intention of learning more. It doesn’t suit me, and more importantly, I don’t have the qualifications.”

“Qualifications? If you don’t have the qualifications, Master, who does?”

Wei Yu stared at me intently.

“Thunder Spirit. Only those with a Thunder Spirit can master the Heavenly Thunder Core.”

I inhaled sharply. Then I sighed.

“…Master. I don’t actually have a Thunder Spirit.”

The reason I was good at manipulating lightning was because of my Lightning Affinity. It was strictly different from what this world calls a Thunder Spirit.

“What nonsense are you suddenly spouting?”

“I’m just good at manipulating thunder energy. Others think I was born with a Thunder Spirit, but that’s not actually the case.”

“……”

Wei Yu opened her palm. Internal energy gathered in her palm, then crackled into electricity.

“Yujin, generate thunder energy.”

I silently did as she instructed.

*Crack.*

Electricity flowed through my fingertips.

“Do you see the difference between you and me?”

“Uh, I don’t.”

I spoke honestly. Pretending to know in situations like this would be tiresome.

“I drew out my internal energy and converted it into thunder energy. On the other hand, you drew out thunder energy directly. Do you understand? That’s why you are a Thunder Spirit.”

“So, I really am a Thunder Spirit?”

“Are you disregarding your master’s judgment? You’re a bad disciple.”

“Ah, no! I believe in you, Master!”

“I combined the Heavenly Thunder Core and the Spirit Stream Qi Cultivation to create a single qi cultivation method. …Hmm. That’s a bit of a misnomer. Since the Heavenly Thunder Core is mixed in, it’s not really a qi cultivation method… Let’s just call it the Thunder Heaven Style. If you learn this Thunder Heaven Style, you will forever lose the chance to obtain the Shadow Veil of the Spirit Stream Style. Will you still learn the Thunder Heaven Style?”

“Isn’t learning the Thunder Heaven Style necessary to learn the Heavenly Thunder Core?”

“You can learn them separately. The efficiency will be poor, and it will take a long time to see results, but I will respect your choice.”

“……My answer is the same as before. I abandoned the Shadow Veil of the Spirit Stream Style and chose Lightning Flash. I have no regrets.”

“Very well. I will tell you the incantation.”

Wei Yu approached me. Her right hand landed on my head. The crown of my head. More precisely, her true energy entered me through the Baihui acupoint. She slowly recited the incantation of the Thunder Heaven Style, moving her true energy.

I desperately focused to memorize the incantation and the movement of the true energy. However, it was impossible for my brain. There were not just one or two lines of incantation. In Chinese characters, it was over 2,000 characters.

But I had the Heavenly Star System.

『A new martial art has been discovered.』

『It is determined to be a higher-level martial art of the Spirit Stream Style that the user has learned.』

『A fragment of ascension has been confirmed.』

『Optimizing the Thunder Heaven Style.』

『Time is required. Time remaining until optimization: Unknown』

A notification window appeared.

I bit my lip tightly. A headache came with the incantation of the Heavenly Thunder Core and information about the Thunder Heaven Style.

Wei Yu had already stepped back and was watching me with her arms crossed.

“Just as I thought. The Thunder Heaven Style suits you very well. Learn the Thunder Heaven Style here. The abundant water energy around you will be helpful.”

I instinctively walked towards the center of the valley. Then, I sat cross-legged on the flowing stream.

『Time remaining until optimization: 1,428 days, 14 hours, 25 minutes, 7 seconds.』

I closed my eyes.

This was a lucky encounter. I couldn’t miss this opportunity.

‘Still, 1,428 days is too long…’

What does optimization even mean in the first place? I am currently at the 7th level of the Five Qi Realm. My body is also outstanding, as befitting my level.

‘Is this body not enough?’

I did nothing and remained still. But changes were happening in my body. Qi was constantly moving around my core.

The back of my head itched. I was about to move my hand when a notification window appeared in front of me.

『Do you want to stop the optimization?』

Even though my eyes were closed, the notification window was clearly visible.

‘I feel uneasy. I should stay still. But I don’t understand what’s going on…’

No matter how much I pondered, my brain couldn’t comprehend the situation.

‘Then…’

[Activating Genius Time for 10 seconds.]

[Genius Time has ended.]

[Using a Moment. Remaining stacks: 6]

‘…I understand. The Heavenly Star System is creating a universe within me using the Thunder Heaven Style. My core and my will are the center of the universe, and the Thunder Heaven Style is the universe itself.’

Thanks to Genius Time, I gained enlightenment.

The universe is responding to my will.

『Time remaining until optimization: 981 days, 11 hours, 37 minutes, 44 seconds.』

The time had decreased.

I helped complete the universe with my will.

『Time remaining until optimization: 978 days, 7 hours, 5 minutes, 53 seconds.』

『Time remaining until optimization: 974 days, 14 hours, 56 minutes, 5 seconds.』

『Time remaining until optimization: 969 days, 2 hours, 28 minutes, 26 seconds.』

Little by little.

Every time I helped complete the universe, the remaining time decreased.

•••

Wei Yu, who had brought a sunbed and sat in front of the waterfall, sipped her cocktail while watching him sitting cross-legged in the center of the valley.

Fifteen days had already passed. Sung Yujin’s buttocks were about 10cm above the water’s surface.

*Crack, crackle.*

Thunder energy flickered around his body. This was a change that had occurred since noon today.

‘Successful. To think he would gain enlightenment from the incantation of the Thunder Heaven Style and try to glimpse the Three Peaks Realm.’

Sung Yujin would not reach the Three Peaks Realm. He was not prepared enough for that.

‘Even if it’s impossible this time, he will easily reach the Three Peaks Realm when the next opportunity comes. That preparation is underway now.’

This situation itself was absurd.

‘But sometimes, absurd things happen in the world.’

In her opinion, there were two reasons why Sung Yujin had gained enlightenment.

The first was that the Heavenly Thunder Core and Sung Yujin were too compatible.

‘He had already gained an understanding of lightning. Come to think of it, he called his lightning thunder. His understanding of lightning might be better than mine.’

The second was the Heavenly Star.

He was born with the energy of the Heavenly Star, the greatest of all stars. Somehow, the energy of the star must have acted on Sung Yujin.

She finished her cocktail and looked up at the night sky. Countless stars were shining. She did not know how to read the heavenly principles that changed with the times. Therefore, she did not know what those twinkling stars meant. However, she was certain that the Heavenly Star was somewhere out there.

‘Someone who knows how to read the heavenly principles must have noticed the existence of the Heavenly Star.’

The world would change, and Sung Yujin would be at the center of it.

Curiosity suddenly reared its head.

Wei Yu shook her head, suppressing her curiosity. It was not her concern.

“My husband is still training. When will he be done?”

Mireung appeared behind Wei Yu. Wei Yu, who had sensed her teleportation in advance, was not surprised at all.

“It will be done when it is done. …I’m hungry. Prepare a lamb steak.”

“I want a hamburger.”

“Lamb steak.”

“There’s no lamb.”

“I checked the fridge, it’s there.”

“…It’s been there for a while, it won’t taste good.”

“You have good techniques. I trust your skills. And I want it medium-well, by the way.”

“Okay… I’ll prepare it. …Wei Yu, do you have any plans to learn how to cook?”

“No.”

“Tch. You’re so mean.”

Mireung was about to teleport away when she saw a bolt of lightning fall from the night sky and her eyes widened. The lightning struck Sung Yujin’s crown precisely.

“Husband?!”

“Calm down. My disciple is fine.”

Lightning continued to strike from the cloudless night sky.

“…Oh my god.”

Sung Yujin, who had been struck by lightning, was emitting thunder energy in all directions. The streaks of thunder energy plunged into the valley stream. The flow of the water changed. The waterfall reversed, and the lightning reflected off the water.

“What did you do to that waterfall?!”

“I didn’t do anything. That’s just the lightning happily playing around.”

“No, wait a minute. Lightning is happy? You need to make sense.”

“It makes perfect sense. There’s no rule that lightning can’t have a will.”

Mireung didn’t believe Wei Yu. She quickly found the cause.

“It’s my husband. My husband’s will is contained in the lightning.”

“…Yes. My disciple has the soul of lightning.”

The lightning raged until dawn. And then Sung Yujin opened his eyes.

•••

A few days later, I left Mount Nakwol for the Demonic Cult.

A desire to dominate the Demonic Cult and become the true Heavenly Demon was stirring in my heart.

I can do it.

Because I am vHeavenly†Demonv.