The desperate wind was but a fleeting moment.
Jeong Yeon-shin quickly set aside his distractions.
Even if there were as many sects hostile to Iphwangseong as there are grains of sand on the Nanhae Archipelago, for each martial artist, it would be a matter of glory.
Such opportunities were not just rare; they were nearly impossible to come by.
The leader of the Divine Sword Sect had granted his back.
He was from a prestigious lineage of unparalleled masters in the world.
Would there be another chance to touch it? This was the spot where a person's vital energy circulated most vigorously.
When receiving aid from rare and wondrous things, the reason for offering the center of the back lay there.
Swish.
The sensation stirred by Namgung Gaju's sword strike felt prickly.
Even as Jeong Yeon-shin placed his palm on the back of the leader of the Divine Sword Sect, he could not shake the feeling that this situation was unreal.
He felt somewhat detached.
"The direction is right at the Shinjuhyeol from the prestigious lineage. It’s just a matter of following the universal method of the Tao for nurturing life. Our leader has already opened the upper dantian by clearing the Yang channels," Aksurim whispered beside him.
"You can think of the leader's entire meridian system as a blade. Just consider it as oiling the sword's edge. That will be enough."
The words, infused with the depth of his cultivation, contained profound meaning.
Just by looking at the leader of the Divine Sword Sect nodding vaguely, one could tell.
At that moment, a small commotion arose among the masters of the Divine Sword Sect.
"They're coming! They're heading this way! It really looks like the Blood Demon!"
"Those crazy blood demons are ahead? They truly are blind to the situation. Next is... could it be the Heartless Sect? Just judging by their speed."
"The Murong Society has also changed direction. It’s a protective formation."
"It seems there are distinguished guests over there. Do those rabble treat them with such care? Could it be that the head of the society is making an appearance? Meanwhile, the Lady is continuing on her path. Truly, they are cunning."
The warnings heard from all directions spoke of the Thirteen Sects.
Along with the remnants of the Old Faction, they were vying for supremacy in the Central Plains.
The moment they realized that the leader of the Divine Sword Sect was not present, it would not be strange for them to strike at this side.
Such was the nature of their relationship.
If that happened, the leader's condition would be exposed.
The unconscious Namgung Hwasin could not even resist.
It would be difficult to handle the multitude of the Thirteen Sects at once.
Even the strongest force in Iphwangseong would have to endure significant damage.
It was a crisis.
Jeong Yeon-shin slightly lowered his eyelids.
The essence of internal energy was fundamentally difficult to control.
The simultaneous operation of different pathways was, needless to say, challenging.
If the situation required a fluid operation of rare energies like lightness, it was even more so.
For Jeong Yeon-shin, it was a new challenge.
"Don't draw your sword recklessly! That would look truly strange!" Aksurim's shout echoed as he buried his consciousness.
He delved into the leader's body alongside the rare energy.
Boom.
He poured all his thoughts into a single stream of internal energy.
Recently, he had gradually become able to consciously draw out the abilities of the upper dantian.
It was possible even while running with lightness.
Aksurim's incredulous chuckle brushed past his ear for a moment before slowly fading from his consciousness.
And then suddenly...
Jeong Yeon-shin felt the universe.
The elasticity and breadth of the meridians were different.
The middle dantian, closest to the prestigious lineage, felt like the inner core of a dragon.
It seemed as if energy could flow endlessly.
He had never known that the human body could be so profoundly constructed.
It was incredibly mysterious.
However, perhaps due to his internal injuries, the flow of blood was not normal.
The energy that should have flowed like waves through the twelve meridians and eight extraordinary vessels felt rusty and faint.
Whoosh! He infused the essence of Jeong Ga Dong Gong directly.
He recalled Aksurim's words.
He was told to treat it like oiling the sword's edge.
It meant to refine the energy flow of the leader of the Divine Sword Sect, which had been disrupted by the fierce battle with Namgung Gaju, using his own essence.
He did just that.
Starting from the very center of the back's prestigious point, he poured forth his energy without hesitation, following right above to the Shinjuhyeol.
The refined internal energy flowed in pure innocence, like a boy's childhood.
"What is this? It feels as if it has been polished with the Reverse Muscle Technique."
The leader of the Divine Sword Sect's mutter reached his ears.
"Did the Abbot of Shaolin secretly break the rules? Are you perhaps the hidden son of that person?" The voice was filled with bewilderment.
Jeong Yeon-shin focused without caring.
He had no choice but to.
Once the flow of energy gained momentum, it surged like a rapid current.
The blood vessels of the leader of the Divine Sword Sect were on a different level.
It was not merely well-polished; it was as smooth as the ice walls of the North Sea.
It was utterly unhuman-like.
'If the meridian has been refined to this extent, the flow of energy would truly be completed in the blink of an eye.' He felt the reason why the masters of unparalleled skill could unleash their power in an instant.
Even Jeong Yeon-shin himself, compared to ordinary martial artists, could barely taste the thrill, but the leader of the Divine Sword Sect could discuss moments in the realm of masters.
He gained insight.
It could be called enlightenment. 'It would be right to intertwine the heart technique I am creating with Jeong Ga Dong Gong.
Perhaps I too...'
It was the first time.
Amidst the urgent situation, he grasped the thread of growth.
This was not the end.
There was more to come.
The body of the leader of the Divine Sword Sect was a treasure trove of infinite possibilities.
No, it was more accurate to say it was a repository where the lofty principles of the unlearned were intertwined like precious items.
'What is this again?' The sensation of the upper dantian sparkled.
It was a realm bestowed by the heavens.
Jeong Yeon-shin, while contemplating the interior of the leader, discovered a very deep trace.
It was the mark of the internal energy pathway that the leader had primarily operated.
An immensely powerful energy swept through like a typhoon.
The traces of the essence were remarkably clear.
'This...' He instinctively calculated the efficacy of the energy pathway.
Soon, he realized with a shiver.
It was energy suitable for a martial art that dispersed great internal power in a single breath.
It was a pathway that added stability to explosive martial arts.
It fit perfectly with the brilliant sword energy that the leader of the Divine Sword Sect had shown.
It was a divine technique. 'If I can properly integrate this method...' He would greatly alleviate concerns about the rebound elasticity of the technique named Hwanggang, as named by Cheong Gi-rin Namgung Se-jin.
It was an immensely valuable insight.
Perhaps it had greatly contributed to the leader of the Divine Sword Sect ending the battle with Namgung Gaju in a short time.
At that moment.
"Look at this guy."
It was a voice that could not be ignored.
There was a strange hint of laughter in it.
"Now that I see, I have brought an astonishing thief into my midst."
It was the leader of the Divine Sword Sect.
The snicker from the front approached chillingly.
Even though he spoke in a very light tone, it felt heavy.
It was not strange for the leader to open his mouth during the flow of energy.
It was also not surprising that he felt Jeong Yeon-shin's essence sweeping through inside.
He was the top master of the Divine Sword Sect.
It was only natural.
Jeong Yeon-shin did not bother to apologize.
He had no time for that. 'Since he has decided to pass on a martial art anyway, I can ask for forgiveness later...'
He thought to himself, feeling somewhat foolish, as he withdrew his hand.
Just as the cycle of internal energy had ended.
It was dangerous now.
Just as the scout of the Divine Sword Sect had warned, the masters of the Thirteen Sects were approaching like leopards.
The one who had slain Namgung Gaju could not possibly be unharmed.
Even if he were not a master, it was easy to guess.
"Hey! You there! Why don’t you have a word with the negotiators of Iphwangseong for a moment?" It was a voice that rang out from a distant crowd for the third time.
The powerful essence seemed to shout directly into his ears.
However, some masters of the Divine Sword Sect did not lose their cheerfulness.
It was strangely so.
"The Murong Society is quite relaxed. I can't figure out their intentions. Those guys must not have clashed with their true nature before?"
"The Blood Flame Sect and the Heartless Sect are coming first. Are they really planning to give it a go?"
"Leader, is it not over yet?" The nearby crowd, who had already recognized the Divine Sword Sect, began to retreat.
Instead, those approaching were all leaders of the underworld.
The Blood Flame Sect branch, the Heartless Sect, and the Murong Society.
Among them, the fierce energy of the blood demons with their bright red hair and the martial artists of the Heartless Sect brandishing their banners was formidable.
It seemed that a battle could break out at any moment.
"Your energy is great."
The leader of the Divine Sword Sect spoke softly.
Then, with a smiling face, he ruffled Jeong Yeon-shin's hair.
And he stepped forward.
It was truly a light movement.
Some of the masters of the Divine Sword Sect, who had been watching with hope, glanced at Jeong Yeon-shin.
Their faces were as surprised as when they had defeated Cheong Gi-rin.
"Oh... It seems the temporary wondrous energy has turned out better than expected? Unless it’s something like the Shaolin Mingzheng Sect, there’s no internal medicine that can be taken without energy."
Aksurim approached with a bright smile.
"Well done, our Seongye. You said your name was Ma Gwang-ik? Ma Jin, that dull fellow has raised a good child."
He reached out as if to pat Jeong Yeon-shin's bottom with his smaller hand.
The boy jumped back in shock.
It was behavior he had never encountered in his life.
In an instant, he almost unleashed the Light Sword Technique.
Aksurim, with her black bobbed hair tucked behind her ear, giggled like a girl.
She seemed to have completely regained her composure.
"Seongha. You said you just need to release your energy once, right?" The leader of the Divine Sword Sect spoke in a casual tone, merely shrugging his shoulders.
"That was just a saying."
"Let’s see."
The leader of the Divine Sword Sect advanced without hesitation.
That figure.
Just the way he carried himself had a tremendous impact.
The effects were immediately visible from the front.
The speed of the blood demons and the martial artists of the Heartless Sect faltered.
It was only natural.
Everyone had witnessed the terrifying might he had displayed against Namgung Gaju.
Whoosh—! The energy surged.
It was the energy that had reached the realm of the divine.
It was fundamentally different.
It felt as if the amount of internal energy was not even an issue.
Every time the leader of the Divine Sword Sect moved his feet, a surge of energy rose, evoking the image of an overwhelming disaster.
It felt as if a landslide from far away had been brought right here.
'I have to push that person away...' Jeong Yeon-shin felt momentarily dazed.
It seemed that a similar feeling was also sensed in the ranks of the Thirteen Sects.
The rushing paths of the Blood Flame Sect and the Heartless Sect abruptly shifted.
It seemed to be a probing approach in the literal sense.
Even so, those retreating were the Thirteen Sects.
It was a rare spectacle in the world.
Who else here could create such a scene? The martial arts of unparalleled masters would be a sight engraved in the world.
"Hey! Come here! Where are you going?!" The playful taunts mixed with cheers from the leader of the Divine Sword Sect were not directed at them.
The two factions twisted their directions, yet there were still masters approaching straight ahead.
There were about thirty of them.
Jeong Yeon-shin narrowed his eyes.
He recalled hearing the name Murong Society.
It was another Thirteen Sects, but their appearances and energies were all different.
It felt like masters from different sects had gathered into one group.
Yet it was strange.
There was no sense of hostility.
Among them, a delicate girl stepped forward with a clear voice.
"I see the Divine Sword of Iphwangseong."
She wore a light green silk dress with a white cotton garment.
Wouldn't it be hot? Even in the blazing sun, she stood alone, clear as day.
Her ebony hair, cascading down to her waist, swayed gently from side to side with her steps.
The contrast of her black hair against her fair skin created a strange harmony.
Her striking features were impressive.
She was a girl with remarkable beauty, perhaps three years older than Jeong Yeon-shin.
She seemed to be on the verge of reaching her twenties.
"..."
The boy slightly furrowed his brow.
The eyes of the girl from the Murong Society had swept over him.
Not just her gaze, but her energy as well.
Was it the upper dantian's foresight? Even being with the Divine Sword Sect felt uncomfortable.
Even though he had gained the direction for Jeong Ga Dong Gong and some kind of divine technique, he still felt that way.
'Is it okay to strike?' Jeong Yeon-shin thought absentmindedly.