A Regressor'S Tale of Cultivation

It's peculiar.

But rather than chasing after that strange sense of unease, Oh Hyun-seok began to think of something else first.

Kugugugu!

The light burning from Oh Hyun-seok's body enters within.

He has completed the early Core Formation stage, the Heavenly Market Enclosure, and entered the mid stage of Supreme Palace Enclosure.

'Mid stage of Core Formation.'

Oh Hyun-seok looks up at the sky and raises his fist.

Kugugugugugugu!

And as he thrusts his fist towards the sky,

The entire blue sky seems to ripple.

"Huuh…"

Paaaat!

Around Oh Hyun-seok, the blue light of the Azure Spirit Striking Origin Technique, the starlight of Starlight Protecting Void Body, and the Five Elements of the Five Elements Enduring Origin Scripture shine.

Under his focus, all the energies floating around his body merge into one, transforming into the power of Primordial Chaos.

Patsutstst!

The power of Primordial Chaos mixing inside Oh Hyun-seok's body suddenly turns purple.

But after a while,

The purple covering Oh Hyun-seok's body disappears, and once again, the light emitted by the Azure Spirit Starlight Quintessence Great Method covers his body.

'Was it called the Unique Holy Body?'

Oh Hyun-seok recalls the ability he had just used to summon 'Primordial Chaos' power from within himself.

The authority of the Unique Holy Body was already fully conveyed to Oh Hyun-seok by Azure Tiger Saint.

Among the capabilities of the Unique Holy Body he was told, there was no ability to manifest Primordial Chaos like just now.

'My talent is not merely the Unique Holy Body.'

Somehow, Oh Hyun-seok feels that the Unique Holy Body is just an 'additional feature'.

His true talent lies elsewhere.

'...Well, for now, that's all I can know.'

Oh Hyun-seok contemplated his body for a while and then stood up.

'If there's a way to maintain this state of Primordial Chaos... I feel like I can even defeat Seo Eun-hyun if I keep drawing upon it.'

Oh Hyun-seok licks his lips regretfully and looks somewhere.

Anyway, whether it's due to the Unique Holy Body or the Azure Spirit Starlight Quintessence Great Method.

Oh Hyun-seok can tell that he had gained an enormous increase in power by advancing to the mid stage of Core Formation.

"Now, I possess power that surpasses the Grand Perfection of Core Formation."

He isn't sure if it reaches the Nascent Soul stage.

But anyway, he has definitely surpassed the ordinary Core Formation stage.

"Wait for me, Seo Eun-hyun."

Today, of all days.

He is determined to defeat him.

Oh Hyun-seok thought so.

Patt!

Heaven and earth flashes

On Azure Tiger Saint's training ground, small mountains rise up as Oh Hyun-seok rolls his feet.

Compared to Azure Tiger Saint's mountains that fill a radius of ten li, Oh Hyun-seok's mountains are quite small in size.

But still, a mountain is a mountain.

Over 20 large terrains spread out in all directions.

And, dodging those terrains, a man is rushing towards Oh Hyun-seok.

"Haha, look, how about it! My power has definitely surpassed Core Formation! Am I a bit worthy to face you now!?"

Kugugugu!

Oh Hyun-seok rushes towards Seo Eun-hyun.

Kugugugu!

Oh Hyun-seok, transforming into sheer power itself, charges at Seo Eun-hyun with a body slam.

Seo Eun-hyun dodges, and the mountain where Oh Hyun-seok collided with explodes and shatters completely.

Paaat!

"Second Wing!"

In the middle of the exploded mountain,

A blue light bursts forth from its center, and two pairs of wings spread out behind Oh Hyun-seok.

The offensive technique of the Azure Spirit Starlight Quintessence Great Method, Azure Wing Heavenly Shatter, starts from a single pair of wings, First Wing, to nine pairs, Ninth Wing.

The tenth pair, the legendary Tenth Wing, exists in legend but is just that—a legend.

First Wing allows a mid Core Formation cultivator to deliver a late Core Formation level strike.

Second Wing enables a late Core Formation cultivator to exert power surpassing Grand Perfection.

However, Oh Hyun-seok is already unfolding Second Wing at the Mid Core Formation stage.

Zzzzng!

Space ripples around Oh Hyun-seok.

Even without using Azure Wing Heavenly Shatter, his normal punches already surpass Grand Perfection of Core Formation!

With Second Wing, Oh Hyun-seok boasts the power of the early Nascent Soul stage!

"Be on your guard! Even you cannot remain unharmed if you take this hit!"

He proclaims confidently.

But Seo Eun-hyun remains expressionless, standing still.

"...In my opinion, it might be more feasible to settle this with close combat rather than wasting energy."

"Ha! Quiet! Take this!"

Oh Hyun-seok throws a punch.

Kiiiiing!

Blue light explodes, creating a vortex.

The swirling ligh fly towards Seo Eun-hyun as if to engulf him.

But Seo Eun-hyun dodges again without direct confrontation, simply moving his feet.

But just when Seo Eun-hyun dodged.

Kugugugugu!

A vortex of light pours again towards the spot Seo Eun-hyun dodged to.

Seo Eun-hyun smiles with a hint of interest in his eyes.

"You've read my intent. Are you finally entering my world of vision?"

He dodges Oh Hyun-seok's attack once more.

'He dodged…again.'

Oh Hyun-seok inhales deeply, looking at Seo Eun-hyun.

But this time, he isn't as dejected as before.

'Previously, he just leisurely evaded my attacks with his footwork.'

But today is different.

When Seo Eun-hyun dodged his last attack, there was no leisure.

In addition to his usual footwork, he had to hurriedly combine it with the Flying Escape Technique to dodge in a hurry.

A mountain so high it pierces the clouds and whose peak is invisible.

If that was Seo Eun-hyun until now.

For a moment, Oh Hyun-seok felt as if the clouds had briefly cleared, revealing the summit.

"Be on your guard, Seo Eun-hyun!"

Oh Hyun-seok shouts as if pleased.

"The day when you and I can truly spar isn't far off!"

Paaat!

In front of Oh Hyun-seok, who was shouting like that.

Seo Eun-hyun appears swiftly.

Seo Eun-hyun extends his hand with a faint smile.

It's slow and soft.

But somehow, Oh Hyun-seok feels it is impossible to dodge the hand.

And then.

Koong!

As Seo Eun-hyun's hand touches Oh Hyun-seok's body, Oh Hyun-seok spits blood and is knocked away.

'He's smiling for the first time in a long while.'

"...That's good. Please grow quickly."

Seo Eun-hyun says.

Oh Hyun-seok thinks to himself, watching Seo Eun-hyun return to his quarters.

'Did you only smile in anticipation of properly sparring someday, Seo Eun-hyun?'

A person who responds to everything indifferently.

Always training madly, as if endlessly busy, with an expressionless face and profound eyes.

Only when he truly fights,

Or when a worthy opponent appears, does he occasionally smile.

'Just how broken are you?'

Is that truly human?

Is that the life of a proper human being?

How broken must a person be to lose their smile except in battle?

Over the past 10 years.

Oh Hyun-seok, training and sparring by Seo Eun-hyun's side, felt this more and more clearly.

Yes.

Seo Eun-hyun is definitely broken!

'I don't know why you're so broken, but...'

Oh Hyun-seok clenches his fist.

'I'll train even harder to stand on equal ground, in order to ask you properly!'

With a firm resolution, Oh Hyun-seok immediately recovers and goes to find Azure Tiger Saint.

"Master, I request to spar! Please instruct me!"

"Hahaha! You've got a good look in your eyes recently, Hyun-seok. Alright, shall we continue today?"

Oh Hyun-seok fully prepared himself to be beaten by Azure Tiger Saint, clenching his fist.

'Let's become steel.'

To be beaten and to beat in return, to become even more hardened steel.

So that he can become a shield to protect that once junior from becoming more broken.

To become such an adult.

Thus, 5 years passed.

Paaaat!

As the spiritual energy of heaven and earth connected, Oh Hyun-seok completed the mid stage of the Supreme Palace Enclosure and entered the late stage of the Purple Forbidden Enclosure.

A stage where he himself becomes a priest connecting his body to the heavens, and the king of his own flesh as a nation.

Late stage of Core Formation.

Purple Forbidden Enclosure!

Oh Hyun-seok half-opens his eyes and stands up.

A lot has happened over the past 5 years.

Since reaching the mid Core Formation stage, Oh Hyun-seok traveled around Azure Cold Island, carrying out missions for the sect.

Seo Eun-hyun did the same, traveling here and there on missions. There were no missions that Oh Hyun-seok and Seo Eun-hyun undertook that ended in failure.

'Recently, that guy's been traveling all around Azure Cold Island collecting something…'

Over the past 5 years, while taking on the sect's missions, Seo Eun-hyun had been collecting certain materials.

Each of these materials are quite expensive, and it has become quite the topic of conversation throughout Azure Heaven Creation Sect.

Azure Tiger Saint appears to know why Seo Eun-hyun is doing so, but when Oh Hyun-seok asked, he always responded with 'Ask him yourself.'

When Oh Hyun-seok directly asked Seo Eun-hyun, he never gave a straight answer, only mentioning he was making something to save a comrade.

'Such a secretive guy…'

Despite being busy with training, he's learning and making something in the meantime?

'He's more versatile than I thought.'

After pondering about Seo Eun-hyun for a moment, he got up and went to Azure Tiger Saint.

"Master, I've reached the stage of Purple Forbidden Enclosure."

"Hahaha, my disciples indeed! Both Eun-hyun and you always exceed my expectations! It hasn't even been 50 years since you reached Core Formation, and now you're already in the late stage..."

"Yes, it's all thanks to Master's grace."

"Nonsense, it's all thanks to your tireless efforts."

"Haha, the one who truly works tirelessly is Seo Eun-hyun."

Word for word. 

Seo Eun-hyun trained as if possessed, not even speaking to Oh Hyun-seok.

Was it some kind of obsession? He always trained with an anxious face, constantly practicing. 

As a result, he has now entered the peak of the Purple Forbidden Enclosure.

Soon, he might even advance to the stage of Grand Perfection.

"Well, Seo Eun-hyun is indeed a rare breed."

"Yes. Anyway, since I've reached the Purple Forbidden Enclosure, we should celebrate, shouldn't we?"

Oh Hyun-seok asks with a sly look, and Azure Tiger Saint laughs heartily, standing up.

"Right! To celebrate, let's enjoy a spirited spar!"

And the two prepared themselves in the training ground.

Kugugugugu!

Azure Tiger Saint's mystical technique signaled the start of the battle.

As he moved, the entire training ground transformed into a forest, becoming a battlefield that emitted dense wood spiritual energy.

Simultaneously, Azure Tiger Saint vanished from sight.

However, Oh Hyun-seok was not flustered and used the Five Elements Enduring Origin Scripture to trace the flow of spiritual energy.

"There you are!"

Kwaang!

Oh Hyun-seok's punch strikes somewhere in the forest.

A corner of the forest flies off, revealing Azure Tiger Saint who chuckles.

"Hiding is no longer effective against you."

Ta-at!

The two muscular giants charge at each other.

Kwaang, Bang, Kwaang!

What follows is a relentless physical brawl!

Oh Hyun-seok and Azure Tiger Saint aim their fists at each other.

"Haha, now you're definitely at the level of the Nascent Soul stage!"

Space ripples where Oh Hyun-seok's fist passes.

Of course, where Azure Tiger Saint's fist passes, space and everything else is torn apart.

Kwaang, Bang, Kwaang!

Their fists collide repeatedly.

Each time, blood spurts from Oh Hyun-seok's arms, while Azure Tiger Saint's healing power flows, regenerating the battered Oh Hyun-seok.

At the same time, Oh Hyun-seok becomes tougher as he is beaten.

At a certain moment.

Woong!

Oh Hyun-seok's momentum changes.

'Here I go.'

Kwaang, Kwaang, Kwaang!

Explosions echoe in all directions.

When Oh Hyun-seok's fist hits Azure Tiger Saint, the ground behind him collapses under the impact.

Even without a direct hit, the aftermath alone drastically alters the landscape.

Chachak, Chachak, Chachachak!

Continuously being hit by Azure Tiger Saint's attacks and having flesh torn away, Oh Hyun-seok steps forward, looking at Azure Tiger Saint.

An even fiercer storm of punches envelops Oh Hyun-seok.

But he steps forward again.

One step, second step, third step…

And eventually.

Oh Hyun-seok, amidst the storm of punches, can see something flickering before his eyes.

'Now, I can see it clearly.'

Red lines.

Following these lines indicate where the opponent will strike.

Paaat!

After dodging Azure Tiger Saint's fist,

Oh Hyun-seok clenches his own as hard as he can.

Blue lines.

Following these lines allows him to attack the opponent with the maximum power he can muster.

Until now, these lines were only fleetingly visible.

But at this moment!

Oh Hyun-seok can finally see the lines he wants, when he wants.

Wooong!

"Third Wing."

Three pairs of wings unfold behind Oh Hyun-seok.

Oh Hyun-seok concentrates all his energy into his arm and launches at Azure Tiger Saint, following the blue line.

Azure Tiger Saint's eyes glow with fighting spirit as he thrusts his own bare fist directly at Oh Hyun-seok's punch.

Kwaaaaang!

A thunderous noise erupts, turning the world upside down.

Blue brilliance swallows the land.

After a while,

When the light subsides.

Shuuuuu...

"Amazing. Setting aside the fact that you've unfolded Third Wing, how is the power of Third Wing equivalent to the late Nascent Soul stage?"

"It just happened like that."

Oh Hyun-seok chuckles in response.

Suddenly, Azure Tiger Saint launches a fist towards Oh Hyun-seok.

Paaat!

Oh Hyun-seok dodges Azure Tiger Saint's fist with minimal movement, similar to how Seo Eun-hyun had effortlessly dodged his attacks until now.

Seeing this, Azure Tiger Saint laughs heartily.

"You've entered it too, that vision!"

"Embarrassingly, I've only just managed to enter."

"Hahahaha! What are you talking about? It took me 80 years just to properly see intent, and you've reached that stage in less than 50 years. You have talent for martial arts after all. Having reached the vision of a peak martial artist, you'll definitely see the third color in a few decades."

The Azure Tiger Saint laughs heartily, crossing his arms.

"It took me 80 years to enter the world of intent, and another 60 years to barely see the third color, but it seems you also have talent in this area. Having such outstanding disciples makes me beam with pride!"

"You flatter me. But, Master."

Oh Hyun-seok looks at Azure Tiger Saint with serious eyes.

"With the realm I've achieved, do you think I can defeat Seo Eun-hyun in your opinion, Master?"

"Hmm..."

To that, Azure Tiger Saint ponders before responding.

"You will definitely lose. However, if you continue to diligently progress, it's certainly possible. Eun-hyun's growth seems to have slowed down recently, but your growth rate is still steadily increasing, is it not?"

"Is that so."

'Definitely lose. That means the gap between him and me is that significant.'

However, Oh Hyun-seok grins.

'Master said, "definitely lose."'

Until now, when asked about the gap between him and Seo Eun-hyun, he wasn't given such a clear outcome.

He was just told to continue diligently progressing.

In other words, until now, a fight between him and Seo Eun-hyun wasn't even considered feasible.

'But now, at least it means a spar is possible!'

Which means,

'I can somewhat stand up to him.'

Oh Hyun-seok's face is filled with competitive spirit as he thinks of Seo Eun-hyun.

'The time is soon!'

Kuong!

Once again, Seo Eun-hyun and Oh Hyun-seok face each other.

'His surroundings are...'

Completely red.

And without any gaps

Reading Seo Eun-hyun's intent, Oh Hyun-seok finally understood why Azure Tiger Saint declared his certain defeat.

Hundreds, thousands, millions perhaps?

Countless red threads envelop Oh Hyun-seok.

'And each one is a lethal blow.'

Getting hit by even one means death.

When his realm was too low, he couldn't comprehend how formidable Seo Eun-hyun was.

But as his realm improved, he finally understood.

'So, aspiring to defeat him from the start was arrogance.'

Let it go.

Abandon the thought of defeating him and humbly accept defeat.

Then.

'I'll learn what I can from him!'

Taatt!

Oh Hyun-seok and Seo Eun-hyun.

The two clash once again.

Oh Hyun-seok rolls his feet, seizing the surrounding Five Elements.

The terrain around him changes constantly, providing a battlefield suited for Oh Hyun-seok.

Kugugugu!

Oh Hyun-seok charges at Seo Eun-hyun like a storm, throwing his punches.

Jjeong, Jjeong, Jjeoreong!

Oh Hyun-seok's strike tears through the ground, altering the terrain.

'He's avoiding everything.'

However, Oh Hyun-seok never manages to hit Seo Eun-hyun even once.

The blue lines are ineffective against Seo Eun-hyun.

Every blue line is nullified and blocked by Seo Eun-hyun's red lines

'But…'

Wo-woong, wo-woong, Bo-oong!

Oh Hyun-seok further accelerates his speed.

Along with the speed of his body, the Flying Escape Technique overlaps with his movements, making Oh Hyun-seok seem like a beam of light as he chases after Seo Eun-hyun, throwing punches.

His speed reaches that of a Nascent Soul cultivator's Flying Escape Technique!

'How about that! Do you think you can avoid this too!?'

No matter how much one blocks the opponent's attacks with intent, it's useless if the body cannot keep up.

Sure enough, as Oh Hyun-seok increases his speed, Seo Eun-hyun, who had been avoiding the attacks with ease, begins to narrowly dodge Oh Hyun-seok's strikes.

'It's working.'

Oh Hyun-seok smiles broadly.

Previously, a match with Seo Eun-hyun would have been decided in at most 10 seconds.

But what about now!

Although he hasn't properly landed an attack, Seo Eun-hyun also couldn't fully exploit his openings, creating some semblance of a match!

They are actually having a fight!

Seo Eun-hyun, who has been dodging Oh Hyun-seok's attacks, smiles faintly.

"You've grown remarkably. Now then…"

At the same time, a bright light emanates from Seo Eun-hyun's body.

"I'll get a bit more serious."

Flash!

Over Seo Eun-hyun's movements, the gleam of the Flying Escape Technique is layered.

Along with that, Seo Eun-hyun's speed surges tremendously.

'What!'

In the next moment.

Seo Eun-hyun's hand pinpoints various vital points throughout Oh Hyun-seok's body.

Kurung!

Sharp energy burrows into Oh Hyun-seok's vital points, disrupting the flow of Qi within his body.

"Kughk!"

And, it's over.

Oh Hyun-seok lets out a hollow laugh.

'So up until now, he's been avoiding all my attacks just with his physical speed, direction of intent, and a bit of footwork, without even using the Flying Escape Technique.'

He is overwhelmingly powerful.

Yet, Oh Hyun-seok grins.

'I made him use the Flying Escape Technique with my power.'

He laughs, not disheartened, and thinks.

'Next time, what else can I make you draw out?'

"Now, it's my victory…"

Crack, crackle!

In a state where his vital points were targeted, Oh Hyun-seok forcibly moves his body.

The energy Seo Eun-hyun infused stimulated his vital points, hindering Oh Hyun-seok's movements. Oh Hyun-seok's forceful move caused blood to spurt, though the wounds healed almost instantly. 

"If you can take even this, I'll admit your win today!"

Chalak!

Three pairs of wings sprout from Oh Hyun-seok's back.

And before Seo Eun-hyun can react.

Oh Hyun-seok throws a punch.

Kugugugu!

It's qualitatively different from before.

A tremendous storm of fist force!

Both the force and speed are on a different level.

'Perhaps, can you avoid this too!?'

It's unavoidable!

This time, for sure!

In the next moment.

Seo Eun-hyun, covered in the Flying Escape Technique, explodes the energy in his body and simultaneously wraps himself in an energy as sharp as a sword.

Flash!

Seo Eun-hyun turns into light for an instant, flying through the sky.

Oh Hyun-seok watches, laughing.

'This time, you had no leisure?'

He somehow felt it.

That strike just now, Seo Eun-hyun had to exert considerable effort to avoid it.

Perhaps, he avoided it with all his might.

But the Azure Wing Heavenly Shatter can strike twice.

Kwagwagwang!

Oh Hyun-seok's next punch connects towards Seo Eun-hyun.

For the first time.

For the very first time, Seo Eun-hyun extends his hand in the air to meet it.

Shukang!

And Oh Hyun-seok's punch is cut.

That is the end.

Something sharp, without a sound, sliced apart his strike.

He couldn't even perceive it.

Just like that, it was over.

"…Ha, hahaha!"

Oh Hyun-seok laughs joyfully.

'It's enjoyable.'

Enjoyable!

Initially, he aimed to become strong to have an equal conversation with the broken Seo Eun-hyun.

But, at some point.

He enjoyed the process itself of becoming stronger, moving his body, and the very act of sparring with Seo Eun-hyun.

And with all the things he enjoyed doing up until now.

Finally, for the first time, Seo Eun-hyun could not avoid his attack and was forced to counter.

"Yes, I lost."

Oh Hyun-seok smiles brightly.

"But next time, I hope you and I can properly exchange blows."

Seo Eun-hyun looks at him for a moment and then smiles bitterly.

"...I look forward to it."

Azure Tiger Saint approaches them laughing.

"Now, since both of you have grown to a usable level, I think it's time to assign a new mission."

Oh Hyun-seok and Seo Eun-hyun look at Azure Tiger Saint.

"There are two missions for you. You can take whichever you prefer. Recently, the Mad Lord Jo Yeon has been slaughtering various races and turning them into living puppets. Because of that, the Heaven Tribe's Grand Alliance has intensified the bounty on the Mad Lord."

At Azure Tiger Saint's words, Seo Eun-hyun frowns and asks.

"...Grand Cultivators at the Integration stage should be able to capture the Mad Lord. Why aren't they taking action?"

"Well... I don't know the reason either. However, the Grand Cultivators are currently all gathered in the vicinity of our Human Territory, searching for something. Hence, there seems to be a shortage of people to confront the Mad Lord."

"..."

"Therefore, the Heaven Tribe's Grand Alliance has issued a mission. It involves surveilling the Mad Lord near his Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, gathering information about him."

Oh Hyun-seok asks Azure Tiger Saint.

"You said there are two missions, what's the other one?"

"The other one is related to the True Devil Realm. There's a devil that crossed over from the True Devil Realm to the Bright Cold Realm, and the mission is to capture it."

"Should we each take on these missions?"

To Oh Hyun-seok's question, Azure Tiger Saint shakes his head.

"No, both missions are extremely dangerous, so both of you will have to go together. In addition to you two, three disciples of the First-Cloud and ten disciples of the Second-Cloud will join. I asked because I wanted to know where you two would like to go together."

"Hmm..."

As Oh Hyun-seok ponders, Azure Tiger Saint furrows his brows.

"Honestly speaking, as your master, I hope you don't take on the mission related to the Mad Lord. It doesn't make sense to gather information by scouting that madman. Besides, it's too dangerous. Of course, I respect your choice, but personally, I hope you take on the mission related to the True Devil Realm."

At his words, Oh Hyun-seok looks at Seo Eun-hyun.

"Master said so, so I plan to follow his advice. What about you?"

Seo Eun-hyun meets Oh Hyun-seok's eyes.

'...!'

Oh Hyun-seok flinches.

'Emotion'.

For the first time in a long while, 'emotion' is visible in Seo Eun-hyun's eyes.

"I... would like to go to the Mad Lord."

At that, Azure Tiger Saint's eyebrows twitch.

"Why?"

"Because my colleague is under the Mad Lord."

"Ah, that was indeed the case."

At Seo Eun-hyun's words, Oh Hyun-seok shivers.

'That's right, Team Leader Kim was there.'

He heard stories about the Mad Lord.

The most dangerous lunatic in the world.

After hearing the stories about Kim Yeon being captured by that madman, what has that guy done until now?

'That's right. So he was worried about Team Leader Kim being under such a person.'

For the first time in a long while, Oh Hyun-seok sees a human side in Seo Eun-hyun.

At the same time, he looks at Azure Tiger Saint with firm resolve.

"As Master knows, Seo Eun-hyun and I are from the same hometown. She who is captured by the Mad Lord is also my colleague, so I will go as well!"

"...Haaaah."

Azure Tiger Saint lets out a soft sigh.

"Alright, I respect your choice."

Thus, with twisted fate, Oh Hyun-seok, who was originally supposed to undertake the mission to capture the devil from the True Devil Realm, ended up joining the expedition to spy on the Mad Lord's Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.