Yi-gang sat in a lotus position with his eyes closed.

Inside the pitch-black cave, whether his eyes were open or closed didn’t really matter, but closing them was better for focusing his mind.

“The reason you close your eyes in the darkness is a matter of the heart.”

The Nine-Tails seemed to see Yi-gang clearly.

Even for an animal, seeing through such darkness would be difficult. This was possible because she was a great yokai with an extraordinary spirit and body.

“Try to move your Qi.”

Yi-gang did so.

He slowly moved the True Qi that heavily filled his lower dantian.

“The True Qi that rises from the Qihai acupoint enters the Juque acupoint.”

The flow of Qi along Yi-gang’s meridians seemed visible.

But how could a yokai fully grasp the human meridians?

Yi-gang slowly inhaled. The external Qi that entered from the acupoint on his back merged with his meridians.

Most of the major meridians were still blocked, so he moved the Qi through the meridians that were unblocked thanks to the Immortal Divine Sword.

The True Qi reached up to the Tiantu acupoint in the center of his collarbone.

He should perform the minor circulation from here, but Yi-gang was unable to do so.

He let the True Qi flow along the meridian of his unblocked right arm.

“What are you doing?”

‘What do you mean?’

“Is that what you call circulating energy? You should be doing the minor circulation.”

Like the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon, the Nine-Tails heard the voice in Yi-gang’s heart.

‘What can I do about having meridian blockage disease?’

“So, you’re doing that useless thing because of it?”

‘This was the best I could do.’

The way Yi-gang was circulating his energy was utterly ridiculous.

From recognizing that, it was clear the Nine-Tails’s insight was not ordinary.

She seemed to have noticed Yi-gang’s curiosity.

“I’ve enjoyed transforming into a human form for amusement since the Yuan Dynasty. I’ve even observed Lü Dongbin’s swordsmanship.”

Her voice changed instantly to that of a human.

Though he couldn’t see, she seemed to have transformed into a human form, as her breath could be felt right in front of him.

“The way those called martial artists handle Qi was directly taught by the Sword Immortal Lü Dongbin.”

If Lü Dongbin himself had given the teachings, it was no ordinary matter.

That made it all the more surprising.

“Perform the minor circulation. And make the Qi flow on its own without you having to move It anymore.”

“Are you saying to connect the Ren meridian and the Du meridian?”

“Lu Dongbin said so.”

Yi-gang was at a loss for words.

The regulation of breathing in Qi cultivation meant to absorb the Qi of nature through breathing.

The act of combining that energy with the True Qi in the dantian and moving it through the body’s meridians was Qi circulation.

And the minor circulation was a single cycle where Qi was absorbed through the Du meridian and received by the Ren meridian.

The problem was…

“How can I cultivate Qi through blocked meridians!”

Ren meridian and Du meridian—

The Ren meridian ran from Baihui acupoint on the crown of the head to Huiyin acupoint on the perineum along the front of the body, one of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians.

The Du meridian, similarly, runs from the Baihui acupoint to the Huiyin acupoint, connecting the back of the body, and was a major Yang meridian.

Thanks to the Immortal Divine Sword and the Azure Forest, Yi-gang had connected most of the Ren meridian.

However, there were many problems with the Du meridian. Therefore, Yi-gang couldn’t properly perform the minor circulation.

“Putting aside the fact that the meridians are blocked, to keep the flow of True Qi uninterrupted. That’s…”

The point where the Ren meridian and the Du meridian met was the Baihui acupoint on the crown of the head.

The Baihui acupoint was one of the most important among the numerous meridians in the human body.

Major fontanelle, also called the Gate of Life and Death.

Even if one didn’t have the meridian blockage disease like Yi-gang, most of the time, the flow of True Qi was bound to be interrupted at the Baihui acupoint.

The Baihui acupoint was blocked by the impurities that inevitably built up after one was born. There was a reason why the skull of a young child was soft.

It was said that to force through the blocked impurities with True Qi was called breaking through the Gate of Life and Death.

That meant…

“Doesn’t that mean reaching the Supreme Peak realm?”

Not all Supreme Peak masters have broken through the Gate of Life and Death, but those who have were called Supreme Peak masters.

“What is Supreme Peak?”

“…”

But then, the Nine-Tails said so.

Yi-gang remained silent. Indeed, it was a question that was difficult to answer clearly.

In a world with so many martial artists, would there be clear criteria for gauging those martial artists?

Whether one was a first-rate or a Peak master, the distinction was mixed with subjectivity.

For swordsmen, a state of infusing Qi into their weapon, called Qi-infused Sword, was considered first-rate.

When one could cut others with sword energy, they were considered at the Peak realm.The Supreme Peak was seen as the ability to form stronger sword energy, called Sword Aura, and Refined Qi.

That was the standard.

“Well, I’m not sure.”

It’s all in vain.

Then, does that mean even if someone who could not use sword energy defeated a Peak master, they could not become a Peak master themselves?

What about the martial masters of Shaolin? A swordsman who used hand energy instead of sword energy to cut people down with his fists was unheard of.

“I never told you to become a master of Supreme Peak or anything like that.”

“Then…”

“Complete the body where the flow of True Qi does not stop. Only then will you survive, and that poor child will also obtain a new body.”

The Nine-Tails’s voice gradually faded away.

As if there was no help for Yi-gang’s lack of understanding.

“…Didn’t I tell you? You should at least reach the level of that child’s previous life.”

The deadline was about two months.

It meant to catch up to the realm of the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon within that time.

The Nine-Tails’s presence completely disappeared.

It was as good as an expulsion order.

Yi-gang slowly turned his body.

“…It’s impossible.”

No matter how much he thought about it, that was the conclusion.Dam Hyun, Ha-jun, Pahan, and even Cheok-yo.

All of them were gathered outside together.

Cheok-yo seemed to harbor hostility towards humans but was often found close to Dam Hyun.

That was because the hostility Cheok-yo harbored wasn’t particularly significant.

Like a wary wild animal baring its teeth at humans, he was simply cautious around them.

Even if someone were to scoff at such a statement, that was the case.

“In our West Sky Castle, there’s no such thing as a master-disciple relationship.”

Dam Hyun nodded at Pahan’s words.

They were sharing stories about their respective sects.

“I see. So, does that mean everyone is independent?”

“You could say that.”

“Then, it must not be easy to become a martial master.”

“Everyone who joins receives martial arts directly from the sect leader. Except for a few secret techniques, all martial arts in West Sky Castle are transmitted equally to all initiates.”

“That’s interesting, huh.”

Dam Hyun chuckled.West Sky Castle, being a sect founded by a general, had a military-like aspect. It was surprising that most martial arts were provided to all initiates.

“But, isn’t that just basic martial arts?”

“…I can’t deny that. Haha.”

Though it was a sharp and sensitive critique, Pahan just grinned.

“Still, true martial arts are built by overcoming life-and-death situations. It’s better to risk your own life than to seek enlightenment cooped up in a room.”

The remark about seeking enlightenment while cooped up in a room was Pahan’s way of pointing out the Azure Forest.

The martial artists of West Sky Castle built their combat experience by fighting against the remnants of the northern plains.

On the other hand, the Azure Forest was a sect that didn’t even engage in common power struggles, seeming far from practical combat experience.

Pahan, usually reticent, made a rare provocation.

Expecting a sharp response from the irritable Dam Hyun.

“Hehe, right. That’s correct.”

“…Indeed.”

Dam Hyun just chuckled in agreement.

“No matter how outstanding Baek Yi-gang’s talent is, he wouldn’t have achieved this much without crossing life-and-death thresholds several times.”

Yi-gang was used as an example.

“Some who nearly died in the Five Elements Tomb have reached the Peak realm, haven’t they?”

Ha-jun, mentioned as one of them, nodded in agreement.

Pahan had to concede. In his view, Yi-gang and his companions were far from being sheltered flowers.

“How exactly is Young Master Baek Yi-gang’s martial arts level?”

“How strong is he? Among the successors, he’s probably the strongest.”

“With meridian blockage disease, how is that possible?”

“A one-armed bandit can aim to be the best in the world; why would it be impossible with meridian blockage?” Dam Hyun muttered, rubbing his fingernails.

“Within ten years, he’ll definitely enter the ranks of Supreme Peak masters. He might even aim to be among the Ten Grandmasters… as long as he doesn’t die before then.”

“…Hmm.”

Pahan made a peculiar expression.

Unlike Baek Ha-jun, who nodded as if convinced, he was skeptical.

“Isn’t that too much faith? Supreme Peak mastery, let alone being among the Ten Grandmasters, isn’t something to be spoken of lightly.”

“Is that so?”

“Indeed.”

There are Supreme Peak masters in both the Baek Noble Clan and Azure Forest.Those who could draw out Refined Qi like strands of sugar.

Of course, even among the Supreme Peak masters, the level varies as much as heaven and earth, but only a tiny fraction of the countless martial artists break through the barrier of the Peak realm.

“With the luck bestowed by the heavens, an absolute amount of time is needed.”

“That’s true.”

Dam Hyun didn’t say anything further.

It was because Yi-gang had just returned.

Dam Hyun, who had intended to ask about Yi-gang’s conversation with the Nine-Tails, noticed that Yi-gang’s expression was not good.

“Did you eat something bad? Why do you look so upset?”

“Stop talking nonsense.”

Hearing this conversation, Pahan seriously wondered if this truly reflected the fraternal relationship within the Taoist sect.

“I’m well aware that it’s a difficult task. But now, I have something I must do.”

“What’s that?”

Yi-gang asked with a stern expression, “How can I become a Supreme Peak master?”

It just so happened that they were discussing a similar topic.

Dam Hyun answered with a sly smile, “Eat well to stay healthy. Train hard, and that should do it.”

“Is that so?”

The Immortal Divine Sword himself had called Yi-gang a genius. Yi-gang believed in his own potential.

But there was a significant constraint.

“So, how can I become a Supreme Peak master within two months?”

Dam Hyun did not respond.

Then he suddenly burst into loud laughter.

“Hahaha! You might as well look for a way to become an immortal within that time.”

“Is it impossible?”

“Of course, it’s impossible!”

As Dam Hyun teased Yi-gang, Baek Ha-jun glared at him sharply.

But since Ha-jun internally shared the same sentiment, his anger quickly faded.

Yi-gang was the only one who was serious.

And Cheok-yo, who couldn’t understand anything, asked, “Is becoming a Supreme Peak master or whatever that difficult?”

“It is. It’s difficult, indeed.”

Dam Hyun answered Cheok-yo’s question.

Yi-gang nodded as if he had no choice.

“It’s still something I must do.”

“Can you tell me how difficult it is?”

Dam Hyun stood up abruptly.

Then he spoke to Cheok-yo, who looked curious.

“Go back to your original form.”

“What? Why should I?”

“You said you were curious.”

“…”

At Dam Hyun’s request to return to his fox form, Cheok-yo had never complied easily before.

But curiosity was too strong to resist.

Cheok-yo returned to his original form.

Bushy fur sprouted all over his body, and sharp claws, more akin to a tiger’s than a fox’s, emerged.

Crack, crack.

A massive form that did not lose its sleekness.

As he whipped out his tail, a Heavenly Thunder White-Tailed Fox appeared before the group.

“Krur, done?”

Lightning power flashed from Cheok-yo’s blue eyes.

Dam Hyun, grinning, said to Yi-gang, “Do you think you could win against this guy?”

“…”

“Yeah, you’d have to be at least a Supreme Peak master to stand a chance.”

Dam Hyun’s words were accurate.

Especially Pahan, who had a shocked expression.

It was because he saw a great yokai showing its full power for the first time.

Being a Supreme Peak master himself, he could feel it.

If they fought, he would definitely lose. The aura felt as if it was pressing down on his body, similar to what one might feel from a high-level master.

Cheok-yo, who seemed a bit dazed, was unexpectedly strong.

Yi-gang quietly opened his mouth, “Even so, if I must become a Supreme Peak master. What should I do?”

“Hmm… Well.”

Cheok-yo looked back and forth between Yi-gang and Dam Hyun.

Dam Hyun scratched his chin and began to speak, “The only answer is seclusion training.”

Seclusion training. A practice of enlightenment sought in complete isolation from the outside world.

It was a method of training that martial artists of the unorthodox faction particularly could not understand, characteristic of Taoist and Buddhist practices.

“I’ll prepare Bigu pills for you, so hole up and give it some thought.”“What do you mean?”

“You know, the Five Elements Divine Art.”

Yi-gang paused, then nodded.

“Let’s try training in the Five Elements Divine Art.”

Finally, the time had come to utilize the divine art he had acquired.