Yi-gang looked at Dam Hyun.

The place where they were was a flat area in front of a rock that could block the wind.

Yesterday, after achieving the accomplishment of the Five Elements Divine Art and finishing a short period of seclusion training, Yi-gang informed Dam Hyun about the necessity to break through the Gateway of Life and Death.

In order to successfully perform the ritual to turn the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon into a yokai, and to extend Yi-gang’s lifespan as well, Dam Hyun’s reaction was intense.

Most of it was anger at the near failure to turn the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon into a yokai, but there might have been a little concern for his junior brother as well.

“First, let’s diagnose your condition.”

“Yes.”

Though the rolling of his eyes might suggest otherwise.

“First, your Ren meridian has been opened. Thanks to your ancestor.”

“That’s right.”

“But when you circulate energy, you don’t do it only through the Ren meridian. You move the energy from the Qihai point through the Ren meridian, up to the Tiantu acupoint on the right shoulder, and then across the elbow to the Neiguan acupoint. Do you know why?”

“To compensate for the inability to use the minor circulation, extending the process of energy circulation to smooth the gathering of energy and to imbue the sword with Qi.”

It was a process both Yi-gang and Dam Hyun knew.

“That’s right, it’s for you to wield the sword better. It’s far from the true meaning of cultivation.”

Dam Hyun stood up and tapped Yi-gang on the top of his head lightly.

“The path up to the Baihui point is clear. And here lies the Gateway of Life and Death.”

“I’ve tried feeling it with my Qi several times, but the Gateway of Life and Death is blocked. Trying to force it open would likely result in death in nine out of ten attempts, or turn one into an idiot.”

Yi-gang had attempted it as well.

But he could not muster the courage to proceed and had given up on opening the Gateway of Life and Death.

“Why do you think it’s called the Gateway of Life and Death? Because it’s the gate where life and death diverge. Only martial artists who have reached the level of the Evolutionary realm dare to attempt opening it.”

“What about those Supreme Peak masters who have not opened the Gateway of Life and Death?”

“Many are too afraid to attempt it. It’s a waste to become a high-level master only to go mad or die in the attempt.”

In conclusion, those of lower levels cannot open the Gateway of Life and Death.

However, Dam Hyun wouldn’t have elaborated without having a solution.

“That’s why we reverse the order. With my help, you will be able to open the Gateway of Life and Death.”

Dam Hyun spread out a white cloth. On it lay the silver needles he had seen before, both large and small.

Dam Hyun, who was knowledgeable in medicine, seemed to imply these were no ordinary items.

“The reason only Supreme Peak masters can do it is because of their incredible control over Qi. It’s so delicate that it’s incomparable to ordinary people.”

It was an explanation that made sense. Yi-gang was known for his delicate handling of Qi with his unique sensitivity.

However, even so, he doubted he could compare to a Supreme Peak master.

“Using a great technique, I’ll elevate your senses to a level similar to that of a supreme master.”

In the martial world, nothing was as ominous as something named a great technique.

“It’s called the Hundred Refined Great Technique.”

“…Isn’t that a demonic art? The name sounds like it.”

“What nonsense! It’s a great technique of the orthodox Taoist sect!”

Dam Hyun retorted sharply, flustered.

However, his credibility was undermined as he brandished a fearsome long needle while speaking.

“Well… it is a great technique that has been banned.”

“…How banned is it?”

“Don’t worry. Using the great technique won’t cripple your martial arts, maybe just a few years locked up in the Repentance Cave?”

“…”

Yi-gang asked why the great technique was banned.

Dam Hyun answered like he had been waiting for that question.

“It’s extremely painful.”

“…And?”

“So… it tends to leave quite a few aftereffects.”

“What kind of aftereffects.”

“Not many people die from it…”

The very fact that people died from using the great technique was the problem.

When Yi-gang glared, Dam Hyun continued to stammer but kept on answering.

“It’s quite common for a few blood vessels to tear by mistake. And Qi deviation is inevitable. From what I see, your mental state isn’t great already, so Qi deviation is a certainty. Heh.”

Yi-gang washed his face with his hands.

He couldn’t deny it.

Lately, his impatience and anxiety had been growing, and he barely remembered the last time he felt at ease.

“So, using the great technique to break through the Gateway of Life and Death, what’s the probability of ending up alright?”

“…Uh, there hasn’t been a case of someone being completely fine. Qi deviation is a certainty.”

Qi deviation might sound trivial, but in reality, it could determine the future of a martial artist.

Yi-gang sighed.

“Phew…”

“So, you’re not going to do it?”

When Dam Hyun asked, Yi-gang answered without hesitation.

“I have to.”

There was no other choice. If he couldn’t overcome the current situation, leaving the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon aside, Yi-gang himself would die within a few years.

Dam Hyun smirked.“Right, I’ll help you, so don’t worry. Trust your senior brother. Ehehe.”

As Yi-gang sat cross-legged, Dam Hyun started inserting long needles into various acupoints on Yi-gang’s body.

Among them, a few were so painful that Yi-gang grimaced.

“You’re enduring well as expected.”

Dam Hyun nodded in satisfaction, then placed purple incense in the censer and lit it.

When he sprinkled a few drops of liquid from a small bottle, smoke of a strange color rose up.

Yi-gang, who was sitting in a lotus position, inhaled the fragrance.

His body felt as if it was floating, and his senses became infinitely more sensitive.

If it was incense for the great technique, was it safe for Dam Hyun to inhale the smoke as well?

Just then, Dam Hyun spoke, “Don’t worry too much. The Hundred Refined Great Technique is dangerous, but I’ll personally ensure your safety. There won’t be any bursting of blood vessels or death.”

Dam Hyun placed his hands on the back of Yi-gang, at the Mingmen acupoint, preparing for energy circulation.

“How about biting on a cloth? It’s going to hurt a lot.”

“I’m fine.”

Yi-gang was prepared.

He was accustomed to enduring pain.

He was confident he could remain calm under any ordinary torture.

“Start moving your Qi from the lower dantian. Very slowly.”

The Hundred Refined Great Technique began.Ha-jun and Pahan were watching Dam Hyun and Yi-gang from a distance.

They had a rough idea about what Yi-gang was attempting.

Using a great technique to amplify human senses more than a hundred times.

Using the heightened senses to slowly move the Qi.

With Dam Hyun assisting and Yi-gang attempting, they were slowly piercing through the impurities of the Gateway of Life and Death.

The process was going to be extremely painful.

Dam Hyun explained it as being akin to the ancient story of Guan Yu and Hua Tuo, where ‘one remains sober while the arm is cut open to scrape the poison from the bone with a cleaver.’

Pahan, with his arms crossed, muttered, “It’s about to start.”

“…”

Ha-jun quietly observed.

Yi-gang’s patience was extraordinary, which Ha-jun knew well.

Even in situations that would normally elicit screams of agony, his brother would merely grimace.

He thought this time would be no different.

Sweating a bit and turning pale, but soon returning with a grin.

But reality proved otherwise.“Aaaaaaah!”

A skull-splitting scream erupted.

Yi-gang twisted his body sharply and opened his mouth wide. His eyes rolled back, showing only the whites.

The screaming did not stop.

Somehow he managed to stay in place without running away, but he vomited pain like an animal struck by a harpoon.

Ha-jun suddenly realized that Pahan was holding onto his shoulder, nearly running away without knowing.

“Your brother is enduring. Wait.”

“…”

True to those words, Yi-gang eventually stopped screaming. He corrected his posture, grinding his teeth together.

Ha-jun had no choice but to stop.

That day, the great technique continued until it got dark.

Yi-gang’s throat was completely hoarse. Exhausted, he collapsed immediately.

The next day, and the day after, the great technique continued.

Eventually, Yi-gang moved back to his place for seclusion training.

The same routine repeated afterward.

Even on the day Yu Jeong-shin and the Golden Needle Phantom from the Azure Forest visited, Yi-gang was still in seclusion training.For nearly a month, Dam Hyun continued to assist Yi-gang with the great technique.

Perhaps because of that, like Yi-gang, Dam Hyun also became significantly emaciated.

“Cough, cough.”

Dam Hyun coughed violently, then cracked his neck from side to side.

“Ah, my physical condition is really not good.”

While he muttered to himself, Yu Jeong-shin and the Golden Needle Phantom exchanged greetings with Ha-jun.

“So, you are Yi-gang’s younger brother.”

“Ha-ha, you look good. Better than your brother.”

Ha-jun greeted them with a politeness that was rare to see.

The two Taoists in front of him were not only high-ranking in Jianghu but, more importantly, they were his brother’s master and senior uncle.

“Thank you. I’ve heard a lot about both of you from my brother.”

“Ha-ha, did Yi-gang say that?”

“Yes, he said you are like benefactors to him.”

“That boy isn’t usually so affectionate. Ha-ha.”They were delighted.

After exchanging greetings with Pahan, a martial artist from West Sky Castle, they asked Ha-jun once more, “Even if Yi-gang is deeply immersed in his training, he should come out to greet us when his master and senior uncle have arrived…”

“Ah… Brother is…”

“Yes, you said he’s in seclusion training. But what on earth prompted him to undertake seclusion training now?”

Ha-jun glanced at Dam Hyun, then said to them, “He’s attempting to break through the Gateway of Life and Death.”

“…What?”

The Golden Needle Phantom, with a face that seemed to question if he heard wrong, asked again, “He’s attempting what?”

“To connect the Ren and Du meridians…”

“Wait, why? No, that shouldn’t be possible. Yi-gang isn’t at that level…”

It was a natural reaction.

Ha-jun relayed the circumstances under which the Heavenly Thunder White-Tailed Fox requested it, and that Dam Hyun had agreed to help.

However, the Golden Needle Phantom’s reaction was unexpected.

“There’s no way such a fanciful method exists! If that were the case, the Demon Cult would have already produced Supreme Peak masters. Dam Hyun, you scoundrel!”

“Yes, Senior Uncle.”

“You better give a proper explanation.”

“Would I have lied? Yi-gang is doing well.”

“This guy…”

Ha-jun was taken aback by the Golden Needle Phantom’s words.

If such a method didn’t exist, then was Yi-gang wasting his efforts?

Fortunately, it seemed that was not the case.

Yu Jeong-shin, who had been maintaining a gentle expression, stepped forward.

Having restrained the Golden Needle Phantom, he asked Dam Hyun with a serious face.

“Hyun.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Do not lie to me. What is the name of this great technique?”

“It’s the Hundred Refined Great Technique.”

“You… You fool!”

Yu Jeong-shin, who rarely showed anger, burst out in rage.

“Has your madness recurred? Knowing what that great technique entails…”

“It’s a technique to awaken the senses. It’s the only way to breach the Gateway of Life and Death within two months.”

“You foolish boy!”

Yu Jeong-shin tightly grasped the shoulders of Dam Hyun, who was notably taller than himself.

“Are you trying to kill your junior brother! Why would you teach your junior brother a worthless great technique that would kill or cripple everyone who attempts it!”

Ha-jun’s face turned pale.

However, a smile still lingered on Dam Hyun’s face.

“I did well on my own!”

“You brat!”

Yu Jeong-shin, unable to contain his anger any longer, pushed Dam Hyun away.

But the result was more dramatic than expected.

Instead of just staggering back, Dam Hyun rolled on the ground like a paper doll, surprising even Yu Jeong-shin.

“Ugh. You’re really strong… Cough!”

Dam Hyun tried to stand up but fell back down with a violent cough, spitting out bright red blood.

“You…”

“Cough, cough, didn’t I say I took care of it.”

The Golden Needle Phantom quickly took action.

He laid Dam Hyun back down and began to take his pulse with a grave expression, then gasped in shock.

“You crazy brat, why do you have no Qi?”

“…Because I used it all.”

“The Qi used should naturally recover. It’s against the natural order for the dantian to be completely empty like this.”

“That’s what happens when you use your Innate True Qi.”

“Don’t tell me, you transferred your Innate True Qi to Yi-gang…”

“Otherwise, Yi-gang would have either burst his blood vessels or become crippled. What else was I supposed to do?”

The implication of the Golden Needle Phantom’s words was clear.

Both Pahan and Ha-jun had faces of disbelief.

“Transferring internal energy to Yi-gang…”

“It’s a bit different from that. Yi-gang doesn’t know anything about it. And I didn’t give him all of it. I can’t die before that brat.”

Dam Hyun supported Yi-gang’s great technique by sacrificing his own Innate True Qi and internal energy.

No one expected the characteristically eccentric man to do such a thing for his junior brother.

Dam Hyun retorted bluntly.

“…Why are you all looking at me like that? This is a chance to create a Heavenly Thunder White-Tailed Fox, how could I let it slip away?”

“Ah… Hyun.”

Yu Jeong-shin sighed with mixed feelings at his brazen tone.

For Dam Hyun as a martial artist, his future was essentially blocked.“Brighten up, Master. Did you really expect two Supreme Peak masters to emerge from just the two disciples you have?”

“That’s not the issue at hand.”

“Not the issue… Don’t worry. I am a genius, aren’t I?” Dam Hyun declared confidently. “One can become strong even without martial arts.”

“…Ah.”

Yu Jeong-shin continued to sigh.