Absorbing foreign qi was inherently dangerous, often leading to inner demons.

This was because internal energy of differing natures could collide unpredictably within the meridians.

But Jeong Yeon-shin was different. He could immediately re-circulate the absorbed qi and transform its nature.

This innate mastery over qi control was why absorbing elixirs such as Bokup Spirit Pills or Jasodan came so easily to him.

Now, he had even purged the madness from the essence of Mara’s Roaring Blood Technique. This meant he could wield it without suffering any negative effects.

“You’ve already entered its basics? Really…?”

The Seventh Apostle’s face showed visible surprise.

Those who practiced extreme unorthodox martial arts were inevitably sensitive to the presence of related techniques.

The distinctive qualities of the energy were unmistakable. Recognizing a superior technique was almost instinctive.

For ordinary cultists, their Blood Cultivation Core would naturally pale before the Mara’s Roaring Blood Technique of the Apostles.

And this was the Bloodflame Cult.

“That pure qi aura…”

“Could it be? Is he of the same pure lineage as the cult leader?”

The cultists began to prostrate themselves. The sound of knees hitting the ground echoed from all directions.

“Taesa! Oh, Taesa!”

“Lead us to Beijing, Taesa!”

“Grant us lowly cultists the purity of black hair and bestow upon us the perfected Blood Cultivation Core!”

From every corner, earnest pleas erupted. The atmosphere turned solemn.

The desperate devotion born from fanaticism permeated their cries.

Go Jong-hak’s plan backfired. The rally he had incited turned into a platform for praise and supplication.

Jeong Yeon-shin stood silently, maintaining the aura of Mara’s Roaring Blood Technique.

The madness removed, the composed majesty of the superior blood technique dominated the scene.

The cultists stared wide-eyed, as if engraving the sight of his faintly fluttering crimson robes into their memories.

To their eyes, he must have seemed noble.

At this moment, Jeong Yeon-shin was the Taesa of the Bloodflame Cult. From the perspective of these unorthodox warriors, he fit the role completely.

“…”

Without responding, he turned to the side. No ordinary cultist dared to approach him.

He brushed off Go Jong-hak’s silent, piercing glare and walked on.

The only one who followed him closely was the Seventh Apostle.

“I didn’t expect you to reach minor mastery within a single night. You’re not just talented in creating techniques, are you? Your entire martial foundation is vast.”

The characteristic sharpness of an expert flickered in her crimson eyes.

Jeong Yeon-shin merely glanced at her before looking straight ahead.

Then he spoke slowly.

“I need to survey the main hall. This won’t be the last time. I’ll need to do it periodically.”

“Is there a reason?”

“When creating new formulas, I can’t rely solely on sitting and meditating. Inspiration doesn’t come that way.”

“Hm.”

“Wall-facing meditation was for Bodhidharma. I’m different. I need to feel the wind and observe nature. I also need to study the martial dispositions of your cultists. The same applies to Mara’s Roaring Blood Technique.”

He abruptly stopped walking and turned to face her.

The Seventh Apostle didn’t flinch. Her gaze met his with a heated intensity.

“I’ve never created a technique for someone else. I need to know a lot.”

Jeong Yeon-shin’s tone was firm.

“Your breathing patterns, your steps, your movements—everything, down to the ideology that forms the core of your intent. To circulate internal energy along the optimal paths, I need to understand everything about the practitioner. You can’t grasp all that while sitting still.”

“True, you’re right…”

“The same goes for Blood Cultivation Core. To transform it into a universal technique, I must first fully experience the energy flow of the Bloodflame Cult.”

Even after Jeong Yeon-shin stopped speaking, the Seventh Apostle was practically panting with excitement, clearly exhilarated.

Was she truly feeling joy?

He had only used the promise of a perfectly tailored technique as an excuse.

“So it’s true. She sees me as prey already caught in her grasp.”

Words he thought a madwoman might not understand had resonated with her.

He had gained freedom of movement. With the Seventh Apostle accompanying him, he could go anywhere.

“Let’s start with the cult leader’s hall.”

As Jeong Yeon-shin spoke, he strode forward without hesitation.

“I trust in my foundation, but precautions are necessary,” he thought.

Realistically, Ipwang Fortress couldn’t muster significant force on short notice.

The martial world was rife with constant conflict. Even the famed Seventeenth Division of the Divine Sword Corps was rarely more than a third stationed at the fortress.

They were scattered across the Central Plains, carrying out missions.

Inside the Bloodflame Cult, he had to do everything within his power.

“Wait here,” he said to the Seventh Apostle.

“Alright.”

She nodded, standing still, oddly obedient. Her single crimson eye stayed fixed on him.

“Taesa.”

The thirty-six steps leading up to the cult leader’s hall were guarded by Bloodblade Guards, who bowed briefly in respect.

Jeong Yeon-shin acknowledged them with a slight nod as he placed his hand on the railing.

He began channeling his qi.

While the spreading energy waves couldn’t be hidden, he had prepared for this.

His reputation as a grandmaster creator of martial techniques justified every action as inspired genius.

Purifying Azure Subjugation Energy.

As the sacred aura began to rise, Jeong Yeon-shin switched its flow using Mara’s Roaring Blood Technique.

Woong.

The qi changed subtly. Within the blood qi of the cult, the purified essence of Purifying Azure Subjugation Energy was deeply embedded.

It was an extraordinary display of control, reaching the pinnacle of skill. In that moment, he had taken another step forward.

It was a realm where the delicate structures of qi could be fine-tuned with celestial precision.

“While the power itself remains unchanged…”

It was, in essence, deception. The pure energy of Purifying Azure Subjugation Energy was cloaked in the appearance of blood qi.

Even masters of supreme attainment wouldn’t discern its true nature.

Leaning slightly on the railing, Jeong Yeon-shin asked casually,

“Marble, is it? Where did this come from?”

“It was taken from the Dali Kingdom before its fall, Taesa,” answered a nearby Bloodblade Guard with deference.

Nodding vaguely, Jeong Yeon-shin ran his hand along the railing. Simultaneously, he infused it with the disguised energy of Purifying Azure Subjugation Energy.

That wasn’t all. He drew on the inspiration he had gained from the Dual Blood Spirit Array enveloping the cult’s base.

Using his knowledge of formations, he sealed the infused energy to prevent it from dispersing.

The energy melted seamlessly into the structure, leaving no trace of qi emanations.

“Sturdy,” he commented, brushing the smooth, carved surface.

Though it couldn’t hold an overwhelming amount, if his plan succeeded, he might yet claim a piece of heaven’s bounty.

“I’ll return,” he said as he descended, and the Bloodblade Guards saluted respectfully.

The Seventh Apostle followed with a beaming smile.

“You have an eye for detail. All our structures are decades old, at the very least. Some may even possess spiritual resonance if you look closely enough. I’ll show you some of the most sacred and magnificent sights unique to our cult.”

“All of it is inspiration,” Jeong Yeon-shin replied with a detached expression.

The Seventh Apostle’s laughter rang brightly.

***

Time Passed

Two fortnights passed. The sun rose and set over thirty times. By then, the cultists of the Bloodflame Cult had grown accustomed to the young Taesa.

Jeong Yeon-shin had spent a full month repeating the same actions.

Railings, stairs, beams, dirt paths, rooftops—he moved through every corner of the Bloodflame Cult’s base, embedding Purifying Azure Subjugation Energy wherever he went.

His movements centered mainly around the cult leader’s hall.

He also studied formations such as the Dual Blood Spirit Array.

“Unless activated, a formation’s components are just mundane objects. Even martial artists can’t sense them. The cult leader is no exception.”

It was uncertain how this would fare against someone from the Ming Clan.

However, there were no members of the Ming Clan within the Bloodflame Cult. That clan, being closely tied to the imperial family, likely had no connection to the cult.

Amidst all this, the Seventh Apostle received orders to depart.

She came to Jeong Yeon-shin, her face alight with excitement. Her entire body radiated a menacing killing intent.

“It’s obvious what this is about. Bringing you here was a significant risk for both me and the cult. I’m sure they’ve been scouring the region around Qingya Valley for the past month. Whether to retrieve you or to destroy the cult, I can’t say.”

“Likely both,” Jeong Yeon-shin replied casually, sitting cross-legged.

“It has begun.”

He had felt it earlier that day when he stepped outside—the main base of the Bloodflame Cult was in a state of agitation.

Reports had come that martial artists were searching the surrounding area in considerable numbers.

“The factions confirmed so far are the Shaolin, Zhongnan, and Mount Hua Sects. Even some minor sects in the region have joined in. Over five hundred warriors are said to be involved, including some wearing the white and blue robes of Ipwang Fortress.”

The Seventh Apostle’s eyes narrowed as she spoke.

She reached out a pale hand.

Her long fingers ran over Jeong Yeon-shin’s head, each joint pulsating with overwhelming power.

The qi radiating from her was suffocating.

“I won’t let anyone have you. Don’t hold on to false hope. You’re already mine.”

“This place… you said no one has discovered it in centuries.”

“That’s correct.”

The Seventh Apostle’s lips curled into a grin.

“The Dual Blood Spirit Array isn’t of the human realm. Even an army of a million wouldn’t notice it.”

“…”

Jeong Yeon-shin couldn’t deny that their formation techniques exceeded human capabilities.

The mere insight he had gained into their structure was enough to allow him to use formation principles. It was clear why even the Bloodflame Cult placed absolute trust in these formations.

They were backed by timeless, peerless techniques. He needed to uncover their strategy.

Looking at the Seventh Apostle, Jeong Yeon-shin spoke.

“Even so, you’re departing? Wouldn’t it be better to stay hidden and wait for the storm to pass? Showing yourself will only give away your location.”

“Are you worried about me? Oh, my dear, that makes me so happy!”

Her arms opened wide, radiating a possessive madness as she reached for him.

Woong!

Jeong Yeon-shin activated Purifying Azure Subjugation Energy in his meridians.

The movements of supreme experts were hard to predict, but if he landed a strike, it would be fatal—just as when he had taken her eye.

“I wonder when you’ll finally lower your guard,” she said, pouting playfully.

Jeong Yeon-shin found her petulance revolting as he stood up. Despite his time among them, his disdain for the Bloodflame Cult had only deepened.

These people didn’t live on food—they consumed humans.

Every day, they captured martial artists and commoners alike, draining their blood and qi before discarding their remains.

They even had the medical skills to stave off plagues, burning the bodies with grim efficiency.

Shaking his head internally, Jeong Yeon-shin reviewed his priorities.

“I’ve already requested an audience with the cult leader.”

Today’s task was to imbue the cult leader’s hall with Purifying Azure Subjugation Energy.

“To continue the cult’s activities, we need to determine the positions of those orthodox bastards. I’ll be gone for a while, so behave yourself while I’m away,” the Seventh Apostle said as she turned to leave.

Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t reply, exiting the room instead.

The end was near. He could feel it.

Even when confronted with unpleasant faces, he no longer felt much emotion.

“It makes me think,” came a voice, interrupting his thoughts.

Blocking his path stood Go Jong-hak, the son of the Third Apostle. Stroking his thick jaw, he grinned.

For the past month, he had worked tirelessly to undermine Jeong Yeon-shin’s position.

He wasn’t someone to take lightly. His skill was sufficient to subdue most Bloodblade Guards within ten seconds.

“I’ve heard the Taesa possesses the potential to be the greatest under heaven.”

Go Jong-hak’s lips curled slightly.

“But it’s a mystery how you’ve managed to deceive the cult leader’s divine insight. Though I’ve shown you respect until now, your lack of merit is troubling as a fellow cultist.”

Perhaps because Jeong Yeon-shin had ignored all prior provocations, Go Jong-hak’s words had grown increasingly brazen.

“Say what you want,” Jeong Yeon-shin said flatly.

The response came as a whisper, laced with qi.

“Kill yourself, you useless wretch.”

The message was peculiar. It was no secret that the Seventh Apostle was protecting Jeong Yeon-shin.

Did Go Jong-hak plan to strike while she was away?

At that moment—

“Hmm?”

A breeze brushed past him, tugging at his clothes.

The faint wind whispered something as it passed his ear.

The sensation was familiar. It was the same as during his first mission when Cheongmyeong demonstrated the mystic power of the Ming Clan through their unparalleled footwork.

“Think what you like,” Jeong Yeon-shin said, his tone calm and unwavering, as he turned away.

Whether Go Jong-hak raged or followed him, Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t care.

His steps carried him outward, unwavering.

Soon, he arrived.

Woong—

It was the place where he had first encountered the Dual Blood Spirit Array with the Seventh Apostle. The air seemed to ripple, the space exuding an ethereal atmosphere.

Beyond that barrier, she stood.

“Ah…”

A soft sigh escaped him.

She was immediately visible. The moment he laid eyes on her, her image burned into his mind.

His lifeline. His salvation.

She wore flowing robes of pale green, reminiscent of an archer’s mantle, extending gracefully behind her.

Her profile tilted slightly upward, exposing smooth, porcelain skin that seemed to glow.

The surrounding scenery seemed to lose its color. Sunlight framed her elegant nose in a halo of light.

The swaying bushes seemed to merge with her presence.

Her long, light-green hair cascaded down her back like spring winds made tangible, spreading an aura of mystery.

She wasn’t human. Despite suppressing her internal energy, her mere existence radiated a formidable aura.

At last, she turned her head.

Eyes as radiant as the sun itself met his gaze. Green irises, imbued with overwhelming depths, stared back at him, holding an unfathomable abyss within.