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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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The energy that had spread throughout my body began to surge violently, permeating not only my existing meridians but also seeping into the marrow of my bones. This energy pulsed with power, threatening to explode.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
A deafening roar echoed in my ears, but my expression remained unchanged.
‘This is the 7th star of the Blood Asura Divine Art… the path to the Transcendent Realm.’
It was a pain I had experienced before. Moreover, unlike in the Thousand Continents, where he’d been somewhat hasty, he now had a solid foundation, with his Mind, Technique, and Body in perfect balance. The pain wasn’t as intense as it had been back then. In fact, it was almost nonexistent.
“…”
Smiling faintly, I pushed the energy coursing through my body even further.
Woooong—!
With a resonating sound, a red aura began to emanate from my body, which was in a lotus position.
Woooong—!
The energy permeated the Eight Extraordinary Meridians and the Three Hundred and Sixty-One Lesser Meridians. My body, having fully absorbed the energy, expanded the capacity of my middle and lower dantian.
Simultaneously, not only did the meridians widen, but innate energy also seeped into every corner of my body.
Woong, woong.
In every meridian where internal energy flowed, the power of blood pulsed, replenishing my strength. A dizzying sense of exhilaration washed over me, but I maintained a calm expression, focusing my consciousness on the surging energy.
‘Break through the wall.’
With a surge of willpower, the memories and experiences etched deep within my soul shattered the wall to the next realm. It wasn’t just my mind that reacted. My strengthened body, now imbued with the power of blood, began to tremble.
Whoosh—!
A red aura erupted from within the green forest, soaring into the sky. No, it wasn’t just energy. My body slowly rose into the air. The converging energy resonated, creating a buoyant force.
Woooong—!
Light flickered within the gathered red light, and blood-red flowers began to bloom. One, two, and finally, a third.
As the seductive Blood Blossoms reached full bloom, the surrounding energy was absorbed into my body. I slowly descended back to the ground. The Blood Blossoms vanished.
“…”
The world fell silent, as if nothing had happened. But the result remained.
Ding—!
✧ Blood Asura Divine Art has reached 7 stars and evolved to SSS-rank.
> Your body has undergone a new transformation.
> All stats (Strength, Agility, Stamina, Mana) increased by 10.
> Absorption rate of energy from the atmosphere greatly increased, and Mana stat will periodically increase!
He had reached the 7th star of the Blood Asura Divine Art!
He had entered the Transcendent Realm as a martial artist. He had regained the power he possessed as the supreme Blood Demon.
“Excellent.”
No, “excellent” wasn’t enough to describe it. By breaking through the wall, his transformed body had gained a +10 increase in all stats. His muscles and skin were now tougher than steel, and his senses were sharper than any predator. As his mana increased, the range of martial arts he could use also expanded.
‘At this level, I can use the third form of the Ten Thousand Blood Demon Realm.’
He could now use the Asura’s techniques. The physical growth alone was a considerable achievement. But the benefits of reaching the Transcendent Realm weren’t limited to physical enhancements.
‘Mind as Will.’
As I smiled and looked at my right hand, a light began to emanate from it. It wasn’t just fast. It appeared the moment I willed it. It was proof that he had reached the Mind as Will realm, where he could control energy with his mind alone.
Of course, he wouldn’t be so pleased if it was just about faster energy manifestation.
‘Now, I can manifest True Energy.’
True Energy, the symbol of the Transcendent Realm, the perfect embodiment of concentrated energy.
Woooong—!
Indeed, the moment he exerted his will, the swirling red aura converged.
Naturally, True Energy possessed incredible cutting power, far surpassing ordinary materialized energy, and its durability was incomparable. The energy wielded by peak-level martial artists, although taking form, was impure and less concentrated, hence the hazy, swirling appearance. True Energy, on the other hand, was pure, condensed energy.
A crystal of pure mana, untainted by impurities! To use an analogy, the materialized energy of a peak-level expert was like an extract, while True Energy was the pure essence. Their power was fundamentally different. A satisfied smile spread across Lee Seong-joon’s face.
‘At full power… I can even overwhelm a Transformation Realm expert, an SSS-rank hunter on Earth.’
Of course, he wouldn’t be able to easily overwhelm someone who had reached the Transformation Realm through pure martial arts. But hunter ranks and martial arts realms were different.
‘Based on my observations, hunter ranks are determined solely by stats, regardless of realm.’
Many hunters had excellent physical abilities, represented by Mind and Body, but lacked Technique.
‘They can’t break through the wall of the realm.’
It was the same with Kang Yi-ryung, his opponent in the upcoming friendly spar. Based on the videos provided by the Association, she hadn’t reached the Transformation Realm. In other words, no matter what tricks she had up her sleeve, he could overwhelm her.
It meant he was fully prepared for the friendly spar.
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In the strategy room of the Returnee Alliance. With the Alliance Leader in seclusion, Chief Strategist Kim Ki-young would normally have been swamped with work. But his gaze was fixed on the TV screen, which was broadcasting the friendly spar between Korea and China.
It was a match between the weaker Korea and the powerful China. Normally, he would have just heard about the results later, as the outcome was a foregone conclusion. But he couldn’t ignore this spar.
“I can’t believe… Lee Seong-joon is participating.”
Kim Ki-young’s eyes narrowed as he recalled the information he’d received last night from an Alliance executive.
‘With Vice President Ko Taehyun’s information network, there’s no way he’s unaware that Kang Yi-ryung of Sosumun is targeting Lee Seong-joon. Why did he accept the friendly spar?’
Of course, Korea, being a weaker nation, would have difficulty refusing China’s request. But he had thought the shrewd Ko Taehyun would find an excuse to keep Lee Seong-joon out of it. Yet, ‘Lee Seong-joon’ was clearly listed on the roster.
‘…And he’s the first to fight.’
Friendly spars were based on a winning streak. The winning side could continue the matches if they wished. Therefore, it was standard strategy for other team members to fight first, so the ace could conserve energy. Vice President Ko Taehyun couldn’t possibly be unaware of such a basic strategy, yet he’d put Lee Seong-joon in the first spot.
‘…Moreover, all the Sosumun hunters participating are S+-rank or higher.’
Of course, Lee Seong-joon had defeated the S+-rank villain Yang Joon-hyuk in one blow. But Sosumun’s hunters weren’t assassins like Yang Joon-hyuk. They were martial artists, not purely offensive fighters, so even Lee Seong-joon wouldn’t be able to easily subdue them.
‘If they focus on defense, each fight will last at least 10 minutes.’
Lee Seong-joon, being the first, would continuously deplete his stamina.
‘Even with his talent and skill, he’ll struggle after 30 minutes, three opponents.’
By the time the fourth opponent appeared, he could be exhausted and lose.
‘Even if he gets incredibly lucky and wins…’ he couldn’t possibly win against the fifth. The reason was simple.
‘China’s last fighter is Kang Yi-ryung, the Great Rakshasa.’
Although she wasn’t a ranker, she was a seasoned SSS-rank hunter.
‘Even a fully rested Lee Seong-joon has no chance of winning.’
And he was starting the fight already exhausted? He didn’t need to see the outcome to know. Lee Seong-joon would be defeated, playing right into Kang Yi-ryung’s hands.
‘Ko Taehyun, what
are you thinking?’ Kim Ki-young closed his eyes, deep in thought.
‘Why would he let Lee Seong-joon participate in such a risky spar?’ As he continued to ponder, a hypothesis came to mind.
‘…Is he planning to win a few rounds and then forfeit?’
It was the most plausible scenario. It was the only way to participate in the friendly spar while avoiding a fight with Kang Yi-ryung.
‘It seems like a decent plan, but…’
Kang Yi-ryung, the Great Rakshasa, wouldn’t take it well.
‘She’ll be furious.’
She would do anything to achieve her original objective. Ko Taehyun’s plan would only provoke her.
‘He didn’t consider Kang Yi-ryung’s personality. Even Ko Taehyun is getting old.’
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