Chapter: 649
The composition of the Nine Flame Wheel Technique.
This is the level I reached in my previous life.
Like creating tidal waves of fire or flying through the air using heat. It is also a realm where I can use all sorts of things.
If there is one difference from my previous life, it’s this:
“Right now is much better.”
I can confidently say that my current state—physically, in terms of enlightenment, and the amount of energy—is far more refined than in my previous life.
Wooosh-!!
I gradually adjusted the jade that had gathered at the tips of my fingers. The shape of the delicately compacted sphere began to change.
Ddu-ddu-ddu-ddeuk.
As I combined rotation and compression, friction was created in my energy, causing vibrations. I didn’t rush it; instead, I adjusted it little by little and regulated my energy.
Swish.
In no time, it only took a few seconds to take the shape of a long spear.
However…
Crackle-! Crackle-!!
As I tried to maintain the shape, my energy was about to burst, unable to hold up. I looked at it with a regretful expression before flipping my thoughts around.
Only then did the energy settle down and stabilize into shape.
What I created was the jade spear.
I used it for the first time just a few days ago, and it’s much more complete now. Unfortunately, I can’t call it perfect, as I had to overlay some imagery at the end.
The fact that it’s easier to cast now than before means my cultivation has undoubtedly improved.
To express it differently:
“You need to be a great master to wield the holy spear perfectly.”
This also indicated that the difficulty of this transformation tool was too high.
“Damn it. You think you can only use it properly after becoming a great master?!”
It still lingers in my mind—the completed version of the holy spear that my father held.
For a moment, I felt robbed, but my longing also surged. It meant that such a thing could be crafted, which in a way, gave me hope.
“A great master.”
Hwaruk-!
I thought as I retrieved the spear.
It has been six years since I returned.
I’ve reached adulthood, and my life has become somewhat different from my previous life.
What was I doing around the time I was that age in my previous life?
“What was I doing? I was a total mess.”
At that point, I was already out of favor with the family. I think it was around the time I was about to assume the position of the heir to the family.
It was also the day I was dragged to the Yongbong Conference and had a rough time.
That guy was a scoundrel from Shanxi.
“Like a dog born from a tiger.”
I heard all sorts of nonsense, made a fuss, and ended up getting beaten up.
Not exactly a memory I wanted to recall.
“Compared to that…,”
Now, I’ve surpassed the age of youth and regained the realm of my previous life. Gaining a suitable amount of fame, I know it’s better than my past life, but…
“The work I need to do hasn’t decreased.”
There were just too many piled-up tasks to enjoy my changed life.
“Not that I actually intended to enjoy that kind of thing in the first place.”
Tap tap.
I wiped away the remaining energy by shaking my hands.
Now, I was frequently checking my changed physique.
Since my level had suddenly increased, I needed to understand the differences completely.
“My energy output has doubled. I’m not falling behind compared to my previous life.”
It meant that I wasn’t at a point where I would be gasping for breath due to a shortage in energy.
“The physical adjustments will probably take a while to get used to…”
My skills had risen sharply, which caused some disharmony in my body. A few days of training should fix that.
The other issue here is…
“It’s great that the energy has increased…”
While the amount of energy itself has definitely increased, there’s a minor issue with that energy.
That issue is precisely:
“The cold hasn’t completely melted yet.”
The cold energy that was converted into my energy has been gathered in the vessel, but it hasn’t all transformed into heat yet.
“I had too much to melt it all down in one go.”
This was cold energy that had condensed over hundreds of years. It was insufficient to purify it all instantly.
In the end, I’d have to wait for the Gu Flame Wheel Technique to melt it away, spending time on it.
“One good thing, at least…”
Swish.
I raised my palms facing each other. Then…
Crackle-!!
Cold energy gathered at the tips of my fingers, forming a small ice crystal.
I chuckled at that.
“I never anticipated being able to use cold energy.”
This was a change brought about as the cold energy filled the vessel.
Since I was experienced in flame arts, it seemed that cold energy wouldn’t be of much use to me.
Yet, it felt strangely satisfying having those two extreme energies coexist.
How was that even possible?
It might be a bit late to be pondering that.
“I don’t even fully understand my own body.”
I figured it was just an additional element added to the already abundant energy. I decided to accept it that way.
“If the cold energy melts and converts into heat, would I still be able to use cold energy?”
I wouldn’t mind if it became unusable, honestly.
This was just pure curiosity.
“I doubt it’s potent enough to be useful in battles, anyway.”
I couldn’t picture myself using it like the Ice Palace clan did.
“…Maybe I could use it to drink cold water.”
Thinking about it that way, it felt incredibly useless—just enough to make ice water.
It was hardly useful for combat.
Especially not in the way Yooseon demonstrated her armor.
“Yooseon, huh.”
The moment I recalled the princess who had been a thorn in my side, the last thing I needed to check crossed my mind.
It was about the powers obtained from the net and the ability Yooseon used.
I had acquired two powers from Mang.
One was related to regeneration, which I set aside since it was used to save Woohyuk.
There was still one power left that I hadn’t passed on yet.
Swipe.
I raised my hand like before.
Then I envisioned a small jewel in my mind.
A hexagonal jewel shimmering with a blue tint.
It was roughly the size of a thumb.
I gazed at it with utmost sincerity.
At that moment…
Boom.
A small vibration resonated within my body.
Swish.
The jewel I had visualized materialized upon my palm just as I imagined it.
I looked at it and gently grasped it.
I could feel its texture—cold and hard to the touch.
It looked so realistic that anyone would believe it was a genuine jewel.
“Hah.”
As I exhaled and relaxed my grip…
Whooooosh.
The jewel evaporated into smoke, vanishing like a lie.
I nodded, watching the flurry of energy in the air.
“The time it can last is, at most, an instant?”
If I made it this small, it would last a brief moment; increasing its size or density would shrink that time further.
“This is really tricky.”
All the powers gleaned so far felt bothersome.
That jewel was merely an illusion conjured with my ability.
You could call it an illusion or a deception.
I deemed it a falsehood close to the truth.
It rendered not only visuals but also sensations like touch and smell real.
Of course, just like the space Yooseon created.
Every moment I experienced with her was like that.
Wind.
I earnestly wished and hoped.
Then it would happen.
That was the name and method of the power.
“So simple.”
All I have to do is wish for it.
Could it be any easier than this?
Being able to create something akin to reality, it’s definitely more useful than cold energy.
“But this too ended up being less efficient like the regeneration.”
Because it was taken away by my greed, regeneration couldn’t exert its full potential;
The same goes for the wind.
“Really, if powers are taken through greed, does that mean they become less effective?”
I consumed and snatched away the powers of dragons.
That’s the precise understanding I have regarding desire.
Yet I found myself needing to pose this question:
“Maybe it’s not that the stolen power weakens…”
Could it be that it simply doesn’t suit me?
That’s the question I grappled with.
The reason behind my pondering was tied to grasping the essence of power.
My power is greed.
I’m greedy and despise the act of being deprived. It’s an ability that aligns with my nature.
Not wanting to lose it, I take it. Other than that, what could possibly suit me better?
“Could the powers of wind and regeneration be similar?”
Perhaps it was because that power fit Mang just right that he exhibited such efficiency.
This doubt began to arise when I passed on the regeneration to Woohyuk.
It’s true that my regenerative capabilities improved as it settled in my body.
However…,
When I handed it over to Woohyuk, I could see that his body was healing almost instantaneously.
That was the peculiar part.
“If it becomes less efficient when passing to me, then it’s strange that it improves when I hand it off.”
So I flipped the hypothesis upside down.
It isn’t that my ability deteriorates when I absorb it.
“It was a power that simply wasn’t compatible with me.”
I mean, in the beginning, it was never meant for me.
If there’s anything confusing here…
“How do we define what’s right and what’s not?”
If we just examine whether it suits my temperament, there’s no way it wouldn’t fit with regeneration.
“I needed its help more than anyone else.”
Had it only been an effective match for me, I could have fought through wounds like having my arm torn or my chest pierced.
It’s simply regrettable that it didn’t work out.
There must be another reason for it, but I couldn’t pinpoint it.
Grgrgrg.
A soft sound of whimpering reached my ears.
Hearing it, I turned my gaze.
“Ha.”
Unbeknownst to me, a massive head had made its way close to me: it was Tottoli.
Slurp.
Something was dripping onto the floor. Blood.
Blood flowed from what the smart guy was biting onto.
It resembled a wolf-like monster with red fur.
Tottoli approached me, carrying a red monster in his mouth.
Given that the average red monster is about the size of a house, you can imagine just how enormous Tottoli had grown.
“Hah…”
I let out a light sigh upon witnessing the sight and swiftly waved my hand.
Slap-!!
Grrrrk-!!
The little creature was staggered as I hit its head.
“Damn it… Why on earth has it grown so much again?! I specifically asked you to just grow a little!”
Grrrrl…
“So unfair! I’m already spending way too much on food, and now this mess makes it worse!”
Grrrrl…
“You say you can eat and take care of yourself? With that size, you must be fine on your own.”
Grrrrl…
“Then why not help me out a bit? What kind of attitude is that? Have you been neglecting your duties?”
Grgrg-!
As I reached to grab its fur, Tottoli quickly darted away.
Whooosh–!! Its giant form lifted off the ground, kicking up dust and sending gusts of wind swirling.
Seeing that, I frowned and asked,
“Aren’t you coming down?”
Grgrl.
“Oh, alright. I won’t hit you, so you can come down.”
Grrrrl…
“If you don’t believe me, then why say it?! Why aren’t you coming down already?”
As my irritation grew, Tottoli shot off, speeding away into the distance.
Though its size was overwhelming, it was absurdly fast.
“Sigh.”
I took a deep breath, watching its retreating figure.
It was at least twice the size it was when it first arrived in the North Sea.
I wondered what happened while I wasn’t around.
“What’s there to even say? It’s all because of me.”
You could tell it was due to my own increased energy, causing Tottoli’s size and appearance to transform.
“That creature is tethered to me.”
Whether it’s my level increasing, my physical strength growing, or energy levels rising—every change in me brought about a change in Tottoli too.
“When I become stronger physically, my appearance also shifts.”
Gradually, it morphed into something more ferocious and intimidating; as a monster, it was developing a look that screamed danger.
“If my energy increases, its size grows.”
Perhaps because my abilities now surpassed those of my past self, Tottoli’s growth skyrocketed.
You want to know what the funny part is?
“That punk could shrink if it wanted to…!”
Tottoli could use energy transformation like I do, meaning it could decide when to grow or shrink, yet it chose to flaunt its larger size.
“Oh boy…”
I wondered who it took after to be this way.
Shaking my head, I watched Tottoli disappear.
“A magical creature that grows in tandem with me.”
Initially, it had been born from the red monster’s energy stone that fed on my energy.
Just like that, it had undergone such a transformation.
Pondering that led me to consider the net.
“Wasn’t the original body of the net in the form of a monster?”
The white monster, dubbed a dragon.
That had been the main body of the net, emerging from the ice.
“Do all dragons possess a separate essence like that?”
The net was a pure-blooded dragon, and so was I.
So, does that mean I too have a distinct ‘main body’ like the net?
“I’ve never really felt that way, but if it exists…”
At that very moment, Tottoli, which had just grown large as I did, had flown off.
…
Could it be that creature?
As that thought crossed my mind, I shook it away.
“Even if I did, I’m the true essence. How could that creature be anything close to my main body?”
The concept of a ‘main body’ itself feels odd.
If ‘main body’ is the right term, then where am I now if I am the main body?
It’s probably just a senseless thought.
Swish.
Clearing my mind, I unwound the bandage wrapped around my chest and set it ablaze.
Hwaruk-!
As the bandage burned, it released a faint odor. This was due to the blood that soaked it.
“My injuries have completely healed.”
It has been three days since the fierce battle.
Though I had wounds from being stabbed and fractures, both my internal and external injuries healed in just a few days.
“My regenerative ability has significantly increased compared to before.”
Considering that my regeneration ability is definitely taken from me, it makes sense to see that my regenerative capacity alone has simply improved.
“At this rate….”
I could train a bit more aggressively.
With bones breaking and flesh tearing, I’d still regenerate in mere days.
This had to be the most satisfactory aspect of my growth.
Crack.
As I sensed someone approaching, I turned around.
A well-groomed young man with pale skin, dressed neatly in military attire. It was Seong Yul.
He had bandages wrapped around his arm, likely from a fight with a monster that broke his left arm.
“Excuse me, did I interrupt?”
“No, I just finished. What’s up?”
“The princess is looking for you, Prince.”
I nodded at Seong Yul’s words.
I was planning to head there anyway.
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
The site is fast and lightweight because there are no ads yet. However, the theme is different from Cybor-TL, so take some time to familiarize yourself.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.