Chapter 152
[Characteristic: Indestructible Bones]
Greatly increases the body's durability and regenerative power.
The description itself was extremely brief.
However, in terms of ability alone, it could be considered the best among the growths obtained this time.
'To think I'd obtain the Indestructible Bones that the Diamond Demon Ancestor spoke of in this way...'
External martial arts that focus on training the exterior seem to strengthen one quickly when at a lower level, but once reaching the top tier, they fall significantly behind the masters of internal martial arts who manipulate inner energy.
However, the Diamond Demon Ancestor, one of the Eight Great Demon Ancestors, was different.
Through endless training, pushing his body to the extreme limits, the Diamond Demon Ancestor obtained the Indestructible Bones physique, which was in no way inferior to masters who cultivated inner energy.
This was inevitable because the Diamond Demon Ancestor's Indestructible Bones physique was not easily wounded even by powerful energy attacks, and minor injuries healed with monstrous regenerative abilities.
To add some exaggeration, the Diamond Demon Ancestor, with a physique that could be called superhuman without exaggeration, was able to proudly rank among the world's eight greatest masters solely through external martial arts.
'...Even I doubted whether the Diamond Demon Ancestor was human or not.'
The battle where the Blood Sect, which had conquered the Heavenly Continent after the Orthodox-Demonic War, was invaded.
Later called the Demon God War, the Diamond Demon Ancestor's achievements and fame in that battle were among the most notable even within the Blood Sect.
When the Blood Sect was thrown into chaos due to a sudden invasion without any warning signs, the Diamond Demon Ancestor single-handedly held a key position for over three hours against an army of demon warriors, each equivalent to a master of the Transformation Realm, until reinforcements from the main sect arrived.
Despite knowing the capabilities of the Indestructible Bones physique through the Diamond Demon Ancestor's feats, there was a reason why he, Lee Seong-jun, didn't train in external martial arts.
'It required far too much training time.'
It wasn't for nothing that there weren't many other external martial arts masters.
The Diamond Demon Ancestor devoted over 20 hours out of 24 hours a day to training.
He trained his body relentlessly, minimizing even meal and sleep times.
Although it was very tempting, it was a time when there wasn't enough time to learn internal martial arts, so he had to give up on obtaining the Indestructible Bones physique.
But now, he had unexpectedly received this windfall.
'No, this is beyond just a windfall.'
The effects of Indestructible Bones could be said to be as valuable as gold and jewels.
'Power is overflowing.'
Immense strength and vitality were coursing through his entire body.
'I'll need to completely reestablish my existing combat methods.'
This was because he had obtained the Indestructible Bones physique that practitioners of external martial arts yearn for and desire.
It could be said that he had mastered all martial arts, both internal and external, to the extreme.
'Especially... the vast amount of vitality and regenerative power will give me an enormous advantage in combat.'
While the Diamond Demon Ancestor only used it to recover from injuries, Lee Seong-jun, who could manipulate blood energy, could utilize it in various ways.
'If I create blood through regenerative power and convert it into blood energy...'
He could handle much more inner energy than before.
Moreover, it wasn't just that his inner energy had increased.
Due to the Indestructible Bones, his body had become even sturdier, allowing him to withstand ascension techniques that leave considerable recoil.
'...If I push a little, I might even be able to unleash the ultimate techniques of the Ten Thousand Aspects Blood Demon Sea.'
Naturally, the techniques called ultimate techniques possessed power on a different level from what he had used so far.
This wasn't just a simple metaphor.
While the techniques he had used before needed to be used on a target or subject in front of him, those classified as ultimate techniques could shatter or split the soul itself.
It meant he could annihilate existence itself.
It meant he could now handle powers like the Mind Sword, which was no different from the dream of martial artists.
Even if he encountered enemies like Master Lich and Retar, whom he had faced before, he wouldn't need to bother destroying their Life Vessel.
'Now... I can finally handle martial arts worthy of the name.'
Clear growth, and the dream-like events he had envisioned in his mind were becoming a tangible reality.
Naturally, a satisfied smile spread across Lee Seong-jun's face.
* * *
To exert more than 100% of his true self's power, he needed to clearly know his own strength and abilities.
Therefore, Lee Seong-jun, while sitting cross-legged, observed the changes in his own body condition.
After about an hour had passed.
Finally, Lee Seong-jun's closed eyes opened.
"Phew..."
After checking his body condition, he could proudly say that he had achieved truly satisfactory results.
It was an incredibly joyous thing as a martial artist.
However, Lee Seong-jun's expression was actually more rigid than usual.
The reason was simple.
A sharp, massive energy was acutely piercing Lee Seong-jun's senses.
'Who could it be?'
It was already surprising that the energy shot from a distance had penetrated the barrier set up by Jazan.
What's more, it was accurately directed at him, Lee Seong-jun.
It meant they were handling energy skillfully enough to be called impressive.
'It seems certain that their purpose for visiting is to find me, but...'
Since it was a place where he lived with his family, he couldn't help but feel somewhat cautious.
'I should at least check their face in person.'
Lee Seong-jun immediately stood up and went outside.
Soon, in an alley hidden among Seoul's glamorous buildings, Lee Seong-jun's eyes narrowed as he arrived at the entrance of a five-story building that looked like an old abandoned structure.
'This energy is...?'
Although he had only encountered it once.
But because it belonged to an individual with a somewhat peculiar disposition, it remained clearly in his memory.
'Baek Mu-jin.'
After reciting the name of the man remaining in his memory, Lee Seong-jun immediately lifted his body into the air and passed through the fifth-floor window.
Whoosh-
As the wind that cut through the air raised the accumulated dust, and the mixed smell of scattered garbage penetrated his nostrils,
Baek Mu-jin, who was leaning against a pillar with his arms crossed, moved his lips.
"As expected, Lee Seong-jun! I thought you would certainly be able to detect the energy, and indeed you didn't disappoint! Hahaha!"
While Baek Mu-jin, with eyes like a predator facing a tempting prey, was glancing and assessing Lee Seong-jun,
Similarly, Lee Seong-jun was also quickly assessing Baek Mu-jin.
'Was he hiding his strength? Or has he grown?'
Compared to when he first saw him, his energy had become several times sharper and thicker.
'...Not bad.'
It was enough to make his arm hair stand on end, even if just slightly.
Naturally, Lee Seong-jun's eyes narrowed as he gazed at Baek Mu-jin.
It was an understandable reaction.
Baek Mu-jin was affiliated with the Returnee Alliance, a faction that could hardly be called friendly.
There weren't many reasons for him to visit like this.
"Are you here for revenge on behalf of the Korean Returnee Alliance?"
"Revenge? Why should I? Why should I do such a thing for the meaningless Korean Returnee Alliance?"
Baek Mu-jin snorted and a smirk spread across his face.
"I've come purely for a duel with you, Lee Seong-jun."
"For that... I thought I said I'd give you a year."
"There's no need for that anymore, is there?"
"Well, that's true."
The moment Lee Seong-jun shrugged and answered,
As if he had been waiting for this, Baek Mu-jin crouched down, kicked off the ground, and rushed towards Lee Seong-jun, thrusting out his fist.
'...Fast!'
Baek Mu-jin's speed at that moment, cutting through the darkness, was undoubtedly the best he had seen on Earth so far.
However, no matter how fast it was, there was no way Lee Seong-jun would allow such a straightforward attack.
Just as Lee Seong-jun avoided the attack's path by twisting his waist and was about to extend his clenched fist,
Baek Mu-jin's form, which had been shooting straight ahead, came to an abrupt stop like a vehicle slamming on the brakes.
'He reacted?'
Given that it happened in a literal split second, he thought there would be no time to react.
No, even Baek Mu-jin hadn't dodged by seeing with his eyes.
He had simply erected his body with a beast-like instinctive sense.
'How peculiar.'
It was interesting enough that he possessed such beast-like senses.
However, what intrigued Lee Seong-jun the most was that Baek Mu-jin wasn't fighting solely on instinct.
Whoosh-!
As he stopped his movement, a blue energy flew from Baek Mu-jin's hand extended towards the air, like a sharp dagger, cutting through Lee Seong-jun's hair as it passed.
If he hadn't reacted instantly, his neck would surely have been pierced.
'...He's perfectly handling both human cognitive abilities and instincts.'
To be precise, he was utilizing the advantages of both sides.
Moreover, his ability to handle both senses was at an extraordinary level.
As Lee Seong-jun was inwardly expressing slight admiration, Baek Mu-jin's form kicked off the ground again.
'This... might be a bit difficult to dodge.'
As Baek Mu-jin approached to close range in an instant, a confident smile spread across his face.
Simultaneously, blue energy rose from Baek Mu-jin's hand as it cut through the air.
Thinking it was powerful enough to easily pierce even ordinary steel, he expected to receive a considerable impact.
Thud-!
Indeed, the sensation felt at his fingertips was substantial.
However, Lee Seong-jun didn't even blink.
Confusion inevitably appeared on Baek Mu-jin's face as he extended his fist.
"My body is quite sturdy, you know."
Lee Seong-jun smiled as he protected his body with the Indestructible Bones physique, which was harder than steel, and a protective energy barrier woven from blood energy.
Baek Mu-jin quickly withdrew his extended fist and tried to create distance.
But Lee Seong-jun's movement was one step faster.
Immediately grabbing Baek Mu-jin's collar, Lee Seong-jun pulled him into his embrace and extended his left palm, where blood energy was swirling like a vortex.
Boom-!
As the shockwave spreading from his palm penetrated into the physical body, delivering a massive impact, Baek Mu-jin's form naturally began to be pushed back.
Crash-!
Leaving a straight scar on the floor as he was pushed back, Baek Mu-jin's form crashed into the wall, raising a large dust cloud.
Judging by the traces alone, he should have suffered considerable fatal wounds.
However, Lee Seong-jun's hardened expression still hadn't relaxed.
"How long are you going to lie there?"
The attack had clearly hit perfectly.
But it had failed to inflict the internal injuries that were Lee Seong-jun's goal.
'At the moment of impact... he quickly expelled the energy that flowed into his body outwards.'
It was only outwardly spectacular, but there was virtually no substantial damage.
Indeed, as the dust cloud settled, Baek Mu-jin's revealed expression could hardly be considered that of an injured person.
"Excellent! Excellent! To think I'd be pushed back without being able to do anything, this is beyond my expectations!"
Instead, a smile bordering on madness was blooming on Baek Mu-jin's face.