Chapter 187: The Tribe of the Earth (7)

'Heart Tribe!?'

Surprised, I hastily turn around, but by now, the Sea Dragon warriors are already flying swiftly through the sky, following the trail of light sent by Gyu-ryeon, and the distance between us and Gyu-ryeon quickly widens.

“Hold on, how about asking Senior Gyu about the Heart Tribe?"

I hastily speak to the Sea Dragon warriors, but they respond indifferently.

"Didn't you hear something about the Heart Tribe or whatever being at the Core Formation stage?"

"Let’s just go quickly."

"No…"

I’m about to say one or two things to the Sea Dragon warriors but then remember that it hasn't even been a year since we ascended.

'...Do they still not know how much the Heart Tribe is feared and revered in the Bright Cold Realm?'

Thinking about it, talking about the Bright Cold Realm when it hasn't even been a year since our ascension is pointless.

'No choice then. I'll have to leave them be.'

Following the orb of light sent by Gyu-ryeon, I think about the still naive Sea Dragon warriors.

'I'll leave them be, and while they suppress the rebellion... I'll meet the Heart Tribe.'

I've heard about the Heart Tribe before, but what exactly they do,

And what exactly is the Heart Path Method, is what I need to find out.

It’s time to understand more about them.

'Let's meet them and find out what they’re about!'

Whoosh!

How many landscapes have I passed?

Flash!

The light sent by Gyu-ryeon explodes over a massive mountain range.

"This place is…"

The explosion of light means we have reached our destination.

"The largest Long Spirit Wood Flower farm in the Dragon Race Territory...?"

The scene beyond the mountain range is breathtaking.

The vast farm in front of me, absorbing sunlight and shining brightly, seems to be spitting out white flames.

No, it isn't just a feeling. Around the flowers of the white plants in Gyu-ryeon's farm, there is indeed a flame-like white spiritual energy flickering.

Long Spirit Wood Flower.

Or also known as the Everlasting Flower, these white blossoms produce the essential cotton used in the majority of clothing worn by cultivators in the Bright Cold Realm.

For many cultivators, surpassing the Qi Building stage often results in their clothes being torn to shreds or becoming rags due to battles.

While high-level cultivators can create clothing through spells, those of lower levels have to change into spare clothes or walk around naked, which is quite inconvenient.

Hoping for intact clothing in the constantly warring Bright Cold Realm is laughably naïve.

Thus, many cultivators quietly worried about clothing, and three solutions emerged.

Learning spells to weave clothes from spiritual energy.

Wearing clothes that can restore themselves even after being torn or burnt.

Overcoming the embarrassment and walking around naked.

The third option, while humorous, was surprisingly adopted by many, including Azure Tiger Saint. But it is chosen only by those who are very confident in their abilities.

Anyway, the first option is only feasible for high-level cultivators.

The second option, enchanting clothes with restoration spells, was chosen by many, including both high and low-level cultivators.

The main material used to make such self-restoring clothes is precisely the Long Spirit Wood Flower.

Clothes made from Long Spirit Wood Flower can be regenerated by infusing a single remaining piece with spiritual energy, even if they were completely torn or burnt, making them extremely useful.

The main ingredient, the Long Spirit Wood Flower, which thrives only in areas abundant in spiritual energy, has a unique property of continuous regeneration when its cotton is harvested with spells by high-level cultivators, ensuring a never-ending supply.

Thus, cultivators who grow Long Spirit Wood Flowers often enslave weaker races as cotton slaves to manage the harvest.

Whoosh, whoosh!

As I look at the cotton field, contemplating the Long Spirit Wood Flower,

From afar, a crimson flame is engulfing the cotton field.

"Is that the rebel army?"

"None of them even seem to have reached the Qi Refining stage."

Behind the flames, an enormous presence can be felt, a truly terrifying number.

'How many are there?'

"Now, let's go down. Everyone, suppress the slaves on your own, kill all the leaders of the rebellion, and then report to Senior Gyu."

"Will do."

The Sea Dragon warrior carrying me shakes his head, dropping me off before flying away.

The Sea Dragon warriors, paying no heed to me, swiftly fly towards the numerous demon beasts to suppress them.

I watch them for a moment before looking at the slave races setting the cotton field on fire.

'The Heart Tribe is said to be here. Being at the Core Formation level must surely mean the prowess of Beyond the Path to Heavens.'

Though I’m still confused about what the Heart Tribe is, I can at least speculate after hearing from Jang Ik and witnessing his strike.

'Surely, members of the Heart Tribe can recognize each other at first sight.'

Bang, bang!

I kick off through the air, heading towards the flames.

There, the races committing arson are not just one or two.

Numerous races are mingling, setting fires.

The races of the Bright Cold Realm live exposed to the dense spiritual energy of the Bright Cold Realm, hence the majority are born with the strength of at least the Qi Refining stage.

Yet, even in the Bright Cold Realm, there are those who are weak.

Those whose natural bodies are too frail to properly absorb the dense spiritual energy of the Bright Cold Realm, unable to learn demon beast methods.

And those who could not find a sacrifice method, thus unable to learn the Heaven Tribe or Earth Tribe methods.

Such people, classified as weaker races in the Bright Cold Realm, are often captured by the Heaven and Earth Tribes to be enslaved or used as elixirs.

The numerous races currently setting fire are likely those weaker slave races working in Gyu-ryeon's farm.

Just when I think so.

Zing―

Suddenly, the tension sharply rises.

A feeling as if my neck can be sliced open at any moment!

A sense predicting murderous intent, akin to future foresight

'This is…'

Not just any killing intent.

Heart language!

It’s the heart language exchanged between warriors who have reached the realm of Beyond the Path to Heavens.

Someone is speaking through heart language.

No, asking.

Who are you?

Zap, zap…

'This is…'

I smile, accepting the sensation given by the heart language.

Following that sensation, I look towards the place where this heart language is sent from.

Gyu-ryeon's information seems to be incorrect.

‘Not Beyond the Path to Heavens, but Treading Heavens?'

Kugugugu!

From afar, three Sea Dragon warriors are gasping for breath.

I shout at them.

"Avoid it, there's a Heart Tribe member over there!"

However, despite clearly hearing my shout, they ignore it and spew rays of light from their mouths.

And the next moment.

Flash!

Swoosh!

A crimson stream.

A sunset-colored river wave, blocking the breath of the Sea Dragon warriors.

'Ah…'

I can feel it.

The one who blocked the attack of those three Nascent Soul stage Sea Dragon warriors is definitely in the Treading Heavens realm!

I suppress the excitement climbing up my spine, intending to run towards that direction.

However, just as I’m about to run over there.

Shriek!

Chill!

I quickly step backward, retreating with a light-footed technique at the sudden sense of ominousness invading my mind.

Kwagwagwang!

The next moment, a huge valley appears right where I was about to cross.

"…I need to complain to Senior Gyu."

Not just one Heart Tribe member, but two.

'No, maybe Senior Gyu only managed to ascertain one till now.'

Wo-woong!

From afar, a scarlet river of sunset is flowing, sweeping along three Sea Dragon warriors like a tide.

They appear as if three snakes are trapped in a sunset-colored sea.

That side is undoubtedly in the Treading Heavens realm, yet the sensation unique to the Treading Heavens realm is not something I can detect with either demon beast methods or Heaven Tribe methods.

'Detection doesn't work, huh. Seems like they don't know either...'

Step, step…

I look at a figure emerging from the cotton field, a bipedal goat with white fur.

"Are you the Core Formation stage Heart Tribe member Senior Gyu mentioned?"

The creature is definitely a Beyond the Path to Heavens level expert.

I look at what this goat demon is holding.

'A whip?'

It’s a thin leather whip.

A thin whip used for lashing slaves.

However, strangely, on the forehead of this goat demon holding a whip meant for beating slaves, there is a clear mark of a slave.

The goat demon with the slave mark on their forehead has an overall gentle and rounded appearance.

The fur itself seems incredibly fluffy and soft, and the eyes exude a clear and soft temperament.

Moreover, due to its small stature, it looks quite cute at first glance.

But I swallow my saliva as I observe them.

'Underneath the fur...'

I can’t count how many scars there are.

Beneath the soft and cute fur, there are marks like whip lashes densely packed like rain streaks.

A formidable opponent indeed.

I raise my tension and ask,

"Are you from the Heart Tribe?"

"..."

"Is the Heart Path Method what you practice?"

"..."

"Your Heart Tribe..."

And then.

Meeeeeeh―

The creature cries out and lashes the whip.

Kwagwagwang!

"!"

Again, a valley forms where the whip strikes.

'Ah, I see. Am I an idiot?'

I realize as I watch the Heart Tribe member cry out.

The demon language I am using is a universal language among demons, but now that I think about it, these Heart Tribe members wouldn't have the Earth Tribe's vision, naturally not learning the demon language.

[Hey, I asked if you were from the Heart Tribe.]

I once again speak to it using mental language, which operates on consciousness.

[Can you tell me what the Heart Path Method is? How does your Heart Tribe distinguish levels of attainment? What enlightenment have you achieved?]

Finally, I got a proper response from them.

[You've been babbling to yourself all this time. Are you trying to compete with words?]

"...Ha."

I wonder why.

Despite being insulted by an opponent of a lower realm than myself, I don't feel bad at all.

Instead, I grab the air with a bright smile.

[My apologies.]

No more words are needed.

Bo-oong!

Tearing through the air, I surge the Formless Sword throughout my body, not drawing upon demon beast methods.

Nor do I awaken the Nascent Soul, forcibly sealing the ability to perceive planes.

After sealing all Heaven and Earth Tribe methods,

I charge at them while maintaining a pure state of Treading Heavens.

'Indeed, is the Heart Path Method a martial art?'

Today, I shall find the answer.

My attack collides with that of the goat.

Kugugugu!

The scarlet river swallows the Sea Dragon warriors.

The three warriors gasp for breath as they face their opponent.

They can't identify who it is.

The techniques being used are also unknown.

Even the main body's location can't be detected.

Yet the perceived size of the consciousness feels infinitely small!

'What is this, who is this person...'

The eldest among the Sea Dragon warriors, the veteran.

Jeon Gyeok summons the storm, filling the surrounding sky as he clenches his teeth.

Kurung, Kururung!

Dark clouds infuse the Sea Dragon warriors with strength.

Normally, they would become immortal warriors who do not tire until their energy runs out, but facing this entity,

They feel like they are barely clinging to life with these techniques.

"Ugh, so you're the leader of the rebellion! I haven't heard of a Nascent Soul stage rebel force..."

Jeon Gyeok throws out any statement to probe the opponent.

But the opponent does not react.

He tries various offers and questions to probe the opponent but is met with silence.

Jeon Gyeok starts to grow anxious.

'If this continues, our energy will be completely depleted. Senior Gyu hasn't arrived yet, and to end like this...'

Just then.

[Hmmm, the owner of this domain, the Four-Axis stage Earth Tribe member, hasn't shown up?]

Jeon Gyeok brightens up upon hearing the opponent murmur.

'Right, they may do well against opponents of the same realm, but it seems they lack confidence when facing higher-level cultivators.'

Jeon Gyeok shouts with a feigned stern expression.

"We are just the vanguard. Within half an hour, Elder Gyu-ryeon of the True Dragon Alliance will arrive. We may not be able to defeat you, but we can hold you off until then."

Jeon Gyeok signals to the other Sea Dragon Race warriors to draw up their energy as if to bind the presence before them within a barrier immediately.

'Having done this much, surely they'll be flustered and try to retreat. That's when we will temporarily retreat and ask for help from Senior Gyu...'

"Everyone, surround that..."

And then.

The owner of the scarlet river chuckles.

[Such bravado. I take it the Four-Axis monster isn’t coming?]

"Haha, if you want to believe that..."

[Did you think I wouldn't notice you rolling your eyes and exchanging opinions? Keke… You've been anxious from the start, indeed… The Four-Axis hasn't shown up.]

"...The Four-Axis hasn’t arrived, but."

Jeon Gyeok quickly thinks of a way out.

"We are warriors of the Sea Dragon Race. We came prepared to die to suppress you... the Heart Tribe. If our situation becomes dire, we have techniques prepared to self-destruct..."

[That's a lie.]

"…Foolish as it may be, even if we don't self-destruct, the human ally that came with us is closely related to us. If he exerts his full strength, he can unleash power at the Heavenly Being stage. If we find ourselves in danger, he will…"

[That also seems like a lie.]

"So suspicious. But no matter how much you doubt, it doesn't change the truth. However, think about it. A senior of the Four-Axis stage is on her way here, we came prepared with a self-destruction technique, and in fact, having that human ally means we actually have an advantage over you. Moreover, we were ordered to capture those who started the rebellion alive, so we were only fighting moderately. Being distant relatives of the Black Dragon Race, we can draw a considerable amount of power from the ancestral blood of the Black Dragon…"

[My goodness, everything except the words 'capture alive' and 'distant relatives of the Black Dragon Race' is a lie. You aren't Sea Dragons but Bragging Dragons, did you introduce yourselves incorrectly?]

"..."

Jeon Gyeok glares at his opponent.

'What in the world?'

It feels like his heart is being read.

He knows nothing about his opponent, but the opponent seems to be reading him in real-time, an eerie discomfort..

[You seem displeased. Getting more afraid, aren’t you?]

"..."

Not just Jeon Gyeok, but the other Sea Dragon warriors who share his thoughts turn pale.

It’s clear.

The entity before them can easily read their innermost thoughts.

That discomfort and fear.

Jeon Gyeok had seen such a being only once before.

'Mad Lord, Jo Yeon...'

A lunatic who had controlled two Four-Axis stage puppets from the Lower Realm.

The sensation of having one's soul pierced through was something he had only felt in the presence of that person.

Of course, Jeon Gyeok did not believe the mad old man could read his thoughts, but there was something in common between the uncomfortable feeling given by the Mad Lord's transparent eyes and this current discomfort.

[The problem with you Heaven and Earth Tribes is this. Always, when facing the threat of death, you desperately do anything to survive. It's not necessarily bad, but wouldn't it be normal to have one or two who stick to their convictions? Have I only been dealing with small fries?]

"You are..."

[Enough, shut up. I'm not interested in playing with you fools anymore, and that guy over there seems somewhat interesting.]

The scarlet river seems to laugh with a giggle.

Jeon Gyeok tries to say something, but the next moment.

He clenches his teeth as he sees the scarlet wave rushing at him without a word.

"Damn it, are you determined to see this through to the end!"

[Hahaha, you think you can last till the end with me? Seeing that you don't know much about the Heart Tribe, you must have only recently ascended... Remember this well. The Heart Tribe... if you want to catch them, you must dig a good trap and not confront them with excessive force. With the power of your Heaven and Earth Tribes, it will never be easy.]

Peeee―

At that moment, Jeon Gyeok hears a ringing in his ears.

It’s the sound of singing.

'This, this is...!'

As soon as he recognizes the song, Jeon Gyeok feels the strength draining from his body.

Not just a sensation, but his life force and spiritual energy are actually being siphoned away.

'Ah, no...'

What?

To die like this?

So absurdly?

Jeon Gyeok blankly watches as life force drains out of his body.

Life is not under control.

Qi is not under his control, scattering absurdly easily.

'To die so easily...'

[Your mistake was first and foremost, not knowing about the Heart Tribe. And… that I'm someone who has seen your Heaven and Earth Tribes so annoyingly often. That's about it. Farewell.]

Thwoong!

With the sound like a string being snapped, Jeon Gyeok loses consciousness.

With that, Jeon Gyeok died.

As simply and vainly as one would swat a bug.

The three warriors of the Sea Dragon Race died like this.

And the owner of the scarlet river turns their gaze elsewhere.

Where a loud explosion is occuring.

Kwagwang, Kwagwagwang!

The earth trembles, dust clouds rise, and a long whip flies in all directions.

As the whip extends,

An invisible formless sword swings like a whip.

Seo Eun-hyun charges at the goat, raising both arms and exerting force on his lower abdomen, back, and shoulders.

For an instant, his muscles seem to swell, and the Formless Sword strikes down towards the goat.

The goat is no easy opponent.

The goat swings the whip from lower right to upper left.

In that moment, the ghost infuses Qi into the whip with a twist of the wrist.

Simultaneously, the weight of the whip changes, shaking off Seo Eun-hyun's Formless Sword.

Chwack!

As the goat twists its wrist again, the weight of the whip becomes as light as a feather, and the whip quickly retracts at an astonishing speed.

Spat!

Seo Eun-hyun swings his sword, and the goat swings their whip.

A whip that changes weight, a sword that changes shape.

Their exchange appears evenly matched at a glance.

Pshht, Pshht, Pshht!

But beneath the goat's white fur, cuts are gradually grazing it.

The goat's wrists, thumb, index finger, pinkie...

Ribcage, solar plexus, navel...

Instep, heel, calf...

Shwoosh, Shwoosh!

These are the wounds on the goat's body from Seo Eun-hyun's two movements.

The goat understands,

Their opponent is going easy on them.

No, more accurately, they are being guided.

Initially, it seemed like he was cautiously pressing the goat, testing something as if to gauge the goat's strength.

But at some point, there were several occasions when he could have split the goat's head open but chose to spare him.

Unlike the goat, whose body is already reddened in places, Seo Eun-hyun's clothes are not even scratched, completely unscathed.

'The proficiency of each technique, every one of them is terrifying.'

The goat thinks as they look at Seo Eun-hyun.

'Every single one, even the simplest techniques when embedded in the changing sword, leads to a myriad of transformations, and every stroke of myriad transformations is based on extremely proficient fundamentals, reaching the level of a lethal strike.'

Moreover, the sword wielded by this person is invisible.

Though perceivable by consciousness, being invisible to the naked eye is a tremendous disadvantage.

I can't even properly grasp what's changing right now because it's transparent.'

This won't do.

'I must decide the battle with a decisive technique.'

The goat's momentum changes.

'Pouring everything I have... I shall liberate my race...!'

The next moment.

The goat's whip soars high into the sky.

Now, with a weight heavier than Mount Tai, it prepares to fall.

Seo Eun-hyun, sensing the goat’s intent, readies himself.

One can be guessed.

What both are about to use are the techniques they each call their ultimate.

'No matter the outcome, I will give my all in a gesture of respect!'

And when their techniques are about to clash.

Thwoong!

With a clear sound, the goat slumps to the ground.

[Heuk...!]

Strength drains from them.

A feeling of powerlessness envelops their entire body, feeling as if they can do nothing.

Between them, the scarlet river flows.

[Hello, sorry to interrupt your fun. But you see, we're out of time. The prediction that a Four-Axis stage cultivator will come directly has dropped, and we've only caught these runts... Anyway, as promised, since a Four-Axis stage did not appear, I will allow your entire race to enter the Heart Tribe Territory, as promised.]

[...! Yes! Thank you!]

I feel my whole body become lethargic and my life force drain away as I watch the babbling scarlet river before me.

'It’s dangerous.'

I’m sleepy.

So sleepy and exhausted. This must be her manifestation of the Treading Heavens ability.

[Hey, friend, won't you stop fighting too? Looking at you, you're from the Human Race, and you've been learning demon beast methods under the Demon Race... And it seems like you've reached the second stage of Manifestation like us. ...Honestly, I don't have much confidence in winning against you. But if you could overlook just my friend and his race's departure, I would be truly grateful.]

So, she's asking to be let go because she doesn't think she can win against me?

Had this been before, I would have scoffed at such nonsense.

But, looking up at the sky, I chuckle softly.

If attacked, great calamity.

If not attacked, smooth sailing.

'The last trick she's hiding might be quite frightening.'

I quietly calm my inner thoughts and nod.

"Do as you wish."

[Ahahaha, thank you truly. Then, by any chance, is there anything you'd like to ask? As a token of permitting our departure, I'll answer something you're curious about.]

I immediately asked her.

"What is the Heart Path Method?"

Today, I will finally learn about the Heart Path Method.

The owner of the scarlet river replies.

[Pu, Pukukukuk... Kahahahaha!]

With a fierce laugh.

As if it’s the funniest thing in the world.

And then her words follow.

[Look here, friend. The Heart Path Method doesn't exist in this world.]