The next day, I set off on the road with Mihyo. The journey to Mount Mani with Mihyo wasn't very far. Not long after we disembarked from the boat onto the island, we reached the entrance of our goal, Mount Mani.
Mihyo said,
"I can sense a strong aura. Is it a monk of the Law?"
I strained my eyes to look at the summit. Indeed, a human figure was visible there. I had the feeling that they were also aware of our presence. That must be the 'guardian' Mihyo mentioned.
As we moved further inland, a mental voice suddenly hummed and echoed.
[ Laymen, stop there. I cannot allow you to approach the Chanseongdan any further. ]
Mihyo snorted and responded with a mental voice. She had already summoned her nine tails.
[ Who are you to decide that? I must see what is sealed in the Chanseongdan. ]
[ I am the monk Seosan. ]
[ So what? ]
[ I already know that you are a great fox spirit. However, the moment you entered this barrier, the absolute advantage lies with me. ]
Seosan, the monk, sent another mental voice.
[ If you take ten more steps forward, I will not hold back. Leave the island now. ]
Mihyo's face twisted with anger.
"That damn monk?"
She was so angry that her human beauty was distorted, revealing her fox spirit face. It was the first time I had seen Mihyo this angry, and I thought it was a serious situation. But I quickly grabbed her shoulder.
"No. Let's go. This isn't good."
"Let go! I'll tear out that monk's guts and eat them."
"Calm down. If you do this, you'll die. I'm sure of it."
Mihyo glanced at me.
"What makes you so sure?"
"Like you said, if this is the seal of the Seven Treasures and a carefully selected guardian from the Twelve Laws or the Dan clan is protecting it... how strong must that monk Seosan be? Moreover, if there is a barrier on this island, fighting in the enemy's stronghold is hopeless."
"......"
Mihyo seemed to regain her composure, her eyes showing a glint of interest.
"You're a strange one. You seem dull and foolish, yet you can sense the boundary of death better than I can... Indeed, you are right."
"Ha ha..."
I smiled bitterly. Having died many times in reckless charges, I had become adept at sensing dangerous situations. Mihyo suddenly turned to look behind us.
"Are those guys already chasing us?"
Following Mihyo's gaze, I saw a small boat approaching from beyond the horizon. But a moment later, I felt an immense aura emanating from the small boat and gasped. Straining my eyes, I could see the figure.
"Ho Beopsa...!!"
Indeed.
The Ho Beopsa, wearing a black tiger mask, was sitting with his arms crossed on the small boat. A boatman was rowing diligently beside him. From the absence of other Fengshen guards, it seemed he had come alone.
At this speed, he would arrive in about an hour.
I quickly said to Mihyo,
"Can I use a mental voice too?"
"Why?"
"I need to talk to that monk Seosan."
"Alright."
Mihyo placed her hand on my back, and a white light flowed out, allowing me to use a mental voice indirectly. I sent a mental voice to Seosan, the monk sitting atop the small mountain.
[ The Ho Beopsa is coming to this island. His goal is also to obtain the Seven Treasures. Please help us. ]
Seosan was silent for a moment, then replied.
[ I cannot believe your words. ]
[ Even if the barrier can stop a fox spirit, can you stop the Ho Beopsa alone? I don't think you have that much power. ]
[ ......]
Seosan seemed shaken. I pleaded earnestly.
[ If you don't let us in now, it will be too late. Please let us into the island. ]
[ The Ho Beopsa, I will try to stop him. ]
Kwa-ching!!
Suddenly, an invisible barrier seemed to form around the island. Seosan must have strengthened the barrier to give it physical defensive capabilities. It seemed he had let us into the outer part of the island to warn us, and he was now reinforcing the barrier to stop the Ho Beopsa.
The Ho Beopsa on the small boat roared.
[ Ha ha ha!! Do you think you can stop me with just this? ]
Uu-uu-uu-uu
The Ho Beopsa raised one hand, and a giant vortex suddenly appeared above it, quickly turning into a violent storm. The Ho Beopsa, who could effortlessly create a vortex several dozen feet wide, lifted his body from the small boat.
I widened my eyes at the sight.
Lingkongxudu (Leaping Through the Air)!!
'Is he a monster?'
Even for a human, reaching the legendary realm of lightness was extremely difficult, yet I was witnessing it right before my eyes. The Ho Beopsa, now floating in the air, extended his other hand to create another vortex.
His aura seemed boundless. It required immense inner strength to move water with human energy, let alone control the sea and create vortices. This was an absurd level.
That is the ultimate realm of inner strength, known as Tianlingdan (Heavenly Spirit Pill)!
Ku-gu-gu-gu-gu- !!
The two vortices gradually expanded, surrounding the Ho Beopsa with his arms crossed. He swung his arms.
Kwa-gwang
[ Gah...!! ]
The barrier shattered, and Seosan groaned in pain. The Ho Beopsa's strike had easily broken the barrier. Despite his shock, Seosan spoke to us.
[ C, come in... ]
"Alright."
Mihyo and I quickly ran to the summit of Mount Mani where Seosan was. It was possible because Seosan did not block us. 'Thank goodness.'
I shuddered when I saw the Ho Beopsa using Lingkongxudu. I pondered for a moment and asked.
"What can be used as an offering?"
"Anything, but it must have sufficient value."
"Would a Dharmic treasure work?"
"What kind of Dharmic treasure?"
"This."
I took out the fake Bajijing, which I always carried with me. Though it was a replica, it had the power of a Dharmic treasure, which was necessary to enhance my magical abilities. Seosan, the monk, examined it and said,
"It should be enough. However, this alone won't be enough to repel him."
"Then what?"
"It can extend the barrier for about six hours."
That's not enough. Since Mount Mani is on an island, there's no way to escape like on the mainland. The Ho Beopsa would undoubtedly wait for days or even months.
'Is there anything else we can offer?'
I thought for a long time but couldn't come up with anything, so I continued to ponder.
At that moment, Mihyo returned after circling the Chanseongdan.
Mihyo said, sounding disappointed,
"It's really not here. Damn it!"
"Didn't I tell you?"
"What are you going to do, damn monk! What are you going to do?!!"
"The Ho Beopsa is quite temperamental, isn't he?"
"What...!!"
As Mihyo was about to lose her temper, I quickly calmed her down. She seemed calm but had a low boiling point, making her unpredictable and hard to handle. Once Mihyo calmed down, the young monk Yujeong said,
"In this situation, we can only perform a ritual at the Chanseongdan to strengthen the barrier. If you have any Dharmic treasures, please help us."
"Hmph, do you think I have something like that?"
"Then we can only use the Dharmic treasure you offered."
"What?"
Mihyo suddenly turned to look at me. Realizing the situation, she lost her temper.
"Oh, damn it! Do you know what that is? It's a Dharmic treasure that's highly regarded in Dongyeong, even if it's a replica. You want to use it just to strengthen this Chanseongdan's barrier?"
"But there's no other way. We can't escape, do you want to die here?"
"Krrr..."
Mihyo narrowed her eyes, thinking for a moment, then said,
"Fine! I'll use my Bacheokgyeokok (Eight-Foot Jade Hook) too."
"Even if it's a replica."
"Don't mess with me, I'll die."
"Sorry."
A moment later, the three of us, including Mihyo, ascended the Chanseongdan. They placed the Bajijing and Bacheokgyeokok in the center of the altar, then began to chant spells, gathering their magical power. I wanted to help, but they said my clumsy abilities would only interfere, so I could only watch.
Woo-woo-woo-woo
The Chanseongdan responded to the power, gradually turning blue. It was no longer just a stone altar but was emitting a divine aura. As I watched the ritual reach its climax, I sensed something strange.
"......!!"
I quickly raised my spear to guard all sides. Then I shouted towards the north.
Whoosh
The mysterious figure easily dodged my attack, laughing.
"Ha ha, you're quite something, as I've heard. But you're still far from it."
"Ho Beopsa...!!"
My vision darkened with despair. I never thought he could break through the barrier and reach here. However, the three ritualists on the altar didn't say anything even after spotting the Ho Beopsa. They were too focused on the ritual to speak.
I realized something and tightened my grip on my spear. Upon closer inspection, I didn't sense any overwhelming power from him. I said,
"It's a clone."
"Ha ha, that's right. I split 20% of my power and placed it in the barrier. The barrier can only stop living beings, so this is unavoidable."
"Moreover, a clone will easily dissipate if attacked. Don't be overconfident."
I growled.
The clone the Ho Beopsa created wasn't a magical clone but an illusion that could be created with extreme inner strength. High-level practitioners could use it to distract or launch additional attacks. The problem was that he could freely send a clone this far, but since the main body wasn't here, it wasn't a concern.
As I guarded against him, the Ho Beopsa's clone smirked and said,
"20% of my power should be enough. Try to stop me, Baegung."