Childhood Friend of the Zenith Novel MTL - Chapter 1000

Chapter 1000

I must locate the Divine Tree.

Not only the three said to be held by the Generals—apart from the one possessed by the Mount Hua Sect.

But the singular tree rumored to exist within its Master’s domain.

From that tree, I needed to take the Divine Fruit.

To heal Noya, it was essential.

With that purpose fixed in my mind, the first step I took was—

Whoooosh—!!!

I gradually drew in the flames I had unleashed around me.

The fire coalesced into my palm before being absorbed back into my body.

As I felt the power settle inside me, I narrowed my gaze.

My immediate task was to evaluate my current state.

Even after achieving transcendence, I needed to determine precisely what was different.

I took time to examine my newfound strength.

And the outcome—

‘…This is substantial.’

The degree of change was greater than I had anticipated.

Although I had broken past my previous constraints and ascended to a higher plane, my energy hadn’t experienced a sudden flood.

My physical grip hadn’t vastly improved, nor had my raw strength.

However, one aspect had undergone a profound shift—

‘The essence of my flames has advanced.’

The fires of the Nine Flames Firewheel residing within me—

Their very heat and character had been transformed.

Fwoosh.

The flames now burned with a new purity.

They had always been a sharp, brilliant blue, but this was something else.

‘Vitality.’

I could feel life pulsing within the fire.

Flicker.

The sparks leaping upward shone with extraordinary brightness.

Even though they were my own flames, I found myself captivated by them.

There were no weaknesses, no flaws.

I knew instinctively that if I desired, I could amplify their heat even further—

And yet, their hue would remain unchanged.

As I watched, a realization emerged.

‘Then, what of Father’s flames?’

He must have reached transcendence as well.

What had his flames been like?

I tried to remember them, but—

‘…I can’t recall?’

It was strange; I couldn’t summon a clear image.

It felt almost ridiculous.

I had never paid them close attention before.

It made sense.

‘I assumed they were identical to mine.’

At most, I thought his flames were simply hotter or contained a more overwhelming force.

Or perhaps—

‘His mastery over them was greater than my own.’

That was the limit of my understanding.

But now, standing at the same threshold of transcendence—

‘I understand now. They were not the same.’

It wasn’t just a matter of control.

It wasn’t merely a difference in energy.

It was something more fundamental.

‘The distinction lies in whether one becomes the flame.’

This was beyond just commanding fire.

It was about being fire itself.

I channeled energy through my veins, converting it into flame.

Before, I could only manipulate the fire as a separate tool.

But now—

‘Even using the same energy, the sensation is entirely new.’

In the past, no matter how I wielded my flames, they always felt external—an extension of my Qi.

Now, it felt no different from moving my own arm.

How best to describe it?

‘…It is like suddenly growing wings and knowing inherently how to fly.’

Like acquiring an extra limb—

Or sprouting wings and finding them unfamiliar yet perfectly natural to control.

If I had to find the words, that was the closest comparison.

Whoooosh—!!!

I pulled all the flames I had been testing back into myself and flexed my hands several times.

I had a general grasp of my new boundaries.

I had also gauged the flexibility and maximum heat of my flames.

‘At this level—’

I dared to think—

‘I may be able to face the Three Sovereigns.’

For the first time, I felt I could truly contend with the Three Heavenly Sovereigns, the peerless masters of Zhongyuan.

It wasn’t a certainty.

I would have to confront them to know for sure.

But—

‘…I have finally arrived here.’

From the moment of my regression, I began as a mere third-rate martial artist.

From third-rate to second-rate, then to first-rate—surpassing the peak I had known before my regression.

And now, I had gone beyond even that.

How long had it taken?

Counting the years, it hadn’t even been a full decade.

I had climbed at a breathtaking pace.

Recalling it all, I might have let myself become nostalgic—

But instead, I clenched my fist and crushed those sentiments inside.

‘Not yet.’

It wasn’t that I felt nothing.

But this was not the time for reflection.

I raised my head.

It was past noon, and the sun was beginning its descent.

I had spent a long time evaluating my power.

Night would soon arrive.

Should I wait for darkness to fall again?

Under normal circumstances, I would have.

Night was the optimal time for movement.

For many reasons, waiting would have been the strategic choice.

But—

Fwoosh.

I did not wait.

I quietly ignited my flames.

Impatience burned inside me.

There was no time to revel in my new realm.

Even as countless strategies circled in my thoughts, they were all consumed by the inferno roaring within.

Thump.

The instant I lifted my foot, my entire body turned to flame—

A streak of light shooting ahead.

My speed had increased dramatically.

Yet, my energy expenditure had decreased.

And with my already deep reserves of Qi, this meant I could maintain even greater levels of firepower.

I passed through the barrier.

The moment I left Mount Hua, the scenery around me shifted instantly.

I pushed my speed to its limit.

BOOM—!

A thunderous explosion marked my departure, but soon, silence fell over my ears.

Even sound could not keep up with my velocity.

Soaring through the sky, I soon saw Yahwol Palace.

I had come here so frequently the sight was beyond familiar—it was almost tedious.

Whoosh.

I landed atop the fortress walls.

«Hmm.»

Standing on the high walls, I surveyed the territory below.

I heightened my senses, sharpening my awareness.

But then—

‘The population has thinned.’

There were noticeably fewer people than before.

Just yesterday, the city had been filled with activity.

Now, the streets were much quieter.

‘Of course.’

I already knew the reason.

‘It must be because of me.’

The chaos I sowed yesterday—that was why the streets were so empty.

The proof was clear. The number of civilians had dropped sharply, but the military presence had increased.

Fear and anxiety were plain on the soldiers’ faces.

And the cause for that was simple.

‘The White Death.’

The head of the White Family had been slain last night.

Even though the head of the Blue Family had also been assaulted, he had survived.

But in the prior attack, despite being guarded by countless soldiers, the White Family’s leader had been killed.

The level of fear in Yahwol must have soared.

‘Hmm.’

I watched them for a moment before leaping away.

Transforming into embers, I concealed my presence and slipped into the narrow lanes between structures.

I didn’t have a change of clothes.

I didn’t need a mask, either.

Because today, I was not here as Cheonma.

At least—

‘Not while the sun is up.’

For now, there was no need to alter my appearance.

I stopped in a hidden corner and concentrated my energy.

I detected no one nearby.

Once I confirmed the area was clear, I fortified my heart.

Threads of sorcery spread through my body, and soon, ears and a tail emerged.

Since it was daytime, I couldn’t fully assume the form of the Moonlit Night Tribe—I had to rely on sorcery instead.

“Whew.”

I inspected my altered form before proceeding.

Stepping out onto the main street, I listened to the hushed conversations around me.

“…How will this all conclude?”
“Are we expected to just wait here? What if the violence reaches us?”
“The other noble families… What are they doing?”

The mood was grim.

Despite the bright sun, their faces were shadowed with worry.

“Two family heads have fallen in just a few days…”
“And one is already gone…”
“What in heaven’s name is happening? The tension is choking me.”

Another strike could come at any moment.

If it did, who would be next?

And what would become of Yahwol after that?

Their apprehension and dread were tangible.

And beyond that—

“What are the nobles doing?”
“…This is when they should be joining forces.”

This frustration was starting to crack the city’s unity.

With two of the four great families destabilized, it was ripe for fragmentation.

As always, when seeking to destroy something—

‘It is far more efficient to let them turn on each other.’

Instead of direct assault, the best tactic was to make them fight amongst themselves.

“We put our faith in the nobles, and in this emergency, they’re only busy securing their own lands…”
“If we can’t depend on them, then who can we trust?”

Even after all that had occurred, the noble families had stayed passive.

The people of Yahwol were beginning to lose confidence in them.

I touched my lips as I observed.

‘I did not plan for this.’

I had considered that something like this might occur, but it was not my intention.

This was not what I wanted.

‘I only meant to cause some disorder to make my own actions easier.’

I hadn’t anticipated the people’s distrust of the nobles to be so deeply ingrained.

But their reaction was fierce.

Which, in a sense, played to my advantage.

‘It will simplify things for me.’

Those who had already fallen were irrelevant.

The question was—what were the remaining ones doing?

People would be wondering about that.

‘They cannot move.’

The Black Family was sealed shut due to my Demonification technique.

The Red Family had been disabled after I defeated them.

I didn’t know when they would recuperate.

But—

‘Even if they do, would it matter?’

Even if they emerged now, it would change nothing.

It was already too late.

Tap.

I walked forward at a measured pace. I had no fixed destination.

I had come here with an objective.

But I wasn’t meant to be the one searching.

‘How long must I wait?’

I had purposely worn the robes of the Mount Hua Sect.

I made certain my face was clearly visible.

I was moving about openly.

I anticipated they would appear soon.

‘Come on, then.’

Ask me what you wish to ask.

I do not have all day.

I held back my impatience as I waited.

And then—

“You there.”

“……”

I halted at the voice.

Turning toward the sound, I kept my expression blank.

I had to be cautious not to let my face show my irritation.

‘They are here.’

The ones I had been awaiting had taken the lure.

The person staring back at me—

It was Yusa.

“…Follow me. We need to talk.”

His face was tight with frustration as he spoke.

“Sure.”

I agreed without hesitation.

Of course I would follow.

I had come here precisely for him.

That was the entire reason.

But more than him—

I was after the knowledge he possessed.

Because if anyone knew—

‘He would know the location of the Divine Tree concealed in this city.’

For that, I was prepared to create all the necessary turmoil.

The plan I originally devised?

I discarded it.

Moving with caution, one step at a time?

That was pointless now.

Today, I would find the Divine Tree hidden somewhere in Yahwol.

And while I was here—

‘I will eradicate them all.’

This one, and every other hindrance in my path.

I will wipe them out entirely.

And if the heavens are watching—

I will ensure they see it happen.