"The Living Buddha has entered the world?"
Master Alric, head of the Martial Hall, blinked with surprise.
For monks of the Sanctum of the Eternal Flame, descending the mountain to walk among the world was a common rite. Both Abbott Ravel and the senior masters had done so in their younger years.
To leave the monastery and witness the joys and sorrows of common life was not only accepted—it was encouraged.
But for someone like Aeron Vale—who had spent ten years meditating within the Sutra Vault—such a decision struck them unexpectedly.
His state of mind was already beyond them. His patience, clarity, and self-mastery were already akin to ancient sages.
"Do you think he'll face danger?" murmured the head of the Disciplinary Wing.
The moment the words left his lips, he regretted it. Several elders rolled their eyes.
Danger?
Even five years ago, Aeron had entered the Mythic Realm, surpassing all understanding. At the very least, he was still a Great Grandmaster—and that alone meant he could decimate armies with a glance.
If he didn't wish to die, he simply wouldn't.
"It doesn't matter," Abbott Ravel said calmly.
"His image and teachings have already been circulated across the continent. Wherever monks of our order reside, they will receive him with reverence."
---
The world outside the monastery was vast.
And down the winding forest paths walked a single figure.
A young monk in plain gray robes, with a calm expression and deep, unknowable eyes.
With each step, his body shimmered faintly. Though he moved slowly, his figure would flicker several meters forward in an instant.
This was Aeron Vale.
---
In just two hours, Aeron had crossed over a thousand miles.
This was the power of a Mythic Realm martial body—where the energy once called 'inner force' had evolved into a new type of power:
"Origin Energy."
It pulsed through him like molten gold.
One strand of Origin Energy could shatter ten streams of peak Grandmaster force.
And this was only the beginning.
"If all the Great Grandmasters throughout history rose from the grave," Aeron mused,
"and stood before me… I would still defeat them all."
---
He laughed aloud, full of joy.
Each time he took a step, his muscles surged and Origin Energy boiled within him.
His body radiated such heat that the air shimmered around him like a blazing forge.
He felt alive—more than he ever had before.
Suddenly, he halted.
A breeze brushed across his face.
He stood motionless, eyes closing, breathing in the subtle pulse of the wind.
The sun rose and set. Days passed.
And then—
> [Your comprehension is extraordinary. You have studied thousands of scriptures, listened to the whispers of wind, and awakened the Martial Truth: 'Nine Steps of the Divine Wind.']
His eyes opened.
Spiritual patterns danced across his vision.
A new martial art had formed.
A true martial path—beyond Grandmaster, born not from study but from unity with heaven and earth.
---
"Nine Steps of the Divine Wind…"
This was no ordinary footwork technique.
With each step, he could draw upon the natural forces of the world, merging his body into the wind, increasing his speed many times over.
Even for someone at the peak, to increase their power further was rare. But this—
"To gain such speed at my level... is insane," he whispered, amazed.
He paused.
"True martial techniques pull directly from the world itself. Perhaps… the next path lies not in strength or skill, but in harmony with the universe."
---
Some distance ahead stood a quiet temple: The Temple of Radiant Mercy.
Founded three centuries ago by a wandering elder of the Sanctum, it had remained in close communication with the main monastery ever since.
As Aeron entered the gates, the monks greeted him with astonishment and reverence.
---
Inside the abbot's chamber, a gray-robed man knelt before Aeron.
"You grace us with your presence, Living Buddha. Might I ask your purpose?"
Aeron sat calmly.
"I am seeking the martial arts of other great sects," he said plainly.
"I've come to observe their styles, to refine the path."
One sect in particular had caught his attention:
Moonveil Palace—a rare martial order founded by a female Great Grandmaster, known for unorthodox techniques.
The abbot's smile faltered slightly.
"There may be… difficulty, Lord Buddha."
---
According to reports, Moonveil Palace's Grandmaster had passed away half a year ago. With no chosen heir, internal factions clashed.
Many of their treasured martial texts were lost or stolen.
The news had been kept quiet, but the Temple of Radiant Mercy—well-informed through its ties to the Sanctum—knew the truth.
Aeron's brows furrowed.
He had hoped to gain insight from Moonveil's unique path.
---
"There may be another way," the abbot said cautiously.
"If you wish to view all martial traditions… you should travel to the capital of the Dalenhart Empire."
Aeron raised a brow.
"Why?"
The abbot continued, "One hundred eighty years ago, Emperor Kael Dalenhart—Taizu the Invincible—traveled the world, collecting martial wisdom. He visited every sect, including our own."
"He copied every scripture. Every technique. All were taken to the Imperial Archives in the capital."
Aeron blinked in surprise.
That hadn't been recorded in the Sanctum's scrolls.
But it made sense.
After all, no sect would proudly boast that they were plundered—even respectfully—by a stronger power.
They would remain silent out of shame.
"So the Imperial Archives contain… everything?"
The abbot nodded.
"Every martial sect of note was required to submit their styles. No exception was made—not even for the Sanctum of the Eternal Flame."
---
Aeron's eyes gleamed.
Originally, he had planned to wander across the continent, visiting each sect in turn.
But now?
A single destination held the martial history of the entire world.
"Then the Dalenhart capital shall be my next destination," Aeron said, standing.
He turned toward the open gates.
A breeze caught his robes and fluttered them like banners.
---
And with that, he set his gaze on the greatest empire the world had ever known.
---
(End of Chapter 8)