[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-childhood-friend-of-the-zenith":3,"chapter-childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-633":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Childhood Friend of the Zenith",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1240483,1667,"Chapter 632","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-633",633,"\u003Cp>At that moment, while listening to Mang's rant,he suddenly spoke to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, I’ll ask one last time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Will you join me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now, he was still trying to persuade me?It was absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His persistence might have been impressive,but seeing him like this made something clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He must really need me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More precisely, he needed my Authority—the power to consume and suppress the powers of other dragons.To devour and steal them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s what he was after.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is your last chance. I won’t offer you mercy again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feigning consideration, I stroked my chin lightly before asking him:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have one more question for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pointed a finger at him as I spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You said you’d release the guy if you got your body back. But after you let him go, will he still be alive?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mang tilted his head slightly at my question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That fragment or whatever you need from him—after you take it, will he survive?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mang nodded, understanding my concern after my clarification.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He’ll receive a blessing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A blessing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, the blessing of having fulfilled his purpose by aiding my revival.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, Mang had just rephrased \"he’ll die\" in his own twisted way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There’s no greater blessing than that—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mang stopped mid-sentence, seeming to realize something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone shifted as if he had come to a conclusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re going to reject me again, aren’t you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few exchanges, it seemed he’d figured me out a little.This bastard had sharp instincts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence settled between us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the signal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shhhhhh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a flash, we both closed the distance between us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whooong—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My Spiritual Eyeactivated again,revealing threads of energy within his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing them, I twisted my head to the side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swish—!His sword sliced through the air, grazing my hair.Crunch—!Strands of my severed hair froze instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More attacks followed.I spun quickly, deflecting his sword,then channeled strength into my rotation to aim a kick at his waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>KWAANG—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A harsh sound rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The attack didn’t fully land—my foot struck an ice barrier he’d conjured mid-air,dampening the force of my blow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The failed attack left me momentarily vulnerable,and Mang seized the opportunity, slashing downward with his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this rate, I’d be cut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flicking my middle finger, I sent a spark of fire toward the blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ting—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though a simple trick, it disrupted the trajectory of his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a result, his blade struck the ground instead of my head.Regaining my balance, I immediately thrust my fist forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tua Pacheonmu\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second Form (二式): Tu-biui Cheonkwon\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A razor-sharp gust of wind surged toward Mang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>KRAK—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, an ice barrier rose to block the attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CRACK—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But my technique shattered the barrier, pushing through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mang’s eyes widened as the barrier broke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though my form wasn’t perfect,and the power of Tua Pacheonmu depended heavily on flawless execution,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That doesn’t mean it’s weak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind-wrapped punch slammed into Mang’s abdomen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The problem was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kuh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt an impact in my own stomach as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>KRAAANG—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shockwave erupted, sending us both flying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud—! Crash—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smashed into the wall and fell amidst the debris, but the blow wasn’t too severe.I brushed myself off and got back up quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He kicked me even in that state?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite taking a direct hit from Tua Pacheonmu,Mang had managed to counter with a kick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As absurd as the situation was, I focused on Mang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cough. Ptoo.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mang spat blood onto the ground, scowling.He clutched his abdomen, clearly in pain, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoooong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could see his body slowly regenerating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, he can use that Authority too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he could use the healing ability,then he might also be capable of wielding other powers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, he wasn’t using them in this fight.It must have been because of my Authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tricky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even without that, though,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It doesn’t look like this will be an easy win.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While I had the advantage in speed,the gap wasn’t significant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our abilities seemed evenly matched for now.But the bigger problem was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My body is slowing down.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wasn’t exhausted.Though my energy had dropped considerably, it wasn’t enough to hinder me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So what was causing this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I tried to make sense of the changes in my body—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How pathetic.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mang spoke, breaking the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To think I can’t even kill one insignificant opponent. In my prime, I would’ve devoured you in a single bite.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, I rolled my shoulders lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then stop wasting time and run away already.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s not an option. The outcome of this fight is already decided. Why would I flee?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mang smirked again—a smile I hated more than anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ve noticed, haven’t you? That your body is gradually failing you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I clicked my tongue silently.So, this strange sensation was his doing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not poison.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After achieving immunity to all poisons (Mandokbulchim),there was no way poison could affect me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it wasn’t poison, then what?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, with a stunned expression, Mang turned to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dragons rarely leave their nests. Do you know why?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why? Because staying here makes you stronger?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gestured toward the ground with his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s not that I grow stronger here—it’s that other dragons grow weaker.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Oh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t help but let out a small exclamation of admiration.This was a new and intriguing piece of information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This place may seem insignificant, but it is my nest. A little more time, and you’ll feel as sluggish as a crawling snail. There’s no way you can defeat me here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now, as my movements were growing increasingly unresponsive, I was beginning to find this situation annoying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is troublesome.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t just the terrain that was an issue.It was also the constant regeneration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this dragged on, as Mang claimed, I’d only end up at a disadvantage.Though it was fortunate he wasn’t using his full Authority,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That means my Authority isn’t very useful either.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stealing his power required certain conditions that weren’t met right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, the only remaining option was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To end this as quickly as possible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But how?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I hesitated, thinking about my options—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What? Have you decided to accept my offer after all—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An idea came to mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was one thing I hadn’t tried yet.It might not work, but it was worth a shot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Should I give it a go?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I recalled the warning from Paejon:never to use this unless I had stepped into the realm of pure intention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first time I attempted it,my insides, and nearly my entire body, had burst apart, leaving me on the brink of death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since then, I’d only practiced it in theory, never daring to try it again in reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, I decided it was time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a brief pause, I reached a decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I extended my right hand slightly into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flames coalesced in my palm, forming a Flame Jade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mang’s expression showed confusion as he watched.But that confusion quickly turned to scorn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s this? I thought you were going to try something new, but it’s just that technique again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Mang, it must have seemed like a recycled attack.After all, he’d already blocked the Flame Jade once with his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Still struggling in vain? That’s—wait... what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mocking tone vanished from his voice.Mang’s eyes widened like saucers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Flame Jade in my palm began spinning at an unprecedented speed.Every ounce of my focus was directed toward my palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whooooosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its rotation accelerated to the point where even the surrounding cold air was drawn into it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The absorbed cold air ignited into flames, merging with the Flame Jade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rotation, compression, and an intense heat merged into a fiercely blazing orb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You... what are you doing?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mang shouted in alarm, frantically swinging his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not knowing what I was planning, he aimed a blade of energy at me to disrupt my actions.It was a sound judgment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was already too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slash—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The energy blade struck me squarely in the chest.Blood sprayed into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike the earlier glancing blows, this was a direct hit.Ice sprouted from the wound, adding to its severity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a critical injury.Yet, even amidst the pain, I didn’t release the Flame Jade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was why—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Got it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The technique wasn’t interrupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, the completed Flame Jade—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I grabbed it without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hahhh—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOOOOM—!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gathered flames erupted, engulfing the space in a searing wave of heat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ugh—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mang swung his sword to block the encroaching heat.It wasn’t an offensive heatwave; it didn’t seem to have the intent to harm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s just... hot.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scorching, unbearably so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The heat collided with the cold air, filling the space with thick steam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surrounded by the obscured view, Mang frowned deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The oppressive heat lingered even after the initial surge subsided,making the entire space feel like it had risen in temperature dramatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What did he...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Mang remained on guard, staring intently into the haze—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sudden gust of wind swept the steam away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the obscured view cleared,Mang’s expression twisted into one of shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There I stood, my chest still covered in frost from the sword slash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not bad. Better than I expected.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In my hands was something blazing with blue fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first glance—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A spear?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A long spear, crafted entirely from flames,burned brilliantly in my grasp.\u003C\u002Fp>",1574,"2026-06-05T15:10:11.188Z",1,"novelbin.me","ffd5cbb4ad13e2b490ea8959ccda9abc424bc8d0b993600218ffc1ca3796a580","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-634","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-632",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]