[{"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-858":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},1240708,1667,"Chapter 857","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-858",858,"\u003Cp>The Sect Master staggered back after taking a blow to his knee, nearly collapsing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon clenched his fist, preparing for the next strike, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tch.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suddenly backed off, putting distance between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sword grazed past his face. Even while reeling, the Sect Master had managed to counterattack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What a tough bastard.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the punishment he had endured, he still retaliated. His regenerative ability was formidable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Looks like I’ll have to rip his arm off.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would it grow back? Unlikely, but to be sure, completely severing his limbs seemed the best course of action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swish!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sect Master's attacks were growing more intense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Oh?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after sustaining so much damage, the Sect Master refused to fall. Gu Yangcheon considered the possibilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it sheer willpower? Or was his body slowly adapting to the situation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or perhaps—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Am I getting tired?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling the fatigue in his body, Gu Yangcheon became acutely aware of the strain.The excess energy he had been pouring into his blood vessels was accelerating his exhaustion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This isn’t good.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear he couldn’t afford to draw out the fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Subduing him won’t be easy.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he could use his fire techniques, things would be different, but that wasn’t an option right now.The only solution was to kill him outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Grrr.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sect Master gathered strength, his movements growing wilder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear he was pushing himself to endure the current situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his opponent was also nearing his limit, Gu Yangcheon took a moment to regulate his breathing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Looks like he’s waiting for reinforcements.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sect Master was likely expecting help. After all, in a space as large as this underground chamber, it was unlikely he was alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I did kill everyone I could find on the way here, but….’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were probably more enemies nearby. That much was certain. If reinforcements arrived now, things could get tricky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That could be dangerous.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From an objective standpoint, it would put them at a disadvantage.Namgung Bi-ah needed rest, and while Wi Seol-ah could assist, the odds weren’t in their favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, Gu Yangcheon wasn’t particularly worried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Reinforcements? Let them come if they can.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anyone was capable of showing up, they’d have to contend with the traps he’d already laid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For now, he needed to focus on the fight in front of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Haaah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took a deep breath, twisting his waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Energy surged from his heart, spreading throughout his body. The strain made his brow furrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tua Pacheonmu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a fierce strike, he closed the gap, his attack aimed directly at the Sect Master. The Sect Master quickly raised both hands to block.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOOOM---!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impact exploded against the Sect Master’s arms, sending him skidding backward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Arrgh—!!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He barely absorbed the shock, stabilizing himself with his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon tilted his head, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What’s this?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The attack had been weaker than expected.Despite channeling a significant amount of energy, the impact fell short.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t just exhaustion—something else was off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Could it be… my internal energy?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t his demonic energy but his naegi that seemed to be the issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he had used Tua Pacheonmu earlier, he had temporarily suppressed his demonic energy. Could that have been the problem?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Hmm.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t certain yet. He needed to test it further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he prepared to launch another attack—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Huh?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, the ground itself seemed strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What the…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had expected the floor to shatter under his weight, but it didn’t even budge.Though his movements weren’t disrupted, it was disconcerting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he approached, a sword flew toward him. He dodged by ducking and drove his fist into the Sect Master’s abdomen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Guh!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blow landed cleanly, lifting the Sect Master off the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swish!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once again, the Sect Master counterattacked. A lock of Gu Yangcheon’s hair was sliced off, drifting in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So that’s it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Gu Yangcheon realized the issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘My naegi isn’t working properly.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like his internal energy was significantly less effective. Recognizing this, he immediately overlaid it with his demonic energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He struck the Sect Master’s left shoulder with a powerful blow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Argh!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, the effect was entirely different.The pain on the Sect Master’s face and the impact were much more pronounced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he suspected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Demonic energy works, but naegi is greatly reduced.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t entirely ineffective, but it was clearly diminished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stomped on the ground. This time, the floor shattered beneath him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So, this space is affected as well.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t know the exact mechanism, but it was clear that naegi was the issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Tch.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What an irritating place.Still, now that he understood, it didn’t matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon deactivated all his internal energy, replacing it entirely with demonic energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hand-to-hand combat resumed. Though calling it \"combat\" was misleading—it was pure violence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BAM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the Sect Master swung his sword, Gu Yangcheon evaded and struck him in an opening.When he tried to create distance, Gu Yangcheon closed the gap and beat him again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He destroyed everything in his path, pouring all his strength into breaking the Sect Master’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BAM! BAM BAM! BAM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each blow carried a weight that felt anything but human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn this.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite his relentless assault, Gu Yangcheon’s expression darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truthfully, it was exhausting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s getting faster.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how much damage he inflicted, the Sect Master’s recovery speed kept improving.Unable to use his fire techniques, Gu Yangcheon was left with only brute force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even Tua Pacheonmu wasn’t enough. Its recoil was heavy, and his blood vessels weren’t in the best shape to handle it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Heh… heh.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, laughter echoed from the Sect Master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon, still mid-strike, glanced at him and asked, \"What’s so funny? You want to die?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Heh heh… It’s amusing, that’s all.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sect Master’s sword moved with a sharp swish. Gu Yangcheon narrowly avoided it, the blade grazing past him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I had a feeling something was off… Now I see it.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon leapt high into the air, creating distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You’re exhausted, aren’t you?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the Sect Master’s words, Gu Yangcheon silently steadied his breathing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Your punches are growing weaker. They’re still thunderous, but they lack the comet-like force from earlier.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, he noticed. Gu Yangcheon gave a faint smile, almost as if admitting defeat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[And you’re not using your signature fire techniques… something must be wrong.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man was sharp. Gu Yangcheon rolled his shoulders, biting his lip slightly.Yes, it was only a matter of time before the Sect Master figured it out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[It seems… the heavens are on my side after all.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Old man, if you keep spouting nonsense, you’ll die even more pathetically.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon hid his labored breathing. He estimated that he had about twenty percent of his energy left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His inability to use fire techniques had forced him to burn through more energy than he wanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation was far from ideal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Gu Yangcheon didn’t let it show.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And what of it? So what if I’m tired?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unable to summon his fire, Gu Yangcheon faced the reality that the Sect Master’s body was growing stronger. A prolonged fight might end unfavorably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But so what?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even so, there’s no way you’re going to win.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Are you just flailing in desperation now? You and those women never should have come here.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shut it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had caught his breath. Unfortunately, that brief respite also meant the Sect Master had recovered further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If only he could replenish his depleted energy, things might turn around. How could he do it? Even as he spoke, Gu Yangcheon’s mind spun, calculating his next move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can see through your pathetic schemes, but I’ve been nice enough to pretend otherwise.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Hah.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sect Master let out a dry laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You already knew?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not everything, but I could tell. You reek of greed, like you’re covered in it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Do not insult me…!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sect Master’s voice boomed with anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You know nothing, boy! This is all for the heavens!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Funny how lunatics always spouting that crap end up in cults.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The heavens? Sure. Like those self-proclaimed righteous bastards even knew what the heavens wanted. Gu Yangcheon couldn’t understand such delusions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Still, given that body of his, it might not be all nonsense.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sect Master’s transformation was unlike anything Gu Yangcheon had seen. Whatever method had been used to achieve it, it was worth keeping in mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sect Master, filled with rage, continued his tirade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You don’t understand. You have no idea about the paradise we’re building or the treasures we’ve prepared for it.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why would I care about that—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon started to dismiss his words but paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Paradise?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The word caught his attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Paradise?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A beautiful word on the surface, yet in Gu Yangcheon’s mind, it bristled with thorns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It reminded him of something the Blood Demon had once said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Didn’t that bastard also mention dreaming of paradise?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be a coincidence? The more he thought about it, the less likely it seemed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Soon, the elders will arrive. Once they do, you’ll be finished. You won’t be allowed to leave.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sect Master’s confidence returned at the thought of reinforcements. Gu Yangcheon, however, raised an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That pathetic body of yours—did the mighty heavens gift you that too?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The question was a feint, meant to provoke, and the Sect Master took the bait instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Hah! To speak so after witnessing the greatness of the Dragon Pearl—you still fail to grasp reality.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Dragon Pearl?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The term made Gu Yangcheon furrow his brow. Somehow, it felt familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reaching into his sleeve, he pulled something out and held it up for the Sect Master to see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[What are you—huh?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The object he revealed was a small, pristine white pearl, no larger than a thumbnail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the Sect Master saw it, his eyes widened in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[How… how do you have that?!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This thing… is this the Dragon Pearl you were talking about?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He recalled finding it earlier after killing that hulking old man when he first arrived. Now, it seemed to match the Sect Master’s description.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Gu Yangcheon casually displayed it, the Sect Master’s fury erupted like wildfire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You bastard—! Where did you get that?!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sect Master lunged at him, his face twisted with madness. His desperation was almost pitiable, but Gu Yangcheon barely reacted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as the Sect Master charged, Gu Yangcheon stared at the pearl in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For now, it gave off no discernible energy or presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Should I… eat it?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like the Sect Master was referring to this pearl, but its purpose was still unknown. Eating it would be a gamble—one that might cost him everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deciding against it for the moment, he resolved to focus on the fight instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he was about to put the pearl away—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Stop! Stop, you fool!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sect Master’s frantic shout echoed through the chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you mean, stop—gulp…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yangcheon froze mid-sentence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rolled his eyes downward to his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pearl was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Running his hand over his chest, he realized with dawning horror what had happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could feel something descending into his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had swallowed the pearl—against his will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stunned by the absurdity of the situation, Gu Yangcheon barely had time to react.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thump!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heart pounded, and with that single beat, the transformation began.\u003C\u002Fp>",1898,"2026-06-05T15:10:20.656Z",1,"novelbin.me","76c89dab25e04fe21b124b2bdafd72aa504392e9cb2c8fbb0df4b22a2fb6f29a","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-859","childhood-friend-of-the-zenith-chapter-857",974,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fchildhood-friend-of-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]