Chapter 135
Chapter 135. Eight Styles of Annihilation
Martial Sovereign Castle Northern Branch, the office of the Northern Wind Sword Corps Commander.
"Corps Commander! Is that truly the case?"
Gyeong-un, who appeared to have heard absurd news, came running toward Dam Jeok-san in excitement.
"What is?"
Dam Jeok-san asked back with his chin tilted crookedly.
"I heard you said you would go to the Demonic Realm alone and bring back Sword Ghost's head!"
At the appearance that seemed utterly carefree, Gyeong-un pounded his own chest as if frustrated.
"I did. It was the Branch Manager's command."
Dam Jeok-san responded leisurely.
"Will you be alright……? That one is a Cardinal-level expert of Yin God Cult."
At that, Gyeong-un spoke in a tightly tensed voice.
Over the past two years, through diligent training, Gyeong-un had reached a level not lacking even when compared to the Squad Leaders of the military squads under Northern Wind Sword Corps.
The edge of Peak realm. A level where one could gaze toward Ultra-Peak.
So he had come to understand, even if faintly.
What it meant to cross the wall.
'Even if there were five of me, I would not have confidence to defeat a single Ultra-Peak expert.'
The gap between him and an Ultra-Peak expert was only one thing—whether one had crossed the wall or failed to do so.
And Dam Jeok-san too was currently stagnating, unable to cross the wall of Entering Transformation Realm.
'Well, I do not know if calling it stagnation is correct.'
Most Ultra-Peak experts, even after reaching the edge of their realm, fail to cross the wall of Transformation Realm for their entire lives. More precisely, they cannot even grasp a clue to crossing the wall.
The previous Family Head of Iron Blood Woo Clan, Woo Gi-tae, was like that, and countless elders of Martial Sovereign Castle's Elder Council were the same.
The supreme realm of Transformation Realm does not easily permit the steps of 'humans.'
In any case.
Setting aside the fact that Dam Jeok-san was a peerless talent who would surely reach the Transformation Realm.
No matter how much he overwhelmed Ultra-Peak experts of the same level, it meant there was a high probability that facing someone who had truly reached Transformation Realm would be beyond his ability.
"Gyeong-un, I also know what you are thinking."
Dam Jeok-san spoke with a faint smile on his lips.
"It will be difficult. I will probably have to stake my life."
"……"
"But can you help me?"
"That is……"
"I am sorry, but at least in the Demonic Realm, you cannot be of help to me. You know this, do you not?"
The Demonic Realm was an extreme environment where humans could not survive. Only martial artists who had achieved Entering Transformation Realm or an equivalent level could barely endure.
Of course, Dam Jeok-san himself was an exception.
"I know. I was just worried……"
"You would be worried. However, a martial artist staking their life to become stronger is not a novel matter. Rather, it is close to being natural. Not just me, but you as well, is that not so?"
That was correct.
Gyeong-un too had staked his life seeking to advance to a higher realm.
And that was merely the beginning.
Over the past two years, he had fought life-and-death battles several times, and as a result, he was able to reach the edge of Peak realm at a young age.
"Haa, I understand. Please return safely. As one who serves under you, I failed to trust my lord. I am deeply sorry."
Gyeong-un let out a sigh and stepped back. As if acknowledging there was nothing logically wrong with Dam Jeok-san's words.
"It is fine. I prefer you over a subordinate who only follows blindly. And I will return. After proving I can even cut down opponents who have reached Transformation Realm."
In the tone with which Dam Jeok-san spoke, a strange certainty dwelled.
A certainty that no one else might recognize, but only Gyeong-un, who had served by his side for his entire life, could discern.
'When Young Master has even the slightest concern, he does not speak like that.'
When he lacked confidence, he repeated like self-hypnosis, endlessly. That he could do it.
And when certainty returned and he had leisure, he played around slyly like that.
It was a bit different in front of others, but at least when he was alone with Gyeong-un, it was so.
'If you have confidence……'
That was enough. Gyeong-un did not open his mouth further and withdrew.
* * *
After glancing at Gyeong-un, Dam Jeok-san headed toward the training room given to the Northern Wind Sword Corps Commander.
A spacious stone chamber with Luminous pearls embedded throughout.
It was a space renovated from what Un Wol-hyang had used during her time as Northern Wind Sword Corps Commander.
The training room was equipped not only for circulation meditation but also with wooden swords, real swords, and even dummies for various types of training.
"Hu."
Dam Jeok-san exhaled briefly, then sat cross-legged.
He could delay no longer. Since he was going to hunt down a Cardinal alone.
'I cannot go while keeping another Cardinal contained inside.'
Yin God Cult was particularly proficient in bizarre sorcery even among the Four Fiends of the Outer Path.
Of course, Sword Ghost's strength came from swordsmanship rather than sorcery, but that one was also a Yin God Cultist. There was no telling what methods they might be hiding.
Dam Jeok-san sat cross-legged and slowly contemplated his inner world.
What had grown over the past two years was not merely martial arts.
Rather, becoming able to utilize the Ability of Predation broadly could truly be called 'growth.'
As he gradually sank deeper inward, the outside became blurred and only his consciousness grew distinct.
The inner world, the Mental image world, or the space of illusion called Microcosm.
Even most absolute experts could not truly set foot in that place. Since its very existence was illusory to begin with.
But Dam Jeok-san was different. Seo Woo-joo was a transcendent who had materialized the Microcosm of his Mental image, and Dam Jeok-san, having inherited those fragments, could enter his own Mental image world.
'Originally it was only possible immediately after Predation……'
Through diligent effort over the past two years, he had become able to use his Mental image world even during normal training.
FWOOOOSH!
Before his eyes unfolded an ashen world, dead and darkly charred.
A place infinitely close to nothingness. This was Dam Jeok-san's Mental image world.
The reason his world was desolate was simple.
'Because I am still weak.'
To leave traces within the Mental image world, one must enter Transformation Realm and begin transcending humanity.
Dam Jeok-san had not yet reached that level, so his Mental image was desolate.
However, this was only superficially so. In his world, which had devoured various existences through the Ability of Predation, a great many things were actually dissolved.
And among them, some were impurities. Those Dam Jeok-san had failed to filter.
"Wi Cheon-rak."
Dam Jeok-san called the name that impurity had borne in life.
But within the Mental image, no change occurred whatsoever.
'The seal is still maintaining well.'
Considering the hardship he had endured to seal it, this was fortunate.
But to filter out the impurity that was Wi Cheon-rak, he had to release the seal.
'Back then I absolutely could not subdue him……'
But now would be different.
Dam Jeok-san thought so and opened his mouth again.
"Wi Cheon-rak."
Wi Cheon-rak, Wi Cheon-rak, Wi Cheon-rak!
Dam Jeok-san endlessly called out that name into the void.
As that action repeated, color began to emerge at the edges of the ashen world.
A name is the most basic and essential element that defines existence.
By calling Wi Cheon-rak's name, Dam Jeok-san was gradually making his existence more distinct.
GROOOOOAR!
One of the Eight Cardinals of Yin God Cult. A sorcerer counted among the finest in all of Central Plains, Wi Cheon-rak.
He revealed his form within Dam Jeok-san's consciousness world, wrapped in thick iron chains.
In that moment, the air of the Mental image world began to change. Vitality began to circulate in a world that had been still as if completely stopped.
'Well, it is not such positive vitality.'
The vitality that the Half-Demon Wi Cheon-rak emitted was based on Demonic energy.
As tremendous Demonic energy roiled, Dam Jeok-san felt his own spirit likewise sharpened keenly. The instinct of Predator rang an alarm. That one is strong. Despite having already died once and being bound in chains.
He swung his sword toward Wi Cheon-rak without hesitation.
SHING!
Simultaneously with the sword flashing, a dry cutting sound rang out.
Dam Jeok-san's single sword stroke precisely severed the iron chains wrapped around Wi Cheon-rak.
The seal had been released.
[……Interesting.]
A strange light swirled in the eyes of Wi Cheon-rak, freed from the seal.
[At this point, I might be able to steal your body.]
If Wi Cheon-rak struck down Dam Jeok-san within the Mental image world, the personality holding dominion over the body could change.
If that happened, a Yin God Cult Cardinal possessing the body of the Northern Wind Sword Corps Commander would be born. That would probably become a major incident with adverse effects on the entire Central Plains martial world.
But on Dam Jeok-san's face, there was no sign of fear whatsoever.
"You could not do it two years ago, and now?"
He jeered with a leisurely smile.
Simultaneously.
FWOOSH!
Both swords emitted brilliantly shining Sword Flame.
"I have pondered for quite some time. What is needed to cross the wall."
Weaving one's life into a single technique.
The words were simple, but actually achieving it was extremely difficult.
Moreover, Dam Jeok-san lacked form and style.
The Heaven-Breaking Star-Destroying Style he had learned in the past became ill-fitting clothes upon gaining the Ability of Predation.
His current martial arts did not have such diverse techniques. Since he had created all his sword techniques with his own hands.
"So I created a new sword technique. It is not yet at a level where I can deploy it outside, but……"
Within the Mental image world it was possible. Here, unlike reality, all injuries could be healed. Even if he fell into Qi deviation while deploying the sword technique.
[Absurd. Do you truly intend to treat me, of all people, like a wooden training dummy? Have you lost your mind?]
Wi Cheon-rak, freed from the seal, asked back as if incredulous.
[Perfect. If your mind has gone completely mad, stealing your body will be much easier.]
Wi Cheon-rak shot a tremendous sorcery technique toward Dam Jeok-san as if there was no longer any value in listening. A powerful strike that, were it not the Mental image world, would have altered the terrain.
But Dam Jeok-san—
"It is called Eight Styles of Annihilation. This is the first time I am showing it, so consider it an honor. After this moment passes, you too will become part of me anyway."
Dam Jeok-san muttered so and swung his sword.
Eight Styles of Annihilation. Eight techniques honed from beginning to end containing only Dam Jeok-san's own Understanding.
If he succeeded in gathering these eight techniques into one, then he would truly be able to reach Transformation Realm.
Dam Jeok-san felt such a strange premonition as he created Eight Styles of Annihilation.
And the First Style of Eight Styles of Annihilation.
One Sword Piercing Thousands was deployed.
A thrusting technique with the profound meaning of piercing through a thousand truths with a single sword strike.
Of course, the actual power was not quite at that level……
The technique of One Sword Piercing Thousands was certainly a Supreme Technique that had reached the level of pushing aside space itself. In other words, a single sword stroke that clearly surpassed the Ultra-Peak level.
"At least it can block your shoddy sorcery."
Therefore, Dam Jeok-san could speak with overflowing confidence.
[……The future of our cult is bleak. When a mere Ultra-Peak expert.]
Wi Cheon-rak muttered while creasing his brow.
If he was at this level even before crossing the wall, there was no telling what kind of monster would be born after he truly crossed the wall.
So, now was the last chance.
Only now might he be able to steal that body.
Wi Cheon-rak began squeezing out all his remaining strength from his entire life. Transcending even that death, despite having already met death.
Dam Jeok-san's Mental image world twisted wildly and through the twisted gaps, tremendous Demonic energy pooled.
[You will regret having given me this opportunity.]
Along with those words from Wi Cheon-rak.
Dam Jeok-san deployed the Second Style of Eight Styles of Annihilation.