Chapter 79 : Chapter 79
Chapter 079. Four Phases Collapse (2)
A battle between martial artists possessing transcendent power is not much different from a conflict between nations.
Just as when an enemy nation increases its armaments, our nation has no choice but to increase its armaments as well.
As the opponent in front of them raised the power of their domain to the extreme, they naturally had no choice but to raise the power possessed by their own domain to the extreme as well.
The one who started it was Un Wol-hyang.
The moment her spirit soared silently, covertly, yet surely―
“Ugh...”
Wi Cheon-rak, who had been boasting of invincible might, let out a groan mixed with bewilderment.
A deep sword wound was carved on his forearm, which was infinitely close to being invulnerable to swords and spears. It was the result of Un Wol-hyang raising the power of her domain.
“Heh, good... Are you trying to settle this?”
However, that was only for a moment. Pitch-black demonic energy flared up from Wi Cheon-rak's entire body, and the wound healed as if it had never been there.
Super-regeneration ability that repairs the body by consuming demonic energy. This was one of the reasons why it was difficult to defeat Wi Cheon-rak, whose demonic energy was close to infinite.
“...No reason, to, refuse.”
Wi Cheon-rak said in a voice rougher and raspier than a desert sandstorm. As if his vocal cords were ruined. It was proof that while receiving the Cult Leader's baptism, not only his self-consciousness but even his body was collapsing.
So there is no reason to refuse the short-term decisive battle being offered. It bothered him a little that it was a 'domain', a realm that could not be completely mimicked even with the Cult Leader's knowledge and martial power...
'That girl must have a reason for trying to settle the outcome with her domain.'
Even taking that into account, there would be no loss. Wi Cheon-rak thought so.
WOOOOOOO!!
The demonic energy he emitted pulsated more roughly and powerfully. Hundreds of dark red hands suddenly popped out of the desolate desert, wriggled, and disappeared repeatedly, and suddenly a blood-red storm raged in the middle of the desert and vanished.
A situation that could only be described literally as a miracle.
But that was merely a precursor.
ROAAAAR-!
Fire thunderbolts, which were already pouring down as if to cover the battlefield, began to pour down with five times stronger power than before.
It wasn't just the power that increased. Before one knew it, the fire thunderbolts flashed, imbued not only with extreme yang fire energy but also lightning energy that made it more prosperous.
“...Let's see.”
Sword King Namgung Gwan glanced at Dam Jeok-san for a moment and forcibly swallowed a sigh.
The power of an emperor oppressing the world flickered from his entire body.
Honestly, very honestly speaking.
Namgung Gwan was quite enjoying himself now. Since ascending to the Entering Transformation Realm and becoming the head of the Namgung Clan after defeating his brothers. Opportunities to fight an opponent of equal rank rarely came.
Especially south of the Yangtze River, and particularly the eastern region, was relatively free from the threat of monsters, so it was even more so.
'That made me rusty.'
Namgung Gwan had always lived harboring an inferiority complex about that fact. Until he came to the north and accepted his current self.
But even if he accepted it, his essence does not change. Namgung Gwan's domain is basically a domain of reigning.
Reigning is the will to desire victory and crave domination. Finding an opportunity to vent that emotion he had been suppressing to fulfill his duties as the family head, it was hard to hide his joy.
However, he was not swayed by that joy. Because a corner of Namgung Gwan's heart was cold and cool-headed like ten-thousand-year ice crystal.
'The most important thing is protecting Yeon.'
He couldn't get drunk on joy and forget that. At the same time as he thought of that, terrifying pressure flowed from Namgung Gwan's sword.
CR-CR-CR-CRASH!
The tyrannical sword qi created by the Emperor Sword Form's domain literally ground away the fire thunderbolts.
“Come, let's see the end with you too.”
Namgung Gwan declared, looking at the Sword Ghost flashing his blood-red pupils.
“...Can, not, de, cide, by, my, will...”
The Sword Ghost spoke in a stuttering, very labored voice.
Originally, his will was completely annihilated by the Soul Consuming Restriction. To the extent of using a mutual destruction move without hesitation by consuming his primordial essence qi.
However, a domain is not the kind of art that can be raised in a state where the will is annihilated. Because it is created by compiling a martial artist's life.
So the Sword Ghost regained his reason, although very little.
Even so, it didn't mean he was given other options.
'Cut, cut, and kill.'
Only those words lingered in the Sword Ghost's mind. At any other time, he might have chosen to flee, but right now, the Cult Leader was half-manifested in this place.
The Sword Ghost is also a severely brainwashed fanatic. Turning one's back on the battlefield where the Cult Leader is present is not simple flight, but apostasy. He cannot do such a thing.
“Haha, that's good. Puppets really lack the taste of cutting.”
The Sword King burst into boisterous laughter and rushed toward the Sword Ghost.
“...Right, if, I cannot, sur, vive, this, might, be, bet, ter.”
The Sword Ghost received Namgung Gwan's sword with a somewhat resigned air.
But unlike his weak tone.
CLAAANG!
The energy boiling in the Blood Sword was intense enough to rival when he fought Un Wol-hyang.
It was because he raised his domain to the maximum without thinking about the aftermath. Once this battle is over, the Baekhui acupoint where the upper dantian is located might be completely burned black.
A pierced heart might be one thing, but an overheated and burnt upper dantian never regenerates. That applies even to monsters or half-demons.
Even knowing that fact, the Sword Ghost fiercely pushed Namgung Gwan. The Blood Sword forged with the blood and death of innocent people burned more brilliantly than ever.
“BEGONE!”
Recognizing that, a roar burst from Namgung Gwan's mouth. Even though he respected the Sword Ghost as a swordsman, the Blood Sword was a technique of the unorthodox path that could never be tolerated.
“It is full of souls who were trapped in wicked sorcery and failed to ascend to nirvana.”
“Heh, heh, talking, as, if, you, became, a, monk.”
The Sword Ghost sneered in a stuttering voice.
“Unfortunately, I do not know the methods of Shaolin or Wudang. I also do not know how to make the souls trapped in that sword ascend.”
Namgung Gwan shook his head and spoke calmly.
“However, there is one thing I do know.”
He continued, drawing up thunder-like power from his sword. Lightning energy possessing the power of destroying evil boiled in Namgung Gwan's sword.
It was the Heavenly Thunder Emperor Sword Form, which belongs to the super-ascending techniques even among the applications of the Emperor Sword Form.
Its power is counted among the best under heaven beyond the Namgung Clan, but it is a martial art that even Namgung Gwan is reluctant to use because it is extremely unstable and dangerous.
“Whatever it is, if I burn it away, that's it.”
“Good. I, look, forward, to it.”
Seeing that, the corners of the Sword Ghost's mouth drew a twisted arc. A battlefield where he can no longer escape. A situation where his self and will are completely castrated.
Contradictorily, in the middle of that, the Sword Ghost realized keenly that he was a 'swordsman'.
* * *
“Up to here, half a quarter of an hour.”
Dam Jeok-san muttered in a low voice.
Only half a quarter of an hour had passed since the Northern Heaven Sword Venerable drew out the power of her domain to the extreme.
However, the battlefield had already transformed into a completely different aspect from before. The Northern Heaven Sword Venerable was merely a signal flare, and after that, not only Wi Cheon-rak but also the Sword Ghost and Sword King. Everyone was pouring out all their power, shaking out their bottom dollar.
'It's coming.'
The time of collapse. Dam Jeok-san could know that fact clearly.
Domains collide endlessly with domains, repeatedly offsetting each other's power. And every time they offset, the intent contained within swells as if to burst, and the power of the domain becomes stronger.
When that strength reaches its peak. The moment Dam Jeok-san is waiting for will arrive.
'Originally, these are not things I can see at my level.'
Ultra-Peak is certainly a state that only a very few among the martial artists as numerous as grains of sand can reach. But the next stage, Entering Transformation Realm, is a stage of shedding the human form and advancing to a superhuman.
Therefore, the gap between Entering Transformation Realm and Ultra-Peak is more distant than the gap between Third Rate and Ultra-Peak. So even if Dam Jeok-san is an Ultra-Peak master, reading their tactical moves is extremely difficult.
However, perhaps because of the illusion Seo Woo-joo showed him, Dam Jeok-san's inspiration was honed sharper than ever right now.
Enough to clearly read the flow of intent and domains changing moment by moment.
“Now a quarter of a quarter of an hour.”
Dam Jeok-san muttered, gripping his two swords tightly.
Time flows tightly. If it's fortunate, it's fortunate. Because the time given to him was never free.
“Everyone, endure. Endure by raising your swords, endure by erecting your spears, endure while having your limbs cut off... endure somehow.”
Baek Ri-gwan panted and commanded the three people in front of him. A place infinitely close to the domains. Even the raging fragments of genuine qi were dangerous enough for the four of them to hover between life and death.
But they did not retreat. Because Dam Jeok-san was behind them.
Especially Gyeong-won, the weakest among the four, was battered enough that it was a miracle he was alive. However, his gaze was intense enough to overwhelm the other three.
'Thank you, Young Master...'
For giving me a chance to protect you.
There was only that thought in Gyeong-won's heart. From departing the Martial Sovereign Castle to reaching deep into the north. Gyeong-won felt only his own inadequacy keenly every moment.
Woo Seo-gwang, the Butcher, Murong Gang, the Dark Guest, the Sword Ghost... none were enemies Gyeong-won could handle. Rather, he was only a burden to Dam Jeok-san. At this rate, he couldn't even be called a guard.
But an opportunity came. An opportunity to protect Dam Jeok-san. A moment when the Young Master needed him.
“Come...!”
Gyeong-won shouted as if screaming, looking at the formless shockwaves hovering around him.
Although they seem like nothing much, they are the aftermath created by the fight of transcendents. Each fragment possesses power comparable to a strike of a Peak master.
CLANG!
Gyeong-won's sword strikes away the fragment. His hand tingled numbly, and sour bile surged up from inside.
As he missed one fragment, SPURT! Along with the sound, a deep scratch was carved on his arm. A momentary stumble. Countless shockwaves poured toward Gyeong-won as if aiming for that gap, but—
SLASH-!
“Get a grip.”
Peng Cho-seol warned coldly, saving Gyeong-won with dazzling sword play.
“Because there is no one who has the leeway to be considerate of you right now.”
Unkind words, but that meant she saved Gyeong-won despite having no leeway.
Gyeong-won clenched his molars tight and bowed his head very slightly.
And swung his sword again without an inch of hesitation.
Such moments repeated. He thought it would be hard to endure even a fleeting instant.
Before he knew it, time close to a quarter of an hour had passed.
However, they couldn't endure like this forever. Because as time passed, the aftermath also became more intense.
“Hey, scholar! It's hard to hold out like this.”
Peng Cho-seol shouted sharply toward Baek Ri-gwan.
“What can we do, we have to do as much as we can.”
Baek Ri-gwan answered with an upright spirit.
Right after that.
WOOOOOOO!!
Dam Jeok-san, who had condensed terrifyingly thick shockwaves on his two swords, walked out slowly in front of them.
As if he no longer needed protection.