1053——————==

True Martial Home

The Yacha from the Eight Divine Guardians glared at his opponent with his true form mythologized.

No conclusion is reached.

Right in front of him stood Seo Mun-hye. Her hair had completely transformed into silver, and her eyes too had turned entirely silver. She resembled a silver beauty, but Yacha felt more blindness than beauty in that appearance.

“That’s because she isn’t human.”

Boom!!

Seo Mun-hye’s sword form vanished in an instant. Simultaneously, Yacha deflected a flying strike that pierced dimensions with sorcery, chanting another spell to eliminate the shock’s rebound. A new defensive barrier formed around Yacha, dousing Seo Mun-hye in waves of curses.

Hu Woong

However, even after being hit by Yacha’s ancient sorcery, which could kill even Grand Sorcerers, Seo Mun-hye didn’t budge. It was as if she only slightly twitched her eyebrows, like a tickle. Instead, she swung her right arm, striking Yacha’s ribs.

Boom!!

[Ugh.]

Yacha didn’t suffer significant injuries, but he couldn’t help but shudder from Seo Mun-hye’s colossal strength. This pattern had been repeating: Seo Mun-hye would charge for close combat, and Yacha would defend with magic and occasionally counterattack. The initiative in the fight had completely passed to Seo Mun-hye!

Her attacks were mixed with terrifying physical force and chaotic energy, making it difficult to dodge due to the warped laws of reality.

Yacha opened his black-glinting eyes and spoke to Seo Mun-hye.

[Existence of chaos, how long do you plan on pretending to be human?]

“…….”

[You are an entity on par with me. The chaos within you and your essence cannot be controlled by a mere human empire… Have you not realized that?]

Seo Mun-hye didn’t respond to Yacha’s words.

Krrrr

It wasn’t that she ignored Yacha; it was just that her consciousness was half-gone. Seo Mun-hye was aware of the situation, but she couldn’t judge properly, as if she were drunk, and she couldn’t even hear the opponent’s words clearly.

‘Dizzy… Where am I….’

All that filled her mind was the thought of annihilating the opponent before her. Eventually, she once again gathered her strength to attack Yacha, who had no choice but to respond.

Ku-gugug…

The independent dimension they fought in was created by Seong Jin and Abe no Seimei. They mobilized all their sorcery to prevent Yacha from escaping. Watching the situation unfold, Sagong Lin spoke.

“Are you really okay? Seo Mun-hye is currently in a rampaging state. Regardless of victory or defeat, she may never revert to human again.”

Abe no Seimei, who was maintaining the barrier with his Suin, quietly replied to her words.

“It can’t be helped. If we don’t do this, it’s impossible to bind four of the Eight Divine Guardians. If Seo Mun-hye ramps up, then only the Master of the White Lotus Sect can handle it…”

“…….”

“Stay focused. If Seo Mun-hye fails to finish Yacha, you must enter the barrier and end Yacha’s life in an instant.”

“Understood.”

Sagong Lin resolved to clear her thoughts and focus. She glanced at another battlefield.

Kukuku…

The eastern sky was ablaze. There, the three Dharma Protectors of the White Lotus Sect were joined by Dokgo Seong, Tang San, and Myung-ho. The two top-tier orthodox warriors, who had been in closed room training until now, had reached their absolute realm, forming a simultaneous joint attack with three holders of the Heavenly Spirit Pill.

And who was at the receiving end of that joint attack? The Garuda, renowned as one of the most formidable martial artists among the Eight Divine Guardians! A demon king with the power to threaten even the Old Ruler when unleashing the Divine Flame!

In the face of such a presence, even a joint attack of this magnitude didn’t seem that impressive. Sagong Lin needed to join forces.

‘But I can’t rush to battle Garuda right now….’

Sagong Lin bit her lip. Like Garuda, Yacha was also a dangerous entity. While Yacha’s basic fighting power was average among the Eight Divine Guardians, the ancient sorcery he cast was extremely troublesome and had the potential to change the tide of battle in an instant. Considering the risks, it was unavoidable that they had to utilize Seo Mun-hye, one of the strongest forces among them, and even then, Sagong Lin’s finishing touch was necessary to optimize against the divine being.

‘Please… just hold on.’

Just then, her desperate wish echoed in the air.

*

“…I can’t do it.”

Whew

Tang San, the Grand Commander of the Great Bear Empire and the Dark Sky Lord, looked at the massive fiery wheel adorning the sky and felt his energy deflate, letting his arms droop.

At that moment, Dokgo Seong, who was in the midst of fighting beside him, exclaimed in surprise.

“What do you mean?! You need to restrain it with the Formless Poison…!”

“I said I can’t!!”

Tang San shouted back.

“I’ve felt it since the time of Divine Avatar Arjuna…. A creature like that is beyond the capabilities of any human! How am I supposed to break through that flame?!”

“Tang San!”

“Dokgo Seong. With my current abilities, I could enjoy all the wealth and glory in the martial world! What reason do I have to gamble my life against an ancient demon king that nobody appreciates?!”

His voice was steeped in deep despair and disillusionment. Dokgo Seong’s expression changed in a strange way as he felt this emotion.

“You….”

“Even the flame opposes my poison! I can’t take this madness anymore!!”

Swish!!

Tang San suddenly flew back through the air and exited the battlefield. As his figure disappeared into the distance, the axis pressing against Garuda shook violently.

“Cough.”

“Maintain the formation.”

Myung-ho and Seong Jin rushed to patch the encirclement, but it was clear that the humans were at a significant disadvantage.

Garuda could gain the upper hand by unleashing the Divine Flame, but he didn’t. Instead, he folded his arms and watched with interest, laughing away.

[Hahaha… how amusing. This is indeed the normal reaction of a human, isn’t it?]

“…Garuda! Don’t underestimate us!”

[Underestimate? …You’re quite strong for humans. Until just a moment ago, I had been fighting with all my might against you. Your joint assault is stronger than I thought. But.]

Roar

Twelve blazing flames twisted around Garuda’s body, revealing themselves. Garuda gave a cold smile.

[With one missing, you can never threaten my life.]

Divine Flame of Garuda

Burning Dragon Twelve Stars

As the will of the Demon King Garuda manifested, it felt as though the Divine Flame exploded in the air. From the exploded ring of flame, starlight soared forth, simultaneously attacking the powerful martial artists of the Great Bear Empire. The Dharma Protectors of the White Lotus Sect tried to extract infinite internal power from the Heavenly Spirit Pill to block it, but at that moment, Myung-ho, the Grand Master, shouted in alarm.

[You cannot stop this! Evade it!]

Flinch

The masters in the Absolute Realm executed their Void Steps while activating the Three Treasure Technique, narrowly avoiding the Burning Dragon Twelve Stars, but the Dharma Protectors of the White Lotus Sect were slightly slower in reacting. The only one who managed to respond at all was Han Baek-ryeong, as she had always been less reliant on the Protection Energy Technique, but the other two weren’t as fortunate.

“Uaaaaaaah!!”

Fwoosh

Yong Bi-cheon, the Wind Spirit Dharma Protector, disintegrated into flames with a brief scream, completely annihilated. His Protection Energy Technique did not withstand the Burning Dragon Twelve Stars’ power thanks to an overwhelming onslaught.

Phew phew phew!!

[Ugh….]

The Su Shin Dharma Protector Dokgo Jun somehow managed to stack the Water Dragon to block it, but both of his arms were charred away, leaving only his scorched torso and respiratory system. Feeling immense pain, he could no longer maintain the Void Step and plummeted to the ground.

“Dokgo Jun!”

Han Baek-ryeong was startled and caught him just before he hit the ground. Dokgo Jun appeared to be fatally burned and on the verge of death. With a faint voice, he spoke.

[…Han Baek-ryeong…. I can’t see… Is this the limit of our Dharma Protectors….]

“…….”

[Just put your hand here… quickly….]

What was he trying to achieve? As a practitioner of the Fire Spirit Techniques, Han Baek-ryeong would never entertain such a request from a potential enemy. However, after years of fighting side by side against the Eight Divine Guardians, a slight sense of camaraderie had formed, so Han Baek-ryeong extended her hand to Dokgo Jun. Taking her hand, Dokgo Jun spoke slowly.

[Han Baek-ryeong… Do you hate the Sect Leader?]

Han Baek-ryeong gazed into Dokgo Jun’s thoroughly transformed eyes. With complicated emotions, she replied.

“I don’t know anymore.”

[Heh… that makes sense…. I feel the same way… I always admired and respected the Sect Leader, but… at some point… it became something I couldn’t simply express that way.]

“……”

[Excluding the Sect Leader…. The one who has dealt with the Heavenly Spirit Pill the longest in the world is you and me…. And the one who is most immersed in the Heavenly Spirit Pill would be me…. Just recently, I awakened another ability that exists within the Heavenly Spirit Pill… .]

Whoooooo

“This is…!!”

[Even if it’s not as much as the Primordial Spirit, the Heavenly Spirit Pill also has the potential to reach the Throne…. I’m staking everything to pass my Heavenly Spirit Pill on to you….]

“Is that even possible?!”

The Water Dragon began to traverse from Dokgo Jun’s arm to Han Baek-ryeong’s arm. As the dragon fully transferred, Dokgo Jun gazed with dimming eyes.

[…Keep in mind…. If you gain ‘Union’ with the Sect Leader’s help… first merge the power of the Water Dragon with the Primordial Void…. Leave your Fire Dragon behind… .]

“What?”

[The Sect Leader will certainly teach you the ‘Union’ as the sole successor…. Yeah… it was just a theory, but… if it’s possible… the Heavenly Spirit Pill might be the only chance to surpass the Primordial Spirit….]

Cough!!

Dokgo Jun spat blood and gripped Han Baek-ryeong’s hand tightly.

[This… This is the first time in my life that I’ve defied the Sect Leader… This is… my will.]

“Dokgo Jun.”

[We… We are the Dharma Protectors!! We are the White Lotus Sect…!!]

With those last words, he ceased to move. Dokgo Jun had passed away.

“…….”

As Han Baek-ryeong witnessed the death of Dokgo Jun, a swirl of bitterness and complicated emotions surged within her. They had been indirect rivals and had engaged in conflict for well over a century. Even in that, they had often cooperated against the common enemy of the Eight Divine Guardians. And they were the last generation that had supported the White Lotus Sect since its peak.

Thunder God Lee Cheong-un.

Su Shin Dokgo Jun.

Wind Spirit Yong Bi-cheon.

…And Fire Spirit Han Baek-ryeong.

All those who had symbolized the glory of the White Lotus Sect were gone, leaving only her.

The reason why Dokgo Jun, who should have devoted everything to the Sect Leader, had made one last act of rebellion to surpass him. As a fellow Dharma Protector, Han Baek-ryeong, feeling that emotion, bit her lip and stood up.

“I’m going.”

Boom!!

Garuda’s attacks were growing fiercer. With Tang San gone, Garuda was free to unleash a series of attacks, and the human side was in a rush to react as the Dharma Protectors fell one after the other.

“Whoa… Oooooo!!”

Seong Jin, the Divine Monk, shouted desperately as he tried to push back the flame ring with all his strength.

Absolute Realm

Three Sufferings, Three Techniques

Whoooo!!

The Absolute Realm he had awakened was the very teaching of the sutras, transcending into the realm of martial arts! By infusing the enlightenment of the Three Sufferings and Three Techniques into the state of the Prajna, he embodied impermanence and non-self in his martial arts. It had a somewhat metaphysical vibe, but its potential was significant.

A mandala adorned with a halo of light appeared behind Seong Jin. The mandala illuminated him in dazzling white, and the moment the mandala’s power converged into his palms, Garuda’s Divine Flame was extinguished.

Swish

Garuda’s eyebrows twitched as he observed.

[Quite good, monk! So, you can nullify an opponent’s attack by rotating the mandala at a conceptual level?]

“Haah… Haah….”

[It’s not the martial arts of a human immersed in combat. It’s not made for the purpose of defeating the opponent, is it?]

In fact, Seong Jin was drenched in beads of sweat and couldn’t muster a single reply. Although Garuda’s casual attacks were powerful, they couldn’t be stopped without putting in all his power, leading to tremendous fatigue and energy expenditure. Garuda scratched his head with his finger and continued.

[It’s strange. I feel like I’ve seen that technique somewhere before… a long time ago.]

“Augh!”

Just then, like a light beam, the Bright Dragon sprung forward towards Garuda with the spirit and essence of his sword form combined.

‘That’s reckless. Heh….’

Whoosh

Sensing the attack from Myung-ho, Garuda didn’t bother to drop his arms and snapped open his blazing wings to engulf Myung-ho. If his divine flames could melt even steel in an instant, a fragile human body like his wouldn’t stand a chance.

In that moment, Myung-ho channeled all the swordsmanship he had ever acquired, as his eyes gleamed with determination.

Absolute Realm

Nine Suns Divine Sword

Breaking the Army!!

The Nine Suns Divine Sword. That was the absolute realm Myung-ho had reached after thoroughly mastering all the martial arts imparted by Baek Woong. Initially, he had aimed for the pinnacle of Tai Chi Swordsmanship, but upon witnessing his junior, the Master of the Teng Yu Alliance, Wei Zhi-hun, attaining the Tai Chi Hye Sword, he changed his mind.

Both the Peerless Technique and the Tai Chi Hye Sword were, of course, masterpieces of martial arts.

However, if he followed the same path as the master, could there be any room for development?

He had originally chosen a path contrary to the one of the accepted genius, as Jang Sam-bong pursued the depths of self-defense, while he wanted to venture elsewhere. Therefore, although he had touched upon the Absolute Realm early on, it took him significantly longer to fully grasp it. Ultimately, if he didn’t search for his own ‘ultimate strength,’ reaching the Absolute Realm would mean little.

During the conflict with the Eight Divine Guardians, Myung-ho found the path he sought.

The path he discovered was the supreme attacking swordsmanship bestowed by the power of the Nine Suns. It was the culmination of all martial arts that Baek Woong had passed on to his allies.

Among the Nine Suns Divine Sword Techniques, the one with the strongest power was the basic technique, Breaking the Army!

When the brightest of the Big Dipper howled, the world trembles.

As Breaking the Army unfolded, Myung-ho’s Intent Heavenly Pill surged, tearing apart dimensions.

[What?]

Garuda’s eyes widened as he detected the tip of Myung-ho’s sword flickering as it split the dimensions.

‘What the hell is that?!’

Sensing danger, Garuda opened his mouth to unleash the Divine Flame, which was far more powerful than a summoned fire. This meant he realized the hidden strength behind Myung-ho’s assault and tried to summon all his strength to counter it.

In that split second.

Myung-ho understood he had no way to block or dodge Garuda’s Divine Flame. If he had not activated the Nine Suns Divine Sword, he could’ve narrowly evaded it using techniques like Soul Removal or the Three Treasure Technique, but now he simply couldn’t. It was only to be used at the cost of his life.

He chuckled softly.

‘Let’s do this.’

The tip of his sword no longer trembled. Time seemed to freeze as he thrust forward confidently. The moment the union of the Divine Sword and Garuda’s Divine Flame clashed, Myung-ho’s entire body surged ahead.

Nine Suns Divine Sword

Big Dipper

Sword Form

Breaking the Army!

Only those who had comprehended the essence of the Seven Great Techniques could wield this sword form!

Every reincarnated companion had practiced the Seven Great Techniques, but none could claim to have mastered them as thoroughly as Myung-ho. He had dedicated over seventy years of life to training in the Seven Great Techniques since Baek Woong’s reincarnation and had accumulated a mastery that could never be matched.

That’s why this sword form, tailored to fit himself, harbored the essence of all Seven Great Techniques. His proficiency had already reached the level of Jang Sam-bong.

Swish

The Nine Suns Divine Sword, infused with Breaking the Army, sliced through the air horizontally. Like a lie, Garuda’s Divine Flames split to the sides, while the presence of the sword flowed through the severed edges. Recognizing that this was the sword strength practiced by martial artists, Garuda reached out to block it, as a Demon King was capable of deflecting even the sword strength of martial artists barehanded.

However – that was a grave miscalculation.

This wasn’t just a simple Intent-Controlled Sword Strength.

It was a sort of ultimate technique created by a peerless swordsman who could pull the essence of the Nine Suns into the sword Qi, manifested as [Star Currents] through his Intent Heavenly Pill!

Thwip

[Ughhh!!]

Garuda screamed in excruciating pain. His three fingers were cleanly severed in an instant. It was an extraordinary cutting power, rivaling that of the Absolute Realm’s Sword Lightning.

Swush

In that fleeting moment, Myung-ho maintained his icy composure. He had swiftly humbled the sword form to attain balance in the top three Dantians. Through that equilibrium, he moved gracefully. It was an unnamed technique obtained by merging the essence of the Tai Chi Willow Sword and the Heavenly Contraction Sword. Despite lacking a name, its practical might was tremendous, allowing him to always keep a beat ahead in a confrontation with a peerless master.

Bam!

‘That guy… has reverted to his original state.’

In the blink of an eye, Myung-ho shifted from breaking the army back to the sword form. Myung-ho had reached a realm where he could switch back to the basic sword form from any stance or position, allowing flexibility to counter any martial art the opponent might employ. Now he was improvising to gain a timing advantage for counterattacks after his retaliation against Garuda.

Nine Suns Divine Sword

Ultimate Technique

Breaking the Army’s Ultimate Deathblow

Feeling an instinctive sense of danger from that attack, Garuda concentrated all his divine power on defense. His defenses focused primarily around his neck.

Swish!!

[Ergh…!!]

Garuda screamed as blood erupted from his neck, streaming like a river from the deep wound. He clutched his throat in terror as he wailed.

[Stop, stop it!!!]

Despite Garuda possessing super regeneration abilities, he found it impossible to recover from Myung-ho’s Breaking the Army. The intent had burrowed deeply, plunging Garuda into an abyss of death. Despite being a Demon King, anguish filled his expression as he struggled to endure.

Thud

Myung-ho unleashed the last of his strength with that crucial strike, his willuntouched, he collapsed on the ground, eyes shut tight.

‘To think my full power with the Nine Suns Divine Sword Breaking the Army couldn’t sever his head…!! How could such a monster exist in this world?!’

This was something that should never occur in the martial world.

Until that point, Myung-ho had been able to cut down any figures, be they Demon Kings or entities tainted by the demonic path like serpent dragons, with his Breaking the Army. The stark difference in levels felt profoundly evident.

Indeed, he truly deserved to be called a Demon King.

Despite Garuda focusing entirely on defending himself, Myung-ho felt compelled to despair. If Garuda’s instinctive combat senses were sharp enough to detect the ultimate techniques of Absolute Realm masters, then it would be impossible to inflict any damage through other means. With this attack failing, Myung-ho had no method left to deal with Garuda.

The fire of rage ignited in Garuda’s eyes.

[Enough of this!! You insect-like beings!]

He unleashed his ferocity, spreading his massive fiery wings.

[My comrades!! Block them on your own!! I’ll sweep them all away!!]

In that moment, every Divine Guardian on the battlefield flinched at Garuda’s roar.

The first to respond was the Celestial.

[You madman!! Are you trying to kill us too?!]

However, the Celestial’s shout was rendered meaningless when Garuda’s wings multiplied into six pairs, with unfathomable power gathering within him. Transforming into a manifestation of red flames reminiscent of the sun, Garuda prepared to unleash a majestic Lion’s Roar.

Blood Demon Red Lotus Star

Summon

Garuda’s unique power received from Chi You.

Due to his own inability to control it, this technique was akin to self-destruction, making it an ultimate self-destruct move that Garuda could execute only once in his lifetime!

As the light of the red lotuses, capable of annihilating everything, began to descend from the constellation itself – a silver light dashed into the fray.