1139——————==

Soul of the Evil God

Divine Skill Peerless Technique!

Everyone was shocked to realize that the technique Jang Sam-bong used to knock down the high-level experts like reeds was indeed the Divine Skill. The moment the Extreme Tiger stood up, he spoke.

“So, once you realize the Infinite Circle, you can block that current attack, right?”

“Exactly. Go ahead!”

Woosh!

Jang Sam-bong merely waved his hand from left to right. Yet in that instant, just like before, everyone wobbled and fell over again. Though there was no murderous intent felt, the truly frightening aspect was that there was no counter to it with any martial arts we knew.

Oomph!

I summoned the Immortal Sword, enduring against the Divine Skill Peerless Technique for a while before finally falling down.

Sitting on the ground, I thought, “Ah, this isn’t good…”

The advice of Asura floated in my mind.

[Well, let’s end the Dark Night Slash training here. You’ve worked hard, so let’s leave the mountain.]

[Using the Dark Night Slash via the Immortal Sword means that once the Immortal Sword runs out, you won’t be able to use the Dark Night Slash.]

[Pushing to train during this situation by reducing the usage count of Dark Night Slash is foolish.]

[Oh, and keep practicing the circle drawing and conserve your Immortal Sword. Don’t forget that your chances of using Dark Night Slash in the Celestial Realm are limited.]

Indeed, the usage count of the Immortal Sword was finite, and once exhausted, it would be difficult to utilize again.

“I might need to use Dark Night Slash more in the future! I can’t keep wasting the Immortal Sword like this.”

With a deep breath, I stopped resisting awkwardly and dispelled the Immortal Sword. Everyone slowly rose to their feet, glaring fiercely at Jang Sam-bong while raising their Intent Heavenly Pillar with a piercing gaze.

Jang Sam-bong, as if provoking us, slowly nodded his hand.

“Joint Attack.”

Crash!!

In the next moment, the absolute realm experts raced toward Jang Sam-bong, right up to where his skin was visible. However, they hung in the air as though time had stopped, their bodies entirely enveloped in the Tai Chi. In an instant, they were all neutralized, but Jang Sam-bong executed Lee Hyeong-hwan’s Divine Technique to reposition himself.

Thud!

“This can’t be….”

Bokuden, appearing to be in despair, let his sword droop. He could hardly fathom that so many experts in the absolute realm could unite yet fail to inflict a single scratch.

Dokgo Seong let out a low growl.

“Is this really the Divine Skill? Then again, it makes sense as the ability of a singular intention and Divine Skill didn’t manage to penetrate; being blocked by an even more advanced technique is only natural.”

Jang Sam-bong seemed to have heard Dokgo Seong’s words as he looked at him and said, “Dokgo Seong, it was you who just mentioned striking lightning.”

“Striked… lightning, indeed.”

Dokgo Seong wasn’t lying. With his swordsmanship reaching the level of Overlay Technique, it was something achievable through Intent Heavenly Pillar. Then Jang Sam-bong replied.

“That’s not overcoming nature; you merely cut through the phenomenon.”

“Another wordplay? I have no idea what your so-called enlightenment is.”

“I’ll explain it simply. I too am nature, as is God. Therefore, you cannot overcome nature.”

“…….”

“Don’t cling to the strength of cutting through lightning; observe well where your own will is directed. Then the Infinite Circle shall come to you.”

At that moment, Kamizumi Nobutsuna, who had been listening, spoke up.

“Master Jang Sam-bong. I don’t sense any activation of intent when you use the Divine Skill. How can this be?”

Everyone turned their gaze toward Master Jang Sam-bong. True to Kamizumi Nobutsuna’s words, even though Jang Sam-bong used the Divine Skill Peerless Technique twice, the Intent Heavenly Pillar had no impact on the world at all. It felt almost as if there was no intent present whatsoever.

In response to Kamizumi Nobutsuna’s words, Master Jang Sam-bong replied, “Just think simply. What isn’t there simply isn’t.”

“…….”

He then fell into thought. Master Jang Sam-bong addressed the congregation.

“This time, you need not land a blow. Just realize the Infinite Circle and try not to fall.”

Having said that, Master Jang Sam-bong sat cross-legged and closed his eyes.

“When you’re ready, we shall continue.”

The mention of preparation meant that he would test us again with the Divine Skill Peerless Technique. It seemed as if he was ready to attack at any moment, yet no one dared to strike him.

Thud!

Rather, everyone seemed to have agreed upon it, sitting cross-legged as if entering into meditation. An unexpected silence enveloped the hall.

Time!

The eagerness to counter the Divine Skill Peerless Technique shown by Master Jang Sam-bong ignited a desire in all of us. I observed the scene and cautiously asked Master Jang Sam-bong.

“Master, how long must we endure this trial?”

“There’s no such thing as a deadline! The trial has already ended.”

“Huh?”

“When you, Baek Woong, pushed me outside the circle, the trial ended. I acknowledged you; therefore, you may ascend to the next floor immediately.”

“If so, this training was merely a pure practice to resist the [Small Cycle]….”

“That’s right. If you’re not feeling regret, then you may go up.”

As if I could just go up!

I gritted my teeth internally.

“Damn…. This won’t be something I can learn in a day.”

I sensed the fear that I might be stuck on this floor for ten years. Shaking my head, I began to ponder what I should do.

“Hmm… From the previous situation, the critical clue to resisting the Divine Skill Peerless Technique lies with the Immortal Sword. However, I also realized that the Immortal Sword alone can’t overcome the Divine Skill.”

It became evident that something was lacking. The Sword Demon’s Sword Spirit was akin to the Immortal Sword, so perhaps both the Sword Spirit and the Immortal Sword are stages of training to step into the Divine Skill? If that’s the case, it implies that I need to achieve something distinct from what I have now to pass this trial.

I realized what I had to do.

Immortal Sword training!

Training the Immortal Sword just like I had on Earth would be the quickest route!

However, the drawback was that I had initially struggled to make progress with the Immortal Sword, ending up in the Land and Earth Diagram and training under Asura. It was definitely not something achievable overnight, which made me feel quite frustrated.

…It really could take ten years.

Or could I even achieve it in the remaining sixteen years?

I continued to ponder with my eyes closed. But there didn’t seem to be any solutions; the only remaining path appeared to be continuing my training in this Celestial Realm.

Boom!!

“Ha!”

Meanwhile, Taeeul Sin-gun and Cheongui Ma-sal seemed to charge in.

“Not a chance.”

However, against them, Master Jang Sam-bong didn’t even need to use Divine Skill, simply repelling them with the Peerless Technique. It wasn’t even a Divine Skill, yet they were immediately knocked back and were sent soaring into the heavens.

‘These guys are masters who have honed their skills for centuries in the absolute realm, and yet they’re treated like children…’

Now I partly understood why Bokuden earlier had contemplated self-destruction. How could such a scenario occur? Master Jang Sam-bong’s strength transcended common sense. As I stood there dazed, Mangnyang spoke up.

“Baek Woong, I have something to say.”

“What is it?”

What followed from Mangnyang was completely unexpected.

“I want to challenge the 93rd floor alone.”

“……?! Are you out of your mind?! Surely there will be those who can manipulate the [Small Cycle] appearing. How can you…”

Then Mangnyang slowly began to move Baek Woong.

“I haven’t proficiently mastered martial arts, so participating in this supreme level of training would be a waste of time. There’s no need for me to be in charge of supply at the Eight Trigrams Pavilion now. Instead, it would be reasonable to explore the upper floors alone and reduce the time spent on attacking.”

“No, so how will you handle the [Small Cycle]…”

“Don’t worry.”

His next words startled me.

“I already possess the technique to resist the [Small Cycle].”

“……!! Really? What kind of technique is that?”

“It’s a technique I developed myself while training the Corpse Dissolution Technique.”

Having said that, Mangnyang stood up. Then he asked Master Jang Sam-bong, “Master, is it okay if I go up and come back?”

“Do as you please. However…”

For the first time, Master Jang Sam-bong displayed a slightly troubled expression.

“Although your wisdom may be exceptional, I hope you’ll realize that if you don’t adhere to the proper flow, you won’t win a great battle.”

What did he mean by that?

Mangnyang slowly interjected.

“Thank you for the advice.”

Step.

Woosh!!

As Mangnyang strode forward without hesitation, I noticed the space distorted as a passage to the next floor was formed, as if it had always existed.

I hurriedly shouted, “Mangnyang! Wait for a moment! You’re being hasty! We don’t need to explore; let’s move together.”

Even a fool like me could understand that the difficulty of this tower’s trials was no joke. It was no place where solo exploration could take place! Yet Mangnyang’s intentions in making such a decision were completely baffling to me.

“Baek Woong. Don’t worry.”

Mangnyang chuckled softly.

“I won’t die in a place like this.”

After saying that, Mangnyang took a step into the passage leading to the next floor.

“……!!”

Boom!

In the next moment, I found myself on the next floor. Looking at Mangnyang, who was staring at my hand gripping my shoulder, I was taken aback.

“Baek Woong, why did you follow me?”

What the hell…?

I nearly lost my grip on reason.

“Are you kidding?! That’s not like you at all!”

I shouted back at Mangnyang in astonishment.

“Master Jang Sam-bong already showed up on the 92nd floor! I’m scared to think of how strong the monsters on the 93rd floor will be. Even with all of us, it might not be enough, and how can you, a genius, act so recklessly…”

“A genius.”

Mangnyang murmured in a low voice.

“I’m not a genius. Just Mangnyang.”

“……?”

Why is he suddenly saying this?

“Since we’ve come, there’s nothing we can do about it. I suppose we’ll just have to keep going.”

“…Are you serious about exploring the 93rd floor with me?”

“Not with you. I originally intended to go alone, so you may return if you wish.”

“Mangnyang… why?”

As I began to voice my objections, Mangnyang suddenly cast a quick glance at somewhere. He then extended two fingers forward and quietly shouted.

“Urgent Need!”

Bang!

A yellow aura burst from Mangnyang’s hands, and the intricate symbols of the Divine Spell hovered in the air, making impact sounds. Blocking an intangible attack in midair, Mangnyang looked in that direction and said.

“A familiar face has appeared. Just as expected….”

“Huh? Just as expected?”

“That person, we already know.”

As Mangnyang stated, someone appeared about a hundred meters away. I amplified my vision just in time to be taken aback.

“……?!”

Huh? Why is that guy here?

Boom!

In due time, the newly appeared individual used Space Mobility to reveal themselves before us. They rode on a large cart floating in the air, wearing an impatient expression. Holding the Red Bow in one hand, the object was a powerful treasure I had used several times before.

[Lord Hyunheogung. Are you attempting this trial alone without any fear?]

Mangnyang appeared quite tense, sweat rolling down his forehead. It was evident that he recognized the opponent’s tremendous strength.

“…I didn’t know you would answer the summons from Nüwa.”

[The goddess said she would grant my wishes. Naturally, I have no reason to refuse… Huh?]

As they replied to Mangnyang, they suddenly turned to glare at me.

Then they yelled, “[You bastard!! I was worried about how I would find you before the end, but look, you’ve come right to me!]

“Huh?”

[Good to see you! I’m going to kill you, Baek Woong!!]

With a roar, the Overlay Technique user, Yi, aimed the Red Bow at me. I was puzzled as to why this weapon, which should have been in Jeogok’s treasure vault, was now in the hands of this Overlay Technique User, but soon it became clear. This individual had originally been the owner of the Red Bow since ancient times.

With the power of Nüwa surging through him, the Overlay Technique User, Yi, let out a cry.

[You heretic! I swear by my name that I will never forgive you!!]

Boom!

In the next moment, the first shot of the Red Bow pierced through my heart.