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True Martial Home

We set off with Xiang Yu at the forefront, heading toward the final Blood Pillar, Nan Gu Xianong. And as expected, there were three Blood Pillars waiting for us, including Tai Gong-mang.

Nan Gu Xianong, now awake, let out a sigh.

“Such a sad affair… I never thought that the great mission entrusted to me by my brother would end up in such a mess.”

“Master. It’s not over yet.”

Unlike when I wore the mask, Nan Gu Xianong didn’t act rashly and instead wore a deeply sorrowful expression. This meant that the destruction of two of the Divine Sealing Techniques was a devastating blow for him, and the seal of the Ancient Ones was broken.

Trying to console him, Tai Gong-mang said,

“As long as not all seals are destroyed, the souls of the Ancient Ones will not be freed from this Primordial Void. If we defeat them, we might still have a chance to recover.”

“Strong Baby, you’ve always been a child with strong will… However, now that the wedge has been pulled out, there’s no stopping the influence it’ll have on the humans of the earth. If you had power equal to that of the seven-year-old brother, it might be possible to reseal, but you’d have to sacrifice yourself…”

“Let’s worry about that later. Right now, please focus on the enemy in front of you.”

“Hmm.”

“Xiang Yu is strong.”

Tai Gong-mang’s gaze shifted towards us. Beside him floated Princess Yonggil, who was an ancient immortal believed to have existed before the Primordial Heaven Master created the Celestial Realm. With emotionless eyes, Princess Yonggil scrutinized Xiang Yu and spoke,

“What an outrageous being. How can such a creature exist? Just how many powers of the Constellation does he possess?”

“……”

“Taoist Master of Moral. Can you seal him?”

The young man called Taoist Master of Moral replied quietly,

“It’s impossible. Had I been in my original form, it might have been possible, but with my current power, it’s out of the question.”

“Then there’s no choice. We must stake everything on the Divine Treasure.”

They were talking in front of us, yet strangely, Xiang Yu did not immediately charge at them. Given his nature to smash everything in sight, it was odd, but after a moment he opened his mouth.

“I have a question.”

All eyes turned to him. Xiang Yu looked at Tai Gong-mang and said,

“Why are you guarding something so pointless?”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know the details, but whether this is released or not, the fate of this world won’t change. I can feel that it is so. I also know this is a meaningless fight.”

“……”

Xiang Yu stared at Tai Gong-mang with a knowing look.

“It’d be a shame for a being like you to die meaninglessly. Surrender and find Yonggil in the Primordial Void, and I will spare you. That’s the only mercy I can offer.”

It was astonishing.

Could it be that Xiang Yu was urging for surrender?

Thinking about how he had always crushed his enemies without offering compromise or suggesting surrender before, it was unbelievable. This meant that Tai Gong-mang was considered a worthy opponent in Xiang Yu’s eyes. After all, he was a legendary hero and immortal who ended the Mythological Age and eliminated King Zhou and Daji, so it made some sense. It was also remarkable that Tai Gong-mang had managed to hold up against Xiang Yu during their brief confrontation.

Tai Gong-mang fell silent before replying,

“Overlord Xiang Yu, surely, compared to the power of the divine, the powers of the Ancient Ones are far from great. Even if the last wedge is released, it won’t mean much against Queen Mother of the West rampaging in the Celestial Realm. What meaning would there be for the great heroes with extraordinary supernatural abilities among humans against the Old Ruler? However… the real significance of this release is different.”

“Different? What does that mean?”

“The Blood Pillar of this Primordial Void… is the first-level seal using the Law of Cause and Effect. The second-level seal is a type of ‘key.’”

With that, Tai Gong-mang continued seriously,

“What was sealed in ancient times was not merely the powers of humanity. That was a trivial matter. What’s truly important is that [The One Who Destroys the Gods] was also sealed away. If that person is released, everything is over… That’s why multiple layers of seals were laid down. Even if we have no hope for this method, we stake everything for a thread of peace. Better than everything collapsing at once.”

“The One Who Destroys the Gods?”

“Yes… Only Nüwa of the Three Sovereigns and the Three Pure Ones knew that this Primordial Void is the key to the first-level seal. Even the Five Emperors were unaware of this.”

Tai Gong-mang managed a bitter smile.

“… What good is saying this now? In any case, we cannot give up. For the sake of a fleeting peace.”

“Even if I tear you apart and kill you?”

At Xiang Yu’s words, Tai Gong-mang calmly replied without the slightest disturbance.

“Kill us. Step over our corpses. But we will honor the wishes of the Primordial Heaven Master and Taishang Laojun and fulfill our mission.”

“Alright.”

With that, Xiang Yu relaxed his crossed arms and dropped his hands. Then, bursting with bloody light, he charged in headfirst.

“Everyone, die!”

Boom!!

Along with a colossal light, Xiang Yu’s fist slammed into the body of the Taoist Master of Moral. It seemed like his chest burst open upon impact, yet astonishingly, he reached out and grabbed Xiang Yu’s wrist.

With a resigned smile, Taoist Master of Moral said,

“I’m sorry, Overlord. I bear no grudge.”

As Xiang Yu’s thick eyebrows twitched, Taoist Master of Moral mumbled some incantation.

Divine Arts

Natural Law

Wiying

Suddenly, the figure of Taoist Master of Moral disappeared. At the same moment, Xiang Yu found himself unable to move, becoming stiff.

“……!!”

What in the world!

Was Xiang Yu really able to stop?

As he stood still, blood-red light streaming from his eyes, Princess Yonggil, who hovered behind him, could no longer hide her sorrow and began to cry.

“Oh… this is…”

She seemed genuinely heartbroken and struggled to continue speaking.

“… Taoist Master of Moral was an incarnation of Taishang Laojun of the Three Pure Ones, but Taishang Laojun made him an independent Great Immortal, with his own will. He sacrifices himself to fulfill the great cause, and in doing so, I too will bear all sacrifices!”

Could it be that Taoist Master of Moral cast a self-sacrificial Divine Art to bind Xiang Yu?!

Boom!

Princess Yonggil created a white droplet-like mass at her fingertip and released it into the air. The droplet quickly transformed into something reminiscent of a vast sea in terms of volume, trapping Xiang Yu completely. As he found himself caged in the water, Princess Yonggil poured all her energy into casting an incantation.

Divine Arts

Eternal Glacier Moon

Chiririring

Princess Yonggil’s body began to dissolve into light. All her energy and divine power flowed into the sphere of water, freezing it, and undoubtedly, the temperature must have been absolute zero. Watching this, Zhuge Yulong said with a sharp gaze,

“This is dangerous. Baek Woong, we must buy time until Xiang Yu can break free.”

“Got it.”

“I’ll contain Tai Gong-mang, so make sure Nan Gu Xianong doesn’t interfere!”

“Can you really hold him off?”

Zhuge Yulong nodded at my question.

“I’ll at least prevent him from using the Divine Art Tai Chi. If I can block that, we have a chance.”

“Alright!”

Bang!

As soon as I finished my words, I soared toward Nan Gu Xianong, challenging him. However, Nan Gu Xianong merely raised his dim eyes to look at me without dodging my Thunder Sword.

Clang!

‘Ugh.’

At that moment, it felt like something invisible had sent my sword flying. It must have been a barrier created by Nan Gu Xianong’s technique, but given my current swordplay skills, I should have been able to slice through even a seal set by the Eight Immortals, so it was surprising. I did not give up and struck again, channeling all my internal power and Spirit Power into one blow, and this time, I heard the sound of Nan Gu Xianong’s barrier breaking with a loud crack.

Nan Gu Xianong’s expression began to darken.

“You rotten bastards… how dare you…!!”

I could see the white breath flowing from his mouth. Having worn Nan Gu Xianong’s mask myself, I was instantly aware of what this meant.

“Divine Art: Light of the Azure Dragon!”

That technique was a Divine Art so powerful that once unleashed, countless streams of light would pierce the opponent at light speed, freezing them for eternity upon contact! Not only that, but while the Light of the Azure Dragon was in effect, Nan Gu Xianong would be free to manipulate ice, gaining limitless power, meaning he absolutely could not be allowed to cast it. If that technique came out, all the Four Fierce Beasts would be wiped out in one blow, and I would also die on the spot!

I racked my brain, trying to think of how I could stop the Light of the Azure Dragon. The realization struck me that there was only one way, and I swiftly concentrated all my Spirit Power into my palm.

“Ha-Up!”

Spirit Power

Light of the Azure Dragon

Flash

At that moment, a white light flooded the arena. The moment Nan Gu Xianong unleashed the Light of the Azure Dragon, I too, with the Spirit Power, cast my own half-hearted imitation! Of course, lacking the exact incantation and proficiency, my version was relatively weak, but I intended to offset it with the power of the Spirit Power somehow.

Clang, clang, clang

As I had hoped, the icy light emitted by Nan Gu Xianong stopped dead in its tracks as if blocked by an invisible wall. However, it was becoming increasingly apparent how I was being pushed back. The real Light of the Azure Dragon was indeed much stronger. I struggled to hold on as Nan Gu Xianong released his force, sending me tumbling backward.

As I landed after a somersault in midair, Nan Gu Xianong looked horrified.

“A… no! How can you imitate the Light of the Azure Dragon? That technique is mine alone!”

Though it was merely imitation and not the real technique, it seemed I had succeeded in offsetting it.

“Heh, that’s not bad…”

Just as I was about to smirk and respond,

Vwoom

The very fabric of space and time in the arena suddenly distorted and began to fill with Eight Trigrams. Glancing back, I saw Zhuge Yulong sitting cross-legged, summoning the Earth Star Eight Trigrams Diagram, as Zhuge Bu stood beside him, supporting the effort.

Vwoom, vwoom, vwoom—

Once the formation was fully deployed, the light of the Azure Dragon and the massive watery prison surrounding Xiang Yu all vanished in an instant. With a splashing sound, waves roared through the arena like a flood, causing Princess Yonggil to faint. And the Xiang Yu that had been trapped began to writhe and slowly rise.

At that sight, I suddenly understood what was happening.

“The Eight Trigrams Formation!”

After Zhuge Yulong summoned the Earth Star Eight Trigrams Diagram, he leveraged its power to also unfold the Eight Trigrams Formation! By doing so, the diagram’s ability to nullify all techniques would be maximized, making it possible to negate even Divine Arts! Furthermore, with Zhuge Yulong possessing the Earth Star, it was evident how well-suited he was to fight the Great Immortals!

“So the Earth Star can even nullify Divine Arts!”

That meant the most threatening Divine Art, Tai Chi, had been sealed away!

Then, if Xiang Yu broke free, it would be almost like winning, right? However, even when Princess Yonggil’s technique was undone, Xiang Yu remained frozen, unable to move. Observing this, Tai Gong-mang said coldly,

“Is it the Earth Star Eight Trigrams Formation? It certainly can nullify Divine Arts, but the seal formed by Taoist Master of Moral’s self-sacrifice transcends normal Divine Arts due to the Law of Cause and Effect. No matter how great you are, Xiang Yu, you cannot break free in such a short time.”

“……”

“The preparations of the Divine Treasure are complete. Disappear, Xiang Yu.”

Vwoom

The jade-hued handle of the Divine Treasure began to glow. Simultaneously, five beams of light erupted from the Divine Treasure, striking Xiang Yu.

Fwoosh!

The mechanism of the Divine Treasure elongated, visibly piercing through Xiang Yu’s body.

“NO!!”

I shouted in shock. Could it be that Xiang Yu would die just like this?!

However, contrary to my fears, even though the end of the Divine Treasure had pierced his body, not a single drop of blood flowed from Xiang Yu. As Tai Gong-mang’s eyebrows twitched, Xiang Yu’s hand began to move slowly, grasping the handle of the Divine Treasure tightly. In that moment, he let out a mocking laugh.

“… Kukuku… Hahaha!!”

Crackle, crackle

Black lightning surrounded Xiang Yu’s body. With blood light flowing from his eyes, Xiang Yu raised his spirit and charged straight at Tai Gong-mang.

Boom!!

Trying to release the Divine Treasure embedded in his body, Tai Gong-mang remained calm and steady, attempting to tear Xiang Yu apart. Yet, Xiang Yu’s might did not wane at all, and Tai Gong-mang was sent flying backward, still holding onto the Divine Treasure.

“Ha-Up!”

In the air, Tai Gong-mang swung the Divine Treasure back towards him, and though an invisible force momentarily made Xiang Yu flinch, he extended his fist once more.

Boom!!

“… Ugh!! The Blessing of the Divine on the Sealing List, all three hundred sixty-five lines…”

Cough

For the first time, blood gushed from Tai Gong-mang’s mouth. Utilizing an unknown force to enhance himself, he managed to withstand Xiang Yu’s strike, but two hits were too much, and he had sustained serious injuries.

Tai Gong-mang’s left chest sagged, but he persistently let out a massive Lion’s Roar.

“By my command as the master of this Divine Treasure – be shattered, O Holy One!”

Crackle

In that moment, the Divine Treasure piercing through Xiang Yu shifted like a serpent, and a white star-like energy soared within the depths of Xiang Yu’s body. And the moment the Divine Treasure emitted its jade glow, seven of the stars emerged from within Xiang Yu, shattering instantly.

What was that?

Could it be that the Divine Treasure shattered the power of the Constellation?!

Twist

Xiang Yu seemed somewhat stunned by the impact, blood seeping from his mouth, yet he only laughed as if finding it amusing.

“Kukuku! This is fun. So much fun!”

It was strange. Though seven stars shattered, the remaining stars began to glow even more brightly, and the power lingering in Xiang Yu’s body had multiplied many times over!

Xiang Yu extended a hand to grasp the Divine Treasure, causing cracks to form on its surface.

Creeeak

“Ugh. How could the Holy power shatter seven times?!”

“Hahaha.”

“Indeed… Have you reached the level of [The Old Ruler] solely by the innate Constellation?!”

It was the first time Tai Gong-mang appeared to lose his composure. He couldn’t believe someone had survived even after being struck with the Divine Treasure.

In the midst of his shock, Tai Gong-mang, refusing to be subdued, unleashed some mysterious technique, causing the Divine Treasure to stretch infinitely. Just as Xiang Yu heftily pulled on it, Tai Gong-mang’s body slammed into the ground. Despair washed over Tai Gong-mang’s face.

Boom

The moment Tai Gong-mang fell, Xiang Yu lifted his foot and stomped down on his spine.

Creeeak

“Ugh! Huh! Huwah… Hah.”

As he was crushed, Tai Gong-mang couldn’t lift his head, pressing his face into the ground while spitting blood, creating a puddle beneath him. He gripped the jade-hued handle of the Divine Treasure tightly, trying to channel energy into the tip embedded in his body, producing a sound like something burning.

Crackle

The inner workings of the Divine Treasure began to scorch, a painful sight. Yet, Xiang Yu showed no sign of relenting, stomping down on Tai Gong-mang’s spine once more.

CRACK!

“Aaaargh!!”

Tai Gong-mang screamed.

“Stop it! Let Strong Baby go!”

As Tai Gong-mang was being stomped on, Nan Gu Xianong, next to him, swung the Divine Treasure, Southern Light Barrage, to try and attack, but Xiang Yu casually flicked his arm.

Thud!

“Aaaah!”

Incredibly, Xiang Yu’s one punch shattered the Southern Light Barrage, and Nan Gu Xianong turned into a bloody pulp. Even though they were in a space where all techniques were nullified due to the Earth Star Eight Trigrams Diagram, the brilliant light encasing Southern Light Barrage showed that they could still use their unique techniques, yet Xiang Yu had obliterated all of that power in an instant.

With all Great Immortals defeated sprawled across the arena, Xiang Yu pulled out the Divine Treasure embedded in his body, saying,

“This has been the most entertaining fight of my life.”

“… Hah, hah…”

“Thank you for relieving my boredom.”

As Tai Gong-mang, trampled beneath Xiang Yu, gasped for breath, he spoke with great difficulty.

“… Unfortunate one… born to slaughter… in the end, you too are being toyed with by the gods… How can you be swayed by power… ruining the greater cause…”

“Is this the tedious story you tell?”

“I can’t… I can’t give up… Can’t give up…”

“Hmmm.”

Xiang Yu glanced down at Tai Gong-mang, who struggled to stand, grabbed him by the collar, and marched toward the edge of the cliff while twisting his hand to wrest the Divine Treasure away, grinning.

“Tai Gong-mang, I shall remember you.”

“……”

Whoosh

In the next instant, Tai Gong-mang was tossed from Xiang Yu’s hand, plummeting to the ground. A brief sound of wind shattering echoed, followed by a profound silence. This was the end for Tai Gong-mang, the direct disciple of the Primordial Heaven Master and administrator of the Divine Sealing Plan.

After dispatching all the Great Immortals, Xiang Yu returned with an expressionless face and swung the Divine Treasure with all his might at the Eternal Barrier.

Boom!

As it shattered, it seemed the final seal had been broken, and an array of souls began to pour out like mist. I let out a sigh of relief as I felt the series of events come to an end.

“Phew.”

Now that the seals of the Ancient Ones had been released, I could join my allies fighting Queen Mother of the West.

Just as I was pondering this,

“Kukuku… Kukukukuku.”

An ominous laughter started to resonate. Hearing Xiang Yu’s laughter filled me with a sense of impending doom, and I turned to look at him, sensing the blood light beginning to pour from his eyes yet again.

‘Is it… is it getting intense…?’

I quickly prepared to flee alongside Zhuge Yulong and the others, as we had accomplished our goal of releasing the seals of the Ancient Ones. All that was left was to escape. But just as we began to retreat, Xiang Yu spoke up.

“You all find Yonggil in the Primordial Void immediately. Hurry.”

“Oh, understood.”

When I glanced at Zhuge Yulong, he resignedly began to employ his techniques. As I watched, Xiang Yu coldly added,

“Before I kill you.”

“……”

Will we be able to live through this?