1243——————==

Soul of the Evil God

As Heuk Woong’s shout erupted, Ryeo swung his fiery whip once more. It was as if he had no regard for Heuk Woong’s previous defense, oozing the intent to end this quickly. The Small Cycle twisted again, and an attack that disregarded cause and effect began anew, but Heuk Woong donned his black armor once more, extending his hand forward.

Swoosh!!

Just like before, as Ryo’s whip wrapped around my arm, he let out a low growl.

[Hmph.]

[You really underestimate me. This time, let me show you my power!]

As Heuk Woong said this, a halo behind his head gleamed brightly. Suddenly, a spear of Spirit Power emerged in the air, flying straight for Ryeo’s chest. Ryeo attempted to brush off the attack with his hand but quickly retreated while swinging his whip.

Thwack!!

With a heavy trembling air, the dark spear fired by Heuk Woong ricocheted into the sky. Ryeo had successfully blocked the dark spear with his own power. However, I was stunned by what happened next.

Snap!

The fiery whip that had blocked the dark spear was cut cleanly in two.

[……!!]

It was evident Ryeo lost his composure, staggering slightly. He looked shocked, unable to express his anger, just standing there dazed, and Heuk Woong, arms crossed, spoke.

[It won’t be easy to eliminate me and my master!]

His tone brimmed with pride and confidence in his own power. I realized from that shout that Heuk Woong had fully resurrected, and in astonishment, I asked him.

“Heuk Woong!! What happened?! I thought you were definitely still asleep back then…”

[Master! Now is not the time for old tales. This isn’t a leisurely situation; focus!]

“…Your tone seems to have changed.”

[Of course. I’ve undergone many evolutions in the meantime, so I’m not the same me as before.]

Heuk Woong replied calmly, keeping a watchful gaze ahead. He had no time to spare in conversing with me, and I soon felt that his attitude was indeed correct.

Ryeo, who had been quiet until now, began to let out a wild laughter.

[Hehehe…. A worthy opponent has appeared as a Fighting God, Zhu Rong…. Jeon Wook, grant me permission.]

Jeon Wook replied curtly.

[This should be fun.]

Whew!

Ryeo’s demeanor suddenly changed dramatically. Until now, he had taken on an elegant human scholar’s appearance, but now his body started to grow monstrous, eventually transforming into a giant wreathed in azure flames!

Knowing what this phenomenon implied, I clenched my teeth.

‘When part of the Ten Thousand Ghosts Palace, he appeared as Ryeo, but once that affiliation dissolves, he transforms into the Demon God Zhu Rong. And now he’s much stronger than before….’

In fact, the form that previously charged against many of the Eight Parts of the Divine was Zhu Rong, not Ryeo. Now, the true powers of Zhu Rong, no different from an Old Ruler, were manifesting. I knew how strong Zhu Rong was, and realistically, it would be difficult for me to win against him alone.

How far could I get fighting alongside Heuk Woong?

‘…Huh?’

I was tense as I tried to summon my sword, but my body wouldn’t comply. Heuk Woong was clearly controlling my movements. Just as I started to panic, Heuk Woong spoke to me.

[Master! Leave it to me. I will break through this situation.]

“What?! That’s a god! How do you expect to handle Zhu Rong alone?!”

[You wouldn’t understand how much frustration I’ve endured.]

“Huh?”

[The Throne of the End…. I watched helplessly during the last duel against the Heavenly Sovereign, feeling utterly powerless!]

Could it be he was…?

Did he watch my last duel with Emperor Gong Sun Xuanwen firsthand?!

Whoosh!

Heuk Woong suddenly vanished from in front of me, seeming to absorb into my body. Shortly after, the pitch-black armor that had been enveloping my body grew stronger and more powerful, and I felt a glowing halo behind me! Heuk Woong was transforming into my armor.

The form of the armor was strangely reminiscent of the future’s artificial relic, and appeared almost identical to the Yellow Dragon Demon God I had previously equipped.

Before I knew it, a dark spear made of Spirit Power hung from my gauntlets. Heuk Woong summoned a helmet that fully covered my skull and said.

[Jeon Wook!! Do not interfere while Zhu Rong is present!]

Gah?!

I was shocked to my core by Heuk Woong’s shout. What kind of arrogant talk was that from the center of the Ten Thousand Ghosts Palace?! Zhu Rong seemed furious, swelling his azure flames, and Jeon Wook looked equally stunned, his eyes widening in disbelief.

Then, he burst into loud laughter.

[Hahaha…. Sounds good!! Let’s see what you can do, my little king.]

[I’m going now!]

Vroom!

Heuk Woong moved my body into a poised stance for a spear charge. I realized right away that this peculiar stance was akin to the one Lee Kwang had used before.

While not present in the Thunder God lineage, a minor variation of the stance would hold little significance for someone who understood martial arts. But conversely, it indicated that if one’s martial arts were not adept enough, this peculiar stance would be a significant weakness. So, which category did Heuk Woong fall into?

[I’ll show you my true strength!!]

Zhu Rong let out a roar as he swung his azure flame whip.

Swish!

At that moment, countless whips manifested, enveloping the sky in light. I had seen Zhu Rong use this technique before during the battle at the World Tree, where the main bodies of the Eight Parts of the Divine had been struck away. The name of the technique was lost on me, but I recognized it as one of Zhu Rong’s ultimate techniques. It was clear that this was a move that could not be blocked or dodged with the strength of mere humans or immortals; even the Demon King could easily be slain by it.

‘Ugh…. Should I shield myself with Peerless Technique now….’

I attempted to activate my Intent, but it was no use. As I tried to form my Intent, Heuk Woong’s will forcibly penetrated me and disrupted my Intent Heavenly Pillar. I didn’t know how this was possible, but as Heuk Woong said, I had no choice but to watch. I shouted helplessly in my mind.

“Hey!! Please let me move! Just casting Peerless Technique once would give us a huge advantage! Am I really that much of a burden?!”

[On the contrary. The current master is too exceptional, and therefore I must restrain you for now.]

[What?]

[The Demon God’s ultimate technique Technique of All Things…. It must be sealed, at least for now!]

Koooom!

Heuk Woong’s entire body exuded an immense spirit power. I suddenly noticed the color of the spear in Heuk Woong’s hand had shifted.

It changed to Half White Half Black, writhing like a living glow, before becoming vague and formless. The moment it transformed into formlessness, I felt a shocking realization.

‘……!!’

No, this can’t be!

That spear isn’t just made of power!

Why is the pillar…?

And the next moment – Heuk Woong’s eyes gleamed sharply as he launched his attack.

Heaven-Illuminating Dark God Lineage

Dark Spear

One Strike

Thwack!

Heuk Woong’s strike cleaved through the thousands of whip illusions, piercing straight ahead. Surprisingly, although the swings had indeed struck the armor, only slight scratches remained, and my physical body was entirely unharmed. The instant the Dark Spear One Strike reached Zhu Rong’s chest, he activated his power.

[Do you think you’re the only one with armor? I have my own divine armor!]

Clang!!

Ancient armor summoned to envelop Zhu Rong! As that armor cladded him, Heuk Woong’s dark spear was wildly deflected as Heuk Woong performed a mid-air spin to regain his stance. Zhu Rong, sharing a second with Heuk Woong, let out a strange laugh.

[Hehe…. This is getting interesting…. So much fun….]

Heuk Woong replied in a voice as cold as ever.

[Sorry, but with Jeon Wook still around, there’s no room for fun.]

[What?]

[You failed to notice my ability to nullify your defenses with the divine power of the Heavenly Sovereign. If you had taken the Dark Spear like that, it would have been over.]

Bam!

Suddenly, Zhu Rong’s chest exploded. It seemed as though he had been blown apart from within, as azure blood flowed in torrents from his limbs and vital points, leaving him standing there stunned, unable to comprehend what just occurred. Zhu Rong trembled in disbelief, saying,

[You… you….]

Thud!

The Demigod Zhu Rong fell to his knees. I recalled a particular internal energy technique in light of what I saw happen to Zhu Rong.

‘Internal Energy Techniques, Penetrating Strike!’

A powerful technique accumulating internal energy within the opponent’s body, manifested based on a set trajectory and direction! It had developed primarily in the Daoist community, with a long history. Many from the Four Great Families had trained in this technique. What I saw happen to Zhu Rong was a classic case of a victim of the Penetrating Strike!

Though Heuk Woong wielded a spear, it was not impossible. A master of Thunder God spear techniques could gather penetrative energy at the spear’s tip, making it possible to build up internal energy within the opponent’s body.

But how?!

If it were a divine being, it should have been able to ignore even something like the Penetrating Strike!

‘…No.’

Having realized the release of the spear just moments ago, the vibration that resonated was indeed what I now understood to be the manifestation of the Intent Heavenly Pillar!

As Heuk Woong had banked on Zhu Rong with that Penetrating Strike, he moved forward directly towards Jeon Wook, brandishing the spear, and said.

[Jeon Wook! Please let my master go. I sincerely beg you!]

Jeon Wook, silent yet engaged with Heuk Woong’s demands, appeared lost in thought as he crossed his arms. Eventually, he spoke.

[I see…. So the reason you could take down Zhu Rong so swiftly despite the minimal difference in strength is due to that power humans refer to as Intent? You possess the ability to briefly tap into the power that exists in chaos itself, don’t you?]

[…….]

[Zhu Rong’s carelessness also played a role.]

Murmuring this, Jeon Wook’s gaze became sharply directed at Heuk Woong.

[And…. You are also tied by the Law of Cause and Effect to me. You, in a way, are like a child to me. What’s going on here?]

Jeon Wook chuckled.

[How curious. It seems the toy I created for fun is more intimate than you, my own children….]

[Hmm….]

At those words, Heuk Woong seemed to lose a bit of his composure. Though Jeon Wook’s words carried a casual tone, it seemed Heuk Woong’s resolve slightly wavered. Knowing how closely tied Heuk Woong was to me, I could sense the change in his emotions.

“Hey! Get a grip!”

At my shout, Heuk Woong seemed to regain his focus again. Meanwhile, Jeon Wook slowly extended his hand.

[Regardless, I praise your martial prowess. It’s rare to find someone as strong as you in this world above.]

[Please let my master go.]

[No, that’s impossible. Now that it has come to this, I must make you both my subordinates.]

[Do you really think it’ll be that easy?]

Heuk Woong challenged back, and Jeon Wook smirked.

[Child, who do you think you’re standing before?]

Kooom!

Jeon Wook’s power began to expand massively. Seemingly determined not to be overwhelmed, Heuk Woong reinforced his armor and gripped the spear tightly. Yet, as Jeon Wook’s power suddenly multiplied, cracks began to appear in Heuk Woong’s armor.

Snap!!

Snap!!

The pressure was mounting, and Heuk Woong’s potential had been utterly surpassed. I could hardly bear witnessing the overwhelming surge of power from Heuk Woong; if I had control over my body, my lips would be trembling, and my limbs would be shaking uncontrollably.

‘This… this is insane….’

Seeing Heuk Woong’s strength, I thought maybe I could deal a blow to Jeon Wook and escape.

But why? I felt an unchanging distance that reminded me of when I had once feared Jeon Wook vaguely. Although I thought I had grown significantly stronger, the nightmare of an absolute being’s power felt more pronounced than ever.

Kooom!

The pressure was growing stronger….

[Ugh…!]

Even Heuk Woong could no longer suppress the trembling of his entire body. I could feel His spearhead shaking unceasingly. Heuk Woong had already passed the threshold for deliberation on victory.

‘Ugh…. Aaaah….’

This is but a nightmare.

In an instant, I realized…

The absolute sense of powerlessness, akin to a night sky filled with the moon, revealed that the gap between me and that extraordinary being grew clearer the stronger I became.

Finally, a single word escaped Zhu Rong, transformed completely into a giant of darkness, as if mocking me.

[The Three Sovereigns stand before you.]