1205——————==

Soul of the Evil God

Crash!

At that moment, a thunderous roar erupted, and behind Mangnyang, a colossal divine figure was summoned. The summoning of Pangu was now seamlessly unfolding. Given that it was originally Pangu being summoned, everyone in the hall should have rejoiced—yet not a single ally dared to utter a breath, all tense and on edge.

It meant that Jeon Wook and Shao Hao, the limbs of the Heavenly Demon, had just been summoned.

And that the Emperor was the source of the Five Emperors.

‘It wasn’t five from the start…’

It was just Emperor Gong Sun Xuanwen.

As I slowly grasped the situation and began to feel dazed, Zhuge Sa, who stood behind me, spoke up.

[Heavenly Demon, isn’t showing all your cards the formula for defeat? What a blunder it would be if Baek Woong were to reincarnate next!]

“It doesn’t matter. Your strategists from the Zhuge clan probably had a hunch about this.”

The Heavenly Demon shifted his transparent gaze to the physical form of Pangu materializing in the void.

“O last heroes of humanity, I offer a modicum of respect. The moment I cannot read the law of cause and effect… the fact that you could reach me in that gap…”

As his words finished, the Heavenly Demon’s left arm moved swiftly, its trajectory aimed right at Miho. As if sensing it in that split second, Miho roared.

[Great heavenly Pangu!! As a chosen apostle of order from Nüwa, grant me your strength!!]

Whoosh!!

A primordial form of Yin Yang appeared like a halo behind Miho. This was undoubtedly an indirect summoning technique borrowing the power of Pangu now being summoned.

Additionally, from the Emperor’s left arm burst forth the true form of Jeon Wook. In an instant, the substantial dark divine body of Jeon Wook stretched out its arms and summoned a gargantuan threshing tool, which it then fiercely swung at Miho’s front.

Boom!

Jeon Wook’s threshing tool couldn’t pierce through Miho’s Yin Yang barrier and bounced back off. Miho’s earlier boast that her strength rivaled the Five Emperors was no empty bravado! Yet, with little harm from the attack, Miho suddenly swayed, letting out a scream.

[Aaaaagh.]

“Miho!!”

Terrifying shrieks!

Upon closer examination, there appeared a golden shining mark imprinted between Miho’s shoulder and neck! It was clear that the golden mark had dealt a significant blow to Miho, leading me to quickly turn to the Heavenly Demon as he retracted Jeon Wook with his left arm, speaking.

“In pure strength, Miho might be equal to Jeon Wook… But while pulling back my left arm, the power that was sealed away in primordial times has also returned.”

“What?!”

“Creating the Four Emperors was akin to tearing apart my own limbs. Until now, I was in a wretched state by human standards. No other ruler has dared to take such risks to prepare for the end.”

A strange smile crossed the face of the Heavenly Demon who looked like Sagong Lin.

“Do you understand? When the end begins, I regain strength and grow stronger, Baek Woong…”

At that moment, I felt something collapse inside me.

“…….”

True power?

Now?

Just thinking about the Heavenly Demon’s might so far—I can’t even begin to fathom whether I could win even after a hundred rebirths… and now he’s getting even stronger?

Is this really reality?

Just as I was stunned into silence, Mangnyang suddenly shouted.

[Pangu! As the summoner! I implore you! Unleash vengeance upon the evil before us!!]

Boom boom boom!!

As Mangnyang declared, the body of Pangu, which had been slowly summoning until now, rushed forward, and one pure white hand emerged from the void. It slowly took a grip on the Heavenly Demon’s body, which appeared unable to escape the attack.

Though one might find it odd that the Heavenly Demon couldn’t evade, I wasn’t one to think that way now.

Focusing my divine power into my eyes, I saw it.

The overwhelming distortion of the law of cause and effect instigated by Pangu!

The absolute power possessed by the primordial deity of order!

That order’s strength overshadowed all actions of resistance or evasive maneuvers attempted by the Heavenly Demon, and I could clearly see the phenomenon unfolding.

Crash!

At last, the Heavenly Demon was captured by the hand of Pangu, yet he spoke nonchalantly.

“If it were the ancient era of the Central Continent, perhaps such an attack would have meant something to me. I had also refrained from interfering with the world, always on guard against such possibilities. But…”

The golden eyes of the Heavenly Demon began to shine brightly.

“Ascension is already mine. What does it matter when you insert yourself after the game is over? Oh, great axis of order…!”

Heavenly Demon Martial Art

Extreme Completion

Lord of Ten Thousand Demons

Boom!

“……!!”

Wh-what is happening…?

I stood agape, witnessing the bizarre scene unfolding before my eyes.

The Heavenly Demon simply pushed his left arm forward, using sheer strength to shove Pangu’s hand away! The hand intended to constrict the Heavenly Demon still held fast, but it appeared as though it was being simply overpowered. Even Mangnyang seemed stunned; his face paled, and despair flickered across it.

[No way….]

Heavenly Demon Martial Art…!!

I could only feel reverence upon seeing that power. I had never imagined that a god could wield martial arts to reach such a level, and that such strength could challenge the primordial deity Pangu!

Is the Emperor truly this strong when reclaiming true power?

The only barely comforting thought was that even the Heavenly Demon, exerting his power, seemed to struggle, his whole body cloaked in golden light, writhing slowly as he tried to break free. But whether he managed to push through or struggled in vain, that power remained on par with Pangu.

Shudder.

‘What should I do?’

I mean… what can I even do?

I could feel my entire body trembling. I had been vacillating on what I should do, but those thoughts were slowly slipping away. Though my body remained unharmed, against such a monster, what could I possibly do? A profound sense of despair overcame me.

[Baek, Baek Woong….]

At that moment, Miho struggled to speak to me.

[It’s come to this… please… go to your next life!]

Boom!

Miho’s form transformed into a white light and dashed forward. Before the Heavenly Demon could fully overcome Pangu’s pressure, Miho was sacrificing her life in the hopes of delivering even the slightest blow to him. I was taken aback by Miho’s actions, shouting.

“Varuna – !!”

The Four Great Artifacts of Water, Varuna, activated instantly. Among the Four Great Artifacts, Varuna specialized in defense, spreading barriers and shields, and enveloping Miho’s body in a protective layer in the blink of an eye. Simultaneously, Miho’s body slam collided with the Heavenly Demon with a tremendous sound.

Boom!

“Eternal Dance.”

However, the Heavenly Demon, seemingly ready for the brief moment, thrust out his right leg to block Miho’s forehead. Miho’s desperate assault was thwarted.

“Die.”

Simultaneously, with another crack, the golden mark aimed to imprint itself on Miho, but Varuna’s barrier burst forth, causing the golden seal to vanish into thin air.

Then the Heavenly Demon grumbled in annoyance.

“Looks like you saved your life thanks to the Four Great Artifacts, fox.”

Boom!!

[Kahh…!!]

Miho’s body was sent flying by a follow-up kick from the Heavenly Demon. That single kick appeared to inflict serious wounds on Miho, blood erupting from her entire body. My heart sank seeing Miho badly injured; I bit down hard, igniting my fighting spirit.

‘Damn it!!’

Given Miho’s state, it would be impossible to continue fighting! There’s no more room to maneuver!

This wasn’t the time to cower under the overwhelming disparity of strength!

Gritting my teeth, I tried to gather my resolve despite my trembling body, pondering how to fight effectively in that fleeting moment. Years of combat training allowed numerous strategies and thoughts to flit through my mind, leading me to suddenly feel something was off.

‘Why hasn’t he finished off Miho with that golden seal?’

The answer came swiftly.

It was a power that couldn’t be used continuously.

There’s a secret behind that golden seal!

“Agni!!”

I summoned Agni from the Four Great Artifacts, aiming at the Heavenly Demon. For ranged support, the fire artifact Agni would be the best choice!

Boom!

“It’s the Four Great Artifacts. I truly must take you seriously now.”

As Agni activated, the Heavenly Demon lazily looked at the divine flame flying towards him, but suddenly lifted his right forearm, which instantly transformed into a colossal dark arm.

“Jeon Wook… my arm, be my strength. Just like back then.”

The Heavenly Demon seemed to mumble something incomprehensible as he activated the Heavenly Demon Martial Art once more.

Heavenly Demon Martial Art

Chi You Kill

Then, as the black arm clashed with Agni’s flames, Zhuge Sa suddenly screamed.

[Ahhh!]

“Zhuge Sa?!”

Boom!

Agni’s flames leaped onto the previously dormant Zhuge Sa!

W-why?!

What technique is that Heavenly Demon using?!

‘Damn it! At this rate, Zhuge Sa will burn to death because of the Four Great Artifacts!’

I hurriedly tried to retract Agni’s flames, but Agni’s voice echoed in my mind.

[Reborn person, this outgoing flame will be the last! If you retrieve it now, you won’t be able to use fire ever again!]

What?! Why?!

[The law of cause and effect is insufficiently bound to the artifact!]

With that last line, Agni ceased to speak, leaving me in a state of inner turmoil. But I couldn’t just leave Zhuge Sa to die at the hands of the Four Great Artifacts!

As I stumbled through my emotions, the Demon King’s body, burning in flames as Zhuge Sa’s form, suddenly looked at me.

[It’s… fortunate, Baek Woong…. Heavenly Demon Martial Art… does it still look like martial arts…?]

“Damn! Just stop it….”

[Don’t! The law of cause and effect is insufficient!]

Zhuge Sa, despite his body burning in agony, faced me squarely and continued.

[Don’t be fooled!! Just because it’s ‘martial arts’ that can defeat the divine realm… does it mean it’s superior!? The Emperor fears the way to break it and is deceiving you! I realized it with this!]

“Zhuge Sa.”

[This is the last move I can make!]

Fire whirled…

Slowly, Zhuge Sa’s body, filled with demonic energy, ignited in Agni’s flames, nearly half of it disappearing. As I hesitated, Zhuge Sa’s eyes turned bright red, and he roared.

[As such, Great Emotion and Ancestral Dragon Niratsa Dag! I offer myself as an offering, help Baek Woong!!]

Boom!!

That was the last stand of the Demon King Zhuge Sa. As Agni’s flames consumed him, a dark core of ominous energy rose in the void, quickly pulling towards my wrist. A sharp pain shot through my wrist as my head spun, and I could hear distant voices echoing.

[To think I’d be summoned to the battle of the end. Fuxi, you truly were right about everything from the primordial age….]

In the gigantic galaxy of the Star Realm.

Standing in the midst of a dark realm that devoured everything, I felt a massive three-headed dark dragon gradually lifting its heads. With the feeling that time and space connected beyond the stellar clusters, the three-headed dragon softly spoke.

[The law of cause and effect has been established.]

Boom boom boom!!

I felt an indescribable dark energy gathering behind me. Suddenly, it felt as if the power of the ‘Old Ruler’ was flooding into my body.

“……!!”

Niratsa Dag!

The Apostle Dracula, whom fate had intertwined with me!

The mark given to me by Dracula on the back of my hand… who knew Zhuge Sa would anticipate that and offer himself to summon Niratsa Dag!

As Niratsa Dag emerged, the Heavenly Demon, seemingly expecting it, spoke.

“It’s been a while, great three-headed dragon. When you appeared in the Divine Temple, I read the probability of your emergence, yet dismissed it due to your acceptance being far too unlikely.”

[…….]

“I never imagined that a primordial sin dragon would accept the summoning of a trifling Demon King. Even a complete summoning at that.”

He spoke as if addressing an old friend.

Emperor Gong Sun Xuanwen and Niratsa Dag seemed to have a history.

Then Niratsa Dag spoke.

[O one with grand ambitions, the ruler with the most unique origin is drawing near to the end’s victory. I might have suspected this, but…. I do not know if you can overcome your roots…. Clinging to such remnants, can the ‘Coming Chaos’ truly be quelled?]

There was a clear mocking tone in his words.

Does he know something?

The Heavenly Demon responded nonchalantly.

“Jealousy makes a poor sight. Don’t think that being an elder of the universe warrants special treatment.”

Boom!!

At that moment, the hand of Pangu, which had been pushing back all along, completely burst free. And the Heavenly Demon’s form, no longer under pressure, surged toward me, as Agni’s flames—still hovering in the void—soared back to launch another strike.

Heavenly Demon Martial Art

Chi You Kill

Once again, as the Heavenly Demon swung his black arm to perform a bizarre technique, it appeared the flames of Agni had shifted towards Mangnyang. I couldn’t make sense of how that even happened.

Boom!

However, despite Agni’s flames igniting around him, Mangnyang didn’t seem to take significant damage like Zhuge Sa. The flames that enveloped him transformed into silver flames, and Mangnyang, with his eyes shut and concentrating, seemed to be chanting something. Perhaps that’s why his body neither burned nor melted, only absorbing Agni’s fire.

Then, as the Heavenly Demon’s righteous fist raced toward me at an incredible speed.

Boom!!

[Oh… wow, strong.]

The history of the Three Feud was leading me to unwittingly launch an attack at the Emperor’s strike, coated with immense dark energy. My grasp around the Heavenly Demon’s hand seemed as solid as rock; it wouldn’t budge, marking my best achievement against the Heavenly Demon thus far.

Heavenly Demon Martial Art

Eternal Dance

In that moment, the Heavenly Demon’s form slightly blurred and seemed to vanish. Then, in that fleeting instant, he reappeared, delivering a righteous strike to my solar plexus, and this time, Niratsa Dag couldn’t save me.

Boom!!

“Cough.”

As I was sent flying from the blow to my solar plexus, a whirlwind of thoughts rushed through my mind.

Niratsa Dag was undoubtedly one of the universe’s most powerful ‘Old Rulers’, yet even that power couldn’t fully withstand the Heavenly Demon Martial Art?! Also, the robust magical energy from the ‘Old Ruler’ was holding the Heavenly Demon in check. How did that previous Eternal Dance manage to slip through?!

Feeling my body begin to roll through the air, Niratsa Dag gently supported me.

[To fight such an existence, you are indeed the Reborn. Before you stands the closest presence to the strongest in the universe.]

‘Do you know the truth about the Heavenly Demon Martial Art?! Please tell me!!’

In my mind’s desperation, I cried out.

[He is of the attribute known as ‘Fusion’. Those possessing Primordial Energy are the ‘yang’ of fusion; those governed by chaos are the ‘yin’ of fusion, making them invincible against anyone as they hold absolute superiority within the balance. I, too, cannot find a way to defeat fusion; thus, I will likely perish in the next attack.]

‘…….’

[How pitiful it is that you will become the Emperor’s trophy, suffering for eternity… just thought I should say that beforehand.]

I gritted my teeth at Niratsa Dag’s words.

‘I will no longer rely on you! So create a moment for me to strike back at him!!’

[How?]

‘Even if my body shatters, lend me all your power!’

[As you wish. I will witness the final struggle of the universe’s end… ]

Boom!!

In the next instant, I felt a surge of all of Niratsa Dag’s power flooding into my body. For a brief moment, being filled with the true demonic energy from the ‘Old Ruler’ transcended any exertion I had ever felt before, overwhelming my body to the point of nearly collapsing. Yet, having already formulated a plan, I mustered every last ounce of strength to shout.

“Vayu! Varuna! Support my body!!”

Whoosh!

The divine wind of water split my body in half and began to shield each side. For a moment, an overwhelming power ebbed just enough for me to regain control, allowing me to realize I had depleted all causation from the Four Great Artifacts I had.

At the same time, I tightened every fiber of my being and unleashed my ultimate secret technique.

Great Destruction!

It felt like my power multiplied by hundreds! I realized that this was my strongest state in all my past lives, roaring toward the Heavenly Demon for my final strike.

‘This is the end!!’

Win or lose, if this fails, there’s no more!

Boom!

Something snaps.

The realm of sound had long since passed, and for a brief moment, my body soared into the realm of light, which soon transcended into a void. Inside this void, it seemed empty, but countless particles swirled around, gradually shrinking and forming a revolving wheel in the center.

Void.

Though it seems paradoxical to reflect on absolute emptiness (kū), I found myself looking down at my existence from afar within that bizarre world. The wheel wrapped around my fist, harnessing tremendous energy, which now surged straight toward the Heavenly Demon.

Boom!

In that moment, fragments of memory sparked in my mind.

This was the memory of [someone]…

[…How very unjust. We only wished to practice medicine… Yet the martial artists ensnared my kin, torturing them, turning them into meat broth….]

[Are you suggesting that living itself is a sin?]

[Grant strength to my physicians…. After gaining power, I will answer your questions. Heh… finally complete… this is Great Destruction… I will bring ruin to the martial world….]

That [someone] watched as thousands of corpses piled up in a blood-soaked field.

The plain-looking physician had, in no time, ended the lives of countless martial artists with two fists. Not a single martial artist who had gathered here would survive.

Without a clue about martial arts, the physician laughed helplessly at [someone].

[Mu-sal (無殺)…. Are you saying what you call the Martial God (武神) is this?]

Mu-sal nodded.

Boom!!

Great Destruction.

The essence of destruction.

True rage against evil.

And the nature of a technique that must be used in such a situation.

That had been sealed away by the law of causation all along.

…It had merely been sealed away, yet utilized as the ultimate destruction technique; who initiated such intent?

And Mu-sal’s technique, Great Destruction, regained its true name as it approached its end.

It wouldn’t have revealed itself unless these circumstances had unfolded from the very beginning.

Imperfection’s Light.

The righteous fist, thrust from the unconscious, slammed into the Heavenly Demon’s Eternal Dance at the same time. In that instant, I realized that the Heavenly Demon’s body had perfectly disassembled into particles, splitting into two within the void—this was the true ability of Eternal Dance, observed only in the realm of emptiness.

Eternal Dance.

Its real capacity is—just as the Master of the White Lotus Sect stated, a dance of chaos shaking the laws. The dance of chaos would bifurcate in an boundlessly primordial fragment of the void, forcibly dividing through the fusion of the essence of Gong Sun Xuanwen. From there, the law of cause and effect would allow one to consistently make favorable choices.

It felt similar to the Blessing of the Sky—but the Emperor, without a doubt, had likely created it in fashioning it to replicate his own myriads of intentions. And within that bifurcation, no matter the actions chosen by the opponent, they would inevitably align with the cascading effects of cause and effect, granting the desired reality.

This was precisely the reason why the Master of the White Lotus Sect had failed to land a single hit against Sagong Lin, acting against the Eternal Dance.

Unless one could perceive the realm equivalent to the Eternal Dance, they couldn’t even touch it.

The ultimate technique that embodies both invincible defense and evasion while also serving as an offensive weapon of unfathomable power!

While it’s possible to contend in the realm of equivalence, even those who possess divine techniques struggle to engage the Eternal Dance.

Boom boom boom!!

However, the inevitable light of annihilation (必滅一光) could defy those principles.

A creation by a being that cannot kill anything (無殺).

The orphan of martial arts generated a technique against the likes of [such] opponents.

Boom!!

[Ah.]

For the first time, a grimace crossed the Heavenly Demon’s face.

My fist had struck his solar plexus squarely, sending him upward. With that impact, I felt every bit of energy drain from me, and through my waning sight, I noticed the Emperor’s spirit, trapped within the Heavenly Demon, erupting from his right leg.

[Aaaaaaah!!]

Shao Hao’s spirit was disintegrating. The Emperor’s essence that resided in the Heavenly Demon was offloading the consequences onto Shao Hao to avoid its collapse. As Shao Hao’s scream dwindled, Jeon Wook’s agonized cries soon followed.

[Uh-huh… Ohhh!!]

Jeon Wook’s spirit seemed relatively intact yet wailed loudly. Through the chaos, I could sense Jeon Wook’s pitch-black gaze resting on me. Burning with some indiscernible obsession and ambition.

Crack!!

‘Is this… the end….?’

Though Jeon Wook endured some damage, he appeared far from obliteration. However, the Heavenly Demon was sent flying and remained still, almost as if he were dead.

So I finally landed a solid hit on the Heavenly Demon.

I recognized that my strength was entirely drained from the Four Great Artifacts, and with my last remaining power dissipating, I understood that I could no longer muster any force to bear.

Sigh…

Simultaneously, the summoning of Niratsa Dag was completely undone. That last strike had expunged all contracts. Zhuge Sa’s ultimate gambit extinguished.

‘Please….’

I felt my strength waning.

As my eyes gradually closed, I felt the Heavenly Demon grasp my throat tightly.

“That was a close one.”

His voice conveyed casual indifference.

That one statement made it clear to me that everything had come to an end.

The opportunity of a lifetime had slipped away.

“`

 

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