1213——————==

Soul of the Evil God

I showed quite a bit of curiosity at the Master of the White Lotus Sect’s words.

“The fusion of Chaos and Primordial Void…?!”

Fusion!

I knew it was already a technique used by the Master of the White Lotus Sect; I once even asked Master Mangnyang about its principles. However, the methodology he shared was so complicated that it seemed unattainable for an ordinary human, and the prerequisites were just beyond what I could comprehend at my current level.

“Isn’t it something you can only use after achieving the Primordial Spirit?”

This was the problem.

According to what I heard from Master Mangnyang, the basic principle involved gathering Chaos and connecting to the law of cause and effect through the Primordial Void. To do that, one would need to dismantle their Qi into a Primordial Void, but paradoxically, overwhelming Chaos was necessary for that. So only the Master of the White Lotus Sect, who possessed overwhelming Chaos as the owner of the Primordial Spirit among humans, could reach the realm of fusion.

The Master of the White Lotus Sect stared at me closely before speaking again.

[Since you didn’t hear the details from Han Baek-ryeong, it looks like your martial arts level upon your return didn’t impress her.]

“…What?”

[When I handed down the Primordial Spirit to the future master Han Baek-ryeong, I made two conditions. You probably know the first one from our initial meeting, but it seems the second condition went unfulfilled…]

Continuing, the Master of the White Lotus Sect added.

[The answer lies in the Immortal Sword. That’s why I had you watch the achievements of your Immortal Sword rather than insist that you learn the external method known as the Primordial Spirit.]

“In the Immortal Sword?”

[Baek Woong. The essence contained in the realm of fusion ultimately lies in grasping the Primordial Void and being able to use it freely. If you can use the Primordial Void, there wouldn’t be any need to dismantle Qi using Chaos.]

“…….”

[The fusion you achieve through the Primordial Spirit is an external method that utilizes the aspects of cosmic destruction. Since you directly learned the secrets of the Dark Night Slash from Asura, it shouldn’t be necessary for you.]

Swooosh

As the Master of the White Lotus Sect levitated a mandala in the air, he sat cross-legged with a concentrated expression, extending his palm towards me.

[However, even external methods are sometimes necessary… and this is that time.]

Whoooosh!!

Suddenly, a black jade erupted from the Master of the White Lotus Sect’s palm and flew towards me. I flinched but quickly realized it wasn’t an attack, so I let it hit me.

Swoooosh

‘What’s this?’

The jade seemed to seep into my body, radiating black energy that enveloped me. Soon, dark spirit energy was flowing from my body like mist, and upon realizing what it was, I shouted.

“Pure Chaos!!”

[Correct. It’s the last crystallization of Chaos that I possessed in my lifetime… and it will engulf you, applying immense pressure. It will try to devour all of your divine power and energy, transforming you into a being of Chaos.]

“…Why?”

[Do you not understand? It artificially manifests the effects of the Primordial Spirit…]

“Ah…!!”

As I began to grasp it, the Master of the White Lotus Sect still held his palm out, saying.

[Focus on wielding the Immortal Sword… and… learn the sensation of fusing those two immense powers temporarily by cutting through the oncoming Chaos!]

“Are you saying to cut with the Immortal Sword?”

[Yes…]

After a brief silence, the Master of the White Lotus Sect continued.

[Actually… it’s a method that’s pretty darn difficult. I told Han Baek-ryeong about this method, but I warned her against sharing it due to its dangers…]

“Is it dangerous?”

[If you fail… not only will you die instantly… but the tremendous demonic energy I have could invade your soul and cause nightmarish side effects…. That’s why you shouldn’t carelessly delve into the Primordial Spirit.]

“I… see…”

[The Primordial Spirit is a realm that a genius must painstakingly study until they acquire the theory; it is a state achievable only through innate talent… You wouldn’t be able to handle it with your current abilities…]

“…….”

My face hardened.

‘Dammit! So it’s a training requiring great talent?’

But I have no talent!

The chances of succeeding in such training requiring divine intuition are practically zero!

As I tensed up, the Master of the White Lotus Sect said.

[However… perhaps it’s possible now…]

“Master of the White Lotus Sect! Don’t believe in me! I’m not a genius or anything, just a dullard!”

I trembled, my teeth chattering due to my anxiety. It felt like impending doom was just around the corner. Words tumbled out uncontrollably from my gut.

“I only got lucky to encounter many fortuitous events—I was nothing from the start! I felt even worse battling Jang Sam-bong and Peerless Technique!! I fought with all my might but had no moment of realization or insight…!!”

[…….]

I screamed in desperation.

“I’m just an ordinary person. Life isn’t that easy. Miraculous moments of enlightenment don’t just happen!!”

A moment of silence followed.

Then, the Master of the White Lotus Sect, still with his palm out, spoke calmly.

[That’s certainly true. If enlightenment could be gained so easily in crises between life and death, countless martial artists wouldn’t fall so easily…. Who wouldn’t be desperate enough to risk their life in martial arts? If everyone fought for their life, they would certainly be earnest, and moments of miraculous enlightenment like fairy tale stories would be extremely rare… Desperation may be a condition for enlightenment, but it remains just that—no more, no less.]

Finally, he gently lowered his palm.

[But that’s precisely what makes martial arts interesting.]

“…What?”

[The earnest act of protecting one’s life and dignity. That’s a precious will, whether it’s ‘me’ or ‘others.’ That fairness cannot be shattered by something trivial like enlightenment…. This harsh reality is also the essence of martial arts and its fairness.]

“W-well…”

[Imagine fighting hard enough to nearly kill your opponent, only for them to suddenly gain enlightenment and take you down. You’d feel pretty robbed, wouldn’t you? Is that enlightenment even justified?]

I sat there, dumbfounded at the unexpected depth of his thoughts.

I had no idea the Master of the White Lotus Sect, who had maintained his position for decades, had such views!

He was hovering in the air with his hands resting on his Dantian, saying.

[Baek Woong… even if you cannot show miracles… you’re the one who can approach the martial arts more honestly than anyone else… Don’t belittle yourself… and give it your all until the end.]

“But what if despite giving it my all, the situation doesn’t resolve itself…? What if my companions blame me?”

I could have sworn I heard a chuckle from the Master of the White Lotus Sect.

[Even if you die like a worthless insect, no one will blame you.]

“…….”

I felt pathetic.

‘I’m still so far from it.’

The Master of the White Lotus Sect’s capacity was that vast, and here I am, still crouched in this pathetic state. No matter how much pressure from Emperor Gong Sun Xuanwen I faced, showing such pitiful aspects was a disgrace.

I need to grow stronger.

I’ve been trampled and broken before, but if I have a future…. I will make my heart truly strong!

Crack!

I gripped the Immortal Sword tightly, halfway closing my eyes as I delved into concentration, spinning my mind fiercely.

I must use the Dark Night Slash.

The only answer that immediately surfaced in my thoughts was this. I needed to cut the Chaos with the Immortal Sword, but to slice through the Chaos enveloping me would mean I’d end up cutting myself. Of course, now that I had ascended to a master level in swordplay, I theoretically could do it, but there was another answer. It was to use the Immortal Sword but adapt the Dark Night Slash!

‘As my heart rises… my blade moves… and it cuts…’

I repeated that to myself and directed the blade I conjured with my heart toward the Chaos surrounding me. At that moment, I felt a piercing pain and gasped.

‘Ugh!’

The blade of intention I created was meant to inflict physical damage and pain. The intention laid over the Immortal Sword wouldn’t simply resolve the issue. That was the definitive difference between true heart blade and the blade of intention! If I used it as it stood, I would end up carving myself instead of slashing through the Chaos.

It was clear I needed to use Dark Night Slash to cut through the Chaos, but how could I execute that?

That itself was a riddle, and I found myself floundering. This was a conundrum that one might need decades of closed room training just to begin to resolve! However, the Master of the White Lotus Sect, who was watching closely, offered me the insight I needed.

[It’s all about flow. There exists a unique flow even within Chaos; you must sever the pulse of that flow.]

“…….”

[Chaos, while encompassing all, harbors its own unique laws. Even though Chaos seems to enjoy infinite freedom, it inherently desires to return to a great source. To read this, you have to immerse yourself in the Chaos.]

It felt like he was talking nonsense. Perhaps due to my lack of talent, I struggled to grasp the meaning. However, a memory of something Asura once said suddenly flared up in my mind.

[The true weakness of the Nirvana of the Absolute is the joint between the wheel.]

[The joint’s weakness is imperceptible to the eye.]

[Listen closely. [Flow]. The five forms of intention must align to mix into one singular flow, which is an inevitable outcome. If your opponent manages to identify that singular flow and cuts the joint… the Nirvana of the Absolute will be completely neutralized.]

When I was told I shouldn’t learn the Nirvana of the Absolute, that’s when I heard such stories. An existence at the peak of the Dark Night Slash could indeed nullify the Nirvana of the Absolute by severing the joint between the wheel. At that time, I had only lamented that I wouldn’t be able to learn the Nirvana of the Absolute, but now that the Master of the White Lotus Sect used the word [flow], I recalled that memory and began to have different thoughts.

‘Does Chaos have a ‘joint’ too?’

If I could discern that joint and slice it with the Dark Night Slash—wouldn’t that be the answer?

I visualized the Dark Night Slash Asura performed back then, one that could shatter thousands of sword shadows with that single strike! At that moment, I had only been astonished by Asura’s astonishing martial arts, but perhaps what I should have focused on was the cause of that stunning result instead of just the result itself!

‘Let’s give it a try…’.

I muttered as I decided to mimic the Dark Night Slash. I recalled each detail of the technical flow I had seen and every nuance of Asura’s movements down to the smallest muscle. With my heightened memory and observation skills from entering the Absolute Realm, I felt as if Asura was standing right in front of me.

Asura moves to attack me.

The Dark Night Slash precisely observes the Chaos joint surrounding my body.

However, Asura’s gaze across the way is not shared with me, so I have no way of knowing where the joint is.

How can I discern the existence of the joint?

Then it happened.

I instantly felt another presence within me that wasn’t me. It was as if another being was moving my body in place of me—

Could it be the soul?

No, I didn’t sense any soul-like presence.

This was… a memory.

A fair-skinned hand grasped the hilt of my sword. Facing the illusionary attack of Asura, I initiated the Dark Night Slash.

This was the Dragon King’s Fireflower.

The will of a swordsman honed over hundreds of years.

The fiery sword flow intertwined with the sword’s shadow.

As the swift sword dance unfolded, it looked like petals of a heavenly flower were swirling about in the air. [I] and Asura clashed the dark night slashes, and suddenly I felt a strong sense of foreboding about where I would be attacked.

Killing intent flew fiercely, clashing right where that was.

The incessant, ever-flowing joint of Chaos became clearly visible as if right in front of me.

In that moment, I took my sword and swung it for the very first time in reality. I swung it through the air, but the heart blade had somehow been separated from the Immortal Sword, and I felt the massive Dark Night Slash illusion slash my body horizontally.

Chirri-ting!!

With the sound of bells ringing, I awakened from the illusion. Suddenly, the overwhelming force of Chaos from the Master of the White Lotus Sect dissipated dramatically, and I felt that power vanishing.

Swoosh-swoosh

As that energy dissipated, I suddenly felt two opposing powers revolving around my heart, colliding against each other. An ongoing cyclone seemed to clash like razor-sharp blades of an infinite force! I could feel the two whirlwinds merging into a powerful force that was amplifying endlessly.

“This, this is…!!”

[You’ve succeeded.]

“Is this what [fusion] is?!”

Doubtful about my own success, I shouted, and the Master of the White Lotus Sect responded.

[Channel that power into your Immortal Sword and endure against the Heavenly Demon Martial Art. That’s all I can do for you.]

“Wait…!! How did I pull that off?!”

In shock, I alternated glances at my hands.

“I felt like I wasn’t myself just now!”

That last technique certainly couldn’t have been achieved through my sheer talent!

Having trained in martial arts for ages, I’m well aware. To achieve that singular technique would typically require decades, even centuries of closed room training just to hone it to that extent. But how could I have just severed the joint of Chaos with such finesse in an instant!

[Maybe so.]

“Do you happen to know something?!”

[…….]

After a brief silence, the Master of the White Lotus Sect spoke.

[It was merely a fortunate act of adventure… perhaps this is another form of the martial soul that the Martial God desired.]

“……?”

[Baek Woong… your time is now limited.]

Swoosh

The Master of the White Lotus Sect floated to the ground and walked behind me while adopting a combat stance of the Su Shin Sect.

“Master! Why all of a sudden…?”

[They’re here.]

Kugugu…

Two Guardians were slowly walking toward the Master of the White Lotus Sect. Seeing the surge of energy radiating from them, I widened my eyes.

“……!!”

They’re so strong!

The energy emanating from those Guardians was dozens of times more potent than the ones I had just encountered. I immediately realized that each of them was considerably stronger than me, and that an infinitely powerful rule was currently at play.

I asked the Master of the White Lotus Sect.

“What are those Guardians? They were using the Four Great Families’ techniques. Did they also use the Primordial Spirit and Heavenly Spirit Pill?”

[…….]

“Could they be Dokgo Jun and Cheon Woo-jin?”

The Master of the White Lotus Sect fell silent for a moment before replying.

[No. They are even older beings… prepared as part of a very ancient plan…. Dokgo Jun and Cheon Woo-jin are still in the (苦) stage and haven’t adapted to the fusion yet.]

“……?”

[Baek Woong… if there’s a next life, you must find Master Howol. He holds the key to all fate.]

“Master Howol…”

[They’re coming. Now go!]

Squeak!!

The two Guardians lunged at us. At the same time, the Master of the White Lotus Sect activated Heart of Heaven’s Abundance, and a massive mandala exuded a sound as it blocked the Guardians’ assault. In that brief instant, I noticed one of the Guardians letting out a terrifying howl.

[Uoooooo…]

Thunder God Lineage

Running Wild Secret Technique

Blood God

That Guardian took a breath similar to Thunderclap, and red lightning burst forth from his entire body. Although at first glance, it appeared similar to the technique used by Extreme Tiger, I sensed instinctively from afar that it was definitely not based on the Thunder Spirit.

Boom! Bam!

The Guardian, unleashing Blood God, shattered the Master of the White Lotus Sect’s barrier with a single thrust and attempted to crush his head. The force and speed were indeed tremendous, but in that moment, the Master of the White Lotus Sect elegantly slipped the force away and counter-struck the Guardian’s upper body, pushing him back.

Ta-dat

It seemed as though the Master of the White Lotus Sect had the upper hand, but his voice lacked any leisure.

[Go quickly…!! I can’t hold on much longer!]

Crash!

Watching the approaching Guardians, I hesitated for a moment, but then gritted my teeth and turned away.

“Understood!!”

Knowing that the Master of the White Lotus Sect would likely be overwhelmed soon, I had no choice but to abandon him. If I were to get captured here, I wouldn’t even make it to the duel grounds, and everything would be for naught. However, even for the sake of a cause, leaving the Master of the White Lotus Sect and bearing his sacrifice felt unbearably dreary and painful.

I sprinted onward. Amidst my running, a voice like an echo brushed past my ears.

[How was the emotional reunion? Were you glad to see a familiar face after so long?]

I didn’t respond. However, that echoing voice continued chattering at me.

[Do you know that feeling? When you can end the most enjoyable game right now, would you? Would you hesitate? To me, that’s exactly where I am right now. I’ve mulled over how I would proceed.]

“…….”

[Ordinarily, I’d leave it to chance. But I’m the kind who can control even fate. Therefore, I have no choice but to entrust all my will to a being greater than myself. No matter how foolish they are, my blind faith lies solely with that individual, for they are the only one capable of providing me amusement….]

“Shut your trap!!”

As I shouted, the voice cackled.

[What choice will you make…? Hehehehe.]

With that final remark, the voice fell silent.

I knew that voice belonged to Nyarlathotep, so I bit my teeth in rage.

“Just a mouthy brat, I want to stick a knife in his forehead…”

At that moment, I also felt that every step I took was a step toward death. At the end of this path lay the [Throne], where my last confrontation from my past life awaited me.

How could this turn out?

I cleared my mind and ran, soon discovering an enormous door. I slowly began to push it open.

Creeeak….

The moment I stepped inside.

Five figures awaited me.

And upon seeing me, Emperor Gong Sun Xuanwen spread his robes dramatically and made an unexpected statement.

[Reborn one. Master Mangnyang has made an additional proposal.]

I cast a glance at the pitch-black cat sitting nearby. The familiar figure of Master Mangnyang casually opened his mouth between Nyarlathotep and Emperor Gong Sun Xuanwen.

[Nyarlathotep, as an observer of this duel, I request an additional rule.]

His next words seemed to elicit an even more intense grin from Nyarlathotep.

[In this duel, I’ll stake my own self. In exchange, free one of the ascendants bound to the Throne.]