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“I can’t believe Asura actually showed up!”

I was completely taken aback. This unexpected appearance was definitely not on my bingo card.

“Why though?”

I was flustered at first, but then my brain started functioning again, and I realized something. I looked at the Asura standing in front of me and said, “Could it be like Sagong Lin mentioned…?”

“You got it.”

Without even turning around, Asura replied nonchalantly.

“Most of the souls of the Great Bear Empire escaped through the rift caused by the Great Bear Empire’s Heavenly Sword, but some chose to stick around. A few had to remain to help you through this nightmare of trials, and I’m one of them.”

“…!!”

Of course!

I understood the situation, but I was still puzzled about one thing and stammered as I got up from my seat, “So, why haven’t you talked to me until now? If you had said something earlier, you could have used your power of creation to help me out….”

“Brahma.”

Asura’s cold voice interrupted my thoughts.

“That guy was being nice to you, but you know he hasn’t extinguished his ambition. If things went sideways, he could’ve taken your companions hostage, and that would’ve been a disaster.”

“Umm…!!”

“It was a good call to kick him out.”

I understood Asura’s words.

‘Right.’

If Brahma got upset, he might have kidnapped my companions or cursed me to manipulate me. Asura had kept an eye on everything until the end, and it was clear that now was a safe time with Brahma gone.

Asura chuckled softly, slowly raising his sword and stepping forward.

“Sit tight and take a break. This fight is mine.”

“……”

I didn’t know what to say. I was well aware of what he meant by “my fight,” but I didn’t feel anxious, so I decided to start healing the wounds I had just sustained using my powers.

Finally, the distance between Asura and Gong Sun Da-rang was exactly one palm’s length. Gong Sun Da-rang, who had been allowed to approach, was the first to speak.

“Are you the original master of the Dark Night Slash?”

Asura looked at her with surprise and replied, “Why do you think that?”

“The strike just now was similar yet different from the Dark Night Slash that Baek Woong showed. If you can wield such a powerful technique without relying on the Immortal Sword, then you must be a pioneer in martial arts.”

“You’re right. If used correctly, the Dark Night Slash could kill you in one hit.”

Asura grinned mischievously.

“But it feels a bit disappointing to just finish you off in one go. How about we trade some basic moves?”

Gong Sun Da-rang responded with a calm tone, unfazed by Asura’s provocation.

“You have good spirit. If you want, I’ll oblige.”

With that, in an instant, a radiant sword formed in Gong Sun Da-rang’s hand, resembling the particles of light gathering together.

‘Is that the final technique of the Natural Sword, the Meteor Blade…?’

I had never seen such a radiant sword technique in my life before, and I was once again taken aback. It seemed like it could even be used as a regular sword, not just an emitting-type sword Qi.

Asura, noticing my astonished demeanor, continued to fixate on the front and said, “Baek Woong, does that shining sword look strong?”

Suddenly, Asura’s question caught me off guard, and I answered without hesitation, “How could I say it’s weak when I just got hit by the Meteor Blade?”

“Ha. You grabbed the clue to escape the Absolute Realm, yet you’re trying to get stuck in a cycle again.”

“What?”

“The stick that guy was using and that radiant sword are different in form. So, does that mean the power contained inside has also changed?”

“…? Obviously not.”

So, up until now, I had defended well against the Natural Sword but lost against the Meteor Blade without a chance to respond.

The radiant sword, the Meteor Blade, must be way stronger, right?

Not grasping Asura’s obvious point, I remained dazed as he shook his head.

“The essence hasn’t changed at all. So, you still can’t break free from the threshold of the Divine Realm.”

“What are you talking about? I don’t get it…”

“Well, just watch. If you don’t understand, save the sight of this duel in your mind, and you will know later.”

Asura assumed a basic posture of swordplay, not specific to any sect, but just a regular stance. He slowly inhaled and began to lower the weight of his sword and center of gravity as if the air in the hall had changed along with him.

Gong Sun Da-rang, observing Asura’s movements while drawing the Meteor Blade, finally said, “I’m coming.”

Woosh!

At that moment, Gong Sun Da-rang rushed in, closing the distance to Asura and aiming for his neck. I couldn’t help but exhale in disbelief at the astonishing pace.

‘Wha… what was that? How fast was that? I couldn’t even detect the movement! The moment I realized, I’d already lost half a breath. What kind of divine technique is that?’

Having just faced off with her, I knew how powerful Gong Sun Da-rang’s technique was. I managed to react a little thanks to the use of Intent Heavenly Pillar, but it felt like I was up against an expert wielding the Thunder Spirit at full force. No matter how strong Asura was, receiving Gong Sun Da-rang’s fast sword effectively would be a challenge.

Clang!

But Asura seemed to have anticipated it, positioning his sword in advance at the trajectory of Gong Sun Da-rang’s strike, rendering no benefit to her. Gong Sun Da-rang’s sword Qi, slithering like a snake’s tongue, resulted in hundreds of changes in an instant, but Asura seemed to predict those as well. He counter-attacked, executing swift yet precise strikes that met every one of Gong Sun Da-rang’s movements.

Clang! Cling! Clang!!

The sound of swords clashing echoed as Asura’s sword and Gong Sun Da-rang’s radiant sword created dozens of flashes of lightning in mere moments. In reality, the speed at which the two absolute masters were moving was so fast that ordinary beings couldn’t even perceive it, and I opened my eyes wide, realizing just how intense their sword fight was.

‘The intricacies of Intent and Reality are unbelievably complex…!!’

How many strategies and psychological battles are hidden within a single move? Usually, I’d just push through with force if it got too complicated, but Asura was an entirely different breed. He responded to Gong Sun Da-rang’s richly detailed yet skillfully refined Gongsun Sword Technique while refusing to give an inch in every psychological exchange.

It was utterly absurd. Saying it was easy pales in comparison to predicting dozens of changes and deciphering the opponent’s psychology behind each and every one of them. If all the masters of the world tried to do this, they’d be laughed at for how unrealistic the expectations are.

But Asura was managing it. He was perfectly defending against Gong Sun Da-rang’s intense Gongsun Sword Technique without giving her so much as a single step’s ground closer to his area.

Gong Sun Da-rang looked equally astonished. Suddenly, she conjured another radiant sword in one hand and muttered, “How about this?”

Bang bang bang!

Switching to twin swords doubled the variations of Gong Sun Da-rang’s technique. Her twin weapons, true to her status as a master, moved in perfect harmony, showcasing the essence of her peerless swordplay like a massive cloud rising.

In that instant—Asura smiled.

“Not much, really?”

Bang bang bang!

With sounds like something violently bouncing off, Asura’s single sword pierced through the cloud-like shadows of blades, attempting to strike at Gong Sun Da-rang’s throat! She appeared to be gravely injured, but in an instant, it turned out to be a mere shadow, as her true form was three paces away.

Drip…

Yet, there was a long gash across Gong Sun Da-rang’s collarbone, a testament to the power of Asura’s attack. She may have evaded the sword’s direct hit, but the evidence of the near miss was undeniable.

Watching from the sidelines, I began to piece together what just happened.

‘… Asura changed his weapon four times in an instant…!!’

First, he used a knife to parry the sharp points of Gong Sun Da-rang’s swordplay. Then, a short chakram appeared to slice through her advancing energy, and on the third, he struck her chest with a palm strike. Just as he struck, Gong Sun Da-rang tried to retaliate with the center of her energy using her sword, but Asura countered her counter with a powerful strike in response, exploiting the opening she created. She couldn’t counter-attack effectively and ended up in a losing position.

Who would have thought that in that single moment Asura would swap weapons using intent and precisely pierce through the shortcomings of his opponent’s reach?

Furthermore, from my understanding, Asura’s recent displays of weaponry and techniques were undoubtedly his unique martial arts style.

‘The six techniques that compose the Nirvana of the Absolute!’

He surely followed with the brilliant divine technique that reached the peak of his capacities and then reattained the Moon Blade before employing the Explosive Destruction Sword to secure his counterattack!

What an unbelievable divine skill!

And this duel meant one thing.

‘Sword Qi… in pure technical prowess, Asura is several levels above Gong Sun Da-rang!’

Every move and possibility available to Gong Sun Da-rang was blocked by Asura’s technique. Because no matter how diverse and dazzling her Gongsun Swordplay was, compared to Asura, who had mastered six peerless martial skills and even accomplished the Nirvana of the Absolute only to forget everything, it could not stand a chance.

Seemingly realizing this fact, Gong Sun Da-rang’s expression momentarily stiffened. She couldn’t believe it and said incredulously, “You’re not a Martial God Council member. Yet, you’ve reached such an extreme level?”

Asura chuckled lightly. “That’s unpleasant to hear. What makes you think you guys are the only ones entitled to reach the peak of martial arts? You can pursue greatness without the assistance of the Martial God.”

“…….”

“But Baek Woong, did you notice something from the bout just now?”

Suddenly, Asura threw a question my way, pulling me back to the moment. I replied in confusion.

“What… what should I recognize?”

“You squared off against the Meteor Blade, which brought you down in one shot, yet you engaged in over a thousand exchanges effortlessly.”

“…….”

It hit me then.

Stumbling over my words, Asura continued, “Whether it’s a stick or a radiant sword, what matters is the [heart] behind it. The radiant sword isn’t powerful because it’s concentrated force packed into a blade, but it’s simply a form that’s comfortable for Gong Sun Da-rang to use.”

“……!!”

“Comparing when it was a stick to now, Gong Sun Da-rang’s offensive power hasn’t actually changed. You getting that?”

What?!

I found it hard to accept Asura’s statement and shouted, “That’s nonsense!! The power of the Meteor Blade that took me down can’t be explained like that…”

“The manifestation of a technique that has reached the Divine Realm is entirely different from the Absolute Realm’s Intent Heavenly Pillar, perhaps diverging into realms of difference. Your inability to comprehend that was why you struggled against the Divine Skill.”

“……?”

Honestly, this is so confusing….

As I was in the midst of my bewilderment, Gong Sun Da-rang interjected.

“Looks like you’re explaining the principles of the Divine Realm to that kid. However, you also know that the Divine Realm isn’t something that can be easily breached with just a few words of explanation, right?”

Asura smiled wryly. “Well, he might not realize it himself, but he may already have the principles of the Divine Realm within him. Whether by chance or fate, once he figures it out, he could turn into a monster.”

“……”

“Now, then, it’s time to bring this to an end.”

Step…

Asura took a step forward. The dark glow in his eyes started to undulate.

“I’ll show you what the true Dark Night Slash means.”

True Dark Night Slash…!

Asura finally assumed the stance for drawing his sword. It appeared as powerless and natural as the stance Gong Sun Da-rang had just shown, where I sensed nothing from Asura this time, not even a hint of energy.

Chills ran down my spine.

In that moment, I understood the implications.

Asura’s formlessness meant he had reached a level so high that it was beyond my grasp of perception.

Gong Sun Da-rang was also not idle. She reduced her two radiant swords down to one, and that remaining sword, instead of releasing immense energy, pressed down like solid rock, compacting its power. Gong Sun Da-rang had also reached the ultimate level of her natural form distinguished as a swordsman.

‘What happens when formless meets formless?’

Do they just not collide and pass through each other?

My curiosity couldn’t help but keep my eyes fixated on the intense duel between the two absolute masters.

As a tense atmosphere hung in the air, Asura made the first move.

Dark Night Slash.

A line of darkness that seemed to slice through dawn swept diagonally at Gong Sun Da-rang’s true form, threatening to cut her in half. It seemed her very body might be halved, but at that moment, Gong Sun Da-rang unleashed a powerful counterattack in the form of a radiant strike that razed the air.

Crackle…!!

That was the Meteor Blade unleashed at full power!

The culmination of the Natural Sword’s mastery, the divine technique that burst forth with the power of a meteor dropped from the heavens, seemed to light up all around in a splendid array, and as I was also caught in that range, it felt as if my will was being suppressed, and my body was being sliced into millions of pieces again.

Feeling the Meteor Blade once more, questions of doubt surged within me.

This is truly a mythical sword technique beyond comprehension.

The Dark Night Slash looked to have fallen victim to the radiance of the Meteor Blade as well.

Could Asura really overcome this? Just when those doubts began to surface, Asura’s soft voice came through as if to answer them.

“Return to One, Nothingness Slash.”

Swoosh!

The battle ended right there.

The Meteor Blade, that once filled the world with light, vanished without a trace, leaving only Asura’s silhouette as he retrieved his sword. Gong Sun Da-rang was still leaned against a log some distance away, but there was an enormous sword wound slicing diagonally from her chest to her pelvis, definitively marking the victory of this match.

The outcome was decided in a second.

“……”

The problem was I had no clue what had just transpired.

Despite being aware of the dazzling duel and the frenzied pace that seemed faster than light, I couldn’t comprehend why the Return to One, Nothingness Slash had dismantled Gong Sun Da-rang’s Meteor Blade. All I knew was it had happened in a flash and everything had ended just like that, and I hadn’t even managed to see when and how the Return to One, Nothingness Slash was unleashed.

Swish….

It appeared that Asura wasn’t entirely unscathed either, as his forearm bore a deep wound. Watching the blood trickle from his arm, Asura gazed at his injury and said, “Not bad. If my heart had perfectly aligned with the blow, I might have been finished alongside you.”

Gargle…!!

On hearing Asura’s words, Gong Sun Da-rang spat out blood mixed with coughing. Yet, even at this extent, she stared into the eyes of the victor, Asura, with a calm, expressionless demeanor, saying, “If only you had been the Martial God Council member…”

“Why?”

“I’d like to spar with you more often…”

“……”

Asura looked momentarily stunned. It was an unexpected reaction.

“Hehehe! Hahaha!!”

Asura burst into hearty laughter, and for reasons unknown, there was neither resentment nor anger in his chuckles.

“I would’ve liked that too! Hahaha.”

“……”

Gong Sun Da-rang lowered her head, unable to continue speaking. As her fate was cut short by the Return to One, Nothingness Slash, Asura approached and gently closed her eyes, muttering, “That’s why I really can’t stand that Martial God.”

Phew, is it finally over?

‘Now it’s time to wrap this up and go for the final three wins.’

I figured if Asura helped, the last battle should be a piece of cake!

As I approached Asura, who had observed the whole sequence of events, I asked, “Are you okay? Let me heal that wound for you…”

Zoom!

In that moment, Asura’s sword shot towards me like lightning, and I unexpectedly took a strike right to the chest.

Slashed!

“Gah?!”

Taken aback by the unanticipated assault, Asura turned to me with a cold gaze and said, “Baek Woong, this won’t do.”

“What?”

“You’ll have to either learn the Return to One, Nothingness Slash or die at my hands. Pick one.”

 

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