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“Asura of the Eight Parts of the Divine!”

That being is said to be the embodiment of combat, contending for the strongest among the Eight Parts of the Divine. I had once laid eyes on his face when the White Lotus Sect was threatened by them. So, recognizing him now didn’t seem to matter. Because if such a powerful being wanted me dead, there wasn’t really anything I could do about it.

I asked Asura, “Why do you want to kill me? Let’s at least understand the reason before that happens.”

Normally, anyone would ask this question after having given up all hope for their life. But for me, it was different. Even if I was to die, gaining any sliver of information before that would be a gain, making it somehow more important than combat itself. As I calmly inquired, Asura replied.

“You were already being watched by the Celestial. In the midst of all this, Lord Chi You found out you had the National Seal, leading to surveillance, eventually commanding to seek out the Palace of Empress Wu Zetian at Dark Heaven Village.”

“……”

Thinking back, Chi You was indeed registered as a mid-level administrator of the National Seal. He could easily monitor the Seal if he wanted. But given there hadn’t been any major happenings until now, it seemed information didn’t automatically transfer over to him.

‘It’s clear now…’

While using the National Seal, I must avoid capturing the attention of the Eight Parts of the Divine. The information they acquire simply goes straight to Chi You, leading to situations like this! One more reason emerged for me to maintain caution after my rebirth.

Puzzled, I asked again, “Is there a reason I can’t search for the Palace of Empress Wu Zetian? Does that warrant a powerful Demon King like you coming all the way to Dark Heaven Village to assassinate me?”

“You really talk too much…” Asura replied with a peculiar light in his eyes.

“My master dislikes you disturbing the great [Old Ruler] while you claim to be searching for the Seven Luminaries. Also, she is not unrelated to my master. It’s like capturing a troublemaker.”

“Hmm…”

The notion that Empress Wu Zetian was under the protection of the [Old Ruler] crossed my mind. ‘When Empress Wu Zetian performed the divine ceremony, she made an offering of Tydaht and became a divine being, which closely relates to the Yacha and Chi You’s underlings… it makes sense.’

So Chi You doesn’t mind collecting the Seven Luminaries, but his attention is on the [Old Ruler], huh?

“Now, die.” As I pondered Chi You’s intentions, Asura’s rusty iron sword silently sliced the air.

Boom!

It was a fleeting moment. Just a light cut, but in that instant, I felt the Fire Dragon Sword react on its own, summoning the Fire Dragon Incarnate for protection. Then, an enormous explosion erupted, engulfing the area in deafening light. I sensed the blast sweeping me back as I flew away.

‘What?!’

No warning at all, and such a tremendous attack was launched!

Considering my senses ranked among the best in the Central Plains, it was utterly ludicrous. Even the strongest techniques of leaders like the Abbot or experts in the Absolute Realm shouldn’t be something I couldn’t even ‘sense’.

Did he manipulate time? As I pondered in shock, the Fire Dragon Incarnate took form in flames and shouted to me.

[Baek Woong! Hand over your body to me!]

[What?!]

[That being would not be defeated by assisting you. Decide quickly, or you will die!]

[Hold on!]

I hesitated. ‘Should I unleash the Evil God’s spell to weaken that Asura first?’

The concern of dying here felt too imminent, making it worth a shot. The Evil God’s spell was a precious divine-level spell and used once, but if it saved my life, it would be worth it. However, if I could resolve this without the spell, it would feel like a waste.

‘Saving it can backfire!’

But I had no way of measuring the capability gap between the Fire Dragon Incarnate and the Asura. Not wanting to burn my own house down while hesitating, I began chanting spells as I was wrenched backward.

“Constellation flowing in the time of destruction! I, beg for your strength, and I worship the future millennium!”

Whoosh!

At that moment, the Evil God’s spell shot forward, enveloping Asura’s form. This spell is known for its inability to be dodged or blocked, thus catching Asura off guard.

“No, this spell… It can’t be…”

Boom!

Asura’s human form appeared to be devoured by a mass of tentacles emerging from chaos. This spell had once devoured the Ten Heavenly Generals all at once. As his aura vanished in a blink, I looked ahead in disbelief.

“Huh?”

Could it be that I just finished him off with a single spell?

While I found myself secretly hoping, the Fire Dragon Incarnate urged me.

[Well done. Now hand over your body!]

“That jerk isn’t dead yet?”

[The spell you used belonging to the [Old Ruler] is a powerful divine magic, but he’s not weak enough to die from just that. He is at least an equivalent to the Dragon of the Apocalypse or stronger, so it’s not easy.]

“Hmm!”

[It’s good you weakened him, but stop wasting time and go all out. If he means business, you will die in an instant.]

Crack-crack!

As the Fire Dragon Incarnate’s words rang true, a surge of powerful ferocity erupted from the tentacled chaos, and a brilliant light began to seep out visually. The Asura was fighting to unveil his real form despite the Evil God’s spell! I gulped hard and raised the Ruyi Staff, shouting at Cheon Gong-pyo.

“Please lend me your power! I can’t afford to retreat!”

Cheon Gong-pyo manifested her spirit and looked at the Fire Dragon Incarnate.

[Indeed… Is this the avatar of the Shenglong? I wonder what makes a Dragon King like you follow such an ugly fellow.]}

The Fire Dragon Incarnate replied as the two locked eyes.

[You, sinner of the Celestial Realm. If you help us, I will petition the Three Officials of the Celestial Realm for your release.]

Recognizing that Cheon Gong-pyo was the powerful Great Immortal, the Fire Dragon Incarnate must have suggested it so as to sway her. With their combined strength, they stood a decent chance against the Asura.

But, it seemed Cheon Gong-pyo suddenly got offended. Her peerless beauty twisted slightly.

[What? Who do you think you are, offering me mercy?]

[It’s not mercy; it’s a deal.]

[Don’t kid me. The seal by Taishang Laojun is almost undone, and I’ll be freed soon enough just by staying put. How dare you underestimate me…!!]

Swish!

Suddenly, Cheon Gong-pyo’s form vanished and slipped into the Ruyi Staff. At that moment, it grew heavy, causing me to scream.

“Gahhh!”

It was incredibly heavy!

The Ruyi Staff had transformed suddenly, becoming so heavy that even with my effort I couldn’t hold it, feeling as though my shoulders might dislocate with a weight comparable to a tiny mountain. I quickly opened the wooden armor to stuff the Ruyi Staff inside.

‘Dammit! She must be angered, maxing out the Ruyi Staff’s weight!’

It seemed I wouldn’t be able to rely on Cheon Gong-pyo’s help now. But I couldn’t blame the Fire Dragon Incarnate; I could only curse Cheon Gong-pyo’s twisted personality in my mind. Her pride had led her to misinterpret the Fire Dragon Incarnate’s words.

Reluctantly, I turned to the Fire Dragon Incarnate.

“Fire Dragon Incarnate! I need your help!”

[Leave it to me!]

Whoosh!

Eventually, the Fire Dragon Incarnate granted me divine skill. I felt her control return to me as it had when I defeated the Alchemist, feeling her take charge of my body. In one hand, she held the Fire Dragon Sword; in the other, she lifted Xuyou to prepare for battle.

Crack-crack!

Asura still hadn’t recovered from the spell; remnants of darkness filled with tentacles illuminated the surroundings, seeping bright rays of light. The Fire Dragon Incarnate observed for a moment before breaking the silence.

[What a weird guy. Did he wait for us to prepare?]

Bang!

Simultaneously, the mass of tentacles burst open, and from within, the Three-Sided Six-Difference Demon emerged in a flash. I tensed, realizing that Asura’s true form bore resemblance to that of a human, yet his aura was beyond description. His six arms brandished various weapons.

Grinning in the middle, Asura spoke.

[Dragon King, wouldn’t it be more fun if that Great Immortal fought alongside you? What a pity that coordination didn’t happen, huh?]

[If that were the case, your victory would have been harder. Do you fancy relishing in predicaments before enemies?]

[Hehe.]

Through their exchange, I understood Asura’s mindset.

He must be waiting for us to join forces!

If he wanted, he could have easily shaken off the Evil God’s spell and killed me instantly, but it seemed he found amusement in my reliance on the strengths of the Fire Dragon Incarnate and Cheon Gong-pyo. He was surely biding his time for a three-way clash. The Fire Dragon Incarnate seemed to regard such behavior as arrogant.

[How presumptuous.]

[Not particularly. I just enjoy fighting strong opponents… it’s in my nature.]

[Hmm.]

[By the time I got here, taking down weak humans just wasn’t entertaining, but my eyes are wide open now.]

With that, Asura crossed his arms.

[Well then, I’m willing to wait some more. Call that Great Immortal back out.]

[……]

Is he out of his mind?

For someone who came to kill me, he seems unusually laid-back. You’d never expect an enemy to indulge in such leisure when fighting for their life! I was both dumbfounded and anxious, but the Fire Dragon Incarnate spoke up.

[Fine.]

The Fire Dragon Incarnate retrieved the Ruyi Staff from the wooden armor and addressed Cheon Gong-pyo.

[If you choose not to help, stay stuck in the ground.]

Thud!!

With that, the Fire Dragon Incarnate hurled the Ruyi Staff into the ground, causing a massive quake as it sank due to the overwhelming weight. I stared inwardly, bewildered, and said to the Fire Dragon Incarnate.

[W-What are you doing?!]

[If they’re useless, might as well provoke them? Calming them is a waste.]

[Ugh.]

But what if Cheon Gong-pyo gets mad and sides with Asura?

As I impatiently fretted, the Ruyi Staff suddenly expanded greatly, revealing its divine essence. Cheon Gong-pyo shot a frigid glare at the Fire Dragon Incarnate.

[I really don’t like this.]

The Fire Dragon Incarnate went back without losing her spirit.

[You were the one who first lost your spirit.]

Before me unfolded a tense standoff between two peerless beauties. At that very moment, I was filled with worries if Asura would strike while we were distracted, yet he merely watched us with keen interest. It was clear he craved a thrilling confrontation with a stronger foe.

‘Doesn’t he even consider he might lose?’

As I was inwardly dumbfounded, Cheon Gong-pyo finally said,

[Alright, I will lend you my power. We can’t waste time here.]

[Focus.]

Effectively, the Ruyi Staff returned to my grip, feeling light as a feather again. It seemed Cheon Gong-pyo was finally ready to unleash her powers, her spirit emerging like a shadow behind the Fire Dragon Incarnate.

With everything prepared, Asura grinned.

[Well then, let’s see what you’ve got!]

Asura’s Three-Sided Six-Difference began to tremble, releasing a colossal surge of red light. As the light shot towards us, the Fire Dragon Incarnate swung her sword, deflecting it, and in that split second, Asura barreled forward, launching a fearsome sword strike.

Crackle!

Cheon Gong-pyo conjured up the Thunder God’s magic as a thunderous roar echoed, unleashing a thousand bolts from the sky. As if we had stepped into a lightning inferno, Asura glowed brilliantly, raising his sword skyward.

Huh?

I felt a sense of foreboding from that motion.

‘No way…’

Because I never considered Chi You’s avatar would use that technique. It was beyond comprehension.

Nirvana of the Absolute!

In that fleeting moment, Asura’s blade radiated with light. That light accelerated and turned dark as if everything around was silenced. The weapons gathered within that form contained martial arts, philosophy, and pure essence itself.

The swords in his six arms soon began emitting distinct techniques.

Moon Blade, Thousand-Hand Guanyin, Self-Reliance Specter, Flying Heaven Spirit Pearl, Explosive Destruction Sword, and Asura Breaking Heaven.

Just as the moment passed,

[Ngh!!]

The Fire Dragon Incarnate barely managed to withstand the onslaught of the six launched techniques combining to unleash a storm of power. She summoned the strength of the Fire Dragon, and when they clashed, the sky was distorted, drying up the surrounding sea and creating countless swirling whirlpools.

Crack!

Even with just the Fire Dragon Incarnate’s power, the defensive barriers surrounding her began to crack, and Cheon Gong-pyo, witnessing this, unleashed her own magic, barely managing to hold ground and getting flung backward.

Somehow, they maintained a stalemate in this clash of forces, but it had become evident that the Fire Dragon Incarnate alone couldn’t defeat Asura.

The Fire Dragon Incarnate expressed her confusion.

[You are an avatar of Chi You and a divine being. How come…?]

[Are you claiming I don’t fight using divine abilities?]

Asura chuckled.

[Hahaha! I prefer fighting using martial arts, honing my skills over thousands of years, and becoming the supreme martial artist of Tianzhu. The essence of the Absolute Realm has its own advantages; there’s no rule saying I must fight solely with divine abilities, right?]

That was true.

What Asura just displayed was the final stage of his martial arts mastery!!

The ability of Nirvana of the Absolute allows him to unleash all condensed martial techniques or secret techniques, and he had just summoned an attack with a power six times greater than that of any expert in the realm of the Absolute!

 

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