Chapter 719
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Dark Heaven Village
The moment I faced off against Peng Zuo, I pondered how to fight that guy.
Martial arts?
Techniques?
What I knew for sure was that charging in recklessly wouldn’t be a good move at all. Just then, Cheon Woo-jin stepped forward and shouted at Peng Zuo.
“Quickly, use the lightning seal!”
crackle!
An eight trigrams formation rose around Peng Zuo like waves, crackling with lightning. Surprised by this sudden, powerful sealing technique, Peng Zuo paused for a second but soon began to move again. As I watched, Cheon Woo-jin narrowed his eyes and muttered.
“Impressive.”
[Heh… such a trivial trick.]
Suddenly, something was summoned around Peng Zuo, enveloping him in a dark sphere for defense.
The Fire Dragon Incarnate spoke from within me.
[The treasure is the Hunyuan Umbrella! So that guy had it.]
“Hunyuan Umbrella? Isn’t that…”
[It’s the treasure of Ma Ye-hong from the Demon Sorcerer Clan during the War of the God Sealing. That treasure boasts incredible defense even among celestial realms.]
“……!!”
I was taken aback.
The Ma Ye-hong from the War of the God Sealing!
That being was also a Great Immortal of ancient times, known to wield the powers of formidable treasures while serving under the Taesa lineage. Skill-wise, they were on par with the likes of Lee Heung-pae, known as the Master of the Island, and were said to have been sealed away by celestial beings in ancient times. And now, the relic of the Demon Sorcerer was in the hands of Peng Zuo.
But that wasn’t all. As soon as the Hunyuan Umbrella appeared to protect him, Peng Zuo began summoning yet more treasures!
kki-ging
A dark pipa summoned by Peng Zuo emitted a strange sound that caught Tang San’s attention, his eyes suddenly sparkling. He charged at me and unleashed the Thunderclap technique.
Thunder God Lineage, Ultimate Technique!
Thunder God Fist!
‘Huh? Hey!!’
Why is this guy coming at me? Is he out of his mind?!
KABOOM!
I hastily blocked Tang San’s Thunder God Fist, but faint silver threads began to unravel, trying to strike me. It was clearly the signature technique of the Demon Clan, and as I dodged five times in mid-air, Tang San swung his arms again, unleashing another ultimate technique.
Secret Technique!
Sky Full of Fire Rains!
“Ugh!!”
My mind reeled at the sight of intent-infused attacks flooding towards me. Among them, there were real daggers and evil energies mixed together, making them almost indistinguishable when unleashed by the Mental Control Technique. And with that speed and force, even I found it hard to fend them off.
However, I managed to deflect Tang San’s Sky Full of Fire Rains by adapting techniques I had learned from the Bowing Sky Slash and the Thunder God’s Grave.
ka-THWACK
‘Damn, if I hadn’t experienced hell lessons from Lee Cheong-un, I might be dead right now.’
Just as I staved off Tang San’s assault, a gigantic creature appeared from the sky. This creature was so immense it could cover the skies, rushing down with an enormous mouth wide open.
KABOOM!!
PA-AT!
With the relentless attacks, I quickly fled with my companions to another location. Fortunately, everyone here managed to dodge that attack. I yelled at Tang San right after blocking Peng Zuo’s first strike.
“You son of a gun! Are you suddenly betraying me?”
“……”
But Tang San didn’t respond to my shout and was merely preparing to fight with a vacant expression.
Realizing that something was off, I kept my guard up against Tang San, when Cheon Woo-jin stepped in to tell me.
“It’s the power of the Ma Ye-hong’s treasure, the Black Pipa.”
“Black Pipa?”
“It can brainwash tens of thousands at once. It seems Tang San has fallen under its influence.”
“Ugh, brainwashing treasures…”
I frowned. As for me, that was one thing, but Seo Mun-hye had a mythical bloodline so she shouldn’t be affected, and Cheon Woo-jin wouldn’t be caught by such a thing either. Not to mention Berus, who was beyond human, making it odd that only Tang San fell victim. After all, he was just an ordinary human.
“You don’t mean… Peng Zuo can use all of the Demon Sorcerer’s treasures?”
Cheon Woo-jin nodded.
“No doubt. He seems to have more up his sleeve…”
“Hmm…”
I sighed.
‘Peng Zuo can use at least four treasures? But that’s impossible.’
Right now, Peng Zuo was pressuring us while using the Demon Sorcerer’s treasures simultaneously, which was simply unbelievable. Regardless of how he acquired the demon sorcerers’ treasures, those things devour an immense amount of spiritual energy and ki, making them certainly not easy to use. And even for a Great Immortal, it was extremely rare to use two or more treasures at once.
Even if Peng Zuo is a descendant of a deity, how is he pulling off using so many treasures at once?
As if sensing my doubts, Cheon Woo-jin spoke up.
“So you think a direct confrontation would put us at a disadvantage?”
“You must have felt the power of using multiple treasures during the battle against Cheon Gong-pyo.”
“……”
“We probably won’t lose, but if we push with pure strength, we’ll suffer unnecessary losses. And Cheon Gong-pyo is watching us as well. For now, approach cautiously.”
“Got it. And what do we do about Tang San being brainwashed?”
Cheon Woo-jin glanced at Tang San, then replied.
“I’ll hold him off for a bit. You explore Peng Zuo’s potential with the help of the Fire Dragon Incarnate and Jin So-cheong. Seo Mun-hye should eliminate the remaining demon sorcerers.”
“Understood…”
I was about to respond when suddenly a weird feeling hit me.
‘Uh… Come to think of it, where’s Jin So-cheong?’
Tang San was strong enough to take down the entire Sichuan Martial World, so he’d definitely reached the absolute realm of martial arts. Yet even he could be caught off guard by a moment’s neglect and fall to the brainwashing of the Black Pipa. That showed how formidable treasures were. But right beside me, Jin So-cheong only looked a bit unwell and showed no signs of being affected by the mental assault.
Why wasn’t Jin So-cheong affected?
Before I could ponder further, Jin So-cheong sprinted ahead and declared, “Baek Woong! I’ll smash the Flower Fire Grass!”
“Oh, right!”
While Jin So-cheong attacked the Flower Fire Grass, I immediately used the Soul Removal technique to launch an attack on the distant Peng Zuo. As I surged forward enveloped in the energy of the Fire Dragon, he darkened one hand and gripped his sword.
kka-gang!
‘Ugh.’
As my sword met his, I felt a wave of numbing pain throughout my body. The sword he wielded was the Qingyun Sword, a treasure of the Demon Sorcerer, which bestowed immense power, and it seemed his strength rivaled that of the Giant Race. If I’d been holding an ordinary longsword, I might have spit out blood right now.
The clash made me realize just how vast the disparity in our capabilities was. Even without treasures, I definitely couldn’t win against Peng Zuo one-on-one! The difference in our races was like heaven and earth.
As we strained against our blades, Peng Zuo licked his lips and laughed.
[Hehehe… You look like an ordinary human brat, so how did you make it this far?]
“Hmph, can you read fortunes too?”
[Of course… You’re definitely an ordinary person, so it’s strange.]
I felt a prick of annoyance at his words. But instead of letting it derail me, I shouted and put more strength into my sword.
“Try dying once by the sword of an ordinary person!”
KABOOM!
At that moment, the Thunder God’s sword force exploded, gliding straight to strike Peng Zuo’s neck. However, despite the full-on hit, Peng Zuo just looked mildly annoyed, while I swung again, landing several cuts. Yet again, I felt that I didn’t make a dent in him.
“What the…”
[Hahaha… You don’t even know I’m wearing the Eight Trigrams Garment, do you?]
“Wait, you’re wearing a treasure?”
[Your attacks won’t work on me!]
Peng Zuo boasted confidently.
I was left dazed, having never faced an enemy like this before.
Wrapped in treasures and flaunting the ultimate defense!
He was nothing like the enemies I had encountered so far.
True, even if he was using multiple treasures at once, he was nowhere near the level of Cheon Gong-pyo. Unlike Cheon Gong-pyo, who could unleash the potential of treasures simultaneously, he was just leveraging the armor’s effect.
Tsk… But how do I win…
That thought provided a bit of comfort but the weird struggle remained. Feeling despondent, I put all my martial arts into play and charged at Peng Zuo.
kka-gang! Kka-gang!
We fought for over two hundred seconds!
The Fire Dragon Incarnate reinforced my sword with its flame energy, but alas, it still didn’t penetrate. Considering that my single attack could cut mountains with the effect of my internal power, it was ridiculous to see such defensive strength. Even with my blade piercing the sea god, it hardly fazed Peng Zuo.
THWACK!
“AHHH!”
Just as I blocked a strike from Peng Zuo that hit my ribs, I barely managed to protect myself with the Protection Energy Technique, but the pain made me scream out. I felt cold sweat run down my back.
‘Time and Space manipulation!’
Just now, I hadn’t been able to evade the Soul Removal and the spell had drawn me closer, allowing Peng Zuo to hit me with a punch. The technique was simple, yet it rendered me unable to launch my martial arts, caught off guard by a force that even broke my Protection Energy Technique.
‘Fighting him must mean ascending to the Absolute Realm to even stand a chance…!!’
Even as a Peak Expert, I couldn’t prevail against Peng Zuo with my vast internal power and great martial arts. I needed to breach the defenses of the Eight Trigrams Garment and possess a resistance against the Time and Space manipulation using the Mind Control Technique—things only possible in the Absolute Realm.
With no choice, I resolved to hand over control of my body to the Fire Dragon Incarnate. When the Fire Dragon Incarnate descended, my spiritual energy and physical abilities would surge, and I could tap into the Dragon King’s powers. However, even then, the Fire Dragon Incarnate seemed to only be able to hold off Peng Zuo without a clear strategy.
KABOOM!
THUD…
The Fire Dragon Incarnate unleashed vast flames like a dragon, but Peng Zuo emerged from the smoke unscathed. Laughing slyly, he mocked the Fire Dragon Incarnate.
[Hehe, Fire Dragon Incarnate… Since we’re at this point, I’ll just capture you and find my way to the Divine Temple.]
[Don’t get cocky! You’re wearing the best protective robe of the Celestial Realm! You would have perished in my flames had you been a mere mortal.]
[If it’s unfair, why don’t you use treasures too? Hahaha.]
The Fire Dragon Incarnate appeared to be quite enraged, eyes blazing. I turned to talk to him.
[Fire Dragon Incarnate. This feels futile. We’ve gathered enough information, and now it’s best to seek aid from the Heavenly Mysterious Woman.]
Until now, I had forced my strength to understand his level and specific legendary powers through struggle. But now, it was time to resolve things.
[Ugh. Please take care of that guy!]
[Understood.]
Woosh!
As the Heavenly Mysterious Woman descended upon me, Peng Zuo looked unsettled.
[…Huh…?]
As soon as she recognized her essence through the Divine Eye, he was shocked.
[Oh no?! Why are you here…]
The Heavenly Mysterious Woman replied coldly.
[Peng Zuo, after your disappearance, treasures vanished in large quantities from the Celestial Realm. I had my suspicions and you’ve gone to the West with those treasures.]
[……]
[With such a great bloodline from the Three Sovereigns, you still act like a scoundrel… I can no longer tolerate this. I’ll exterminate you now.]
Tremble tremble
Peng Zuo quivered, muttering sounds of anger and regret.
[…This can’t be happening. The Celestial Realm was supposed to be completely blocked by Chi You. How come the Heavenly Mysterious Woman is here…? Could Chi You have tricked me…?]
Swoosh
As the Heavenly Mysterious Woman raised her hand and prepared the Corpse Dissolution Technique, Peng Zuo hastily addressed her.
[Heavenly Mysterious Woman. Aren’t you curious why I can use multiple treasures at once?]
[I am curious. You possess divine blood, which gives you much divine power, but no chaotic talents. No matter how you try, overusing treasures should drain your power. How is it possible?]
[If you tell me, promise in your name that you’ll let me go.]
[……]
I interjected firmly to the Heavenly Mysterious Woman.
[No, you can’t!]
[Understood.]
The Heavenly Mysterious Woman replied calmly.
[Just die.]
[Wait, just a moment…!!]
Wham!
As the Corpse Dissolution Technique unfolded, Peng Zuo disintegrated and vanished. Normally, the Heavenly Mysterious Woman wouldn’t have been capable of such a feat, but she had regained the strength of her ancient form by being offered offerings. Thus, taking down someone like Peng Zuo was a trivial task for her. Current day, she might even be on par with Gong Gong, who had similarly regained strength.
Where Peng Zuo had disintegrated, the Eight Trigrams Technique and Qingyun Sword lay fallen. In addition, several other treasures appeared, each one looking exceptionally precious.
‘Awesome, if I distribute one of those treasures to my comrades…!!’
I felt victorious. I couldn’t use them all myself, but I had companions. Just by distributing one treasure each to them would significantly boost our power! The Heavenly Mysterious Woman seemed to think the same and stepped forward.
Rumble
Suddenly, lightning struck as Cheon Gong-pyo appeared at the scene. He picked up the Eight Trigrams Garment and Qingyun Sword, grinning.
[These are mine…]
That moment.
Whoosh!
As Cheon Gong-pyo began to speak, a silver flash flew in and lodged itself at her feet. The silently flying silver spear seemed to cut through time itself. Cheon Gong-pyo’s face turned blank as she looked at the thrower of the silver spear.
[……]
Standing there, having shattered the Flower Fire Grass in record time, was Jin So-cheong. And behind him was Cheon Woo-jin, who had knocked Tang San out and carried him on his back.
Jin So-cheong glared at her and said, “That doesn’t belong to you. Put it down.”
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