0766 ———————————————-

Dark Heaven Village

As soon as the battle started, my companions wielding the Seven Luminaries rushed forward to attack the Wood Element. The Wood Element took the form of both a beautiful humanoid and a giant tree, leaving everyone confused about which one to hit first.

But without any clear orders, everyone instinctively seemed to know that attacking the humanoid was the right move rather than focusing on one at a time.

Pa-at!

When the Seven Luminaries attacked, the humanoid avatar vanished instantly, leaving only the giant tree. Then the spirit of the Wood Element spread its will in all directions through ethereal words.

[Challengers, do not blame me for my harshness!]

Whoosh!

At that moment, the roots of the Wood Element that had been buried began to quake and rise, unleashing vibrations that felt as if they were rupturing the very ground for miles around. The roots emitted a terrifying vitality, grotesquely resembling the blood vessels of the earth.

From the writhing roots, dark, liquid-like substance surged forth, twisting violently.

“What is this?”

Everyone was bewildered, unsure of what the Wood Element was plotting. However, among them, Cheon Gong-pyo immediately recognized the trick and bellowed commandingly to our allies.

[This is the Wood Element’s unique technique. Its roots will consume the life force of this area and amplify the gravity affecting everything touched by the black water one hundredfold! Prepare yourselves, it will strike soon.]

“……!!”

Perhaps whatever skill it was, the ability to analyze it as soon as it was revealed was a trait of chaos. But as I listened from the back, I felt my consciousness fading.

‘Oh, damn!! These Seven Luminaries are getting worse by the minute.’

It wasn’t just talk; the spells were horrifying. Everything on the roots would quickly wither into dry corpses while the black water writhing beneath would crash against everything, dragging it down with a gravity a hundred times stronger.

During my travels, I had encountered countless spells and destruction, but I had rarely seen one this wicked. The real problem was that if it came this way, my position—whether front or back—would be meaningless.

It was clear that the Wood Element intended to annihilate us all in one blow. And it seemed they were unequivocally determined to kill me.

How on earth should I deal with this?

I could only think of one way and shouted.

“Everyone, gather inside the Eight Trigrams Formation!! And let’s hold on with the Six Needs Resonance.”

“There’s no choice.”

Tydaht!

After everyone entered the Eight Trigrams Formation set by Zhuge Bu, we started to resonate with the Seven Luminaries. As the Wood Element twisted its roots to unleash its power, the life force of the outside world diminished at a terrifying pace.

Moreover, the writhing black water erupted like a volcano, starting to sweep across the area like a furious sea.

Roarrrrrr…

The whirlpool of black water completely filled the space outside the Eight Trigrams barrier. Although the formation managed to easily fend off the black water’s invasion, the spellcaster Zhuge Bu started to show visible strain, with veins popping on his forehead and blood oozing from his mouth.

Drip drip…

The pressure seemed immense. I mean, no matter how powerful the Eight Trigrams were, they couldn’t single-handedly bear the burden of the Wood Element’s unique technique. Normally, it would have been expected to sink along with the formation. I promptly activated the Six Needs Resonance to try to calm the sea of black water.

Screeeeech!

Once the Six Needs Resonance kicked in, the Wood Element’s grand technique lost power, and the black water started to seep back into the roots.

‘Got it! This is how we do it.’

Having dodged the annihilation crisis once, we now rushed back outside the barrier to attack the Wood Element.

Kaboom!!

Countless clones of the Celestial Sage combined with Cheon Gong-pyo’s Sabre Sword plunged into the Wood Element. But the Wood Element also seemed to possess durability comparable to that of the Moon Element, showing no signs of taking significant damage.

Receiving a mere tickling pain as if pricked by a needle, the Wood Element began to wriggle its massive body and spoke again.

[Devourer of corpses, attack them!]

What’s that rascal babbling about?

Swish!

Suddenly, a huge, white eagle-like creature appeared from the sky as if summoned by the Wood Element’s request. It seemed this was the “Devourer of Corpses.” The creature was massive, at least five times larger, and after briefly flapping its wings, it suddenly opened its mouth to unleash a torrent of frigid air towards us.

Woooosh!!

“Ugh…!!”

In that instant, it felt like the entire world froze. Just a puff of cold air, and an immense area was engulfed in absolute zero! It was such a sweeping attack that even the Sword Demon couldn’t dodge in time and groaned in pain.

Moreover, every one of us felt our bodies cover with frost, like a thin layer of ice forming on our skin.

“Oh no!”

In the blink of an eye, the body of the Sword Demon froze solid. Instantly, Jin So-cheong quickly invoked the force of the Earth Spirit, and the Sword Demon was thawed. However, as soon as he recovered, his eyes dulled, and he hung his head low.

The cold had been so powerful that it snuffed out his life force in that brief moment.

What the hell is that?!

The white eagle, the “Devourer of Corpses,” that almost obliterated our allies started to circle ominously nearby as if guarding the Wood Element. It was clear that it was at least a Demon King level entity. The Wood Element spoke in a voice that seemed to look down on us.

[I will soon release the mocking slaughterer. These two are my minions, fitting for the final trial.]

Are you saying another one of those is coming out?

I shouted incredulously.

“What?! Isn’t summoning that kind of thing cheating in your trial?!”

[I was initially just the Wood Element’s token, but I’ve been fused with the World Tree for so long. Thus, I’ve been granted the nature and power of the World Tree that will bloom in the end. This is also part of my innate powers. It’s not cheating.]

“Cough….”

The Wood Element’s voice turned a bit colder.

[…And you are the ones who destroyed the World Tree on the surface. I have no intent to show any mercy.]

Uh oh.

The resentment toward Ha Eun-cheon’s defeat compounded with the grudge of the World Tree’s destruction?

Unlike the Moon Element, who came without any emotional baggage, it was clear that it was hell-bent on killing us. I was not the only one who sensed that momentum; everyone’s faces were incredibly tense.

Then Mangnyang spoke up.

“The key figure in this fight must be the Sorcerer Cheon Woo-jin. Focus the Seven Luminaries on him.”

All eyes turned to Cheon Woo-jin.

Cheon Woo-jin stood quietly before responding to Mangnyang.

“Older Brother. The Wood Element will undoubtedly be the toughest trial of the Seven Luminaries.”

“Indeed. If it’s gained the innate properties of the World Tree, it must certainly be stronger than usual. We might be completely wiped out if we’re not careful.”

“That guy won’t give Baek Woong any chance to resurrect. If we fail, there will be no coming back, do you still trust me?”

“The Sorcerer is a genius. And the only one capable of hitting the Wood Element’s weak point.”

Mangnyang continued in an emotionless tone.

“Do your best. If the Sorcerer fails, I will do whatever it takes to retreat.”

“…Don’t do anything reckless, Older Brother.”

Cheon Woo-jin sighed deeply and glanced around. He then picked up the Moon Element Three Sacred Weapons from where the Sword Demon fell and received the Wood Element’s Sea of Origin. Originally possessing the Golden Element, he had effectively acquired all three Luminaries.

Step step!

Cheon Woo-jin walked slowly forward.

He then lifted the Moon, Wood, and Gold elements into the air in the shape of the Three Talents while starting to chant some incantation. Soon, the encompassing circle of Three Talents began to burn brightly white. Watching this, I asked Mangnyang.

“Mangnyang! When you say Cheon Woo-jin can attack its weak point….”

“During the final battle at the Sacred Altar Tree, the Sorcerer was the one who detonated the core of the Sacred Altar Tree and absorbed its power. That core’s power will allow him to resist the formidable authority of the World Tree that the Wood Element wields.”

I see now!

Cheong Gong-pyo had planned for Cheon Woo-jin to directly blow up the core of the Sacred Altar Tree.

At the same time, since he had absorbed the force that erupted from that detonation, it made him much more resistant to the authority of the World Tree. Watching Cheon Woo-jin’s figure, I asked.

“What do you mean by doing something reckless to retreat?”

“…I’m talking about a method that only you can attempt.”

Hearing Mangnyang’s plan, I was shocked. It seemed uncertain and far too risky. Recognizing my concern, Mangnyang quietly spoke.

“We can only hope the Sorcerer does well….”

Vwoooooo!

The circle of the Seven Luminaries created by Cheon Woo-jin rose menacingly before the Wood Element. The Wood Element, feeling threatened, seemed to respond as the summoned “Devourer of Corpses” unleashed another wave of overwhelming cold.

At that moment.

Cheon Woo-jin’s eyes widened as he shouted.

“Urgently—overwhelming control of the spirits!!”

Following the incantation, the world was engulfed in pure darkness.

“I Cheon Woo-jin, will mix this world with dreams!!”

Kaboom!!

“……!!”

Cheon Woo-jin grew larger.

And I mean, really large—more than the size of the Demon King Daji! He became so immense it looked like he could cover the entire world with a single palm!! The Wood Element, gazing at the giant Cheon Woo-jin, spoke.

[Are you thinking of trapping me in the Dream World, God’s disciple?]

[Indeed.]

Cheon Woo-jin looked down at the Wood Element.

[Fade away into the dream.]

The transformed Cheon Woo-jin, so colossal it evoked terror, stretched out a hand toward the now diminutive Wood Element.

Creeeak!

He then spread his palm wide to grip the Wood Element, squishing it.

Inside his grip came sounds reminiscent of smashing, yet shortly after, Cheon Woo-jin’s expression contorted in pain as he shook his hand.

Drip drop!

Blood poured from Cheon Woo-jin’s palm. Then the now tiny Wood Element began to grow larger, soon matching Cheon Woo-jin’s shoulder, and the “Devourer of Corpses” did the same.

‘Did he fail to suppress the Wood Element?’

I couldn’t quite grasp what was happening.

Hmm….

Cheon Woo-jin, not giving up, outstretched both hands again, and soon the Wood Element shrank once more, getting caught in Cheon Woo-jin’s hands. Cheon Woo-jin roughly rubbed his palms together as if trying to eliminate the Wood Element but grimaced, clearly in great pain.

Kaboom!

The next moment, this metaphysical duel came to a halt, and Cheon Woo-jin returned to his original size. His hands were covered in blood, and it seemed he’d exhausted all strength, soaking wet in sweat.

“Huff… huff….”

Cheon Woo-jin gasped for air, seemingly too exhausted to even speak. Next to him, Cheon Gong-pyo watched, clearly astonished.

“Incredible. Even after using the liberated Three Luminaries, you can truly intertwine reality and dreams to cast an illusion on the spirit… However, your skill is insufficient to seal it within the dream self.”

“……”

“But it’s impossible to cast an illusion on a spirit in the first place. You won’t be able to defeat it that way.”

At his words, Cheon Woo-jin didn’t respond but turned to me and said.

“Let’s retreat for now.”

“What? It’s also not like the Wood Element doesn’t seem to have taken a big hit….”

And indeed, after Cheon Woo-jin’s recent illusionary attack, the Wood Element’s overwhelming presence had diminished, and the “Devourer of Corpses” had shattered apart, transforming into blood clumps. It seemed we had won, didn’t it?

Yet Cheon Woo-jin shook his head.

“It’s just temporarily asleep, entrapped by my dream… It won’t take long before it regains its strength. Maybe a single meal’s worth of leisure.”

“In that case, use the Three Luminaries to ensure we wrap this up. It’s not like you’ll ascend in the process, right?”

“…You didn’t understand what I said. That guy has within him boundless power from the World Tree, and there’s no way to cut off its life force like this. Even using the Three Luminaries would just prolong the slumber; we won’t be able to kill the Wood Element no matter what. Touch it, and it’s nothing but a nightmare repeating itself.”

“……!!”

“Ugh, damn it….”

Cheon Woo-jin groaned and spoke.

“I don’t know either. You decide.”

“Um….”

“What is certain is that no matter how powerful the Celestial Sage or Cheon Gong-pyo is, it won’t work. The World Tree is the epitome of perfect chaos, and no power related to chaos can defeat it… It’s like trying to slice through water with a sword.”

With his voice losing confidence, it essentially meant the Wood Element was extraordinarily powerful. While I felt it was a missed opportunity to let this perfect chance of the Wood Element’s slumber slip away, Cheon Woo-jin was clearly stating that there was no method available to eliminate it.

‘But running away seems pointless…’

Right now, we didn’t have the luxury of time. Even worse, if we didn’t bring down the Seven Luminaries within half a moment, only ruin awaited us. We had to eliminate the Wood Element, even if it meant all of us would be torn apart here.

But how should we do that?

What power exists outside the bounds of chaos?

Whether it’s techniques or magic, they all must stem from chaos!

That’s when Jin So-cheong spoke to me.

“Baek Woong. I have a plan. Revive the Sword Demon quickly.”

“Understood.”

Pa-at!

I summoned the Sword Demon using the power of Fate. Then, Jin So-cheong repeated her chant.

“And summon Yong Junil, Extreme Tiger, and Sagong Lin.”

“……? Understood.”

Though puzzled, I followed Jin So-cheong’s instructions.

Whoosh!

Only Yong Junil appeared, while Sagong Lin and Extreme Tiger did not show up.

Summoned, Extreme Tiger appeared notably changed, wearing the attire of Goryeo. Also, he had become a one-eyed figure, completely battered, with a peculiar, potent red glaive strapped to his back.

“……!!”

Extreme Tiger showed a look of surprise upon being summoned, but shortly after, he glanced around and faced me.

“Baek Woong, you’re alive! Where is this place? What battlefield have you brought me to?”

“This is the trial of the Seven Luminaries. If we win this fight, we’ll become the kings of humans and meet Emperor Gong Sun Xuanwen.”

“……”

As I transmitted the memories of the situation to Extreme Tiger, he soon grasped the situation. After a moment, he turned his gaze to Jin So-cheong and said.

“Jin So-cheong. I know what you’re thinking. But don’t you think you’re putting too much on my plate?”

Jin So-cheong replied.

“I believed that you, as the only surviving elder brother, would undoubtedly be capable.”

“Heh… Do you really understand what kind of hardships I’ve encountered until now?”

“If you don’t tell me, I won’t know.”

“Well, I guess that’s true. Hehe.”

Extreme Tiger fiddled with his eye patch. He chuckled self-deprecatingly before saying.

“Baek Woong.”

“Extreme Tiger, what is it?”

“You know… We are friends, right?”

“Of course.”

“I’m going to help you this time, but as a friend, I have just one request. If you promise me that, I’ll do my best to help you.”

“Huh? What is it?”

Extreme Tiger’s next words left me shocked.

“From the next reincarnation onward, please don’t bring me along as a companion. Just let me live as I am.”