889——————==

True Martial Home

Did half of the Eight Parts of the Divine just die in such a short amount of time?!

Considering that Mahuraga was just killed in one blow, that was just too quick. Of course, a significant amount of time has passed—around one meal’s worth—but even so, the individual entities of the Eight Parts of the Divine were Demon Kings who couldn’t be easily taken down by even the Celestial Sage at full power. They were beings hovering on the brink of true divinity, so to see them die this easily was unbelievable.

[Queen Mother of the West can grow ten, no, even a hundred times stronger.]

Suddenly, I felt the voice of the Heavenly Mysterious Woman of Nine Heavens resonate in my ears. It felt like her words were becoming reality. If we assume that the power of the Queen Mother of the West we saw earlier was indeed ten times stronger, it wouldn’t be strange for the Eight Parts of the Divine to find themselves in a perilous situation in such a short time.

Moreover, that means— at present, the Queen Mother of the West was exerting strength comparable to that of the Old Ruler. In that case, it was impossible to win by normal means. She had become a being so powerful that it would shake the very foundation of the Law of Cause and Effect, so simply outnumbering her wouldn’t work anymore.

As my face hardened, Ta Gong-mang looked at me with his profound eyes.

“Are you really asking to release your human powers in a situation like this? Even if I were to grant it, it would mean nothing against the current Queen Mother of the West.”

“… That may be true, but I won’t know until I try.”

“Then what’s the point of even attempting? From my perspective, choosing the Queen Mother of the West’s false peace is a far greater advantage. At least if we follow her, we’d have peace for five hundred years.”

“……”

I realized again that Ta Gong-mang was exceedingly rational and knowledgeable with a will that was unyielding. No amount of persuasion would budge him. It felt like trying to convince Mangnyang right in front of me, and it was clear I couldn’t persuade Ta Gong-mang in time. However, I didn’t have the confidence to intimidate him by force, and the presence of Ta Shin-pyeon, one of the most potent treasures of the celestial realm, loomed over me like a thorn in my throat.

‘Damn…. another obstacle!’

How on earth could I break through this situation?

Just as I was wracking my brain—

Kugugugu

A sound like something collapsing reached my ears. It was a heavy, dull sound, like an avalanche, but at the same time, I felt an immense spiritual wave pouring in from a distant place like a tide. As I frowned at the potency of that spiritual disturbance, I noticed Ta Gong-mang’s expression changed.

“……!!”

Ta Gong-mang suddenly glared at me and asked, “Who did you come with?”

For a moment, I almost let it slip that I came with Zhuge Yulong, but I quickly thought that telling Ta Gong-mang wouldn’t help at all. As I remained silent, Ta Gong-mang clicked his tongue and suddenly vanished like smoke.

Shwoop

In an instant, I tried to predict why Ta Gong-mang disappeared.

‘What the heck? Did he just leave? It definitely must have something to do with that collapsing sound.’

Could it be?!

I hastily summoned Heuk Woong and commanded, “Heuk Woong! Take me to the location of that spiritual wave immediately!”

[Understood.]

Wuuung

Heuk Woong extended his hand, and in a flash, he formed a highly advanced martial arts system with my Spirit Power. Following that system, Heuk Woong immediately activated the Spatial Shift Technique, and somehow, I was able to lightly use the Spatial Shift Technique, which I was normally abysmal at, to head to the location of that spiritual wave. To be exact, I provided the Spirit Power, while Heuk Woong handled the casting and calculations of the important Spatial Shift Technique. Moreover, he was also using the Spirit Power to determine the location.

Pa-at

Guided by Heuk Woong, I arrived at the summit of a rocky mountain, dozens of miles away. And looking up at the sky, I was taken aback.

“……!!”

A gigantic iron lid was opening!

The immense iron lid that was floating above the Blood Pillar had tilted slightly toward the ground, and it appeared to be wider than before. However, it had taken on a shape that suggested even reaching the top of the sky wouldn’t allow me to see inside; it seemed like just a little elevation would grant clarity into what lay within.

‘This must be the Blood Pillar that Zhuge Yulong was in charge of! Could it be that Zhuge Yulong opened this?’

If that’s the case, it made sense why Ta Gong-mang’s expression changed. One of the three Blood Pillars holding this world of the Primordial Void was now open, which naturally posed a significant threat. I quickly scanned the surroundings for Ta Gong-mang and quickly flew into the interior of the iron lid.

Ssss

“Stop this at once, human!”

“Stand down!”

Inside the iron lid was a massive orb floating, and beneath it, numerous techniques were inscribed on the ground. Structures floated in the internal space, encircling the orb. In that bizarre internal structure, Zhuge Yulong stood right in front of the orb alongside Zhuge Bu, while Ta Gong-mang was aiming his Ta Shin-pyeon at them.

In this standoff, Zhuge Yulong calmly declared, “Ta Gong-mang. The Blood Pillar here is dead. We joined forces to kill it.”

“……!!”

“The Blood Pillar’s death renders the Eternal Barrier meaningless, so there is no need to threaten me. Your mission has already failed.”

His voice was calm, devoid of any killing intent or hostility, yet it felt like an absolute truth, invoking despair in his opponent. The chilling atmosphere emanating from Zhuge Yulong felt suffocating. It was a sense of hopelessness that I had once felt during the period when Zhuge Yulong had been my greatest adversary.

Yet Ta Gong-mang, seeming to be utterly unconcerned, responded naturally, “My mission has not failed. There’s still time to reverse this. If you withdraw now, we need not become enemies.”

“It seems you’ve prepared something in case the Blood Pillar and the Eternal Barrier were to be destroyed. An expected move for your greatest plan, huh?”

“You seem to have a sharp mind. You should know very well why it’s a virtue to withdraw while the discussion is civil.”

“……”

“Whatever you attempt to do to the Eternal Barrier cannot be destroyed or damaged. It is not something that can be shattered by human strength! The only move you have left is to open the outer wall.”

“Is that really true?”

“It is. Based on this, I will overlook this matter and let you leave the Primordial Void.”

Ta Gong-mang appeared to be trying to placate Zhuge Yulong, but Zhuge Yulong indifferently replied, “I anticipated that, so I prepared something more.”

“What?”

Kugugugu

Kieeeek

Just then, the ground shook heavily, and a creature’s scream—whether it was a cry of agony or death—echoed faintly from afar. It felt like a pretty powerful demon beast; however, I guessed it was likely weaker than Qiongqi in pure strength. For that reason, Ta Gong-mang’s expression seemed calm and unconcerned, but soon his face paled as if he realized something.

“No, could it be…?”

“If you saw with your Thousand Eye Technique, you would know. Right now, that creature is a sacrifice, and the [Old Ruler] will be summoned.”

“……!!”

Kieeeek!!

I hurriedly used Heuk Woong to peek at the monster’s appearance using the Heavenly Insight Technique. It was an enormous monster, stretching over dozens of yards, coiling with countless tentacles. It was a bizarre and terrifying sight as if it were being devoured by the mass of tentacles, and I could sense who that monster was.

‘It’s the Four Great Experts of the Imperial Palace—White Tiger!’

The chief of the Golden Eagle Guards, who Zhuge Yulong had used as his subordinate, had turned into a monster. It seemed he had lost any human consciousness or reason. The aura surrounding him was dark and sinister, with visible spirits floating around. I marveled at Zhuge Yulong’s plan, feeling a chill of panic creep over me.

‘Could he be attempting to summon the [Old Ruler] of the Imperial Palace here?!’

For certain, without a doubt, Zhuge Yulong was trying to draw the Demon Subduing Hall into this.

What a mess?!

I was left speechless, and at that moment, Ta Gong-mang’s forehead bulged with blue veins as he angrily shouted, “You wicked scoundrel!! How dare you pull this nonsense here of all places, in the Primordial Void?!”

“Of course, summoning the [Old Ruler] from a world made by the treasure of the Primordial Heaven Master is extremely difficult. It’s like trying to start a fire at the peak of a tall mountain… However, the power of the [Old Ruler] is beyond imagination, so I wouldn’t dare say it’s impossible, would I, Ta Gong-mang? Especially since I’m the Priest of the Demon Subduing Hall and directly connected to the God, and if I use a monster like that as fuel…”

“……!!”

“If I succeed… it won’t just be the Blood Pillar that’s the problem; he’ll come to devour the Celestial Realm. The only one who can stop the summoning is me, the priest, so hurry up and open the Eternal Barrier with your own hands, oh manager.”

With a soft but firm tone, Zhuge Yulong threatened Ta Gong-mang. Then, a moment of silence passed.

“Fine. I will no longer treat you as humans.”

Ta Gong-mang shouted decisively, raising his Ta Shin-pyeon and simultaneously chanting an incantation.

“Yin Yun, Double Heaven, Unity!”

Ssss!!

At that moment, a hole opened in the sky, and a beam of light struck Ta Gong-mang’s body. An immense power surged, and the merging of the Yin and Yang Spirits became visible as Ta Gong-mang seemed to be summoning the Yin Spirit he usually used in the Celestial Realm to show its true strength.

‘Now’s my chance!’

I saw the opportunity and instinctively flew in, using the Thunder Sword to strike at Ta Gong-mang’s neck.

Swish

While it was cowardly to ambush him, this wasn’t a time to worry about such things. If he became an enemy, I had no choice but to kill Ta Gong-mang. The Yin Yun, Double Heaven technique was undoubtedly a skill that could separate or combine the Yin and Yang Spirits, and if each of them combined into the Great Immortal level, their power wouldn’t just double—it could be much more than that. However, my expectations were in vain. Where I struck with the Thunder Sword, there was not even a trace, and with a cold gaze, Ta Gong-mang was glaring at me.

Swoosh!

It was just a brief moment of eye contact, but I could feel that Ta Gong-mang had genuinely decided to kill us, and my entire body felt like it was covered in ice.

‘Am I… trembling?’

Realizing I was trembling ever so slightly at Ta Gong-mang’s killing intent, I was dumbfounded. I had already trained my will to the brink, so much so that I wouldn’t flinch in front of even the most powerful peak experts or in the Absolute Realm. Plus, I had also succeeded in mastering my Spirit Power, making it normal to face worthy opponents. Yet, immediately upon sensing Ta Gong-mang’s killing intent, I shrank back. This only meant one thing.

The instinct of an expert had confirmed the gap between us.

The real power of Ta Gong-mang, having merged the Yin and Yang Spirits, was beyond anything I could imagine.

The direct disciple of the Taishang Laojun and the master of the Absolute Teachings, Shin Gong-pyo. A transcendent who had turned the world upside down with his own strength and wisdom, defeating the King of Da Zhou and Daji during the Mythological Age, was now finally revealing his full capabilities.

Treasure

Three Treasures Lotus Pearl

Summon

In an instant, Ta Gong-mang summoned a round Lotus Pearl around his body and pointed the Ta Shin-pyeon at me, muttering something in his celestial tongue. The whole process was astonishingly fluid, which was strange.

‘Can’t… stop him?!’

It was bizarre, but I thought I could definitely attack and interrupt him before he acted, but my body would not move according to my wishes at all.

Rather, it felt like Ta Gong-mang’s actions transcended the domain of [time] and [space], making it physically impossible to interfere with his spellcasting. Even using the Thunder Spirit would not help me stop Ta Gong-mang’s incantation. It felt completely different from the reaction to the Master of the Sect.

This was not martial arts; it was closer to a kind of divine power. I had never seen or heard of a technique at that level. Moments later, the jade-hued handle of the Ta Shin-pyeon began to shine, and Ta Gong-mang’s spell was unfolding.

Divine Arts

Tai Chi

“……?!”

Boom!

In that instant, I realized space and time were completely reversed, and I had become completely trapped in a realm of perfect nothingness. Everything I had seen just moments before — Ta Gong-mang, Zhuge Yulong, and so on — was gone; the massive orb of the Eternal Barrier was nowhere to be seen. All around me was simply emptiness and white void, reminiscent of my training days under the Divine Thief.

“Damn! Is this a sealing technique?”

This wasn’t my first encounter with sealing arts; if I remained calm, I figured I could handle it somehow!

But something felt off.

The incantation Ta Gong-mang had just whispered sounded eerily familiar.

I quickly summoned Heuk Woong, trying to shake off the ominous premonition. “Heuk Woong, come out!”

……

But silence ensued, and Heuk Woong showed no signs of appearing. I fervently spun my Spirit Power inside, attempting to recreate Heuk Woong artificially, but finally, he appeared, shrunk and staggering.

Heuk Woong looked as if he was about to drop dead, making me gasp in surprise. “What’s going on?! Are you running low on Spirit Power?”

Heuk Woong trembled in agony.

[…Lord Baek Woong… this space… is dangerous…. This is… an infinite barrier where all ascendant powers are sealed…. Your abilities have already been sealed…. Probably even your internal power….]

“……!!”

I hastily tried to summon my internal power, but it was as Heuk Woong said.

‘Ugh! I can’t use anything! Nothing….’

None of my internal power, martial arts, spiritual energy, or Spirit Power—everything I had built up to this point was completely sealed away. Unlike the strange space of the Shaolin Temple, where at least my martial arts were permitted, this felt as if everything had been locked away.

[Just to let you know… with my capabilities, there is no way to escape… I apologize for being of no help….]

“Are you saying Ta Gong-mang sealed me through a rift in dimension?”

Heuk Woong shook his head.

[This is a completely different level of issue…. This cannot be categorized by dimensions…. Something of a higher dimension is occurring….]

“……?”

[…I can only guess based on the divine knowledge I secretly obtain…. I cannot provide much information….]

Heuk Woong continued with difficulty.

[Lord Baek Woong… this place is not aimed at mortals…. It appears to have been created for transcendents to capture and kill other transcendents….]

Suddenly, a single word flitted through my mind.

Tai Chi.

[There are three major esoteric arts from the Celestial Realm: the Absolute Teachings’ Spirit Summoning Technique, the Heavenly Teachings’ Corpse Dissolution Technique, and the last, the Tai Chi of Taishang Laojun.]

[The three major arts were defined by my master, the late Taishang Laojun and the Primordial Heaven Master. If they wanted me to oppose the [Old Ruler], the only lead points to the three major arts. I initially thought the Spirit Summoning Technique was the best, but now that I understand the reality of the Corpse Dissolution Technique, I have a feeling the last major art, Tai Chi, also holds great secrets.]

[They teamed up against me, and even when I used the Spirit Summoning Technique, I couldn’t do anything against the Tai Chi of Taishang Laojun. Moreover, none of the spells of the Absolute Teachings worked either.]

[No, it’s not a treasure but a spell.]

[In any case, Baek Woong, what I want you to do is find the technique of Tai Chi and bring it to me. With that technique, I could become many times stronger.]

When I had summoned Shin Gong-pyo, he had asked me to bring him the Tai Chi. Of course, he might not have genuinely expected it, but thanks to that, I had obtained useful information about Tai Chi.

And recalling that memory, I suddenly understood the situation.

“…This can’t be happening….”

The Tai Chi, one of the three major esoteric arts created by Taishang Laojun.

The true essence of it was a sealing technique that could seal even gods, and its authentic successor was Ta Gong-mang, the overseer of the plans to seal gods.