Bu Eunseol brushed his hair back with one hand and burst into a mad laugh.
"Hahahaha!"
White smoke was rising continuously from his body.
"So he was a manufactured Heavenly Killer Star?"
Eung Bi was not a natural-born Heavenly Killer Star.
He was an artificial member of the One Hundred and Eight Stars created by Chu So.
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
Eung Bi’s gaze became incomparably cold. The fact that he was a manufactured Heavenly Killer Star was a truth known only to Chu So in all the world. How could that fellow perceive it so instantly?
"Well, I took the hit thinking you’d be someone impressive, but..."
Flash!
At that moment, as if a scorching sun were clearing away the dawn mist, a strange energy began to envelop Bu Eunseol’s body. Simultaneously, the light vanished from Bu Eunseol’s eyes, and a force that seemed to distort his very surroundings began to overlap within the space.
Overlap.
To prepare for a counterattack that might withstand the power of the Extinguishing Lotus Flame, he had deployed the power by overlapping it.
Sssssss.
Before anyone noticed, a black hole that sucked in all the colors of the world appeared behind Bu Eunseol’s back. It was an absolute void that swallowed everything in existence.
"A fake acting so cocky."
Bu Eunseol laughed, baring his fangs.
"No matter how deep the power of the Extinguishing Lotus Flame is, could it be more despairing than the abyss within the heart?"
He reached out a hand. Then, as if it had never existed from the start, the existence of the black hole slowly receded and was erased from the painting of the world. But at that moment, a massive explosion occurred, enveloping both Bu Eunseol and Eung Bi.
Black flames flickered simultaneously on their bodies.
Sssssss.
The white smoke rising from Bu Eunseol’s body grew even thicker.
When the overlapped Extinguishing Lotus Flame collided with the power released by Bu Eunseol, the mighty supernatural powers circulating within the bodies of the masters vanished at the same time.
"Ho ho ho, look at this."
Bu Eunseol, laughing with a rasping sound, muttered lowly while grit his teeth with a loathsome expression.
"Bu Eunseol, you clever bastard."
In truth, he was not in a state where Bu Eunseol’s personality was mixed; he was Baekri Geomha himself. He had taught Bu Eunseol a fake mantra and had eventually taken complete control of the body.
—Mixing temporarily is my idea, but you might never be able to return to your original state.
He had even feigned worry, as if it were a proper mantra, acting as though a situation might occur where the personalities merged and the self could not be distinguished from the other.
At that moment, as evil and killing intent flickered, a clear brilliance began to permeate Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
The personality of Bu Eunseol, which had been usurped by Baekri Geomha, was slowly reclaiming its place.
'It is as I expected.'
Returning to his original personality, Bu Eunseol breathed a sigh of relief inwardly. Ever since he encountered the Heavenly Killer Star while rescuing the Wood Buddha, he had conducted extensive research into that power. He had a premonition that he would face him again.
As a result of his investigation, he learned that the most fearsome power possessed by the Heavenly Killer Star was the Extinguishing Lotus Flame, which cleanly erased any supernatural ability. He also realized that if one took a direct hit from that power, it could actually serve as a "cure" to sever the boundary of chaos he felt when his body was taken by Baekri Geomha.
Since Baekri Geomha’s power also possessed the attribute of annihilating everything, if the power of annihilation collided with another power of annihilation, the result would inevitably be Emptiness.
Through this, he predicted he could not only suppress the Heavenly Killer Star’s supernatural ability but also purge Baekri Geomha’s personality.
"There is no way that guy would give me a proper mantra."
Bu Eunseol never trusted Baekri Geomha from the start. An evil fellow who could not determine joy, anger, sorrow, or pleasure would never miss a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. In the end, they had betrayed each other, and Bu Eunseol became the final victor.
At that moment, white smoke also rose from Eung Bi’s body.
As the power of Baekri Geomha and the power of the Heavenly Killer Star collided, the supernatural power within his body was also completely cut off.
"Yes, you were definitely a fellow who had to be killed."
Even though his supernatural powers had vanished, Eung Bi’s killing intent began to surge as if exploding. Because of the provocation from the now-vanished Baekri Geomha, Eung Bi’s latent killing intent had erupted.
Blocking the supernatural power...
A white killing intent billowed from Eung Bi’s eyes like a haze.
"Did you think you could defeat me by facing me with only martial arts?"
"Not a chance! Your sword will never touch my body!"
Flash!
Instead of answering, Bu Eunseol drew the Silent Tiger Soul Sword and immediately unleashed a sword technique. It was clearly a single-move attack. However, the tip of his sword drew tens, even hundreds of afterimages in the air. The trajectories of the sword, unfolding at a speed invisible to the eye, overlapped and intertwined in an instant.
Was it not surrounding the entire space where Eung Bi stood?
'I knew from the start that a direct strike could not reach him.'
Through the previous confrontation with Eung Bi when rescuing the Wood Buddha, Bu Eunseol knew that he could move faster than anyone else.
Therefore, instead of a method to strike the enemy, he predicted all the spaces Eung Bi could move and applied the Heon Won Bright Sword circle formula to release over one hundred and eighty strands of sword energy at once. He covered Eung Bi’s body with a type of sword formation, planting sword energy densely in all paths and expected routes.
Swish!
Eung Bi moved at ultra-high speed, creating a pure white afterimage.
However, as if weaving a spider web in the air, the sharp sword energies poured out by Bu Eunseol blocked his path and covered him like a net. He had no choice but to stop his movement and respond to the sword technique. The faster he moved, the more it became a situation where he was throwing his own body into those net-like sword energies.
Gurgle.
Suddenly creating a black mist with his right hand, Eung Bi responded by generating a sword made of electricity.
Swish!!
However, because Bu Eunseol had already fought Eung Bi once, he knew all too well that he would perform a basic move to break the flow of the sword technique.
Whir!
The sword energies that were pouring down like spider webs transformed again into sharp needles and pierced Eung Bi’s vital points. Because that transition occurred simultaneously with the moment Eung Bi’s sword technique unfolded, even he, who could move at ultra-high speed, could not avoid the needle-like sword energy.
Pabamat!
Fine spurts of blood erupted from Eung Bi’s arms, legs, and flanks, where he was pierced by the sword energy. Though they were not fatal wounds, a look of bewilderment and unbelievable shock flashed in his eyes. Until now, he had prided himself on being able to evade any attack. That pride had been shattered for the first time. Moreover, even if he attempted to evade, was the Sword Formation not pouring down relentlessly before his eyes, forcing him into a space filled with sword energy?
"You know my moves!"
Realizing that Bu Eunseol had grasped all of his martial arts methods and secrets, Eung Bi instantly scattered fan-like sword energy in all directions, beginning to cut through the net of sword energy Bu Eunseol had created.
However, there is a fundamental difference between moving one's body at ultra-high speed and swinging a sword at ultra-high speed. A movement technique is completed simply by increasing the speed of movement. But a sword technique is not completed simply by swinging quickly or strongly.
A sword technique is the culmination of weapon-based martial arts handed down over many years; it is a skill that unfolds principles accumulated through the enlightenment and training of countless warriors.
Eung Bi’s talent, created as a Heavenly Killer Star, was indeed extraordinary, but his level of swordsmanship could never catch up to Bu Eunseol’s.
Because he was born with the Heavenly Killer Body and an ability so outstanding it was called the Heavens' Envy, his acquisition of martial arts happened too easily.
Thus, conversely, he could not fully realize the depth of martial arts.
With a thud, Eung Bi was blown outside the pavilion.
Bu Eunseol’s swordsmanship was the essence of martial arts refined to the limit, and within it were concentrated the practitioner's internal power, spirit, numerous experiences, and deep enlightenment. However, Eung Bi’s sword study was merely a hollow technique that prioritized power. In the end, it became a situation where a solid rock and a hollow gourd collided endlessly.
"Did martial arts seem easy to you?"
Bu Eunseol spoke in a low voice, looking down at the fallen Eung Bi.
"You probably thought it was over once you learned and mastered it."
Thanks to the breathing techniques he had practiced since childhood, he had a massive amount of internal energy stored in his body, but when he first learned martial arts, Bu Eunseol had a body more ordinary than anyone else.
Because of that, he researched martial arts constantly day and night. Whether eating or sleeping—even in his dreams—he constantly unraveled the principles of martial arts and explored the mantras.
No matter how much of a Heavenly Killer Star one was, when it came to fighting with pure martial arts, they could not withstand Bu Eunseol.
"Don't be arrogant!"
Eung Bi created an electricity sword once more and lunged at Bu Eunseol. As the offense and defense continued relentlessly at ultra-close range...
"Urgh!"
An exclamation of pain burst from Eung Bi’s mouth.
If he thrusted, it entwined; if he slashed, it unpainted. If he closed the distance, the opponent moved away; if he retreated, the opponent followed closely.
No matter what he did, he could not escape. It felt as if a ghost he couldn't shake off was sticking to him more closely the more he tried to retreat.
In an instant, Eung Bi’s gaze changed.
A Heavenly Killer Star possesses infinite killing intent, and that killing intent is closely linked to the emotion of anger. Unable to handle Bu Eunseol, who stuck to him like an apparition, he emitted anger and killing intent, once again increasing the power of his martial arts.
In response, the Sword Formation poured out by Bu Eunseol became even denser and more ferocious. The space between the two was filled with ray-like sword energies. Because the sword energy filled all directions, the space they could move in grew narrower.
If Yoo Unryong and the Extinction Palace Lord had not separated the space by unfolding a Mind World in a manner similar to an Absolute Boundary, they surely would have been torn to pieces by the sword energy.
Just then, the sound of blood spurting into the air was heard.
It was from the space where the Extinction Palace Lord and Yoo Unryong had disappeared. It was clear that Yoo Unryong had suffered a major injury, unable to face the Palace Lord even with his Heart Mirror Technique.
'Was it too much?'
For a moment, Bu Eunseol’s gaze and nerves shifted there.
Flash!
Eung Bi did not miss that split second and fired a black flash. It was an attack amplified dozens of times in power using anger, something that absolutely could not be blocked head-on. Eventually, when the jet-black sword passed through his body, white smoke rose from Bu Eunseol.
But it was strange.
Even though Eung Bi’s electricity sword had pierced him, the blade did not emerge from his back. Had he unleashed the power of Baekri Geomha again in the moment of crisis?
Shhh.
Before anyone knew it, a mysterious wind along with a faint black radiance was blowing from Bu Eunseol’s body.
It was not the power of Baekri Geomha.
He had used the Void Step, the ultimate technique of the Wind-Cloud Divine Qi, to let the attack pass through him.
At the same time, a brilliant light erupted from Bu Eunseol’s Silent Tiger Soul Sword, and a red point of light pierced Eung Bi’s throat. He had performed the Meteor Chasing the Moon Form, which captures the perfect moment to deliver death to the enemy.
Pshhh!
Finally, as blood spurted a foot into the air, Eung Bi’s severed neck tilted at a sharp angle.
He had finally cut down the Heavenly Killer Star.
However, Bu Eunseol had no time to savor Eung Bi’s death.
Swish!
Exploding with power, he swung the Silent Tiger Soul Sword with all his might toward the darkness on the opposite side. A brilliant light poured out, and the darkness began to clear. He had used the Harmony technique to forcibly strip away the area where the Heart Mirror Technique was deployed.
There stood Yoo Unryong, holding his sword while covered in blood. And in front of him, Shindo Jangcheon could be seen standing tall with his hands behind his back.
"Huff... huff..."
The blood-stained Yoo Unryong was gasping for breath.
Through his torn sleeves, the Divine Descent treasure, which could turn the body into an Indestructible Golden Body, was visible. However, it was covered in spider-web-like cracks, and pieces were falling off.
Even the dharma instrument of the Divine Maiden Palace, said to be used by immortals, had been smashed, unable to withstand Shindo Jangcheon’s palm force.
"Rest now."
At Bu Eunseol’s words, Yoo Unryong nodded and stepped back. Then, Bu Eunseol’s hand moved quickly, and an urgent telepathic message was sent to Yoo Unryong.
However, Shindo Jangcheon turned his head, completely failing to notice it.
Yoo Unryong gathered the broken treasure from his chest and the immortal instrument worn near his wrist and scattered them into the sea. He then vanished by unfolding a mirror, so as not to interfere with the fight between Bu Eunseol and Shindo Jangcheon.
"Hoo."
Shindo Jangcheon looked at Eung Bi lying in the distance and clicked his tongue.
"He claimed he would surely kill the Martial Soul Command Lord? Was he a person who amounted to only that much in the end?"
Despite Bu Eunseol having killed Eung Bi, Shindo Jangcheon shook his head without looking particularly surprised.
"Supernatural powers have their limits from the start. That is why I told him to release the Twelve Divine Generals or the Demon Ancestors."
In an instant, Bu Eunseol’s eyes narrowed. The Heavenly Killer Star could be called the strongest among the One Hundred and Eight Stars.
Yet, hearing Shindo Jangcheon’s words, did it not sound as if Chu So possessed a massive military force comparable to the Heavenly Killer Star?
"Then could it be..."
If not for Baekri Geomha’s power that could nullify supernatural abilities, the Heavenly Killer Star was a formidable foe for whom victory could not be expected. But if Chu So had a grand army surpassing the Heavenly Killer Star, he could easily rule the world’s martial world by releasing that force without needing to plot such things.
"Meaningless fighting is unnecessary."
Bu Eunseol stopped using polite speech toward Shindo Jangcheon and spoke in a cold tone.
"Surrender."
"Surrender? Heh heh."
Shindo Jangcheon laughed leisurely.
"The formation has not been broken yet."
"The result is the same anyway."
Bu Eunseol wore a solemn expression.
"Just by the fact that the Lord of one of the Ten Demonic Sect of the Demonic Path conspired with external forces to assassinate this Lord, you have already lost."
"I cannot match your silver tongue."
Shindo Jangcheon showed a peculiar smile.
"Furthermore, you know nothing. The Ten Demonic Sects of the Demonic Path? What meaning does such a thing have?"
The Ten Demonic Sects of the Demonic Path are the ten sects that serve as the pillars supporting the Majeon and the foundation of the Demonic Path.
Yet, the Extinction Palace Lord was describing the Ten Demonic Sects of the Demonic Path as "such a thing"?
"If you knew the truth, you wouldn't be able to say that."
"On the contrary, I have known the truth for a long time."
Bu Eunseol had already received a report from the Death Spirit Corps regarding the Ten Demonic Sects of the Demonic Path. Therefore, he knew well who was behind the Ten Demonic Sects of the Demonic Path.
"You know?"
"Of course."
Bu Eunseol said, "I know the despair of those who looked into the other side of martial world, and even the fact that the masters of martial world have been replaced."
In an instant, Shindo Jangcheon’s expression turned strange. Only now did he realize that he had not set a trap, but rather Bu Eunseol had set a trap for him.
"Why did you come if you knew everything?"
Shindo Jangcheon wore a look of incomprehension.
"Then there would have been no need to take such a risk?"
If he knew this was all a trap, he wouldn't have needed to come here risking his life. He could have used the power of the Demon Emperor or the Majeon, or he could have crushed the conspiracy entirely and used that as evidence to nullify the secession.
"If I had done that, at best I would have only stopped the Extinction Palace from leaving."
Bu Eunseol shrugged.
"But by coming here directly, aren't you revealing your true colors on your own?"
He then leveled the Silent Tiger Soul Sword and said calmly, "First, let's check if you are a kin of the True Demon or the real Extinction Palace Lord."
Bu Eunseol laughed coldly and said, "It seems something has changed."
He had long been observing and remembering the energy and biological responses of the strong in detail. In particular, because the Lords of the Ten Demonic Sects of the Demonic Path had mastered their unique martial arts to the state of Great Perfection, they had a subtle, distinct energy.
With insight comparable to the Demon Emperor’s Supreme Sage state, Bu Eunseol sensed that the current Shindo Jangcheon was somehow different.
"You speak nonsense."
Shindo Jangcheon snorted.
"You're going to check if this Palace Lord is the real one?"
"You should have just kept your mouth shut."
Bu Eunseol said with a long sigh.
"When you said the word 'real,' your biological response wavered slightly. That is the proof."
Bu Eunseol no longer called Shindo Jangcheon "Palace Lord" and simply addressed him as "you." Even for a master of the Limitless Realm, it was a subtle biological response that could never be perceived, but he captured it without missing it, confirming that the Shindo Jangcheon before him was not the real Palace Lord.
"Haha, to think it was to this extent."
Shindo Jangcheon wore a hollow expression.
"Truly, he is worthy of being recognized as the great enemy of the world."
"Are you talking about the Heavenly Mechanism Star?"
"Let’s stop the questions and answers."
Wooo.
A mysterious light flowed from Shindo Jangcheon’s body. Instead of the martial arts of the Extinction Palace Lord, he was radiating a strange, supernatural physical force.
But at that moment, Bu Eunseol did something unexpected.
"Even though you are wearing the mask of the Extinction Palace Lord, you seem to have properly mastered the palm techniques of the Extinction Palace."
He suddenly put the Silent Tiger Soul Sword into its scabbard and thrust out his two fists.
"Fine, let’s compete with only fists and palms."
"What?"
Shindo Jangcheon’s eyes turned sharp.
Bu Eunseol’s specialty was the sword. Even if he had mastered great fist and palm martial arts, there was no need to discard his primary weapon. Yet he insisted on competing with fists and palms?
"Are you afraid? Or did you only take the shell of the Palace Lord and fail to learn the Annihilation Palm Technique?"
"Hahahaha!"
After bursting into a mad laugh for a long while, Shindo Jangcheon stopped abruptly.
"You’re crazy."
"It’s not crazy, it’s only natural."
Bu Eunseol provoked him with a sneer.
"Even if you mastered the Annihilation Palm, you aren't Palace Lord Shin anyway, are you?"
In an instant, Shindo Jangcheon’s gaze changed completely.
"The Annihilation Palm Technique of this palace is the Great Progenitor of all palm studies in the world!"
He spread his arms and took a stance.
"If we compete only with fist and palm studies, it is at a level where even King Yama would take a step back."
Taking the stance of the Annihilation Palm Technique, he said in a low voice, "Go ahead and try."
In fact, this was a provocation by Bu Eunseol to uncover Shindo Jangcheon’s true identity, but Shindo Jangcheon, without dreaming of such a fact, was taking the stance of the Extinction Palace’s palm technique.
"Good, please attack."
The corners of Bu Eunseol’s mouth curled up.
"If you have indeed mastered the Annihilation Palm Technique."
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