The United Heart Society, like the Three Realms, could be considered an abyssal faction of the martial world.
Yet its leader had mastered a variant of the Seven Blood Tear Forms and learned Shaolin's Muscle-Changing Classic?
'Absolute Demonic Blade Project?'
What if he was someone who had participated in the Absolute Demonic Blade project like Grandfather?
It wouldn't be so surprising that he had mastered the Seven Blood Tear Forms and Shaolin's secret arts.
'No, the age doesn't match.'
Bu Eunseol soon shook his head.
Even if one had undergone Return to Youth, the look in their eyes did not change.
The eyes of the United Heart Society Leader behind the mask were absolutely not those of an old man.
Vmmmm.
At that time, the senses of the Beast Way sounded an alarm.
A minute movement that could not be detected with the eyes.
He had caught the United Heart Society Leader twisting his grip on the hilt of the great saber and slightly tilting his right shoulder.
'It means he has transitioned into a state where he can attack swiftly at any moment.'
Bu Eunseol's prediction hit the mark.
Rumble!
Closing the distance of a jang in an instant, the United Heart Society Leader rushed right in front of his nose.
Flash!
The massive great saber, still in its scabbard, bent at an unpredictable angle and dug into Bu Eunseol's neck.
It was a technique like a thunderbolt, truly akin to a starving beast tearing out its prey's throat.
Paaat!
It was a technique so swift it could not be predicted even with the senses of the Beast Way, but Bu Eunseol calmly stood his ground and clashed against the thrusting great saber.
Clang! Ka-kang!
A fierce close-quarters battle began.
When the United Heart Society Leader's great saber drew lines of death, Bu Eunseol's Silent Tiger Soul Sword unleashed ink-black flashes and erased them.
Ka-ka-kang!
Every time the weapons clashed, sparks and true waves spread through the air and vanished.
'That guy is.'
A flash brushed past the eyes of Bu Eunseol as he continued the exchange.
'He is hiding his true art.'
When the battle began in earnest, the familiar atmosphere he had initially felt completely vanished.
He must have hidden not only his individuality but also the true martial arts he habitually used.
Pa-pa-pa-pat!
The great saber, moving at high speed, soon concealed its traces as if melting into the air.
He swung it so swiftly that it vanished from sight.
Grip.
Bu Eunseol closed his eyes.
'I must detect the killing intent through the Beast Way.'
Flash!
At that moment, catching a cold point of light digging into his uvula, Bu Eunseol,
Clang!
Infused the Silent Tiger Soul Sword with eight gapja of internal energy and struck it hard.
Being able to instantly infuse such immense force into a weapon.
It was a feat only he, possessing the greatest internal energy in the world, could accomplish.
Vmmmm.
The great saber digging in a straight line.
Not only did it finally reveal its form, but the movements of the masked United Heart Society Leader also paused for a moment.
He could not resolve the immense force contained within the Silent Tiger Soul Sword in a short time.
'Now.'
Just as Bu Eunseol, catching the opening, was about to execute the Transcendent Meteor Chasing the Moon,
"Hmph."
Along with a snort, saber wind like a whirlwind poured into Bu Eunseol's face.
Sensing the execution of a sure-kill sword strike, the United Heart Society Leader had unleashed saber wind in all directions to preempt the sword path.
Ch-r-r-rang.
Ultimately, the line of death created by the Transcendent Meteor Chasing the Moon was swept up in the saber wind and blown away into the sky.
Paaat!
However, as if expecting the technique to fail, Bu Eunseol continuously poured out sword forms.
sword aura raged like a storm, and the surroundings were filled only with the sound of cutting wind that seemed to tear space itself.
Bu Eunseol and the United Heart Society Leader exchanged over forty blows again without taking a single breath.
Life or death.
Everything was decided in an instant.
Ch-ch-ch-chk.
The two figures, clashing weapons once more,
Paaat!
Suddenly stepped back as if by appointment.
The United Heart Society Leader stepped back five paces, and Bu Eunseol lightly somersaulted like a flying bird and landed back in his original spot.
In the meantime, the interior had been disastrously destroyed.
About half the forest had collapsed, and sharp sword marks were carved into the ground.
"Not bad."
The United Heart Society Leader gripped the hilt of the great saber with a relaxed expression.
"To think you are at this level when I haven't even unleashed my true art."
The terrifying clash up until now.
It had been nothing more than an exploratory battle to gauge each other's martial prowess.
Step, step.
But an unexpected event occurred.
Another shadow slowly walked out into this forest where the Nine Heavens Cloud Splendor Pearl was located.
It was a middle-aged man with disheveled long hair, wearing clothes that exposed his chest muscles.
His eyes were gloomy, but sharp energy that seemed capable of cleaving even steel was spreading from his entire body.
'Im Mujeong.'
Bu Eunseol's eyes widened.
Wasn't he the Soul-Chasing Asura, Im Mujeong?
'Heavenly Demon Emperor.'
For Im Mujeong to have come here meant.
In the end, the Heavenly Demon Emperor had also sensed Myriad Phenomena Tomb.
If so, then under his command as well.
There must be a tactician with abilities like Baek Jeoncheon, or one who could read heavenly secrets.
"Tsk."
At that time, the United Heart Society Leader clicked his tongue as if recognizing Im Mujeong.
"Since you can't meddle in the affairs of the Sacred Domain, you used a bizarre method."
Then he spoke in a voice laden with mockery.
"To send a bastard who wouldn't matter if he died at any time to interfere."
Surprisingly, not only did he accurately pierce through the fact that the Heavenly Demon Emperor did not interfere in the affairs of the Sacred Domain,
But he accurately grasped that Im Mujeong was a sword that could be discarded at any moment.
"Since some stupid boss brought a bunch of forces here... naturally, it's bound to be detected."
Im Mujeong calmly shot back.
"Interfering when you can't have it is a long-standing tradition of the martial world, after all."
Near Myriad Phenomena Tomb, there could be forces secretly standing by for the Heavenly Demon Emperor, not just the United Heart Society.
In the end, even if one took the Nine Heavens Cloud Splendor Pearl out, there was a high probability that another battle would occur.
"Let's settle the match here."
Im Mujeong looked back and forth between Bu Eunseol and the United Heart Society Leader, then made an unexpected proposal.
"The winner takes the pearl."
"Do we have to?"
The United Heart Society Leader snorted.
"Do you think the rabble of Majeon can defeat the masters of this Society?"
He had brought the elites of the United Heart Society, who could use supernatural power, for this matter.
If the situation became disadvantageous? There was no need to force a showdown here.
"How curious."
At that time, Bu Eunseol spoke.
"With so many subordinates, you should have stayed holed up in your main base with your head down like you always do."
He tilted his head with an expression that said he couldn't understand.
"Is there a need to personally grace this place with your presence?"
The United Heart Society had operated even more secretly than the Three Realms.
Furthermore, the United Heart Society Leader was a figure who had swayed the martial world while commanding immense forces that did not lag behind any abyssal faction.
No matter how great a treasure the Nine Heavens Cloud Splendor Pearl was, to come retrieve it in person?
Considering his actions thus far, it was a situation that could not be understood.
"..."
The United Heart Society Leader did not answer those words, but narrowed his eyes and looked back and forth between Bu Eunseol and Im Mujeong.
"The two of you are dogs of Majeon, raised by Lord Sado."
He snorted.
"Without further ado, join forces nicely and attack."
"The conclusion is made."
Im Mujeong clicked his tongue and suddenly fumbled for something in his embrace.
R-r-rumble.
Soon, a low vibration echoed from all directions.
Perhaps he used a device like an Alert Bead to send a signal to the martial artists he had brought along.
It seemed battle had commenced with the standby forces of the United Heart Society.
"You're doing something useless."
The United Heart Society Leader muttered coldly.
S-r-r-ng.
He finally drew the great saber.
Journey.
The blade of the Unrivaled Saber Guest of All Time, who had reached the realm of the Way of the Saber in the history of the martial world, revealed its form.
Its width was perhaps as broad as two palms, and the thick blade extended straight and heavy like the ridgeline of a mountain range, rather than showing elegant curves.
On the surface, as if left during the forging process.
Minute hammer marks and fine scratches etched from hundreds of millions of practice swings and real battles were engraved in layers like the rings of an old tree.
Ordinary treasured sabers boasted frost-like sharpness, yet Journey held a nonchalant and crude form.
'That is Grandfather's blade.'
Bu Eunseol's eyes shook greatly.
From the heavy blade of the great saber, an undeniable, overwhelming coercion flowed out.
It did not look like a sword, but rather a great mountain that had endured for thousands of years, or a great river that had flowed through eons of time.
"Come at me."
The United Heart Society Leader said in a relaxed voice.
"I don't wish to strike first against novices like you."
He had merely drawn the great saber.
Yet the United Heart Society Leader was spreading the confidence and aura that he could block any attack and strike down any enemy.
"I will take him on alone."
At that time, Bu Eunseol spoke to Im Mujeong in a resolute voice.
"This Command Lord has a reason to sever the neck of that United Heart Society Leader."
Retrieving his grandfather's great saber was more important to him than obtaining the Nine Heavens Cloud Splendor Pearl.
"Risking your life over pointless pride."
The United Heart Society Leader mocked.
"Joining forces would at least give you a higher chance of survival."
"Are you planning to fight with your beak?"
"Huhuhuhu."
The United Heart Society Leader laughed low and nodded.
"You've got guts. Come at me."
Bu Eunseol raised the Silent Tiger Soul Sword and, without hesitation, consecutively unleashed the Overturning the Four Seas Form of the Thirteen Hwa Wu Forms and the Waning Moon, Dawn Star Form of the Supreme Heavenly Flow.
Heaven and earth. Above and beside. Within the perfect crossfire of death with nowhere to dodge and nowhere to block.
Faint like rays of light yet sharp drops of fire rain were shooting out.
"Oho."
A light of admiration flowed from the eyes of the masked United Heart Society Leader.
"You spliced sword arts."
Executing two sword arts combined was practically impossible.
However, Bu Eunseol's sword art had already reached the pinnacle of utmost transcendence, revealing no vulnerabilities or flaws.
The two techniques were perfectly fused.
Vmmmm.
In that instant, everything slowed down, and
The United Heart Society Leader's wrist twisted at a barely visible angle.
Then, with just one minute movement, the long and straight great saber bent like a living creature.
Screeeech!
A sound like an old iron gate screaming was heard.
Journey, taking the form of a massive great saber, drew an extreme curve like a dragon coiling around the sky.
Hwi-ryu-ryu-ryu!
At the same time, sharp saber qi precisely severed the connection point linking the Overturning the Four Seas Form and the Waning Moon, Dawn Star Form.
Clang!
A metallic scream tearing at the eardrums echoed, and along with a cracking sound, the ground Bu Eunseol stood on split like a spider web.
Not only had he broken the sword technique, but by exerting immense force, he had poured terrifying pressure onto the vicinity where Bu Eunseol stood.
Boom.
Bu Eunseol's body trembled faintly.
It felt as though his internal organs were shaken, as if he had been struck in the back by a massive battering ram.
If his protective true energy hadn't been thick, his body would have been crumpled like a piece of paper by this single move.
Vmmmm.
A yellowish radiance flashed in Bu Eunseol's eyes.
The move the United Heart Society Leader had just executed was a saber technique completely defying martial common sense.
He had drawn upon the Nangyang Heart Eye to grasp its methods.
Shooooo.
When the great saber, bent like a dragon, regained its original form, explosive saber qi poured out once more.
Pa-pa-pa-pa!
When Bu Eunseol executed Swift Beyond Shadow.
The saber qi continuously rotated like a whirlwind, pursuing him.
'This is not Grandfather's saber art.'
The saber art the United Heart Society Leader executed was not the Seven Blood Tear Forms.
It was an extremely exquisite saber art, like a single spark burning a field of reeds.
It possessed the ability to destroy the connections of martial arts and pursue the enemy.
'I can't tell what kind of saber art this is.'
No matter how much he observed with the Nangyang Heart Eye, no matter how much he utilized the power of the Ancient Sword Forest.
He could not grasp what the saber art executed by the United Heart Society Leader was.
How it was deployed, or what martial profound principles it contained.
'Is this even possible?'
Bu Eunseol was as well-versed in all the martial arts scattered throughout the world as the Human Demon Ak Muryeong.
And when it came to grasping and learning the martial profound principles an enemy executed, he was unmatched.
Yet, like a child who had just begun learning martial arts watching the sword art of a martial master.
He could not even grasp how the United Heart Society Leader's saber art was deployed?
Step.
At that time, the United Heart Society Leader suddenly withdrew the great saber and spoke.
"I'll give you a chance even now."
Looking at Im Mujeong waiting behind him, he said coldly.
"Join forces. This Society Leader is exceedingly bored."
"You haven't even unleashed your true art yet."
"Naturally."
The eyes of the United Heart Society Leader behind the mask narrowed.
"But the real-combat martial art of Nangyang Pavilion you take the most pride in has been sealed away, hasn't it?"
Bu Eunseol had always pulverized the martial profound principles of his enemies and achieved victory by defeating them.
With this single remark, the United Heart Society Leader was trying to shatter Bu Eunseol's pride to pieces, intending to deal a blow even to his spirit.
"If you don't want to die, unleash the true martial art you've been hiding so carefully."
The United Heart Society Leader's method was exceedingly cunning; by speaking Bu Eunseol's remaining options himself.
He made it seem as if he were inevitably following his words.
'How curious.'
Rather than anger, Bu Eunseol felt a bizarre sensation.
The mysterious methods, the unpredictable attitude, the phrasing that shook the spirit.
It somehow resembled the Heavenly Demon Emperor.
"Similar."
Bu Eunseol muttered without realizing it.
"To Lord Sado, in every way."
It was merely muttering the thoughts in his mind.
But didn't the United Heart Society Leader's aura faintly diminish?
As if he had been caught off guard by an unexpected situation.
'Are you saying he's someone related to the Heavenly Demon Emperor?'
"You talk too much."
As if trying to cut off Bu Eunseol's thoughts, the United Heart Society Leader swiftly swung the great saber.
Paaaaat!
Simultaneously with a vibration that shook heaven and earth, flames of saber qi that seemed ready to burn the whole world poured over Bu Eunseol.
Paaat! Paaat!
Even before the saber technique was fully deployed, blood vessels formed all over his body, bursting with fresh blood.
That instantly evaporated, becoming a red mist.
But then,
Paaat!
Escaping the pressure in an instant, Bu Eunseol transformed into the shape of a black ink dragon in the air and shot forward.
Screeeee!
At the same time, an ear-splitting wail echoed in all directions.
He had executed the Seven Blood Tear Forms, the absolute saber art that brought death.
"Have you not yet reached the realm of death?"
As the deathly saber qi swept over him, the United Heart Society Leader raised the great saber in a middle guard.
"It's not ripe enough."
Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwang!
Along with the explosion, the ink-black saber qi and the red saber qi clashed, and an explosion that seemed to tear the world apart erupted.
The sparks from that collision brightly illuminated Myriad Phenomena Tomb.
Shooooo.
Yet an unbelievable thing happened.
Wasn't the ink-black saber qi Bu Eunseol poured out being absorbed into Journey, which the United Heart Society Leader was swinging?
He had not defended against the Seven Blood Tear Forms.
Instead, he opened all his energies and was taking in the power of death as it was.
"The true terror of the Seven Blood Tear Forms is turning the caster himself into the embodiment of death."
Swish!
When the United Heart Society Leader extended the saber qi,
Baaang!
Not only the saber qi of the Seven Blood Tear Forms Bu Eunseol had poured out so far, but even the red saber qi he had generated poured back all at once.
Sizzle.
White smoke rose from Bu Eunseol's body as he was bounced dozens of jang away.
"Life and death are like two sides of a coin, and their source is one..."
The expression of the United Heart Society Leader looking down at the fallen Bu Eunseol was as tranquil as an angler looking down at a flowing river.
With that overwhelming tranquility, lacking an inch of waste or emotional agitation.
He was tearing Bu Eunseol's pride to shreds.
Stagger.
Bu Eunseol barely raised his body, but he swayed.
Along with the saber art deployed by the United Heart Society Leader, the Seven Blood Tear Forms had returned and struck him... He had suffered serious internal injuries with pain as if the blood vessels throughout his entire body were burning.
"No matter how much you've mastered the Seven Blood Tear Forms, it will take half a sijin to resolve that saber qi."
The United Heart Society Leader, with his great saber comfortably lowered, stared intently at Bu Eunseol with a relaxed gaze.
"Now I'll just join forces with that guy and..."
"As expected, it's not there."
At that time, Bu Eunseol cut off the United Heart Society Leader's words with a bitter expression.
"You've already removed what was in the blade."
"What nonsense..."
Clack.
Even before the United Heart Society Leader's words finished.
From the great saber, Journey, a strange unfastening sound was heard.
The connecting device between the hilt and the blade had separated.
"...!"
The United Heart Society Leader's eyes bulged.
Before he knew it, on the blade of Journey.
Weren't there tens, hundreds of palm prints and traces of sharp finger wind engraved?
Until now, Bu Eunseol had not been facing the United Heart Society Leader, but trying to remove the connecting device of Journey, which he held.
'Because he said the secrets of the martial world were hidden inside the blade.'
In the past, the Martial God Heavenly Lord had unintentionally become the storehouse keeper storing his grandfather's great saber.
And he had once revealed that secret to him.
Just as the saber formulas of the Seven Blood Tear Forms were contained in the hilt of Journey, he said the secrets of the martial world were hidden inside the blade.
However, whether the United Heart Society Leader had already taken it out, the interior was empty.
"You bastard..."
The United Heart Society Leader fastened Journey back together, his eyes flashing.
No matter how much he hadn't used his true art.
To have undone the connecting device of Journey with methods so stealthy that he couldn't detect it.
That was proof that Bu Eunseol had reached the divine realm not only in sword arts but also in fist arts and hand techniques.
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