The United Heart Society Leader's face was stiffly hardened.
Not only was Bu Eunseol, whom he had considered to be far beneath him in skill, an unexpectedly strong opponent.
Didn't he seem to know what was hidden in the great saber?
Sizzle.
At that time, white mist rose once again from Bu Eunseol's entire body.
A sharp energy was spreading to every corner inside his body as if burning his meridians.
"Huhuhu."
The United Heart Society Leader let out a laugh mixed with relief and contempt.
"You took it easy and suffered a harsh blow."
Relaxing his stiff expression, he spoke in a confident voice.
"Having been exposed to the backlash of the Seven Blood Tear Forms along with this Society Leader's saber qi, you won't be able to properly use martial arts for at least half a sijin."
Bu Eunseol silently gripped the Silent Tiger Soul Sword tightly.
'One gak.'
Even if it wouldn't take up to half a sijin.
He had suffered internal injuries that required at least one gak of energy circulation to resolve the saber qi.
'The Seven Blood Tear Forms didn't work at all... I see.'
Until now, the Seven Blood Tear Forms had always worked against any strong opponent.
However, not only did it not work on the United Heart Society Leader at all, but he had instead absorbed that saber qi and sent it back.
"You're swindling with the blade of the Seven-Finger Demon Blade."
At that time, Im Mujeong, who had been quietly watching, clicked his tongue and said.
"I heard that great saber has the same properties as the saber qi of the Seven Blood Tear Forms."
Hearing those words, Bu Eunseol made a strange expression.
He had thought that the United Heart Society Leader's saber arts had reached the realm beyond the heavens, completely blocking his Seven Blood Tear Forms.
To think his grandfather's great saber possessed such an ability?
"Like a dog of Sado Muryeong, you've seen and heard a lot."
The United Heart Society Leader looked at the blade of Journey.
"That's right. Bu Zhanyang deployed the Seven Blood Tear Forms thousands, tens of thousands of times with this sword."
Clack.
Laying Journey down again, he spoke in a low voice.
"Thanks to that, this sword had the energy of death deeply engraved into it. No, it can be called the Seven Blood Tear Forms itself."
The reason he could so easily return Bu Eunseol's Seven Blood Tear Forms.
It was because Journey harbored the same properties as the Seven Blood Tear Forms.
Like a massive river swallowing a tributary, it had returned the saber qi to its source.
"As long as I have this sword, things like the Seven Blood Tear Forms are nothing."
Bu Eunseol's brow furrowed as he listened silently.
"Were you afraid of me?"
"You're a greenhorn who knows nothing."
The United Heart Society Leader chuckled.
"There are quite a few in the current martial world who have mastered the Seven Blood Tear Forms. To an extent your level couldn't even reach the tips of their toes."
In that instant, within Bu Eunseol's mind.
The Returning to One Realm Lord, clad in ink-black armor and emitting a red fighting spirit, came to mind.
He had trained the Seven Blood Tear Forms to the realm of Great Perfection and completed his own unique saber formula.
The reason the United Heart Society Leader wanted the great saber.
It wasn't because he was afraid of him, but there was a high probability he was wary of the Returning to One Realm Lord.
"Now, slowly bare your neck."
Bu Eunseol had tried to examine the inside of the great saber, only to be exposed to the fatal saber qi of the Seven Blood Tear Forms.
In this state, the probability of winning against the United Heart Society Leader was nil.
"Interesting."
At that time, Im Mujeong stepped forward.
"Now try it with this Blood Lord."
The United Heart Society Leader snorted as if finding it absurd.
"I know you're even worse than that greenhorn, yet you intend to duel with this Society Leader?"
"Are you afraid?"
"Join forces. Don't put on airs with petty pride."
Rumble!
Ignoring those words, Im Mujeong leapt into the air and raised his claws sharply.
His five fingers contained a ferocious claw force capable of crushing all space.
And a red astral energy that could not be destroyed wrapped around his entire body.
Step.
However, the United Heart Society Leader had already grasped Im Mujeong's vulnerabilities and thrust the great saber toward his throat.
It was an inescapable, profound move.
Baaang!
Struck by the great saber, along with an explosion, Im Mujeong was bounced back over ten jang away.
"Kaaat!"
Jumping up, a beastly roar erupted from Im Mujeong's mouth.
Paaat!
Lunging at the United Heart Society Leader again, he poured out five streams of claw force sharper than a treasured sword.
He created a barrier of blinding blades in the air.
Pa-pa-pa-pa!
The sharp claw force containing red light soon became a broad veil, like a peacock spreading its wings.
It began to wrap around the United Heart Society Leader.
Paaat!
But the United Heart Society Leader's figure had already vanished.
Where he reappeared was behind Im Mujeong's back. He swung the great saber in a very relaxed motion.
Whoosh!
As if scattering stars in the pitch-black night sky, the sharp saber qi became countless flashes and dug into Im Mujeong's vital points.
Pew-shht!
The energy contained in the flashes was so vicious that every time it brushed against his skin, fresh blood spurted from Im Mujeong's body.
Crunch.
In that instant, Im Mujeong's face contorted, and a blood-red light bloomed in his eyes as his physique slightly enlarged.
Paaat!
Moving right in front of the United Heart Society Leader's nose in the blink of an eye.
Swae-swae-swaek!
He began to swing his claws with a speed incomparably faster than before.
Clang, clang, clang!
The United Heart Society Leader precisely chopped the pouring claw force with his large great saber, resolving the techniques, and then,
Paaat!
This time, he precisely chopped the exact center of Im Mujeong's chest.
Vmmmm.
However, the great saber only dug slightly into his skin; it could not pierce through his body.
The Mad Demon Blood Aura had manifested.
Trickle.
In an instant, Im Mujeong's skin turned grayish, and a bizarre luster spread out.
Paaat!
Im Mujeong, soaring into the air.
Became dozens of shadows and pounced as if to swallow the United Heart Society Leader.
Craaack.
Even before the attack poured down, tremendous pressure crushed the surroundings of the United Heart Society Leader.
Clack.
The United Heart Society Leader, standing tall, raised the great saber high.
And with static eyes.
He stared intently at Im Mujeong, who was like a bird of prey diving for its meal.
In that instant, Im Mujeong's complexion changed.
If it were the past, his reason would have evaporated, leaving only pure destructive intent.
But thanks to Bu Eunseol, he had become able to control the demonic qi.
Unlike his beast-like appearance, he could currently maintain a calm spirit.
He intuited that the United Heart Society Leader, concentrating his internal energy into the great saber, was preparing a fatal blow, and,
Ta-tak!
He struck the top of his left foot, ascending into the air once again.
It was the feat of Ascending Steps to the Void.
Whoosh!
Leaping to the dizzyingly high ceiling that could barely be seen, he once again poured out claw astral energy drawing a bizarre trajectory.
"You're controlling the demonic qi."
The United Heart Society Leader let out an exclamation.
"Then you have the qualification to fight this Society Leader."
Flash!
When the United Heart Society Leader swung the great saber again, an unbelievable thing happened.
Im Mujeong's body, which had leapt up into the dizzying sky, was suddenly falling back to the ground like a bullet?
At first glance, it was an utterly absurd situation.
But Im Mujeong, who was splitting time infinitely slowly and utilizing it, realized instantly.
The claw astral energy he had poured out thus far,
Had taken form like a fishing line from the United Heart Society Leader's hand and turned into soft threads.
Using that, he had tightly bound Im Mujeong's entire body and pulled him down.
Swae-swae-swae-swaek!
Before the eyes of Im Mujeong, who had fallen to the floor, the sharp great saber began to dance.
Baaang!
He quickly rolled his body on the floor, but the saber qi persistently followed him.
Vmmmm.
Drawing up the Mad Demon Blood Aura once again, Im Mujeong took the attacks with his entire body and attempted a counterattack.
However, the United Heart Society Leader's great saber moved nimbly, piercing through his openings, relentlessly slicing at his body.
Flash, flash!
Every time he was struck by the great saber.
Im Mujeong's body continuously flickered repeatedly, only to form an even harder blood aura.
Pa-pa-pa-pa-pat!
However, the speed at which the saber qi poured out was faster than the speed at which the Mad Demon Blood Aura was augmented.
Drip, drip, drip.
Before long, Im Mujeong had become a blood-red man of blood.
Step.
The United Heart Society Leader stopped his attacks and clicked his tongue.
"Just because you can maintain your reason doesn't mean the Mad Demon Blood Aura is invincible."
Narrowing the eyes behind his mask like half-moons, he said coldly.
"This Society Leader's saber art can destroy all qi arts."
Whatever Im Mujeong was thinking.
He merely glared at the United Heart Society Leader with his red eyes flashing, and did not attack again.
Only then did the United Heart Society Leader, keeping his distance from the battlefield, notice Bu Eunseol standing still and furrowed his brow.
"Why aren't you circulating your energy?"
While Im Mujeong attacked, he thought Bu Eunseol would quickly circulate his energy to rapidly recover his body.
But wasn't he just standing there idly watching the fight?
"If I did that, it would truly be as if I joined forces with him."
Bu Eunseol said calmly.
"Regardless of position, he is also a heavyweight of Majeon. Since he seemed to want to fight properly, I just watched for a moment."
The United Heart Society Leader, who had a blank expression,
"Hahaha!"
Laughed heartily as if finding it absurd.
"You're crazier than that guy using the Mad Demon's martial arts."
Stopping his laughter abruptly, he looked around and shook his head as if feeling regretful.
"In the end, the only ones who bit the bait were small fries."
R-r-rumble.
At that time, as if an earthquake had occurred, the entirety of Mansangchongji began to shake, and the ruins of the crystal forest began to turn black.
Looking at that sight, a fact he had forgotten flashed through Bu Eunseol's mind like lightning.
'The United Heart Society Leader arrived here before me.'
The traces of the Seven Blood Tear Forms engraved on the strange rocks were not even half a sijin old.
In other words, the United Heart Society Leader had arrived at Mansangchongji early on and left those traces.
Yet hadn't he acted as if he entered later than himself?
"A trap."
Only then did all the pieces fall into place.
The United Heart Society Leader, who had always moved more covertly than the Realm Lords of the Three Realms, directly leading a large force and showing himself here.
It was his intention to announce his presence to all directions and lure someone in.
—It's highly likely to be a trap.
—That's true. But from my perspective, I have no choice but to confirm it.
From the beginning, Baek Jeoncheon had said there was a high probability that the appearance of the Nine Heavens Cloud Splendor Pearl this time was someone's trap.
However, Bu Eunseol had thought that the person who plotted this conspiracy.
Would naturally scheme in the dark and reveal themselves at the very end.
So he had not suspected the United Heart Society Leader who had brought his forces personally.
"Did you think the Returning to One Realm Lord would come."
Perhaps bringing Journey was.
To defend against the Seven Blood Tear Forms that the Returning to One Realm Lord deployed.
"To think you encountered that madman and still kept your life?"
The United Heart Society Leader said as if surprised.
"With your skills, there's no way you would survive at the hands of that madman... It seems the rumors that you're his pawn are true."
Clack.
Putting Journey back into its scabbard, he readily admitted.
"That's right. I thought at least the Returning to One Realm Lord, or one or two from the Sacred Domain, would definitely come."
And he said bitterly.
"Because I absolutely had to capture them this time."
"Capture?"
"Well, whatever. I didn't think those rats would give up even the Nine Heavens Cloud Splendor Pearl."
He turned his body and said.
"...I'll give up."
Tilting his head, the United Heart Society Leader narrowed the eyes behind his mask like half-moons.
"You guys can have the Nine Heavens Cloud Splendor Pearl here."
Surprising words.
To unhesitatingly give up the Nine Heavens Cloud Splendor Pearl, a treasure of the world, and try to turn back?
Step.
And just as he turned his body to leave the forest,
Flash!
Bu Eunseol, who had forcefully drawn up his true power, executed his movement technique and blocked his path.
"You cannot go."
He was a master of formations on par with Gongsun Dankyung.
When the United Heart Society Leader tried to turn his steps away.
He saw through the fact that the energy flowing in Mansangchongji faintly touched him.
"You laid the Spirit Blood Shattering Extermination Formation."
The trap set here.
Was the ultimate secret art of the Defeated Cult, which had already closed its doors, the Spirit Blood Shattering Extermination Formation, where the one who laid the formation became the core of the formation, and the moment he left the formation, the entire formation would collapse.
"Oho."
The United Heart Society Leader's eyes went round, as if unable to hide his surprise.
"Did you also have a knack for formations?"
"Brother Im."
Bu Eunseol looked at Im Mujeong and said.
"Deploy the Mad Demon Blood Aura and tie up the United Heart Society Leader's feet for just one gak."
He took a deep breath and said.
"Within one gak, I will definitely dismantle the formation here."
If the United Heart Society Leader left, Mansangchongji would instantly disappear, and they too would turn to dust and perish.
Im Mujeong had no ability to dismantle the formation... So, just as Bu Eunseol said, he had to block the United Heart Society Leader from escaping.
Paaang!
As he drew up his internal energy with all his might, a veil of demonic qi like a dense blood mist spread throughout the entire interior of the forest.
"I preempted Mansangchongji and put in so much effort, yet."
The United Heart Society Leader tilted his head.
"To think I have to end it by just killing two useless rats."
Just as Bu Eunseol expected.
The Mansangchongji that had occurred this time had already been taken over by the United Heart Society, and he had intentionally leaked his whereabouts to create a trap.
"I already knew."
At that time, Im Mujeong said.
"Because the Lord's highest priority order was to find out the identity of the person who plotted this, and sever their neck."
The Heavenly Demon Emperor had also seen through the fact that the occurrence of Mansangchongji this time was a trap plotted by someone.
And he had given Im Mujeong four orders.
First, reveal who plotted this conspiracy.
Second, find out what the purpose of that conspiracy is.
Third, execute the mastermind of that conspiracy.
And if the Nine Heavens Cloud Splendor Pearl really existed, retrieve it.
The first two missions had already been accomplished, so now all he had to do was strike down the United Heart Society Leader and retrieve the Nine Heavens Cloud Splendor Pearl.
Rumble.
Im Mujeong drew up the Mad Demon Blood Aura at the twelfth-tier realm, which he had been hiding all along, with all his might.
Sizzle.
As blood-red steam that was enough to cause chills burst out from his whole body explosively.
His muscles screamed and grew larger, and parts of his skin burst open as red blood mist wrapped around him.
"You were hiding your skills."
The United Heart Society Leader instead nodded as if finding it interesting.
"Try coming at me."
Kaat!
Just as Im Mujeong roared like a beast,
Paaaaat!
Hundreds of strands of saber qi poured out from Journey.
In that instant, Im Mujeong felt a pain as if a flesh-slicing coldness was piercing his whole body.
A vicious energy that scraped bone and tore at nerves was contained in the saber qi.
Swaeek!
In the meantime, along with a popping sound of air compressing, one sharp strand of saber qi shot out like an arrow.
Bu Eunseol, who was rapidly moving through the forest and dismantling the Spirit Blood Shattering Extermination Formation spread in all directions, had also attacked together.
Hwi-ri-rik!
Spinning his body like a top, Bu Eunseol instantly poured out five streams of fist force.
In the meantime, Im Mujeong approached low like a viper tearing through the earth fiercely, and reached out a hand as if to smash the United Heart Society Leader's knee.
Because the two of them had fought fiercely on Gwigeum Island, they knew each other's techniques and characteristics well.
Even though they were not coordinated moves, they executed a perfect joint attack.
Vmmmm.
In that instant, Journey, gripped in the United Heart Society Leader's hand, stirred up an intense whirlwind like a staff released from a monster's hand.
Hwi-ri-ri-rik. Pa-pa-pa-pat!
Then, the crystal fragments scattered on the floor were swept into that storm and created a massive wall.
Baaang!
Blocking the attacks of the two masters, the United Heart Society Leader once again closed the distance and slashed at Bu Eunseol's waist.
In order to prevent him from dismantling the formation, he intended to cut off his breath first.
Rumble!
Im Mujeong manifested the Mad Demon Blood Aura and cut in front of him.
Craaash!
Taking the saber qi instead of Bu Eunseol, he shattered the crystal trees and was bounced dozens of jang outwards.
Trickle.
Fortunately, his torso was not split in two thanks to the Mad Demon Blood Aura, but blood was flowing endlessly.
"Brother Im. Do not step in."
"It's nothing."
Im Mujeong snorted, then once again leapt into the air, raising his claws sharply.
"Just dismantle the formation."
Glancing at Bu Eunseol, he spoke coldly.
"Because I don't want to earn the dishonor of turning to dust along with Mansangchongji."
Swaeaeek!
Leaving those words behind, he tore through the air and struck down as if splitting the United Heart Society Leader's head.
Grasping the opening in Im Mujeong's move, the United Heart Society Leader thrust at his lower abdomen.
Pew-shht!
In an instant, bloody water shot up, but due to the ability of the Mad Demon Blood Aura, the wound closed instantly.
Crrrack.
Moreover, thanks to enduring that single blow, the astral energy became even thicker.
"Hehehe."
Im Mujeong let out a low laugh.
"Saying you'll destroy all qi arts or whatever, is this all it amounts to in the end."
A murderous light flowed from the United Heart Society Leader's eyes behind the mask.
Ka-ga-gang!
A saber strike like lightning brushed Im Mujeong's right shoulder.
Sssss.
Im Mujeong restored the wound in one breath with the power of the Mad Demon Blood Aura.
But the United Heart Society Leader moved like an illusion.
As if his anger would only be appeased if he severed the arm without fail, he continuously sliced only at his shoulder area.
Crack.
Just like the situation from before.
The speed at which the United Heart Society Leader inflicted damage was faster than Im Mujeong could heal.
He felt pain severe enough to make his mind go distant, but Im Mujeong clenched his teeth tightly.
Bu Eunseol had to dismantle the formation.
If he showed weakness now, his concentration would be shaken.
"Kaat!"
Gritting his teeth, he lunged at the United Heart Society Leader once again.
Because attacking was the only defense, and the only way to buy time.
Swi-swi-swi-shik!
The United Heart Society Leader was cunning.
Realizing that it was impossible to cut off Im Mujeong's breath in one breath.
As if trying to extract all the blood in his body, he continuously engraved deep wounds.
"Even without a formation, this Society Leader can kill you bastards one by one."
Slash! Chwaak!
Before long, not only his shoulder, but the flesh of his thigh was falling off, and he suffered deep stab wounds on his back as well.
The pouring blood obscured his vision, but Im Mujeong's eyes did not shake even a little.
Crack!
At that time, a dull sound of crushing bone echoed.
The United Heart Society Leader had pierced through the Mad Demon Blood Aura and shattered his forearm with the great saber.
"Hehehe."
Im Mujeong let out a maniacal laugh instead of a scream.
He had intentionally exposed an opening to induce the United Heart Society Leader's attack.
"Kahat!"
Along with a shout, he ensnared the blade lodged in his arm with his muscles.
As he sealed the United Heart Society Leader's movements, even for a brief moment,
Rumble!
He put all the remaining blood aura into his left fist and threw a punch.
In an instant, for the first time, bewilderment colored the United Heart Society Leader's eyes.
Baaang!
Along with a tremendous explosion, the United Heart Society Leader was bounced over ten jang away.
He barely managed to block the blow by pulling out Journey, which was lodged in Im Mujeong's muscles, but the Mad Demon Blood Aura had infiltrated his body, causing slight internal injuries.
Griiiind.
Although it was not a fatal wound, the United Heart Society Leader poured out pure white killing intent from his eyes, as if his pride had been hurt.
"How dare you!"
Swaeaeaeaek!
The enraged United Heart Society Leader manifested a saber art completely different from before and began to slice at him.
Facing a saber art that had become several times more powerful and cruel, Im Mujeong was now at the point where he had to give up even trying to block.
"Ugh."
His vision grew blurry, and tinnitus rang in his ears.
The sensation in his legs had long since vanished. He was avoiding attacks and moving his body through willpower alone.
'Wait?'
Suddenly, the United Heart Society Leader felt a cold sensation as if something was sweeping down his spine.
Only then did he realize that he had been pouring all his focus onto Im Mujeong.
'That guy is?'
At some point, Bu Eunseol had vanished from his sight.
No matter how much of a genius he was, it should take a full sijin to dismantle the Spirit Blood Shattering Extermination Formation.
'No?'
The United Heart Society Leader finally discovered Bu Eunseol quietly floating at the dizzying ceiling, pouring out five-colored radiance from his entire body.
Just looking at it, it was a form gathering immense power.
"You bastard!"
The United Heart Society Leader became a red cloud and lunged at Bu Eunseol.
The true martial arts realm of that young man rivaled the Three Demons.
If that light poured down on him? He intuited that an unpredictable situation could unfold.
Paaat!
At that time, Im Mujeong leapt into the air like lightning and blocked Bu Eunseol's path.
"Step aside!"
Kwaaaang!
The anxious United Heart Society Leader poured out a saber art with all his might.
Then, a massive saber qi reaching dozens of jang in size was unleashed as if to extinguish the world.
"...!"
In an instant, conflict colored Im Mujeong's eyes.
If he were to dodge that? Bu Eunseol's body would be instantly split in two.
"Hah-ahp!"
In the end, Im Mujeong drew up the Mad Demon Blood Aura to its maximum and took the saber qi with his bare body.
Slice.
Along with a cutting sound, a red blood line was drawn across Im Mujeong's body, and his internal organs spilled out through it.
"Step aside!"
Just as the United Heart Society Leader was about to swing the great saber once more,
Vmmmm.
The five-colored radiance that had been spreading from Bu Eunseol's body was now concentrated into the Silent Tiger Soul Sword.
Flash!
In that instant, an unprecedented immense force, where shattered five-colored flashes of light and pitch-black energy tangled together.
Surged in like a wave right before the United Heart Society Leader's eyes.
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