The uninhabited island of Seungsa, where no one lived, preserved its natural beauty in its pristine state.
Though small in scale, it boasted dense forests, clear flowing streams, and a towering rocky mountain right at its center. From the summit, one could take in the island’s breathtaking scenery at a glance.
And that very rocky mountain was the place where the supreme master of the demonic path, who had reached the pinnacle of martial arts, and the foremost swordsman of the orthodox path, who had mastered the absolute swordsmanship of the righteous faction, would risk their lives in a deadly duel.
Ziiing.
A vibration suddenly arose near the otherwise silent rocky mountain, and a transparent shadow that let light pass through glimmered faintly in the sunlight for a moment.
If the vibration had not been felt, and if it had not sparkled briefly in the sun, no one would have noticed that a shadow existed there at all.
It was none other than Bu Eunseol.
‘This should be about complete.’
Having learned the location and time of the duel between the two supreme masters from Baek Jeoncheon, Bu Eunseol had immediately halted all other activities and come straight here.
He had done so to study a method that would allow him to remain on Seungsa Island while evading the ultra-sensory perception of the Demon Emperor and the Three Demons and Three Venerables.
“The masters of the Limitless Realm possess not only superhuman bodily senses but also terrifyingly accurate intuition.
In the past, even when Bu Eunseol had perfectly concealed his presence inside the secret vault of the Martial Venerable, both the Martial Venerable and Baekri Mujo had instinctively sensed that someone was hiding.
In other words, while they could not pinpoint the exact location, they possessed an instinct that transcended ordinary super-senses.”
‘I managed to find my own answer using the Crystal Divine Energy.’
Among the Four Divine Energies, Crystal Divine Energy was the gentlest and softest.
It seems incorporeal yet clearly exists and its nature was flexible yet tenacious.
By leveraging this property—combined with the Ghost Breath Method that completely halts all bodily activity, and by applying the Crystal Divine Energy’s principles of ‘existing yet nonexistent’ and ‘soft yet solid and firm’—he had created a new stealth art capable of offsetting even the intuition of heavenly masters.
‘Whether it will actually work remains to be seen.’
Even so, Bu Eunseol could not be certain.
Could this technique truly deceive the eyes of the Demon Emperor, the Three Demons and the Three Venerables?
Just how sharp was their intuition?
Even if he erased his presence perfectly… might they possess some kind of Limitless Realm power that could still detect him?
‘I must not harbor doubt.’
Bu Eunseol shook his head.
If he attempted to hide while carrying such misgivings, even a flawless technique would ultimately be undermined by that anxiety leaking out as presence, ruining everything.
“After all, didn’t I come here staking my life?”
In all his years wandering the martial world, how many times had he not risked his life?
Even when learning martial arts, hadn’t he constantly put his life on the line?
To witness with his own eyes the clash of transcendent beings who dominated the martial world, was the lifelong dream of any martial artist…
Risking one’s life for that… was perhaps the most natural thing in the world.
‘I’ll just give it a try.’
After taking a deep breath, Bu Eunseol scanned the surroundings and stomped his foot hard. A soft vibration spread outward, and the surrounding landscape began to etch itself clearly into his mind.
Watching the duel at close range with his eyes would dramatically increase the risk of detection. Instead, he would conceal his body using the stealth art fused with Crystal Divine Energy, then rely on the super-senses of the Void Heart Command to observe the battle from roughly a hundred zhang away—purely through the fluctuations of true energy and air currents.
That way, the chance of being discovered would be drastically reduced.
Ziiing.
At that moment, a strange resonance spread through Bu Eunseol’s mind.
Something immense was approaching Seungsa Island.
‘Oh no.’
This time Bu Eunseol was so startled his heart nearly leaped out of his chest.
In his intense focus on perfecting the stealth art, he had forgotten one crucial fact.
Even though Seungsa was an uninhabited island roughly a hundred li from the coast, the qinggong of Limitless Realm masters were on an entirely different level from the renowned swift movement arts scattered throughout the martial world.
They could shrink distance like the legendary Shrink-Earth Technique or fly at extreme speeds.
By the time he sensed their presence, the distance had already closed considerably.
‘I’m too late.’
Saaa.
In the end, Bu Eunseol hurriedly circulated his energy, spreading transparent Crystal Divine Energy in all directions.
Suuu.
His entire form grew faint, then began projecting the scenery from the opposite side.
With no time to flee, he instantly activated the stealth art to hide his appearance and unleashed the extreme Ghost Breath Method to completely erase even his aura.
Kuuung!
At the same instant, someone landed atop the rocky mountain’s peak.
They merely descended with their movement technique, yet it unleashed tremendous vibration and crushing pressure, as though the entire island had sunk by an inch.
The Blood Demon, Jeok Bung.
An elder of Majeon, the great demon was said to have slain more orthodox martial artists than any other living demonic cultivator.
He was the first to arrive on Seungsa.
Kurrrr.
With Jeok Bung’s arrival, the entire scenery of Seungsa Island seemed dyed blood-red.
Bu Eunseol, still hidden, closed his eyes.
The moment the Blood Demon appeared, his vision blurred crimson, and for some reason nausea surged within him.
‘So this is the Blood Demon in full battle readiness.’
This place would soon become the battlefield where the Demon Emperor and the Sword Venerable would clash.
In other words, the single most dangerous and powerful collision of forces in the world.
Thus the Blood Demon was unleashing without restraint the aura he had kept hidden until now.
Its majesty was beyond imagination.
‘Was he really this strong?’
Bu Eunseol immediately revised his evaluation of the man called Jeok Bung.
Martial arts were not merely about ranking people.
Moreover, the realm called Limitless Realm could not be adequately described as just another “stage” of martial cultivation.
‘The term Limitless Realm carries countless layers of meaning.’
Limitless Realm—the expression of the ultimate height humanity can reach in martial arts.
The word itself did not point to one specific boundary, nor did it merely mean transcending human limits to wield Limitless Realm power. It encompassed the entire process, capability, and enlightenment of a grandmaster who has reached the pinnacle of martial arts.
As if to prove it, the Blood Demon Jeok Bung radiated an aura so overwhelming that his reputation as the lowest seat among the Three Demons and Three Venerables seemed laughable.
Like a monster that had concealed its true form finally revealing its full power, he exuded a presence unimaginable.
‘It’s hard to even endure.’
Merely by appearing and releasing his aura, the Blood Demon was already making it difficult for Bu Eunseol to maintain the emission of Crystal Divine Energy.
‘He must be aiming for the sect leader’s position.’
Jeok Bung had once told him he was not satisfied with merely being an elder.
In other words, he harbored the ambition to defeat the Demon Emperor and claim the position of sect leader.
As proof, Jeok Bung had trained in secrecy, dramatically elevating his martial prowess and now, by personally witnessing this duel, he intended to gain profound insight and achieve yet another massive leap forward.
Kurrrng.
Just then, a majestic and dignified thunder rolled from the distant sky.
At the same time, brilliant golden radiance tore through the heavens, and sacred beams of light descended between the clouds.
Kurrrr.
The whole island shook as though an earthquake had struck, and from the beam of light burst a solemn Buddha radiance.
“Amitabha.”
With a low recitation of the Buddha’s name, a gaunt old monk slowly emerged from within the light.
His skin was cracked like old deadwood, yet his eyes held deep, radiant wisdom.
He was Hong Hyeon, the living legend of the orthodox path—the Buddha Venerable.
Shwaaaa.
With the Buddha Venerable’s arrival, the blood-red scenery regained its original colors, and the pervasive scent of blood that had filled the air gradually dissipated.
Merely by appearing, this great grandmaster of orthodox martial arts caused the blood aura enveloping Seungsa Island to melt away like snow.
“It has been a long time, Benefactor Jeok.”
The Buddha Venerable greeted Jeok Bung first.
“It feels like only yesterday that we met in the Western Gorge, yet fifteen years have already passed.”
“Indeed.”
Jeok Bung replied in a low voice and bloodlust flickered in his pupils.
Kukukuku.
As he raised his aura, the entire island trembled once more, and the crimson energy began spreading again.
“I have not forgotten that day. Not even for a single moment.”
From those words alone, Bu Eunseol could infer a great deal.
Fifteen years ago, in the Western Gorge, the Blood Demon and the Buddha Venerable had clashed.
And the victory had gone to the Buddha Venerable.
“Before the Demonic Sect Leader arrives, this should serve nicely to whet our appetites.”
“Amitabha.” The Buddha Venerable gave a faint smile. “Even after reaching such an advanced age, Benefactor Jeok remains as vigorous as ever.”
“I appreciate the compliment.”
Kwaaaang!
A deafening explosion rang out as radiant light capable of tearing the sky burst from Jeok Bung’s body.
He had raised his signature art.
“You have reached yet another higher realm in the meantime.”
“If you recognize that, perhaps you should start preparing.”
“Unfortunately, today does not seem to be the day.”
The Buddha Venerable gazed into the distant sky and smiled gently.
In that instant, Jeok Bung’s eyes flashed.
Even his senses had detected something.
Hwiriririk.
A strange wind blew across the entire island, and above the blue sky, an enormous energy began to gather.
Flash!
Suddenly silver light burst from that massive energy,
Kwaaaaauuu.
The surrounding air began to tremble as though it had taken on tangible form. At the same time, blue waves rippled outward from the ground, forming a white silhouette.
It was a middle-aged man with fair skin and glossy hair neatly tied up.
His deep, profound eyes seemed to pierce through all phenomena with wisdom.
He was Weiji Mu-a, the Profound Demon, wielder of the most enigmatic demonic sword under heaven.
‘Things just got chaotic.’
With even the Profound Demon’s arrival, Bu Eunseol finally resolved the two lingering questions that had puzzled him.
‘The Three Demons and Three Venerables are all coming.’
Now that Weiji Mu-a had set foot on the island as well, Bu Eunseol understood why the Demon Emperor had chosen this location for the duel.
Merely by standing there, three of the Three Demons and Three Venerables turned Seungsa into a space of Limitless Realm power—a place ordinary martial artists could not even approach.
‘The very space is distorted.’
The aura emitted by these three Limitless Realm masters alone warped the surroundings of the island.
It felt like standing atop a mountain with thin air.
If the Demon Emperor and the Sword Venerable were to unleash their true martial arts here and fight?
The interior of Seungsa Island would literally become a hellish domain.
Unless one was at the level of the Three Demons and Three Venerables, it would be an absolute domain impossible to endure.
That was precisely why they chose this remote, isolated uninhabited island—so that the surrounding mainland would not be devastated.
‘Even the Three Families and the Three Realms never dreamed of coming here.’
That had always been a mystery to him.
With their outstanding intelligence networks, why had neither the Three Realms nor the abyssal groups managed to locate the site of this generational duel?
No matter how great their martial arts or organizations, they would never dare intrude upon a space where the Demon Emperor and the Three Demons and Three Venerables were gathered together.
To do so would be to forfeit their own lives.
‘This is bad.’
But now the problem was Bu Eunseol himself.
He had thought erasing his presence would be enough.
Instead, he had unwittingly trapped himself in a hellish space permeated by the Limitless Realm power radiating from the world’s strongest experts.
“It has been a long time, Brother Jeok.”
At that moment, Weiji Mu-a spoke with the delighted expression of someone who had run into an old friend while out for a stroll.
“I can’t even remember how many years it has been.”
He also acknowledged the Buddha Venerable.
“So the Great Master is here as well.”
“Lord Weiji.” The Buddha Venerable smiled faintly and returned a light greeting. “It seems you have made great progress with the Flowing Sword of Transformation. Truly a joyous and praiseworthy achievement.”
Bu Eunseol started slightly.
From the Buddha Venerable’s words, it appeared the two had once crossed blades in the past.
In other words, the Buddha Venerable had fought all three of the Three Demons and Three Venerables.
After all, there was no way the battle-loving demonic figure Human Demon Ak Muryeong would have left him alone.
“Lord Weiji.”
Jeok Bung could not hide his displeasure at Weiji Mu-a’s arrival.
“Still enjoying good fortune, I see.”
“Brother Jeok, not only has your complexion brightened, but your martial prowess has become unrecognizable. Did something fortunate happen?”
“Are you losing your sense of tact with age?”
Weiji Mu-a responded to Jeok Bung’s barbed remark with a calm smile.
“Now I see—I have arrived inconsiderately and spoiled the mood between you two.”
He gazed at the energy flowing from Jeok Bung’s body and let out an admiring sound.
“Would you like to continue, then?”
Then he looked at the Buddha Venerable and spoke playfully.
“Rest assured, Great Master. Even if Brother Jeok runs out of strength midway through fighting you, I won’t join in to try and beat you.”
At Weiji Mu-a’s jest, Jeok Bung slowly withdrew the energy he had raised.
Although they were both of the demonic path, he and Weiji Mu-a had never gotten along particularly well. If he fought the Buddha Venerable now, it would only hand enormous benefit to Weiji Mu-a.
Just as the Buddha Venerable had said… today was not the day.
“Has everyone who is coming arrived?”
Jeok Bung muttered quietly, ignoring Weiji Mu-a’s gaze.
“Now only the main character of today remains.”
At those words, both Weiji Mu-a and the Buddha Venerable gave faint nods of agreement.
‘Does that mean the sect leader isn’t coming?’
Bu Eunseol sensed something odd in their conversation.
Since the Martial Venerable was currently impersonating the Heavenly Emperor, he obviously would not appear here.
If even one or two of them—Weiji Mu-a, Jeok Bung, or the Buddha Venerable—saw through it with their sharp Dharma eyes, the plan built over more than a decade would collapse into nothing.
But even setting the Martial Venerable aside, Human Demon Ak Muryeong was a martial fanatic who had spent his entire life exchanging blows with powerhouses and studying the arts of every sect under heaven.
So why were they so certain he would not come to this duel?
At that moment, Weiji Mu-a asked the Buddha Venerable, “Great Master, do you perhaps know the reason why Brother Ak is certain not to come?”
“Lord Ak has fought not only the Majeon Lord but also Benefactor Heonwon several times.” The Buddha Venerable smiled gently. “Moreover, seeing that he has long since stopped challenging others and entered prolonged seclusion… it seems he is pursuing the path of self-awakening and self-completion, and thus will not come.”
“That may be true.”
Weiji Mu-a whispered as though sharing an amusing story.
“But the real reason is likely that he cannot afford to watch the fight leisurely.”
“Why is that?”
“Not long ago I visited Nangyang Pavilion, and Brother Ak had attained an extremely high enlightenment and was in the process of freeing himself from the constraints of the physical body. During such a period, one tries to maintain a mind as fluid as water… so naturally he cannot come here.”
‘I see.’ Bu Eunseol, eavesdropping on the conversation, nodded inwardly.
Ak Muryeong too had long trained to break through the limits of the Limitless Realm.
He had finally reached the state of ‘nothing outside the mind’ and ‘returning to the origin,’ and was in the midst of transcending the limitations of the flesh.
But if he witnessed the clash between the Demon Emperor and the Sword Venerable? His tranquil state of mind would shatter… and all his previous efforts might come to naught.
“If that is true, then he truly will not come.” The Buddha Venerable nodded with an admiring expression. “Yet for Benefactor Ak, who possesses a blazing solar disposition, to attain boundless martial enlightenment and become as cold as ice… one cannot help but offer praise for such immeasurable achievement.”
“Indeed.”
Weiji Mu-a tossed a light jest toward the Buddha Venerable.
“Thanks to that, the future of the orthodox path grows even darker.”
“Hohoho. This old monk is already a hunched elder, yet two dragon-and-tiger-like swift masters still remain.”
He was referring to the Heavenly Emperor Shin Domubi and the Martial Venerable Dan Mok-gi.
But Weiji Mu-a gave a short laugh.
“Compared to you, Great Master, who has lived two hundred years, aren’t their steps too slow?”
The Buddha Venerable shook his head with a smile.
“They are not late. They are simply not coming.”
“Why is that?”
“For more than ten years both have refrained from showing themselves, conducting their activities in secrecy. There is no way they would come here.”
Even if both legs were broken, as martial artists they would surely come to witness such a duel.
Though Weiji Mu-a could not fully understand the answer, he was convinced of one thing.
They would not come.
Because the words had come from the Buddha Venerable’s mouth.
In all this time, nothing the Buddha Venerable had ever said had ever been wrong.
Kurrrng.
Just then, a faint tremor seemed to ripple through the air in all directions.
The sky abruptly darkened, and thick fog began rising from the ground.
Goooo.
With a sound as though all the air in the world was being sucked somewhere, a single streak of lightning connected heaven and earth.
Kurrrr.
Heaven and earth trembled in fear, and black flames surged upward, coalescing into a single silhouette.
At the same time, a man over seven chi tall appeared, clad in robes that revealed arms like massive pillars propping up the sky.
Every inch of exposed skin—including his face—was woven together like thick twisted ropes, made entirely of densely knotted, steel-hard muscle—as though the god of war and battle had manifested in human form.
It was none other than the Human Demon, Ak Muryeong.
‘The sect leader.’
Bu Eunseol was inwardly astonished.
Why had Ak Muryeong—who should have been focusing on governing his mind—come here?
“What brings you here, Brother Ak?”
Weiji Mu-a greeted him with genuine surprise.
“I truly thought you would never come.”
“Hmph.”
Instead of answering, Ak Muryeong fixed the Buddha Venerable with his yellowish eyes.
It was as though only he and the Buddha Venerable existed in this place.
“Amitabha.”
The Buddha Venerable gently received the fearsome gaze of Ak Muryeong.
Yet he offered no greeting.
Because he knew that one more word would provoke a thunderbolt-like onslaught from Ak Muryeong.
“You’ve finally arrived.”
At that moment, Jeok Bung’s cold voice rang out.
Shuk. Shuuk.
In an instant, the figures of Ak Muryeong, Weiji Mu-a, the Buddha Venerable, and Jeok Bung vanished one after another.
Using lightning-fast movement techniques, they ascended to stone pillars from which they could overlook the rocky mountain.
Once they disappeared, the area around the mountain fell into a state of perfect, empty silence.
Kurrrng.
A low vibration rumbled as the sky grew steadily darker and clouds gathered.
A fierce wind suddenly howled, and every plant on the island began to tremble as though heralding the arrival of a demon god.
Wuuung.
At the same time, radiant waves of true energy burst from within a transparent form.
Before long, an old man appeared at the center of the rocky mountain, his face bearing the clear traces of countless years.
His gaze was sharp yet clear, shimmering with a mystical light that seemed to pierce through everything.
Standing calmly with his hands behind his back, he blended naturally into the scenery of Seungsa Island.
The supreme ruler of the demonic path, the greatest master of the demonic faction—Demon Emperor, Sado Muryeong.
“It has been a long time.”
As his lips parted,
Saaaa.
Amid the sound of waves, an old man with a vigorous, heroic spirit slowly appeared opposite him.
Everyone present on this rocky mountain was a supreme expert who dominated the martial world.
Each possessed a distinct aura, vividly revealed the moment they arrived.
Yet this man had no discernible trait whatsoever, as though he had been here from the very beginning.
The Sword Venerable, Heonwon Damcheong.
He appeared as though he had been waiting for the Demon Emperor’s call.
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