The masked woman spoke commandingly.
“Open the Life Gate.”
“If you release the Great Monk.”
“Do you wish to die?”
“I’ll give those words back to you.”
Bu Eunseol spoke in a low voice.
“If you do not return the Great Monk, I will surely find the United Heart Society Lord and cut him down.”
“United Heart Society Lord? What are you talking about?”
“The answer sounded natural, but unfortunately, you couldn’t suppress your physiological reaction.”
A cold smile appeared at the corner of Bu Eunseol’s mouth.
The moment he uttered the words ‘United Heart Society Lord,’ he had not missed the masked woman’s pupils rapidly dilating.
Of course, this was a minute change that ordinary martial artists could not detect. However, it was possible for him because he could perfectly penetrate human psychology and even read physiological reactions.
“…….”
The masked woman, having suppressed her surprise, carefully observed Bu Eunseol, who was wearing a face veil.
She was trying to confirm whether he possessed Sealed Demon Fragments.
However, she could sense no energy from him, nor could she determine the level of his martial prowess.
“A dangerous man.”
A sharp killing intent surged from her eyes.
She intended to kill Bu Eunseol and then escape this place.
Kukukuku.
As she raised her energy, the domain of the Life-and-Death Battle Array began to shake violently.
When a martial artist obtains a Sealed Demon Fragment, they gain a mysterious power that transcends the common sense of martial arts. This power manifests differently for each person, and its exact nature can only be understood once actual combat begins. Therefore, those who possess Sealed Demon Fragments are like opponents hiding invisible weapons, requiring extreme caution when facing them.
Whoosh.
Bu Eunseol immediately raised his Wind-Cloud Divine Qi to rescue the Wood Buddha trapped inside the sack.
‘Not yet.’
But he quickly withdrew his power.
He had recalled the Wood Buddha’s warning.
—Lastly, no matter what, even if this humble monk is in danger here, you must never step forward.
The Wood Buddha had strictly instructed him not to intervene no matter what crisis he faced inside this formation.
Remembering those words, Bu Eunseol instead increased the distance between himself and the masked woman and calmly spoke.
“In the end, the United Heart Society is also part of the axis of evil. You are trying to abduct someone through intimidation.”
“Nonsense!”
The enraged masked woman shook her shoulders.
White smoke rose from behind her back, spreading into the sky before rushing toward Bu Eunseol in an instant.
Chiiii.
Wherever the white smoke passed, the ground turned black and large holes were punched through the stones.
It was the unique martial art of the Daridan clan, said to have been lost four hundred years ago—Heavenly Mist Art.
Among its techniques, she had used the power of Cloud-Dispersing Mist.
‘So the United Heart Society restored the Daridan clan’s martial arts?’
Bu Eunseol used his movement technique to evade the attack.
Thud.
Suddenly, someone entered the Life-and-Death Battle Array and snatched the sack that had been strapped to the masked woman’s back.
The movement was as fast and precise as lightning, leaving the masked woman helpless as the sack was taken.
“Who are you!”
Swish.
The ones who revealed themselves were the six yellow-robed figures Bu Eunseol had seen when he first entered the island.
They moved freely through the air like ghosts, surrounding and attacking the masked woman.
“No chance!”
The furious masked woman spread both arms toward the sky, instantly filling everything within ten zhang with thick white fog.
One of the yellow-robed figures’ sack was instantly riddled with holes, and the Wood Buddha was thrown out.
He landed right near the Life Gate that Bu Eunseol had created.
Uwoong!
As if annoyed by the masked woman’s Heavenly Mist Art, the six yellow-robed figures simultaneously swung their large fists like windmills.
Kwaaaa!
The white smoke reversed direction, flying back toward the masked woman before spreading toward where Bu Eunseol stood.
Bu Eunseol moved to avoid the smoke and naturally arrived near where the Wood Buddha had fallen.
[If you exit through the Life Gate right now and head northeast, you should be able to leave the island without interference.]
The moment the Wood Buddha’s transmission reached him,
Thud.
Without hesitation, Bu Eunseol scooped up the Wood Buddha and dashed through the Life Gate.
Chut!
As he unleashed his full speed with the movement technique, an extremely faint sonic boom spread out.
Kwaung!
At that moment, an explosion shook the Life-and-Death Battle Array.
The masked woman and the yellow-robed figures tried to pursue Bu Eunseol, but the Life Gate had changed again, preventing them from exiting.
‘They won’t be able to get out for at least a day and a half.’
The Life-and-Death Battle Array that the Wood Buddha had altered was as solid as dozens of ancient overlapping formations.
No matter how skilled one was in formations or how outstanding their martial arts, it could never be broken within a day.
Chuchuchuchu.
Carrying the Wood Buddha, he raced across the island with all his might.
But something was strange.
Despite the faint sonic boom caused by his urgent qinggong, no pursuers appeared.
Clang! Chaeng!
Faint sounds of weapons clashing echoed from all directions.
The sounds came not from one place but from across the entire island.
Moreover, transparent waves were spreading from various locations on the island.
Uwoong.
And with each spreading wave, a faint, low vibration emanated from the Wood Buddha’s body as well.
‘I see.’
Bu Eunseol finally understood the situation.
The Wood Buddha had activated the mysterious formation spread across the entire island, simultaneously dispelling the stealth techniques of all the experts who had entered.
Having been forced to reveal themselves, they had no choice but to engage in fierce combat.
That was why no one noticed Bu Eunseol’s faint sonic boom as he performed qinggong.
‘He truly can see through the future.’
The Wood Buddha had perfectly foreseen every situation.
He was the living heavenly secret itself, one who penetrates the will of heaven.
Saaaak.
When he reached the boundary of the island where the formation was active, the black night sky dotted with stars came into view.
Finally, after passing through the formation and leaving the island,
Jiiiing.
The vast inner energy that had been stagnant within his body began to circulate powerfully once more.
“I apologize for the rudeness.”
Once his inner energy returned, Bu Eunseol shifted his posture, hoisted the Wood Buddha onto his back.
Kurrung! Kwaang!
He unleashed his full power in the Thunder Spirit Energy-enhanced Swift Beyond Shadow.
Fearing the frail Wood Buddha might not withstand the wind pressure, he maintained his protective strong qi while executing the movement technique.
Kwawoooo!
Having become a streak of meteor, Bu Eunseol raced madly toward the northeast.
After running like that for about two hours, a distant, faintly fog-shrouded sheer cliff came into view.
It was the meeting place he had arranged with the Martial Venerable.
Paat.
As Bu Eunseol entered the area, he saw a large, ornately decorated palanquin and the masked carriers bearing it.
There stood the Martial Venerable, dressed in gray robes.
Judging by his somewhat weary eyes and expression, it seemed he had been waiting here the entire time rather than having arrived exactly on schedule.
“As expected.”
The Martial Venerable looked back and forth between Bu Eunseol and the Wood Buddha, who appeared to have gone through all sorts of hardships, then nodded.
“You’ve suffered.”
He showed a smile of certainty.
He was convinced that Bu Eunseol had obtained no information from the Wood Buddha.
The only change was a small piece of flesh missing from the ear area.
“Wood Buddha.”
He approached the Wood Buddha with a gentle smile.
“It’s been a long time.”
The Wood Buddha simply stared straight at him with his mouth closed, as if he had nothing to say.
“I know. You can no longer say anything to me.”
The Martial Venerable shrugged.
“This matter was only to save you. If you had stayed there, you would have been helplessly dragged away by them and subjected to all kinds of suffering.”
The Wood Buddha lightly shook his head.
His expression seemed to reproach the Martial Venerable for his past mistakes.
“Wood Buddha.”
The Martial Venerable clicked his tongue.
“How long do you think I will remain beneath others?”
At that moment, Bu Eunseol’s eyes flashed.
The Martial Venerable had a solitary and supreme personality.
Until now, he had belonged to no faction and obeyed no one’s orders.
Yet now he was working under someone?
‘Then he must have recently submitted to some faction.’
While Bu Eunseol was lost in deep thought, the Martial Venerable spoke again.
“I am truly only trying to guarantee your safety. For now… that is.”
The Wood Buddha, who had been staring intently at the Martial Venerable, turned his body to look at Bu Eunseol.
He gave him an infinitely merciful and warm gaze, then gently took his hand.
The Wood Buddha’s hand was as hard as a wooden block, yet it conveyed sufficient warmth.
Swish.
Turning his body once more, the Wood Buddha slowly climbed into the palanquin prepared by the Martial Venerable.
“Great Monk.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with regret at the sight.
“If you wish to stay with me, I will serve you.”
He was saying that even if he had to fight the Martial Venerable, even if it sparked a great war between the righteous and demonic paths, he would definitely protect the Wood Buddha if that was what he wanted.
The Wood Buddha shook his head with warm eyes.
His expression seemed to say, ‘This is the natural order.’
Once the Wood Buddha had boarded the palanquin, the Martial Venerable asked Bu Eunseol, “Was it a good meeting?”
The Martial Venerable smiled brightly, which was unlike him.
As if he knew everything.
“Yes, it was.”
Bu Eunseol smiled as well.
He no longer needed to be led by anyone’s hand in search of the culprit.
Just as the Wood Buddha had advised, he would find everything with his own hands.
And just as he said, everything would surely be resolved.
“I see.”
Seeing Bu Eunseol’s eyes now shining with confidence unlike before, the Martial Venerable unconsciously twisted the corner of his mouth.
“See you soon.”
With those short words, he leaped away without hesitation.
The masked carriers bearing the palanquin also vanished into the distant sky in an instant.
“So he was sincere.”
Bu Eunseol had clearly expected the Martial Venerable to break his promise or devise another scheme but he had kept his word and left without lingering.
It was probably not because he valued trust, but because securing the Wood Buddha’s safety was more important.
“Great Monk.”
Once the Martial Venerable’s presence had completely vanished, Bu Eunseol carefully opened his palm.
It was because the Wood Buddha had engraved something on it when he grasped his hand earlier.
Thud.
When he spread his palm, wood fragments like small wooden blocks formed a single phrase.
Ghost Island.
Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened.
It was the place where, in the past, the Three Realms had used the Ten Cosmic Weapons as bait to cause countless renowned righteous heroes to destroy one another.
It was also where the Bullet King had come to realize the ugly side of the righteous path.
Above all, it held special meaning for Bu Eunseol.
It was where he had obtained the sword hilt of Journey, the unique weapon of the Seven-Finger Demon Blade that had belonged to his grandfather, along with the manual for the Seven Blood Tear Forms.
Srr.
Then, something astonishing happened.
The wood powder moved on its own again and formed another set of characters.
Martial God Heaven.
“Martial God Heaven.”
Bu Eunseol looked down at his palm with a surprised expression.
It was one of the Four Divine Heavens, the subordinates of the True Demon.
Did that mean the Wood Buddha was telling him that the main base of Martial God Heaven was Ghost Island?
‘If that place is the headquarters of Martial God Heaven...’
Staring at the characters engraved on his palm, Bu Eunseol muttered quietly, “Does that mean it wasn’t the Three Realms, but Martial God Heaven that lured the renowned righteous heroes with the Ten Cosmic Weapons back then?”
The Three Realms were beings who would join hands with anyone if it benefited them, so it would not be surprising if one of their factions had a close relationship with Martial God Heaven and turned Ghost Island into a graveyard for the righteous heroes.
‘Then the place where Grandfather’s sword hilt was stored was Martial God Heaven’s secret vault?’
His grandfather’s Seven Blood Tear Forms was the strongest blade technique in the history of the martial world.
If Ghost Island, where it had been kept, was the headquarters of Martial God Heaven?
That could not be mere coincidence; there was clearly some hidden arrangement.
‘I must go.’
Bu Eunseol’s heart pounded.
Perhaps the Wood Buddha had pointed him there because secrets related to his grandfather were hidden in that place.
Even if not, the headquarters of one of the True Demon’s strongest subordinates, Martial God Heaven, was well worth the risk of visiting.
Tap.
Bu Eunseol brushed the wood fragments from his palm.
Then he unleashed his movement technique in one go.
Srrrk.
However, the wood fragments that had fallen to the ground formed a long line of characters.
New Self Awakening, New Chapter of Fate.
―A new self shall awaken, and another chapter of fate shall open…
Whoosh.
But as the wind blew, the wood fragments scattered across the ground like they were being swept away.
***
The sky spread out like blue silk, and the sunlight sparkled as if scattering golden powder.
After passing the shoreline where incoming waves left silver foam, a dense forest came into view.
Ghost Island.
The place where hundreds of young righteous path martial artists had fought a desperate and cruel battle for the mysterious weapons passed down through the ages in the martial world—the Ten Cosmic Weapons.
And now he had returned to the island where he had discovered the hilt of his grandfather’s sword, Journey, which contained the Seven Blood Tear Forms.
“Hmm.”
Bu Eunseol, who had been examining the surroundings, slightly furrowed his brow.
On the surface it was an endlessly serene uninhabited island, yet somewhere he could smell the scent of blood.
That was because bone fragments and pieces of flesh had been scattered everywhere at the time.
“Not pleasant memories.”
In the past, Bu Eunseol had struggled alongside the Bullet King to save the renowned righteous heroes engaged in slaughter here but in the end, those who visited Ghost Island were beasts wearing the masks of heroes.
Not a single one had survived.
‘This place being Martial God Heaven really doesn’t make sense.’
If this truly was a secret base of Martial God Heaven?
And if the secret vault storing his grandfather’s sword hilt had been established here?
They absolutely should not have invited outsiders.
Yet why had they used the supreme divine weapons known as the Ten Cosmic Weapons as bait to lure righteous path martial artists and set a trap?
Even though a secret vault containing the sword hilt with the crystallization of the Seven-Finger Demon Blade’s supreme blade technique was hidden here.
Why had they lured outsiders without any hesitation?
“Moreover….”
Bu Eunseol shook his head.
“If Martial God Heaven had a base or headquarters here at the time, there is no way I would not have noticed.”
Of course, the difference in his martial prowess between then and now was vast but his beastly senses remained the same. His sharp intuition and insight had not changed.
“Furthermore, they would have known I took Grandfather’s blade manual, so why didn’t they try to retrieve it?”
Even if Martial God Heaven had temporarily left Ghost Island and the Three Realms had coincidentally carried out this scheme, they could have easily learned that he and the Bullet King had visited this place.
Yet after having their priceless treasure—the sword hilt containing the Seven Blood Tear Forms—stolen, why had they shown no movement to track it or recover it?
“I’ll find out once I look.”
Bu Eunseol shook his head.
If Martial God Heaven was here, all secrets would be solved. There was no need to rack his brain with guesses.
Jiiing.
Raising his Void Heart Command, he began searching every corner of the island as thoroughly as combing for lice.
“Nothing.”
Even after searching for half a day, he found no notable traces.
Even the coastal cliff at the edge of the island where his grandfather’s sword hilt, Journey, had been stored had completely vanished, as if the sea god had appeared and cleanly erased only that spot.
“This doesn’t make sense.”
Bu Eunseol pressed his forehead with his hand.
Had someone known he would visit and erased all traces here?
“No, that can’t be.”
The Wood Buddha was a prophet who could immediately read heavenly secrets.
If such a thing had happened, he would not have told him about this place.
He simply had not found it yet.
There was definitely something hidden here.
After pondering for a long time, Bu Eunseol muttered in a low voice.
“Absolute Boundary.”
An Absolute Boundary could perfectly conceal a vast space under any circumstances.
If something was hidden here yet remained invisible?
There was no other possibility besides the technique of an Absolute Boundary.
Floating into the air, Bu Eunseol closed his eyes.
He raised his Wind-Cloud Divine Qi with full power.
Paaaa.
Intense wind began to dwell within his body and soon spread across the entire island.
How much time had passed?
“There it is.”
A faint reaction could be felt in the distance.
The coastal cliff—the place where his grandfather’s sword, Journey, had been hidden.
In that space which had now completely vanished, he could sense an unknown wall.
“From the sensation felt through Wind-Cloud Divine Qi, it is definitely an Absolute Boundary.”
As he carefully examined the spot, Bu Eunseol felt something strange.
An Absolute Boundary completely separates space, so there is no passage in or out, and one must release the boundary to enter.
Yet the Absolute Boundary he sensed now felt as if it had an entrance, with a specific space detectable?
After carefully examining the area near the coastal cliff for a long time, he finally realized an unexpected truth.
“It hadn’t disappeared.”
To the naked eye, the coastal cliff at the edge of the island where Journey’s hilt had been stored had completely vanished but when he examined it with his super senses maximized through Wind-Cloud Divine Qi, the cliff had not fully disappeared.
The cave where Journey’s sword had been stored was still intact.
In other words, while the cliff was invisible, the cave entrance remained exactly as it was.
As if someone had deliberately kept that space open so others could enter.
“Is this even possible?”
Swallowing his bewilderment, Bu Eunseol used his aerial flight technique and slowly walked toward the cave’s location under the assumption that the cliff was there.
The space had clearly been empty when he approached, but as he passed the area of the cave entrance, the interior of the cave slowly began to appear.
“Amazing.”
Exclaiming in admiration, he cautiously entered inside.
The passage gradually widened, and light that drove away darkness flowed from somewhere.
“The internal structure is also unique.”
The front was wide open, yet the space one could actually walk through was extremely narrow.
It was as if the entire passage had not been blocked, but only certain directions were accessible.
It felt like certain parts of the space had been sealed off with transparent walls.
“A method to secretly hide the entrance.”
For example, if there were left and right paths and one of them was hidden from view?
One could never find the entrance until sensing the existence of that invisible wall.
“In times like this, Harmony is best.”
Even if it would strain his body somewhat, nothing surpassed using Harmony—unleashing all his power at maximum strength at once—to break an Absolute Boundary.
Flash! Paaaaa!
But something astonishing happened.
The power of Harmony, which had shattered any Absolute Boundary in a single strike until now, had no effect at all.
He did not even feel it touching anything.
“Its nature is different.”
Only then did Bu Eunseol realize that the Absolute Boundary here was completely different from any he had broken before.
“It feels as if it is demanding something from those who wish to enter.”
Was it testing qualifications?
If this was the passage leading into Martial God Heaven?
It would not be strange for it to require one to demonstrate power proving they were a subordinate of the True Demon, or to possess the special power only they held.
“Hmm.”
Bu Eunseol stopped walking and thought for a long time.
“No, it probably isn’t a path only subordinates of the True Demon can enter.”
The Wood Buddha could read heavenly secrets.
If there were conditions or restrictions that could not be overcome with his power, he would surely have made appropriate arrangements.
Yet he had only engraved the words Martial God Heaven and Ghost Island.
“It is clear that I can break through it.”
Having finished his thoughts, Bu Eunseol this time raised his Crystal Divine Energy.
Not to open or break the transparent wall blocking the way, but to at least sense its form.
Paa.
Transparent mist spread in all directions, and the clear Crystal Divine Energy manifested.
Then, an extremely familiar shape was sensed.
“A door?”
Surprisingly, what existed here was not an Absolute Boundary with the ability to divide space that he had seen before.
It was an invisible, riddle-like door whose method of opening could not be determined.
Gurgle.
The moment the Crystal Divine Energy touched it, Bu Eunseol realized yet another shocking truth.
‘It is alive.’
It looked like a door but was like a living organism.
In other words, it merely imitated the concept of a door. It was not an actual door but a living being that judged and tested on its own.
‘Moreover, it is observing.’
Beyond the door, there was clearly an entity watching all of this.
A ghostly gaze could be felt, existing only within unconscious senses.
‘Is this an ancient secret art?’
It was very similar to the Heart Mirror Technique technique that creates a mind world through formations.
‘Like a mind world… it changes depending on who sees it.’
The door appeared to have no substance, yet to some it would look like a massive barrier, and to others it would feel as if it did not exist at all.
This door was declaring that only ‘those qualified’ could pass through it.
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