Chapter 471: The Time of the Decisive Battle (2)

Henan Province

Shaolin Temple.

“Block themmm!”

At the shout of a young arhat, dozens of Shaolin warrior monks charged toward the incoming demonic beasts from all directions.

“Bangwoo! Is the Demon-Subjugation Formation still not ready?!”

“Evacuate the civilians first! Soon, Elder Bae of the Myungja Faction will arrive with reinforcements!”

Among the Five Peaks of the Central Plains, Shaolin Temple, located on Song Mountain, could be said to be shedding the most blood even among the major sects of the current Murim.

Because they did not hesitate to bleed for the people.

The destined moment had arrived.

Unlike many sects who dismissed it as a temporary calamity, Shaolin, seeing the situation as dire, had emptied out everything they had stored up.

Not only did they release all the wealth they had amassed over decades, but they also opened the Spiritual Medicine Vault and even lifted the bans on martial arts techniques once forbidden for their excessive lethality.

Indeed, if confined to the current generation, they had unleashed enough power to rival even the South and North Heavens and contend for the title of the Greatest Sect Under Heaven.

And yet—

The situation showed no signs of improving.

“There are too many of them!”

“At this rate, we’ll be pushed back!”

Swarms of demonic beasts surged in from all sides.

In contrast, the defending force here barely numbered over thirty.

“Damn it! If only those dispatched to the Alliance were here!”

Even the scholarly monks had been mobilized, but it still wasn’t enough.

At that moment—

A black demonic beast resembling a leopard broke through the defensive line and bit into the arm of the commanding arhat.

“B-Banghwan Senior Brother!”

“You bastard!”

Banghwan’s Diamond Leg shattered the beast’s jaw with a single blow.

“Don’t mind me! Focus on the front!”

Banghwan acted as if nothing was wrong, but everyone could instinctively tell.

His arm hadn’t been torn off, but he wouldn’t be able to use it for a while.

The tide of defeat was thickening.

They were holding out thanks to their superior outer arts, but one by one, their energy was depleting.

“We—we’re collapsing!”

Just then, someone watching the situation from behind let out a scream.

Crashhh!

From behind the demonic beasts, a massive blood-red wave surged.

“……?!”

The sudden wave of blood-red energy swept across the area, devouring the demonic beasts as if consuming them.

It was a force worthy of being called a catastrophe.

And the one who unleashed that might was none other than a young man wielding a single sword.

“Y-You are….”

The Shaolin warrior monks, barely surviving, couldn’t immediately express their gratitude.

Not just the young man, but even the hundred blood-robed martial artists behind him—

Their nature was unmistakably demonic.

“Wipe them all out.”

“As you command!”

“We obey the Clan Leader’s will!”

At the young man’s command, the martial artists all charged at the demonic beasts.

Though still outnumbered, the warriors’ skill level was enough to overturn the situation.

“Are you alright?”

While his subordinates handled the beasts, the young man slowly approached the Shaolin warrior monks.

Only then did the monks confirm his identity and gasp in awe.

“Blood Dragon Heaven-Slaying Sword, Ma Chulsoo!”

“The rising star of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult!”

“They say he reached the Extreme Demon Realm at a young age and has already been confirmed as the leading candidate for the next Great Elder…!”

“……”

At the sudden wave of praise, the corner of Ma Chulsoo’s lips twitched slightly.

He had received countless flattery since becoming the Young Cult Leader, but the sincere awe of the simple Shaolin monks stirred something in his heart.

“Ahem! I have come under the solemn order of the Cult Leader.”

“……”

The monks fell silent again.

As members of Shaolin, they were fully aware of how chaotic the current state of the Alliance was.

Ma Chulsoo’s solemn words rang in their ears.

“The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult and the Murim Alliance will divide their forces to rescue the suffering people across the land.”

Of course, they could not save everyone.

The places the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult dispatched forces to were large cities or major sects like Shaolin that could still hold out.

Considering the strength of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, even that much would be significant aid.

However—

“W-What?!”

“Benefactor Ma, what do you mean by dividing the forces?”

The warrior monks responded in a tone that suggested they could not understand.

“Was the purpose of the alliance between the Alliance and the Cult not to eliminate the root cause of the current situation?”

“As far as this monk knows, the Alliance and your Cult were preparing for war against the main force of demonic beasts concentrated near Mount Tai.”

Ma Chulsoo nodded.

“That is correct.”

Indeed, the original reason the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult came to the Central Plains was exactly that.

“It was, until recently.”

“…What do you mean?”

“It means the strategy has changed.”

The warrior monks’ eyes widened.

“The Cult Leader has made one request to the sects of the Central Plains.”

Even as Ma Chulsoo delivered the message, he couldn’t shake the thought circling his mind: ‘Is this really right?’

But what choice was there?

A command had been issued, and it had to be carried out.

“Hold out for just one more month.”

Seven days and nights earlier.

Luoyang.

Since the Heavenly Demon Jin Yeomyung entered Heaven of Sacred Spirits,

the core members of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult who had entered Luoyang had not been able to conceal their growing concerns.

“Still no word?”

“It’s already been seven days. Something must have happened to His Eminence….”

“Nonsense! Who under Heaven could possibly harm that one?!”

“It’s not just a matter of being trapped in a formation—he vanished suddenly without a trace. Even if he said there would be no issues….”

“……”

“……”

The key figures of the Alliance and the Cult had gathered in one place.

With Baek Sang-ah and So Cheon absent, the only one here who knew the truth was Jegal Eun, who had received a partial account from the two.

And yet, Jegal Eun chose silence instead of disclosure.

‘This place, Heaven of Sacred Spirits… there’s no need to reveal it to the outside world.’

Even if only those with the key could enter.

In the Murim world, where a single piece of uncertain information could spark bloodshed, revealing the existence of such a location would only invite public discord.

If possible, it was better to carry this truth to the grave.

“Preparations for deployment are mostly complete.”

“The supply issue was resolved somehow. The Baekga Trading Company’s Luoyang branch finally handed over the food.”

“Ugh! Those bastards….”

The Baekga Trading Company, who had stubbornly insisted they had no reserves, suddenly turned around and revealed their hidden stock the moment the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult made a request upon arrival in Luoyang.

To the Murim Alliance, which had been pressuring the Baekga Trading Company persistently, it was an absurd outcome.

“Now all that remains is the Cult Leader…”

The remaining key figures of the Alliance cautiously watched the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

The Murim Alliance had lost nearly all of its core experts in a single clash with Cheon Yura.

As such, they couldn’t help but feel intimidated by the Cult, which had gathered only Extreme Demon Realm experts or higher.

Yet, surprisingly, the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult remained quietly in place, not stirring up any trouble or initiating conflict.

‘None of them are pushovers. Even the youngest elders among them can’t be taken lightly.’

‘Such power, yet all under perfect control.’

‘If we were to fight them….’

Certain defeat.

That single phrase dominated their thoughts.

Even though some masters belonging to the Eight Armies—such as Sword Emperor Namgung San, Blue Sword Lord Bae Ilson, and Spear King Ak Biho—had not yet joined the Alliance.

Even if they all gathered, it seemed there was no chance of victory.

As the tense atmosphere continued—

Creak.

The door to the meeting room opened, and someone entered.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“…!”

“Your Eminence!”

Immediately, the members of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult rose to their feet.

But then—

Their expressions began to change bit by bit.

“…Your Eminence?”

At first, joy.

Then, confusion.

Finally, alarm.

“Is something the matter?”

“N-No, it’s just that…”

Even setting aside the fact that the one called ‘His Eminence’ had returned looking like a complete vagrant—

The entirely different aura surrounding him was enough to unsettle the core members of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

“Ma Chulsoo.”

“M-Me… You’re talking to me?”

At the sudden summoning, Ma Chulsoo blinked.

“Yes, come with me for a moment.”

Complete Reversal of Energy and Spirit.

A term used when an absolute master who has reached beyond the Transformation Realm perfectly suppresses their aura.

However, experts who had reached a certain level could still gauge the other’s strength even if the aura was hidden.

Because they could read Sword Intent.

Of course, those who reached the level of Transcendent Demon Realm or Manifestation Realm could even conceal that Sword Intent, but ever since Jin Yeomyung had ascended to the position of Heavenly Demon, he had not hidden himself much.

But—

Ma Chulsoo kept glancing at me since earlier and asked.

“Did something happen in that short time?”

“Why do you ask?”

“It’s not like you’re trying to hide it or anything…”

Ma Chulsoo muttered, unable to conceal his frustration.

“It’s just that, right now, from you… I can’t feel anything.”

Nothing at all.

At that moment, Ma Chulsoo suddenly shook his head.

“No, if I had to say there’s one thing I can feel…”

Ma Chulsoo paused, choosing his words carefully, then opened his mouth.

“Divinity.”

“……”

“Yes. If the you from a while ago was like an unattainable Mount Tai, the you now is… like a sacred sky that one isn’t even permitted to climb… Damn, what am I even saying…”

Ma Chulsoo scratched his head violently.

Surely, saying such things to me must have bruised his pride.

I smiled faintly and asked him.

“Do you know why I called you separately?”

“No idea.”

“I called you alone to reward you for your insight in discerning my current state, Sword Demon.”

“A reward?”

“Yes. The Sword Demon… may someday even surpass Transcendent Demon Realm.”

Ma Seonghwan had continued to guard the place I entered Heaven of Sacred Spirits from.

Though it was a temporary position, he had fulfilled his duty as Great Guardian.

And when I emerged after concluding everything within Heaven of Sacred Spirits, the Sword Demon pierced through the changes in me with his unique intuition.

“I heard from the Sword Demon that you, recently, have already grasped a fragment of the next stage.”

“…Seriously. Father.”

Ma Chulsoo’s face twisted.

A small trace of his dissatisfaction with the Sword Demon’s loose tongue appeared.

“I’ll accept it. Show me your full power.”

Before we knew it, Ma Chulsoo and I had arrived at the underground training chamber.

With the Guardian Lions guarding the entrance tightly, there was no chance of being spied on.

“However, I also have something I want to test… so I’ll say this beforehand—you might be shocked.”

“Well, fine. I won’t refuse.”

Ma Chulsoo’s eyes settled into a cold calm.

“This technique… even if it’s you, Father, it won’t end without injury.”

For him to say such arrogant words to someone who had reached the level of Transcendent Demon Realm…

Rumble—

A bloody energy surged from Ma Chulsoo’s entire body and began to multiply rapidly by dozens of times.

Soon, his pupils turned crimson.

Heaven-Slaying Qi, First Stage

Blood-Eyed Manifestation

I was already aware that he could use the first stage, Blood-Eyed Manifestation.

But that alone didn’t qualify as a trump card.

Then, at that moment—

Heaven-Slaying Qi, Second Stage

Blood-Eyed Fate Melody 7

“Oh?”

Blood-Eyed Fate Melody.

The true power of Heaven-Slaying Qi and the ultimate move of the Blood Demon God, Ma Seoyeon!

Indeed, even without reaching Transcendent Demon Realm, to wield Blood-Eyed Fate Melody was an astonishing feat…

Heaven-Slaying Qi, Third Stage

Blood Divine Power

“…!”

I slightly furrowed my brow at the sight of him forming a crimson domain.

For someone at his level to use Blood Divine Power wasn’t just surprising—it was shocking.

But with Ma Chulsoo’s current capacity, Blood Divine Power was a ticking bomb.

At best, he would maintain it for a few seconds before his body exploded—

Transcendent Technique

Blood Sea Flash

At the fleeting moment he maintained Blood Divine Power,

Ma Chulsoo’s strike, embodying his entire being, tore through space and flew toward me.

Amazing.

As I looked at Ma Chulsoo’s strike, named Blood Sea Flash, I thought.

Though still very raw, if he refined the potential within that strike, it would surely rival even Ma Seoyeon’s Space Slash.

‘I can’t treat this lightly.’

Even if he had borrowed the power of Heaven-Slaying Qi, Ma Chulsoo’s accomplishment now was worthy of a grand celebration by the entire Blood Dragon Demon Clan.

In response to Ma Chulsoo’s achievement, I raised my fingers.

“True Martiality.”

I drew a light horizontal line.

“Bright Net Virtuous Flow.”

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