Chapter 193: Five Wheel Five Elements Cult

The domain of the Radiant Light Sect, an alliance of spellcasters.

There, the newly appointed Lord of the Sect, Hyeonwol, was receiving a cultivator from the Ascension Cult who had come seeking him.

“We have aided you sufficiently. Now, it’s your turn to fulfill the promise.”

“Promise? What are you talking about?”

Feigning innocence, Hyeonwol tilted his head with a naive expression. The cultivator’s brow furrowed at the act.

“Just joking, just joking. Don’t worry, I remember. Things won’t work out if you’re that impatient. Try to be more relaxed.”

“Fulfill your pact with the Great Being. The Adversary is growing stronger by the day. If this continues, even your strength—”

“Enough.”

Hyeonwol, who had been speaking with his head turned, fully faced the cultivator, locking eyes. The cultivator instinctively stepped back at the cold gaze directed at him.

“Let’s stop with the nonsense, shall we? I’ll take care of that Cheonrin Sword Alliance bastard as quickly as possible.”

“And how do you intend to do that?”

“I’ll put in a request to Chang Raegong. With the way he is now, he can kill anyone. I’ll tell him to bring me the bastard’s head.”

“That won’t be enough. Even Yeogongbaek, who borrowed the power of a god, couldn’t manage it. And now, the bastard is surrounded by other martial artists as well. You need to send a proper force.”

The cultivator’s voice gradually grew louder in his agitation. In contrast, Hyeonwol responded calmly.

“Can’t you see I’m busy? Besides, Chang Raegong alone can take his head. There are subordinates already over there, so stop worrying.”

“Other martial artists by his side—”

“I said stop.”

As Hyeonwol’s voice dropped, a blue mist spread around like fog. Feeling the ominous and cloying energy, the cultivator drew back, raising his strength.

“You should leave now.”

Hyeonwol said only what he wanted and turned away. The blue mist still lingered around him, exuding its sinister aura.

The cultivator gritted his teeth, staring at Hyeonwol’s back for a while before finally departing. He could not defeat Hyeonwol with his own strength.

Whether the cultivator left or not, Hyeonwol paid him no mind and gazed down at the scene unfolding below.

Dozens of spell formations were being drawn on a wide plain.

The smaller ones were about fifty jang in diameter, and the larger ones appeared to span several hundred.

The numerous spell formations were linked together, forming one massive formation.

‘There’s not much time left.’

Now that he had obtained the sacred relic of the Five Wheel Five Elements Cult—the Five Wheel Illusion Diagram—his plan was nearing its end.

✧ ✧ ✧

The martial artists of the Five Elements Cult who had come with Im Gwan-hwa had mostly dispersed, and only a few accompanied her aboard the Floating Stronghold.

Considering her alliance with Jang Woo-hyun, Im Gwan-hwa thought it necessary to explain the current situation, so she took time to talk with the group.

In one of the rooms aboard the Floating Stronghold, Jang Woo-hyun, Cho-su, Antlered White Mask, Maeng Ye-ju, and Jin Ha-un were gathered. Seo Ryeom and the Wind-Passing Great Sage had said such matters didn’t concern them and left the room.

Mak Ya-wol had initially intended to join too, but didn’t come after Seo Ryeom commented, “You’re not even the leader anymore. Why loiter around?”

“Ha Do-gwang is moving just like this stronghold.”

At the mention of an unfamiliar name, Jin Ha-un whispered to Jang Woo-hyun.

“That’s the name of the Left Protector.”

Chang Raegong (蒼雷公) Ha Do-gwang.

The Left Protector of the Five Wheel Five Elements Cult—a martial artist who uniquely controlled lightning instead of Five Elements Qi. Jang Woo-hyun had witnessed his power firsthand at the Ten Sects gathering.

“What do you mean, ‘just like this stronghold’? That bastard has a Floating Stronghold too?”

At Cho-su’s question, Im Gwan-hwa shook her head.

“Not a Floating Stronghold, but he possesses a special Dharma Treasure.”

Ha Do-gwang’s base functioned similarly to a Floating Stronghold and was constantly on the move, which made it difficult for the Five Elements Cult to track him down.

“I personally came because of the rumors of a flying stronghold.”

Given that Ha Do-gwang had a mobile base and a flying Floating Stronghold had appeared, it was only natural for her to investigate.

“The Thunder God Dragon Armor and the Seven-Colored Spirit Treasure Tower. Those are the Dharma Treasures he possesses.”

Although it was the first time Jang Woo-hyun had heard those names, he looked calmly toward the expert sitting across from him.

“The Dragon Armor and Spirit Tower… That’s a good combo.”

As expected, Cho-su instantly understood the situation.

“The Thunder God Dragon Armor is armor that transforms into a massive dragon. Though it’s called armor, it’s not exactly protective gear. Think of it as a Dharma Treasure that simply transforms into a dragon.”

“How big does it get?”

“Big enough to carry this Floating Stronghold on its back. Maybe just slightly less.”

Cho-su answered Jin Ha-un’s question.

“The Seven-Colored Spirit Treasure Tower is a tower-shaped Dharma Treasure that can expand and contract in size. Think of it as a portable tower.”

“Does it grow huge too?”

“No, even when enlarged, it doesn’t become enormous. But the interior space is compressed, making it much larger than it appears. They’re probably using the dragon-shaped Dragon Armor as a mount and placing the Spirit Tower on top. Am I right?”

Im Gwan-hwa nodded at Cho-su’s words.

“Are we going to fight them?”

“Nothing’s set in stone yet, but we’ve decided to help the Five Elements Cult. So we’ll probably get entangled with Ha Do-gwang.”

Jang Woo-hyun’s answer brought a smile to Cho-su’s lips. A rare sense of rivalry flickered in his eyes.

“…Why that look?”

“They won’t just be using those two Dharma Treasures. They’ve probably got more prepared. Could be something new. I want to have a go at it.”

“Huh?”

So it wasn’t a mistake—Jang Woo-hyun had accurately read the emotion in Cho-su’s eyes.

Ha Do-gwang’s mobile base was functionally similar to the Floating Stronghold. As a craftsman, or perhaps as the creator of their own stronghold, Cho-su seemed intrigued and competitive.

It wasn’t the curiosity of a martial artist—but that of a Dharma Treasure maker.

As everyone was left stunned by this unusual side of Cho-su, the Floating Stronghold sped toward the Five Elements Cult’s Main Division.

Since Im Gwan-hwa had already contacted them, no one obstructed their path to the Main Division of the Five Elements Cult.

While her group was surprised by the stronghold’s rapid pace, the Annihilation Squad had already arrived on the Floating Continent where the Main Division was located.

The environment before them was peculiar.

Centered around a tall mountain, one side held an immense lake akin to an ocean, and beside it stretched a vast forest.

Next to the forest abruptly began a volcanic zone. Beside the volcano lay a barren land, and adjacent to that was a rocky mountainous area riddled with caves.

‘Did they divide it into five zones according to the Five Elements?’

The land was clearly separated into five distinct regions, and it didn’t seem to be a natural occurrence—it appeared artificially created.

“That was made with the help of the Five Wheel Illusion Diagram.”

Im Gwan-hwa approached as Jang Woo-hyun gazed in awe at the mystical landscape.

“Is that where they train?”

“Yes. Each person seeks out the qi that suits them best and trains in that zone. It helps accelerate growth.”

“What exactly is this Five Wheel Illusion Diagram?”

“It’s not a weapon or armor for direct use. It’s a Dharma Treasure that can create or alter the environment of an entire area. What you’re looking at now—those regions were all formed and enhanced by the qi of the Five Elements through the Illusion Diagram.”

“So it’s a Dharma Treasure that changes natural environments. I see.”

“You can’t reduce it to something that simple, but yes, in broad strokes.”

While they conversed, the Floating Stronghold passed over a vast lake and drew closer to the towering mountain at the center.

As the Floating Stronghold descended and Jang Woo-hyun’s group disembarked, they were met by martial artists of the Five Wheel Five Elements Cult exuding ominous pressure.

“Wu Hobup, who are these people?”

The one at the front asked.

Judging by his aura, he was no less skilled than Mak Ya-wol or Seo Ryeom.

“Didn’t I already tell you? They’re our new allies. They’re here to help us.”

“They’re people whose identities we can’t verify. How can you trust them and move forward? And to call them directly into the Main Division under these circumstances—this is dangerous.”

His gaze moved from Jang Woo-hyun to Mak Ya-wol, Seo Ryeom, and finally to the Wind-Passing Great Sage.

The group itself was suspicious—led by a newly famous expert, accompanied by two martial artists from the Baekmu Society’s Fighting Ghost Unit, and even a Great Monster like the Wind-Passing Great Sage. It was questionable what Im Gwan-hwa was thinking bringing such individuals.

As Im Gwan-hwa attempted to reason with him, someone stepped forward before her.

“I vouch for them as well.”

Seo Ryeom stood beside her, holding something in his hand.

“Would the words of the Five Elements Envoy of the Five Elements Cult be wrong?”

The Five Elements Envoys of the Five Elements Cult were martial artists directly under the Left and Right Protectors and represented the cult. To compare, Seo Ryeom held a similar position as one of the Nine Strong of the Baekmu Society.

“Of course you’d object. That’s natural. And we completely understand.”

He truly did. It was a common occurrence.

In large sects like the Five Wheel Five Elements Cult, many members meant many opinions. Even if the people were brought by Wu Hobup, there could be legitimate dissatisfaction.

Seo Ryeom extended the object in his hand.

“So how about we have a bout? That should clear up any misunderstandings and resolve any lingering discomfort.”

“What kind of nonsense are you suddenly—?”

“I’m Seo Ryeom of the Baekmu Society. A somewhat well-known name—and a Rat Beastkin at that. I’m now part of the Annihilation Squad, not the Baekmu Society. Here, take this.”

Seo Ryeom handed over the bracelet-shaped Dharma Treasure he held. The martial artist from the Five Elements Cult, caught off guard, accepted it instinctively.

“Wear that and we’ll have a duel. It’s not a sealing or binding Dharma Treasure. It just breaks if you use more than a certain amount of internal energy. That’s how we duel.”

The bracelet-shaped Dharma Treasure was crafted by Cho-su for duels. As Seo Ryeom explained, it would shatter if too much internal energy was used.

The martial artists of the Annihilation Squad had been using these bracelets for duels, fighting with only minimal internal energy.

“So you’re saying you want to duel us?”

“You have complaints, so let’s go with whoever wins. If we lose, we’ll leave. If we win, you allow us to stay.”

It was a sudden proposition, but the opponent had no intention of backing down.

This was the Main Division of the Five Wheel Five Elements Cult. They couldn’t just stand by while outsiders proposed a duel. Naturally, they had no thought of avoiding a fight that was thrown at them.

“Fine! Let’s do it. Follow me!”

Apparently, the man was simpler than expected—he accepted Seo Ryeom’s challenge.

“Boss, don’t look at me like that. This is the right way. We might have to work together going forward, so we can’t have any lingering resentment.”

He had his own logic and fair reasoning. Still, Jang Woo-hyun didn’t entirely believe Seo Ryeom. The man kept grinning foolishly.

‘You just want to fight, don’t you?’

Still, Seo Ryeom had a point, so Jang Woo-hyun said nothing.

Besides, with the Annihilation Squad suddenly appearing to help, there were bound to be opponents. Fists might be more persuasive than words in such situations.

And so, thanks to Seo Ryeom’s proposal, a duel between the Five Elements Cult and the Annihilation Squad began.

✧ ✧ ✧

Those heading to the spacious martial arena settled on one side.

Word must have spread quickly—quite a number of martial artists from the Five Elements Cult had gathered.

While their skills were generally not poor, Jang Woo-hyun noticed a flaw among them.

‘There aren’t enough experts.’

It would be odd for the leadership to step forward over something like this, but if they understood who Jang Woo-hyun’s group was, they should.

Including Jang Woo-hyun himself, the Wind-Passing Great Sage, Mak Ya-wol, Seo Ryeom, and Antlered White Mask were all experts of the Realm of Immeasurability.

Currently, within the Five Wheel Five Elements Cult, only Im Gwan-hwa and the Five Elements Envoy who had blocked their way earlier could match their level.

‘Are they scheming something?’

That was his first thought.

But as Jang Woo-hyun locked eyes with Im Gwan-hwa, he realized that wasn’t it.

And if that wasn’t the case, there was only one answer.

‘Right now, the Five Elements Cult has no one who can face us.’

Or there was some special reason why their experts couldn’t step forward.

As if she had read his thoughts, Im Gwan-hwa let out a bitter smile and placed a small, tower-shaped Dharma Treasure down.

Wooong—

A small barrier formed around them. It was a sound-blocking Dharma Treasure.

Seeing it, Seo Ryeom sent Jang Woo-hyun a telepathic message.

【Boss, go do your thing. We’ll take care of this.】

Even through telepathy, Seo Ryeom’s voice was brimming with excitement. Pulling out a pile of the bracelet-shaped Dharma Treasures made by Cho-su, he began discussing how to proceed with the Five Elements Envoy.

Not overly concerned with what would happen next, Jang Woo-hyun kept his gaze on Im Gwan-hwa. She wouldn’t have activated this barrier without a reason.

“You were right.”

Im Gwan-hwa began in a low voice.

“Since we’re allied now, there’s no need to hide it. I’ll be honest. The current state of the Five Elements Cult… is not good.”

She slowly began explaining the situation the Five Elements Cult was in.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep