Chapter 205: Communication Insects

A place on Golden Frog Island, the destination of Jang Woo-hyun’s party.

Three individuals were gathered there.

“It seems they’ve caught onto our tail.”

The first to speak was Tak Se-ak, the closest aide to Ha Do-gwang and one of the Five Elements Envoys who had betrayed the Five Elements Cult along with him.

“What do you mean they caught on? That came out of nowhere.”

The man in front of Tak Se-ak wore a robe with a large turtle drawn on it and a white mask with an opening at the mouth.

An appearance similar to the Antlered White Mask. He was White-Faced Turtle Spirit, one of the Ten Elders of the Radiant Light Sect.

“I’ve lost contact with two people.”

“Two people? Who are they?”

“Won Gong and Neung So-yeon.”

Names even the Turtle Spirit recognized. The two were out gathering spiritual medicine and spiritual herbs.

“Maybe they were careless, being young and all.”

“The Five Elements Cult will begin to move.”

Just as Jang Woo-hyun had predicted, Ha Do-gwang’s side had already sensed trouble.

“Then are you planning to act now?”

Tak Se-ak shook his head, indicating no. The Turtle Spirit understood the situation well and asked something else.

“When will the Left Protector be able to move again?”

“It could be as soon as tomorrow, or it might take a few more days. And he’s no longer the Left Protector.”

Tak Se-ak corrected him. The Turtle Spirit, though dumbfounded, played along.

“Then I’ll call him Master Ha. Either way, if Master Ha can’t move, we’ll start our preparations.”

“What do you mean preparations? As you know, our lord will avoid conflict until he’s gathered all his strength. That’s our plan. We’ll lie low and leave Golden Frog Island once this matter is over.”

“I understand. But you can only act once Master Ha finishes his Grand Technique, right? Better to prepare just in case. We can’t just sit around and be taken out.”

“The Five Elements Cult won’t move right away. Their Cult Leader is injured. We still have some time.”

As a former Five Elements Envoy, Tak Se-ak knew the situation within the cult better than anyone.

Since the Cult Leader was injured, a considerable force had to be left behind to protect him and the Main Division.

Which meant the actual movable force was limited, making it difficult for the cult to act rashly.

“I know, I know. I’m just saying it’s a contingency. Who knows, my preparations might be useful. What does Ma Dou think?”

The Turtle Spirit called over Ma Seung, a cultivator standing to the side.

“We don’t concern ourselves with that. But Ha Do-gwang must keep his promise.”

“You see? How long are we going to stay hidden? Our Sect Leader also said to help the Ascension Cult get rid of that man.”

It was thanks to the Ascension Cult that Ha Do-gwang obtained the power of the Thunder God.

The price of that contract was to take care of their enemies—and the time for that had come sooner than expected. Not only the Ascension Cult but also their ally, the Radiant Light Sect, were saying the same thing.

‘Cheonrin Sword Alliance’s Jang Woo-hyun.’

A rising expert whose name was spreading.

Recently, he’d formed an organization called Annihilation Squad and reportedly crushed the Heavenly Demon Cult’s Demon Gathering Hall.

It was all hearsay, so his feats were likely exaggerated, but even believing half of it, his strength and power were no longer something to ignore.

‘He likely allied with the cult.’

Destroying the Heavenly Demon Cult’s forces had benefited the Five Elements Cult.

While the internal situation after their departure from the cult wasn’t clear, based on the Annihilation Squad’s actions, it was easy to assume they had allied with the Five Elements Cult.

A bad situation for Ha Do-gwang’s side, as their enemies had increased.

‘We must eliminate them quickly.’

Even without Ma Seung’s urging, eliminating the Annihilation Squad was necessary for what lay ahead.

“I’ll report the matter regarding the Cheonrin Sword Alliance as soon as our lord returns. So please grant us a bit more time.”

Tak Se-ak bowed in apology, and Ma Seung didn’t press further.

“If there’s nothing more, I’ll be off. I need to get ready.”

“We’ll avoid conflict as much as possible.”

“No need to worry. It’s just preparation—just in case.”

As the Turtle Spirit departed, the conversation ended.

Three days later—

The Roaring Thunder Fortress carrying the Annihilation Squad appeared near Golden Frog Island.

* * *

“Is that their Floating Stronghold?”

Sharing vision with the monster he had summoned, the Turtle Spirit saw the Floating Stronghold approaching Golden Frog Island.

He ordered his subordinates to inform everyone that the Annihilation Squad and the Five Elements Cult had arrived, then moved toward a prepared formation.

A massive spell formation with a diameter of ten jang.

On one side, an old man bound by blood-red chains provided power to the formation. At its center stood a statue about one jang tall.

The statue had two heads—disproportionately large, almost as if made in error.

Approaching the altar in front, the Turtle Spirit placed a bird resembling a chicken and chanted an incantation. His subordinates nearby also infused their power into the formation.

Moments later—

Without any ripple of aura or sign, a being appeared above the statue.

Its form was like a fusion of human and wolf. Unlike Beastkin, who looked like wolves walking upright, this one was somewhere between a human face and a wolf’s appearance.

“Thank you for responding to the summoning.”

The Turtle Spirit slightly bowed his head toward the being.

Both heads moved. There was no overwhelming pressure or force, but when all four eyes turned toward him, he felt a chill.

‘A god of the Demonic Spirit Realm.’

The two-headed statue that Ha Do-gwang had discovered while seeking the power of the Thunder God was a symbol of a god in the Demonic Spirit Realm.

Being well-versed in Demon Beast Contract Techniques, the Turtle Spirit had immediately recognized the power within the statue—and wanted to make use of it.

Ha Do-gwang’s followers aimed to avoid conflict until his power was complete. But the Turtle Spirit thought differently. He had his own goal.

‘I must punish the traitor.’

The Antlered White Mask, who had rejected the new Sect Leader and left the Radiant Light Sect.

He wanted to eliminate him no matter what. Unlike Tak Se-ak, the Turtle Spirit had hoped the Annihilation Squad would find them. If they came, the Antlered White Mask, who was with them, would surely come too.

With a sliver of hope, the Turtle Spirit made his preparations. And his wish was granted, as the Annihilation Squad had just appeared near Golden Frog Island.

Having already prepared, the Turtle Spirit successfully used the statue’s power to summon the god of the Demonic Spirit Realm.

“According to the contract, destroy my enemies.”

The Turtle Spirit said to the two-headed god.

The god looked down at the statue below it and opened its mouth.

Crrrk.

Its mouth widened grotesquely.

It started at a span, then grew large enough to swallow a human head.

And it didn’t stop there.

One jang, two jang, three jang—

Soon, its gaping mouth reached the size of a cavern.

From within, a giant bee monster the size of a forearm emerged. It was the same kind of monster Jang Woo-hyun had seen while facing the Demon Extermination Sect in the Lower Realm.

More and more emerged from the giant maw.

At first, one or two came out, but now dozens burst forth simultaneously.

The speed continued to increase, and soon, the Giant Bee Monsters poured out endlessly.

Hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands—then hundreds of millions.

The swarm of Heumwon grew into a cloud so massive that it covered Golden Frog Island, and the sound of their wingbeats was deafening.

“Destroy my enemies.”

As the Turtle Spirit bowed to the god, the swarm of Heumwon surged toward the Roaring Thunder Fortress.

* * *

“So we finally meet, White Tiger Manor Lord.”

The massive Five Elements Envoy, Yeon Cheon-seung, ground his teeth.

Contrary to the Cult Leader’s concerns, he had been out on a mission but managed to return quicker than expected. As a result, he joined Jang Woo-hyun’s group.

Including Yeon Cheon-seung, there were forty Five Elements Cult martial artists participating in this operation.

Over ten thousand others had been mobilized, but they were stationed far from Golden Frog Island, merely serving as a perimeter guard. They were not combatants, just part of the encirclement.

Crack.

Unable to suppress his rage, Yeon Cheon-seung ground his teeth again. Though he handled Water Qi, his personality was far from calm—more fiery.

“Wu Hobup, I’ll go ahead.”

With Golden Frog Island within reach, Yeon Cheon-seung, now impatient, tried to take out his Flying Apparatus.

“Hey, wait a sec. Follow the order. You think you can rush ahead after riding the Roaring Thunder Fortress all the way here?”

Annoyed by Yeon Cheon-seung’s brashness, Seo Ryeom finally snapped.

“Did you say your name was Seo Ryeom?”

“What’s with the question? Like you don’t know me.”

The name Seo Ryeom was known throughout the Central Heavens Martial Realm. For someone of the Five Elements Envoys’ caliber to not know him was nonsense.

“You rat bas—”

“Black Tortoise Manor Lord, that’s too much. They’re our allies. Show some respect.”

Before he could cross the line, Im Gwan-hwa stepped in. At her rebuke, Yeon Cheon-seung lowered his head slightly and kept quiet.

“Oh, I see it now.”

As their conversation ended—

The Roaring Thunder Fortress pierced through the clouds. Just as someone had said, Golden Frog Island came into view in the distance.

The fortress looked like a massive eight-story pavilion with small buildings attached. The top was flat and roofless—more like a rooftop.

Cho-su had designed it that way from the start so everyone could gather there.

Just as he intended, both the Annihilation Squad and the Five Elements Cult were assembled together.

Every martial artist who laid eyes on Golden Frog Island drew their weapons. At this range, the enemy was surely aware of their approach.

The first to react was Wind-Passing Great Sage. He stepped forward, sniffing the air.

“What is this?”

A rare moment of confusion crossed the Wind-Passing Great Sage’s face. Soon, a massive wave of energy erupted from Golden Frog Island. Every martial artist present, being highly skilled, could sense it.

It wasn’t the intensity of the force but the strange sensation it gave off.

Someone among them recognized the energy.

“Wind-Passing Great Sage, could this be…”

Antlered White Mask stepped beside the Great Sage.

“Yeah, it’s Gyochung (Communication Insects). Something interesting right off the bat.”

“Gyochung? What’s that?”

At Jang Woo-hyun’s question, the Wind-Passing Great Sage hesitated, then gave a simple answer.

“A god of the Demonic Spirit Realm.”

“What?”

The unexpected answer made Jang Woo-hyun ask again.

“To put it simply, yes. How should I explain… there are godlike beings in the Demonic Spirit Realm. They exist within it but have their own dominions.”

“Like guardian deities of the Five Elements Cult?”

“No, more like the True Immortals or Martial Gods of the Upper Realm.”

“And such beings exist not in the Upper Realm, but in the Middle Realm, the Demonic Spirit Realm?”

“Yeah. That’s the kind of place the Demonic Spirit Realm is. Actually, where they dwell might not even be considered part of that realm. It’s more accurate to say it’s a different world connected to it.”

“They’re entities that have been worshipped for a long time—far from being simple monsters,” added the Antlered White Mask, supporting the explanation.

“Then they borrowed the god’s power?”

“At this scale, it’s not borrowing—they summoned it directly. Since it’s a Projection, it won’t manifest full power, though.”

As he looked at Golden Frog Island, Jang Woo-hyun furrowed his brow slightly.

“If it’s really comparable to a True Immortal or Martial God, this feels lacking. Its aura is unique, sure…”

The wave from earlier was far too weak compared to the giant hand that had once threatened to shatter the world.

“Our side isn’t as heavily restricted as those in the Upper Realm. But that also means we can’t send as much power. Look at me, for instance.”

“You? Why you?”

“I was summoned like this too, wasn’t I?”

The Monkey Monster said it nonchalantly, causing Jang Woo-hyun to glance from Golden Frog Island back to the Wind-Passing Great Sage, then shake his head slightly.

“What? Why that look?”

“Just… thinking.”

“Thinking what? Don’t tell me… Hey! If we really fight, I can win!”

“When did I say anything? I was just watching.”

“I can win, seriously!”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“They’re coming.”

The conversation was cut off as the Antlered White Mask pointed forward.

Both the Wind-Passing Great Sage and Jang Woo-hyun turned their heads at the same time.

And saw the grotesque sight rising into the sky above Golden Frog Island.

“Heumwon.”

Jang Woo-hyun knew this monster too.

A swarm of giant bees the size of a human forearm surged upward. Their numbers grew rapidly.

Thousands, then tens of thousands—then hundreds of thousands, into the millions.

The swarm formed not just a massive cloud but a black wall, blocking the approach to Golden Frog Island.

“What the hell? Isn’t that way too many?”

Seo Ryeom asked, startled.

“If you’re scared, back off. I’ll handle it.”

“What? Do we look like a joke to you?”

Seo Ryeom snapped back at Yeon Cheon-seung’s provocation. As their bickering escalated, Antlered White Mask interjected.

“We mustn’t treat them as mere Heumwon swarms. Because of the Gyochung, they’re connected and will share damage. Normal attacks will be dispersed and absorbed.”

“Then we strike all at once.”

Jang Woo-hyun readied his sword to charge. Beside him, Seo Ryeom and Mak Ya-wol also drew their weapons.

Just as they were about to move—

【All units, hold.】

Cho-su’s voice rang from within the Roaring Thunder Fortress, stopping them all.

At the same time, the entire fortress began to shake, and the sound of machinery combining and moving echoed throughout.

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