Chapter 206: Roaring Thunder Fortress

“What is this, what’s going on?”

“What’s happening?”

Everyone was thrown into confusion by this unfamiliar event.

At that moment, a tower suddenly rose from one side of the Roaring Thunder Fortress. At its top, a massive mirror was mounted.

Unlike the flustered crowd, Antlered White Mask calmly approached and adjusted something. The mirror at the top of the tower then began to move, aiming at the incoming swarm of Giant Bee Monsters.

“The sun?”

What reflected inside the mirror resembled the sun. While the people were marveling at the sight, a beam of light suddenly fired from the mirror.

“Huh?”

“What, what is that?”

As the martial artists of the Annihilation Squad and the Five Elements Cult reacted belatedly in shock—

A massive wall formed of Giant Bee Monsters was struck by the beam. With a loud explosion, the black wall burst into flames.

Kugugung—

A deafening roar and tremor followed. Before anyone realized it, long walls had formed on both sides of the central section of Roaring Thunder Fortress.

As the front of the walls opened, Dharma Treasures inside were revealed.

“W-what is that?”

A sword-shaped Dharma Treasure carrying such a tremendous force that it startled everyone—it was something even Jang Woo-hyun recognized.

“The Mountain-Breaking Sword?”

It was the Mountain-Breaking Sword, the very same Dharma Treasure used by Myo Cheon-pung on Storm Archipelago, capable of destroying a mountain in a single strike, now radiating a soft glow.

Although the power imbued in each was less than before, the sheer number was absurd. On just one side, there were easily more than a hundred Mountain-Breaking Swords.

“…There was something like this?”

No one living within Roaring Thunder Fortress had known of these Dharma Treasures. Despite such immense energy being instilled into them, no one had sensed their presence.

Leaving everyone’s astonishment behind—

The Mountain-Breaking Swords mounted on both sides were fired.

Hundreds of swords soared through the sky and collided with the cloud of Giant Bee Monsters.

Lights exploded in all directions, and the front was engulfed in blasts.

As if that wasn’t the end, light spheres fired from the front of Roaring Thunder Fortress, and bird-shaped constructs the size of humans, made of wood, took flight.

“Burn!”

As the bird-shaped Dharma Treasures made of Moon Spirit Tree moved, Antlered White Mask shouted.

According to the principle of Five Elements Generating Cycle, the wood element enhanced the fire element. The wooden Dharma Treasures ignited, transforming into massive flaming birds, each with wings over one jang wide.

Ten firebirds flew into the cloud of Giant Bee Monsters, beginning to incinerate everything.

And as if still not over, more light spheres were launched again from the front of Roaring Thunder Fortress.

“I’m supposed to be fighting though…”

The powerless muttering of Seo Ryeom spread among the group.

According to the Sanhaegyeong, it is said that people of the Nation of Mechanical Marvels ride beasts called Gillyang and can live for thousands of years.

Though they had only one arm, they were skilled at crafting all manner of mysterious tools, using nets to catch birds and creating flying machines.

Just as described in the Sanhaegyeong, the people of the Nation of Mechanical Marvels were the finest craftsmen in the Central Heavens Realm. The Dharma Treasures and Devices they produced were of the highest quality, coveted by all.

There were occasional attempts to steal their creations, but generally, they were not treated carelessly. Even the crazed cultivators were the same in this regard.

The life of Cho-su was no different from that of any other person from the Nation of Mechanical Marvels.

He lacked nothing, faced no major dangers, and thus followed Jang Woo-hyun simply out of curiosity.

It was a kind of adventure, a journey, and he merely intended to lend a hand to the carefree Jang Woo-hyun and Jin Ha-un.

But that lighthearted journey suddenly turned serious.

—“This is a Ten-Thousand-Mile Soaring Talisman. Use it to escape with Ha-un.”

—“Cho-su, please take care of Ha-un.”

The sudden emergence of the power of a True Immortal.

Cho-su was helpless before it.

Jang Woo-hyun risked his life to remain behind alone, while Cho-su and Jin Ha-un escaped using the Ten-Thousand-Mile Soaring Talisman he had given them.

“Hyung-nim! Hyung-nim!”

Hearing Jin Ha-un’s anguished cries, Cho-su could feel the world crumbling far behind. And he had lost the person named Jang Woo-hyun.

After that, Jin Ha-un acted like a madman, desperately trying to grow stronger. Calming and persuading him alone drained much of Cho-su’s mental energy.

Jang Woo-hyun had said they would meet again, and Cho-su believed that. He had to, or else he wouldn’t be able to endure it himself.

So Cho-su decided to do what he could.

He remodeled the Giant’s Ship obtained from Storm Archipelago to allow for much faster movement and crafted the Annihilation Thunder Cannon so they could at least land a blow if they encountered the power of a True Immortal again.

But it still wasn’t enough.

Those two things alone wouldn’t be able to counter a True Immortal’s power. At best, they might buy a little time to flee.

That too only under the assumption that the opponent used the same level of power as before.

So Cho-su immersed himself once more in crafting, to be of help when Jang Woo-hyun returned.

And perhaps because of that faith—or because of Jang Woo-hyun’s ability—he truly did return.

Cho-su once again stood beside Jang Woo-hyun. This time, it wasn’t just for fun; he wanted to truly support him.

And sooner than expected, he got the chance.

“This is a mess, but still usable.”

The Floating Stronghold of Twin-Winged Lotus.

It was the perfect solution to the parts Cho-su had been lacking.

Though a piece of junk made from the best materials, since the Floating Stronghold wasn’t made from consumable resources, it could be repurposed.

By dismantling the enormous Floating Stronghold, Cho-su created a new fortress—

One that would later be named Roaring Thunder Fortress by Seo Ryeom.

Kugugugugu—

Roaring Thunder Fortress moved again.

It fired more of the remaining Mountain-Breaking Swords, and beams once more erupted from the raised tower.

Within the black cloud made of Giant Bee Monsters, now larger than ever, firebirds with wings exceeding five jang soared through the air, scorching the skies.

Roaring Thunder Fortress advanced toward Golden Frog Island.

As the swarm of Giant Bee Monsters neared extinction, the enemies finally moved.

Without any forewarning, a colossal dragon-shaped armor appeared over Golden Frog Island. The dragon, shimmering entirely in gold, was so massive it could be mistaken for a mountain range.

“Heavenly Gold Thunder Dragon Armor.”

The Dharma Treasure said to be used by Ha Do-gwang.

Its two eyes, writhing like a living dragon, turned toward Roaring Thunder Fortress.

On its head, one horn protruded forward rather than back, and it began to shine at the tip.

“Huh? It’s an attack! Get ready to defend!”

As Seo Ryeom shouted in alarm, as if on cue, light was fired from the horn of the Thunder Dragon Armor.

Simultaneously, dozens of mirrors sprang out from Roaring Thunder Fortress and merged into one. The mirror emitted a dull black light.

As the beam from the Thunder Dragon Armor approached, the mirror absorbed the light completely.

“Huh?”

Jang Woo-hyun’s eyebrows slightly lifted. He had seen that mirror before.

It was similar to how Myo Cheon-pung, who mainly handled Dharma Treasures, had absorbed his attack.

Just as the Thunder Dragon Armor opened its mouth, preparing to breathe like a real dragon—

【We’re moving.】

Cho-su’s voice echoed to everyone, and Roaring Thunder Fortress vanished as it was enveloped in light.

It reappeared right above the Thunder Dragon Armor.

As the few remaining Mountain-Breaking Swords fell from Roaring Thunder Fortress, black sand rose above the Thunder Dragon Armor, blocking the attack.

【Cloud Wall Black Sand? Excellent!】

Even though the attack was blocked, Cho-su’s voice from within the fortress sounded excited.

【Try blocking this one too.】

Kugugung.

Roaring Thunder Fortress trembled slightly. A tremendous energy surged from below.

Even top experts of the Realm of Immeasurability, including Jang Woo-hyun, couldn’t ignore the power. Everyone realized what it was.

“The Roaring Thunder Cannon? It can output this much power?”

This was different from the time it had been fired to calm their group during a previous fight. This time, it was far stronger.

While everyone was still shocked, the final Annihilation Thunder Cannon was fired. The recoil shook Roaring Thunder Fortress, causing it to lift slightly.

Kwagwagwagwang!

The beam from the Annihilation Thunder Cannon pierced through the black sand and struck the Thunder Dragon Armor.

With a single blast, the dragon’s body was shattered and split in two. The armor, which had been moving like a living dragon, came to a halt.

【Now, attack.】

Although Cho-su gave the signal, no one moved. No one had expected that the Roaring Thunder Fortress they had been riding could contain such power—they were left stunned.

Still dazed, Seo Ryeom shook his head and regained his composure.

“Annihilation Squad, deploy!”

Then, unlike before, he muttered quietly as if talking to himself.

“What are you doing? Can’t you say it properly?”

Wind-Passing Great Sage seemed displeased and kicked Seo Ryeom in the butt. Even as he was hit, Seo Ryeom shook his head.

“Great Sage, is this really right?”

“What is?”

“From what I see, Cho-hyung is the strongest among us. Is there even anything left for us to do?”

“……”

Even Wind-Passing Great Sage, who had just witnessed the firepower of Roaring Thunder Fortress, couldn’t argue.

“I feel like Cho-hyung could sweep them all alone. Don’t you think so?”

“If you’re not going, I’ll go alone.”

Ignoring the hesitation between the two, Jang Woo-hyun drew Mukya.

Seeing that, Wind-Passing Great Sage picked up Seo Ryeom and barked, “Hurry.” Seo Ryeom sighed, took a deep breath, and shouted.

“Deploy! You bastards! Smash everything!”

“Ooooo!”

“Let’s go!”

The martial artists of the Annihilation Squad, who had been in a daze, finally came to life and shouted along with Seo Ryeom.

Their cry also roused the Five Elements Cult warriors. Even they were shocked by the movements and power of Roaring Thunder Fortress.

“Let’s go!”

Wind-Passing Great Sage, the vanguard of the Annihilation Squad, was the first to dash out.

“Ha-un! Let’s go!”

“Yes.”

Mak Ya-wol and Jin Ha-un moved, followed by Seo Ryeom and Maeng Ye-ju, who kicked off into the air.

The martial artists of the Annihilation Squad fell en masse, with the Five Elements Cult close behind.

Jang Woo-hyun, who seemed about to leap out, instead scanned the battlefield with Mukya in hand.

As if the enemy was also preparing for close combat, martial artists began pouring out from the Thunder Dragon Armor.

The battle of Dharma Treasures was over. Now, it was a martial artist’s fight.

Wind-Passing Great Sage became a gust of wind, shredding the martial artists that stood in his path.

Those too weak were blown apart and flung away the moment they clashed with him.

Kwang!

As he smashed through five or six people, someone stepped in to block Wind-Passing Great Sage.

A man clad in armor from head to toe glared at him and shouted.

“Great Monster Wind-Passing Great Sage! From the Ascension Cult, I, Gong-ya—”

Kwachik!

The head of the cultivator burst open before he could finish. Wind-Passing Great Sage then tore the man’s body apart.

“I’m in a hurry! Weaklings, step aside! Don’t even say your names!”

He sensed similar energy nearby to the one he’d encountered before, but Wind-Passing Great Sage ignored it and headed straight for Golden Frog Island. There was someone there he truly wanted to fight.

Wind-Passing Great Sage fell like lightning into the middle of the forest on Golden Frog Island.

Kuuung!

The impact carved a massive crater, and soil surged like waves. But strangely, beyond a certain area, the shockwaves and debris completely dissipated.

As Wind-Passing Great Sage rose from the crater he created, those nearby sprang into action.

“Wind-Passing Great Sage!?”

“It’s Miho Wang!”

Startled sorcerers hastily tried to cast spells, but before they could complete them, Wind-Passing Great Sage’s wave of his hand turned them into chunks of flesh.

Having dealt with the sorcerers, his gaze turned to one side.

A massive Spell Formation was drawn on one side of the forest.

At its outer edge, an old man bound in chains was present. The formation itself was drawing power from him.

Passing by the old man, Wind-Passing Great Sage turned to the one silently sitting with eyes closed.

“So, you were here.”

【The troublemaker of the Demonic Spirit Realm.】

【What brings you here?】

“What do you mean what? I was summoned, so I came.”

【Summoned.】

【You were summoned?】

The two faces frowned.

The Central Heavens Realm and the Demonic Spirit Realm were both part of the Middle Realm. Though there were restrictions, one could easily arrive via a projection.

So they couldn’t believe that this unruly monster had actually been summoned.

【What trick.】

【Is this now?】

“Can’t you just say one thing at a time? It’s hard to focus.”

Wind-Passing Great Sage was annoyed by the way the two heads spoke in turns.

【I have no intention.】

【Of fighting you.】

Though the swarm of Giant Bee Monsters had been annihilated, the cost of the summoning had already been paid. Gyo Chung planned to bide time and return to the Demonic Spirit Realm.

“That’s your side’s take.”

The two faces contorted at Wind-Passing Great Sage’s response.

【You.】

【Surely not.】

“If you’re summoned, you work. Isn’t that the deal?”

Grinning widely, Wind-Passing Great Sage kicked off the ground.

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