Based on the original structure, a mass-produced version derived from the Nether Crossing Ship.
Commonly referred to as the 'Buk Hyang Fleet,' it is divided into four grade systems.
First grade is the command ship, First Hyang Ship, where the captain resides.
Up to now, three First Hyang Ships have been produced, each 400 zhang (~1300m) long and 70 zhang (~230m) wide. They are directly connected to the power source of the Buk Hyang Fleet, supplying power to the subordinate Second Hyang Ships.
The combat power of the First Hyang Ship ranges from a maximum of Grand Perfection Heavenly Being to a minimum of the early Heavenly Being stage.
Second grade is the Second Hyang Ship, used in full-scale fleet battles.
Up to now, 31 Second Hyang Ships have been produced, each 100 zhang (~330m) long and 10 zhang (~33m) wide.
These ships receive power from the First Hyang Ships and supply it to the subordinate Third Hyang Ships. The combat power of the Second Hyang Ship ranges from a maximum of the early Heavenly Being stage to the minimum of mid Nascent Soul stage.
Third grade is the Third Hyang Ship, created to support the Second Hyang Ship in fleet battles and to command the Fourth Hyang Ship.
Up to now, 322 Third Hyang Ships have been produced, each 60 zhang (200m) long and 7 zhang (~23m) wide. They process power received from the First Hyang Ship and Second Hyang Ship and deliver it to the Fourth Hyang Ship. The combat power of the Third Hyang Ship ranges from a maximum of Grand Perfection Nascent Soul to a minimum of the early Nascent Soul stage.
Lastly, the flower of the Buk Hyang fleet that earned them the nickname 'Invincible Fleet' in the Ancient Force Realm, the Fourth Hyang Ship.
Up to now, 6,027 Fourth Hyang Ships have been produced, each 10 zhang (~33m) long and 15 chi (~5m) wide.
The Fourth Hyang Ships have no set combat power as they are not designed for battle.
However, despite this, the Buk Hyang Fleet is considered the strongest fleet because of the Fourth Hyang Ships.
Excluding the First Hyang Ship, the Second Hyang Ship and Third Hyang Ship exist solely to protect and control the Fourth Hyang Ship.
The Buk Hyang Fleet is not focused on combat power, and even with all 6,383 ships combined, their power only equates to the late Four-Axis stage.
Currently, with only about a third of their fleet, their combat power is roughly at the early to mid Four-Axis stage.
But on the command ship of the Buk Hyang Fleet,
The fleet commander standing at the bow of the First Hyang Ship, a woman in white, looks relaxed.
"First Fleet will be divided into five squadrons of 200 ships each. Seize control of the east, west, south, north, and the airspace of the target area and prepare to create the Sea Circle. The Second Fleet will escort the First Hyang Ship and move slowly towards the target area. One meal's worth of time (~30 minutes) before reaching the target, the Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Squadrons of the Second Fleet will separate and prepare for Sea Turmoil. Only the Sixth and Tenth Squadrons will remain for direct combat preparation."
She quickly enters commands on the semi-transparent scroll floating in front of her, maneuvering the Buk Hyang Fleet.
Following her orders, the 2,000 ships move in perfect unison.
After inputting several commands and issuing orders to the few crew members of the Buk Hyang Fleet, she suddenly glances at the target area.
Towards the location where the monsters of another world have appeared.
'Why is this happening?'
She frowns.
She, who has barely reached the Nascent Soul stage through consuming numerous spiritual elixirs in the Ancient Force Realm, can no longer sense the celestial energy inherent to the Heaven Tribe, losing her foresight and intuition.
However, her gut feeling tells her that something significant will happen if they encounter those monsters.
Thump, thump...
Is it tension or fear?
She feels an unprecedented emotion as she gazes at the sea domain that is beginning to fill with ghostly energy.
I contemplate how to deal with Yuk Yo.
'This has become quite troublesome.'
Had I known this would happen, I would have interrogated Yuk Yo first.
If I had known about Yuk Yo's identity and background, I would have simply thrown her to the Governing Dragon Palace's demon beasts for punishment.
But who could have predicted this turn of events?
When I glare at Yuk Yo with displeasure, she, despite being a koi, breaks out in a cold sweat and tries to change the atmosphere.
"Haha. By the way, Senior. It's embarrassing to ask, but if I offer you the Dragon Form Disguise Method, could you let me go?"
"...."
"If I get caught by my father this time, given my father's personality, he will definitely marry me off to that savage pirate captain! I can't let that happen! That man will surely make carp stew out of me!"
"...."
She gives a long speech about the cruelty and savagery of Jin Ma-yeol, the pirate captain of the Fighting Ghost Race, but I just click my tongue.
'Her exaggerations are obvious.'
She exaggerates so much that it's clear she's lying.
Cautiously, she asks me.
"I mean, Senior. Aren't you really curious about the Dragon Form Disguise Method? Despite appearances, it's a famous and extraordinary technique derived from Immortal Arts..."
"Immortal Art, huh..."
I am somewhat intrigued by her words.
"Show me the formula."
At my words, Yuk Yo quickly takes out a jade slip and appears to copy the formula before handing it over to me.
As I read the jade slip, I frown.
"What is this? It's only the later half of the formula."
"Hehe, If Senior helps me escape, I'll give you the first half as well. Getting caught by my father again is a bit..."
'So she just doesn't want to marry the pirate captain.'
While observing Yuk Yo, I discover something.
She is afraid of something regarding her father, Yuk Rin.
'Is there something she hasn't told me?'
However, I'm too annoyed to ask what else this troublesome koi had done, so I don't ask further.
"The first half of the Dragon Form Disguise Method involves obtaining the energy of a dragon and then nurturing it to mimic the dragon's form. The latter half covers how to maintain the mimicked form and describes the drawbacks of the Dragon Form Disguise Method."
"Hmm..."
I carefully read through the second half.
The drawbacks of the Dragon Form Disguise Method are as follows:
Once you transform into a dragon, your original combat power, speed, stamina, and durability decrease, and it takes some time to release the spell and revert back to the original form.
Moreover, if you remain transformed for too long, the personality of the form might erode your mind, leading to the mind becoming unstable.
As I read through the second half of the formula, I feel something strange.
"...Did you use this technique fully knowing what kind of technique it is?'
"Pardon? Isn't it a divine power that allows one to change species?"
"That's correct, but do you understand how the process works?"
"Ah...I didn't fully grasp the process yet as my comprehension is a little low..."
I stroke one of my 19 jaws, my eyes gleaming.
"This is a type of curse."
"Pardon?"
"A curse that overlays another's form onto your own. Similar to my Yin Soul Ghost Incantation, it seems that one must frequently experience transforming into another being to reach Great Completion in it."
"Uh...are you saying it's not a technique to become a dragon?"
"No, you do become a dragon. There are curses that have permanent effects. Specifically, this Dragon Form Disguise Method seems to refine oneself into a dragon through a curse."
"Ah...!"
She seems to be enlightened, realizing something significant.
"Th-thank you, Senior!"
Having received a clue from me, she immediately sits in a lotus position, concentrating her consciousness.
Her body starts to radiate a soft light, and her cultivation seems to rise slightly.
I give Yuk Yo a glance before turning my eyes back to the second half of the Dragon Form Disguise Method.
'If this is a curse, can it be reversed like the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation or the Black Blood Tears Flower?'
For some reason, I have a hunch about what may happen if this curse is reversed.
Wo-woong―
A technique that overlays another's form on your own, weakening you in the process.
If reversed, it would become a technique that 'enhances one's strength while maintaining one's true form'!
I involuntarily become excited and reverse the latter half of the formula of the Dragon Form Disguise Method.
Since the first half, which involves refining and nurturing the dragon's energy, is akin to setting the target, there's no problem reversing it as the target is now 'myself'!
Paaaatt!
A pale energy emanates from the Dragon Form Disguise Method, sweeping over my body.
I examine myself.
Nothing has changed.
The true form I obtained when reaching the Four-Axis stage.
Currently, my form is that of a Ghost King with 19 heads, obtained from Great Desert to Dead Sea.
'When I reach the Integration stage, this reversed method of the Dragon Form Disguise Method might be quite useful.'
Creating a domain at the Integration stage requires a clear sense of self.
'The enhancement effect of the Dragon Form Disguise Method...doesn't hold much value for me.'
It might help ordinary Heavenly Being or Four-Axis cultivators, but for someone like me who has obtained the Three Great Ultimates, it doesn't bring much enhancement.
At that moment.
"Hmm?"
Kuaaaang!
A massive light projectile strikes the barrier of the Twilight Domain.
It's an attack equivalent to the Grand Perfection Heavenly Being stage.
"What kind of guests do we have now?"
I chuckle as I stand up from my seat.
Yuk Yo, startled, quickly jumps up and hides inside the Wuji Religious Hall.
I rise up into the air above the Twilight Domain, crossing my arms as I survey my surroundings.
Numerous Four-Axis and Heavenly Being cultivators densely cover the area.
I glance over at Sacred Orchid Island beside the Twilight Domain.
I don't know how, but a formidable expert has sneaked in without anyone noticing.
'An early Integration stage? How troublesome.'
It's someone with exceptional stealth skills.
Although it falls short compared to the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts that I refined, it's still difficult to detect without focusing intently.
'Yet, judging by its nature, it's not something that can be used organically like the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts but rather a restricted stealth technique that requires a considerable wait before reuse.'
I quickly send a voice transmission throughout the entire Wuji Religious Order before shouting loudly.
[Who dares to intrude?]
Most of the Four-Axis demon beasts around me flinch just from my appearance.
I move my 19 heads, making cracking sounds as I ignite ghost fire in my 38 eyes.
It's an appearance I genuinely don't like, but it's perfect for intimidating the enemy.
In response to my threat, one of the Four-Axis stage demon beasts step forward and shouts.
[Hand over Princess Yuk Yo, you monster from another world! The Governing Dragon Palace Lord has declared that whoever rescues the princess will marry her and be named heir to Governing Dragon Palace!]
[Hoh...]
Kuguguguk—
I chuckle at those words, revealing my ghostly energy.
As yin energy surges from my 19 heads, the surrounding sea domain quickly fills with ghostly energy.
Kiyaaaaaaaaa—
Kuaaaaaa—
Kyaaaaaaaaaak!
Countless cursed dolls emerge from every corner of the Twilight Domain, making rattling noises and shrieking ghostly wails.
Kugugugugu!
The Heaven and Earth spiritual energy twists violently due to my attraction force, causing the entire nearby space to shake as if it will tear apart.
The attraction forces of the Four-Axis stage cultivators are nullified by my power, causing some of them who are flying using attraction force to nearly fall from the sky.
Their faces darken.
They seem to roughly grasp my level of power.
With ghost fire blazing in my 38 eyes, I speak.
[If you wish to die, come at me.]
Upon hearing my words, about 48 Four-Axis stage cultivators hesitate and retreat slowly, while the hundreds of Heavenly Being stage cultivators show signs of panic, contemplating escape.
'Good, I can resolve this peacefully.'
I smile inwardly.
By giving them such a ferocious impression, they are likely to show reluctance and leave.
Of course, I don't know about the hidden early Integration stage cultivator, but dealing with just one of them will not be a problem.
That's what I thought.
Paaatt!
Tadak!
A gust of wind blows from afar, and a golden figure appears above the Wuji Religious Hall, standing with hands behind his back.
A black bamboo hat and black martial robes.
And an old saber hanging at his waist.
Finally...an all-too-familiar heart essence.
I stare at the man with blank eyes.
'Ah...'
Come to think of it, I had momentarily forgotten.
That he is in this world.
Ignoring the rabble eyeing the Twilight Domain, I leap toward Kim Young-hoon, who landed on the roof of the Wuji Religious Hall.
Kwaaang!
In my excitement, I fail to control my strength, slightly damaging the roof and raising a cloud of dust.
Smiling broadly, I speak to him.
[It's been a long time, Hyung-nim!]
And then.
"...."
He looks at me with a hesitant expression.
"...Do I know you?"
[...Ah.]
Now that I think about it, it becomes harder to read the heart essence of those who reach First Step Before the Throne due to the compression of heart essence.
Laughing heartily, I say.
[Haha, Hyung-nim. It's me, Seo Eun-hyun.]
"...."
Kim Young-hoon glares at me upon hearing that.
"...You're saying you're Seo Eun-hyun? Well, sorry, but since coming to the Ancient Force Realm, I've met quite a few imitators who read others' memories and mimicked them like scum.
[Haha, Hyung-nim. It's really me. I remember everything from when you first guided me when I first joined the department, to the outings, hiking, and the first day we fell into the Head Realm. Even the sparring with your avatar.]
"...."
Despite my words, Kim Young-hoon does not erase his suspicious look and asks.
"The Seo Eun-hyun I met last time with my avatar wasn't a lunatic who plucked others' heads and planted their skulls on his shoulders, you know?"
[Oh, Hyung-nim. It's a misunderstanding.]
I laugh heartily and dispel my Ghost King Transformation.
No, I try to.
[....]
'Oh.'
The Ghost King Transformation does not dissolve.
I am momentarily flustered but soon find the reason.
'Dragon Form Disguise Method!!!'
The curse of the Dragon Form Disguise Method that I reversed to test the technique is covering my body, fixing 'my current appearance.'
It will take some time to dispel the spell.
With a slightly suspicious face, Kim Young-hoon asks.
"To me, it looks like you, a monster of at least the Integration stage, devoured my younger brother and subordinate and is now mimicking him?"
[...Haha. If that's the case, why do you not attack me?]
Kim Young-hoon grins widely.
"To confirm whether you're really Seo Eun-hyun or a monster mimicking him..."
Woo-woong-
Golden light arises from his saber.
"...There's only one way to find out, after all."
His eyes gleam.
"Come at me. If you're Seo Eun-hyun, we'd spar anyway. If you're a monster that devoured him, I'd have to cut you down regardless."
[...Hah. Fine.]
Yes, meeting him like this is indeed the best.
I draw out the Colorless Glass Sword from my mouth.
'The fight with Hong Su-ryeong. It's been about 700 years.'
During the fight with her, each Colorless Glass Sword was at the level of a mid-grade magic artifact.
In the centuries that followed, the Colorless Glass Sword was slowly refined in my Dan Fire.
In 100 years, it evolved from a mid-grade magic artifact to a high-grade magic artifact.
In another 100 years, it progressed from a high-grade magic artifact to a top-grade magic artifact.
After another 100 years, it finally became a dharma treasure at the Core Formation level!
In the 200 years following that, it advanced from a Core Formation level dharma treasure to a dharma treasure of Grand Perfection Core Formation level.
That was the state of every Colorless Glass Sword at the end of the last cycle, and after 230 years of refinement in this cycle,
Finally, each and every one of my Colorless Glass Swords have become dharma treasures at the Nascent Soul level.
Boo-woong—
The Colorless Glass Swords vibrate.
Chwararararak!!
Three thousand Colorless Glass Swords merge into groups of ten in the air.
Three thousand becomes three hundred.
The dharma treasures at the Nascent Soul level then becomes dharma treasures at the Grand Perfection Nascent Soul level.
Three hundred becomes thirty.
The dharma treasures at the Grand Perfection Nascent Soul level then becomes dharma treasures at the Heavenly Being level.
Thirty became three.
The dharma treasures at the Heavenly Being level then becomes dharma treasures at the Grand Perfection Heavenly Being level.
Finally, three merge into one, revealing the final form of the Colorless Glass Sword.
The form of All-Heavens is displayed.
Paaaatt!
The dharma treasures at the Grand Perfection Heavenly Being level have risen to the level of an out-of-standard dharma treasure used by Four-Axis stage cultivators.
My glass sword, refined for thousands of years in Dan Fire, is now at the level of an out-of-standard dharma treasure in terms of pure strength and inherent sharpness, even without activating its dharma treasure functions.
[Compared to my weapon, isn't that saber of yours too poor?]
Regardless of how equal the martial arts skills are, it's common for differences to arise due to the quality of the weapons.
No matter what, I think that a single old iron saber is just too weak compared to an out-of-standard dharma treasure.
Yet, Kim Young-hoon, without showing any tension, places his hand on his old saber while looking at my sword.
Wo-oong!
Seeing him, my eyes light up.
[It isn't just a simple saber.]
"In the Ancient Force Realm, there are so many treasures lying around in the sea that I picked up a hobby."
Spatial waves emanate from his old saber, and the saber begins to emit light.
Simultaneously, around him and me.
Above the roof of the Wuji Religious Hall, dozens to hundreds of sabers and swords are embedded.
What he holds is a storage artifact in the form of a saber.
"These are the infamous devil swords (魔劍) and demon sabers (妖刀) of the Ancient Force Realm. They are some of my cherished collections. Let me ask you in return."
Tststst!
Golden radiance flashes in his eyes.
I let out a hollow laugh as I sense the demonic energy, devilish energy, and ghostly energy from the surroundings.
The blade intent of these wicked swords and sabers are all connected to Kim Young-hoon.
He has successfully dominated all these sinister demonic blades.
"Against these infamous swords and sabers of the Ancient Force Realm, are you confident with just that single ordinary-looking sword?"
I just grin.
[Well then.]
Kuung!
I step forward.
Now, no more words are unnecessary.
Kim Young-hoon and I clash, and in that instant, the Four-Axis stage cultivators who have been hesitating all charge towards the Twilight Domain.
Heuk Gin, a demon cultivator of the Wi Jeong Sea Domain, bares his pointed teeth and charges towards the Twilight Domain.
The cursed dolls try to block him, but it's useless.
"Hahaha! You wicked beings! Hand over your treasures and glory to this elder!"
And as he breaks through the barrier of the Twilight Domain and enters inside.
Kwaaang!
He is flung away by a massive figure.
"Kugh, who dares?!"
Then, he sees a single being.
A giant god with starlight emanating from its entire body.
The giant god raises a purple aura from its body and roars.
[No one shall set foot inside here!]
Oh Hyun-seok, the Soul Extinguishing Ghost King of the Wuji Religious Order, leads the 13 Guardian Ghost Kings to defend the Twilight Domain.
The Right Law Protector and the Guardian Ghost Kings clash with the Heavenly Being and Four-Axis stage cultivators targeting the Twilight Domain.
The early Integration stage Grand Cultivator hiding in Sacred Orchid Island.
Jin Ma-yeol emerges from his hiding and enters the Twilight Domain.
He searches for Yuk Yo with a fishy smile on his face.
'While those maggot fools stall for time, I'll find Yuk Yo and the hostages and take them away.'
He flies towards the place where he felt Yuk Yo's presence.
"Is it here?"
Kwaang!
He finds a building and immediately distorts and tears apart the space surrounding it.
Inside the building, a trembling Yuk Yo and a somewhat haggard-looking man who is gently caressing a fried hand are present.
"Here you are, princess. Let's go together."
Ignoring the haggard-looking man, he approaches Yuk Yo.
But in the next moment.
Chills!
Jin Ma-yeol steps back in shock.
'Wh-what was that just now?'
He suddenly saw a vision of his entire body being fried.
Jin Ma-yeol locks eyes with the haggard-looking man, whom he suspects had sent the vision.
"So, you're the one protecting the hostages?"
Then, the man who is tenderly caressing the hand suddenly contorts his face into a malevolent evil spirit.
"Are you...the one who interrupted my time with [So-hae]?"
"What?"
"You bastard...I'll fry you to death, leaving only your hands...!"
Thus, Jin Ma-yeol collides with the Chief Law Protector of the Wuji Religious Order.
Six Extremes Ghost King Jeon Myeong-hoon clashes with him.
Guardian Law Protector Hong Fan and Left Law Protector Kim Yeon are monitoring the barrier and observing the situation throughout the entire Twilight Domain from the basement of the Wuji Religious Hall.
At that moment, Hong Fan looks up at the sky.
"What!? What is this!?"
"Please stay here for a moment, Hong Fan."
With a serious expression, Kim Yeon exits the underground of the Wuji Religious Hall.
Kugugugugugugu!
The sky is changing.
'What...is that...!?'
Kim Yeon's expression darkens.
It's exactly as it seems.
The four directions and the sky above the Twilight Domain.
Hundreds of ships are forming a barrier, pulling in the [sea] and enveloping the surroundings.
'Isn't this seawater said to be a kind of dimension?'
Recalling information regarding the Ancient Force Realm, Kim Yeon bites her lip.
Because of those ships, the Twilight Domain is trapped like a soap bubble due the sea, which is akin to a dimensional canopy.
Kim Yeon sends a voice transmission to Hong Fan.
[Hong Fan, please take care of managing and protecting the Twilight Domain. I will go and destroy that barrier.]
She knows instinctively.
If that barrier is completed, something big will happen.
With that, Kim Yeon leaps into the sky, reaching out towards the dimensional barrier.
And at that moment,
Kuaaaang!
She squints against the beam of light that came from somewhere.
"Who is it!"
Kugugugugugu!
She sees a massive warship entering the interior of this dimensional soap bubble.
The cannons of the warship are aimed at Kim Yeon.
She immediately realizes.
'The owner of that warship!'
The owner of that warship is the one who created this barrier.
Tatt!
With a burst of pink light, Kim Yeon flies towards the hundreds of ships.
'I must subdue that person!'
Patt!
Her figure stands before the fleet, blocking their advance.
On the command ship of the fleet,
In the command room of the First Hyang Ship, the fleet commander, Buk Hyang-hwa,
And the Left Law Protector of the Wuji Religious Order, Kim Yeon,
Their gazes collide in midair.
***
Toong—
A man holding a golden blade and a Ghost King with 19 heads take a step forward.
The man with the golden blade.
Kim Young-hoon steadies his breath.
The realm he has reached.
From the realm referred to by the Heart Tribe of the Bright Cold Realm as the First Step Before the Throne, the method of combat changes drastically compared to the previous realms.
In the days they used to be ordinary peak masters, they used to exchange thousands of moves virtually through well-honed intent, optimizing their movements to strike their opponent within this imaginary bout.
But from their current realm onwards, they no longer use such methods.
Because it's unnecessary.
Toong—
Once again, they draw closer.
Kim Young-hoon's eyes burn with a golden light, and the eyes of Seo Eun-hyun, from his 19 heads, blaze with a chilling flare.
It begins with Kim Young-hoon.
He executes a simple horizontal slash, immediately following it with an upward slash, creating a crosscut.
A slash that tears through time.
But that is just the beginning.
A golden storm erupts from him.
Every single one is one of Kim Young-hoon's saber strikes.
In response, Seo Eun-hyun wields his transparent sword.
His sword flows like waves, at times like a storm, countering Kim Young-hoon's golden waves.
At their level, there is no need to match imaginary blows.
Because both have reached a realm where they can realize their imaginations.
Kuadududuk!
A colorless and gold storm rages, pulverizing a corner of Wuji Religious Hall's roof to dust.
Piercing through that storm, Seo Eun-hyun's dark grasp clenches towards Kim Young-hoon.
Kim Young-hoon's eyes glint as he swings his saber in the air, scattering golden rays at the black hand.
The rays seem to repel the black hand, extending across the Twilight Domain.
In the next moment, countless rays of light from the entire Twilight Domain descend upon Seo Eun-hyun.
It's as if innumerable arrows of light are striking the Ghost King of Darkness.
Each ray scattered by Kim Young-hoon is a Gang Sphere, and countless Gang Spheres imbued with the enlightenment of Surpassing Radiance pours onto Seo Eun-hyun.
Though it appears that Kim Young-hoon is maintaining the upper hand in the first clash, his face remains tense as he twitches his fingers.
Some of the Gang Spheres pouring down on Seo Eun-hyun follow his will, retrieving the demon sabers and devil swords he has scattered on the roof.
After confirming that his weapons are back under his control, Kim Young-hoon retreats without hesitation.
——-!
In the next moment, something that seems to contain all of heaven's natural colors sweeps through the spot where Kim Young-hoon had stood, moving so fast that even sound can't keep up.
He feels goosebumps all over his body and heightens his focus.
Then, amidst the baptism of golden radiance, the Ghost King of Darkness emerges with blazing eyes.
Bo-ooong!
Kim Young-hoon senses Seo Eun-hyun disappear in an instant.
'Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts!'
Sharpening his consciousness like a blade, he reads everything around him.
In a split second.
He senses a movement in the Plane of Soul and launches his Surpassing Radiant Saber towards it. The All-Heavens Sword suddenly appears from the void and clashes with the Surpassing Radiant Saber.
Kuaang!
Blood spurts from Kim Young-hoon's seven orifices.
It's the result of focusing solely on defending by letting the force flow through, using a talent that even the word 'heavenly' would not do justice.
Gradually, the surroundings darken.
Their minds have accelerated to a level where even sound is left far behind.
And within the brief instant, akin to a gap in time, Kim Young-hoon makes a swift decision.
'I can't take it head-on.'
He quickly pulls out a talisman from his bosom and hastily sticks it to his body.
His entire body rapidly regenerates.
Normally, Kim Young-hoon is a martial artist who enjoys fair and square martial duels, always preferring direct confrontations.
This is even more so when facing opponents at the Integration level, such as Integration stage Demon Kings or Grand Cultivators.
Each of them is like a small dimension, a subspace with its own will.
They are natural disasters, and before them, Kim Young-hoon is like an ant.
So how does an ant confront a natural disaster?
By reading the flow of the natural disaster, incorporating all its forces into his calculations, and tracing the source of power.
Then, with the body of an ant, slashing through the natural disaster to reach and sever the source of power.
Natural disasters possess terrifying power, but the ant wielding an iron stick could calculate all the paths and trajectories needed to cut through the disaster, making a miracle possible.
However, Kim Young-hoon stares at the monster before him.
When facing natural disasters, he would wield a toothpick through the gaps in the natural disaster along the optimal path to confront them.
But the opponent before him is no different from a natural disaster wielding all its power within a toothpick at the same level as himself.
——!
In a fleeting moment, the All-Heavens Sword scatters once again. Kim Young-hoon became a streak of light, using all his strength to dodge even the slightest touch of the sword.
He finally made up his mind.
Fight fairly as a martial duel?
Humans might be able to face natural disasters honorably.
Even when disasters cover the sky and shake the ground, disasters cannot specifically target humans. Thus, humans can survive and become stronger within them.
But what if a natural disaster wearing human skin chases after them to kill?
What if a disaster that couldn't originally target insects starts moving like an insect, precisely targeting and persistently chasing after them?
Kim Young-hoon steps on the air and moves his body from the sky to the ground of the Twilight Domain to dodge.
Likewise, Seo Eun-hyun closely follows Kim Young-hoon as expected.
Bo-oong!
He erases the word 'direct confrontation' from his mind.
Kim Young-hoon hides between the buildings of the Wuji Religious Order.
He plans to ambush Seo Eun-hyun while moving between the buildings.
However, he looks up at the sky for a moment.
"...!"
Three thousand Colorless Glass Swords are shining in the sky, imbued with the All-Heavens Sword.
The swords begin to fall.
While desperately dodging the swords with all his might, Kim Young-hoon reads their 'intention'.
'They're herding me!'
And as he dodges the baptism of the All-Heavens Sword, he meets Seo Eun-hyun's eyes emerging from an alley ahead.
Before he has a chance to escape, Seo Eun-hyun raises his right hand.
In his hand is a sword containing all of heaven's natural colors.
Bo-oong!
The next moment, the Twilight Domain splits in half.
'This guy, does he not even care if his own territory gets destroyed?'
Kim Young-hoon, barely dodging Seo Eun-hyun's strike, reached out into the air with a look of disbelief.
Kim Young-hoon's collection.
Dark Oil Saber (陰油刀), Balancing Wind (燮風).
Piiit!
As soon as he grasps the demon saber, a dark aura emanates from it under Kim Young-hoon's will, quickly engulfing the surroundings.
When Kim Young-hoon flips the blade of Balancing Wind, the surrounding dark aura begins to shine.
The aura imbued with yin energy reverses to yang energy, causing an explosion.
Kim Young-hoon and Seo Eun-hyun each take different actions as they watch the explosion in the darkened world.
Kim Young-hoon quickly retreats, while Seo Eun-hyun manipulates the Colorless Glass Swords around him to grind down the yang energy induced by Balancing Wind, extinguishing the explosion before looking at Kim Young-hoon.
Koo-woong!
With a single step, Seo Eun-hyun closes the distance on Kim Young-hoon.
Kim Young-hoon and Seo Eun-hyun collide.
Kugugugugu!
Countless rays of light tangle in the frozen time.
And within that, Kim Young-hoon's grip bursts multiple times, and his innards are vigorously shaken.
Split!
He retreats, swallowing blood.
Taaatt!
Once again, he takes out a regeneration talisman and sticks it to his body, gritting his teeth and gesturing with his fingers.
His Gang Sphere clone brings him the Devil Sword Hidden Gem (幽璞).
Once again, Seo Eun-hyun uses the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts.
Kim Young-hoon heightens his senses to the brink of overload, barely locating Seo Eun-hyun's position, and slashes upwards with Hidden Gem.
Jiiiiiing!
Kim Young-hoon's devil sword Hidden Gem, imbued with the Surpassing Radiant Saber.
And Seo Eun-hyun's Colorless Glass Sword, imbued with the All-Heavens Sword.
The two swords collide, and shockwaves spread in all directions.
The nearby buildings of the Wuji Religious Order are uprooted and thrown in all four directions by the shockwave.
This time, Kim Young-hoon does not spurt blood from his orifices.
Instead, his devil sword shatters into pieces.
Seo Eun-hyun smirks and sends him a heart message.
[What is this now? A straw stick?]
Seo Eun-hyun then thrusts the Colorless Glass Sword towards Kim Young-hoon, whose sword has broken.
Kim Young-hoon quickly takes out the Demon Saber Clearing Sea (芟海) to block the Colorless Glass Sword.
Kwa-jijik!
Once again, Kim Young-hoon's demon saber inevitably shatters, scattering into countless shards.
Internally shedding tears of blood, Kim Young-hoon summons numerous demon sabers and devil swords through his sword control technique.
The Devil Sword Expansive Roc shatters into pieces under Seo Eun-hyun's upward strike.
The Demon Saber Ruin is split in half by the horizontal slash of the Colorless Glass Sword.
The Spirit Sword Annihilation is bitten and broken by Seo Eun-hyun's mouth while descending.
The Black Saber Starry Night bends like a bow while defending against Seo Eun-hyun's body slam.
Kwaaang!
Unable to withstand the impact of the body slam, Kim Young-hoon vomits blood from his entire body as he is thrown into the battlefield of other Four-Axis stage cultivators.
Seeing his beloved blades being utterly destroyed, he feels as if a house he had bought with his lifetime's worth of retirement savings has been blown up and obliterated by some insane bomber.
Tadatt!
Yet, there's no time to even dwell in misery as Seo Eun-hyun starts rushing towards him.
Dududududu—
Kim Young-hoon hastily searches for a regeneration talisman and sticks it on his body before quickly leaping upwards and landing on the shoulder of a starlight giant that is simultaneously confronting six cultivators at the Four-Axis stage. He then takes out his beloved weapons again.
Seo Eun-hyun approaches and extends his hand.
His hand, fused with the All-Heavens Sword, narrowly grazes the top of Kim Young-hoon's head.
Kim Young-hoon throws the Extinction Sword True Soul to buy time and moves to the starlight giant's knee to dodge.
Seo Eun-hyun swats away the Extinction Sword True Soul with his hand, breaking it like a straw and discarding it.
A nearly frozen world.
In that space, they fight, using the bodies of other cultivators as terrain.
Seo Eun-hyun's sword stretches out across Heaven and Earth and the four directions, trying to trap Kim Young-hoon, while Kim Young-hoon's saber evades his sword like a bird.
Kim Young-hoon flows like a river, avoiding the Four-Axis cultivators who are attacking the Twilight Domain, and moves outside the barrier of the Twilight Domain.
Seo Eun-hyun follows, smashing through the bodies of the frozen Four-Axis cultivators, pursuing Kim Young-hoon.
Kim Young-hoon grasps the Divided Saber One Spirit, infusing it with his energy.
In an instant, Divided Saber One Spirit emits light, creating 108 identical clones of Kim Young-hoon.
These are intricate clones, on a different level from the Gang Sphere clone!
Seo Eun-hyun moves the All-Heavens Sword.
Chwararara!
Like a hedgehog revealing its quills, spikes of light shoot out from around Seo Eun-hyun.
Puff, Puff, Puff!!!
The sword strike that had killed a Four-Axis stage cultivator in one blow now shatters Kim Young-hoon's clones.
Taking advantage of this gap, the real Kim Young-hoon focuses his mind.
This time, he doesn't use a devil sword or demon saber. He solely sharpens his consciousness and takes a stance.
In this fleeting moment, with his mind composed, Kim Young-hoon's eyes burn.
His heart essence compresses like a line.
Single Strike of the First Step Before the Throne!
Taatt!
Reentering the depths of the Twilight Domain, Kim Young-hoon takes his stance, drawing on a lifetime's worth of concentration with the taunt intensity of a bowstring holding an arrow.
Kwa-jik!
As Seo Eun-hyun shatters Kim Young-hoon's last clone, their eyes meet.
Seo Eun-hyun's 38 eyes burn with ghost fire, and Kim Young-hoon's eyes burn with a golden radiance.
In the dark, still world, their gazes cross, and in the next moment.
Seo Eun-hyun sees a golden Peng Bird charging at him.
And Kim Young-hoon sees the Three Great Ultimates rising behind Seo Eun-hyun.
A flash of light, and a moment later.
Seo Eun-hyun becomes the sword.
His heart essence also compresses, becoming the Single Strike of the First Step Before the Throne.
The sword that Seo Eun-hyun has become rushes at Kim Young-hoon, smashing the Peng Bird and reaching right in front of him.
However, the next moment.
Seo Eun-hyun locks eyes with Kim Young-hoon, who has taken the stance for continuous strikes.
Kim Young-hoon smiles in the darkness.
Bo-oong!
Seo Eun-hyun flinches.
He can understand up to continuous strikes.
But he knows.
This is a triple consecutive strike.
Kwa-jijik!
Within the continuous single strikes, Seo Eun-hyun succeeds in destroying the Peng Bird.
But he can't help but show a gap by the third continuous First Step Before the Throne single strike.
Kwadududuk!
Kim Young-hoon's all-out slash pierces Seo Eun-hyun's opening.
———!
A golden wound is left on Seo Eun-hyun's body.
Yet, Kim Young-hoon does not continue to attack Seo Eun-hyun but retreats with all his might.
'It's shallow!'
It isn't that Kim Young-hoon slashed carelessly.
Nor had Seo Eun-hyun leaked any power.
It's simply the All-Heavens Sword flowing through his body, that bizarre 'circuit', his naturally thick skin, the protective body force of his late Four-Axis stage cultivation, and among other factors, that prevented Kim Young-hoon's blade from properly penetrating.
As Kim Young-hoon quickly retreats, he notices those who move slowly even in the still world where he and Seo Eun-hyun reside.
The Six-Armed God, scattering lightning from his entire body, and the notorious pirate captain Jin Ma-yeol, swinging his chained sickle while using a semi-transparent stealth technique.
The two Grand Cultivators at the Integration stage are moving, albeit slowly, even in Kim Young-hoon and Seo Eun-hyun's world.
Kim Young-hoon climbs onto the shoulder of the Six-Armed Giant, taking a moment to catch his breath, and grits his teeth.
'I need to steady my breath.'
0.1 seconds.
That is enough.
But in their world, that amount of time is enormous, and Kim Young-hoon decides he needs to briefly hide.
His gaze turns to the Sea Circle formed by the Buk Hyang Fleet.
A dimensional barrier formed by the sea of the Ancient Force Realm.
'I'll step out briefly to catch my breath.'
He makes a quick decision and looks at Seo Eun-hyun.
Kugugugugu!
Seo Eun-hyun, with the Three Great Ultimates on the back of his head, is rushing towards Kim Young-hoon at an insane speed.
In the next moment, Kim Young-hoon launches a slash at Seo Eun-hyun.
Becoming a streak of light, he flies towards the Sea Circle.
Kwaaaang!
The flying Seo Eun-hyun directly tears through Kim Young-hoon's slash but loses control of his speed, colliding with Jeon Myeong-hoon and bursting the upper part of the giant's apart.
'Now!'
Kim Young-hoon's eyes shine as he sees Seo Eun-hyun apologizing to Jeon Myeong-hoon for a lengthy 0.01 seconds.
Paat!
His speed increases.
Compressing his heart essence once more, he overlays his body with the single strike of First Step Before the Throne.
At some point, he reaches a place where neither light nor sound can touch him, finally feeling the dimension below his feet.
Woo-woong!
He moves faster, and faster, until his physical body transcends the plane for an instant.
Kim Young-hoon moves in the distant void.
Paaaatt!
Finally, Kim Young-hoon returns to reality.
He is outside the Sea Circle formed by the Buk Hyang Fleet.
"Huuuuh..."
Catching his breath, he takes out his treasured weapons and a regeneration talisman, sticking them all over his body.
The Sea Circle formed by the Buk Hyang Fleet is literally a barrier using dimensions.
It's a state similar to several Grand Cultivators' domains overlapping, making it almost impossible to simply exit.
Only by 'becoming so fast that one momentarily transcends dimensions' like Kim Young-hoon, could one overcome this insurmountable wall.
And just as Kim Young-hoon is about to leisurely catch his breath for 0.1 seconds.
Kuaaaang!
The sea domain shakes as Seo Eun-hyun smashes through a corner of the Sea Circle.
The Three Great Ultimates are spinning furiously behind him, and Kim Young-hoon stares at Seo Eun-hyun in a daze.
'Was it really supposed to just 'pop' open like that?'
Momentarily letting out a hollow laugh, Kim Young-hoon stops catching his breath and readies for battle once more.
Wiiing!
Grabbing the demon sword, Kirin, Kim Young-hoon draws upon its power.
'For just an instant, I'll increase the weapon's lifespan.'
He fiercely spins his thoughts, creating a new martial art to overcome this situation.
Tstststst!
His eyes follow Seo Eun-hyun, tracing Seo Eun-hyun's circuits.
Just like the circuits covering Seo Eun-hyun's entire body, something resembling veins of golden light begin to spread through the devil sword he holds.
It's fundamentally different from something like the external Inner Core.
It's a martial art that mimics the characteristics of the opponent he is fighting, elevating the weapon's potential by another level.
Of course, Seo Eun-hyun's circuits have countless functions such as recovery, defense, attack, amplification, stealth, tracking, and cleanliness, but Kim Young-hoon can only imitate one function.
Since it's impossible to perfectly mimic the circuits developed by a genius like the Mad Lord after seeing it only once, the function he copies is only one.
The function to amplify the weapon's performance.
Kwaduduk!
The demon sword begins to tremble.
Simultaneously, the energy of the sword grows even denser.
Kim Young-hoon feels his chest burn.
'My precious collection...'
Unlike Seo Eun-hyun's circuits, which have no side effects when used, the [veins] engraved through this martial art has a drawback.
The amplification through these veins burn the weapon's potential, rendering it unusable after a single attack.
Kim Young-hoon wields the amplified demon sword, imbued with the enlightenment of Surpassing Radiance, towards Seo Eun-hyun.
Kuaaang!
The shockwave reverberates, twisting the [Deep Sea] of the nearby sea domain.
However, for the first time, Kim Young-hoon, who has consistently had his blades shattered and been pushed back, manages to withstand Seo Eun-hyun's single strike.
Though these are infamous devil swords and demon sabers known throughout the sea domain, only by drawing out all their potential and causing them to go berserk can he block Seo Eun-hyun's single strike.
Gripping the Evil Saber Grief, he unleashes its potential once more and swings from the upper left to the lower right, while Seo Eun-hyun counters from the lower left with the All-Heavens Sword overlaying his bare hands.
Kim Young-hoon recalls his memories with his beloved weapons.
'Snatched from an Integration stage cultivator, the natal dharma treasure of a Grand Cultivator, the Evil Sword Grief. The ancient Demon Sword Dazzling Light, found in an underground labyrinth. The precious Ghost Sword Supreme Evi, found in the embrace of an Integration level Deep Sea Monster. The Devil Sword Sacred Axes, forged from the axes of a thousand Four-Axis stage cultivators...'
These distinguished blades, which would make even Integration stage cultivators drool over them, are being grinded down before Seo Eun-hyun.
But regardless, by grinding down his blades, he is managing to put up something resembling a fight against Seo Eun-hyun.
Of course, in return, his strength is rapidly depleting.
Spurt!
He clenches his teeth, squeezing out his meridians.
Despite being a life-or-death situation, a smile never leaves his lips.
'Yes, I've already known.'
Though it's hard to discern heart essence when reaching this realm, some parts can still be seen to some extent.
Hence, even though he was suspicious of the monster in front of him, he had somewhat figured out that it was Seo Eun-hyun from the start.
However, he deliberately provoked him because he wanted to have a sincere spar.
'Has it been...one, two hundred years since I met this guy?'
Though he thought himself a genius, he can feel himself becoming humble upon seeing him.
Reaching the Four-Axis stage as a Heaven Tribe. Reaching the Four-Axis stage as an Earth Tribe.
Moreover, it's not even the early stage but the late stage, with attraction force and power.
Even his martial arts have reached the same level as his.
Just what kind of monster is this?
'That must be a real genius.'
Kim Young-hoon feels humbled, grinding down all his possessions to continually clash with Seo Eun-hyun.
And before long, he notices the demon sabers within his reach gradually diminishing.
'Damn, I'm squandering my entire fortune in a single duel.'
Tooong!
His and Seo Eun-hyun's sword clash for a moment.
There is a slight pause between them, and Kim Young-hoon's eyes light up.
'I have to end it with this strike.'
Tzztzztzt!
He pulls out his most cherished beloved weapon, which he had kept hidden until the very last moment of last moments.
The name of the beloved weapon is Radiant Saber (輝刀) Ryun (輪/Wheel).
Though it has less fame compared to the notorious devil swords and demon sabers, it's a saber Kim Young-hoon had taken from a Grand Perfection Integration stage Grand Cultivator, possessing the most suitable ability for him.
The ability of Radiant Blade Ryun is simple.
Regardless of the user, it triples the wielder's speed for one second.
His heart essence compresses once more.
Noticing Kim Young-hoon's momentum, Seo Eun-hyun also begins to compress his heart essence.
Wiiiiing!
The Three Great Ultimates behind him begin to shine brilliantly.
The next moment.
Pasak!
Seo Eun-hyun's eyes light up, and finally, his Dragon Form Disguise Method is released.
Holding the All-Heavens Sword, he begins to perform a sword dance.
It's a sword dance imbued with the single strikes of the First Step Before the Throne.
Normally, the single strike of the Heart Tribe's First Step Before the Throne consumes all the user's energy and focus.
Thus, most of the Heart Tribe would be in a near-death state after using single strike until they become accustomed to it.
But what happens when the Heaven Tribe and Earth Tribe rise to the First Step Before the Throne?
Through their unique recovery abilities and the endless absorption of energy through Celestial Energy Guidance, they can recover in an instant even if they reach a near-death state.
Therefore, thanks to their unique recovery abilities and life force, the Heaven and Earth Tribes can execute the single strike of First Step Before the Throne several times, unlike the Heart Tribe.
Then, what about Seo Eun-hyun, who possesses the cultivation of Heaven, Earth, and Puppet?
Seo Eun-hyun prepares the Severing Mountain Swordsmanship's ultimate move, Severing Mountain.
A strike that bombards the opponent with over twenty techniques, causing an explosion.
Paaaatt!
Kim Young-hoon vanishes into the beam of light, and in an instant, a Peng Bird appears.
Seo Eun-hyun unfolds his eight wings.
The body of starlight and the puppet's circuit vibrate.
He covers his entire body with the hazy mist of the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections.
'I can feel it.'
It's clear to him.
He can feel that the Kim Young-hoon before his eyes also intends to deliver his final strike, having fully accelerated his saber.
'He must also be pouring all his power into each move used in Saber Tomb to confront me.
Seo Eun-hyun smiles.
'How about this time?'
Will he be able to properly surpass Kim Young-hoon this time?
'No, that's not it.'
Seo Eun-hyun believes in his own martial arts that he has been training until now.
He believes in the history of his endless practice.
He believes in the ill fate that endlessly showered misfortune upon him, but ultimately saved him.
His sword resounds.
From the profound realization of the 22nd move, Severing Mountain, more were added with later enlightenments.
Endless Mountains Beyond Mountains, which ensures the momentum never changes.
Foolish Old Man Moves Mountains, which not only maintains the momentum but increases it.
Sea of Righteousness and Mountain of Grace, which unifies enlightenment.
One Annihilation to the Near Shore, which explodes power from the Sea of Righteousness and Mountain of Grace.
Guiding to the Summit, which reverses the opponent's strength.
Twelve Thousand Peaks, the pinnacle of the sword formation.
Boundless Dao to the Other Shore, which gathers and releases all the power of One Annihilation to the Near Shore.
And Deep Mountain, Emerging Dao, which moves the sword from a higher plane to a lower plane, increasing the sword force.
All the history and fate of his martial path, that he arduously crawled up with his limited talent, bursts forth from his hands.
His opponent is the Incarnation of True Martial Arts (眞武)!
"Saber Tomb!"
A golden Peng Bird and the history of a slow-witted dullard clash in the sky.
"Severing Mountain!"
And the entire sea domain trembles.
The light subsides.
Kim Young-hoon, covered in blood, looks at his beloved blade with trembling hands.
The saber he had saved until the very end of very ends.
The demon sword specialized for speed.
Radiant Saber Ryun. Except for the hilt, the blade is gone.
"...."
He looks around.
He is on top of some deep-sea monster's corpse.
It seems the deep-sea monster was caught up and killed in the fight between Seo Eun-hyun and Kim Young-hoon. Its entire body is shredded with sword and blade marks.
It appears to be a kind of mimic monster that reads memories and mimics them as illusions, as countless crude illusions are rising from the corpse of the deep-sea monster.
The illusions form forests and mountains.
Maybe because the deep-sea monster primarily mimicked mountainous demon beasts, the emerging illusions are of huge cliffs, great mountains, and peaks.
Kim Young-hoon lets out a hollow laugh.
His voice doesn't come out well.
But he squeezes it out and speaks the words he intends to say.
"Your...victory. Seo Eun-hyun."
Having finished his words, Kim Young-hoon collapses forward at the feet of Seo Eun-hyun, who is holding the Colorless Glass Sword before him.
Despite his defeat, despite having lost all his cherished weapons and wealth, his expression isn't bad at all.
'...I was too reliant on external objects. Yes...thanks to you, I could grasp the clue to the next realm...'
With that, he falls asleep with a smile amidst countless illusions of great mountains.
Gasping for breath, I place the Colorless Glass Sword into my storage scroll with trembling hands.
I don't even have the energy to store it within the Dan Fire.
Though all the volcanic power in my body has been completely drained, I don't care.
"...I won."
I defeated him.
That is enough.
I collapse onto the corpse of the grotesque creature.
'...I need to stop them...'
Far away.
I look at the battle unfolding in the Twilight Domain with a hollow laugh.
Energy is returning to my body again, but I can't intervene immediately.
It will take around half the time it takes to drink a cup of tea for my body to recover.
[TL/N: The time to drink a cup of tea is ~15 min, but it is also used to express a short time.]
'Well...still, they won't lose.'
My faith in my comrades is not shallow and I have no worries that they will get overrun by the thugs of the Ancient Force Realm.
The only concern is Kim Yeon, who is engaged in a massive battle far away, charging towards the enormous command ship while being bombarded by the surrounding fleet.
'I'm going crazy. If either of them gets hurt while fighting...'
I take a deep breath, but there's nothing I can do right now.
Desperately, I send a brief command via voice transmission to Hong Fan and collapse on the spot.
Though the monster's corpse is buoyant, countless illusions surround Kim Young-hoon and me.
One illusion is of an old man with a flower basket approaching within 1 zhang (~3m).
Other illusions include a bizarre seagull demon practicing martial arts, a muscular giant kissing his muscles, a strange monk with one eye covered by an eyepatch looking for someone with a cough—all kinds of illusions based on the memories of various beings are floating in the air.
Seeing these illusions, I look up at the sky of the Ancient Force Realm.
The sky where celestial energy can not be read.
'The world of the Earth Tribe...'
The land is history.
Someone had once told me that.
I reach my hand towards the sky and smile.
In the world of history, the history of my martial arts has finally won against the Incarnation of True Martial Arts.
My martial arts have not been in vain.
***