Reincarnation Sword God

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00432 천계(天界) ————————————————————————=

At that moment –

Lee Cheong-un was the first to activate the Thunder Spirit Technique, turning the nearby Elder of the Su Shin Sect into mush. The speed of the Thunder Spirit Technique was so beyond normal martial arts that it was as if the Elder’s face and chest exploded in a spray of blood like a gag. However, the very next moment, the Elder reached out, seemingly unfazed, and unleashed a massive force toward Lee Cheong-un. The immense force, enhanced by the might of the Heavenly Spirit Pill, was akin to a natural disaster, forcing even the legendary Lee Cheong-un to dodge. The force spread wide, striking a colossal pillar into the sky.

Boom!

‘What?!’

Something was off. Normally, a human would instantly die from that. But this guy counterattacked as if it were nothing. The term ‘Immortal’ flitted through my mind when Cheon Woo-jin beside me raised a hand.

“Defense.”

With that command, a complete white barrier surrounded the space where Cheon Woo-jin and I stood. As Yeodong-bin’s gaze shifted to Cheon Woo-jin, he said gravely.

“Sword Master, the power of the [Ancient Ruler] is surging from the altar; they are currently in an immortal state. I can only break their immortality for a brief moment, so don’t miss this window.”

[Got it.]

The Illusory God Cheon Woo-jin seemed to have grasped the situation with just the strike Lee Cheong-un had unleashed. The task assigned to Sword Master Yeodong-bin was singular: to strike the Dharma Protectors with a deadly blow while Cheon Woo-jin nullified their immortality!

Crash!

A fearsome sound echoed from beyond the white barrier. It seemed the combined attack of the Dharma Protectors was attempting to break through. Cheon Woo-jin bled from the corner of his mouth and gathered his fingers to form a seal.

“Go!”

Smash!

The barrier shattered, and Yeodong-bin soared forward. The power of the Fire Dragon Sword erupted into a massive flame, piercing straight into the Su Shin Elder at the forefront. That Elder was Dokgo Woo, who roared with a gruesome aura seeping through his mask.

[I’m not afraid, even if I’m facing a Sword Master!!]

The swirling Qi from Dokgo Woo’s dual palms twisted and, accompanied by black light, was launched with incredible speed. That was definitely his unique Mind Control Technique. But in that moment, Sword Master Yeodong-bin activated the Earth Decision of the Heavenly Escape Sword Technique, parrying each of Dokgo Woo’s strikes, and in the next instant, thrust his sword at Dokgo Woo’s neck.

Thud!

The decision was made in just a second, though it felt like hundreds of seconds had passed. Dokgo Woo’s realization fell short compared to Yeodong-bin’s; thus, he was unable to defend against a critical weakness during that gap. With an expression of rage, Dokgo Woo coughed up blood. His body bore the rune of Cheon Woo-jin’s spell, shattering his immortal form.

[Kh… Sect Leader… Please…]

Whoosh!

A brilliant light erupted from Dokgo Woo’s entire body. Typically, it would have been too late to evade.

Boom!

However, Sword Master Yeodong-bin, experienced enough to recognize that this was the final explosion of a master who condensed their energy, swiftly retreated. Soon, as Dokgo Woo’s body exploded, creating a vast destructive light, Yeodong-bin’s combat experience transcended mere humanity.

[Ha!]

At the same time, I realized that Yeodong-bin was drawing great power from the National Seal. Regardless of being the Sword Master, channeling the immense power of the Heavenly Spirit Pill would deplete my own internal energy severely. I thought, if this continued, Yeodong-bin could take down all the Dharma Protectors himself.

‘Huh? But why isn’t he using the Fire Dragon Sword or the Moon Sovereign’s power…’

Strangely, it seemed Yeodong-bin’s priority for recovery was focused entirely on the National Seal. Even though the Moon Sovereign and the Fire Dragon Sword were both Divine Treasures, what could be the reason? While I pondered this oddity, the battlefield’s ebb and flow quickened.

Clang!

Boom!

In the distance, Han Baek-ryeong and two Dharma Protectors of the Su Shin Sect were jointly targeting Lee Cheong-un. Sensing he could not carelessly expend the Thunder Spirit Technique, Lee Cheong-un initially launched a fierce attack to deal significant damage but was now merely dodging at high speed. Even with his prowess, he had no means to kill an immortal body.

[Sword Master!!]

Before long, Dokgo Jun of the Su Shin Sect charged towards Yeodong-bin, throwing a punch. Yeodong-bin must have sensed that Dokgo Jun’s martial arts realm exceeded that of Dokgo Woo, as he chose to dodge rather than engage directly. Dokgo Jun accelerated to pursue him, launching a flurry of fist shadows one after another.

Sword Master Yeodong-bin regarded Dokgo Jun’s attacks, his eyebrows twitching.

[Seven Stars Shadow!]

[It’s the secret technique passed down by the Sect Leader. Brace yourself!]

Shoo!

In that moment, I felt Dokgo Jun’s movements freeze as if they were dazzlingly splitting apart. This was likely a new Absolute Slash created by combining the Su Shin Sect’s footwork and Seven Stars Shadow. Yeodong-bin calmly observed the essence of the technique through his Moonlight Reflection before swiftly piercing through a point in the sky, repelling Dokgo Jun.

[Kuuh.]

Dokgo Jun, armed with Sword Mastery, sustained a grievous injury as if his shoulder had been blown away, yet he began to visibly recover in an instant. He took a breath, glaring at Yeodong-bin.

[Our White Lotus Sect stands ready to stake everything. Do you think your feeble sense of righteousness can block us, a mere immortal?]

Yeodong-bin calmly replied.

[As I said, the Demon Path cannot save humanity. Regardless of your great ideals, you are merely monstrous beings now.]

[……]

[It is my duty to eliminate monsters.]

Yeodong-bin’s words, while seemingly composed, were chillingly icy. In that moment, I sensed that Yeodong-bin had become a killing machine devoid of compassion or humanity. Moreover, with intrusive thoughts completely dismissed, he was stronger than ever.

Seven Great Techniques

Essence

Landlord King

While Dokgo Jun pushed to block Yeodong-bin, the other three seemed determined to wear down Lee Cheong-un. The time before the Sect Leader had launched his own move of Landlord King was no match for what was now unfolding. He seemed to be fully focused, the energy swirling from his hands resembling a game board, exploding forth. The Landlord King unleashed a horrific change that would slaughter everything around it, a display of power I was all too familiar with.

But Yeodong-bin unflinchingly held the Fire Dragon Sword in counterattack.

[If it doesn’t scare you when the Sect Leader uses it, your enlightenment will be insufficient!]

Heavenly Escape Sword Technique

Six Intent Saintly Heaven Diagram

Cloud Decision

Yeodong-bin’s sword form seemed to split into thirty-six in an instant. The Sword Shadow expanded hundreds of times wider until it manifested into an entire sword cloud. With countless sword forms on display, the sword cloud severed the essence of the Landlord King before it could spread, swallowing Dokgo Jun whole.

Pow!

[Kuhhk!!]

Crushed by the Landlord King, Dokgo Jun screamed as he flew backwards. But due to his immortality, he rapidly healed from near-fatal wounds and conjured ten Water Dragons in mid-air to attack Yeodong-bin. As he narrowly dodged the Water Dragons’ assault, he glanced back to see Cheon Woo-jin gritting his teeth, perspiration beading on his forehead.

“Damn it… The altar’s power is intensifying, and so is their immortality.”

[What do you mean?]

“Sword Master! If we don’t shred that guy first, we won’t be able to deny his immortality.”

[Got it.]

As the Sword Master scattered white energy, he intensified the power of the Fire Dragon Sword. Infused with the Fire Dragon Sword’s might, Yeodong-bin emitted an immense atmosphere of dread, making even Dokgo Jun visibly tense. Yet, Dokgo Jun set himself firmly, resolutely stating,

[I won’t give up! I will not let you reach the Sect Leader!]

Boom!

As the power of Yeodong-bin’s Six Intent Saintly Heaven Diagram relentlessly hammered down, Dokgo Jun resisted with all his might. The ancient techniques propelled by the limitless power of the Heavenly Spirit Pill withstood the onslaught of the Six Intent Saintly Heaven Diagram. Yet, Yeodong-bin’s swordsmanship was relentless; every time, he would exploit the gaps, tearing at Dokgo Jun’s limbs. This happened over fifteen times, and while a normal human would have died several times over, Dokgo Jun continued to rise like a rubber ball.

Dokgo Jun coughed up blood.

[I… can’t… let this happen…]

Seeing the overwhelming display of Yeodong-bin pushing Dokgo Jun back sent chills down my spine. Dokgo Jun, with unmatched prowess, now stood as an infernal being arguably second only to the Sect Leader, but for Yeodong-bin to land blows that could kill him dozens of times?!

Yeodong-bin looked at Dokgo Jun.

[You’re a splendid warrior.]

The eyes of the Sword Master met Dokgo Jun’s. As Yeodong-bin regarded him with somber eyes, he said,

[In a world where beings like you are fated to die in vain…]

Thud!

Approximately fifty seconds later, Dokgo Jun could no longer endure the repetitive strikes of the Six Intent Saintly Heaven Diagram, becoming nothing more than minced meat. Cheon Woo-jin watched, barely managing to strip away inmortal engendered from Dokgo and ultimately Dokgo Jun was completely obliterated.

Thud…

[Ugh…]

As Yeodong-bin’s victory was decided and he approached the remaining three Dharma Protectors, they all bore expressions of steely resolve. They staved off falling into bloodlust, but with the presence of such a supreme master, it seemed they had lost all hope.

[Kuh..]

[Are you expecting to lose?]

Until then, Lee Cheong-un, dodging with the speed of the Thunder Spirit Technique while occasionally attacking, ceased his Thunder Spirit Transformation. Letting out a sigh, he spoke.

“Han Baek-ryeong. Why throw your life away in this cruel act?”

“……”

Among the possessors of the Heavenly Spirit Pill, Han Baek-ryeong bore no severe injuries. In fact, it appeared Lee Cheong-un had redirected all his strikes away from her. Her two eyes shone bizarrely brightly, as if red flames flickered within. As Lee Cheong-un observed her, he muttered,

“Using the Fire Spirit Technique that exhausts even the Heavenly Spirit Pill isn’t sane.”

“I have no choice but to use this if I want to respond to your speed.”

“Throwing your half-cooked skills along with the Twelve Ultimate Dragon Emperor strikes… truly reckless.”

Muttering incredulously, Lee Cheong-un gazed at her with a tranquil expression.

“The Sect Leader sacrificed even the Fire Spirit Techniques. Do you still intend to follow him?”

“Bastard… What do you know? You’ve been lying down and dying.”

Hissing, Han Baek-ryeong spat out her venom.

“I didn’t want to remain either. All options were closed off. So, as it stands now, there’s nothing left but to fight till the end!”

Han Baek-ryeong was primed to fight until death.

Yeodong-bin calmly observed them before suddenly taking a large step forward. I felt the power of the National Seal rapidly pouring out of him.

[Strike!]

Boom!

With a mighty roar accompanying the strike, both Han Baek-ryeong and the two Elders were jolted backward. Seizing the moment, Yeodong-bin swiftly swung his sword, knocking them unconscious as their bloodlines were suppressed. Lee Cheong-un, astonished, asked,

“Sword Master. How did you…”

[It’s Heart Sword.]

“That wouldn’t work on a master of the Heavenly Spirit Pill level.”

Lee Cheong-un asked skeptically.

[It wouldn’t have worked on their original selves, but it did against those who’ve embraced chaos and darkness with the Heart Sword of Dispersing Evil and Revealing the True.]

Moreover, in a state of emotional turbulence with a mindset of defeat…

As Yeodong-bin looked upward at the altar, he spoke to Cheon Woo-jin.

[Illusory God Cheon Woo-jin. Can you not yet breach the barrier above?]

“Not yet.”

Now, I realized Cheon Woo-jin was working to obliterate the immortal seals of the Dharma Protectors while simultaneously breaking through the barrier surrounding the Sect Leader at the altar’s top. Had Cheon Woo-jin not accompanied us here, defeating the Sect Leader would have been impossible.

Cheon Woo-jin was drenched in sweat, clearly feeling immense fatigue, with his limbs trembling. He wiped the sweat from his brow, saying,

“That… barrier is truly formidable. It’s directly linked to the Throne of Chaos…”

Amid the darkness of the barrier at the altar’s highest tier, the Sect Leader was chanting something absently, seeming to focus. As Jeong Gal Sang mentioned earlier, it appeared this was the weakest moment for the Sect Leader, prompting him to set up such an advanced defense before the battle. Hence, if we could breach that barrier, it would be as easy to dispose of the Sect Leader as twisting a child’s wrist.

“I might not be able to breach it just like this.”

[Hmm…]

“That’s a barrier only an Apostle could deploy.”

This was the first time I saw Cheon Woo-jin express such uncertainty. So, I was taken aback, yet Yeodong-bin muttered,

“That makes sense. Creating a connection with an ancient ruler would require the lives of thousands. However, if we don’t breach it, the mortal realm shall perish.”

“Yeodong-bin, Lee Cheong-un. We have no choice but to break the barrier with our maximum strength at once.”

[……]

Yeodong-bin fell silent. Similarly, Lee Cheong-un was quiet. Their silence indicated both recognized that their only option was Cheon Woo-jin’s proposal, yet they understood the likelihood of success was minimal. No matter how many potent artifacts Yeodong-bin possessed, the barrier of chaos was an entirely different beast. There was no guarantee of success anywhere.

But we had no other choice.

Yeodong-bin gathered all the power of the Moon Sovereign and the Fire Dragon Sword, focusing it into his sword’s essence. After concentrating for some time, he opened his eyes wide and charged towards the altar’s peak.

Crack!

With one shock, a significant fracture appeared in the power of darkness surrounding the altar. Summoning the powers of both the Seven Stars and the Divine Treasure, even an Apostle-level barrier could not withstand it. However, Yeodong-bin muttered,

[It’s dangerous…]

With a series of follow-ups, both Cheon Woo-jin and Lee Cheong-un attacked the altar’s fracture once but seemed to inflict little damage. It was undoubtedly a barrier with absurd defensive power. Yeodong-bin gathered his mind again, readying to concentrate the power of the Moon Sovereign once more, saying to me,

“Yeon-ja. The battle starting now will be dreadful.”

[Huh?]

“If we lose, you must escape without hesitation, Yeon-ja…”

Before I could respond, Yeodong-bin propelled himself back toward the altar.

Smash!!

At last, the altar’s barrier shattered! As darkness and chaos dispersed, the translucent form of the Sect Leader came into view. Yet, after breaking through the barrier, Yeodong-bin didn’t rush to cut the Sect Leader’s neck immediately but simply sat there at the very top of the altar.

Lee Cheong-un and Cheon Woo-jin were the same—they just stared at the Sect Leader standing at the peak of the barrier.

What was going on?

As the Sect Leader stood still, he eventually surveyed his surroundings and commented,

“That was dangerous. If the Dharma Protectors hadn’t raised a ruckus, I would have died.”

Boom!

Cheon Woo-jin was slain.

It was sudden.

With a short explosion, Cheon Woo-jin’s body vanished without a trace, yet Yeodong-bin and Lee Cheong-un couldn’t tear their gazes away from the Sect Leader.

The Sect Leader’s body morphed into a form distorted by chaos, akin to when he fought the Great Immortal before. He was no longer recognizable as a human.

[I will not let their sacrifices be in vain.]

In that instant, Yeodong-bin’s combat experience sent forth a hellish danger signal.

Originally, the Sect Leader possessed strength comparable to an Apostle.

If such a being drew power again through the human sacrifices of tens of thousands, and gained the strength and blessings of an Apostle once more…

The Sect Leader before us would become arguably the strongest apostle of all time!

With a deep voice filled with resentment, the Sect Leader proclaimed,

“I shall surely achieve True Martial!”