Reincarnation Sword God

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00433  Celestial Realm ————————————————————————

It’s chaotic.

As the fierce battle began, that was all I could think. With my mind synchronized with the combat experience of the currently deployed technique, I was barely grasping the situation as I watched the clash of these extraordinarily fast peak masters. Yet, even so, the exchanges of power were dazzlingly intense.

The Sect Leader’s palm came crashing down on Yeodong-bin’s face. The force summoned from the Heart of Heaven’s Abundance’s mandala by the Sect Leader was on an entirely different level compared to the power exhibited by the Dharma Protectors. It appeared at least ten times faster and stronger, and sure enough, as Yeodong-bin dodged using the Moonlight Escape, that force obliterated a nearby mountain entirely.

Boom!

Before the sound of the mountain collapsing even reached my ears, the Sect Leader and Yeodong-bin exchanged blows at a terrifying speed just a short distance away. Even for a Peak Master, watching or assessing the situation was close to impossible!

The Sword Master didn’t seem to be holding back from the very start, unleashing all his strength. He had foreseen that this fight would become the worst case scenario and that the most formidable adversary would appear.

Yeodong-bin’s Six Intent Saintly Heaven Diagram was reconstructing the techniques, smashing the Sect Leader’s mandala, and every time it did, hundreds of thousands of sword paths rained down. The Sect Leader confidently countered Yeodong-bin’s sword technique with his martial arts.

Boom!

Each laser beam, bent on a peculiar trajectory, contained potential that rivaled a Peak Master’s ultimate attack. Perhaps intending to prove that prediction, one of those lethal strokes slipped through their one-second exchange and plummeted into the heart of Luoyang, instantly devastating dozens of nearby buildings with blazing fires and storms.

‘Ah, no matter how much the clash of peak masters resembles a natural disaster…’

Only just over ten seconds had passed since the awakened Apostle, the Sect Leader, and Yeodong-bin began to fight. Yet, already the altar had been partially destroyed, the entire Imperial Palace’s structure was wrecked, and several mountains near Luoyang had vanished! I realized this was truly a clash between Apostle-level beings, and I recognized that both the current Sect Leader and Yeodong-bin were on par with Dalgi.

Shikang!

As the battle between Yeodong-bin and the Sect Leader intensified, the Thunder Spirit suddenly swooped in, slashing at the Sect Leader’s waist. The Sect Leader turned his gaze briefly that way, snapped his fingers, and in the next moment, the air ripped apart as Lee Cheong-un was sent flying.

“Gah!”

Lee Cheong-un had positioned himself in a stance to block with both hands, but he seemed to have sustained a slight injury to his arm. The Sect Leader scoffed and muttered.

[I’ll exploit the blind spot with the Thunder Spirit Technique… That was only possible when I was still human…]

Seven Great Techniques

Essence

Heavenly Wheel Technique

The Sect Leader initiated his attack.

Ziiiiiing

It felt as if dozens of spaces were being pulled in, and an unusual mandala appeared around Lee Cheong-un. Realizing what it was, Lee Cheong-un rapidly unleashed his intent technique, shaking off the mandala. However, the mandala, seeming to know where Lee Cheong-un was, pursued him relentlessly. It was on par with the Three Treasure Technique.

Annoyed, Lee Cheong-un shouted.

“Using what I developed as if it were your own. Sure, with infinite power you could use it casually as the strongest!”

Boom!

Then Lee Cheong-un summoned a sphere infused with Thunder Light, colliding it with the mandala, obliterating it. Displaying the Heavenly Wheel Technique, he neutralized the mandala. I realized that this Heavenly Wheel he had just unveiled was one of the eight possibilities he discovered within the Seven Great Techniques, causing an exhilarating sensation in me.

‘Of course, the Sect Leader can steal the martial arts of the Heavenly Spirit Pill’s owner…’

If time had continued to flow like this, the Sect Leader would have perfectly learned the Seven Great Techniques discovered by Lee Cheong-un, becoming the ultimate strongest. Yet from what I gathered in Lee Cheong-un’s words, the Sect Leader could only borrow its form without being able to unleash its true power. If the Sect Leader could freely utilize the secret technique, it was evident that even the Sword Master Yeodong-bin would face defeat.

[Let’s settle this!]

Approximately one hundred seconds later!

The fierce battle raged on. In a posture of prayer, the Sect Leader had become even faster and stronger than during his last fight with Yeodong-bin, unleashing attacks that were incomparably more agile and precise than Dalgi’s. Once the Sect Leader began to overwhelming assault, it turned into a situation where Yeodong-bin managed to withstand 80% of the attacks while Lee Cheong-un barely evaded the remaining 20%. They were clearly being pushed back.

Could they not win?

Within a chaotic battlefield buzzing with Thunder Lights and Sword Energy flying wildly, I felt frustrated that Lee Cheong-un wasn’t providing as much support as I imagined. Surely he was the best genius of the Thunder God lineage and the strongest Dharma Protector, yet he was merely alleviating some of Yeodong-bin’s burden. But sensing my frustration, Yeodong-bin spoke to me.

[Renja. Lee Cheong-un is beyond human. Even just taking on a part of this fight surpasses human limits. Without even alleviating that burden, I would have been in grave trouble.]

[Ugh… I know that…]

[The Fire Dragon Summon is meaningless against such a martial arts master. The Heart of Heaven’s Abundance has no downtime, leaving no room for me to summon the Fire Dragon.]

Muttering in that manner, Yeodong-bin spoke with conviction.

[The Sect Leader is too strong. We’ll make this a strategic delay.]

[What?]

I was taken aback.

Currently, Yeodong-bin was utilizing his exclusive treasure, the Fire Dragon Sword, alongside the power of the Moon Sovereign and the might of the National Seal without reservation, yet he was saying something so weak! Naturally, I thought he could bring them down, and I couldn’t comprehend the current state of the warfare.

Yeodong-bin replied calmly.

[At this rate, it might end in a draw, but the more we expend, the more at a disadvantage I become. I have no choice but to endure.]

[What do you mean? Even if it means exhausting the power of the Moon Sovereign and National Seal, we must win…]

[Renja. Your internal power has long been depleted, and you’ve already used more than half the powers of those divine treasures. Don’t say another word.]

Having said that, Yeodong-bin once again focused on the battle. I realized something from watching Yeodong-bin’s demeanor.

The current Sect Leader had surpassed Tu-seon!

Even with all the top-tier divine treasures equipped, Tu-seon’s combat strength was at its limit. As Yeodong-bin sustained the battle, awakening his potential each second, he summoned a power capable of collapsing mountains, leaving no room for any further output.

Perhaps this was what a Demon Sorcerer, blessed by the divine power, reaching demigod status and becoming the Demon King would look like.

‘Damn… What the hell…!!’

I was engulfed with an inexplicable sense of injustice and felt a surge of anger. It was not mere childish rage at the reality that Yeodong-bin couldn’t take down the Sect Leader. This anger stemmed from the unfathomable chasm that existed between humanity and divinity—a gap so immense that it felt ridiculous.

What good is martial arts in a situation like this?

What use is sorcery now?

To be oppressed under the single divine blessing of the former ruler even when wielding the ultimate martial arts and sorcery!

However, as I read Lee Cheong-un’s battle experience, I also felt a slight amazement. Remarkably, Yeodong-bin had indeed faced an opponent equivalent to the current Sect Leader before! In this life, Yeodong-bin had never fought Dalgi. Yet, even in the face of the incredibly powerful Sect Leader, he seemed unfazed.

‘Giant Dragon?’

The wicked giant dragon Yeodong-bin fought against atop Mount Ye! That entity seemed to signify the mightiest great demon that had caused chaos in the world a millennium ago. Yeodong-bin, who had miraculously managed to defeat and seal the giant dragon during that muddy life-and-death struggle, was truly a seasoned warrior.

Boom!

[Hah…]

Just then, in a brief moment, I felt the Sect Leader jolt back, visibly shaken and retreating. It seemed not due to Yeodong-bin and Lee Cheong-un’s joint attack, but for reasons external to the battle itself. The chaotic glint in his eyes reflected palpable confusion.

However, Yeodong-bin, who was cornered, would not miss such an opportunity and charged in without giving further thoughts.

[Here it comes!]

Heavenly Escape Sword Technique

Heart of Six Harmonies

Formless Sword

For the first time, I felt a unique sword strike emerging that didn’t belong to Yeodong-bin’s Six Intent Saintly Heaven Diagram. Should I say it was a hidden ace used by the Sword Master Yeodong-bin only against a fated nemesis? Something that couldn’t even be described as Sword Energy materialized in the air, slicing through time and space as it lunged toward the Sect Leader.

Whoosh!

The Sect Leader recognized the advance of the Formless Sword but was a beat too slow to respond. Unable to evade or defend against it, a massive sword wound was etched into his left arm. Though the injury held little significance for the immortal Sect Leader, he appeared increasingly rattled.

[What… What is this…?]

[Filled with blind spots!]

Yeodong-bin launched an even stronger assault. Strangely, the previously flawless distribution of power and attack from the Heart of Heaven’s Abundance appeared blurred and even clumsy. Of course, such trivial gaps might not be recognized by an ordinary martial artist, but the Sword Master Yeodong-bin had risen to a level where he could certainly pierce through such flaws.

In the blink of an eye, the tide of battle shifted, causing the Sect Leader to fall back. If it had been possible for Yeodong-bin to recognize the current gaps on his own, he would not have been able to exploit them. But thanks to Lee Cheong-un’s persistent harassment using the Thunder Spirit Technique, the Sect Leader’s attention was diverted, allowing Yeodong-bin more leeway.

“Prepare yourself, Sect Leader!”

But upon seeing Lee Cheong-un’s state, I could tell it wasn’t good.

‘He’s exhausted.’

No matter how exceptional Lee Cheong-un was, I doubted he had ever pushed the Thunder Spirit Technique to such lengths and maximum usage. Each of the Sect Leader’s minor attacks contained the latent power to topple mountains, and with them following the mysteries of the Seven Great Techniques, Lee Cheong-un had to concentrate all his energy on evasion. As a result, despite possessing the Heavenly Spirit Pill’s infinite internal energy, Lee Cheong-un’s stamina and spirit had reached their limits.

My mind was engrossed in Yeodong-bin’s martial arts. Each of his sword paths showcased the pinnacle of swordsmanship, continuously revealing new levels to me. The sequence of strikes could even be likened to a beautiful dance as it advanced toward the Sect Leader’s neck.

Finally, it happened—the moment Yeodong-bin’s sword struck the Sect Leader’s reverse scale.

Boom!!

[Urg…]

[Haaah.]

The Sect Leader and Yeodong-bin screamed in unison, being flung backward. The Sect Leader had his protective barrier shattered and sustained significant injuries, blood pouring from his neck, and there was a large wound etched across his chest. Moreover, whether due to the Fire Dragon Sword’s power interfering with his recovery, he was unable to staunch the bleeding at all.

But Yeodong-bin was also in a serious state. He glanced at his broken sword and spoke gloomily.

[Master… as expected… you couldn’t hold out any longer…]

The Fire Dragon Sword was shattered in half. It was an exquisite sword and Tu-seon’s divine treasure; yet, even amid such fierce combat, its breaking was unthinkable. What happened? I had no idea about the detailed circumstances, but one thing was certain: the Sword Master had lost his sword, severely weakening his combat power.

[Cough… cough… Hah…]

The blood-soaked cough of the Sect Leader came out as he said,

[Meaningless… truly… meaningless.]

[……]

He murmured, staring into the void with a hollow voice.

[Yeodong-bin. You failed to pierce my reverse scale with your utmost technique… and destroyed your sword…]

[… Yes.]

[Under normal circumstances, this battle was mine to win. Do you acknowledge that… ]

Yeodong-bin fell silent for a moment before answering.

[I acknowledge it.]

[Creeeak! Cough… K… Hahhahaha!!]

The Sect Leader burst out with a wild laugh, before speaking sorrowfully.

[The former ruler was never satisfied being merely a human of Luoyang… demanding that I offer the members of our sect, dear to me… Because he is a malevolent deity… a being who derives joy from tormenting mortals, I bore that sacrifice…]

[……]

[I am a great sinner… on every massacre… yet I do not feel guilt. Because I am human.]

It seemed the Master of the White Lotus Sect’s decision to sacrifice the members of the White Lotus Sect collectively was not his own will, but a demand from the former ruler. The Sect Leader spoke in a somber voice.

[Do you hear me… Baek Woong…?]

At that moment, Yeodong-bin turned his body toward me. With Yeodong-bin’s assistance, I floated in the air and answered.

“I hear you.”

[Hehe… was my dream an illusion from the beginning to the end…?]

What should I respond to that question?

I was engulfed in an indescribable feeling, my heart heavy.

The Sect Leader is a villain, but his motivation was a choice for the happiness of the vast majority. During our conversation, I sensed that he even felt guilt for sacrificing the members of the White Lotus Sect.

‘Ah.’

I realized the contradiction I had held until now.

I didn’t dislike the Sect Leader that much. If, in my first life, I had encountered the White Lotus Sect and been influenced by the Sect Leader, I might have naturally resonated with his ideology. It was merely a question of who one met first—nothing more.

For some reason, tears threatened to spill. Holding them back with effort, I spoke.

“It isn’t an illusion.”

[Really…?]

“Yes.”

[Thank goodness…]

The Sect Leader seemed to smile. Though his face, engulfed in the power of chaos, lost humanity, I somehow could perceive that fact.

Fizzle

The Sect Leader’s body slowly began to dissolve into chaos. It started to turn to black dust from the edges of his body and scattered into the air. Since it was no fatal wound, not reaching his reverse scale from Yeodong-bin’s final strike, this was unusual.

The Sect Leader spoke with a voice filled with pity.

[You resemble me…]

The pace of the Sect Leader’s disintegration was accelerating. This indicated that something outside of this battle had delivered a severe blow to the Master of the White Lotus Sect. The Sect Leader’s statement about his hopelessness meant that he had been caught off guard by an unexpected surprise attack, causing his dreams to evaporate.

“……”

[Baek Woong… be wary of the Master of the Twelve Joules…]

Finally, he vanished into chaos.

That was the end of the Master of the White Lotus Sect.

I stared blankly for a long time at the remnants of the Master of the White Lotus Sect, which had left no trace behind in the void.

‘He was certainly an enemy.’

He was undoubtedly an enemy, yet I hadn’t anticipated such a lingering and bittersweet feeling left behind. What on earth did I want? Was I fine even if I were to be defeated by the Sect Leader? Confused, I stood still when Yeodong-bin spoke to me.

[Renja… hurry and descend to the ground. The power of the National Seal has already been completely exhausted, and the strength of the Moon Sovereign has also dropped below 80%, making it impossible to maintain the martial arts technique. Additionally, your internal power is entirely drained, leaving you with internal injuries.]

“Yes.”

[For the time being, continue fighting would be unwise. Take care of yourself.]

With those words, Yeodong-bin also departed from my body. I hastily descended from the air, planting my feet on the ground. Before I knew it, Lee Cheong-un had approached me, looking extremely tired, with drowsy eyes as he spoke.

“It seems defeating the Sect Leader has somewhat cleared the darkness of Luoyang.”

He was right. The dense blue fog, shrouding everything without a hint of visibility, had lightened, allowing some clarity to emerge. With the altar destroyed and the main officiant of the ritual removed, the former ruler’s influence was diminishing.

But I couldn’t wrap my head around it, so I asked Lee Cheong-un.

“Why did the Sect Leader lose?”

“That’s…”

Lee Cheong-un opened his mouth to speak but then closed it. He clenched his fist tightly.

“Perhaps because of those guys…”

Whoosh

Two figures emerged in the vacant space about ten paces away. Among them, the Dongyoung Martial Artist silently looked over here before speaking.

“You held on well.”

He was Miyamoto Musashi, the mightiest of the Dongyoung line, and a special position within the Twelve Joules.

Beside him, a man wearing a puppy mask let out a hearty laugh.

“Baek Woong, congratulations on becoming a hero!”

The Master of the Twelve Joules.

In one of his hands, he held a familiar braid. The head itself, grasped by that braid, looked dazed, appearing to have felt no pain at all in its final moments.

That was none other than the head of the young master of the White Lotus Sect.