Reincarnation Sword God

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Chapter 1 – The Dark Heaven Village

Kugugu…

The sky blazed like hell, and the endless explosions of Qi erupted uncontrollably. Before long, the peak was engulfed in flashes of light, with chunks of earth flying off and repeatedly soaring into the air. The joint attack from the Master of the White Lotus Sect and the Dharma Protectors was itself a natural disaster, and the height of the peak had already decreased by half. Even the Divine Portrait, under attack, was wrapped in light, unable to touch the ground.

*Still not a scratch…*

It reminded me of Dalgi’s resilience. I used my enhanced vision to watch the joint attack from a distance, letting out a low sigh. No human could survive such fierce assaults, yet the Divine Portrait’s body shattered into pieces only to revert back as if nothing had happened. If Dalgi boasted immense skin defense, this guy felt like the strikes were nullified from the get-go.

I asked Mangnyang, “Mangnyang! Is that guy wrapped in a Sorcery Defense Barrier like Dalgi?”

Drawing a sign with his hands, Mangnyang activated the Spirit Eye technique. He shook his head while observing the Divine Portrait from afar. “Not at all. He’s definitely unprotected.”

“Then how on earth is he okay?”

Swhoosh…

At that moment, Cheon Woo-jin appeared beside us via teleportation. Springing into the scene with some technique, Cheon Woo-jin declared, “You’re wrong. Even if we attacked for a thousand years like this, we wouldn’t be able to kill that guy.”

“Cheon Woo-jin!”

“That’s an ability called Time Recovery.”

Time Recovery?

The unfamiliar term left the gathered people puzzled, prompting Cheon Woo-jin to sigh deeply.

“Ugh! This is insane… That’s not a power something should exhibit in the Mortal Realm; it’s truly a demon’s doll…”

“Cheon Woo-jin. No time to waste, explain quickly.”

“Damn it… don’t rush me. This is the first time I’m seeing that ability too.”

Cheon Woo-jin glared at the Divine Portrait, currently facing a joint attack, and continued. “That guy’s time axis is fixed. Any attack we make corresponds to changes aiming toward the future in the flow of time. But with the time axis fixed, any attack merely bounces back to its past state.”

“……”

“To put it simply, that guy’s body keeps reverting back to a [pristine state].”

“Hmm, I get what you mean.”

I nodded and asked, “So how do we break it?”

Cheon Woo-jin stared blankly at me and replied, “What do you mean by break it?”

“No, I mean this ability of Time Recovery…”

“It can’t be broken by human abilities! At least not by anyone here.”

“What?!”

How can that be!

Cheon Woo-jin strongly refuted my question, spitting out his words. “That’s an ability said to be usable only by the highest-tier Great Immortals even in the Celestial Realm. You once wielded the power of time as a God’s Apostle in the past, didn’t you? Interfering with a [small wheel] touches the law of fate itself. No ordinary physical attack or sorcery can break that.”

“……!!”

A special ability exclusive to the highest-tier Great Immortal!

When referring to the highest-tier Great Immortals, it includes figures like the Queen Mother of the West and the Three Pure Ones, whose strengths are equivalent to those of the lower [Old Ruler].

*Now that I think about it, didn’t the Eternal Fetus recover similarly after being torn apart by Musashi’s attack…?*

If that’s true, then the current body of the white-haired Divine Portrait is on par with a divine-level existence. Coming to this realization, I calmly turned my attention to the destructive rays ahead and said, “…Cheon Woo-jin, that means you have no means to break it either, right?”

“It’s not that there’s absolutely no way. But it’s not something you can break on the spot, at best, you’d need dozens of days to prepare.”

With that response, Cheon Woo-jin glanced at Mangnyang, Jeong Woo-chi, and Gi-do. “The sorcerers here are strong, but they lack the power to break Time Recovery. Even if I joined, it wouldn’t change anything, so I recommend retreating quickly.”

“Retreat?”

“Right now, that doll hasn’t completely awoken and is struggling to assess the situation. It’s taking hits, but if we don’t escape during this window, we’ll be in big trouble.”

Hearing Cheon Woo-jin’s words, Zhuge Sa smirked sinisterly. “Hehe… So you mean there’s a scenario where the ability to control time switches from defense to offense?”

“Exactly.”

“A paradoxical doll that possesses both an invincible spear and an invincible shield…”

At Zhuge Sa’s murmurs, everyone in the hall wore a grim expression.

Our attacks were rendered useless due to Time Recovery, making it invincible. And if it transformed its time abilities into offense, we’d witness overwhelming power, as seen when the Eternal Fetus fought Musashi. The invincible Musashi had been turned to sand without a trace!

If we were up against such a monster, no matter how powerful the Master of the White Lotus Sect was, he’d have no chance!

I couldn’t comprehend and blurted out, “What the hell is going on? That white-haired Divine Portrait has been resurrected before, but it wasn’t this strong!”

“In the past, it probably didn’t undergo a proper resurrection ceremony. It must have been an incomplete version, hastily sewn together. But now, it has gathered all the divine blood from the mountain, maximizing its potential, even if imperfectly. What we’re facing now is the strongest Divine Portrait in history!”

“Ugh…”

So the Divine Portrait’s performance hinges on the awakening of divine blood?

I realized this was the moment I had to make a choice. Gritting my teeth, I declared, “I’ll find a way to create an opening for it. If we don’t contain that thing now, we won’t be able to handle it later.”

“Baek Woong!!”

Mangnyang shouted in surprise. “That’s too reckless! You don’t mean to…”

“Exactly. I’m the only one who can likely stop that thing.”

“Do you really have to go that far? Have you forgotten the prophecy of tragedy your master mentioned?”

“……”

I understood what Mangnyang meant.

The prophecy of Mangnyang:
*“I sense calamity coming. Be careful not to be too arrogant and face a counterattack…”*

The very reason I brought the Master of the White Lotus Sect and others to Mount Huang was due to that prophecy’s concern. In the past, I disregarded the calamity the Twelve Joules warned about and died absurdly. I now deeply sensed the incredible decisiveness that prophecies hold. Let alone, the prophecy of a divine-level being like Mangnyang could never be ignored.

Mangnyang was questioning if it was arrogance for him to believe I could stop the Divine Portrait. His worries were entirely valid.

But I firmly replied, “I don’t believe this is arrogance.”

“Why do you think that?”

“Because I’m willingly treading a treacherous path, risking my life. Fate is not something to be taken lightly; the more one seeks an easy way, the more likely they are to perish.”

“Hmm.”

Having said that, I drew my sword, gripping it firmly in my right hand while glaring forward. “And for some reason, I don’t think I’ll fail today. My instincts are telling me so.”

My instincts were speaking.
This is not a path to death.

Upon my words, Cheon Woo-jin let out a deep sigh, clearly incredulous. “…So that’s what it means to be possessed.”

Mangnyang, after some contemplation, nodded. “Fine, Baek Woong. I’ll trust you. Please stop that doll from causing tragedy!”

“Understood!”

Pa-Bat!

I charged into the destruction. The Master of the White Lotus Sect and the Dharma Protectors continued unleashing terrifying attacks with their infinite internal power, yet the Divine Portrait showed no signs of crumbling.

I temporarily raised my internal power and executed an aerial technique, soaring towards the Master of the White Lotus Sect.

“Master!!”

*[Is that Baek Woong?]*

“I’ll land a hit on that guy. Give me a moment to make an opening!”

*[Understood.]*

After the Master relayed my intention to the Dharma Protectors, their onslaught momentarily paused. Taking advantage of this window, I barreled towards the suspended Divine Portrait with all my strength focused on my strike.

*Take this!*

Thunder Dragon Sword!
*One Slash!*

Just as my sword technique was about to graze the Divine Portrait’s neck, its previously vacant eyes sparked with light. Suddenly, it moved its arms, reaching out toward my attack.

*Shwaaaack!*

My swordplay was no joke. The Divine Portrait attempted a parry only to have its palm greatly sliced open, revealing bone. Nonetheless, it had successfully avoided a fatal blow to its neck.

*Wiying…*

The white-haired Divine Portrait didn’t fall to the ground but floated in the air, naturally employing its aerial techniques. It stared intently at the wound on its palm before shifting its gaze toward me.

“Who are you… How do you have the power to kill me?”

That voice sounded familiar. Though I had barely faced the white-haired Divine Portrait before, I did hear of it through Xiang Yu. I couldn’t determine its gender, but the tone was girlish and high-pitched. I raised my sword to keep it at bay and replied, “I’m Baek Woong. What’s your name?”

“……”

The reason I could land a valid strike just now, and why the wound on its palm restored wasn’t due to its ability, was all thanks to my Yin Spirit Power. With the power of Yin Spirit activated within my body, its Time Recovery ability was rendered ineffective. This was because, like Time Recovery, Yin Spirit Power was also a divine power.

However, the questionable part was that this Yin Spirit power drained extremely fast. I could only use it two or three more times at best before I’d have to recover. If its power exceeded that, this place would become my grave.

The white-haired Divine Portrait suddenly shot its gaze skyward, pointing at the stars in the night sky with its hand. A voice filled with longing echoed. “When that star in the sky finds its place… someone who will name me will descend beyond the walls of eternity.”

“Who is that person?”

It tilted its head, puzzled. “Um… I don’t really know. Who was it again?”

“How do you know that person will name you if you don’t even know who they are?”

Its eyes darkened, radiating cold madness. “Because that person is watching me even now.”

“……!!”

The white-haired Divine Portrait trembled and exhaled. “Don’t you hear it? I can hear their calling…”

From its words, I inferred its current mental state.
*It’s already hearing the call of the [Old Ruler]. But it’s not complete.*

Baek Woong predicted that the white-haired Divine Portrait would eventually awaken as the Grand Bishop of the Nine Lotus Sect, serving the Evil Spirit. Though this was our first proper conversation, I realized it was already greatly influenced by the Evil Spirit.

The calling.
I once felt that during my thirteenth death. At that time, I had awakened the Divine Portrait to its complete state while defeating Zhuge Bu, but the power of the constellation utilized there belonged to the [Old Ruler]. To protect my soul from that calling, I had plunged my sword into my neck and committed suicide. Reflecting on that experience, the Divine Portrait before me seemed to be continuously hearing that call from the moment it was born.

*Is it destined to follow the Evil Spirit and the [Old Ruler] from birth…?*

It seemed not to understand all this yet, remaining in a newborn state due to a lack of knowledge regarding its evil nature. But if we hadn’t attacked Mount Huang, Zhuge Yulung from the Vermillion Bird might have spread sinister knowledge and awoken it to his liking.

Perhaps this could be an opportunity?
If it’s still a fledgling like a newly born bird, there might still be room for improvement!

Lost in thought, I was suddenly struck by a thought. “How strange.”

The white-haired Divine Portrait tilted its head, gazing at me like a cat discovering something intriguing. It took a step closer and said, “You feel different from humans. As if a great being stands in front of me…”

“What do you mean by that?”

The creature, murmuring in confusion, suddenly brightened up and clapped its hands excitedly, speaking as if yearning for empathy. “Hey, brother! Are you my brother? You’re also hearing the [calling], right?”

“I’m human.”

I curtly replied, continuing, “And you’re human too.”

“……?”

The Divine Portrait had a look of utter bewilderment. “N-No way?”

That expression was one of incredulity at this situation. At that moment, the Master of the White Lotus Sect and the Dharma Protectors approached from all sides, and I aimed my sword at it, saying, “Come down to the ground.”

*Ta-da!*

Upon landing, a heavy tension engulfed the hall. Attacking was useless, so the masters from the White Lotus Sect silently remained on guard. The scene became a dialogue between the Divine Portrait and me. Although it showed no hostility, I couldn’t let my guard down, uncertain when it might turn hostile.

The white-haired Divine Portrait surveyed its surroundings and remarked, “Stop hitting me. It’s painful.”

“Let me ask you something. Do you hate humans?”

The Divine Portrait broke into a wide smile. “Of course! Humans should be wiped out!”

“Why?”

“Because that being wishes for it.”

The Master of the White Lotus Sect spoke gravely.
*[It’s already akin to a minion of the Ruler.]*

Playing the role of a demon sorcerer, the current state of the white-haired Divine Portrait seemed fully understood by him in an instant. He turned to me and said, *[Baek Woong. With your strange power, you could instantly behead it. That monster has no choice but to face destruction.]*

“……”

*[We’ll make sure it can’t escape.]*

It was definitely feasible. Even if the white-haired Divine Portrait used the [Small Wheel] to employ Time Recovery, it would still suffer pain and require recovery time. If we could utilize that stiff state, we’d finally be able to deliver a solid blow.

But is that the right answer?
*Its hatred for humans isn’t of its own volition. It’s a coerced will, a brainwashing.*

Like a parent training a child, from birth, it was naturally imprinted with the higher being’s gaze due to the call of the [Old Ruler]. The Divine Portrait is a being with a personality as blank as a white sheet of paper.

Is it justifiable to die simply because it was born?
It didn’t choose to be born at all!

For some reason, I couldn’t overlook this dilemma. I felt the need to resolve this contradiction.

Moments later, I made a choice that I couldn’t even believe myself. “Hey, you.”

“Yeah?”

I doubt I would have made such a decision if not for this state, reaching a realm beyond instinct.

“I’ll give you a name.”