NOVEL NEXT Chapter 770
Chapter 770: Dark Heaven Village
I found another core and crossed over my dual blades to attack. With a destructive sound, the core exploded, and I realized I just had to break one more.
Drip, drip.
“Ugh!”
Following Toyo’s advice, a toxic liquid, almost like a deadly venom, kept dripping from the ceiling, while tentacle monsters kept popping up here and there. The crossroads resembled a labyrinth. Thankfully, thanks to Toyo’s warnings, I managed to break through with some ease, but without prior knowledge, I could’ve easily been devoured by the tentacle walls.
Boom!!
Using my reflexes as an expert, I broke through the walls of tentacles that opened and closed erratically. No ordinary person’s physical abilities could have gotten past that; it was also ridiculously solid. I could feel the difficulty ramping up and gritted my teeth.
“Damn it! It’s this hard, even knowing the strategy?”
My martial arts skills were already among the top in the human world, and my protection technique and internal power surpassed that. If I was struggling this much, an ordinary human would be unable to navigate Toyo’s tentacle maze. Of course, for Dharma Guardians, with their infinite internal power, it would be easier, but they shouldn’t be underestimated either.
There was no time to lower my protection energy. Without it, there was no way I could survive against the tentacles’ magic and deadly liquid-filled surroundings. Sure, I could evade using techniques like the light body technique or soul removal, but those were all advanced maneuvers that burned through my mental and physical stamina. Keeping my protection energy up was a far more economical option.
Whoosh!
I momentarily spun eight and a half times in place, moving right, left, then up and down, before thrusting diagonally upwards. When the tentacle maze unexpectedly shifted, the tentacles attacked like traps bursting open, forcing me to dodge with all my might. Hundreds of spear-like tentacles descended upon me, and I deployed my shockwave technique to cushion the impact from the air.
“Here it comes!”
With all my might, I pushed through fifty more tentacles and discovered the last core. And as Toyo had predicted, I saw high-level otherworldly beings summoned around the core, looking like moths.
Swoosh, swoosh—
The moth creatures slowly flapped their wings, scattering powder everywhere.
That powder must be a poisonous curse that infects living beings upon contact. Naturally, it wouldn’t be avoided just by holding my breath; it would penetrate through the pores, meaning there was no ordinary way to escape or block it. For a typical martial artist, they were akin to a nightmare. Even using water or flame techniques wouldn’t fully block the powder.
But I narrowed my eyes and activated the Thunder God lineage’s ultimate technique.
Thunder God Lineage.
Decisive Enlightenment.
Thunderclap.
Maximum Expansion.
Ascending Ultimate Technique.
Split Heart Rotation.
Zing!
My entire body transformed into a massive bolt of lightning, enveloping me with the power of the thunderclap. I had been continuously using it, but the version I activated now amplified my physical strength dramatically. It might have an effect comparable to opening half of the Eight Gates.
At the same time, I used the boosted energy to lift my water and flame techniques in both hands, swirling the contrasting yin and yang energies around. My body emitted a tremendous magnetic force, becoming a powerful beacon of thunder energy; the yin and yang collided endlessly, creating resonance. Out surged waves of intangible power, something that could not be produced by ordinary martial arts.
Whoooosh!
The intangible waves created by my split heart rotation swept away the powder entirely, leaving no gaps for even the slightest particles! No matter how fine the powder was, it couldn’t breach the mind control technique’s intangible waves!
Screeech—
The moth beings screeched in pain as they slammed against the walls, like being crushed against an invisible barrier. I pressed them with the mind control technique and shot out a sword thunder strike, taking down three in a single blow.
Swoosh!
Only two remained; they had soared into the air to avoid being crushed against the wall. Unable to take them down in one go, I steadied my aim using the water technique and savored the moment.
“Hmm…, Split Heart Rotation. It’s an application I learned from Lee Cheong-un when studying the subtle arts, but I’m still not proficient enough.”
In truth, this technique was an incredibly complex advanced application. Using the thunderclap from the Thunder God Lineage as my axis of rotation and applying the split heart technique, I imbued the opposing energies into my left and right to create a collision, using the True Martial Seven Cuts Classic’s secret from the Seven Great Techniques. Finally, I constructed a wall out of my energy, transmitting it in all directions while utilizing the Bowing Sky Slash for spatial manipulation.
This was a martial art I could never have conceived on my own, but the genius Lee Cheong-un had developed it on the spot and taught me how to use it. Though he modestly claimed it was due to his excellent material, it was undeniably a product of genius.
Theoretically, this technique would allow any enemies in all directions to be pinned against the intangible wall, resulting in their death while simultaneously reflecting any incoming attacks. It fused offense and counterattack into unparalleled martial prowess, yet it was so complex and difficult that I couldn’t even completely eliminate those moths.
I launched upwards into the air using the Heavenly Sovereign technique.
Creeeak!
Suddenly, the moth beings transformed into gigantic, muscular monsters, launching tentacle-like fists the size of ten men at me. The abruptness of the change caught me off guard, but having faced all kinds of enemies, I didn’t panic, employing the soul removal technique to dodge before countering.
Swoosh!
After about thirty seconds of tussling, I found an opportunity to strike them down with my sword thunder technique. They weren’t exactly difficult, but considering their durability, strength, and agility, they were monsters even peak masters would struggle to handle. I took a moment to catch my breath and crossed my flame and water techniques to destroy the last core.
Boom, boom, boom!!
The light of divine killing flashed, and the core exploded. At that moment, I saw the surrounding walls of tentacles collapse and change to a dull black, signaling that I had to escape. I quickly resonated my dual blades and pierced through the tentacle wall to the outside.
Fwoosh!
Finally freed from the monotonous heap of tentacles, I inhaled the outside air and felt refreshed. Looking down, I saw Toyo had shrunk down to about half her previous size. Toyo poked her gray eyes out and said,
“Well done! You’ve destroyed all the cores… It’s time for my marvelous second transformation to begin… Prepare yourself….”
“……”
“What? Are you not satisfied…?”
I couldn’t help but shout in disbelief.
“Hey!! What second transformation?! Just collapsing will be fine, right?!”
“Calm down… It’s nothing big….”
Toyo began to explain kindly and gently.
“When I transform for a second time, I can recover all damage taken in the first transformation…. And I’ll turn into a human form, showcasing incredible combat abilities…. My specialty is summoning clones from parallel dimensions after distorting time to engage you in a joint attack, so be careful…. I might brainwash enemies with weak mental defenses using the otherworldly race’s magic sometimes…. Avoid meeting my clones’ gaze… There’s a low chance I might send you flying through a time gap…. I usually would utilize time stop and time recovery there…, but don’t worry, I won’t use them…. Of course, I’ll also launch ultra-destructive light beams that need to be blocked with my resonance technique before firing but… I’ll let you know beforehand….”
“……”
Wait, this sounds too risky.
I really can’t wake up from this.
Are you really telling us to clear such an evil trial?
But Toyo spoke gravely. Realizing that she wasn’t trying to tease me, I felt dazed.
“…No way, I offered tribute! You can’t do this! Please don’t say there’s a possible third transformation?!”
“There’s no third transformation… Isn’t that a highly positive statement?”
“……”
“Hm… Looks like you don’t intend to challenge the trial…. Wait a moment….”
When Toyo met my gaze, she seemed thoughtful, clearly distressed. Then she said,
“Fine…. I’ll spare you from the second transformation…. I’ll simply die here…. But in exchange, you must give me seventy percent of Baek Woong’s lifespan.”
“What, you’re asking for my lifespan as tribute?”
“That’s a great deal…. I’m in charge of the trial after all… I can’t concede more than this….”
“Uh….”
I pondered deeply.
When I exchanged glances with Mangnyang and Zhuge Sa, they nodded in unison, saying without a doubt.
“Hand over seventy percent of your lifespan.”
“Just give it up.”
Sure, that makes sense. In this situation, what good would living longer do? Even if seventy percent of my lifespan is cut, I’d still have thirty percent left, which at least should be around ten years. As long as I don’t die on the spot, it’s far more advantageous for me. I told Toyo,
“Alright! Let’s do that.”
Whoooooosh—
As soon as I agreed, an intangible energy seeped out of my body and was absorbed by Toyo. She engulfed seventy percent of my lifespan and smiled contently.
“Ahh, with this, my role is complete…. A billion years of sleep are ahead….”
Drip, drip.
Drip, drip.
It seemed like Toyo was keeping her promise, as her body continued to shrink. Despite her body melting, she seemed to feel no pain. It felt like, for a spirit, this physical form was nothing more than a doll. The mounds of tentacles were nowhere to be seen, and soon they would likely dissolve and disappear.
I asked Toyo,
“Toyo. How strong is the Guardian of the First Day? Can you tell me its identity or weaknesses?”
“…I presume you already know that’s the lord of this realm. That being is… our original master, and a companion of the Spirit Beast King…. Truly, they are one with the origin of this land….”
“Is the Spirit Beast King Shenglong?”
“Exactly….”
Drip, drip.
While Toyo continued to melt, I grew anxious. Seeing my expression waver, Toyo continued,
“Shall I give you my last piece of advice…?”
“Please do!”
“You seem to be using dual blades, but in this trial of the First Day, it would be better to bring out the Fire Dragon Sword….”
“……?”
“Then, farewell…. With your current strength, you won’t pass the trial, but I wish for a miracle….”
Swoosh—
With that, Toyo completely disappeared. I hurriedly pulled out the Fire Dragon Sword from my wooden armor, taking her last advice.
Whoooosh!
The Fire Dragon Sword had become powerful enough to rival the Seven Luminaries, but even using my water and flame techniques was already pushing my limits; I wouldn’t dare use anything else. Just wielding two blades was hard enough, let alone three.
Having more swords doesn’t make one stronger. Moreover, if I pass the sword to someone else without being recognized as the master, they wouldn’t be able to unleash its full power, so I had left it alone.
But why did Toyo recommend bringing out the Fire Dragon Sword?
I questioned the Fire Dragon Incarnate, “Fire Dragon Incarnate! Are you aware of the current situation? We just broke through the trial of the Sixth Day.”
“Is that so…?”
“Toyo said I should unleash the power of the Fire Dragon Sword against the Guardian of the First Day. Do you know anything about it? What kind of being is it?”
[……]
The Fire Dragon Incarnate paused for a moment before responding, [Yunja, it’s not about me unleashing my power. That’s probably just a minimal precaution.]
“What do you know?”
[The moment I appeared in this place, I understood everything. My true existence…, the essence of this space…, and what is about to unfold, all of it.]
Boom!
The Fire Dragon Incarnate ignited flames and took on human form. She spoke to me, [Yunja, your chances of defeating the Guardian of the First Day are nonexistent. Do you still wish to proceed?]
“There’s no other option.”
“Very well… Then I shall give my all to protect Baek Woong until the very end. But do keep in mind, I can only prevent a minimal instant death.”
Kugugugugu—
At that moment, dark waves began rising from beyond the horizon, slowly creeping across the vast plains. The waves quickly reached the trial ground Toyo had set up.
“Evacuate!”
“Let’s head to the center.”
We hurriedly made our way to the central trial ground. Upon reaching the giant pillar in the center, the dark waves annihilated everything they touched but could not approach the pillar. Zhuge Sa estimated the distance between the waves and the column.
“The waves have stopped about seventy yards from the pillar. That area will become the battlefield against the Guardian of the First Day. Given the scope of divine beings’ techniques, it’s rather narrow….”
“Is the Guardian of the First Day descending now?”
As we stayed on high alert, I heard Jin’s voice.
“You defeated Toyo. Impressive.”
“Jin. It seems your lackeys were devoured by the dark waves.”
As I replied sarcastically, Jin maintained a relaxed smile.
“Now that you’ve reached the trial of the First Day, they’re useless to me. It was inevitable that I’d seize it with my own power.”
“Is that so? Now that the non-aggression pact is dissolved, are you planning to fight?!?!”
I bellowed with fury, but Jin waved his hand dismissively.
“Quite the opposite. Let’s join forces against the Guardian of the First Day.”
“…….”
“I briefly considered killing you all… but that doesn’t seem appropriate now.”
“Fine. Just don’t attack us.”
“No, I can’t just let it off like that. Hand over one of the Seven Luminaries to me.”
“That’s nonsense.”
When I rejected his proposal, Jin spoke up again.
“Can you not feel the earth’s fury? Can’t you sense how the great powers of this land are awakening and unleashing their rage? From prior, I can hear the veins of the earth crying out. The entirety of nature is rejoicing for one single existence.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Nature… we might have to fight it itself now. If you don’t hand over a Luminary, we have no hope.”
He seemed significantly uneasy. It might indicate a situation where he couldn’t afford to remain complacent. While I deliberated on what to do, a sun began to rise from the horizon.
The sun slowly climbed to the zenith, and watching it, Jin suddenly trembled in panic, exclaiming,
“Quick! Hand over the Seven Luminaries now!”
“What?”
“Can’t you feel this… this immense power?! Ahhh…!!”
Finally, Jin fell to his knees, shaking.
“No way…. It can’t be this… level…!!”
What’s gotten into him?
I was baffled, observing the situation. My companions—Mangnyang, Zhuge Sa, Celestial Sage, Cheon Gong-pyo, and Master of Zen—who were watching the sun, also dropped to their knees, trembling. It felt as if they were facing something beyond imagination, struggling to move under the crushing weight of shock.
Celestial Sage gasped out, “Baek Woong…, give that scoundrel a Luminary… Quickly… or we won’t last even a second.”
“Understood.”
Reluctantly, I handed over my flame technique to Jin. He managed to struggle against the fear to stand, but still seemed vulnerable, trembling like everyone else.
The sun was almost at its peak.
And near the sun, two stars slowly began to orbit in my vision.
The twin stars started to encircle the sun like twins.
Seeing the binary stars, Mangnyang muttered as if lost.
“Nahoo and Kyedo….”