Soul Summoning Sword

Chapter 24: Radiant Fusion and Shatter (4)

"Aaaah!"

A sharp cry broke the stillness of the mountain valley. At last, Yun Seoha had arrived. The Phoenix Queen she unleashed filled the space between the cliffs, signaling hope.

The resounding call echoed across the entire mountain.

A spark of life returned to the faces of the Black Kill Squad members standing guard at the cave entrance. It was a single ray of light born from despair.

“Lady Seven Wolves is here! We’re saved now!”

A member of the Black Kill Squad shouted.

Yun Seoha grasped the scene in the valley in an instant.

Scattered corpses, blood-soaked rocks, and an ominous aura leaking from the cave.

‘Come, Baek Soryeong!’

She deployed Baek Soryeong's Silver Wind Fan Technique.

Silvery wind swirled and swept away the green miasma from inside the cave. The sound of the fan slicing the air was refreshing. The suffocating air cleared, and two fallen Black Kill Squad members coughed awake.

She immediately assessed Mok Sogang’s condition. Blood-soaked shoulders, labored breaths, a trembling spear tip. His pallid face showed he had been poisoned. Sasaha’s Soul-Summoning Arts were pressing him hard.

‘Jin Unseo!’

Yun Seoha prepared Jin Unseo’s Overlord Fan Technique.

The fan cleaved through the air, vibrating the cave walls. Dust trickled down from the rock face.

“Senior Brother!”

Yun Seoha’s sharp cry rang out.

Mok Sogang nodded at her.

Fighting spirit reignited in his eyes. He readjusted his grip on the spear and steadied his stance. The five surviving Black Kill Squad members regrouped with the wind. Mok Sogang formed a new defense line using Iron Wall Spear Technique. The spear tips lined up like a steel barricade.

Sasaha’s eyes gleamed coldly.

“So, another of the Seven Cold Wolves has arrived? Even with an extra blade for slaughtering chickens, you still can’t butcher a cow.”

A sneering smile touched her lips. Yet inwardly, she grew wary.

Fighting one of the Seven Cold Wolves was worlds apart from facing a coordinated attack from two. Moreover, Yun Seoha was the chief coordinator of Soul-Summoners in the Cold Wolf Sect. Her Soul-Summoning Arts could not be underestimated.

From Sasaha’s hand exploded Baek Hyeokgang’s Black Wind Technique.

A black whirlwind grazed Yun Seoha’s fan. The silver wind split apart, throwing off her balance.

Yun Seoha rotated her fan to defend. Yet her arm trembled, and she quickly shook it off. The Black Wind’s power had exceeded her expectations—her eyes widened in surprise as she looked at Sasaha.

Sasaha pressed on with her assault.

She unleashed Poison Cloud Technique toward Yun Seoha. The Spirit Union soul's resentment surged in the poisonous miasma. Simultaneously, green fog engulfed Mok Sogang’s Heavenly Wolf Spear Technique. The phantom wolves dissolved into the poison. Mok Sogang’s breathing grew labored.

Four Spirit Union souls under Sasaha’s control moved simultaneously: Baek Hyeokgang, Kang Sojin, Wi Unseo, and Jin Mukgyeol. Each soul’s martial arts harmonized to pressure the cave entrance. Sasaha remained calm throughout.

Mok Sogang and Yun Seoha moved together.

Yeon Socheong’s Silver Moon Spear Technique grew faint like moonlight, targeting Sasaha’s flank. Yun Seoha deployed Kang Mukran’s Poison Spirit Fan Technique. A blue energy burst from the fan, neutralizing the Poison Cloud Technique.

Their combined assault pressured Sasaha. Yet even this perfect cooperation wasn’t enough.

Sasaha slipped away with Silver Spirit Technique. She became as hazy as mist, dodging the attack. At that moment, Dark Blood Point Technique shot out like lightning, grazing Mok Sogang’s shoulder. Blood splattered.

“Even the two of the Seven Cold Wolves together are nothing special.”

Sasaha mocked.

Her Black Wind Technique again targeted Yun Seoha’s fan. The black whirlwind tore through the silver wind.

Yun Seoha clenched her teeth and endured. She spun her fan to defend, but the trembling in her arm worsened. Despite it being a two-on-one fight, Sasaha remained composed.

“Jin Mukran!”

Sasaha’s telepathic voice echoed deep into the cave.

“Secure the Spirit Essence now!”

Her tone was laced with irritation.

How long had it been since infiltration? She should’ve exited the mine before Yun Seoha even arrived.

Just then, Gugwi moved.

‘An opening!’

He didn’t miss the instant when Jin Mukran received Sasaha’s command.

A fleeting moment, but Un Serim seized it precisely. A strike worthy of a master of the moment!

The Radiant Burst of the Cloud Flow Spear erupted. The spear drew a brilliant arc, glittering like starlight. Dozens of spear phantoms rained down upon Jin Mukran. It was like the Milky Way collapsing.

“Ugh!”

Jin Mukran hastily used the Four Sun Sword Technique. Though hurried, the sword emitted sun-like heat.

At that instant, her pouch wavered dangerously.

The liquefied Spirit Essence sloshed. Just as a blue glow flickered in Gugwi’s dantian, the spear tip shifted its path—not toward Jin Mukran, but the pouch.

Tchiiik!

The sound of the pouch tearing echoed through the cave.

The strike hit squarely, shredding the pouch. Nine-tenths of the liquefied Spirit Essence spilled onto the ground. The blue liquid flowed like water, covering the cave floor.

Paaah!

The Spirit Essence emitted its signature mystical glow, illuminating the surroundings.

“No!”

Jin Mukran screamed.

Her face turned deathly pale.

But it was too late. Only remnants of the Spirit Essence remained inside the pouch. Most of it had returned to its place.

Then, the original spirit souls began to scream.

The spirits that had slumbered here since ancient times awoke and unleashed their curses.

“Revenge! Revenge!”

“Blood for blood!”

The cries for vengeance and blood repayment pierced Gugwi’s ears.

Gugwi steadied his mind with the Cloud Flow Spirit Heart.

A warm energy rose from his dantian, shielding him. To him, the spirits’ cries sounded like a plea to return even the last remaining residue held in the pouch.

‘I must take that pouch completely…’

At that moment, Jin Mukran counterattacked.

Despair drove her mad. Her sword shone like the sun and exploded. The Four Sun Swordsman’s resentment imbued the sword aura as it struck Gugwi. The sword rained down three, four times like lightning.

Gugwi barely parried with his spear, but his wrist ached. Sparks flew, and the metallic clang rang in his ears.

Jin Mukran’s eyes turned bloodshot.

“Die! Die!”

She screamed with madness. Her sword flailed wildly, aiming only to kill Gugwi.

Gugwi narrowly dodged with Cloud Flow Step. The sword aura grazed his cheek, drawing blood.

Meanwhile, Jin Mukran clutched the remaining Spirit Essence desperately. As if it were her last hope, she risked her life to protect it.

“Over here too!”

While Jin Mukran focused on Gugwi, So Ryeonghwa’s Silver Spirit Sword grazed her arm. The sharp sword aura disrupted her technique.

Yet Jin Mukran’s counterattack became fiercer. The Four Sun Sword Technique ran rampant. The sword blazed as if ten suns had fallen simultaneously. Yeon Sohye’s Silver Spirit Sword was knocked away.

“Ugh!”

Yeon Sohye screamed.

Jin Mukran’s sword grazed her shoulder, drawing blood. Yeon Sohye quickly retreated. A silver mist shielded her, but Jin Mukran’s sword aura pierced through.

Then Jin Mukran’s form changed.

The soul of the Four Sun Swordsman enveloped her body. Her frame became as light as a feather, and she launched off the wall. Clinging to the ceiling like a spider, she changed her angle.

The Four Sun Swordsman’s unique agility specialized her in aerial combat.

Her sword rained down from above—an attack that even used gravity.

“Gugwi, back!”

Yeon Sohye shouted.

She barely pulled Gugwi out of the attack range. The silver mist assisted in obscuring him from view, buying them a chance to retreat.

Jin Mukran’s eyes turned black. She had resolved to use the Forbidden Soul-Summoning Arts.

“Be cursed!”

Jin Mukran cried.

Her fingers began to twist grotesquely.

Ten fingers wriggled like snakes as she muttered an ancient incantation with her mouth.

“Descent of the Vengeful Spirit! Blood Sea Without Bounds!”

The Descent of the Vengeful Spirit was a forbidden spell that forcibly summoned original spirits. Blood Sea Without Bounds was an evil art that strengthened spirits with blood.

The air turned cold. A black vortex swirled around Jin Mukran. Her hair floated, untouched by wind. Black tears streamed from her eyes.

She raised both hands to the sky.

Drops of blood dripped from her fingertips. When the blood touched the ground, black flames flared up.

“Come forth, spirits of vengeance!”

Her voice transformed into that of a demon.

Ruuumble!

The entire cave trembled. Black hands began to emerge from the walls.

Dozens of original spirits responded to her call, and her body rose into the air.

Shrouded in malevolent energy, she danced in midair.

“Ah!”

Yeon Sohye turned pale as she stared at Jin Mukran.

“What is that?”

Gugwi frowned and asked.

“Move!”

Yeon Sohye abruptly yanked his sleeve.

The spirits of the Spirit Essence Mine began to go berserk.

Spirit Essence spread through the air, causing mystical phenomena. The original spirits revealed their forms. Clad in broken armor, they shouted in an ancient tongue, “Repay in blood!”—a vow to settle their debt with blood.

They clawed at Gugwi with their talons. Jin Mukran attacked at the same time.

“Kill! Kill!”

The screams for death echoed.

“Grudge! Grudge!”

Wails of hatred followed.

Gugwi and Yeon Sohye sprinted to escape the rampaging spirits.

And from within the mist... the Spirit Union soul Wi Unseo, under Sasaha’s control, observed Gugwi.

Wi Unseo’s Silver Spirit Technique pierced through the mist and reached into the mine, examining Gugwi’s dantian.

A powerful force surged from the stranger’s dantian!

Though he couldn’t identify its nature, it was clearly dangerous—a power of a different magnitude than ordinary martial arts. It resonated with the Spirit Essence, commanding, regulating, and guiding its movement.

“That one must die.”

Wi Unseo’s soul warned Sasaha.

Sasaha’s eyes turned toward Gugwi.

A fascinating opponent. It was remarkable for someone so young to wield such power. But he was a threat to the Heavenly Sound Cult.

As she harbored killing intent, her gaze grew cold.

‘Kill him!’

In that instant, Jin Mukgyeol lunged and attacked Gugwi with Dark Blood Point Technique.

Sasaha’s fingers shot out like lightning, targeting Gugwi’s shoulder. A precise strike aimed at a vital point. It happened while she was still fending off the combined attacks of two of the Seven Cold Wolves.

Gugwi barely twisted away using Cloud Flow Spirit Body.

Tchiiik!

Her fingers grazed his shoulder, tearing his collar.

Gugwi immediately countered with Heavenly Cloud Serpent. His spear writhed like a snake, drawing an unpredictable trajectory. But a black-gloved hand grabbed the spear, lifted Gugwi’s body, and slammed him into the wall.

Kwahng!

The fierce impact rocked Gugwi’s entire frame.

He gasped from what felt like broken ribs. His spine ached, and his ribs throbbed. Blood pooled at his lips, suggesting internal damage as well.

“Urgh!”

Gugwi regulated his energy with Cloud Flow Spirit Heart.

In that moment, the Spirit Flow Core in his dantian pulsed and spread throughout his body. A warm energy wrapped his wounds, dulling the pain, though his body still felt heavy. The healing had begun.

“You… have something, don’t you?”

Sasaha glared at Gugwi.

Curiosity and killing intent mingled in her eyes.

‘This is dangerous!’

Yeon Sohye sensed the murderous intent in Sasaha’s eyes.

Gugwi had drawn too much attention. If someone like Sasaha laid eyes on him, it was over. He’d be marked as an assassination target by the Heavenly Sound Cult, and all their spies would dig into his background. His life would be at risk at every opportunity.

Above all, if Sasaha personally targeted him, he wouldn’t survive.

“Gugwi! We’re getting out of here!”

Yeon Sohye unleashed a mist and pulled him out.

Paaaah!

The silver mist thickened, blocking all sight.

Mok Sogang and Yun Seoha immediately launched a counterattack.

Sasaha had just used her spirits to attack someone inside the cave. It was most likely Yeon Sohye. She was the only one Jin Mukran would target.

As Heavenly Wolf Spear Technique roared, wolf-like spear strikes pierced Sasaha’s Black Wind Technique. From the tip of the spear, wolf phantoms emerged, threatening her. Yun Seoha neutralized Poison Cloud Technique with Poison Spirit Fan Technique. Blue energy from the fan purified the poison.

“Jin Mukran, gather as much Spirit Essence as you can!”

Sasaha sent a telepathic message to Jin Mukran.

The situation had turned unfavorable.

Though not disastrous yet—even with Yun Seoha’s appearance, they could still hold their ground. The problem was that Jin Mukran had used Descent of the Vengeful Spirit and Blood Sea Without Bounds—cursed techniques of the Soul-Summoning Arts.

Jin Mukran’s Descent of the Vengeful Spirit forcibly summoned original spirits and contaminated the Spirit Essence, triggering their rampage.

Once cast, the Spirit Essence became corrupted. The contaminated essence was no longer useful to the Cult Leader and endangered every living being in the Spirit Essence Mine.

This place was about to become a real hell.

‘I must retrieve at least a small amount of Spirit Essence.’

A hint of regret crossed her eyes, but to prevent greater loss, she decided to retreat.

The plan had gone awry. But they had to avoid a total failure.