Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

As my consciousness shifted into a state like an observer watching my own body, I realized that the Fire Dragon True Person had fully possessed me. This sensation was familiar, something I'd felt many times when Yeo Dongbin possessed me. The only difference was the pressure coming from the soul of the Fire Dragon True Person, an indirect presence far more overwhelming. It must have been because the soul of the ancient divine dragon's incarnation from primordial times outclassed that of a human-turned-immortal.

The Fire Dragon True Person raised the Fire Dragon Divine Sword high and shouted.

[ This sword shall enact justice! ]

At that moment, my body suddenly floated up lightly before soaring high into the sky. Looking closely, I was riding on the back of a fire dragon, while the Fire Dragon True Person stood imposingly atop the dragon's head. As he appeared abruptly, radiating immense spiritual energy, the Dharma Protectors hovering in the air were startled and turned to stare at him. Ignoring Yong Bi-cheon entirely, the Fire Dragon True Person fixed his gaze on Han Baekryeong.

[ Draw forth the power of flames to its utmost! ]

"You..."

[ The immense power dwelling within you must aid us to subjugate that demon. ]

Han Baekryeong seemed to have noticed that I—Baek Woong, with eyes now empty sockets emitting pure white light—had become something else entirely. She nodded and suddenly concentrated the power of the Heavenly Spirit Orb into one point. Her heart area throbbed, emitting a deep crimson glow that began to spread, soon permeating her meridians until her entire body blazed like fire.

The compression was so intense it felt like the Heavenly Spirit Orb's vast power had halted for an instant!

As the crimson power spreading through Han Baekryeong's body subsided and her skin returned to its pristine white, her eyes blazed scarlet.

"Ultimate Secret Art: Incarnation of the Fire God. To resort to this trump card—if I fail, it would be the greatest shame of my life!"

[ Worry not, human! I shall surely subjugate that fiend. ]

Kwaaang

As Han Baekryeong's and the Fire Dragon True Person's hands met, it seemed to produce an explosive roar and vibration. In truth, however, it was Han Baekryeong transferring the deep power condensed in her Incarnation of the Fire God to the Fire Dragon True Person. A subtle resonance formed an intangible ring that spread across Luyang's skies. After honing his aura into dragon form amid the crimson energies for a time, the Fire Dragon True Person opened his eyes.

[ Fire Dragon Summoning! ]

Time tore asunder.

Darkness ignited.

A single strike, on a level beyond the Heavenly Spirit Orb's ray of destruction thus far, shattered the tentacle tree down to its roots. Amid the swirling white light, chunks of disintegrating matter flew about, only to be devoured once more by ultimate white flames.

The true fire dragon had manifested in the present world.

The storm of white flames, laden with terrifying power, began to whirl like a vortex, intent on eradicating even the earth's foundations. The fire dragon's savage power, bereft of direction, roared wildly, ignoring the tentacles' regenerative abilities and repeatedly annihilating them.

Kuurrrr

Until now, it had stubbornly reformed amid the Dharma Protectors' fierce assaults, wriggling back to life. But now, it shrank rapidly like a candlewick consumed by a massive blaze. It was as if the fire dragon were devouring the tree. The imperial palace buildings had long lost their form, melted entirely away.

As the tentacle monster's body, spanning hundreds of feet, dwindled to less than ten, the Fire Dragon True Person charged alongside the fire dragon.

[ Haaat! ]

Kwaajik

That was when it happened. The surrounding scenery suddenly shifted, and I realized we were in a 'different space.' It was a place of darkness dotted with radiant orbs floating like stars in a dazzling display. Yet clusters of tentacles and shadowy creatures writhed amid the dreamlike vista, lending it an eerie atmosphere.

"Fire Dragon True Person. This place..."

[ It's the spirit realm where the fiend has hidden its main body and core. We've pierced the dimension using her power! ]

After a curt reply, the Fire Dragon True Person spotted the 'enemy' before him and crossed the Fire Dragon Divine Sword with the Fire Treasure Sword in apparent fury.

[ To corrupt and defile the spirit realm... I shall never forgive this. ]

I was speechless at the sight of a mountain-like entity standing at the spirit realm's center. Vast beyond Mount Tai or Mount Huang, it was an immense pillar piercing the heavens, impossible to measure. I'd thought it a colossal sacred mountain of the spirit realm, but it was actually the tentacle tree in hypertrophied form.

It was grotesquely enormous. Yet the Fire Dragon True Person showed no fear, standing atop the fire dragon's head and issuing a command.

[ By the will of the divine, evil shall perish! ]

The fire dragon charged the foe once more. As expected, ultimate divine flames incinerated the tentacles and blasted a gaping hole through the tree's core. But this time, as if refusing to yield easily, the tentacles rapidly regenerated while sprouting a massive human face atop the tree.

Wooduk

The face belonged to the alchemist. It grinned hideously and spoke.

[ Hahaha! Having claimed all the spirit energy here, my power and regeneration are tenfold that of the material world. Even if you are the ancient Dragon King, can you defeat me in the spirit realm? ]

[...... ]

[ Are you daunted by the Nameless Grimoire's supreme forbidden alchemy...? ]

[ You minnow of a worm! ]

The alchemist's face twisted as the Fire Dragon True Person casually insulted him.

[ W-What... did you say? ]

The Fire Dragon True Person replied without a change in expression.

[ If my disciple Yeo Dongbin were here, he would mock you. Compared to the final colossal dragon that shall end the world, you are mere fry. ]

[ Kraaah! ]

The alchemist shrieked in frenzy, healing his wounds while lashing out with tentacles spanning hundreds of feet like whips. The attack carried immense physical force, but in the next instant, the Fire Dragon True Person parted the fire dragon's jaws to unleash its breath.

Kwaagwang!

A flame ray stretching to the horizon seemed to cleave the spirit realm in two. A mere breath surpassed the Heavenly Spirit Orb's instantaneous destructive power. Naturally, the alchemist's body was over ninety percent obliterated by the brute force ray. Gripping the Fire Treasure Sword in his left hand, the Fire Dragon True Person declared.

[ Fire Treasure, heed the command of I, the incarnation of the Primordial Dragon—unleash your true power! ]

Paching

Was it my imagination? The Fire Treasure Sword's blade seemed to open wide eyes unlike any I'd seen when wielding it. Intense divine flames than before coalesced into orbs orbiting the Fire Dragon True Person. He then drove the fire dragon forward, sweeping the Fire Treasure Sword horizontally in a grand arc as he shouted.

[ Heavenly Flames! ]

That was the end. As the Heavenly Flames launched, the fire dragon paused briefly, as if harboring a tiny spark.

Then the fire dragon grew exponentially, eventually expanding to devour the entire field of vision. The divine flames filling heaven and earth incinerated hundreds of li of land, denying the existence of matter itself. Absolute ultimate flames shook the foundations of being, swirling through the world to unleash cataclysm.

[ Spirit realm, burn! ]

Determined to finish it, the Fire Dragon True Person intensified the resonance between the two divine treasures.

Wuuuuu—

My vision expanded beyond the spirit realm, revealing the stellar domain engulfed by the flaming dragon. The flames shook the world eternally, scorching clouds and extinguishing darkness. Seas dried up, tentacles burned. The colossal tentacle monster that had been the 'alchemist' was charred beyond regeneration, leaving no trace.

'This is... the great ultimate of the Seven Treasures Ice Binding... Heavenly Fire Treasure Flames.'

The ultimate blaze to chastise ten thousand demons!

I shuddered as I felt the true might of the Heavenly Fire Treasure Flames, which I'd glimpsed upon first unleashing the Fire Treasure. In the hands of a proper master, it could unleash calamity upon the entire world—a god-tier conflagration. Here in the spirit realm, we'd only tasted it, but if its full power manifested in the human realm, entire nations could burn in an instant. It far surpassed even the Apostle Dalmug's roar.

Hududuk...

As the Heavenly Fire Treasure Flames concluded, the Fire Dragon True Person headed toward the site that had been the foundation of darkness. There knelt what was once the alchemist Saint Germain, reverted to human form. His body was covered in burns from the flames, skin melting away, left arm and right leg entirely gone. In his gruesome, pitiable state, Saint Germain chuckled.

"Heh heh... To think the Dragon King would become the owner of the Seven Treasures... I never... imagined... kuhuk!"

[ Evil one, your wicked karma shall be judged eternally in the heavenly realm. ]

"Evil...? Heh heh... This world already overflows with evil. What does one more petty evil like me matter?"

Saint Germain laughed hollowly before continuing.

[ That number connects all things. It is the origin. With that number, we can open the hearts and souls of humanity. We can save humanity. As it is in heaven, so shall it be on earth. ' ] That is our oath..."

[...... ]

"I have failed, but the Black Brotherhood will avenge..."

Plop

As he collapsed and breathed his last, the Fire Dragon True Person stared at the corpse. In the blink of an eye, it crumbled to ash without even bones, and a pitch-black soul mass leaked out. The Fire Dragon True Person seized it and hurled it skyward, where it vanished. It seemed he'd sent the alchemist's soul to the heavenly realm.

[ Ugly wretch! ]

With the exorcism complete, the Fire Dragon True Person rode the fire dragon back to the material world. As he appeared, two Dharma Protectors stood waiting for him. They regarded him warily and demanded.

"Who are you? If you are an expert from beyond the heavens, state your title and name."

The divine might he'd just displayed had evidently overwhelmed even the Dharma Protectors. It was only natural; as an outstanding figure among the Great Principles Immortals, now restored to full power and wielding a Seven Treasure, he was unequalled. The Fire Dragon True Person chuckled softly and replied.

[ You are humans, not foes I must fight. Step aside. ]

"How dare you belittle me?!"

Infuriated, Yong Bi-cheon summoned massive wind orbs and hurled them at the Fire Dragon True Person. Each carried terrain-altering power, yet he merely whistled lightly.

Kwaagwang!

"Kuaaaak!"

The whistle morphed into a colossal flame storm, devouring the wind orbs and blasting Yong Bi-cheon away amid his pathetic scream. A single blow had shattered Yong Bi-cheon's protective aura. His crumpled form, fainted far off, was unmistakable as the invincible Dharma Protector.

Stunned by the Fire Dragon True Person's absurd strength, Han Baekryeong murmured.

"You... are not Baek Woong. Just who are you?"

[ I am the Fire Dragon True Person! Baek Woong has lent me his body—treat him not lightly. ]

".........!"

[ You borrow the power of chaos, yet remain bound by human causality. Pray do not force my hand. ]

Paat

I suddenly felt the possession lift, control of my body returning. I tried addressing the Fire Dragon True Person mentally, but he made no reply. With an awkward expression, I turned to Han Baekryeong.

"Uh... it seems everything's wrapped up. Shouldn't we start cleaning up...?"

"........."

"Lady Han Baekryeong?"

Abruptly, Han Baekryeong clasped her hands in salute and spoke politely.

"You were the incarnation of the dragon. Please forgive Yong Bi-cheon's rude actions just now..."

"Of course."

"As you said, we're about to tidy up. Would you lend a hand?"

"Yes."

The mutual formality felt awkward, but it gave me a chance for self-reflection.

'Do I... secretly crave being shown respect?'

It had been the same with the Fire Dragon True Person and now Han Baekryeong. Before I knew it, I'd grown accustomed to receiving deference and even took pleasure in being revered. Even now, as Han Baekryeong treated me politely, mistaking me for the dragon incarnation, I felt awkward yet inwardly pleased.

For a fleeting moment, I found myself pathetic.

If I wanted to be served, I wouldn't have to live this wretched life. Right after reincarnating, I could have used my vast knowledge and treasures to lord over the martial world. But with my grand goal ahead, I had no choice but to charge forward without looking back. Vanity would surely hobble my actions greatly.

I shared these thoughts later with Mangnyang and the Sword Demon. Mangnyang, viewing the events through his black obsidian, said.

"No need to overthink it. Honestly, you've been disdained far more than revered in life, haven't you? No one hates being treated well."

"Hmm, but still..."

"It's natural—just stay vigilant and cautious."

The Sword Demon beside him guffawed.

"Uhahaha! I find you rather humble, actually... With your current arts and prowess, reshaping the entire martial world around yourself wouldn't be strange at all. You're just feeling small because your rivals are god-tier."

"........."

"Well then, shall we all head out?"

The Sword Demon grinned slyly.

"We might conquer the martial world faster than expected."

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