Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

'Suddenly...?!'

The thought of fighting an [Ancient Ruler] made my heart feel like it was about to burst. Having experienced their terrifying power multiple times before, I knew just how unfathomably superior they were. But that emotion wasn't simply 'fear.'

The Fire Dragon Immortal, possessing my body, raised his divine sword and shouted.

[Fire Dragon Summon!]

Unleashing his strongest ability from the start!

At the same moment, the draconic spiritual energy coiled and transformed into a massive fire dragon. As soon as the heavenly fire dragon was summoned, Yeo Dongbin moved my body, thrusting his hands out in rapid succession.

Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship

Six Intentions Holy Heaven Diagram

Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship

Six Intentions Holy Heaven Diagram

Cloud Resolve

Thousands of illusory energy swords surged alongside the fire dragon toward the Sea God's colossal form. Each ethereal energy sword, glowing with divine light, seemed alive as it abruptly unleashed sword auras stretching dozens of feet.

Boom boom boom!

A blazing jade orb hundreds of feet wide engulfed my vision.

Within the massive storm of flames, legendary sword energies rampaged ceaselessly.

Boom!

The combined assault of Great Law Immortal-level beings made the Sea God's body recoil slightly. Seeing this, I felt astonishment. The Sea God had actually taken a step back!

'As expected of the Fire Dragon Immortal and Yeo Dongbin!'

[Hmm.]

But contrary to my elation and awe, I could sense Yeo Dongbin's emotions in that instant. He seemed inexplicably anxious, his mouth tasting bitter. I asked him.

[What's wrong? We landed a hit on the Sea God...]

[Progeny. Stay focused.]

[Yes?]

[That attack just now was meaningless.]

Whoosh...

As Yeo Dongbin finished speaking, the heavenly blazing jade faded, and the pitch-black smoke blanketing the world slowly dissipated. Amid the smoke, the Sea God's flank was tinged faintly red, but it showed no significant damage.

Even with full-power Fire Dragon Summon combined with Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship, it hadn't been injured?!

'That attack would have felled even a Divine Messenger...'

Amazed by the Sea God's absurd defensive power, the Fire Dragon Immortal spoke with uncharacteristic tension.

[As expected of an [Ancient Ruler]. It's defending with divine-level spells.]

[What do you mean?]

[It's the same as subjugating an apostle. Divine beings always surround themselves with protective barriers. Until those barriers are destroyed, no damage can be inflicted.]

So we had to break through the spell defenses first?

I wanted to say something, but right then—

Wooooong—

The Sea God slowly stretched, reaching a hand toward the sky. Then it casually swung one arm down toward us.

[Whoa!]

That single swing forced the Fire Dragon Immortal and Yeo Dongbin to unite their full power just to evade. They retreated from the attack range at speeds far surpassing my Annihilation Steps, without even considering defense. As the Sea God's arm crashed into the ground, the earth split, forming a massive crater.

Rumble rumble boom!

Wounds tore across the land in all directions, cracking the horizon and even the sea, as if heaven and earth were cleaving apart. The world trembled to its skies from the shock of a single blow ripping it asunder. A colossal earthquake erupted, churning the ocean waters and spawning dozens of whirlpools on the surface.

'Unbelievable...!!'

A monster!

I'd seen plenty of devastating wide-area attacks before, but the Sea God's felt utterly implausible. The owners of those prior attacks had relied on potent spiritual energy, spells, or qi to unleash 'techniques' for destruction. But the Sea God had inflicted physical devastation using only its raw physical prowess. The fact that it could overturn the world with that alone filled me with a horrifying thought.

What if it started fighting by combining that physical might with divine-level spells?

My body shuddered involuntarily. Sensing my anxiety in that instant, Yeo Dongbin spoke to me.

with a horrifying thought.

What if it started fighting by combining that physical might with divine-level spells?

My body shuddered involuntarily. Sensing my anxiety in that instant, Yeo Dongbin spoke to me.

[Progeny. Concentrate your mind. The Sea God's spells won't be easy.]

[...Yes.]

[It's coming.]

As Yeo Dongbin warned, the Sea God lowered its head slowly from the clouds and gaped its massive maw toward us. Unlike a human's, its mouth was a grotesque hybrid of man and merfolk. But when a colossal beam erupted from it, I had no leisure to admire the sight.

Screeeee!

The horizon split straight as the heat ray sliced the sea in a line. In an instant, the entire ocean evaporated, blinding light flooding my eyes. Without inner power to shield them, my optic nerves and brain would have burned in seconds.

[Grooooh!!]

This attack was impossible to block, so the Fire Dragon Immortal and Yeo Dongbin drew out my body's full potential to dodge. The beam rampaged at impossible speeds even knowing it was coming, but Yeo Dongbin's transcendent intuition allowed us to evade by a hair's breadth. In moments, heaven and earth were dyed in light and explosions, the terrifying heat evaporating everything between as dizziness overtook me.

An attack that dries up the sea!

This was near Goryeo's exploration fleet, yet this strike had evaporated hundreds of li of ocean, leaving black demonic energy in its place. I'd never seen a wide-area attack that ignored terrain like the sea itself. I couldn't collect my wits.

The Sea God seemed sluggish, but it was anything but. In truth, Yeo Dongbin had been flying around it at blinding speeds with flying-sword arts, seeking an opening, yet his transcendent eyes sensed the Sea God tracking every move.

Each time its gaze locked on, chills erupted across my skin. Considering Yeo Dongbin's speed exceeded dozens of times sound, its perceptual ability was horrifying.

The Fire Dragon Immortal, gathering power once more, resummoned fire dragons, splitting them into dozens to assail the Sea God.

[Hah!]

Boom!

Yet even as the fire dragons' power clashed, the Sea God merely twitched as if tickled. That giant, a fusion of human and merfolk, possessed absolute defense. Growing urgent, I said.

[I'll use my trump card to strip its defenses.]

[Not yet.]

[Yes?]

While dodging the Sea God's occasional arm swings, Yeo Dongbin glanced at the ground.

[Better to see its moves first.]

I followed his gaze. There, the Twelve Rhythm Lords and Three Evils floated within a transparent orb they'd summoned. The Twelve Rhythm Lords leaped out, hurling the Galaxy

[Better to see its moves first.]

I followed his gaze. There, the Twelve Rhythm Lords and Three Evils floated within a transparent orb they'd summoned. The Twelve Rhythm Lords leaped out, hurling the Galaxy Chain Slicer to the ground and shouting.

"In Habaek's name, I command! Freeze!"

Crack crack!

The instant the Galaxy Chain Slicer's chains embedded in the earth, the burning ground began freezing at terrifying speed, the chill creeping toward the Sea God's feet. It spread dozens of li, forming ice cliffs up to its knees.

'It's bound its feet?'

"Tch!"

But deeming his attack insufficient, the Twelve Rhythm Lords hastily retrieved the Galaxy Chain Slicer and teleported back to the Three Evils. The next instant, a beam barrage struck where he'd stood—his judgment spot-on.

Rumble rumble...

It felt like the world was ending. The Sea God wasn't even targeting us specifically, yet it swept its face around, firing beam barrages everywhere. Light filled the heavens as all life vanished.

We were far off now, the Sea God a distant speck. Having withdrawn briefly to regroup, space tore open. The Twelve Rhythm Lords arrived via spatial transfer and said.

"At this rate, Goryeo and Dongyoung will fall to the Sea God within three days. We have no choice but Seven Luminaries Resonance."

Yeo Dongbin glanced at him, then said.

[I oppose it.]

"Why?"

[Since it's ambushing us to strike, cooperation is impossible.]

Yeo Dongbin's gaze fixed on empty space.

Swish...

Moments later, Miyamoto Musashi appeared there. Knowing Yeo Dongbin's power, Musashi didn't attack rashly and spoke.

"Rhythm Lord. This seems like the perfect chance to kill you."

The Twelve Rhythm Lords laughed heartily.

"Kuhaha! Have you forsaken your duty as inheritor of the Full Moon Heaven-Slaying Art to slay gods?"

"......"

"Though you're just a genius, not a true inheritor."

Stung by the barb, Miyamoto Musashi flinched, then snarled.

"Don't spout nonsense. There's no such thing as a true inheritor."

"Really?"

"Yes."

Miyamoto Musashi crossed his arms.

"No one can fell the King of the Sea of Trees."

What were they talking about?

The Twelve Rhythm Lords said to him.

"If you can't help, get lost. I might kill you first."

The Twelve Rhythm Lords' killing intent was real. As the two absolute experts clashed, space warped, the air taut with tension. After glaring for a long while, Miyamoto Musashi spoke.

"I'll help this once."

"Oh, how gracious."

We noticed the Sea God slowly turning its gaze our way. Until now, it'd ignored us knowingly, but now it clearly meant to finish. Meaning it'd been toying with us casually so far.

The Twelve Rhythm Lords said.

"Musashi will create an opening somehow. We'll hit it with maximum damage via Seven Luminaries Resonance."

[It should be weak to mental attacks or lethal curses.]

Yeo Dongbin eyed Musashi worriedly. As he said, approaching the Sea God triggered massive area attacks plus lethal curses on nearby foes. Ordinary folk would go mad just looking at it.

Even martial experts would have their minds corrupted and die nearby. Yeo Dongbin and the

[It should be weak to mental attacks or lethal curses.]

Yeo Dongbin eyed Musashi worriedly. As he said, approaching the Sea God triggered massive area attacks plus lethal curses on nearby foes. Ordinary folk would go mad just looking at it.

Even martial experts would have their minds corrupted and die nearby. Yeo Dongbin and the Fire Dragon Immortal automatically shielded me from the curses, the Twelve Rhythm Lords had the Three Evils' aid, but Musashi had no one.

The Twelve Rhythm Lords replied.

"Musashi can handle it. Then let's go!"

Flash!

Having swiftly planned, we charged the Sea God again. I urged Yeo Dongbin to switch control quickly while chanting loudly.

"In the hour of ruin, flowing constellation! I borrow thy power. I revere the millennium to come!"

Baleful Star incantation!

A spell that stripped an apostle's barrier outright and repelled even the Golden-Feathered Fifty Heavenly Armies! Normally usable only once, requiring caution—but no crisis outweighed battling an [Ancient Ruler].

As the Baleful Star utterance activated, massive tentacles erupted from the void, clamping the Sea God's entire body.

Crunch!

Suddenly, the Sea God's voice boomed in my mind.

[What is thy relation to That One? An upper servant of L' Rlyeh?]

I didn't reply. Feeling no fear, I even sneered inwardly. For some reason, this thing didn't scare me.

The Sea God said.

[I shall devour thee for thy silence.]

Boom!

".......!!"

Incredibly, as the Sea God flexed, the Baleful Star utterance that had crushed all prior foes burst apart and vanished! The tentacles wrapping its body convulsed and turned to ash. But Yeo Dongbin said.

[Well done, progeny! Its defensive spells have weakened significantly.]

So it wasn't ineffective?

Even so, a grand spell that instantly devastated a Divine Messenger like Dalgi only weakened this one, highlighting the chasm between apostles and [Ancient Rulers]. Meanwhile, the Three Evils cast spells to chip further at the barrier, forcing the Sea God back a few steps.

"Take this!"

Musashi soared high, unleashing One Slash at the Sea God's neck. It resembled a translucent moon wheel. Meeting it, the Sea God flinched and raised both arms to block.

Slash!

Its arms were halved but dangled attached, bubbling foam swiftly regenerating them. Still, I

Musashi soared high, unleashing One Slash at the Sea God's neck. It resembled a translucent moon wheel. Meeting it, the Sea God flinched and raised both arms to block.

Slash!

Its arms were halved but dangled attached, bubbling foam swiftly regenerating them. Still, I was inwardly shocked.

'What was that slash?'

The [Ancient Ruler] Sea God hadn't defended physically before, trusting its spell barrier. Even weakened, why block its throat deliberately with arms? Musashi's One Slash clearly hid tremendous power.

"Urgh, as expected, it doesn't work on a true god..."

Musashi, the attacker, grimaced in frustration and plummeted, seemingly spent. As he fell, the charging Twelve Rhythm Lords swung his hand, summoning clouds to catch him, and yelled at me.

"Now!"

[Got it!]

Whirrr!

The Fire Dragon Immortal possessed me fully, surging Fire Principle and Fire Dragon Divine Sword power. The Twelve Rhythm Lords slammed both hands to the ground, igniting green resonance—borrowing Divine Tree power to amplify Wood Principle. At last, Fire and Wood Principles shared wavelengths, resonating. The Sea God seemed startled.

[Seven Luminaries Resonance!]

The Fire Dragon Immortal bellowed, intensifying the waves. Like when I'd resonated with Miho before, a wave of immense power crashed into the Sea God. Initially unscathed, it staggered

Principles shared wavelengths, resonating. The Sea God seemed startled.

[Seven Luminaries Resonance!]

The Fire Dragon Immortal bellowed, intensifying the waves. Like when I'd resonated with Miho before, a wave of immense power crashed into the Sea God. Initially unscathed, it staggered back as the force built.

From within, the Fire Dragon Immortal shouted to Yeo Dongbin.

[Resonance alone can't damage it! Receive the wave's power and attack again!]

Rumble rumble!

The Fire Dragon Immortal's true form descended via the Fire Dragon Divine Sword into the mortal realm. Unlike before, he was risking his body outright to win this battle. Sensing her master's resolve, Yeo Dongbin raised the Fire Dragon Divine Sword and Fire Principle, leaping into the power wave.

[Aaaaaah!!]

Yeo Dongbin swung Fire Principle first, slashing the Sea God's waist with a massive flaming blade. Unlike before, scales sheared off, its waist gaping wide. Stabilizing midair, he unleashed lifetime swordsmanship from the Sword Immortal Realm's selflessness.

Thud!

A proper hit at last! A full-power strike infused with Fire Dragon Immortal and Yeo Dongbin pierced the Sea God's solar plexus via Fire Dragon Divine Sword. I felt the sword spewing flames, burning its body.

[Groooooh...]

The Sea God groaned in pain for the first time. But the Fire Dragon Immortal, resolute, said.

[This isn't enough. As expected, I must...]

The Sea God grabbed the flaming blade in its chest, trying to pull out the Fire Dragon Divine Sword, but it flared brighter, repelling the hand. The Fire Dragon Immortal's pained voice echoed in my mind.

[Don't come near!!]

Yeo Dongbin, who had retreated, gritted his teeth.

[The Sea God's demonic power is too strong. Master will be eternally annihilated like this!]

Eternal annihilation meant ultimate erasure, even of the soul—the ultimate terror for all spirits and divinities. The Fire Dragon Immortal transferred all her power to the sword and said.

[You know it too. Sealing this thing at the cost of my disappearance is worth it.]

[...Must we repeat the events of a millennium ago?]

Uncharacteristic of Yeo Dongbin. He revealed rare sorrow. The Fire Dragon Immortal laughed.

[Didn't I say it when you followed Jong Ri-kwon? Even apart, we'd uphold justice together!]

[......]

Yeo Dongbin seemed resolved. He raised his remaining Fire Principle and charged the Sea God again.

Boom boom!

Even with the massive blade in its chest, the Sea God attacked undiminished. Amid raging typhoons, beam barrages, and cataclysms, Yeo Dongbin flew at it with his life's martial arts.

again.

Boom boom!

Even with the massive blade in its chest, the Sea God attacked undiminished. Amid raging typhoons, beam barrages, and cataclysms, Yeo Dongbin flew at it with his life's martial arts. Watching from behind, the Twelve Rhythm Lords cried out in shock.

"T-That's a... Fighting Immortal!"

Even the Absolute Realm Twelve Rhythm Lords was awed—Yeo Dongbin's prowess had surged dramatically. Dodging the Sea God's otherwise unavoidable onslaughts by a thread, even deflecting invisible demonic power. I could no longer speak to him mentally; he was in perfect focus, at peak power.

The Sea God fired a beam from point-blank at the approaching Yeo Dongbin. In that instant, Yeo Dongbin's face twisted in fury as he mobilized all his power for an overhead slash.

Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship

Six Harmonies of Heart and Intent

Formless Sword

Was it an illusion? The formless sword cleaved the beam, slicing off the Sea God's nose. So unexpected, it stared blankly as black blood poured.

Splurt!

Cleaving the beam, Yeo Dongbin mercilessly stabbed Fire Principle beside the Fire Dragon Divine Sword. Twin blades now pierced the Sea God's chest. Having embedded Fire Principle in the [Ancient Ruler]'s heart, Yeo Dongbin gasped and said to me.

[...Progeny...]

[Yeo Dongbin.]

the [Ancient Ruler]'s heart, Yeo Dongbin gasped and said to me.

[...Progeny...]

[Yeo Dongbin.]

Light began emanating from Yeo Dongbin's body. His spirit fully separated from mine, then nestled into the Fire Dragon Divine Sword.

[I shall become the Sea God's seal.]

[......]

[Send... Master... back to the heavens...]

As the unconscious Fire Dragon Immortal's spirit absorbed into me, the Sword Immortal's phantom appeared gripping the sword.

[...Hard to gain a human body, hard to enlighten the Way (人身難得道難明).]

Blood trickled from his mouth; he was utterly exhausted. The Sea God's demonic power corrupted his arm purple.

[Following the human heart to seek the Way's root (塑此人心訪道根).]

Yeo Dongbin didn't loosen his grip.

[If this body isn't ferried in this life (此身不向今生度)...]

Thud thud!

Repeated curses from the Sea God struck his body, but he didn't budge. His form shredded to rags, yet Yeo Dongbin never let go.

Instead, he clenched his teeth.

[I shall wait no longer—ferry this body in the next! (再等何時度此身)!]

Repeated curses from the Sea God struck his body, but he didn't budge. His form shredded to rags, yet Yeo Dongbin never let go.

Instead, he clenched his teeth.

[I shall wait no longer—ferry this body in the next!]

Flash!

Yeo Dongbin's body dissolved into light.

The Sword Immortal's poem resounded, dissecting the god's spirit and flesh.

The Sea God writhed in agony, bellowing. Yeo Dongbin had fully burrowed inside it.

As I stood dazed, Fire Principle dislodged automatically and flew to me.

Catching it snapped me alert.

"Yeo Dongbin!!"

No reply. He'd sacrificed himself to seal the Sea God.

Eternal annihilation resolve!

Roooar!

Thus, writhing in torment, the Sea God couldn't attack us. God or not, its material-like body accumulated damage, with the seal wedged like a spike via Fire Dragon Divine Sword.

Realizing Yeo Dongbin was gone shook me to my core.

'Yeo Dongbin... dead...?'

The absolute powerhouse who seemed immortal had sacrificed to seal a god?

As shock gripped me, the Sea God's voice emanated.

[Thou... master of the Seven Luminaries...]

I looked at it. For the first time, its eyes were clear—filled with arrogance scorning all life, humans included. The Sea God addressed me.

[Remove... this seal now... or I shall destroy all thou hast.]

Terrifying demonic power constricted, threatening to burst my brain. This absolute authority dwarfed any demon cultist's. Yeo Dongbin and Fire Dragon Immortal had shielded me unknowingly, but standing before an [Ancient Ruler] was privilege denied by the vast gap. I realized I'd suffocate first.

"Huff... huff..."

And I knew its threat was no bluff.

Weakened by the seal, yes—but its combat ability remained. As the Twelve Rhythm Lords said, unbound it'd raze Goryeo and Dongyoung in days, perhaps even the Central Plains. And I'd be captured for eternal torment.

The Twelve Rhythm Lords shouted.

"Hah!"

He unleashed Wood Principle power, freeing me from the pressure temporarily.

Screee!

Boom!!

"Urk! Damn..."

But it turned its attacks on him, forcing the Twelve Rhythm Lords to flee desperately. He and the Three Evils evaded with spells, but victory seemed nowhere in sight.

Coldly assessing, I realized all hope was lost. Trying to use Return Amulet failed—the Sea God had barred escape with a barrier. Trapped, I'd be dismembered.

'We... never stood a chance...'

Our plan: Seven Luminaries Resonance for openings, Great Law Immortals pouring max attacks. But mid-battle, Fire Dragon Immortal realized she couldn't inflict enough damage, opting to seal as sacrifice. Yeo Dongbin, aware, chose self-erasure over his master.

Yet even two Great Law Immortals' suicidal fight left the Sea God intact. Weakened only by godly standards—its cataclysmic power unchanged. I'd exhausted all means; victory impossible.

What now?

Surrender to death?

Injustice surged.

'Yeo Dongbin... Fire Dragon Immortal... they truly fought for human justice!'

Must we perish against insurmountable evil due to power gap? Respawning in the stable felt infuriating. Escape tempted first, then resolve to fight to the death.

Conflict was brief. Fists clenched, I glared at the Sea God.

From my bosom, I drew a secret pill and activated the forbidden art.

'Sixth Gate!'

Boom!

At six gates, my potential doubled beyond my Dragonfly Sky vs. life-death duel. Power to crush guardian beasts filled me. Yet even stronger than before, no impact on the weakened Sea God—impatience gnawed.

'...Eighth Gate!'

Even a blink of ultimate power!

Final meridian opened; gripping Fire Principle, I charged with Thunder God Sword Dance. Despite stronger forms, instinct demanded it.

As my sword aura from Thunder God Sword Dance neared the Sea God's face—

'Huh...?'

Time froze.

Heart Realm Clarity?

No.

I was in an all-white space, moving sloooowly. There, I saw every flaw I'd exposed in swordplay. Indescribable, but visible.

The Thunder God dwelt in the sword.

True might of ritual art Thunder God Sword Dance.

Secret of White Lotus Cult's four great styles, transmitted a millennium.

Proof of meeting [Someone].

True sword intent backed by Thunder God Will.

'Here I go...'

With first form of Thunder God Sword Dance, indescribable awakening surged; I stepped forward.

Sea God's demonic attacks tore at me, but no fear. In selflessness, I surveyed space blankly, realizing total freedom.

Heaven, earth, man's directions in my grasp.

No reason not to evade.

Gracefully executing Three Steps Absolute, I pierced its attack range. Hitherto sloppy enough for Shadowless Sword Emperor to read, now flawless.

Shlick!!

Thunder God's sword qi lanced out, deeply slashing the Sea God's neck. Utterly weakened, its barrier failed against my strike. Reeling in agony, I dazededly delivered the finale.

Heavenly Escape Swordsmanship

Heavenly Sword of Unity

Ninety-Nine Rational Returns fused into one ideal motion, beheading the Sea God. Its mountain-sized head tried regenerating, but I severed it again.

Shing!

Rumble!

Standing on the Sea God's decapitated shoulders with turbid vision, I gazed at distant skies.

'Now... I die?'

Sea God felled, but I'd pushed Great Law Annihilation to extremes.

Pushing it fully meant one outcome: death.

Feeling approaching death, I slowly closed my eyes.

'Vengeance done... fine...'

Then an odd sound reached my ears.

[Authority activated.]

Click click.

Rewinding noise.

Deeming it dragging me unpleasantly, I thought no more.

Thus, I lost consciousness.

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