Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Dark Heaven Village

"...We've arrived."

Gyeok Ho let out a sigh. After fighting nonstop from the mid-slope, to the point where his breathing was ragged and broken, the summit ridge finally came into view. Gyeok Ho shuddered at the fact that he had climbed hundreds of spans up this absurdly massive Divine Altar Tree, but he also felt a sense of relief that the mission was nearly at hand.

Cheong Wol, standing behind Gyeok Ho, panted heavily.

"Huff... huff... I need to circulate my qi for a bit. I can't go any further."

"...Yeah, we should."

The moment the words ended, Gyeok Ho collapsed into a cross-legged position and began circulating his qi. It wasn't just because they were at a high altitude with thin air. The three of them had fended off waves of Ghost Generals three times, passed through an inexplicable formation, and battled bizarre spirit beasts multiple times on the way here. They hadn't rested or circulated qi once during that time, so now they were utterly exhausted.

'This is my first time in such intense consecutive battles with this density.' If only one or two of them had come, they never would have reached here so quickly. For a while, they focused silently on recovery. Soon, Myeong Ryong Ja, the first to recover, stood up from his spot and spoke.

"What did that guy say to do after reaching the summit?"

'Damn. The old man's recovery is insane.'

Myeong Ryong Ja's self-recovery, honed over decades of profound orthodox inner arts, was incomparable to the young Gyeok Ho's. Gyeok Ho was still struggling, not even half-recovered, but Myeong Ryong Ja was already fit to fight. No matter how much elixir Gyeok Ho had consumed or how he'd rapidly built his inner energy in special facilities, he couldn't match the foundational cultivation level. He had to admit that the Wudang Sect's qi cultivation was more profound than the Thunder God Style in certain ways.

A long while later, he stood up and said,

"I didn't hear the details, but he told us to search thoroughly for any unusual structures or seals up there."

"Hmph... A suspicious place like that probably has something. The qi is grossly distorted."

Myeong Ryong Ja glared at the summit with displeasure, then said,

"Let's recover a bit more before going. Feels like something's waiting up there."

"But if we delay too long..."

Rumble!!

Suddenly, a sound like something crashing from the sky rang out, and a black hole seemed to tear open in the heavens. All three instantly realized the barrier had been destroyed, and their faces hardened gravely. Gyeok Ho gritted his teeth and said,

"Let's go."

"This is the worst..."

Myeong Ryong Ja snapped irritably. Dragging themselves into a critical battlefield with less than half their strength was no way for martial artists to act. You couldn't always fight at peak condition, but creating favorable circumstances was the basics of combat. Yet the situation was too urgent, so they silently ascended the Divine Altar Tree.

Step...

As they set foot on the summit of the Divine Altar Tree, Gyeok Ho realized the scenery unfolding before him matched what he'd seen in Baek Woong's memories long ago.

Ooooh.

All around was pitch-black void. The stars looked close enough to touch, countless in number. Beneath their feet and surrounding them stretched an impossibly massive tree trunk, like solid ground.

Gyeok Ho muttered,

"Breathing's easier here, at least..."

Just moments ago, climbing from mid-slope to the upper sections had thinned the air to the point where ordinary people would faint from respiratory distress. It had been nearly impossible to breathe, but as transcendent experts, they'd endured with deep, long breaths. Yet upon reaching the summit, the air was rich and vital, making it comfortable.

Not only that, there was no chill—warmth permeated everywhere. Though the pitch-black space was a drawback, it felt like one could live here year-round. Gyeok Ho looked around and said,

"No time to waste. Let's split up and search for anything suspicious."

"Even though if enemies show up, this plateau is perfect for getting picked off one by one?"

"Do we have a choice? If you're not ready to risk your life, you can't even attempt this sober. We have to finish quick."

"Damn that guy... If he doesn't explain later, I won't let him off."

"Let's regroup here in a bit."

Whoosh.

Grumbling, Cheong Wol and Myeong Ryong Ja unleashed their movement techniques and scattered. The summit was vast enough that their figures soon shrank to dots. Gyeok Ho dashed straight ahead, sharpening his vision.

Moments later, Gyeok Ho spotted something odd and stopped.

"What's that?"

A massive vine root coiled protectively around a round object. Tucked in a corner, it wasn't immediately visible, but Gyeok Ho's instinct told him it was important, so he approached. He swung his spear to slice away the vines and inspect the round thing.

Clang! Clang!

"Tough."

Gyeok Ho realized the inner sphere was made of some metal. The strange orb had a semi-transparent glass window, but the inside was opaque from outside. It was large enough for three or four people.

'Tch. Should I smash it?'

No way to open it, so he experimentally infused qi and struck the metal sphere.

"Huh...?!"

Gyeok Ho jolted in surprise. Even fatigued, he'd properly formed qi for an attack stance, yet the sphere was unscratched! Considering any earthly metal would shatter or deform under qi, this was astonishing. He'd heard of rare metals resisting qi, but this was his first time seeing one. Stunned for a while, he scanned further but found nothing else.

After investigating nearby for about half an incense stick's time, Gyeok Ho returned and reunited with Myeong Ryong Ja and Cheong Wol. Myeong Ryong Ja seemed to have found nothing, while Cheong Wol spoke in an excited tone, as if he had.

"There really is something bizarre."

"Where?"

"Pretty far. Gotta go a ways."

Tadadak.

They followed Cheong Wol, using movement techniques to dash. As he said, even at full speed, it took time, confirming it was distant. At their destination loomed something enormous, twenty times a man's size.

"What is this?"

"No idea. But it's elongated..."

"Hmm. What's it for?"

Gyeok Ho peered at the long cylindrical structure. He noticed a complex mechanical device at the tip pointing groundward. Dozens of buttons, and Gyeok Ho vaguely knew this wasn't his expertise. Scratching his head, he said,

"No clue. Why's something like this on the Divine Altar Tree summit?"

"You said you hit that round steel hunk earlier? Wanna try smashing this? Might work."

"Better not. What if it's important?"

"Keep looking?"

"...Probably, but suddenly I'm stumped. Feels like Wang Ryang or Zhuge scholar would know, not us..."

"True."

They fell silent. Lifelong martial artists skilled in combat, they lacked the ability to analyze otherworldly constructs like this. As they endured the awkward silence, a clear voice rang out.

"I'll praise you for not recklessly damaging the items here. Now, care to chat with me, intruders?"

Whoosh.

They turned toward the voice to see a bizarre figure in a white hood and odd hat. Having spent three months in the Divine City, Gyeok Ho's group had already memorized his face and name, recognizing him instantly.

"Dan's clansman, Hong Gil-dong!"

It was Hong Gil-dong, known as a confidant of the Twelve Lords and a considerable powerhouse. Facing three transcendent experts, he showed no intimidation, continuing leisurely.

"The Lord said to bring you politely. Invading our Divine City's core is an unforgivable sin, but since you're mere executors, forgiveness might be possible."

Gyeok Ho leveled his spear and retorted casually.

"Not looking for forgiveness. You here alone to get beat by us?"

They stepped forward, eyes gleaming with killing intent. Before ascending, their stamina and qi were depleted, but the summit's abundant qi had restored them over seventy percent. Thus, they didn't even consider losing to one Hong Gil-dong.

Hong Gil-dong smiled oddly.

"Oh? You think I'd really come alone?"

Gyeok Ho tensed at the words.

"As expected, with backup."

"No, alone."

"What the hell is this guy on about?"

Gyeok Ho stared in disbelief, and Hong Gil-dong said,

"Well, only someone like me—Fruit Island King and Grand Elder of Manha Spirit Gate—has the right to come here. Everyone else is busy blocking the Eight Guardian Gods."

"What do you want?"

"Best to come quietly. As I said, the Twelve Lords hold no grudge against you."

"Ha."

Gyeok Ho scoffed, then erupted with thunderous qi like lightning, lunging to smash Hong Gil-dong's head with his spear thrust.

Boom!

An thrust loaded with immense speed and power. As one aspiring to the Absolute Realm among super-elites, this ambush wasn't easily dodged or blocked. But Gyeok Ho instantly realized he'd hit Hong Gil-dong's phantom afterimage, sensing incoming attacks from around.

Swoosh. In the next instant, Gyeok Ho deflected eight attacks and returned to his spot. They'd exchanged a single bout in a flash, but sweat poured down his body.

Strong.

Incredibly strong, chillingly so!

An ominous chill crept up his spine, his instincts recognizing Hong Gil-dong as a superior expert. Myeong Ryong Ja and Cheong Wol realized it too, faces stiffening—especially Myeong Ryong Ja, inwardly shocked.

'Just now... couldn't sense the afterimage dispersing and reforming. And too fast.'

Could this guy use that legendary 'technique'?

The illusory realm spoken of only in legends in the martial world!

Myeong Ryong Ja felt unease. If Hong Gil-dong's level matched his suspicion, they could truly be annihilated here. Hong Gil-dong smiled and said,

"Wow. Even among the Twelve Lords' sect masters, only two or three match your strength... Been a while since I've loosened up."

"What the hell are you? And what's Dan's clan that it's crawling with guys stronger than Twelve Lords' sect masters?"

Gyeok Ho asked warily, and Hong Gil-dong replied,

"Just lived in a good place, breathing good air, receiving good teachings."

"Now, I'd prefer you come quietly, but doubt it... Shall we fight after so long?"

Shhh!

In the next moment, Hong Gil-dong's form split into five. The five afterimages charged them almost simultaneously, and Gyeok Ho recalled phantom traits.

'Even minor hits dispel them. The real body's hiding to strike?'

Refusing to fall for probes, Gyeok Ho decided on offense, erupting qi for a vast attack stance.

Kwang!

A explosion echoed. The scene emerging from the dust cloud moments later was shocking.

Guh...

Gyeok Ho took a fist to the solar plexus, twitching his brows to suppress vomit. One arm gripped by a Hong Gil-dong afterimage, his blade hovered above his crown. Subdued by three afterimages in a flash. Having plunged a fist into Gyeok Ho's solar plexus in one exchange, Hong Gil-dong grinned.

"Preconceptions are scary. Well, my technique is unique."

The reason was simple. Despite erupting qi, each afterimage possessed tremendous prowess, dodging or blocking then countering Gyeok Ho's gags. Caught off-guard, Gyeok Ho was helpless against afterimages matching his speed. Moreover, they phased through at key offense-defense moments!

Had Gyeok Ho gone defensive, he wouldn't have fallen so easily. Misjudging the foe's technique was his downfall.

"Ugh... how..."

"Sleep for a bit."

Hong Gil-dong struck an acupoint, and Gyeok Ho blacked out. Myeong Ryong Ja and Cheong Wol, who'd moved defensively to avoid engaging Hong Gil-dong, watched tensely. Myeong Ryong Ja trembled, muttering incredulously.

"Truth and falsehood fused to mock reality... The pinnacle of true phantom arts... The legendary Empty Spirit Hundred Eight Illusions!"

Hong Gil-dong's eyes gleamed.

"As expected of Wudang's head—well-informed! Indeed, my art is the Hundred Eight Endless Empty Spirit realm. One former Fruit Island King once ventured to Central Plains martial world."

"But knowing changes nothing. Unless you ascend to Absolute Realm, discerning or countering my technique is impossible."

Myeong Ryong Ja gritted his teeth.

Empty Spirit Hundred Eight Illusions!!

It was the legendary martial art used by the eccentric Empty Spirit Child, who swept the martial world in the era of Wudang's founder Zhang Sanfeng. Ordinary phantoms dispel on strong hits, but his fused truth and lies indistinguishably—even transcendent experts couldn't differentiate, and he positioned himself at void's boundary for perfect evasion.

Countless experts died futilely to materializations only on attack. However, Empty Spirit Child challenged the then-world's best, Zhang Sanfeng, out of hubris and vanished after defeat.

As Wudang head, Myeong Ryong Ja inherited the manual but never imagined meeting its user. He'd devoted his life to probing absolute potentials in the Seven Great Ultimate Arts, blind to else. But if Hong Gil-dong truly reached Empty Spirit Hundred Eight Illusions, it was dire.

And Myeong Ryong Ja confirmed another fact.

The Hong Gil-dong before them was also an Absolute Realm expert!

Per Zhang Sanfeng's manual, Empty Spirit Hundred Eight Illusions required Absolute Realm for proper use, and Hundred Eight Endless Empty Spirit signified great attainment therein. Entry or mastery unknown, but another hidden Absolute expert was confirmed.

'The Twelve Lords' core, Manha Spirit Gate's Grand Elder... Their right-hand produces such monsters.'

Myeong Ryong Ja abruptly felt the gap between Central Plains and Eastern martial worlds.

But surrender wasn't an option. Myeong Ryong Ja sent a transmission to Cheong Wol beside him.

[Support me. Use ultimate arts to endure him.]

[Against that absurd technique? Possible?]

[Maximize our ancestors' legacy, and it is.]

[Got it. I'll sync breaths.]

Hong Gil-dong, planning to end it this attack, smirked and multiplied afterimages.

Pabababat.

A full hundred eight!

Indistinguishable from real, none could survive such an onslaught. Hong Gil-dong said,

"No time either, so I'll finish quick."

Whoooh.

As Hong Gil-dong's afterimages surged simultaneously—

Immeasurable Zenith

Heart Blade

Bending Void Slash!

Shukakakak.

Suddenly, dozens of Hong Gil-dong's afterimages tore apart, forcing the real body to retreat hastily. Despite their real-like power and speed, they were sliced by the ultimate art from Myeong Ryong Ja and Cheong Wol back-to-back. No mere intent art could do this, so Hong Gil-dong frowned.

"Impressive... Matching breaths on Wudang's Five Divine Arts' Yin-Yang Divine Art base to form a joint formation temporarily rivaling Absolute Realm."

Impossible normally, but both top-tier experts with Seven Great Ultimate Arts in common made it feasible. Their intents forged a single blade, momentarily reaching Absolute Realm! This counter wasn't easy even for Hong Gil-dong to break.

'Foes, but admirable.'

Yet they couldn't sustain the joint formation forever. Even now, they discarded stray thoughts in sword-unity state, pouring all mind into maintenance. Such focus wasn't infinite, so Hong Gil-dong, anticipating victory, muttered,

"Curious to meet the one commanding talents like you..."

No mercy.

Manha Spirit Gate Grand Elder Hong Gil-dong launched another assault.

He had to subdue them quickly to aid the Twelve Lords.

Cheon Woo-jin was agonizing.

'Is this really okay?'

The strategy and request from the Zhuge scholar.

But it was pure madness—discarding immediate victory for the reincarnator's triumph. From Baek Woong's perspective, a rational strategy, but from living this life, a suicidal sprint to ruin. Thus, despite successful infiltration, Cheon Woo-jin wrestled deeply.

He could confirm once more.

This is insane.

Yet—he couldn't abandon the mission. If the Zhuge scholar did it himself, allied sacrifices would multiply. With things thus, pursuing max efficiency was the only way to save lives.

What forced Cheon Woo-jin's decision was the Eight Guardian Gods' barrier-shattering blast.

Rumble...

"...If hell exists, I'll be first in line."

Cheon Woo-jin sighed briefly and extended his hand. Why did Jin So-cheong, abandoning convictions to assassinate the White Lotus Leader for Baek Woong, come to mind?

"Urgent Spirit Command Seal."

A small explosion boomed before him.

The barrier's protection shattered under Cheon Woo-jin's spell.

And that blast—marked the Divine Altar Tree's great battle truly entering the realm of madness.

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