Chapter 744 – What Remained After Burning (5)

Master’s grip opened.

Thud.

Wei Yeon sprawled out. With her neck crushed.

Jeong Yeon-shin gazed at that scene with a somewhat bewildered heart. A sight he had never imagined.

Nature Body’s breathing technique had been unilaterally pierced.

Ming Dynasty’s incarnation. A demon immortal who had even competed with Taoist Sanfeng. Her knowledge and insight regarding martial learning were at the current era’s highest level. Wasn’t she even reclaiming her prime’s martial prowess thanks to unity?

‘Even my current self might lose about three times in ten matches.’

Fighting God and Emperor Qian-ling’s fight must have been so. Each other’s swords were lethal. Wei Yeon was certainly a figure who would conquer all under heaven if even small variables followed.

Had she been careless?

“To show emotion to that extent?”

On the other hand, Iron Demon Spring Lord Ji Gang-hyeon’s surprise was different. Because he seemed shocked by master’s decision rather than Wei Yeon’s appearance.

“Right now you should plan for the future…”

[Senior.]

“Lord, please speak comfortably.”

The answer was casual. He felt consciousness concentrated outside. Jeong Yeon-shin asked calmly.

[I understand we can’t leave here by our own power. At least not in the near future… But can’t Master pull me out?]

It was something worth thinking about. Master Wei Gun-hye was indeed the most formidable existence in the current world. Even though she was no longer in unity state, Jeong Yeon-shin suddenly realized. That Ji Gang-hyeon was shaking his head.

“This is World Tree’s interior.”

[……]

“After being swallowed like now, there’s no method. If it were something human power could do, World Tree couldn’t have suppressed all under heaven’s countless gates either. As far as I know, Zhang Sanfeng’s judgment was the same. I know he secretly entered once, but not this deep.”

[So that’s how he passed.]

“Hm?”

[Never mind.]

“Anyway, the previous lord is so angry for that reason. It’s like losing her only direct disciple forever.”

[That angry?]

“That’s not anger?”

Jeong Yeon-shin looked into the vision Ji Gang-hyeon had opened. A scene where even World Tree masters couldn’t hide their dismay.

—Clan elder! Enter The Extinction Master finally…!

—It’s the location where unity abilities are strongest. Recovery can’t be that slow…

—It’s because Wei Gun-hye is stronger.

It was a clearing surrounded by bright green plants. In the middle of an encirclement by strong ones who stepped on bushes with Grass-Treading Step’s lightness skill.

Master’s face was reflected.

Was it because there was no particular expression? Her inner thoughts were hard to gauge. She only seemed indifferent. The appearance of standing blankly for a long time with deep green pupils cast down.

—……

She was still looking down at the ground. The place where Jeong Yeon-shin had sunk into the abyss after pressing foreheads with her.

Jeong Yeon-shin inwardly spoke to her.

Do you see me?

* * *

A slender wind flowed along Wei Gun-hye’s jawline.

For a moment her lips moved faintly, and World Tree’s masters thoroughly guarded other parts like pupils. Her right arm that would have transparently wrapped Nature Sword’s blade force, even her legs that had never revealed proper lightness skill.

It was a domain where sound transmission was impossible.

Wei Gun-hye’s sword circle after regaining consciousness.

The nearby atmosphere was affected by her intentions. Since Wind Empress Wei Yeon had fallen, there was no method to respond.

But World Tree’s masters were experienced.

“She raised Enter The Extinction Blade. Watch only her right arm.”

“…I can’t see the blade. Not just me but other members too…”

“Because your eye technique and energy perception are shallow. You should focus on true energy supply.”

They transformed the formation. Those with extraordinary Sense Path martial arts to the front, noble clans whose techniques or internal energy cultivation were superior standing in the rear.

Even those who had been on tree branches were changing positions up and down. Suddenly a long fishing line wrapped around Wei Gun-hye.

Kuguuuuuuuuuung!

It tightened with a roar. Along with Imperial Three Great Masters’ only middle-aged man, Yang Cheon’s peaceful grumbling.

“You’ve fallen into delusion and made your disciple’s great achievement futile.”

As he slightly pulled the fishing rod, the ground split with a crack. Dirt floor cracking in all directions from beneath Wei Gun-hye’s feet.

He had landed a binding technique on the world’s greatest person.

The principles involved weren’t just one or two. First came explosive-type propulsion energy waves used in swift swords, and he pulled using the profound meaning of grasping among spearmanship’s Block-Grasp-Pierce principles honed over a lifetime. The taut fishing line even contained fishing sword’s principles.

Complete restraint. A technique that had almost captured even Fighting God. The distribution of principles was supreme.

“Must… cap, ture. Must.”

An aged voice flowed out choppily. Wei Yeon who had somehow stood behind Wei Gun-hye with a broken neck. Like Blood Flame Sect Leader from years past.

“Desolate Fortress lost its center. Lightning Genius’s death will cause many things. But if Gun-hye joins them now, the current Central Plains situation…”

Suddenly a cool breeze blew, severed Wei Yeon’s neck and scattered. It was blade wind that fluttered like body fragrance from Wei Gun-hye’s body bound by fishing line.

Thud.

Wei Yeon’s head rolled on the ground.

The blade wind didn’t collide with Wei Yeon’s protective strong energy. It merely seeped through gaps in the internal energy barrier like sea breeze.

Divine sword energy.

Shock followed.

“We must wrap dozens of layers of protective strong energy each with different true energy structures to defend! First apply Pale Dew Divided Light to each other…!”

“Don’t panic! Our military strength is far superior!”

“According to Heavenly Way, human martial arts has limits, so winning isn’t the problem. Capturing has meaning!”

Inside the long-eared immortals’ encirclement.

Step.

Wei Gun-hye holding Enter The Extinction Blade downward walked. Yang Cheon’s heavenly silkworm fishing line tightly squeezed her skin, and several streams of blood flowed down along her bare feet.

Wei Gun-hye suddenly stopped. The sight of turning back with a small head movement. Toward the place where Jeong Yeon-shin had disappeared.

“What should I do?”

From the martial god’s lips holding moonlight, a human’s soliloquy flowed out. An immediately disgusted reaction returned.

“Such a day comes too? My stomach feels very uncomfortable.”

Boom…

A drum sound.

Some woman descended from the sky.

An appearance wearing a high-collared red palace robe with an overcoat woven from beast fur. Carrying a large drum slanted by her thigh, holding a short stick.

Gyo Cheon.

A mixed-blood noble clan with large ears. She had an atmosphere of being raised preciously in the imperial palace.

“I don’t think Enter The Extinction Sword Master should cling to human affection. Won’t the blood relatives of Dali Dan Family who died by you vomit blood?”

Then she deliberately exhaled, but the imitation of spewing something was clumsy. Rather what was natural was her left hand that struck down the drum with a thud.

Keuuuuuuuung!

Wei Gun-hye’s clothing hem wrinkled more clearly. Yang Cheon’s heavenly silkworm fishing line began crushing Wei Gun-hye’s transparent protective strong energy. Thanks to Gyo Cheon’s sound technique boosting martial power.

Crack, crackle!

Lightning flashed from the repulsive force. The ground was darkly scorched, and nearby ancient trees blazed brightly.

Gyo Cheon said.

“The former emperor was the most complete human, but the world didn’t permit his sole dominance. Six Star Lords united to protect young Fighting God… Ultimately Emperor Qian-ling died by Six Star Lords’ hands.”

A simple meaning.

When multiple formidable powers gathered, they could bring down the highest power.

Wuuuuung…

“When I carried Divine Beggar on my back was better…”

Above the sky.

Short Yu Xiong.

He wrapped the light spreading from the light spear in his grip like armor. He seemed like a young general of the immortal realm.

Meanwhile, Yang Cheon leisurely evaded Wei Gun-hye’s blade wind. The appearance of never letting go of the fishing rod held in his hand.

“I too have lost disciples. No matter how many fishing rods I dangle by the riverside and flow that touch of hands into the water, my heart doesn’t wash clean.”

He was like an idler at a ferry.

“Master Wei’s blade work is like my fishing rod. What will you catch now… Lord Jeong of Lightning Genius was swept away in jianghu’s rapids, leaving only that lofty will.”

Imperial Three Great Masters.

Ta Yeon remembered. Southern Emperor, Northern Blade also avoided their combined attacks. Those monsters only repeatedly hit and ran with overwhelming movement technique mobility. Ultimately only winning in engagements then leisurely returning.

In addition, Three Direction Great Generals.

World Tree’s Four Great Protectors with only one person missing.

Wei Yeon who rose bizarrely twisting her neck like Blood Flame Sect Leader Baek Rak.

Not only these.

Noble clan military forces quietly narrowing the encirclement as if achieving Body-Sword Unity with tree branches. They were also descending from trees covering the sky.

Anyone would capture. Capture and restrain.

A natural thought. It was so for Ta Yeon too. At this moment, just by wearing a pair of small shields on both arms, she could stand against world’s greatest person Wei Gun-hye.

‘Rebound force adjustment. Husband Soul Shield’s martial power uses Transformation Realm’s true energy structure, Wife Soul Shield aims for counterattack techniques. No problem if I just deflect Moon Spirit Divine Energy’s first attacks.’

The beast shields hummed like blade songs.

Drum sounds were noisy, and pillars of light drove down from the distant sky. Thousands of arrows also rained. In the flow drawing giant curves like living things, even Heaven-Piercing Bow Master’s ultra-long range archery arrows mixed.

Suddenly Ta Yeon’s eye level dropped sharply. Because the ground sank greatly. All roars exceeded audible range. Only vibrations rushing in like thunder through skin.

Within that.

Wei Gun-hye walked fluttering her light green hair long. An appearance that allowed friend-foe identification even inside soil heaps surging like waves and layers of shockwaves, murky arrow rain. At this place only two Desolate Fortress Lords had hair reaching below their lower backs.

Ta Yeon saw herself reflected in Wei Gun-hye’s pupils. Suddenly before her face. Ta Yeon thought. This easily…?

Instantly, faint blade light arose.

Kwang!

As soon as she blocked the single sword that poured out softly like moonlight, she was flung away bodily. There wasn’t any gap to insert counterattack techniques. Only the scenery of dense bushes was hazily receding.

‘World’s greatest person…!’

Sword force’s superiority.

Precision’s superiority.

Combat experience was distant, and lightness skill was like a leaf in a typhoon. It was Wei Gun-hye’s true martial arts first revealed throughout one hundred fifty years.

When Ta Yeon who left the battlefield with one technique returned.

World Tree’s dragnet had already been broken through. No one could stop her advancing footwork. Unlike the foolish sword who was toyed with by Yu Ling’s dragnet once, Wei Gun-hye had no particular assistance.

This day.

The world’s greatest person disappeared treading the horizon.

To Ta Yeon’s eyes it was strange steps.

Peerless masters’ lightness skill should have intent seeping out, but there was no spirited feeling in her steps at all. She was only like a cracked leaf.

“She will return.”

It was beneath the largest tree. Wei Yeon continued speaking with a magnanimous face.

“That child is an existence who wielded the sword called Desolate Fortress for a long time. She’ll likely try to reclaim Lightning Genius by gathering Divine Sword Group’s military strength at Yangzhou Prefecture. Since he’s already been sucked into the divine tree, there’s no particular method…”

Then a clear voice fell onto the ruined land.

“When will unified Lightning Genius be?”

It was Heaven-Reaching Bow Count.

She alone exuded lightheartedness. She had been so continuously from right after Wei Gun-hye was completely expelled until now. At the sight of casually uttering even words with terrifying impact like ‘unified Lightning Genius,’ Ta Yeon shook her head from afar. They said she was Wei Gun-hye’s sister…

Wei Yeon was the same.

“For such an existence to unify with the clan tree is very difficult. Even with full power. Reverent Three Bow was easy only because she was mixed-blood.”

“So?”

“Two full moons must rise.”

“Faster than I thought.”

“It could have been much faster. If things like Northern Yu Ling, Tyrant Sword Sect, Blood Flame Sect, Zhuge Family weren’t annihilating earth energy everywhere… I repeatedly said national power should be used to punish those things. But Qian-ling only devoted his heart and soul to preserving the nation in northern wars. The result is now.”

Ta Yeon muttered from afar.

“He did well…?”

There was no one’s answer.

The next day, Wei Yeon’s order fell. Sporadic Form Shifting Void centered on World Tree’s main trunk occurred.

[Desolate Fortress Lord Jeong Yeon-shin entered the tree.]

The main trunk’s masters proclaimed on a large scale throughout the Central Plains. They posted proclamations in regions where noble clan bloodlines had rooted.

[To transform into noble clans through Bone Transformation. The guardian deity Desolate Fortress Lord Jeong, who solely protected the people’s livelihood, made such a decision, so chaotic Central Plains should stop fighting. World Tree will reorganize all under heaven.]

Jianghu surged. Even prestigious families and martial clans who maintained dignity joined, mainly with reactions calling it bullshit.