Chapter 757 – Three Radiances Demon (3)

World Tree’s movement.

It was literally earth-shaking.

The movement itself equaled natural disasters. Many things naturally changed.

Those engaging in fierce combat in the main trunk had to maintain balance with lightness skill even at moments determining life and death. According to Lazy Flame Dragon’s wide-range energy sensation, it was chaotic.

Not only that.

Including him, people who had been outside World Tree were also problematic. Because they encountered massive tree roots.

“Entirely like wood dragons, but fire won’t even catch well…”

Hwaaaaaaaak!

Lazy Flame Dragon muttered while lightly stepping on roots writhing from ground to distant sky. White smoke rose from beneath his feet. The tree bark he stepped on might scorch slightly but wouldn’t burn.

It was the same no matter how much Scorching Yang Energy he drove in.

Terrain defying natural order.

A tree opposing heaven.

“But why has it stopped?”

Lazy Flame Dragon glanced at the tree’s back that had stopped so abruptly. Because it became too quiet for something that moved as if to overturn all under heaven.

As if it had already reached the world’s edge.

‘As if some giant suddenly appeared and blocked the tree.’

But Lazy Flame Dragon couldn’t extend his energy sensation that far.

The distance spanning about two major cities’ diameter was secondary. If he paid any more attention elsewhere, he didn’t know where disaster might occur.

The forces he detained were only masters considered monsters even within World Tree.

“You’ll die like that.”

A woman clad in blue lightning flashed past saying so.

The one-armed great king, Vajra.

The movement of her passing Lazy Flame Dragon and falling to the ground was like light rays. It was the point where enemies gathered most at this moment. Several noble clans were aiming somewhere with ultra-long-range archery when they got swept up by her and exploded.

Kwareureung! Puhwak!

Most peerless masters routinely transcend even sound for brief moments during combat.

But her lightness skill, Thunder Opposition, was of a different caliber in its persistence and explosive force. To the extent of freely changing opponents between not only the two Nine Complete Guests but also between Sun Direction General and Qingcheng Sect Leader.

Lazy Flame Dragon watched Vajra bouncing around like lightning and muttered.

“Good grief, for someone of her mature years.”

Was it thanks to her Thunder Lightning Art?

Though the loss of one arm lowered her essence-energy-spirit balance and total accumulated energy, she freely rampaged on battlefields with those stronger than her.

It was worth emulating.

The Desolate Fortress’s poppy addict was someone who ought to accumulate only achievements that overwhelmed other Radiant Demon Wing warriors. His natural talent was like that from the start, and the degree of disfavor he’d initially earned was different too.

‘That lightness skill and that fighting method… seems like I could roughly follow it…’

Crackle.

It was when sparks burst like lightning from beneath his feet. In a brief moment, powerful energy waves collided dozens of times far below. Along with vibrations that seemed to overturn the very earth’s skin.

Zzzejejejejejejeong!

[Why do even you scheme against the World Tree?]

[To leave my name behind.]

Sun Direction General and Wandering Star.

Though to Lazy Flame Dragon it didn’t matter how the ‘peerless old folks’ quarreled, Wandering Star’s fickleness was quite appreciated. This, despite Beijing’s Great Righteous Orthodox Alliance being swept by the Yao tribe’s martial military forces, and even he himself losing to the combined attack of Vajra, Gao Yao Holy Sword Lord, and Lazy Flame Dragon.

—I hear your master cut the Gate.

—So the rumor goes. But what is your intent in mentioning that now…?

—Things I should have taken responsibility for were trampled miserably and disappeared. In such a case, one should naturally scheme for oneself. That is what a ronin does.

—Are you asking me to spare you?

—Nonsense. If I were to flee here, how could you lot catch me? I’m not even the Beggar Sect’s head beggar… So let’s make a trade.

The trade’s content was simple.

If they helped him receive the Gate Severing oral instructions from Jeong Yeon-shin, he would, in return, teach Lazy Flame Dragon his lifetime’s learnings.

‘All peerless masters besides me are madmen.’

He had no reason to refuse.

The era flowed like waves. Therefore, Lazy Flame Dragon guessed without even needing to assess with his upper energy center’s spirit that Jeong Yeon-shin was troubled by Gate Severing.

—You seem to be looking for someone to make a request of, but do you know that Lord Desolate Day Extinction is of Radiant Demon Wing background?

—Oh?

—Those Radiant Demon Wing people poured their hearts out for me, someone who would die young. So much so that they even tried to personally pick out my grave site? Since the Group Leader—no, the Lord—is also like a brother to them, just trust me on this.

He drew Wandering Star in fluently.

Lazy Flame Dragon thought his entirely truthful words would have resonated more than talk of Gate Severing.

It was the rare empathy of warriors who had exchanged a satisfying life-and-death duel. A state where one feels the opponent’s heart closer than a companion’s.

—Not entirely trustworthy, but… In that case, this old man will subtly follow you folks as if present yet absent. The vigor needed to cut the Gates seems anything but ordinary.

It was more than just fast resignation.

He was an outright eccentric.

He calmly found his next goal even after losing the Great Righteous Orthodox Alliance overnight. The old ronin’s conduct had always been similar since Beijing. It was ridiculous, as if life were a picnic.

Was it because he had lived enough?

Or was it the madness of a peerless master?

To the current Lazy Flame Dragon, it seemed the latter.

‘I don’t know what he suddenly felt to make him step forward. His Sensation Path’s range must be far wider than mine.’

Kwaaaaaaaaaang!

He glanced at the World Tree’s back from a branch that had suddenly descended. He deflected the tremendous counter-force driving into his leg from below with his other leg.

“What’s happening?”

Though dimly, it was clearly visible. The scene of the tree now completely stopped in its forward movement. The tree exuded a strange atmosphere. It even seemed like whitish smoke was rising in clouds from the suffocatingly vast trunk.

—Can you strike?

“My acupoints have cooled appropriately.”

He answered composedly to Gao Yao Holy Sword Lord’s voice transmission.

Unlike Lazy Flame Dragon’s calm conduct, the war situation was turning urgently.

Kwakwakwakwakwakwakwang!

“Aaaaaaaah!”

“Where are you aiming…?!”

Sun Direction General’s Eighteen Weapons sword control bombardments couldn’t hit the mysteriously moving Wandering Star, and instead grazed Qingcheng Taoist’s sword, then swept through the World Tree’s martial military forces like a storm, massacring them.

The World Tree masters nearby naturally caught a glimpse of that sunset-tinged Qingcheng sword. Simultaneously, Great King Vajra lightly stepped on Qingcheng Taoist’s blade, spreading crackling lightning, and Qingcheng Taoist’s palm immediately flung her to the horizon.

At the same time, Gao Yao Holy Sword Lord’s greatsword driving down at Qingcheng Taoist was blocked by the two Nine Complete Guests holding bell willow leaf sabers.

A feast of master realm studies.

At that instant, Lazy Flame Dragon’s eyes caught Vajra slowing her speed amidst bright blue lightning. It was the scene of Thunder Energy, counted among the most difficult forces to handle under heaven, replacing her hands and feet.

Likewise worth learning.

“…It seems this place doesn’t need me?”

With two more allies—

Lazy Flame Dragon glanced at Qingcheng Taoist meaningfully. He was a Taoist who looked quite naive compared to his martial prowess, and Lazy Flame Dragon didn’t know what he was scheming in the depths of the World Tree. Would he not die young if discovered?

‘Though why would I worry about anyone.’

He turned on his heel.

Hundreds of noble clans flying like ghosts toward the distant World Tree were visible. They were likely to lend hands to their allies. Whether it was to certainly capture and kill the Divine Sword Group inside the main trunk, or to suppress the unknown events now occurring at the World Tree’s front.

Even amid that, someone was trying to block them. A one-legged giant on the verge of being torn apart by a forest of blades.

[You can’t go, you bastards!]

It was Xiahou Wei-jin.

All kinds of curses poured forth, propelled by internal energy breathing.

“You are also a betrayer of the tribe. Just close your eyes now.”

“Aren’t you ashamed? You were highly renowned as the most tribal super-master under heaven, the Forest Treading Leader, Thousand Fist Dragon Power Duke.”

“You enjoyed your inborn talent and pride to the fullest, and now you turn your back on all that…? You wicked one.”

It wasn’t difficult to extract him.

Lazy Flame Dragon brought Xiahou Wei-jin over by briefly blurring in place.

The hot-blooded Forest Treading Leader had until then been flailing about, a boulder somehow attached to the severed surface of his leg. Only that Suction Technique seemed tremendously solid.

[You should have let me keep enjoying it! I should have remained always proud and lofty! I should have left my dignity behind even if all under heaven ended…!]

He seemed to be vomiting blood.

Only after Lazy Flame Dragon patted his back several times did he come to his senses. Soon, Xiahou Wei-jin coughed politely, his appearance blood-soaked.

“The Radiant Demon Wing’s poppy addict. Well, are you okay?”

“That’s my line.”

“Idiot. I’m talking about your child.”

“…You managed to reach here, but what about the Yao tribe folks?”

“They will come soon. As if I would be slower than them.”

This was his speed even with one-leg lightness skill. It was possible because he was originally someone counted among the Seventeen Great Squad Leaders in terms of accumulated energy.

But to the current Xiahou Wei-jin, nothing seemed to bring him particular pride. Even though Lazy Flame Dragon had heard he was counted among the most arrogant at the Wish for Peace Sword Hall.

“Those who claim to be chivalrous all seem to be converging here from all under heaven.”

Xiahou Wei-jin continued talking with a somewhat dazed face.

“Except for the Nine Great Sects or some righteous sects absorbed in the Gates and the people’s livelihood. Look here too. It’s only master bastards flaunting such strange techniques… Where should you and I, where should we start? The Divine Sword Group seems to be in danger.”

His words were incoherent.

Was it because he was resisting the unity?

Even for a brief moment, his hair seemed to have whitened further. Like a candle wick passed through by fire and wind. It was naturally a phenomenon all the noble clans of the Divine Sword Group would experience.

Where was the end of it?

Jeong Yeon-shin’s heart must not become like that.

‘It’s already burned so much. If I lose any more, I won’t be able to survive.’

That was why he didn’t bother to correct his affiliation to the Divine Sword Squad’s Lazy Flame Dragon. Because there were things more important than the military unit’s banner.

“…Hmm?”

Suddenly Lazy Flame Dragon turned his head. And trailed off.

“Why is that side…?”

It was right after a noble clan swordsman landed close by, his black robe fluttering. The Radiant Demon Wing Leader, Cheong Myeong. When the laughter left his face, he always looked this chilly.

“Lazy Dragon, it’s urgent business.”

“No, I asked why you’re already in such a state.”

Some noble clans’ hair was a light golden, pale enough to reflect silver in the moonlight, but the moment they transformed into faded noble clans, it became completely bleached.

Like reed fields burning and scattering.

Cheong Myeong was the same.

A state where he could no handle the great nature’s spirituality as before, and from the depths of his heart, feelings of loss rose like wildfire.

Martial decline and extreme inner demons occurred simultaneously. It was information he knew because he was, nominally, the Hwangbo Family’s great heir.

But Cheong Myeong only asked expressionlessly. He was holding another black robe, rolled up in his hand.

“You, can you compete with the Fighting God?”

“What kind of grass-eating nonsense is that… No, excuse me.”

“We need to block Clan Leader Wei Yeon, but she just beat the Fighting God. The information says she uses the Transcendent Martial Art like water. If you say you’ll try, Mi-ryeo and I will assist you.”

Flutter.

Suddenly, the black robe Cheong Myeong threw draped over Lazy Flame Dragon’s shoulders. Simultaneously, a slight breeze extended the pitch-black robe hems down to his feet. He looked like he’d been in the middle of adjusting his attire.

Cheong Myeong said.

“You are the temporary Immortal Tree Spirit Leader.”

Lazy Flame Dragon was speechless.

The black robe contained Luminous Wheel Energy.

Rustle.

The moment it touched his skin, it intensified the Scorching Divine Meridian’s searing pain, making it more agonizing, while beginning to inflate his energy density, even if only minutely. Suddenly, it felt as if Jeong Yeon-shin had spoken to him bluntly: ‘If it’s unbearable, return—’

Kwang!

From the next moment, they began running. Southward. Belatedly, Xiahou Wei-jin asked Cheong Myeong.

“What about me…?”

“Xiahou Leader is Xiahou Leader. There are many martial military forces to handle.”

Instantly, Lazy Flame Dragon faintly adjusted his direction. It was originally the southwest direction where the Fighting God’s energy waves had occurred. No one said anything, and they sprinted in a straight line without circling the World Tree. They did so even at the very moment they encountered the World Tree, now entirely crimson-colored, in the near future.

Hwareureureureuk!

Many questions melted away together with countless tree barks… Were his wife and child safe? Did the Fighting God truly lose? To what extent was the earth energy being scattered to their tribes from this monster tree’s lifetime of accumulated energy? Since the position of Immortal Tree Spirit Leader was quite esteemed, there’d be no giving it back even if the original owner returned? Seeing the black robe fixed well by his shoulder’s Suction Technique, maybe the Jeong Family Dynamic Technique’s secret oral instructions were just empty boasting…

Thudkwang!

They exited the World Tree’s outskirts by kicking away not-yet-fully-burned tree bark. It was possible because Cheong Myeong’s sword energy endlessly extended from behind, clearing the way.

“They’ve passed the Seventh Wall and the Sixth Wall. We must block her before the Clan Leader intervenes in other battlefields… You came just in time.”

Dusk had spread out before them.

A land made of tree vines.

A one-eyed cripple leaned obliquely against a cut tree stump, smiling faintly. The figure looking down at him, having merely bent at the waist, was a tall old woman.

Both sides resembled strange gods from the Classic of Mountains and Seas more than people. Enough for Xiahou Wei-jin to mutter before even spotting Baek Mi-ryeo.

“Honestly, it’s insane. No less than facing the unified martial military forces alone…”

Words that made one’s mind go distant.

The World Tree was a colony of noble clan masters. Rather than a small number of peerless masters, it was those martial military forces, equivalent to a nation, that constituted its main force.

Lazy Flame Dragon muttered while circulating his true energy in a Major Heavenly Circulation.

“Come to think of it… About ten thousand of them gathered where this tree stopped advancing south. Isn’t that the bigger problem?”

The south. It was the origin point of Mencius Unwavering.

“No need to worry about that.”

Cheong Myeong shook his head. His bright blue eye radiance flashed. It seemed to be a true energy resonance within the Bright Wind Cave’s voice transmission space.

He would be hearing all kinds of information, and even now he seemed to be checking the details. The details of the immortal ten thousand martial military forces that had headed south.

Soon, Cheong Myeong moved his lips, his voice dry.

“They have now given up on reviving.”

“……”

A giant’s outcry seemed to echo faintly in the far distance.