Chapter 768 – To My Younger Brother, The Heavenly Demon

A voice carried through Bright Wind Cave.

The tone was flustered. The story Hyeon Won-chang immediately continued was the same.

—I told you the previous Lord suddenly became number two. All the other names in the Life Register completely changed positions. So basically, this three-character name pushed everything else aside…

A brief silence flows.

It was the stillness of the Transcendent Peak masters within Bright Wind Cave’s transmission space. However, Hyeon Won-chang’s words weren’t finished.

—There’s more.

Rustle.

During energy circulation, Cheong Myeong swept his hand from his forehead to the crown of his head. Hair dyed an even deeper ash gray the moment Wei Yeon was killed.

Cheong Myeong opened his mouth again.

—…Whatever it is, summarize it briefly.

—I told you Lord Jeong’s name disappeared from the Life Register, but you seem not to have heard since you were in fierce battle. Also, Wudang’s Sect Leader Immortal was registered at eleven then disappeared as well.

—What?

—It’s acting completely arbitrarily, so honestly I wonder if the dharma treasure’s ability is exhausted. I mean, if it’s this name written at number one… wouldn’t that presence be felt even outside South Zhili? Since the World Tree’s fruit wouldn’t use Return to Origin either. And he’s not even himself…

Hyeon Won-chang’s voice stops.

He seemed to have sensed it. That the end of his story wasn’t being properly conveyed. Starting from the report that Jeong Yeon-shin’s name had disappeared.

“……”

Lazy Flame Dragon reacted. He had been lying down all along, but somehow raised his upper body. He quickly glanced at the black-rank seniors who were near corpses, then opened his parched mouth.

“You’ll need to perform proper distant energy transmission to this young master. Prepare roughly. Circulate Major Heavenly Circulation quickly.”

The black-ranks had intended to do so from the start anyway.

Xiahou Wei-jin spoke in a fading voice.

“The only techniques that can properly kill those damned unified nobles are your release force and the Deputy Group Leader’s formless sword. Only you two must remain intact until the war’s end.”

Though the Scorching Divine Meridian accomplished infinite absorption and emission on its own, that was only normally. To activate Jeong Family Dynamic Technique’s body preservation ability required true energy supply.

If it was Jeong Family Dynamic Technique true energy, all the better.

Lazy Flame Dragon looked alternately at Cheong Myeong, Baek Mi-ryeo, and Xiahou Wei-jin with closed eyes and said:

“I don’t think the Lord went wrong just because that dharma treasure couldn’t assess him. What do I care about some obsessed ranking maniac’s standards or limits? We just need to prepare to do what’s necessary at the right time.”

Words exhaled with internal energy breathing.

The Divine Sword Group now no longer assumed Jeong Yeon-shin’s death. Even while ceaselessly facing unified masters, it was the same.

At that moment.

Lazy Flame Dragon felt wind strike down like lightning through his Baihui acupoint. Intense pain that made him involuntarily contort his face.

‘World Tree?’

Some Six Directions Sound Transmission rang out.

[My twig, King Pure Affection.]

It was clearly Jeong Yeon-shin’s voice, but the intonation’s rise and fall was arbitrary. A feeling that didn’t cling to human propriety and law.

[Present the Resonance Spirit Leader.]

The World Tree’s fruit spoke like Jeong Yeon-shin.

* * *

Jeong Yeon-shin paused at the World Tree’s voice that spread even to Myriad View Place. Aside from the eeriness of a tree close to human, he repeated the name he had expected to emerge around now.

“Resonance Spirit Leader…”

The scenery on the wall was catastrophic.

The noble clan masters in the city center were elite selected even within the World Tree.

Most had outstanding spirits and wouldn’t break their will no matter how many times they died. Extremely few had given up on regeneration.

Such people formed a massive encirclement. On earthen ground with traces dented like craters overlapping in over ten places.

It was a dragnet that trapped a giant.

Literary Star was blankly gazing at the dawn breaking at sunrise. He appeared to have fainted while standing, yet no one approached.

They only regulated their breathing with mental techniques or surveyed the battlefield with energy perception. Even though Literary Star’s entire body was covered with dark blue sword wounds and swirling release force marks.

A monster of strange power who might rise again and crush bodies at any moment.

Some spat out with pale faces.

—…A being who shouldn’t exist in the mortal world. A body that distorts providence.

—It seems to be why the Divine Tree’s fruit manifestation was hastened.

Center of the encirclement.

Opposite the unconscious Literary Star.

The fake Jeong Yeon-shin was blood-soaked as if truly human. Though originally a wooden sculpture, his current skin even revealed bluish bruise marks.

His right arm that had been swinging Starry Night until now only hung limply. Traces of being broken and crushed at the elbow.

Ha—

Invincible beside him let out a hollow laugh. An expression of not caring whether King Qiong-ming and Wudang’s Immortal Profound Void approached or not.

She muttered.

“His head is mush. Even the Baihui acupoint must have been crushed.”

Words plainly describing the fake Jeong Yeon-shin’s condition. His features crushed here and there. Because he had allowed Literary Star’s fist strikes repeatedly.

—Kuguguguguung.

Even the energy waves in his facial area were gradually distorting. As if preparing another body.

‘Similar to a precursor of bone transformation.’

Jeong Yeon-shin asked calmly.

[If that were the real me, do you think I could survive in the same condition?]

“You want me to smash my younger brother’s head?”

[Is it possible with elder sister’s release force?]

“Huh? Hmm.”

Invincible pressed her brow as if adjusting a silver mask she no longer wore, then casually changed the subject.

“It’s an interesting question. Though I’d have to think about what method could maintain consciousness… I can’t tear up a soul with a crushed upper energy center’s power.”

[The Baihui acupoint’s Natural Energy absorption could remain unchanged even in that state. Probably quite likely.]

“If only we could bring it in that state and study it.”

Most of the conversation between the two had come to proceed like sword debate. Around then, Immortal Profound Void approached them and uttered the Taoist title Primal Peace and True Stability.

Faint internal energy exhalation.

[Immortal.]

Something difficult with a Wudang Sect Leader’s mental technique achievement. While raising a cupped fist salute, Jeong Yeon-shin observed him carefully.

Likewise, Immortal Profound Void tilted his head and opened his mouth.

“Why are only your arms and face floating in the mist? I almost attacked, mistaking that Divine Thief had returned to life.”

[It’s because the World Tree is trying to devour me. Commonly called unification.]

Immortal Profound Void shook his head while supporting King Qiong-ming whose eyes were half-closed.

“Primal Peace and True Stability…”

[Unlike me, your appearance is intact since you opened the tree bark with the Natural Sword to enter, but you look very weary.]

“It wasn’t ordinary. Not only did my wrist nearly dislocate, but the moment Wudang Ancient Sword touched the bark, my energy was sucked in like tree roots. Moreover…”

[There’s more?]

“It gnawed at my lifespan. Since considerable Innate True Energy dissipated, even now my upper energy center is dazed. As if dementia or such came to me.”

A tone saying it was a very unfamiliar feeling. Looking closely, Immortal Profound Void’s eye sockets were hazy like mist apart from his Three Purities Power.

‘Don’t say it, don’t say it.’

Jeong Yeon-shin blocked the thought. Then turned his head to King Qiong-ming who was slowly opening his eyes.

“Desolate Fortress Lord, Lightning Genius.”

[Your Majesty.]

In brief silence, the two’s gazes met momentarily. Past appearances were superimposed on each other. King Qiong-ming who had worn the Four Clawed Dragon Robe bestowed by the Emperor like a wanderer. Likewise, Jeong Yeon-shin for whom the purple robe bestowed by Emperor Qian-ling was somewhat awkward.

Now King Qiong-ming was blood-soaked, and Jeong Yeon-shin buried his body in colorless mist.

Their robes were hazy.

Also, King Qiong-ming would know how close Jeong Yeon-shin was to demon clan like Literary Star. That Jeong Yeon-shin had decided not to distinguish between the Demon Realm and Central Plains.

King Qiong-ming strongly emanated the World Tree’s grass scent. Whether he had cast Form Shifting Void several times with tree roots like Jeong Yeon-shin once did, or peeked at the World Tree’s vision, or performed both, it wouldn’t be strange.

King Qiong-ming slowly opened his mouth.

“You’ve done well. You’ve done well.”

[……]

“Consequently, the World Tree came to need Resonance Spirit Leader. Because even after imitating unified you, it was briefly blocked by Literary Star. It won though, but must have realized it was insufficient to act like a god.”

What the tree wants isn’t human jianghu, King Qiong-ming concluded. Jeong Yeon-shin immediately asked.

[Did Senior Resonance Spirit Leader fall into the World Tree’s clutches?]

Resonance Spirit Leader Nameless One.

Jeong Yeon-shin only heard from Yong Hye-myeong after formally inheriting Enter The Divine Sword. He wanted to meet once, but they hadn’t exchanged even a single letter after entering the chaotic age.

Immortal Tree Spirit Squad and Resonance Spirit Squad.

Though “Spirit” (靈) meant spiritual duty, the two military forces did opposite things.

Immortal Tree Spirit Squad boosted earth energy.

Resonance Spirit Squad was the opposite.

With overwhelming energy accumulation divine arts, they carried the essence of earth energy in their middle energy centers.

—Earth energy’s essence. Literally what could be called the earth’s spirituality… When buried in the ground, the earth remains fertile for long, and grants deep internal energy endurance to special mental technique practitioners. That’s why Resonance Spirit Squad handles true energy supply. Very interesting fellows.

Divine Sword Group’s Resonance Spirit Squad.

Stories of repeatedly absorbing and fleeing from plains owned by numerous imperial family members.

Yong Hye-myeong’s face as he spoke like a storyteller was rarely excited.

—Among them, Resonance Spirit Leader is someone who abandoned Three Flowers Gathering at Crown long ago. After obsessively immersing himself in energy accumulation, he wanders only the outskirts fearing the World Tree will chase him. For some reason, even the Lord never summoned him differently… Rather, several Divine Sword Group military forces were mobilized to help him hide his whereabouts.

Only recently did Jeong Yeon-shin learn the reason.

Resonance Spirit Leader’s middle energy center was immensely vast earth energy essence. Also his master’s arrangement anticipating the World Tree’s tyranny someday.

‘When the tree that used earth energy like water seeks to build internal energy endurance.’

For instance, in moments like now, so the World Tree’s purpose wouldn’t be fulfilled merely by accumulating earth energy. So they could buy time, at least briefly.

Thoughts formed in the peerless realm.

Jeong Yeon-shin perceived.

[…The World Tree found Senior Resonance Spirit Leader long ago.]

King Qiong-ming nodded and spoke with a heavy face.

“The Northern King known as an eccentric was someone like Divine Righteousness. A branch of the World Tree, meaning an avatar.”

Jeong Yeon-shin muttered unconsciously.

[Northern King Pure Affection.]

What had he felt when briefly seeing her?

A presence like a branch swaying in the wind. He thought she seemed similar to Divine Physician. Since the Demon Realm accepted even Vajra, Blood King, and Demon Contempt Blade, a noble clan Northern King wasn’t significant.

“A different existence from Divine Physician who awakened self-awareness. It’s something I learned after entering here, but the World Tree poured its heart and soul into crafting ‘Pure Affection King.’ So she would fall for Resonance Spirit Leader, so she could bind him who was close to a wanderer with great warrior status, so she could be unified and descend when the time came…”

Resonance Spirit Leader was a wanderer.

A hero who stole earth energy from the World Tree. He became involved in all manner of incidents connected to Nine Sects leaders as well as centuries-old Murong Family Head and Northern Kings, and left many lands.

Now reaching this point, the World Tree tried to devour Resonance Spirit Leader. For what purpose?

King Qiong-ming declared.

“After you, only Zhang Sanfeng remains. An obvious story. To undergo bone transformation into Zhang Sanfeng would require absurdly massive energy.”

[I see.]

“Resonance Spirit Leader must be considered already captured. Also, since there’s no way to win against the World Tree that manifested Zhang Sanfeng’s body, we have no choice but to somehow scheme against the tree here. While Dream Flight and Ominous Dream buy time.”

Jeong Yeon-shin thought silently.

‘Still the same.’

The appearance of a monarch still showed.

Jeong Yeon-shin intended to leave not only Myriad View Place but also the World Tree, but to King Qiong-ming there seemed no picture of competing with and defeating Zhang Sanfeng. He merely continued speaking smoothly.

“Energy circulation isn’t working now, is it? We’ll sever the unification between you and the tree first. Of course, one must be able to touch or strike spirituality… Besides you, the only one capable of such things would be the greatest weaponsmith under heaven.”

Jeong Yeon-shin couldn’t finish his words. Because Immortal Profound Void suddenly smiled and moved to one side.

Kwang!

Two people who fell after smashing through Myriad View Place’s ceiling.

Both were iron clan with small, sturdy builds. One was Iron Demon Spring Leader Ji Gang-hyeon who had been absent quite long, the other person was also familiar.

“I greet my master.”

He raised both hands together with a hammer made of stuck-together stone fragments.

Poison King Tang Woon-hwang. The Tang Family Head.

Only then seeming to find leisure, King Qiong-ming spoke softly with faint breath.

“I brought him with the tree roots’ Form Shifting Void. The nobles discovered us in that process. Originally it was a countermeasure prepared for when your master was unified… Anyway, everything is inferior to sturdiness.”

On the other hand, Tang Woon-hwang didn’t even glance at King Qiong-ming. Approaching to Jeong Yeon-shin’s feet, he only looked him up and down.

Sunken eyes tinged with anger.

“I cannot overlook that appearance. Unification, you look like kindling about to enter a furnace.”

[Senior.]

“I’ll begin without asking questions.”

Instantly Tang Woon-hwang’s hammer shattered and scattered on its own, each piece beginning to emit faint silver light.

Wuuung—

A low resonant sound.

In that moment, Jeong Yeon-shin sensed with upper energy center insight.

‘This energy’s movement.’

The same technique as when the Tang siblings hammered Remaining Thunder. Though he hadn’t seen the moment Remaining Thunder was created, he knew because he had made that sword his body.

Only difference was Tang Woon-hwang had used the stone fragments’ clusters of light as hammer strikes.

Tang Family weaponsmithing that hammered spirituality into metal to create divine weapons.

‘…Being able to forge something means one can also break it.’

Jeong Yeon-shin raised his head. Across the grayish-white Milky Way. Tang Woon-hwang wore a small smile.

Tang Woon-hwang began softly.

“Heaven and earth are naturally still and do not move.”

A formula like divine arts’ energy burst. The more repeated, the stronger the ability. Meanwhile, Jeong Yeon-shin felt like tracing past years with thought. Even in the moment plainly receiving Tang Woon-hwang’s recitation.

[…Yet that energy never stops or rests.]

“Though night and day noisily change.”

[Those petals do not change through eternity.]

Myriad Heavens Flower Rain.

Stone fragments floating around like petals struck toward Jeong Yeon-shin in an instant.

Kugugugugugugugugung!

Along with violent vibrations as if thunder struck Myriad View Place, Jeong Yeon-shin felt energy perception of sensory paths exploding in all directions line by line. In a flash surpassing Myriad View Place, passing through the vast tree, becoming one with spring wind.

King Qiong-ming nearby rapidly spoke.

“Proper preparation is necessary. However, the opponent is unified nobles… In a situation where Divine Sword Group masters will die, I don’t know if you can concentrate on cutting the tree.”

Suddenly Jeong Yeon-shin’s Six Directions Voice Transmission burst outside the World Tree. While sending tremendous energy wave pulses.

[Silent Radiance Sword Constellation.]

“You…!”

King Qiong-ming reached out then hesitated.

The scenery on Myriad View Place’s walls was rapidly changing. The sunlight gradually revealing its face was covered by dark blue night sky, and one of the constellations covering the sky glowed mysteriously. Like a star about to drip blood.

As far as Jeong Yeon-shin knew, it was the energy waves of the most magnificent person when wielding a sword.

He roared like a lion.

[Desolate Fortress.]

“……!”

[Take up your sword.]

Myriad View Place’s walls alternated between multiple scenes simultaneously.

The Divine Sword Group’s martial military forces’ weapons began flickering with dark crimson light.

While the Heavenly Steel Light Armor of demon realm masters climbing the World Tree in reverse was swallowed by dark red radiance.

Kwang!

Before Literary Star’s feet, a massive Dark Night Brilliant Blood Demon Sword was driven in.