“Finally, we meet, Seed of the Ten Thousand Demonic Lord.”
Even from a distance, the voice sounded as though it were whispering directly into Seo-jun's ear, causing him to furrow his brow.
“What nonsense are you spouting?”
Seo-jun, who was adept at playing the role of Baek Seo-jun or Cheon Seo-jun, had mastered the art of deception. His expression, which clearly suggested he had no idea what was being said, caused the Priestess to falter momentarily.
But she couldn’t help but scoff shortly after. Did this man truly not realize his own state?
“Even having reached the Extreme Demonic Mastery, with such stable demonic energy, and that peculiar aura—similar to but distinct from Extreme Demonic Mastery—it’s too much evidence to ignore. Despite never having heard of someone achieving such a realm, and on top of that, the horns growing from your head—how could you deny it? The signs clearly point to you being the Seed of the Ten Thousand Demonic Lord.”
She hadn’t even mentioned it outright, but the purity of the demonic energy Seo-jun wielded during their battle had been akin to that of the Heavenly Demon.
For someone with such command over demonic energy not to be the Seed of the Ten Thousand Demonic Lord would be more suspicious.
Though it seemed intentionally muddied now, the Priestess was no fool.
Seo-jun clicked his tongue at the Priestess’s unwavering gaze. It seemed fooling her wasn’t an option. Even if he denied it, they’d likely take him away to confirm it anyway.
“Fine. I’m the future Heavenly Demon, Cheon Seo-jun.”
“Pardon?”
“Enough. How did you find me so quickly? I thought the distance between here and the Demonic Cult was considerable.”
“The eyes of the Cult are everywhere in Tian Shan. It would be stranger if we hadn’t found you, given how much noise you’ve made. As for the slower-moving demonic cultivators, they’re easy to gather from nearby.”
Ah. That made sense upon reflection.
As Seo-jun scratched his chin in slight embarrassment, the Priestess began to approach him with slow, deliberate steps.
“Why not come with us peacefully? We’ve prepared much for you.”
“And if I refuse?”
“Then we will have no choice but to take you by force.”
The two demonic cultivators by the Priestess’s side revealed their overwhelming presence—both were masters of the fully matured Extreme Demonic Mastery. Even if Seo-jun had reached the Fiery Demonic Transformation Realm, the gap in power was evident.
The higher one’s realm, the greater the disparity within it. The difference between the entry and peak stages of the same realm was far greater than the barrier separating two entire realms.
Of course, given that his opponents were demonic cultivators, Seo-jun might hold some advantage due to opposing natures.
As Seo-jun’s expression twisted in contemplation, the Priestess gestured around her.
“You’re already surrounded. No matter how powerful you are, it’s impossible to break through the two Extreme Demonic Masters and our Heavenly Net Formation.”
“…”
“Besides, you must feel it yourself. Your home is here. There’s no need to fight your instincts. Unless you’ve truly mastered the Reversal Path, you will inevitably return to the Cult.”
“My instincts?”
Seo-jun scowled.
What kind of nonsense was that? He didn’t feel any particular urge to return to the Cult.
As his eyebrows twitched, the Priestess, seemingly keen on persuasion, began to explain in detail.
“The conflict with Kunlun was also because of your instincts. Once you heard the news, you were naturally drawn to the Cult, and when you encountered the demonic energy directly, your instincts led you to step into Tian Shan.”
“So… you’re saying an entire war broke out because of me?”
“Yes. It was only natural, as it was the Mara Lord’s wish.”
Seo-jun scoffed at the Priestess’s words. He extended his hand and grasped the air firmly.
“In that case, it was all a waste. I’ve already seized the Reversal Path.”
Indeed, the soft sensation he had felt earlier seemed off—turns out, Chunbong’s cheeks harbored the essence of the Reversal Path.
“…I’d rather not take you by force.”
“Don’t worry. You won’t be able to.”
“Haa… Then I have no choice.”
At the Priestess’s signal, the two demonic cultivators stepped forward. They were the Sword Demon and the Greed Demon.
The Greed Demon, drooling profusely, asked with a sneer, “Priestess, as long as he’s alive, it’s fine, right?”
“Capture him without causing too much harm.”
“Heh, we’ll see.”
At that moment, Seo-jun moved. The five rings behind him rotated to align in a single row, and the hundreds of eyes embedded in the three flowers shone brilliantly.
Reversal Celestial Sun and Moon Arts.
Swoooooosh────
Hundreds of beams erupted from the eyes, passing through the Five Qi Convergence rings in sequence, amplifying their power each time. The beams then merged into a massive pillar of energy.
By amplifying the Reversal Celestial Sun and Moon Arts five times, the resulting power and range exceeded its original form by a significant margin.
BOOOOOOM────────!!
The Priestess stepped forward as the descending pillar of energy bore down upon them. Her eyes flickered with divine flames.
“Grant that the smallest flame remains unwavering amidst the fiercest storms.”
Fwoosh—! A small spark ignited in midair, meeting the pillar head-on. It seemed insignificant at first, but—
FWOOM───────!!
In an instant, the spark flared from within, consuming and obliterating the Reversal Celestial Sun and Moon Arts’ pillar.
However, as the Priestess held her ground, her brow furrowed. In the chaos, the Seed of the Ten Thousand Demonic Lord had already fled.
“Pursue him.”
“As you command.”
The Sword Demon immediately dashed forward, followed closely by the Greed Demon.
Meanwhile, Seo-jun, sprinting at full speed, encountered more demonic cultivators blocking his path. Though he could escape into the air, he risked interference from the Extreme Demonic Masters.
“Tsk…”
Inhaling sharply, Seo-jun steadied his footing midair. The earth (地) symbolized refinement (精), and he channeled the burden on his body into his sword.
Heavenly Demon Divine Sword, Second Stance: Sweeping Through Thousands.
Swinging his sword horizontally, it tore through space—
SCREEEEEEECH────────
Cleaving the entire landscape in two. As its name implied, it was a single strike meant to sweep away an army of thousands.
Though he couldn’t cut through thousands due to the spread of demonic cultivators, hundreds were felled in an instant.
They were now literally “demon-doubles.”
“Haha…!”
Laughing brightly, Seo-jun spun around, swinging his sword again.
Shiiiing—! The Sword Demon, who had caught up, deflected Seo-jun’s blade. With calm eyes, he declared, “Your resistance is futile.”
Swish, swish—! The Sword Demon’s precise strikes left vivid marks in the air. Seo-jun surrendered himself to the tingling sensation in his mind.
‘Harmony of Heaven, Earth, and Man.’
Ultimately, it was the harmony of vertical strikes, horizontal slashes, and thrusts—the essence of swordsmanship itself. When Heaven, Earth, and Man united, the foundation of swordsmanship was complete.
If so, then inversely, using swordsmanship to achieve the harmony of Heaven, Earth, and Man would suffice.
Harmony with nature itself.
As Seo-jun swung his sword, the space around him ruptured and twisted.
BOOOOOM──────!!
The Sword Demon staggered back two steps, blocking the strike. Seo-jun, having reached another realization, imbued it into his Heavenly Demon Divine Arts.
Harmony between nature and man. Inner balance of Essence, Energy, and Spirit.
Reject harmony and seize the Reversal Path to place all beneath your feet.
Heavenly Demon Dominion Step.
THOOOOOOM────────!!
Under the immense pressure, the Sword Demon’s body froze momentarily.
“Hmm...”
His demonic energy began to waver, momentarily escaping his control under Seo-jun’s will.
‘Is this about right?’
With each passing moment, new realizations struck Seo-jun. Beneath the Heavenly Demon Divine Arts, the logic of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sword and Heavenly Demon Dominion Step solidified. As his martial techniques grew closer to perfection, Seo-jun’s spirit soared to even greater heights.
Yet, even so, it was still too soon to face the Seven Demons.
The Greed Demon, ignoring the pressure, charged forward with a twisted grin, both hands reaching out.
“I’ve got you...!”
Grabbing Seo-jun’s arm, the Greed Demon opened his mouth wide.
Crunch—! Seo-jun’s left arm was torn off and devoured.
Through the sharp pain, Seo-jun twisted his lips into a mocking smile.
“Eating random things won’t do you any good.”
Boom—! Seo-jun’s arm exploded within the Greed Demon’s mouth. It was the Blood Art.
“Ugh...!?”
Even as blood sprayed everywhere, the Greed Demon gulped it down with ease, his eyes gleaming ominously.
“How do you know the Blood Art...?”
Buzz—! Between Seo-jun’s horns, a sphere of condensed demonic energy the size of a fist began to form. It was a meticulously crafted Reversal Celestial Sun and Moon Art.
“Try eating this too.”
Swoooosh—
Clicking his tongue, the Greed Demon extended both hands. Mouths opened on his palms, their jaws spreading wide.
Chomp—! The mouths on his hands swallowed the Reversal Celestial Sun and Moon Art whole, consuming its energy completely.
The Greed Demon’s body trembled violently.
“This level of refined demonic energy is insane!”
His face flushed red, and his eyes rolled back. His lower body swelled and grew damp, betraying his frenzy.
“Give me more!”
The Greed Demon charged again. Already engaged with the Sword Demon, Seo-jun clicked his tongue and released his sword.
Buzz—!
The demonic sword hummed with delight as it moved freely through the air. The self-wielding sword clashed with the Sword Demon, while Seo-jun condensed the surrounding energy into his hand. It formed into a long blade.
Mountain-Crushing Strike.
Boom—! The descending blade struck the Greed Demon, who raised both hands to block it.
“Urgh...!”
The beast-like mouths on his hands seized Seo-jun’s energy blade. Seo-jun smirked.
“Scatter.”
At the command of the Ten Thousand Demonic Lord, the Greed Demon’s grip faltered as the energy in his hands destabilized.
Slash—! Seo-jun’s blade slipped through the gap, slicing through the Greed Demon’s palms.
“Haha...!”
Even as his palms were cut, the Greed Demon managed to gnaw at part of Seo-jun’s energy blade, his delight unmistakable.
“Crazy bastard.”
Seo-jun recoiled in disbelief, but at that moment, the Sword Demon broke through the self-wielding sword. His gleaming eyes approached Seo-jun at close range.
“This will sting.”
Swish, swish—! The Sword Demon’s blade, moving faster than light, sliced through Seo-jun’s limbs in an instant.
Now limbless, Seo-jun erupted into laughter.
“How soft!”
Drip—bloodlines connected Seo-jun’s torso and severed limbs, reattaching them seamlessly. His left arm, devoured earlier by the Greed Demon, was replaced with pure demonic energy.
Taking a deep breath, Seo-jun’s eyes glinted.
“If this fight drags on, you won’t be able to handle me.”
As the battle progressed, Seo-jun swiftly adapted to controlling the demonic energy around him.
Reversal Celestial Sun and Moon Qi.
Dozens of energy blades formed in the air, each one imbued with the power of Reversal Celestial Sun and Moon Qi.
The Sword Demon sighed, closing his mouth.
“How troublesome.”
Crack—! Veins bulged across the Sword Demon’s body. He unleashed the Reverse Blood Asura Demonic Art, a demonic technique that utilized reverse blood energy.
As his blood circulated in reverse, power surged through his entire body.
Swoosh—
The Sword Demon’s strikes, faster than the speed of light, slashed through all of Seo-jun’s energy blades.
Before Seo-jun could even register it, the blades were destroyed. Even he couldn’t help but be surprised.
‘What the hell...’
Seo-jun sensed he was in deep trouble. This was much worse than expected.
Well, it made sense. Being one of the strongest seven in the Demonic Cult, it would be strange if he were weak.
Time seemed to stretch as Seo-jun observed the Sword Demon’s blade closing in. He didn’t feel fear—if anything, he felt exhilaration.
His consciousness burned brightly as he reached out. Reversal of Yin and Yang. Exchange of Demonic and Pure.
Balancing Essence, Energy, and Spirit, Seo-jun established his own center and connected with the natural order.
‘I think I’ve got this.’
Relying on instinct, he seized it. Heaven, Earth, and Man in harmony, with him at the center.
Man becomes energy, connecting Essence and Spirit through Qi.
Reversing Yin and Yang, Demonic and Pure, Heaven and Earth themselves were overturned.
Great Heaven and Earth Reversal.
Swoosh—!
The Sword Demon’s oncoming blade reversed its trajectory, swinging back toward the Sword Demon’s own face. Eyes wide, he spun his body and retreated just in time.
“What the...!”
The Sword Demon raised his blade toward Seo-jun with a wary expression, narrowing his eyes. A thin stream of blood dripped down his cheek.
Taking a deep breath to steady the nausea surging within him, Seo-jun exhaled deeply.
‘That was way too close.’
The Great Heaven and Earth Reversal—a technique that overturns Heaven and Earth—had also reversed his own Essence and Spirit.
Thankfully, his Essence, Energy, and Spirit were already steeped in demonic energy. Had they remained as they were, his body would’ve disintegrated on the spot.
If Essence, Energy, and Spirit turned to Pure, it would’ve been catastrophic. But as long as they were Demonic, flipping them was fine.
Swallowing the bile that rose to his throat, Seo-jun steadied himself.
“More! Give me more!”
Unyielding, the Greed Demon charged again. Just as Seo-jun prepared to unleash the Heavenly Demon Divine Sword—
BOOOOOOM──────!!!
From a distance, a massive burst of demonic energy struck the Greed Demon, sending him tumbling.
“Ugh...! What is this?”
Barely recovering, the Greed Demon widened his eyes. Even before he saw it, the sheer presence made him tremble.
As he finally looked up, his breath hitched, and a groan escaped his lips.
“Guhh...”
In the far distance, a mountain loomed. The overwhelming aura that crushed the world brought a twitch to the Greed Demon’s lips.
“Beast Demon...!”
RUMBLE──────
The sky darkened with shadows. Above the clouds, a massive eye gleamed.
Its lone remaining horn cast a shadow upon the ground, and a deer lowered its head, collapsing the vast distance into nothingness.
Even that simple motion summoned a storm. The sun was obscured, plunging the area into darkness.
Two glowing eyes shone through the clouds, gazing down at the earth like twin moons.
[What are you insects doing?]
The deer, bringing the night with it, spoke.