Chaos (激變) (4)
The Demon Army, unfold the Magical Origin Heavenly Cultivation Array!
Hah!
The demons lined up and began spewing their Demonic Qi from every direction.
In an instant, the front was completely swallowed by a sea of black Demonic Qi, blocking our path.
Yet the Human Alliance did not charge head-on at the barrier.
Instead, they began to reorganize their ranks.
[All Demon Cultivators, forward!]
Seven battalions of Demon Dao monks who had mastered the Magic Techniques stepped forward.
‘Song Jin had said it—among the mortals of the lower realm, even those who mastered magic techniques were trying to return to the Gwanghan Realm rather than the Demon Realm….’
Kugugugug!
That was the reason I understood.
Kiiiii!
Kiiyaarrr!
Kwooooo!
From the shadows emerged grotesque creatures dripping with Demonic Qi.
Black Demonic Qi exploded from the bodies of the Demon Cultivators as they smashed straight through the barrier in front of us.
[Clear the path!]
Kugugugung!
The moment the Demon Dao monks unleashed their one-hit strikes, the barrier shattered in an instant, opening a path.
On the other side, the demons looked stunned.
[All Righteous Cultivators, forward!]
This time, the Pure Dao monks who had mastered the orthodox cultivation methods stepped up and unleashed attacks glowing with pure white light.
At that light, the demons on the far side panicked and retreated in fear.
Next was our turn—the monks who had mastered the Condensed Spirit Dao Methods.
[Break through! Our top priority is to locate the Demonic Veins of the Demon Realm and plant the Heavenly Realm Seeds entrusted to the Hundred Leaders!]
The monks scattered, advancing while each Hundred Leader directed them through the ranks of demons surrounding us.
“Block the vile humans!”
“The humans are trying to defile the Demon Realm!”
Kwooooo!
Black Demonic Qi swirled in the air and condensed into the shape of a black skeleton, charging straight at our battalion.
“Hmph, disappear!”
Kugugugug!
The skeleton shattered like dust under the strike of a Core Formation Demon Dao monk from our own battalion.
But instead of staying broken, it multiplied into hundreds of tiny skulls flying back at us.
Kiiyaaarrr!
“Hwaaaaa!”
Yeon-jin stared at the incoming skulls and quickly formed a hand seal.
“Thunder Lotus Blade!”
Pa-chizik!
Yellow lightning blades materialized in the air, then dozens of them merged into a single blooming lotus.
The lightning lotus surrounding Yeon-jin exploded outward and slammed into the skulls.
Pa-chizik!
The moment the pale yellow lightning touched them, the skulls evaporated instantly.
[Ever since ancient times, it has been said that thunder attributes possess the power to destroy evil and eradicate demons. Is that true?]
“Ahaha, of course. I am especially strong against Yin or ghost attributes, but honestly, I was so terrified that I almost failed the spell just now. It probably means nothing.”
[Please utilize the lower Ten Leaders a little more. I can help, or I can borrow the power of the Foundation Establishment cultivators who have entered the Ten-Leader team.]
“Thank you for the advice…”
At that moment.
Kuuuwoong!
One of the sect leaders’ spells caused part of the demon’s fortress wall to collapse.
And a booming voice echoed.
“I sense the Demonic Veins of the Demon Realm far away! We’re heading there first!”
Whoosh!
He wrapped himself in Dragon Whirlwind Wind and shot toward the location at terrifying speed.
We followed, crossing the fortress wall.
When we crested the wall, I turned and checked with my consciousness.
The space crack we had crossed was now covered by a massive wall and a massive formation.
From what I heard, space cracks leading to the Demon Realm existed all over the Gwanghan Realm.
It seemed the demons had erected fortresses at every crack in preparation for the human invasion.
WhoOOOOO!
How far had we flown following the sect leader?
He reached a massive mountain-like structure in the Demon Realm.
“This is the Demonic Vein of the Demon Realm. Demonic Qi is flowing thickly here. From now on, this sect leader will begin eroding the Demon Realm with the Heavenly Realm Seed. You must guard the surroundings so I am not disturbed!”
At his words, ten Ten Leaders and their attached Ten-Leader squads formed a circle around him and began surrounding us.
Uuwoong!
Behind us, where the sect leader stood, dense spiritual energy surged, pushing back the thick Demonic Qi filling the air and starting to erode the space itself.
‘The air of the Demon Realm… has become like that of the Spiritual Realm.’
Uuwoong!
As spiritual energy spread outward, the Foundation Establishment cultivators among the Ten Leaders looked relieved, as if they had just survived a life-or-death crisis.
Those who had reached the Core Formation stage were already at the peak of vitality; they could survive years without eating or breathing using only internal spiritual energy.
But Foundation Establishment cultivators still had pure spiritual energy flowing through their bodies, so although their life force was high, they had not yet transcended humanity.
They struggled in the Demonic Realm’s thick air, unlike the Spiritual Realm.
That was when we began guarding the surroundings.
Kugugugug!
From far away, hundreds of demons flew toward us, their murderous will blazing.
“There! The humans are defiling the Demon Realm!”
“You bastards, stop eroding it right now!”
The demons surrounding us were grotesque—horns sprouting where eyes should be, some with two heads, others made entirely of stone.
“All members, fight them! In the erosion zone, we are equals!”
“Protect the erosion operation!”
The alliance of humans and demons collided.
Yeon-jin hurriedly formed a hand seal and unleashed a spell.
“Thunder Lotus!”
Pa-chizizik!
Once again, a lightning lotus made of yellow lightning surrounded him.
Kwaaaang!
When a massive demon threw a punch, Yeon-jin’s lotus shook violently, and he looked terrified, unable to focus on channeling spiritual energy into the lotus.
‘Damn it, this guy’s completely lost it.’
I watched Yeon-jin trembling and frozen stiff and clicked my tongue inwardly.
“L-Leader! Give the order!”
“Leader!”
The other Ten-Leaders under Yeon-jin were also panicking, shouting curses because he was so paralyzed protecting only himself.
I immediately took command in Yeon-jin’s place.
[All members, follow my orders. Leader has prepared a powerful spell, so obey me for now. The nine Foundation Establishment cultivators—start with you, go behind the leader and snipe the enemies with spiritual energy. Demons are weak to the leader’s lightning, so you’ll be safe behind him.]
With the pressure of Core Formation radiating from me, the Foundation Establishment cultivators obeyed instantly.
I sent five of them behind Yeon-jin and the remaining four behind me.
“W-We just stand behind the senior’s back?”
[Correct. Follow me.]
“Eh? Just follow?”
[Look behind the demon swarm. Something’s moving.]
Swipe, swish swish!
Behind the demon swarm, massive tentacles writhed, blowing pipes and attaching themselves to the ground.
I read the demons’ will and my eyes flashed with light.
[That cluster of tentacles is the demons’ commander. He’s directing the surrounding demons, so we’ll break through the demon swarm and take on the commander. Once the command center is paralyzed, the others will be easier to handle.]
“W-What? You want us to break through the demons alone!?”
[It’s more than possible. Stop panicking and form ranks. We’ll charge in with a wedge formation. You two on the left flank, you three on the right.]
After assigning the four of them to both flanks, I took a lump of flesh from my spatial ring.
[Come out, Yuanyou.]
Pu-kwak! Thud, thud!
Under my command, the lump of flesh exploded from my hand, then a moment later wriggled and transformed into a human.
A man in blood-red battle robes and a woman mixed into one being appeared, his black hair hanging down.
The Foundation Establishment cultivators widened their eyes in awe at Yuanyou’s form.
[I am controlling a blood body. It’s just a puppet. No need to stare. Yuanyou will lead the charge, and I will support from the rear, dealing with the attackers from above and below.]
Uuwoong!
When Yuanyou opened his mouth, red light flashed from his golden core, and out of his mouth emerged a crystalline skull staff, seventeen Divine Artifact Pillars, four crimson towers, and a red spear.
The King of Ghosts that had been attached to the spear had already been eaten by the Seopmyeong Ship earlier, so Yuanyou grabbed the spear himself and prepared to wield it.
Of course, since I controlled the blood body, everything about Yuanyou’s posture was perfect.
“All members…”
I issued orders through Yuanyou’s mouth.
“Charge.”
Pa-aaang!
With that command, Yuanyou shot forward at the speed of the Foundation Establishment cultivators.
The Foundation Establishment cultivators stuck to his flanks and followed, and I followed right behind, forming hand seals.
[White Lotus Axle Formation.]
Uuwoooong!
Bright light erupted from my entire body as several white lotuses bloomed around me.
They flew into the air and entered the bodies of the Ten Leaders.
“Eh, eh…?”
“What is this…?”
The Ten Leaders’ expressions changed.
Instantly, their combat power skyrocketed to the level of Core Formation cultivators.
In addition, using the spiritual ability granted by the White Lotus Axle Formation, I began engraving circuits into their bodies.
[Soul-Sucking Ghost Arrival.]
Tsuzutch!
Of course, engraving circuits into living human bodies caused immense pain and severely damaged them.
But I funneled that pain and the harm of the circuits through the curse of Soul-Sucking Ghost Arrival into Yuanyou’s body.
Once the circuits were embedded in the bodies of the Foundation Establishment cultivators, they all began unleashing Core Formation-level power.
“Eh, s-senior?”
“W-What kind of power is this…?”
[It’s my blessing. No more talk—run faster. Can you keep up now that you’re Core Formation level?]
“Of course!”
Pa-aaat!
Yuanyou and I began using Steady-Sword Technique, and the other Foundation Establishment cultivators chased us at the same speed.
Kwaaaang!
Under the red spear in Yuanyou’s hand, the enemies in front were sliced apart.
When the skull staff hovering above his head opened its mouth, the blood of the attacking demons flowed into Yuanyou, endlessly fueling his power.
Ting, ting, ting!
Furthermore, the four crimson towers surrounded us, making it nearly impossible for outer demons to attack.
We could keep charging while flinging attacks in all directions.
And finally.
Kuuuwoong!
We stopped in front of the cluster of tentacles commanding the demons.
Before the cluster of tentacles, the demons with dark shadows.
‘Ho. Core Formation demon, huh.’
Among the shadow demons, three were Core Formation and one was a true Core Formation powerhouse.
[All members, deal with the Core Formation demons. I and Yuanyou will handle that one.]
“Yes, sir!”
Whoosh!
No need for words.
The black demon’s hand reached toward us and Yuanyou.
Kuuwoong!
Yuanyou summoned the crimson towers and formed a barrier, but the tower’s defense began shaking violently and cracking almost instantly.
[What kind of humans are these? No wonder their reputation is so great—they’re anything but ordinary. One is neither male nor female, and one walks around without a head…]
The Core Formation shadow demon sneered at us and reached out again.
‘…Not entirely wrong.’
[Hold on a bit longer, Yuanyou.]
“…”
[Blood Sea Forest.]
Swwiirrrrk!
From Yuanyou’s body, blood surged like a flood and drowned the Core Formation demon.
“Blood Piercing Forest.”
When Yuanyou formed a hand seal, blood forests rose from the blood sea and began crushing the Core Formation demon.
Kugugug!
Thousands of branches twisted together and pierced the demon like a harpoon.
But the demon’s body was made of shadow, so the branches passed straight through.
[Ahaha, cute. Even though you’re a Core Formation human who can’t even sense rank properly, you tried to harm my body…]
[Heavenly Wings!]
Kugugugug!
Behind my back, three wings spread out.
[Heavenly Pierce!]
Kugugugug!
The ultimate secret technique of the Changryeong Seonggwang Ochae Daebop, which the Core Formation cultivators used, squeezing the power of the entire body.
The Heavenly Wings Heavenly Pierce unfolded.
[Wha…!]
A blue light vortex enveloped the Core Formation demon, wrapping his entire body.
Inside the vortex, the Core Formation demon roared.
[You… you humans… the ones who eat the sprout…]
[Shh.]
Thud!
And then the storm of the Invisible Sword hidden inside the light vortex sliced the demon apart.
I rushed in before he could keep talking and grabbed his head with the hand holding the Invisible Sword.
[If you’ve lost, just obediently hand over your life. Stop chattering.]
Pu-kwak!
The Invisible Sword cut through the demon’s entire body.
His shadow flesh, which had resisted attacks below Core Formation level, shattered under the Invisible Sword’s strike and dispersed into nothing.
Paasssu…
After watching his Core Formation soul ascend, I looked at the cluster of tentacles fleeing nearby, bubbling.
The cluster of tentacles had seemed to be commanding the surrounding demons, but despite the poor physical ability, it was somehow moving fast—only three steps.
[…Listen, leader.]
Chwaak!
I pulled on the cluster of tentacles sprouting from the demon’s body.
[If you want to command an army, don’t pretend not to understand. Quickly.]
Wiggle, wiggle…
The tentacled demon trembled, then sent consciousness through the tentacles.
[…I heard humans turn prisoners into pills to eat. I am a commander, so please treat me like a proper prisoner, not some terrifying treatment.]
[Hm… Your life is my responsibility.]
[Ah, understood.]
Chwararak!
A moment later.
An eerie will spread outward from the tip of the tentacles.
After a while, the demon swarm surrounding our battalion fled completely.
I pulled the cluster of tentacles and asked.
[Hm, we could have simply surrendered the army, yet you gave the order to run away.]
[…Can’t be helped. I promised to treat you as prisoners, but what about my subordinates? Will they let you eat them?]
‘I feel like I’m being treated as an eating army.’
Still, he seemed quite kind to his subordinates compared to his appearance.
[Fine, I understand. Anyway, by capturing you alone, I’ve earned great merit. I won’t say anything.]
I lifted the cluster of tentacles and returned to the battalion.
After a while.
Kuuuwooooo!
From the Demonic Vein controlled by the sect leader, refreshing spiritual energy spread out, dyeing the surrounding Demonic Veins into Spiritual Veins.
[Erosion successful!]
Chwaaaa!
The Demonic Qi in the surrounding area was washed away, and spiritual energy illuminated everything.
Perhaps our operation was not the only one to succeed, because I saw beams of spiritual energy light up the far distance as well.
Uuwoooong!
The spiritual energy beams dyed the Demonic Veins into Spiritual Veins and merged with each other, emitting even stronger light.
And soon, the land we had first set foot on was completely dyed with mixed spiritual energy.
[All vanguard units, I am announcing that the first Demon Realm erosion operation has succeeded! Celebrating the operation’s success, I will pardon the crimes of all prisoners who were sentenced under military law before this operation! I repeat. The first Demon Realm erosion operation…]
Hyun-wun’s telepathic voice resounded through the entire battalion.
I slowly began regenerating the skin on the back of my neck while organizing my thoughts.
‘Is this correct?’
I should have been celebrating victory.
But I found myself lost in doubt between the pitifully wriggling good-natured cluster of tentacles and the invading humans who looked happy at the prospect of eating demons tomorrow.
Uuwoong!
After a while of such thoughts.
I suddenly felt something vibrating inside me.
‘This…’
It was a Heart Demon.
Along with these thoughts, the Heart Demons that had arisen when I reached Core Formation began reacting.
I could feel the vibration of the Heart Demons.
‘The day I find the answer to whether my actions are correct… perhaps I can erase the Heart Demons and recover my memories.’