Chapter 118
Chapter 118
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 118
Chapter Title: Emergence from the Demon God Realm
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Tap... Tap... Tap...
The sound of a staff tapping echoed along the rugged mountain path.
Neungyang, one hand pressed to her hunched back, trudged slowly along the ridgeline.
At the end of her halting steps stood a paulownia tree, proudly displaying its fresh stems and broad leaves.
And right beneath it was a small, meticulously stacked stone pagoda.
Neungyang prodded it lightly with her staff and nodded shortly after.
"No problems here."
She turned slowly and headed to the next point.
She was strolling through Hwanwoo Mountain, inspecting the triple formations encircling the outer perimeter of the Mirage Sect.
Formations allowed no flaws, no gaps whatsoever.
The Mirage Sect had entrusted everything to them for self-protection, having barely cultivated any martial arts.
Thus, even at an age where walking was a chore, Neungyang made her monthly rounds through the mountains to verify the formations.
"Ach, my joints are killing me."
Rubbing her knee, Neungyang settled onto a flat rock for a brief rest.
She should have retired long ago, with a successor in place.
At her age, she could pass peacefully in her sleep without regret.
Yet here she was, enduring this hardship.
Still...
'I can't hand the sect over to just anyone unworthy.'
The reason Neungyang hadn't relinquished her duties was simple.
Despite searching for decades, she still hadn't found a suitable successor.
Among those she'd observed, several possessed exceptional martial talent.
But for the Mirage Sect Leader, the key was managing the formations across the entire mountain and the stele leading to the Demon God Realm.
It wasn't merely about high martial attainment.
It required fundamental understanding of illusions and formations—a talent rarer than stars in the sky.
Even fewer blossomed with such gifts, and in this region, the odds of it not being someone from the Sima Clan were vanishingly low.
"What a grueling life."
Moreover, being Mirage Sect Leader offered no great perks.
No matter that it was one pillar of the Demon Realm sects, the Mirage Sect held little real power.
The leader rarely left Hwanwoo Mountain and commanded no notable forces or subordinates.
Isolated from other sects, they lived apart, performing thankless duties unrecognized by most.
Yet...
'No regrets all the same.'
Among the Demon Realm sects, the Mirage Sect was indeed the weakest.
But it was also the most honorable—that much was true.
She had personally met three Cult Leaders, figures most demons never glimpsed in a lifetime.
That alone made her lifetime of service to the cult worthwhile.
Scritch—
Neungyang traced a stele-like shape on the ground, lost in thought.
"The Demon God Realm..."
Sometimes, even she wondered.
What lay there that made the Cult Leaders seek out and preserve the Mirage Sect?
What experiences took so long inside?
Questions arose, but answers were impossible.
No one who entered the Demon God Realm ever spoke of their ordeals—it was an unspoken rule.
All she knew was that countless trials tested one's very soul.
"Trials so severe they demand years to overcome."
The previous previous Cult Leader had taken decades; even the genius prior one, years.
Mirage Sect records showed wildly varying times for past Heavenly Demons, but none emerged before a few years.
'How long for this Cult Leader, I wonder.'
She'd never seen a Heavenly Demon as young as the current one.
Among all history, he'd rank among the youngest.
Lacking deep experience and insight, he'd face greater struggles with the trials.
"Heh heh. Might not live to see this Cult Leader emerge."
Chuckling faintly, Neungyang slowly rose.
Three or four more formations to check.
She needed to finish before sunset.
Then—
Rumble—
The entire mountain shuddered violently, as if roaring in fury.
Flutter flutter!
Birds perched on branches scattered skyward.
The quaking subsided, but Neungyang's eyes sharpened intensely.
'The air currents over all Hwanwoo Mountain have shifted.'
The subtle change registered instantly.
A familiar sensation dawned, hardening her face.
Decades since last felt.
Unforgettable, though experienced only twice in her life.
Shivers raced through her.
"...No way."
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
Neungyang whirled and hurried to the sect's heart.
Heading straight to the open field, she beheld an unbelievable sight—her eyes widening in shock.
A man stood before the stele to the Demon God Realm.
Cult Leader Hyeok Mulin.
Hyeok Mulin, reflected in her eyes, placed a hand on the stele before him.
The same action as before, but this time, nothing happened.
"...Demon God Realm, so this is the end."
Realizing the trials concluded and reality returned, Hyeok Mulin closed his eyes gently.
'To think those were traces of the Heart Sword.'
Still hazy.
Like grasping fog.
Yet sensing its existence sent thrills through him.
Heart Sword.
The pinnacle, the ideal of the sword.
Always the finale in tales of the martial world.
Dismissed as myth by most martial artists—no witnesses, only records.
But Hyeok Mulin had beheld it with his own eyes.
'Ordinary folk wouldn't grasp its significance even seeing the traces.'
No, even profound masters likely wouldn't.
Only after dissecting countless divine arts like Hyeok Mulin had he barely noticed.
Of course, witnessing didn't mean wielding it.
But the mere sight granted insight.
He could now see what was once invisible.
'Thank you, Demon God Realm.'
Even setting aside the finale, it was a wondrous experience.
Detached from reality, yet more vivid than any other space.
Only the Mirage Sect could craft and preserve such a world.
Gazing at his palm, Hyeok Mulin clenched his fist with resolve.
'Pure Soul Divine Demon Art. Finally at the sixth stage.'
Common knowledge held the dantian as the sole vessel for internal energy.
Yet now, extreme demonic energy circulated through his entire body, not just the dantian.
The energy felt like a deep lake, sharpened thorns, or harmless mist—shifting formlessly with his will.
'No barriers in energy manipulation anymore.'
Using martial arts no longer required drawing energy from the dantian.
Instant access from anywhere shaved off precious microseconds.
And that wasn't all.
His energy reservoir had expanded from lake to vast ocean—limits vanished.
'Heart Sword... Just glimpsing its traces brought such enlightenment.'
Whoever left them, thanks.
Hyeok Mulin silently thanked the unknown figure.
Then, footsteps approached from behind.
"C-Cult Leader...?"
Neungyang approached, eyes wide, first confirming he was unharmed.
Her scan nearly unleashed a barrage of questions.
How could you return so soon?
Did you truly enter the Demon God Realm?
Did you complete all the trials?
But before speaking, she realized it unnecessary.
His aura now dwarfed his pre-entry presence.
He'd undoubtedly grown through immense trials.
She had no choice but to acknowledge him.
A smile curved her lips as she spoke warmly.
"It seems you've gained much inside."
"The Demon God Realm lives up to its fame. It pushed me to my limits."
Even without the Heart Sword vision or art advancement, each trial spurred growth.
Irreplaceable experiences.
Thus, Hyeok Mulin thanked her too.
"I wish to express gratitude to the Mirage Sect and you for preserving the Demon God Realm all these long years. Truly, thank you."
Neungyang paused at his words, searching his eyes.
Finding no falsehood, she slowly smiled.
"Heh heh heh. I'm the first Mirage Sect Leader to receive direct praise from a Cult Leader. The glory of three lifetimes."
To past Heavenly Demons, the Mirage Sect was merely a passage.
But Hyeok Mulin's words validated their lifelong silent service for uncertain visitors.
Recognition at last.
Neungyang gazed at him fondly.
"The Demon God Realm is but trials. Your achievements there are solely yours."
"You overpraise me."
They conversed in a now-relaxed atmosphere.
"Frankly, I never expected you'd pass through so quickly."
"Good fortune."
Neungyang shook her head slowly.
"The fastest of all past Cult Leaders, and you call it luck? That's your talent."
"Is that true?"
"Yes."
The fastest Heavenly Demon ever to complete the trials?
Hyeok Mulin tilted his head briefly but soon accepted it.
'Must be the final trial. Quite the difference.'
Unlike others, he hadn't endlessly studied the traces.
After a few glances, deeming it futile, he'd turned away and engraved his lifetime's essence as the Piercing Heaven Nine Unions Sword on the wall.
Memory and coincidence intertwined, yielding insight and swift exit.
'But even so, I didn't expect to be the fastest.'
Swallowing mild surprise, Hyeok Mulin asked Neungyang.
"Then, how long was I inside the Demon God Realm?"
Recalling the date, Neungyang replied slowly.
"Exactly half a year."
"...!"
Since Hyeok Mulin entered the Demon God Realm.
Half a year had comet-like passed in the outside world.