The Storm Over Daedo
Above Jekyeong, Cheongo, who had transformed into a young boy, floated in the air, vigorously waving a massive fan up and down. Under the cool breeze of the Summer-Chasing Fan, Jekyeong finally grasped a clue.
‘It is the aura.’ Jekyeong was certain.
This was not his first time experiencing such a sensation. The confusion of reason and emotion, and even the disruption of his perception—whenever he became entangled with a so-called Qi-destined Child, the children of the Heavenly Dao, a similar situation would always unfold, though to varying degrees.
However, this time seemed slightly different from before. There was no way a Qi-destined Child was among those who had been reduced to bloody mist, so the uncontrollable murderous intent that had surged within him moments ago was undoubtedly related to the Human Race.
‘They called it the Great Cataclysm.’
Suddenly, he recalled the serious conversation the seniors of Bul-mang-won had shared. He remembered them lamenting that a turbulent era was fast approaching because the cataclysm was imminent.
‘The Human Race is one of the dominant species in the Changram Realm, so if the Great Cataclysm strikes, they will inevitably be the most heavily affected. The cataclysm can be described as a single flower blooming from the blood of countless living souls; therefore, for the cataclysm to occur, a massive bloodletting of the Human Race is essential.’
Having reached this point in his thoughts, Jekyeong naturally recalled the commotion currently unfolding in the Human Territory of Yang-seo-ho. Could the events, which were progressing with a somewhat abnormal haste and violence, be connected to this?
‘If I had been swept away by anger, just like when I was first eroded by the Demonic Obsession earlier... I would have undoubtedly charged straight into the Human Territory to vent my wrath.’
The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. If that situation earlier had truly been the play of the heavens, did it not mean that the will of the Heavenly Dao desired a disaster for the Human Race?
‘No, perhaps it is not so much a conscious will as it is a natural phenomenon.’
It was the way of the world that what is full must eventually wane. Since the prosperity of the Human Race had reached its absolute peak in the present era, the disaster they would face would naturally be colossal.
‘I wavered for a moment, but fortunately, I wasn't completely swept away.’
He could not tell whether this was thanks to his cultivation level or the aura he had steadily accumulated without realizing it. Well, since a high cultivation level generally meant a strong aura, there was no need to look at the two separately.
In any case, it was a relief. If he had not regained his senses quickly, he might have thrown himself into that raging fire pit of his own accord. Of course, with his current status and strength, rolling around in a fire pit for days on end would not threaten his life, but he did not want to ruin the board he had so painstakingly set up.
The humans might be squabbling amongst themselves right now, but would they continue to do so if a foreign race invaded during this gap? Master Sangcheong would immediately glare with wide eyes, shouting about the grand righteous cause of the Human Race as he charged forward. He likely already considered the Human Territory of Yang-seo-ho as the personal property of the Im family, so he would never tolerate a foreign race like Jekyeong reaching out to touch it.
‘But... even if I have no such intention, it might be futile.’
The greatest dream of Qi Condensation cultivators was Foundation Establishment, and the greatest dream of Foundation Establishment cultivators was Core Formation. Since Dragon Blood Grass was one of the primary ingredients for the Core Condensing Pill, any cultivator aiming for Core Formation would inevitably lose their mind over it.
And now, it seemed that rumors regarding the Dragon Blood Grass had already begun to spread gradually. It was a common misconception among human cultivators that wherever a dragon resided, Dragon Blood Grass would grow, so it was not surprising that such rumors were spreading.
Where there was one, there would be two. Since ignorant and reckless fools had already set foot in the Black Bridge Archipelago once, those blinded by Core Formation would undoubtedly trespass quite frequently in the future. And they would likely not be limited to the cultivators of Yang-seo-ho.
‘It can't be helped.’
Everything had to appear natural. Jekyeong had always aimed to act like a textbook Gyoryong, and he had to do the same this time.
"Graaaaargh!"
A massive Black Flood Dragon soared from the Black Bridge Archipelago. And less than five days later, a terrifying dragon aura descended upon Daedo, the capital of the Human Territory.
Daedo. The capital of the Yang-seo-ho Human Territory, its official name was Bangchondo. The headquarters of the Yang-seo-ho Cultivator Alliance branch was located here, and Master Sangcheong and Im Jeseong were currently staying here as well.
Boom!
Yet, right here, in what could be called the very heart of the Yang-seo-ho Human Territory, an untimely commotion erupted. The Island Protecting Grand Array, which had not been activated for hundreds of years, unfolded, and countless human cultivators looked up at the sky in unison, their faces filled with sheer horror.
"No, what is that..."
"A-A dragon!"
What they saw was a sky dyed crimson, a rain of fire pouring down from above, and a colossal Black Flood Dragon positioned right in the center of an exceptionally dense cloud of flame.
"Fellow Daoist! What is the meaning of this?!"
A single thundering roar silenced the commotion. Master Sangcheong rose into the air, enveloped in a brilliant light. The rain of fire, capable of melting even steel, could not even approach his side.
"The meaning of this?"
Jekyeong swept his gaze up and down Master Sangcheong, the corners of his mouth curling upward. The Gyoryong's face was larger than a human house, and his facial features were vastly different from those of a human, yet Master Sangcheong could clearly discern the blatant ridicule and hostility written across that massive face.
"You dare ask me what the meaning of this is? I knew you humans were audacious, but I did not expect you to have the nerve to come to my very doorstep and play the petty thief."
"A petty thief?"
It was a bolt from the blue, but as an experienced Golden Core cultivator, Master Sangcheong could roughly guess the circumstances. It was highly likely that some overly adventurous cultivators had set foot in this Black Flood Dragon's territory and met with disaster.
‘Those damned fools!’
One could not blame a cultivator for seeking a fortuitous opportunity. However, they had not only failed but had also been caught, bringing about such a catastrophe. He could not help but curse them.
"It is regrettable. However, if you have already punished the thieves, that should be the end of it. What is your motive for coming all the way here to cause such a disturbance?"
"What use is punishing a few petty thieves when the master thief remains perfectly intact?"
"A master thief?"
"Do not play innocent. Is it not the very nature of you humans to constantly trespass on others' lands to steal spiritual treasures?"
Master Sangcheong's face darkened. Even if there was truth to the words, there was a time and place for everything. For the opponent to be this blatant meant he was openly looking for a fight.
"The essence of cultivation lies in what one obtains. All fortunes and misfortunes depend solely on the cultivator themselves. There is nothing to blame, and nothing to regret."
"A logic of the Human Race that is beyond familiar—it is downright trite. The logic of a thief."
Master Sangcheong did not reply further. Instead, he drew his Lifebound Dharma Treasure and calmly faced Jekyeong. His stance was clear: if a fight was what the beast wanted, he would not avoid it!
"You, old human. I shall test whether you have the right to stand tall before me!"
A human Golden Core cultivator and a beast Demon King. In terms of the hierarchy of cultivation, the two were equivalent existences, but in terms of strength—especially combat capability—their respective strengths and weaknesses were clearly divided. While a Demon King held the upper hand in physical hardiness, a Golden Core cultivator could flexibly adapt to various situations through the use of diverse dharma treasures and dharma spells. The fierce battle currently unfolding in the skies above Bangchondo clearly demonstrated these characteristics.
Boom!
A talisman array that had been spread out like a fortress wall collided with the illusory image of a burning dragon claw, shattering into pieces like glass struck by a stone. Master Sangcheong, who had been catching his breath behind the array, did not panic. He infused his Dharma Power into his Lifebound Dharma Treasure.
Master Sangcheong's Lifebound Dharma Treasure consisted of six beads strung together on a single cord, known as the Suppressing and Resolving Beads. It was a treasure with the ability to pierce through the essence of spiritual energy and dismantle an opponent's spells. If given enough Dharma Power, it could even disrupt a Divine Ability.
Hummm!
As the Suppressing and Resolving Beads radiated light, the illusory dragon claw that had smashed through the talisman array dissipated harmlessly into nothingness.
"Suppress!"
A gravity-based secret technique that warps space to crush the target under the weight of a mountain.
"Grrr!"
Against the pressure that even warped space, Jekyeong resisted with sheer physical strength. His body, which was sturdier than most dharma treasures, and a strength capable of tearing down mountains were more than enough to resist the spell of a Late Golden Core cultivator.
Creak! Crack!
Watching Jekyeong break free from the invisible suppression, Master Sangcheong's face hardened like stone.
‘This is impossible!’
The Mountain-Suppressing Attraction he had just cast was no simple spell. Although it relied partially on the power of his dharma treasure, it was a secret technique containing his hundreds of years of comprehension—one could even call it a half-step Divine Ability. Yet, the beast had shattered that secret technique with its bare body? No matter how powerful a Gyoryong's physical form was, was this not too absurd?
‘As expected of a dragon descendant with a Sealed Title.’
Master Sangcheong's gaze grew increasingly heavy. Originally, he had intended to exchange only a few casual blows. He feared that if he used too much power and severely injured the opponent, he would face interrogation from the Sacred Heaven Dragon Palace. However, the opponent was far stronger and sturdier than he had anticipated. It seemed impossible to contend with him by using half-hearted strength.
"Old man! This is nowhere near enough!"
Having completely broken free from the shackles of the Mountain-Suppressing Attraction, Jekyeong flew forward at rapid speed, his entire body cloaked in flames. The sheer momentum was enough to make an ordinary Golden Core cultivator think of retreating. However, Master Sangcheong was no ordinary Golden Core cultivator. Although he was somewhat lacking compared to other cultivators of the same rank, he was still a Late Golden Core cultivator.
"Whew!"
Exhaling a short breath, Master Sangcheong pushed his Dharma Power even higher. The six Suppressing and Resolving Beads swelled to dozens of times their original size, radiating a brilliant luster. That luster soon transformed into six streaks of light, flying off and stopping in different directions. Simultaneously, mysterious talisman characters embroidered the empty air.
"Retreat!"
A gentle wave of light rose from the talisman characters, colliding with Jekyeong as he charged recklessly. Jekyeong mobilized various fire spells alongside his physical strength to press Master Sangcheong. However, before Master Sangcheong's six bead dharma treasures, most of his fire spells were quickly dismantled. Even on the rare occasions when they bypassed the treasures and reached Master Sangcheong, they could not pierce his protective dharma barrier, failing to singe even the hem of his clothes.
But conversely, Master Sangcheong was also unable to inflict any meaningful damage on him. Master Sangcheong mobilized the waters of Yang-seo-ho to bury him and drew down lightning from the heavens to strike him, but in the end, he could not tear off even a single scale.
Thud, thud!
Thousands, tens of thousands of illusory water swords pierced Jekyeong. This spell targeted both the physical body and the soul simultaneously; targeting the body was merely a formality, while the attack on the soul was the true intent. It was a spell originally designed to deal with the Beast Race, who possessed powerful physical bodies, but it had little effect on Jekyeong. Although his soul was not as strong as his physical body, it was not so weak that it would fall to such a half-baked spell.
‘I can afford to push him a bit harder.’
Jekyeong bared his fangs savagely. Crimson flames wound like threads around each of his razor-sharp teeth.
"Shatter!"
Jekyeong lunged fiercely, concentrating his Monster Power into his claws. What was a dharma spell? It was a technique to manipulate Dharma Power more effectively. Therefore, without Dharma Power, there was no dharma spell. In other words, as long as there was sufficient power to support it, any action could be considered a spell. For instance, even a simple clawing motion like the one he was making now could be called a spell if a cultivator's strength and intent were loaded into it.
If unleashed with Dharma Power, it was a dharma spell; if unleashed with Monster Power, it was a Monster Spell. Since Jekyeong's simple claw swipe contained ample Monster Power and a powerful intent, it was well worthy of being called a Monster Spell. This intent—in other words, divine intent—was an expression of one's understanding and comprehension of a particular Dao. Jekyeong had never separately trained in Monster Spells, but he understood dharma spells. Having partially borrowed the cultivation methods of the Human Race, dharma spells were essentially the same as Monster Spells to him, making it easy for him to create his own unique Monster Spells.