Chapter 252: A New Realm (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 252: A New Realm (3)
"Stop holding back and give it your all. Pour everything you have into this."
Crack!
Baek Yun’s head—ripped clean off along with his spine—met Seo-jun’s gaze.
"This is likely your last chance. You shouldn't waste it."
Thwack!
Seo-jun shoved the severed head right back onto its stump. Baek Yun’s body convulsed violently.
Boom!
A kick to the stomach sent Baek Yun flying. His face was deathly pale as he clutched his neck.
"Gasp... Haa..."
Sizzle—
The torn flesh and severed nerves of his neck forcefully reconnected through the power of his Blood Arts. Baek Yun’s eyes trembled as he stared at Baek Seo-jun.
He was alive. No—this bastard had kept him alive on purpose.
Using True Blood and his own Blood Arts, Seo-jun had forcibly stitched Baek Yun’s life together just to ensure his breathing didn't stop.
"Gurgle..."
Air leaked from his throat, which hadn't fully sealed yet. Baek Yun’s expression twisted in horror.
What on earth...
What had just happened? No matter how he looked at it, it made zero sense that he couldn't even react.
Seo-jun quirked an eyebrow at the stunned gazes of Baek Yun and Neung Wol.
"What are you doing? Aren't you going to attack?"
Seo-jun calmly mastered the torrent of power surging within him.
The Namgung Lineage Transforms into a Towering Tree.
The enlightenment he had grasped through the Namgung Lineage was nothing complicated. It simply pertained to the various realms he had achieved.
The Transcendent Realm, the Extreme Demon, the Qi Spirit Scripture, and the Fire Demon Realm.
They were all branches extending from a single tree. The main trunk was the existence known as Lee Seo-jun himself.
As long as he did not forget that essence, those realms were merely stepping stones to stand upon.
Naturally, achieving four realms simultaneously didn't mean he had become exactly four times stronger. However, each realm possessed its own unique, corresponding power.
In the Transcendent Realm, a martial artist expanded their domain by using the surrounding space as Essence and Qi through the expansion of Spirit.
In the Extreme Demon stage, one achieved explosive output by condensing Essence-Qi-Spirit dyed in demonic nature.
The Fire Demon Realm harmonized easily with other realms, allowing one to step closer to the demonic essence by dyeing their very existence in it.
And finally, the Qi Spirit Scripture.
This previously incomplete realm had finally neared completion through the enlightenment of the Namgung Lineage.
Its essence lay in solidifying the connection between Essence and Spirit through the expansion of Qi.
While this granted transcendental reflexes and speed, the price was that one's existence became so close to Qi that they would eventually dissolve back into nature.
Seo-jun had found the clue to solving this fatal flaw in the towering tree of the Namgung Lineage.
The three realms he had already achieved. His own existence, now firmer than ever before.
He used them to anchor his self-awareness, planting the roots of Lee Seo-jun firmly into the Mortal Realm.
By achieving all four realms simultaneously, they fell into perfect harmony.
Seo-jun realized his existence had stepped into a higher dimension. A sense of omnipotence burned through his mind, making his chest feel tight.
There is a burden, but...
It wasn't a major problem. At the very least, he had more than enough time to play with these two.
Conscious of his expanded Qi and Spirit, Seo-jun lightly reached out his hand.
The sun and moon hung in the sky. The Sun and Moon, finally made whole, rotated around a single point.
Heaven-Defying Sun-Moon Art.
Neung Wol’s expression hardened at the sight of the massive pillar of energy falling from the heavens.
"Baek Yun...!"
Neung Wol roared, pulling back his spear with all his might. Every muscle, his internal energy, the rotation starting from his very toes—all of it was channeled into the tip of the spear as it soared toward the sky.
Crrraaaaack!!
The spear, carrying the sheer weight of his soul, clashed with the Heaven-Defying Sun-Moon Art descending from above. Neung Wol took a step forward, desperately using his Blood Arts to repair his body even as it began to rupture under the pressure.
"Hyaaaaaah!!"
Flash!
The tip of the spear pushed back, scattering the Heaven-Defying Sun-Moon Art.
"Urgh...!"
Splat!
Vomiting blood, Neung Wol screamed.
"...Get a grip, Baek Yun! Do you intend to die like this?!"
His voice, infused with internal energy, struck Baek Yun's eardrums. Focus finally returned to Baek Yun’s hazy eyes.
He gritted his teeth, streaks of blood leaking from between them. His staggering body naturally fell into a martial stance as he glared at the enemy before him.
"Who are you...?"
Crackle!
Baek Yun’s breath froze into a crimson frost, enveloping his body.
A sphere rose above the palms of Baek Yun, who was now clad in crimson frost armor. It was a Blood Ice Jade. Just like the one Baek Seo-jun had used, it was a sphere radiating a mysterious pink hue.
"There is no way someone like you belongs to the Ice Palace."
Baek Yun bared his teeth, clutching a Blood Ice Jade in each hand.
Ice Arts, Blood Arts, Demonic Qi, the sun and moon, and a domain.
Amidst the chaotic tangle of information, he picked out the only piece that seemed remotely realistic.
Sun-Moon Demonic Art.
The divine art of the Demonic Cult that handled both Yin and Yang energy simultaneously. But he rejected the thought as soon as it occurred. If that were the case, what about that domain? Could a martial artist mere at the Extreme Demon stage manifest a domain?
No.
Baek Yun took a deep breath. At the same time, he violently cleared away the doubts cluttering his mind. It didn't matter who this bastard was. All that mattered was killing him. He focused all his mental intent into a single, razor-sharp point.
"...I will kill you and transcend the wall."
Zing!
The Blood Ice Jades in his grip emitted a sharp hum.
Baek Yun’s eyes flashed blue.
Swish!
The two Blood Ice Jades fired toward Seo-jun. Their level of completion was significantly higher than before—a true testament to Baek Yun’s talent. But the wall before him was simply too high.
Whoosh!
As they neared Seo-jun, the Blood Ice Jades scattered. The mysterious pink light swirled around Seo-jun like a thick mist.
Baek Yun didn't care. Thump! He kicked off the ground and charged.
Seo-jun’s hand shot out. The speed was absurd. By the time Baek Yun registered the movement, the hand was already right in front of his face.
Rip!
Baek Yun barely managed to dodge, but a chunk of flesh was gouged straight out of his temple. Crimson blood sprayed. Baek Yun’s eyes glinted fiercely.
Blood Arts. The technique that manipulated blood caught the scattering droplets in midair.
Snap!
Ice Arts froze the blood. The result was hundreds of blood-red needles.
A weapon forged by a martial artist of the Transcendent Realm from their own body surpassed even Divine Weapons.
"Hup...!"
Blood and ice. Blood Arts and Ice Arts. The despair of being blocked by a vast wall, and the unyielding mental intent to overcome it. Power dwelled within his transcendental will. The hazy needles surpassed the very logic of the world, firing at an unfathomable speed.
Whish-whish-whish!
The needles pierced right through Seo-jun’s form. But Baek Yun couldn't celebrate. Seo-jun’s pierced figure blurred and vanished into thin air.
Shifting Form and Position...!
He quickly twisted his body around. His vision went dark. The moment he realized a foot was descending upon him—
BOOOOOM!!
Baek Yun’s head snapped back violently. Crrrk. Clutching his neck, which felt like it was about to be torn off again, Baek Yun desperately ducked.
Whoosh!
Neung Wol’s spear lunged from behind, cutting sharply through the air. Instead of being disappointed by the miss, Neung Wol used the momentum of the rotation to twist his body for another strike.
Seo-jun merely looked at him. A casual flick of his foot. Black flames erupted from the ground, instantly engulfing Neung Wol’s body.
"Ugh...!"
Wrapped in black flames, Neung Wol kicked off the empty air. Flash! Through the parting flames, he locked eyes with Seo-jun.
His own body was freezing. His stiff fingers gripped the shaft, and the spear techniques he had practiced for hundreds of years unfolded as naturally as breathing.
Snap!
Seo-jun tilted his head. The spear merely grazed his hair. Neung Wol had surpassed his own limits.
"Hyaaaaaah!!"
Light flashed before his eyes. Warm moonlight. His body became light itself. His mind surged forward. The spear existed wherever his intent reached, and the harmonized moonlight cascaded into thousands of spear strikes.
Whish-whish-whish!
A net of light descended. Seo-jun, however, dove straight into the heart of it. Thud. He parried the spear with his bare hand, pushing it aside, and instantly slipped his body into the opening.
Zip!
His flying form appeared right in front of Baek Yun’s face. Baek Yun’s eyes widened. He gritted his teeth and thrust out his hand. What formed there was Astral Qi radiating a mysterious pink light.
Seo-jun’s lips curled into a grin as he reached out and grabbed that hand. Crunch! Their hands locked. Baek Yun’s Astral Qi couldn't even scratch Seo-jun. Instead, Seo-jun absorbed the Astral Qi and violently yanked the man's arm.
Rip!
"Aaaagh...!"
Baek Yun’s arm was torn clean off its socket. Seo-jun gripped the severed limb like a spear. Whirl! His Blood Arts activated, causing the blood within the arm to rapidly rotate.
Crack!
Bone and flesh dissolved into the blood, condensing into a long, razor-sharp shape.
Seo-jun held the crimson spear in his hand. At the same time, he took a heavy step forward. Thump! His left foot acted as the axis. Unwinding his twisted body all at once, he swung his pulled-back right arm like a whip.
VROOOOM!!
The thrown spear carved a blazing crimson trajectory through the world.
The speed was absurd. Only pure instinct saved Neung Wol’s life.
"Urgh...!"
Boom!
Neung Wol reflexively struck upward with his spear. The shaft that blocked the crimson projectile bent dangerously under the force.
As if he had expected this, Seo-jun nonchalantly snapped his fingers. Snap! A weapon made from the body of a Transcendent Realm master surpassed even Divine Weapons. The implication of that was simple.
Crrraaaaack!!
The spear made of blood exploded, instantly freezing Neung Wol’s body. Whoosh! The remaining black flames spread over the newly formed ice.
His eyes wide in terror, Neung Wol detonated all the internal energy in his body.
Flash!
The erupting wave of Qi blasted away the flames. Haa... Haa... Utterly exhausted, Neung Wol hunched over, gasping as he looked at Seo-jun.
There wasn't even the slightest disturbance in Seo-jun's breathing.
A monster...
Neung Wol’s expression twisted as he checked on Baek Yun.
"Dammit..."
The crimson frost armor that had covered Baek Yun’s body was shattered to pieces, and there was no sign of his severed left arm regenerating.
All that remained keeping him upright was a single, stubborn thread of fighting spirit.
Baring his teeth, Baek Yun roared like a cornered beast.
"Uwaaaaaah!!"
The roar of a superhuman who had surpassed his realm made the surrounding space writhe. Baek Yun’s blue eyes flashed with madness as he shouted.
"I am...!"
"No."
Having closed the distance and grabbed Baek Yun by the throat before anyone even noticed, Seo-jun sneered at him.
"I've lost interest."
Thwack!
Baek Yun’s remaining limbs exploded. The blood inside him rotated like saw blades, grinding away at his torso.
"Aaaargh...!"
"It's about time I heard about the God-Destroying Association."
"Baek Yun...!"
Neung Wol rushed in desperately, but he was already completely exhausted. He didn't even have the strength left to drive out Seo-jun’s internal energy that had seeped into his wounds.
Crack!
The foreign internal energy remaining in Neung Wol’s body froze, causing his wounds to violently burst open.
"Aaaagh...!"
Crunch!
Sharp pillars of ice rose from the ground and impaled Neung Wol’s body, pinning him in place. His body hung in the air, dangling as if nailed to a cross.
Groaning in agony, Neung Wol suddenly raised his head at a bone-chilling sound.
Gnash! Gnash!
A grotesque, grinding noise. All around Baek Yun and Neung Wol, unseen maws dripping with saliva gnashed their teeth.
"This is insane..."
It wasn't hard to imagine what those things were for. They were going to be devoured.
The end of prey hunted by a predator was always obvious.
However, Neung Wol didn't even have the energy to twitch a single finger. Escaping was... impossible.
Neung Wol’s head slumped forward. His body began to freeze, starting from his extremities.
Glancing at him, Seo-jun turned his attention back to Baek Yun, who was now nothing more than a bleeding torso.
"So, do you feel like talking while you're still conscious?"
Baek Yun was a martial artist of the Blood Seal Scripture. That meant he was a powerhouse comparable to the Transcendent Realm.
At the very least, he would know far more information than the small fry captured by the Emperor.
"Urgh..."
Held by the throat, Baek Yun looked at Seo-jun with hazy, unfocused eyes.
When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you.
Those crimson eyes were staring right through him. That simple fact alone constricted Baek Yun’s heart.
Yet, more than that primal fear, a question born of sheer indignation took precedence. Baek Yun finally voiced the question he had been holding back.
"Who... on earth... are you...?"
A question was returned instead of an answer. However, Seo-jun’s lips curled into an amused smile.
"Me?"
He spoke casually.
"Chun-bong's big brother."
At the incomprehensible answer, Baek Yun’s eyes shook wildly. His distorted expression spoke volumes about his mental state.
"You... until the very end..."
"Well, maybe this is easier to understand?"
As he stared down at Baek Yun, Seo-jun’s lips moved.
Evil-Annihilating Heavenly Lord, Lee Seo-jun.
Baek Yun’s eyes flew wide in absolute shock.
* * *
In the frozen depths of the North Sea Ice Palace.
A cold smile played on the lips of Baek Seol-hyang as she sat upon her massive throne.
What did you think you could do against the Great Plan, Baek Seo-jun?
All that was allowed to him was a futile struggle at best. He was already checkmated.
His situation was exactly like that of a butterfly caught in a spider's web.
"Hehe..."
The eyes of the North Sea Ice Palace Master, the Snow-Blood Demon Queen Baek Seol-hyang, gleamed with a wicked, chilling light.