Chapter 226: What... What the Hell Is That Thing?
A single blade pierced through the waves, flashing with saber qi as it targeted the space between the white-haired old man's brows.
The old man's expression shifted slightly as he raised his right hand and shook it lightly up and down. In that fleeting instant, the space right before him rippled like a heat haze, sucking Yeon Man Ri's saber qi inside and making it vanish in a blink.
True Law Realm!
The True Myriad Laws Realm could utilize space but couldn't alter the space itself. The Law Realm could distort objects or space but couldn't change spatial structure.
Upon reaching the True Law Realm, one could freely distort space and even reshape its very structure.
Thus, a clear boundary existed between these three realms.
And crossing it was no simple matter.
Moreover, advancing through realms grew ever more arduous.
In that moment, he had first trapped Yeon Man Ri's saber qi in distorted space, then altered its structure to annihilate it completely!
The instant the saber qi disappeared, Yeon Man Ri materialized above the old man's head.
The old man thrust a fist toward her with utter nonchalance.
Simple as it seemed, tremendous power lurked within that fist.
Struck by the old man's blow, Yeon Man Ri flew back like a ragdoll, crashing at Yeop Hyeon's feet. The ground heaved violently, and centered on her, the earth cracked open across a hundred zhang radius in a heartbeat!
But as Yeon Man Ri's figure vanished, an Azure Dragon Saber roared forth toward the white-haired old man.
The old man stepped forward, expressionless, extending a single finger.
He figured one finger would suffice against her.
Boom-!
Yet contrary to his expectations, the old man gouged a pit several zhang deep beneath his feet and skidded back over a dozen zhang. His finger hung broken.
The white-haired old man scowled fiercely at Yeon Man Ri, his eyes brimming with killing intent.
"It seems this old man underestimated you! You've succeeded in enraging me. But now, I'll grant you suffering worse than death!"
With those words, the white-haired old man's figure shot forward like an arrow. A lifelike afterimage trailed right behind his true body.
A speed beyond the naked eye.
Yeon Man Ri stood with her back to Yeop Hyeon. She grinned savagely at the oncoming old man while slashing down fiercely with the Azure Dragon Saber in one hand.
"Sever!"
Boom-!
A heaven-shaking roar erupted as an azure dragon broke free from the saber, morphing into a streak of saber light and streaking away.
Crash-!
With a sound like the sky crumbling, both figures reeled back simultaneously.
The white-haired old man retreated a dozen zhang, while Yeon Man Ri skidded dozens before halting.
Drip, drip.
Suddenly, crimson blood trickled from her mouth.
Blood still oozed from her severed arm, her condition deteriorating rapidly.
For her True Myriad Laws Realm cultivation to face a True Law Realm was daunting. Had she avoided grave wounds in the opening clashes, she might have tested her luck—but even then, hope was slim.
The white-haired old man glanced down at his chest. A long gash exposed a shallow saber scar within.
His face darkened.
"To be safe, we should join forces!"
The black-clad man watching from afar called out.
The white-haired old man hesitated, then nodded.
He wanted no accidents on this crucial day.
In a flash, both lunged at Yeon Man Ri.
This time, no mercy—they'd kill her outright!
Yeon Man Ri first, then Yeop Hyeon.
As Yeon Man Ri gritted her teeth to charge, a hand seized her shoulder.
Turning, she found Yeop Hyeon behind her. He gently drew her back, seating her atop the dragon.
Yeon Man Ri stared at him blankly.
"My arm..."
Yeop Hyeon spoke softly.
"I'll slaughter those bastards and let you vent your rage."
Yeop Hyeon whirled to face the black-clad man and old man.
Two True Law Realms alone? Overwhelming.
He knew it well. His current power struggled against even one.
Meanwhile, the pair closed in swiftly.
Right then, a black pagoda emerged between Yeop Hyeon's brows. His face twisted grotesquely.
The Gyeok Ok Tower.
The Heavenly Maiden had warned: unless life hung by a thread, never summon its power lightly.
This was that moment.
Death was certain anyway—perhaps the tower offered a slim chance.
As the Gyeok Ok Tower appeared, heaven and earth plunged into darkness. Eerie qi whipped up from every direction.
In a heartbeat, every warrior felt plunged into hell. Unseen by them, the black character '囚' (Prisoner) etched onto their foreheads.
Gyeok Ok Tower!
Yeop Hyeon's ultimate trump card—one he hesitated to unleash.
Last time, it'd nearly killed him.
But no alternatives here.
Risking life might yield survival; inaction meant doom.
He couldn't yet fathom its power, knowing so little of the tower.
Meanwhile, the two powerhouses—spotting the black tower on Yeop Hyeon's forehead—paled instantly.
The white-haired old man muttered, voice quaking.
"What... what the hell is that thing..."
The other warriors recoiled too.
After its emergence, suffocating oppression gripped them all.
Yeop Hyeon endured agony like his body ripping apart. Something foul drifted within him, his soul teetering from his flesh.
'Endure!'
He bit his tongue, fighting to stay conscious. Blackout meant oblivion.
"What trick did that bastard pull?"
The black-clad man asked. The old man eyed Yeop Hyeon.
"No idea. But something's up, no doubt!"
"Strike now?"
"Hold. It alters heaven's hue before unleashing power. We must identify the treasure!"
Greed flickered in the old man's eyes.
To him, it rivaled Heavenly Realm artifacts at minimum.
Excitement lit his face.
The hundreds behind felt fear but held firm.
Two True Law Realms stood guard—what to fear?
They watched Yeop Hyeon's divine treasure unfold.
Under all eyes, the black tower protruded from his forehead.
His face, grotesquely warped, was unrecognizable—even to Yeop Ryeong.
Curiosity burned in every gaze.
What treasure emerged?
After one incense stick's time, light flashed from his forehead. The black tower burst forth.
Curiosity blazed in their eyes.
The small tower hovered silently.
Then Yeop Hyeon pointed at the old man, rasping hoarsely.
"Kill them all!"
Warriors startled—the tower quaked violently. Black light poured from their '囚' marks, swallowing their bodies. Fully encased, they froze immobile.
Even the two True Law Realm experts couldn't budge. Inward horror surged. Fingers wouldn't twitch against the light.
No seals bound them—energy and profound qi flowed normal.
Yet resistance failed. Fear ballooned.
The old man roared at Yeop Hyeon.
"What is this!? What did you do!?"
Before Yeop Hyeon replied, the tower hummed. Their bodies vanished from the arena.
They rematerialized inside the black tower.
First floor of the Gyeok Ok Tower.
Terror-stricken, they scanned about. The old man tried fleeing—powerless.
Then their '囚' marks turned crimson. Bodies began rotting slowly.
"Aaack-!"
"Aaack-!"
Screams filled the tower.
The old man unleashed energy wildly—futile.
Most horrifying: they witnessed their own demise clearly.
One incense stick later, screams ceased. Silence reigned like death.
Hundreds of warriors gone—only bleached bones remained.
The tower spared only the lifeless.
Sensing the tower's qi dissipate, Yeop Hyeon sighed in relief and collapsed.
Moments later, spasms seized his limbs. Veins bulged, threatening to erupt through skin.
Yeon Man Ri rushed over, eyes worried.
"Side effects?"
She grasped it instantly.
His object whisked away all warriors—even True Law Realms. A divine treasure, Heavenly Realm at least. For Divine Fusion Realm Yeop Hyeon to wield it? Backlash inevitable.
Gazing briefly, she cradled him and departed.
Not long after they vanished, a middle-aged man appeared in the arena.
Yuk Jon Ju of Hogye Meng.
His face was grim. He'd missed the Gyeok Ok Tower's emergence—sensing a spy, he'd pursued.
But caught nothing.
Returning, all gone.
Someone aiding Yeop Hyeon covertly?
Yuk Jon Ju coldly swept the arena. Aiding Yeop Hyeon despite Hogye Meng's hunt? Direct defiance.
No ordinary force dared such boldness.
"Issue the command. Investigate everything on Yeop Hyeon. From Qingzhou, parents, kin—anything linked. And announce to the world: Yeop Hyeon and Yeon Man Ri are dead. Qingzhou crumbles without them—no need for Jungto Sinju forces!"
"Yes, Lord!"
A voice from shadows replied, then faded away.
Yuk Jon Ju scanned intently once more. Grave-faced. Vanishing hundreds traceless? No simple foes. Where had those two fled?
For now, no overfocus. Greater tasks awaited.
Retrieve Canglan Lord's headquarters from Canglan Continent.
Soon, Yuk Jon Ju vanished.
Immediately after, a shadow emerged, glanced about, and dissolved utterly.
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