Chapter 247
Chapter 247
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 247
Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm
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Heavenly Realm
I could suddenly tell as I faced off against Lee Gwang from three zhang away.
'Lee Gwang's intent is that stable, huh.'
It wasn't just experts facing off with some distance between them—it felt like our intervals were tightly intertwined like a barrier. Those who had comprehended intent could go a step further, twisting even that barrier apart. And Lee Gwang was hiding his openings to the extreme, refusing to give even a single gap.
In the past, I never could have sensed it. But now, having trained intent for a long time and received guidance from the Sword Demon, I could gauge the interplay between true super-peak experts. It was more like an obsession bordering on delusion, a blind madness to smother the opponent's world with one's own.
Swoooo...
As I slowly raised my sword, I felt sweat beading on the tip of my nose. We hadn't even exchanged a single proper exchange yet, but clashing intervals with Lee Gwang was already draining my mental energy. Still, I managed to hold my ground without getting dragged into his pace, maintaining my combat stance.
Lee Gwang, who had been staring at me impassively, spoke.
"For your age, you're really something. You're reading the feints and realities well."
"I'll go first."
Pang!
Ignoring his praise, I charged forward with the sound of air exploding. My opening move was the Thunder Shadow Swordsmanship's Thunder Shadow Ferry—a basic technique among the Thunder God Style's sword arts. Lee Gwang's eyebrow twitched as he saw my sword form.
Kclang!
A deafening clash rang out, sending violent shockwaves rippling like shattering iron. Through the waves, I caught sight of Lee Gwang's face twisting into a fierce scowl. He swung his spear wide to shake me off, and I calmly endured the pressure before retreating with a step.
Lee Gwang roared like a lion.
[So the successor to the Thunder God Style joined another sect's discipleship?!]
He must have been uncertain right up until we clashed weapons. From his perspective, it made no sense for the Thunder God Style's successor to enter another sect as a disciple. Watching from the side, the Sword Demon crossed his arms and spoke.
"What's the problem? Does that affect the spar?"
Lee Gwang whipped his head around and glared at the Sword Demon.
"What are you thinking? You know about the Thunder God Style, yet you took our sect's successor as a disciple...?"
"Don't get heated alone. You never even asked if White Protector was from the Thunder God Style."
The Sword Demon shrugged and continued.
"And unless there's some sect law forbidding successors from joining other sects, your shattered faction doesn't seem in a position to nitpick. Shouldn't you praise a disciple striving to improve his skills instead?"
"There's no law. But morally, it's unacceptable."
"Why not save that talk for after the spar? Nothing's more unsightly than growling over external matters mid-fight."
Grind.
I could hear Lee Gwang openly grinding his teeth. The Sword Demon had him by the weaknesses in multiple ways, so force wasn't an option—and it wouldn't work anyway. Instead, Lee Gwang glared at me with savage eyes and said.
"If you're the successor, that's different. As the Thunder God Style's patriarch, I must hear of your achievements."
I snorted derisively.
"Patriarch? Who acknowledged that? With the previous hall guardian lion dead, key experts scattered, and even the Thunderclap Three Venerables missing, how can you claim the title alone, Lee Gwang?"
"......"
Not just Lee Gwang—even Jin So-cheong watching from the side looked stunned. I knew the Thunder God Style's situation far better than a young successor should, thanks to the Thunderclap Three Venerables' tales. I was well aware Lee Gwang lacked the qualifications, and faced with a valid counter, he seemed momentarily flustered.
After a pause, Lee Gwang growled back.
"Whoever your Thunder God Style master is, he's a rotten scoundrel. And the bastard of the world, no doubt."
I lit up with agreement.
"Of course! That guy's the son of a bitch of the world, a total lowlife. You know him well!"
"......?!"
"That bastard needs his cheeks slapped until he rolls in the streets shitting blood like a dog. Thanks for saying it so refreshingly!"
Lee Gwang couldn't hide his bewilderment at my fervent agreement. For all his domineering cruelty, he had a sense of dignity, so this unexpected turn left him rattled. He never imagined someone badmouthing their own master so eagerly.
But his actions were like spitting while lying down. I felt great.
Grinning, I said.
"Enough chit-chat. Show me the skills backing that patriarch claim. I've wanted to see them for ages."
"...Fine. No regrets."
Lee Gwang gripped his spear tighter, a hint of anger in his demeanor. Up to now, it had felt like swatting an ignorant punk; now, he'd show some real intent to make me realize the gap.
I knew without a word. After all, I'd shared over decades of enmity with that man.
Peeeng!
Air tore as the Ten Thousand Swords Principle burst from my blade. Each thread infused with sword flame, packed with max power and speed. As the sword path hit its tenth change, sword shadows like clouds swept Lee Gwang's upper body.
Lee Gwang leaned back fluidly like an iron bridge, dodging the killing blows, then swung his spear wide to deflect over half my sword path. I endured with overwhelming inner power and accelerated into swift strikes.
Saaa...
That was the moment. Lee Gwang's body flickered and vanished. I panicked briefly at losing my target but sensed something incoming at tremendous speed and dodged urgently.
My sideburns exploded. Glancing back at the grazed spot, there stood Lee Gwang. I'd thought teleportation, but realized otherwise.
'Thunder Shadow Step: Heaven Piercer!'
A footwork secret of Thunder Shadow Step, specialized for real combat! Even at my novice level, mastering Heaven Piercer made peak experts wary. In Lee Gwang's hands, it became peerless movement, free advance and retreat. Worlds apart from my achievement.
I knew not to fall for his afterimages. Battle experience told me that truth. Calmly parrying visible attacks, I sharpened my senses further and detected an intense spear flash incoming from behind.
I instantly used Annihilation Step to leap forward at the same speed as the spear flash, then pivoted and unleashed sword force at Lee Gwang's position.
Kwa-gwang!!
Dust billowed from the fierce explosion. The forest swayed as wind swept the arena. My sword force had clashed with his qi.
After deflecting, Lee Gwang said, surprised.
"How did you spot the Thunder Shadow Annihilation coming?"
"I don't fall for afterimages."
"That level of caution wouldn't cut it. Without knowing I had Thunder Shadow Annihilation, you couldn't dodge like that."
Lee Gwang murmured lowly.
'Yeah, figured.'
I'd sparred Lee Gwang dozens, hundreds of times at Azure Dragon Martial Hall. Thirty percent of my惨 defeats came from that Thunder Shadow Annihilation. Dazzled by flashy Heaven Piercer steps, blocking the traceless vital strike was impossible at normal levels. But having eaten it countless times, I roughly knew his habits, timing.
I glanced at the Sword Demon and sent a transmission.
[May I use it?]
He replied.
[Lee Gwang can't seriously injure you. Seize the advantage with your best technique.]
[Understood.]
Permission granted.
Now for Coiling Void Sword and Heavenly Pivot Sword.
"Haat!"
Pajijik.
I slowly gathered and amplified my qi, but Lee Gwang didn't let me and attacked.
"Take this!"
Thunder Cannon Spear flew in. Without warning, in a beam form, it was death's light itself. I'd never seen anyone but hall guardian lion-level withstand it unscathed.
'I've dreamed of this for years. How to counter that Thunder Cannon Spear!'
I gritted my teeth. I'd deliberately gathered qi, creating a gap to draw it out. In a short fight, to gain edge over Lee Gwang, lure his attack and counter.
Qi amassed.
Thunder Cannon Spear, an intent ultimate, couldn't be blocked or dodged normally. Only counter with another intent ultimate. I fixated on the terrifyingly fast incoming spear in mental clarity's instant, maxing reflex nerves. Violently released gathered qi through the eight extraordinary meridians, operating Baek Woong Formula and Divide-Mind Formula simultaneously.
"Hup—"
Breath drawn to chest. Simultaneously, my body via Annihilation Step precisely evaded to Thunder Cannon Spear's blind spot. At that speed, evasion possible. But true to form, Lee Gwang twisted direction instantly, pursuing relentlessly. The light's slash boiled fiercely, like a charging spear piercing heavenly hosts.
"Pa!"
Exhaled.
Simultaneously, my sword path obliquely slashed space. The intent ultimate severing space itself drew a long black line, twisting the slashed part.
Intent Ultimate
Coiling Void Slash!
"......!!"
Lee Gwang panicked as Coiling Void Slash warped Thunder Cannon Spear's path, striking from an unexpected angle. He planted one foot firm and unleashed 32 spear strikes from standstill, qi flowing in each.
Kwa-gwang!!
'Consecutive intent ultimates?'
I groaned amid explosions. My Coiling Void Slash had drained mental and qi energy heavily. But Lee Gwang followed Thunder Cannon Spear with an unknown variation as intent ultimate. His understanding far surpassed mine.
Leaping through smoke, Lee Gwang unleashed another spear flash.
Heavenly Thunder Infinite Spear
Wheel Ring Thunder
Tudududung
"Ugh..."
Heavenly Thunder Infinite Spear's ultimate, Wheel Ring Thunder, poured rotating spear shadows like a downpour. Each spinning blade held terrifying power; tracking changes overwhelmed me. Realizing another intent ultimate, I was shocked inwardly.
'What? His inner power isn't that vast—how consecutive intent ultimates...'
No time for questions. Gritting teeth, I used Heavenly Pivot Sword's mysteries to repel Wheel Ring Thunder's onslaught with repulsive force. Hugging vast inner power, I unleashed full sword light; Lee Gwang couldn't scorn it and retreated.
Kgang!
Kkagang!!
For the next two hundred seventy exchanges, we clashed madly. I wanted to overwhelm with inner power, but Lee Gwang never yielded easily, often using intent ultimates to push me back. Each time, I repeatedly found paths with Coiling Void Sword and Heavenly Pivot Sword.
Sweat beaded on my forehead. Gritting teeth, swinging sword, I thought.
'Use Thunder Roar?'
Thunder Roar might give edge. Could land a big cut on Lee Gwang's gut. Battle so far made it near-certain.
But instinct? Super-peak experience and vague senses screamed no. No reason, yet gut rejected Thunder Roar. Wrong choice here.
Kang!
Lee Gwang sweated profusely now, tiring. Lacking my inner power depth, each clash burdened him. Seeing it deepened my conflict.
'Just one strike... once... let me land it!'
What to do?
Intense dilemma gripped me. I could now handle his attacks, survive counters. But nameless unease blocked it. This expert-only contradiction unbearable.
"......"
Endure.
Century grudge resolution.
Must hold longer.
Gritting teeth, I plunged back fiercely. Rash move could lead to eternal regret on counter. Felt like not momentum, but gamble.
Then, around three hundred exchanges, Lee Gwang changed.
"How's this!"
Keeeng—
Lee Gwang's body seemed light-wrapped. Thought illusion, but real light. Then familiar breathing flowed, qi cycling.
"......!!"
Before his next breath, I urgently exhaled mine.
Thunder Roar!
Puk-puk-puk
Next instant, massive shock hurled me ten-odd zhang. Tree behind shattered on impact, flying. In that blink, faster than my flight, Lee Gwang reached my eyes.
Whiiiish
Kclang!
His follow-thrust met my Coiling Void Slash counter. Weapons clashed midair with sparks; hands numb, but confirmed blocking his killing blow unscathed.
Moments later, we landed simultaneously.
Lee Gwang stared in disbelief.
"...How did you Thunder Roar..."
"You're not the only one taught it."
"......"
Indeed.
Just now, Lee Gwang used Thunder Roar for instant win; I countered half-breath late, barely blocking. Any slower, my gut riddled with holes.
Lee Gwang staggered, qi and stamina drained. Then glaring murderously,
"You're no pushover. For real now."
Then.
"That's enough!"
Spectators swarmed. Jin So-cheong supported worried Lee Gwang; Sword Demon neared me. Yeon Jeong-hong scanned arena oddly. Sword Demon told Lee Gwang.
"For a friendly spar, this suffices."
"What... you end it at your whim?!"
"Confident suppressing White Protector without killing?"
"......"
Lee Gwang silent.
Chill ran down my spine.
'Ugh...'
His "for real now"—meant true killing moves from here. Sword Demon and super-peaks thought real deathmatch now, hence intervening.
Sword Demon grinned.
"Thanks for the show anyway. White Protector learned much."
Lee Gwang scowled like chewing shit, gruffly.
"More business with us?"
"None now, but you have with me."
Replying, Sword Demon lipped a transmission. Lee Gwang's eyes cooled; another irresistible offer. Sword Demon chuckled.
"Rooting for you. Hang in."
"......"
Pa-at
We left Zhongnan Sect post-spar, then Golden Winged Roc to Shadowless Gate.
In annex, Sword Demon said.
"Well done."
"...Couldn't land the blow."
I vented regret. Indeed, no solid hit on Lee Gwang. Even till late Thunder Roar, just defended desperately.
Sword Demon laughed heartily.
"Too greedy! You already landed several."
"Huh?"
"No killing blows, but Lee Gwang went full out yet couldn't suppress you over two hundred exchanges. Even final ace Thunder Roar failed serious injury. How's prideful Lee Gwang take that?"
"......!!"
"With Jin So-cheong, Yeon Jeong-hong watching. Face shredded."
Never considered. Legs buckled; slumped into chair exhausted.
Sword Demon as I sagged.
"Well done."
"Thanks."
Fatigued reply, sly smile.
Goal unmet yet.
No proper 'blow' on Lee Gwang.
Century grudge remains.
'But next time...'
I'll surpass him.
Now fully possible.