Chapter 78
Chapter 78
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: The Righteous Heaven Alliance's Founding Ceremony
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The group was startled by his words and looked down at the floor. The stone slabs filling the ground were all different shapes.
However, they interlocked perfectly where they were shaped to fit, sealing the earth beneath so tightly that not a speck of dirt was visible.
"We can't know the exact name of the formation, but it's not some mild illusion array like the one set up outside. It's definitely a powerful killing formation."
Jegal Rin drew that conclusion, drawing on all her knowledge. And her judgment was quite accurate.
"It might be best to stay on our guard."
Everyone nodded at the Sword Demon's murmur. They proceeded forward slowly.
The clearing was packed with people. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say every martial artist who'd flocked here for the treasures was gathered in this one spot.
The group found a suitable place to stand. At the edge of the clearing rose a tall platform, and atop it sat several figures in prepared chairs.
"There's the Tyrant Dragon."
Among those on the platform, the one who stood out most was the Tyrant Dragon, Pae Jang-cheon. Seated around him were several renowned elders of the martial world, their faces well-known to the crowd.
"He's drawn quite a crowd. Still, the True Heaven Alliance Leader won't be among them."
The group nodded at the Sword King's assessment. It was beyond them. No alliance on the scale of the True Heaven Alliance could be forged from the power of the sects they led alone.
Until recently, they might have thought the Tyrant Dragon had potential, even if his vessel was a bit small. But after entering the True Heaven Alliance today, they'd changed their minds. It was utterly impossible for the likes of the Tyrant Dragon or even the Tyrant Sword Sect.
Tension rippled through the crowd gathered below the platform. Hundreds were there, yet not a soul spoke. All eyes were fixed on the platform.
The Tyrant Dragon rose from his chair and stepped forward. He cupped his fists politely toward the assembled heroes. His actions were courteous, but his aura was anything but. A domineering pressure crushed down on everyone in the clearing.
"First, I offer my thanks to all the heroes who have gathered here today for the True Heaven Alliance's founding ceremony."
The Tyrant Dragon's tone was impeccably polite and humble. Yet even as he spoke, that domineering aura persisted.
After finishing his salute, he stood tall and continued. Power began to infuse his words. His tone shifted entirely.
"The martial world today is weak—frail to its core! What we need now is fresh vigor! A new hero to lead this era!"
As he spoke, he swept his gaze over the crowd. Those who met his bulging eyes felt a chill crawl up their spines. Lightning seemed to flash from his gaze.
"Peace has dragged on too long. The martial world faces crisis. Those lurking in the shadows, quietly building their strength and eyeing our world with greed—they're drawing their long-honed blades one by one! You all must know the signs appearing across the martial world!"
After saying that, he glared at one spot. It was where the Sword King, Sword Demon, and Dan Hyeong-u sat. The Tyrant Dragon's terrifying glare shot toward Dan Hyeong-u. But Dan Hyeong-u merely stared back with utterly indifferent eyes.
"The True Heaven Alliance has risen to shatter all of that. This founding ceremony will last ten days. Observe the vision we present during that time. The True Heaven Alliance will never mistreat heroes who join us to advance into the future."
With that, the Tyrant Dragon offered another polite salute. In an instant, he withdrew his domineering aura.
"Woooaaah!"
A massive cheer erupted. The simultaneous roars of hundreds echoed thunderously through the True Heaven Alliance.
The Tyrant Dragon returned to his seat with a satisfied expression.
From then on, True Heaven Alliance warriors appeared here and there. They guided the assembled heroes with utmost care. The founding ceremony had finally begun. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Dan Hyeong-u's group was led by a True Heaven Alliance warrior to a spacious room. Since there were both men and women, they were assigned two rooms.
"This is quite an unusual founding ceremony."
"You're telling me."
Tang Mun-yeong's remark drew a nod from Tang Ho-gwan. It truly was unusual. Typically, such events ended with a feast, or they'd hold a tournament to liven things up—and to boast the alliance's strength.
The Martial Alliance had done just that. They'd used the tournament to imprint the current Alliance Leader, Dugun Un's transcendent martial prowess on everyone. It was the safest method.
Yet the True Heaven Alliance wasn't following suit. Holding the ceremony for ten full days had to be a massive burden for them. Providing food and lodging for hundreds alone was no small feat.
"I wonder what they're planning to show us? They haven't even revealed who the Alliance Leader is."
"Who knows? They must have something up their sleeve."
Speculating wouldn't yield much. They'd find out soon enough anyway.
The True Heaven Alliance threw a grand feast for the attendees, but no one could focus on it. Only Dan Hyeong-u showed genuine interest in sampling the novel dishes.
And so the first day passed.
"So that's what they were after."
Tang Ho-gwan nodded. Starting the second day, the True Heaven Alliance's goal became clear. They were showcasing the alliance's own power. The ten days were for that very purpose.
The True Heaven Alliance was essentially wide open. No attendee faced restrictions anywhere within. They could tour every corner.
Then the formations activated. For the next ten days, no one could leave the grounds. Some grumbled about the measure, but it wasn't reversed.
The True Heaven Alliance was vast, with plenty to see. There was a pond so large it was practically a lake, and artificial mountains with waterfalls.
But those were mere fractions. In the martial world, power was what mattered. The True Heaven Alliance displayed its full might unreservedly. And the people wanted to see it.
Thus, the training grounds drew the most attention.
The True Heaven Alliance had several large-scale training grounds. Warriors in identical uniforms gathered at each, practicing their arts.
Normally, martial training wasn't for outsiders' eyes, but now it was on full display—meant to be seen.
A few True Heaven Alliance warriors at each ground kindly explained things to the curious onlookers.
Dan Hyeong-u's group was touring the training grounds as well.
"Impressive. They seem far superior to the Martial Alliance's Azure Dragon Unit or White Tiger Unit. Where on earth did they train such warriors?"
"The Alliance Leader, probably."
The Sword King said it casually. Everyone nodded. That was likely the truth. Now the only question was who the Leader was.
Overhearing, a nearby True Heaven Alliance warrior smiled and spoke up.
"Exactly. Warriors personally trained by the Alliance Leader. They all possess remarkable skill. The ones you're seeing here are the Heaven-Shaking Squad."
"Heaven-Shaking Squad... A weighty name."
"Haha, just a cool title. The True Heaven Alliance seeks nothing more than the proper heavens—a righteous world."
"Sure, whatever you say."
"Tour the various training grounds, and you'll feel the True Heaven Alliance's immense power. There are surely warriors to pique even the Sword King's curiosity."
"Noted."
The Sword King turned away. There was nothing more to see here.
The group wandered, exploring every corner of the True Heaven Alliance.
"What do you think, sir?"
Jegal Rin asked the Sword King. He nodded.
"Impressive. No idea where these guys were hiding until now. Especially that Annihilation Heaven Squad—they're no joke."
The Sword King recalled encountering the Annihilation Heaven Squad. It numbered only thirty.
"Squad" felt too grand; "platoon" suited better. But their prowess surpassed every other unit. Each was a peak master.
Even the Sword King would struggle if they all attacked at once. That's how strong they were.
"After seeing this, plenty of sects will want a foot in the door with the True Heaven Alliance. The formations, the wealth to build a manor like this, the elite squads—nothing falls short of the Martial Alliance."
"Indeed. If things go wrong, the True Heaven Alliance could truly split the martial world in two."
"There are Martial Alliance folks here too. They'll be on high alert."
"Sheesh, tsk tsk. At a time when Heavenly Demon Fortress might stir."
The Sword King muttered, glancing at the Sword Demon. The Sword Demon didn't respond. It wasn't entirely wrong. He had no interest in such matters, but the Heavenly Demon did. So did the other demons in Heavenly Demon Fortress.
They weren't the type to stay quiet forever.
And so the ten days passed.
The True Heaven Alliance's founding ceremony now awaited only the Alliance Leader's appearance. People gathered back at the original clearing. The platform still stood, now holding the Tyrant Dragon and other martial elders.
A sharp tension filled the air. Over the past ten days, they'd been utterly overwhelmed by the True Heaven Alliance's power. Now they awaited its core. No one could claim to be calm.
The Tyrant Dragon stepped forward again.
"The True Heaven Alliance will always stand open. We will unite all strength to overcome the crises looming over the martial world."
He opened with that, then paused.
"Now, the Alliance Leader will appear. With that, we'll conclude the ten-day founding ceremony."
No sooner had he finished than lightning crashed from the sky.
Kwarung!
Those focused on the platform jumped back in shock, eyes widening moments later.
A man had appeared with the lightning, plummeting from the heavens like a bolt itself.
"I am the one who will lead the True Heaven Alliance."
All eyes locked on him. He appeared in his mid-thirties. Handsome, yes, but whether he suited heading such a grand organization remained to be seen.
"Heaven Shadow. I am but a shadow of the heavens. I shall become that shadow to guide the world to the righteous path."
As his words fell, a ferocious energy surged outward from him.
Kwaaaa!
Kwajijik!
The energy shot obliquely into the sky. But everyone felt it. How extraordinary it was.
The platform beneath him began crumbling. Made of marble, it shattered into powder and scattered.
Peok!
The platform turned to dust in an instant, the debris whirling madly outward.
Then, in a flash, it all vanished. Heaven Shadow had withdrawn his power.
The platform was gone, but Heaven Shadow floated in its place, as if standing on air. He swept a smiling gaze over the crowd, then turned and walked away—stepping across empty space toward the True Heaven Alliance's heart. With each step spanning dozens of jang, he soon vanished from sight.
It was an awe-inspiring Void Stride.
The heroes watched in a daze. No words came. This shock dwarfed the awe of the past ten days. They had felt the True Heaven Alliance Leader’s power with their own skin.
"The world's greatest..."
The murmur slipped from someone's lips. Barely audible, it whispered into every hero's ear. They all nodded.
Perhaps he truly was the world's greatest.
Thus ended the True Heaven Alliance's founding ceremony. ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 2. Undercurrents
The True Heaven Alliance's founding ceremony sent massive ripples through the martial world. The Martial Alliance took a particularly heavy blow. Sects defecting from it to join the True Heaven Alliance had drastically weakened their power.
"This is no small matter, Alliance Leader. We need extraordinary measures."
"Indeed. It's far too suspicious. Elevating someone who won't even reveal his true name—Heaven Shadow—as Leader? Their intentions are deeply questionable."
Dugun Un frowned at the elders and unit leaders' unified cries. Too many red flags. If it were just sects leaving to form a new alliance, he'd accept it. With the Demonic Alliance and Greenwoods Bandits fully dismantled, it was a natural progression.
But this was different.
The True Heaven Alliance wasn't formed by defecting Martial Alliance sects. Those were mere window dressing. It was actually a gathering of talents unrelated to them.
"First, we need detailed intel on this Heaven Shadow elevated as their Leader."
At Dugun Un's words, the Vermilion Bird Unit Leader spoke immediately.
"We've done some preliminary investigation."
Dugun Un nodded, and the leader bowed slightly before continuing.
"His real name is unknown. He might not even have one. Called Heaven Shadow since childhood, so that could be it. He's the sect leader of the Heaven Shadow Sect."
"Heaven Shadow Sect?"
The elders looked puzzled. It was unfamiliar—no, completely unknown.