Chapter 1023
"Heh heh heh heh."
Bu Eun-seol swept his hand across his forehead and burst into wild laughter.
"Hahaha!"
White steam continuously rose from his body.
"So you were a manufactured Heaven-Slaying Star?"
Eung-bi was not a naturally born Heaven-Slaying Star.
He was an artificial One Hundred and Eight Star, created by Chu-so.
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
Eung-bi's gaze turned utterly frigid.
The fact that he was a manufactured Heaven-Slaying Star was something only Chu-so in the entire world knew.
So how could this bastard have seen through it in an instant?
"Well, I accepted you because I wondered just how impressive you'd be..."
Flash!
At that moment, like the blazing sun burning away the morning mist, a strange energy began to coil around Bu Eun-seol's body.
Simultaneously, the light vanished from Bu Eun-seol's pupils, and a force that seemed to twist the very space around him layered itself upon reality.
Overlap.
In preparation for any counterattack that might resist the power of Annihilation Flame, he had overlapped and unleashed that very force.
Sssssss—
Before anyone realized it, a black hole that devoured all the colors of the world had formed behind Bu Eun-seol's back.
It was an absolute Emptiness, swallowing everything that existed.
"A fake like you, acting all high and mighty."
Bu Eun-seol bared his fangs in a grin.
"No matter how profound the power of Annihilation Flame is, can it be more despairing than the abyss in one's heart?"
He stretched out a hand.
And then, as if it had never existed in the first place—
The black hole itself gradually faded, erased from the painting of the world.
But in that very moment—
BOOM!
A massive explosion engulfed both Bu Eun-seol and Eung-bi at once.
Sssssss—
Black flames splattered across their bodies simultaneously.
Sssssss—
Then, the white steam rising from Bu Eun-seol's body grew even thicker.
As the overlapping Annihilation Flame clashed with the power Bu Eun-seol had unleashed,
the tremendous Supernatural Power that had been circulating within the two masters' bodies vanished at the same time.
"Heh heh heh. Look at this."
Bu Eun-seol, who had been laughing with a kuk-kuk sound,
"So there was a method like this."
clenched his teeth in irritation and muttered under his breath.
"Bu Eun-seol, you clever little bastard..."
In truth, he was not in a state where Bu Eun-seol's personality was mixed in—he was Baekri Geom-ha himself.
He had taught Bu Eun-seol a flawed scripture, and in the end, he had completely taken over the body.
—That it would temporarily mix is just your wishful thinking... You might never return to your original state.
As if it were a proper scripture.
As though their personalities would merge, creating a situation where friend and foe became indistinguishable.
Even worrying about it, no less.
Whoooosh—
At that moment, a clear lucid clarity began to seep into Bu Eun-seol's eyes, which had been flickering with wickedness and Killing Intent.
Bu Eun-seol's personality, which had been stolen by Baekri Geom-ha, was slowly reclaiming its rightful place.
'Just as I expected.'
Having returned to his original personality, Bu Eun-seol inwardly sighed in relief.
Back when he had rescued Wooden Buddha,
after encountering the Heaven-Slaying Star, he had conducted extensive research on its power.
Because he had a premonition that he would face it again.
His investigation revealed that the most terrifying power of the Heaven-Slaying Star was Annihilation Flame, which could completely erase any Supernatural Power.
And he had also discerned that if struck by that power while his body was stolen by Baekri Geom-ha,
it could paradoxically become a cure that would sever the boundary of that chaos.
'Because Baekri Geom-ha's power also possesses the attribute of annihilating everything.'
When the forces of annihilation and annihilation collide, the result is inevitably Void.
Not only could it suppress the Heaven-Slaying Star's Supernatural Power, but he had predicted that Baekri Geom-ha's personality would be repelled into the Abyss.
'That bastard would never give me a proper scripture.'
Bu Eun-seol had never trusted Baekri Geom-ha in the first place.
A wicked creature whose emotions were impossible to predict would never let slip a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
In the end, they had backstabbed each other, and the final victor was Bu Eun-seol.
Whoooosh—
Then, white steam began to rise from Eung-bi's body as well.
With Baekri Geom-ha's power and the Heaven-Slaying Star's power colliding, the Supernatural Power within his body had been completely sealed.
"Right. You were someone I had to kill without fail."
Even though all his Supernatural Power had vanished, Eung-bi's Killing Intent began to surge wildly, as if going berserk.
Provoked by Baekri Geom-ha's taunts, Eung-bi's inherent Killing Intent had now exploded.
"Sealing my Supernatural Power..."
From Eung-bi's eyes, white Killing Intent rose like heat haze, writhing violently.
"Did you think you could defeat me with just Martial Arts alone?"
"......"
"In your dreams! Your sword will never touch my body!"
Flash!
Instead of answering, Bu Eun-seol drew the Ink Soul Sword and immediately unleashed his sword technique.
It was clearly a single initiating strike.
Yet the tip of his sword painted dozens—no, hundreds—of afterimages in the air.
The trajectories of the blade, unfolding at speeds beyond the eye's perception, overlapped and intertwined in an instant—
until they had all but enveloped the very space where Eung-bi stood.
'I already know my sword strikes can't reach him.'
From their confrontation when rescuing Wooden Buddha, Bu Eun-seol knew better than anyone how swiftly Eung-bi could move.
That was why he hadn't employed a sword technique meant to cut the enemy.
Instead, he predicted every possible space Eung-bi could move through—
then, adapting the Sword Laughs at Xuanyuan manual, unleashed over a hundred and eighty sword energies at once, densely seeding them along every retreat path and anticipated trajectory...
It was a kind of sword formation—one he had draped directly over Eung-bi's body.
Swoosh!
Eung-bi moved at blinding speed, leaving behind a stark white afterimage.
But like a spider spinning its web in midair—
the razor-sharp sword energies Bu Eun-seol had poured forth now fell like a net, sealing off all escape routes.
Left with no choice, Eung-bi had to halt his movement and counter the sword technique.
The faster he tried to move—
the more he ended up throwing himself straight into that web of sword energy.
Grk—Clang!
Suddenly, Eung-bi conjured black mist with his right hand, then formed a blade of True Qi to parry.
Sssk—Shk-shk-shk-shk!
But Bu Eun-seol had already clashed with Eung-bi once before.
He knew all too well that Eung-bi would deploy sword strokes meant to sever the flow of his technique.
Whirr—!
The sword energies, previously woven like a spider's web, now transformed into needle-thin strikes, piercing toward Eung-bi's vital points.
The shift occurred precisely as Eung-bi's sword technique unfolded—
so even someone capable of moving at hyper-speed couldn't evade those needle-like sword energies in time.
Pah-pah-pah!
Thin streaks of blood bloomed across Eung-bi's arms, legs, and flank where the sword energies had struck.
Though not fatal, his eyes flickered with shock and disbelief.
He had been confident until now that no attack could touch him—
yet that conviction had just been shattered for the first time.
Worse still—
if he tried to evade, he would only plunge deeper into the space already saturated with sword energy.
Wasn't this sword formation now pouring relentlessly before his very eyes?
"You know me!"
Realizing that Bu Eun-seol had fully grasped his martial habits and techniques, Eung-bi—
Pah-pah-pah-pah!
—instantly fanned out sword energies like the ribs of a folding screen, slicing through the net Bu Eun-seol had woven in a single breath.
But there was a fundamental difference between moving one's body at hyper-speed and swinging a sword at hyper-speed.
Movement techniques were complete once they achieved speed in motion.
But sword techniques were not perfected simply by swinging faster or harder.
Sword techniques were the culmination of centuries of weapon-based martial arts—
a discipline that unfolded the principles accumulated through countless warriors' insights and training.
Fwoo-fwoo-fwoo-fwoo.
Though Eung-bi, born with the Heaven-Slaying Star, possessed truly exceptional talent—
when it came to the realm of sword studies, he could never match Bu Eun-seol.
From birth, he had been gifted with abilities worthy of being called the strongest under heaven, along with his Heaven-Slaying Constitution—
so his mastery of martial arts had come far too easily.
Ironically, that very ease had prevented him from fully grasping the depth of martial arts.
BOOM!
With a deafening blast, Eung-bi was sent flying back roughly twelve meters.
Bu Eun-seol's sword technique was the distilled essence of martial arts refined to its absolute limit—condensing within it the practitioner's internal energy, spirit, countless experiences, and profound realizations.
But Eung-bi's sword studies were nothing more than hollow techniques, prioritizing sheer power over substance.
In the end, it was like an unyielding boulder endlessly colliding with an empty gourd.
"Did martial arts seem easy to you?"
Bu Eun-seol looked down at the fallen Eung-bi, his voice low.
"Did you think it was just a matter of learning and mastering it?"
Though he had amassed immense internal energy thanks to the breathing techniques he'd practiced since childhood—
when Bu Eun-seol first trained in martial arts, his body had been more ordinary than anyone else's.
That was why he had ceaselessly studied martial arts day and night.
Even while eating, even while sleeping—
even in his dreams, he unraveled the principles of martial arts and explored its doctrines.
No matter how much of a Heaven-Slaying Star one might be—
in a battle fought purely through martial arts, there was no defeating Bu Eun-seol.
"Don't get cocky!"
Whap!
Eung-bi formed another phantom blade and lunged at Bu Eun-seol again.
Thwack-thwack-thwack!
As their close-quarters exchange intensified—
"Ghk—!"
A choked gasp burst from Eung-bi's lips.
Thrust, and he would coil around it. Slash, and he would unravel it.
The moment he closed the distance, the opponent retreated. The moment he retreated, they clung to him like a shadow.
No matter what he did, there was no escape.
The more he tried to pull away, the more it felt like an unshakable ghost was clinging to him.
"Ugh."
In that instant, Eung-bi's gaze changed.
The Heaven-Slaying Star possessed infinite killing intent, and that killing intent was deeply intertwined with the emotion of rage.
Unable to withstand Bu Eun-seol, who clung to him like a specter, he erupted with fury and murderous aura—
Once again, amplifying the power of his martial arts.
Pak-pak-pak-pak!
In response, the sword formation Bu Eun-seol unleashed grew even denser and fiercer.
The space between the two was filled with sword energy like streaks of light.
With sword energy saturating every direction, the space to move grew narrower by the second.
Had Yu Un-ryong and the Annihilation Palace Master not separated the space by unfolding a mindscape using a method like the Absolute Boundary—
They would have undoubtedly been torn to shreds by the storm of sword energy.
Fssht!
Then, the sound of blood spraying into the air rang out.
It wasn't from Bu Eun-seol or Eung-bi—
But from the space where the Annihilation Palace Master and Yu Un-ryong had vanished.
Clearly, even with the Mind's Eye Mirror, Yu Un-ryong had been unable to hold his own against the Annihilation Palace Master and had suffered severe injuries.
'Was it too much for him?'
For an instant, Bu Eun-seol's gaze and focus flickered toward that direction.
Flash!
Eung-bi did not miss that moment—he unleashed a streak of black light.
By harnessing his rage, he had amplified the power of his martial arts dozens of times over. An attack impossible to block head-on.
Shiiing—
Finally, the obsidian sword pierced through flesh.
White smoke rose from Bu Eun-seol's body.
But something was strange.
Even though Eung-bi's sword had impaled him, the blade did not emerge from his back.
Had he, in that critical moment, unleashed the power of Baekri Geom-ha once more?
Zzziiing—
Now, a faint black radiance shimmered around Bu Eun-seol's body, accompanied by a mysterious wind.
Not the power of Baekri Geom-ha—
But the supreme principle of the Wind & Cloud Divine Qi: Wind Body, Empty Penetration.
He had let the attack pass right through him.
Flash!
At the same time, a brilliant light erupted from Bu Eun-seol's Ink Soul Sword, and a crimson gleam pierced toward Eung-bi's throat.
He had seized the perfect instant—
And unleashed the Transcendent Meteor Chasing Moon Form, delivering death to his foe.
Fssht! Schlick!
Blood sprayed into the air, rising a full foot high—
Eung-bi's severed neck bent at a right angle.
At last, the Heaven-Slaying Star had been cut down.
But Bu Eun-seol had no time to savor Eung-bi's death.
Kwaaang!
Exploding with power, he swung the Ink Soul Sword with all his might toward the darkness on the opposite side.
Flash!
A brilliant radiance poured forth, and the darkness began to recede.
Using Harmonization, he forcibly tore away the space where the Mind's Eye Mirror had been unfolded.
There stood Yu Un-ryong, drenched in blood, still gripping his sword.
And before him—
Sindo Jang-cheong stood tall, arms folded behind his back.
"Haa... haa..."
Yu Un-ryong, covered in blood, gasped for breath.
Plink.
Through the torn fabric of his clothes—
A divine treasure capable of forging the body into a Diamond Body—Divine Descent—was visible.
But it was riddled with spiderweb-like cracks, its fragments crumbling away.
Even a divine artifact of the Divine Maiden Palace, said to be wielded by immortals, had been unable to withstand Sindo Jang-cheong's Palm Energy—shattered beyond repair.
"Rest now."
At Bu Eun-seol's words, Yu Un-ryong nodded and retreated.
Then, Bu Eun-seol's hand moved swiftly—
A brief Voice Transmission reached Yu Un-ryong.
But Sindo Jang-cheong, arms still crossed, showed no sign of noticing.
Rustle.
Yu Un-ryong pulled the shattered treasure from his chest and the Immortal Artifact fastened around his wrist—
Scattering them across the ground.
To ensure they would not interfere in Bu Eun-seol and Sindo Jang-cheong's battle—
He unfolded the Mind's Eye Mirror once more and vanished.
"Tch."
Sindo Jang-cheong clicked his tongue as he glanced at Eung-bi's fallen form in the distance.
"He swore he could kill the Martial Soul Lord without fail. In the end, was that all he amounted to?"
Even though Bu Eun-seol had slain Eung-bi, Sindo Jang-cheong showed no surprise—only shook his head dismissively.
"Supernatural powers have their limits from the start. That's why I told them to release the Twelve Divine Generals or the Demon-Forged Ones instead."
Bu Eun-seol's eyes narrowed.
The Heaven-Slaying Star was said to be the strongest among the One Hundred and Eight Stars.
But listening to Sindo Jang-cheong's words—
It sounded as though Chu-so possessed a military force comparable, if not superior, to the Heaven-Slaying Star?
'Impossible.'
If not for the power of Baekri Geom-ha, which could nullify supernatural abilities—
The Heaven-Slaying Star would have been an opponent impossible to defeat decisively.
But if Chu-so commanded an army surpassing even the Heaven-Slaying Star—?
"There was no need to orchestrate such elaborate schemes when you could have simply unleashed that military force to dominate the martial world with ease."
"Pointless battles are unnecessary."
Bu Eun-seol abandoned all pretense of courtesy, his voice now laced with frost.
"Surrender."
"Surrender? Heh heh heh."
Sindo Jang-cheong chuckled leisurely.
"The battle formation remains unbroken."
"The outcome will be the same regardless."
Bu Eun-seol's expression turned solemn.
"The mere fact that a leader of the Demonic Path Ten Gates conspired with external forces to assassinate this Lord... means you've already lost."
"I can't compete with that silver tongue of yours."
Sindo Jang-cheong flashed a peculiar smile.
"Moreover, you remain ignorant. The Demonic Path Ten Gates? What significance could those trifles possibly hold?"
The Demonic Path Ten Gates were the ten pillars supporting the Demon Hall, the foundational sects of the Demonic Path. Yet here was the master of the Extinction Palace dismissing them as mere trifles?
"Had you known the truth, you wouldn't speak such nonsense."
"On the contrary, I've known the truth for quite some time."
Bu Eun-seol had already received crucial information about the Demonic Path Ten Gates from Jeok Bung. He knew exactly who stood behind them.
"You claim to know?"
"Naturally."
Bu Eun-seol continued,
"Both the despair of those who've glimpsed the Abyss of Murim... and the fact that the martial world's strongest have been... replaced."
Sindo Jang-cheong's expression twisted strangely. Only now did he realize—he hadn't laid a trap for Bu Eun-seol. Rather, Bu Eun-seol had trapped him.
"If you knew everything, why come at all?"
Sindo Jang-cheong's face showed genuine confusion.
"There was no need for such reckless gamble. Had you known this was all a trap—"
He could have leveraged the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's power or the might of the Demon Hall. He could have crushed the conspiracy piece by piece, then used that leverage to nullify their secession.
"At best, that would have only prevented the Extinction Palace's withdrawal."
Bu Eun-seol shrugged.
"But by coming personally... didn't you reveal your true colors all on your own?"
Click.
Holding the Ink Soul Sword in middle guard, he spoke calmly:
"First, let's verify whether you're truly the master of the Extinction Palace... or merely one of the True Demon's Servants."
Bu Eun-seol's smile turned glacial.
"You seem... different somehow."
For years, he'd meticulously studied the breathing patterns and biological responses of martial masters—especially the leaders of the Demonic Path Ten Gates, each of whom had cultivated their unique martial arts to the Great Origin Realm. Their qi rhythms bore distinct signatures.
With insight rivaling even the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's Nature Shattering technique, Bu Eun-seol instantly sensed something off about the current Sindo Jang-cheong.
"Preposterous."
Sindo Jang-cheong snorted.
"You presume to verify this Palace Master's authenticity?"
"You should have kept silent."
Bu Eun-seol sighed.
"The moment you said 'authentic,' your biological responses twisted ever so slightly."
He no longer addressed him as "Palace Master," but as "you." Even a Martial Extreme Realm master wouldn't detect such minute physiological shifts—yet Bu Eun-seol caught them, confirming this wasn't the true Extinction Palace leader.
"Heh... I underestimated you."
Sindo Jang-cheong wore a hollow smile.
"No wonder he acknowledges you as the martial world's greatest adversary."
"You mean Heavenly Mechanism Star?"
"Enough talk."
Huum.
A mysterious radiance emanated from Sindo Jang-cheong's body. Instead of the Extinction Palace's martial arts, he exuded the hues of some bizarre supernatural power.
Then Bu Eun-seol did something unexpected.
"Though you wear the Extinction Palace master's mask, it seems you've properly learned their palm techniques."
Click.
Suddenly sheathing the Ink Soul Sword, he raised both fists.
"Good. Let's duel using only Fist Palm Finger Arts."
"What?"
Sindo Jang-cheong's eyes sharpened. Bu Eun-seol's specialty was the sword. Even if he'd mastered exceptional fist techniques, why discard his advantage?
"You fear me? Or did you merely don the Palace Master's skin without learning the Seal-Destroying Palm?"
"Kuhahahaha!"
After a long, maniacal laugh, Sindo Jang-cheong abruptly stopped.
"Madness."
"Not madness—logic."
Bu Eun-seol smirked provocatively.
"Even if you mastered the Seal-Destroying Palm... you're still not the real Palace Master, are you?"
Sindo Jang-cheong's gaze transformed completely.
"The Extinction Palace's Seal-Destroying Palm stands as the great ancestor of all palm techniques under heaven."
Spreading his arms into stance, he declared:
"Were we to compete solely in Fist Palm Finger Arts, even the Three Demons would have to concede a move to me."
Whoosh.
Assuming the Seal-Destroying Palm posture, he growled:
"Try me."
Though this was Bu Eun-seol's ploy to expose Sindo Jang-cheong's true identity, the impostor remained oblivious as he prepared the Extinction Palace's signature technique.
"Excellent. Make your move first."
Bu Eun-seol's lips curled.
"That is... if you've truly mastered the Seal-Destroying Palm."