Chapter 1136
Bu Eun-seol furrowed his brow.
"Are you serious?"
"Of course."
As Baek Jeon-cheon extended his hand, Bu Eun-seol rose from his seat.
Shing.
Drawing the Ink Soul Sword, the orb resting in the iron box leapt into the air.
He had manifested the subtle art of Void Object Retrieval.
Zziing.
In an instant, Bu Eun-seol channeled the Internal Power of nine sixty-year cycles’ worth into the Ink Soul Sword and struck directly at the orb's core in a single motion.
CLANG!
A clear chime rang out as a mysterious wave rippled outward in all directions.
"Hmm."
Bu Eun-seol let out an involuntary sigh of amazement.
Not only had the Ink Soul Sword—capable of slicing diamond like tofu—failed to leave even the faintest scratch,
but there was absolutely no sensation of having struck anything at all.
"What do you think?"
"All sound and fury, yet I feel as though I've cut nothing."
If he had to put it into words, it was as if there was a fundamental mismatch in attributes.
It seemed that neither the Laws of Martial Arts nor any conceptual force could breach the orb's inherent properties.
'A mismatch of attributes.'
A strange thought flashed through his mind.
Humans cannot surpass the power of nature.
But they can harmonize with it... and there had once been a man who achieved perfect unity with nature.
'Father.'
"Do you believe me now? This treasure is bestowed by the heavens..."
Before Baek Jeon-cheon could finish,
Sssssssss—
A mysterious radiance bloomed from Bu Eun-seol's body.
Simultaneously,
Jjjeong!
A brilliant Shockwave erupted in all directions.
By combining the Three Divine Powers into the Heavenly Light Endless Art and utilizing the profound principle of the Imperial Step—the fulcrum of all power—
he had mimicked the realm of perfect natural harmony.
Crackle.
For an instant, spiderweb-like fissures spread across the floating orb.
Zziing, zziing, zziing.
At the same time, the orb flickered with unceasing flashes of light, as if writhing in agony.
'No way—'
Just as Baek Jeon-cheon's eyes widened in shock,
Shuuuu.
The flashes vanished, and the fissures that had marred the orb disappeared in an instant.
In the end, he had failed to destroy it.
'As expected, I'm still not there yet.'
To achieve perfect harmony with nature, the Heaven and Earth Divine Artifact was necessary.
As things stood... he still couldn't break a heavenly treasure of this caliber.
'What about Harmonization or the Bloody Tears Seven Forms?'
Harmonization neutralized all things, while the Bloody Tears Seven Forms wielded the power of Death, defying the natural order.
'No, there's no need to expose my ultimate techniques before Baek Jeon-cheon.'
He didn't yet fully trust Baek Jeon-cheon. There was no reason to reveal his full strength.
"It seems impossible."
Clack.
As Bu Eun-seol regretfully sheathed the Ink Soul Sword,
Baek Jeon-cheon, who had been frozen stiff, forced a smile and discreetly wiped the sweat from his brow.
"Didn't I tell you?"
Despite his words...
As if fearing another attempt, he hastily returned the orb to the iron box.
"It is utterly unaffected by any power humans can wield."
"Then the same must be true for the Creation Sun and Moon."
Bu Eun-seol had once seen the Sacred Realm's successor leave behind records about the Creation Sun and Moon in the false Saha Manor.
Since Baek Jeon-cheon was a figure from the Sacred Realm, he was subtly probing for information.
"The Creation Sun and Moon is not a singular entity."
Baek Jeon-cheon spoke in a low voice.
"It is scattered across the world in various forms and names."
Then he offered a peculiar smile.
"And you've seen it too, Lord."
"What do you mean?"
"The sacred artifact known as the Sacrifice of Ratna City—the Relic of Solidarity—was also the Creation Sun and Moon."
Though unexpected, Bu Eun-seol understood immediately.
The sacred artifact that could summon rain.
It hadn't actually brought rain—rather, it exacted a price
to draw future rain into the present, an act of Seizing Cause and Effect in Advance.
"Didn't you just say heavenly treasures cannot be destroyed by humans?"
Bu Eun-seol had clearly seen the sacred artifact of Ratna City vanish into the sky.
"It wasn't destroyed—it merely disappeared."
Baek Jeon-cheon replied,
"It vanished because its power was no longer needed."
He spoke as though the Creation Sun and Moon possessed a will of its own.
"If the names vary, then the forms must as well."
Yu Cheong-rim had once claimed that the black liquid he witnessed in Ratna City was also hidden in the Thousand Herb Medicine Forest, the former stronghold of the Infinite Realm.
"All I've seen were black liquids... but liquid can be contained in anything, can't it?"
Baek Jeon-cheon nodded.
"Correct. The Creation Sun and Moon has been passed down in countless forms."
"How many of them exist in the world?"
"No one knows."
That was somewhat surprising.
While the Nine Heavens Radiant Cloud Pearl was said to number nine, not even the exact count of the Creation Sun and Moon was known.
"However, legend says the Creation Sun and Moon appears when human desire grows fervent enough."
At those words, Bu Eun-seol thought of Naria.
Naria's desire to seize Man-wol's power was both desperate and vicious—so much so that she might very well have obtained the Creation Sun and Moon.
"Then it's possible that forces gathered beyond the frontier—Tibet, Japan, India—might also possess it in their quest to fulfill their desires."
"That could be."
Bu Eun-seol found himself puzzled.
The Creation Sun and Moon, appearing in response to human desire—could such a thing truly be called the greatest treasure of the martial world? Was it not, rather, a cursed artifact that brought ruin upon mankind?
The Demonic Heavenly Emperor.
Suddenly, a realization struck him.
"Then the Demonic Heavenly Emperor must have one as well."
A man like the Demonic Heavenly Emperor would never leave such a treasure untouched.
Perhaps Hall Master Sado isn't seeking the artifact to heal his injuries after all.
"That, I cannot say." Baek Jeon-cheon shook his head. "Hall Master Sado's True Martial Scripture is beyond anyone's comprehension, and he wields martial techniques unlike any ever seen in the martial world."
Click.
After tucking the bead back into its iron case and slipping it into his robes, Baek Jeon-cheon spoke again.
"Now, let us discuss your reward."
His tone was calm.
"You risked your life to fulfill my request. It is only right that I pay you accordingly."
"Then I have a question."
Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath.
Exhaling slowly, he fixed Baek Jeon-cheon with an utterly serious expression.
"The Moon Wheel Saint King told me that in the Land of the Ultimate Void in the Central Plains, there is a high probability that a treasure of the Yona Tribe—one of the Four Sacred Tribes of India—lies hidden."
"So you seek the whereabouts of the Yona Tribe's sacred artifact."
"Correct."
Bu Eun-seol pressed further.
"But upon reflection, I find it hard to believe that a sacred artifact could be stored in the Land of the Ultimate Void, given its random occurrence."
To enter the Land of the Ultimate Void, one had to seize the moment when the ley lines of the Central Plains or the flow of heaven and earth's energy twisted in a specific cycle.
Yet how could a treasure be stored there every time?
"The Land of the Ultimate Void is not a fixed space—it is a phenomenon."
"A phenomenon?"
"Indeed. It is not merely land, but rather a temporary overlapping of lands from another space—a phenomenon."
Baek Jeon-cheon continued, "If the Yona Tribe's sacred artifact lies dormant there, then it is slumbering within that phenomenon."
"So that's what it meant."
Even when the Moon Wheel Saint King had explained it, Bu Eun-seol had vaguely understood the concept.
But he had sought confirmation, unsure if his interpretation was accurate.
"I want to know the exact location where the Yona Tribe's sacred artifact is stored."
At Bu Eun-seol's question, Baek Jeon-cheon's expression turned troubled.
"Unfortunately, neither I nor the Myriad Learning Society... know the precise location of the Yona Tribe's sacred artifact. However—"
After a brief pause, he exhaled deeply and gazed into the distance.
"I do know who obtained the sacred artifact that was once stored in the Land of the Ultimate Void."
"Then it must be the Demonic Heavenly Emperor."
Bu Eun-seol's expression dimmed slightly.
It had been said that someone believed to be a disciple of the Demonic Heavenly Emperor wielded the Heaven and Earth Divine Energy.
If so, the one who retrieved the treasure from the Land of the Ultimate Void would undoubtedly be the Demonic Heavenly Emperor.
Meaning that unless he was defeated, the Yona Tribe's sacred artifact would remain out of reach.
"No."
An unexpected answer came.
"The one who obtained the sacred artifact from the Land of the Ultimate Void was none other than the Buddhist Venerable."
Bu Eun-seol could not hide his shock at this revelation.
"If the Buddhist Venerable obtained the Yona Tribe's sacred artifact—"
His expression turned bitter.
"—then it must already be destroyed."
The Buddhist Venerable was meticulous—not the kind of man to leave behind future threats.
If he had indeed acquired the artifact's power?
He would never have left it intact.
"Do not jump to conclusions."
Baek Jeon-cheon offered a cryptic smile.
"The sacred artifacts of the Four Sacred Tribes also harness the power of nature, do they not? They may not be so easily destroyed by human hands."
He added,
"And there is a high probability that it is still stored within Shaolin."
"Shaolin?"
Bu Eun-seol narrowed his eyes.
"You believe the Buddhist Venerable hid the Yona Tribe's treasure in Shaolin?"
"Shaolin is not what it once was. It has become the most impenetrable fortress in the world."
Baek Jeon-cheon spoke with certainty.
His expression suggested he was well aware that Bu Eun-seol had once infiltrated Blood Shaolin.
Infiltration is no longer difficult for me.
Bu Eun-seol knew the location of the hidden mechanism deep within the Pagoda Forest that allowed covert entry into Blood Shaolin.
Thus, breaching Shaolin's defenses was not an insurmountable obstacle.
But...
There had to be another reason why Baek Jeon-cheon, leader of the Myriad Learning Society, was so adamant about this.
I'll need to carefully revise my plans.
Bu Eun-seol's mind raced like lightning.
Countless possibilities unfolded before him—the immediate future and the paths beyond, each scenario meticulously calculated in an unending stream.
At that moment, Baek Jeon-cheon cautiously opened his mouth in a low voice.
"I wouldn't advise going to Shaolin right now."
Bu Eun-seol's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Why do you say that?"
"Tracking the movements of a figure like the Buddhist Venerable—a true divine dragon—is impossible, but if one enters a certain region... the story changes."
Baek Jeon-cheon hesitated for a moment before whispering under his breath.
"The Buddhist Venerable is currently at Shaolin."
Even the greatest intelligence networks of the martial world could not trace the Buddhist Venerable's whereabouts.
But the Sacred Realm had eyes and ears planted in every major alliance and orthodox faction's leadership—without exception.
Naturally, they would have infiltrated Shaolin's command structure as well.
The moment the Buddhist Venerable set foot in Shaolin, his presence could be detected.
"I hope my words have been of some help."
Baek Jeon-cheon smiled as he finished speaking.
When Bu Eun-seol remained silent, he slowly turned to leave.
"Well then."
"Hall Master."
Bu Eun-seol, who had been lost in deep thought, finally spoke.
"The information you've just given me seems rather meager compared to the price of risking my life to enter the Tomb of Myriad Phenomena."
"If the Lord feels that way, then so it must be."
Baek Jeon-cheon nodded.
"Do you have anything else you wish to ask?"
Taking a deep breath, Bu Eun-seol spoke with the utmost seriousness.
"Would you grant me one request?"
Deep in the heart of the Central Plains, in the land of Henan, stood Mount Song—the sovereign of all mountains.
Nestled within its ancient embrace lay Mount Shaoshi, and upon it, the sacred land of the orthodox faction—Shaolin Temple, which had stood in silent vigil through the ages.
Shaolin was no mere martial sect.
It was the great birthplace where the martial arts embodying the principles of all things first took root—the colossal foundation of orthodox martial doctrine.
Even when evil Great Demons swept through the orthodox martial world like a tempest, seeking to topple it—
Shaolin stood unshaken, unwavering, securing its place as the Polaris of the martial world.
It was a beacon revered by all martial artists.
When the temple's Dharma drums resounded across the land, the righteous energy of the world stood firm with Shaolin at its center.
An unshakable leader of the orthodox martial world—a living history, an eternal axis.
And yet, that place had now completely transformed.
'What in the world has happened here?'
Bu Eun-seol, who had secretly left the Demon Hall and infiltrated Shaolin, could scarcely believe his own eyes.
The serene sandalwood fragrance and the tranquil chanting of scriptures that once filled the temple had vanished without a trace.
Instead, a deathly silence—as if he had stepped into a vast graveyard—crept up his spine, chilling him to the bone.
'Has some calamity occurred?'
The monks moving about the temple grounds did not walk with the measured grace of ascetics, but with the flawless precision of martial artists.
They moved in groups of three or five, combing every corner of the temple along predetermined routes—
As if searching for something hidden within.
As if to prove it—
The monks kept their hands tucked inside their sleeves, circulating their Internal Power, ready to unleash Palm Energy at any moment.
The once-peaceful sanctuary of compassion had become—
A suffocating fortress of tension.
A massive powder keg, where even the smallest spark could set off an all-consuming explosion.
'Has Shaolin's vigilance tightened because of the Buddhist Venerable?'
After a brief moment of contemplation, he stealthily moved toward the Pagoda Forest.
'The mechanisms have been completely altered.'
In the past, moving a specific stone in the Pagoda Forest would trigger a hidden mechanism, opening a passage to Blood Shaolin.
But now, it had been replaced with an intricate trap.
If he touched that stone now?
The Bell Striking would sound, summoning countless warrior monks to surround him in an instant.
Moreover, the area was densely layered with battle formations so ruthless it was hard to believe Shaolin had deployed them.
The moment the mechanism was broken, not only would the Bewildering-Soul Formation rob him of his senses—
But Heart-Sound Stones and Blood Silkworms had also been laid out, making escape impossible.
'That leaves only one option.'
With Shaolin's internal security locked down this tightly—
Every possible covert route into Blood Shaolin had been sealed.
In the end, he resolved to use the method he had prepared in advance.
Whoosh.
Slipping out of Shaolin once more—
He arrived at the Demon Hall's Henan branch and donned the formal robes symbolizing the Martial Soul Lord's authority.
Then, boarding an ornate palanquin prepared by the branch, he set out for Shaolin once again.
The path up to the mountain gate twisted along the ridgeline, with many steep inclines.
But the bearers carrying the palanquin were all masters of the Demon Hall, sprinting up the narrow, rugged dirt paths and stone steps as if flying.
Whoosh.
The guest reception master of Shaolin came stumbling out in a fluster upon hearing of the Demon Hall's palanquin's arrival, rushing to greet Bu Eun-seol.
"To what do we owe the sudden honor of your esteemed visit?"
Every move of a heavyweight of the Demonic Path like the Martial Soul Lord was the highest-priority target for the Righteous Faction's intelligence networks.
And yet, here he was—appearing abruptly at the gates of Shaolin without any prior notice?
"Please deliver this visiting card to the Abbot of Shaolin."
Bu Eun-seol respectfully extended a card from his sleeve.
"Inform him that the Heir of the Demon Hall, the Martial Soul Lord, requests an audience on urgent business."
His demeanor was nothing if not courteous, yet the guest reception master paled in shock.
For generations, Shaolin had scorned the Demonic Path.
Whenever the Demonic Path rose to prominence,
its forces had always invaded, attempting countless acts of plunder and aggression.
No matter how peaceful the current martial world might seem,
for the Martial Soul Lord—who could be considered the Head Leader of the Demon Hall—to arrive unannounced and demand an audience with the Abbot?
Moreover, wasn't Shaolin currently under strict lockdown due to various internal affairs?
"At present, our temple strictly forbids the entry of outsiders."
"Just deliver the card."
"As I've said, the temple is currently—"
"This Lord has had several past encounters with the Buddhist Venerable."
Bu Eun-seol cut him off, staring directly into the guest reception master's eyes.
"Surely, out of respect for that alone, you would not be so heartless as to turn me away."
The guest reception master's gaze shifted instantly.
The fact that the Buddhist Venerable was currently at Shaolin was one of the martial world's most closely guarded secrets.
And yet, here was the Martial Soul Lord of the Demon Hall, subtly revealing that he knew—and had come unannounced?
"...Very well."
The guest reception master turned stiffly.
"I shall deliver the card to the Abbot. Please wait a moment."
Before long, Shaolin's gates opened once more, and the guest reception master emerged again.
"The Abbot says that no disciple of the Demonic Path may enter the temple, but you may proceed to the Bodhi Cave."
He pressed his palms together in a bow.
"Follow this humble monk."
Then, he led Bu Eun-seol along a narrow path fit more for beasts than men.
The trail was steep and treacherous.
Dry branches snapped underfoot, and the night-dewed earth was slippery.
Yet the guest reception master's steps flowed as naturally as water.
His wide sleeves never once caught on the branches, nor did he pause even for a moment.
Bu Eun-seol followed silently behind him like a shadow.
In truth, his eyes were not fixed on the monk's back—but on the flickering auras hidden all around them.
'There are martial monks stationed here as well.'
Trained warriors lurked in concealment all along the path to the Bodhi Cave.
How far had they climbed?
The guest reception master halted before a broad rock on the slope.
A fierce gust of wind suddenly swept through, whipping at their robes.
"Follow the pine forest path beyond that ridge, and the Bodhi Cave will come into view. There is only one path—you won't lose your way."
The monk pointed toward a massive cliff that stood like a screen halfway up the opposite mountain.
And nestled in its midsection, like the maw of a dragon, was a dark, gaping cavern.
The Bodhi Cave.
"Understood."
"Then."
As the guest reception master turned to leave, Bu Eun-seol unleashed a movement technique swift as flight.
In an instant, he crossed into the depths of the cave.
After walking for some time through the cavern's shadows, he finally saw a benevolent-looking elder monk standing before him.
None other than Shaolin's Abbot, Gonggong.
"Abbot."
"Lord."
The two exchanged respectful bows.
But the conversation that followed was anything but cordial.
"Have you come to turn this temple into a tomb?"
"How could that be? However—"
Bu Eun-seol's voice was deceptively mild.
"I came to inquire after the Buddhist Venerable's well-being."
"The Venerable is like a dragon soaring through the void—his traces may be seen, but his form cannot be grasped."
"I heard he was at Shaolin."
"Even if he were, it is unlikely the Lord would have business with him."
"Then let me ask just one thing."
Bu Eun-seol's voice lowered.
"Answer me honestly—Don't think of me as a man of the Demonic Path; answer candidly."
"Speak."
Bu Eun-seol took a deep breath.
"Is Shaolin still intact?"
Shaolin was deeply involved in the Absolute Demon Saber Project—a scheme to implant the Chain of Reincarnation.
For Shaolin, hailed as the foremost of the Righteous Faction...
For Shaolin, which had produced the Buddhist Venerable—a being who led the orthodox martial world with the longevity of an immortal...
To remain silent in the face of the martial world's crisis was unthinkable.
Especially when the Buddhist Venerable himself was using vile Great Arts
to amass forces—an act indistinguishable from that of the Abyssal Forces.
In other words, Shaolin might already have been consumed by that ancient monster, the Buddhist Venerable.
"Is the Shaolin I know still the same?"
Instantly, Gonggong's face flushed red, then paled.
Here stood Bu Eun-seol—having come alone to Shaolin,
standing before the Abbot himself, daring to ask:
Was Shaolin still upholding the righteous principles of the world?
Was it still functioning as it should?