Chapter 1216
Flash!
Without a moment's thought, Bu Eun-seol unleashed Harmonization.
Chiii—
But only a transparent haze spread outward—the Absolute Boundary remained utterly unmoved.
'I can't deploy the Domain of World and Realm Annihilation.'
Thanks to his previous battle with Baekri Ja-ha,
he had learned that overlapping domains would trigger anomalous phenomena.
Giiiing—
A sound like the world itself being drained of light emanated from Ink Soul Sword before an intricate pattern unfurled along the blade.
Rather than releasing Harmonization in a single burst, he was layering it into the sword, preparing to unfold it gradually.
'Ugh...'
A low groan escaped him.
Stacking Harmonization was an entirely different matter from simply chaining techniques.
The power meant to be released in three successive waves had to be compressed into his flesh and detonated all at once.
The strain alone was enough to shatter even Bu Eun-seol's body in an instant.
And if he failed while layering that energy into Ink Soul Sword? The rampaging force would surge back unchecked, tearing his body to pieces.
Crack—crrrack—
By the time the third layer of Harmonization began overlapping,
fissures spread across Ink Soul Sword, and the overwhelming energy started transferring into Bu Eun-seol's own body.
Yet he endured the agony, continuing to condense Harmonization into the blade.
Zzzzzzzzt—
Finally, when the threefold Harmonization was perfectly stacked—
'Now!'
Bu Eun-seol thrust the sword forward with all his might.
Flash!
As the triple-layered Harmonization surged toward the gray sphere, a sharp zzzt echoed—and a tiny fracture appeared in the Absolute Boundary.
But the gap was barely wide enough to fit a finger.
Even a threefold Harmonization had failed to shatter the Absolute Boundary.
'I must meet the Oathsworn.'
Who knew when he would get another chance? He couldn't afford to waste this opportunity.
Grip—
Bu Eun-seol forced both hands into the crack.
Then, with every ounce of strength, he began prying it apart.
Crrrrrk—
Lightning-like sparks erupted from his body, scattering in all directions, while shockwaves like whirlwinds raged around him.
Crrrrack!
His body swelled to more than twice its size, and the waves of True Qi radiating from him surged to the heavens.
Grrrind—
With a sound like something being crushed, the gap began to widen.
Normally, the Absolute Boundary could not be touched or destroyed—
but as he desperately poured his mixed energies into it,
it had become something tangible, something that could be gripped and shattered like an object.
Groooan—
Finally, when the opening was wide enough for a hand,
BOOOOM—!
Bu Eun-seol channeled the Wind & Cloud Divine Qi and slipped through the breach.
Rumble...
The moment he stepped inside, a vast, boundless gale filled the space, swallowing him whole.
What coiled around him wasn't mere wind.
Each particle of air shimmered with black light, spiraling wildly—
their trajectories twisting into bizarre helices, as though he were walking through a dream.
The concepts of up and down had collapsed; gravity pulled at his body from all directions at once.
The darkness-drenched space undulated, neither solid nor liquid,
while the boundaries that might be called walls pulsed like breathing, expanding and contracting.
Fine particles of light drifted across their surfaces.
'Strange.'
The most unsettling thing was how his sense of distance had shattered the moment he entered.
Objects impossibly far away seemed within arm's reach, while those right before his eyes appeared eternally distant.
Even his own body was no exception.
His right hand stretched grotesquely, by three cheok, while his left arm shrank to an infant's size.
His legs curved unnaturally yet bore his weight perfectly, and though his neck twisted into a spiral, his gaze remained fixed forward.
'This isn't an illusion.'
Had it been an illusion or a Mindscape, he would have seen through it instantly.
No—this was a physically real phenomenon. Just how had such a thing come to be?
'Measurement.'
After pondering for a long moment, Bu Eun-seol pierced through the secret.
His senses weren't malfunctioning—the very units composing space had been distorted.
A single cheok was supposed to be uniform everywhere.
But here, the definition of one cheok differed at every point in space.
Where his fingers were, a cheok had doubled in length; where his legs stood, it had quintupled.
Even the perception of measurement had warped alongside it.
His cognitive framework had recalibrated to match the twisted space—
so now, he accepted his grotesque bodily proportions as normal.
Like a rubber sheet stretching, distorting the drawing atop it while preserving its proportions.
'This seems designed to prevent reckless use of martial arts.'
In a space where even the measure of perception was altered?
Martial arts couldn't be properly executed at all.
Fitting for a place where the Baekri Clan and True Demon Palace arrogantly observed the martial world from above.
The spell arts of the Sacred Realm were on an entirely different level from those used in the Martial World.
'The reason I can't see Brother Noe's figure must also be due to the distorted scale.'
If they could warp one's perception of their own body, then naturally, they could also separate or even erase space itself.
'No choice, then.'
He had intended to avoid unleashing the power of World and Realm Annihilation within the Absolute Boundary if possible, but... there was no helping it.
'If a battle with an Oathkeeper is inevitable, I'll have to deploy the Void Extreme Realm.'
Sssssss—
As he activated the power of the Void Extreme Realm, the raging storm vanished in an instant, and the twisted perception of scale gradually began reverting to normal.
'Brother Noe.'
Far in the distance, two figures came into view.
One was Noe Bi-hon, clad in the white martial robes of the Swift Thunder Corps adorned with lightning embroidery, and the other—a grotesque shadow spewing black mist.
The Oathkeeper.
"What is the meaning of this?"
When appearing in the Martial World, the Oathkeeper not only concealed his form but also cast a spell that prevented his natural voice from being heard.
Yet, as the power of the Void Extreme Realm took effect, the black flames shrouding the Oathkeeper's body diminished drastically, and his natural voice could now be heard when he spoke.
Had he fully entered the perfected Void Extreme Realm?
The Oathkeeper would not only be stripped of his disguise but also rendered incapable of using any spellcraft whatsoever.
Even so, the Oathkeeper was so stunned that for a long moment, he could not speak, his mouth hanging open within the black mist.
"So the Oathkeeper isn't a ghost after all."
At Bu Eun-seol's words,
"What have you done just now?"
The Oathkeeper, realizing most of the power circulating within him had vanished, shouted with eyes brimming with hostility.
"Do you know the punishment for interfering with the Oath?"
Bu Eun-seol ignored the question and instead spoke to Noe Bi-hon.
"Brother Noe, would you mind stepping aside for a moment?"
Noe Bi-hon, recognizing that Bu Eun-seol was wearing the face of Martial Soul Society Leader Seol-so, responded in a respectful tone.
"Be careful, Society Leader."
Then, he immediately withdrew from the Absolute Boundary.
This situation had been part of Bu Eun-seol's plan from the start... Naturally, it was right to leave it to him.
"Martial Soul Society Leader."
At that moment, the Oathkeeper seemed to recognize Seol-so's face, his expression twisting into one of utmost malice.
"So you've decided to make an enemy of this one after all."
"That was never my intention."
"Let me reiterate—merely disrupting the Oath's proceedings is an unforgivable crime."
"Then tell me the location of the Sacred Realm."
Bu Eun-seol spoke calmly.
"Even if I must be punished, I will go to the Sacred Realm and receive it directly."
"Nonsense."
The Oathkeeper cut him off sharply.
"You have interfered with this one's duties."
Then, with a threatening glare, he added:
"Every foundation you possess—including your position—will crumble."
"And what is your position? Are you the Heavenly Secrets Decree? The Heavenly Secret Dharma Lord? Or does an Oathkeeper hold some separate rank?"
"What did you say?"
The Oathkeeper was visibly shaken.
The hierarchy of the Sacred Realm's disciples was structured so that none outside the bloodlines of the Baekri Clan or the True Demon Palace could possibly know of it.
So how could this man casually mention titles like Heavenly Secrets Decree or Dharma Lord?
"I see."
The Oathkeeper snorted in realization.
"You've crossed paths with figures from the Baekri Clan or the True Demon Palace."
"I've also built connections with them."
Bu Eun-seol stared directly into the Oathkeeper's eyes within the black mist.
"I've even learned the truths you've been so desperate to conceal."
The Oathkeeper seemed greatly disturbed—
The barely maintained black flames flickered violently.
"What are you talking about?"
"Shall I spread the truths of the Baekri Clan and the True Demon throughout the Martial World?"
The Oathkeeper hesitated briefly before scoffing.
"Who would believe such ravings, no matter how much you shout them?"
That reaction wasn't unreasonable.
To those who knew nothing of the Baekri Clan or the True Demon, such truths would sound like nothing more than absurd legends, no matter how fervently proclaimed.
"Fair enough."
Bu Eun-seol retrieved a small wooden box from his robes.
Click.
Opening it revealed a metallic fragment tinged with silver.
He took it out and pressed it against his left wrist.
Clink, clink.
Then, the silver metal abruptly began transforming into the shape of a pitch-black Dragon-Phoenix Ring.
It was a spectacle so bizarre that even seeing it firsthand made it hard to believe.
"Just showing them this metal, forged with True Demon Knowledge, would be enough to make most people believe, don't you think?"
"How did you acquire that?"
"I have only one demand."
Bu Eun-seol ignored the question and spoke firmly.
"I want the members of our society exempted from the Oath."
"Preposterous."
The Oathkeeper sneered.
"Do you truly think that's possible?"
"I wasn't speaking to you. An Oathkeeper is just an Oathkeeper—a mere errand boy, after all."
Bu Eun-seol replied composedly.
"Bring me someone from the Sacred Realm who can actually negotiate this matter."
"Negotiations?"
The Covenant Bearer's eyes flashed like embers within the flames.
Only then did he realize what Bu Eun-seol was truly implying.
"Then hand over that divine artifact. It is not something the martial world should possess."
"If the negotiations break down, I will surrender it without another word."
Bu Eun-seol's tone remained calm but firm.
"But if you attempt to reclaim my piece before negotiations even begin, that would not be an equal discussion—it would be submission."
It was a reasonable statement, one that still respected the Sacred Realm.
"This Realm honors its promises. There is no need for doubt."
The Covenant Bearer spoke again.
"But if you refuse to relinquish it, negotiations cannot proceed. This is a matter of trust."
"Impossible. I cannot give this to you."
"Then it is settled."
The Covenant Bearer's voice turned icy.
"Martial Soul Society Leader. From this moment, you are an enemy of the Sacred Realm. Not just you—everyone around you will be quietly disposed of."
"Do as you please. However—"
Bu Eun-seol remained composed.
"Covenant Bearer. Be sure to inform the Sacred Realm's master, in no uncertain terms, that because of your unilateral decision, the relic left behind by the Sacred Realm's successor will never be recovered in your lifetime."
"What?"
The unexpected words made the Covenant Bearer's eyes widen as he whirled around in alarm.
"What are you saying?"
"The negotiations have broken down. You no longer have the right to question this Society Leader."
"I..."
The Covenant Bearer had no retort.
It was clear that Bu Eun-seol had only sought an equal negotiation—whereas he himself had resorted to coercion and threats.
"I am a man who keeps my word."
Bu Eun-seol offered one last olive branch.
"If negotiations proceed, regardless of their outcome, I will return the successor's relic."
The Covenant Bearer fell silent.
Though the Martial Soul Society Leader rarely engaged in martial world affairs, he was known as a man who never broke his promises or spoke idly.
If he claimed to possess the Sacred Realm's successor's relic, then it must be true.
And if he promised to return it regardless of the negotiation's outcome, that promise would undoubtedly be fulfilled.
"Very well."
After a long moment of deliberation, the Covenant Bearer finally nodded.
"But you must keep your word. If you do not, this Realm will become your enemy."
"Rest assured. I have no desire to make an enemy of the Sacred Realm either."
Ziiing—
As Bu Eun-seol released the power of the Void Extreme Realm, the faint flames flickering across the Covenant Bearer's body surged violently.
He did not leave immediately, instead glaring at Bu Eun-seol for a long moment.
It struck him that he had ultimately yielded to the sharpness of Bu Eun-seol's tongue.
And now, belatedly, his pride was wounded.
But the time to salvage his dignity had already passed.
After staring at him for what felt like an eternity, the Covenant Bearer finally vanished into the distant sky.
The Sacred Realm's affairs were conducted in secrecy, but never slowly.
Less than three days after the Covenant Bearer's departure, a figure capable of negotiating this matter arrived without delay.
And it was none other than—
The Old Man of the Sacred Realm, who had not only freed Bu Eun-seol from the Covenant but had also shown him unwavering goodwill.
Deep within the Martial Soul Society's heart.
The space was barren, devoid of any pillars or decorations, like an empty wasteland.
But in truth, invisible formations and mechanisms densely covered the floor and ceiling.
A faint, shimmering light rippled subtly, probing the presence of outsiders like a living entity.
By fusing ancient knowledge with the modern martial world's Formation Study—
A living formation, one where will and energy merged, had been installed here.
This place judged for itself who was permitted to enter—and who was not.
And the moment someone whose intentions did not align with Bu Eun-seol's stepped inside, the space would seal itself shut as if it had never existed.
Absolute Domain.
Here, in this place known as the Absolute Domain, Bu Eun-seol faced the Old Man of the Sacred Realm.
"What in the world were you thinking?!"
The old man knew that the true identity of Seol-so, the Martial Soul Society Leader, was Bu Eun-seol—
And so, the moment he arrived, he bellowed in fury.
"Do you have any idea how much effort this old man expended to free you from the Covenant?"
Still seething, he spat out his words.
"And now you demand that those around you be freed as well? Are you declaring war on this Realm?"
The old man had shown Bu Eun-seol great consideration, offering advice without reservation.
But now, this sudden move—one that seemed to turn the entire Sacred Realm into an enemy—filled him with deep betrayal.
"Tell me—was what I heard true?"
"It is."
"What?"
"Is it not permitted?"
The old man's face twisted in outrage.
"Of course not! That is something even you could not do, even if you became this Realm's master!"
"Whether it be the Baekri Clan or the True Demon Palace—you know as well as I that these two great factions are no longer righteous. How can you expect me to remain beneath them?"
"Who told you that?!"
The Old Man of the Sacred Realm raised his voice.
"But such arrogant words—you'd better have the strength to shatter those two factions before you spout them!"
His anger was justified.
He had wanted Bu Eun-seol to build overwhelming power.
But to stake everything on such a trivial matter.
Was it not enough to stand against the Sacred Realm? Now he intended to completely discard the Old Man's goodwill for this?
And the reason was merely to break the Covenant binding those around him... It was impossible not to feel profoundly disappointed.
"Sacrifice the small for the great." The Old Man spoke with a frustrated expression. "If you harbor grand ambitions, you must know when to abandon the insignificant and seize what truly matters."
"And yet, you would risk all your fortunes—your very foundation—on something so minor?"
"You speak wisely. I appreciate your concern."
Bu Eun-seol replied courteously, recognizing the Old Man's genuine worry.
"But this is neither an impulsive decision nor an act of pride."
"Then what is it?"
"A plan I've long considered. If a Covenant-bearer were to appear among those close to me, I resolved to deal with it."
"Why?"
"Because the Sacred Realm will become the greatest variable in the Grand Design I've laid out."
Bu Eun-seol met the Old Man's gaze with unwavering seriousness.
"Mok Do-in, the Forest Pavilion Chief who once served the Sacred Realm within the Martial Alliance, claimed he was merely an observer."
He took a deep breath before continuing.
"But Mok Do-in vanished. A new figure replaced him—one who cast the Sacred Realm's Art of Spells upon the Alliance, turning it into an impenetrable fortress even I cannot infiltrate."
The Old Man fell silent.
This was a matter the Sacred Realm itself handled with extreme sensitivity.
"So I had to make a judgment. Does the Sacred Realm pursue some hidden agenda of its own... or is it truly focused solely on maintaining balance between the two great factions?"
A glint flashed through Bu Eun-seol's eyes as he pressed on.
"Or—regardless of their leader's will—is it a place where individuals act on their own whims, shifting allegiances at any moment?"
The Old Man exhaled heavily.
Only now did he realize—
Bu Eun-seol had accounted for even the Sacred Realm's movements.
"So," the Old Man finally spoke after a long silence. "What exactly do you intend to do?"
"First, I wish to ask why the Covenant must be upheld at all costs."
Bu Eun-seol retrieved a wooden case from his robes.
"This is a letter I found in the secret archives of the Martial Alliance's Pratyekabuddha Hall—hidden away in the third-floor office where Mok Do-in had created the archive."
He had kept his word.
Even before negotiations began, before hearing the Old Man's answer—
He had already handed over the Sacred Realm successor's letter.
"Hmm."
The Old Man's eyes narrowed to slits as he accepted the case, his expression unreadable.
'Perhaps...'
Watching him, Bu Eun-seol swallowed hard.
A premonition struck him—
This Old Man might hold a position far higher than he had ever anticipated.
"Very well." The Old Man nodded, tucking the letter into his robes. "For delivering this, I owe you an answer."
Suddenly, the Old Man's wrinkled hand rose toward empty air.
As if splitting the skin there were splitting, a mysterious radiance burst forth, coalescing at his fingertips.
Sssssss—
The gathered light unraveled like threads, weaving through the air until—
A vast Celestial Chart materialized.
Stars pulsed faintly as though alive, while golden and silver nebulae stretched endlessly.
Some burned crimson, raging violently; others trailed azure tails, tracing elegant arcs.
Their movements, though slow, followed a solemn rhythm—as if revealing the domain of gods themselves.
"This is the celestial mechanism of our era."
The Old Man's voice resonated like the toll of a massive bell, deep and majestic.
"The very Flow of Fate."
As his gaze settled on one section of the chart, the stars there trembled precariously.
"That is the star of one who defied the Covenant. And because of them, the celestial order itself warps. Observe."
When his finger pointed, the once-orderly stars began spiraling into chaos.
Oooooom—
The Old Man channeled energy, attempting to steady them with light flowing from his fingertips.
But the flow had already shattered.
Trajectories twisted violently, carving new, erratic paths.
A single small star's defiance had thrown the heavens into disarray.
Grrrrrr—
In moments, the once-stable orbits collapsed, emitting strange ripples—
BOOM! BOOM!
Stars collided.
Though illusory, the shockwaves were immense.
With each impact, the world itself seemed to quake, the vibrations shuddering against Bu Eun-seol's skin.
"Do you understand now? To reject the Covenant is not mere defiance—it is to unravel the fate of the world."
'Wait.'
The overwhelming spectacle briefly stunned him—but then, an odd dissonance arose.
'If this represents the Flow of Fate for the current martial world...'
Among those countless stars, should his own destiny not be present?
Yet though all stars were bound by a colossal force, influencing one another—
As he watched, an inexplicable emptiness lingered.
"By any chance..."
Only then did Bu Eun-seol realize the shocking truth and speak.
"Am I not among them?"
The Old Man nodded as if expecting the question.
"Correct."