Chapter 764
The uninhabited island of Victory Over Evil retained its pristine, natural beauty.
Though small in size, it boasted lush forests, crystal-clear streams, and at its center, a towering rocky mountain. From its summit, one could take in the island's breathtaking panorama at a glance.
And this very mountain was—
The stage where the Number One of the Demonic Path, who had reached the pinnacle of martial arts, would risk his life against the Foremost Sword of the Righteous Faction, a master of the Absolute Sword Art.
Ziiing.
Yet, near the tranquil rocky peak, a faint vibration rippled through the air, and for the briefest moment, a transparent shadow—one that allowed light to pass through—glimmered under the sunlight.
Had there been no vibration—
Had it not flickered in the sunlight for that split second—
No one would have ever noticed the presence of that shadow.
It was Bu Eun-seol.
'This should be complete now.'
After extracting the location and time of the duel between the two Absolute Masters from Baek Jeon-cheon, Bu Eun-seol had halted all other activities and immediately come here.
His goal was to devise a method to remain undetected on Victory Over Evil Island, even from the extrasensory perception of the Three Demons and Three Venerables—including the Demonic Heavenly Emperor.
—Those who have reached the Martial Extreme Realm possess not only heightened physical senses but also terrifyingly sharp intuition.
Even when Bu Eun-seol had perfectly concealed his presence within the Martial Venerable's Treasury, the Martial Venerable and Baekri Mu-jo had instinctively sensed that someone was hiding.
Meaning, while they couldn't pinpoint the exact location, their awareness transcended mere extrasensory perception—it was an instinct beyond the senses.
'I've found my own solution using the Water Essence Divine Qi, but...'
The Water Essence Divine Qi was the gentlest and most pliant among the divine energies.
It seemed intangible, yet it undeniably existed—its nature soft yet tenacious.
By combining the Turtle Breath Grand Art, which completely halted all bodily activity, with the Water Essence Divine Qi's paradoxical principles of Existence Within Nonexistence and Soft Yet Solid and Unyielding, Bu Eun-seol had devised the Concealment Secret Art—a method capable of neutralizing even the intuition of supreme masters.
'Whether it will work remains uncertain.'
Still, Bu Eun-seol couldn't be entirely confident.
Could this technique truly deceive the eyes of the Demonic Heavenly Emperor and the Three Demons and Three Venerables?
Just how refined was their intuition?
Even if he perfectly erased his presence... did the Three Demons and Three Venerables possess some form of Limitless Power that could uncover him regardless?
'I must not harbor doubts.'
Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
What if he attempted concealment while plagued by such uncertainty?
Even if he executed the technique flawlessly, that lingering unease might manifest as a detectable presence—and ruin everything.
"I've already staked my life on this, haven't I?"
How many times in his journey through the martial world hadn't he risked his life?
Hadn't he even gambled his life while mastering martial arts?
To witness the duel of superhumans who ruled the Murim—a spectacle that martial artists could only dream of—
Staking his life on it... was perhaps only natural.
'I'll just have to try.'
Taking a deep breath, Bu Eun-seol surveyed his surroundings before lightly tapping his foot.
Kung.
A subtle vibration spread, and the scenery around him began to materialize vividly in his mind.
Watching the duel up close with his own eyes would only increase the risk of detection.
Instead, he would conceal himself using the Concealment Secret Art, fused with the Water Essence Divine Qi, then—
From a distance of about three hundred yards—
Observe the clash of the two Absolute Masters through the fluctuations of True Qi and air, using the extrasensory perception of the Void-Breaking Mind's Eye.
That way, the probability of being discovered would be drastically reduced.
Ziiing.
At that moment, a strange reverberation pulsed through Bu Eun-seol's mind.
Something enormous was hurtling toward Victory Over Evil Island.
'Ah—!'
This time, Bu Eun-seol was so startled his heart nearly leaped out of his chest.
In his focus on perfecting the Concealment Secret Art, he had forgotten one crucial fact.
Even though Victory Over Evil Island was an uninhabited isle about a hundred li from the coast—
The Lightness Body Art of Martial Extreme Realm masters was incomparable to the renowned Lightness Skills scattered throughout the Murim.
They could traverse vast distances at blinding speeds, as if folding the earth itself with techniques like the Shrinking-Earth Art—
Meaning, by the time their presence was detected, they would already be dangerously close.
'Too late.'
Ssshh—
With no time to evade, Bu Eun-seol channeled his Internal Power and dispersed the translucent Water Essence Divine Qi in all directions.
Ssuuu—
Instantly, his entire form grew indistinct before projecting the scenery of the opposite side onto himself.
Having no time to escape, he immediately activated the Concealment Secret Art to vanish from sight and pushed the Turtle Breath Grand Art to its absolute limit—erasing even the faintest trace of his presence.
KOOOOM.
At the same moment, someone landed atop the Stone Mountain.
Though it was merely the descent of a Movement Technique—
An overwhelming vibration and pressure radiated outward, as if the island itself had sunk by an inch.
The Blood Demon—Jeok Bung.
Hall Master of the Demon Hall's Elders' Hall and, among the Demonic Path practitioners of this era, the Great Demon who had slaughtered the most Righteous Faction experts.
He was the first to arrive on Victory Over Evil Island.
Crrrrckle.
The moment Jeok Bung appeared, the entire landscape of Victory-over-Evil Island seemed to drown in a sea of blood.
Bu Eun-seol, still concealed, shut his eyes.
With Jeok Bung's arrival, his vision swam crimson, and an inexplicable nausea rose in his throat.
'This... is the Blood Demon in combat stance.'
This place would soon become the battleground where the Demonic Heavenly Emperor and the Sword Sovereign clashed.
In other words, the most dangerous and overwhelming forces in the world were about to collide here.
That was why the Blood Demon was unleashing the full magnitude of his presence—something he had kept hidden until now.
And the sheer scale of it was beyond imagination.
'Was he always this strong?'
Bu Eun-seol immediately revised his assessment of Jeok Bung.
Martial arts were not merely a matter of ranking.
And the Martial Extreme Realm was not just a stage one could describe as a mere level of martial prowess.
'The term "Martial Extreme Realm" carries countless implications.'
The Martial Extreme Realm, representing the pinnacle of human martial achievement—
That term did not merely denote a specific state of mastery, nor did it simply mean surpassing human limits to wield Limitless Power.
It encompassed the entire process, ability, and enlightenment of a Grandmaster who had reached the extreme apex of martial arts.
As if to prove this—
Jeok Bung, the Blood Demon, made a mockery of the notion that he was the lowest-ranked of the Three Demons.
Like a yokai finally revealing its true form after concealing itself, he radiated a level of presence that defied comprehension.
'It's hard to endure.'
Just by the Blood Demon manifesting his full presence—
Bu Eun-seol found even the process of channeling his Water Essence Divine Qi becoming arduous.
'He must be aiming for the position of Hall Master.'
Jeok Bung had once told him that he was not satisfied with merely being the Elders' Hall Master.
Meaning, he had indirectly revealed his ambition—to overthrow the Demonic Heavenly Emperor and seize the position of Hall Master for himself.
As if to prove it, Jeok Bung had secretly honed his skills in the shadows, drastically elevating his martial prowess.
And now, by witnessing this battle firsthand, he sought to gain insight—and use it to make another great leap forward.
KRRRUMBLE.
But then—
A thunderous, majestic roar echoed from the distant sky.
At the same time, a brilliant golden radiance split the heavens, and sacred beams of light descended through the clouds.
Crrrrckle.
Victory-over-Evil Island trembled as if struck by an earthquake, and in the next moment, a solemn Buddha's Light flashed from within the luminous rays.
"Amitabha."
A low chant accompanied the emergence of a gaunt old monk from the light.
His skin was cracked like ancient bark, and his deep-set eyes gleamed with profound wisdom.
This was none other than the living legend of the Orthodox Faction—the Buddhist Venerable, Hong-hyeon.
Swoooosh—
With the Buddhist Venerable's arrival, the blood-drenched scenery regained its original colors, and the pervasive scent of blood that had filled the air gradually dissipated.
The Buddhist Venerable.
Just by the presence of this great Grandmaster of Orthodox Martial Arts, the bloody aura that had smothered Victory-over-Evil Island melted away like snow.
"It has been a long time, Benefactor Jeok."
The Buddhist Venerable was the first to greet Jeok Bung.
"Our encounter at Western Gorge feels like yesterday, yet fifteen years have already passed."
"So it has."
Jeok Bung's low reply was accompanied by a surge of bloody light in his pupils.
Kkkk—
As he flared his presence, the entire island shook once more, and the crimson aura began spreading again.
"I have not forgotten that day for a single moment."
That single sentence told Bu Eun-seol much.
Fifteen years ago, the Blood Demon and the Buddhist Venerable had clashed at Western Gorge.
And the victory had gone to the Buddhist Venerable.
"Before the Hall Master arrives, this should suffice to liven things up."
"Amitabha."
The Buddhist Venerable smiled faintly.
"Even at your advanced age, Lay Benefactor Jeok, you remain as vigorous as ever."
"I appreciate you noticing."
KWAANG!
With an ear-splitting explosion, a light capable of tearing the heavens apart erupted from Jeok Bung's body.
He was invoking his signature martial art—the Sky Shattering Extreme Wheel.
"You have ascended to an even higher realm in this time."
"If you know that, then you should start preparing yourself."
"But alas, it seems today is not the day."
The Buddhist Venerable chuckled as he gazed into the distant sky.
Jeok Bung's eyes flashed.
Even his extrasensory perception had detected something.
Whoooosh—
A strange wind swept across Victory-over-Evil Island, and an immense energy gathered in the azure sky above.
FLASH!
A silver radiance burst from the colossal energy—
KRRRROOOOAR—
The surrounding air trembled as if taking physical form.
At the same time, ripples of blue spread across the ground, coalescing into a white silhouette.
A middle-aged man with pale skin and lustrous hair tied neatly atop his head.
His pupils were deep and profound, as if containing wisdom that could pierce through all phenomena in existence.
This was none other than Wi Ji-mua, the Profound Demon—renowned across the realm for wielding the most enigmatic of demonic swords.
'This is trouble.'
With even the Profound Demon making an appearance, Bu Eun-seol could finally resolve the two lingering questions that had plagued him.
'All of the Three Demons and Three Venerables are coming.'
Now that Wi Ji-mua had also arrived on the island, Bu Eun-seol understood why the Demonic Heavenly Emperor had chosen this place as the battleground.
With just three of the Three Demons and Three Venerables standing idly by—
Victory Over Evil Island had already transformed into a space of Limitless Power, one that ordinary martial artists couldn't even approach.
'Even space itself is warping.'
The mere energy radiating from these three supreme masters of the Martial Extreme Realm distorted the surroundings, making the island appear twisted. The air felt as thin as if he were standing atop a towering mountain.
And if the Demonic Heavenly Emperor and the Sword Sovereign were to unleash their true martial arts here in battle?
The interior of Victory Over Evil Island would literally become a hellish domain—
A place where none but those of the Three Demons and Three Venerables' caliber could possibly endure, an Absolute Domain.
That was precisely why they had chosen this remote, uninhabited island far from the mainland—because if they fought anywhere else, the entire area would be reduced to scorched earth.
'No wonder even the Three Clans and the Three Realms didn't dare come here.'
It had been a lingering question for him.
Why hadn't the Three Realms, with their vast intelligence networks, or the Neither-Human-Nor-Beast faction, attempted to locate the battleground of these two Absolute Grandmasters?
No matter how formidable their martial arts or influence might be—
They wouldn't dare intrude upon a space where the Demonic Heavenly Emperor and the Three Demons and Three Venerables had gathered all at once.
If they did, even their lives wouldn't be guaranteed.
'This is bad.'
But now, the problem was Bu Eun-seol himself.
He had thought simply concealing his presence would be enough—
Yet in the end, he had unwittingly trapped himself in this hellish space, suffused with the Limitless Power radiating from the realm's supreme martial experts.
"It's been a while, Elder Jeok."
At that moment, Wi Ji-mua wore an expression as if he had casually stepped out for a stroll and run into an old friend.
"I can't even remember how long it's been."
Then, he acknowledged the Buddha Venerable with familiarity.
"The Great Master is here as well."
"Sect Leader Wi."
The Buddha Venerable also smiled warmly and offered a light greeting in return.
"It seems the you've made great progress in your sword art. Truly a joyous and congratulatory matter."
Bu Eun-seol stiffened slightly.
From the Buddha Venerable's words, it seemed the two had once crossed blades in the past.
In other words, the Buddha Venerable had sparred with all three of the Demons.
After all, there was no way the Human Demon Ak Mu-ryeong—who relished battle—would have left him alone.
"Sect Leader Wi."
Jeok Bung made no effort to hide his displeasure as Wi Ji-mua appeared.
"Still living the good life, I see."
"Elder Jeok, not only have you grown more distinguished in appearance, but your martial prowess has become unrecognizable. Did something fortunate happen?"
"Seems age has dulled your perception."
At Jeok Bung's thorny remark, Wi Ji-mua responded with a composed smile.
"Now that I look, this junior has appeared without tact and ruined the mood between you two."
He let out an admiring sigh as he observed the Sky Shattering Extreme Wheel energy flowing from Jeok Bung's body.
"Shall we continue?"
Then, with an audacious grin, he turned to the Buddha Venerable.
"Rest assured. Even if Elder Jeok tires himself out sparring with the Great Master, I won't take turns striking him."
At Wi Ji-mua's jest, Jeok Bung slowly withdrew the internal power he had been gathering.
Though they were both of the Demonic Path—
He and Wi Ji-mua had never been on good terms.
Moreover, if he fought the Buddha Venerable now, it would only hand the monk a tremendous advantage.
As the Buddha Venerable had said—today simply wasn't his day.
"Seems everyone who's coming has arrived."
Jeok Bung muttered softly, avoiding Wi Ji-mua's gaze.
"Now, we just need today's main event to show up."
At those words, Wi Ji-mua and the Buddha Venerable nodded faintly in agreement.
'Does that mean the Pavilion Lord isn't coming?'
Bu Eun-seol sensed something odd in their exchange.
Since the Martial Venerable was currently impersonating Jeong Cheon-je, it was certain he wouldn't appear here.
If he were exposed under the sharp Dharma Eyes of Wi Ji-mua, Jeok Bung, or the Buddha Venerable—
The over-a-decade-long plan would crumble like foam.
But even if the Martial Venerable had an excuse—
The Human Demon Ak Mu-ryeong was a martial arts fanatic who had spent his entire life clashing with the strongest, studying the techniques of every faction under heaven.
So why were they so certain he wouldn't attend this battle?
Just then, Wi Ji-mua asked the Buddha Venerable:
"Great Master, do you know why Brother Ak won't be coming?"
"Pavilion Lord Ak has fought not only the Hall Master Sado but also Lord Heonwon multiple times."
The Buddha Venerable smiled faintly.
"And given how he's been continuing his closed-door training without seeking further battles... I suspect he's immersed in the cultivation of Self-Awareness and Self-Realization, which is why he won't appear."
"That may be true as well."
Wi Ji-mua whispered as if sharing an amusing tale.
"But perhaps it's because he can't leisurely watch the fight."
"Why do you say that?"
"Not long ago, I visited Langya Pavilion. Brother Ak was in the midst of freeing himself from the constraints of his physical body after attaining an extremely profound enlightenment. At that stage, he must maintain a mind as still as water... So, he wouldn't be able to come here."
'I see.'
Bu Eun-seol, who had been eavesdropping, nodded slightly.
Ak Mu-ryeong, too, had spent years training to break through the limits of the Martial Extreme Realm.
Finally, he had reached the state of Nothing Exists Outside the Mind and Returning to the Origin—
transcending the boundaries of his physical form.
But if he were to witness the fierce battle between the Demonic Heavenly Emperor and the Sword Sage?
His tranquil mind would shatter... and all his efforts thus far would be reduced to nothing.
"If what you say is true, then he absolutely won't come."
The Buddhist Venerable nodded with an admiring expression.
"But for the Ak, who possesses an attribute as radiant as the sun, to realize the boundless Martial Way and grow as cold as ice... One can't help but praise such an immeasurable achievement."
"Indeed."
Wi Ji-mua tossed a playful remark at the Buddhist Venerable.
"Though because of that, the future of the Righteous Path has grown rather bleak."
"Hohoho. This old monk may already be a crooked, withered man, but there are still two masters as fierce as dragons and tigers left."
He was referring to Jeong Cheon-je, the Divine Heavenly Emperor Shin Do-mu-bi, and the Martial Venerable Danmok Gi.
But Wi Ji-mua burst into laughter.
"And yet, they're slower than a two-hundred-year-old monk?"
The Buddhist Venerable chuckled and shook his head.
"They're not late—they simply won't come."
"Why is that?"
"Both have remained hidden for over a decade, secretly continuing their activities in the Murim. They have no reason to appear here."
Even if their legs were broken, this battle was one that any martial artist must witness.
Wi Ji-mua couldn't fully grasp the Buddhist Venerable's reasoning, but he could be certain of one thing—
that those two would not come.
Because those words had come from the Buddhist Venerable's mouth.
And never once had the Buddhist Venerable been wrong.
Kurung.
But then, the air around them trembled faintly, as if rippling through space.
At the same time, the sky darkened abruptly, and thick fog began to rise from the ground.
Gooooo.
With a sound like the world itself being sucked away, a single streak of lightning connected heaven and earth.
Kurururur.
The heavens and earth quivered as if in fear, and then black flames surged upward, slowly forming a shadow.
At the same time, a towering man appeared—
Seven feet tall, clad in clothes revealing his pillar-like forearms, as if they alone held up the sky.
Every inch of his exposed skin, including his face, was woven with thick, corded muscles,
twisted and knotted like braided rope, as if a god of war and battle had descended in human form.
It was none other than the Human Demon, Ak Mu-ryeong.
'Pavilion Lord...'
Bu Eun-seol was inwardly stunned.
Why had Ak Mu-ryeong come here when he should be focusing on stabilizing his mind?
"What brings you here, Brother Ak?"
Wi Ji-mua feigned surprise.
"I was certain you wouldn't come."
"Hmph."
Instead of answering, Ak Mu-ryeong fixed his sulfur-yellow eyes on the Buddhist Venerable.
As if no one else existed in this place but him and the old monk.
"Amitabha."
The Buddhist Venerable received that terrifying gaze with gentle composure.
But he did not offer Ak Mu-ryeong any further greeting.
Because if he spoke even a word more?
He knew Ak Mu-ryeong would unleash a thunderous assault without hesitation.
"You've finally arrived."
Then, Jeok Bung's icy voice cut through the air.
Shuk. Shuuk.
In an instant, Ak Mu-ryeong, Wi Ji-mua, the Buddhist Venerable, and Jeok Bung vanished—
ascending to a stone pillar overlooking the rocky mountain with movement techniques swift as lightning.
The moment they disappeared, the area around the mountain became a perfect void, devoid of all presence.
Kurung.
A low tremor shook the earth as the sky darkened further, clouds gathering ominously.
Suddenly, a fierce wind howled, and all the plants on the island trembled—
as if heralding the arrival of a Demon God.
Uuung.
At the same time, a radiant shockwave pulsed from within a translucent form—
and before anyone realized it, an old man appeared at the center of the rocky mountain, his face bearing the marks of time.
His gaze was sharp yet clear,
flickering with a mysterious light that seemed to pierce through all things.
Standing with his hands clasped behind his back, his presence seamlessly melded with the surrounding landscape.
The Number One of the Demonic Path, the Sky of the Demonic Path—
the Demonic Heavenly Emperor.
Sado Mu-myeong.
"It's been a while."
As his lips parted—
Saaaa.
The sound of waves accompanied the slow emergence of an aged man with an indomitable spirit from the opposite side.
Every person gathered on this Stone Mountain was a superlative martial expert, one who looked down on all Murim.
Each of their martial arts bore its own distinct hue, their characteristics vividly displayed with every appearance.
But this man had no discernible traits—
as if he had been standing here from the very beginning.
The Sword Sage, Heonwon Dam-cheong.
He had appeared as though answering the Demonic Heavenly Emperor's call.