The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 453

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 453.
—Let the Phoenix Tournament commence!
At last, the Phoenix Tournament had begun.
Before the Great Training Arena at Murim Alliance Central.
Temporary structures and massive maze-like formations had been erected there.
In front of them stood elite second-tier divisions selected from each department, arrayed in formation.
The towering spectator seating of the Great Training Arena was packed with Murim Alliance warriors who had gathered to witness the Phoenix Tournament.
Across from the Training Grounds, a high platform had been erected, upon which stood a beautiful woman dressed in white, gazing down at the crowd below with unwavering composure.
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
The unprecedented sight of such a young and beautiful Chief Inspector stirred endless whispers among the countless warriors gathered in the Great Training Arena.
—That beauty must be the newly appointed Gong Son Dan Gyeong, the Chief Inspector!
As the former director of Dae Rim Won, she had rarely engaged in public activities beyond administrative duties.
Consequently, few within the Alliance had ever seen her face.
Yet now that she had revealed herself, her appearance was so youthful and beautiful that one might mistake her for Gong Son Dan Ah, one of the Three Beauties of Tianxia!
—I thought Gong Son Dan Ah of the Western Sea Region was visiting our Alliance.
—She appears to be in her twenties, yet they say she’s past thirty.
As the warriors in the Training Grounds continued their gossip.
The leadership of the Murim Alliance had gathered in small groups around the platform, engaged in conversation with Gong Son Dan Gyeong.
They appeared to be offering her congratulations on her appointment.
However, Jo Cheon Wang, who had descended from Wu Tian Duan, was nowhere to be seen, and neither the Alliance Lord nor the Vice Lord were in attendance.
In particular, Alliance Lord Sin Do Mu Bi rarely made appearances at ordinary ceremonies or formal events.
Jeong Cheon Je.
He had declared that bearing such a name meant his duty was to grow stronger as the foremost master of the Orthodox Path.
Thus, he devoted no time to ceremonies or formal events, channeling every available moment into advancing his martial prowess.
—What is this now?
Yet the divisions participating in the Phoenix Tournament found themselves frowning as they gazed upon one particular location.
There stood the members of the Elite Division, their names and faces unfamiliar to all.
The divisions participating in the Phoenix Tournament were.
Always those who had achieved great merit within the Murim Alliance or demonstrated exceptional skill.
Yet here stood the newly established Elite Division, standing awkwardly among them?
—Though they’ve reportedly achieved much merit recently, this is too much.
—Do they think the Phoenix Tournament is a game? Many divisions undergo rigorous training to win this competition.
Even the leadership on the platform had begun to voice their concerns.
—I hear it’s called the newly established Information Division. Competing in the Phoenix Tournament? Isn’t that reckless?
Murmurs echoed through the crowd.
The unprecedented situation had filled the Great Training Arena with endless whispers.
Yet Bu Eunseol and the other members of the division stood in formation with expressionless faces.

―Let the first match begin! The Siege Formation Battle!
Yong Myeong, the Lord of the Dragon Coil Palace who oversaw the Phoenix Tournament, announced loudly.
―The divisions called forth, step forward! The Chang Cheon Division and the Sin Su Division!
At that, the two divisions standing in formation ascended onto the Martial Arts Arena.
The Siege Formation Battle was a contest where each division deployed their most confident formation and attempted to breach the opponent’s defenses.
Through this match, one could assess the training volume of the members, their unity and cooperation, as well as the command ability of each division leader.
Since the first called division took the offensive, the Sin Su Division attacked while the Chang Cheon Division defended.
The Chang Cheon Division employed the Qian Kun Shadowless Formation, a modified version of the Qian Kun Formation taught by the Murim Alliance, and the Sin Su Division ultimately failed to breach their defense.
―We must hold at all costs!
When the roles reversed, the Sin Su Division deployed the Flying Heaven Golden Thread Formation to defend against the Chang Cheon Division’s assault.
However, the Chang Cheon Division’s leader commanded his members with practiced skill, identified the weaknesses in the Flying Heaven Golden Thread Formation, and shattered it in one decisive strike.
―Chang Cheon Division, victorious!
At Yong Myeong’s cry, the Sin Su Division withdrew from the Training Grounds with lowered heads.
The Phoenix Tournament consisted of three total matches, and elimination after a single loss meant the end.
In other words, with only two chances to survive, every member was fighting with all their might.
Thereafter, under Yong Myeong’s direction, the relentless Siege Formation Battles between divisions continued fiercely.
Most of the victorious divisions were the established divisions that had long held their second-rank positions.
―Finally, the Byeok Ryeok Division and the Elite Division, come forward!
Upon hearing this announcement, the surrounding divisions and watching martial artists barely suppressed their smirks.
―They’ll be eliminated in an instant.
The Byeok Ryeok Division was a place where masters excelled in mechanical formation techniques among the second-rank divisions.
In particular, Cheon Tae Sung, the leader of the Byeok Ryeok Division, was the only son of Cheon Tae Gwang, a formation master of great renown throughout Murim.
Yet the Elite Division, which had only recently earned its name among the second-rank divisions and was known as an intelligence division,
had virtually no chance of defeating the Byeok Ryeok Division in a Siege Formation Battle.
“There is no need for concern.”
Bu Eunseol, standing in the Great Training Arena, spoke calmly to her members.
“Simply proceed as we have trained thus far.”
And she addressed Tae Mu Ryong and Jeong Jong Do.
“The two of you each divide the members into two groups and form the Earthquake Heaven Dual Extreme Formation. I will command the outer perimeter from outside.”
“The Earthquake Heaven Dual Extreme Formation… you say?”
Tae Mu Ryong’s expression grew puzzled.
It was because that formation specialized in offense, not defense.
“They are underestimating our division. Because of that, rather than searching for weaknesses in the formation, they will attempt to overwhelm us with raw power in one decisive push.”
Bu Eunseol spoke with a smile.
“We must become a sharp blade that stands against their pressure. Of course, I will continue to adapt the formation as needed.”
And she swept her gaze across all the members once before speaking with conviction.
“This match will confirm that all our training has not been in vain. Can you do this?”
―We shall obey your command!
The members, clasping their hands together and crying out loudly, began to deploy the Earthquake Heaven Dual Extreme Formation.
Seeing them line up with perfect precision, not a single person out of place, their formation and orientation aligned flawlessly,
‘It seems they’ve trained quite thoroughly.’
Cheon Tae Sung, the commander of the Byeok Ryeok Division, nodded in acknowledgment.
But soon a sneer crossed his lips.
‘Unfortunately, the skill and unity of a division’s members cannot be forged in a short span of time.’
At a glance, he discerned that this figure called Seon Woo Jin was quite exceptional.
However, the members of the Elite Division were merely fresh recruits who had just joined. Even with training, the duration had been extraordinarily brief.
But the Byeok Ryeok Division had steadfastly maintained its position as a second-tier division for five years now… there was no way they could withstand them.
―Begin!
At Yong Myeong’s shout, Cheon Tae Sung summoned his members and spoke in a low voice.
“There’s a gap visible in the northeast sector. Concentrate your assault there and break through.”
The members of the Byeok Ryeok Division began pushing against the opening in the northeast with a resounding battle cry.
But something was strange.
The Elite Division’s formation, which should have crumbled instantly, remained steadfast, and the members’ expressions showed no signs of wavering whatsoever.
‘What in the world is this?’
Cheon Tae Sung’s eyes widened as he directed the formation from outside.
‘These newly arrived recruits possess such solid inner strength?’
Though the Elite Division members were participating in the Phoenix Tournament for the first time, they deployed their formation flawlessly without a trace of nervousness.
Moreover, every single member possessed such robust inner strength that they remained completely unmoved even under considerable impact.
“Hyaaah!”
The Byeok Ryeok Division members exploited the opening perfectly, yet they could not shatter the Elite Division’s solid formation.
―They won’t budge at all?
The confusion was equally shared by the Byeok Ryeok Division members.
Despite piercing the weakness and pressing their assault, they were unable to break through the Elite Division’s formation whatsoever.
“Ugh.”
In the end, the Byeok Ryeok Division, despite pushing for a moment, failed to collapse the Elite Division’s formation.
―Switch positions!
At Yong Myeong’s command, the Byeok Ryeok Division retreated with bewildered expressions.
“It appears they’ve trained frequently in formation deployment. But there’s no need to worry.”
Cheon Tae Sung reassured his confused members and spoke with a forceful voice.
“They won’t be able to break through our division’s formation either. We simply need to win through a prolonged engagement.”
He spoke loudly.
“Deploy the Diamond Thousand Wheel Formation!”
Cheon Tae Sung selected the Diamond Thousand Wheel Formation, the most impenetrable defensive formation the Byeok Ryeok Division could deploy.
Thereupon, nineteen members arranged themselves in a circular formation, and Cheon Tae Sung began directing the formation from within.
“Activate!”
At Cheon Tae Sung’s command, the members arranged in the circular formation began moving in a dizzying pattern.
The Diamond Thousand Wheel Formation possessed the ability to redirect the force pouring in from outside, flowing it back outward like the subtle principles of Tai Chi.
Unless one wielded a sharp weapon and deliberately sought to kill the members.
Ordinary force could absolutely never break the formation.
“Breaking a formation is far easier than defending one.”
Bu Eunseol spoke in a low voice.
“There is no such thing as perfection in formations. They were created by humans with different body types and individual characteristics.”
Bu Eunseol had long ago begun facing various formations alone, and had early on cultivated techniques to break through them.
“Move immediately in accordance with the commands of our Lord. Do not hesitate.”
―Begin!
At Yong Myeong’s cry, Bu Eunseol immediately directed the members.
“Three steps to the east gate. Three steps to the southwest gate.”
The Vajra Eternal Cycle Formation was an excellent formation that made it difficult to find flaws, but Bu Eunseol immediately identified their weaknesses through the Beast Path technique.
“Hold position there for a moment. Now advance three steps forward.”
The movements of the members were precise as a finely-tuned machine, without the slightest deviation.
This was because they had absolute faith in Bu Eunseol.
The members moved as if they were a single body, following each command with perfect precision and no margin for error.
With each movement, the solid formation of the Vajra Eternal Cycle Formation developed hairline fractures, and the formation itself crumbled bit by bit.
―What in the world is happening!
Cheon Tae Sung and the Byeok Ryeok Division members were losing their minds.
They had clearly deployed the formation without a single flaw, and moved continuously in accordance with the formation’s operation.
So why were weaknesses appearing every time the Elite Division members moved?
―Ugh… We cannot hold any longer!
Finally, as the Elite Division members continuously exploited the weaknesses,
the formation wavered and buckled.
The Vajra Eternal Cycle Formation, which needed to maintain a perfect circle, eventually twisted into a distorted shape…
With a thunderous rumble.
The formation finally collapsed completely.
―Elite Division victorious!
At Yong Myeong’s cry, all the Elite Division members embraced each other and roared in triumph.
―Waaaaah!
Even Jeong Jong Do, taciturn and reserved in his expressions, clenched his fists and bellowed.
They had continued their training without rest, following Bu Eunseol’s instructions every single day.
But sometimes doubts crept in.
Was it truly necessary to go this far?
Was such grueling training really needed?
Would the training actually prove effective?
Such doubts persisted endlessly. Especially since their Lord, Bu Eunseol, was often absent, these thoughts became even more frequent.
But the answer came faster than expected.
Through today’s siege battle, no less.
―Our training was not in vain!
The members cried out simultaneously in their hearts.
―Through all this training, we have become stronger!
“You perform quite well, unexpectedly.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong, the Inspector on the platform, gazed at Yuk Jang Cheon with a faint smile.
“I heard it was founded not long ago, yet it possesses considerable skill.”
“That is….”
Yuk Jang Cheon was about to offer a modest reply when Bi Ryong Jeon Ju Jong Gu Ryeong, seated beside him, swiftly cut him off.
“It was merely a victory in a single match, so we should observe further before judging the true caliber of their abilities.”
Jong Gu Ryeong also coveted the position of Wu Tian Duan Lord, making him a rival to Yuk Jang Cheon.
Moreover, since Byeok Ryeok Division was under his command, his pride had been considerably wounded.
“Indeed, that seems fair.”
As Gong Son Dan Gyeong nodded calmly,
A rumbling sound echoed forth.
At that moment, numerous personnel began filing into the structures and maze installations set upon the Martial Arts Arena.
They were all warriors of the Murim Alliance’s Chief Inspector Division, specialists in formation techniques.
―We shall now commence the second round!
Yong Myeong announced in a booming voice.
―The divisions called forth shall enter the Breaking Evil Gate constructed before the Martial Arts Arena!
The Breaking Evil Gate was a colossal structure and labyrinth erected within the Great Training Arena, equipped with the various formation techniques employed by the Demonic Path.
And within its depths, the warriors of the Chief Inspector Division had deployed
the formidable formation techniques favored by the Demonic Path factions.
Moreover, to prevent any underhanded tactics or the use of treasures to breach the formations, first-class Lords were stationed throughout to monitor whether the formations were being properly dismantled.
―We shall measure the time required to break through, and the two divisions that emerge from the Breaking Evil Gate most swiftly shall advance to the final championship!
Yong Myeong proclaimed loudly.
―Baek Cheon Division, commence!
Thereupon, Dok Go Seung, the Lord of Baek Cheon Division, and his members clasped their hands in salute before entering the Breaking Evil Gate.
After a considerable time passed in silence, they finally emerged from the opposite exit after more than an hour had elapsed.
―Baek Cheon Division, one hour!
Yong Myeong then gazed upon Bu Eunseol and the Elite Division before crying out loudly.
―Next, Elite Division! Enter!
The second to enter was the Elite Division led by Bu Eunseol.
Bu Eunseol and the Elite Division likewise clasped their hands in salute toward the leadership upon the platform before entering the Breaking Evil Gate.
Then an unexpected sight revealed itself.
Contrary to the building’s exterior, a vast forest landscape unfolded, and a scent that clouded the mind began spreading in all directions.
Simultaneously, warriors clad in black garments moved chaotically, deploying their formations.
‘This is somewhat…regrettable.’
Upon discovering the formations, I could not help but let out a silent laugh.
The formations installed in the Breaking Evil Gate were those of the White Horse Sect and Hell Blood Castle that I had continuously dismantled since entering the Gangho.
“Lord. I possess some knowledge of formation-breaking techniques.”
As Jeong Jong Do stepped forward, I smiled and waved my hand dismissively.
“There is no need.”
“Pardon?”
“I shall lead the way. Simply keep your eyes fixed upon the back of the person before you and follow without looking elsewhere. That shall suffice.”
“What do you mean by——”
“The formation arrays displayed here are the Ten Demonic Gates formations I’ve repeatedly encountered while conducting Merchant Guild operations.”
At Bu Eunseol’s words, Jeong Jong Do’s mouth fell open.
“Is… is that so?”
“We have no time. Follow me. I’ll lead the way.”
Thump, thump.
Bu Eunseol entered the formation array as casually as if taking a leisurely stroll.
The members who had been standing dazed immediately followed in her footsteps.
Crack! Crack, crack, crack!
The first formation to manifest was the Poison Isolation Array of Hell Blood Castle.
It was the same one from when Bu Eunseol had gone to receive approval as the first successor candidate.
A formation technique wielded by Ok Ki Ryung, the Blood Ghost Party Master of Hell Blood Castle.
Though the first-class sword division members who deployed the formation hadn’t unleashed the true Blood Shadow Poison Isolation Technique, merely dispersing the toxic miasma was enough to cloud the senses.
‘The Murim Alliance has conducted quite extensive research into Demonic Path formations.’
They had simply refrained from deploying the Blood Shadow Poison Isolation Technique itself.
The Poison Isolation Array manifested before me was so intricate and precise that one could believe it had been deployed by masters of the Blood Water Sect themselves.
‘Could it be that person within the Murim Alliance?’
Bu Eunseol recalled rumors she had heard during her time as one of the Ten Demon Immortals, when fighting against masters of the great sects.
That within the Murim Alliance existed a mysterious master versed in Demonic Path martial arts—so knowledgeable that they could even transmit the methods to counter Demonic Path techniques.
‘Otherwise, there would be no way to teach the Demonic Shadow Step, a technique only masters of Hell Blood Castle could employ, to this level of proficiency.’
Though my thoughts ran deep, my actions were swift.
Bu Eunseol immediately exploited the weaknesses in the Poison Isolation Array.
The rigid formation began to crumble in an instant.
Had this been actual combat, the masters of Hell Blood Castle would have unleashed the Blood Shadow Poison Isolation Technique, but since this was a test, the formation was simply broken through.
After that came the White Horse Five Immortals Array, deployed by Eum Wi, Master of the Hyeonok Pavilion of the White Horse Sect.
Finally, the Black Slaughter Descending Lock Array, deployed once more by Yang Myeong, the Blood Ghost Party Master of Hell Blood Castle, manifested.
Screech.
At last, as I shattered all the formation arrays, the Breaking Evil Gate’s doors opened.
Stepping outside, Bu Eunseol could see the desolate landscape of the Great Training Arena.
―Elite Division, one quarter of an hour!
At Yong Myeong’s proclamation,
“….”
The eyes of not only the waiting members but also the leadership widened as if they might tear.
One quarter of an hour?
This was something that shouldn’t happen unless the mechanism had been installed incorrectly.
Murmur, murmur.
For a moment, commotion erupted in the Martial Arts Arena and on the Platform.
As the situation grew serious, Yong Myeong entered the Breaking Evil Gate and summoned the sword division masters inside.
Together with the leadership on the Platform, they heard how the Elite Division had broken through the formations.
After listening to the explanation for some time, the leadership fell silent.
The Elite Division. No—the method Seon Woo Jin had employed was something the Murim Alliance itself had never discovered until now.
It was an exceptionally simple approach, yet one that struck at the very heart of their weaknesses.
Ultimately, when the sect leaders could not convince the higher-ups despite their explanations, they brought Bu Eunseol onto the Platform.
“Where did you learn such a formation-breaking technique?”
“I did not learn it—I discovered it through my own understanding.”
At Yong Myeong’s question, Bu Eunseol clasped her hands respectfully and answered.
“While traveling through Gwan Oe, the ones who extorted the most money from honest merchant guilds were the Hell Blood Castle in the Guizhou region and the White Horse Sect established around the Jade Gate.”
“You fought against them?”
“That could hardly be the case. We paid substantial tributes each year and passed through their territories. However, merchant guilds that could not afford such payments hired wanderers to travel in secret.”
Bu Eunseol answered calmly.
“And those merchant guilds were sometimes caught by them, trapped within their formations, and annihilated. The few wanderers who survived those formations sold information about the formation operations at the Wanderer Market for exorbitant prices.”
Yong Myeong nodded in understanding.
It was true that wanderers were not only deeply versed in the formations of the Orthodox Sects, but also secretly mastered special formation-breaking techniques.
Selling such knowledge at high prices was hardly an uncommon occurrence.
“However, that alone does not explain everything.”
Bi Ryong Jeon Ju Jong Gu Ryeong, who had been listening quietly, furrowed his brow.
“If the methods to break the Ten Demonic Gates’ formations had been made public, would they have remained silent?”
“They have never been made public. I simply conducted my own separate research.”
Bu Eunseol withdrew a thin booklet from her robes.
Within it, the operational patterns of the Ten Demonic Gates’ formations were drawn in chaotic detail, with countermeasures and annotations densely written throughout.
Though not perfect, it was at a level where one could comprehend the operations of the Demonic Path formations in considerable detail.
“What is this?”
“These are things I researched whenever I had the opportunity.”
Gong Son Dan Gyeong examined the diagrams Bu Eunseol presented and nodded.
“You are quite diligent. You also possess talent in formations.”
As she carefully studied the text, she continued speaking.
“It appears you have conducted research for at least two or three years. On Demonic Path formations alone.”
Was it merely an illusion?
There seemed to be a particular emphasis in Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s voice when she spoke the word “Demonic Path.”
Swiftly.
A beautiful pair of eyes came to rest upon Bu Eunseol’s face.
In that instant, Bu Eunseol found herself lowering her gaze without conscious thought.
They were eyes unlike anything she had ever witnessed in her entire life.
The moment their gazes met, a profound stillness—as though sinking into deep waters—washed over her.
And simultaneously, a single ray of light piercing through darkness seemed to unfold before her eyes.
‘Dangerous.’
My instincts were sounding an alarm.
Gong Son Dan Gyeong’s eyes, which seemed to draw in one’s very soul, clearly possessed a mysterious power.
And if that power could not be resisted? My identity would be exposed immediately in this very place.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————