The Great Heavenly Demon Sovereign - Chapter 765
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 765.
Upon observing Geom Joon’s stance, Ma Cheon Je burst forth with admiration.
“The realm of mind and matter as one, unity with the Dao itself.”
He had perceived that Geom Joon’s spirit had achieved perfect harmony with the external world, and had finally become one with the principles of nature.
Ma Cheon Je gazed upon Geom Joon with eyes brimming with satisfaction, nodding as though delighted.
“Indeed. You have perfected the Natural Sword.”
Geom Joon nodded without particular surprise, despite Ma Cheon Je having seen through his realm.
Ma Cheon Je asked again.
“Where is your blade?”
Geom Joon carried no sword, and there was no trace of any weapon upon his person.
To Ma Cheon Je’s question, Geom Joon replied calmly.
“Within my heart.”
“I see.”
Whoosh.
As their gazes met, a violent gale swept around the Rocky Mountain.
No lengthy words were needed.
The supreme master of the Demonic Path and the supreme swordsman of the Righteous Path.
The battle between these transcendent masters, unprecedented and unrepeatable, was finally about to commence.
‘Ugh.’
Bu Eunseol, hidden in concealment, felt her mind reeling internally.
Merely from Ma Cheon Je and Geom Joon harboring lethal intent to kill one another.
Not only had the area around the Rocky Mountain become a vacuum, but all of Seung Sa Do had transformed into the most perilous place in the world.
‘Nngh.’
My body, wrapped in the Crystal Divine Technique, was swelling.
Had I not been in concealment, I could have endured such force through any means.
But now, with all my inner energy suppressed and the Crystal Divine Technique wrapped around me.
I could not withstand such terrifying pressure.
Zing.
Yet at that moment, with a strange sensation, my body became lighter.
The terrifying pressure that seemed to collapse the entire world suddenly eased considerably.
[Foolish wretch!]
Simultaneously, a thunderous voice pierced into Bu Eunseol’s mind.
Ak Moo Ryung.
He had sent a transmission to me.
[What are you thinking, trying to resist the power of those two old men!]
Remarkably, he had known all along that I was in concealment.
[Do not resist. You cannot resist in the first place.]
From those words, I came to understand one truth.
If I did not possess abilities exceeding those of Ma Cheon Je and Geom Joon.
Then even if I were to resist their power.
Ultimately, the body could not withstand such pressure and would inevitably collapse.
[When the heart is firm, water’s force becomes firm as well. Spread the Crystalline Divine Qi only enough to conceal your body, and convert the remainder into a barrier of spiritual consciousness.]
Remarkably, Ak Moo Ryung not only knew that Bu Eunseol possessed the Crystalline Divine Qi.
He even understood the method of wielding it.
‘So you knew everything all along.’
Until now, Ak Moo Ryung had clashed with Bu Eunseol twice, and had even tasted the power of harmony.
Because of this, he had discerned every force within her body.
Flicker.
In that instant, Ak Moo Ryung’s form, which had vanished into the pillars of the Rocky Mountain, suddenly flickered faintly.
This phenomenon occurred because he was blocking the terrifying pressure that poured down upon Bu Eunseol.
‘Master.’
Bu Eunseol’s body trembled.
Only then did she understand why Ak Moo Ryung had come to Seung Sa Do despite standing at such a critical juncture in his ascension.
Despite standing at such a critical juncture in his ascension.
‘Master knew that I would inevitably come to this place.’
Her throat tightened and her heart raced.
Ak Moo Ryung understood Bu Eunseol’s nature and temperament far too well.
It was obvious that she would discover the location of the confrontation and infiltrate this place at the cost of her life.
To protect Bu Eunseol.
He had come to Seung Sa Do, prepared to accept the depletion of his cultivation.
Because Bu Eunseol was the future of Nangya Pavilion.
Because she had inherited his very nature—one who dedicates her life to the pursuit of martial arts.
‘Master.’
Bu Eunseol immediately converted the Crystalline Divine Qi enveloping her entire body into a barrier of spiritual consciousness.
Ak Moo Ryung would block the remaining pressure.
All she needed to do was conceal herself with the Crystalline Divine Qi and maintain an unwavering spiritual consciousness.
Hum.
Then Geom Joon’s transparent eyes began to examine Ma Cheon Je’s body as if piercing through it.
To the eyes of an ordinary person, Ma Cheon Je would appear as nothing more than an elderly man with blood and flesh flowing through his body.
But from the perspective of his Dharma Eye, Ma Cheon Je was merely an amalgamation of malevolent thoughts.
Such an existence cannot be destroyed by the blade, nor by fire, nor by any other method.
―How could one eliminate such an existence?
Geom Joon had long researched a way to sever Ma Cheon Je’s lifeline.
The reason he had devoted himself to the Natural Sword was
because he had awakened to the truth that this was the only method by which he could achieve victory against Ma Cheon Je.
―Nature.
The meaning contained within this brief word was vast and complex.
It encompassed all living and non-living things, every law and meteorological phenomenon.
It was itself a system that operated and evolved.
And Ma Cheon Je was an existence that lay outside nature—something alien and incomplete.
In other words, if the power of the Natural Sword were to transform him into a homogeneous being—complete yet ordinary, indistinguishable from a common human—then?
His life force could absolutely be severed.
Whiiiing.
The aura flowing from Geom Joon’s body grew increasingly fierce, and at last it began to pour toward Ma Cheon Je.
It was all the Natural Energy that Geom Joon had cultivated and accumulated until now.
He was unleashing it all without reservation upon Ma Cheon Je.
Shudder.
Ma Cheon Je’s body began to tremble faintly.
Exposed to the Natural Energy, his mysterious physique—which contained infinite power—gradually began to lose its strength.
‘Geom Joon arrived at the same conclusion I did.’
Bu Eunseol, observing the scene, nodded inwardly.
After she too had sensed Ma Cheon Je’s terrifying power,
her ultimate goal was not the Heavenly Path or any martial realm,
but rather to forge a force capable of dragging a transcendent martial master like Ma Cheon Je down to the level of an ordinary human.
And Geom Joon, who had harbored the desire to defeat Ma Cheon Je for so long,
through the Natural Sword had devised
a technique capable of toppling Ma Cheon Je himself—a being akin to a demon god.
And that method struck true; Ma Cheon Je’s physique, as indestructible as a Diamond Body, was gradually collapsing.
“Hahahaha!”
Suddenly, Ma Cheon Je burst into wild laughter.
In the same instant, he closed the distance from ten paces to five in a single breath.
Yet Geom Joon, as if he had not seen it, continued to pour forth Natural Energy without so much as a flicker in his gaze.
Four paces, three paces, two paces….
At last, the distance between them narrowed to barely one pace.
In that moment, a mysterious radiance flickered in Ma Cheon Je’s eyes, and he slowly extended his fist.
Ssssslow.
As if time itself had decelerated a hundredfold,
his punch advanced forward with the sluggish pace of a tortoise.
Within that fist lay not only the quintessence of all martial arts under heaven,
but also the Reverse Heavenly Energy that pushed against the Natural Energy Geom Joon was unleashing.
‘Impossible!’
Geom Joon, undeterred, unleashed the Natural Energy with ferocious intensity.
Soon, Ma Cheon Je’s physique would collapse.
Before that slow-moving punch could bring calamity upon his body,
he need only return Ma Cheon Je’s form to nature.
Thud, thud.
Ma Cheon Je’s fist seemed suspended, yet it moved forward steadily, deliberately.
Geom Joon, unconcerned, continued to pour forth Natural Energy relentlessly.
Yet watching that slowly approaching fist, his chest tightened as if he might cough blood.
―Does he believe his fist will reach before his body collapses?
In that instant, doubt bloomed within Geom Joon’s mind.
From his perspective, Ma Cheon Je’s physical form was on the verge of complete collapse.
Surely, before the fist could even make contact.
That body would vanish without a trace.
Creak, creak.
Yet Ma Cheon Je was throwing a punch with an utterly unhurried expression, was he not?
This was undoubtedly his absolute victory.
How could that man wear such a composed expression?
Crack. Rumble, rumble.
Cracks were spreading across the entire Rocky Mountain.
It seemed as though it would crumble at any moment.
In that interval, time flowed with agonizing slowness, and within it, Geom Joon grasped a single truth.
The ground.
Even as everything on the Rocky Mountain collapsed.
Only the ground beneath Ma Cheon Je’s feet remained perfectly intact.
‘So that was it.’
Ma Cheon Je was an imperfect and alien existence from nature’s perspective.
But the earth upon which he stood had become the most perfect and unyielding place in this world.
Reversal.
Ma Cheon Je was protecting his physical form by reversing the torrential forces of nature itself.
‘Perhaps that fist might reach me first.’
In the end, Geom Joon realized that rather than Ma Cheon Je’s physical collapse.
That terrifying fist brimming with power might reach his own body first.
‘There is no choice.’
At this point, decades of cultivation would come to naught.
‘That man must be killed. For the sake of Murim itself!’
Having finally resolved himself, Geom Joon immediately formed a finger sword with his right hand and thrust it toward Ma Cheon Je’s brow.
He had converted the natural sword—what could be called the Swordless—into a tangible blade.
Whoosh!
Then the sluggish flow of time began to accelerate, and finally the fist and finger sword collided in mid-air.
Boom!
From the point of impact, a tremendous current erupted, and immediately a colossal dragon form began to take shape, as if it would tear the very heavens asunder.
Rumble, rumble.
A portion of the Rocky Mountain collapsed, and the entire Island began to convulse as though it would sink into the seawater.
“Ugh.”
Geom Joon released a frustrated groan.
Only then did he realize he had been completely deceived.
Ma Cheon Je had neither blocked the natural strike nor unleashed the power of reversal.
He had merely amplified the doubts within Geom Joon’s own heart, causing the natural sword’s swordless form to transform into a tangible blade.
In short, Geom Joon had thrown away a sharp blade and grasped a rotted pickaxe instead.
Ma Cheon Je seized the opportunity without hesitation.
He channeled Pa Cheon Hwang’s devastating strike—one capable of shattering the entire world—into his fist and thrust it forward.
Crack.
Thick veins burst forth across Geom Joon’s body as he extended his earthen sword.
The moment he materialized the formless natural sword into tangible form as an earthen sword.
It ceased to be a true natural sword. It could no longer withstand Ma Cheon Je’s punch in any way.
“So you didn’t achieve a natural sword at all—merely forged a blade for the sole purpose of killing me.”
As Ma Cheon Je drove the earthen sword back, he clicked his tongue with apparent disappointment.
“How utterly disheartening.”
Geom Joon’s eyes widened upon hearing those words.
He had believed he finally grasped the natural sword and achieved the ultimate pinnacle of swordsmanship.
Yet in truth, he had merely created a tool and means solely for killing Ma Cheon Je.
In other words, what he had attained was not a perfect natural sword.
“So that’s how it was.”
Geom Joon laughed hollowly.
“No Bu didn’t refine the natural sword—he created the Demon Heaven Killing Sword instead.”
The natural sword.
It must embrace all things and remain unshaken despite infinite transformations.
What Geom Joon had created, ultimately, was.
Not a pure natural sword, but a killing blade forged solely to end Ma Cheon Je.
Ma Cheon Je grasped this truth instantly and seized victory in this final confrontation.
Thud.
With those words, Geom Joon’s earthen sword was crushed beneath Ma Cheon Je’s fist.
And simultaneously,
Boom!
A tremendous shockwave erupted from Geom Joon’s back.
Unable to withstand Ma Cheon Je’s strike, that calamitous force passed straight through his body.
Crash!
The shockwave that burst forth behind Geom Joon’s back split the Island in two, and in that instant, even the sea was cleaved asunder.
Perhaps it was merely an illusion.
No matter how extraordinary one’s martial prowess, a human could never split the sea.
Yet all the masters present, including Bu Eunseol, clearly witnessed the sea being torn apart.
―Did he unfold a Mental World?
The great masters observing from afar fell into confusion.
Whether the power Ma Cheon Je had displayed thus far was a Mental World or actual force unleashed,
They could not even distinguish between the two.
“….”
Geom Joon stood motionless like a stone statue, his earthen sword still extended.
Though his breath had already ceased, he maintained his upright posture unchanged.
Perhaps it was a final testament—a will to never kneel before Ma Cheon Je, even in death.
“Amitabha Buddha.”
Along with the Buddhist chant, Bul Jon, who had been concealing his presence until now, revealed himself.
Thud, thud.
Without sparing a glance at Ma Cheon Je, he gazed upon Geom Joon, who stood rigidly in place.
With palms pressed together, he began to recite sutras in a low voice.
The more he chanted, the more Bul Jon’s hardened expression gradually brightened.
“Is not the very essence of existence suffering itself?”
Having finished his recitation, Bul Jon smiled softly.
“Now that he has escaped from that place, this is truly cause for celebration.”
And his smile held genuine joy at Geom Joon’s departure from this world of suffering.
Whoosh.
Having collected Geom Joon’s remains, Bul Jon immediately deployed his divine technique and vanished.
―Not yet, it seems.
Along with a low voice that rang through Seung Sa Do, a brilliant light disappeared into the Distant Sky.
It was Jeok Bung, who had been observing the duel, immediately deploying his divine technique to vanish.
He had come to understand the magnificence of the realm Ma Cheon Je had achieved in this confrontation.
Yet he himself harbored no intention of stopping here.
From the moment he returned to the Demon Palace, he had made a resolution.
He would no longer be content with his position as Elder Hall Master.
Therefore, he wished to digest the insights gained from this duel in a quiet place as soon as possible.
Thus he vanished immediately upon the duel’s conclusion.
Yet he left those words as a mark of respect for Ma Cheon Je’s martial prowess.
―Indeed.
Wi Ji Moo Ah, having spoken but a single word, also departed quietly.
Though brief, his words too conveyed respect for Ma Cheon Je before he took his leave.
Bu Eunseol, hidden away, drew a deep breath.
To receive respect from one such as Samma.
I understood well how extraordinary such a thing truly was.
“Hmm.”
Ma Cheon Je swallowed hard, then turned his head.
It was precisely where I was concealed.
Splurt!
Yet something incomprehensible occurred.
Suddenly, blood began to gush forth from Ak Moo Ryung’s body, hidden atop the stone pillar.
Gush, gush, gush!
Though his concealed form remained invisible, the blood poured forth without cessation.
‘For my sake.’
Only then could I comprehend the situation.
Knowing he could not withstand the force Ma Cheon Je was unleashing, Ak Moo Ryung was bearing it in my stead.
“Having accepted such a price… I suppose I must show some consideration this time.”
Ma Cheon Je muttered something cryptic, then slowly turned his body.
Zing.
As he did, it appeared as though an invisible, transparent door materialized before him.
And it was no illusion.
With each step Ma Cheon Je took, his form gradually faded from sight.
Finally, when Ma Cheon Je vanished completely,
Whoosh.
Ak Moo Ryung, who had been concealing himself until now, finally revealed his presence.
Drip, drip.
His body was drenched in blood.
Perhaps because he stood at the threshold of reaching a higher realm, his martial power had waned.
Unable to withstand the crushing pressure Ma Cheon Je unleashed, his skin had split and torn.
“Sa Do Moo Myung.”
Ma Cheon Je had known.
That Bu Eunseol was secretly hiding within Seung Sa Do.
Yet when a demon like Ak Moo Ryung sacrificed even his martial power to protect Bu Eunseol,
As if witnessing an amusing theatrical performance, he departed with a satisfied smile.
By rights, he should have obliterated such foolish master and disciple together.
In his own way, he had shown them mercy.
“Gak Ju.”
As Bu Eunseol, releasing her crystal divine technique, moved to support him,
“Hehehehe.”
Ak Moo Ryung, drenched in blood, suddenly burst into wild laughter.
“Hahahaha!”
As his mad laughter erupted, storms swept across all directions and the Island trembled as though it would sink beneath the waves.
“Sa Do Moo Myung. Now I can finally see your end.”
“Gak Ju.”
“Did you truly believe I came to this place merely to save you?”
Ak Moo Ryung, with a sickly yellow light flowing from his eyes, unleashed an aura that oppressed all of Tianxia.
Now it was clear—his martial power had not waned at all.
Rather, his martial prowess had advanced to a degree incomparable to before.
“How long did you think that bastard’s Shattering Nature would work?”
Hearing those words, Bu Eunseol could comprehend the truth.
Ak Moo Ryung had already enhanced his martial power, yet he had tested whether Ma Cheon Je could still perceive everything about him.
Whether he could pierce through all of it.
In the end, Ma Cheon Je had failed to detect Ak Moo Ryung’s martial enhancement, nor had he grasped his true intentions.
Considering that even Geom Joon, who had mastered Natural Sword, fell to Ma Cheon Je’s psychological warfare before he could even properly unleash his technique,
Ak Moo Ryung had reached a realm incomparably superior to before.
“Moreover, he suffered grave wounds.”
Ak Moo Ryung gazed toward where Ma Cheon Je had vanished, a faint smile crossing his face.
“This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
“Gak Ju.”
“From now on, refrain from such reckless actions….”
Ak Moo Ryung regarded Bu Eunseol with a cold gaze as he spoke.
“Trust yourself more.”
Then he turned and vanished immediately.
Bu Eunseol stood with a vacant expression, her mouth agape.
“So Gak Ju will exploit anything if it advances his martial prowess.”
Ak Moo Ryung had devoted his entire life to the martial way.
Therefore, if it meant advancing his martial arts, he would unhesitatingly employ any means necessary.
This time, he had utilized my reckless and perilous attempt to reassess Ma Cheon Je’s capabilities once more.
And in doing so, he had also proven his own enhanced martial prowess.
“Yet despite everything, he still showed concern for me.”
Bu Eunseol smiled faintly.
There were many other methods to verify enhanced martial prowess.
There was no need to recklessly provoke Ma Cheon Je in this place and savor his own martial arts.
Because he possessed the will to save me, he had taken the risk and come here.
“Moreover, Gak Ju has also proven me.”
In the past, merely hearing Ak Moo Ryung’s voice would cause dizziness, and my internal energy would scatter.
But his voice no longer resonated like the Six Harmonies Perfect Sound.
My martial prowess had also been greatly enhanced.
―Trust yourself more.
And that statement held meaning.
It was likely intended for me to become more aware of my own martial prowess and strengthen my confidence.
“One must have faith in oneself.”
And Ak Moo Ryung’s words carried yet another meaning.
Geom Joon, who had refined the Natural Sword, possessed the ability to sufficiently defeat Ma Cheon Je.
But he lacked faith in himself and regarded Ma Cheon Je far too highly.
Because of this, he could not fully deploy the Natural Sword, and ultimately created a result that could never be undone across ten thousand kalpas.
‘Yet Ma Cheon Je remains Ma Cheon Je.’
Ak Moo Ryung was Bu Eunseol’s master who had learned the supreme pinnacle of Nangya Sect’s martial arts, and a person who had thoroughly examined every ounce of energy within her body.
Therefore, he should have immediately detected that Bu Eunseol was hiding in this place.
Yet Ma Cheon Je had sensed Bu Eunseol through only his own pure ability.
Considering that even Bul Jon and Hyun Ma had failed to notice this…
One could comprehend just how exalted a realm Ma Cheon Je had attained.
“Ma Cheon Je.”
Bu Eunseol clenched her fists tightly.
Ma Cheon Je’s martial arts remained utterly beyond naming.
It was a realm where one could not discern where he had reached, nor could one assign it any name.
Because of this, even Geom Joon, who had refined the Natural Sword, had his spiritual barriers shattered and fallen to the realm of inferior achievement.
“But thanks to it, I’ve obtained a clue.”
A smile played at the corners of Bu Eunseol’s lips.
Witnessing Geom Joon’s natural sword, all those things I had pursued relentlessly yet could never discern the destination of—
were finally beginning to come into clear focus.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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