Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors
Ye Dong-bin soared through the sky. Simultaneously, with the might of Unity of Body and Sword, he ascended and summoned a gigantic sword from the Sky.
[Heavenly Escape Sword Technique!]
Whoooosh
The giant sword, appearing as if it could slice through mountain ranges, was massive enough to rival the size of hundreds of ordinary swords. Moments later, it moved in accordance with Ye Dong-bin‘s finger and shot towards Dalgi. Despite its enormous size, the speed surpassed sound, rendering it incredibly frightening.
However, three of Dalgi‘s tails moved swiftly, wrapping around the blade of the giant sword effortlessly. With all the force absorbed without any harm, Dalgi attacked Ye Dong-bin with its remaining six tails.
*Kaboom!
Boom-boom-boom!
As hundreds of blades were swept away, a devastating force akin to an explosion created a crimson scar on the ground. Each strike contained the entire essence of a Peerless Master, indicating that Dalgi‘s prowess had reached a level impossible for any human to withstand.
‘ Capturing that with mere martial arts is out of the question…!!’
Even while entrusting my body to Ye Dong-bin, despair engulfed me. I could deeply feel why Jin So-cheong was effortlessly disarmed and Lee Kwang lost his life. The upper limits between demons and humans were inherently different, and when a demon fully harnessed its power, a human’s martial arts struggled to even touch it.
However, Ye Dong-bin, revered as the great immortal and Fight with Immortals! He summoned a Fire Dragon encircling his entire body to deflect the attacks.
[Hmm!]
Simultaneously, he utilized an unknown counterattack to force Dalgi back. Multicolored starlight flowed out, forming a sword shape, which flew toward Dalgi and struck its forehead.
Thud!
Dalgi staggered slightly after being hit by Ye Dong-bin‘s attack, then erupted into laughter.
[Ahahaha! Truly the mightiest of the Eight Immortals. You’ve quite the sting!]
What’s so funny about being hit?
While I scoffed internally at Dalgi, Ye Dong-bin‘s face hardened. He relayed to me mentally,
[That attack was with all my strength…]
……
To think that even with a full-force strike to the forehead, the most it could do was a playful smack in the face? It seemed that a significant gap in strength existed between Ye Dong-bin and Dalgi. I hastily spoke to Ye Dong-bin.
‘You can summon the Fire Dragon of the Heavenly Realm!’
Fire Dragon Summon!
Even though I died right after using it, there was no doubt about its power. The attack Ye Dong-bin had just unleashed, surely held even greater destructive capability. Surprisingly, Ye Dong-bin replied,
[How do you know that…?]
‘That’s not what’s important right now! Is it impossible to take him down with that?’
[…I cannot be sure. For Dalgi is protected by the Absolute Teachings.]
‘Absolute Teachings?’
Without answering, Ye Dong-bin grasped his sword and shouted towards Dalgi.
[Dalgi! Do you think the Law of Cause and Effect will simply let you go despite your heinous deeds? Not even a god can be free from it!]
Swoosh…
Dalgi seemed to curl its massive body. It likely prepared to gather its tails for a single powerful strike. Chuckling, Dalgi retorted,
[That was a headache… If I’m hit by the Reverse Scale, even I would be in danger. But by a stroke of luck, you’ve given me the perfect bait.]
[Bait?]
Dalgi narrowed its eyes and smiled.
[The human you’re borrowing the body from has used a warlock’s vitality to steal the ancestral spirit. And you’ve even offered it as a sacrifice without a care. You may not realize it, but that item ultimately becomes a tribute for ‘that being’.]
[That being… from the time of the Great Destruction…]
[Hehehe… No god forgives for having their offerings snatched away. Although the procedure took time, I was permitted to intervene as an Apostle of that being. All backfire is blocked by that being’s power.]
Having said that, Dalgi unleashed a yell.
[Ahahahaha!! Things are about to get interesting! The days of joyfully feasting on human flesh like during the Silver Age are not far off.]
[That will not happen! I will stop you!]
[Go on, try it!]
Thud!
Ye Dong-bin drew even more strength, simultaneously reciting some kind of incantation to bolster his own body. Sharing a bond with Ye Dong-bin now, I knew that it was the celestial techniques and secrets he mastered in the Heavenly Realm.
‘So that’s why he held off on the Fire Dragon Summon…’
The Fire Dragon Summon was indeed Ye Dong-bin‘s greatest secret, but if he failed even once, it would spell disaster. Currently, Dalgi was protecting itself not just with physical defense but also a magical protection technique from its demonic power. For Ye Dong-bin, he needed to dispel that protective spell before landing a solid hit.
Could we win?
The only certainty was that Ye Dong-bin had used only 10% of his total internal strength so far. Through repeated training and refining my martial arts, my capacity, potential, and recovery rate had gradually increased, enabling Ye Dong-bin to fight longer. But Dalgi’s strength was far superior, and for Ye Dong-bin to inflict a significant blow, he would have to go through near-death experiences multiple times.
Flames flickered in Ye Dong-bin‘s eyes as his sword danced through the air. This was the pinnacle within the realm of Using Qi to Command the Sword—the Heart’s Sword, piercing through space and striking Dalgi‘s front in the shape of the Eight Trigrams.
Clang!
Dalgi displayed the same reaction as if it had just received a light tap. It slightly backed off. Was Ye Dong-bin calmly contemplating an attack, deftly evading Dalgi‘s tail strikes while continuing with his dazzling sword techniques?
It seemed that Dalgi had caught on to Ye Dong-bin‘s strategy and spoke mockingly.
[So, you’re saying no talisman mechanism entices fear in a talisman-less fool?]
Swish!
After about a hundred seconds of fighting, Ye Dong-bin, while moving with an extraordinary celestial art, was suddenly caught by Dalgi‘s tail attack. He raised his Sword Intent to repel Dalgi‘s strike, but he could not escape the numbing shock across his entire body.
Cough!
Perhaps due to the limitations of a human body. Despite enduring with protective techniques, Ye Dong-bin could only vomit blood. This happened because my body failed to keep up with Ye Dong-bin‘s immense skill. The moment Ye Dong-bin left an opening, Dalgi seemed to revel in the chance, launching a series of relentless attacks.
*Bam!
Bam!*
So fast… too fast! Even Ye Dong-bin, who surpassed humanity with his sword speed, struggled to ward off each aggressive strike from Dalgi. Furthermore, the enormous demonic energy infused in the tails made them fearsome killing blows.
Finally, Ye Dong-bin could no longer endure and began to unleash the power of the Fire Dragon.
ROOOAR!
I felt all eight gates of my body forcibly open in accordance with Ye Dong-bin’s will. I had experienced death twice when all gates were fully opened. So, throughout my life, I had been devising ways to keep my life intact.
‘Let’s close them!’
As Ye Dong-bin opened the fourth gate, I hurriedly blocked three of the lung meridians flowing with blood and energy. This wasn’t closely tied to the opening of the eight gates, but it was a critical point to slow down the leakage of energy once that process began.
[Fire Dragon of the Heavenly Realm!]
At long last, when the sixth gate opened, Ye Dong-bin concentrated power into the Bright Jade to summon the Fire Dragon. As the Bright Jade shattered, a colossal fiery dragon revealed itself in the air.
The ethereal Red Dragon made of spirit energy was comparable to the peak divine beasts of the Heavenly Realm! Sure enough, even Dalgi, upon witnessing the Fire Dragon‘s appearance, staggered backward, seemingly intimidated.
Whoosh!
Moments later, the Fire Dragon twisted its body, gathering divine ability all over, and lunged straight towards Dalgi’s main body.
Furious, Dalgi shouted,
[You think an ordinary dragon can kill me?!]
Whoosh!
A gigantic wave erupted from Dalgi‘s mouth. It resembled the Language of Spells, but was actually the invocations of a foreign race’s magic. The Language of Spells spat out by Dalgi clashed with the Fire Dragon in mid-air, creating a colossal recoil.
After a moment of exchanging power between the two techniques, the Fire Dragon managed to break through Dalgi’s incantation and surged forward.
Kaboom!!!
It was as if a mountain itself had caught fire. In an instant, a blinding light filled the sky, signifying the immense scale of the Fire Dragon’s explosion attacking its enemy. I thought that staring directly at it would blind me, but perhaps because I inhabited Ye Dong-bin’s body, I could gaze at the intense light without any pain.
[……]
It undoubtedly hit its mark, but Ye Dong-bin‘s expression darkened.
Though burnt, Dalgi sustained only minor injuries.
Dalgi licked one of its tails as it wore a sinister smile. By exhaling the Language of Spells, it had greatly diminished the strength of the Fire Dragon.
This was a foe of an entirely different caliber!
Even with Ye Dong-bin fully opened and ready to summon the Fire Dragon, thanks to my blocking of the vital points, I still had quite a bit of time left before death. Ye Dong-bin floated in mid-air, murmuring,
[My apologies, Yeon-ja… I cannot deal with that demon…]
Why?!
What on earth is this Dalgi?!
Wasn’t it just a wicked evil woman that brought down the Yin dynasty during the Silver Age? How could such an existence possess such immense power?
As questions whipped around my head, I turned to Ye Dong-bin, who answered bitterly,
[The legend known as the Investiture of the Gods… was created solely for humans. The truth is the Great Destruction… That was the intent of Emperor Huang and the Great Sovereign Gongsun Xuanyuan, Yeon-ja.]
What do you mean?
[I truly am sorry…]
Before I could formulate more questions, a rapid loss of power surged through my body. At the same time, I began to lose control of my martial skills and slowly descended to the ground. Dalgi, even with the opportunity to attack me, merely watched with a playful gaze, as if I were a toy.
Before long, Ye Dong-bin’s great spirit departed completely from me.
Ugh…!!
An intense fatigue washed over me as if I had been struck a hundred thousand times. My eyelids felt heavy as though they weighed a ton, and I could have laid down to sleep right there. However, knowing that slumber would soon lead to death, I forced myself to conserve my strength and stay upright.
Though I had opened the eight gates, I would die shortly after anyway, but I wanted to survive even for just one more second. I came here resolved to obtain as much as I could before I perished.
A determined glimmer flickered in my eyes as Dalgi observed me, intriguingly.
[A fascinating human… devoid of despair or fear in your eyes… your mind is intact… ho-ho.]
“… Please spare the humans here.”
[Why should I do that?]
I chuckled weakly.
“I possess a super-duper ultimate skill…”
Truthfully, I had nothing. Yet, for the sake of maintaining my bravado, I feigned confidence. With no remaining options, I was simply trying to flounder for survival for another moment.
But, what should I do… ?
It didn’t suit my temperament to demand death humbly. Whether I lived or died, I would be the one to decide. If there was anything I could do, it would be to struggle a bit longer before my inevitable demise. Otherwise, it would be impossible to live out my former life.
Dalgi chuckled wickedly.
Ahahaha…
Ahahahahahahaha…
Though both were Nine-Tailed Foxes, Mi Ho and Dalgi‘s laughter significantly differed. While Mi Ho could be ruthless toward the weak, she held a purity that Dalgi lacked. In contrast, the colossal fox before me was steeped in malevolence and magic. There was a reason Ye Dong-bin referred to Dalgi as a Demon King.
Thus, Dalgi’s laughter stirred a mix of despair and dread in me, a powerful mental attack of its own. It felt several times stronger than the demons I had encountered in the Imperial Cave.
Yet, I braved through its mental onslaught. Then I spoke,
“I know the place and method to obtain the Seven Luminaries.”
[……!!]
Dalgi seemed genuinely surprised. For a mythical beast of that magnitude, the Seven Luminaries held exceptional significance. Dalgi leaned forward, intrigued.
There was an evil and dreadful aura surrounding it.
As my heart raced, Dalgi queried,
[Speak.]
“If I open the eight gates, I will soon perish.”
I said slyly,
“Do you know why I mentioned this? Because you are merely a Destructive Demon without the ability to save a human who has opened the eight gates. Savor the curiosity while you can before my death.”
Dalgi grew furious in response.
[You little! If that’s a lie, I’ll devour every last one of your companions!]
“Uh… um… well…”
My breath grew increasingly ragged. Blocking the effects of the eight gates had its limits. I felt my energy dissipating with each passing second, intuiting that my breath might cease at any moment.
As I slumped forward, Dalgi declared,
[One tail’s power is plenty…]
A silver tail of Dalgi rested above my head. Moments later, it melted into my being, beginning to replenish my life force. Instantaneously, my body felt like it had returned to its former state.
However, having opened the eight gates felt akin to having my vessel shattered.
This was merely a temporary fix provided by the immense power of one of Dalgi‘s nine tails. I realized that once the effects wore off, I would die immediately. Dalgi had intentionally forced me into a time-limited life.
‘Of course, it just wants me to learn whatever it can before I die…’
Drawing a deep breath, I cautiously stated to Dalgi,
“Promise me this before I share everything. You will not kill or devour any life here.”
Dalgi paused before responding.
[How amusing… You dare to strike a bargain with me? A mere human?]
Something felt off about its reaction.
While trying to press on with my negotiation, I sensed Dalgi‘s power rapidly morph into hostility. Apparently, Dalgi was genuinely offended.
Swish!
Suddenly, Dalgi withdrew its power from me, declaring,
[Just die. You can figure it out after you’re dead.]
“……!!”
Can the dead provide information?!
But at that moment, I had already passed the point of survival. No matter what trick I tried, death was inevitable. As I reached this dead end, the acceptance of death washed over me, and I embraced it.
Life faded to the brink.
I lowered my head faintly and murmured,
“Mangnyang… Mi Ho… Jin So-cheong… I’m sorry…”
Had I known I would die first, I would have prepared beforehand.
Had I utilized that option, perhaps I might have avoided this tragedy.
Regret was futile. The results of heralding a false sense of security were now painfully evident, just as I had forgotten the price of not being able to predict the future.
Thump!
My wrist fell, and shortly after, I completely lost my life.
I knew this was my fourteenth death.
[Finally dead? Then it’s my turn.]
Kaboom!
With a monotonous voice, my body was lifted until I struck a punch toward Dalgi‘s face.
[AAAAAAGHHH!!]
Dalgi’s shriek!
With a thunderous crash, the immense body, which Ye Dong-bin had been unable to handle at full strength, flew backward and crashed into a mountainside. Simultaneously, the misty barrier around us trembled, growing brighter.
Crackle!
Sounds erupted from my clenched fist.
A look of weariness reflected upon my face in the blood puddle.
I stepped forward, saying,
“I’ll kill you!”
Whoosh!
Dalgi rose again, towering like a mountain. Its nine tails accelerated, attacking with a speed beyond any human’s martial arts. No one had previously managed to withstand or evade Dalgi‘s attack. Attacks laced with poison, with my current abilities, it was only natural I would become skewered.
Wham!
[No?!]
Dalgi exclaimed in shock.
In that fleeting moment, my body moved and caught all nine tails simultaneously. With Ye Dong-bin‘s glowing crimson eyes, I muttered. An unimaginable fierceness writhed within me as I called upon the forces of the constellations.
“Die!”
*Grroooound!
Crack!
Dalgi’s mountain-like form lifted. Yes, if it had the weight of a true mountain, this should definitely be impossible. A body nearing a hundred meters in height was lifted by a mere human…!!
It was akin to uprooting a mountain!
And as I hoisted Dalgi, I slammed it into the adjacent mountainside, smashing it down.
Boom!!!
[AAAAAAAHHHH!!]
Dalgi screamed. The terrain shifted dramatically upon collision. A mountain vanished, replaced by a newly formed valley. Dust clouds, no—a storm swept through the heavens, heralding a change in the world.
Amidst that transformation, I cracked my neck while emitting an ominous red glow. This feeling was akin to an overwhelming surge of the Celestial Killing Star’s power, intent on slaughtering everything in sight.
“… Die!!”
My body surged forward.
This speed was faster than when all eight gates were opened. The power of the stars and the heavenly forces coalesced to summon an unimaginable divine might within me. Truly, the essence of sheer destruction—
Yes, this was –
The power to engulf the world itself!
Dalgi shrieked.
[No… No way! How can you do this?!]
Just before my body collided with Dalgi’s form in a body slam that would obliterate it,
In that moment, Dalgi let out a desperate dying cry.
[Xiang Yu!!!]
And the world went black.
Specifically, the moment Xiang Yu‘s strike hit Dalgi, a section of the mountain range collapsed. Boulders ascended towards the heavens against gravitational pull, creating shadows that enveloped the sound waves, producing devastation akin to a meteor striking the earth.
力拔山气盖世.
Only one being throughout history could embody these words, and they had finally emerged to fulfill their destined glory.
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