Chapter: 732
Crackle.
Zzzz-!!
A tearing sound echoed in the air.
Alien energies spread out in all directions and began to influence the surroundings.
It seemed as if the energy itself was screaming.
Kiki-ki-ki–!!
As Gu Yangcheon walked, the energy grew even thicker.
Was it murderous intent or spirit? Whatever the essence of the energy was, it was extremely coarse.
I couldn’t breathe.
Just the brush of this energy felt like it would tear my skin apart.
This energy was too foreign to be emitted by a human.
“Heh heh.”
Plum Blossom and Dohwa, looking down from the pavilion, couldn’t hide their hollow laughter.
“… That kid.”
Jeokjeok. In the midst of surprise, a sound echoed within the pavilion.
It seemed that a crack was starting to form somewhere.
Fortunately, the surrounding area was immediately reinforced with a barrier.
A familiar aura. As she felt this, Plum Blossom looked in a specific direction.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“…”
The current owner of the barrier.
It was the Sword Emperor.
He stood in the pavilion, specifically by the leader’s side, controlling the energy.
Gugugugu-!
Vibrations resonated beyond the barrier.
Right below the Three Lords, the Sword Emperor, known as one of the top-tier masters, had created this formidable barrier.
Even that barrier was quaking amidst the tumultuous energy.
‘… Strange.’
Plum Blossom gazed at the martial arena with calm eyes.
What is this overwhelming spirit?
‘I expected it to be the eye of the storm.’
The value of that child had long been confirmed.
The spark that had been acknowledged would grow rapidly and soon become a blazing flame. Plum Blossom had been confident of that,
‘But it’s become a storm itself, not just the eye.’
This was unexpected.
Plum Blossom examined her hand.
The fingertips she gripped trembled slightly, and a tiny bead of cold sweat formed on her palm.
Her body was tensed up.
That little kid’s emitted spirit sent her emotions soaring uncontrollably.
“Heh heh heh…”
How on earth did that little kid gain such power?
Plum Blossom noticed someone watching from afar beyond the martial arena she was surveying.
‘Is this your doing?’
A handsome, black-haired young man.
He was currently known as Two Dragons. In Plum Blossom’s memory, he was called by a different name.
‘Or is it… that the child kindled this flame himself?’
This was a question no one could answer.
From the very first moment, the child had given off an unusual feeling.
At an age when he should have been exuberant, his eyes seemed dead.
A child harboring a blood-stained sword in his heart.
How could a child like that possibly wield such a sword?
That day, it had looked so rusted and dull, it seemed it could snap at any moment.
‘How sharp it has become.’
Now, it felt like a far sharper blade than before.
And even.
‘This sword is different from before.’
It seemed something had significantly changed.
Taking a breath, Plum Blossom calmed her thoughts as she felt the energy.
Hwaahk.
Feeling slightly more at ease as she lightly wrapped her robe around herself.
The overwhelming presence still remained. The energy continued to gush out without restraint.
The scenery changes.
The surroundings transformed under the relentless energy surging forth.
Plum Blossom sensed this and looked around.
Everyone was wide-eyed, covered in cold sweat as they fixated on the martial arena.
This was unlike the time of the Two Dragons.
Back then, they had felt the wall of being a mere mortal.
This time.
‘There isn’t even time to feel that wall.’
Something so bizarre that it could only be described in such terms.
Gu Yangcheon’s form exemplified this.
Especially.
The swordsman watching the arena from the very center, unblinking.
Plum Blossom frowned as she watched him.
Within the overwhelming atmosphere, the swordsman’s expression remained blank.
Was he able to maintain his composure even after witnessing all this? To others, it may appear calm, but,
‘That swordsman.’
Plum Blossom knew.
That expression wasn’t peaceful in the slightest.
What thoughts could be causing that expression?
At the moment Plum Blossom pondered this.
Kwuaaaaaaa—!!!
“…!”
“Guh!”
Nearby spectators reacted to the explosive sound.
Something burst forth from the energy surrounding the area, shooting skyward.
What was that?
Though the situation arose suddenly, its identity was recognized almost instantly.
BAM-! KWAANG-!
Shockwaves erupted as if attempting to dispel the energy.
The clear, divine aura embedded within it.
“Uggggh—!”
It was a divine dragon.
*
Crackle-crackle—!!!
Energy poured forth.
Ugh… gasp.
The center of pressure surged from all directions.
Auras filled with the intent to crush something.
Facing the incoming disaster, the divine dragon struggled to move its body.
What is this?
BANG-!
Instinctively, it unleashed the Hundred Steps Divine Fist, releasing energy.
What’s happening?
Bang! Bang! It swung its fists continuously.
Despite energy draining from its Dantian, this was not the time for such concerns.
I’m terrified.
Fear swelled to the back of its throat.
The energy radiating from it forged an atmosphere of terror.
Whoosh-! KUAHA—!!
How on earth could one possibly overcome that?
Overwhelmed by the energy, thoughts ceased to exist.
Should I just run away? Deep down, it felt that was the only option.
Thud.
“… Huh.”
Footsteps echoed.
The divine dragon froze in place.
Thud.
Where is that? Where do those footsteps come from?
Where on earth…!
“What on earth did that child do to be so lost already?”
“…!”
Right beside it.
The voice echoed in its left ear, causing the divine dragon to react.
Crunch-!
Swoosh….
The impact came from the right side.
Thud! Kuuung-!!
The sensation of bones being crushed rippled through its body as it was flung away.
The body flew quickly.
In that moment of overwhelming pain, the divine dragon unleashed its energy.
CRACK—!!!
Forcing its feet against the ground to create friction.
Ki-ki-kik-!!!
Barely managing to halt its flight.
“Gasp… gasp… .”
When it finally gained awareness, it found itself near the edge of the martial arena.
It had launched this far from the center.
Ugh—!
“Ugh…!!”
The divine dragon curled its body, clutching its right side.
That had been the location of the recent impact.
Bones felt as though they had cracked, and its chest wound gaped wider.
Gulp.
It could feel blood flowing from the torn wound.
It was unimaginable agony.
Through gritted teeth, it fought to endure the pain.
“It wasn’t too shabby just now.”
Again, the voice resonated beside the divine dragon.
“Though you seemed caught in the crossfire, we wrapped the energy around both sides just in case. That’s what saved your life.”
The voice explained the earlier situation.
Even while listening, the divine dragon was already in motion.
“One, had you not been swept up in the first place, focusing energy would have mitigated some damage. What’s the control level worth if you lack experience?”
The Hundred Steps Divine Fist.
The Shaolin’s energy surged forth once more.
Given the close range, it would certainly inflict damage.
The divine dragon thought to itself, but—
BANG-!
Before it could fully extend its arm, something impacted with brutal force against its fist.
It was Gu Yangcheon’s punch.
He retaliated against his own punch.
Are you serious…?!
The Hundred Steps Divine Fist was the most aggressive martial art among the Shaolin techniques.
Gathering energy and violently exploding, counterattacking at such close range could easily shatter a fist.
Is he really seeking death? The divine dragon briefly pondered.
Thud-! BAAAAANG—!!
“Ugh…!”
The one flung back was actually the divine dragon’s fist.
An enormous shock coursed through its wrist.
It was clear. The damage just sustained meant its right fist was now useless.
“Hundred Steps Divine Fist—It’s certainly a strong technique. But it isn’t what you think. It doesn’t actually strengthen the fist itself.”
Thud—!
“Cough!”
Its knee collided with the ground.
As the divine dragon expelled its breath, blood erupted forth.
“It’s a technique mainly designed to explosively release energy that has been internally generated at the tips of the fingers. Therefore, it’s actually easier to confront at close range. Do you know why?”
BAM-! A punch landed squarely on its face, sending its cheek spinning.
“Before it explodes properly, if you can strike it down, that’s the end.”
It was frankly absurd.
How could one detect that fleeting sensation in time to strike it before it exploded?
Moreover, if it failed and the divine power surged forth, it was the opponent who would suffer.
Ignoring that possibility and trying to engage in such a manner was simply reckless.
Yet, there was a desire to find fault.
“If you turn left, you should be wary of the backlash. Why are you just taking the hits? Are you an imbecile?”
Thud! A powerful blow struck its joint, forcing the divine dragon to kneel.
“You tried to keep the affected joint straight, but the strength ratio crumpled. Should I expect a Buddha to restore your fallen posture?”
Before its knees made contact with the ground, Gu Yangcheon’s palm struck the divine dragon’s chin hard.
The divine dragon’s chin shot skyward.
“Ugh…!”
Hence, its gaze was cast upward toward the heavens.
Whooosshh—!!
The sound of flames crackling raged in the air.
“If you don’t conduct yourself properly, you’re headed for trouble.”
A deadly warning.
The divine dragon lowered its head to meet Gu Yangcheon’s gaze.
A blue sphere was forming on his palm.
Oh, that’s genuinely perilous…
Whoosh-!
“Namu Amitabha—”
KWA-BOOM—!!
A fiery explosion erupted, casting flames in all directions.
“AAAAAHHHH—!!”
“Ugh!”
Incredibly loud screams were heard from the audience, echoing throughout a vast area.
Fortunately, there were no casualties.
Plum Blossom leaves, swirling gently around, formed a protective barrier around the area.
Thud thud.
The thick smoke dissipated.
Rather than scattering, it was swept away by Gu Yangcheon’s hand, vanishing almost instantaneously from the martial arena.
The heat still lingered, consuming the arena without fading.
And in the heart of it all.
“Ugh… gasp…”
The divine dragon was breathing heavily.
Whoooosh—!!
While casting the Yellow River spell across its body.
There’s a next episode!
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