NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 667
Dark Heaven Village
“Ah, the Eight Divine Asuras! The embodiment of battle, I’ve heard they vie for the top rank among the Eight Divine.”
I’d seen their faces before when the White Lotus Sect was threatened by the Eight Divine’s presence. Recognizing them now seemed pointless; if such a powerful being wanted me dead, I’d stand little chance.
I spoke to the Asura, “Why are you intent on killing me? Let’s at least understand the reason before I die.”
Typically, such a question would be asked in a state of surrender. But for me, it was different. Gaining any information before my demise felt like a win, perhaps even more crucial than the fight itself. As I calmly inquired, the Asura replied.
“You were already under the watchful gaze of the Celestial. In the meantime, Lord Changhil discovered that you possessed the National Seal, leading to orders for you to be monitored and ultimately seeking the Palace of Empress Wu Zetian in Dark Heaven Village.”
“……”
Thinking back, Changhil was registered as a sub-manager of the National Seal. He could keep an eye on it at will, but considering that no significant incidents had occurred until now, it seemed information didn’t just automatically flow to him.
‘It’s become clear…’
While using the National Seal, I must avoid drawing the attention of the Eight Divine or attracting too much interest. Any information they acquired would directly pass to Changhil, resulting in scenarios like this! This added another reason why I needed to tread carefully in this second life.
Confused, I pressed further, “Is there a reason I’m not allowed to seek the Palace of Empress Wu Zetian? Is it truly necessary for a formidable being like you to come all the way to Dark Heaven Village for my assassination?”
“Talkative, aren’t you?”
The Asura’s eyes glinted as he continued, “My master does not wish for you to meddle with the mighty Old Ruler in your pursuit of the Seven Luminaries. She is no insignificant entity to Him either; capturing a troublemaker like you is on her agenda.”
“Hmm…”
Information about Empress Wu Zetian being under the Old Ruler’s protection struck my mind.
‘When Empress Wu performed the divine ritual, she offered the Earth Star as a sacrifice, and the Asura, one of Changhil’s subordinates… That makes sense.’
So Changhil didn’t care about gathering the Seven Luminaries; his focus was on the gaze of the Old Ruler, right?
“Now, die.”
While I was caught up trying to decipher Changhil’s intentions, the Asura swung his rusted iron sword through the air without a word.
Boom!
In an instant! Although it seemed like a mere slice, I felt the Fire Dragon Sword respond instinctively, summoning the Fire Dragon Incarnate for protection. A massive explosion followed, and I was caught in the aftermath, realizing I was being flung backward effortlessly.
‘What?!’
An attack of such magnitude with no precursor at all! Given my senses, which rank among the best in the Central Plains, this was outrageous. Even the supreme moves of masters from the Old Ruler level could rarely escape my detection.
Had time been manipulated?
As I gaped in shock, the Fire Dragon Incarnate, taking the form of flame, spoke to me.
[Baek Woong! Surrender your body to me!]
[Wha?!]
[You can’t win against him as a mere backup. If you fail to decide quickly, you’ll die.]
[Hold on!]
I wrestled with the thought.
‘Should I weaken that Asura first with the Evil Spirit incantation?’
The risk of dying here was too great, making it a worthy gamble. The Evil Spirit incantation was a precious one-use divine-grade spell that would be valuable for saving my life. However, if I could resolve this without it, that’d be a shame.
‘Being cautious can lead you to ruin!’
But I lacked the ability to assess the power gap between the Fire Dragon Incarnate and the Asura. Hesitating could result in complete destruction, so while being propelled backward, I chanted.
“In the time of destruction, O Constellation! I beseech your strength as I honor the coming millennium!”
Whooosh
Simultaneously, the Evil Spirit incantation shot forward, enveloping the Asura. With the characteristic that the incantation could neither be dodged nor blocked, the Asura looked genuinely flustered.
“Wait, this incantation… Could it be…”
Boom!
The Asura’s human form seemed to get engulfed by the mass of tentacles erupting from chaos. This incantation was powerful enough to consume all of the Ten Heavenly Generals in a heart-beat. I gazed ahead, surprised as the Asura’s presence vanished.
“Wait… Did I just finish him off with that one spell?”
Just as I was secretly hopeful, the Fire Dragon Incarnate urged me.
[Well done. Now, surrender your body!]
“He’s not dead yet, is he?”
[The incantation you used from the Old Ruler is a powerful divine sorcery, but he is no weak being. He’s an Asura equal or even superior to the Draconic Giant I faced before.]
“Hmm!”
[You’ve weakened him, so stop wasting time and unleash your full strength. If he gets serious, you’ll die in an instant.]
Crackle…
Indeed, as the Fire Dragon Incarnate said, a colossal fighting aura surged from within the dark magic circle covered in tentacles, emitting pure white light. The Asura was slowly breaking free from the spell’s effects. Swallowing hard, I raised the Ruyi Staff and shouted to Cheon Gong-pyo.
“Please lend me your strength! I cannot retreat.”
Cheon Gong-pyo began to manifest her spirit and looked at the Fire Dragon Incarnate.
[Is it truly… the embodiment of Shenglong? I don’t understand why a tough-looking brute like you is worthy of following such a Draconic King.]
The Fire Dragon Incarnate met her gaze defiantly.
[You, sinner of the Celestial Realm. Should you assist us, I will speak on your behalf to the Three Pure Ones of the Celestial Realm to free you.]
Recognizing Cheon Gong-pyo’s power as a mighty Great Immortal, it seemed the Fire Dragon Incarnate was trying to persuade her. If they combined their strengths, they might have a decent chance against the Asura.
However, it seemed Cheon Gong-pyo, perhaps offended by the suggestion, had her peerless beauty contorted in irritation.
[What? You think you could bestow mercy upon me?]
[It’s not mercy; it’s a trade.]
[Don’t joke with me. The seal of the Heavenly Ruler is almost lifted; I’ll be free soon anyway. How dare you look down on me…!!]
Swish!
Suddenly, Cheon Gong-pyo vanished, seeping into the Ruyi Staff. At that moment, I felt an immense pressure, letting out a scream.
“Argh!”
This weight! The Ruyi Staff felt impossibly heavy, to the point where I couldn’t even lift it regardless of my power, as if it weighed as much as a small mountain. I hastily opened my wooden armor to stash it away.
‘Dammit! Did she crank the weight up to the max out of frustration?’
It didn’t seem likely I’d receive her support after that. But I couldn’t blame the Fire Dragon Incarnate; I could only inwardly curse Cheon Gong-pyo’s twisted personality. She had misinterpreted the Fire Dragon Incarnate’s words because of her excessive pride.
Reluctantly, I addressed the Fire Dragon Incarnate.
“Fire Dragon Incarnate! Please assist me!”
[Leave it to me!]
Who’sh!
Soon, the Fire Dragon Incarnate granted me divine summoning. It felt like she was controlling my body, just as she had when taking down the alchemist. She readied the Fire Dragon Sword in one hand and the water element in the other, entering combat posture.
Crackle…
The Asura still seemed caught within the effects of the incantation as rays of light broke through the chaos of tentacles. The Fire Dragon Incarnate studied this for a moment before breaking the silence.
[Strange creature. Did it wait for us to prepare?]
Crash!
Suddenly, the tentacle mass erupted, and the Asura, a monstrous entity known for its tri-faced form, burst forth with brilliant light. I felt a wave of tension as I realized his humanoid size belied a presence beyond description, each of his six arms wielding various weapons.
The central face of the Asura grinned malevolently.
[O Dragon King! If that great Immortal fought alongside me, this would be a more exhilarating battle, but alas, it seems there was a miscommunication.]
[You would have a harder time winning had I joined forces with the Immortal. Why enjoy facing your enemy while in a predicament?]
[Heh heh.]
From their conversation, I gleaned the Asura’s mindset.
It was clear he had held off for us to gather strength!
With ease, he could have dispelled the Evil Spirit incantation and slain me at any moment. He watched with interest as I sought aid from the Fire Dragon Incarnate and Cheon Gong-pyo. Clearly, he was eager to battle all three of us together. The Fire Dragon Incarnate viewed this boastfulness as recklessness.
[How arrogant.]
[Not actually arrogant. I simply enjoy fighting strong opponents… it’s in my nature.]
[Hmm.]
[Until I came here, killing weak humans bored me senseless; now my eyes are wide open.]
With that, the Asura crossed his arms.
[So, I’m willing to wait. Bring forth that great Immortal once more.]
[……]
Is this guy for real?
He’s too relaxed for someone who came here to kill me. Typically, in life-and-death battles, one wouldn’t wish for their opponent to grow stronger but instead deliberately offers an opportunity! While I felt a mixture of shock and fury, the Fire Dragon Incarnate said.
[Very well.]
The Fire Dragon Incarnate withdrew the Ruyi Staff from its holster and directed it towards Cheon Gong-pyo.
[If you’re not going to assist, then stay buried.]
Crack!
As the Fire Dragon Incarnate thrust the Ruyi Staff into the ground, it trembled violently, creating tremors due to its immense weight. Watching in disbelief, I turned to the Fire Dragon Incarnate.
[W-What on earth are you doing?!]
[It’s better to provoke a useless one, isn’t it? You can’t reason with someone like her.]
[Ugh.]
But what if Cheon Gong-pyo got enraged and sided with the Asura? As I anxiously contemplated, the Ruyi Staff suddenly grew immensely larger, unveiling its spirit. Cheon Gong-pyo shot the Fire Dragon Incarnate a cold glare.
[This is genuinely irritating.]
The Fire Dragon Incarnate stood unfazed and countered, [You were the first to show your temper.]
A chilling standoff unfolded between the two peerless beauties. I was full of worry, fearing the Asura might seize this chance to attack, yet he merely watched us with interest. It was clear he enjoyed the prospect of facing formidable opponents.
‘Doesn’t he think he’ll lose?!’
Inwardly stunned, I was relieved when Cheon Gong-pyo finally said.
[Alright, I’ll lend you my strength. We can’t waste time here.]
[Focus!]
Whoosh!
The Ruyi Staff returned to my hand, feeling light as a feather. Cheon Gong-pyo’s spirit appeared like a shadow behind the Fire Dragon Incarnate, signaling her readiness to lend her strength.
Once all preparations were complete, the Asura grinned.
[Now, shall we see?]
As the Asura’s tri-faced form twisted, it released a colossal red light. When it struck me, the Fire Dragon Incarnate swung the sword to deflect it, but in that instant, the Asura charged, unleashing a monstrous slash.
Rumble!
Cheon Gong-pyo seemed to unleash a sorcery of thunder, the skies echoing as a thousand bolts of lightning rained down. As the battlefield turned into a storm of electrifying chaos, the Asura’s gaze glimmered, and he suddenly thrust his sword skyward.
Wait…
I sensed something amiss in that movement.
‘Could it be…?’
It was unthinkable that Changhil’s incarnation would use such a technique. It was beyond anything I could fathom.
Nirvana of the Absolute!
In the fleeting moment that space itself seemed to shatter, the Asura’s blade radiated light. That brilliance accelerated, soon turning into a black hue, rendering everything around me silent. The essence of his weapon manifested a martial legacy and a doctrine, and pure essence itself gathered.
The six swords, each held by his different arms, began to pulse with various martial arts.
Moon Blade, Thousand-Hand Guanyin, Self-Reliance Water Dance, Flying Heaven Vitality Jade, Exploding Light Annihilation Blade, Asura Breaks Heaven!
Just when it seemed a moment had passed.
[Ugh!!]
In an instant, the six mighty techniques combined to unleash a catastrophic storm of force. The Fire Dragon Incarnate summoned the essence of the Dragon, and as their powers collided, the very heavens contorted, causing the surrounding seas to dry up and creating countless horrifying whirlpools.
Crack!
It seemed insufficient to withstand the power emitted even from the magical barrier encircling me. As Cheon Gong-pyo unleashed what seemed like her own sorcery, I was sent reeling backward as the defense finally gave way.
Somehow we maintained a stalemate in this clash of powers, but it was proven that the Fire Dragon Incarnate alone couldn’t defeat the Asura. The Fire Dragon Incarnate, puzzled, asked.
[You’re an incarnation of Changhil, a divine being; how can this be…?]
[You’re questioning why I don’t primarily fight with power.]
The Asura erupted into laughter, [Ha ha ha! I prefer combat through martial arts! For millennia, I’ve battled countless opponents in the Celestial Realm, mastering martial arts to become the apex warrior of the Celestial Martial World. The intent of the Absolute Realm has its advantages; it doesn’t mean I must only fight with divine powers!]
Indeed, what the Asura exhibited was the ultimate stage of Martial Arts—Nirvana of the Absolute!!
The ability of Nirvana of the Absolute allowed one to simultaneously unleash accumulated techniques or secret arts, and he had just summoned six times the power of the previous overwhelming attack from Absolute Realm masters!