Chapter 834 : How Have You Endured Until Now
Chapter 834: How Have You Endured Until Now?
“‘Heavenly Time Secret Art’?”
Geom Woojin did not know about the Heavenly Time Secret Art.
Geom Mugeuk quickly explained it.
“It’s a secret art that can only be used within the Temporal and Spatial Transference Technique. When the Heavenly Time Secret Art is activated, one can gain more time here compared to the outside. I just achieved its Great Completion.”
Geom Woojin looked outside with a shocked expression. Time truly seemed to have stopped, flowing only at an extremely faint rate.
“I also learned this from the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult.”
Now Geom Woojin could clearly understand why the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult had kept lamenting about his divine relic being taken. If he had even taught such a mysterious secret art, he certainly had the right to complain.
“Can the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult use this secret art as well?”
Geom Mugeuk shook his head. The Cult Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult had only known the mnemonic verse but had been unable to perform the secret art.
“I’m probably the first to reach this level.”
Geom Mugeuk could feel it.
Because he had just reached Great Completion, time was merely slowed like this. But if the Great Completion matured further—or if he reached Twelve Star Greatness—time itself might completely stop.
The reason he thought so was this.
The moment he achieved Great Completion, Geom Mugeuk realized something.
Even his own time no longer flowed here.
Originally, if he gained, for example, nine times more time, his physical age would also increase accordingly. Of course, since he was still very young, it had been fine. Capturing Hwa Moogi was far too important, so he had willingly endured the side effects of the Heavenly Time Secret Art.
However, the moment he reached Great Completion, time within the Heavenly Time Secret Art also stopped. His body had ceased aging.
Geom Mugeuk had now gained a perfect time of his own, as a bonus. It was like a gift from the heavens.
He respected and loved his father more than anything, but he had no intention of telling him about this Heavenly Time Secret Art.
It was due to a concern he had held for a long time. He feared that his father, being so immersed in martial arts, might never come out once he entered the Heavenly Time Secret Art.
That thought had not changed even now. His father was someone who could pour everything into reaching the very end of martial arts.
Moreover, an enormous amount of time might be wasted just to achieve Great Completion of the Heavenly Time Secret Art. His father stood in a different position from his younger self.
Even he himself did not know how he had achieved Great Completion this time.
He could only say it was due to incredible luck. He believed it was the result of his desperate wish for time to slow down so he could master the Ninth Form.
Father, I’m sorry. I can do everything else for you, but not this.
“Father, there’s something more important than the Heavenly Time Secret Art right now.”
Geom Woojin nodded. Time outside had not completely stopped.
“Quickly ask about the parts you couldn’t understand.”
Geom Mugeuk began asking his father questions again. He asked about the parts of the Ninth Form’s mnemonic verse that he could not understand no matter how much he pondered on his own.
“When sending true energy from the Yangji Point to the Yanggok Point……”
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“No!”
The one who shouted the moment light burst from the Heavenly Demon Spirit of Hyeok Do-cheon was the Sword King.
At that moment, the Sword King thought of Geom Mugeuk. He had felt that the way Geom Mugeuk looked at his Heavenly Demon Spirit was not merely as part of martial arts.
If he were to lose that Heavenly Demon Spirit he regarded like a friend forever?
Geom Mugeuk would likely live his entire life blaming himself. Of course, knowing his personality, he would joke about it more deliberately and try to shake it off somehow.
But it would remain as a wound he carried until death.
If possible, he wanted to block it in his place—but in that instant, the flash of light had already struck the Heavenly Demon Spirit’s face.
The face of the Heavenly Demon Spirit shone brightly as it was hit by the light. It shone so intensely that its face could not be seen.
Its face would be melting under an energy as fast as light and as powerful as molten lava.
Those watching could only sigh. Geom Mugeuk would lose his Heavenly Demon Spirit, and the opposing Heavenly Demon Spirit would grow much stronger.
Just as everyone watched with regret as the Heavenly Demon Spirit seemed to be vanishing—
The bright light on its face slowly faded, and its face began to reappear.
‘It didn’t melt!’
What shocked the onlookers was not only that its face had not melted.
Light was also bursting out from its eyes.
Amazingly, Geom Mugeuk’s Heavenly Demon Spirit had also unleashed the Ninth Form of the Nine Calamities Demon Art—Demon Soul Supreme.
Jiiiiiiiiing.
The light emitted from Geom Mugeuk’s Heavenly Demon Spirit began to push back the incoming light. Though both were light, his carried a bluish hue, making the retreat clearly visible.
Demon Soul Supreme versus Demon Soul Supreme.
With a final move that would melt anything upon contact, the two Heavenly Demon Spirits clashed in a fierce contest of power.
Amazingly, Geom Mugeuk’s Heavenly Demon Spirit was not pushed back. Even though it had activated Demon Soul Supreme late, just as the light was about to touch its face, it was pushing the incoming light away.
Not only the Sword King but everyone watching was astonished.
What on earth was happening?
Geom Mugeuk’s shout answered that question.
“Hang in there!”
Geom Mugeuk and Geom Woojin, who had been inside the Temporal and Spatial Transference Technique, were now outside.
Right before the light from Hyeok Do-cheon’s Heavenly Demon Spirit struck his own, Geom Mugeuk had perfectly comprehended the Ninth Form.
Boom!
The lights that had been clashing between the two Heavenly Demon Spirits exploded and vanished with a thunderous sound.
Though it had been a late activation of Demon Soul Supreme, it had blocked the attack without any damage. As Geom Mugeuk mastered the final Ninth Form, his Heavenly Demon Spirit grew even stronger.
Geom Mugeuk looked at his Heavenly Demon Spirit.
“That’s a relief.”
It had truly escaped the brink of annihilation.
The Heavenly Demon Spirit glanced at Geom Mugeuk. From its pitch-black eyes, he felt a single emotion.
Gratitude.
Yes, the Heavenly Demon Spirit originally possessed emotions. It was evident even from Hyeok Do-cheon’s Heavenly Demon Spirit. Normally, however, it never revealed them.
Geom Mugeuk sent a voice transmission to his father.
—You saved my Heavenly Demon Spirit. Thank you, Father.
Yes, it was thanks to him. Who else could have transmitted the Ninth Form of the Nine Calamities Demon Art in such a short time?
But Geom Woojin knew as well. The only person in the martial world who could make such a feat possible was his son. No matter how well something was taught, one had to understand it to learn it.
Jin Paecheon, Baek Jagang, and everyone else watched the situation in shock.
Everyone could guess it.
That what Geom Woojin had just transmitted to Geom Mugeuk was the very move the Heavenly Demon Spirit had just used.
‘He transmitted the Nine Calamities Demon Art… and even a technique used by the Heavenly Demon Spirit… right here on the spot?’
It was something unbelievable even as they witnessed it firsthand. No one would believe it otherwise.
Jin Paecheon felt uneasy again. Throughout their time here, he had been just as wary of Geom Woojin as of their enemies. The Demonic Cult Leader who had raised the Great Demon Wall for them had just transmitted the Nine Calamities Demon Art amidst this chaos.
No matter how much Geom Mugeuk eased his concerns, Geom Woojin restored them. Because he knew that Geom Woojin dreamed of unifying the martial world.
On the other hand, Baek Jagang thought differently. This was not the kind of unease that could be resolved by worrying.
Instead, he felt a burning desire to fight.
His target was the Heavenly Demon Spirit. If he were to fight that Heavenly Demon Spirit, how should he fight? Could he avoid that gaze from earlier?
The Nine Calamities Demon Art and the Heavenly Demon Spirit stirred Baek Jagang—not as the Alliance Leader, but as a martial artist.
Of course, the one most shocked was Hyeok Do-cheon’s Heavenly Demon Spirit.
Now it could clearly understand why the Heavenly Demon Spirit before it was so special.
Because it had been created from such a special Young Cult Leader.
“The more I see you, the more incredible you are!”
It had already been shocking that it descended before him, but to think a Heavenly Demon Spirit that had existed in the world for such a short time could be this strong?
If it absorbed this Heavenly Demon Spirit’s power—
It might become the strongest Heavenly Demon Spirit in history.
With that power, it might even absorb him as well. And if that happened…
An indescribable desire tore through the air along with demonic energy.
Boom!
The two Heavenly Demon Spirits clashed once more.
Even more powerful demonic energy swept the surroundings. The onlookers stepped back several paces.
As the intense battle between the Heavenly Demon Spirits resumed, Geom Mugeuk had no time to verbally thank Jin Paecheon and Baek Jagang. He only gave a slight bow of gratitude.
However, even in this tense situation, the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult sent a voice transmission.
—You used the Heavenly Time Secret Art just now, didn’t you?
—How did you know?
Although he had learned it from him, he had never spoken about his level of mastery.
It seemed he had inferred it from the way he entered and exited the Temporal and Spatial Transference Technique.
—I thought you would succeed.
—Thank you for believing in me.
Geom Mugeuk recalled the moment he had first brought the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Wind Cult to his side.
‘Strategist Go, your judgment was correct.’
Since becoming an ally, he had been an immense help—even in this final battle.
Boom! Crash! KWA-KWA-KWANG!
Each movement of the Heavenly Demon Spirits distorted space, shattered the ground, and sent debris flying. Every collision released shockwaves that swept away nearby buildings.
As if newly reborn along with the final mnemonic verse, Geom Mugeuk’s Heavenly Demon Spirit was no longer pushed back by Hyeok Do-cheon’s.
No—it was gradually overwhelming it.
In strength, in speed, in demonic energy, and in momentum.
KWAANG!
After being struck by a heavy blow and sent flying backward, Hyeok Do-cheon’s Heavenly Demon Spirit showed disbelief.
‘His understanding of the Nine Calamities Demon Art surpasses even the Cult Leader.’
How could that be possible? It was unbelievable. No matter how talented he was, he was still so young. He had only just awakened the final Ninth Form.
At that moment, Hwa Moogi’s pitch-black eyes returned to normal. He had returned to himself.
“Truly remarkable.”
Of course, Hwa Moogi had been watching this battle. While the Heavenly Demon Spirit was occupied fighting, Hwa Moogi had focused on Geom Mugeuk.
“I thought this Heavenly Demon Spirit would be enough.”
It was no ordinary Heavenly Demon Spirit. It was one that had existed for three hundred years, borrowing the body of the Heavenly Killing Star.
Moreover, it used not only techniques unique to the Heavenly Demon Spirit but also all the other techniques of the Nine Calamities Demon Art.
“And yet it’s being pushed back?”
“It takes after me—fighting is its specialty.”
Hwa Moogi’s gaze turned to Geom Mugeuk’s Heavenly Demon Spirit.
“It does seem stubborn, like you.”
“So why don’t you persuade it to go back?”
Hwa Moogi replied coldly.
“There’s no need. I’ll erase it forever.”
His voice was filled with confidence.
His eyes turned black again, and he became the Heavenly Demon Spirit once more.
It had already been pushed back by his Heavenly Demon Spirit—yet he summoned it again?
Geom Mugeuk could not understand.
But in the next moment, he understood why. Why he had briefly returned to himself before coming back.
Ssssss—
Behind Hyeok Do-cheon’s Heavenly Demon Spirit, something enormous began to rise.
With overwhelming demonic energy and presence, it emerged—
Another Heavenly Demon Spirit.
Not a small one, but a massive, true Heavenly Demon Spirit.
Hyeok Do-cheon’s Heavenly Demon Spirit had not grown larger.
A new Heavenly Demon Spirit had descended.
“No way…!”
The moment he saw it, Geom Mugeuk understood.
Hyeok Do-cheon’s Heavenly Demon Spirit had been trapped together with other souls all along, and Hwa Moogi’s Heavenly Demon Spirit—having inherited the Great Completion of the Nine Calamities Demon Art—had newly formed.
The Heavenly Demon Spirit that had just descended belonged to Hwa Moogi.
Everyone looked up at it in shock. It was completely different from the smaller one. Like a colossal statue, its overwhelming size made it seem capable of destroying dozens of buildings with the single sword at its waist.
The Heavenly Demon Spirit looked down at everyone with an aloof gaze. Its eyes contained a unique energy mixed with demonic aura and killing intent. Its presence and pressure were immense and extraordinary.
The Heavenly Demon Spirit of the Heavenly Killing Star.
For the first time in the history of the martial world, such a Heavenly Demon Spirit had appeared.
The silence was broken by Hyeok Do-cheon’s Heavenly Demon Spirit.
“Your Heavenly Demon Spirit should never have been able to appear. You must have known that there was another Heavenly Demon Spirit within this body.”
Geom Mugeuk looked at his own Heavenly Demon Spirit.
“Did you know from the beginning? That there were two of them?”
His Heavenly Demon Spirit gave no answer. It merely glanced at him.
If that were the case, it meant it had come out prepared for certain annihilation from the very start.
That was why it had refused to return no matter how much he ordered it to. It had known the opponent had two Heavenly Demon Spirits.
“No matter how special your Heavenly Demon Spirit is, it cannot defeat the two of us.”
Swaeaeaeaeaeang!
Hwa Moogi’s massive Heavenly Demon Spirit swung its sword down at Geom Mugeuk.
At the same time, Hyeok Do-cheon’s Heavenly Demon Spirit rushed forward.
Even against the attacks of two Heavenly Demon Spirits, Geom Mugeuk’s Heavenly Demon Spirit did not dodge.
Even if it meant sacrificing itself, it intended to protect Geom Mugeuk.
Though it had overcome the first crisis, annihilation loomed once more.
“No! Stop—go back!”
Geom Mugeuk shouted, but the Heavenly Demon Spirit did not move.
Left with no choice, Geom Mugeuk tried to enter the Temporal and Spatial Transference Technique with it.
But that was not the best option. There were still others here, and the battle could not be ended by merely evading.
At that moment!
Thud!
The massive sword descending from the air was blocked midway.
Hyeok Do-cheon’s rushing Heavenly Demon Spirit froze in place and looked upward in shock.
Geom Mugeuk also looked up, as did everyone else.
Another massive sword had blocked the incoming one.
A newly appeared Heavenly Demon Spirit.
This was the moment the fourth Heavenly Demon Spirit appeared.
It was also the moment when the greatest number of Heavenly Demon Spirits had ever appeared in one place in martial history.
The final Heavenly Demon Spirit was different.
Just as Geom Mugeuk’s demonic ghost had differed between its initial formation and its Great Completion, this Heavenly Demon Spirit had a different appearance from the others.
Its body was slightly smaller, yet its presence was even greater.
The flame burning in its chest was larger and clearer. And on the back of its right hand was engraved the symbol of the Heavenly Demon Spirit.
Its body color differed, and various parts of its form were subtly distinct. Overall, it had a more refined appearance.
Yet its face and gaze were so terrifying and intense that they overwhelmed every other Heavenly Demon Spirit present.
Looking up at it, Geom Mugeuk exclaimed in admiration.
“How have you endured until now just to show off?”
It was the moment when Geom Woojin’s Heavenly Demon Spirit—having achieved Twelve Star Greatness—descended.