The Hundred Thousand Mountains of the Demonic Sect—
While returning to the sect, Seol-Hwi had numerous thoughts.
First, how to handle the Heavenly Demon? And how to deal with the player behind him?
He asked the AI, who had experienced it countless times.
“If I and Cheon Miryo catch the Heavenly Demon and we fight against the player together, what are the odds of winning?”
It was the most ideal way for now.
According to the AI, the moment the Earth Demon releases his power, it can threaten not just the Heavenly Demon but even stronger players. Then, if he and Cheon Miryo rushed at that time, would it not be possible to win it?
-Well… if I had to guess, maybe one or two out of ten fights?
“Is that all?”
Seol-Hwi raised his voice, not realizing it. Did the AI not himself say it? The Earth Demon was born with the Heavenly Killing Star and said to have the best strength.
But just one or two fights?
He could not believe it.
Seol-Hwi and Cheon Miryo with their current strength, they were two Profound Demons.
And with the Earth Demon, it would be three people at the Profound Demon stage and still he said that the player cannot be killed?
-Do not mistake this. This fight’s key is the Earth Demon and not you. With your martial arts right now, you are weaker than me in the past,
Said the AI.
First of all, Seol-Hwi reached the Profound Demon state. But even with that there are details and stages within.
Beginning, Mid God, Peak God, and Demon God.
Among them, the stage the AI had risen to was Peak God.
-What is a bit nice is that while you are on the Profound Demon level, contrary to what you would ordinarily think, you are in Mid God already as you managed to jump a level. It isn’t the usual way one progresses.
“What is the reason? I did go through the Supreme Demon stage at the same time…”
-Yes. I was thinking of the same reason. So I am betting it on hope. In the first place, the Supreme Demon and Supreme Master level shouldn’t happen at the same time. You rose in martial arts while holding both of them at the same time.
-So, if, if only you can get to the Profound Master and Profound Demon levels at the same time and reach the best stage… I assure you, you will go past Demon God.
Demon God—
Right now, this was a stage called profound Demon, but it was safe to say that he had already passed it with his actual skills.
And as the name suggested, Demon God.
“Hmm. If things go well…”
But even Seol-Hwi knew that it was almost impossible to have Profound Master at the peak and Profound Demon to get Demon God at the same time.
Both of these things happened within one’s own body, so it was possible to make them coexist if one put in enough effort.
But, the higher stages were different.
A natural energy which the body accepts, this must be obtained through a separate technique, but the energy cannot be forced to be adjusted.
To put it simply, it was the situation of mixing oil and water as one. It was needed to make two completely different things with their own nature mixed together properly.
“How does the miss see this?”
While returning to the sect, Seol-Hwi talked to Cheon Miryo.
First of all, Purple Cloud Divine Arts — As to why he suddenly ended up with energy runaway in the middle of learning it, at that time, Cheon Miryo was the one who helped Seol-Hwi who was in a state of insanity. Of course, would her perspective not be better?
“The fundamental energy in your body is close to the demonic nature. There must have been this conflict between that and your innate one, which had a different nature.”
“Different… then, how about this? What if I managed to drain out all my internal energy and filled it with the energy of Mount Hua through their cultivation technique? Do you think I can reach a higher stage with that?”
Cheon Miryo looked up at the sky before she shook her head.
“If you’re asking what I think, it is probably the opposite.”
“Why?”
“You somehow did manage to touch the Profound Demon level, so forcibly trying to empty your body and fill it with another form of Demonic energy, it would be like pouring cold water into a hot iron bowl.”
“…!”
It was a simple and intuitive analogy, but that was how Seol-Hwi could see how dangerous the concept was.
“The runaway again…”
“Not again, it will be much more dangerous. You achieved the Supreme Demon and Supreme Master levels at the same time, and you went through the runaway of it, but if it is a higher stage than that, Profound Demon and Profound Master…”
Cheon Miryo stayed silent.
Seol-Hwi also nodded with this heavy look.
The Supreme Demon level which needs demonic energy, the Profound Demon level which was beyond the realm of demons and handled the energy of nature — The source of all energy was nature.
Profound Master was the same. However the cultivation method was different, and the use of that energy was different too. Of course, the stored energy in the body was different, so could a person’s head identify the difference when using it?
The human mind could not distinguish between the two. So Cheon Miryo thought that there was no choice but for the body to be in more danger.
“Is there no other way?”
From Seol-Hwi’s point of view, this made sense.
At least, Cheon Miryo was better at worrying about him. The same went for the time when she immediately got rid of the demonic energy and how she spent almost her entire life in recluse training for the sake of someone like him.
She was a lot more experienced and knowledgeable.
“If there really is a way to get to that state, then there is just one.”
After pondering for a moment, Seol-Hwi was wide eyed.
“There is?”
Did the AI not say that it was impossible? And now she mentioned there was another way?
“Profound Demon or Profound Master, all have no choice but to listen to the person who gained enlightenment.”
“Enlightenment of a person who reached the peak in both stages. Is there anyone who was like that?”
“There is no one as of now, but there were people who could do that. There is just one chance that it can be learned, or even perhaps show the untrodden path.”
“No…”
Seol-Hwi intuitively felt it. The words were not so wrong.
“Yes. The Fourth Disciple.”
Upon arriving at the main sect, there was a call from the Earth Demon.
Seol-Hwi, who had returned to his place, felt a bit conflicted. After sitting on the bed, this came before him.
Would you like to save? ■96th Heavenly Year. The day when power is realized! □98th Heavenly Year. Last day of 7th month. □98th Heavenly Year. Self Story_Fateful day.
Does this still apply? He thought he would risk everything in this life. Does it really have meaning? If he died and reincarnated, then in the next life, Cheon Miryo would not be there.
“Then… no, just saving it…”
He was not even sure how it would work.
He bet everything in this life, and he was in there with such a mindset. A small mistake or lapse in judgment could change the future entirely.
<■The 97th Heavenly Year. The pendulum of fate.>
Seol-Hwi had put the contents so far into the save.
<■96th Heavenly Year. The day when power is realized! has been overwritten.>
He stored it like that.
“Then…”
Now was the time to face it all.
Whatever awaited him, whatever happened, Seol-Hwi got up and headed to the place of the Earth Demon.
“Welcome.”
The Earth Demon greeted his subordinate at the door.
Seol-Hwi went into the room with a bow and sat down in the seat which the Earth Demon pointed to.
Is it my imagination…
The face of the Earth Demon felt bright on the outside, but Seol-Hwi thought something was up. It seemed kind of tired, as if he was hiding something serious behind it.
“I received the report, but… what exactly had happened and how?”
The Earth Demon wondered.
He did not openly ask about it, but actually, he was full of doubts that he had achieved profound Demon.
Otherwise, the First Disciple, his subordinates, and four warriors, it was truly impossible for Seol-Hwi to stop them.
“…And so I managed to attain this small realization, which is a bit embarrassing.”
“As I thought!”
The Earth Demon could not help but admire Seol-Hwi’s story.
Even if one knew it in their head, hearing it made it seem different.
And even in the sect, the state of Profound Demon was not one which anyone other than the sect leader could climb to. It was the moment when Seol-Hwi was the third after another elder.
“You did really well. Thanks to your abilities, our sect has become more stable. There will be no more fights in the future, no unneeded clashes or sacrifices.”
“You are exaggerating it. It wasn’t all me.”
Seol-Hwi lowered his head at the words of the Earth Demon.
Actually, anyone could say it. More than that, Seol-Hwi had things to ask in this meeting and so he started,
“Then, has lord finally met with the Sect Leader?”
“…Sect Leader?”
“Yes. Since the battle for the throne was won by you, wouldn’t it be natural for my lord to take the position of the Sect Leader?”
“…”
Such a common thing.
Cheon Wol-seong, the current leader who caused these clashes would have to step down. But the expression on the Earth Demon’s face was somewhat subtle.
After thinking for a moment, with an expressionless face, he said,
“Seol-Hwi.”
“Yes.”
“Do you think I can rise to the position of Sect Leader?”
“Isn’t that pretty expected? Who else is there besides the lord?”
“I am the Heavenly Killing Star.”
Something about the Earth Demon’s expression didn’t feel good.
Heavenly Killing Star — A person who has this infinite power stored within and was destined to die after using it.
This was why no one doubted the ability of the Earth Demon, but no one thought about the future after he ascended to the top of the sect.
Still, what was this reaction?
The eyes of the Earth Demon looked at Seol-Hwi as if seeing through his heart.
“Lord. So what I want to say…”
“Right. I know very well that the minds of people change with position. I understand that.”
“Uh? What…”
Suddenly the Earth Demon was not so stiff anymore and he smiled as he stood up. With arms crossed he walked around slowly.
“I have been thinking about it for a long time. I knew right away that I who possessed the Heavenly Killing Star cannot be the sect leader. So I waited. Someone to appear and take the position. To solve the difficulties which come ahead.”
“…”
“And Seol-Hwi. I met you. You played the role so well. So I recommended Sect Leader Cheon Wol-seong to hand the position over to you.”
“L-Lord…?”
“I know. That you are a normal person. Unlike me who waits for the day of my death, your thoughts and values will change. Still I—”
He looked at Seol-Hwi and said,
“I will hand over the position of Sect Leader to you. Because there is no one around me who can do it as well as you. Because there are more people who follow you than me under my own command.”
“…”
“And when difficulties come, I will do my best to help you. At least if you don’t change by hen, I will help you like you did for me.”
This…
Seol-Hwi’s heart fluttered.
Actually, the thing he was the most worried about when returning to the sect was the attitude of the Earth Demon. He was afraid that he would be doubted or something would block his path.
If that happened, the system would have its way. But now, the Earth Demon believed him.
Things were going as well as they could.
It was not like he was taking the position of Sect Leader, but handing the authority to him and would help him too.
Does this not seem like a combination of the best options?
“But, can you make a promise?”
“Uh?”
Seol-Hwi’s eyes turned stern with the words which followed. Maybe something worrisome was coming up.
“Now that he has decided this, a fight with the sect leader will be inevitable. You realize that right?”
“Yes…”
“Then you see. Can you fight him and subdue him without killing him?”
“…Uh?”
“I heard that there are other Profound Demon warriors besides you. if you join forces you can surely subdue him.”
“…”
The Earth Demon lightly raised his voice and said,
“No matter how he is, he is my master. There is no other choice but to subdue him but you cannot harm a warrior who is your master right? So? Can you please not kill him?”
Seol-Hwi could not answer.
The fight has to happen, and subduing safely needs more care than killing. But if he managed to do it, as long as Heavenly Demon was safe, the player behind him… might not appear.
“So? Can you promise it?”
“Hmm…”
Despite the repeated questioning, Seol-Hwi was silent.
This was not what he planned… at all.
