novelraw Chapter 246 : Reappearance of the Heavenly Demon (6)
Chapter 246 : Reappearance of the Heavenly Demon (6)
Chapter 246: Reappearance of the Heavenly Demon (6)
Sewoon’s physical body had begun an entirely new transformation, drawn by the aura and voice of the Faint Silver Heavenly Demon.
“If the vessel is incomplete, no matter how precious what you pour into it, it will overflow. Now, you shall obtain a true vessel.”
The Ice-Heaven Demon Divine Art of the Heavenly Demon was not a mere inner cultivation method.
It was a transmission that combined every fragment of enlightenment he had accumulated throughout his life.
Saaaah!
Chwaaaa!
The Heavenly Demon’s voice reverberated deep within Sewoon’s consciousness. It was no ordinary sound.
It was a lucid enlightenment, as though it contained the very principles governing the universe.
At the same time, the Heavenly Demon was delicately harmonizing every current of energy seated deep within Sewoon’s body.
The three Dantians.
That was to say, the Upper Dantian, the Middle Dantian, and the Lower Dantian—every stream of energy within them began to draw toward one another, forming a single, colossal vortex.
“All life originates from a single source. Though your energies differ, their origin was one.”
Ah.
Guided by the Heavenly Demon as he traced Sewoon’s energy channels along the flow of the Ice-Heaven Demon Divine Art, Sewoon nearly let out an involuntary gasp.
The Heavenly Demon did not recite incantations or formulas like other martial artists of the martial world.
Instead, he transmitted the true intent and ultimate essence of the Ice-Heaven Demon Divine Art through sheer will and intent.
The purity of Innate True Qi.
The regenerative power of Golden Bridle Qi.
The unpredictability of Divine Poison Qi.
And the destructive force of Reverse Heaven Qi.
Things he had believed would never coexist were now, within a single massive vortex, fusing together in a miraculous instant.
Rather than colliding or repelling one another, the different energies—
As though bound by a promise, were achieving perfect harmony under the power of the Ice-Heaven Demon Divine Qi.
“Different streams converge and become a single river.”
Every alien energy flowing through his body was refined and purified, like molten steel in a furnace stripped of its impurities.
Clouded energy grew clear, and rough currents became smooth.
Tak!
Hwa-ruk!
The sound of flames crackling rang near his ears, yet there was no pain.
Instead, an intoxicating sensation surged forth, as though vitality were filling his entire being.
Sewoon closed his eyes and entrusted himself fully to that sensation.
Wooooong!
A massive wave of energy erupted from Sewoon’s body. Among them, the most violently surging force was, as expected, the Reverse Heaven Qi.
‘Now I understand why the Reverse Heaven Qi used to run rampant.’
Like lightning striking his mind, flashes of enlightenment erupted endlessly within Sewoon’s consciousness.
‘It was because the Blood Demon’s intent had been engraved into the transmitted energy.’
This was something he realized through the process of advancing toward a true Natural Body, guided by the Heavenly Demon’s voice.
Chijijik!
Even upon reaching the peak of the Manifestation Realm, even at the threshold of the Life and Death Realm, he had not perceived it—
Yet now, every insidious scheme the Blood Demon had embedded within the Reverse Heaven Qi was igniting and being incinerated.
Thus, the entire process advanced toward its long-awaited conclusion.
“All shall return to a single origin.”
Kugugugug!
Kwaaaar!
Along with the Heavenly Demon’s voice, a deafening roar like a landslide erupted from within Sewoon’s body.
It was the sound of destruction.
The invisible ‘walls’ of the Dantians collapsed without a sound.
The Upper, Middle, and Lower Dantians—once separated sources of energy—finally spread out into a single vast sea.
That sea had no end, and its depth could not be fathomed.
‘Body, mind, and Qi aligning perfectly as one.’
Chwaaaaa—!
Sewoon’s inner self advanced step by step toward deeper harmony.
Every one of his senses sharpened to the extreme, and he could feel each individual cell within his body breathing with life.
His consciousness completely governed his physical body, and his Qi flowed freely according to his will.
‘Ah…’
There were no restraints. No discord.
Like a newborn gazing upon the world for the first time, his consciousness overflowed with awe toward this new power.
Sewoon realized it clearly.
The sensation of his body, mind, and Qi becoming perfectly unified.
A profound fulfillment surged within him, as though everything inside his body had finally found its rightful place.
‘Perfect harmony… this is the Natural Body…!’
At long last, he had achieved the Natural Body he had so fervently desired.
Swish.
Sewoon slowly opened his eyes.
At a glance, nothing seemed to have changed.
Yet it was not so.
Within his calm, lake-like pupils, golden light reminiscent of a Silver River shimmered faintly.
At that moment, the Heavenly Demon looked at Sewoon and curled his lips upward in satisfaction.
“Heh. Not only have you completed unity, you have made every teaching truly your own.”
Just as the Heavenly Demon said, all of Sewoon’s energies circulated without obstruction, forming a single, perfect living entity.
However, this was not according to the flow of the Ice-Heaven Demon Divine Art that had been transmitted.
Every energy deeply rooted within Sewoon’s inner self—
Contained neither remnants of the Blood Demon nor the Heavenly Demon’s new teachings.
They had transformed into a one-of-a-kind martial art, carrying only Sewoon’s own will, intent, and Qi.
‘It could be called the Golden Heaven Creation Qi.’
Saaaah!
Chwaaaaa!
Golden light, befitting its name, wrapped around his entire body.
Though everything had changed, one thing remained the same—the Golden Heaven Creation Qi continued the attainment of the Reverse Heaven Qi.
Because of that, the level Sewoon had reached with the Golden Heaven Creation Qi amounted to a full nine-tenths.
Having cast aside the eight-tenths stage of the Reverse Heaven Qi, his martial attainment and realm now felt as though he had crossed an enormous mountain range.
‘I have reached full maturity of the Life and Death Realm.’
He had surpassed even the threshold he had once reached, advancing all the way to full maturity.
It was the result of encountering an unprecedented miraculous opportunity in the martial world.
Sewoon could not suppress his amazement, yet the Heavenly Demon wore an expression of regret.
“As expected, because of the Heavenly Aperture, you could not reach the extreme. What a pity.”
The Heavenly Aperture.
That was to say, Sewoon’s Heavenly Punishment was still engraved upon his body, even after achieving the Natural Body.
Thus, despite the teachings of the Heavenly Demon—who had reached the extreme of the Life and Death Realm—Sewoon had halted at maturity.
Nevertheless, Sewoon bowed deeply, brought his hands together, and performed a clasped-hands salute, offering the Heavenly Demon the utmost respect.
“Not at all. He did not know how great a grace he had received from the Venerable Senior.”
“Heh heh, after receiving a gift, even the form of address changes.”
“He was ashamed. He would offer the full rite of the kowtow as courtesy, Master.”
“……!!”
The rite of the kowtow meant forming the bond of master and disciple.
At those words, the Heavenly Demon burst into laughter.
“Hahaha, is that so. Then you have become the first disciple I have ever taken.”
Pride and satisfaction filled his gaze, yet unmistakably, a strange sorrow also lingered within it.
Just as Sewoon was about to kneel, an auspicious current flowed in like a gust of wind and stopped his movement.
It was caused by a mere gesture of the Heavenly Demon.
“But let us postpone the formal rites between master and disciple until next time. There is not enough time now.”
“Pardon?”
“There is still one more thing I must give you.”
Saaaah!
From the Heavenly Demon’s lightly extended hand, a faint light burst forth.
That energy, undulating like a bluish mirage, headed toward Sewoon’s right hand.
The light seeped into his hand and soon began engraving an unfamiliar mark upon the back of it.
“I shall leave with you the token that symbolizes the master of the Divine Cult—.”
“!!”
Astonishingly, it was a tangible token imbued with the legitimacy and succession of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Thump! Thump!
Sewoon’s heart pounded violently.
It was an opportunity to take into himself an entire shadow power, one that could rival the current Tang Clan and Yoo Jinhak’s Murim Alliance.
Chwaaat!
After a short while, the light pouring from the mark on his right hand gradually subsided.
As Sewoon stood overwhelmed with emotion, the Heavenly Demon spoke softly.
“I have one request to ask of you.”
“Please speak. Anything at all.”
At Sewoon’s reply, the Heavenly Demon did not answer at once, hesitating before finally speaking.
“For a long time, the devotees who suffered under an inadequate Cult Leader… I ask that you guide them well.”
“……!!”
Deep compassion and apology were woven into his voice.
Of course, it had been for the sake of saving the world, but Sewoon could also understand the burden of guilt the Heavenly Demon bore for having abandoned, in a single day, all the devotees who had followed him.
He might have wished to explain the reason, yet doing so would have been no different from divulging the Heavenly Decree itself.
Feeling the heartfelt sincerity conveyed to him, Sewoon bowed deeply and answered.
“Of course.”
His voice was resolute.
Having heard the Heavenly Demon’s truth, there was no reason to defy his will.
Orthodox, unorthodox, demonic—such petty divisions of the martial world held no meaning.
Through the Heavenly Demon, Sewoon had come to understand the true righteousness of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.
Perhaps because he sensed the sincerity in Sewoon’s voice—
“Heh heh, thank you.”
The Heavenly Demon’s gaze drifted far into the empty void.
At last, his expression seemed peaceful.
It was the light smile of one who had laid down all burdens.
“……Now, I can depart in peace.”
“……!!”
His voice grew fainter and fainter.
The demonic qi emanating from the Heavenly Demon’s body also began to fade as if it had been a lie.
Sewoon revealed his agitation at the rapidly fading figure of the Heavenly Demon.
“Just a little longer…!”
Without realizing it, Sewoon called out to him.
He had sensed the disappearance of the one who had been both master and guide.
Regret and deep reverence were imbued in his voice.
Though the time had been short, the Heavenly Demon had shown him the ultimate essence of martial arts and the truth of the world.
To such a Sewoon, the Heavenly Demon left behind a final, meaningful message before departing.
“I shall look forward to the day we meet again, my disciple.”
Saaaah!
At the same time, the white world enveloping Sewoon slowly began to close.
The pure white space scattered like mist, and his field of vision gradually shifted.
As the white space slowly regained color, it transformed in an instant back to its original form.
Tadadak!
“Junior Brother! Are you all right?”
“What in the world happened?”
Nameless and Seori rushed in like a lightning flash, catching Sewoon’s staggering form.
‘Master…!’
With trembling eyes, Sewoon checked his surroundings.
The interior of the Heavenly Demon Cavern, the final chamber where the Divine Throne had stood, spread out once more before his eyes.
Yet no matter how much he searched, he could not sense even a trace of the Heavenly Demon’s presence.
Without realizing it, Sewoon let out a short sigh.
‘So, he has gone.’
After completing everything he needed to do, the Heavenly Demon vanished without leaving even a trace behind.
Thump.
Sewoon’s heart quivered on its own.
To Nameless and Seori, it must have been no more than a fleeting instant.
But to Sewoon, it felt as though he had spent countless eons together with him.
His turbulent emotions did not easily settle—
Chwaaaaa!
At that moment, from the distant entrance of the ice cave, countless unfamiliar energies were sensed.
The demonic cult’s forces had arrived.
As he realized this fact, a sharp, distinct light filled Sewoon’s eyes.
‘Right. This is no time to remain lost in sentiment. That would not be Master’s will.’
It was time to carry out the Heavenly Demon’s final words.
With a hardened expression, Sewoon spoke.
“Both of you, listen carefully to what I am about to say.”
After hearing Sewoon’s plan, the eyes of Nameless and Seori widened as if they might burst.
After some time had passed.
Buk Ri-seung and the other demonic cult figures walked into the interior of the cavern.
Looking down on them with arrogant disdain—
“You are late.”
The Reappeared Heavenly Demon, Tang Sewoon, murmured quietly.