A transparent sunlight permeated the sky.
It was the time when the shadows of the crowd were at their smallest.
Scattered among them were those whose appearances blurred the line between beggar and wanderer, those lying down with their places staked, masters of martial arts standing on high branches with arms crossed, and men and women of all ages seated in palanquins, accompanied by silk-robed bodyguards.
Hardly anyone showed signs of boredom. As the sun climbed higher, the excitement reflected on most faces deepened.
And then—
"They're coming! They're coming!"
"What? Finally…!"
"Where? Who?!"
From the distant mountain road, an imposing presence filled the air. The rhythmic clinking of iron armor striking against itself resonated, growing louder and louder.
The crowd stirred like a swarm of bees.
"Ten Perfection Sect! The Heavenly Lord of Ten Thousand Soldiers is here, leading his disciples!"
"He really accepted the challenge… I wasn't sure if he would."
"The great leader of the Ten Perfection Sect displaying his martial arts in broad daylight…!"
"Today, I'll cleanse my eyes with Primordial Art of Ten Thousand Sects."
Leaders of great factions were existences so rare that even after a lifetime, one might never lay eyes on them. Not only for common folk but even for highly renowned martial artists.
Unless it was an event befitting their status, they rarely appeared. Even if they happened to be in the same land, seeing them with one's own eyes was like glimpsing the sun in the heavens.
For martial artists, such moments held even greater significance.
It was said that the gestures and steps of supreme masters contained the highest essence of martial wisdom, and merely witnessing them could broaden one's knowledge and lead to great enlightenment.
"This means we'll get to see the Dark Flame King too, right? I heard he has a face that would make Song Yu and Jung Ban-ak cry!"
"That's an exaggeration. Rumors always are."
"Move! I can't see! Move aside!"
"Don't push! I said don't push!"
"The martial artists have taken their positions! If we go any further, there'll be trouble, so just stop…!"
A massive crowd filled the long ridgeline.
Scuffles broke out among the people.
Those desperate to move forward craned their necks, while those unable to secure a view jumped in place, struggling to catch sight of the highest peak.
For an opportunity that may never come again in their lifetime.
To witness the martial prowess of supreme masters firsthand, and to be the first to report the results of today's duel to their respective factions.
That was the thought that filled the minds of countless people.
Even if they couldn't fully see the battle, just being present was enough.
It was a historic event. Staring blankly at the cracked, barren earth was a hundred times less desirable.
How could they turn their backs on the supreme masters they had admired only through rumors?
Unlike the common folk, martial artists and high-ranking officials who had secured prime spots looked down from above, murmuring in hushed voices.
"The Ten Perfection Sect… they actually came…."
"Truly, an awe-inspiring sight."
A group advanced up the hill with unrestrained strides.
Their armor gleamed under the sunlight, flashing brilliantly.
The synchronized sound of interlocking metal rang through the air, their disciplined presence exuding such formidable military might that, at a glance, they did not resemble martial artists.
Clank. Clank.
About forty individuals followed the leader of the Ten Perfection Sect, clad in eerie, blindingly white armor. The sheer intensity of their concealed internal energy was overwhelming.
The harmonized internal breathing of their formation created an energy wave that pressed down on the grass beneath their feet.
Just by walking.
It was a spectacle akin to the departure ceremony of the Northern Army. A ritual possible only for those who cultivated the same internal energy techniques.
"Look at that presence. Even after clashing with the Blood Flame Cult's leader, they've been active as ever lately…"
"The leader of the Ten Perfection Sect is still in his prime. The rumors about him destroying several of the Tang Clan's Absolute Formations don't seem like mere hearsay."
"It's no wonder the demonic faction walks with such confidence. At this rate, who knows if the duel will even be fair?"
"Why do you say that?"
"Most martial artists are ignorant of the bigger picture. Unless you belong to a significant faction, that is."
"Hmm…"
"How many blade-wielders have lost their heads because they failed to recognize renowned warriors? Surely, those who wish to gain favor with the Thirteen Celestial Demons will step forward. Even if they lack insight, some will still be powerful—such as the sects under the Ten Perfection Sect."
"Ah! Now that I think about it, this duel… there's no fixed match-up, is there?"
"Anyone can participate. Technically, even some nameless fool who has merely honed his sword a little could step forward, claiming an insult as an excuse to challenge the Radiant Demon Squad's leader. Though, of course, the truly unqualified wouldn't dare."
"It wouldn't matter. They wouldn't last even three moves against the leader of Emei Sect, let alone the Radiant Demon Squad's leader."
"You think the Thirteen Celestial Demons, the highest-ranking figures of the demonic faction, are just brutes who rely on strength alone? They're experts at manipulating justification. They excel in sacrificing something small to claim a much bigger prize."
"I'm not sure I follow, Master Nangsung…"
"Just watch. I don't care much about the duel's outcome. I'm just here to witness the Primordial Art of Ten Thousand Sects firsthand."
While all the prominent figures gazed upwards—
The leader of the Ten Perfection Sect, Heavenly Lord of Ten Thousand Soldiers, led his procession onto the designated hilltop.
In an instant, the clanking of metal ceased in unison.
"This place is quite spacious. A good place to display martial arts."
The leader of the Ten Perfection Sect murmured with an easy smile.
His gaze swept the surroundings as he stroked the sword at his left hip, exuding the relaxed confidence of an absolute master.
A subordinate slightly lowered his head.
"It is called Genghui Peak and Genghui Ridge."
"A hill where the stars gather… I didn't know Sichuan had such high and vast peaks."
"It is where the Twin Venoms of the Dragon and Phoenix were buried."
"The Twin Venoms of the Dragon and Phoenix?"
"The direct descendants of the Tang Clan's leader. They were offered as sacrifices to the Golden Wings Sect's formation that day."
"Ah, I recall their names being mentioned over drinks. The nicknames the young ones give themselves these days are quite exaggerated."
The leader of the Ten Perfection Sect slowly nodded.
Then, suddenly, he turned his gaze.
"Of course… for someone like you, being called a dragon or a phoenix wouldn't be so ridiculous."
The remark wasn't directed at his subordinate.
Following their leader's gaze, the disciples of the Ten Perfection Sect flinched.
Even their heavy armor made slight noise as they stiffened.
For reflected in their widened eyes was a flowing black robe.
When had he arrived?
A faint shimmer of light, scattered among the leaves and vanishing into nothingness.
Saaaah—
It dissipated into fragments at the feet of the young man standing at the center of the hill.
Clearly the trace of an advanced movement technique, yet more enigmatic than anyone present on this mountain today.
And in the fractured sunlight—
A face, exuding an almost dreamlike presence.
Lightning Genius, Jung Yeonshin.
His expression was unreadable, his aura carrying a profound solitude.
"Radiant Demon Squad's leader."
One of the Ten Perfection Sect disciples murmured as if in pain.
In that instant, a massive roar erupted from the crowd surrounding the mountain slopes. Even the air seemed to tremble.
"Waaaaaah—!"
"When did he…? What kind of movement technique is this…?"
"That face… That's the Dark Flame King! The rumors didn't do him justice!"
"He really was that stunning?!"
"I'm in love! Please, just look this way once!"
"Today is truly an awakening!"
The fervor was overwhelming.
At that moment, the leader of the Ten Perfection Sect stretched his lips into a grin.
"What was written on the announcement differs from reality. Where are the two? Baek Yak Monk and that young swordsman of Mount Qingcheng?"
"Bring your two first."
"I asked first. You answer first."
The leader of the Ten Perfection Sect spoke with an insidious smile, exuding a distinctly demonic faction demeanor.
Jung Yeonshin swallowed back the words a half-dead corpse from the Pure Demon Alliance and a dull-witted fool from the Golden Wings Sect. This was a stage in full view of all.
To rise, one must never lower their opponent. Here, he needed to demonstrate his innate dignity to suppress the rabble of the demonic faction.
He spoke slowly, letting his words flow naturally.
"You live by sucking the marrow from the bones of the common folk, yet still believe yourself a great general. A mere traitor posing as a noble figure."
"Are you speaking to me?"
"You simply do not know shame."
Jung Yeonshin ended his words decisively.
He did not wait for an answer.
Since childhood, he had been adept at posing and answering his own questions, rarely finding satisfaction in the responses of others.
It had been the same even after entering the martial world. His innate insight was profound.
'Let's win from the start.'
There was no way the Pure Demon Alliance's leader and Golden Wings Sect's leader would truly refuse to appear. They were watching from somewhere.
Just as the leaders of Mount Qingcheng and Mount Emei were surely observing the developments of the two leaders of the Thirteen Celestial Demons.
"Come."
Jung Yeonshin spoke.
"Hmm. The Tang Clan incident was quite unfortunate."
The leader of the Ten Perfection Sect raised an eyebrow, regaining his composure.
"Testing our skills properly here wouldn't be a bad idea."
Step.
He took a step forward, and at that very moment, an intense force surged outward.
But then—
"Your status is unworthy!"
Thud!
A martial artist ascended the hill with a heavy stomp. He wore iron handguards.
He appeared middle-aged.
A scar ran diagonally across his face, and faint mirages rose around his body, emanating a domineering Protective Energy Technique.
"Iron-Following Demon Fist!"
A few from the crowd shouted.
It didn't stop there. Because he was not alone.
Thud! Thud!
"Even if you hold a black rank in Desolate Fortress, in the end, you are just a mere martial commander. How dare you…!"
"The opponent is a leader of a Great Sect. You are not qualified."
A man wielding a massive axe laughed heartily, while a woman with a needle-thin rapier spoke definitively.
Each of them radiated an intense martial aura.
Whwoooosh!
Fierce winds surged forward, carrying the murmurs of the crowd.
Remnant Peak Rotten Axe, Hyung Gi-jung. Binding Demon Sword, Hye So.
Even Jung Yeonshin, though newly arrived in Sichuan, had heard of them at least once.
Among the demonic faction members who did not belong to any great sects in Sichuan, they were some of the strongest.
"My dignity is at stake now."
The leader of the Ten Perfection Sect chuckled as he stepped back.
When a supreme master of the demonic faction appeared, there were always those who flocked to them, treating them as a leader, using their power to plunder and dominate. They were not disciples but subordinates.
Among them, those particularly powerful were called Giant Demons.
It was literally a term for a great devil.
The chaos created by demonic faction masters.
To the common folk, these figures were even more terrifying than the Lords of the Thirteen Celestial Demons.
A time of famine.
It was difficult for Desolate Fortress to recruit new members for the Divine Sword Order, yet for demonic faction masters, it was effortlessly easy to gather followers and retainers.
Even if a supreme master of the demonic faction were to die, their subordinates rarely returned to the path of righteousness.
"They called us a bunch of monkeys. Let's trade a few blows and see. I challenge you to a duel to the death."
Iron-Following Demon Fist smirked, clashing his fists together with a resounding impact.
"Radiant Demon Squad's leader, didn't you summon us too? Judging by your announcement, you seem desperate to exterminate the demonic faction martial artists of Sichuan."
Swish.
He took a light step, shifting to the side slowly. Ready to retreat at any time.
"..."
Jung Yeonshin did not respond.
He simply stared past the shoulders of the three Giant Demons, focusing on the leader of the Ten Perfection Sect beyond them.
A warm, amiable smile curved on the Sect Leader's lips.
"Well, what now? If the Radiant Demon Squad's leader draws his sword here, according to the duel's rules, he'll have to leave the battlefield…"
The demonic faction's ploy.
Dueling among supreme masters and sect leaders was never conducted in a consecutive format.
Even when done under the guise of sparring matches, this rule remained.
Too many interests, power struggles, and justifications were entangled. Any act that could cause disputes or lead to unforeseen consequences was eliminated in advance.
Because each of these figures held a weight comparable to the heavens.
"They have their chance too. They are not my subordinates, so I have no say over them. Of course, if you wish to send another master to face them, that's also an option. But it is a duel to the death, so their life must be wagered…"
"Excellent. Are there more?"
"Since you condemned all of the demonic faction, it wouldn't exactly be disgraceful… Hmm?"
At that moment, as the leader of the Ten Perfection Sect raised an eyebrow—
In Jung Yeonshin's mind.
'Fan Dragon.'
A dragon rose, biting onto a folding fan, then coiled around his sword at his waist.
At that instant, the Divine Sword, Yurei, let out a resonant hum.
Wuuuuuung—
Slowly.
"...!"
A single, horizontal line stretched beyond the ridge.
Colorless.
Buaaaaaaaang—!
Following the delayed flash of sword energy, a single streak of blood appeared across the necks of the three Giant Demons.
A mere instant.
The blade of Yurei, moving like lightning, shredded their protective energy technique.
Like paper being torn, their heads separated from their bodies, the corpses collapsing sideways.
Moments later, the Divine Sword, Yurei, traced an elegant arc and returned.
Srrrrrng—
Jung Yeonshin placed a hand gently on the sword that had smoothly slid back into its sheath.
As he lifted his eyelids slightly, he caught sight of the leader of the Ten Perfection Sect, whose face was frozen in astonishment.
"You— You intended this from the start…?"
The man spoke.
Jung Yeonshin slowly parted his lips.
"The duel continues."
"What…?"
"How can beasts be considered men?"