After travelling continuously for a week using movement arts, we finally arrived at Mount Tianluo. A natural, fortress-like mountain that makes it hard for outsiders to invade. I was fascinated by how the mountain cliff acts like a wall that protects the cult itself. Matheus said that this was once an ordinary mountain before the founding Heavenly Demon Cult leader used his swordsmanship to shape this rocky mountain into a wall that protects his sect. Looking around, I noticed that it indeed looks like someone forcefully made it this way. Once again, I'm amazed by this cult. Truly, every leader of this cult cannot be trifled with.
Just by looking around, I can feel an eerie aura coming from those mountain walls. If a 3rd-rate martial artist even dared to step on this mountain, they would die without a doubt. That's also the reason why this cult doesn't have any weak 3rd-rate martial artists stationed at the main base. This mountain is a den of ferocious monsters in human form. And only the Cult Leader, the Five Demonic Generals, and their disciples have the right to set foot here.
"What you're feeling is the sword qi from our founder's swordsmanship that is etched into this mountain, senior. It can now only block 3rd-rate martial artists and below, but according to history, when it was still the era of our founder, even 1st-rate martial artists would die just from stepping onto this mountain. That's why only the executives of the cult have the right to stay here," Matheus said proudly.
Once again, I was shocked. My master, who is said to be the 3rd-generation leader, was active around 600 years ago in this world, so that means… This sword qi has been protecting this place for more than 600 years now, since this is the work of the cult founder. How strong of a monster is he? That his sword qi can last this long?
"Unbelievable… Truly, this world is interesting…" I muttered, clearly admiring it, as I wondered if I could also do such a thing with my current strength.
Both Matheus and Mo Haryun looked at me. "This fellow… has he gone mad?" was probably what they wanted to say, but they held back since my beating was not something to be taken lightly.
"I am now deeply interested in meeting the current leader of this place~ Quickly, bring me to him!" I said to Matheus with a crazed smile on my face as I patted his back.
Matheus sighed in relief. At last, he could finally get rid of these two lunatics… How could he not be happy and gladly oblige my request?
"KEHEHEHEHEHEH! KEKEKEKEKE!!! As expected of the one I have chosen to serve!!! Only one as deranged as you is worthy to be my lord! KUHAHAHAHAHA! KEKKEK!!!"
Mo Haryun's laughter earned irritated looks from Lucian and Matheus, but neither of them paid him any mind. There was nothing that could be done about this madman. Even if you cut off his arm, his laughter would probably not stop—so what was the point of continuing to argue with him?
"Let's go, Senior. I shall lead you—my master awaits within the Cave of Demons," Matheus said as we began to go there.
I was expecting an eerie-looking cave because of the name, but it was actually a grand pavilion. Big enough to be compared to my empire's garden. Unlike the other bases of the Heavenly Demon Cult, this one was their main base and a sacred place for them. Inside the mountain-like walls were five pavilions and one grand pavilion. Unlike those five normal-looking ones, this one was massive and grand—larger than the other five combined, clearly showing where the leader resides.
A sudden formless force opened the hall door, and a frail-looking man lying on his throne greeted us with a killing intent, as if he were staring at a mere insect.
Matheus suddenly bowed. "I have arrived, Master… and have brought the Senior Brother," he said plainly as he excused himself. I also signaled Mo Haryun to move, but this dumb bastard just stood there, not understanding me at all. Never in my life had I encountered such a slow-witted subordinate.
"You shrieking fool! Get out of here and follow Matheus! Do you wish to die before even proving your worth to me?!" I shouted, using the advanced whispering technique my master had taught me.
"KEHEHEH KEKEKE! SO THAT'S WHAT YOU MEANT~" he replied, not bothering to use the whispering technique, and followed Matheus out.
After that idiot finally left, the hall door closed by the same formless force. Ma'wang Cheonma—also known as the Heavenly Demon Saint Emperor for his supposedly scholarly ways and merciful demeanor, despite being a demonic leader—sat there. Scholarly and merciful, my ass… The one lying lazily on his throne was nothing like that. They call this monster the Heavenly Demon Saint Emperor? They must've gone insane.
"So…" His cold eyes gaze upon me. For the first time… I felt like I was naked in front of him. Like there's nothing to hide in front of him.
"Ah… the one who calls himself Jeonglak's disciple, is it you?" His tone is nowhere merciful at all. It was calm but full of killing intent.
I don't like this treatment. This is humiliation! He dared look down and toy with me?! Me, Lucian?!
"You… how dare you look down on me and speak to me like that?!!!!" I roared, my voice trembling with a fury I had never shown before. "Do you have any idea who I am? You will pay for this with your life!!!"
I was ready to draw my sword and attack, but he suddenly laughed. I flinched. It wasn't a mocking laugh—it carried the same presence as my master's.
"Alright, alright~ I was just joking~ You are indeed as interesting as my disciple told me~" He wiped tears from his eyes from laughing.
"Eh—? Ehhhh??? What kind of insane bastard is this?!" I muttered to myself, unsure whether I should draw my sword or not.
"Follow me." He suddenly rose from his throne, leading me toward an empty room.
After we finally sat in our chairs, his subordinates served us alcohol before leaving. Silence stretched between us for five minutes, until he finally spoke again.
"So… what is it that you seek?" It wasn't a simple question, despite how he spoke. He was asking what I intended to do—since, by my master, I was technically a member of the cult, and by seniority, I was his senior. But that was exactly what made things complicated: he was the current leader of this generation. On paper, we were on equal footing—but there is no such thing as "equal" in the Heavenly Demon Cult.
"If what you claim is true, that you are truly Jeonglak's disciple… then you understand what I mean, do you not?"
But the problem is, Jeonglak, Lucian's master, didn't actually say much. Besides introducing himself and his sect, he didn't reveal much about himself, since his disciple, Lucian, didn't even bother listening to his boasting and just trained like crazy. So mostly, all Jeonglak did was mock Lucian, make fun of him, teach him techniques, and then make fun of him again. Naturally, Lucian had no idea what Ma'wang Cheonma was talking about.
Lucian stared at the man for a moment before replying plainly, "Not really."
"What?"
"My master is a ghost." Lucian wasn't familiar with the concept of a remnant will, so what he thought of Jeonglak was simply that he was a very powerful ghost.
"What?" Even Ma'wang Cheonma was confused. "What in the heavens is this brat spouting? Does he dare toy with me?" he thought, his brows furrowing.
Lucian looked at the man and thought, Since Master never actually asked me to keep his identity a secret and told me not to sully his name… knowing how he always boasts about how powerful he is, he might even like it if I tell them about him, especially his sect.
Judging that Jeonglak wouldn't mind if he blabbered, Lucian began explaining to Ma'wang Cheonma how he met his master—or rather… how Jeonglak had forced him to become his disciple. Of course, he carefully left out the part about not actually being from this world.
"Hm… so Jeonglak actually reached that state? No wonder he suddenly vanished…" Ma'wang Cheonma nodded in understanding. Seeing the eerie sword at my waist and sensing how abundant my qi was, it was more than enough proof that I wasn't lying.
This was a huge merit for their cult. It meant that one of their previous leaders had broken past the limits of being human and truly stepped into the Godly Realm—the very realm worshipped by a cult that revered strength above all else.
"Well, what I want to ask is this…" Ma'wang Cheonma continued slowly. "How do you wish to move forward? As Jeonglak's direct disciple, you are technically my senior. But this is not the righteous path. Only one dragon is allowed in this cult!"
His gaze sharpened.
"I, Ma'wang Cheonma, am the current Heavenly Demon. I will not bow to anyone weaker than me."
Lucian thought deeply. It is, instead, a deep question, but after coming to this world he only has two goals. One is to reclaim his peak strength, and the second is to rule this world. The first one is already done; in fact, he even surpassed his former self and even Jeonglak before he suddenly disappeared. So, he only has one goal now. And that is to rule this world and continuously improve himself more.
He came to a decision.
"What can I do to make this Heavenly Demon Cult mine?" Lucian asked Ma'wang Cheonma seriously.
Ma'wang Cheonma, seeing how serious he was, couldn't help but burst out laughing. Never once had he thought a brat would dare humiliate him—a mere seventeen-year-old, coveting his throne right in front of him. But he wasn't offended, nor was he particularly interested in fighting. In fact, he found it refreshing. As the Heavenly Demon, no one had ever dared speak to him disrespectfully; in the eyes of his subordinates, he was a god. Yet now, a young brat was eager to force him to step down from his throne. How could he not feel excited?
"Of course. This is a sect that worships strength. You can take my position if you prove to everyone—and to me—that your martial arts are far stronger than mine~" he replied, laughing as he held his stomach.
Lucian saw his master in this man and, in a strange way, felt refreshed.
"Hehehe~ but that won't be easy, little one~ I may look frail, but I've been ruling the Heavenly Demon Cult for sixty years, maintaining my position as a true god here." he warned Lucian.
But Lucian wasn't scared. To him, being defeated would only mean he was weak and insignificant in this world. He knew this man was strong—perhaps even on par with his master—and that was why his heart burned with excitement. Both in his previous world and after coming here, no one other than his master had ever been able to threaten him. How thrilling it must be to finally face a worthy opponent—one against whom he could fight to his heart's content.
After that, they agreed to duel three days later, summoning all the higher-ups of the Heavenly Demon Cult to witness the battle that would determine their leader.