Chapter 834: How Have You Held Back Until Now?

TL: FoodieMonster007

"The Heavenly Space Secret Art?" Geom Woojin asked, unfamiliar with the name.

Geom Mugeuk quickly explained. "It's a secret art exclusive to the Spacetime Manipulation Technique. When activated, I can gain more time in here than what passes outside. I've just achieved complete mastery of it."

Geom Woojin glanced outside, his expression surprised. Time truly seemed to have stopped, flowing at an almost imperceptible rate.

"I learned this from the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, too," Geom Mugeuk added.

Geom Woojin finally understood completely, including why the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader had complained so much about his stolen artifacts. If he had taught Geom Mugeuk such a mystical secret art, he had every right to complain. "Can the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader use this secret art, too?"

Geom Mugeuk shook his head. The Heavenly Wind Cult Leader only knew the oral formula but couldn't perform the art himself. "I'm probably the first to reach this stage."

He could feel it. Since he had just reached complete mastery, time still flowed, albeit slowly. He thought that if his mastery matured or if he achieved Twelfth Star mastery, time might stop altogether.

He thought this for one reason. The moment he achieved complete mastery, his own time no longer flowed within this space.

Normally, gaining nine times the amount of time would mean his physical body aged accordingly. Since he was still young, it hadn't been a problem. Capturing Hwa Mugi was so important that he had willingly accepted the side effects.

However, the moment he achieved complete mastery, time stopped for him inside the Heavenly Space Secret Art as well. His body had stopped aging.

Geom Mugeuk now had his own perfect time as a bonus, a gift from the heavens.

Anyway, while he respected and loved his father more than anyone, he decided not to teach him this secret art.

This was due to a long-held worry. He feared his father would become so engrossed in martial arts that he would never leave the Heavenly Space Secret Art.

That thought remained unchanged. His father was a man who would pour everything into reaching the pinnacle of martial arts.

Besides, his father could waste too much time trying to achieve complete mastery. His father was in a different position than he was.

Even Geom Mugeuk didn't know how he had managed to achieve complete mastery this time. He could only say he had been incredibly lucky. He believed it was the result of his desperate wish for time to slow down so he could master the Ninth Technique.

Father, I'm sorry. I can do anything else for you, but I can't do this.

"Father, there's something more important than that right now," he said.

Geom Woojin nodded. Time outside hadn't stopped completely. "Hurry and ask about the parts you don't understand."

Geom Mugeuk again posed his questions to his father, asking about the parts of the Ninth Technique's oral formula he couldn't understand alone.

"When sending qi from the Yangji acupoint to the Yanggok acupoint…"

"No!" the Sword King shouted the moment light erupted from the eyes of Hyeok Docheon's Heavenly Demon Soul.

In that instant, he thought of Geom Mugeuk. He had sensed that Geom Mugeuk saw his Heavenly Demon Soul as more than just a part of his martial arts.

What if he loses the Heavenly Demon Soul he treats like a friend?

Geom Mugeuk would probably live the rest of his life blaming himself. Given his personality, he would joke about the Heavenly Demon Soul more and try to move past it, but it would remain a wound he would carry until the day he died.

He would have blocked it for Geom Mugeuk if he could, but in a flash, the light was already engulfing the Heavenly Demon Soul's face.

Struck by the light, the Heavenly Demon Soul's face shone so brightly it was no longer visible. Its face had to be melting from the enhanced qi, which was as fast as light and as powerful as lava.

The onlookers sighed in despair. Geom Mugeuk was about to lose his Heavenly Demon Soul, and the opposing Heavenly Demon Soul would become much stronger.

Just as everyone watched with heavy hearts, the brilliant light on its face began to fade, revealing the Heavenly Demon Soul's face.

It didn't melt!

What surprised them wasn't just that its face hadn't melted. Light also erupted from its eyes.

Incredibly, Geom Mugeuk's Heavenly Demon Soul had also unleashed the Ninth Technique of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art, the Supreme Demonic Soul.

VMMMMMM!

The light from Geom Mugeuk's Heavenly Demon Soul began to push back the incoming beam. Though both were light, the one from Geom Mugeuk's Heavenly Demon Soul was tinged with blue, making it easy to see the tide turn.

Supreme Demonic Soul versus Supreme Demonic Soul. Two Heavenly Demon Souls were locked in a tense power struggle, using the final technique that could melt anything on contact.

Amazingly, Geom Mugeuk's Heavenly Demon Soul was not being pushed back. Even though it had unleashed the technique at the last second, just as the light was about to touch its face, it was pushing the incoming beam away.

The Sword King and everyone else watching were astonished. What in the world happened?

Geom Mugeuk's cheer answered their question. "You can do it!"

Geom Mugeuk and Geom Woojin were now outside the Spacetime Manipulation Technique. Geom Mugeuk had perfectly mastered the Ninth Technique just before the light from Hyeok Docheon's Heavenly Demon Soul struck his own.

BOOM!

The intensely clashing light between the two Heavenly Demon Souls vanished with a loud roar. Despite being unleashed late, the Supreme Demonic Soul had blocked the attack without taking any damage. As Geom Mugeuk mastered the final technique, his Heavenly Demon Soul grew even stronger.

Geom Mugeuk looked at his Heavenly Demon Soul, who had dramatically escaped the brink of annihilation. "Thank goodness!"

The Heavenly Demon Soul glanced at Geom Mugeuk.

In its pitch-black eyes, Geom Mugeuk sensed an emotion. It was looking at him with gratitude.

Yes, his Heavenly Demon Soul possessed emotions. One could tell just by looking at Hyeok Docheon's Soul. It was just that, in most cases, they never revealed them.

Geom Mugeuk sent a telepathic message to his father. [You saved my Heavenly Demon Soul. Thank you, Father.]

Yes, it was all thanks to Geom Woojin. Who else could have taught the Ninth Technique of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art in such a short time?

Only Geom Woojin knew the truth. The only person in this murim who could enable him to take such credit was his son. No matter how good one is at teaching, the student must be able to understand.

Jin Paecheon, Baek Jagang, and everyone else watched with astonished expressions. Everyone could guess what had happened. Geom Woojin had taught Geom Mugeuk the technique his Heavenly Demon Soul had just used.

He taught him a technique of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art right here and now? And the Heavenly Demon Soul used it right away?

It was an unbelievable sight. Even those who had witnessed it firsthand found it hard to believe. No one else would.

Jin Paecheon felt a renewed sense of unease. Ever since arriving, he had been as wary of Geom Woojin as he was of the enemy. The Demonic Cult Leader had erected the Impenetrable Demonic Wall for them, only to teach the Nine Calamities Demonic Art in the middle of this chaos.

No matter how much Geom Mugeuk eased his worries, Geom Woojin always brought them right back. Jin Paecheon knew that Geom Woojin dreamed of unifying the murim.

Baek Jagang, on the other hand, thought differently. This was not an anxiety that could be resolved by worrying.

Right now, he felt a fighting spirit that made him want a proper match, and his target was the Heavenly Demon Soul.

If I were to fight that Heavenly Demon Soul, how should I fight? Could I really dodge that gaze from a moment ago?

The Nine Calamities Demonic Art and the Heavenly Demon Soul stimulated Baek Jagang not as the Evil Alliance Chairman, but as a martial artist.

Of course, the most surprised person here was Hyeok Docheon's Heavenly Demon Soul. It now understood clearly why the Heavenly Demon Soul before it was so special. It was because this Heavenly Demon Soul was created by such a special Young Cult Leader.

"The more I see of you, the more amazing you are!" it exclaimed.

It was surprising enough that Geom Mugeuk's Soul had manifested, but for a Heavenly Demon Soul that had appeared so recently to be this strong was astounding.

What if I absorbed the power of this Heavenly Demon Soul?

The thought occurred to it that it might become the strongest Heavenly Demon Soul in history.

With that power, I might even be able to absorb him. If that happens…

An unknown desire, along with demonic qi, tore through the air.

BOOM!

The two Heavenly Demon Souls clashed again. As a demonic qi more powerful than before swept through the area, the onlookers took a few more steps back.

The urgent battle between the Heavenly Demon Souls began anew.

Geom Mugeuk had no time to verbally thank Jin Paecheon and Baek Jagang. He simply bowed his head slightly.

Even in this tense situation, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader sent a telepathic message. [You used the Heavenly Space Secret Art just now, didn't you?]

[How did you know?]

Although he had learned the art from the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader, he had never told him about his achievement.

He must have recalled the Heavenly Space Secret Art after seeing me enter and exit the Spacetime Manipulation Technique.

[I knew you could do it.]

[Thank you for believing in me.]

Geom Mugeuk recalled when he first brought the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader to his side.

Strategist Go, your judgment was correct.

After becoming an ally, the Heavenly Wind Cult Leader had been an immense help, even in this final battle.

KABOOM! BOOM! KABOOOOOOOM!

Every time the two Heavenly Demon Souls moved, space distorted and the ground shattered. Each time they clashed, shockwaves swept away nearby buildings.

As if reborn with the final incantation, Geom Mugeuk's Heavenly Demon Soul did not fall behind Hyeok Docheon's. In fact, it was gradually overwhelming it in strength, speed, demonic qi, and spirit.

KABOOOM!

Struck by a powerful blow, Hyeok Docheon's Heavenly Demon Soul flew backward with an expression of disbelief.

That Young Cult Leader's understanding of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art is deeper than the Cult Leader's?¹ How can that be? It's unbelievable. No matter how talented he is, he's still so young. He even just mastered the final Ninth Technique.

The next moment, Hwa Mugi's pitch-black eyes returned to normal. He was Hwa Mugi again.

"Truly impressive," he praised.

Naturally, he had been watching the fight. While the Heavenly Demon Soul was preoccupied with its opponent, he had focused on Geom Mugeuk.

"I thought this Heavenly Demon Soul would be enough. I can't believe you pushed it back?"

His was no ordinary Heavenly Demon Soul. It was a Heavenly Demon Soul that had existed for three hundred years, borrowing the body of the Celestial Killer Star. A Heavenly Demon Soul that used not only its own techniques but all the other techniques of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art.

Geom Mugeuk grinned. "My friend takes after me, so it's one hell of a fighter."

Hwa Mugi's gaze turned to Geom Mugeuk's Heavenly Demon Soul. "It seems to have inherited your stubbornness."

"So please, convince it to go back inside."

Hwa Mugi snorted coldly. "There's no need for that. I'll make it disappear forever," he declared confidently.

His eyes turned black again, changing back into the Heavenly Demon Soul.

Geom Mugeuk tilted his head in puzzlement. It's already being pushed back by my Heavenly Demon Soul, so why call it out again?

In the next moment, however, he understood why Hwa Mugi had briefly returned.

SHHHHK!

Behind Hyeok Docheon's Heavenly Demon Soul, something enormous rose up.

It was another Heavenly Demon Soul, appearing with powerful demonic qi and an immense presence.

Not a small one, but a gigantic, real Heavenly Demon Soul.

Hyeok Docheon's Heavenly Demon Soul hadn't grown larger. Incredibly, a new Heavenly Demon Soul had descended.

"Could it be?"

The moment he saw it, Geom Mugeuk knew. Hyeok Docheon's Heavenly Demon Soul had been trapped with the other souls from the beginning, and a new Heavenly Demon Soul had been born from Hwa Mugi, who had inherited complete mastery of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art.

The Heavenly Demon Soul that had just descended was Hwa Mugi's.

Everyone looked up at Hwa Mugi's Heavenly Demon Soul, their faces shocked. It was completely different from the small-statured Heavenly Demon Soul. Its overwhelming size was like a giant stone statue, and the massive sword at its waist looked like it could destroy dozens of buildings in a single swing.

The Heavenly Demon Soul looked down on everyone with an arrogant gaze. Its eyes held a unique aura, a mixture of demonic qi and killing intent. The presence and pressure it emanated were immense and special.

The Heavenly Demon Soul of the Celestial Killer Star. The first of its kind in the history of the murim had appeared.

Hyeok Docheon's Heavenly Demon Soul broke the silence. "Your Heavenly Demon Soul is a being that should never have been able to come out. It must have known there was another Heavenly Demon Soul inside this body, not just me."

Geom Mugeuk looked at his Heavenly Demon Soul. "Did you know from the beginning? That there were two Heavenly Demon Souls over there?"

His Heavenly Demon Soul still didn't answer, merely glancing at him.

If that's true, it came out prepared to be annihilated from the start.

This was why it hadn't gone back inside, no matter how many times he ordered it to. It hadn't gone back because it knew the enemy had two Heavenly Demon Souls.

"No matter how special your Heavenly Demon Soul is, it can't win against the two of us."

SHWIIIIIIIIING!

Hwa Mugi's giant Heavenly Demon Soul swung its sword down toward Geom Mugeuk's. At the same time, Hyeok Docheon's Heavenly Demon Soul also rushed in.

Even facing the attacks of two Heavenly Demon Souls, Geom Mugeuk's Heavenly Demon Soul did not dodge. It intended to protect Geom Mugeuk, even if it meant sacrificing itself. It had overcome the first crisis, but now another had arrived.

"No! Go back!" Geom Mugeuk shouted, but the Heavenly Demon Soul did not evade.

Having no choice, he tried to enter the Spacetime Manipulation Technique with his Heavenly Demon Soul, but that wasn't the best solution. There were others left behind, and he couldn't end this fight by simply hiding.

THWANG!

With a loud clang, the giant sword swinging down from the air was blocked mid-swing.

The rushing Hyeok Docheon's Heavenly Demon Soul stopped in its tracks and looked up, its face shocked.

Geom Mugeuk looked up. Everyone watching also looked up.

Another giant sword blocked the descending one. It was yet another Heavenly Demon Soul, a fourth one! This was now the moment the most Heavenly Demon Souls had ever appeared in one place in the history of the murim.

Geom Mugeuk stared at the newcomer. This final Heavenly Demon Soul was special.

Just as his demonic spirit had a different appearance and aura when his Nine Calamities Demonic Art was at the ninth star versus the tenth star, this new Heavenly Demon Soul looked different from the others.

Its body was slightly smaller, but its presence was even greater. The flame on its chest burned larger and clearer, and the symbol of the Heavenly Demon Soul was engraved on the back of its right hand. Its body was a different color, with slightly different parts, giving it a refined appearance. However, its face and gaze were so fearsome and intense that they overwhelmed every other Heavenly Demon Soul present.

Geom Mugeuk studied it in admiration. "You must have been dying to show off. How have you held back until now?"

Finally, Geom Woojin's Heavenly Demon Soul, which had achieved twelfth star mastery, descended.

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