1 - Heavenly Demon of the Huashan Sect

Chapter 1 The Celestial Mountain Range of Singang. A mountainous expanse unsuitable for human habitation, yet through ages, a gigantic organization had nestled within. The Heavenly Demon Cult. An unparalleled sanctuary of the demonic path, claiming the top position singularly in both the Middle Kingdom and the world outside it. For centuries, they eyed the affluent Middle Kingdom with greedy aspirations... yet of late, they had turned inexplicably silent. As if they were plotting something. At the heart of the Heavenly Demon Cult lies the Eternal Demon Palace. The leadership of the cult sat with grim faces, staring at the highest seat. The throne that should rightfully be occupied by the Cult Leader. But the throne had remained vacant—for a decade. "...What do you propose we do about the position of Cult Leader?" "We can't keep it vacant indefinitely. We may have to resort to a Holy War to determine the successor." "But the former Cult Leader may still be alive." The words of the Flame Demon Lord brought a chilling silence to the gathering in the Eternal Demon Palace. All eyes wavered with unease as memories of the former Cult Leader, who abruptly abandoned the position a decade ago, surfaced in their minds. Among the numerous past Heavenly Demons, he was one of the rare few acclaimed for his martial prowess without mastering the Heavenly Demon Divine Art, a skill traditionally exclusive to the Cult Leader, yet he attained the title of Heavenly Demon. A supreme genius, not only proficient in hundreds and thousands of demonic techniques within the cult, but also deeply versed in medicine and various other scholarly pursuits. An individual adorned with countless praises. The Absolute Heavenly Demon. Tremors of fear and terror shook all those present merely at the thought. Some shook their heads, trying to cast off their fear, and then cautiously spoke. "But it's been ten years." "Y-yes, that’s true. Moreover, the Cult Leader relinquished his position and left." "Yes, but if the Cult Leader disapproves of the new leader..." Once more, the dire words of the Flame Demon Lord drained the color from their faces. In the past, just once, someone had dared to offend the Cult Leader. The result was disastrous. The powerful five families that supported the Heavenly Demon Cult had been reduced to four. Gasp! Those recalling the former Cult Leader's solitary obliteration of the Heolyun family froze in terror. The tension in the room was palpable as they exchanged frightened glances, swallowing hard. "We'll continue this discussion another time..." "Let's do that." "Y-yes, indeed." As the horrified assembly acquiesced, the strategist of the cult, Demonic Mind, let out a sigh. "Haah." A wry smile crossed his lips. "If only the Cult Leader had designated a successor..." How many times had it been now? Every annual assembly ended with the same result. Though the Absolute Heavenly Demon had vanished, they remained ensnared in his shadow. Or, one might say, shackled even more tightly. For what remains unseen invokes greater fear. 'If only I knew where he was, I might feel a bit more at ease.' Every day involved a search for the Absolute Heavenly Demon. Yet, whether he had sunk into the earth or ascended to the skies, no trace was ever found. All the while, time slipped by fruitlessly. A full decade had passed like this. "Haah—" Of late, sighs that ran deep seemed endless as Demonic Mind, cradling his aching head, muttered towards the one responsible for this predicament. "Where in the world are you, Cult Leader?" * * * A small cave nestled deep within the eternally snow-covered Celestial Mountain Range. Ever since the eternal snow began accumulating, for what seemed like eternity, this cave had never known the presence of a human or even a beast. Yet, for the last ten years, a warm light shone from within. Inside the cave was a man. His disheveled hair and beard gave him a wild appearance. His clothing, worn for an indeterminate time, hung tattered and frail, on the verge of disintegrating at the slightest touch. The man, Dokgo Guyeon, raised his hand, and a jet-black energy surged forth. His hand moved gracefully. Swish! Instantly, a massive circle was inscribed on the ground, followed by a series of mysterious patterns being etched upon it as if embroidering over it. "Dare they make me go through all this effort?" A cold breath escaped from between his lips, spreading softly around him. Despite the chill air, his voice was filled with a feverish excitement. Dokgo Guyeon was intoxicated by exhilaration. Initially, it was mere curiosity. After mastering all the demonic techniques stored within the Celestial Library, his interest finally turned towards other fields beyond martial arts. During this exploration, he recalled the incomplete grand technique scribbled at the end of the Absolute Overlord Art he had been mastering. Having mastered the Absolute Overlord Art, he believed completing it wouldn’t take long. Yet as the years passed from one to two, he painfully recognized the arrogance of his thought. The grand technique eluded him. No matter how many attempts he made. His once-unbreakable pride cracked. Not completing it was unbearable. Though promised immortality and dominion over the world by the technique did not interest him, the repeated failures sparked his determination. Thus, he handed over the cult leader's duties to anyone who was available, leaving the cult, and arrived at this place. * * * "Now, it's finally complete." Ecstasy surged through me. How long I had awaited this day. The day the grand technique would be finalized! Before dedicating myself to this grand technique, my pride knew no bounds. I could master any martial art after just a single glance, and swiftly acquire skills in medicine, formations, and even great techniques. Yet lately, that pride suffered a blow. It was because of the Immortal Sovereign Grand Technique inscribed here! "It has been a long journey." A smile spread across my face involuntarily. A single grand technique had consumed ten years of my pursuit. With its completion nearing, I could not contain the joyous laughter escaping between my lips. All that remained was to step onto the formation. Great. Savoring the impending victory, I leisurely surveyed my surroundings. After residing here for a decade, the place was bare. Only a single book and a pile of medicinal pills were present. There was no water, no clothing, no bedding. The only remarkable feature was the luminous night pearl that lit up the cave's interior. Thanks to achieving invulnerability to heat and cold, I barely felt the chill, as long as my hunger was kept at bay. “It’s been truly tedious.” I shook my head at the sight of the Yeogokdan pile. No matter my ascension to absolute mastery, bodily senses persisted. I wasn’t some transcendent being. Yet, despite its bland, astringent taste, I consumed the Yeogokdan daily. All to save time, even if just a little. Fueled by determination overshadowing hunger. But now, that too was at its end. Swish— As I resumed my halted steps. Blaze! A radiant spectrum flourished from the grand technique. ‘As expected!’ For the first time, colors enveloped me like silk, gently wrapping around me. A warm sensation tickled my skin. A grin spread across my face like a crescent moon. * * * One of the Nine Great Schools, the Huashan Sect. Though it was early morning at an hour usually bustling with training, today was exceptionally quiet. "..." "..." Within the Medical Hall, adept masters from the Huashan’s Sage Elder faction were focusing their grave gazes on a particular spot. A small bed lay in the center. The head of the Medical Hall carefully inserted acupuncture needles into the body of a pale young disciple lying there. How much time had passed? “Whew...” The head of the Medical Hall, having finally inserted all the needles, exhaled a breath long held and wiped away sweat. “It’s done now.” “Is Cheon Hwi alright now?” “Has he recovered?” “How is he?” The Taoists who had been watching in silence even held their breath, now eagerly inquired of Cheon Go, the Hall Master. “I have taken every measure possible.” Swish— Barely had the words left his lips when Hyun Ryeo, observing with bloodshot eyes and lips bitten in worry, moved. She gently held the limp hand of Cheon Hwi and cast a sorrowful gaze. Perhaps it was because this winter was particularly harsh. By the time she visited early at dawn, already unwell Cheon Hwi had collapsed and lost consciousness. “I should have hurried more...” Tears glistened in Hyun Ryeo’s eyes. The Taoists, aware of her usually rational and cold nature, felt sympathy at her tearful display. They knew well how much she cherished Cheon Hwi. “No matter how fond you are of your master, you’re still too young to follow him yet...” Her voice shaking with sorrow brought a solemn silence among them all. Cheon Hwi was the only disciple of a deceased master. Since he joined the Huashan Sect with his master, his health had always been poor; unable to learn martial arts, yet admired for his inherently upright and pure nature. While they bit their lips in grief. Twitch— Cheon Hwi’s fingers moved. “...!” Hyun Ryeo turned her head in a flash. Surprised eyes were everywhere. “Brother Elder.” Hastened by Hyun Ryeo’s words, Hyun Sang, the leader of the Huashan Sect, immediately nodded towards Cheon Go. “Is there truly no other way?” “I cannot be certain... but if we administer our sect's Purple Soul Pill, it might have some effect on a disciple who has not practiced martial arts.” His calm voice spread through the surroundings. Yet, contrary to his calm tone, what he suggested was astonishing. What is the Purple Soul Pill? Alongside Shaolin's Great Rejuvenation Pill and Wudang's Taiqing Pill, it is the renowned and exceptional elixir of the Huashan Sect, unyielding in efficacy. To give such an elixir to a young disciple who hasn’t even practiced any martial arts? Other martial artists might faint from envy. But Hyun Sang did not hesitate. Cheon Hwi was a treasure of the sect. Far more precious than the Purple Soul Pill. “We shall use it.” Cheon Go nodded, eyes alight. “Jeok Woon.” As if he had been waiting, Jeok Woon, the deputy head of the Medical Hall, entered promptly. “You called for me?” “Fetch the Purple Soul Pill.” “The Purple Soul Pill, sir?” Jeok Woon's eyes widened to their limits. Spotting the bedridden Cheon Hwi, he quickly nodded. “I'll hurry and bring it.” In no time, Jeok Woon returned holding a wooden case. Swish— The needles in Cheon Hwi were removed. Then, he slowly retrieved the Purple Soul Pill. As its rich plum fragrance spread around. “Please, please...” “We implore you.” “We will do our utmost.” Listening to their earnest voices, Cheon Go extracted a long needle. Without hesitation, he deeply inserted it into Cheon Hwi’s Baihui acupuncture point. Push! Following that, he carefully crushed the Purple Soul Pill and let it pour into Cheon Hwi's parted lips. Thus, the intertwined fates of two souls met. Deep within a profound state, Dokgo Guyeon suddenly awakened to a potent fragrance slipping down his throat. Yet, his mind still lingered in a haze. ‘The grand technique?’ The sole thought that dawned clearly. Then. “...The vital Qi... difficult...” “What to do... it’s now... end of life...” Muffled voices, as though heard from beneath deep water, filtered in. ‘Voices?’ The first feeling was perplexity. The cave where he resided was secluded deep within the Celestial Mountains, difficult for any human or beast to find. But now, voices resonated. Old, pervasive voices layered over time. For a moment, he thought of the elders of the cult. But he soon shook his head. 'Even if they managed to locate me, those old men wouldn't come here.' They found him to be an inconvenience. During his time as Cult Leader, he had ignored most of their desires out of sheer nuisance. They’d likely celebrate his disappearance. As he recalled the image of them laughing. Boom! Abruptly, his body twisted. Following, an indescribable pain ravaged him instantly. ‘What is this now!’ The sudden surge of agony made his mind reel. Since mastering the Absolute Overlord Art approximately fifty years ago, he had not felt pain. Perhaps because of that, the pain he felt now came even more powerfully than it did back then. In shock, he quickly searched for the cause. The pathways of his energy channels were so constricted that it seemed a needle would have difficulty passing through, causing his entire muscle structure to contract painfully. ‘Damn it!’ Swallowing the curses he couldn't utter out loud, he frantically began to widen his energy pathways. Crackle— Perhaps due to the forceful widening, an indescribable pain surged through him. ‘Damn! This is unbearably painful!’ Yet, he couldn't stop. To regain any movement, he first had to broaden the pathways leading to his Baihui point. Hastily implementing a temporary solution, he calmed himself to focus on the situation at hand. ‘The grand technique clearly succeeded…’ Just then, the muffled voices became clear, ringing in his ears. “Ah, Heaven itself has aided us.” “The blessings of our ancestors and the accumulated virtue of the Huashan Sect shine brightly.” ‘What? The Huashan Sect?’ He was struck by the impact akin to being hit with a massive hammer, leaving him utterly bewildered. ‘What the hell is going on now?’