Absolute Regression - Chapter 835

It ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍was the first time he had seen his father’s Heavenly Demon Spirit.

“That’s ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍amazing!”

It ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍was Geom Mugeuk’s honest impression. He wanted to say the same thing to his own Heavenly Demon Spirit. You should grow to be that impressive too!

Kiiiing.

The ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍massive swords of the two Heavenly Demon Spirits pushed against each other, producing a metallic roar like thunder.

Hwa ‍​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Moogi’s Heavenly Demon Spirit emitted an aura mixed with killing intent and demonic energy, while his father’s Heavenly Demon Spirit released only pure demonic energy.

It was a situation that looked as though a bloody battle could erupt at any moment.

“Wait!”

Geom Mugeuk spoke to Hyeok Do-cheon’s Heavenly Demon Spirit.

“Before you fight, just a moment! This is a moment that will never come again in martial history, so just a moment!”

Of course, he was speaking to Hwa Moogi inside his body. After all, the only one who could command that Heavenly Demon Spirit was him.

As he accepted Geom Mugeuk’s words, the two Heavenly Demon Spirits remained standing, their swords locked against each other.

Geom Mugeuk looked again at his father’s Heavenly Demon Spirit.

“So that’s your completed form!”

A natural thought arose. He wondered how his own Heavenly Demon Spirit’s appearance would change once he reached Twelve Star Greatness.

Jin Paecheon sent a voice transmission to Baek Jagang.

—The Cult Leader has achieved Twelve Star Greatness in the Nine Calamities Demon Art.

It could be confirmed through the different form of the Heavenly Demon Spirit.

Baek Jagang, who had been staring at the Heavenly Demon Spirit, turned his gaze toward Jin Paecheon.

—We should go stand next to that Heavenly Killing Star.

Jin Paecheon did not hear Baek Jagang’s joke as a mere joke.

Still, he thought it had been worth coming here.

Although he had nearly lost his life and felt such helplessness, he had clearly learned just how powerful Geom Woojin was.

Even now, with an even greater danger standing before him, Jin Paecheon still found Geom Woojin the most concerning.

Geom Mugeuk’s gaze shifted this time to Hwa Moogi’s Heavenly Demon Spirit. That one, too, was far from ordinary.

The killing intent mixed with its demonic energy was, without exaggeration, incomparable to anything he had experienced before.

If an ordinary expert were exposed to that killing intent, they would try to kill whoever stood beside them, and if there were no one to kill, they would even harm themselves—it was that overwhelming.

Hyeok Do-cheon’s Heavenly Demon Spirit asked with a puzzled expression.

“How has another Heavenly Demon Spirit descended again?”

It was entirely possible for Hwa Moogi’s Heavenly Demon Spirit to descend even while he himself was present.

He was borrowing the body of the Heavenly Killing Star, and the two Heavenly Demon Spirits were manifesting within a single body.

He could even understand Geom Mugeuk’s Heavenly Demon Spirit descending.

Geom Mugeuk himself was an extraordinary existence.

Given that, perhaps there could be one Heavenly Demon Spirit in this world that would descend even at the cost of its own annihilation.

His gaze then turned toward the final Heavenly Demon Spirit—the one he could not understand at all.

It was Geom Mugeuk who resolved that question.

“No, even if the main character appears last, if you could summon it like this, you should’ve done it earlier.”

From his father came the answer Geom Mugeuk had expected.

“Isn’t this your fight?”

That was one reason, but there was actually another. And Geom Woojin revealed the true reason.

“I tried to summon it earlier.”

“What?”

Not only Geom Mugeuk, but everyone present was shocked.

And then the astonishing truth was revealed.

“The Heavenly Demon Spirit refused to descend.”

If it was earlier, that meant when he had fought Hyeok Do-cheon’s Heavenly Demon Spirit.

Geom Mugeuk could not understand.

His father’s Heavenly Demon Spirit did not seem like the type to be afraid of Hyeok Do-cheon’s Heavenly Demon Spirit.

Nor did it seem like it would show courtesy just because it was a predecessor from three hundred years ago.

“Then it didn’t consider the opponent a true Heavenly Demon Spirit.”

Perhaps it had seen it as a half-formed Heavenly Demon Spirit residing within a human body. After all, Hyeok Do-cheon’s Heavenly Demon Spirit was not a normal one.

In fact, the same could be said for Hwa Moogi’s Heavenly Demon Spirit. It was not a proper inheritance; rather, the Heavenly Killing Star’s body had absorbed the Nine Calamities Demon Art.

But his father thought differently.

“I don’t think that’s why it refused.”

“Then what was the reason?”

Geom Woojin’s gaze turned toward Geom Mugeuk’s Heavenly Demon Spirit.

Geom Mugeuk flinched.

“My Heavenly Demon Spirit?”

It couldn’t be because his was stronger.

“It respected yours.”

“!”

By nature, Heavenly Demon Spirits were not beings that received help from others. It was to protect that pride.

Or perhaps his own Heavenly Demon Spirit had conveyed its will—to entrust this fight to itself. Whether that was even possible, he did not know.

“Then why has it come out now?”

What followed was even more surprising.

“I asked it.”

Rather than issuing a command, his father had made a request.

“It was the first time I made a request since becoming the Cult Leader.”

Perhaps it had been the first request of his entire life. He was not someone who asked things of others.

And the Heavenly Demon Spirit had accepted that first request.

Though he had said he had never communicated with it, the Heavenly Demon Spirit must have watched over him for a long time.

Thus, it would have understood better than anyone how significant that request was.

“It’s hard to imagine you asking your Heavenly Demon Spirit for something.”

In truth, what moved Geom Mugeuk even more was not merely that his father had made a request.

What mattered was that he had told him about it.

If he had not said it, no one would have known—and yet he had personally shown it, just as Geom Mugeuk had always said, and in front of everyone.

“Thank you, Father.”

After bowing respectfully, Geom Mugeuk turned his gaze toward the Heavenly Demon Spirits confronting each other.

“There are too many Heavenly Demon Spirits here!”

At those words, all four Heavenly Demon Spirits moved at once.

The fastest to charge forward was Geom Mugeuk’s Heavenly Demon Spirit.

Kaaang! Kang!

As it had shown earlier, his Heavenly Demon Spirit overwhelmed Hyeok Do-cheon’s from the very first exchange.

It pushed forward, dominating in strength, demonic energy, and speed—

At that moment!

Watching the relentless advance, Geom Mugeuk felt a strange sense of discomfort.

“Wait! Fall back!”

He called his Heavenly Demon Spirit back. Even in an advantageous situation, it retreated at his command.

“I know how much you want to fight. But something feels off.”

Geom Mugeuk looked at Hyeok Do-cheon’s Heavenly Demon Spirit, which had been pushed back from the initial clash.

“It clearly lost to you earlier. Then why is it trying to fight again?”

At this rate, the Heavenly Demon Spirit would be annihilated and its power absorbed by you.

Of course, it might simply be stubborn due to pride.

But Hwa Moogi was inside that body. He would not so easily give up Hyeok Do-cheon’s Heavenly Demon Spirit.

‘He’s definitely plotting something.’

Geom Mugeuk reached that conclusion.

As always, carelessness arose when fear diminished—just like now, when his father’s Heavenly Demon Spirit had appeared.

He must not forget. The owner of that body was Hwa Moogi—a man destined for slaughter, one who would not be strange even if he killed everyone in the world.

Meanwhile, the other two Heavenly Demon Spirits were clashing as well.

As mountain-like figures pushed against each other, the earth screamed.

Kwaddeudeuk.

As the two exerted their strength, the ground beneath their feet shattered and caved in.

And they demonstrated that it was a misconception to think large size meant slow movement.

Swaeaeaeak.

They twisted their bodies to evade the swords thrust toward them, dodging attacks while counterattacking at the same time.

This battle was different from the earlier one.

If the fight between Geom Mugeuk and Hyeok Do-cheon’s Heavenly Demon Spirits had been one of momentum and demonic energy, this one was far more delicate.

The Heavenly Demon Spirit of the Heavenly Killing Star and the one that had reached Twelve Star Greatness in the Nine Calamities Demon Art.

They fought like humans. Their swords were swift and precise, aiming for vital points.

Seeing such movements from such massive beings only heightened the astonishment of those watching.

Geom Mugeuk’s Heavenly Demon Spirit also watched their battle without missing a single moment. Geom Mugeuk realized it.

‘It’s learning how to fight.’

Boom! Kwaang!

The clash of their massive swords sent sparks flying like fireworks in the sky.

‘This fight needs to be decided quickly.’

Summoning a Heavenly Demon Spirit did not require internal energy, but once it began fighting, it consumed an enormous amount. Even now, his father and Hwa Moogi were expending tremendous internal energy.

Chaeng!

After several direct clashes, Geom Woojin’s Heavenly Demon Spirit deflected an attack at an angle.

A tiny opening appeared.

And it did not miss it.

Shiiiiik!

With shoulders as large as fortress walls, it slammed into the opponent’s chest.

Teoong.

The impact echoed like the deep toll of a bell.

Hwa Moogi’s Heavenly Demon Spirit staggered but did not fall.

Seizing the opportunity, Geom Woojin’s sword struck its side.

Paaak!

From the wound, black demonic energy flowed instead of blood.

It was the first time Geom Mugeuk had seen it—when a Heavenly Demon Spirit was cut, it bled demonic energy.

As it rushed in to press the advantage—

Geom Woojin’s Heavenly Demon Spirit suddenly turned like lightning.

Shukshukshukshukshukshukshuk!

At some point, Hwa Moogi’s Heavenly Demon Spirit had unleashed the Seventh Form – Demon Soul Genesis from behind.

Geom Woojin’s Heavenly Demon Spirit did not block the dozens of incoming energy swords in place.

If it did, it would expose itself to Hwa Moogi’s attack from behind. It was a brilliant move—using itself as a shield while aiming for the rear.

Whooosh.

Maintaining its turning momentum, it spun once more and moved sideways. Having acted with intent from the start, it secured its position in time.

Boom boom boom boom!

It swung its sword, deflecting the incoming energy.

No attack came from behind. By shifting sideways, Hwa Moogi’s Heavenly Demon Spirit had to block its own attack instead.

At that moment—

They launched their swords at each other once more. Wrapped in demonic energy and killing intent, the two clashed again.

Though Hwa Moogi’s Heavenly Demon Spirit displayed a more threatening technique, the opponent was his father’s Heavenly Demon Spirit.

No matter how talented Hwa Moogi was, how could he match the depth of understanding his father had of the Nine Calamities Demon Art?

There was a gap that could not be overcome even with immense internal energy and killing intent.

Paaak!

Once again, Hwa Moogi’s Heavenly Demon Spirit’s thigh was cut. Demonic energy flowed from the wound.

Thud!

A fist struck its face.

Hwa Moogi could never have imagined it—his father had reached Twelve Star Greatness in the Nine Calamities Demon Art. Not even Hyeok Do-cheon, the Demonic Cult Leader from three hundred years ago, had achieved that level. In the entire history of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, those who reached it could be counted on one hand.

Of course, Hwa Moogi’s Heavenly Demon Spirit did not simply take the beating.

Puhk!

As it slid backward—

Its eyes suddenly turned pure white.

Ninth Form – Supreme Demon Soul.

A flash of light burst from its eyes.

It was not meant to kill Geom Woojin’s Heavenly Demon Spirit. The opponent would counter with the same form. The goal was to turn the battle into one of internal energy.

But Geom Woojin’s Heavenly Demon Spirit responded in an unexpected way.

Shiiiiik.

It ran—dodging the beam of light.

No matter how fast, how could one evade Supreme Demon Soul?

Jiiiiing.

As the light that sliced through the world pursued it, Geom Woojin’s Heavenly Demon Spirit ran.

Astonishingly, what it used was—

Eighth Form – Demon Soul Rapid Ascent.

Normally, it would not have been able to shake off that gaze.

But Demon Soul Rapid Ascent at the level of Twelve Star Greatness narrowly evaded the completed Supreme Demon Soul.

Whooosh.

It circled around Hwa Moogi once—

Then, as if declaring “Here!”, it reached a point and leapt into the air.

The beam from the eyes split the sky.

As if expecting even that, Geom Woojin’s Heavenly Demon Spirit twisted midair to evade it and brought its sword down as it descended.

It was a perfectly calculated move from start to finish.

Swaeaeaeak!

Puaaaak!

The sword cleaved through the opponent’s shoulder and carved down to its chest.

From the split wound, demonic energy burst forth like a waterfall, accompanied by a thick, desperate scream that seemed to rise from hell.

Chwaaaak.

The blade continued down from the shoulder to the Heavenly Demon Spirit emblem engraved on its heart.

If it cut through that as well, it would be over—

But the sword stopped.

At first, it seemed like Hwa Moogi had done something. But that was not it.

Geom Woojin’s Heavenly Demon Spirit had stopped on its own.

Suuuuk.

It withdrew the embedded sword.

Paaaak.

Demonic energy surged like blood, but not to the extent of annihilation.

Geom Woojin’s Heavenly Demon Spirit sheathed its sword.

Click.

Those watching understood.

It had no intention of completely annihilating its opponent and absorbing its power.

At that moment, Geom Mugeuk saw someone overlap with the Heavenly Demon Spirit.

His father.

‘The Heavenly Demon Spirit resembles Father.’

He was not someone who would choose to grow stronger by devouring another’s power.

It was the moment he clearly realized that a Heavenly Demon Spirit was born based on its master’s nature.

Then what about his own Heavenly Demon Spirit? It just needs to open its mouth once!

A change occurred in Hwa Moogi’s Heavenly Demon Spirit.

Sssssss.

The killing intent faded from its eyes, leaving only pure demonic energy.

Astonishingly, what filled those eyes was gratitude.

Geom Mugeuk learned something new about Heavenly Demon Spirits. If Hwa Moogi died, the Heavenly Demon Spirit would disappear as well—but that death was fundamentally different from being annihilated and having its power taken by another. The difference between vanishing forever and not.

The two Heavenly Demon Spirits looked at each other with indifferent eyes, as if they had never fought so fiercely.

Though it had lost, there was no shame or anger.

After exchanging those blunt gazes for a moment, Hwa Moogi’s Heavenly Demon Spirit vanished without a sound.

At least one thing was certain. It would never descend again in front of Geom Woojin.

As it disappeared, as if its role had ended, Geom Woojin’s Heavenly Demon Spirit also vanished after glancing once at its master.

Hyeok Do-cheon’s Heavenly Demon Spirit silently watched the scene.

Geom Mugeuk’s Heavenly Demon Spirit did the same.

At that moment, Geom Mugeuk nudged his Heavenly Demon Spirit’s side with his elbow and said,

“You must not be moved by that.”

The Heavenly Demon Spirit turned its head slightly toward him.

“If you’re ever in the same situation, you must absorb the power. Coolness is momentary, but strength is eternal! Got it? Your master is the embodiment of greed.”

With an unreadable look—whether joking or serious—Geom Mugeuk nodded.

“We still need to grow stronger.”