Supreme Heavenly Flow, Eighth Form: Lament of the River.
An extreme counterattack form that unleashes an unavoidable sword strike the moment an enemy’s critical blow lands.
Boom!
Thunder roared as Kwang Yeon’s hands unleashed a force that could pierce a bronze statue, slicing through the air.
It was Coiling Zen Hand, one of Shaolin’s seventy-two supreme arts.
As it reached Bu Eunseol—
Hum.
A strange vibration erased the light around him, splitting the Coiling Zen Hand and aiming for Kwang Yeon’s chest. Spreading his energy to track the technique’s path, Bu Eunseol unleashed Lament of the River.
Swish!
But an unexpected event occurred. Kwang Yeon’s technique shifted, and a majestic force struck Bu Eunseol’s chest.
‘What?’ Bu Eunseol was genuinely shocked.
His ultimate technique to defeat Geul Wang was countered by Kwang Yeon?
The shock lasted a moment. With Beast Way, Bu Eunseol could stretch time far beyond ordinary perception.
Whoosh!
A force capable of splitting mountains struck his chest. Using Swift Beyond Shadow to evade, the force hit a tree behind him.
Crush.
The tree turned to dust, scattering.
Arhat Divine Fist.
Shaolin’s long-lost supreme fist art, revived by Kwang Yeon.
‘He changed techniques mid-move.’ Sensing Bu Eunseol’s momentum, Kwang Yeon switched from Coiling Zen Hand to Arhat Divine Fist, using the principle of compensating weakness with strength, as Seong Ryun had.
Swish.
Kwang Yeon’s assault continued, a ghostly force enveloping Bu Eunseol. Soft as a breeze but capable of shattering bones upon impact.
“Amitabha,” Kwang Yeon said, watching Bu Eunseol dodge frantically. “The end of this fight is near.”
A victorious smile played on his lips. Predicting a fierce counterattack, he switched techniques to unleash Shaolin’s supreme fist art.
Boom!
Another strike grazed a rock, turning it to dust. Shaolin’s arts suppressed killing intent, aiming to incapacitate, but Arhat Divine Fist’s power could kill instantly.
Thwong.
As the assault continued, Bu Eunseol sank to the ground, then sprang up like a spring. He soared, scattering dozens of shadows, evading the invisible Arhat Divine Fist.
“Beast Way?” Kwang Yeon exclaimed.
Why was Beast Way, a technique requiring life-risking training, a foundational Nangyang art? Because Nangyang’s techniques evolved through real combat insights, and dying rendered it meaningless.
Bu Eunseol fully utilized this survival-driven art.
Flash!
The fist force completely blocked his retreat. This Buddhist art, like the Commanding Blood Spear, sustained power in the air for long periods.
“This is the end!” Kwang Yeon declared, stacking dozens of fist forces to crash down on Bu Eunseol.
Instead of targeting vulnerabilities, he aimed to immobilize with overwhelming force.
‘Combining dozens of forces into one…’ Seeing the stacked Arhat Divine Fist, Bu Eunseol’s eyes gleamed.
Techniques connect movements into a single outcome. Whether shifting midway or branching endlessly, only one strikes the body.
‘I see.’ In this critical moment, enlightenment struck, and faint light radiated from Bu Eunseol.
His black sword unleashed a stream of light.
Swish!
The black light points enveloped the descending Arhat Divine Fist. A miraculous phenomenon occurred: the fist force returned to Kwang Yeon.
“How?” Kwang Yeon couldn’t believe it.
It was as if he’d thrown a stone at a bird, only for it to return and strike his face.
“Ugh.” Startled, Kwang Yeon used Coiling Zen Hand and Prajna Great Strength to deflect the returning force.
Boom! Rumble!
Thunder roared as his body was pushed back, his sleeves turning to dust.
Flash!
Seizing the moment, Bu Eunseol’s sword struck Kwang Yeon’s side.
“Hah!” Unable to dodge, Kwang Yeon roared, activating Diamond Indestructible Body Divine Skill.
Bang!
Struck in the side, Kwang Yeon crashed into a rock ten paces away, falling ungracefully.
“Urgh.” He spat blood, kneeling on one knee.
The Diamond Indestructible Body saved him from being cleaved in half, but it couldn’t block the sword’s immense force.
“How…” Before he could recover, Bu Eunseol’s sword slashed at his throat. “Ugh.”
Kwang Yeon swiftly rolled back, evading with Nayuta Staff, saving his life. But Bu Eunseol’s Swift Beyond Shadow was faster.
Clank.
A sword awaited Kwang Yeon’s throat as he sprang up.
Trickle. Blood dripped as the blade grazed his skin.
“To turn back Shaolin’s supreme fist art…” Kwang Yeon said, gazing at the blood with a hollow expression. “This monk has lost.”
He had been confident of victory, but Bu Eunseol triumphed completely.
“Your ability knows no bounds,” Kwang Yeon said, his eyes filled with admiration. “To create a new technique in a desperate moment.”
Bu Eunseol hadn’t given up, evolving his martial arts mid-battle to secure victory—an unexpected growth for both.
“Shaolin’s arts have their limits,” Bu Eunseol said quietly. “If you’d aimed to kill with that fist, you wouldn’t have lost so badly.”
Had Kwang Yeon struck with lethal intent, he might not have been defeated so easily. But he only sought to subdue by stacking forces.
“Shaolin’s arts aren’t for killing but for refining body and mind to deepen Buddhist practice,” Kwang Yeon said, smiling despite facing death. “How could a Buddhist disciple cling to victory with killing moves?”
“I see,” Bu Eunseol said, gazing coldly at him.
This wasn’t a mere contest. Had Kwang Yeon won, he would have crippled Bu Eunseol’s martial arts without hesitation.
Now victorious, Bu Eunseol intended to deliver death.
“Amitabha,” Kwang Yeon said, closing his eyes and clasping his hands, ready to face death fearlessly.
As Bu Eunseol’s sword moved to pierce his throat—
Boom!
A sound like a cascading waterfall erupted, and a mountain-like palm force surged toward Bu Eunseol. Thirty-two hand shadows, sharp enough to pierce steel, targeted him.
If he didn’t evade, they would riddle his body.
Crackle.
But an unexpected event unfolded. Bu Eunseol’s form blurred, and the palm forces passed through him. He used Swift Beyond Shadow, shifting through ninety-nine directions in the air.
Rustle.
Eighteen monks in red robes descended from the sky.
“Amitabha,” the lead monk said, sighing as he looked at Bu Eunseol. “Your martial arts and movement skills are extraordinary.” Despite eighteen hands unleashing palm forces, Bu Eunseol still held his sword to Kwang Yeon’s throat.
The monk sighed again, shaking his head. “Such a prodigy, fallen to the demonic path…”
“Who are you?” Bu Eunseol asked.
The monk met his gaze solemnly. “This humble monk is Kong Myeong, leader of the Eighteen Arhats.”
Shaolin’s warrior monks, who handled major martial world affairs, had appeared before Bu Eunseol.
“I see,” Bu Eunseol said, realizing the Beggar Sect had set Kwang Yeon as bait and prepared the Eighteen Arhats as a backup. “When did Shaolin become the Beggar Sect’s lackey?” he asked.
“Don’t misunderstand,” Kong Myeong said calmly. “Shaolin’s orders weren’t to kill you but to secretly protect Kwang Yeon, who ventured into the martial world.”
“How compassionate of Shaolin,” Bu Eunseol said with a cold laugh. “Mobilizing the famed Eighteen Arhats to protect a minor monk…”
“That’s our concern, not for outsiders,” Kong Myeong said, his eyes solemn. “Release Kwang Yeon, and we won’t pursue you further.”
“Pursue?” Bu Eunseol laughed incredulously. “What crime have I committed against Shaolin?”
“Kwang Yeon, whom you threaten, is our disciple.”
“So Shaolin’s disciples are untouchable, but demonic disciples are fair game?”
“The fight is over. That’s enough.”
“I don’t care about victory or defeat,” Bu Eunseol said, his eyes glinting coldly. “He tried to cripple my martial arts.”
“So you must take his life?” Kong Myeong asked.
“When someone tries to ruin another, shouldn’t they be prepared for the same?” Bu Eunseol replied.
Kwang Yeon, kneeling silently, spoke. “Benefactor Bu is right. I aimed to cripple his martial arts, so I have no complaints if he kills me.”
“Kwang Yeon, stay out of this,” Kong Myeong rebuked, turning to Bu Eunseol. “Will you kill him no matter what?”
“Yes,” Bu Eunseol said.
“Your demonic nature runs deep,” Kong Myeong said, his eyes blazing with righteous light. “Don’t resent this monk for what you’ve chosen.”
Hum.
Bu Eunseol’s vision blurred. Majestic energy poured from the Eighteen Arhats, binding him instantly.
‘If you encounter the Eighteen Arhats in the martial world, keep at least ten paces away.’
A memory of Yi Geom, a senior from the Heaven and Earth Severing Sect, flashed in Bu Eunseol’s mind.
‘Demonic practitioners fear their Eighteen Arhats Formation, but the truly terrifying technique is something else.’
‘What is it?’
‘The Heart-Striking Bell.’
Bu Eunseol had tilted his head, and Yi Geom continued gravely, ‘A secret Shaolin technique that unleashes immense inner energy to shatter meridians. You can’t sense it coming, and once caught, you can’t escape until your meridians burst.’
‘This is the Heart-Striking Bell.’ Bu Eunseol’s vision darkened under the overwhelming energy.
A single Shaolin master’s use of this technique was hard to counter, but eighteen elite warrior monks unleashing it together?
Even a great immortal would struggle to escape.
Crack.
Immense pressure caused Bu Eunseol’s bones to creak. Despite over four jiazi of inner energy, blocking the combined force of the Eighteen Arhats was impossible.
Snap.
Thick veins bulged on his face.
If this continued, his meridians would shatter under the Heart-Striking Bell.
‘But it’s not an inescapable technique.’
‘What do you mean?’ Yi Geom’s voice echoed in his mind.
‘You’re alive, aren’t you?’
‘How did you know I escaped the Heart-Striking Bell? I never told anyone.’
‘Your eyes were full of pride when you spoke of it.’
‘Haha! You’re sharp. The technique is…’
Whoosh.
A gentle breeze blew, and millions of light points rose from Bu Eunseol’s feet. Blood-red and golden light gleamed simultaneously in his eyes.
Hiss.
A miraculous event unfolded.
The Eighteen Arhats, unleashing the Heart-Striking Bell, were pushed back.
