The interior of the secret chamber was illuminated only by a tiny candle flame the size of a soybean, struggling feebly against the darkness.
Dust had settled thickly on the table, and from somewhere came the faint sound of a low wind.
Swish.
At the center of the chamber, a human silhouette began to slowly take shape. Its outline was vague and blurred, giving the eerie impression of a ghost materializing.
“Hmm.”
The moment a sigh escaped from the shadow, it felt as though all the air in the chamber had evaporated and an ominous aura spread outward.
Shuuuk.
At the same time, the tiny soybean-sized flame suddenly blazed with radiant light. The hazy figure gradually sharpened into the distinct form of a person and soon became an elderly man with razor-sharp eyes and a body covered in countless thread-like scars.
It was none other than the Martial Venerable.
“No more wasting time.”
For a long while, he had been searching for the hidden vaults left behind by the Baekri Clan across the martial world.
He had succeeded because, through the Wood Buddha, he had mastered the method of distinguishing the Absolute Boundary that the Baekri Clan had deployed.
The Absolute Boundary, an art capable of establishing or dividing additional spaces within real space, not only ensured that the Baekri Clan’s true headquarters would never be exposed to the world, but also served as the ultimate security measure, preventing anyone unauthorized from accessing the legacy they left behind in the martial world.
―I must find it, no matter what.
The Baekri Clan was said to have a three-hundred-year history, but in truth, it had existed since the very beginning of the martial world’s history.
Once he learned that fact, the Martial Venerable had devoted himself tirelessly to locating the secret vaults they had left behind.
―Finally.
Having at last discovered one of the Baekri Clan’s hidden vaults, the Martial Venerable could barely contain his exhilaration.
The Baekri Clan was renowned for wielding a power that transcended all known martial arts or sorcery in the martial world—something beyond even the principles of martial study.
If he could obtain that power?
Not only would he dominate the entire martial world, but ascending to the Heavenly Will Realm would no longer be a mere dream.
―There’s nothing here.
Yet inside the vault, not a single trace of the Baekri Clan’s secret techniques or true essence could be found.
All that existed was a small, pale pond floating in the center. But what filled that pond was no ordinary water.
Like the Boundary Prosperity Jade that reacted to the Hundred and Eight Stars, it manifested different colors each time a person approached.
―The secret lies in this pond.
The Martial Venerable intuited that this pond was either the key to opening the true Baekri vault hidden within this cave or perhaps the very secret art left behind by them.
Formation studies, sorcery, martial arts, poison arts, astronomy and geography, mechanisms and civil engineering…
The Martial Venerable employed every branch of knowledge scattered across the world to investigate the pond, but to no avail.
It merely changed color depending on the person, showing no other reaction.
Frustrated, the Martial Venerable even attempted to unleash his Infinite Power to shatter the cave entirely, but ultimately gave up.
Forcing it risked collapsing the cave itself.
―In the end, it comes down to a person.
After much deliberation, the Martial Venerable gathered people under various conditions and sent them inside. He even experimented with the power of the Boundary Prosperity Jade infused with the Hundred and Eight Stars’ energy… yet still, only the colors shifted.
―Could it be reacting to the bloodline of the Baekri Clan?
Though he could not discern the reason, the Baekri Clan had left behind more than just one or two secret vaults, each in different locations.
Some were sealed from the entrance by an Absolute Boundary, while others were concealed so perfectly that even the boundary itself could not be detected.
Since there was no immediate way to perfectly breach an Absolute Boundary, the only place the Martial Venerable could enter was this cave, where the boundary’s power had coincidentally weakened.
―But I can’t exactly bring a member of the Baekri bloodline here.
The Martial Venerable knew that Bu Eunseol—famous as one of the Ten Demonic Warriors of the Nangyang Pavilion—had been raised by Bu Zhanyang and carried the bloodline of Baekri Muha.
But with the man firmly in the grasp of the Demon Emperor, he could not easily touch him.
Then, by heaven’s grace, an utterly unexpected opportunity arose.
He learned that Bu Eunseol had entered the martial world to avenge Bu Zhanyang’s miserable death and that he sought the Divine Mountain Sage in order to track down the culprit.
From that day onward, the Martial Venerable began constructing a trial gate in the Blood Shaolin using the Boundary Prosperity Jade.
On the surface, it was to test both the character of the demonic practitioner Bu Eunseol and whether he possessed the Heavenly Rock Star capable of toppling the martial world. In reality, it was to confirm whether he truly carried the Baekri bloodline.
The terrifying abilities of the Baekri Clan were rooted in an extraordinarily powerful mental domain and possessed unique meridians. When subjected to spiritual attacks, they were said to emit a very distinctive energy wave.
The Martial Venerable, versed in every martial art and sorcery scattered throughout the martial world, after much thought, constructed a mechanism designed to psychologically pressure Bu Eunseol, and observed whether an energy utterly unlike ordinary martial principles emanated from his body.
―It’s somewhat ambiguous.
Certainly, Bu Eunseol possessed a qi that vibrated with a completely unfamiliar wavelength, entirely different from the energy waves produced by ordinary martial artists.
But it was not because of the Baekri bloodline.
―Is it because of the strange energy embedded within his body?
The Martial Venerable had not only reached a martial scripture on par with the Orthodox and Demonic Dual Emperors but he had also mastered the fundamental nature of qi itself, the cornerstone of righteous martial arts.
He sensed that an anomalous power had been injected into Bu Eunseol’s baihu acupoint and moreover, that it was a force so close to the perfect Primordial Qi that no external power could remove or extinguish it.
―Or is it because he has mastered a mind method that stands at the pinnacle of both righteous and demonic paths?
Bu Eunseol cultivated the ultimate mind methods of both righteous and demonic paths—paths that were completely different in nature. He was both the legitimate demonic successor of the Nangyang Pavilion and the heir of Majeon, yet he performed the kind of double-dealing acts that only life-risking double agents between righteous and demonic sides would dare.
Moreover, when the mechanism forced him to unfold his martial arts, the result was a qi so intricately tangled—like millions of threads knotted together—that it could not be clearly distinguished.
―In the end, I have no choice but to either naturally dissipate the energy in his baihu acupoint… or rapidly elevate his martial scripture so he can forcibly harmonize the various powers within him.
After much contemplation, the Martial Venerable devised a way to quickly raise Bu Eunseol’s martial level. If his martial scripture rose swiftly, he would be able to govern the mixed energies within his body and then he would be able to manifest the unique energy wave of the Baekri Clan.
That was why he frequently assigned Bu Eunseol perilous, razor-edge missions.
Even sending him to the Snow Blossom Sect… knowing Bu Eunseol had learned ice arts, he had hoped the youth would obtain the Ice Essence Snow Blossom Qi there and further organize the chaotic energies within himself.
As predicted, Bu Eunseol acquired the Ice Essence Snow Blossom Qi and requested a private meeting, claiming he would present the Ice Crystal Jade.
―Let’s take another look.
While receiving the Ice Crystal Jade, the Martial Venerable once again probed Bu Eunseol’s energy wave and internal qi.
―What is this now?
In the meantime, the energies within his body had grown even more chaotic; his condition had deteriorated to the point where it was strange that he hadn’t already exploded.
―And it can only be faintly detected when he circulates his internal energy?
Moreover, having far transcended the realm of Spirit Regulation Harmony, unless he deliberately circulated his martial arts, even the Heavenly Mirror Heart Sutra could no longer perceive the flow of his true qi.
As a result, the energy in his baihu acupoint had become completely undetectable.
―A monster.
Though the Martial Venerable could not be certain that Bu Eunseol carried the Baekri bloodline…
―If not this bastard, then who else could possibly be of the Baekri Clan?
Watching him elevate his martial scripture at an insanely rapid pace, the Martial Venerable instead became convinced that Bu Eunseol was indeed of the Baekri bloodline.
―I can wait no longer. Let’s proceed.
From that day on, the Martial Venerable waited patiently for the right moment.
Finally, he approached the intelligence network operated by Bu Eunseol and spread the rumor that a vault of the Three Families had appeared.
Much time had passed since then thus Bu Eunseol’s martial level must have risen even further.
At this point, even if he could not yet manifest the true wave of the Baekri Clan, the Martial Venerable was confident he could open the vault.
[He has begun to move.]
Lost in deep thought, the Martial Venerable’s eyes refocused at the sound of his confidant’s transmission.
“It’s about time I went.”
A faint smile curved his lips.
By now, Bu Eunseol—as Seon Woojin—had thoroughly shaken the Martial Alliance and drawn the full attention of the hidden forces lurking in its depths.
“He has served his purpose sufficiently…”
Now, all that remained was to open the Baekri vault and then quietly dispose of the boy.
***
Unmun Mountain possessed a fantastical landscape: clear waters, sheer cliffs, and bizarre peaks.
But its terrain was so rugged that it was said that fugitives evading the authorities and those fleeing mortal enemies had all gathered here and endured.
Jagged rocks thrust upward and the winding mountain paths were narrow and steep.
In the deep gorges, the roar of rushing torrents echoed loudly.
Even the sunlight pouring down could not fully penetrate the dense, shadowed forest.
Rustle.
Following the map Dam Yuyeon had given him, Bu Eunseol swiftly dashed through the forest of Unmun Mountain.
Thousands of limestone pillars and peaks were faintly shrouded in thick gray mist, creating an apocalyptic scene as though all life had perished.
“This is the place.”
Reaching the vicinity of the cliff, Bu Eunseol finally located the secretly concealed cave.
It was strange.
This was supposedly a place where treasures or purifications of the Three Families were hidden. Countless intelligence networks had already detected it, so hordes of martial artists should have swarmed here.
Yet there was not the slightest trace of martial practitioners in front of the cave.
Could it be that the entire martial world had already visited once, found nothing of note, and left?
‘They deliberately leaked the information only to my intelligence network.’
Only now did Bu Eunseol realize that a faction with an extraordinary intelligence apparatus had intentionally fed the information to the organization he controlled.
In other words, the reports of countless people coming and going were fabricated.
After spreading that rumor, they had likely disguised large numbers of their own subordinates as ordinary martial artists and sent them back and forth through this place.
‘If countless martial artists had truly passed through, there should be chaotic traces left behind.’
As if to prove his reasoning, though it was claimed that throngs of martial artists had visited, traces extended only up to the cave entrance.
Very few signs led deeper inside.
‘This is definitely not good.’
For information to have been leaked so secretly and precisely to the Death Spirit Corps’ network…
It meant that the perpetrators possessed an intelligence system and power on par with the Three Realms itself and that they had deliberately lured him here.
‘Though I was prepared for something like this anyway.’
They had spread word of a vault belonging to the Three Families.
Given the high probability that he carried the Baekri bloodline… the mere mention of the Three Families was enough to compel him to come and verify it himself.
“Strange.”
Standing at the cave entrance, Bu Eunseol felt an odd sensation.
Merely standing before the cave made it feel as though he had crossed the boundary between time and space.
The past that had passed, the present and even the yet-unarrived future seemed to flicker rapidly before his eyes.
Thud. Thud.
Bu Eunseol slowly stepped inside.
An overwhelming, majestic silence enveloped his entire body, so profound it made his ears ring.
Wooong.
As he continued deeper, a faint resonance seemed to echo from somewhere.
It was like the heartbeat of the universe, with vibrations spreading from an infinitely deep abyss.
‘What is this now?’
Strange patterns, formed over thousands of years, were etched into the cave walls. Regular motifs that seemed to symbolize something appeared to writhe as though alive the moment his gaze touched them.
Staring at them, a powerful sense of déjà vu washed over him, as though he had been here long ago.
‘It’s definitely a trap.’
The mere discovery of such a cave deep in Unmun Mountain would have been enough to draw the curiosity of countless martial artists.
Even if it held no secret of the Three Families, the cave itself could be used to execute all manner of schemes.
Yet if they had gone to such lengths merely to lure him…
‘A trap set by someone who knows me well.’
Bu Eunseol took a deep breath.
The one who summoned him here must know of his connection to the Three Families.
That alone drastically narrowed the list of possible identities.
‘Even so… I have no choice but to go in.’
Instead of stalactites, the ceiling was studded with transparent crystal-like formations that emitted a soft glow.
It was like gazing at stars in the sky. Staring at them made it seem as though faint whispers could be heard.
“In a place like this…”
Deeper inside, a small pond appeared.
Scattered points of light flickered within it, almost as if diving in would transport one to another world.
‘Is this the end?’
Bu Eunseol scanned the surroundings, but there was no further path.
This was clearly the end of the cave.
‘This makes no sense.’
To leave behind such mystical patterns and clues, create a small pond and have that be the end?
‘There must be more.’
Raising his Void Heart Command, Bu Eunseol began meticulously searching the cave once again.
Martial artists mastered various pursuit techniques and could deduce vast amounts of information from the smallest clues. His Void Heart Command allowed him to perceive traces invisible to ordinary people and intuitively sense things beyond the reach of physical sensation.
‘Nothing.’
Yet there was nothing.
No matter how much he examined and heightened his senses, the cave contained only the scenery now visible.
No other clues or traces could be found.
‘Is something blocking it?’
Bu Eunseol pondered for a moment.
In all his experience, he had failed to detect a hidden formation or mechanism only once before.
In the underground passage beneath Solitary Enlightenment Hall.
There, a mystical mechanism created by the Martial Venerable responded solely to Infinite Reverse Power.
At that time, neither the Void Heart Command nor super-senses had been of any use.
Had he not cultivated a Harmony that shared a similar vein to Infinite Reverse Power, he would never have found the escape passage.
‘Then shall I try using Harmony?’
Without hesitation, Bu Eunseol immediately drew up every ounce of power within his body.
‘Hm?’
But something strange occurred.
Normally, when unfolding Harmony, the power contained within his body would erupt all at once as though it would collapse his flesh, only to be aligned by the Prajna Great Power.
Yet here, as he raised every last bit of strength, each power manifested one by one in a wondrous manner.
First came the Ban-Geuk Method qi born of the Ban-Geuk Mind Method, followed by Wishful True Binding of the Emotion-Severing Secret.
Then the Heavenly Glacial Secret and the Yeolha Great True Energy rose in sequence, followed by the Crystal Divine Qi and Thunder Spirit Divine Qi…
They slowly unfurled.
Fortunately, all of them manifested as formless power and remained invisible.
If each had taken tangible shape, Bu Eunseol would have looked like a nine-tailed fox demon, with strands of power rippling outward from his entire body.
Ziiing.
And finally, when he attempted to unfold the Thirteen Guiding Energies of the Martial Emperor’s True Enlightenment—
Clang.
With the sound of something shattering, light began to pour from the pond.
‘It reacted to the Thirteen Guiding Energies?’
Stopping his attempt to unfold Harmony, Bu Eunseol walked back toward the pond.
But something was different.
Perhaps because of the reaction to the Thirteen Guiding Energies?
The air in the cave felt clearer than before, and somewhere a powerful current of energy could be felt.
The closer he drew to the pond, the more the flow of time seemed to differ from normal.
‘There is something in that pond.’
Approaching, he peered intently into it.
Yet once again, the light had vanished.
‘Again, the Thirteen Guiding Energies.’
Normally, the sharp whoosh of tearing air would have rung out.
But now, even unfolding the Thirteen Guiding Energies produced no sound and no keen energy trails were visible.
Chara-rang.
When he unfolded the Thirteen Guiding Energies once more, instead of scattered lights, an endless torrent of mystical radiance surged from the pond like a whirlwind.
“What is this…”
Bu Eunseol involuntarily let out a cry of astonishment.
The mystical light flowing within the pond swirled as though visually embodying the secrets of the universe itself.
Gazing entranced at the pond, Bu Eunseol reached out toward it.
Suddenly, time seemed to slow.
Though his fingers retained their form, the pond, like an abyssal void of the cosmos, made them vanish in an instant.
Some force was rejecting Bu Eunseol’s touch.
‘The Martial Emperor’s Tranquil Awakening.’
Not the Thirteen Guiding Energies.
The pond was demanding the mind method of the Martial Emperor’s True Enlightenment.
Realizing this, Bu Eunseol immediately raised the Martial Emperor’s Tranquil Awakening.
Happy memories flashed through his mind; an inexplicable sense of elation and power began to fill his entire body.
Swish.
He extended his finger toward the pond again and this time, the form did not disappear.
Ziiing.
The moment his finger touched the pond, the surrounding scenery distorted. Light and darkness merged and spiraled together.
At the same time, a new world unfolded before Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
Mountains rose, seas flowed, and all living things began to breathe.
Simultaneously, his mind entered a state capable of accepting and interpreting everything.
―That power was the Profound Divine Technique Qi, which our clan created to oppose the Soul Qi of the True Demon… divided into eleven stems.
―The Three Realms that now dominate the martial world failed to preserve all eleven intact stems…
―You, untainted by evil, must be a descendant of our clan.
The wills flowing from the pond instantly became information, pouring into his mind through his hand.
―Had you not possessed one of the eleven stems in its complete form, you would not have reacted to the Power that Encompasses All Streams and the Vast Abyss of Wise Intellect contained here.
‘Eleven.’
In that instant, one word surfaced in Bu Eunseol’s mind.
The Eight Emperors and Three Stars.
The peerless grandmasters whose martial arts four hundred years ago had brilliantly advanced the entire martial world.
‘So that’s why it reacted to the Thirteen Guiding Energies?’
In short, this pond had been created to respond only to those who possessed the complete original source of the martial arts of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars.
It was a medium through which a mysterious transcendent being could transmit their thoughts to others.
‘Does that mean the Three Realms have lost the complete martial essence of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars?’
Several of the Three Realms’ Emissaries cultivated the arts of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars, and the Returning to One Realm even sought to revive the Blood Emperor among them.
If so, then the arts they used were incomplete and their obsession with the Eight Emperors and Three Stars stemmed from a desire to reclaim that lost power?
―Originally, during the period when our clan—having sealed the True Demon—suffered grave damage to our vital energy and needed time to recover…
Listening to the voice echoing in his mind, Bu Eunseol’s eyes widened.
―We created the Three Realms to act in our stead: to protect the world and its ‘laws’ from the True Demon’s minions who wreaked havoc across the martial world.
They… created the Three Realms?’
As the flood of information poured into his mind, a flash passed through Bu Eunseol’s eyes.
The Three Realms—this deeply rooted power—had been created by his own clan to safeguard the world in their place?
