Chapter 207

The Twelve Beast Kings retaliated against the brilliant golden Thunderbolt Swords cascading from the heavens. Their colossal vajra qi ascended into the sky, colliding with the one thousand Thunderbolt Swords. The space, unable to withstand the clash of such formidable forces, appeared significantly distorted, with fragments of vajra qi swirling like a storm in all directions amidst a resounding thunderous roar.

Martial arts masters from the Loyal Heart Alliance and the Southern Sky Branch swiftly maneuvered to evade the repercussions of the intense clash. Fragments of vajra qi scattered in all directions, completely upheaving the area within a fifty-foot radius.

Simultaneously, the golden Thunderbolt Swords penetrated the vast vajra qi unleashed by the Beast Kings, descending towards them. Rather than attempting to block, the Beast Kings promptly dispersed in all directions. Over three hundred Thunderbolt Swords struck the ground, leaving utter devastation in their wake and triggering a thunderstorm in the surrounding area.

Evasively dodging the Thunderbolt Swords, the Beast Kings swiftly sought out Baek Mu-Gun. In no time, Mu-Gun positioned himself in front of the martial arts masters from the Loyal Heart Alliance and the Southern Sky Branch. The Beast Kings surged toward him in unison. Without hesitation, Mu-Gun activated the Hundred Golden Lightning Wheel Wave.

Mu-Gun appeared enshrouded in a golden wheel, from which a hundred Thunderbolt Swords shot toward the Beast Kings. Once more, the Beast Kings unleashed an immense wave of vajra qi to intercept the Thunderbolt Swords hurtling towards them like lightning.

Mu-Gun's onslaught collided with the Beast Kings' attacks, giving rise to fragments of vajra qi and shockwaves that inundated both sides. Mu-Gun quickly retreated to evade the ensuing shockwave. Meanwhile, the others activated their protective vajra qi, enduring the fragments and shockwaves, before launching another counterattack.

Mu-Gun, opting not to directly confront their attacks, activated the Thunder God's Aerial Steps, soaring into the air much like before. However, the Beast Kings weren't fools. They had anticipated Mu-Gun's likely response and promptly adjusted the trajectory of their vajra qi towards him.

In response, Mu-Gun remained composed and persisted in utilizing the Thunder God's Aerial Steps, executing a sharp turn to the side. The attacks unleashed by the Beast Kings sailed past him, exploding somewhere above. The ensuing shockwave surged towards Mu-Gun.

Once more, Mu-Gun employed the Thunder Gods Aerial Steps to maneuver beyond the shockwave's reach. The Beast Kings gazed in bewilderment as Mu-Gun effortlessly changed direction in mid-air.

Surround and attack him!

Violent Tiger King Jeon Hwek sensed that surrounding Mu-Gun was the most effective strategy to impede him. Believing that encircling Mu-Gun and launching attacks from all directions would leave him with no escape, the other Beast Kings followed his instructions and formed a circle around Mu-Gun.

Observing their strategic move, Mu-Gun smiled with satisfaction. If the Beast Kings were clustered together, they would be challenging to approach. However, with them now dispersed, Mu-Gun saw an opportunity to pick them off one by one.

Despite the Beast Kings exhibiting power equivalent to the Supreme Realm courtesy of the Soul-Burning Invincibility Pill, they were not genuine Supreme Realm masters. Their ability to contend with Mu-Gun's attacks stemmed from concentrating their power in a specific area. Now, in their bid to eliminate him, they had relinquished that advantageous focus.

Seizing the opportunity, Mu-Gun countered with the Hundred Golden Lightning Wheel Wave against the Beast Kings' assaults. A golden wheel of lightning materialized around him, intercepting and diverting the Beast Kings' attacks away from Mu-Gun. The wheel then morphed into a hundred Thunderbolt Swords, shooting in all directions. The Beast Kings, preparing a follow-up attack, hastily blocked the Thunderbolt Swords, but the impact still forced them backward.

Closing the distance swiftly, Mu-Gun thrust his sword towards one of the Beast Kings. Golden thunder discharged from his sword, coalescing into five strands of sword energy that surged toward the targeted Beast King. It was the Five Lightning Volley [1], the second technique of the Heavenly Descent Thunder God Sword Art.

Black Leopard King Meng Dal hastily swung his scimitars to intercept the oncoming Thunderbolt Swords. Sharp waves of vajra qi emanated from the crescent moon-shaped blades, attempting to block the Thunderbolt Swords. However, the hastily unleashed vajra qi proved insufficient to withstand the force of the Thunderbolt Swords, shattering it and piercing into the torso of the Black Leopard King.

Kuhkk!

Meng Dal crumpled, enveloped in golden lightning. Witnessing his demise, the remaining Beast Kings, fueled by anger, charged at Mu-Gun in unison. Their formation was already in disarray. Positioned at the edge of the formation, Mu-Gun seized the Flying Golden Shield and hurled it forward. The shield soared in a straight line, spinning violently and emanating golden Thunder God qi in all directions.

Halting their charge abruptly, the remaining Beast Kings hastily blocked the Thunder God qi emanating from the shield. Seizing the opportunity, Mu-Gun swiftly thrust his sword and fist at the two closest Beast Kings.

Thunder God Qi materialized from both the sword in his right hand and his bare left hand, unleashing ten Thunderbolt Swords each. The ten Thunderbolt Swords summoned a tornado of lightning enveloping the two Beast Kings. It was the third technique of the Heavenly Descent Thunder God Sword Art, the Ten Thunderous Tornado Strikes.

The two Beast Kings found themselves ensnared and assailed by the Ten Thunderous Tornado Strikes. Their bodies, torn apart, crumpled to the ground.

The expressions of the remaining Twelve Beast Kingsnow reduced to Ninestiffened in disbelief. They had believed that, empowered by the Soul-Burning Invincibility Pill, they could contend with the Thunder God's successor.

Regrettably, having now witnessed Mu-Gun's strength, they recognized it as a miscalculation. No, it was more than thatit was arrogance. The barrier known as the Thunder God's successor proved insurmountable for them. Despite this realization, they couldn't halt their efforts; the inevitable end loomed once the effect of the Soul-Burning Invincibility Pill subsided. Faced with that certainty, they had no alternative but to fight until the bitter end.

Everyone, were fighting to the death! yelled the Violent Tiger King Jeon Hwek.

The other eight Beast Kings nodded, determination etched across their faces. Subsequently, they charged at Mu-Gun simultaneously with unwavering resolve. However, Mu-Gun harbored no inclination to engage in battle at this moment. It wasn't out of fear for their fervent determination; rather, his internal energy was depleted to the extent that continuing the confrontation was no longer feasible.

Mu-Gun ascended into the air to evade the Beast Kings' assaults. Subsequently, he triggered the Thunder God's Shadow, leaping over them and veering in the direction where the martial arts masters of the Loyal Heart Alliance and the Southern Sky Branch had fled.

Go after him! Jeon Hwek cried out in anger.

They immediately pursued him, a sense of urgency gnawing at them as the effect of the Soul-Burning Invincibility Pill neared its conclusion. Even if their fate was sealed, they desired to meet their end in combat against Mu-Gun. However, the current pursuit hinted at the possibility of their demise resulting from the pill's effects waning while chasing Mu-Gun's trail. Such a meaningless end was not their preference.

They activated their movement arts and tried their best to catch up with Mu-Gun. Unfortunately, the more they struggled, the faster the effect of the pill burned out.

In the end, they succumbed not too long after. The Beast King with the weakest martial prowess, Blood Wolf King Go Jong-Il, collapsed to the ground first, succumbing to the agonizing pain coursing through his body. Subsequently, the remaining Beast Kings also perished one after another as the pill's effect dissipated.

Their swift demise was a consequence of exerting all their might to contend with Mu-Gun. Even though they were not Supreme Realm masters, they were aggressively attacking to deal with one, rapidly depleting their Innate True Qi. The last man standing, the Violent Tiger King Jeon Hwek, looked despondent witnessing the futile deaths of his comrades.

I should not have followed the Nine Celestial Demons Sect in the first place.

Jeon Hwek wished he could turn back time. Yet, even if they had not aligned with the Nine Celestial Demons Sect back then, the outcome likely wouldn't have differed significantly. If the Sky Beast Palace had refrained from following them, they wouldnt have been spared by the Nine Celestial Demons Sect. Ultimately, it all boiled down to their insufficient strength. It was a matter of survival of the fittest, an unchanging rule in murim.

Urgh.

Jeon Hwek groaned in response to the pain emanating from his

dantian

. Swiftly, the pain diffused throughout his body, and he succumbed to unconsciousness, never to awaken again.

With Jeon Hwek's demise, the Twelve Beast Kings vanished. While over two thousand members of the Sky Beast Palace remained, the death of the Twelve Beast Kings, along with the Thirty-Six Beasts under their command, rendered the Sky Beast Palace virtually destroyed. While it was conceivable that the Palace could be revived later with the remaining two thousand members, their immediate threat had dissipated.

On the other hand, Mu-Gun discerned that the Beast Kings had ceased their pursuit at some point. Suspecting that something had transpired, he retraced his steps and scrutinized the scene. There, he verified that the Nine Beast Kings had collapsed and perished, resembling dried-up rice paddies in the desert.

Mu-Gun was not surprised by their appearance, for he was well acquainted with the aftermath of the Soul-Burning Invincibility Pill. What mattered was that the threat of the Sky Beast Palace had ended. However, it was not over yet. The three factions of the Nine Celestial Demons Sect still remained.

While grappling with the Sky Beast Palace, it was likely that the Nine Celestial Demons Sect had managed to escape to a considerable distance. In the interim, Mu-Gun needed to rendezvous with the martial arts masters from the Loyal Heart Alliance and the Southern Sky Branch.

Mu-Gun retrieved the flares from his pockets and launched them into the sky. If the martial arts masters from the Loyal Heart Alliance and the Southern Sky Branch spotted the flares, they would cease their flight and promptly converge on his location.

Approximately thirty minutes later, the martial arts masters from the Loyal Heart Alliance and the Southern Sky Branch reached Mu-Gun's location. They frowned when they saw the Beast Kings shriveled up on the ground.

What a group of atrocious people.

Thinking about how spiteful the Beast Kings had to be to give up their lives and use the Soul-Burning Invincibility Pill, Zhuge Bo clicked his tongue.

By the way, it seems like the effect of the Soul-Burning Invincibility Pill is heavy since it allows Absolute Realm masters to display Supreme Realm prowess, said the Wudang Sects Patriarch, Supreme Elder Hyun Cheon.

Indeed. Theyre able to display Supreme Realm prowess up until they exhaust their Innate True Qi. If the Nine Celestial Demons Sect have more Soul-Burning Invincibility Pills, they will become a great threat in the future. The Great Namgung Familys Patriarch, Namgung Jo, also expressed his concerns.

But something feels out of place. If the Nine Celestial Demons Sect have their hands on the Soul-Burning Invincibility Pills, why did they run away? If they had waited until the Forbidden Soul Destroyer Array was lifted and used the Soul-Burning Invincibility Pills, they would have had a good chance of winning.

It must be because of Young Master Baek, said Ximen Guang, the Great Ximen Familys Patriarch.

What do you mean? asked Zhuge Bo.

Young Master Baek assassinated one of the three Divine Demons. The other Divine Demons are definitely concerned about him, since aside from them, he may assassinate Absolute Realm masters too.

That makes sense.

Although it is late, I would like to express my gratitude to you, Young Master Baek. If it wasnt for you, it would have been difficult for us to stop the attacks of the Nine Celestial Demons Sect and the Sky Beast Palace.

Dont mention it, Mu-Gun said nonchalantly.

No, if it werent for you, we would have been the ones dead instead of them. You basically saved all our lives, Young Master Baek. So, of course we should be grateful. Thank you. The Guangdong Jin Familys patriarch, Jin Mu-Wei, bowed his head to express his gratitude.

It is as Patriarch Jin said. Thanks to you, we were all able to keep our lives. Thank you. Following Mu-Wei, Namgung Jo, Ximen Huang, and Supreme Elder Hyun Cheon also thanked Mu-Gun.

By the way, what should we do now? Ximen Guang asked Zhuge Bo.

Is there anything else you are thinking about? Zhuge Bo didnt answer and instead asked Mu-Gun.

I think it is better to continue tracking them with our Absolute Realm masters only, as originally planned.

It feels like the distance between us and the enemies is too great. Also, there are still members of the Sky Beast Palace left.

As you said, the distance must have grown quite a bit. However, we will be able to catch up quickly if only the Absolute Realm masters from our side will move. Also, we just have to make a detour so we dont encounter the Sky Beast Palaces members.

Encountering the Sky Beast Palace posed no threat, given their formidable group of thirty-nine Absolute Realm masters. Even with over two thousand members on the other side, the numerical advantage held no weight. However, engaging in a conflict with these individuals would consume valuable time, allowing the Nine Celestial Demons Sect to distance themselves further. To expedite matters, avoiding a confrontation with the Sky Beast Palace was the more prudent choice.

Then, they will run into the Southern Sky Branchs forces following us from behind. I am not sure if that will be fine. Ximen Guang revealed his concerns.

The Sky Beast Palaces members will most likely lose their fighting spirit and retreat if they confirm that the Beast Kings and the other martial arts masters are all dead. Even if they fight with the Southern Sky Branchs forces, they will be able to overwhelm the enemy in terms of both numbers and skills.

Thats true, most of the Sky Beast Palaces masters have died, so I dont think there will be much damage even if our forces fight them. Ximen Huang agreed with Mu-Guns opinion.

Then, should we give chase right away? Namgung Jo asked.

I think it would be good to recover our internal energy before doing that, Mu-Gun said.

Then, lets move after recovering our internal energy.

Mu-Gun and the martial arts masters from the Loyal Heart Alliance and the Southern Sky Branch found themselves nearing their internal energy limits as they had been constantly on the move. To effectively pursue the forces of the Nine Celestial Demons Sect, they needed to replenish their internal energy first. Consequently, Mu-Gun and the thirty-nine Absolute Realm masters divided into two groups, taking turns to circulate their qi.

Upon restoring their internal energy, they immediately commenced the task of tracking down the three factions of the Nine Celestial Demons Sect.

1. This was previously called the Five Thunder Sword Battery Cannon.