The air was crisp and carried the faint scent of pine as Lucian stood atop a towering mountain peak, gazing down at the sprawling city below. The sight was unlike anything he had ever seen—a magnificent fortress city built within a vast valley, its towering walls reinforced by ancient craftsmanship. Five distinct districts divided the city, each exuding a unique aura. Even from this distance, he could sense the pulsing life force emanating from within.
Thomas, standing beside him, furrowed his brow as he inhaled deeply. "My Lord, the air here is different. There's hardly any mana."
Lucian smirked. "No, it's not lacking in power—just a different kind. The air is thick with Qi rather than mana. This is a world governed by martial prowess, not magic." He clenched his fist, feeling the unfamiliar energy coursing through his veins. "A Murim world… Interesting. This will be a perfect opportunity to refine my body's constitution."
With a flick of his wrist, Lucian retrieved The Abyssal Chronicle Rank and let its pages turn under an unseen force. Crimson letters emerged on the parchment, glowing ominously:
Abyssal Sovereign Sword Art
Description: A supreme sword art forged in the depths of darkness, wielded only by those who transcend mortal limitations.
Lucian's lips curled into a smirk. "So, this world holds treasures worthy of my attention."
Dark mana swirled around him before shifting into a martial artist's attire—an ink-black robe with silver embroidery and a matching sash. Thomas followed suit, altering his appearance to blend in with the locals. They made their way down the mountain toward the heart of the city—Wolseong, the Moonlit Fortress.
A Dangerous Encounter in Scarlet Fang Quarter
The streets of Scarlet Fang Quarter were chaotic, filled with warriors donning dark robes, bounty hunters lurking in shadows, and mercenaries exchanging gold for contracts. Bloodstains painted the stone roads, remnants of the many conflicts that took place daily. Here, law was dictated by strength, and the weak were nothing more than prey.
Suddenly, a man burst through the crowd, running for his life. Hot on his heels were several martial artists dressed in green-black robes. Before the fleeing man could pass, Lucian stepped forward, blocking his path.
Shiiing!
A blade cut through the air with ruthless precision, separating the man's head from his shoulders in a single strike. The severed head rolled to the ground, eyes frozen in terror.
A calm voice followed. "Thank you for your assistance." The speaker was a man with a composed yet menacing demeanor, dressed in a dark robe with a silver emblem on his chest. "I am Hwang Dowon."
Lucian, unfazed, simply nodded. "It was nothing. I am Nam Gong-Woo."
Hwang scrutinized him with keen interest. "You don't seem familiar. Are you new to this city, child?" Lucian looks like a young man in his twenties.
Lucian feigned ignorance. "We are wanderers from the south, merely passing through."
Hwang sighed. "Then let me give you some advice—this region is Scarlet Fang Quarter, a lawless place where survival is a daily battle. If you value your lives, I suggest heading toward Emerald Vale, where the orthodox sects reside."
Lucian tilted his head. "So, does that mean you and your people are unorthodox?"
A chuckle escaped Hwang. "Indeed. I am a disciple of the Black Veil Society. You're currently in our territory."
Lucian saw an opportunity. "We haven't eaten in days. Could you direct us to an inn first?"
Hwang smirked. "Sure. Follow me."
The Blood Moon Den
They arrived at Blood Moon Den, a dimly lit establishment filled with dangerous-looking individuals. The scent of alcohol, roasted meat, and faint traces of blood filled the air. The moment they entered, a chilling silence fell over the room, and countless eyes filled with murderous intent locked onto Lucian and Thomas.
A waiter rushed over, bowing deeply. "Master Hwang Dowon, may I know the reason for your visit?"
"Nothing much, just here for a meal," Hwang replied nonchalantly.
The tension in the room thickened. The surrounding warriors regarded Lucian and Thomas as prey, their killing intent growing. But before anything could happen—
BANG!
Hwang slammed his palm against the table, sending a ripple of Qi through the room. "They are my guests, you jackals. If I catch anyone glaring at them again, I'll send those straight to hell."
The killing intent dissipated instantly.
Lucian smirked, taking a seat. "Tell me more about Wolseong."
Hwang leaned forward. "The official ruler of Wolseong is Baek Jin-Hwan in the eyes of the orthodox sects. But to the rest of us, the true ruler is Jin Seol-Hwan, leader of the Heavenly Demon Cult in Azure Sky District."
Lucian feigned surprise. "An unorthodox sect holds the real power?"
Before Hwang could respond, the doors burst open.
A group of warriors in crimson robes stormed inside. Leading them was Jung Seoyun, the Moonshadow Blade, his eyes burning with arrogance. "Well, well… What do we have here? A Black Veil dog bringing strays into our domain?"
Hwang's eyes flashed dangerously. "You looking for a fight, Jung Seoyun?"
Jung smirked. "Why not?" He placed his hand on his blade.
Before things could escalate, a burly man stepped between them and struck Jung on the head with a metal staff. Yang Eunhye, a veteran warrior, scowled. "Enough. If you want to fight, take it outside."
Hwang exhaled sharply. "Fine, since Elder Yang says so."
Lucian took this as his cue to leave. "Thank you for your help, Hwang. I'll be heading to Emerald Vale now."
Hwang nodded. "Good. Stay safe, kid."
Emerald Vale - Jade Serenity Pavilion
Upon arriving at Jade Serenity Pavilion, Lucian spotted young warriors in pristine white-blue robes. Their weapons rested at their waists, their posture disciplined. Overhearing their conversation, he gathered valuable information.
"Have you heard? Mount Hua's rising star, Lee Seong-min, will be participating in the Heavenly Ascent Tournament," said Ma Yuefeng, a young Wudang disciple.
Shen Qingsong, another Wudang disciple, smirked. "Yes, but we have our own prodigy—Wu Haoran. They call him the Unyielding Sword. His mastery over the Tai Chi Sword Art is unparalleled among our generation."
"The tournament will be fierce," added Tian Rongwei. "We must prove the strength of the orthodox sects. The Shaolin Temple, Kunlun Sect, and Emei Sect are also sending their strongest disciples."
Lucian listened intently as they continued their discussion.
"I heard the Heavenly Demon Sect is hosting the tournament this time. Isn't that unusual?" Ma Yuefeng asked.
Shen Qingsong nodded. "Very. The Heavenly Demon Sect has remained neutral in Murim affairs for centuries. Their leader, Grandmaster Jin Seol-Hwan, is said to possess enlightenment beyond mortal comprehension. It is rumored that their martial arts transcend even the likes of the orthodox sects."
"They say the Void Steps Technique allows them to move as if untethered by gravity," Tian Rongwei added in awe.
Ma Yuefeng frowned. "Still, despite their strength, they seldom interfere with worldly matters. For them to host the tournament... something must be amiss."
Lucian smiled slightly. The tournament, huh?
As the night deepened, Lucian sat in his room, contemplating his next move.
"Thomas, I will enter the Heavenly Ascent Tournament as a disciple of the Heavenly Demon Cult."
Thomas smirked. "Then you'll rise as their leader and rule over Wolseong."
Both of them laughed darkly.
Meanwhile, Beyond the Mortal Realm…
High above Arcadia Grand Academy of Mysticism, in a realm beyond human comprehension, the Candidate of the God of Light, Valerian, stood upon a celestial dais, his golden eyes gleaming with divine malice. Before him knelt Aethrion, his trusted enforcer, clad in dark ceremonial robes stained with the blood of countless sacrifices.
"What madness have you unleashed in my absence?" Valerian's voice was cold, laced with barely contained fury.
Aethrion smirked, unfazed by the oppressive power pressing down upon him. "A mortal has defied the celestial order. He has consumed the forbidden essence—he has surpassed the limits we set."
A dangerous silence followed. Then, Valerian's expression darkened, his aura rippling with unchecked wrath. "Then the Tenebris Heart has been corrupted."
"No," Aethrion corrected, his voice a whisper of dread. "Not corrupted—destroyed. Consumed in its entirety by a human."
The celestial chamber trembled. Ethereal flames surged around Valerian, casting shadows that twisted and shrieked in agony. He exhaled slowly, the weight of his fury shaking the astral plane itself. "A mere mortal… dares to challenge the ordained balance?"
Aethrion chuckled, a mirthless sound. "He is no longer mere. He has become something else… something unnatural but he meets his end by my hands."
Valerian's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Foolish creatures. Humans claw toward divinity, never realizing they are but insects writhing beneath the feet of gods. No matter how high they climb, they will never escape their place beneath us."
As his laughter echoed through the celestial realm, the universe itself trembled, heralding the rise of something beyond even their control…