Dark energy swirled like storm clouds, rising ominously.

It began with the Grand Sorcerer’s arms, spreading across his entire body in a wave of black magic. The air around him grew unnaturally dark, as if the shadows themselves were drawn to him.

Yet, the darkness emanating from the Grand Sorcerer could not extend beyond a certain distance.

Mu-hui stood, his body enveloped in a serene aura, like the twilight that balances light and dark. Even the Grand Sorcerer’s shadowy magic was absorbed by Mu-hui’s presence.

As the boundary between Mu-hui and the encroaching darkness formed in the middle of the field, both warriors leapt into action simultaneously.

A thunderous clash echoed as Mu-hui’s sword strike met the Grand Sorcerer’s dark energy, sending shockwaves that kicked up dust across the plain.

When the blade and the sorcerer’s palm collided, the Grand Sorcerer curled his fingers, gripping the sword with his thumb and forefinger as if it were clamped in steel, immobilizing it completely.

His remaining fingers pointed at Mu-hui, and as black energy erupted from their tips, Mu-hui twisted his head aside.

The air was pierced by a sudden, slicing wind.

What seemed like a single sound of tearing air was actually three overlapping bursts, each more menacing than the last.

The circular shockwave of the slicing wind grazed Mu-hui’s skin, drawing blood. Though small, the force behind it was enough to crumple a thick iron door.

The Grand Sorcerer tilted his wrist, unleashing another slicing wind, while his left hand formed a mystical gesture, aiming directly at Mu-hui.

Mu-hui vibrated his sword, freeing it from the sorcerer’s grip, and met the oncoming attack head-on.

Despite its size, the concentrated power within the slicing wind was not to be underestimated.

Each time Mu-hui cut through the wind, a heavy impact reverberated through his sword.

“As expected, he’s much stronger than the Left and Right Sorcerers.”

Unlike the Left and Right Sorcerers, who had only reached the transcendent realm, the Grand Sorcerer had ascended to the absolute realm.

While Mu-hui studied the Grand Sorcerer’s techniques, the sorcerer’s hands left a blur of afterimages in the air.

A torrent of slicing winds flew in erratic paths, followed by a massive hand-shaped force closing in from three sides.

Mu-hui’s wrist twisted in an unusual manner, his sword trembling violently. As he slashed upward and downward, a flurry of blossoms consumed the slicing winds and shattered the force.

The ground shook with the chain of collisions, and in that moment, the Grand Sorcerer appeared at Mu-hui’s side with ghostly speed, aiming a deadly strike at his eyes.

Mu-hui deflected the attack with a graceful maneuver, bending his wrist to thrust his sword toward the sorcerer’s abdomen.

The dark energy flowing from the Grand Sorcerer’s body swelled, enveloping him completely. The sword’s blade was obscured by the magic, rendering it invisible.

Mu-hui narrowed his eyes.

“Interesting.”

Though he had pierced through the sudden surge of dark energy, he felt no resistance from the sorcerer’s body. It was as if something blocked his path.

Yet, the invisible force held his sword fast, refusing to let go.

While his sword remained trapped, the Grand Sorcerer launched a direct attack at Mu-hui’s face.

Mu-hui countered with a powerful technique, channeling energy through his sword hand.

The dark energy gripping the sword loosened and dispersed.

With a resounding crash, Mu-hui retreated, eyeing the Grand Sorcerer’s still swirling dark energy.

“An unusual defensive technique.”

“It’s not just about absorbing impact like ordinary defenses.”

“Similar to the Black Cloud Technique, but perhaps a lesser form?”

At the mention of the Black Cloud Technique, the Grand Sorcerer’s fingers paused mid-motion.

“How do you know of that technique?”

The Black Cloud Technique was a derivative of the Black Smoke Technique, a foundational art of the Black Heaven Divine Art, known only to a select few.

“There’s a resemblance in other techniques as well…”

As Mu-hui murmured to himself, the Grand Sorcerer’s eyes darkened.

“He knows too much about the Black Heaven Divine Art.”

Within the Black Night Palace, only the palace lord and his master, Black Heaven, had mastered the Black Heaven Divine Art. Even the palace’s demons were unaware of its intricacies, yet Mu-hui seemed to know them intimately.

“I see. You weren’t just waiting idly. You wanted to experience the Black Heaven Divine Art firsthand.”

The young swordmaster was preparing for a future battle with Black Heaven by testing his skills against the Grand Sorcerer.

Seeing Mu-hui’s sly smile, the Grand Sorcerer asked, “Just one question. Only the palace lord and previous night lords know the Black Heaven Divine Art. How do you know so much about it?”

“Let’s just say I stumbled upon it.”

As Mu-hui gave a vague answer, dark energy seeped from the Grand Sorcerer’s fingers like smoke.

“Very well. It doesn’t matter. I’ll just kill you.”

“Grand Sorcerer, show me as many techniques as you can before you die.”

With Mu-hui’s taunt, the Grand Sorcerer’s temple throbbed with anger, and he moved first. Cloaked in dark energy, his movements were both serene and sinister.

Mu-hui, who had been watching the front, suddenly spun his upper body, swinging his sword backward. The Grand Sorcerer’s finger, aiming for Mu-hui’s neck, was narrowly deflected.

The Grand Sorcerer’s movements were deceptively predictable, yet he vanished and reappeared in his opponent’s blind spots with uncanny footwork.

Mu-hui countered with his own technique, blocking the Grand Sorcerer’s path across the plain. His sword curved sharply, filling the air with a cascade of petals and sword light.

The Grand Sorcerer squinted against the violet sword light that filled his vision.

As the sword traced its path, petals and sword shadows filled the air, and blossoms bloomed, releasing a fragrant aura.

Thickening his dark energy to withstand the onslaught, the Grand Sorcerer spread his palms, bringing them down on Mu-hui’s head.

A massive force, centered on his palms, threatened to crush Mu-hui.

Mu-hui coiled his body, using the momentum to leap upward, thrusting his sword into the descending force.

The immense pressure and strength bent the sword as if it might snap.

Mu-hui absorbed the shock through his wrist and arm, channeling his energy into the sword.

A wave of violet energy surged up the blade, straightening it with renewed vigor.

“Haap!”

As the force on his palm intensified, the Grand Sorcerer narrowed his eyes, releasing more dark energy.

Mu-hui rotated his wrist, driving his sword upward with all his might.

The sword energy rose like a pillar, entwined with sword shadows, surging upward in a series of explosive bursts.

With a crack, the sword energy pierced the center of the force, aiming for the Grand Sorcerer’s throat.

The Grand Sorcerer twisted his body, splitting the sword energy with a deft technique.

He kicked the air as if stepping on solid ground, while Mu-hui raised his elbow to block.

With a sharp crack, the two exchanged dozens of blows in midair, the force of their clash pushing them apart.

“Dark Ghost Step. Cloudy Sky Palm.”

Even as they fought, Mu-hui identified the Grand Sorcerer’s techniques, linking them to the Black Heaven Divine Art.

“It’s becoming clearer.”

As he engaged the Grand Sorcerer, the once abstract concepts of the Black Heaven Divine Art began to take shape in Mu-hui’s mind.

By tracing the Grand Sorcerer’s techniques back to their source, he could see the flaws and potential improvements in the art.

Feeling his understanding deepen, Mu-hui smiled, swinging his sword with renewed purpose.

“Just a little more!”

The blossoms of his technique pierced through the massive wall of energy, slicing through the slicing winds that targeted his vital points.

Mu-hui cut through them in a single breath, advancing toward the swirling force with a horizontal slash.

A crescent-shaped sword energy flew toward the Grand Sorcerer’s neck, forcing him to lean back.

“I’m dodging more and more.”

Noticing his sliced garment, the Grand Sorcerer’s eyes narrowed. Knowing the techniques alone couldn’t account for Mu-hui’s prowess.

Mu-hui’s sword wasn’t just finding gaps; it was growing sharper with each exchange.

“He’s using me as a whetstone to hone his blade.”

Watching Mu-hui’s evolving swordsmanship, the Grand Sorcerer was taken aback.

Meanwhile, Mu-hui shifted his position with a swift technique, aiming to drive his sword into the Grand Sorcerer’s chest.

“Khuh!”

The Grand Protector twisted his body swiftly in mid-air, simultaneously launching an evasive maneuver and a counterattack with a powerful thrust of his feet and a sweeping motion of his hands.

It was a counterstrike, but Mu Hui’s violet eyes glowed brightly, reading the trajectory with precision.

The Heartlight Sword slashed diagonally, cutting through the air like a brushstroke, while the Grand Protector’s twin palms enveloped the void in a dark miasma. The Heartlight Sword slipped through the gap.

Compared to the dense black energy, the violet sword path seemed faint. Yet, Mu Hui’s hand never faltered.

His hand, commanding the air and blooming with plum blossoms, was imbued with the technique to dismantle the Celestial Killing Formation.

The Grand Protector’s eyes widened as he watched the Heartlight Sword rise gracefully, deflecting and severing the palm techniques with ease.

“How is this possible!”

Blood gushed from the split palm of his left hand, and his right arm was cut so deeply that the bone was visible.

The Heartlight Sword pierced through, and as the Grand Protector gritted his teeth, he summoned the dark energy to envelop his entire body.

But the dozens of plum blossoms penetrated the dark energy, followed by hundreds of petals swirling around the Grand Protector.

The relentless Plum Blossom Dance seemed endless, filling the air with overlapping sword paths that blossomed into hundreds of variations.

The dark energy, which had been swallowing the sword paths, gradually thinned, revealing more of the Grand Protector’s skin.

Realizing this, the Grand Protector retreated.

Thud!

Mu Hui advanced, not missing the opportunity.

The Heartlight Sword soared upward, its violet aura honed to a razor’s edge.

The sword, imbued with violet energy, descended vertically.

The Grand Protector desperately spread his arms, scattering blood as he attempted a defensive technique. But by then, the brilliant violet light had already exploded before his eyes.

The elegant sword path of the Plum Blossom Fall tore through layers of force, slicing even the silent, deadly wind aimed at Mu Hui’s heart.

“Ugh!”

The Grand Protector coughed up blood as he stared at the Heartlight Sword piercing his chest, glaring at Mu Hui.

“It seems our sect underestimated you.”

The Grand Protector had entered Honam, sensing the movements of the Heavenly Demon Lord.

He hadn’t expected to be defeated by the Sword Saint of Mount Hua, whom he considered a mere warm-up before facing the Heavenly Demon Lord.

And to be defeated so effortlessly, without inflicting any significant injury.

The Grand Protector realized the vast gap between the information about Mu Hui circulating in the world and his actual prowess and growth.

“He is different from me. Did you think you could oppose him just by dabbling in martial arts first?”

“I’ll handle that myself.”

Mu Hui merely lifted one corner of his mouth in response to the Grand Protector’s final question.

“Thanks for the lesson.”

The Grand Protector, trying to capture Mu Hui’s face in his fading vision, realized something.

‘He’s no longer just a third-rate.’

With a furrowed brow, the Grand Protector took his last breath at Mu Hui’s smile-tinged reply.

Mu Hui withdrew the Heartlight Sword, flicking off the blood, and looked in another direction. He quickly headed to the rendezvous point where he was to meet the Plum Blossom Swordmaster.

* * *

At Dongting Lake in Hunan Province, the forces of the Martial Alliance, along with sects responding to their call for support, were gathering.

Sunju, who had come to assist with the disciples of the Zhongnan Sect, waved at Dokgo Yul, who appeared leading the Dokgo Society from the opposite side.

“Dokgo, my friend!”

“Sunju, it’s been a while.”

The two, meeting after a long time, assessed each other’s energy as they always did. Sunju blinked in surprise, noticing the significant change in Dokgo Yul.

They had always been rivals, showing similar achievements. But now, Sunju couldn’t read Dokgo Yul’s energy at all.

“Dokgo, have you had a major breakthrough?”

“I did come across a rare opportunity.”

Sunju nodded at Dokgo Yul’s confident expression.

‘If I can’t read his energy at my current level, could it be that Dokgo has broken through?’

After the Zhongnan Mountain burned, Sunju had felt lacking and had rigorously trained in seclusion, even consuming the sect’s finest elixir, the Taeul Pill, reaching the peak of his abilities.

Yet, unable to sense Dokgo Yul’s energy, Sunju instinctively knew Dokgo had transcended.

“Let’s talk as we go.”

“Let’s.”

With a light exchange of greetings, Sunju and Dokgo Yul walked side by side.

‘Mu Hui, my brother.’

‘Master.’

Both thought of the same person as they quickened their pace.

Having heard that the Mount Hua Sect had already entered Honam, they anticipated meeting soon.