Chương 257: Heavenly Tribulation (9)

Entrance to the Devil Realm.

A dull red glow flies towards that place.

Within the glow, Jeon Myeong-hoon, clad in golden robes, appears.

Shortly after, following Jeon Myeong-hoon, cultivators in golden robes at the Nascent Soul stage or the Heavenly Being stage successively appear.

The Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect's Seo Eun-hyun pursuit team, comprising of 22 Heavenly Being stage grand elders, 40 Nascent Soul stage elders, and including Jeon Myeong-hoon, a total of 63 individuals, reach the entrance to the dimensional gate of the True Devil Realm.

A moment later, 672 cultivators wearing dark blue long robes land one after another behind them.

Two Four-Axis stage cultivators, 203 Heavenly Being stage cultivators, 467 Nascent Soul stage cultivators.

All are members equivalent to envoys of Penglai Palace, and all 17 children of Penglai Palace Lord, Hon Won, are in attendance.

Following them, another group of cultivators appear.

They are each dressed in different-colored robes.

Thirteen Nascent Soul stage cultivators, 23 Heavenly Being stage cultivators, and one Four-Axis stage cultivator. A total of 37 cultivators.

Jeon Myeong-hoon, looking at the gathered cultivators, speaks.

"It seems everyone has gathered. The Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, Penglai Palace, and..."

Jeon Myeong-hoon's gaze moves to the group of 37 cultivators.

"... mercenaries as well. This is the entirety of the Seo Eun-hyun Punitive Force."

Jeon Myeong-hoon steps forward and continues,

"First of all, I would like to express my deep gratitude to everyone for taking the time to catch the traitor of our sect."

He goes on,

"Of course, I understand some of you are here for the huge bounty offered by Penglai Palace, not out of pure goodwill... Nonetheless, the fact that you are here to capture the villain of our sect remains unchanged. I especially want to express my gratitude to the Penglai Palace Lord for not sparing any support in capturing this villain."

Jeon Myeong-hoon bows his head to Hon Ryang, the 1st Law Enforcer of Penglai Palace, Hon Won's firstborn, and an early Four-Axis stage cultivator.

"I will convey your sentiments to the Palace Lord."

"Yes. Before we subdue Seo Eun-hyun, our sect's traitor, I will distribute information regarding Seo Eun-hyun to you all."

Jeon Myeong-hoon takes out a storage scroll, from which he extracts dozens of jade slips.

Whoosh!

The jade slips fly from his hand into the grasp of the cultivators gathered here.

"Over the past 5 years, our Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect's pursuit team has been investigating Seo Eun-hyun and his abilities."

Jeon Myeong-hoon recalls the past 5 years.

His former fellow disciple, Seo Eun-hyun, had openly shown signs of being around the 'Mad Lord' during the last five years.

Especially, there were numerous accounts of seeing Seo Eun-hyun in the Mad Lord's Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, and tales of Seo Eun-hyun using his unique curse spells there prompted the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect to investigate the Mad Lord's movements.

In the process, they were able to learn about the power Seo Eun-hyun had hidden from the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.

One of the mercenary cultivators who received the jade slip chuckles.

"Are we supposed to believe this? He practices Lightning Path Methods, puppetry, curse spells, Heaven and Earth Dual Cultivation, can use devilish arts, is proficient in poison, and even has a demon beast with him?"

"Yes. According to our investigation, he is such a person, and there's even a possibility he's hiding something more."

"His power is... Four-Axis level? Wasn't he said to be at the Nascent Soul stage? Is this credible?"

As doubts about Seo Eun-hyun's power arise, Hon Wei from Penglai Palace steps forward.

"I, Hon Wei, the 7th Law Enforcer of Penglai Palace, have personally experienced it. He is a sword cultivator who has mastered the methods of Heaven and Earth Dual Cultivation and he managed to subdue me even after taking a direct hit from the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique, without even using the other powers listed in this jade slip. We must assume his power is at least at the Four-Axis stage.

Moreover, as the greatest genius of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect who reached the Nascent Soul stage in less than a hundred years, we cannot rule out the possibility that he has risen to the Heavenly Being stage by now."

"Hmm, a monster indeed. Putting everything else aside, he was at the Nascent Soul stage and managed to subdue a cultivator of the Heavenly Being stage who executed the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique directly? Insane."

The highest-ranking cultivator among the mercenaries, the Four-Axis stage cultivator, Wei Li, clicked his tongue.

"Yes, and his knowledge of formations and basic techniques is profound enough that it's clear he has reached his realm through Understanding before Breakthrough, yet he can also fight in a manner that suggests Understanding after Breakthrough."

"Heh, this is going to be an interesting hunt."

Hon Cheon, the 2nd Law Enforcer of Penglai Palace and a Four-Axis stage cultivator, licks his lips.

Jeon Myeong-hoon, watching them, says,

"Initially, we planned to collaborate with the Human Race Army to confront Seo Eun-hyun, who is currently holding off the forces of the human race in the Devil Realm..."

He slightly furrows his brows.

"However, for some reason, the Human Race Army is only willing to support us with a single 1000-man team, which practically leaves us to take down that guy on our own."

"Ha, a 1000-man team means one Heavenly Being stage cultivator and ten Nascent Soul stage cultivators? Almost a negligible force."

"That's right. Essentially, the real power of this Seo Eun-hyun Punitive Force lies in everyone gathered here.

And, as I explained earlier, the sect traitor Seo Eun-hyun is such a formidable opponent. Therefore, before we proceed to subdue Seo Eun-hyun, I suggest we appoint a commander to lead the punitive force, if that's alright?"

Upon Jeon Myeong-hoon's words, Wei Li, the Four-Axis stage cultivator from the mercenary group, and Hon Ryang and Hon Cheon, the 1st and 2nd Law Enforcers of Penglai Palace, step forward.

"Then we let's decide on a commander among us."

"You speak the truth, brother. Well, truthfully, we just need to decide among ourselves, the 1st and 2nd Law Enforcers of Penglai Palace, right?"

Hon Cheon glanced at Wei Li, snickers, and crosses his arms.

Wei Li sneers back and says,

"Young masters who know nothing of the world's terrors leading the punitive force? That won't do. How could young masters, who have never faced a real life-or-death situation, lead us?"

"Haha, to dare to stand equal with the Law Enforcers of the great Penglai Palace without having even formed an Axis, don't you think that's absurd?"

Hon Ryang dismisses Wei Li with a bold smile, and sparks seem to fly between Wei Li, Hon Ryang, and Hon Cheon.

After stepping back a bit, Wei Li speaks.

"Well, then. If the two Law Enforcers take command, which of you will lead?"

At that, Hon Ryang smiles benignly and says,

"Hon Cheon, I think such a heavy responsibility should be placed on this older brother. I fear you're too young and might mess things up."

"What are you saying, brother? It would be too cruel to burden you, my aged and ailing brother, with such a heavy burden. As the younger brother, I feel terribly guilty."

Sparks seem to fly again between the two brothers, and Wei Li, with a smirk, tries to insert himself between them.

That's when Jeon Myeong-hoon steps forward and speaks.

"Ah, my point was simply to let the strongest person here take the role of the punitive force leader."

At his words, smiles appear on the faces of the three Four-Axis stage cultivators.

"That's a good idea. Then, let's have a simple spar right here."

Suddenly, Wei Li's hand holds three daggers.

An ominous yin energy flows from the daggers, and both Hon Ryang and Hon Cheon manifest rings of energy around their fists and legs.

Shortly after, the three Four-Axis stage cultivators clash in the air.

Kuguaguaguaguang!

Above the True Devil Realm's dimensional gate.

10 Li above the entrance, a gigantic sphere of light appears due to the aftermath of the cultivators' spar, obliterating everything inside.

Soon after, Wei Li is flung out of the sphere.

Spitting out blood as he is flung out, Wei Li chuckles.

"Damn Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique... I didn't expect it to be so powerful."

Kugugugu!

After the light subsides, only Hon Ryang and Hon Cheon remain in the air.

The two Law Enforcers glare at each other for a moment before, without deciding who is first, raise their hands.

Black and white Immortal-Devil energy flow from each of their hands.

"Great Mountain!"

"Splitting Emperor!"

In an instant, energies of the Yin and Yang Five Elements seem to rise above their bodies, and they unleash tearing strikes at each other.

Once again, the heavens are dyed with light, and Hon Ryang is the one to fall below.

"Keugh, hehe... So, the pure power of the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique isn't enough to match you."

Spitting out blood as he falls, Hon Ryang wears a bitter smile. Hon Cheon, also bleeding from his mouth, bursts into wild laughter within the light.

"Hahaha! Brother, you should rest well. I will take charge of this punitive force and deliver the best outcome to our Lord."

"Tch, do as you wish..."

Just then.

"Now then, since it's been proven that the 2nd Law Enforcer is the strongest among the three, I will offer the 2nd Law Enforcer an opportunity to spar with me."

"... What?"

At Jeon Myeong-hoon's statement, a look of incomprehension crosses Hon Cheon's face.

"Did I hear that wrong? You, spar with me?"

"It seems you heard correctly."

"... Are you mad? A mere Nascent Soul stage against me, who has already formed one of the Five Axes, a true Four-Axis cultivator? It seems you're unaware of the power of the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique..."

"I'm sorry, but I believe my method is not far behind the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique."

Jeon Myeong-hoon smirks as he takes a step forward. Seeing his expression, Hon Cheon bursts into roaring laughter.

"Hahaha! Well, that's the spirit a man should have. Come at me, then."

Hon Cheon gestures with his fingers, inviting Jeon Myeong-hoon to attack.

"You really think you can beat me..."

The next moment.

Crack!

Before Hon Cheon can react, Jeon Myeong-hoon is already striking his face.

"What...!"

Crunch!

Jeon Myeong-hoon had thrust a spear made of golden heavenly lightning into Hon Cheon's jaw.

"Kuk, so fast...!"

Whoosh!

Using the Flying Escape Technique to counter Jeon Myeong-hoon's speed, Hon Cheon quickly regenerates his jaw and reaches out his hand.

Yin and Yang Five Elements energy gathers around Jeon Myeong-hoon.

"But if you're hit even once by the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique..."

However, before the Yin and Yang Five Elements energy can fully encase Jeon Myeong-hoon, he swiftly breaks free from the elemental shackles and rushes at Hon Cheon, thrusting the spear into his abdomen.

"Kuk, you...!"

Hon Cheon grimaces.

'Too fast. I need to use my Flying Escape Technique constantly just to keep up.'

Whoosh!

Hon Cheon's body is enveloped in the dull glow of the Flying Escape Technique, turning into a blur of light and barely keeping up with Jeon Myeong-hoon's pace.

Laughing boldly, Hon Cheon says, [Well, I admit the Lightning Path Method is a bit fast, but at this pace, I can catch up!] Crackle!

Jeon Myeong-hoon, without saying a word, emits red lightning and six flags spring up behind him.

Soon, transforming into the Six Flags Thunder Giant, Jeon Myeong-hoon begins to furiously wave them.

[Ha, as you grow bigger, it actually becomes easier to execute the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique...] But the next moment.

Rumble!

Seven-colored lightning burrows into Hon Cheon's defenses, and for a moment, Hon Cheon's entire body is paralyzed and unable to move.

Seizing the opportunity, Jeon Myeong-hoon's lightning surges from all directions, targeting Hon Cheon.

'Damn, paralysis... Damn it!'

He grits his teeth internally, his eyes bloodshot.

'I'll be defeated like this! This can't be! No matter how much of a genius he is, how can I be bested by a brat who hasn't even lived a hundred years... To think his mere Lightning Path Method could surpass the sect's Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique!? I won't accept it!'

[Arrrrgh!] Kugugugu!

With white and black energy swirling in his hands, Hon Cheon grits his teeth.

[The Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique is a divine skill directly taught by the Mountain God to the first Penglai Palace Lord! It won't lose to something like the Lightning Path Method!!!] Jeon Myeong-hoon, transformed into the Thunder Giant, dodges Hon Cheon's attacks here and there, observing him.

'Strange. I wasn't planning to play around like this, but seeing that Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique made my competitive spirit surge. ….'

It felt as if the Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation Method he had learned was crying out to trample the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique.

Feeling fresh from this unprecedented sensation while practicing his methods, Jeon Myeong-hoon dodges all of Hon Cheon's attacks and prepares for the next attack.

[Here I go...] Jeon Myeong-hoon, transformed into the very embodiment of the Lightning Spirit, unleashes the full power of the Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation.

The next moment, Jeon Myeong-hoon transforms into a spear of red lightning, pierces through Hon Cheon who was gathering energy in his hands, and soars into the sky.

Crackle!

Red lightning fills the sky.

Thus, by proving himself as the strongest among the group, Jeon Myeong-hoon takes on the role of the leader of the Seo Eun-hyun Punitive Force.

Rumble!

Under the dark sky of the Devil Realm, hundreds of cultivators are flying.

Leading them with a dull red glow is Jeon Myeong-hoon, followed by the three Four-Axis stage cultivators with slightly discontent expressions.

After a while, as they soar through the sky of the Devil Realm, they spot a group of figures flying from afar.

It's the 1000-Man team, consisting of one Heavenly Being stage cultivator and ten Nascent Soul stage cultivators.

"We come as support from the Human Race Army. Are you heading to confront that monster, Seo Eun-hyun, in that basin ahead?"

"That's right."

"Let us share the information we've gathered on Seo Eun-hyun as we go."

Jeon Myeong-hoon receives a jade slip with information from the 1000-Man General and reads it.

It contains slightly more detailed information than what Jeon Myeong-hoon had investigated over the last 5 years.

"Thank you."

Jeon Myeong-hoon passes the jade slip back and furrows his brows.

The power of Seo Eun-hyun described in the jade slip exceeds his imagination.

'Above all, Hong Fan's mastery of poison is the most troublesome. With a low cultivation, inhaling the wrong poison can be fatal…'

He asks the Heavenly Being stage cultivator who had come to support.

"By the way, if Seo Eun-hyun is considered a traitor for hindering the occupation of the Devil Realm by the Human Race Grand Alliance, why hasn't he been dealt with until now?"

"Ah, actually, that's because the strategy department, the Black Scaled Fish Commanding Sect, issued an order not to touch that monster."

"Hm? What does that mean?"

Jeon Myeong-hoon frowns upon the unexpected mention of the Black Scaled Fish Commanding Sect, one of the Human Race's six major sects.

'The Penglai Palace openly declared they would hunt him down, but the Black Scaled Fish Commanding Sect directly opposes it? Are they planning to start a war between the six major sects?'

Sensing Jeon Myeong-hoon's dissatisfaction, the captain explains further,

"To be precise, we were ordered to leave the monster Seo Eun-hyun alone for five years, even if he hinders our advancement."

"Five years? I was under the impression that the Human Race Army only recently encountered Seo Eun-hyun..."

"Yes, that's correct. Until then, the poison presumed to be spread by Seo Eun-hyun's demon beast had slowed our advance, requiring time to reach him. Hence, the other 1000-man Generals and 10, 000-man Commanders are waiting for the time specified in the strategy department's order to pass."

'In five years... it will be exactly 10 years since he betrayed the sect. What's with the Black Scaled Fish Commanding Sect all of a sudden? This doesn't directly oppose Penglai Palace, but why suddenly...'

Feeling uneasy, Jeon Myeong-hoon follows the 1000-man General's lead and moves forward.

Shortly after, a vast mountain range appears before the punitive force.

The mountain range, atypical for the Devil Realm, is enveloped in dense spiritual energy, taking the form of a basin and encompassing the entire surrounding area.

"That area is where the monster Seo Eun-hyun has settled. We don't know what he's doing, but he's eroding the entire region with the Vast Cold Jade and making it impossible for anyone to enter, causing headaches for the expeditionary force."

"Thanks for the information. Then first..."

Jeon Myeong-hoon raises his hand.

A lightning spear materialized in his grasp.

Whoosh!

He throws the lightning spear with all his might, and it rushes towards the mountain range.

That's when.

Click, click, click!

From beneath the land of the mountain range, dozens of puppets suddenly appear and open their mouths.

Flash!

The puppets, eerily resembling Seo Eun-hyun, simultaneously unleash beams, and Jeon Myeong-hoon's lightning spear is directly annihilated.

"... As you can see, such puppets are swarming throughout the entire mountain range. Each one's strike is equivalent to that of a Nascent Soul stage cultivator, making it very difficult to penetrate inside."

Hearing the general's words, Jeon Myeong-hoon briefly looks at the mountain range and then smirks bitterly.

Crack, crackle!

Red lightning bursts from his entire body.

"Well, good. I didn't expect it to be easy to break through."

'It has to be at least this much to be Seo Eun-hyun.'

He smiles, recalling the once insurmountable wall that was Seo Eun-hyun.

"From now on, we begin the punitive expedition against the traitor of the sect, Seo Eun-hyun!"

Crack, crackle!

Six flags sprout from behind Jeon Myeong-hoon, and the punitive force begins to raise their own innate techniques.

Thus the battle to subdue Seo Eun-hyun begins.