418 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Title: *The World's Greatest Fighter's Childhood Friend - Chapter 419: North Rabbit* --- Chapter 419: The Mysterious Technique BOOM-! With a heavy rumble, a massive form soared through the air. "Urgh!" Dangdeok groaned, struggling to maintain his stance as he landed on the ground. He scanned ahead with a bewildered gaze. Dangdeok's eyes widened in disbelief at what he saw, and he quickly surveyed the surroundings. Something was amiss. The stars, both small and large, that once hung in the sky vanished. The bright starlight disappeared, leaving the forest shrouded in an eerie darkness. Silence settled in. The insects that unknowingly made noise in the grass held their breath. Thin-skinned, Dangdeok instinctively realized the danger of this sudden silence. 'What is this?' He quickly grasped that the situation was artificially created, but he needed to understand how this came to be. First, he thought, 'I'll break through with force.' Just as Dangdeok was about to muster his strength and swing his spear... "...!" He immediately sensed something was amiss. 'It's heavy.' His body felt heavy and sluggish as if shackled, and he found it cumbersome to exert his strength. Was it due to the mysterious energy enveloping the area? Gritting his teeth, Dangdeok swung his spear fiercely. Despite the constraints on his body, his strength was undeniable. Whoooosh-! The spear, imbued with his inner power, sliced through the air violently. The contained energy erupted in sharp forms, tearing through everything around him. CRASH-! The trees that shaped the terrain were sliced apart in chunks. Even amidst this, Dangdeok's eyes moved swiftly. He needed to find the mastermind behind this situation. 'Where is it? Where could they be hiding?' He tried to concentrate on locating them, but in reality, there wasn't any need for that effort. His opponent wasn't trying to hide. There it appeared. Before him, in the oppressive darkness, a solitary black flame burned. A foreboding presence loomed, declaring its whereabouts. 'Ha.' Confirming the flame, Dangdeok let out a hollow laugh. It was absurd. 'So it's true when they say he's a prodigy of epic proportions.' How could that presence belong to a mere youth not yet past his prime? Gu Yangcheon, surrounded by black flames with his arms crossed, appeared anything but minor. Though the black flame emitted a brilliant light, its eerie quality was far from anything sacred. Why in the world was he emanating such a flame? Despite it being just a flame, Dangdeok wondered why it instinctively struck fear into him. Furthermore, there was something different from when he first saw him. The black pupil now shimmered with a purple hue, and what should have been white had turned dark. '...What is this?' That bizarre appearance and intimidating presence were awe-inspiring just to behold. What kind of being was this? 'The Heavenly Demon.' It was the term So Yeom-Ra used casually to refer to himself. Heavenly Demon (天魔). Did it mean a demon bestowed by the heavens? It didn't even sound like a mere alias, so why did So Yeom-Ra refer to himself that way? Meanwhile, Dangdeok thought the term suited So Yeom-Ra perfectly. Just looking at him, he was no different from a demon. Dangdeok recalled a phrase that kept surfacing in his mind for some reason. The entity Tang Biseong fervently aspired to become. Heavenly Martial Body. An overwhelming talent becoming the youngest prodigy, a fearless spirit against enemies, and an imposing presence that overwhelmed adversaries. If this wasn't the extraordinary talent Tang Biseong yearned for, then what was? Grinding his teeth, Dangdeok could only accept his thoughts. He inadvertently thought, 'If I were like him, would I have not been abandoned?' The goal was to eradicate the Sichuan Tang Clan, to obliterate every last Tang in the world. And yet, there was still regret and lingering attachment? 'Get a grip.' With a determined look, Dangdeok aimed his spear at the flame. 'They will all perish.' Whether he was a demon or possessed a Heavenly Martial Body, it didn't matter. How he knew about this was irrelevant. What mattered was that the one before him was merely an obstacle in his path of revenge. If it stands in the way, he would tear it down. That was the purpose of his cultivated strength. Boom-! The spear's blade cleaved through the empty air. The qi enveloping the blade gradually took on a green hue. This color had no relation to poison arts. It was merely a remnant mark of the Tang Clan left within Dangdeok. The spear, imbued with that energy, created an elegant curve as it shot forward. Qi Dragon True Spear. The most basic spear technique used within the Martial Alliance. Among spear techniques, it was the easiest to find and the simplest to learn. If there was any martial art Dangdeok learned, it was just this. He had to master it to survive, there was no other option. Having only this, he honed it relentlessly and achieved mastery. He reached this level of prowess with a mere rudimentary technique. This spoke volumes of how extraordinary Dangdeok's physique was. Watching this, Gu Yangcheon finally moved. BANG-! "...!" As the incoming spear was struck by his fist, its trajectory shifted. There was no hesitation in his rough maneuvers. Though initially surprised, Dangdeok quickly spun his body to fix the altered path. In the fleeting moment created, Gu Yangcheon seized it without hesitation, stepping into Dangdeok's guard and launching a punch. Black Flame Taiaran. A flame in the shape of a wolf burst forth from Gu Yangcheon's hand, striking toward Dangdeok. KABOOM-! An overwhelming blaze erupted ahead, engulfing a wide area. The scene became a fiery chaos in an instant, but Gu Yangcheon's gaze was fixed sideways, not forward. His palm opened. Immediately, the heat condensed into a single handful. The condensed heat gradually transformed into the shape of a sphere. It resembled the Fire Orb he had once used, but it was black and its form was more distinct, with a subtle vibration. It spun. Gu Yangcheon remembered the teachings his father had passed down to him. Focusing on the concept of rotation seemed to enhance the power of his martial arts. With this thought in mind, Gu Yangcheon scanned ahead. Even as the black flames continued to burn fiercely, he couldn't sense Dangdeok in front of him. Despite his massive form, Dangdeok had deftly evaded his attack. Where could he have gone? Gu Yangcheon didn't waste time pondering. If he couldn't pinpoint Dangdeok’s location, he'd simply obliterate all the possibilities. Gu Yangcheon clenched the fire orb he created in his palm and, without hesitation, hurled it to the ground. Vwwm-! Upon impact, the fire orb released a brief tremor. Roaaaar-! Massive heat erupted, sweeping through the surroundings. The explosion wasn’t just about the consuming black flames; the spiraling air pressure that exploded outward was noteworthy. Nearby trees were uprooted, blown away by the gale, only to be caught in the flames and reduced to ash. Moments after the explosion, as the brief tempest subsided, Gu Yangcheon stood in the same spot, surveying the aftermath. The entire area had been scorched, save for the place where he stood. And there, not far off, stood the giant, Dangdeok, kneeling on one knee, spear in hand, watching Gu Yangcheon. "Huff...huff..." Thanks to a protective energy shield, Dangdeok seemed relatively unscathed. Yet, his labored breathing hinted at some level of exhaustion. Gu Yangcheon noted this with inner surprise. 'Just as I feared.' Though Dangdeok's mastery was lower than that of the Black Dragon Sword, his resistance to dark energy exceeded it. Gu Yangcheon deduced it might be due to the demon blood within Dangdeok, and it seemed he was correct. 'Hmm.' This was troublesome. If Dangdeok had resistance to dark energy, it could pose a problem later in turning him into a demon. That would be quite inconvenient. Moreover, Dangdeok's movements were growing faster, as if he was adapting. 'To my dark energy?' With this thought, he stimulated the dark energy within Dangdeok's core. Immediately, the energy within Dangdeok's dantian began to thrash about. Could Dangdeok sense this? He seemed to use his own energy to quell it. Seeing this confirmed Gu Yangcheon's suspicions. Apparently, Dangdeok wasn't the only one to notice this internal change; he stood up, massaging his stomach. He smirked, feeling a bit more at ease. "So, it's not poison." "And why do you think that?" "If it were poison, I wouldn't recover so easily." Due to Dangdeok's lack of resistance to poison, if it had been poison rather than dark energy, it would have been dire. The demon blood evidently had its uses. "I acknowledge you, So Yeom-Ra." "...What for?" "You are strong. It's astonishing that you can wield such power at your age...." "What's your point?" Dangdeok laughed fiercely at the question. "I've seen enough to know. But you're still weaker. Weaker than me, at least." "...." Whoosh-! He swung his spear briefly, sending a wave of air that dissipated the surrounding black flames. It was undeniable. Gu Yangcheon knew from the start he was weaker than Dangdeok. As Dangdeok began resisting the dark energy, the situation grew perilous for Gu Yangcheon. He could unleash more of the dark energy, but that too had its drawbacks. To overwhelm a warrior of Dangdeok's caliber required immense energy, and if the battle prolonged, it would strain Gu Yangcheon. He was acutely aware of this. "I told you not to get overconfident, didn't I? Snot-nosed kid, do you still wish to beg?" Dangdeok was aware too. At first, he'd shown anger and frustration, but once he assessed the situation, his confidence returned. The odds were tilting in his favor. Acknowledging this, Gu Yangcheon exhaled lightly. Despite the unexpected situation presenting a clear danger, he found himself strangely calm and unperturbed. He simply felt a slight disappointment. 'My approach isn't working.' He realized his fighting style wasn't effective. So then, what about trying a different approach? Gu Yangcheon reduced the size of his flames from his Nine Flame Wheels Art. "Hmm?" Dangdeok couldn't help but smirk at the diminishing flames around Gu Yangcheon. "What, are you giving up...?!" He prepared to mock, but that was when he sensed the change. Raising his spear, he readied himself once more. Something felt different about Gu Yangcheon. 'What is this?' What he'd sensed before remained constant. It was still ominous and imposing, but now something layered over it, or perhaps propped it up? He wasn't sure. The one thing he knew was that something was shifting. Crack. Realizing this, Gu Yangcheon loosened his posture, testing his movements. 'It hurts.' Though it seemed bearable, it was still excruciatingly painful. Gu Yangcheon was now using an additional energy. He filled his heart with dark energy. Cloaked his body with Nine Flame Wheels Art. And overlaid the energy of the Heavenly Descent Technique across his entire form. Despite the technique being forbidden for actual combat by his master, Gu Yangcheon chose to temporarily ignore that advice. In doing so, the pain was severe. That was his first thought. Yet, having sensed it enveloping him for the past few months, it strangely felt comfortable. Had he grown accustomed to the pain? Or was it the energy he adapted to? He wasn't certain, but it was comfortable all the same. 'No strain even using three.' The reason he moved slightly was to test this. Having used two before, he had never combined three at once, and he worried about any strain it might cause. Contrary to this worry, there seemed to be no issue. The only noticeable difference was a vague surge of fighting spirit. Gu Yangcheon observed Dangdeok before him. The man seemed to have noticed the energy from the Heavenly Descent Technique, observing carefully. 'His intuition is quite sharp.' Though the change was invisible, Gu Yangcheon detected the tension in Dangdeok's eyes as he anticipated his next move. As his body burned with heat, his mind remained cold and focused. Despite the overwhelming vigor coursing through his body, his vision remained clear and composed. Why did this transformation occur? Was it another effect of the Heavenly Descent Technique? Somehow, that seemed unlikely. 'Whatever it is, it's irrelevant.' Now, it was crucial to concentrate on the opponent right in front of him. Dangdeok watched Gu Yangcheon as he slowly advanced, wary of his approach. To the observant eye, Gu Yangcheon’s movements seemed full of openings, leaving Dangdeok unsure of what he might do next. Additionally, an inexplicable unease prickled Dangdeok's instincts. 'What is it this time?' How many surprises could he possibly have? His bizarre appearance and strange energy were unsettling enough, but now something else had been added. As Dangdeok swallowed a lump in his throat, Gu Yangcheon vanished from before his eyes. "...!" Dangdeok acted immediately, moving his body. He swung his spear. Though he'd lost sight of Gu Yangcheon, he hadn't lost his sense of him. The presence was to his side... Thud-! "Ugh!?" The presence was on his flank, yet a fist unexpectedly hammered into Dangdeok's abdomen. What was this? A vibration resonated through his body. Fortunately, it wasn't something he couldn't withstand. Dangdeok maintained his stance and attempted to launch his spear technique at Gu Yangcheon, but— Tap-! Gu Yangcheon altered the spear's trajectory with a swift motion just before Dangdeok could fully execute his technique. The difference was subtle, yet the outcome was significant. Whoosh-! The instant the subtle shift occurred, the inner energy that was about to be unleashed dissipated. The incomplete motion left an opening. "This can't be...!" Horrified, Dangdeok immediately attempted to distance himself from Gu Yangcheon. However, Gu Yangcheon was quicker. His small fist, in stark contrast to Dangdeok's large frame, made contact with his chest. It seemed a gentle touch, just placing his fist there. Yet Dangdeok sensed something unfolding from that small fist. Hummm.... At first, it started as a gentle wave. The minute waves mixed with flames flowed into Dangdeok’s body, seeming harmless and kind—almost gentle. But that was fleeting. As Dangdeok distanced himself slightly from Gu Yangcheon, the wave revealed its true nature. Grgggggggrk-! Rumble! "Arrgh!" The vibration violently expanded within him, wreaking havoc inside Dangdeok's body. Mixed with an inexplicable heat, the vibration intensified the pain. Boom boom boom boom-! Dozens of fierce waves exploded several times a second, erupting from within Dangdeok’s constrained body, eager to escape. Ka-boom! The energy burst from Dangdeok's body, crashing into the wilderness behind him. The storm of heat-infused air pressure spread wildly, leaving wide marks behind Dangdeok. As the aftermath of the wave subsided and the deafening noise died down, Thud.... Dangdeok dropped to his knees. His eyes rolled back, signifying he had lost consciousness. Then, The massive form slowly crumpled to the ground. Boom-! Once Dangdeok fell unconscious, "...Cough." Gu Yangcheon also coughed up blood as if he'd been waiting for this moment. Splatter! Blood splattered onto the ground. The recoil from using the first technique of the Heavenly Descent Martial Arts: Fist of the Toothless Beast struck back. Gu Yangcheon felt his consciousness waver. The backlash twisted his internal flow of energy and made his internal energy move violently. 'Damn it.' He felt as if he might collapse at any moment. Though his technique would eventually settle his chaotic energy, losing consciousness now would be problematic. Dangdeok was still alive. He was internally upended but not deceased. If Dangdeok were to awaken before him, Gu Yangcheon would be in grave danger. With this thought, he desperately tried to maintain his consciousness, but the onslaught of pain pushed him to his limit. Ultimately, as he was about to succumb to unconsciousness and fall, Thud. Someone appeared out of nowhere and caught him, preventing his collapse. "Ha...." The one who supported him sighed deeply, as though dissatisfied, and spoke with a mix of regret. "To think I take on a disciple during my old age, and it's one who's utterly insane.... Tsk tsk." It was Pajeon.