The servant who overheard their words had no idea what to make of it.
Three months had already passed?
But they hadn’t even been here a full week.
And what was this about doing something for an entire year?
Even stranger—the Divine Dragon Tournament was only two weeks away. How could a year fit into that?
“Alright, if you’re finished eating, let’s go back in.”
“Haa... so the next meal will be in a few days.”
“Well, at least now we get a hot meal every few days. That’s something.”
“I suppose so. Let’s go.”
Every few days?
They were eating five meals a day—and now they spoke as if they only ate once every several days?
They must have lost their minds from training.
Especially when he had stood right there watching them eat at every meal.
He decided not to think about it anymore.
The more he thought, the worse his headache became.
He would simply treat them as peculiar guests and carry out the empty dishes.
****
Months had already passed within the Time-Space Division Formation.
Though in the outside world, only a few days had gone by.
In that span, some had advanced their realms, others had not, but all had grown stronger.
One truth, however, was undeniable:
No matter how far their realms rose, no one could defeat Yeon Woo Jin.
Ma Ryang and Cheon Ho Seong had stepped into the Eleventh Level of the Transformation Realm, yet they couldn’t so much as brush the edge of Woo Jin’s sleeve.
Jeok Seong was pressing close to the Eleventh Level, while Lee Hwa Un, Hwa Sogwang, and Yeo Hwarin were nearing the Tenth Level of the Transformation Realm.
Even if all of these Transformation Realm experts attacked together, they could do nothing against Woo Jin.
Woo Jin’s current realm stood the same as Ma Ryang and Cheon Ho Seong—Eleventh Level of the Transformation Realm.
But his strength was on an entirely different plane.
Because the Transcendence Gate amplified his power.
And among those who watched this unfold, there was one who could scarcely believe his eyes.
Il Mu Yeong, who had followed Yeon Cheon Baek into the Time-Space Division Formation.
Stunned by the formation itself, Il Mu Yeong had been told by Yeon Cheon Baek:
“Why such surprise? This is only the beginning. You’ll soon see wonders piled like mountains. Good. This is your chance—cross blades with our Woo Jin.”
“...What do you mean, my lord?”
“I mean fight him. What say you, Woo Jin?”
Woo Jin looked at Il Mu Yeong.
“If Grandfather acknowledges him, then he must be extraordinary.”
“Hehehe. Indeed. Far above those others over there.”
“Wow! Then—Mythic Realm?”
“That’s right.”
“Now I’m eager to see.”
“It’ll be fun.”
Fun?
Il Mu Yeong was troubled.
What should he do?
Woo Jin stepped forward.
“Would you like a spar?”
Il Mu Yeong’s face turned awkward.
“My martial arts exist only to kill. If I face you... Young Master, you may be in danger.”
“Really? Which martial art is it?”
“The Heavenly Slaughter Invincible Art.”
“Ah! The Heavenly Slaughter Invincible Art of the former Heavenly Slaughter Emperor. I know it well—it was created for the sole purpose of killing.”
“Correct.”
“That sounds fun. Please, come at me with full strength.”
“...What?”
Il Mu Yeong glanced at Yeon Cheon Baek, silently pleading for him to stop this.
But Yeon Cheon Baek chuckled.
“Do as he says. You’ll have to use everything you’ve got.”
“...What?”
“He is someone I myself cannot defeat. So you must fight at full power.”
“...What?”
Impossible.
Yeon Cheon Baek was the heavens themselves to Il Mu Yeong.
The idea of him being unable to defeat someone had never even crossed his mind.
Surely he was only holding back for his grandson’s sake.
Il Mu Yeong stared at his hands.
He had never once held back.
His martial art allowed no such thing.
Once the target was set, he executed without mercy.
A duel with him meant death.
It was the very way the Heavenly Slaughter Invincible Art was taught: by forcing thousands of children to kill each other, only the survivors could master it.
He had almost become a peerless butcher himself—until Yeon Cheon Baek pulled him from the shadows.
From that moment he swore: this cursed art would be wielded only for Yeon Cheon Baek.
But now that vow wavered.
The Heaven Lord had ordered him to fight Woo Jin.
Which meant killing the one his master cherished most.
Il Mu Yeong had never seen Woo Jin’s true strength.
Yeon Cheon Baek had never brought him along on those meetings.
And Woo Jin, too, was seeing Il Mu Yeong for the first time.
He was the deathly shadow of Martial Deity Heaven.
No one who had seen him had lived.
Even Ma Ryang and Cheon Ho Seong had only heard rumors, never witnessed him until now.
Il Mu Yeong pleaded once more.
“My lord, please reconsider. You know my martial art is too dangerous.”
“It’s fine. For your sake, you must spar with him.”
“This cannot be. The Young Master could die.”
“Then let it be a fight to the death.”
“...What?”
“Attack with the intent to kill him. That is an order.”
At the word “order,” Il Mu Yeong’s eyes flushed red.
For any command from Yeon Cheon Baek, he would obey without question.
Shhhk—
He drew a dagger, barely a handspan long, and faced Woo Jin.
“Young Master... since the Heaven Lord commands it, I will now attack with the intent to kill you. Please... do not resent me.”
Il Mu Yeong never spoke before a kill.
But this was different.
Woo Jin grinned and nodded.
“Yes, I heard as much. Come at me with everything.”
Il Mu Yeong clenched the dagger tighter.
In the next instant, his form blurred and vanished, appearing before Woo Jin.
The dagger shot straight for his throat.
It kissed the skin of his neck—
—but Woo Jin disappeared.
Whoosh—
The blade cut only empty air.
Whirr—
Il Mu Yeong instantly twisted, spinning his dagger in reverse and hurling it as he turned.
Whoom—
The dagger sliced through the air, streaking straight for Woo Jin’s new position.
Woo Jin dodged with a relaxed smile.
Then—
The blade’s edge slid suddenly down beneath the hilt, changing direction. As though pulled by an invisible string, it stopped midair.
Ting—
Then it shot toward the back of Woo Jin’s head.
In that split-second, death loomed.
But Woo Jin’s fingers flicked.
Ting—
Clatter—
The dagger spun away, embedding itself harmlessly in the ground.
Il Mu Yeong’s face froze.
That dagger was no ordinary blade.
It carried the essence of the Heart-Sword technique—unblockable by conventional means.
If struck by a sword, it would shear through and embed itself in the foe; if blocked by a saber, it would pierce right through.
And its material—Paragang Meteorite.
Forged from rare stone that destroyed indestructible bodies and nullified all protective qi.
Even Yeon Cheon Baek’s aura could not withstand it.
That dagger should have severed Woo Jin’s finger outright.
Yet he had flicked it aside with ease.
Il Mu Yeong reached out.
Whirr—
The dagger spun back into his grasp.
“Amazing. This is the first time I’ve ever seen the Paragang Meteor Blade deflected.”
“Oh, so that’s the legendary Paragang Meteor Blade? Hm. To me it looks no different from any other dagger.”
That was precisely its terror—because it looked ordinary, opponents lowered their guard.
Il Mu Yeong steadied himself with a deep breath.
“Young Master... I believe I truly can go all out against you.”
“Good. My heart’s racing. I’ve never seen a martial art quite like yours.”
Relief washed over Il Mu Yeong.
This opponent—he would not die, no matter how hard he struck.
Just like Yeon Cheon Baek.
The only man Il Mu Yeong had ever been unable to kill.
Now he wanted to see—if Woo Jin was the same.
With a leap, Il Mu Yeong shot forward, hurling his dagger ahead, then overtook it with blinding speed and kicked it mid-flight.
Boooom—
The already speeding dagger accelerated, shockwaves rippling around it.
Roaaaar—
Woo Jin dodged, but the blade followed.
In a blink, it was before him.
Whizz—
The hilt and blade split apart, surging forward even faster.
It was unavoidable.
An attack even Yeon Cheon Baek barely evaded.
Too late to dodge.
The blade should have pierced through Woo Jin’s body and out the other side.
But—
It stopped.
Caught by a transparent barrier.
The Paragang Meteor Blade, bane of qi itself, had been blocked.
“What...?”
Il Mu Yeong blurted before he realized.
Woo Jin’s voice came.
“Whew! I underestimated you, didn’t I? My apologies. I’ve been arrogant lately. I’ll need to reflect on that.”
Yeon Cheon Baek burst into booming laughter.
“Hahaha! Startled, were you? I told you—you’ll pay dearly if you take him lightly.”
“You’re right. I’ll take this seriously now.”
Seriously?
Then until now—he hadn’t?
Il Mu Yeong reclaimed his blade, baffled.
What was that barrier?
It was no ordinary qi. Nothing should be able to stop this dagger.
Woo Jin’s voice rang again.
“The Heavenly Slaughter Invincible Art is based on the Sword-Controlling Technique. Fascinating. Since I’ve received, I must return the favor.”
What?
Woo Jin extended his hand. From among the array of weapons, a dagger flew into his grip.
“A dagger for a dagger.”
But not the same dagger.
Il Mu Yeong’s weapon was unique.
Yet Woo Jin handled his casually.
So much for “reflecting on arrogance.”
Il Mu Yeong sighed and tightened his stance.
Ping—
A chilling whistle made him snap his head aside.
Slash—
Light flashed. The dagger grazed his cheek.
Drip—
A thin line of blood ran down.
A fraction slower and it would have been embedded in his face.
His body tingled with gooseflesh.
And then—Il Mu Yeong smiled.
It had been so long since he felt this way.
To think someone could mimic him so perfectly.
He had grown careless for a heartbeat when Woo Jin picked up the dagger. Never again.
“Amazing. But merely copying me won’t be enough.”
“Let’s see. Besides... my attack isn’t finished yet.”
“...What?”
A chill swept over Il Mu Yeong. He twisted, swinging the Meteor Blade.
Clang—
Sparks flew. He had just deflected Woo Jin’s dagger at the last instant.
This man was a true master, capable of wielding the Sword-Controlling Technique itself.
Now he understood why Yeon Cheon Baek had set them against each other.
This youth was a force comparable even to him.
Il Mu Yeong’s heart pounded.
The smile at his lips deepened.
How long had it been?
This razor edge between life and death—
—this was what made the world feel alive.