Chapter 514

Heaven and earth fell silent.

Even the red moonlight looked distorted because of the energy waves of the transcenders who were standing at the peak of humanity.

The two swordsmen who ended up fighting once again after dozens of years met each other’s eyes and unleashed the wills that they’d been building up.

The red radiance emerging from Glenn Zieghart incorporated his will to protect the present. His lightning drew the shape of a huge tree, a symbol of his intention to never yield to any external pressure.

On the other hand, the Holy Sword Alliance master’s wavering darkness was simple. It was a burning desire. It was an expression of his greed to gain an even more advanced swordsmanship while enjoying bloodshed and battle.

The waves of wills surging from the ground underneath the two transcenders clashed against each other under the moonlight, and a tremendous shockwave burst out, the atmosphere sloshing from the impact.

Whaaam!

As if it signaled the start of the battle, the Holy Sword Alliance master made his move. He executed a downward slash with his dark sword without moving from his spot, and the fiery slash looked like it was tearing the space apart.

It was sharp, swift, powerful, and light. His swordsmanship was extremely advanced, as he’d managed to incorporate the principles of the versatile sword in an instant.

Glenn’s feet were fixated on the ground. He raised Heavenly Tremor around waist-height and took on the dark sword attack.

Whaam!

The Holy Sword Alliance master’s slash melted like the snow in the spring upon facing Heavenly Tremor.

Contrary to the Holy Sword Alliance master’s sword technique, Glenn’s sword was unshakable, slow, flexible, and heavy. It was an exquisite move where he used the opposite sword principles.

Even though it was a clash between the swords of transcenders, not the slightest impact had reached the frozen lake. It implied that their skills at manipulating their auras had reached the heavens.

Cring!

The Holy Sword Alliance master started his second attack. His perfectly tuned body followed it. He moved like he was riding on shadows and scraped the dark sword upwards from below.

It was a simple rising slash, yet the countless principles of martial arts dwelling inside displayed the true power of the versatile sword. The layer of destruction added at the end resounded throughout the sky and land.

Crack!

Glenn’s left foot stepped forward and he pulled Heavenly Tremor towards him. It looked like he’d decided he wouldn’t be able to fend it off as easily as the first attack.

The lightning energy bursting from the tip of his sword spread throughout his blade and engulfed it in a red radiance.

Rumble!

Glenn overpowered the Holy Sword Alliance master’s attack with sheer strength, as if he were telling him that he had no intention of holding a conversation of swords.

“Don’t be such a killjoy.”

The Holy Sword Alliance master rolled his lips into a smile and turned his shoulder. He released the lightning from Glenn’s attack into the air and stabbed at him from above.

The flame of darkness engulfing his blade seemed to tell him that he wasn’t going to lose in terms of power anymore.

Glenn’s pressure was still indifferent. He unleashed the lightning energy from Heavenly Tremor, his eyes as cold as when he was looking down on the world from the throne in the audience chamber. The red lightning spreading around from the tip of the blade devoured the Holy Sword Alliance master’s attack.

Whaaam!

With a huge explosion that felt like it was destroying the night sky, the aura stormed around in all directions.

However, Glenn and the Holy Sword Alliance master’s clothes weren’t fluttering in the slightest. Their auras inside and outside their bodies were being controlled perfectly.

“You are indeed amazing.”

The Holy Sword Alliance master smiled, implying that he was expecting his performance, and released his sword from his hand. The dark sword floated naturally according to his will and burst into a dark flame.

“Since we’ve warmed up enough, let’s start the real fight.”

“……”

Glenn raised Heavenly Tremor without responding. His posture was the same as in the beginning, but a frightening amount of murderous intent was emerging from his red eyes.

[Stop it!]

Just as the two transcenders were about to move once again, a huge will wavered from the sky. It was the dragon lord. He’d been looking for the demon king but shouted at them to stop the fight from the sky.

[You will break the balance of the continent if you clash right now when the demon king has already brought chaos!]

“You’d better be quiet before I start by killing you.”

The Holy Sword Alliance master ignored the dragon lord and bobbed his finger. The dark sword’s blade multiplied into hundreds and completely filled the sky and the land.

It hadn’t simply increased in number. Even though there were countless swords, they were all using different principles and sword techniques as they rushed toward Glenn’s heart and neck.

It was one of the Dark Night Demonblade’s special techniques, Infinite Specter Blades.

Not a single one among the hundreds of blades was a fake. Every single one was an extremely advanced sword strike, incorporating the Holy Sword Alliance master’s will.

Zap!

Glenn raised Heavenly Tremor overhead. Red lightning emerged like an explosion above his blade piercing the sky.

Azure Sky Sword, third technique.

Vermillion Sky Canopy.

The lightning energy spread around like a web from the tip of his blade and covered the world.

Just as Glenn had demonstrated for Raon in the past, his Azure Sky Sword was dark and majestic. It was filled with the power to overwhelm everything in the world.

Whaaam!

The Vermilion Sky Canopy unleashed its lightning energy like moonlight shining upon the world, clashing against the Infinite Specter Blades that covered the entire realm with swords. A tremendous shockwave burst forth from the collision.

Waves of lightning energy sometimes removed a blade, and the sharp blade sometimes tore apart the radiant web.

Tremendous waves of aura continued endlessly, and a fissure appeared like a spider web from the center of the frozen lake.

Whaaam!

A huge tidal wave soared above the fractured ice. Glenn and the Holy Sword Alliance master were attacking each other at the center of the explosion, where the waves were entangling with each other. Their divine performances did not disgrace their names as the Lightning God and the Dark Night Sword God in the slightest.

“Is that a new technique? I want to see more!”

The Holy Sword Alliance master fired his dark sword while asking him to show him more.

“I've already told you that I have no intention of prolonging this any further."

Glenn soaked the tip of Heavenly Tremor in the surface of the lake. With a graceful posture resembling a picture, a small ripple spread across the surface, akin to a child tossing a pebble into a pond.

The serene wave of the sword continued, and it turned into a watery blade that tore apart the space as it advanced.

Claaang!

The clash between the blade made from water and the manipulated sword resulted in a violent wave of power surging up to create a blue hole in the sky.

Step.

Glenn used the Supreme Harmony Steps in the air. His footsteps, infused with his will, transcended space and teleported his body.

Heavenly Sword Arts

Light Slash

The blade of lightning drew a dignified line along with a radiance. The transcended slash brought a sense of solemnity to the enemy as it sliced at the Holy Sword Alliance master’s neck.

“So it’s the Heavenly Sword Arts in the end!”

The Holy Sword Alliance master twisted his lips, and the space melted down to reveal his dark sword. A slash that had even transcended the speed of a manipulated sword blocked the path of the Light Slash.

Claaang!

The dark sword’s flame absorbed the lightning energy of Heavenly Tremor as if it were the real shadow and significantly decreased its output.

The dark sword followed up with the Continuous Flow Technique. It was thrust in a trajectory that a human being couldn’t possibly achieve and suddenly fell towards Glenn’s neck.

Glenn snapped the wrist of the hand that was holding Heavenly Tremor out. Heavenly Tremor soared like reversed lightning to fend off the dark sword and sever the Holy Sword Alliance master’s shoulder.

Pssh!

The shield of aura wrapped in his will was shattered into pieces, and blood flowed down the Holy Sword Alliance master’s coat.

However, he remained calm. The Holy Sword Alliance master proceeded to a counterattack in an instant, as if even the injury was all according to his plan.

The dark sword spread around like a kaleidoscope and unleashed his vicious energy. It was an unavoidable attack that forced his opponent to defend.

Glenn seemed to understand that he couldn't retreat, so he stood his ground and raised Heavenly Tremor. Heavenly Tremor's blade was lifted upward, then descended while transcending the distance.

Claaang!

The ten dark swords rushing towards his vitals were shattered into pieces and scattered away.

Glenn didn’t miss his opportunity as the dark sword bounced back. He forged his blade of lightning with an indomitable will and thrust it towards the Holy Sword Alliance master’s heart.

Swaa!

Blood gushed from the Holy Sword Alliance master’s waist. Glenn was aiming at his chest, but he had managed to twist his body in that short time and even connected into a counterattack. His skills were truly not to be underestimated.

The dark sword rushed towards him, wrapped in a flame of malice. The attack appeared intended to overwhelm through sheer strength.

Glenn extended his right foot to the front. He lowered his center of gravity and raised Heavenly Tremor. Red lightning rampaged above the blade, soaring through the moonlight.

Whaaam!

The dark flame and red lightning growled at each other like savage beasts and created a strange shape in the air.

Glenn and the Holy Sword Alliance master thrust their swords at each other amid the lingering aura spreading around them.

Claaang!

Heavenly Tremor and the dark sword geared with each other and created violent sparks.

Cring!

Glenn twisted his ankle and wrist at the same time, striking the center of the dark sword and attacking the Holy Sword Alliance master’s neck.

However, the Holy Sword Alliance master must’ve read his trajectory, because he leaned backward and created a thick sword barrier with his dark sword.

Claaang!

A powerful shockwave spread around from the clash between the swords, but the two transcenders weren’t pushed back in the slightest.

They advanced instead and sliced with their blades to take away their opponents’ lives.

Glenn displayed the epitome of sword technique instead of the power of his aura as if he’d returned to his childhood.

Glenn’s sword cut through the Holy Sword Alliance master’s chest, and the Holy Sword Alliance master’s dark sword pierced into Glenn’s shoulder. It was a festival of sword arts at close range. The sword strikes continued endlessly, without any room to breathe in between.

They seemed to perfectly understand each other’s swordsmanship. It was only possible because both Glenn and the Holy Sword Alliance master had learned the versatile sword.

Whaaam!

As their close-quarters fight was prolonged, the lightning energy and the flame spread around like a coiling snake and ended up creating a huge explosion.

A tremendous storm of light spread around from the center of the lake and turned the land upside down, releasing the water.

* * *

Glenn and the Holy Sword Alliance master landed on the water soaking into the snow field.

“That’s the Destructive King of the North for you.”

The Holy Sword Alliance master curved his lips into a deep smile. His face was full of delight. It looked like the flame of exhilaration was burning his body.

“……”

On the other hand, Glenn’s gaze was dry and emotionless. Heavenly Tremor was pointing at the ground, seeming to display his intention to end the fight.

“However…”

The Holy Sword Alliance master gestured with his finger, and the dark sword floated above him with a dignified flame.

The gray glimmer distorting the space looked like it had turned into ash from burning too long.

“This will be the end of you if that’s all you have to show.”

He quietly muttered and the dark sword advanced. It wasn’t fast nor slow and didn’t create the slightest wave around it.

However, the technique dwelling on the sword was the compilation of the Holy Sword Alliance master’s will and martial arts, the Dark Night Demonblade’s special technique, Demonic Will Soulstealer.

It was his full power, which he hadn’t even shown against the demon king. The sword of transcendence rushing toward Glenn’s soul was the quintessence of a versatile sword practitioner.

Whir!

Glenn raised his sword. A sphere of transcendence burst from the tip of his blade, cut through the sky, and summoned a red twilight into the world.

“Sword Field Creation.”

The proud shout of the swordsman standing in the sky distorted the flow of the world.

“Seamless Perfection.”

A red radiance engulfed Heavenly Tremor’s black blade and turned it into a sword of light of raging lightning. The change wasn’t too drastic. However, his sword wasn’t the real deal.

The supreme swordsman Glenn Zieghart had turned into a sword. That was the true meaning of Seamless Perfection.

He was fast, powerful, flexible, light, slow, heavy, straight, sharp, illusory, destructive, and sturdy.

The principles of the versatile sword that Glenn had been accumulating were burning like fuel as he unleashed the Lightning Spirit Sword.

The perfection dwelling on his blade wasn’t showing the slightest opening, just like the seamless clothes of a god in heaven.

“Lightning Avatar.”

Glenn spoke quietly, and a serene wave spread around from the Lightning Spirit Sword. The sword slashed in a crescent shape and melted the martial principles and will embodied into the Holy Sword Alliance master’s Demonic Will Soulstealer.

“I’m finally getting to see it again! Seamless Perfection!”

The Holy Sword Alliance master shouted, and his sword changed. His aura seeped into his martial principles and will, and a dark light exploded from it. The Demonic Will Soulstealer connected into the matchless technique, Immortal Awakening.

“Land Slash.”

Glenn’s Lightning Spirit Sword spread its wings along the horizon. The Immortal Awakening was about to tear the space apart, but it ended up losing its light and dropped to the ground.

Wham.

The sound wasn’t that loud, but the outlandish distortion created between the swords tore apart half of the lake.

“I’m not done yet!”

The Holy Sword Alliance master shouted and the dark sword advanced. All of his martial principles were jumbled together, and a light even darker than night burst from him.

His dark sword was the only thing existing in the world, as if the entirety of time and space had come to a halt. It was the Dark Night Demonblade’s ultimate technique, Illuminated Blaze.

“No, the fight is over.”

The look in Glenn’s eyes didn’t show any sign of defeat even though he was facing absolute power.

“Heavenly Blade.”

He wielded the Lightning Spirit Sword with both hands and raised it above his head. The downward slash of the warrior god cut through the Illuminated Blaze.

The dark sword was about to disappear under the attack turning the world white.

“I said I’m not done yet.”

The Holy Sword Alliance master appeared from behind the dark sword. He stretched his hand to the front, and a colorless radiance emerged from it.

Rumble!

It was on a whole different level from the White Blood Religion's leader’s bloody energy. It wasn’t covered in any color, but energy more divine than anything else was spouting from it. It was the manifestation of the Shapeless Sword, the invincible sword capable of cutting through anything.

The wave of the Shapeless Sword, which was even more powerful than the manipulated sword’s Illuminated Blaze, created a long vertical cut into the space.

“That technique…”

“It’s my secret art that I’ve prepared for you.”

The Holy Sword Alliance master’s Shapeless Sword wasn’t a simple manifestation of his power. It cleverly pierced through the opening without disturbing the Illuminated Blaze. He was even using the principles of twin swords.

The ultimate techniques of the two swordsmen clashed against each other. Even the sound couldn’t hope to reach their transcendence.

Rumble!

Glenn bit his dry lip. He was being pushed too powerfully. Heavenly Blade would’ve been able to cut through the Illuminated Blaze if it was the attack, but the second blade prepared by the Holy Sword Alliance master wasn’t easily severed.

Zap!

The Illuminated Blaze and the Shapeless Sword harmonized like gears and started to push back Heavenly Blade.

“You’ve become weaker, Glenn Zieghart.”

The Holy Sword Alliance master sneered.

“You weren’t like this in the past.”

He continued while pushing powerfully with his two swords.

“When did the Destructive King of the North ever care about his subordinates or his grandson?! Running away without putting an end to the fight is unbefitting for you!”

The Holy Sword Alliance master ground his teeth in disappointment and dragged his two swords down diagonally.

“You were way better when you had nothing other than revenge and domination in your soul!”

He glared with his red eyes, shouting that he didn’t need a weak Destructive King of the North.

“Stop tarnishing your past and die right now!”

The Holy Sword Alliance master’s attacks intensified further, fueled by his surging will and heightened emotions. The trembling blade of the Lightning Spirit Sword looked like it was about to break, and Heavenly Blade was unable to advance.

“I became weaker, you say…”

Glenn twisted his lips while feeling the heaviness of the sky crushing upon his shoulders.

“I might look that way in your perspective.”

The Holy Sword Alliance master was right. He was solely focused on revenge for his subordinates and the development of his house during his first clash against the Holy Sword Alliance master.

In the past, he would’ve fought against the Holy Sword Alliance master until the bitter end, even if it meant Raon and the Light Wind division died as a result.

However, if he was asked whether that meant he had become weaker, he would shake his head in denial.

It had nothing to do with becoming stronger or weaker. His will had simply changed.

He gave up on his revenge and domination after he was enlightened and decided to protect Sylvia, Raon, and the house.

He was planning to keep his resolution for the rest of his life, but the youngsters that he was trying to protect ended up giving him an even bigger present.

As he ate together, taught them, and chatted with them even though it was awkward, he could feel a new happiness that he had given up on as a father and grandfather.

That wasn’t a weakness in any sense of the word.

“This is as far as you go, my rival.”

The Holy Sword Alliance master executed a downward slash with both swords at the same time. The Illuminated Blaze and the Shapeless Sword each drew a circle, creating an ultimate harmony between them. The dark sword engulfing the world seemed capable of erasing everything.

“I…”

Glenn calmly raised his eyebrows. Red lightning sparked from his pupils, which looked burned out.

The emptiness left from abandoning his wrath and domination was replaced by the time he’d spent with Raon, with joy and sorrow as a human being. Even though the rift used to have nothing but wrath inside, it was filled with happiness and joy instead, and his soul ascended to a higher dimension.

“I’m never going to die until I pass down everything to him.”

The blade of lightning was extended once again. It wasn’t the Lightning Avatar, Land Slash, or Heavenly Blade.

Just like the moment of the world's creation when the sky opened up, the martial art accumulated throughout Glenn Zieghart's entire life condensed into a single sword, radiating an auspicious light.

***

If you find any errors or have suggestions, please feel free to provide feedback.

Thank you for reading!

[Author – Writing Ant, 글개미]

[Translator – Kyangi]

[Proofreader – Harley]