The Tang Clan and the Jeoksa Family Council

  Lord Changmin and the dozen Tang Clan practitioners he

  was guiding to the palace could have gotten there quickly, but they

  chose to take their time, almost casually making their way there by

  foot.

  They strutted confidently through Jeokseong. As high

  leveled practitioners, however, that naturally meant they were still

  moving quite fast by the measure of an ordinary mortal. As they walked,

  they made their presence known. Every soul in the city could feel them,

  regardless of level.

  Even at the speed at which high level practitioners

  walked, it took them almost two and half hours to reach the palace

  gates. When they arrived, it was just past mid day. The sun was baring

  down on the outer court of the Jeoksa Family Palace.

  The elders of the Jeoksa Family Council stood ready for them, waiting outside the grand hall of the palace.

  There were about as many council members as there were

  practitioners from the Tang Clan. The rest of the Family’s various

  elders, all of a slightly lower level, were in charge of the evacuated

  younger generation.

  Both the Jeoksa elders and the Tang Clan elites were of

  similar levels, except for the Tang leader, Tang Kimoon. He was a low

  Master, and he more than capable of killing any one of the Jeoksa

  Elders. At least one on one. When faced with the entire council,

  however, even he couldn’t guarantee victory. That was precisely why he

  brought a squad of Peak elites. With their help, the Jeoksa Family would

  fall with ease, and he would return home with a significant

  contribution to the clan.

  The group stopped, and there was a momentary standoff, where neither side said anything.

  Then Elder Jaemin stepped forward. “You actually did it. You sold out the Jeoksa Family to the Tang Clan,” he shouted.

  Changmin’s eyes narrowed. The facade he had built for

  many years had completely faltered, and his true self was revealed. “How

  dare you accuse me of selling out this Family!?” he shouted back,

  gesticulating angrily. “I am saving us! Under my brother’s rule, we

  would have fallen into decline. It would only have been a matter of time

  before the entire Family was wiped out. Under my leadership, and with

  the help of the Tang Clan, we can reach new heights!”

  The other elders couldn’t stay quiet.

  It turned into a shouting match, each side insulting and condemning the other. After a short while, Tang Kimoon had enough.

  “Silence!” His

  voice rang out like a church bell. It wasn’t quite to the same degree as

  the great elder, but he drowned out all other voices with ease. “I

  didn’t come here to listen to you all squabble. On behalf of the

  esteemed Tang Clan, you are given a generous offer. Kneel and obey, or

  die.”

  The elders of the Jeoksa Family had uncertainty written all over their faces. Whispers sounded between them.

  “Where is the Heavenly Demon?”

  “We can’t face them alone, he was supposed to be here.”

  Out of all of them, only Elder Jaemin maintained his

  composure, he had no doubt that the Heavenly Demon would save them. He

  took a step forward to face Tang Kimoon. “We refuse. The Jeoksa Family

  will not become slaves of the Tang Clan.”

  A vicious smile formed on Tang Kimoon’s face. “I was hoping you would say that.”

  Changmin immediately stepped up. “Sir, we need them! They

  are the elders of the Jeoksa Family Council. Once I am Patriarch, I

  will get them in line. I can not rule the Family without the other

  elders.”

  Tang Kimoon gave Changmin a nonchalant side-eye. He

  gestured with his hand toward the elders and commanded his elites. “Go.

  Cripple them. If they resist, kill them!”

  The elites of the Tang Clan dashed forward toward the

  Jeoksa elders. With their Peak levels and Advanced Movement Skills, they

  sprinted at extreme speeds. The two sides were just over a dozen meters apart, it should have taken them mere moments to reach the elders.

  However, even as they pushed themselves further and moved

  faster and faster, they still couldn’t seem to reach them. It didn’t

  make sense.

  Both sides were equally confounded, but only one felt actual fear.

  “What in the name of the gods is this!?” the Tang elites shouted in shock and frustration.

  “Sir, what is happening?”

  “What do we do?”

  They turned around to see their leader, Tang Kimoon,

  still just a few meters away. When they saw him, it was clear that he

  didn’t care one bit about their struggles. His attention was focused

  entirely on something else.

  They followed the trajectory of his stare back toward the

  Jeoksa Elders, but he wasn’t looking at them directly, there was

  something above them.

  Behind them, on the roof of the Grand Hall of the Jeoksa

  Family Palace stood a man. Clad in pitch black robes calmly fluttering

  in the wind with his hands behind his back.

  A man who emitted a truly dangerous presence.

  POV Baz

  The Tang Clan practitioners were all glaring at him, the

  elders of the Jeoksa Family noticed and turned around to stare in shock

  as well.

  Baz didn’t pay them any mind. His focus was on something else.

  He had arrived at the nick of time because he spent every

  moment working on a new Technique. In that time, he reached as far as

  he could through theory alone, now he would need to put that theory to

  the test.

  Ever since Formation Hall Master Jum first created the

  system of Formation Arts, Baz had been fascinated. He had already spent

  decades experiencing the effects that could be produced by moving his

  internal essence through his meridian pathways in various patterns. The

  idea of doing the same using natural essence, felt rather intuitive. The

  years he dedicated to experimenting with new Techniques made it that

  much more appealing.

  It led to a great discovery.

  The formations created by Formation Hall used formation

  flags, or some other enchanted catalyst, to manipulate natural essence

  to form a circuit.

  Baz wanted to remove the middleman.

  The very first thing he did as a cultivator was to

  manipulate natural essence. At the time it was to draw it toward himself

  to absorb it for his cultivation, but was that truly the only application?

  He decided to challenge that.

  In the years since Formation Hall was established, Baz

  would experiment whenever he had some time left over. It had taken a

  great deal of time and effort, but eventually, he succeeded.

  The key was the connection his Soul Seed created between

  the physical and the spiritual. Through that he could precisely

  manipulate currents of natural essence into formation circuits and

  create, Ambient Formations.

  Formations that existed only as long as he was manually moving the natural essence along the paths of the formation circuit.

  His first proper use of an ambient formation was a

  stealth formation to hide his presence when he made his way through the

  palace into Patriarch Hyun’s office.

  It had worked beautifully.

  Not only had none of the administrators and scholars in

  the palace noticed him, even the powerful patriarch failed to sense his

  presence until it was too late.

  Now, atop the palace roof, Baz did the same on an

  unprecedented scale. To help improve his control of such vast quantities

  of natural essence, he made active use of his upgraded Title, [Chosen],

  and his Talent, [Akashic Incarnation].

  The Jeoksa Family Elders and the Tang Clan practitioners

  couldn’t properly sense natural essence, not the way cultivators could,

  but even they could sense the enormous energy swirling around the

  palace.

  Baz stood with his hands behind his back, and he gathered

  as much natural essence as he possibly could, forming rivers in the skies above. Once he had gathered enough, he reached his right hand toward

  the heavens and used his intent to force the torrents of essence to flow

  in a circle. He clamped the raging energies down as they tried to

  resist.

  Against Baz’ mighty intent and control, the natural

  essence of the world stood no chance. It was forced into compliance and

  formed a ring of flowing natural essence in the air above.

  Soon, the essence flowed smoothly.

  He reached into the massive loop with his mind and extracted

  strands of natural essence from the flowing ring and brought those

  strands inward, toward the center of the circle. It took immense

  concentration. The shouting from the outer court below was completely

  blocked out. He couldn’t afford the distraction.

  Slowly but surely, he formed a complex pattern of flowing

  essence within the closed loop, an Ambient Formation Circuit floating

  in the sky above the outer court of the Jeoksa Family Palace.

  It was the culmination of years, decades even, of different paths coming together.

  Back when he first witnessed the might of tribulation

  lightning in the Silvervale Woodlands in Lumeria, he instinctively

  sought after such power. When he finally accepted his place in this

  world, and the [System] upgraded his Titles and—most importantly—his

  Talent, he wanted it for himself. Getting his hands on the Jeoksa

  Family’s secret Foundational Skill was when it finally became possible.

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  The more Baz pushed himself to control the oceanic

  quantities of natural essence into the complex circuit of the ambient

  formation, the more his Soul Seed consumed of the barrier between the

  physical and the spiritual. This achievement was beyond any he had

  accomplished thus far. As the ambient formation above the palace’s outer

  court fully formed, dark clouds began to cover the previously clear

  sky. They spread quickly and blanketed the city in darkness.

  “No, stop him!” Tang Kimoon shouted as panic reared its ugly head.

  Each of the Tang Clan practitioners unleashed various attacks.

  Some threw hidden daggers while others formed massive

  snakes of purple poison mist. Most of their attacks couldn’t get through

  the spatial formation. That was the frightening thing about the

  Formation Hall Master’s greatest achievement. The formation didn’t try

  to fight back, it didn’t clash with the might of powerful enemies or

  their attacks. It simply extended the range needed for them to reach

  anything.

  Some daggers did make it out, but by the time they did,

  the attacks had lost so much momentum that they were no longer a threat.

  The poison mist did little but fill the spatial formation, partially

  obscuring them from the view of the Jeoksa Elders.

  The dark clouds couldn’t be stopped at this point.

  Minor stage increased

  Every practitioner in the outer court felt their spines shiver.

  The tribulation was one of—if not the—most

  dangerous events of their lives. They couldn’t help but feel pressured

  as storm clouds loomed above. No one understood was was happening.

  How could a man, no matter how high leveled, summon a tribulation?

  It shouldn’t be possible.

  They all stood there, dumbfounded. Deer stuck in headlights.

  It was truly unsettling. The entire outer court was

  silent, and only the ambient light from the buildings illuminated the

  area. Which confounded them even more. The storm clouds of the Major

  Accomplishment Tribulation always rumbled and roared as it gathered its

  power. Lights would flicker as sparks and lightning struggled to escape

  the boundaries of the clouds.

  These dark clouds were still and silent. Not a single indication of its undoubtedly immense power could be sensed.

  Why? Because Baz wouldn’t allow it.

  He was the [System]’s chosen champion, the living incarnation of the [System] itself.

  The most feared and powerful weapon the [System] had was

  its tribulations. As the [Akashic Incarnation], Baz wanted to wield that

  same power. The big difference, however, was that the [System]’s

  lightning was a tribulation, a test to see if you were worthy, and to

  punish those who failed, while rewarding those who survived.

  Baz had no interest in testing anyone.

  His purpose was conquest and domination.

  He had finally finished his work and imbued the ambient formation with the strongest intent he could muster.

  The ambient formation activated with a loud thrum and a shock wave that would have sent mortals flying.

  His eyes peered down toward the Tang Clan practitioners

  still stuck in the spatial formation. With a satisfied smile, he let his

  arm fall as he unleashed his latest creation, [Heavenly Demon Divine

  Extermination Lightning].

  CRACK - BOOM

  A pillar of lightning, several meters thick, descended

  upon the Tang Clan practitioners. It happened so fast that even the

  powerful practitioners present failed to react.

  The light from the pillar was blinding.

  The sound, deafening.

  The heat, enough to melt the enchanted stone tiles they stood on.

  At the moment of impact, the Jeoksa Family Elders were

  overwhelmed with shock. They stood in awe, and they watched the attack which

  brought back painful memories of their own tribulations. The very air

  within the palace outer court trembled, unable to withstand the power of

  the lightning.

  After the first second had passed, and the pillar of

  lightning still held firm, their shock gradually faded. Two seconds in,

  and that shock they all felt was completely replaced by a pure, soul

  shuddering terror.

  Tribulation lightning was something they had all experienced, all faced head on and endured. They knew it intimately.

  This was something else.

  Tribulation lightning came in multiple strikes, each one

  powerful but brief. By the end of the tribulation, the strikes usually

  came in such quick succession that it seemed like the heavens and the

  earth was connected through a singular stream of lightning.

  This attack, however, was a single pure pillar of lightning which didn’t fade nor fluctuate.

  With every passing second, more of the outer court melted

  away. The area around the pillar liquefied. Molten stone bubbled and

  the air crackled.

  [System] alerts rang in Baz’ mind.

  Analyzing

  Analysis complete

  New formation created: Unnamed formation

  Please provide a name for the formation

  New formation created: Heavenly Demon Divine Extermination Lightning

  Major cultivation stage increased

  Then, just as quickly as it appeared, the pillar of lightning vanished.

  The ambient formation had used up its essence and could

  no longer maintain its shape. Along with it, the dark clouds dissipated

  and the sun bared down through a clear sky once more.

  When the smoke cleared, there was only a single figure still standing. They had all been vaporized, except for Tang Kimoon.

  His ambition forced him to begin preparing for the Grand

  Accomplishment Tribulation to come ever since the moment he reached

  level 70. Even though it was likely a century, if not more, left until

  he could have reached Grandmaster, he still had enough preparations in

  place to survive the [Heavenly Demon Divine Extermination Lightning].

  It had been far more powerful than a Major Accomplishment

  Tribulation, even more powerful than the Nascent Soul Heavenly

  Tribulation, but it still wasn’t at the level of a Grand Accomplishment

  Tribulation.

  While Tang Kimoon survived the blast, he was not in a good condition.

  His robes were mostly melted, only a few tattered parts

  had been spared due to his defenses. Although his skin had endured to

  the most part, his left arm had been completely destroyed. The extreme

  temperature had cooked him from the inside as he had inhaled the

  scorching air.

  When he tried to speak, to curse the man who did this,

  nothing but wheezes and particles of blood escaped his mouth. He tried

  to walk but couldn’t, his feet had sunk into the molten stone, become

  one with the ground.

  Baz had little interest in prolonging the man’s suffering.

  With a quick dash of his [Heavenly Demon Cosmic Steps],

  he appeared behind Tang Kimoon. His sword softly extended to his side.

  The Tang Clan master was cut in half, from shoulder to hip, as Baz had

  passed by him. All of the Master Practitioner’s mighty defenses had been

  completely worn down from the lightning.

  Just like that, the Jeoksa Family’s existential crisis was over.

  Baz turned around to face the Jeoksa Family Elders.

  He could see their minds working overtime. Some of them

  had surely planned to go along with the plan to have him help with

  protecting them from the Tang Clan, and then turn on him after he tired

  himself out from the fight.

  His extraordinary display of power, akin only to the might of the [System] itself, shut down any such inclinations.

  A gentle breeze swayed Baz’ black robes. His sword had

  returned to its sheath, and his hands were clasped behind his back.

  There mere sight of him brought out a pressure upon the elders, as if

  they were unworthy of standing in his presence. The charred remains of

  an enemy powerful enough to bring them to their knees in the background

  only added to the mental pressure.

  “A pledge was made. I intend to see that pledge honored,”

  Baz said with authority. His words struck the elders’ very souls like a

  hammer.

  Elder Jaemin didn’t miss a beat, he immediately got down

  on his knees. “The Jeoksa Family do not break oaths. From this day on,

  we follow the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult as loyal vassals!”

  The other elders were still in shock, their composure had

  not quite returned, but the promise made and their awe of the Heavenly

  Demon sent the [System]’s influence into full effect as a wave of

  essence washed over them.

  They were now followers of the Heavenly Demon Divine

  Cult, and while the influence the [System] pushed on them to worship the

  Heavenly Demon wasn’t strong enough to fully control them as it could

  weaker practitioners, none of them had the presence of mind to resist.

  One by one, they all got down on their knees as well.

  “I understand that the wise Patriarch Jeoksa Hyun was

  assassinated by his own son, Jeoksa Changmin.” Baz glanced back toward the circle of melted stone which was cooling and settling with

  every passing moment. Changmin’s remains couldn’t even be made out, they

  had merged with the molten ground.

  “It’s true, Demon Lord.” Elder Jaemin said.

  “And Jeoksa Hyuk, his firstborn son and the heir apparent, also betrayed the Jeoksa Family?”

  This time another elder, the old man from the council

  meeting, took it upon himself to answer as he pushed his forehead into

  the ground. “Yes, Demon Lord. During yesterday’s council meeting, it was

  revealed that he stole the Family’s Foundational Skill and gave it to a

  courtesan. He is currently imprisoned in the palace dungeon.”

  Baz sighed. It was a simple gesture, but the world itself

  seemed to sigh with him. “If there is one thing the Heavenly Demon

  Divine Cult does not tolerate, it is treason. Patriarch Jeoksa Hyun was

  beloved and respected, even among his enemies. I will not let his memory

  be dishonored by his children’s actions. A purge is required.”

  The elders looked down in shame, or shook their heads at

  the foolishness of the patriarch’s sons. Yet, they all understood. While

  it was kind of the Heavenly Demon to spare Patriarch Hyun’s memory, a

  purge of the former leaders bloodline was standard practice in such a

  significant change in leadership.

  The only one to voice an opinion, was Elder Jaemin.

  “Demon Lord, it’s not my place, but if I may say something?”

  Baz looked at him, uncertain of what the elder might be planning. “Speak.”

  “Thank you, Demon Lord,” Elder Jaemin said with a deep

  kowtow. “Patriarch Hyun’s daughter, Jeoksa Hye, is young, only in her late thirties, and still low

  leveled. She is expected to face Major Accomplishment in the coming

  years. Due to her age and place in the main family, she never concerned

  herself with Family politics. For most of her life, she had dedicated

  herself to caring for the mortals of Jeokseong. I have no right to ask

  this, and yet I feel I must. Please spare her.” As he asked, he kowtowed

  deeply enough to push his forehead into the ground and draw blood,

  which was not an easy feat for someone over level 60.

  Oh, I see what he’s doing, Baz thought. He’s showing off his relationship

  and influence with me and the cult to strengthen his position. To spare

  the life of the former patriarch’s child is to leave yourself open for

  trouble in the future. Most people in this position would

  never do that, but he’s confident that if she becomes a problem, it can

  be handled later. Rather unnecessary though, with things having gone

  this far, there is no need for subtlety any more.

  After a short pause to deliberate on the suggestion, Baz

  responded. “Very well, Elder Jaemin. Jeoksa Hye will be spared. Jeoksa

  Hyuk, on the other hand, will not.”

  “Thank you, Demon Lord!”

  A slight weight fell off the shoulders of some of the

  elders. That at least one of Patriarch Hyun’s children would survive was

  great news. Elder Jaemin’s plan worked wonderfully. They all

  appreciated him taking the risk to stand up for the Family and its

  legacy.

  “There is one final matter to tend to. Jeoksa Jaemin, I

  hereby declare you Patriarch of the Jeoksa Family.” A wave of essence

  flowed into Patriarch Jaemin as the [System] acknowledged his new Title.

  It was enough for him to level twice, which brought him very close to

  the level of Master.

  He immediately kowtowed once more.

  The other elders accepted the declaration; it was the natural choice given the circumstances.

  Patriarch Jaemin recited the demonic oath he had learned

  during his previous trips to the cult, and the other elders quickly

  joined in.

  “LONG LIVE THE HEAVENLY DEMON! ALL DEMONS MUST SUBMIT!”

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