Chapter 54
The martial artists observing the match were the first to notice Kang Si-woo's transformation. Among them, Namgung Do-hyun of the Namgung Family and Tang Wen-xue of the Sacheon Party watched the arena intently while discussing uneasily.
"Infinite Sword Emperor, isn't this dangerous?"
"If he doesn't want his head to fly off, he won't harm the audience."
This display of ominous energy at an event where the future of each sect and family was at stake felt like a provocation to them.
"It looks similar to demonic energy... but somewhat different."
Namgung Do-hyun frowned, his face contorting. The energy Kang Si-woo was emitting seemed similar to that used by the Blood Sect or Demon Sect.
The reason Bi Wol had deliberately not used the Heavenly Demon Divine Technique was that demonic arts were absolutely rejected as evil, regardless of righteous or evil factions.
"Shouldn't we stop the match now?"
"The Dragon Phoenix Gathering supported by the Ice Palace? And in a situation where there's no clear winner yet?"
Their opinions clashed as they watched. The Dragon Phoenix Gathering was originally a major martial arts tournament held once every few years. It was also an opportunity to confirm the growth of each sect and family, and to preview the future of the Central Plains.
"Do we have any proof that this is demonic energy?"
"No, that's the problem. If we barge in and stop the match, there'll be an uproar about ruining a festival that's been prepared for years."
After Bi Wol, Kim Hyul, and Verdandi had demonstrated that even third-rate martial arts could reach high levels, ruining this match would be like inscribing a lasting disgrace in martial arts history.
"The elder of the Northern Sea Ice Palace must have some sense. He wouldn't do something so stupid as to take responsibility if things go wrong."
Moreover, this martial arts tournament was also an opportunity to determine which of Bing Yeon or Bing Seolhwa was more suitable as the heir to the Ice Palace.
Their characteristic snow-white hair and blue eyes made it clear to anyone that they shared the same bloodline.
It was a widely known rumor that the elder of the Ice Palace had his eye on Bing Seolhwa as the successor, but if that were true...
"...The reason Bing Yeon chose the path of the evil faction must be related to the elder. That's why he readily supported this Dragon Phoenix Gathering."
This explained things that hadn't made sense before.
The reason why Bing Yeon, with his Extremely Yin Body, couldn't grow up in the Ice Palace and instead grew up in the evil Five Poison Sect.
The reason why the Dragon Phoenix Gathering, which should have been hosted by the righteous Martial Alliance, received sponsorship from the Ice Palace.
And the reason why such tremendous killing intent was being emitted in this martial arts tournament, trying to kill the opponent.
"The best we can do is prevent any loss of life."
"Damn, if this wasn't the Dragon Phoenix Gathering but a regular martial arts match, I would've smashed that thundering idiot's head into the ground right away..."
The Poison Dragon, Tang Wen-xue, chewed his lower lip.
If martial artists sitting in the audience had emitted such killing intent, it would have been clear enough to warrant immediate execution.
"Besides, that young lady is undoubtedly Bing Yeon's disciple. She should be able to overcome this level of crisis splendidly."
"That's true, if I had faced such an opponent in my youth, I would've been determined to win no matter what!"
Tang Wen-xue burned with competitive spirit as he watched Kang Si-woo.
The Seongyeong Gate of Bing Seolhwa was a sect that had defeated all of his children.
It was truly an incredible achievement, accomplished by taking ordinary people as disciples rather than those from the Five Great Families or the Nine Schools One Way.
"Damn, if I were just thirty years younger..."
It was rare for him to want to fight like this. His veins were bulging all over his body as he tried to suppress the itching to join the battle.
"...This could be an opportunity to widely spread Bing Yeon's name."
Namgung Do-hyun thought it could be a good opportunity. If they could defeat such a strong opponent and win the Dragon Phoenix Gathering, even Bing Yeon, who had been hiding his existence until now, would gain attention.
In this martial world, being weak was like a sin.
Although Bing Yeon was a peculiar and soft-hearted man, this unchanging truth had never been broken.
"...To have mercy and pity others in the martial world, one must also have the martial power to match."
Recalling Bing Yeon's figure expounding on the definitions of martial arts and chivalry, Namgung Do-hyun focused his gaze on their match.
What emerged from the reassembled smartphone was a monster with an unrecognizable form. It looked like a disgusting lump of flesh with multiple beast-like arms and legs.
"You've never seen something like this before, have you?"
Kang Si-woo grinned as he looked at the monster.
"What on earth have you done..."
Azazel felt chills run down her spine as she looked at the monster. As she had suspected, it seemed Kang Si-woo hadn't gathered his companions since coming here.
What was now reflected in her eyes were body parts of monsters that could be called the Demon King's subordinates.
"This, could it be that you combined monsters into one? Like a chimera?"
The monster formed by combining various types of monsters looked similar to the legendary chimera.
"That's right, even if I couldn't gather any companions except your sister, I still have the monsters I've subjugated so far."
Kang Si-woo snapped his fingers, signaling the chimera to cut off Azazel's tentacles. The chimera revealed teeth like blades.
With a sound like swinging a sword, Azazel's tentacles were cut off. She stepped back to create distance, trying to find her opponent's weakness.
- Azazel, even I can see that's dangerous. Quickly forfeit the match.
"No way. You want me to admit defeat and leave that trash be?"
- That's not what I mean, isn't this essentially someone else fighting the match! In a tournament to compete with each other's strength and skills, he's having someone else fight for him!
Mordegian thought the opponent could be disqualified. Even he thought this was clearly against the rules.
"Then I should surrender..."
Azazel briefly muttered while staring at the referee, but there was no intervention.
Even though someone was summoning others to fight in the sacred Dragon Phoenix Gathering.
"Unfortunately, this isn't against the rules."
As if seeing through Azazel's intention, Kang Si-woo spread his arms wide and shouted.
"This tournament is also sponsored by the holy Bing Seolhwa, so my ability is classified as a weapon...!"
The reason why personal weapons and poisons were allowed in this Dragon Phoenix Gathering was obvious. It was to allow Kang Si-woo's ability to command.
Kwaaang─!
The chimera swung its arm made of muscles inflated like a balloon. Azazel, who blocked it with the Six Harmonies Fist, couldn't help but let out a short groan.
"Kuuugh...!"
The overwhelming difference in power. If she hadn't used the Six Harmonies Fist as Bing Yeon had taught her, she would have been turned into a mush of blood and flesh by that strength.
"What's wrong? Where did that earlier arrogance go...!"
Kang Si-woo shouted at Azazel, hiding behind the chimera after manually turning his broken neck back to its original position.
- Azazel, it seems that guy doesn't die. That's already something that can't be called a living being anymore.
'I know...!'
Azazel widened her eyes as she looked at Kang Si-woo, who had fallen for Shub-Niggurath's temptation and become something that couldn't even be called alive.
To win the match, she ultimately had to defeat the chimera rather than Kang Si-woo.
But how could she defeat it?
'There's no reaction even if I punch it or stab it with tentacles.'
A hideous monster with various beast forms mixed together. A creature with multiple eyes and mouths, or arms and legs attached to its back, an appearance that seemed to induce madness just by looking at it.
Does such a thing even have a weakness? No, can it even be defeated with mere fists in the first place?
A doubt that 'it can't be done' grew in Azazel's heart. Unless she borrowed the power of Mordegian, who was also an Outer God, she couldn't see how to solve this problem on her own.
The audience around seemed shocked by the hideous monster's appearance, with some starting to shout or swear in protest.
"I've heard from the organizers that this beast was tamed in the Western Regions...!"
Cheon Cheonmu was barely calming the other spectators while sweating profusely, and he seemed to be trying to figure out what was going on by whispering with the leader of the Martial Alliance with a serious expression.
"However, it clearly doesn't look normal...! We might need to suspend the Dragon Phoenix Gathering for a moment!"
The bizarre appearance that seemed to have been pieced together by the Outer God Shub-Niggurath himself. No matter how one looked at it, this wasn't something a living creature would do.
Some martial artists were starting to invade the arena to try to stop the Dragon Phoenix Gathering. Their judgment was that they needed to stop that monster first, regardless of the aftermath.
"Mere inferior game characters...!"
Chwaaak─!
Kang Si-woo raised his hand to activate his command ability again. Then, like plants growing from the ground, tentacles sprouted to surround the arena, wrapping around the entire space.
It looked similar to creating an iron cage made of walls of flesh.
"Now there's no one who can interfere. Azazel."
"...How disgusting."
Unless someone defeated the opponent first, they couldn't leave this place or stop the match.
Realizing this fact immediately, Azazel rushed towards Kang Si-woo and threw an upward punch from below. The Dragon Waist technique, mimicking a dragon's ascending posture.
Even after taking that attack, the chimera only let out a small cry, showing no signs of having received any impact.
'This doesn't work either....'
Azazel momentarily considered whether she should draw upon the Outer God's power as well. Even if it caused the surrounding audience to lose their minds, if she manifested Mordegian here, she would have a chance of winning.
At that moment,
- Azazel, your master outside is trying to tell you something.
As if reading Azazel's thoughts, Mordegian hinted that there was something to be said.
'...Brother?'
Hearing this advice, Azazel looked towards where Bing Yeon was and couldn't help but widen her eyes as she confirmed his lip movements.
'Aim for the eyes.'
The advice Bing Yeon was trying to give her was to target the chimera's eyes.