Chapter 27: Battle for the 16 Masters – The Radiant Sword Immortal

The moon shone like a silver blade in the heavens, casting its cold light over the great arena of Wolseong. The air was thick with tension, and the crowd gathered around in a mix of excitement and dread. Today, the very foundation of the martial world would shake, for today, an outsider dared to challenge the order of Wolseong.

Nam Gong-Wook, the name that now carried a weight heavier than mountains, stood alone in the center of the arena. His long black robe, embroidered with dark crimson patterns, swayed with the wind. His sword rested at his side, a quiet storm waiting to be unleashed.

Across from him stood his opponent—Jang Hyeon-seok, the Radiant Sword Immortal, leader of Mount Hua Sect and one of the most revered swordmasters in all of Wolseong. Clad in flowing white robes with golden embroidery, his presence exuded an aura of righteousness and overwhelming sword intent. His blade, the Celestial Starfall Sword, hummed in anticipation.

The Sixteen Masters of Wolseong were a symbol of ultimate martial prowess. To stand among them was to be acknowledged as one of the strongest in the world. And now, a nameless man from the unorthodox sects sought to claim such a title.

The judges stood in silence, their gazes fixed on the two warriors.

"This is an insult to the martial order of Wolseong," muttered one of the elders from Wudang.

"Mount Hua shall remind this heretic of his place," declared another.

Jang Hyeon-seok's eyes, calm and piercing, locked onto Lucian. "I do not know what trickery allowed you to rise this far, but your journey ends here. I will not allow an unorthodox rat to sully the honor of the Sixteen Masters."

Lucian's lips curled into a smirk. "Honor? That's an interesting word coming from the orthodox sects. I wonder if your sword is as sharp as your arrogance."

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

The referee raised his hand. "This match will determine whether Nam Gong-Wook is worthy of being recognized as a Master Martial Artist of Wolseong. The duel will only end when one side is unable to fight or surrenders."

Jang Hyeon-seok raised his sword, his presence transforming. Sword Qi swirled around him like a divine storm, his blade shimmering with celestial energy.

Lucian remained still, his eyes burning with an eerie calm.

"Begin!"

The Clash of Titans

Jang Hyeon-seok moved first. His Cloud-Splitting Step made it seem as though he vanished, reappearing mid-air with his sword crashing down like a divine decree.

Celestial Sword Art – First Form: Falling Star Slash!

A streak of golden light cut through the night sky, bearing the weight of a meteor. The ground beneath them cracked from the sheer force.

Lucian did not retreat. Instead, he stepped forward.

Azura Dragon style- Void Rain

His sword lashed out in a motion so fluid it seemed unreal. A black crescent of destructive energy erupted from his blade, colliding head-on with Jang Hyeon-seok's attack. The arena trembled as the two forces clashed, the resulting shockwave sending dust and debris flying in all directions.

Lucian's feet dug into the ground, his body unshaken. He smirked. "Is that all?"

Jang Hyeon-seok's eyes flickered with surprise, but his expression remained composed. "Interesting."

He leapt forward, his sword flickering like a thousand stars. Each strike was precise, each movement seamless.

Lucian met him head-on, his Abyssal Sovereign Sword Art countering the celestial brilliance of Mount Hua's strongest technique.

Blades danced, sparks flew, and the arena became a battlefield of gods.

Breaking the Radiance

The crowd could not believe their eyes. Nam Gong-Wook was matching the Radiant Sword Immortal, blow for blow.

"He's forcing the Radiant Sword Immortal to use his full strength!" someone gasped.

"This is impossible… No outsider should be able to contend with him!"

Lucian grinned as his sword hummed with growing power.

"You call yourself the Radiant Sword Immortal, yet your light is nothing before the abyss," he taunted, his sword glowing with abyssal energy.

Jang Hyeon-seok's expression darkened. "Then let us see if the abyss can swallow the heavens!"

He took a deep breath, and his sword shone with a radiance so blinding it seemed as if the sun itself had descended. The sheer intensity of his Celestial Sword Qi made weaker martial artists in the crowd collapse.

Lucian narrowed his eyes.

Celestial Sword Art – Ninth Form: Divine Starfall Annihilation!

The very air trembled as Jang Hyeon-seok unleashed his strongest technique. A colossal sword of golden energy materialized above him, descending with divine fury.

Lucian did not hesitate.

He raised his sword, his aura surging with terrifying darkness.

"Then let the abyss devour the heavens."

Azura Dragon style– Eternal Dragon's Embrace!

A surge of abyssal energy erupted from Lucian, forming a massive vortex of void energy. His sword slashed upward, and the abyss consumed the celestial radiance.

For a moment, time itself seemed to freeze.

Then—BOOM!

The explosion sent shockwaves through the entire city. The ground shattered, the sky darkened, and when the dust settled…

Jang Hyeon-seok was on his knees, his sword shattered.

Lucian stood above him, his sword resting against the fallen master's throat.

The Birth of a New Master

Silence.

No one spoke. No one even breathed.

The impossible had happened.

Lucian lowered his sword. "Mount Hua, your Radiant Sword Immortal has fallen. Will you acknowledge the result or cry foul like the rest of the orthodox sects?"

Jang Hyeon-seok clenched his fists, but then… he exhaled deeply. "I acknowledge my defeat."

The audience erupted into chaos.

"This is unacceptable!"

"A mere heretic cannot be allowed to stand among the Masters!"

"The integrity of Wolseong's martial order is at stake!"

The referee, pale but resolute, stepped forward. "The duel has been decided. Nam Gong-Wook is now one of the Sixteen Master Martial Artists of Wolseong!"

Lucian turned his gaze toward the elders of the Orthodox Alliance. "You wanted to stop me, but you were too late. I am now one of your so-called Masters, and there's nothing you can do about it."

The Heavenly Demon Cult's members erupted in cheers.

The orthodox sects, however, seethed with rage.

This was only the beginning.

Lucian smirked. Let them hate me. Soon, they will fear me.