Chapter 1
At the peak of Mount Jade Capital [Okgyeong-san] in the Great Canopy Heaven [Daracheon], considered the highest of the 36 heavens in the divine realm.
In the center of a lush green forest under a clear sky, a man with black hair, black eyes, and a robe as dark as the night sky sat cross-legged with his eyes closed.
Breaking the heavy silence were three gods observing the man.
"Hmm... He looks remarkably ordinary on the surface."
"Indeed, who would think this is a demon god?"
"Don't let your guard down. He is the strongest demon god."
The old man with black hair, a long beard, and a red robe spoke. He was known as Primordial Heavenly Lord [Wonsi Cheonjon], revered as the highest god.
"We are aware. It's just that his aura is unbelievably calm compared to when we first met him," agreed Queen Mother of the West [Seowangmo], a woman of incomparable beauty with jade-like skin, round eyes, and a high nose bridge. She is the highest goddess overseeing all female immortals.
"That's precisely why we must be more cautious," said Jade Emperor [Okwhang Sangje], the supreme ruler of all gods, with tension evident in his eyes.
Their caution was understandable, as the man before them, Lee Seong-jun, hailed as the strongest and only demon god, had started as an ordinary mortal. His only distinguishing feature was that he had crossed through a dimensional rift.
Yet, Lee Seong-jun had achieved the unthinkable:
- 20 years to become the Blood Demon
- 10 years to conquer the Thousand Continents
- 5 years to ascend as a Demon God
- 3 years to forcibly open the gates of the divine realm
- 2 years to stand shoulder to shoulder with the highest gods
Most terrifyingly, his power as a demon god continued to grow even now.
The man before their eyes was writing a myth that even the lofty gods couldn't achieve.
"Is everyone prepared?"
"Yes."
"We are."
After confirming the determined nods of Queen Mother of the West [Seowangmo] and Jade Emperor [Okwhang Sangje], Primordial Heavenly Lord [Wonsi Cheonjon] extended his hand, dispersing the aura surrounding the man.
As the black energy exploded outward, a heavy voice that seemed to weigh down the world was heard.
"Primordial Heavenly Lord [Wonsi Cheonjon], Queen Mother of the West [Seowangmo], Jade Emperor [Okwhang Sangje], the three of you coming together means you've found a way, right?"
The Demon God, Lee Seong-jun, who had been silent until now, slowly rose and faced the three gods confidently.
"Yes, thanks to you suppressing your power well, we've found a way to open a dimensional gate to a place called Earth."
"I don't lack the patience to wait even five years."
Though his tone seemed calm, energy was surging around Lee Seong-jun, ready to explode. His suppressed power was being released uncontrollably due to excitement from joy and surprise.
But it was too early to rejoice.
Lee Seong-jun quickly composed his racing heart and carefully opened his mouth.
"It's not just about location, right?"
"If it were, it wouldn't have taken five years."
"Good."
Though he tried to control it, his voice still trembled slightly. It couldn't be helped. Returning to Earth was Lee Seong-jun's desperate dream.
The reason he accepted the gods' sudden peace offer in the first place was because their condition was his long-desired dream of 'returning to Earth'.
'Finally... I can finally return to Earth!'
As mentioned earlier, the Demon God, Lee Seong-jun, was merely transported to the Thousand Continents by an unexpected accident.
Originally, he was a modern civilized person enjoying Earth, the internet, smartphones, and fast, comfortable transportation.
Perhaps because he had lived comfortably with these benefits of civilization?
'I was really immature.'
As he was thinking, he remembered having big and small arguments with his family for not supporting his opinions.
Of course, he was the one who raised his voice first.
Even knowing that they clashed because they cared for each other, he lashed out in frustration when things didn't go his way.
He never properly considered his parents' perspective.
At 26, he behaved no differently from a child who lacked maturity, so perhaps the heavens had punished him.
In fact, 45 years ago, on the day he was forcibly transported to the Thousand Continents, he had stormed out of the house after shouting irritably during a conversation with his family.
He regrets it now.
He wants to apologize for his immature and foolish behavior of the past, even now.
He will live happily with his precious family who cherish each other, correcting the mistakes of the past.
"Can you open the gate right away?"
"It's not impossible, but... you'll have to pay a great price."
Lee Seong-jun nodded calmly at Primordial Heavenly Lord [Wonsi Cheonjon]'s words.
Every action has its karmic consequences. He had already anticipated that no small price would be required for a dream as grand as moving through space and time.
"What exactly is the price?"
"Demon God, you will lose all the power you possess."
"Hmm..."
As Lee Seong-jun narrowed his eyes, seeming to be in deep thought, Primordial Heavenly Lord [Wonsi Cheonjon] spoke again.
"As it's about breaking free from your current constraints, it's no different from shedding your shell. It will be greatly beneficial for your future. Not only will you be able to return home, but you'll also be able to see higher realms. It's killing two birds with one stone."
The prospect of reaching a higher realm, of becoming stronger, was incredibly appealing to all martial artists.
They might have tried to tempt him with this, but in fact, Lee Seong-jun had already made his decision.
There was nothing to regret or be greedy about in the first place.
'I can always regain lost power.'
Of course, as one hailed as a Demon God, Lee Seong-jun possessed many things besides power.
The reverence of countless people, enough wealth to last a lifetime, absolute power that could change the map of the continent with a single word.
'But they're all false.'
People only pretended to revere him, offered tributes, and bowed their heads to protect their own interests and vested rights.
No one had truly been on 'his side' without expecting something in return, unlike his family.
'It seems I have everything, but in the end, I have nothing.'
If he could live happily with his precious family whom he had longed for for so long, he could give up all these false things.
"That's fine with me."
"You've made a truly wise choice."
As if she had been waiting, Queen Mother of the West [Seowangmo] took out three orbs imbued with five colors from her bosom. They were clearly objects full of divine energy.
Then, Primordial Heavenly Lord [Wonsi Cheonjon] waved his hand, and the orbs flew through the air into Lee Seong-jun's grasp.
"These are strange divine objects."
"You need to infuse them with energy."
"How much?"
"Until they're full. Think of it as squeezing out all the power you have."
Lee Seong-jun wore a puzzled expression.
It seemed a bit underwhelming for a method to open a dimensional gate, to move through time and space.
"Is that all?"
"After that, the divine technique will unfold on its own."
It was somewhat surprising, but there was no need for unnecessary suspicion.
The reason he accepted their proposal in the first place was because they had made a contract staking their very foundations - Primordial Heavenly Lord [Wonsi Cheonjon]'s creation of all things in heaven and earth, Queen Mother of the West [Seowangmo]'s Peach Garden, and Jade Emperor [Okwhang Sangje]'s Jade Capital Palace.
In a situation where they had staked their divine origins, their lives, and everything they had cherished and cultivated, there was no reason for them to lie.
Lee Seong-jun nodded and began to infuse his energy into the three orbs.
The moment Lee Seong-jun's power burst forth from his body, the earth began to shake.
Kugung...
A wry smile crossed Primordial Heavenly Lord [Wonsi Cheonjon]'s lips.
He knew the Demon God's power was strong, which was why he had proposed the peace agreement, but the power now emanating from Lee Seong-jun's body was too fierce and vast.
They say if you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes back. Primordial Heavenly Lord [Wonsi Cheonjon] felt as if he was facing the abyss right now.
It wasn't just Primordial Heavenly Lord [Wonsi Cheonjon] who couldn't hide his shock.
"Goodness."
Queen Mother of the West [Seowangmo] and Jade Emperor [Okwhang Sangje]'s eyes were shaking as if an earthquake had occurred.
Lee Seong-jun's power far exceeded the gods' expectations.
How vast was the power that the Demon God had been holding?
It was unbelievable that a human body could contain such vast power.
But the power Lee Seong-jun was emitting now was just the tip of the iceberg.
Kung, kugung.
Once again, a vast amount of power began to burst from Lee Seong-jun's body.
"Good."
As he had been constantly suppressing his power while staying in the divine realm to avoid unnecessary conflicts, it had been quite stifling.
But now, releasing it so freely felt like a weight was being lifted.
Kugung-!
Primordial Heavenly Lord [Wonsi Cheonjon] swallowed dry saliva.
'Making peace with the Demon God instead of waging war was truly a wise choice.'
He thought he had a good grasp of Lee Seong-jun's power.
It was a peace offered simply because he didn't want to shed unnecessary blood.
But that was mere arrogance.
The power of Lee Seong-jun that he had seen and understood so far was only a fraction.
It was just a small part that leaked out while most of his power was sealed.
He had been judging Lee Seong-jun based on that fraction all this time.
The space within a thousand zhang became entirely his domain.
If he were to explode the power he was emitting now, even the three gods gathered here couldn't guarantee their survival.
'This man is...'
As Primordial Heavenly Lord [Wonsi Cheonjon]'s eyes widened in shock, Lee Seong-jun's power that had filled the area began to be sucked into the orbs.
The energy of the orbs swelled instantly and quickly burrowed into Lee Seong-jun's body.
'This is...?'
Lee Seong-jun's brow furrowed at the feeling of energy being forcibly pushed in.
Kwang-!
As the outgoing energy and the incoming energy collided within his body, causing explosive pain, Lee Seong-jun gritted his teeth and held onto his consciousness.
'Mere divine objects dare...'
Although sudden, it wasn't that he hadn't anticipated such variables.
Lee Seong-jun drew out all the power in his body and began to subdue the energy flowing from the three orbs one by one.
'Submit obediently.'
Finally, after subduing all the energy from the orbs that had rushed into his body, Lee Seong-jun coordinated the three energies and unified them.
Kugung-!
With a thunderous sound ringing in his ears, a black vortex swept through the world, creating a rift.
Inside, a familiar blue planet came into view.
'Earth.'
No sooner had he recalled the name of his long-lost home planet than a powerful suction pulled at his body.
Lee Seong-jun fully surrendered himself to that suction.
'I'm finally going back.'
At last, Earth began to rapidly approach in Lee Seong-jun's vision.