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"Aha~ There he is! Looks like we fished a really big fish this time, everyone."

Maria looked up, her eyes glowing brightly as her calm expression shifted into an excited smile.

Lucifer remained where he was, his Aura flowing steadily across the skies.

Then, the figure emerged—overflowing with immense power.

A youthful man, appearing no older than his mid-twenties, with long black hair streaked with white strands. He had sharp silver eyes and wore divine robes of white, silver, and gold, adorned with patterns of clouds, mist, and thunder.

He carried himself with great prestige, his face marked by indignation. His hands rested behind his back, completely relaxed—even while facing someone like Lucifer.

"I've seen enough."

His divine voice echoed through the heavens and shook the ground below. Every person present, except for Maria and her family, immediately dropped to their knees, foreheads pressed to the earth.

"W-We greet the great Immortal!"

All the soldiers spoke in unison, their voices filled with fear and disbelief. He had descended without warning, stepping into the world below the clouds.

"Sect Master!" Yoomyung pleaded, still kneeling. "You've descended...! Please answer my question! Did you truly order Fang Sheng to capture and execute me and these people?"

"..."

The Immortal remained silent for a moment, his divine gaze fixed on Maria and her family. He studied Maria most of all, before his eyes settled on... Arthur.

For a moment, Maria could swear he smirked faintly, a shimmer of golden light flickering in his eyes.

"Yes, I did, Yoomyung."

"...W-What?!"

Yoomyung was shaken. He had known the Sect Master since childhood and had never imagined him capable of such ruthlessness.

"But why?! These people—"

"They destroyed my precious Divine White Mist Formation and dared to intimidate my people. Do you truly believe they deserve forgiveness, especially after they massacred three disciples and one Elder?"

"But they were attacked first! Don't they have the right to defend themselves?"

"Perhaps I've been too kind to you, Yoomyung. I personally oversaw your growth from a young disciple. I allowed you to become one of the Elders, and this is how you repay me?"

"T-That's not true...! I would never betray you, Sect Master! I live for you, for the sect, and for the orthodox faction—for the Murim Alliance!"

"Then why have you sided with these complete strangers? They mean nothing to you, don't they? All for one friend—old Wu? Whose sect was destroyed?"

"My sect...? What happened to it?!"

The Immortal paused before smiling at Elder Wu, clearly savoring the despair etched into his wrinkled face.

"It was destroyed by the Tang Family, led by the Poisonous Heart Demon."

"The Poison Sect?! But we... we never crossed swords... why...?"

"You abandoned your sect and left a few disciples and a single elder to fend for themselves. It was inevitable something would happen to a small sect without an Immortal to protect it."

"..."

The Immortal smiled as Elder Wu's face crumpled in despair, tears falling from his tired eyes.

Maria looked at the poor old master, her heart stirred—just slightly, but enough.

"What else did you expect, Wu Lieng? You come from a prestigious family, and yet after the fall of the Heavenly Demon, your bloodline was slowly wiped out. You've surely outlived your life expectancy, hahaha! But perhaps with you, the Heavenly Demon Bloodline will finally end."

"Heavenly Demon Bloodline?" Maria echoed, noticing Elder Wu's shocked expression. "Who's that?"

"The Pinnacle of Murim," Yoomyung sighed. "A man who once ascended to the High Heavens, becoming a Celestial Immortal. He led the Demonic Faction and unified them—until a great disaster struck the Dark Shadow Sect, once the strongest sect in Thousand Mountains. The Golden Dragon Emperor was lured there, and the Murim Alliance conspired with other Evil Sects and even Vampires from Floor 60... all to defeat him."

"Wu, you're the son of someone like that?!" Emeraldine asked. "I had no idea..."

"Me neither. That's surprising," Partner added, raising an eyebrow. "But why are you so weak then?"

"Hahah! He's survived this long only because we don't see him as a threat. His Dantians were sealed, and a Bloodline-Eating Gu was implanted in his bloodstream. His cultivation and talent were crippled! That's why he's so weak—and we'll never let his cursed bloodline live, let alone prosper. Wu Lieng, you've arrived at the perfect time. I'll personally end your bloodline tonight."

"Nnngh... Father...! I'm sorry... I'm sorry, father..."

Elder Wu continued crying, striking the floor so hard his hands began to bleed. Maria saw herself in this old, broken man. His life had been filled with punishment, hatred, and persecution—simply for the family he was born into. His loved ones were slaughtered, and he was left crippled and humiliated.

Just like her and her family in Yggdrasil...

Maria slowly walked toward Wu, gently patting his back and smiling. She had finally learned who he truly was.

And she could only feel empathy for this poor old man.

"Elder Wu, don't cry anymore."

"M-Maria?"

The old man looked up at her, surprised, as she smiled warmly—with honesty and sincerity.

"I finally know who you are. You really kept it a secret, huh?"

"Run... please run away...! I don't want to involve you in my personal problems..."

"Haha, you should've told me way earlier—because there's no way I'm running away now."

"W-What? But..."

"We're not so different. I had a life like yours. My family and I were persecuted and executed for something we didn't do—just because of our bloodline, and the treasure we were sworn to protect."

"My Lady..."

"My father was tortured. My mother was raped to death. And I was publicly executed—called a witch, beheaded in front of the very people who once loved us. They were brainwashed into hating us for crimes we never committed."

"...!"

Elder Wu was stunned by Maria's heartbreaking tale.

"We're not so different, are we? People like us have to stand against fate—together."

"I... don't have the power."

Maria patted his head, then stood and turned to face the Immortal.

"But I do."

"You dare stand against me?"

"Yeah, I do. I'm going to enjoy ripping your body apart—especially since you've got such a pretty face."

"Hah... the boldness of this one."

The Immortal laughed as white and dark clouds gathered around him. Blue lightning crackled, electricity surging through his body.

He was preparing an attack—a powerful Killer Move.

"Wu, tell me something."

"...Yes?"

"Is your father really dead?"

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