Childhood Friend of the Zenith

“Found.”
“You.”

The voice did not sound in my ears. Deeper.

A voice pierced straight into my mind, and it sent a chill down my spine. Because I’d heard it before.

A voice I wasn’t supposed to hear again. And the fact that I’d heard it recently only made it worse.

This is…

I narrowed my eyes, focusing my gaze. Toward where the voice came from. The owner of this voice…

Taechon, was it?

One of the Grand Magyeong Gates had opened in Zhongyuan.

Among the permanently open Magyeong Gates under the Martial Alliance’s control, there was one known as the Taechon Realm.

And in the Myriad Realms, I had encountered another master.

His name was also Taechon.

This voice—it's the same one I heard back then.

The voice matched exactly with the one I heard back in the Myriad Realms. No—calling it a “voice” may not be accurate at all. That wouldn’t do it justice.

This was…

the same.

The presence contained within the voice.

That presence—yes, that’s what was identical.

This was the presence of Taechon.

Why?

Why would Taechon be here?

That bastard’s voice wasn’t something that should exist in this place.

And even worse—

It’s coming from where Gu Seon’s presence is.

Taechon’s voice was echoing from the direction where I felt Gu Seon’s aura. What kind of messed-up situation is this?

Ah. Shit.

My blood went cold.

Because one possibility came to mind.

No way.

Gu Seon’s disappearance from the start—

Was it just to lure me here?

Was I the true target? From the way he said “found you,” it sure seemed that way.

I felt my blood freeze—and at the same time, my head boiled.

Should I go? I didn’t know what his goal was. I’d have to think, but—

Fwoosh—!

My body had already moved.

**********

Crossing space wasn’t difficult.

Ever since mastering the Nine Flames Firewheel, my enhanced body could cover this kind of distance in the blink of an eye.

Fwhoosh.

I passed through one forest and arrived in another.

A distance well beyond the average region.

The qi I spent while moving was quickly replenished. The moonlit forest was beautiful, yet soaked in an unnatural aura.

Uuuuuung.

My heart responded, and my upper dantian loosened up.