Former Vice-Commander of the Imperial Guard, the Demon God Sword.  
Current Senior Soldier of the Galactic Sect’s Martial Arts Division, Jeon So-chang.

Both names referred to the same person.

The Demon God Sword, Jeon So-chang!

Now at the age of sixty, using the once-forgotten title of the Demon God Sword, he was in the prime of his life—according to the standard of an ordinary person.

It’s said that sixty is an age when one’s life experiences are mature, one’s judgment and discernment are fully formed, and one can accept the words of others.

However, for a martial artist, it was an age that was not so welcoming. 

Even if the depth of internal energy maintained youth, there were limits. The prime of the body passes, muscle elasticity decreases, and reflexes degrade due to aging.

For a martial artist, it could be seen as the twilight years.

Yet, Jeon So-chang did not entertain such melancholic thoughts. On the contrary, he embraced the new life and burned with passion.

For the great Galactic Sect! For the esteemed Emperor Karlstein! 

“**Galactic! Galactic! Galactic! Galactic!**”

The warriors shouted with veins popping out of their necks, following the instructor’s chant. Of course, Jeon So-chang was one of them.

“Next, the following names, step forward!”

A strange madness. A strange excitement. A strange tension.

Everyone stood in perfect formation, gazing at the instructor with burning eyes.

“Lee Pil-baek! Ryu Sa-cheon! Ma Gun-pil! Cheong Hong….”

The names called out were filled with joy as they marched toward the stage.

On the other hand, Jeon So-chang was seething inside. What good was his past fame? The list was decided solely by present ability.

Jeon So-chang suppressed his anxiety and took a deep breath.

- I must be chosen.

If only I could see the great Emperor Karlstein!

If I could give my life for the Galactic Sect!

What else is there to need?

Like everyone else, Jeon So-chang carried a strange madness in his heart.

However, his name was not called, and his anxiety grew.

‘Please, please, please, please!’

Was the heavens helping him?

Finally, his name was called.

“Finally, Jeon So-chang. That’s it! Everyone else, prepare to return to the Hell Eight Gates.”

When Jeon So-chang’s name was called, he clenched his fist tightly.

Yes!

“*Ughhh! This is ridiculous! Why am I left out?!* My devotion to Emperor Karlstein is real! I will not lose to anyone!”

“Back to the Hell Eight Gates again?”

“Grrr…”

“Ka, Karlstein!”

Although he had never met him in person, thanks to endless video viewings and mental training, Emperor Karlstein was even more familiar to him than his own name!

“*Hahahahaha!*”

“Finally!!”

“Good!”

“Phew…”

“Mother!!”

“Heavens!”

The martial artists who had been called could not hide their joy.

Their hearts swelled!

The excitement was uncontrollable!

Everyone was of one mind.

The instructor nodded as he looked at them and began leading the way.

“Follow me. You have passed rigorous standards and proven your right mindset and determination. The disgrace of your past in the Imperial Guard has already been washed away.”

Jeon So-chang followed the instructor, reflecting on the past.

At the command of the imperial order, he had participated in the Galactic Sect’s surprise attack as the vice-commander of the Imperial Guard.

But that life, before joining the Sect, was almost like something he had discarded.

The memories he now reflected on were of his life after joining the Sect!

*Gulp*-

It had been a tough time.

The bizarre training tools and mental conditioning that forced him to push his limits, again and again.

After enduring all of that, he was then forced to soak in a medicinal bath.

*Sizzle*-

The sensation of his skin being peeled off!

The agony of entering a cauldron of fire!

When he emerged from the bath, miraculously, all his fatigue vanished, and his body was restored.

Then what followed?

Straight back to more training.

This process was repeated endlessly until he had a body as strong as any master of external martial arts.

*Crunch*— *Flex*—

Even the skin that had sagged with age regained its vitality.

The terrible pain of the medicinal bath started to feel almost welcome!

Now, needles wouldn’t even penetrate his skin!

After that, he was placed in a metal chamber to measure his body.

Based on the results, each martial artist was injected with the appropriate substances. Was that all? No, each received specific martial techniques tailored to their traits.

And then? 

More training of those techniques.

Once again, he was placed in the metal chamber to have knowledge forcibly injected into him.

Even though these techniques were entirely new to him, the knowledge he absorbed felt like it had been ingrained for decades. He could quickly master them and use them proficiently.

And, of course, through this process, he was reconditioned with the greatness of Emperor Karlstein and the Galactic Sect.

At first, there was resistance to the brainwashing-like forced induction.

But soon, he realized he couldn’t help it. It was a blessing, a grace. If he could serve the great Emperor Karlstein, he would go to the depths of hell!

Once the ideological verification was completed, he was placed in a virtual training room.

A blunt and elongated metallic tube, just large enough for a person to lie down inside.

Once inside, a whole new world unfolded before him.

Ah…!

He would spend countless hours there, feeling no hunger, thirst, or pain.

From learning the use of all the cutting-edge devices to training the martial techniques he had been assigned.

Ten years, twenty years, thirty years.

Until he succeeded.

After enduring countless years, when he emerged, everyone would be shocked.

- *You didn’t lose any time?*

And not just that.

**Embodiment.**

It was as if his body, every muscle, remembered everything he learned in that place.

Though his mind might have felt a bit dull and simple, for the sake of the omnipotent Emperor Karlstein, he cared not at all.

Then came the countless elixirs.

These were likely gathered from all over the Middle Plains. There was nothing the Galactic Sect couldn’t do in the Middle Plains.

Originally, elixirs shouldn’t be consumed carelessly. But, it seemed everything had been carefully calculated, as he consumed the elixirs instead of food, rapidly increasing his internal power and cultivation level.

It didn’t matter if his mental faculties were a bit lacking.

Once again, he entered the virtual training room and repeated this process until perfection.

Along the way, many martial artists were lost and mentally broken, but those who endured all the trials would reach the **Xuanjing** (Mysterious Realm).

If one didn’t reach **Xuanjing**, they wouldn’t even pass through the Hell Eight Gates.

After spending decades in the virtual training room, when he was finally able to use the equipment he had mastered, he participated in various mock battles—team fights, individual duels, and special missions.

And only after that did he graduate from the Hell Eight Gates.

Jeon So-chang had endured all of this, and thus stood proudly in this very place.

With a heart full of emotions, he arrived at his destination.

“Here, you will receive your equipment. I’m sure you all know how to use them.”

“**Yes!**”

The familiar equipment that seemed like it had been used for decades greeted him.

Weapons, heavy artillery, skyboards, suits...

“These are the personal equipment assigned to you. Let’s take a moment to pray for the great Emperor Karlstein.”

...

A brief prayer time. Some people wept, while others fainted.

At least, those present shared the same devotion to Emperor Karlstein and the Galactic Sect.

“Now, though a bit early, it’s time for the real battle.”

“!!”

“It was a sudden decision due to certain circumstances. But I don’t believe you all are unprepared. After all, if you weren’t, you wouldn’t have graduated from the Hell Eight Gates.”

Jeon So-chang felt his heart racing.

Finally, he could do something for Emperor Karlstein!

After hearing the mission briefing and preparing, he could now meet the great leader.

The woman, dressed in black armor with dragon scales, wearing crimson-red metal armor on her lower half, was the one they called the Sect Leader.

Oh...

Her beauty was truly celestial.

Though her unique hair color and solemn beauty could steal attention, the martial artists who had been enlisted here quickly dismissed it.

Because soon, they would meet the Emperor.

They were about to do something truly exciting.

The Sect Leader’s beauty was nothing compared to what lay ahead.

“Then, let’s begin.”

After hearing the Sect Leader’s melodious voice, they could sense her immense power.

*Riiiiip- Crack- Zzzt-*

The air split, and an overwhelming aura covered the surroundings.

Ugh.

The warriors’ knees threatened to give way, but they were warriors of the ultimate victory.

They wouldn’t fall back, even if they collapsed!

The shimmering portal made of light appeared in the air.

“The dimensional door won’t last long! Enter quickly!”

At the Sect Leader’s exhausted voice, they snapped back to attention.

*Thud-thud-*

Those arduous years had all been for this moment!

For her! For the Galactic Sect!

They had endured

 it all, to be of some small help!

Now, they were ready!

They were about to meet...

Emperor Karlstein!

Long live the Galactic Sect!

And so, they passed through the portal of light.

---

**Boom—**

**Bang—**

**Crash—**

**Boom—**

Dazed.

Jeon So-chang realized he had fallen into the midst of a legendary battle.

“*Aaah! Deploy shields!*”

“*Lead, follow me! Get on the board now!*”

“*Stop, and you’ll die!*”

**Xuanjing** will help, right?

Madness. 

That was only something you’d think before actually facing it.

Now, a mere commoner caught between immortals, Jeon So-chang hurriedly followed orders.

But, everyone’s hearts burned the same.

“**Galactic! Galactic! Galactic! Galactic!**”

For a brief moment, they were caught off guard by the situation.

But soon, their eyes blazed with fire.

For the Galactic Sect and Emperor Karlstein, they were ready to risk it all!

And so, hundreds of SF **Xuanjing** martial artists entered the **World**.