Chapter 57:The Devil Who Refused Heaven

Not because nobody had anything to say.

But because nobody dared to.

The Heavenly Demon had revealed himself.

The strongest existence in Murim.

The ruler of the Demonic Cult.

The man who stood at the very peak.

And yet—

Everyone's attention was fixed on someone else.

A blood-covered youth standing in the center of the shattered arena.

Lucifer Morningstar.

The Devil.

The pressure released by the Heavenly Demon had nearly crushed everyone present.

Elders.

Clan heads.

Royal representatives.

Disciples.

All of them had been forced to bow.

All except one.

Now, as the pressure disappeared, people slowly raised their heads.

Many were gasping for breath.

Others were still trembling.

But their eyes remained fixed on Lucifer.

Because he had done the impossible.

He had looked directly into the eyes of the Heavenly Demon and refused to kneel.

The Sword Demon appeared behind the Heavenly Demon.

"My Lord."

The Heavenly Demon glanced at him.

"The arena cannot withstand much more."

The Sword Demon lowered his head.

"Your clash with him is affecting everyone."

Only then did the Heavenly Demon completely withdraw his aura.

The suffocating pressure vanished instantly.

People collapsed to the ground.

Others inhaled desperately.

Many felt as though they had just escaped death itself.

Yet nobody left.

Nobody moved.

Because everyone knew something important was about to happen.

For the first time in decades—

The Heavenly Demon had become interested in someone.

And that someone was Lucifer.

The Heavenly Demon rested one arm on his throne.

His eyes remained fixed on the young man below.

"I heard you call yourself the Devil."

Lucifer wiped blood from the corner of his mouth.

Then shrugged.

"Why can't I?"

The simple answer stunned many.

Most people would've been honored simply being spoken to by the Heavenly Demon.

Lucifer acted as if he were speaking to a random stranger.

The Heavenly Demon smiled.

"Why would you call yourself the Devil when the Heavenly Demon already exists?"

The crowd nodded internally.

That was true.

Why claim such a title when standing before the man recognized as the supreme demon of Murim?

Lucifer's answer came instantly.

"Hmph."

A smirk appeared.

"Because every demon is inferior before the Devil."

Silence.

Absolute silence.

The entire arena froze.

Many felt their hearts stop.

Had he just...

Insulted the Heavenly Demon?

In front of everyone?

The Sword Demon's eyes widened.

His hand immediately reached for his sword.

"How dare you!"

Sword intent exploded from his body.

The sky itself seemed to tremble.

Yet Lucifer merely glanced at him.

Annoyed.

Like someone interrupting a conversation.

"Why are you butting in?"

The Sword Demon froze.

Lucifer continued.

"The Heavenly Demon and I are speaking."

His gaze sharpened.

"Or do you think you're the Heavenly Demon himself?"

The Sword Demon nearly drew his blade.

"You—"

The Heavenly Demon raised a hand.

Instantly.

The Sword Demon fell silent.

Not because he wanted to.

Because he obeyed.

Absolutely.

The Heavenly Demon returned his attention to Lucifer.

"You are bold."

A smile appeared.

"I like that."

Then his eyes became colder.

"But don't you think too much boldness can get you killed?"

The temperature of the arena dropped.

An invisible intent surged forward.

It wasn't qi.

It wasn't aura.

It was killing intent.

Pure and overwhelming.

A crimson line appeared across Lucifer's cheek.

A single drop of blood slid downward.

Yet Lucifer didn't move.

Didn't blink.

Didn't retreat.

The Heavenly Demon observed him carefully.

No fear.

Not even a little.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

Lucifer wiped away the blood.

"If I wasn't this bold..."

A grin appeared.

"Would I have caught the Heavenly Demon's curiosity?"

The crowd stared.

Had he just admitted it?

Everything he had done...

Every outrageous action...

Every insane decision...

Was intentional?

The Heavenly Demon raised an eyebrow.

"And who said I was interested in you?"

Lucifer laughed.

"If you weren't interested..."

He spread his arms.

"Would I still be alive?"

For a second—

Silence.

Then—

The Heavenly Demon laughed.

A genuine laugh.

A loud laugh.

The kind that came from deep within.

The entire arena stared.

Many had followed the Heavenly Demon for decades.

Some had served him for centuries.

Almost nobody had ever seen him laugh like this.

The Sword Demon himself looked surprised.

The Heavenly Demon shook his head.

"Interesting."

"Truly interesting."

His gaze locked onto Lucifer.

"Lucifer Morningstar."

"Become my disciple again."

The crowd froze.

What?

The Heavenly Demon continued.

"I promise nobody will touch you."

"You'll never lack resources."

"You'll never need protection."

"You'll stand directly beneath me."

The arena erupted.

People couldn't believe what they were hearing.

The impartial Heavenly Demon.

The man who treated all disciples equally.

The man who ignored politics and favoritism.

Was personally inviting someone back.

Many disciples felt jealous.

Others felt fear.

Some felt despair.

Because if Lucifer accepted—

His rise would become unstoppable.

Even the elders looked shocked.

This wasn't an opportunity.

This was destiny itself.

Everyone looked toward Lucifer.

Certain of his answer.

How could anyone refuse?

Resources.

Protection.

Status.

Power.

Everything he wanted.

Everything.

The entire arena waited.

Then Lucifer answered.

"No."

The world stopped.

Even the Heavenly Demon blinked.

For the first time since revealing himself.

He looked genuinely surprised.

"What?"

Lucifer repeated himself.

"No."

People thought they had misheard.

Surely he was joking.

Surely—

He wasn't.

The Heavenly Demon leaned forward slightly.

"May I know the reason?"

Lucifer's answer came without hesitation.

"The reason is simple."

His eyes burned with certainty.

"I want to surpass you."

The entire arena became silent again.

"I don't want borrowed strength."

"I don't want borrowed power."

"I don't want protection."

His voice echoed throughout the arena.

"What I want..."

"I'll earn."

A pause.

Then a smile.

"And if I can't earn it..."

"I'll take it."

The Heavenly Demon watched silently.

Lucifer pointed toward himself.

"I value freedom above all else."

The Heavenly Demon nodded slowly.

"Then let me ask another question."

His voice became softer.

"Do you understand how many enemies you'll gain after refusing me?"

"How many people will try to kill you?"

"How many powerful forces will come after you?"

Lucifer laughed.

Not nervously.

Not arrogantly.

Genuinely amused.

"Pain that doesn't kill me only makes me stronger."

Then he turned toward the audience.

Toward the elders.

Toward the nobles.

Toward the princes.

Toward the entire world.

His voice thundered across the arena.

"Listen carefully."

Everyone unconsciously focused on him.

"I don't care who you are."

"King."

"Emperor."

"God."

"Angel."

"Noble."

"Commoner."

His sword pointed toward the sky.

"I don't care how many soldiers you command."

"I don't care how large your army is."

His eyes glowed with madness.

"Remember this."

"I'll face all of you."

"Alone."

The crowd felt chills.

Because he wasn't bragging.

He wasn't pretending.

He meant every word.

Lucifer smiled.

A terrifying smile.

"Because I'm Lucifer Morningstar."

"The Devil."

Then he turned around.

And left.

Just like that.

Not waiting for applause.

Not waiting for recognition.

Not waiting for approval.

He simply walked away.

The crowd remained frozen long after he disappeared.

Because something had changed today.

The Heavenly Demon had found someone interesting.

And Murim had found someone terrifying.

Inside the Heavenly Palace...

The Sword Demon stood beside his lord.

"My Lord."

The Heavenly Demon was smiling.

Still smiling.

The Sword Demon looked confused.

"Why are you happy?"

The Heavenly Demon looked toward the horizon.

"You've been with me since the beginning."

The Sword Demon nodded.

"You know my life."

The Heavenly Demon sighed.

"I've obtained everything."

"Power."

"Wealth."

"Authority."

"Victory."

His eyes became distant.

"There was nobody left to challenge me."

"My life became predictable."

A smile slowly returned.

"But today..."

His fingers tapped the throne.

"My heart beat faster."

The Sword Demon stayed silent.

The Heavenly Demon laughed softly.

"Someone rejected me."

"Not out of fear."

"Not out of pride."

"But because he genuinely wants to surpass me."

His eyes shone.

"I want to see where he ends."

The Sword Demon looked toward the horizon.

Then muttered.

"I don't know whether to be grateful..."

"...or terrified."

Three days later.

"Ahhh."

"Feed me."

Zhong Yu's eye twitched.

"No."

Lucifer pointed toward the spoon.

"My injuries haven't fully recovered."

"You can eat by yourself."

"That's not the point."

"It absolutely is the point."

Lucifer sighed dramatically.

"You're heartless."

"You're unbearable."

Despite her words—

She still handed him the food.

Lucifer grinned.

"See? Deep down you're nice."

"Shut up and eat."

Later...

The two stood before a massive stairway piercing the clouds.

The Stairway to Heaven.

The legendary trial.

Ten thousand steps.

A path that tested body, mind, and will.

Only one person had ever reached the very top.

The current Heavenly Demon.

Zhong Yu looked at him.

"You seriously want to do this?"

Lucifer stretched lazily.

"Of course."

"You just recovered."

"I know."

"The pressure increases every step."

"I know."

"The Heavenly Demon climbed it at the peak of the Transcendent Realm."

Lucifer smiled.

"And?"

Zhong Yu stared.

"You're only at Nascent Peak."

The smile widened.

"Then I'll break his record."

Before she could reply—

He stepped forward.

The pressure descended instantly.

Most disciples collapsed at Step One.

Lucifer merely grinned.

Then started running.

The crowd stared.

"What?"

"He's running?!"

People were crawling.

Lucifer was sprinting.

As he passed disciples he laughed.

"Crawl harder, losers!"

The disciples almost coughed blood.

Halfway up—

His speed finally slowed.

Pressure crushed his bones.

Tore his muscles.

Split his skin.

Still—

He climbed.

Then something unexpected happened.

Sin of Gluttony activated.

The heavenly pressure became nourishment.

The surrounding qi flooded into his body.

Absorbed.

Devoured.

Consumed.

Step after step.

Hour after hour.

Day after day.

Until finally—

He reached the summit.

The place where only the Heavenly Demon had stood.

And then...

Lucifer sat down.

For three days.

Absorbing everything.

Devouring everything.

Refining everything.

Until—

BOOM.

His cultivation exploded.

Transcendent Fourth Realm.

The realm where humanity's natural limits shattered.

Lucifer opened his eyes.

Smiled.

And jumped.

The crowd below screamed.

"Someone fell!"

"No!"

"It's Lucifer!"

"He's dead!"

Many celebrated.

Many mocked.

Many rejoiced.

Only Zhong Yu remained calm.

"The man acknowledged by the Heavenly Demon..."

"...won't die from falling."

A second later—

BOOM!!

The earth shattered.

A massive crater formed.

Dust exploded.

When it cleared—

Lucifer stood inside.

Perfectly alive.

The crowd became silent.

Again.

Somehow he kept doing impossible things.

People rushed forward.

Trying to befriend him.

Trying to recruit him.

Trying to gain favor.

Lucifer ignored every single one.

He walked directly to Zhong Yu.

"So."

She crossed her arms.

"Which elder are you choosing?"

Lucifer blinked.

"What?"

"You became a Direct Disciple."

"You need a master."

Lucifer thought for two seconds.

Then shook his head.

"I don't plan to choose one."

Zhong Yu sighed.

"Of course."

The man who rejected the Heavenly Demon wasn't about to accept anyone else.

"Then where are you going?"

Lucifer looked toward the distant horizon.

A grin appeared.

"To become stronger."

And without looking back—

He left.

Zhong Yu watched him disappear.

Part of her wanted to follow.

But she knew.

Right now—

She would only slow him down.

So she made a decision.

She would become stronger too.

Strong enough to walk beside him.

Not behind him.

Within days—

The news spread throughout Murim.

A disciple had broken the Heavenly Demon's record.

A disciple had refused the Heavenly Demon.

A disciple had climbed the Stairway to Heaven at the Nascent Realm.

His name spread like wildfire.

Lucifer Morningstar.

The Devil.

Inside the Heavenly Palace...

The Sword Demon looked toward the horizon.

"He's leaving."

The Heavenly Demon smiled.

"Let him."

"A bird that desires the sky cannot be locked in a cage."

He closed his eyes.

Still smiling.

"Free birds grow strongest beneath open heavens."

And somewhere far away—

The Devil began his journey beyond the Demonic Cult.

Unaware that the entire Murim was already beginning to move because of him.

End of Arc: Rise of the Devil

Next Arc: The Devil Walks the World