"The Longevity Fruit...!"
I extend my trembling hand towards the still young Longevity Tree.
Soon after, Seo Ran rushes over and sees the Longevity Tree about to bear fruit.
"Th-this is..."
"Is it...?"
Seo Ran looks at the Longevity Fruit with a serious gaze.
"It's the Longevity Fruit... indeed!"
"...Then..."
"But."
Seo Ran's face remains tense.
"If the fruit hasn't fully ripened, consuming the Longevity Fruit won't significantly increase lifespan. The life force of heaven and earth contained in a Longevity Fruit activates only after it's fully ripened, extending lifespan considerably."
"If it doesn't increase significantly, does it mean it might still extend life a little?"
"Yes, as far as I know, a Longevity Fruit in this state might extend lifespan by about half a year."
"...Half a year."
The difference between a fully ripened and an unripened fruit is too vast.
"Daoist Seo, how long do you think it will take for this Longevity Fruit to fully ripen?"
"The Longevity Fruit typically takes about 600 years to transform from a bud to a fruit. Judging by its appearance, this one seems to be about 400 years old. In another 200 years, this Longevity Fruit will ripen, and other fruits will also start to emerge."
"...I see."
I chuckle bitterly.
200 years.
Even if I were to return in the next life, break into Serving Command Palace, and feed the Longevity Fruit to Kim Young-hoon, there seems to be no solution other than extending his life by about half a year.
I gently caress the Longevity Tree in front of me.
Suddenly, I think of the Wood attribute spiritual power stirring in my dantian.
Wood is the attribute that governs life force in the Five Elements.
Therefore, those who mastere Wood attribute methods possess strong self-healing and regenerative abilities.
Among them, cultivators who learn special techniques can rapidly grow plants using the life force of the Wood attribute.
Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea is one of those special methods.
"Daoist Seo."
Whirr!
I draw forth the Pure Spiritual Force of Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea, displaying it before Seo Rans eyes, and ask,
"I am practicing a Wood attribute method. If I continuously infuse Wood attribute spiritual power into the Longevity Tree, could it possibly hasten the ripening of the Longevity Fruit?"
"Hmm..."
However, Seo Ran looks doubtful.
"Senior, while it's true that Wood attribute spiritual energy can accelerate the growth of plants, Longevity Fruits and other spiritual plants that take a very long time to bear fruit might require an unimaginable amount of power from you."
"How much do you think it would take?"
"I'm not sure. Even the Heavenly Being cultivators I know dont use Wood attribute power to accelerate the growth of plants. Perhaps, it might be possible only for Four Axis cultivators..."
"Four Axis..."
That would mean entering the stages of the Middle Boundary.
"Daoist Seo."
"Yes, Senior."
I look at the Longevity Fruit and ask,
"You said it would take another 200 years for this Longevity Fruit to fully ripen, right?"
"That's correct, but..."
"Then, for the next 200 years, I will stay here and continuously infuse Wood attribute spiritual power into this Longevity Fruit."
"Se, Senior..?"
Seo Ran seems taken aback.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Since this Longevity Fruit is nearly ripe, perhaps I won't need as much power as a Four Axis cultivator. I plan to keep infusing energy and observe how much faster the Longevity Fruit can ripen compared to its natural rate."
Knowing the exact amount of spiritual power required to ripen the Longevity Fruit could be useful for future endeavors.
'Then, next time, I can squeeze out more spiritual power to ripen the Longevity Fruit.'
Even though the Longevity Fruit hasn't ripened yet, how can I just stand by and do nothing?
Even if lifespan is granted by the heavens, escaping the attraction of fate through human effort is possible.
'I will ensure that this Longevity Fruit bears fruit!'
I stare at the Longevity Fruit, and Seo Ran looks at me with a complicated expression.
"...Its for your friend who passed, no. For your friend who ascended, isnt it?
Seo Ran seems to guess the reason behind my actions and sighs softly.
"...Then, I will further carefully search Serving Command Palace. I will see if the Heavenly Being cultivators really took everythingIf I find something I will let senior know."
"No need. If it's not related to extending lifespan, Daoist Seo can have them all."
"I understand."
Seo Ran bids farewell and leaves the arboretum.
I spend the next few days sitting quietly, practicing Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea, and infusing Wood attribute spiritual power into the Longevity Tree.
A few days later.
Seo Ran returns to the arboretum.
"...Senior, I found several items in Serving Command Palace and things left behind by the Heavenly Being cultivators."
"Anything related to extending lifespan?"
"Um... no."
He speaks with a look of disappointment.
"Mostly one-time talismans, immortal wine, incense sticks, or methods to grant spirituality to ordinary beasts, evolving them into demon beasts..."
Seo Ran clicks his tongue.
"Even those are mostly protected by formidable barriers that would require several Core Formation cultivators to break through, so I decided to give up.
Since even the Heavenly Being cultivators didnt bother to take them, they're probably not that useful."
"What exactly are these one-time talismans and immortal wine?"
I ask out of curiosity, wondering if any of these items might slightly extend lifespan.
But Seo Ran's response leaves me a bit disappointed.
"One-time talismans include the Heaven-Sealing Talisman, which grants Heavenly Being-level defense for several hours, Expansive Talisman that creates a maze-like formation to trap enemies instantly, and Demon Transformation Talisman which temporarily transforms one into a demon beast.
As for the immortal wine, I dont know their names, however I saw several Ive seen before in the past. Drinking them temporarily enhances abilities or speeds up cultivation, or smelling their fragrance can clear the mind, but nothing else."
"Hmm..."
"Both talismans and immortal wine mainly offer temporary enhancement of abilities, and the remaining magic artifacts and dharma treasures left behind are oddities, like those granting spirituality to beasts or aiding in rapid digestion of food. I'm not sure if they will be of any help."
I listen to Seo Ran's explanation and chuckle.
"Essentially, apart from this unripe Longevity Fruit, everything else is just trash."
"That's right. Considering even this Longevity Fruit hasnt fully ripened yet, the Heavenly Being cultivators probably discarded it as worthless."
He sighs lightly and hands me a jade scroll.
"This is a map of Serving Command Palace I made while roaming around. It includes the locations of the talismans, immortal wine, and artifacts I mentioned.
Honestly, each location is protected by barriers that would require multiple Core Formation cultivators to break through, so the locations might not be of much significance. But since you plan to stay here for a long time..."
"Hmm, I'm not really interested in anything except items or elixirs that extend lifespan, so I probably won't bother looking for them. But I appreciate Daoist Seos kindness."
Knowing them might be useful later.
I take the jade scroll from Seo Ran and embed the structure of Serving Command Palace in my mind.
After handing me the scroll, Seo Ran speaks.
"Then, senior, I will take my leave. There's no point wasting time in this abandoned palace."
"Very well. How do you plan to leave? I can take you out to the outskirts of space with the Nether Crossing Ship."
"Oh, thank you."
I briefly leave Serving Command Palace with Seo Ran and sail the Nether Crossing Ship, docked beside Serving Command Palace, to take him outside the void.
"By the way, senior. If I'm correct, Serving Command Palace appears on the continent once every few hundred years. Perhaps... while you guard the Longevity Fruit, Serving Command Palace may appear in the mortal realm, and other Core Formation cultivators might enter."
"That's fine. I should be able to fend off Core Formation cultivators."
"Haha, as expected of you, senior. Then, I'll take my leave."
Seo Ran transforms into a dragon and flies away towards the sea.
He has been quite loyal, making sure to say everything that needed to be said, but I could feel his apprehension towards me.
'He left in a hurry.'
After all, who wouldnt be apprehensive about staying with a human cultivator of Core Formation level?
I feel a slight bitterness as I watch Seo Ran leave.
In any case, he survived in this lifetime.
Demon beasts generally have much longer lifespans than humans.
Especially the dragon tribe.
Given Seo Ran's lifespan, will, and talent, he has a good chance of becoming a Core Formation demon beast in the future.
'It's for the best.'
After watching Seo Ran for a while, I sail the Nether Crossing Ship back to the void where Serving Command Palace is located.
Serving Command Palaces prohibition Seo Ran had broken is regenerating.
And...
Rumble rumble!
The Nether Crossing Ship, which I have been using so far, begins to disintegrate.
This is the last time; its remaining energy has finally run out.
"It lasted well."
I jump off the Nether Crossing Ship, entering Serving Command Palace before the barrier fully regenerates.
Behind me, the Nether Crossing Ship shatters into pieces, scattering into the void of space.
I watch the disintegrating ship for a moment before entering the depths of Serving Command Palace.
Now, once again, it is a time of solitude.
I focus more on practicing Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea than the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation.
Its because I need more spiritual power from Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea to infuse into the Longevity Tree.
Primarily, Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea is a Wood attribute method, and the Longevity Tree is in the arboretum of Serving Command Palace.
'It's dense here.'
Although the Heavenly Being cultivators have plucked everything valuable, numerous spiritual plants remain in Serving Command Palace.
Of course, the parts containing spiritual properties were all picked, rendering them largely useless.
However, the spiritual plants themselves emit Wood attribute spiritual energy.
The arboretum is even more filled with Wood attribute spiritual energy than the Ascension Path.
'Its the perfect place for practicing Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea.'
Hence, I spend time practicing Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea with the method of Understanding before Breakthrough.
Simultaneously, I keep contemplating and refining the Formless Sword.
What clue has Kim Young-hoon left behind?
What martial art has he executed at the end?
How did he perform Foolish Old Man Moves Mountains in the void, without an opponent?
Even after years of practice, I still cant fathom the technique.
I just practice the Formless Sword, becoming more familiar with it and mastering its variations.
How he cut through space remains a mystery.
150 years.
It's been about 150 years since my regression.
That is, about 50 years since entering Serving Command Palace.
Whirr!
I breathe in spiritual energy and sense the stars in my Dantian.
As a result of continuously infusing spiritual power into the Longevity Tree and practicing cultivation in the arboretum full of dense Wood attribute energy,
Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea developed rapidly, forming five spiritual stars: Horn Neck, Root, Room, and Heart.
' I might even catch up to my master soon.'
Its a bit audacious, but true.
My master had formed six stars Horn, Neck, Root, Room, Heart, and Tail and was on the verge of completing the seventh.
This rapid progress was thanks to the dense Wood spiritual energy in this place.
I achieved considerable growth.
However...
'The Longevity Fruit still seems unchanged.'
Despite infusing it with spiritual power for 50 years, the ripening of the Longevity Fruit didnt accelerate much.
How much more spiritual power is needed for a change?
I sigh lightly and leave the arboretum to wander around Serving Command Palace.
Sometimes, when I feel particularly stifled, I explore various parts of the city.
I became more familiar with the complex structures and checked for anything more hidden using the map Seo Ran gave me.
Despite exploring over 80% of Serving Command Palace's intricate formation and labyrinth-like structures, I found no more hidden elixirs or treasures.
'Of course, there are still remaining barriers...'
The items visible inside the barriers, as Seo Ran said, are just one-time talismans.
Moreover, each barrier is so powerful that it requires several Core Formation cultivators to break through, so I lose interest and pass them by.
'Is that one of Mad Lords puppets?'
More interesting than those useless items inside the barriers are the remnants of Mad Lord's puppets scattered throughout Serving Command Palace.
It seems Mad Lord also contributed to the looting of Serving Command Palace, as the remnants of his puppets are strewn all over.
"Anyway, what level of magic artifacts are these puppets...?"
Each look quite powerful.
And there are many of them.
Unfortunately, most are shattered to the point where it is hard to imagine their original power.
Among the remnants of the Mad Lord's puppets and traces left by other Heavenly Being cultivators, something unique catches my eye.
'That is...'
I clear the debris and approach.
'A puppet...?'
One of the Mad Lord's puppets, and its relatively intact.
The bee-shaped puppet appears almost undamaged on the outside.
'It seems its internal components are broken.'
The human-sized bee puppet rattles and clunks as I lift it, indicating something rolling around inside.
'Can I fix this?'
I wonder about the Mad Lord's power.
What kind of person is he to confront three sects simultaneously?
'Maybe his specialty is fighting with an army of puppets...'
Not now, but someday.
I might need to confront Mad Lord, so understanding his puppets could be essential.
I memorize the location of the bee puppet and return to my practice.
Rumble rumble rumble!
"Sigh..."
I half-open my eyes and operate Pure Spiritual Force.
In my dantian, seven Spiritual Energy Stars are twinkling.
Qi Building, 1st Constellation.
I have completed the Horn, Neck, Root, Room, Heart, Tail, and Winnowing Basket!
'It took 90 years.'
Even this achievement was only possible because I trained in the Serving Command Palace's arboretum, a place of unbelievable spiritual energy.
'My master's profound insights also played a big part.'
190 years since my return.
Only now do I qualify to move from the early stage of Qi Building 1st Constellation to the middle stage of Qi Building 2nd Constellation.
But, Im more worried about the time ahead.
'Until now, I completed the Horn, Neck, Root, Room, Heart, Tail, and Winnowing Basket with the Azure Dragons Blessing. However, from Ladle, Ox, Girl, Emptiness, Rooftop, Chamber, and Wall, I cant rely on the Azure Dragon... My cultivation speed will slow down even more.'
Of course, being in a place rich in Wood attribute spiritual energy, I can still make some progress.
More importantly, the Longevity Fruit still shows no signs of properly ripening.
'When will it be ripe...?'
I sigh lightly and infuse the Longevity Tree with spiritual power.
Regardless, I begin my cultivation of Qi Building 2nd Constellation, Ladle, Ox, Girl, Emptiness, Rooftop, Chamber, and Wall.
30 years since completing Qi Building 1st Constellation.
Nearly 220 years have passed since my return.
'It's amazing that I still have about 130 years left to live.'
Having received an additional 300 years of lifespan from the heavens, I still have an immense amount of time left.
However,
'I've only managed to create one Spiritual Energy Star in Qi Building 2nd Constellation.'
Thirty years invested for just one star.
'Before entering Serving Command Palace, I cultivated the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation in Ascension Path. After entering, relying on the dense Wood attribute spiritual energy, I cultivated the Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea, completing Qi Building 1st Constellation in 140 years.'
I have managed to create a Spiritual Energy Star every 20 years, relying on tremendous spiritual energy.
But from the moment I could no longer receive the Azure Dragons blessing, it took 30 years to create just one star.
'Those without talent might spend their entire 300-year lifespan in cultivation and still not reach Core Formation.'
How much suffering must one endure for a flower to bloom?
No matter how much spiritual power I inject, the Longevity Fruit does not bloom, and my talents are insufficient no matter how much I cultivate.
Woooong!
I blow Wood attribute spiritual power into the commonly grown weeds in the arboretum.
Swish!
The weeds tremble as they absorb the Wood attribute spiritual power and immediately grow.
I look at the weeds and smirk bitterly.
For a spiritual plant, this amount of spiritual power would be insufficient, and it would need constant feeding of spiritual power to grow.
But this is how weeds are.
With just a little spiritual power, they bloom immediately, but that's also the limit for weeds.
Perhaps, my situation is similar to that of weeds.
I can grow quickly to a certain extent due to my return, but beyond that, overwhelming time investment is necessary.
This is my limit.
'Even if I live another 100 years, at most I'll create two or three more Spiritual Energy Stars.'
Is it because I've been alone in this space for so long that I've begun to have more melancholic thoughts?
After all, it's not the first time that prolonged cultivation has led to madness.
I click my tongue and look up at the ceiling.
Serving Command Palace is divided into seven floors.
This place, the arboretum, is on the first floor of Serving Command Palace, the lowest level.
But for the current me, theres no difference between the first and seventh floors.
After all, cultivators of the Heavenly Being stage have already taken everything from all the floors.
Perhaps, this young Longevity Tree is the only treasure left in the entire Serving Command Palace.
Wooong!
I infuse the Longevity Tree with more spiritual power, imagining it growing and piercing through all floors of Serving Command Palace, becoming massive enough to shatter the entire structure.
How much time would that take?
I seriously contemplate this fantasy.
Trees don't just grow as time passes.
The soil must be nutritious, roots must dig deep, draw water, sprout, grow stems, and branch out.
Observers only see the tree grow, but the tree exerts tremendous effort every moment.
Digging roots, sprouting leaves, branching out.
All this must be accomplished by the tree alone.
And that's not all.
'With each season, it changes its attire.'
In spring, it dons colorful garments.
In summer, a robe of green.
In autumn, a bright yellow dress.
And in winter, it strips all its clothes to rest for a while.
I place my hand on the Longevity Tree, infusing it with spiritual power while continuously practicing the Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea Method.
Rumble!
'With each season passing, the tree adds another layer to its growth.'
Wood attribute spiritual energy gathers around Seo Eun-hyun.
A green tree-shaped figure flickers around him.
'Tree rings form gradually, one by one, as time passes.'
Seo Eun-hyun has become a tree emitting a green light.
'Accumulating, accumulating, accumulating... Layering the years...'
The green tree and the young Longevity Tree seem to be exchanging something.
Indeed.
Seo Eun-hyun is unknowingly connected to the Longevity Tree.
After decades of concentrating on a single tree, sharing and dividing his spiritual power, the Longevity Tree itself began to respond to Seo Eun-hyun's spiritual power, and his Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea Method also started to interact with the Longevity Tree.
'As it slowly becomes enormous...'
Rumble!
"...Ah."
Seo Eun-hyun opens his eyes.
The massive clumps of wood attribute spiritual energy that has formed around him as tree shapes now enter his body.
Seo Eun-hyun, as if mesmerized, looks at the Longevity Tree and mutters.
"Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea."
Qi Building, 2nd Constellation.
Ladle, Ox, Girl, Emptiness, Rooftop.
Whooosh!
The method of Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea.
Upon grasping its essence, spiritual energy rushes in at an incredible speed, and Spiritual Energy Stars begin to emerge.
In an instant, five Spiritual Energy Stars shine brightly.
'Ah...'
A total of 12 Spiritual Energy Stars are now shining in my dantian.
'Now, how many years have passed...'
While repeatedly infusing the Longevity Tree with spiritual power, I have lost my sense of time.
I place my hand back on the Longevity Tree.
'Tree rings...'
I infused spiritual power into the Longevity Tree and read the tree rings that have formed.
Then, I let out a hollow laugh.
Just 30 years.
In just 30 years, I have nearly completed the middle stage of Qi Building.
"Ha, hahaha..."
The Tree.
Through contemplation and scrutiny of the tree, I understood the profound insights contained in the Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea.
Thanks to that, I grew at an overwhelmingly rapid pace.
This is a kind of serendipity.
Perhaps such rapid cultivation insights will never occur again.
But, seeing the Longevity Fruit almost ripe enough to catch the eye, I can't help but shed tears.
The Longevity Fruit is slowly but steadily nearing fruition, fed by my spiritual power.
'...Yes.'
I am not wrong.
Perhaps, just confirming that is enough.
250 years since my return.
I am nearing the completion of the middle stage of Qi Building, have gained profound insights of the Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea, and the Longevity Fruit is almost within reach.
Everything seems to be going well.
Rumble!
"...What!"
Serving Command Palace is shaking.
At the same time, spiritual energy begins to stir more actively throughout Serving Command Palace.
"This is..."
I quickly leave the arboretum of Serving Command Palace and fly towards the main gate.
Creeeak-
The jade-colored gate of Serving Command Palace.
The gate is opening.
Whoooosh!
Wind blows in.
I look outside the gate.
A blue sky.
Yes.
Its not outer space.
Once floating in the void, Serving Command Palace has again appeared in the mortal realm.
Whoooosh-
"Cough, cough, cough!"
I frown as dust-laden wind hits my face and quickly perform a spell to purify the air.
Strangely, theres a lot of dust blowing in from outside.
I furrow my brows and step outside the gate.
And I can't help but be startled.
"The Heaven-Treading Desert...?"
Serving Command Palace is now floating above the Heaven-Treading Desert.
'It floats in space, appearing randomly every few hundred years, and this time it's above the Heaven-Treading Desert...?'
How close might it be to the Ascension Path?
While pondering this, I suddenly feel a chill.
Celestial energy is ominous and chaotic.
After advancing to the middle stage of Qi Building, I am able to better read celestial energy.
'Damn, what is this ominousness..."
Its when I'm about to read the celestial energy.
Boom!
In a part of the Heaven-Treading Desert, a huge explosion occurrs.
'Is this, the smell of blood!?'
I frown and pinch my nose.
Then, I realize that I have smelled this blood scent before.
Shiver!
'That is...'
Beyond the explosion.
The dust clouds part, and behind them, I glimpse something I have passed by before.
A gigantic black castle.
Zap, zap!
Chills run through my body.
The sense of dread I feel is at its peak.
Suddenly, I remember something.
'The Great War 200 years later.'
Thinking about it, the 200-year mark was from the perspective after I had lived for 40 or 50 years.
Meaning, now, in the 250th year of my regression
'Is it now, the time of the Great War...?'
Then, it happens.
Boom!
From the explosion site, several figures begin flying towards Serving Command Palace at high speed.
'Is that Flying Escape Technique!?'
Dozens of figures are flying towards my location, each one a Core Formation realm clan head or elder from the cultivator clans.
"Serving Command Palace has revealed itself!"
"Everyone, take cover inside!"
"Hurry, before the old monster follows!"
Whooosh!
The Core Formation cultivators who arrive at the entrance of Serving Command Palace using the Flying Escape Technique form hand seals with pale expressions.
Confused, I ask one of them.
"What, whats going on?"
"Who are you! How are you still alive with just Qi Building cultivation? Nevermind, don't talk, just stay out of the way!"
One of the elders with long white hair and in white robes shouts while forming a hand seal.
"Close Serving Command Palace!"
"Seal the gate!"
Boom!
The jade-colored gate begins to slowly close.
And then, from the explosion site, a few Core Formation cultivators who haven't reached Serving Command Palace yet are heard shouting towards us.
"Wait, fellow daoists! Please wait!"
"No, don't close it yet!"
"Wait, wait!!!"
CreakBang!
However, the Core Formation cultivators inside Serving Command Palace quickly form more hand seals, and soon the city's gate close.
"Hah, hah..."
"Its closed..."
Finally, the Core Formation cultivators seem relieved.
"Hold on... Whats going on?"
Seeing them catch their breath, I grab one of them and ask again.
"Who are y-"
At that moment.
Boom!
Behind the jade gate, a blood light flashes.
At that sight, the expressions of the Core Formation cultivators inside the hall turn white again.
"That old monster is knocking on the door!"
"He won't break through, will he...?"
"Quick! Everyone, infuse spiritual power into the gate to block him! As long as we can hold out until Serving Command Palace re-enters the void, that old monster won't be able to follow!"
Boom!
Once again, when the blood light flashes behind the gate, the jade gate shakes as if it will open any moment.
"Aaaaah!"
"This is crazy, is this the power of that old monster.."
"Everyone, gather! If we combine our powers, we can hold the gate..."
"I don't want to! We're all going to die!"
"Scatter in Serving Command Palace! If we hide inside, the old monster wont bother to find and kill us all..!?"
The elder with long white hair and white beard tries to rally the Core Formation cultivators, but they scatter throughout Serving Command Palace in fear.
"Oh no! Come back! If we combine our strength, we can hold on...!"
The next moment.
Boom!
Blood light explodes, and the gate opens.
The next instant.
Splash!
The Core Formation elder turns into a handful of blood and bursts, and someone enters through the jade gate.
I immediately vanish into the air like a phantom using the Hidden Consciousness Technique and Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts.
That figure laughs maniacally and disdainfully.
"Trash. Instead of combining your powers to stop me, you all hide in Serving Command Palace. Haha... thought you could hide from me by running to deep places.
How foolish..."
Ssshhh
The stench of blood is so strong it feels like my nose is going numb.
At the same time, I feel like vomiting.
After ascending to Beyond the Path to Heaven, which grants the ability to perceive heart essence, his heart essence is so utterly repulsive to the point they induce vomiting.
"Starting from right now, I plan to smash Serving Command Palace to pieces. Why hide uselessly?"
Step, step...
Im hiding with Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts, the Hidden Consciousness Technique, and various stealth techniques.
He approaches me closely.
Zap, zap!
'What is this pressure...!'
Its almost suffocating.
'This power, it's not just Core Formation.'
Step, step...
He passes by me, heading towards the arboretum.
'This person, definitely...'
And then, the next moment.
"By the way, you use quite unique techniques."
Crack!
He twists his neck the opposite way and looks at me.
'Nascent Soul cultivator...!'
"You, not even trying to run away, and with such a well-balanced face, I like it. Would you not like to become my disciple?"
Whoosh!
As the man in the blood robe gestures, the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts and all other stealth techniques are dispelled.
At the same time, unable to bear the revolting aura emanating from him, I collapse on the spot and vomit.
"Bleeeech! Blargh!"
'A Nascent Soul cultivator, and moreover, a monster who has devoured a terrifying number of people...!!!'
I see the figure in front of me contort his face as he watches my pathetic state.
***
AhDirty fellow. Never mind, just die.
The Nascent Soul cultivator contorts his face and gestures with his hand.
With all my might, I step back, activating both my vision of intent and demon senses.
A crimson mass of spiritual energy grazes the spot where I had been.
A faint admiration flickers across his face.
No, is that really his face?
The Nascent Soul cultivator wears a translucent black mask.
The mask looks like fog or writhing liquid, with only the contours of his face visible within, and no clear expression.
So, I have to guess his mood solely from his intent.
"Surprising. It wasnt meant to be dodged... How did you evade? It shouldn't be detectable at the Qi Building stage..."
He looks at me curiously from behind his black mask.
Blood light flashes in his eyes for a moment.
Here it comes again!
I hastily move aside once more.
Another bloody something sweeps past where I stood, and the Nascent Soul cultivator opens his mouth.
"Ha, it wasn't just luck. Your eyes were 'watching' my move all along. Yes, not ordinary eyes. Have you mastered some unique spiritual eye technique? An eye skill at the Qi Building stage that can see and avoid my move... What can it be..."
He mumbles to himself, stroking his hair behind the translucent black mask.
His black mask and long black hair outside the mask. His hands, pale as a corpse, his robe red as blood.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
The mysterious Nascent Soul cultivator continues unleashing his blood spells at me as he speaks, determined to capture me.
I can't detect it with normal vision. It doesn't even appear in the normal consciousness domain.
Only with the colors of intent and the demon senses can I discern his spell.
How can a spell be undetectable even to the consciousness domain?
Is this a Nascent Soul cultivator's ability?
After several evasions, he claps his hands.
Clap, clap, clap, clap.
"Excellent. Running around like a monkey. Despite being at the Qi Building stage, you've mastered a quick and unique skill. I've decided. I'll capture you and refine you into my blood corpse."
Swoosh!
A crimson Pure Spiritual Force gathers in his hand.
The Pure Spiritual Force swirls like real blood, forming a large blood claw.
Swoosh!
With a flick of his hand, the blood claw shoots towards me.
Damn it!
I grit my teeth and draw out the Formless Sword.
Boom!
The surroundings quake.
My hand trembles.
"Ugh..."
A single impact makes my bones rattle.
Even though my consciousness expanded as I ascended to the middle stage of Qi Building and my strength increased.
Still, blocking even a playful strike from a Nascent Soul cultivator is difficult.
"Ah... you."
And, my drawing of the Formless Sword seems to have piqued his curiosity even more.
"What is that technique? I've lived for over 900 years and never seen it before. You're not a typical Qi Building cultivator, it turns out youre a junior at the Core Formation stage.
But it seems you haven't actually formed your Golden Core... Hahaha!"
He laughs, holding his black mask.
His voice is eerie, sometimes almost like a womans, yet also like a mans.
If White Bone Ghost Devil sounds neither entirely male nor female, a middle ground, then this person sounds like a chaotic mix of both masculinity and femininity.
"Yes, I've decided. It's a waste to refine someone like you into a mere blood corpse. I'll make you my blood follower. It's essentially an offer to be my disciple. Will you continue to run even now?
I'm generously offering to accept you, who vomited in front of me, as a blood follower, almost like my disciple."
Zzzz...
The Nascent Soul cultivator's surroundings fill with a crimson blood mist, beginning to dominate the space.
The blood mist soon blocks the gate of Serving Command Palace, completely cutting off my escape route.
Damn it
I bite my lip.
"...I fear that as a junior, joining you might bring shame to your esteemed name.
Wouldn't it be improper for someone as lowly as me to tarnish your great name?"
"Haha, do you even know what my esteemed name is?"
"..."
"Interesting. You don't even know who I am, yet you're here and have managed to survive until now."
He clicks his tongue, then scatters something from his pocket into the air.
Chuwawawak!
Thousands of blood-colored banners spread throughout the first floor of Serving Command Palace.
'A formation banner?'
Countless crimson lights scatter in all directions.
He is laying a formation on the first floor of Serving Command Palace.
"First, let me introduce myself. I am the Bloodwood Practitioner, Yuan Li,"
Yuan Li speaks as he strokes his translucent mask.
"Have you ever heard my name?"
"...I lack knowledge as a junior..."
"You wouldn't have. Don't worry. I've been deliberately hiding my identity for hundreds of years. Besides, to you, I am just hidden loose cultivator, so it's normal for you not to know me.
Even the many cultivator clans currently waging war against me only knew me as a Core Formation hermit living in the desert. Those who truly know about me are now long gone Nascent Soul cultivators."
Yuan Li laughs wickedly.
I watch warily the formation he is laying on the first floor of Serving Command Palace, looking for an escape.
'Do I need to break through the walls of Serving Command Palace? No, to break the city's barrier, I need the scroll that Seo Ran created to break the barrier.
I remember the contents of the scroll, so I can make it, but it will take some time.'
"...I would like to know what senior desires from this junior."
"Didn't I tell you? Become my blood follower. As I explained, no one knows about me. But I can tell you who I am."
He taps his chest, grinning with pleasure.
"Even when the Heavenly Being cultivators led by the Sea Dragon King swept away everyone in the continent at Nascent Soul or above, or those Core Formation cultivators with the potential to reach Nascent Soul, or those with unique constitutions among Qi Building and Qi Refining cultivators, I was hiding in this desert as a Nascent Soul cultivator.
That's who I am. Haha, I'd rather be the head of a snake than the tail of a dragon, so I've been lying low for hundreds of years. Now that the dragons have all ascended, I'm the top cultivator who has reached the highest realm. If you follow me, you can gain all sorts of wealth, honor, numerous spiritual medicines, and power. Become my blood follower."
He grins behind his semi-transparent mask.
My head starts spinning. Suddenly, the Bloodwood Practitioner Yuan Li seems majestic. I feel an urge to kneel and kiss his feet.
"Three cultivator clans in the west of the Heaven-Treading Desert have sworn allegiance to me. Four tribes of the Northern Grasslands have prostrated before me. Five lords of the Eastern States have declared they will follow me.
Now, this great Bloodwood Practitioner, who has reached Nascent Soul, will take you as a servant. Become my blood follower. I will value you highly..."
And then, I open my mouth.
----!
A dark curse appears out of my mouth and hits me.
"Argh!"
A tingling pain strikes my whole body, and my cloudy mind clears.
"Ah, ugh... Senior, why do you go to such lengths to obtain someone as lacking as me, even resorting to enchantment?"
Whoosh, whoom!
I swing the Formless Sword, cutting down shadow-like things that had approached me, and again move away from him.
"Hmm..."
The atmosphere changes.
I can see Yuan Li's intent turning to annoyance.
"You should have wisely become my slave. I thought to integrate you alive into my Blood Body since you possess many unique abilities, but you keep resisting."
Chill!
His voice is no longer warm but cold.
Apparently, realizing that enchantment like seduction doesn't work on me, he shows his true colors.
Rumble!
The entire first floor of Serving Command Palace turns blood-red.
"Well, fine. I was going to kindly make you a blood follower and allow you to enjoy life a bit more... Die torn apart by the Blood Shattering Formation."
"What...!"
The next moment, the spiritual energy of the entire first floor of Serving Command Palace starts to boil, covering all four directions with blood.
The blood subsides.
"Cough...! Huff..."
I stand there bleeding from all over, barely holding onto the Formless Sword.
Looking around.
The first floor's dividing walls and barriers have crumbled, resulting in the unified merging of the entire first floor. Additionally, the ceiling has entirely collapsed, creating a direct connection to the second floor.
Bodies of Core Formation cultivators who have been hiding all over the first floor are revealed.
Their remnants, hands, feet, flesh, are scattered around.
"Cough, ugh..."
I spit out a mouthful of blood.
"Hah, not bad. You withstood the Blood Shattering Formation?"
I had to continuously fend off, deflect, and counter the energy of the formation that surged from all around with the Formless Sword, using the Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.
But as a consequence, I am now on the brink of collapse.
Step, step...
Yuan Li walks towards me.
'Damn...it'
I have no strength left to resist.
"I've decided. You'll become my disciple. The fact that you initially vomited is forgivable considering you withstood the Blood Shattering Formation once,"
Yuan Li declares as he approaches me, the pressure emanating from him intensifying.
Unable to withstand it, I collapse to the ground.
Quaaak!
Yuan Li grabs my hair and lifts my face.
Chuaak!
In his left hand, he holds a semi-transparent flag-like object, made of faint spiritual power and consciousness, with a ghostly figure etched on it.
Kuaaak!
"Ah...Aaaahhhhh!"
He drives the flag straight into my head. It seems to pierce through my spirit, embedding itself in the core of my consciousness, my soul.
"Having implanted my Blood Curse Banner in you, if you try to rebel against me, you will experience the agony of your soul being torn apart. It's a pain that can't be overcome by ordinary willpower, so I advise against harboring any rebellious thoughts."
Snap!
Yuan Li snaps his fingers, and the banner in my soul activates, engulfing me in excruciating pain.
"Ahh...Aaaaahhhh!"
I scream and writhe in agony, feeling the banner fuse into my entire body, restricting my actions.
Snap!
He snaps his fingers again, easing the pain. Yuan Li then drags me along, taking me somewhere.
I barely keep my mind focus amidst the turmoil.
'Where is he taking me...?'
Soon, I feel grass and soil under me.
'This is... the arboretum?'
Has it survived the earlier destruction?
"Hmm, the greedy Heavenly Being cultivators gorged themselves. They took all the good stuff. Not that I expected much... Hm? Oh..."
A familiar spiritual energy gradually becomes apparent.
"Ha, there's still a young Longevity Tree left? And the Longevity Fruit is almost ripe..."
Whoosh!
Thump!
After dumping me nearby, Yuan Li forms hand seals.
Swoosh!
From the first floor of Serving Command Palace, white light emerges from the remnants of the Core Formation cultivators who had hidden in every corner.
Rumble!
The lights gather from all directions, forming a river of light above Yuan Li.
'Life force...?'
He is extracting the remaining life force from the bodies of the Core Formation cultivators killed by the Blood Shattering Formation.
"Bloom."
Swoosh!
With a gesture from Yuan Li, the river of life force is absorbed by the Longevity Fruit.
Swoosh!
'...Ah.'
The decades of my cultivation poured into it pale in comparison as Yuan Li infuses massive amounts of life force from the cultivators he killed, causing the Longevity Fruit to ripen rapidly.
Other flower buds near the Longevity Fruit also swell rapidly, beginning to transform into Longevity Fruits.
He is using blood to fuel the growth of the tree.
'Devilish arts are convenient, indeed.'
Taking from others and pouring it in yields quick results. They can easily create something beyond one's own power.
Watching Yuan Li's actions, I feel a sense of futility.
'Does what I've done have any meaning?'
Then, Yuan Li glances at me.
"Have you come to your senses? Don't worry. With so many Longevity Fruits ripened, I can spare one for you."
"...N, no,
Hmm?
Iwonteat it.
I force my paralyzed mouth to move.
I won't. Puta fruit. Made bysacrificing. Others. Into. My mouth.
"Hmm... Funny guy. Like it or not, I'll shove it into your mouth. And what's this about sacrificing others?"
Ke Ke Ke Ke
He chuckles and laughs.
"You're wrong. It's not about sacrificing others. It's about the strong devouring the weak. Survival of the fittest is the truth of this world. What's wrong with a stronger being devouring a weaker one?"
"...The world isn't made up of just the strong and the weak."
Wuduk Wududk
I wriggle my fingers.
Yuan Li's will is suppressing my soul and body. His banner embedded in my soul tears at me, causing unbearable pain.
Yet, I endure the pain and stand up.
"This world is made of people, and people should not devour each other, regardless of strength or weakness!"
"Huh, you overcame that?"
Yuan Li seems more surprised that I could move despite his banner than interested in my words.
"Remarkable. You stand even in the midst of soul-tearing agony..."
And then.
Pop!
He forms another flag and embeds it in my head.
"Arghhh!"
I fall again, the pain exponentially greater.
"Amazing willpower. I can't help but admire it. But I have no interest in your naive philosophy.
Survival of the fittest is the truth, the reality. Look, it's being proven right now."
Rumble!
The formation flags Yuan Li scattered ascend from the first floor of Serving Command Palace, piercing through the gaping ceiling to the second floor.
"Blood Shattering Formation, activate!"
Rumble!
Once again, the second floor of Serving Command Palace is engulfed in blood, crumbling down. The Core Formation cultivators hidden there are reduced to bloody fragments, falling down in heaps.
Under Yuan Li's command, the formation flags move towards the third floor.
He methodically destroys Serving Command Palace, floor by floor.
As numerous pieces of flesh and blood rain down, Yuan Li extracts the remaining life force from them, gathering it above his head.
"Why... are you doing this?"
I ask, enduring the pain.
My body is restrained again by the banners, but I feel I can move if I gather a bit more energy.
'Buy time.'
Yuan Li collects life force in front of him, murmuring to himself.
"To obtain Serving Command Palace."
"...Serving Command Palace?"
Is this some artifact someone can possess?
'Is there a reason the Heavenly Being cultivators didn't take Serving Command Palace as a whole?'
Yuan Li continues with a chuckle, sharing unsolicited knowledge.
"Do you know the structure of Serving Command Palace?
The first floor corresponds to the Wood element, symbolizing the Azure Dragon and seven stars of Horn, Neck, Root, Room, Heart, Tail, and Winnowing Basket .
The second floor represents Water, corresponding to the Black Turtle and seven stars of Ladle, Ox, Girl, Emptiness, Rooftop, Chamber, Wall.
The third floor corresponds to the White Tiger and the seven stars of Legs, Bond, Stomach, Hairy Head, Net, Beak, Triple Star.
The fourth floor corresponds to the Red Vermillion and seven stars of Well, Ghost, Willow, Star, Extended Net, Wing, and Chariot.
Yuan Li, seemingly eager to flaunt his knowledge, goes on even about information I haven't asked.
"The fifth floor represents the Supreme Palace Enclosure, the sixth for Purple Forbidden Enclosure, and the seventh for Heavenly Market Enclosure.
Do you see what the structure of Serving Command Palace, corresponding to the constellations of the heavens, symbolizes?"
"...Does it correspond to the stages of cultivation?
Supreme Palace Enclosure, Purple Forbidden Enclosure, and Heavenly Market Enclosure could represent the stages of Core Formation.
The 4 Constellations and 28 Stars correspond to Qi Building, and the Three Enclosures to Core Formation. Perhaps Serving Command Palace is related to the journey of a cultivator.
Yuan Li shakes his head.
"Sure, you can see it that way, but that's incorrect. The creator of Serving Command Palace simply embodied ' The Heavens.'"
'The heavens?'
"What lies beyond the heavens? The sun, the moon, more stars?"
"No. Beyond the heavens, there is nothing. Emptiness... That's also why Serving Command Palace floats in the void. A void, empty heaven. That's what the creator of Serving Command Palace wanted to express."
Boom!
Eventually, all floors of Serving Command Palace from the first to the seventh have collapsed.
All layers of Serving Command Palace are integrated.
"By integrating all floors of Serving Command Palace and reproducing the void, the 'real' Serving Command Palace reveals itself..."
And then.
In the heart of the completely integrated colossal Serving Command Palace, a blue light emanates, revealing something brilliant.
"Ha ha ha, that's the real Serving Command Palace. Or more accurately, the Serving Command Seal."
Yuan Li stretches his hand towards the floating blue light.
The light falls onto Yuan Li's hand, revealing a miniature model of Serving Command Palace made of jade.
"It symbolizes the fate of the continent, the Serving Command Seal! Ha ha ha! The fate of the entire continent has fallen into my hands!"
I squint at the light and ask.
"What is that? If such a treasure exists, why didn't the Heavenly Being cultivators take it?"
"They didn't need to take it. The Serving Command Seal is bound by a strong gravitational attraction of fate to this world.
The Serving Command Seal is used for getting blessings before ascending. Taking the seal pointlessly during ascension can lead to failure due to the attraction of fate contained within the Seal..."
"Blessings...?"
"But, you've become quite talkative."
Yuan Li glances at me.
Wuduk Wududuk
I gather my strength again, standing up.
"Huh, the more I see, the more I like you. How strong is your willpower? It must be beyond the size of your consciousness to endure such pain..."
"...I apoglize, senior."
I glare at Yuan Li, opening my mouth.
"I refuse to consume fruits cultivated from human lives."
I have come to think of human life as akin to flowers during my time with the Longevity Tree. Life blooms and bears fruit through spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
"Arbitrarily cutting down human lives, I cannot follow someone like you."
Cheok!
I grab my Formless Sword and glare at Yuan Li.
"Please kill me."
"Obtaining the Serving Command Seal and gaining an extraordinary disciple with boundless willpower, what a joyous day..."
Swoosh!
He forms another Blood Curse Banner in his hand.
"Indeed, obtaining the Serving Command Seal truly brings one's fate!"
Yuan Li activates his banner.
I charge at him with the Formless Sword.
And then.
Whoosh!
I quickly pass Yuan Li, soaring towards the distant outer wall of Serving Command Palace.
Flash!
In my hand, a barrier-breaking charm for Serving Command Palace's prohibition that I secretly created, emerges.
Boom!
The Formless Sword pierces through Serving Command Palace's outer wall, creating a hole, while the barrier-breaking charm disperses the prohibitions beyond the wall, creating an escape route.
Translator Notes: Yuan Lis name is actually Won Rip in the raws. Yuan Li can be considered a transliteration of Won Rip though and it sounds better so I translated as so.
***
Kwaang!
The outer walls of Serving Command Palace burst open.
As soon as I step outside Serving Command Palace, the dry air of the desert and sandstorms greet me.
However, compared to the stench of blood inside Serving Command Palace, this feels almost fragrant.
Chaang!
Through the golden hole in the wall of Serving Command Palace that I have penetrated, a crimson mist of blood seeps out.
At the center of the blood mist..
There, Yuan Li walks out.
"How daring. Do you really think you can escape from me!"
Paaat!
Blood covers Yuan Li. He begins using his Flying Escape Technique.
But I grip my Formless Sword and accelerate my thoughts.
Having reached the Qi Building mid-stage, my base consciousness has grown significantly, making the acceleration much faster than before.
Pabaat!
I dash through the air like crazy.
Faster than an average Core Formation cultivator!
Yet Yuan Li, covered in blood, slowly closes in on me.
'A monster-like Nascent Soul cultivator!'
I grit my teeth, squeezing out all the energy in my body to escape faster through the air.
Yuan Li frowns.
'How can I, a Nascent Soul mid-stage cultivator, not catch up to a mere junior cultivator immediately with my Flying Escape Technique?
I sense that the kid's cultivation is at most Qi Building mid-stage, 2nd Constellation.
Of course, his actual skills are far different, reaching Core Formation, and quite a rare talent at that.
But even then, it should only be Core Formation.
How can a Core Formation kid cause me to chase like this?'
He isnt using any special Flying Escape Technique, but is running through the air at an invisible speed.
'He can't use Flying Escape Technique but hes abnormal even when not in Core Formation... If he reaches Core Formation...'
Yuan Li furrows his brow behind his mask.
'Annoying brat. Even after embedding two Blood Curse Banners in him, hes still so lively. When I refine that soul, I'm excited to see what I can make. I'll definitely take him as my disciple..!'
Yuan Li licks his lips and forms a spell.
Kugugugu!
A chilling surge of spiritual energy echoes from behind.
The blood mist envelops the desert behind.
Its like a blood-red sandstorm covering the desert.
'I must escape, no, hide!'
But where?
Even the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts dont work.
'Why didnt the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts work?'
I think about the fundamental problem.
The Record is a martial art that cuts through consciousness and hides in the gaps.
But I was still discovered.
'Wait, that Nascent Soul cultivator targeted me with a spell unaffected by the domain of consciousness.'
I could barely perceive that spell with the demon senses and vision of intent.
'Upon reaching the Nascent Soul, do you obtain something that transcends the domain of consciousness? But even though he transcended the domain of consciousness, he cant escape the demon senses and color of intent.'
I ponder.
With a blood-drying feeling, I reach a conclusion.
'Then, this time, let's cut through 'other things' with the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts.'
I grip the Formless Sword and focus my consciousness.
I see it.
Yuan Lis domain of consciousness.
The flow of Yin and Yang among Heaven and Earth spiritual energy.
The colors of intent.
Huuu-
The sword that splits the realm of consciousness.
I expand its range, cutting through the heaven and earth spiritual energy and even the colors of intent.
And then.
I hide in that gap!
Paaat!
I transcend the limits of the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts!
Unleashing it with all my might, a martial art that surpasses the Record.
When I hide in that gap.
Stop!
Yuan Li, standing there, looks around.
'It worked!'
He doesnt discover me immediately like before.
'It works!'
If I cut through everything including the heaven and earth spiritual energy and colors of intent, it seems I can even deceive the eyes of a Nascent Soul cultivator.
"Oh ho, what's this? You have many tricks up your sleeve."
However, I discover a looming danger in my fate.
'Damn..!'
Kugugugugu!
The blood mist behind Yuan Li spreads out in all directions.
The Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts is a martial art that cuts the opponent's perception and hides within them, not a spatial movement technique.
I look with a rotten expression as Yuan Li forms a spell at the center of the blood mist.
"Hide your body all you want. Now, try to escape this explosion."
Paaat!
The blood mist glows red and swells.
Bloodwood Practitioner Yuan Li, as the power of his spell subsides, looks around.
A 3-li radius is completely obliterated, and a huge crater formed in the middle of the desert.
Yet Seo Eun-hyun is nowhere to be seen.
Yuan Li laughs behind his translucent mask.
"I want you even more now. You escaped this..?"
Where his gaze lands, there is a translucent spatial rift.
"Aaah...!"
What did I do?
My upper dantian burns.
Apart from the Gang Qi flowing through my body, forcibly constricting and burning the upper dantian to trigger talent is insane.
Why wouldnt the Jin Clan use such a great secret technique for improving talent on themselves but on mortals only?
Because meddling with the upper dantian always involves extreme danger.
I feel my upper dantian burning as I float somewhere.
Ssssaak!
Paat!
Something pierces my body.
My whole body feels even more wrecked, but it doesnt matter.
It wouldve been almost death if caught.
'What did I do?'
Whether I die this way or that.
With the mentality of being ready to die, I did 'something'.
I can barely remember..
'Ah, right.'
Young-hoon Hyung-nim helped me.
The moment the blood mist exploded.
Young-hoon Hyung-nim appeared and danced with his saber next to me, and I saw his footsteps.
I followed those footsteps, wielding my sword after Young-hoon Hyung-nim, entering a strange space for a moment before coming back out.
'Eh, what?'
As soon as I realize this, I frantically try to remember 'how' I did it.
'If I can just grasp this clue...'
Yes, if I can hold onto this clue, maybe.
As I tried to recall 'it' while burning my upper dantian with Gang Qi,
"...Huh?"
In front.
Serving Command Palace starts to appear.
'I definitely kept running in the opposite direction of Serving Command Palace.'
Before I can settle my doubts.
A bloody aura flashes behind me.
"What..."
Kwaang!
Yuan Li strikes me down.
I defend with my Formless Sword, but still get hit by Yuan Li and am thrown back into Serving Command Palace.
Right through the hole I had originally escaped from.
"Cough! Gasp!"
As I spit out blood and try to grasp the situation, Yuan Li, who suddenly appears before me, raises a translucent blood-red banner.
Kwaak!
"Aaagh!"
The Blood Curse Banner digs into my upper dantian, forcibly suppressing the processes occurring there.
The action of my upper dantian, which had been burning with Gang Qi, normalizes.
"Cough, gasp!"
I writh in even greater pain, clutching my head.
"Amazing. What technique did you use just now? How could a mere Core Formation level cultivator imitate a Nascent Soul cultivator's teleportation ability?"
Something, something felt within reach...!
I clench my teeth and grip the Formless Sword even tighter.
The color of the Formless Sword transforms into a golden hue, beginning to resemble the Surpassing Radiant Saber.
'The path pursued by Young-hoon Hyung-nim, which he used...'
And then.
Pukak!
"Aaagh!"
Another banner pierces my upper dantian.
The pain scatters my enlightenment.
The Formless Sword dissipates.
Yuan Li looks somewhat nauseated.
"The Five Elements Blood Curse Banner is originally designed to restrain the consciousness of Heavenly Being cultivators and prevent their escape. Even a Heavenly Being cultivator would lose their mind to pain if it were directly implanted. To think that a mere Qi Building cultivator surpasses the willpower of a Heavenly Being cultivator..?"
I gasp for air through clenched teeth.
I vividly feel the pressure from the four curses embedded in my soul.
But what torments me more than his Blood Curse Banner is something else.
'I lost the enlightenment!'
Again!
Despite being forced by external pressure, I feel indignant and regretful that I couldn't grasp it.
"Why... did I return to Serving Command Palace again?"
"Hmm, didn't you just teleport randomly?"
"...?"
"The stupid act of opening a space rift and leaping in without thought, not knowing where you'll fall... A Heavenly Being cultivator, even roughly, would set coordinates. Without them, you'd be torn apart by spatial currents. It's an act of pure insanity. Thats what you did.
An act that can only return you to this world by an improbable chance. But, you gambled in front of me, who possesses Serving Command Palace."
"...?"
Yuan Li smirks, pulling out a miniature jade model of Serving Command Palace from his robe.
"Do you know that fate has its own attraction? Fate attracts existence.
Serving Command Seal has two functions. The first is to grant heaven's fate to the holder. The holder of Serving Command Seal gains powerful fate, and what the holder desires is drawn to them by the attraction of fate.
That's why you couldn't escape from me."
"Heh, heh heh."
What kind of crazy treasure is that?
"...Is that even allowed to exist in this world..?"
"It 'must' exist. Actually, the first function of Serving Command Seal was an added feature while its maker was creating the second function."
Yuan Li looks greedily at Serving Command Seal, continuing.
"Serving Command Seal was originally created to bestow blessings. How do you think cultivators ascended before Yang Su-jin created the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect?
Whoo!
As he caresses the Serving Command Seal, it emits multicolored radiance.
"Before the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, cultivators memorized coordinates of the upper realms and threw themselves into spatial rifts like suicide.
Serving Command Seal blessed them, giving them a fate connected to the upper realms, 'narrowing the distance to the upper realms.'"
"....!?"
"A blessing that bestows the attraction of fate of the upper realms, while also strengthening the holder's fate to grant heavenly fate. That, is the Serving Command Seal"
I gape at this unbelievable explanation.
'A mere artifact can grant fate?'
Suddenly, I remember the lingering presence of Yang Su-jin.
He said he had bestowed the attraction of fate to Shattered Heaven Peak to attract Enders.
Even just as a lingering remnant!
If true, perhaps cultivators of a certain realm evolve into divine beings controlling the attraction of fate.
Chilling!
'What becomes of someone who reaches the end of cultivation and becomes a True Immortal?'
Before I can dwell on these thoughts.
The multicolored radiance from th Serving Command Seal flows into me and Yuan Li.
"Hehe, overflowing with blessings. Did these Heavenly Being cultivators not receive the Serving Command Seals blessings this time..!?"
He looks satisfied at the Serving Command Seal.
"...?"
They didn't receive the blessing that narrows the distance to the upper realms?
Just as Im puzzled.
He grabs the back of my neck and drags me into the arboretum.
Now then. Shall we extend our lifespans?
Im dragged away by Yuan Li, forming a bitter smile.
I thought life was like a flower.
But a living flower is a flower plucked while still alive.
Perhaps its only existence is to be plucked by someone else.
'...But still.'
I clench my teeth.
'Even if I'm only to be plucked...'
Creak, crack...
'As long as I can...'
I move my body.
'I will stand rooted and look up to the sky...!'
Like every tree and flower that roots in the earth and reaches for the sky.
As long as the history Ive rooted exists,
I will not easily break this heart..!
Crack!
"What..."
Kwagwang!
I swing my Formless Sword with all my might.
At the same time, I cast a spell.
"Yin Soul Ghost Incantation!"
Several curses stretch out towards Yuan Li.
"Tch, annoying brat!"
Whoom!
Yuan Li snorts, causing them to dissipate, but I smile and grip the Formless Sword again, charging at him.
Yuan Li frowns, watching Seo Eun-hyun glow before him.
He has already implanted four of the Five Elements Blood Curse Banners.
If he embeds the fifth one, completing the great spell of the Five Elements Blood Curse Banner, the pain inflicted on this peculiar fellow will be multiplied by tens.
However, the curse of the Five Elements Blood Curse Banner has a flaw: if the victim can liquefy the curse after all five are embedded in their soul, the curse's power will transfer to them.
Initially, the curse is transmitted by the giver weakening the banners to one-hundredth of their strength and implanting them in the recipient.
If the recipient accepts all five weakened banners and successfully liquefies them, making them their own, the transmission of the Five Elements Blood Curse Banner is complete.
'What if he withstands all five banners and breaks my control...?'
Suddenly, Yuan Li realizes he is entertaining an absurd fantasy.
'No, it's a needless worry. Four banners might be bearable, but five are beyond any living human's endurance.'
Its just an overestimation caused by this unique fellow's unexpected mental resilience.
Yuan Li thinks so as he approaches Seo Eun-hyun with the fifth banner.
'I'll implant the fifth one, then I need to dissect his brain to understand what kind of powers he wields and how his mind works.'
Pukak!
Yuan Li scatters aside Seo Eun-hyun's Formless Sword and approaches him, embedding the fifth Five Elements Blood Curse Banner.
Paaaat!
Inside Seo Eun-hyeon's soul, the five blood-red banners work in unison according to the logic of the Five Elements, amplifying the mental restriction and pain by tens of times.
"AAAAGH..!"
Eventually, Seo Eun-hyun, clutching his head, foams at the mouth and collapses.
"Hmm... as expected, no human, no living being, can endure this pain."
Yuan Li smiles, realizing that the peculiar Core Formation kid's soul has come under his control.
"Now, let's take this one back to the castle later and examine him, and as for the Longevity Fruit..."
Its when Yuan Li turns around.
Shiver!
'What...'
He hastily looks back, shock apparent behind his translucent black mask.
Stagger, stagger...
Seo Eun-hyun, drooling, with half-closed eyes, stands up resisting his control.
And he begins to form another spell.
"This is insane..."
Yuan Li loses his composure.
'To withstand even this? Even a Heavenly Being cultivator would be affected if directly hit! I even tested it on the Sea Dragon King and got his approval..!'
"This, this kid..!"
Yuan Li gives up on the idea of controlling and taking the kid with him.
The Five Elements Blood Curse Banner is the highest level of mental restriction he knows.
If that doesn't work, nothing will!
"It's no use. Regretfully, I'll have to give up studying his abilities. Better to just synthesize his corpse into my Blood Body and observe the reaction..!"
Its dangerous.
Since he left the Five Elements Blood Curse Banner in his soul, if he let him live, Seo Eun-hyun might liquefy the curse, turn it into his own technique, and attack him someday.
"Die!"
Just then, the spell Seo Eun-hyun is casting is completed.
"Yin (), Soul (), Ghost (), Incantation ()."
Chaaaak!
Seo Eun-hyun explodes.
Yuan Li's original true spell, Bloodwood, strikes Seo Eun-hyun directly, and as Seo Eun-hyun explodes, his blood turns into a Bloodwood tree rooting itself in the ground.
At the spot where he stood, a crimson tree rises.
On the tree blooms a living flower, imbued with Seo Eun-hyun's spiritual power and life force.
"...Such a monster."
Yuan Li brushes down his mask, marveling at Seo Eun-hyun's formidable mental strength.
"Good thing I eradicated him before he could grow stronger and survive longer. No need to worry about him anymore. Now, to the Longevity Fruit..."
And just as Yuan Li turns towards the Longevity Tree.
"...What..."
He grits his teeth in frustration.
The fruits of the Longevity Tree.
Numerous fruits, nurtured by the life force of many, are now covered in black curses and completely rotten.
'That final spell... this brat!'
He turns around, his face red with anger.
'I intended to send his soul peacefully to the Netherworld, and he dares to do this..!!'
Suddenly, Yuan Li's expression changes.
"Oh...?"
He takes a step back in shock.
"What, what's this... I obviously. N-no. Who are you..?"
Pop!
The next moment.
Yuan Li explodes, and in his place blooms a living flower.
This is Seo Eun-hyun's tenth return.
***