Three days before Yuan Li's arrival.
"I will kill him."
Cheongmun Jung-jin sighed softly as he looked at me.
As the Core Formation cultivator who first discovered the Yuan Li massacre, Cheongmun Jung-jin was given temporary command of this Yuan Li hunting group.
He looked at me with a dark expression and said,
"I too want to tear that person to shreds. But we need a plan. Right now, although about 150 Core Formation cultivators have gathered, we've had little time to meet and discuss. To face that old monster... we need more time."
"...."
"I fully understand that some of the Core Formation cultivators, including you, are blinded by rage. However, now is the time to unite our strength. Being uncooperative will only hinder us."
"...My goal is to kill him."
"...If the plan devised by the formation masters succeeds, we can be free from the terror caused by Yuan Li for a considerable amount of time. It would be even better if Yuan Li reaches the end of his lifespan during this period."
Clench...
I ground my teeth and tears of black curses stream down.
"Are you saying... I can't kill him with my own hands...."
Cheongmun Jung-jin sighed deeply.
"Why wouldn't I want to tear him into thousands of pieces... But if this plan fails, that devil will unhesitatingly unleash a massacre across the entire continent, just like we experienced. Right now, with not a single Nascent Soul cultivator among us, there will be no one to stop him."
"...."
"Please... for the peace of the entire continent... help us. Everyone gathered here... must unite and participate in the plan..."
I looked at Cheongmun Jung-jin.
His intent was also tainted with pain.
"Please lend your strength. The head of the Gongmyo clan has even brought out the secret techniques of his clan..."
At his request, I clenched my teeth.
"...Then, I will set a condition."
"What is it?"
"I will cooperate with the plan and follow the lead of the clan head, but if an opportunity arises, I will do my utmost to kill Yuan Li. That's my condition."
"Understood. That's only natural. Not just you... practically everyone here intends to do the same."
Cheongmun Jung-jin nodded, confirmed my participation in the plan, and then went to persuade the elderly man in mourning clothes, who had been shouting loudly about killing Yuan Li.
I watched Cheongmun Jung-jin for a moment, then looked again at the plan devised by the numerous Core Formation cultivators and formation masters.
'Will it succeed?'
The chances of success are high.
If their plan works, the world will be peaceful for hundreds of years.
I felt peace for hundreds of years even in my previous life after the Heaven-Treading Desert massacre.
'If it succeeds... does my revenge get pushed back?'
Is that the right thing to do?
At this moment, can I endure not tearing his flesh apart?
'...I'll do my best.'
At an opportune moment, without the need for such a complex plan by the Core Formation cultivators, I will kill Yuan Li...!
And so, three days later.
Yuan Li began to appear beyond the horizon.
I tightly grasp the Formless Sword, recalling the conversation I had with Cheongmun Jung-jin a few days ago.
'I will kill him right here, leaving no reason for the plan.'
I exert all my strength from the start.
Maintaining the stance of Endless Mountains Beyond Mountains, I directly connect the meridians made of energy to the Formless Sword.
I am putting my life on the line.
Kuang!
The Formless Sword, faster than anyone else's attack, shoots out and collides with Yuan Li.
However, my Formless Sword is blocked by just the blood clouds surrounding Yuan Li.
Cheok Cheok Cheok Cheok Cheok
Other Core Formation cultivators line up behind me, each casting their spells and dharma treasures.
Dharma treasures corresponding to water, fire, wind, and lightning pierce through Yuan Li's blood clouds.
"Die, you evil ghost!"
The old man in mourning clothes, who had lost his grandson to Yuan Li, spews a purple wheel-shaped dharma treasure from his mouth.
Through the openings in the blood clouds created by the other cultivators, the old man and other Core Formation cultivators launch their dharma treasures.
Kuang Kuang Kuang!
Bright explosions flash, and Yuan Li grins eerily.
Screech!
Beyond the explosions, a curtain of red light flares.
Suddenly, he takes out four red pagodas and spreads a barrier around himself.
'It's become tougher.'
When I last fought with Yuan Li, who was then only at Core Formation, the barrier would have wavered after a few strikes probably due to absorbing only Core Formation spiritual power.
But now, even after the bombardment of dharma treasures by me and other Core Formation cultivators, the barrier, imbued with Nascent Soul spiritual power, remains unshaken.
[Tsk, tsk, all this noise is quite bothersome.]
Yuan Li sneers and raises his hand.
"Block it!"
"The old monster is using his power!"
"Attack with all you've got!"
Almost 100 Core Formation cultivators simultaneously pour out their strongest dharma treasures and spells.
The heaven and earth tremble, and the nearby desert melts into glass, while sandstorms spread in all directions.
Kuaaang!
Due to the combined attacks of the Core Formation cultivators, a pit about 5 Li (2.5 km) in diameter and 1 Li (500 m) deep formed.
Whoosh!
The landscape changes, and the earth rumbles.
Kugugugugu!
Beyond the explosion, blood clouds surge within.
"Ugh, insane!"
"He's still not dead after that!?"
Fear appears on the faces of the Core Formation cultivators.
Yuan Li clicks his tongue, and the sound echoes in all directions.
[If I were just an ordinary early Nascent Soul, I might have been in danger. But alas... I am not just any ordinary early Nascent Soul, and moreover, you lot are lowly beings who couldn't even participate in the recent ascension, are you not?]
Shiiing!
Inside the blood cloud, a bloody radiance begins to burst forth.
"Everyone, form up and prepare the formation. The old monster is about to use his spell!"
I shout in all directions, glaring at Yuan Li.
For several days, thanks to the testimony of two survivors who barely survived Yuan Li in the Northern Grasslands, and including myself, the characteristics of Yuan Li's spells spread among all Core Formation cultivators.
Thus, the Core Formation cultivators who heard our testimony knew somewhat about Yuan Li's spells and its power.
"Everyone, this way!!"
Cheongmun Jung-jin and Gongmyo Ryeong shout loudly, standing side by side.
Numerous Core Formation cultivators join them, and they quickly arrange a protective formation they had practiced for the past days.
Its a simple protective formation that lower-level cultivators learn.
However, when Core Formation cultivators deploy it, their combined spiritual power forms an immense defensive force.
Flash!
Yuan Li's spell explodes.
Bloody radiance swirls in all directions, and the four corners of the world seem to be engulfed in blood.
Crackle, sizzle!
The protective formation looks like it will break at any moment, but the formation constructed by over 100 Core Formation cultivators did not easily shatter.
Shhhh!
After a while, the blood light subsides.
Beyond the diminishing blood radiance, we can see Yuan Li preparing a spell of similar magnitude again.
"Attack again!"
"Don't give him any openings!"
Around 140 Core Formation cultivators divided into five groups, attacking Yuan Li from all sides and the sky.
I swing my Formless Sword wildly, never taking my eyes off Yuan Li's face.
Multicolored dharma treasures and spells bombard the barrier around Yuan Li.
And then.
Yuan Li completes his spell again.
"Blood, Tree, Sea!"
Charrarararack!
Yuan Li absorbs the blood clouds around him.
Then, Yuan Li takes out a staff.
The wooden staff with the red crystal skull embedded in it.
Small branches, like baby fingers, densely grow on the staff and emit a deep red glow.
Charrarararack!
The small branches on the staff grow wildly in all directions.
Boom!
"Evade! Don't touch it!"
"No, don't go there!"
The branches engulf the surroundings, forming a bloody forest around Yuan Li in the desert.
Some Core Formation cultivators fail to evade Yuan Li's attack and are trapped in his Tree Sea, quickly turning into shriveled husks as all their vital force (Qi) and blood are drained.
Yuan Li, at the center of the Tree Sea, looks to have recovered the energy he had just spent after devouring several Core Formation cultivators.
"Damn, such a monster...! But you can't take us all down...."
Charrack, charrack, charrack!
Seven scrolls float around Yuan Li.
"Release!"
As he forms a spell, the demon souls painted in blood on the scrolls are released.
However, unlike when they fought me before, the demon souls do not split to face different opponents but start to merge in the air.
Kugugugugu!
As one demon soul overlaps with another, their power increases dramatically.
Keeng Keeng Keeng!
The demon souls, initially at the Core Formation level, gradually surpass the peak of Core Formation mid-stage, reaching late-stage and even the level of Core Formation Grand Perfection.
And then.
Keeng Keeng Keeeeeng!
When the seven demon souls completely merge, they form a shape that is neither beast nor human, but a bizarre aberration.
The power emanating from the bizarre soul reaches the level of the Nascent Soul.
"Ah, aah..."
"Haha..."
Although the energy felt from the demon soul indicated it is not a true Nascent Soul, and using more than seven or eight spells would exhaust its energy, the important thing is that another Nascent Soul-level force has appeared right beside Yuan Li.
Kiiaaaah!
But that isn't the end.
When Yuan Li opens his storage device, ghostly wails resound and the blood water I had seen before surges out, transforming into two ghost kings wielding scythes.
Then, the ghost kings enter the blood clouds surrounding Yuan Li, merging with it completely.
Kugugugugu!
Yuan Li's blood clouds conglomerate, forming the shapes of the two ghost kings.
"Insane..."
"Not even a normal Nascent Soul cultivator..."
The newly strengthened ghost kings, each slightly less powerful than an early Nascent Soul, combine to have enough strength to match the early Nascent Soul stage.
[So, will you continue to try, you bugs?]
Just then.
"Don't give up, everyone!"
Its Gongmyo Ryeong, the head of the Gongmyo clan.
Despite her pale complexion, Gongmyo Ryeong, a beautiful woman in a brown robe, takes out numerous dharma treasures and shouts.
"We all knew we couldn't face a Nascent Soul cultivator anyway! Stick to the original plan and push him back!"
"Yes, that's right! If we just follow the plan!"
"Right! We can definitely handle this!"
[Hoh...?]
The Core Formation cultivators, valuing their own lives, were cautious and did not directly confront Yuan Li.
During the days leading up to Yuan Li's arrival, they had already prepared a strategy to face him, and they are all moving according to that plan.
Of course, a few of us, including me, are trying to seize any opportunity to kill Yuan Li, regardless of the plan.
'I'll kill him.'
No need for the plan.
Isn't it just a compromise offered by those afraid to confront Yuan Li directly?
He can be killed.
If only a chance appears!
Kuang Kuaaaang!
"Aaargh!"
"Monster...!"
Pushed back by the combined forces of the bizarre soul and the ghost kings, the Core Formation cultivators are being overwhelmed.
Yet, even in the midst of this, they madly charge at Yuan Li, pushing him back.
"Die, you old monster!"
Alongside the old man wearing mourning clothes, I furiously attack Yuan Li.
Fssht Fssssht!
Our attacks gradually crack the protective pagoda barrier surrounding Yuan Li.
"Die! Perish! Vanish!!!"
The old man in mourning clothes weeps tears of blood as he pours out spells, and I too, shedding tears of black, mix curses with my Formless Sword, striking down the barrier.
Including me and the old man, one or two other Core Formation cultivators who have lost relatives to Yuan Li and crazed with the intent to kill joined the attack on the barrier.
And then.
Boooom!
With our combined attacks, the pagoda barrier finally breaks.
"Push forward!!"
Cheongmun Jung-jin roars from the back.
Elders from the Cheongmun Clan, seeing the breach in Yuan Li's barrier, charge towards him.
Kuaang!
Three elders from the Cheongmun Clan cling to Yuan Li, pushing him to one spot.
[You insects, how dare you touch me.]
Shwack!
Above Yuan Li, three translucent blood-red banners appear.
Boom!
However, my Formless Sword sweeps away the Five Elements Blood Curse Banners. Along with the Cheongmun elders, some Core Formation cultivators charge at Yuan Li while others press him with dharma treasures and spells.
[These bugs?]
Realizing the direction hes being pushed towards, Yuan Li looks at us and speaks.
[What scheme is this?]
"Die!!!"
"I'll rip your head off."
The old man in mourning clothes and I hurl our Formless Sword and wheel-shaped dharma treasure at Yuan Li.
Then, Yuan Li opens his mouth.
Shwaaaak!
Seventeen bone dagger dharma treasures sprung from his mouth.
Chirring Chirrring!
The daggers emit a strange sound, scattering blood-red energy in all directions.
"Wait! Everyone, scatter!"
Cheongmun Jung-jin's voice echoes, and the elders of the Cheongmun clan hastily retreat.
However some Core Formation cultivators who are too slow to react fail to dodge Yuan Li's dharma treasures.
Shwaaack!
A blood-red cleaving force extends in all directions.
Those who are close to Yuan Li are instantly torn to shreds, and their vital force (Qi) and blood are devoured by the blood clouds surrounding him.
For a moment, screams resound from within the blood clouds, but they quickly fade away.
Yuan Li, who then absorbs the surrounding blood clouds, begins to regain his energy.
[Its tiresome dealing with such a large swarm of insects. Had I reached the mid-stage of Nascent Soul, none of you would have stood a chance and would have become mere fodder for me.]
"He's recovering!"
"Stop him!"
The first to rush towards Yuan Li are the old man in mourning clothes and I.
"Die!"
"Die!"
We shout in unison, pouring our attacks onto Yuan Li.
Shwaaack!
The dagger dharma treasures slash widely, targeting us.
However, the old man in mourning robes uses a mysterious technique to block the slashes, and I cover my whole body with the Formless Sword to fend them off.
Kuaang!
The old man and I charge at Yuan Li, pushing him back with almost body-slamming force.
Cheongmun Jung-jin's voice grows louder from behind.
"We're almost there! Formation masters, get ready!"
Boom!
In the space between the old man and me, Cheongmun Jung-jin crashes in with his heavy body, emanating a blue dull glow.
[You insects!]
And finally, the plan devised by the Core Formation cultivators to confront Yuan Li activates.
Boom!
Cheongmun Jung-jin, exerting his strength, strikes Yuan Li. Yuan Li's body is sucked into the inner barrier of the black castle in the eastern region.
"Indeed, the master is not hindered by its barriers."
Cheongmun Jung-jin sneers at Yuan Li.
I bite my lip, glaring at him, then gather my spiritual power and form a seal.
Together with other formation masters, we channel our spiritual power into the barrier.
'I couldn't kill him.
Crack...
A fever radiates from the top of my head.
But Cheongmun Jung-jin's words echo in my mind.
"Why wouldn't I want to tear him into thousands of pieces... But if this plan fails, that devil will unhesitatingly unleash a massacre across the entire continent, just like we experienced. Right now, with not a single Nascent Soul cultivator among us, there will be no one to stop him."
"Please... for the peace of the entire continent... help us. Everyone gathered here... must unite and participate in the plan..."
Crack...
I grit my teeth and, together with other formation masters, contribute my spiritual power to the barrier above the formation.
'No choice this time.'
But...
"I will...!"
Next time.
"I will pluck your head and take it away!"
To avenge their souls...!
Tears mixed with curses stream down as I, along with other formation masters, deploy the sealing formation using the barrier of the black castle.
"Seal!"
Kugugugugu!
Above Yuan Li's location, multi-colored rays of light swirl, turning into a prison that traps him.
Kugugugugu!
As the formation masters deploy the sealing formation, other cultivators move the dragon veins around with their unique techniques.
"Yang Heaven."
The head of the Jin clan, Jin Ye-woon, and his elders channel the Yang attribute dragon veins into the formation.
"Yin Deity!"
The head of the Makli clan, Makli Hwang-cheon, and his elders bring in the Yin attribute dragon veins..
Yin and Yang are attached to the formation, and the heads of each clan add the dragon veins corresponding to Dui (), Li (), Zhen (), Xun (), Kan (), and Gen (), completing the Eight Trigrams.
The head of the Gongmyo Clan, Gongmyo Ryeong, and three Core Formation lords from the Eastern States form seals above the sealing formation, completing it.
"Eight Trigrams Spirit Absorbing Sealing Formation! Seal!"
Flash!
Kugugugugu!
The dragon veins flowing through the Heaven-Treading Desert connect to the formation, completing it.
And then.
Kuang Kuaaaang!
Inside the formation, blood-red flashes appear as the formation trembles violently.
"It's useless! The Eight Trigrams Spirit Absorbing Sealing Formation, passed down in the Gongmyo clan, can imprison even a Nascent Soul cultivator if properly deployed. Moreover, the formation masters spent days researching the peculiar barrier in your castle, enhancing the formation with its characteristics. Unless you reach the Heavenly Being stage, no, even before the mid-stage of Heavenly Being, you absolutely cannot escape this formation!"
Boom...
With Gongmyo Ryeong's words, the echoing reverberations from within ceases.
Then, Yuan Li's voice resounds.
[A splendid sealing formation. It seems I won't be able to easily escape.]
"You old monster, I don't know how much life you have left, but you'll probably spend the rest of it trapped in there until you die of old age!"
Gongmyo Ryeong's confident words are met with silence from inside the formation, which is soon followed by booming laughter.
[Ha ha ha! How amusing. Remember this, you will regret it when I break free from this seal.]
Gongmyo Ryeong seems flustered by his confident words but chuckles and looks down at the formation.
"Old monster, you brag too much! Do you think this formation is so easy to break? Have you lived all these years in vain?"
[Tsk tsk, I'm not so unwise, young one. Think about it. If you are Core Formation cultivators, read the celestial energy! Read the constellations and see what kind of place this is...!]
"What?"
Confused, Gongmyo Ryeong looks down at the sealing formation.
[Kekeke Do you not understand? Here's a hint. Where did the last Liberation Palace appear?]
"What...?"
At his words, one of the lords of the Eastern States looks up at the sky with wide eyes.
Although its broad daylight, Core Formation cultivators have enhanced abilities to read celestial energy, allowing them to interpret constellations even during the day.
"Wait...! Considering these coordinates... and the location of the last Liberation Palace... calculating the next position..."
Suddenly, fear flashes in the lord's eyes.
"It's here! The Liberation Palace will appear near this place!"
At these words, one of the chiefs from the Northern Grasslands widen their eyes in shock.
"The Serving Command Palace!? This place is where the next Serving Command Palace will appear...!?"
"What...! The Serving Command Palace will appear...?"
"Yes, it will! If you consider the pattern of the Liberation Palace and its previous appearance, it will appear near here! In 200 years, this seal will be useless!"
Hearing this, the Core Formation cultivators all stare at the sealing formation with fear-stricken eyes.
[Ha ha ha, foolish insects. Did you not consider Serving Command Palace...? I will be freed in 200 years. Until then, I will collect my Blood Spirits and use my stored resources, raising my cultivation to the late stage of Nascent Soul. Prepare yourselves to fight a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator in 200 years...!]
"This is madness!"
"How stupid! Why didn't we think of the Serving Command Palace!"
"Who could have calculated such a thing! The last appearance of the Serving Command Palace was 200 years ago, and its appearance here was thousands of years ago!"
"What fools we are! Now, because of the Liberation Palace, this devil will be released!!!"
The Core Formation cultivators from various factions raise their voices in anger, and I, along with two other hermit cultivators, look around stupidly.
It seems we, who don't belong to any faction, lacked information.
The old man in mourning clothes, who tried to kill Yuan Li with me, shouts.
"What are you saying! What is this Liberation Palace, and what's with the Serving Command Palace? I know roughly what the Serving Command Palace is, but why would the seal be broken if the Serving Command Palace appears near here!"
At the old man's question, Gongmyo Ryeong bites her lip and explains.
"You probably didnt have the opportunity to access such information, being a loose cultivator. Serving Command Palace is also known as Liberation Palace. It symbolizes liberation, and when the Serving Command Palace appears, the heaven and earth energy in that area resonates with the symbol of liberation, releasing what is trapped."
"What...? The Serving Command Palace has such power?"
I also pah close attention to her words.
'Is this the reason Yuan Li caused a massacre and appeared 200 years later?'
Gongmyo Ryeong continues her explanation.
"Among high-level cultivators, there's a rumor that Serving Command Palace was originally created to liberate something sleeping somewhere in this world. Whether it's an immortal treasure, a mythological lineage, or the soul of an ancient being, no one knows."
"Whatever the purpose of Serving Command Palace might be, I don't care. What are you trying to say? It's not what I'm thinking, is it?"
"Fellow cultivator, your thoughts are probably correct. Simply put, if there's a seal where the Serving Command Palace appears, that seal will resonate with the energy of liberation from the Serving Command Palace, completely breaking down or significantly weakening."
"That means"
Cheongmun Jung-jin, finishing the old man, speaks seriously.
"It means that this old monster will be released again when Serving Command Palace descends in 200 years."
Color drains from the faces of numerous Core Formation cultivators.
Amidst their fear, Cheongmun Jung-jin shouts.
"Listen, everyone!"
All eyes turn to him.
"There's no need to tremble in fear! This might be a blessing in disguise!"
"What do you mean, Cheongmun Clan head?"
"When the old monster started his massacre, Core Formation cultivators from all over the continent urgently gathered to confront Yuan Li. Surely, not everyone was in their best condition, right?"
"Yes, that's right!"
"Indeed. I had to rush out of my alchemy session when I heard a Nascent Soul old monster is on a killing spree. I couldnt show my true strength!"
Cheongmun Jung-jin continues.
"200 years might not be a long time for us, but it's certainly not short either.
Even if all the geniuses of the continent ascended with the Heavenly Being seniors, only those with the potential to reach Nascent Soul did so. There are still plenty of talents with the potential to reach Core Formation! Over the next 200 years, we can cultivate more talents, increase the number of Core Formation cultivators, and prepare thoroughly.
Just as we trapped this old monster with just a few days of preparation, with 200 years of preparation, we can capture even a late-stage Nascent Soul old monster, or even a Nascent Soul at Grand Perfection!"
His words gradually brighten the expressions of the Core Formation cultivators scattered around.
"In 200 years! We will prepare for that time to capture this Nascent Soul old monster! Of course, if the old monster dies of old age within 200 years, all the better... but if not, we have talents to nurture and a future to look forward to! We can prepare even more!"
As he speaks, I finally begin to grasp the full extent of what I had been wondering about through my repeated returns.
"Remembering the massacre in the Heaven-Treading Desert that occurred this time, let's prepare for the great war with the old monster in 200 years!"
10th year of regression.
Due to a small butterfly effect caused by the actions of the Mad Lord,
The Heaven-Treading Desert massacre was brought forward by decades.
As a result, the entire continent began to prepare for the war against Yuan Li, the Bloodwood Practitioner, which would take place in 200 years.
-x-X-x-
[Pahaha, let's see you try. I'll be waiting. You better make it fun for me 200 years from now]
From within the barrier, Yuan Li mocked us and concealed his presence.
"First, we can't discuss our plans in front of the old monster. The leaders of each force should return to their domains and start preparing for the Heaven-Treading Desert massacre and the great war 200 years later!"
Cheongmun Jung-jin spoke and one of the lords of the Eastern States wrapped in white bandages, shouts at us.
"And cultivators at the Core Formation stage from all over the continent should gather again next time to prepare for the meeting. Let's decide when to meet again."
Following his words, the Core Formation cultivators, who have been murmuring for a while, began to gather opinions.
Among them were Core Formation cultivators, including myself, who have lost relatives.
The old man in mourning clothes stood next to Yuan Li's castle with an empty expression.
After a while.
The time and place for the Core Formation Conference was set.
Ten years from now.
The location will be the Northern Grasslands, easily accessible to cultivators from the divided states of the east and the countries of Shengzi, Yanguo, and Byeokra in the west.
Its the village of the first tribe in the grasslands massacred by Yuan Li.
Invitations for the meeting were given to the heads of each clan, and three of us Core Formation loose cultivators without a faction received invitations as well.
Thus, the Core Formation cultivators, having received the time, place, and invitations, began to return to their original domains using the Flying Escape Technique.
Two tribal chiefs from the Northern Grasslands who lost relatives in the Heaven-Treading Desert massacre.
Cheongmun Jung-jin, who lost Cheongmun Ryeong.
The three loose cultivators and me.
Even after all the Core Formation cultivators left, we remain glaring at the black castle.
Two of the hermits, after a while, suppress their anger and leave in different directions, but the old man in mourning clothes and I, along with Cheongmun Jung-jin, stay until the sun sets.
Staring intently at the black castle, we finally turn our heads when the moon reaches its zenith.
"I will go now. I need to collect the remains of Ryeong."
"...I'll join you."
As soon as the word 'remains' was mentioned, I suddenly came to my senses and looked towards Byeokra.
Cheongmun Jung-jin says to the old man in mourning clothes.
"Sir Wolryang, do you not have remains to collect as well? It's meaningless to keep glaring at the old monster, let's retreat and plan for the future."
"...It doesn't matter."
The old man, Wolryang, grits his teeth and says,
"My great-grandson and his wife weren't killed in this massacre. They were murdered about 10 years ago, and I've been wandering the continent since then, unable to find the beast. Seeing the devilish arts left by the old monster in this massacre, I'm sure he was the one who killed my great-grandchildren. I already collected their remains ten years ago, so don't worry about me and go."
"...Understood."
I read the intent emanating from him and ask.
"You must have cherished your descendants greatly."
Suddenly, he turns to look at me.
Hes about to say something, but after seeing my empty eyes, hes startled and asks back.
"...Who did you lose?"
"My lover, my teacher, my friends. And my neighbors."
"...I see. My great-grandson... he was the one I cherished the most. I might not know how you feel, and you might not know how I feel... but perhaps we are feeling something similar."
Drip, drip
Tears mixed with blood falls from his eyes as he grits his teeth.
"It might take hundreds of years, but I want to tear him apart and pickle his flesh... "
He glares at Yuan Li's trapped castle again and speaks.
"Go ahead and collect the remains of those who were lost this time. I will leave tomorrow. I'll suppress this anger and look forward to the day we kill him together."
Cheongmun Jung-jin and I look at him for a moment.
Without a word, we leave him behind and head towards Byeokra.
It didn't take long to reach Cheon-saek City again.
Whoosh
Cheon-saek City, having endured the desert's sandstorm, is a mess.
"."
"."
Blood is splattered everywhere inside the city, and the walls are riddled with holes.
The city gates have collapsed, and only the walls, barely holding their shape, indicate that this place was once a city.
Inside, the scene was still tragic.
The bones of numerous mortals and cultivators lay scattered everywhere.
Cheongmun Jung-jin and I go to where their bodies lay.
Kim Young-hoon, neatly divided into eight parts.
Buk Joong-ho, with his neck missing and a hole in his dantian.
Cheongmun Ryeong, with bloodwood sprouting all over his body.
Buk Hyang-hwa, missing her lower body.
Their remains, exposed to the dry air of the desert for several days, had partially decayed and then dried out, preserved in that state.
Cheongmun Jung-jin silently approaches Cheongmun Ryeong's remains and begins to carefully remove the bloodwood that had sprouted from inside his body.
I first approach Kim Young-hoon and gather his eight separated remains
'His Inner Core is... gone.'
As I reassembled his body, I saw that Kim Young-hoon's dantian is also pierced, and his Inner Core missing.
I then wander around looking for Buk Joong-ho's head and Buk Hyang-hwa's lower body.
I found a piece of flesh that looks to be Buk Joong-ho's neck, but Buk Hyang-hwa's lower body is nowhere to be found.
Reluctantly, I took only Buk Joong-ho's neck and placed it back on his body.
I observe their expressions.
Kim Young-hoon's face bore a look of regret.
But somehow, Buk Joong-ho, Buk Hyang-hwa, and Cheongmun Ryeong died with peaceful expressions, as if they completed what they had to do.
"...I should go now."
Cheongmun Jung-jin, having removed all the bloodwoods from Cheongmun Ryeong's remains and gathered his body, speaks to me while holding him.
"If you wish to attend Ryeong's funeral, come to our main house in a month. I know you were Ryeong's friend, so I'll welcome you."
"...Understood."
Cheongmun Jung-jin, with a pained expression, holds Cheongmun Ryeong's remains and flies away with a dull glow.
I look around.
Skeletons and bodies scattered in every direction.
Dried bloodstains.
And the bodies of those who had died, emaciated and twisted.
Lastly, the body of Buk Hyang-hwa, whose lower half is completely gone and couldn't be found.
Shaking, trembling...
I clench my teeth and my hands tremble.
I extend my consciousness around, searching for any souls that might have remained in this place.
Everyone here had suffered a wrongful death, so I wondered if any had become vengeful spirits.
But there is not a single soul left, not even amongst the powerful cultivators, let alone the mortals.
There had to be resentment, but perhaps...
Gazing at the blazing sun in the sky, I wonder if the intense Yang energy of Cheon-saek City, situated right next to the desert, had caused any remaining souls to ascend forcibly under the sunlight.
For a long time, I stand dumbfoundedly in front of Buk Hyang-hwa's body.
Reality still feels somewhat unreal.
I wish someone would tell me this is all just a terrible nightmare.
Standing there stupidly, I slowly look at Buk Hyang-hwa's face.
Her face, dried up and twisted in death, is reflected in my eyes.
"Ah"
And then, finally, reality strikes.
"Ah, ahh... ahhhh..."
This is reality.
I am standing in this horrific hell.
"Ahhhhh!"
I collapse to my knees, crawling towards her half-remaining body.
Trembling...
Slowly, very slowly, I reach out to her body, carefully lifting her so as to not damage her any further, and embrace her.
Her body is light.
Lighter than a feather, having lost her lower body and dried out over several days.
Tightly...
I hug her remaining body, supporting the back of her head with one hand, and pressing my forehead against hers.
Our foreheads touch.
Even a third-rate romance novel wouldn't be this absurd.
We couldn't even confess our love for each other.
Everything shattered right before that confession, like a contrived plot twist written by a third-rate author for forced melodrama.
Everything felt forced and contrived.
"FateWhat are you saying to me?!"
Why do you keep taking things away from me!
"Why me!"
Why! Why! Why!!!
Keugh Ughhhh
I move away from Buk Hyang-hwa's body and pound my chest.
Kaghk Kurghh
Bang! Bang!
As I pound my chest, curses in the form of black scripts burst forth from my mouth.
Tick, tock...
Hissssss...
I wonder how many there are.
I count the curses rising around me - approximately three thousand, far surpassing the level of the founder who dealt with 108.
Every martial art carries the intent of its creator, and understanding this intent is to reach the pinnacle of that martial art.
This intent is not limited to martial arts but also exists in cultivation methods.
I finally realize the intent behind the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation, the realization imprinted by its creator.
Human fate is suffering.
Human life is a curse.
This world is made of pain.
I grit my teeth.
A waterfall of emotions pour out.
First comes anger and pain.
Then despair and sorrow.
Followed by guilt and shame.
And Self-loathing for myself.
'I'm sorry, kids.'
I think of my disciples trapped because of my stubbornness, foolishness, and weakness.
The 'anger' instilled in them was partly their own, but also amplified by the cursed souls of their relatives planted by the Jin Clan.
That's why I wanted to stop them.
Back then, I was powerless, foolish, and couldnt do anything.
That stupid stubbornness was all I could do.
I didn't want to see my disciples die miserably.
But now, I realize how stupid and stubborn my actions were.
'I'm sorry...'
Perhaps, for some people, there are times when they must move for revenge, even if it means a miserable death.
'I stopped you, and yet, now I'm about to make the same choice as you...'
I feel pathetic.
I always have been.
Every time I died.
Every time the cycle reversed.
I was always pathetic and in pain.
It isn't just about losing a loved one.
Now, because of Buk Hyang-hwas death, I face all the pain and wounds I had forgotten, sealed by my life up until now.
Holding her body as carefully as a glass craft, I lament.
"I vow..."
The blood around me has dried and turned black.
The smell of blood is faint, dispersed by the sandstorm.
But around me, my domain of consciousness is dyed in blood-red.
It seems like the scent of blood faintly reaches my nose.
"I'll kill him... extract his Golden Core, crush it, pull out his Nascent Soul, tear it apart..."
Surrounded by black curses and red intent, I tightly embrace Buk Hyang-hwa's body, clad in white.
"I'll tear off his limbs... scatter them in the four directions..."
I feel like there is a hole in my chest. A whole filled with pain to the point of numbness.
"I'll rip apart the rest of his body... feed it to the dogs..."
The evening glow falls over Cheon-saek City.
The area around Cheon-saek City is submerged in a red sunset, turning everything crimson.
Our shadows stretch long towards the Heaven-Treading Desert.
"I'll leave only the beast's head... to offer at your..."
I look at her, then around.
Buk Joong-ho, Kim Young-hoon.
Cheongmun Ryeong, who isn't here.
And all the neighbors slaughtered in Cheon-saek City.
The old woman from the paper store, the owner of the sapling store, the guards of Cheon-saek City, lovers, children, women, young men...
"And then... to those trampled by him... I'll burn incense in front of their spirits."
I shout to someone, or perhaps to myself, swearing loudly towards the heavens.
"I vow... I will do this...!"
Definitely.
Definitely...!
Tears of red and black mix and flow down as I vow revenge towards the sky.
I stagger to my feet and slowly begin to collect the remains of others, burying them in Cheon-saek City.
Over several days, Cheon-saek City became a giant cemetery.
Following Buk Hyang-hwa's will, I buried Buk Joong-ho next to his wife Yeon's grave and buried Buk Hyang-hwa's upper body under her workshop.
Then, I entered Buk Hyang-hwa's workshop and started making glass crafts, despite my mediocre refining skills.
I didn't make starfish-like dolls or flowers.
I made what I am best at.
What I am most confident in making.
Glass crafts shaped like swords.
I melted the desert sand and made glass flying swords, one by one.
I planted these glass swords as burial items in front of the graves of the people of Cheon-saek City.
In Byeokra, its a funeral tradition to place glass burial items for the deceased.
Cheon-saek City has thousands of glass swords planted in graves, and I finally place a glass saber in front of Kim Young-hoon's grave, creating a Saber Tomb.
Thud!
Tomorrow is Cheongmun Ryeong's funeral at the Cheongmun Clan.
Before heading to the funeral, I sit in front of Buk Hyang-hwa's grave.
I haven't yet offered a glass craft to her.
Even though thousands of glass swords are already behind me.
Perhaps I still don't want to admit that she is dead.
Yes, later.
I'll make the burial gift for her after offering Yuan Li's head to the souls of the people and place it on her grave.
I hold the jade norigae she left for me to my chest and close my eyes.
Tick, crack...
Black tears run down my face.
After a moment of silence in front of her grave, I take out the wooden box she left behind.
Inside the box is not a dharma treasure but a blueprint for creating one.
I read through the blueprint.
Buk Hyang-hwa had created a blueprint for a dharma treasure that met all the conditions I had mentioned.
The name of the dharma treasure is Colorless Glass Sword.
The material is common sand from the desert.
The circuit is simple.
Its a glass flying sword, the type she most often created with me.
***
I spend a long time looking at the blueprint of the Colorless Glass Sword, admiring the artwork she created.
Even I, not well-versed in magic artifacts, am awestruck by its artistic structure. Its a great dharma treasure capable of enhancing the power of the Formless Sword to 100%, no, 120% of its potential.
This is the blueprint of the dharma treasure she left behind.
As I read the blueprint, tears stream down my cheeks uncontrollably. I sit by the grave for a long time, crying, laughing, and mourning.
Then, as night falls and before the next day arrives, I set out for the Cheongmun Clan to attend Cheongmun Ryeong's funeral.
Cheongmun Ryeong's funeral is held in a grand manner.
He was the pride of the Cheongmun Clan, known as a prominent figure of the Qi Building stage. Being the nephew of the clan head Cheongmun Jung-jin, his funeral is conducted on a large scale under the clan head's direction.
Numerous elders and senior members of the Cheongmun Clan, along with upper-level cultivators, gathered solemnly to witness Cheongmun Ryeong's entombment.
I watch the scene from behind Cheongmun Jung-jin. No tears flow anymore. Suppressing the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation to prevent curses from erupting during the funeral is all I can do.
Creak!
His coffin is sealed, and Cheongmun Ryeong is laid to rest in the clan's ancestral burial ground.
For a while, Cheongmun Jung-jin recites a eulogy, and I deeply engrave his death in my heart, determined to avenge him against Yuan Li someday.
Cheongmun Ryeong's funeral continued for several more weeks.
After it ended, Cheongmun Jung-jin gathered the clan's elder council and other members to discuss Cheongmun Ryeong's death, the Heaven-Treading Desert massacre, and the Bloodwood Practitioner Yuan Li. As a friend of Cheongmun Ryeong and a Core Formation-level powerhouse, I was able to attend the meeting.
Could it be for another reason
I ponder, watching Cheongmun Jung-jin unfold the formation Cheongmun Ryeong created in front of the elders.
"This has been a secret known only to the clan's elder council so far, but given that Serving Command Palace will appear near Yuan Li's eastern vicinity in two hundred years, it's time to speak up."
Cheongmun Jung-jin begins.
"First, most of the valuable items in Serving Command Palace have been taken by the Heavenly Being seniors. However, as the council knows, using Ryeong's formation, it's possible to harvest the remaining Longevity Fruits inside. Thus, I propose a plan to enter the Serving Command Palace before two hundred years pass to harvest these fruits."
Clearly, as the clan head, he has to consider everyones interests. He looks at me cautiously and asks,
"Cultivator Seo, although Ryeong's death is regrettable, we cannot let the formation you both created go to waste. Could you use the Nether Crossing Ship to return to Serving Command Palace?"
He asks cautiously, considering my feelings. However, as soon as I heard 'Serving Command Palace,' an idea struck me.
"Serving Command Palace."
"Hm?"
"Serving Command Palace, Serving Command Palace, Serving Command Palace...!"
As I repeat 'Serving Command Palace' like a madman, the Core Formation elders and Cheongmun Jung-jin look at me in shock.
"I can use Serving Command Palace to catch Yuan Li!"
Yuan Li will enter Serving Command Palace. He aims to destroy all its floors and seek the hidden Serving Command Seal.
"Does the clan head remember! Serving Command Palace! What happens when you stimulate its golden order!"
Though my words are disjointed, Cheongmun Jung-jin understands and his eyes light up.
"...! Are you suggesting bringing Yuan Li down to Core Formation level?"
"That's right!"
I reply, my eyes bloodshot.
"I can catch Yuan Li! I can tear him apart and have a way to take revenge!"
"...But the method you're suggesting ultimately involves activating the Serving Command Palace's formation, sealing the cultivation of everyone inside. It's not a long-term solution, and the cultivation restraint applies to everyone. If the old monster drops to the Core Formation stage, other Core Formation cultivators will drop to Qi Building. In the end, nothing changes."
I grin.
"I can catch him."
"What?"
"The method I've learned allows me to wield power even under Serving Command Palace's restraint. That's how I endured the spatial pressure and escaped through the teleportation array like the clan head and Cheongmun Ryeong. After activating Serving Command Palace's golden order and bringing down Yuan Li to the Core Formation stage, I'm confident I can kill him!"
At my words, Cheongmun Jung-jin is startled, and the Core Formation elders murmur among themselves. The Qi Building elders of the Cheongmun Clan, unaware of our conversation, wear puzzled expressions.
"...Can you guarantee that?"
"If you provide me with spirit stones, I can speak with Song Jin and use the Nether Crossing Ship to return to Serving Command Palace and prove it."
I remember the circuit Buk Hyang-hwa had touched and how she did it so Im certain I can do it as well.
Cheongmun Jung-jin, with a solemn face, looks around the audience.
"...I can testify to Cultivator Seos Core Formation capabilities."
Cheongmun Jung-jin looks at me.
"If what you say is true... Cultivator Seo's role will be crucial."
"I am aware. If proof is needed, just give me spirit stones. I'll prove it anytime."
Cheongmun Jung-jin explains the situation to the elders and senior members, and after some discussion, we eventually decide to visit Serving Command Palace again.
Kugugugugu!
Numerous Flying Escape Techniques lit up the sky. This matter involved not only Longevity Fruits but also the possibility of killing Yuan Li, a Nascent Soul cultivator.
Other than Cheongmun Jung-jin, myself, and four Core Formation elders, two Core Formation elders remained to guard the clan.
Cheongmun Jung-jin carried me on a flying artifact, matching the speed of the other elders' Flying Escape Techniques as we headed towards the Black Wind Sea.
Although the acceleration of the Formless Sword is fast and boasts greater speed in short distances than Flying Escape Techniques, theres a significant difference in long-distance travel between the long-distance suited Flying Escape Technique and the combat-designed Formless Sword.
Therefore, even as a Core Formation-level force, its more stable for me to travel long distances in this manner on a Core Formation cultivator's flying artifact.
"First, once we enter Serving Command Palace, we'll lay down Ryeong's formation to fully grow and harvest the Longevity Fruits over five years. Then, after five years, we'll inform the other Core Formation cultivators of your plan and open Serving Command Palace. Is that alright?"
I nod.
"If it means killing Yuan Li, anything is fine."
"Alright then."
Although the Cheongmun Clan will monopolize the Longevity Fruits, it doesn't matter. After all, my initial purpose for obtaining the fruits, Kim Young-hoon, is dead, torn into eight segments.
Shoo Shoo Shoo
The Core Formation elders of the Cheongmun Clan and I enter the barriers in the Black Wind Sea, where the Nether Crossing Ship is located.
Chwaah!
As we penetrate the last barrier, the Nether Crossing Ship appears, and sensing our approach, Song Jin comes up on the ship, accompanied by...
"It's been a while, Senior Seo."
Seo Ran, dressed in a black robe, stands next to Song Jin.
Previously half-human, half-demon with scales across his skin, he now appears almost entirely human, save for the dragon horns on his forehead and a dragon tail at his back, likely related to the method taught by Song Jin. Around him swirls a sinister devilish aura.
'He's reached the pinnacle of Qi Building.'
Furthermore, it seems he is on the cusp of reaching Core Formation.
I nod in greeting, unable to speak a cheerful word in my current state.
Song Jin, noticing my gaze, looks surprised and glances around at us.
Five Core Formation cultivators and me, a Core Formation-level being, all with grave expressions.
[Um... I do feel a bit sorry for leaving you all behind in Serving Command Palace last time.]
Silence.
Cheongmun Jung-jin breaks the silence.
"We're not here to discuss that matter, Senior. It's just that the current situation in the continent is chaotic, hence the serious demeanor. We hope there's no misunderstanding."
[Hmm, hmm... In that case.]
Song Jin coughs awkwardly and glances at me before speaking to Cheongmun Jung-jin.
[By the way, what's happening in the continent? I've read the stars, and there's a major upheaval in the celestial energy. Although I don't know the details, I can tell something significant is occurring.]
At that, I speak up.
"The Bloodwood Practitioner Yuan Li. That old monster regained his Nascent Soul cultivation and committed a tremendous massacre near the Heaven-Treading Desert. All my dear ones died in that massacre."
[What!?]
Song Jin looks at me in shock.
[Bloodwood Practitioner? That guy reached Nascent Soul? He was deemed a dying Core Formation cultivator when the various sects and tribes assessed his potential and was thus left alone...]
He was deceiving everyone. He had already reached the Nascent Soul stage but then divided his soul into something called a Blood Soul, scattering it near the Heaven-Treading Desert.
I continue with a listless look in my eyes.
In the massacre orchestrated by him in the Heaven-Treading Desert, cultivators at the Core Formation stage from across the continent came forward to seal him. However, 200 years later, the appearance of Serving Command Palace at the site of his seal has prompted all factions to prepare for a grand war with the Nascent Soul cultivator.
[Hmm]
Hearing my words, Song Jin looks at Seo Ran.
[Damn, of all things, reaching the Nascent Soul stage... and a danger to my disciple? Its driving me mad.]
Hmm?
I look at Song Jin and Seo Ran with listless eyes and ask, my intent turning red again.
Why is he a danger to Daoist Seo?
At the anger in my voice, not only Song Jin but also the elders of the Cheongmun Clan flinch.
Pointing at Seo Ran, Song Jin says
[It's because of the 'Blood Demon Suppressing Sea Light', a devilish art he has mastered. It specializes in the water attribute, particularly drawing the true blood of sea demon beasts to maximize his physical regeneration. He can also refine and control the souls of demon beasts using this art.The most compatible with his Blood Demon Suppressing Sea Light are... the Sea Dragon Tribe.]
Worry fills his eyes as he looks at Seo Ran.
[It's a tale known only to a few, but Yuan Li once hunted a Core Formation sea dragon from the Sea Dragon Tribe. Sea Dragon King Seo Hweol chased him for three days and nights, admonishing him, and mercifully forgave Yuan Li after retrieving the sea dragons soul and corpse.
Seo Hweol is compassionate, but too soft. If it were Black Ghost Valley, anyone who harmed our disciples would have had their soul extracted and refined into a ghost!]
'Retrieving the soul and corpse of the sea dragon...?'
I recall the soul of a blood dragon among the seven souls Yuan Li had controlled, which resembled a sea dragon.
'If Seo Hweol retrieved it, why does Yuan Li still have the soul?'
[Anyway, with Seo Hweol gone, Yuan Li won't need to worry about the Sea Dragon Kings eyes There's a high chance he will target Seo Ran to cultivate Blood Demon Suppressing Sea Light. Seo Rans half-dragon blood is from royal lineage. Yuan Li, knowing the value of that blood, will be desperate to get it.]
Song Jin crosses his arms, looking worried.
Cheongmun Jun-jin then speaks.
Indeed, given Yuan Lis nature to drench the entire continent in blood, Core Formation cultivators have united to stop his return in 200 years. We've come to seek your guidance in devising a plan against him.
Cheongmun Jung-jin then explained the plan using Serving Command Palace against Yuan Li.
[So, the plan is to draw him into Serving Command Palace and kill him?]
Yes, that's right.
[It's risky.]
Song Jin expresses his concern.
[You might not know, but Serving Command Palace, also known as Liberation Palace, is not the main artifact.]
Yes?
Confusion appears on the faces of Cheongmun Jung-jin and the elders.
What does that mean?
[Seems you don't know. The Serving Command Palace, crafted by the heavenly artisan, is originally a small cylindrical seal the size of a palm. The current Serving Command Palace is an enlarged palace built in the shape of that seal.]
Song Jin continues his explanation.
[The Serving Command Seal, also known as the Liberation Seal, was made before the appearance of the Ascension Gate. It bestows blessings for ascension, drawing the blessed ones fate towards the upper realms, closing the distance. However, as a side effect of imposing the attraction of fate... The bearer of the Serving Command Seal will receive heavenly fate.]
Heavenly fate... you say?
[Yes. Core Formation cultivators might not fully grasp the concept of fate, but as someone who has reached Heavenly Being, I am aware of the power of heavenly fate and must warn you. Luring him into Serving Command Palace to fight means there's a chance he might obtain the Serving Command Seal and gain the protection of heavenly fate. If that happens, unless there's a being with even stronger fate, no one can withstand the heavenly fate brought by the Serving Command Seal.]
Fate... Heavenly fate
Cheongmun Jung-jin looks puzzled but nods in understanding.
Though Song Jin had fallen to the Core Formation stage, he is evidently a remnant soul who reached Heavenly Being, and his experience and authority are beyond Cheongmun Jung-jins.
Hold on, but Senior. That Serving Command Seal... we weren't aware of it. What are the chances he knows about it...
As a Cheongmun Clan elder asks Song Jin, they realize the contradiction in their question.
Just because they were unaware, it didn't necessarily mean the old monster who has lived longer than them wouldn't know.
Indeed, Yuan Li is aware of the existence of the Serving Command Seal.
Yuan Li knows about the Serving Command Seal. Its one of the pieces of information I obtained while surviving against him.
I cant reveal my return, so I spoke vaguely, but its enough to darken the others' expressions.
However, I look at them and say,
So, are you planning to cancel the plan? If the issue is him getting the Serving Command Seal just kill him before he can obtain it.
I look around with a listless expression and continue.
It seems everyone is skeptical since I havent proven my strength under the restraint. Anyway, lets go to the Serving Command Palace and Ill prove it first.
Cheongmun Jung-jin nods in agreement.
Either way, regardless of Cultivator Seos situation, we need to harvest the fruits, so let's proceed.
Koong!
A Cheongmun Clan elder places spirit stones in front of Song Jin.
We ask for your help, senior. Please use the Nether Crossing Ship to go to Serving Command Palace. We need to head there for our own reasons.
[Well, with these spirit stones...]
After inspecting the spirit stones, Song Jin activates the Nether Crossing Ship again.
Kugugugugu!
The Nether Crossing Ship rises.
I look around with a listless expression and approach Seo Ran.
Daoist Seo.
Yes, Senior Seo.
Last time, you promised to fulfill one of my requests, right?
That's right.
I take out the space-breaking bead from my belongings.
I have a request for Daoist Seo.
That is
Teach me how to activate this.
***
This is?
Seo Ran takes the space-breaking bead from me.
After a moment, his pupils quiver.
Where did you get this?
Well
I hesitate for a moment and then tell him honestly.
The Sea Dragon King instructed me to pass this dharma treasure to Daoist Seo. I was overtaken by greed and kept it for myself
I didnt hand over the space-breaking dharma treasure to Seo Ran.
But the space-breaking bead was useless even when filled with spiritual power, apparently requiring some special condition to activate.
Im sorry about that. However
Wait
Seo Ran, holding the dharma treasure, stiffens and says,
Please wait a moment.
He puts the space-breaking bead into his sleeve and flies to the helm of the Nether Crossing Ship to speak with Song Jin.
They seemed to be having a conversation, and I could sense complex and nuanced intents flowing from the helm.
After a while, the Nether Crossing Ship arrived at Serving Command Palace in the void space.
Seo Ran continued talking with Song Jin, still holding the space-breaking bead.
I glance at them briefly and decide to discuss it again after returning from Serving Command Palace. Then I head into Serving Command Palace with the Core Formation cultivators of the Cheongmun Clan.
Before setting up the formation, everyone please wait.
I signal to Cheongmun Jung-jin and the elders, then head to the core of Serving Command Palace and fiddle with the part Buk Hyang-hwa had manipulated, using the exact same method she did.
Kugugugu!
Pressure builds up throughout Serving Command Palace, and our spiritual power is sealed by one level.
Kugugugugu!
My cultivation level dropped by one big stage.
To others, I appear like a Qi Refining cultivator.
The other Core Formation cultivators dropped to the Qi Building stage.
Now, show us. Can you, in this state, still exert the power of a Core Formation cultivator?
An elder of the Cheongmun Clan asks me.
I nod, grasp the Formless Sword, and swing it towards one of the internal structures of Serving Command Palace.
The structure, already half-destroyed when I came with Buk Hyang-hwa, crumbles to dust with a single stroke of my sword.
Do you believe me a little now?
At my words, the elders of the Cheongmun Clan look at me in stunned silence, then nod.
After a while, the golden order of Serving Command Palace deactivates, and I say to them,
The restraint lasts for about an hour. Even if we try to extend it by tampering with Serving Command Palaces circuitry, the maximum would be about half a day.
The elders of the Cheongmun Clan ponder over my words.
Anyway, my capabilities should now be confirmed.
Cheongmun Jung-jin and the elders all nod in agreement.
Understood. When we capture Yuan Li, well plan based on your abilities.
Hmm, about that
One of the elders speak to Cheongmun Jung-jin.
Cheongmun Jung-jin, receiving his gaze, askes me,
Then, could Cultivator Seo please set up the formation now?
Certainly.
Its a formation Illhave to set up in my next life anyway.
Setting it up in advance wouldnt be bad.
I take the formation artifacts created by Buk Hyang-hwa and install it throughout the first floor of Serving Command Palace.
Then, after a while.
I approach the Longevity Tree in the central arboretum of Serving Command Palace, where the Longevity Fruits are about to ripen.
I stand there, gazing at the blossoms on the Longevity Tree, lost in thought.
The one who shouldve eaten these fruits is gone,
But I've only just found a way to harvest them.
What meaning is there in this life now devoid of a reason to live
With a listless gaze, I activate the formation indifferently.
Kugugugugu!
Spiritual energy from all over Serving Command Palace converges here.
Its incomparable to the formation spread through the weak dragon veins near the Heaven-Treading Desert and Cheon-saek City.
A massive wave of spiritual energy surges towards this place, filling the surroundings.
Cheongmun Jung-jin and elders, beholding this majestic scene, stand with their mouths agape in awe. However, I just stare blankly into space with a listless expression.
Kugugugu!
The formation has been activated. In five years, the formation will pour the accumulated wood-element spiritual energy of this area into the Longevity Tree, rapidly accelerating the growth of the fruits.
That's great. Thank you.
I listen to the thanks of the Cheongmun Clan elders, standing there blankly.
After adjusting the formation a bit, we left Serving Command Palace.
Thank you, Cultivator Seo. We'll return in five years to harvest the Longevity Fruits.
After making plans for five years later, I parted ways with Cheongmun Jung-jin and elders.
As the Cheongmun Clan disappeared, Song Jin and Seo Ran approached me.
Koooom!
At Song Jin's will, the Nether Crossing Ship traversed space and settled above the distant ocean.
Whats the matter?
Seo Ran, who has been emitting complex intent, asks me with a trembling voice.
This dharma treasure did the Dragon King really give it to you?
Yes.
And he really asked you to pass it on to me?
I nod.
Seo Ran stiffens.
Can you prove its authenticity with a Ghost Path Oath here, in front of the Nether Crossing Ship?
His face turned pale as he spoke. Its said that if an oath or statement made in front of the Nether Crossing Ship is broken, the soul would be sucked into it after death.
I calmly reply.
I swear in front of the Nether Crossing Ship. It's true that Seo Hweol asked me to pass the space-breaking bead to Daoist Seo.
Ha, haha
Seo Ran, with a stunned expression, laughs and holds his head.
Watching him, Song Jin speaks with a bitter voice.
[I didnt know the Sea Dragon King had such a side Such heartlessness.]
Holding the space-breaking bead, Song Jin continues.
[According to our investigation, this dharma treasure can only be activated by someone with the True Origin Blood of the Sea Dragon Tribe, and only by someone designated by them. If not of the True Origin Blood, one cannot even interfere with the dharma treasure, and if not designated by a Sea Dragon of True Origin Blood, it cannot be activated. And...]
He glances at the space-breaking bead and continues.
[The designated person for this bead is Seo Ran himself.]
Master, I, your unworthy disciple
[Go rest inside.]
Thank you.
Seo Ran, with a pained expression and holding his head, said he needed some time alone and went inside the Nether Crossing Ship.
Song Jin sighs and asks,
[Do you know what this dharma treasure is?]
I do.
I tell the truth, and Song Jin looks at me.
His eyes blaze with ghostly fire.
[Knowing it's a self-destructive dharma treasure you accepted Seo Hweol's request?]
Thats why I didn't deliver it until now. I asked for the method of using this dharma treasure for my own purposes.
[...]
I didn't expect him to realize so quickly.
In my previous life, Seo Ran realized the purpose of the spac- breaking bead only when it was time to activate it.
I never thought he would realize it immediately in this life.
It seems Song Jin has taught him well.
I look at Song Jin.
After locking eyes with me for a moment, he lets out a faint sigh.
[Thank you. For not passing that dharma treasure to my disciple. If it had been activated, the Nether Crossing Ship would have crumbled, and I wouldn't have been able to teach my disciple and pass down the legacy of the Azure Ghost Valley.]
Song Jin says with a bitter tone, looking at the space-breaking bead.
It's nothing. By the way I still have one more favor you owe me.
[Ah, that's right. Indeed.]
I speak to Song Jin,
I'll use my last favor. Please
Drip, drip
Just thinking about it, curses begin to erupt around me.
Help me.
Startled!
Song Jin flinches and stares directly at me.
Help me take revenge.
[...]
He seems to ponder.
[For that ask Seo Ran. Perhaps, my disciple can be of more help to you.]
What do you mean?
Song Jin continues.
[I recently sent my disciple deep into the sea to gather yin energy. But actually, I had another task for him.]
Oh?
He points southwards over the Nether Crossing Ship, towards the Black Wind Sea.
[At the far southern end of the sea, near [Worlds End], lies the homeland of the Sea Dragon Tribe, the Sea Dragon Palace where the Sea Dragon King resided. For some reason, Seo Hweol left Seo Ran here and covered the Sea Dragon Palace with a massive seal before leaving, preventing Seo Ran from entering to cultivate.]
I listen silently to Song Jin's explanation.
[According to Seo Ran, if the Nether Crossing Ship is destroyed and the souls of the Sea Dragon Tribe previously swallowed by the ship are freed, those souls will teach Seo Ran how to break the seal.
But now that he is my disciple, I can't allow him to shatter the Nether Crossing Ship and do such a thing. I instructed Seo Ran to reach the Nascent Soul stage and directly interact with the Nether Crossing Ship to extract the souls. A Nascent Soul cultivator can retrieve the souls devoured by the ship. And to do that, entering the Sea Dragon Palace, filled with the spiritual elixir of the Sea Dragon Tribe, is the first step. I taught him a corroding great spell and asked him to break through Seo Hweol's seal.]
Song Jin chuckles.
[Whether he rescues the souls of the Sea Dragon Tribe first and then enters the Sea Dragon Palace to enhance his skills, or vice versa, it doesnt matter. Seo Ran agreed to do so. I also taught him the famous formations of the Azure Ghost Valley to help him break the seal. Now, hes almost breached the corner of the seal, and it seems only a strong final push is needed to break in.]
So, you want me to help Seo Ran break the seal?
[Yes, the weird method you've mastered boasts immense offensive power, surely enough to break the seal. He's been gathering energy for a powerful strike, but if you help, that may not be necessary.]
It seems he wants to use my strength for Seo Rans benefit.
But that doesnt matter to me.
Whats important right now is,
By helping Seo Ran break the seal, does that create a way to confront Yuan Li?
Yuan Li.
Finding the best way to kill him is my goal.
Song Jin nods.
[Even if Seo Hweol's abilities are great, it's impossible for him to ascend with all the treasures accumulated over the long history of the Sea Dragon Tribe without something equivalent to the Nether Crossing Ship. Surely, a considerable amount of treasures must remain inside the Sea Dragon Palace. Moreover, most of the treasures of the Sea Dragon Tribe are items that can gain an advantage over Yuan Li's two main devilish arts. There's a high probability that objects antagonistic to him are piled up inside...!]
Hearing this, my eyes widened.
"I will... help Daoist Seo."
It doesn't matter.
If it can give me even a slight advantage over him.
I will do anything.
At those words, Song Jin nods in satisfaction and enters the Nether Crossing Ship.
Shortly after, Seo Ran comes out with a gloomy face.
"...I heard you will help me, senior."
"That's right."
"I am a bit shocked, but... I understand. Thank you."
Seo Ran turns to Song Jin.
"Master... Please head to the southern end."
[Haha, understood.]
Hence, we steer the Nether Crossing Ship towards the Sea Dragon Palace, the former base of the Sea Dragon Tribe, located at the [World's End] in the south.
Jang
[Hmm, as expected, this sea area doesn't suit the Nether Crossing Ship.]
The southern sea is calm, the sky clear, and the sun blazing intensely.
The heaven and earth spiritual energy is stable, and it seems unlikely for storms to occur.
Compared to the Black Wind Sea, where clouds gather frequently, the southern sea looks very peaceful.
'Most of all...'
The spiritual energy floating between heaven and earth is incredibly clean and warm.
It even feels somewhat sacred.
[Disciple, lead the way.]
"Yes, Master. The Sea Dragon Palace is at the bottom of this deep sea."
Seo Ran points downwards into the waters.
Despite the clear weather, the deep blue sea is dark, and its depth seems immense.
However, Song Jin doesnt seem bothered and simply nods, holding the steering wheel.
[Good, then everyone hold your breath.]
Kugugugu!
Soon after, the Nether Crossing Ship, engulfed in ghostly energy, begins to submerge into the sea.
'Such a variety of functions.'
Chaaaa!
I ponder this while observing the ghostly energy of the Nether Crossing Ship repelling the water.
The ghostly energy of the Nether Crossing Ship seemed to be slightly consumed by the sunlight above the water surface, but as it descended deeper, it absorbed the yin energy of the deep sea, replenishing its strength on its own.
'This is all just a ruined wreck's functionality...'
I look around the Nether Crossing Ship for a while before losing interest.
Buk Hyang-hwa, Kim Young-hoon, Cheongmun Ryeong, Buk Joong-ho, and the neighbors of Cheon-saek City.
After they died, I somehow lost enthusiasm for everything.
Even seeing something fascinating only sparks temporary interest.
Kugugugu!
After descending into the deep sea for a period of time, the Nether Crossing Ship finally reaches the seabed.
Kugugung!
[We've arrived. Follow Seo Ran and break the seal on the Sea Dragon Palace.]
I nod and, holding my breath, follow Seo Ran out of the ghostly Nether Crossing Ship.
Chaaaaak!
The immense water pressure presses down on me, but with Gang Qi flowing in my veins, it isn't a big threat.
Being unable to breathe is also not a problem, as I could last 3 or 4 days longer than mortals.
Seo Ran transformed into his sea dragon form and swam ahead in the deep sea.
'The surface was full of warm and pleasant spiritual energy, but...'
The deep sea below is somehow...
'Desolate.'
It is dark and devoid of life.
There should be life even in the deep sea.
However, around here, it seems as if no living creature exists.
Even microscopic organisms didn't appear within my domain of consciousness.
Its almost like the Dead Sea.
After a while, following Seo Ran, I understood the reason.
Kugugugu!
A massive wall of darkness.
A huge semi-circular something is covering the land at the bottom of the deep sea in front of us.
And, this wall of darkness seems to be endlessly absorbing the vital force around it.
"Is this the seal of the Sea Dragon Palace?"
Since the demon race's language vibrates spiritual energy instead of air, if one is capable, theres no need to open the mouth to speak.
I asked Seo Ran in a breath-holding state, and he nodded.
"Yes. Please follow me. Over there, in the corner, is the weakest flow of the seal. I have cast a corroding spell there to weaken the seal."
I swim for a while following Seo Ran, and then, at one corner of the seal.
I can see it surrounded by dark mist.
Kugugugu!
The yin energy and ghostly energy densely accumulated by the formation sticks thickly towards one corner of the seal, burning a blue ghost fire.
Having some expertise in formations myself, I can tell which part of the seal the Black Ghost Valley's notorious formation, the Ghost Wail Corroding Formation, has weakened.
"Do I attack the center?"
"Yes. Please, I ask for your help."
Calmly holding the Formless Sword, I take a stance.
Kugugugu!
And then, I thrust the Formless Sword towards the Ghost Wail Corroding Formation.
Kuuuuuu!
The seabed of the deep sea shales.
Although there is no loud explosion underwater, massive ripples spread out visibly around it.
But the formation set by Seo Hweol doesn't budge.
'Is this not enough?'
I once again hold up the Formless Sword.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, ultimate technique, Severing Mountain!
Kuoouo!
Once again, a cloud of dust rises from the bottom of the deep sea.
'So this is how much it weakened...'
This time there was a vibration, but the seal remains strong.
After executing Severing Mountain, I immediately return to the stance of Transcending Mountain.
I maintain the state of Endless Mountains Beyond Mountains.
While maintaining Endless Mountains Beyond Mountains, I repeatedly strike Seo Hweol's seal with Severing Mountain.
It took about 16 consecutive hits of Severing Mountain executed by the Formless Sword before the seal cracked.
Jeck, Jejejeck!
The seal, it split open.
And then.
Chaaaaa!
A hole opened up causing the surrounding water to be sucked inside.
"Puhup!"
I enter inside with the water current.
"Puha!"
Haaaaa
The inner space seems to be filled with air, allowing me to breathe.
After a while, Seo Ran transforms back into his human form and enters inside.
"It's been a long time since I've been here. I haven't been here since I was very young..."
Seo Ran looks around, seemingly nostalgic.
'What immense energy.'
I absorb the surrounding spiritual energy, observing the immense spiritual energy filling the area.
The spiritual energy inside the seal is extraordinarily higher than outside.
Apparently, the seal not only blocked access for outsiders but also seemed to absorb the surrounding spiritual energy and vital force, concentrating it inside.
Just then.
'Huh?'
I see the Sea Dragon Palace unfolding before my eyes.
Like an ancient imperial palace of the human world, it is lined with stately halls and ancient palaces.
The jade-colored tiles on the halls, which appear somewhat divine at a glance, are lined up, giving off a grand feeling.
However, as I look at these halls, I feel something strange.
'Something... familiar...?'
Kududeuk!
I execute the Earth Wall spell to block the water pouring from the cracked opening.
Then, kicking off the void, I fly up into the sky.
"Senior?"
Seo Ran looks at me, puzzled, but I fly up into the air to take in the whole view of this ancient Sea Dragon Palace.
'The structure of this Sea Dragon Palace is...?'
I have seen a structure resembling this Sea Dragon Palace before.
***