This is definitely...'
The overall structure of the Sea Dragon Palace in front of me,
And the ritualistic formation I saw in the hidden room on the top floor of Serving Command Palace.
Somehow, their structures overlap in my mind.
After observing the Sea Dragon Palace for a while, I descend and ask Seo Ran.
"Daoist Seo, do you know anything about the construction of the Sea Dragon Palace?"
"Oh, are you asking about the structure of the Sea Dragon Palace?"
Seo Ran gestures in the air, softly touching the spiritual energy flowing around.
"As you are feeling right now, this Sea Dragon Palace always has a flow of auspicious energy and comfortable spiritual energy"
"I see."
Indeed, the area where the Sea Dragon Palace is located always has a strange flow of auspicious energy, and I could feel a faint sense of sacredness.
At the same time, absorbing the spiritual energy of the Sea Dragon Palace seems to clear my mind somehow.
"The Sea Dragon Palace itself forms a kind of ritualistic formation, and the Dragon King said that this formation is designed to awaken and clear the minds of the Sea Dragon Tribe living here, maintaining their pure and composed state of mind."
'A formation for mental awakening...?'
I recall the formation in the hidden room of Serving Command Palace.
'If the structures are almost identical, even if the effects are slightly different, surely the formation in Serving Command Palace is also related to the mind...'
I fall into doubt.
'Why... is there a mind-related formation left in Serving Command Palace?'
What was the Sea Dragon King thinking?
'I'll have to ask Song Jin later if he knows about this formation.'
"Anyway, let's search the Sea Dragon Palace."
Seo Ran leads the way, looking around.
"This is the outer palace, with various complex formations, but once we enter the inner palace, there are almost no formations, so we can look for dharma treasures or spiritual elixirs there."
"Understood."
I followed Seo Ran, breaking through the formations of the outer palace and entering the inner palace.
The deeper into the Sea Dragon Palace, the more intense the auspicious and sacred energies seemed to become.
'My mind is becoming clearer...'
Gradually, my consciousness became clearer.
What can be in this place?
Seo Ran and I decided to split up and search different parts of the Sea Dragon Palace.
'There are prohibitions everywhere...'
The outer palace had traps where if one steps wrongly, they fall into a maze-like formation. However, the inner palace had active prohibitions spread throughout.
'Each one is not easy to deal with. It takes two or three strikes with the Formless Sword to break them...'
But the presence of prohibitions means something valuable is hidden inside.
'Where should I start searching...'
Just when Im wandering inside the inner palace.
'Huh?'
I suddenly find one hall among the many, uniquely without any prohibitions.
This hall is among the larger ones, and though there are no prohibitions, ritualistic scripts are engraved all over, emitting spiritual energy.
Clearly, its no ordinary place, but strangely, this is the only place without prohibitions.
I enter the hall, feeling something odd.
Creak
Startled!
As I opened the door and entered, I trembled at the strong smell of blood coming from inside.
This place is...'
The inside of the hall is spacious.
Along the edges of the hall are numerous bookshelves, and in the center, there is a large celestial map.
The celestial map depicts constellations corresponding to the 28 Stars, positions of the Purple Forbidden Enclosure, Supreme Palace Enclosure, and the Heavenly Market Enclosure.
It also shows the sun and the moon embroidered on it.
And above the beautiful celestial map, theres dried scattered blood, giving off a chilling feel..
What on earth is this...'
Moreover, while the bookshelves along the edges are intact, there are no books inside, only heaps of black, burnt charcoal.
The bookshelves were all charred, as if...
Did someone kill the inhabitant of this place and burn all the books of the hall's owner?'
The most likely suspect is certainly Seo Hweol.
Given his twisted nature, its entirely possible he would do something like this.
The reason there are no prohibitions here is perhaps because there's nothing left, so theres no need to set them up.'
It seems I have stumbled upon the scene of someone's crime, with nothing else to gain.
I was about to leave the hall when it happened.
Ssss
A sensation caught my attention, a sensation only I could perceive, having mastered the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation, a curse method.
This is...
A curse?'
Someone had left a deep, lingering curse here.
Giying!
My Inner Core suddenly vibrates.
And then, I feel the intense curse that had been lingering somewhere rushing towards me.
Oh no...!
I panic and try to neutralize the curse with the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation, but the curse already attaches itself to me.
And then.
-This...
Someone's 'voice' began to be heard.
-Will findheredemi-human...
A voice filled with intense resentment.
-Seo Ran...outsidenot
The voice, filled with pain, speaks.
-Trust himentrust to him... Ran look under..celestial map...
And with that, the voice cuts off.
Psssh
The curse that was attached to me, seemingly with the sole purpose of conveying that message, disappeared after leaving me with a slight headache.
'Look under the celestial map?'
The floor where the celestial map is drawn is made of stone slabs of jade.
I infuse my arms with Pure Spiritual Force and forcefully insert my fingers between the slabs, lifting them.
Uguk, ugrgrgrgruk!
Gradually, the slabs are lifted up.
Beneath, there is a decaying leather-bound book, seemingly just an ordinary item with no spiritual energy, probably just a diary of the voice's owner.
An item not even detected by my consciousness...'
It seems that these jade slabs had some role in blocking consciousness and spiritual energy.
I pull the book towards me using sword control, then put the slabs back in place.
Kugugu!
The slabs were quite heavy, so I wiped off my sweat.
On the book is a simple title in demon script: 'Diary'.
Why would they want to pass on their diary to Seo Ran?'
I check the diary for any special spells or techniques.
Indeed, its just a diary, without any traps or backhands.
Sararak, sararak.
The owner of the diary, a Sea Dragon Tribe elder named Jeon Hyang, was an astronomer, responsible for celestial observations.
Most of the diary's content involved their daily activities as an astronomer, noting unusual celestial phenomena, what they ate that day, conversations they had, and the weather.
-I spoke with a senior of the Heavenly Circle stage today. He told me that if I keep observing the World's End, my headache will only worsen and advised me to consume an elixir for relief.
The person referred to Heavenly Being cultivators as 'seniors of the Heavenly Circle stage'.
The demon race often uses the term 'Heavenly Circle' instead of 'Heavenly Being. Those who typically dislike the term 'Heavenly Being' tend to hold demon race supremacy beliefs, and they are known to capture and consume humans.
Indeed, Jeon Hyang often consumed human elixirs.
-I extracted and consumed the core formed by the livestock trained in the Summoning Wind, Coagulating Core Transformation. Indeed, its efficacy is remarkable. The headache has disappeared.
-There are rumors that the King has developed an even more exceptional livestock cultivation method.
-Not only does it involve extracting the cultivation efforts of the livestock by infusing them with the true blood of the Sea Dragon tribe, but it is also said to be an outstanding method that allows the Sea Dragon tribe to resurrect in the livestock's body once, should they die in battle. The livestock's body serves as a vessel for this singular resurrection."
'Tch...'
Regardless of the species, exploiting another race to this extent, is that really right?
I flip through the diary, clicking my tongue at the Sea Dragon Tribe's anecdotes.
Sararak.
As I browse, I pause at a certain entry.
-Today, the Dragon King, I, and the other astronomers, along with the elders of the Sea Dragon tribe, gathered for a meeting.
-The King explained the astronomical records we had submitted to the elders, sharing a certain speculation he had been considering.
-It was a truly chilling speculation. If it were true, it meant that those living in this world could only prove their dignity by ascending and leaving this world.
-A Heavenly Circle elder opposed the King's words. He said it was too far-fetched, a speculation. Although I felt chills, I do think the King's words were a bit exaggerated.
-It was a meeting that gave me much to ponder. I must visit the World's End more frequently and observe the heavens more closely."
This was the end of that day's entry.
Speculation? What is the speculation mentioned here?'
What exactly did Seo Hweol think upon seeing the astronomical records?
I continue flipping through the diary.
The next few pages were records of mundane daily life.
Then, once again, I stop at a section of the diary.
-It seems the Dragon King had observed something else separately.
-The King called together the elders and us astronomers, presenting a hypothesis about the speculation he had mentioned.
-It was an interesting hypothesis.
-In this world, day and night do not actually exist; rather, it's merely that the heaven and earth spiritual energy divides into Yin and Yang, circulating in a cycle.
-On a macroscopic level, the grand flow of spiritual energy divides into Yin and Yang, rotating this world, leading to the illusion of day and night. In our world, day and night do not actually exist.
'What...?'
Day and night do not exist?
What does that even mean?
I look at the sentence several times, unable to comprehend.
But still, I cant understand.
-It was disrespectful to the King, but we astronomers couldn't help but laugh.
-The idea that day and night don't actually exist while the sun and moon orbit the world!
-As we struggled to contain our laughter, the elders became furious. Eventually, we were scolded, listening to the wrathful voice of the grand elder.
-Normally, such disrespect could have warranted punishment, but the King, with a heart as vast as the sea, forgave us.
-The King may indulge in somewhat extravagant imaginations, but his boundless compassion and heart are truly admirable. I only feel sorry towards the King.
'The sun and moon orbit the world...'
Apparently, in this world shaped as a flat plane,
The heliocentric model, where the world revolves around the sun, doesn't apply, but rather a geocentric model, where the sun and moon orbit the world, seems to be the accepted theory.
But Seo Hweol's statement concerns me.
'If day and night doesn't truly exist, does that mean neither geocentric nor heliocentric models apply to this world?'
With this question in mind, I turn the page.
-Recently, a half-human, half-dragon brat named Seo Ran is causing a stir in the Sea Dragon Palace.
-If it weren't for his royal lineage, I would have driven him out immediately, but he always clings to me and annoys me.
-The King always greets Seo Ran with a smiling face, but those with insight know that the King doesn't really fancy him.
-Ironically, that annoying brat follows the King the most, but does he realize?
-That it's the King who most often orchestrates situations to avoid him?
-I wish that brat would soon realize this himself and leave the Sea Dragon Palace.
"..."
Sararak.
I turn to the next page.
-We astronomers plan to go to the World's End to properly align ourselves and observe the orbit of the sun and moon, intending to shatter the King's speculation.
-Some of the elders subtly support us. They seem to want to prove that the King's extravagant speculation is wrong.
-The idea that day and night don't actually exist, as sorry as I am to say this about the King who has accomplished so much, it seems that the King might have spoken so because of his lack of understanding in astronomy.
-I won't be able to write in this journal for the next few months. We'll be holed up at the World's End, repeatedly observing.
-I must take plenty of the livestock's cores with me. The headaches worsen when continuously facing the World's End.
Sararak, sararak, sararak.
The following pages are blank.
As I continue turning the pages, I eventually reach a part where the diary resumes.
Huh?'
The handwriting here is incredibly erratic.
It is evident that Jeon Hyang was extremely agitated when writing this entry.
-With my own hands, I succeeded in observing the sun and the moon.
-It's unbelievable. The results are too strange.
-Neither the sun nor the moon orbits the world!
-Both celestial bodies are simply fixed in one place in the sky!
-Even the rising and setting of the sun and moon from the east and west are just an illusion!!!
-The actual position of the sun and moon is in the south, closest to our Sea Dragon Tribe's homeland.
-The hypothesis proposed by the King was correct!!!
-Neither the sun nor the moon orbits. They simply remain in place, and in this world, there is no day or night. What we thought of as day and night is merely the macroscopic circulation of the Yin and Yang of heaven and earth spiritual energy!"
Jeon Hyang's handwriting is extremely shaky, as if their hands were trembling while writing.
I can feel from his writing that Jeon Hyang was terrified.
-If the King's hypothesis is proven, then what does it say about this world?
-Isnt the form of this world too grotesque?
-Have we been breathing, cultivating, and living in such an ominous place?
-How are we any different from maggots?
-I began my observations intending to refute the King's speculation, but in the end, the astronomical observations of myself and the other astronomers only splendidly proved the King's hypothesis.
-The Council of Elders is calling for me. Not just me, but all the other astronomers will be gathered too. I'm afraid. Have I inadvertently proven such a grotesque truth?
Sararak, sararak.
In the next page, the handwriting is a bit more stable.
-Beheading Punishment.
-If that statement is true, then this place is definitely not where we should live.
-I and the other astronomers, along with all members of the Council of Elders, agreed with the King's opinion that all races should ascend together at once.
-The King is indeed benevolent.
-Isn't he giving the other races an opportunity to preserve their dignity too?"
"Beheading Punishment...?"
What does that mean?
It seems like Jeon Hyang wrote something in the diary that only they knew.
Is it some sort of code?'
I cant tell at the moment.
Sararak.
I turn the pages again.
-The youngest at the Core Formation stage among us astronomers, a naive youngster who couldn't even perform transformation, briefly went to the continent and was captured and killed by a human devilish cultivator.
-The King chased down that cultivator to reprimand him and retrieved the body. Indeed, humans are all treacherous and unreliable trash.
-These creatures are best used as livestock. After all, aren't the elixirs made from them the most effective?
-And the headaches from observing the World's End are also best alleviated by the cores of these livestock. Of course, there will be no need for them for headaches anymore.
-The reason for headaches when gazing at the World's End was revealed to be due to unintentional eye contact with a Great Boundary True Immortal.
-Even if it's not the gaze of a True Immortal, observing the World's End means continuously witnessing the will of True Immortals, so it's natural that the upper dantian is unknowingly under strain.
-Now, we astronomers have stopped meaningless astronomical observations. Hence, there's no more need for elixirs, and they will be used as emergency medicinal materials.
"Great Boundary True Immortal...?"
Suddenly, the folktale book I read to the child in a previous village comes to mind.
In the folktale, the sun and moon were depicted as eyes.
I continue flipping through the pages.
-I've been feeling terrible lately.
-Is it because I've observed such a terrifying fact with my own hands?
-That fact lingers in my mind and won't leave.
-The realization that I have been unwittingly making eye contact with an unfathomable entity fills me with deep fear.
-What was that entity thinking while looking at me? Lately, whenever I recall that fact, it feels like it's driving me insane.
-It's not just me. I can see that the characters of most of the astronomers are becoming increasingly volatile. They too always seem to have fear written on their faces.
Sarak
-This is madness!
-The Mad Lord, that perverted old monster, attacked the livestock pen! Not only the royal family managing the pen, but also my fellow astronomers who were visiting have been captured by that monster and turned into living puppets!
-The pen has collapsed, and all the livestock have escaped.
-The King rushed out to pursue the Mad Lord, but he had already fled.
-It's so bitter and grievous. All the emergency medicinal materials have run away!
-Lately, we haven't been observing the heavens, so there's no headache, but it's a painfully significant loss.
Sararak, sararak.
-...The atmosphere has been strange lately.
-Although it's said that our relationship with Black Ghost Valley has worsened and we have been in disputes with them, it's unusual how often my fellow astronomers are being attacked or go missing.
-Starting with the youngest Core Formation stage astronomer last time, from the attacks by the Mad Lord, it seems like my fellow astronomers are being targeted unusually often. There are quite a few who have disappeared without any apparent reason.
-It's likely that the elders, who have been unsupportive of the King and encouraging our astronomical observations while opposing the Kings extravagant speculations, are putting us in danger.
-My fellow astronomers discussed this and decided to inform the King about it.
-I, as the representative, went to the King to report. The King praised me with a trusting face, saying I did well in speaking up. He assured us of his protection.
-Especially me, being an exceptional astronomer who directly observed the sun and the moon, he said I would be firmly protected. I am grateful.
-Thinking about it, since the fact I observed not only affected the astronomers but also changed the expressions of the Heavenly Circle elders, it's surprising.
-Despite such a terrifying truth that should affect everyone regardless of being at the Nascent Soul or Heavenly Circle stage, the King always maintains his benevolent smile and gives us faith.
-As expected, he is our King.
Sararak, sararak....
I turn the next page.
And then, I see Jeon Hyang's handwriting start to shake again in the following entry.
-What is happening!
-Among the astronomers, I'm the only one left.
-All have either disappeared or died in battles with the Black Ghost Valley, at the hands of the Mad Lord, or due to other disasters.
-The King promised to protect us, yet how has it come to this?
-I know it's disrespectful, but I can't help but make a terrifying speculation.
-Its not the elders who opposed the King, but the King himself is orchestrating the disappearance of the astronomers who know the truth.
-It can't be. He is a benevolent person. I mustn't worry. It's just a needless thought.
Sararak.
And in the very next entry.
The handwriting became completely distorted, and oozing with rage.
-Your Majesty!
-You are pushing the astronomers who know the truth towards death!
-I too will soon die!
-Promising to firmly protect me meant nothing but to exploit me to the end before killing me.
-I am going to die. I won't even be able to participate in the ascension.
-Why are you doing this to us, Your Majesty? Why?
-Is the truth we know harmful to the Sea Dragon Tribe?
-It might be. It's so terrifying that even the seniors of the Heavenly Circle stage are sometimes tormented by it. Even we who have reached the Nascent Soul stage spend sleepless nights.
-Yes, if it's for the good of the Sea Dragon Tribe...
-If it's for the sake of our tribe, then it can't be helped.
-Let's accept it.
Their handwriting started in anger but seemed to stabilize as they reconciled their thoughts while writing.
....
Sararak.
-After accepting my inevitable death, I feel at peace.
-One must accept that they will one day die.
-Accepting death, life, in fact, feels renewed.
-Things I couldnt see before are now visible. This precious life, the scenery of the Sea Dragon Palace...
-And then, there's Seran, who seems to be ostracized under the King's leadership, just like me.
-I've recently become close to that child. Perhaps it's a case of shared misery.
-The child is exceptionally bright. Previously blinded by prejudice regarding race and lineage, now I see the child's intelligence.
-Quite adorable. If this kid had joined the astronomers, I would have treated him well....
-The King said he won't take this child on the ascension.
-Instead, he assigned him the task of liberating the souls of the Sea Dragon warriors trapped in the wrecked Nether Crossing Ship destroyed in the war with the Mad Lord.
-Indeed... the King, though stern, truly cares for the Sea Dragon Tribe.
-Seo Ran, this child too, is pitiable, but... it's for the sake of the tribe, so sacrifice is necessary.
-I too will soon die for the sake of our tribe. The King's demeanor towards me is subtly changing.
-Perhaps I will die before the Ascension Gate opens....
Jeon Hyang's diary is nearing its end.
Sararak.
And then, when I turn the next page.
This is...
Blood.
The next page is written in dried blood.
-Seo Hweol!!!
-I despise you!
-All of our Sea Dragon Tribe are being deceived by him!
-He is not a King (), just an Ignorant Mortal ().
-Seo Ran, I leave this message for you. If you return to the Sea Dragon Palace, read my diary and learn the true nature of Seo Hweol.
-It was all lies.
-Do not believe anything he has said!
-He is a madman, more deranged than the Mad Lord, consumed by vengeance, a broken monster!
-Even to the Sea Dragon Tribe....
-Seo Ran, he is coming to kill me now. I can't leave a long message.
-Be sure to read this diary later!
-Thank you for being my confidant.
Sararak....
That is the last page of the diary.
Although I dont understand everything, the diary provides many insights.
I closed Jeon Hyang's diary.
Grotesque form of the world? Day and night being an illusion? Seo Hweols true nature...
Various truths swirl confusingly in my mind.
Even Yuan Li is under the influence of Seo Hweol.'
What does Seo Hweol want....
Thud.
Just when I close the diary.
Wriggle.
Hm...?
Wriggle, wriggle....
Suddenly, the diary began to wriggle.
What...!?
I hadn't sensed any presence or spiritual energy infused in it.
But why...?
And then.
Puff!
From between the pages of the diary, a blue hand reaches out and grabs my arms with crushing strength.
Kugugugugu!
Suddenly, I feel a heavy weight all over my body.
The heaven and earth spiritual energy around me presses down, pinning me in place.
What is this...
And then, a voice filled with kindness and gentleness, Seo Hweol's voice, begins to be heard.
[Closing this diary means, Seo Ran, that you have survived without using the space-breaking bead and somehow reached the Sea Dragon Palace. Jeon Hyang thought he hid the diary well in front of me... but unfortunately for him, he didnt.]
What...!
[Regrettably, Ran-ah, that was the extent of your role. Liberating the souls of the Sea Dragon Tribe warriors trapped in the Nether Crossing Ship was your last utility, and your continued existence is now just an obstacle... So, rest now. Go to your mother and fathers side.]
Crack, crackle!
I struggle desperately to break free from Seo Hweol's grasp.
Just then.
Kugugugugu!
The entire Sea Dragon Palace suddenly begins to tremble.
"Seo Hweol...!"
Translator Notes: Adding -ah is like Xiao in Chinese. Its a suffix added to names to denote affection or familiarity, a term of endearment. I made sure to include it to further highlight Seo Hweols hypocrisy and heartlessness.
is a term used in Buddhism and Taoism to describe someone that is not spiritually enlightened, in contrast to the sages and those with spiritual understanding. It means Ordinary Person but to fit in the context of the setting and meaning, I translated it as ignorant mortal.
***
Bang!
I immediately kick through the hall and rush out.
Pssht!
The blue arm that sprung from the book and had been holding me, now enveloped in a faint aura, scatters into the air.
However, the transformation happening throughout the Sea Dragon Palace does not cease.
The lingering will of the Sea Dragon King...!
In terms of power, its far less than the remnant soul of Song Jin, but its still the remnant consciousness of the Sea Dragon King.
Such an insignificant thing is now spreading throughout the Sea Dragon Palace, awakening the heaven and earth spiritual energy everywhere.
And then.
Boom, boom, boom!
The halls of the Sea Dragon Palace begin to burst open one by one.
Numerous artifacts and dharma treasures from inside the halls burst forth, shining in the air.
Flash!
In an instant, everything around is bathed in the light emitted by the countless treasures of the Sea Dragon Palace.
This is
Senior, whats happening here!
Seo Ran, transformed into a dragon, flies towards me.
I, sweating profusely, watch the unfolding events.
Daoist Seo
Yes, Senior.
Let's run.
Kugugugugu!
The blue water attribute dharma treasures gathered together, absorbing Seo Hweol's lingering consciousness.
The lights from the treasures flicker and form a giant blue dragon, resembling Seo Hweol.
Kwagwagwang!
The dragon, formed from the combined dharma treasures, begins to rampage.
This is madness
Kugugugugu!
The Sea Dragon Palace is swept away by the dragon's thrashing.
The power of the gathered dharma treasures, combined with the remnants of a Heavenly Beings consciousness, is far stronger than Song Jin without his dharma treasures.
Its power is immensely close to that of a Nascent Soul.
But the real problem isn't that.
Senior! Its coming!
Fweeing!
The dragon swings its tail towards us.
Kwagwagwa!
A tremendous trail of destruction is left, but the real danger comes afterwards.
Click!
From the scales of the dragons tail, one of the small dharma treasures remained even after the tail swung away.
Damn it!
Flash!
The treasure wrapped in blue light scatters brilliance
Kwaang!
The dharma treasure self-destructed!
I shield Seo Ran from the blast, pushing the explosion away.
My hands tingle.
My body's already in bad shape from using Endless Mountains Beyond Mountains to break the seal...
Each time I block a self-destructing dharma treasure, my arms tremble more.
We need to escape, but
Were surrounded
We are surrounded by the Dragon Palaces seal, and the hole we used to enter is now blocked by the dragon made of dharma treasures, making approach difficult.
As if this isnt annoying enough, the treasures are self-destructing one by one
Seeing that we were not visibly harmed, the dragon started to self-destruct more of its dharma treasures.
Cant we do something about those self-destructing treasures?
It's impossible. Besides
Seo Ran's face darkened.
The dragon, as it fights us, is drawing more power from the dharma treasures, turning brighter.
True to his words, the more the dragon fights us, the more the dharma treasures comprising its body glow with blue light.
When it becomes completely bright, the entire dragon will self-destruct.
Crunch
I grit my teeth at the absurd situation.
"Seo Hweol...!"
Whether his target is Seo Ran or not.
In any case, the plan to confront Yuan Li here and push forward with using dharma treasures has completely fallen apart.
Whoosh!
The figure of the Blue Dragon continues to brighten.
At this rate, its uncertain when it will suddenly explode...!
Just then.
Boom!
One side of the seal trembles, and the dark prow of a decayed ship emerges from beyond the formation.
Its the Nether Crossing Ship.
"Activate!"
The teleportation array starts activating, and we barely manage to escape the Blue Dragon's thrashing, flying up into the Nether Crossing Ship.
Roar!
The Blue Dragon roars, and its body becomes incandescent.
That massive body, it's going to self-destruct!
At the same time, the teleportation array attempts to begin spatial transfer.
The Nether Crossing Ship is engulfed in the void and rushes through space, and we escape from the Sea Dragon Palace as it is enveloped in blue light for the last time.
[...I came because my disciple sent a distress signal... In the end, the dharma treasures in the Sea Dragon Palace all transformed into the shape of the Blue Dragon and self-destructed, is that it?]
Song Jin presses his temples with his fingers.
[So, there's no gain at all....]
Both Seo Ran and Song Jin look downcast.
I show them the diary of Jeon Hyang that I managed to save in the chaos.
"During the chaos, I managed to save this. When the diary was closed, the residual consciousness left by Seo Hweol in the diary activated, causing that commotion."
[Hmm, indeed, I can feel Seo Hweol's consciousness embedded in it. If certain conditions are met, his consciousness activates and delivers predetermined instructions.]
He is indeed a meticulous man.
In the case of Seo Ran destroying the Nether Crossing Ship and accidently surviving, reaching the Sea Dragon Palace.
Even then, Seo Hweol made sure Seo Ran would be killed.
'Is there a reason why Seo Ran must be killed to this extent?'
"Then, is there anything else left in this book?"
I ask Song Jin if there are any traps or backhands left..
[From my perspective, there doesn't seem to be anything else.]
I nod and hand it over to Seo Ran.
'For future cycles, it's better to bring the diary to Song Jin first before casually opening it.'
Whether it's Seo Hweol's consciousness or whatever, what's the harm in feeding the remaining remnant consciousness to the Nether Crossing Ship?
"This is the diary of Jeon Hyang, an astronomer of the Sea Dragon Tribe. Take a look, it seems that they left it for you to read, Daoist Seo."
"Ah, the diary of the elder...!"
Seo Ran was startled and quickly received the diary. While he was reading the diary, the Nether Crossing Ship already returned to its original place in the Black Wind Sea.
'This must be the extent of our gains this time...'
With an explosion of that magnitude, not only the other pavilions but also the spiritual elixirs and plants remaining in the Sea Dragon Palace would have turned into dust.
'Right, now that I think about it...'
I asked Song Jin about the structure of the Sea Dragon Palace and the ritualistic formation I had seen.
"So, do you know anything about the spell formation thats in the Sea Dragon Palace?"
[Hmm, I'm not sure exactly what formation you're talking about.]
Song Jin strokes his chin and tilts his head.
At his question, Seo Ran, who had been frantically reading the diary, momentarily looks up and forms a hand seal.
Whoosh!
In front of us, spiritual energy forms and takes the shape of the spell formation I saw.
When Seo Ran infuses his power into it, the spell formation activates, and I feel my consciousness clear and awake.
"This is the formation senior Seo is talking about, Master."
[Ah, this one! It's different from the Black Ghost Valley, so I wondered what it was...]
Song Jin seems to recognize it. Seo Ran focuses back on the diary, and Song Jin observes the spell formation in front of him.
[A spell that awakens the upper dantian, expressed using the demon races spell formation, that is what this formation is."]
"Upper dantian... awakening...?"
["The Sea Dragon Tribe and the Black Ghost Valley have been competing for dominance over the great sea for tens of thousands of years, influencing each other's spells to some extent. And one of them is..."]
Whoosh!
Energy emits from the tips of Song Jins fingers, heading towards his Baihui point.
[This 'Spell of Awakening' here.]
The energy entering the Baihui point seems to rotate inside Song Jins skull, and after a while, it shoots out from his forehead.
"What is this...?"
I have seen this spell before.
Previously, when White Bone Ghost Devil Heo Gwak forced Team Leader Kim's consciousness to awaken, they used this technique.
It was also very similar to the technique used by the Jin Clan to amplify talent by infusing souls into the upper dantian.
'I remember, even Kim Hyung used the ignition of the upper dantian, starting from the Baihui and leading the flow of Pure Spiritual Force through the forehead, burning it up...'
The flow is exactly the same.
[I don't know Seo Hweol's true intentions, but outwardly, he was always a gentle and righteous leader, always wanting the Sea Dragon Tribe to maintain a clear mind. So, using the structure of the Sea Dragon Palace itself to spread the Spell of Awakening wouldn't be strange.]
"..."
Then why did he spread that Awakening Spell' in the hidden layers of the Serving Command Palace?
I also told Song Jin about what Seo Hweol had done.
Maybe if its him, he might think of something.
But Song Jin shook his head, indicating he couldn't recall anything after hearing my words.
[Strange, why in the Serving Command Palace's control room...?]
"Control room?"
[Yes. The hidden layer your group entered is the Serving Command Palace's control room. If you place the Serving Command Seal on the platform made for it, it allows control over the Serving Command Palace through that seal]
This is new information.
'So, he spread the Spell of Awakening in the control room because...?'
I can't even guess his intentions.
What was his goal...
While I ponder, Seo Ran, having finished reading the diary of Jeon Hyang, wears a bitter smile on his extremely darkened face.
Fortunately, no more blue hands sprang out of the diary after the previous incident, suggesting Seo Hweol's tricks had ended.
"...I really grew up abandoned by everyone. Except for Elder Jeon Hyang, who finally opened his heart to me..."
His face is a mix of unmistakable pain.
That expression resembles...
'Was it when he committed suicide using the space-breaking bead...?'
"I... don't know what my purpose in living is anymore."
I look at him with pained eyes.
In the past, I would have tried to comfort him or consider his feelings to lessen his pain.
But honestly, I don't feel much of anything now.
Only a slight sense of shared misery arose when he showed his painful thoughts.
'How did I used to comfort others...?'
I can't remember how to do anything with a warm heart.
I can't recall what my heart used to feel like.
Maybe, I did it like this.
But still, knowing that Seo Ran's suicide would make things even more depressing, I managed to recall enough to comfort him.
"Don't worry, Daoist Seo. You have... truly formed a master-disciple bond now, haven't you? There's still someone who cares about you, find your meaning in that..."
"...Is that so..."
My words seem to lift some of the shadows from Seo Ran's face.
"Thank you..."
I receive his thanks and look back at Song Jin with dull eyes.
In any case, we are back to square one.
"So... in the end we got nothing, but could you help me using my last favor?"
[Haaaaah....]
Song Jin sighs deeply.
[Alright. I didn't want to put my disciple in danger, but in 200 years... I'll make him reach Core Formation and help you. Of course, I'll help too.]
"...Thank you."
Thus, while we didn't gain much material aid from the Sea Dragon Palace, I obtained a lot of precious information and a firm promise of assistance from Song Jin.
After receiving his promise, I left the Black Wind Sea.
And then, 10 years passed.
In that time, with the Cheongmun Clan, I collected both the formation artifacts and the Longevity Fruits. Now, the day of the great conference with all the Core Formation cultivators of the continent gathering is approaching.
Swoosh!
I fly rapidly across the Northern Grasslands.
'It should be around here...'
Holding the invitation plaque, I sense the spiritual energy around me.
And then, after a while.
Whoosh!
I sense an area hidden behind a formation in the distance.
Thump!
Its a place covered by an illusion formation, invisible to the eye.
But when I bring the plaque near it, the formation shines, opening a path for me.
I enter through the path through the formation.
'This place is...'
True to the Northern Grasslands, there are numerous white tents set up inside formation
These tents, befitting cultivators, are adorned with many spell runes, and I can feel the presence of Core Formation cultivators inside.
"Ah, you've arrived, Cultivator Seo?"
From a distance, Cheongmun Jung-jin approaches me with a welcoming expression.
I nod in response.
"You're as you were."
"..."
He looks at my expression and his face turns bitter.
I can't help it.
I can't remember how to smile, and my eyes remain dull.
I have forgotten how to wear any expression other than this vacant one.
Just then, another person crosses over the formation.
An old man in gray robes.
Its Wolryang.
He, too, has the same face as 10 years ago, although different from mine.
A deeply angry expression.
We make eye contact and nod to each other in simple greetings.
As we are about to enter the largest tent, designated as the conference hall.
"Wait, you..."
Wolryang points at me and speaks.
His voice seems to tremble.
"That thing at your waist, why do you have it...?"
"...?"
I look at Hyang-hwas remnant at my waist, the jade norigae.
"It's the heirloom of my beloved."
"What...? That's... my great-grandson used to wear that..."
"Ah..."
I suddenly realize, absurdly, the fate of Buk Hyang-hwa.
Her fated partner was
Wolryang's great-grandson.
Already devoured by Yuan Li before my point of return.
***
"Ah, I see. That was an item my granddaughter-in-law brought when she married into the family. My grandson was from the grasslands tribe, but his wife was from Byeokra. When they had my great-grandson, she gifted the child a norigae. Now that I think about it"
Wolryang and I are talking in front of the tent.
The world is indeed small.
To meet such a connection in such a place.
"My granddaughter-in-law wished for her friend's child to be matched with my great-grandson, but my great-grandson chose a suitable partner for himself and got married without being bound by that promise."
I listen quietly to his story.
"As my great-grandson got married and he and his wife were living happily... Yuan Li that bastard... one day he attacked the child's tribe..."
Krghh.
Wolryang grinds his teeth.
His intent seething with anger.
"Everyone died, and my great-grandson vanished, leaving only his lower body behind. He always carried the norigae his mother had given him..."
"..."
"I... I will definitely reclaim my great-grandson's upper body from that devil!"
'Upper body...'
There seemed to be a certain fate at play.
Buk Hyang-hwa lost her lower body, and her fated partner, the upper body. Both devoured by Yuan Li.
Amidst my thoughts, I grind my teeth next to the old man.
'Why must the tyranny of the powerful bring despair and pain to others?'
Me, and this man as well.
Everyone suffered unbearable pain and lost something precious to Yuan Li.
I think to myself.
'Does he have anything precious?'
Its unknown.
Can someone who holds something precious so ruthlessly take away others' without a second thought?
I became lost deep in my thoughts, and Wolryang continued to curse Yuan Li endlessly.
And then, after a while, all Core Formation cultivators from the entire continent gathered, and the grand council began.
Inside the tent, space compression was applied.
There are about 200 Core Formation cultivators. This number includes members from minor clans and secluded cultivators who hadn't been contacted previously, as well as those from ostracized powers, which are about 50 more than last time.
Around 200 Core Formation cultivators.
This is the last force left in this world.
"...Then, let's commence the grand council regarding the war against the old monster Yuan Li, who caused the Heaven-Treading Desert massacre."
Cheongmun Jung-jin stood up and addressed the assembly.
The decision was made that Cheongmun Jung-jin is the most suitable leader for this alliance, probably greatly influenced by the fact that he is a descendant of Azure TIger Saint.
The meeting began.
Various factions presented different plans to counter Yuan Li.
Cheongmun Jung-jin listened to and organized these ideas.
And when no more suggestions came forth, he spoke.
"Now, let me share the plan concluded by the Cheongmun Clan."
Shortly after, he began discussing the Serving Command Palace and the strategy of lowering Yuan Lis cultivation from Nascent Soul to Core Formation.
"Are you suggesting we lower the old monsters Nascent Soul cultivation to Core Formation level?"
"That's right. We have also confirmed that most of the treasures inside the palace were taken by the Heavenly Being cultivators, but"
He continued his explanation.
"We found some items still inside the palace, including certain types of immortal liquor and talismans, as well as miscellaneous items."
"What kind of miscellaneous items?"
"Items like a bamboo pipe that helps in infusing enlightenment into demon beasts, a slightly more sturdy storage bag, a needle that repairs clothes automatically, a ring that aids in digesting food... such ambiguous items."
The Core Formation cultivators, who momentarily harbored hopes, were visibly disappointed and disheartened by his words.
"Both the liquor and talismans are ancient cultivator treasures, so they're useful, but aren't they both single-use only?"
"Correct. We found only a few bottles of liquor that temporarily enhance abilities and a few kinds of talismans that allow the use of unique techniques for a short time."
"If they are single-use..."
"Theyre basically table scraps."
"Useful, but..."
It was then.
The head of the Byeok Clan, Byeok Cheon-gis eyes flashed and asked.
"Talismans, did you say talismans?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Did you, by any chance, check what kind of talismans are remaining?"
"I didn't check in detail."
Byeok Cheon-gi chuckles and pulls something out of his robe.
"Last time Serving Command Palace was open, our Byeok Clan was also able to secure a few things from there. One of them was this."
"That, that is...!?"
Whoosh!
What Byeok Cheon-gi produced from his robe were two shining talismans, exuding a divine light.
"Heaven-Striking Talisman, a talisman that can replicate the strike of a Heavenly Being cultivator once. Heaven-Sealing Talisman, a talisman that temporarily wraps the defense of a Heavenly Being cultivator around oneself. We obtained these two talismans in the last visit to Serving Command Palace."
"Heavenly Being!"
"Yes, with this Heaven-Striking Talisman, if it hits, it's possible to turn that bastard into a pulp with one strike."
He continued.
"The Heavenly Being seniors already have the defensive and offensive capabilities of that level so they didn't need it so there must certainly be Heaven-Sealing Talismans remaining in Serving Command Palace. And"
He smirked.
"As you said, if we lure that bastard into Serving Command Palace to lower his cultivation, and then use the Heaven-Sealing Talisman to defend and the Heaven-Striking Talisman to attack the old mosnter"
A glimmer of hope appeared on the faces of Cheongmun Jung-jin and the others.
I, too, felt a rare sense of joy at the prospect of killing Yuan Li.
"We can hunt that bastard."
"Well, I was originally thinking of a different plan, but it seems it needs to be revised."
"Hm?"
Cheongmun Jung-jin points at me.
"Cultivator Seo over here is unaffected by the restraining formation of Serving Command Palace, even when it's activated. Therefore, he can maintain Core Formation level strength continuously and face Yuan Li one-on-one as he falls to Core Formation level."
"Ah."
Byeok Cheon-gi looks at me in amazement, and various emotions appear on the faces of the numerous cultivators present.
Byeok Cheon-gi says,
"How about our Byeok Clan and this fellow take the lead in facing the old monster while the other cultivators provide support from the rear?"
"Wait, our Eastern States also have excellent decisive weapons effective against Nascent Soul cultivators."
"Our Northern Grassland tribes also have famous formations effective against Nascent Soul cultivators."
Nascent Soul cultivators are certainly formidable beings, and the wealth they had accumulated over hundreds of years, including dharma treasures, spirit stones, and elixirs, are far greater than that of Core Formation cultivators.
Perhaps because of this, the Core Formation cultivators gathered here were already scheming among themselves to divide up the spoils as much as possible.
Of course, I have no interest in such petty squabbles over gains.
'Excluding the Serving Command Palace plan, the methods proposed by the others are'
All bound to fail.
Because, even 200 years later, Yuan Li was alive and well.
Especially the Heaven-Sealing Talisman and Heaven-Striking Talisman, boasting the power of the Heavenly Being stage.
Why was Yuan Li so unscathed in my past life despite the existence of such terrifying talismans?'
Of course, this life introduced the variable of the Serving Command Palace plan.
So, maybe its possible to hunt him.
'But that alone is not enough.'
He must be killed.
Absolutely.
If I don't tear him apart in this cycle, I cant console the souls of those who died in this life.
After the meeting ended and various cultivators were chattering, I approached Cheongmun Jung-jin and whispered another plan.
"Please keep this plan confidential. I will proceed with it alone."
What are you talking about No, more importantly, is this true?"
"It's true. If it's this, even for a Nascent Soul cultivator, it would be difficult, right?"
"Hmm... Of course. No matter how mighty a Nascent Soul cultivator is, that is not an easy power to contend with."
I nod.
Besides simply trapping him in Serving Command Palace, a few more plans are needed.
To ensure.
To ensure his death.
The first conference ended satisfactorily.
Practically all future plans were also decided in this conference. From now on, its just a matter of moving according to the plan.
I acted along with the others, starting the task of scraping together the remaining treasures of Serving Command Palace using the Nether Crossing Ship, along with some formation masters and artisan masters.
Zing!
The formations sealing the treasures of Serving Command Palace were released by the artisans and formation masters and the items inside were brought out.
"Hmm... These miscellaneous items are really of no use. They seem to be mostly for decoration or show."
"Actually, the liquors and talismans seem more useful."
The Core Formation cultivators who came with me also clicked their tongues at the useless miscellaneous items. Each one was a peculiar dharma treasure or magic artifact, so there was no particular greed for them.
Only the Byeok Clan, known for rearing demon beasts, showed some interest in the pipe that infuses enlightenment into beasts, but that was all.
"Then, let's also release the formations on the liquors and talismans."
We succeeded in retrieving talismans and liquors from the Serving Command Palace's treasury with the cooperation of Core Formation cultivators, formation masters, and artisan masters.
Among the talismans, there are two Heaven-Sealing Talismans, which grant defensive capability equivalent to that of a Heavenly Being cultivator.
One Crimson Bird Talisman that traps the enemy in a formation maze.
And one Transforming Demon Talisman that allows instantaneous transformation into a demon beast.
There were a few more talismans, but they were just ordinary Core Formation-level talismans sold in markets, with no significant utility.
"There are quite a few liquors. Talismans are very useful, but liquors take up more space and are often single-use, granting temporary abilities, so they werent taken as much..."
The artisans and formation masters brought by the Core Formation cultivators classified the immortal liquors and explained them to us.
The liquors were roughly divided into three types:
Immortal liquors that enhance physical abilities like regeneration, speed, defense, and strength for a short period, such as Spirit Nectar, Heavenly Heart Water, Moon Spirit Liquor, and Lower Immortal Liquor.
Immortal liquors that enhance abilities not related to physical strength, for example strengthening the connection with or enhancing dharma treasures within the body, or improving the ability to handle external objects, such as Dream Lotus Elixir, True Moon Dew, White-Red Wine, Mysterious Flame Jade, and True Dew Liquor.
Purely recreational liquors that improve mood and clarity of consciousness just by smelling them, like Red Plum Liquor, Whole Heart Liquor, Fringe Fragrance, and Purple Jade Liquor.
Cheongmun Jung-jin, looking at the liquors, spoke:
"These types of immortal liquors will be distributed before the decisive battle to amplify abilities."
He looks at me, and Byeok Cheng-gi who followed us here.
"Especially Cultivator Seo, Cultivator Byeok, and Eastern Lord Manli Min-lap, who will confront the old monster head-on, will be given the most varieties of immortal liquors."
"Understood."
"Among them, Cultivator Seo and Lord Manli will play the role of hindering the old monster in the early stages, so they will be given the most liquors and talismans. Keep that in mind."
Lord Manli Min-lap of the Eastern States gratefully thanks Cheongmun Jung-jin, and I nod with a weary face.
Thus, the few remaining treasures, immortal liquors, and talismans inside the Serving Command Palace, as well as other consumables, were all retrieved and planned for distribution.
The plan to confront Yuan Li is almost finalized, and all clans, tribes, and states are exerting their full efforts to nurture new Core Formation cultivators.
All that is left is for time to pass.
'During the remaining time, I need to cultivate.'
There are still 200 years left.
Within that time, I plan to enter Qi Building Great Perfection through the advanced practice of the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation.
'But with the current state of the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation...'
I will likely surpass the Great Perfection and still have time to spare.
'Then what remains is to find a place to cultivate...'
After some thought, I decided on a location for my cultivation.
And so, time flows on.
In a blink of an eye, 200 years have passed.
Whoosh!
In the mountainous regions of Shengzi.
Three streaks of dim light soar above.
They are three Core Formation cultivators using the Flying Escape Technique.
So, Young Noble Byeok, the cultivator we're visiting is training in his cave?
That's right. Ive heard he's practicing curse-related techniques, so be prepared for the eerie aura."
"Ugh, creepy. Training curse methods in his lone dark cave."
"Mind your words. Did the clan head and elders not say he's key in hunting the old monster?"
"Hmph, I respect the clan head for his authority, but we are Core Formation cultivators now. How long should we heed the words of those old folks? Young Noble Byeok, how about enjoying the scenery of the city before we arrive..."
Byeok Mun-seong, the Core Formation cultivator from the Byeok Clan, frowns.
The two beautiful cultivators chattering beside him seem to enjoy flirting with him, but Byeok Mun-seong isnt interested.
'Foolish beyond measure. Weve become Core Formation cultivators thanks to the unprecedented support from our clans. To dismiss the elders who reached this level through their own skill...'
Byeok Mun-seong is well aware of his limitations.
Even in the past, he would have had to use all his allotted 300 years in the Qi Building stage to barely reach Core Formation.
Indeed, no one is as wise and virtuous as her.
With a bittersweet smile, Byeok Mun-seong flies with the two cultivators towards a village in the mountainous area of Shengzi.
Flash!
As the three streaks of light hover above the village, villagers came out buzzing with curiosity.
Byeok Mun-seong looked down at them and spoke.
Is there a large centipede's cave nearby? Where is it located?
The village elder approaches Byeok Mun-seong, kneels respectfully, and replies.
"I am not sure about a centipede's cave, but there's a place called Darken Cave beyond that ridge. Legend has it that a centipede demon lived there 200 years ago..."
"Thank you."
Byeok Mun-seong didn't wait to hear more from the village elder. He flew in the direction the elder pointed to.
Crossing the ridge, he sees a large cave on a rugged mountainside. Dark, ominous shadows are constantly seeping out of the cave.
Curse methods
Byeok Mun-seong swallows hard at the chilling aura.
'Is every tendril of darkness leaking from there a curse spell?'
The two women who followed Byeok Mun-seong also noticed the cave on the mountainside.
That must be the infamous
Shh! Dont attract a curse by speaking carelessly.
Oh, right, my apologies
Byeok Mun-seong glances back at the duo, then approaches the cave. He respectfully performs a fist-and-palm salute and calls out.
Its been a long time, Cultivator Seo. The time for the old monster to be released is nearing.
A flicker of killing intent briefly crosses Byeok Mun-seongs eyes.
Its time for her revenge. Please come out.
Kugugugugu
From the cave's depths, sinister shadows began to emerge.
-x-X-x-
Thud, thud...
From deep within the cave, 'something' walks out.
Gulp
As it emerges, the surrounding curses grow denser.
Eventually, Byeok Mun-seong ascends into the air, rising upwards.
Rumble, rumble...
Darkness.
A dense dome of darkness surrounds it.
Byeok Mun-seong, amidst the darkness, watches thousands of writhing curses and greets the entity.
The two cultivators who have been chatting heedlessly also send their greetings following Byeok Mun-seong.
"Long time no see, Cultivator Seo."
Byeok Mun-seong greeted him again, sizing up his cultivation.
'Qi Building... 4th Constellation.'
Horn, Neck, Root, Room, Heart, Tail, Winnowing Basket.
Ladle, Ox, Girl, Emptiness, Rooftop, Chamber, Wall.
Leg, Bond, Stomach, Hairy head, Net, Beak, Triple Star.
Well, Ghost.
He felt the energies of 23 Spiritual Energy Stars of the 4 Constellations.
Byeok Mun-seong felt the flow of Pure Spiritual Force at the center of the curses and looked at him.
'Just Qi Building 4th Constellation, but the strength of Grand Perfection... Those terrifying curses... Even though I have not been at Core Formation for long... I dont feel like I can win.'
Typically, curse sorcerers who practice curse methods handle 30-40 curse spells, up to 60 or 70 in some cases.
In exceptional cases, more than 90.
But what about him?
'It looks like thousands at a glance...'
It means he is hundreds of times more skilled than the typical curse sorcerers.
Being hundreds of times more skilled at the Qi Building Grand Perfection stage meant his power is virtually no different from Core Formation.
Byeok Mun-seong continues to speak towards the dark dome of curses.
"As I said, it's time for the old monsterl to wake up..."
[I know.]
A rough voice echoes from the dark center.
The voice is dark, unlike a human's, with an eerie effect that intimidates the listener.
[Hurry up. Lead the way.]
"...Yes, understood."
Then, it happens.
"Wait, arent you a bit too commanding, even considering everything?"
One of the cultivators who followed Byeok Mun-seong spoke towards the dark dome.
"We came to visit, yet you talk without showing your face. Your cultivation seems only to be at Qi Building, so... is it right to be so disrespectful to us, Core Formation cultivators?"
"Miss Gongmyo!"
Byeok Mun-seong, with a pale face, tries to stop the cultivator from the Gongmyo Clan.
But Miss Gongmyo is unrelenting.
"They say you're a madman, wandering the mountainous regions of Byeokra in the dark, watching fan dances, and suddenly screaming and rampaging. I would understand if you were really insane, but since you can talk..."
"Quiet, please!"
Just then.
Kugugugugugu!
From the black dome, a mass of dark curse spells begin pouring towards her.
Swoosh!
The mass of curses transform into a giant black hand, reaching out as if to engulf her.
"Eek!"
The woman from the Gongmyo Clan frowns, forming a seal to deploy a defensive spell.
A blue sphere blocks the black hand.
"What is this madness!? You..."
And, as she is about to express her anger,
The protective shield touched by the Black Hand begins to decay and crumble.
"Wh-what...!?"
"Miss Gongmyo! Use the Holy Concentration Talisman!"
At Byeok Mun-seong's shout, she takes out a talisman.
And at that moment, the Black Hand strikes her.
Boom!
Shes sent flying by the Black Hand, crashing into the opposite hillside.
A cloud of dust billows.
"Wait! You crazywhat are you doing to Gongmyo Unnie!"
Miss Jin, stay calm, I'll resolve this through conversation!"
"Young Noble Byeok, stay put. Don't underestimate the Jin Clan!"
As she forms her hand seals with a vigorous motion, thousands of fire pellets appear around her, filling all directions.
Burn that insolent shadow to ashes! Go!
With a roaring sound, the fire pellets begin to move in unison.
However.
Rain ().
Shiiiiiiii!
Collide ().
Chua Jua Jua Jua Jua!
From within the black domain, hundreds of curse spells fly towards her like arrows with incredible speed.
The curse spells explode the fire pellets, causing a massive explosion, and a few pass by her body.
Whist!
A small droplet of blood drops from her cheek.
How dare you... Just a Qi Building stage...!!
However, the entity within the black mass clicks its tongue.
Its over.
What nonsense! I havent even shown my true power yet! Watch, Ill show you the magical arts of Jin Clan's Fiery Silk Flame Heat Wave!
Huaaaaaa!
Around her, flames resembling silky drapes begin to flicker.
The heat from the flaming silks soar infinitely, drying up the moisture in the surrounding terrain.
But the entity within the darkness remains silent.
Instead, with a hand seal, a clay figure rises from below.
Silently...
Then, a curse spell floats in the air.
There is a drop of blood on the curse spell.
Take this!
Simultaneously, the Jin Clan cultivator unleashes her spell, while the entity within the black domain flicks their finger, moving the blood-stained curse spell over the clay figure to be absorbed.
And that was it.
Fizz!
Eh, what?
[Why hesitate. Go ahead, attack.]
She stands dumbfounded for a moment, then looks at the clay figure.
The curses, transformed and embedded in every corner of the clay figure's body, are situated precisely at the spiritual meridians used for casting spells.
[You cant do it?]
Silently...
The figure within the black sphere forms another hand seal, and red ink appears on the neck of the clay figure.
In the next moment, she feels a strange sensation and converges a mirror to look at her own neck.
What!?
The same mark, with red ink, appeared on her neck, just like on the clay figure.
[To allow blood to a curse sorcerer, how naive. What do you think will happen if I strike this neck?]
She stands in shock, trembling like a leaf in terror.
The trickle of blood from her cheek flows steadily.
Though it was just a very thin cut, the blood strangely wouldnt stop.
Swoosh
Suddenly, the sound of a sword being unsheathed echoes from within the darkness.
Step, step
And then, the black figure approaches the clay figure.
N-no! Dont do that!
Anticipating her fate, she pleads with a pale face.
Just then.
Thats enough, Cultivator Seo.
Byeok Mun-seong appears, standing between the clay figure and Seo Eun-hyun.
Its not right for allies to fight among themselves, especially when the day to capture the old monster is approaching.
[So be it.]
Snap!
As he speaks, he snaps his finger, and the Jin Clan cultivator sees the curse spells that had penetrated her cheek and body being expelled and returning to the black dome.
The same happens to her friend from the Gongmyo Clan, as black curses emerge from her body.
Only then did they look at the person in front of them.
Being at Qi Building did not mean they are the same.
He just hasnt reached Core Formation yet.
His power is essentially no different from Core Formation.
This is the decisive weapon to fight against the Nascent Soul old monsterl...
She closes her mouth and approaches the Gongmyo Clan cultivator.
Keugh, kughh
The woman from the Gongmyo Clan is holding a talisman imbued with the power of blessings in her hand.
The power of blessings seemed to neutralize the curse, preventing her body from decaying instantly from the single strike, but she appears to have sustained some internal injuries
[Then, lets go.]
Whoosh!
Scattering dark curse spells, Seo Eun-hyun moves from within the curses.
He hides in the darkness and flies away into the sky. Byeok Mun-seong, after glancing at the women for a moment, extends a Purification Talisman and Healing Talisman to them.
"Even though Cultivator Seo has retracted the curses, use the Purification Talisman to draw out the curse's poison once more before healing. His curses are especially toxic, and one can suffer severe aftereffects if they assume it's safe just because the curse is gone."
"Th-thank you, Young Noble Byeok."
"Haaah, and..."
Byeok Mun-seong frowns slightly and warns the two women.
"...since both of you are injured like this, I recommend not participating in the battle against the Nascent Soul old monster."
'Itd be instant death and youd only serve as a snack for that Nascent Soul devil.'
Byeok Mun-seong swallowed his last words and turned around.
Suddenly, something sparkling catches his eye in the depths of the cave from which Seo Eun-hyun had emerged.
'That is...'
Drawn to the sparkling object, Byeok Mun-seong approaches it.
Its a glass sculpture.
The delicately crafted glass sculpture depicts a pair of a man and a woman dancing with fans. While the man's face is not clear, the woman's face is crafted so meticulously that one can almost recognize her.
Byeok Mun-seong stares at the glass sculpture, especially at the woman, with an indescribably complex expression.
After a moment of contemplation, he picks up the sculpture, stores it in his storage bag, and leaves the cave to pursue Seo Eun-hyun.
Kugugugugugugu!
Eastern Byeokra.
The land where a city named Cheon-saek City stood 200 years ago.
There, a dark shadow descends.
Step, step...
The shadow steps on the land, now turned into a sandy beach.
[It's been a long time. Everyone.]
Seo Eun-hyun, the shadow, looks around with a bitter voice.
The graves he made, the glass swords.
All of them, buried under the sand over the long years, have lost their original forms.
[In about a month... the time will come. To keep my promise from that day, I will... definitely give it my all.]
After gazing at the sand for a while, he forms a hand seal.
Whoosh!
Curse spells seep from his body, scattering a dark windstorm in all directions.
The massive storm scatters the sand of Cheon-saek City, blowing it around.
Shortly after.
Below the sand.
There, a graveyard with numerous worn glass swords reveals itself.
Some of the 200-year-old buildings are still sporadically standing.
Among the buildings, Seo Eun-hyun walks towards the workshop of Buk Hyang-hwa, still maintaining most of its original structure.
[This place is also about to collapse with no one to maintain it.]
The workshop barely held its shape, on the verge of collapsing.
Perhaps it would crumble with just a slight touch from Seo Eun-hyun.
He looks around.
[...Coming back later to dig through the sand would be absurd.]
He takes out flags and magic artifacts from his possession.
These are the magic artifacts he had bought at the Spirit Path Conference before coming here.
Shick, shick, shick!
Thump, thump, thump!
The flags and magic artifacts fly in all directions, embedding themselves into the ground, preventing the sandstorm from covering the graveyard.
Its just a formation with the sole purpose to block the sandstorm.
Nothing more, nothing less.
Seo Eun-hyun looks at the set formation and surveys the surroundings.
The glass swords he had made are all broken and crumbled, with not many maintaining their shape.
Out of the thousands he made, only about 5,000 remain in any recognizable form.
Whoosh!
Using sword control, Seo Eun-hyun selects 3,000 intact glass swords.
[...I'm sorry to come to you in this state. I need your strength. Please understand.]
It isn't just Buk Hyang-hwa.
The neighbors who blessed us, me and her.
Every life, every connection that lived in this city.
They are all precious to me.
Therefore, this revenge cannot be completed by my hands alone.
It must be done with everyone's strength.
Seo Eun-hyun pulls the swords embedded in their graves towards him.
The dharma treasure, the Colorless Glass Sword, is a magic artifact treated as a set of 3,000 flying swords.
Seo Eun-hyeon takes out the blueprint left by Buk Hyang-hwa for the Colorless Glass Sword.
The method to make the Colorless Glass Sword is simple.
Make 3,000 flying swords out of glass.
Carve a simple spiritual energy circuit on each glass sword.
However, the circuit on each sword must be slightly different.
The slight variations follow a set of rules established by Buk Hyang-hwa, and its enough to just slightly adjust the direction of the circuits according to those rules.
Day and night changes rapidly.
Seo Eun-hyun successfully engraved all the spiritual energy circuits on the 3,000 worn glass swords.
After engraving a single spiritual energy circuit on each of the 3,000 swords, Seo Eun-hyeon added one or two basic incantation scripts that are usually added onto dharma treasures for each, then infused them with spiritual power.
Whoosh!
Thus, the Colorless Glass Sword recognized him as their master.
A truly, maddeningly simple refining process.
The materials are easy to acquire, and the refining method is simple.
'For testing the Formless Sword with it...'
Seo Eun-hyun decides to test its power in front of Yuan Li.
After all, its meant to cut his neck.
There is no way she would have made it with insufficient power.
After looking at the completed Colorless Glass Swords, he continues to verify with the blueprint she left behind.
Its completed without any issues.
Rustle.
Then, Seo Eun-hyun reads the words written at the bottom of the blueprint.
Words he had read numerous times before coming here.
Words she left for him.
Orabeoni, the Colorless Glass Sword is a set of 3,000 as a dharma treasure.
It might seem like a lot, but seeing how you handle flying swords, I thought you can definitely manage it.
Did you know? Originally, the number for the Colorless Glass Sword wasnt 3,000, but 3,650.
Did you know that yesterday marked exactly 10 years since you came to Cheon-saek City?
The Colorless Glass Sword is made to commemorate that.
A dharma treasure made to commemorate each day you spent here. However, I left the remaining 650 sets incomplete on purpose, hoping we could design and create them together, so I made it operate only with 3,000 sets.
Its still incomplete, so I hope we can finish it together in the future. Will you tell me your answer?
Chiik Chiiiik
Black tears drop one by one from Seo Eun-hyuns face covered in the shadows.
The fallen tears scatter into curse spells, corroding the sand.
Hiss!
The sand beneath Seo Eun-hyun begins to corrode wildly.
The curse spells surrounding him grow denser.
[...I will... carry this... in my heart. I will complete it.]
Seo Eun-hyun looks at Buk Hyang-hwas grave.
[I will be back.]
And then, he leaves the grounds of Cheon-saek City with the 3000 set Colorless Glass Sword.
Whoosh!
As he walks through the air after leaving Cheon-saek City, his eyes catch someone.
Its Byeok Mun-seong, riding on a flying sword dharma treasure.
[What is it?]
"I was waiting for you. The head of my clan tasked me with escorting you."
[...Sorrow is a deep blue color.]
"Hmm?"
[Your consciousness is also deep blue.]
""
[You werent waiting for me. You were mourning for her, werent you?]
Byeok Mun-seong did not respond, only turning his head away.
[After this war ends.]
Seo Eun-hyun speaks to Byeok Mun-seong.
[Let's go together, and mourn her together.]
"Lets go quickly."
[Yes.]
The two men fly towards the center of the Heaven-Treading Desert.
Towards the sealing place of Yuan Li.
[The time has come to witness the long-awaited conclusion.]