Thanks to the Mysterious Flame Jade liquor, my initial encounter with a dharma treasure felt intuitively simple, as if mastery came effortlessly.
Woo-woong!
The battle began.
The Colorless Glass Swords began to move.
Kwang, kwang, kwang!
The Colorless Glass Swords plunge straight into the earth, furiously excavating the terrain around them.
Since its a fragile dharma treasure made of glass, its strength is extremely poor.
However, once overlaid with the Formless Sword, it boasts the same strength and tenacity as the Formless Sword.
[Argh...!]
Yuan Li dodges the Colorless Glass Swords, glaring at me, and also glances at Manli Min-lap, who is gathering energy for the main cannon of the Nether Crossing Ship in the distance.
He also takes a long look at Byeok Cheon-gi, who is gathering energy in the talisman and preparing for an attack.
"...?"
Im momentarily puzzled, but focus my mind and move the Colorless Glass Swords.
Chalalalalak!
Three thousand Colorless Glass Swords move at my will.
A storm of glass began to rage.
Yuan Li counters with his seventeen bone daggers, the crystal skull staff, the blood-leaf fan, and the blood-red spear dharma treasure from within his body.
A ghost king leaps out of the blood-red spear, grabs the spear, and swings it around.
The seventeen dagger dharma treasures also seem to have their own will, dispersing attacks in his vicinity. Each time Yuan Li unleashes a blood wind with the leaf fan, the surroundings shake violently.
However.
Kwagwagwagwa!
The storm of three thousand glass swords devours everything, approaching Yuan Li.
Despite their seemingly erratic flight, not a single glass sword strikes another, their movement being orderly.
The dharma treasure of Colorless Glass Sword is three thousand swords as one set.
Unified as one, overlaying them with the Formless Sword endows them with the complete implementation of the Formless Sword's freedom of trajectory and orbits.
And thats not the end.
"Colorless Glass Sword, first form."
There are three forms to the Colorless Glass Sword, and their abilities change depending on the form.
"Color."
The first form, Color, of the Colorless Glass Swords is to interconnect the spiritual energy circuits engraved on each of the three thousand glass swords.
Chalalalak!
Three thousand glass swords disperse.
The spiritual energy circuits engraved on the glass swords begin to interconnect.
Interestingly, each Colorless Glass Sword has a single spiritual energy circuit, but the design of these circuits are subtly different according to the rules set by Buk Hyang-hwa.
Therefore, each glass sword emits different colors when interconnected due to these subtle differences.
Paah!
The Colorless Glass Swords, drifting in every direction, start to radiate a spectrum of colors.
The whole world seems to be covered in a kaleidoscope of brilliance.
Its not just a change in color, but the temperament of each glass sword itself changes
All three thousand swords project distinct temperaments.
And the range of changes that these temperaments undergo within the storm of three thousand glass swords is,
Infinite!
They echo the limitless freedom of the Formless Sword!
One temperament, when in a different position, becomes a completely different tool.
A single glass sword continuously changes its position according to my manipulation and strikes relentlessly.
This continuously changing glass sword is three thousand in number.
[Argh, this bastard...!]
Yuan Li unleashes a blood wind with his blood-colored leaf fan, blocking the glass swords.
But I manipulate the glass swords even more precisely.
Infinite change is in my hands.
The Formless Sword only gains freedom of trajectory, not of temperament.
However, by obtaining the Colorless Glass Swords, the Formless Sword reaches a more complete realm of freedom.
Chalalalak!
Sharp temperament, soft temperament, a moderate temperament between the two, hard temperament, flowing temperament...
The energy of those innumerable temperaments all move according to my will, dying the surroundings in a brilliance of colors.
Those changes devour Yuan lis blood storm, gradually swallowing him up.
[Hmph, don't make me laugh!]
Yuan Li scoffs, infusing energy into his dagger dharma treasures.
The seventeen bone daggers rotate crazily around him, scattering bright red streaks.
The bright red streaks seem to completely engulf him.
But I just smile.
Its laughable.
Shoong!
Among the numerous changes, my vision accurately finds a gap.
No matter how tightly the streaks surround him, there is always enough room to penetrate.
The Colorful Glass Swords rush towards him.
Kuwa Kwang Kwang!
The streaks repel the glass swords.
However.
[Argh!]
Paang!
Suddenly, the barrier of steaks is broken, and Yuan Li is exposed from within.
His body is already embedded with dozens of glass swords.
The Color form of the Colorless Glass Sword initially gleams with numerous colors when activated, but thereafter, it can revert to colorless at the user's will. Yet, the qualities created when the swords bore color do not disappear.
This means it is possible to confuse the enemy's vision with transparent Colorless Glass Swords and then strike.
I channel the Formless Sword housed in the Colorless Glass Sword into Yuan Li's body.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, Layered Mountains, Qi Mountain Heart Sky!
Swoosh!
The Formless Sword, flowing into his body, expands massively with thorns.
[Aaargh!]
Yuan Li briefly screams, trying to regenerate his body.
However, the curse spells I sent with the Colorless Glass Sword mingle inside him, preventing proper regeneration and causing decay.
"Die."
Swish!
Three thousand Colorless Glass Swords again rush towards him, now defenseless.
[Kughaaaah!]
And then.
Kugugugugu!
The two blood cloud ghost kings who had fled earlier from the heavenly lightning and the bizarre ghost beast combined from seven demon souls.
The combined power of these three entities, now reduced in cultivation due to the Serving Command Palaces restraint, but still at the Core Formation level, defends against the storm of glass.
Swish!
Yuan Li regenerates his body in the given time.
[Good, quite impressive.]
He sneers.
[To push me this far, I give my respects. I too will properly fight now.]
He then reaches into his storage artifact, pulls something out, and throws it into the air.
Squirm.
My brows twitch upon seeing it.
Crack
I grind my teeth, veins bulging on my forehead.
I recognize that familiar aura.
Its Kim Young-hoon's Inner Core.
His remains, not found in Kim Young-hoon's body, were unsurprisingly taken by Yuan Li.
[This Demon Cores owner was truly impressive. I dont understand why the Heavenly Being seniors didnt take such a monster with such growth potential... In the midst of that battle he was growing in real-time, and at the brink of death even my heart skipped a beat.]
Whirr!
Strange incantations, possibly engraved by Yuan Li, are etched onto Kim Young-hoon's Inner Core.
The incantations glow red, emitting a strange attraction.
[To understand the source of his talent, I dissected his body but couldnt find anything. No unique spiritual roots, no unique physique Eventually wondering if it was an issue of personality, I tried to extract and refine his soul, but couldnt find the soul either.
Out of frustration, I extracted and refined his Demon Core instead and discovered something interesting.]
Squirm, squirm.
The bizarre ghost beast.
The two blood cloud ghost kings.
The three ghosts are drawn to the Inner Cores attraction, beginning to merge around it.
[Harmonizing Power! This Demon Core can mix and circulate completely different forces in its vicinity. It possesses overwhelming harmonizing power, able to assimilate any energy. So...]
Around Kim Young-hoon's Inner Core, the bizarre ghost beast and the ghost kings merge, transforming into a three-headed Asura.
Yuan Li forms a seal, and his spear, leaf fan, and crystal skull staff fly into the six arms of the Asura.
Rumble!
The ghost kings and the bizarre ghost beast initially showed the cultivation that was dropped from early Nascent Soul to early Core Formation. But now, their cultivation increases from mid to late Core Formation as they merge.
And then.
Pop, pop, pop!
Seventeen bone dagger dharma treasures..
Yuan Li embeds sixteen of these daggers into various parts of the Asura.
As for the last remaining dagger,
Yuan Li cut off three of his fingers, feeding them one by one into the Asura's mouth.
Yuan Li's self-amputated fingers do not regenerate, and the Asura's cultivation surges even more after consuming them.
Kugugugu!
Core Formation Grand Perfection!
The Asura's power reaches just short of Nascent Soul.
[With his Demon Core, Ive created this excellent result. You, his friend, have learned a similar strange method despite appearing different. You must have a similar Demon Core, right? Ill extract it and make good use of yours too!]
Yuan Li manipulates the Asura from behind, shouting.
[Bring it on!]
"Colorless Glass Sword, Second Form. Natural."
I release the second form of the Colorless Glass Sword while looking at him.
The Colorless Glass Sword, Second Form, Natural, has a simple effect.
The Colorless Glass Swords become more strongly interconnected, creating a perfect link of energy.
The three thousand Glass Swords, in their connected state, begin to circulate energy among themselves.
This circulation seamlessly incorporates my Formless Sword, allowing it to flow in unison with them
Thus, they achieve a more profound interconnectedness, facilitating a unified energy circulation.
That is the second form of the Colorless Glass Sword, Natural.
The greatest advantage of "Natural" is, of course, the ability to instantly circulate the Formless Sword to the desired location in accordance with the circulating energy, concentrating or dispersing the power of the Formless Sword.
The Colorless Glass Swords line up in a row.
The Formless Sword housed within the glass swords focus its energy at the tip of the lined-up swords due to the circulation of "Natural."
Clang!
Driven by sword control, the glass swords pierce directly into the Asura.
It's uncertain whether the Asura feels pain or not, as it shows no expression while gripping and swinging its spear.
However, the glass swords quickly disperse and reposition themselves, and once again under my control, they begin flying around the Asura, inflicting wounds on its body.
Numerous changes occur.
The Asura swings the blood-colored leaf fan on one side, the blood-colored spear on another, and the crystal skull staff on yet another, scattering various spells.
Explosions resonate, distorting the area in all directions.
But I continue on, controlling the storm of glass to pressurize the Asura.
"Colorless Glass Sword. First Form. Second Form. Combine."
And thus, the true strength of the Colorless Glass Sword begins to emerge.
First Form, Color.
Second Form, Natural.
When both forms are activated simultaneously,
The terror of the Colorless Glass Sword is fully revealed.
The interconnected Glass Swords activate their spiritual energy circuits, shining in various colors.
Then, in that state, the energy of the Glass Swords begin to circulate.
Flash!
The different temperaments within the Glass Swords begin to circulate, swapping places between each sword.
A sword that once emitted black turns white.
The Colorless Glass Swords, each originally having their unique hue, begin to continuously share and change colors without pause.
A cascade of colors dance, forming a luminous tempest that envelopes the Asura.
The infinite trajectory of the Formless Sword merges with the endless shifts of temperaments of the Colorless Glass Sword.
Together, they display an array of transformations beyond words.
The blood-colored Asura is but a small moth trapped in a storm.
Flick, flick!
Gradually, more wounds appear on the surface of the Asura.
The storm of glass seems wildly chaotic, but each sword follows the group of swords.
Sizzle!
The wounds on the Asura's body multiplies, soon covering it entirely.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.
Twenty-Second Move.
Ultimate Technique.
Three thousand Colorless Glass Swords begin to enact a sword technique while revolving around the Asura.
"Severing Mountain!"
The ultimate technique of Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, channeled through the three thousand Colorless Glass Swords, converges into a singular, devastating strike.
As the Colorless Glass Swords unleash Severing Mountain, the Formless Sword housed within them amplifies the transformative power in Severing Mountain, grinding the Asura from all angles.
Flash!
A burst of light erupts, and the Asura explodes completely.
I rush forward, snatching Kim Young-hoon's Inner Core from the center of the Asura, then control the Colorless Glass Swords.
"Disperse!"
Swish!
The Glass Swords scatter in all directions, clearing a path, and at the end of the path stands Yuan Li.
"Fire!"
At that moment, the Nether Crossing Ship's main cannon, which had been gathering energy, fires.
Yuan Li tries to dodge, but I form a seal.
Kududuk!
While distracted, I had stealthily placed a cluster of curses behind him.
The curses, like tentacles, envelop his body, preventing him from escaping.
It isn't just me.
Countless Core Formation cultivators, now at Qi Building stage, under the command of Cheongmun Jung-jin, coordinate to bind Yuan Li with various spells.
Dozens, hundreds of spells, not just curses, tightly bound him.
Cheongmun Jung-jin shouts.
"Byeok Clan head, now! Use it now!"
Byeok Cheon-gi also throws the talisman infused with spiritual power towards Yuan Li.
The talisman emits light as it flies towards Yuan Li.
Yuan Li, reduced to a mere early Core Formation stage, is hit squarely by the main cannon of the Nether Crossing Ship.
Flash!!!
Light erupts in all directions.
We all stare at the center of the explosion.
Manli Min-lap, too, focuses on the center without making any remarks like We've killed him this time.
And then.
Shhhh...
The light subsides.
Silently, we look at the spot where Yuan Li had been.
The dust settles.
At the spot where the light and dust clears, Yuan Li still stands.
But on the faces of all the cultivators present, there is a glimmer of hope.
No more spiritual pressure can be felt from Yuan Li.
Not a single trace of spiritual energy.
"Finally."
Its when Cheongmun Jung-jin sighs in relief.
Creeaak
The gates of the Serving Command Palace begin to open.
"Eh? Who is it? Didn't I say not to open the gates of Serving Command Palace until the operation is completely finished?!"
Cheongmun Jung-jin frowns, looking towards the entrance of the Serving Command Palace.
The ones opening the gate are Five Eastern Lords.
I notice something strange.
The color of their intent is odd.
Just then.
[Excellent.]
Yuan Li raises both arms.
[Excellent, excellent, so very excellent. You all fought so magnificently, I am moved by your resolve. I pay my respects to this First War. I, Bloodwood Practitioner Yuan Li, recognize your valor.]
As the gates of Serving Command Palace open, the Core Formation cultivators inadvertently look up at the sky outside the gate.
The dark clouds have disappeared, and the celestial energy is still ominous.
"Close it! Close the gates of Serving Command Palace!"
Cheongmun Jung-jin urgently shouts, but the five lords who opened the gates just cross their arms.
And then.
Rumble!
The tribal chiefs of the Northern Grasslands gather, and suddenly, the Blue Sky Heavenly Net begins to collapse.
The four tribal chiefs who have been the mainstay of the formation suddenly break off their spiritual connection and cross their arms.
I quickly read their intent.
Until now, I had no time to read detailed intent due to the battle with Yuan Li.
Right now, the intent of those cultivators begin to change, different from the others.
Its a golden hue, the intent of joy.
"What is this! Are you betraying us!?"
Cheongmun Jung-jin, enraged, summons a blue glow from his body.
"Cultivators of the Northern Grasslands and Eastern States, please suppress these traitors! The three Western Countries, along with the western cultivators will handle the old monster."
And then.
Swish!
Green ghost-like figures block our path.
Black chains of light wrap around me, Cheongmun Jung-jin, and the cultivators from Shengzi, Yanguo, and Byeokra.
Jinlu Yeon-cheon approaches the chained Cheongmun Jung-jin, caressing his neck with a seductive voice.
"Ah, Orabeoni. Everything went according to plan. Sir Bloodwood has won."
Makli Hwang-cheon, manipulating the jiangshi, approaches the chained clan head of the Jin Clan, kicks him down, and tramples on him.
And Byeok Cheon-gi stands beside Yuan Li with a triumphant expression.
"B-Bye-Byeok Clan head...!!!?"
Cheongmun Jung-jins eyes, seeing one of the three most important people in the war against Yuan Li, Byeok Cheon-gi, standing beside Yuan Li, bulge with rage.
Byeok Cheon-gi chuckles and speaks.
"How is it, Lord Bloodwood? The effects of the Heaven-Sealing Talisman are quite useful, aren't they?"
[Good. This is truly the defensive power of the Heavenly Being stage. Not a single strand of spiritual energy is leaking from the whole body, quite an amusing feeling.]
Indeed.
What Byeok Cheon-gi threw to Bloodwood Practitioner at the last moment was not a Heaven-Striking Talisman that delivers a blow of Heavenly Being level,, but a Heaven-Sealing Talisman that provides Heavenly Being level defense.
And then.
Swish!
Outside the Serving Command Palace.
From Yuan Li's black castle, the same crimson river that had come earlier enters through the gates of Serving Command Palace.
Swish!
As Yuan Li absorbs the crimson river, his spiritual power begins to rise again. Seemingly displeased, he moves his hand.
[To make me use so much of my precious Long Source True Power. The Long Source True Power I've gathered for hundreds of years. Well, it doesn't matter. There won't be many chances to extract so much life force from Core Formation cultivators like today.]
"Haha, Sir Bloodwood. There's only about a moment left until Serving Command Palaces restraint releases."
Byeok Cheon-gi looks around us with a flattering expression and continues.
"Please show us the defensive and offensive power of the Heavenly Being stage."
[I will do so.]
Crack, crack!
I break the black chains with my Formless Sword and unleash my Formless Sword and Colorless Glass Sword at him.
Boom!
But.
Ping, ping!
The glass swords and Formless Sword are all repelled by the strange energy surrounding Yuan Li, which prevents even a single strand of spiritual energy from leaking.
Yuan Li laughs.
[I'll remember you especially. Such an unyielding fellow. But it's useless. As long as the Heaven-Sealing Talisman is activated, I can use the defensive power of a Heavenly Being until my Nascent Soul power returns. And.]
He speaks to Byeok Cheon-gi.
[Hand over the Heaven-Striking Talisman. Today, right here, let's demonstrate the power of Heavenly Being.]
"Yes, Lord Bloodwood."
I clench my teeth.
Crunch!
So hard that I feel like my gums will bleed.
-Three cultivator clans in the west of the Treading-Heaven Desert have sworn allegiance to me. Four tribes of the Northern Grasslands have prostrated before me.The five lords of the Eastern States have declared they will follow me.
In my past life, Yuan Li said so.
I thought Yuan Li only subdued them by implanting the Five Elements Blood Curse Banner after the first battle.
But it wasn't so.
Yuan Li, even before the battle.
Over 200 years ago, the three cultivator clans in the West of the Treading-Heaven Desert.
The four tribes of the Northern Grasslands.
The five lords of the Eastern States.
He had them under his control all along.
Jinlu Yeon-cheon strokes Cheongmun Jung-jins body, who is tightly bound by the secret dharma treasure of the Jinlu clan due to the sudden betrayal.
"Ah, Orabeoni. Finally, this day has come. The day I take you as mine. I've been waiting for so long. We can obtain the lineage of the great Cheongmun Sunwoo, Azure Tiger Saints lineage. Finally, the two clans can truly become one. Byeokra will be handed over to the Byeok Clan and the Cheungmun Clan will move to Shengzi. The remnants of the other six clans will be taken by Lord Bloodwood, so I'll give all their lands to you, Orabeoni.
For how long the Jinlu Clan was forced to shamefully share with these scums in an alliance, you know, don't you? Orabeoni, now, Shengzi is ours. Together, we'll monopolize its resources and reach the Nascent Soul stage together."
Cheongmun Jung-jin spits on Jinlu Yeon-cheon's face with a twisted expression akin to a malevolent ghost.
"You've crawled under the enemy who killed my family, Jinlu Yeon-cheon!"
"Mhm, mhm"
Jinlu Yeon-cheon wipes the spit from her face, licks it, and embraces Cheongmun Jung-jin.
"Don't worry. I'll make you think of nothing else but me. Just live in our clan's underground for a few months, and you'll think of no one but me."
"This"
Jinlu Yeon-cheon embraces Cheongmun Jung-jin, while Makli Hwang-cheon is stepping on Jin Yeo-woon's head.
"Finally... Finally, I have triumphed in the long competition against the Jin Clan in my generation."
Makli Hwang-cheon tramples on Jin Yeo-woon's head with a joyous expression.
"Ancestors, this Makli Hwang-cheon has toppled the Jin Clan in my generation. I will recapture Yanguo and lead the golden age of the Makli Clan...!"
"You, bastard...! Ke, keuk...!"
Jin Yeo-woon grits his teeth and looks up at Makli Hwang-cheon, who mockingly shoves a shoe into his mouth.
"You should get used to calling me master now."
"Ugh, ugh...!"
Additionally, Byeok Cheon-gi is flattering the Bloodwood Practitioner, promising to help him rule Byeokra.
Traitors of the East.
Traitors of the North are also seen stomping on their other competitors restrained by the Jinlu Clan's chains.
"You bastard..!"
Manli Min-lap, who fought alongside them, had his main cannon of the Nether Crossing Ship taken by one of the other Eastern lords.
Unlike Manli Min-lap, the traitor brought the main cannon of the Nether Crossing Ship to Yuan Li.
[We'll do the reward distribution later. Bring the Heaven-Striking Talisman quickly. We need to wipe these fools out and collapse the entire Serving Command Palace to obtain the Serving Command Seal.]
When Yuan Li urges Byeok Cheon-gi, he nods and shouts to the other Byeok Clan Core Formation cultivators.
"Bring the Heaven-Striking Talisman!"
The Heaven-Striking Talisman is among a Byeok Clan Core Formation cultivator who recently entered the stage.
Its Byeok Mun-seong.
Just as Im about to attack with the Formless Sword to prevent him from bringing the Heaven-Striking Talisman, I sense something off.
Byeok Mun-seong takes out the Heaven-Striking Talisman from a storage artifact.
Woong!
And he activates the talisman.
"Hm?"
[What are you doing? No need to activate it. How much can you do with your Qi Building cultivation.]
And then.
Byeok Mun-seong shouts.
"I'm sick of it! Clan head!"
With those words.
The young Core Formation cultivators of the Byeok Clan, centered on Byeok Mun-seong, form a formation.
"1000 years ago, we were a subordinate clan to the Jo Clan. 200 years ago, a subordinate force to the Righteous Path Alliance. Now, we are joining under the Nascent Soul old monster? Why can't the Byeok Clan stand alone, rather than sharing Byeokra with the Cheongmun and Gongmyo clans?"
"Wh-what?"
[Hmm.]
Byeok Mun-seong yells.
"Look, clan head! If only you hadn't betrayed us, that old monster would have fallen just now. We could have led our clan to victory in the war, not needing to be under anyone, standing proudly as a single force, leading honor and victory!"
"Have you lost your mind?"
"No, I have not. It's not just me, but the other descendants as well. We all believe the same. Where is the guarantee that after this war is over, that old monster won't boil the hunting dogs? Why, clan leader, are you supporting the victory of the old monster!"
Byeok Cheon-gi's face contorts.
Byeok Mun-seong shouts.
"We've made a different choice for the future of our clan. The operation was in progress until just before the old monster's death. Without that damned Heaven-Sealing Talisman, we could have hunted the old monster! It's you, clan leader, who needs to come to your senses!"
"You, you're out of your mind! Come to your senses! If you do so now, it can be passed off as a mere deviation! The power Lord Bloodwood is hiding isn't all youve seen!"
Byeok Cheong-gi continues.
"Ri-right. Haven't you been getting along well with the descendants of the Jin and Gongmyo clans recently? Now that both clans are the losers, you can do as you please with them. Calm down and"
"The one I favored."
Byeok Mun-seong speaks with a voice as if hes spitting each word out, activating the Heaven-Striking Talisman.
"Is not them."
Flash!
Heaven-Striking Talisman.
A strike that releases the power of a Heavenly Being, shoots towards Yuan Li wrapped in the Heaven-Sealing Talisman.
Kuguguguguang!
One side of Serving Command Palace is torn away.
A whirlwind rages, and it looks as if the light between heaven and earth is converging towards Yuan Li.
Within the radiance between heaven and earth, I see the Heaven-Sealing Talisman wrapped around Yuan Li being stripped away.
Ta-datt!
The Colorless Glass Swords come together.
I exchange glances with Byeok Mun-seong as I pass by him.
In this strike, I pour everything.
"Colorless Glass Sword, final form."
The last form of the Colorless Glass Sword.
Beyond Color and Natural
Finally reaching the ultimate.
Three thousand Colorless Glass Swords merge into one.
The spiritual energy circuits etched into each sword converge within a single blade, forming myriad spiritual energy circuits within the Colorless Glass Sword.
The more circuits, the greater the power, even if the quality of materials is poor.
Colorless Glass Sword.
Third Form.
"All Heavens."
The Colorless Glass Sword, shining in All of Heavens Natural Colors, stabs into Yuan Li's dantian.
-x-X-x-
Numerous colors converge and stab into Yuan Li.
Chyararak!
Yuan Li's arms momentarily transform into blood-colored ghost hands.
The blood-colored ghost hands grab and try to block my Colorless Glass Sword.
Kwaduduk!
"It's over."
Kugugugugu!
Unable to withstand my power, Yuan Li falls and crashes onto the ground of Serving Command Palace.
Spiderweb-like cracks spread out below him.
"Die!"
I plunge down on him, mobilizing all the power of the Colorless Glass Sword and the Formless Sword.
Kwaaaaang!
Just then, when his death seems imminent.
Kukguk, Kuguguk!
'This is'
Cultivation begins to return
The spiritual power at the Qi Building stage in my entire body returns to the Core Formation level.
The numerous Core Formation cultivators trapped around also begin to regain their cultivation.
And that means.
'The restraint of Serving Command Palace...!'
Kuguguguk!
Yuan Li, once again exuding the power of a Nascent Soul Old monster, pushes away my sword with the hand that grabbed the Colorless Glass Sword.
'Why...!? It's not time yet...!?'
I grit my teeth and firmly press down on the sword with all my might.
It doesnt make sense.
Why?
Kwaang!
And then.
Eventually, the Colorless Glass Sword is flung away.
Yuan Li stands up.
Kugugugu!
[Haah.]
He gasps for breath.
[I acknowledge it. After hundreds of years, I have experienced a true life-and-death battle. That was really a close call.]
He turns his head to one side.
There, Byeok Cheon-gi, the head of the Byeok Clan, is gasping for breath, apparently having completed some action.
"Using a secret technique found in the ruins of the Jo Clan, I barely managed to release the restraint earlier"
[Yes. Your contribution is significant. However... the sin committed by your clan's child is also great.]
"Please, have mercy."
Ddaakk!
With a flick of Yuan Li's finger,
Byeok Cheon-gi and the other traitors all collapse on their spots, screaming.
"Kuaaaaghk!"
"Aaaaarghh!"
"Euaaaghk!"
[Except for the one fool from the Byeok Clan, to think that all I have are those who just stare blankly, even when their master is in danger. All of them are useless. Even the fool from the Byeok Clan only cleaned up his own mess, so it's all the same.]
Giiiiing!
I frown at the familiar energy I feel from the traitors' upper dantians.
Its the energy of the Five Elements Blood Curse Banner.
'He implanted it 200 years ago, so they couldn't resist.'
Ddaakk!
Yuan Li flicks his finger again, and the screams subside.
[Enough. Anyway, as I said before, we'll deal with the reward distribution later. Now there's something more important.]
He looks at me.
[The ones who pushed me to this point Let's start by dealing with these guys.]
I look back at him and smirk.
"Funny. How about you check your own condition first?"
While Yuan Li has indeed recovered his Nascent Soul cultivation, his momentum is not the same as before.
He exhausted quite a bit of energy fighting me.
The situation is quite different from earlier when he fully demonstrated the power of a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.
His defensive dharma treasure was destroyed in the Heavenly Tribulation.
His summons, the bizarre ghost beast and the blood cloud ghost kings, fell in Serving Command Palace.
What remains are his natal dharma treasures: the seventeen bone daggers, the blood-colored leaf fan, the blood-colored spear, and the crystal skull staff.
His strength is steadily decreasing.
Kuguguguk!
Additionally, the cultivators who were restricted to Qi Building are now struggling to free themselves from the black iron chains of the Jinlu Clan's dharma treasure.
Although the traitors make up a significant force, in terms of numbers alone, we are far superior.
Moreover, its evident that Yuan Li hasn't yet overcome the aftereffects of the curse and the heavenly lightning.
"Do you really think you can defeat us?"
To my menacing question, Yuan Li pauses, then begins to laugh.
[Huhu, a splendid warrior. Unyielding no matter how many times beaten... Moreover, someone who faced Heavenly Tribulations upon reaching Core Formation and could exhibit Core Formation stage power within Serving Command Palaces restraint]
He reaches out his hand towards me.
[You, will you not become my blood slave? Though I say blood slave, I'll treat you like a disciple.]
I silently take my stance in response.
[Tsk, foolish.]
He spreads his arms.
I grip my sword and gather energy.
Flash!
No need for words.
I charge and thrust the Formless Sword straight at him.
Suddenly, in his hand is the blood-colored leaf fan.
[Cry, Summoning Wind Blood Fan.]
Kwaaaaa!
A bloody wind blows, pushing me back.
As soon as I touch the blood wind, I feel the blood in my entire body boiling.
Kwaaaang!
Eventually, unable to withstand it, Im pushed back and blown away.
Whether he does this or that.
He has regained the power of a Nascent Soul.
But Im not particularly discouraged.
'I can win!'
His power is evidently weaker than when I first faced him.
If it's only this much, I can surely take him down!
"Everyone! This old monster is definitely weaker than before! If we join forces, we can surely win!!"
Kwachang, Kwachangchang!
Cheongmun Jung-jin and numerous Core Formation cultivators, whose powers have returned, begin to rise from their spots.
"O-Orabeoni!"
"Jinlu Yeon-cheon!!!!! How dare you!!!"
"Ah, no!"
The tide begins to turn.
Byeok Cheon-gi released Serving Command Palaces restraint to save Yuan Li, but it inadvertently allowed our allied forces to regain their strength.
I take out the communication device to contact Song Jin and Seo Ran who are waiting.
"It's almost over. You can come now."
Wiiiing!
Before the battle, a ghost that Song Jin attached to me when he visited Serving Command Palace a few years ago woke up inside my pocket and peeked out.
The tiny ghost looks around the situation, likely transmitting the battlefield to the two.
'I've contacted them, now all that's left is.'
Just to press him and wait!
Just then.
[Gather power, Summoning Wind Blood Fan.]
Giiiiing!
Yuan Li floats his blood-colored leaf fan in the air.
His natal dharma treasure rises into the air, beginning to gather energy.
And then.
"Ah, no! Orabeoni, let me go for a moment! Please!"
Jinlu Yeon-cheon and a few of the traitors begin to struggle.
Yuan Li looks down at them and speaks.
[Contrary to the initial proposal, you failed to perfectly suppress them. Thus, there's no need to keep my promise to spare them, correct?]
Jinlu Yeon-cheon and some traitors scream as if crying out.
"Lord Bloodwood! Please show mercy! Please do not massacre the Cheongmun Clan!"
"Lord Bloodwood! We did our best, please spare these tribes!"
[Wasn't that the original agreement? If you had suppressed them properly beforehand, this wouldn't be necessary. Now it's too late.]
And then.
Swoosh!
Something crimson flies from the direction of the black castle.
Shiver, shiver!
My rational mind screams to rush at Yuan Li and cut off his head.
But my intuition as a martial artist holds me back.
I will die.
If I step forward now, I will meet a miserable death.
Kwaaang!
What flew from the black castle lands right next to Yuan Li.
It is...
A beautiful person, confusing in gender, wearing the same clothes as Yuan Li.
This person, whether male or female, has ebony-black hair and a corpse-pale, smooth skin.
Seeing that figure, I shudder in recognition.
'That's.'
In the last moments of my previous life.
Yuan Li at that time was neither white-haired nor had a small stature and wrinkled skin like the current Yuan Li.
Certainly, Yuan Li back then...
Had [that body]!
[Regardless, you all fought well. To think you made me bring out my hidden Blood Body.]
Kugugugugu!
The young Yuan Li, referred to as the 'Blood Body', intensifies his aura.
Zzzz, zzzz...
'Insane...'
This person too possesses the power of a completed early Nascent Soul stage.
And.
Woo-wooong!
Yuan Lis original body.
From the Baihui point of his main body, a tiny baby emerges.
Its the grotesque baby I saw before, covered in numerous hands, eyes, and mouths.
The original bodys Nascent Soul!
The baby, laughing eerily, enters into the Baihui point of Yuan Li's Blood Body next to him.
And then.
Sssssss...
Yuan Lis Blood Body is enveloped in the same pitch-black darkness as Yuan Li's original body.
A translucent mask, akin to dark fog, covers his face.
Yuan Li finally reverts to the same form I had seen in my past life.
[Hoo, good.]
Kwaduk!
The newly formed body grabs the head of its previous old body.
And then.
Chururururuk!
He absorbs his old body.
His old body turns into a mist of blood and is absorbed into his hand.
Kugugugugu!
His cultivation, which was at the completed early Nascent Soul stage, surges to the completed mid Nascent Soul stage again.
[Surprised by my Blood Body? After the Heavenly Being seniors ascended, I created this new body to rule this world for another thousand years. Not only did I extend its life with pure Long Source True Power for 200 years... I also mastered my core methods, the Blood Demon Suppressing Sea Light and Blood Chain Binding Forest to their extremes. Furthermore...]
He smiles, his mouth almost tearing apart, reaching out to the dharma treasure floating in the air.
[For 200 years, I even mastered the method stolen from the Sea Dragon King. See clearly the power drawn by the newly refined dharma treasure and the Sea Dragon King's method over these 200 years!!]
Kugugugugu!
Centered on Yuan Li, a whirlwind of blood begins to form.
He grabs the blood-colored leaf fan he has been gathering power with and swings it fiercely.
Kwagwagwagwak!
Yuan Li's proclamation echoes throughout Serving Command Palace.
[Behold the power of Summoning Wind, True Blood Transformation!]
Kugugugugu!
A bloody dragon rises, covering the first floor of Serving Command Palace.
I clench my teeth, cutting through the bloody wind with my Formless Sword, holding my ground.
But others can't hold out as easily, as many Core Formation cultivators are swept away by the wind.
Kwagwagwagwa!
A bloody windstorm hits the entire first floor of Serving Command Palace.
Yuan Li's attack sweeps the area with a bloody dragon.
I continue to clench my teeth and withstand the strike, and after some time passes,
Whooooo...
When the wind subsides,
What remains in the hall are only a few exceptionally strong cultivators among the Clan heads or Core Formation elders.
I look around.
The figure of Byeok Mun-seong is nowhere to be seen.
Kugugugugu...
Where Yuan Li's bloody wind struck, clouds of blood began to rise.
The blood clouds flow into Yuan Li.
[Indeed, its the best. The compatibility of Summoning Wind, True Blood Transformation and Blood Demon Suppressing Sea Light...]
Wuduk, wuduk!
On Yuan Li's forehead, small blood-colored antlers, like a deer's, begin to sprout.
Budeuk...
Somewhere, the sound of teeth grinding is heard.
Cheongmun Jung-jin is holding the split corpse of Jinlu Yeon-cheon.
"Why... even to your own allies, why kill them so brutally...?"
[Im simply distinguishing between those who serve me with true loyalty and those with other motives.]
He continues.
[I selectively killed only those who impudently begged to spare the losers. Whether to kill or spare the defeated is the choice of the master, me. Such audacious ones.]
He mocks us.
[Yes. You must have felt good from hiding behind a woman and receiving protection huh. You only spout nonsense. In this world, there's no such thing as being on the same side.]
Kiiiiing!
Familiar formation flags emerge from his storage artifact.
Red formation flags fly across Serving Command Palace, setting up formations.
Flash!
And then.
The first floor of Serving Command Palace collapses, merging with the second floor.
He continues.
[Isn't it true that only those who become cruel and merciless can survive in the world of cultivators? When the Sea Dragon King, after I slayed his own kin, stood before me and even offered to spare my life in exchange for receiving three of his blows, I inwardly mocked him. Such foolishness to show mercy even to an enemy. What a weak mentality!]
Kugugugugu!
His formation continues to expand into the void, collapsing the layers of Serving Command Palace.
I grit my teeth and try to approach him, but the powerful blood wind he created is too difficult to penetrate.
An even stronger blood wind surges around Yuan Li.
[I endured his three blows and inflicted a slight wound on the Sea Dragon King, stealing a drop of his blood essence. Not only that, I succeeded in stealing the Sea Dragon Tribe's method, Summoning Wind, True Blood Transformation! I have risen to this point by exploiting the Sea Dragon King's mercy, the sympathy of the powerful, the awe and fear of the weak, and the blood and lives of the foolish!]
Kuguguguk!
Yuan Li's consciousness domain compresses, resembling the form of a Sea Dragon.
Simultaneously, an aura akin to that of a Sea Dragon emanates from him.
Kwagwang!
Before long, almost all the floors of Serving Command Palace have collapsed, leaving only the 7th floor.
[I have refined this Blood Body and ascended to this position by exploiting, stealing, and seizing! Isn't seizing and dominating the truth of the world? In this world, there are only those who seize and conquer and those who are conquered because they seize less!]
He laughs maniacally, raising the blood-colored leaf fan again.
Chajajak!
His formation flags pierce the ceiling of the last floor, the 7th floor of Serving Command Palace.
If it collapses, the Serving Command Seal will appear.
[Die, you fools!]
And then.
Kiiiiing!
Outside Serving Command Palace.
In the empty void, a ghostly mist begins to form.
Through the communication device, a familiar voice is heard.
[I apologize, it took some time to prepare the teleportation array of the Nether Crossing Ship. After discussing with Ran, we decided to send him instead of me.]
Kugugugugu!
From inside the ghostly mist, a pale hand reaches out.
A somber, ghostly aura flows from the void.
[He saw the situation and thought he could handle it. Take good care of Ran.]
With that, Song Jin turns off the communication device.
Phwak!
Immediately afterwards.
A familiar figure emerges from the ghostly mist.
Half-human, half-dragon.
No longer wearing the blue robe of the Sea Dragon Tribe, but the black robe characteristic of Black Ghost Valley.
Seo Ran, who has ascended to mid-stage Core Formation in the past 200 years, bow to us.
"Greetings, seniors. It's been a while, Senior Seo. And your reputation precedes you, Senior Yuan Li."
Yuan Li halts his attack with the blood-colored leaf fan and, seeing Seo Ran, emits a bloody glow from his eyes.
[Ho you are!]
"A half-blood of the Sea Dragon Tribe and a disciple of Black Ghost Valley. I am Seo Ran."
[Ha, hahaha! Hahahaha!]
Yuan Li bursts into laughter.
[So, the lineage of the Sea Dragon Kings blood that I refined with Summoning Wind, True Blood Transformation speaks. Are you not a descendant of the king?]
"I am embarrassed but yes, I am a descendant of the king."
[Good, good. How about you? Would you like to become my disciple?]
Yuan Li looks at Seo Ran, licking his lips.
Seo Ran looks back at him for a moment and then speaks.
"Before anything, there are three major misconceptions you have, Senior Yuan, that Id like to address."
[Oh, do tell.]
"First, I already have a master, so I cannot become your disciple."
Seo Ran raises one finger.
"Second, I have come to dislike someone who sacrifices others without a second thought, like you. Today, I am here to help Senior Seo kill you."
Yuan Li raises the blood-colored leaf fan, looking amused.
"Third."
Seo Ran smirks, raising a third finger.
"The real name of the method you think you stole from the King is not Summoning Wind, True Blood Transformation."
Fwish
Seo Ran flicks his fingers, bending all three at once.
Kugugugugu!
And Yuan Li, about to attack with the leaf fan, suddenly kneels before Seran.
[.? What?]
"Its Summoning Wind, Blood Core Coagulation. You thought you stole it from the King and exploited his mercy, but
Seo Ran raises his ghostly energy.
Yuan Li, not understanding, looks down at his own knees.
Well It seems more credible that the King deliberately passed it to you under the guise of being stolen. To think that you, Yuan Li, was unwittingly a puppet of the King this whole time. How pitiful, Senior Yuan.
[What is this?]
Indeed, Yuan Li had been under the illusion that he was exploiting Seo Hweol's goodwill, but in reality, he was unwittingly being played by Seo Hweol all along.
"This Sea Dragon! What are you doing to Lord Bloodwood!"
Makli Clan head, Makli Hwang-cheon, and other clan members rush towards Yuan Li.
Unlike Jinlu Yeon-cheon, they escaped Yuan Lis sudden execution.
But.
Seo Ran looks at them with cold eyes.
"Shut up, you livestock. Do you think youre worthy to speak to me? You would have been eating corpses underground, avoiding the gaze of the Sea Dragon Tribe if they had not ascended... Shut up and follow the commands of your true master, you slaves."
"Uh, ugh!"
At Seo Ran's command, Makli Hwang-cheon and the Makli Clan cultivators, now unable to speak, block the path of the other traitors.
Seo Ran's gaze reaches a fleeing Eastern Lord and their subordinates.
"I thought the Makli Clan was the gathering place for all the runaway livestock. There were others too. Where are you going? Come here and heed the words of the King's descendant, Seo Ran!"
"Kuuuuuh!"
The lord in black bandages, who had stolen the main cannon of the Nether Crossing Ship from Manli Min-lap and brought it to Yuan Li, now crawls on the ground at Seo Ran's command.
[Oh.Oooohhhhhhh!]
Wuduk, wududuk!
And then.
Yuan Li, suppressed by Seo Ran's command, begins to rise, emitting the power of Nascent Soul.
[Do not... belittle... a Nascent Soul... cultivator...!!!]
He staggers to his feet, resisting Seo Ran's command.
Although still powerful, he seems to be using more than half of his energy to resist Seo Ran.
"Had he not switched to this body, infused with the blood of the Sea Dragon Tribe and mastered True Blood, Core Coagulating Transformation, there would have been no way for me. But now, it's rather convenient."
Seo Ran looks at me and smiles.
"While I can't completely control him due to the fundamental difference in cultivation, I can significantly hinder him. Senior, its your turn to capture him."
I nod at Seo Ran's smile, now understanding why Seo Hweol was so desperately trying to kill him.
Yuan Li would eventually learn Summoning Wind, True Blood Transformation using Seo Hweol's blood.
In that case, the remaining King's descendant, Seo Ran, would inherently become Yuan Lis weakness.
-x-X-x-
[Uh... Aaaaaaah!]
Yuan Li swings the Blood Wave Fan.
But.
"Scatter."
The blood storm he tries to summon disperses by Seo Ran's command.
[This... damn it...!]
Yuan Li clenches his teeth, veins bulging all over his body.
And then, Yuan Li emits a bloody radiance.
Flash!
"Dangerous."
Hes far more sinister than when he was in his old body, a completely different level of threat.
I stand next to Seo Ran, grasping the Colorless Glass Sword and the Formless Sword together, and use the first form of Severing Mountain Swordsmanship towards the bloody radiance.
Flash!
Kwoooooosh!
Tingling...
After a moment of trembling hands, I glare at Yuan Li.
Though greatly weakened under Seo Ran's control, he is still a Nascent Soul cultivator, significantly stronger than his peers!
'He hasn't reached the late stage of Nascent Soul.'
Just like I distributed my power among the curse dolls, he focused more on the cultivation of the so-called Blood Body than his own, hence not reaching the late stage of Nascent Soul.
Instead, he created the Blood Body and added a millennium to his lifespan, which is no loss for him.
Truly, the more one uncovers, the more sinister and formidable he becomes.
But now.
'All of his cards are revealed.'
There is nothing more to worry about.
The hidden power that the Byeok Clan head mentioned must have been this Blood Body.
Finally, if I just take down this body.
'It's over!'
I dash towards Yuan Li with blazing eyes, and Seo Ran also forms a spell next to me.
"I wondered why this desert is so cold... Turns out there's so much yin energy sleeping beneath this land."
At his spell, the base of Yuan Li's black castle beings to boil and bubble.
Then.
Kiiiyaaaaaa!
Kiiyaaaa!
Kwaaaack!
An enormous amount of yin energy erupts, and a terrifying number of vengeful souls and ghosts begin pouring out from under Yuan Li's black castle.
Kiyaaaaaaa!
With their emergence, the previously clear desert sky fills with yin energy, dark clouds gathering once more.
"How many thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands did you slaughter and devour, Senior Yuan Li? Even the elders who managed the livestock farms would shake their heads."
Seo Ran clicks his tongue and forms another spell.
Yuan Li, with eyes blasting bloodlight, charges at Seo Ran, but I, along with the other surviving Core Formation cultivators, including Cheongmun Jung-jin, block his path with lit eyes.
-I blame you!
-Bloodwood!
-Bloodwood Practitioner Yuan Li!
-Yuan Li!
Countless ghostly wails cry out Yuan Li's name.
Seo Ran too looks appalled, and the ghosts crawling out from under the black castle continue to multiply.
Yuan Li's complexion darkens.
[This crazy... Why is a member of the Sea Dragon Tribe practicing the methods of the Black Ghost Valley...!]
"I've told you. I'm a disciple of the Great Black Ghost Valley."
Seo Ran smiles and continues his spellcasting.
And his spell becomes complete.
[I, Sea Ran, who hosts this Ghost Festival, call upon the spirits to reveal their reason for resentment!]
-Yuan Li!
-Kill Yuan Li!
-We were killed by the Bloodwood Practitioner!
[Having heard your cries, I, Seo Ran, disciple of Black Ghost Valley, offer you the opportunity to manifest in physical form and seek to assist you in your revenge. Please lend me your strength]
-Revenge!
-We can take revenge!
-Take revenge against him!
-Yuan Li!
Kiiiyaaaaaa!
Thousands of ghosts cry Yuan Li's name, howling in hordes.
All around Seo Ran, an enormous ghostly power erupts from within the ghost fog.
Its definitely not a level of ghostly power Seo Ran can produce alone.
[Disciple of the Black Ghost Valley, Seo Ran, hosting this festival and swearing in the name of the Nether Crossing Ship, offers you the chance to manifest and aid your revenge. But you too must swear to lend your strength against him!]
Seo Ran's voice echoes in all directions, and Yuan Li bursts into laughter.
[You, I see what spell you're trying to cast. That's a Heavenly Being level technique, can someone like you even handle it...?]
But Seo Ran ignores Yuan Li's words and continues on.
And then.
-Kiiiyaaaaaa!
-Kwaaaaa!
Kugugugugu!
Around Seo Ran, surrounded by ghost fog,
From somewhere afar, immense power flows from the Nether Crossing Ship, pouring into the thousands of ghosts slaughtered by Yuan Li.
If everything went as planned, Song Jin would have anchored the Nether Crossing Ship deep in the ocean.
After gathering the yin and ghostly energy of the deep sea through the Nether Crossing Ship, it was planned to be transmitted to Seo Ran via the ship's teleportation array.
Kwoooosh!
Tens of thousands of ghosts gain strength and wail.
Then, as Seo Ran completes his spell, tens of thousands of ghosts rush into his body.
Seo Ran's aura begins to surge dramatically.
The power of tens of thousands of ghosts converge into Seo Ran.
Yuan Li shouts with a tense voice.
[Fool! You won't be able to contain that power! Just explode and die, foolish Sea Dragon...!]
Then.
[Master, please come!]
Seo Ran calls out while looking at the ghost fog.
Ssshhh...
I shudder as I feel every hair on my body stand.
Another soul, not Seo Ran's, is present in his upper dantian.
The Attaching Spirit Great Spell.
It allows one to attach a part of their original spirit to someone else, enabling the distant exertion of their power.
"Kugh, cough!
I find it hard to breathe and collapse on the spot.
Not just me.
Even Cheongmun Jung-jin and numerous Core Formation cultivators who were blocking Yuan Li, all suddenly fell to their knees, overwhelmed.
Even Yuan Li, who is full of vigor, trembles violently.
[Ah, ahh, ahhh...]
Song Jin, the elder of Black Ghost Valley and a Heavenly Being cultivator, has gathered tens of thousands of vengeful ghosts that Yuan Li had slaughtered.
At this moment.
He regained his original strength.
[What a nostalgic scene.]
Blue ghost fire lights up in Seo Ran's eyes.
From his mouth, a different voice than Seo Rans.
Its Song Jin.
He seems lost in thought, looking at something different in the void.
Yuan Li, who looks as if hes about to foam at this mouth, emanates an intent of horror.
[Why, why... is there a Heavenly Being cultivator...!]
[Right, let's not fall into nostalgia. Even though it's just a remnant spirit left in my remnant soul, using the Attaching Spirit Great Spell is quite taxing on both my and Ran's souls. Let's finish this quickly.]
Kiiiyaaaaaa!
Tens of thousands of resentful souls wail.
Ghostly claws sprout from Song Jin's hand, now occupying Seo Ran's body.
[Huaaaaaah!!! Why are you still here! Why is a Heavenly Being cultivator still here!]
Yuan Li desperately tries to flee, invoking the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.
[Die.]
And then.
Kuguaguaguaguang!!!
The strike tears away the outer walls of Serving Command Palace. The ancient barrier surrounding Yuan Li's black castle, which even the combined efforts of Core Formation cultivators couldn't budge, is also torn like paper.
Kuguaguanguang!
A valley forms in the desert.
Not a small one created by cultivators, but the desert literally cleaves in half.
No other words can describe the scene.
Simply put, the desert split in two.
That alone is enough.
And then.
The piece of meat that was once Yuan Li, hit by Song Jin's strike, twitches in the corner of Serving Command Palace.
Truly proving his feat of having survived Seo Hweol's Three Ultimate Strikes, hes still alive, albeit reduced to a piece of flesh.
And then.
Kulock!
Song Jin, in Seo Ran's body, coughs up black blood.
He looks at me.
[You, you said you learned a curse method, right? Transfer all the burdens inflicted on my disciple's body and soul to me, the caster of the Attaching Spirit Great Spell.]
"Will you be alright?"
[Im already a dead body so why does it matter? Just quickly transfer the burden.]
Following Song Jin's request, I use the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation to transfer all burdens on Seo Ran's body and soul to Song Jin as a curse.
Its possible because Song Jin himself allows it.
[Huh huh. This reduces the time I can spend with my disciple by 100 years. Damn it... If Yuan Li wasnt a threat to my disciple, I would never have done this. Surely you wont tell me that you cant finish him off after Ive turned him into a piece of meat? Im leaving now.]
With those words, Song Jin releases the Attaching Spirit Great Spell and disappears from Seo Ran's body.
'So this is the power of a Heavenly Being.'
I laugh hollowly at the traces Song Jin leaves behind.
Its my first time witnessing the attack of a Heavenly Being cultivator up close.
The sight of the split desert is chilling.
"Now, he's completely neutralized! Everyone attack!"
I hold the Colorless Glass Sword and fly toward the meat that was once Yuan Li.
The other Core Formation cultivators, released from Song Jin's pressure, also rush toward the flesh with blazing eyes.
That's when it happens.
Kugugugu!
From the black castle, the crimson stream flows again.
"Again?!!"
Cheongmun Jung-jin exclaims in disgust.
"Everyone, prevent it from reaching Yuan Li!"
I pour out curses, creating a river of curse spells.
The dark river of curses entwines around Yuan Li.
'I'll corrupt whatever Long Source True Power and everything else...!'
But then.
Swoosh!
The Long Source True Power summoned by Yuan Li.
Instead of Yuan Li, it heads towards the formation flags he had stuck in the ceiling of the Serving Command Palace.
"What...!"
I grit my teeth and raise the Colorless Glass Sword.
"Everyone, stop it!"
Hes trying to summon the Serving Command Seal.
At that moment.
[Wuuuuahhh...!!!]
The meat lump that used to be Yuan Li emits an immense bloody radiance, shaking off my curses and soars into the sky.
[I too, will stake my life!]
Huaaaa!
I instantly realize what hes doing.
Hes burning his own Nascent Soul.
A gamble that can burn up the Nascent Soul completely, leading to death, or at least dropping the level of cultivation if it goes wrong!
But if the gamble succeeds,
'He'll obtain the Serving Command Seal!'
I clench my teeth, explode all my energy, and rush after him.
Chuarukruk!
From the meat lump that is Yuan Li, numerous branches sprout, forming a bloody forest that blocks my path.
The remaining Core Formation cultivators all rush in to break through the forest together.
Wo-woong!
In an instant, I reach Yuan Li.
"Do you think it'll go as you wish?"
[Out of my way!!!]
Chuaruruk!
From Yuan Li's body, his Nascent Soul pops out.
A baby with numerous hands, eyes, and mouths.
The baby cuts off one of its hands attached to the soul and throws it at me.
[Even if my cultivation drops, even if my entire plan completely collapses! I cannot retreat from this spot!]
Boom!
The sacrificed arm of the Nascent Soul explodes massively, engulfing me.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, Severing Mountain!
Kuguaguagua!
I pierce through the explosion, chasing after Yuan Li.
Neglecting defense and focusing solely on breaking through the explosion, the skin on my entire body peels off.
But thanks to the life force of a Core Formation cultivator and the effect of the Spirit Nectors enhanced regeneration, my skin quickly heals.
Flash!
His formation activates.
The last floor of Serving Command Palace collapses, and finally,
Paaaatt!
The Serving Command Seal appears in the sky of the Serving Command Palace.
Taatt!
I gulp down as many of the liquors I have remaining in my storage artifact.
White-Red Wine, enhancing the connection with my dharma treasures.
Dream Lotus Elixir, increasing the speed of my dharma treasures.
Red Moon Dew, strengthening my power...
And then.
Boom!
Yuan Li, in the form of a baby Nascent Soul, explodes all his hands, eyes, and mouths.
Flash!
In an instant, Yuan Li gains tremendous power by damaging his Nascent Soul.
After drinking numerous immortal wines and focusing all that power into a single point, I throw the Colorless Glass Sword.
My sword and Yuan Li's hand reach the Serving Command Seal at the same time.
And at that moment.
"Stop!"
Seo Ran's voice reaches Yuan Li.
Yuan Li's body freezes in place.
My Colorless Glass Sword deflects the Serving Command Seal and hits it far away.
"This is the end."
I charge towards Yuan Li, unfolding the ultimate technique of Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, Severing Mountain.
Paaatt!
At that moment, a bloody light begins to glow.
Parararak!
"...!"
The formation flags Yuan Li had infused with Long Source True Power.
Destroying all floors of Serving Command Palace, the flags still floating in the air move, surrounding and holding the far-flung Serving Command Seal.
Simultaneously.
Chuarararak!
From one side of the meat lump, tentacle-like tendrils sprout, grabbing the Serving Command Seal.
[I am the master of the Serving Command Seal...!]
Rumble!
[Fortune has tilted in my favor!!!!!]
His cockroach-like persistence finally succeeded in grabbing the Serving Command Seal.
Chuaruruk!
He regenerates his body.
Drip, drip...
Yuan Li, as always, still hides his face behind the black mask. However, blood flows from beneath.
Clearly not in a good state.
But.
He is laughing.
[The Blood Body I have hidden, all my Long Source True Power. I have used them all. Even going as far to damage my Nascent Soul, reducing my cultivation to the early stage. Having gone this far to seize heavenly fate, if I can't defeat you all, call me a damned pig!]
'He's got the Serving Command Seal.'
I still clench my teeth and charge at him.
'But with something as metaphysical as fate, he cant recover his strength!'
Hes near death and hasnt been able to regain his strength.
'I'll kill him and snatch the Serving Command Seal!'
At that moment.
Rumble...
Serving Command Palace begins to collapse.
After being hit by Song Jin's attack and even losing the Serving Command Seal to Yuan Li,
The exterior walls of Serving Command Palace slowly crumble.
Those fragments begin to fall precisely towards me.
Boom Boom!
I slash through the debris of the exterior walls.
But strangely, no debris falls towards Yuan Li, and he smoothly flies past me.
I slash the Formless Sword at him, but precisely between him and me, the debris of Serving Command Palace falls, and my Formless Sword misses him.
'What is this...!'
My eyes widen in confusion.
[Foolish boy. It seems the heavens are on my side.]
Seo Ran orders Yuan Li.
Kneel!
But, Yuan Li, holding the Serving Command Seal, just laughs.
[Oh, my. Coincidentally, it seems all the essence blood of the Sea Dragon King in my body evaporated when I was hit by the attack of the Heavenly Being Cultivator. Its truly a coincidence.]
What...!
Boom!
Yuan Li emits blood light.
Seo Ran is swept away by the blood light straight into the black castle.
Yuan Li follows Seo Ran out of Serving Command Palace, and strangely, the collapsing Serving Command Palace stops breaking down the moment Yuan Li leaves.
Crack...
I finally manage to escape the bombardment of debris.
What is this?
This isnt some striking coincidence.
Its as if the entire world is standing on his side.
And then.
The ghost of Song Jin watching the situation from my embrace suddenly starts howling.
[Damn it!!! That cockroach-like bastard! Surviving from getting hit by even that and getting his hands on the Serving Command Seal?!]
Its Song Jin's voice.
He urgently speaks to me.
[You! Look around! How many remaining ghosts are there around us?]
Prompted by Song Jin's voice, I widen my perception and survey the surroundings.
But perhaps because everything had been exhausted by Song Jin's strike, there are almost no remaining ghosts or resentful souls.
Almost... none.
[Damn it! If there were as many ghosts as before, I could have snatched back the Serving Command Seal and whatever else! Damn it! Damn it!]
Song Jin curses and then cuts off the communication. I quickly follow after Seo Ran and Yuan Li into the black castle.
Just then.
CultivatorSeo.
...!?
Under the debris of Serving Command Palace, I hear the voice of Byeok Mun-seong.
Cultivator Byeok?
He is half buried under the debris.
No, the problem isn't that he is half-buried, but rather, like Buk Hyang-hwa, his lower body is missing somewhere.
Only a quarter of his body remains.
Nevertheless, he is still alive due to the tenacious life force of a Core Formation Cultivator.
However
'His Golden Core, it's shattered.'
He is about to die soon.
Byeok Mun-seong fumbles his mouth and speaks to me.
...I won't... hold you long... since it's urgent. This
He pulls out a small glass shard from his chest and hands it to me.
That is
A glass sculpture carved from inside a centipede den with a cursed doll.
Its a shard of that sculpture.
I loved her too, but compared to you, perhaps my love wasnt that deep. Rather... if I hadnt been resentful of you for stealing her from me, I might have given up chasing after her in a few years. But anyhow... she was my first love. Please
He clenches his teeth and hands me the glass shard.
Avenge her, I beg you.
I clench my teeth and take the shard he hands me.
Understood. Rest well.
With that, Byeok Mun-seong closes his eyes.
I leave Byeok Mun-seong behind and enter the castle with the surviving Core Formation Cultivators.
Whooosh!
Inside the black castle, the air is thick with the smell of blood.
I swiftly fly towards where I sense movement.
The center of the castle.
The grand hall there.
I head to that place, where the smell of blood is the strongest, where a few survivors have gathered.
Soon, I see Yuan Li entangling Seo Ran with blood.
Kugugugu...
I clench my teeth.
Yuan Li is leisurely holding the Serving Command Seal.
Externally, he is just a Nascent Soul at the initial stage, a very weakened early Nascent Soul.
But internally, he has risen back to the level of a mid-stage Nascent Soul.
[Entering my castle to confront me, who holds the Serving Command Seal..? Admirable courage. But all of you who injured me to the point of damaging my Nascent Soul will be reduced to a handful of Long Source True Power.]
Yuan Li grins wickedly.
[I was momentarily bewildered by the appearance of a Heavenly Being. But yes, I've heard rumors about one of the elders of Black Ghost Valley. A ghost soul, beheaded by the Mad Lord, stuck in the ruined Nether Crossing Ship like a bound spirit, waiting for the day to be dragged into the realm of the dead! It must be him, right? Hahaha, it's impressive that such a remnant soul could deliver a strike at the Heavenly Being stage. His days of being dragged to the Netherworld must be numbered now.]
Yuan Li smirks sinisterly.
[Now I have nothing to worry about. All that's left is to kill all of you and heal my injuries.]
Blood light flashes around him.
[I didn't realize that Summoning Wind, True Blood Transformation was a trap left by Seo Hweol, but now that I do, I just need to extract the practice of Summoning Wind, True Blood Transformation from my Blood Body. I'll deal with all of you with only the Blood Demon Suppressing Sea Light and Blood Chain Binding Forest!]
Can we win?
Its truly despairing.
How in the world...
Can we defeat this monster?
Even if I risk my life now and unleash Foolish Old Man Moves Mountains...
Can I manage to land a strike?
Is this life even worth it?
That's when...
Wriggle, wriggle...
The ghost left in my arms by Song Jin starts to speak again.
[What's the situation inside?]
"Hmm?"
Alerted by Song Jin's voice, Yuan Li's body shudders.
"Seo Ran is captured, and Yuan Li is showing off his mid Nascent Soul cultivation while holding the Serving Command Seal."
[I see. It's going to be a bit noisy, so make sure you protect Seo Ran well.]
"Hmm?"
Just then.
Boom!
With a sound as if the heavens are tearing apart, one side of the black castles wall collapses.
A massive shockwave whirls through the hall, and I shield Seo Ran from the debris and shockwave headed his way.
And then...
I realize the identity of the surprise.
Yuan Li and I both utter its name.
[Nether Crossing Ship?]
"Nether Crossing Ship?"
Its a completely ruined, dark wreck.
Song Jin rammed the Nether Crossing Ship into Yuan Li's castle for his disciple.
[Barrier!]
And then, the debris from the Nether Crossing Ship flies and forms some sort of formation around Seo Ran.
Yuan Li, reminded of his dreadful experience at the hands of Song Jin, stands stiffly.
[Anyone who wants to live, get into the barrier Ive set up! I'll let everyone in except that Yuan Li bastard.]
Kugugugu!
Song Jin, gripping the helm of the Nether Crossing Ship, burns with ghost fire and speaks.
[Since my last move used up a lot of the time I can remain in this world, I might as well leave now."]
"MaMaster...!"
Seo Ran calls out to Song Jin in a desperate voice.
Song Jin looks fondly at Seo Ran.
[Disciple, remember this well. The will of Black Ghost Valley is not in the Nether Crossing Ship but in the people who reside inside.]
Swish...
Song Jin pulls out a dark pearl.
Its the space-breaking bead.
[The Serving Command Seal is frightening, but there are three ways to counter it. First, a fate stronger than the Serving Command Seal. Second, overwhelming power. And third]
"No, you can't! Space-breaking beadl! As the descendant of the Sea Dragon King, I command you, do not respond to my master's command!"
Kugugugugu!
The Nether Crossing Ship begins to vibrate.
[History. If it's something with a long history, it can resist fate. Experience the Nether Crossing Ships history of 500,000 years...!]
Wuwuwuwuwu!
The Nether Crossing Ship and the space-breaking bead begin to glow simultaneously.
"Why aren't you listening to me! Space-breaking bead! Listen to me!"
Seo Ran, his eyes rolling in panic, ignores the Nether Crossing Ship and shouts.
"No! Master! Master!!"
[Space-breaking bead, active. Nether Crossing Ship....]
In his final moments, Song Jin looks at Seo Ran.
Somehow, his eye sockets streaming with ghost fire, seem to be smiling.
[Self-Destruct.]
I hurriedly pull Cheongmun Jung-jin and the other cultivators into the barrier Song Jin set up.
Yuan Li frantically pounds on the barrier trying to get in, but since Song Jin doesn't allow it, he can only stupidly keep pounding while holding the Serving Command Seal.
And then...
A dark storm engulfs everything.
The storm subsides.
Seo Ran, weeping tears of blood, frees himself from Yuan Li's restraint and gazes at the debris before him.
"Ah, ah... ahhh..."
The barrier set up by Song Jin barely withstood the storm.
The reason it could withstand the terrifying spatial storm seemed to be not because the barrier itself was robust, but rather because the barrier, made from the debris of the Nether Crossing Ship, is unaffected by the power of the same Nether Crossing Ship.
Its a matter of property, not the magnitude of power.
I step out of the barrier.
Squelch, squelch...
"Heh..."
I spit words with contempt.
"Truly, utterly despicable."
A blood-soaked lump of flesh.
Above this lump, a figure of a blue dragon appeared, guarding the meatlump.
"Seo Hweol, Seo Hweol, Seo Hweol! Is it you again? Just stop coming out..!"
Swoooooosh
The dragon figure, having faced the spatial storm, scatters away.
However, thanks to Seo Hweol's protection, Yuan Li is still not dead.
"Seo Hweol...!"
I cry out his name in venom.
Chuarak. Churararak
The lump of flesh begins to regenerate.
Kurok Kurok
Yuan Li reveals himself again.
Now, Yuan Li also looks precarious.
His mask is shattered, covering only his eyes and forehead, leaving his mouth exposed.
His cultivation dropped to the Grand Perfection of Core Formation.
But.
Wo-woong!
The debris of the black castle, shattered by the Nether Crossing Ship, supplements his power.
Wo-woong!
His cultivation soars back to the initial stage of Nascent Soul.
"Heh, haha... hahaha..."
Whether he is too weak to speak in consciousness, he bursts into laughter with his voice.
"Serving Command Seal... the Serving Command Seal... saved me...! And with this early Nascent Soul cultivation, I can still... against you lot..."
He spits out a mouthful of blood while speaking.
"Kargh... gagk...!"
"Tsk..."
I attempt to approach him, but as he waves his hand, a blood light of early Nascent Soul level bursts out, blocking me.
"You, people like you... these youngsters... I, do you know how I lived to this day? For 900 years What preparations I made, with what emotions, I came this far? Do you know? I wont die. I will not die!
He screams, emitting power of the early Nascent Soul stage.
I look at him calmly.
"I, as well. Ive lived for about 900 years too."
"What...?"
"Don't casually use age to assert in front of me...!"
Boom!
I charge at him, swinging the Formless Sword.
But even as he vomits blood from the blow, he manages to fend me off, and the recoil sends me flying backward.
"Ugh...!"
"Keh, kah... These wretched fools. You vermin have driven me to this...! I'll kill you, I'll kill you all..."
I stagger, trying to stand up.
Then.
"...?"
I see a jade norigae among the debris of the black castle.
The norigae lay at Yuan Li's feet.
I hastily search my bosom.
"Ah..."
Fortunately, Hyang-hwas norigae is still in my possession.
Then, that one must be...
'The great-grandson of Wolryang. It's his...'
His relic must have been rolling around somewhere in Yuan Lis castle after being consumed by Yuan Li.
While I gaze at the norigae, Yuan Li, noticing my gaze, approaches it while sneering.
"Ah, right. This norigae. Was it the one that woman beside you 200 years ago had?"
He approaches the noriage.
He provocatively reminds me of my memories with Buk Hyang-hwa.
A vile provocation.
But its proof of how desperate he has become.
"This garbage..."
Crunch, crunch...
He stomps on Wolryangs great grandson's pendant, crushing it.
Crunch...
"You trash-like wretches, the trash you carry around is nothing. No matter how much you struggle, with the Serving Command Seal in hand..."
"It's not."
"What?"
I slowly stand up.
I have made my decision.
"...It's not trash."
"Ha, it's not trash? Look. This is trash. What's under my foot is..."
I have vowed to stay alive until I offer his head to their souls.
But now.
After Song Jin sacrificed his life, creating this opportunity.
Here and now.
Even if I can't offer his head to them.
I have resolved to die.
I grit my teeth and raise the Colorless Glass Sword.
"What you trampled onNo.."
Right at this moment.
"Everything you trampled. Everything you trampled on with your filthy feet up to this point!
I
"Is not trash!!!"
More earnestly than any other moment
"I'll show you!"
Holding my sword, yearn for the next realm.
"What you trampled on, what it truly is!"
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.
"The Final Move..."
The Twenty-Fourth Move.
"Foolish Old Man Moves Mountains!"
The End of Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.
The most ferocious Self-Destruction Technique erupts from my fingertips.