Whoosh!
Enveloped in a sea of white clouds, a group of cultivators soared through the sky.
Wrapped in the aura of the Flying Escape Technique, emitting dull radiance, they flew far into the distance. Among them were disciples of the First-Cloud and a few from the Second-Cloud from the Azure Heaven Creation Sect.
Leading the group are two First-Cloud disciples, with five Second-Cloud disciples following behind. At the center of the group flies Seo Eun-hyun and Oh Hyun-seok.
"When will we arrive? It feels like we've been flying for almost half a day..."
Oh Hyun-seok asked.
A First-Cloud disciple at the forefront shouts back
"Just a bit more patience, we're almost there."
"Hmm, I'm curious, though. Have the senior brothers visited this place before?"
"Well, it's our first time too. Azure Cold Island is vast, and it took us a while to get used to it. As for other Human Race Sky Islands, we've only visited a few islands nearby."
"I'm looking forward to it. The Human Race Grand Alliance headquarters, it's sort of like a capital, right?"
"I suppose so."
As they chatter and fly through the clouds.
Whoosh!
"Oh, there it is..."
As the clouds part a Sky Island far larger than any they had seen before appears before them. At first glance, its about twenty times the size of Azure Cold Island.
An overwhelmingly thick and vast barrier surrounds it, with heaven and earth spiritual energy enveloping the entire land.
"The Human Race Grand Alliance's headquarters, Heavenly Human Island...!"
Awe-struck, the disciples of the Azure Heaven Creation Sect gape at the overwhelming sight of Heavenly Human Island.
"Al-alright, everyone, let's go in."
The highest-ranking First-Cloud disciple, holding an identity plaque proving their affiliation with Azure Cold Island, flies towards Heavenly Human Island.
As they approach the barrier of Heavenly Human Island, the identity plaque glows, opening a small hole in the barrier.
Entering the Island, Oh Hyun-seok marvels at the dense spiritual energy inside.
"I know Azure Cold Island is rich in spiritual energy, but this is almost two to three times denser."
"No, actually, it's more like five or six times denser. The spiritual energy you felt on Azure Cold Island was from one of the most potent spiritual veins."
The group's leader, a First-Cloud disciple named Cheongmun Gyu, inhales the spiritual energy of Heavenly Human Island.
"Let's find the teleportation array that can take us near the Light Spirit Pond."
"Yes!"
At the Human Race Grand Alliance's main base, Heavenly Human Island, one can find teleportation arrays linking to other racial territories within the alliance.
Although only arrays to races with friendly relations with the Human Race are activated, most races near the Light Spirit Pond benefited from trade with the Human Race, so there are no issues.
"Light Spirit Pond's water!"
"Light Spirit Sacred Water?"
"Light Spirit Sacred Water has come in!"
Oh Hyun-seok looks around and comments.
"Seems like the water from Light Spirit Pond is quite popular."
"Appears so...."
The First-Cloud disciples are equally puzzled, exploring various parts of Heavenly Human Island.
Then, Seo Eun-hyun calmly explains.
"The water from Light Spirit Pond, also known as Light Spirit Sacred Water, significantly boosts vitality when consumed. It's sought after as a reserve life source, allowing one to exhibit undying supernatural powers for a moment. When placed inside a puppet and specially processed, the puppet can recover from damage on its own, making it a coveted treasure among puppet masters that make their eyes burst from their heads."
"Oh, Junior Seo, how do you know this?"
"I just heard some rumors. But, the presence of Light Spirit Sacred Water nearby suggests there's a teleportation array to Light Spirit Pond close by."
Seo Eun-hyun points to a location.
"Many people's intents are moving towards that spot. It must be the teleportation array. Let's go."
"Oh, o-okay."
Guided by Seo Eun-hyun, the group is able to arrive in front of a gigantic tower.
At the bottom of the tower, which is built with a total of five floors, numerous people are lined up waiting.
"This seems to be the Light Spirit Pond teleportation array. Now that we've found the teleportation array, let's go to the headquarters of the Human Race Grand Alliance, finish registering for the Mad Lord scouting mission, then use the teleportation array."
Led by Cheongmun Gyu, they head to the alliance's headquarters in the center of Heavenly Human Island.
While looking around, Oh Hyun-seok notices Seo Eun-hyun also looking around here and there.
"Ah, Eun-hyun, you find this place interesting too?"
Amazed at seeing Seo Eun-hyun's human-like behavior after a long time, Oh Hyun-seok looks at him with wonder.
Seo Eun-hyun, while looking around, replies.
"Yes, well, I suppose so. Since it's my first time here, observing will make it easier when I come again in the future."
"Ha, you're thorough."
Laughing, Oh Hyun-seok suddenly feels a chill run down his spine.
'What's that?'
Startled!
It wasn't just Oh Hyun-seok.
The entire expedition team that came with him, as well as other cultivators passing by on Heavenly Human Island, all suddenly stop in their tracks and look up at the sky.
Shortly after, the chilling sensation that had been swirling around them disappears.
"What was that?"
At the sudden eerie sensation, one of the Second-Cloud disciples from Azure Heaven Creation Sect asked those around him.
Then, Seo Eun-hyun, with a stern face answers.
"What we just experienced was the presence of an Integration stage Grand Cultivator. An Integration stage Grand Cultivator's consciousness is overwhelmingly larger than ours. They could have easily hid their presence from us... It seems they chose not to take such consideration and briefly observed this area with their consciousness."
Hearing Seo Eun-hyun's words, one of the Core Formation cultivators passing by nods grimly.
"Indeed, in recent decades, Grand Cultivators of various races have been flocking to the vicinity of Heavenly Human Island, where the Human Race Grand Alliance is located, to search for something. It's become so common now that everyone just accepts it as normal."
"I see, thank you for letting us know."
Seo Eun-hyun expressed his gratitude to the Core Formation cultivator.
"This is troubling. It's hard to say whether this is good or bad"
Cheongmun Gyu, with a troubled look, heads into the grand palace of the alliance's headquarters, and soon after, comes out with a mission confirmation plaque.
"Well, for now its settled. We've properly confirmed our mission to scout the Mad Lord, so we can use the teleportation array."
Thus, they boarded the teleportation array heading near the Light Spirit Pond.
Whoosh!
Oh Hyun-seok looks around.
"Is this place near the Light Spirit Pond?"
The spiritual energy around them is refreshingly stimulating to life force.
Oh Hyun-seok clenches his fist.
'Somehow, I feel like training here might make it easier to break through my current realm.'
Cheongmun Gyu looks around around at the members and says,
"Remember, we didn't come to the Light Spirit Pond area for leisure. We have to observe the Mad Lord, who is said to have been expanding his conquests near this area, for the next 5 years. Any questions?"
"I have a question. I heard that elixirs that can help me break through my cultivation are grown near the Light Spirit Pond. Would it be permissible to gather some to reduce future risks during our mission?"
At Seo Eun-hyun's question, others also show interest.
"It's fine. But make sure not to provoke the local races, and try to exchange through trade as much as possible."
"Yes, thank you!"
"You all seem excited about getting Light Spirit Sacred Water, but let me remind you again, don't steal or coerce to obtain resources. Got it?"
"Yes!"
"Then, I'll give everyone about a day to explore the area near the Light Spirit Pond."
With that, Seo Eun-hyun and the rest of the expedition members dispersed in an instant.
Oh Hyun-seok wonders.
'Is Light Spirit Sacred Water really that amazing?'
Swoosh!
Days passed.
Led by Cheongmun Gyu, the expedition arrived at a certain location.
"This is"
There are traces of a massive battle.
The ground was overturned, and several giant valleys had formed, with remnants and pieces that look like puppet parts scattered around.
"This was one of the territories of the Cold Spirit Race."
Seo Eun-hyun, with a slight frown, looks around.
"The Mad Lord passed through here."
Cheongmun Gyu frowns at the sight, saying.
"Mad Lord, this lunatic. The scale of his madness has grown even larger than when he was in the lower realm."
"Let's move towards where we can see the Mad Lord's Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress."
"Alright."
They followed the trail of destruction.
After a while, Cheongmun Gyu stopped in mid-air.
A vast primeval forest near the Light Spirit Pond!
At the edge of that primeval forest, far away at the end of a mountain range, a small dot is visible.
"There it is. The Mad Lord's Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress."
At Cheongmun Gyu's words, Oh Hyun-seok frowns.
"That speck over there, you mean?"
"Yes."
"Isn't that too far? We were told to scout, but with this distance I'm not sure if looking is even possible"
"What are you talking about? Don't underestimate that madman's capabilities. This distance is just right. Any closer and we'd be captured and transformed by that lunatic."
Shiver!
Perhaps due to bad memories of the Mad Lord, Cheongmun Gyu shuddered and shook his head.
Did he say there was a time when he narrowly escaped after being captured by the Mad Lord in the lower realm?
Oh Hyun-seok recalls the story Cheongmun Gyu had told about his entanglement with the Mad Lord.
Suddenly, he frowns.
"Anyway, having to observe the Mad Lord here for five years is a bit worrying."
"What's there to worry about? For cultivators, five years pass in the blink of an eye. It seems junior is not yet used to the sense of time cultivators have, having not practiced the cultivation methods for long."
Cheongmun Gyu chuckles and pats Oh Hyun-seok's back.
Oh Hyun-seok sighs softly and settles down atop a tree in the surrounding forest.
Well, worrying about it here won't do any good. I should continue my training as usual. I should talk to Seo Eun-hyun too, see if we can find Team leader Kim if we get a chance.'
It was then, as he crossed his legs in meditation.
'...?'
Below the tree, Seo Eun-hyun is placing his hands on the ground, doing something.
"Hey, Eun-hyun. What are you doing?"
At Oh Hyun-seok's call, Seo Eun-hyun replies calmly.
"I'm about to draw a circuit that leads to the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress from underneath the ground."
"What?"
"If my circuit reaches the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, we can know about Kim Yeon's situation without attracting the attention of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress or the Mad Lord. Please trust me on this."
"Ah, well Of course, I trust you. Why even say that?"
"Thank you. Please don't mention this to Cheongmun Gyu and the senior brothers. They might not believe it."
"Sure, I understand."
He nods and looks at Seo Eun-hyun.
"There must be a way."
He trusts Seo Eun-hyun.
Even though he had been acting strange lately, he is still the person who was once his junior at work.
Trusting someone who was once a junior isn't a big deal for him.
Whoosh!
Five years flew by in an instant.
Whoosh!
Light swirls around Oh Hyun-seok, being absorbed into his body.
Boom!
His energy soars to its peak.
"Core Formation Grand Perfection, Celestial Dominion!"
Finally, he has reached the end of Core Formation!
Oh Hyun-seok stands up, his eyes shining.
It's not just about reaching the peak
It feels as if given the right opportunity, he can reach the Nascent Soul stage in no time.
The land near Light Spirit Pond always flows with a peculiar vitality, which greatly aided Oh Hyun-seok's body refining method, speeding up his cultivation.
"Finally"
Oh Hyun-seok smiles contentedly.
"Finally, I've caught up to Seo Eun-hyun in terms of cultivation stage."
Indeed.
While Seo Eun-hyun had reached the pinnacle of Core Formation, the Celestial Dominion, over the past five years, he hadn't achieved enlightenment or advanced to the Nascent Soul stage.
He hasn't moved beyond the Grand Perfection of Core Formation.
Thus, Oh Hyun-seok finally caught up to Seo Eun-hyun in terms of cultivation.
Well, even if we're equal in cultivation, it doesn't necessarily mean I can win in a fight
Rumble...
Oh Hyun-seok somehow feels that, at this moment, he can have a proper spar with Seo Eun-hyun.
Now that our mission period is coming to an end, I should spar with him and ask what we'll do about Team Leader Kim.
He uses the Flying Escape Technique to approach Seo Eun-hyun, who is touching the ground with his eyes closed.
"Seo Eun-hyun! Have you found a way to contact Team Leader Kim Yeon yet?"
"No. After making contact with the circuits in the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, it took quite some time to steal one ten-thousandth of the control from the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress. In a few days, we'll be able to contact Chief Kim Yeon."
"Is that so? So, in a few days, our purpose for coming here will nearly be achieved."
"That seems to be the case"
"Then, we'll be leaving soon after that."
At Oh Hyun-seok's words, Seo Eun-hyun looks at him and replies.
"You're suggesting a spar, aren't you?"
"Yes."
"I'm sorry, but prioritizing finding out Kim Yeons situation as soon as possible is more imp-"
Before Seo Eun-hyun can finish speaking,
Oh Hyun-seok launches a punch towards Seo Eun-hyun.
Boom!
A blue flash shot towards Seo Eun-hyun.
Seo Eun-hyun quickly dodged and glared at Oh Hyun-seok.
"What are you doing Ah, so you came with that resolve?"
"Ha, you speak as if you know exactly what's in my heart!"
""
"Its always been like that. You seem to know everything, yet you never speak of the important matters, you dont speak properly, nor do you try to converse with me. And yet, those occasional human moments of yours are exactly how I remember the Seo Eun-hyun I know!"
Boom!
Oh Hyun-seok stomps the ground.
The surrounding earth rumbles.
"What the hell is it? Whats the issue that caused you to avoid talking with me after coming to this world and starting your training?
The air around them stirs violently.
Who are you! Are you the Seo Eun-hyun I know, or someone else?"
Oh Hyun-seok stares intensely at Seo Eun-hyun.
Seo Eun-hyun sighs softly after a moment of silence.
"It's dangerous to spar here, let's move elsewhere."
With that, Seo Eun-hyun propels himself off the ground and flies away.
Oh Hyun-seok follows suit.
After flying over the forest for a while, they finally land in the middle of a vast wasteland, beyond the forest.
"Honestly, I don't think you can defeat me, Chief Oh.
"Ha, calling me 'Chief'"
Oh Hyun-seok smirks.
"I haven't been called that in a private setting since I was promoted. Calling me that I wonder if you're really the Seo Eun-hyun I know. Shall we find out?"
At that moment, Oh Hyun-seok's aura explodes.
Boom!
The ground upheaves as he stomps.
Instantly, Oh Hyun-seok's figure melds into the earth and vanishes.
But Seo Eun-hyun, with an expressionless face, swings his hand in one direction.
A massive explosion reveals Oh Hyun-seok, who lunges at Seo Eun-hyun with a punch.
Whoosh! Boom!
As the air explodes, Seo Eun-hyun smoothly catches Oh Hyun-seok's punch and moves in close, extending his palm.
But in the next moment, Oh Hyun-seok's body flashes, and he moves above Seo Eun-hyun.
Rumble!
He slams his leg down where Seo Eun-hyun stands.
The ground explodes, and in the next moment, the surroundings turn into a sea of lava.
Flames engulf the sea of lava as Oh Hyun-seok shoots towards Seo Eun-hyun.
Bang Bang Bang!
Each of Oh Hyun-seok's punches carry the power and speed of a mid Nascent Soul!
Seo Eun-hyun, using his Flying Escape Technique, footwork, and sharp energy, dodges Oh Hyun-seok's attacks with all his might.
And, Oh Hyun-seok starts to gather even more power.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Oh Hyun-seok's speed increases.
Now, just his movement alone causes the air to explode, sending shockwaves in all directions.
Gradually, Oh Hyun-seok's punches start to just graze Seo Eun-hyun.
'I'm going to hit, I'm going to hit!'
And finally.
Swoosh!
Oh Hyun-seok's body glows with a five-colored light and suddenly shoots towards Seo Eun-hyun.
And then.
Thump!
His punch 'connects' with Seo Eun-hyun!
Kugugugu!
Seo Eun-hyun is pushed back, crashing into a corner of the wasteland.
"Huff"
Oh Hyun-seok lands on the ground smirking.
"How about that? Do you think I can handle a fight with you now?"
Shhh
Seo Eun-hyun stands up from the large crater created by the impact, dust swirling around him.
Creak.
His arms are broken.
But as he walks out of the dust pit, life force flows into his arms, healing them.
Creak
"...Well, you can indeed keep up with me to some extent now."
He looks at Oh Hyun-seok.
Oh Hyun-seok flinches!
Oh Hyun-seok feels as if hes facing a massive beast, feeling like he is thrown unarmed in front of a tiger as a mere mortal.
His spine chills, and his senses scream in alarm.
Gulp!
'That guy'
"Now, then"
'He's about to use his real power.'
"I'll fight you properly."
With those words, Seo Eun-hyun forms his hand into a knife-edge and takes a stance.
The next moment.
He swings his hand blade horizontally.
Swoosh!
"!!!"
Oh Hyun-seok, feeling a life-threatening crisis, hurriedly ducks.
At the same time, he catches a glimpse of the ground he had lifted and the mountains he had caused to rise being sliced horizontally behind him.
From now on, it seems I can use my techniques.
Seo Eun-hyun smiles.
However, Oh Hyun-seok does not feel that its a smile in the emotional sense.
Rather, its more like a predator that has found its target, baring its teeth at the prey.
Flash!
Oh Hyun-seok quickly enters the world of intent to see Seo Eun-hyun's attack.
His understanding of intent had deepened, allowing him to see both blue and red lines simultaneously.
But in the next moment, Oh Hyun-seok despaired.
I can't dodge it!
Around Seo Eun-hyun, thousands, millions of trajectories are freely changing and swooping down on him.
And those trajectories, imbued with the five-colored energy of his body refining method, shoots towards Oh Hyun-seok.
Booom!
Sword trajectories rampage in all directions.
Within the world of intent, Oh Hyun-seok can hear the name of the technique Seo Eun-hyun is using through intent.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.
Landscape Painting!
If I can't dodge it!
Then don't dodge!
Crack!
Starlight Force swirls around Oh Hyun-seok's body.
Simultaneously, starlight emanates from Oh Hyun-seok's skin, making his insides appear translucent.
However, what is visible inside Oh Hyun-seok are not muscles, blood, bones, or organs.
Its a starry sky!
A celestial domain, resembling the universe, is operating inside Oh Hyun-seok's body under certain laws.
For an instant, Oh Hyun-seok transforms as if he personifies night itself.
Clang, clang, clang!
Numerous trajectories hit Oh Hyun-seok's body, but they fail to penetrate him.
"Is that all?"
Bang!
Oh Hyun-seok kicks off the ground, charging at Seo Eun-hyun while intercepting the trajectories.
Flash!
His fist is encircled with the blue light of the Azure Spirit Striking Origin Technique.
Oh Hyun-seok concentrates, staring at Seo Eun-hyun.
Every trajectory is dangerous if not countered by the activation of Starlight Protecting Void Body. My physical strength is at the Nascent Soul stage in my bare state without activating Starlight Protecting Void Body, meaning each thread is potentially lethal even for a Nascent Soul cultivator.
Whoosh!
Oh Hyun-seok frowns.
But activating Starlight Protecting Void Body is too draining. I must finish this quickly!
Flash!
Oh Hyun-seok arrives in front of Seo Eun-hyun, raising his fist.
"Come on, this isnt all you have, is it? Seo Eun-hyun!
Seo Eun-hyun smiles.
"Very well, then"
At that moment, Oh Hyun-seok feels a chilling sensation and hastily stops his punch towards Seo Eun-hyun, retreating instead.
Simultaneously, dark entities surge around Seo Eun-hyun.
The ground around them begins to decay.
Thousands of curse spells, filled with venom, surround Seo Eun-hyun.
"Shall we try a cultivation method?"
"Hahaha Damn you."
Oh Hyun-seok grins.
'All this time, it wasnt a cultivation method?'
The thousands of curse spells, like tentacles, target Oh Hyun-seok.
"Yin Soul Ghost Incantation."
Swish!
Several curse spells latch onto Oh Hyun-seok's legs.
Simultaneously, Oh Hyun-seok feels his legs become several times heavier.
'Ugh!'
Flash!
As he concentrates starlight, the curse spells disperse, and his legs return to normal. But Oh Hyun-seok realizes.
'If Im hit by all those thousands of curse spells'
Defeat is inevitable without even thinking!
"Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea."
Whoosh!
The river of curse spells around Seo Eun-hyun, like tentacles, form a diagram and start to create a forest around him.
A forest of decayed ancient trees made of curse spells fill the area.
The ancient trees vibrate in unison, amplifying Seo Eun-hyun's curse spells and launching thousands of curse spells at Oh Hyun-seok.
"Haha, merely annoying!"
Kugugugu!
Oh Hyun-seok laughs heartily, clenching his fist and striking the air violently.
The blue energy imbued in his fist detonates, neutralizing the curse spells.
However, Seo Eun-hyun begins forming hand seals.
Kugugugu!
Inside the forest of decayed ancient trees, wooden puppets identical to Seo Eun-hyun begin to emerge.
Crack, crackle!
As Seo Eun-hyun raises his hand towards the wooden puppets, strange circuits begin to form above them.
Seo Eun-hyun's puppet circuits!
Kugugugu!
Simultaneously, the puppets, all fifteen of them, begin to emit a Nascent Soul stage level of aura.
Click, click, click!
The puppets open their mouths in unions.
Curse energy gathers towards the mouths of the puppets.
Oh Hyun-seok instinctively knows.
This cant be dodged.
Then, I just have to fight back!
Crackle!
In the state of activating Starlight Protecting Void Body, Oh Hyun-seok clenches both fists.
Flash!
Blue wings sprout from his back.
One pair, two pairs, three pairs...
And then four pairs!
"Azure Wing Heavenly Shatter!"
Oh Hyun-seok, adorned with a total of eight wings, looks down at Seo Eun-hyun and smiles.
"Take this!"
Kugugugu!
Seo Eun-hyun's expression changes.
The spiritual energy between heaven and earth fluctuates.
And then, Seo Eun-hyun laughs as if its absurd, murmuring.
"A strike at the Heavenly Being stage?"
With that, light explodes, engulfing everything in a flash.
Seo Eun-hyun's puppets and Oh Hyun-seok's Azure Wing Heavenly Shatter collide!
Oh Hyun-seok gasps for air.
Cough!
He coughs up blood.
"What is this?"
Seo Eun-hyun is in front of him.
And Seo Eun-hyun, though slightly scorched and injured, is much more intact than Oh Hyun-seok.
"Why, did I get, injured by, my own attack?"
"Chief Oh has never fought a curse sorcerer before. During our fight, I collected your blood and fed it to the generals I created earlier. Since you attacked the cursed puppets yourself, you must have felt the backlash."
"Is that so."
"Still, Chief, you have indeed grown a lot. For me to be pushed to this extent, it's been a really long time since anyone besides Master"
"Shut up!"
Oh Hyun-seok yells.
"It isnt 'Chief'!"
He stands up, gasping for breath.
"Have you forgotten the times you called me 'Hyung'? Stop pretending like you don't know me all of a sudden, it's annoying!"
As he gathers his energy.
Crackle!
Four wings sprout from his left half.
"Azure Wing Heavenly Shatter strikes twice!"
Seo Eun-hyun has a bitter expression as he prepares himself.
Kuaguanguang!
A strike that Seo Eun-hyun described as of the Heavenly Being stage, the Azure Wing Heavenly Shatter, is launched at him again.
And once more, a forest made of curse spells rise behind Seo Eun-hyun.
Seo Eun-hyun chants as he takes the Starting Form.
"White Orchid Blessing Incantation."
Flash!
The curse spells all reverse at once, blossoming into white orchids (magnolias), enhancing Seo Eun-hyuns energy.
In the world of intent, Seo Eun-hyuns ultimate technique resonates once more.
Treading Heaven, Formless Sword!
Slash!
That is the end.
""
Oh Hyun-seok's Azure Wing Heavenly Shatter is split in two and explodes on both sides behind Seo Eun-hyun.
Seo Eun-hyun remains unharmed.
"Thank you for the impressive duel. Now"
And then.
Oh Hyun-seok shouts.
"Not yet!"
Rumble!
Energy boils from Oh Hyun-seok's body.
"It's not over yet!"
Oh Hyun-seok opens a storage scroll, pulling something out.
Its a water pouch.
From the pouch came a liquid with a sacred golden glow.
"Light Spirit Sacred Water!? With that amount, the cost would be astronomical"
Simultaneously, Oh Hyun-seok's eyes light up.
"This life force fits me quite well. And you know what?"
Rumble!
Dark clouds begin to gather in the sky.
Seo Eun-hyun twitches at the sight.
"Wait, what are you doing?"
"Today!"
Oh Hyun-seok shouts with shining eyes.
"I've decided to beat you!"
Kugugugu!
His energy amplifies.
Simultaneously, blue lightning strikes from the sky.
And next to the blue lightning, golden lightning falls.
Two-Colored Heavenly Lightning!
For someone who has reached the peak of Core Formation to face Heavenly Lightning again means they are challenging the Nascent Soul stage.
Crackle!
Oh Hyun-seok, struck by the two bolts of lightning, begins to walk step by step towards Seo Eun-hyun.
"This is dangerous, madness! Don't come closer, sit down and use your methods!"
However, Oh Hyun-seok pays no heed and continues slowly walking towards Seo Eun-hyun.
Rumble, rumble, rumble!
The ground is torn apart by the Heavenly Lightning, and the earth turns to glass.
Yet, within that tremendous Heavenly Punishment, Oh Hyun-seok manages to reach Seo Eun-hyun.
Seo Eun-hyun grits his teeth.
"Is that your resolve."
Seo Eun-hyun takes his stance.
"Ill go again."
Oh Hyun-seok remains silent.
He simply gathers his strength amidst the Heavenly Lightning.
"White Orchid Blessing Incantation."
Above Seo Eun-hyun's body, the Mad Lords circuits stretch out.
At the same time, the power of the White Orchid Blessing Incantation amplifies his strength.
He grasps an invisible Formless Sword, exerting his power to the utmost and taking the Starting Form.
Flash!
Behind Seo Eun-hyun, three wings sprout.
"I, too, am a disciple of the master. Naturally I can use it. I just chose not to display it until now."
Crackle!
The blue energy gathers in Seo Eun-hyun's hand, mixing with the Formless Sword, becoming even sharper.
As Oh Hyun-seok raises his fist amidst the Heavenly Lightning, Seo Eun-hyun's eyes flutter.
Purple?
Oh Hyun-seok's body is boiling in a purplish hue.
For the first time, Seo Eun-hyun has a moment of confusion.
What is that?
It cannot be cut.
After reaching Treading Heavens Beyond the Path, Seo Eun-hyun gained absolute confidence.
His Formless Sword can cut through anything.
There were things it couldnt cut, but that was only due to a lack of strength from Seo Eun-hyun himself.
In theory, there is nothing his sword cannot cut.
But for the first time, Seo Eun-hyun feels confused.
It cant be cut!
What is before him is clearly uncuttable!
It feels like, a distant chaos.
Can his sword cut through chaos?
Seo Eun-hyun questions his sword for a moment.
Then, his eyes light up as he looks at Oh Hyun-seok.
Even if it's something incomprehensible, it's being wielded by only the human, Oh Hyun-seok. Then
Seo Eun-hyun's eyes envision thousands, billions of trajectories between him and Oh Hyun-seok.
I will find the weakest point, no matter what!
Behind Oh Hyeon-seok, five pairs of wings sprout from Oh Hyeon-seok's back.
They are purple wings.
"Primordial Chaos, Heavenly Shatter!"
Rumble!
Oh Hyun-seok thrusts his fist!
The purplish energy shoots towards Seo Eun-hyun.
Simultaneously, Seo Eun-hyun swings his Formless Sword.
"Severing Mountain!"
Swoosh!
Tens of thousands of slashes extend towards Oh Hyun-seok.
The white slashes and the purple punches collide!
Kugugugugu!
White and purple!
The two colors seem to split the entirety of heavens and earth for a moment.
And then, the purple begins to gradually overpower the white light.
The white sword slashes begin to break apart.
The purple storm advances forward!
Just as the purple storm is about to completely devour the white!
Boom!
The Heavenly Tribulation striking Oh Hyun-seok finally ceases.
Oh Hyun-seok has risen to Nascent Soul!
Flash!
The light between heaven and earth shines momentarily on Oh Hyun-seok, strengthening his momentum!
However, at the same time, the aura of Primordial Chaos surrounding Oh Hyun-seok also fades away.
"Hurghaaaaah!"
Kugugugugu!
Nascent Soul stage!
Finally reaching the Nascent Soul stage, Oh Hyun-seok infuses even more power into his fist.
However.
As soon as the purple disappeared, the white light began to devour Oh Hyun-seok's territory again.
Oh Hyun-seok's domain is cut into chunks by the white slashes, shrinking rapidly.
"Taaaaaaaaght!"
And finally!
Boom!
The two domains explode in a flash.
Hissssss
At the area where Oh Hyeon-seok and Seo Eun-hyun stood, a gigantic crater spanning a radius of thirty li had formed.
A true natural disaster!
At the center of the natural disaster.
There stands two people.
"Haha, damn it."
""
"Tough guy."
Oh Hyun-seok chuckles.
Seo Eun-hyun is covered in blood.
It seems he too had poured much into that last strike!
The two men gasp for breath.
However, five wings still remain on Oh Hyun-seok's left half.
"Azure Wing Heavenly Shatter has two strikes. But you've poured everything into the last strike."
""
"If I land this on you, I win."
Seo Eun-hyun coughs up a mouthful of blood.
"If you hit, that is."
"You think I can't?"
Seo Eun-hyun looks at Oh Hyun-seok with clear eyes.
Oh Hyun-seok likewise looks back at him with eyes full of clarity and confidence.
No more words are needed.
The two charge at each other.
Swoosh!
Seo Eun-hyun grasps the transparent void in his hand.
His eyes shimmer with radiance.
'The exchange just now was clearly in my favor.'
Oh Hyun-seok must have suffered deeper internal injuries!
'With Endless Mountains beyond Mountains, my Formless Sword can be used with its full power regardless of my condition. If I use Endless Mountains before Mountains before Chief Oh hits me'
Flash!
Oh Hyun-seok's fist and Seo Eun-hyun's ultimate move collide once more!
The explosion isn't as massive as before.
Oh Hyun-seok said that Azure Wing Heavenly Shatter had one strike left, but he too had poured a significant amount of his energy into the previous strike.
The explosion is smaller.
However, within that smaller explosion, the two exchange numerous intents, attempting counterattacks.
'I will win!'
Seo Eun-hyun's eyes shine, blocking Oh Hyun-seok's intent.
Without needing to apply anything beyond Five Energies Converging to the Origin, just pressing at the level of Three Flowers Gather at the Summit, Oh Hyun-seok, who can only see two colors, is beneath him!
Oh Hyun-seok grits his teeth.
'I'm being pushed back.'
Is this how I lose?
'So it seems.'
Oh Hyun-seok resigns himself.
Seo Eun-hyun is an opponent who will require a greater cultivation to defeat, even after reaching the Nascent Soul stage.
It even feels like he hasn't used his full strength yet.
If he really used dirty and vile methods, and it wasn't a 'spar' but a 'battle,' Oh Hyun-seok would have died several times over.
'It's a pity. I just wanted to know why you changed like that.'
And then.
The next moment, blue and red lines begin to overlap in Oh Hyun-seok's eyes.
'!?'
The two colors create a color that Oh Hyun-seok has never seen before in the world of intent.
Purple!
A purple thread exists between Oh Hyun-seok and Seo Eun-hyun.
And through the purple thread, Oh Hyun-seok feels he can somewhat understand Seo Eun-hyun's intentions.
Simultaneously, he can also feel a bit of Seo Eun-hyun's hidden concerns.
Following the purple line, Oh Hyun-seok gathers all his strength and swings his other hand towards Seo Eun-hyun's blind spot.
Simultaneously!
Boom!
For the first time, Oh Hyun-seok's fist hits Seo Eun-hyun's 'unprotected' face!
"Seo Eun-hyun!"
Crack, crackle!
Seo Eun-hyun's slight complacency, having perceived Oh Hyun-seok's martial realm to be merely at the pinnacle, allowed Oh Hyun-seok's punch through!
"I have!"
Crackle!
Oh Hyeon-seok's fist gathers starlight, blue light, and the light of five elements.
Simultaneously, Seo Eun-hyeon's face begins to distort.
"Won!!!"
Boom!!!
Seo Eun-hyun's head explodes!
His head shattered, Seo Eun-hyun slumps powerlessly, as if his neck had vanished.
After decades in this world.
This is the moment Oh Hyeon-seok's fist, which trained trained solely to be Seo Eun-hyeons equal, defeated him.
Chiiiiii
Wiggle, wiggle
Seo Eun-hyun's head, having reached Core Formation Grand Perfection, begins to regenerate.
Thump!
Seo Eun-hyun sprawls on the ground.
"Phew that was tough."
"Congratulations on reaching Three Flowers Gather at the Summit."
Seo Eun-hyun, regenerating his face, said while looking up at the sky.
"Thank you. Yes, at the last moment, feeling your intent helped me understand a bit. Something only someone like me, your colleague, not even our master, could understand."
Oh Hyun-seok, with mixed emotions, asks.
"Do you not know who I am?"
"Haha."
Seo Eun-hyun laughs.
Drip
Tears flow from his eyes.
"I know, who you are. Chief Oh Hyun-seok no, Senior Brother Oh, how good of a person you are. How kind and trustworthy you are."
Seo Eun-hyun continues.
"I know you're a good person. That's why I couldn't tell you until now. Senior brother Oh, I don't remember who you are. I can hardly remember most of what happened before."
Covering his face with his hand, Seo Eun-hyun smiles bitterly.
"It might be dementia."
I've always known Senior Brother Oh is a good person.
But because of that.
Because I have faint memories of receiving warm words from that person long ago and building good memories with them,
I couldn't properly speak to Oh Hyun-seok.
Now, I hardly remember anything from before the first cycle.
I can't remember what world I came from.
I can't remember what I used to do.
I can't remember what kind of relationships I had with my colleagues.
My memories are gradually sinking further down.
That's why I've been pushing Oh Hyun-seok away, keeping a cold and indifferent demeanor whenever he tries to talk to me.
Talking to him would only make me more aware that I no longer remember the good moments we shared.
I couldn't stand the feeling of emptiness, as if my roots had disappeared, eating away at my mind.
So, I kept my distance from Oh Hyun-seok as much as possible.
"I'm sorry, Senior Brother Oh."
Thump, thump, thump!
And then, as I lay fallen, Oh Hyun-seok walks towards me.
"It's alright."
Oh Hyun-seok helps me up.
"Now that you know, we can slowly figure it out, can't we?"
He smiles warmly.
"From today, call me Hyun-seok Hyung. Together, we'll find a way for you to regain your memories."
"Yes, Hyung."
I respond, looking at Oh Hyeon-seok, who now smiles as heartily as Azure Tiger Saint, our master.
-x-X-x-
What is memory?
Though there are many definitions, what I've felt is that memory is a kind of 'root.'
There are various things that can sustain a person, but among them, 'memory' is something special.
I feel empty,
'Was it the first return, or the second...?'
I don't remember clearly what came before.
When I first died,
Someone seemed to have taken care of me.
Was it the son of the Kang family, or the granddaughter of the Ju family?
Memories of dying of old age are gradually submerged and eroded by the flow of time.
Naturally, the memories before that were the same.
Perhaps, the thousand years I was captured by the Mad Lord were the biggest problem.
Until then, I could still somewhat withstand it.
But then, trapped inside a puppet, enduring a thousand years just to control that puppet.
My soul must have been too greatly eroded.
What I somewhat remember about my first life is the time spent with Kim Young-hoon and Kim Yeon. Both had been with me for nearly a thousand years each.
'But I can't seem to remember anyone else.'
If I were to forget, I should forget everything. Why forget only vaguely?
'Why does this vague memory of that person being good remain, making me feel this way.'
I replenish my spent vital and essence blood by drinking a sip of Light Spirit Sacred water given by Oh Hyun-seok.
With the water full of vitality from the Light Spirit Pond, my head, which had burst open instantly, is completely healed.
"Let's go back now."
He said.
"...Yes."
I stand up, holding Oh Hyun-seok's hand.
That's when it happened.
Flash!
The sky flickers, and a blue dim light flies towards us.
Its Cheongmun Gyu.
"You crazy people! What have you done here!?"
"Ah... We were sparring?"
At Oh Hyun-seok's words, Cheongmun Gyus face contorts with anger.
"What were you planning to do if the Mad Lord noticed all this commotion!"
I look at Cheongmun Gyu and say,
"Don't worry. The Mad Lord's gaze will absolutely not reach here."
"What? What makes you say that!?"
Of course, its because I had worked for a thousand years in the Mad Lord's fortress and knew all about the detection range of the Mad Lord and the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.
Of course, saying something like this might get me treated as a madman or tortured as a spy, so I had to be careful.
"Do you know about the Mad Lord's puppets?"
I draw the designs of the Mad Lord's puppets on the ground, showing their internal circuits and mechanisms, and slowly explain them to Cheongmun Gyu.
"Once, when I was in the lower realm, I dismantled the remains left by the Mad Lord's puppets. I had also seen the remnants of the Mad Lord's puppets in the Cold Spirit Race before. Based on that, I analyzed them..."
As my detailed explanation about the puppets continues, Cheongmun Gyu, as if having a headache, frowns and waves his hand.
"Alright, I get it. Let's assume it's as you say, but just in case, be careful. This area is not the Human Territory, but the domain of other races. You might accidentally provoke other races!"
"Yes, we'll be cautious."
Oh Hyun-seok and I bow to senior brother Cheongmun Gyu and then return to the base camp of the expedition.
It soon became night.
Flash!
I went to the place where I drew the circuits and closed my eyes.
Below, a long circuit leading to the Mad Lord's Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress was drawn.
Drawing the circuit and imbuing it with spiritual energy took about 6 months.
However, connecting the circuit to the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress without it noticing and gradually seizing control of the fortress took over 4 years.
Pchhhhhght!
"Still, it's finally over."
The circuits that took a thousand years to control in the past.
My body is so accustomed to the circuits of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress it felt like the circuits were engraved in my memory and soul.
Sizzle!
Oh Hyun-seok approaches me, whos concentrating on the circuits late into the night.
"...First off, can you tell me how much you remember?"
"..."
After a moment of silence, I open my mouth.
Until now, I had been afraid to speak out for fear of being caught, but now that its revealed that I have no memory, I feel relieved.
"I somewhat remember Director Kim Young-hoon and Team Leader Kim Yeon."
"Is that so..."
Beyond that, not much else, I'm afraid. I'm sorry."
"No, what do you have to be sorry for?"
He sighs and sits down beside me.
"...Since I didn't know you were like this... from now on, I will also look for spirit medicines or scriptures that might help with your memory."
"...Thank you."
"And."
Oh Hyun-seok looks at me.
"It was when I rose to the Nascent Soul stage, but I'll tell you in case it might help you."
"What kind of help?"
"When I rose to the Nascent Soul stage and was forming the Nascent Soul in my body, I saw something like a swift review of my life."
"A swift review of your life?"
"Yes, all the moments of my life flashed by quickly in front of my eyes. If this happens commonly during the breakthrough to the Nascent Soul stage, perhaps you can also see something like this and have a chance to recover some memories?"
"...I see."
My eyes light up.
If what he said is true, reaching the Nascent Soul stage can possibly cure this loss of memory.
"Thank you very much. For now, I will cultivate further with the goal of reaching the Nascent Soul stage."
It surely wouldn't take another thousand years to enter the Nascent Soul stage, no matter how late.
After reaching the Core Formation stage, my lifespan increased to just over 600 years, so I should be able to reach Nascent Soul stage within that time.
If Oh Hyun-seok's words are true, reaching the Nascent Soul stage can give me a bit of hope.
Of course, for now, let's first make contact with Kim Yeon.
Wo-woong!
After focusing my mind and wrestling control over a small part of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress without it noticing,
I look around various places of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress through the eyes of one of the fortress's puppets.
If it's where Kim Yeon is staying, then
Bo-oong!
I move a puppet bee and enter the interior of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, finding the inner garden within the fortress.
And finally.
Found her!
Bo-oong!
Far away, I see Kim Yeon, wearing pink attire, staring blankly at the ceiling.
I first read the overall flow of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.
The massive flow of mimicking-intent and madness pervading throughout the entire fortress.
And this flow is gathering towards the direction of the Mad Lord's workshop.
The Mad Lord is currently in the workshop, then
I land in front of her as the puppet bee.
Kim Yeon looks blankly at the puppet bee.
I look at her haggard face for a moment and then move my consciousness.
Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon, activate.
Wo-woong!
My consciousness, which has taken control of the puppet bee, moves.
The Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon is a method I mastered long ago.
According to the final form of the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon, my consciousness begins to unravel.
Ssssss!
My consciousness unravels like threads, similar to Kim Yeon's consciousness.
It looks similar to the consciousness of mortals, but while the intent of mortals each have its color, the threads of intent from the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon are all transparent, like the realm of consciousness.
"Uh...?"
She flinches as the essence of consciousness bursts forth from the bee puppet.
Before she can react, I connect my threads of consciousness to hers through the bee puppet.
"What is this..."
Yeon-ah.
Then, I speak to her through my threads of consciousness.
"...?"
It worked.
So now, I will come to meet you.
Flash!
I raise a Gang Sphere next to me in the void.
A mental clone, which my consciousness had previously separated, stands beside me.
I infuse the Gang Sphere into the circuits of the Mad Lord.
Tsssssss!
The Gang Sphere moves quickly through the circuits towards the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, and upon reaching the fortress, it settles into the bee puppet I control.
And then, 'I' appeared before Kim Yeon's eyes.
Wo-woong!
To the naked eye, it looks just like a spherical mass of energy.
However, to her, who knows how to handle consciousness, the true form of the Gang Sphere should be visible.
...Have you been well?
I ask through the Gang Sphere, conveying my heart language.
And then, she begins to cry.
Creak, creak...
Her left hand had been modified into a puppet arm.
'I even pleaded with him, yet he still went ahead and modified her to this extent.'
Wo-woong!
Her current realm is at the level of Grand Perfection Core Formation, the same as mine.
In a previous life, I vaguely remember she had already surpassed the Nascent Soul stage by now. It seems in this life, she hasn't reached it yet, probably because I wasn't there to protect her from the madness of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress and assist her with the interpretation of the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon.
"Wh-what is this..."
Quiet. The Mad Lord might hear. Vibrate your consciousness and infuse it into the illusion of me in front of you. Imagine placing a thin thread in front of you, and blow your voice into that thread.
I slowly explain the intricacies of the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon to her, helping her to communicate through consciousness.
[...Eun-hyun, Oppa...?]
Thats right, it's me.
I speak with a bitter smile.
Sorry for being late.
[Ah....]
"Uh..."
She couldn't hold back her vocalized cry and wept, shedding tears.
Thud!
Kim Yeon sits down, covering her face with her puppet arm, and continues to cry.
...I'm nearby right now. I've sent a consciousness clone to you from nearby, so is it possible for you to come out of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress at this moment?
[Yes, I can come out. But if I go beyond 100 li from the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, Heavenly Being stage puppets will attach themselves to me as surveillance.]
Then that's settled. Bring the Heavenly Being stage puppets and come out first.
Upon hearing my words, her face noticeably brightens.
Let's meet again after a long time. Come to the place I'm telling you about. First...
Crackle...
The connection through the Mad Lord's circuits are cut off.
Connecting any further to the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress might cause it to detect us.
"...Hyun-seok Hyung."
"What is it?"
I get up and say,
"I've made contact with Team Leader Kim Yeon."
"Oh, really?"
"Yes, she plans to come to the wasteland where we fought. Would you like to meet her too, Hyun-seok Hyung?"
"Of course, it's an old colleague we're talking about!"
Together with Oh Hyun-seok, we head back to the wasteland where we previously sparred.
I look up at the sky.
A large moon is illuminating the sky.
'How strange.'
This Bright Cold Realm is supposed to be much larger than the Head Realm.
Just thinking about it casually made my head spin, but how can there be a moon floating in the sky?
'Maybe, that's not really a moon.'
I stare at the moon, lost in thought for a moment.
And then.
Flash!
From a distance, I feel the presence of puppets coming this way.
'As soon as the puppets arrive, Ill suppress their puppet circuits.
If the puppets are detached from the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, I can quickly suppress their circuits.
Whether the puppets are of the Nascent Soul or Heavenly Being stage, in front of me, who had handled the Mad Lord's circuits for a thousand years, they are greatly countered.
However, seeing Kim Yeon surrounded by puppets coming towards us, I sense something off.
'Why is the color of their intent..'
Shudder!
Then, with all my might I grab Oh Hyun-seok, who is waiting beside me, and dodge to the side.
Sizzle!
Old and wrinkled fingers brush past the space where I had been standing.
And from afar, Kim Yeon shouts with a pale face.
"Run away, Oppa!"
"Hehehe...
A familiar voice is heard.
Crackle, crackle...
An old puppeteer who has reached the Four-Axis stage emerges from the darkness.
"Stepping out of the workshop, I saw my disciple filled with excited intent about going somewhere, thinking of you non-stop in her mind. So, Seo Eun-hyun was it? You've finally come to keep your promise!"
The Mad Lord shouts with eyes filled with emotion.
The nonsensical promise I once made to become Kim Yeon's puppet if I ever visited the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.
Of course, it wasn't sincere, but it seemed the Mad Lord believed it, his eyes filled with anticipation.
Click, click, click!
Several more puppets appear next to the Mad Lord.
Each one is of the Four-Axis stage.
[She], who possesses the utmost power of the Four-Axis stage, also reveals herself beside them.
Oh Hyun-seok's face contorts, and Kim Yeon's face turns pale.
"I've given much thought to what kind of puppet I should transform you into. When I was young, there was such a fairy tale. It was about a prince from another country coming to save a princess from a sorcerer. Seeing you willing to become a puppet without hesitation for my disciple, I thought you were like the prince. How about 'Prince Seo'? Yes, the Crown Prince! I will evolve you into 'Crown Prince Seo'! Don't you like it?"
I calmly observe the situation for a moment and reply.
"Other than General Seo, I don't think anything else is necessary."
And then, I raise one hand.
"Come forth, True Origin General Seo."
Kugugugugugu!
Behind me, a massive figure with a presence rivaling that of the Mad Lord appears.
-x-X-x-
Oh-Ho
The Mad Lord's eyes sparkle with curiosity.
He meticulously examines General Seo, evaluating it.
"Remarkable. You've perfectly reproduced the circuit. However, the materials are a bit lacking. It's a Four-Axis stage puppet, but it's absolutely impossible for it to exhibit the full strength of the Four-Axis stage."
He grins, pointing out various parts of General Seo.
"Firstly, the joints and connecting parts haven't been made properly. With such a design, excessive movement will cause the joints to collapse. And"
The Mad Lord pinpoints General Seo's biggest weakness accurately.
"Most importantly, the power circuit is too weak. It seems you've tried to maximize the power circuit with Light Spirit Sacred Water... but with that, it can't produce the power of a true Four-Axis. At best, it might replicate the strike of a Four-Axis cultivator three or four times? Of course, that in itself is unmatched from the Heavenly Being stage and below, but honestly... it's not a properly made puppet."
I look at the Mad Lord and reply.
"That's not correct."
"Hmm?"
"It's not designed to perform three or four strikes of a Four-Axis cultivator, but rather, it's made to execute only one attack. And"
Kugugugu!
A tremendous force gathers in the right half of General Seo.
Simultaneously, eight azure wings sprout from the back of General Seo's right half.
Wo-woong!
Starlight embeds in General Seo's right arm, and the quintessence of five-colored light envelops him.
Seeing this, Oh Hyun-seok's face is filled with astonishment.
"The, the Eighth Wing!"
Azure Wing Heavenly Shatter, Eighth Wing.
This Four-Axis stage General Seo is designed to unleash a single, ultimate attack reaching the pinnacle of the Four-Axis stage by exhausting all its power.
A puppet that can be made only by someone like me, who has mastered both body refining and puppetry techniques.
That, is True Origin General Seo, the culmination of this lifetime.
Seeing this, the Mad Lord chuckles.
"Amazing. Isn't that the secret technique of Azure Tiger Saint? Hahaha After studying under Azure Tiger Saint, you've managed to create something quite splendid."
I take a moment to look at the Mad Lord.
"Yes, as you can see, I have achieved dazzling growth under Azure Tiger Saint. Currently, I am virtually without equal below the Heavenly Being stage."
"Indeed, if that's the case, you should be able to keep your promise, right?"
"Correct. However, can the same be said for Kim Yeon?"
"Hmm?"
"From what I've seen, although the Mad Lord has also taught Yeon well, there are a few things lacking from my perspective."
Since I've come to meet the Mad Lord.
Let's settle this today.
Right here, right now.
"Huuuuuuuuuuum"
The Mad Lord rolls his eyes and brings his face close to mine.
After scanning my entire body with his gazing eyes for a while, he smiles, showing his teeth.
"What's lacking, you say?"
I swallow.
The Mad Lord's lunacy is on the verge of bursting out.
From now on.
A single wrong word, and I will be modified on the spot.
"She hasn't fully mastered the Great One's methods. As far as I know, the 'Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon' of the Great One is an analysis of human intent from a cultivator's perspective. Am I correct?"
"Yes."
"I studied under Azure Tiger Saint, who reached the stage of 'Three Flowers Gather at the Summit' and is able to see the color of intent."
"Yes, I know that too."
"Then, if Yeon is also taught martial arts, could Yeon not also reach the stage of Three Flowers Gather at the Summit to see the color of intent and further perfect the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon based on that?"
"Martial arts?"
The madness in the Mad Lord's eyes intensifies.
"My disciple practicing martial arts? Why?"
I used the state of Treading Heavens Beyond the Path to control my heart essence so as not to reveal my inner thoughts to the Mad Lord and then took a step back from him.
Then, without a word, I use earth manipulation spells to disturb the ground beside me, creating two clay spears.
A pair of single spears.
Holding the spears, I begin to dance, spinning around.
The dance I initially perform is identical to the posture of the Twin Immortals Dance.
However, the dance that started with the festival dance gradually becomes a martial art as it reveals itself through the path of the single spear.
The Mad Lord's eyes widen as he watches.
The initial stance of the spear technique consists of a total of eight forms.
Holding the two spears, I execute the spear technique from start to finish, pursuing stability, harmony, and integrity.
Crash!
In the final form, the two single spears merge into one, enhancing the final thrust that has continued from the first form.
The final thrust concentrates the power that has been built up from the start of the dance.
That is the last move of this nameless spear technique.
After finishing the spear technique in front of the Mad Lord, I look at him.
And Im startled.
'The look in his eyes...'
Clear!
The Mad Lord's eyes are as clear as the last time I saw them in my previous life.
"...You've shown me something good. Go now."
"Excuse me...?"
"I said go. The memories of that time made my madness recede for a moment. Leave before it returns."
"...Ah..."
I didn't expect it to be this effective.
Oh Hyun-seok, who has been watching from the side, asks curiously.
"Mad Lord elder. If Seo Eun-hyun keeps dancing in front of elder, won't there be no problem?"
"Hehe... That's an interesting point. But all medicine develops resistance if used continuously. It's the same with human consciousness."
The Mad Lord speaks with a bitter expression.
"It might have worked the first time, but after seeing it continuously, it might not work again. Its already miraculous that your dance momentarily awakened my mind just now. That's why I told you to leave."
"...Thank you. Just one thing..."
I ask him seriously.
"I will take Yeon with me. May I?"
At my words, the Mad Lord suddenly clutches his head.
"...That child has... things to do..."
"...Someday, when Yeon has grown enough not to be swayed by you, I will send her back to do what you most desire."
"Ugh... You..."
Madness seems to be rising again.
The Mad Lord asks me with a pained look.
"You... do you know... what I desire?"
I nod calmly.
At my answer, the Mad Lord's pupils contract.
"...Then, let's see... do it..."
As he answers, I grab the arms of Oh Hyun-seok and Kim Yeon through General Seo and quickly fly towards our camp using the Flying Escape Technique.
Whoosh!
Simultaneously, a vast wave of consciousness pulses from the direction of the Mad Lord.
[Whereareyougoingwhereareyougoingwhereareyougoingwhereareyougoing...]
Kugugugugugugugu!
From afar, the bright white radiance emitted by [Her] shines towards us.
Simultaneously, the Mad Lord and [Her] begin to pursue us.
[Keeprunningkeeprunningkeeprunning...]
"Deputy! Just leave me behind and go!"
"It's decided. Hyun-seok Hyung, since the Mad Lord will chase after us, I will throw you towards the campsite. Hyun-seok Hyung, please inform the senior brothers of the current situation and wait at the teleportation array near the Light Spirit Pond."
"O-okay!"
I lift General Seo's arm and throw Oh Hyun-seok towards the camp.
Then, riding on General Seo, we fly crazily through the dense forest to shake off the Mad Lord following us.
'We must not head towards the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress. The area around there will definitely be swarming with his minions. Heading near the Light Spirit Pond is also out of the question. Then, the only way is...'
After pondering the escape route, I determine the optimal path.
"General Seo, activate the Five Elements Enduring Origin Scripture!"
I activate the method through the Five Elements Enduring Origin Scripture circuitry flowing within General Seo.
A quintessence of five-colored light bursts from General Seo's body.
Pfft!
At the same time, General Seo approaches the ground.
Whoosh!
We melt into the ground below with General Seo using earth manipulation.
'Can you follow us underground, Mad Lord?'
Boom!
But before I can even finish my thought.
The ground we just hid under is exposed, and above us appears [Her].
[Did you think you could hide and I couldn't find you, daring to take my disciple...]
Swoosh
Through General Seo, I dive even deeper into the earth with earth escape.
You thought you caught me by digging up the ground instantly?
What will you do if we go deeper?
Boom, boom, boom!
Thus, a strange pursuit continues, with [Her] digging through the ground and [General Seo] using earth escape to hide deeper underground.
Wo-woong!
In the midst of this, I feel the communication device in my bosom vibrating madly.
Its a message from Cheongmun Gyu.
I activate the communication device and reply as if shouting.
"I know you must have many questions, but please, head to the teleportation array near the teleportation site immediately and wait there! We'll be there soon!"
Snap!
I turn off the communication device without listening to his reply and frown upon seeing [Her] and the Mad Lord descending from above.
'Only one chance. I can't miss it.'
A martial art developed by the Greatest under the Heavens for several lifetimes to escape from a cultivator.
Vroom!
The energy of the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts begins to swirl around my formless sword.
'Just this once. Squeeze out all your concentration!'
Boom, boom, boom!
[She] gradually starts to close in.
Boom!
Finally, before General Seo can use earth escape, [She] digs through the dirt and follows right behind General Seo.
And then.
"General Seo! Launch it!"
The precharged attack of Azure Wing Heavenly Shatter through General Seo is activated!
Eight Wings!
Kugugugugu!
An enormous whirl of light is unleashed from General Seo's fist!
[She] tries to avoid it but with her martial prowess at best reaching Five Energies Converging to the Origin, she can't dodge the attack controlled by me, who has reached Beyond the Path to Heavens.
I predict [Her] direction of evasion and extend General Seo's arm towards it.
Kwaang!
An azure brilliance crushes [Her] upper left body and pushes it back towards the Mad Lord behind her!
Kwaang!
The Mad Lord barely dodges, but his consciousness is momentarily shaken.
'Now!'
"General Seo, self-destruct!"
Boom!
I climb on top of General Seo, hug Yeon, and nod.
Upon receiving the signal, General Seo's body swells and finally explodes.
Boom!
Using the blast, I swiftly escape the pit we dug so far.
At the end of the pit, I lock eyes with the Mad Lord, who has just dodged General Seo's attack.
"You..."
Before he can continue,, I utter a sentence towards the Mad Lord.
"Returning in the future, I will ensure Yeon completes Yeons Play. Please bear with it a little longer until then."
"...What?"
At my mention of "Yeons Play," the Mad Lord's pupils shake violently.
Simultaneously, his consciousness is thrown into turmoil.
I seize this opportunity to activate the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon.
Through the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon, I resonate momentarily with the Mad Lord's own Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon, finding the weakest point in his current consciousness.
Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts.
The ultimate.
Endless Path Within the Void!
Boom!
My consciousness focuses to a point.
But this time, the form of concentration is not just a point.
The figure manifested takes the form of a sword.
My Formless Sword, having reached Treading Heavens Beyond the Path!
Compressing this Formless Sword, I aim for the weakest point in the Mad Lord's consciousness as identified through the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon!
Swoosh!
For an instant, a flash of light seems to blaze, and the Mad Lord clutches his head.
[Aaaaah!!!]
It isn't merely due to Endless Path Within the Void.
After concentrating consciousness, I also secretly packed it full of curses.
"Curse, activate!"
Snap!
[Aaaargh!!!]
The difference between the Mad Lord and me is like that between humans and bugs.
But, I am a poisonous bug.
A brief sting might not be fatal but it will cause significant pain.
He clutches his head in pain and screams.
[Chase them, chase them...]
Boom!
Simultaneously, the Four-Axis puppets that the Mad Lord brought with him charge towards me.
I take out the communication device and shout.
"Senior Brother Cheongmun! Is the teleportation array ready..."
[It's ready! Seo Eun-hyun, you rascal, just get here already!]
"Right!"
At the same time, I combine the strength of my body tempered with body cultivation, the speed of Treading Heavens overlaid with Formless Sword, and the power of the Flying Escape Technique, flying crazily towards the teleportation array near the Light Spirit Pond.
Kugugugugu!
A Four-Axis stage puppet, created by the Mad Lord on the first day of ascension and remodeled into a green-armored wooden puppet, flies towards my location.
Kugugugugu!
'It's a critical moment.'
I had been a puppet under the Mad Lord for a thousand years.
I know exactly how a Four-Axis puppet perceives things.
Snap!
Holding my Formless Sword, I adjust its inner workings and lay the Mad Lord's circuits inside it.
Then, I use the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts towards the void.
Swoosh!
For a moment, the Four-Axis puppet fails to find me and looks around confusedly.
"Yuan Yu!"
I seize the opportunity to take out a piece of flesh I previously stored in my bag.
Swish!
The flesh unfolds, revealing a beautiful figure with a strange mix of masculine and feminine characteristics next to me.
"Blood Body Skin Armor!"
Swish!
Yuan Yu's body opens up, covering mine.
Kim Yeon is startled by the sight, but theres no time for explanations.
"Let's go!"
Boom!
Over my Flying Escape Technique, Yuan Yu's Flying Escape Technique is also layered, increasing the speed even further.
It felt for a moment we were getting away from the Four-Axis puppet, but it quickly adjusted its vision and found me again.
'Damn, is this the end?.'
The Mad Lord's puppets contain a semi-autonomous soul, capable of making somewhat independent decisions and are much smarter than typical mechanisms.
Thus, the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts, which slices through consciousness to evade detection, could work.
But even so, a puppet is still a puppet.
Once it starts adjusting on its own, the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts becomes ineffective.
Boom!
A dull green light flickers from behind, trying to catch me.
But, I clench my teeth.
'There, the teleportation array is in sight!'
A city of another race near the Light Spirit Pond.
And beside that city.
A small temple.
Within, there is a teleportation array connecting to the Human Race.
The race had installed the teleportation array outside their city as a precaution against humans appearing directly inside through the array.
'Im rather grateful.. At times like this, unnecessary checkpoints are the last thing I need!'
Flash!
A green light flickers, and the Four-Axis puppet grabs my ankle!!
"Damn it!"
Without hesitation, I cut off my leg, fill it with curses, and fly off again.
Boom!
The curses explode behind, but the Four-Axis puppet, undeterred by such curses, pursues me again.
"Circuit, freeze!"
Boom!
As I form a hand seal, commands used in the Mad Lord's circuits, which I had embedded within the curse, pours out and momentarily halts the Four-Axis puppet's movement.
'I can keep it stopped for about 10 seconds.'
Woong!
I burn through my cultivation achievements within my Golden Core, increasing the speed of my Flying Escape Technique.
'5 seconds left!'
Kwaang!
I plummet towards the front of the temple and enter inside.
Inside the temple, the teleportation array is brightly lit, and Cheongmun Gyu is preparing to activate it.
"Senior brother! Activate it!"
'4 seconds.'
Tatat!
I arrive inside the teleportation array, holding Yeon.
'3 seconds.'
Boom!
The teleportation array activates, and a barrier that separates the inside and outside of the array is formed.
'2 seconds.'
Woong!
The formation diagram beneath the teleportation array begins to rotate, connecting to another teleportation array on the opposite side.
'1 second...!'
Wo-woong!
"Teleportation array, activate!"
We are engulfed in light.
Pa-aatt!
And then.
Green light flashes before my eyes, and the arm of the Four-Axis green-armored wooden puppet breaks through the teleportation array's barrier, firmly grasping my head!
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