"Indeed, you were not wrong, Seo Eun-hyun."
After accepting the Military Commander Hyeon Woon and the remnants of the Human Race, I start a conversation with Oh Hyun-seok as we watch more remnants come in.
Oh Hyun-seok looks quite haggard at the moment.
"I also tried... to stop this unreasonable massacre of the Devil Race... but after hearing that it could disadvantage the Azure Heaven Creation Sect, I was unable to continue through with it. However... you were different. You chose the right path and saw it through to the end."
"It was nothing more than not letting go of my irresponsible stubbornness"
"That stubbornness has now returned to us as hope. Thank you for holding on."
I give a bitter smile.
"I just... did what is obvious.
"In modern society, all the goodness, peace, and common sense that were considered obvious are seen as utterly insignificant in this world. That 'obviousness' is never truly obvious."
"Is that so..."
Oh Hyun-seok suddenly trembles, asking,
"Wait, didn't you say you couldn't remember?"
"Ah, about the memory..."
I smile.
"I've finally recovered them all."
"Heh..."
He smiles.
"Hahahaha! Yes, that's right."
Bang, Kwang!
Like Azure Tiger Saint, he heartily pats my shoulder and exclaims.
"Finally... you're back, Seo Eun-hyun!"
I smile back at him.
"Yes, Hyung-nim."
"Good, very good. This is truly moving."
He grins and laughs heartily.
And after a while,
The smile gradually fades from his face.
"...It's good that at least you've regained your memory."
"...Yes."
"With Kim Yeon in this state, it's really fortunate that you've recovered your memory."
We look with bitter faces towards Kim Yeon, who is sitting in the back.
"Eh, ehehehe..."
In the middle of blocking an attack from the Blood Yin Realms Esteemed One, Kim Yeon was said to have suffered a tremendous mental restraint on her consciousness during the process. As a result, she is in a mentally impaired state until the restraint is lifted.
'That vast consciousness... completely suppressed and sealed.'
It's somewhat similar to the effect of the Five Elements Blood Curse Banner, but much more sophisticated and superior.
I tried to release her restraint, but the level of the seal was so absurd that even my mind was at risk of being swallowed by it.
'To unlock a restraint of this magnitude, perhaps the Mad Lord himself will have to come.'
Unless he brings the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress directly and shakes the restriction using the madness it contains, she won't be able to regain her consciousness.
'It's definitely in the same category as the Five Elements Blood Curse Banner...'
The spell is deeply embedded in her consciousness, weakening and shrinking it before sealing it.
However, if she can overcome the mental restriction on her own, it might be possible to soften and assimilate it for her own use.
I estimate that its power will be much greater than my Five Elements Blood Curse Banner.
'Of course, that's if she can break out of the seal.'
Hoping for her to break out of the mental restriction on her own under the current circumstances is too unrealistic.
Itd be more realistic to defeat the Star Shattering Esteemed One who imposed the mental restriction on her and learn the method to undo it.
The level of mental restriction imposed on her is just that much beyond imagination.
I approach Kim Yeon to observe the seal again.
'The principles of the Five Elements, the Eight Trigrams, and even the concept of Taiji are incorporated. Moreover, the distinctive malicious and bizarre nature of the Blood Yin Realm is also mixed into the mental seal.'
I can interfere using the Five Elements Blood Curse Banner, Yin Soul Ghost Incantation, Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon, and the heart language of Beyond the Path, but to actually undo the restraint through such interference will take about 100 years.
'Actually, this mental restriction is more of an offensive spell.'
In my view, this mental restriction is a curse that disperses the consciousness and damages the soul, killing even a Four-Axis stage cultivator on impact.
It is only precisely because Kim Yeon's consciousness is several orders of magnitude larger than her peers that the curse acted merely as a seal.
Her extraordinary ability made the curse, intended as an offensive spell, only have the effect of a mental restriction.
'Soon, I will have to face the Star Shattering Esteemed One who launched such an attack on Kim Yeon.'
Esteemed One.
That title is not to be taken lightly in the Bright Cold Realm, the True Devil Realm, the Blood Yin Realm, and numerous Middle Realms.
Excluding those at the Entering Nirvana stage, who are akin to mythic beings, the pinnacle of all Middle Realms ultimately lies with the Sacred Vessel cultivators and the Star Shattering stage is just below them.
From the Star Shattering stage onwards, one is practically a deity.
Even I shudder with unspeakable terror whenever I remember the strike from the Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One, Jang Ik.
'Even the fearsome Mad Lord was defeated in battle against a Star Shattering Esteemed One.'
And that was just a clone sent from a far dimension, not his true body.
'Can we win...'
I clench my teeth.
There is too much doubt within me.
Oh Hyun-seok approaches me with a somewhat gloomy expression.
"By the way, Seo Eun-hyun."
"Yes, please speak."
"After seeing the third color last time, I was able to see countless more colors. The more I focus on it, the more colors I can see."
He continues.
"And at some point, I had the thought that I might be able to 'combine' these colors. If I can combine them... I feel like I might be able to fight in an even higher realm."
"..."
"I feel like you might know about that state. Could you tell me if I'm heading in the right direction?"
"Heh..."
I chuckle softly while looking at Oh Hyun-seok.
Incredible.
Could it be that he's already trying to step into the realm of Five Energies Converging to the Origin?
'He might not be specialized in martial arts... but he's not bad at it either.'
Not a freak talent like Kim Young-hoon, but he seems genuinely gifted in martial arts.
'Just how far can Oh Hyun-seok's martial arts talent go.'
He can't match Kim Young-hoon.
But can he reach the Ultimate Pinnacle if trained?
Kurung, Kururung...
I look far away.
The red hue in the sky has been deepening for the past few days.
According to Hyeon Woon, it's a celestial phenomenon occurring because the Left Hand of the Blood Yin Esteemed One is approaching this side.
The Blood Yin Esteemed One is expected to arrive here within three days.
Then.
'It wouldn't be bad to strengthen our forces as much as possible before then.'
I decide to help Oh Hyun-seok fully reach the realm of Five Energies Converging to the Origin.
Helping him establish the enlightenment of Five Energies Converging to the Origin wasnt difficult.
He had already realized all intents, understanding that there are no boundaries to all intents, reaching the pinnacle of Three Flowers Gather at the Summit.
'All that's left is to integrate intent and evolve the consciousness into one, leading to the realm of Five Energies Converging to the Origin.'
Honestly, there was no need to worry.
He had literally achieved all the required enlightenment.
'The only slight concern is the spiritual roots, but even that isn't really a big issue considering what I've studied.'
In the Human Race, there had been research on complete transformation and the realm of Five Energies Converging to the Origin.
Martial arts themselves had no room for evolution in this world, but by trying various body refining methods in a similar manner, many methods were developed that produced results similar to martial arts through convergent evolution.
The Mysterious Bizarre Innate Heart Canon is also among these categories.
Furthermore, the realm of Five Energies Converging to the Origin and Complete Transformation akin to metamorphosis were results of the Human Race researching 'demon beast methods.'
Demon beast methods require cultivators to continuously undergo complete transformation, and in the process, many demon beast methods forcibly create Five Elements Spiritual Roots by accepting the Five Elements Spiritual Energy, similar to Five Energies Converging to the Origin.
Such demon beast methods that create Spiritual Roots in this way are almost never learned by the Heaven Tribe.
This is because if one obtains Five Elements Spiritual Roots through Five Energies Converging to the Origin, a cultivator with Heavenly Spiritual Roots will turn into Mixed Spiritual Roots.
It's a dreadful affair for those with Heavenly Spiritual Roots as it means a degradation in their cultivation qualities.
To prevent such dreadful outcomes, the process of obtaining Five Elements Spiritual Roots was removed from the general demon beast methods, which became the origin of the general body refining methods learned by the Human Race.
'However, Oh Hyun-seok has a Unique Holy Body. He can learn all types of methods. In other words, even if he obtains additional Five Elements Spiritual Roots with the Five Elements Spiritual Energy, it doesn't matter.'
Therefore, if I guide him to achieve the realm of Five Energies Converging to the Origin, it will actually increase his power, even if just a little.
Wuduk, wududuk.
I stand by Oh Hyun-seok, supporting him as he completes his transformation.
Slowly, he is completing his transformation by guiding the heaven and earth spiritual energy according to the enlightenment of Five Energies Converging to the Origin.
'...Wait.'
While observing Oh Hyun-seok's transformation,
I reach a certain thought.
'General body refining methods are adaptations of demon beast methods for humans, including the process of obtaining Five Elements Spiritual Energy. Regarding the Five Elements Enduring Origin Scripture of the Azure Spirit Starlight Quintessence Great Method, one typically does not learn the entire Five Elements Enduring Origin Scripture but only learns one elemental method before moving on to the next stage. Master also based his teachings on the Wood Element Enduring Origin Scripture to learn the Starlight Protecting Void Body and the Azure Spirit Striking Origin Technique. Its only later, at the Nascent Soul stage, that one weakly draws out the power of the Five Elements Enduring Origin Scripture through a dharma treasure with the attributes of the Five Elements.'
Those who reach the Nascent Soul stage usually possess dharma treasures of the Five Elements due to the specialty of their realm.
But both Oh Hyun-seok and I have learned 'all' the elemental methods of the Five Elements Enduring Origin Scripture.
Then...
'The Azure Spirit Starlight Quintessence Great Method that Hyun-seok Hyung and I have learned... isn't it infinitely close to the original demon beast methods?'
And since I can also form a Demon Core...
'Hmm...'
Since reaching the realm of Treading Heavens, I've never formed a Demon Core.
The Demon Core is already merged into my Formless Sword, flowing within me, so why bother making another Inner Core?
But now, I'm considering whether forming an Inner Core while practicing in the Azure Spirit Starlight Quintessence Great Method might be a good idea.
'The Azure Spirit Starlight Quintessence Great Method can only be properly trained from the Nascent Soul stage. So far, it was just a taste, as my master said. Then... I'll have to take the time to do so later.
I organize my thoughts while standing beside Oh Hyun-seok.
The sky gradually reddens.
Probably, its a sign that the Star Shattering stage Esteemed One is getting closer.
And finally, a few days later.
Under my protection, Oh Hyun-seok slowly completed his transformation.
He isn't naturally talented in martial arts like Kim Young-hoon, nor did he have medical knowledge of the human body like me, so his transformation was inevitably slow.
"Haaah..."
Kugugugu!
And after completing his transformation, Oh Hyun-seok somehow seems much more...
'Demonic.'
I bitterly smile, looking at Oh Hyun-seok, who is exuding a unique demonic beast aura.
Later, when he reaches the Ultimate Pinnacle, it's uncertain if the Azure Spirit Starlight Quintessence Great Method really evolves into a demon beast method.
"Its really amazing, Eun-hyun. But now..."
His gaze turns towards the crimson sky.
Not only that, but a considerable number of the Human Race surviving soldiers have come to this vicinity, focusing on the fordboding of 'something' approaching from beyond the distant mountains.
Hyeon Woon, too, has arrived at this place and is showing a vigilant attitude towards the existence beyond.
"It's coming."
Hyeon Woon swallows his saliva.
Oh Hyun-seok clenches his fist.
I focus my consciousness and watch the entity arriving from beyond.
Thump, thump, thump.
The gigantic mountain range.
The vibration echoing from beyond that mountain rage.
It's immense.
Not that the being coming from beyond is huge, but the presence it carries feels so enormous it seems suffocating.
"That is."
Thump, thump!
The Blood Yin Realms Star Shattering stage Heavenly Fiend.
The Esteemed One's Left Hand.
Thump!
An avatar of a being that transcends the mortal coil.
"Esteemed One!"
A part of an entity becoming a deity.
Kugugugu!
The sky turns blood red.
The entire occupied territory, which should have been assimilated with Vast Cold Jade, begins to flow with devilish energy.
The entity reveals its form.
Just by doing so, the heaven and earth spiritual energy is eroded.
Thump!
Beyond the mountain range, it reveals its form.
Coral!
Red coral, writhing and surging as if alive.
Such masses of coral cover its surface, and on that surface, there are dozens of giant 'eyes'.
Those red corals and eyes together form a shape resembling a 'Left Hand'.
The red hand reaches over the mountain range, approaching here.
Thus, the confrontation with the Blood Yin Realm Esteemed One's Left Hand began.
-x-X-x-
The hand is enormous.
The size of one hand is literally enough to cover an entire mountain range.
Centered around that gigantic hand, a ceaseless red radiance spreads, dyeing the sky, the earth, and everything between the heavens and earth red.
The battle begins swiftly
"Uooooooh!"
As Hyeon Woon forms hand seals, four Nascent Souls manifest behind him like spirits, and the shadow of a black dragon clings to him as well.
His cultivation surges, and based on this surging cultivation, he executes his spells.
Tsststsstsst!
It seems as though a mist has spread everywhere, and Hyeon Woon's voice can be heard in detail as if he is right by one's ear.
The mist makes his voice and intentions clearer.
Under Hyeon Woon's command, the tens of thousands of remaining Human Race cultivators exert their strength and launch attacks on the Left Hand approaching from beyond the mountain range, where barriers are set.
Kugung, Kugugugugung!
The attacks by Nascent Soul and Heavenly Being cultivators, including me and Oh Hyun-seok at the Four-Axis level, as well as several Four-Axis stage commanders putting forth all their might results in,
Shiiii.
The Esteemed One's Left Hand, emitting smoke from its entire body, momentarily stopping in its tracks.
'Is it effective?'
The Left Hand of the Esteemed One.
Its difficult to read its heart essence.
The structure of its heart essence is entirely different from that of ordinary beings, making it hard to grasp.
However, visible wounds can be seen on the Esteemed One's Left Hand, which are somewhat visible to the naked eye.
"It's effective! Since it's not the Esteemed One's main body, it sustains injuries when attacked! If we all proceed with the determination of a decisive battle, we cannot lose!"
Hyeon Woon desperately shouts, boosting the morale of our allies, and once again begins to press on the Esteemed One's Left Hand under his command.
"The Vast Cold Jade barrier can even block strikes from a Grand Cultivator. Even if it is the Esteemed One, with just one hand present, its power must have fallen to about the Integration stage! Endure and attack!"
Flap, flap!
Water puppets summoned by Hyeon Woon behind us wave large black flags.
Then, simultaneously, the command reaches all of our allies' ears, and we reorganize our formation according to Hyeon Woon's orders
"Righteous path cultivators, forward!"
Cultivators who practice righteous path methods step forward, casting spells imbued with the power of destroying evil onto the Esteemed One's Left Hand.
Kugugugugu!
The Esteemed One's Left Hand gathers devilish energy from outside the barrier for a counterattack.
"The Esteemed One is attacking! Devilish cultivators, step forward!"
Devilish cultivators who practice devil path methods step forward to form a defensive line.
Flash!
Blood erupts.
At the same time, a tremendous shock hits the top of the barrier formation.
Kurung, Kurururung!
The barrier trembles wildly as if it will collapse instantly, and the devilish cultivators inside are busy fending off the shockwave.
Ssssk, Sssssssk!
What is most despairing is...
"No, it's regenerating!"
"Don't give it a chance!"
The corals covering its surface wriggle, and the area we had attacked begins to regrow.
Wriggle, wriggle....
Simultaneously, the eyeballs sprouting all over its hand writhe and begin to look towards us.
Oh Hyun-seok screams in horror.
"Don't make eye contact with it!"
At his urgent words, Hyeon Woon also raises his voice.
"It's using the Soul Extinguishing Yin Curse!"
Kugugugu!
Blood gathers in the Esteemed One's eyeballs before shooting towards us.
"Gughaahhhhhh...."
"Aaaaah...."
A few unfortunate cultivators make eye contact with the Esteemed One's eyeballs for a moment, and I see the souls of cultivators fighting next to me scatter on the spot.
'Is that the same technique that Kim Yeon suffered from?'
The recently killed cultivators are at the Heavenly Being stage.
Even Heavenly Being stage cultivators die without exception if they're directly hit by the spell!
Woooooong!
Gradually, the red light emanating from the Left Hand subsides.
Only then do we look back at the Left Hand again.
Shiiiiii.
In that brief moment when we had looked away, the Left Hand regenerated any injuries it sustained and is again gathering devilish power.
Wooooong!
The sky burns ominously.
The crimson sky feels eerily undulating.
"Everyone, form a defensive formation!"
Hyeon Woon commands as he waves a flag, and numerous cultivators begin to form a defensive formation together.
'Wait, that...!'
That's when I notice something suspicious.
"Be careful! That's not just one spell! They've cunningly hidden another spell behind that one!"
Chrararararak!
The power of White Orchid Blessing Incantation spreads in all directions, overlaying the surrounding area with the clear power of blessings.
"A curse! It's attempting to use a curse!"
I can feel it!
Only I, who have reached the pinnacle of understanding curses, can feel the thick malice emanating from beyond.
Ooooooh!
Flames gather from the undulating sky and soon, a rain of fire befalls.
Astonishingly, the rain of flames transforms devilish power into spiritual energy in the air!
The transformation of devilish energy into spiritual energy is miraculous!
These raindrops of fire, now made of spiritual energy, strike the barrier more effectively than attacks made of devilish energy, shaking the barrier even more.
Under Hyeon Woon's command, the devilish cultivators step forward to block the shockwave.
After calmly blocking the shockwave, they also easily block the following curse, following my warning.
Just then.
Ziiiiing!
Including me, Oh Hyun-seok, Hyeon Woon, and others.
All cultivators stagger at once.
'What's this...'
Through the strange devilish energy enveloping my body, I realize.
'What... It wasn't two but three?'
After mixing a curse behind a physical attack, another spell was hidden inside the curse.
This attack cleverly breached the barriers of the defensive formation, reaching the cultivators without being caught by anyone.
I understand the nature of this attack.
'It's a mental attack...!'
Ziiiiing!
With immense agony, I feel my consciousness sink down below.
'Damnit...'
It's not a matter of mental strength.
By the nature of the spell, it's a technique that inevitably makes one lose their consciousness at least once.
I immediately recognize the essence of the ability used by the Star Shattering stage Esteemed One.
It triggers the Heart Demon, and through that gap, it injects malice, completely turning a human into a monster filled with desire and evil.
Since it's a technique that ultimately makes one confront themselves, it affects any being at least once, no matter who they are.
Kuwoong!
I steady my footing, trying to hold onto my collapsing body.
'No, not quite.'
I thought I managed to hold myself, but suddenly, Im in a completely different place.
This is... within my heart essence.
A transparent Sword Hell.
Drip, drizzle....
My body bleeds from being pierced by the countless swords of Sword Hell.
The bleeding blood gradually flows and eventually becomes a shadow in front of me.
The shadow opens its mouth.
"Do you think what you're doing has meaning? Do you truly believe you're right? What value does what you've done have"
I interrupt the shadow's words.
"Hey, look here."
A smirk.
A laugh escapes me.
A Heart Demon?
"Haven't we just talked about this topic recently? Even if I'm caught by the Star Shattering stage Esteemed One's ability, couldn't you come up with a slightly more original topic?"
"..."
That's right.
Invoking a Heart Demon I've already overcome only serves as a laughing matter.
An ability that affects any being at least once.
In other words.
Being caught just 'once' is enough.
Boom!
I stomp on the Heart Demon that appeared in my heart, bursting it.
"Ending you is all it takes. It was pleasant to meet you again after a long time. Farewell."
Splatter, splatter....
The pieces of the Heart Demon I stomp on explodes, scattering and wriggling around.
Then it begins to struggle wildly trying to dominate my heart essence.
Squelch, squelch....
The Heart Demon, or rather what used to be the Heart Demon, taints and pollutes my entire heart essence.
In an instant, the surroundings are enveloped in filthy, sticky darkness.
[Goodness is meaningless!]
[This world is hell!]
[Look at your heart essence! Isn't it that of someone living in hell?]
[It's only right that everything falls apart!]
[Let's heed the Esteemed One's command! The Esteemed One will show you a new path suited for hell!]
"Oh ho, what a persuasive brainwashing attempt. Truly terrifying."
I simply turn my back and begin to climb up Sword Hell.
Plop, plop!
With each step up, my entire body is pierced by swords, accompanied by pain.
Wo-wooong!
And every time I feel pain, I hear the sticky whispers of evil spirits following me from behind.
[Let's be loyal to the Esteemed One!]
[If this world is hell, then surely the laws of hell are the most useful, aren't they?]
[The survival of the fittest! The strong can do whatever they want to the weak!]
[Haven't you too been abused by the strong?]
[The Esteemed One will make you stronger than those strong ones.]
Step, step.
This isn't my Heart Demon.
Through my Heart Demon, the Esteemed One infused my heart essence with the malice of others.
Yes, it is Vice.
The Esteemed One artificially introduced into my heart essence all the Vice that the Human Race committed in the Devil Realm.
However, without facing these Vices, and despite feeling pain, I silently continue to climb towards the peak of Sword Hell.
Behind me, I can feel the sticky screams and gradually feel the Esteemed One's sorcery trying to press down on me fearfully.
But, stepping on the swords of Sword Hell, I realize.
'The swords I step on are all life itself.'
Yes, each of these transparent swords is a memory of mine.
And Qi is Intent.
Having gained enlightenment about planes, I know that the external Qi and the internal heart can influence each other.
'Maybe'
As I step on the swords and climb higher, I ponder.
'The Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections might ultimately be a reflection of my heart essence.'
These swords represent both pain and wounds.
But at the same time, they are a history that proves the traces of my life.
Therefore, the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections that records my history
Wo-wooong!
Might have been significantly influenced by this heart essence.
Paatt!
Gradually, faint figures appear behind me.
Through the heart essence, I feel the Qi of my physical body.
The Golden Core at the center of my body's Qi, and within the Golden Core, the slumbering Nascent Soul.
The Nascent Soul harboring three thousand Colorless Glass Swords.
The Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections, linked with the Colorless Glass Swords, begin to enter my heart essence in reverse.
Step, step, step.
I climb the mountain silently, and with each step, more figures appear behind me, widening the gap between me and those sticky voices.
The sticky voices are blocked by the figures created by the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections, gradually slowing down in their pursuit of me.
"Hey, Blood Yin Realms Esteemed One."
Plop, plop.
Bleeding, I head towards the summit of Sword Hell.
I open my mouth towards the Esteemed Ones spell from behind.
"You're right. I am definitely living in hell."
That this world is hell.
I felt it over and over again.
Step, step.
Plop, plop.
"But"
Wo-woooong!
Gradually, more figures appear between me and that being.
Their number is so vast that its impossible to count, and the Esteemed One's voice can no longer reach me through this sea of people.
Plop!
Feeling the sensation of swords piercing through my entire body,
I momentarily stop walking and close my eyes.
Wo-wooong!
Then, I look back.
Mountain!
The mountain of transparent, colorless swords.
And a mountain of people formed by countless figures.
This,
Is my world.
"But even if."
Flash!
At the same time, the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections and the mountain of swords emit light.
The pure white light gradually takes shape, transforming into the form of white orchids.
The curses that reached the extreme of Yin Soul Ghost Incantation.
And, my White Orchid Blessing Incantation that transcended and advanced from such a Yin Soul Ghost Incantation.
Why does enlightenment that advances from a curse become a blessing?
Perhaps, a curse and a blessing are only a hair's breadth apart after all.
Both curses and blessings.
Hell and Heaven.
Are all just a fine line apart.
Then, what determines that fine line?
Flash!
The pure white light that advanced from a curse and the voices of the Esteemed One trying to grasp me from below.
Towards those voices, a single petal falls.
As the petal passes the figures behind me, its number gradually increases.
Passing through countless connections, the blessing grows larger and more bountiful.
Eventually, it becomes a wave that engulfs the malice.
The fine line between heaven and hell is clearly the hearts exchanged between people...
Pzzzzt!
The White Orchid Blessing Incantation, amplified by the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections, becomes a white wave washing away the darkness.
The Esteemed One's sorcery is swept away in an instant and dissipates.
"This place is hell"
It looks as if countless stars are being released into the pitch-black night sky.
The night is undoubtedly dark, but it is filled with countless stars, making it not entirely dark.
Even if the world of humanity is like a dark hell, if we can respect and cherish each other's hearts, that in itself is virtue.
"Goodness is not meaningless. Even if this place is indeed hell, that goodness does not disappear."
'I know'
I look down at the myriad connections following me from below.
'Because I am here'
I turn away from them and walk towards an even higher place.
Paaat!
Together with that, my consciousness snaps back, and I return to reality.
"Hoooooh"
I take a deep breath and straighten up.
I had been momentarily unconscious and during that brief moment, the Esteemed One's Left Hand reached close to the barrier, gathering power.
Looking around, many of the Human Race's surviving cultivators appear to be mentally eroded by the Esteemed One's sorcery, all huddled up, foaming at the mouth, and trembling.
Its only because its me that I was able to overcome such a thing so quickly. For them, it wont be as easy.
Wo-wooong!
Bang!
I completely dispel the sorcery the Esteemed One had cast on my body and stand up.
The energy of the White Orchid Blessing Incantation flows from my body, reversing the Esteemed One's spell, and the Esteemed One's Left Hand stops gathering power for a moment and trembles.
It seems to be a decisive secret technique, as it felt some backlash when one person shook off the spell.
I smile at that sight.
"Hey, Blood Yin Realms Esteemed One."
Wo-wooong!
The White Orchid Blessing Incantation that blossoms all over me begins to spread in all directions.
"That spell you just used it seems to have some backlash if it fails, doesn't it?"
If so,
"If everyone here overcomes their Heart Demons and your spell, that little bit will accumulate, and you'll probably take quite the hit..."
Flash!
The White Orchid Blessing Incantation spreads in all directions.
Wo-wooong!
Simultaneously, numerous ethereal artifact spirits appear around, amplifying the energy of the White Orchid Blessings.
In an instant, the area is filled with blessings, and countless white orchids enter into people's heads.
Seeing this, the Esteemed One begins to vibrate.
Although its hard to read the Esteemed One's intent, I can somewhat tell that they are becoming infuriated.
Kuuuuung!
They launch another attack.
The barrier trembles, and although blood spurts from my body due to the shockwave, I smile.
"Seeing you angry, it seems I'm right."
Flash!
The opposite of a curse is a blessing.
With Yin Soul Ghost Incantation, one can inflict a curse on the opponent, using various sorceries like cursed dolls, pain resonance, corrosion, and wound transfer.
Then, what effects does the White Orchid Blessing Incantation, the opposite of the curse, possess?
There are two effects: amplification of power and guidance of the mind.
With the blessing of the White Orchid Blessing Incantation, it is possible to guide a person's mind to a more suitable place, recover their mental strength, strengthen the human spirit, and escape from mental attacks.
And this is not limited to me personally but possible for the entire group.
Flash!
Since the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections are amplifying my blessings, their effects are now maximized.
"I've always known, but thanks to you, I've come to better understand the utility of the White Orchid Blessing Incantation. Thank you, Esteemed One!"
From the center of the white magnolia wave,
I speak confidently to the Esteemed One.
"With the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections and the White Orchid Blessing Incantation... my mind is invincible."
Kugugugugu!
The Esteemed One's Left Hand launches another strike.
I cough up a mouthful of blood and briefly lower my body due to the shockwave.
'As long as the barrier holds and they can stand'
I can reverse the Esteemed One's spell and deal a significant blow to the Esteemed One's Left Hand.
Just then.
Wo-wooong!
"...?"
The fallen ones around me begin to rise one by one.
"Ughaaah"
"Kuhaaah"
'These people'
I frown.
All of them have red glows in their eyes.
They are being controlled by the Esteemed One!
"Really, the Esteemed One sure does all sorts of things."
I let out a hollow laugh and calmly gather my strength.
Kugugugugugu!
From all directions, numerous cultivators of the Heavenly Being stage, Nascent Soul stage, and even Four-Axis stage are gathering their strength, pressing down on me.
Being controlled by the Esteemed One, but still trying to escape from its control using the light of my White Orchid Blessing Incantation as a beacons,
Its impossible for all of them to reveal their full strength and fight.
In that case...
Flash!
Everyone is certainly regaining their senses thanks to the White Orchid Blessing Incantation.
All I have to do was wait.
I just need to endure.
"Enduring is something Im best at, after all."
Wo-wooong!
I take out something precious I stored in my Golden Core all this time.
Thump, thump, thump, thump!
Three thousand Colorless Glass Swords scatter in all directions, embedding themselves into the ground around me.
"Let's see"
I unfold my storage bag and take out a sip of White-Red Wine I had been saving.
Vroom!
The Colorless Glass Swords vibrate deeply in connection with my soul.
"Shall we bet our lives?"
For the first time in this life, I take out my natal dharma treasure and assume a stance.
The Formless Sword is imbued into the Colorless Glass Swords.
Originally, since the Colorless Glass Swords were made of glass, their durability was practically like glass.
Of course, they had become a bit more durable than ordinary glass through the refinement process of a Core Formation cultivator, but that was it.
However, excluding the 1,000 years of General Seo's era where proper refinement through the Golden Core was not done.
In this life's 100 years.
I had constantly put effort into refining them with Dan Fire.
As a result, the Colorless Glass Swords, which originally had the durability of glass, have now grown into dharma treasures with the durability of bronze swords.
Although they are quite weak compared to bronze swords, the true value of the Colorless Glass Swords lay in the special abilities emitted by the circuits engraved on the glass swords, so it doesn't really matter.
Above all...
'There's no need to be as careful as before.'
Unlike glass, which can break if mishandled, having the toughness of bronze swords makes it much easier for me to overlay the Formless Sword.
And that leads to a vertical surge in my overall power.
Shreek, shreeek!
The Colorless Glass Swords, covered with the Formless Sword, spin around me.
The rotation vibrates the air, causing flesh to tremble.
Though it seems like the Colorless Glass Swords are spinning away from my body, in reality, they are connected to me through the Formless Sword.
Therefore,
"Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts."
Swoosh!
As the Colorless Glass Swords simultaneously execute the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts, the cultivators targeting me begin to look around in confusion.
Initially, it was a martial art used to escape by cutting the perception from cultivators.
However, this martial art evolved with me as I became a cultivator, obtained the Formless Sword, learned about planes, and gained the ability to see planes, surpassing its original performance.
Bo-oong!
The swords hide within the very seams of space.
And from those gaps, they slice through the very flow of the world targeting me!
Only I, possessing the sight of Nascent Soul and wielding the Formless Sword, can perform this extreme limit of extremes!
The Four-Axis stage cultivators can somewhat sense where I am and launch attacks towards me, but since they discover me a breath or two too late, their attacks never reach.
Of course, if they used a wide-area attack, they would somehow hit me, but such powerful spells are not usable in their current state of being manipulated by the Esteemed One.
'If I can only hold on!'
Just then.
Twitch.
"!"
The Esteemed One's Left Hand.
The eyeballs on its body precisely stares directly at 'me,' executing the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts.
Then, numerous people being manipulated by the Esteemed One launch a barrage of attacks towards my location!
'Damn, does this mean even the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts is of no use against someone like the Esteemed One.'
Numerous human race cultivators pressure me.
Losing the advantage of sight means I can only be pushed back.
Boong! Boong! Boong!
Kung! Kung! Kung!
The depth of my footsteps deepen.
I perform Foolish Old Man Moves Mountains, clenching my teeth.
Though I am getting stronger, its still not enough.
Silica Earth Great Wall Practice, Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea, Yin Soul Ghost Incantation.
None of these can help in the current situation.
If there had been more puppets made, things might have been different, but there was simply not enough time.
Facing such an overwhelming one against many situation is proving to be too much.
What can I do!
Kwaaaaang!
A blue light flies towards me.
Oh Hyun-seok, with the Azure Spirit Striking Origin Technique wrapped around both hands, charges at me.
He is, as expected, the most troublesome of them all.
Every time I take a hit from him, it feels as though my entire body is melting away.
Kwaaaang!
'Even though I'm getting stronger with Foolish Old Man Moves Mountains...'
It's not enough.
At this rate, Ill dry up and die before my attacks can be sufficiently strengthened!
What to do...
Suddenly.
The illusion of Kim Young-hoon passes in front of me.
What would he have done?
'He probably would have created a martial art suited for the situation.'
Can I do the same?
'I cannot.'
Creating martial arts isn't difficult with the years of training I have.
But mastering a newly created martial art to its peak in the midst of battle and using it freely is nonsensical.
Kim Young-hoon, with his absurd talent, could instantly master and utilize a newly created martial art on the spot, but while I can create a martial art, doing something like that is beyond me.
Then, how should I overcome this situation?
Kwaaaaang!
After repelling Oh Hyun-seok's attack with Echoing Valley, I take a stance and lift the Formless Sword.
The Colorless Glass Swords transform along with the Formless Sword, complementing the trajectory of the Formless Sword.
Numerous techniques unfold through the three thousand Colorless Glass Swords, devastating the surroundings.
But more attacks are coming from all directions, and Oh Hyun-seok is charging at me from the front.
'If only there was one move that could turn the tide, then I could get a breather!'
The power of the White Orchid Blessing Incantation is gradually expelling the Esteemed Ones sorcery.
Just a little longer and I will win!
But now, I don't even have the strength to hold on a little longer.
I'm headed for certain defeat!
A strategy!
A strategy!
If it were Kim Young-hoon, if it were Oh Hyun-seok, if it were Kim Yeon, if it were Buk Hyang-hwa.
What would others have done in this situation!
Just some way!
Suddenly.
During this moment, I fall into a trance and recall something.
'...When I ascended to the realm of Treading Heavens...'
I had entered a 'different' path than Kim Young-hoon.
It was clear.
I entered Treading Heavens not by following his silhouette but my own.
So why am I still looking for Kim Young-hoon, or anyone else?
'...I see.'
Because I've lived leeching on others until now.
I advanced in martial arts leeching on Kim Young-hoon's talent, entered cultivation leeching on the enlightenment of Cheongmun Ryeong, acquired dharma treasures leeching on Buk Hyang-hwa's achievements.
Leeching on the Mad Lord through a thousand years, I obtained circuits.
A life of only taking from others, living off others.
Perhaps that is the talentless life of mine.
Ha.
Somehow, realizing this fact, I find it quite amusing.
The enlightenment I gain with the resolve to die is about how well I leech off others.
'A life of leeching off others...'
But I smile, looking at the countless artifact spirits watching me from behind.
'It isn't bad.'
My entire being is indebted to the kindness of many.
If my talent lies in receiving kindness, imitating, leeching on others, and receiving from others.
'Let's do just that.'
Lets imitate.
Follow, chase, and even leech off.
'Even so, let's protect!'
I recall the most powerful strike Ive ever seen.
The strike of the Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One I dreamt of last time!
Let's reproduce that.
Tstssts!
That overwhelming destruction!
That absurd power!
Wo-woong!
The Formless Sword resonates.
Instinctively, I can feel it.
With my own skills, I can never even follow in the footsteps of that power.
'Then, even if I have to pour everything into it!'
Paaaat!
The three thousand Colorless Glass Swords scattered in all directions combine into one.
Colorless Glass Sword, All Heavens.
Overlay it with the circuit of the Mad Lord.
Inject the power of Azure Wing Heavenly Shatter.
The White Orchid Blessing Incantation, the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections, the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation, the Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea, all the methods I've learned, and all my history!
"Severing Mountain Swordsmanship."
If it were Kim Young-hoon, he could probably pursue pure Martial Arts without any unnecessary techniques.
But not me.
To pursue pure martial arts, the grace I've received from life is too great and too numerous.
"The Twenty-Fifth Move."
Beyond the Severing Mountain Swordsmanship composed of 24 moves,
I dedicate everything I've accomplished to blossom anew.
"Sea of Righteousness ()!"
In an instant.
I feel my sword entering a different realm.
'Is this beyond the realm of Treading Heavens?'
I can feel it.
The fact that I have no talent.
Therefore, the realm I'm seeing now is only temporarily reached by imitating the strike of the Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One and squeezing out all my strength to achieve that strike.
But this is enough.
"Mountain of Grace ()!"
This strike, imitating everything I've seen and received from life, flies towards Oh Hyun-seok in front of me.
Paat!
My sword pierces through Oh Hyun-seok.
I can feel it.
'Ah...'
My sword, in the plane of Soul, precisely digs deep into Oh Hyun-seok's soul.
The sword that penetrates his soul becomes a Heart Sword (), cleansing the sorcery of the Esteemed One entrenched within Oh Hyun-seok's heart essence, bearing the properties of the White Orchid Blessing Incantation!
Paang!
Strange.
I feel all strength leaving my body as I cough up blood.
The backlash of Foolish Old Man Moves Mountains comes.
Why, when I imitate the strike of the Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed Ones ultimate destruction,
Does the resulting technique turn out to be completely different from a technique of destruction?
Though I only imitated it....
'Ah...'
I realize, looking at the artifact spirits supporting me from behind.
'That's right.'
My history grew through imitation.
Initially, I had nothing, so I was busy imitating, mimicking, and following.
But now, haven't numerous footsteps formed behind me?
Even if I say I'm imitating now, the imitation might be imbued with my own color.
Wo-woong!
The Heart Sword spreads in all directions, scanning the heart essence of the numerous human cultivators infected by the Esteemed One's sorcery, and finally succeeds in liberating everyone's consciousness.
'I glimpsed [Beyond].'
Although I didn't reach [Beyond], having reproduced the strike of [Beyond] once, someday,
I will be able to reach that place beyond Treading Heavens with my own strength!!!
I watch as the Esteemed One's Left Hand, furious to the extreme, gathers devilish power.
Seeing the many people regaining their consciousness, I sit down on the spot.
Kwaang!
The barrier is finally shattered by their move.
"Damn! The Esteemed One's Left Hand breached the barrier!"
"Seo Eun-hyun! Ar-are you okay...?"
Oh Hyun-seok rushes to me, supporting me, and I close my eyes with a faint smile.
"I'm okay..."
"Let's evacuate! They broke the barrier!"
"It's... okay..."
"Still, thanks to you, everyone came to their senses! Seo Eun-hyun! Are you okay!? Open your eyes!!"
Cough, cough!
I vomit blood.
But even then, I smile.
"It's okay... Everything is..."
Its late.
But just in time.
Clink, clink, clink...
From afar, a mysterious fortress flying through the air comes towards us.
Every struggle I've made is manifesting, one by one.
***
Wiiiiiing
The sound akin to swarms of bees buzzing echo in my ears.
It isn't a hallucination.
Literally, from inside the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, countless bees emerge, flapping their wings.
Each of these bees have the power of the Qi Building stage, but I know that the terrifying aspect of these bees is not their simple cultivation level.
Boo-woong!
The bees cover the surroundings of the barrier, digging up the ground, moving through space, and filling the earth with puppets brought from within the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.
Gradually, the vicinity itself transforms into a fortress centered around the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.
The Left Hand of the Esteemed One becomes trapped in the center of such a fortress.
Wo-woong!
The Esteemed One's Left Hand, with corals sprouting on its surface, wriggles and shoots blood light in all directions.
Each one is a terrifying curse that shatters the target's mind!
However, the compatibility is too poor.
Click, click, click...
The puppets flinch for a moment under the mental attack launched by the Esteemed One's Left Hand, but then continue their work unaffected.
Its inevitable.
The artificial souls possessed by the puppets are ultimately fake.
Not possessing a high-level heart essence, they are the worst match for the curse techniques of the Blood Yin Realms Esteemed One, aimed at sealing or controlling the heart essence.
Realizing that mental techniques are ineffective, the Left Hand of the Blood Yin Realm's Esteemed One starts gathering devilish energy, preparing a technique that involves physical force.
Kugugugu!
The sky turns red again, and the heavens and earth begin to vibrate.
'This is insane, is it intending to blow up the entire occupied territory!?'
Surely, this attack will exhaust a considerable amount of the Esteemed One's strength.
As proof, the eyeballs sprouting on the Left Hand shrink, emitting a serious intent.
But, it met the wrong opponent.
Creeeak...
The three gates of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress open simultaneously.
And, puppets begin to pour out from within.
Not the worker puppets that fortified the surroundings, but the true combat puppets of the Mad Lord.
Kugugugu!
'...Insane, is it because of the butterfly effect? To produce such puppets much earlier than in my past life...'
I look at the Mad Lord with disbelief, letting out a sigh of astonishment.
'I need to stay focused...'
Otherwise, I might get completely captured by the Mad Lord's strategy and end up being modified next to the Esteemed One's left hand.
"Ah... Is that really a part of a Star Shattering stage body? Im so moved. I could somewhat grasp up to the Integration stage but beyond that to the Star Shattering stage, I have no clue how to grasp puppets of such caliber And now, such excellent material has appeared before me."
Shiver, shiver...
Hearing the Mad Lord's voice after a long time is one thing.
But more than that, the sight of the puppets brought out by the Mad Lord makes me feel even more goosebumps.
"Integration stage puppets, 9; Four-Axis stage puppets, 204; Heavenly Being stage puppets... 1050; Nascent Soul stage puppets... Ah, it's bothersome to explain. Anyway, bring all the Star Shattering stage research materials! Hehehe, finally..."
Drool, drool
The Mad Lord, floating above the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, looks around with his eyes rolling in different directions.
And then, his eyes accurately capture me.
"Finallyfinallyfinallyfinally... Ah! Now, little one, it's time to keep your promise. You clearly promised in the letter sent by that puppet, didn't you? Are you ready? Don't worry, if you're not prepared, I'm very, very eager to evolve everything to properly prepare for it!
Crunch, crunch, crunch!
The Mad Lord, crazily biting his fingers, shouts in all directions.
I, sweating coldly, send a telepathic message to Hyeon Woon.
[Military Commander, please evacuate the people]
From afar, [She] leads eight Integration stage puppets, surrounding the Esteemed One's Left Hand.
[The real battle between monsters is about to begin.]
204 Four-Axis stage puppets support the Integration stage puppets from below, forming a formation.
I can feel the Esteemed One's Left Hand rolling its eyeballs, gauging the opposing sides power.
Hyeon Woon, not lacking in perception, hurriedly begins to direct the human cultivators to evacuate.
Of course, since its difficult to escape to the surroundings, the Human Army's refuge is determined to be one place.
The cave with the Void Spirit Pond, located underground of the 8th occupied territory.
Kugugugugugu!
Quickly, as we are evacuating, the Esteemed One's Left Hand collides with the Mad Lord's legion.
Despite the backlash from the mental curse,
Being part of the Esteemed One, the Esteemed One's Left Hand begins to push back with tremendous strength even when surrounded by Integration stage puppets.
However, both before and now, the Mad Lord's tactics have always been consistent.
Puppet wave tactics.
Wo-wooong!
As more than two hundred Four-Axis stage puppets simultaneously form a formation and shine, an enormous burden is visibly placed on the Esteemed One's Left Hand at the center of the formation.
With [Her] and eight Integration stage puppets launching a joint attack from outside the formation of Four-Axis stage puppets, the Esteemed One's Left Hand is seen being pushed into a defensive position, spreading a red curtain.
'Damn it.'
Ko-woong!
A tremendous shockwave causes the barrier, which had been ragged from the Esteemed One's assaults, to completely collapse.
The Human Army, while seeking refuge, is crushed by that shockwave, each coughing up blood.
'The barrier is broken'
I turn my gaze to the center of the barrier.
Sure enough.
Kurung, kururung!
Thunder roars, and something is seen rising from the center of the barrier.
'Jeon Myeong-hoon His seal has been undone'
If he starts rampaging now in his crazed state, it will truly become a scene of utter chaos.
Might as well take advantage of this chaos to do what I intended.
Having called the Mad Lord, what's important starts from now on.
From the beginning, when I wrote to him to confront the Devil Race Integration stage Grand Cultivators, I had planned this.
Of course, considering the Mad Lord's unpredictability, I had to think of significant variables, and indeed, many arose, but the overall plan remains unchanged.
Riding on Oh Hyun-seok's back as we evacuate, I look up at the sky.
The Mad Lord is controlling the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress from above, and the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress is commanding the battlefield under the Mad Lord's orders.
Within the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, I can feel the presence of General Seo.
Good.
From what I can sense, General Seo has been controlled by the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress and further modified by the Mad Lord.
When I sent General Seo to the Mad Lord, I anticipated this result from the beginning.
And because I anticipated it, I sent him.
'General Seo spent a thousand years inside the Mad Lord's Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.'
I know everything about the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, including the commands that control the puppets, the system of the Fortress, and everything inside.
It isn't too difficult to secretly input commands inside General Seo's circuit that can disrupt the command system of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.
And the Mad Lord, without any suspicion, embedded such a General Seo into the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, so the poison I had planted inside General Seo has already spread throughout the entire Fortress.
'Now, it begins.'
The original plan was to cause chaos in the command system of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress using the commands I had inputted into General Seo, while the Mad Lord and the Integration stage Grand Cultivators of the True Devil Realm clashed.
Using that chaos, I planned to activate Yeons Play using Kim Yeon's abilities and my understanding of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, to awaken the Mad Lords sanity and seize control of the Fortress, ensuring our survival with Kim Yeon.
However, instead of the Integration stage Grand Cultivators of the True Devil Realm, it is the Left Hand of the Blood Yin Realms Esteemed One at the Star Shattering stage that clashes with the Mad Lord. Along with the variable Jeon Myeong-hoon involved and Yeons consciousness sealed, the situation has deviated greatly from the original plan.
But it's okay.
'Now, I'll go to Yeon, whos taking refuge, and release her from the seal.'
Originally, I planned to break Yeons seal using the madness of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress when it came near, but now I can do so with my own hands.
There is no need to take a risk unnecessarily.
'Besides, Jeon Myeong-hoon is in a crazed state right now, so he might be able to buy us time against the Mad Lord.'
Kurung, kururung!
Before long, Jeon Myeong-hoon, having completely regenerated his body, enters the battle between the Mad Lord and the Esteemed One's Left Hand, scattering lightning.
The Mad Lord laughs gleefully, showing interest.
"Hehehe! What are you, as well? Oh, I see. You too have experienced sorrow. Ah, yes. A rotten heart essence from enduring such horrible events of losing many people"
The Mad Lord, wiping tears from his eyes, speaks to the rampaging Jeon Myeong-hoon.
"Don't worry, to ensure you no longer feel sorrow, I will evolve you into a superior being in this world."
[Just... die!]
"I will accept you as a general of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress. What's your name?"
[This filthy world, I'll sweep it all away!]
"Yes, yes, since you use lightning, how about General Jeon (Lightning) for you? From tomorrow, your name will be General Jeon."
[Die, die, all of you die!]
"Ah, are you seeing this, dear? Today, we've found another with a sad story like ours. And by tomorrow, this young one will no longer suffer"
Though they are speaking, astonishingly, not a single word of their conversation makes any sense.
'...Don't worry.'
From now on, if my plan succeeds, everyone will find peace.
The Esteemed One will be annihilated, the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress will become Yeons,
And Jeon Myeong-hoon will be sealed again and find peace.
'Just wait a little longer'
I enter underground, leaving behind the battle enveloped in lightning between the Thunder God and the countless puppets in the sky.
If everything goes according to plan, it will be perfect.
Yes, my plan is perfect.
Although the situations deviated a bit from what was assumed, the overall framework didn't change, and neither will the outcome.
It was somewhat unexpected for the Mad Lord to clash with the Esteemed One's Left Hand instead of the Devil Race Grand Cultivators, but nevertheless, the fact that the Mad Lord's attention is diverted remains the same.
Therefore, I believed everything would go well.
I thought everyone could be happy in the end.
However, results are not everything in this world.
"..."
I get off Oh Hyun-seok's back slowly, looking at this scene,where the outcome I had hoped for twisted midway through the 'process' that occurred before me.
Stagger, stagger
I feel dizzy.
Why...
Why did this happen?
No, why didn't I anticipate that this could happen?
If I had somehow collected information that the Blood Yin Realm's Esteemed One's Left Hand uses mental techniques, maybe I could have prepared!
Crunch...
In the underground of the 8th occupied territory.
The huge cavern with the Void Spirit Pond.
There, the weak Devil tribes, unsuitable for combat, had been evacuated in advance.
That's why.
I let down my guard because they were in hiding.
Even when fighting the Esteemed One's Left Hand, I thought they would be safe.
But, why am I so foolish?
A sea of blood!
Everywhere is a sea of blood.
The devils I tried to protect were all torn apart and scattered.
Even in their torn state, they are still wriggling alive.
"Ah, uh, ahhhh"
All of them seem like they will die soon, but they survive tenaciously.
Yet even in this state, they are tearing each other apart, scattering red lights from their eyes.
"Ahuhah"
It was that.
The mental technique used by the Esteemed One's Left Hand.
It wasn't just unfolded against us who were fighting on the front lines.
The devils in hiding were all subjected to it, influenced by the malice unleashed by the Esteemed One, killing each other.
Even in their state of killing and being killed, they are still alive due to the influence of the curse and are biting and tearing at each other.
Squelch, squelch...
I walk through the sea of blood with a dumbfounded expression.
Then, from afar, I feel a clear pulse of consciousness ringing.
'Ar-are there still some who are sane?'
I hurriedly run towards the location, only to be met with a hollow laugh.
Gyeon Shin, as well as the couple Su In and Hong Yeon.
These devils, with whom I had become closest since coming to the 8th occupied territory, are holding each other.
The female devil, Su In, had her eyes gouged out, and the male devil, Hong Yeon, had his legs severed.
Above them, Gyeon Shin, with all the tentacles grown on his body plucked out, is barely alive.
This, this is
I move towards them slowly.
Hong Yeon and Gyeon Shin look at me.
Gyeon Shin speaks in a weak voice,
[Through the Mysterious Bizarre Gu... I tried to block the Blood Yin... curse as much as I could. But with my ability, I could only protect these two from the spell used by that being.]
My hands tremble as I place them on the shoulders of Su In and Hong Yeon.
You two
I can feel it.
Gyeon Shin did his utmost to protect the minds of the two, but that was the limit.
The Devil Race around them all fell into madness due to the curse used by the Left Hand of the Esteemed One, and it was likely that these two were caught up in that frenzy.
It was probably thanks to Gyeon Shin's efforts to protect them that they managed to maintain their physical forms to this extent.
But that was the end.
The core
Devils also possess something akin to a Demon Core, similar to the Golden Core of human cultivators.
This core is essentially the source of a devil's life.
But their cores had completely shattered in the recent frenzy.
The lives of the two are visibly draining away.
Governor have you come?
Su In calls out to me in a feeble voice.
Her beautiful eyes are now rendered incapable of seeing anything ever again.
Yes, I'm here. Im right here.
Over the past 18 years, I have watched these two devils grow.
My feelings for them are akin to family, having seen them grow up.
But how did it come to this!?
As I lament, Su In holds Hong Yeon's hand.
Hong Yeon moves his lips slightly, holding her hand in return.
His condition seems even more severe than Su In's.
Without a doubt.
These two weren't overtaken by the Esteemed One's Left Hand, but they are dying soon.
As I tremble, Hong Yeon speaks.
You witnessed our engagement, right?
...Yes.
May I ask for one more favor?
Speak.
Today
Su In smiles faintly and says,
Before we die please grant us our marriage.
Yes, we want your blessing, Governor.
I clench my teeth at their words.
Governor, please bless us.
That way we think we can go peacefully.
Looking at them, I am at a loss for words.
All I can do is grasp their shoulders with my trembling hands.
I force myself to speak.
Something streams down my cheeks.
"...Yes."
Calling forth the White Orchid Blessing Incantation, I bless the two of them.
"Do you both swear to love each other from now on?"
"...Yes, from now on, I will be Yeons legs."
"From now on, I will be Su In's eyes."
Su In and Hong Yeon, the two devils, receive blessings in front of me and form a bond (In Yeon).
They swear to become each other's eyes and legs, becoming one.
And, with all my heart.
I sincerely pray for their blessing, holding both of their hands.
In the next life as well, may the love between the two of you continue, I earnestly pray for so.
"Yes, thank you."
"Really... truly..."
The two souls look at me and smile brightly
"Thank you for your kindness."
Thus.
The two devils I wished to protect died with smiles.
[So... this is goodbye.]
"...Rest peacefully"
Gyeon Shin too, his tentacles writhing, gradually weakens in consciousness.
It's time to say goodbye to him as well.
[Thank you for everything until now.]
"...Me too."
I see off the last moments of three devils.
No, three friends.
Chalalalak!
The White Orchid Blessing Incantation spreads in all directions, freeing the minds of the devils still captured by the Esteemed One.
They all meet their ends within the blessing.
"...May you all find peace."
I'm sorry.
It's all because I am weak, foolish, and powerless that I couldn't protect you.
But at least...
"Those who remain."
Those who are still alive.
"I will ensure you do not die."
I dont know if its pretentious to say so.
But those I still have to protect, I will absolutely not let die.
I approach Kim Yeon, who is at a corner of the Void Spirit Pond, unaffected by the technique used by the Esteemed Ones Left Hand, rendered idiotic by the seal.
"Yeon, it's time to wake up."
It's time to end everything.
Woowoo-woong!
I grasp the Starting Form, recalling once again the moment I used that technique.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.
The 25th Move.
"Sea of Righteousness and Mountain of Grace!!!"
Translator Notes: If you remember, the In in Su In and Yeon in Hong Yeon mean Cause and Connection respectively. Together, In-yeon, can mean bond, relationship, karma, connection again, and even fate. The Connection in Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections is In-yeon in the raws.
***