Wo-woong!
A hot breeze sweeps through the surroundings.
True Dragon Alliance's Serving Command Ark's demon race market.
There, numerous members of the demon race are gathered, exchanging goods, and many of them wander around in their true forms, emitting intense heat, filling the area near the market with a sweltering warmth.
'Finding demon beasts transformed into human form is difficult.'
After all, it isn't the land of the Heaven Tribe or the Human Race, so theres no need to maintain a transformed shape.
Only occasionally did the demon races of immense size transform due to their large size.
"Come, come, this elixir has been personally delivered from the Heaven Tribe!"
"How many Blood Refining Methods have been developed to fuse Immortal Beast true blood into the body? Our Blood Refining Method is of a different caliber compared to those developed so far"
"We'll auction off the space dharma treasure obtained from subduing the Bright Crow Race last time!"
The voices of the demons are loud, each straining not to be drowned out by the others.
However, since the demon race communicates by vibrating spiritual energy to speak, if a member of the Human Race, who does not possess the Earth Tribes vision are to listen, the market would seem quite quiet as the spiritual energy only slightly fluctuates.
'The market of the demon race isn't much different from that of humans.'
In some ways, it even seems much more orderly than that of humans.
I briefly tour the market, observing the reactions of the surrounding demons while looking for a place selling method manuals.
After a while, I enter a street where demon beast methods are sold.
'So many...'
Theres a separate street for selling demon beast methods, indicating an overwhelming abundance of them.
Unlike human cultivation methods recorded in books or jade slips, most of the demon beast methods are recorded on bones, skins, or teeth.
'Is it because of the characteristics of the demon language, or is the recording method itself different?'
Demon script fundamentally records the flow of yin and yang within the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to communicate meanings.
Thus, their linguistic system is entirely different from that of the Human Race.
Therefore, the method of recording also involves engraving the flow of yin and yang onto bones or stones imbued with spiritual essence, so that when spiritual energy is infused into the bone later, the engraved flow vibrates the spiritual energy, conveying the content.
Perhaps that's why the majority of demon races went around with methods engraved on their bodies or bones.
Among these demon races, a significant number came to the street selling demon beast methods, tearing off parts of their bodies that contain the methods to sell and leave.
Crackling!
"Kuahaha! This horn of mine contains the Horned Ox Black Origin Transformation of our Horned Ox Race! How much will you offer?"
"Hmm, I've never even heard of the Horned Ox Race..."
"What? Are you insulting my race now!?"
"No, that's not it... Ah, don't get angry, will this amount satisfy you?"
"Hmm..."
Watching a large, bipedal black ox, identifying as a member of the Horned Ox Race, snorting as it hands its horn to a demon race merchant for spirit stones in exchange, makes me quite shocked by the culture.
After securing the spirit stones, the bipedal black ox snorts and leaves for another place.
With a few steps, a new horn begins to grow where the old one had been, indicating that for demons at the Core Formation stage or higher, such regeneration is entirely possible.
The flounder demon merchant giggles as he takes the ox's horn, clearly pleased.
"Recently, among the mercenary races, the Horned Ox Race has been gaining tremendous popularity. A method from such a race will surely sell for a high price."
I manipulate Yuan Yu covering my body with Blood Body Skin Armor to sprout scales on my cheek and grow red deer antlers on my forehead. I then deactivate the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts in front of him.
"Look here, I've just ascended to the Bright Cold Realm and it's my first time at the Earth Tribe market, so I have a question to ask"
Wo-woong!
As I let the energy of my Inner Core flow out with dragon-shaped consciousness, the flounder merchant is startled and stands up.
"My goodness, what brings a noble dragon to such a place?"
"As I said, I've only recently ascended to the Bright Cold Realm... I have some questions."
"Yes, yes, ask away."
"First off, is it common for demons to come here selling demon beast methods like just now?"
"Of course. Well, in truth, those demon beast methods sold by such demons are actually one of the main specialties of our Earth Tribe."
The flounder merchant continues his explanation.
"As you may know, our Earth Tribe is essentially grouped together due to our vision, but we are all different races. It's well-known that the majority of the Earth Tribe originally roamed the fields and mountains as beasts. Hence, the classification is practically impossible to count. But, precisely because of that! There's an enormous variety of Earth Tribe methods."
"Hm? What do you mean?"
"What do I mean?".
The flounder merchant looks at me as if he didn't understand my question, his eyes almost questioning why I couldn't understand such a simple matter.
"Hmm, the environment in the Lower Realm where I lived is too different from the Bright Cold Realm."
I make up a suitable excuse about the lower realm, and the flounder merchant nods.
"Ah, right, you mentioned you've just ascended. Well, there are countless lower realms, so that makes sense. To explain the situation of the Earth Tribe in the Bright Cold Realm to a distinguished dragon like yourself, our 'Earth Tribe methods' are practically not standardized, except for the Dragon Race or the Phoenix Race you belong to, right?"
"...Right"
I don't know much but agree, fearing that any further ignorance on my part might lead to more suspicion.
'Well, I can guess as much.'
Earth Tribe, or essentially the demon race.
Unlike the Heaven Tribe, which passes down and progressively develops methods for future generations, most demon races were once wild beasts roaming the fields, unable to inherit methods from their ancestors.
Therefore, demon races accumulating power essentially had to create their methods individually as they grew, so it made sense that there are no standardized methods.
"Yes, as you know, we demon races must 'create' our own suitable methods relying on our instincts from the day we awaken our spiritual nature and gain intelligence. Because of this, the methods created by each race and individual vary greatly. Such demon beast methods are created by countless demon races relying on their instincts and their bodies. That's why there are so many demons who carve the flow of spiritual energy into their bodies and sell parts of those engraved bodies like this."
"Hm, I see."
There seems to be a reason why demons engrave methods into their bodies.
"And such a diverse market of demon beast methods provides an opportunity for many other demons who have awakened intelligence to look for methods that suit them. If there are sellers, there are also buyers. For example, if someone creates a method according to instinct but it turns out to be poor, they can come to the method market to buy one that suits them better. And, of course, many from the Heaven Tribe also desire our demon beast methods."
The flounder merchant chuckles and scratches his head.
"Those from the Heaven Tribe who wish to study our demon beast methods always come here to buy these method manuals in bulk at regular intervals. That's why this demon beast method market is so vibrant. I'm not sure what the Lower Realm you came from is like, but it seems they didn't have such a system?"
"Hm. Indeed, it's a unique system of the Bright Cold Realm."
After asking the flounder merchant a few more questions about the Earth Tribe, I hand over some spirit stones I brought from the lower realm.
'The Earth Tribe market is ultimately related to the characteristics of the Earth Tribe itself.'
As you learn a method, the flow of spiritual energy leaves traces throughout the body according to the characteristics of the method.
A market for demon beast methods where parts of the body with these traces of flow are sold.
That is the unique characteristic of the Earth Tribe.
After looking around the flounder merchant's shop, I visited other shops.
While wandering through the shops, I realized that there were some manuals commonly sold in several places.
"Look here, I've seen this manual quite often in other shops too, what kind of manual is this? I've only recently ascended, so could you explain it to me?"
Fortunately, when I ask merchants while imitating the appearance of the Dragon Race, they are more than willing to explain as if its an honor.
"Ah, you are an ascended dragon kin, I see. These methods are the most fundamental among the demon beast methods of the Bright Cold Realm. They can be considered basic methods."
The merchant, who looks like a mussel but bizarrely with limbs, lifts a small spirit stone and continues the explanation.
"While countless demons each have their unique methods, we all share some common ground as demon races. These commonalities have been compiled to create what can be considered the basics of basics among demon beast methods."
"Oh? What's its name?"
"It's called the Vast Cold Formula."
"Vast Cold Formula"
I purchase the Vast Cold Formula and tuck it away.
After buying the basic demon beast method and a couple of other methods that seem suitable, I head back up to the stone building where Seo Hweol is located.
'It seems Seo Hweol hasn't come out yet.'
It seems he has a lot of work to deal with inside.
As I wait for Seo Hweol, several hours pass.
When the spiritual energy of heaven and earth revolves, indicating the evening,
Seo Hweol comes out of the stone building.
"Have you been waiting long? Weren't you bored?"
"How could I be bored waiting for you, Sir Seo Hweol? Moreover, in cultivation, patience is a virtue."
"Good words. Have you been practicing the Summoning Wind, True Blood Transformation I gave you?"
"Yes, I have."
"Haha I see."
Seo Hweol smiles and pats my shoulder.
However, at that moment, I suddenly feel Seo Hweol's suspicions skyrocket.
'...? But I didn't do anything, why is he suddenly suspicious?'
This person, who doesn't even possess the vision of Beyond the Path, couldn't possibly see through me.
But Seo Hweol, though cunning, is a rational being.
'There's no way he would suddenly suspect me like that without any reason. There must be some grounds for it'
I used the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts to ensure he wouldn't have noticed me leaving and returning.
Furthermore, I left a Gang Sphere clone secretly, so even if Seo Hweol occasionally checked with his consciousness, he wouldn't be able to tell.
But why so suddenly?
"Since today's tasks have been largely satisfactorily handled, let's return. By now, even if Cloud Heart Lake hasn't been conquered, our race's elders must have built a new Sea Dragon Palace there."
"Yes, I understand."
Swoosh!
Seo Hweol transforms back into his true form and carries me on his neck.
As I hang onto Seo Hweol's neck flying, I think to myself.
'Should I now, even by burning my True Origin Energy, draw the Formless Sword and cut this guy's neck?'
His suspicion towards me has enormously spiked.
Perhaps killing him right now and escaping might be better in the long run.
That's when he speaks.
"Ah, and while I was handling tasks at the True Dragon Alliance's office, I heard some interesting information. It's about a plan that will soon be implemented across the entire Earth Tribe."
"Is it alright for me to hear about it?"
"No problem, it's not that big of a secret. 'The Entire Earth Tribe Naming Project.' In the future, the True Dragon Alliance, like the Human Race Grand Alliance's system of compiling a register of the living and dead among humans, plans to name every member of the Earth Tribe and manage those names."
"Names, you say?"
Im taken aback by the sudden change of topic.
'Why bring up names out of nowhere?'
"Names () partly contain fate (). Our Earth Tribe doesn't have the Heaven Tribe's ability to read the fate of the heavens. That's why we've always been behind in the information war against the Heaven Tribe, and the influence of the Earth Tribe has been significantly reduced recently. As such, the True Dragon Alliance plans to manage the names of all Earth Tribe members and give names to those without. It's a grand initiative.
"...But, if I may ask, what's the use of that?"
"Ah, if you don't understand fate, it might be a bit difficult to grasp By managing the names of all Earth Tribe members, the True Dragon Alliance's supreme council decided it's possible to indirectly read the power of fate contained within those names, thereby predicting the overall fate of the Earth Tribe."
"Why are you telling me this decision?"
"Simple. In the future, every race within the Earth Tribe will dispatch one or two individuals for their own management to participate in the Entire Earth Tribe Naming Project. I'm thinking, from our Sea Dragon Race, we'll dispatch you among others."
"Thank you for granting me such an opportunity."
'What exactly is he planning?'
I frown inwardly.
By the time we arrived at Cloud Heart Lake, the sun had set.
Seo Hweol and I enter the newly constructed Sea Dragon Palace beneath the lake.
"Let's discuss the details tomorrow. For today, rest well."
I enter the room assigned to me and sit down.
What should I do?
What is Seo Hweol scheming?
As I ponder this, I inadvertently look at the identity plaque Seo Hweol had given me.
"Huh?"
Why is intent infused in the identity plaque?
I feel a chill down my spine as I examine it.
And then I realize a horrifying truth.
'Damn it.'
During my time at the market today.
I had been constantly monitored by Seo Hweol.
-x-X-x-
Crack...
I clench my teeth tightly, pulling my senses even higher in case I saw it wrong.
The vision of Beyond the Path, added to that of the demon race.
Using enlightenment that transcends planes, I look at the identity plaque.
I wonder how clearly I observe the identity plaque.
Shhhh.
'It's visible.'
This time, I can clearly see it.
The flow of spiritual energy connected to the identity plaque, emanating an aura like that of consciousness waves, leads somewhere.
And the end of that connection is unmistakably Seo Hweol.
'Damn it.'
Only after observing for a while do I grasp the principle of this location-tracking plaque.
The Earth Tribe methods have its flow recorded on their bodies.
Thus, even if a part of the body that has been imprinted with the method falls off, it is still affected by the demon beast method.
Utilizing this principle, it's possible to continuously monitor an identity plaque that's far from oneself.
I investigate the identity plaque further, teeth still clenched.
Fortunately, from the flow of spiritual energy, it seems that only my location is being monitored.
But I can't be at ease.
'Especially not within this Sea Dragon Palace.'
Within the room of the Sea Dragon Palace, decorated similarly to human lodgings.
Even though it wasn't directly built by Seo Hweol but through the Sea Dragon Race elders, I can't trust it.
'There's a high probability that this room I entered has been tampered with to monitor me in real-time.'
Holding the identity plaque, I lie down on the bed comfortably, forcing my expression to relax to avoid detection.
'The first priority is to regain my cultivation.'
I organize my thoughts with a calm expression.
Even if I decide to confront Seo Hweol in a life-or-death struggle, it will be impossible without intending to burn all my True Origin Energy right now.
'Regaining my cultivation as soon as possible and gaining some strength seems necessary for ensuring safety while living with Seo Hweol.'
Closing my eyes, I gently operate the intricacies of the Wonderfully Mysterious Heart Canon, extending my consciousness like threads to secretly survey the surroundings.
After investigating every corner of the room with my consciousness threads, I realize.
Faint spiritual veins are detectable in various places.
These spiritual veins are recording changes occurring within the room and transmitting them somewhere.
'As suspected, I am being monitored.'
In this state, it's impossible to recover my cultivation.
All the methods I have learned would be performed under the watchful eyes of Seo Hweol or the Sea Dragon Race elders.
'Then, I must act now.'
It seems I have to be prepared to burn at least some of my True Origin Energy to escape this situation.
Whir...
Pure life force travels through the threads of the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon throughout the room.
Since each thread of consciousness is applied with the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts, this act will not be detected.
The life force-enriched Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon begins to adhere to the spiritual veins observing my room, starting to [engrave] circuits according to my will.
'Infiltrate them in reverse.'
Whir...
The circuits engrave themselves throughout the spiritual veins, controlled by my will.
These circuits then alter the recording of the room's situation, transmitting a 'different' narrative.
Someone receiving the information through spiritual energy will likely see a scene of me peacefully sleeping in the room.
After engraving the circuits to gain freedom of action and once more searching the room with the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon, I finally feel at ease and stand up from my place.
'Honestly, I want to engrave the Mad Lord's circuits into this identity plaque right away...'
This identity plaque, made from Seo Hweol's scales, is highly likely to be directly connected to Seo Hweol.
The materials of this room are unrelated to the Dragon Race, so it was fine, but tampering with the scales is still dangerous.
'The good news is that the scales only have a location tracking feature attached to them, making it impossible to monitor what I'm doing in real-time.'
I place the identity plaque in a suitable place within the room.
Then, sitting down, I begin to inhale spiritual energy.
'Although I burned some life force, I've gained freedom within the Sea Dragon Palace so its worth it. Now, shall I start cultivating?"
Tsstss
I open my mouth and take out the Colorless Glass Swords that are within me.
Clalak!
My room assigned in the Dragon Palace is quite spacious, so having three thousand glass swords floating around is no problem.
While keeping the swords afloat with sword control,
I focus my consciousness and open my mouth.
"Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections."
Paaaat!
Simultaneously, the glass swords emit light and exude artifact spirits.
In an instant, the room is filled with hazy artifact spirits.
But due to not enough space, the artifact spirits begin to overlap and shine within the room.
But from my perspective, its rather convenient.
Until now, I only stored my cultivation in the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections.
From that standpoint, it was convenient for the artifact spirits to be divided into minute details.
On the other hand, if I want to retrieve the cultivation stored in the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections...
"Merge."
Sssss...
The artifact spirits, one by one, become luminous clusters and overlap.
In front of me, countless artifact spirits gather to form 'one' silhouette.
The face of the silhouette changes constantly.
Everyone I had encountered, good connections, bad connections, loved ones, hated ones, trusted ones, respected ones...
The faces of those tremendous connections swirl on the face of the silhouette until, at one moment, when all the artifact spirits are merged, the silhouette finally takes on a proper form.
Its me.
Sssss...
A man wearing pure white robes.
The artifact spirit looking exactly like me opens its eyes.
I lock eyes with my artifact spirit.
The vision split.
The artifact spirit's vision and my vision.
Since the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections was created by merging the Three Spirits Technique and the Devil Legion Terracotta Scroll, creating another clone like in the case of the Three Spirits Technique is possible.
'I' stretch my arms towards me.
As the two 'me's reach out and touch hands,
The vision of the artifact spirit 'me' is absorbed back into 'my' view.
When I come to my senses, the artifact spirit has been absorbed into my body.
No, to be precise, it 'overlapped.'
Wo-woong!
'Indeed...'
In the overlapped state with the artifact spirit, I feel the power stored within the artifact spirit.
Its an immense power.
With time, by carefully transferring the power residing in the artifact spirit to my body, I will recover all the realms of the Nascent Soul within ten years.
Sssss...
I close my eyes and continue the process of recovering my cultivation through the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections throughout the night.
The next day, I was called by Seo Hweol.
Inside his room, Seo Hweol was observing the duties of the Dragon Race from his room, where a strange flow of spiritual energy was present.
'What's this flow of spiritual energy?'
Observing the flow of spiritual energy, my head feels clearer, giving me a refreshing feeling.
It seems to be some kind of technique that awakens the mind.
While I am basking in the spiritual energy, Seo Hweol, with a smiling face, asks me.
"Was your night in the Sea Dragon Palace peaceful?"
"Ah, thanks to Sir Seo Hweol's care, I spent a peaceful night."
"That's good to hear. I'll keep looking out for you."
However, contrary to his words, his mind is quite sensitive due to the doubts that had grown since yesterday.
His eyes appear to be smiling, but upon closer inspection, I can feel him observing me closely.
"By the way, I heard that the Immortal Beast Blood Fusion is opening in 6 months. Most of the participants in the Immortal Beast Blood Fusion are Nascent Soul stage demon race members, so it might be too much for you to participate in just 6 months, right?"
'6 months later...'
I heard that the Immortal Beast Blood Fusion is held once every 100 years.
If I miss this chance, the next opportunity won't come until 100 years later.
But I decide to be cautious.
Do I really need this Immortal Beast Blood Fusion?'
Having Immortal Beast True Blood makes it incredibly convenient to enter the demon race society.
But the problem is why Seo Hweol will send me to the Immortal Beast Blood Fusion without any reason.
'There's a ninety percent chance he has ulterior motives.'
Participating in a competition with Nascent Soul stage demon beasts without any cultivation in just 6 months?
Its highly suspicious.
However, there is a problem.
'A True Immortal will descend in 100 years and sweep away the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.'
My goal is to steal the Heavenly Lightning Banner from the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect and place it in the storage scroll of Seo Hweol or Hyeon Eum, or other dragons with schemes, within 100 years.
But to do that, I need to deeply infiltrate the Dragon Race society within 100 years.
After much consideration, I respond.
"May I know how the Immortal Beast Blood Fusion competition is conducted?"
"It's simple. In the lowest layer of the Serving Command Ark's testing area, selected demon beasts will compete for survival. The last 100 survivors will each have a chance to receive Immortal Beast True Blood."
"Sounds simple."
"It won't be that simple. The testing area of the Serving Command Ark is quite harsh."
After a moment of thought, I told Seo Hweol.
"I will participate."
"Oh...?"
A hint of doubt appears in Seo Hweol's eyes.
But I decide to endure this much.
'After all, Seo Hweol will continue to doubt me even if I just breathe and eat. In fact, if I consider my actions from a third-party perspective, they are quite suspicious.'
Since I've already been marked as a suspicious person,
I decided to push forward with that suspicious image.
"Haha, good. After all, you're part of our Sea Dragon Race, so it would be an honor for a talent from our race to be granted Immortal Beast True Blood."
He smiles warmly and amiably.
"But do you have a way to reach the Nascent Soul stage in 6 months?"
"Um, can those who are not at the Nascent Soul stage not participate?"
"It's not exactly like that. It's just that those who are not at the Nascent Soul stage tend to die before the Immortal Beast Blood Fusion ends due to the harshness of the test ground."
"Then it's fine. I am confident I can survive."
"Hmm, well, if that's the case."
Seo Hweol smiles slightly, takes out a piece of silk, writes a recommendation letter in demon script, folds the silk, and sends it somewhere with a spell.
"I've sent the recommendation letter to the organizers of the Immortal Beast Blood Fusion. You'll be able to participate in the future."
"Thank you."
"No need for thanks. Is there anything you find inconvenient or need...?"
I ponder for a moment, thinking.
'Maybe it wouldn't be bad to directly ask about Deputy Oh Hye-seo. Well, considering Seo Hweol's character, hes probably treating her well...'
Although I don't have high hopes, there is still a possibility he might easily talk about it, so I clung to the sliver of hope and was about to ask him.
Just then.
'...Wait a moment.'
I feel chills running down my back, but quickly suppress any physical reaction through my control.
Since entering Seo Hweol's room, I felt a peculiar flow of spiritual energy that seemed to clear the mind.
I casually thought it was some kind of spell that 'clears the mind' and let it be.
However, as I internally operate the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon and utilize the heart essence in the realm of Treading Heavens, observing my consciousness, I immediately realize something is wrong when my consciousness starts to feel odd.
'This bastard, he's brainwashing me!'
Indeed.
From the moment I entered the room, the peculiar effect of mental awakening I felt is not actually an awakening effect at all.
Nor is it simply clearing my mind.
Its a brainwashing operation centered around Seo Hweol, designed to make one feel an endless affection towards him!
I have been under brainwashing since I entered the room.
'He is the core and caster of this spell.'
Every word Seo Hweol utters, every gentle expression he makes, is part of the brainwashing.
Despite feeling chills all over my body, I suppress my physical reactions.
'If it were anyone else, they would have been brainwashed by Seo Hweol without even realizing it.'
Only now did I realize I was being brainwashed, despite having a consciousness at the Nascent Soul stage, enlightenment in the Treading-Heaven realm, and specialized in the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon focused on consciousness.
Even cultivators at the Heavenly Being stage would fail to suspect and investigate Seo Hweol from the start, not realizing they had been brainwashed.
"Hmm, is there anything else you need?"
Seo Hweol asks me again.
I compose my emotions and smile brightly, nodding.
"Your grace is as vast as the sea, Sir Seo Hweol. However, I'm curious about what has become of Oh Hye-seo, who was originally my colleague?"
The purpose of this brainwashing is 'to harbor affection for Seo Hweol and not to doubt him.'
It's not strange for me to inquire about the welfare of a colleague.
And to my question, Seo Hweol warmly smiles and answers.
"Of course, she is doing very well. However, as I mentioned before, she has accepted my true blood, becoming part of our Sea Dragon Race, and is currently practicing a great method to accept my true blood within the inner sanctum of the Sea Dragon Palace. Since it's a method that requires stabilization, even if you wish to see her, I'd ask you to wait a bit longer."
"Ah, I see. Thank you for your answer."
'He's lying.'
Yuan Li was also someone who had assimilated Seo Hweol's blood, and I had forced him to reveal the method of assimilating Seo Hweol's blood through torture.
From his confession, there was no such process as needing to stabilize.
"If I participate in the Immortal Beast Blood Fusion and receive the Immortal Beast True Blood, will I also need to stabilize like Oh Hye-seo?"
"Haha, of course. If you are entrusted with the honorable mission of receiving the Immortal Beast True Blood in the Immortal Beast Blood Fusion, I will personally bring you and assist you in assimilating the Immortal Beast True Blood. I will also lend you the assimilation chamber she is using to assimilate the True Blood this time."
"Thank you for your gracious words."
Listening to Seo Hweol, Im certain.
'Seo Hweol is spouting nonsense, and I have no idea what's happening to Oh Hye-seo right now.'
"Is there anything else you're curious about?"
"..."
If I were to say I want to see Oh Hye-seo now, Seo Hweol will certainly refuse, using her need for stability as an excuse.
'He's probably continuously observing whether the brainwashing is taking effect on me.'
It's best not to ask any more questions that can provoke him.
"There's nothing more I'm curious about. If you may permit, I'll go and continue my cultivation to prepare for the Immortal Beast Blood Fusion."
"Understood. Go ahead. Oh, and do you have any human cultivation methods you're practicing?"
"Yes, I do."
"Then, if you wish to conduct a ritual later, go see the Sea Dragon Race Elder Jeon Rul. He has a lot of interest in human rituals and will kindly set one up for you."
"Thank you."
After bidding farewell to Seo Hweol, I leave his room.
Even as I exit his room, I don't sigh or relax until I return straight to my own room.
I could see the flow of spiritual energy leading to Seo Hweol's room throughout the Sea Dragon Palace.
The same flow that is set up in my room.
Seo Hweol is monitoring everything within the Dragon Palace in real-time.
Unless its someone like me who has the vision of intent and vision of spiritual energy, along with the enlightenment of planes, the Dragon Race members wouldnt have noticed.
Upon entering my room, which had been pre-equipped with circuits, I finally relax and sit down.
Really, it's hard to even breathe in this Sea Dragon Palace.
Given that Seo Hweol's eyes are everywhere, I have to assume I am being monitored at all times.
'I'll be living here in the future. Can I just endure being subjected to this?'
Wo-woong!
Last night, through the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections, I regained the cultivation of Qi Refining 7th Star.
The reason I couldn't surpass the 7th Star is that the 7th Star requires a ritual, so I was stopped merely due to procedural reasons.
'My spiritual power is sufficient.'
Wo-woong!
I touch the surveillance spiritual veins Seo Hweol laid in my room and infuse my own spiritual power into the spiritual veins.
'You must have thought everything in the Dragon Palace dances to your tune, you snake bastard.'
Tssts, tsstssts!
I reverse the flow in Seo Hweol's spiritual veins, installing the Mad Lord's circuits.
Beyond the spiritual veins, the circuits of madness spreads, and the circuits that were only in my room begin to invade other areas.
Since I blocked the information with the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts, no information should reach Seo Hweol.
'From today, the Sea Dragon Palace falls to my grasp.'
Seo Hweol must have thought he could control me by accepting me.
However, that is a mistake.
I am poison.
A poison that had been fermented, aged, and completely rotted over for more than two thousand years.
Now that this poison has entered the heart of the Dragon Race, it will poison everything.
Tsstsstssts!
'If you have no intention of showing me what's happening to Oh Hye-seo and are full of plans to brainwash me...'
I think as I cover the entire Sea Dragon Palace with the Mad Lord's circuits.
'I'll take control of the Dragon Palace myself and find out directly.'
Thanks for laying down such a technique throughout your palace, making it easy for me.
Now, I'll make good use of it.
6 months pass quickly.
I regained my late-stage Qi Building cultivation, and in a year or two, I will be able to recover to the Core Formation stage.
During that time, by exerting power, I was able to seize control of Seo Hweol's eyes spread throughout the Dragon Palace.
As a result of monitoring the Dragon Palace using Seo Hweol's eyes,
I still haven't found Oh Hye-seo.
The claim that Oh Hye-seo was inside the Dragon Palace was a lie from the start.
'Damn it.'
I grit my teeth as I open my eyes in the room.
The time for the Immortal Beast Blood Fusion is here.
I finish preparing and leave the Sea Dragon Palace.
Emerging from the Sea Dragon Palace located at the bottom of Cloud Heart Lake, I see the barrier enveloping the Sea Dragon Palace and the waters of Cloud Heart Lake beyond it.
Both within and outside, Sea Dragons are walking or swimming.
However, as I pass by, the Sea Dragons murmur and show signs of avoiding me.
From what I can gather, it seems they generally don't like me, a human.
"That human, he's participating in the Immortal Beast Blood Fusion this time?"
"Sir Seo Hweol wrote him a recommendation letter."
"Why would Sir do that for someone like him...?"
"Even if he has exceptional consciousness, isn't that too much of a privilege?"
I calmly ignore their words and wait at the edge of the barrier. After a while, Seo Hweol swims down in his true form..
"Have you been waiting long?"
"Not at all."
"First, climb onto my neck... Let everyone hear. All participants in the Immortal Beast Blood Fusion will fly following me!"
Following Seo Hweol's words, young Nascent Soul and Core Formation stage Sea Dragons fly after him.
I cling to Seo Hweol's neck and we fly across the lake towards the Serving Command Ark.
While I am clinging to him,
Seo Hweol begins comforting me with a warm voice.
"Recently, there's been a lot of gossip among our Sea Dragon Race about you. It seems many are displeased with the privileges given to you, not being of the Dragon Race."
"...It seems so."
"First, as a representative of the Sea Dragon Race, I apologize. It was me who accepted you into the Sea Dragon Race, and I'm sorry for not taking better care of you. Regardless of what they say, don't mind them. I've become a major figure in the True Dragon Alliance recently, and even before ascending, I was a king trusted by the Sea Dragon Race. Since I personally noticed your qualities and brought you here, you just need to walk your own path."
"...Thank you for your kind words."
Had Azure Tiger Saint said this, I would have been moved enough to bow in respect.
However, the heart essence behind Seo Hweol's eloquent words are filled with dark malice.
'It's a refreshing feeling, contrary to that time with Hyang-hwa.'
Her, who harshly told me to forget her while secretly harboring love for me, and Seo Hweol, who outwardly speaks kindly and trustingly while inwardly schemes on how to use me and doubts me.
Its extremely polarizing, but so extreme that it feels refreshingly new.
'Considering Seo Rans case, those murmuring of the Sea Dragons must be instigated by him.'
Even though I seized control of Seo Hweol's eyes within the Sea Dragon Palace,
From the day I joined Seo Hweol, I never let my guard down for a moment.
Though constraints on my actions have loosened a bit, Seo Hweol knows all too well how to restrict a person's actions without using spells or sorcery.
Even without being brainwashed or monitored, Seo Hweol's significant words kept me immobilized in the Dragon Palace all this time.
'He's adept at rendering people utterly immobile with psychological manipulation.'
The more I stay with Seo Hweol.
The more I feel suffocated, as if my throat is being constricted.
It feels like I am surrounded, with only the path Seo Hweol offers seeming somewhat open. This isnt just once or twice, but always.
However, what Seo Hweol offers is always a trap.
For someone like me, who has lived for over 2,000 years, theres room to breathe, at least.
'Then... where exactly is Oh Hye-seo?'
While concerned for Oh Hye-seo, I enter the depths of Serving Command Ark with Seo Hweol.
Where could she be, captured and brainwashed by Seo Hweol?
Feeling that the goals I set in this life are not going to be easy,
I follow Seo Hweol to the lowest level of Serving Command Ark.
We reach the battleground where the Immortal Beast Blood Fusion is to be held.
Its time for the Immortal Beast Blood Fusion to begin.
-x-X-x-
"It's dark."
Seo Hweol and I arrived at the lowest level of Serving Command Ark, a place so cold and dark it chills to the bone.
'This is the last of the seven floors of Serving Command Ark.'
Similar to Serving Command Palace, Serving Command Ark itself also comprises a total of seven floors.
The topmost 7th floor, the Life Floor, is where Seo Hweol conducts administrative tasks, meetings of the True Dragon Alliance take place, and where the demon race's market and social gatherings mainly occur.
The 6th floor, the Cultivation Floor, is rich in spiritual veins and spiritual energy, provided for the later-stage Earth Tribe cultivators and elders.
The 5th floor, the Harvest Floor, is the most appropriate and safest refuge for Earth Tribe members to face Heavenly Tribulation before crossing the cultivation threshold.
The 4th floor, the Death Floor, is where the corpses of deceased Earth Tribe members gather.
The 3rd floor, the Earth Floor, is the power room of Serving Command Ark and the source of spiritual energy flowing throughout the ark.
The 2nd floor, the Storage Floor, serves as a storage space below the power room, currently used as a treasure vault by the Earth Tribe.
And the lowest level of Serving Command Ark, where the Immortal Beast Blood Fusion takes place.
The 1st floor, the Emptiness Floor.
As I reached the Emptiness Floor, I felt as if all the spiritual energy in my body was freezing over.
'Is this the coldness of the Emptiness Floor?'
There is literally nothing.
No light, no heat, no air, no sound.
Even the spiritual energy is so scarce that once it leaks, it disperses into the pitch-black void.
Facing the profound darkness, not just me, but the other Earth Tribe members seem startled, showing signs of surprise.
The Nascent Soul stage Sea Dragons who followed Seo Hweol are also huddling and looking around.
Not just the Sea Dragons, but other demon beasts who arrived are in the same state.
"Is this where the Immortal Beast Blood Fusion is held?"
"We're to undergo a survival test here? It won't be easy."
"Even just breathing scatters spiritual energy."
Just when they are all muttering.
Flash!
Suddenly, the darkest lowest floor is brightly illuminated.
A golden flash of light shines in all directions.
All demon beasts who arrived at the lowest floor look up in surprise.
There, a familiar face is present.
Its Gyu-ryeon, an elder of the True Dragon Alliance who came to fetch us before.
"It seems everyone has arrived. I am Gyu-ryeon, an elder of the True Dragon Alliance, overseeing this Immortal Beast Blood Fusion. First, if there are any Four-Axis stage cultivators from major races, stop protecting your own race and come this way."
At that command, Seo Hweol from the Sea Dragon Race and several other demon beasts from various races fly up to stand by Gyu-ryeon's side.
"Ugh..."
"Uh, uhuhu... so, so cold..."
As Seo Hweol disappears, the surrounding Sea Dragons start to shiver uncontrollably.
"Is this the cold of the Emptiness Floor now that Sir Seo Hweol stopped his protection...?"
"Harsh..."
"...?"
I am momentarily puzzled as I watch the Sea Dragons around me shivering.
'What's going on? Nothing changed.'
The temperature of the Emptiness Floor, terribly cold from the beginning, hadn't changed at all.
Yet, suddenly, the later-stage cultivators of the Sea Dragon Race started to shiver.
I realize something from this situation.
'Ah, that guy Seo Hweol. He hasn't been protecting me from the start.'
Its a really simple fact.
Wo-woong!
As the Four-Axis stage Earth Tribe members stand next to Gyu-ryeon, the light emanating from her becomes even brighter.
'This is...'
Im startled, realizing the nature of the light emanating from Gyu-ryeon.
'Life force, itself?'
In the void of Emptiness where nothing exists,
Gyu-ryeon is 'producing' the most pure and original spiritual energy, the power of life.
'That's a Four-Axis stage cultivator....'
Those who awakened the power of life.
It seems true that reaching Four-Axis grants an incomparably longer lifespan, as she illuminates the darkness with life force itself.
'No, its not just by herself.'
She is emitting an even brighter light with the help of the energy from the surrounding Four-Axis stage cultivators.
Regardless, the golden light emitted by the Four-Axis cultivators color the surroundings, dispelling the darkness and revealing the scenery around us to some extent.
We are in a desert of sand.
Across this sand desert, numerous unique demon races are densely packed.
Including the Sea Dragons, demon beasts I have never seen in my life, and even those who look like rocks, making one doubt if they are alive.
Countless demon race beasts are scattered as far as the eye can see.
'Ten thousand? Fifteen thousand? Roughly around twelve thousand I estimate.'
Moreover, the majority of them are at the Core Formation and Nascent Soul stages.
I am the only one at the Qi Building stage.
Then, Gyuryeon begins to speak amidst the golden light.
"First, I express my respect to all the later-stage Earth Tribe members who have come here. All of you have bravely participated in the Immortal Beast Blood Fusion, knowing well that you might lose your lives in the battle, choosing to compete for merely 100 spots. However, as a senior, I am also worried. This Immortal Beast Blood Fusion, as I say again, is an extreme survival test that takes place in the void of Emptiness. Let me say this one last time: The Immortal Beast Blood Fusion is a test accompanied by death, and those who wish to give up are advised to do so now. Is there anyone who wants to give up? Come forward now."
However, no demon beast steps forward.
Gyu-ryeon seems to nod indifferently at this, but I could read a feeling of pity in her intent.
"Good. Since there are no quitters, we will now commence the Immortal Beast Blood Fusion. The rules are simple. Just survive until the last 100 remain!"
Flash!
As she waves her hand, golden life force spreads around, etching strange patterns on the arms and legs of each demon beast.
Its a number in demon script, Thirteen Thousand Two Hundred Fifty-Two.
"The number etched on your bodies represents the number of other Immortal Beast Blood Fusion participants currently in the battle grounds. As each participant is eliminated, the number will change accordingly. You just need to endure until that number reaches one hundred. However, as you know, there is no withdrawal from the Immortal Beast Blood Fusion midway. Therefore, for your given numbers to drop below one hundred, a significant number of you must either die or become incapacitated. Now, that's roughly it for the explanation, is there anything you're curious about?"
"Excuse me, Examiner. What does 'incapacitated' mean?"
A demon beast asks Gyu-ryeon, who replies with a cold gaze but internally with a hint of pity, speaking loudly.
"Being on the verge of death, reaching a comatose state is recognized as an incapacitated state for the Immortal Beast Blood Fusion, and you'll be transported to the second floor of Serving Command Ark. However, usually, if you reach such a state, expect your cultivation to drop by several levels."
"...I understand."
"Any more questions?"
"Yes. I have something I want to make sure of... If the goal of this competition is to survive until fewer than 100 Earth Tribe members remain, does that mean the main objective of the Immortal Beast Blood Fusion is essentially to reduce the number of competitors quickly?"
A demon beast resembling a praying mantis asks with a murderous intent, directing the question at Gyu-ryeon.
Gyuryeon smirks.
"Well... most would think so, but it's a bit different. This Immortal Beast Blood Fusion is ultimately a competition to select those demon beasts strong enough in 'life force' to accept the true blood of Immortal Beasts and as such, 'survivability' is the main focus of the competition. You'll understand once the competition properly begins."
"Yes, well... I take it as a confirmation that it's okay to reduce the number of other competitors."
"Do as you will."
The mantis demon beast cackles, not hiding its murderous intent.
The demon beasts around it show discomfort, stepping back a few paces from it.
However, Gyu-ryeon seems to send a pitiful intent towards that demon beast.
'Whatever it is, the real Immortal Beast Blood Fusion will demand tremendous survivability.'
It isn't going to be difficult for me.
Over the past six months, not just me but also Yuan Yu regained its cultivation.
Unlike me, who had no foundation in cultivation right after returning, Yuan Yu had a foundation in Core Formation stage cultivation, so he could quickly regain his Core Formation stage cultivation.
Since I wore Yuan Yu for this Immortal Beast Blood Fusion, Im not particularly worried about my survivability.
More questions follow.
"Does the Immortal Beast Blood Fusion not end until there are fewer than 100 members left?"
"That's right. I know what you're worried about. Youre concerned that the Immortal Beast Blood Fusion will drag on for years, arent you? That won't happen. It will conclude within four months at most."
After a few more questions, Gyu-ryeon looks around the assembly and says,
"Are there no more questions? Then, let's start the real Immortal Beast Blood Fusion!"
"Yes!"
Numerous demon beasts respond loudly.
Gyu-ryeon raises her hand to the sky and slams it down.
"From this moment, the Immortal Beast Blood Fusion begins!"
Boom!
Simultaneously, the desert crumbles into pieces, starting to collapse downward.
'This is...!'
It wasn't split by mere physical force.
Observing the flow of spiritual energy between Gyu-ryeon and the desert, I realize the true identity of the desert.
Was the desert itself a manifestation of Gyu-ryeon's spell?
Rustle!
As the desert splits, a dark space below is revealed.
An absolute darkness, akin to the void, is exposed.
However, unlike the void, its impossible to read the plane and return to the current realm because this realm is not the void but a space within the realm itself.
Ssshhh!
'Gasp!'
I nearly lost consciousness momentarily due to the insane cold enveloping me.
'What on earth is this...'
Cold.
I knew the Immortal Beast Blood Fusion wouldn't be easy, but I didn't expect it to be this chilling.
Nothingness. Absolute darkness!
Perhaps this is what outer space is like.
'Life force itself is being drawn away.'
In this pitch-black void, merely existing led to your life force naturally escaping into the void and disperse.
Enduring this mind-numbing cold, I understand why Gyu-ryeon sneered at those demon beasts trying to eliminate competitors while also pitying them.
'Reduce competitors? Ridiculous.'
That's impossible.
Just being here feels like the soul itself might freeze over.
No, it's not even cold.
This is more akin to death itself.
The fourth floor is called the Death Floor, but isn't that a title more fitting for the first floor?'
Before long, the desert that had become our ground scatters into the darkness.
The light provided by Gyu-ryeon and the Four-Axis Masters also vanishes somewhere.
Without attempting to locate other demons around me, I immediately begin to circulate my spiritual power.
Woong!
My Pure Spiritual Force flows vigorously within me, reviving my dying body.
Woong Woong Woong!
A faint light emanates from my body, finally making me feel slightly alive.
'This won't do.'
But as I see even the faintest glimmer of light gradually scatter into the darkness, I clench my teeth.
'I need another way. At this rate, all life force will disperse and I'll die. A test of life force, life force...'
Tick, tick-tick, tick-tick-tick!
For the first time, my body, which had never moved uncontrollably, chatters its teeth on its own.
It isn't a matter of will. The very presence of [Death] itself caused my body to react instinctively.
I will certainly die if it continues this way.
It can't end like this. If it's a test of life force, then activating life force is the key.'
And there's nothing better than cultivation to activate life force.
'The space may be scarce in spiritual energy, but that's actually for the better.'
In such a space, Seo Hweol's gaze cannot reach me.
Meaning, I can take as much time as needed for proper cultivation.
The lack of spiritual energy isn't a problem either.
Wo-woong!
'Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections.'
Tst-tst-tst!
The ethereal form of an artifact spirit appears before me.
The countless figures of artifact spirits, containing my myriad connections, transformed back into 'my' form according to my will.
And 'I' soon overlap with my figure.
Zuuuung!
A massive amount of spiritual energy stored within the artifact spirit transfers into my body.
From the moment I heard that the Immortal Beast Blood Fusion is a competition for survival, I believed I could easily make it into the last 100.
Using the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts to hide my presence and absorbing only the spiritual energy from the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections is enough to endure.
But seeing the harsh environment of emptiness, most demon races would exhaust all their life force and vitality just trying to survive in this space.
There's no need to use the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts.
With the spiritual energy of Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections, I can calmly cultivate and wait out the time!
Wo-woong!
I transfer the cultivation of Azure Spirit Starlight Quintessence Great Method into my body, which I have been cautious about practicing fully due to Seo Hweol's suspicion.
Since Seo Hweol is acquainted with Azure Tiger Saint, practicing Azure Spirit Starlight Quintessence Great Method could have been problematic if discovered, as changes in the body in the initial stages are easily noticeable.
During the six months, Seo Hweol called me out every three days to check my cultivation progress. Azure Spirit Starlight Quintessence Great Method, which causes significant bodily changes in the early stages, had to be approached with caution.
According to Gyu-ryeon, it seems I can buy about four months of time within this area.
With four months, I can summon the Qi and blood stored from the Azure Spirit Starlight Quintessence Great Method in my past life.
Qi is the Soul.
Thus, the dharma treasure attached to my soul and the cultivation stored in the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections could transcend time to join me.
Qi is Life.
Extremely pure spiritual energy is, in essence, life force itself.
Therefore, cultivating the Azure Spirit Starlight Quintessence Great Method, which maximizes life force by condensing spiritual energy to its extreme, is also possible after regression.
Crack, creak!
A tremendous life force circulates throughout my body.
"Argh!"
The pains I experienced while cultivating the Azure Spirit Starlight Quintessence Great Method in my past life, compressed into a short time, strikes my mind.
"...!"
Its brain-numbingly painful.
Yet, I clench my teeth, enduring the pain and accepting the life force surging throughout my body.
The immense life force circulates through my body, elevating my qi and blood, and begins to recreate the indestructible body I had forged in my past life.
Creak, creak!
I continue my cultivation amidst the pain that feels as if my entire body is being crushed.
Although it feels like my body is shattering, that very agony drives away the cold and darkness of the empty void.
'I can endure this.'
In the lowest floor of Serving Command Ark, I smile as I continue my cultivation fueled by life force.
With this, I can endure to the end!
Wrapped in pain as if my body is being crushed, the heat generated from the pain drives the cold away.
Confident I can endure till the end of the Immortal Beast Blood Fusion, I spend my time in deep cultivation.
Before long, the number recorded on my arm rapidly decreased.
In just a few days, the number of demon beasts that had reached thirteen thousand had dropped to five thousand.
And then, I understood why Gyu-ryeon said a conclusion could be reached within four months.
'Ah, as the numbers dwindle, the darkness intensifies.'
It became colder and more desolate than before.
In the Emptiness Floor, nothingness itself seems to materialize, attempting to devour me.
I can endure it for now. But... as the numbers further decrease, the darkness will intensify.
When that happens, the life force being generated from practicing the Azure Spirit Starlight Quintessence Great Method will be surpassed by the life force escaping from my body.
Can I truly endure it?
I clench my teeth and resist against the cold, against this death, and endure.
Time passed exceedingly slowly.
For months on end, floating aimlessly in the darkness without any light or warmth.
Now... there are only 200 left.
The cold and darkness became even more intense.
It felt as though the darkness was creeping into my eyes, nose, and mouth.
It was as if darkness, not blood, flowed through my veins.
Just a bit more, just endure a bit longer.
Fortunately, I had access to vastly more resources than others through the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections.
Enduring wouldnt be difficult.
And finally, on the fourth month as Gyu-ryeon had mentioned.
"Huuuh..."
Just exhaling caused a burst of light to escape my mouth and scatter into the darkness.
'I'll die, enduring any longer means death.'
I truly feel death creeping up to my throat.
As the number of surviving demon beasts decreased, the darkness and cold intensified, leaving only 103 remaining.
Just three more to go.
But within this soul-chilling cold, all I want is to leave, Immortal Beast Blood Fusion be damned.
The cold is beyond what mere willpower can overcome.
Crack, crack-crack!
I ground my teeth, focusing on the number displayed on my arm.
The number, which had been 103, had now reduced to 102.
Just a little longer, and this unbearable cold will pass.
I will be able to leave.
One hundred and one.
Only one more person needs to fall into a comatose state for the Immortal Beast Blood Fusion to end.
However, seeing that number, I cant help but laugh at myself.
My life force is surprisingly tenacious.
No, its more due to the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections than my own life force.
Ive been enduring by cultivating the Azure Spirit Starlight Quintessence Great Method through the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections.
But now, even the Azure Spirit Starlight Quintessence Great Method is struggling against the cold, which is not merely the yin attribute, but rather the absolute nothingness of this empty space, making it all the more difficult to endure.
Its like my mind is drying up.
It feels like four years, not four months.
But it will all be over soon.
Looking at the number one hundred and one, I desperately wish for the one to disappear quickly.
How much time has passed?
Finally, the moment I have been waiting for arrived.
One hundred.
Finally!
The Immortal Beast Blood Fusion is over!
Or so I thought when...
"...?"
Nothing changes.
Whats going on?
After the Immortal Beast Blood Fusion ends, we are supposed to be transported to the second floor.
But why hasn't anything happened yet?
Gyu-ryeon said it herself.
When the number reaches one hundred, the Immortal Beast Blood Fusion is supposed to end.
Right, maybe it just takes a little time.
There couldn't be any problems.
I calmly wait to be transported in the cold.
Ten more days passed.
Something's wrong.
This shouldnt be happening.
Why am I still here even though the Immortal Beast Blood Fusion has ended?
'Is this Seo Hweols trick?
Did Seo Hweol manipulate this to send all participants of the Immortal Beast Blood Fusion to their doom?
But no matter how much I think about it, theres no reason for Seo Hweol to do such a thing.
Or has the cold made me lose my sense of time?
But that doesnt make sense either. My mind is too clear.
I'm not insane, and considering everything with a clear head, theres no reason for Seo Hweol to do this. Moreover, from what I gathered in the six months before participating in the Immortal Beast Blood Fusion, it has always been conducted fairly. Theres no room for Seo Hweols interference
It can't be that this was done deliberately to kill me.
Even if I am suspicious, Seo Hweol's character would suggest he'd use me to the fullest before letting me die, not kill me off for no reason.
Somethings wrong.
I decided to wait a little longer, trembling in the cold.
Another month passed.
Perhaps... by some terrible stroke of luck, something went wrong with the Emptiness Floor just when I participated?
I'm not insane.
And unless Seo Hweol decided on a whim to kill me just for fun, I can't think of any other explanation.
No... more than that, I've been sustaining myself by cultivating the Azure Spirit Starlight Quintessence Great Method with the life force accumulated in the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections, but how are the other demon beasts still alive?
Two more months passed since the Immortal Beast Blood Fusion was supposed to end.
Yet, the number still points to one hundred.
Indeed, something must've gone wrong with the Immortal Beast Blood Fusion. Damn it, I can't just die here frozen like some Seo Eun-hyeon frozen popsicle."
Determined to not die here, I decide to somehow escape this place.
Crack, crack-crack!
I drew out my Formless Sword and swing it around me.
But in this area devoid of spiritual energy, its difficult to cut through anything.
Floating in the void, I gather spiritual energy and spray it around, trying to navigate the dark space.
But I find nothing.
It's vast.
And cold.
If only I can find something that activates the Immortal Beast Blood Fusion, something that triggers the darkness of this Emptiness Floor
Clenching my teeth, I fight through the darkness, searching for a way out.
A year passes.
Crack, crack-crack...
Even trying to move a finger causes my whole body to crackle.
It cant...go on like this.
Something must have gone seriously wrong.
Have all the demon beasts participating in the Immortal Beast Blood Fusion been sealed in the lowest layer?
A year passed without finding any hope.
I had no choice but to float aimlessly in the void space.
I must find a way
If things continue this way, finding an exit or getting out will be secondary.
I fear I might die consumed by the darkness, dying from the soul-chilling cold, from the utter nothingness.
What should I do?
As I float in the void space, pondering my next move...
Whoosh!
The moment I try to cross my arms, something in my bosom brushes against my hand.
This is
A small spirit stone.
I remember the identity of the spirit stone and observe it.
Its the Vast Cold Formula I bought from the demon beast merchant last time.
The most basic among the basics, the foundational beast methods, was it?
Suddenly, I decide to cultivate the Azure Spirit Starlight Quintessence Great Method along with the Vast Cold Formula.
If I can't find a way out of this Emptiness Floor, I might as well endure until I'm rescued.
Instead of seeking a way out, I choose to endure as long as possible.
Let's endure, somehow. Whether Seo Hweol played tricks, or something's gone wrong with the Serving Command Ark, let's just endure!
Wo-woong!
Clenching my teeth, I read the demon script embedded in the spirit stone and manipulated spiritual energy according to the Vast Cold Formulas instructions.
Wo-woong!
At first, it was a bit unfamiliar.
But after another year in the void space...
I could feel what demon beast methods are about.
Demon beast methods are essentially explosions.
I felt this when cultivating the Summoning Wind, Dragon Transformation.
Inner Cores of demon beasts concentrate spiritual energy within their Demon Cores before causing an explosion.
By repeating these explosions, they gradually expand their Demon Core's capacity, absorbing more Qi as their "vessel" grows.
This is the foundation of all demon beast methods.
But as I continued reading the Vast Cold Formula, I realized how absurd the Summoning Wind, Dragon Transformation method is.
Did Seo Hweol really throw me a bomb like the Summoning Wind, Dragon Transformation to cultivate?
All demon beast methods are based on the following principle:
The spiritual energy of heaven and earth rotates as Yin and Yang, forming Taiji.
Thus, to vision of the demon race who can see the essence of spiritual energy, all things in the universe appear as Taiji.
The core of the demon beast method is to rotate this Taiji strongly within the Demon Core, crashing it together to cause an explosion.
While Yin and Yang explode upon collision, they also achieve harmony and stabilize instantly, ensuring the safety of practicing demon beast methods, though it may be painful.
However, the Summoning Wind, Dragon Transformation Seo Hweol gave me contains no details on the circulation of Taiji, only methods to recklessly explode the Demon Core.
Damned dragon.
I curse Seo Hweol inwardly and continue to repeat the steps of the Vast Cold Formula.
Three more years pass.
Now I have spent five years in the darkness.
Demon beast methods are truly simple.
At the Qi Refining stage, weak Qi is circulated and exploded.
At the Qi Building stage, one's life force is linked with the Demon Core to circulate the Taiji more intensely before colliding and exploding it.
At the Core Formation stage, the now strengthened Demon Core, as resilient as a human's Golden Core, is exploded and reformed multiple times to refine Qi.
Circulating the Taiji to cause an explosion results in refined pure spiritual energy.
In other words, life force that continuously fills into the body.
This is the essence of all demon beast methods.
Unlike humans who create a Law-Transforming Dantian with the flow of Yin and Yang and reach the Nascent Soul stage to cultivate the Yin and Yang spirit,
Demon beasts stubbornly focus solely on the flow of Yin and Yang from the beginning, and upon reaching the Nascent Soul stage, they circulate the Nascent Soul with the flow of Yin and Yang again.
Compared to the Heaven Tribe's method, which are maddeningly complex and involve memorizing intricate incantations, performing sacrifical rituals, and reading the celestial trends... it's almost as simple as leaving it to instinct."
Perhaps, it is correct for demon beasts to learn demon beast methods by instinct.
Originally, wild animals without intelligence, after gaining spiritual awareness and the ability to see spiritual energy,
Circulate the Yin and Yang within their bodies according to their vision and then explode it.
Its simplicity allows even those demon beasts without intellect to learn such methods.
Boom!
I frown as I feel the Qi explode in my dantian.
It's not easy.
Although its not as complex as the methods of the Human Race, including those of the Heaven Tribe, and is simple, that doesn't mean its easy to learn.
Demon beast methods, like body refining methods, or in some ways, even more so, accompany terrible pain.
Every time spiritual energy is exploded in the dantian as part of their cultivation, they have to endure the pain of their dantian being shattered at every moment. This is even worse for Core Formation stage demons as they have to explode their Demon Core itself, enduring horrible pain.
Another five years pass.
Ten years in the Emptiness Floor!
It's hard to gauge how much time I've wasted.
By all rights, I should have regained my Nascent Soul cultivation with abundant spiritual energy outside by now!
But here I am, barely surviving in the void, only increasing my understanding of demon beast methods.
Boom!
I suffer unbearable pain as if my dantian is shattering as I practice both the Vast Cold Formula and the Azure Spirit Starlight Quintessence Great Method.
Gradually, the cold of the Emptiness Floor recedes before the heat of pain.
Thump, thump, thump!
"It's like a heart."
Practicing demon beast methods feels as if there is another heart in my dantian.
Every time the heart beats, blood is pumped through the arteries to the entire body, then returns to the heart through the veins.
Every time the Yin and Yang in the dantian explode, that explosive force sweeps through the body, refining it, then condenses back inside the dantian, becoming pure life force that heals the body.
Life is, in essence, an explosion
Thump, thump, thump!
The Vast Cold Formula and the Azure Spirit Starlight Quintessence Great Method elevate my life through explosions.
And at some point.
Flash!
I feel a peculiar sensation as if the Vast Cold Formula and the Azure Spirit Starlight Quintessence Great Method are emerging around my Inner Core.
This is
The Azure Spirit Starlight Quintessence Great Method is evolving.
No, that's not it.
Originally, body refining methods are a degraded version of demon beast methods.
Now, the foundational demon beast method, the Vast Cold Formula operates within my Inner Core, making the degraded body refining method reach an equivalent condition as demon beast methods, revealing its essence.
This is the true power of the Azure Spirit Starlight Quintessence Great Method!
Boom!
Creak, creak!
It's cold.
So very cold.
But at the same time, I realize fundamental changes occurring throughout my body.
Crack, crack!
A complete transformation!
Just as the Five Energies Converging to the Origin led me to understand how the spiritual energy of heaven and earth can guide my body on the correct path,
Now, once again, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth begins to show me how my body can evolve even more correctly.
Crack!
"This is..."
Spiritual energy rotates before my eyes.
Yin and Yang collapse, entering my body to form a double helix.
Ahh
Yin and Yang ascend the double helix, unraveling the secrets of the flesh accumulated from the past and providing the correct direction for evolution.
Crack!
I adjust my body according to that direction and finally complete the metamorphosis.
Simultaneously, I feel my consciousness naturally taking on a specific form.
So it is.
The area of consciousness that enveloped me in a circle transformed into a complete human form, covering me.
Could it be that humans, before discovering the rituals to become part of the Heaven Tribe, were a kind of demon beast?
Gurgle...
As my consciousness transforms into human form and I move my fist, I feel an immense power in my fist, unlike anything I had felt before.
"Haaah..."
Finally, I have reached a new realm of demon beast methods.
At the same time, I am engulfed in a sense of awe towards Kim Young-hoon.
Without even touching body refining methods, did a martial artist with a mortal body trace back the origins of martial arts to find the path to human demon beast methods?
The 'other path' that Kim Young-hoon struggled to find beyond the Ultimate Pinnacle, in his quest for a way forward.
That was precisely demon beast methods.
Found in the library of Seo Ran, not the real demon beast methods for beasts, but for humans!
That was the other path Kim Young-hoon discovered while evolving martial arts.
Huh, it turns out I reached that path in the end.
I recall Kim Young-hoon from that cycle and smile wryly.
Shiii
Is this the end...?
After undergoing complete transformation and witnessing the life force escaping from my entire body, I laugh with self-deprecation.
Its good to have realized the true meaning of demon beast methods through complete transformation.
But in doing so, I have almost used up all the spiritual energy inside my body.
There is hardly any life force left in the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections.
If this had been a place abundant with spiritual energy, I could have replenished it immediately, but in this absolute realm of death, its impossible.
Am I going to die in such a futile manner?
I feel my eyes closing and laugh.
Well, at least... I confirmed what the other path that Kim Young-hoon discovered was
Maybe such a death isn't entirely in vain.
Thinking this, I close my eyes.
I thought it was my sixteenth return.
[You've endured ten years.]
"...?"
Crackle, crackle...
I open my eyes in front of a campfire.
Where is this?
It's dark.
It isn't cold, but it is still dark.
Yet, I can see clearly.
But there is no light!
Strange.
Everything around me is so clearly perceived, yet the actual existence of light is distinctly absent.
What is this?
Bizarre.
Living beings perceive objects through light.
But for some reason, even without light, I feel everything around me is perceivable.
In front of me is a bonfire.
But the bonfire has no light, only heat.
Around the bonfire are numerous statues, each an exquisite work of art.
As Im puzzled by the sudden situation,
[Take a seat. You've endured ten years, so you only have ten seconds to converse with this seat. Of course, if we really talked for just ten seconds, we wouldn't get anywhere, so this seat has warped time to make one second last a day.]
"What..."
Someone is sitting in front of me.
I try to look up at [them].
That moment.
"...! Arggghhhh!"
My eyes!
My eyes suddenly vaporized!
Without any warning, trying to perceive the other made my eyeballs evaporate and fly into the air.
Not just the eyes!
My entire body, my whole body is vaporizing!
"I'm, dying..."
[Sit.]
The next moment.
As soon as [They] tell me to sit, my vaporizing body resettles.
And somehow, I find myself sitting properly on one of the surrounding statues.
[Do not look directly at this seat. If it were this seat's main body, we might converse properly adjusting to your level. However, as I am but a remnant thought, a fragment left by the main body, this seat might accidentally kill you if I fail to adjust properly.]
"Ha, ha...!"
My heart is racing.
[This seat is the master of Liberation. If you look directly at me, the essence that constitutes you will be liberated from the framework of 'you' and vaporize into extinction.]
"You are"
My head is spinning.
As soon as I guessed the identity of the being before me, my consciousness shook as if it was about to collapse, and my sense of direction vanished, making me feel as though I would fall to the ground at any moment.
The pain of being trapped in the void for ten years is instantly forgotten, and a new sense of fear, awe, and reverence painted over my mind.
[This seats name is Bong Myeong (Serving Command). I am the creator of the Serving Command Ark you entered.]
The being before me is, at the very least, a True Immortal.
[I distorted ten years of time to summon you here for a conversation. Now, shall we talk, Ender (End Fate Person)?]