Whoosh!
Cutting through the vast mountain ranges and forests of the True Dragon Alliance, a figure is flying through the air, stepping on the void.
It's Gyu-baek.
'Flying through the air is not as difficult as I thought.'
It's just a matter of adding a bit more skill to the Gliding Technique that is in Gyu-ryeon's memories.
Seo Eun-hyun was surprised that Gyu-baek had an unexpected talent, but from Gyu-baek's perspective, it was nothing more than a rehabilitation exercise.
Gyu-ryeon, who was supposed to become a Dragon King of the Integration stage, died, and the remnant that is Gyu-baek isn't even at the level of a Core Formation stage of the Heart Tribe, which honestly did not please her.
'If there is such a thing as talent, why can't I even enter the realm of Beyond the Path?'
From Gyu-baek's standpoint, it's shameful that she, with her experience nearing the Integration stage, can not even reach the realm corresponding to the Core Formation stage of the Heart Tribe.
Just as the saying goes, 'At the extremes, enlightenment is shared,' she thought that to some extent, her experiences would resonate with the realm of the Heart Tribe.
Indeed, up to the Ultimate Pinnacle that Seo Eun-hyun mentioned, Gyu-ryeon's experiences were applicable.
However, from the realm of Beyond the Path to Heavens onwards, it was infuriatingly incomprehensible.
She couldn't understand what was being said.
Somehow, by using the Vast Cold Oath, she managed to half step into Beyond the Path to Heavens, but that was applicable only when facing Seo Hweol.
She realized she could not reach the realm of Beyond the Path.
'Do I have to yearn and yearn again?'
She is indeed yearning.
But whether Gyu-baek is yearning out of hatred for Seo Hweol or out of love for him, she can not tell.
She is yearning, but she doesn't know for what.
That's why she can't reach the realm of Beyond the Path.
'The Manifestation of the Heart Tribe is just too alien.'
While there are aspects that resonate with the enlightenment of the Heaven and Earth Tribes, the Manifestation of the Heart Tribe is far too irregular compared to the specific rules of the Heaven and Earth Tribes' methods.
Even Yu Hwa and Seo Eun-hyun, masters of the Heart Tribe, said they had never seen someone create a Treading Heavens that only worked for one person using the Vast Cold Oath.
The Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One had seen it once or twice, but when she asked for an explanation, he said the situation was too different for Gyu-baek and refused to explain.
There are no rules to it and it's too alien.
Indeed, even when she was Gyu-ryeon, she thought of the "Heart Tribe" as such alien beings.
Just too alien.
Gyu-baek, when she was a prospective Dragon King in the times of Gyu-ryeon, knew one fact about the Heaven, Earth, and Heart Tribes, and True Immortals.
There are Heaven Immortals corresponding to the Heaven Tribe and Earth Immortals, that is, immortal beasts corresponding to the Earth Tribe.
However, there was nothing like that for the Heart Tribe.
She had never heard of any existence at the level of True Immortals corresponding to the Heart Tribe.
Even more astonishing was that, when she was young, she met a Sacred Master of the Sacred Vessel stage.
Even Sacred Master Baek Woon did not know what True Immortals corresponding to the Heart Tribe are called, or whether they exist or not.
'It's as if they didn't originally exist, but then someone forcibly inserted them into the flow of history'
Too bizarre.
Thinking this, Gyu-baek continued to air step, heading towards the resource warehouse of Seo Eun-hyun's pet demon beast.
Swoosh
A while later, Gyu-baek arrived in front of a large waterfall near the Serving Command Ark.
The waterfall was neatly divided into white and black streams falling down, with a dark cave faintly visible behind it.
'This place holds the stored resources'
Since the other members of the Golden Dragon Race had come and collected the resources and her belongings after Gyu-ryeon died, she had no choice but to search for this resource warehouse for Seo Eun-hyun's pet demon beast.
'Of course, if I go to the Golden Dragon Race I could be recognized as Gyu-ryeon and treated as a member of the Dragon Race.'
A Four-Axis stage cultivator can be resurrected once, or in a few special cases, more than twice.
This does not refer to those who have some remnants of their Nascent Soul or Golden Core left but to those who have truly died, their Nascent Souls collapsed.
Of course, resurrection after the Nascent Soul had collapsed meant reviving at a stage lower than Nascent Soul. Still, being able to resurrect and accumulate cultivation again is enough for those at the Four-Axis stage and above to be treated as formidable beings.
Some demon races do not resurrect after death because they missed the proper time for resurrection or do not wish to be resurrected.
Yet, there are exceptions.
Despite not wanting to resurrect, those with a desire for life or unresolved resentment sometimes had parts of their spirit resurrected, thanks to the immense life force of a Four-Axis stage cultivator.
They were commonly referred to as 'fragments,' or by the derogatory term 'leftovers.'
This is because they are beings born not from an official resurrection but from the obsession of a Four-Axis cultivator, and thus often resurrected in a body incapable of proper cultivation.
How these remnants are treated varies by race, depending on whether they are honored as the Four-Axis cultivator they once were or simply as remnants.
The Golden Dragon clan, which Gyu-ryeon belongs to, is a race that accords the same respect to leftovers as to the Four-Axis stage cultivator themselves due to the significant amount of the cultivator's memories they retain.
Therefore, when a leftover is born within the Golden Dragon clan, they are often given the role of teaching the young dragons, assigning them many duties.
Gyu-baek, too, would likely have been honored in this way.
But she does not want that.
Even if she wanted to, if Seo Hweol found out she had resurrected in the form of a leftover, he would come to kill her.
'First, I'll meet Seo Hweol again someday.'
Meet Seo Hweol again, settle her feelings properly, and face the end.
Whether to strike Seo Hweol or to quietly meet death at his hands.
That is what Gyu-baek wants.
And for that, she has to find and eat even the feed for Seo Eun-hyun's pet demon beast.
'I don't expect to achieve much with just Core Formation stage elixir, but at least I can elevate my spiritual meridians to the Qi Building stage and circulate pure spiritual force within my body.'
Just being able to circulate pure spiritual force within her body will allow her a significant increase in strength.
Of course, she finds it laughable that she is struggling to obtain the power of the Qi Building stage which she could have crushed with her toe before. But what can she do?
She decides not to think about whether it's funny or not and searches the cave.
'Seo Eun-hyun said he placed a barrier around here'
She gropes around for the barrier Seo Eun-hyun supposedly set up.
Soon, she notices a place where the flow of spiritual energy twists.
Even though she has become a leftover, the vision of the Earth Tribe remains. She follows the flow of spiritual energy and launches a strike.
Bo-oong!
As she slashes through the air, the strike from her hand touches the weakest part of the spiritual energy flow, dismantling the barrier.
"Hmm"
She sighs slightly as she looks at a few insect feed pellets, several tens of kilograms of spirit stones, and Core Formation stage spiritual herbs and fruits in front of her.
'He said he filled it a lot, but it's not much.'
The resources are laughably scant.
If she had been presented with these resources during her time as Gyu-ryeon, she would have considered it an insult.
But she decides to be grateful for even this much and picks up one of the nearby spiritual fruits to eat.
That's when it happens.
Tadadadada
A strange sound echoes and something enters the cave.
Gyu-baek tenses up and glares at the newcomer.
Soon after, it reveals itself.
It's a centipede large enough to fill the interior of the cave.
The centipede's eyes meet with Gyu-baek's.
They look at each other for a moment, and just as Gyu-baek ponders whether to attack the centipede or not, words come out of the centipede's mouth.
"Who is Miss to be stealing from someone else's warehouse?"
"Uh"
The tone is unexpectedly polite.
"Ah So you are an acquaintance of Master."
""
Gyu-baek came out of the cave and sat down to talk with the giant centipede, Hong Fan.
Surprisingly, Hong Fan readily believed Gyu-baek's words and nodded.
"If you are an acquaintance of Master, you are always welcome. Feel free to take anything you want. Anyway, these items haven't been of much use to me since I reached the Core Formation stage."
"Huh? Core Formation?"
Gyu-baek looks up at Hong Fan and asks.
"The last time I saw you as a baby, you had just reached the early stages of Qi Refining..."
"Hehe, you remember my childhood so you must be a long-time acquaintance of Master."
"...Well, you could say that. But to think that centipede reached the Core Formation stage in just a few decades?"
Gyu-baek looks at the centipede demon beast in front of her with astonishment.
However, the centipede demon beast just laughs heartily, as if unaware of Gyu-baek's bewildered feelings.
"It's nothing special. I possess a magic artifact that enhances the spiritual nature within my body. With the help of an external divine object, it's only natural."
Swoosh!
The centipede wriggles its many legs, and after a while, pulls out a long pipe from between its carapaces.
"It's a magic artifact called the Immortal Demon Bamboo. Just one inhale enhances spirituality and improves the qualities of a demon race. Master gave me this magic artifact."
"Immortal Demon Bamboo!?"
Gyu-baek is startled as she watches Hong Fan sucking on the Immortal Demon Bamboo.
It is an item she recognizes.
"As far as I know, that magic artifact helps demon beasts condense their spirituality, but continuous use can lead to toxicity and death by poisoning, which is why its production was banned a long time ago."
"I guess I have a strong resistance to poison because it doesn't affect me at all."
Whoooosh
Hong Fan sucks on the bamboo pipe, inhales the smoke, then exhales it again while laughing heartily.
Gyu-baek, watching Hong Fan, is puzzled.
"With your capabilities, you could have easily escaped any restrictions Seo Eun-hyun might have placed and find your freedom. What kind of loyalty keeps you serving Seo Eun-hyun?"
Whooosh
Laughing, Hong Fan smokes from the pipe again.
"You misunderstand. Master hasn't placed any restrictions on me. It's my choice to call and serve him as my master."
"...?"
"My earliest memory is of naturally climbing onto Master's body, and he accepted me. The exhilarating memories of ascension with Master are still deeply engraved in my mind."
"Is it simply because Seo Eun-hyun took care of you since you were young?"
"No. Around the time I gained spirituality and intelligence, I realized my fate."
"...?"
"I was born to assist and protect Master. I felt that was my fate."
"The Earth Tribe felt fate? Even during the Qi Refining stage?"
"It might be hard to believe, but it's true."
"That's unique Does Seo Eun-hyun know about this?"
"How could he? Master suddenly went missing during my Qi Refining stage. Come to think of it, I haven't seen Master for decades Where is Master, and what has he been doing?"
"..."
Faced with Hong Fan's peculiar stream of thought, Gyu-baek feels a sense of oddity.
'I can't understand this Earth Tribe demon beast talking about fate during the Qi Refining stage... And he still follows Seo Hweol, whom he hasn't seen in decades, and calls him master?'
Gyu-baek finds the centipede demon beast, Hong Fan, quite extraordinary.
"When Seo Eun-hyun returns to the Earth Tribe Territory, I'll make sure he explains where he's been. Anyway"
Gyu-baek points to the cave and asks.
"Seo Eun-hyun mentioned that this cave was originally filled with Core Formation stage spirit fruits and herbs. Did you eat them?"
"Yes, that's correct. Thanks to Master, I've never lacked cultivation resources."
"That Seo Eun-hyun, did he tell you how to disable the barrier before he left?"
"No. I observed the flow of the barrier and figured out how to dismantle the formation myself."
"You figured out how to dismantle the formation yourself?"
As Gyu-baek converses with Hong Fan, she is convinced.
'This guy has tremendous talent.'
Hong Fan is a genius.
Gyu-baek can't help but be certain of this as she talks with him.
Two months passes.
After meeting Hong Fan, Gyu-baek consumed the spirit medicines prepared by Seo Eun-hyun for Hong Fan and recovered her pure spiritual force.
Meanwhile, Ma Won was preparing to open the pavilion, and Yu Hwa had been investigating Seo Hweol's movements and the overall situation of the Earth Tribe.
During this time,
Seo Eun-hyun finally returned.
"It's been a while."
"Yes, did you manage to accomplish what you intended to do in the Human Race territory?"
"...Not very well, but there were some achievements. Oh, and I'd like to introduce someone."
Behind Seo Eun-hyun, a small, winged figure follows.
***
I introduce Yu Hwa and Gyu-baek to the companion who came with me.
Click, click, click
It's a puppet of the Mad Lord.
The puppet, resembling the Mad Lord and at the Nascent Soul stage with bee wings on its back, is something I had seen in a previous life when I was chased by the Mad Lord and committed suicide.
The puppet, clicking beside me for a while, suddenly starts biting its own arm like crazy and begins to rave.
[Seo Hweol, Seo Hweol, Seo Hweol, where are you! Where is Seo Hweol! Where is Seo Hweol! Seo Hweol, Seo Hweol, Seo HweolSeoHweolSeoHweol.]
Seeing the suddenly raving puppet, Gyu-baek frowns.
"What is this unpleasant toy?"
"It's not a toy. This is."
I point at the puppet shouting for Seo Hweol.
"A communication network directly connected to Seo Hweol's archenemy."
"Seo Hweol's archenemy?"
"Yes. Let me introduce you. This person is known as Mad Lord Jo Yeon, a puppeteer cultivator who Seo Hweol most dreaded before he ascended in the lower realm."
Gyu-baek shows little reaction, but Yu Hwa, on the other hand, jumps back in shock.
"Mad, Mad Lord Jo Yeon!? The one with a notorious reputation not only in the Earth Tribe but also in the Heaven Tribe Territory!?"
It seems that after arriving in the Earth Tribe Territory, Yu Hwa had looked into the recent trends of the Earth Tribe and the situation in the Bright Cold Realm, including information about the Mad Lord.
Yu Hwa, while fearful of the infamous Mad Lord's reputation, seems intrigued by the artificial soul contained in the puppet, unable to take her eyes off the Mad Lord's puppet.
"I have gone through great lengths to persuade the esteemed Mad Lord to face Seo Hweol, securing his assistance for this time. However, he moves as he pleases, so we couldn't set a date. But the Mad Lord will come to the Earth Tribe Territory in 103 days from now and start bombing Seo Hweol's location at Cloud Heart Lake."
"!"
Upon hearing my words, Yu Hwa seems interested while Gyu-baek has a complicated expression.
"Then, let's plan how to lure Seo Hweol and trap him in the remaining 103 days."
"Sounds good."
"Let's do that."
Thus, Yu Hwa, Gyu-baek, and I started planning against Seo Hweol together.
After the meeting, I left the pavilion.
By now, the sky has turned to night.
"Sigh."
After seeing Yu Hwa and Gyu-baek and having an intense meeting, I finally sigh, feeling relieved from the crisis.
'I really thought I was going to be modified.'
The Mad Lord was surprisingly logical.
It's just that his logic is that of a madman's, not quite fitting with the world.
He's a cultivator who would listen to anything as long as it aligns well with his mad logic.
Oh ho, what's this? To come to my Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress on his own, what do you think my dear? This fellow has come on his own seeking an opportunity for evolution, as long as it's possible, let it be a splendid.
Greetings, esteemed Mad Lord. I have come to make a proposal.
Let's see, you said your name is Seo Eun-hyun, correct? General Seo, Prince Seo, Duke Seo, choose whichever you like.
Does Sir perhaps know that Dragon King Seo has found a lover? I am preparing to marry off Seo Hweol this time. If the wedding proceeds and he becomes a husband to the person he loves, perhaps even Seo Hweol, with his filthy heart essence, might become a slightly better being, don't you think?
What?
The Dragon King is about to get married. I invite you to the wedding, Sir Mad Lord, to come and help Seo Hweol become husband and wife with his loving partner.
Seo Hweol Seo Hweol SeoHweolSeoHweolSeoHweolisgettingmarried? ThenofcourseI'llhavetohelphefinallyfoundsomeonehelovesverygood!
Delighted at the thought of personally marrying off Seo Hweol, the Mad Lord agreed to come to the Earth Tribe Territory on the set day to assist with Seo Hweol's wedding ceremony.
Then, let us meet on that day. Communication can be done through this puppet. Also, I have always admired the Mad Lord's puppetry, so I would like to learn from the Sir's disciple. Could you permit your disciple to accompany me until the day of the event?
Sir Mad Lord?
"...You, while talking about Seo Hweol, cunningly pushed the conversation about your own evolution to the back. So, which one will you choose among General Seo, Prince Seo, and Duke Seo?"
"...I will borrow the disciple. From now on, let's communicate through this puppet!"
After that, I managed to escape from the Mad Lord's Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress with Kim Yeon and somehow made it to the Earth Tribe Territory.
Fortunately, by keeping in touch with the Mad Lord through the stolen puppet and exchanging opinions, the Mad Lord was indeed determined to personally oversee Seo Hweol's marriage in 103 days.
'We've succeeded in drawing in the Mad Lord, so what remains is for us to plan and extract what we want from Seo Hweol.'
Now, it's just a matter of coordinating what each of us wants.
With that thought in mind, I approach someone standing far away, gazing at the distant moon while dressed in a light pink palace attire next to the Demon Ape Pavilion.
It's Kim Yeon.
"Yeon-ah, aren't you cold?"
"."
"Let's go inside."
I had succeeded in rescuing Kim Yeon from the Mad Lord's grasp.
However, the state of Kim Yeon is strange.
Her consciousness had retreated back into her skull and would not come out. Her eyes are dull and cloudy, and she does not speak a word.
She continuously plays with small puppet toys in front of her, manipulating them for her amusement.
Decades.
The result of leaving Yeon in the Mad Lord's care and neglecting her for decades.
Kim Yeon has developed mental issues again.
'It was beyond my control not to contact her in this life because of Seo Hweol, but that's all just an excuse.'
Even under Seo Hweol, if I had thought harder, there might have been a way to contact her.
The distance was too far to use Mysterious Bizarre Gu and to communicate over that distance would require a ritual, which is why I left her alone for too long to avoid arousing Seo Hweol's suspicion.
I sit next to Kim Yeon, who resists going inside, and watch her play with the puppet toys for a while.
After some time, she leans tiredly against my shoulder and falls asleep.
I gently embrace her with one arm.
Crackle, crackle.
Suddenly, I see the tips of my fingers turning into electricity and vaporizing.
The remaining time, 103 days.
It's possible that my whole body could vaporize within that short period.
'Let's make it a goal to awaken Kim Yeon within that time.'
If I continue to speak to her heart essence through the Sea of Righteousness and Mountain of Grace, perhaps it might be possible.
I pick up the peacefully sleeping Kim Yeon and enter the temporary shelter I made nearby.
Afterward, I come back outside the shelter to greet a guest who is waiting for me.
"Welcome... Hong Fan?"
I ask, looking at the giant centipede that has grown much larger than I remembered.
The feeling of intent is definitely that of Hong Fan.
But the creature has grown unexpectedly large.
"Have you been well in the meantime, Master?"
"Uh, yeah You are"
I hesitate for a moment, observing Hong Fan emitting the energy of the Core Formation stage.
"Have you reached the Core Formation stage?"
"Yes, that's correct. I was able to reach this realm using the resources you left in the storeroom, Master."
"How did you open the storeroom?"
Decades ago, I had never taught Hong Fan, who had the consciousness level of a three- or four-year-old child, how to undo the barriers on the storeroom.
"I dismantled the formation and went in. It was easy."
"."
I mutter to myself, realizing the extent of Hong Fan's capabilities.
'This creature, is a genius.'
Before its intellect awakened, I just thought of it as a mere centipede, but after awakening, it turns out to be such a tremendous genius.
'I might even fall behind Hong Fan in cultivation if I'm not careful.'
"So, what brings you here?"
"Since you've arrived, Master, it's natural that I come to see you."
"No, besides that, I'm not your master. It'd be better if you address me properly. Just call me Seo Eun-hyun."
"How could I do that to you, Master? From the first day I saw Master, it was my fate to live for you. Please allow me to serve you as my master."
What is this all about?
Setting aside the Earth Tribe's ability to see fate, it's almost impossible for the Heaven Tribe to look into their own fate so precisely.
In short, Hong Fan's words are not really about seeing into fate but rather a metaphor, indicating how much he wants to serve me.
'No, but why suddenly serve me?'
Of course, I am perplexed.
'Because of the Serving Command Seal?'
Thinking about it, the Serving Command Seal, which brings fortune, chose Hong Fan.
In a way, Hong Fan can be considered a source of fortune for me.
'Is it simply because we met through the fortune of the Serving Command Seal?'
That seems to be the only explanation for now.
"...Alright. Later, if you're still serving me, please tell me a more proper reason."
"I have told you already... Well, if I find such a reason later, I'll let you know."
"Is that why you came to see me today?"
"That, and I also wanted to ask where Master have been all this time and what happened."
"Hmm, it's going to be a bit of a long story. Alright..."
I sat next to Hong Fan and told him about various things.
About being betrayed along with Gyu-ryeon by Seo Hweol and falling to the lower world.
How I somehow achieved ascension again in the lower world along with Gyu Baek, the fragment of Gyu-ryeon.
How I went to the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect and met a True Immortal...
Crackle, crackling...
I raise one hand and say,
"...And that's how my hand ended up like this."
"How could that be..."
Hong Fan looks at my fingertips.
And at the fluttering other arm, he sighs with a gulp.
That's right.
Already, my left hand has completely vaporized into electricity and scattered, and my right hand is also starting to vaporize from the fingertips.
I am already dying.
Return....
The whisper of the True Immortal still echoes in my ears.
"Master...! You must not pass away...!"
"...What can I do, it's the price for daring to steal a glance at the True Immortal's jade body."
"That's...!"
"Well, think of it positively. At least through the Heavenly Lightning Banner, I received what you could call a blessing from the True Immortal. Though this state is almost like a curse, my affinity for the lightning attribute significantly increases while being eroded by lightning."
Return....
Every time this ridiculous whisper echoes, my body vaporizes into lightning.
It's a frightening and terrifying experience, but there are also fascinating aspects.
Return....
When the whispering stops and my body transforms back from lightning, at the same time, I gain knowledge about lightning.
Literally.
Overcoming the whispers, I come to understand the nature of lightning, the principles of forming lightning.
The basis of lightning cultivation methods, the principles behind lightning attribute techniques, and so on.
'Interesting.'
The whispers seem to be knowledge itself.
In exchange for becoming terminally ill from witnessing the True Immortal's true form,
I have gained the enlightenment of lightning.
'103 days left...'
Hoping that my body will not be completely consumed within that time, I look at the moon.
***
Time flows quickly, and before we know it, there are only 50 days left until the arrival of the Mad Lord.
"Then, let's summarize the plan we have devised so far."
In front of Yu Hwa and Gyu-baek, I begin to outline the plan we had devised, detailing everyone's roles and what each of us wants to achieve.
"First, Yu Hwa wants to confirm the status of Baek Nyeong and rescue him. And if possible, she also wants to rescue the White Goat Race and escape. Is that correct?"
"Yes."
"And Miss Gyu-baek, you need time to meet with Seo Hweol and talk, correct?"
"Yes."
"In that case, we must first isolate Seo Hweol from the Sea Dragon Palace and others to eliminate the possibility of him receiving any support. Once we separate Seo Hweol from the Sea Dragon Palace, Yu Hwa will infiltrate to find Baek Nyeong and the White Goat Race, and Miss Gyu-baek and I will go to find Seo Hweol. That's the essence of our plan."
Now, to execute the plan.
"Once the Mad Lord appears in 50 days, Seo Hweol will want to be as far away from the Mad Lord as possible. At this point, the Mad Lord is, frankly, a being that even Hyeon Eum, the Black Dragon King at the Grand Perfection Integration stage, would struggle to defeat."
In a past life.
Although Kim Yeon struggled against the Black Dragon King Hyeon Eum with the Mad Lord's Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress and puppets, that was only because of the foot of the Star Shattering stage Esteemed One.
Even the Black Dragon King, with extensive combat experience at the pinnacle of the Integration stage, was pushed back by the puppets controlled by Kim Yeon.
Then, even more so, then puppets controlled by the Mad Lord who has extensive experience as a puppeteer can definitely face four or more cultivators at the Integration stage.
In short, the moment Seo Hweol catches the Mad Lord's eye, Seo Hweol will be well on his way to becoming a [Grand Prince].
Seo Hweol is very aware of that fact and will try to stay as far away from the Mad Lord as possible.
Knowing Seo Hweol, he will also know that the Black Dragon King's residence will not be safe from the Mad Lord. Hence, he will try to hide in a place where many other Earth Tribe Grand Cultivators of the Integration stage gather.
If there's such a place near Cloud Heart Lake, there's only one.
'Serving Command Ark!'
Seo Hweol will try to hide inside the Serving Command Ark.
Then, we just need to execute our respective plans during that opportunity.
Yu Hwa will go to the Sea Dragon Palace to check on the White Goat Race and Baek Nyeong's situation. Miss Gyu-baek and I will head to the Serving Command Ark to find Seo Hweol.
Yu Hwa also said she wants to give Seo Hweol a piece of her mind, so she will probably come back to join us after rescuing Baek Nyeong.
Then, together with Yu Hwa, we'll strike Seo Hweol with her third stage Manifestation.
By doing so, Seo Hweol will inevitably have to face Yu Hwa's Heavenly Tribulation when he reaches the next stage.
'And I, too, will show Seo Hweol something interesting.'
I've prepared a secret technique that can smack the back of Seo Hweol's head hard.
All we need to do is get Seo Hweol to a place where he cannot receive any help.
How can we lead Seo Hweol into such a place?
'It's impossible to lure Seo Hweol with bait.'
Seo Hweol will definitely not move alone.
Probably even if he hides in the Serving Command Ark, he will move with at least dozens of peers or higher-stage demon beasts.
'But even if Seo Hweol cannot be moved, others can be made to move.'
This is where Yu Hwa is needed.
She will reveal her presence on the lowest floor of the Serving Command Ark.
If the other Earth Tribe members notice the presence of Yu Hwa, a Manifestation third stage expert of the Heart Tribe, they will be enraged and head to the lowest floor of the Serving Command Ark to capture her.
Yu Hwa, with the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts, will hide her presence on the lowest floor of the Serving Command Ark and escape smoothly.
Of course, Seo Hweol, sensing something amiss, might leave some behind, but I have prepared Yuan Yu for them.
Yuan Li, the original body of Yuan Yu, was originally a devilish cultivator prepared to ascend to the Blood Yin Realm.
In short, the devilish arts Yuan Yu mastered, such as the Blood Demon Suppressing Sea Light and Blood Chain Binding Forest, are very similar to the energy of the Heavenly Fiends of the Blood Yin Realm.
That means other cultivators remaining with Seo Hweol can be sent off with a Heavenly Fiend of the Blood Yin Realm as bait.
Of course, Seo Hweol might follow the decoy Yuan Yu, but I have prepared a secret move to ensure Seo Hweol cannot move.
'If this measure is activated, Seo Hweol will definitely have to stay in place.'
And when Seo Hweol is completely alone.
Yu Hwa, Gyu-baek, and I will surround Seo Hweol, leaving him no chance to escape.
After giving Miss Gyu-baek and Seo Hweol a chance to talk, Yu Hwa and I will inflict a fatal wound on Seo Hweol.
"...This is the strategy we've devised. Is there anything else you think we should add or remove?"
"There's nothing more on a large scale. Now let's move into the details, like how to figure out which floor of the Serving Command Ark Seo Hweol will hide in, and so on..."
We thus delve into the finer details, organizing the branches of the plan.
Fwoosh!
After today's meeting ended.
I returned to my residence, briefly restrained Kim Yeon so she couldn't struggle, and then used Sea of Righteousness and Mountain of Grace.
Swoosh!
A galaxy sword seems to fly towards her, then enters into her heart essence.
The strike containing my Nascent Soul enters into her mental world, traveling within her inner self.
Moving in and out of her inner self, my goal is to gradually awaken her with my call.
Sea of Righteousness and Mountain of Grace seem to be effective, as Yeon's eyes, which had been cloudy, began to clear.
Her condition is improving.
At this rate, it seems possible to reunite with her before the ceremonial day arrives.
'I hope, before this life ends, I can meet you again.'
I sigh softly to myself as I look at my right arm, now vanished up to the elbow.
At this pace, I might not have any limbs remaining by the ceremony day.
'My death is drawing near.'
After using the Sea of Righteousness and Mountain of Grace, I tiredly look up at the sky.
Whirring
A swarm of tiny fly puppets are flying through the air.
Literally, they are fly-shaped General Seos.
I mass-produced these miniature General Seos and sent them all around the Serving Command Ark.
Since the Serving Command Ark is vast, spreading a surveillance network with these puppets in advance will allow us to quickly ascertain where Seo Hweol moves when executing the plan.
The small mass-produced General Seos spread out all around the Serving Command Ark.
As the ceremony day approaches, Gyu-baek's expression becomes more complicated, and Yu Hwa spends even more time gnashing her teeth.
Every day until the ceremony day, I use the Sea of Righteousness and Mountain of Grace on Kim Yeon to bring her consciousness to the surface.
Hong Fan, saying he will make something helpful for me, continues to gather various herbs, spiritual herbs, and poisonous herbs to concoct something.
Now, the mini General Seos are scattered all around the Serving Command Ark, settled into many of the structures within.
In this way, they will become my faithful eyes and ears, guiding me to wherever Seo Hweol might flee.
Whirring
I move the small generals to scout the Serving Command Ark, investigating any terrain that might aid or conversely harm Seo Hweol.
I also gather information by eavesdropping on the Earth Tribe's rumors with the mini generals.
After several days.
Wiiiiing
While controlling the small generals, I hear through rumors that there are 'hidden spaces' throughout the Serving Command Ark.
'Hidden spaces...'
If such places exist, they will be perfect for Seo Hweol to hide.
'It's best if I find them quickly.'
I begin to lay the Mad Lord's circuits remotely through the small generals in places within the Serving Command Ark suspected to contain hidden spaces.
As the circuits are laid out, areas with hidden spaces block the connection of the circuits because there is no space for the circuits to pass.
Where there is no space, there are many paths for the circuits to pass, smoothly laying out the Mad Lord's circuits.
In this way, I discover over 20,000 hidden spaces on each floor of the Serving Command Ark.
'It's astonishing.'
Luckily, I have the miniature General Seos.
If I didn't have the ability to create General Seos, I would have had to suffer, searching through the enormous 120,000 hidden spaces by hand.
Although it isn't possible to discover all spaces at once with the miniature generals, I sequentially send the mini General Seos deeper a little at a time, entering into the spaces to identify the hidden ones.
As everyone makes their efforts, the ceremony day gradually approaches.
"Master, please take this."
"Hm?"
I take what Hong Fan is offering.
"What is this?"
What Hong Fan handed over is a bottle containing a blue liquid.
I slightly sniff the liquid and frown.
"It's poison."
"Yes, it's made from poisonous herbs."
"What kind of poison is it?"
"It's a poison that amplifies pain. It doesn't just affect the nerves. The spiritual power within the poison stimulates the soul, causing the consciousness to also feel pain. A single drop can amplify the sensitivity to pain by more than 60,000 times for a brief period. I mobilized all my talent to create this poison."
"...I see. Did you make this for me to use?"
"Yes. Anyone who gets even a drop of this poison on their skin will be in so much pain that they would rather die, their mind almost leaving them."
"But what about its lethality?"
"It has almost no lethality. It's made solely to inflict pain."
"Good, this will be very helpful to me."
I realize that this poison is the answer Hong Fan had come up with after hearing about our last operation, deducing a plan to deal with Seo Hweol after he has been isolated.
'With this poison, even Seo Hweol's soul will be momentarily shaken...'
I carefully store the poison that Hong Fan had mixed in my pocket.
This poison will be handy when needed.
And so, the day before the Mad Lord arrives to carry out the operation.
Pssht...
By now, both of my arms have vaporized into electricity, and my lower half has disappeared.
Soon, my whole body will vaporize, and I will die.
Of course, since the Formless Sword is moving inside my clothes in place of my arms and legs, it appears as though there is no issue outwardly.
'Just one day left.'
Finally, tomorrow,
My minor counterattack against Seo Hweol begins.
Just as I think so.
Wiiiiing
"...Wait."
While checking the hidden spaces in the Serving Command Ark through the mass-produced miniature General Seos, I stop one in a particular hidden space and make it illuminate the interior.
"...Wait, wait...!"
I stand up abruptly from my seat.
The vision technique attached to the general's eye transmits its sight to me, illuminating the inside of the hidden space.
Ignoring everything else, I hurriedly fly to the Serving Command Ark.
Since my face can be recognized, I reverse the Blood Body Skin Armor and change my appearance using a technique unique to Yuan Yu, then quickly head to the space discovered by the mini General Seo.
That place is on the 7th floor of the Serving Command Ark.
Directly below the deck of Serving Command Ark, the Life Floor that handles the administration of the entire True Dragon Alliance, I reveal the aura of the Dragon Race after covering my skin with scales so that others don't find me strange.
Thump!
It's a familiar place.
The 7th floor of the Serving Command Ark.
The place I first visited in the Serving Command Ark with Seo Hweol after my regression.
That day, in front of the administrative building, I had explored the market while trying to avoid Seo Hweol's eyes.
"So, it was like this..."
Standing in front of the administrative building, I feel the hidden space inside and let out a hollow laugh.
Oh Hye-seo is inside there.
On my first day at the True Dragon Alliance.
While I went to the market to look at the demon beast market, Seo Hweol pretended to work in the administrative area and hid Oh Hye-seo in a hidden space on the Life Floor inside the Serving Command Ark.
"That's why she couldn't be found no matter how much I searched the Sea Dragon Palace..."
I step into the administrative district to check whether Oh Hye-seo is still alive.
***
Step, step...
As I enter the administrative building, a few members of the Earth Tribe, recognizing me as part of the Dragon Race, bow and approach.
"Is there something the Sir Dragon is looking for?"
"Move aside, I'll find it myself."
"Yes, yes..."
Adopting the appearance of the Black Dragon Race and putting on as irritable a face as possible, I create an atmosphere that makes it difficult for others to approach.
Reading my mood, the Earth Tribe members bow and move away.
'Let's see...'
I walk inside the administrative building, towards a corridor where the symbols of each of the 13 major races are displayed.
Beyond this corridor, there is a separate administrative area just for the 13 major races.
At a fork in the corridor, I take the path marked with the symbol of the Dragon Race.
Beyond here, only members of the Dragon Race are allowed.
I activate the Black Dragon's True Blood even more strongly and head down the path marked with the symbol of the Dragon Race known for handling the Yin () attribute.
'From here on, only members of the Black Dragon Race, or perhaps the Sea Dragon Race or Water Dragon Race, can enter.'
And the space discovered by the small General Seol is right here.
Walking down the corridor, I touch one of the Black Dragon symbols engraved in the stone corridor.
Injecting the power of the Black Dragon's True Blood, my hand suddenly sinks into the Black Dragon symbol.
'As expected...'
It's a barrier shaped like a wall.
I successfully enter the hidden space by passing through the barrier.
"..."
Step, step, step...
After walking down the passageway leading to the hidden space for a while,
Descending the stairs down and down, I arrive at a rather spacious area.
Judging by the distortion of the space, it seems to be a compressed space, revealing a considerably large site.
Flash!
The spirit stone embedded in the ceiling emits light like sunlight, making it feel as though it's broad daylight.
'It's the size of Gyu-ryeon's cotton farm...'
I am amazed at the immense size of the area.
The area utilizes the light emitted from the ceiling to grow grass, forming a meadow.
There are cool streams flowing throughout the meadow, and trees that emit pleasant fragrances are growing.
And in the center of the meadow,
There is a large manor.
Inside the manor, there are several houses with elegantly tiled roofs, and the presence of one person can be felt inside.
I slowly approach the manor.
Surprisingly, there are no barriers or prohibitions around it.
'Ah, I see.'
I realize as I approach the manor.
The closer I got to the manor, specifically to the person making noise inside it, the more the flow of Yin and Yang becomes chaotic.
The heaven and earth spiritual energy is swirling and entangling so much that it's likely impossible to install prohibitions or barriers.
Just as I arrive in front of the manor,
Tap, tap, tap, tap
Sounds come from inside the manor, and I feel someone running towards this direction.
Simultaneously, the doors of the manor burst open, and a familiar face pops out.
"Is Sir Seo Hweol here?"
It's Oh Hye-seo.
"...Greetings."
And, I greet my old colleague, whom I am meeting after a long time, rather stiffly.
"I was sent here by Sir Seo Hweol."
"Oh, by Sir Seo Hweol? Please, come in."
Upon hearing Seo Hweol's name, Oh Hye-seo smiles broadly and invites me into the manor. I follow her into a large mansion.
"Ma'am, a guest sent by Sir Seo Hweol has arrived!"
"Yes, Miss. I'll prepare."
"Hm?"
I frown as I observe a middle-aged lady welcoming Oh Hye-seo in the mansion and the workers bustling about the place.
Without any prohibitions or barriers, from the outside, it definitely seemed like there was only Oh Hye-seo's presence.
But upon entering, there are numerous people inside.
I immediately recognize their identities and frown.
'They're jiangshi.'
They are all jiangshi that emit the scent of human flesh.
In other words, they are jiangshi made from real human corpses.
'A creepy mansion, indeed.'
I take a deep breath as I observe the well-maintained yet unsettling underside of the mansion.
The middle-aged lady kindly smiles and leads me to the inner house.
Shortly after in the inner house, I am able to face Oh Hye-seo.
"What did Sir Seo Hweol tell you? Usually, he would come and talk in person..."
"...Sir Seo Hweol asked me to check if Miss Hye-seo is doing well."
"Oh, really?"
"Yes."
"Hmm..."
'...? What's going on?'
I sense something odd while reading Oh Hye-seo's intent but continue to question her.
"Have you been experiencing any discomforts in your daily life?"
"None at all. Sir Seo Hweol takes care of everything for me."
'She's lying.'
"Are you feeling unwell, or are there any concerns about your health?"
"Not at all. I'm perfectly healthy."
'She's lying.'
"Are you feeling mentally stressed in any way?"
"Haha, Sir Seo Hweol really... What could be stressful when Sir Seo Hweol is with me?"
'She's lying again.'
I sigh inwardly and ask.
"Do you ever wish to go outside?"
"Outside? Ah, didn't Sir Seo Hweol tell you? It's really nice walking through the streets of the Serving Command Ark alone with Sir Seo Hweol every few days. I've been going outside already, so..."
'That's not a lie. But there's something more to it...'
As I am organizing my thoughts.
"By the way, Sir Seo Hweol always checks my level in the Summoning Wind, Sacred Blood Transformation. Do you not need to do that?"
"The Summoning Wind, Sacred Blood Transformation, you say..."
"Could you please check the level of the technique for a moment? I ask of you."
"Yes. Then, let's first go outside and."
"Ha!"
However, she starts forming hand seals in the cramped room and begins circulating spiritual energy.
Whiiiii
The heaven and earth spiritual energy in the room starts to move around Oh Hye-seo.
I am startled by what I see.
I am also familiar with Summoning Wind, Sacred Blood Transformation.
However, there are no such techniques in the Summoning Wind, Sacred Blood Transformation.
Just when I am taken aback.
Oh Hye-seo, who had been slightly playful and tinged with happiness until now, suddenly changes her expression and glares at me.
Ssshhh
The room falls silent.
She opens her mouth.
"...Who are you?"
"..."
"Are you really sent by Sir Seo Hweol? If Sir Seo Hweol sent you, you wouldn't be unaware that he and I take walks regularly, would you?"
"..."
'What should I do?'
Should I reveal my true identity, having created a false one with Black Dragon's True Blood and Yuan Yu's face?
But it's risky.
If Oh Hye-seo is brainwashed by Seo Hweol, she might immediately report my presence to him.
If that happens...
As I am pondering various things.
The woman observing me suddenly stands up with a shocked expression and steps back.
"Ah...!"
"...?"
Oh Hye-seo's voice trembles.
'What's going on? She's startled by something. She recognized something in me. What is she thinking? Is she trying to call the mansion's servants?'
However, her next words are beyond my imagination.
"Seo... Eun-hyun?"
"...!!!"
I fail to maintain my expressionless facade and end up looking at Oh Hye-seo in surprise.
"Seo Eun-hyun! Right? I remember that face! My sense of time became so weird, but it's a face I saw decades ago, Seo Eun-hyun!"
The suspicion in Oh Hye-seo's gaze, which had been full of doubt, melts away.
However, I can't help but feel bewildered.
'How did she realize I'm Seo Eun-hyun?'
"Ahaha, really, it's so nice to meet someone from the same hometown after such a long time. Last time we met, I think I called you Deputy Seo. Well, it's been so long since I've seen your face that the name just comes out, right? Haha..."
I stand frozen in front of Oh Hye-seo for a while before I touch my face with a stiff expression.
After a moment, the Blood Body Skin Armor covering my face peels away, revealing my original face.
"...It's been a long time."
"Yes, really... It really has been a long time."
We're both silent for a moment.
Then, Oh Hye-seo asks me.
"By the way, aren't you curious how I knew? Even though you changed your face."
"Hm?"
"It's my ability..."
"Wait, don't say it!"
"Hm?"
I stop Oh Hye-seo before she can recklessly reveal her ability.
"...Have you ever told anyone about the ability you've gained?"
"Um, no. I thought about telling Seo Hweol at first but then changed my mind. Ah, by the way, why did you come in with that face?"
I smile wryly at her question.
"Because I'm not exactly friendly with Seo Hweol."
"Ah, I see."
Oh Hye-seo laughs heartily.
"I don't really like Seo Hweol either. Not sure if you've noticed, but do these mansion servants look human to you?"
'Hm?'
Oh Hye-seo whispers as if she's telling a huge secret.
"They're all corpses. And they're always watching me. And when Seo Hweol comes, they report everything they've observed about me to him."
"..."
"At first, I thought Seo Hweol was a really nice person. But then, at some point, he started to hypnotize? Brainwash? He started doing those things to me. That's when I knew Seo Hweol is a madman."
I don't know what expression to wear, feeling an odd mix of emotions.
Unexpectedly, Oh Hye-seo is fully aware of everything about Seo Hweol.
"Before I awakened my ability, I really thought he was wonderful, kind, and gentle. But after reaching the Nascent Soul stage and getting somewhat proficient in using my ability, my illusions about Seo Hweol shattered along with the brainwashing he had placed on me."
She babbles on for a while.
I smile faintly as I watch her chatter non-stop.
Oh Hye-seo, nicknamed the "Nightingale" at the company, was the most admired female employee among the staff.
Even though she was captured by Seo Hweol, she seemed not much different from the Oh Hye-seo I knew back then.
She is still bright.
"Oh Hye-seo, do you want me to take you out of here?"
I ask, looking at Oh Hye-seo.
However, she's silent for a while before smiling and saying,
"No, it's okay."
"...?"
"My ability, you see, if I refine it to the extreme, I think I might be able to understand why we came to this world. And where we should return to and how we ended up in this world."
"...But what does that have to do with staying here?"
"It's related. The best opponent to refine my ability against is Seo Hweol."
She smiles.
"I thought about investigating Seo Hweol using my ability. Now, I've been unraveling the story of 'Seo Hweol' in reverse. Seo Hweol has done a lot of things. That's why there are so many people with a cause-and-effect relationship (casualty) with him, which has greatly refined my ability. As I did so, I became interested in why Seo Hweol became such a person (human), and I've been looking into that recently.
"Strictly speaking, Seo Hweol isn't human."
"Oh, now that I think about it, you're right."
What exactly is Oh Hye-seo's ability?
It seems as if she can see through everything from where she seats.
'Wasn't it an ability related to the bloodline of immortal beasts?'
Why has it transformed into an almost omniscient ability?
Suddenly, I wonder if she can also realize that I had regressed.
"Are you reading me too?"
"Yes, I am. But others weren't as difficult as you. It feels as if the pages of your book are very heavy... And there are also these cloudy mists... It's hard to read because of those things."
"Hmm..."
After exchanging a few words with her, I chuckle lightly.
"So, you're saying you'll stay by Seo Hweol's side?"
"Yes."
"Alright. Be careful. As you know, he's a being as skilled in deceit as in breathing."
"That does seem to be the case."
"Seeing that you're safe, I'll be going."
"It's a bit disappointing. Seo Hweol won't be coming here for a few days anyway, why don't you stay and rest? If it's because of the servants' eyes, I can do something about it with my power."
"No, sorry. I have things I must do."
I get up and head outside.
It's a first.
For the first time since I came to this world, my heart feels a bit lighter.
I had thought Oh Hye-seo was 90% likely to be used or brainwashed by Seo Hweol.
But watching her demonstrate an almost omniscient ability to 'read' her opponent from her seated position, it somehow doesn't feel like Oh Hye-seo would easily fall prey to Seo Hweol.
'Maybe she was a bit overwhelmed at the beginning, but as she awakened her ability, she gradually started to read Seo Hweol's moves.'
Perhaps, she is the one I need to worry the least about among all my colleagues.
As I am leaving the manor.
Wo-woong!
A bright white light erupts from behind, touching the jiangshi in the mansion.
Then, the jiangshi's eyes dim and they stop in their tracks.
Oh Hye-seo's voice rings out.
"It's the power of the Lustrous Glaze Peacock. Lower beings become foolish the moment they touch the light. The jiangshi will forget that you came today. Take care."
"...Yeah, you take care too."
I leave the hidden space behind Oh Hye-seo with a light heart.
Crackle, crackling...
My body is almost completely vaporized now.
But, at the end of my life, I managed to achieve one of the goals I had set.
'Really...'
It's good to be alive.
With a somewhat lighter heart, I begin to prepare to splendidly adorn the final grand performance of this life.
Zap, zap...
Though my Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon, I begin to detect the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress from a long distance.
The Mad Lord Jo Yeon has stepped into the territory of the True Dragon Alliance.
***
Swoooosh
Above a vast canyon.
A bizarre fortress flies in.
Inside the fortress, gears endlessly turn and the sound of something continuously clicking can be heard, evoking a sense of strangeness in those who listen.
Click, click, click, click.
However, the fortress thats been floating in the air and moving forward suddenly comes to a halt at one point.
Kugugugu
Far away, a faint barrier is spread out over a region with white mountain ranges.
Its the territory of the Earth Tribe True Dragon Alliance.
Wo-woong
Moreover, three Integration stage Grand Cultivators exit the barrier after seeing the bizarre fortress, their faces tense as they begin to gather demonic power.
[So you're the notorious Mad Lord who's been infamous in all 4 directions recently!]
The Demon King of the Supreme Tiger Race growls, bristling with demonic energy, and shouts towards the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.
[I don't know what business you have in the True Dragon Alliances territory, but even if it's you, if you intend to enter our domain you must be prepared to risk your life! I strongly advise you to turn back.]
And then.
Click, click, click!
From inside the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, countless cannon barrels protrude, aiming their muzzles towards the barrier.
Weeeing!
Accompanied by a buzzing sound, countless bee puppets fly out from inside the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, starting to load cannonballs into the cannons.
The cannonballs are Four-Axis stage General puppets.
Flap, flap!
As the flag puppets flutter their flags to signal, the cannon operator puppets fire the cannons.
Boom, boom, boom!
Ignoring the persuasions of the Supreme Tiger King, the Mad Lord's Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress fires the General puppets towards the barrier.
Zeeerrrrng!
The General puppets are launched towards the barrier and crash headfirst into it, creating cracks throughout.
However, the Demon Kings merely smirk, infusing more power into the barrier.
[Ha, no matter how infamous you, the Mad Lord, might be, the barrier of the True Dragon Alliance, which borrows power from the body of the Entering Nirvana stage Ancestor.]
Simultaneously, beams of light shoot out in all directions from the bodies of the General puppets, beginning to carve countless circuits on one side of the barrier.
And then.
Flash!
Screeeech!
As if spreading like an infection, circuits spread to one corner of the barrier. After a brief moment, the barrier splendidly opens.
[]
Seeing this, the Integration stage Demon Kings are speechless for a moment, floating in the air before hastily transforming back into their true forms.
[Damn it! Stop that human madman!]
[No matter how formidable he is, it's barely been 100 years since he ascended; there's no way he can pass through a gate guarded by three Integration stage Demon Kings!]
However, the gates of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress opened.
Screeeech!
Click!
Along with that, terrifying puppets begin to pour out from inside the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.
Booooom!
Billions, no, perhaps hundreds of billions of puppets burst out crazily, turning the heavens and earth black with their numbers.
Among them, there are also a frighteningly large number of Four-Axis stage puppets.
The Demon Kings feel the momentum of the Four-Axis stage General puppets and are tense, but they do not lose their confidence.
[It's, it's okay. No matter how many Four-Axis puppets there are, with three Integration stage Demon Kings gathered here.]
Then, at some point, Integration stage puppets begin to appear from the fortress.
Koooom!
With an enormous momentum, 28 Integration stage presences emerge from within.
Overwhelmed by this force, the three Integration stage Demon Kings dont hesitate to scatter and flee, not even looking back as they do so.
Integration stage puppets, nine per each Demon King, begin to chase after them, leaving the strongest puppet remaining on the scene, the last Integration stage puppet.
[She] returns inside the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.
[She] enters the control room at the heart of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, walking towards a hunchbacked old man sucking on his fingers beneath a throne inside.
Walking towards the hunchback, [She] picks up the hunchbacked old man in a princess carry and sits herself on the throne.
The hunchback, cradled gently in [Her] embrace, continues sucking on his fingers.
Mad Lord Jo Yeon manipulates [Her] to command the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress from atop the throne, advancing it forward.
Ah Finally, in my lifetime, I get to attend Seo Hweol's wedding ceremony. That guy Seo Hweol, despite having married several women, has never invited me!? That can't be right, it must have been a mistake. I will correct it. I will make it right. Seo Hweol is just an imperfect being after all. Along with the wedding, I will evolve him into a new being at his most beautiful moment!"
Excited at the thought of embalming Seo Hweol at the moment of his marriage to create a masterpiece that will last forever, the Mad Lord mobilized all his talents to assault and capture Integration stage Grand Cultivators wherever he found them, turning them into puppets.
This resulted in the creation of the 27 Integration stage puppets made during this time.
Thrilled by the thought of embalming Seo Hweol at the moment of love, the Mad Lord's madness reached its peak, and his demonic talent also reached its zenith.
This is the result.
Although these hastily made Integration stage puppets are not as durable or strong as real Integration stage Grand Cultivators,
With as many as 27 of them, well-arranged formations can even take on 10 Grand Cultivators.
The Mad Lord, filled with hope and joy of evolving Seo Hweol, sheds tears of excitement and emotion as he orders the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.
"Advance! Advance! To Seo Hweol! To Seo Hweol! We can't be late for Seo Hweol's wedding ceremony! Bring Seo Hweol before me! Seo Hweol! Seo Hweol! I will capture Seo Hweol and evolve him! Seo Hweol! SeoHweolSeoHweolSeoHweolSeoHweolSeoHweolSeoEunHyunSeoHweolSeoHweolSeoHweolSeoHweolSeoHweolIwilldefinitelycapturehimandevolvehimintohismostbeautifulmomentthatlastsforever...!!!"
With eyes spinning in madness.
The Mad Lord and the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress begins heading towards the True Dragon Alliance headquarters, the Serving Command Ark.
I can feel it.
The Mad Lord's Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress has entered the True Dragon Alliance's territory.
Its speed is clearly that of an Integration stage Grand Cultivator.
'The Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress has evolved to the Integration stage.'
This isn't merely a single-minded intention to modify Seo Hweol.
The obsession to attend Seo Hweol's wedding ceremony and to personally embalm the moment of Seo Hweol's marriage created this result.
'At this speed, it will probably arrive at the Serving Command Ark in two hours.'
That news has already arrived here before, alerting everyone in the True Dragon Alliance.
Its almost time for the plan to be set in motion.
However, I am inexplicably unable to move, caught in a strange feeling.
'It's been since meeting Oh Hye-seo.'
Since meeting Oh Hye-seo, I've felt something strange dominating my mind.
For some reason, a bizarre disharmony is controlling my thoughts.
But I can't quite figure out what this disharmony is.
'What on earth is this...'
I grit my teeth and press down on my throbbing head.
'Could it be that Seo Hweol planted a trap in her without Oh Hye-seo knowing?'
The most rational suspicion is that Seo Hweol had somehow activated a trap in me through Oh Hye-seo without her knowing.
I ponder the source of the pain.
'At least the flow of spiritual energy isn't communicating with anywhere. Seo Hweol isn't trying something in real-time against me. Is it more like a curse? A curse that triggers if Oh Hye-seo meets someone other than him?'
However, as a first-class curse sorcerer myself, I don't feel the presence of a curse.
'It's not a curse. Then, there must be something...'
What exactly is this disharmony?
I suppress the throbbing in my brain and think.
'But there's no time left. Soon, the Mad Lord will storm towards the Serving Command Palace. Then...'
Click!
For now, I seal the part of my consciousness that suffers from the disharmony using the Five Elements Blood Curse Banner.
I also cram in the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation to modify the seal so even if Seo Hweol tries something through the Five Elements Blood Curse Banner, it will be futile.
'Good, now it's useless even if he tries anything.'
Judging by the lack of perceived spiritual energy flow, it's impossible for Seo Hweol to be watching me or to know that I've returned.
So, all I have to do now is execute the plan.
Tssk tssk!
I use the Sea of Righteousness and Mountain of Grace on Kim Yeon for the final time.
Flash!
Until the last moment, her consciousness does not return.
But her condition has improved significantly compared to the beginning.
"Uh, um"
Compared to her initially dull gaze, her eyes are now significantly clearer.
If left as is, she will naturally regain consciousness over time.
I informed Hong Fan, so even if I die, Hong Fan will take care of her.
"Then, take care."
I stroke the still somewhat dazed Kim Yeon's cheek and turn around.
"Ah, ah..."
That's when.
"...?"
Tssk tssk...
From Kim Yeon, the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon bursts forth and a strand of her consciousness clings to me.
Somehow, as if knowing I am about to go far away, it seems to not want to let go.
It feels like its holding on to me.
I look back at her.
Her consciousness has not yet returned.
However, seeing that strand of Kim Yeon's consciousness clinging to me pitifully, I choose not to detach it and soar into the sky.
Wo-woong!
The heaven and earth spiritual energy vibrates.
The energies of Integration stage Grand Cultivators swirl around from all directions.
[Emergency! Emergency! The Mad Lord has invaded!]
[The Mad Lord is coming to the Serving Command Ark!]
[Stop that madman! Stop him!]
Now, the fact that the Mad Lord has invaded is widely known throughout the Earth Tribe.
Using a sound transmission talisman, I send a message to Yu-hwa and fly towards the Serving Command Ark using the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts.
Up in the sky.
Kugugugu!
There, a blue dragon can be seen swiftly flying towards the Serving Command Ark.
Its Seo Hweol, evacuating to the Serving Command Ark upon hearing that the Mad Lord is coming.
Around Seo Hweol, numerous Four-Axis stage demon beasts are following him to the Serving Command Ark.
'As expected, evacuating with his numerous supporters.'
The Serving Command Ark, in case of an emergency, can descend to the lower realm from its lowest floor, making it the ultimate evacuation and escape route.
'Of course, I have no intention of letting him escape to the lower realm.'
Seo Hweol cannot escape from us.
I take Gyu-baek, who was waiting near the Serving Command Ark, and fly up towards it.
Inside the Serving Command Ark, Seo Eun-hyun had previously laid out thousands of ultra-small General Seos.
These General Seos observe where Seo Hweol enters and where he is headed, communicating in real-time with Seo Eun-hyun and reporting Seo Hweol's location.
Seo Hweol is currently at one of the evacuation spaces on the fourth floor of the Serving Command Ark.
Among those in that evacuation space, numerous demon beasts are tightly gathered around Seo Hweol.
"Sir Seo Hweol, I heard you ascended from the lower realm alongside the Mad Lord Jo Yeon. Just how powerful is he that you had to flee here?"
"Is he really as dangerous as his infamy suggests?"
"Aren't you being too worried?"
However, Seo Hweol shakes his head with a reassuring smile in response to their words.
"The Mad Lord is indeed a dangerous individual. We must not underestimate him. However, this place is the Serving Command Ark, where the highest cultivators of the Earth Tribe True Dragon Alliance gather. There is no need to be too tense. The Integration stage Demon Kings will all gather to deal with the Mad Lord, so don't worry too much. Just think of this as one of the few opportunities for all of us to gather together."
"To see such a crisis as an opportunity, Sir Seo Hweol truly has exceptional thoughts."
"You flatter me."
As theyre having a pleasant conversation, they suddenly look in one direction, startled.
Seo Hweol too suddenly narrows his eyes, glaring somewhere with vertically slit pupils.
"This, this is"
"Isn't this the aura of Blood Yin devilish arts!?"
The faces of the demon beasts are filled with shock.
"It's certain! The Blood Yin Heavenly Fiends have invaded the Serving Command Ark!"
"I'll show them who theyre dealing with right now!"
The demon beasts grit their teeth, feeling the dense miasma of the Blood Yin Realm.
One of the demon beasts stands up and shouts.
"First of all, it's dangerous for all of us to go there together. How about only a few of us form a group and go?"
"Hmm, that's a good idea. The energy we're feeling is only around the Heavenly Being stage anyway"
Most of those gathered here are Four-Axis cultivators with Seo Hweol at the forefront.
Even if it is the power of a Blood Yin Realm Heavenly Fiend, there is no real need to fear.
However, Seo Hweol suddenly smiles and shouts to the assembly.
"That won't do, everyone."
At his words, numerous Four-Axis demon beasts look at Seo Hweol with puzzled eyes.
"Yes?"
What do you mean, Sir Seo Hweol?
Then Seo Hweol starts explaining with a kind face.
"'A true predator uses all its strength in the hunt, no matter how big or small the prey.' Most of you must know this saying. We must not be complacent, even if it's just a Heavenly Being stage Heavenly Fiend."
Hearing Seo Hweols words, numerous Four-Axis demon beasts nod.
Especially if a Blood Yin Heavenly Fiend has come here, it might have opened a portal connected to the Blood Yin Realm within the Serving Command Ark. If so, the Heavenly Fiend can summon Esteemed Ones from the Blood Yin Realm, so caution is the best policy.
Indeed, we were too rash.
No, I might be overreacting. Even if it's just a Heavenly Being stage fiend, let's all go together for a walk.
Seo Hweol smiles faintly, leading the numerous demon beasts towards the place where the turbidity is felt.
And then.
Suddenly, Seo Hweol stops in his tracks.
? Sir Seo Hweol, what's the matter?
As Seo Hweol stops, the demon beasts ask him in confusion.
Seo Hweol, as if its nothing, smiles and replies.
Ah, I just remembered I left something around here last time. I'll quickly grab it and join you, so please go ahead without me.
Is there anything we can help with?
I appreciate the thought, but it's fine. Please go ahead.
Yes, well. Understood.
Thus, numerous members of the demon race disappear towards the location where Seo Eun-hyun is spreading devilish energy through Yuan Yu, leaving Seo Hweol alone.
Seo Hweol does not move from his spot.
After a while.
Ssssshhhh
Black curse spells burst from Seo Hweols entire body, revealing Seo Hweol being bound by them.
Seo Hweol, smiling faintly, looks in one direction and speaks.
Its been a while, Daoist Seo. Seeing you well eases my mind.
The blood that Seo Hweol gave me to consume and transform, accepting Seo Hweol's Sea Dragon True Blood, wasn't just absorbed with the thought of covering it with the Black Dragons True Blood.
Giving blood to a curse sorcerer means giving the most fundamental medium for a curse.
From the day I received Seo Hweol's blood, I was in a state where I could curse Seo Hweol at any time.
Using Seo Hweol's blood as a medium, I could transfer curses to Seo Hweol whenever and as much as I wanted.
Originally, I intended to use a curse to briefly bind Seo Hweol's feet.
When Yu Hwa arrives shortly after, I planned to remove the few demon beasts who were helping Seo Hweol from his side with her help.
But, why?
Why?
Feeling uneasy, I glare at Seo Hweol.
Why did you send away all the demon beasts that could protect you?
I didn't expect him to send away everyone who could aid him.
Rather, Seo Hweol's actions make me anxious, not knowing what schemes he has.
Seo Hweol does not answer but just gives an ambiguous smile.
To ascend from the lower realm so quickly, especially considering the spiritual energy is much weaker there, making it take longer to recover your cultivation To raise your cultivation so quickly, you must have indeed been a high being who fell.
You're not going to talk?
Right now, when Yu Hwa is rescuing Bai Nong.
I have to face Seo Hweol purely with my wit and ability.
But Im not particularly worried.
No matter how close to an Integration stage Demon King Seo Hweol is, he's already cursed.
If you dont want to talk, then dont.
I take out the poison that Hong Fan made for me from the storage bag.
This poison amplifies the sensation of pain by 60,000 times for a certain period.
Compared to that, its lethality is almost nonexistent, a drug made solely for the purpose of pain.
Without hesitation, I open the jade bottle and swallow the poison.
Then, I take out the Five Elements Blood Curse Banner, feed it with plenty of curse spells to create a Black Ghost Curse Banner, and thrust it into my chest.
Pffft!
!!!
The pain feels like its ripping my mind apart.
No, it definitely is.
My brain feels incandescent with whiteness.
A mortal would have died from the pain long ago, but cultivators, with their robust bodies and expansive consciousness, do not easily faint or die from pain.
That means, I have to fully experience the sensation of pain amplified 60,000 times.
!!!
I am unable to speak.
However, even in pain that feels like my spirit is vaporizing and my consciousness disintegrating, I smile faintly.
Ssssshhhh
The curses I had placed on Seo Hweol glow, and Seo Hweol also experiencing the pain, amplified by the curse!
!!!
Seo Hweol, with trembling hands, clutches his head and kneels on one knee.
Even for an Integration stage Demon King, this must be quite hard to endure!
My tolerance for pain has already become much stronger.
Yet, the pain is enough to vaporize my mind.
Such a level of pain should somewhat affect even the pinnacle of Integration stage cultivators!
Ziiing!
Bleeding from my seven orifices, I look at Seo Hweol through my blurry vision.
Seo Hweol, that guy
And as I watch Seo Hweol writhing in pain, I feel a profound sense of strangeness.
Seo Hweol, even while kneeling and clutching his head, is smiling.
His eyes and pupils are trembling, and his heart essence is indeed shaken by the pain.
But somehow, his face is still!
Still smiling kindly and warmly.
Its as if that expression of kindness and that gentle moment is forever embalmed on his face, a truly eerie sight.
At that moment, I truly feel as if Seo Hweol had put on a mask of benevolence.
'Is that, gentle smile fixed onto his face?'
Or is it that he can only smile like that?
Watching Seo Hweol, unable to let go of his kind expression even as he clearly feels pain, I feel a sense of eeriness.
Seo Hweol, what on earth are you
Creaking.
I grit my teeth and slowly begin to rise from my spot.
Noticing my movement, Seo Hweol, still clutching his head, also slowly rises.
However, we can only get up from our spots, overwhelmed by pain and unable to do anything else.
Wo-woong!
Then, the curse spells shining on Seo Hweols body begin to vibrate.
Zzzzt!
Sparks fly from the curse spells.
I realize that Seo Hweol is pushing the curse away.
Wo-woong!
The curse spells embedded in Seo Hweols body begin to rise above him, sparking flames.
That wont do.
Wheeeing!
In the midst of pain, I infuse even more pain from the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation into the curse, trying to embed the curse that is trying to detach even deeper into Seo Hweols body.
Zzzzt!
A tense standoff continues as sparks fly from the curse spells.
There are various ways to cast a curse,
But most curses require some condition.
The curse sorcerer must possess a part of the targets body.
The sorcerer must know the target well.
The sorcerers curse spell must have touched the target.
The target must have harmed the sorcerer.
The sorcerer must harbor resentment towards the target.
If these conditions are not met and one simply tries to cast a curse, its power is significantly reduced, making it easier to shake off or dispel.
However, if the conditions are met, the curse becomes much harder to dispel.
And I have met most of these conditions.
The situation would be different before the curse was activated, but having launched the curse by surprise, the balance of this confrontation is clearly in my favor.r.
Kugugugu!
Thousands, tens of thousands of curse spells flow into Seo Hweol.
Seo Hweol, shedding tears of blood, exerts his energy.
Zzzzt!
Clearly, I have the advantage.
But despite that, the power of Seo Hweol, comparable to the Integration stage, is tremendous.
Its as if I have Seo Hweol's heart in my grasp, yet Seo Hweol, little by little,
Is indeed pushing my curse back.
Is the difference in cultivation insurmountable?
It cant be helped.
Even though I have mastered the powers of Heaven, Earth, and Heart Tribes, amplifying my strength tremendously, my cultivation is merely at the Nascent Soul stage.
If this continues, the curse will surely be dispelled.
So...
About 1 Shichen (about 2 hours) later?
Sssk.
Trembling with pain, I smile.
Seo Hweols power is indeed great, but in 1 Shichen, there is too much I can do.
The pain is slowly becoming familiar. Just get a bit more used to it, and in the remaining 1 Shichen, I can push Seo Hweol to the limit.
Just when I think so.
Seo Hweol begins to form hand seals.
That is!
Thick turbidity flows from around Seo Hweol.
Terrible screams and wails spread around as Seo Hweol forms the hand seals.
Its neither a spell nor a demon ability.
Rather, its devilish arts.
Clearly one of the techniques from the Blood Yin Realm.
I closely observe the flow of devilish energy in the technique Seo Hweol is using.
I can feel it.
Its similar to the Mysterious Bizarre Gu techniques I use.
A devilish art that stealthily parasitizes someone in advance, lying dormant and detonating when needed.
Additionally, the technique of Blood Sacrifice used by Yuan Li is also mixed in.
I quickly deduce the identity of the technique Seo Hweol is using.
A technique that detonates a parasitic spell previously hidden in a target, kills them, and then uses the victim in a Blood Sacrifice!'
Ssssshhhh
As Seo Hweol forms the final seal, he speaks.
Tainted Soul Devouring Life Curse ()."
Ssssshhhh
Suddenly, from afar, the stench of blood wafts through the air.
Its the direction towards which the Four-Axis demon beasts, following Yuan Yu, had headed.
Did he place that technique on all those who follow him?
He must have arranged for the possibility to kill them at any moment and offer them as a blood sacrifice to serve as his spare lives.
Kugugugu!
Is it because he turned about twenty Four-Axis cultivators entirely into blood sacrifices?
The energy of the blood sacrifice felt from afar is tremendous.
'If that energy is supplied to Seo Hweol now...'
He might shake off my curse instantly.
Crack.
I cant let that happen.
Even amidst the pain that muddles my consciousness, I reach into my storage bag.
Originally, I planned to do this after getting more accustomed to the pain, but now that it's come to this, I'll finish the job now.
Chalak!
I pull out an item from within the storage bag.
Its a puppet.
A puppet used for communicating with the Mad Lord!
As soon as the puppet emerges from the storage bag, it starts rolling its eyes to check the surroundings, fixing its gaze on Seo Hweol.
Mad, Lord Senior. Can you hear me?
Sssk.
I smirk and shout to the Mad Lord beyond the puppet.
Ill give you the coordinates of Seo Hweols location.
Wheeeing!
Earth Tribes True Dragon Alliance.
The Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress is currently engaging in battle with 12 Integration stage Demon Kings near the Serving Command Ark.
The bee puppets fluttering around the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress suddenly stop their activity and land in various places on the fortress.
Wheeeing!
Along with the sound of a swarm buzzing, the bee puppets that had landed on the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress begin to flutter, preparing for something.
Wo-woong!
Simultaneously, the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress begins to move rapidly in one direction.
To the Integration stage Demon Kings, this seems as if the Mad Lord is retreating from the battlefield, bringing smiles to their faces.
Is, is the Mad Lord trying to retreat?
However, in the next moment, their expressions twist.
The billions of bee puppets attached to the Mad Lords Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress tear through space.
The Integration stage Demon Kings realize.
Is that, spatial teleportation?
It should be impossible to go too far, but where is it going
Wait! The direction of that spatial teleportation
No!
Stop it!
The Demon Kings, pale with shock, charge towards the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.
The Mad Lord is attempting a spatial leap to the Serving Command Ark!!!
Receiving the signal from Seo Eun-hyun, the Mad Lord began attempting a spatial leap to the fourth floor of the Serving Command Ark.
***