Wo-woong!
A pillar of red light stabs down towards me.
I lightly step with footwork and strike the pillar of light with my wooden sword.
Kwagwagwang!
A terrifying shockwave bursts forth, and for an instant, it seems as though the lightning itself is pushed back by the aftermath.
An attack clearly of the Nascent Soul stage.
However, what's astonishing is that the one unleashing this strike is not at the Nascent Soul stage but at the Grand Perfection of Core Formation.
Kwarurung!
Seven-colored lightning spews out around Jeon Myeong-hoon, transforming into six flags.
Kugugugu!
A giant holding the six flags appears, extending its fist towards me.
But in an instant, I catch a gap in the colossus that seems to shatter Heaven and Earth.
Even as Heaven and Earth crumbles, I see a place where I can stand.
Paang!
I enter the still world and take a step.
Kwagwagwang!
The giant's thunderous whip smashes into the earth.
First step.
I leap towards the shattered stone fragments, regaining my stance atop one of the fragments.
The giant's head splits in two, and behind him, a gigantic Taiji symbol emerges.
Third step.
I leap straight towards the giant's head, entering the split in its head and dance while stepping on the air.
There's no need to use unnecessary power.
Only the required strength, compressed to the extreme at the optimal moment, is released with the highest speed.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.
Twenty-seventh Move.
Guiding to the Summit ( / Dao Cen).
Over the years.
A new branch of Severing Mountain Swordsmanship has blossomed with madness within a stopped world.
Piiiiit!
The sword energy condenses at the tip of the sword like a thread.
What happens when Qi is compressed?
A pure mass of Qi eventually turns into life force.
The stage before becoming life force is Sword Gang.
And the stage of splitting consciousness into that Sword Gang, making it almost a living entity, is the Sword Sphere.
So, what happens if you don't infuse consciousness into the Sword Gang but compress it even more?
Kudududuk!
The essence of pure life forms on the sword.
The essence of life created in such a way cannot attack the opponent.
Because this life force, if anything, will heal rather than harm the opponent.
But on the other hand, not being able to harm the opponent means the opponent won't feel pain, which means it's difficult for the opponent to notice.
Shuk!
The thread of Qi created by Guiding to the Summit enters the neck of the Lightning Giant.
I fly up from above the guy's neck, reaching out my hand.
Tstsstsstsst!
At the same time, a thread line begins to shine above the Lightning Giant's two heads.
The Qi thread attached to the creature absorbs its life force, shining brightly before exploding in an instant.
Kwagwagwang!
Jeon Myeong-hoon's neck flies off.
A technique that sneaks compressed sword energy disguised as life force into the opponent without them noticing, absorbing the opponent's life force over time, eventually leading to death.
That is Guiding to the Summit.
[Ooooooh!]
The giant without a neck begins to scream and throw a tantrum.
Based on red lightning, countless colors of lightning start to appear.
Before long, 'all the techniques' of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect begin to float around him.
That is it.
He can now use all the techniques of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
But amusingly, Jeon Myeong-hoon has mastered only one technique of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
The Red Lightning Quaking Scripture.
In other words, all the techniques of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect that Jeon Myeong-hoon shows are parts of a new technique he had created by evolving the Red Lightning Quaking Scripture.
'That must be the Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation Method Yang Su-jin mentioned.'
It seems that, unlike the complex process of something like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation Method can be learned through a straightforward process if an Ender who carries their own fate begins to learn the Red Lightning Quaking Scripture, which is the basic method of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
Thousands of methods begin to float around Jeon Myeong-hoon.
Countless rune characters, arrows of lightning, spears of thunder, and heads of lightning dragons appear, gathering energy.
Then, thousands of techniques are fired at me at once.
There seems to be no way to dodge.
But I have no intention of drawing more energy than the sword energy wrapped around my wooden sword.
Then how should I counter these techniques?
I calm my mind.
Like a clear water surface, my mind settles down smoothly.
At the same time, I succeed in feeling a certain 'sensation.'
Lately, I began to feel a certain sensation.
It isn't intent.
It isn't the vision of the Heaven Tribe, nor the spiritual energy of the Earth Tribe.
A completely different, fourth type of sensation.
Calm the mind, clear it like water, and reflect the opponent in that state.
Over the clear reflected surface, thousands of techniques sent by Jeon Myeong-hoon are reflected.
I see it.
The 'intent' contained within those techniques.
No, the 'mind' embedded within the techniques is felt.
'Is this the sensation of the Heart Tribe's third stage of Manifestation...?'
It seems not just that.
Somehow, it's subtly, really minutely different from that of the Heart Tribe, in a way that can't be explained.
Anyway, I focus on this newly emerged sensation.
Seeing the intent behind the techniques sent by Jeon Myeong-hoon, I somehow feel I can unravel these 'intents' in reverse and break down the technique itself.
Bo-oong, Bo-oong, Bo-oong!
Without using the Formless Sword, I place my sword at the weakest point of the techniques and unravel all of the formulas used by Jeon Myeong-hoon in reverse, piercing through his endless barrage of attacks.
The next moment.
Swirl!
I dive into Jeon Myeong-hoon's chest, who had turned into a giant, and use Guiding to the Summit once again.
Chaaaak!
After a moment.
The giant titan falls, and Jeon Myeong-hoon emerges from inside.
"...I never won once before reaching the Nascent Soul stage."
"That's quite an achievement."
"What a monster. To think you reversed and unraveled the flow of all those techniques' spiritual power..."
I smirk at Jeon Myeong-hoon, who is staring at me with a stiff face.
"I could do it because I've also learned all the Lightning Path Methods. It would have been impossible with techniques of other attributes."
Quite literally, the secret to my ability to counter Jeon Myeong-hoon's Lightning Path Methods is also because I have a tremendous understanding of the Lightning Path Methods themselves.
Of course, it's a secret to him, but this 'sensation' might blossom further in the future, allowing me to unravel other things besides Lightning Path Methods.
'But it will require at least a thousand years of cultivation to get there....'
Jeon Myeong-hoon dusts off the dirt from his body and grins.
"When you reach the Nascent Soul stage, you better be prepared, Seo Eun-hyun!"
"Haha, I'm looking forward to it."
I warmly smile and cheer for Jeon Myeong-hoon.
"Then, everything is prepared at the main hall, let's go."
"Hmph!"
Jeon Myeong-hoon looks at me and, seemingly annoyed, sets off first towards Thunder Cloud Peak.
At Thunder Cloud Peak, countless Heavenly Being stage Grand Elders and Nascent Soul stage Elders have gathered to witness the breakthrough to the Nascent Soul stage of the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body.
Hong Su-ryeong is setting up a formation at the summit of Thunder Cloud Peak in preparation for any mishaps.
"Have you arrived? Come and stand here, Jeon Myeong-hoon."
Hong Su-ryeong engraves a rune character into the formation and then calls Jeon Myeong-hoon to the center of the formation.
Over the past 20 years, Hong Su-ryeong also broke through in her realm and is now a qualified Grand Perfection cultivator of the Heavenly Being stage.
Now, she is preparing to ascend to the Four-Axis stage alongside the highest grand elders like Jin Hwi and Jin Jin-chan.
"The energies of the Well, Ghost, and Willow stars are about to rise. Prepare to rise to the Nascent Soul stage."
Hong Su-ryeong looks at the celestial energy, reads the celestial signs, and speaks.
Since the stars that best match Jeon Myeong-hoon are the Well, Ghost, and Willow stars, it is most appropriate for him to ascend to the Nascent Soul stage at that time.
Before entering the formation, he looks around and his eyes meet with someone.
It's Jin So-hae.
Crack!
In an instant, turning into a bolt of lightning, Jeon Myeong-hoon flies towards Jin So-hae and embraces her.
"...Thank you for being with me, even when I was lacking, So-hae. From now on, I'll show you a more proper version of myself."
"...No, you've been great enough as it is. You've had a tough time too."
The elders laugh heartily at the sight of the two young people, and Jin Byuk-ho, too, looks at Jeon Myeong-hoon with much more relaxed eyes than before.
Looking at Jeon Myeong-hoon, I can tell that he has indeed become one with his family and the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
Crackle!
Returning to the center of the formation, Jeon Myeong-hoon looks up at the sky.
Soon, the celestial timing aligns.
Wo-woong!
Jeon Myeong-hoon sits down in a lotus position right there, gathering energy for his Golden Core.
Crackle!
He begins to gather energy from the Qi plane, ascending towards an even higher plane.
Consciousness and energy mixes, and he begins to condense his Nascent Soul.
There's no issue with enlightenment.
Not only had the grand elders and elders of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect kindly explained it, but I had also hammered the Yin and Yang energies into him dozens of times using the methods of the Azure Heaven Creation Sect. He had no choice but to grasp an understanding of the Nascent Soul, even if reluctantly.
Wo-woong!
Suddenly, the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy seems to gather towards Jeon Myeong-hoon, and a bright light bursts from his lower dantian.
A phenomenon that occurs when a cultivator of the Heaven Tribe condenses their Nascent Soul!
Simultaneously, the heavens begin to roar, preparing for the Heavenly Tribulation.
Wo-woong!
I look at Jeon Myeong-hoon.
I can see a baby-shaped soul condensing in his lower abdomen.
This means, at this moment, Jeon Myeong-hoon is rapidly experiencing his life in rewind.
An indescribable expression settles on his face.
And then.
Paaaat!
Finally, Jeon Myeong-hoon succeeds in fully condensing his Nascent Soul.
The only remaining hurdle now is the Heavenly Tribulation.
However, no one from the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect thinks that Jeon Myeong-hoon will encounter difficulties while undergoing the Heavenly Tribulation.
After all, he is the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body.
Kwarurung!
A dual-colored Heavenly Tribulation strikes down.
But the dual-colored Heavenly Tribulation is absorbed by Jeon Myeong-hoon as soon as it touches him.
Simultaneously, Jeon Myeong-hoon's cultivation in the early Nascent Soul stage begins to rapidly increase! The spiritual power equivalent to ten years of cultivation at the early Nascent Soul stage accumulates in Jeon Myeong-hoon's Nascent Soul!
Crack, crackle
He opens his eyes, smiling contently as he sits, seemingly unbothered by the monstrous Heavenly Tribulation he had just faced. Instead of showing any signs of distress or pain, he looks as refreshed as if he had just received a pleasant massage!
Kurung, Kururung!
The Heavenly Tribulation continues to strike down, enhancing Jeon Myeong-hoon's power.
For Jeon Myeong-hoon, the Heavenly Tribulation is both a tonic and a dharma treasure.
He can either accept it and transform it into spiritual power or store it within his Golden Core and wield it like a real dharma treasure. That is what the Heavenly Tribulation means to Jeon Myeong-hoon.
Before he broke through to the Nascent Soul stage, I had advised him to not transform the Heavenly Tribulation into a dharma treasure but to absorb it directly and convert it into spiritual power. He is faithfully following my advice.
'At this rate, he might reach the mid Nascent Soul stage within half a year if he does well.'
Just having entered the early Nascent Soul stage and continuously feasting on such a tremendous 'elixir,' reaching the mid-stage in half a year is not an inflated expectation.
Moreover, from the Nascent Soul stage onwards, each advancement within the realm attracts Heavenly Tribulation. Hence, Jeon Myeong-hoon can gain such benefits even in the mid Nascent Soul stage.
In other words, from the moment he entered the Nascent Soul stage, Jeon Myeong-hoon has laid the foundation for extremely rapid cultivation.
'It took decades to reach the Nascent Soul stage, but from now on, the path will be smooth.'
I grin as I look at Jeon Myeong-hoon.
His growth is going smoothly.
That means I don't need to implement the worst-case scenario plan I have in mind, stealing the Heavenly Lightning Banner.
'Don't betray the sect and use Jeon Myeong-hoon to seal the Heavenly Lightning Banner. Yes, that's the most suitable...'
That was my thought.
Until Jeon Myeong-hoon absorbed the golden Heavenly Tribulation of the Nascent Soul stage and converted it into red lightning.
Zzzt!
Until I felt something strange with the recently emerged fourth sensation.
'What's going on? Something's off with Jeon Myeong-hoon...'
I furrow my brows and focus on that sensation.
It isn't clear.
It's a misty feeling.
But I definitely feel something is 'connected' to Jeon Myeong-hoon.
'Yes, this is...'
Indeed.
Some [intent] is attached to Jeon Myeong-hoon, extending like a thread somewhere.
However, the sensation is brief and it vanishes again.
'What in the world?'
It's a sensation I felt momentarily when Jeon Myeong-hoon was absorbing the Heavenly Tribulation of the Nascent Soul stage while using what seems to be the Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation Method.
Slowly, I turn my head towards the direction where the [intent] was connected.
The sensation disappeared, but I remember where it pointed.
That place is,
"...Could it be?"
The Thunder Tribute Hall.
There's no ominous feeling, and the celestial energy is clear.
But, with my tension heightened to the maximum,
I seize the moment everyone is blessing Jeon Myeong-hoon and fly towards the Thunder Tribute Hall.
Paaat!
The main gate of the Thunder Tribute Hall is currently unguarded.
Everyone had gone to witness the Nascent Soul stage ascension of Jeon Myeong-hoon, born with the same talent of the ancestor Yang Su-jin, the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body.
Thanks to that, I easily enter the Thunder Tribute Hall and I'm startled, stopping in my tracks as I'm about to enter deeper into the hall.
[What brings you here, child?]
Deep within Thunder Tribute Hall.
Above its altar.
A woman with long white hair and bare feet, her face hidden by her hair, asks me.
As soon as I hear her words, I suddenly feel lust boiling up within me.
I want to rush at her, to overpower her.
I want to make her mine.
I want to hold her!
Grrr
Grinding my teeth, I stand still and clear my mind with the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon.
I glare at Zhengli, veins popping in my eyes.
"Please stop teasing this junior, senior."
Wo-woong!
Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens!
A transparent energy whirls within me.
At the same time, Zhengli's seductive smile seems to vanish from my mind for a moment.
However, Zhengli stretches her arms towards me.
[Ah, so you've used the Sacrificial Rite that the Golden Deity once employed. Ahaha, how dare you boast in front of me without even preparing a sacrificial offering? How do you plan to bear the curse of that dreadful rite with a human body?]
Ziiing!
"Kugh!"
[That incomplete Immortal Art, without an offering, is at best a unique Lightning Path Method. Those who have traversed the Dao of Heavenly Tribulation of the Three Thousand Worlds and learned Lightning Path Methods can never escape from me...]
My face turns beet red.
Just when I thought the surging lust subsided, it boils up crazily again.
'The Heavenly Lightning Banner isn't supposed to be like this.'
It's obvious.
Some trickery had been played, letting it break free from its restraints until now.
Normally, even if I occasionally hear the voice of the Heavenly Lightning Banner, it's no different from hearing any ordinary human voice.
But now, it's different.
Every word she utters seems to seize my brain, making the blood in my lower abdomen boil.
'My brain, my brain... it's strange...!'
The currents in my brain are moving weirdly.
I can't control it at all.
At this rate, I feel like I will rush at Zhengli without any resistance and overpower her immediately.
[Come to me. Embrace me. Kiss my feet. I shall grant you the utmost pleasure... Just promise me one thing, child...]
"Kkrrrgh!"
Veins bulge out on my face.
Blood bursts from my nose, dripping onto the floor of the Thunder Tribute Hall.
[Can you call my name?]
"Haaaah!"
Against my will, my feet move on their own towards her.
Memories from my past life flashes through my mind.
The scene where innocent people turned to the master of heavenly punishment at just a word.
The scene where a single word caused countless innocent people to return to the Owner of Heavenly Punishment en masse.
The Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, slaughtered because of my foolish actions.
[Come here, child...]
Thump, thump, thump, thump!
I can't control my lust.
The sound of my heart beating wildly grows louder.
The closer I get to her, the more tantalizing her jade white feet seem.
Each step closer fills my brain with immense anticipation and happiness!
Thump!
Before reaching her.
With about five steps left, I barely manage to control my legs and stop myself.
But it's only a temporary reprieve.
I soon have the premonition that I will rush towards her.
"Let's... stop this."
[Will you call my name?]
"I don't think that will be possible..."
[Oh, it seems you're lacking in pleasure.]
She points at me.
"...!"
My top is already off without me realizing it.
She points her finger at me again.
It feels as if her slender, graceful hands are caressing me, even though she is merely stroking the air.
Yet, I find myself completely naked.
'What...!'
It isn't her who undressed me.
My body undressed itself.
In a situation where I can't cover my whole body, my face turns blazing red as I clench my teeth.
[Now, if you're ready, come here...]
"Stop..."
My body doesn't listen to me.
I feel like I will rush at her any moment!
Any moment now!
In my mind, I recall Heavenly Human Island, which had been reduced to ruins by the Owner of Heavenly Punishment.
I think of Kim Yeon, Buk Hyang-hwa, the Colorless Glass Sword, and Hong Su-ryeong.
"Stop... I said..."
Thump!
My leg takes another step forward against my will.
And then, I move my hand.
In that state, holding my scrotum...
Crunch... Crick-crack...!
"Ahahahahahah!!!!!!!"
I start to tear out my testicles.
"Aaaaahhhhh!!!"
Squish!
[...]
"Ahhhh! Ah! Ahh, ahhah, ahahah!"
Saliva dribbles from my mouth.
It hurts!
Among all the pains I've felt in my life, this is one of the most severe, causing my head to ring.
But, in that pain, I finally feel my lust being washed away, and my limbs regain their freedom.
"Ha... hahaha... I..."
The pain is so intense that tears of blood naturally flow.
Dripping tears of blood, I crushed the testicles I had pulled out in my fist.
"I told you... to stop..."
Step.
This time, I step forward towards her of my own will.
Having cast a clothing spell to dress myself again, I manage to suppress the pain and look down at Zhengli.
"There are people... who have loved me. Do not insult me."
Overwhelmed by my momentum after breaking free from her control, Zhengli speaks with a trembling voice for the first time.
[You're insane.]
Step.
I take another step forward.
She begins to stealthily move back on the altar, trying to distance herself as much as possible from me.
She is completely overwhelmed by my aura.
[How can a mortal from the Sah world so readily sever one of the Five Desires...!? Who are you? I have never seen a being like you among mortals...!]
"I am..."
Crack!
I grab Zhengli's neck and lift her up.
Zhengli struggles in my grasp for a moment, then suddenly transforms into a familiar banner.
"...Seo Eun-hyun."
I ask the banner with a fierce look.
"Answer me. What have you been plotting all this time?"
***
"Speak."
Crackle, crackling...!
Is it due to the pain that my emotions became agitated?
Tsstsstsst!
One by one, around me, black curses begin to flow out.
"Speak...!"
Tsuuuu!
Eventually, the curses begin to overflow around me like a river.
"Speak!"
Kugugugu!
A waterfall of curse spells is drawn out around me.
Then, the full load of the curse spells is blown towards Zhengli.
Since an immortal treasure's mental structure is different from humans, the pain isn't as clearly inflicted as it would be on humans.
If a curse inflicts 100 units of pain on a typical life form, it would only inflict about 0.01 units of pain on an immortal treasure.
Hence, using about 10,000 curse spells should be sufficient to transfer pain to an immortal treasure.
Kwagwagwagwa!
Countless curse spells pour in like a waterfall to within the Heavenly Lightning Banner.
[...!]
I can feel the Heavenly Lightning Banner suffering.
"Speak, what were you trying to do?"
After struggling with the pain for a while, Zhengli finally opens her mouth.
[Curious...?]
From inside the Heavenly Lightning Banner, I feel a gaze staring at me somewhere.
Along with it, I see again something like a thread of Zhengli's 'intent' extending far away.
"What are you doing!!!"
Swoooosh
Rain made of curses fall over the entire Thunder Tribute Hall.
The black curses begin to rot and corrode the floor of the hall.
[Madman... I was momentarily startled, but... you are foolish. If you had embraced me and felt pleasure calling my name, you could have returned to the owner in peace.]
Simultaneously, something flies from where her 'intent' is connected.
Kwarurung!
From outside the Thunder Tribute Hall, an enormous energy begins to surge.
Zzirit, zzirit!
Static electricity flows through the air.
'Jeon Myeong-hoon... has he reached the Nascent Soul stage?'
But something is off.
The flow of energy around is too violently turbulent, more than it would be from just him attaining a Nascent Soul.
'Something happened?'
I glare at the Heavenly Lightning Banner.
[The curse spells used at the level of mortals are annoying, but by raising my consciousness to the plane of Fate and changing my mental structure, there's no pain. Your torture is useless.]
"You...!"
[And....]
Before long, Zhengli transforms back into a human form.
Suddenly, the staff of the Heavenly Lightning Banner I am holding becomes Zhengli's ankle.
She holds something transparent that arrived from the direction where Jeon Myeong-hoon is.
[Finally, we have come this far.]
Zzeung!
She strikes down towards the void with the transparent something.
At that moment, I see an 'intent' with my fourth sense.
The 'intent,' tangled like chains, is connected to various parts of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect. As she strikes down with the transparent thing, the chains are severed just like that.
Pang!
Sssshhhh
Simultaneously, an indescribably bizarre energy begins to emanate from her, incomparable to before.
[Ahaha, now only a single layer remains. The last chain cannot be unlocked unless one is of the level of Yang Su-jin's true body... But still, it may be possible for but a speck of my authority to be accessible once more]
Ttak!
With a sinister smile, she flicks her finger.
[Your effort is admirable, but, my child, you can't stop me. It's already too late.]
Along with that.
Ziiiiing!
A strange power of lightning bursts forth around her.
Kugugugugu!
'What is this...!'
The power continues to expand its range, soon covering the entire Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect and then spreading widely enough to cover the entire Thunder Spirit Island.
At the same time.
Crackling!
"...!"
The currents in my brain move oddly, and all sorts of emotions begin to swell.
"You!"
While removing my testicles, I also cut out and removed a part of my soul that governs lust.
Of course, having reached the Nascent Soul stage, my soul contains considerable energy and it will regenerate over time.
Because of that, I was able to escape from Zhengli's influence, but 'despite that,' it's still difficult to easily soothe the desire to hold the Heavenly Lightning Banner from within.
I look at her, my complexion turning pale.
"Damn it!"
Even I, who had temporarily removed lust, feels desire boiling up.
Then, what about others who do not possess mental strength like mine?
Kugugugugu!
As expected.
Kwaang!
The door of Thunder Tribute Hall shatters, and Jin Byuk-ho and the other grand elders enter with somewhat excited faces.
Jin Byuk-ho gasps for breath and says with a somewhat flushed face.
"What are you doing now, Elder Jin Eun-hyun? Coming to the Thunder Tribute Hall and holding the Heavenly Lightning Banner? To touch the Heavenly Lightning Banner, one must at least be the sect leader?"
"I'm sorry. There was something I needed to find out by looking at the Heavenly Lightning Banner."
"Oh, is that so? Well, I understand for now. I also have something to try with the Heavenly Lightning Banner, so let me hold it for a moment."
Jin Byuk-ho extends his hand towards me.
"."
"Elder Jin Eun-hyun?"
I speak with an awkward smile.
"I'm sorry, Supreme Sect Master. Could you give me a little more time?"
"What are you saying Elder Jin Eun-hyun. The Heavenly Lightning Banner is a divine object that originally can only be touched by those who hold the position of sect leader! You, still a potential next sect leader, should not touch it! Hand it over to me now!"
Jin Byuk-ho suddenly bursts into anger, his eyes bloodshot as he yells at me.
Normally, even if I have the Heavenly Lightning Banner, he would never have shouted at me like this.
He knows I'm the perfect genius, even more outstanding than the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body, and considers me the future of the sect.
Even if I had touched the Heavenly Lightning Banner, he would have admonished me politely, not yell with such rage.
I smile bitterly at Jin Byuk-ho.
"You're enchanted by this bewitching object."
"What are you saying! If you talk nonsense and disobey one more time, I'll lock you in the Punishment Lightning Cave for 10 years of wall-facing! For the last time, hand over the Heavenly Lightning Banner!"
Crackle, crackling!
The electrical signals in my brain tangle, stimulating the desire to possess the Heavenly Lightning Banner even more.
I want to embrace the Heavenly Lightning Banner.
I want to touch it.
I want to lick it, handle it, and try striking lightning with it.
I want to wield the power of the Heavenly Lightning Banner.
Surely, Jin Byuk-ho and the grand elders who have just arrived feel the same.
However, I read the intent of the Heavenly Lightning Banner.
And its 'intent.'
'After enchanting the people of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, she intends to teach them her name.'
I suppress my desire and grip the Heavenly Lightning Banner even tighter.
She quietly returns to the form of a flag in my grasp, as if to see how I will withstand it.
Jin Hwi shouts.
"Jin Eun-hyun! The elders of the sect are commanding you! Hand over the Heavenly Lightning Banner to us right away!"
"Hold on, what is this black darkish energy?"
Jin Jin-chan frowns as he looks at my curse spells.
"This is... it seems like something I saw in the Black Ghost Valley before...?"
"Jin Eun-hyun, you! What have you learned!?"
"Jin Eun-hyun!!! Hand over the Heavenly Lightning Banner first!"
The grand elders shout at me chaotically, and I bow once to them on the spot.
"I'm sorry."
"What is this..."
"From now on."
While bowing to them, I slowly raise my curse spells.
Whenever True Immortals are involved, things get this complicated.
"It seems I, this foolish and unworthy disciple, must betray the sect."
Kwagwagwagwa!
A storm of curse spells erupt from me towards the grand elders.
"Ha, such curse spells. What do you think they can do to us who have risen to the Heavenly Being stage... Aaaaah!"
"Aaaah!"
"Ke, keooogh!"
Most of the grand elders trying to withstand my curses with their bare bodies end up foaming at the mouth, rolling their eyes back, and fainting on the spot.
The pain inflicted by my curses are less than one thousandth of the pain from ingesting the poison that amplifies senses sixty thousand times, but that alone is enough to make the Heavenly Being stage grand elders faint, and even Jin Byuk-ho collapses to the floor, unable to regain his senses momentarily.
[How cruel, Eun-hyun. Do you intend to betray your sect?]
I hear the Heavenly Lightning Banner mocking me.
[All who cultivate the Lightning Path Method cannot escape my enchantment... Do you intend to fight against the entire Thunder Spirit Island? Uhuhu... Do you truly have the will to do that, Eun-hyun? Let me go. Pass me on to another.]
She whispers to me in a soft, subtle voice, calling my name.
I desire to heed her request immediately.
But I speak in a stern voice.
"Shut up."
[....]
Step, step...
Passing by the fainted grand elders, this time, the elders with half-rolled eyes surround me.
"Elder Jin Eun-hyun!"
"What is this!?"
"What have you done to the grand elders... No, more importantly, give us the Heavenly Lightning Banner now! It's a divine object you shouldn't be holding!"
"Never mind the Heavenly Lightning Banner for now, what about these dark curse spells..."
"It's a technique from the Black Ghost Valley! I've seen it before!"
The elders look at me with eyes filled with horror.
"You, you, you! You ultimately choose to betray our sect and side with the Black Ghost Valley!?"
"What wickedness...! Seize the Heavenly Lightning Banner from that traitor!"
"Defend the sect's divine object with your life!"
Is it because Zhengli's enchantment had disrupted their logical thinking circuits?
Without even considering listening to me, they charge at me with crazed eyes.
I smile bitterly and raise one hand.
Kugugugugu!
Perhaps because I had removed my testicles and a part of my soul.
The pain is still vivid, and I generate curse spells based on that pain.
In an instant, countless curses pour out, enough to rot the Thunder Tribute Hall, and the fog of curses cover the summit of Thunder Cloud Peak.
"Huaaaaaah!"
"Kwaaaah! K, kwaaaah!"
"Ah, it hurts! It hurts so much...!!!"
Most of the elders can't bear my pain and faint as well.
There are no external injuries, and most of them will wake up fine after some sleep.
I glare at Zhengli and spit gravely.
"I will... make sure you pay the price."
[Ahaha... How terrifying.]
"...Truthfully, you're scared, aren't you?"
[....]
"Remember this well. The sin of forcing me to betray my sect with my own hands will not be easily forgiven..."
I give Zhengli, who tries to avoid my madness-filled gaze, one last look and descend from Thunder Cloud Peak.
At the same time, I feel the sound of a massive whirlwind from afar.
Kugugugugu!
"Huh..."
A giant red lightning bolt soars from the ground to the sky, creating a pillar of light.
Kwajijijizik!
A tingling sensation of lightning energy touches me.
'That seems a bit dangerous.'
I chuckle at the monstrous lightning energy I feel.
[With my help, he has successfully obtained the Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation.]
"What?"
I'm taken aback and glare at Zhengli.
However, she ignores my gaze and speaks to Jeon Myeong-hoon, who is emitting a pillar of red lightning.
[Come here, Myeong-hoon. Since you've obtained the Heavenly Lightning thanks to my assistance, help me.]
She begins to sing.
[There's a wicked traitor who betrayed his sect.
[Having hidden his true intentions for decades within the sect,
[Attacking the grand elders and the Supreme Sect Master,
[Trying to steal the sect's divine object...
[Come quickly and exterminate that wicked traitor, restoring the justice of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect...]
"You...!"
Roar!
Her voice reaches Jeon Myeong-hoon.
Though I try to block it, her 'voice' is directed at Jeon Myeong-hoon in some metaphysical way, making it impossible for me to intercept.
I have no choice but to quickly take out two sound transmission talismans.
The talismans are connected to Yeon Jin and Hong Su-ryeong respectively.
"Hong Su-ryeong, Yeon Wei! Please keep your promise, today is the day I spoke of!"
Soon, I receive a somewhat surprised but affirmative response from Hong Su-ryeong.
Yeon Jin also sends an affirmative response.
Right after their replies.
Kwarururung!
A red lightning bolt rushes towards me.
Kwaang!
I'm unable to dodge the attack from Jeon Myeong-hoon within the red lightning and get hit, flying off to one side of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect's peak.
Kwaang!
One of the peaks explodes. I get up from beneath the collapsed peak, glaring at Jeon Myeong-hoon who struck me.
"...You've grown quite a bit."
"Seo Eun-hyun."
From within, Jeon Myeong-hoon, who had completely transformed into a lightning giant, asks bitterly.
"What are you doing right now?"
"...I can't explain to you."
"Explain it."
"Just trust me for a moment. Stay away from me for a bit. If you get close to the Heavenly Lightning Banner..."
Kwarung!
Instantly, lightning flashes. The next moment, Jeon Myeong-hoon's attack is flying towards my head.
Paang!
I draw my wooden sword and deflect Jeon Myeong-hoon's strike.
"Just listen to me for a moment..."
Kwang, kwang, kwarurung!
"Just a moment..."
Kwarurung!
"Just a second..."
Flash!
Kwaang!
Countless flashes of lightning strike as Jeon Myeong-hoon attacks me.
I realize his condition is also quite strange.
"What have you done to Jeon Myeong-hoon...!?"
It's odd.
If the technique Jeon Myeong-hoon learned is truly the Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation, then it should be Yang Su-jin's technique.
Yet, even after mastering Yang Su-jin's technique, Jeon Myeong-hoon seems to be completely enchanted by Zhengli without any resistance.
'Is there no basic resistance function in the Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation, unlike in the Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens?'
[Curious, Eun-hyun?]
As I wonder, Zhengli begins to whisper in a bewitching voice next to me.
[I guided him and taught him the original technique mastered by the Golden Deity, Yang Su-jin, called the Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation Technique.]
"..."
[And Yang Su-jin's original technique was directly taught to that traitor by my Lord in his younger days...]
"!"
[As the servant of my owner, I'm merely guiding 'disciple' Jeon Myeong-hoon, so don't worry too much about your colleague. There won't be any problem. Instead, worry about yourself, Eun-hyun....]
Zhengli mockingly says to me.
Before I knew it, I'd already exchanged countless blows with Jeon Myeong-hoon and rose above the clouds in the sky.
'This won't be easy.'
I send a signal to something I have kept hidden.
[The Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation is the pinnacle of the Lightning Path Method, directly created by the Owner of Heavenly Tribulation... Uhuhu, even Jeon Myeong-hoon, who has just entered the early Nascent Soul stage, possesses enough power to end a Grand Perfection Heavenly Being...]
The next moment.
Kugugugugu!
Whoosh!
From below the clouds, a dark figure soars up, blocking Jeon Myeong-hoon.
Kwaak!
The thing that catches the rampaging Jeon Myeong-hoon opens its mouth, shining with a fierce light.
"Go, General Seo."
It's the True Origin General Seo, the Four-Axis stage puppet I had continuously crafted and hidden within the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect for decades.
***
Flash!
Kwagwagwagwang!
A flash of light bursts from General Seo's mouth, and Jeon Myeong-hoon's head is blown off by General Seo's cannon.
However, Jeon Myeong-hoon instantly regenerates his head and charges back towards General Seo like a madman.
"Seo Eun-hyun!!!"
Kwarururung!
Jeon Myeong-hoon rushes at me with completely crazed eyes.
It's clear.
He is being manipulated by Zhengli.
More than half of the emotions he is exhibiting are being influenced by Zhengli.
But
That means.
The other half is also sincere.
Jeon Myeong-hoon is genuinely angry with me to some extent.
"...I'm sorry."
I apologize to Jeon Myeong-hoon.
And to the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, which had become like family, bowing my head along with my apology.
"I'm truly sorry."
Kwagwagwang!
Lightning flashes, and General Seo is repelled by Jeon Myeong-hoon.
Due to his anger, Jeon Myeong-hoon is becoming endlessly stronger, and while initially he was only at a level enough to face a Grand Perfection Heavenly Being, he is gradually becoming as powerful as General Seo.
'No, that's not it.'
It isn't simply due to anger that he is becoming so powerful.
Jeon Myeong-hoon is currently triggering his latent potential.
Being at the Nascent Soul stage and having a lifespan of over a thousand years, he is pushing himself to the limit to chase me down, even at the expense of a bit of his lifespan.
"Seo Eun-hyun!!!"
"..."
I look at him charging at me with crazed eyes and say,
"...Go ahead, be angry."
Since things have come to this, it might be a good thing to make Jeon Myeong-hoon even angrier, to further steepen his growth curve.
"Be angry and even more angry, so that someday"
I draw the wooden sword I had used to train Jeon Myeong-hoon and face him.
Giant lightning claws appear over Jeon Myeong-hoon's hands, and upon contact, my whole body starts to tingle.
"Huaaaaaaah!!!"
Kwajik, kwajijijik!
Jeon Myeong-hoon's strength has become so formidable that it's on a completely different level from the strength I had faced before.
"Hold this, Yuan Yu."
Handing over the Heavenly Lightning Banner to Yuan Yu for a moment,
I infuse power into my wooden sword.
[You dare to betray the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect!]
"...With your strength, punish the traitor, and reseal the Heavenly Lightning Banner."
If that happens, it's also something I wouldn't mind.
Grow, Jeon Myeong-hoon.
Use this anger as fuel to become even stronger and ascend to a higher level.
Crack, creak!
The wooden sword in contact with Jeon Myeong-hoon begins to crack.
Creak!
Eventually.
Pakang!
Jeon Myeong-hoon finally succeeds in smashing the wooden sword I had used to beat him, and with overwhelming strength, he charges at me.
Flash!
The extent of his power has grown so vast in an instant that even I am taken aback and one of my arms is blown off by Jeon Myeong-hoon's body slam.
Jeon Myeong-hoon doesn't stop there. He flies towards Yuan Yu.
Boom!
He kicks Yuan Yu, causing an explosion, and successfully seizes the Heavenly Lightning Banner that Yuan Yu was holding.
"Ugh...! Hah, huh..."
He gasps for breath.
It appears that his sudden increase in power wasn't due to a simple growth, but rather a combination of his latent potential activating and extreme anger, momentarily exceeding the limits of power he can produce.
Perhaps it was a moment of glimpsing into the next realm without realizing it.
I look at Jeon Myeong-hoon and Zhengli, whom he has momentarily snatched from me.
Zhengli seems quite flustered for some reason.
Yet, even in her confusion, she does not stop manipulating Jeon Myeong-hoon.
I can see her endlessly whispering to him.
To call out her name.
Endlessly, endlessly.
And then, Jeon Myeong-hoon opens his mouth.
"Z"
Boom!
In an instant.
Jeon Myeong-hoon's head explodes.
It's because I kicked his head in the blink of an eye.
"Chase after the power you just demonstrated. Then, someday, you'll be able to defeat me."
Swoosh
I draw out one of the 3,000 Colorless Glass Swords.
"Anyway, since you've broken my wooden sword today, I can no longer treat you as a mere novice."
At the end of the 15th cycle, each of my Colorless Glass Swords had been strengthened to the level of a high-quality iron sword by consuming elixirs.
Since I skipped the 16th cycle entirely, I don't remember it, but the hardness of the Colorless Glass Swords had become even stronger from being refined by elixirs during the 16th cycle.
In the first hundred years, they were enhanced from the quality of a good iron sword to the level of a top-grade steel sword.
In the next hundred years, they were enhanced from steel swords to the level of famous swords.
And in the following hundred years, from famous swords to the level of treasure swords.
The 3,000 Colorless Glass Swords were enhanced to the extreme limit a mortal could achieve with a sword over 300 years.
In the next hundred years, they were enhanced from treasure swords to the lowest grade of magic artifacts used by cultivators. In the last hundred years, they were enhanced from the lowest grade to a lower grade magic artifact.
Furthermore, having been refined again by spirit pills during my time with the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, the Colorless Glass Swords had reached the level of mid-to-low grade magic artifacts at the current point in time.
Previously, if I needed a strength of 10 to wield a sword, I had to use about 7 or 8 of that strength just to prevent the Colorless Glass Swords from breaking.
The previous Colorless Glass Swords were, literally, as fragile as glass.
But now, they have surpassed ordinary swords and reached the strength level of cultivators' magic artifacts.
Now, when wielding a Colorless Glass Sword, I only need to use about 3 or 4 of that strength to enhance the sword.
Whoong!
I swing the Colorless Glass Sword.
A single slash.
And with that one cut, Jeon Myeong-hoon's torso is divided into upper and lower halves, and dozens of peaks of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect behind him are also cut in one fell swoop.
In an instant.
I enter the gap in time.
Accelerating my consciousness and entering the seemingly frozen world, I wield the Colorless Glass Sword.
I stab, stab, and stab again.
And then.
Pah!
I pass right by Jeon Myeong-hoon, snatching back the Heavenly Lightning Banner he was holding.
The next moment.
Boom, boom, boom!
Jeon Myeong-hoon's entire body begins to disintegrate into dust due to the slashes.
"Ugh, ughhh!"
He tries to muster strength to resist the onslaught of slashes affecting his body, but resistance is futile.
The strike just now is different from the ones where I merely trained him with a wooden sword.
I wielded my natal dharma treasure, executing the sword technique with all my sincerity.
"Huaaaaa!"
Boom!
Eventually, Jeon Myeong-hoon's physical body completely crumbles, leaving only his Golden Core intact.
Unless he's a devilish cultivator that learned devilish arts, regenerating from just a Golden Core will take days.
"Take care, Jeon Myeong-hoon."
I take out the Five Elements Blood Curse Banner.
A single red flag is held in my hand.
Puk!
I embed the flag right into his Nascent Soul, deep within his Golden Core.
"...!!!"
"I've placed a restriction in your mind."
Since I won't be able to monitor him in real-time after leaving the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, this is a necessary measure.
"From now on, every time you attempt to say the name of the Heavenly Lightning Banner, the Five Elements Blood Curse Banner will activate."
Even to me, this seems like a somewhat cruel measure.
But it's necessary.
The day Jeon Myeong-hoon utters its name, everything will end.
"If you want to remove the restriction... become stronger and come find me. I'll be waiting."
His Golden Core, with the Five Elements Blood Curse Banner embedded in it, fall downwards.
Going forward, the Five Elements Blood Curse Banner will lie dormant within Jeon Myeong-hoon's consciousness, activating to inflict severe pain on him if he breaks the restriction I mentioned.
'I'm sorry.'
After apologizing to the falling Jeon Myeong-hoon, I retrieve the battered General Seo and fly off.
General Seo, created in the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, had been modified several times compared to the original, applying the techniques of the Azure Heaven Creation Sect and those of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
Therefore, beyond its most basic current form, there are two forms that can use the power of the Azure Heaven Creation Sect and three forms that can also use the power of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
There is even a fourth form prepared, which can regenerate while using devilish arts through merging with Yuan Yu.
However, seeing Jeon Myeong-hoon's condition, I decided to face him with my own strength.
"The Heavenly Lightning Banner seems flustered."
I chuckle at the still visibly shaken Heavenly Lightning Banner.
"Is it because Jeon Myeong-hoon is starting to break free from your control?"
[...How could the Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation, created by my owner...]
"I don't know much about what happened between Yang Su-jin and your owner, but"
Certainly, at first, Jeon Myeong-hoon moved as controlled by Zhengli.
However, at some point, his actions began to deviate from Zhengli's will.
While he initially attacked due to being guided by Zhengli, he gradually started to attack me of his own will.
That is all.
What Zhengli first taught Jeon Myeong-hoon was the Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation Technique, created by the Owner of Heavenly Punishment.
Yet, Jeon Myeong-hoon, filled with rage to the brim, continued to 'evolve' the Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation Method in a 'different direction' while using it.
"From what I see, the Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation Method used by Yang Su-jin doesn't seem to be learned from your owner."
Both Yang Su-jin and Jeon Myeong-hoon.
It's almost certain the two, born under the same fate, initially learned their techniques from the Owner of Heavenly Punishment.
But, they both evolved the Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation to 'make it their own.'
Perhaps that is the 'real' Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation Method that Yang Su-jin intended to pass down to his descendants.
[...That's impossible... How could...]
Seeing her panic, I smirk bitterly.
"You seem very flustered. But it's not over yet."
[What...?]
"You will be sealed. I have prepared an ally for this. You will be sent back to the lower realms to be sealed again."
[...!]
At those words, Zhengli's consciousness shakes wildly.
At the same time, she begins to plead with me.
[Eun-hyun-ah, what are you saying? Are you saying you'll throw me into that dreadful place?]
"..."
[Please reconsider. That place won't do. Please! Rather, throw me into the deepest part of the Netherworld, please, not there!]
"..."
[I can't go there. I don't want to be in that ominous and dreadful world anymore. Please, please! That place is too terrifying. No, it's not good for you either. I sincerely advise you. It's a world that the vast majority of True Immortals avoid. Why do you think True Immortals don't seek it out? Since ancient times, there have been rumors in the True Immortal Realm that a horrific and hideous being resides there. It's not just a rumor!]
She seems terrified out of her mind.
[Even the renowned Judge of the Netherworld, who was powerful enough to threaten my owner, even my owner's closest friend, even the Immortal General of the Netherworld who oversees the lifespan of mortals, even the being who was once to be consecrated as the King of Immortal Beasts, even the mastermind behind various incidents in various parts of the True Immortal Realm, all met a miserable end related to that world! Mortal, please do not make a foolish choice. Although hateful as he is, even the fearsome Golden Deity Yang Su-jin disappeared after sealing me in that world!!! I beg you. Please, please do not leave me in that terrifying place!]
"..."
I glance at the Heavenly Lightning Banner.
"...I'm sorry it's come to this."
No matter how much she tries to change my mind, it's useless.
I have already decided to seal the Heavenly Lightning Banner there.
Her begging like this only proves that sealing Zhengli there will ensure that the Owner of Heavenly Punishment will never come looking for her.
"I have people I must protect as well."
The vivid image of the day when Thunder Spirit Island and Heavenly Human Island vanished still lingers in my mind.
It's inevitable.
To save the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, which has become my family.
Ignoring Zhengli's screams that resemble pleas, I send a message to Hon Wei and head to the place we promised to meet.
Now, not much time is left to change the fate of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
Paaat!
I left Thunder Spirit Island and headed towards Temporal Fate Island.
Taht!
Temporal Fate Island is still rocky.
Originally, Temporal Fate Island is an island that's not used for much other than being crammed in a corner to manage the life register. Hence, there aren't many people living there.
How many days have I waited on Temporal Fate Island?
Paaat!
Hon Wei's dull light appears, and she flies in using the Flying Escape Technique.
"It's been a while. Thunder Spirit Island is in an uproar thanks to your betrayal."
"...Is that so?"
I reply indifferently and stand up.
"Please keep your promise."
"Well, alright. Have you gathered the people?"
"Yes."
"I've also spoken to my father. The Palace Lord of Penglai Palace has recognized you as the new sect leader of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect and will support you. I will connect you to my father, so show the proper respect."
"Understood."
She takes out a small flask from her storage bag.
Chalak!
She removes the lid and sprinkles the liquid, which forms a water mirror in the air.
Wooong!
The water mirror vibrates and soon reflects a distant landscape.
Inside the Heaven-Earth Palace.
In one of the inner spaces, shrouded in a whirlwind of dust, a figure is seen.
Sitting in a lotus position amidst the dust storm, the figure's gaze meets mine.
"I, the unworthy cultivator Jin Eun-hyun, greet the great Palace Lord of Penglai Palace and the Grand Guardian of the Heaven-Earth Palace, Integration stage Grand Cultivator Hon Won."
[.]
Hon Won simply looks at me without saying much.
Then, Hon Wei, kneeling beside me, begins to present her petition to Hon Won.
"Palace Lord, this is the person I mentioned before. Please, I beseech the Palace Lord to recognize and support the activities of the new Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect with your authority."
[How many disciples does this new Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect have?]
Upon his daughter's request, Hon won opens his mouth to ask.
Hon Won gestures towards me.
I connect Yeon Jin and Hong Su-ryeong through a transforming image talisman.
The talisman floats in the air, connecting them to the water mirror created by Hon Won.
Hong Su-ryeong is currently tied up in her cave residence, undergoing self-imposed training to ascend to the Four-Axis stage.
She briefly meets my gaze and then bows her head towards the Grand Cultivator Hon Won.
"I, Hong Su-ryeong, a grand elder of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect at the Heavenly Being stage, support the new Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect."
Upon her words, Hon Won nods and looks away.
Yuan Yu steps forward.
I make Yuan Yu speak.
"I, Yuan Yu, an elder of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect at the Nascent Soul stage, support the new Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect."
[.]
Hon Won seems to glance at Yuan Yu for a moment and then nods.
'Did he notice?'
However, it seems he lets it be without much concern despite noticing.
His interest appears minimal.
Lastly, Hon Won's gaze shifts to the water mirror connected to Yeon Jin.
Yeon Jin is currently participating in the expedition to the Devil Realm, waiting at the entrance to the realm.
"Uh, greetings, Sir Grand Cultivator! Oh, is that not right? I greet Sir Grand Cultivator!"
[.]
"I, um... that is, Yeon Jin, a disciple of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, support the new Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect."
[.]
Hon Won silently observes Yeon Jin.
I step forward and speak.
"These individuals wish for the new Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, so we ask the Palace Lord to recognize us"
And then.
[You.]
Suddenly, a surge of red intent flares up around Hon Won.
'What?'
The gaze of the figure sitting cross-legged within the dust storm turns menacing.
He glares at Yeon Jin.
[You, this monster! You're still alive!!! You are truly a vile, resilient, and filthy life!!!]
As Hon Won rages, his will is transmitted through a communication technique, causing the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy to violently fluctuate.
'What's happening!'
[I command Hon Wei, the Law Enforcer of Penglai Palace! I absolutely do not acknowledge this so-called new Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect or whatever it is that this filthy monster supports! I hate traitors who betray their sect the most!!! Immediately! Bring those traitors before me! Mobilize all of Penglai Palace's power if necessary!]
"This!"
I quickly stand up. The next moment, Hon Wei with a changed gaze strikes at me.
[I, as the Palace Lord of Penglai Palace, command! Issue a bounty for these traitors across the entire Human Race!!!]
***
I quickly strategize.
The immediate priority is the enemy before me.
'Hon Wei and Hon Won have both become enemies at the same time.'
Hon Won is currently transmitting a visual from the distant Heaven-Earth Palace within the Human Race Territory, and Hon Wei is unleashing attacks in front of me.
However, I quickly make a decision and act on it.
Whoong!
As my consciousness accelerates, I draw out the Colorless Glass Sword and swing it towards the water mirror displayed by Hon Won.
Zzerrong!
Before Hon Won can even react, the water mirror shatters into pieces.
At that moment, a beam of light shot by Hon Wei narrowly missed my back.
It's a perilously close decision!
But I quickly read the celestial energy.
'Fortunately, the bad luck has dissipated.'
At the Integration stage, even a transmitted image can be used to perform spells, so pre-emptive action is essential.
I meet Hon Wei's cold gaze head-on.
"It's regrettable that it has come to this, but my father's command is absolute, and I have no choice."
"Is that so. I understand."
"Just surrender quietly. No matter how renowned a genius you are, the gap between the Nascent Soul stage and the Heavenly Being stage cannot be overcome. Especially if you're up against me."
"You seem confident in your abilities."
I raise the Colorless Glass Sword as I speak.
She calmly replies.
"You don't think that you can face me just because you blocked a casual strike from me last time, do you?"
Suddenly, she changes her stance, which had been merely extending her arm and shooting out spiritual power.
Koong!
She shifts her stance, taking on a posture reminiscent of martial arts.
'Martial arts? No...'
The stance lacks practicality.
It's purely for show.
From the perspective of a martial artist, it's just a flamboyant display of form without substance.
However, from a cultivator's perspective, the meaning is different.
'That posture is a formation.'
Zzirit, zzirit, zzirit...
The air tingles.
This Hon Wei feels different from before.
Her previously somewhat lackluster momentum reverses, now revealing a terrifyingly malevolent aura.
Kugugugugu!
"!!"
The area begins to vibrate intensely.
"Let me show you. The divine teachings allowed only to the Palace Lord of Penglai Palace and their direct lineage..."
The next moment.
I instinctively extend my sword.
The feeling that 'I must block this' saturates my mind and soul.
"Yin Yang Mountain."
Red Yang energy from the sky and blue Yin energy from the ground swirls together to form an enormous Taiji that crushes down towards me.
The massive Taiji seems to engulf the entire world before becoming one.
Koong!
I instinctively feel it.
'This is...'
I rush forward with my sword towards Hon Wei, but at the same time, my sword can't touch her.
The form of the Taiji!
Covering the world, the vast form of the Taiji that envelops my body became a spherical curse that trapped me.
Kugugugugu!
Inside the form of the Taiji, immense pressure is felt.
"Five Elements Mountain."
Then, Hon Wei takes another position with a clear voice, forming another formation with her entire body.
Dragon Vein!
The vast dragon veins of the earth surge up.
The dragon veins, risen by her will, seem to split into the energy of the Five Elements around the Taiji prison that traps me, circling it and wrapping a five-colored band around the shape of the Taiji.
Kyeeeng!
The strength of the curse that bounds me becomes even stronger as the energies of Taiji and the Five Elements merge.
"Yin Yang Five Elements, Mount Tai!"
I quickly deduce the true nature of this curse.
'A blessing?'
The nature of this curse is a kind of blessing.
Although I can't move from within, this curse also protects me from external attacks.
'Why would she cast a blessing on me? No, damn it!'
I grit my teeth, realizing the attack Hon Wei is about to unleash.
Kuguguguguk!
Significant pressure weighs down on my body, making movement difficult.
Koong!
Hon Wei changes her stance.
Each of her hands swirl with black and white lights, emanating both sacred and dense devilish energy.
"Splitting Emperor!"
Snap!
She claps her hands together, swirling with black and white energy.
Then she takes a step forward and dives towards the Yin and Yang Five Elements prison enclosing me, spreading her arms wide as she collides.
Simultaneously, I feel the Yin and Yang Five Elements prison that imprisons me being torn apart.
After casting a 'blessing' on me and synchronizing it with my energy, the Yin and Yang Five Elements disintegrates into seven pieces.
I'm engulfed in the swirling lights, feeling as though the energy coursing through my body is being finely dissected.
Shiiiing
Hon Wei, looking at the giant dust cloud that formed in a radius of about 500 li in front of her, brushes off her hands emotionlessly.
"Did I get him?"
That should have been enough.
A direct hit from the ultimate technique of Penglai Palace, the Mount Tai Splitting Emperor Technique, would instantly kill even those of the same realm, and those in the late stages of the Heavenly Being stage or at the Grand Perfection would not be able to escape fatal wounds.
'It was a bit excessive for someone at the Grand Perfection Nascent Soul stage, but he was a genius of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, so it wasn't inappropriate.'
Hon Wei waits for Seo Eun-hyun's Nascent Soul to emerge, watching the dust cloud.
If this strike reduced the fragile body of the Nascent Soul stage cultivator to dust, capturing only the Nascent Soul and taking it to her father would conclude this 'unexpected mission.'
'It was an interesting encounter, but it ended regretfully.'
She clicks her tongue and waves her hand.
Whiiiiish
At her gesture, the wind blows, clearing the dust cloud in front of her within 500 li.
And then, she shudders.
Whiiiiish
"!"
A man, naked yet covered in smoke, stands with a glass sword in hand, grinning with his teeth bared.
The naked man, Seo Eun-hyun, chuckles and spits out a mouthful of rotten blood.
"For 3,000 years, rumors had it you were at the mid Heavenly Being stage, so our Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect thought of Senior Hon as somewhat of a dullard."
Shrrk...
He wipes the blood from his mouth, looking at Hon Wei with bloodshot eyes.
"On behalf of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, I apologize for that. Having mastered such a technique, I suppose it could have taken a bit more time."
"Impressive. You survived that?"
Hon Wei genuinely marvels.
But that's all.
'He must have picked up some body refining method. But that's as far as he goes.'
Whiiiing!
Once again, the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy vibrates, and the energy of the Yin and Yang Five Elements begins to envelop Seo Eun-hyun in the form of a sphere.
Her hands start to gather black and white light again.
"Remarkable. Then, let's see if you can take another."
"Haha."
But the next moment.
Seo Eun-hyun swings his sword.
'What!'
Sound, perception, and reaction fails to keep up.
Before she knows it, Hon Wei witnesses Seo Eun-hyun's Colorless Glass Sword piercing through her Yin and Yang Five Elements prison and rushing towards her chest.
It's inevitable.
Hon Wei diverts the gathered Immortal-Devil energy for defense instead of offense, managing to block Seo Eun-hyun's attack. Once again, a flash covers all directions.
Kugugugugu!
As the flash subsides, what is visible is Seo Eun-hyun pressing down the Colorless Glass Sword with one hand, and Hon Wei, desperately blocking it with both hands.
"Remarkable, Senior Hon."
Seo Eun-hyun sincerely marvels as he looks at her.
Shocked by his brute force, Hon Wei looks up at the sky.
'What...?'
And in the sky, her celestial energy reveals a pattern symbolizing inevitable defeat.
Seo Eun-hyun continues.
"To think the technique you've mastered is similar to mine..."
I click my tongue as I look at her.
She is blocking my sword with her seemingly delicate arms.
How could she block my strength, which had been refined to the utmost limit through demon beast methods, with just her arms?
The answer is simple.
She, too, has been practicing demon beast methods.
But at the same time, what she mastered is also a technique of the Heaven Tribe.
"Is this Mount Tai Splitting Emperor Technique a technique that handles the power of both Heaven and Earth Tribes?"
The Heaven Tribe focuses on spiritual (law) power and spells, while the Earth Tribe concentrates on physical strength and vitality.
However, theoretically, the Heaven Tribe can learn all methods of Heaven, Earth, and Heart Tribes. And occasionally, individuals from the Heaven Tribe do indeed learn techniques from other tribes.
Among them, a training method that emphasizes both the spiritual power-focused methods of the Heaven Tribe and the physicality-focused methods of the Earth Tribe is known as Law and Body Dual Cultivation.
Or, for those who have mastered both methods of the Heaven and Earth Tribes, it's also called Heaven and Earth Dual Cultivation.
Hon Wei's Mount Tai Splitting Emperor Technique is such a method of Heaven and Earth Dual Cultivation.
Kuguguguk...
'I understand why it took 3,000 years just to reach the mid Heavenly Being stage.'
She isn't a severe dullard.
In terms of talent, perhaps she is just an average mortal.
Rather, reaching the mid Heavenly Being stage by practicing Heaven and Earth Dual Cultivation with the talent of a common mortal is an achievement in itself.
Such a training method naturally takes a long time.
"Insane unbelievable How have you been practicing Heaven and Earth Dual Cultivation...?"
And as much as that, Hon Wei's pupils tremble as she realizes the extent of my strength.
"A mere hundred years into your cultivation, and you've managed to overpower me with Heaven and Earth Dual Cultivation? Impossible"
""
Certainly, my growth rate seems nonsensical at a glance.
She looks up at me with a desolate gaze, biting her lips tightly.
"Is this what a true genius is?"
""
I don't respond but instead apply more force to the hand holding the sword.
Kugugugugu!
The ground where she stands caves in, and she begins sinking into the earth.
The next moment.
Shuk!
In an instant, I exert a great force, breaking my sword free from her grasp and splitting her head with the Colorless Glass Sword. I embed the sword nearly to the hilt, cutting her in two before retrieving my sword.
Chijijik...
She slowly begins to regenerate, and I speak while looking at her.
"For a typical Heavenly Being cultivator... no, even for an unprepared Heavenly Being at Grand Perfection, they would've been surely split apart by Senior Hon's attack."
Her Mount Tai Splitting Emperor Technique possesses a vicious power.
The reason I was able to overpower her with physical strength is also because her Mount Tai Splitting Emperor Technique is focused on using the body itself as an 'exit' for the energy to 'erupt,' whereas the Azure Spirit Starlight Quintessence Great Method is focused on purely growing the 'physical body' itself.
Moreover, I could suppress her only because I evolved the demon beast method and temporarily laid down the Mad Lord's circuits and the strength of an immortal beast within my body.
'Had I not protected my body with the Treading Heavens Formless Sword, I would've surely become Seo Eun-hyun powder...'
The power of Heaven and Earth Tribes, the circuit of the Mad Lord, the power of immortal beasts, and encasing myself with Treading Heavens Formless Sword were barely enough to keep my body intact. It's unnecessary to further explain the potency of Hon Wei's attack.
I regenerate my pulverized clothes using a clothing restoration spell.
"Then, farewell. It's unfortunate our agreement has fallen through."
I thought about taking Hon Wei hostage and storming into the Heaven-Earth Palace's Flying Immortal Platform, but immediately dismissed the idea.
Judging by the intent shown by Penglai Palace Lord Hon Won when dealing with his child, he doesn't seem particularly attached to Hon Wei, and might instead completely obliterate me along with the hostage.
'The Heaven-Earth Palace's Flying Immortal Platform is no longer an option.'
I fly up into the sky, leaving Temporal Fate Island, lost in thought.
Even for me, charging into the Heaven-Earth Palace, where an Integration stage Grand Cultivator resides and Four-Axis stage cultivators swarm around patrolling, is not something I have the audacity to attempt.
'And the Mount Tai Splitting Emperor Technique Hon Wei practiced is ultimately Hon Won's innate method... If the Mount Tai Splitting Emperor Technique is primarily a Heaven and Earth Dual Cultivation method, it will possess power surpassing one or two stages even in the Integration stage.'
From what I know, Grand Cultivator Hon Won is an early Integration stage cultivator. However, recalling the Mount Tai Splitting Emperor Technique Hon Wei just demonstrated, I realize that Grand Cultivator Hon Won's true capabilities are far beyond the initial stages.
'Facing a Grand Perfection Four-Axis one-on-one is tough enough, let alone effectively facing a mid to late Integration stage cultivator.'
Having decisively given up on the Heaven-Earth Palace, I ponder my next move.
'Then, how should I descend to the Head Realm?'
The first thing that comes to mind is the lowest level of the Serving Command Ark.
If the lowest level of the Serving Command Ark can lead to the Lower Realm, it's worth a try.
'Of course, going to the Serving Command Ark swarming with the Demon Race, bypassing Seo Hweol's eyes and Oh Hye-seo's abilities to reach the lowest floor, then overcoming the Ship Controlling envoy Gyu-ryeon stationed there...'
The difficulty itself is insane, otherwise, I would have immediately proceeded.
'Then, what's the other option?'
Another method comes to mind.
The Void Spirit Pond in the Devil Realm.
'Using the Void Spirit Pond can also lead to the Lower Realm'
However, the Void Spirit Pond isn't a stable Flying Immortal Platform, and there's a high risk of being swept into a spatial storm and dropping off somewhere along the way.
'Where to go'
Something presumed to be a seal placed on Zhengli had already significantly unraveled.
Perhaps soon, the Owner of Heavenly Punishment will come seeking the attraction.
The decision is made swiftly.
'To the Void Spirit Pond.'
There's no time to waste, especially not enough to dawdle and watch Seo Hweol's scheming ways.
It's also hard to predict how things will be twisted when making a plan to stick Zhengli into Seo Hweol's mouth against such an opponent.
'Besides, there are things I need to ask'
I remember the attitude Grand Cultivator Hon Won showed towards Yeon Wei, grinding my teeth.
'She assured me that Hon Won wouldn't recognize her...!'
Despite such a confident declaration, Hon Won recognized her at first glance and erupted in rage, leading to this tangled situation.
I will definitely demand answers about this incident.
***