Kugugugu
In one of the cities of the Shengzi.
The people of Dao Yun City, one of the cities close to the great mountain range, suddenly found it difficult to breathe.
"Eh, doesn't it feel a bit stifling?"
"The air feels as heavy as a rock Am I feeling weak?"
"It's hard to breathe"
That was the level of impact on ordinary people, but it was different for the martial artists.
"Grrrgh! My, my energy!"
"My internal energy suddenly solidified!"
"I'm breathing, but no energy is coming in! Breathing is difficult!!!"
Their internal energy solidified and would not move.
Moreover, the cultivators were even more seriously affected.
Grrrk, grrrrk!
One of the cultivators of Shengzi collapsed on the ground, foaming at the mouth.
Grrrk, grrrrk!
All the spiritual veins in their body had solidified, as did the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy they breathed.
The murderous intent mixed in this Heaven and Earth spiritual energy was putting immense pressure on the minds of the cultivators.
This pressure was most severe on the Qi Building cultivators, and those in the Core Formation stage managed to stagger and resist by drawing on the power of their Golden Cores.
None of them understood why the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy had changed and why such a natural disaster had occurred.
I try to keep my expression, but my face hardens involuntarily
A while later.
I gather my composure, retract the killing intent, and control my intent.
"...I'm sorry. The Cheongmun Clan also exists in the Bright Cold Realm, and I overreacted because I heard about someone known as Cheongmun Ryeong from among them."
I apologize to Kim Young-hoon.
Kim Young-hoon smiles bitterly.
"A friend of a friend? I understand. Thinking about how my friend would be saddened, anger can well up. But... I had no choice. Rather than saying I killed him, it's more accurate to say I put him in a vegetative state."
"...Hmm."
Hearing the term 'vegetative state,' I barely manage to control my intent.
'So, he's not dead.'
There's still a chance then.
There might be no way in this world, but with how many artifacts and elixirs there are in the Bright Cold Realm, there should be a way to treat him
"Cheongmun Ryeong reaching the Core Formation stage and his monumental achievements were a turning point in the history of this world. Yes, it's best to start explaining from here. First"
Kim Young-hoon's explanation continues.
The butterfly effect of the many fates I had changed in this world had a significant impact.
First, under the leadership of the Cheongmun Clan, the major clans of the western three kingdoms formed an alliance called the Pure Friends Alliance ().
The purpose of this organization, created to cooperate in areas other than their respective territories while respecting each other's domains, was in association with the mysteriously wealthy Cheongmun Clan and the remnants of the Black Ghost Valley that collaborated with them.
Song Jin, the remnant soul of a Heavenly Being stage cultivator and an entity at the Core Formation stage, was said to have grown his influence by coming and going from the Serving Command Palace with the help of his demi-human hybrid disciple, Seo Ran.
Kim Young-hoon, unlike in his previous life, had to face cultivators right from the start.
Being a martial artist guarded by a fox at the Core Formation stage, he naturally drew the attention of the Pure Friends Alliance cultivators.
At first, Kim Young-hoon was nearly beaten to death by the fox, but he quickly improved his skills by sparring with the cultivators from Pure Friends Alliance who came looking for him.
After about five years.
Kim Young-hoon reached Entering Heavens, attaining the level where he could thrash the fox.
From that point on, he was able to receive news about the cultivation world, which was undergoing a great transformation under the leadership of the Pure Friends Alliance with the Cheongmun Clan at its core.
And within the Cheongmun Clan, Cheongmun Ryeong, who received an insane amount of cultivator resources and reached a significant level, was at the center of change.
Cheongmun Ryeong had been studying the enlightenment and formulas for the Qi Building late stage, Grand Perfection, and even the early Core Formation stage through Understanding before Breakthrough.
In just five years, after being supported with a mind-boggling amount of spiritual stones by the entire Cheongmun Clan, he immediately pursued both Understanding before Breakthrough and Breakthrough before Understanding, overcoming his frail constitution, and finally became a Core Formation cultivator.
Kim Young-hoon's first opponent was Cheongmun Ryeong.
And Kim Young-hoon, who had thrashed the mid Core Formation stage fox after reaching Entering Heavens, found himself nearly killed by Cheongmun Ryeong, who had just reached the Core Formation stage.
That day was the first time Kim Young-hoon had been defeated by a 'human cultivator.'
Nevertheless, from that day on, Cheongmun Ryeong and Kim Young-hoon strangely clicked and shared both hardships and joys.
The two became friends, and Kim Young-hoon joined the Pure Friends Alliance, gradually improving his martial arts skills to the point where he could defeat Cheongmun Ryeong after several confrontations.
Kim Young-hoon, fighting against Cheongmun Ryeong and the fox, insanely quickly accumulated martial arts experience and raced towards the concepts of Treading Heavens that floated in his mind.
Things were peaceful for a while.
That is, until Song Jin made a request to the Pure Friends Alliance.
I intend to enter the Astronomical Observatory of the Sea Dragon Tribe at the southern end and basic repairs to the Nether Crossing Ship are required for entry. Please gather magic artifact craftsmen who can repair the Nether Crossing Ship.
At Song Jin's request, renowned magic artifact craftsmen from all over the Pure Friends Alliance gathered like a swarm of bees.
It was an opportunity to see the legendary Nether Crossing Ship of the Black Ghost Valley.
Among them, taking over one of the positions of the 'Three Greats of Qi Building' from Cheongmun Ryeong who recently reached Core Formation in Byeokra, 'Buk Hyang-hwa of Magic Artifacts' was the top talent.
Impressed by her skills, Song Jin chose her along with one hundred other talented magic artifact craftsmen to study at Serving Command Palace, and entrusted them with the repair of the Nether Crossing Ship.
During this process, Buk Hyang-hwa became a core member of the Pure Friends Alliance, along with Cheongmun Ryeong.
And she also became acquainted with Kim Young-hoon, a friend of Cheongmun Ryeong, and formed a connection with them.
Particularly, Cheongmun Ryeong always viewed Buk Hyang-hwa, who succeeded his position in the 'Three Greats of Qi Building', with satisfaction for her efforts and talent.
Another five years passed in such peace, and under the leadership of Buk Hyang-hwa, the basic repairs of the Nether Crossing Her were finally completed.
Song Jin was very pleased and rewarded Buk Hyang-hwa, and he then entered the place called the Astronomical Observatory in the Sea Dragon Palace using the Nether Crossing Ship.
"The problem started from there."
Kim Young-hoon's eyes become complicated.
"Song Jin asked Cheongmun Ryeong to use the observational equipment found at the Astronomical Observatory to find out something. The basic spells are a foundational language used in the cultivator world, and he said he needed Cheongmun Ryeong's help, who had mastered this language to its extremes."
'Celestial observation?'
After all, Cheongmun Ryeong was adept at celestial observation and exploring constellations, so he would have been able to handle the devices at the Astronomical Observatory as well.
"And then, Cheongmun Ryeong went to the place called the Astronomical Observatory at the Sea Dragon Palace with Song Jin, and spent several years interpreting the data. On the 14th year since I arrived here, I reached Treading Heavens after thrashing Baduk..."
"Wait, who is this Baduk?"
"Ah, that's what I call that fox. It reminded me of a stray dog I used to have as a kid, so I started calling it that."
"...Isn't naming it after a childhood pet... kind of like animal abuse?"
"What animal abuse? Animal abuse applies to helpless animals that can't speak for themselves, not to that creature that was ready to tear off my limbs and chew me up."
"...Yes, well. So, what happened?"
"Well, I defeated that fox that reached the Grand Perfection Core Formation stage and reached Treading Heavens. And then I went south to brag to my friend, Cheongmun Ryeong. There at the Astronomical Observatory at the southern end, I found Cheongmun Ryeong had gone mad."
"!"
"I tried stopping him because I was worried about his state. But he wouldn't listen. Instead, he attacked me in a rage. He attacked with the intent to kill, so I had to suppress him. But... at that moment. Cheongmun Ryeong broke free from my grasp and started 'eating' the data he had interpreted."
"Yes?"
I ask back, not understanding.
"What do you mean by 'ate'?"
"He ate it. He literally ate the astronomical data papers."
"..."
"Anyway. After eating those pieces of paper, Cheongmun Ryeong's power surged dramatically. He then attacked me, claiming he had successfully interpreted the truth of the world. I... almost died from that attack."
"!"
I ask incredulously.
"Cheongmun Ryeong's attack... hit you?"
"Yes."
How could Kim Young-hoon, who embodies Surpassing Radiance, be 'hit' at a Core Formation-level attack?
'Even at the Heavenly Being stage, there's no guarantee that Treading Heavens Kim Young-hoon could be hit'
As I'm shocked, Kim Young-hoon continues his explanation.
"It was strange. It was less about the accuracy of the attack and more as if there was a concept that made it 'bound to hit.' [Evading is forbidden]... And I...was truly fighting for my life to escape from Cheongmun Ryeong's sight.
At the bottom of the Sea Dragon Palace, I barely managed to escape with Song Jin, who had been hiding from Cheongmun Ryeong's eyes aboard the Nether Crossing Ship. He went to find Cheongmun Ryeong like me and nearly died from the same experience, but even with the Nether Crossing Ship, he couldn't escape Cheongmun Ryeong's gaze."
"..."
"When we did successfully escape, Song Jin, together with Seo Ran, insisted, 'If we don't kill Cheongmun Ryeong, the insane Nascent Soul stage Cheongmun Ryeong will annihilate the entire world.' And I... couldn't refute Song Jin's words. The Cheongmun Ryeong I saw then was not the person I knew."
Kim Young-hoon speaks with a somber expression.
My face hardens as I listen.
"...As we escaped from Cheongmun Ryeong, the Nether Crossing Ship, which was shattered beyond recognition, was successfully repaired by Buk Hyang-hwa, one of the 'Three Greats of Qi Building.' Fortunately, Song Jin had managed to scrape together treasures hidden at the bottom of the Sea Dragon Palace while he was hiding, and she used them to nearly perfectly repair the Nether Crossing Ship. Not only that, but she also started producing mass-produced Nether Crossing Ships."
"...Huh..."
"At some point, the patterns on her face changed from four to three, and from then on, mass-produced Nether Crossing Ships began to pour out."
'Extraordinary Pattern Law Talent, Three-Pattern Law Talent?'
Extraordinary Pattern Law Talent ranges from Seven-Pattern to One-Pattern.
From seven to four, the range is from an ordinary genius to the prodigy level.
However, from a Three-Pattern onwards, truly demonic talent is said to be exhibited.
'Did she become a Three-Pattern?'
But the mass production of Nether Crossing Ships.
I'm startled that such a fearsome weapon was being mass-produced, and it raises questions.
"I know that Nether Crossing Ships require a tremendous power source, but where did she find the power source for all those ships?"
"Well, 'initially,' she just gathered a stupid number of cultivators, crammed in an absurd amount of spiritual power, and operated a fleet of mass-produced Nether Crossing Ships, collectively called the 'Buk Hyang Fleet.'"
"...Who came up with the name 'Buk Hyang Fleet'?"
"Buk Hyang-hwa herself named it."
I can't help but chuckle at that, feeling sorry for her, but thinking the name was a bit poorly chosen.
'I feel sorry towards her, but that's a poorly chosen name.'
The thought that I would have come up with something far more impressive leaves me feeling slightly regretful.
"Well, anyway, the 'First Cheongmun Ryeong Subjugation Expedition' by me, the Buk Hyang Fleet, and the Core Formation stage cultivators of the Pure Friends Alliance was thus assembled."
"...'First' expedition implies..."
"Right. It was a spectacular failure. The Buk Hyang Fleet was nearly annihilated, and many of the Core Formation cultivators returned with critical injuries. A few even died. But there was a result."
Kim Young-hoon's eyes light up.
"We managed to split open Cheongmun Ryeong's stomach once and extract 'something' from inside him."
"...Excuse me?"
At the mention of slicing open Cheongmun Ryeong's stomach, I grimace, not sure how to react.
"What did you... extract?"
"It turned out to be the 'astronomical data' Cheongmun Ryeong had ingested. Strangely, these documents had solidified into a stone-like form after melting inside his body, performing the role of a Nascent Soul within him to some extent. Anyway, we managed to retrieve that strange stone and retreated. And then"
He smiles slightly.
"According to Song Jin, that bizarre stone contained as much power as a Nether Crossing Ship's power source. So, we entrusted the complete repair of the Nether Crossing Ship to Buk Hyang-hwa, and on that day, the Nether Crossing Ship of the Black Ghost Valley regained its power. It was truly... tremendous."
'Nether Crossing Ship'
I recall the two remaining Nether Crossing Ships of the Black Ghost Valley.
Thinking of the aura I had felt from those two ships, a chill runs through my body.
'Insane. Is that even possible?'
What exactly had Cheongmun Ryeong interpreted, that such a monstrously powerful material, capable of powering a Nether Crossing Ship, was synthesized within his body?
"Anyway, with the support of the Nether Crossing Ship, the Second Cheongmun Ryeong Subjugation Expedition began. Of course, that failed too, but you can guess what happened next, right?"
"...Yes. You somehow managed to obtain that strange stone from Cheongmun Ryeong again"
"That's right. Due to the bizarre material continuously generated inside Cheongmun Ryeong, our forces became stronger. The Buk Hyang Fleet began to display an increasingly incredible might over time. And so, for over 40 years, we had to continuously undertake expeditions against Cheongmun Ryeong!"
"...."
Torment is evident on Kim Young-hoon's face.
"After 25 years in this world I was pushed to the brink of death by the Mad Man Cheongmun Ryeong several times Eventually, I gained enlightenment at Shattered Heaven Peak and acheived Shattering Heavens. But by that point, Cheongmun Ryeong had gradually become someone I no longer knew. Cheongmun Ryeong was no more, and he gradually mutated into a 'monster'."
"...."
I stroke my face, growing increasingly grim at the unfolding tale.
"I had to... kill him as he became a monster. But at the same time, my desire to save my friend was also incredibly strong. Thus, I desperately sought the next realm. I yearned and yearned, and yearned even more, training my entire body's muscles to the very brink. Sacrificing my own lifespan, I trained furiously within the accelerated time of the Surpassing Radiant Saber! Thus, I reached 'the next' just to give Cheongmun Ryeong peace."
Kim Young-hoon sweeps his hand across his face.
A bitter smile lingers on his face.
"So I finally reached ' the next'. Using the technique I achieved 'beyond', I successfully sealed Cheongmun Ryeong's soul. Thus, Cheongmun Ryeong left his mutated body inside the Astronomical Observatory and fell into a vegetative state."
"...Is that so?"
"Do you know?"
Kim Young-hoon says.
"The moment I swung my last saber towards Cheongmun Ryeong, he regained his senses at the end."
"...."
"We thought of him as a monster but then it became clear. Cheongmun Ryeong was actually suppressing something sprouting within him with his own mental strength We believed we had to eliminate him to save the world but in reality, Cheongmun Ryeong was alone, contending with something within him and saving the world."
"...."
With a trembling voice, I ask slowly.
"Just what exactlyis it?"
My pupils shake wildly.
"What had Cheongmun Ryeong interpreted and what was influencing him?"
"I don't know. At the end, Cheongmun Ryeong said he had partly interpreted 'the heavens'. I'm not sure if it was a metaphor or something else, but through the Astronomical Observatory's observational equipment and his understanding of basic spells, he seemed to have witnessed something. Yes, that was certainly his monumental achievement. And because of that achievement he ended up like that."
"...."
"So great was his intellect that he witnessed great wisdom, but what exactly was this wisdom that led him to such a state"
I recall Jeon Hyang's diary.
How observing the heavens caused his head to hurt.
And I remember Yang Su-jin's words.
That this world is ominous.
Zhengli's words also come to mind.
Entities comparable to Governing Immortals have perished abundantly here....
Cheongmun Ryeong surely interpreted the data based on his own understanding of basic spells, using the data discovered by the Sea Dragon tribe's astronomers like Jeon Hyang and others after entering the Astronomical Observatory.
'[Basic Spell Decrees] are fundamentally about the essence of Qi.'
The Qi Refining stage is about understanding the essence of Qi, a foundational stage for embedding 'the heavens' into oneself.
And Cheongmun Ryeong interpreted the observational data of the Head Realm's heavens based on his understanding of Qi, and as a result, he became the being that Kim Young-hoon described.
"In the end, Cheongmun Ryeong taught Buk Hyang-hwa how to 'extract' the knowledge from the strange stones that came out of his body without being overwhelmed by madness before he went to sleep. Following his instructions, Buk Hyang-hwa obtained a fraction of the knowledge contained in the stones and once again strengthened the Buk Hyang Fleet. That pretty much concludes the story about Cheongmun Ryeong, the Buk Hyang Fleet, and myself."
He speaks in a bitter tone.
"...Do you now understand my realm? It's a realm I forged with all my might to give my friend peace. But even though I put him to rest, it was by my hands that I cut him down. I don't want to name this realm I reached by cutting down my friend. So, I left this realm unnamed."
"...Is that so."
"...After reaching this realm, I almost went mad. I even fought against Buk Hyang-hwa's enhanced Buk Hyang Fleet, and when that too became trivial, I really lived only practicing madly. If I hadn't done so, the sensation of sealing Cheongmun Ryeong's soul would have kept coming back. But eventually, it became dull, and that sensation kept resurfacing. Everything became so trivial, and I was so utterly bored that I was on the verge of truly 'going mad'... until Seo Ran and Song Jin found an ancient document."
I quietly listen to him speak.
"He suggested that there might be a way to restore and heal Cheongmun Ryeong to his original state in a world called the Ancient Force Realm. Originally, we had planned to ascend after the Ascension Gate opened a thousand years later, but the plan changed."
Kim Young-hoon's eyes shine.
"Me, in order to save Cheongmun Ryeong; Buk Hyang-hwa, to further strengthen the seal on the power emanating from the strange rocks that came out of Cheongmun Ryeong's body; Seo Ran and Song Jin, to find a countermeasure against someone named Seo Hweol. Each of us with our own reasons decided to ascend to the Ancient Force Ream."
"Ancient Force... Realm?"
I recall the Ancient Force Realm.
I don't know much, but I had heard it takes a thousand years just to travel back and forth from the Bright Cold Realm, and special conditions are required to enter.
"Is there a way to ascend only to the Ancient Force Realm?"
I ask, puzzled.
Ascending to the Bright Cold Realm was easy because of the Ascension Gate.
However, ascending to other Middle Realms is purely a matter of luck based on one's own cultivation methods.
But the Ancient Force Realm?
Kim Young-hoon nods and explains.
"Song Jin measured something, and it turns out all of us were 'qualified' to enter the Ancient Force realm. Those who are 'qualified' and receive the blessing of the Serving Command Seal have a high chance of ascending to the Ancient Force Realm."
"Hmm"
"And, depending on the position of 'the heavens' in this world, he also told us which Middle Realm we are a little closer to. The Ancient Force Realm is said to be closest above the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, near the sky of Shattered Heaven Peak. Therefore, Buk Hyang-hwa and I combined our powers to pierce through the unusually thick dimensional barrier of Shattered Heaven Peak's sky, and I left a 'part of me' to watch over Cheongmun Ryeong in this world before ascending. That's the whole story of my experiences in this world."
""
"I am truly grateful to you. If you hadn't appeared my avatar in this world would have slowly gone mad. That would have affected the original body as well. You can't imagine how much... this heart has been relieved by your appearance."
It seems that Kim Young-hoon's thrill in our confrontations included that reason as well.
Listening to his story, I'm stunned by the completely overturned fate of the Head Realm.
After a while of listening somberly, I ask him one thing.
"I am acquainted with someone related to Cheongmun Ryeong... I have a rather inseparable connection with that person, so I must check on Cheongmun Ryeong's condition."
The 'acquaintance' I am talking about is myself.
I look at Kim Young-hoon and ask,
"You mentioned using the capabilities of that realm to seal Cheongmun Ryeong's soul, right?"
"Yes."
"Please lead me to Cheongmun Ryeong."
""
Kim Young-hoon's expression turns complicated.
After a moment, he stands up from his seat.
"Follow me."
***
Tududududu
Kim Young-hoon and I are skimming across the southern sea.
'We're going slowly.'
Given the speed at which Kim Young-hoon and I could move, we should have reached the Sea Dragon Palace in no time. There must be a reason for us traveling this slowly.
Apparently, even Kim Young-hoon isn't feeling good about going to see the state of Cheongmun Ryeong.
As I follow behind Kim Young-hoon, I gradually notice that various parts of the South Sea have changed.
'Originally... there were small islands everywhere....'
No islands are in sight.
It seems that all the islands had sunk due to a previous battle.
I slowly ask Kim Young-hoon a question as I trail behind him.
"I have something to ask."
"What is it."
I question him about the strange stone said to have emerged from the innards of Cheongmun Ryeong.
"Was that mysterious stone... safe for Buk Hyang-hwa to keep using?"
"No. Later on, it was found that madness was faintly emanating from the stone, so all the crew of the Buk Hyang Fleet had to be replaced with puppets. However, for some reason, Buk Hyang-hwa alone was not eroded by the madness. Even though she was merely at the late stage of Qi Building."
"Um...?"
'How is that possible?'
I believe in her mental strength, but what exactly had happened?
"I don't know for sure, but she always carries a norigae with her. She firmly believes that the norigae protects her. Whether it's true or not...."
"..."
"Ah, and also, using the method of extracting knowledge from the strange stone that Cheongmun Ryeong taught her, she extracted some of the stone's knowledge and then sealed all the stones together. The interesting thing is that norigae."
"...Yes?"
I'm surprised by the unexpected information.
"She says that the only material that can seal the mysterious stone in this world is that norigae. Really, I wonder what material it's made from...."
"...?"
I feel something odd about that statement.
'That norigae is made from Gathering Soul Jade found in the Heaven-Treading Desert....'
It's a very common material for making magic artifacts.
But that norigae was the only material that could seal the strange stone?
Yet, what's strange is Kim Young-hoon's following remark.
"After sealing all the stones in the norigae, she placed it in the main ship's power source of the Buk Hyang Fleet, linking the power from the main ship to the rest of the Buk Hyang Fleet to strengthen their control. In my view, her talent is no less than that of Cheongmun Ryeong"
I feel like I'm plunging into a maze as I listen to him.
'She sealed the mysterious stone in the norigae?'
Sealing implies that there had to be space inside for it to be possible.
But the norigae was a dharma treasure I had refined myself.
I know it best.
There was no such space inside the norigae.
Perhaps due to regression, the properties of the dharma treasures had overlapped causing the norigae to transform, but even when I dismantled the Colorless Glass Sword, there was no sign of material transformation or space creation.
'What on earth is it?'
The function of the norigae was only 'communication.'
It had no other functions.
'What did Buk Hyang-hwa do? I can't get a grip on it.'
For now, that's all I can think of.
'Perhaps the knowledge she extracted from the mysterious stone might have been of some help...'
Thinking this, I continue to follow Kim Young-hoon.
Kim Young-hoon was using purely his own martial skills to perform a water-skimming technique across the sea, without using the abilities or accelerations of the Surpassing Radiant Saber.
Looking up at the sky as I follow him, I ponder.
'In the third stage of Manifestation, lifespan increases by about 300 years.'
Precisely, it's 343 years.
'This isn't even Qi Building.'
Despite reaching a level comparable to the Heavenly Being stage, the increase in lifespan is only at the level of Qi Building, which leaves me somewhat incredulous.
I grew curious.
"Young-hoon Hyung-nim."
"What is it."
"Is your true body beyond Shattering Heavens?"
"That's right, but?"
"In that case, do you perhaps know how much your lifespan has increased?"
But after asking about his lifespan, I immediately realized.
'Kim Young-hoon wouldn't know his own lifespan.'
How could he know if he hasn't even performed the Seven Star Ritual?
However, I'm startled by Kim Young-hoon's next words.
"Um... I suppose it must be at least ten thousand years."
"...What?"
"I'm not exactly sure myself. But that's the feeling I get."
'Ten thousand years? No, more importantly...'
While I am astonished by the immense span of time, it isn't strange considering the Four-Axis stage and Integration stage where lifespans increase by hundreds of thousands of years.
What surprises me more is that Kim Young-hoon 'knows his lifespan.'
The Heaven Tribe, Earth Tribe, and Heart Tribe each have their unique temperaments.
That's why when the Heart Tribe exerts its power, the Heaven and Earth Tribes can detect it, and when the Earth Tribe exerts power, the Heaven Tribe recognizes it as demonic energy.
And such temperaments are even more visible to my eyes now that I have reached the Heavenly Being stage.
'Kim Young-hoon has not learned Heaven Tribe methods.'
It's evident.
He can't see celestial energy.
"How do you... know your lifespan?"
As I ask, he seems to ponder before answering.
"Something... feels different than before, as if I've realized the final destination my soul () will reach. Upon reaching this realm, it feels as though my soul is being pulled by a higher force towards death in the direction it aspires to reach."
"Um...."
Only then do I understand why Kim Young-hoon could 'read' his lifespan.
'Is it a method of lifespan reading similar to that of the Earth Tribe?'
Qi, Soul, and Fate influence each other.
Because they are connected, they impact each other's changes.
Thus, the Demon Race, who cultivate in the plane of Qi, can read the vast flows of spiritual energy between heaven and earth to divine something akin to fate or make educated guesses about their lifespans.
Similarly, it seems that once the Heart Tribe reaches a certain level, even without the vision of the Heaven or Earth Tribes, they can read their own lifespans.
'I've learned something new.'
How long have we been exchanging curiosities and traveling?
We finally arrive at the southern end of the Head Realm.
Above the seas where the Sea Dragon Palace is located.
'It's my first time going to the Astronomical Observatory.'
Although I have been to the Sea Dragon Palace before, I had never entered the space dedicated to observing the heavens.
It wasn't only because Seo Hweol had caused so much trouble, but also because I couldn't find it inside the Sea Dragon Palace.
Thus, I had been unconcerned, assuming it must be somewhere outside the palace.
'Thinking about it, I should have visited the Astronomical Observatory.'
Perhaps I could have learned what terrifying thing Jeon Hyang had discovered.
"Where is the Astronomical Observatory located?"
As I ask Kim Young-hoon, he points to the sky.
"Over there."
"...Yes?"
"Follow me."
Paatt!
Kim Young-hoon steps into the air and soars into the sky.
'Wasn't it supposed to be under the sea?'
I follow him into the air while feeling puzzled.
I thought the observatory was beyond the World Shield Force at the southern end of the world.
But contrary to expectations, it seems that the observatory is located high above.
'Well, logically thinking, it makes sense that a place for observing the heavens would be situated high up.'
After ascending through the air following Kim Young-hoon for a while, something enveloped by a barrier and invisible to the naked eye appears within my consciousness.
'That is.'
It's a building almost as massive as the Sea Dragon Palace.
This building, constructed on a Sky Island, is floating in the air like Ascension Path.
The Sky Island is small, and it clearly looks artificially made.
'And its altitude is a bit lower than Ascension Path.'
Noticing this, I try to enter the observatory.
However.
Kwaaaaang!
I'm repelled in the opposite direction with a strong repulsive force.
"Kugh, what's this?"
"Be careful. There was already a barrier formation here that even the Nether Crossing Ship had trouble penetrating, but after Cheongmun Ryeong strengthened the formation from inside, it became even more powerful."
"...How did you originally get through?"
"We blasted through with the main cannons of the Nether Crossing Ship."
"Hmm...."
Feeling annoyed, I draw out the Colorless Glass Sword.
Wo-woong!
The Three Great Ultimates appear behind my head.
Utilizing the power of the Three Great Ultimates, I swing the sword downward.
Kuaaaang!
With a tremendous boom, the barrier collapses entirely.
Kugugugu
"Just like when you crumpled the dimensional barrier, I'm reminded again that you've become a monster."
Kim Young-hoon looks at me with a weary expression.
"How troublesome it was every time we had to break through one of these..."
"Really? It was considerably weaker than the dimensional barrier though..."
"That's true, but if you fail to break it in one go, an even stronger counterforce emerges, making it a very tricky barrier. And now, you smashed it in one go without even exerting much effort...."
Kim Young-hoon clicks his tongue as we both move beyond the collapsed barrier.
Just as I set foot in the Astronomical Observatory.
Wo-woong!
I feel a refreshing clarity come over my mind.
'This is...'
Again.
The 'mind-clearing spell,' characteristic of Seo Hweol, was cast over the entire Astronomical Observatory.
'Why in the world is this guy using such spells in every building he constructs?'
It certainly wasn't for mental health benefits.
Eventually, he would just brainwash everyone, making me curious about the true purpose of laying such spells.
Moreover, the spell cast over the Astronomical Observatory feels much stronger than the one at the Sea Dragon Palace.
'I should visit all the places where Seo Hweol had caused trouble at least once.'
I recall what Seo Hweol had said.
'He said he had built up his Axis Foundation at the Sea Dragon Palace, Serving Command Palace, the Black Castle, and Ascension Path.'
Maybe building up an Axis Foundation has something to do with the mind.
Or maybe it's for some other reason.
In any case, I could learn more about his intentions and the method Seo Hweol used to build up his Orthodox Axis Foundation.
While I was thinking about this.
"...Young-hoon Hyung-nim?"
I suddenly realized that Kim Young-hoon had stopped speaking and was standing still since entering the Sea Dragon Palace.
"Is there something wrong?"
I can tell even without asking.
Kim Young-hoon is uneasy about coming to the place where he had personally cut down Cheongmun Ryeong.
"...No. Let's go."
He hesitates for a moment then takes the lead.
I clench my teeth and follow him.
'Cheongmun Ryeong... What has happened to you?'
How long have we been moving inside the Astronomical Observatory?
I notice characters engraved everywhere inside the observatory.
'What is this...?'
The Astronomical Observatory itself, due to an automatic restoration spell, appears quite intact despite what must have been a fierce confrontation between Kim Young-hoon and Cheongmun Ryeong.
However, oddly, there are parts that haven't been restored and are engraved with 'characters'.
"Young-hoon Hyung-nim, those are..."
"They are words left by Cheongmun Ryeong. We don't exactly know what they mean."
"Is that so..."
I read the characters left by Cheongmun Ryeong one by one.
Mountain ()...
Summit ()...
Thirty-three ()...
"...?"
Words I know individually but unknown when together.
Soon, Kim Young-hoon and I enter the center of the Astronomical Observatory.
"...That is..."
"Look."
Kim Young-hoon points with his hand at 'something' in the center of the Astronomical Observatory.
"That, is Cheongmun Ryeong sealed by me. He ended up... mutated like that."
"...Ah..."
Stunned, I look at 'Cheongmun Ryeong.'
Cheongmun Ryeong has turned into a giant [Salt Pillar] and is situated at the center of the Astronomical Observatory.
Below the salt pillar, another word is written.
I slowly read the crookedly written words.
"...Audience Chamber ()."
Translator Notes: This is some Eldritch horror. Also, Mountain, Summit, and Thirty-three are a reference to "Tryastria" ( It is the second of the six heavens of the desire realm in Buddhist cosmology, and located at the peak of Mt. Sumeru.
***
Mountain, summit, thirty-three, audience chamber...
Four incomprehensible words.
I raise my gaze beyond these words, to what lay behind them.
Thus, I stare indefinitely at the Salt Pillar in front of me.
I look at 'Cheongmun Ryeong.'
'Just why..'
Suddenly, I clench my fists.
It has always been like this.
Even when I tried to change my colleagues' fates at the beginning of my regressions.
Even when I tried to save the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
No matter what, it was the same.
Every attempt I made always reverted back to its original course by fate.
While looking at the traces Cheongmun Ryeong left in this world, I could associate one thing.
'The massacre at Heaven-Treading Desert by Yuan Li... turned into an expedition against Cheongmun Ryeong.'
The fate that [those left in the Head Realm suffer calamities by an existence at the Nascent Soul stage] was not completely turned upside down.
'Damn it'
I grit my teeth.
Kim Young-hoon finds it painful to look at Cheongmun Ryeong turned into a salt pillar and turns his head.
Step, step.
I approach the Salt Pillar.
"Don't touch it. If you touch it..."
Despite Kim Young-hoon's warning, I reach out to Cheongmun Ryeong regardless.
When my hand touches the Salt Pillar.
Crackle, crackle!
My fingertips gradually turn stark white, and my body begins to saltify.
"!"
I'm momentarily startled but keep my hand there briefly.
After a while.
Crunch!
I completely turn into salt and tear off my arm that adheres to the Salt Pillar.
As I detach from the Salt Pillar, the saltification of my body stops.
Chualak, Chualalak!
Concentrating my power, my arm regenerates, and the part that had taken the shape of my arm and stuck to the salt pillar crumbles down to the base of the pillar.
"Some of the Qi Building cultivators who came on a previous expedition tried to consume Cheongmun Ryeong, licking the Salt Pillar, and ended up saltifying and getting absorbed by it... Buk Hyang-hwa also lost a finger investigating the salt pillar and had to regenerate it."
"Is that so"
I'm shocked that anyone would even think to eat it.
Using my will, I try to extract salt from Cheongmun Ryeong's body using the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy.
"!"
It's when I touch the salt pillar with my consciousness.
"Uuuuuugh!!!"
I clutch my head and kneel on the ground.
"Kuugh! Argh! Aaaah!"
My [Brain]!
[Part of my brain] saltified!!!
Zzzzt!
I excrete salt crystals through my scalp and regenerate my brain.
"Just touching it with consciousness turns the brain parts related to the consciousness into salt..."
It seems even spells won't work.
If I use a tool, I figure the tool itself might also turn into salt.
'The area around the Salt Pillar continues to slowly accumulate salt.'
Perhaps even the air touching the Salt Pillar is gradually turning into salt.
I once again extend the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy and this time, pull back my arm that had scattered into salt when it touched the pillar.
Swoosh
This time, a clump of salt is dragged back.
'So, things that directly touch the Salt Pillar turn into salt, and those transformed into salt are safe to touch.'
However, the transformed salts are just ordinary salt, without any peculiarities.
It's when I'm staring intently at the Salt Pillar.
"Everything else is fine, but just don't try to move Cheongmun Ryeong."
"Is there a reason?"
"Yes."
Kim Young-hoon nods gravely.
"Those who tried to move him, without exception, turned into salt pillars just like Cheongmun Ryeong and died instantly. Whether they wrapped their hands in salt or tried to lift him from the ground, it was all the same. Such 'intention' itself might be considered disrespectful."
"Is that so."
As he emphasized the word 'intention,' I realized something.
There is a clear standard to turning into salt.
And that standard includes the 'intention' Kim Young-hoon mentioned.
Perhaps even our perception is included in it.
'His senses are connected to a very distant 'somewhere.' That means... this salt pillar is highly likely to also be connected to such a distant place...
I sigh.
"...So we just have to watch."
"...Exactly."
Murmuring solemnly, I speak to Kim Young-hoon.
"But..."
"I know. Cheongmun Ryeong is..."
Our gazes simultaneously fall on the Salt Pillar.
"He's alive."
Indeed.
Despite having turned into a salt pillar, Cheongmun Ryeong is clearly exuding [intent].
Only those alive with emotions and thoughts exude intent.
In essence, Cheongmun Ryeong is alive.
Strangely, Cheongmun Ryeong's intent is not filled with madness or drenched in sorrow, but is very calm and peaceful.
It's as if he is comfortably deep in slumber.
"...."
I feel as if my heart is about to shatter while looking at him.
I had wanted so badly for Cheongmun Ryeong to prosper that I tried to change his fate.
Is this the result?
'Cheongmun Ryeong...'
I look gloomily at the salt pillar and think.
'Are you at peace?'
There is no answer.
Only the intent symbolizing peace flows from the salt pillar.
"...I."
I speak to Kim Young-hoon.
"I have seen an inorganic object from which intent flows like this."
"...!? What?"
Startled by my words, Kim Young-hoon reacts sharply.
"You mean you've seen something similar to Cheongmun Ryeong???"
"Yes. And I've also seen those who possess the [same] intent as Cheongmun Ryeong."
I recall the first time I met the Owner of Heavenly Punishment.
The moment when the people of Heavenly Human Island collectively [returned] to their origin.
At that time, the emotions they felt as they were transformed into lightning and sucked away were exactly like what is coming out of this salt pillar now.
Furthermore, I remember a being that emitted intent despite being inorganic.
'Zhengli.'
Initially, I thought she was just a type of dharma treasure, but then recalled her existence as she emitted intent and even conversed with me through heart language.
'The Heavenly Lightning Banner only emitted intent, I couldn't delve into its heart essence. It's the same with Cheongmun Ryeong. It's inanimate but emits intent, and I can't look into its heart essence. The difference with Zhengli is that she responded to me through heart language'
Cheongmun Ryeong just stands still as a salt pillar.
"What is it? Is there possibly a clue that can turn Cheongmun Ryeong back to human?"
Urged by Kim Young-hoon's desperate words, I shake my head.
"There is a dharma treasure used by one of the greatest True Immortals. The state of that dharma treasure is similar to the current state of Cheongmun Ryeong. Perhaps Cheongmun Ryeong is in a state of 'returning' to some high being."
"Returning?"
"I'm not exactly sure. As far as I know, True Immortals govern certain domains, and those within that domain transform and are absorbed by the True Immortal."
"So Cheongmun Ryeong was... marked by some True Immortal monster as he observed the heavens?"
"I'm not sure..."
I think of the Owner of Heavenly Punishment.
That being seemed indifferent while absorbing countless lives as they [returned].
"Probably not. Those beings above in the heavens don't have much interest in humans. It's merely because Cheongmun Ryeong 'recognized' that being that this happened."
"...Is that so.... Then is there no way to help him?"
"I don't know that much myself. We just have to trust the methods that exist in the Ancient Force Realm..."
I sigh softly.
"...Let's go back. We've checked on Cheongmun Ryeong's condition. I would like to rest a bit."
I calm my gloomy heart and leave the observatory.
Mountain, summit, thirty-three, audience chamber.
I have no time to think about those abstract words.
'I... still can't do anything.'
Once again, in front of the enormous beings known as True Immortals.
I feel like nothing more than an insignificant bug that can't do anything.
Whoosh!
Leaving the Astronomical Observatory, I slowly head towards the continent.
'I need to... grow stronger.'
One can live within fate even as a weakling.
But to truly change fate, I must rise even higher.
'For now in the Head Realm, I'll find out how Seo Hweol managed to build his Axis Foundation at the four places, and then I'll ascend to the Bright Cold Realm and reach the Four-Axis stage.
I look up at the sky.
Reaching the Heavenly Being stage, and under the more concrete celestial energy, I see a fragmented future.
A future where I, along with Jeon Myeong-hoon, will escape the Head Realm and ascend.
'The gravitational pull of fate is leading me to the Middle Realm.'
By fate, it seems I will ascend soon.
Indeed, I am planning on ascending.
'All I can do is climb as high as possible.'
If I had been at the Star Shattering stage instead of the Heavenly Being stage, would I have been incapable of doing anything for Cheongmun Ryeong who had transformed like that?
Would I have just left him like that?
No.
From the Star Shattering stage onward, I would have been able to see even more truths and access more principles, at least enough to understand why Cheongmun Ryeong had ended up that way.
"Let's cultivate."
To climb higher and higher, until the day comes when I can truly change fate.
I parted with Kim Young-hoon for a while and stopped by Yanguo.
'I need to borrow some astronomical data recorded in the Yanguo Imperial Court.'
I plan to read all the observation data from various nations while traveling around.
'The Basic Spell Decrees include the Qi Refining 1st and 2nd stars. The Seventy-Two Earthly Sha True Words and the Thirty-Six Heavenly Gang Method Decrees are spells derived from the 108 types of energies held by the celestial stars.'
I intend to apply the spell knowledge I learned from Cheongmun Ryeong to interpret the astronomical observation data.
"It might not be as accurate as what was observed from the Sea Dragon Palace, but I'll try to push through with the quantity of data."
I don't know what Cheongmun Ryeong had observed, but I have the Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens Technique.
'I even shook off the Owner of Heavenly Punishment's curse with the Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens Technique. Even if I receive the curse of saltification, I can withstand it. Moreover, my life is not as precious as others'...'
My own knowledge of spells is not as deep as Cheongmun Ryeong's.
Cheongmun Ryeong of this life, having reached Core Formation, had gained much more understanding in terms of Understanding before Breakthrough, and he is at the highest level within the Minor Realm.
'As such, it's likely I won't be able to catch up to what Cheongmun Ryeong has attained with my level of understanding'
But at least I have to try.
I enter the astronomy department of the Yanguo Imperial Archives and begin reading the data.
There are plenty of barriers in the imperial city, but they weren't a problem for me, so I just passed through them easily.
"Let's see..."
While I am browsing through the celestial data,
"H-How dare you!"
"...?"
Suddenly hearing a loud voice, I turn to look.
There stands an irate-looking old man in a red robe.
"How dare you sneak into the imperial astronomy department!"
"Ah..."
Thinking about it, I had passed through the imperial barriers too naturally and forgot to use the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts or a technique for hiding.
"Well, this is embarrassing. I'll just read this and leave. Please, allow me a little more time."
From the Heavenly Being stage onward, one's consciousness is half merged with the spiritual energy of Heaven and Earth, so cultivators of lower realms cannot recognize the consciousness of a Heavenly Being stage cultivator unless it is deliberately revealed.
Moreover, because the spiritual power of a Heavenly Being stage cultivator resonates with the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy, the pressure of spiritual energy actually disappears.
Therefore, to cultivators from the lower stages, a Heavenly Being stage cultivator might appear no different from ordinary mortals.
So, to him, I must look just like any ordinary intruder in the astronomy department.
"You, a mere mortal, dare to intrude the Great Jin Clan's imperial palace and look at a cultivator straight in the eye!"
"Hmm..."
I look at the early Qi Refining stage cultivator and contemplate what to do next. Thinking there's no need to scare the kid, I say,
"Go play over there."
"Yeeeek...!!!"
At my words, the Jin Clan cultivator's face turns red and he forms a hand seal to hurl a fireball at me.
Whoooosh!
"Die, intruder!"
And then,
Swoosh
I infuse my fingers with Gang Qi and flick the fireball away easily.
"Hmm, try to focus more on the intent of the hand seal when you form it. It's better to seek the meaning behind the seal than to just pull energy from the spiritual root."
"N-no! What, how!? My spell that was nearing the completion of the Qi Refining 1st star!! I've mastered all Seventy-Two Earthly Sha True Words and I'm about to advance to the 2nd star!
"...."
I shake my head, unable to find the words, and wave my hand dismissively.
"I'll really just look at this and go. Please, move aside."
I think that revealing the extent of my consciousness and spiritual power might literally give the kid a heart attack.
I choose not to show my power and gesture for the cultivator to leave.
He trembles and backs away.
"Guards! All guards, gather! An intruder has appeared in the astronomy department!!!"
"...."
At that shout, peak martial artists and above quickly appear around us.
There are even masters of the Three Flowers Gather at the Summit among them, who threaten me with their swords drawn.
"Seeing you scare a cultivator like that, you must be quite skilled. But our imperial astronomy department guards..."
Crack!
As I clench my fist, the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy naturally morphs into the form of a sleep spell and seeps into the martial artists.
The peak masters can't even resist. Their eyes roll back as they collapse where they stand.
"Argh!"
The one who seems to be the captain, a Three Flowers Gather at the Summit master, tries to resist, but what I used is a spell easier than breathing, albeit at a much lower power.
"You should rest too. It must be tiring always being attached to a wall, ceiling, or under a bed as an imperial martial artist."
"Guh... I won't just... succumb!"
Booong!
The guy, who seems to have quite the spirit, infuses his sword with Sword Gang and swings it at me.
But...
Clang!
"What!!!"
His sword, along with the Sword Gang, snaps and flies off.
Even a Qi Building cultivator has pure spiritual force flowing within, naturally forming a protective body force.
What about someone at the Heavenly Being stage?
I don't even need to deploy a defensive technique. I naturally have a stronger protective body force than a group of Core Formation cultivators forming a defensive formation.
I reach out to the trembling martial artist and say,
"You have great spirit, so I'll reward you."
"Gah...ugh..."
He fails to withstand the sleep spell longer and faints. I implant the formula for reaching Five Energies Converging to the Origin and the exact training methods, along with martial arts that can help him achieve that stage, into his mind.
After handling that, I'm about to continue reading the celestial data when,
"This bastard! This wretched fellow! I have brought an elder from the Jin Clan!!!"
The old man who had run away earlier came back, this time with a young woman in tow.
'She looks quite young. Is she a promising late-stage disciple from the Jin Clan?'
Without me asking, the old man begins to introduce the woman.
"This person is Jin Wei-yeon! A distinguished Qi Refining stage cultivator from the Great Jin Clan, and an imperial inspector from the main family!"
"Oh... is that so?"
"Trembling won't help you now! You seem well-versed in martial arts, but this person is a master at the Qi Refining 6th star! She is a dignitary currently in discussions for conducting the Seven Stars Ritual!"
"Oh...."
The old man puffs out his chest like a fox with a tiger at its back and says,
"Let me show you what a Qi Refining 6th star cultivator is capable of."
'I'm really curious.'
What kind of fearsome entity is she?
Jin Wei-yeon also forms a hand seal and shouts.
"Behold the power of the Qi Refining 6th star!"
***
Ever since the Heavenly Martial Divine Demon () Kim Young-hoon created the Divine Demon Secrets (), a method to confuse the consciousness of cultivators by martial artists beyond the pinnacle stage spread throughout the martial world.
Initially, this secret martial art slowly spread among the high-ranking elders of major martial factions.
However, after the news spread in the cultivator world that Heavenly Martial Divine Demon Kim Young-hoon had fought on equal footing with Cheongmun Ryeong, a core member of the Pure Friends Alliance, and even mortals caught wind of it.
The Divine Demon Secrets, reputedly created by him, spread throughout the martial world.
There was also a theory that initially, Kim Young-hoon had spread the secret technique far and wide by assigning masters in various places.
Thereafter, cultivators at the Qi Refining stage, who governed mortals, could no longer underestimate martial artists.
A slight mistake could lead to nobles or royals being decapitated by a highly skilled martial artist.
The higher stage cultivators were less concerned.
Even if the martial artists got a bit stronger, those capable of executing broad-scale destructive spells had little to worry about.
However, it was different for cultivators below the mid Qi Refining stage.
They were crucial in ruling over the mortals.
Now aware that the mortals they had treated as 'livestock' could retaliate, they could no longer afford to be arrogant.
Therefore, Jin Wei-yeon, a cultivator at the 6th star of Qi Refining, also tensed up as she faced the man before her.
'He's definitely a master of Three Flowers Gather at the Summit... and he must have mastered the Heavenly Martial Divine Demon's Divine Demon Secrets, as well. A typical Qi Refining 6th star cultivator would've been helpless, but...'
She is confident.
She has brought a high-level magic artifact that could be used by someone at or above the 12th star of Qi Refining.
Although it consumes quite a bit more spiritual power, she has enough spirit stones to replenish her spiritual energy, so she believes she has a good chance of winning.
'I will win!'
She lifts a red fly whisk embossed with a lion's head and activates her spell.
"Depart (), Ten Suns ()!"
Huarururu!
Ten fireballs burst forth from the artifact, engulfing the man.
Jang Hyuk, an external member of the Jin Clan, forms a hand seal and assists Jin Wei-yeon.
'This is my chance. If I make a good impression on the lady, I don't know about the main Jin family, but my position in the imperial palace could rise! I could secure the position of the department head by impressing her!'
Boom!
A battle ensues within the depths of the astronomy department.
The two cultivators fight fiercely against the sinister martial artist who had infiltrated the department.
Finally, Jang Hyuk and Jin Wei-yeon manage to defeat the martial artist.
"We won! Haha, my bottleneck was cleared during the battle, creating a perfect foundation for advancing to the 7th Star of Qi Refining!"
Jin Wei-yeon is thrilled with the fortuitous breakthrough that occurred during the battle.
"Well done, Jang Hyuk! I will speak to the elders at the Qi Building stage about you! Not just the head of the astronomy department, with your loyalty and ability, you could possibly even obtain the position of minister of ceremonial rites!"
Jang Hyuk is overjoyed by her words.
"Thank you! Thank you, miss!"
It all feels like a dream.
"7th star Qi Refining right before my eyes"
"The elder has acknowledged me"
I watch as the children blissfully snore away in front of me.
'Seeing such youngsters after a long time, they're quite adorable.'
Even the weakest disciples of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect are at the 11th star of Qi Refining.
Those were the ones who had been dragged from the Bright Cold Realm immediately upon entering the sect.
Originally, among the disciples from the Head Realm, none had failed to reach the Qi Building stage.
To me, someone who hasn't surpassed the Qi Refining 7th Star is a first since Jeon Myeong-hoon.
'It's quite refreshing Qi Refining 6th Star, eh.'
I take a deep breath and remove the sleep-inducing spell that fills the astronomy department.
"Sweet dreams, you cute little things."
I lean over and scratch the belly of the old man lying sprawled out, who chuckles as if he is having a pleasant dream.
Wo-woong!
My spiritual energy naturally envelops him, melting away the impurities within his body. It's likely that he won't suffer from minor illnesses for the rest of his life after this.
As I glance at the 6th star Qi Refining cultivator, the perfect foundation for advancing to the 7th star Qi Refining stage is inadvertently established within her.
"Grow well and strong."
Thinking that sticking around might attract more annoying folks, I pack all the astronomical data into my storage scroll and split space to step outside the royal palace.
'I should just go to a nearby guesthouse and read.'
It seems like a more comfortable option for uninterrupted reading.
The food from the Lower Realm I tasted after a long time was quite delicious.
'Thinking about it, I barely remember eating since reaching the Core Formation stage.'
After attaining the Nascent Soul stage, I hadn't even drunk water.
My vitality is fundamentally different from mortals, so I can sustain myself without food.
"Waiter, bring me another bowl of noodles."
"Yes, my lord!"
After quickly finishing a bowl of noodles, I begin reading the astronomical data.
'Let's see... first, the astronomical traces from the last 500 years... I'll read the flows of the sun, moon, and stars'
I begin to apply spells to the traces I read through.
'If I integrate the flow of the Seventy-Two Earthly Sha True Words and the Thirty-Six Heavenly Gang Method Decrees into astronomy, and continue moving up to the Twelve Earthly Branches and the 10 Heavenly Stems Diagram'
I float a small stream of spiritual energy in the air and begin to manifest basic spells according to the flow of celestial phenomena.
Soon after, I can see the clusters of spiritual energy before me taking on a shape.
'Eh? It's taking on a form?'
I didn't expect to see results so quickly, so I look closely at the form.
One of the martial artists at another table suddenly sent chopsticks flying at another, challenging him to a duel to the death, turning the guesthouse into a battlefield.
I focus on the form without much concern for the surrounding chaos.
It's a small, cone-like shape.
'A reversed triangle? An inverted cone? What is this?'
But as I try to observe more details of the cone, it disperses into nothingness.
'Is it some kind of symbol? But an inverted triangle seems too simple to be a symbol. No, it scattered as soon as I tried to observe it more closely, so I might need to examine it more later.'
One of the dueling martial artists announces himself as a master of Three Flowers Gather at the Summit, and his opponent reveals themself to be the same.
'Shall I recreate it?'
Intent becomes disturbed and the fighting martial artists' weapons fill with Gang Qi, striking me several times.
I scratch the hit area and then move the spells before me to recreate the shape.
'Hmm!'
As I attempt to observe the shape again, it just disperses and vanishes.
'Hmm... It seems difficult to observe with my current consciousness. Perhaps it will be easier if my consciousness grows a bit more. And... I need more data observing the flow of celestial phenomena and astronomical observations from the Head Realm. It might be inaccurate since it's only generated with data from Yanguo'
Finally, the chaotic dueling and bleeding martial artists fly in opposite directions, forming a blood brother pact before leaving the guesthouse.
Finishing my thoughts, I decide to eat another bowl of noodles before scattering the clusters of spiritual energy in front of me.
'Data for Shengzi should be most accurate from the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, and I need to visit Byeokra and the Northern Plains as well. It's also worth visiting the East.'
It shouldn't take long.
"Waiter, are the noodles ready?"
Then, I find the waiter trembling under a nearby table.
The whole guesthouse looks as if a storm had passed through.
"Ah, thank you for saving me, sir guest. Those monsters saw that you didn't react at all despite getting hit a few times, realized you were a great master, and got scared. They pretended to make peace and left."
"Eh? Did something hit me?"
"The noodles are on the house."
"Thank you."
After getting the noodles for free in the guesthouse, I restored the ruined place with a wood attribute spell as a gesture of gratitude and then left.
'I was so focused that I didn't even notice such an event happening right in front of me.'
It's strange.
The cone, though faint, seems to possess a bizarre charm capable of enchanting people.
'I feel even more compelled to investigate it.'
What exactly had Cheongmun Ryeong seen?
A minimum clue is necessary.
"Is this... the Head Realm?"
Jeon Myeong-hoon, sitting with Jin Hae-min in the Golden Thunder Hall, lets out a sigh.
"Excuse me? Did you say something, Grand Elder?"
"Never mind. Have the next one come in."
"Yes, next up is an envoy from the Gongmyo Clan of Byeokra."
"Byeokra...?"
"It's the country beyond Yanguo, located next to the Shengzi."
"So, literally the next-next door neighbor. Who is the envoy?"
Jin Hae-min reads from the list.
"The Gongmyo Clan... Oh, I know this person. It's Gongmyo Hee, the son of Gongmyo Cheon-saek, one of the Three Greats of Qi Building. He has excellent qualities and has diligently studied under Gongmyo Cheon-saek to become a grand elder at the Core Formation stage."
"...Three Greats of Qi Building? A grand elder at the Core Formation stage? But, the name Gongmyo Hee sounds feminine."
"The Three Greats of Qi Building... Ah, it's tiresome to explain. Please read this material later. The reason why he's a grand elder at the Core Formation stage is because all the cultivators from the Head Realm who were at or above the Nascent Soul stage ascended during the last great ascension."
"I see."
"And the reason Gongmyo Hee's name sounds feminine is..."
Jeon Myeong-hoon has a headache.
This newly settled place called the Head Realm.
The original disciples from the Head Realm, though regretting leaving the Bright Cold Realm, like it, but for those originally from the Bright Cold Realm, this place is virtually a remote backcountry.
The spiritual energy that had been so naturally abundant in the Bright Cold Realm is extremely sparse in the Head Realm.
Resources are scarce there, and the world is smaller.
Moreover, for them, it was as if they had fallen and separated from the Bright Cold Realm where their families are located to the Head Realm, not for some grand cause like ascension, but for other reasons.
And Jeon Myeong-hoon feels similarly.
Though he was originally from those who ascended, he had only ever set foot in the lands of the Bright Cold Realm, not even a square meter of the Head Realm.
Everything is too unfamiliar.
But among all, there is something that drives him almost mad.
'What are they doing now?'
Jeon Myeong-hoon watches Gongmyo Hee introduce himself before him with his vast domain of consciousness at the Heavenly Being stage, while down below at Thunder Cloud Peak where the Golden Thunder Hall is located.
There, the Qi Refining cultivators are 'trading'.
"This time, this is nail dust I obtained from the grand elders after much hardship. It's from the last time they were clipped, taken to the apothecary to be finely ground. This is from Grand Elder Jeon, and this is from Grand Elder Seo."
"From the bodies of Heavenly Being stage Grand Cultivators!"
"First, the Grand Elder Jeon solely focused on the Lightning Path Method, so the power related to that method lingers in this dust. And Grand Elder Seo, having mastered countless techniques beyond the Lightning Path Method, his dust particularly can be used in all respects."
"It's in good condition and has decent spiritual energy. Forty spirit stones for the medicinal materials."
"No, what are you saying? You're pricing the physical remains of Heavenly Being cultivators for just that?"
Listening to this is dizzying.
Jeon Myeong-hoon is about to issue an order when he recognizes the face of the disciple trading their nail dustit's one who had lost his dual cultivation partner in the last Lightning Calamity.
'This is crazy. Should I scold them for stealing and selling nails, or should I pretend not to know?'
And it isn't just this.
When he finished his administrative duties and toured Shengzi, his consciousness picked up countless cultivator black markets.
And recently in Shengzi, 'elixirs made from parts of Heavenly Being stage cultivators' were popular.
Naturally, these elixirs were made from Jeon Myeong-hoon and Seo Eun-hyun's nails, hair, saliva, etc.
He wondered whether to rip their heads off for making him feel disgusted, but seeing the disciples slowly recovering from the nightmare of the Lightning Calamity with broad smiles as they sold the elixirs made him think he perhaps should just let them be.
'Did they say Heavenly Being stage cultivators are akin to gods to the people of the Head Realm?'
In that context, they are trading divine bodies ().
'Spiritual energy is scarce in the Head Realm, so... maybe that's justifiable?'
But no matter how much he ponders, it feels wrong.
However, seeing their smiling faces caught in his consciousness makes it hard to reprimand them.
'...Well, if that's the case, I should at least tell them to stop trading my parts externally.'
Jeon Myeong-hoon makes up his mind.
'I'll only allow Seo Eun-hyun's parts to be distributed externally.'
"...Furthermore, our Gongmyo Clan has made significant advancements in pill-refining through research conducted with the Jo Clan relics obtained in collaboration with the Buk..."
Before he knew it, Gongmyo Hee's introduction of his clan is coming to an end.
"We also dispatched experts when constructing the Buk Hyang Fleet, and have obtained the technology related to the 'Buk Hyang Fleet.' In short, our clan is capable of manufacturing Buk Hyang Fleet that traverses dimensions, if you wish."
'Buk Hyang Fleet... Was the creator named Buk Hyang-hwa? It has a funny name, just like General Seo.'
"Excellent. Technology that traverses dimensions is essential if aiming for ascension, so I'll definitely keep that in mind."
Jeon Myeong-hoon nods and sends Gongmyo Hee off.
'The name might be funny, but from what Jin Hae-min explained, they can recreate the divine object of the Black Ghost ValleyTo be able to create something at the level of a divine artifact of the Human Race's Six Great Sects, I need to remember them.'
Whenever I had time, I would stop by the Jin Clan's territory and sweep through it with my consciousness.
Most of my disciples had aged and died, but their descendants were alive.
After confirming this, I intended to fly over to Byeokra.
That was when it happened.
[Master.]
"Hmm? Hong Fan?"
Hearing a spiritual message from inside the storage scroll, I reach inside to pull out the jade orb in which Hong Fan was sealed.
After the calamity had passed, Hong Fan said he would try to escape on his own, so I left him be. It seems he had finished interpreting the seal.
"Is it all done?"
[Yes, I am ready to come out.]
"Alright."
I lift the jade orb.
Shortly after, cracks form on the surface of the orb, and dark poison begins to seep out.
[Since the seal was carefully set by the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, it will take some time to exit. I apologize, but could you wait a bit longer?]
"Of course."
I settle nearby, setting up a protective formation and placing down the orb containing Hong Fan.
'The poison is getting stronger...'
Even while sealed, Hong Fan seems to have continued his research on poisons, as his art of poison has become even denser inside.
"You've become much stronger."
[Yes. While trying to dissolve the seal using only poison, I've recently glimpsed a new realm of poison arts.]
"A new realm in poison arts is..."
I ask, startled.
"Formless Poison ()!?"
[Yes.]
Having once been a practitioner of poison arts myself, I am aware of this realm.
After entering the cultivation world, I had even looked it up once out of curiosity.
A dream poison that exists above all others, capable of poisoning anyone below the Integration stage regardless of their cultivation realm!
But in the world of poison arts, it had been so legendary that it was treated merely as a fantasy, yet Hong Fan had gained insight into it.
[It's not complete yet, and it will take quite some time.]
"Well, that's fine. I can wait.
According to some theories, Formless Poison is said to have a certain relationship with the Netherworld.
Whether that's true or not, I sit there happy for Hong Fan's achievement.
Sssss...
'Is the formation melting from Hong Fan's poison...?'
I sit watching the formation while keeping an eye on Hong Fan.
About half a day passes when it happens.
Kuaaang!
Suddenly, a powerful magic artifact strikes the formation from outside. It seems to be not so much an attack but for some other purpose.
'Hmm, cultivators? But how did these guys find this formation? There must be some trick to it.'
A large number of them had gathered.
[Please come out from within that formation.]
Puzzled by the booming spiritual message, I look outside.
[The head of the Jin Clan is looking for you. Please come out and cooperate.]
I look at them and laugh heartily.
"Sorry, kids. I have some things to do here, so that might be difficult."
My calm response makes the situation awkward for the cultivator who had spoken.
[Um, it appears you are a senior from the Core Formation stage, but... no matter what, the place you are sitting on belongs to the Jin Clan. If you do not cooperate, no matter how much of a senior you are at the Core Formation stage, we may have to use force.]
"Force?"
[It may sound presumptuous, but even if you are a senior at the Core Formation stage, it would be difficult for you to disregard this many Qi Building stage elders. Please accept our invitation.]
They bow politely.
I smile faintly, looking out at the Qi Building cultivators who are surrounding me.
About 500 Qi Building cultivators have gathered.
Translator Notes: 72 Earthly Sha True Words and the 36 Heavenly Gang Method Decrees are a reference to the Ursa Major in Daoism with the 72 Earthly Stars and 36 Heavenly Stars.
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