"To send a letter like this to Senior Wi implies..."
"Yes. She knows that you've been appointed as a Grand Cultivator of the Human Race. Moreover, this information comes from spies we have among the Earth Tribe..."
Wi Ryeong-seon begins to explain as he takes a jade slip out of a storage scroll.
"Recently, there's information that a Dragon King has emerged from the Dragon Race. They're keeping it quiet for now to use at a critical moment, but...it's likely that Gyu-ryeon, who's become the Dragon King, is challenging you now that you've also become a Grand Cultivator. Considering that the Ark Controlling Envoy Gyu-ryeon achieved the Grand Perfection Four-Axis stage at just 10,000 years old, she certainly has the qualifications."
"Hmm..."
Gyu-ryeon as the Dragon King.
I recall her from a previous life.
Even without fully being at the Integration stage, the power of the beams she emitted from her mouth was quite immense.
Right, it was just to that extent.
'I think I can handle her...'
It would be somewhat frightening if it was Seo Hweol who reached the Integration stage with a genuine Orthodox Axis Foundation, but Gyu-ryeon...
'Hmm, not scary.'
I'm sorry to Gyu-ryeon, but purely from a combat perspective, she's about the same or slightly below Wi Ryeong-seon.
Wi Ryeong-seon, after all, was originally not trained in combat-focused methods and is arguably one of the weakest Integration stage cultivators within the Human Race Grand Alliance.
Compared to such weakest, she isn't very strong in her current state.
Of course, as part of the Dragon Race, if she stabilizes her cultivation and gains experience after reaching the early Integration stage, who knows. But in her current state, she isn't frightening at all.
And what puzzles me most is that she herself must know this.
"Sending me the letter means she knows I'm a Grand Cultivator, and that means she must've heard about what I've been doing since I entered Heavenly Human Island these past few weeks, doesn't it?"
"That's right. It's likely that the Dragon Race has also heard all the commotion through the moles they've planted among the Human Race. They know all about your combat power and potential."
My noisy deeds have already spread far and wide among the Heaven Tribe. I grinded the Heaven-Earth Palace Inspectors into dust, killed Seo Hweol in one strike, and faced Wi Ryeong-seon directly within his domain and defeated him.
The Earth Tribe, too, must have passed along such information through their spies within the Heaven Tribe, and yet they still threaten me—what could be the reason?
'Because of Seo Hweol?'
If it involves Seo Hweol, it's perfectly probable for her to go crazy.
'If it's not Seo Hweol...In my past life, she gave me a chance to explain and argue my motives despite openly betraying her, showing her rational side. If Seo Hweol did something and conveyed it to her, Gyu-ryeon would have flipped. Then...this incident must be a move by Seo Hweol.'
I'm getting a headache from the complicated situation.
'Is Seo Hweol alive or dead?'
I dispersed his soul and scattered the Heavenly Circle and Earthly Bearings to ensure his death. Seeing Gyu-ryeon enraged by Seo Hweol's death confirms he is indeed dead.
But it's too coincidental.
'What if Gyu-ryeon goes berserk and charges at me, and I end up killing her?'
Assuming Seo Hweol is alive, he'd want to shake her off, and that would achieve what he wants.
'Seo Hweol is definitely dead.'
I severed his soul pathway and completely blocked even the attempt to resurrect.
Yet hearing about Gyu-ryeon, the illusion of Seo Hweol making a move with his damned smile passes before my eyes.
'...Snake-like bastard.'
Although I hate to imagine it, I decide to assume that Seo Hweol is not dead.
'If he is alive, what would benefit him, and what would harm him?'
Benefiting him would be killing Gyu-ryeon.
Then what would harm him?
"...Thank you for delivering the letter, Senior Wi. I'll handle Gyu-ryeon later."
"Hmm, if it feels too dangerous, quickly pull back. You are the future of the Human Race. The Grand Alliance Leader is pouring resources into making sure you reach the Four-Axis stage, so if there's something you want to do, just let us know."
"...Yes, I understand."
I am currently at the Human Race Grand Alliance's Heavenly Human Island.
I am being protected at a cave residence within Heavenly Cauldron Mountain.
Lately, Integration stage Grand Cultivators have been frequenting my cave residence every day, imparting the intricacies and enlightenment of the Four-Axis stage, urging me to reach it soon, and gifting me with all sorts of spiritual liquid, spiritual pills, and spiritual fruits as they leave.
'Four-Axis stage...'
Having just risen from Grand Perfection Nascent Soul to Grand Perfection Heavenly Being, it isn't just a dream to rise to the Four-Axis stage once I am fully prepared.
Everyone is curious about how strong I will become once I reach the Four-Axis stage, given that I am already producing Integration level power at the Heavenly Being stage.
Among them, the Grand Alliance Leader Jun Je is searching for a special type of spiritual liquid called Clear Peace Tears (淸安淚) to help with the promotion from Heavenly Being to Four-Axis.
'If I reach the Four-Axis stage, even Hon Won won't be so terrifying'
Of course, considering Hon Won's power, it won't be easy even at the Four-Axis stage, but at least I won't die helplessly like last time.
I watch Wi Ryeong-seon leaving my cave residence and smile bitterly.
'Talking about spies this and spies that, it seems I'm really becoming one.'
Though I'm grateful for the Grand Cultivators' intentions to help me reach the Four-Axis stage, I have to move to counteract Seo Hweol's plans.
'The most damaging action to Seo Hweol will probably be bringing in the Mad Lord.'
I immediately set a goal.
'I'll summon Oh Hyun-seok to the Bright Cold Realm as soon as possible, end the Human-Devil Great War, ensure that Azure Tiger Saint doesn't die...and then go look for Kim Yeon.'
Kidnapping Kim Yeon and tipping off the Mad Lord that Seo Hweol is preparing for a marriage and that he should head to the True Dragon Alliance would make him ecstatic.
'The Black Dragon King Hyeon Eum wouldn't dare intervene in the Human-Devil Great War if that madman starts bombing the headquarters of the True Dragon Alliance."
It's uncertain whether Seo Hweol is truly dead or not.
But having died a gruesome death by my hand once and having mobilized Gyu-ryeon using his death as an excuse, Seo Hweol can't openly move as long as Gyu-ryeon is alive.
Then, during the time Seo Hweol can't act openly,
I have a lot of things I can do.
'In this life, while Seo Hweol can't come to the forefront...'
I set another goal.
Considering Kim Young-hoon is in the Ancient Force Realm, there's nothing I can do about that.
Oh Hye-seo is...probably doing well on her own, not my concern.
Excluding those two,
Jeon Myeong-hoon.
Kang Min-hee.
Oh Hyun-seok.
Kim Yeon.
I will try to arrange for these four colleagues to meet once again.
That is the new goal.
'Jeon Myeong-hoon is easy since he's with the original body, Oh Hyun-seok can be met once the Human-Devil Great War is resolved, and Kim Yeon can be seen again if kidnapped from the Mad Lord. That leaves Kang Min-hee...'
This makes Seo Li's role important.
"I" sigh while receiving the emotions of my original body deep within the Grand Tomb Domain of Black Ghost Valley.
'Damn it, whether it's Kang Min-hee or whatever...don't I need to accept a Ghost King to do something?'
These Ghost Kings, always running away, just make me sigh continuously.
'What should I do...'
As I ponder,
Suddenly, my thoughts reach the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation.
'Thinking about it, when I covered the Ghost King with the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation, didn't it seem like the Ghost King couldn't feel its fear towards me as if it was hypnotized?'
Then, if I cover my body with the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation, would the sense of death the Ghost Kings feel lighten a bit?
'I have to test it right away.'
Tstssts—
I unleash countless curse spells, covering my entire body in pain.
Sssssss—
My whole body is enveloped in dark curses.
Despite the tingling pain, I realize something has changed in the atmosphere of the Grand Tomb Domain.
"It worked!"
As expected, it was resolved with a fairly simple method!
Kugugugu!
The Grand Tomb Domain trembles, and from afar, countless Ghost Kings surge like a wave.
[Damn it, why did I leave my tomb and go to another area?]
[Did you do that too, Hyung-nim? Seems like everyone did. Maybe we were all bewitched by something?]
[It's something even a ghost would lament. I can't remember what happened at all...]
Unlike earlier, when they were screaming in utter panic, the Ghost Kings now return in a much more rational state, flying around.
And it's when the Ghost Kings approach above me.
[Huh, are you a disciple of the Black Ghost Valley?]
I reply to them politely.
[I am the new Yin Soul disciple Seo Li. I greet the elders of Black Ghost Valley.]
My voice, covered in curse spells, resounds deeply and vibrates through the space.
At this sight, the surrounding Ghost Kings are noticeably startled.
[Wait, that thing covering your body..]
[Are those cursesl?]
[Impossible!? How can a single person create curses so dense that not even water could leak through?]
[Isn't that amount of curses only possible with a Great Formation?]
[You! What sorcery have you used!?]
'Hmm, is it a marvel even to the Ghost Kings of the Grand Tomb Domain?'
Apparently, spewing out as many curse spells as the sea with the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation isn't an easy feat.
It's when numerous Ghost Kings are murmuring around me.
[You, what kind of sorcery is this? Did you not hear me ask?]
One Ghost King looks down at me angrily and shouts.
I look back at him, making eye contact with one of the Ghost Kings at the level of the Heavenly Being stage.
[This is the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation of the Black Ghost Valley.]
[What!?]
Then that Ghost King shouts even more furiously.
[How dare you lie to a respected figure of the sect! Stop talking nonsense! Speak the truth! Have you not utilized a special dharma treasure, or are you connected to some curse-forming formation outside the Grand Tomb Domain!?]
The Ghost King glares at me, his eyes rolling back, and I lift the curse in my hand and say,
[If you doubt it, why don't you take a look? The curse spell created by this junior is indeed the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation.]
[Continuing to lie to the end...]
The Ghost King shivers with rage as he approaches me, and then looks at the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation.
How long has he stared at the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation.
[It can't be...don't lie.]
The Ghost King speaks, his voice trembling.
[The Yin Soul Ghost Incantation...it ends at 108. It was designed to end with 108...!]
Feeling the peculiarity of his tone, I ask.
[How can you so readily judge the limits of a method? I, this disciple, have a slight talent for curses, so I just made a few more curse spells.]
[Are you saying you really modified the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation like that?]
[Not a modification per se...]
[Shut up! Don't make me laugh! What was all the effort of our faction for then? You, continuing to lie to a respected figure of the sect, deserve to be punished without a word!]
The Ghost King suddenly bursts in fury and stretches out a dark ghost claw, grabbing my body forcefully.
I flinch in surprise and try to push him away.
[Wait, elder. You shouldn't touch there!]
[Quiet, you scoundrel. For insulting me and my lineage...]
[No, wait...!]
But he relentlessly scratches off the curse spells covering my body with his ghost claw, and finally, the curses covering my body are peeled off.
"Damn it!"
At the same time, my soul reappears in the Grand Tomb Domain.
And then.
[Ahhhhhhhh!]
[Kyaaaak!]
[Hiiiiaaaak!]
The ghosts begin to go mad again.
[It's a great ghost!]
[We're going to be eaten! Run awayyy!]
[Hiiiiaaaak!]
Dozens, perhaps hundreds of Ghost Kings flee all at once, and the Ghost King who had been tearing apart my curses also loses his mind and begins to rave madly before fleeing.
Crack...
Feeling the veins on my forehead pop, I reach out towards the Ghost King who caused his mess.
Kuarururu!
A wave of black curse spells transform into a giant hand and grab the Ghost King.
[Kyaaaaaaaak!]
Having not kindly transformed the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation into Yin spiritual power, the Ghost King screams in pain.
Yet, even while screaming in pain, his fear of me seems to dilute, and he begins to utter other 'words' that are not ghostly shrieks.
[Kyaaak! Kyak! Hiiyak! O, O, O Great One! Have you evolved the humble secret art of our lineage?]
"Hmm?"
[Ah, the Death God of the Netherworld has lifted the possibilities of our humble secret art, the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation. Words cannot express the joy I feel. Please allow me to repay this grace...]
Listening to him, I can discern what type of Ghost King he is.
[I will serve you. I will devote myself to you. I return (歸依) to thee, my Lord. Please take me in as your servant.]
Intoxicated by the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation I created, he staggers forward with his eyes glazed over, moving his dark ghostly body, clasping his hands together and kneeling down.
[I return to thee...I return to thee...I return to thee...]
"...You..."
I ask the Ghost King with a scoff.
"Could it be...are you the originator of the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation?"
[The Yin Soul Ghost Incantation is the starting point of the curse method developed by our lineage. It is a Qi Building method, created by our ancestor who passed away at the Grand Perfection Qi Building stage. My grandfather received it and then made it into a Core Formation curse method, My father adapted it into a Nascent Soul stage curse method, and in my generation, I finally succeeded in creating a separate Heavenly Being stage curse method...]
Indeed.
He is a ghost soul from a lineage within the Black Ghost Valley that specialized in researching curse methods.
[The Yin Soul Ghost Incantation handles 108 curse spells...the Core Formation method handles 500 curse spells, the Nascent Soul method handles 1080 curse spells, and the Heavenly Being method handles 3000 curse spells. But...I have never heard or seen such a vast number of curse spells that the noble one can handle. Surely it must be a divine technique possible only for a distinguished noble of the Netherworld...]
He bows even deeper to me, shedding icy tears as he pleads.
[Please take in this lowly servant. Allow me to return to thee. I shall serve you...]
"...Hmm..."
Eventually, I decide to accept this Ghost King who earnestly requests to serve me.
"Have you all decided on which Ghost Kings you will serve from now on?"
Excluding myself, the bald tattooed man, the corpse-like man, the woman in mourning clothes, and Heo Nam-kwon all nod with pale faces.
Looking closely, dark energy is embedded within them.
It seems they had all decided to serve at least Ghost Kings of the Heavenly Being stage.
Eub Yeon looks at me, who didn't nod, and asks.
"How about you, Sir Seo?"
I also nod awkwardly.
"Well...I decided for now."
It isn't 'me serving', but rather that I had chosen a Ghost King who will 'serve me'.
Anyway, the decision was made.
Within my Golden Core,
I sense the Ghost King sitting demurely next to my Nascent Soul.
'Hey, Bi Yul (悲潏).'
[Yes, my Lord. Did you call me?]
'Why is it that everyone was causing such a fuss inside the Grand Tomb Domain, but it's quiet inside the shrine?'
[It is because the flesh (肉) that you, my Lord, are wearing conceals your true essence. In the Grand Tomb Domain, the essence of the soul is revealed, so everyone was granted the grace to see my Lord's true essence, but outside the Grand Tomb Domain, one cannot recklessly see the essence.]
The Ghost King who came to serve me is named Bi Yul.
After swearing allegiance to me, he settled in my Golden Core and continuously received the spiritual power of the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation.
While half regaining his senses, Bi Yul swore to wholeheartedly support and assist me.
"Now that it seems everyone has chosen a Ghost King to serve, I will guide you to the Method Repository."
We follow Eub Yeon out of the shrine and move to another space within the Nether Crossing Ship.
After a while, we are able to stand in front of a library marked 'Nether Crossing Repository'.
'Sir Repository Keeper, I am Eub Yeon, the disciple of Entry Hall's Baek Jin. Please allow us entry."
Then a voice comes from inside the repository.
[Eub Yeon and the ten with you may enter.]
It seems that the voice includes even the Ghost Kings within us.
We enter the repository and are able to see the face of the repository keeper.
And, upon seeing him, I'm startled.
'Song Jin?'
He greatly resembles Song Jin, showing his appearance during his lifetime.
"Welcome. I am Song Gil, the Repository Keeper of Black Ghost Valley. In this valley, it is customary for masters to be assigned to disciples below the level of Ghost Soul, and the masters recommend methods to their disciples...However, Yin Soul disciples and onwards are given the opportunity to choose their own methods. Everyone, wander around the repository and choose one method each. You will be given one meal time as the limit."
I pause to look at Song Gil's face, then start walking deeper into the Method Repository.
'He must be Song Jin's brother...'
I consider acknowledging him, but then I decide against it.
After all, Song Jin is doing well in the Ancient Force Realm with Seo Ran, so there's no real need to mention it.
[My Lord, may I recommend a method that would be suitable for you?]
"Hmm?"
I ponder Bi Yul's words for a moment and then nod.
After all, he would know the methods of Black Ghost Valley better.
[Yes, then please follow me to the locations I describe. I will recommend methods that my Lord is likely to favor.]
After a while.
I end up selecting seven volumes of methods recommended by Bi Yul.
The methods are as follows:
Silver Basket Devil Technique (銀籃魔功).
Purple Yang Mad Devilish Art (紫陽狂魔功).
Corpse Devouring Secret Ritual Tome (屍食秘禮本).
Serene Soul True Secrets (安魂眞訣).
Yama Secret Inheritance Will (閻魔秘傳意).
Expending Soul True Devil Method (費魂眞魔功).
Ghost Immortal Kui Devil Secrets (鬼仙奎魔訣).
[Whichever method you choose from these, it will be the most fitting for my Lord. Please enjoy selecting one.]
***
Tststststs!
I accelerate my consciousness, linking Bi Yul through the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon to draw him into my accelerated mental world.
'Explain the methods.'
Bi Yul begins to explain the methods one by one.
[The Silver Basket Devil Technique is an ancient devilish art from the primeval era, its origin so ancient it's untraceable. It is said if mastered, one can even manifest the domain of the Integration stage at the Heavenly Being stage. However, its origins are unknown, and it is said that it is connected to some ancient being...]
'Rejected.'
I interrupt Bi Yul and erase the Silver Basket Devil Technique from my mind.
Connected to an ancient being and origins unknown?
It's highly likely to be connected to True Immortals like the Mount Tai Splitting Emperor Technique or the Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation Method.
The Mount Tai Splitting Emperor Technique is something I intend to obtain not to learn, but to interpret the writings I acquired in the Head Realm, and I have no plans to directly connect with a suspicious entity.
[Yes. Next, the Purple Yang Mad Devilish Art is particularly outstanding in offensive power. It allows for much faster cultivation, speeding up the advancement of cultivation by tens of times, and possesses strong Yang Force, making it a natural predator to Yin-based methods and even reducing the damage from other Yang-based attacks.]
'Hoo...'
This sounds quite appealing.
Especially since there's no mention of sacrificing anyone, and particularly because the cultivation speed is tens of times faster, which is a significant advantage for someone ordinary like me.
[However, there is a very, very minor side effect.]
'What is it?'
[First, the strong emergence of Yang Force in the method causes the skin to turn purple.]
'Hmm...So that's why it's called 'Purple Yang'?'
[Yes, that's correct. And secondly...]
'There's another side effect?'
Changing skin color is not a big deal.
Having purple skin might look bizarre at first, but there are many ways to handle it.
[The Purple Yang Mad Devilish Art stimulates the upper dantian, causing hair loss. The creator added a ritualistic meaning to this; having hair actually weakens the effectiveness of the method. In other words, you become bald.]
"..."
Purple skin and being bald...
Thinking it over, I feel I can endure that far.
[And third...]
'You're saying there's another side effect?'
[Since it is a Yang-cultivating method, it causes an extreme surge of sexual desire due to the extreme Yang nature boiling within the body.]
'...'
I sigh silently.
'If sexual desire boils over, dealing with people like Zhengli could become troublesome...'
With my willpower, I can withstand the lust.
However, if an enemy like Zhengli starts to amplify sexual desires on purpose, it will be difficult to resist.
'It can't be helped. If I can endure it somehow, even if it means castrating myself..'
[The fourth side effect.]
I glance at Bi Yul as he continues with the side effects.
Was this method recommended because it has so many side effects?
[The Purple Yang Mad Devilish Art is...a celibate practice.]
"..."
[If any form of essence (精) is expelled, you will lose all your spiritual power and become crippled.]
In short.
Purple skin and head turning bald regardless of what one does.
With boiling sexual desire, yet if you expel essence, you become crippled because it's a celibate method.
[Thus, it is said that those who practice the Purple Yang Mad Devilish Art gradually turn mad due to unexpelled sexual desire and become Mad Devils (狂魔).]
'...Why would you recommend this to me?'
[Because the noble one is a distinguished being from the Netherworld, and it is impossible for someone of the noble one's stature to be dominated by mere sexual desire!]
I sigh inwardly, unseen by Bi Yul.
If I truly was an incarnation of a Death God from the Netherworld, there'd be nothing to worry about, but I still can't maintain my sanity around Zhengli without castrating myself.
And even if I do castrate myself, since lust and spiritual power are related in the Purple Yang Mad Devilish Art, casually removing parts could lead to a significant loss of spiritual power.
'I reject it.'
[Yes, understood. Next is the Corpse Devouring Secret Ritual Tome.]
Just hearing the title "Corpse Devouring" makes me frown.
'Is this, by chance, a method involving eating corpses?'
[Yes, that is correct.]
'Rejected.'
[Ah, but it's really a powerful devilish art...]
'Enough. Next.'
[Understood. Then, the Serene Soul True Secrets is...an evolved method deriving from the two basic cultivation methods of Black Ghost Valley, the Ghost Guiding True Scripture (鬼導眞經) and the Pacifying Soul Art (安魂功). My Lord is aware that the basis of the Ghost Path includes Consoling the Spirits (慰靈) and Pacifying the Soul (安魂), right?]
'Well...I know that much, but I want to understand your perspective, so explain.'
[It's an honor...! Dealing with ghosts essentially involves a kind of contract. The core basis of controlling ghost souls is the promise to help them move on to the Netherworld. While the Pacifying Soul Art performs rituals to show the ghost souls the way to the Netherworld, the Serene Soul True Secrets go further by offering rituals that comfort the souls' pain and emotions.]
As I listen to the explanation, I realize something.
'Serene Soul True Secrets is...not a devilish art.'
[Yes, it is solely for deeper communion with ghosts...a kind of consciousness method.]
'Hmm...'
I like the fact that it isn't a devilish art.
However, in terms of utility, Serene Soul True Secrets is an inferior substitute for the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon.
It might be slightly better than the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon in terms of 'communion with ghosts', but it's completely inferior in other aspects.
Since controlling ghosts is sufficiently managed with just the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation as it is now, there's no real need for more.
It's a method redundant like a chicken rib, so I feel no need to learn it.
'Rejected.'
[Next is the Yama Hidden Inheritance Will. It's a devilish art that calls upon the power of Yama, one of the Judges and Death Gods of the Netherworld...]
'Rejected'
[Next is the Expending Soul True Devil Method. It absorbs wandering souls into the body, leaving only the minimal soul necessary for sending them back to the Netherworld while consuming the soul essence for tremendous power...]
'Rejected.'
As I reject every method suggested, Bi Yul seems to shrink back, lacking confidence as he reluctantly offers the last recommended devilish art.
[The last is the Ghost Immortal Kui Devillish Secrets. It is a method where one gathers ghostly energy, causing their Nascent Soul to undergo Ghost King Transformation (鬼王化), slowly refining oneself into a Ghostly Being (鬼物).]
As I listen to the details of the Ghost Immortal Kui Devillish Secrets, I frown.
'Isn't Ghost Immortal Kui Devillish Secrets also a method that grows stronger by consuming soul essence?'
[While it does absorb some of the soul essence, unlike the Expending Soul True Devil Method, which consumes the soul essence itself, this method primarily absorbs the death energy accumulated around the soul essence.]
'Hmm...?'
[In other words, since my Lord is already surrounded by the energy of death, there's no need to consume soul essence directly! There is just the very minor side effect of being somewhat more difficult, but for my Lord from the Netherworld, that shouldn't be a concern.]
'Interesting...'
Then, it can be considered more of a regular cultivation method than a devilish art.
I realize that of all the recommended methods, Ghost Immortal Kui Devillish Secrets is the most appealing to me.
'In addition, it's a method that can reach the Four-Axis stage...'
I release the acceleration of my consciousness and pick up the scripture for Ghost Immortal Kui Devillish Secrets that Bi Yul recommended.
I then head to find the Repository Keeper Song Gil and hand him the scripture.
"I will go with this."
"Ghost Immortal Kui Devillish Secrets?"
Song Gil looks puzzled.
"Is there a problem?"
"Ghost Immortal Kui Devillish Secrets...due to its extreme difficulty, it is a method that is discouraged. Certainly, it boasts powerful effects if mastered but...it's not highly recommended."
"That's fine. Please give it to me."
"Well...do as you like. However, once you've chosen Ghost Immortal Kui Devillish Secrets, the method cannot be changed and you'll need to accumulate over 100 points of merit in Black Ghost Valley to re-enter the depository next time. Do you understand?"
"I'll keep that in mind."
After selecting our methods, we leave the library.
Eub Yeon is waiting for us, and once we are all outside, he begins to explain.
"Now that everyone is here, let me explain our sect's merit system."
His explanation continues.
"The merit point system is adopted by many cultivation sects. By completing tasks for the sect, you are awarded merit points, which can be used to access the sect's repository, utilize the features of the Nether Crossing Ship, or seek teachings from the Ghost Kings. Moreover, seniors are required to perform sect tasks at least once every ten years. You can receive assignments for these tasks at the Duty Hall, and I recommend you visit there."
After giving us a few more explanations, Eub Yeon bids us farewell.
[Then, this concludes the orientation to Black Ghost Valley. I hope all the seniors become prominent figures of our sect. Farewell.]
After he finishes speaking, he turns into a stream of black smoke and flies towards the Nether Crossing Ship.
The five of us scatter, each exploring either our cave residences or various parts of the Nether Crossing Ship, and I ask Bi Yul to find the place called the Duty Hall.
'The merit system...'
I recall that the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect had something similar.
However, Jeon Myeong-hoon and I were exempted as the future of the sect.
In the Azure Heaven Creation Sect, merit points weren't a thing. It was purely based on strength. You could gain access to the sect's facilities by wrestling and winning against the librarian, or by defeating seniors in duels.
At the Sea Dragon Palace, I emptied Seo Hweol's vault, so I never felt any inconvenience in training, and I naturally needed nothing when living as a puppet under the Mad Lord.
Thus, experiencing such a system is new to me.
Upon arriving at the Duty Hall, the sounds of ghostly wails fill the air.
Minor spirits are fluttering around muttering something, and upon listening closely, they are all discussing missions.
Sensing the presence of the Bi Yul within me, the minor spirits shiver and tremble as I enter the Duty Hall.
However, they don't flee in complete panic as if they are somehow magically brainwashed.
[My Lord, would you like to take on a mission?]
'I want to see what missions are available.'
[Understood. I will assist to make it easier for my Lord to browse.]
Wriggle, wriggle...
Bi Yul raises his head above my shoulder and shouts loudly within the Duty Hall.
[Come here!!!]
At the commanding ghostly tone of a Heavenly Being stage Ghost King, all the minor spirits that had been roaming around chanting tasks flock towards us.
At this sight, all eyes of the Black Ghost Valley disciples choosing tasks in various parts of the Duty Hall turn towards us.
"What's with that guy?"
"The ghostly cry just now...a Heavenly Being stage Ghost King?"
"He commands a Heavenly Being level Ghost King? Could he be a Black Grand Elder?"
"That can't be. He must be a new Yin Soul disciple. New Yin Soul disciples have to serve a Ghost King for about half a year before they earn their own ghosts or guardians. It's just a phase."
"It seems that the Ghost King he's serving is quite benevolent. Taking the effort to gather spirits for his junior..."
Though they notice Bi Yul and don't say anything outright, I can see the intent behind their glances.
Everyone seems to look down on me.
'Hmm, it seems everyone here harbors at least a Nascent Soul stage Ghost King within them.'
It's evident that, unlike me who had 'brought over' a Ghost King by begging at the shrine, they had nurtured their own Ghost Kings with strong bonds.
'Those must be ghost path companions...ghost persons.'
The primary souls that the disciples of Black Ghost Valley typically command are called ghost path companions or ghost persons. These are spirits that grow alongside the disciples, aiding their cultivation in the Ghost Path Method.
I observe them briefly behind the Black Devil Mask before no longer paying them any mind and listening to the spirits instead.
[Deliver a letter to a Heavenly Being cultivator on Heavenly Human Island...5 merit points...]
[Go hunting on Jabu Island and collect Demon Cores...15 merit points.]
[Establish a Black Ghost Valley branch among the Heaven Tribe. Exemption from mandatory tasks for a thousand years, 60,000 merit points...]
I browse through the missions.
'The higher the difficulty of the mission, the greater the reward.'
The mission with the highest merit points involves going to one of the Heaven Tribes, the Celestial Wing Race, incorporating them, and establishing a branch of the Black Ghost Valley composed of them.
It exempts the mandatory tasks every ten years for a thousand years and offers 60,000 merit points.
'In other words, it's a mission that requires at least a thousand years of hardship.'
I have no interest in struggling with local forces in the territory of the Celestial Wing Race, so I immediately lose interest and look at other missions.
Meanwhile, a ghost mutters something that catches my attention.
[The Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect is looking for a curse sorcerer to assist with a task...400 merit points...]
"Hoo..."
Given the substantial merit points and it being an area of my expertise, I reach out to the spirit repeating that task.
'Seo Li is adapting well to Black Ghost Valley.'
Once he gets a bit more accustomed, I plan to use him to look for Kang Min-hee.
'Well then, maybe it's time I make a move too.'
Swoosh...
I use the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts to slip out of Heavenly Cauldron Mountain unnoticed by the other Grand Cultivators.
A few days later.
I arrive at the entrance to the True Devil Realm.
'In the current Human-Devil Great War, the human forces are being pushed back by the True Devil Realm's Grand Cultivators.'
However, the humans are preparing a garbage plan known as the Realm Annihilation Heavenly Void Formation.
A move intended to inflict maximum damage on the Devil Realm before retreating.
'I can't let that happen.'
The reason for preparing such a trashy plan like the Realm Annihilation Heavenly Void Formation is simple.
'They must think they have a way out.'
Even if they inflict tremendous damage on the True Devil Realm, they think it's fine as long as they can escape to the Bright Cold Realm.
There is only one way to deal with this.
'I'll make sure they can't return.'
I pull out Seo Hweol's face from my storage scroll and cover my own with it. Then, I release the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts right in front of the entrance to the True Devil Realm.
'I'll close the entrance to the True Devil Realm.'
I won't close it completely.
I plan to make it so that with enough force, they can reopen it from the other side.
Closing the entrance to the True Devil Realm means they can't activate plans like the Realm Annihilation Heavenly Void Formation because there's no retreat.
Moreover, the Black Dragon King Hyeon Eum would not be able to enter the True Devil Realm through this entrance to threaten Oh Hyun-seok, nor will Azure Tiger Saint be able to cross over.
Furthermore, by causing trouble while wearing Seo Hweol's face, I can instill profound hostility in the Human Race towards Seo Hweol.
Lastly...if news of Seo Hweol's survival reaches Gyu-ryeon's ears, her anger towards me will also significantly decrease.
It's a strategy that kills five birds with one stone.
Take that, Seo Hweol.
"Who goes there!"
The Four-Axis stage cultivators guarding the entrance to the True Devil Realm ask warily as they suddenly notice me.
Covering myself with the aura of an immortal beast, I disguise myself as if I am a member of the Demon Race.
In this state, I mimic Seo Hweol's calm and relaxed voice.
"My name is Seo Hweol."
Kuguguguk!
A white mist-like power along with demonic power envelops my hand, forming the shape of a dragon claw.
"I am the Grand Prince of the Sea Dragon Race."
The entrance to the True Devil Realm trembles as if it will shatter.
Translator Notes: I'm not really too sure what the Kui means in Ghost Immortal Kui Devilish Secrets. Kui can be referring to one of the 28 lunar mansions in Chinese astronomy, however, 奎 (Kui) is a character composed from the component 大 (dà, meaning "big"). It's been used to describe being in tight spaces and interestingly, 大 kind of looks like a person spreading out their limbs. So, the Kui might be referring to the soul that's confined in the physical body becoming free by transforming into a ghost or something of that sort.
***
Kurung, Kurrurung!
"Damn it, how can the Earth Tribe have such a force?!"
"You, do you think you can get away with this!? Aren't you afraid of the Heaven Tribe's bounty!?"
"A bounty from the Heaven Tribe... Sorry, but this was authorized by the Black Dragon King."
I say with a smirk.
"As the Black Dragon King has entered the True Devil Realm, the entrance to the True Devil Realm must first be cleared for the true plan our Dragon Race has been preparing to begin."
Kwaang!
The dragon claw swings around.
At the same time, the cultivators at the Four-Axis stage guarding the entrance to the True Devil Realm rush at me, spitting blood yet fiercely charging towards me.
'This guy is using poison alone.'
I smile as I scatter my own poison and let the Four-Axis stage cultivator who is trying to inject me with his poison rush toward me.
Kwaang!
Our fists collide, and I intentionally create an opening for his poison to seep into me.
Even though the poison weakens my strength, I am still capable enough to handle two of them.
I quickly press them, bursting one of their bodies.
Kwaang!
He dies on the spot, and I make sure his soul can't be resurrected by seizing it as it tries to pass through the soul's pathway.
Then, as I am about to deliver the final blow to the one skilled in poison arts.
"Kugk! Argh..."
I pretend to have a poison attack, faking a mistake and letting their souls escape.
I killed both bodies, but I allowed resurrection.
I act desperate and shout.
"Damn it! No! If I let a witness escape...!"
Paaaatt!
The souls of the cultivators fly away through the Soul plane somewhere, and I stop and grin.
'With this, even the Heaven Tribe will be confused, right?'
Not all members of the Heaven Tribe are fools. They wouldn't just believe someone who openly shows their face and plots something.
It's more likely they would think someone is framing Seo Hweol by impersonating him.
But by removing the witnesses and destroying the evidence, the Heaven Tribe can't completely dismiss the possibility that it was really Seo Hweol.
'The Human Race side will probably strongly protest against the Earth Tribe soon, and put out a bounty on Seo Hweol.'
Then, Gyu-ryeon would notice.
That Seo Hweol isn't just dead.
If she learns that I spoke today about a relationship with the Black Dragon King using Seo Hweol's face, there's a good chance she will hold onto hope.
'Considering Seo Hweol's cunning, there's a real chance he isn't dead, so it's not entirely a lie.'
Recalling the fifteenth cycle when Seo Hweol had Yuan Yu monitor me from start to finish, I suddenly get goosebumps.
After the cultivators at the Four-Axis stage died, those who had been guarding the entrance of the True Devil Realm at or below the stage of Heavenly Being had already fled.
I swing the dragon claw comfortably, collapsing the entrance to the True Devil Realm as much as possible with the power of both immortal beasts and demon beasts.
It isn't completely closed. If the Human Race inside the True Devil Realm keeps banging on the dimensional gate without paying attention to the Realm Annihilation Heavenly Void Formation, it will be enough to open it.
The Grand Cultivators of the True Devil Realm won't recklessly destroy the Human Race just because their retreat is blocked.
'The Devil Race thinks of the Human Race as a group of madmen...'
Having once sided with the Devil Race, I know how the Devil Race views the Human Race, so I can guess what the True Devil Realm would do.
'Rather than provoking them while they're cornered, they'll just blockade them and gradually tighten the encirclement.'
I grin and turn back towards the direction of Heavenly Cauldron Mountain.
'I'll ask Hong Fan to detoxify the poison and further stabilize my state at the Grand Perfection Heavenly Being stage...'
Just as I am pondering my next moves.
Bo-oong!
My transmission talisman sounds.
Jeon Myeong-hoon is contacting me.
"What's the matter, Jeon Myeong-hoon."
―While rummaging through the ruins of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, I found something.
"What is it?"
―It's a record made by the Supreme Sect Master after fighting Jin Wei.
'A record after Jin Byuk-ho fought Yeon Wei?'
"What about that record?"
―The record mentions that...after Jin Wei was defeated, she spoke to the Supreme Sect master about the 'True Orthodox Axis', and to uncover it, the Supreme Sect Master dispatched some disciples of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect to the Nether Ghost Realm.
Jeon Myeong-hoon's subsequent words inevitably startle me.
―And, I found out that the Supreme Sect Master had created a transmission dharma treasure to communicate with the disciples he sent to the Nether Ghost Realm. Upon checking the dharma treasure...there was a signal just three days ago!
"That means...!"
―Some of the disciples of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect who were presumed lost in the Nether Ghost Realm...they are still alive!
He exclaims with exhilaration in his voice.
There weren't many disciples sent to the Nether Ghost Realm.
Maybe four or five at most?
But it seems that to Jeon Myeong-hoon, these disciples represent more than just numbers.
'Such a strong reaction for just four or five disciples.'
I'm more interested in the information about the True Orthodox Axis the disciples discovered than them themselves.
'With that, I can get closer to Seo Hweol's secrets and surpass him...!'
Furthermore, the True Orthodox Axis will undoubtedly be much stronger than the usual Orthodox or Heterodox Axes, potentially raising my power significantly.
'Hmm, wait...What's this? Something feels off.'
While I'm pondering this, I suddenly feel a sense of unease.
"Hmm..."
'I,' having applied for a mission to support the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect from the Duty Hall, entered my cave residence and frowned.
'Something feels off about the main body.'
In Earth terms, it feels somewhat psychopathic.
The actions like unhesitatingly taking on Seo Hweol's appearance, trying to control Gyu-ryeon's actions from afar, or strangely failing to empathize with Jeon Myeong-hoon's words.
It feels like something is suddenly missing.
'Did Seo Hweol, that snake, do something?'
Whenever something happens, the suspects are always Seo Hweol or a True Immortal.
'A strange feeling.'
Currently, the main body and I share thoughts.
So if 'I' feel something odd, the main body is aware of it.
However, strangely, when turning my consciousness back to the original body, no anomaly is felt.
'On the contrary, the main body thinks that worrying about this in Seo Li's body is unnecessary.'
I remember the time Seo Hweol brainwashed me as soon as we met.
'Perhaps, the brainwashing I noticed then was just a diversion, and the 'real' brainwashing was successfully done without me knowing?'
Yet, when I shift my consciousness to the original, it dismisses it as too far-fetched a speculation.
'...It's unsettling.'
I decide to practice the Ghost Immortal Kui Devilish Secrets, collecting merits in Black Ghost Valley to obtain the valley's consciousness methods.
Maybe by gathering and learning these consciousness methods, I can determine whether there's something wrong with the main body or if I'm just being paranoid.
"Huuu..."
After repeatedly exhaling and inhaling spiritual energy, I gradually feel black energy enveloping my body.
After a while.
Black energy gathers around me, forming six swords.
The training method of the Ghost Immortal Kui Devilish Secrets is as follows:
First, accumulate Yin energy, then indirectly manipulate ghostly energy with Yin energy to form swords made of ghostly energy.
Pukkak, Pukkak, Pukkak!
The swords begin to embed themselves throughout my body.
Second, embed the swords made of ghostly energy into the spiritual veins throughout the body, severing the spiritual veins piece by piece.
During this process, the severed spiritual veins must not be regenerated even partially.
Third, as the spiritual veins gradually sever, the body enters a near-death state, and in this death-like state, it becomes aware of 'death.'
Fourth, repeat this process until familiar with the 'sense of death,' and once accustomed, use invocations (呪言) to draw 'power' while in the near-death state.
Fifth, after accumulating some 'power,' use that 'power' to absorb 'power' from the souls of other spiritual entities to practice the method...
'The fifth step isn't really necessary.'
In the Ghost Immortal Kui Devilish Secrets, the 'power' spoken of is essentially 'death.'
And for me, there is no need to extract death from other spirits. Simply drawing it from the main body is sufficient.
Wo-woong!
Puk, puk, puk, puk!
Having driven the swords of ghostly energy into Yuan Yu's body, I sever the flow of life force.
Then, I sink into that familiar feeling.
The endlessly familiar death.
The darkness, it's so naturally grasped in my hand.
'What's this?'
How many people are consciously aware that they are 'breathing' while they are breathing?
Probably not many.
At most, people might become aware of their breath when they breathe in the air in a very clear area or gasp for breath after strenuous exercise.
To that extent, 'breathing' is a natural thing.
And like 'breathing,' I realize I am naturally enveloped in 'death.'
Rendering the physical body inanimate, submerging the consciousness, and then, through invocations, separate the death wrapped around the soul and merge it with the Nascent Soul.
'Is this...the end?'
I'm perplexed by the overly simple process.
"What's this? Wasn't it supposed to be extremely difficult?"
I ask Bi Yul, feeling doubtful.
Bi Yul, who had described becoming a purple, lust-crazed, bald monster as 'a very, very minor side effect,' had mentioned that the Ghost Immortal Kui Devilish Secrets had 'a bit of difficulty.'
Naturally, the Ghost Immortal Kui Devilish Secrets should have been more than just 'a bit' difficult.
'Maybe the latter half of the Ghost Immortal Kui Devilish Secrets suddenly becomes more difficult?'
I examine the latter stages of the Ghost Immortal Kui Devilish Secrets.
I look for something more challenging, but nothing of the sort appears.
Each step seems as ordinary and peaceful as breathing.
'Could there be some hidden secrets I'm not aware of?'
"Bi Yul, are there any hidden secrets that appear once one has mastered the Ghost Immortal Kui Devilish Secrets?"
[Hm? If there was such a thing, it would have been discovered long ago. Hehe, there was a past figure who achieved great success with the Ghost Immortal Kui Devilish Secrets and even rose to the rank of Black Grand Elder.]
"Wasn't it supposed to be extremely difficult? I'm asking because it seems to all be ordinary cultivation methods."
Bi Yul responds with a puzzled tone.
[What? Which part seems like ordinary cultivation methods? Every step involves skewering the body with swords, sustaining it with ghost fire, and rotting the entire body. It's incredibly difficult. Ordinary disciples go mad from the pain when they start learning the Ghost Immortal Kui Devilish Secrets. That's why mental cultivation must also be practiced alongside it.]
"Hmm..."
'That's considered incredible difficulty? We do this every day in the Azure Heaven Creation Sect.'
Although there is a slight difference in perspective between myself and the main body, even the main body finds it incomprehensible this time.
'So weak.'
[The first, second, and third steps are problematic, but the real issue starts from the fourth step. The fifth step is comparatively easier. It's not easy for someone who has lived a lifetime as a living being to suddenly feel the 'power' of death. No matter how close one comes to a near-death state, it's nearly impossible to handle 'death' because they've never truly experienced 'death.']
Bi Yul continues to explain.
[That's why, even if one repeats steps one, two, and three numerous times, those without talent cannot advance to the fourth step. To move on to the fourth step, one must go through the process of dying and resurrecting several times, getting infinitely closer to death. Many spend their entire lives unable to surpass the fourth step of the Ghost Immortal Kui Devilish Secrets. Instead, more people properly train in the Ghost Immortal Kui Devilish Secrets only after they've died and become a Ghost King.]
"Hmm..."
I furrow my brow, momentarily failing to understand his explanation.
"Isn't the fourth stage about handling the power of death and merging the Nascent Soul with death to become a Ghost King?"
[Yes.]
"And that's difficult?"
[Yes.]
"..."
I'm bewildered, not realizing the steps I breezed through are considered so challenging.
'Is this right?'
Literally, it felt like moving something that was always by my side.
'Rather, it felt refreshing, and others find this difficult?'
I can't believe I had passed through the difficult stages of the Ghost Immortal Kui Devilish Secrets so easily.
'Could this also be Seo Hweol's trickery?'
In fact, given my talent akin to that of a slow-moving grub, it seems more credible that Seo Hweol secretly helped me learn the method quickly, rather than my own swift mastery.
Somewhat confused for a while, I continue to manipulate death according to the intricacies of the Ghost Immortal Kui Devilish Secrets, gradually transforming my Nascent Soul.
Tssssst―
As my Nascent Soul begins to turn pitch black, my eyes slowly start to slit and my whole body becomes enveloped in black smoke and ghost fire.
After a while, I open my eyes and realize that my Nascent Soul within my Golden Core had transformed into something resembling a small Ghost King.
"Hey, Bi Yul."
[Yes, my Lord.]
Could it be...have I fully mastered the Ghost Immortal Kui Devilish Secrets?"
[Congratulations, my Lord. Indeed, it was a method far too insufficient for a great being like yourself to master. Please forgive me for offering such an inadequate method...]
"..."
'How long has it been since I received the Ghost Immortal Kui Devilish Secrets?'
Even if I add up all the time since I received the Ghost Immortal Kui Devilish Secrets, took on a mission at the Duty Hall, and returned to the cave residence to begin learning the method, it's only been about an hour.
'Have I mastered a method I just received within an hour? Me?'
Of course, the time spent learning the method was short, and I felt a significant lack of power and many areas that needed further development.
Although the time I spent learning the method was short and I still feel significantly lacking in power and have much to fill in, I can tell.
I realized the essence of the Ghost Immortal Kui Devilish Secrets, and I can feel that practicing it in this state will allow me to accumulate spiritual power at an incredibly fast rate.
About a day after I realized I mastered the Ghost Immortal Kui Devilish Secrets,
I receive a notification that the mission I applied for at the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect has been accepted, and I am informed of the location where I should gather for the mission.
Shortly thereafter, I board a teleportation array head to the location of the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect outside of the Black Ghost Valley.
Paaaatt!
Upon opening my eyes, what appears is a gigantic black palace, as large as a mountain range and resembling a dragon.
The layout of the palace is constructed as if a dragon is writhing, and the words 'Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect' are written on the main gate.
Outside the gate, there are hundreds of cultivators already present, each of them seemingly harboring a curse.
[Be cautious, my Lord.]
"Hm? What is it?"
[Over there, remnants of the Yin Soul Ghost Sect can be seen. They will likely attempt to curse my Lord in some way once they know you're affiliated with the Black Ghost Valley.]
I look in the direction Bi Yul indicated.
There, I see individuals emitting a unique energy mixed with ghostly and corpse energy.
"But should these 'remnants' be roaming around so openly?"
[It's likely because the Yin Soul Ghost Sect specializes in puppetry, including curse dolls and corpse dolls. Those you see are probably not their real bodies but curse dolls or corpse dolls.]
I look at them with interest.
"These guys are practicing the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation."
[...Yes, indeed.]
Bi Uul continues.
[I'm ashamed to admit, but in fact, the curse lineage of Black Ghost Valley is heavily involved in the Yin Soul Ghost Sect. The methods for creating jiangshi and curse dolls complement each other.]
"I see...I think I understand the feeling."
I am familiar with using curse dolls as I often used Yuan Yu as one myself.
Curse dolls that 'regenerate and do not die' are incredibly durable and boast immense utility because they never break down no matter how often used.
It seems likely that they too are using jiangshi in a similar manner, utilizing them as curse dolls.
"By the way, Bi Yul. Do you know anything about the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect? For instance, why they would suddenly need curse methods..."
[I apologize, my Lord. This is also new to me... Originally, the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect had nothing to do with curse techniques. However...]
"However?"
[The Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect occasionally issues missions or puts out bounties that seem unrelated to them. Usually, these are highly likely related to the Earth Tribe. The Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect conducts missions on behalf of the Earth Tribe's orders.]
"The Earth Tribe..."
I ponder deeply on why the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect would gather curse sorcerers.
In a dark secret room.
Within the room, a water mirror made of black liquid floats in the air.
In front of the water mirror, two figures sit cross-legged.
Wo-woong―
One figure touches the water mirror and murmurs something.
Shortly after, the water mirror ripples, and a man dressed in black clothes emerges above it.
[Greetings, Ark Controlling Envoy. As you have instructed, I have gathered curse sorcerers. However, poison cultivators are not easily found. Please understand.]
"Alright. I understand. There are a lot of poison cultivators in our Earth Tribe..."
Gyu-ryeon, the Earth Tribe's True Dragon Alliance's Ark Controlling Envoy, nods.
"Since we were unable to secure any poison cultivators, we must make sure to gather more curse sorcerers."
[I will keep that in mind. Now, I kindly ask you to start the transmission.]
"Here it is."
Gyu-ryeon takes out a piece of paper from her clothing and throws it into the water mirror.
The paper depicts a man dressed in white.
"The new Grand Cultivator of the Human Race... Use as many curse sorcerers as possible to cast curses on him."
Her eyes slit vertically.
"I, too, will secure outstanding poison cultivators to prepare a lethal poison..."
Grinding her teeth, she glares fiercely at the figure inside the paper.
Seo Eun-hyun is her target.
'Gathering information, this Seo Eun-hyun bastard is someone I absolutely cannot defeat with my power alone.'
But there are countless ways for the weak to challenge the strong, among which curses and poison are the most notorious.
'As for poison, there are none who can match the Insect Race, so I should also make contact with them. Use the curse sorcerers to cast a curse on him, hire poison cultivators to manufacture extreme lethal poison, then lure him into a trap and deploy it. If all goes as planned...I might have a chance at my revenge!'
Gyu-ryeon terminates the communication with the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect and steps out of the dark secret room, muttering with a venomous expression.
"Wait for me, my enemy...! I will definitely repay this grudge! Whatever it takes!"
How long have I been waiting in front of the main gate of the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect?
When the number of curse sorcerers gathered in front of the gate exceeds ten thousand, a deep roar resonates.
Wo-woong!
The main gate of the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect opens.
Inside the opened gate, a boy dressed in a black robe waits for us with a neat and composed appearance.
"I extend my deepest thanks to the many of you who have gathered here at the request of our sect. As those who know may know, we have previously sought out specialists in certain fields several times before."
The boy continues his explanation.
"In fact, what we are looking for at the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect are about ten curse sorcerers of first-rate skill or above. In other words...unfortunately, the vast majority of you who have gathered here will need to return home."
At those words, voices of dissatisfaction can be heard from various places.
"Hey, what do you mean by that!?"
"Don't talk nonsense!"
"I gave up a better mission to come here!"
I watch indifferently, arms crossed, observing how things will unfold.
The boy smiles slightly, ignoring the clamor of the curse sorcerers, and raises one finger.
"Those who know may know... Now, let us begin the test to see if you meet the level of curse sorcerer we require."
Kugugugu!
At that moment, the silhouette of a gigantic monster appears behind the boy.
'...!'
This monster harbors powerful demonic power and also possesses a bizarre corpse energy.
And I feel a strong sense of déjà vu from this monster.
"This creature's name is Bi (泌). As those who know may know, it is created by capturing fragments of Vestiges (尸/Shi) from the Interdimensional Void and fusing them with the corpses of creatures from the Bright Cold Realm. They are very ferocious and difficult to kill. Moreover, because we have specially modified them, these creatures absorb curses to further enhance their physical power."
As the boy speaks, he soars into the air.
Wo-woong!
The monster named Bi, supports its upper body on the ground.
The ground trembles, and a tingling sense of crisis surges through the air.
"From now on, only those who can pass through the main gate of the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect without being touched by Bi will be considered for further tasks. I wish you all good luck."
The boy then disappears inside the gate, and Bi, remaining in motion, completely blocks the main gate of the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect with its massive body.
"Damn it! Is a major sect supposed to be this outrageous? I heard that if I just came, they would give me a mission!"
"They really are going too far. How much did I spend just to get here!"
"Tch, eat well and live well!"
About a hundred curse sorcerers of dubious skill swiftly exit the venue.
Those who remain seem to be somewhat confident about curses.
'All of their skills seem ambiguous.'
I click my tongue and look around.
Everyone seems to possess some confidence, but it appears that most of them extemporaneously dived into curses and harbor vain hopes.
These people will likely be filtered out at this gateway.
'There's no real need to observe something like this.'
I walk towards Bi silently.
As I approach the gate, Bi bares its teeth and growls.
'Vestiges (尸)...'
The monsters I had seen in the Interdimensional Void.
These creatures are apparently called Vestiges.
Bi raises its front paw to strike me.
I walk on without care, hands clasped behind my back, lost in thought.
Wo-woong!
Its paw rushes forward.
But in the next moment, the dark curse spells I am wearing completely melt its paw.
The creature screams and twists its body, while I calmly continue to dissolve Bi's body and advance.
At the same time, I analyze the energy I feel from the creature.
'It certainly resembles those from the Interdimensional Void.'
I ask Bi Yul
"Do you know what Vestiges are?"
[Yes, my Lord.]
"Tell me about it."
[Understood. Vestiges are shells.]
His explanation continues.
[Vestiges are the shells the Entering Nirvana True Persons (眞人), the Quasi-Immortals (准仙) must shed when undergoing Ascending Metamorphosis (羽化) into True Immortals. These husks are mostly discarded in the Interdimensional Void, surviving for millions of years, attacking those who traverse the void, and over time, they break down, weaken, and eventually turn to dust that is expelled into the Astral Realm where they nourish the births of new stars.]
"Hoo..."
Monsters of the Interdimensional Void.
That these Vestiges are actually the discarded remnants of Entering Nirvana cultivators undergoing Ascending Metamorphosis into True Immortals is intriguing.
It's a new fact.
'From the Integration stage, a small world (小世界) begins to form within the body, and by the Entering Nirvana stage, even the discarded husks become powerful enough to be considered small worlds...?'
"If these are the shells left behind during Ascending Metamorphosis..."
The Dao on Earth and the Dao of this world are distinctly different.
Yet, there were many similarities, and Ascending Metamorphosis is one of them.
"So, the physical bodies that the Entering Nirvana cultivators have been training up to Ascending Metamorphosis turn out to be these shells. Is that right?"
[Correct. One can say they are essentially the remains of the bodies of those Entering Nirvana True Persons.]
"Hoo..."
As I listen to the explanation about Vestiges, I finally succeed in breaking through Bi's body to the other side.
Ssshh!
Despite walking rather slowly, it seems I am the first to arrive.
Behind me, other curse sorcerers are screaming and trying to pierce through Bi with various curses, but it seems futile.
The path I had made through Bi writhed and regenerated in an instant.
"Hello, Sir. Please tell me your name and the sect you belong to."
The boy who had summoned Bi approaches me with a smiling face and asks.
"Seo Li. I am from the Black Ghost Valley."
"Understood."
The boy records my name and moves on to the next curse sorcerers arriving, asking for their names and affiliations.
'Hmm, that boy...'
I notice something peculiar in the boy's eyes.
'A practitioner of Heaven and Earth Dual Cultivation.'
Within his small stature, I can feel the powerful life force of the Earth Tribe and the strength of the Heaven Tribe.
Strangely, the boy's power is such that the forces of the Heaven Tribe and Earth Tribe conceal each other, making it difficult to accurately read his level.
With my experience having attained the Three Great Ultimates, I immediately recognized that the boy is at the Grand Perfection Nascent Soul stage.
However, those who have practiced only one of the Heaven and Earth methods might not recognize the level of this formidable character.
How long have I been observing the boy?
Soon, three thousand curse sorcerers managed to get through Bi and gathered in the square beyond the main gate of the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect.
The boy waits a moment, then once the commotion behind Bi completely ceases, he speaks.
"It seems the others have given up. Well, as those who know may know, there is a minimal reward for those who have passed through the main gate. However, to take on the main task, we need to further filter out candidates through several tests. Please understand."
Then, a series of tests to examine the curses of the curse sorcerers ensue.
I am the first to break through in each test, surveying the surroundings.
'The curses used by the curse sorcerers in the tests seem to be flowing somewhere...'
The Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect seems to be accumulating the curses somewhere.
'If they condense the curses of all these capable individuals, a truly terrifying curse might be born...'
It's akin to Gu Poison.
Gathering curses and confining them in one place to create a malicious curse.
'What exactly are they planning to do with such a curse?'
As I ponder this, only the stated ten individuals remain, with everyone else having been eliminated.
"Then, we have three curse sorcerers from Black Ghost Valley, four from the former Yin Soul Ghost Sect, one curse sorcerer from the Radiant Light Sect, one from the Desolate Ghost Sect, and one loose curse sorcerer. All ten of you have gathered here. As some of you may know, our Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect values capable individuals. Even if this mission fails, we want to maintain a good relationship with those who have gathered here and will provide an advance payment."
The boy hands each of the ten of us a storage scroll.
"Ha, haah! To receive such compensation in addition to the promised merit...!"
"Typical of the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect..."
I too am impressed by the generosity of the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect.
'I know they made a huge commission mediating trade between the Human Race and Earth Tribes, but the amount is enormous...'
I marvel at the spiritual stones contained in the storage scroll.
Even I, who is generally indifferent to wealth, am taken aback by the amount.
"Ahem, then please explain the mission."
A curse sorcerer from Black Ghost Valley at the Heavenly Being stage clears his throat and requests.
"Yes, I will explain. As those present may have noticed...we are indeed collecting the curses of curse sorcerers. Like a Gu jar, we intend to confine and create a monstrous curse. We are currently enhancing and amplifying the curse through the sect's grand formation."
A sinister looking man, apparently a curse sorcerer from the Yin Soul Ghost Sect, licks his lips as he speaks.
"Since the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect isn't exactly overflowing with curse sorcerers...are you asking us to handle that curse?"
"That's correct. After helping us amplify and strengthen that curse, you will then launch it towards coordinates we will provide later."
"Well, it should be easy if it's just that much. Handling such a powerful curse might even help open our eyes to new possibilities, which would be beneficial for us too...I hope this takes as long as possible."
The cultivator from the Yin Soul Ghost Sect strokes his chin and nods in satisfaction.
Then, the Heavenly Being curse sorcerer from Black Ghost Valley sneers at the remnants of the Yin Soul Ghost Sect.
"That's right. The longer, the better. We're quiet now because of the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect's reputation, but as soon as the mission is over, you'll be transported into our custody."
The remnants of the Yin Soul Ghost Sect scoff back.
"Stupid fools. This is a cursed puppet made from jiangshi, you idiots. Try catching a cursed puppet all you want. Do you think you can easily eradicate us? Huhuhuh..."
"The cowards who only run away and get thrashed in a proper fight are talking big now."
"It's not you we fear but the Nether Crossing Ship. Without it, you're nothing..."
"Heh, if it bothers you so much, why don't you bring your own sacred artifact? Pathetic excuses for losing your own, really."
Sparks seem to fly between the remnants of the Yin Soul Ghost Sect and the Elders of Black Ghost Valley.
At this, the boy from the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect steps in to mediate.
"It's all well and good, but I'd appreciate if personal discussions can wait until after the mission is over."
At his words, both groups glance at each other briefly before turning away.
"Then, the official mission will start tomorrow, so for today, please rest and recover from your journey at the accommodations we have provided."
The boy leads us to the accommodations provided by the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect.
We also receive permission to tour some parts of the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect that are not strategically sensitive.
Curious about this, I explore various parts of the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect.
"The Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect is quite large..."
"It's a sect with a long history, after all."
A clone of the boy accompanying me smiles and speaks.
The boy created a clone using the Four Symbols Nascent Soul technique to guide me through the less sensitive areas of the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect.
While I walk around the grounds of the sect with him, we arrive at the outskirts.
There, near the outskirts, I discover an enormously vast valley.
'Hm?'
Interestingly, the valley is rich in Heaven and Earth spiritual energy, and the slope isn't too steep, making it not too difficult to build structures there.
Yet, there are no buildings of the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect, nor any signs of human activity.
In front of the valley, there's an image of a 'Flood Dragon,' which is the symbol of the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect.
"Why is this valley left so empty? The spiritual energy is dense, and it seems fine for construction..."
At my words, the boy gives a wry smile and explains.
"It's a legend that those who know may know...In fact, the original site of the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect was where this valley now lies. Initially, it wasn't a valley but a mountain range."
"Is there a story behind it?"
"Yes, it's related to the founding of our sect...Our sect's symbol is the [Flood Dragon]. However, our symbol was different when founded"
"A different symbol?"
"Yes, it was a [Black Snake biting its tail]. Since our founder is the Black Dragon King, it was presumptuous to use the dragon as a symbol directly. It was also problematic to use a symbol too unrelated to him. So, if he is a dragon, we would follow him as a serpent, and thus the [Black Snake] was adopted as the sect's symbol."
The boy continues explaining,
"However, the issue arose after the Black Dragon King attended the founding ceremony of our sect. He saw the symbol of the [Black Snake] and became violently enraged, scolding us for choosing such an ominous and grim symbol."
'The Black Dragon King was enraged?'
He is most likely the leftover of a True Immortal.
In my past life, he showed a demeanor of fearing nothing even in the Middle Realm, and indeed he behaved as so.
But what could be the reason for such anger to use the phrase 'violently enraged'?
"Eventually, the Black Dragon King demolished the sect's old hall along with the mountain range, creating the valley. He then forbade the use of any grim and terrible symbols like the [Black Snake] ever again and personally crafted the symbol of the 'Flood Dragon' before leaving. Since then, the [Black Snake] has become a taboo along with the old site."
"Hmm...I see."
I finally understand the words of the demon beast methods merchant when I bought the serpent race method for Hong Fan.
The Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect considers the Black Snake to be ominous, and serpent race methods are always sold off cheaply by the merchant.
It seems likely related to the Black Dragon King Hyeon Eum.
'The Black Dragon King saw Yeon's Yeon and was furious, asking if an Entering Nirvana entity interfered... Does that mean the symbol of the Black Snake is also related to an Entering Nirvana True Person?'
It seems right to think so.
'Or maybe it's not about Entering Nirvana entities... In the worst case, it might be related to True Immortals...'
I assume the worst-case scenario and concentrate my consciousness back to the main body.
"How is it, Hong Fan. Have you felt any issues while practicing demon beast methods recently?"
"What kind of issues do you mean?"
As Hong Fan had just arrived and we were talking, I directly asked him.
"For instance...feeling as if someone is watching, or suddenly not feeling like yourself...feeling some kind of 'call'...or something growing inside you, any of that?"
At that, Hong Fan laughs heartily and says,
"Not at all. I haven't felt any problems, Master."
"Hmm, is that so?"
If Hong Fan felt no issues, then the likelihood of the being related to the Black Snake being a True Immortal seems reduced.
'It seems more likely related to an Entering Nirvana entity than a True Immortal.'
"Alright, there's no discomfort, right?"
"Yes, none. However..."
"However?"
"I feel a bit stagnant in my poison arts recently."
"Is there something you need?"
"I've already found what I need. I went to the underground information exchange and successfully located the source of the necessary poison I require."
Watching Hong Fan continue to grow independently, I smile contentedly and say,
"If you need spirit stones, just ask. I'll provide as much as you need."
"I thank Master for his kindness with my heart, but I am fine. The owner of the poison I need has issued a task related to the manufacture of a highly potent poison...Once I complete this task, he has promised to give me the poison I want. To make the poison he desires, it seems I have to go deep into the territory of the Earth Tribe's True Dragon Alliance."
Hong Fan asks me cautiously as he looks at me.
"Would it be alright if I went as far as the Earth Tribe territory? If you do not permit it, I will not go."
"Why wouldn't it be? If it helps your growth, go ahead."
"Thank you."
Hong Fan's rescue of me from the dream induced by the Owner of Salt Mountain using Formless Poison left a deep impression on me.
His growth will ultimately benefit me as well, so it's a good thing.
"By the way, what kind of poison does the person from the Earth Tribe want from you?"
"It seems to be a type of scattering-cultivation poison. The client seems to want a poison that can bring down even an Integration stage Grand Cultivator...but it will depend on the quality of materials they provide."
"Hoh, it seems they're planning something big."
A poison that can affect an Integration stage Grand Cultivator sounds terrifying just to think about.
After encouraging Hong Fan, I send him on his way.
Soon after Hong Fan leaves, Jeon Myeong-hoon enters my cave residence.
"So, you had something to discuss?"
Jeon Myeong-hoon smirks and gets straight to the point.
"I plan to go to the Nether Ghost Realm. And to get to the Nether Ghost Realm, I will need the assistance of the Black Ghost Valley."
"I can help, but it might take some time."
"No, it's fine. Maybe I can even go right now!"
"Hmm?"
What Jeon Myeong-hoon says next truly surprises me.
"Through the disciples of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect who went to the Nether Ghost Realm, I found out where Kang Min-hee is!"
***