ARTOC 82 - The Terror of Option

I reminisce about the past while conversing with her as Seo Li.

The second time was different from before; I had been the one to ask her out.

Kang Min-hee accepted too.

It was on the third evening since we got back together.

After work hours.

I was dumped by Kang Min-hee.

Just three days in.

"Haah..."

I snuffed out my cigarette in the smoking area and looked back.

The sunset was almost over, and it was getting dim.

"Are you okay now?"

"Yeah. Didn't I tell you? Thanks to you, I've had enough consolation for three days."

I smirked.

In various ways, we had become evil friends (frenemies).

She lit another cigarette.

"Go now."

"Smoke moderately, man."

"Hey, you're just an ex now. Just scram. Shoo."

"Probably no one else breaks up after just three days of dating."

I chuckled at this bizarre situation.

During our first relationship, she was the one to initiate and I the one to end it. But somehow, it was the opposite this time.

"What dating? It was more like I received some fancy psychotherapy. I'll transfer the therapy fee to your account later."

"You always have to say it like..."

"What? Feeling regretful now that you're letting me go?"

"Enough. I'm leaving."

I opened the door of the smoking area.

Kang Min-hee's voice followed from behind.

"Now that my therapy is done, take care of your junior, you idiot. It's suffocating to watch."

"Huh? Who? Jo? Kim?"

"Kim Yeon, you idiot. Jo is a guy, why would you care about him? She's been finding nice lunch spots for you, not because she's Michelin but because she wants to have lunch with you."

"...? But we all eat together during company dinners. Why should I pay special attention to Yeon? Is she having a hard time lately?"

"Ha, fuck.. this stupid bastard... Just get lost. I'm about to explode. See you tomorrow, Team Leader Seo."

I waved her, who's talking nonsense, off and turned around.

"Sure~ See you tomorrow, Deputy Kang."

That day was the last time we were close.

After that, we truly became 'not on good terms' as colleagues.

'Hmm, thinking back, I was indeed an idiot then.'

I had thought Kang Min-hee was joking about Kim Yeon.

Back then, Kim Yeon was just a cute junior to me.

Anyway, after that day, my relationship with Kang Min-hee became quite strange.

Publicly, we were in a very bad relationship.

But privately, although we verbally said we disliked each other, it was hard to truly hate each other.

Yes.

We had become what you would call evil friends.

However, after becoming 'evil friends' from 'enemies,' it didn't feel as suffocatingly awkward and uncomfortable as before.

"...Well, that's about all the information I have on the Nether Ghost Realm's main branch. I don't have much information about the Nether Ghost Realm itself…but interestingly, when Elder Heo Gwak reported my innate qualities to the main branch, they said 'do not come to the Nether Ghost Realm,' which is strange."

"Hmm, that is peculiar. With the talent Grand Elder Kang possesses, shouldn't the Nether Ghost Realm be more suitable?"

"That's what I thought. But I've heard…from the main branch of the Nether Ghost Realm, that a 'higher being' is always watching over, so it could be dangerous for me to go there."

"Higher beings…"

I recall the information Seo Hweol had given me in my previous life.

'The Nether Ghost Realm is always under the watchful eyes of those at the Entering Nirvana stage.'

It was said that there is a shortcut to the True Immortal Realm in the Nether Ghost Realm, and for that reason, those at the Entering Nirvana stage always keep an eye on the Nether Ghost Realm from the Astral Realm.

'Certainly, if that's the case, it could indeed be dangerous for Kang Min-hee to go there.'

Kang Min-hee pauses and fumbles around her.

Click―

Soon after, she picks up a long pipe from a nearby table.

"Light."

Hssss―

Then, the will-o'-the-wisp in the room moves and attaches a ghost fire to the end of her pipe.

'Always smoking in private spaces and areas where she doesn't have to worry about others…some things never change.'

"It's my room, so I'll smoke. Let me know if it bothers you."

"Haha, it's something Grand Elder wants to do, so how can I possibly object?"

"Hmm..."

At my reply, Kang Min-hee pauses to look at me.

"You, that thing on your face. It's a spell, right? Release it for a moment."

"Ah...yes."

I release the Black Devil Mask spell that has been covering my face.

Yuan Yu's beauty is then revealed before Kang Min-hee.

"Oh...you look really pretty. Hmm...but your expression is totally different, why is that..."

"Yes?"

"Never mind. You just remind me a bit of someone I used to know. Even the way you indirectly say you dislike something is exactly the same."

Even as she speaks, Kang Min-hee doesn't put out her pipe but just holds it in her mouth.

Huuuu-

Blue smoke billows from her mouth.

It seems she is using quite a refined spiritual herb as tobacco.

'If she knows I don't like it, can't she just stop for a bit?'

Although it doesn't have carcinogens like those on Earth, she often smoked in places like inside cars or indoors as long as it didn't harm others, unlike me who believed cigarettes should only be smoked in designated smoking areas.

Even during the three weeks we dated, she smoked in her car when we went driving saying she doesn't consider me a stranger, which nearly killed me with discomfort.

It was her car, but that was when I confirmed that she and I really didn't match.

'I still feel quite emotional. It's been over 2000 years, yet...'

The thought that I didn't get along with Kang Min-hee is vividly recalled.

"Seo Li, was it?"

"Yes."

"You have such a strong aura of death around you that I can't quite grasp what your soul looks like...but with your qualities, you should easily reach the Heavenly Being stage. You'll probably catch up to my avatar in no time."

"Thank you."

"With the right support and some good fortune or fate, you might even reach the Four-Axis stage within 500 years... Anyway, let's try to get along well from now on. Sorry that the Ghost Soul Hall didn't accept you; it's just our policy, please understand."

"Yes, of course. I understand."

Kang Min-hee smiles and pats my shoulder.

Strangely, her touch on my shoulder doesn't stir any strong emotions.

"Have all your questions been answered? You can go now."

I bid farewell to Kang Min-hee and leave her office in the Ghost Soul Hall.

Through her, I am able to understand one thing.

'Indeed, nothing has changed since 100 years ago.'

Communicating through Jeon Myeong-hoon will only be the worst-case option.

'I really did well to bring Yeon along.'

Kim Yeon is currently registering in Temporal Fate Island and is undergoing various investigations regarding the Mad Lord.

I waited on Temporal Fate Island, thinking.

If Jeon Myeong-hoon and I were to contact her now, we would probably end up swearing at each other and hanging up.

Even if we were to meet by the Grand Cultivator's command, she would smile outwardly, but privately, she'd grow even further apart.

Still, Yeon was a junior beloved by everyone in her department, so Kang Min-hee would not likely be stern with her.

After some time, Kim Yeon emerges from Temporal Fate Island.

"Is everything settled?"

"Yes."

Reading her intent, I can tell she has something she wants to do.

"What are your plans moving forward?"

"..."

After a moment of silence, Kim Yeon pulls out [Her] left arm.

"Eun-hyun Oppa, you too...I don't know how, but you're learning the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon."

"Yes. I came across it by fate."

"If so, you must have seen the enlightenment contained in this left arm, right?"

"That's right."

She looks at me.

And I'm momentarily startled by her gaze.

Her eyes are burning with a zeal I have never seen before.

"I will find out."

Squeeze…

Gripping [Her] left arm, Kim Yeon's eyes blaze even more with determination.

"The ultimate teachings of the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon left by the Mad Lord. What exactly does that scene signify? What did he gain, and what did he lose to become such a madman…"

What could it be?

It's a resolve I have never seen in my past lives.

Why has she changed from her previous selfs

As I ponder, I quickly realize the reason.

'This life's Kim Yeon...although I guided her, she reached the pinnacle stage through her own strength.'

What is martial arts?

There are many definitions, but one of them is certainly 'making oneself stronger.'

A technique and a study of self-discipline.

That is what martial arts is.

She rose to the pinnacle through her own power.

It doesn't just mean she became a tiny bit stronger.

It required numerous acts of self-conquest, overcoming one's own limits.

Of course, if that was all, she might have still gone mad.

However, by connecting with her and endlessly conversing in her dreams, I prevented her from being tainted by the Mad Lord's madness.

In this life, Kim Yeon is in her most perfect state.

"Discovering the truth about the Mad Lord...and after uncovering it…"

Kim Yeon declares with firm resolve in front of me.

"I will seek revenge."

"Revenge?"

"Yes. The greatest revenge I can take on him."

Although Kim Yeon speaks of revenge, her intent appears incredibly calm and devoid of malice.

I nod.

If she has decided something about the Mad Lord, it isn't my place to question her attitude.

Returning to Heavenly Cauldron Mountain on Heavenly Human Island, the Grand Cultivators greet me.

Kim Yeon, along with Jeon Myeong-hoon and Hong Fan, has a cave residence near Heavenly Cauldron Mountain to cultivate and train.

However, Hong Fan is in the Earth Tribe territory, and Jeon Myeong-hoon is at the ruins of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect almost daily, so the three rarely meet.

'Now, I just need to make contact with Kang Min-hee through Kim Yeon...'

Unexpectedly, a Grand Cultivator meeting is suddenly called.

I am summoned to the summit of Heavenly Cauldron Mountain.

There, the projections of eight Grand Cultivators are present.

Wo-woong―

Among them are the projections of Hon Won from the Heaven-Earth Palace and the secretive Tae Yeol-jeon. This is an indication of a matter of grave importance, critical enough to involve Hon Won, who is recuperating in Heaven-Earth Palace and thus makes it hard to send a projection, and Tae Yeol-jeon who is shrouded in secrecy and mystery.

I ignore the peculiar gaze that Hon Won's projection casts at me and take my seat.

"Let's begin the Grand Cultivators meeting. Thank you all for gathering. Cultivator Seo and Cultivator Hon were out, so they might not know, but a report came in recently that we absolutely cannot ignore."

The Grand Alliance Leader, Jun Jae, starts the meeting with a grave tone.

"Specifically…the information that Hyeon Eum, the Black Dragon King of the Black Dragon Race, a former ally of the Human Race, has betrayed us."

"…!"

"What the...!?"

The meeting hall is stirred.

Wi Ryeong-seon sighs deeply.

Hon Won expressionlessly taps his fingers against his crossed arms.

Then, Tae Yeol-jeon, who had been silent, speaks up.

Her projection is blurry and difficult to discern compared to the other Grand Cultivators.

Regardless, I can tell she is a woman by her voice.

"Should we punish him as a warning?"

"Let's discuss that here. First, let me summarize the situation. A few days ago, we received a report that the entrance to the True Devil Realm had collapsed. The Four-Axis stage cultivators guarding the entrance reported that a dragon named Seo Hweol, claiming to act under the orders of the Black Dragon King, caused the collapse."

It seems this Grand Cultivator meeting is due to the incident I had initiated.

"Upon questioning the Earth Tribe, it turns out that Seo Hweol is Grand Prince of the Sea Dragon Tribe and had recently gone missing. Wi Ryeong-seon was dispatched to investigate the entrance to the True Devil Realm, and Wi Su used a soul-searching method to read the memories of those Four-Axis stage cultivators. Information from a spy within the Earth Tribe confirmed that the attacker looked exactly like Seo Hweol, and Wi Ryeong-seon found significant residues of demonic power and immortal beast strength near the entrance."

Jun Jae's statement is continued by the Chief Military Strategist, Wi Su.

"The recently missing Seo Hweol, the mysterious attacker of the True Devil Realm entrance, is of the Sea Dragon Tribe—a branch of the Black Dragon Tribe, the Black Dragon King was pointed out as being behind it, as well as...the subordinate sect of the Black Dragon King, Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect, which is currently completing some kind of curse commissioned by the Earth Tribe. Considering all these factors, the likelihood that the current Black Dragon King, Hyeon Eum, will betray us is high."

Grand Cultivator Eung Yeon cautiously asks.

"Could it be possible that the person claiming to be Seo Hweol isn't actually him? Perhaps an internal faction within the Earth Tribe impersonated him to sabotage..."

"Based on the memories recovered through my soul-searching technique, Seo Hweol did reveal his name and backers but tried to destroy the evidence immediately afterward. Luckily, he was poisoned by the Four-Axis stage cultivators and had to release their souls. So, while we cannot dismiss the possibility of a framing, it is also likely it was indeed Seo Hweol himself."

At Wi Su's words, the expressions of the assembled Grand Cultivators darken.

Gae Jin sighs.

"Black Dragon King...why would someone of his extraordinary combat ability among those at the Integration stage choose such a time to act…?"

At that moment, Hon Won speaks harshly, arms crossed.

"We should have killed him back then. You all debating his utility and stopping me led to the situation becoming this complicated."

It seems that Hon Won had previously fought with the Black Dragon King and had nearly managed to kill him.

Eung Yeon recalls something about that incident.

"Ah, I've heard about it too.... Was it 43,000 years ago? Cultivator Hon, and his fiancée joined forces to miraculously gain the upper hand against the Black Dragon King and tremendously..."

At this, Hon Won suddenly grows stern and glares at Eung Yeon.

From Hon Won's projection, I can see a tremendous surge of red intent.

The siblings Wi Ryeong-seon and Wi Su simultaneously speak to Eung Yeon as if they have a headache.

"Cultivator Eung!"

"Cultivator Eung, have you forgotten that it's taboo to mention 'her' in front of Cultivator Hon?"

At this, Eung Yeon coughs and averts his gaze.

"Ahem. Sorry. I've been so busy lately, I must have forgotten."

However, Hon Won growls and snaps at Eung Yeon.

"How could you forget? How?"

"No, Cultivator Hon. My apologies. I misspoke."

"Busy? Are you saying you have more duties than I, the Lord of Heaven-Earth Palace? Maybe you'd remember if your eyes were gouged out like mine?"

Kugugugu!

Terrified by the killing intent emanating from Hon Won's projection, Eung Yeon begins to tremble, and Jun Jae grimaces and coughs.

But Hon Won does not lessen his intensity even under Jun Jae's gaze.

That's when it happens.

"Cultivator. Hon."

With a clear voice, Tae Yeol-jeon speaks to Hon Won.

Suddenly, she is close to Hon Won's projection.

Flinch!

And then, I feel a chill run down my spine.

"Wait! The one named Tae Yeol-jeon..."

"Let's calm your anger. Cultivator Eung is still a young cultivator, only 8,000 years old, so please be understanding."

"..."

At her words, Hon Won appears to flinch, then glares at Eung Yeon once more before suppressing his anger.

It seems he unconsciously dreads her.

Seeing this, Jun Jae speaks to Tae Yeol-jeon.

"Don't pressure Cultivator Hon too much, Daoist Tae. It was a deeply painful incident for him. And Cultivator Eung, please be careful in the future too, as there was such an incident involving Daoist Hon at the Grand Cultivator Meeting a few hundred years ago..."

Jun Jae seems to be watching Hon Won's reactions.

Reading his intent, it seems he is more concerned about the something related to Hon Won rather than Hon Won himself.

Tae Yeol-jeon then returns to her place.

I stare at Tae Yeol-jeon for a long while, and sensing my gaze, she briefly looks my way, then turns her head with a surprised expression in her eyes.

Jun Jae clears his throat and steers the conversation back.

"So, let's discuss what should be done about the betrayal of the Black Dragon King Hyeon Eum."

At the Grand Cultivator Meeting, opinions were divided between those advocating for immediate retribution against Black Dragon King Hyeon Eum and those suggesting waiting to see how things unfold.

Eventually, it was decided to capture Seo Hweol and use soul-searching techniques to understand what had happened, while also issuing a strong condemnation towards the Black Dragon Tribe and the Black Dragon King.

If the Black Dragon Tribe does not offer any justification and openly confirms the betrayal, then it was agreed that Tae Yeol-jeon would go to punish the Black Dragon King after which the Grand Cultivator meeting was concluded.

"Then, as discussed, Cultivator Wi will convey our message to Hyeon Eum. With that, today's Grand Cultivator meeting is adjourned."

The projections gathered at the summit of Heavenly Cauldron Mountain disappear.

Hon Won glances at me briefly before nearly vanishing at the end, and Tae Yeol-jeon struggles with handling her ill-defined projection.

"Daoist Tae, are you having trouble managing your projection?"

"Oh, Cultivator Seo. Please understand. The technique of sending projections or clones isn't my specialty, and I always get confused about how to dispel them.""

"I see...Daoist Tae, may I ask you something?"

At my question, she smiles.

"I had a feeling you'd ask that. Everyone was shocked when I first joined the Grand Cultivator meeting, and later, when Cultivator Eung first became a Grand Cultivator, he was shocked to learn my true identity. You might be feeling the same, Cultivator Seo? No, perhaps it's a bit different for you since you're like me..."

I sigh softly at her words.

"Daoist Tae, are you...indeed from the Heart Tribe?"

She is from the Heart Tribe.

And she reached the First Step Before the Throne that's equivalent to the Integration stage at that.

Her subsequent words make me realize that Tae Yeol-jeon is more extraordinary than I had thought.

"Yes, I lack talent in the Path of Cultivation, being only at the Core Formation stage...but I accidentally entered the way of the Heart Tribe and was mentored by the Esteemed One, from whom I inherited the Fighting Spirit, finally reaching this realm."

Tae Yeol-jeon, smiling through her avatar, says,

"As this is our first meeting, let me properly introduce myself. My name is Tae Yeol-jeon. I am one of the twenty-three direct disciples of Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One."

Wo-woong!

I see a vision where the chilling sharp energy emanating from the clone seems to slice through my throat.

Sreung—

The clone grasps the void, and Heaven and Earth spiritual energy coalesces to form a willow leaf saber (柳葉刀, liuyedao).

"Since we've met as fellow Heart Tribe members, there's something we ought to do, right?"

Sweating from the formidable killing intent, I simultaneously feel a dizzying thrill.

"It would be an honor. Please advise."

Earth Tribe True Dragon Alliance.

Black Dragon King's cave residence.

Inside, Hyeon Eum frowns as he receives reports from his subordinates.

"Why has everything become so complicated? Where has Seo Hweol gone now, and why did he destroy the entrance to the True Devil Realm using my name!"

He clutches his throbbing head and scolds his subordinate.

"Damn it… Why did it turn out like this…? The plan has gone awry."

After sitting alone in contemplation for a while, Hyeon Eum opens and then closes his eyes.

He hardens his expression, gets up from his seat, and heads down to the underground of his cave residence.

"It seems...I need to communicate with the main body."

As he descends into the underground, the cave residence of the Black Dragon King falls silent.

It stays quiet for an hour or two.

Kwaaaang!

Until a strange beam of light that comes flying from somewhere hits Hyeon Eum's cave residence before anything else.

Clink, clink, clink, clink...

A bizarre fortress is flying towards the Black Dragon King Hyeon Eum's cave residence.

***

Sreung―

The willow leaf blade stirs.

"Junior, how many moves would be appropriate for you?"

She asks.

After all, since it's only a clone, engaging in a prolonged battle would overwhelmingly disadvantage her.

Thus, a short bout to gauge each other's capabilities is best.

After a moment's consideration, I reply.

"Ten moves. Wouldn't that be suitable?"

"Ten moves? Are you sure you can handle that?"

"What?"

"Ten moves might be enough to kill junior..."

"Haha..."

Her wildly overconfident words involuntarily make me chuckle.

Indeed, isn't this the confidence one would expect from someone at the Integration level of the Heart Tribe!

"Let's see you try."

"Fine, if you wish..."

Wo-woong―

Her willow leaf blade cleaves through the void.

It's familiar.

It's exactly like the style of Jang Ik.

It seems no exaggeration to say she is his disciple. She is attempting to demonstrate the same level of precision that borders on insanity.

Exactly like his.

'But different.'

Heaven Tribe's foresight.

Earth Tribe's spiritual energy tracking.

Heart Tribe's intent.

Kim Young-hoon's perception and the Ghost King's Nether Perception.

Only by using all these senses can I barely follow the trajectory of the Fighting Spirit she is about to unleash.

And by following that trajectory, I understand.

Her's is the same as Jang Ik's, but different.

Ting—

In the frozen world, her words seem to echo.

Heart language, clearer and more ringing than any I'd ever heard before.

[You, you've seen Fighting Spirit before, haven't you? From master?]

[I will not deny it.]

She notices that I am familiarly tracking her trajectory while preparing a countermove, and her eyes light up with recognition.

Lines connected.

Following the trajectory of her willow leaf blade, spiritual veins connect like blood vessels.

But unlike Jang Ik's Four Treasures Annihilating Heavens Blade, Tae Yeol-jeon's willow leaf blade doesn't draw in the surrounding Heaven and Earth spiritual energy even as it connects these spiritual veins.

The magnitude of the energy neither amplifies nor increases.

Yet, somehow, I have a dreadful premonition that her decisive move will be far more sinister and terrible than anything Jang Ik had shown.

'If I can't properly block it, at the very least my body will be torn to shreds.'

Overwhelming 'power'!

A force beyond mere strength, a dominating force!

Originally, I had intended to compete only in pure martial skills.

But in the next moment, I discard such leisurely thoughts and immediately summon the Three Great Ultimates.

At the same time, I take the initial stance of the Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.

This is because of the sense of crisis that if I don't counter the attack, my upper body will simply disappear.

And then, she begins her attack.

Heart and Heaven Taenghwa Painting (心天幀畫圖).

Seven Brilliance Kings (七華王).

The First Brilliance, Golden Body Heavenly King (第一華金身天王).

Shiver!

In an instant, the trajectory of her willow leaf blade that she created.

The spiritual veins within that trajectory suddenly shine brightly in gold.

'That's…!'

The next moment, she soars toward me like a golden peng, dancing in flight.

Compared to Kim Young-hoon's insane speed, the strike is considerably slower.

Yet, despite knowing it's slow, I find it impossible to dodge.

Kuaduduk!

"Kuhuk!"

I spit out blood violently, suddenly realizing I have suffered burns all over my body.

'What, what is this…!!'

Kugugugugu Kuang!

Behind me, the shockwave belatedly erupts.

I quickly assess my surroundings.

'Where, where is this!? This is crazy…!!!'

This place is Temporal Fate Island.

With one strike from Tae Yeol-jeon, I was flung from the central area of the Human Race territory on Heavenly Cauldron Mountain to the outermost Temporal Fate Island.

Kugugugugu!

The atmosphere is torn apart, and the area rumbles with shockwaves.

Though my skin burns regenerated quickly, it feels like my internal organs are thoroughly shaken.

Considering that Hon Won's attacks caused severe external injuries but hardly any internal ones, Tae Yeol-jeon's is the exact opposite.

Contrary to Hon Won, there is almost no visible external injuries, but the accumulated internal damage is horrendous.

'It's coming!'

I immediately prepare my stance and ready for a counterattack against the killing intent coming from Heavenly Cauldron Mountain.

Seven Brilliance Kings.

The Fourth Brilliance, Silver Basket Heavenly King (第四華銀籃天王).

It's pure chaos (混沌).

Gray pure chaos swirls before my eyes at one moment, boiling into primordial chaos (混元).

The sphere of chaos appears both a mixture of white and black, resembling gray, and a mixture of blue and red, resembling purple.

What is clear is that Yin and Yang are so intermixed that they are difficult to discern.

'Ah, now I see why Hon Won was so submissive to Tae Yeol-jeon.'

Putting aside the Heart Tribe's Heavenly Tribulation, if Hon Won were to face this, his Yin-Yang energy, twisted by Yeon Wei, would have gone berserk.

I operate the demon beast methods with all my might.

Adding the aspect of lightning to the demon beast methods,

I reverse the flow of the method.

The exchange of Yin and Yang ceases, and they begin to scatter within my body.

I systematize the dispersing flow of Yin and Yang within me into the Mad Lord's circuits, making it follow my control.

As I take my stance in that state, I suddenly feel the sphere of chaos approaching me.

Swoosh―

The sphere of chaos is absorbed into my body.

It should have been a strike that twists and kills me, but instead, it interacts with the reversing flow of Yin and Yang in my body, neutralizing it and returning the flow in my body to normal before it dissipates.

This is a disintegration method that only I, possessing demon beast methods, the Lightning Path Method, and the circuits of the Mad Lord, can perform.

[Impressive. You're the first to dispel it in such a manner.]

Before I know it, Tae Yeol-jeon has reached in front of me.

[Then can you block the next one as well?]

The Second Brilliance, the Third Brilliance.

Continuous strikes.

Red Pearl Extinguishing Heavenly King (赤珠滅天王).

Lazis Lapuli Protecting Heavenly King (瑠璃護天王).

Red flower flares and blue ghost fire shines from Tae Yeol-jeon's two hands.

'Each carries its own destructive power.'

Crack!

If hit, it will physically separate flesh and bone.

However, I am more wary of the other moves she has hidden than the attack in front of me.

'The willow leaf blade has disappeared. I don't know where it will strike from.'

Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.

Sea of Righteousness and Mountain of Grace!

Tsststsst!

My Nascent Soul turns into a sword.

But this time, it's not for the purpose of infusing it into the Colorless Glass Sword and swinging it.

The essence of Sea of Righteousness and Mountain of Grace is not the 'Heart Sword' but 'fusion of power.'

I literally push 'all' my power into the sword-turned Sea of Righteousness and Mountain of Grace.

At the same time, all the power within my body drains away, leaving my body in a state no different from a scarecrow.

Because this happens within me, even Tae Yeol-jeon doesn't immediately notice, and her two palms strike me.

However, as soon as the blue and red palms touch my powerless body, they immediately swirl around my meridians and fuse inside the Sea of Righteousness and Mountain of Grace.

[What?]

I can feel her astonishment through heart language.

Crack!

I immediately grab her arms.

[Impressive. You solved this? How much combat experience does one need to have to solve this upon first seeing it?]

Tae Yeol-jeon bursts into admiration and laughs as if delighted, while I, feeling the ominous energy from behind, grip my hands harder.

Cut!

Her arms are severed as if cleanly cut by a sharp sword.

Without hesitation, I initiate Boundless Dao to the Other Shore from within my Nascent Soul, exploding the fused power and begin performing a sword dance.

A sword dance that will kill me if the power is not released!

Nothing less than this level of technique will suffice.

My sword dance sweeps away her upper body, and at the same time, I block the incoming willow leaf blade from behind.

As I see the willow leaf blade, I recall the time I fought with Jang Ik and choose not to unleash further attacks on Tae Yeol-jeon but instead swiftly exit from the spot.

Paatt!

I escape from Temporal Fate Island and once again take the initial stance of the Severing Mountain Swordsmanship from outside the Human Race territory.

And, in that brief moment.

A regretful heart message echoes.

[Did you say you fought with Master? You were not fooled.]

A dense pinkish web expands in all directions, entangling the spot where I had just vacated.

Had I foolishly thought I gained the upper hand and continued to attack her, I would have been crushed within the spiritual vein realm created by the willow leaf blade.

Gradually, as I clash with her, I come to understand the feel of the Fighting Spirit she has realized.

'Her use of the willow leaf blade is simply because she learned it from Jang Ik.'

Most of her opponents would likely mistake the willow leaf blade as her weapon and focus solely on it.

But having clashed with her, I realize that it's not the 'willow leaf blade' saber method that makes her a member of the Heart Tribe.

'Was it called Heart and Heaven Taenghwa Painting?'

I shudder, recalling the name she resounded through heart language.

'If I'm right... Tae Yeol-jeon has likely risen through the Heart Method itself.'

In other words, it's like focusing only on the Dragon Vein Qi Method and reaching the First Step Before the Throne.

Then manifesting and using whatever techniques suit the internal energy cultivation method as needed.

The essence of her supreme method is the Qi Method itself.

Wo-woong!

In the distance.

The pinkish light rising from Temporal Fate Island begins to compress.

It turns into a crimson light.

At the same time, her heart essence starts echoing again.

[Master wants to be the Strongest (最强) to protect the weak, but I want to be the Highest (最高). His Four Treasures Annihilating Heavens Blade can absorb Heaven and Earth spiritual energy to indefinitely increase its force, but mine is the opposite.]

Suddenly, as I face her, I realize another thing.

'So that's it... The secret of her power was there all along.'

No matter how overwhelming the power one possesses, if it doesn't hit the target, it is meaningless.

Hitting the opponent and knocking them down.

That is one of the essences of martial arts and combat.

I use the Formless Sword of infinite freedom that ignores defense and evasion.

Kim Young-hoon uses the Surpassing Radiant Saber, which is too fast to react.

Jang Ik uses the Four Treasures Annihilating Heavens Blade, which renders defense meaningless with its destructive power, stabbing the attack directly into the opponent.

But her way is completely different.

Certain Hit (必中).

Anyone facing her attack can never evade.

They must block it head-on.

I recall that I couldn't evade her attacks.

It was much slower than Kim Young-hoon's attack, but the reason I couldn't dodge it and had to block it,

The reason I couldn't evade even once during the battle,

It was due to the properties of her Heart and Heaven Taenghwa Painting.

[I, on the contrary, connect my heart and spiritual veins to draw strength from within my heart. It's about tapping into the potential inherent in the human soul.]

Those facing the Heart Path Method she cultivated would see their own potential reflected in the clarity of her heart.

It isn't merely a brute force attack with destructive power, but one that makes the opponent confront their own potential using her heart as a mirror.

That is the essence of her Heart and Heaven Taenghwa Painting.

'It isn't that one can't evade, but if one does, their heart would gradually break, increasing the chances of Qi deviation and Heart Demons during the battle.'

An absolute technique that forces a head-on confrontation.

That is her Fighting Spirit.

That is her martial way.

Crack, crack-crack!

As I infuse my sword with the exploding energy within me, I look at her.

She looks back at me.

Heart and Heaven Taenghwa Painting.

The Sixth Brilliance, Agate Hatred Heavenly King (瑪瑙憎天王).

A wave of crimson light unfolds like a sea of blood,

I can feel it.

If even a drop of this blood sea touches me, the skin of my entire body will be peeled off.

The skin might regenerate, but the essence of the blood sea is 'to peel.'

It might not just strip away the skin, but also the surface layer of my soul.

My consciousness would disintegrate, falling to the plane of Qi, and my Nascent Soul would scatter and perish.

It's a strike boasting the worst compatibility for cultivators who analyze information through their domain of consciousness.

'Hm? What's this?'

I suddenly realize that I have analyzed the opponent's move too quickly.

Unlike other attacks, this one feels strangely familiar.

'Why does it feel like I've seen this before...?'

But I can't remember from where.

'Enough. This is not the time to think about such things.'

I think of a way to counter the attack from Tae Yeol-jeon.

'If it's an attack that disintegrates consciousness, then I will counter it with something that cannot be disintegrated.'

If the previous chaos sphere is the worst match for Hon Won,

This attack is one where Hon Won can actually hold the upper hand in compatibility.

Of course, it'd be different if it hits, but Hon Won can easily nullify this attack before it can strike.

Qi cannot be disintegrated.

Qi, containing all attributes, is complete in itself, and it's impossible for its attributes to exist separately.

Rather, Hon Won's Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique is a strange and bizarre method that forcibly disassembles such Qi.

'Qi is Life, Life is History…'

The history accumulated by one's existence can never be changed!

Tssstssstssstsss!

A white mist begins to envelop my sword.

The power of the immortal beast mixes with the other Heaven and Heart forces inside the Boundless Dao to the Other Shore.

I take a step forward.

Simultaneously, a sword scatters in a stopped world.

Boom!

With a single slash, a person recorded in the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections raises their hand.

A drop of the blood sea bursts.

First sword.

Another person raises their hand.

Two drops of the blood sea burst.

Third sword.

Fourth sword.

Fifth sword.

My sword scatters beams like rays of lights.

The white sword strikes extend in all directions like the hands of the Thousand-Armed Guanyin, emitting streaks of light.

Countless beams clash with the sea of blood, and with each clash, a connection from the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections raises their hand.

Each drop of the blood sea bursts decisively.

In a sea of white mist, countless connections reach out, erasing the sea of blood.

How many times has it been?

I unleash an uncountable number of sword strikes.

And finally, I can sense that all the power I had fused and ignited within the Boundless Dao to the Other Shore has been completely spent.

Paaang!

But at the same time, as I burst the last drop of the blood sea.

Chiiiieee…

I have no strength left in my body.

The Boundless Dao to the Other Shore has to be used until all the strength in the body is completely exhausted, and as a result, I am utterly powerless.

Tae Yeol-jeon clicks her tongue as she looks at me.

"Other than Master and Hon Won, no one else has ever blocked the Sixth Brilliance in such a way... Impressive."

I laugh amidst the pain that squeezes my lungs.

"It seems, this is not the usual way to solve it."

It feels like my mind is shaking.

I have wrung out so much energy that I feel like I might vomit blood and die at any moment.

Whoooosh...

Floating in the air, I begin to fall as I can't maintain my energy any longer.

Outside the Human Race territory's cloud islands, in the rugged mountainous region.

If I fall, I will undoubtedly be shattered to pieces.

But I squeeze the last bit of energy I have and activate the Mad Lord's circuits laid out beforehand in my body.

Although my body is in no condition to move, it forcibly moves like a puppet, amplifying the remaining drop of energy to protect itself.

Koong!

I completely collapse and struggle for breath.

Fortunately, I didn't shatter to pieces upon falling, but I really don't have the strength to even hold a sword.

It's hard to even breathe.

Taatt!

Tae Yeol-jeon lands on the opposite mountain peak where I had fallen and speaks.

"Typically, one does not use such a brute-force approach, but faces it head-on and endures the disassembly of the soul. By making one's consciousness as close to nothingness as possible and reaching emptiness, one can pass the Sixth Brilliance as if ignoring it. Master could pass it that way, but he felt that using the technique on him was too outrageous and destroyed it completely. Cultivator Hon's Great Mountain Emperor Splitting Technique…the compatibility is too malicious, so it inevitably got blocked. The method of bursting every single drop of the blood sea... You're the first one. I can't even grasp how you did it..."

"...Tha...nks..."

I struggle for breath, unable to continue speaking.

It's difficult to even utter a single word.

It feels as if I have aged a thousand years in a moment.

And at the same time, I realize something.

An absolute technique that forces the opponent to face themselves.

'So that's it…'

The Heart and Heaven Taenghwa Painting is...

"...Those...techniques..."

Having gained insight into her method, and with the thought that I must express my understanding, I squeeze out the strength.

Using heart essence subtly squeezes my upper dantian, so it's better to speak normally for now.

"Are not...intended...to kill..."

Techniques that separate bones from flesh, flay the skin, or twist the entire body's meridians to cause death—although terrifying in outcome, having directly experienced them, I understand.

'Nothingness... All of them, if you make yourself into nothingness, all attacks become nullified.'

An absolute technique that forces the opponent into a state of emptiness to impart enlightenment.

Indeed, her Entering Heavens is a supreme technique intended to 'teach enlightenment' to the opponent.

I speak to her about what I have discovered while coughing up blood.

Tae Yeol-jeon seems genuinely amazed.

"Impressive... No one, not even the geniuses of the Heart Tribe, has figured that out in a single duel. Only Master recognized the essence and I got beaten up for being disrespectful.... Hehe, fascinating. You..."

A sparkle flickers in her eyes.

"How much asceticism have you endured? It takes insight that can't be gained without focusing on a single thought for at least a thousand years, enduring pain like a madman. What single thought have you been pursuing so vehemently?"

Clank, clank, clank...

I feel my body rattling as I stand up.

It isn't by my will.

'Ah… yes.'

My body is essentially just awake in consciousness; it's no different from being in a coma.

Yet, my body stood up.

Chiiieng!

In this moment, I feel an indescribable sense of unity with the emptiness (空).

A true sense of unity with the Formless Sword that I have never felt before.

Everything within my emptied body fills up with the spirit of the Formless Sword, moving my body.

I remember what Young-hoon Hyung-nim had said.

Before I acquired the Formless Sword.

That is, during the time of the Ultimate Pinnacle.

When I was training at Shattered Heaven Peak.

He said he saw me continue training as per my daily routine even after I had fainted.

But I couldn't remember training when my memory lapsed.

Then, who had moved my body at that time?

'I see. You... have been with me since then.'

Even martial arts have a spirit.

What I did upon reaching Tribulating Heavens wasn't bestowing a spirit but merely awakening it.

And this spirit's origin is something very familiar to me.

For the first time, the Formless Sword says something other than 'cut.'

―Hear the Dao in the morning, Die content in the evening.

"...If I obtain the Dao in the morning, I am content dying in the evening"

Transmitting the words of the Formless Sword through my mouth, I smile.

"In life, I have merely strived to grasp even one more Dao."

"What is your Dao?"

"The causes and connections of all phenomena (萬象因緣, Myriad Forms and Connections)."

"..."

Tae Yeol-jeon stands still for a moment, then starts forming seals after sticking the willow leaf blade into the peak.

Wo-woong!

The poorly formed clone, which had not been able to form a proper shape, gradually begins to take a clearer form.

Tae Yeol-jeon's main body far away is consuming her own power to reveal herself more distinctly.

Her appearance is that of a shaven-headed monk in a robe.

She clasps her hands in a prayer gesture towards me.

"I apologize for trying to teach you rashly. Please accept it."

"Thanks to you, I've gained great enlightenment. No apology is necessary."

Thanks to her, I have learned the true usage of Tribulating Heavens.

Unified with the Formless Sword, I move to accept her gesture, entirely depleted of strength in the state of Emptiness (虛空).

The Heaven Tribe and Earth Tribe at the Heavenly Being stage eliminate the boundary between the internal microcosm and the external natural world, drawing upon the boundless power of Heaven and Earth spiritual energy.

However, the third stage of Manifestation of the Heart Tribe, my Tribulating Heavens, is the opposite.

Allowing oneself, who has gained a heart from within the soul, to summon infinite power through their martial path.

That is the proper use of Tribulating Heavens that I fully realized today.

She shakes her head and says,

"Given your level of self-cultivation, you would have realized it soon even without me. I respect the strength of that will."

Huuu...

I take a deep breath.

With my intent as a conduit, I feel 'power' rising from the depths of my heart essence.

The source of this power is unknown.

Perhaps the day I discover the source of this power will be the day I understand what the heart truly is.

Originally, this force could only be used for my martial arts, that is, Manifestation.

A typical Heart Tribe member would only be able to use their Manifestation to fight against an enemy, even if their body is being destroyed.

However, due to my Formless Sword, the 'force' that had only stayed at the plane of Soul descends to the plane of Qi, becoming a life force that invigorates my entire body.

Seeing this, Tae Yeol-jeon chuckles.

"Truly astonishing. That power isn't meant to be used like that. To transcend planes and make it possible… Your enlightenment is indeed fascinating."

She waits for me to recover.

"We've clashed with the first six moves. Shall we try the remaining four?"

"Sounds good."

She throws up into the air the willow leaf blade she had set beside her.

Simultaneously, the area around her seems to darken.

Heart and Heaven Taenghwa Painting.

The Seventh Brilliance.

"Obsidian Demon Heavenly King."

As if to express respect for me, instead of making the name of the move resound through heart language as before, she begins to unleash the move by voicing it directly.

It feels like black glass is filling the space between Heaven and Earth.

Smooth obsidian surfaces cover everything, and I see numerous reflections of myself in the black glass.

Each reflection of mine has eyes shimmering with wicked emotions.

It's a move that more blatantly invokes heart demons than the sixth move.

'A kind of a final test.'

Through the previous six absolute techniques, she made the opponent experience emptiness, and if they can't embody emptiness (空) while being hit at the plane of Soul, their soul will shatter like glass.

I immediately grasp the essence of this move and calm my mind.

This move is purely an attack at the plane of Soul, without involving the plane of Qi.

Likely, even Hon Won can't dismantle this attack with the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique.

It's a kind of illusion.

Yet, realizing this is an illusion, I suddenly feel strange.

'An illusion shouldn't affect me...'

But upon reflection, I feel confused.

'...? What's this thought? No. There's no basis for saying illusions don't affect me. But what is this feeling...?'

I feel a strange dissonance lingering in my mind, but even observing myself with the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections and the Formless Sword reveals no abnormalities.

'I'm not sure. For now, let's break this illusion.'

I calm myself and call forth my heart essence.

Though it's baseless confidence saying that illusions won't affect me, I am sure enough not to be swayed by heart demons.

Tsutsutsutsu!

Soon, the scene reflected inside the black glass begins to change.

Instead of myself harboring wicked emotions, it's a mountain.

A mountain made of blades.

The place where I am drawing 'power'.

I am at the core of this blade mountain.

Drawing power from someplace even I can't reach.

'Perhaps... finding where this power is drawn from is the path I need to take.'

Within the black glass, a glass mountain is reflected.

The glass mountain again reflects the black glass, initiating an endless cycle of reflections.

And at the end of these reflections, I can see the owner of the black glass.

Tae Yeol-jeon.

The black glass and the colorless glass look at each other.

'This is her heart essence…'

Inside her is a Taenghwa Painting.

The seven colossal Heavenly Kings are seated inside an enormous Taenghwa (幀畫, a Buddhist painting), forming a circle beneath a white lotus and wearing benevolent smiles.

Each of them appears to be a giant deity capable of supporting the sky, yet none move recklessly from their seats, all sitting quietly cross-legged.

Below the lotus is not a well but a scorching hellfire, yet strangely, no one seems to be suffering within it.

The bizarre Taenghwa looks utterly sacred.

Oddly, above the lotus seems to be a spot where someone could sit, but it's currently unoccupied.

Tsutsutsutsu!

Before I know it, I have left her heart essence and am facing her again.

"Amazing, owner of colorless glass."

"That is something I should be saying. Compared to the beings within you, I am lacking."

Although it's clear she had entered my heart essence, she seems not to have suffered any pain, unlike those who had entered before.

"Hon Won was most terrified of the Obsidian Demon Heavenly King, but you, on the other hand, are the least afraid. Those who have never deceived themselves are free from its gaze. There seems to be no point in exchanging moves any further. Please pull yourself together. I concede defeat."

Tae Yeol-jeon sits down with a faint smile.

Taking a deep breath, I begin to draw in the spiritual energy of Heaven and Earth to seriously heal my injuries and recover from my internal wounds.

At the same time, I ask her about the beings I had seen in her heart essence.

"…Those beings…who are they?"

Having felt the gaze of True Immortals before, I know.

They are certainly transcendent beings, undoubtedly existing deities.

Tae Yeol-jeon is essentially venerating these gods within herself.

"Did you say you ascended from the Lower Realms? Then it's understandable you wouldn't know. They are fictional characters from the mythology of the Buddhist Path Method, only found in the large Middle Realms. The Lower Realms, which only have the Immortal Path, especially those from the Decaying Corpse Realm, wouldn't know about the Buddhist Path Method. These individuals are known as the Seven Brilliance Kings (七華王) and are said to descend to the Saha World to bring enlightenment."

"Buddhist Path Method…?"

"Yes, it is occasionally found in the Astral Realm and, though it lags behind the Immortal Path Methods in the Middle Realm, it is a lineage that has been intermittently maintained. The foundation of the Buddhist Path Method originates from the Seven Brilliances Kings."

"What kind of beings are the Seven Brilliances Kings?"

She explains slowly.

"Exactly as it sounds. They are fictional characters created by patching together various myths and legends. However, they themselves are examiners who come to test the secular world and simultaneously beings that bring enlightenment. This is the personification of fictional concepts as entities rather than real deities."

"Are you saying they do not exist?"

"That's correct. They are merely fictional concepts. As proof, there are no rituals or ceremonies that can be dedicated to the Seven Brilliances Kings. Thus, the Buddhist Path Method incorporates the concept of the Seven Brilliances Kings into its methods, but the actual cultivation of spiritual power is borrowed from existing Immortal Path Methods."

'They don't exist?'

What does that mean, then?

When I faced the Owner of Heavenly Punishment.

Or the feeling when I encountered the Heavenly Venerable of the Netherworld.

That sensation was undoubtedly the feeling of real gods.

"Anyway, to recite their names, they are as follows:

The Golden Body Heavenly King, symbolizing the instant.

The Red Pearl Extinguishing Heavenly King, symbolizing the cycle.

The Lazis Lapuli Protecting Heavenly King, symbolizing protection.

The Silver Basket Heavenly King, symbolizing infinity.

The Tridacna Vast Cold Heavenly King, symbolizing unity.

The Agate Hatred Heavenly King, symbolizing pain.

The Obsidian Demon Heavenly King, symbolizing filth.

These seven beings are known as the Seven Brilliances Kings, the personifications of certain concepts. And…"

While speaking, she looks at her own body and then says,

"If you wish to discuss further, there is a temple named Grand Nirvana Temple beneath Heavenly Human Island, at the bottom of the Cloud Island Archipelago. My main body is there, so please come to that place."

After finishing her words, Tae Yeol-jeon's avatar disperses, her energy scattering and vanishing.

It seems she had exhausted all her energy maintaining the avatar while sparring with me.

Reflecting on our recent spar, I ponder.

'The Buddhist Path Method…'

I felt that it greatly stimulated my consciousness..

Maybe, the Buddhist Path Method which stimulates consciousness might have a way to treat the abnormalities in my mind.

Thinking I should visit with Yeon, I get up from my place.

Wo-duk, Wo-duk-duk

Kugugugu…

A collapsed mountain range.

From beneath it, a dark massive body emerges.

Hyeon Eum, the Black Dragon King, turns his eyes filled with fury towards the one who had destroyed his cave residence.

[What kind of vermin dares…]

And then, the Black Dragon King's eyes catch the sight of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.

Wooooo-woong!

Looking at the fully activated Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, the Black Dragon King's eyes narrow in an instant.

[Vast Cold Heavenly Lord …? How, how…]

But the next moment, he shakes his head.

[No, no. It can't be. Just who in the world are you? Who are you to have even slightly cultivated a speck of Vast Cold's power? I have already gathered even those to myself. How is it possible in Bright Cold Realm?]

Glaring at the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress for a moment, Hyeon Eum smirks.

[Yes, that's it. If it's impossible in the Bright Cold Realm, then it must be the power left by Vast Cold in another Heavenly Domain. Then you must be an incarnation of a True Immortal of another Heavenly Domain. Haha, the place where we were annihilated is this Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain, yet, how dare you. who is neither a Heavenly Venerable or Light, dare to step foot here. There's only one reason I can think of. Those above must need my power! Do you have a message for me? What message do those above want to convey to me? Speak quickly.]

And then, a bewildered voice is heard from the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.

[…? I came looking for Seo Hweol, but what kind of nonsense is he babbling about? Die.]

Click!

Flash!

Along with the sound of something being pressed, six beams of bizarre light shoot out from the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress and strike Hyeon Eum's mouth.

Hyeon Eum is hit by the strange light and flung backward, his neck snapping in the opposite direction.

***

Kugugugu!

It's as if Heaven and Earth are boiling.

A truly ominous sight as the spiritual energy everywhere bubbles up and turns into dark black water.

And as the black water overflows in all directions, the Mad Lord suddenly realizes that he and his Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress have entered within this vast black sea.

Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.

Inside the control room.

There, the Mad Lord continuously marvels aloud.

"Hoh, instead of unfolding a domain from within oneself, it's using Heaven and Earth spiritual energy to assimilate the surroundings with the domain, then unwittingly swapping the domain with the environment at some point. Is this the power of the Grand Perfection Integration stage? Amazing, amazing. This makes for a very good reference."

Kugugu!

Then, a massive figure surges from the depths of the black sea.

It's the Black Dragon King, Hyeon Eum, who had been struck on the head by the Mad Lord.

[You...dare to stand against me? So, you came looking for Seo Hweol, which means you are not a great being. Just a mortal who accidentally obtained the power of Vast Cold. Now that I think about it, I've heard of you. The Mad Lord Jo Yeon, who kidnapped the Heaven-Earth Palace's inspector right after ascending from that place? Yes. If it's the homeland of Vast Cold, it's not strange that Vast Cold left their power behind!]

Crrrack!

Hyeon Eum opens his mouth and shouts.

[Die, you wretched creature worth less than leftovers!]

Flash!

A dark energy gathers in his mouth and shoots out towards the Mad Lord like a beam of light.

The dark line flies straight towards the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.

But the next moment,

Bo-oong!

[Her] right arm from within the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress deflects Hyeon Eum's beam.

However, immediately after,

Another Hyeon Eum bursts out from under the Black Sea's surface and charges at [Her], and from inside the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, six Integration stage puppets spring into action to assist [Her].

[Despicable fakes. I am not afraid of those who are merely imitations and not truly accomplished.]

The six Integration stage puppets move in flawless coordination around [Her].

Encompassing Heaven and Earth, the puppets block the six directions, and [She] battles with Hyeon Eum in the center.

However, Hyeon Eum is not pushed back by the seven Integration Stage puppets.

Instead, he freely draws upon power from within his domain, using its force to suppress the puppets and control the power of the black sea.

Kwaaaang!

Hyeon Eum's horn collides with [Her] body.

[She] is knocked back, and as Hyeon Eum charges in with his mouth open—

Kiiiiiing!

Startled!

Hyeon Eum suddenly senses an overwhelming force converging from the direction of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress and frowns.

'What is this magnitude of power?'

It's an overwhelming 'power'.

Not merely the power of breath used by the Dragon Race.

Though far below the Star Shattering Stage, it is clearly beyond the power scale of the Grand Perfection Integration stage.

If he were to get hit by that, even Hyeon Eum would suffer a critical wound.

'If I attack this puppet, I'll be in a perfect position to get hit by that. I'll withdraw for now.'

Of course, the best strategy against the Mad Lord would have been to capture [Her] and start a hostage play, but unaware of that fact, Hyeon Eum retreats back into the black sea.

The beam of light centered at the three roofs of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress pierces into the depths of the black sea, creating a massive shockwave that evaporates all the black water within a radius of a thousand li, revealing Hyeon Eum who had been hiding inside.

[Damn it. Even if I've fallen, how can you evaporate the water of the black sea, which embodies the Netherworld's waters? How is that possible!?]

Hyeon Eum glares at the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress with eyes full of hatred.

Kugugugugu!

The black energy around Hyeon Eum begins to surge violently.

[This insect...you dare trample on my pride? Unforgivable. Do you even know what kind of water you've touched!?]

Hyeon Eum's body swells, his scales grow larger, and his body bulges.

Simultaneously, dark energy spews from between his scales, coloring the surroundings.

[I will make you aware of your crime!]

Flash!

Hyeon Eum shoots towards the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress like a beam of light.

Led by [Her], the Integration stage puppets block Hyeon Eum.

Hyeon Eum's horn strikes [Her].

[She] manages to block it but is flung away as a result.

The next Integration Stage puppet is shattered into two pieces, and the third has its upper body blown away.

The remaining puppets also fall, one by one, unable to withstand the rampaging Black Dragon King's assault.

Once more, light begins to condense above the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.

Hyeon Eum's eyes blaze.

'That's dangerous. No matter how much I've forcibly drawn out my power, getting hit by that can be disastrous. But twice? Twice? Can it really be fired twice with just a mere puppet or dharma treasure? Unless it's an immortal treasure....'

He further compresses the power he had drawn out and surrounds his body with it.

With his defenses solidified through this state, Hyeon Eum calculates the time.

The speed at which the strange monstrous beam from the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress was previously fired.

Calculating that power, he captures the exact moment of the beam's release!

Flash!

The strange, monstrous beam is fired.

And Hyeon Eum uses all his strength to dodge the beam.

Kugugugugu!

An explosion occurs behind him, creating a hole in Hyeon Eum's domain.

Hyeon Eum spits out a mouthful of blood but clenches his teeth and presses forward.

Now only two puppets remain.

A Supreme Tiger Race puppet charges at Hyeon Eum, but he crushes it with his pure energy.

A Cold Spirit Race puppet exhales cold air, but Hyeon Eum ignores it and devours the puppet with an open mouth.

Crunch!

Crack!

Finally, Hyeon Eum arrives in front of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress and swings with one foot.

Kwaaaang!

Part of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress's wall is torn away, revealing the control room where the Mad Lord is controlling the fortress right in front of Hyeon Eum's eyes.

[Finally, I see your face. You rat-like creature…]

Hyeon Eum's pupils dilate as he sees the Mad Lord inside the control room.

Then, he starts probing the inside of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress with his consciousness.

'What kind of structure can produce such power? Is it because of Vast Cold's power?'

Hyeon Eum's consciousness extends everywhere, and reaches the topmost layer of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, a place created solely for the Mad Lord's ideal.

And Hyeon Eum's eyes widen.

[This, this is... an Immortal Art (仙術)...?]

He takes a breath, distancing his face a bit from the Mad Lord.

[I see…it's utilizing the power of Immortal Arts. I suspected it was infused with Vast Cold's power, but it turns out it was cultivated using the power of Immortal Arts directly. Hmm, yes. My apologies. No, I apologize. It's a type of Immortal Art I've never seen before....so it means it's a personally developed Immortal Art...]

Hyeon Eum begins to laugh heartily, as if the anger he had shown earlier was all a lie.

[Haha. I was shocked, thinking the Nether Crossing River was shaken by a mere insect, fellow Daoist. Indeed, shaking the Nether Crossing River would be difficult without someone of equal standing. But you really confused me, suddenly attacking while spouting nonsense. Well, it's no wonder I initially perceived you as at least of equal standing since you harbored the power of Vast Cold from the beginning...]

His expression softens as he continues to speak.

[That aside. If you haven't come to convey a message from those above, then it must mean you came to meet me of your own will. A fellow Daoist, who dared to expose himself to the Light and brave this treacherous place, wielding an Immortal Art that handles the power of Vast Cold, and came to meet me…you must indeed be one of the Daoists from the Netherworld. I think I know who you are. Hoho…]

Hyeon Eum smiles, wanting to continue the conversation with the Mad Lord.

Meanwhile, the Mad Lord is frantically pressing buttons in the control room, spitting out a short remark.

"What the hell have you been babbling about since earlier, you wordy bastard?"

Click-click-click-click-click-click-click...!

Kugugugu!

And around Hyeon Eum, 28 Integration stage puppets appear.

[...Eh?]

"Just one question. Where is Seo Hweol?"

[Ah, no…]

"Alright, alright. You're such an impatient one. Fine, if that's what you really want, I'll let you choose between [Black General] and [Black King]. Black Emperor is too cool to be an option, so take that into consideration."

Chiiiii

As the forcibly drawn-out power dissipates, Hyeon Eum, eyes wide, looks at the 28 Integration stage puppets rushing at him from all directions.

[This…what…you…we're not…?]

Craaaaack!

His entire body begins to be torn apart.

[A mere insect...a mortal lower than dust...you, who are just a toy among us...developed the true principles of the Immortal Family (仙家)...? Ridiculous. I can't believe it. How could that be…?]

Boooom!

The Black Dragon King, gazing at the 28 Integration stage puppets and the sphere of light condensing above the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, mutters absentmindedly.

But then he laughs emptily, as if realizing something.

[I see. Being born there means this. What a pitiful creature...]

Flash!

A gigantic ray of light covers Hyeon Eum's entire body.

"Stop! Everyone stop!!! All external missions currently underway by the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect are hereby halted, and all personnel who have come from outside must stop whatever they are doing and leave immediately!"

I frown at the disciple of the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect who suddenly entered the curse room, interrupting the curse spell production.

"Hey, if we leave now, the structure of this curse will completely collapse, rendering it nothing but a heap of useless energy."

The other curse sorcerers nod in agreement at my words.

However, the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect disciple replies indifferently.

"It doesn't matter. We've taken all that into account. An issue has arisen within the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect that cannot be overlooked, so please leave immediately."

"...Fine. But when you call us back, you'll have to pay us from scratch."

The Heavenly Being curse sorcerers, Geub Un and Wi Hon from Black Ghost Valley, firmly state to the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect disciple.

The disciple grimaces as if having a headache but nods.

"Understood. If it really doesn't work out, we'll also pay a penalty, so please just leave."

Eventually, we leave the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect.

"What's going on? Does anyone know anything?"

"I'm not sure."

The curse sorcerers each express their curiosity, and I eavesdrop on the conversation through a circuit I had secretly planted in the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect.

And then I learn the whole story.

'I see. The Mad Lord attacked Hyeon Eum, leaving his cave residence in ruins and forcing Hyeon Eum to flee somewhere in a miserable state, nearly dead. The Mad Lord then pulverized Hyeon Eum's cave residence to dust, searching for something, and has been wreaking havoc across the True Dragon Alliance's territory ever since... Well, it's not surprising anymore.'

It's just the Mad Lord being the Mad Lord.

'With the founder missing, the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect has temporarily ceased operations. In the worst case, we might not even get the payment we were promised...'

And, most likely, the Mad Lord is searching for Seo Hweol.

Testimonies about seeing Seo Hweol and the Mad Lord looking for Seo Hweol.

These facts are enough to plant the idea in Gyu-ryeon's mind that 'maybe Seo Hweol is still alive.'

In the Earth Tribe True Dragon Alliance's Serving Command Ark.

At the lowest level of Serving Command Ark, Gyu-ryeon, having recently become an Integration stage Dragon King, was relieved from her duties as Ark Controlling Envoy and is handing them over to her successor.

"Gyu-ryeon-nim, have you heard? The madman who wrecked elder Hyeon Eum's cave residence is searching for Grand Prince Seo Hweol."

"Yes, I've heard."

Gyu-ryeon's eyes waver.

'Could he really be alive?'

However, the rescue signal Seo Hweol sent her at the last moment and his final moments still linger in Gyu-ryeon's mind.

'He was clearly killed by that vile man called Daoist Seo. I even saw the scene where his path to resurrection was cut off.... But...it feels like he's still alive.'

Chapter 1861 - ARTOC 82