[How!?]
I, who sank to the bottom of the lake in the Care Layer.
I, who just arrived at the Xiezhi Worship Layer.
And I, who transformed into the Mysterious Bizarre Gu and entered the bodies of the cultivators of the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect.
All of me cry out in shock at the same time.
"How are you here! Seo Hweol!"
"Ah, is that what you're curious about?"
'Seo Hweol' says with a kind smile.
"Why, isn't there a teleportation array in Black Ghost Valley? As a Grand Cultivator, I formally requested to use the Black Ghost Valley's teleportation array. By using the Nether Crossing Ship at the Black Ghost Valley in the Human Race, I was able to teleport to the Nether Crossing Ship in the Swiftwind Domain and arrive just in time."
"You bastard..."
I speak through the mouth of a disciple of the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect.
"That's not what I'm asking! How did you break out of the barrier in just 500 years...!"
The barrier I set up was no ordinary barrier.
It was designed to be extremely difficult to break before a thousand years had passed, with the condition that it would automatically release after a thousand years.
Of course, someone at the Integration stage could simply tear it apart and escape, but Seo Hweol is certainly not at the Integration stage.
It's possible to glimpse two stages above his own by combining the powers of Heaven, Earth, Heart, and Puppet.
However, even though Seo Hweol might be able to use Heaven, Earth, and Puppet, it's absolutely impossible for him to use my Formless Sword at the level of Tribulating Heavens.
"How...did you do it?"
At my question, Seo Hweol smiles faintly.
"Why are you so concerned, Daoist Seo? The Human Race is famously known for being a race full of camaraderie and affection, isn't it?"
"That's news to me."
"Hoho, whatever you may think...I simply made a 'request'. It's impossible to break the barrier with my current power from the inside, but I could manage to at least send my 'voice' outside."
"Voice...?"
I glare at him in disbelief.
"I told all the other Grand Cultivators through my avatar that I would be in seclusion for a thousand years and that if I requested from inside to open the barrier, it meant I had likely fallen into demonic possession by my Heart Demon, so they should absolutely refuse. I also created General Seo to guard the entrance..."
"Who knows...perhaps it worked because I conveyed my true feelings? Hoho..."
"..."
I stare at him for a moment, then look at the throats of Gyo Yeom and Nok Ju held in his hands.
"Why did you kill them?"
I feel a pang of regret for Gyo Yeom.
I heard from the Demon Race that Gyo Yeom abandoned his kind like discarded trash.
While he deserved punishment considering this, I hoped he could at least cure his wife before being punished.
But ultimately, Gyo Yeom's wish was completely thwarted by Seo Hweol.
Seo Hweol smiles brightly.
"It's just a trivial joke, Daoist Seo. What difference does it make if a few bugs live or die?""
"..."
I don't bother to argue and just glare at him.
There's no point in arguing with a heartless being.
Instead, I mock Seo Hweol.
"How unfortunate for you."
Wo-woong!
Far away in the distance, the morning sun is rising from the east.
Given the size of the Bright Cold Realm, I don't understand how this is possible.
But the sun and moon rise in the east and set in the west every day, and it is clearly 'morning' now.
As the darkness of the waning moon washes away, and with no shadow to conceal, the entrance to the storage scroll of Lofty Dragon True Person closes.
"Why did you come all the way here? You won't be able to do anything even if you have come."
Kiiing!
I surround Seo Hweol's body using the bodies of the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect disciples.
I intend to reverse-corrupt him using the Mysterious Bizarre Gu.
However, Seo Hweol smiles warmly.
"Didn't you see something when you entered Lofty Dragon True Person's Otherworld, Daoist Seo?"
"Hmm?"
"The Storage Scroll of the Envoy of Health and Care. The place you entered isn't just an ordinary storage scroll. From the Integration stage onwards, it's common to carry items in one's own domain, so why would someone like Lofty Dragon True Person need a storage scroll?"
Wo-woong!
As I watch Seo Hweol extract something from the corpses of Nok Ju and Gyo Yeom, I activate the Mysterious Bizarre Gu while he rambles on.
'Mysterious Bizarre Gu, reverse assimilation!'
Chiiiii—
After sealing his Ten Directions with the Mysterious Bizarre Gu, I invade him.
However, Seo Hweol just smiles calmly.
"The place you entered was...during the great war that occurred hundreds of thousands of years ago, used as an alternate dimension by Lofty Dragon True Person to designate all living beings of the Bright Cold Realm as protected species and prevent their extinction from the battle between Love of Virtue and Lofty Dragon. After teaching the concept of 'Health' (康寧) to the beings of the Bright Cold Realm, Lofty Dragon True Person allowed anyone who understood this concept to enter and become protected."
Kugugugugugu!
Seo Hweol's energy starts rising sharply.
'This, this is...!'
He absorbs the energies of Gyo Yeom and Nok Ju, temporarily exuding the aura of the Four-Axis stage.
His eyes gleam, and familiar characters begin to float around him.
Health (康寧).
"Health Axis (康寧軸), Release (解)."
Flash!
The power of Health illuminates Heaven and Earth.
At the same time, something massive echoes through the Dead Earth Domain.
Ko-woong, clack!
The sound of a latch opening, or perhaps a lock being undone.
The moment I hear that sound, I notice goosebumps rising all over me.
'This, this bastard...'
The entrance to Lofty Dragon True Person's storage scroll had already closed, but Seo Hweol has reopened it.
He's coming in here.
"You won't pass easily!"
I use all my strength to erode his mind with the Mysterious Bizarre Gu.
But at some point, I feel my connection with the Mysterious Bizarre Gu fading.
"Hoho, this spell...I've heard of it before. Wasn't it created by the Earth Tribe of the True Devil Realm to resist the assimilation of the Heavenly Fiends from the Blood Yin Realm?"
I see Seo Hweol's smirk.
"Apologies, but mine is not some primitive low-grade assimilation or parasitism like the Heavenly Fiends'...It will be difficult for you. Hoho..."
At the same time, my vision goes black and I feel the connection with the Mysterious Bizarre Gu completely severed.
Among the Mysterious Bizarre Gu that have entered Seo Hweol, control over all of them is lost, leaving only the 'sight' and 'sound' of one Gu.
He has absorbed my Gu and made them his own.
'Why did he leave the sight of just one Gu?'
And soon, I understand why.
Splash!
Seo Hweol plunges into the celestial pond.
Simultaneously, he skillfully navigates the illusionary formation by reading the constellations.
'This bastard...'
He left the sight to make me anxious on purpose.
I ponder, feeling a surge of irritation at Seo Hweol's intention.
'But it's not that big of a deal. Even if Seo Hweol reaches the Care Layer, I am sealed.'
Presumably, even Seo Hweol can't do anything about this lake water.
The lake water nullifies physical force tremendously and also has significant resistance to spiritual power.
'He absolutely can't enter this water.'
He can't come in, so what can he do?
"Ah ha, so you were sealed within the Clear Tears (淸淚)?"
'What?'
I feel goosebumps all over my body.
Seo Hweol speaks through the remaining Mysterious Bizarre Gu's vision and hearing.
"This is going to be quite bothersome. But the way to nullify the Clear Tears is surprisingly simple. If I make a hole at the bottom of the Care Layer, the Clear Tears will naturally pour down to the lower layer, and you can come out, Daoist Seo."
Chills!
I grind my teeth at the thought of the worst case scenario.
'Seo Hweol, this bastard, right now...'
"Ah, so you're curious about how I read your thoughts."
Step, step...
Seo Hweol breaks through the illusionary formation in an instant and reaches the gate entrance marked with the plaque 'Scroll of Lofty Dragon True Person, the Envoy of Health and Care.'
Creak, creak—
Upon reaching the entrance, Seo Hweol begins to manipulate his face.
His face twists and transforms from 'Blue-haired Seo Eun-hyun' to the 'complete face of Seo Hweol'.
Except for the lack of horns, he is now completely Seo Hweol.
"Don't worry, Daoist Seo. You'll understand soon enough. Hohohoho..."
I feel a chill as if I have fallen into an ice cave.
Since becoming a Ghost King, I have never felt so cold and had my spine tingle like this.
'Does he really know all my thoughts?'
Tingle, tingle
Feeling a prickle from deep within my heart essence, I collect my thoughts.
'No, I can't believe all of Seo Hweol's words.'
"I always like to tell the truth."
'Don't be swayed by his deceitful words.'
With the prickling sensation in my heart essence, I ignore Seo Hweol's words. Then, I inspect all the Mysterious Bizarre Gu connections and make my consciousness as dormant as possible.
After that, I accelerate my consciousness with Ultimate Pinnacle and ensure that the waves of my consciousness do not leak out by using the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon before I organize my thoughts.'
'Is he following my accelerated thoughts?'
'No, he's not.'
'He can't read all my thoughts. He can only read the parts that are strongly expressed.'
'Whether it's through the Mysterious Bizarre Gu or Yuan Yu's Blood Body...even if there is a reason he can read my thoughts, it's not perfect.'
And then, as Seo Hweol walks through the Water Flow Layer, he speaks to me again.
"Interesting, Daoist Seo. Why don't you give it a try? I can read everything."
His words are certainly chilling.
But the closer he gets to me, as he draws near,
Should I say it's a sense of vigilance?
From deep within my heart essence, the prickling feeling grows stronger.
And because of that prickle, I begin to doubt Seo Hweol's words even more.
'Can he really read everything? If he could read everything, why would he need to threaten and instill fear through words? He could just silently read my thoughts.'
When the liar Seo Hweol says he is telling me the truth.
Is it true when he says 'I can read everything'?
'No. Somehow...'
As the prickling sensation grows stronger, I begin to better understand Seo Hweol's tactics.
'I'm becoming more certain that he can't read everything.'
Judging by his behavior, it's clear he's reading my thoughts by some means.
But one thing is certain.
He can't read 'everything.'
'In that case...'
I operate the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon, making the waves of my mind complex and filling my consciousness with countless trivial thoughts.
'Try reading all this.'
Ziiiiing—
IwanttoeatGeneralSeolookslikeafoolWhydoesthemainbody'sfacelooklikethatThesoupIhadwithKimYeonwasdeliciouswhycan'ttheyunderstandmyaestheticsSeoHweolyoubeggar'sfootragIlikeKangMin-heeWhat'sSeoHweol'ssecretDidthemainbodyreallygeteatenIfSeoHweolandtheMadLordorderedsweetandsourporktogetherwouldtheyfightornotfightSpeakingofwhichtheMiddleRealm'sfoodculturehasn'ttreallydevelopedmuch...
After floating a multitude of useless thoughts on the surface of my consciousness, I hide the 'real' secrets.
'That guy, Seo Hweol, he gives me the chills...'
I think while taking a deep breath in the Xiezhi Worship Layer.
The Xiezhi Worship Layer is dark.
However, the darkness of the Xiezhi Worship Layer seems to be getting absorbed by my Dream Body, and my field of vision is expanding. I am waiting until my vision is fully restored.
'While Seo Li blocks Seo Hweol from reading my thoughts, I need to achieve something in the Xiezhi Worship Layer.'
After some time.
Seo Hweol reaches the end of the Water Flow Layer and is ready to ascend to the Dao Departure Layer.
At the same time, I realize my vision is completely restored.
'This is the Xiezhi Worship Layer...!'
Oooooooh—
Somehow, an eerie yin wind is howling ghostly wails
I open my mouth in amazement as I look at the 'huge things' in front of me.
The Xiezhi Worship Layer feels more like a 'warehouse' rather than the 'small worlds' the other layers resembled.
Statues of Recognizing Sin as big as small hills, and hanging Taenghwa paintings and scrolls.
Large boxes and...an equally expansive [jade slip].
'Wait, where I'm standing...'
I realize that I'm not standing on the ground but on top of a 'desk.'
I have climbed onto an incredibly gigantic 'desk.'
'The statue of Recognizing Sin in front of me...it's not a statue.'
It's a kind of Recognizing Sin 'seal.'
'Fit for the body size of Lofty Dragon True Person...'
Upon closer inspection, this isn't a warehouse.
Rather, this is...
'An office.'
It resembles an office where someone conducts official affairs.
And I feel this place wasn't used by Lofty Dragon True Person.
'Lofty Dragon True Person's body occupies one of the largest lands in the Earth Tribe territory.'
The entire True Dragon Alliance is essentially Lofty Dragon True Person's body.
This office is large, but it's far too small to contain Lofty Dragon True Person's entire true form.
Without looking further, I fly towards the enormous jade slip on the desk to gather information.
Fortunately, I can use the Flying Escape Technique in the Xiezhi Worship Layer, so I reach it quickly.
Operating the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon above the jade slip, I envelop it with my consciousness and begin reading it.
'This jade slip is...'
My eyes sparkle.
It's written in the language of the Netherworld, which I learned from Bi Yul when I made the Ritual Worship Scripture of Wealth Virtue my own.
It's written in the language of the dead.
I read the contents of the jade slip.
'This is...'
The jade slip is none other than a will.
―Seat Holder of Health (康寧座主) Deputy Judge (次席判官將) Ancient Force True Lord (古力眞君)Hae Nyeong (解寧) speaks to lower seat Great Net Immortal Lofty Dragon.
Ziiiiing—
"Kuuaaaaaargh!!!"
[Name]!
The moment I hear that [Name], I feel an excruciating pressure crushing my mind.
'I have to endure...!'
It feels like I'm going to be 'devoured' immediately!
"Kk...Kkwueeeek!"
Simultaneously, I steady my consciousness and strongly link the Axis of Wealth from Seo Li's body to mine.
The attraction force of the Axis prevents my consciousness from being dispersed and obliterated.
"Huff, huuh, huuuuh..."
When I regain my senses, I realize that Seo Hweol has already crossed half of the Dao Departure Layer.
And around me are countless blood inscriptions written with the fingers of my 'Dream Body.'
They contain vast knowledge and formulas, and I instinctively know what they are as soon as I see them.
'Ah...I see.'
The Four-Axis stage cultivator living in the Human Race's protected area.
While recalling memories of the 'Immortal Art' he saw, he believed some 'entity' was resurrecting within him.
Indeed, he even spewed out a handful of strange stones from his belly and sealed them.
Those stones melted, leaving 'water' containing the formula to control the Clear Scale Armor.
The moment I heard the name [Hae Nyeong], I understood.
That was the entity believed to be resurrecting within the Four-Axis stage cultivator.
And simultaneously, I feel a deep sense of relief and fear.
Hae Nyeong cannot resurrect.
He was entirely, utterly obliterated, making resurrection impossible.
The moment I accepted this 'knowledge,' I understood.
It's a truth only I could understand having faced numerous True Immortals and survived.
And simultaneously, I can also deduce the state of Cheongmun Ryeong.
Judging by how his symptoms resemble mine, his transformation into a salt pillar must have also been due to accepting information about a 'dead True Immortal,' just like me.
The existence known as the Owner of Salt Mountain will not revive through Cheongmun Ryeong.
He too is an existence utterly annihilated like Hae Nyeong.
Of course, the difference in reaction to the Owner of Salt Mountain turning his entire body into a salt pillar upon sight and mine is not only due to the difference in cultivation between me and Cheongmun Ryeong, but also because the entity known as the Owner of Salt Mountain holds a higher rank than Hae Nyeong.
'In that case...the Head Realm harbors an existence higher than the Deputy Judge, and Cheongmun Ryeong glimpsed the traces of that existence...'
While I feel relief regarding Cheongmun Ryeong, the information makes me even more fearful about the Head Realm.
I stare at the formula I have scattered.
Although I can't figure out what it is, I barely suppress the desire to devour the formula, deciding instead to finish reading the [jade slip] to gain more information.
―The God of the Underworld has commanded the selection of a Tribunal to assist in the battle of the Vast Cold Heavenly Lord.
The members of the Tribunal are familiar faces, even to you, Lofty Dragon.
Chief Judge (首席判官將) Nether Devil True Lord (冥魔眞君) Yu Hao Te (Love of Virtue).
Reincarnation Judge (還生判官將) Nether Ghost True Lord (冥鬼眞君) Yu Soo Ryeon.
Deputy Judge Ancient Force True Lord Hae Nyeong.
These are the seats that are part of the Tribunal, and Purple Gold Heavenly Lord, under the orders of the God of the Underworld, has struck the Owner of Light from behind and escaped to join us.
"Graaaaah!!!!!"
[Names]!
The [Names]!
The [Names] of distant entities pierce my mind.
Enduring the pain that feels like my head is being torn apart, I gasp for breath while drooling uncontrollably.
The agony is far worse and terrifying than when I had my testicles removed or when I consumed poison that caused pain to amplify sixty thousand times.
A terror envelops me, as if the very essence of 'me' will be devoured by the [Names].
However, perhaps due to the resilience built from meeting numerous True Immortals, or maybe due to the slight resistance developed after reaching the Four-Axis stage, I barely manage to avoid disintegration.
'Madness...'
My hair has turned white from the ordeal.
It's proof of how terrifying the pain and pressure from the [Names] were.
'Seo Hweol is approaching.'
Gritting my teeth, I continue reading the jade slip.
―Thanks to the efforts of the Vast Cold Heavenly Lord, who held their ground against all the Heavenly Venerables and the Owner of Light, even pushing the Owner of Light to the brink of annihilation, there was a lapse in the surveillance over the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain governed by the Owner of Light. As a result, we, who preside over the Five Blessings, were able to all gather.
―The Chief Judge, being at a critical juncture of promotion to Supreme Deity, was asked by the God of the Underworld to send you in their place. However, the noble Chief Judge, determined to witness this historic moment with their own eyes and captivated by Vast Cold's character, submitted their declaration of participation and descended to the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain through the Nether Crossing River.
―This seat, too, relinquished the position of King of Immortal Beasts and submitted my declaration of participation out of the same sentiment. Originally, you, lower seat Great Net Immortal Lofty Dragon, would have been here in my place, but I chose not to bring you along.
― By the time you read this will, I will likely have been annihilated. I hope that at least one of us will return victorious, so you never have to read this will.
― However, to prepare for the worst, I must convey my will to you. If that entity is indeed what we imagine, it may be impossible to pass on my seat to you. If that happens, the Netherworld will lose the four seats of Longevity, Wealth, Health, and Love of Virtue all at once.
―Such a power vacuum in the Netherworld will be catastrophic. To prevent this worst-case scenario, I leave this will hoping for you to become my successor and inherit the seat of Health.
―Lofty Dragon, you were my most faithful subordinate. I entrust you with the Netherworld's law book, my office, my crown, my judicial pen, my seat, and my will.
―If we fail, this will naturally be passed on to you. Come to the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain. The attraction force connected to my seat is linked to this will, so not even they can prevent you, my successor, from inheriting my seat.
―Lofty Dragon, my subordinate as dear as my child. If I perish, you must assist the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld.
That is the end of the jade slip.
"Kkeuhk, keoheok..."
I am lying on the ground, spewing blood like a fountain from my seven apertures.
Having encountered so many formidable entities, I am on the brink of death.
Fortunately, thanks to meeting many True Immortals before, I have developed some resistance, and thanks to reaching the Four-Axis stage, my life force and consciousness have strengthened, preventing my disintegration.
'Besides hearing those terrifying...names, there's no other harvest...?'
With a desperate expression, I look around.
On the distant, massive wall, there are Taenghwas and scrolls larger than mountain ranges.
Among them is a Taenghwa that depicts a dragon, assumed to be Lofty Dragon True Person and a being with blood-red eyes shrouded in darkness.
As I gaze upon the Taenghwa titled Blood Yin Great War (血陰大戰),I take a deep breath.
My Dream Body is about to disintegrate.
'Damn...Seo Hweol is...about to enter the Care Layer...'
At that moment.
'...Wait.'
I look at the depiction of Lofty Dragon True Person on the Taenghwa.
Lofty Dragon True Person appears to be draped in a 'transparent' canopy.
Zziiiiiing—
At the same time, I feel the 'knowledge' I gained when I heard the [Name] [Hae Nyeong] being digested in my mind.
"Kkuuuuurgh...!"
'Knowledge!'
If one doesn't die upon seeing a True Immortal, they gain 'knowledge'!
Seeing the content of the 'knowledge,' I grin.
"With this..."
I can win.
Against that bastard Seo Hweol!
Step, step...
Above the Care Layer.
Seo Hweol walks towards the lakeside with a grin.
"Haha, then Daoist Seo. I shall take your true 'main body'."
It's when he reaches out and focuses his attraction force.
Shuararararara!
The lake water begins to surge.
Swoosh―
And then, the water crashes down on Seo Hweol like a waterfall.
"Kugh...!"
Sensing the danger, Seo Hweol quickly steps back from the waterfall's trajectory.
"...How did you escape from the Clear Tears, Daoist Seo?"
He glares with reptilian eyes at the Ghost King emerging from below.
The Ghost King opens his 18 mouths and laughs.
"Did you call this Clear Tears (淸淚)...?"
"Yes. Since this lake water is the tears of the Immortal Beast Xiezhi."
"I see...so it was one of the legacies left by the Ancient Force True Lord for his subordinate..."
The Ghost King laughs, his eyes burning with ghost fire.
"This is not only called Clear Tears, but is also known as Clear Scale Armor (淸鱗甲)."
Chuaaaaa―
"Now then. Let's have a proper fight, Seo Hweol."
Swoosh―
The lake water gathers in the void, encasing Seo Hweol.
Without any resistance, Seo Hweol is sealed.
Translator Notes: Seo Li's thoughts:
[I want to eat. General Seo looks like an idiot. Why does the main body's face look like that? The soup I had with Kim Yeon was delicious. Why can't they understand my aesthetics? Seo Hweol, that beggar's foot rag. I like Kang Min-hee. What's Seo Hweol's secret? Did the main body really get eaten? If Seo Hweol and the Mad Lord ordered sweet and sour pork together, would they fight or not fight? Speaking of which, the Middle Realm's food culture hasn't really developed much.]
***
Gururuk, guruk...
Seo Hweol gurgles something inside the Clear Scale Armor.
But I just grin widely.
"What are you saying? I can't hear you."
The lake water nullifies most physical forces.
That is the true nature of the Clear Scale Armor.
Seo Hweol tries to break free by exerting his spiritual power.
But as I pour more strength into the Clear Scale Armor, Seo Hweol's entire body is crushed, rendering him unable to resist any further.
'That's my body...'
The thought annoys me, but there's no other choice if I want to seal him.
Splat!
I realize that every time I use the Clear Scale Armor, my body begins to deteriorate, so I undo my Ghost King Transformation.
'It seems that without a flesh-and-blood body, using the Clear Scale Armor is impossible...'
Chiiiiee―
Each time I control the Clear Scale Armor, I grow increasingly thirsty.
I guess that this is some side effect from using the Clear Scale Armor as a mortal.
'If the side effects of the Clear Scale Armor get worse, who knows what might happen. I need to seal Seo Hweol as soon as possible.'
At that moment.
"E-excuse me, elder. Did you capture that beast?"
"Hm?"
I glance over at those cautiously observing me from the edge of the Care Layer.
They are members of the Cold Spirit Race, Leaf Race, and Spirit Scale Race from the Heaven Tribe that I had seen at the entrance.
"Yes, but what do you need?"
"That beast killed our comrades and stole their belongings!"
"Please, allow us to retrieve our comrades' keepsakes."
'Hmm, if it's Seo Hweol, that's entirely possible.'
I nod and say,
"Tell me what keepsakes were taken."
"Yes. First, if you search the beast's inner chest pocket, there should be a red jade slip."
"Alright, hm..."
I try to control the Clear Scale Armor to extract the jade slip, but I find Seo Hweol's inner chest pocket to be tightly sealed.
'Did he steal some important dharma treasure?'
Otherwise, there's no reason for Seo Hweol to guard it so closely.
"E-Elder, I have seen the sealing spell that beast used. If I explain, you might be able to reverse it and retrieve the item."
"Alright, explain."
A member of the Leaf Race approaches and draws the flow of spiritual energy in the air.
"First, gather the yin cold energy like this, then extract the Taiji from the yin cold based on the power of the Eight Trigrams..."
Wooong―
"Next, rotate the energy counterclockwise to form a circle. Compress the circle like this..."
Wiiiiiiing―
Above the Leaf Race member's hand, a violently rotating flow of spiritual energy emerges.
"Like this..."
Bo-woong―
Without mercy, I accelerate my thoughts with Gang Sphere and strike the Leaf Race cultivator's head with all my might.
Kuaaang―
The Leaf Race cultivator is sent flying into the distance, but the wheel of yin energy he left created flies towards me.
As I reach out to deflect the wheel of yin energy, my body suddenly freezes.
Kiiiiiiiiing―
Four Spirit Scale Race cultivators simultaneously use their spirit eye technique to bind me.
'These bastards...'
In the end, I can't avoid the wheel created by the Leaf Race cultivator and am hit.
Kwaduduk!
An overwhelming chill engulfs me.
Having released my Ghost King Transformation, the cold freezes my body.
However, if I transform into my Ghost King which is strong against yin energy, it will hinder my control over the Clear Scale Armor.
Gnashing my teeth amidst the swirling cold yin energy, I accelerate my consciousness using the Mad Lord's circuits and Ultimate Pinnacle.
At that moment.
Splat!
"...Huh?"
I let out a hollow laugh as I see the one who suddenly appeared and stabbed me in the back amidst the cold mist.
"Why are you here...?"
They're the Grand Perfection Heavenly Being cultivator from the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect.
The ones who had sealed me just moments ago have appeared.
All of them had taken the spells from the Cold Spirit Race cultivators head-on, perfectly hiding their presence, intent, and spiritual energy fluctuations within the cold energy to ambush me.
I laugh hollowly as I look at them.
"Ah, I see. I understand now..."
Bulge, bulge!
The Heavenly Being cultivator of the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect gives a 'kind' smile as his body swells and then explodes while still stabbing me in the back.
Flash!
Kurururung!
Walkak!
"Kugh...!"
I stagger back, coughing up a mouthful of blood.
It's the self-destruction of a Grand Perfection Heavenly Being cultivator, possessing early Four-Axis stage strength through the Four Symbols Nascent Soul at that.
Using Great Desert to Dead Sea will heal me, but it will take some time.
Wiping the blood from my mouth, I glance at the Leaf Race, Cold Spirit Race, Spirit Scale Race, and the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect cultivators in front of me, letting out a bitter laugh.
They all wear the same unnervingly gentle and soft expressions.
"What is it, Daoist Seo? Didn't you want to have a proper fight?"
"...You guys, no...you."
I glare at 'Seo Hweol' and growl.
"Which one of you is the main body?"
They all speak simultaneously, with sickeningly kind smiles.
"I am."
"I am."
"I am."
"I am the main body."
"I am the main body."
"I am indeed the main body."
Then, the combined attack of the 'Seo Hweol's begins.
The Seo Hweols possessing the Cold Spirit Race cultivators release cold energy with a smile.
Simultaneously, the Seo Hweols possessing the Leaf Race cultivators receive and precisely manipulate this cold energy, amplifying its power before launching it.
The Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect cultivators, supported by the Cold Spirit Race cultivators, hide within the cold energy. They enhance their immortal beast true blood and target me in close combat.
The Spirit Scale Race cultivators in the rear use their unique spiritual eye abilities to either constrain my movements, cast illusions, or predict my actions and techniques.
"The Four Symbols Nascent Soul of the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect is truly convenient. Storing external power separately and calling upon it whenever needed - how attractive. In itself, it maximizes the harmony of the Heaven and Earth Tribes' powers, allowing one to surpass a whole realm."
Seo Hweol laughs as he unleashes attacks on me.
"And thanks to you, Daoist Seo, I can also use the power of the Mad Lord. Truly..."
Wo-woong!
The Mad Lord's circuits are engraved on the body of the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect cultivator, who is at the early Four-Axis stage. Despite the immense pain, the cultivator under Seo Hweol's control doesn't flinch.
In an instant, his power surges to the late Four-Axis stage.
"I must express my gratitude."
"Kugh..."
I grimace, releasing curses from my entire body.
Yet, I am gradually being pushed back.
'The Clear Scale Armor! The Clear Scale Armor is draining my mental strength...!'
Crack―
Every time I focus on preventing the seal on my main body inside the Clear Scale Armor from breaking, my thirst grows more intense.
And at the same time, the group of Seo Hweols are frantically freezing me to death like mad with their cold energy, driving me insane from the cold.
'If I don't transform into a Ghost King, my body will freeze solid from the cold...!'
But using the Ghost King Transformation will make controlling the Clear Scale Armor even more difficult.
It's a catch-22.
At that moment,
Puhak!
Piercing through the blue cold energy, Seo Hweol, in the body of a Cold Spirit Race cultivator, grabs my shoulder from behind.
"Huhu, Daoist Seo. I've finally caught you."
Squirm, wriggle...!
The body of the Cold Spirit Race cultivator bulges.
I can feel an immense cold energy amplifying within it.
'Ah, no...!'
Unable to endure any longer, I transform into my Ghost King form while being held by the shoulder.
Kuaduduk!
Eighteen heads rise majestically.
At the same time, my Ghost King transformed body begins to absorb the cold energy comfortably.
With ghost fire blazing in my eyes, I grit my teeth.
[Damn it...]
Sshuuaaarururu―
I ultimately fail to control the Clear Scale Armor.
Freed from within the Clear Scale Armor, the Seo Hweol possessing the main body smiles faintly.
"Well then. Shall we start again properly from now on?"
[You bastard...]
I have no idea how he even did it.
'Did he parasitize me with something like the Mysterious Bizarre Gu?'
[Isn't it something that is attached when you're killed?]
I gather ghostly energy, surveying the cultivators possessed by Seo Hweol.
With the Ghost King Transformation, I no longer fear being overwhelmed by them.
"Well, you can say it's somewhat similar."
[...]
For some reason, I sense that statement is a lie.
It might be best to interpret everything he says in reverse.
'I see. So killing Seo Hweol doesn't make it attach.'
He must be using some other method to attempt parasitism.
"Now then, shall we properly use the clone that Daoist Seo has nurtured so carefully?"
Wo-woong―
The circuits of the Mad Lord glows on the main body and eight pairs of wings sprout from his back.
The fusion of Heaven, Earth, and Puppet generates the power of the Four-Axis stage.
The energy that had been amplified after killing and absorbing Gyo Yeom and Nok Ju seems to be completely exhausted.
However, I feel my heart tighten.
[You...!]
I hastily check my waist.
My storage scroll that had been at my waist is now in Seo Hweol's hand.
'Did the Cold Spirit Race guy take it when he self-destructed? How? Could he move that stealthily? Wait, could it be...'
Fearing the worst, I shout at him.
[You! How can you use the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts?]
"Ah, so the name of this method that cuts off consciousness is Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts? It's not difficult. Since I became able to use the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon, is it not just a matter of honing and cutting the consciousness?"
I feel my insides churn.
It isn't just because the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts have fallen into Seo Hweol's hands.
It's because it feels as though the domain of martial arts I have learned, developed, and strived for is being violated by that filthy bastard.
"Let's see, it was put around here..."
He nonchalantly rummages through my storage scroll and pulls out the Sea Orchid Fruit.
"Ah, found it. Well then, bon appétit."
Crunch, crunch...
He begins to devour the Sea Orchid Fruit with my main body.
At the same time, his energy starts to surge rapidly.
Kugugugu!
"Evolving Azure Tiger Saint's method into a demon beast method. Daoist Seo, you're truly impressive. A demon beast method perfectly suited for the Human Race... Apologies, but I will make some modifications."
Flash!
At that moment, a surge of energy explodes from my main body, and his cultivation increases.
From the Grand Perfection Heavenly Being stage, he rises to the Four-Axis stage!
Kugugugugu!
Dark clouds begin to gather over the Care Layer.
The Heavenly Tribulation is beginning.
'Why is he attempting to break through in front of me?'
I can't comprehend Seo Hweol's actions at all.
Why in the world would he do such a thing in front of me?
If I ambush him, the likelihood of him dying or falling into Qi Deviation during the tribulation would be high.
'Is he really that confident?'
Wo-woong―
Drawing a ghost sword crafted with the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation, I invoke curses.
[Die for real, Seo Hweol...!]
As I am about to throw the cursed ghost sword imbued with the agony of castration, the pain amplifying elixir, and the pain from seeing a True Immortal's [Name],
Thwack!
Suddenly, my left hand grips my right hand, stopping the throw.
[...Huh?]
Then, the faces on my shoulders start creaking, and six out of the eighteen faces speak in eerie voices.
[Huhu, Daoist Seo. Please calm down.]
[Wouldn't it be beneficial for you if your clone reaches the Four-Axis stage?]
[We'll rise through the Earth Tribe method first and then take our time with the Heaven Tribe method, so there's no need to worry.]
I remain silent, listening to their voices.
[...]
Kurung, Kururung!
Twin-colored Heavenly Tribulations strike Seo Eun-hyun's main body, and I silently glare with ghost fire.
[...You. What's your deal?]
[What do you mean?]
[Even if you don't parasitize by getting killed, how can you parasitize so easily like this?]
In fact, if it's not 'parasitizing through getting killed', it should be even harder to parasitize.
I had to push the cultivators of the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect to their limits to attach the Mysterious Bizarre Gu onto them, and even after doing so, I couldn't immediately take over their minds.
Moreover, I used the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts to attach the Mysterious Bizarre Gu, and recognizing each other is easy among users of the same technique.
In short, even if Seo Hweol used a similar method to the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts to attempt parasitization on me, it doesn't make sense that I failed to detect it.
Shuarururuk!
After releasing my Ghost King Transformation, I see signs of them attacking me again, so I summon the Clear Scale Armor to wrap around my body.
The Clear Scale Armor compresses to fit my body size, turning into a transparent water that envelops me.
Seo Hweol's attacks don't affect me at all, but I still have to remain still, fighting against Seo Hweol's attempts to take control of my body from within.
[Hoho, please just calmly entrust your body to me. You've lived a long life anyway, so just think of it as having a short dream.]
"Giving my body to a bastard like you would be worse than going to the Mad Lord and becoming General Seo."
[Really?]
"Hmm...no, on second thought, it doesn't seem quite right. But still, I won't let you take it."
[Hoho, so you're just going to remain helplessly sealed inside the Clear Tears?]
Kuajijijik...
Before I know it, the tribulation of the main body has ended.
Simultaneously, the main body transforms into Seo Hweol, who is now clad in the power of a demon beast method with more of a more pronounced aura of the Sea Dragon Race.
He has completely risen to the Four-Axis stage.
Wo-woong―
And the cultivators of the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect around him start using the secret arts of the Four Symbols Nascent Soul to connect the outer space to the Care Layer.
"Longevity (壽), Wealth (富), Love of Virtue (攸好德)."
Paaaatt!
The three axes that had constrained Health (강녕) earlier come flying from the outer space.
He must have hidden them somewhere and is now retrieving them.
Wo-oong, Bo-oong, Zo-oong!
The three axes naturally enter Seo Hweol's body.
He instantly exudes the aura of a Grand Perfection Four-Axis.
As the aura of the Four-Axis General Seo overlays with his body, there is an enormous amplification of power.
'Integration stage...!'
Now, he clearly has the power of an Integration stage Demon King.
Seo Hweol smiles faintly and walks toward me, wrapped in the Clear Scale Armor.
"Daoist Seo. May I borrow your body for a moment?"
Keeping a distance of five zhang, he spreads his arms in a seemingly friendly gesture and proposes to me.
"I won't keep your body forever. Just for a moment, a very brief moment in your long, long life. Can you lend it to me for that short period of time?"
"I can't trust your words."
"I see...That's unfortunate."
Without changing his expression, Seo Hweol turns his back.
"In that case, I'll have to take it by force."
Ziiing―
At that moment, an overwhelming force of consciousness strikes my mind.
'This, this is...?'
Brainwashing (洗腦).
It's a powerful brainwashing
The brainwashing is so painful and terrifying that I doubt my ability to withstand the hints and suggestions.
'What in the world is this...!'
It isn't merely the concept of breaking the opponent's will.
It's more about dismantling the very concept of 'me.'
'Ah...damn it...'
My consciousness begins to blur.
My vision goes dark, ending it all.
Or so I thought.
―If you were born from me, show a little will.
Ziiiing―
Flash!
"Gahhhhhhh!"
I open my eyes wide with a splitting headache.
At the same time, I see Seo Hweol, who has been turning his back to me, kneeling while clutching his head.
Bo-ooong―
For a moment, I see an illusion of a white slash (斬擊) swiftly passing through Seo Hweol's head.
For the first time, Seo Hweol screams.
"Kuuurghh...! Daoist Seo...!"
Even as he screams, he doesn't lose his smile and looks ahead.
I follow his gaze.
There, dressed in white, is 'me.'
'Ah...'
I can feel it.
The presence before me is...
"Have you been well, Seo Li?"
Seo Eun-hyun.
My main body.
Bo-oong―
He raises one hand.
In his hand is a sword that shines in all of heavens' natural colors.
It's so bright it hurts the eyes to look at.
The sword seems to embody all the lights of Heaven and Earth.
"Hoho, Daoist Seo. How did you do it? I can't comprehend. As expected of Daoist Seo."
He laughs as he looks at the main body.
The main body swings the sword with an expressionless face.
The sword of light is indeed very conspicuous.
Yet, oddly enough, Seo Hweol can't perceive the sword of light.
Bo-oong!
Shu-kwang!
The sword of light slashes through Seo Hweol's shoulder.
"Hoho, an attack that cannot be perceived or felt...I think I understand what it is."
At those words, the main body smiles and looks at me.
"Listen carefully, Seo Li. What he means by those words is 'How did you do that!'"
"..."
Step, step...
The main body approaches me, placing the sword of light against my head and swings it.
The sword of light passes through my head, and at the same time, I feel Seo Hweol's whispering voice inside me being completely swept away.
"He can't see this light. It's visible only to us."
"Main body...you..."
"Seo Li."
He looks at me and says.
"I am not the main body."
"What?"
"I am Seo Eun-hyun."
I laugh as I look at the bewildered Seo Li.
Holding the newly born Formless Sword, I turn my back on him and look at Seo Hweol.
"Let's fight together, Seo Li. We need to drive that monster out of here and reclaim the Colorless Glass Sword."
While Seo Hweol was stealing my techniques like the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts, I uncovered his true identity.
He's a terrifying and unbelievable monster.
So, to reclaim my body, I definitely need Seo Li's help.
Seo Li stands by my side.
"I don't understand, but anyway..."
He smiles and gathers ghostly energy.
Clad in black and white, we simultaneously charge at Seo Hweol.
Translator Notes: Sea Lotus Fruit -> Sea Orchid Fruit
***
Seo Li and Seo Eun-hyun charge toward Seo Hweol.
Boo-oong―
The first attack is Seo Eun-hyun's sword strike.
However, Seo Hweol can't recognize it as a 'sword.'
'What is he swinging?'
To his eyes, it appears as though Seo Eun-hyun is gripping and swinging transparent void.
Considering that the Formless Sword Seo Eun-hyun originally used was transparent but its outline could be surmised, Seo Eun-hyun's current weapon is utterly unidentifiable.
Shukuang!
Before Seo Hweol can react.
Seo Eun-hyun has torn through the moment, appearing before him and launching thousands of slashes in an instant.
"...!"
Seo Hweol, without losing his smile, begins to use his Demon Ability.
Demon Ability.
Dragon Sea Exceeding Ascension (龍海進越弄).
Chwaaaa—
The dragon-shaped seawater is summoned around him, shooting towards Seo Eun-hyun and Seo Li.
Boo-oong―
However, behind Seo Eun-hyun,
Seo Li transforms the Clear Scale Armor he is wearing into a gigantic hand and rushes in, smashing the dragon-shaped seawater.
Kwaaang!
A deafening explosion sounds, and the dragon-shaped seawater shatters, spraying water everywhere.
Thick sea fog begins to spread around.
Woo-woong―
Within the thick sea fog, I exhale yin wind to try to disperse the fog.
But the fog stays fixed around me, unmoving.
Whisper-whisper-whisper...
Somewhere, from a distant place, I hear the sound of something whispering.
'What is this?'
I try to focus on the sound.
At that moment.
Whiing―
A white slash sweeps past in front of me.
Following the path cleaved through the fog, Seo Eun-hyun walks toward me.
"Do not be deceived, Seo Li. It's one of his brainwashing spells."
"...Main body..."
"It's 'Seo Eun-hyun.' Seo Li."
"...Alright, Seo Eun-hyun."
I ask, not understanding.
"Why insist on being called that? The distinction is meaningless to us."
Seo Eun-hyun smiles softly at my words.
"It seems you still don't know."
"...?"
"You'll understand naturally later."
He seems calmer and more composed than before, perhaps due to what he has experienced inside Seo Hweol.
"Anyway, what's Seo Hweol's ability? How does he parasitize so easily?"
I ask about Seo Hweol, who had somehow parasitized me and manipulated my mind.
Seo Eun-hyun's smile vanishes as he answers.
"His ability is not parasitism."
"What?"
"His ability is 'infection' or 'replication'...or, yes, 'assimilation' would be more accurate."
Seo Eun-hyun explains.
"He's capable of disassembling his own mind. How he does it, I don't know, but he dismantles and decomposes his own mind and emotions to create a certain configuration, and when that configuration is assembled, it becomes 'Seo Hweol.' Every entity that encounters Seo Hweol unconsciously imprints that 'configuration' into their minds. As time passes, the configuration spreads throughout our minds, and at some point, the configuration assembles, creating a new being known as 'Seo Hweol.' It's a form of brainwashing."
I feel a sense of absurdity at this ability.
"What is that...that plague-like ability? No, more importantly, can he really use such an absurd technique without any restrictions?"
"From what I've figured out, there are restrictions. First, to brainwash an opponent stronger than himself through the 'configuration' takes a considerable amount of time and effort. That's why he killed beings like Gyo Yeom and the one from the Tall Tree Race, who were at the Four-Axis stage."
"I see..."
"Secondly, the weaker a person's mental strength, the easier it is to brainwash them. Conversely, the stronger their mental strength, the more resources it takes to brainwash them."
"..."
I let out a hollow laugh at those words once again.
Is my mental strength that weak?
Swoosh―
Seo Eun-hyun places a hand on my shoulder.
Perhaps because we are the same 'me', it doesn't feel unpleasant.
Woo-woong―
In an instant, our hearts connect, and I discover a startling truth.
[Our mental strength isn't weak. We just got too deeply immersed in the conditions for his brainwashing.]
'What?'
So it isn't just a matter of killing Seo Hweol to be brainwashed?
As I listen to the conditions for Seo Hweol's brainwashing, I feel chills all over my body.
[The condition for Seo Hweol's brainwashing is to 'meet Seo Hweol, talk to him, and have an impression of him remain in your mind.' The more you talk to him, the more you remember him, and the more you encounter him, the higher the probability and risk of turning into 'Seo Hweol.' Our mental strength isn't weak.]
Seo Eun-hyun's eyes seem to burn with a fierce intensity.
He is wary of Seo Hweol.
[Since the first time I met him 3,000 years ago, I have been brainwashed and eroded by him.]
'Ah...'
So that's how it is.
Seo Hweol has been brainwashing me since my very first life, since the 0th cycle.
And so, from that time until now.
Over the span of about 3,000 years that he has been brainwashing me.
The result is the current 'me.'
The reason Seo Hweol could read my thoughts is simple.
By that point, I was already being eroded by Seo Hweol.
The configurations of Seo Hweol that slept within my consciousness must have conveyed the information to him.
It's truly a terrifying ability.
"That Seo Hweol you see over there is both Seo Hweol and, simultaneously, the brainwashed 'me.'"
After Seo Eun-hyun stops transmitting his heart language from my shoulder, he speaks aloud.
"There's a simple way to reclaim 'me.' Either make him draw out the Colorless Glass Sword or directly cut open his stomach to take out the Colorless Glass Sword, then through the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections..."
At the same time, Seo Eun-hyun's 'true' plan flows through heart language.
[By overwriting my memories onto Seo Hweol's configuration, I'll re-brainwash Seo Hweol's personality back into 'Seo Eun-hyun.' Yes...perhaps the term 'assimilation' fits better.]
Boo-oong!
Seo Eun-hyun swings the sword of all of Heaven's natural colors.
Simultaneously, the fog surrounding us is completely torn apart and dispersed.
Kugugugu―
Outside the fog, Seo Hweol is seen diligently forming hand seals and preparing the next spell.
Demon Ability.
Three Hundred Million Jin Sweet Water Peach.
Chwaa―
Kududududuk!
Suddenly, the Clear Scale Armor protecting my body becomes incredibly heavy.
Demon Ability.
Sea Tears Submerging Resentment.
Tears from the furious sea pours down from the sky.
"Hoho, even the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections won't work on me. You two won't even be able to approach me."
Boo-oong―
I move the now-heavy Clear Scale Armor, using it like the Formless Sword to deflect all the falling raindrops.
Then, raising the prismatic sword, Seo Eun-hyun speaks.
"In other words, 'I'm scared of the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections, so I absolutely won't let you approach me.'"
We exchange glances.
One word is enough.
"Go."
Tadat!
Clad in the Clear Scale Armor, I wield a cursed ghost sword and, enveloped in dark ghostly energy and yin energy, don the armor formed by the power of Great Desert to Dead Sea.
And Seo Eun-hyun, with no protection, charges in with the sword of light.
"Hoho, my current strength reaches the Integration stage..."
In the next moment.
Boo-oong―
Pukwak!
Seo Eun-hyun's sword plunges into Seo Hweol's mouth.
Getting used to the heavy Clear Scale Armor, I begin to handle the shapeless armor like the Formless Sword.
Chwaruruk!
Though it became heavier thanks to Seo Hweol, the increased weight of the Clear Scale Armor allows for a more powerful strike that surges towards Seo Hweol.
Paaatt!
He uses the Mad Lord's circuits to enhance his physical abilities and draws out his immortal beast true blood to strengthen himself further. He then uses his Five Blessings Orthodox Axis to deploy a canopy, increasing his power.
Chwaruruk!
The Four-Axis Canopy covers the Care Layer.
"This is..."
Is it because of the Five Blessings Axis?
Seo Hweol's canopy is unlike that of Baek Wi-ik or other cultivators in the Four-Axis stage. Rather, his canopy is as solid and strong as that of Wi Ryeong-seon, an Integration stage cultivator.
The pitch-black world I had seen before.
A place as nauseating as Seo Hweol's heart essence.
I'm slightly taken aback, but Seo Eun-hyun, unfazed, skillfully finds his way through the darkness and delivers a slash.
"Hoho, Daoist Seo, you seem to be in a hurry. To strike aimlessly like that already, are you afraid of my power within the Axis Canopy?"
Seo Hweol's mocking voice echoes from the opposite direction of where Seo Eun-hyun's slash landed.
However, Seo Eun-hyun isn't deceived. He keeps his gaze fixed on the spot where he had struck, his eyes gleaming.
"In other words, 'How did that happen? I was hit by the slash without even perceiving it. How can you exert such power within my Axis Canopy?'"
"..."
I can't help but let out a gasp as I watch Seo Eun-hyun expertly translate Seo Hweol's words.
"SEOIC 990 points..." [Author making a pun; TOEIC -> SEOIC]
"...?"
"Oh, nothing...you used to be terrible at foreign languages. Remember when you boasted about scoring 900 points in TOEIC in front of Kang Min-hee, but then shrank back in front of her 990 points?"
It's fascinating to see myself become so proficient in completely different languages like Seo Hweol's and the Mad Lord's.
Seeing me marveling, Seo Eun-hyun smiles as he concentrates power into the sword of light, preparing for another slash.
"Seo Li, you really think about Kang Min-hee a lot, don't you?"
"Ah, no. I was just reminded of that incident. You...no, I have become so proficient in interpreting alien languages..."
"Do you love Kang Min-hee?"
"No, why are you bringing that up suddenly? Kang Min-hee is just...to me, she's..."
However, as I look at the warmly smiling Seo Eun-hyun's eyes which seem to be saying 'I know everything already,' I can't hide it any longer.
"...Yeah. I like Kang Min-hee."
Chuaaruruk!
From the darkness, black chains come down upon us.
I move the Clear Scale Armor to fend off the chains, while Seo Eun-hyun pinpoints Seo Hweol's location in the darkness and strikes accurately again.
Seo Hweol continues to taunt us, saying, 'Hoho, where are you aiming those slashes? You can't even scratch me,' and whatever, but neither of us pay any attention to his words.
Seo Eun-hyun chuckles softly.
"Was it from that time, I wonder? When we started to diverge?"
"Hmm?"
"Isn't it interesting? Love...I also like Kang Min-hee. As an old friend, that is. But...I settled my feelings for her long ago. I still have lingering feelings, sometimes I miss her, sometimes I recall the times we watched the sunset from Namsan...however, I already have someone I love. But you are in love with Kang Min-hee again. Aren't you?"
"..."
"You are no longer me. Starting from your love for Kang Min-hee, you have become independent of me, 'Seo Li.'"
Kuuooooo―
Numerous yin dragons charged at us, roaring.
I unleash curse spells, while the main body delivers slashes, grinding them down as we stand back to back.
I smile bitterly.
"Being called Seo Li...not even Yuan Li, it really drives me crazy. You bastard, why did you name me Seo Li?"
"I'm really sorry for that. Go to Temporal Fate Island later and apply for a name change."
"Forget it. Even the name Seo Li..."
I infuse the entire Clear Scale Armor with curses.
The armor, now turbid like black water, transforms into formless strikes that scatter in all directions.
Seo Eun-hyun, wielding his prismatic sword, begins performing a sword dance.
"...is not too bad."
"That's a relief."
The black-and-white sword dance tears through the dark space.
As the white and black sword formation combines, the power of the sword strikes rises to the level of a Grand Cultivator at the Integration stage.
And Seo Hweol's canopy is torn apart.
I retrieve my sword.
The surroundings revert back to the environment of the Care Layer.
Seo Li begins desertifying the Care Layer using Great Dessert to Dead Sea, and I approach Seo Hweol with the Formless Sword in hand.
"You retracted the Axes before the canopy was damaged."
"..."
"Now give up. You cannot defeat us."
Seo Hweol takes a step back, smiling faintly.
"Do you intend to attack me?"
"Yeah."
"Hoho...not bad. However, there's one thing I need to tell you."
"Don't bother. Farewell."
I take the Starting Form.
And Seo Hweol raises a finger and says,
"I told you earlier that I found the [Pillar] of the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections."
Uduk―
I freeze in place.
"I couldn't touch the [Pillar] because I needed the attraction force of the Four-Axis stage...but hoho...after having a bout with Daoist Seo, finally..."
With a bright smile, he continues.
"I was able to reach the [Pillar]."
"..."
Seo Li, standing behind me, has a confused look on his face.
"H-hey, Seo Eun-hyun. What is he talking about?"
Seo Hweol spreads his arms wide and grins.
"Now then, shall we unveil Daoist Seo's secret?"
Shaaaaaa―
Simultaneously, he activates the Colorless Glass Sword, causing the mist of the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections to billow.
Watching him, I'm thrown into confusion.
I feel the same as Seo Li.
'Indeed. What in the world is he talking about?'
The Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections has no [Pillar].
No, to be precise, [everything] is a pillar.
I have always cherished and recorded every connection in my life as the pillars that make up my existence.
So, what exactly does Seo Hweol mean by the [Pillar]?
Seo Hweol traverses through the hazy mist with attraction force.
He senses it from afar.
Within the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections, there is an entity that is both particularly alien and inherently protected by the Canvas itself.
"At last, I can peek into Daoist Seo's secret. How delightful."
Clench―
Within the mist of the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections, Seo Hweol grabs the shoulder of [a certain being].
"You must be the memory Daoist Seo cherishes the most. Reveal your identity to me."
Beaming with the thought of using this [Pillar] as a key to glimpse through everything in the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections, Seo Hweol suddenly senses something amiss.
"Hm?"
Ssss―
The being covered in mist, whom Seo Hweol thought of as the [Pillar], reveals themself.
It's a woman in white, holding a jade norigae in one hand.
And Seo Hweol, realizing something, takes a step back with a faint smile.
"...Who are you?"
To his question, 'she' replies.
"I am but a mere wanderer. A traveler who happened upon this place while researching dharma treasures."
"...You are not the [Pillar], are you?"
"I'm not sure what you mean. I simply came here while investigating the object connected to this norigae."
Seo Hweol's gaze falls upon the jade norigae she is holding.
"Ah, I see. Hoho, it's not you but 'that' which is the [Pillar]. Could you give it to me?"
"Who knows. It does seem to play a crucial role in this space. But giving it to you is impossible."
"Why is that?"
"Because...this space is whispering to me. Though I am but a traveler, it tells me that you are an unwelcome guest."
"Hm?"
"Though I cannot play the host as a mere guest here...I can still drive out an uninvited guest."
The woman in white smiles faintly and raises the jade norigae.
"Haha, I don't know who you are calling an uninvited guest. We both entered the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections without permission. Why don't you just hand over the norigae?"
Ignoring the woman in white, Seo Hweol reaches out to seize the norigae.
Clench!
Seo Hweol's hand grasps the jade norigae.
"Hmm?"
And then,
Seo Hweol,
Sees it.
The [inverted cone] within the norigae.
***
"GUUAAAGHHHH!"
Seo Hweol suddenly starts screaming.
It's a terrible scream, unlike anything I've ever heard before.
Crumble!
At the same time, part of Seo Hweol's head turns into salt and begins to pour down to the ground.
Seo Hweol appears to try to catch his crumbling head with his trembling hands, but even his hands begin to turn into salt and fall apart.
"..."
"..."
Seo Li and I stand there, speechless, watching the scene unfold.
'What in the world did he mess with?'
Anyway, this is a good thing.
My eyes brighten as I grasp the Starting Form.
"It's now."
Seo Li uses a spell, taking out a curse banner and the Five Elements Blood Curse Banner.
Now that Seo Hweol has shown an opening.
I will drive him out and reclaim my body.
Before the Throne (御前).
The First Step (第一步).
By enduring and enduring, and compressing and compressing myself, I reached beyond Tribulating Heavens.
'I didn't need to seek it from the outside.'
The essence of martial arts was already within me.
Everything I had learned was already inside.
Why did Jang Ik name this state 'Before the Throne (御前)'?
Because reflecting on oneself allows one to reach the front (御前) of a great being.
Kiiiiiiing―
One Sword compressed with my entirety.
Even my heart essence is contained in this sword.
"Here I go."
Paaatt!
I become the sword.
A sword of light flies toward Seo Hweol.
Just as Jang Ik had embedded his podao into my heart essence, I shoot into Seo Hweol's filthy heart essence.
I overlay the existence of 'me' on top of the existence of 'Seo Hweol.'
Although it's theoretically possible with the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections, I'm not just relying on history but the 'me of this very moment' driving him out.
This is the 'real' plan I had hidden from Seo Hweol and conveyed to Seo Li.
By simultaneously utilizing the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections and the First Step Before the Throne, I take my place inside Seo Hweol.
Chwarururuk!
As soon as Seo Eun-hyun enters Seo Hweol, Seo Li dyes the Five Elements Blood Curse Banner.
Chiiiii―
The dark Black Ghost Curse Banners are created, forming a field of black flags around Seo Li.
"Go."
Chwararararak!
Countless Black Ghost Curse Banners swarm together like bees, merge in the sky, and then plunge toward Seo Hweol.
If Seo Eun-hyun's aim is to enter Seo Hweol's body, reassert his heart essence with the First Step Before the Throne, and 'digest' Seo Hweol using the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections, Seo Li's role is to imprint the 'pain' Seo Eun-hyun had experienced onto Seo Hweol from the outside.
The fear and suffering felt when looking at True Immortals.
The castration of his testicles.
The pain of the 60,000-fold toxic poison.
The pain of losing Azure Tiger Saint before his eyes.
The loneliness, sorrow, and suffering of being a puppet for a thousand years.
The situation when he first awakened the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation...
The loneliness of having to explore beyond the limits of martial arts alone, leaving behind Kim Young-hoon each time.
The pain of having to leave his master after bowing to him, leaving his master alone.
The pain of losing his disciples.
The pain of letting all those countless cherished connections go.
The immense pain experienced by the individual 'Seo Eun-hyun' are all implanted into Seo Hweol's brain.
If Seo Hweol had brainwashed Seo Eun-hyun to turn him into Seo Hweol, they are doing the opposite.
Brainwashing Seo Hweol to revert him back into Seo Eun-hyun.
Now that Seo Hweol is suddenly turning into salt and crumbling, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Just when I think that.
Crumble!
"Kkuuuugh...!"
Suddenly, Seo Li also grabs his head.
Part of Seo Li's head turns into salt and begins to fall apart.
Although his entire head didn't completely melt away like Seo Hweol's, part of him has suddenly turned into salt.
"What, what is this?"
Seo Li is baffled, but he soon understands by looking around.
Seo Hweol has assimilated the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect, the Spirit Scale Race, the Cold Spirit Race, the Leaf Race, and many others.
Many of them are experiencing the same phenomenon, their heads turning into salt and melting away.
And this is happening throughout the entire Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain.
Bright Cold Realm.
The Grand Cultivator who previously shared a conversation with Seo Hweol and let him out, Wi Ryeong-seon, suddenly grabs his head and collapses to the floor.
"KKEEEUUGH!"
Part of his head starts turning into salt and begins to melt away.
It isn't just him.
Others whom Seo Hweol had spoken with in the Black Ghost Valley also have their heads turning into salt and melting away.
In the case of the Black Grand Elder Heo Gwak, it's particularly severe.
"KKUUAAAAGHh! AAAARGGH! AAAAAAgh!"
Three-quarters of his face has turned into salt and is melting away.
The same is true for Azure Tiger Saint.
"KUUAAAAAGH!"
In the case of the Azure Tiger Saint, half of his face has turned into salt and is melting away.
All the Heaven Tribe members who had met and conversed with Seo Hweol are spewing salt from their faces, or part of their heads are turning into salt and pouring down.
The True Dragon Alliance of the Earth Tribe is no different.
"KYAAAAGH! Unnie!"
"GUAAAAAHHH!"
Seeing Gyu-ryeon spewing salt from her mouth, her sister Gyu-hwa turns pale and infuses her with life force.
However, even Gyu-hwa, who had come and gone conversing with Seo Hweol, has parts of her face turning into salt and falling off.
"KYAAAAAGH!"
The True Dragon Alliance of the Earth Tribe.
The hidden layer within the Serving Command Ark.
Inside a vast estate.
Cough, cough!
A woman in there coughs and spits out some salt, then half-opens her eyes with a meaningful smile.
"Oh my, has our Grand Prince finally shown a crack?"
Her eyes curve into a smile.
"Maybe now I can see the past of yours covered in darkness..."
Her hand reaches out into the void..
"Shall we find Seo Hweol's [Pillar]."
Above the land of the Malryu Domain, which leads to the Swiftwind Domain.
Within a rapidly gliding Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.
The Mad Lord suddenly scratches his chin with a surprised expression.
Buck buck.
Toodook—
A piece of salt, about the size of a pinky nail, falls from his chin.
Considering how long he has known Seo Hweol, it's an unbelievably small amount.
"...? What is this."
The Mad Lord pays it no mind and continues focusing on maneuvering the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.
Ancient Force Realm.
Above the lake where a large fleet is anchored.
Inside the command ship of the fleet.
A woman dressed in white, holding a norigae, suddenly grabs her head while meditating.
"Ugh..."
Her face turns into salt and crumbles away.
Chiiiiiii—
She quickly regenerates her face before long, but she opens her eyes with a puzzled expression.
"Why me...?"
Ancient Force Realm.
A large mountain range beside the fleet.
Inside a cave residence on the mountain.
"Ma-master!"
[Ugh! Do not come near! Damn it, what's happening…?!]
Part of Song Jin's skull suddenly turns into salt and begins to melt.
Seo Ran, seeing this, is flustered.
And then, at some point, Seo Ran also grabs his head.
"Urgh...my head..."
Regardless of whether it's the Bright Cold Realm, the Ancient Force Realm, or the Head Realm, anyone who had met and conversed with 'Seo Hweol' even once are having salt drip from their heads.
Inside Seo Hweol, as I am 'digesting' his heart essence and his existence, I feel it.
'Truly, there's an unbelievable amount.'
It isn't just those Seo Hweol had conversed with and imprinted configurations on.
There are countless others who have already been completely transformed into 'Seo Hweol.'
Seo Hweols are already overflowing in this world.
Within Seo Hweol, I observe how he constantly communicates with the 'other Seo Hweols' outside.
It's like looking at brain cells.
Each of the countless Seo Hweols act as a single nerve, exchanging opinions and information with the many other Seo Hweols, collectively thinking and deciding as a single 'brain'.
I realize the terror of Seo Hweol as I face the endlessly unfolding darkness.
[Is that your secret?]
Anyone who converses with Seo Hweol, unless they are overwhelmingly superior in cultivation, would have a lingering impression of Seo Hweol etched in their mind.
This impression itself becomes a configuration that forms Seo Hweol's persona within them.
Consequently, anyone who forms Seo Hweol's persona would instantly develop a 'fondness for Seo Hweol,' no matter who they are.
This is why everyone Seo Hweol met thinks highly of him.
It's the reason why everyone from the Head Realm placed absolute trust in Seo Hweol's words.
In the darkness, I murmur the name of Seo Hweol's spell that inadvertently flows out in my bewilderment.
"Immortal Art (仙術), Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens (濁魂滿天). So that's the name of your spell."
As Seo Hweol meets more people.
As he appears before the masses and imprints 'himself' on them.
Seo Hweol is formed within their inner selves, and they would act 'for Seo Hweol' within the realm of their unconsciousness.
Seo Hweol's plans seldom failed.
His predictions rarely missed the mark.
The reason this was possible is simple.
Every person who has ever met him inevitably acts in ways that benefit him.
[What I saw then wasn't just your talent.]
When I was assimilated with Seo Hweol, I saw a network of countless human relationships.
The confidence that he could twist these relationships to his advantage.
It wasn't just confidence or talent, but simply 'a fact'.
A chilling ability.
As time passes, more Seo Hweols grow.
As these Seo Hweols meet more people, they, too, will eventually become Seo Hweol.
If these Seo Hweols fill the world, the world itself will essentially become Seo Hweol.
'The one saving grace is that every Seo Hweol shares the memory of the True Immortal he saw in the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections.'
The darkness is quite noisy.
I slowly push Seo Hweol out of my body, observing the joyfully and noisily discussing Seo Hweols.
Jjiiing―
Countless Seo Hweols communicate in their unique language.
Normally, it's a language I wouldn't be able to understand, but because I am in a state of being assimilated by Seo Hweol, I can understand to some extent.
―It's dangerous.
―We need to protect □□. As long as I have that, I'm safe.
―No, we don't even need to go as far as □□.
―Yeah, let's push it all to one place.
―Where should we push it to?
―It's best to put it in the most useless me.
―How do we judge what's useless?
―By the success or failure of plans.
―Then...
Ssss―
Somehow, I feel hundreds of millions of unpleasant gazes from the darkness focus on me.
―I, who failed to parasitize the Grade-2 dangerous entity, must take responsibility.
'So that's how it is...'
I feel like I understand the system of 'Seo Hweol' to some extent.
Just when I think that.
Beyond the deep darkness.
'Hm?'
I see the Taiji.
The circulation of Yin and Yang, an eternal rotation.
A compendium of History (歷史).
For some reason I sense the presence of countless immortal beasts' true blood within the Taiji.
And, as the Taiji rotates, it shatters the 'darkness'.
Kwaching―
At the same time, I see something unbelievable beyond the darkness.
A 'pure light' I thought could never exist within Seo Hweol bursts forth momentarily from beyond the darkness.
[What!?]
I'm bewildered, but at the same time, my eyes shine.
'This is my chance to uncover Seo Hweol's true identity!'
Paatt!
Using the power of the First Step Before the Throne, I shoot towards the crack of light.
Kwadududuk!
I transform into a sword and embedd myself in the gap of light.
My spirit widens the gap, and the Taiji flows into it.
And then,
Zziiiiiiiing―
[Kughh!]
Both I and the mysterious Taiji are blown away by the concentrated mental attack from the hundred of millions of 'Seo Hweol's, unable to see the inside of the light.
"Ha, hahahaha, ahahahahaha...!!!"
'I' laugh out loud.
Basically, my original body.
I am referring to the body of 'Seo Eun-hyun.'
Though the body is turning to salt, I am able to regain considerable control over the body that had been seized by Seo Hweol.
I laugh maniacally.
"Seo Hweol! Seo Hweol! Seo Hweol!!!"
Until now, I had thought of Seo Hweol's identity as being tied to a judge of the Netherworld.
Figures such as Nether Devil True Lord Yu Hao Te (Love of Virtue)
Or those I learned of today such as Nether Ghost True Lord Yu Soo Ryeon, Ancient Force True Lord Hae Nyeong, or the Purple Gold True Lord, and so on.
However, just moments ago, while catching a glimpse of his light, I realized one thing.
"You...are not a Lord (君)."
Neither a True Lord nor a Heavenly Lord.
"No, you were never..."
My eyes are bloodshot.
The true identity of Seo Hweol is laughable and absurd.
"You were never a True Immortal...! Right?"
Neither of us were True Immortals.
Even though we weren't True Immortals, we both recognized each other as beings of that caliber and performed a ludicrous farce, pretending to be True Immortals.
I'm a fellow True Immortal Daoist?
How ridiculously laughable.
He never saw me as a fellow Daoist; he was just a pitiable creature desperately pretending to be a True Immortal in front of me.
Earth Tribe, True Dragon Alliance, Serving Command Ark.
The hidden layer.
Clench―
One of the jiangshi inside is gripping the neck of a woman in white, Oh Hye-seo.
The face of the jiangshi changes.
His attire changes.
A handsome man with blue hair and blue robes.
The jiangshi, now transformed into Seo Hweol, glares coldly at Oh Hye-seo, a look he had never shown before.
"What was the meaning of this just now, Miss Hye-seo?"
"Haha, why are you doing this, Grand Prince? Are you upset because this girl peeked at your secret?"
"...I suppose I should thank you. Thanks to you, I remembered the feeling of such discomfort after a long time."
"That's great! Your face looks much more human now, doesn't it? Ohohoho..."
At that, Seo Hweol coldly throws Oh Hye-seo aside.
"Yet, you are inhuman while being human, Miss Hye-seo."
"Hmm, it's sad to hear that from you, Grand Prince. Aren't you and I both beasts in human skin?"
Seo Hweol, looking at Oh Hye-seo for a moment, regains his usual smile.
"Hoho, while I've purposely discarded mine, it's just fascinating that you seem to have never had one from the beginning, Miss Hye-seo."
"Ahaha, how could that be? In this vast world, there's no way there's no one like me."
"Hoho..."
The man wearing a mask and the woman with nothing but a mask look at each other with smiling faces.
"Anyway, this won't do. What just happened was a bit dangerous for me, so I'll have to give you a little education this time."
"Thank you for kindly showing me that this method was effective."
"Hoho..."
Seo Hweol reaches out to Oh Hye-seo with a smiling face.
"Hoho..."
That laugh is still unpleasant.
The Seo Hweol, looking at me through the bodies of different races.
It's truly an unpleasant sight.
However, seeing this appearance, I pity him.
In the past, I had seen a light in Seo Hweol's heart essence.
At that time, I thought it was an illusion.
But from what happened just now, I can tell.
His heart essence might have truly been like an idyllic peach garden at one time.
"Pitiful. Grand Prince of the Sea Dragon Race, Seo Hweol. How miserable must your experiences have been, to shove your original heart into the depths of a bottomless abyss and torment yourself."
"..."
"Open your heart. If the wounds of the past are the problem, I have a method that can heal your heart."
"...Hoho."
Seo Hweol smiles faintly.
"You say amusing things, Daoist Seo. What I showed you was merely a joke. There is no such thing as a heart in this world."
"...Is that so?"
I look directly into Seo Hweol's eyes as I speak.
Tuk, tududuk...
As Seo Hweol is gradually overpowered within me, the influence of whatever he saw weakens, and the body that had turned into salt begins to regenerate.
"You're always smiling."
"Hoho..."
He is a liar.
His words, actions, face, even his heart, everything is turned into lies by this pitiful monster.
Then, what kind of lie is the smile this monster always wears?
===
Author's Note: Seo Hweol might have just needed someone to talk to...
Breaking the character of Seo Hweol so that he stops smiling will be the goal for Seo Eun-hyun and me as we progress through the Middle Realm episodes.
I truly want to see Seo Hweol in despair.
***