"Have you gone crazy?"
After the Guardian Ghost Kings left, Yeon Wei glares at me with eyes ablaze.
"What do you mean by suddenly declaring that you won't back down? Ah, are you planning to use those Guardian Ghost Kings as bait and then have us escape? That's not a bad idea. It's a bit of a waste, but it's rational. Please tell me that's the plan!"
Tstststststs―
After releasing my Ghost King Transformation, I return to my human Seo Eun-hyun form.
"Did you know, elder Yeon Wei?"
"What?"
"First Guardian Ghost King Wei Shi-hon and Second Guardian Ghost King Eum Wa are getting married."
"And so what?"
"The Bone Sanctuary Sect Leader has recently risen to the position of the Eleventh Guardian Ghost King and has taken a disciple. His face has been very bright recently."
"..."
"The recently joined puppet instructor has successfully advanced to the Qi Building stage and looks quite pleased. Additionally, a follower who joined last time accumulated enough merits within the cult and was granted a small cave residence as a reward. I saw him looking very happy. And..."
I continue speaking slowly but clearly.
"This year alone, over 40,000 disciples have joined our religious order, and the voices praising our order throughout the White Yin Domain are growing louder. In fact, the followers are even taking charge of public order, so evil spirits no longer run rampant as they used to. Rather, this place now needs our cult."
"You've completely immersed yourself in playing the cult leader! Have you forgotten our original purpose?"
"Yes, I know. To build the Longevity Axis. To find the disciples of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect. And to return."
"Exactly!!! We've already found traces of our sect's disciples! We don't have time to waste on babysitting the Wuji Religious Order's followers! We need to find our disciples!"
"I've thought about it thoroughly."
I stand up from my seat and approach Yeon Wei.
"Ultimately, whether it's building the Longevity Axis, finding the disciples of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, or returning to the Bright Cold Realm, they all have one thing in common. Do you know what that is?"
"It's for our own benefit!"
"It's to save our 'comrades.'"
Why are we trying to rescue the disciples of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect?
Because they are our comrades.
Why am I building the Longevity Axis?
Because we need it to open the side path.
Why do we want to return to the Bright Cold Realm?
Because only by returning can we find clues to save Kang Min-hee.
I have no interest in those I haven't given my affection to.
I smile appropriately and remain detached appropriately.
But if they're comrades I have once given my affection to, I cannot ignore them.
"The Wuji Religious Order have already become our comrades. Just like the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect."
"How absurd! How dare you equate the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect established by our founder to this pseudo-religious cult!!! Jeon Myeong-hoon! Grand Elder Jeon Myeong-hoon! Immediately capture this insolent fool, hang him upside down and beat him!"
Yeon Wei, her face flushed red, points at me furiously.
It seems that comparing the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect with the Wuji Religious Order has hurt her pride.
However, Jeon Myeong-hoon merely shrugs.
"If I fight him, I'm the one getting beaten up. You know that."
"You! How can you, as the high elder of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, turn a blind eye to this outrageous situation...kiek!"
As Yeon Wei starts having a fit, Jeon Myeong-hoon sighs and transforms into red lightning, striking the back of Yeon Wei's neck.
She, who is borrowing Yeon Jin's body, immediately falls unconscious.
Wiiing―
A Taiji symbol appears in Jeon Myeong-hoon's hand, and floats above Yeon Wei's upper dantian.
"Divided soul, reversal."
Paaatt!
The consciousness of Yeon Wei residing within Yeon Jin is expelled back to the Head Realm.
"Please cool your head for a while in the Head Realm's shrine, Ancestor."
"Well done. Honestly, she was quite noisy."
"That is true. Well, your words have a point. After all, it's a fact that after nearly 200 years together, we've grown attached to this place. I also promised to be a witness at the Guardian Ghost Kings' wedding."
But Jeon Myeong-hoon looks at me coldly and asks.
"However, the Ancestor isn't entirely wrong. What about the sect's disciples whose whereabouts we've recently discovered? If we stay holed up here, we won't be able to meet them. And if we leave to meet them, the three great factions will attack and destroy our cult. How do you plan to handle that?"
"Don't worry about that. Hong Fan, Kim Yeon."
The two people whose names I call step forward.
Hong Fan clears his throat and spreads something out in front of Jeon Myeong-hoon, beginning his explanation.
Kim Yeon also explains to Jeon Myeong-hoon that she has completed everything I have previously requested.
After listening, Jeon Myeong-hoon remains silent for a moment before letting out a hollow laugh.
"Ha, haha...crazy bastard? Do you think this is possible?"
"What's impossible about it?"
"...If this really works..."
Jeon Myeong-hoon chuckles.
"This cult will become the most renowned power in the Nether Ghost Realm."
"Well, isn't that a good thing? Let's become even more famous and spread the concept of better welfare throughout the entire Nether Ghost Realm."
"Ha, well...fine."
Jeon Myeong-hoon chuckles briefly, then turns around.
"Do as you please. If it turns out as you say, then...it definitely won't matter if three great factions come or if fifty Integration cultivators attack. Moreover, it will make rescuing our sect's disciples much easier..."
Jeon Myeong-hoon carries the unconscious body of Yeon Jin out of the Wuji Religious Hall, leaving only Kim Yeon, Oh Hyun-seok, Hong Fan, and myself inside.
"Is there anything Hyun-seok Hyung-nim needs these days?"
"There's nothing I particularly need. Just secure some space for me when I break through to the Four-Axis stage."
"Yes, I'll prepare it."
"Thanks. Then I'm off training."
Oh Hyun-seok waves casually and leaves the basement.
As usual, Hong Fan disappears into the shadows and begins to coordinate personnel in the Void Spirit Pond according to my orders.
I look at Kim Yeon.
"And Yeon-ah."
"Yes?"
"I heard you destroyed the training ground again?"
"Oh, I'm sorry. Lately, there's a lot of times when I can't control my strength."
"Controlling strength..."
I stare at Kim Yeon for a moment before asking.
"Do you still...have the same feelings for me?"
She nods firmly with clear eyes.
"Yes. They haven't changed. Absolutely!"
"...Alright. You can go."
Kim Yeon smiles faintly and leaves the basement.
I sigh and sit in my seat.
The Nether Ghost Realm, like the Bright Cold Realm, has Stable Realm and Chaos Realm.
The White Yin Domain, where we are located, is at the southern edge of the Nether Ghost Realm. We have heard that the disciples of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect are currently isolated in the northern Chaos Realm of the Nether Ghost Realm.
'They're collecting the remains of cultivators who went berserk after being eroded by Entering Nirvana True Persons...'
Crunch―
The Black Ghost Palace has given such a task to the disciples of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
'They've essentially forced them to investigate a place filled with radioactive materials.'
The remains of cultivators killed due to the corruption of Entering Nirvana True Persons are incredibly dangerous but also highly valuable. The Black Ghost Palace must have desired them despite the risk.
However, they probably found it too wasteful to send their own forces to such a dangerous place and too frustrating to ignore, eventually pushing the disciples of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect into it.
'I need to rescue them quickly.'
If it drags on too long, something might happen.
'It will be soon.'
The three great factions have designated me a public enemy, and they will soon come to eliminate me.
When that time comes, I can shock and confuse everyone and go rescue the disciples of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect on the opposite side of the Nether Ghost Realm.
Yeon Wei thought I impulsively acted out and complained about it, but in reality, I have been planning this since the moment I became attached to the Wuji Religious Order.
'Of course, it lacks secrecy in terms of Yeon Wei's plan and the risk is high, so she would have strongly opposed it even if I had informed her beforehand.'
Yes. To be honest, there are no problems up to this point.
However, I furrow my brows upon seeing Kim Yeon's recent condition.
"Hong Fan."
"Yes, Master."
"How has Yeon's condition been lately?"
"...Her abnormal symptoms have certainly worsened."
Hong Fan speaks with a serious expression.
"I saw her just now at the training ground. She went berserk, unleashing her power uncontrollably and collapsing the training ground."
"Hmm..."
Recently, Kim Yeon has not been in a normal state.
Sometimes she would train in martial arts for days in a dazed, dream-like state, and other times she would be overcome with madness, making the puppets perform the Paired Wings Dance.
The problem is that she doesn't remember any of it once she regains her senses.
There hasn't been any serious damage as of yet, but I have noticed a kind of madness growing inside Kim Yeon.
'Mad Lord, that man...'
In this life, the Mad Lord had conversed with me in a relatively sane state for a longer time. As a result of that, he sent Kim Yeon back to me with a rational mind.
Moreover, the Mad Lord had even crafted and delivered a dharma treasure imbued with his enlightenment specifically for Kim Yeon.
I assumed the enlightenment contained in that dharma treasure would be the same as that in the previous life, which [She] had imparted, so I didn't bother to look deeply into it.
But that became a mistake.
'Damn it, that man...'
At some point, Kim Yeon began to show a strange obsession with the 'Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon.'
With half-glazed eyes, she would mutter things like, 'I must find the final color. I must call its name,' and repeatedly recite the formula of the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon like a madwoman.
It's clear that the Mad Lord of this life has deliberately inserted 'madness' into the dharma treasure alongside his enlightenment.
By the time I asked Kim Yeon to give me the dharma treasure so I could reexamine it, she had already dismantled and destroyed it.
From her words, the structure apparently required dismantling the dharma treasure to receive the enlightenment of the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon, so there was no helping it.
In normal circumstances, I would have used the Spirit Sealing Bodkin or the Sea of Righteousness and Mountain of Grace to mend Kim Yeon's mind.
However, when she confessed her unchanged heart to me just a moment ago.
In such moments, the madness completely vanishes, and she becomes perfectly lucid.
Currently, Kim Yeon's state is a mix of parts taken over by madness and parts that are completely sane.
If I recklessly try to mend her mind, the sane Kim Yeon might be sealed, leaving only the madness-filled Kim Yeon.
'I can only wait until the madness fully takes over before mending her mind or hope that Kim Yeon overcomes it on her own.'
"...You said Kim Yeon went berserk and destroyed the training ground with just martial arts? The training ground that I, Yeon Wei, and Kim Yeon herself combined strengths to set up the protective formation for?"
"Yes. Despite not gathering Heaven and Earth spiritual energy through Celestial Energy Guidance or anything similar, her power surged greatly in an instant."
"..."
I recall the look in her eyes when she confessed her feelings.
Those incredibly clear eyes.
I remember what lay beyond those eyes.
When she had those eyes, for a fleeting moment, it seemed like her heart essence was unified.
'Perhaps...if she overcomes this madness, she might reach Entering Heavens Beyond the Path.'
Though she aims for Ultimate Pinnacle, the Heart Tribe doesn't necessarily need to pass through the Ultimate Pinnacle when awakening Manifestation, so theoretically, it isn't impossible.
'Overcome it, Yeon-ah.'
The current Kim Yeon is like a child lost in a forest.
The forest is crawling with knife-wielding bandits, making the situation look very dire.
But in her hands is a K2 assault rifle, fully loaded and set to automatic fire, so if the conditions align, she can become incredibly formidable.
A situation where if she just fires, there will be no danger.
'It's already in your hands, Kim Yeon.'
Although I've been guiding her in martial arts to draw out her power, there's always been a sense of unease.
But if she eventually awakens her abilities, Kim Yeon will grow dazzlingly.
"Still, I've confirmed all the formations that Lady Kim Yeon set up throughout White Yin Domain. Nothing will hinder the operation."
"...Alright. That's enough."
I lean back on my seat and close my eyes.
Within my vast consciousness domain, I sense Eum Wa and Wei Shi-hon preparing for their wedding ceremony at a location of the Wuji Religious Order
'The brief peace is coming to an end. Soon, many powerful figures from the three great forces will storm in.'
There is no fear.
"Be ready to activate 'it' at any moment, Hong Fan."
"Yes, Master."
White Yin Domain is now almost entirely swallowed by the Wuji Religious Order.
Branches of the Wuji Religious Order are established throughout White Yin Domain, and over 90% of the spirit creatures in White Yin Domain are followers of the Wuji Religious Order.
Moreover, news from the Wuji Religious Order's headquarters spreads across the entire territory through its branches via the installed relay spells.
"Hey, did you hear?"
"The rumor that the First Guardian Ghost King is getting married?"
"Yes, and the Second Guardian Ghost King is the partner."
"Indeed, those two were a match made by the heavens even before joining the Wuji Religious Order. They couldn't be together before because they had to take care of their respective sects, but now that they're free from those responsibilities, they're finally tying the knot."
"Haha, that's quite satisfying to hear."
The wedding of the First Guardian Ghost King Wei Shi-hon and the Second Guardian Ghost King Eum Wa is exactly that.
The entire White Yin Domain is abuzz with excitement at the news of these two spirits finally coming together after hundreds of years.
Wuji Religious Order Headquarters.
In front of the Wuji Religious Hall.
There, the two spirits are about to be united.
Jeon Myeong-hoon, cloaked in pitch-black ghostly energy in accordance with the traditions of the White Yin Domain, presides over the wedding with a chilling voice.
[Do you, groom Wei Shi-hon, swear not to devour her, not to banish her spirit, or to exorcize the bride Eum Wa?]
"I swear."
Wei Shi-hon, using the circuits of his puppet body to compress and transform into a handsome figure, stands wearing the traditional attire of the White Yin Domain, nodding with a flushed face.
[Do you, bride Eum Wa, swear to stay with groom Wei Shi-hon even if he is purified, to face great ghosts together, and to remain together even if dragged to the Netherworld?]
"I swear."
Eum Wa, clad in traditional attire and housed in a beautiful puppet body, faces Wei Shi-hon, blushing with the circuits on her face.
[Do you two ghostly creatures for a hundred years, a thousand years, and beyond ten thousand years, pledge to be each other's Paired Wings and Intertwined Branches?]
Both ghostly creatures nod in unison and shout.
"We swear!"
[Good. Then I, the Chief Law Protector of the Wuji Religious Order, the Six Extremes Ghost King Jeon Myeong-hoon, bless the union and connection of these two lovers and proclaim that they now share the same fate.]
Kugugugugu!
Jeon Myeong-hoon scatters the curse spells contained within the Six Extremes Yin Thunder Body into the air.
An eerie ghostly wail echoes through the air, and the multitude of ghosts attending the wedding let out scream-like cheers.
[Kiaaaaah! Long live the Guardian Ghost Kings!]
[Long live the Wuji Religious Order! Kiyaaah!]
[Long live the couple!]
Countless ghosts laugh heartily, some rattling in cursed dolls, and a ghostly feast is held in front of the Wuji Religious Hall.
As it is the wedding of two Guardian Ghost Kings of the Wuji Religious Order, Jeon Myeong-hoon, along with Oh Hyun-seok, Kim Yeon, Yeon Jin, and others attend to offer their congratulations.
Among them, Kim Yeon has the role of capturing the wedding ceremony of the two Guardian Ghost Kings using image spells.
Wo-oong—
Kim Yeon furrows her brow as she records the event into the record book.
'It's strange.'
Recently, her emotions have been excessively tumultuous, and there have been times when she felt strange.
However, there have been no major issues so far, and Seo Eun-hyun also encouraged her, saying that such phenomena will disappear as she reaches higher realms of martial arts.
But as Kim Yeon watches the happy couple getting married, she feels something welling up inside her chest.
Especially when Jeon Myeong-hoon recites the wedding vow, a phrase traditionally spoken across various dimensions and realms.
—...Pledge to be each other's Paired Wings and Intertwined Branches?
Hearing that phrase.
Kim Yeon feels a strange scene flash before her eyes.
—Look, Yeon-ah. This is the Paired Wings Spear.
It's a strange scene.
A woman is dancing with short spears in both hands.
The dance is strikingly similar to the fan dance that Seo Eun-hyun has taught her.
Throb—
'No...'
Kim Yeon momentarily feels as if her mind is merging with the 'someone' in that scene, and she shakes her head.
'This isn't me.'
Throb, throb...
Reflecting on her past, she reaffirms her own identity.
She often reassures herself of her identity by reflecting on her past, feeling as if she is becoming someone else.
'I need to grow faster, even more.'
With a determined look in her eyes, she feels the urge to master the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon even more.
And so, the wedding ceremony of Eum Wa and Wei Shi-hon concludes.
"Finally, we are together, Eum Wa."
"It's something I never imagined before."
Eum Wa looks at Wei Shi-hon with loving eyes and smiles.
"...It would have been nice if Baek Rin could have also given us his blessings."
"...Indeed. If I hadn't let Baek Rin escape back then, could we all have been happy together?"
"Hoo. My heart always aches when I think of that guy. I wanted to share happiness with him too...ah, Mysterious Bizarre Ghost King, thank you for the recordings."
Wei Shi-hon takes the record book from Kim Yeon and falls into thought.
Seeing this, Eum Wa makes a bitter expression but suddenly claps her hands as if she has a good idea.
"Ah, I have a good idea."
"What is it, Eum Wa?"
"Well..."
Territory of the Black Ghost Palace, Ghost River Domain.
In a branch of the Black Ghost Palace.
Next to the ominous Nether Crossing Ship emitting ghostly energy sits a mountain range.
And within that mountain range lies a cave residence.
The cave residence of Baek Rin.
[Finally...]
Kugugugu—
Inside the cave residence.
Baek Rin absorbs the ghostly energy emanating from the Nether Crossing Ship, his eyes burning with ghost fire.
[I have regained my former realm.]
He has restored the cultivation he had lost through using the White Bone Shedding Shell Strategy.
He smiles with satisfaction.
[Now, I have the minimum qualifications to negotiate with the Black Ghost Palace. I just need to ask them to invade the White Yin Domain. Even if it takes some time, if I slowly explain to them that evil heretical cult, they will surely help for the sake of peace in the White Yin Domain.]
He clenches his fist with a hopeful voice.
[I will definitely save...]
As Baek Rin solidifies his will, something knocks on the barrier in front of his cave residence, drawing his attention.
[What is it?]
Wooong—
With a gesture, he brings the object knocking on the barrier towards him.
That day, a record book arrived before Baek Rin.
***
Ghost River Domain.
A branch of the Black Ghost Palace.
Within a Nether Crossing Ship, the captain of the ship and Blue Grand Elder, Cha Jo-gwi, admires his garden while tilting a skull-shaped cup.
Observing the withered flowers and trees lining the garden, carrying the unique charm only found in the Nether Ghost Realm, he chuckles softly.
"Hmm, judging by the ghostly energy of Heaven and Earth, it seems that friend Baek Rin has found his breakthrough."
He speaks to his lieutenant beside him.
"When he returns, that guy will once again try to persuade us to invade the White Yin Domain. How do you think he will convince us this time?"
The lieutenant, a female ghost dressed in mourning clothes, ponders for a moment before speaking.
"He will probably explain the dangers posed by the cult established in the White Yin Domain, logically detailing how this cult poses a threat to the entire Nether Ghost Realm. He might also mention the benefits of acquiring the Void Spirit Pond of the White Yin Domain while suggesting that attacking the White Yin Domain would dent the pride of the Underworld Ghost Palace and Penglai Island, which consider the domain their inviolable territory."
"Tsk, tsk. It's weak, too weak. Although I listen to him due to the favor received during the Heavenly Being stage, honestly, such flimsy arguments won't persuade the palace. Perhaps, if he persistently continues to make the same argument for 500 or 600 years, the palace might see his will and dispatch a small force but..."
"Indeed, that seems likely."
Cha Jo-gwi takes another sip of his drink and asks.
"Then, in your opinion, what would it take for the palace to grant his request?"
"Hmm, perhaps if he hands over all the secret arts of White Vein Gate to the palace, swears to become a slave of the Black Ghost Palace, and expresses his willingness to participate in [the experiment]...then it might be possible."
"The experiment involving the erosion under the gazes of Entering Nirvana True Persons? Tsk, the higher-ups are overly obsessed with pointless endeavors. Where can we find a lunatic willing to be voluntarily corrupted? Even the slaves hesitate to participate despite the promise of liberation."
"Haha. So, in essence, it is practically impossible."
"Indeed, it seems so. Now, how should I deal with this friend who will keep coming to me, whining for the next 500 or 600 years..."
As Cha Jo-gwi tilts his cup again, a loud explosion erupts.
Kuang!
Dust clouds rise from one corner of Cha Jo-gwi's garden.
"Just in time."
Clicking his tongue, Cha Jo-gwi speaks to Baek Rin, who emerges from the dust cloud exuding menacing ghostly light.
"Yes, congratulations on recovering your realm, my friend. As you requested before, I've spread the rumor that the Black Ghost Palace will soon designate the Wuji Religious Order in the White Yin Domain as a heretical cult and move to exterminate them. However, as I mentioned before, it's just a superficial rumor. To truly persuade the palace, it will take several hundred years, so there's no need to rush. Let's have a drink together and..."
"I will offer everything from the White Vein Gate."
"...Huh?"
"And I will become a slave of the Black Ghost Palace. If that's still not enough, I will endure anything, everything!"
A crimson red ghost fire blazes in Baek Rin's eyes.
In his left hand, he holds a crumpled record book.
[Please, I beg you! Please exterminate that monstrous devilish cult that devoured my comrades!!!]
Cha Jo-gwi stares blankly at Baek Rin for a moment, then meets eyes with his lieutenant.
"...Hmm. For now, contact the palace."
"Emergency! Emergency!!!"
In the basement of the Wuji Religious Hall, my 38 eyes gleam with light as I remain in my Ghost King Transformation.
A follower Wuji Religious Order with a curse doll body runs to me and reports.
"Currently, from the north of the White Yin Domain, the Black Ghost Palace is moving a Nether Crossing Ship with three Blue Grand Elders and thirty Black Grand Elders towards the White Yin Domain!"
"C-Cult Leader! It's an emergency! We've received news that from the south, the Underworld Ghost Palace is moving one Integration Ghost King and ten Four-Axis Ghost Kings towards the White Yin Domain!"
"Cult Leader!!! Penglai Island is advancing from the east with one Integration Ghost King and fifteen Four-Axis Ghost Kings towards the White Yin Domain!"
Tap, tap—
I tap the armrest of my seat.
[Which force moved first?]
"The Black Ghost Palace!"
[So, the Black Ghost Palace's movement incited the others to act.]
"Yes, but all three forces are currently coming with the pretext of exterminating the heretical cult in the White Yin Domain."
[So, they plan to wipe us out first and then have a three-way battle amongst themselves for the White Yin Domain.]
Ghost fire ignites in my eyes.
'Five at the Integration stage, 55 at the Four-Axis stage. Moreover, the Black Ghost Palace is bringing a Nether Crossing Ship...the Underworld Ghost Palace and Penglai Island are also expected to bring something equivalent...'
I smirk.
[That's sufficient.]
With this much, it's enough to carry out the grand plan.
[Do not be afraid. I will protect you all.]
I rise from my seat.
[Hong Fan, the time has come. Prepare yourself.]
"Yes, Master."
Hong Fan approaches the Void Spirit Pond and begins connecting the Void Spirit Pond to the dragon vein of the White Yin Domain using the attraction force previously prepared.
Boom, boom, boom!
I pass by the followers and exit the basement of the Wuji Religious Hall.
Boom!
Upon reaching the front of the Wuji Religious Hall, I use a voice transmission talisman to call the Chief Law Protector, Left and Right Law Protectors, and all the Guardian Ghost Kings.
[Assemble.]
Kuarururung—
Jeon Myeong-hoon, with six shadows trailing behind, descends from the sky amidst flashing red lightning.
Next, accompanied with rumbling footsteps, Oh Hyun-seok approaches in his Giant Transformation while emanating purple aura.
Click, click, click
Kim Yeon appears, carried on a palanquin held by numerous cursed dolls.
Even Yeon Jin, who had been sleeping, comes running in a hurry.
Flash, flash!
Twelve Guardian Ghost Kings, emitting ghostly energy, line up before me.
[Everyone listen.]
I shout, my 38 eyes gleaming with light.
Kim Yeon relays my voice, linking with the formations installed throughout the White Yin Domain to spread my words.
[Currently, three of the four major forces of the Nether Ghost Realm—Underworld Ghost Palace, Penglai Island, and Black Ghost Palace—have designated us as public enemies and are coming to exterminate us.]
I feel the entire White Yin Domain tremble at my words.
However, I continue, undeterred.
[Heed my words.]
Kugugugugugu!
Six shadows erupt from beneath my feet.
Crack, crackle—
The shadows imbued with black lightning.
Those shadows contain my death aura.
Kwaang!
When I stomp my foot, the shadows beneath me spread across the entire White Yin Domain.
During the day in the Nether Ghost Realm, no one can perceive my death due to the gazes from the sky.
However, through the Six Extremes Yin Thunder Body, I can indirectly, very subtly, emit my deathly aura.
Shaaaaaaaa—
The ghostly creatures of the White Yin Domain covered by my shadow fall silent in an instant.
Though they can't directly sense my death, they instinctively feel fear and quiet down.
If I revealed more of my death aura, they would go berserk and flee the White Yin Domain, but I managed to control it just enough to prevent that.
[A specter is haunting the Nether Ghost Realm.]
Flinch!
The expressions of Jeon Myeong-hoon, Kim Yeon, and Oh Hyun-seok become a bit strange, but I continue speaking without concern.
[That specter has many names. It is nothing other than what you are feeling right now.
[The first name of the specter is Violent Death and Untimely Demise (橫死夭折). You have all met Violent Death, have all met Untimely Demise, becoming ghostly creatures with a grudge and reaching the Nether Ghost Realm. Still, you have always tried to avoid the attraction force of the Netherworld because you wanted to live proper lives. However, even in the Nether Ghost Realm, it was always difficult to escape the attraction force of death. You feared the day you would be pulled by the attraction force to the Netherworld for judgment. That is why our cult provided you with physical bodies so that you could enjoy stable lives.
[The second name of the specter is Disease (疾病). You no longer have physical ailments because you are already dead. However, at the moment of death, you harbored a deeply ingrained grudge, becoming ghosts wandering the Nine Heavens. That deeply ingrained grudge is the disease of the heart. I, too, have harbored such a grudge several times. While I cannot understand your grudges completely, I can understand your pain to some extent. Where does the grudge of you ghosts come from? It comes from the life you have lost. That is why our cult has accommodated you so while limited, you can find a semblance of true life.
[The third name of the specter is Anxiety (Suffering from Concern, 憂患). You, or rather, us all, cannot help but fear our fate. Unless we are special beings, we must always face our death at the end of our fate. Knowing that death, that terrifying thing which causes us to lose everything, is our final destination, anxiety is born. Therefore, our cult has provided the maximum welfare and benefits to help you forget this anxiety even if only for a short while.
[The fourth name of the specter is Poverty (貧), the fifth name is Weakness (弱), and the sixth name is Hatred (惡). The fourth, fifth, and sixth are the same. Our cult has improved your impoverished circumstances, provided strong bodies for the weak, and ensured fair governance to prevent hatred from blooming.]
Heo Gwak once said to me,
That the Six Extremes Yin Thunder Body is a devilish art that no one has ever mastered.
[Yes, we have given you as much as we could. But! I will speak honestly at this moment.
[All of that was merely for my own self-satisfaction.
[All of that was merely a drug to momentarily hide your pain.
[All of that was merely a deception we provided, a brief and fleeting tease.]
The Six Extremes (六極) are said to be concepts opposite to the Five Blessings.
However, unlike the Five Blessings, the Six Extremes have no corresponding axes.
The axes of the Six Extremes are nothing more than imaginary concepts.
Just like the concept of Ultimate Pinnacle created by the martial enthusiasts of the previous Head Realm,
The Six Extremes Yin Thunder Body is a delusion (妄想) trying to realize an imaginary concept.
That's why no one could ever master it.
When I practiced according to the formula of the Six Extremes Yin Thunder Body, I instinctively knew.
Whether it's me or Jeon Myeong-hoon, this method could never be fully mastered.
Therefore, it could never surpass the completed method of the Taiji Quaking Lightning Body.
[Simply put, it was merely my own arrogance and imagination that I presumptuously judged and arbitrarily provided what I thought might be needed by you, the residents of White Yin Domain. Perhaps I, and the Wuji Religious Order, have wielded arbitrary violence and irresponsible power under the pretext of eradicating this specter with six names that haunts the Nether Ghost Realm. There must have been those who were dissatisfied with the Wuji Religious Order's rule over the White Yin Domain. Some may have felt it was tyranny. I fully accept all of that. Surely, our methods were tyranny and oppression to some. Therefore, I will not force you.
[I repeat. Now, the Underworld Ghost Palace, Black Ghost Palace, and Penglai Island, the three major forces of the Nether Ghost Realm, have declared the Wuji Religious Order of White Yin Domain an enemy and are coming to exterminate us.
[Hear this.
[We are a heretical order, a devilish cult that has tormented you under the pretext of a possibly nonexistent ghost. Therefore, escaping this devilish cult to pursue liberty now that the three major forces are at our doorstep is not a sin or betrayal. The puppet bodies we gave you can still be used for a long time with proper maintenance. Those who do not wish to experience another violent death and untimely demise should escape from the White Yin Domain. We will not pursue you, nor will we force you. Once again, escaping from White Yin Domain, ruled by this devilish cult, is not a sin or betrayal. Everyone, protect what is precious to you.]
The concept of 'pain' opposite to 'blessing' (福) is merely the indication of the absence of blessings.
It is not something with substance.
That's why the Six Extremes Yin Thunder Body can never be mastered.
But...I have been tormented by this unsubstantial something all my life.
This thing that torments us despite having no substance is indeed the true specter, the true great ghost.
That is why I only wish that this unsubstantial ghost will not harm my precious ones.
[As when you became ghostly creatures, do not experience the pain of losing something again. Only the mad who wish to arbitrarily chase away the ghost wandering the Nether Ghost Realm with their own methods with this crazy cult leader...]
Yes, I am merely someone struggling to chase away an unsubstantial ghost.
[...Stay here.]
I am merely someone out of their mind, haunted by a ghost.
I am merely a foolish deceased.
Translator Notes: 'A specter is haunting the Nether Ghost Realm' is a reference to 'A spectre is haunting Europe' from The Communist Manifesto.
***
Kugugugugu!
Under the dark sky of the Nether Ghost Realm, a gigantic ship moves.
The ship is named 'Nether Crossing Ship', meaning it could even cross the Nether Crossing River of the Netherworld.
One of only 49 in the Black Ghost Palace, a replica of a certain immortal treasure.
At the bow of that replica of the immortal treasure.
A Blue Grand Elder with the cultivation at the Integration stage, Cha Jo-gwi, turns around with a sparkling gaze.
[Are you ready, Baek Rin?]
"...Yes, I'm prepared for everything."
[Tch, I definitely tried to stop you several times. It was clearly you who decided to undergo the [experiment].]
"To defeat a monster, I must become a monster myself. That devilish cult leader is also a fanatic influenced by the erosion of a True Person. I will defeat him in the same way."
[Foolish fellow... Fine, do as you wish. More importantly, Yu Hye!]
[Yes, Captain.]
Cha Jo-gwi looks at Yu Hye, a maiden ghost dressed in white with a cultivation at the Grand Perfection Four-Axis stage, and asks,
[Where are the other two who came for support from our palace?]
[One is down below, and the other has possessed one of the crew members of the Nether Crossing Ship.]
Cha Jo-gwi looks where Yu Hye points.
Under the starlight, the shadow of the Nether Crossing Ship is moving along with the ship.
[One is moving by merging with the shadow, and the other is what? Possessing a crew member? Why do they live like that? Just come out and have a drink...tsk.]
Clicking his tongue, Cha Jo-gwi stops paying attention to the two Blue Grand Elders.
[Anyway, I didn't expect the palace to support us with two Blue Grand Elders.]
As Cha Jo-gwi clicks his tongue,
Woooong—
The eyes of Yu Hye, standing next to him, turn red.
Sururuk—
Yu Hye's shadow, reflected in the starlight, transforms into that of a demon ghost with a dog's head.
[In fact, our palace intended to secure the identity of the White Yin Domain cult leader by dispatching Blue Grand Elders at an appropriate time. We were planning to abduct the cult leader within the next 10 to 20 years.]
Upon hearing this, Cha Jo-gwi clicks his tongue and speaks to Baek Rin.
[See, Baek Rin. We could have just waited 10 or 20 years.]
"...It doesn't matter. What this person mentioned is about abducting the cult leader, not exterminating the cult. My goal is to exterminate the cult and save my comrades."
The entity possessing Yu Hye chuckles.
[That's right. Our palace had no interest in anyone other than the cult leader. But since we now have a 'volunteer', we've generously formed an extermination team as well.]
Cha Jo-gwi asks as he takes a drink.
[What exactly is that cult leader that the palace wants to secure him so badly?]
[Didn't you just hear? He is suspected to be a being corrupted by a True Person.]
Hearing this, Cha Jo-gwi frowns.
[Currently, the mission teams dispatched to the Chaos Realm are only collecting remains that have been corrupted. This time, we confirmed that the True Person trying to corrode this fellow is friendly to us through several sacrifices. However, we have no idea what kind of existence the True Person eroding the devilish cult leader is, so is it right to capture him and risk provoking a True Person?]
[Regardless, you know yourself that True Persons can never intervene in the Middle Realms. We don't know why, but there is definitely a reason they are so cautious. Even if a True Person get angry, there's nothing they can do. We all know it's more urgent to secure as many beings influenced by True Persons as possible and find a way to connect to the Nether Crossing River before the End.]
[Hmph, just a vain dream...well, fine. Arguing about this won't get us anywhere. Anyway...]
Cha Jo-gwi glares at the entity possessing Yu Hye and says,
[If you've said everything, get out of my lieutenant's body. Touch my woman again, and I'll tear your mouth apart.]
[Hehe, you're quite violent.]
Woooong—
After a while, Yu Hye's eyes and shadow return to normal, and she rubs her head with a puzzled expression.
[Did something happen?]
[Nothing special. By the way...is that the White Yin Domain?]
Cha Jo-gwi gazes into the distance from the bow, seeing a bright white light.
Wooooong—
A semi-transparent spherical barrier is covering the entire White Yin Domain.
[A formation? No, it's someone's method. It must be that cult leader's.]
He looks around with interest.
Across from Cha Jo-gwi's gaze.
Beyond the sphere covering the White Yin Domain, a pitch-black mountain comes into view.
[The Penglai Island folks...since we brought the Nether Crossing Ship, they brought the Five Elements Mountain. Keke, they sure must have suffered. And the Underworld Ghost Palace...]
Beyond the Five Elements Mountain, a gigantic, bizarre monster is crouching.
[A monster modified from the Vestiges of the Interdimensional Void...was it called Bi (泌)? They said it was created in collaboration with another dimension and it's on par with the Nether Crossing Ship and the Five Elements Mountain, so they brought it here?]
Cha Jo-gwi's eyes gleam.
[Even though the cult leader has accepted the erosion of a True Person, he's at most at the Grand Perfection Four-Axis stage. The real concern is the war with the two factions after the cult is exterminated. Yu Hye! Activate the Nether Crossing Ship's cannons. Prepare the ghosts used for the cannonballs, and drop the anchor to connect with the dragon vein.]
Kugugugugu!
An overwhelming aura emanating from Cha Jo-gwi, befitting an Integration stage Ghost King, envelops the White Yin Domain.
Soon, the Integration stage Ghost Kings from the Underworld Ghost Palace and Penglai Island also emit their auras, watching Cha Jo-gwi and the Nether Crossing Ship.
As the three forces are about to clash,
Flash!
In an instant, a multicolored light flashes from the center of the White Yin Domain.
And then.
From the decisive weapon prepared by the Underworld Ghost Palace.
Boom!
Heavenly lightning flashes from Bi's body as it collapses to the ground.
Kuoooooooo!
Bi, writhing in agony, lets out a maddened roar, and panicked voices echo from the Underworld Ghost Palace's side.
Kugugugugu—
Kiiiyaaaaaaaaaa!
Simultaneously, above the sphere covering the White Yin Domain,
A Ghost King with 19 heads rises up.
Below the Ghost King, millions of curse scripts and bizarre flower gardens begin to bloom.
Cha Jo-gwi clicked his tongue.
[Ha, is it because it's a monster corrupted by a True Person? At that level, it's at least at Integration strength. However, it doesn't matter. No matter how strong, there are 5 Blue Grand Elder-level Ghost Kings, 55 Four-Axis Ghost Kings, and the Nether Crossing Ship, Five Elements Mountain, and the momentarily paralyzed Bi. In total, it's equivalent to 15 Integration stage cultivators.]
Kugugugugu!
The anchor of the Nether Crossing Ship connects with the dragon vein below, absorbing the nearby ghostly energy.
Wooooong—
As the Nether Crossing Ship rotates sideways, its cannons aim at the cult leader.
[Fire the cannons!]
Flash!
The Nether Crossing Ship's cannons fire.
Simultaneously, an attack imbued with the energy of the Five Elements is launched from the Five Elements Mountain of Penglai Island.
The Integration stage Ghost Kings of Underworld Ghost Palace also unleash their attacks, and an enormous explosion obscures the figure of the devilish cult leader, Seo Eun-hyun.
Next to Cha Jo-gwi,
A Ghost King enveloped in shadows and another one possessing a crew member approach to watch the explosion.
[Hmm, it's nothing special.]
[See, I told you there was no need for me to come. It's overkill.]
The Blue Grand Elder, specializing in possession, laughs while inside the crew member.
[To die without even getting a chance to show my Dark Soul Possession True Devil Method...it would have been a great opportunity to boast about the strongest devilish method that crosses the plane of the Soul. Now, then. Let's collect the cult leader's body and determine how to handle the aftermath in the White Yin Domain with the other...]
Splat!
At that moment.
'Something' from within the explosion strikes the Blue Grand Elder possessing the crew member, causing him to stumble and collapse.
Cha Jo-gwi and the shadow elder show signs of confusion.
In the crew member's shadow, a shadow with a dog's head is impaled by a sword-like object.
[H-How...the plane of Soul...]
The next moment.
Boom!
The crew member's body explodes.
And the Blue Grand Elder, who had been laughing with them until a moment ago, evaporates without a trace.
[...]
[...]
Silence falls over the Nether Crossing Ship.
Meanwhile, the Underworld Ghost Palace's side grows noisy.
Kugugugugu!
Heavenly Tribulation boils up within the coughing and swelling Bi, causing it to explode.
Boom!
Cha Jo-gwi, the shadow elder, and Baek Rin look at the explosion with trembling eyes.
From within, the Ghost King with 19 heads slowly walks out.
The Ghost King has no injuries on its body.
Penglai Island's side, not yet grasping the situation, seem poised to attack the cult leader once more with the Five Elements Mountain.
However, Cha Jo-gwi quickly makes his decision.
[Raise the anchor! Retreat!]
Clank!
The anchor is swiftly pulled up into the Nether Crossing Ship.
Cha Jo-gwi tries to turn the Nether Crossing Ship around to escape.
However, the cult leader is one step ahead.
[Great Desert to Dead Sea.]
Kugugugugu!
A spherical canopy beneath the cult leader begins to shine, unleashing an immense suction force.
His suction force 'devours' the attack from the Five Elements Mountain entirely.
It also begins pulling the fleeing Nether Crossing Ship with overwhelming power.
Cha Jo-gwi grits his teeth.
[Damn it, are you saying we have to fight?]
I, with ghost fire radiating from thirty-eight eyes, survey my surroundings with a diversified view thanks to the increased number of eyes.
The Underworld Ghost Palace seems to have some connection with the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect, as the monster named Bi looked exactly like what I had seen in the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect.
But maybe because it was fed with more nourishing things, it was much bigger and imposing.
It retained characteristics similar to the Vestiges of the Interdimensional Void.
And the Vestiges of the Interdimensional Void have the trait of self-destructing when hit with a strike at the 3rd stage of Manifestation that's no different from Heavenly Tribulation.
The Underworld Ghost Palace is in complete chaos and fear.
Moreover, the Ghost King who had mastered a method involving the plane of Soul, was as expected instantly shattered to death by my All-Heavens Sword, which fully exists within the plane of Soul.
Perhaps sensing this significant reduction in power, the Nether Ghost Palace tried to escape while Penglai Island, with some misplaced confidence, continued their Five Elements infused attacks from the mountain-shaped dharma treasure.
But it's futile.
[Great Desert to Dead Sea.]
Kugugugugu!
I eat clean the attack from Penglai Palace while pulling in the fleeing Nether Crossing Ship with attraction force.
Wo-woong!
The energy absorbed through the Great Desert to Dead Sea flows into the prepared formation.
The dragon veins of the entire White Yin Domain are further stimulated.
[One tenth is filled.]
But it's still not enough.
More power is needed to carry out the grand operation.
[Now, come forth. If you dared to step onto our land recklessly, abandon any hope of leaving safely. Do not flee but come confront me.]
Due to my speech, the number of followers in the Wuji Religious Order have decreased.
About half of the ghostly creatures have left the White Yin Domain.
However, those who remain with me are burning with a fighting spirit beneath this place.
Though our power is halved, our morale has doubled.
[Make this more enjoyable for me!]
I shout thunderously at the Integration stage Ghost Kings of the three major factions glaring at me.
Kugugugugugu!
In the distance, a colossal mountain infused with the energy of the Five Elements begins to rise into the sky.
The mountain splits into five peaks, which then flip upside down.
Three Four-Axis stage Ghost Kings are each holding onto a peak of the mountain.
Kugugugugu!
Simultaneously, a Ghost King imbued with the ghostly energy of the Five Elements throughout its body charges at me.
Flash, flash, flash!
The Black Ghost Palace side fires cannons at me, and an Integration stage Ghost King formed from shadows hurls a scythe of shadows at me.
Wiiiing—
I draw forth the Colorless Glass Sword from one of my mouths.
Three thousand Colorless Glass Swords begin to dance at my feet.
[Transcending Cultivation Formation (越修陣). Open.]
Piiing—
Three thousand swords simultaneously vanish using the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts.
I wield the All-Heavens Sword and swing at the Five Elements Ghost King charging at me from the left.
With the halo of the Three Great Ultimates shining behind my head, I focus my imind.
'The shadow scythe thrown by the Shadow Ghost King, the Five Elements Mountain, the Five Elements Ghost King, the Nether Crossing Ship's cannon.'
There is a point where all these attacks can be cut in one stroke.
'Draw it.'
The Heaven Tribe and Earth Tribe gather information in different ways.
The Heaven Tribe uses short-term foresight, while the Earth Tribe uses something akin to 'inference' through the flow of Heaven and Earth spiritual energy.
Then, how does the Heart Tribe obtain information?
What use are their 'eyes' that read emotions in battle?
Frankly speaking, the Heart Tribe's eyes do not offer significant help against such overwhelmingly powerful beings.
What good is foreseeing the path of an attack?
The overwhelming difference in power means it cannot be blocked, and the Integration stage cultivators have attraction force, making it unavoidable.
Such things can also be read through the short-term foresight of the Heaven Tribe and inferred through spiritual energy by the Earth Tribe.
Thus, for the Heart Tribe and martial artists to fight against these beings, something different is required.
Woo-woong―
My upper dantian heats up as if it's about to explode.
'Draw it.'
It's not foresight of the future.
It's not rational inference.
It's simply drawing the 'scene' they desire.
Then, to reach that 'scene', they pour all their strength into displaying their martial arts.
Yes, manifesting (具現) the reality one desires.
That is the power the Heart Tribe must develop to contend against the Heaven and Earth Tribes that possess immense strength and consciousness.
Bo-oong—
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.
First Move.
Transcending Peaks!
A simple horizontal slash.
But within the trajectory of that one strike, all attacks are drawn in and cut away.
Kugugugu!
The Five Elements Mountain, as it falls, is suddenly deflected.
The Ghost King of Penglai Island's upper body is severely slashed and forced to retreat.
The cannons and scythe from the Nether Crossing Ship are cut apart and scattered.
'I blocked the first strike.'
But it really starts now.
Tsutsu―
The Great Desert to Dead Sea that I have activated devours the power of the other forces that have just been repelled.
However, the Ghost King of Penglai Island regenerates their body, and the Nether Crossing Ship also gathers its energy once more.
Moreover, the Ghost Kings of the Underworld Ghost Palace are now showing signs of entering the battle.
The eighth move of Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, Secluded Valley, is a technique that deflects attacks, while the ninth move, Landscape Painting, scatters sword marks in all directions.
When these two moves are combined, they scatter attacks in all directions while deflecting the opponent's attacks.
Kwagwagwagwagwa!
The sword energy of the All-Heavens Sword dances widely across Heaven and Earth, scattering the attacks of the Ghost Kings charging at me.
The thirteenth move, 'Joy of Mountain and Peaks,' scatters sword energy omnidirectionally at the opponent. The fifteenth move, 'Layered Mountains,' splits sword energy and scatters it like a thorn bush.
Chwaak!
The All-Heavens Sword seems to extend, grinding the charging Ghost Kings of the Underworld Ghost Palace into nothing in front of me.
I combine my moves.
I transform them.
I apply them.
My sword (劍) is a storm.
It's a wave, and at the same time, it's a great mountain.
It's a lofty cloud, and also a single blossoming flower.
This is the Formless Sword.
At the same time, it is the sword of All-Heavens that combines all changes and hues.
Countless transformations of the All-Heavens Sword seem to coalesce within my grasp, then explode in an instant.
Severing Mountain.
A message from someone to cut through any great mountain before me and move forward.
Kwagwagwagwang!
Thousands, tens of thousands, millions of sword strikes unfold in an instant and erupt at once.
At the same time, one of the peaks of the Five Elements Mountain is completely cleaved away.
Kugugugugu!
In an instant, one peak turns to dust, and the Ghost Kings of Penglai Island look at me with bewildered expressions.
[Why are you like this?]
Wo-woong, woo-woooong!
[You haven't even faced the sword formation, so why are you standing there stupidly? Is this the end? Entertain me more!]
Then, the transparent Transcending Cultivation Formation activates, scattering storms in all directions.
"This is insane! What is that monster!"
"Which damned fool reported that maniac as being only in the Grand Perfection Four-Axis stage!"
Cha Jo-gwi, lacking even the energy to use spiritual speech, screams out loud.
Kugugugugu!
The ship is being torn apart by something transparent.
They tried to escape, but the spherical barrier sucks them in with a maddening force.
They can't resist either.
That [something], unseen and unfelt, storms around the monster, literally grinding anyone and anything that approaches.
Cha Jo-gwi grits his teeth and shouts at the Shadow Ghost King.
"I will send the signal! Let's deploy our domains!"
"It won't be enough for just the two of us to deploy our domains! All the Integration stage cultivators here must deploy their domains simultaneously to trap him!"
Cha Jo-gwi screams at the Integration stage Ghost Kings of the Underworld Ghost Palace and Penglai Island.
The Integration stage Five Elements Ghost King of Penglai Island, who had initially fought at the forefront against the devilish cult leader, is now desperately trying to flee as far away from him as possible.
"Everyone! We must join forces!"
Cha Jo-gwi shouts.
But the Integration stage Ghost Kings of the Underworld Ghost Palace and Penglai Island only scream and ignore him.
"Damn it! I'm saying if we combine our strength, we can catch him! You cowards!"
"Then you deploy yours first! Then we will follow!"
"Urghh...!"
Cha Jo-gwi's face turns red with anger, but he grits his teeth and forms a hand seal with the Shadow Ghost King.
"Open (開)!"
Kugugugugu!
Centered on Cha Jo-gwi, his domain unfolds.
The domain rapidly expands to encompass the entire White Yin Domain, trapping the devilish cult leader.
The Shadow Ghost King's domain also overlaps with Cha Jo-gwi's, beginning to pressure the devilish cult leader.
Kugugugugu!
The movements of the devilish cult leader slow down.
Only then do the expressions of the Ghost Kings of Penglai Island and the Underworld Ghost Palace brighten.
"Haha, seeing that he can't resist against the domain, he's not really at the Integration stage!"
"He's just scum who gained power from the erosion of a True Person...! Now witness the true power of the Integration stage!"
The domains of the Ghost Kings from the Underworld Ghost Palace and Penglai Island overlap further.
The four Integration stage Ghost Kings prepare their ultimate skills within the combined domains.
Cha Jo-gwi forms a bow with a ghost head and compresses energy to form an arrow.
The Shadow Ghost King creates a giant scythe made of shadows.
The Ghost King of the Underworld Ghost Palace forms the shadow of a monstrous beast with 108 heads, and the Ghost King of Penglai Island forms a ghost bird holding the power of the Five Elements in one hand.
Chwaruruk, chwaruk!
Clang, clang!
The 55 Four-Axis stage Ghost Kings who accompanied them also use their attraction force to suppress the devilish cult master with restrictive spells and curses.
"Die, you evil devilish cult leader!"
And then, the devilish cult leader, Seo Eun-hyun, laughs.
[White Orchid (白蘭).]
Paaaaaatt!
Around him, countless white flowers begin to bloom amidst the numerous sword strikes.
The next moment, the world turns brilliantly bright.
***
A pure white sky and earth.
Inside, Cha Jo-gwi experiences a horrific feeling as if even his screams are disintegrating.
'M-My domain...! It's being torn apart!'
He grits his teeth and contracts his domain.
'If my domain is destroyed, it's truly over...I'll die...!'
Kuguguk―
He decisively abandons pieces of his domain and retrieves it.
To the ghostly creatures belonging to the Yin domain, the power of blessing incantations of the Vanquishing Evil and Upholding Righteousness are truly devastating.
'As expected...! It is indeed an old monster eroded by a True Person...!'
Despite the agony that feels like his entire body is being cooked, Cha Jo-gwi contracts his domain to prevent his own dissolution and steps before the Nether Crossing Ship to prevent his subordinates from 'ascending' (성불/passing on).
'Surrounding himself with such pitch-black death and mastering such brutal devilish arts, yet wielding a Vanquishing Evil and Upholding Righteousness method like this? I've never heard of such a thing. It's impossible...!'
He is an incarnation of death with nineteen heads.
Logically, it's nearly impossible for a being that is practically the manifestation of such devilish arts to concurrently master a method of Vanquishing Evil and Upholding Righteousness.
Therefore, there is only one possible conclusion.
This is a power that has been 'injected.'
It's a power gained from being corrupted by a great True Person!
"Kuaaaaaah!"
Despite his entire body cooking, he stands firm in front of the Nether Crossing Ship.
The white flash that seems like it would last forever finally fades.
"..."
Chiiii―
Cha Jo-gwi looks around, observing the black smoke rising from his body.
He can no longer feel the 'gaze' from above.
'Is it...night now?'
But it's strange.
Even though it's night, no. Even though it's the Nether Ghost Realm.
Everything around is so 'bright.'
'A blue...sky?'
Most ghostly creatures do not originate from the Nether Ghost Realm.
Most of them come to the Nether Ghost Realm after wandering the Nine Heavens upon death from the Lower Realms.
As such, they remember what a 'blue sky' looks like.
Cha Jo-gwi stares stupidly at the 'blue sky.'
The surroundings are dyed blue from the pure white light emanating from the sky.
And, the surroundings have become a desert.
'Ah...I see.'
Cha Jo-gwi collapses to the ground as he understands the situation.
'Because of the devilish cult leader's power, the vicinity of the White Yin Domain turned into a desert. The eerie Vanquishing Evil and Upholding Righteousness that he used caused the sky to brighten and turn blue...'
Thud!
He looks behind him.
The magnificent ship that had been floating in the sky.
The Nether Crossing Ship is now buried in the sand without emitting any more ghostly energy.
'Focusing the power on the shield must have drained the energy source in an instant.'
At that moment Cha Jo-gwi realizes there is a large 'shadow' in front of him.
'Ah...'
No, it isn't a shadow.
It's a 'pit.'
A blue sky.
An endlessly sprawling desert.
At its center, an indescribably huge pit has formed.
Cha Jo-gwi trembles.
That 'pit' was where the White Yin Domain had been moments ago.
The devilish cult leader had covered the area with a spherical barrier using his method.
Cha Jo-gwi looks at the sky with trembling eyes.
The sky has turned blue because of the light emitted from above.
Then, what is the source of the light?
Yes.
The light source is the White Yin Domain.
The White Yin Domain is emitting light of blessings, floating in the sky and dyeing it blue.
"Activating formation, connection to the Void Spirit Pond complete."
"Condensing dragon vein complete, floating formation operating normally."
"Formation charge is 120% complete. Ready to cast at any time.
Wo-wooong―
I face Hong Fan, who is fiddling with the attraction force of the Void Spirit Pond.
Next to him is Kim Yeon, who commands the formation and oversees the formation masters gathered from all over the Wuji Religious Order. As I sit on the cult leader's throne, I manipulate attraction force while beginning to speak.
[Hear my words, remaining followers.]
Woo-woong―
[Thank you for joining this mad cult leader's goal. From now on, our Wuji Religious Order will embark on a long journey with the White Yin Domain. This entire area you live in will become a Sky Island, drifting far and wide like the place I once lived, spreading the name and teachings of the Wuji Religious Order across the world.]
At the center of the White Yin Domain, the headquarters of the Wuji Religious Order.
At the Wuji Religious Hall at the center of the Wuji Religious Order.
Sitting in the basement of the religious hall, I survey the entire White Yin Domain with my vast consciousness.
The formations set up over the years move the dragon vein of the White Yin Domain, lifting it into the sky.
Just like the Sky Island of the Human Race's territory.
And, like Ascension Path.
The Ascension Gate of Ascension Path.
I conceived this plan inspired by it.
The Ascension Gate created by Yang Su-jin is influenced by the spiritual energy of Ascension Path.
It is intertwined with Ascension Path itself through attraction force.
Similarly, I connected the entire White Yin Domain to the Void Spirit Pond using attraction force and the dragon vein.
Now, this land will become the sacred ground of the Wuji Religious Order.
[This White Yin Domain, which will be reborn as a new land, needs a new name. From now on, this land will be known as the Sky Island, Twilight Domain (光陰域)]
Kugugugugu!
I, on the seat of the Wuji Religious Hall,
At the center of all formations, I reach into the void.
Kuguguguk!
Attraction force moves.
The floating formation lifting the entire domain is merely using the power of the dragon vein.
The power created by absorbing the attacks of the Integration stage Grand Cultivators with the Great Desert to Dead Sea has yet to be used.
Then how exactly should that power be used?
This is now the beginning.
Pajik, pajijik!
Next to me, Jeon Myeong-hoon folds his arms with an amused expression as red lightning crackles.
"Are we leaving now?"
[Yeah, let's go rescue our comrades.]
It's time to rescue the disciples of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
[Realm Annihilation Ground-Shrinking Formation (界滅縮地陣). Activate!]
Kugugugugu!
Cha Jo-gwi's expression changes.
'This is crazy. That insane cult leader, just what is he trying to do?'
He, who has suffered a fatal injury with his domain torn apart, can do nothing even if the devilish cult leader is planning something.
It's when he looks up at the White Yin Domain floating in the sky with a pale face.
Kikikikik―
A chilling sound echoes, and he sees the space tearing apart.
And from inside, 'it' emerges.
Kwa-jijijik!
It's a giant, spewing red and black lightning from its entire body.
The giant, with six arms and six shadows on its back, tears through the space and locks eyes Cha Jo-gwi.
"Wha-what!? Who are you!?"
He has a startled expression, but the giant of red lightning ignores Cha Jo-gwi and focuses its gaze on someone behind him.
[I missed you that time. Haha, I'll make you share the same fate as your friends.]
Kugugugugu!
The giant extends its hand towards the Nether Crossing Ship behind Cha Jo-gwi.
Cha Jo-gwi realizes the giant's intention.
'Damn it! It's targeting Baek Rin!?'
"Baek Rin! Run away!"
Before his voice can finish echoing, a pure white light bursts forth from the Nether Crossing Ship, forming a massive white skeleton.
[Even though it's frustrating, I have to escape again! White Bone Shedding...]
[You think I'll let you go again?]
Kwa-jijijik!
In the next moment, the six-armed giant.
The Six Extremes Ghost King Jeon Myeong-hoon transforms into lightning in an instant.
Kwa-jijijik!
Before the gravely injured and immobile Cha Jo-gwi can do anything, Jeon Myeong-hoon transforms into a red lightning that covers Heaven and Earth.
He becomes a giant net.
[Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation (赤雷天劫), Indra's Net (因陀羅網).]
Kwa-jijijik!
The net, made of red lightning, spreads out as if covering the heavens.
The Nascent Souls of Baek Rin, shattered into thousands of pieces, let out screams akin to wails.
[Six Extremes Ghost King!!! Kuaaaaa!!!]
Cha Jo-gwi, lifting his critically injured body, tries to shake Jeon Myeong-hoon's net with his faint attraction force.
"You...bastard...! Devilish cult scum! Release my friend!"
[Hmph, you're annoying.]
Kwa-jijijik!
"Kuaaaaagh!"
Cha Jo-gwi is ultimately struck by the red lightning and flung far away.
At that moment,
"Kugh, damn it, let me go!"
"Huaak! Captain!"
"Please save us!"
In Cha Jo-gwi's eyes, he sees several ghostly creatures caught in the net of the Six Extremes Ghost King.
As Jeon Myeong-hoon tries to capture the Baek Rin who split into thousands of pieces and is attempting to flee in all directions, his net inadvertently catches other ghostly creatures as well.
Among those caught in Jeon Myeong-hoon's net are Cha Jo-gwi's lieutenant, Yu Hye, and several other crew members.
Cha Jo-gwi shouts with fury in his eyes,
"You bastard! You vile devilish cult scum! Release my comrades immediately!"
[Apologies. As we will be leaving soon, I have no leisure in controlling my strength. I'll drop them off at a suitable place, so do not worry.]
Kwa-jijijik!
Jeon Myeong-hoon pulls the net towards the spatial rift he has emerged from.
The Sky Island emits a strange wave and begins to slowly move forward.
Yu Hye, Cha Jo-gwi's lieutenant, grits her teeth and creates a small gap in Jeon Myeong-hoon's net.
Kwa-jijijik!
"Yu Hye! Escape quickly!"
Cha Jo-gwi shouts.
But Yu Hye throws the other crew members out first.
The net is gradually being pulled into the spatial rift along with Jeon Myeong-hoon.
"Yu Hye!"
Cha Jo-gwi, drenched in blessings and lightning, forcefully drags his trembling body into the air.
At the last moment, Yu Hye manages to free the last crew member from Jeon Myeong-hoon's net.
And finally, Jeon Myeong-hoon, along with Yu Hye and the Baek Rin divided into thousands of pieces, is pulled into the spatial rift.
Yu Hye looks at Cha Jo-gwi and smiles.
"Captain, it was an honor to serve you."
Chi chi chiiit―
And Jeon Myeong-hoon closes the spatial rift.
Cha Jo-gwi flies madly towards the Sky Island that is gradually moving, emitting light from the sky.
Even though the Sky Island radiates pure white blessings, he does not care.
Cha Jo-gwi's body is burning.
"Yu Hye!!! No!!!"
Wo-woong—
But the Sky Island is gradually accelerating.
What once moved at a snail's pace seems to accelerate tenfold with each breath.
Wiiiiiing—
Pa-jijijijijik!
As Cha Jo-gwi finally reaches out towards the veil of light emanating from the Sky Island,
Flash!
The Sky Island emits a blinding light and disappears in an instant.
"..."
Cha Jo-gwi can only stare blankly at the gradually darkening void.
He felt the space folding.
Yes, it's the ground-shrinking technique.
However, it isn't a simple ground-shrinking technique.
It's an incredibly immense distance that even cultivators at the Integration stage can't cover in one go.
A ground-shrinking technique that jumps over hundreds of thousands of li in a single move.
Cha Jo-gwi trembles with a vacant expression.
"Yu Hye...Baek Rin..."
His lieutenant and lover captured by the devilish cult.
And his old friend Baek Rin.
"Huaaaaaaaah!!!"
Under the sky of the Nether Ghost Realm, which is returning to its original state, Cha Jo-gwi screams madly.
Wiiiiiing—
I can feel it.
That this entire Twilight Domain is leaping through vast spacetime.
Rather than the ground-shrinking technique, it feels more like spatial teleportation.
Kugugugugu!
I indirectly feel the immense pressure of spacetime and laugh.
Realm Annihilation Ground-Shrinking Formation.
It's a formation developed by Kim Yeon, who was taught about formations by Yeon Wei, Hong Fan, and myself, given knowledge on the Realm Annihilation Heavenly Void Formation that explodes space using the Void Spirit Pond.
The Realm Annihilation Heavenly Void Formation fundamentally explodes by 'distorting space.'
And the ground-shrinking technique of the Four-Axis stage cultivators unfolds by temporarily compressing and folding space to move.
Hong Fan came up with the idea of combining the two.
The Realm Annihilation Heavenly Void Formation is the crystallization of Human Vice. After deploying this embodiment of Vice, I assimilate it with my curses.
Then, using the White Orchid Blessing Incantation, I reverse the Vice along with the curse.
Doing so transforms the Realm Annihilation Heavenly Void Formation from a mere formation for destruction into one with a different purpose.
The reversed Realm Annihilation Heavenly Void Formation by Hong Fan became a formation meant for the 'ground-shrinking technique.'
By absorbing power when fighting the Integration stage Ghost Kings with the Great Desert to Dead Sea and injecting it into the Vice-embodied Realm Annihilation Heavenly Void Formation, the formation charges up.
Then, by assimilating the Realm Annihilation Heavenly Void Formation with my curses and reversing it, it transforms into the Realm Annihilation Ground-Shrinking Formation.
In this way, the immense power of the Realm Annihilation Heavenly Void Formation instantly converts to the ground-shrinking technique, allowing us to travel distances that are normally impossible.
Flash!
Kugugugugu!
We finally reach the first destination of the long and short Realm Annihilation Ground-Shrinking Formation.
'Six more steps to go.'
The Realm Annihilation Ground-Shrinking Formation is designed to perform the ground-shrinking technique seven times in total.
It's impossible to traverse such immense distances all at once, so after each step, we need to create a gap to cool down the formation's overload.
"First destination reached. We have moved 200,000 li from the original position in the White Yin Domain."
[Excellent. When is the next formation activation?]
"In one day."
[Good. We will hover at the first destination for a day to let the formation's overload cool down.]
I look around the entire Twilight Domain.
The formations laid out everywhere.
And the countless followers of the Twilight Domain who remain.
The followers are connected to the dragon vein of the Twilight Domain to support the formation.
'Excellent.'
I smile, satisfied with the sight.
Those who wanted to leave are gone, and those who remain became even more loyal followers of the order.
Just as I am feeling pleased,
"Seo Eun-hyun. No...Cult Leader. I have captured the one who got away last time."
Jeon Myeong-hoon approaches with a satisfied expression, holding a white bone spirit creature in one hand.
[Hoho, I see. So you are Baek Rin. I've heard much about you from Wei Shi-hon and Eum Wa.]
I laugh heartily as I speak.
[Once we reach our final destination, I will let you explore our cult and grant you 'treatment' and 'grace'.]
Baek Rin seems to shudder but speaks in a defeated voice.
"Do as you please, Devilish Cult Leader..."
[Haha, send him to Wei Shi-hon and Eum Wa. The Guardian Ghost King couple will treat him well.]
Jeon Myeong-hoon nods.
Then, scratching his head, he speaks.
"Well, actually...the problem is, aside from the original target of the Guardian Ghost Kings' friend, I accidentally captured another one as well."
[Hmm?]
When Jeon Myeong-hoon gestures, a maiden ghost in pure white mourning clothes, tightly bound by lightning ropes, is dragged in front of the cult leader's seat.
"I accidentally caught one of the Four-Axis cultivators aboard the Nether Crossing Ship. What should we do with this one?"
[Hmm...]
I gaze at the ghost in mourning clothes with a gleam in my eyes.
The ghost glares at me, clenching her lips.
"Kugh, kill me...! You devilish cult leader!"
Translator Notes: Gwang Eum, AKA광음(光陰), translated as Twilight, means sunlight and shade, metaphorically referring to the passing of time as day becomes night. It's part of the idiom 광음여시[光陰如矢], meaning day and night passes like an arrow, or time flies like an arrow.
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