Jin Ma-yeol frowns as he faces the man stroking a hand, the Chief Law Protector of the Wuji Religious Order, Jeon Myeong-hoon.
He feels a subtle attraction force emanating from the man before him.
'Integration stage, huh?'
However, Jin Ma-yeol is not worried.
'Judging by how poorly he controls his domain, he must be a rookie who only recently reached the Integration stage. There's nothing to worry about.'
Surung—
He draws out his natal dharma treasure, Tearing Fissure Chain Sickle (裂罅鎖鎌), and envelops his entire body in his domain.
Chwarang, chwararang!
He grips the black chain sickle inscribed with jade-colored spell characters, and as he recites an invocation, his form becomes semi-transparent.
Overlaying his domain with space, he can become invisible at any time and redirect his opponent's attacks elsewhere - this is his unique technique.
Jin Ma-yeol hurls his Tearing Fissure Chain Sickle at Jeon Myeong-hoon.
'Rookies in the early Integration stage lose their minds if their domain is cracked!'
Just as the Tearing Fissure Chain Sickle, moving at the speed of light, is about to reach Jeon Myeong-hoon.
"...!"
Kwa-jijijik!
Jin Ma-yeol realizes something is wrong.
'This is...the sky? Why am I flying? And...'
Before he can finish his thoughts, a Six-Armed Giant, coursing with red lightning, appears above him.
In the Six-Armed Giant's hand is a seven-colored lightning bolt.
"Wait..."
Kwaaa-jijijik!
Jin Ma-yeol is slammed into the ground, vomiting blood.
'S-Something is wrong!'
Booong!
"Kugh...!"
As soon as he regains his senses, he hastily rolls away to avoid Jeon Myeong-hoon, who is falling from above.
Kwaaang!
Jeon Myeong-hoon slams his six arms into the ground, and Jin Ma-yeol moves back before wielding his chain sickle.
But then it happens.
Kugugugugu!
"What...!?"
Suddenly, the ground tilts.
Through his consciousness domain, Jin Ma-yeol realizes what's happening.
'The Sky Island of the ghostly creatures. It's splitting in half!'
Kugugugugu!
From behind, he senses 'some things' colliding at speeds too fast for the eye to see.
And amidst the gap, he glimpses a flash of golden radiance and grits his teeth.
'It's that thief! The one who stole my natal dharma treasure last time!'
Crack—
He can never forget that astonishing speed.
The comrade of the Conqueror King who stole his cherished Nurturing Saber (毓刀) Blood Fruit (血果)!
He glances at the 'something' fighting on par with the 'thief,' thinking.
'Seeing that thief fighting on equal terms, he must have drawn my beloved saber that he stole from me. I should seize the opportunity to take back my natal dharma treasure.'
Just as he concludes his thoughts, crimson red lightning streaks towards him.
Kwaaaang!
However, an explosion erupts instantly.
Jeon Myeong-hoon flinches, glaring at Jin Ma-yeol who has blocked his lightning.
In Jin Ma-yeol's right hand is his dharma treasure, Tearing Fissure Chain Sickle, and in his left hand, his bones, flesh, and muscles have formed a grotesque sword.
"I apologize. I underestimated you, thinking you were just a rookie at the early Integration stage. But it seems you've mastered quite a unique method, your strength likely reaching mid or late stage..."
Grinning, Jin Ma-yeol speaks.
"I'll take you seriously."
Kugugugugu!
An overwhelming aura emanates from his entire body.
And while it's only for a brief, fleeting moment, Jeon Myeong-hoon feels the same chilling sensation he had once felt from Seo Eun-hyun.
"Fighting Steps (鬪步), Second Realm (第二界)."
His grotesque sword is overlaid by his domain.
The next instant, Jin Ma-yeol folds space and rushes to Jeon Myeong-hoon's face.
Kwa-jijik!
Jeon Myeong-hoon's lightning spear collides with Jin Ma-yeol's grotesque sword, causing an explosion.
Jeon Myeong-hoon looks at his tingling hand.
[You bastard...that move...]
"It's a type of fighting dance learned in the traditional rituals of the Fighting Ghost Race. Once you reach a certain level, you can..."
Bo-oong!
Once again, Jin Ma-yeol charges at Jeon Myeong-hoon, swinging his grotesque sword.
Jeon Myeong-hoon blocks with his lightning spear, but the grotesque sword bends grotesquely like Seo Eun-hyun's Formless Sword, scratching his body.
Jeon Myeong-hoon frowns.
He can see the trajectory of Jin Ma-yeol's sword with his lightning-sharp vision.
The sword moves as if alive, connected to Jin Ma-yeol's body and changes its path 'every instant' in the air.
Reading each and every air current in the empty space, it makes the optimal choice every moment.
Jeon Myeong-hoon looks at Jin Ma-yeol with annoyance and grits his teeth.
[...You remind me of an annoying person.]
"Haha, so what...?"
[I thought of frying you for fun, but I've changed my mind.]
Kwa-jik, Kwa-jijijik!
The seven-colored lightning swirling around Jeon Myeong-hoon's six arms begin to merge into a single color.
Pure red lightning!
Jin Ma-yeol senses something is amiss.
[I will crush you with all my might...!]
Kwa-jijijijik!
Jeon Myeong-hoon extends his six arms, launching lightning spears in all directions.
Kwarururung!
The red lightning writhes and pursues Jin Ma-yeol.
Kwa-jijijik!
One of the lightning spears eventually pierces Jin Ma-yeol's torso, causing him to froth at the mouth in excruciating pain.
'Damn it, I need to escape his attack range!'
Taatt!
Jin Ma-yeol hurriedly exits the Twilight Domain.
Having faced the Conqueror King's fleet several times before, Jin Ma-yeol judges it best to confront Jeon Myeong-hoon near the Sea Circle of the Buk Hyang Fleet.
However, he soon realizes his judgment is wrong.
[You fool. To leave the Twilight Domain on your own...]
Kwa-jijijik!
Jeon Myeong-hoon's body swells even more.
An overwhelming amount of lightning surges within him.
Jin Ma-yeol's face turns pale.
'This lunatic! That wasn't his full power!?'
And then, Jeon Myeong-hoon begins to press Jin Ma-yeol hard.
Jin Ma-yeol tries to resist Jeon Myeong-hoon's lightning.
In terms of overall combat ability, skills, and combat experience at the Integration stage, Jin Ma-yeol is superior, and having reached the Second Realm of Fighting Steps, his 'instantaneous reaction speed' is also above Jeon Myeong-hoon.
But he grits his teeth.
'Even though I'm superior in experience, skill, and reaction speed, I'm losing purely by raw power!?'
Kwa-jijijik!
Feeling his domain getting torn apart by the waterfall of lightning spewed by Jeon Myeong-hoon, his eyes tremble.
[It ends with this...!]
Pa-jijik!
After unleashing the lightning waterfall, Jeon Myeong-hoon gathers his six arms and begins to form a single red lightning spear.
Jin Ma-yeol's face turns pale.
And in the next moment,
Kwaaang!
A golden light flickers, and suddenly, the Ghost King who is considered the leader of the ghostly creatures, flies in and bursts Jeon Myeong-hoon's upper body apart.
[Kuaaaaaghk! Seo Eun-hyun!]
Jeon Myeong-hoon roars, his voice filled with rage.
In Jeon Myeong-hoon's vision, Seo Eun-hyun's 19-headed figure appears for 0.01 seconds.
Seo Eun-hyun's silhouette seems to be saying something to him, but it's too brief for Jeon Myeong-hoon to understand.
Then, using Jeon Myeong-hoon's body as a springboard, Seo Eun-hyun flies toward the Sea Circle formed by the Buk Hyang Fleet.
Kwaaang!
One corner of the Sea Circle, unfolded through the dimensional canopy, is blown open.
Jeon Myeong-hoon cries out for Seo Eun-hyun with resentment, while Jin Ma-yeol stares blankly at the breach Seo Eun-hyun created in the Sea Circle.
'The notorious Conqueror Fleet's deep-sea barrier...was it so easily broken?'
He shakes his head in disbelief.
'Indeed, what a monstrous being. I'm fortunate to not have faced it directly.'
With his thoughts concluded, Jin Ma-yeol swings his Tearing Fissure Chain Sickle and grotesque sword at Jeon Myeong-hoon, who is hastily regenerating his body.
The battle, which seemed to favor Jeon Myeong-hoon momentarily, is once again evenly matched due to Seo Eun-hyun's intervention.
Kim Yeon's first thought when she sees Buk Hyang-hwa is simple.
'For some reason, I don't like the look of her.'
However, despite this thought, her judgment is swift.
'I can't let them complete the barrier. I need to capture that commander right now!'
Surung, sururung—
Eight throwing knives flow down from Kim Yeon's hand.
As a faint pink radiance glimmers on the throwing knives connected to her consciousness threads, they are swung towards Buk Hyang-hwa.
The pink slash flies towards Buk Hyang-hwa.
But then,
Kwaaang!
Two Second Hyang Ships, escorting the First Hyang Ship that Buk Hyang-hwa is aboard, fires their cannons and shatters Kim Yeon's slash.
Kim Yeon's eyes glint.
'What? How could they block my attack with just those meager dharma treasures...?'
Feeling something strange, Kim Yeon launches another slash and then uses the Flying Escape Technique to attempt a body slam towards Buk Hyang-hwa.
But once again, cannon fire rains down on Kim Yeon, and she finally realizes.
Kwaaang!
As she is pushed back by the fleet's bombardment, Kim Yeon glares at the barrier formed by the [Deep Sea] that's unfolded in the sky.
'This barrier is weakening everyone facing these ships while enhancing the fleet's attacks.'
Kim Yeon's eyes glow with pink brilliance as she glares at Buk Hyang-hwa.
'If I fight within this barrier, the damage will be great. I need to get outside and fight...'
And just as she thinks this.
Kwaaang!
An enormous explosion resounds, and a large hole is blown in the Sea Circle formed by the Buk Hyang Fleet.
It's been five seconds since the battle began.
"Oh my, the path has opened."
A smile spreads across Kim Yeon's face, while Buk Hyang-hwa's face is filled with shock.
"No, my Sea Circle...!"
Kim Yeon smirks as she swiftly uses the Flying Escape Technique, brushing past Jin Ma-yeol and Jeon Myeong-hoon to exit beyond the Sea Circle.
She then turns her gaze towards the Fourth Hyang Ships maintaining the barrier from the north, south, east, west, and above, and charges straight at them.
As she is about to strike the Fourth Hyang Ships, the First Hyang Ship and the Buk Hyang Fleet, which had previously entered the Sea Circle, come out and aim their cannons at Kim Yeon.
But Kim Yeon laughs.
Kwaaang!
The cannons fire directly at Kim Yeon, but she laughs.
"What, is that all? Ahahahaha!"
It doesn't hurt!
There's absolutely no damage at all!
Outside the Sea Circle, Kim Yeon has no reason to be pushed back by the Buk Hyang Fleet!
Buk Hyang-hwa's face hardens, while Kim Yeon's face brightens with joy.
The next moment.
Kwaaang!
Seven seconds after the battle began.
Seo Eun-hyun and Kim Young-hoon clash in a battle far off in the sea, causing the entire sea domain to tremble.
Using the shockwave as a signal, Kim Yeon charges towards the Buk Hyang Fleet.
With a hardened face, Buk Hyang-hwa forms hand seals.
In response to her seals, the puppets aboard the First Hyang Ship move busily, waving white flags.
"Second Fleet, Sixth and Tenth Squadrons, all ships switch to Plan Eul (乙). Position three Second Hyang Ships each to the port and starboard sides of the First Hyang Ship, and to the stern, with the bodies of Third Hyang Ships! Fourth Hyang Ships are to support the Sea Master (海主) from sea!"
Chwarararak!
The Buk Hyang Fleet moves in perfect unison, bombarding Kim Yeon as they form a formation.
The Second Hyang Ships flank to the left and right of the First Hyang Ship, and the Third Hyang Ships line up behind, forming a snake-like shape.
The Buk Hyang Fleet float in the air like a gigantic serpent in the shape of the character Eul (乙), confronting Kim Yeon.
Clank, clank, clank!
Numerous ships connect, beginning to interlock with each other.
Simultaneously, the Buk Hyang Fleet, which individually was only at the Heavenly Being level, transforms into a colossal serpent-shaped puppet, with its aura rising to the early Four-Axis stage.
Chwarararak!
The serpent of ships moves in the air, encircling Kim Yeon.
The cannons all aim at Kim Yeon and begin coordinated bombardment.
Kim Yeon endures the bombardment head-on with her bare body and flies towards the body of the serpent that surrounds her.
Despite the concentrated fire, it's insufficient to penetrate the protective Gang Qi enveloping her entire body.
Finally, Kim Yeon succeeds in attaching herself to one of the Third Hyang Ships that forms part of the serpent's body.
Witnessing this, Buk Hyang-hwa makes a swift decision without hesitation.
"437th Third Hyang Ship, detach from body. Self-destruct!"
Clank, clank!
The part of the serpent's body connected to the designated Third Hyang Ship is severed, and the few crew members on the ship evacuate.
Kim Yeon senses explosive energy surging inside the Third Hyang Ship.
However, her expression remains calm.
Tsutsutsutsu!
The Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon activates.
Kim Yeon recalls the voice of the Mad Lord echoing in her ears.
Although he is a madman, he would regain his sanity with remarkable clarity whenever he taught about puppetry.
—Listen carefully, my disciple. My Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, as well as this circuit and all my creations, are fundamentally superior to any mechanical device that exists in this world. Unless they are a puppeteer at True Immortality, Sacred Vessel, or Entering Nirvana, no one can create a puppet superior to mine. Hehe...
Words that seem arrogant at first.
But Kim Yeon, who has witnessed the Mad Lord's techniques closer than anyone else, understands.
―All puppets that exist in this world, created by mortals, are fundamentally inferior to my puppets. They are nothing more than primitive mechanical toys equipped with crude puppet techniques. Yes, the vast majority of mortal techniques in this world are inferior versions of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress. Do you understand what this means?
The Mad Lord's arrogance is not overconfidence but genuine confidence.
—With the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon and my circuits I taught you, you can easily suppress and seize control of the inferior puppets of other lowly puppeteers. Today, I have captured a Four-Axis stage puppeteer for you to practice on.
Kim Yeon's Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon penetrates the various parts of the Third Hyang Ship, forming the same configuration as the Mad Lord's circuits.
Kim Yeon sighs.
'Well, it's not as incompetent as he claimed.'
Though it is indeed inferior compared to the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, it's still a significant technological marvel.
No, rather than being a mere inferior version, it feels like it has evolved in a different direction.
Nonetheless, she isn't worried at all.
After all, her circuits have already seized control of the Third Hyang Ship.
Kiiiiing!
The self-destruct command for the Third Hyang Ship is halted.
Kim Yeon, having taken control of the Third Hyang Ship, locks eyes with the bewildered Buk Hyang-hwa.
"Well then, here I come."
Kugugugu!
Using her own spiritual power as the energy source, the Third Hyang Ship flies in as if it's on a rampage, ramming its bow into the nearby members of the Buk Hyang Fleet.
Kwaaang!
Simultaneously, the interlocking components between the Third Hyang Ship and the rest of the Buk Hyang Fleet snaps into place, connecting it to the other ships.
Kim Yeon's eyes gleam as she begins taking control of the Buk Hyang Fleet through the Third Hyang Ship.
Watching this from the command room of the First Hyang Ship, Buk Hyang-hwa's expression twists slightly.
"M-My creations...What are you doing to them!?"
Chijijijik!
As her emotions intensify, three-colored patterns emerge on her face.
Unlike when she was in the Head Realm, her patterns have evolved, with two of the three colors now partially blended.
Grinding her teeth, Buk Hyang-hwa manipulates several devices in the command center.
Simultaneously, the command room detaches from the First Hyang Ship, transforming into a spider-shaped puppet.
—Commander! What are you doing!?
—Commander, please calm down!
The frantic shouts of the Buk Hyang Fleet's crew pour towards the command room, but the crazed Buk Hyang-hwa ignores them.
Dududududu!
The spider puppet she is riding quickly descends the serpent's body created by the Buk Hyang Fleet, reaching the Buk Hyang Fleet Kim Yeon has taken over.
Buk Hyang-hwa's hands begin to move.
Clank, clank, clank!
The patterns on her face glow intensely.
Her hands move faster and faster.
Kugugugugu!
Countless devices spring from the legs of the spider puppet, dismantling and modifying the Buk Hyang Fleet in real-time at Buk Hyang-hwa's command.
In an instant, the command system of one ship is altered, and the ship controlled by Kim Yeon has its command authority reset.
Buk Hyang-hwa swiftly inputs herself as the new command authority, quickly reclaiming the ships seized by Kim Yeon.
Finally, Buk Hyang-hwa's spider puppet lands on the Third Hyang Ship where Kim Yeon is.
Kim Yeon smirks.
"Oh my, what confidence do you have to come all the way down here? I think I can take control of that puppet too?"
"You should not insult my creations. More than that, please get off my ship now!"
"I don't want to? We're in the middle of a battle, what nonsense are you spouting?"
"Ugh, as fellow puppeteers, should we not fight fairly with puppets?"
Kim Yeon scoffs at her words.
"Well, my master might have responded to your words, but not me. Truthfully, I have no pride in being a puppeteer, and I hate my puppeteer master."
"...I thought this since I first saw you, but you're really rude."
The two glare at each other.
"What's your name? When I capture and modify you later, I'll make sure to specially call the magic artifact your living name."
"Mysterious Bizarre Ghost King, Kim Yeon. And yours?"
"Conqueror King, Buk Hyang-hwa. Kim Yeon, huh. You have an unnecessarily good name, don't you?"
"Ahaha, you better pray I don't catch you as well. If I do, I'll turn you into something like 'General Buk.' Anyway, I learned well from my master how to make living puppets, so I can probably make something good."
"I'd rather self-destruct than be captured and modified by you, who has no pride as a puppeteer and no personal puppets. But if you get captured by me, I'll turn you into a far superior magic artifact or ship, so no need to worry."
The two puppeteers stare at each other for a moment, then quickly move their hands.
Booong!
Kim Yeon slashes, and Buk Hyang-hwa urgently inputs commands.
"Sea Pillar (海柱), activate!"
Kgwagwagwagwa!
Kururung!
The slash splits Buk Hyang-hwa's spider puppet in half. In the next moment, the Fourth Hyang Ships preparing a formation on the deep-sea surface manipulates the sea to create a massive pillar.
The dimensional pillar, resembling a water column, shoots up into the sky and strikes the Third Hyang Ship where Buk Hyang-hwa and Kim Yeon are.
Kim Yeon squints and looks around.
In an instant, her surroundings warped, and she realizes she has entered a strange alternate dimension.
Countless scenes shatter like glass and scatter around her.
'Is this the depths of the Deep Sea?'
In front of her is Buk Hyang-hwa, riding the broken spider puppet.
Kim Yeon smirks.
"You've used some tricks, but so what? You and I are in the same situation."
Kim Yeon takes a step forward.
But at the same time, the space distorts, and the distance between her and Buk Hyang-hwa widens.
Buk Hyang-hwa's voice echoes from afar.
[It seems you're not accustomed to the Ancient Force Realm. Huhu...in the Deep Sea of the Ancient Force Realm, you can't move properly unless you're at a cultivation realm that can control attraction force.]
"Hah, you cheeky thing...don't worry, I remember your position. I can follow you anywhere."
However, Buk Hyang-hwa, who is listening to Kim Yeon's words, merely laughs as she dismounts from the spider puppet.
[Try to follow me then.]
Woo-woong!
She pulls out a shining ore from her storage scroll.
Holding ten ancient stones in her hand, Buk Hyang-hwa crushes them all.
Paaaatt!
Simultaneously, Buk Hyang-hwa's figure vanishes, leaving Kim Yeon looking bewildered.
Chuaaaa!
Buk Hyang-hwa catches her breath on a nearby Third Hyang Ship.
Kugugugugu!
The technique of moving the Deep Sea of the Ancient Force Realm to create a water pillar and trap the opponent in the depths.
Sea Pillar.
The giant water pillar sinks back into the Deep Sea.
Kim Yeon, who was sucked into it, disappears without a trace.
'Since it's probably her first time in the Ancient Force Realm, she most likely wouldn't have ancient stones.'
Buk Hyang-hwa understands the terror of the Deep Sea.
In the shallow depths of the Deep Sea, one can escape even without ancient stones if they can control attraction force and have coordinates on the surface.
But her opponent is at most at the Heavenly Being stage, has no ancient stones, and is new to the Deep Sea of the Ancient Force Realm, so she wouldn't have coordinates.
Buk Hyang-hwa uses the Flying Escape Technique to return to the First Hyang Ship.
Messages are pouring in from all directions.
—Commander, we thought something terrible happened!
—Please, Commander, don't do such reckless things!
Buk Hyang-hwa waves her hand as if to reassure them with a slight smile.
"Sorry, everyone. But for some reason, I really didn't like the look of that woman. I just felt like I had to get rid of her somehow. Now, let's continue with the Rescue Seo Ran Operation..."
Having lost the spider puppet-shaped command room, she heads to the temporary command room of the First Hyang Ship.
And it's when she arrives at the temporary command room.
Zzzzt—
—Commander, there's a strange spell on your body. Please check it.
"Hmm?"
The artifacts in the temporary command room activate, emitting light towards her body.
Simultaneously, Buk Hyang-hwa notices a white thread-like object attached to her arm.
'This is, a consciousness thread?'
Just as she is about to identify 'whose consciousness' thread it is.
Kua-jijijijijil!
Space tears open, and delicate jade-like hands grab Buk Hyang-hwa's arm.
"...!"
And from its depths, Kim Yeon's face emerges with her eyes burning with ferocious pink flames.
Chijijijik!
"You, you weren't at the Heavenly Being stage...!"
"Abandon the prejudice that Heavenly Beings can't handle attraction force."
Kim Yeon grins and covers Buk Hyang-hwa's mouth.
'As expected of Eun-hyun Oppa.'
Using the power of the Vast Cold Heavenly Circle rotating fiercely in her dantian, Kim Yeon emits attraction force and laughs.
"Now then, Hyang-hwa. I'll give you one last chance. Dispel the barrier you've set up in the Twilight Domain immediately."
Kim Yeon points at the Sea Circle that still surrounds the Twilight Domain, even regenerating the part that Seo Eun-hyun had broken through.
When Kim Yeon momentarily releases her hold on Buk Hyang-hwa's mouth,
Buk Hyang-hwa's eyes gleam as she shouts.
"Sea Turmoil, activate! First Hyang Ship, self-destruct!"
Kugugugugu!
The First Hyang Ship the two women are on begins to shake wildly, and at the same time, the water level of the Deep Sea beneath the Twilight Domain begins to rise.
The Deep Sea starts rising towards the Twilight Domain surrounded by the Sea Circle, and Kim Yeon glares fiercely at Buk Hyang-hwa.
"You...!"
"Sea Pillar, reactivate! Target is the First Hyang Ship!"
From the Deep Sea below, signs of another water pillar forming becomes evident.
Kim Yeon covers Buk Hyang-hwa's mouth again and begins infusing her consciousness into her.
Buk Hyang-hwa's pupils start to shake.
Kim Yeon speaks as she invades Buk Hyang-hwa's mind with the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon.
"Even if I have to control your body, I will stop it...!"
Buk Hyang-hwa's pupils roll back, and her entire body begins to tremble.
And then, at that moment.
Tak!
Someone grabs Kim Yeon's wrist.
"Ah...!"
Her face lights up with joy.
A man dressed in white robes appears between them.
"Eun-hyun Oppa...!"
Seo Eun-hyun looks at both of them with tired eyes.
"That's enough, Yeon-ah. Let's just keep her as a captive for now."
"Yes...!"
Kim Yeon stops infusing her consciousness into Buk Hyang-hwa and restrains her solely with a spell.
I let out a sigh, swiftly using the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon to seize control of the ship and prevent it from self-destructing. I then maneuver the ship to avoid the water column rising from below.
'If I was just a bit late, it could've been a disaster.'
I told Hong Fan to stop them if they looked like they were about to kill each other, but Hong Fan seems preoccupied with rejoining the Twilight Domain that I split in half.
'At least my body recovered quickly.'
I almost had to witness Kim Yeon presenting Buk Hyang-hwa transformed into a General Buk.
I send a voice transmission to the entire Buk Hyang Fleet, which has transformed into a snake-like puppet.
[Your commander has been captured. Cease raising the water level of the Deep Sea and deactivate the sea barrier.]
However, despite my transmission, the Buk Hyang fleet does not deactivate the barrier, and the water level inside continues to rise.
And as soon as my voice transmission echoes, the Buk Hyang Fleet begins bombarding the First Hyang Ship instead.
Boom, thud, thud!
I deflect all the bombardments with my attraction force and sigh.
Examining Buk Hyang-hwa's soul, there's a passageway connected to a distant space.
'Come to think of it, Song Jin must have prepared a separate means for her to resurrect.'
Considering the revival methods of the Black Ghost Valley, it seems the Buk Hyang Fleet decided it's better to kill the captured Buk Hyang-hwa and revive her in a safe place separately.
Or perhaps Buk Hyang-hwa herself had given such instructions in case she was captured.
"These bastards...!"
Kim Yeon is furious, but I calm her down and take a big sigh as I head to the bow of the ship.
Chwarararararak!
White grain-like spiritual energy floats around me.
I send another voice transmission to Hong Fan.
[Hong Fan, activate the Dividing World Barrier.]
[Yes, Master.]
Woo-woooong!
Soon, a seven-colored barrier envelops the entire Twilight Domain.
By my will, the barrier of Yin-Yang Five Elements encases the sea barrier created by the Buk Hyang Fleet.
[Great Mountain.]
Kugugugugugu!
Clashing the energies of Yin and Yang from my hands, I quickly charge toward the Yin-Yang Five Elements barrier and spread my arms.
[Splitting Emperor!]
Kugugugugu!
It feels like everything in front of me is boiling white.
Simultaneously, the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique tears through the deep-sea barrier.
Thanks to the activation of the World Dividing Barrier by Hong Fan, the Twilight Domain, along with pre-designated figures like Oh Hyun-seok, Jeon Myeong-hoon, and the 13 Ghost Kings, are not torn apart.
However, everything except for them is visibly shredded all at once.
Kugwagwagwagwa!
The Four-Axis cultivators, the Heavenly Being cultivators, and the deep-sea barrier created by the Buk Hyang Fleet, along with the rising Deep Sea level inside it —all of it vanishes.
For a while, blinding white light envelops all four directions and Heaven and Earth.
I squint my eyes.
'What's this?'
The power is far stronger than I anticipated.
Rather than it being due to my power, it seems the Deep Sea of the Ancient Force Realm itself is reacting to the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique.
Kugugugu!
'What, just why?'
I'm taken aback as the power of the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique shows no sign of diminishing.
Woo-woong!
The entire nearby Deep Sea is reacting to the power of the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique.
Yes, the Ancient Force Realm itself is resonating with the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique.
I squint my eyes, looking at the pillar of light filling my view.
'It's not just because I possess remnants of a destroyed world that brought me to the Ancient Force Realm.'
Perhaps, this world itself has some connection with the Owner of Salt Mountain.
Ancient Force Realm, Xiezhi Worship Region.
At the center of the Xiezhi Worship Region, in the deepest depths of the Sea King Hall.
A man with blue scales half-opens his eyes.
His eyes brighten as he looks in a certain direction.
"...Is it that being's true successor? The Mountain God will have a fit."
Hae Lin, the Sacred Master of the Ancient Force Realm, chuckles and closes his eyes again.
"Try to obtain as much Ancient Force as you can, descendant of the Owner of Salt Mountain. That way, you might have hope against the Mountain God…"
Wi Jeong Sea Domain.
Governing Dragon Palace.
The audience chamber of the Governing Dragon Palace Lord.
There, the Governing Dragon Palace Lord Yuk Rin sits on his throne, his eyes wide open.
As he looks at the map displaying the real-time situation across the Wi Jeong Sea Domain that floats on the floor of the audience chamber, his hands tremble violently.
His eyes are filled with greed.
"The one who possesses the power of Penglai...! Ah, ahaha! Yuk Yo! That worthless insect finally did something useful for once! To catch such a big fish, ahahahaha!!!"
Laughing maniacally, Yuk Rin stands up.
"This is very good...! There's no need to keep my promise with that Jin Ma-yeol. A better alternative has appeared...!"
Yuk Rin bursts into a loud proclamation, sending his voice throughout the Governing Dragon Palace.
[Hear me, prepare a celebration immediately! We will be hosting an honored guest, and if necessary, we will hold Princess Yuk Yo's wedding as well!! What are you waiting for!? Move now!!!]
Thus, the entire Governing Dragon Palace becomes busy under Yuk Rin's command.
The Four-Axis and Heavenly Being stage mercenaries who invaded the Twilight Domain all flee with only their Nascent Soul left intact.
'Quite resilient, huh.'
By the time one reaches the Heavenly Being stage, most usually have at least one or two methods of revival, so none of them died.
Of course, I could have prevented even their souls from escaping with my ability, but I don't feel it worth the effort, so I let them go.
After subduing the Buk Hyang Fleet, I enter the Twilight Domain.
Buk Hyang-hwa, unconscious and tightly bound by Kim Yeon's spell, is carried inside by Kim Yeon, who slings her over one shoulder.
I glance at Buk Hyang-hwa for a moment and sigh.
'I don't know what expression to make.'
At least, the fortunate thing is that since it's been thousands of years, my heart doesn't stir as it did when I met her before.
"Eun-hyun...no, Cult Leader. Are you going to imprison this impudent thing in the underground prison, or will you kill her? If you leave it to me, I will turn her into a fine puppet..."
"Ah...Yeon-ah."
Feeling a headache coming on, I interrupt Kim Yeon.
"That person is...a comrade of Seo Ran and Shi Ho. For now, place her in the honored guest chambers."
At those words, Kim Yeon looks dazed for a moment and then asks again.
"...Isn't she...a captive...?"
"...There seems to be a misunderstanding. She's the comrade of not only Seo Ran and Shi Ho but...over there. Of Director Kim Young-hoon as well."
Only then does Kim Yeon notice Kim Young-hoon, who has been brought to the Twilight Domain by the cursed dolls, and flinches in surprise.
Kim Young-hoon is still unconscious.
Kim Yeon, slightly dejected at my words, looks down at Buk Hyang-hwa.
I too look at the unconscious Buk Hyang-hwa with blinking eyes.
Although I don't feel the same turmoil as before, she is still a very complex presence for me.
Flinch!
Thinking about the past, I inadvertently lose control of my intent and direct a complicated intent towards her.
Shaking my head, I return to the Wuji Religious Hall.
'When she wakes up, I need to sort out my feelings.'
After all, I know.
The Her of this cycle is not the Her of that time.
So, it might not be a bad idea to take this opportunity to sort out my feelings.
'I'll probably hear an earful from Hong Fan.'
During my battle with Kim Young-hoon, I tried to minimize the damage to the order, but the aftermath alone caused significant harm.
Thanks to my careful control of power, there were almost no casualties, but the Twilight Domain was split, and buildings were uprooted, so Hong Fan must have had a hard time protecting it.
'Still, it's nice to see the faces I missed all together after a long time.'
When those who fainted wake up, it seems it will be quite enjoyable.
Seo Eun-hyun enters the Wuji Religious Hall.
Meanwhile, Kim Yeon looks intently at the captured Buk Hyang-hwa.
"...Just now, what was that?"
Kim Yeon glares at Buk Hyang-hwa, recalling the intent Seo Eun-hyun had just shown towards her.
"...Kids."
With wide eyes, Kim Yeon calls out to the expressionless cursed dolls repairing the surroundings.
They immediately rush over and kneel before her at her command.
"Have you called, Left Law Protector-nim?"
"...Prepare a room in the honored guest chambers And bring medicine suitable for humans. I will personally nurse this child."
***
The reason Buk Hyang-hwa became close with Seo Ran was partly due to their meeting through Song Jin, and partly because of the amusing incident involving the engagement between Shi Ho and Seo Ran, which the parties themselves couldn't laugh at.
However, one of the reasons she started talking to Seo Ran was because her childhood name was also Ran (蘭/Orchid).
She remembered her childhood.
Even now, when she closed her eyes, she could almost smell the faint scent of magnolias tickling her nose.
―Ran-ah.
The voice of a woman lovingly calling her childhood name (兒名) echoed.
―No, it's now time to stop using your childhood name, right, Hyang-hwa?
Buk Hyang-hwa was clinging to a frail-looking woman lying on a bed.
― No! Just call me Ran. Hyang-hwa sounds weird.
―Huhu, it's okay. It's a pretty name.
―I don't think so.
While Hyang-hwa was clinging to the frail woman, a middle-aged man with a stern face brought a bowl of herbal medicine.
―I've brought the medicine, Yeon-ah.
―Thank you.
It was Buk Joong-ho, Hyang-hwa's father.
Buk Joong-ho, with his stern yet somewhat sad face, fed the medicine to the frail woman, Yeon, Hyang-hwa's mother.
After drinking the medicine, Yeon coughed dryly.
Day by day, her vitality seemed to wither away.
―Hyang-hwa, can you live well even without Mom?
Hyang-hwa shook her head.
―Mom, where are you going?
She buried her head in Yeon's chest and cried.
― No! Don't go! I've been having strange dreams lately. Last night, a rainbow-colored bird crushed me! I'm scared to sleep alone!
― ...My dear Hyang-hwa. Now that you've outgrown your childhood name, you should learn to sleep alone. If you're too scared, you can sleep with Dad.
Nevertheless, Buk Hyang-hwa clung to Yeon, crying.
Even though she was young, she had a rough understanding.
It was hard to comprehend death, but she had a strong premonition that she would never see her mother, Yeon, again.
Seeing Hyang-hwa clinging to her side, Yeon sighed softly and handed her a jade norigae lying beside the bed.
―Ttuk, Hyang-hwa. Mom will give you a present. Take this.
[TL/N: 뚝 (ttuk) is an onomatopoeic expression often used by parents to encourage their child to stop crying. It's similar to saying "shush" but in a less demanding tone in English. It mimics the sound a child might make when they stop crying abruptly.]
―What is this?
― It's a promise I made with a friend when I was little.
Yeon gently patted Hyang-hwa's head.
Hyang-hwa listened to the promise entwined with the norigae.
― ...So, when you meet that friend's child someday, ask how Hwi-ah is doing.
― Yes! And I will keep the promise well! If it's a girl, I'll make her my sister, and if it's a boy, I'll marry him!
―You don't have to if you don't want to. More than that, just ask how they are.
―No, I'll keep the promise! Definitely!
Hyang-hwa grasped Yeon's hand, making a firm vow.
Yeon patted Hyang-hwa's head.
Receiving her mother's gentle touch, Hyang-hwa hugged the jade norigae and fell asleep.
Her hands smelled of magnolias.
________________________________________
"...Mom..."
Buk Hyang-hwa wakes up dreaming of her mother, Yeon.
A strange floral fragrance wafts from somewhere, and delicate fingers seem to stroke Buk Hyang-hwa's cheek.
"...Mom...?"
Buk Hyang-hwa grabs the hand stroking her cheek and opens her blurry eyes wide.
And then she flinches in surprise.
"Ah!"
The person stroking her cheek is not Buk Hyang-hwa's long passed away mother, Yeon.
It's Kim Yeon, dressed in a light pink robe.
Buk Hyang-hwa raises her upper body from the bed with a wary expression.
She quickly looks around to grasp the situation.
'This isn't a torture chamber or a prison. The bed is clean...there are no restraining spells or prohibitions set up. I'm not a prisoner...are they treating me as a guest? My magic artifacts...none are here.'
Buk Hyang-hwa, though not completely relaxed, slightly eases her guard and asks Kim Yeon.
"...What's going on? I definitely gave the self-destruct order for the First Hyang Ship..."
Kim Yeon scoffs and replies.
"What do you think would be so hard about canceling the self-destruct order to that toy ship?"
Buk Hyang-hwa nearly loses her composure at the dismissal of her creation, but she barely holds back and touches her cheek.
"By the way, why were you stroking my face so gently?"
"I was plucking out the consciousness threads that got into your head. Your head is small, so it was easy to pull them out. It's no wonder your magic artifacts are the way they are with that small head of yours."
Once again, Buk Hyang-hwa's forehead veins bulge at the insult to her creation.
"...It must be nice to have such a big head."
Kim Yeon's forehead veins also bulge in response.
"Yeah, I guess I am a bit taller than you, shorty."
"You said your name was Kim Yeon, right? Can you please change it? It feels like an insult to a great person I know with the same name."
"Oh my, why bring up another person because of your height? Even if I don't like it, I can still call my master's name."
"Hah, what kind of great person did you learn from to act like this?"
"You, a person from the Ancient Force Realm, wouldn't know even if I told you."
"Why, are you embarrassed to say?"
"Hmph, I told you, you really wouldn't know? Well, he has a strange title called Mad Lord, but his puppet technique is..."
"..."
Then, the next moment, Buk Hyang-hwa's mouth drops open.
Kim Yeon notices her strange atmosphere and looks puzzled.
Buk Hyang-hwa's expression becomes blank for a moment before she asks in a trembling voice.
"...Your, your master...is Mad Lord Jo Yeon?"
"...That's right, but?"
"...The one with the hunchback who rides the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress?"
"What? How do you know that? Weren't you born in the Ancient Force Realm?"
Buk Hyang-hwa doesn't answer Kim Yeon's question and remains in a daze.
Remaining dazed for a while, Buk Hyang-hwa's momentum lowers compared to Kim Yeon.
"...H-How can that person's disciple be such a rude human...?"
Kim Yeon feels her mood sour, but when she sees Buk Hyang-hwa avoiding eye contact and looking down, she grins widely.
"And you were defeated and captured by that rude human, no?"
"...Ugh, I didn't lose to you."
"Excuses. But how old are you to be using 'you' and 'you'?"
[TL/N: Korean formalities stuff. Doesn't translate into English.]
Kim Yeon asks Buk Hyang-hwa's age, and she hesitates before answering.
"...271."
"You're younger than me."
When Kim Yeon and her group fell to Ascension Path, Kim Yeon was 26 years old, and Buk Hyang-hwa was 18.
Although that much of an age difference became negligible after becoming cultivators, Kim Yeon crosses her arms and speaks to assert dominance over Buk Hyang-hwa.
"Call me Unnie."
Buk Hyang-hwa hesitates, but the fact that Kim Yeon is the Mad Lord's disciple lingers in her mind.
"Uh, un..."
"What?"
"Un..."
"Can you say it louder?"
"Uncouth thing!"
However, Buk Hyang-hwa can't accept Kim Yeon, who dismissed her creations, and eventually her hidden feelings burst out.
A vein bulges on Kim Yeon's forehead as her delicate jade-like hand grabs Buk Hyang-hwa's shoulder.
Kim Yeon glares at Buk Hyang-hwa for a moment but then sighs and stands up.
"...Fine. What am I even doing with a child?"
"Hmph, the one who looks like a child is you?"
"Yeah, well, you must enjoy looking withered. Thanks for the compliment."
Looking down at Buk Hyang-hwa, she speaks.
"...Well, I almost forgot while bickering with you...You're a comrade of Seo Ran the dragon, Shi Ho the fox, and...Kim Young-hoon, right?"
Buk Hyang-hwa, who had been seething, calms down and nods.
She momentarily forgot due to the good treatment, but strictly speaking, she is in a situation where she has been captured while fighting Kim Yeon.
'What's the situation here? Judging by her tone when speaking of Seo Ran, Shi Ho, and Sir Kim Young-hoon...has she known them for a long time?'
Kim Yeon explains the general situation to Buk Hyang-hwa.
"Eun-hyun Oppa...I mean, our cult leader, the Wuji Ghost King, met Seo Ran and Shi Ho while he was in the Lower Realm."
"...Then what's his relationship with Sir Kim Young-hoon?"
"That person used to be part of our comp...uh...how should I put it? Well, he was more or less our comrade."
"...!"
Buk Hyang-hwa's eyes widen in surprise at this revelation.
'Sir Kim Young-hoon...was originally a follower of a suspicious cult of ghostly creatures? No wonder he has many titles involving 'Divine' and 'Demon'!'
She looks up at Kim Yeon with tense eyes and asks.
"...What will you do with me?"
"For now, you're the comrade of our comrade, so we won't be hostile. But since you did lead a fleet that caused damage to our order, we will decide after meeting with the cult leader."
"C-Cult leader..."
Buk Hyang-hwa swallows at the mention of the 'cult leader.'
She has a rough idea of who this cult leader might be.
The one who occupies virtually one-third of the Buk Hyang Fleet's strength and has practically handed over the title of 'Conqueror King' to Buk Hyang-hwa.
And one of the decisive reasons her fleet gained the title of the 'Invincible Fleet.'
That Kim Young-hoon fought that entity at a stalemate and was even forced him to send a distress signal in the end!
The monstrous cultivator who could duel with Kim Young-hoon while moving across the entire battlefield within 10 seconds, easily breaking through the Sea Circle barrier Buk Hyang-hwa's Buk Hyang Fleet prided itself on.
'That person must be the cult leader.'
She breaks into a cold sweat.
"...What kind of person are they?"
At that, Kim Yeon's face turns red.
"That person is...yes, he's an extraordinary person."
Buk Hyang-hwa realizes one thing from seeing Kim Yeon's reaction,
'This woman is in love with the cult leader.'
And through Kim Yeon's reaction, she forms a prejudice about the cult leader.
'If this rude woman likes him, the cult leader must be an incredibly twisted and bizarre person. Or perhaps he's not even human, being the cult leader of ghosts!'
Kim Yeon, who talks about Seo Eun-hyun for a while, suddenly frowns at Buk Hyang-hwa's intent, as if finding it unpleasant.
"...You seem to be having some impure thoughts, but for now, get up and change your clothes. You need to be instilled with the etiquette and language used in Wuji Religious Order. Hurry up!"
"What? No, wait! What are you doing? Kyaaah!"
With an irritated expression, Kim Yeon lifts Buk Hyang-hwa up and changes her clothes, using the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon to instill the language and etiquette of the Wuji Religious Order.
________________________________________
"Oh no! I didn't realize my master was worried. I should have considered that. I'm truly sorry for my master."
As soon as Kim Young-hoon woke up, Seo Ran heard about why they came and sighed with regret.
The recently awakened Kim Young-hoon explained the situation to Seo Ran with an enlightened expression and welcomed us warmly.
He reminisced with Jeon Myeong-hoon, Oh Hyun-seok, and me, catching up on old times, and expressed regret upon hearing about Kang Min-hee and Oh Hye-seo.
"Ahahaha! But Hyung-nim! Why do you look so weak and listless? You need to have a bomb shot, no?"
Oh Hyun-seok, who has always had a younger-older brother relationship with Kim Young-hoon, laughs heartily and approaches the rejuvenated Kim Young-hoon.
But Kim Young-hoon, despite being approached by his closest younger brother Oh Hyun-seok's cheerful approach, only manages a hollow laugh with somewhat empty eyes.
'...It shouldn't be because of me.'
I wonder if I had gone too far in destroying his cherished items, but since Kim Young-hoon doesn't say anything, I keep my mouth shut for now.
And so, Seo Ran, Shi Ho, Kim Young-hoon, Oh Hyun-seok, Jeon Myeong-hoon, and I gather in the honored guest chambers and for the first time in a while, spend an enjoyable time laughing together.
Just then, my consciousness detects two people approaching,
Thump, thump—
Is it because we are drinking the Ghost Wine of the Wuji Religious Order due to meeting up for the first time in a long while?
Or is it perhaps because I haven't yet shaken off the shadows of my past.
I feel my heart pound unnecessarily.
And some time later.
The door of the honored guest chamber opens.
Two familiar faces appear.
Kim Yeon.
And...Buk Hyang-hwa.
The long-unseen Buk Hyang-hwa is wearing clothes reminiscent of the ones she wore the day we danced together.
________________________________________
As Kim Yeon helps Buk Hyang-hwa change her clothes, she thinks,
'Make it as plain as possible!'
She still remembers Seo Eun-hyun's flickering intent when he first saw Buk Hyang-hwa.
Because of this, Kim Yeon dresses Buk Hyang-hwa in the plain white attire worn by the maiden ghosts of the Wuji Religious Order.
'If I make her appearance as unimpressive as possible, Eun-hyun Oppa won't take much interest, right?'
Then, after instilling some information into Buk Hyang-hwa using the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon, she takes her to Seo Eun-hyun.
Soon after, Kim Yeon and Buk Hyang-hwa arrive at the place where Seo Eun-hyun, the higher-ups of the Wuji Religious Order, and the higher-ups of the Conqueror Fleet are gathered.
Buk Hyang-hwa walks nervously, practically being dragged by Kim Yeon.
Finally, they arrive at the honored guest chambers and amidst her nervousness, she meets the eyes of Seo Eun-hyun who is seated there.
"...Oh."
Her eyes widen.
Buk Hyang-hwa opens her mouth wide, repeatedly opening and closing before finally managing to speak with her hands on her beating chest.
"...It was you."
The person she had been searching for across the entire Head Realm, while she was building the Buk Hyang Fleet.
The promised person who had brought the jade green norigae crafted by her mother, Yeon.
Seo Eun-hyun gives a faint smile.
His intent wavers, and he wears an expression as if reminiscing about something.
The first to notice the peculiar atmosphere between them is Kim Yeon.
Kim Yeon stares at the back of Buk Hyang-hwa's head expressionlessly.
She subtly infused a strand of her divided soul into Buk Hyang-hwa's body using the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon without her noticing.
So that if they ever fight again, she can control her like a puppet.
Buk Hyang-hwa, while staring blankly at Seo Eun-hyun, takes out the jade norigae from her bosom.
"...Last time, you gave me this, didn't you?"
Seo Eun-hyun looks at the jade norigae.
Buk Hyang-hwa, her voice trembling, struggles to find the words.
For some reason, she can't think of what to say.
But barely, she manages to recall Yeon's words.
—Ask how they are.
Buk Hyang-hwa finally manages to ask Seo Eun-hyun a question.
"This norigae...what I mean is, you. You aren't the original owner, but you received it...correct?"
Seo Eun-hyun wears a dazed expression for a moment, then nods.
Buk Hyang-hwa asks Seo Eun-hyun another question.
"The person who gave you this norigae...were...they well?"
Though it seems like a somewhat out-of-the-blue question, it's important to Buk Hyang-hwa.
She had sworn not to leave Cheon-saek City until she asks this question to the person who delivers the norigae.
Yes, this was Yeon's last wish.
And Seo Eun-hyun closes his eyes for a moment.
________________________________________
'Were...they well...?'
The one who gave me that norigae was Buk Hyang-hwa from the 10th cycle.
I remember the moment I danced with her for the last time.
I recall her pure soul ascending to the heavens after we shared our final kiss.
Yes, she undoubtedly went to the afterlife without leaving any grudges.
So surely.
She must have been well.
I nod and meet Buk Hyang-hwa's gaze, answering her.
"...The person who gave me the norigae left for the heavens without any regrets."
"I see...that's a relief."
Though her question and my answer seem to have different meanings, I recall her from the 10th cycle and steel my heart.
"So, there's no need for you to worry either, Miss."
The woman before me and the woman from before are different people.
Let's make that clear.
From now on, we can build a new connection and create a good relationship as comrades.
But she is not the one with whom I shared love.
"Please, have a seat, miss. The Wuji Religious Order and your Conqueror Fleet can become good allies."
Buk Hyang-hwa, looking somewhat dazed, sits down.
She seems to have expected something different from me, but at this moment, she, with whom I have no relationship built, is not the one I had given my heart to.
________________________________________
Buk Hyang-hwa sees that Seo Ran and Shi Ho are safe and resolves her misunderstandings about the Wuji Religious Order after hearing about it.
However, she still has a dazed expression.
'Ah...surely, this is what I needed to hear.'
She was supposed to ask about their well-being as per her mother's will and, if possible, become sworn sisters or marry him.
Of course, seeing that there's Kim Yeon by the cult leader's side, she didn't have hopes for marriage.
But why is it?
Buk Hyang-hwa feels a deep ache as if part of her heart has been torn away.
'It was like this back then.'
It was the same when that man first brought her the norigae.
She feels a strange sensation.
Forcing a bitter smile, she excuses herself from the boisterous atmosphere of the honored guest chambers.
Her chest feels strange.
She finds a somewhat reasonable explanation for why she feels this way.
'...Now, what should I live for?'
One of her life's purposes was to follow her mother's will.
Following her mother Yeon's words, she received the norigae and asked after their well-being.
Maybe it's a sense of emptiness because she achieved all her goals.
No, perhaps it's because she can no longer reminisce about her mother while achieving her goals.
The sorrow of not being able to reminisce about her mother any longer as she follows her mother's words.
And the surge of emotion when she saw that man.
Various emotions well up inside her.
Then, Kim Yeon appears beside her.
Buk Hyang-hwa hides her melancholic expression and asks.
"What do you want?"
"...I came out to keep an eye on you."
"Ha. That's really funny. And childish."
However, Kim Yeon doesn't take issue with Buk Hyang-hwa's words and says,
"If you want to cry, just cry."
"What?"
"As a senior in life and a disciple of the Mad Lord, who is practically your superior counterpart, I'll accept it a bit. There are times when you suddenly feel like crying."
"Just what do you...?"
But Buk Hyang-hwa realizes she is already shedding tears.
Kim Yeon, releasing the expression she had earlier when glaring at Buk Hyang-hwa, approaches her and pats her back.
In the end, Buk Hyang-hwa bursts into tears in Kim Yeon's embrace.
She doesn't know why.
Is it because the life goal that allowed her to reminisce about her mother has been fulfilled?
Or is it because of Seo Eun-hyun, who made her heart restless?
Or perhaps, it's because Kim Yeon has the same name as her mother by coincidence.
Yes, maybe it's because Kim Yeon has a peculiar floral scent.
Like the scent of magnolia her own mother had.
"..."
Kim Yeon extends her consciousness, blocking anyone from monitoring them within her consciousness domain, and comforts Buk Hyang-hwa, whose emotions have burst out unexpectedly.
Kim Yeon still dislikes Buk Hyang-hwa.
And Buk Hyang-hwa, who is crying in her arms, dislikes Kim Yeon just as much.
However, Kim Yeon accepts Buk Hyang-hwa's sudden emotions for one single reason.
Seo Eun-hyun had done the same for Kim Yeon when she was struggling.
Kim Yeon reads Buk Hyang-hwa's emotions through the vision of the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon.
Emotions accommodate all of heaven's natural colors, so she can't read them all. However, Kim Yeon sees the heart that is mixed with worry and sadness for her parents, and she sees her past self overlapping with Buk Hyang-hwa.
How long does Buk Hyang-hwa vent her emotions to Kim Yeon?
Buk Hyang-hwa wipes her tears and says,
"...For now, I'll at least say thank you, Unnie."
***
Buk Hyang-hwa and Kim Yeon seem to show some uneasy symptoms, but after a while, they return and rejoin us.
Seeing that their intent seems a bit more stable, it doesn't seem necessary to worry too much.
After enjoying a reunion with old friends, we gather the next day in the conference room of the Wuji Religious Hall.
"...First of all, I would like to thank everyone for gathering here today."
As the cult leader of the Wuji Religious Order, I sit on the main seat and address them.
If yesterday was about reconnecting with old comrades, today is a more solemn occasion as we are meeting with the 'leaders of the Buk Hyang Fleet that invaded the Twilight Domain.'
It's somewhat expected that the representative of the Buk Hyang Fleet would be, true to the name, Buk Hyang-hwa.
"Thank you for the warm welcome, Cult Leader."
"Let's all start by having a cup of tea."
I instruct the servant ghostly creatures of the Wuji Religious Order to bring tea.
Shortly after, a pot of honey is placed in front of each of us, and plum tea, a specialty of the Nether Ghost Realm, is served.
"It's a bit sour for the average palate, so I recommend adding some of the honey in front of you."
Interestingly, the ghosts of the Nether Ghost Realm particularly like sour fruits like plums.
Thus, those among the ghosts who practice wood attribute methods had modified such fruits to make them even more sour.
As a result, the plum tea, a specialty of the Nether Ghost Realm, is much more sour than plums from other realms.
Kim Young-hoon, with a face that seems to say 'how sour can it be,' takes a sip of the plum tea and disappears in a flash of gold, reappearing shortly after.
It seems he had gone outside the Twilight Domain to spit out the tea.
"Ahem, I'll just have some water."
After seeing Kim Young-hoon's reaction, the others pour honey into their tea generously before drinking it.
I order just honey tea instead of plum tea myself, and after lightening the mood after everyone has taken a sip, we begin the meeting.
"First, I would like to hear about the reason the Buk Hyang Fleet invaded our Twilight Domain."
Although I heard the reason last night, it's good to hear it officially again.
Buk Hyang-hwa points calmly at Seo Ran and explains.
"First, we deeply apologize for the Buk Hyang Fleet's involvement in the destruction of the Twilight Domain. However, I would like to clarify that there was a significant misunderstanding regarding our reasons for coming here. We hastily concluded that Seo Ran, one of our comrades and a member of the Buk Hyang Fleet's leadership, was being held here, leading us to enter without considering the consequences. Once again, we sincerely apologize."
She bows her head deeply, expressing sincere regret.
"I accept your apology. However, merely a verbal apology alone won't suffice."
"Yes, you are right. Therefore, after internal discussions, the Buk Hyang Fleet proposes..."
Despite her words, we already discussed everything amongst ourselves the night before.
"The Buk Hyang Fleet will be affiliated with the Wuji Religious Order for a thousand years as mercenaries to compensate for the damages."
"Ho...very well. Excellent."
"However, we also have some conditions."
Buk Hyang-hwa presents the documents she discussed with Kim Young-hoon, Seo Ran, and Shi Ho in our presence yesterday.
The document outlines terms to prevent any unfavorable treatment, unilateral discrimination, or termination of the contract without notice.
Of course, given that Kim Young-hoon was originally one of our colleagues, such concerns are unnecessary.
I sign the clauses with a smile, and the Buk Hyang Fleet side indicates they will return to their sea domain to discuss with Song Jin before signing.
I laugh heartily and grant permission.
After all, Song Jin only acted out of a minor misunderstanding, thinking Seo Ran was threatened.
He also owes me a favor, so he will surely agree.
'Moreover, Song Jin and Seo Ran's current goal is related to Seo Hweol, so they will naturally have to ally with me who opposes Seo Hweol.'
In this way, I can naturally rejoin forces with the Buk Hyang Fleet, including my old comrades Kim Young-hoon, Song Jin, Seo Ran, and Buk Hyang-hwa.
Thus, the Buk Hyang Fleet joins the Wuji Religious Order, and I call Yeon Jin before them.
"Yeon Jin, have you perhaps re-established contact with Yeon Wei?"
Yeon Jin nods at my question.
"Yes, my ancestor has recently sent a part of her split soul to me again."
"Good, in that case..."
Woo-woong!
I infuse Yeon Jin's upper dantian with my consciousness using the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon, allowing Yeon Wei to emerge from Yeon Jin's consciousness.
Shortly after, Yeon Wei opens her eyes through Yeon Jin's body and looks around, sighing.
"...I've already heard a bit while inside Yeon Jin's body. So, we're in the Ancient Force Realm?"
"Yes, that's how it turned out."
"...Haaah."
Yeon Wei sits down, pressing her temples as if she has a headache.
After informing Yeon Wei that we have joined forces with the Buk Hyang Fleet, a power established here, I ask her two questions.
"For now, there are two things I want to ask Senior about. The first is regarding the Health Axis now that we are in the Ancient Force Realm."
Yeon Wei sighs before starting to explain.
Since it's their first time hearing about the Five Blessings Axes, Buk Hyang-hwa and Shi Ho listen with great curiosity.
"Well, as you already know, building an axis here in the Ancient Force Realm is not much different from doing it in the Nether Ghost Realm. However, there is a difference in the Void Spirit Pond here."
She continues her explanation.
"There is no Void Spirit Pond in the Ancient Force Realm. The Void Spirit Pond is originally a small hole connected to a dimension's surface, but the Ancient Force Realm has no such holes. The [Deep Sea] of the Ancient Force Realm envelops the entire realm like scale armor, resulting in no Void Spirit Ponds being present in this world."
'The Deep Sea envelops the world like armor...'
The Deep Sea of the Ancient Force Realm suddenly reminds me of the Clear Scale Armor.
"However, there are indeed people who ascend, and there are ways to build an axis. The most notable example is the 'Supervisory Jade.'"
"Supervisory Jade...?"
I recall the jade I received from Seo Ran before.
Certainly, the Supervisory Jade allows a strand of consciousness to descend to the Lower Realms.
"Most of the 'islands' in the sea domains of the Ancient Force Realm are mostly large chunks of ancient stone. Occasionally, under the pressure of Heaven and Earth spiritual energy, unique stones are formed within these ancient stone veins. These are the Supervisory Jades."
Seo Ran appears to be hearing about this for the first time as well, listening with fascination.
"The Supervisory Jade is a device that allows a strand of consciousness to descend to the Lower Realms. If you collect hundreds or thousands of such Supervisory Jades and refine them through compression, they are reborn as a new ore called Salt Crystal (鹽晶)."
"Salt Crystal...?"
"Yes. Honestly, even someone at the Integration stage might not know about this unless they are the palace lord of a sea domain. The transparent Supervisory Jade, under pressure, mixes with many other Supervisory Jades, turning snow white like salt and gaining new abilities. Unlike the Supervisory Jade, which only allows a single consciousness to descend, a Salt Crystal can send dozens of strands of consciousness, and can also be used as the core for the Flying Immortal Formation that acts as a Flying Immortal Platform."
"...I see."
I'm amazed by the wondrous properties of Salt Crystal.
"It functions just like a Void Spirit Pond, but as an ore, can it be used in other realms?"
"Haha, you want to carry solid Void Spirit Ponds to other Middle Realms? Sorry, but Salt Crystals are effective only in the Ancient Force Realm. If you use it elsewhere, it instead acts like an 'Ancient Force Pathway' that returns you to the Ancient Force Realm instead of descending to the Lower Realms."
"I see..."
I click my tongue in disappointment.
However, the fact Salt Crystals can't be used in other realms does not diminish its value.
According to her, Salt Crystals are the only way to build an axis in the Ancient Force Realm.
"So where does one usually find Salt Crystals?"
"Typically, Supervisory Jades are born one or two at a time in islands with dense ancient stone veins. But to gather hundreds or thousands of them to make a Salt Crystal, one almost always needs to be the palace lord of a sea domain. Of course it's not easy for even palace lords to make, so there are those that don't have it. The proportion of palace lords with a Salt Crystal is about half."
Finishing her explanation, Yeon Wei turns her gaze towards the Buk Hyang Fleet.
"Didn't you say your Buk Hyang Fleet conquered three sea domains? Haven't you found any Salt Crystals?"
At her words, Kim Young-hoon makes a troubled face.
"...We saw Salt Crystals in two of the three sea domains we conquered."
"Two...?"
"However, the palace lords of those two sea domains fled with the Salt Crystals in their possession, so we missed them. At that time, we didn't realize how valuable they were..."
Tak!
Yeon Wei lightly taps her forehead and sighs softly.
"...Well, it's no wonder. If you have a Salt Crystal, you can set up a Flying Immortal Formation to recruit talents from the Lower Realms and establish your own force again. For the palace lords, it's as important as their lives..."
She clicks her tongue and sighs softly before asking me.
"You can only build the Health Axis if we have a Salt Crystal. So if you don't have one, you need to find a way to get one no matter what."
"Understood. And the second question is...how do we leave the Ancient Force Realm?"
As I speak, I lightly distort the space with attraction force.
Tooong!
I use attraction force to create a hole in the void and try to extend my hand out of the dimension.
However, unlike when I entered, my hand is rebounded back into the Ancient Force Realm.
Seeing this, Yeon Wei speaks.
"The Ancient Force Realm is surrounded by layers of [Deep Sea] that emit attraction force. Therefore, those with 'entry qualifications' are drawn into the Ancient Force Realm by this force...but once inside, they must break through all of the Deep Sea's attraction force to leave, making leaving much harder than entering."
"Hoh, so it's like the Azure Heaven Creation Sect."
Oh Hyun-seok makes a perfect analogy that's easy to understand, and I understand immediately.
"But since Senior obtained the Health Axis and returned, there must be a way to escape."
"Correct. First, you can escape from the shallow depths of the Deep Sea if you know how to use attraction force and have coordinates at the surface."
Kim Yeon nods at those words.
"Escaping the Ancient Force Realm is similar to escaping the shallow depths. With immense attraction force and another attraction force pulling from outside, you can leave. Back then, I escaped the Ancient Force Realm through the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect...but it will be difficult for you now."
Both Jeon Myeong-hoon and I wear bitter expressions at those words.
'The Grand Cultivator Association will probably not help me either.'
Even if I, the one they accuse as a Heart Tribe spy, were to ask them for help, they will probably do nothing but wish me a happy life.
"...Is it possible to open a side path within the Ancient Force Realm?"
However, she shakes her head at my words.
"If that were possible, the Black Ghost Valley would have established a branch here. It's possible to enter through a side path, but impossible to open one to leave. The Deep Sea prevents the formation of side paths. The Ancient Force Realm is the only Middle Realm where the Black Ghost Valley couldn't establish a foothold."
Then Seo Ran, looking at Yeon Wei as if she's talking nonsense, speaks.
"...That's not true?"
Yeon Wei frowns at Seo Ran, then is startled upon seeing him in the black robes of Black Ghost Valley.
"What, what is this? There wasn't a Black Ghost Palace in my time?"
"Haha, my master and I founded a branch here over 200 years ago."
"Ack."
Yeon Wei, flustered, bursts into anger.
"That's not the point! How dare you interrupt an elder! Be quiet!"
Seo Ran closes his mouth and steps back at Yeon Wei's rebuke.
"Well, anyway. It's extremely difficult to leave the Ancient Force Realm. Even Grand Cultivators and Demon Kings need external help to have a fifty percent chance of escaping. The other fifty percent of the time, the result is failing and becoming lost in the Deep Sea."
"Umm..."
I immediately cancel my plan to send Jeon Myeong-hoon, an Integration stage cultivator, to try and pull us out.
"So, Senior, are you saying we can't leave the Ancient Force Realm right now?"
"Well...for now, yes. But wait 2,000 to 3,000 years! By then, I'll have ascended a few people in the Head Realm Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder and risen them to the Four-Axis stage. Then they can pull you out."
"..."
In other words, there's no way but to wait.
'No, it's not even certain that Yeon Wei will have raised cultivators at the Heavenly Being stage in the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.'
The Head Realm has already become barren due to mass ascensions.
Even with Yeon Wei's grand efforts, it's likely they will only reach the Heavenly Being stage.
They won't reach the Four-Axis stage like Jin Byuk-ho, Heo Gwak, or Azure Tiger Saint immediately after ascension.
'So, it could be at least 2,000 to 3,000 years at best, and 5,000 to 6,000 years at worst.'
I sigh deeply.
A regular cultivator might be able to wait, but it's too long for me.
'In just 1,000 years, Kang Min-hee will transform 1/50th of the Bright Cold Realm's Stable Realm into something like the Nether Ghost Realm, and the Mad Lord will reach the Quasi-Star Shattering stage. Jang Ik will also return and kill Kang Min-hee.'
That can't be allowed.
"...Isn't there a faster way?"
"There is. By using the forbidden technique created by the Founder Golden Divine, you can combine the soul and flesh of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect disciples into a monster called Thunder Beast (雷獸). Though it has no intelligence, in its initial immature state, it possesses the attraction force of a Four-Axis stage monster. If I take control of the Thunder Beast's body and ascend, I can pull you all out to the Bright Cold Realm within a month."
"...It's an obvious question, but the disciples merged into the Thunder Beast cannot be reverted, right?"
"That's correct."
Jeon Myeong-hoon glares at Yeon Wei and asks.
"Ancestor, you wouldn't be considering such a thing, would you?"
"Am I crazy? Even the Founder only used that dreadful forbidden technique five times in his life. After using it, he even decreed, 'Unless I personally permit it, this forbidden technique must never be used again.' So, no, I can't do such a thing."
"...That's a relief."
I sigh.
If Yeon Wei had considered it, I would have had Kim Young-hoon's avatar in the Head Realm kill Yeon Wei to stop it, so it's a pointless method anyway.
"...Can't we descend to the Lower Realms through the Flying Immortal Formation made with the Salt Crystal and then ascend again?"
"Oh, if you descend to the Lower Realms with a Salt Crystal, you are 'guaranteed' to ascend back to the Ancient Force Realm."
"...Hooh."
I sigh again.
This won't do.
"For now...I'll try to contact the Grand Cultivator Association of the Human Race Grand Alliance."
If necessary, it's time to even undergo verification by insulting Jang Ik's ideology to return.
I have to return, save Kang Min-hee, and somehow seal off Seo Hweol and Oh Hye-seo before Seo Hweol finds his 'eye' again.
I ask Yeon Wei.
"Aside from escaping, is there a way to contact other dimensions?"
"Contacting itself isn't difficult. You use an artifact called a Supervisory Mirror. It's made from Supervisory Jade and it allows you to send your will to other worlds you've visited and are connected to through attraction force. It also has a function like voice transmission to communicate with known individuals..."
"Where can I usually get a Supervisory Mirror?"
She looks at Buk Hyang-hwa and her party.
"Usually, lords of sea domains have it. Ask if they obtained one while conquering a sea domain. Though the Supervisory Mirror is rare, it's not as rare as Salt Crystals, so they probably didn't destroy it."
But Kim Young-hoon smiles awkwardly at those words.
"...That...the palace lords seemed to be requesting support using the mirrors, so I smashed them all and threw them into the Deep Sea."
"..."
"Ah, If I hadn't blocked their requests for support, we would have had a hard time."
I sigh softly.
There's only one way left.
"...Is there anyone out there? Bring Yuk Yo here."
We need both the Salt Crystals and the Supervisory Mirror, and since both are in the hands of palace lords, it makes sense to meet one nearby.
I, to meet the ruler of the Wi Jeong Sea Domain.
To meet the Governing Dragon Palace Lord, Yuk Rin, I call for his daughter, Yuk Yo.
"Ah...are you saying you'll send me back to my father?"
Yuk Yo, with a blank expression, kneels before me under Shi Ho's glare and asks.
"Yes. I plan to return you and the hostages from Governing Dragon Palace, and after receiving some compensation, establish friendly relations."
Despite being a koi, she gapes like a goldfish.
Kim Yeon, Kim Young-hoon, and I read her intent.
'She's only thinking about escaping.'
However, I have no intention of letting Yuk Yo go.
I don't know what kind of trouble this scoundrel fraudster of a carp caused to be on bad terms with the Governing Dragon Palace Lord, but judging from her actions, it's likely to be her fault rather than the Governing Dragon Palace Lord's.
'The reason we even ended up hostile to the Governing Dragon Palace in the first place is because.'
Yuk Yo had stolen Seo Ran's face and got caught by me. Governing Dragon Palace misunderstood and tried to rescue her, leading to the current conflict between us.
I plan to return this troublesome koi to Governing Dragon Palace and seek reconciliation.
"I'm saying this just in case, but don't even think about escaping. As you know, our order has plenty of people to watch over you, and plenty of experts who can capture not Nascent Souls, but even Heavenly Being cultivators without a scratch."
"...Ah...yes. I understand. I will...follow..."
Yuk Yo bows her head to me, despite showing her true, completely different thoughts through her intent.
Shi Ho, seeing this, glares at her.
"From what I see, that fish girl is certainly planning to escape again, Senior. Therefore, we should lock her up in the Buk Hyang Fleet, where I, who knows her character well, can personally keep an eye on her."
"Eek...!"
Yuk Yo shivers and glances at me nervously upon hearing Shi Ho's words.
I nod and speak.
"Fine. However, while she will be left with the Buk Hyang Fleet, the ones who monitor her will be from our side."
If I leave her to Shi Ho, Yuk Yo might end up as sashimi before we can return her to Governing Dragon Palace. Surveillance and escort personnel are necessary.
"And Yuk Yo. You must have a way to contact the Governing Dragon Palace, correct? You are a princess after all."
"Hm...I don't have a means of contacting them from my side. However, my father has placed a surveillance spell on my core. He will notice if my life is threatened."
"Hmm..."
Surprisingly, it doesn't seem like she is lying about not having a means of contact.
As I ponder how to contact them, Kim Young-hoon speaks up.
"I can go and ask for their opinion. How about that?"
"Oh, there was that method as well. Please do."
"Good."
Flash!
Kim Young-hoon vanishes in a flash of light.
Shortly after, he returns and places a small crystal orb before me.
"The Governing Dragon Palace Lord gave me a linked magic artifact. Think of it as a video call."
Before Kim Young-hoon even finishes speaking, the crystal orb emits light, revealing a dignified middle-aged man seated on a throne decorated with colorful coral.
He wears an orange dragon robe made of scales, and on his belly, a dragon with a long beard is drawn.
[Are you the cult leader of the Wuji Religious Order that visited the Wi Jeong Sea Domain? Greetings. This seat is the Governing Dragon Palace Lord Yuk Rin.]
"Nice to meet you for the first time, Governing Dragon Palace Lord. I am the Wuji Religious Order Cult Leader, Wuji Ghost King, Seo Eun-hyun."
[Yes. I heard from the Conqueror King's comrade that you wish to establish friendly relations with my palace and return my daughter and subordinates?]
"That's right. While there was a bit of an unpleasant incident, it seems to have been a misunderstanding. I wish to resolve things peacefully."
I speak to this point and then observe him cautiously just in case.
As it's hard to see his intent and heart essence through this video call magic artifact, it's difficult to discern his true thoughts.
'He might take it as an insult and become even more enraged, sending his forces.'
Those who reach the Integration stage have immense pride, and such a reaction is highly likely.
However, Governing Dragon Palace Yuk Rin bursts into laughter the next moment.
[Haha, good. I always welcome building relations with heroes like thee. Come to Governing Dragon Palace! I shall prepare a banquet. I am thankful for taking care of my daughter. Through this incident, it seems I will need to clear up some misunderstandings with her through the Cult Leader's help. Hohoh...]
As he speaks, Yuk Rin casts a cold glance at Yuk Yo, who is kneeling behind.
Though his eyes are cold, he speaks to her in a warm voice.
[My daughter, it's been a while since I've seen you. This father has found a good husband for you, so return through this incident and get married with the blessings of Governing Dragon Palace.]
She doesn't respond, and Yuk Rin doesn't seem to expect an answer as he shifts his gaze away from her.
Yuk Yo's intent becomes noticeably darker with incredible fear upon receiving her father's gaze.
'Their relationship seems to be more than just a misunderstanding...'
However, I have no reason to intervene in Yuk Yo's family matters.
'Did she say she was engaged to the pirate captain of the Fighting Ghost Race?'
It seems to be the Integration stage Fighting Ghost who fought Jeon Myeong-hoon when he invaded us.
Although he appeared to have died from my Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique, I saw his soul move through the Plane of Soul, so he must have revived.
Unless his cultivation has severely declined, Yuk Yo's fiancée is likely still that pirate captain.
After exchanging a few polite words with the Governing Dragon Palace Lord, I turn off the communication magic artifact.
"Summon the 13th Guardian Ghost King, Baek Rin."
I call for Baek Rin and order him to place Yuk Yo on one of the Buk Hyang Fleet ships and monitor her.
Then, the Twilight Domain sets out for Governing Dragon Palace.
Several days pass.
Kugugugugu!
I arrive at the center of the Wi Jeong Sea Domain, on Governing Dragon Island, where the Governing Dragon Palace is located.
"Hoh, is that Governing Dragon Island?"
Governing Dragon Island, where Governing Dragon Palace is situated, is a 'Sky Island' covered with countless corals.
Like the Twilight Domain, Governing Dragon Island floats in the sky, solemnly overlooking the Wi Jeong Sea Domain below.
Kugugugugu!
Me, the Wuji Religious Order's Law Protectors, all the Guardian Ghost Kings, along with the key members of the Buk Hyang Fleet, gather at the edge of the Twilight Domain.
Kuuung!
Soon, the edges of the Twilight Domain meet the edges of the Governing Dragon Island.
'Governing Dragon Palace, huh...'
Governing Dragon Palace, standing in the center of Governing Dragon Island, is a citadel built from the bones of countless demon beasts.
Indeed, the flesh and bones of the Demon Race that had reached a certain cultivation are inherently tougher than most ores and imbued with spiritual energy, so building a fortress from them isn't a bad idea.
Shortly after, the turtle that attacked us previously walks up to the front of the Twilight Domain.
"Our Governing Dragon Palace welcomes the esteemed guests of the Wuji Religious Order. Please come in."
The turtle, unable to meet my eyes, bows before me.
Then, it grows larger, using its demon ability to create seats on its back for us to ride.
"I will escort you to the Governing Dragon Palace. Please, board."
We silently climb onto the turtle's back.
Yuk Yo looks like she wants to flee immediately, but with Baek Rin constantly monitoring her under my orders, she can't escape.
The turtle swims through the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy in the air as if it were water, heading towards the Governing Dragon Palace.
Kugugugu!
The doors of Governing Dragon Palace open, and I look up at it.
Usually, those in high positions in the cultivation world have powerful formations set up in their residences.
Even if one has high cultivation, their combat power doesn't always correspond directly. There are indeed monsters like myself who can exert power several levels above their realm.
Therefore, those lacking confidence in their combat power or with many people to protect typically have stronger and more dangerous formations in their main residences.
However, despite being a place where an Integration stage Demon King resides, the Governing Dragon Palace only has a basic barrier at the Nascent Soul level.
"..."
This indicates that the Governing Dragon Palace Lord is either confident in his own strength or has nothing precious to protect.
We ride on the turtle into the inner depth of Governing Dragon Palace, all the way to the audience chamber of the Governing Dragon Palace Lord.
After a while.
Kugugugu!
We arrive in front of the Governing Dragon Palace Lord, Yuk Rin, who is seated in the audience chamber.
Yuk Rin laughs heartily, rising from his throne to greet us.
"I warmly welcome thee, Cult Leader."
"I am pleased as well, Palace Lord."
I dismount from the turtle and exchange greetings with him.
However, I keep a certain distance after observing his heart essence.
'A greedy, suspicious, and cunning person.'
The Governing Dragon Palace Lord's heart essence is like a swamp filled with thorny vines.
At the same time, the energy I sense from him is sufficient to rival the leader of the Human Race Grand Alliance, Jun Jae, though not as powerful as Hyeon Eum.
Of course, I'm not too worried since this level of power is no longer a major concern for me, but he is definitely someone who would be willing to betray his allies at any moment.
'I should only take what I need to take and not get too close.'
After some superficial pleasantries, we proceed to the banquet hall with Yuk Rin.
Yuk Rin doesn't even make eye contact with Yuk Yo. He casually gestures to his subordinates of the Governing Dragon Palace, who then take Yuk Yo away, dragging her somewhere.
"Haha. As I wasn't sure what to prepare for a distinguished ghostly creature of the Human Race, I just prepared some sour dishes that I heard ghostly creatures enjoy."
"Splendid. I will eat them gratefully."
My tongue tingles, looking at the table full of plum dishes.
The Guardian Ghost Kings who are ghosts all seem to be drooling, and Yeon Wei also smacks her lips, seemingly enjoying the sour food.
While dining with the palace lord, we exchange superficial polite courtesies.
"Hoho, you've raised your daughter splendidly. Thanks to her insight, we've received much help since coming to the Ancient Force Realm."
"Haha, I'm so embarrassed I want to crawl into a shrimp hole. I was more worried my daughter might have caused some trouble..."
"There was no such thing. Hoho...with her heart so beautiful, her fiancée seems to be a person of many blessings."
In truth, it's only Yuk Yo's behavior that's too much of a scoundrel.
Her heart essence itself isn't on the sinister side like Yuk Rin's.
For a scam artist, her heart essence is quite pretty and pure.
Praising her heart as I see it, I breach the subject, hoping to get introduced to Jin Ma-yeol, the pirate captain of the Fighting Ghost Race, who is supposed to marry Yuk Yo.
'That guy, I didn't get a good look at him, but he definitely reached the Treading Heavens stage.'
I'm interested as a martial artist, and curious about his connection with the Heart Tribe Fighting Ghost Race that Seo Li saw in the storage scroll of Lofty Dragon True Person.
'According to Kim Young-hoon, he only managed to steal his treasured weapon and couldn't kill him.'
He must possess something extraordinary.
Moreover, since he roamed the Ancient Force Realm as the pirate captain of the Fighting Ghost Race for thousands of years, forming a relationship with him to gather information will be beneficial.
However, in response to my statement said in hopes of being introduced to the pirate captain, an astonishing statement suddenly bursts from Yuk Rin's mouth.
"Haha, that's definitely right. Though she is my daughter, she is truly a virtuous child. Since we're on the topic, what does the Cult Leader think of my daughter?"
"..."
This bastard, just what is he trying to push onto me?
***