In the meantime, I realize that Ham Jin's cultivation has significantly advanced.
"Ham Jin, you've already reached the late Qi Building stage."
Taat!
I arrive in the middle zone of another star and ask,
[Ah, actually...I briefly watched the person called Jang Ik and the Wuji Ghost King sparring in the Astral Realm. Although I fainted halfway through for some reason...thanks to that, I had an epiphany and gained new enlightenments, obtained a new divine ability, and my cultivation rose.]
"You've gained quite an opportunity. Congratulations. What's the new divine power?"
In response, Ham Jin moves his body to form a hand seal and draws spiritual power from his dantian to his fingertips.
'This is...?'
The spiritual power of Ham Jin's Silica Earth Great Wall Secrets turns into a dark ink-like light.
It's a darkness that has a similar quality to the darkness of outer space.
As Ham Jin swings his fingertip, the ink light turns into an ink-colored blade, an Ink Blade (墨刃), which flies across the star and slices through a small mountain.
Kugugugugu!
"....!"
A definite Core Formation level strike!
"...Impressive. Did you create this by observing the Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One cleaving stars?"
[Yes. Thank you for the compliment!]
Judging by its form, it seems to be a divine power created from the epiphany gained by watching Jang Ik's strike.
'Indeed, even at the Qi Building stage, observing a Star Shattering stage strike could provide enough enlightenment to create a divine ability.'
Of course, using this one technique drains all of Ham Jin's spiritual power, but since Silica Earth Great Wall Secrets is a method where spiritual power continuously surges as long as the dragon vein is controlled, it isn't a major drawback.
Once he reaches the Core Formation stage, he will likely be able to use it continuously, making it a lifesaving trump card for Ham Jin.
Wo-woong!
I ask another question as we move through the middle zone again.
"What's the name of this technique?"
[I named it Black Blade Slash (黑刃斬)! It's fitting since it's black, and it represents my resolve to cut down the Black Tomb Old Devil who tried to take over my body. The Black Tomb Old Devil was a great fate that threatened me, so I named it with the determination to cut down my fate!]
"Black Blade Slash...an excellent name."
I nod and immediately create a method to refine Black Blade Slash and make it a technique one can cultivate with, combining Silica Earth Great Wall Secrets to form Black Blade Maturing Secrets (黑刃長成訣).
[TL/N: Black Blade Slash is 흑인참, Silica Earth Great Wall Secrets is 규토장성결. MC took the beginning of Black Blade Slash (흑인) and the later of Silica Earth Great Wall Secrets (장성결) and named it 흑인장성결. However, the hanja for 장성 is different, hence it means Maturing Secrets, not Great Wall Secrets.]
Over the course of several days and nights, we cross numerous middle zones and finally return to Ham Jin's world.
Kuuung!
"Whew..."
I emerge from Ham Jin's body, congratulating the exhausted Ham Jin.
"Thank you. I've gained a lot thanks to your cooperation."
"No, I am the one who received an excessively great opportunity!"
"I will grant you a spirit fruit to extend your lifespan later. Let's meet in the Upper Realms someday."
Paaatt!
As I reclaim my consciousness, I smile at Ham Jin, who bows deeply as I return to the Ancient Force Realm.
Ham Jin watches Seo Eun-hyun disappear into the void and looks at his fingertips.
Tststst!
For a moment, his nails turn black, and then a sharp Black Blade forms on his hand.
'Black Blade Maturing Secrets...to bestow such an excellent method. How can I ever repay this grace?'
Ham Jin ponderes and finally makes up his mind.
'Yes, that person told me to meet him in the Upper Realms. Someday, I will ascend! I will become a Heavenly Being beyond even what my master could aspire for, and ascend to the Upper Realms! I will become someone who can assist the great Wuji Ghost King! I will properly join the Wuji Religious Order!'
He finally sets a goal for his life.
It is to ascend and repay the grace he received from the Wuji Ghost King by standing by his side!
Boooong!
When Ham Jin swings his hand, a sharp black blade shoots out from his hand and cuts through a nearby cliff.
"I will refine this Black Blade countless times and definitely reach him!"
Thus, it won't be long before Ham Jin, who trains in the Black Blade Maturing Secrets, becomes a Core Formation Sage God and earns the title of Black Blade King (黑刃王).
The legend of Black Blade King Ham Jin has just begun.
Blink—
I open my eyes.
'Since I've been focusing my primary consciousness entirely on my avatar while fighting Jang Ik, my main body was in a comatose state.'
My comrades must have been greatly alarmed.
'I need to explain properly...hmm!'
Clink, clink!
For some reason, my body and limbs are bound to a chair, and my mouth is gagged.
Moreover, wax-like candles are placed on my hands, knees, and head, with melted wax dripping down. In front of me, Yeon Wei is dressed like a shaman and is performing a ritual with a mountain of ancient stones piled up around her.
"Heot...! Look, look...! The cult leader has awakened!"
She stops the ritual, wipes her sweat, and approaches me.
"Are you alright? What kind of deep-sea monster's Deep Sea Curse did you get hit with?"
[Deep Sea Curse...?]
Since my mouth is gagged, I ask with mental speech, and Yeon Wei explains about the Deep Sea Curse.
She says they have been gathering ancient stones and materials from the sea domains to treat the Deep Sea Curse and save me.
I feel grateful but can't help but feel absurd and laugh wryly.
[Heh heh...I'm sorry, but I wasn't afflicted by a Deep Sea Curse. I was temporarily mentally bound in the Lower Realms due to a complicated incident. The reason my blood was boiling was because I awakened an immortal beast talent, and the reason for the blood splattering from my seven orifices was probably because I directly faced a True Person's true body.]
Yeon Wei is silent for a moment after hearing my words, then in a fit of rage, stikes my head with the bell she is holding.
"You bastard! Judging by your words, you're not the cult leader but an evil spirit possessing the cult leader's body! Come out of that body immediately, evil spirit!"
Jingle, jingle!
I sigh as I get hit several times by the bell, which exerts force on my spiritual body.
Wuduk, wududuk!
The chains binding my body are torn apart, and the gag on my mouth shatters.
"This, this bastard...keck!?"
Clench!
After I subdue Yeon Wei by grabbing her face and lifting her up, I shake her brain with a palm strike, causing her to faint.
Her eyes flip as she passes out on the floor. I then summon Hong Fan.
Paaatt!
Hong Fan pierces through space and appears before me, bowing.
"Master, have you returned? Was it indeed Lady Yeon Wei's method that was effective?"
"Hmm..."
After explaining the truth to Hong Fan, I ask him a question.
"Was there any trouble while I was in a comatose state?"
Hong Fan's face turns pale.
I sense something has happened.
"...Let's go to the conference room."
Wuji Religious Hall Conference Room.
There, I receive an unbelievable report.
"...So, while the leaders went to gather ancient stones and left the headquarters, the remaining members, Yuk Yo, Baek Rin, and...Buk Hyang-hwa and Kim Yeon, were kidnapped by the Fighting Demon Pirate Gang...?"
Bududukk—
Hong Fan speaks with a hardened face.
"To be precise...when Yuk Yo and Baek Rin were kidnapped, the two kings rushed to retrieve them but ended up getting captured as well. That's why Lady Yeon Wei tried to wake Master up early..."
"...Where are they now?"
"The Fighting Demon Pirate Gang's Salt Bones Ship has a peculiar ability to dive into the Deep Sea of the Ancient Force Realm. Currently, it's said...to be roaming around the Deep Sea of the Ancient Force Realm."
"...Do they tend to abuse their hostages?"
Kim Young-hoon shakes his head at my question.
"Probably not. More than 90% of the Fighting Demon Pirate Gang are from the Fighting Ghost Race, and the remaining 10% are from the Demon Race, having nothing to do with humans. The Fighting Ghost Race...they look similar to the Human Race but their reproduction method is extremely unique."
"Reproduction method...?"
"Yes. They...charge at their preferred partners and fight while mating. Their offspring are insane creatures who go into heat and feel extreme pleasure during combat. Because of this, they generally ignore and neglect those they capture as prisoners since they can't fight."
Hearing this, Jeon Myeong-hoon shudders, a look of repulsion on his face.
"...So when that bastard fought me..."
"Enough chit-chat."
Huuu—
My breath turns into frost, causing the meeting room to start icing over.
"From now on, we will find and rescue our cult members."
Focusing intently with eyes as cold as ice, I begin to track Kim Yeon's location.
Since Kim Yeon is connected through the Mysterious Bizarre Gu and the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon, I can find her location if given some time.
'Just hold on a little longer.'
Clenching my teeth, I think of Buk Hyang-hwa and Kim Yeon.
The depths of the Ancient Force Realm's Deep Sea.
Within the hull of the Salt Bones Ship.
Two women are arguing inside a prison cell within the ship.
"No, you shouldn't have rushed in recklessly!"
"It's you who should have at least run and reported it! What were you thinking?"
Buk Hyang-hwa and Kim Yeon are confined in adjacent cells, their limbs bound as they argue.
"Are you telling me to abandon our followers and run away?"
"Your loyalty is admirable! Now we're both stuck here together, what good is that?"
After arguing for a while, the two, exhausted and panting, sigh deeply.
"What a mess this is..."
"Tell me about it..."
After some time, the cell next to the one where they are held opens, and Yuk Yo is thrown in.
The Fighting Ghost Race warriors who threw Yuk Yo then toss Baek Rin into the cell next to hers, laughing as they move away.
Kim Yeon looks at Yuk Yo.
Although the Fighting Ghost Race doesn't usually abuse their prisoners, it seems Yuk Yo was often dragged in front of Jin Ma-yeol and mistreated.
"...Haah...we need to escape quickly."
At Kim Yeon's words, Buk Hyang-hwa chuckles dryly.
"How do you plan to escape? Even if we get out of here, the Salt Bones Ship is submerged in the Deep Sea so we can't get outside."
"Didn't I manage to control your Buk Hyang Fleet? I think I can control this ship too."
"Wake up. My Buk Hyang Ship was half-controlled by a puppet mechanism, making it possible to take control. The Salt Bones Ship, on the other hand, is entirely a manually operated dharma treasure. You won't even have the opportunity to seize control."
Hearing this, Kim Yeon suddenly asks Buk Hyang-hwa a question.
"Then...why not modify this Salt Bones Ship into your Buk Hyang Ship?"
"What?"
"Last time, I saw you quickly modify the ship I had seized and took it back, right? Can't you modify this ship to control it as well?"
"It's possible...but how would we do that? We're both tied up like this."
"Hmm..."
Kim Yeon smirks and moves her arm a few times.
Then, all of a sudden.
Clang, clang, clang!
The chains binding her arms snap.
Seeing this, Buk Hyang-hwa's eyes widen in astonishment.
"B-Breaking the dharma treasure that suppresses spiritual power...with brute strength...?"
"Spiritual power is suppressed, but my internal energy isn't."
Kim Yeon says with a gentle smile.
"Of course, I can't win against those Fighting Ghost Race bastards in a head-on fight, so a frontal assault is impossible. I'll free you too, so you need to modify this ship as quickly as possible to escape. Got it?"
Wududul!
Bending the bars and moving into Buk Hyang-hwa's cell, Kim Yeon releases her cuffs.
Buk Hyang-hwa looks at her for a moment in a daze before smiling.
"Alright, Unnie."
Jin Ma-yeol, the captain of the Fighting Demon Pirate Gang, is staring outside with a cold expression from his captain's cabin.
Due to the heavy spatial compression, the interior of the Salt Bones Ship is extremely vast, akin to a Nether Crossing Ship, making his captain's cabin the size of a small city.
Kuuung!
Jin Ma-yeol looks out through the window of the captain's cabin.
"Even a day earlier...I need to obtain it as soon as possible. But Yuk Yo, that fish-headed bitch..."
Gritting his teeth, he glares at the scenery outside.
He is staring down at the gigantic Sea Dragon statue deep within the depths of the Deep Sea.
"The secret art of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens (紫魂滿天) is within reach..."
A strange excitement fills Jin Ma-yeol's eyes as he gazes at the Sea Dragon statue.
"Yes...let's wait just a bit longer. Then...I will achieve the state of Unaging and Undying (不老不死) with this mortal body!"
***
Kim Yeon asks after shattering Buk Hyang-hwa's shackles.
"Ah, by the way...us doing this. We won't get caught in someone's consciousness domain, right?"
Buk Hyang-hwa clicks her tongue and says,
"Did you really free me without thinking about that?"
"Uh...I just had a gut feeling it would be okay."
"Well, you're not entirely wrong. After all, the Salt Bones Ship is similar to the Nether Crossing Ship in that it's like a massive country inside. Moreover, the waves emitted by the Salt Bones Ship restrict one's consciousness quite a bit, so they won't notice us doing this."
"Huhu, I knew it all along."
"Stop saying foolish things and help me out, Unnie."
Buk Hyang-hwa stretches her fingers and places her hand against the ship's wall.
Chijijik―
Golden patterns, along with a mix of purple and pale pink patterns, appear all over her body.
"What the. You've got tattoos too?"
"They're not tattoos but a physical characteristic."
"Ah, sorry..."
Kim Yeon scratches her head and slightly lowers her head. Buk Hyang-hwa watches her for a moment before getting back to work.
Using the broken pieces of the shackles as materials, she creates a small tool. Starting from there, numerous devices begin to appear around Buk Hyang-hwa.
Initially yawning while watching Buk Hyang-hwa, Kim Yeon's eyes grew wide as time passes.
'Wh-What in the world...?'
________________________________________
Kugugugugu!
In a small sea domain of the Ancient Force realm.
There appears a Ghost King with 19 heads and his subordinates.
"Is this the place?"
"Yeah."
The Ghost King with 19 heads, Wuji Ghost King Seo Eun-hyun, gazes at the sea below with brightened eyes as he is connected to a pure white consciousness thread.
"Down below, I sense the Mysterious Bizarre Ghost King Kim Yeon. Surely, the Conqueror King Buk Hyang-hwa and the Guardian Ghost King Baek Rin are with her."
"So, do we just need to go down and come back?"
The Six-Armed Thunder God, Six Extremes Ghost King Jeon Myeong-hoon, asks.
But Seo Eun-hyun shakes his head.
"According to the natives, recklessly diving into the Deep Sea of the Ancient Force Realm is a dangerous act. Moreover, Kim Yeon's presence is not in the shallow coastal waters but in the very depths of the Deep Sea."
"Then what do you plan to do?"
Jeon Myeong-hoon looks puzzled, and Seo Eun-hyun chuckles as he spreads his arms.
Kugugugu!
The surrounding Heaven and Earth spiritual energy starts converging on Seo Eun-hyun, drawn by his Great Desert to Dead Sea.
"What do you think I'm going to do?"
Woo-wooong!
He draws the Colorless Glass Sword and smiles.
[To not be touched by the Deep Sea, we'll just have to split it apart.]
As his mental speech echos, all the leaders of the Wuji Religious Order who have come with Seo Eun-hyun begin to exert their power.
Jeon Myeong-hoon grins widely and spreads his six arms.
Kugugugu!
Jeon Myeong-hoon's domain unfolds.
Integrated Dao Domain (合道領域).
Charged Lightning Veil of the Great Heavenly Rain (荷電蔽雷大雨天).
Kwa-jijijik!
In an instant, the surrounding space transforms into an alternate dimension where Red Lightning (赤雷) rains down like a torrential downpour.
Red Lightning covers the sky!
However, by Jeon Myeong-hoon's will, the Red Lightning passes through his group without causing any harm and falls straight to the bottom.
Kwarurururung!
The domain of crashing Red Lightning begins to push away the lower sea of dimensions.
Then, the other leaders of the Wuji Religious Order begin to exert their power in that direction.
Kwakwakwakwang!
Countless attraction forces, ghostly power, and devilish power pour forth.
Meanwhile, Seo Eun-hyun's hands begin to imbue with the powers of curses and blessings.
The energy of Yin-Yang and Five Elements begin to permeate the dimensional sea below, where the lightning falls.
[Great Mountain!]
Paaatt!
[Splitting Emperor!]
A pure white light begins to swirl.
________________________________________
Jin Ma-yeol's eyes twitch.
Kugugugugu!
His Salt Bones Ship is shaking violently.
Paaatt!
Someone uses the ground-shrinking technique to rush into the captain's cabin where Jin Ma-yeol resides.
It's the vice-captain of the Salt Bones Ship and a Grand Perfection Four-Axis cultivator, Jin Ryu.
"What is it, Vice-captain!? An enemy attack?"
"No, Captain! The Salt Bones Ship has gone mad!"
"What?"
"The Salt Bones Ship's keel is shaking wildly and making strange noises!"
"What kind of dragon-chewing-on-grass nonsense is that!?"
However, shortly after moving to the keel of the ship with Jin Ryu does Jin Ma-yeol understand the situation.
Zzirurururururururu!
The keel of the Salt Bones Ship, made of Salt Crystals, is emitting a sound similar to that made by the Fighting Ghost Race during mating.
Jin Ma-yeol looks at the Salt Crystals emitting white light and making strange noises with a startled expression.
"Wh-Why is this happening!?"
Jin Ma-yeol is bewildered.
Despite having lived for about ten thousand years, he has never heard of Salt Crystals making such bizarre noises.
After a moment of confusion, he appears to think of something and flinches.
"I see. Is it a deep-sea monster?"
"Is there a deep-sea monster that can make Salt Crystals go into heat?"
"Well, the Deep Sea of the Ancient Force Realm holds records of countless worlds, so such things might exist...a deep-sea monster might be nearby, so I will activate the Great Concealment Technique. Tell everyone to prepare."
"Yes, Captain!"
Jin Ma-yeol clicks his tongue and returns to the captain's cabin.
He then sits at the center of a huge formation in the middle of the cabin and begins to form hand seals.
Wooooong!
His domain begins to expand around him.
As his formation activates, it amplifies Jin Ma-yeol's domain, gradually enveloping the entire Salt Bones Ship.
Integrated Dao Domain (合道領域).
Great Concealment Dragon Spirit Sea (大隱龍靈海).
In an instant, the sound of a dragon's roar seems to echo, and Jin Ma-yeol's domain swiftly envelops the hull, blending the Salt Bones Ship with the surrounding Deep Sea scenery, making it almost invisible to any watchful eyes.
Jin Ma-yeol sits down and focuses on his domain, sending a voice transmission throughout the ship.
"This is the captain's order. It is currently suspected that a deep-sea monster is lurking around the Salt Bones Ship. Because of this, the keel of the ship is making disturbing noises. Until the deep-sea monster has completely passed or the keel's reactions have ceased, we will remain in the concealed domain. Therefore, all crew members must remain..."
Jin Ma-yeol suddenly falls silent and stops speaking.
As he sits and concentrates, his eyes snap open.
"Damn it, the prisoners are up to something suspicious! Everyone, head to the cells and subdue them!"
The domains of Integration stage Grand Cultivators are intertwined with their consciousness, so Grand Cultivators can perceive all actions within their domains.
Jin Ma-yeol, who enveloped the Salt Bones Ship, grits his teeth as he observes Kim Yeon and Buk Hyang-hwa doing something suspicious in the cells.
"Damn it, Conqueror King...!"
Although he wants to immediately get up and subdue them, he can't move recklessly as a suspicious deep-sea monster is stimulating the Salt Bones Ship's keel, leaving him no choice but to bite his lips in frustration.
________________________________________
The vice-captain, Jin Ryu, leads her subordinates to the lower deck where the cells are located, wearing a nonchalant expression.
"Each and every one of them are nothing but boring things. There's no point in fighting."
The Conqueror King and the Mysterious Bizarre Ghost King are experts in puppet control.
Thus, the Fighting Ghost Race pirates would have to fight against puppets. For the Fighting Ghost Race who can only satisfy their lust by engaging in combat and mingling flesh with their opponent, puppet cultivators are not attractive partners.
The only one who caught Jin Ryu's interest during the battle to capture them was the Ghost King Baek Rin. But since Baek Rin is a ghostly creature, it is impossible to copulate with non-ghostly entities.
In short, the members of the Wuji Religious Order are unappealing and pointless opponents for the Fighting Ghost Race.
"Puppeteers, what's the point of them!? In my time, puppeteers used puppets as support while they fought as true warriors themselves. Nowadays, each and every puppeteer is bizarre and weird."
Jin Ryu spits out her disdain for Kim Yeon and Buk Hyang-hwa who use puppets, as she enters the cell area.
And what Jin Ryu sees in the cell area are thousands of complex mechanisms.
"Wh-What in the world...?"
Clang, clang, clang...
All of a sudden, the cell area has somehow been transformed into a bizarre labyrinth.
The labyrinth extends in a straight line, but the entire path is filled with what looks like powerful mechanical devices and weapons, with countless grotesque puppets lined up between them.
At the end of the labyrinth, Kim Yeon stands with a sinister smile, her arms hanging down.
Consciousness threads extend from her fingertips, connecting to countless puppets, while Buk Hyang-hwa, equipped with spider-like puppet limbs, is continuing to modify the area behind.
Jin Ryu laughs dryly.
"Conqueror King and Mysterious Bizarre Ghost King. I've heard of both your reputations, but I didn't expect this. However, it's pointless. If you surrender now, I'll merely put you back in your cells quietly. If you resist, I'll tear off your limbs and bind you."
However, Kim Yeon merely flicks a single finger.
Wo-woong!
Flash!
Three mass-produced General Seo puppets, modified by Kim Yeon under Seo Eun-hyun's tutelage, fire beams from their mouths.
Kuaaang!
After taking the beams from the mass-produced General Seo puppets at the Grand Perfection Nascent Soul level, Jin Ryu's eyes twitch and she takes a step forward.
"Well, fine. If you insist on drinking punishment wine, I'll oblige."
Kuung!
The Fighting Ghost Race appears almost identical to humans in appearance.
The primary difference is that the Fighting Ghost Race is born with well-developed muscles throughout their bodies, which swell further as they grow, with horns developing from their foreheads.
The more horns one has, the more talent they are considered to possess. Those with fewer horns are treated with disdain even within the Fighting Ghost Race.
The royal family of the Fighting Ghost Race has seven horns, and the highest nobility has five to six.
The middle nobility has four.
The lower nobility has three, commoners have one or two, and slaves have their horns removed, marking them worthless.
Captain Jin Ma-yeol of the Fighting Demon Pirate Gang is a high noble with five horns, while the vice-captain, Jin Ryu, is a middle noble with four horns.
Wo-woong!
Jin Ryu's horns tremble as strength surges through her muscles.
Kuang, Kuang!
With an indifferent expression, Jin Ryu crushes the puppets charging at her and begins walking through the labyrinth.
The distance between Jin Ryu and Kim Yeon and Buk Hyang-hwa gradually shortens.
Kim Yeon glances at Baek Rin, lying beside her.
Baek Rin has just been released from his restraints and needs time to recover his strength.
"How much longer, Buk?"
"Almost done, Unnie. And please call me by my proper name!"
"Got it, Wah-wah"
"Ugh...!"
Kim Yeon chuckles and focuses her mind on the consciousness threads extending from her fingertips.
―Listen well, my disciple.
It's as if the Mad Lord, who had taught her the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon and puppet control while driven mad by insanity, is speaking beside her.
—What do you think is the reason the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress keeps winning against any force it fights?
A strange madness begins to glimmer in her eyes.
―Is it because we simply overwhelm them with superior technology and numbers? That is certainly true. But the most important thing is this! Madness! Any force that fights against the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, regardless of who they are and whether they know or not, gradually becomes infected by the 'heart' of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress during battle. In other words, those who fight us gradually open up to the possibility of 'evolution'!!
Kuang, Kuang Kuang!
As Jin Ryu continues to crush the General Seo puppets with an expressionless face, her face begins to twitch.
―Yes, my Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress is...'love'! A 'love' that guides everyone to a new world! It's the ultimate embodiment of [Benevolence]! Ahhh. How magnificent a creation have I made!?
Those who face the puppets of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, breaking them, fighting them, and confronting the Fortress itself...
They inadvertently stare directly at the circuits of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.
Gradually, the circuits of the Fortress are engraved into their subconscious, and they begin to be tainted by their madness.
The more they fight the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, the more they lose their sanity and go mad.
And when both sides are driven mad, the ultimate victory has no choice but to belong to the Mad Lord's forces, who have long accustomed to the madness.
Chewchewchewchewchewchew...
Kim Yeon starts biting her lips furiously.
Blood begins to flow from her lips, and excitement and madness gradually spreads across Jin Ryu's face as she continues to destroy the General Seo puppets.
"Heh, haha! Huhaha!"
Jin Ryu laughs.
It had been the same when they captured the Mysterious Bizarre Ghost King before.
Fighting puppets isn't enjoyable.
But fighting Kim Yeon's puppets somehow always leads to a moment of excitement.
"Huhahahaha!!!"
Wo-woong!
Zzirurururururururu!
Jin Ryu's horn trembles and begins to emit a strange sound.
Jin Ryu's face turns bright red.
The muscles all over Jin Ryu's body begin to swell even more.
Before long, the faces of General Seo puppets overlap with Jin Ma-yeol's face in her eyes.
"Captain! Captain! Caaaptain! Aaaaah! Jin Ma-yeol Orabeoni!!!"
Jin Ryu begins to savagely pummel the General Seos with a flushed face.
"Heh, hehakh! Hehahahakh!"
Even while descending into madness, she manages to keep some semblance of sanity and approaches Kim Yeon.
'Ah...I'm on the verge of going on a rampage.'
Jin Ryu sighs inwardly.
This is why the Fighting Ghost Race dislikes facing puppeteers.
Even if they think they enjoyed themselves, upon regaining their senses, they find only hard puppet fragments instead of the opponent's flesh.
The realization that they did a round with puppets brings a rush of shame and discomfort rather than satisfaction and joy.
However, seeing the puppets charging at her, Jin Ryu eventually sighs and swings her fist.
'Ugh, I don't know. Whether it's a tool or whatever, let's just enjoy and think later.
Ziiiiiiik!
Her entire body flushes red as her muscles swell even more.
The four horns on Jin Ryu's forehead vibrate madly.
Zzirururururururu!!!
"Huuuaaaaaah!!! Kyaaaaaaa!!! Kuaaaaaaaagh!!! Keeeeeeeeeek!!!"
As she lets out an alluring cry as if to seduce her opponents, she smashes through the surrounding puppets with her eyes rolled back, advancing forward.
***
Jin Ryu's momentum is fierce.
She relentlessly crushes the puppets charging at her and endures the beams and traps falling upon her body, rushing forward undeterred.
Click, click, click!
However, the more puppets she shatters, the more they reassemble on the spot and begin to bind her body.
Gradually, Jin Ryu's body becomes encased in a puppet armor, but her steps do not falter.
Kuang, Kuang, Kuang Kuang!
The floor of the ship is dented with each step.
As Jin Ryu draws closer, tension begins to appear on Kim Yeon's face.
She breaks into a cold sweat as she looks at Jin Ryu's blood-red, hammer-like hands.
'That really hurt.'
It was Jin Ryu who captured Kim Yeon, and with one hit from her pot lid-sized hands, Kim Yeon was knocked out cold.
In an urgent voice, Kim Yeon shouts at Buk Hyang-hwa.
"Sh-She's almost here! How much longer until it's finished!?"
"It's almost done! Stop rushing me!"
"Damn it! Don't you know how to hurry!? Move faster!"
Kuaaang!
At last, Jin Ryu destroys Kim Yeon's final puppet, glaring at her with a bright red face.
A face that seems to say something is still not enough.
Of course, Kim Yeon can confront her alone, but having heard of the mating methods of the Fighting Ghost Race, she dares not recklessly do so.
"Hurry! Faster!"
Kim Yeon's face turns pale as she reaches behind her and, in a state of panic, yanks Buk Hyang-hwa's hair.
"Kyaaa! Let go! It's done!"
Buk Hyang-hwa, irritated by the pain as if her scalp is being torn off, activates the device she has been modifying.
Flash!
"Kuruk?"
Jin Ryu, who is acting coquettishly, feels something strange.
Something becomes wrong with her senses.
Clang, Clang, Clang, Clang!
The passageway she is standing on suddenly flips, and she sees Buk Hyang-hwa and Kim Yeon moving to a different location.
No, the entire maze-like corridor that Buk Hyang-hwa and Kim Yeon have modified is splitting into segments and moving around.
'Wh-What is this...?'
It's such an absurd situation that she snaps out of her state of heat and opens her eyes wide.
Buk Hyang-hwa, looking at the mechanism connected to her pattern and glowing, shouts.
"It's done! The modified spaces have been transferred to each section of the Salt Bones Ship and we can now modify it quickly in a simplified manner. You need to help now, Unnie!"
"Got it!"
Kim Yeon grasps Buk Hyang-hwa's hand and begins to infuse consciousness.
Wiiiing!
Kim Yeon's consciousness threads spread throughout the Salt Bones Ship.
She connects with the consciousness of the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon embedded in Buk Hyang-hwa's head to rapidly exchange thoughts with her.
"I'll tell you the locations to modify and the methods through consciousness, so follow it exactly."
"Alright, quickly!"
Buk Hyang-hwa gives instructions to Kim Yeon, and following her orders, Kim Yeon begins modifying the entire Salt Bones Ship through the transmitted modified spaces in real-time.
"Good, now the ship itself has become somewhat puppetized!"
"Great, then please send me the blueprint!"
"Here!"
After a brief look at the blueprint, Buk Hyang-hwa's eyes brighten as she grasps Kim Yeon's hand.
"That Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon thing. Can you connect it more strongly with my mind?"
"Yeah, I can, but..."
"Then please do it quickly!"
After a moment's hesitation, Kim Yeon connects her consciousness more tightly with Buk Hyang-hwa's.
Instantly, the space they are in turns into a command room under Buk Hyang-hwa's influence.
Cling, cling, cling, cling!
The command room and the other modified sections of the Salt Bones Ship are connected with the circuits of the Mad Lord through Kim Yeon's Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon.
Transforming the Salt Bones Ship into a small-scale Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress happens in an instant.
Kugugugu!
Kim Yeon and Buk Hyang-hwa extend their consciousness and look up at the ceiling.
Buk Hyang-hwa remarks.
"I'm going to take us out of the Deep Sea!"
"Let's go!"
Kuuuuuu—
The Salt Bones Ship lifts its bow diagonally upwards.
Then, the Salt Bones Ship begins to move.
Woo-wooooong!
Cutting through the Deep Sea of the Ancient Force Realm, it moves forward with its bow pointed diagonally upward.
And a thunderous voice resounds throughout the entire ship.
[You damned...! What are you doing to my ship!?!]
The enraged voice of Jin Ma-yeol echoes throughout the ship.
[Get your hands off my ship! I'll kill you!]
Kugugugu!
Jin Ma-yeol's domain moves, pressing down on Buk Hyang-hwa and Kim Yeon.
However, when Kim Yeon manipulates something, Jin Ma-yeol's pressure is instantly dispersed by the devices in the command room.
Kim Yeon frowns as she reads the blood-reddened fury of Jin Ma-yeol.
"That person will soon come down here."
"Baek Rin needs to wake up quickly..."
Buk Hyang-hwa looks at the still unconscious Baek Rin.
Baek Rin's ghostly power has somewhat recovered, but he still hasn't regained consciousness.
Kim Yeon also glances at Baek Rin with a worried expression and then flinches before looking around.
"Jin Ma-yeol has retracted his domain! If an Integration stage breaks through everything and comes down here...what should we do?"
But Buk Hyang-hwa shakes her head with a meaningful smile at Kim Yeon's worry.
"No, that won't happen."
"What?"
"As a fellow ship master, I know. He will never recklessly destroy his own ship. He will try to navigate through the maze we created as much as possible and come to us."
"What? But you self-destructed your own ship."
"It felt like sacrificing my own child. But I had other ships, so it was possible. That Fighting Ghost Race has only one Salt Bones Ship, so his attachment to it is on a whole different level."
Buk Hyang-hwa, with a confident expression, steers the Salt Bones Ship to the surface.
"In short, we still have time before Jin Ma-yeol gets here!"
Kuaang!
Shattering the walls of the command room, Jin Ma-yeol, who has flown straight down from the captain's room, creating a hole throughout the Salt Bones Ship, locks eyes with them in fury.
"...What's this, Hyang-hwa? You were wrong."
"...Transmit."
Click!
Silently, Buk Hyang-hwa presses a button, and she and Kim Yeon, along with Baek Rin and Yuk Yo, are transmitted to another part of the Salt Bones Ship.
Clang, Clang, Clang!
Buk Hyang-hwa avoids Kim Yeon's gaze, who is staring at her silently, and restructures the new location into another command room.
"...From now on, your name is Wah-wah. Got it?"
"..."
Buk Hyang-hwa only puffs up her cheeks at Kim Yeon's scolding.
Kugugugu!
How far have we excavated down the Deep Sea with the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique and Jeon Myeong-hoon's domain?
I finally arrive at the location where the signal from the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon was connected.
However, there is nothing there.
'Damn it, what's this?'
The signal from the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon was definitely connected in this vicinity.
"What's this, Seo Eun-hyun? Didn't you say Kim Yeon is around here? Where is she?"
Jeon Myeong-hoon asks while spreading his domain to prevent the Deep Sea of the Ancient Force Realm from encroaching.
I close my eyes and operate the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon more precisely.
Due to the countless overlapping waves of dimensions, my consciousness can't connect well.
In the midst of this, I sense something.
Jiiiiing―
"...! Over there. Kim Yeon and the pirate gang are currently moving somewhere!"
"What? Where are they moving to?"
I look diagonally upwards.
"...It seems they are trying to rise to the surface. Did they detect us?"
"Perhaps. Alright, then let's chase after them."
"...No. Instead of chasing, let's rise back to the surface and head to a place where they are likely to emerge. Once they rise above a certain level, I can use the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique to evaporate the Deep Sea."
The leaders of the Wuji Religious Order nod and prepare to rise.
Suddenly, I notice a strange shadow deep within the Deep Sea.
'Huh...?'
It's the shadow of a Sea Dragon.
And on the Sea Dragon's nape, there are characters written in the 'Netherworld's language' that I learned from Black Ghost Valley.
Blood Yin (血陰).
Lofty Dragon (嶒龍).
Ancient Force (古力).
Myriad Realms Beneath (萬界).
Seed Dispersal.
Black Yin's Strategy (玄蔭之計) Ancient Force Division (古力部) Complete.
Reading the written characters, my eyes brighten.
"...!"
I stare at the object for a moment and then extend my hand.
Kuguguguguk!
It's fixed in one place in the Deep Sea, similar to the Deep Sea Island that Yeon Wei mentioned.
On closer inspection, the body itself is a massive stone statue made of ancient stone.
A stone statue carved into the shape of a Sea Dragon (海龍)!
Kuguguguk!
I compress the space with attraction force, forcibly tearing the statue fixed in the Deep Sea and take it into my embrace before rising.
'I need to investigate this.'
The appearance of the Sea Dragon Race that Seo Hweol always takes.
And Seo Hweol, who seems to have some connection with the Blood Yin Realm.
Seo Hweol, who always communicated with the Black Dragon King Hyeon Eum as the Grand Prince of the Sea Dragon Race.
There might be a clue to their connection.
[TL/N: The Korean characters for Hyeon Eum (현음) are the same as Black Yin (현음). The hanja for Black Yin actually translates to Black Shade, but there's a likely chance it's a typo by the author so I'm translating it as Black Yin.]
"No, Wah-wah! You said he'd cherish his own ship!"
"Who knew that despicable pirate would destroy his own ship to come for us!"
"What are you going to do! He'll soon reach us again!"
"You're the Unnie! Do something about it!"
"Stop saying stupid things!"
Kim Yeon and Buk Hyang-hwa are busily moving their hands while exchanging words in a heated argument.
In the midst of this, Baek Rin, who is beside them, opens his eyes.
"Kugh...Conqueror King, Mysterious Bizarre Ghost King, I apologize but, where are we...?"
Kim Yeon quickly conveys the current situation through consciousness using the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon.
Baek Rin lets out a low sigh.
"So, you're saying we still have a long way to go to reach the surface, but Jin Ma-yeol will soon catch us?"
"Yes! If we get caught, the ship will be restored to its original state, and we'll be stuck in the Deep Sea again."
"Eumm..."
As they sigh with hardened faces, Yuk Yo coughs and stands up.
She wipes the blood from her mouth and takes a deep breath.
"I will be the bait."
Buk Hyang-hwa and Kim Yeon flinch in surprise at her words.
Baek Rin's eyes blaze with blue ghost fire.
"What are you talking about?! Do you wish to die?!"
However, Yuk Yo only gives a bitter smile, unfazed by Baek Rin's pressure.
"What Jin Ma-yeol wants is me. In the first place, everyone was caught while trying to rescue me, so I should take responsibility. I will move around the Salt Bones Ship to draw his attention. Meanwhile, the rest should pull the Salt Bones Ship to the surface and escape."
[You foolish thing! How long do you think a mere Nascent Soul like you can run away for!?]
"My Dragon Form Disguise Method decreases the toughness of my skin and my attack power when I transform into a dragon, especially lowering my speed. That's why I was captured by the Wuji Religious Order initially. But following the advice of the Wuji Ghost King, I can now reverse this method. By doing so, I can 'maintain my form while becoming faster and stronger.'"
Yuk Yo's eyes are resolute.
"I've lived my life running and scamming. It's better for me to be captured than for the three of you. In fact, if it's me, I can scam my way out and escape more easily, so please don't worry."
Before anyone can stop her, Yuk Yo leaves the command room.
Watching her, Baek Rin seems restless and speaks to Buk Hyang-hwa and Kim Yeon.
"I apologize, Your Highnesses. The Cult Leader ordered me to look after Yuk Yo, so by the Cult Leader's command, I must..."
Kim Yeon examines Baek Rin's intent and laughs lightly, nodding.
"Go ahead, Sir Baek Rin. As you said, she's just a Nascent Soul. If a Four-Axis like you accompanies her, you can stall for time properly."
"Thank you, your Highness Mysterious Bizarre Ghost King!"
Baek Rin quickly bows to Kim Yeon and immediately chases after Yuk Yo, emitting a streak of light.
Kim Yeon watches them leave, then once again uses her consciousness to sense the entire ship before speaking.
"...Indeed, Jin Ma-yeol has changed directions from coming toward us to heading toward Yuk Yo and Baek Rin. We need to reach the surface as soon as possible while they buy us time. Can you do it?"
"Yes...ugh!"
While infusing spiritual power into mechanical devices, Buk Hyang-hwa frowns.
"What's wrong?"
"My spiritual power...is depleted."
"Haaah, Wah-wah. That's why I told you to reach the Heavenly Being stage quickly."
"Do you think it's as easy as it sounds?!"
"What's so hard about it?"
Kim Yeon chuckles and places her hand on Buk Hyang-hwa's back, infusing her with spiritual power.
Wiiing!
Connected through the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon, Buk Hyang-hwa blushes red the moment she feels Kim Yeon's spiritual power pouring into her.
'Wait, this person...'
For a moment, Buk Hyang-hwa seems to see a soft pink light.
For Buk Hyang-hwa, who has received both consciousness and spiritual power from Kim Yeon, a part of Kim Yeon's emotions also flows in for a moment.
Affection, longing, curiosity, joy, desire...
They are emotions directed towards someone that cannot be described with words.
But if one were to dare attach a name to it, it would be an emotion of warmth.
For a moment, Buk Hyang-hwa feels as if she is in the embrace of her mother, Yeon, beyond that soft pink light.
Wo-woong!
The patterns on Buk Hyang-hwa's face glow brightly as if burning.
"...Move aside, Unnie."
"Hmm?"
Buk Hyang-hwa takes a breath and extends her hands.
Simultaneously, the spider leg puppet attached to her back begins to move.
Click, click...
Clickclickclickclickclickclick!
"What, what's this?"
Kim Yeon looks at Buk Hyang-hwa with a slightly surprised expression.
Her hands are moving even faster than before.
Feeling as if Buk Hyang-hwa is possessed by something, Kim Yeon stares at her with a strange look.
"From now on, we will make the mechanical device we created go berserk all at once. It's not something we intended to use permanently anyway. It will cause the ship to quickly rise to the surface faster. Once we reach the sea surface, Yeon Unnie, please quickly contact the Cult Leader with your consciousness. If the Cult Leader sends even Sir Kim Young-hoon, the situation will be resolved in an instant."
"Wah-wah, you..."
"And!"
Buk Hyang-hwa shouts at Kim Yeon.
"My name is Buk Hyang-hwa, not Buk Wah-wah!"
Kim Yeon smiles softly as she looks at her and pats Buk Hyang-hwa's head.
"...Got it, Hyang-hwa."
"D-Don't bring your face so close! It's already big and burdensome as is!"
As Kim Yeon's face draws closer, Buk Hyang-hwa blushes and gives a scolding remark. Kim Yeon playfully flicks Buk Hyang-hwa's forehead before they start controlling the Salt Bones Ship together.
However, the two no longer argue as they did before.
***
Kwaaang!
From a corner of the Salt Bones Ship,
The area where alcohol is stored,
An explosion echoes outwards.
Due to spatial compression, the space, as large as a small city, is filled with an enormous amount of alcohol.
From Lower Realm drinks like rice wine, moonshine, and wine, to high-quality Middle Realm liquors like Spirit Nectar, White-Red Wine and True Moon Dew, the enormous explosion just now has shattered their containers, causing the alcohol to flow throughout the storage area.
Baek Rin, holding Yuk Yo with one arm, is breathing heavily in that space.
Kwagwagwagwang!
Several members of the Fighting Ghost Race, including Jin Ma-yeol, fall before them.
Jin Ma-yeol, with an excited expression, smiles as his muscles bulge.
Zzirururururururu!
All five of Jin Ma-yeol's horns are vibrating simultaneously.
"This...fighting you who is holding Yuk Yo feels like I'm actually fighting Yuk Yo herself. I have no interest in Yuk Yo with her insect-like skills, but focusing only on her face during battle makes it feel like I'm doing what I wanted with Yuk Yo. It's very enjoyable."
His face is flushed red.
Baek Rin burst out with rage.
"Filthy bastard! Do not look at her with those eyes!"
"Who are you calling filthy? Yuk Yo is my betrothed, designated by the Governing Dragon Palace Lord. On the contrary, isn't it rather you who is the one running away after kidnapping my betrothed?"
"Who abuses their betrothed like that!? Stop spouting nonsense!"
"It's the traditional culture of our Fighting Ghost Race, is there a problem? If Yuk Yo doesn't want to be mistreated by me, she should also grow stronger, elevate her realm, and have a joyful battle together with me."
"Don't talk dogshit! Do you think I haven't encountered ghostly creatures of the Fighting Ghost Race in the Nether Ghost Realm? The Fighting Ghost Race always takes those of the same realm as betrothed, and consider fighting in the same realm as virtue! What you are doing is simply bullying the weak!"
"Is there a problem with disciplining a thief who stole my belongings?"
Jin Ma-yeol smiles sinisterly and extends his palm towards Baek Rin and Yuk Yo.
Kwaang!
A gigantic palm strike flies towards Baek Rin, who swiftly evades it.
The enormous barrel of alcohol behind Baek Rin shatters in an instant, and the alcohol inside flows out, turning the nearby area into a sea of wine.
Kwaduduk!
The sea of wine freezes due to Baek Rin's yin energy and ghostly energy, and ice spikes formed from the alcohol surge up.
Without using any spells, Jin Ma-yeol shatters the ice spikes purely with his physical strength and charges at Baek Rin.
"Come, bone fellow. Stop with the nonsense and make me more joyful. Make me happier!"
"Kugh...!"
With an excited expression, Jin Ma-yeol gathers energy in the air to create a chain sickle and swings it at Baek Rin.
Kwagagagak!
The land of ice created by Baek Rin is shattered in one blow.
Chwararararak!
Jin Ma-yeol's chain sickle wriggles as if alive, continually chasing Baek Rin.
Finally, the chain sickle descends towards Baek Rin.
Yuk Yo tightly closes her eyes, and Baek Rin shouts as he emits ghost fire.
"White Bone Shedding Shell Strategy, First Form!"
Kwaaang!
It looks as if the chain sickle pierces through Baek Rin's body, but Baek Rin splits into hundreds and thousands of afterimages, all fleeing in different directions.
Moreover, since all the afterimages are holding Yuk Yo, it's nearly impossible to tell which one is real!
However, Jin Ma-yeol licks his lips and becomes even more excited.
"Good...! Very good...! If a bug-like creature can't fight, it should at least have the skills to run away to make it enjoyable to catch!"
With a highly excited expression, Jin Ma-yeol swells his muscles and wildly swings his chain sickle in all directions.
Kuaaang!
It's as if a storm of chain sickles is raging.
After a while, two-thirds of Baek Rin's fleeing afterimages in the hall are annihilated.
And the remaining third is being quickly destroyed by Jin Ma-Yeol's hunting.
"Stop there, resist more! Hahaha! Make me happier!"
The real Baek Rin and Yuk Yo, without looking back at the chilling voice behind them, exit the alcohol storage.
Yuk Yo grabs Baek Rin's chest and shakes him.
"...It's enough now. Leave me and run away. If you're alone, you can surely escape, right?"
But Baek Rin burns with ghost fire in his eyes and speaks firmly.
"No!"
"Why not? You, didn't you become a ghostly creature because you didn't want to die? Jin Ma-yeol is an Integration stage Grand Cultivator! If you get him excited, he'll pounce on you in heat even if you're a ghostly creature!"
But Baek Rin shakes his head with a resolute face.
"The Cult Leader commanded me to take care of you. So, I won't run away leaving you behind."
"What crazy talk! If you die, it's over! Let me go! I'm telling you to abandon me!"
Yuk Yo tries to push Baek Rin away and escape from his embrace, but Baek Rin holds her tighter and says,
"...A long time ago, I once left my friends behind and ran away."
Baek Rin recalls the events in the Nether Ghost Realm.
The betrayal of Wei Shi-hon and the capture of Eum Wa by the Wuji Religious Order.
Now, he himself is devotedly loyal and inspired by the magnificent Wuji Religious Order, but at that time, it felt like the sky was falling.
"And...I had to pay a price for that."
The event that shattered Baek Rin's heart happened afterward.
'I liked...Eum Wa first...'
But Baek Rin ran away, leaving Eum Wa behind.
Because of that, Eum Wa married Wei Shi-hon.
Thus, Baek Rin had to lose the one he loved to his best friend.
That was the price of running away.
"I will never run away again!"
Baek Rin, hugging Yuk Yo, exits the alcohol storage and runs towards the food storage.
The food storage is actually smaller than the alcohol storage, about the size of a small village at most.
However, it's filled with the carcasses of giant demon beasts and all sorts of food, and Baek Rin hides behind the massive bones of a demon beast that's against the wall with Yuk Yo.
When Baek Rin forms a hand seal, the bones of the demon beast moves and cleverly conceals them.
"Do not worry. My White Bone Shedding Shell Strategy has even evaded the pursuit of the Six Extremes Ghost King of our order who prides himself on his lightning speed. He won't find us easily."
He speaks while panting, and Yuk Yo, after looking at Baek Rin for a moment, smiles.
"...Would you like to know a secret of our clan?"
"Suddenly...?"
"Our clan, in the distant past, had an ancestor from the Sea Dragon Race. That's why we have some Sea Dragon blood within us. Although we are a hybrid of carp and sea dragon...anyway, my father, being from the carp lineage, succeeded in Dragon Transformation and became a part of the Dragon Race."
"What does that have to do with the current situation?"
"It's important. The Black Dragon Race has the authority to govern all yin aspects of Heaven and Earth, and as a branch of the Black Dragon Race, the Sea Dragon Race has the authority to govern all seas of Heaven and Earth."
She continues her explanation.
"The Sea Dragon Race is far inferior to the Black Dragon Race in handling yin energy, but they are actually more specialized in controlling the 'sea'. And the sea that the Sea Dragon Race can handle is not limited to just saltwater."
Yuk Yo's eyes sparkle.
"The sea of the Ancient Force Realm can also be controlled to some extent. No, to be precise, the Sea Dragon Race is the only race that can rise to the surface from the sea of the Ancient Force Realm without an ancient stone. They can find the 'paths' of the sea!"
She begins to undo her top.
Exposing her chest, Yuk Yo points to the vicinity of her heart.
"Take my heart. The Sea Dragon True Blood I contain is very inferior and insignificant, so my father treated me like trash. Though that's why I was able to survive...last time, I awakened a bit more of the Sea Dragon True Blood thanks to the energy from Sir Seo Ran. After taking my heart, the source of my Sea Dragon energy, pierce through the ship and swim through the sea of the Ancient Force Realm to the sea surface."
Baek Rin looks at Yuk Yo's face for a moment before speaking.
"Why would you go to such lengths for me...?"
Yuk Yo's body and voice trembles as she speaks.
"I kept deceiving and trying to escape, but the only one who treated me consistently is you."
At those words, Baek Rin is silent for a moment and then arranges Yuk Yo's clothes.
"I don't need it. I..."
At that moment.
Kuaang!
The door to the food storage shatters, and Jin Ma-yeol walks in with a sinister smile.
"I've caught all the runaway clones. I know you're in there. Come out."
Baek Rin flinches.
He can tell.
Jin Ma-yeol's consciousness is pinpointing exactly where Baek Rin and Yuk Yo are hiding.
Baek Rin steps forward with Yuk Yo in front of Jin Ma-yeol.
"How did you find all those clones so quickly...!?"
Jin Ma-yeol chuckles.
"I'm a hunter. I excel at tracking, hiding, and hunting. The same goes for the crew members of my pirate gang who learned these skills...In fact, I already knew your location."
He points to Yuk Yo's chest.
"Has it been just once or twice that deceitful thing tried to escape? I placed a tracking spell on that carp's heart. As long as she doesn't have the courage to rip out her own heart, you were always in my grasp."
Yuk Yo shrinks at his words.
Baek Rin glances at Yuk Yo briefly.
Jin Ma-yeol, seeing Yuk Yo's demeanor, exclaims as if realizing something.
"Ah! I think I know what scam that scammer tried to pull on you. Did she perhaps tell you something like 'if you take my heart, you can escape,' or something of the sort?"
"..."
Baek Rin remains silent, and Yuk Yo shrinks even more.
Jin Ma-yeol laughs out loud as he reads Yuk Yo's intent.
"So it's true. Last time, I cast a similar spell on her leg, and she escaped by giving her lower body to one of my subordinates. Since she reached the Nascent Soul stage, losing a major part like that wouldn't kill her, so it isn't even an issue. Haha, how do you feel? Do you still intend to protect that thing? I'll give you one last chance. Hand over Yuk Yo and get lost. You seem to have exhausted your energy anyway, so I can't even get excited. I'll let you escape."
Yuk Yo bites her lip hard.
However, Baek Rin does not move.
Rather, he only lights up the circuits implanted by Kim Yeon, igniting his fighting spirit.
"...What's this? Didn't I tell you she deceived you?"
However, Baek Rin only ignites his ghost fire.
"It doesn't matter. I was never interested, nor did I plan to run away!"
"Hoh...you're brimming with momentum."
Baek Rin stands his ground, blocking the path to Yuk Yo, while Yuk Yo looks at him with a complicated expression.
"Good...! I like people like that too! Come, then. Serve me more!"
Jin Ma-yeol, excited by Baek Rin's refusal to back down, begins to approach them with an excited expression.
And then, it happens.
Kugugugu!
The ship suddenly shakes violently, and the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy changes.
Reading the change in the spiritual energy, Yuk Yo's eyes brighten, while Jin Ma-yeol frowns.
'Damn it...!'
"Sir Baek Rin! The Salt Bones Ship has surfaced!"
As soon as Yuk Yo's words are heard, Baek Rin scatters a spell towards the wall, instantly creating a hole.
What appears is not the dark, gloomy dimension of the Deep Sea but a clear seascape.
Paaaatt!
Baek Rin quickly grabs Yuk Yo and escapes using the Flying Escape Technique.
Jin Ma-yeol, with an enraged expression, chases after the two demon spirits and extends his hand.
Kugugugu!
Attraction force of an Integration stage Grand Cultivator emits from his hand, pulling Baek Rin and Yuk Yo towards him.
Having exhausted his strength, Baek Rin begins to be dragged towards Jin Ma-yeol.
He grits his teeth.
'Damn...is this how it ends?'
Yuk Yo's betrayal doesn't affect him at all.
Though it's fine now, he had been betrayed by a closer friend before, and he had his first love taken by that friend as well.
Baek Rin exhales as he feels the ghost fire in his eyes dimming.
'Still...the Conqueror King and the Mysterious Bizarre Ghost King, those two should be able to escape. With this, my duty is done...'
And then.
Kuwaaang!
A beam of light from somewhere explodes on Jin Ma-yeol's arm.
Baek Rin, with his mouth agape in disbelief, looks towards the direction where the beam came from.
"Your Highness!! Why did you not flee!?"
It's Kim Yeon and Buk Hyang-hwa.
Paaaatt!
The two puppeteers, riding on a puppet with each of their heads emerging from the puppet's head, swiftly rush forward and snatch Baek Rin and Yuk Yo who are being dragged by Jin Ma-yeol.
"Don't worry as good news is on the way!"
Kim Yeon says with a bright smile as she flies away quickly, and Buk Hyang-hwa reassuringly smiles in agreement.
Behind them, the furious Integration stage Grand Cultivator, Jin Ma-yeol, begins to pursue them.
Chwarururuk!
He swings his chain sickle once and the puppet is sliced in half.
But as Buk Hyang-hwa manipulates something, the four people inside the puppet are immediately ejected forward.
Buk Hyang-hwa shouts as she signals to the puppet.
"General Buk, self-destruct!"
Kwaaang!
The puppet they ejected from self-destructs, creating a cloud of smoke.
But Jin Ma-yeol pushes through the mist and catches up right behind them, swinging his chain sickle.
Kim Yeon gathers the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy, and Baek Rin emits repulsive force.
However, Jin Ma-yeol's chain sickle ignores all their defenses and splits Kim Yeon's right arm, Buk Hyang-hwa's upper body, and Baek Rin's skull in half.
"Kugheok!"
Buk Hyang-hwa vomits blood, and Kim Yeon quickly regenerates her arm, shrinking her consciousness domain.
The consciousness domain, gathered in the form of a fingernail on Kim Yeon's left arm, momentarily appears to be tinged with a pink hue before launching as a massive slash towards Jin Ma-yeol.
Kwaaang!
It's the martial art Kim Yeon occasionally used to shatter the Wuji Religious Order's training formations, emitting immense power.
Jin Ma-yeol looks to ignore it and charge forward, but his expression changes drastically for a moment, and he unfolds his domain to defend against Kim Yeon's strike.
Taking advantage of that gap, Kim Yeon swiftly uses the Flying Escape Technique while holding the others.
"Sir Baek Rin, are you alright?"
"Yes, I am a ghostly creature so it doesn't matter!"
"Buk Hyang-hwa, are you okay?"
But Buk Hyang-hwa does not answer.
Kim Yeon can immediately identify the cause.
'Her Nascent Soul is injured!'
"Buk Hyang-hwa, Buk Hyang-hwa! Wake up! Get a grip!"
Kim Yeon's voice trembles.
She quickly uses consciousness threads to seal the wound and support the Nascent Soul from dispersing, but Buk Hyang-hwa, her breath faint, onlys looks up at Kim Yeon with blurry eyes.
"Buk Hyang-hwa!!! Hyang-hwa, wake up! I won't call you Wah-Wah anymore! S-So...don't die! Please!"
Kwaaang!
Jin Ma-yeol, who has shaken off Kim Yeon's slash, is chasing after them from behind.
[This...I didn't realize it before, but the Mysterious Bizarre Ghost King is quite the impressive fighter as well!]
Licking his lips, he follows Kim Yeon with a chain sickle and a grotesque sword in both hands.
In an instant, Jin Ma-yeol catches up with Kim Yeon and raises his grotesque sword.
[Now, take this as well...!]
The next moment,
Jin Ma-yeol is split in half.
Kwaaang!
As Kim Yeon looks back, preparing for another strike, she collides with something massive while flying.
"Ah..."
Tears well up in Kim Yeon's eyes.
"E-Eun-hyun...Buk Hyang-hwa is...right now..."
[Got it.]
The Ghost King with 19 heads gestures to the giant centipede behind him.
The giant centipede quickly brings a floating magic artifact, lays down Baek Rin, Kim Yeon, and Buk Hyang-hwa, and begins treating them.
I look with a cold gaze at Jin Ma-yeol, whose split body is reattaching in front of me.
He licks his lips with an excited expression.
Zzirurururururu!
His vibrating horns are for some reason quite unpleasant.
"This...! It's the best. Wuji Cult leader, will you entertain me as well? Let's compete! It's a pity you have the form of a ghostly creature, but with a strong opponent like you, it doesn't matter! Let us intertwine our bodies together and dance! Hahaha! This excitement I couldn't feel even with that Six Extremes Ghost King...! Hurry, come at me!"
I stare at him briefly before gathering both hands with curses and blessings.
[Great Mountain!]
"What! W-Wait! Damn it, you coward! Don't do that, let's clash body to body while we fight..."
[Splitting Emperor!]
A pure white light envelops Heaven and Earth.
***
Tststststststs—
As the power of the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique fades, the nearby sea domain comes back into view.
It's a direct hit.
The one called Jin Ma-yeol is obliterated into nothingness.
However, I can't shake off the lingering sense of discomfort.
'That guy...'
He escaped.
Though his physical body is destroyed, I felt him flying away through the Plane of Soul to resurrect somewhere else.
In hindsight, it's always been like this.
The day I first arrived in the Ancient Force Realm.
That day, after battling Kim Young-hoon, I used the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique, and all the cultivators at the Four-Axis and Integration stage within its range were annihilated.
Even Jin Ma-yeol, who was within the range!
However, that guy resurrected again.
Although he doesn't seem like he would resurrect seven times like Yuan Li, he is quite the troublesome opponent.
Kugugugu!
In the distance, I see the Salt Bones Ship, from which Kim Yeon and Buk Hyang-hwa had escaped, submerging back into the depths of the sea of the Ancient Force Realm.
Zirururururu—
A strange sound is coming from the keel of the distant Salt Bones Ship.
Perhaps it's because the Salt Bones Ship has its entire keel made from the rare and precious Salt Crystals, which is causing it to react to the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique.
Bo-woong!
I launch a slash towards the submerging Salt Bones Ship, and before it's completely submerged, its bow is cleanly sliced off.
'Salt Crystals, huh...'
Salt Crystals are also related to the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique.
'Well, I expected it since the character 'Salt (鹽)' was used.'
The reason Salt Crystal is called what it is is not only because of its pure white appearance, but also because it tastes salty when licked.
In essence, Salt Crystal is a mineral very similar to salt.
'Is it a battleship that can freely dive into the depths of the Deep Sea of the Ancient Force Realm through the use of Salt Crystals...?'
No wonder the Fighting Demon Pirate Gang is such a notorious group.
After briefly watching the spot where the Fighting Demon Pirate Gang disappears, I turn my gaze to Kim Yeon and Buk Hyang-hwa.
"How are their conditions?"
Hong Fan, now in human form, is stroking his beard with a gentle expression.
"Fortunately, they've overcome the critical juncture. Especially since the Conqueror King's Nascent Soul was held together by the consciousness of the Mysterious Bizarre Ghost King, even though her Nascent Soul was injured, there's no major issue."
I approach Buk Hyang-hwa and Kim Yeon.
Kim Yeon, as expected, seems quite exhausted. As the tension eased, she fell asleep while holding Buk Hyang-hwa tightly, tears streaming down his face.
"Haha, Lady Kim Yeon won't let go of the Conqueror King."
Hong Fan laughs heartily, pointing at the two of them.
I return to human form, smiling at the sight of the two.
"...Let's go back."
Thus, the incident involving the kidnapping of the followers by the pirate gang comes to an end.
I wish it could have really ended there.
After sending the remaining followers to the Wuji Religious Order in the Black Domain, I look up at the 'sky' with a cold gaze.
"...I can read the celestial energy."
Yes.
The Ancient Force Realm is a world where there is no sky, making it impossible to read celestial energy.
But for some reason, I can now see the celestial energy.
Celestial energy is actually the flow of attraction force emitted by stars!
And, I can feel the flow of attraction force from the sky directed 'towards me.'
'Is it a calamity (災厄)?'
It isn't normal celestial energy.
Normal celestial energy should allow one to read the future.
However, this celestial energy only allows me to feel a single pull of attraction.
It's the celestial energy of misfortune!
And it's very strange and suspicious that suddenly, in a world where celestial energy can't be seen, I can see just this one.
Having navigated through numerous misfortunes and disasters, I can tell.
"Someone...has bestowed this!"
This celestial energy is clearly artificial.
Upon reaching the Four-Axis stage, one can see a wider variety of celestial energy in different types, natures, and ranges.
And definitely, among the celestial energy I saw in the 'night' of the Nether Ghost Realm, there was no such misfortune.
In short, I can only conclude that this misfortune was 'bestowed' upon me after I came to the Ancient Force Realm.
'Thinking back, it was indeed strange.'
How the first guide we caught in the Ancient Force Realm is a scammer, the palace lord I sought for an alliance only desires to stab us in the back, and after sending my consciousness to the Lower Realms to build the Health Axis, the main body got split in two and confronted a True Person. Even when I returned, my comrades had been kidnapped, and upon rescuing them, they were on the verge of death.
Though I've faced such misfortune in life more than a few times, the frequency this time is too high.
It's clearly bad luck.
I glare at the sky.
I still have no clue who has bestowed this misfortune upon me.
However, if someone can impose such a fate, it's certainly not a being of insignificant power, and I can't help but think they do not harbor goodwill towards me.
'Of course...'
There's the possibility it's [a being that can only bestow misfortune].
'This is driving me crazy. This world is really...'
I sigh.
But there's nothing I can do right now.
Even misfortune can't last forever.
'I'll wait until the misfortune passes!'
After glaring at the sky one last time, I return to the Black Sea Domain.
Perhaps because of all that happened, or the shocking truth I have discovered, my shoulders feel inexplicably stiff.
Upon returning to the Black Sea Domain, I received a report from Baek Rin, who recovered the fastest among the four.
"...Thus, we were able to escape from the Salt Bones Ship and be rescued by the Cult Leader and company."
"Thank you for the detailed explanation."
After receiving the report, I ponder one thing Baek Rin mentioned that caught my attention.
'Yuk Yo is a descendant of the Sea Dragon Race...'
Although Baek Rin suggests it's likely a lie, I believe that part to be true.
'When considering the reports from Buk Hyang-hwa, Kim Yeon, and Kim Young-hoon, who faced Yuk Yo's dragon form, they noted it was quite similar to the Sea Dragon Race except for the color. Moreover...when I asked Seo Ran why he slept with Yuk Yo, he mentioned there was a faint sense of familiarity despite the influence of the aphrodisiac.'
Putting it all together, while it's true that Yuk Yo deceived Baek Rin, the part about being of Sea Dragon lineage is likely true.
Kuuung!
After briefly expanding the space underground in the Wuji Religious Hall, I take out the statue of the Sea Dragon Race that I have brought from the Deep Sea.
It appeared dark in the Deep Sea, but when taken out in the dark basement, it shines quite brightly.
'Well, it's made of ancient stone after all.'
I spent some time investigating the Sea Dragon statue by infusing it with spiritual energy and consciousness.
Even when I infused it with the energy of an immortal beast, the statue of the Sea Dragon showed no reaction.
It's purely a statue carved from ancient stone.
After observing the statue for a while, I call Seo Ran and Song Jin.
Not long after, they come down to the basement, and I show them the statue.
"This is the Sea Dragon statue I found when rescuing Buk Hyang-hwa and Kim Yeon. Have you ever seen something similar before?"
Seo Ran stares at the statue intently for a moment before exclaiming,
"Ah, I've seen it before!"
"You have?"
"Yes. While reading the history books of the Sea Dragon Race in the Sea Dragon Palace, there was an illustration exactly like this. The Sea Dragon Race, or rather most of the Dragon Races including the Sea Dragon Race, are descendants of the Entering Nirvana True Dragon whose remains are left in the Bright Cold Realm. According to the history books, one of the True Dragon's bloodlines mixed with the Black Dragon's bloodline, leading to the birth of the Black Dragon Race. Some members of this race crossed into the Ancient Force Realm and mutated into the Sea Dragon Race, marking the beginning. After that, the Sea Dragon Race born in the Ancient Force Realm descended and spread its lineage in numerous Lower Realms for some reason."
"...!"
I think I understand the meaning of 'Lofty Dragon, Ancient Force, Beneath Myriad Realms.'
'It means that the seed of the Sea Dragon, born from Lofty Dragon True Person, blossomed in the Ancient Force Realm and scattered into the countless Lower Realms.'
However, there is something strange.
'But why is there 'Blood Yin' before Lofty Dragon?'
No matter how much I think about it, 'Blood Yin' doesn't seem to have any relation to the Dragon Race.
At that moment, Seo Ran speaks with an excited expression.
"This...this is truly...a historical treasure of immense value to the Sea Dragon Race! To think I'd see a treasure mentioned in the history books in real life..."
"What is it that makes you so excited?"
"This is the jade seal (imperial seal) of the first Sea Dragon King, Ja Eum (Purple Yin)! Even the jade seals currently scattered throughout the world...in other words, even the one Grandfather Seo Hweol holds as a symbol of the Sea Dragon King's authority in the Head Realm, are just replicas of this Purple Soul Jade Seal (紫魂玉璽)! How incredible!"
With an incredibly excited expression, Seo Ran clings to the Sea Dragon statue called Purple Soul Jade Seal as if he would lick it.
Watching him, I suddenly have a question and ask,
"So, the first Sea Dragon King doesn't have the (瑞/Seo; Lit. Auspicious) surname?"
"Ah, yes. The first Sea Dragon King used the surname Ja (紫/Purple). However, since all of his descendants, the Sea Dragon Race, carry his blood, it doesn't matter much. The royal authority of the Sea Dragon Race is determined by whether or not they inherit the Sea Authority Jade Seal, the imitation of the Purple Soul Jade Seal."
I'm startled by those words and look alternately at Seo Ran and the Purple Soul Jade Seal.
"Then, since you have obtained the first Sea Dragon King's jade seal..."
"Ah, that's not the case."
Seo Ran shakes his head with a bitter smile.
"Regrettably, the only way to be recognized as the owner of the jade seal and gain kingship is to inherit it directly from the previous owner. Only the person recognized by the jade seal can know the secret history and purpose of the Sea Dragon Race hidden within the seal...as I wasn't recognized by the previous owner, the Purple Soul Jade Seal is just a treasure of historical value for me."
"Is that so...?"
"That's regrettable."
Song Jin and I sigh almost simultaneously.
If Seo Ran became the Sea Dragon King, it might have influenced the Sea Dragon Race that is currently being consumed by Seo Hweol's Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens.
Perhaps, we might have also understood why Seo Hweol continues to take on the form of a Sea Dragon.
"May I study it a bit more...?"
"Hmm...Do as you wish. And regarding Yuk Yo..."
I convey the information I received from Baek Rin to Seo Ran.
"You mean Yuk Yo might also be a descendant of the Sea Dragon Race?"
"That's right. So when Yuk Yo wakes up, ask her whatever you need to."
"Understood."
"Wait, Seo Ran."
At that moment, Song Jin asks Seo Ran with a puzzled expression.
"Isn't that carp called Yuk Yo a scammer? Didn't the Cult Leader say Baek Rin told him that the carp scammed until the end? Can you really get a proper answer from that fish?"
"Ah, it's fine. I can interrogate her with Shi Ho."
"Because that carp is afraid of Shi Ho?"
"There's that too and..."
Song Jin looks a bit surprised at Seo Ran's next words.
"Shi Ho is also a martial artist of Five Energies Converging to the Origin. By looking at intent, she can discern lies, so there will be no lies."
"That fox!? Since when?"
I burst into laughter at Song Jin's reaction.
"What, Seo Ran knew, but you didn't?"
"Ah...I apologize for not knowing."
Shi Ho, interestingly enough, got hit by Kim Young-hoon so many times that she somehow learned martial arts and reached Five Energies Converging to the Origin.
Since the Demon Race and Five Energies Converging to the Origin go well together, Shi Ho's combat power must have significantly increased.
"Well, in any case, as long as that fox can distinguish between truth and lies, it should be fine. Let's go."
"Yes, Master. Then, Cult Leader, we will take our leave."
"Go ahead."
Seo Ran and Song Jin leave with the Sea Dragon statue, the Purple Soul Jade Seal.
I restore the space to its original state and fall into thought.
'The term that's written at the end, Black Yin's Strategy.'
It's undoubtedly the name of the Black Dragon King, Hyeon Eum.
'Hyeon Eum, Ja Eum.'
And Blood Yin (Hyeol Eum).
Anyone who isn't a fool will find it worth considering what kind of connection there might be between the three.
Various miscellaneous thoughts cross my mind, but they are all just delusions without any solid basis.
What is the relationship between Blood Yin, Hyeon Eum, and Ja Eum?
What exactly is Seo Hweol up to?
I fall into complex thoughts and then shake my head to clear my mind.
'Enough. There's nothing I can do right now.'
This world is one where insidious and treacherous traps and calamities lay hidden.
However, one of the few advantages of this world is that one can continue to become stronger.
'Let's elevate my realm.'
Continue to build the Health Axis and grow.
I recall the words of the Mad Lord.
He said only a stronger power can overcome fate.
'Gaining greater power and status will be advantageous in uncovering Seo Hweol's secrets.'
I swing my arm to create a Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion avatar, while my main body lies down on the cult leader's seat, extending my consciousness into the Flying Immortal Formation.
The urgent matter is to build the Health Axis as soon as possible.
I leave my main body to build the Health Axis while the Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion avatar heads to the Wuji Religious Order's Poison Research Hall.
Most followers of the Wuji Religious Order are ghostly creatures, so there's little need for a medical hall. Thus, no such place exists.
Therefore, the place where Buk Hyang-hwa and others are receiving treatment is the Poison Research Hall, where Hong Fan studies poisons.
Since poison can be used as medicine with the right ratio adjustments, this is possible.
When I enter the room where Buk Hyang-hwa is resting, I find Kim Yeon dozing off while nursing her.
'They've gotten quite close.'
When they first met, they growled at each other like they were ready to tear each other apart.
But now, even while sleeping, they hold hands.
I fetch a blanket nearby and cover the sleeping Kim Yeon with it, then check Buk Hyang-hwa's condition.
Fortunately, thanks to the medicine Hong Fan administered, her Nascent Soul has significantly improved.
After infusing a bit of vital energy into both of them, I quietly leave the room.
As I exit, Kim Young-hoon is waiting for me with his arms crossed.
"What brings you here?"
"I have something to tell you."
"Perfect timing. I have something to ask you too."
"What is it?"
I ask Kim Young-hoon the question I received from Jang Ik.
"If you had to cut something that is impossible to cut, what would you do?"
"Something impossible to cut...like what?"
"For example, something like a planet."
After thinking for a moment, Kim Young-hoon replies.
"I can't cut a planet, but I can cut something similar."
"Pardon?"
He grins widely and says,
"Well...I'll explain that a bit later. But more importantly, what do you think? After seeing that pirate, don't you have a better grasp of what Martial Arts (武) is?"
***