Yuk Yo starts speaking.
"This world is a real world. It is not simply an illusion within a formation."
"...A real world? But...the inhabitants here lack intent."
"Well...honestly, I'm not sure how the Cult Leader perceives it. However, from my perspective, the Ancient Force Realm my father took us to felt like the real illusionary world. When my father took my siblings and I to the Ancient Force Realm, my mother advised us to never forget our identities as it's a 'dream world'."
"What...?"
"From my perspective, that world is the illusion, a falsehood. The Cult Leader knows well about how I behaved in the Ancient Force Realm...Considering it a false world and a place of 'non-humans'..."
"No, wait...don't use terms like 'non-humans.' It's very unpleasant."
"Ah...my apologies. In any case, even though my memories were sealed, I unconsciously viewed that place as such and lived somewhat recklessly."
I feel a headache coming on.
It's as if I just heard an absurd truth out of nowhere.
'Our world is a dream?'
"...But it's strange. If our world is a dream...then what are 'we' in this world? Are some of this world's folktales and legends created according to our memories, and do characters corresponding to us come into being?"
"Characters corresponding to us...from my perspective, it's quite the opposite. Ordinary people who were living well suddenly have strange dreams and their personalities change. Even royals occasionally experience such things."
"...Then why did you follow Yuk Rin if you knew the Ancient Force Realm is an illusory world? And if so, who is the current king of Penglai Kingdom?"
"First...my father said that if we go to the illusory world, we could enjoy immense pleasure and delight, and live for hundreds or thousands of years. He also said we could return whenever we wanted. He described it as a Land of Immortal or the Idyllic Peach Blossom Garden, so we followed, thinking we'd just enjoy it for a while and return. At that time, my father had the body of the Dragon Race, so we thought he was guiding us to a divine place."
"...."
A look of misery spreads on Yuk Yo's face.
"But as soon as we arrived in the illusory world, the Ancient Force Realm, father sealed our memories and extracted the true blood of the Sea Dragon Race from my siblings who inherited his bloodline. Just as I viewed that world an illusion, he saw this world as an illusion and felt no guilt as he believed that we, born in this illusion, were nothing more than illusions.
I listen in silence to her shocking words.
"Fortunately or unfortunately, I, being the youngest, did not inherit much of the Sea Dragon True Blood. Due to this, my father treated me as worthless, not extracting the true blood from me. Anyhow...he roughly proclaimed me a princess and let me go. I did everything I could to escape from his terrifying hands. Eventually, I stole the secret art from Jin Ma-yeol and somehow managed to escape. After that, I lived recklessly in the illusory world, indulging in pleasure and fraud."
"...Why did you steal the secret art from Jin Ma-yeol?"
"At that time, I just thought it looked 'tempting.' But unconsciously, it seems I did it 'to return to this world'."
"To return to this world?"
"Yes. Although my bloodline is of a worthless level, I still have the true blood of the Sea Dragon Race, and the Sea Dragon Race is the only race that can read the sea routes in the Ancient Force Realm. I think I intended to transform into a Sea Dragon and find a way to return to Penglai Island. Of course, since I didn't have any memories, I suppose I didn't know what I wanted either."
I am stunned by these shocking truths.
Seo Ran, who has been listening beside me, is also gaping.
"Now, I will explain the conditions for regaining awareness in this world."
"Y-Yes, quickly tell us."
I examine Yuk Yo's intent.
'She's not lying.'
Not only her intent but also her heartbeat and other reactions indicate she is telling the truth.
'And considering the situation, she has no reason to come all the way here to lie to us.'
"The quickest way to regain awareness in this world is to 'have someone who cherishes you'."
"Someone who cherishes you...?"
"Yes. The more people in the Ancient Force Realm or other worlds who think of you, the deeper their feelings, and the higher their level, the quicker you'll regain awareness. In other words, the time it takes to regain your awareness in this world is determined by the 'connections you have built."
"...."
"...."
Seo Ran and I look at each other.
I have a lot of connections to consider.
Starting with the followers of the Wuji Religious Order, Kang Min-hee of the Bright Cold Realm, the disciples of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect in the Head Realm, and even though I'm not sure if they cherish me, the Entering Nirvana True Persons...
Not to mention the [Existences That Can Only Bring Misfortune] who showed immense interest in me during the regression process of this cycle...
Then, what about Seo Ran?
Seo Ran, looking puzzled, speaks.
"...Does Master...think of me that deeply in the Netherworld...?"
"Not necessarily...There are also disciples with masters outside who haven't regained their awareness yet..."
"Then what could it be...?"
Yuk Yo shrugs as if nothing.
"Couldn't it be that Sir Seo Ran is...receiving the affection of a higher existence?"
"Who would bestow such affection on me...?"
"Is there no one who comes to mind? Perhaps your parents, an acquaintance, a friend, or an ancestor?"
"My parents aren't exactly...ordinary, but to say they are a higher existence...all my acquaintances and friends came here with me...ancestors...hmm, I don't really like to think about my Grandfather Sea Dragon King."
He grabs his head in frustration, as if he can't figure it out.
Yuk Yo shrugs her shoulders.
"Well, it seems you're receiving the affection of a higher existence without even knowing it. Congratulations."
Seo Ran's face turns pale.
"I-Is that a good thing.?"
Seo Ran falls into confusion, and I sink into deep thought.
'This is strange.'
Yuk Yo is telling the truth, but it's so bizarre.
There is a sense of incongruity.
To say this world is real, there are too many bizarre points and it differs too much from reality.
And while Yuk Yo herself seems unaware, it's strange how this world seems to adjust to us.
I'm confused whether Yuk Rin had lied to me or if Yuk Yo is simply mistaken.
A world filled with strange contradictions and a sense of incongruity.
That is Penglai Island.
'And what exactly is going on with Seo Ran?'
According to Yuk Yo, there are three factors for quickly regaining awareness in this world:
Having many people who cherish the entrant of this world.
The feelings of those who cherish the entrant are deep.
The level of those who value the entrant is high.
'Could it be that Seo Ran is also under the gaze of some True Immortal?'
I look at Seo Ran with suspicious eyes.
I can't be sure.
At the beginning of this life, hadn't I got entangled with a higher existence from the Netherworld and ended up falling into the Nether Ghost Realm?
Seo Ran is also practicing Ghost Path Methods, so he might be attracting the attention of a Reaper from the Netherworld.
I press down on my swirling head and ponder.
'In that case, the ones who will find their memories the fastest are the leaders of the Wuji Religious Order, especially Yeon Wei and Jeon Myeong-hoon.'
Yeon Wei and Jeon Myeong-hoon are not just prominent figures in the Wuji Religious Order but also extremely famous personalities in the Lower Realm's Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect. They should regain awareness the quickest.
Since Yuk Yo claims to be a native of this world, it makes sense that she and Seo Ran regained their awareness almost simultaneously with me.
I organize my complex thoughts and ask.
"Then, what is Yuk Rin aiming for, and what is his ultimate goal? He seems to have some relationship with Jin Ma-yeol. What relationship is it? Why did Jin Ma-yeol want you?"
"I will start with Jin Ma-yeol. He not only desired the stolen Dragon Form Disguise Method, but also 'my status.' Not as Princess Sacred Orchid of Governing Dragon Palace, but as the Princess of Penglai Kingdom. By marrying me, he could quickly gain benefits in Penglai Kingdom and potentially become its king or a high-ranking minister. That's why Jin Ma-yeol wanted me and allied with my father."
"...Wait."
Noticing something strange in Yuk Yo's words, I glare at her.
"If this world is your homeland, why are you just standing by while we lead the demon spirits to overthrow Penglai Kingdom?"
"Well...Cult Leader isn't going to rule Penglai Kingdom forever, right? And I know Cult Leader's character well. While Cult Leader made a reputation as the King of Demon Spirits, he hardly ever caused any human casualties despite a bit of plundering, right? Once Cult Leader returns to your original world, I can use the power of the guardian dragons protecting the royal family to disperse the demon spirits and restore the royal family."
"..."
"...Um...are you planning to kill my mother, the current queen?"
"...I won't kill her."
"Thank you!"
Yuk Yo smiles brightly and bows, as if she expected that.
I feel a headache coming on.
I have heard too many shocking truths.
But surprisingly, there are still more things I need to hear.
"...What is Yuk Rin's goal?"
When Yuk Rin was mentioned, Yuk Yo's expression darkens.
"...Father...didn't inherit much of the Sea Dragon True Blood when he was born. But after immense effort, he succeeded in transforming into a dragon. However...it seems he wasn't satisfied with that."
Yuk Yo begins revealing the truth about Yuk Rin.
"Among my father's acquaintances...there was a person named Yuk Ung, the master of Cherry Blossom Sea Domain, where Penglai Island was originally located."
"Yes, I know roughly."
"That Yuk Ung...unlike my father, was born with an almost perfect Sea Dragon body and bloodline. My father always envied him. However, for some reason, Yuk Ung suffered from a disease where his blood would boil and eventually died from it, unable to overcome the illness. Even his blood evaporated entirely, leaving behind an intact Sea Dragon body but no blood, dying like a dried-up corpse."
From her continued words, I can guess Yuk Rin's plan.
"Could it be...did he do that disgusting thing I am thinking of?"
"He probably did so. My father decided to take Cherry Blossom Dragon Palace Lord Yuk Ung's body. And to gather the lacking Sea Dragon True Blood, he came to this world, gave birth to us, and extracted the Sea Dragon True Blood to infuse it into Palace Lord Yuk Ung's body. Then, he uprooted Cherry Blossom Dragon Island that Palace Lord Yuk Ung governed and transformed it into a Deep Sea Island under Governing Dragon Palace, hiding Palace Lord Yuk Ung's body there."
"...."
"And with a very peculiar secret art, he split his soul and hid it within Palace Lord Yuk Ung's body in Cherry Blossom Dragon Island."
Baduduk...
I finally realize why Yuk Rin cooperated so readily when we captured him.
"It wasn't his main body...!"
The main body is hidden in the Deep Sea Island beneath Governing Dragon Palace!
"...But something is strange."
Seo Ran expresses his doubt.
"Sir Kim Young-hoon and Cult Leader both have eyes that can see the essence of the soul. How could they not distinguish between the main body and the clone..."
"There is one secret art that makes it impossible to distinguish between the main body and the clone."
At my cold voice, Seo Ran's eyes widen.
"And among the Sea Dragon Race, who has learned that technique, is there not one...no, more than one we know of?"
"...Could it be."
"That's right."
I recall the detestable face of that one person.
A 'hoho' echoes in my ears, and somehow my shoulders feel stiff.
"Seo Hweol. And Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens."
-x-X-x-
Ancient Force Realm, Wi Jeong Sea Domain.
Governing Dragon Palace.
The Deep Sea Island beneath it, known as Cherry Blossom Dragon Island.
There, the half-human, half-fish Nascent Soul demon beast, Wi Yun, takes a deep breath.
"Huu...damn."
Having reached the Nascent Soul stage, the transformed her eventually gained the ability to take on a fully human form for both her upper and lower body.
She shivers as she looks up at the Sea Dragon statue before her.
Her head is spinning.
She has lost count of how many times she has done this.
'But I must do it.'
Wi Yun bites her lips as she remembers her village burning at the hands of ghosts on Governing Dragon Island.
Splurt!
She draws her own blood and offers it to the Sea Dragon statue before her.
The Sea Dragon statue absorbs her blood and her life force.
A light flickers in the eyes of the Sea Dragon statue.
[State your desire.]
"More power...! Please grant me power!"
[Understood.]
Immediately, a dark crimson energy emanates from the statue and is infused into Wi Yun's body.
She absorbs the crimson blood devilish energy.
Her eyes turn black, her pupils glowing a vivid red.
Her cultivation, which had been at the early Nascent Soul stage, surges to the mid Nascent Soul stage.
[Offer more blood sacrifices. In return, I will grant you more power.]
"I...cannot do that."
[Understood.]
Wi Yun closes her eyes tightly.
To save her parents, she has been cultivating devilish arts on Cherry Blossom Dragon Island for over a hundred years.
By offering her blood and lifespan to the Sea Dragon statue, it granted her immense power and advancement in her cultivation.
Of course, the Sea Dragon statue desires more than just that.
"Do not ask for blood sacrifices. I will carry out your commands. Give me your orders."
Occasionally, the Sea Dragon statue gave Wi Yun tasks.
Most of these tasks involved eliminating followers of the Wuji Religious Order or ambushing key figures of the order.
Performing these tasks was treated the same as offering blood, and the Sea Dragon statue would bestow her with power.
Since these missions were what Wi Yun always desired, she happily carried them out, achieving rapid progress in her cultivation over the past century.
'If I can just advance a little more, I can break through the ghostly creatures guarding Governing Dragon Island and rescue my parents, who are forced to work at the center!'
"Give me my mission!"
At that moment.
The Sea Dragon statue, which had been silent for a moment, emits a red light, and a massive amount of devilish energy flows into Wi Yun's body.
"H-Huh?"
While she is in a daze, her cultivation level forcibly rises.
Kuguguguk!
Her initial mid Nascent Soul stage cultivation skyrockets to the Grand Perfection Nascent Soul stage.
Despite feeling her Nascent Soul being shaken and her lifespan being reduced by the forced advancement, she laughs instead.
'With this level of cultivation...'
The day to rescue her parents is not far off!
Just as she rejoices, a voice addressing her comes from the Sea Dragon statue.
[Power has been granted in advance. Go immediately to Cherry Blossom Dragon Sea Domain and perform the spell I will teach you. In return, I will bestow upon you a Heavenly Being Pill.]
"Th-thank you!"
Wi Yun bows deeply to the statue and, intoxicated by the devilish energy, stumbles out of Cherry Blossom Dragon Island.
Stumble, stumble...
Spurt!
Wi Yun coughs.
Her cough is mixed with blood.
'I probably...won't live long.'
She feels her lifespan has been drastically shortened as a result of the rapid increase in her cultivation in such a short period.
'But it's okay...as long as I can...save my parents...'
Her long-sought goal is now within reach.
Staggering, she walks through a massive cave, heading towards the entrance that leads to the sea surface from Cherry Blossom Dragon Island.
The walls of the cave she passes through are adorned with murals.
They depict a gigantic, dark crimson something battling a dragon.
In the subsequent mural, the dark crimson something's head is cut off by an axe-like weapon hurled by the dragon, but for some reason, the dragon's head is also severed simultaneously.
It's an implausible sequence.
Clearly, the dragon had beheaded the dark crimson something's head with the axe, yet inexplicably, the axe was embedded in the dragon's neck, and the dragon lay dead on the ground with the axe lodged in its body with its neck severed.
Despite having part of its body severed by the axe, the dark crimson something did not die and reached out to the dragon, obtaining something from it.
The dark crimson figure then created a small worm-like creature.
It was a black worm.
The black worm created another worm identical to itself and threw it somewhere.
The identical worm, thrown into a place depicted with countless ocean waves, settled there, scattering tiny egg-like things beneath the sea.
Beneath the sea, there were stars, moons, and suns, human fingers and thighs, some beast's horns, livers, body parts, and even someone's head lined up.
The mural ends there.
Wi Yun passes through the cave adorned with murals and rises to the sea surface.
"...In any case, Father will soon regain his senses."
Yuk Yo continues.
"That person values himself very highly. Moreover, since there is a perfectly aware version of himself outside, he will quickly regain his identity if he synchronizes with the mind outside with the mind here."
I wear a cold expression.
"...So should I just cut off his head?"
Whether he regains his awareness or not, as long as he sticks close to the ground, I am confident I can cut off his head.
"I don't know if that will work..."
"...Well, I understand. You're saying he might have something more hidden up his sleeve?"
"...Yes. I apologize, but that's all I know and I can't provide any more information."
"It's fine. I intend to do what I can for now. By the way, are you alright?"
"What do you mean?"
"I will kill your father."
At those words, Yuk Yo's expression turns bitter but soon becomes resolute.
"Please kill him."
"...."
"That person...betrayed my siblings...my mother...this world. Not killing him would be a disservice to everyone who has died or been deceived by him."
"...Understood. In that case, I will use some harsh methods starting today to take over Penglai Kingdom and ascend to the throne. I have to seize the throne to resist him. Is that acceptable?"
"As long as you don't kill the royal family, it's fine."
"Understood."
I nod and speak to Seo Ran.
"Let Yuk Yo rest."
"Yes, follow me for now."
Seo Ran takes Yuk Yo to the best house in Taiyi Village, which is Nolbu's house.
I fall into deep thought.
'Yuk Rin...does that mean he is also learning Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens?'
It doesn't feel that way.
I don't feel the same ominous and endless malice that I felt when I was infected by Seo Hweol's Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens.
From the beginning, it doesn't seem like Yuk Rin could perform the torturous acts of dismantling one's mind like Seo Hweol.
Just when I am pondering the connection between Yuk Rin and Seo Hweol.
"...Kyaaaaah!!!"
I hear a scream.
"...?"
Surprised, I run towards Nolbu's house and see a shocking scene.
A sea of blood!
Old Gentleman Nolbu's house has become a sea of blood.
And inside Nolbu's house, Yeon Wei is sitting in the hall with a kitchen knife and vacant eyes.
Blood is dripping from her kitchen knife.
I look at Yeon Wei and ask.
"...What is the meaning of this?"
"...Seo Eun-hyun, is it you?"
She speaks with empty eyes.
"...You've regained your memory."
"That's right."
I look around Nolbu's house.
There is a particularly strong smell of blood coming from the master bedroom.
In one corner, Yeon Jin is sitting with hollow eyes, too shocked to speak.
"So I asked what is the meaning of this?"
"Ah...I thought if I stayed here any longer, I might go mad in reality too, so I adjusted the situation to be similar to reality."
She looks at me with gloomy eyes and gives a bitter smile.
Gone is Yeon Wei, who used to giggle and act cute at Old Gentleman Nolbu's apologetic words.
What remains is an old monster who had gouged out the eyes of her betrothed and harbors a 40,000-year-old grudge.
"It was such a sweet dream. But humans cannot live in dreams. They shouldn't. If they get drunk on dreams, they'll go mad."
"...But did you really have to go this far? Yeon Jin is now..."
"What's the problem? Yeon Jin will wake up soon. And you, right now..."
Hearing Yeon Wei's next words, I feel a heavy weight on my chest.
"Are you hoping I'd wake from this dream and commit suicide in reality?"
"...."
I can't say anything as I look into Yeon Wei's vacant eyes.
But Yuk Yo, who is behind me, cries out with tears streaming down.
"What, what is the meaning of this!? These...these people are my subjects!"
Yeon Wei looks at Yuk Yo as if she is spewing nonsense, and I relay the truth I have heard from Yuk Yo in a heavy voice.
Then, Yeon Wei spits out her words as if she is chewing them.
"Don't talk nonsense. She's gone mad, this carp girl...this world is just a world within an illusion formation. You've been brainwashed by your father."
"No, it's not...these people are my subjects. It's not just an illusion! It's you...it's you people who are illusions!"
"Don't be ridiculous. Are you saying this is real? And we're fake? That's insane! My 40,000 years! Are you saying it's fake!? Say one more word. I'll rip out your tongue."
Yeon Wei stands up, holding the kitchen knife.
Even without any spiritual power or qi, her 40,000 years of combat experience are enough to certainly carry out her threat.
Though she usually plays around and jokes with us, this is her true nature.
I draw my sword and cut through Yeon Wei's kitchen knife.
Ting—
The kitchen knife is cut in half and embedded into the wall.
"Stop!"
My killing intent neutralizes Yeon Wei's.
However, at Seo Ran's words, Yeon Wei's eyes flip.
"P-Please calm down. Can't you consider that both might be real? For example...like different possibilities of oneself..."
"...You, right now..."
Bududuk...
Blood vessels pop in Yeon Wei's eyes.
"Are you saying...that this is my other possibility...?"
She clenches her hand.
Blood flows from her hand as her nails dig into her flesh.
"Living intimately with Hon Won...raising children in a normal way...waking up early in the morning to prepare his breakfast, managing the servants, helping with his work, having lunch together, feeding our son, handing our son to Hon Won, welcoming relatives who visit occasionally, following Hon Won's words and sometimes getting scolded and feeling down, laughing like a courtesan when receiving praise or an apology, having a full dinner at night, lightning a warm fire, putting our son to sleep, and then being intimate with Hon Won again. That life...You're saying that's my other possibility...?
"...."
Baduduk...
Yeon Wei clenches her teeth. Blood flows from her gums.
"Fine, if this world is such a possibility, then what is with the entity that created this world and brought us here? For what reason did that existence bring us here and show us such possibilities? Why to me? Particularly? To make me more miserable? Huh? Don't make me laugh...if this world is real...then it's an Evil (惡) that mocks me completely! Say it again! Is this world an illusion, or is it the Malice (惡意) that is endlessly pushing us?"
Yuk Yo tries to say something, and Yeon Wei rushes at her, as if trying to gouge out her eyes.
"I said stop!!!"
I shout loudly and swing my sword.
Bo-oong!
In one stroke, Yeon Wei's neck is cut.
Exuding murderous intent, I speak.
"As the cult leader of the Wuji Religious Order and the successor of the Secret Immortal Art of Yang Su-jin, founder of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, I command Yeon Wei, the military strategist of the Wuji Religious Order and disciple of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, to take Yeon Jin outside and meditate against the wall!"
Under my killing intent, Yeon Wei calms her own killing intent and wears a dazed expression, taking the seemingly mute Yeon Jin outside.
I also speak to Yuk Yo.
"Princess Yuk Yo of Penglai Kingdom! As the King of Demon Spirits who has taken you hostage, I ask you not to provoke Yeon Wei. Do not impose your thoughts on her."
"...Understood."
I resolve the situation with a stern expression and ask Seo Ran to ensure that Yeon Wei and Yuk Yo do not encounter each other. Then, I hurriedly run to Jeon Myeong-hoon's house.
'If Yeon Wei has regained awareness...perhaps Jeon Myeong-hoon has regained awareness as well.'
I quicken my pace, worried if Jeon Myeong-hoon is doing the same as Yeon Wei.
I can see Jeon Myeong-hoon's house in the distance.
A sense of foreboding washes over me.
"Jeon Myeong-hoon!"
From inside the house, the smell of blood drifts.
-x-X-x-
"Jeon Myeong-hoon!!!"
When I enter the house, I see Jeon Myeong-hoon sitting in the main hall.
A knife is held in Jeon Myeong-hoon's hand.
His clothes are torn in various places and there are numerous self-inflicted wounds.
"...."
I scan Jeon Myeong-hoon's room.
I hear the sound of someone breathing lightly inside.
I rush over and open the door, only to find Jin So-hae and her children lying on the ground.
They are all unconscious, apparently knocked out by Jeon Myeong-hoon.
I close the door and look at him.
"...Have you come to your senses?"
"...Seo Eun-hyun."
"...."
Jeon Myeong-hoon looks up at me with empty eyes.
"Kill me."
"...Don't talk nonsense."
"...I just want to think of it as a nightmare. Afterall...it's an...illusion...formation...right? Even if I die here...I'll wake up again. Isn't that right?"
"...."
"If you won't kill me...then what am I supposed to do."
"...."
"Here! So-hae is alive...!"
Jeon Myeong-hoon clings to me with a small voice.
His effort to lower his voice, despite being in utter despair, shows his fear of waking up Jin So-hae and his children.
"I'm saying So-hae is alive, okay? What am I supposed to do? Hmm? It's so vivid, Eun-hyun. It's not just So-hae's hand. Her breath, her gaze, her personality, her skin...everything is the same. The same! So I...I can't help but stay here. Here...if someone becomes the king here, this illusion formation will break, right? I can't bear to see this illusion formation break with my own eyes. Just kill me instead."
"...."
"I know. I know this world is an illusion. And I know that the disciples of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect are counting on me in the Lower Realm. I understand it clearly! I also know that I have to wake up someday! Because...I have to take revenge! Against Heavenly Punishment!"
He can't even string the words together properly, clutching at me desperately.
"So! I can't stay here! But! With my own eyes! This world, breaking, I can't bear to see it! Please, Eun-hyun. Kill me. Even if you kill me...it's an illusion...I'll come back, back to life again. Hm? Hm? Eun-hyun..."
Slap!
I slap Jeon Myeong-hoon's cheek.
"I've lost too!!!"
At my words, Jeon Myeong-hoon shuts his mouth.
"I've lost too!!! Don't cry like you're the only madman!"
Jeon Myeong-hoon seems to think I am talking about Hong Su-ryeong and falls silent.
But it isn't just Hong Su-ryeong.
Buk Hyang-hwa.
Kim Yeon...
My emotion regarding them. My feelings of seeing their face, the same but completely different inside, after multiple regressions.
Does this bastard know?
Does he know how it feels to have all memories and time ripped away, not knowing who or what to blame and seek revenge on?
Does he know the emptiness of not knowing the cause behind the regressions and shouting helplessly at the heavens?
There's another Jin So-hae in front of you?
You're afraid to see the dream break?
"I too! Lost the same! Don't lean on me!"
I grab Jeon Myeong-hoon by the collar and shout.
I too!
In front of my eyes, the same Buk Hyang-hwa!
The same Kim Yeon!
Have them here!
Does he know what it feels like to die multiple times, to regress as if waking up multiple times, to have all the time I've spent disappear like a dream?"
"Get up! You fucking bastard! Now is the time we have to move! Stop spewing bullshit! [This time too]! [If you don't want to lose more]! Follow my lead!!!"
Drip, drip...
Jeon Myeong-hoon bites his lip.
Bright red,
Bright red blood flows down his chin.
I grab Jeon Myeong-hoon's collar and drag him out of the house.
My comrades are starting to regain their memories.
Yuk Rin that bastard is planning something, some goddamned scheme.
In the sky, although unseen within this formation, the fate of calamity has been bestowed upon me.
In this Ancient Force Realm, I am fated for misfortune.
Therefore, I must overcome it by any means.
I cannot let go of anything I hold in my hands.
There are no next chances.
I must always be true to what I have at this very moment.
Yeon Wei and Jeon Myeong-hoon, who have high recognition in the Wuji Religious Order and the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, have woke up.
I head towards the prison I built behind Taiyi Village.
It's a prison for the countless warriors and humans who attacked Taiyi Village and were captured by the strengths of the demon spirits I subdued with my sword.
And of course, many of my old comrades are imprisoned there.
From their perspective, I am the King of Demon Spirits and the greatest devil the world has ever seen. Naturally, they wouldn't cooperate with me, hence the imprisonment.
The demon spirits obey out of a lack of reason and submission to power, but those with reason can't be helped.
Along with the Wuji Religious Order, a person affiliated with another force.
I arrive in front of the prison where Oh Hyun-seok is held.
At some point, Oh Hyun-seok had broken the chains and bent the iron bars of his cell to escape.
"Have you come out, Hyung-nim?"
"Yes, I've come to my senses."
Wuduk, Wududuk...
For some reason, Oh Hyun-seok, although human, seems to be treated like a demon spirit in this world.
Despite being human, he possesses the demonic power of demon spirits.
Perhaps it's because I taught him the Earth Tribe version of the Azure Spirit Starlight Quintessence Great Method.
'If that's the case, I don't know why I'm just a charcoal seller.'
The rules of this world are filled with contradictions that can't be explained even with Yuk Yo's explanations, making it impossible to understand.
"...Are you alright, Hyung-nim?"
"Honestly...not really. I feel unpleasant."
"...."
"On Earth...there was a child my wife miscarried. Here, I became the father of that child and, wanting to not be ashamed before my wife and children, I set out to defeat the King of Demon Spirits."
"...."
"Knowing it's all an illusion...really, really pisses me off."
"...."
"Anyway, let's go. It seems everyone is waking up...didn't you say we need to take over some city to become king?"
"...Yes."
I nod my head and set out with Oh Hyun-seok, Jeon Myeong-hoon, Yeon Wei, and others.
Regrettably, Kim Young-hoon, Kim Yeon, and Buk Hyang-hwa have yet to regain awareness.
It might be because, besides the Wuji Religious Order, there are not many who cherish them.
Kim Yeon has the Mad Lord, but his forces, except for the Mad Lord himself, are all puppets, and it's unclear if the Mad Lord really cherishes Kim Yeon.
Regardless, I order the jiangshi demon spirit Wei Shi-hon and the water ghost demon spirit Eum Wa to capture and bring Buk Hyang-hwa and Kim Yeon.
I have other demon spirits escort the captives Kim Young-hoon and Yuk Yo.
The two are dragged along in resignation, and I shout while placing Jeon Myeong-hoon, Yeon Wei, Oh Hyun-seok, and Seo Ran on Shi Ho's back.
"Let's go! To the capital!"
Before Yuk Rin can pull some nonsensical scheme!
Thus, I lead dozens of demon spirit troops towards the capital.
Kugugugugu!
In the distance, the capital comes into view.
The capital of Penglai Kingdom is built around a massive mountain.
And that mountain is the Salt Mountain we saw when we first entered Penglai Island.
That Salt Mountain is most likely the center of this formation.
I look up at the summit of the Salt Mountain.
As seen when we first entered Penglai Island, there is a palace made of pure white salt crystals atop the Salt Mountain.
Up there lives Yuk Yo's mother, the Queen of Penglai Kingdom.
As we cross the city walls, thunder and lightning flicker from above Salt Mountain, and the guardian dragons protecting the royal family of Penglai Kingdom appear.
[How dare you! Where do you think you are trespassing?!]
"Climb up!"
At my command, the demon spirits ignore the dragon's roars and sprint towards the top of Salt Mountain.
The dragons begin to spew flames from their mouths.
"Guaaaaaaah!!!"
From Oh Hyun-seok's body, treated as a human-shaped demon spirit, purple primordial chaos seems to flicker as he thrusts his fist forward.
Kwaaaaang!
The fist force launched from Oh Hyun-seok's punch directly extinguishes the dragons' flames, and as the dragons show expressions of surprise, I command Shi Ho.
"Jump!"
Thud—
Shi Ho steps on a peak of Salt Mountain and leaps into the air.
I use Shi Ho's body as a springboard, feeling the oppressive atmosphere, and kick off from him.
Paaaatt!
Combining the force of Shi Ho's jump and my own leap, I soar high into the air.
Reaching a guardian dragon's face in an instant, I grab one of its whiskers and climbed up.
The guardian dragon struggles, but I hold on tightly, swinging my sword.
Boo-oong!
Shukwak!
My sword, crafted by a master blacksmith upon becoming the King of Demon Spirits, has the quality of a famed sword and easily penetrates the guardian dragon's scales.
The dragon's scales are tough, but my understanding of the sword is even more solid.
I perform a sword dance atop the dragon's body.
Shukak, shukak, shukakakak!
Wounds appear all over the dragon's body, and it roars in pain.
The guardian dragons of Penglai Kingdom's royal family number three.
In an instant, I subdue one.
In the distance, Shi Ho and Oh Hyun-seok simultaneously subdue another, and numerous other demon spirits perform swarm tactics to take down the last one.
"Don't kill them! We are entering the palace!"
I quickly mount Shi Ho again and head toward the center of the palace.
As I move towards the palace's center, I glance at a library full of Ritual Worship Scriptures.
'Now is not the time to covet those.'
At the palace's center, numerous trembling officials await us.
And at the center, a woman who looks like Yuk Yo is sitting on the throne with what seems to be a jade seal on the table.
I speak in a dry manner.
"I desire the throne. Lend it to me for a moment."
She sighs expressionlessly.
"...It's you people again, O dreamers."
"I...have many questions to ask, but I'm in a hurry now. I'd appreciate it if you quickly lend me the crown and seal."
However, she shakes her head.
"That is not possible..."
I raise an eyebrow but quickly understand.
From behind her throne, Jin Ma-yeol and Yuk Rin walk out.
Jin Ma-yeol sneers slyly and says,
"Sorry, but..."
I draw my emergency sword from my waist without a word and throw it at Jin Ma-yeol.
The sword lodges in Jin Ma-yeol's forehead, killing him instantly.
I look at Yuk Rin, whose face has hardened, and speak.
"Don't try any tricks, Yuk Rin. Even if you gain the throne, nothing will change. This Cult Leader possesses the combat strength at the Grand Perfection Integration level. The Ghost Kings of the order, the Conqueror Fleet, the Surpassing Radiant Divine Demon, and many others with powers at the Integration level stand with us. If you confess your plans and surrender, I promise to return Governing Dragon Island and the Wi Jeong Sea Domain to you and reinstate you as Palace Lord."
Yuk Rin seems to be staring at the dead Jin Ma-yeol, then speaks in a slightly trembling voice.
"Honestly...I don't understand what you're talking about."
"...What?"
"I am...just the prince of Dragon Kingdom, allied with Penglai Kingdom...I have no idea what is happening right now..."
"...."
I furrow my brows deeply.
His intent speaks the truth.
The Queen sighs and speaks to me.
"You seem like a dreamer with deep filial piety..."
"...?"
"Oh...maybe not? Anyway, dreamer, who knows how to respect elders...congratulations. It seems your forces have won."
She takes off her crown and jade seal as if she has a headache and points at them.
"Take them. I know this is what you always wanted."
She stands up from the throne and says,
"Now, sit. Sit here quickly, find what you need from our land, and leave. According to my daughter, you seem somewhat trustworthy...please, do not tear my heart apart like the last minister did."
At her words, the high and low officials of the palace, while trembling at the sight of the demon spirits, cry out.
"Your Majesty!!!"
"How can you hand over the royal ancestral shrine and temple of Penglai to the King of Demon Spirits!?"
"Your Majesty!!!"
They wail purely as if they know nothing.
In the midst of the wailing, I feel confusion with the helplessly unsure Yuk Rin, the Queen offering me the throne with a resigned expression, and my comrades behind me.
However, I approach the crown and jade seal with a hardened face and reach out my hand.
Right now, it's a race against time.
Thus, wearing the crown of Penglai Kingdom and holding the jade seal of Penglai Kingdom in my hand, I sit on the throne of Penglai Kingdom.
The Queen of Penglai Kingdom shouts with an expression as if she finds this bothersome.
"From now on, the King of Penglai Kingdom is here..."
And then.
In my head, Yuk Rin's voice resounds.
[Activate. Purple Soul Filling the Heavens.]
"What...!?"
Without even a moment to realize the familiar name of the technique, something unpleasant starts to invade my body.
Gurgle, gurgle!
Soon, I feel all the colors before my eyes change to a purple hue.
[I definitely told you, Cult Leader. All I need are two things from Penglai Island...]
Kekekeke...
A sinister laugh echoes in my ears.
[One of them is your body!]
Wriggle, wriggle...
An illusionary fragrance that feels as if it can pierce my nose assaults me.
In front of me, I see a constantly flickering Primordial Chaos (混元) that I have seen somewhere before.
An endlessly mixing, transforming, and evolving double helix of Taiji turns purple and enters my mental world.
The figure of Yuk Rin appears.
He is smiling viciously, showing a triumphant expression.
[Now, hand over your body! Give me your cultivation, your memories, and your enlightenment! You are already mine!!!]
'...This...'
I frown as I observed the secret art called Purple Soul Filling the Heavens trying to take over my body and mind.
Even at first glance, it's a terrifying secret art.
Even I, who had been trained by Cheongmun Ryeong to learn any method, find it difficult to follow the changes of this technique with my eyes.
I can barely guess the nature of this method.
'A secret art that seizes the opponent's body, disassembles their memories, soul, abilities, and bloodline, absorbing only the advantageous parts, and automatically expelling what cannot be handled...? In theory, as long as one's soul endures, they can evolve endlessly into a perfect being...'
But,
That is all.
'Compared to Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens which bears the name of an Immortal Art...'
It's laughably lukewarm.
Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens infects stealthily and swiftly, so much so that the opponent might not even realize they are being contaminated.
In contrast, Purple Soul Filling the Heavens is slow to the point of making one yawn at its rate of corruption.
It's such a vast disparity in completion that just comparing it to Seo Hweol's Immortal Art is an insult to Seo Hweol.
However, I smile.
One thing is certain.
[It shares the same root...as Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens.]
It's clear.
I rather grin widely, looking at Yuk Rin who is laughing without knowing anything in my heart essence.
[Finally...! I have found a clue to Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens!]
Yuk Rin seems pleased, thinking he is about to seize my body, but he's mistaken.
Instead, I have grasped a clue to Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens from Yuk Rin.
I move within my mental world.
On Penglai Island, I can't use qi or other mystical powers.
I can't even use my consciousness, but my heart essence is my own heart so it's not affected.
[You said you want my body? If you want it, come and take it.]
[What...?]
The next moment, I invite Yuk Rin's mind into my heart essence.
Since reaching the realm of Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion, it became possible not only to read an opponent's heart essence, but also to invite someone with whom I had a close exchange of intent.
In the following moment.
[Kuaaaaaaaargh...!!]
I can feel Yuk Rin's entire body writhing and screaming in pain as he is torn apart in my Sword Mountain.
However, it seems he didn't obtain the position of an Integration stage Dragon King through sheer luck, as he grits his teeth and glares at me.
With my hands clasped behind my back, I turn away and slowly climb up the mountain.
Pukwak, pukwak!
The swords pierce through my entire body as well, but I pay no heed and calmly and leisurely climb the mountain.
[If you want to take over my body, try to catch up. Then I'll face you.]
Yuk Rin's pupils tremble uncontrollably.
At first, he thought it was just a Sword Mountain made of glass.
But he can feel it.
The more he draws forth Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, the more he climbs the Sword Mountain, the closer the essence of this heart essence world flows into his mind.
Due to Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, the surface of this world is peeled away, and the 'true nature' of Seo Eun-hyun's heart essence is imprinted in Yuk Rin's brain.
Huarururu—
Sparks flares up everywhere.
The smell of sulfur fills the air, and the sky is covered in dark smoke.
[Heok...hahk...!]
He gasps for breath in the acrid-smelling atmosphere, gritting his teeth.
[Befitting...of a cult leader from the Nether Ghost Realm...I thought you were a madman or a monster corrupted by a True Person...]
Drip...drip...
Blood drips from his entire body.
He trembles as he takes a step forward.
Pukwak!
His entire body is impaled by swords.
Yuk Rin grits his teeth and looks up at the existence climbing the mountain.
[Isn't this...more insane than I had expected?]
Drip...splat, splat...
Blood flows from that existence.
And that blood flows down the mountain, soaking the sword-filled ground that Yuk Rin is standing on.
With his whole body shivering, he looks down.
There are countless corpses lined up.
They are all the corpses of one person.
Devilish Cult Leader Seo Eun-hyun.
Each of Seo Eun-hyun's corpses died with a pained and resentful expression.
Yuk Rin shivers in fear.
[Just what...are you?]
Beneath his feet lies what are undoubtedly Seo Eun-hyuns.
He feels it.
Since Purple Soul Filling the Heavens is a secret art capable of disassembling the opponent's memories and history, it's excellent at revealing the opponent's essence.
He definitely feels it.
These numerous 'Seo Eun-hyuns' lying on the ground are the 'real' Seo Eun-hyun.
But if that is the case, why are the 'real' ones dead and scattered on the ground, and what is 'that thing' climbing up the mountain?
'That thing' emits a faint light, making it look like a small cluster of light climbing the gloomy Sword Mountain world.
[...I cannot give up...!]
Yuk Rin's eyes burn with determination.
[Monster who has cultivated the power of Penglai...the power of Penglai is mine...!]
Enduring the agony of being impaled by countless swords, he chases after 'that thing' ahead of him.
At a certain moment, the shape of 'that thing' becomes clear in Yuk Rin's sight.
What he had thought was enveloped in light,
Is a charcoal lump in the shape of a human.
Chiiiiiiiii—
Burning in smoldering flames,
Shedding ash and charcoal dust from its body,
And yet, with a bizarre smile, its face seems at peace.
Yes, it's a ghost.
Yuk Rin gasps for breath.
Through interactions with Jin Ma-yeol of the Fighting Demon Pirate Gang, he has learned about the concept of the heart essence world.
And he knows that the heart essence world reveals the essence of its master without any filter.
So then, with a body reduced to charcoal, climbing up the mountain while being pierced by countless swords, what exactly is 'that thing'?
That thing is a deceased.
At the same time, a monster.
An insane madman even more deranged than Yuk Rin, who considers himself a greed-driven monster.
Yuk Rin thinks,
'That Devilish Cult Leader...must be killed. No, I must at least seal it.'
Instinctively, he can tell.
Though outwardly pretending to be a human quite well, Yuk Rin feels that this charcoal monster is the most dangerous being in the Ancient Force Realm at present.
With each step on the Sword Mountain, even an Integration stage Demon King like Yuk Rin feels a pain as if his mind is being torn apart.
However, Yuk Rin continues to follow the charcoal monster while gritting his teeth.
'I must eliminate that thing. I must eliminate it!'
From his intuition, an overwhelming terror he has never felt before surges up.
That thing must be stopped.
If not, only death awaits!
Finally, half-crazed from his pursuit of the charcoal lump, Yuk Rin reaches out to the charcoal monster.
And then, he realizes he was wrong.
[KUAAAAAAAH!!!]
It happens the moment his fingertips brushes the charcoal figure.
Yuk Rin screams in agony as if his entire body is burning.
The pain is unending!
The embers emanating from the charcoal does not cling to him.
It's a flame meant solely for burning the charcoal lump.
However, Yuk Rin also realizes.
If he were to dismantle Seo Eun-hyun and absorb him with Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, that flame will transfer to him as well.
Having entered this world to devour Seo Eun-hyun and finally touching that scorching charcoal figure, he is now sharing the pain with it.
At last, he understands.
[What are you...?]
The charcoal lump turns to look at him.
Instinctively, he knows.
[What are you...? You monster...! How can any living being endure such pain? Even Esteemed Ones would not easily overcome your suffering, I'm asking what is that flame!? How is it possible to endure within that hellfire!]
This lump of charcoal is not of the Human Race.
No, it doesn't seem to be any ordinary mortal being.
It isn't even a devotee of a True Person!
If it had been given the fate of a mortal being, there is no way it could endure such pain with a clear mind!
The charcoal figure looks at Yuk Rin, and Yuk Rin, who had initially intended to dismantle and absorb the charcoal figure into the Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, steps back.
[Go, go away. Go away, you monster...! Kuaaaaahhh!]
Yuk Rin, forgetting the swords impaling his entire body, begins to run away from the charcoal figure.
It's excruciating.
The problem isn't being pierced by swords, but the burning pain obtained from touching the charcoal figure once seems to scorch his very soul.
No, it is more painful than any fire-based demon ability he has ever experienced in his life!
He needs to get away!
He needs to get away from that monster for the pain to disappear!
He runs down the mountain.
[I, I must escape...! I must get out of here!]
Half-crazed with pain, Yuk Rin descends to the base of the mountain.
As he reaches the base, he seems to see the edge of the heart essence.
With flipped eyes, he throws himself in order to exit the heart essence world.
And then,
Thud!
[...!]
At the bottom of the mountain, amidst the swords, are the corpses of Seo Eun-hyun.
Those corpses rise in unison and grab Yuk Rin.
Yuk Rin screams as he sees the corpses weeping bloody tears.
[Let, let go...let go of meeeee!!! I said let go! Hu-huaaaaaahhhh! Right now!! Let go!!!]
Yuk Rin looks back.
It's coming down.
The charcoal monster is descending the mountain of swords and approaching him.
Even though he tries to use Purple Soul Filling the Heavens to shake off the corpses' hands, they do not let go.
-Justjustthethegripgripstrength...
-IsisStarStarShatteringShatteringstagestage...
-Heldheldaaswordswordallallmymylifelife...
-Neverneverletletgogo...
A literal Hellscape!
Yuk Rin struggles in agony, gritting his teeth, and explodes his mental body.
To escape, this is the only way!
Kuaang!
His mental body bursts apart, and Seo Eun-hyuns' grip has no choice but to let go.
The charcoal monster just stares silently at the scene.
I open my eyes.
Back in reality, before my eyes.
Yuk Rin has returned to his own body, clutching his head and gasping for breath.
"Purple Soul Filling the Heavens...thank you. Thanks to you, I've acquired an interesting secret art."
Due to him self-destructing his mental body within my heart essence and escaping, I was able to obtain the formula for Purple Soul Filling the Heavens from the fragments of the explosion.
I can examine it slowly later.
He looks up at me and grits his teeth.
"You...just what are you?"
"Hmm?"
"How can...charcoal...charc...that, that burning...kuaaagh!"
Yuk Rin seems to have seen something within my heart essence, grimacing and groaning in pain.
'Did he briefly touch the Karmic Fire?'
I don't know why he is talking about charcoal all of a sudden.
It seems he is in so much pain that he's hallucinating.
"You're overexaggerating."
I smile faintly, get up from the throne, and kick Yuk Rin.
Recently, the Karmic Fire has been losing its vigor and is about to die out.
Only a few embers remain, but is he really making such a fuss over touching those few embers?
'In any case, it's a fire that only burns me. Unless someone completely devours me, they won't spread.'
However, perhaps this guy is still unable to escape the shock from the pain of the Karmic Fire. He is unable to control his body properly and is trembling violently.
Wearing the jade seal and crown, I approach Yuk Rin and stomp on his neck.
"Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, huh...it was quite an impressive trick, but having seen its superior counterpart, it felt insignificant."
I question Yuk Rin, who is trembling in pain.
"So, what is your real purpose? Tell me your true objective."
Yuk Rin, shuddering in pain and coughing, begins to laugh.
"Ha, hahaha...ahahaha...! Purpose...?"
"..."
As I peer into his heart essence, trying to guess his objective, I flinch.
Wo-woong—
Strength is returning to my body.
To be precise, my body is being connected to my 'main body' that is sleeping 'outside' this formation!
Tsutsutsutsu—
As I rose to the throne and fulfilled the formation's objective, those who have lost their memories are starting to recover them one by one, and like me, are beginning to regain their powers.
I stomp harder on Yuk Rin's neck.
He's trying to do something!
"You...what are you plotting?"
"Wrong...question...you monster."
He looks up at me, enduring the pain with a sneering smile.
"It has already begun!"
Cherry Blossom Dragon Sea Domain.
Directly beneath the Dome Sky of the sea domain where all light has vanished, Wi Yun is emanating dark red devilish energy and is forming hand seals in the air.
She joins her hands together and reaching towards the sky.
At that moment.
Kururururung!
A gigantic formation seems to unfold in the air, and above the center of Cherry Blossom Dragon Sea Domain, a mirage of Cherry Blossom Dragon Island appears.
The Deep Sea Island, hidden beneath Governing Dragon Island.
From the center of that mirage, the figure of a gigantic Sea Dragon arises.
From the actual Cherry Blossom Dragon Island, using Wi Yun and the Cherry Blossom Dragon Sea Domain itself as a medium, the Sea Dragon's mirage transmits power and projects its body there.
Kugugugugu!
As the Sea Dragon swiftly flies past the half-insane Wi Yun, intoxicated by devilish energy, it stops at a spot in Cherry Blossom Dragon Sea Domain.
A corner of the sea domain where the sea has split apart.
The projected form of the Sea Dragon rises above it.
The Governing Dragon Palace Lord, who has taken over the body of the former Cherry Blossom Dragon Palace Lord Yuk Ung.
Yuk Rin's main body begins to exert its power.
Kugugugugu!
As he clenches his hand, the split sea of the Ancient Force Realm begins to 'close' very slowly.
Yuk Rin, at the bottom of the split sea.
Communicating with his clone on Penglai Island, his eyes brighten.
[Is that so...? It's fine. It would have been best to also obtain the devilish cult leader who cultivated Penglai's power, but there's no need to be greedy. Just obtaining what I truly desire is enough...]
Yuk Rin's eyes slit vertically as he looks down at Penglai Island below.
As morning approaches, light gradually returns to the world.
Penglai Island shines brightly as the formation takes effect, and the palace made of Salt Crystals at the summit of Salt Mountain at the center of Penglai Island shines brightly as well.
[The divine method that even the Grand Perfection Integration stage Cherry Blossom Dragon Palace Lord Yuk Ung in his prime could only achieve minor achievement in, Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade (鹽海歸露玉)! The authority to control the hegemony of Ancient Force will finally be perfected today!]
Yuk Rin's main body projects its attraction force towards the palace made of Salt Crystals.
Kududududuk!
The palace connected to Salt Mountain starts to be uprooted.
-x-X-x-
Dududududududu!
The entire world begins to shake.
Yuk Rin smiles.
"It was a mistake from the start to accept the throne! Haha, if you hadn't inherited the throne, the barrier of Penglai Island would have remained firm, preventing any external forces from entering. But thanks to you taking the throne, my main body can interfere and take away the core of the barrier!"
He bursts into wild laughter, and I glare at him, trying to quickly connect with my main body.
However, my main body is still in a comatose state, and all I can confirm is that we can't fully escape this world of illusions to exert our full strength.
"I advise you to go and quickly gather the ritual worship scriptures you wanted. Once the barrier breaks, the scriptures will remain in this illusory world forever, never to be obtained again...!"
"Shut up."
I wonder why this bastard is babbling so much. It seems he's trying to confuse me with false information.
'The first thing he said is true, but everything about the ritual worship scriptures is a lie...'
But unfortunately for him, it doesn't affect me at all.
With Yuk Rin's neck under my foot, I look for anyone among my comrades who can help immediately.
Then my eyes meet Kim Young-hoon's.
"Hyung-nim, can you come over?"
Kim Young-hoon, having just regained his senses, seems displeased with something he experienced in the illusion, indicated by his dark expression.
Nevertheless, he nods.
I glare at Yuk Rin.
It seems that after we achieved the formation's objective, this guy planned to drag his main body over while we were trapped and escape with the core of the formation.
"I'll show you that your calculations are wrong."
After exchanging glances with Kim Young-hoon, we reach out our hands into the air.
As our strength gradually returns, we begin to connect with our main bodies.
Connecting with the main body means we can use our qi.
If we can use qi, we can use consciousness, and if we can use consciousness...
"All-Heaven!"
"Surpassing Radiant!"
Executing the single strike of Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion strike is nothing!
Flash!
The world shakes, and Kim Young-hoon and I shoot our respective strikes towards the sky.
With a blinding ray of light, we break free from the formation of Penglai Island and soar upward, meeting the gaze of Yuk Rin's main body under the morning sun of Cherry Blossom Dragon Sea Domain who is exuding attraction force towards Penglai island.
Yuk Rin's main body.
More precisely, the direct projection of his main body looks at us and sneers.
[Foolish. Do you intend to oppose me? If it were your main bodies, I might have backed down...but with just these avatars?]
"Aren't you also just a projection?"
[Haha, do you think I would bring an ordinary projection on such an important day? Don't do anything foolish and quietly slumber in the depths of the Deep Sea, O Wuji Charcoal King (無極炭王).]
He laughs and calls me by the nickname 'Charcoal King,' as if mocking me for being cast as a charcoal seller.
Kim Young-hoon and I take our stances without a word.
Yuk Rin bursts into wild laughter again.
Kim Young-hoon sends me a heart message.
—Be careful, Eun-hyun. This Yuk Rin is different from last time.
Kim Young-hoon, who had faced Yuk Rin before with the Buk Hyang Fleet, warns me.
Tension is etched on his face.
I swallow hard as well.
[Do you really intend to oppose me!? It is I, who has resurrected the body of Cherry Blossom Dragon Palace Lord and seized the body for myself! I have not only inherited his divine method, but also my own demon abilities I have cultivated. I have fully supplemented my true blood, and now I am no different from a completely pure Sea Dragon!]
"Dear me...I didn't know the Sea Dragon Race was such a terrifying race."
[You should be afraid from now on. At least in the Ancient Force Realm!]
Kugugugugu!
I can feel it.
Even though it's just a projection, it seems to be in a state almost indistinguishable from the main body due to some secret arts. The power of Yuk Rin, who has taken Yuk Ung's body is...
'The same...as Hyeon Eum...!'
Grand Perfection Integration stage.
He is on par with the Black Dragon King, Hyeon Eum.
And so, the battle begins.
[Demon Ability, Grand Ocean Thousand Li Pearl.]
"...!"
In an instant, Kim Young-hoon and I are trapped inside an ocean sphere with a diameter of a thousand li.
[Demon Ability, Three Hundred Million Jin Sweet Water Peach.]
'This is!'
The pressure rises to a horrifying level, and Kim Young-hoon and I feel our bodies starting to be crushed.
I warn Kim Young-hoon of the next incoming attack and move while exchanging heart language with him.
Paaatt!
Before the demon ability Three Hundred Million Jin Sweet Water Peach can swell us like soaked peaches and kill us, Kim Young-hoon and I quickly escape from the inside of the Grand Ocean Thousand Li Pearl.
"He's coming!"
"Got it!"
Kim Young-hoon prepares for the follow-up attack of the Great Ocean Thousand Li Pearl as I had informed him through heart language.
[Demon Ability, Extinguishing Masoulem Raining Heavens!]
Chwaaahhh!
The Grand Ocean Thousand Li Pearl explodes, and each drop of water rains down in all directions.
I deflect every droplet and fly towards Yuk Rin, while Kim Young-hoon evades the rain and raises his saber behind Yuk Rin's head.
In a split second, Yuk Rin locks eyes with me and asks.
[It seems you've fought the Sea Dragon Race before. This is the innate demon ability engraved in the Sea Dragon True Blood.]
"Enough to be sick of it."
I feel him smirking at my response.
[It seems all the Sea Dragons you've met until now were half-wits.]
"What?"
[Is that the only impression you have when thinking of the Sea Dragon Race? From now on, when you think of the Sea Dragon Race, you will be overcome with fear and humiliation...!]
Woo-oong!
A familiar light bursts from his body.
'Damn...'
Kim Young-hoon and I quickly retreat after leaving wounds on his neck and back.
He is about to unleash his domain.
[I am the one...who has reached the apex of Sea Dragons...!]
Yuk Rin's blue scales appear to glow even bluer, and in an instant, his body swells greatly.
Soon, from within Yuk Rin's scales, tides surge like the sea, his eyes turn into an enormous sun and moon, and his mane becomes a storm.
Heaven Tribe cultivators from the Four-Axis stage deploy a canopy around them, and when they reach the Integration stage, they unfold their domain around themselves.
Earth Tribe cultivators, starting from the Four-Axis stage, unfold the canopy inside their bodies to enlarge their physique, and upon reaching the Integration stage, they assimilate their bodies with their domains.
In other words, an Earth Tribe Integration stage Demon King is practically a 'living small dimension.'
On the contrary, Hyeon Eum, who unfolds his domain around himself despite having an Earth Tribe body, is an oddity.
Yuk Rin, who has become a dragon of dimensions, begins to move.
Hwooong—
His first target is Kim Young-hoon.
His tail aims at Kim Young-hoon.
Of course, Kim Young-hoon is not hit at all, but Yuk Rin's strike causes a quarter of the Cherry Blossom Dragon Sea Domain to shake violently.
Kugugugu!
A storm arises in the direction Yuk Rin's tail swung, shaking the Deep Sea and submerging and collapsing the islands in that direction.
Cheouk!
He opens his jaws towards Kim Young-hoon and I.
Bo-oong!
Flash!
My All-Heavens Sword and his Surpassing Radiant Saber emit light, and simultaneously, the Dragon Race's breath, Dragon Wave (龍波), bursts forth from Yuk Rin's mouth.
Jiiiiiiiiiiing—————
For a moment, sound disappears from the world.
We can feel everything behind us in the Cherry Blossom Dragon Sea Domain being swept away by his Dragon Wave.
The only intact place is directly behind where Kim Young-hoon and I had launched our strikes.
Kim Young-hoon is fast, and I am free.
Therefore, under normal terrain, his attacks could never reach us.
However, given the nature of the Ancient Force Realm where a sea domain is trapped in a water droplet, if Yuk Rin launches a ranged attack that encompasses the entire sea domain, there is no place to avoid even if we want to.
As the light subsides, Yuk Rin immediately charges at us, bringing down his front claw.
Kim Young-hoon dodges and lands 108 slashes across Yuk Rin's entire body, but the slashes fail to penetrate his body, which has become akin to a small dimension in itself.
It's shallow.
Kwaaaang!
His claw collides with my All-Heavens Sword.
Kwaduk!
I redirect his force, grab his front paw, and throw Yuk Rin over my shoulder.
Yuk Rin's massive body topples and crashes straight into the Deep Sea.
Under normal circumstances, he would've become lost in another dimension the moment he enters the Deep Sea. But Yuk Rin's body, which has become a small dimension itself, does not sink despite being thrown down. Instead, he stands up on the surface of the Deep Sea by utilizing the characteristic of his body being made of the same dimensional attribute.
Once again, he prepares another Dragon Wave.
Kim Young-hoon and I exchange quick glances.
With just our Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion avatars, we can only hinder him. Winning would be impossible.
He'd become a puppet in less than a day of meeting Seo Hweol, but purely as a single entity Sea Dragon, Yuk Rin is on par with Hyeon Eum, or perhaps even superior due to the synergy between the Sea Dragon Race and Ancient Force Realm's dimensions.
Flash!
Light is about to burst from his mouth, and in the next moment, Kim Young-hoon and I simultaneously rush under his jaw and strike it upwards.
Yuk Rin is strong.
With just avatars, we cannot deliver a decisive blow.
Moreover, because the main body is partially trapped by the energy of Penglai Island, I can't summon the Three Great Ultimates like I did against Jang Ik.
So then how can we deliver a shock to this creature?
Kwaaaaang!
The Dragon Wave he was about to unleash explodes inside his mouth.
'Indeed. For martial artists, defeating cultivators in this manner is the usual.'
We have to make him injure himself with his own power.
'Thinking back, the Three Great Ultimates were always too powerful, so I never lacked brute force against other cultivators.'
It's been quite a while since I had such a unique experience.
Chiiiiii—
Without taking my eyes off Yuk Rin who is now emitting smoke from his mouth, I step back to prepare a major strike.
Although his Dragon Wave exploded in his mouth, it seems that half of the explosion's power is being recirculated and absorbed back into his dimensional body.
However, in that brief moment.
In the instant Yuk Rin is recovering from his injury, we each take our Starting Form and compose our energies.
Kiiiing!
The All-Heavens Sword hums.
The Surpassing Radiant Saber shines.
The next moment, Kim Young-hoon becomes a Peng Bird that splits seas.
My All-Heavens Sword becomes a storm that cleaves mountains.
And then.
Jeeoooong!
The Peng Bird severs his left arm, and my All-Heavens Sword pierces a gaping hole in his chest dimension.
[...!]
Yuk Rin trembles as if in shock.
[...Is it over?]
However, at the Integration stage, one won't die until their entire domain is destroyed.
Of course, since he's a projection, dispersing his energy beyond a certain level would usually be sufficient. But he's using the power of his main body through some secret art.
In short, Yuk Rin is injured but still intact, while our energy is completely exhausted from the recent strike.
Nevertheless, neither Kim Young-hoon nor I look discouraged.
"An avatar can only do so much."
"So...shall we face you with our main bodies now, Yuk Rin?"
We have bought enough time.
Our dormant main bodies have awoken.
I transfer my consciousness to my main body and open my eyes in my true physical body above Penglai Island.
Kim Young-hoon does the same.
No, it isn't just me and Kim Young-hoon.
Oh Hyun-seok, Kim Yeon, Buk Hyang-hwa, Jeon Myeong-hoon, and the entire Wuji Religious Order have awakened as well.
From directly above Penglai Island, within the Twilight Domain,
I reveal my 19 heads and look at Yuk Rin, facing my Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion avatar.
[Now then, if I defeat you...after returning to the Bright Cold Realm, I can personally teach Hyeon Eum a lesson, right?]
Behind my heads, the Three Great Ultimates rise.
Kwa-jijijik!
Yuk Rin tries to suppress us using attraction force.
But it's futile.
Yet, the next moment,
"...What?"
I feel the attraction force of misfortune in the sky.
Kugugugugugu!
At some point.
The Salt Crystal Palace that had certainly been on top of Salt Mountain has been pulled up beside Yuk Rin.
Upon closer inspection, Jin Ma-yeol and the clone of Yuk Rin are each using their respective concealment technique and Purple Soul Filling the Heavens next to the palace.
A part of the Purple Soul Filling the Heavens' formula that I obtained from Yuk Rin's mental body surfaces in my mind.
—Purple is the most suitable color to hide in the darkness.
While Jin Ma-yeol's concealment technique is of little use against the eyes of Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion that Kim Young-hoon and I have, the Purple Soul Filling the Heavens complements the concealment technique, allowing it to hide even in the Plane of Soul.
Jeon Myeong-hoon shouts with a sneer.
[What's the use of grabbing treasure right before you die? You will die here.]
I urgently shout.
It's calamity.
Right now, the great calamity of the heavens is madly sweeping down upon us!
[Jeon Myeong-hoon! Defend, not attack! We must protect the order!]
[What?]
Kwajik!!
Yuk Rin's colossal body grabs the Salt Crystal Palace with both hands.
An ominous premonition peaks.
I see joy rising in Yuk Rin's eyes.
[Behold...the legendary divine method of the Ancient Force Realm, created by the Immortal Beast Xiezhi itself...]
Wooo-woooong!
The Salt Crystal Palace begins to shine.
[Salt Sea (鹽海).]
From the palace, an endless flow of pure white light streams out, creating a white sea in the sky.
[Returning Dew (歸露).]
The white sea in the sky coalesces into a sphere.
Time seems to stand still.
Even though his movements are not particularly fast, the pressure emanating from that sphere makes my entire body tremble.
It isn't just me; everyone in the Wuji Religious Order is visibly shaken and unable to compose themselves.
The only ones who can still move are myself, who has frequently encountered transcendents, and Jeon Myeong-hoon, who faced Heavenly Punishment.
[Jade Heaven (玉天)!]
Tzzzz!
Yuk Rin compresses the sphere he created and swallows it.
Right after, a flash of light capable of reshaping Heaven and Earth bursts forth from his mouth.
[Kuaaaaaah!]
Overcoming the pressure, I leap into the sky and unleash the power of the Three Great Ultimates.
Instinctively, I can tell.
'I can't perfectly block it by just cutting.'
The Severing Mountain Swordsmanship and the All-Heavens Sword, which specialize in 'cutting,' are not suitable to block that.
Then, what should I use to block it?
'Azure Wing Heavenly Shatter lacks firepower.'
Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique has sufficient firepower, but it's a method designed to 'trap and disassemble' the target.
In this situation, it is hard to use effectively.
In that case...
'I have only one option.'
Chuaaaa!
Yin-Yang and Five Elements, the energy of seven forces converge into one.
A variant of the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique that I have yet to name properly.
An inverted cone, incomprehensible to Yuk Rin, materializes in my hand and collides with his Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade.
Kuadudududududuk!
Drawing infinite power from the Three Great Ultimates, my inverted cone meets his Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade head-on.
-x-X-x-
'Is he insane?'
Yuk Rin thinks.
He can feel it.
Down below, what Seo Eun-hyun is emanating is undoubtedly the power of Penglai.
The power of Penglai is of unknown origin, a legendary strength even within the Ancient Force Realm.
When the power of Penglai rages, the sea of the Ancient Force Realm would resonate and amplify the power of Penglai.
But that's all.
'Foolish!'
[The Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade is the pinnacle of the Ancient Force Realm! No matter how powerful the power of Penglai is, it cannot prevail!]
It isn't mere overconfidence.
Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade is a divine method that exerts stronger power the purer the salt one obtains and gathers.
And what brings the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade's power to its peak is precisely the Salt Crystal.
This precious Salt Crystal in his hand is not just a chunk or two but an entire palace.
'At this moment, I am supreme!'
An almost infinite power surges from the Salt Crystal Palace, adding to Yuk Rin's Dragon Wave.
However,
'...What?'
The Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade.
It starts to be pushed back.
[What!!!!!?]
Yuk Rin's eyes widen in disbelief.
A voice comes from below.
[Like tiny grains of salt gathering to form the sea...]
It's the charcoal monster.
The voice comes from Seo Eun-hyun's mouth.
It's almost like a whisper.
No, it is indeed a whisper.
It's merely a whisper Seo Eun-hyun unconsciously utters while activating his method.
However, the Ancient Force Realm is resonating and amplifying that whisper itself.
Seo Eun-hyun's whisper seems to spread throughout the entire sea domain they are in.
[Build mountains through repentant enlightenment.]
Kugugugugu!
[Impossible! Don't spout nonsense! Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade, how can the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade be pushed back!!??]
[Building a mountain of salt is perhaps the fastest way to reach the heavens...]
He's being pushed back.
Yuk Rin's Dragon Wave is being repelled.
Of course, Yuk Rin sending out the Dragon Wave of Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade is for purposes other than defeating them, and his intention has been faithfully reflected thus far.
Penglai Island, the Deep Sea Island anchored in the depths of the Deep Sea, is gradually sinking even further below.
And as daylight approaches, the path to Penglai Island is gradually closing.
Regardless, the victor is Yuk Rin.
However, Yuk Rin can't accept this.
'The Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade that I devoted my entire life to obtaining...even with the pure body of a Sea Dragon, the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade, and a massive chunk of Salt Crystals, am I being pushed back solely by the power of Penglai? A peculiar power, not renowned for its strength, and yet the pinnacle of the Ancient Force Realm is being pushed back by such power!?'
Chiiii—
Dark-red devilish energy begins to emanate from his body.
Yuk Rin's life force begins to rampage.
[Absolutely unacceptable! I will win! My Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade must possess invincible power!!!]
'Even if I have to sacrifice my lifespan, I will definitely win!'
Burning the life of the Sea Dragon's bloodline he has painstakingly acquired, he lets out a Dragon Wave with a scream.
The Dragon Wave imbued with the power of Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade grows even thicker.
And then...
[What...?]
Seo Eun-hyun's light begins to shine even brighter.
Kugugugugu!
For a moment, the entire Ancient Force Realm vibrates.
The center of the Ancient Force Realm.
The highest mountain in the Xiezhi Worship Region, Sea King Mountain.
A pained groan echoes from the Sea King Hall at the mountain's peak, resonating throughout the entire Xiezhi Worship Region and Dao Departure Region.
"Sacred Master!!!"
"O Sacred Master! What is the problem!!!"
"Sacred Master Hae Lin!"
The Integration stage Demon Kings who serve Sacred Master Hae Lin of the Ancient Force Realm rush to the front of the Sea King Hall, crying out to Hae Lin.
The center of the Sea King Hall.
Above the dragon throne adorned with coral.
There, Hae Lin is trembling all over, blood pouring from his eyes.
"Phe…..E..Man…tra...!"
Splut!
He vomits a mouthful of blood and pants heavily.
"He obtained that...! I see, the reason those beings of the Nether Ghost Realm all fainted at once was because of that! That's why they desperately threw that into the Ancient Force Realm...!"
Bududuk...
He bites his lip tightly.
Hae Lin, trembling all over, shows a terrified expression.
"It wasn't merely...obtaining the legacy of that being...? To unfold it means...haha...that means..."
Hae Lin, with empty eyes, leans against the dragon throne and lets out a bitter laugh.
"...This life is now soon to end...how futile it is..."
The light grows brighter.
I discover a new aspect of this divine power that reverses the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique.
"Combine!!!"
"We will also add our strength!"
"Hold on, Seo Eun-hyun!"
Oh Hyun-seok, Kim Young-hoon, Jeon Myeong-hoon, Kim Yeon, Buk Hyang-hwa...
And the entire Wuji Religious Order.
All of them add their strength.
And that power enters within the Inverted Cone Mountain, naturally merging and further enlarging the size of the inverted cone.
As the inverted cone grows larger, it pushes back the Dragon Wave of the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade.
If this continues, we can push back Yuk Rin and achieve victory!
'Everyone is together!'
We absolutely cannot lose!!!
"HAAAAAAAAAA!!!"
The Dragon Wave of the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade, opposing all our combined strength, gradually thins, and finally!
The Dragon Wave disappears!
"HAAAA! HAA...ah...?"
I see a [hand] emerging from behind Yuk Rin.
It's a hand covered in scales.
Kuguguguguk!
And just like that.
Our power, which was about to soar into the sky after crushing the remnants of the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade, is completely suppressed by the hand.
Kwadududuk!
When Twilight Domain entered Penglai Island, it remained floating inside the barrier of Penglai Island.
This is because even if we all fall asleep, the floating formation remains activated.
However, rendering the floating formation meaningless, the Twilight Domain plummets, crashing onto the land of Penglai Island.
Under the merciless attraction force, we all kneel, and the divine power that reverses the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique shatters and vanishes.
At the same time, Penglai Island sinks deeper into the Deep Sea due to the attraction force of the hand.
I look at the sky with a dumbfounded face.
The path through the Deep Sea that we used to enter is completely closed.
All that is visible around is the endless Deep Sea and the countless dimensional fragments within it.
No...there is one more thing.
It's a massive flow of misfortune that envelops me to the point of despair.
Kwang!
I strike Penglai Island as if to crush the ground.
"...Heavens above..."
Due to the sudden appearance of a hand, the entire Wuji Religious Order and Penglai Island are trapped within the depths of the Deep Sea.
Yuk Rin stares blankly at the sea.
[...Was that Sacred Master Hae Lin?]
It was a close call.
If it hadn't been for the sudden strike by Sacred Master Hae Lin, he couldn't have predicted what would have happened with the power of Penglai rising from below.
Though they don't seem to be dead, the entire Wuji Religious Order is trapped in the Deep Sea.
There is no way to escape.
[Thank you for your help, Sacred Master...]
Yuk Rin bows deeply in the direction where the Sacred Master's hand had appeared.
There is no reply from Hae Lin. The hand vanished as suddenly as it had appeared.
"Hahaha...! Congratulations, Governing Dragon Palace Lord. Not only have you regained your position, you have also achieved your long-held wish. As promised, please share a part of the Salt Crystal with us."
Jin Ma-yeol, who helped Yuk Rin raise the Salt Crystal Palace, appears and speaks to him.
Yuk Rin looks at Jin Ma-yeol for a moment and then opens his mouth.
[Activate. Purple Soul Filling the Heavens...!]
Chuaaakk!
It happens in an instant.
Jin Ma-yeol's pupils seem to be dyed purple.
However, even as Jin Ma-yeol is being eroded by Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, he swings his arm.
Booong—
Shikwang!
A huge wound appears on Yuk Rin's body, exhausted from using Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade.
With a face full of ecstasy, Jin Ma-yeol grabs a handful of Yuk Rin's blood and throws it somewhere, while Yuk Rin smacks Jin Ma-yeol with his forepaw.
Kwaaaang!
Jin Ma-yeol's entire body explodes.
Yuk Rin's attack continues.
No matter how exhausted he is, the attacks are from a Grand Perfection Integration stage to an early Integration stage opponent.
Before long, Jin Ma-yeol's domain explodes, and all his body parts are torn apart, leaving only his head intact.
Yet, Jin Ma-yeol laughs.
"Heh, hehehahaha! Hahahaha! As expected, you were hiding Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, Governing Dragon Palace Lord! But I must thank you. Thanks to you, I've learned how to use Purple Soul Filling the Heavens! I've obtained your blood...so all that remains is...only..."
Jin Ma-yeol's head speaks as it loses its vitality.
"Unaging and Undying..."
Yuk Rin looks at the spot where Jin Ma-yeol disappeared with an expressionless face, then with an irritated expression, exerts attraction force on the Salt Crystal Palace.
Kuguguk...
Yuk Yo is dragged out.
The Purple Soul Filling the Heavens that Yuk Rin cast on Jin Ma-yeol transferred to Yuk Yo.
[Is it a curse? That damn Jin Ma-yeol...he succeeded in kidnapping Yuk Yo last time and turned her into a cursed doll in that short period.]
Yuk Rin clicks his tongue and withdraws the secret art embedded in Yuk Yo's mind.
From his perspective, devouring Yuk Yo will only be a loss.
After roughly throwing Yuk Yo inside the Salt Crystal Palace, he sneers slyly.
[Stupid fool...What good is it to obtain Purple Soul Filling the Heavens? What good is it to take my blood and learn the Dragon Form Disguise Method? You'll never be able to learn it anyway...hehahaha.]
Yuk Rin's gaze turns towards the end of Cherry Blossom Dragon Sea Domain.
There, the Salt Bones Ship is submerging beneath the sea surface.
Jin Ma-yeol, who has likely revived, is probably inside.
[Bothersome fellow. But with this, he has likely lost his last chance at revival. He thought he could achieve Unaging and Undying with Purple Soul Filling the Heavens and bet his life on it, but what expression will he make when he realizes it's all just an illusion...I'm curious.]
Yuk Rin chuckles.
From the Betrayal King Jin Wei to the terrifying Wuji Religious Order and the devilish cult leader.
And Jin Ma-yeol, who always intended to backstab from the start.
Having defeated all of them, Yuk Rin is the ultimate victor.
Yet, even though Yuk Rin defeated the rivals who threatened him.
Even though he obtained the long-desired Salt Crystal Palace.
His laughter diminishes.
The sound of chuckling soon turns to silence, and the Cherry Blossom Dragon Sea Domain, where the majority of living beings have perished as the battle's aftermath, is enveloped in silence.
Although victorious, Yuk Rin cannot find joy.
'Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade...was pushed back.'
This realization scratches the pride of Yuk Rin, who has always believed the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade to be invincible.
Bududuk...
After grinding his teeth for a while, Yuk Rin takes the Salt Crystal Palace and heads towards Governing Dragon Island.
While giving the return order to Wi Yun and organizing various plans for the future, Yuk Rin decides on the first task to undertake.
'Refine the palace of Penglai Kingdom and completely turn it into my natal dharma treasure. Then integrate it with my domain to make it a Refining Void Dharma Treasure (煉虛法寶). Based on that, if I can achieve great completion in Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade...I will truly reach the pinnacle.'
However, despite comforting himself, the darkness does not leave Yuk Rin's face.
-x-X-x-
Sea King Hall.
At its center, Hae Lin trembles with blood dripping from his eyes.
"...Though it was a rather rough method...I assisted that being's successor according to your will. This is the best I can do. Now, I will strive to seek a way to survive. Please protect your descendant, Grandfather Hae Nyeong..."
Translator Notes: Mantras also mean True Words. Subscriptions for RToC are now available.