Chapter 1887 - ARTOC 109

Chuaaaaaa—

A sound reminiscent of waves, the sound of dimensions flowing, can be heard.

I look around with vacant eyes.

After Yuk Rin uprooted the Salt Crystal Palace, the illusion formation collapsed.

And, for some reason, the various ritual worship scriptures and treasures I was aiming for were all inside that palace, making them impossible to find.

In other words, the Axis of Love of Virtue is beyond reach.

Of course, due to what Yuk Rin said at the end, I suspect there might be a trap involved in obtaining treasures from the palace, but being denied even the chance to confirm the trap is quite disheartening.

"..."

We look at the sky with empty eyes, and then, after organizing the Twilight Domain and the followers that have fallen on one side of Penglai Island, we gather in one place.

Or rather, not everyone gathers.

There's also missing persons.

Wei Shi-hon reports a missing person in a gloomy voice.

"The Thirteenth Guardian Ghost King, my friend, Baek Rin...has disappeared."

"At the last moment, I believe he was seen flyings towards Princess Yuk Yo inside the palace. Since the palace itself was taken by Yuk Rin, perhaps Baek Rin is now...captured by Yuk Rin."

Baek Rin has gone missing.

From what was said, it seems he got caught by Yuk Rin while trying to rescue Yuk Yo.

I let out a deep sigh.

The journey to Penglai Island has cost us too much.

In addition to the missing persons, we try to discuss the details of the incident.

Shaaaaaaa—

The meeting room is silent.

Yeon Wei, Jeon Myeong-hoon, Oh Hyun-seok and the others seem dispirited by the unpleasant and gloomy dreams they had on Penglai Island.

Or, some are so dumbfounded or frustrated by the current situation that they can't even open their mouths...

It seems like no one is in the mood to open their mouths.

However, I force myself to speak.

We can't just sit down and wallow in our gloom.

Perhaps Yeon Wei knows this too, as she and I exchange opinions.

"What are we going to do now?"

"...For now, we have to try to escape."

"Do you have any plans?"

"Young-hoon Hyung-nim and I left avatars at the sea surface. They're Heart Tribe avatars that can communicate with us in real-time."

Yeon Wei strokes her chin as if pondering before asking.

"Not escaping with it immediately means there's a problem, right?"

"Yes. First...the Heart Tribe avatars itself have exhausted a lot of energy in the battle with Yuk Rin. Currently, they're hiding for fear of being discovered by Yuk Rin and aren't in a state to do anything. Moreover, even if we use attraction force on both sides to pull us up..."

"We've come in too deep."

"Yes. The attraction force won't reach."

The Deep Sea of the Ancient Force Realm is a collection of dimensions.

Even though it seems like we haven't actually descended that far, between the sea surface and our current position is not seawater but 'dimensions.'

To escape, we have to extend attraction force through countless dimensions...

Only those in the Star Shattering stage can emit such attraction force.

Yeon Wei looks at Kim Young-hoon and speaks.

"I heard the Surpassing Radiant Divine Demon is municating with the Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One, no? Can't we get some help from the Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One?"

Kim Young-hoon shakes his head awkwardly.

"I apologize, but what I'm doing right now is 'communing' with the enlightenment of that Esteemed One, not 'communicating.' In terms of communication, perhaps Seo Eun-hyun might be better."

Yeon Wei's gaze shifts back to me.

However, I also shake my head.

"To help us, an avatar of the Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One would have to come here personally. But from what I know, it will take the Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One more than several hundred years to get here."

"Several hundred years...hmm, that's worth waiting for."

She nods.

However, my expression is dark.

'In just a hundred years or so from now, Kang Min-hee will go berserk...'

Furthermore, the day when Seo Hweol regains his 'eye' is also only a few hundred years away.

Being trapped here until then is the worst choice possible.

"There's no way to get out a bit faster...is there?"

"If we create a Thunder Beast, it might be possible right away."

"...No, thank you."

"Yeah, I don't like that idea either. So, is there another method?"

"..."

I sigh.

There's no method that comes to mind immediately.

"...For now, since things have come to this, I will try to contact the Grand Cultivator Association."

Even if we are stuck in the Deep Sea and unable to rise to the surface, there might be a way to somehow escape the Ancient Force Realm entirely.

"Contacting the Grand Cultivator Association to have us all escape to the Bright Cold Realm might be a solution."

Yeon Wei nods, saying it's a good idea, and then asks us if anyone has gained anything from Penglai Island.

"Even though we're trapped now, according to Seo Eun-hyun, there's hope since the Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One might come in a few hundred years. In that case, rather than despairing and sitting down, we should see if we've gained anything from Penglai Island. Has anyone gained anything from investigating Penglai Island?"

Everyone shakes their heads at her words.

Seo Ran clicks his tongue and speaks.

"I thought there might be some secret on the Salt Mountain of Penglai Island, but it's just a real salt mountain. A literal lump of salt, nothing more."

"Hm...So it's not a special mineral like Salt Crystals? Then what about the ritual worship scriptures we primarily aimed for when we came here?"

I let out a deep sigh and say,

"From what I can see, those ritual worship scriptures are..."

It's then.

Kim Yeon, with a bitter expression, pulls something from her bosom.

It's a copy of the Ritual Worship Scripture of Love of Virtue.

"When the formation broke, Hyang-hwa and I hurried to the library to gather the ritual worship scriptures, but for some reason, the only one left in my hands is this Ritual Worship Scripture of Love of Virtue. The rest of the scriptures disappeared like smoke."

"...!"

I widen my eyes at the Ritual Worship Scripture of Love of Virtue, and Yeon Wei sighs with regret.

"Ah...it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to arm all our order's leaders with the Five Blessings Axes!"

"There's nothing we can do. At least the Cult Leader can build the Five Blessings Axes, so we should take comfort in that."

Kim Yeon floats the Ritual Worship Scripture of Love of Virtue towards me, and I catch it.

Although the Ritual Worship Scripture of Love of Virtue has clearly entered my hands through Kim Yeon, I can't shake off a lingering unease.

This is due to what Yuk Rin's clone said to me after escaping from Purple Soul Filling the Heavens.

—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...!

Surprisingly, that was a lie.

And when I think about which part of that statement is false, it seems the whole thing is a lie from start to finish.

'The bastard was certain that even if I went to the library to gather the scriptures, I would never be able to obtain them.'

Yet Kim Yeon has acquired a ritual worship scripture.

Is there some secret to this?

'I should observe the Ritual Worship Scripture of Love of Virtue Kim Yeon obtained for now, rather than hastily practicing it.'

After publicly commending Kim Yeon, I tuck the Ritual Worship Scripture of Love of Virtue into my bosom.

We continue to discuss a few escape methods before adjourning the meeting and returning to our respective places.

I return to the basement of the Wuji Religious Hall and try to activate the Flying Immortal Formation.

'There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with the Flying Immortal Formation connecting to the lower realms.'

After fiddling with the Flying Immortal Formation for a while, I wrack my brain while pondering over the Grand Cultivator Association.

'Will they really let me return?'

It'd be fortunate if they don't throw a party celebrating the confinement of the Heart Tribe spy.

"Here is the Supervisory Mirror, Master."

I receive the Supervisory Mirror from Hong Fan.

It's a Supervisory Mirror I obtained along with a Salt Crystal at Yuk Rin's palace when I conquered Governing Dragon Island.

I infuse spiritual power into the Supervisory Mirror.

As the spiritual power flows in, the Supervisory Mirror begins to emit light.

A tool that can re-establish contact with a world with which one has formed connections in - that is the Supervisory Mirror.

Wiiiiiing—

The Supervisory Mirror shines brilliantly, projecting a multitude of light clusters inside.

The moment I sense the aura emanating from these light clusters, I immediately know which worlds they symbolize.

'This is the Nether Ghost Realm, this is the Lightning Sacred Sea, this is Ham Jin's world, and these are the Astral Realms where I had sent my consciousness while building the Axes...'

Among them, a familiar light catches my eye.

I reach out toward that light.

Woo-woong—

A familiar, clear sky is reflected beyond the Supervisory Mirror.

'Bright Cold Realm!'

It's a familiar scene from the Bright Cold Realm.

The name of the world, Bright Cold (光寒), appears above the Supervisory Mirror.

I spend some time manipulating the Supervisory Mirror, learning to infuse my consciousness and adjust it to observe specific locations.

Woo-woong—

After manipulating the Supervisory Mirror for a while, I am able to project the Heavenly Cauldron Mountain of the Human Race Grand Alliance.

Wiiiiiiiiing—

The Supervisory Mirror flickers as it quickly shows the front of Jun Jae's cave residence at the edge of Heavenly Cauldron Mountain.

From inside his cave residence, a heavy voice emerges.

[Which Daoist is spying on this Alliance Leader?]

I infuse my consciousness into the Supervisory Mirror and greet him warmly.

"Daoist Jun, it's me! Seo Eun-hyun!"

[...?]

I laugh heartily and briefly explain the situation to him.

I tell him that due to some complicated matters, I ended up in the Ancient Force Realm and request the Grand Cultivator Association to provide coordinates and attraction force to pull us back.

After listening to my explanation, Jun Jae seems to mutter in a low voice before speaking.

"Hmm, I understand, Grand Cultivator Seo. Please wait a little while. I will contact you again soon."

"Haha, I'm really grateful, Daoist! I won't forget this!"

However, I'm not entirely in a good mood.

'I can't tell what he's thinking.'

Since intent isn't reflected in the scene seen through the Supervisory Mirror, I can't be sure if Jun Jae's words are genuine or if he's secretly cheering.

After expressing my gratitude to Jun Jae, and just as I am about to make a few more requests, the screen suddenly distorts, and the connection with the Bright Cold Realm is severed.

"...This is..."

I immediately realize what happened.

Jun Jae had shaken the space with attraction force, abruptly severing the connection of the Supervisory Mirror.

"...This..."

I am so dumbfounded that I clench my teeth.

Jun Jae is the head of the Grand Cultivator Association.

His will is the will of the Grand Cultivator Association.

I realize that the Grand Cultivator Association has not even the slightest intention to rescue me, and I grind my teeth.

'Damn it...what am I supposed to do now that it's come to this!?'

Although the Supervisory Mirror is operated through consciousness, it only transmits a few voices and scenes, so I can't send a Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion avatar through it.

I grab my throbbing head and contemplate for a long time.

While doing so, I feel a peculiar energy above the Supervisory Mirror and turn my gaze toward it.

'This is...?'

For some reason, a familiar aura is shining from above the Supervisory Mirror.

'Of course, it would be familiar since it only shows places I've been to...but it's strange. This is like...'

The light seems to resonate subtly with the Ancient Force Realm.

From within the light, I can faintly hear the sound of waves.

Woo-woong—

For some reason, one of my axes, the Health Axis, vibrates and resonates intensely.

I forget my irritation about the Grand Cultivator Association ignoring me and reach out to the light as if entranced.

And then.

Woo-woong!

"...!"

I can see a very familiar scene.

Huarurururu—

A burning world.

The endlessly burning monsters within, the remnants of collapsed civilizations scattered around.

Rivers and basins that were once thought to be full of water.

And the name of the great world embracing it all.

The scroll of Lofty Dragon, Envoy of Health and Care appears above the Supervisory Mirror.

"The storage scroll of Lofty Dragon!"

Clench!

I grab the Supervisory Mirror and shout.

Tremble, tremble!

I feel a shiver run through my body from an inexplicable sense of anticipation.

Once one reaches a realm that can handle attraction force, a cultivator's intuition is akin to foresight.

I infuse the Supervisory Mirror with consciousness, wearing a dumbfounded expression.

Woo-woong!

The screen of the Supervisory Mirror appears to distort, and then the Supervisory Mirror enters the altar of the Care Layer.

In other words, it goes up the altar connecting with the Xiezhi Worship Layer.

Wiiiiiing—

I feel the vibration of the Health Axis resonating with the aura of the storage scroll of Lofty Dragon reach its peak.

In my memory,

Seo Hweol's actions come to mind.

I lift the Health Axis above my hand as Seo Hweol did, and twist the attraction force as Seo Hweol had done.

Flash!

The power of Health is reflected in the Supervisory Mirror.

"Health Axis, Release."

Kuung, Click!

Simultaneously, the sound of a latch or lock being opened spreads out from above the Supervisory Mirror, echoing throughout Penglai Island.

-x-X-x-

I gaze entranced at the scenery beyond the Supervisory Mirror.

'This, this is...'

Wo-woong—

As I reach out my hand beyond the Supervisory Mirror, it feels as if my consciousness is being drawn towards the altar of the Care Layer inside the storage scroll of Lofty Dragon True Person.

Tsutsutut—

And after some time, when I open my eyes, I realize I am standing on the altar of the Care Layer with a 'Dream Body'.

"...Hah, hahahah!"

I let out a hollow laugh at the unexpected situation.

Without hesitation, I aim a Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion single strike into the air to form an avatar.

Wiiiiiing—

Pasak!

No, to be precise, I try to form one.

However, due to a strange force within the storage scroll, the clone tries to form before crumbling away.

'There seems to be some inherent restriction within this otherworld.'

In that case, there's nothing to be done.

I reach out my hand into the air, attempting to emit attraction force.

Wo-woong—

However, both attraction force and other abilities cannot be properly exerted with the Dream Body.

'My power has weakened to about one ten-thousandth.'

Of course, even this much is equivalent to the power of Qi Refining or Qi Building, but that's all.

After contemplating for a moment, I recall the characteristics of the Dream Body and, using the power of Qi Building, gather the surrounding water energy to form water, freeze it, and create an ice puppet.

Then, I overlay my Dream Body onto the body of the ice puppet.

Tsutsutut—

It's possession.

While inside the ice puppet body, I try to exert my power.

'It's a bit easier to use my power now.'

The Dream Body is a result of temporarily refining my consciousness to have the traits of a Ghost King.

It's essentially a consciousness entity that exists only in the outskirts of the Nether Ghost Realm, so to manifest power in reality, possessing an entity in the present world is the best method.

Kuguguk—

Borrowing the body of the ice puppet, I try to exert attraction force.

'It works, the space is warping!'

Now, by using the body of this ice puppet as a coordinate, I just need to create attraction force between the storage scroll of Lofty Dragon True Person and the Deep Sea of the Ancient Force Realm to escape!

Just then,

Pasasak—

"..."

The puppet's body crumbles instantly.

Apparently, something as fragile as ice can't withstand my power for long.

'This is a bit troublesome.'

Clicking my tongue, I try various methods, such as growing trees using wood attribute spells or creating earth golems using earth attribute spells.

However, the results are all the same.

'Damn it. The main body's power has grown too strong, resulting in the puppets often breaking when emitting attraction force.'

There's only one solution.

'I need to create a General Seo.'

But there's a problem.

In this storage scroll, there are surprisingly no materials available.

That's because everything that could be used as material had been burned away in the blazing storage scroll.

There are some stone buildings that don't burn easily, but that's all. Even if I make a puppet from such material, the best result would only be equivalent to around the Grand Perfection Nascent Soul level.

'Can a Nascent Soul level puppet bridge the space between the far distant Ancient Force Realm and this storage scroll and let us escape?'

No matter how I think about it, it's impossible.

However, as I ponder for a moment, one thought comes to mind.

'...In about a hundred years, they will come.'

In about a hundred years, it will be around the 500th year since I regressed.

And around that time, two cultivators of the Four-Axis stage from the Heaven Tribe and one from the Earth Tribe will enter the storage scroll.

'The Tall Tree Race, Paired Wings Race, and...the Blood Shark Race's Gyo Yeom.'

My eyes brighten as I recall them.

'I will...seize their bodies!'

If I possess one of them, I can properly use attraction force to use this storage scroll as coordinates and pull the Twilight Domain into the Bright Cold Realm.

I recall Gyo Yeom, who had his limbs severed and died at Seo Hweol's hands in my previous life.

'In any case, even without Seo Hweol, Gyo Yeom is fated to die at the hands of the Tall Tree Race and the Paired Wings Race.'

Gyo Yeom's actions to find the Heavenly Lotus Fruit to cure his wife's illness left a strong impression on me.

'I hope he can live in this life if possible.'

I make my decision.

'In the expedition team that will come to the storage scroll in about a hundred years, I will help Gyo Yeom and give him the Heavenly Lotus Fruit he desires, and with his help, return to the Bright Cold Realm...!'

Clench!

I clench my fist with even my main body and smile.

I thought there was no hope.

But hope appeared!

"Until the storage scroll expedition team arrives, I should gather the treasures within the storage scroll."

Gyo Yeom will hardly be inclined to trust a stranger like me at first glance.

Therefore, to receive his help, it will be ideal to have the treasures in the storage scroll in my possession to offer him for a deal.

At the end of the day, a contract is something that can only be made if I have something to offer.

"Don't pluck the Heavenly Lotus Fruit in advance."

"Ah, thanks for the advice."

It is said that the Heavenly Lotus Fruit has the trait of immediately being absorbed upon touching an illusion.

In short, if I picked it ahead of time thinking I was gathering treasures, it would be absorbed into my Dream Body and I wouldn't be able to offer it to Gyo Yeom in a transaction.

I nod and look around the interior of the storage scroll.

Only I am inside the storage scroll.

In other words, all the treasures within this storage scroll are solely mine!

I smile, shifting my main consciousness back to my main body.

I see hope.

Now, within decades, the possibility of returning to the Bright Cold Realm has emerged.

I return with satisfaction and convey this joyous news to everyone.

________________________________________

"That's very good! So all we have to do now is wait?"

"As long as nothing particularly disruptive occurs...that is."

In the conference room.

I continue speaking with a bitter smile to Yeon Wei.

"But as I have mentioned before, it is true that some kind of misfortune is surrounding us."

I look up at the sky.

Even if Gyo Yeom were to pull us out, and despite being trapped in the Deep Sea, the attraction force of misfortune still clings to me.

That misfortune is tightly coiled around Penglai Island.

When I speak seriously, Yeon Wei also asks with a hardened face.

"...Saying you see misfortune even in the Ancient Force Realm...wasn't a joke?"

"I always speak the truth."

"Ancestor, it seems you need to learn to trust your juniors."

Jeon Myeong-hoon says with a smirk, and Yeon Wei clicks her tongue and shakes her head.

"I don't believe anything unless I've seen it myself. I've never heard of such a thing being possible. It might be possible if it were a Sacred Vessel stage that can extend their consciousness or sight beyond the Middle Realms, but...that's absolutely impossible."

"Huh...was the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect turning to ashes overnight something possible?"

"..."

At Jeon Myeong-hoon's gloomy words, Yeon Wei is rendered speechless, her expression becoming somber.

"Well...I understand for now. So, you're saying that some higher existence has marked you, and because of the attraction force of that misfortune, everyone here, including the Wuji Religious Order, could be trapped on Penglai Island?"

"That's about right."

Yeon Wei seems to contemplate for a moment before speaking.

"Then you should leave Penglai Island."

"...!"

"What the...!?"

Her words suddenly cause an uproar in the conference room.

"Strategist Yeon Wei! Do you know that going outside Penglai Island means becoming lost in the Deep Sea!"

"I'm speaking with that understanding. Once we receive the coordinates from those Four-Axis cultivators who enter that storage scroll or whatever otherworld, Seo Eun-hyun staying in the Ancient Force Realm while we escape first seems to be the best course of action."

At her words, Kim Yeon, Oh Hyun-seok, Kim Young-hoon, and even Jeon Myeong-hoon show fierce expressions.

However, Yeon Wei glares at everyone unperturbed and growls.

"Did I speak incorrectly? Seo Eun-hyun is the leader and the person in charge of this group. If the leader is the problem causing the group to be stuck, then the person who must take responsibility should do so. Just like when I received the Sacred Master's command and annihilated the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect in the Middle Realm 40,000 years ago with my own hands to save at least the main sect in the Lower Realm and bore the stigma of being a monster!"

Kuang!

Yeon Wei slams the table with bloodshot eyes.

"If you've taken on the position of leader and elder of the group, it's only right that you act accordingly!"

Kugugugugu!

With her words, a chilling killing intent begins to fill the conference room.

Jeon Myeong-hoon's eyes twitch as he speaks.

"...If that is the case, then instead of Seo Eun-hyun, a Four-Axis without even the Integrated Dao Domain, I, at the Integration stage, will remain."

At that, Yeon Wei's eyes flip.

"What kind of nonsense is that!? Didn't you hear Seo Eun-hyun's words? He claimed that only he is entangled with misfortune!"

"By combining my Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation Method and Seo Eun-hyun's Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens Technique, it will be possible for me to take on Seo Eun-hyun's misfortune through a sacrificial offering. After all...Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation and Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens are techniques based on someone's sacrifice, so it's not an impossible idea."

"Don't speak such nonsense! You are the current highest Elder of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect! Seo fellow and I are outsiders, stripped of the Jin surname by the Founder's Command! But you are also Jin Myeong-hoon! If you stay here, what will become of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect in the Lower Realm?"

However, after uttering her words, Yeon Wei glances around as if startled by her own words.

The killing intent has intensified.

Kugugugugu!

At the center of the Twilight Domain.

The entire Wuji Religious Hall is being violently shaken by the killing intent of the beings gathered there.

Jeon Myeong-hoon speaks softly.

"...So it seems the Ancestor's words mean that although I, Jin Myeong-hoon, born with the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body, must not stay, Seo Eun-hyun, who is already an outsider, can remain. Seo Eun-hyun...is he not someone who has been with the Ancestor all along, and a comrade who contributed to the survival of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect!? Wasn't it thanks to the Wuji Religious Order established by Seo Eun-hyun that we could save the disciples of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect in the Nether Ghost Realm!?"

Yeon Wei's pupils seem to shake at Jeon Myeong-hoon's retort. However, she grits her teeth and instead shouts at Jeon Myeong-hoon.

"What nonsense are you spewing!? Have you become engrossed in playing this cult leader and religious order act that you've forgotten the essence? This ridiculous pseudo-religious cult is just a means to accumulate the Five Blessings Axes, and you are a disciple of the great Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect! Even if Seo Eun-hyun and I are expelled, we should have a sense of belonging to the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect! What's with this cult leader game? What's with this absurd pseudo-religious cult act?"

"Why does the Ancestor not trust Seo Eun-hyun? Have you forgotten that he worked together with Senior to save the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect? In the end, Seo Eun-hyun's words were proven right! I heard about Senior's actions even in the Ancient Force Realm. I heard about Senior's past while interrogating Yuk Rin with the Ascetic Lightning Curse Banner! Why can't Senior trust in human loyalty and always resort to betrayal? We are the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, not the Betrayal Heavenly Thunder Sect!!!'

At Jeon Myeong-hoon's heated words, Yeon Wei momentarily has a dazed expression on her face.

With her voice choked and her chest trembling, she bites her lip.

"...Yes! It's about Seo Eun-hyun and I! And sealing the Heavenly Lightning Banner was my claim! It wasn't Seo's! Why can't I trust him? Want me to tell you my honest feelings?"

Yeon Wei's voice is trembling.

Left with only bitterness in her emotional struggle with Jeon Myeong-hoon, she grinds her teeth and shouts.

"How can I possibly trust that guy!!?? It's understandable for someone like you with the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body to progress rapidly in cultivation, but what about him!? He ascended from Ascension Path alone with a mortal body and within 500 years, with ordinary Five Elements Spiritual Roots, reached the Five Blessings Four-Axis stage!? Do you think that even makes sense?"

"Why not!? With talent..."

"Such talent is only possible with a Heavenly Golden Thunder Body! A Ghostly Yin Transformation Immortal Root! I'm saying that it's impossible without such mythical qualities! He's not even like that Oh fellow with a Unique Holy Body. His talent isn't good, and his understanding doesn't even seem exceptional. Yet, he's learned Heaven and Earth Dual Cultivation and the Heart Path Method! On top of that, he's learned Hon Won's Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique! All within 500 years! Even the Black Dragon King Hyeon Eum, who advanced at a similar speed, did so with the support of the Dragon Race and countless opportunities. But what about him! I've heard he resisted the temptation of the unsealed Heavenly Lightning Banner with a clear mind. Do you think that's possible? It's a power that no mortal mind can withstand, yet he thrives after being exposed to such transcendent power? Now, there's a possible explanation for everything I said. It's that he's not human!"

Yeon Wei points at me and shouts.

"Without a Heavenly Golden Thunder Body, he mastered lightning attribute methods faster than Jeon Myeong-hoon. Without a Ghostly Yin Transformation Immortal Root, he possesses insane talent in the Ghost Path Methods. Not only has he learned all Five Elements methods and even demon beast methods along with the Heart Path Method, he even has remarkable insights into consciousness methods. And what about that Mysterious Bizarre Gu secret art similar to what those Blood Yin Realm spies use! Moreover, he resisted the power of the transcendent Heavenly Lightning Banner with a clear mind? For that to be possible, he must be an entity hiding his cultivation and wearing human skin, pretending to be human. I'm saying he must be a True Immortal!"

With Yeon Wei's words, the conference room falls silent.

She looks at me with gloomy eyes and speaks to Jeon Myeong-hoon.

"...Did you ask why I always betray? Because if I don't betray, I might be betrayed instead! Always! If you can't determine right now whether that guy is human or a monster, it wouldn't be surprising if one day he reveals himself as a transcendent's incarnation and exterminates us all. If that's the case, isn't it rational to separate him from us here?!"

"..."

"...Life never goes as you wish...never. The very essence of evil is the bastard called life itself. This world is...yes. It's a world filled with the Six Extremes. Dreaming for something or hoping for blessings is a luxury in itself. You must never hope for anything. You must always prepare for the worst and be ready to survive. That's...what I'm saying."

She is hurling harsh words at me, yet ironically, I am the only one in this room who genuinely empathizes with her.

The followers like the Guardian Ghost Kings who are loyal to me seem ready to tear Yeon Wei apart at any moment, and none of the executives of the order are giving Yeon Wei a kind glance.

With a bitter smile, I speak.

"...So what is the reason for saying all that in front of me? If I were a transcendent like a True Immortal, it would be nothing to drag your soul and torture it for a thousand years, wouldn't it?"

Yeon Wei flinches but doesn't respond to my words.

"...Jeon Myeong-hoon. Briefly return the strategist's main consciousness to the Lower Realm."

"Alright."

Jeon Myeong-hoon immediately approaches Yeon Wei, strikes her at the back of her neck to make her unconscious, and sends Yeon Wei's consciousness down to the Lower Realm.

Yeon Jin, who awakes after Yeon Wei faints, seems unable to grasp the situation and just shivers in the tense atmosphere.

I smile gently and say,

"Don't hate her too much. She is only worried about all of our safety in her own way..."

Yeon Wei feigns malice, but in reality, her intentions are always rooted in goodness.

'It's just...she was influenced by the dream she had on Penglai Island, which seems to have made her emotions flare up a bit.'

There's no need for Jeon Myeong-hoon or Yeon Wei to push each other excessively like that.

However, whatever it is, the dream she had on Penglai Island seems to be the problem.

"For now, let's adjourn today's meeting here. Now that there's hope of leaving the Ancient Force Realm in about a hundred years, everyone should keep that in mind."

I adjourn the meeting and rise from my seat.

________________________________________

Step, step...

After leaving the conference room, I walk towards the Salt Mountain on Penglai Island.

The Penglai Island, without the illusion formation, is desolate.

In the illusion, Penglai Kingdom flourished around Salt Mountain, but outside the illusion, only hinges can be seen around it.

Thud!

I climb to the top of Salt Mountain, where the Salt Crystal Palace once stood, and sit down, gazing at the upper part of Penglai Island.

The misfortune that is entwining me does not enter inside Penglai Island.

Of course, it will surely have a terrifying effect when we go outside. But at least it can't enter here.

'Within Penglai Island, all contracts and oaths are nullified.'

It's the explanation given by Yuk Rin and Yuk Yo.

Perhaps that misfortune, too, falls into a similar category as contracts and oaths.

Furthermore, the reason I told everyone there's hope of leaving despite still being entangled in misfortune is because of Penglai Island.

The fact that some power on Penglai Island is blocking the misfortune means that if we can just find that power, we can avoid the misfortune and go to the Bright Cold Realm.

'And the source of that power is...most likely this Salt Mountain.'

Everyone believes the true source is the Salt Crystal Palace.

After all, this Salt Mountain is merely a large chunk of rock salt.

However, the formation of Penglai Island still functions.

Even though the illusion formation broke when the palace and Salt Mountain separated, a certain force blocking external contracts, oaths, and misfortune remains.

In other words,

'If the power of this Salt Mountain is harnessed, there's a high probability that everyone can leave.'

I adjourned the meeting for now because the atmosphere was too bad today.

I plan to inform everyone of this fact during a later meeting when Yeon Wei returns with a cool head.

Wo-woong—

Sitting at the top of Salt Mountain, I close my eyes, operating the Purple Soul Filling the Heavens obtained from Yuk Rin, the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade obtained from Lofty Dragon True Person's storage scroll, and the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique and its reversed secret art.

Why did Yeon Wei, other than the dream on Penglai Island and because of Jeon Myeong-hoon, fail to control her emotions and reveal uncomfortable truths despite the possibility of me being the incarnation of a True Immortal?

It's simple.

Even though she said with her own mouth that nothing in this world should be hoped for, she is hoping.

Hoping that I, who has been with her for so long, is actually human.

Tststststst—

White grains begin to swirl and shine around me.

Everytime I recite the formula of the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique and its reversed method, the entire Salt Mountain begins to glow little by little.

The time left is about a hundred years.

Within that time, I will obtain the power of Salt Mountain and definitely overcome the misfortune to return to the Bright Cold Realm.

-x-X-x-

Chuaa!

A corner at the edge of the Wi Jeong Sea Domain.

Someone pierces through the Dome Sky and enters the sea domain.

It's a golden Peng bird.

From within the Peng bird, Seo Eun-hyun and Kim Young-hoon emerge.

Splash, splash!

It's the Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion avatars of Seo Eun-hyun and Kim Young-hoon who were left behind in the Cherry Blossom Dragon Sea Domain. After escaping the sea domain, Seo Eun-hyun shakes his body.

While crossing the sea domain, they had been caught momentarily inside a dimensional fragment filled with mucus, so the avatars' body is covered with sticky mucus lumps.

"Pt, ptui!"

Seo Eun-hyun and Kim Young-hoon spit out the mucus as they look around, nodding to each other when their eyes meet.

Paaatt!

Following Kim Young-hoon, they fly for a while and land on an island in the sea domain.

In other words, they reach Sacred Orchid Island, where the Wuji Religious Order initially entered the Ancient Force Realm.

Tadatt!

"By the way, why here of all places?"

"Well, I heard that Sacred Orchid Island is originally a gathering place for pirates and scammers, so it's preferred."

"Tsk, that pirate bastard."

Kim Young-hoon clicks his tongue and sits on the dock at Sacred Orchid Island.

Seo Eun-hyun stands behind him for a moment, gazing up at the sky.

Soon, it will be noon, the time when the light of the sea domain will be at its brightest.

It's nearly the promised time.

And just when it hits noon,

Kim Young-hoon, who is sitting on the dock, opens his eyes and looks into the air.

"Have you arrived, Jin Ma-yeol?"

Soon after, the void distorts, and the pirate captain of the Fighting Demon Pirate Gang, Jin Ma-yeol, appears.

While the main body trains at the top of Salt Mountain for the goal set in a hundred years, I decided to handle various matters at the sea surface with the Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion avatar used to hold back Yuk Rin.

Among the various matters, the main operation is this:

The 'Baek Rin Rescue Plan.'

Currently, one of the Wuji Religious Order's Guardian Ghost Kings, Baek Rin, was dragged along with Yuk Yo while trying to protect her, so he has to be rescued before escaping to the Bright Cold Realm.

And just as we were struggling to rescue him, we met someone with similar goals to ours.

It was Jin Ma-yeol, captain of the Fighting Demon Pirate Gang, who claimed to have been betrayed by Yuk Rin.

We decided to temporarily join hands for our mutual purposes and today is the day we planned to meet Jin Ma-yeol on Sacred Orchid Island for discussions.

"...So, you're saying you need our help?"

Facing Jin Ma-yeol, we drink tea in the cave residence of Chi Lou (七婁), the Island Lord of Sacred Orchid Island, a Four-Axis stage cultivator, and the subordinate of Jin Ma-yeol.

"I have brought refreshments. Please enjoy them to your satisfaction."

Though Chi Lou is a Four-Axis stage demon beast possessing the true blood of the Lustrous Glaze Peacock, she politely serves us tea and snacks in the presence of us, at the Integration level.

Jin Ma-yeol doesn't even glance at Chi Lou and says,

"That's right. As I mentioned before, our Fighting Demon Pirate Gang are the innocent victims here. We were merely pawns used and abandoned by Yuk Rin. Therefore, we seek revenge against Yuk Rin, and in the process, we intend to repair and reinforce the Salt Bones Ship, as well as steal some of the Salt Crystal chunks Yuk Rin took. Help us with this."

"Hmm..."

I sip the tea while reading Jin Ma-yeol's words and intent.

'Claiming to be innocent victims is a blatant lie...however, seeking revenge on Yuk Rin and obtaining Salt Crystal chunks is true.'

In other words, his reason for collaborating with us is legitimate.

However...

"Isn't there more you haven't told us?"

"...."

I smile coldly and mention the events of that day.

"When you were attacked by Yuk Rin, we were only hiding. We saw the whole situation unfold. Jin Ma-yeol. If you truly want to join hands with us, confess what you really want."

When Jin Ma-yeol was facing Yuk Rin, he mentioned Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, which Kim Young-hoon and I had observed from our hiding place.

He appears to pause in silence for a moment before speaking.

"...Do you want the Purple Soul Filling the Heavens?"

"No. I too have the formula for Purple Soul Filling the Heavens. I got it from Yuk Rin. I'm telling you to clearly state your true purpose."

He clicks his tongue and frowns.

"...I guess you haven't cultivated the Purple Soul Filling the Heavens."

"That's right, I'm currently occupied with more urgent matters, so I'm just analyzing the formula."

"That's why you're asking such questions. Ha! Telling me to speak the truth...What a joke. If you had practiced Purple Soul Filling the Heavens even once, you would have realized what I truly desire."

He speaks with a grim smile.

"Purple Soul Filling the Heavens is...a method we cannot cultivate."

"What?"

"You must have found the Purple Soul Jade Seal when your Wuji Religious Order raided one of our pirate gang's secret docks last time, no?"

"...Yes."

"As you might have guessed, I acquired Purple Soul Filling the Heavens through the Purple Soul Jade Seal."

"Hmm...strange."

I looked at him with doubtful eyes and speak.

"Our side has a fellow named Seo Ran, who is a half-human, half-dragon hybrid. His dragon lineage is that of the Sea Dragon Race, even of the royal line at that! Yet, even Seo Ran can't even dream of something like Purple Soul Filling the Heavens. How did you manage to obtain it?"

"Ah, oh dear...it seems our Wuji Religious Order's Cult Leader is not well-informed about the Fighting Ghost Race?"

He smirks and taps the table with his fingers.

And suddenly,

Pasaak!

"...!"

Jin Ma-yeol's hand appears to be covered in scales, and his left arm transformed into that of the Sea Dragon Race, covered in blue scales.

"Our Fighting Ghost Race is part of the Heaven Tribe, but was also an old and prestigious race known as the pinnacle of the Earth Tribe before we discovered ritual methods. Depending on the number of horns we are born with, we can mimic the physical characteristics of other races, even those born with the bloodline of Immortal Beast True Blood!"

Chwarararak!

Jin Ma-yeol's eyes shine with the seven-colored light of the Lustrous Glaze Peacock.

His hair transforms into that of an unknown sea creature covered in barnacles.

His right arm ablazes with fire, becoming that of a Demon Ape.

His cheeks and forehead are adorned with tiger-like patterns, and his body undergoes various changes.

"We are such a race. Of course, obtaining Immortal Beast True Blood or fully transforming into a particular race is impossible, but being able to manifest and utilize even a portion of the physical traits of countless Immortal Beasts is an incredibly advantageous trait for survival. bining all these traits..."

Wuduk, wududuk!

The various features on Jin Ma-yeol's body seem to gather into his right arm.

After a while, with a grotesque sound, Jin Ma-yeol's right arm transforms grotesquely.

As if blood, flesh, and bone are being inverted, the characteristics of the Sea Dragon Race and four other unknown races seem to mix together, transforming his right arm into a sharp grotesque sword.

"Because our race's Combat Dance (鬪舞) can maximize our combat power, the Fighting Ghost Race has always been a species at the pinnacle of life."

A voice filled with pride about his own race, the Fighting Ghost Race.

However, hearing that seemingly arrogant explanation, I flinch and ask one question.

"...By any chance, do you know about a talent that allows you to replicate and freely manipulate all Immortal Beast abilities?"

"Ah...there is indeed such a myth in the Fighting Ghost Race. The myth of the body known as the Noble Blood True Sea Radiance Body (貴血眞海光身)! A legendary body that supposedly allows one to freely harness and wield the powers of all Immortal Beast bloodlines simply by 'perceiving' them. Of course, it's completely absurd, so scholars of the Fighting Ghost Race say it's a metaphor for a state that our race can aspire to.'

"...I see. Thank you."

"Are you interested in the myths of the Fighting Ghost Race? Our myths and legends have been passed down in the form of our Combat Dance or methods, so by learning the Fighting Ghost Race's exclusive methods, one will naturally come to know of them. The Fighting Ghost Race methods good for the Human Race to learn are probably ones such as the Fighting Demon True Sea Radiance, Six Chains Forest Technique, or Fighting Demon Ghost Treasure..."

He displays pride in the Fighting Ghost Race while introducing me to various methods.

"...Well, thank you for introducing me to such great methods. Your Fighting Ghost Race truly seems to be an excellent race."

"Haha, don't mention it."

"So then, shall we continue with what we were discussing?"

"Sounds good. Anyway...the reason I was able to obtain the secret art of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens from the Purple Soul Jade Seal is because I once encountered Yuk Rin's main body, who possessed the body of Yuk Ung, and managed to steal the traits of the Sea Dragon Race."

Tsutsutsut—

He wriggles his left arm, glaring at the undulating scales of the Sea Dragon.

"The reason your hybrid Sea Dragon companion couldn't obtain anything from the Purple Soul Jade Seal is probably just because his cultivation is too low. If he reaches at least the Four-Axis stage, he'll likely be able to obtain Purple Soul Filling the Heavens from it."

"Thanks for the useful information. So...what do you mean you can't learn Purple Soul Filling the Heavens right now?"

Jin Ma-yeol's face becomes filled with rising anger.

He reverts his grotesque sword-turned hand back to its original state and grits his teeth with a look of humiliation.

"...At first, even after acquiring Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, I couldn't learn it. So back then, I thought it was a secret art that only a pure Sea Dragon Race could master, and sought to obtain the Dragon Form Disguise Method. I thought if I could obtain the Dragon Form Disguise Method and take the form of a Sea Dragon, I could learn the secret art. However..."

Killing intent radiates from Jin Ma-yeol.

Sacred Orchid Island Lord Chi Lou, who is waiting beside us, silently bows her head in front of Jin Ma-yeol.

With a grim expression, Jin Ma-yeol presses down hard on Chi Lou's head with his hand.

"Princess Yuk Yo...that wretched brat stole my Dragon Form Disguise Method! To make matters worse, Yuk Rin broke the official contract with me and even breached our unofficial agreement in the Penglai Island expedition, attacking me and taking away all my spare lives!"

I glance at the woman called Chi Lou.

Her face is being severely crushed by Jin Ma-yeol.

"If this damned thing hadn't hidden Yuk Yo, I would have found the brat long ago, retrieved the Dragon Form Disguise Method, activated it, and learned that even taking the form of a Sea Dragon wouldn't have allowed me to obtain Purple Soul Filling the Heavens. I wouldn't have wasted my precious spare lives on such a worthless endeavor! Damn it...damn it...!"

He glares at Sacred Orchid Island Lord Chi Lou, as if he will kill her, then releases his hand from her head, grinding his teeth.

"...Anyway, I realized I couldn't learn Purple Soul Filling the Heavens even with the form of a Sea Dragon. Even if you have the formula, you too probably can't learn Purple Soul Filling the Heavens."

"Is that so...that's unfortunate. In short, what you want is a method to learn Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, right?"

"That's right."

Jin Ma-yeol nods.

"And that method...I can only assume it is somehow related to Princess Yuk Yo."

"Yuk Yo?"

"Yes. As you can tell from her title 'Sacred Orchid Princess,' Sacred Orchid Island is officially Yuk Yo's territory. Of course, the real ruler is this Sacred Orchid Island Lord bastard, but...anyway, why do you think Yuk Yo hid in Sacred Orchid Island, and Chi Lou, who claimed to be my subordinate, betrayed me and hid Yuk Yo? Why do you think that heartless Yuk Rin who has no blood or tears took the Salt Crystal lump and bothered to take along trash like Yuk Yo from Penglai Island?"

"...Do you think Yuk Yo holds the secret to Purple Soul Filling the Heavens?"

"Well, I don't necessarily think it's to Purple Soul Filling the Heavens. It could be a secret related to the Sea Dragon Race, or it could be the formula for the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade that Yuk Rin is desperately hiding. But it doesn't matter which! Even if it's not Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, obtaining Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade will suffice. Either way, Yuk Yo has that much value. Kidnapping Yuk Yo again and trading her with Yuk Rin to obtain the complete formula for Purple Soul Filling the Heavens—that is my desire!"

I look at Jin Ma-yeol for a moment.

There is no falsehood in his words, and there is nothing more he is hiding.

'Of course, there is the ambition for monopolizing Yuk Rin's treasure and a desire for revenge but...'

That is all.

Kim Young-hoon and I have a brief discussion and then make our decision.

'Considering that Baek Rin's soul plaque hasn't been extinguished in the Wuji Religious Order, Baek Rin is alive. And if Baek Rin is alive, it's highly likely he is currently with Yuk Yo.'

"Very well. We will join hands with you, Jin Ma-yeol."

"Haha, I look forward to working with you, Devilish Cult Master."

"I look forward to working with you too, pirate."

Thus, the Devilish Cult Master and the Fighting Ghost Race Pirate Captain form an alliance to stab the back of the Wi Jeong Sea Domain's Governing Dragon Palace Lord and kidnap his daughter.

'Wait for us, Baek Rin. We will rescue you together with Yuk Yo.'

I think of Baek Rin, who began to change as he spent time with Yuk Yo.

Though it seems Baek Rin himself is unaware, he is currently in love with Yuk Yo.

"...Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, huh...?"

I organize the information obtained from the Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion avatar on top of Salt Mountain and recite the formula for Purple Soul Filling the Heavens.

'I've been neglecting it a bit due to researching the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique and the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade, but I should look into this as well.'

After all, it's also an opportunity to uncover the flaws in Seo Hweol's Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens.

I unfold the formula for Purple Soul Filling the Heavens.

The Purple Soul Filling the Heavens has various formulas and mantras, but the most crucial formula consists of three sentences.

They are as follows:

—Purple is the most suitable color to hide in the darkness.

—Carry on life in the darkness where light can never reach.

—By continuing the inherited life, we shall all finally reach liberation.

-x-X-x-

Wo-woong!

As soon as I operate Purple Soul Filling the Heavens' formula, the Nascent Soul within me trembles.

Then, my Nascent Soul seems to tinge with purple for a moment before transforming into something alien.

'What is this...?'

I can feel it.

Right now, my Nascent Soul has taken a form 'most suitable for seizing another's body.'

'Is Purple Soul Filling the Heavens a secret art for seizing someone's body...?'

I frown as I explore Purple Soul Filling the Heavens further.

And just as I am about to continue operating the formula, it happens.

Wo-woong—

Pachichit!

"...!"

My Nascent Soul, which has turned purple, suddenly convulses and releases spiritual power.

Soon after, the Nascent Soul, which has released all the spiritual power stained by the purple of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, returns to its original state.

The properties of the Nascent Soul altered by Purple Soul Filling the Heavens has reverted.

'What the...?'

However, I focus on a different phenomenon rather than the release of the secret art.

'The formula of the secret art. It resisted as if alive when I tried to activate it.'

It's a very bizarre occurrence.

'Is this why Jin Ma-yeol said we cannot obtain Purple Soul Filling the Heavens?'

To activate a technique, one must infuse spiritual energy into the formula and trigger it.

However, when spiritual energy is infused into the formula of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, it acts as if it's alive, disobeying my command and then dispersing.

'Formulas cannot be alive. Even if you infuse spiritual energy into them, they're just a mass of spiritual energy, not a soul. But something that isn't a soul moves as if it's alive?'

Interestingly, I know of something similar.

'It's like a deep-sea monster.'

In the depths of Ancient Force Realm's Deep Sea.

Monsters born from the amalgamation of various memories and histories of a perished world.

That is the deep-sea monster of the Ancient Force Realm.

'Is this why Jin Ma-yeol put so much effort into mimicking the body of the Sea Dragon Race and transforming into a Sea Dragon using the Dragon Form Disguise Method?'

The Sea Dragon Race is a race that can find the path in the Deep Sea of the Ancient Force Realm.

He likely hoped that for the formula of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, which is akin to a deep-sea monster born from the memories of the Deep Sea, the Sea Dragon Race could potentially find a way to control it.

However, after experiencing the formula, I shake my head.

'Can the Sea Dragon Race really control a method no different from a deep-sea monster?'

Honestly speaking, it seems highly unlikely.

'But Yuk Rin is using it. That's why Jin Ma-yeol is trying to approach Yuk Rin to ask about how to use Purple Soul Filling the Heavens.'

This would mean that Purple Soul Filling the Heavens is related to the Sea Dragon Race for now.

'The Purple Soul Jade Seal of Ja Eum...'

Purple Soul Filling the Heavens.

Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens.

Sea Dragon King Seo Hweol.

Possessing the body of a Sea Dragon, Yuk Rin.

Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade.

Yuk Yo.

Penglai Island and Salt Crystal.

Ancient Force Realm.

...

'All of these feel like they're connected in some way.'

Yet, I can't grasp exactly what criteria connects them.

It's exceedingly frustrating.

While pondering like this, unable to find an answer, I decide to move my Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion avatar.

It's then,

"...Wait."

I suddenly stop trying to move the Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion avatar and recall the formula of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens.

"Wait, wait, wait...!"

Something, something seems to come to mind.

Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion avatar.

And the Purple Soul Filling the Heavens formula.

And the incident of Yuk Rin's clone using Purple Soul Filling the Heavens to hide in the Plane of Soul, evading the eyes of both Kim Young-hoon and myself!

That's it!

Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, just like the single strike of Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion, is entirely within the Plane of Soul!

Wo-wooong!

I focus my consciousness and chant the formula of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, dyeing my Nascent Soul.

Immediately after, I infuse my Nascent Soul into the All-Heavens Sword and swing it towards the void!

Single strike of Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion!

Chuaaat!

The Nascent Soul, through the formula of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens and the single strike of Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion, begins to rise to the Plane of Soul.

Bo-ooong!

'I can see it.'

Upon rising to the Plane of Soul, I can see it clearly.

The structure of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens!

'It binds Qi to follow the soul.'

Qi carries history.

In other words, Qi is information.

Seeing from the Plane of Soul, it's comprehendible.

Wo-woong—

'The formula of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens gathers Qi on its own and accumulates data internally, functioning similarly to a human soul.'

And the artificially created quasi-soul moves like a deep-sea monster, attempting to escape my control.

Kuguguk!

Together with my Nascent Soul and the Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion avatar, I seize this deep-sea monster-like data entity on the Plane of Soul.

Kugugugugugu!

The data entity generated by the formula of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens struggles madly, wriggling to escape from me and the avatar's grasp.

However, while it might not have been possible with just my Nascent Soul, combined with my realm of Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion, the data entity is eventually subdued by us.

Kuaduduk!

I concentrate my consciousness and clutch the barely subdued data entity tightly.

And upon reopening my eyes, I find myself with a Purple Soul Filling the Heavens that seems somewhat out of my control but still more or less obedient.

'Ha...that Jin Ma-yeol guy.'

If Jin Ma-yeol were to know of this fact, his eyes would probably flip.

'For someone who has reached Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion, the structure makes it incredibly easy to learn Purple Soul Filling the Heavens. But...'

Of course, I am still merely holding the reins of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens and haven't completely mastered it.

To be honest, Purple Soul Filling the Heavens is so violently rampant that I wonder if it's impossible to control it entirely.

It feels like I'm just forcibly making it move crudely with the power of Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion from the Plane of Soul.

'If you don't possess the power to reach the Plane of Soul, is it even possible to learn it?'

I operate Purple Soul Filling the Heavens and move the purple-tinged Nascent Soul in the void with my eyes closed.

Wo-woong—

The Nascent Soul in the void smoothly melts into the darkness and suddenly appears ten zhang away.

"...I see!"

Only now do I understand the principle that allowed Seo Hweol to infuse Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens into my 'shadow' last time.

Purple Soul Filling the Heavens is capable of moving through darkness in a form similar to the heart language of the Heart Tribe.

Assuming Purple Soul Filling the Heavens and Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens share the same root, Seo Hweol must have hidden Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens in the darkness and attached it to my shadow like heart language.

'And as soon as I sat on the throne of the Penglai Kingdom, Yuk Rin could invade my mind using the same principle.'

Most likely, Yuk Rin had hidden his Purple Soul Filling the Heavens clone in the shadow of the Penglai Kingdom's imperial throne.

And when I sat on the throne, the moment my shadow and the throne's shadow became one, he invaded my mind.

'He didn't just walk out from behind the throne looking sly for no reason.'

Suruk, suruk, sururuk...

Penglai Island is currently submerged in the depths of the Deep Sea, so it's quite dark around.

Thanks to this, I am able to experiment with a movement technique using the Nascent Soul activating Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, appearing and disappearing like teleportation across Penglai Island.

'Within the darkness, a secret art that allows movement anywhere in a form similar to the heart language of the Heart Tribe.'

This is part of the power of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens.

'I think I've understood one more principle of Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens.'

In the deep darkness of Seo Hweol's heart essence.

It is clear why Seo Hweol's heart essences, which must be located far apart in distant places, could communicate over vast space-time and exchange Five Blessings Axes.

This is because, like Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens also has the ability to move anywhere within the darkness in the form of heart language.

After retrieving my Nascent Soul back to myself, I activate Purple Soul Filling the Heavens again.

Surururu—

My physical body does not completely disappear as it's not in the Plane of Soul, but I manage to hide myself instantly as if melting into the darkness.

'And in this state.'

I swing the All-Heavens Sword towards the void.

Bo-oong!

Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts!

In the darkness where no gazes can reach.

Within that space, I unleash Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts, severing even the perception of those belonging to the darkness.

"...Heh, hehahahahahah!"

I laugh.

It isn't laughter without reason.

With Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, I have managed to enter the same darkness as Seo Hweol.

If we can both stand in the same darkness, then all that is left is to identify each other within that darkness!

And I have Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts!

"Hahahahaha!!!"

Seo Hweol,

Now, even if you find your eyes, I am not afraid!

I have gained an important weapon to face him.

It is an incredibly valuable experience.

Pasaak—

Of course, if there is a downside, it's that the Purple Soul Filling the Heavens struggles frantically like mad, requiring a considerable amount of mental strength to restrain it.

'Using Purple Soul Filling the Heavens might restrict my martial arts a bit.'

Perhaps the number of times I can unleash the single strike of Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion would decrease.

'But when facing Seo Hweol, there's nothing as effective as this.'

I briefly experiment with Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, taking it a step further from moving through the darkness.

Purple Soul Filling the Heavens is a method that gathers energy in the Plane of Qi, forming a data entity with that energy, and elevating it to the Plane of Soul.

And thanks to this data entity elevated to the Plane of Soul, the color of my Nascent Soul turns purple.

'And if I gather and mold this data entity...'

Woo-woong!

Kugugugu!

Around the Nascent Soul activating Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, something like a purple mist appeals.

The purple mist growls fiercely like a wild beast, struggling to break free from my control.

"Stay still."

I control the mist with the power of Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion and launch a single strike beyond the barrier of Penglai Island to send an avatar outside.

Kugugugu!

Through the avatar, I tear through several dimensions of the Deep Sea.

Kuang, flash!

With every exertion of the avatar's power, dimensions begin to collapse one by one.

Dimensions with deep mountains and secluded valleys reminiscent of Peach Blossom Gardens, dimensions with fire prisons and blazing flames, dimensions where pitch-black oil flows, and dimensions filled with toxic gas.

Kugung, kugugung!

How many dimensions similar to the domains of Integration stage cultivators did I push through?

Kururung!

Within a dimensional fragment, I sense something resonating throughout the entire Deep Sea.

Shortly after, the space above the dimension I am smashing with the avatar shatters, and a bizarre creature resembling a catfish roars.

[Biiiiiii-]

It's a deep-sea monster.

I send data entities of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens that I control through the Plane of Soul to the avatar.

Kugugugu!

A purple mist arises around the avatar.

[Biiiiiiiiii—]

"Be quiet."

Tadak!

In an instant, I fly through the void and slice the deep-sea monster in half, then unleash the power of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens that's roaring like mad towards it.

Chwaak!

The mist of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, as if it had been waiting, breaks free from my control and swiftly envelops the corpse of the deep-sea monster.

'I can feel it.'

The purple mist begins to dismantle the information of the deep-sea monster.

The boundless information and historical knowledge that made up the deep-sea monster starts being reconstructed within the purple mist.

And in the next moment,

Pasasasasa—

As the purple mist subsides, the deep-sea monster in the form of a catfish, somehow shrouded in purple, glares at me from within.

The wound I had inflicted is gone.

[Kaeeeeeeeeeek!]

Kugugugu!

It charges at me once more.

As I roughly counterattack the creature, I realize.

'It's gotten stronger than before.'

Purple Soul Filling the Heavens had entered its body, taken over the deep-sea monster, discarded its bad parts, and compacted the good parts, resulting in its evolution.

After a brief confrontation with the creature, I split it in half once again.

Kuuuung!

Where the deep-sea monster fell, an ancient stone the size of a fist remains, and the purple mist seems to drift in the void before adhering to the ancient stone as if absorbed.

'This is...'

Then, the formula of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens begins to emerge over the ancient stone.

Wo-woong—

I shudder as I read the formula of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens that rose above the ancient stone.

The formula has changed.

I recite the changed formula and activate it once more.

And I realize.

'Purple Soul Filling the Heavens has evolved!'

Of course, it isn't a massive evolution; it's merely an additional line about 'how to deal with slashes,' but evolution is still evolution.

A method that disassembles and absorbs the soul and information of the opponent to evolve.

'So, this is Purple Soul Filling the Heavens.'

Originally, it isn't a mist but rather a method where my Nascent Soul is completely assimilated with Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, allowing me to erode and devour my opponent to evolve.

However, I have not yet fully assimilated my Nascent Soul with Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, so I can't erode opponents yet.

'With this, I've somewhat grasped Purple Soul Filling the Heavens.'

"It's a pity I can't evolve by eroding the opponent, but that's not what I wanted in the first place. More importantly, being able to move freely in the darkness means...I can quickly find Daoist Baek Rin."

Smiling faintly, I try to transfer the newly acquired power of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens to the avatar on the sea surface.

And then, I shudder.

"...Wait."

Suddenly, a thought crosses my mind.

Purple Soul Filling the Heavens is a secret art that disassembles and absorbs the opponent to erode and evolve.

And Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens is a secret art that disassembles oneself to infect the opponent.

If that's the case, can't I absorb Seo Hweol's Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens configurations with Purple Soul Filling the Heavens?

-x-X-x-

Basement of Governing Dragon Palace.

Within a certain prison located there.

No one has set food in the underground prison recently, but the footsteps of demon beasts echo.

Clang!

Kuung!

"Get in! And Princess Yuk Yo, this way, please!"

What the Demon Race dragged in is a ghostly creature with only white bones remaining, Baek Rin.

Alongside him was Yuk Yo, known as the Sacred Orchid Princess.

After a brief commotion, a demon beast and a ghostly creature are each locked in different cells.

Yuk Yo, imprisoned, bites her lip as she grasps the iron bars.

"...They're really locking me up?"

In response to her words, the sea demon beasts who captured and imprisoned her and Baek Rin click their tongues and speak.

"It's not the first or second time the princess has tried to escape with that ghostly creature. It seems the Palace Lord is very angry, so please reflect on your actions!"

After finishing their words, they leave the underground prison.

"Ugk, ah!"

Yuk Yo shakes the iron bars in the underground prison, but perhaps due to the chains binding her arms and legs, she can't exert her proper strength.

The same is true for Baek Rin, who is imprisoned a couple of cells away.

After trying to escape for a while, Yuk Yo sighed and sat down.

"...Prison...now he's not even treating me as a daughter anymore."

"Well...hasn't the princess tried to escape so many times before? Thanks to the princess, I'm stuck in this prison as well and look like a mess."

At Baek Rin's words, Yuk Yo smirks.

"Who told you to follow me? A scammer like me?"

"I told the princess before, didn't I? The cult leader ordered me to look after the princess."

"That damn cult leader, cult leader...aren't you tired of it? Always being under someone? If it were me, I'd have escaped to find freedom."

"The princess may not understand, but I prefer being tied to someone."

"Ha, you're a frustrating cultivator...wait, come to think of it."

Yuk Yo asks Baek Rin.

"When did you start addressing me as princess? Even after you heard I was the daughter of the Palace Lord, you didn't seem to care?"

Baek Rin remains silent at her words.

Yuk Yo ponders for a moment and then claps her hands.

"Oh! Right. It was after you returned from Penglai Island, wasn't it? Hehe...you were the shaman who showed extreme loyalty to the nation of Penglai Kingdom, no?"

Baek Rin seems to recall past events and smiles faintly.

"...It seems that loyalty to the royal family still lingers. It was truly an amazing illusion."

Yuk Yo gnashes her teeth and retorts sharply at his words.

"How many times do I have to tell you? This world is fake, and Penglai Kingdom is real!"

After escaping from Penglai Island, Yuk Yo didn't have her memory seal re-imposed.

Therefore, she vividly remembers everything from Penglai Kingdom.

Baek Rin laughs heartily and says,

"How can a supposedly real world disappear like a mirage when a single palace is uprooted? Isn't that just an illusion?"

"An illusion you say!? The formation at Penglai Island is merely the entrance to 'enter' Penglai Kingdom from this world, not Penglai Kingdom itself!"

Kuang!

Yuk Yo, emotional, slams the iron bars violently, causing blood to flow from her hand.

"Aiya...it hurts..."

"Is your skin weak, even though you are of the Demon Race?"

"The term Demon Race is funny too. In Penglai Kingdom, I was a half-human, half-dragon, and my identity leaned toward being human. But upon coming out, I found that I'm actually a hybrid Demon Race with just a trace of carp and Sea Dragon blood. And in this world, for some reason, my human bloodline vanished, so I became part of the Demon Race. Right after that, my father sealed my memories, so I just lived as if it had always been that way."

"You were originally half-human, half-dragon...is that why you, towards Sir Seo Ran...?"

"I didn't know at the time, but thinking back now, that's probably it. Maybe I was drawn to him because we share the same half-human, half-dragon identity."

She fiddles with her wounded hand and sighs.

"...Ugh, losing blood is making me feel cold..."

"Even though you've reached the Nascent Soul stage, you haven't obtained a resistance to cold and heat? If you've obtained the Yin Spirit, it would be fine even if your demonic power is sealed."

"Don't just speak recklessly because you're a ghostly creature! Do you think resistance to the power of Yin comes easily?"

Baek Rin chuckles as he stands up.

Then, with his skeletal hand, he knocks on the wall of his cell.

Clang!

When Baek Rin, a Four-Axis ghostly creature, strikes the iron bars, the sound of metal reverberates.

Clang, clang!

Watching Baek Rin, Yuk Yo asks,

"...What are you doing?"

"I'm trying to move to the adjacent cell."

"Why?"

Clang, clang, clang!

There's a moment of silence, with only the metallic sound echoing underground.

Yuk Yo asks again,

"Why are you trying to come to me?"

She looks at Baek Rin's eyes, glowing with ghost fire.

Within his gaze, she can sense some emotion directed at her.

"Don't come. You can't even use spiritual power. Instead, use that effort to undo the handcuffs or shackles."

"...Do you know why I consider that world an illusion?"

"...Why?"

At Baek Rin's words, Yuk Yo looks at him with a puzzled expression.

Baek Rin smiles bitterly.

"Inside, I dreamed of losing the person I loved again. And my sole purpose there was one. To defeat the King of Demon Spirits and marry the princess."

"Ahk..."

Hearing his words, Yuk Yo's face turns slightly red.

"After coming out, I had brief conversations with other comrades. And from what I heard from the Six Extremes Ghost King and the military strategist, I found a commonality among those who were possessed by that world."

"What is it?"

"It is that the possessed experience their most 'painful' situations."

"...?"

"In that world, everyone must face their own pain, whether they want to or not. I felt such things in that world. It seemed as if the world itself was trying to give the possessed some sort of 'lesson.' Doesn't it feel like...a fairy tale world? A fairy tale that gives a lesson to its reader."

"..."

"Of course, it's not a hopeful fairy tale. It's a story that forces open the reader's wounds and sprinkles salt on them. One feels the pain of having their wounds seared. But just as searing wounds with salt disinfects them despite the pain, the hearts of those who enter become stronger."

Clang!

Baek Rin knocks on the bars.

Baek Rin and Yuk Yo's eyes meet each other.

"...I knew it too. That I didn't follow you merely because of the cult leader's order. In fact, I don't have much loyalty to the cult leader. I joined the order only because I saw my friends doing well. But it seems that until now, I was trapped in love, regret, and despair for my old friends, turning a blind eye to everything else."

"..."

"I have come to love you, Princess Yuk Yo."

Kaang!

The sound of metal echoes once again from the underground.

"...That world must be an illusion. Because, only then will you remain in this world."

At Baek Rin's words, Yuk Yo bites her lip.

"...It's not an illusion. That world...is real."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because the childhood I spent there, and the love I received from my mother there, are not lies."

"There is a person who loves you here as well."

Kaang!

Yuk Yo clenches her teeth.

"...Why are you so obsessed with me? I've even deceived you before."

"I don't care even if I am deceived."

"I might continue deceiving you."

"Isn't it because the princess thinks this world is fake that you keep doing such deceitful things?"

"That's right. This world is fake anyway."

"But my feelings are real, Princess Yuk Yo. I know you are not that kind of person. Even if it's only the memories of a shaman from Penglai Kingdom, I know very well that you are a kind-hearted person who cares for your people."

At Baek Rin's words, Yuk Yo's lips tremble slightly.

"You said you were born in that world? I remember the you from that world. Would you lie to someone like me as well?"

At his words, Yuk Yo chews her lip.

Blood drips from her mouth.

"You think of that world as an illusion! If so, my image there is fake regardless. Do you still think the same when I am just a scamming carp woman in this world?"

She asks Baek Rin with a sneer.

"If I were to really go back to that world, would you be able to follow? To that world you believe to be an illusion or a dream?"

At those words, Baek Rin laughs, his jaw opening wide.

"If you wish, I will follow."

"..."

"There was a time I regretted not seizing the moment. I will not let it happen again."

Baek Rin's face consists only of a skull.

But just for a moment, Yuk Yo feels as if she glimpsed Baek Rin's living appearance on his visage.

Yuk Yo averts her gaze from Baek Rin with a stiff expression.

"...Do as you wish. And as I said before, if you continue doing that, you'll just end up breaking your bones."

"I don't mind."

Kaang! Kaang!

"...Do whatever you want."

Without looking at Baek Rin, Yuk Yo sits down and buries her face in her knees.

She seems to be asleep.

However, the sound of Baek Rin striking the bars continues to ring, and something trickles down her cheek, where her face is buried, and falls from her chin.

Yuk Yo ignores Baek Rin.

After all, he would give up eventually.

But ten years pass.

Yuk Rin doesn't particularly care about the underground prison, and neither do the guards.

In the prison where no one enters.

There, Baek Rin continuously strikes on the iron bars.

Pasasak—

Baek Rin's right hand has already turned to dust.

But he continues to strike the bars with his right arm bone and left hand.

Kaak!

At last, a part of the bars break.

Just enough for a hand to fit through.

Yuk Yo clicks her tongue as she watches him.

"...Stop doing such stupid things."

Baek Rin silently continues to strike the bars.

Twenty years have passed.

By now, one side of Baek Rin's cell bars have collapsed.

Since Baek Rin and Yuk Yo were originally imprisoned one cell apart, Baek Rin still has to break through another wall.

But at some point, both of Baek Rin's arm bones have crumbled completely.

Yet, Baek Rin lifts his legs and kicks the bars.

Occasionally, he rams his body against the bars.

Yuk Yo simply watches Baek Rin quietly.

Baek Rin's body crumbles, but the bars of her cell are gradually shaking.

Amidst the indifference of Yuk Rin and the officials of Governing Dragon Palace, a ghost and a demon beast are slowly, little by little, coming closer together.

Thirty years have passed.

Baek Rin's left side has worn away and vanished, and his left leg has turned to dust.

But Baek Rin continues to slam into the bars with his one remaining leg.

Kaang!

Pasak!

Finally, one of the bars between Yuk Yo and Baek Rin slightly crumbles.

But Yuk Yo shouts at Baek Rin.

"Stop it already! How long are you going to keep this up?"

Baek Rin only smiles.

"We're almost there, can't you see?"

"See what! All I see is your body being smashed to pieces! Your strength is waning as your body crumbles, so what am I supposed to see? Are you the one who can't see?"

Baek Rin's eyes brighten silently.

And once again, he leaps on one foot and rams his body against Yuk Yo's wall.

Kaang!

Tuduk!

One of Baek Rin's remaining ribs shatters.

"...I see it. Very clearly."

"But just why! Didn't you become a ghostly creature because you didn't want to die? What are you doing now?"

At her words, Baek Rin chuckles.

And he crashes into it again.

Yuk Yo seems about to say something more but closes her mouth as she watches him.

And so, forty years have passed.

Pasasak—

Baek Rin's body is completely destroyed.

All that remains now is his skull.

No, even the jawbone of his skull is shattered.

And the forty years feel meaningless.

Baek Rin failed to reach Yuk Yo.

Yuk Yo looks at Baek Rin's skull with empty eyes and speaks.

"...How many times did I tell you? You'd fail."

"..."

"You can't even use mental speech because your spiritual power is sealed. It's pathetic."

"..."

"How stupid. Why didn't you just stay put? What, say something as you usually do. Like asking if I slept well in your greasy manner or assuring me today is the day. Go, go on, try again."

"..."

"In the end, I am right. Just staying still was the best plan. You made a small hole, but this is the end, isn't it? Your body is utterly wrecked for nothing. This is ridiculous."

"..."

"...Say something."

Wo-wong—

The circuit drawn on Baek Rin's skull buzzes softly.

It seems like he is trying to say something to her.

However, the sound is too faint to hear.

"...Of course, after ramming your head so much, that circuit's broken too. You used to brag about receiving it from the cult leader, and now it's a tattered mess. Now that you can't even say what you want to say, what will you do? Ha! Geez..."

Yuk Yo looks at Baek Rin for a moment and lets out a hollow laugh.

"...It's finally quiet now. Do you know how noisy it was all this time? Ah~ It's peaceful. Without that noisy clang clang and breaking sound, I can finally sleep a little more comfortably."

She lays back down on her spot and closes her eyes.

Baek Rin just silently watches her.

And three days later.

Clang, Clang, Clang!

Yuk Yo begins to strike on the bars.

She clenches her teeth.

"Why! After coming! This far! Why! Did you stop! There!"

Baek Rin silently watches her.

"This far! You made a hole! Just a little more! Regardless of everything! What you were trying to do could have been completed! So why did you stop there!"

Splurt!

Blood bursts from her hands.

Due to not inheriting much dragon blood, she has the fragile skin of a carp.

However, Yuk Yo continues to pound on the bars even as blood gushes out.

She has been listening for decades now.

Even without hearing for three days, it's as if something is grating her ears.

Yuk Yo, for the first time in her life.

No, to be exact, for the first time since following Yuk Rin out of Penglai Island.

She shouts not out of desperation, but with sincerity.

"Let me hear your voice! Why! Why did you stupidly crush your jaw to the point where you can't speak anymore!?"

Clang!

Sixty years have passed.

Is it at last?

Or is it only now?

In any case, Yuk Yo, after pounding on the bars until her hands have torn, is able to connect Baek Rin's cell and her own.

Dururuk...

She extends her foot into Baek Rin's cell.

This is because she can no longer use her hands.

"...Are you satisfied now?"

Yuk Yo asks as she pulls Baek Rin's skull towards her.

Then, facing Baek Rin's skull, she presses her forehead against it for a moment.

Woong, Wo-woong—

Baek Rin's skull resonates.

Through the fine circuits drawn on his skull, Yuk Yo finally hears Baek Rin's voice.

Wooong, Wo-woong—

After listening to Baek Rin for a while, Yuk Yo clenches her teeth.

"...Was it just to say something like that?"

Woong—

Wo-woong—

Yuk Yo looks at Baek Rin for a while and then laughs.

A single tear flows down her face.

"You could have just said, 'Good morning,' like you used to. Just that one sentence would have been enough."

As Yuk Yo speaks, tears stream down on Baek Rin's head.

"If only you broke your handcuffs, if only you broke your iron bars and escaped, that would have been better!"

Though she cries out, Yuk Yo knows as well.

Even if the cuffs shatter, the restraint embedded in their Nascent Soul wouldn't disappear.

Even if they break through the iron bars, as long as they are within Governing Dragon Palace, all their actions are visible to Yuk Rin, so it's meaningless.

Baek Rin has simply done what he wants within the confines of his cage.

To be with Yuk Yo.

And Yuk Yo, knowing that fact, can do nothing but hold Baek Rin's skull and cry out in tears.

And so four years pass.

Kwagwagwagwang!

Within the prison.

Yuk Yo, who was sleeping with a skull in her arms, wakes up to a sound as if Heaven and Earth are being torn apart.

Kugugugu!

The entire Governing Dragon Palace is shaking.

With the vibrations, the underground prison, which no one paid attention to, twists, and the bars of the cell where Yuk Yo is confined violently distorts.

Kakang, Kang!

With a single shake, Yuk Yo gains the opportunity to escape from the cell.

Ghost fire flares up in Baek Rin's eye sockets.

Yuk Yo listens to Baek Rin's small whisper as her eyes shine.

"...He sure comes late. Your cult leader.'

Woong—

Wo-woong—

"You're saying we should escape, right? I understand."

She takes Baek Rin and steps outside.

Kiiiiik—

As she ascends from the underground prison, she squints her eyes.

The prohibition of the entire Governing Dragon Palace is being shaken, and countless subjects of the palace are in chaos.

It's the perfect time to escape.

However, Yuk Yo does not escape outside but rather heads further into the interior of Governing Dragon Palace.

Woong—

Wo-woong—

"Where am I going? Isn't it obvious?"

A certain poison burns in Yuk Yo's eyes.

"Since my nature is that of a thief, I'm going to steal what my father cherishes the most."

Kuuung, kuuuuuung!

Amidst the bombardment of the Fighting Demon Pirate Gang attacking Governing Dragon Island,

In that way, Yuk Yo and Baek Rin walk toward somewhere.