Pajijik...
I quietly return to the side of the throne and watch Baek Woon break the lightning prison that was triggered by Jeon Myeong-hoon's touch.
I bow my head to her.
"Even though today's unfortunate events occurred due to our differing interests, please know that I bear no particular grudge against the Sacred Master."
As the lightning prison shatters, the throne where Baek Woon had just been is revealed.
There lies Baek Woon's 'shell,' dried and shriveled like an old tree, the one that had been confronting us just moments ago.
It seems like she momentarily shed her skin, like a golden cicada escaping its husk, and evaded Jeon Myeong-hoon's attack.
She reabsorbs the shell and pushes Jeon Myeong-hoon towards me without even glancing in my direction.
'She must have temporarily hidden the lightning spear in her body's dimension.'
I realize that confronting her in her current state would make her even more difficult to handle.
Of course, judging from her condition, it seems she doesn't particularly want to continue fighting me either, but pushing further could truly be dangerous.
After offering her a respectful bow, I lift Jeon Myeong-hoon in the frozen world and turn my back.
At that moment, I hear Baek Woon's voice from behind.
[Yu Oh was looking for you. I received contact when you drove that Star Shattering monster into the Astral Realm. She wants to invite you. Since her invitations are rare, you should visit the Nether Ghost Realm at an appropriate time.]
When I turn around, Baek Woon is already gone.
Tstststss—
When I trace the energy she left behind, it seems she has already entered somewhere deep within Heavenly Lotus Mountain.
Paaaaat!
At the same time, the White Jade Pavilion I am standing on starts to dissipate into a mass of white light and scatters.
Flash!
When I regain my senses, the world is already moving again.
Chuaaaa—
It seems that the White Jade Pavilion itself is a special authority of Baek Woon.
Once again, I offer a respectful bow and take a step forward.
Paaat!
Placing Jeon Myeong-hoon into my domain and rising to the Plane of Soul, the world changes.
Kurururururu—
If the Plane of Qi is the ordinary world we know, then from the Plane of Soul onward, the world becomes vastly different.
Clouds (雲) are scattered everywhere.
The colors of the clouds that fill Heaven, Earth and the Four Directions constantly shift.
I gaze at the clouds where I'm standing.
My current location is Heavenly Lotus Mountain and its surroundings.
The clouds near Heavenly Lotus Mountain have a bright red hue.
'It's the Tall Tree Race.'
To the Tall Tree Race, Sacred Master Baek Woon is probably no different from a goddess.
Seeing their goddess being tortured by a madman with 21 heads in front of them, it's no wonder they're enraged.
'I'm sorry, Sacred Master.'
I feel a sense of guilt towards Baek Woon and the Tall Tree Race.
Among the hues of the Tall Tree Race, about one-twentieth of them display a sticky combination of pale pink and black, likely belonging to those who practice some unusual methods. Still, the vast majority of the Tall Tree Race is clearly furious, as evidenced by the vivid red intent they emanate.
Even though I did my best to avoid entanglements with [those above], Baek Woon's honor was tarnished as a result. I will likely need to find an appropriate time later to apologize and offer compensation.
'I'll have to find the right time to make amends.'
With that thought in mind, I tread forward in this world of clouds.
Step, step...
In the higher dimensions, even small movements cover much greater distances than they would in the lower ones.
'What a strange feeling...being completely in the Plane of Soul...'
The countless clouds that appear before me.
Each and every particle of those clouds is the emotions of a living being.
Thinking back, after defeating Kang Min-hee and becoming an Esteemed One, I immediately went into seclusion to stabilize my realm.
Once I emerged from seclusion, I almost immediately fought Baek Woon.
Because of that, this is practically the first time I've had the chance to study my current realm.
'A person's heart...is much like the clouds.'
It seems to have form, yet it does not.
It obscures the sun, blocking out the light.
It brings rain that fosters life,
And sends down lightning to judge the earth.
When gathered in great numbers, it becomes a storm that shakes the world.
'Come to think of it...the Integration stage cultivation formulae can all be interpreted in connection to clouds.'
Rain, Sunlight, Heat, Cold, Wind, Time.
Rain represents the clouds gathering and the sky closing,
Sunlight represents the clouds dispersing and the sky opening,
Heat is when the open sky remains for a long time,
Cold is when the closed sky remains for a long time,
Wind is the force that regulates all of these phenomena,
And all these changes combine to create Time.
In the Integration Stage, the dharma treasure created by merging with one's domain is called the Refining Void Dharma Treasure.
And this Refining Void Dharma Treasure becomes partially connected to one's heart essence.
Heart essence is ultimately a cloud.
'I see.'
As I grasp the connection between the Refining Void Dharma Treasure, the Integration stage formula, and the Plane of Soul, I feel my understanding of the cultivation realm itself deepens.
The Integration stage formula and the Refining Void Dharma Treasure are interconnected.
Most cultivators at the Integration stage would understand the formula of Rain, Sunlight, Heat, Cold, Wind, and Time as 'a formula that applies the phenomena of Heaven and Earth to one's domain.'
But now I understand.
This is not about applying the phenomena of Heaven and Earth to one's domain.
Rather, it's a formula that makes you realize that the phenomena of Heaven and Earth already exist within your own heart.
'Ah...I see.'
I have grasped one crucial truth.
'Was I truly such a fool...?'
Although it feels like a new understanding, it's one I keep realizing over and over again.
But this time, it doesn't end with simply 'me' being the fool.
'Including me, all cultivators in this world...are ultimately just fools.'
In a past life, I thought I had fully mastered the divine abilities of the six formulas.
But I hadn't.
I hadn't even glimpsed a fragment of the divine ability of the Integration stage.
From the Integration Stage onwards, the convenient shortcut of raising one's realm through Breakthrough before Understanding no longer works.
'I always wondered why so few reach the Star Shattering stage.'
Was it because of this?
Step, step...
I walk a few steps and traverse tens of millions of li through the Plane of Soul to arrive at the Heart Tribe territory.
The 'clouds' in the Heart Tribe territory have a slightly different form compared to those in other territories.
Each and every particle composing the 'clouds' in the Heart Tribe territory is glowing.
I look at the countless glowing cloud particles.
'That's the Pinnacle and the Three Flowers Gather at the Summit.'
Souls that have just entered the threshold of intent.
These souls are moving more actively within the clouds.
'That's Five Energies Converging to the Origin...'
Those who have attained consciousness by acknowledging the boundlessness of intent.
The changes in the colors of their souls seem more natural.
The countless clouds I see in the Plane of Soul are part of a 'collective unconscious,' and when certain souls radiate strong emotions, those emotions would spread and affect others.
However, souls at the level of Five Energies Converging to the Origin and above are slower to be affected by the collective unconscious, and even when they are, the changes in their colors are much more natural.
'That's Entering Heavens...'
The first stage of Manifestation.
By my standards, the souls of those who reached Entering Heavens are quite peculiar.
'They're rotating...'
The souls of those who reached Entering Heavens are spinning vigorously among the grains of clouds in the Plane of Soul.
Through that rotational force, I see them drawing power from the Plane of Soul down to the lower planes.
'Is that Treading Heavens?'
I observe the particles of clouds which are spinning with increasingly greater force.
Some of the cloud particles spin so powerfully that their force affects the surrounding clouds.
I come to understand the principle of heart language gained from Entering Heavens and Treading Heavens.
'I see. Heart language is the act of pulling nearby clouds within the sphere of one's own rotational force.'
And Tribulating Heavens.
Wo-woong—
I look at the clouds that have reached Tribulating Heavens.
The ones called the third stage of Manifestation.
Kurururung—
The nightmares of the Heaven and Earth Tribes, known to number only ten thousand among the entire Heart Tribe.
'...I see.'
I fully grasp how the power of a Heart Tribe at the third stage of Manifestation takes the form of 'Heavenly Tribulation.'
The soul of a Heart Tribe who has risen to Tribulating Heavens takes the shape of a massive helix (螺旋) through its rotational force, pulling and converging the surrounding cloud particles.
Furthermore, a Heart Tribe at the third stage of Manifestation is no longer a single 'cloud particle' but a 'cloud mass', formed by the merging of the collective unconsciousness.
Why does a Heavenly Tribulation become added when a cultivator opposes a martial artist of Tribulating Heavens?
A Heavenly Tribulation is Heavenly Punishment.
Heavenly Punishment falls only upon those who have committed acts of defying the heavens.
Acts of defying the heavens are actions that 'distort the principles of the world,' actions that alter the fates of countless beings.
Martial artists of Tribulating Heavens complete themselves by embracing the 'hearts of countless beings' within their own heart.
Thus, to oppose a martial artist at Tribulating Heavens means to oppose 'the hearts of countless beings,' and to those who defy such an existence, Heavenly Punishment falls.
"And...those must be Jang Ik's disciples."
I gaze at the souls of the disciples of First Step Before the Throne.
Each of their souls is a massive mass of clouds.
From within those masses of clouds, I see a faint illusion.
No, it's not an illusion.
That is the First Step Before the Throne Heart Tribe's domain.
Just as a cultivator at the Integration stage possesses their own Integrated Dao Domain, a Heart Tribe at the First Step Before the Throne manifests their own Heart Essence Domain within the Plane of Soul.
'So then I...'
I reflect upon my own form.
In the Plane of Soul, my form is a light shining pure white.
'I see.'
The clouds gather and condense, and at their center, a light begins to emerge.
During the time of Seated Detachment, Entering Hope, I must have appeared like the disciples of Jang Ik, with illusions flickering within a massive cloud mass.
But now, that illusion has entered within this light.
This light, as it connects with countless others, will gradually grow brighter until it eventually shines like the sun.
'Ah...I understand.'
I look alternately at the planes of Qi and Fate from within the Plane of Soul.
The Plane of Qi is explosions.
Explosions of countless time and space, creating each moment and flowing them away in an ever-changing world.
The Plane of Soul is clouds.
Clouds of ashes and dust left behind after the explosions.
The Plane of Fate is light.
Dust gathers and gathers until it eventually becomes a star in the sky, a star that shines brightly and illuminates the dark void.
I now understand why Jang Ik, despite not even reaching the peak of Second Step Before the Throne, defined the realm up to the Third Step Before the Throne.
One day, Jang Ik must have thought that when this light reaches the stars in the Plane of Fate, it will become possible to twist fate even with the power of the Heart Tribe.
'The correlation between the realms of the Heart Tribe and the realms of the Heaven Earth Tribes is quite precise.'
I now understand what Jang Ik saw.
At the same time, I understand how the world is layered.
The Source River exists as a shadow of the 'clouds of the nonliving' among the clouds in the Plane of Soul, under the light of the Plane of Fate, layered upon the Plane of Qi and shadowing above it.
The Underworld is draped and layered beneath the light as the shadow of the 'clouds of the living' among the clouds.
The Eastern Heaven Flower Field lies below both the Source River and the Underworld, as the shadow of the Plane of Qi itself.
The shadow of the Interdimensional Void is not visible, but it must exist somewhere.
'Is it cast as a shadow through the light of the Plane of Fate...?'
The shadows each exert their own force of attraction.
'It really could've been dangerous...'
Had I fully risen to the Plane of Soul with only Nether Perception, I have a feeling I would have been instantly sucked into the Underworld the moment I stepped on the Underworld's 'shadow.'
Since I am stepping on both the shadow of the Underworld and the shadow of the Source River at the same time, and still belong to this world, I haven't been pulled in either direction.
As I suddenly become aware of that fact, I simultaneously realize something chilling.
'...Wait.'
Why must the titles of the Bright Cold Realm Esteemed ones include the characters for Light (光) and Heaven (天)?
Shudder!
If previously I simply refused out of discomfort, it's only after internalizing my realm that I realize how fortunate I had been to reject Baek Woon's name.
The Plane of Fate, which symbolizes the heavens, is light itself from the perspective of the Heart Tribe.
If that's the case, doesn't that mean that the heavens and light are essentially the same existence?
I turn around.
Heavenly Lotus Mountain, where Baek Woon resides.
There, I can see Baek Woon's soul.
Her soul is being intensely illuminated by light descending from the heavens.
In the Plane of Soul, I look towards the Plane of Fate that is filled with light, and I instinctively feel a chill creeping into my chest.
'Let's not think about it.'
I exhale a sigh, avoiding further glances at the Plane of Fate.
In hindsight, I should have realized it earlier.
To see color (色) means that light (光) must be present.
Without light, color ultimately has no meaning and is merely black.
I quickly adjust my mind, erasing all thoughts of the light.
If I think about it too long, [those above] might notice.
Step—
I take another step down from the Plane of Soul.
Tststststst—
I'm back in the familiar Cedar Wood Grove.
I empty my mind of all the complex truths like the Plane of Fate, the Source River, the Underworld, and the Eastern Heaven Flower Field, and instead collect the insights I gained from the Plane of Soul.
'The power of the Heart Tribe draws in the hearts of others.'
Then, is it an act of devouring the souls of others?
No, it's not.
'As a Heart Tribe, what we draw in is not their soul, but their heart.'
A person's heart is never completed by their own alone.
Just as a person cannot exist solely as an individual, the stronger the Heart Tribe member becomes, the more they complete their heart essence through the hearts of many.
The reason I couldn't reach Entering Heavens for several years while standing next to Kim Young-hoon.
Even though Kim Young-hoon told me, 'It's already within you,' that wasn't quite true.
Even if it was within me, without Kim Young-hoon, I wouldn't have been able to attain it.
The Heart Tribe completes itself by drawing in the hearts of others.
The countless people who gave their hearts to the Heart Tribe, helping to complete the Heart Tribe's heart essence, also gain the possibility of reaching a higher realm just by being in the presence of a higher realm Heart Tribe.
In other words, the path of a martial artist cannot be completed alone. It must be completed with the presence of a higher person who stands ahead.
'It turns out Hyung-nim was the strange one for reaching Entering Heavens on his own.'
I give a wry smile in the direction of the one who had told me in the distant past to 'swing.'
The clouds of the Heart Tribe territory, though I referred to them as 'hearts,' are likely closer to 'moments.'
The essence of lightning is the moment.
The essence of the heart is also the moment.
Our lives are composed of countless moments.
These moments connect together and ultimately form our lives.
And to fully repent, enlighten (repentant enlightenment), and understand that life.
That is the very essence of Martial Arts (武).
Paaaatt!
As I grasp the essence of Martial Arts, I feel the formula of Time in my Integrated Dao Domain fully activate.
"I've understood Time."
As I place Jeon Myeong-hoon, who has exhausted all his energy after battling Sacred Master Baek Woon, down beside me, I look around Cedar Wood Grove.
I understand clearly.
The fastest way to complete the Integrated Dao Domain is not 'Breakthrough before Understanding,' but 'Understanding before Breakthrough.'
I must fully understand my own heart.
Therefore,
'I'll need to face the remaining four.'
Recalling the feeling I had when Gyeong Chang died, I make up my mind to seek out the remaining four of Jang Ik's disciples.
-x-X-x-
As soon as I appear in Cedar Wood Grove, Jang Ik's 21 disciples and Kim Young-hoon quickly step forward in front of me.
"Esteemed One, just what is this situation?"
Ryeo Hwa asks me in bewilderment, and I briefly explain the situation to them.
"S-So, in other words..."
"You fought with the Sacred Master because you refused the title of Esteemed One?"
I awkwardly nod.
"I apologize. However, it was an important matter regarding me, so it happened that way."
At my words, they all exchange startled looks and then give a small, hollow laugh.
"...We understand, for now. However...because of what the Esteemed One has done, a few problems have arisen."
"...What kind of problems...?"
I ask cautiously, and Ryeo Hwa of the Flower Plant Race speaks up.
"First...the Heaven Tribe's intelligence-gathering power is a problem. With their unique skills in divination and foresight, they've already learned that the Esteemed One belongs to the Heart Tribe. As a result, countless members of the Heaven Tribe and Earth Tribe are currently preparing to attack Cedar Wood Grove. Normally, they wouldn't dare attack because of the Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One's reputation, but with the Sacred Master being bested they've all lost their reason."
"...You mentioned a few problems. What else is there?"
"The Vestiges."
"...!"
Even before Ryeo Hwa finishes speaking, a large creature swoops in from afar and begins bombarding beams of light onto Cedar Wood Grove.
Bo-oong Bo-oong, Bo-ooong!
Kwarururung!
Fortunately, 3rd stage masters of the Heart Tribe step up and scatter Heavenly Tribulation in unison, causing the monster's body to explode instantly.
But I instinctively realize that there are more Vestiges like that one out there.
"The Vestiges the Sacred Master had been holding back from attacking the Bright Cold Realm are now invading in full force. These Vestiges have the trait of devouring the flow of Heaven and Earth spiritual energy, so for now, they will start by attacking the Stable Realm, however...as more of them arrive, the chances of them attacking us will increase."
"Hmmm...I really have caused quite a mess."
The reason I attempted to draw out Baek Woon's lightning spear while having a conversation with her wasn't because I was being foolish.
It's because the role the Sacred Master plays is significant.
"It's fine. It hasn't been just once or twice that the Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One overturned the Heaven and Earth Tribes. However, since the Esteemed One has started this, it would be appreciated if you could also protect Cedar Wood Grove."
"Of course, it's something I must do. But...before that, I have a request to make of you."
"Although the Supreme Council normally only follows the orders of the Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One...given the current situation, if the Esteemed One's orders are not unreasonable, we will follow. Pease, don't hesitate to give commands instead of requests."
I offer them my gratitude and deliver my request.
"First...this may sound abrupt, but one of my comrades is currently suffering from the curse of Heavenly Penalty and is on the brink of death. I would like you to find a way to lift that curse."
Kim Young-hoon nods and answers in their place.
"We've been paying quite a bit of attention to finding a cure for Miss Buk's curse here in Cedar Wood Grove. However, even with nearby spiritual herbs, spiritual elixirs, and healing-oriented manifestations, nothing has worked..."
"In that case, I ask that you venture into the territory of the Heaven and Earth Tribes to investigate further."
"Pardon!?"
At my words, the Supreme Council of the Heart Tribe looks at me as if I've gone mad.
Well, to be fair, asking the Supreme Council of the Heart Tribe to do something like this is pretty much the same as telling them to go off and die.
But I continue explaining my plan to them.
"Please listen carefully, my senior brothers and sisters. I intend to use you all as my terminals (端末)."
"What...?"
Seeing is believing.
Without a word, I temporarily connect their consciousness with mine through the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon.
Though brief, what I perceive, 'to some extent,' is transmitted to them as well.
I draw the Colorless Glass Sword, half-closing my eyes as I settle into my stance.
Sssssss—
With my breathing, the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy in the surroundings begins to be drawn toward me.
Kugugugugu!
I contemplate the Integrated Dao Domain within me.
I contemplate the Heart Essence Domain of my soul.
I contemplate my own essence, energy, and spirit.
And in the next moment—
I swing.
"I'll kill you! I'll kill you! Kill, kill, kill...! Filthy, Human Race Heart Tribe beggar!"
In the Tall Tree Race territory.
Within a castle there.
A Four-Axis stage Tall Tree clansman is weeping sap from their eyes and shouting furiously.
And it isn't just that.
The vast majority of the masters in the Tall Tree Race territory are moving frantically while spewing their anger.
Kwarururung!
A gigantic monster plummets from the sky.
It's a Vestige of the Interdimensional Void.
Kwaggagak!
The Four-Axis stage cultivator of the Tall Tree Race hurls a wooden spear towards a Vestige of equal realm.
Gurgle, gurgle, kwang!
The wooden spear grows inside the Vestige, sprouting branches that pierce through its body, causing the Vestige to explode.
Of course, the exploding Vestige doesn't die immediately and instead transforms into smaller, weaker Vestiges. However, those kinds of Vestiges are fortunately easily handled by the Heavenly Being stage Tall Tree Race who rush in to finish them off.
"Huaaaaah! The Sacred Master! That Human Race! That filthy, ugly, trash-like Human Race! That Human Race who's not only a Heart Tribe spy but also a Nether Ghost Realm spy! That bastard, defiled my Sacred Master, my Sacred Master!"
The Four-Axis stage Tall Tree Race keeps screaming as they tear through the Vestiges.
"My, my, my Sacred Master. It was my Sacred Master! I, I admired her first...I was first..."
Though the Four-Axis Tall Tree Race continues fiercely fighting the Vestiges, their strength is gradually waning.
"I..."
And then, at that moment.
Pukwak!
Piercing through the clouds in the sky, fifty Integration stage Vestiges appear.
"...Ah, hahaha..."
The Four-Axis Tall Tree Race member, along with countless others within the castle, look up at the sky with eyes full of despair.
Just then.
Kururururu!
With a world-shaking burst of light, Heaven and Earth tremble.
At the same time, the eyes of the Tall Tree Race widen in disbelief.
"..."
Everyone there sees it.
A colossal sword energy, large enough to cover the sky, sweeps away all the Integration stage Vestiges in an instant.
The Tall Tree Race, sensitive to reading celestial energy, quickly traces the origin of the sword energy through the sky.
And terror spreads across their eyes.
"F-From...the Heart Tribe territory...it flew all the way here...?'
In the Paired Wings Race territory.
There, an Integration stage Grand Cultivator of the Paired Wings Race, who has just barely managed to win after a fierce battle against three Integration stage Vestiges, is staring blankly at the sky.
Grand Cultivator Baek Myeong looks up at the sky with dazed eyes.
"...Thirty Integration stage Vestiges...? Haha...is today the day the Paired Wings Race ends...?"
He coughs dryly and glances at his own body.
"...Damn it. My body isn't even fully healed...even if I go down with them, how many can I take with me...?"
Just then.
"...!"
Before Baek Myeong can even react.
From an unfathomably distant location, a massive sword energy shoots through like an arrow, wiping out all thirty of the Integration stage Vestiges in one strike.
Grand Cultivator Baek Myeong stares in disbelief, reading the celestial and earthly energies.
As a Heaven and Earth Dual Cultivation practitioner, Baek Myeong possesses vision from both sides, allowing him to read more information than other Grand Cultivators. Because of this, he manages to track the origin of the sword energy in an instant.
"H-H-Heart Tribe territory..."
Baek Myeong's pupils tremble with unease.
His wings begin to quiver uncontrollably.
"H-Heart Tribe...sword energy...enormous... H-h...huuuaaah! J-Jang Hyung! Elder Jang! Please spare me! I was wrong! I won't boil and eat the Small Green Race as soup anymore! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry...! Huaaaaaaah!!!"
As if some terrible memory has been triggered, Baek Myeong starts flailing and screaming into the empty air.
Not just the Tall Tree Race and Paired Wings Race,
But also the Fighting Ghost Race, Fungal Bone Race, and Rotting Owl Race.
Even in the skies above the major races of the Earth Tribe, the same massive sword energy flies in and sweeps away the Vestiges attacking their territories.
The Heaven Tribe reads the celestial energy, the Earth Tribe tracks the earthly energy, and everyone in the Bright Cold Realm discovers where the sword energy originates from.
From Cedar Wood Grove of the Heart Tribe territory.
From there, 'someone' has sent a sword energy across tens of millions of li to assist them.
Kwaang!
In the True Dragon Alliance of the Earth Tribe.
As one of the administrators of the Serving Command Ark and a Dragon King who has recently risen to the Integration stage, Gyu Ryeon trembles while battling the Vestiges in the sky as she recalls the sword energy that just wiped out hundreds of Vestiges in an instant.
"Wh-What in the world...?"
Chwarararara!
She tracks the origin of the sword energy by following the flow of Heaven and Earth spiritual energy.
"The Heart Tribe territory...? But that's at least hundreds of millions of li away..."
Her face turns pale.
"Just who could it be..."
In her mind, she recalls the 'evil spirit torturing Sacred Master Baek Woon,' broadcasted just moments ago through Heavenly Tribulation.
The utterly insane demon spirit with twenty-one heads.
From the information Sacred Master Baek Woon transmitted, Gyu Ryeon and countless others realized that the demon spirit is a 'Heart Tribe.'
'Did that demon spirit just help us...?'
Shuddering, Gyu Ryeon shakes her head.
'No. There's no way that demon spirit who tortured the Sacred Master would help us. They say the Heart Tribe is as they appear on the surface, so a demon spirit that looks as evil as that one would never help anyone. But...only an Esteemed One could send such a strike...'
Gyu Ryeon and numerous other Integration stage Demon Kings are all struck with fear as a certain possibility dawns on them.
'Then...could it be...that the Heart Tribe has given birth to two Esteemed Ones!?'
That would indeed be terrifying.
That day, at the True Dragon Alliance's Serving Command Ark, an emergency meeting is held regarding the 'two newly born Esteemed Ones from the Heart Tribe.'
Kiiiiing—
Within me, light (光) and shadow (陰) cycle.
As Twilight cycles, the depleted energy within me returns to its original state.
This is the divine power of Time.
Thud!
After delivering a single strike at the level of an Esteemed One, I take my stance again and launch another one.
Kugugugugu!
My single strike rises to the Plane of Soul in an instant, crossing countless spacetime and sweeping away the Vestiges in the Supreme Tiger territory, tens of millions of li away.
Afterwards, I steady my stance once more.
Kiiiiiing!
Twilight spins, and my spiritual power recovers.
This is Endless Mountains Beyond Mountains!
An ultimate technique that continually returns me to my original state, allowing for relentless attacks.
The only difference is that, unlike the usual Endless Mountains Beyond Mountains, which is activated through my mental power, physical strength, and skill, this time it is combined with the divine power of Time, expanding it to near infinity.
'Incredible...'
This is the synergy that occurs when combining the six divine powers of the Integration stage with martial arts.
Bo-oong!
Focusing all my concentration, I once again infuse my sword with immense force and swing it.
Once more, my sword energy crosses the vast expanse of spacetime, reaching other minor races' territory and wiping out the Vestiges.
Drip, drip...
Sweat drips down.
Even though the consumption of spiritual power is almost none, using the divine power of Time takes a considerable toll on my mental strength, causing my focus to gradually drain.
'This will be the last.'
One final time, I release sword energy that sweeps away the Vestiges attacking the weak races, then pause to wipe away my sweat.
"Huuu..."
After briefly severing my connection with the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon,
I speak to the Supreme Council, who stand nearby with their mouths agape.
"Do you understand now?"
"...We understand. You plan to send us out to various places across the Bright Cold Realm, using us as terminals to more precisely launch single strikes and eradicate the Vestiges."
"Precisely."
They glance at each other briefly, then nod.
Ryeo Hwa, the current Vice-leader of the Supreme Council, looks at Kim Young-hoon and speaks.
"Sir Young-hoon, please stay with the Esteemed One and guard the Heart Tribe territory. We will take our disciples and followers and return shortly."
"Can you trust me?"
"For the past ten years, we've shared so many enlightenments together. There was nothing that would hinder the trust between us. I trust you, Sir Young-hoon. Besides..."
She looks at Kim Young-hoon with a meaningful smile.
"Since ancient times, I've had a knack for picking out good seeds. If a seed is on the verge of blossoming, it's only right to let it settle in and grow."
I glance at Kim Young-hoon after hearing Ryeo Hwa's words.
He only offers a bitter smile in response.
"That's too high a compliment. I still have a long way to reach that stage..."
"Haha...excessive humility is also a form of pride. Well then, Sir Young-hoon and Yu Yeon will remain here to protect the Heart Tribe territory."
After making that decision, Ryeo Hwa quickly receives my split soul and integrates it into their bodies.
Then, they swiftly gather the third stage Heart Tribe members and scatter across the Bright Cold Realm.
From now on, they will wander the realm, serving as my terminals.
Through them, I will unleash single strikes to cleanse the Vestiges of the Interdimensional Void.
In doing so, they can wield my influence to warn the Heaven and Earth Tribes not to encroach on the Heart Tribe territory. At the same time, they could gather information about Buk Hyang-hwa's curse.
'Good, let's keep it going like this.'
Just as I prepare to begin cleansing the Vestiges of the Interdimensional Void through the scattered Heart Tribe members,
Swoosh!
I suddenly dodge the surprise attack from Yu Yeon, who strikes at me from the side.
Yu Yeon of the Shrimp Shell Race, with energy swirling in their fists, stares at me.
"...What are you doing, Senior Brother?"
"Senior Sister."
"Ah...I sincerely apologize, Senior Sister. I saw the balance of yin and yang in your body and mistakenly thought you were a Senior Brother..."
"It's fine. People often get confused. Even among the Shrimp Shell Race, I was born with a deformity, so my body has always been overflowing with yin and yang energy. That's probably why the balance appears unusual."
"I s—"
Before I even finish speaking.
She rushes at me again, extending her fist.
Kwaaang!
An enormous explosion erupts from both of her fists, sweeping through the area.
I disperse the dust cloud and ask her.
"It seems you wish to spar with me."
"We disciples of the Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One are quite sensitive to fighting will. We already noticed that the Esteemed One desires to cross hands with us."
"...Will you be alright?"
I ask, looking at her.
"As you saw last time, Senior Brother Gyeong Chang died by my hands."
She lowers her head and speaks softly.
"I remember. Senior Brother Gyeong Chang and I were particularly close. From the beginning...we both share the same Manifestation name, River Bend (河曲)."
"..."
"From a young age, I have been together with Senior Brother Gyeong Chang, and thanks to him, I was able to enter under our master's teachings. My life...it had meaning only because I followed behind his back."
What could that emotion be?
It seems like a light pink hue.
But at the same time, it's also a mixture of countless other emotions.
"My River Bend is 'Calm Winds, Resting Waves' (風定浪息). To suppress the boiling yin and yang dual energy within me, for the peaceful life of our Shrimp Shell Race...it is the manifestation I obtained through a lifetime of effort."
Behind her, countless determined emotions seem to manifest.
Through the divine power of Time, I catch glimpses of scenes from her past, reading her history bit by bit.
A young girl born with a strange disease among the Shrimp Shell Race.
She met a boy from the Small Person Race, and together they honed their skills, eventually manifesting their River Bend and becoming members of the Heart Tribe.
The two met Jang Ik and received training, overcoming countless trials until they reached their current positions.
And now.
In this moment, after Gyeong Chang has died.
She stands before me, seeking to follow what Gyeong Chang saw in his final moments.
That is all there is.
Chwarak!
She sheds the shrimp-like shell that covers her body.
What is revealed is Yu Yeon, with an appearance similar to that of a girl of the Small Person Race.
Chiiiii!
The moment her skin is exposed to the sunlight, it begins to burn.
Their skin is so delicate that they must wear shrimp shells, and they usually have to live within the river's waters, being tossed about here and there by the flow of the river—a race of utmost frailty.
That is the Shrimp Shell Race.
Kugugugugugugu!
"Here I come!"
—What did Senior Brother Gyeong Chang see at that moment?
It's as if I can hear her heart.
—Now that another Esteemed One has been born, there's nothing left I need to worry about.
Within both her hands, enormous power comparable to Gyeong Chang's Sudden Wind, Sudden Rain fills the sky.
—So, all that's left is to give everything I have...to follow after Senior Brother!
I raise my sword with a solemn expression.
The next moment.
Words are unnecessary.
With the ultimate technique that possesses the greatest destructive power among all the moves I have, I meet her ultimate technique head on.
"Severing Mountains!"
"Calm Winds (風定)!"
Blinding white light surges between us, towards each other.
In the next instant.
The light clears, and our positions are reversed.
Thud!
"...Ah..."
Yu Yeon smiles gently.
"I've made it there. Senior Brother..."
She crumbles into dust, scattering with the wind.
I look at the small scorch mark left at the tip of my Colorless Glass Sword.
The smudge soon dissipates into the air, carried away by the wind.
I try to grasp the wind, but it only slips through my fingers.
It was her trace.
Watching her vanish so fleetingly and beautifully, I grasp once again at the nature of the moment.
If time is the completion of moments coming together as one,
Then perhaps the wind symbolizes how all moments eventually fade away.
"...Is this...Wind (風)?"
Right after obtaining the divine power of Time,
I killed Yu Yeon, the second oldest disciple of Jang Ik.
And then, I repentantly enlightened myself on the nature of the wind.
The wind is the drawing of one's wish.
Not lust for the sake of obsession, but simply the act of drawing within the heart.
Even if one day it weathers away (風化) and vanishes.
The traces left by the wind will remain as imprints in the clouds, in the seas, and the great mountains.
—With the wind, soar.
Recalling the formula of the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra and the last second of her life, I finally come to understand the divine power of Wind.
This is the second divine power I have attained.
-x-X-x-
Whiiiiii—
I observe the Divine Powers of Time and Wind.
At the same time, I feel the wind blowing due to the Divine Power of Wind.
'...The Heart Tribe. How troublesome.'
Even if I want to offer my condolences, they left behind nothing, nor entrusted me with anything.
All I can do is keep the memory of them in my heart.
In Gyeong Chang's case, I attended the funeral and mourned, but in her case, even finding the body is impossible, so whether a funeral can even be held is doubtful.
Therefore, I simply mourn her through the Divine Power of Wind, sending her off with the wind.
I turn to the voice I hear from the side.
It's Kim Young-hoon.
He seems to have been watching our fight.
"...Do you happen to know about her?"
"Of course. She was one of the opponents I've sparred with for the past ten years."
Kim Young-hoon, taking out a bottle of liquor from who knows where, opens it in front of me, pours it on the spot where Yu Yeon had stood, and then hands it to me.
I, too, pour some liquor on the place where Yu Yeon stood, and then sit with him on a nearby rock.
"I'll tell you a bit about Yu Yeon."
He pours me a drink as he starts to talk about Yoo Yeon.
It turns out she was the last of the Shrimp Shell Race in Cedar Wood Grove.
The title of 'Strongest of the Shrimp Shell Race' might have been simply because there were no other members of the Shrimp Shell Race left.
From what I hear, she wasn't able to save her fellow race and bring them to Cedar Wood Grove.
The Shrimp Shell Race is so fragile that even sunlight would burn their skin, and they are a race that needs the care of higher races.
The few Shrimp Shell Race members she managed to rescue all had their skin burn away in Cedar Wood Forest, unable to receive the care they needed.
I hear she saved her people who had been abused, but they resented her and burned to death.
Her parents and siblings were all abused and killed by the superior Giant Race, and her friends all died under the sunlight in Cedar Wood Grove.
The only one left for Yu Yeon was Gyeong Chang who came with her, and now that Gyeong Chang is gone, she simply left with him.
"Both she and Gyeong Chang had a unique view of the afterlife. They had somewhat entered the Plane of Soul, and they claimed to have caught glimpses of 'Sukhavati' while hovering on the verge of a breakthrough into the realm of Second Step Before the Throne."
[TL/N: Sukhavati is the pure land of Amitābha, also known as Western Pure Land or Land of Bliss.]
"Sukhavati...?"
"Yes. Beyond the clouds...a place higher than even the sky."
"..."
"Those two followed the religion of the Giant Race. While they were of the Small People Race who fought against the Giant Race all their lives...perhaps they were influenced by the Giant Race's beliefs. The Giant Race worships the [Serpent of Wisdom], and according to their doctrine, those who die fighting bravely will go to a world beyond the clouds where they can fight eternally. Hearing about them, apparently the Giant Race holds such beliefs of the afterlife."
He takes out his glass and pours me another drink.
"For the two of them, death isn't the end but a new beginning."
"A new beginning..."
I drink with a bitter smile.
"I sincerely hope that's true."
Gyeong Chang and Yu Yeon.
May they both find happiness beyond...
I stayed with Kim Young-hoon through the night, offering my condolences to Yu Yeon.
Since she has no kin, I conducted Yu Yeon's funeral.
I gathered the soil from where she fell and placed it next to Gyeong Chang's grave.
A small burial mound was formed.
Day and night, I unleash my sword energy across the entire Bright Cold Realm.
Kugugugugugu!
The Heart Tribe Supreme Council and masters at the 3rd stage of Manifestation, who have all become no different from my terminals, transmit my power and sweep away the Vestiges that have invaded every corner of the Bright Cold Realm.
Chwaaaaak!
As I continue to protect the entire Bright Cold Realm day and night, no one dares to easily challenge the Heart Tribe anymore.
I hear that even the cultivators of the Heaven and Earth Tribes, who abused slave races, are refraining from massacres or other violent acts, unsure of when my sword energy which is wiping out the Vestiges might turn towards them—everyone but one person.
That person is the Mad Lord.
'The Mad Lord must be dealt with as well.'
I now possess the strength to do so.
Of course, the sword energy I'm sending from afar won't be enough to defeat the Mad Lord, who's at the Quasi-Star Shattering stage.
I'll have to find him and finish things personally.
Though for now, I can't leave, as I am busy exterminating the Vestiges...
On the day Baek Woon recovers, I plan to go after the Mad Lord immediately.
'Though he gave me much, in the end, he is both a mass murderer and a madman.'
I can't leave him be, even with all the power I have.
I sit in Cedar Wood Grove, repelling the Vestiges and waiting for the day Baek Woon recovers.
Time passes quickly.
It has been ten years since I started sending sword energy flying across the entire Bright Cold Realm from Cedar Wood Grove.
It has been twenty years since we arrived at Cedar Wood Grove.
Kim Young-hoon has been continuously striving to reach Void Shattering.
Jeon Myeong-hoon has been devoting himself to training in order to manifest the lightning spear that pierced the Sacred Master's stomach back then. Meanwhile, Oh Hyun-seok and Hong Fan have finally reached the Integration stage!
Especially Oh Hyun-seok, who, after receiving all that Azure Tiger Saint could teach, was then guided by Gol Maek, who has mastered a Heaven and Earth Dual Cultivation method. Gol Maek passed on her Innate True Method to Oh Hyun-seok.
Gol Maek frequently visited Kim Young-hoon, as she hoped to raise Oh Hyun-seok to the level of Five Energies Converging to the Origin or Ultimate Pinnacle, realms connected to the Demon Race. However, Kim Young-hoon didn't seem to engage with her much.
In any case, thanks to her, Oh Hyun-seok has recently been diligently practicing the Bone Armor Treasured Origin Art.
Kim Yeon hasn't left the workshop lately, staying inside with Buk Hyang-hwa.
On the days she occasionally comes out, it's usually for walks with Buk Hyang-hwa.
Buk Hyang-hwa's condition has visibly worsened with each passing day.
Her eyes have become clouded, and it's clear that her senses are gradually fading.
Yet, even after ten years, we haven't found any way to deal with the curse of the Extraordinary Pattern Law Talent.
And, during these circumstances,
I meet Ryeo Hwa, who has come to find me.
"Please teach me a move, Esteemed One."
"...Have you lost your mind?"
I glance at her as I continue to unleash sword energy from the tallest cedar tree in Cedar Wood Grove, where I am standing that day.
Ryeo Hwa smiles faintly and shakes her head.
"I've left the position of Vice-leader to Jae Hu. You can rest easy."
"...That's not the problem."
"What is the problem then?"
She smiles faintly again and spreads her arms wide.
"One can't move forward unless they risk something precious. That's the way of this world."
It's been 20 years since we arrived at Cedar Wood Grove.
Facing Vice-leader Ryeo Hwa's earnest fighting will, I let out a deep sigh.
"Let's have a match."
"...You could die."
"Do you still not understand? Even after sending off Gyeong Chang and Yu Yeon, those two senior disciples..."
Her eyes are ablaze.
"Do you think one can reach this realm while remaining sane? The Heart Tribe...is nothing but a group of lunatics. One can't rise to this realm with a sane mind. Aside from Sir Young-hoon, everyone I've seen has been out of their mind."
Tststststststs—
A cold chills begins to emanate from her body.
"Aren't you the same, Esteemed One Seo? We are all madmen, and we even have a 'reason to die.' Isn't that right!?"
At her fierce declaration, I let out a low hum.
"Many cultivators of the Heaven and Earth Tribes view us as madmen who throw away our lives like moths chasing a higher realm, or as lunatics who take the lives of others. But that's wrong."
Woo-woong!
A chill flows from her shriveled body, seeping into my bones.
"Gyeong Chang sacrificed himself for everyone, and Yu Yeon threw away her life because she had no one left. From the moment we climbed to this realm...it means each of us found a reason to throw away our lives!"
Kugwang!
As she stomps her foot, the ground around her sinks deeply.
I look at her for a moment before speaking.
"...In the past, I once took under my care those who had abandoned life and were consumed by revenge, those who sought to die...as those dear to me."
"Is that so?"
"Even though I could do nothing for their thirst for revenge, how many times did I tell them to live...? Somehow, I did manage to save them, but later...when I myself was burning with revenge after losing my beloved, I realized. That sometimes, even if it means throwing away your life, you must quench that desire."
"You've come to your own understanding."
"In a way, yes. But...ever since I came to the Heart Tribe territory, I've been thinking."
I meet Ryeo Hwa's eyes and ask.
"Does staking everything, grinding away your life to pursue the 'higher,' really...have meaning?"
I look at her with bitter eyes.
"And...if I end up killing you, how will those left behind feel...?"
Gyeong Chang, it was for those left behind.
Yu Yeon, it was because there was no one left behind.
They burned their lives away like that.
But there's something they misunderstood.
Aren't I, the one who killed them, the one they left behind?
In the end, we shared hearts in the last moments, and they became deeply etched within mine.
And those who deeply etched into my heart are now dead.
Because of me.
"Can't we just...have a spar, or perhaps exchange enlightenment through words? Is it not possible to have a 'sparring match' with some room for leisure instead of an all-out 'death match'?
At my words, she hesitates for a moment, then smiles.
"I haven't had many encounters with you, Esteemed One. This is only our third meeting. The first was when you arrived at Cedar Wood Grove and awoke. The second was after you emerged from seclusion. And the third is now."
"That's right."
"Let me tell you a secret that even our master didn't notice until I told him. This is a secret that other than our master, only Esteemed One Seo...no, only Junior Brother will know."
Her next words leave me stunned.
"The natural lifespan of us Flower Plant Race is only three months. Even if we raise our cultivation, ten years is the limit…Only by consuming a large amount of spiritual elixirs can we barely live for about twelve years."
"What...!?"
"Allow me to introduce myself again, Junior Brother. It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Ryeo Hwa. I was born just nine years ago."
"..."
I stare at her in disbelief.
What on earth is she saying?
Nine years ago?
A lifespan of three months?
Then...
"...So, the first, second, and third Ryeo Hwa...they were all different people?"
"In a way, yes. Shall I explain the origin of our Flower Plant Race?"
She begins her explanation.
"Our Flower Plant Race is not exactly a slave race. We are simply flowers in a flower field, enhanced by spells to be gifted by Heaven Tribe cultivators to their beloved. Through spells, we bloom into the most beautiful flowers for three months before we die."
I look at her hair.
A very beautiful flower is blooming on her head.
"Among those flowers, we are the ones whose spirituality has been stimulated by spells, gaining sentience. Our lives are very short, so when it's time to die, we find another suitable plant and pass on our memories, spirituality, and life before we die. All of those beings are collectively called the 'Flower Plant Race,' and one of those beings is 'Ryeo Hwa.'"
"..."
I gaze at Ryeo Hwa for a moment.
The story is somewhat familiar.
'Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens...'
"...All those Ryeo Hwas...are the same individual?"
"No."
"Hmm...?"
I felt a slight sense of unease and asked, but she denied it so clearly.
"On the contrary, because we are the ones who pass on our memories and life, we know. We are all different beings."
However, I find her words puzzling.
"How can that be...? Doesn't memory prove one's existence?"
"Memory proving existence...many people think that way. But that's not true. If information defines the self, then wouldn't all the disciples in the same sect be considered the same person?"
"...That's not the case."
"Exactly. I do have the memories passed down from the first Ryeo Hwa, but I also have my own memories from when I was just an ordinary flower. And I also clearly remember being 'infused' with the memories of the previous Ryeo Hwa. Of course, I've received so many memories from the previous Ryeo Hwa that my 'original' sense of identity has become a bit faint...but I am still me."
As I ponder deeply, I ask her a question.
"Then, with memories that aren't even your own, you rose in just nine years to Seated Detachment, Entering Hope...in other words, reached the First Step Before the Throne?"
"Hehe, it's one of the enlightenments of the 'first Ryeo Hwa.' Everyone's heart is shaped by mutual influence. If I listen to what someone says and accept it, it eventually becomes mine in the end. I accepted the memories of the previous Ryeo Hwa as my own."
As I listen to her words, I begin to feel strange.
"Wait, wait...so if the existence of 'Ryeo Hwa' continues to be passed on, are you saying you'll fight me before that existence is carried on...? It sounds like you intend to sever the will of 'Ryeo Hwa'...?"
But she smiles faintly instead.
"No, it's quite the opposite."
Tststststststs!
The cold aura emanating from her scatters white clouds around.
'The existence of 'Ryeo Hwa'...I wish to continue it with you, Esteemed One. That is why I am challenging you now."
"What...?"
I am dumbfounded, my mouth hanging open.
If Seo Hweol or Yuk Rin had said something like this, I would have probably killed them on the spot.
The transmission of memories is, in a sense, a type of Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens.
It's no different than boldly declaring she wants to cast Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens on me right in front of me.
I think for a moment and then look at her.
"...Can't you just tell me more about the life of 'Ryeo Hwa'?"
"Do you know, Esteemed One?"
"About what?"
"That in any case, this world will end in ten thousand years."
"..."
It seems she knows something about the End.
"The only possibility of having even the slightest chance of overcoming the End lies, at the very least, in someone at the realm of an Esteemed One. And countless 'Ryeo Hwas'...have judged that it would take at least sixty thousand years to reach the next realm. Therefore, I make this request."
Tsuwaaaaa!
With a solemn expression, Ryeo Hwa holds out an ice spear toward me.
"Please accept 'Ryeo Hwa'."
I gaze at her for a moment.
"...If I accept that, will I not just become you in the end?"
"No. I swear on the pride of Ryeo Hwa. It will simply be accepting a deeper understanding of the existence known as me."
"..."
I pull out the Colorless Glass Sword.
However, I do not aim it at her but let it hang down.
"...I too...don't enjoy killing people."
Gwaak!
Clutching my chest tightly, I mutter through gritted teeth as if spitting out the words.
"I am not a madman steeped in slaughter... Every time I kill someone, my sword, bit by bit, gets a little heavier..."
I glare at Ryeo Hwa.
"Not killing some random enemy unrelated to me, but the very act of killing someone close to me with my own hands... It's an unbearable torment for me."
Growling, I snap at her.
"Why should I suffer by killing you? Tell me."
And then, she smiles faintly.
"If you don't want to kill, you don't have to."
"What...?"
"In fact, our master killed seven of his disciples. But after that, he didn't kill again."
The next moment.
Kwaching!
An overwhelming chill crashes down toward me.
"Because...by then, the gap between us and our master had widened so much that even if we all attacked him together, he could suppress us 'without killing.'"
"What...?"
"From that point on, we gave up. But you, Esteemed One, are different. You are still inexperienced. That's why...you must fight us no matter what. Each of us will come at you, bearing our own reasons and our own hearts!"
"Ridiculous."
Tsuwaaaat!
As I glare at the ice spear flying towards me again, I envelop myself with the All-Heavens Sword.
Through the sword's ability to shift planes, my physical body rises to the Plane of Soul.
Shururu—
The ice spear passes right through my body.
"...I will not fight."
[You will have to fight.]
"...!"
I widen my eyes at her sudden transformation.
'That, that...'
[Ryeo Hwa has been passed down through thousands, tens of thousands of generations, inheriting not only memories but also the remaining life force and energy of each. That energy has gathered, and gathered, and gathered...and now I am like a cultivator of the Earth Tribe...]
Kugugugugu!
An overwhelming force surges from her.
The form of the energy is merely at the Qi Gathering stage.
It seems she doesn't know how to refine her energy to advance beyond the Qi Refining stage.
It's understandable. Plant cultivators are rare, and the Tall Tree Race never leaks their methods.
However, despite the form being at the Qi Gathering stage, the sheer quantity of energy is...
'Quasi-Four-Axis stage...!?'
Dumbfounded by the immense energy, I take a defensive stance as she rushes towards me.
[Embracing both the Earth (地) and the Heart (心), I am a Land and Will Dual Cultivation (陸意雙修) practitioner...! You cannot win while holding back!]
The overwhelming energy distorts the space around us.
As the entire space distorts regardless of the plane, I have no choice but to evade.
Kwadududuk!
I have no choice but to start exchanging blows with her.
Unlike Gyeong Chang or Yu Yeon, who would settle things with a single decisive strike, she battles with a certain degree of finesse.
—Flower Soul (華魂).
Her intent resonates in the Plane of Soul.
Her Entering Heavens known as Flower Soul exudes a coldness that chills even the soul.
—Endless Cold Window (無窮寒窓).
As her Flower Soul emerges, a tremendous cold envelops me.
'This cold...'
The moment I feel it, I realize the nature of the cold.
'Loneliness...'
Ice spears fly toward me from all directions.
I scatter the All-Heavens Sword around, deflecting the spears of ice.
But the moment I deflect them, I realize that a coldness remains in my heart.
No matter how much I push away or parry, the moment I come into contact with her attacks, it leaves behind a coldness that cannot be erased.
The true nature of the coldness is loneliness, and longing.
Chwaaaaa—
Her blue intent materializes as ice, beginning to cover Heaven and Earth.
I slash her body.
Chwarururuk!
Her body regenerates.
The side where I cut feels even colder.
—Why are you lonely?"
Snow flutters about.
Even as my body begins to freeze, I continue to fend off her Flower Soul.
—Don't you have comrades?
We communicate through intent.
—Do you not have people who remember you? In your heart essence lies Jang Ik's podao. Does it not remember all of the Ryeo Hwas?
She smiles as she spreads even more coldness around her.
—Didn't I say that existence is not proven by memory? Do you know what proves existence?
Chwaaaaak!
The more I face her, the more I feel my soul freezing as I gaze at Ryeo Hwa.
—Proof of existence is decided by whom you are loved by. It is decided by the heart of those who gave it... All Ryeo Hwas are born receiving immense love from the previous Ryeo Hwa. Therefore, it doesn't matter to me if I don't live as myself but as Ryeo Hwa. However...I can only pass on Ryeo Hwa's story, this heart, to the next Ryeo Hwa.
Toong, toong, toong!
She spins in place three times, extending both palms toward me.
Her attack becomes a cold wave that drives me back.
—Others pass on their hearts by taking disciples. But for me, there's no one to pass on my heart to, except the next Ryeo Hwa. Not just for me, but for all Ryeo Hwas... That's why Ryeo Hwa wishes to pass this heart to someone else. But in the end, I realized that the only one capable of receiving all of my heart and passing it onto others is at least an Esteemed One at Second Step before the Throne.
Her eyes seem to burn with coldness.
—So...what you're saying is, you want to turn your story into a martial art and pass it down? So everyone will remember Ryeo Hwa...?
—That's right.
—Foolish. In the end, won't that be the end of Ryeo Hwa...?
—If it's passed on to you, and through the Esteemed One's hands, Ryeo Hwa's story is loved by all...then that alone is enough.
She becomes winter.
She becomes a winter where flowers can never bloom and envelops me entirely.
To defeat her, I must cut down winter itself.
'Can I avoid cutting?'
Can I suppress her without cutting her down...?
I summon my domain.
I unleash curses, spells, and every divine power I possess.
Hwarurururururu!
But I realize.
The winter before me is growing larger.
She is burning all her energy.
She no longer cares that her body is breaking apart as she rushes toward me.
'This is...'
I must cut.
Without killing her...suppression is impossible.
Even though I've reached the Second Step Before the Throne, I despair at the realization that I cannot suppress her without killing her.
Even now...my power is so lacking.
Having burned all her life force, for an instant,
She rises to the Plane of Soul, albeit through an expedient method.
'I see...'
Since she rose to the Plane of Soul for an instant, it's impossible to adjust the level of force to avoid cutting her.
Grinding my teeth, I prepare the most fitting single strike for her final moment.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.
Twenty-fifth move.
Sea of Righteousness and Mountain of Grace!
The sword infused with my everything and my very soul pours out towards her winter from the Plane of Soul.
A sword of starlight clashes with a winter bloomed from flowers.
Chwaaaaaa!
The starlight sword, carrying the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections, pierces through the flower-born winter.
My sword pierces Ryeo Hwa, but at the same time, a coldness remains on the blade and on the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections.
I look behind me after piercing through her with the Sea of Righteousness and Mountain of Grace.
Tstststststs—
What follows the winter is an incredibly beautiful spring.
Flower Soul.
That is the name of the moment when Ryeo Hwa's accumulated heart is passed on to the next Ryeo Hwa, following the winter.
Chararararak!
Her story enters my heart.
From the first Ryeo Hwa to the present Ryeo Hwa.
All Ryeo Hwas were beings who wanted to give love.
However, the average Flower Plant Race dies after only a few months of life, and even their survival rate is not high, making their lifespan short.
For this reason, there were no members of the Flower Plant Race who could truly converse with her from Ryeo Hwa's position.
Even other members of the Heart Tribe couldn't understand her.
The will of the Ryeo Hwas, who lived for ten years before being passed down to the next, was not something that could be easily understood by anyone.
She wanted to take a disciple, even if they weren't a plant.
Through a disciple, she wanted to pass down the will, emotions, and love that had been carried on since the first Ryeo Hwa.
She even tried kidnapping members of the Tall Tree Race and teaching them.
But the Tall Tree Race are fools whose heads are filled only with pollination and Sacred Master Baek Woon.
They couldn't even understand her teachings.
She couldn't love anyone.
It was impossible to convey through speech.
Was it said 'Truth cannot be established through words (不立文字)?'
How could she possibly convey this heart, passed down from the first Ryeo Hwa, through mere words?
Perhaps Jang Ik's Fighting Spirit could have made it possible.
If it were Jang Ik's Fighting Spirit, at the Second Step Before the Throne, he could have received and 'taught' this heart.
For this reason, Ryeo Hwa had also challenged Jang Ik.
But Jang Ik subdued her without injuring her and refused her offer.
He said it's because the entire Heart Tribe is riding on his shoulders.
He rejected her request, saying that if his mind became unstable from receiving Ryeo Hwa's memories, he wouldn't be able to protect the Heart Tribe.
She had no choice but to kneel.
Thus, she was lonely.
Because her heart...
The heart, inherited from the first Ryeo Hwa, the heart that 'wanted to pass love to someone'... She knew she could never pass it on to anyone other than the next Ryeo Hwa.
So she waited, and waited.
And after endlessly passing on Ryeo Hwa, one day,
Hope appeared before her.
"...Are you satisfied?"
I ask Ryeo Hwa, who is dissolving into the snow, turning into powder.
She smiles.
"Thank you."
"..."
The existence known as 'Ryeo Hwa' is now over.
However, her will...
I will be able to transform it into martial arts and carry it forward.
This generation's Ryeo Hwa has given me her memories and her life.
With this, Ryeo Hwa has come to an end.
However...
Within me, she will be reborn in the name of Martial Arts.
And one day, she will be passed down again within the person who inherits this martial art.
I watch Ryeo Hwa's final moments.
Embracing her loneliness, I awaken the Divine Power of Cold.
This is my third divine power.
Huarurururk!
Her Flower Soul burns fiercely within me.
At the same time, I flinch.
'Purple Soul Filling the Heavens...'
The formula for Purple Soul Filling the Heavens suddenly begins to rampage.
Kugugugugugu!
A purple mist surges towards the memories of all the Ryeo Hwas within the Flower Soul.
I try to control it, but the Flower Soul, like a fish meeting water, leaps towards Purple Soul Filling the Heavens and is absorbed into it.
It's as if they have always been one, naturally coming together.
"...!"
Purple Soul Filling the Heavens begins to change.
'This is...'
The purple mist of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens begins to shine brilliantly.
At the same time, I realize that the formula inside Purple Soul Filling the Heavens is transforming.
It's a formula concerning Ryeo Hwa's life.
Simultaneously, I realize that Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, which I had never fully controlled, is now completely melding with me.
"So this...is Purple Soul Filling the Heavens..."
I let out a hollow laugh as I feel the true nature of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens.
From the beginning, Purple Soul Filling the Heavens was never something I could master just by learning it.
Purple Soul Filling the Heavens is a secret art completed through inheritance.
Just as the nature of heart language and Purple Soul Filling the Heavens are similar, Purple Soul Filling the Heavens is a secret art meant to be 'passed on' to someone.
'It's not about evolution...'
It isn't a secret art for evolution, but something that someone in the past had created to convey their heart to someone in the distant future.
And now, as the past Ryeo Hwa's heart is passed on to me, Purple Soul Filling the Heavens is completed.
'In that case, I should change its name.'
This is no longer Purple Soul Filling the Heavens.
This is a secret art completed with the heart of Ryeo Hwa.
Flower Soul Filling the Heavens (華魂滿天) is the proper name.
Chwararararak!
I absorb Flower Soul Filling the Heavens.
The purple mist of Flower Soul Filling the Heavens is naturally absorbed into the mist of the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections.
Pararararak!
As Flower Soul Filling the Heavens enters the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections, moments from the past begin to flicker as if the pages of a book are being turned.
'Is this my past...?'
Through the power of Flower Soul Filling the Heavens, I realize that I can summon the 'hearts' of my past into the present and 'inherit' them to others.
"Ahh..."
Tears fall from my eyes.
I can now recall the heart of the past Cheongmun Ryeong.
I can even pass on the heart of Azure Tiger Saint, who became a star, to Oh Hyun-seok of the present.
While passing down my memories themselves would require me to sacrifice my life, just like with Ryeo Hwa...
The 'heart' accompanying those memories can now be passed down freely.
I summon the hearts of the past through Flower Soul Filling the Heavens and reflect on them as I look up at the sky.
'Now...I won't forget anymore.'
With the ability to remember not only information but even the hearts, I will never forget anything again!
"My heart alone...will never! Ever! Be forgotten!"
And then, Flower Soul Filling the Heavens illuminates a moment from the past.
A corner of Seoak Village.
It's the moment when I had spoken with the [Child Waiting for Her Sister].
"...Huh?"
Thud!
When I regain my senses, I am in Seoak Village.
I have returned to the moment where I was reading a storybook to the little girl who had lost her sister to Hong Fan's mother.
"...What?"
My brain refuses to comprehend the situation.
At that moment, the girl smiles and runs towards somewhere behind me.
"Ah! My sister's here! I will go see my sister now!"
The girl is so happy to run towards her older sister that she even throws aside the fairy tale book she usually cherishes.
"...Sister?"
Didn't she get eaten by Hong Fan's mother?
Swallowing nervously, I ask the girl who's running to meet her sister behind me.
I don't turn around.
"...Child, didn't you say your sister went over the hill?"
In response to my question, the girl shouts back, as if I asked something weird.
"What are you talking about, mister? I told you, my sister just went to work for a while at the big house down the mountain!"
"..."
Something is wrong.
Through Flower Soul Filling the Heavens, I [clearly remember].
The girl's sister had gone to the place where Hong Fan's mother lived and died there.
Gulp...
I observe my inner body.
My domain is still the same.
In other words, this isn't some illusion of an arduous journey brought on by a mental illness.
I've been pulled into the past.
"It seems the traveler must have had a dream."
The [sister] says to the girl.
"Go home and play for now."
"Okay, sister~"
I feel [her] approaching me.
Sweat starts to form on my forehead.
Now, I [remember].
I had forgotten about her existence in the next cycle.
From behind me, [she] speaks.
"Could you please pick up the book?"
I pick up the fairy tale book and, without turning around, hand it over.
"Thank you, for playing with that child... If you have any questions, feel free to ask. For example, something like why 'those who gaze too deeply into the heart' eventually crave for suicide..."