As the white cloth covering her face is torn apart, the 'prosopagnosia' spell that was cast upon it disappears.
[Editor: Prosopagnosia = face blindness.]
Thanks to that, I am now able to clearly see [Her] face, both with my naked eye and my consciousness.
It's full of pockmarks.
Her face is rough and angular, and honestly, she doesn't come across as a beauty.
However, there is an inexplicable sense of dignity in her appearance.
In life, she must have been an excellent martial artist, as well as a wise and noble woman.
Click!
[She] readjusts her posture through the Celestial Energy Calculation Device.
In life, I don't know how she was, but now, she is nothing more than a mere battle puppet.
Having reached this realm, while I might lose to a human, I no longer lose to mere puppets.
Kigegegegek!
Gegegek!
Gerurururu!
Cheorurururu!
Outside the Bright Cold Realm, the Vestiges of the Interdimensional Void begin to swarm in.
'There aren't any at the Star Shattering stage yet.'
That much is enough.
Once again, [She] and I clash.
A Vestige, resembling a distorted long-tailed tit from the world of the dead, opens its seven mouths on its body towards us.
While exchanging blows with [Her], we move inside the Vestige, exploding its body and emerging again.
The Vestiges cannot keep up with our speed, reduced to mere obstacles in the terrain.
[She], realizing that she cannot win in a direct confrontation, hides behind the Vestiges to avoid my attacks, adopting a strategy of crushing me from a distance with attraction force.
[She] moves behind three large Vestiges.
Movement Technique.
Mountain Lord Soaring Flight.
I become the Mountain Lord.
Like a large beast resembling a tiger, I tear through the Vestiges, rushing towards [Her].
The Severing Mountain Swordsmanship's Mountain Tiger and Mountain Lord Soaring Flight combine, forming the image of a giant tiger leaping to bite [Her] with its fangs.
Crunch!
[Her] left shoulder is torn off.
The countless mechanical devices inside become visible.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.
Heavenly Lake!
Preventing [Her] from struggling, I use Heavenly Lake to absorb all the power within [Her] into my domain.
Originally, this technique traps the opponent's movements for a brief moment within the sword, limiting their actions. However, when combined with the Integrated Dao Domain, it feels as though I am draining all of [Her] power, much like absorbing-essence devilish arts.
I grip [Her] by the neck and right shoulder and leap toward the Bright Cold Realm.
Kwaaang!
The dimensional barrier of the Bright Cold Realm distorts as we fall back into its interior.
Two gaping holes remain in the sky where I have pierced through. Fortunately, the world's regenerative power is closing them, but one or two Vestiges will likely slip in.
\x3C!--sse-->\x3C!--/sse-->
Holding onto her, I cast a net of curses into the sky, sealing the two holes temporarily.
Any Vestiges trying to enter will dissolve on contact.
With [Her] in my grasp, we continue to plummet from the sky of the Bright Cold Realm.
I use the thousand-pound drop technique and attraction force to accelerate the fall.
'I'll destroy it.'
Both [Her] and the power source of a star I sense within!
At this level of acceleration, it's possible!
Sensing that she will be shattered if this continues, [She] struggles frantically to escape from my grasp.
But it's no use.
I press her down even harder, suppressing her movements completely.
[This is the end. Let's finish this now.]
The ill-fated connection between [She] and I will finally come to an end.
Huarururuk!
Our bodies start to burn.
There's not much distance left until we reach the ground.
[Disappear!]
—That cannot happen.
"...!?"
Flash!
I flinch for a moment, and in that instant...
[She] shines in front of my eyes and vanishes.
Hwiiiiiiii—
In the vast, expansive sky.
Now, it's just me here.
'That just now...'
An awkward but fast voice.
However, it feels strange in some way.
'Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress...?'
The Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress used the power of the Realm Annihilation Ground-Shrinking Formation to snatch [Her] out of my grasp.
It synchronized with the power of the star inside her body, instantly pulling her away. Clearly, it had been designed so that [She] could return in emergencies.
But I can't help but be shocked by the voice I just heard.
'Was that just now...the personality of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress? Even at the thousand-year point, there was nothing like that...'
The Mad Lord isn't the type to create something like that either.
If so, that means the personality must have arisen within the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress by itself.
'What is this? Is there a reason for something like that to have appeared in this life...?'
Baffled by the unexpected development in the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, I chase after it as it moves to the edge of the Bright Cold Realm through the Realm Annihilation Ground-Shrinking Formation.
"Nooooooo!!!"
Inside the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.
The Mad Lord is wailing.
Before him lies [Her], with her left shoulder torn off and her entire body shaken and battered.
The 'judgment magic artifact' detected an unknown threat targeting him and triggered the Realm Annihilation Ground-Shrinking Formation.
\x3C!--sse-->\x3C!--/sse-->
In that fleeting moment, [She] protected the formation.
It took about three seconds for the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress to move.
And as soon as those three seconds were up, [She], in her current broken state, was transmitted in front of Mad Lord.
This means that the opponent was a monster capable of reducing [Her] at the Star Shattering level to such a mess within just three seconds.
The Mad Lord clutches [Her] body, sobbing.
"I swore...I swore never to let you get hurt again...Why, why are you hurt! Why did you let her get hurt! Jo Yeon!!! Is this your limit?! Is this the end!? What is this nonsense! [She] got hurt! Hurt!!!"
Clankclankclank!
Countless puppet arms emerge from the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, starting to repair [Her].
"But the vital parts aren't damaged, right? She's okay, right? The repairs will also be quick and...what absolute nonsense! You let her get hurt! We almost lost her again, and you say what!? Hey, calm down. There's no point in fighting. No, what I'm saying is that these injuries aren't even that severe so there's no need to make a fuss...shut up! I'm saying shut you bastardbastardbastardbastard..."
Shudder, shuddershuddershudder...
Blood tears pour from the Mad Lord's eyes.
He repairs [Her] at a terrifying speed, stroking her hand.
"IwasIwasIwasIwaswrongwrongwrongwrong...Pleasepleasepleasepleaseletuslivetogetherforathousandyearsandseethespringflowersbloomattheplacewemadeourvows..."
For a long while, the Mad Lord holds her hand, shedding both blood and tears simultaneously. Then, he suddenly turns to glance sharply at a corner of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.
"Yes...it's you bastards. You're the ones together with the one who hurt [Her], aren't you!?"
Before his eyes, a projection appears, showing the situation inside the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.
It reveals a corner of the fortress where the Nether Crossing Ship is lodged.
"Finefinefinefine...I'll catch every last one of you and turn you into auxiliary parts for [Her]! You Black Ghost Valley ghost bastards! Don't expect any mercy from me today!!!"
Furious, the Mad Lord waves his hands wildly.
Simultaneously, the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress trembles.
[She] is fully repaired with a few parts replaced, and even the artificial star inside her is swapped out for a new one, leaving her in perfect condition.
However, with an expression telling that he cannot contain his fury, the Mad Lord shouts.
"Capture the intruders! Bring every single one of them to me alive, and lay them on the experiment table!!!"
At his command, countless puppets fly towards the Nether Crossing Ship.
Kugugugugu!
Inside the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.
The Nether Crossing Ship, having barely succeeded in spatial teleportation before the Realm Annihilation Ground-Shrinking Formation was triggered, is lodged in one of the fortress's factories.
Kiaaaaaaaaah.
From within the ship, Ghost Kings crawl out, followed by Kim Yeon, Kim Young-hoon, Jeon Myeong-hoon, Oh Hyun-seok, Seo Ran, Shi Ho, Hong Fan, and Azure Tiger Saint.
"This is quite...nerve-wracking already."
Kim Young-hoon clicks his tongue, surveying his surroundings.
Each puppet, easily at the Integration stage Grand Cultivator rank or of Demon King level, numbers in the hundreds.
"A hundred of those like Yuk Rin...haha..."
"Well, we can at least manage to hold out, can't we?"
Jeon Myeong-hoon, with a slightly unnerved expression, clicks his tongue while eyeing the mass of puppets.
Oh Hyun-seok, clad in the Blue Sky Armor gifted to him by Azure Tiger Saint, clenches and unclenches his fists.
"Even if we can't, we have to."
Seo Ran and Shi Ho, busy operating the Nether Crossing Ship, bombard the enemies with its cannons alongside the Ghost Kings.
Hong Fan, with eight flying daggers tied to strings connected to his fingers, unleashes poison.
Kim Young-hoon, Jeon Myeong-hoon, Oh Hyun-seok, and Hong Fan, the four Integration stage powers, form a protective perimeter around Kim Yeon. Likewise, Azure Tiger Saint, Shi Ho, and others form a protective circle around Seo Ran.
Kuarurung!
\x3C!--sse-->\x3C!--/sse-->
A puppet of the Western Flame Race at the Integration stage unleashes a beam of fire.
Hong Fan steps forward.
Now at the Integration stage, he spreads both his arms wide.
Kugugugugu!
[Integrated Dao Domain. Darkness World (暗黑世界).]
Kururururu!
His body seems to expand, transforming into the shape of a massive centipede. He becomes a world filled with pitch-black toxic energy.
The poison, rising to a higher plane even within the Plane of Qi, morphs into something more metaphysical.
The life-devouring poison rises to a higher plane, becoming a darkness that consumes both light and heat.
Hong Fan, now one with his domain, coils protectively around his comrades.
Huarururururuk!
The flames fail to penetrate Hong Fan's body and are instead absorbed into the darkness.
A puppet of the Supreme Tiger Race leaps towards Hong Fan, swinging its front paw down.
Kugwang!
But the puppet's paw is stopped by a giant hand.
From within Hong Fan's coiled form, a giant arm rises.
It's Oh Hyun-seok, now in the Integration stage.
[Integrated Dao Domain...]
Kugugugugu!
Oh Hyun-seok's body expands and his domain envelops the surroundings.
[Cold Lamp Underneath the Great Starry Night Palace (大星夜宮底寒燈)!]
Chuaaaak!
Around him, a vast starry sky unfurls.
It is the universe.
In the midst of that cosmos, Oh Hyun-seok alone becomes a blazing blue flame.
Kurururururu—
The blue flame gradually changes color.
He transforms into a purple star.
Kurururung!
A sound resembling thunder rumbles, and Oh Hyun-seok's body becomes covered in the bones of all sorts of demon beasts.
At the very bottom of the Great Starry Night (大星夜).
A single Cold Lamp burns (寒燈), dispelling the desolate chill of the universe, pushing back the Supreme Tiger Race Demon King puppet.
Kwaaang!
[Great Heavenly Rain of the Charged Lightning Veil.]
Jeon Myeong-hoon also transforms into a Two-Headed, Six-Armed Thunder God, expanding his domain.
A world where the rain of red lightning falls.
The domains of the three Integration stage powers overlap.
[Domain Connection!]
Hong Fan's Darkness World, Oh Hyun-seok's Cold Lamp Underneath the Great Starry Night Palace, and Jeon Myeong-hoon's Great Heavenly Rain of the Charged Lightning Veil.
The three domains connect, intensifying in power.
In the darkness untouched by light, Oh Hyun-seok's Cold Lamp and Jeon Myeong-hoon's Red Lightning manifest domains.
\x3C!--sse-->\x3C!--/sse-->
And in the center of that darkness.
Surrounded and protected by them, Kim Yeon sits cross-legged, focusing her consciousness.
Wo-woong!
Her threads of consciousness gather, creating something before her eyes.
Hwarururuk!
It's a consciousness clone.
Like a white flame flickering, her consciousness sways, creating a clone resembling her in front of her.
Seo Eun-hyun's words about the plan come to her mind.
Once Yeon's Play is activated, the Mad Lord will disappear on his own, and the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress will be theirs.
A plan that appears exceptionally straightforward and clear.
However, as the one with the greatest consciousness among those present, she feels an inexplicable sense of foreboding.
Even though it can't be read through celestial energy, her vast consciousness, which can perceive even the Plane of Soul, senses something ominous from that plane.
Negative thoughts amplify in her mind, and an inexplicable guilt begins to weigh on her heart.
As a result, her heart wavers, and the clone before her eyes begins to flicker as well.
But she recalls something and steadies her mind.
'Hyang-hwa...'
She ponders.
She has been thinking about this for a very long time.
What is love?
She does not know what love is.
She doesn't understand it.
Even as a student, she couldn't comprehend her friends who fell in love and dated boyfriends.
To Kim Yeon, her parents are merely people who fought each other, abandoned her at her grandmother's house, and didn't care to take her back.
Even her grandmother raised her more out of pity than love.
Without ever learning about parental love or romantic love, she was thrown into society.
Knowing that she herself is somewhat abnormal, Kim Yeon never openly spoke about this fact.
Maybe she had mentioned it once when drinking with Kang Min-hee and Oh Hye-seo.
Kang Min-hee said that time would solve it, while Oh Hye-seo became exceedingly kind to her from that day on.
And as Kang Min-hee said, time did solve it.
The feeling of 'liking' arose.
She developed feelings for a senior at work.
But in reality, that senior had no interest in her at all.
Holding onto those feelings, she fell into this bizarre world.
Afterward, that senior recognized her feelings.
He acknowledged Kim Yeon's affection.
But that was it.
Seo Eun-hyun ultimately rejected her.
Kim Yeon insisted she would continue to like him.
But recently, as she spent more time with Seo Eun-hyun, she began to realize something.
No, not just her, but everyone including Kim Young-hoon, Jeon Myeong-hoon, and Oh Hyun-seok felt it too.
Seo Eun-hyun is insane.
\x3C!--sse-->\x3C!--/sse-->
He isn't in his right mind.
She doesn't know why, but since coming to this world, his mind snapped.
Even so, Jeon Myeong-hoon insists on believing in Seo Eun-hyun, trusting him. Kim Young-hoon also believes, claiming that martial arts never lie and that Seo Eun-hyun's true nature has not turned evil. Oh Hyun-seok believes out of loyalty.
However, Kim Yeon came to realize that her feelings toward Seo Eun-hyun have changed.
Her affection remains unchanged.
But the nature of that affection has subtly shifted from romantic love to sympathy.
The moment she realized this, her mind wavered significantly.
She thought she had discovered the emotion called love.
She thought that this feeling would never change.
But it degenerated.
Then, does that mean love isn't such a great power?
That question arose in her.
And that question was answered when she met Buk Hyang-hwa.
Buk Hyang-hwa saw her mother's image in Kim Yeon and loved Kim Yeon as if Kim Yeon were her mother.
By 'receiving' love, Kim Yeon finally understood.
True love is an unchanging force.
Therefore, Kim Yeon's changing affections before were not true love.
That's why Kim Yeon changed the way she addressed Seo Eun-hyun.
She felt ashamed.
It embarrasses her that she pretended to be close by calling him 'Eun-hyun Oppa,' even though she didn't truly love him.
And now, Kim Yeon wants to know how to truly love someone.
—Yeon-ah, from now on, you're going to live at your grandmother's house. Okay?
A memory from her childhood surfaces in her mind.
—Mom isn't going to live with me?
—...Sorry, Yeon-ah...Mom...doesn't think she loves your dad anymore. And it's the same for him.
Not loving anymore.
That is the reason Kim Yeon's parents separated.
And why they left her.
Hence, she learned one rule from a young age.
If you don't love, people will leave.
From that moment on, she tried her best to love others.
She didn't want anyone to leave her side.
I wish no one will leave me.
That is her deepest wish.
Hwarurururul!
The moment she confronts this desire, the clone in front of her grows even larger.
Kim Yeon opens her eyes.
The pure white clone also opens its eyes.
Pasasasasa!
At the same time, thousands, tens of thousands, and even hundreds of millions of threads of consciousness pour out from the clone's body.
The consciousness threads pierce through the Integrated Dao Domains protecting her, directly connecting to various parts of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.
\x3C!--sse-->\x3C!--/sse-->
Chwararararak!
Information from every corner of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress floods into her mind.
She feels herself entering a pure white world.
The Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress' everything.
The cradle of all its information.
In front of her, she sees a giant, pure white sphere.
Inside this sphere lies the control over the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.
Just as she is about to reach for the control authority—
Flinch!
In the corner of the pure white world that enters Kim Yeon's vision,
She sees a shadow exuding a sinister aura.
Squirm, squirm...
The shadow writhes, then begins to coalesce in midair.
"...You are..."
Kim Yeon's pupils contract sharply.
It's Oh Hye-seo.
[Hi, our dear Yeon!]
Thump, thump...
As if emerging from the depths of the sea,
Black water drips from her body as Oh Hye-seo approaches Kim Yeon.
Kim Yeon doesn't particularly step back.
[You've grown a lot. You're even looking me directly in the eye...]
"...Why are you here?"
[Ahaha. Normally, wouldn't you be more curious about how I got here?]
The shadowy form of Oh Hye-seo caresses Kim Yeon's cheek.
[I'll tell you. Since the 'why' and the 'how' are connected...]
Oh Hye-seo's mouth opens.
[You know I got married, right?]
"...Yes, well. Roughly..."
[That's right. The person who became my husband, Seo Hweol...his superior ordered him to incapacitate the Mad Lord, the last Star Shattering-level force left in the Bright Cold Realm...and Seo Hweol answered to his superior that he would bring down the Mad Lord using a secret art called Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens that he planted within the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress. But...Seo Hweol said this. Even with his Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens, he wouldn't be able to fully erode the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress without a significant sacrifice. So...through Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens, I came here. I've been hiding here, waiting for the right opportunity. I heard you would return here one day, you see.]
She smiles faintly, stroking Kim Yeon's cheek again
"...Do you have something to say to me?"
Kim Yeon, expressionless, meets Oh Hye-seo's gaze and asks.
Oh Hye-seo's eyes curve into crescent moons.
[Seo Hweol's superior...the Owner of this Heavenly Domain, the Master of All Negative Force...they will soon come to the Bright Cold Realm. The Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress is a construct built upon blood...if you connect your mind to it, you too will be tied and judged for its sins. So...I'll tell you a way.]
"A way?"
[Yes...A way to escape the gaze of the Owner of Negative Force... If you use this method, you'll be able to avoid the Owner's eyes and properly control the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.]
"...Why are you telling me this?"
In response to Kim Yeon's question, Oh Hye-seo smiles brightly.
[Because I want something from you.]
"...What do you want?"
\x3C!--sse-->\x3C!--/sse-->
[It's simple. When the great being descends, secretly seize control of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress...and activate its hidden power.]
Kim Yeon's expression turns puzzled.
'Does she want me to activate Yeon's Play?'
"How does that benefit you?"
It's strange.
Kim Yeon knows a bit about her nature.
A person who doesn't do anything without personal gain.
That is Oh Hye-seo.
As she pulls away from Kim Yeon, she speaks.
[Because that's what Seo Hweol wants.]
"Why are you doing what Seo Hweol wants?"
[He made me an offer. That he will send me back to our original world.]
Oh Hye-seo's eyes tremble.
[I just...want to go back. I'm tired of this power too. I'm sick of this vast world. There are too many [Immense Beings] here...Our world doesn't have such things.]
Her eyes reflect fear.
The terror and dread when she saw the Chief Judge in the darkness is etched into her mind.
[If I help Seo Hweol with his plan...I can return to our original world. He showed me hope. It's quite the reasonable plan. Hoho...I can't tell you the details, but one thing's for sure. If I help Seo Hweol...there's hope to return home. Hoho...]
Even as she reveals her fear, Oh Hye-seo keeps smiling.
[So, Yeon-ah. Use the method I told you, and when the [Immense Yin] descends...take control of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress and activate it. That's the only way...for us to see hope...Hoho...]
Oh Hye-seo gradually melts away as she distances herself from Kim Yeon.
Completely melted into a shadow, Oh Hye-seo finally dissolves entirely into the pure white world and disappears.
Kim Yeon watches this scene and closes her eyes.
Indeed, just as Oh Hye-seo said, negative forces are gradually growing stronger.
It seems true that something is trying to descend upon this land.
Without immediately seizing control of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress in the pure white world, she sits down cross-legged.
Oh Hye-seo is clearly acting strange.
And according to Seo Eun-hyun, Seo Hweol uses a secret art that infects the minds of others.
It's possible that Oh Hye-seo is already infected by Seo Hweol, and everything she said is a lie. If Kim Yeon follows her words, she might also become infected.
But strangely, she doesn't feel worried.
'Why...am I not afraid?'
Thump, thump...
Ever since the day she realized that what she had been doing wasn't true love, Kim Yeon's Vast Cold Heavenly Circle began to emit a subtle power.
And every time she contemplates what love truly is, the Vast Cold Heavenly Circle starts to spin ever more strongly.
When Kim Yeon returned to the Bright Cold Realm carrying this contemplation, she felt the power sensed from the Vast Cold Heavenly Circle flowing into her.
She overflows with an inexplicable confidence that she cannot be infected.
Kim Yeon believes that the Vast Cold Heavenly Circle is protecting her.
'Then, it should be fine to follow her words a little.'
If it were Seo Eun-hyun, he would have split Oh Hye-seo in half and killed her the moment he saw her, but Kim Yeon decides to follow her words.
It's because the Vast Cold Heavenly Circle instills an inexplicable but absolute confidence in her, as if whispering, 'It's okay.'
Kim Yeon sits cross-legged and waits for the 'moment' Oh Hye-seo mentioned.
Bright Cold Realm.
\x3C!--sse-->\x3C!--/sse-->
Heavenly Lotus Mountain.
Inside a certain cave within.
At the center of the cave, Baek Woon sits cross-legged, her eyes half-closed.
[...I sensed something strange ever since the frequency of pollination among the race increased by 30 percent...So it was your doing.]
Baek Woon speaks, staring into the deep darkness somewhere within the cave.
[Do you not know whom I serve? How dare you try to enter here while fearing Them!]
And then, a voice comes from the darkness.
:: If it were back when you were a Sacred Master, I would have worried about being discovered. However, as an Esteemed One, do you think you're worthy of receiving the attention of the Light? ::
[They know of all phenomena in the universe.]
:: Without having even fought, you act as if you know. I, on the other hand, have faced Them dozens of times. ::
[It wasn't you but the Chief Judge of the Netherworld, was it not? Elder 'Blood Yin'!]
At Baek Woon's words, the darkness falls silent for a moment.
And then, after a while...
Ziiiiiiiing!
The entire Bright Cold Realm trembles violently.
As though someone, in a fit of rage, is shaking the entire Bright Cold Realm.
Seo Eun-hyun, who is heading in the direction of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, suddenly stops and looks up.
In his 42 eyes, a gleam of terror flickers.
With a stunned expression, Seo Eun-hyun opens his mouth.
[...What...is that...?]
At the top of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.
There, the Mad Lord, who is in the middle of operating something, hurriedly spins around.
Behind him, the 'Celestial Energy Calculation Device' is spinning furiously.
The Mad Lord looks at the Celestial Energy Calculation Device with a puzzled expression.
"Yin (陰)...? What's this? Why is only this character appearing? Is it broken? Yin...?"
At that moment, the Mad Lord instinctively looks up at the sky.
The madness-filled Mad Lord temporarily regains his sanity.
"What...!?"
Inside the storage scroll of Lofty Dragon True Person.
Within the Care Layer.
[Someone]'s thoughts look up at the sky, rubbing their face in shame as their body trembles.
[With what face shall I meet my friends...?]
The Tall Tree Race, the Paired Wings Race, the Fighting Ghost Race, the Fungal Bone Race, the Rotting Owl Race.
The 13 races of the Earth Tribe.
And the Heart Tribe.
All the living beings residing in the Bright Cold Realm look up at the sky with stunned faces.
The sky is turning red.
:: Descend. ::
From the sky, a colossal voice, like that of a Heavenly Tribulation, reverberates throughout the Bright Cold Realm.
:: Name of Bright Cold (光寒)! ::
The light (光) of the Bright Cold Realm fades as it begins to transform into the Blood Yin Realm (血陰界).
\x3C!--sse-->\x3C!--/sse-->
Translator Notes: Charged Lightning Veil of the Great Heavenly Rain -> Great Heavenly Rain of the Charged Lightning Veil. Changed it to put the emphasis on the Rain, similar to how the emphasis is on Cold for Oh Hyun-seok's domain. Six Divine Powers, yippee.
-x-X-x-
Dududududu!
The world starts to change.
The sky turns blood red.
The shadows across the entire Middle Realm begin to ripple as if alive.
Ooooooo—
Negative forces temporarily project personalities, and Heart Heavenly Demons begin to appear en masse.
Of course, they all flee from my vicinity, but for the ordinary living beings of the Bright Cold Realm, it will be fatal.
I look up with cold sweat dropping.
I can feel it.
[Light] has been severed.
It feels like the Ancient Force Realm. No celestial energy can be read from the sky.
At the same time, I feel the Flower Soul Filling the Heavens squirming wildly inside my body.
'This is...'
I can tell.
There is no longer celestial energy flowing in the sky.
Instead, what flows is the formula of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens Formula!
[...I see now.]
I recall Yuk Rin.
The secret art used to establish an attraction force with Blood Yin on Cherry Blossom Dragon Island.
That secret art, without a doubt, was a method for forming an attraction with Purple Soul Filling the Heavens.
'So, the Purple Soul Filling the Heavens found in the Purple Soul Jade Seal must have originally belonged to Blood Yin.'
Purple Soul Filling the Heavens is completed through inheritance.
And the Purple Soul Filling the Heavens that resided within the Purple Soul Jade Seal was inherited 'from the Blood Yin.'
I sigh in relief knowing that the formula of Flower Soul Filling the Heavens does not assimilate with Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, even though it reacts to it in the sky.
From the moment it became Flower Soul Filling the Heavens, this secret art must have fully escaped Blood Yin's influence.
'Thank you, Ryeo Hwa.'
Thanks to Ryeo Hwa, my soul is safe.
But now is not the time for relief.
'The world is changing...'
Kugugugugu!
Thick blood devilish energy.
Woo-wooong!
Yuan Yu, buried in a corner of my domain, suddenly starts to react wildly.
I had long deemed it nearly useless, so I kept only a shard of Yuan Yu for safekeeping.
That Yuan Yu reacts to the power of the Blood Yin Realm.
When I release Yuan Yu outside, it starts absorbing the blood devilish energy like crazy, starting to regenerate itself.
Gurgle, gurgle!
In an instant, the regenerated Yuan Yu's cultivation begins to rise.
Surpassing the Nascent Soul stage, it skyrockets past the Grand Perfection Heavenly Being stage, reaching the Quasi-Four-Axis stage!
Saaaaa—
Simultaneously, a sinister glint appears in the Yuan Yu's eyes.
[...What are you?]
I realize something has taken over Yuan Yu's body and ask.
And Yuan Yu smirks with an eerie smile and opens its mouth.
"Have you been well, Dao..."
Clench!
It's Seo Hweol.
Without needing to ask, I pull out the Colorless Glass Sword and thrust it into his mouth.
Twitch, twitch...
But Seo Hweol, through Yuan Yu's body, forms another mouth near the back of the throat and continues to speak.
"You're quite violent, Daoist...hoho..."
"Why have you come?"
I press the Sub-Heart Sword against its soul, asking threateningly.
He smiles faintly.
"I am here under the orders of my master, Elder Blood Yin, to possess Daoist. A Star Shattering-level Heart Tribe requires special attention for possession, after all."
"..."
I look into Seo Hweol's eyes.
He smiles as he looks back into mine.
"..."
Surung—
I pull the sword back out from his mouth.
Perhaps madmen understand each other in some twisted way.
However, reading Seo Hweol's true intent from within his darkness, I begin to crush his body with my attraction force.
Seo Hweol extends both his hands, clinging to me as if trying to possess me.
And then, I ask through heart language.
—I understand your words well.
Interpreting it in Seo Hweol's language, the meaning would be something like this:
'Blood Yin is neither my master nor someone I wish to follow. Let's kill them together. If it's a Star Shattering stage Heart Tribe, there is a way.'
It's laughable.
It feels like just yesterday when Seo Hweol referred to himself as Blood Yin.
—But how can I trust you? You were the one who stabbed me in the back that time with Kang Min-hee.
Seo Hweol responds with a faint smile.
"I'll take good care of your body, Daoist Seo...hoho..."
—I've brought a replica Black Ancient Paper. If we form a contract with you, Daoist Seo, as the contract overseer, the contract will overwhelmingly favor you, and there will be no concern of betrayal.
I glare at him.
"Do you think things will go your way?"
—You won't betray me?
"Just accept it. This is fate. The Bright Cold Realm is now over, and this world will become the Blood Yin Realm."
—Then, let's make the contract under the assumption of betrayal. Don't trust me—use me. Right now, I need Daoist Seo, and Daoist Seo needs my knowledge.
"The Bright Cold Realm will become the Blood Yin Realm...?"
—I have a way to blow everything up if things go wrong. Give me a solid reason why I should trust you. You swore an oath on your main body yet you evaded it with nonsense saying we were never on the same side from the beginning.
"I suppose I'll have to tell you my elder's purpose. Do you know why the Blood Yin Realm's Heavenly Fiends have been targeting the Bright Cold Realm so persistently? They left behind more suitable realms like the True Devil Realm and the Nether Ghost Realm. Even the Ancient Force Realm or the Purple Gold Realm could've been good options. But why do you think they're after the Bright Cold Realm?"
—Hmm, very well. Given my current difficult situation, I will take a step back. I will show you a way to trust me. Try dropping Daoist Seo's 'Immortal Beast True Blood' onto the replica Black Ancient Paper. That will sprout the trust between us.
I look at Seo Hweol with suspicion.
As we remain cautious of the 'red sky' that has overtaken above, we continue the charade of one acting like a Heavenly Fiend to possess the other and the other resisting. At the same time, we engage in a proper conversation through heart language.
However, from my perspective, I can't tell if this is really a 'proper conversation.'
'This bastard that only spits lies...what trick is he pulling now?'
Even though I doubt him, I prepare to drop my Immortal Beast True Blood onto one of the replica Black Ancient Papers in my domain.
At least for now, nothing seems too out of place.
His Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens isn't in play, and there are no suspicious signs.
'But you can never know with this guy.'
Pukwak!
I connect my Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon to Seo Hweol's consciousness.
"Tell me...why Blood Yin...is targeting the Bright Cold Realm...!"
—I've linked our consciousnesses. Even if you try to sever the connection and escape, it's useless. My Sub-Heart Sword will pursue you to the very ends and reconnect us. If this Black Ancient Paper connects my mind to some True Immortal's domain or draws their attention, you'll suffer the consequences with me."
"...Isn't it obvious? Surely, you must already know. [Chief Judge of the Netherworld, Nether Devil True Lord Yu Hao Te], [Vast Cold Heavenly Lord], [Deputy Judge Hae Nyeong], [Reincarnation Judge Yu Soo Ryeon], and [Purple Gold Heavenly Lord]! That these five Lords waged war against [something] at the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain and perished..."
"Kuaaaaaghk!"
'This snake bastard...'
Black blood flows from my entire body, and Seo Hweol, too, seems to have taken a serious shock as parts of Yuan Yu's body start melting away.
But as blood devilish energy pours into him, he begins to recover quickly.
—I will bear it. So please drop the Immortal Beast True Blood onto the Black Ancient Paper.
In preparation for the possibility of my mind being overtaken the moment I place my Immortal Beast True Blood onto the Black Ancient Paper, I split my consciousness and drop the true blood onto the paper.
Chwaaaak!
At the same time, I feel part of my mind being transported somewhere.
'This is...?'
Clank!
As I come to my senses, my consciousness finds itself on top of one of the weights of a scale.
And on the opposite weight of the scale, Seo Hweol is sitting in a cross-legged position.
I growl as I look at him.
"You...where is this place now...!?"
"There's no need to worry, Daoist. Here, we don't need to have such a bothersome conversation. First, please take a look at the [one holding the scale]."
At those words, I unconsciously turn my gaze toward the top of the scale.
It's not because I followed Seo Hweol's suggestion, but because I unconsciously thought, 'Of course, that's what I should do.'
"...!"
And what I see is a giant (巨人).
No, this isn't a being that can be called a mere giant.
A Giant God (巨神)!
This is a colossal God (神) formed from the vapor of chaos.
Its size is so immense that all I can comprehend is that it's 'huge', without any clear sense of how large it truly is.
Seo Hweol smiles from the opposite weight of the scale and speaks.
"Please show your respect, Daoist Seo. This is the Immortal Beast of the Human Race, the [God of Names]. The Master of all Contracts and Oaths...the Immortal Beast, Hyeon Go (玄古)...the High Spirit Grand Dao Nine Heavens Overseeing Fate Preserving Life Celestial Great Emperor (上靈高道九天司命保生天上大帝)."
[TL/N: So, this title is taken from Zhao Xuanlang, a Daoist God from the Song Dynasty. Emperor Zhenzhong of Song basically honored the Yellow Emperor as the ancestor of the Zhao Family and gave them the title High Spirit Grand Dao Nine Heavens Overseeing Fate Preserving Life Heavenly Venerable Great Emperor (上靈高道九天司命保生天尊大帝). Tremendous just swapped Heavenly Venerable (天尊) to Celestial (天上).]
From the opposite weight, Seo Hweol bows towards [Hyeon Go], and I, startled, hurriedly offer my respect as well.
However, [Hyeon Go] doesn't react in any particular way.
It seems that what stands before us is not the main body but some kind of principle or law.
As I look up at the giant god of vapor I notice something odd.
'This is clearly an existence above the rank of a True Immortal...but why does nothing happen even while seeing it?'
Just as I am pondering this, Seo Hweol smiles and provides the answer.
"How does it feel to stand before the Ancestor God (祖神), seed of the Human Race's Immortal Beast?"
The Immortal Beast of the Human Race, Hyeon Go.
Which means, in some sense, this colossal god and I are of the same race.
"...So, is this the method you spoke of?"
"You could say so. How fortunate it is that Daoist possesses the true blood of Go (Ancient/古). When the power of Go and the Black Ancient Paper meets, the subjects are brought to the sanctuary of contracts and oaths that Hyeon Go governs. Here, there's no need to worry about the gaze of Blood Yin."
Kugugugugu!
I nod, feeling the overwhelming presence of Hyeon Go.
Indeed, the divine and sacred aura gently emanating from this giant god is no trivial matter.
Even an existence like Blood Yin would be unable to easily spy on us. I can sense this certainty on a genetic level.
I ask Seo Hweol a question.
"If we make a contract here, can I trust you?"
"Yes. As long as I'm a mortal being, any contract made here is something I can [never] break. No, even if I were to attain the realm of True Immortals and become an immortal being, unless I transcend Hyeon Go's rank, it's impossible to violate it. As Fate supports the contract, even if one wishes to break it, the heavenly fortune will adjust to ensure that it [cannot be broken]."
I nod in agreement.
'If it's to this extent...even a snake-scorpion bastard should be able to be trusted"
But after nodding, my expression hardens.
"...Tell me. What's the reason that someone like you, who doesn't do trust, is going this far to form a contract with me? What's the reason behind Blood Yin's objectives? How serious is it that you're willing to go this far just to cooperate with me?"
Seo Hweol's smile fades.
It doesn't disappear entirely, but knowing that his smile only fades when he's touching on something deeply connected to his essence, I realize how gravely serious this matter is.
"I mentioned before, didn't I? While avoiding Blood Yin's gaze, I told you about the five great beings who fought [something], and how all five died afterwards."
"You did."
"The five great being did indeed perish. But the second strongest among them, Yu Hao Te, managed to leave behind a 'leftover'."
It seems that here, there's no problem casually mentioning the names of True Immortals.
The truth about Blood Yin begins to spill from Seo Hweol's lips.
"Seat Holder of Good and Evil, Judge of Morality Yu Hao Te. His leftover only managed to cling to one part of his vast authority, the Seat of Evil (Vice), and was reborn anew."
The vague suspicions I've had are confirmed by Seo Hweol's words. Since I already suspected as much, I'm not particularly surprised.
But what Seo Hweol says next leaves me in utter shock.
"But...if the second strongest left behind a leftover, do you know what the strongest, Vast Cold Heavenly Lord, left behind?"
"What did they leave?"
"Their life."
"...?"
"The Vast Cold Heavenly Lord, who was known as the strongest god (神) 500,000 years ago, after fighting [something]...is [still alive]."
Flinch!
I stare at Seo Hweol with confused eyes, and he continues.
"Vast Cold Heavenly Lord's soul disappeared somewhere, leaving them in a state akin to brain death. Their body, however, even in a vegetative state, remains [alive]. Even now."
-x-X-x-
My mouth gapes at the astonishing truth.
'The Vast Cold Heavenly Lord...is alive?'
If so...
"This Bright Cold Realm is...still alive?"
"Isn't it a plausible truth to consider? Why do you think the [Ones Above] had to forcibly rename the Vast Cold (廣寒) Realm to the Bright Cold (光寒) Realm 500,000 years ago? Why is it that the Bright Cold Realm has the most abundant spiritual energy of all the Middle Realms, and why do those who come here have a fate filled with more blessings than those in other Middle Realms? Why is it that the Bright Cold Realm is always referred to as the strongest and most supreme of the six Middle Realms? Other Middle Realm Esteemed Ones can propose their own titles and the Sacred Master accepts them as such, but why must the Esteemed Ones of the Bright Cold Realm have titles that include 'Heaven (天)' or 'Light (光)' that the Sacred Master imposes...? There's much more, but this is the gist of it."
"...Sacred Master Baek Woon said the reason for the Sacred Masters in the Middle Realms is because if they neglect these realms, powerful Vestiges will be born. And...as far as I know, Vestiges only come from corpses. But if what you're saying is true, doesn't that create a contradiction?"
I look at Seo Hweol with suspicion, and he smiles faintly, placing his hand over his chest.
"I swear upon the name of Immortal Beast Hyeon Go. Everything I, Seo Hweol, have just said is the truth."
Wo-woong!
Along with his words, the balance seems to tremble, and a pure white vapor brushes past Seo Hweol's body.
"In this place, one cannot speak lies. The moment one utters a falsehood, they are immediately 'punished'."
"...."
"If what I'm saying is true, then the other side must be lying."
"...That means..."
Seo Hweol smiles faintly.
"Sacred Master Baek Woon, other than her abhorrence for her race's acts of pollination, has always been famous for spewing lies. No, more accurately...while she 'doesn't lie', she is notorious for deceiving others with her words. Her words of preventing the birth of Vestiges is not wrong, since the corpse of Vast Cold Heavenly Lord will eventually truly die. Whether that's in ten billion years or a hundred billion years, who knows."
"..."
It seems Baek Woon is a far more sinister existence than I initially thought.
"In any case...since it seems you've accepted the truth, let me tell you an old story."
He begins his tale.
"The leftover of Nether Devil True Lord Yu Hao Te couldn't accept that he has died. Truly believing they are still Yu Hao Te, having forgotten his kind character and noble disposition, and remembering only the authority he wielded, they hoped to be reinstated in their seat. However, in the eyes of his comrades of the Underworld, this 'Yu Hao Te of Evil', who barely grasped a fraction of the authority Yu Hao Tie wielded in his prime, was unworthy, and even their character and disposition fell far short."
This is the hidden backstory of the Bright Cold Realm I have long wondered about.
"If only their character had remained intact, they could have easily returned to their old position. But instead, they foolishly fell into the delusion that their authority is the problem. And so...Yu Hao Te of Evil came to a certain decision.
'As the body of my old comrade, Vast Cold, is still alive, I will make it mine. Vast Cold's soul has left on a distant journey, with no telling if it will ever return. If I take control of Vast Cold's body, I can once again fully seize my seat, and those old comrades who dismissed me will welcome me once more.'
"Ah...truly, what a vile and filthy decision it was. To covet the body of another in order to regain a seat that was never rightfully theirs...even worse, they still remembered that Vast Cold was once their friend. Hoho..."
I tremble with rising disgust.
"However, that vile plan was never realized. I'm talking about the successor of Ancient Force True Lord, 'Lofty Dragon' and Yu Hao Te's Immortal Treasure, 'Sae Eum'. Unable to watch their former superior's corruption any longer, the two joined hands. Lofty Dragon quickly entered the Vast Cold Realm before Yu Hao Te of Evil could seize the body, accepting the loss of cultivation to become a Sacred Master to halt Yu Hao Te of Evil. Sae Eum, from within Yu Hao Te of Evil's body, bound their mind. However, the corrupted Yu Hao Te of Evil could not suppress their desire and eventually invaded the Bright Cold Realm."
From his lips flows the truth about the great war between the True Devil Realm and the Vast Cold Realm that took place 500,000 years ago.
"It was a terrifying war. To the point those below the Integration stage had to be protected in Lofty Dragon's animal pen... Though Yu Hao Te of Evil's physical body was dead, it was still the body of the Chief Judge Yu Hao Te. The Nether Devil Realm itself invaded the Vast Cold Realm. In the end, Sae Eum emerged from the Nether Devil Realm and temporarily assumed the Sacred Master position of the Vast Cold Realm, while Lofty Dragon recovered to the Entering Nirvana stage and faced Yu Hao Te of Evil. After several years of war...Lofty Dragon finally used the Serving Command Axe to decapitate a portion of Yu Hao Te of Evil's head. Then, Sae Eum burned their life force to transfer Yu Hao Te of Evil's true soul into that severed head portion."
The mural I saw on Cherry Blossom Dragon Island comes to mind.
"Lofty Dragon and Sae Eum sacrificed their lives. Lofty Dragon squeezed out all of their own blood and Sae Eum tore away their own essence. The blood of Lofty Dragon and the essence of Sae Eum mixed, inscribing a 'new name' onto Yu Hao Te of Evil, who had been completely severed from their main body."
I finally understand the creation myth of the Blood Yin Realm.
"The blood of Lofty Dragon and the essence of Sae Eum. The authority of these two divine beings became shackles, binding Yu Hao Te of Evil. Thus, they became Blood Yin (血陰). The Nether Devil Realm became the True Devil Realm, and all the turbid energy and malevolent energy that once belonged to the True Devil Realm was carried away by Blood Yin. Within Blood Yin's body, a filthy, repugnant Middle Realm opened up. That is the Blood Yin Realm (血陰界)."
"...I see."
The truths of the world, which I have been curious about all this time, are engraved into my mind.
"Blood Yin's desire for the living body of Vast Cold. That...is the truth behind why the Heavenly Fiends of the Blood Yin Realm have been targeting the Bright Cold Realm all this time?"
"Yes. But that's not all."
A sneer spreads across Seo Hweol's lips.
"Blood Yin, stripped of their original name and forcibly given the new name of [Blood Yin], fell into despair. Burdened with the new name, they could no longer reunite with the True Devil Realm and return to their original form. The hope of being reinstated became ever more distant. Therefore, they adjusted their goals slightly. From merely 'coveting the living body of Vast Cold'...to devouring 'both Vast Cold's body and the Seat (座) they ruled.' With the authority of the Tridacna Vast Cold Heavenly Lord, who once shook the Three Thousand Great Thousand Worlds, Blood Yin believed they could merge it with the Seat of Vice they already seized and be bestowed a 'New Seat'."
"A New Seat? Is something like that necessary?"
"It is. The Seat of the original Yu Hao Te became unusable after they were forcibly renamed, and they knew they couldn't handle the Seat of Vast Cold on their own."
Through Seo Hweol's words, I come to understand Blood Yin's true objective.
"To usurp Vast Cold's body and authority, merge it with the seat they already seized, and conduct a ritual to obtain a New Seat—the Seat of Abundant Offspring (子孫衆多). With that authority, they seek to be reinstated in the Underworld. That is Blood Yin's ultimate goal."
I let out a quiet sigh.
It's a ridiculous story, but since 'Seo Hweol cannot lie,' my trust goes in the opposite direction.
With the flood of information from Seo Hweol, I cannot help but feel overwhelmed.
It's shocking enough to learn that the Bright Cold Realm is, in fact, alive, albeit in a comatose state, let alone the truth from 500,000 years ago and the true nature of Baek Woon.
Moreover, now knowing Blood Yin's ultimate goal, I feel a surge of shock and try to calm my mind.
'So the name Blood Yin was created by Lofty Dragon's blood and the essence of Sae Eum, the first Sacred Master of the True Devil Realm...'
I immediately understand why Blood Yin created the Black Dragon Race and the Sea Dragon Race.
For an Immortal Beast, the more descendants they have, the more power they channel to those descendants.
Of course, to a genuine Immortal Beast, the authority passed on to their mortal descendants would be insignificant, like a drop in the ocean, so they wouldn't pay much attention to it.
As long as they are alive, they can endlessly replenish that power anyways.
But what if the Immortal Beast is dead?
'If the Immortal Beast is dead...the dead Immortal Beast's power wouldn't replenish, and if their descendants continue to siphon off it, the Immortal Beast's power will eventually be depleted, leaving the entire bloodline powerless.'
This means Blood Yin created countless Black Dragon and Sea Dragon descendants in an effort to escape the shackles of their own name.
'It's suspicious that the leaders of the Black Dragon Race and Sea Dragon Race all have names like Hyeon Eum and Ja Eum. Could it be an attempt to disperse the power contained in the name 'Eum'? That seems plausible...'
[TL/N: In case you forgot, Eum means Yin.]
A faint smile.
Seo Hweol continues speaking with a clear smile.
"The current situation is quite dire. If left unchecked as they are, the worst True Immortal with the body of Vast Cold—Blood Yin—will be born. At the very least, a being surpassing a Great Net Immortal will emerge. If that happens, the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain will be finished at that moment. That's why I sincerely wish to join hands with you, Daoist Seo."
Seo Hweol extends his hand towards me from the opposite side of the scale.
I look at Seo Hweol for a moment.
Indeed, the current situation is terrifying.
I still remember the power of the Owner of Great Mountain.
With a single mantra, They compressed and annihilated an entire Heavenly Domain.
It's a moment terrifying enough to send chills down my spine, a memory both fearful and awe-inspiring.
'That wasn't even the main body, just a projection.'
In that case, if I assume Blood Yin manages to get their hands on Vast Cold's body, then the power of Blood Yin with Vast Cold's body might not fall too short of what I saw from the Owner of Great Mountain.
The weight of the name Vast Cold is that heavy.
It is, without a doubt, a serious situation.
However, I look at Seo Hweol and ask.
"So what's your goal, Seo Hweol?"
Blood Yin's objective is resurrection through Vast Cold's body.
But I still don't know what Seo Hweol's genuine goal is.
In response to my question, Seo Hweol smiles and says,
"To reunite with my family. Is Seo Ran doing well?"
"...He's fine. I feel much more at ease without you by his side."
I glare at him and ask.
"To reunite with your family? Is that really your goal? What are you going to do when you meet Seo Ran?"
"I'll pat him on the shoulder and tell him he's been through a lot. Above all, Ran and I...we share the same blood."
"..."
I try to read Seo Hweol's intent or attack him with the Sub-Heart Sword, but it seems that such things don't work in this space.
'What is he planning to do to Seo Ran...?'
I speak while looking at him.
"Sorry, but if you intend to endanger Seo Ran through this incident, I cannot cooperate with your plan."
"I understand. Anyway, given the severity of the situation, I have no intention of getting into a verbal battle with Daoist Seo. Limited to this plan, I will cause no harm to Daoist Seo and his comrades and will only focus on my own path."
"The comrades affected by your Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens must not be included in the 'path' you speak of."
"Agreed. I will focus solely on myself, and 'for this matter alone,' I will unconditionally cooperate with Daoist Seo without betrayal. I will not pull wordplay like last time, saying, 'we weren't on the same side, so it's not betrayal'."
I nod.
"Good. In that case, although I'm not happy about it...let's join hands."
"Hoho...A wise decision, Daoist Seo."
In front of Hyeon Go, we form a temporary alliance contract.
Kuung!
I feel the authority of a transcendent being binding us together.
This is, quite literally, an action in the Plane of Fate.
Since fate guarantees our contract, even if we want to break it, the very act of breaking it becomes impossible as celestial energy moves.
Paaaaat!
Seo Hweol's scale and my scale draw closer.
I glance at Seo Hweol and take his hand.
Seo Hweol and I, though temporarily, have formed a 'true' alliance.
===
Author's Note: Seo-Seo Alliance.
-x-X-x-
The contract is sealed, and we return once again to the place where we had been wrestling just moments before, stepping out from the sacred sanctuary of contracts and oaths.
Squelch, squelch...
I can feel Seo Hweol, who is borrowing Yuan Yu's body, seeping unpleasantly into mine.
[For now, I need to pretend to have control over you, so please understand.]
—...Leave Yuan Yu's blood body behind, take your Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens out, and get lost.
[Hoho...very well for now. However, as we'll need to stay in contact, please leave me a mark, Daoist Seo.]
—Fine.
I feel Seo Hweol's Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens withdraw from my body.
'...How surprising.'
Surprisingly, Seo Hweol did 'truly' remove Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens from my body.
Even after checking my shadow, there is no trace of Seo Hweol's Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens.
Having reached Void Shattering, I would have immediately sensed Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens.
Forming an alliance before Hyeon Go seems to be quite effective.
Feeling an inexplicable sense of reassurance, I begin communicating with Seo Hweol through the heart essence avatar I implanted in his heart essence.
—So, do you have a plan, Seo Hweol?
[Hoho...Blood Yin began eroding the Bright Cold Realm somewhat recklessly. They mentioned they will be having a conversation with Baek Woon, but it seems Baek Woon has scratched their reverse scale.]
He continues explaining.
[Due to this reckless erosion, a gap has formed. Normally, there would have been about a thousand years grace period left, but due to Sacred Master Baek Woon having stepped down from her rank and overexerting her powers, this situation has occurred. All we need to do is strike at what Blood Yin fears the most within that gap.]
—What do they fear?
I can sense Seo Hweol chuckling from beyond the darkness.
It's clearly a mocking laugh.
[They fear the dead coming back to life the most. Specifically...the resurrection of Vast Cold.]
—Resurrecting Vast Cold...? Are you saying that we're going to do that? Do you think that makes sense?
[Of course, people like us cannot resurrect Vast Cold. However, we can stir up the energy, enough for Vast Cold's living body to react.]
—What? How...?
[Mad Lord.]
"...!"
I flinch in suprise, and Seo Hweol gives additional explanation.
[I heard this directly from Blood Yin. The Black Dragon King, Hyeon Eum, was modified after being defeated by the Mad Lord, and during that process, the Mad Lord's Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress was confirmed to contain the [Power of Vast Cold]. I am aware that the Mad Lord also has his own agenda. If you activate the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress according to his purpose, the Power of Vast Cold he has cultivated will emerge. That power...if it can be released at the location where Blood Yin's invasion began, we can delay Blood Yin's plan.]
—Delaying the plan...is there no way to completely stop it?"
[Unless Blood Yin suffers a fatal wound, it's impossible. The best we can do is grant the Bright Cold Realm about fifty years of reprieve.]
Ziiiiiiing!
Feeling the heavy weight of responsibility, I fly towards the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.
I can see the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress in the distance.
—Alright, I get it for now. So where exactly did Blood Yin's invasion begin?
[It's a place Daoist Seo knows well. Heavenly Lotus Mountain. It's the place where the Sacred Master resides.]
It seems Baek Woon was the first to encounter Blood Yin.
—Then I just need to bring the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress to Heavenly Lotus Mountain...
Just as I think that,
Kung!
"...!"
An inexplicable foreboding arises from the Plane of Soul.
Through the Plane of Soul, all the way beyond.
From the far edge of Bright Cold Realm, I can sense exceedingly ominous and sinister beings descending upon the realm.
'This is...'
[Ah...oh dear.]
I can feel Seo Hweol clicking his tongue.
Hwoong!
Space distorts, and colossal projections begin appearing near the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.
Esteemed One Swae Ryeong (碎玲/Shattered Bell).
Esteemed One Gyeok Hal (擊轄/ Controlling Strike).
Esteemed One Wi On (僞穩/False Stability).
Esteemed One Yuk Nyeong (毓濘/Nurturing Mud).
Esteemed One Gwi Ryuk (壞陸/Ruined Land).
Esteemed One Hill Gi (犵技/Wild Skill).
Esteemed One Gyu Cheon (圭踐/Jade-tablet Trampling).
[TL/N: These are the names, not the titles of the Esteemed Ones]
The projections of the Seven Esteemed Ones Of An Era (七代尊者) from the Blood Yin Realm have descended here to suppress the power of Vast Cold that Seo Hweol mentioned.
Kugugugugugu!
A giant covered in red coral.
Esteemed One Swae Ryeong chants an incomprehensible Blood Yin Realm incantation as they approach the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.
—Hey, Seo Hweol. We need to stop them. Do you have any methods?
[...I did already say I will take over, but it seems they don't trust me enough. Hmm, what to do...]
Seo Hweol speaks after a moment of pondering.
—You have no solution either, do you?
[...Hoho, just wait a little longer. I have a decent pla—]
—Forget it.
Without listening to Seo Hweol, I flauntingly tear the Blood Body from within myself beneath the sky.
[Guaaaahhhh!!!]
As I rip out my Blood Body, I let out a howl, instantly drawing the attention of all the Esteemed Ones toward me.
'The fact that they're trying to use the Esteemed Ones to suppress the Mad Lord must mean Blood Yin is still in the midst of corroding Bright Cold Realm and is yet unable to fully exert their power.'
In that case, there's a simple solution.
—I'll break through the Esteemed Ones, take the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress to Heavenly Lotus Mountain, and have the Mad Lord activate Yeon's Play within it. Wouldn't that do the trick?
[Hoho...do you think that's possible?]
I respond curtly.
—Yes.
Kuung!
I become a giant of starlight.
Seeing the giant with 21 heads appear before them, the Esteemed Ones of the Blood Yin Realm seem momentarily confused, unable to grasp the situation and staring blankly at me.
I calmly walk through their midst.
The pressure from the Star Shattering stage Esteemed One is something I can easily disperse with my Void Shattering attainments, so I remain unburdened by it as I walk past them and grab hold of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.
Kuuung!
Then, without a care, I lift the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress with one arm and begin heading towards Heavenly Lotus Mountain, walking right through the middle of the Esteemed Ones.
Only then do the Blood Yin Esteemed Ones who were slow to react finally begin attacking me.
The emerging coral Esteemed One Swae Ryeong opens their mouth.
[—!]
As they shout a lion's roar accompanied by the Blood Yin Realm incantation, red coral burst from the ground, trying to trap me.
[TL/N: Lion's roar as in the Buddhist technique in martial arts novels.]
Esteemed One Gyeok Hal, whose entire body is covered in eyes, stares at me, causing my body to freeze.
Esteemed One Wi On, whose entire body is made of rattling bones, scatters into pieces and forms a cage around me.
Esteemed One Yuk Nyeong, a giant made of red clay, lifts the ground beneath my feet.
Esteemed One Gwi Ryuk, in the form of an insect covered in dark-red scales, releases hideous shadows from each of their scales and shoots them at me, while Esteemed One Hill Gi, resembling a mantis, swings their forearms and sends slashes my way.
Kwarurururung!
The entire area collapses.
The aftermath of the Blood Yin Realm Esteemed Ones' authorities spread in all four directions.
Kurururung!
The place we are standing is a Chaos Realm region in the northwest part of the Bright Cold Realm.
It is a region adjacent to the Heaven Tribe territory.
The aftermath of the Esteemed Ones' combined assault, which began in this Chaos Realm region, shakes the entire Heaven Tribe territory.
As the red light fades, I let out a smile.
[Assuming I am of a lower realm, it seems you attacked too half-heartedly.]
Cheok!
I dodged all of their recent attacks.
Since the attacks were thrown half-heartedly by the Esteemed Ones in an attempt to crush a cultivator at the Integration stage, they were easy to avoid.
I chuckle and ask towards the interior of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.
[Is everyone alright?]
Taatt!
However, no specific response comes, and only Hong Fan, burning on fire, appears above the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.
"Everyone else is currently unconscious! And all the puppets of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress have strange coral-like things sprouting from them, preventing them from moving!"
[What, everyone's unconscious?]
Kugugugugugu!
From behind, I sense the intense momentum of the seven Esteemed Ones from the Blood Yin Realm.
They now recognize me as an equal and are preparing to attack seriously.
But I ignore them and continue questioning Hong Fan.
"Sir Young-hoon and Lady Yeon, as well as the Mad Lord, are holding on. But no one is in good condition."
I release my consciousness and quickly scan the inside of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.
As Hong Fan said, Kim Yeon seems to be conscious but is sitting cross-legged, completely motionless.
Kim Young-hoon is gripping his saber and focusing intensely with an appearance of barely holding on, while the Mad Lord is conscious, but his condition seems serious.
[Guaaagk! Kuaaagh! Heok, ugheok! Kueook!]
Countless Heart Heavenly Demons are pouring out of the Mad Lord's body.
Heart Heavenly Demons are formed when negative energy temporarily gains a personality.
Heart Heavenly Demons are not living creatures but rather things like characters in a novel or pieces in a chess game.
As long as there is a target to grant them a personality, Heart Heavenly Demons can be endlessly generated.
And, due to the whispers of the artificial souls in the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, the Mad Lord is no different from someone possessing hundreds of millions upon trillions of personalities.
In other words, he is practically the ideal state for Heart Heavenly Demons to envelop him.
'Damn...for the catalyst to activate Yeon's Yeon to be in this state...'
I approach the Mad Lord using a heart essence avatar.
As my avatar gets closer, the Heart Heavenly Demons that have already 'emerged' flee in terror, but those still being created inside cannot be stopped.
I can see the Heart Heavenly Demons endlessly torturing the Mad Lord's soul.
'This isn't a problem that can be solved by purification through blessings.'
It might offer a temporary solution, but that's it.
Eventually, this state will return.
'What should I do...?'
As I ponder, it happens.
"...Seo...Eun-hyun...is it...?"
"...!"
I approach the Mad Lord through my heart essence avatar.
"Are you conscious?"
"...It's...difficult..."
The Mad Lord, having his soul tortured by countless Heart Heavenly Demons, struggles to his feet.
Drip, drip drip...
"Has...some misfortune...arisen...?"
"...The Bright Cold Realm is being destroyed."
"Is that so..."
The Mad Lord sheds tears of blood.
"It seems...you have a solution..."
"Yes. If you bring the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress to Heavenly Lotus Mountain and attain Buddhahood, that should do it."
The Mad Lord's eyes glint, as if he instantly understands what I mean.
"I see...I...will...do so..."
Step, step...
The Mad Lord, burdened with innumerable Heart Heavenly Demons, barely manages to grasp the controls of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress and speaks.
"Saying that...must mean...my disciple...has been 'completed'...right...?"
I look at the Mad Lord.
Then I glance down at Kim Yeon, sitting cross-legged below.
And I answer honestly.
"I do not know."
"You...do not...know?"
"Yes. I am not qualified to judge whether Yeon is complete or not. If she gave it her all, she would be complete. If not, she wouldn't be complete. If she is truly sincere, then she absolutely will be complete."
Kugugugugu!
The Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress begins to move.
I stop carrying the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, reducing the size of my main body, and climb to the top of the fortress.
The Mad Lord, his hands trembling, grips the controls and asks. Even amidst the torture of the Heart Heavenly Demons, what drives him is nothing but his sheer willpower.
"You...for some...reason...seem to believe that child...has been completed..."
"...At least..."
Kugugugu!
The Realm Annihilation Ground-Shrinking Formation activates.
I look at Kim Yeon.
Inside her Nascent Soul, the Vast Cold Heavenly Circle is spinning fiercely.
The essence of the Vast Cold Heavenly Circle is to give meaning to life.
The fact that it's spinning means that she is doing everything in her power to find that meaning.
"There's no way she isn't sincere."
After saying this, I move my avatar to the floor where Kim Young-hoon and Kim Yeon are.
I approach Kim Young-hoon and exchange a glance with him.
Focusing his consciousness, Kim Young-hoon barely manages to nod.
In an instant,
I reach out towards Kim Young-hoon's heart essence.
The green podao embedded in his heart essence comes into my hand.
I retrieve the heart essence avatar.
Paaaatt!
The heart essence avatar, holding the green podao, reaches me at the peak of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.
The moment before the Realm Annihilation Ground-Shrinking Formation activates.
I see the Blood Yin Realm Seven Esteemed Ones Of An Era preparing to unleash their power.
Led by the fallen Yellow Dragon Race member, Gyu Cheon, I can feel the seven Esteemed Ones combining their strengths to obliterate us.
With that level of authority, even if we move using the Ground-Shrinking Formation, it will likely follow us and destroy the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.
At least,
If they can follow.
Booong—
I raise the podao.
It feels as though Jang Ik is shouting beside me.
"Collapsing Immortals Annihilating Heavens!"
Kwarururung!
The green blade light intercepts the combined strike of the Esteemed Ones, and the Realm Annihilation Ground-Shrinking Formation activates.
Our destination is Heavenly Lotus Great Mountain.
Blood Yin's corroded land!
Flash!
The Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress leaps through space, and I can see the Blood Yin Realm Seven Esteemed Ones Of An Era crossing space to follow us.
Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud!
I recall Gyeong Chang, Yu Yeon, Ryeo Hwa, Dok Yeong, and Jae Hu who died in my hands.
Jang Ik's podaos I received from them before their deaths.
And the podaos given to me by the entire Heart Tribe Supreme Council before Operation Exorcise the Mad Lord.
A total of 22 green podaos are embedded around me.
"Collapsing Immortals!"
Kugugugugu!
I pull out one of the podaos and shout.
"Annihilating Heavens!"
At last, the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress reaches Heavenly Lotus Great Mountain.
I look at the remaining Esteemed Ones of the Blood Yin Realm.
The Blood Yin Realm Seven Esteemed Ones Of An Era have now become the Blood Yin Realm Two Esteemed Ones Of An Era.
-x-X-x-