'What the...?'
I feel bewildered as I touch my head.
At the same time, I observe my body from the top of the tree and look up at the sky.
The celestial energy isn't readable, and I can't sense the small world within my body.
'I see. This is similar to the 'dream world' from Penglai Island...'
However, there is a difference. This world doesn't just reference fairy tales from our subconscious; it seems to be created entirely based on our memories.
'Of course, it's not all exactly the same.'
I gently touch the leaves of the tree I climbed.
'The number of leaves is different.'
Even though it no longer occurs, there was a time when I frequently experienced mornings at Ascension Path.
As such, I had swept through this area completely with my consciousness before.
That's why the number of branches and leaves on the tallest tree, and the state at that time, are clearly remembered in my mind.
'Even the smell is slightly different.'
Before my senses sharpened, I didn't notice.
But now that I can fully control the senses of my body, I can tell.
The smell of Ascension Path in the early cycles had a faint hint of Shi Ho's excrement mixed into the forest air.
However...
'There's no scent of Shi Ho's excrement. It's mixed with the smell of another animal...meaning that Shi Ho is no longer the current master of Ascension Path.'
It looks perfectly the same on the surface, but in the finer details, too many things are different.
'Even just the herbs at Ascension Path...'
I take in the scents of the herbs.
'The Yellow Bamboo Ginseng or Paralysis Grass...the herbs I recognized in the previous Ascension Path are all gone.'
Instead, what's present...
'...Raspberries?'
Startled, I stare at the raspberry bushes down below.
Raspberries.
They seem like a very ordinary fruit, something you could often find if you enter any mountain in the countryside on Earth.
But the reason I'm so taken aback by seeing raspberries...
It's because raspberries are plants that you can only find on 'Earth.'
'Raspberries, here, in a world other than Earth?'
It makes no sense.
There may be similar species, but there can't be an exact match.
Even people like Kim Young-hoon or I, who came from Earth, are slightly different from the people of this world.
The people here have several smaller wisdom teeth, and their tongues can touch their noses.
Though these are trivial differences, they indicate that there's a slight genetic difference between us and the people of this world.
Tadatt!
I jump down from the tree and rush to where the raspberries are, inspecting them closely.
I pluck one and put it in my mouth, examining it in detail.
And I come to one conclusion.
'It's exactly the same...'
The taste, the scent, the appearance, the color, the shape...everything is the same as the raspberries I used to eat when I was a child on Earth.
'This is strange...'
Furrowing my brows, I put another raspberry in my mouth.
'Now that I think about it, I see clover and oak trees...plants from Earth as well.'
Could this place possibly be Earth?
As I ponder, it happens.
Crunch, crunch...
Someone is walking towards me.
"Um...Deputy...Seo...? No, no...Senior...?"
It's Seo Ran.
I frown as I ask.
"What kind of 'senior' do you mean?"
Seo Ran grabs his head and furrows his brow.
That delicate face, resembling Seo Hweol, is now marked with distress.
"Ugh...my head... So, the truth is...I don't really remember well. But...I do remember that Senior...was an Esteemed One."
"...I understand for now."
It seems that although Seo Ran isn't fully okay, he is starting to regain his memories.
Judging by his appearance, it looks like the memories are coming back gradually.
'Are Seo Ran and I the first to recover our memories this time too?'
Seeing his state, I'm convinced.
'I really thought for a moment that we returned to Earth...but as expected that isn't the case. If someone like Seo Ran is regaining his memories, then...this must indeed be a place similar to the 'dream world'.'
It's a type of illusion formation.
One that is based on our memories.
"...By the way, Seo Ran..."
I glance over his appearance from head to toe and ask.
"Why are you wearing those clothes?"
"Ah...this...ugh..."
Seo Ran clutches his head again and responds.
"My memories are mixed up, so I'm a bit confused...but I think I came wearing my usual clothes from home."
"Hm...well, for now, I'll assume that you are playing the role of 'Kang Min-hee' in this world."
I ask, bewildered by the scent I sense from him.
"Did you perhaps start...practicing the Taiji Quaking Lightning Body before coming here?"
"Uhmm..."
Seo Ran's face suddenly turns bright red, and he avoids my eyes.
"I'm sorry, Senior... Ugh...I don't remember very well."
"..."
To respect Seo Ran's dignity, I refrain from asking her any further questions.
"Alright. For now, focus more on recovering your memories, and help me out a little."
"Yes, understood."
Seo Ran and I return to where our unconscious comrades are lying.
I hoist Kim Young-hoon, Jeon Myeong-hoon, and Oh Hyun-seok onto my back, while Seo Ran carries Kim Yeon and follows me.
We arrive at the familiar cave of Ascension Path.
'The cave is in the same place...'
But, once again, something feels strange.
While the cave is where it should be...
'Something...has changed a lot.'
The cave's entrance is much larger than I remember, and inside, stalagmites and stalactites have grown to the point that they form a forest.
Seo Ran and I lay our comrades down in a suitable spot, and I send her to gather some dry leaves and branches.
Boo-oong!
Huaruruk!
I swing the branches, generating friction to ignite a fire, and after setting up a proper campfire, I gather some fruits that I recognize nearby.
The interesting part is that most of the trees and fruits in this area are from Earth, and unlike the plants of Ascension Path, I'm not familiar with the plants from Earth. Compared to the abundance I had in the early cycles, now I can only gather raspberries.
"Do you know anything useful?"
"Ah...when I was hungry, I usually swallowed sharks, dolphins, or swordfish whole, so I don't know much about land animals."
"Hm...what about plants?"
"Plants...well, occasionally, when I wanted a special treat, I would swallow an entire coral reef, but..."
"That's enough."
It seems Seo Ran isn't going to be much help in this situation.
I quickly carve a moderately thick branch into the shape of a wooden sword, set it aside, then sit cross-legged and begin regulating my breathing.
"Hmm..."
How long have I concentrated on my breathing...?
Drip.
Blood starts flowing from my nose.
Then, I finally sense a faint warmth around my dantian.
'I see. Qi itself does exist.'
However, the breathing technique I just used isn't an ordinary one.
I imbued my breath with intent, desperately overloading my brain to draw in as much energy from the surroundings as possible.
If I had done this in the Bright Cold Realm, the surrounding Heaven and Earth spiritual energy would have been completely sucked dry, turning the area within sixty thousand li into a dead zone—a terrifying act.
But despite such an overwhelming technique, and despite pushing my brain to the point where blood trickles from my nose, I've only managed to gather a minuscule amount of internal energy, barely the level a common person might obtain.
I rub my throbbing head.
'At this rate, if I want to reach the Qi Building stage...I'll have to overload my brain and cultivate for a hundred years! Damn it...I can't continue like this.'
I sigh and stand up from my seat.
'There is Qi, but it's so scarce that it's almost hopeless. How strange. It's impossible for there to be so little Qi in a forest teeming with life... Is the fundamental rule of this world simply different?'
I explain the situation to Seo Ran and ask for her opinion.
"What do you think, Seo Ran?"
"Hmm..."
Seo Ran furrows her pale face and contemplates for a moment.
She then offers a textbook response.
"Well...assuming this world exists based on our memories, it would be right to start by meeting the people of this world. Just like the last time with Yuk Yo, the inhabitants of this world likely know things we don't, and meeting them might give us a hint on how to escape this world."
"...A hint?"
"Ah...it's one of the words jumbled in my memory. Could it be something I learned in this world?"
"Probably..."
I think for a moment, trying to recall what the word 'hint' referred to, and then nod as the memory returns.
[TL/N: 'Hint' being the actual English word hint, not the hint/clue in the language of RToC.]
'I've lost the connection to the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections due to the lack of Qi. However, since the Canvas is within my heart essence, I won't completely fall into dementia like before, though it'll be harder to recall memories as smoothly as before.'
"Alright. You're right. First, we should meet the other intelligent beings of this world and talk to them before deciding on a direction. The problem is...if this place is based on Ascension Path, it's going to be vast, and encountering any intelligent beings might be diff—"
Just when I think so.
Hwiiiii!
Taaatt!
A strong wind blows, and someone lands behind me.
Feeling a spine-chilling presence, I turn around.
'This aura...!'
'It' has two heads, like conjoined twins.
The creature, dressed in red robes, has one male head and one female head, and its skin is dotted with red scales.
But that's not the issue.
'Qi Building stage!?'
The danger emanating from this being rivals that of an early Qi Building stage cultivator.
With a faint smile on its male face, it opens its mouth.
"Well now...you dare enter my forest and light a fire without permission...? On top of that, you pluck the fruits of my forest and cut down my trees to make that toy..."
I can feel it.
The scent coming from this being is the same scent of the animal throughout the forest.
The smell of a snake.
I remain vigilant as I pay my respects to this two-headed creature.
'It must be a manifestation of that two-headed snake...'
For some reason, it seems like in this world, beings at the Qi Building stage or higher are capable of taking on human form.
Judging by the current situation, this snake seems to be a similar existence to Shi Ho from back then.'
I bow my head before the snake and speak.
"I did not realize that we were being so rude in the presence of the master of the forest. We are but lowly and weak humans, so please do not be too angry with us...we were merely seeking warmth to heat our bodies."
"Haha, I see. You are a human who knows manners."
The snake strokes the beard of its male head and laughs.
Then, it suddenly speaks.
"If you know proper manners, then you should understand what you've just done... As punishment, cut off one of your arms and offer it to me. And if you wish to stay in my forest...let's see, since both of your faces are quite pleasing, why don't you both try to satisfy me?"
The snake points at me and Seo Ran with a face full of lust.
Clicking my tongue, I shake my head.
"I humbly apologize, but that won't be possible."
In the past, when facing Shi Ho, there was an overwhelming difference in power, and I was certain that even if my arm was torn off, I could recover, so it wasn't a big deal to offer it.
But now, that's not the case.
'I don't know if Azure Tiger Saint will come.'
This world, though it looks similar, is completely different.
I can't afford to act recklessly.
The snake's face twitches.
At that moment, I roughly figure out the snake's true level.
'It isn't at the early Qi Building stage. Goodness...is it actually at the late Qi Refining stage? But it's emitting pressure at the Qi Building stage? I see...the spiritual energy in the snake's body isn't just flowing naturally, it's circulating through dozens of spell formations. Each formation links together, amplifying its power, making it feel like a Qi Building level being.'
It seems that, in this world where the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy is extremely scarce, the methods for handling spells have evolved to an extreme degree.
The snake twitches again before turning its head.
Its female face looks at me and speaks.
"Ho, ohoho...I see. You must've misspoken out of shock. I'll overlook this rudeness if you pull out both of your arms or legs... Let me repeat. If you two serve me, then I'll allow you to stay in this forest..."
"Sorry, but."
I turn around to look behind me.
Seo Ran, Kim Young-hoon, Jeon Myeong-hoon, Oh Hyun-seok, Kim Yeon...
All of them are people who already have partners.
"Everyone here is already taken, so I don't think serving you will be an option. Why don't you propose something else? If there's anything we can help with, we will."
"...You..."
Both of the snake's faces turn crimson.
It grits its teeth and roars in fury.
"I am the beloved concubine of the Great Shi Ho, the Heaven-Treading Desert Ruler, one of the Three Rulers of this continent, and you dare reject my mercy? It would not be a crime to tear you apart!"
Chwarururuk!
A blood-red aura surges from the snake's entire body, and I smirk as I grip my wooden sword.
I observe.
The energy within my body is, by the standards of the Head Realm, nothing more than third-rate.
No, it's not even third-rate, just the amount of energy an ordinary person could develop after a few months of diligent health exercises.
With only this pitiful amount of energy, can I possibly defeat this late Qi Refining stage creature—essentially a Qi Building stage demon beast?
I watch the snake as it begins to transform into its true form and swing my sword.
Pabang!
In an instant, one of the snake's heads bursts apart.
I can feel the shock from the snake.
"H-How...can a mere mortal...!"
I lick the blood off my wooden sword, my eyes gleaming.
'It's as if its entire body is wrapped in Protective Gang Qi. But it's not real Gang Qi. No, even if it were real Gang Qi, I could still cut through it as long as I aim well between the grains.'
Lick—
I pull my tongue away from the blade and grin, baring my teeth.
"Even if I've become a powerless mortal, I think I can still take down someone of your level. So stop wasting your energy and come at me."
I've returned to Ascension Path.
A lot has changed, and there's still a lot I'm bewildered by.
But one thing is certain.
If I take down the creature in front of me, many things will be resolved.
I charge at the two-headed snake, swinging my sword.
-x-X-x-
"Bastard! You cut off my head by luck and now you're acting all high and mighty!"
Charuruk!
The snake opens its mouth and spews a poisonous mist laced with a red aura.
I hold my breath and move my sword.
Chwak!
Three exchanges.
Within three motions, a burst of wind blows away all the poisonous mist.
I begin overloading my brain, using all the muscles in my body.
'My muscle fibers might tear a little. But with no Qi, there's no other way to deal with an opponent like this.'
I gather the faintest trace of energy and infuse it into my wooden sword to strengthen it.
In this situation, let alone Sword Gang, even Sword Energy is unthinkable.
I need to strengthen the sword enough so it doesn't break.
'I need to produce the greatest result with the least amount of strength.'
Cheok!
I clearly perceive the weight of the sword, my eyes gleaming.
Weight.
Or the strength called attraction force.
As long as attraction force exists, so does fate.
And as long as fate exists, I can summon the All-Heavens Sword at any time.
It was through the same method that I escaped from being trapped in the small dimension in the Lightning Sacred Sea.
But...
'Is the very law of this world twisted...? Despite the attraction force, I can't seem to grab hold of the All-Heavens Sword.'
I can vaguely sense that higher planes like the Plane of Soul exist in this world, above the material realm.
However, the method to connect with those higher dimensions feels somewhat different from my previous world, so I can't fully utilize my original abilities.
'Well...it's not a big issue for now.'
I'll have to search for a way to recover my abilities and escape this world eventually, but...
For now, just a slightly enhanced wooden sword is enough to deal with the snake in front of me.
Chwaruruk!
From the snake's exploded head, a flood of poisonous blood spurts out, transforming into hundreds of venomous serpents that rush toward me.
Dodging all the serpents and cutting off the snake's neck is easy enough, but my comrades are behind me.
'I can't let any of them get poisoned.'
In that case, I'll just have to dice through all the venomous serpents and close in on the snake.
Kuguguk...
I grab the tip of my sword with my hand and strengthen my grip on the hilt.
Without the ability to use energy, I need to rely on this trick to amplify the power of my technique.
The wooden sword's blade bends like a bow for a moment.
But the blade, reinforced by my energy, does not break.
Then, just as all the venomous serpents enter within my sword range,
Tuung!
I let go of the sword's tip and begin spinning along with the wooden sword.
With the combined force of the sword's elasticity and my movement, I sweep away the hundreds of venomous serpents.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship,
Bouldered Cliff,
Strange Stone,
Joy of Mountain and Peaks.
Combined Application Technique: Collapsing Tomb (壞陵).
Bouldered Cliff which combines offensive and defensive properties, Strange Stone which specializes in feints, and Joy of Mountain and Peaks which sends sword energy vertically and horizontally come together, forming an overwhelming cutting force that grinds everything around me into dust.
Piiiiiit!
Pababababang!
Bursting all the venomous serpents, I use the rotational force from spinning with my sword to kick off the ground, using the bow-body movement technique to chase after the snake that's trying to distance itself from me.
[TL/N: It's the technique where you bend the body like an arrow and use the rebound force to move faster. I forgot what I translated it as before. :p]
"For the Demon Race that gained renown through close combat to distance itself from me, you should be ashamed."
I can see it.
The defensive demon abilities tightly covering the snake's body.
Dozens of demon abilities swirl within its blood and energy, layering over its scales like armor, completely covering its body.
But it's nothing.
I see through the grains of all those demon abilities covering its body like armor.
They are certainly excellent demon abilities, but they met the wrong opponent.
Pang!
I stop right in front of the snake, compressing all the flows from earlier into the wooden sword.
Crack!
The wooden sword vibrates as if it's about to shatter.
'Let's add to this.'
"This...lowly mortal bastard!"
The snake, suddenly forced into close combat, is startled and swings its tail at me.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.
Echoing Valley!
In an instant.
I face the snake's tail with my sword.
Then, I absorb and add the force of its tail into my sword.
At the same time, I read the flow and force in the snake's tail and once again confirm its weak points.
'It's over.'
Piiit!
In an instant.
My movement breaks the sound barrier.
Air is pushed aside by my sword.
The sound of breaking through air starts to erupt from my entire body.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.
Landscape Painting!
A total of seven attacks tear through the gaps in the spell armor, striking various points on the snake's body and neutralizing it!
As my sword, now moving faster than sound, tears through the spell armor, the resulting shockwave makes the nearby flesh and scales explode.
Neck, waist, tail, stomach in three places, and its side.
A total of seven points explode, and the snake collapses, screaming in pain.
Chiiiiiii—
I look at my forearms and shoulders, now burnt from the friction heat.
My body couldn't withstand the strain of breaking the sound barrier.
'To think my body couldn't endure even this much speed and got injured...'
Despite only strengthening the sword to conserve my meager energy, it was still quite a novel experience.
My current body feels exactly the same as it did when I fell onto Ascension Path, which is probably why I feel it even more intensely.
'This body of an untrained office worker. No wonder my muscles ache.'
Fortunately, since I perfectly controlled all my muscles, none of them were torn.
'For now, I'll need to do some physical training.'
As I assess the state of my body, I point the sword toward the snake's eyes.
Chiiiiiii—
Even though I strengthened it with energy, the reinforcement was too weak, and the surface of my sword burnt and turned to charcoal.
"Now that I've defeated you, does that make me the master of this forest?"
"Kh...keheok...kuk..."
"You look like you're in a lot of pain...If you don't want to die, transform into your human form. If you do, I can at least give you some emergency treatment."
At my words, the snake begins to slowly transform back into its human form using its demon ability.
I glance at it for a moment before quickly returning to the cave.
My comrades are waking up because of the noise from my battle with the snake.
Pabat!
I knock out my companions again by hitting them on the head, then tear Jeon Myeong-hoon's clothes into strips and return to the spot where the snake is.
The snake has fully transformed into its human form by now, and I wrap its wounds with the cloth before applying pressure points to stop the bleeding.
"Kuh, keheok...ugh..."
Due to the loss of the male head, only the female head remains on the snake's head.
But amusingly, while the face is female, the body is still male.
I slap the snake, who still seems dazed, a few times to help it regain its senses.
Smack, smack! Thwack!
"W-Wait! I've regained my senses, elder. Please stop hitting me."
"Good. So, what's your answer to my question?"
"A-About the master of the forest?"
I nod.
The snake, seemingly observing my reaction, speaks.
"That...I would like to offer you the position of the master of the forest, but this Ascension Forest was granted to me by my master, so I cannot recklessly...give it away..."
Suruk...
The snake conjures clothes with a spell and continues to speak.
I tap the wooden sword, knocking off the charred pieces stuck to it.
Seeing this, the snake trembles in fear, probably thinking I'm about to hit it again.
"Right, your master...I have some questions about them too. Did you say your master is Shi Ho?"
"Yes, yes. Elder Shi Ho. He is a Six-Tailed Fox and has reached the Grand Perfection Qi Building stage. In fact, he's practically an expert at the Golden Core-level."
"Hmm...I see. There's much I want to ask you. Follow me. We'll go to the cave, and I'll need to hear more about this world from you."
"Uh...I can't walk right now... Could you perhaps help me?"
"What? Why not?!"
"Elder broke my ankle...so I can't walk..."
"..."
I help the snake and bring it to the cave, where I start asking about this world.
As I make a splint for its leg, it tells me about the world.
"So...you're saying Black Ghost Valley doesn't exist?"
"Yes, that's right. According to Lord Shi Ho...there's a record in ancient texts of such a sect existing...but it's said to have ascended to the Upper Realm about 100,000 years ago, along with the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, Azure Heaven Creation Sect, and others."
"I see."
It seems this world's setting is about 100,000 years after the ascension back then.
It's said the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect came back down to the Lower Realm at some point but left for another world again after about 10,000 years. During that time, the Cheongmun Clan grew rapidly and reestablished the Azure Heaven Creation Sect.
Then, one day, the amount of Heaven and Earth spiritual energy in the world began to decline, causing many powerful figures to disappear. Gradually, the average cultivation level in the world dropped as well.
What was once a continent teeming with cultivators at the Heavenly Being stage has, at present, only three supreme cultivators known as the Three Powers (三強) of the Continent, all of whom are at the Grand Perfection Qi Building to Core Formation level.
"Who are the Three Powers of the Continent, and what are their characteristics?"
"Yes, I will explain that as well. First is the Supreme Elder of the Azure Heaven Creation Sect that is known as the strongest force on the continent, Rising Cloud Saint (漲雲子), Cheongmun Sunwoo. Then, there's the reclusive master who used to be a disciple of the Azure Heaven Creation Sect but left the sect, Salt Sea Master (鹹海子) Cheongmun Ryeong. Lastly, my master, the most beautiful of them all..."
"Be moderate with the flowery language."
"Yes! The Number One Beauty of the Continent, Lord Shi Ho, also known as Heavenly Chess Piece (天棋子) is regarded as one of the Three Great Powers of the Continent."
"I see... Thanks for now."
I close my eyes after hearing about the state of this world from the snake.
'Azure Tiger Saint and Shi Ho are both doing well, and also...'
Salt Sea Master Cheongmun Ryeong.
The title is unfamiliar, but the name is all too familiar to me.
'Are you in this world as well...?'
As expected...
The world where Buk Hyang-hwa resides, and the world where Cheongmun Ryeong came to, seem to be the same.
In my mind, the vision of Cheongmun Ryeong, who appeared in my memory not long ago and gave me guidance, surfaces.
'I will come see you.'
I look at my body.
A body with very weak energy.
Honestly, compared to the authority I once wielded, it's an overwhelmingly frail body, but...
Right now, it actually feels rather fortunate.
When I go to meet Cheongmun Ryeong, I won't be called 'senior' in front of him.
'Good. First, let's leave Ascension Path and go find Cheongmun Ryeong. I'll study under him for a few years, then meet Azure Tiger Saint and Shi Ho to strengthen our rapport. With the power of the three, I'll meet Buk Hyang-hwa, and then...after that, I'll find a way to leave this world.'
As I lay out a rough plan for this world, I toss some branches into the campfire.
"Seo Ran, are you starting to recover your memories?"
She shakes her head at my words and replies.
"Well...actually, a lot of memories that don't seem like mine are mixing in, so I'm in the process of sorting through them."
"Hmm, I see. How long do you think it will take to sort everything out?"
It seems that Seo Ran, who is playing the role of Kang Min-hee 'in this world', is having memories mixed in.
"It's hard to say... It's not just memories but also emotions mixing in. It might take a while to sort them all out."
"What kind of emotions?"
"Uh...emotions of thinking about 'someone.' How should I put it...? Emotions of being annoyed, of wanting to possess them, of feeling bothersome...umm...it feels tender as well."
"...Hmm..."
'If Seo Ran is playing the 'role of Kang Min-hee,' could it be...?'
I feel my face redden and let out a cough.
"Enough. There's no need to talk about that. For now, let's just wait for our comrades to wake up."
"Yes."
"And you..."
I glance at the injured snake and speak.
"Wait until the others wake up. Once everyone is awake and your body is fully healed, we'll use your body to leave Ascension Path."
"Yes, yes...I understand."
"And by any chance...can you cough up your demon core?"
The snake looks at me with an expression that says, 'What kind of crazy talk is this?' Then it flinches and bows its head.
"E-Elder, please spare me. I swear to take you safely out of Ascension Path."
Judging by its reaction, it seems that spitting out the demon core would be fatal.
'Shi Ho didn't die though...Is it the difference between the Core Formation stage and the realms below?'
I nod and sit down, waiting for my comrades to wake up.
The snake and Seo Ran fall asleep by the campfire to recover their strength and organize their mind, while I stay awake, keeping watch over the fire as I see the setting sun.
"It's cold..."
I look at the sleeping figures of Kim Young-hoon, Jeon Myeong-hoon, Oh Hyun-seok, Kim Yeon, Seo Ran, and the red snake, then throw another log into the fire.
"You brought the snake with you."
"Yes well...it looked injured, so I couldn't just leave it outside."
"Not this time, but last time. When you first arrived. I saw traces of the snake."
"Pardon...? Hmm...that does seem to be true..."
"You came in through the Head Realm's entrance, so there's no helping it. That place is incredibly ominous. But if you bring in a snake next time, I won't let it slide. Be careful."
"Yes, I will be careful. But...is the snake perhaps a metaphor or...?"
Just as I'm responding to answer the person who's advising me, I suddenly realize that I'm alone in the cave.
'What?'
For some reason, the voice sounds vaguely familiar to what I've heard in the past.
Feeling chills run down my spine, I grip my wooden sword tightly and stay alert on the surroundings.
Fortunately or unfortunately, nothing out of the ordinary happens until the next morning.
-x-X-x-
The next day dawns.
'In the end, the owner of that voice didn't show up again.'
The being who suddenly appeared and spoke with me last night didn't show up again.
'Maybe it's fortunate for now. It's a presence that I couldn't even perceive. Perhaps...it's an existence beyond Sacred Vessel and Entering Nirvana, and in the True Immortal realm.'
For now, I decide not to think about that being.
'There's nothing I can do even if I dwell on it...I should focus more on what lies ahead.'
A little while later, when the sky fully brightens, my comrades wake up one by one.
"Wh-What is this!? Why are all my clothes torn!?"
Jeon Myeong-hoon panics and starts looking for something to cover himself with. Oh Hyun-seok takes off his outer garment and drapes it over him.
I'm in the same situation since my clothes were also torn yesterday when I overstrained my body, so Kim Young-hoon gives me his outer hiking jacket.
"First, let's check where we are. Everyone, take out your phones and see if you can get a signal."
Following Kim Young-hoon's instructions, we each take out what's called a smartphone, a device similar to a magic artifact, to check our location.
"Hmm, Young-hoon Hyung-nim. There's no signal..."
Oh Hyun-seok waves his communication device toward the sky with his thick fingers, but it's no use.
It's the same for Kim Yeon, Jeon Myeong-hoon, Seo Ran, and myself.
"No, wait, more importantly..."
Oh Hyun-seok looks around with a startled expression.
"Where's Hye-seo? Are we the only ones here? And what about our car..."
Except for Seo Ran and I, the other comrades seem quite confused.
'I guess it's time to let them start adjusting.'
I clasp my hands behind my back, hiding them, and lightly snap my fingers.
Tstststststs—
Then, the red snake I fought last night, the one named 'Twin-Head,' slithers toward the entrance of the cave in its true form.
After a night's rest, the severed head had somewhat recovered thanks to the unique regenerative powers of demon beasts.
"You humans! To dare cause a commotion in my forest, know your sins!"
I feel a bit sorry for my companions, but they need some shock therapy right now.
"A-A talking snake!?"
Are we dreaming right now?"
Kim Young-hoon trembles, pointing his finger at the snake, and the snake glances at me for a cue.
[May I proceed?]
The voice transmission from Twin-Head echoes in my ear.
I nod.
I had planned this in advance with Twin-Head last night to deliver some shock therapy to my companions.
The snake nods in response to my gaze and then opens its mouth wide, roaring.
"You insolent fool! How dare you not recognize the master of the forest and point your finger at me! Unforgivable!"
Gulp!
In an instant, the snake lunges at Kim Young-hoon, swallowing him whole in one gulp.
Glaring at the snake, I mutter in a voice loud enough for it to hear but too low for my companions.
"If you digest him, you die."
Twin-Head shudders and nods slightly, then resumes glaring at us.
Oh Hyun-seok stares blankly at the snake, then begins slapping his own face, while Jeon Myeong-hoon and Kim Yeon each hide behind Seo Ran and me.
"Now then, that was punishment for pointing at me. Next, I'll exact punishment for disturbing my forest!"
Jjeok!
The snake opens its mouth again, spewing out pitch-black poisonous smoke.
Jjiiiiiing!
Inhaling the poison, searing pain begins to spread through their bodies.
"Ke-keheok! Keeooogh!"
"Kuaaaaaaaak!"
"Kyaaaak! Ah, aaahk!"
"Ugh..."
Oh Hyun-seok and Jeon Myeong-hoon grab their throats and scream, while blood gushes from Kim Yeon's nose and she rolls on the ground. Seo Ran seems to be regaining her mental power as her memories return, and despite the cold sweat, she endures the pain.
Seeing my comrades lose their minds, I click my tongue.
"No, hold on. If they're in this much pain, they won't be able to do anything. This is the moment when you need to explain that this world is different...but if they're in so much pain that they're losing their minds...tch!"
Twin-Head looks at me cautiously and asks.
"F-Forgive me. But, this poison is strong enough to drive humans to the brink of madness. How is it that Senior is perfectly fine...?"
"This snake bastard...So you thought you'd have a chance if you poisoned me too? Is that why you deliberately released such a potent venom?"
"N-No, elder. It's a misunderstanding. I was just..."
I give Twin-Head a good beating to re-educate him.
"Heal my comrades for now. And know this, if you try any more tricks, I'll really cut off your head next time."
"Y-Yes, elder..."
Twin-Head releases white smoke onto my companions.
Only after being bathed in the white smoke do my comrades regain their senses and start breathing heavily.
Jeon Myeong-hoon vomits on the spot, probably due to the severe pain.
I move beside my comrades, pretending to be suffering alongside them, while glaring at Twin-Head.
"H-Hmph...Well, I suppose everyone has come to their senses now, right? If I wanted to, it'd be nothing to devour or kill all of you."
Watching my comrades, I step forward toward Twin-Head at the right moment.
"Snake Elder. We were in the wrong. However...could you at least return our Young-hoon hyung-nim whom you swallowed..."
The plan is that I plead with the snake to return Kim Young-hoon, and Twin-Head, impressed by our camaraderie, appropriately spits him out and offers to take us out of Ascension Path due to our displayed friendship.
Thud!
As previously agreed, Twin-Head spits out Kim Young-hoon and, pretending to be moved, tells us to ride on his back.
"As your friendship is so deep, I shall personally escort you outside of Ascension Forest."
"Thank you, Snake Elder!"
I support Kim Young-hoon, who is drenched in Twin-Head's stomach acid and saliva, and climb onto the snake's back.
As my comrades hesitate in confusion, I give Twin-Head's scales a poke.
"You humans! Do you intend to reject my favor? Should I just devour all of you after all...?"
"N-No! No, Sir Snake!"
As Jeon Myeong-hoon hurriedly climbs on, Oh Hyun-seok, Kim Yeon, and Seo Ran also get on the snake's back.
Smack!
When I slap Twin-Head on the nape, the snake takes off at once.
Surururuk!
Sure enough, Twin-Head speeds along Ascension Path with incredible swiftness.
My comrades, overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events, remain silent, clinging to the snake's back.
How long have we been racing along Ascension Path on Twin-Head's back?
Paaatt!
Finally, we reach the end of Ascension Path.
"F-Finally the edge of the forest..."
It's when Jeon Myeong-hoon excitedly starts to speak.
"Uh, uh..."
His eyes widen in shock.
I, too, can't help but flinch in surprise.
'I wondered why this snake kept calling it Ascension Forest (林) instead of Ascension Island (島) but...'
What unfolds before our eyes isn't a sheer cliff.
It isn't a spell barrier surrounding Ascension Path, nor is it a strange sight of clouds floating beneath our feet.
It is an entirely reasonable, perfectly normal landscape.
Yes...
'An endless desert' spreads before us.
That's right.
At this point, the Sky Island Ascension Path, Ascension Island no longer exists.
Only the Ascension Forest, which after 100,000 years of diminishing floating power, had finally descended to rest in the Heaven-Treading Desert, remains in this place.
However, Jeon Myeong-hoon and the others seem shocked enough by this sight alone and start panicking.
"D-Desert...? Was there a desert in our country?"
"Th-This makes no sense...we were just driving in our car..."
I talk to my comrades, who still seem unable to grasp the situation.
"Everyone, you need to come to your senses. Some of you may have realized from this snake elder but...this world is no longer the Earth we lived on. It's likely a new world where all sorts of supernatural powers and strange beings exist... I don't know what will happen from now on, but you must abandon your old common sense from Earth."
As I speak, I lightly tap Twin-Head on the back.
"H-Hmm. That's right, humans. I'll give you an explanation of this world for your sake."
Sliding across the desert, Twin-Head begins to teach my comrades the basic knowledge, history, and terminology of this world.
Several months have passed.
We crossed the desert, sustained off the vital energy provided by Twin-Head, and finally arrived at the eastern part of the Heaven-Treading Desert.
We have arrived in the nation of Manli (万里; 10k li).
The Heaven-Treading Desert is fundamentally under Shi Ho's control, the northern plains are governed by the Azure Heaven Creation Sect, and it is said that Cheongmun Ryeong controls the three western nations, so I purposely had Twin-head bring us to Manli, a coalition of eastern tribal states.
'In Oh Hyun-seok's case, if we're not careful, he could be captured by Azure Tiger Saint again and forced to train in the style of the Azure Heaven Creation Sect.'
The problem is that, given the nature of the Azure Heaven Creation Sect, the trouble could extend to us, and we might be forced to 'suffer' the Five Elements Body Tempering as well.
'Oh Hyun-seok and I will be fine, but if our comrades are captured by the Azure Heaven Creation Sect, they will definitely go mad.'
However, I can't just go meet Shi Ho either in a situation where I have no internal energy and no proper weapons.
Considering that Shi Ho had shown some interest in Seo Ran back on Penglai Island, and hearing that he now has both the skill of the Core Formation stage and full rationality, it's clear he would try to take her as his concubine.
I have no way to stop that.
Lastly, I can't go to the three western nations where Cheongmun Ryeong was.
'I can't say for sure that factions like the Makli Clan don't exist even thousands of years later. Moreover, with the current state of this world where Heaven and Earth spiritual energy is even more lacking, the likelihood of encountering such a devilish clan that replenishes energy by sucking blood, bone, and flesh is even higher.'
Thus, we deliberately came to the eastern Manli.
Since ancient times, Manli has been known for having many ferocious demon beasts that eat humans, making manpower scarce, and thus the devilish arts that involve consuming human flesh and bones have not developed much.
'A devilish force like the Makli Clan, with its organizational power, is something I can't handle in my current state...but as long as I have suitable weapons, I can cut down any man-eating demon beast.'
After dropping us off at Manli's border, Twin-head bids us farewell and hastily flees from me.
I speak to my comrades, who over the past few months of crossing the desert now have some understanding of this strange world.
"Everyone, you must forget Earth. This is an entirely different world, and from now on, you must learn the language of this world and become accustomed to its laws to survive. As unbelievable as it may seem...you must believe it."
"Haha..."
Kim Young-hoon lets out a hollow in disbelief, and the other comrades also gaze at one of the tribes of the distant Manli, as if their path ahead is bleak.
'I did learn the Eastern language from one of the Eastern lords. Was it Manli Min-rap? Mali Min-lip? Something like that...but I don't know if it'll still work after tens of thousands of years.'
Recalling the Eastern language I had learned from an Eastern lord before fighting Yuan Li, I start walking towards the distant tribe with my comrades.
Ten years have passed.
Kwarururung!
A black sickle slices cleanly across the neck of a demon beast shaped like a rocky mountain and returns to my hand.
"Waaaah!"
"General Seo! General Seo! General Seo!"
"Great General Seo. He is a god!"
I swing the sickle towards the demon beast's body, extract its demon core, and absorb the demonic energy within it.
Chwaruruk...
The demonic energy of the Black Horned Beast, which had destroyed a hundred villages and brutally killed and devoured the villagers, flows into my body and gathers in my dantian under my control.
Crack...
I examine the internal energy flowing through my body.
'It's been ten years since I came to the East.'
During this time, I have killed numerous wicked demons and evil ghosts of the East, becoming a hero of the Eastern lands.
As a result of absorbing the energy from their demon cores and inner cores, my internal energy has increased to the point where it now matches that of one sexagenary cycle (60 years).
"Great General Seo! The chief of our Myeonrin Tribe says the 'item' is complete!"
"Is that so? Bring it to me later."
"Yes! We will definitely deliver it by the day after tomorrow!"
After dealing with the demon beast, I return to my tent.
These past ten years,
I absorbed the martial arts of the East, and I have become the Number One Martial Artist Under The Heavens of the Eastern martial world.
I am the strongest in the East.
Suruk...
I unravel the bandages wrapped around my body.
Then, with a slight application of force the bandages spread throughout the tent as if alive, grabbing hidden weapons from various places.
This is an application of the Heavenly Silkworm Controlling Ghost Art, combining the puppet manipulation techniques of the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon with the martial arts of the East.
Swirik, swiririk—
I begin to dance inside the tent.
Swiririk—
The bandages flutter in response to my movements, and the various weapons they hold move in unison.
Spears, whips, daggers, sickles, scythes, chains, needles...
All sorts of bizarre weapons move in perfect harmony, wriggling like living creatures.
In an instant,
Paaaatt!
As my dance reaches its peak, the blades and tips of the bizarre weapons all focus toward a single point.
Piaatt!
And in the next moment.
The bizarre weapons move, snuffing out the candle in the room.
It's a flawless application of power.
Kududuk...
Although it only extinguished the candlelight, if I hadn't compressed and nullified my strength but instead released it outward, I could have easily blown away a small hill.
"It took about ten years to replace the Formless Sword, huh."
A martial art that manipulates dozens of bizarre weapons in perfect harmony using bandages, acquiring the trajectory of infinity.
The Heavenly Silkworm Controlling Ghost Art is a martial art I created over the past ten years to substitute for the Formless Sword in this world where there is no Qi and the Plane of Soul does not respond.
The result has been quite satisfying, allowing me to replicate about eighty percent of the Formless Sword's original power.
'Once I retrieve the 'item' entrusted to the Myeonrin Tribe's chief, I'll be able to fully display the power of the Core Formation stage.'
Kududuk...
I sense the energy of one sexagenary cycle flowing in my hand, my eyes gleaming.
'Ten years...It's but a fleeting moment in the time of a cultivator, but it's been a long time for someone living as a mortal.'
It's been long.
Enough to become the strongest in the East and reach the point of wielding Core Formation-level strength.
Now...it's time to seek out Cheongmun Ryeong again.
"Dear, are you inside?"
As I'm reaffirming my resolve about Cheongmun Ryeong, Kim Yeon peeks her head into the tent.
"...Didn't I tell you not to call me that when we're alone? Just call me Seo Eun-hyun."
"Hehe, but officially we're married, aren't we?"
"..."
This is the result of my mistake in choosing the East.
In the East, there's a tradition that warriors above a certain level must either marry or have their testicles removed.
They say it's to prevent strong individuals from arrogantly committing rape or other sexual crimes, relying on their strength.
The pain of having my testicles removed wouldn't have been an issue, but I couldn't handle the social stigma, so I decided to enter into a fake marriage with Kim Yeon.
Kim Yeon seems to like it, but I'm a little taken aback.
'If I'm going to get married, it shouldn't be done so impulsively like this but...forget it. There's no point in thinking about it now.'
I sigh, clearing my mind of unnecessary thoughts, and ask Kim Yeon.
"So, what's the matter?"
"Ah...Seo Ran Unnie is...having another fit."
"Huuu..."
I quickly leave the tent with Kim Yeon and head toward Seo Ran's tent.
Inside Seo Ran's tent, Kim Young-hoon and Jeon Myeong-hoon are already there.
"Ah, are you here, Seo Eun-hyun."
"Oh, Eun-hyun-ah, hurry, hurry!"
Kim Young-hoon and Jeon Myeong-hoon, who have learned martial arts over the past few years, are holding Seo Ran down.
Her body is covered with self-inflicted wounds.
"Ugh, ugh...kuuuuuugh...!!!"
Seo Ran is crying tears of blood in agony, and I approach her, placing my hand on her head.
Then I slowly meet her eyes.
I send a voice transmission into her ear, one that no one else can hear.
[From now on, I'm going to kill you.]
"Huh, heok...!"
Finally, Seo Ran regains her senses.
I used a method where I pour my killing intent, which has reached the level of Void Shattering, into her mind, making her feel as if she's on the verge of death and forcibly awakening her mind.
"Ah...it was you, Senior."
Seo Ran looks up at me with eyes filled with fear and speaks weakly.
"I had another dream. In the midst of those strange jumbled memories...in a memory I don't remember...my [Mother] appeared."
Seo Ran hugs herself, her teeth chattering.
"[Mother]...[Mother] called for me. Even now, I still hear [Mother]'s voice..."
"Stop. It's okay."
I send a surge of killing intent to Seo Ran to calm her down and speak.
"There's no one like your mother here. It's okay. Relax."
Seo Ran recently mentioned that, for some reason, she's been having dreams where a being called [Mother] calls out to her.
She says that whenever she dreams of it, she feels an overwhelming fear, as if she's about to remember 'something horrifying' that she lost before.
"What I'm...afraid is that what I find beyond these dreams will eat away at me. If I listen to the whispers beyond these dreams...somehow, it feels like the 'Seo Ran' I am now will disappear, and I'll become someone entirely different."
"...Is that so?"
After calming Seo Ran down for a while, we step outside the hut once she is fully settled.
"Seo Ran's condition...seems to be quite serious."
"Tsk...it's troubling."
Kim Young-hoon and Jeon Myeong-hoon both sigh, their faces darkening.
Looking at them, I speak.
"We need to head west as soon as possible and meet with the cultivators there. We should ask them to temporarily seal Seo Ran's memories."
"Tsk... Judging by Seo Ran's state, it would be best to go quickly, but when will the 'preparations' be complete?"
Kim Young-hoon glanced back at Seo Ran with a sorrowful expression.
"We have to wait until we get our hands on the 'item' from the Myeonrin Tribe."
"Once we get that 'item,' didn't you say we'll have to work on this land for another 10 years as paym—"
It's at that moment.
Sururuk!
From the darkness, a giant man wrapped entirely in black bandages appears.
"It's been a while, Hyung-nim. And Jeon Myeong-hoon, Seo Eun-hyun!"
"You've returned, Hyun-seok Hyung-nim. Any results?"
The giant man, Oh Hyun-seok, had spent the last ten years learning infiltration and assassination techniques of the East, becoming a full-fledged assassin.
Surprisingly, he has a great affinity for techniques that erases one's presence, and he quickly became the number one assassin.
'Once we leave this world, I'll have to teach him the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts.'
After chatting with us for a while, Oh Hyun-seok claps his hands as if he just remembered something.
"Ah, I almost forgot. Here's the item you asked for, Seo Eun-hyun!"
Oh Hyun-seok takes out a sword from behind his back and hands it to me.
The resplendent treasured sword of the desert!
"It's the 'item' from the Myeonrin Tribe!"
"That's right. It was quite a hassle to steal it."
I had asked Oh Hyun-seok, who learned assassination techniques, to steal the treasure sword of the Myeonrin Tribe.
This treasured sword possesses the highest strength in the Eastern martial world, boasting extraordinary capabilities.
Grinning, I hold up the treasured sword.
"Perfect."
With this, I can now fully unleash the power of the Formless Sword through the Heavenly Silkworm Controlling Ghost Art.
I turn to my comrades and shout.
"The 'preparations' are complete! Everyone, pack up your things! We're leaving the East today!"
Now, all preparations are done.
All that remains is to meet Cheongmun Ryeong!
And so, we stole the greatest treasured sword of the Eastern tribal states and fled under the cover of night, heading for the Western three nations.
Four months passed.
"So, this is...Byeokra."
We arrived at Cheon-saek City of Byeokra.
The reunion with Cheongmun Ryeong is imminent.
-x-X-x-
"Is this the place called Byeokra?"
"Yes, this is Byeokra's Cheon-saek City..."
"Are you from the East? Welcome to Cheon-eum City!"
"They're saying it's Cheon-eum City."
"Ah, looks like the name has changed."
I awkwardly smile and stop the demon beast we're riding on in front of the place called 'Cheon-eum City.'
[TL/N: Cheon-saek City could mean Heavenly Colors City. Cheon-eum City could mean Heavenly Yin City.]
Dududu...
The Heaven-Treading Desert is so vast that mortals cannot cross it on foot, and so it is said that those passing through the Heaven-Treading Desert ride on demon beasts that move incredibly fast in the desert.
What we rode on is a pet demon beast used for desert crossings, a Crossing-Desert Crocodile (接漠鰐), which we had stolen from a tribe in the East. It was quite useful.
"You can tie up the desert-crossing demon beast here! Oh! By the way, would you be interested in selling it?"
At Cheon-eum City, which is located at the extreme edge of Byeokra and adjacent to the Heaven-Treading Desert, one can easily see groups of demon beasts and cultivators raising these beasts.
'Most of them seem to be around the 2nd or 3rd star of the Qi Refining stage.'
After selling the Crossing-Desert Crocodile we rode on, I take a look around.
"This place dresses a bit better than those in the East."
"Haha, Myeong-hoon would be disappointed, wouldn't he? Or maybe, since there are many pale-skinned people here, he might like it even more... What do you think, Jeon Myeong-hoon?"
Kim Young-hoon marvels as he looks around Cheon-eum City, while Oh Hyun-seok chuckles and teases Jeon Myeong-hoon.
However, Jeon Myeong-hoon's reaction is unexpectedly lukewarm.
"Hmm...not really impressive."
"Hoh...really no interest at all?"
"Yeah, well...they're all pretty, but for some reason, I'm just not drawn to them...Or rather, it feels like my heart gets pricked whenever I look at a woman...something like that."
I glance at my comrades.
Even now, except for me and Seo Ran, the others haven't fully gained awareness yet.
"Hah, this brat. Is this really the same Jeon Myeong-hoon from Earth?"
"I don't know. Who knows? Maybe there's someone fated to be my wife in this world..."
As Oh Hyun-seok continues to tease him, Jeon Myeong-hoon responds as if annoyed, and I bitterly smile as I look at him.
It seems even though he's lost his memory, his feelings for Jin So-hae remain unchanged.
But for now, that isn't what's important.
I, along with my comrades, enter one of the alleys of Cheon-eum City.
In the original world, this was where White Magic Lotus used to be.
"...It's not here."
But for some reason, White Magic Lotus no longer exists.
I squint my eyes.
'This is strange.'
I have already known for a while that this world is strange, but coming to Cheon-eum City made it even more clear.
'A hundred thousand years have passed, but the buildings and even the layout of the alleys are exactly the same?'
I can accept that Ascension Path is still the same.
The fact that the language of the Eastern Manli I learned one hundred thousand years ago is the same as the current Manli's language is something I can also make sense of.
I can even somewhat understand that the power structures of the mortals, including Manli, the Great Grasslands, Shengzi, Yanguo, and Byeokra, are all still the same.
After all, such things can persist for tens of thousands of years.
But...
'Cheon-eum City and Cheon-seek City are not only identical in appearance but even the structure of the alleys is exactly the same?'
It makes no sense that the appearance of a single city would remain completely unchanged for one hundred thousand years.
'And if the city's appearance is the same, then why is White Magic Lotus missing?'
I'm confused.
I rub my forehead and leave the alley.
"Why did you go into the alley?"
"Ah...I thought I saw something, but I was mistaken."
I shake my head at Jeon Myeong-hoon's question and then go find some cultivators of Cheon-saek City cultivators to ask.
"Cheongmun Ryeong? Are you asking about the Salt Sea Master Cheongmun Ryeong?"
At my question, a cultivator at the 1st star of Qi Refining seems to think for a moment before speaking.
"Hmm, from what I recall...I think there's a rumour that they were last seen somewhere around Shengzi."
"Shengzi...? Thank you."
"Yeah, you must be trying to hear the Salt Sea Master's teachings...but be careful. There are a lot of ruffians around the Salt Sea Master, so it's easy to get into trouble."
"Ah, yes. Thank you for the advice."
After giving my thanks to the cultivator, I turn around and realize something odd.
'...What's this? A cultivator giving advice to a mortal?'
Even though Cheon-saek Cit—no, Cheon-eum City—is said to be a city where cultivators and mortals live together harmoniously, but that doesn't mean cultivators aren't arrogant.
Originally, even in the Head Realm, unless it was someone like Buk Hyang-hwa or Buk Joong-ho, the cultivators of Cheon-saek City had a subtle but prevalent tendency to look down on mortals.
In places like Eastern Manli, where manpower is scarce, there were quite a few kind cultivators, and I was treated well because my name was well-known.
However, I never expected to receive such treatment from a cultivator in Byeokra, so it's a little surprising.
Hiding my bewilderment, I set off toward Shengzi.
We arrived at Shengzi after passing through Yanguo.
Along the way, we heard quite a few rumors about Cheongmun Ryeong, making it easy to pinpoint his location.
Also, his current situation can be grasped.
'He occasionally settles in a quiet valley and gives sermons...and around him are groups of ruffians eager to become his disciples, but Cheongmun Ryeong doesn't seem to mind them much...'
It seems like his disciple is controlling the thugs and preventing them from causing trouble for Cheongmun Ryeong.
'Good. For now, let's go meet him quickly, whatever the situation may be.'
We head towards the far western edge of Shengzi, where Cheongmun Ryeong is said to reside.
Beyond Shattered Heaven Peak, towards the coast facing the archipelago region.
The westernmost coast of Shengzi.
It's famous for its clear skies and has developed through trade with ships coming from the west.
Today, the already bustling coast is even more crowded and lively.
"Hey, have you heard the rumors? Salt Sea Master is recruiting disciples."
"You mean Salt Sea Master Cheongmun Ryeong, known as the Continent's Greatest Sage and the one with the deepest enlightenment?"
"Yeah, that's right! Let's hurry to the site of the dharma assembly!"
"Tsk tsk, my friend. This isn't the first time Salt Sea Master has recruited disciples, and it won't be the last. He's always been recruiting disciples! But up until now, only one person has become his official disciple, and all the others are just followers who revere him. Recently, those followers have grown unruly and vicious, becoming known as a gang of thugs. The test is bound to be difficult, and if you fail, you might end up getting robbed by those wicked followers!"
"Bah, what are you talking about! No matter what the test is, you won't know until you try. And even if the followers are thugs, if you befriend them, you'll end up getting acquainted with a useful martial force!"
Many people, filled with dreams and hopes, gather at the location of Salt Sea Master Cheongmun Ryeong's dharma assembly.
The place where Salt Sea Master preaches is on the coast of the western extreme, atop an abandoned ship.
Salt Sea Master Cheongmun Ryeong stands atop the abandoned ship, gazing at the sky while feeling the sea breeze.
"Master, the wind is cold. Please wear something warmer."
Someone approaches from behind Cheongmun Ryeong and respectfully offers him a thick garment.
Cheongmun Ryeong smiles faintly and says,
"Judging by the wind, it seems that I might find a proper disciple today. Am-ah, perhaps you'll soon have a junior brother or sister."
[TL/N: Am is the name, -ah is the added term of endearment.]
At Cheongmun Ryeong's words, the person grits their teeth ever so slightly and asks him,
"...Master, is this disciple lacking to inherit your legacy?"
"What are you saying, Am-ah? I would love for as many people as possible, including you, to understand my will. Anyone who accepts my will inherits my legacy. You are the same."
"...Understood. I will go prepare for the sermon..."
After placing the clothes they brought in front of Cheongmun Ryeong, they step back.
Cheongmun Ryeong glances at the garment left behind and gives a bitter smile.
"What am I to do with that child...?"
At the western end of Shengzi, in the Huai Sea Province.
We arrive at a place called Clear River County and hear the news that Cheongmun Ryeong's dharma assembly will soon begin.
"Is Seo Ran okay?"
"Yes, after her seizure yesterday, she gradually calmed down, and today, she's completely settled."
"Is that so...? Got it."
I thank Kim Yeon, who has been caring for Seo Ran at the inn, and decide to quickly go find Cheongmun Ryeong.
"Then, I'll be off."
After greeting Kim Young-hoon, Oh Hyun-seok, and the others, I leave the inn.
Outside the inn, Jeon Myeong-hoon is standing, adjusting his clothes.
He seems to be feeling like something is missing.
'He used to always hold Jin So-hae's hand. Now that its gone, he must be feeling that absence keenly.'
It seems that Jeon Myeong-hoon will regain his memories soon.
"What are you staring at? Hurry up and get going."
He waves at me with an irritated look on his face.
'It doesn't feel right to say anything to him now while he doesn't remember anything. Once his memory returns, I'll have to give him a good beating.'
I chuckle at Jeon Myeong-hoon's attitude and then swiftly head towards the place where Cheongmun Ryeong is said to be holding his dharma assembly.
How long have I run using Mountain Lord's Soaring Flight?
In the distance, I see a place where people are gathered in droves.
'Good. For now, I'll get as close to the front as possible and...'
Just as I'm about to move towards the front to meet Cheongmun Ryeong as quickly as possible,
"Hey, who are you?"
Cultivators at least at the 4th or 5th star of Qi Refining, and some burly men trained in martial arts block my way.
"All the regular seats for Teacher Salt Sea Master's assembly are already full. If you want to catch a glimpse of him from afar, just stand around here."
"Hmm. By any chance, how can one get the regular seats?"
"What do you mean how? It's obviously first come, first served. After the assembly, Salt Sea Master conducts a disciple recruitment test for those in the regular seats, so competition for those spots are fierce."
"First come, first served, huh...?"
I glance at the people sitting in the 'regular seats.'
They're all either wealthy or have high-level martial skills or spiritual power.
I glare at them while hearing the sound of silver coins jingling in their pockets.
"Does the great Salt Sea Master know you're selling his assembly seats for money?"
"Know? Watch your mouth. Do you think I'm your friend..."
Just as he reaches out to grab me.
Clench!
Someone grabs the thug by his clothes from behind and shoves him aside.
It's when I offer my thanks to the person.
"Haha, thank you for stepping in..."
They place their hand on my shoulder and says,
"Do not cause a scene at Master's dharma assembly."
I glance up slightly at the one who suddenly intervened to stop our quarrel.
'Quite tall.'
Their entire body is wrapped in loose rags, making it impossible to tell if they are a man or a woman. They are covered in white bandages from head to toe, leaving no skin exposed.
'Not a single bit of skin is showing. How do they breathe? And...they called him 'Master'?'
That means this person must be Cheongmun Ryeong's only disciple at present.
I grin and respectfully perform a fist and palm salute.
"Greetings, elder brother. Or...is it elder sister? I'm not sure, but anyway, I wasn't trying to cause a scene. It's just that these guys seem to be selling seats for Elder Cheongmun Ryeong's dharma assembly for money, so I..."
"You were about to rip the guy's arm off."
"..."
I pause and look at them.
The only visible part of the bandaged monster's face is their eyes.
They have small pupils, giving them a four-white-eyes look, and their sharp gaze alone makes them seem rather unsettling.
[TL/N: Four-white-eyes refers to a particular eye appearance where the whites of the eyes are visible above, below, and to both sides of the iris. Search up 사백안 on Google if you want a visual image. It basically looks like someone with their eyes wide open starting at you.]
"Do not add screams to Master's dharma assembly. If you disturb him, I will not forgive you."
Crack!
They tighten their grip on my shoulder.
'This person...'
I meet the gaze of the bandaged disciple of Cheongmun Ryeong.
'The Qi Building stage. And they mastered external martial arts to a high level, too.'
I grab their wrist and pull their hand off my shoulder.
"...Touching someone's shoulder without permission is rude, elder brother."
"I am not your senior. In any case, the seats are full, so come back next time. Now get lost."
"Haha, that won't do. I have a matter to seek Elder Cheongmun Ryeong's help with today...and I've already made up my mind to become his disciple."
"...You."
The bandaged monster's eyes twitch at my words.
It seems something about what I said made them feel displeased.
In an instant, killing intent fills their eyes.
"Scram immediately. Before I kill you."
"You told me not to add screams to your master's dharma assembly, didn't you?"
"Do you think I can't kill you without making you scream?"
I smirk and reply.
"I doubt you can."
"..."
The next moment, they kick me.
Pabang!
Despite it being just a kick, the sound of a bomb exploding echoes, and I'm suddenly sent soaring high into the sky. At the same time, spells bind me, preventing any sound from escaping.
'They mastered external martial arts to this degree? This isn't just external martial arts, it's practically a body refining method, isn't it? I see. Could it be that they have learned the Azure Heaven Creation Sect's methods?'
As I look at my body, which has been launched up to the cloud level with a single kick, I begin to take out my weapons.
Clink, clink, clink, clink!
As the bandages unwind, dozens of bizarre weapons I had brought begin scattering in the sky.
Paaatt!
I see the bandaged monster flying towards me using flying spells.
"You want to have a go...?"
Flash!
And just as I'm about to say something,
They kick off the air and launch a punch towards me.
Tukwang!
I am blasted from the sky above the coastline to far away into the sea, well beyond the area where Cheongmun Ryeong is holding his dharma assembly.
"What kind of brute strength...?"
I twitch my eyes, clicking my tongue.
I remember how they kicked off the air just now.
That wasn't a step using the realm of Five Energies Converging to the Origin to read the flow of the air and step on the void.
They just kicked the air with sheer brute force to leap forward.
In that state, they used a spell to cancel the shockwave noise, producing an effect similar to air-stepping.
That is what this bandaged monster is.
Paaaatt!
The bandaged monster flies toward me.
Booong!
As they rush in and throw a punch, a shockwave explodes, splitting the nearby sea and sending waves crashing.
Kugwang!
Though I can no longer fully read the air's flow due to the absence of my consciousness domain, I, too, step on the air based on my experience and shout.
"Hey, wait! Why are you so intent on killing me?"
"One disciple is enough."
I create a pseudo-Formless Sword through the Heavenly Silkworm Controlling Ghost Art to counter their strike, feeling puzzled.
"There must be plenty of people who want to be his disciple besides me, no?"
"Sure. But someone like you seems qualified to become his disciple, so it's better to eliminate you in advance."
"What kind of dogsh—"
Thinking back, it's strange.
'I was thinking about ripping that thug's arm off earlier, but I hadn't let out any killing intent. I only thought about it, and yet they noticed. And how did they know I intend to become Cheongmun Ryeong's disciple and are charging at me so confidently? Who is this person?'
Honestly, I have no idea.
There's no one that comes to mind.
As I clash with them using the Heavenly Silkworm Controlling Ghost Art, we fly over the sea.
Their attacks are so overwhelmingly aggressive that I have no choice but to be pushed back at first.
It's while I'm dodging their firsts and strikes that I notice something.
'Hm? A merchant ship?
A ship passing below suddenly appears before my eyes.
And in that moment, while I glance at the merchant ship.
"Can you not focus? Incompetent fool! Someone like you can never become Master's disciple!! Do you understand!!??"
Suddenly, the bandaged monster shouts furiously and flies straight toward the merchant ship.
I flinch in shock and shout.
"Wait! You crazy bastard..."
Kugwagwagwang!
The bandaged monster crashes directly into the merchant ship, shattering it to pieces.
I stand there, stunned, my mouth hanging open.
'Just because I glanced at the ship for a second during our fight, they destroyed the merchant ship?'
From the look in their eyes, it's clear they're not doing this to make me focus on the fight or to enjoy the battle.
It's just pure, insane behavior meant to piss me off.
I stare at the bandaged monster, unable to comprehend them at all.
And at that moment.
"S-Save...me...Urgh, gurgle..."
The crew members of the merchant ship start swimming up to the surface of the water.
Seeing them, I shout.
"Please hold on a bit! I'll deal with this lunatic and save you..."
Clink!
As I draw my treasured sword from the East, it happens.
"...Wait."
I stop focusing on the bandaged monster and snap my gaze towards the merchant ship's flag.
"...Why is that...?"
The emblem on the merchant ship's flag.
It's the national flag symbolizing the royal family of Penglai Kingdom.
I quickly launch an attack at the bandaged monster and, in that brief moment, descend to the surface of the sea and ask one of the crew members.
"You all! From where do you sail from, and who owns this vessel!?"
At my words, the sailors, clutching nearby floating debris, shout out.
"Walking on the sky...i-is it a Sir Immortal? W-We are the crew of the royal trading ship from Penglai Kingdom! We're sailors of the ship trading between Penglai Kingdom and Shengzi. The owner of this vessel is none other than Her Majesty, the great Queen of Penglai Kingdom!"
"..."
I'm too shocked to speak for a moment, but I gather my composure and ask.
"...This Penglai Kingdom you speak of. In which direction is it from Shengzi?"
The sailor points west.
"If you sail endlessly westward, you will reach the territories of our Penglai Kingdom!"
"...No, that's nonsense...If you go further west from Shengzi, all you reach is the World's End, guarded by the World Shield Force. This...this world is flat, so if you go to the end of the sea, all you'll find is the end of the world..."
As I mutter in confusion.
Tukwang!
The bandaged monster lands on the water's surface where I am.
Chwaaaaa!
A massive column of water shoots into the sky.
I barely manage to dodge it, but the sailor I had been talking to is split in half and dies instantly from the bandaged monster's attack.
The bandaged monster sneers at me and says,
"This idiot. The world is flat? Everyone knows the world is round. It's common knowledge. The country on the other side of this continent is none other than Penglai Kingdom. You fool...!"
Through them, I learn a shocking truth.
This world is connected to the world of Penglai Island.
And...
"The world...is round...?!"
Filled with confusion and terror, I look up at the sky and shout.
"T-The Head Realm is round...? That's nonsense! That...that can't be...! This world is flat!"
Translator Notes: Seo Eun-hyun is a flat earther kek.