All the divine spirits ruling this world know one thing.
That is, while the realm after death may belong to the Heavenly Venerables, life before death is spent entirely under the gaze of light.
As such, countless spirits fear, revere, and simultaneously worship the [Light].
And, for that reason, they also despise it.
Among them, Blood Yin particularly hates the light.
No, to be precise, they have hated it ever since the days when they were still Yu Hao Te.
When they learned the truth about the light and its ugly purpose from [The Oldest One], they began to despise the light.
Of course, now that they have lost the power and backing they once had, they are treated like a bug by the light and must fear it, but they still hate the light.
With the added matter of their old friend, Vast Cold, the light became even more loathsome.
Thus, they cannot forgive Baek Woon, the devotee of the light who manages Vast Cold's corpse.
Moreover, they cannot forgive Seo Eun-hyun, the one who brought light into that world.
While they might not be able to touch Baek Woon, who is assimilating with the Bright Cold Realm, Seo Eun-hyun is different.
At most, Seo Eun-hyun only became an Esteemed One by handling discarded old power like the Heart Tribe or whatever it's called.
He isn't particularly intimidating, and even if he raises the realm of his Heaven and Earth Dual Cultivation to the Star Shattering stage, it wouldn't be scary.
There's no need to mention the Entering Nirvana stage, and even Sacred Masters are not frightening unless they are assimilated with the Middle Realms.
How much less so would someone at the mere Star Shattering stage be!?
However, Blood Yin feels something strange.
It's Seo Eun-hyun, with whom they reunited due to their own prophecy.
The moment Seo Eun-hyun saw them, he immediately began advancing to the Star Shattering stage, as if desperately trying to resist.
Originally, Blood Yin planned to kill him and extract and torture his soul for tens of thousands of years. But now, Blood Yin watches with amusement, as if Seo Eun-hyun is saving them the trouble of killing him.
After all, the probability of advancing to the Star Shattering stage isn't high, and even if by some miracle he succeeds, it would only make him more vulnerable to a True Immortal after reaching the Star Shattering stage, so there's nothing to worry about.
Even if he doesn't become more vulnerable, it's just a single Star Shattering stage.
An early Star Shattering stage at that. Compared to a True Immortal, the difference is as extreme as that between a human and a long-tailed tit or perhaps a chick. 𝐑�
: : Surely, it must be like that. : :
But as Blood Yin watches Seo Eun-hyun advance before their eyes, and the star he completed, they are shocked.
: : What are you? : :
Normally, a star created during one's first advancement to the Star Shattering stage is about the size of a satellite.
However, the star that appeared before Blood Yin's eyes...
It's clearly the size of a planet.
This is definitely not a normal situation.
Wiiiiiiiiing!
Moreover, Blood Yin can't help but be astonished by the 'ring' that begins to form around Seo Eun-hyun.
: : Heaven and Earth Dual Cultivation! How!? : :
No matter if it's someone who cultivated Heaven and Earth Dual Cultivation during the Integration stage, they cannot undergo the Star Shattering advancement all in one go.
From the Star Shattering stage onward, if one wants to cultivate Heaven and Earth Dual Cultivation, they must perform the absurd advancement ritual 'one more time.'
In the state where they've already formed a star, they must explode the star once again to comprehend attraction force through the insane process. Otherwise, Heaven and Earth Dual Cultivation at the Star Shattering stage is impossible.
Yet, for some reason, Seo Eun-hyun is wearing the 'ring,' the proof of a Heaven and Earth Dual Cultivation practitioner.
: : Child, what kind of sorcery have you used? Reveal the truth before this Chief Judge. : :
I failed.
I failed.
I failed, and failed, and failed again.
I exploded myself in front of Blood Yin dozens, hundreds of times.
And...through that process, I delved deeper and deeper into the nature of attraction force.
In a state where my star was complete, I repeatedly caused it to explode and continually improved.
And after enduring the strikes of a True Immortal hundreds of times with my body, I came to understand True Immortals even more.
A True Immortal is a world itself.
Not a fake world like the small worlds formed in the Integration stage or the satellites made in the Star Shattering stage, but a [true world] itself—this is what a True Immortal is.
In the body of a True Immortal, real living beings can grow, possessing true birth, aging, sickness, and death, with cultivators who advance toward Immortal Cultivation emerging from within.
They are no different from Gods (神) who dominate from above, regulating the fates of all phenomena under the heavens like invincible rulers.
After enduring the power of a [world] hundreds of times, I finally found a way to counter the [world].
A mere mortal cannot withstand a world's power.
Therefore, one must borrow it.
If I cannot defeat the world with my own hands, I, too, must borrow the world's power.
Woo-wooong!
Once again, I soar towards the Heavenly Tribulation that Hong Fan shot at me.
And I see it.
Blood Yin's attraction force, moving in the Plane of Fate...
'I too must soar into the Plane of Fate, if only for an instant.'
Paaatt!
In an instant, the star I created shrinks and enters my body.
How many times have I created a star, self-destructed, and regressed?
At some point, a 'ring' had appeared around me.
'This 'ring' is drawing in the surrounding power.'
Much like the Heavenly Circle formed during the Heavenly Being stage that draws in Heaven and Earth spiritual energy, the power of the 'ring' seems to draw in the power of the 'world' itself.
Blood Yin attempts to strike Hong Fan.
I push my main body, which is now encircled by the ring, inside my incarnation and transform into human form, charging towards Blood Yin's single strike.
The Colorless Glass Sword is grasped in my hand.
Though brief, in this short period, I regressed hundreds of times, and the Colorless Glass Sword, which had been 'overlapped' hundreds of times, evolved into a dharma treasure at the Star Shattering-level.
Holding the now more fearsome Colorless Glass Sword, my eyes gleam as I begin to draw a circle.
Blood Yin's attack seems about to strike Hong Fan at any moment, but I pay it no mind and continue drawing a circle with my sword on the spot.
Kiiiiing—
This is the Sub-Heart Sword, Transcending Mountain Ridge Embedment.
Simultaneously, it is also Accumulating Dust Forms a Mountain.
Within the hazy mist, a colorless circle is being drawn.
Just as Kim Yeon's Paired Wing Dance had, for a brief moment, reached the realm of true infinity due to the puppets of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress,
Each time my sword draws a circle, my consciousness accelerates more and more.
Boong—
Boong boong—
Boong, boong, boong, boong!
...
Kiiiiiiiiiiiiing!
At first, the rotation seems a bit slow, but before I know it, I feel like I've entered a realm where the world has come to a halt.
'Up to this point, this is a state that can be reached with normal mental acceleration.'
I accelerate further.
My sword moves faster.
'More.'
Kiiiiiiing—
'More!'
Kiiiiiiing!
'More!!!'
Piitiiiitt!
At some moment.
I feel as if the world has completely stopped.
I feel as if I have become light itself.
No, perhaps I might even be faster than that.
In this frozen world, I look up at the Plane of Fate.
Even now, Blood Yin is still moving within this frozen world.
And They're moving so naturally.
Blood Yin meets my gaze.
: : How astonishing. To reach this realm with the body of a mortal. : :
Their eyes gleam.
: : I see. Do you possess all Five Senses? : :
Five Senses?
What does that mean?
: : I was wondering how a mere mortal could push his mind into the realm of the Immortal Family, but for you to use such a method... Astonishing, truly astonishing. : :
I don't understand what They're saying.
But one thing is clear.
At this moment, my mind has, even if only briefly, risen to a level equal to those beings called True Immortals.
By endlessly drawing circles and accelerating my mind, I have reached this realm.
Blood Yin seems to grasp my intention and mocks me.
: : Are you perhaps struggling to block my strike? : :
I can't answer.
To remain in this realm, even temporarily, I must desperately keep drawing the circle.
: : It's useless. Do you think raising your mind to our level will solve anything? Hahaha... : :
Then, the next moment.
Blood Yin's attack strikes me, standing in front of Hong Fan.
'I must maintain the circle...'
A red wave from the Plane of Fate engulfs me.
I grit my teeth as I feel my entire body evaporating under the overwhelming force.
'No. Endure. Continue maintaining the circle. If I do, I can succeed. If I keep, keep maintaining it...the move of Sumeru...!'
But in the end, I fail to maintain my balance before this immense force.
Half my body, including my main body, is flung away, breaking my balance, and the circle I was drawing shatters.
At the same time, my mind returns to the realm of mortal beings.
'...Damn it.'
As I feel my consciousness fading, I stretch out my hand toward Hong Fan and Jeon Myeong-hoon.
My attraction force surges toward them, pushing them far away.
The next moment, an immense Star Tribulation swallows me, and I lose consciousness.
That is my 986th return.
986th cycle.
Once again, I unleash the move of Sumeru and charge at Blood Yin.
Blood Yin repeats the same situation as before.
Everything is the same.
But one thing is different.
Kugugugugugu!
Blood Yin's power of immense force becomes a wave that engulfs me.
But I do not stop drawing the circle.
Even as half of my body is destroyed, even as my main body is shattered, I don't stop.
In the final moment!
Paaatt!
At the end of drawing, drawing, and drawing the circle again, I finally feel my power reach a certain realm.
The circle I have been drawing now surrounds me like a ring of light.
I feel the endlessly drawn circle solidify, and I compress it.
The compressed circle enters my body.
At the center of my shattered star body.
At the very core, the circle I had been drawing becomes a single point.
I let out a bitter smile.
'Is this the limit?'
Jjeeeooong!
The moment right after I complete the point, I am hit and killed by Blood Yin's single strike.
Before my star is completely destroyed, I must complete this point.
But...it's too late.
'It's fine, though.'
Next time, I will make sure I succeed.
That is my 987th return.
987th cycle.
Paaatt!
I draw the circle, push my mind into the realm of True Immortals, and successfully compress the circle into a point.
'Now it really begins.'
Fortunately, I completed the point before my body was completely destroyed.
What remains is to split the point!
The formula for creating the Gang Sphere!
Using that formula, I duplicate the point into three.
'With this...'
Paaatt!
Three points split again into nine.
Then, the nine points split into 27, and the 27 into 81.
With each split, the speed of the process grows faster.
But the next moment.
Waduk!
I die again.
'Faster...'
988th cycle.
The points created through rotation could be counted in the hundreds.
But once again, I failed to reach the target.
'More...!'
989th cycle.
990th cycle.
991st cycle...
At some point,
I started to feel as though the 'circle' I am madly drawing is being internalized within my mind.
'This is...'
Finally, I understand.
This act of 'drawing a circle' has, at some point, become completely one with me, just like the Sub-Heart Sword's Transcending Mountain Ridge Embedment.
Flash!
The moment I realize this, I draw a circle at the start of the cycle and immediately condense it into a point.
Paaaatt!
Then, the point generated within my body instantly splits into dozens, hundreds, and begins to scatter in all directions.
Soon after, I realize that three thousand lights have appeared around me.
'Now it's enough.'
: : What petty trick is this? : :
I can sense Blood Yin mocking me.
Silently, I raise my sword.
In the next moment, the 'original point' inside me emits light.
Simultaneously, the light erupting from the original point begins to connect with the other three thousand 'points.'
It looks like a constellation formed of three thousand stars.
: : Hoh, is that what it is? : :
As expected of a True Immortal. Despite being rotten, Blood Yin quickly realizes what I am trying to do.
The constellation that starts from me continues to spread out, even though the 'points' have all disappeared.
The lines of the constellation reach the far side of the Interdimensional Void.
They connect to the Vestiges there.
Chijijik!
The constellation continues to connect.
Once the constellation connects with one Vestige, it extends further, linking with more and more Vestiges.
In an instant, the entire Interdimensional Void begins to shine because of the constellation connected to me.
: : You momentarily push your mind into the Immortal Domain (仙域), replicate that mind, and connect those replicated minds to the Vestiges... Do you intend to grant those Vestiges the mind of an Immortal Being? You intend to flail about before me with that? Even if you temporarily grant the mind of an Immortal to those waste materials, what do you think will change? : :
They chuckle, seemingly amused.
: : You're better than most Quasi-Immortals. It's not a true Immortal Art, but it can be considered a Sub-Immortal Art. : :
: : ...Wrong. : :
I speak as I look up at Blood Yin.
: : I didn't connect the minds to the Vestiges. : :
I can sense Blood Yin flinch in surprise as They look down at me.
Speaking in the domain of True Immortals consumes an immense amount of mental power, so without saying more, I continue to activate the move of Sumeru.
The lines of the constellation created from Sumeru finally extend beyond the Interdimensional Void and reach the Astral Realm.
The Vestiges are merely a medium.
What I truly aim to reach is...the universe itself.
Through the constellations, I connect directly to the universe and feel a sudden tremor in my being for an instant.
'This is the universe...'
It is so grand that even trying to express it in words feels blasphemous.
An infinite space of a divine level!
That is what the Astral Realm, the universe, truly is.
Hwiiing—
Starting from Transcending Peaks, I begin to unfold every move in Severing Mountain Swordsmanship up to Transcending Mountain Ridge Embedment.
My Severing Mountain Swordsmanship had already begun to merge into one when I created Accumulating Dust Forms a Mountain.
But today, I have made up my mind to meld Severing Mountain Swordsmanship even further.
Moves connect to moves.
Simultaneously, the 'star ring' within my body rotates fiercely, starting to absorb the world itself.
The moves connecting to moves of Severing Mountain Swordsmanship draw a circle, and as the circle overlaps with the star ring within me, it happens.
Chwaaaack!
At last, through the constellation connected to the entire universe, the power of the entire world begins to be drawn into me.
It's as if the universe itself is being sucked into my sword form.
Blood Yin had said this.
How dare someone reach Their level of power through a mere mortal's mind?
They are right.
Even if I momentarily connect my mind to the domain that transcends all speed and spacetime, they are beings who exist so comfortably in this realm.
I, alone, cannot defeat them.
'That's why I won't rely on just my mind.'
I connected the Vestiges to me.
Then, I connected to the 'worlds' inside those Vestiges and imbued my mind into them.
Using those Vestiges as mediums, I imbued my mind into the universe.
The dust in the far reaches of the universe.
The starlight, the cold, the heat, the workings of Heaven and Earth spiritual energy.
In this brief moment, 'my mind, which has reached the Immortal Realm,' is briefly embedded in them all.
Of course, I'm not truly borrowing the power of the entire universe.
But...
I earnestly pray to this whole world as I swing my sword.
'Please, lend me your power.'
After countless rotations, I thrust my sword towards Blood Yin's single strike.
The power of the entire world stretches out to meet the force of another world that is charging at me.
The next moment.
———!
I explode along with the red wave rushing towards me.
'Ah...'
Finally.
On the 991st cycle, I successfully achieve mutual destruction with a True Immortal's single strike.
That is my 992nd return.
992nd cycle.
"Once more!"
Mutual destruction is not enough.
I must block this single strike, survive, and...!
After blocking the Heavenly Tribulation that Hong Fan and Jeon Myeong-hoon gathered for me!
After fully entering the Star Shattering stage, until I can completely defy Blood Yin, continue to advance this sword!
I perform a sword dance.
It is a sword dance composed of endless circles.
I draw a circle, create a point, and scatter that point to form a constellation.
After borrowing the power of the universe through that constellation, I perform a sword dance that integrates the entirety of the Severing Mountain Swordsmanship and unleash the final strike.
That is...
'Severing Mountain Swordsmanship. Thirty-Third Move.'
"Sumeru (須彌)!"
Jjeong!
Once again, my sword shatters.
This time, however, there is no mutual destruction.
The sword merely crumbles to pieces, and all the energy in my body is drained.
"Ha...ha..."
I laugh as I watch the Star Tribulation descending upon me.
Now...
I am almost there.
That is my 993rd return.
993rd cycle.
I perform a sword dance and thrust my sword forward.
Puhwak!
The red wave descending from the Plane of Fate splits in half.
"Haha..."
At first, I couldn't even perceive it, but now I can see.
The process of the red torrent, bursting from Blood Yin's body like a sea of blood, surging towards Hong Fan is now vividly clear to me.
'The sword didn't shatter.'
I smile slightly.
I take another step forward.
Though I used up all my energy, I managed to block Blood Yin's single strike without shattering the sword!
Kwarururung!
Once again, I close my eyes as I take the Star Tribulation head-on.
That is my 994th return.
994th cycle!
995th cycle!
996th cycle!!
997th cycle!!
"Ah..."
Suddenly, I realize that I've entered a kind of trance (恍惚京).
The red torrent flies towards Hong Fan in front of me.
It's a torrent descending from the Plane of Fate.
It's too weak to be considered a true Immortal Art, and it's merely an attack sent by Blood Yin in a jest, but even so, it's the strike of a True Immortal.
After several deaths, I now feel certain that I can split that attack without breaking my sword, and without exhausting all my energy.
Only then do I fully realize.
'I've finally reached great completion in a new technique.'
Just learning a technique doesn't mean one can use it perfectly.
Even the creator of the technique must practice it, refine it, and find ways to improve it until they internalize the optimal form that suits them best.
Only by reaching that stage can one truly say they have reached great completion in it.
Wiiiing!
At the same time, I experience something strange.
Everything in the world appears as a sword.
Blood Yin is a sword.
Every Vestige in the Interdimensional Void is a sword.
Every Star Tribulation flashing in the universe is a sword.
Every starlight casting down Star Tribulation is also a sword.
'Ah...'
I discover a new facet of the technique I've just created.
The thirty-third move of Severing Mountain Swordsmanship is not only a sword dance that 'borrows the power of the world,' but also a spell that 'draws power from the world' like Great Desert to Dead Sea.
And, the phrase 'borrows power from the world' implies...
If there's an entity that is akin to a world itself, they can 'lend me their power' through the sword dance I perform.
Divine Descent (降神)
I can sense a divine being descending within my sword dance.
: : Do you seek the Dao through the sword? : :
For some reason, I find myself answering the divine being's question as if entranced.
"Yes. I do."
: : You have reached the Dao-Seeking (求道) realm of the sword. As you have caught this seat's eye, there exists the intent to make you a devotee. Yet, to offer assistance is a different matter. Should you desire my aid, you must prove your skills. Combine Sword and Immortal as one and reveal your mastery. : :
I understand what it means.
Until now, I've only wielded the sword from the perspective of Martial Arts.
And this unknown True Immortal is telling me to merge swordsmanship from both the perspective of martial arts and the perspective of spells.
Paaatt!
I unfold my sword dance within the radiance.
It feels as if [someone] is helping me from the side.
My swordsmanship, spells, divine powers, and attraction force all combine so naturally.
I hear what seems to be a satisfied laugh in my ear.
The [someone] who is helping me is admiring my swordsmanship.
Hearing that laughter, my mind wavers, and I feel a deep urge to submit to that [someone] right then and there.
Instinctively, I can sense it.
This being has reached the utmost pinnacle of the sword.
Although not of the Heart Tribe, it feels like this being is akin to a god as a sword cultivator like Hong Su-ryeong.
Ah, I want to return to thee.
How wonderful would it be to return to this being and become their sword.
The exhausting life of a mortal with flesh and blood tires me.
I want to live as nothing more than a sword, as iron.
Yes, I will retu—
: : How dare you!!!: :
Blood Yin's enraged voice snaps me back to my senses.
: : Once again, you summon a wicked thing! Sinister beings, I beseech you to leave the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain! : :
The next moment.
Under the power of Blood Yin's Immortal Art, activated with Their full effort, my body is crushed, and I die.
That is my 998th return.
'Is it already the 998th cycle...?'
It's been long.
So incredibly, endlessly long.
In the last cycle, I was entranced by [someone] and nearly returned to them, but this time is different.
'With just my pure strength alone, I can block up to Blood Yin's general single strike!'
Once again, I slip into a trance, but this time, I do not lose my mind. Rather, I perform the sword dance with just my mind.
As a world nests in my sword, a burst of radiance explodes outward.
Simultaneously, I once again see the vision where the entire world appears as swords.
Once more, [someone] tempts me with their voice.
: : You, Dao-Seeker of the sword. Follow this seat. Then you shall see the ultimate truth of the sword. : :
I refuse.
"No thank you."
: : What did you say? : :
"I will see the ultimate truth of the sword with my own hands."
Tssssaaaaaa!
A brilliant white radiance erupts from within the sword dance.
Within that radiance, I push back the mind of the being speaking to me and shout.
"What meaning is there in attaining the ultimate truth of the sword by borrowing another's hands!"
I have failed, failed, and failed again.
This is my sword, built upon the mountain of failure.
"My sword is mine. The ultimate truth of the sword I seek is also mine alone. I appreciate your goodwill, but I will achieve it with my own hands!"
As I shake off the will of the transcendent being that descended into the sword dance, I thrust my sword towards the single strike of Blood Yin.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.
Thirty-Third Move.
Sumeru!
The sword dance that borrows the power of the world flies towards the single strike unleashed by another world.
'At last!'
In the 998th cycle, for the first time, I have perfectly blocked Blood Yin's strike!
[Hong Fan!!!]
I shout in mental speech to Hong Fan.
As Hong Fan's Entering Heavens bursts forth, memories of the 16th cycle flash by.
—What will you name your Entering Heavens Beyond the Path?
—Mm, I haven't thought of a good name, but...does a name really matter? I'll just call it whatever comes to mind.
—Hmm, what are you saying? Only by having a name will it make it more satisfying when you use it, no? If you can't come up with one...how about I name it for you?
—Mm... Do as Master pleases.
—Alright. Do you have something you strive for? Some meaning you'd like to have in the name?
—Nothing specific comes to mind but...if we must name it, please include the word sword.
—Sword?
—Yes. Since Master's Entering Heavens is the Formless Sword, and since I'm receiving it from Master, I'd like it to have 'sword' in it.
—Got it. In that case...
A black darkness is caught in Hong Fan's hand.
The darkness expands, becoming a massive maw that devours the light.
—Let's go with...the sword that cuts through the void (虛空) of nothingness.
In the 16th cycle, I had given his Entering Heavens a name like that.
Because Hong Fan's sword, which united countless martial flows, was extraordinary enough to cut even the completely nothing and void sky.
—If you don't like it or if you come up with a better name later, feel free to change it. If another name comes to mind, you can use that instead.
—No, I quite like it. The Sword of the Void... If I come up with a name I like more, I will return this name to Master. Of course...
[Hong Fan. The name of your Entering Heavens will henceforth be...]
I burst out in mental speech, and Hong Fan swings the sword of the void towards the falling Star Tribulation.
—If I can't think of a better name until the end, I will continue to use this name even in the next life.
[Void Sword.]
Entering Heavens Beyond the Path.
"Void Sword (虛空劍)!"
Hong Fan's sword extends towards the sky, connecting with the Heavenly Tribulation, and Jeon Myeong-hoon's authority activates, drawing in millions of Heavenly Tribulations.
As Jeon Myeong-hoon's power merges with Hong Fan's, their combined strength multiplies.
In an instant, hundreds of billions, trillions, of Star Tribulations converge.
And I, once again, begin to descend (降神/Divine Descent) the power of the universe through the sword dance of Sumeru.
The first Star Tribulation is unavoidable.
However...
The unavoidable Heavenly Tribulation can definitely be blocked!
The Sumeru Sword Dance, which can even cleave the single strike of a True Immortal in half, cuts through the first Star Tribulation formed by the union of billions of Star Tribulations.
My single sword strike pierces through the Star Tribulation, breaks through the boundary between the Interdimensional Void and the Astral Realm, and enters the domain of the universe.
[Haa...]
I close my eyes.
Within the almost thousand cycles of regression, I can finally give a 'genuine smile' that I couldn't do before.
Woo-woong!
The shattered Star Tribulation above me begins to flow directly into my body.
At the same time, I feel myself truly 'connected' with the stars that had just launched the Star Tribulations at me.
I know what this is.
It is a Star Vein.
Through the Star Tribulation, I have become connected to the stars, and by receiving a Star Vein, I am being officially recognized as a true 'star' by the universe itself.
That is the true nature of the Star Tribulation.
Through the star vein, the power of all the stars in the universe flows into me.
My consciousness domain expands like crazy.
I feel like I could explore the entire Heaven Tribe territory with just my consciousness domain alone if I willed it.
I feel the power of the stars as I draw forth attraction force, quickly bringing my comrades into the star within my body.
After quickly retrieving the exhausted Hong Fan and Jeon Myeong-hoon, I take a single step forward.
Paaatt!
The surroundings shift instantly.
This is the Astral Realm.
The sea of stars, also known as the universe, the domain of infinity.
[At last...I have truly become an Esteemed One.]
The realm where I can, through the ground-shrinking technique, move through space as if it were a dimensional leap.
The realm where I can cross from the Interdimensional Void directly into the Astral Realm without any help from the Middle Realms.
That is the Star Shattering stage.
Jjeoong!
It feels like a corner of the universe is collapsing.
In the distance, a part of the universe crumbles with an immense ripple. From there, a red sea begins to stretch its hand towards me.
: : You! : :
I grin.
[This is just the beginning.]
Feeling the endless power of the star vein flowing into me, I take another step forward.
Paatt!
Blood Yin's figure quickly recedes into the distance.
Feeling the power of having truly reached the Star Shattering stage, I leap across tens of light-years and escape.
Kugugugugu!
However, I see that what appears to be Blood Yin's hand continuing to chase after me, undeterred.
'Now that I've completely reached the Star Shattering stage, I'll retain this realm even if I regress.'
Since I've solidified my realm after withstanding the Heavenly Tribulation, it won't only be the nebula that follows me.
'Now, I just need to find something in this Astral Realm that can defy the fate Blood Yin has prophesied.'
And I've already decided on a candidate.
However...
Just then.
"...!"
While leaping through the Astral Realm, I am forced to stop in one sector.
[...Hah.]
Roughly fifty starlights are blocking my path.
They aren't the main bodies, just incarnations... Even so, each one feels like they are at the Sacred Vessel stage.
I immediately know who they are.
[We shot Star Tribulations to kill you, but what kind of being are you, absorbing it all and advancing instead?]
The fifty Entering Nirvana beings I clashed with in the Nether Ghost Realm!
They are the ones blocking my path.
Kugugugugu!
Behind me, Blood Yin's arm continues to follow, while in front of me, the fifty incarnations of the Entering Nirvana True Persons block my way.
A situation of being trapped from both sides.
'Can I use the Sumeru Sword Dance one more time?'
I am quite lacking in energy.
[...Not knowing whether I may be a True Immortal's clone, incarnation, or Immortal Treasure, do you dare block my path?]
I decide to bluff.
But the fifty Entering Nirvana True Persons laugh mockingly.
[The former Chief Judge of the Netherworld guaranteed that you are nothing of the sort. We will kill you here, you insignificant thing.]
'Damn it...'
There's no other choice.
My entire body trembles as if it's about to fall apart, and I have almost no strength left.
But...
It seems my fortune is to keep swinging my sword until the very end of ends.
I prepare my Sumeru Sword Dance, raising my sword will.
It's then,
: : Will you truly not return to this seat? : :
[Someone] speaks to me again from within the Sumeru Sword Dance.
[...I don't need it.]
: : ...Is that so. But this seat is beginning to covet you. Will you not become this seat's Immortal Treasure? : :
[I said I don't need it.]
: : ...It cannot be helped. Then this seat shall make a grand gesture. : :
[...Huh?]
Woo-woong!
From beyond the farthest starry sky, I sense that [something] is heading to this place.
'That's...'
Through the Sumeru Sword Dance I've unfolded, [someone] is descending and calling their power here.
[That, that, that's...!]
[Why, why, why i-is that falling here!]
[You! Were you their devotee all along?!]
[Everyone, flee! Flee as far as possible...!]
It is a sword.
A massive sword of radiant silver light is descending through the universe towards this place.
I feel Blood Yin's arm flinch in shock and retreat.
The size of the sword of light is so immense that even the sun looks like a firefly in comparison.
And, the moment the sword falls into this space—
Sword-Guided Star Rai
Deeeeng!
The entire Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain trembles.
As the sword of light shatters, all fifty incarnations sent by the Entering Nirvana True Persons are obliterated.
I can feel that even their main bodies beyond the incarnations have suffered tremendous damage.
However, more than anything,
: : ———————!
I can feel that Blood Yin has been struck with a catastrophic blow and has been thrown down.
A corner of the universe collapses under the impact of the sword of light.
I ask the [someone] who has shown me such overwhelming goodwill.
[Who are you?]
The [someone] responds.
I can't help but be shocked by Their answer.
: : This seat is the Fifth of the Radiance Eight Immortals. Sword Spear Heavenly Lord. : :
[...!!!]
: : You, Dao-Seeker of the sword. One day, you shall become this seat's Immortal Treasure. : :
-x-X-x-
Sururuk...
The Sumeru Sword Dance comes to an end.
Simultaneously, the will embedded in the sword dance by the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord fades away.
: : Someday, you will be mine. : :
"..."
I swallow as I listen to the words of the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord.
I've garnered the attention of True Immortals once or twice before.
The [Oldest One] had even pursued me during regression, and the Owner of Great Mountain had descended to kill me.
Furthermore, although I don't remember it well, there was a time I met a being known as an Immortal Beast, and in the darkness of the Serving Command Ark, I also encountered [someone].
In addition, I also met with the Owner of Heavenly Punishment, the Heavenly Venerable of Time, Zhengli, and Yeong Seung.
'Hmm. It's not just once or twice.'
Anyway.
I have received their interest and anger before.
However, I had never encountered a being who 'coveted' me like the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord.
'To think a True Immortal...and one speculated to be from a faction of light, desires me...'
It is nothing short of a terrifyingly misfortune that sends chills down one's spine.
I look back.
Kugugugugu!
It seems as if a massive crack has formed in the universe.
It looks as if a huge stone had fallen on a glass window, punching a hole through it.
'This is crazy...'
Despite the universe's restorative power refilling the space, I shiver remembering the incredible power unleashed by the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord.
"...Wait, by the way..."
I recall something as I look at the hole pierced in the universe.
There is silence beyond the hole.
No reaction has come after the scream of the Blood Yin.
My eyes tremble as I look at the hole.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds...
"...Ha."
I laugh.
Then, quietly smiling, I feel the utmost joy within the life and death that had nearly repeated a thousand cycles and spread my arms wide.
"I am...free."
At last, I have escaped.
"I am, free!!"
There is no sound in space.
The vast starry sky and the darkness stretch endlessly.
I start to laugh in that starry heaven.
"Ha, haha..."
As I laugh, Heaven and Earth spiritual energy bursts forth around me, beginning to surge.
[Ahahahaha! Hahahahaha!]
A roar of laughter bursts forth from my mental speech.
I have!
Finally!!
[Escaped!!!]
I feel the aura of Blood Yin subside completely, and I cry while laughing.
Kurung, kururung!
[Finally!!!]
Jjeooong!
My incarnation explodes, and my main body inside is revealed.
The compressed main body appears in the cosmic space.
The main bodies of Esteemed Ones, known as the Origin Star (本源星).
Origin Star.
Colorless Sword Mountain Treading Sea Great Star.
My Integrated Dao Domain has become a star in space, emitting starlight.
A star made entirely of crystal glass from the surface to the core.
The star filled with the Sword Mountain with inverted swords scattered everywhere has become both my world and myself.
Kugugugu!
At the same time, I feel an immense surge of spiritual energy rushing into the Origin Star through the star vein.
At first, it seems that Heaven and Earth spiritual energy is simply filling the various places within the Origin Star.
However, soon after the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy fills up, the star starts to move as spirit veins begin to enter inside my star.
The spirit veins fill various places in the Colorless Sword Mountain like blood vessels.
Simultaneously, Heaven and Earth spiritual energy begins to circulate within the star.
Heaven and Earth spiritual energy circulates throughout the planet, beginning to create celestial phenomena.
Inside the star, it even rains, and brilliant glows gather to form something akin to spirits.
At the same time, explosions of Heaven and Earth spiritual energy occur within, materials combine, and life-like entities begin to emerge.
They are just microbes for now, merely akin to bacteria, but...perhaps in a few hundred million years, fully sentient beings might be born.
Just then, I notice that the circulation of Heaven and Earth spiritual energies inside my star is reaching a critical point.
[Ah...]
Kugugugugu!
Simultaneously, Heaven and Earth spiritual energy starts to be 'produced' in accordance with the principles of nature.
A star that used to only suck in spiritual energy through other stars' star veins can now transmit Heaven and Earth spiritual energy towards other stars.
It is only now that I feel truly connected with the star vein.
"Ah...I see."
From Qi Refining to the Integration stage, one only consumes Heaven and Earth spiritual energy.
Most cultivators spend their lives sucking in the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy around them, confining it within their bodies, and use it for spells, endlessly 'consuming' resources.
Even reaching the Four-Axis and Integration stage, only the amount of Heaven and Earth spiritual energy one can consume and confine increases, merely extending the retention period.
The truth of 'consumption' does not disappear.
However, it changes after reaching the Star Shattering stage.
From this point on, true nature forms inside one's body, and according to the circulation within that nature, Heaven and Earth spiritual energy is 'produced.'
'The Entering Nirvana stage creates stars, the Sacred Vessel stage organizes constellations, and the Star Shattering stage produces the materials that can create stars.'
I recall the dawn of the universe and comprehend the Star Shattering stage.
The Star Shattering stage involves circulating Heaven and Earth spiritual energy within one's own star, being in the position of a producer who can create materials, or in other words, 'produce' Heaven and Earth spiritual energy.
The rank of a producer in the universe's hierarchy.
That is precisely the Star Shattering stage.
Wo-woong!
I produce Heaven and Earth spiritual energy and further precisely imprint my star's attraction force into the universe.
Wo-woong!
Communing with the vast spacetime that is the universe, I imprint the principles of my 'first star' through attraction force.
The formulas of the Star Shattering stage are, as obvious as it is, the formulas of the Examination of Doubts.
Rain, Clearing, Cloudiness, Want of Connection, Crossing.
And Inner Diagram, Outer Diagram.
Shwaaaaa...
On the newly created first star, rain begins to fall.
The rain turns into crystal as soon as it touches the ground, becoming the foundation of my star.
Thus, my first star becomes a star symbolizing the early Star Shattering stage.
Heavenly Rain Great Star.
'From now on, I should cultivate according to the practice of the Star Shattering stage.'
The practice of the Star Shattering stage is simple yet immense.
The cultivation of Esteemed Ones is as follows:
Above the star one has created, create an incarnation using the elements (chemical elements) of one's own star.
Then, have that incarnation mobilize the power of the star to again rise to the Grand Perfection Integration stage.
After that, explode the incarnation again to create a second star.
Thus, after creating a total of five stars and imprinting the principles of Rain, Clearing, Cloudiness, Want of Connection, and Crossing onto them,
Take the five satellites and drag them around to orbit a suitable planet.
Endlessly orbit the planet until one's satellites align in a row around the planet, then borrow the planet's power to complete the Inner Diagram.
Once the Inner Diagram is complete, rotate around the planet and draw in star veins and Heaven and Earth spiritual energy from the universe to complete the Outer Diagram.
Reaching the Grand Perfection Star Shattering stage through a total of seven Star Body rituals is precisely the cultivation method of the Star Shattering stage.
'From the Star Shattering stage onwards, one's lifespan increases by tens of millions of years.'
Of course, that doesn't mean the star created will explode or scatter after ten million years.
Instead, if one cannot advance one's realm even after ten million years, their soul will scatter throughout the universe and die, and only the satellites left by the Esteemed One will remain drifting in space.
Esteemed Ones often describe this phenomenon as being 'devoured by the Heavenly Domain.'
[Huu...]
I manifest as a human form incarnation within my body and look up at the sky.
The star is still without a proper atmosphere, and the entire world is composed of jagged seas of glass.
Microbes exist to some extent, but that's it. No traces of sentient beings are visible.
I breathe above the star and feel the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy.
Typical Esteemed Ones have stars the size of satellites and don't have many connected star veins.
Therefore, the stars of typical Esteemed Ones don't have much Heaven and Earth spiritual energy, and those Esteemed Ones usually continue cultivating in the Middle Realms with the help of Sacred Masters to grow their incarnations using the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy of the Middle Realm.
However, I realize that I don't need to do that.
'With so many star veins connected, and the planet itself being of a planetary scale, it is only slightly lacking in Heaven and Earth spiritual energy compared to the Middle Realms.'
At this level, I can quickly advance my realm without the help of a Sacred Master.
Moreover, having already trained in the Immortal Art Examination of Doubts, and with the effects of Understanding before Breakthrough in place, I can cultivate far faster than other Esteemed Ones.
Of course...
'Since the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain will meet its End in ten thousand years...it's meaningless.'
I organize various thoughts while moving forward.
Suruk—
I suddenly disappear from above the star and arrive in front of a cave made of glass.
Since the star is my own body, I can immediately go with my incarnation to any place I can think of on the star.
"Is everyone safe?"
I face my comrades who I had hidden within my star.
In terms of time, it has been only a brief moment since we last saw each other, but it feels like it has been a very long time.
"Ah, Eun-hyun, what's going on? After regaining awareness in that strange world, we suddenly ended up in this bizarre place. And...the condition of these guys is a bit strange."
Kim Young-hoon looks at me worriedly, and I look at my comrades.
Hong Fan and Jeon Myeong-hoon are in an exhausted state, Kim Yeon is blinking at me, and Oh Hyun-seok is slightly teary-eyed, though he's smiling.
"Jeon Myeong-hoon and Hong Fan are fine other than being exhausted. As for Hyun-seok Hyung-nim..."
"I cried a bit having to part with my daughter for a while."
It seems he accepted the child from the dream world as his own daughter.
I give him a faint smile.
It appears that he, too, has finally accepted his own heart.
I then turn to Kim Yeon and speak.
"Yeon-ah, are you alright?"
She just blinks.
"...Yeon?"
She repeatedly opens and closes her mouth, then points at it.
Kim Young-hoon lets out a sigh then speaks.
"I don't know what happened, but...it seems she lost her voice."
"What!?"
I'm shocked and immediately send her a heart message.
—Kim Yeon, what on earth happened!
Then...
The heart message doesn't return.
"...Kim Yeon?"
I approach her, flustered, and Kim Yeon gestures awkwardly at [above].
"...Could it be...the beings [above] are involved?"
Nod nod.
Kim Yeon nods, and I let out a low groan and ask.
"Do you know how to use sign language by any chance?"
Kim Yeon shrugs.
It seems she doesn't know sign language.
Come to think of it, none of us had ever learned sign language in the first place.
"Hmm...does anyone have paper?"
"Here."
Oh Hyun-seok pulls out paper from his domain, and I place a brush in front of her to let her write.
Kim Yeon looks a little perplexed but then picks up the brush and writes something.
I look at it and frown.
'What's this?'
What she wrote aren't any letters we recognize but are strange scribbles.
It looks like the kind of messy scribble a three-year-old would make while haphazardly holding a brush.
However, Kim Yeon looks at me with a gaze asking, 'Can you understand it?'
It seems that, from her perspective, she's writing 'letters,' but what's being expressed is entirely different.
"Then, can you draw something like a picture?"
Kim Yeon draws a 'picture' on the paper.
Fortunately, the 'picture' turns out quite normal.
In the picture, Kim Yeon is talking to something that resembles a large bird, and in the next scene, the bird pulls out Kim Yeon's tongue.
"...I see. Understood."
It seems Kim Yeon has had her Word-Spirit sealed by some True Immortal.
'We're getting involved with True Immortals quite often.'
I sigh deeply and see Seo Ran clutching his head pass Kim Yeon.
Seo Ran is gripping his head and trembling, while Shi Ho stands beside him, supporting him with a concerned look.
"Seo Ran. What's going on with you?"
He speaks with a trembling voice.
"I...I don't know either. But for some reason, a woman keeps coming to mind. Some...some..."
"It's fine."
Woo-woong!
I synchronize Seo Ran's consciousness with the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy around him, stabilizing the energy itself and forcibly calming his mind for a moment.
The others seem startled as they realize what I've done.
I speak to my comrades.
"There's something I need to tell you all. I just recently...upon leaving that dream world, advanced to the Star Shattering stage."
"Hah! As expected..."
Azure Tiger Saint nods as if expecting this, and the other comrades flinch in surprise.
I explain the current situation and the place we're in to them.
"So...the star we suddenly fell onto...is your body?"
"That's right."
"Wow...that's quite something."
Kim Young-hoon sticks out his tongue, and Oh Hyun-seok and Seo Ran both have very astonished looks in their eyes.
I organize and clarify the current situation, and as I do, one thought crosses my mind.
"By the way...this situation. It feels strangely similar to the first day."
"Hm? You're right, it does."
I look at the sky outside the cave.
Since the atmosphere hasn't yet fully formed, the night sky of the universe is fully visible.
The us, sharing conversation inside a cave.
The mysterious world we've suddenly fallen into.
It's just like...
The scene of our first day falling into this world.
'Ah, that's right.'
A lot has happened, but when I think about it...
Today is the first day of the 998th cycle.
It hasn't even been a full day since the regression.
Snap!
To recreate the feeling of the first day we fell onto Ascension Path, I snap my fingers and start a fire.
A flame emitting seven colors arises inside the glass cave.
"Going forward, we will save Kang Min-hee."
"Hmm?"
I continue to speak.
"I am not sure if you know this but...the universe we live in, the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain, will be destroyed in ten thousand years. For us cultivators, ten thousand years is not a very long time. Therefore, I plan to find Kang Min-hee and together with her...either escape to another Heavenly Domain or find a way to survive even within the End."
Explaining the plans from now, I look up at the starry sky.
I have escaped from Blood Yin for now.
I managed to escape the fate They imposed on me somehow thanks to the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord.
'Of course, I don't know what will happen if I regress again.'
Perhaps in the next life, I might not receive the help of the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord.
'No, it's better not to receive help if possible.'
Honestly, receiving help from that being this time was like escaping the fox only to meet the tiger.
In the next life, it would be better not to receive any help at all.
Of course, not receiving help would make it ever so hard to escape from the grasp of Blood Yin.
Therefore...
'The number one goal of this life is, not to die.'
I set a few goals for this life.
The first goal is simply 'survival'.
The second goal is...searching for and rescuing Kang Min-hee.
The third goal, since the End is imminent, is to head to the Lightning Sacred Sea and retrieve the treasures Yang Su-jin stole from the Middle Realms.
It's around when I set about three goals.
Sway—
"...Huh?"
I fall right there on the spot.
"Uh, Eun-hyun!"
"Mmm!"
"Se, senior?"
Kim Young-hoon, Kim Yeon, and Seo Ran rush to one after another.
Wondering if something has gone wrong with my incarnation, I try to shift my consciousness back to the star side, but I soon realize that there is a serious problem.
Splish, splash...
Something like black water begins flowing from my incarnation.
'This, this is...'
Realizing the nature of this fluid, I am extremely shocked.
'D-Death!?'
It is 'death energy (死氣)' that has not only concentrated but has completely liquefied.
'Ah...'
I have thought about this before.
If I die hundreds of times like this, might I not suddenly be dragged to the Underworld and be taxidermized for eternity?
But up until now, since there had been no response from the Underworld through the senses of Nether Perception, I thought 'it's still okay'.
I realize it was a misconception.
'I-I'm being dragged.'
I sense that my mind is being forcibly pulled towards an endless ashen world.
'Ah, no! How can this be!? I just escaped from the jaws of Blood Yin!!! Why!!??'
I want to scream, but the power of death covers my mind and begins to submerge it.
I can't even move my body, let alone twitch a finger.
'No, no, no!!! Please! Please!!!'
As my consciousness fades, I see in that vast darkness, deep and immense beings gesturing towards me.
'No...no...'
The next moment.
Hong Fan, who regained consciousness, yells something at Seo Ran, and Sea Ran pulling out the Nether Crossing Ship is the last...
I completely lose consciousness.
"...Where is this?"
It is ashen.
Yet, at the same time, it is not ashen.
"...?"
I suddenly become curious and look around.
'Is this...a palace?'
The surroundings are that of a palace.
Pillars that look like they are made of the same material as the Nether Crossing Ship support the black palace, and I am sitting atop something that looks like an ashen carpet.
"...Huh?"
Then, I am puzzled to see 'Seo Ran' behind me.
For some reason, Seo Ran is also sitting behind me, trembling like a quivering aspen tree and looking at something in total disbelief.
That's when it happens.
"That child used the Nether Crossing Ship to summon your consciousness here before it completely left the domain of light."
I suddenly turn my gaze towards a being sitting on a throne deep within the palace.
The being is a woman.
"Welcome, Esteemed One Seo. I thought we would meet, but I didn't expect it to be so soon. It's regrettable yet also fortunate."
I feel endless energy emanating from the being in front of me and start sweating coldly.
"Who...is the noble one, and where is this place?"
She smiles faintly at my question.
"This is the inner subspace of the Nether Ghost Realm's Sacred Master Hall. And I am the one who has taken the position of Sacred Master of the Nether Ghost Realm, Sacred Master Yu Oh."
Snap!
She snaps her fingers, and a small table, teacups, and a teapot appear in front of me and Seo Ran.
"Let's have some tea and share a conversation for a while, O Heavenly King designate."
-x-X-x-
'Heavenly King designate?'
I recall the words spoken about the 'Heavenly Kings' long ago.
'Buddhist Family Seven Brilliances King.'
The concept of 'Heavenly King's first emerged from Tae Yeol-jeon's mouth.
The great seven Bodhisattvas that exist within the Buddhist Family.
Each of their names ends with the title 'Heavenly King (天王)'.
'Is that what she is referring to?'
I quickly ponder.
'Referring to me as a Heavenly King designate...can it be considered as a certain 'point' that the Enders, who are called Heavenly Kings, can reach?
Even a brief consideration suggests that among the Seven Brilliances Kings, the 'Tridacna Vast Cold Heavenly King' who symbolizes Unity is the owner of the Bright Cold Realm.
The Vast Cold Heavenly Lord is the Heavenly King of Unity.
And from what I've heard from rumors so far, there's a high possibility that Vast Cold was also an Ender.
Thus, her mention of 'Heavenly King designate' likely refers to another term for Enders.
'In a way, she is an entity who holds a clue about Enders.'
I must not be careless.
I check my physical condition in case I need to resist Yu Oh.
'My body is gone, and currently, only the soul remains.'
It seems I was temporarily dropped in front of Sacred Master Yu Oh while my soul was being dragged to the Netherworld via the Nether Crossing Ship.
Thanks to that, I am merely a strong spirit entity, possessing just the consciousness domain of the Star Shattering stage.
'It seems...I can't draw my main body's power through the All-Heavens sword.'
While checking this space belonging to Yu Oh, I click my tongue internally.
Even if I try to bring the power of my main body by adjusting the plane, it feels like her space itself is sealed against such actions.
'I could escape using the realm of Void Shattering or Immortal Arts if necessary, but the extent of her power merged with the Nether Ghost Realm is unknown...I cannot act rashly.' ꭆ
After reaching Void Shattering, the reason I bared my fangs at Baek Woon was because she had suffered injuries at the hands of Yang Su-jin.
At the same time, Jeon Myeong-hoon was by my side, capable of wielding Yang Su-jin's power whenever needed.
That's why I felt I could 'take on' Sacred Baek Woon in case of an emergency and was a bit aggressive.
'But...is she really the same Sacred Master?'
From Yu Oh in front of me, I feel an inexplicable, ominous foreboding with no clear beginning or end.
At the same time, I feel a certain sense of déjà vu, but I can't recall what it is.
'In any case, she's definitely not an entity to be taken lightly.'
I swallow hard and look at the tea before me.
Judging from the faint scent of plums, it seems to be the Nether Ghost Realm's specialty, plum tea.
'Black plum.'
It's a seed born in the territory of the Nether Ghost Realm's Black Ghost Valley and is the most popular plum variety there.
If a living person were to consume it, the sourness could cause a heart attack.
Gulp.
'Not bad.'
After sipping the black plum tea, I alternately look at Sacred Master Yu Oh and Seo Ran.
"Thank you for offering such fine tea."
"It is I who should be thankful for you enjoying this humble tea. Originally, I wanted to personally brew a tastier tea, but under these circumstances, it's a pity."
"Haha, you are too modest. This tea is already excellent as it is..."
"I am merely thankful for your excessive praise."
"Since the topic has come up...I would greatly appreciate it if you could help my friend Seo Ran also enjoy this splendid tea."
As I watch Seo Ran trembling like an aspen tree, I speak.
"I wish you would ease the pressure on my friend a bit. Since he is still at the Four-Axis stage, it seems difficult for him to bear the authority of a Sacred Master."
While sipping the black plum tea, I respectfully ask Yu Oh to lessen the pressure on Seo Ran, keeping it within the lines of not upsetting her as much as possible.
Then, Yu Oh tilts her head with a puzzled expression.
"Um...you are saying strange things. I haven't done anything to that child. It was that child who brought both the Esteemed One and the child's own soul into the inner part of my palace through the power of the Nether Crossing Ship. Meeting you two here was not my plan, and naturally, since it wasn't planned, there was no opportunity for me to play any tricks."
"Mmm..."
I look at Seo Ran.
Inside this palace, who knows what Yu Oh had done, but I can't read intent or heart essence.
'Then just why is this happening?'
"Seo Ran, what's going on?"
However, Seo Ran trembles more like an aspen, seemingly unable to hear me at all.
"Um, it seems there's an Immortal Art preventing mental fragmentation. Being too close to such a vast entity seems to have damaged the Immortal Art. That appears to be the cause."
"Mm..."
I recall when Gwak Am struck Seo Ran's stomach and cast an Immortal Art.
'Could it be that the Immortal Art of Great Mountain was protecting his mind, and it cracked when encountering Blood Yin?'
"Fortunately, it's an Immortal Art I know of, so I can mend it. Since meeting like this is also fate. I will mend it for you."
Snap!
Yu Oh flicks her finger and the attraction force around Seo Ran seems to change. Then he immediately regains his senses.
"Heheok...heok...heok..."
"Are you okay, Seo Ran?"
Seo Ran trembles like an aspen tree before raising his head to look at Yu Oh.
After staring at her for a moment, Seo Ran bites his lip tightly.
"Who...is this person?"
"This person is the Sacred Master of the Nether Ghost Realm, known as 'Yu Oh'."
"In addition to that, I am currently the palace lord of the Azure Ghost Palace. I ask for your kind consideration, Junior Seo."
She smiles warmly at Seo Ran, looking at his black robe.
But the next moment, a completely unexpected word bursts from Seo Ran's mouth.
"Mother...?"
"...?"
"Are you...my mother...?"
I feel a shock as if I've been hit on the back of my head, looking back and forth between Seo Ran and Yu Oh.
'What? This is...no, wait. Excluding the parts that look like Seo Hweol, Seo Ran's face...seems to resemble Yu Oh?'
Still in utter shock, I alternate my gaze between the two.
Yu Oh looks at Seo Ran with an expression that shows interest and speaks.
"Emm... What exactly is Sir Junior saying?"
Seo Ran replies with a bewildered face.
"...When I reached the Nascent Soul stage, I also saw the moment I was born. It was too brief to see clearly...but I vividly remember my mother's face. I even asked my master to see a portrait of my mother. My mother's name is 'Yu Oh,' a disciple from the Black Ghost Valley. Sacred Master...shares the same name and appearance."
He looks up at Yu Oh with a stunned expression.
"Is Sacred Master...not my mother?"
To that, Sacred Master Yu Oh makes a thoughtful expression and says,
"Emm...I don't particularly have any children. However, it's possible for Yu Oh to have children."
"Pardon...?"
Seo Ran and I stare at her, wondering what absurd thing she is saying.
Then, Yu Oh suddenly turns her head.
"Eot...!"
"Heot..."
Click, crack crack...
Seo Ran and I cannot help but be shocked by her actions.
She completely twisted her neck, turning her head 180 degrees.
But what's even more shocking isn't just that.
"...!!!"
What is revealed where she has turned her neck is 'another Yu Oh'.
The face of the 'other Yu Oh' appears to be peacefully sleeping with eyes closed.
"The high ones of the Nether Ghost Realm all know this, but...the name 'Yu Oh' has the meaning of 'the two of us.' I have two faces and also two personalities. We also take turns, with one of us sleeping for several years while the other wakes up and becomes active."
Creak!
Yu Oh turns her head counterclockwise again so that her 'awake' face is facing us.
"That is why...the personality that is awake now, 'I,' have no children. But the 'other' Yu Oh who is asleep right now, who knows."
"Th-then...is it possible to wake the other one up now?"
"Um, that would be difficult. Having two personalities and alternating between sleep and wake cycles every few years is due to my cultivation method. It's a method of balancing Yin and Yang with two faces to bring me closer to Immortal Arts. Waking her up suddenly today would take me further away from Immortal Arts."
"That...I understand."
Seo Ran sighs deeply and lowers his head.
"Hoho, someday you will be able to find your real family. Trust me. Having two heads, I have double the intuition."
Yo Oh kindly consoles Seo Ran, and while I am wondering why she's boasting about having only two heads, I suddenly realize I only have one head now and feel inferior, casting my eyes down slightly.
"Ahem, that's right. Let's ask the other Sacred Master about your mother when she wakes up."
"...Yes."
I clear my throat and change the subject, and Yu Oh turns her gaze back to me.
"What is the relationship between the two of you?"
"We are friends."
"Friends you say...I hope you get along well."
"By the way, I have a question."
I take a sip of the black plum tea and ask her with a serious expression.
"What does Heavenly King designate mean?"
"It's so very obvious...it refers to you all. You have a rough idea already, no? Heavenly Rejected (天拒子) Esteemed One Seo?"
"...!"
I flinch in shock at her words.
Seo Ran looks at me, puzzled, not knowing what Heavenly Rejected means, and I stiffen my face and heighten my tension as I continue with my question.
"Does Heavenly Rejected being a Heavenly King mean...the Seven Brilliances Kings are referring to...'us' seven?"
"Yes. Even the Tridacna Vast Cold Heavenly King, the Vast Cold Heavenly Lord...was famous for calling upon the heavens in their distant youth during the Qi Refining stage's Seven Stars Ritual."
"..."
It seems she's indirectly telling me that the Vast Cold Heavenly Lord, the Seven Brilliances Kings, are 'Enders.'
"As you well know, the Seven Brilliances Kings are those that embody the hearts of beings. And you all, the seven Heavenly Rejected, are the candidates who are bound to become such Heavenly Kings. Therefore, studying the heart is inevitably essential for the Seven Brilliances Kings. Although it has been a short time so far...have you been studying the heart well?"
"Short time, huh...I've only lived about 700, or maybe 800 years, but I don't think it was that short of a time."
"Hoho...time isn't what's important. What matters more is what kind of heart you have experienced during that time. From what I see, Esteemed One seems to have studied the heart unexpectedly well. I'm saying this because I can sense the traces of Immortal Arts."
"I merely had the fortune to meet a good master and learn well."
Yu Oh's eyes sparkle as she questions me.
"I'm suddenly curious. I know you've only recently been promoted to Esteemed One, but...how can I feel the traces of the Immortal Art Examination of Doubts...? Which master did you meet and where did you study?"
"I merely met a good master and studied at a good place. Of course, as I am not as exceptional as Sacred Master Yu Oh, so I dare not raise my head..."
At my words, Yu Oh takes a sip of black plum tea and her eyes shine.
"It seems you have no intention of telling me."
"This is a bit difficult to say...but...are we not meeting for the first time today? Unless it is a matter of utmost importance, I cannot casually disclose my master's name."
"Meeting for the first time, huh...Haha, well...good. So you're saying we need to build a closer relationship."
She sets down her teacup and speaks.
"Then let me tell you an interesting story about the Heavenly Kings I know. How about building a closer relationship while listening to this?"
"Hmm...what kind of story is it?"
Chururuk—
Yu Oh pours more black plum tea and smiles.
Then, I can't help but be startled by the words that come from her mouth.
"Falling into a 'strange world', 'falling in love', 'inevitably losing that loved one', and 'through them realizing one's own fate'…a story about some moths... I'll tell you the beginning, development, twist, and conclusion."
"..."
It's obvious.
The 'moth' she is talking about refers to 'us'.
And I can instantly see something strange in her words.
'If you think about it...aren't they all similar?'
Kim Young-hoon, Jeon Myeong-hoon, Kang Min-hee, Oh Hyun-seok, Kim Yeon...regarding Oh Hye-seo, I just can't get a good grasp on her as a person.
They have all 'been separated from a loved one'.
In the case of Kim Young-hoon, it was even his wife.
'Why...are they similar?'
I feel an eerie sense of déjà vu as I focus on the story emerging from Yu Oh's mouth.
"I will begin the story. A very long time ago. There lived a monster called Obsidian."