Ziiing!
As the will emanates from the realm of Immortal Domain, the Esteemed Ones all shudder where they stand as though struck by a powerful shock.
However.
[Gal (喝)!]
At the thunderous roar of the Yellow Dragon Race Esteemed One, everyone quickly regains their senses.
[It seems you indeed have the skill to torture the Sacred Master. But it's still not enough.]
Huarururuk!
In the expanse of space, the body of a Yellow Dragon ignites in flames.
Simultaneously, I can see six stars within them.
'So, they completed the Heavenly Inner Diagram Great Star... They're in the late Star Shattering stage.'
In the Star Shattering stage, the number of stars naturally divides the ream into early, middle, and late.
If only the Heavenly Rain Great Star is created, it's the early stage.
Heavenly Rain, Heavenly Clearing, Heavenly Cloudiness, Heavenly Want of Connection, and Heavenly Crossing.
Up to five stars is the middle stage.
Beyond that, if one succeeds in attaching oneself to a larger planet for cultivation and gaining enlightenment on attraction force, then successfully creating the Heavenly Inner Diagram Great Star, one reaches the late stage.
Finally, upon creating the seventh star, the Heavenly Outer Diagram Great Star, by drawing in the energy of the entire universe through attraction force, one reaches the Grand Perfection Star Shattering stage.
Kugugugugu!
The six stars of the Yellow Dragon are linked to each other, exchanging star veins and amplifying their power.
Then, at the peak of that power!
Flash!
A Dragon Wave erupts from their mouth.
In an instant, the cosmic space lights up.
In the midst of this intense heat and light, I am momentarily reminded of the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra of the Great Mountain Supreme Deity.
[Very...good...]
Heaven above and heaven below are filled solely with the golden Dragon Wave.
From within it, I surge forth Glass True Fire and smile brightly.
[Even if I go a little rough, it won't break them...]
Kugugugugu!
The Bright Cold Realm's Yellow Dragon Race Esteemed One.
As Gyu Wol-jin spews a Dragon Wave from their mouth, they furrow their brows.
'I did expect this much because they said he's a madman who tortured the Sacred Master, but...truly terrifying indeed.'
Dudududududu!
Beyond the Dragon Wave, they catch sight of a monstrosity slowly breaking through and click their tongue inwardly.
'From what I heard, he joined hands with the Golden Divine's successor to exploit the Sacred Master's injury so...I thought he was merely someone who targeted others' weaknesses, but...no. This man is a veteran of many battles who has cut through brutal battlefields, overcoming opponents stronger than himself to make it this far.' 𝙍
Grasping the essence of Seo Eun-hyun at a glance, Wol-jin signals to the other Esteemed Ones.
Recognizing Wol-jin's signal, the Esteemed Ones adopt serious expressions and begin to draw upon their full power.
[He's a monster. Everyone, do not let your guard down.]
[Crush him with your full power!]
As everyone are individuals capable of foreseeing the future and discerning the wisdom of time and space, none gathered here underestimate Seo Eun-hyun.
Three Esteemed Ones from the Purple Gold Realm advance to the next floor.
The 99th, 98th, 97th, and 96th floors have already been breached, and the monstrous beings of each floor are currently emitting murderous intent toward Seo Eun-hyun.
[It would be nice if the Daoists of the Nether Ghost Realm were here.]
[It can't be helped. They all suddenly fell into madness and fled somewhere.]
[There's no time to lament those who are absent.]
They each ascend a floor, beginning to guide the minds of the floor masters who radiate killing intent towards Seo Eun-hyun.
The masters of each floor start to fix their gazes on Seo Eun-hyun.
Wuduk!
From within Wol-jin's Dragon Wave, a hand emerges.
It is a hand made of flames of glass.
Wudududuk!
As the hand breaks through the Dragon Wave, it gradually tears it apart, creating an exit pathway.
Finally, when he tears out from Wol-jin's Dragon Wave.
Flash!
Wol-jin stops emitting the Dragon Wave and quickly retreats.
The spot he vacated from is filled by the Esteemed Ones of the Ancient Force Realm.
Four Esteemed Ones of the Ancient Force Realm.
Sea Sinking Esteemed One, Wi Mu-cheon.
Red Tide Esteemed One, Gyo Wi.
Salt Sea Esteemed One, Yuk Jeung.
Great Pulse Esteemed One, Sa Ha.
They are the Esteemed Ones of the Sea King Race that is Hae Lin's collateral bloodline, the Red Shark Race, the Sea Dragon Race, and the Iron Crab Race respectively.
[So, you're the one they say brought Blood Yin, that bastard, and wrecked the Bright Cold Realm?]
Kwaang!
Salt Sea Esteemed One, Yuk Jeung.
The Esteemed One of the Sea Dragon Race descends toward Seo Eun-hyun in a half-human, half-dragon form and speaks.
Seo Eun-hyun raises one arm to block Yuk Jeung's foot and looks up at him.
Yuk Jeung grins widely and says,
[I couldn't care less about the Exile Order or whatever from Sacred Master Hae Lin, but just the fact that you aided that retarded immortal Blood Yin is reason enough to be your enemy!]
Demon Ability.
Three Hundred Million Jin Deep Sea Star (三億斤深海星).
Kugugugugu!
Droplet by droplet, a massive sphere of water forms around Seo Eun-hyun, each drop containing a weight of three hundred million jin.
At first, the water sphere seems to evaporate as it contacts the Glass True Fire, but it quickly grows in size, soon reaching a planetary scale.
Seo Eun-hyun is caught in the center of the planet-sized sea, feeling immense attraction forces compressing his body and the crushing pressure of the water from all sides.
[Perish!]
Pasasasasasa!
Pure white light bursts forth from various points within the sea of the Three Hundred Million Jin Deep Sea Star.
The salt in the sea emits light, transforming into a form of power on the Plane of Qi.
[Salt Sea Flooding the Heavens Esoteric Method (鹽
There is a legend in the Ancient Force Realm.
When the legendary divine skill, Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade, is mastered, it is said to grant supremacy of the Ancient Force Realm in one's hand.
Yuk Jeung once exterminated an esoteric cult in the Ancient Force Realm and killed its Chief Law Protector, obtaining a technique from the Law Protector's corpse.
That technique became their Innate True Method and is also derived from a portion of Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade's formula.
It is the peerless divine skill, Salt Sea Flooding the Heavens Esoteric Method.
[Behold, this is the pinnacle of esoteric methods honed over tens of thousands of years to kill Blood Yin and Ja Eum: Salt Sea Flooding the Heavens Esoteric Method!]
Kwarururung!
The entirety of the summoned Three Hundred Million Jin Deep Sea Star shines pure white and explodes.
The floor in the form of cosmic space quakes, piercing holes into the very fabric of space.
Wol-jin shouts at Yuk Jeung.
[Yuk Jeung! What are you doing, making a hole in the Tower of Trials!?]
[Huhaha! Who cares!? Now's not the time to worry about that trivial stuff!]
Then, in the midst of the pure white light exploded by Yuk Jeung's Salt Sea Flooding the Heavens Esoteric Words, a shadow begins to shimmer.
Shiiiiii—
As the light fades, a round crystal rests at the center of the explosion, as if sitting like an egg.
Crack!
In the next moment, the crystal shatters, and Seo Eun-hyun bursts forth from within.
[Not bad. If what you learned was at the level of Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade, it could have been dangerous.]
Then, he smirks.
[So, is it my turn now?]
Huarurururuk!
The Glass True Fire on Seo Eun-hyun's entire body flares up even more fiercely.
He appears completely unaffected by Yuk Jeung's recent attack!
[Launch a full assault! Don't give him any opportunities!]
Wi Mu-cheon from the Sea King Races cries out.
At the same time, the Esteemed Ones of the Ancient Force Realm pour their most powerful attacks towards Seo Eun-hyun once more.
Seo Eun-hyun forms hand seals.
Crystal Glass to Treading Sea Star.
Sword Sea Star Bod
Chwarararak!
The Glass True Fire blazing on his body transforms.
Each fire fragment of the Glass True Fire turns into a sword, whirling wildly around him.
At the same time, Seo Eun-hyun's hand begins to transform.
Huarurururuk!
His hand transforms completely into Glass True Fire and 'merges' perfectly with the Colorless Glass Sword that emerges from the void.
The next instant,
Taaatt!
The attraction force in the area twists violently, and Seo Eun-hyun leaps towards the Esteemed Ones of the Ancient Force Realm.
Outside the Lightning Sacred Sea.
There, everything remains calm, appearing just as it would under normal circumstances.
And, the four colossal beings surrounding the Lightning Sacred Sea each let out a sigh.
They are the Esteemed Ones of the Nether Ghost Realm.
[You all felt it too, didn't you?]
[I felt it. A Reaper of the Netherworld has undergone Divine Descent upon the Lightning Sacred Sea.]
[Hey, Black Ghost Palace brat! Say something! At our level, everyone knows your lot are just lackeys of the Underworld! So just why did a Reaper suddenly descend upon the Lightning Sacred Sea?]
[How would I know!? And you call us lackeys of the Underworld, but we're only the bottom of the bunch! We've never even glimpsed the real [Ship of the Underworld]. All we managed to do is glimpse the shadows to barely replicate the Nether Crossing Ship! If a Reaper suddenly descends, just what am I supposed to do about it!?]
Feeling the [terrifying aura of death] that had just descended upon the Lightning Sacred Sea, they bicker among themselves.
And just then,
Something begins to register in their foresight.
[H-Huuaaaaaa!]
[Reaper! It's a Reaper. A Reaper is descending!]
[Kiyaaaaa, run!]
[I, I can't die yet! Please forgive me. Please forgive me...!]
Seeing the scenes that unfold in their foresight, they all tremble in terror and leap to various parts of the universe, disappearing entirely.
And immediately after they flee,
Kwaaang!
The dimensional barrier of the Lightning Sacred Sea explodes apart as a colossal slash erupts outward.
From within that slash, twenty Esteemed Ones emerge, glancing inside with expressions of horror.
[Why are you all acting like this? Didn't you say you would capture me? Come then, try capturing me. I'm not running away!]
Dududududu!
Something strides forward from within.
At the same time, the fabric of space begins to tremble.
And, the three Esteemed Ones of the True Devil Realm watching him.
Black Fog Esteemed One, Oh Mu.
Violent Cliff Esteemed One, Tae Cheok.
Star Seeking Esteemed One, Yo Un.
The Black Smoke Race, whose body transforms into dark smoke.
The Dark Ape Race, descendants of the Immortal Beast Mountain-Destroying Demon Ape.
The Batwing Race, who have bat wings.
The three Esteemed Ones begin to use their devilish arts.
Tsssaaah!
A mist of curses spreads around, starting to bind Seo Eun-hyun.
Violent Cliff Esteemed One Tae Cheok charges at Seo Eun-hyun and throws a punch, while Star Seeking Esteemed One Yo Un, in the form of a young girl, opens her mouth wide behind him.
Then, Seo Eun-hyun releases his Glass True Fire.
Crystal Glass to Treading Sea Star.
Heavenly Shatter Star Bod
A pair of wings appears behind the Glass True Fire.
The wings forged from flames of glass seem to reflect both the vast sky and the starry night alternatively.
The pair of wings seems to absorb into Seo Eun-hyun's arms, and he extends his hand towards Violent Cliff Esteemed One Tae Cheok.
Jjeoong!
[What...!?]
Violent Cliff Esteemed One's eyes widen in shock.
In the next moment, he lets out a crazed scream and pulls back from Seo Eun-hyun.
A glass-colored flame clings to his hand.
Seo Eun-hyun reaches out his hand towards Star Seeking Esteemed One, who is opening her mouth to swallow him.
Crystal Glass to Treading Sea Star.
Twin Flowers Reaching the Heavens.
Yin Soul Flame.
Huarurururuk!
The dark Glass True Fire enters the mouth of Star Seeking Esteemed One, and shortly after, she immediately closes her mouth and struggles in agony.
The following instant, Seo Eun-hyun watches the black smoke covering him and lets out a sneer.
[This thing dares to scatter curses in the presence of this Esteemed One?]
Black Fog Esteemed One meets Seo Eun-hyun's gaze.
They hurriedly read the celestial energy and calculate the optimal future.
Then, they are stunned with shock.
In every future they see, the only outcome is themself, screaming like mad in agony.
[I'll teach you properly.]
Kugugugugu!
The Glass True Fire begins rotating around Seo Eun-hyun.
Crystal Glass to Treading Sea.
Avīci Hell Star Bod
[...!!!!!!]
The Glass True Fire turns black.
Simultaneously, the now darkened Glass True Fire envelops Seo Eun-hyun's entire body.
Black Fog Esteemed One, having stared at the dyed-black Seo Eun-hyun, feels their eyeballs explode.
[Huaaaahhh!!!]
They are struck with terror and flee.
For an Esteemed One to simply look at a curse and have their eyes explode...
This means that the being before them, at least in terms of curses, might be an entity infinitely close to a True Immortal.
[You can't escape.]
Crystal Glass to Treading Sea.
Avīci Hell Star Body.
Sword Sea Star Body.
Seo Eun-hyun's hand once again merges with the Colorless Glass Sword.
He swings the Colorless Glass Sword, now ablaze with Black Flame (黑炎).
Sub-Heart Sword.
Transcending Mountain Ridge Embedment.
The curse of the Avīci Hell Star Body, channeled through the inescapable Transcending Mountain Ridge Embedment, lodges together directly into the Black Fog Esteemed One.
The fleeing Black Fog Esteemed one lets out a terrifying scream, loud enough to echo throughout the entire neary star system, before turning into a star on the spot.
Having endured too much pain in a short period, their mind momentarily fell apart.
[No matter what, I can't let you go easily.]
Huarururk!
His body shifts from Black Flame back to ordinary glass-colored flames.
Simultaneously, Seo Eun-hyun extends both hands towards the other Esteemed Ones who are charging at him ferociously.
Crystal Glass to Treading Sea.
Mysterious Bizarre Star Bod
Thousands of strands of Glass True Fire spread out in all four directions from Seo Eun-hyun's body.
[Don't block it! Evade!]
Under the lead of Wol-jin, the Esteemed Ones of the Bright Cold Realm all evade, but the two remaining Esteemed Ones from the True Devil Realm, and the Ancient Force Realm Blood Shark Race Esteemed One Gyo Wi, get hit by the flame.
In that instant, Glass True Fire begins inscribing circuits onto their bodies.
[Kuaaaaargh!]
[Hukuaaaaah!]
Combining the spell of the Mysterious Bizarre Gu and the circuits of the Mad Lord, a technique that instantly turns those struck into puppets for manipulation hits the three Esteemed Ones.
Star Seeking Esteemed One, Violent Cliff Esteemed One, and Red Tide Esteemed One.
The three Esteemed Ones scream as they instantly fall under the control of Seo Eun-hyun and charge towards the other Esteemed Ones.
The Esteemed Ones of the Ancient Force Realm and the Bright Cold Realm.
And, the Esteemed Ones of the Purple Gold Realm, who had gone to control the monsters of the upper floors, now reveal themselves.
The master of the 96th floor.
A Thunder Corpse (雷尸) at the Grand Perfection Star Shattering stage charges at Seo Eun-hyun under the control of a Purple Gold Realm Esteemed One.
The master of the 97th floor, a Thunder Peng (雷鵬) at the Sacred Vessel level, flaps its wings, scattering a storm imbued with lightning, while the master of the 98th floor, a Thunder Bear (雷熊), begins gathering nearby nebulae, preparing for a supernova explosion.
Crystal Glass to Treading Sea.
Wind-Painting Star Body (風塗星體).
Interstellar wind begins to blow.
Summoning Wind Dragon Transformation, Great Desert to Dead Sea, and others.
The authority of Wind-Painting Star Body, which combines methods that manipulate wind and attraction force, controls the interstellar wind through attraction force.
Kugugugugu!
A tornado arises in the universe.
Glass True Fire mixes with the interstellar wind, scattering everywhere.
The Thunder Beasts of the Tower of Trials, struck by the Glass True Fire, all begin to howl in rage.
Not only are their spells disrupted by the interstellar wind, but the Glass True Fire brings a stinging pain to their bodies that seems almost unbearable.
Then, Seo Eun-hyun forms a hand seal.
Crystal Glass to Treading Sea.
Avīci Hell Star Body.
The Glass True Fire covering their bodies all at once transforms into a black-colored fire, imbued with 'all of Seo Eun-hyun's pain'.
As soon as the Thunder Beasts are struck by the black-colored flames, they scream, losing their minds from the pain and start fleeing far from the Lightning Sacred Sea.
When the energy of the Lightning Sacred Sea breaks, the Thunder Beasts disintegrate in unison.
Seo Eun-hyun smirks as he looks at the remaining Esteemed Ones.
Now, only five Esteemed Ones from the Bright Cold Realm remain in place.
Of the Yellow Dragon Race, Opening Heaven Esteemed One, Wol-jin.
Of the Horned Ox Race, Flattening Heaven Esteemed One, Ham Rak.
Of the Rotting Owl Race, Safe Heaven Esteemed One, Gwi Ro.
Of the Tall Tree Race, Slaughtering Heaven Esteemed One, Geuk Gwang.
Of the Fighting Ghost Race, Final Heaven Esteemed One, Jin Wol-ryeong.
Then, Geuk Gwang of the Tall Tree Race draws a silver-blue sword from their waist and shouts,
[I am a devotee of the Great Light.]
Paaatt!
A silver-white light surrounds them.
[Have you ever heard of this name?]
At Geuk Gwang's cry, the other Bright Cold Realm Esteemed Ones immediately seal their hearing.
[The Fifth Seat of the Radiance Eight Immortals, Sword Spear Heavenly Lord!]
Invoking the name of a True Immortal, Geuk Gwang pours all the silver-white light into their sword.
Using the name of a True Immortal as an attack, they enlarge the silver-blue sword.
Wo-woong!
The silver-blue giant sword appears in the cosmic space.
[O Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, please grant strength to your devotee!]
The divine light of the sword seems to illuminate the entire universe.
'No matter how strong that one is, how could he stand unscathed before the name of a divine spirit? No, even if he somehow remains unharmed, how could he ever stand against the might of the divine spirit itself?'
With a majestic and unshaken manner, they pray for the protection of the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, the divine spirit they serve.
[O Divine Spirit, please bestow your protection upon me!]
Like a priest offering a sacrifice, they extend both arms towards the divine light.
In the next moment.
The divine light of the sword begins to converge upon Seo Eun-hyun.
-x-X-x-
Paaaat!
A space of light.
Seo Eun-hyun feels as though he might be overwhelmed as he stares at the massive being standing before him.
'This is...the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord...?'
Before his eyes is a giant.
No, it isn't just any giant.
A silver-white monster.
A colossal god dressed in ancient immortal robes, wearing a miangun (crown) on its head and a mask of silver-white on its face!
As Seo Eun-hyun gazes at this being, he feels as if he is staring at a 'blade clothed in human skin.'
The being, whose face is obscured, looks down at Seo Eun-hyun.
From this being emanates an endless sense of despair!
An aura of overwhelming power and awe!
'I can't...endure this...'
Seo Eun-hyun's entire body trembles as though his mind is melting like wax.
'No...It can't end here!'
Yet, he does not crumble.
In this encounter that feels eternal, he clings to his consciousness until the end, maintaining his composure as he performs a respectful gesture.
[Greetings...to the...great one...]
It's when Seo Eun-hyun shows his respect.
The colossal being speaks.
: : As expected. I want to make you mine even at this very moment. : :
The being continues.
: : I want to chew you up. To bite and tear you apart. I want to steal that sword will and gaze upon it in ecstasy. I want to grind you into pieces and see what emerges. I want to pulverize your entire body into powder and drink it while watching if you still pursue the sword. I want to know how far your sword can reach. I want to strangle you until you cry helplessly and drop the sword from your hands. I want to embed my sword all over your body and impart my swordsmanship to you. I want to give you hope that your sword can surpass mine and then watch as that hope shatters. I want to shatter your sword into pieces before your very eyes and force you to eat it. I want to break, snap, and crush your sword and give you terror to the point that you can never look at the sword again. At the same time...: :
A voice dripping with obsession, almost sadistic in its intensity.
At last, Seo Eun-hyun, unable to bear it any longer, looks up at the being before him.
Kwaduduk!
Blades of all kinds sprout from Seo Eun-hyun's body and begin to devour him.
But he doesn't falter; he stares directly at the being.
Even if it means suffering from confronting this great being, it's a determination to say what must be said.
[My apologies, but.]
Interrupting the being's words, he utters a low, forceful declaration.
[The sword is already myself. Therefore, unless you break me, you cannot break my sword. And...as I am not composed of just myself, you will never be able to break just me!]
At those words, the silver-white being brings its massive face closer to Seo Eun-hyun, filled with sadistic delight.
Seo Eun-hyun feels the pressure of something akin to a galactic cluster approaching right in front of him.
: : Then, how about tearing apart what is precious to you and crushing it before your eyes, repeating this a hundred billion times? : :
[Do you even know what is precious to me...?]
Wuduk, Wududuk!
Seo Eun-hyun is being swallowed by the blades.
Swords, spears, arrows, and countless other war weapons grow from his entire body, devouring him.
Yet, even as his very being is consumed, even as excruciating pain floods his entire body, he does not retreat and shouts firmly.
: : What is it? : :
[It is everything.]
: : Everything? : :
[Yes. Every moment I have lived, am living, and will live. Each and every single moment is what is most precious to me.]
He briefly closes his eyes.
Perhaps Geuk Gwang of the Tall Tree Race played a trick, for he found himself dropped into this space.
However, he is not particularly afraid.
It is not because the being before him reveals some sadistic fascination with him.
Through encounters with Great Mountain, Yeong Seung, and Blood Yin, has already experienced dreadful and extreme pain and despair.
For that reason, when it comes to 'pain,' he is no longer afraid of anything in all phenomena.
'What's truly frightening is not that...What's frightening is...'
It is when the deepest, most fundamental part of his heart gets broken.
It is when the very existence of the 'preciousness of life itself' that has sustained the being known as Seo Eun-hyun get shattered.
'It is when my heart breaks.'
As long as his heart does not break, there is nothing to fear.
Thinking this, Seo Eun-hyun opens his mouth.
[I am most grateful for life and consider it the most precious. Therefore, you cannot destroy what is precious to me. Because...even you are included in what is precious to me.]
At his words, the silver-white colossal god pauses and looks at him.
: : How arrogant. : :
Seo Eun-hyun only smiles in silence.
: : Arrogant, arrogant, and even more aarrogant. Have you perhaps inherited traces from those arrogant mountains? Indeed...it seems I must pin you beneath me, pierce your body with swords, and watch as you wail for my urge can be satisfied...Yet, even so...still...: :
Sururuk—
The silver-white colossal god dissolves into pure white light and disappears.
Seo Eun-hyun feels something like the soft touch of slender jade-like fingers stroking him from behind.
Pasasasa—
The swords sprouting from his body melt away in an instant.
: : I want to see your sword surpass mine. : :
Shwaaaa—
With those words, the silver-white monster.
The will of the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord vanishes from the space.
At the same time, Seo Eun-hyun feels the entire world of light, composed of divine sword radiance, seep into his body.
When he comes to his senses, he is once again facing the Esteemed Ones.
Slaughtering Heaven Esteemed One, Geuk Gwang, is staring at him with an astonished expression.
Seo Eun-hyun glances around briefly.
'Is this the blessing of the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord?'
In that instant, he realizes what kind of divine powers he can manifest through his sword when he thrusts it.
As long as this blessing is with him, he will be able to display all divine powers through his sword.
Even the only two weaknesses of Crystal Glass to Treading Sea would no longer hold any meaning to him.
'The extreme of a sword cultivator.'
He knows now that if he moves his sword now, the path to the utmost limit as a sword cultivator will open.
He could summon rain and wind with the sword, cause earthquakes and tsunamis, and bring down meteor showers to destroy civilizations.
With a single sword, he could annihilate the universe, and with a single sword, recreate it.
It is possible to encapsulate all phenomena within the sword.
Seo Eun-hyun contemplates.
'Then, is this the extreme of the sword, or the extreme of spells in the form of a sword?'
When Seo Eun-hyun extends his arm, divine radiance naturally condenses, forming a silver-white sword in his hand.
The sword looks far nobler and more sacred than the silver-blue sword held by Geuk Gwang.
[Why, why, why...!]
Geuk Gwang trembles with an expression that says he might collapse at any moment.
[I, I was the first...I was the first to serve that being...'That' is a blessing I have yet to receive...Why is it you...]]
And in the next moment.
Seo Eun-hyun closes his eyes briefly and then opens them, as if finally making up his mind.
He breaks the silver-white sword floating above his hand in one swift motion.
[Wh-what, what, what...what have you done!!!]
Geuk Gwang's eyes roll back halfway, and Seo Eun-hyun, with a determined expression, disperses the light completely as he speaks.
[I have no need for power thrown to me by others.]
Everything has been built by his own efforts.
Even though his martial arts were created by Kim Young-hoon, it was he who mastered it with his own two hands through blood, sweat, and toil.
Even though someone had assisted him with cultivation methods, it was he who ultimately mastered it.
Even if there had been help from predecessors, it was always he who ultimately mastered it on his own.
[I have understood the extreme of a sword cultivator well. Someday, I will reach it with 'my own power.']
Seo Eun-hyun shouts as he looks at the shattered fragments of the sword before him.
[Thank you for showing me the path. I do not need the blessing. I will reach that place with my strength alone, and that is enough!]
Wo-woong!
The shards of the silver-white sword tremble in place before scattering into the void.
Seo Eun-hyun feels as if a powerful heartbeat, full of exhilaration, echoes in his ears, but he no longer listens.
What matters now are those standing before him.
[Come at me.]
With that, Geuk Gwang draws their sword and charges.
[I Will Kill You!!!]
Sap stream down from their eyes.
From the front is Slaughtering Heaven Esteemed One, Geuk Gwang.
From behind, Final Heaven Esteemed One, Jin Wol-ryeong, advances.
Paaaatt!
A vast radiance descends behind Geuk Gwang.
Seo Eun-hyun feels as though eight enormous giants are dwelling within that halo of light.
'Does the technique itself draws upon the Radiance Eight Immortals...!'
Seo Eun-hyun perceives his back.
Final Heaven Esteemed One Jin Wol-ryeong forms a hand seal.
Origin Star.
Combat Technique Form!
Kugugugugu!
Seo Eun-hyun's eyes widen.
For a moment, it seems as if Jin Wol-ryeong's Origin Star manifests before compressing and taking the form of Jin Wol-ryeong, like Seo Eun-hyun.
But what surprises Seo Eun-hyun is not that.
'Winged garments!? Heaven and Earth Dual Cultivation!'
Jin Wol-ryeong, like Seo Eun-hyun, dons 'winged garments.'
The 'rings' of Star Shattering Origin Stars, when compressed into the Combat Technique Form, transform into 'winged garments.'
In other words, Jin Wol-ryeong of the Fighting Ghost Race is also a maniac who has exploded their completed Origin Star once more to achieve Heaven and Earth Dual Cultivation, just like Seo Eun-hyun!
[Fighting Step second stage.]
One of Jin Wol-ryeong's arms shifts as if transforming into a tentacle before morphing into a bone-laden thorn bush that lunges at Seo Eun-hyun.
From the front is the charging Geuk Gwang, borrowing the power of the Radiance Eight Immortals. From behind is Jin Wol-ryeong, a mid Star Shattering stage Heaven and Earth Dual Cultivation practitioner, rushing forward.
From below, Safe Heaven Esteemed One Gwi Ro of the Rotting Owl Race attempts to swallow Seo Eun-hyun with their unique corrosion technique. From above, Trampling Heaven Esteemed One Ham Rak continuously absorbs Heaven and Earth spiritual energy, amplifying their own Qi.
And in the far distance, Opening Heaven Esteemed One Wol-jin seems to be gathering strength for a powerful strike.
'Indeed, the Bright Cold Realm Esteemed Ones are formidable.'
Though surpassed in numbers compared to the Esteemed Ones of the Blood Yin Realm, in terms of quality, each one is powerful enough to overwhelm those from the Blood Yin Realm.
[You are the best among them.]
Seo Eun-hyun begins to exert his power.
Crystal Glass to Treading Sea.
Sword Sea Star Body.
The Colorless Glass Sword merges with his body.
Wuduk, Wudududuk!
From various parts of Seo Eun-hyun's body, Colorless Glass Swords emerge.
Full Body Sword Draw
Three thousand Colorless Glass Swords erupt forth, shooting forward like arrows.
[All-Heavens.]
Seo Eun-hyun's hand appears to distort for a moment.
Simultaneously, his hand fused with the Colorless Glass Sword morphs in an eerie manner, becoming a gigantic slash that sweeps the surroundings.
The Glass True Fire dances in the void.
The flames of glass transform into sword slashes, cutting through everything in their path.
A world of an instant.
Geuk Gwang is sliced apart along with their sword.
Safe Heaven Esteemed One Gwi Ro launches the corrosion technique at Seo Eun-hyun, but it burns away in the Glass True Fire, forcing them to morph into an owl the size of a satellite and retreat.
But by then, both their wings have already been severed by All-Heavens.
The only ones who manage to respond to Seo Eun-hyun are Jin Wol-ryeong, the Heaven and Earth Dual Cultivation practitioner who has reached the second stage of Fighting Step,
And Trampling Heaven Esteemed one Ham Rak of the Horned Ox Race.
[More, more...! Make me happier! More, more, more...! Huuugh!]
Seo Eun-hyun grabs Jin Wol-ryeong's horn and scatters sword slashes across her entire body.
Perhaps it's due to the Fighting Ghost Race's innate nature to become aroused during battle, she faces Seo Eun-hyun with a face filled with ecstasy.
But that too is only an instant.
Soon, she is flung away, her entire body slashed apart after being unable to block more than a single slash from Seo Eun-hyun.
'These insane muscle-bound Fighting Ghost Race bastards...'
Seo Eun-hyun realizes that there are places where his sword slashes did not cut properly due to her massive muscles, and he clicks his tongue.
'That woman will recover soon enough. That leaves these two.'
Opening Heaven Esteemed One, Gyu Wol-jin.
Trampling Heaven Esteemed One, Ham Rak.
They are cultivators from the Yellow Dragon Race and Horned Ox Race, respectively. Interestingly, both belong to the Earth Tribe.
Among them, Seo Eun-hyun's eyes fixate on the Esteemed One of the Horned Ox Race, Ham Rak.
[A martial artist at Tribulating Heavens, I see.]
Ham Rak, whose upper body resembles an ox and lower body a human, lets out a snort and greets Seo Eun-hyun respectfully.
[So that's what you call the Third Realm of Non-Toppling (不顚). I shall learn a thing or two from a senior who has entered the Second Realm of Non-Standing (不立) like Senior Jang Ik!]
[So you call Three Heavens Beyond the Path as Three Realms of Non-Toppling, and Three Flowers Wuji as Three Realms of Non-Standing, huh. Interesting.]
[Huhu. To not fall down, and at the end, to not rise up. Isn't it interesting? Since Senior practices Land and Will Dual Cultivation like me, and is even a Heaven and Earth Dual Cultivation practitioner, you would know even better. That when one becomes a Star Shattering Esteemed One, one ultimately loses Manifestation.]
Seo Eun-hyun, looking intrigued, asks him.
[Then how do you maintain your Manifestation?]
[If not falling is Non-Toppling, and not rising is Non-Standing...I have chosen not to rise but also not to fall.]
Seo Eun-hyun looks at him with eyes of pity.
To not rise but also not fall.
In other words, they are willing to remain forever in place, never progressing beyond that stage, in exchange for maintaining Manifestation.
It is not just about Manifestation.
They have also stopped cultivating the Earth Tribe Methods.
The choice to completely forgo advancement and stay eternally in place for the sake of sustaining the two realms.
That is the path Ham Rak has chosen.
[...Are you fine with that?]
[Huhu, you have the same eyes as Senior Jang Ik. But it's fine. This, too, will have its own path, after all. Now, enough with the idle chatter!]
Kugugugugugu!
Seven stars are felt within Ham Rak's body.
Seo Eun-hyun smirks.
'A Tribulating Heavens at the Grand Perfection Star Shattering stage...good.'
Pasasasasasasa!
He suppresses the Glass True Fire of the Crystal Glass to Treading Sea.
Instead, he faces Ham Rak holding only the Colorless Glass Sword.
The two martial artists clash within the sea of stars.
Manifestation.
Non-Toppling, Non-Standing (不顚不立).
Ham Rak's Manifestation that [Absolutely Does Not Change] meets Seo Eun-hyun's All-Heavens Sword that [Changes Into Everything].
Flash!
In the next moment.
Ham Rak's body splits apart.
At the same time, Seo Eun-hyun's chest caves in, and his entire right waist and ribs are torn away.
Neither being bleeds, as both have surpassed the limits of life.
In the place that is split and broken, only starlight shimmers faintly.
But in the next moment, Ham Rak smiles.
[So, that is...the higher stage...Thank you. Thank you...! Senior!]
With those words, they collapse unconscious.
[Guaaaaahhhh!]
Jin Wol-ryeong, having recovered, charges at Seo Eun-hyun again.
And Wol-jin, who has been gathering energy, finally rises.
Dududududu.
Behind Wol-jin, the form of a giant dragon appears.
As soon as Seo Eun-hyun sees the dragon form, his mind wavers as if it's breaking, and he feels blood trickling from his seven orifices.
'That's...!'
[Huha, play with me more!]
He slashes through the persistently clinging Jin Wol-ryeong again and burns his sword into flames through the Avīci Hell Star Body.
Finally, Jin Wol-ryeong loses consciousness from the pain.
Seo Eun-hyun kicks Jin Wol-ryeong into space, focusing on the momentum building from Wol-jin.
'Lofty Dragon...!'
The form of Lofty Dragon rises behind Wol-jin.
Wol-jin is drawing forth the power of their Immortal Beast bloodline to the fullest, invoking the power of their ancestor.
The direct bloodline of Lofty Dragon.
That is Wol-jin.
Goooooo!
The cosmic space quivers.
The next moment, Seo Eun-hyun is struck by the tail of Lofty Dragon's form and is hurled far away, all the way to a distant star away from the Lightning Sacred Sea.
'Kugh...!'
Wol-jin closes the distance instantly using the ground-shrinking technique.
Jjeoook!
The form of Lofty Dragon behind Wol-jin opens its mouth.
Kwaaaang!
The illusion of Lofty Dragon, vast enough to join together dozens of planets, directly bites down on the planet Seo Eun-hyun crashed into.
The planet he slammed into shatters, and Seo Eun-hyun, caught between Lofty Dragon's upper and lower teeth, holds on to resist being crushed.
'I tried to dodge, but couldn't...This feeling. It's [Certain Hit].'
His eyes glimmer.
'I'm starting to grasp the principle of [Certain Strike]. Is it bestowing the fortune of 'definitely being struck' on the opponent...'
Guguguguguguk!
Caught between Lofty Dragon's teeth and enduring to avoid being crushed, he activates Avīci Hell Star Body.
Glass True Fire dyes black and surges into the interior of Lofty Dragon's illusion.
However, Seo Eun-hyun clicks his tongue.
There's no reaction.
'Because it's an illusion from the past...present pain doesn't affect it. Damn it...I thought the weaknesses of the Crystal Glass to Treading Sea were only two, but it turns out there's a third.'
So far, he has identified three weaknesses of Crystal Glass to Treading Sea.
The third, just now discovered, is the 'illusion of the past.'
The advantage of the Glass True Fire that transmits Seo Eun-hyun's pain is nullified completely.
The second is 'attacks that use the heart, like those from the Heart Tribe or complete Immortal Arts.'
In the Plane of Soul, the power of Seo Eun-hyun's attacks are halved, and if it is a complete Immortal Art that uses only the heart without relying on attraction force, it can shatter the pain inflicted by the Crystal Glass to Treading Sea head-on and even critically injure Seo Eun-hyun.
The first is 'salt.'
Salt, which symbolizes 'repentant enlightenment' in the higher planes, can completely extinguish and destroy the pain of the Glass True Fire. Therefore, in the Plane of Qi, salt itself has a property that disperses the formula of the Crystal Glass to Treading Sea, weakening the flames of the Glass True Fire.
'It's fortunate I took down the Sea Dragon who was using that Salt Sea Esoteric Method or whatever...'
Seo Eun-hyun breathes a sigh of relief and begins to subdue the Crystal Glass to Treading Sea within the mouth of Lofty Dragon trying to crush him.
As Crystal Glass to Treading Sea subsides, Seo Eun-hyun's 'heart' begins to stir.
Dudududududu!
Immortal Arts activate.
The Immortal Art Various Omens trigger the forces of Rain, Sunlight, Heat, Cold, Wind, and Time, causing 'Twilight' to whirl around him.
The attraction force distorts spacetime, accelerating the flow of time around Lofty Dragon.
Seo Eun-hyun smirks while looking at Wol-jin.
[You can't sustain your ancestor's dharma form indefinitely, can you?]
Wol-jin's opens their eyes wide.
[Human...just how deep is your understanding of Immortal Arts...!]
They look at Seo Eun-hyun in ridiculous disbelief, biting down on their teeth.
[Fine. Then I'll end this in one blow! Go!]
Lofty Dragon's dharma form.
A vast energy wave is felt from deep within its maw.
Seo Eun-hyun's expression changes for the first time.
[...This is quite serious.]
Kwaaang!
Seo Eun-hyun narrowly escapes from Lofty Dragon's mouth, cold sweat dripping as he grips the Colorless Glass Sword.
Kiiiiing!
He draws a circle.
Simultaneously, Seo Eun-hyun's mind once again soars into the Immortal Domain.
'I have to block this. This is...dangerous.'
This is Lofty Dragon who was once a Great Net Immortal.
Even though they descended into the Entering Nirvana stage, even though they are only manifested as an illusion through the power of their descendant's' bloodline, their full-out single strike surpasses the casual single strike of Blood Yin, who swung as if to swat away a bug.
The Sumeru Sword Dance, borrowing the power of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain, bursts forth from Seo Eun-hyun's sword as Lofty Dragon's dragon wave engulfs him.
The next moment.
The universe briefly brightens.
Chiiiiii—
I stare at my trembling body.
'Ah...this isn't the 999th cycle.'
I thought I was going to die.
At the same time, I reflect on myself for having tried to deal with the Esteemed Ones with such an an arrogant mindset.
"Keheok...heok..."
I vomit lava from my mouth.
Having become a star, my body no longer expels blood but instead spews lava or Heaven and Earth spiritual energy.
"Heheok...heok..."
Just now, I truly thought the world was ending.
The Heaven and Earth spiritual energy that filled my entire body and the Glass True Fire of Crystal Glass to Treading Sea are now reduced to mere specks.
Fortunately, the production of Heaven and Earth spiritual energy from my Origin Star is slowly recovering my body, but it seems it will be a long time before I am fully restored.
However, I smile faintly.
Ssssss—
The dharma form of Lofty Dragon True Person that had unleashed the dragon wave dissipates.
Now, all that remains is...
Wol-jin, utterly exhausted from summoning the dharma form of Lofty Dragon.
'No...the other Esteemed Ones are also gradually recovering.'
This is an Esteemed One.
No matter how severe the injuries, they recover almost instantly through the self-production of Heaven and Earth spiritual energy.
To counter this kind of monstrous regenerative ability, one must either kill them outright or use attacks through Immortal Arts.
I look at Wol-jin and ask.
"Are you still willing to try, Daoist Gyu?"
Wol-jin returns to their human form with a darkened expression.
"How could that be? It is our defeat."
"Haha, why so? Right now, my power is completely drained, and it looks like Daoist Gyu and your comrades have almost fully recovered."
"We have realized that your capability in Immortal Arts is so high to the point that it treats us as nothing in comparison. Even if your energy has waned, challenging you would only make us fools. Moreover...you are also a practitioner at the fifth stage of Manifestation. Not just a grandmaster of Immortal Arts, but the fifth stage of Manifestation...We do not have the confidence to defeat the distinguished one...Indeed. Torturing the Sacred Master was not through trickery, but through your own power..."
'It was a trick at that time though...'
I decide to remain silent.
If I say that I had just reached Void Shattering then and that my Heaven and Earth cultivation was only at the Integration stage, they wouldn't believe me.
'If I say I reached Star Shattering within that brief period of time, they might think I'm mocking them...'
"Besides...it seems the distinguished one still has things hidden, right?"
At that, I simply give a meaningful smile.
Indeed, I have yet to reveal the artificial stars of the Mad Lord and 3 forms of Crystal Glass to Treading Sea, which means I can still crush them at any time if I bring those out.
'I was going to educate them thoroughly...but if they're taking this submissive an attitude, there's no helping it.'
"...Then, how do fellow Daoists plan to deal with your business with this one?"
"We will make compensation for the unfortunate incident earlier. Moreover, it seems your cultivation method doesn't have much to do with the Blood Yin Realm...and judging by the expression of the Trampling Heaven Esteemed One who is also of the Heart Tribe, you don't seem to be that much of an evil breed either. As for your character...we'll observe a bit more."
"Hmmm..."
I stroke my chin and ask.
"That doesn't seem to be everything. Is there more?"
"...This is why the Heart Tribe."
"I can still read a bit of Daoist's intent since your will has not fully materialized into attraction force yet."
Wol-jin bursts into boisterous laughter and speaks.
"When one reaches the Star Shattering stage, within the Origin Star, the Great Nature begins to circulate. However, no matter how much the Great Nature circulates, to 'produce' Heaven and Earth spiritual energy, the size of the Great Nature must be immense, and there must be many Great Natures capable of 'interacting' with each other. In other words..."
His next words make me flinch.
"In the early Star Shattering stage, it is absolutely impossible to produce Heaven and Earth spiritual energy. Producing Heaven and Earth spiritual energy with only one star? It's nonsense. For all Esteemed Ones, the 'minimum' is the mid Star Shattering stage, and on average, it's the late Star Shattering stage. In other words, when five to six Origin Stars are formed can one 'produce' Heaven and Earth spiritual energy. That's why this Esteemed One thought the distinguished one was at the late or Grand Perfection Star Shattering stage at first."
"..."
"But for an early Star Shattering stage...to produce power equivalent to Grand Perfection with only one star. And that too with Heaven and Earth Dual Cultivation! This Esteemed One has never encountered an existence like the distinguished one before. With your level... you will surely reach the rank of True Immortal someday. If we aren't going to kill the distinguished one here and now, we would rather not offend a future Great Immortal (大仙)."
I feel my face flush and wave my hand.
"You flatter me too much. But thank you, nonetheless."
"Haha, there's no need for modesty. Anyway...this Esteemed One will go back to find my comrades and return to the Lightning Sacred Sea. Huuuu...we'll have to start the conquest from the first floor of the Lightning Sacred Sea again."
They let out a deep sigh, and I chuckle heartily and speak.
"Don't worry. You'll likely be able to continue from the floor you conquered. Since the master of the 98th floor was killed, you can start from the 99th floor."
"What? What do you mean?"
"I met a being called the Golden Shaking Bird..."
I relay the information about Golden Shaking Bird.
Soon after having heard my explanation, Wol-jin adopts a contemplative expression.
"A being capable of overriding the authority of the Tower of Trials to that extent...? Hmm...I'll need to revisit some ancient texts I once found before."
"Do as you please. As for me...I still have an unfinished duel, so I'll be on my way."
"Ah...with the Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One...Do as you wish. This Esteemed One needs to find the Daoists of the Nether Ghost Realm, so..."
They gesture for me to go to do as I please, and I re-enter the depths of the Lightning Sacred Sea.
Inside the Lightning Sacred Sea.
Within the spatial barrier where Jang Ik is sleeping.
I knock on the spatial barrier and shout.
"Master, please wake up."
Thud, thud, thud, thud!
But there's no response from inside.
"Master!"
I sigh and draw my sword.
"I know you're pretending to sleep. Please wake up."
Kukwagwagwang!
The moment I raise my sword as such and strike down on the barrier, my head is severed.
-x-X-x-
'...Huh?'
I feel puzzled as my neck is severed.
'It's not Jang Ik?'
It can't be Jang Ik.
If it were Jang Ik, he wouldn't have delivered this kind of absurd strike against an Esteemed One at the Star Shattering stage.
'Jang Ik would know that those at our level won't die even if their heads are cut off.'
With my head flying off, I quickly assume a stance.
In the next moment,
Kwarururung!
Inside the spatial barrier, a golden lightning bolt emerges.
A single Thunder Bee (雷蜂) appears, grasps my severed head, and flies off somewhere.
"...!"
'I see. This isn't Jang Ik but the master of the 99th floor!'
My expression naturally darkens.
Come to think of it, something felt strange.
Although I had pierced through to the 99th floor, the masters of the 96th, 97th, and 98th floors had shown themselves, but not even the nose of the 99th floor master was nowhere to be seen.
'Then what about Jang Ik!?'
I search for Jang Ik.
And I find him immediately.
Kugwagwagwang!
The 99th floor.
Jang Ik is there, swinging his podao against thousands of Thunder Bees, preventing them from descending below the 99th floor.
Boo-woong!
As the Thunder Bee that holds my face passes by him, our gazes meet briefly.
Clicking his tongue as if in disbelief, he mutters.
"...We fell for it splendidly. All of us..."
Soon later.
At the center of the 99th floor, filled with Thunder Bees.
What stands before me stands is an enormous hive the size of a continent, attached to a tree as massive as several planets combined.
The Thunder Bee carries me inside the hive.
To its most secret chamber.
'I was wondering why it only brought my head. It must have been some kind of sorcerous act.'
I click my tongue internally.
To a Star Shattering Esteemed One, a 'head' is not a significant part.
Considering the main body is a star, what meaning does a head hold?
Even if their head is cut off, an Esteemed One can continue to remain there and act as if nothing happened.
However, this bee cleanly severed my head and simultaneously pulled my 'soul and spirit' along with it.
It must have established some kind of sorcery through the act of 'decapitation' to extract my soul and spirit to this place.
Woooo-woong!
Then, I finally see the true nature of the bee that brought my head here.
Crackling—
With sparks of thunder crackling, the bee soon takes on a human form.
Long hair.
Pale white feet.
A mature-looking woman clad in a robe of thunder and lightning.
It's a woman befitting the description 'adult form of the Golden Shaking Bird.'
As she transforms into a human form, I feel her presence descend heavily over the entire 99th floor.
Considering that each floor is akin to a separate dimension, it means that she has filled this entire dimension with her presence.
From that alone, I can immediately infer this woman's level.
'Entering Nirvana... A True Person!'
The being before me is a Quasi-Immortal!
Just a step below a True Immortal.
"...First of all, why did you bring only my severed head here?"
While testing whether I can communicate with my body, I subtly channel the power of Void Shattering and Immortal Arts while trying to avoid detection.
[I saw the distinguished one fighting the projection of Lofty Dragon. Hence, I figured that if I brought your entire body, I wouldn't be able to handle it. That's why I only brought your soul and spirit along with your head connected to it.]
"The distinguished one's realm is...Quasi-Immortal, correct?"
[In terms of the Immortal Cultivation realm of a cultivator, that would be correct.]
"What is the reason for bringing me here?"
[It is to escort you to the 100th floor.]
"What is your relationship with Golden Shaking Bird?"
Since she answers all my questions willingly, I continue to inquire.
Then, when she hears the question regarding Golden Shaking Bird, she smiles with an oddly chilling expression.
[My roots (根源)... In the terms of your people...the word 'mother' would be most fitting.]
"...!"
I glare at her and speak.
"...The reason you are taking me to the 100th floor. Is it related to your 'mother'?"
[You could say so...]
Just then,
Jjeooong!
An enormous roar erupts from the distance.
It sounds as if a dragon's cry bursts forth from a distant place, and suddenly, I find myself in the space where Jang Ik, Gyu Wol-jin, and I are gathered.
"This place...!"
Jang Ik sighs and speaks.
"This is a space that I and that Gyu fellow created by combining our powers. Using my heart essence, your heart essence, and Gyu's Immortal Beast bloodline, we temporarily created an inviolable consciousness space."
The podao that Jang Ik had sent into my heart essence in the past.
It seems that he used the trace of that podao to instantly link our heart essences, and with the power of Lofty Dragon, Wol-jin created this temporary space.
Each step of it is astonishingly intricate, and I can't help but be impressed.
"Incredible. Anyway, I am currently in a situation where I've been kidnapped by the Quasi-Immortal-level Thunder Beast that seems to be the master of the 99th floor."
"I know. And the reason I called you here is because that Gyu Wol-jin fellow said he has something to say to you."
We quickly exchange words.
In any case, we had cleared up to the 98th floor, but with a Quasi-Immortal appearing as the master of the 99th floor and me, the strongest among us, being kidnapped by that Quasi-Immortal, time is of the essence.
Wol-jin promptly speaks.
"While briefly flipping through some ancient texts, I found a record about the 'Golden Shaking Bird' that the distinguished one mentioned and the Tower of Trials. It was said right there. That the Golden Shaking Bird is the master of the Tower of Trials located within the Lightning Sacred Sea, the master of the 100th floor, and the final gatekeeper."
"...As I thought."
Wol-jin speaks with a darkened expression.
"Distinguished one said that this Golden Shaking Bird once helped you, correct? However, according to the ancient text, among the subordinates of the Golden Divine of Lightning, the Thunder Beast Golden Shaking Bird is particularly cruel, violent, and cunning, skilled at deceiving people. I believe it may have deceived the distinguished one."
"Hmm...!"
"For now, I am doing my best to prevent the Thunder Bees of the 99th floor from descending below the 98th floor. The problem is, the hole between the 99th and 98th floors is about to close. If that happens, your soul and spirit might be trapped by that Quasi-Immortal for a thousand, ten thousand years. We decided to rescue you before that happens."
"Is there a way?"
Jang Ik nods and draws his podao.
"I'm going to embed my podao in you. Then, in the Plane of Soul, I'll pull my podao and you down to the 98th floor. All the Esteemed Ones, including Wol-jin, will use their strength to pull your soul, so respond well. It'll feel like your soul is being torn apart, but bear with it."
"Understood. Then I will also embed my own..."
"I understand."
I embed my Sub-Heart Sword into Jang Ik's heart essence to make it easier for him to pull me.
Jang Ik embeds Collapsing Immortals Annihilating Heavens into my heart essence.
We quickly connect, and we each grasp the 'link' that forms between Jang Ik and me.
"Alright then, I'll start pulling..."
Just as Jang Ik, Wol-jin, and the other Esteemed Ones on the lower floor are about to pull me.
Ching—
Time seems to have stopped.
And within this frozen time, I am the only one conscious.
'What is this...?'
Step, step, step...
In this space, created from the heart essences of Jang Ik and me.
An outsider steps in all too naturally.
She has soft, pure white feet.
She wears a robe made of lightning and appears as a young girl with platinum hair.
It's the Immortal Beast of Yang Su-jin, Golden Shaking Bird.
She smiles faintly as she looks at me before speaking.
[I have come to rescue you. Please follow me.]
"...What are you doing?"
[For now, please come with me. This is a dimension where the descendant of Lofty Dragon used Lofty Dragon's power to establish laws, so it was difficult to enter forcibly. It's not easy to endure either.]
"No, I will not leave."
[Yes, please do not worry. You will not have to move a single finger.]
Snap!
As she snaps her fingers, my consciousness suddenly shifts to the 99th floor.
I am back in front of the Thunder Bee Queen who is known as the child of Golden Shaking Bird.
The Thunder Bee Queen, upon seeing Golden Shaking Bird suddenly appear, bows toward her from her seat.
[I offer a bow to the master.]
[Enough with the greetings. And there is no need to call me master. For there will be a new master to take that place.]
Grabbing my hair, she lifts it and starts walking somewhere.
As she proceeds, the Thunder Bee Queen extends her arm, opening a dimensional gate.
Step, step...
The Golden Shaking Bird opens the dimensional gate with me, and beyond the 99th floor—
I arrive in one motion to the 100th floor of the Tower of Trials within the Lightning Sacred Sea.
Wo-woong!
The 100th floor of the Tower of Trials feels like a rooftop.
Above the tower's rooftop that resembles a barren plain, there looms a massive apparatus, similar to a celestial sphere.
As I look at the structure of that celestial sphere, I flinch in surprise.
'...Yeong Seung?'
Seen at the end of the 19th cycle, the structure looks quite similar to the South Polar Ritual Treasure, Yeong Seung.
However, unlike Yeong Seung, it does not have the mysterious and divine inscriptions engraved on it, nor does it exude such an overwhelming aura.
The celestial sphere of the top floor of the Tower of Trials only moves slowly, occasionally emitting a faint glow that resembles constellations, appearing to be nothing more than a massive mechanical device.
[What do you think? This is the Myriad Realms emergency exit my master threatened the Heavenly Craftsman to make. Created to escape from the Owner of Heavenly Punishment, this is the Immortal Treasure, Great Desolate Path (洪荒道). Though, without a substitute for its personality, it's just a giant lump of scrap metal. In the past, it used to be a 'path that can go anywhere,' but now it's just a 'prison that can go nowhere.']
"...What is the reason you brought me here?"
[It is to gift the distinguished one this marvelous Immortal Treasure, Great Desolate Path, along with the authority to control the entire Tower of Trials. Do you like it?]
"If that was the case, you could have just explained it back in the garden. What is the reason for going through all this trouble to bring me here?"
[Huhu...you're so pure. The complete opposite of my former master...]
Golden Shaking Bird chuckles and places my head down on the ground.
[First, let me reintroduce myself. Greetings, I am Golden Shaking Bird. I am the attendant concubine and pet of Golden Divine Yang Su-jin...as well as the combat weapon, fully matured Thunder Beast. At the same time, I am the collective of all the vengeful spirits of the Thunder Bird Golden Shaking Sect, which followed Yang Su-jin faithfully only to be annihilated by his hand. I am the administrator who manages the 'Tower of Trials' after being bound to the Tower of Trials' 100th floor after the death of Yang Su-jin...and also a pitiful existence whose body is being torn apart piece by piece by the very tower itself.]
She kneels in front of me and gently strokes my head.
[Master was truly cruel, wasn't he? He grinded the sect that followed him without a hint of hesitation and turned them into a monster. After using that as a combat weapon to his heart's content, he left with just the single sentence 'I'm going back home.' When I clung to him, begging to follow, he tied me to his ring finger and discarded me into the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain. Then, he ensured that through the Tower of Trials, my entire body would be ground down over endless eons until it finally disintegrated... Ha, haha, ahahahahahaha!!!]
She bursts into mad laughter.
[The reason the Tower of Trials is called the Tower of Trials is not because of anything else. It's merely because whenever the Owner of Heavenly Punishment pursued my master, he used it while undergoing trials akin to death. It isn't because of the monsters that extend from the 1st to the 100th floor.]
Wuduk...
She tightens her grip on my head.
Lightning courses through my head, causing it to throb with pain.
[The children that rule the floors from the 1st to the 99th...are the flesh of my body that were torn away after my body was ground down by the Tower of Trials. The largest chunk became the Thunder Bee on the lower floor, and from the Thunder Bee, the flesh of lower realms continues to fall off. The flesh continues to decompose floor by floor until eventually, they are expelled beyond the Lightning Sacred Sea. My master, after going through all the trouble of creating me, decided to confine me in this tower for countless eons and decompose me.]
"..."
[So I made a decision. One day, if someone who would complete my master's legacy were to reach the Lightning Sacred Sea, I would give them my position and escape from this place. I would flee and...find the 'home' my master returned to, turn all of his precious people into Thunder Beasts, establish a hierarchy with those beasts, and become my master's true wife... That is the resolve I made.]
Wudududuk!
Her fingers dig into my head.
[After suffering that much, wouldn't I deserve at least that much? If you are the one who is continuing my master's legacy, then I am, in a way, a senior sister to you. For this senior sister, would you kindly remain imprisoned inside this tower for all eternity? You won't have to wait too long. One day, I will persuade my master to come here and dismantle this dreadful disassembly facility to rescue you.]
With eyes that have completely lost their sanity, she whispers to me.
Through her hands, I gradually feel an Immortal Art-level restraint binding my soul.
The chains of attraction force binding Golden Shaking Bird entangle me.
"...Then you could have just captured me and suspended me here when we first met. Why did you make me go through the Tower of Trials?"
[It is because only by using that method could I establish the technique that would impose my restraints on the distinguished one.]
"Is that so? Then what is the reason for bringing only my head here?"
[Because it's annoying if you resist. Don't worry. It won't hurt. Only a slight impact will be focused on your head. Once I leave, I'll toss your main body inside the tower, so pick it up at your leisure.]
"Then why are you stabbing my shoulder with a blade like this?"
I growl at her while glaring, feeling the sensation of being stabbed in the shoulder.
[You are saying strange things. Your entire existence is currently separated between your head and the rest below. You shouldn't be able to feel any pain in your shoulder.]
"Damn it...! Don't spout nonsense! If it's not you stabbing my shoulder right now, then who is it!?"
I shout nonsense, trying to disrupt her focus so I can deliver a strike through Void Shattering.
"My shoulder hurts! Don't touch my shoulder! I'll kill you!!!"
But while shouting nonsense, a strange sensation comes over me.
'...It really does hurt.'
As she said, my head and the rest of my body are separated by something like an Immortal Art.
Thanks to that, my soul and spirit is tethered to my head, leaving my main body devoid of sensation.
So then, why in the world...
Does my shoulder hurt?
'...Well, since the pain is real, it might help distract Golden Shaking Bird's focus a bit.'
"Don't touch my shoulder! My shoulder!"
[Since before, what nonsense are you...ah!]
Suddenly, Golden Shaking Bird looks somewhere below and her face quickly changes to one of shock.
'Now!'
The mental distraction through my shoulder worked.
What remains is...
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.
Thirty-third move.
Sumeru!
95th floor of the Lightning Sacred Sea.
The place where Seo Eun-hyun was ambushed by the master of the 99th floor who was disguised as Jang Ik and lost his head.
There, Seo Eun-hyun's floating body, the Esteemed Ones who have regained their strength, and Jang Ik, who was holding back the Thunder Bees on the 99th floor, have gathered in full. A total of twenty-five Esteemed Ones.
"Just why have the Daoists of the Nether Ghost Realm disappeared?"
"That...my apologies. I cannot say."
"Well, never mind. Can Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One...not break through the 99th floor?"
"The hole in the 99th floor has closed. The owner of the 99th floor is determined and has firmly sealed the barrier of the 99th floor. Even if all of us combine our strength, it will only create a small gap."
Wol-jin sighs.
"...Many sacrifices have been made in the conquest of the Lightning Sacred Sea...but to lose someone at the level of possessing Immortal Talent (仙才) so futilely...it is a loss for the Bright Cold Realm."
The other Esteemed Ones also looked grim.
"To avoid the coming End, we definitely need his existence."
"Can just us Esteemed Ones break through the master of the 99th floor who is thought to be at the Entering Nirvana-level?
"We must seek the aid of the Sacred Masters."
"But how? For the Sacred Masters to descend here, a medium is required. And it must be an incredibly powerful medium connected to the essence of the Sacred Masters! Otherwise, we would have to create an altar for their descent over the next five thousand years, and even then, the probability of the altar activating correctly is only four in ten!"
Just then.
Flash!
From the left shoulder of Seo Eun-hyun's decapitated body, an overwhelming sword light bursts forth.
Simultaneously, an immense presence begins to descend upon the Lightning Sacred Sea.
Kugugugugu!
"Th-This is...!"
Slaughtering Heaven Esteemed One Geuk Gwang, sensing the aura, immediately bows as a flower blooms from their head, scattering pollen.
All the Esteemed Ones of the Bright Cold Realm simultaneously kneel in reverence.
Cheoook!
From Seo Eun-hyun's left shoulder, a hand, thin like an old, withered tree branch, emerges.
The hand, surrounded by a bright white light, tilts his body back from his shoulder, and descends his main body into the Lightning Sacred Sea.
Wo-woong!
The entire Lightning Sacred Sea shakes violently as if trying to repel the foreign intrusion from outside, but the presence descends firmly in place without concern.
A being wrapped by radiant white light, resembling a dried, ancient tree.
That being is the Administrator of the Bright Cold Realm.
It is Sacred Master Baek Woon.
[We pay our respects to the Sacred Master!]
Twenty-four Esteemed Ones shout in unison as they bow.
Baek Woon nods and then looks up towards the distant upper floor.
She stares beyond the 99th floor.
[He is not someone I like, but since he serves as a medium for my descent as a fellow Sacred Person, he is somewhat useful.]
She glances at Slaughtering Heaven Esteemed One Geuk Gwang and clicks her tongue.
[You fool. Stop your stupid behavior and assist me. How shallow must your faith be to great one that you can't even fulfill the role of a medium that even the Human Race bastard could manage!?]
Geuk Gwang's face flushes a deep red at her words, but he quickly regains his composure.
After scolding Geuk Gwang, Baek Woon flies in one leap to the boundary between the 98th and 99th floors.
In the next moment,
[Tree Halberd.]
The space around her ripples with white clouds, taking the form of a colossal wooden spear.
Jjeooong!
Baek Woon swings the wooden spear.
With her single strike, the entrance to the ninety-ninth floor shatters, creating a dimensional passageway.
Boo-woooong!
Hundreds of millions of Thunder Bees rush at Baek Woon all at once.
But Baek Woon opens her mouth.
Jjiiiiing!
A colossal lion's roar shakes the entire dimension, and the hundreds of millions of Thunder Bees explode and perish on the spot.
Pijijik!
Before her stands the one who ambushed and kidnapped Seo Eun-hyun.
The Thunder Bee Queen appears.
She looks at Baek Woon and sneers.
[Well, who do we have here? Isn't this Baek Woon, who became a waste? This brings back past memories. The Baek Woon who once begged for her life in front of the Golden Divine dares to come before me, who wields his authority. Just thinking of that time...]
Just then, immediately.
Clench!
Baek Woon's hand grabs the head of the Thunder Bee Queen.
Badudududuk!
The Thunder Bee Queen's head bursts under Baek Woon's grasp.
Wiiiiing!
The scent of peach blossoms begins to spread around Baek Woon.
The Sacred Master of the Bright Cold Realm, Baek Woon, is drawing upon the power of the Bright Cold Realm from the far ends of the universe.
[You foolish thing. The one I feared was the Golden Divine. Do you think I would fear a worthless thing like you who can't even be considered his dregs? Do you see me, who once stood before True Immortality, as being on the same level as you, a half-baked Entering Nirvana?]
[U-Uh...uuuhhb...!]
The Thunder Bee Queen struggles to escape, but she cannot break free from Baek Woon's grasp.
'I-Immortal Art...!'
The eyes of the Thunder Bee Queen fill with terror, and Baek Woon smirks as she begins to crush her completely.
[You spoke so well just moments ago. Go ahead. Beg. Beg for me to spare your life. Lick my feet like a dog. Beg while promising to offer everything you have just to spare you. If you do that, I'll leave at least your life.]