Wuduk, Wudududuk!
The Thunder Bee Queen, held in Baek Woon's grasp, tries to resist, but as the fragrance of peach blossoms fills the surroundings, she eventually finds herself with no choice but to completely kneel.
From the Thunder Bee Queen's entire body, pure white sprouts begin to emerge.
The sprouts envelop the Thunder Bee Queen, rooting themselves as they grow and tightly coil around her in the form of vines.
Wudududuk!
Finally, Baek Woon, who has trapped the Thunder Bee Queen inside a wooden prison, begins forming hand seals.
Dududududu!
[Summon. Heavenly Lotus Great Mountain.]
The space tears apart as the sacred mountain of the Bright Cold Realm, the Heavenly Lotus Mountain, is summoned to the 99th floor.
Simultaneously, the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy of the Lightning Sacred Sea begins emitting the same wave as the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy of the Bright Cold Realm.
[As a Sacred Master, I command. This world shall now be a part of the Bright Cold Realm for three days.]
All the floors from the waiting space of the Lightning Sacred Sea's Tower of Trials up to the 99th floor are bathed in the light emitted from Heavenly Lotus Great Mountain.
Baek Woon, with control over the 99th floor and below secured, stretches her hand towards the sky.
[Open.]
Jjeeoooeok!
The void splits open, and the door to the 100th floor appears.
-x-X-x-
Chiiiiii—
'Did it work?'
I stare at the opponent before me.
The Sumeru Sword Dance struck properly.
However, Golden Shaking Bird appears unscathed on the surface.
After a moment, Golden Shaking Bird smirks and speaks.
[What is this? Using a sword dance that borrows power from the Lightning Sacred Sea that I am the master of...kekek. That's a bit impractical of you.]
'It worked on Baek Woon... Is it the difference between a True Immortal and the Sacred Vessel stage?'
Just as I am taken aback.
Jjeeoooeok!
Suddenly, the entrance to the 99th floor opens, and an unimaginable figure appears from beyond.
It is Sacred Master Baek Woon.
At the same time, a spiritual energy wave that's the same as Bright Cold Realm's spiritual energy emanates from beyond the 99th floor for some reason.
Golden Shaking Bird narrows her eyes and, as if mocking, addresses Baek Woon.
[To cruelly kill Thunder Bee Queen who is like my child before coming here. You're too much, Baek Woon.]
Baek Woon scoffs and responds.
[Not your child, but probably just a lump of flesh. Don't pretend to mimic emotions when you have no attachments. I'm well aware that the only attachment you ever had was to the croaked Golden Divine.]
At those words, Golden Shaking Bird's eyes grow even colder.
[For a waste, you sure run your mouth well... Something that couldn't even dare look at me even when they were a True Person sure dares to raise their head in front of me. It seems I'll have to make you lick my feet again after such a long time.]
[I wouldn't lick the feet dirtied by the Golden Divine's spit even if given for free. Also, True Persons aren't supposed to directly look at True Immortals. It wasn't that I lowered my head to something like you because I didn't dare to look, but due to the nature of the Entering Nirvana stage, you incomplete Immortal Beast... And you keep babbling about me being a waste, but...]
Paaaatt!
A radiant light bursts forth from Sacred Master Baek Woon.
On top of her own, the power of the Bright Cold Realm is being emanated.
[As long as I am the Sacred Master of the Bright Cold Realm, even if you are a genuine True Immortal, you are not particularly above me.]
Gugugugugu!
The dimension begins to shake.
No, it feels as though the entire Trial Tower left behind by Yang Su-jin is trembling.
'Is this Baek Woon's true power when she decides to go all out? It feels even stronger than what I faced last time...'
Realizing that Baek Woon's power has increased several times compared to before, I search for the reason and immediately understand why.
'...I see. Activating the formula of Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens, I can feel it.'
Golden Shaking Bird sneers at Baek Woon as she forms hand seals.
[What's this wasted thing mumbling about? Does this look like the Bright Cold Realm? And do you not know who has the authority to wield the traces of my master embedded in your stomach?]
Wo-woong!
Above Golden Shaking Bird's head, two clumps of light arise.
[Heavenly Black Banner (天玄旗). Earthly Yellow Banner (地黃幡).]
Kuuung, kung!
Two giants of lightning appear beside Golden Shaking Bird.
Each giant of lightning grasps a massive, pitch-black banner and a gigantic golden banner with both their hands.
[Wave, Heaven Earth Twin Banner (
Golden Shaking Bird utters a dharma formula, activating what appears to be an Immortal Treasure.
The giants, each wielding a banner, shout loudly and begin to swing the banners.
[Heavenly Black!]
[Earthly Yellow!]
The banners transform into streams of black and yellow, swirling in the void and colliding furiously with each other.
At the same time, the Yin and Yang of Heaven and Earth clash, reverberating with a thunderous roar that envelops the surroundings with lightning.
[Thunderous Roar Rebuking Non-Human (
Golden Shaking Bird activates something that seems to be a type of Immortal Art.
Simultaneously, the lightning formed by the two banners strikes toward Baek Woon's stomach.
It is the exact spot where the seven lightning spears have been embedded.
However, Baek Woon neither attempts to dodge nor shows any fear.
Kwarururung!
The lightning strikes her.
Golden Shaking Bird sneers, covering her mouth with one hand.
[Do you now understand your place in the hierarchy, Baek Woon? For a waste, if you dare to lift your head in front of me...]
At that moment.
Baek Woon clasps her hands together reverently and begins to pray.
[The devotee humbly requests.]
Dudududu!
The world quakes.
At the same time, a massive beam of light descends from the sky, directed at Baek Woon.
Golden Shaking Bird's expression shifts to shock.
: : ———! : :
She urgently shouts something in the True Immortal language in the Immortal Domain.
I can understand why she does so.
Baek Woon's stomach.
Instead of the seven large lightning spears that had been there before, seven tiny, needle-like objects are embedded.
I immediately comprehend the situation.
'It's Jeon Myeong-hoon. With Jeon Myeong-hoon's help, she must have taken some measures to minimize the influence of the lightning spears while descending into the Lightning Sacred Sea.'
Previously, Jeon Myeong-hoon had been unable to properly control Baek Woon's lightning spears, but it seems he gained some kind of insight while touching my Star Tribulation.
: : —————
Golden Shaking Bird throws me aside and urgently begins to expand her body.
It's as if she is terrified of the existence Baek Woon is summoning.
Kwa-jijijijijijijik!
As her body enlarges, she turns into a colossal hummingbird of lightning larger than a planet and looks down at Baek Woon before letting out a screech.
: : ————
With her single cry, it feels as though the entire world is about to shatter.
In reality, excluding the entire structures above the 100th floor, the 100th floor of the Tower of Trials and the entire world from the 99th floor down to the 1st floor collapses at once from Golden Shaking Bird's thunderous roar.
An authority that destroys one hundred dimensions with a single cry!
This is the might of the Yang Su-jin's fully matured Thunder Beast
However, Baek Woon's prayer has ended.
[As the Sacred Master of the Bright Cold Realm, I humbly request. Please suppress the evil immortal rampaging in the Bright Cold Realm. Please descend upon this place...]
Dududududu!
A massive afterimage of light ripples behind Baek Woon.
The being is clad in the same ancient immortal robes as the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, with a mianguan on their head and a mask covering their face.
"...!"
I am vaporizing.
My face transforms into photons, dispersing into the void.
Simultaneously, knowledge floods my mind.
Water Escape Technique for hiding in the water.
Sea Escape Technique for hiding in the sea.
Rain Escape Technique for hiding in the rain.
Furthermore, wisdom regardings Immortal Arts that can summon earthquakes and tsunamis, can cause endless rain to fall for a hundred years to destroy a world, can usher in an ice age, and more are etched into my brain.
[Seventh Seat of the Radiance Eight Immortals (光明八仙), Great Sea Heavenly Lord (大海天君), please bestow thee power...]
A deep, navy blue light begins to dominate the surroundings.
A True Immortal who governs Navy Light (藍光).
The projection of the Great Sea Heavenly Lord enters behind Baek Woon in the form of a halo, lending her its power.
Pasasasak!
After perceiving the illusion of the ruler of blue light, my head fully vaporizes and I briefly lose consciousness.
I regain my senses.
'This is...'
I have returned to my main body.
It seems even the spell the Thunder Bee Queen had placed on my head has vaporized into light, causing my soul and spirit to return to my main body.
Regenerating my head, I survey my surroundings.
'W-What on earth...?'
My mouth falls open as I take in the completely transformed Tower of Trials.
An Ice Age (氷河期)!
It's as if an ice age has swept through the entire universe!
Countless starlights that once glimmered in the Lightning Sacred Sea are now frozen, unable to emit light, casting the area in darkness.
At the same time, the surroundings are filled with a cold so intense it feels as if even the soul would freeze.
No, saying it feels as if even the soul would freeze is not a metaphor.
'Th-The Plane of Soul has ceased functioning!?'
I am shocked as I observe that the intents within the Plane of Soul are barely active, as if frozen solid.
The Seventh Seat of the Radiance Eight Immortals summoned by Baek Woon.
The power of the Great Sea Heavenly Lord has frozen not just the entire Tower of Trials, but even the Plane of Soul itself.
I even wonder if parts of the Plane of Fate might have frozen as well.
[Hea...haaaa...]
I momentarily cut off the star vein.
All the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy flowing in through the star vein has been entirely replaced by the cold. If I keep the star vein connected, even my Origin Star would likely freeze.
Dudududududu!
I use the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy produced internally within my Origin Star to warm it and soar up to assess the situation.
Paaatt!
99th floor.
Arriving where Baek Woon stands, my jaw drops.
Everything except Baek Woon, who is emitting a pure white light, is frozen solid.
Yes...
Yang Su-jin's Thunder Beast's Complete Body.
I mean everything, including the Golden Shaking Bird.
I ask Baek Woon in a daze.
[Did you...exterminate the Thunder Beast?]
Huuuuu...
Baek Woon lets out a sigh.
From her mouth, pure white Heaven and Earth spiritual energy pours out.
[No. She escaped.]
[P-Pardon...!?]
I can't help but be shocked.
A hundred dimensions and their corresponding planes of Soul and Fate have all frozen.
And even the frozen surface of Golden Shaking Bird is right in front of my eyes, yet she says she escaped?
[I knew that the old-timer of the Lightning Sacred Sea would be hiding something...but I never knew that the Tower of Trials extended to the 108th floor."
Snap!
Baek Woon snaps her fingers, and a dimensional gate opens above us.
[She fled to the upper floors. Foolish thing. Does she really think she can escape from the power of a Heavenly Lord...I must go up and capture her.]
The power of a Heavenly Lord.
Indeed, the projection of the Great Sea Heavenly Lord that swept through this place just now has even turned the 101st floor, which Baek Woon hadn't detected, into an ice age.
[She's probably hiding on the 106th floor. If my assumption is correct, the 107th floor is Yang Su-jin's treasure vault, so that lowly creature bound to Yang Su-jin won't dare to go up there carelessly.]
[Then, do you know what the 108th floor is for?]
[If my assumption is correct, the 108th floor is...]
Curious at the mention of the 108th floor, I ask Baek Woon, and she looks like she's about to share her thoughts but then furrows her brow.
[...No, never mind. You don't need to know. Rest for now. I need to go catch that thing and then head to Yang Su-jin's treasure vault to prepare for the End.]
Booong!
Finishing her words, she crosses into the dimension of the 101st floor.
I watch her for a moment and let out a sigh.
Huuuu...
As Heaven and Earth spiritual energy is drawn in, it makes my core feel cold, but I breathe a sigh of relief.
'...This was resolved far better than expected.'
Honestly, I had anticipated that conquering the Lightning Sacred Sea would take at least several thousand years.
Yet, due to unexpected variables, Sacred Master Baek Woon descended and resolved it all in an instant.
'Now, as long as Sacred Master Baek Woon can retrieve the symbols of the Middle Realms, there shouldn't be a reason to worry about the End!'
I smile faintly, my face brightening.
If that happens, we'll be able to bypass the End coming in the ten thousand year point and live in a world full of boundless time after the creation of the universe.
'Right after the creation of the universe, Heaven and Earth spiritual energy is hundreds of millions of times more abundant than usual, which will help my comrades' cultivation as well.'
Now, my only remaining goal is to find Kang Min-hee and restore her mind.
Everything is falling well into place!
Crack!
"...Huh?"
I turn to see someone who has come up beside me and placed a hand on my shoulder.
It's Golden Shaking Bird.
Her pupils are completely unfocused, and an uncontrollable madness fills her gaze.
"H-how...you didn't...to the 106th floor...?"
However, I soon understand how Golden Shaking Bird tricked Baek Woon and appeared next to me through the formula circulating around her.
'E-Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens!'
She hid within the formula of my Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens!
The Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens that evades fate!
Hidden within that formula, she evaded Sacred Master Baek Woon's foresight and concealed herself near me!
Heh.
Golden Shaking Bird smiles.
A smile that sends a chill down my spine.
She pushes her hand even deeper into my shoulder!
And through that, I come to understand how Sacred Master Baek Woon descended to this place.
'Did Baek Woon descend using the sacred scar of Sword Spear Heavenly Lord on my shoulder? If so, what Golden Shaking Bird is trying to do now is...'
With all my remaining strength, I turn my head over my shoulder and, to the Bright Cold Realm's White Jade Pavilion that Baek Woon used to descend, shout to my comrade, Jeon Myeong-hoon, who was summoned there by Baek Woon.
[Run! Jeon Myeong-hoon!!!]
Kwa-jijijijijijk!
Through the passage Baek Woon descended from, Golden Shaking Bird reaches out her hand in reverse.
A whisper laced with a bone-chilling obsession escapes from her lips.
[MymasterhasreturnedreturnedreturnedreturnedreturnedreturnedthistimeIwontIwontIwontIwontlethimlethimlethimlethimlethimgogogogogogogogogo...]
Bright Cold Realm, White Jade Pavilion.
After Seo Eun-hyun departed for the Lightning Sacred Sea.
Jeon Myeong-hoon, who has been separately summoned by Baek Woon and is maintaining a spell to temporarily nullify the power of the lightning spears attached to her stomach, twitches his eyes.
"Hmm? What's this?"
For some reason, a great misfortune is detected in his foresight.
Simultaneously, from a distant, far-off place, a familiar voice reaches him.
[Run! Jeon Myeong-hoon!!!]
'Seo Eun-hyun's voice!?'
Following Seo Eun-hyun's words for now, Jeon Myeong-hoon exits the White Jade Pavilion and looks around.
"Seo Eun-hyun! What are you talking about!? Seo Eun-hyun!"
At that moment, the Sub-Heart Sword embedded in Jeon Myeong-hoon's heart essence vibrates, transmitting Seo Eun-hyun's voice.
—Jeon Myeong-hoon, right this instant...
Just then.
Kwa-jijijijijijk!
From the depths of the White Jade Pavilion, where the teleportation formation Baek Woon used to descend to the Lightning Sacred Sea is located.
A massive arm of lightning bursts forth and chases after Jeon Myeong-hoon.
"...!"
Jeon Myeong-hoon flinches in surprise and decides to retreat as Seo Eun-hyun instructed.
But in the next moment, before he even has time to perceive it, Jeon Myeong-hoon is already caught by the hand of lightning.
"Kugh...!"
Jeon Myeong-hoon tries to absorb the lightning hand, but as he does, an immense chorus of agonized screams numbering in the tens of millions reverberates through his mind, forcing him to vomit blood.
Jeon Myeong-hoon faints completely amidst the ceaseless whisper that calls to him from beyond the arm of lightning.
[MasterMasterMasterMasterMasterMasterMaster...]
The arm of lightning pulls the unconscious Jeon Myeong-hoon and takes him to the far end of the universe, towards the Lightning Sacred Sea.
Kwa-jijijijijijk!
I am bound by chains of lightning, unable to move my entire body, and can only watch as Golden Shaking Bird extracts something through my shoulder.
Golden Shaking Bird pulls Jeon Myeong-hoon, who had been in the Bright Cold Realm, out from my shoulder, miniaturizes him, and cradles him tenderly in her embrace.
[FinallyIhavemasterinmyhandshe'sminenowIwilltrainhimsohecanneverescapemyembraceagainfromnowonIwillbehismasterIwillmakehimintoabodythatcannotevenbreathewithoutme...]
"N-No..."
[NowthatIhaveobtainedthetruesovereigntyoftheLightningSacredSeaIam...]
She extracts something from Jeon Myeong-hoon's body and scatters it across the entire expanse of the Lightning Sacred Sea.
[I am the true God of the Lightning Sacred Sea!!!]
Kwarurururung!
Lightning rains down across the entire expanse of the Lightning Sacred Sea.
I can feel it.
Through Jeon Myeong-hoon, she has now gained complete dominion over the Lightning Sacred Sea.
At the same time, struck by the lightning, I am instantly expelled from the Lightning Sacred Sea.
Pajijijik!...!
"Th-This is..."
I look around with a bewildered expression.
It seems others are just as confused, as the Esteemed Ones around me also look around with bewildered faces.
The most shocked face among them belongs to Baek Woon.
Baek Woon stares at the Lightning Sacred Sea with a look of utter disbelief.
And before us, the human form of Golden Shaking Bird appears as a projection.
[Ahaha, I'm sorry for startling you all. Originally, I was going to pass the Lightning Sacred Sea to that Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens user over there and head to the Head Realm...but my master has returned. My master! My master has reincarnated. Can you believe it? Heh, hehe, ehehehehehehe! But of course, my master wouldn't remember his past life, would he? That won't do. After all he's done to me, he gets to live peacefully with no memories? Absolutelyabsolutelyabsolutely not. Therefore...my apologies, but I will be taking possession of the Lightning Sacred Sea for just about a hundred thousand years.]
She smiles brightly, lifting the ends of her skirt and bowing modestly as she speaks.
[From now on...I must train the master who has returned for a hundred thousand years. So, everyone, as the End of whatever is none of my concern, I hope you give it your best struggling outside the Lightning Sacred Sea.]
Golden Shaking Bird, who has finished speaking, bows to us with full courtesy, and then disappears just like that.
-x-X-x-
[...Tsk.]
Baek Woon, silently looking down at the Lightning Sacred Sea, extends her hand.
The energy of the Great Sea Heavenly Lord that remains within her body stirs, spreading across the entirety of the Lightning Sacred Sea.
Shwaaaaaa!
Just like the spell used by the Salt Sea Esteemed One Yuk Jeung, the entire Lightning Sacred Sea becomes enveloped in water.
Simultaneously, an overwhelming pressure starts pressing down on the entire Lightning Sacred Sea.
However, the Lightning Sacred Sea doesn't show any particular reaction.
[So, they've used the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body. They've sealed it up quite thoroughly.]
Sacred Master Baek Woon clicks her tongue irritably as she speaks.
[Esteemed Ones, listen up. There is no longer any point in conquering the Lightning Sacred Sea. Now, there is only one way to endure the End.]
Hearing her next words, I flinch in surprise.
[For the remaining ten thousand year period, we will bind the powers of the five Middle Realms, Sacred Masters, and Esteemed Ones as one to create a space that can withstand the End. There are a total of twenty-seven Esteemed Ones within the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain. Among them, including the newly-risen Esteemed One Seo, there are twenty-six with us. Five Sacred Masters, twenty-six Esteemed Ones. We will construct a space for only thirty-one individuals to take refuge during the period of the End, and once the End passes and creation begins anew, they will emerge and revive their respective races.]
Some nodded calmly at her words, but a few, including myself, protested.
[Wait a moment, Sacred Master. What do you mean by that? Only we will take refuge?]
[The refuge capable of enduring the End is...a kind of Sub-Immortal Realm formed by intertwining the power of the five Middle Realms. In that space, unless one exists as a conceptual being, it is impossible to survive. Only you Esteemed Ones, who have become stars yourselves and have taken one foot into the realm of conceptual beings, can take refuge there. If I could lead everyone to escape the End, I certainly would do so, but lifeforms cannot survive within the refuge space.]
[Is there...no way to make the refuge more suitable for other lifeforms to survive?]
[Don't be ridiculous. It must be at least this much to ensure survival against the End. Frankly, even this refuge space is one where the conditions have been relaxed to allow you Esteemed Ones to withstand it. Although we Sacred Masters would have to pay a significant sacrifice, there is the possibility of avoiding End through the Middle Realms. We are only extending this consideration solely for your benefit.]
[...Is there no other way?]
Baek Woon clicks her tongue and replies.
[Do you think there could be one? Yang Su-jin blocked off the exit, so we can't escape to other Heavenly Domains. Thanks to Yang Su-jin, even borrowing the power of True Immortals from other domains is difficult. The Entering Nirvana True Persons are too busy worrying about their own survival. In this situation, what else can we possibly do?]
[...]
I let out a faint groan.
[Still, don't worry too much. Once we create the refuge space with the combined power of the five Middle Realms, the five Sacred Masters, and all the Esteemed Ones, we will allow you to place your cherished ones at the outskirts of the refuge. Of course, even then, the survival rate won't exceed one tenth...no, five in a hundred.]
The despairing odds weigh heavily on my shoulders.
[Now then, I'll take my leave. You should all return as soon as possible as well.]
Baek Woon places her hand on my shoulder and, through the sword scar on my left shoulder, returns to the Bright Cold Realm.
I brush off my shoulder irritably as I continue to gaze at the Lightning Sacred Sea.
"...Jeon Myeong-hoon..."
Yeon Wei's request resurfaces in my mind.
Her plea to protect Jeon Myeong-hoon lingers in my thoughts, refusing to fade.
But...
I have failed to protect Jeon Myeong-hoon.
[Hey. Esteemed One Seo. Why don't you return to the Bright Cold Realm for now as well? If even the Sacred Master has no solution, entering the Lightning Sacred Sea is impossible.] ř
Gyu Wol-jin approaches me with a bitter expression and speaks.
I let out a deep sigh and ask.
[...Is there truly no way?]
[There isn't. The Sacred Master has declared it so.]
[But can't Daoist Gyu draw upon the power of Lofty Dragon True Person?]
[Not just the True Person's power, but even the strength of the [Great One] that the Sacred Master summoned didn't work. So what more can be done?]
Wol-jin sighs and continues.
[If you're really determined to stay, I won't stop you. However...without access to the Path of Stars, just returning to the Middle Realms would take at least a thousand years. That's why we need to return to the Middle Realms even a day faster.]
[...What do you mean we can't use the Path of Stars?]
Since I arrived here by using the Path of Stars, I ask out of confusion.
Wol-jin lets out a long sigh and explains.
[The Path of Stars is ultimately connected to the Ancient Force Realm. And the path into that realm lies at the very end of the Path of Stars, at a Decaying Corpse Realm where the continent known as the Peaceful Cloud Continent resides. For convenience, we call it the 'Peaceful Cloud Realm.']
[Yes, I know of it.]
[Good. Then, have you seen the remnants of the battle between the Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One and the Yin Ghost Esteemed One of the Ancient Force Realm that took place on that Peaceful Cloud Continent?]
I recall the mountain that formed from the corpse of that enormous turtle in the Peaceful Cloud Realm and nod.
[When we first set out for the Lightning Sacred Sea expedition, our plan was to travel through the Path of Stars. It's the fastest route. But...the problem was that 'something' possessed the Yin Ghost Esteemed One.]
[What? Something possessed them?]
[That's right. Even though the Yin Ghost Esteemed One was born with the true blood of the Yin Ghost Black Turtle and had considerable resistance to possession and divine descent...for some reason, [that being] possessed them all too naturally and tried to sever the Path of Stars entirely. Then, it tried to kill all of us who set out on this expedition to stop the End.]
[...!]
Before I know it, other Esteemed Ones have gathered around, listening to our conversation.
Among them is Jang Ik.
[We thought it was someone entirely different. The fellow was only at the early Star Shattering stage, and they were an Esteemed One who mainly practiced defensive divine powers, so we all believed we could quickly subdue them even if they charged at us in a frenzy. But...]
Jang Ik shudders with an expression dread.
[They turned into a monster. No, it would be more accurate to say the [something] that possessed them turned them into a monster. After all the Esteemed Ones and I trapped the Yin Ghost Esteemed One within the Peaceful Cloud Realm, we manipulated the laws from outside the realm so that 'the power accumulated through Immortal Cultivation would become as worthless as garbage within the Peaceful Cloud Realm.' Since I hadn't accumulated my strength through Immortal Cultivation, my power wasn't reduced, but since they had reached the Star Shattering stage through Earth Tribe cultivation, we used this spell to seal their powers. After I subdued them, those from the Nether Ghost Realm tried to exorcize the being possessing the Yin Ghost Esteemed One. However...]
As Jang Ik is about to explain further, he suddenly looks at me and says.
[No, wait a moment. Now that I think about it, earlier when I saw you fighting, you've reached the Star Shattering stage through Heaven and Earth Dual Cultivation, haven't you?]
[Yes, that's correct...]
[No, then why am I wasting my breath explaining this to you? See it for yourself!]
[Pardon?]
As I stand there bewildered, Wol-jin clears his throat and adds.
[Come to think of it, Esteemed One Seo...has only recently advanced to the Star Shattering stage, so it's possible you don't know yet. Moreover, most Heaven and Earth Dual Cultivation practitioners are far more accustomed to the Heaven Tribe's vision, so there's also that.]
[What do you mean by that?]
[Since reaching the Star Shattering stage, have you ever tried activating the vision of the Earth Tribe to its fullest extent?]
[Hmm, not particularly...]
[Then this is perfect timing. I'll teach you how to use the Earth Tribe's vision effectively. Now, follow my lead.]
Woong!
A Taiji (太極) appears in Wol-jin's eyes.
I follow him and draw forth the vision of the Earth Tribe.
[The vision of the Earth Tribe is often said to be the eye that sees Heaven and Earth spiritual energy. It is the eye that reads the precise flow of Heaven and Earth spiritual energy and draws in information from the surrounding space... To be honest, this vision of the Earth Tribe is nothing more than intensely heightened animal instinct. Up until the Integration stage, at least.]
Woo-woong!
The entire universe is dyed with Taiji.
I see Taiji imbued in everything.
'Up to this point is what I saw in the Integration stage.'
I read the information of Taiji flowing throughout the universe, further enhancing the senses of the Earth Tribe.
Then, Wol-jin's explanation reaches my ears.
[However...from the Star Shattering stage, the Earth Tribe's eye finally blossoms, much like the Heaven Tribe's eye. Just as the Heaven Tribe reads celestial energy through attraction force from the Qi Refining 7th star...the Earth Tribe can go against Taiji through explosion.]
Tstststst!
Gradually, my senses come into contact with the very essence of Heaven and Earth spiritual energy.
'This is...'
As I intensify the senses of the Earth Tribe, I begin to perceive the Plane of Qi.
Or as it's also known, I begin to perceive that the entire material world is undergoing a great transformation.
'This is...the essence of the Plane of Qi.'
Kugugugugu!
Explosion!
It is an endless explosion.
All beings within this world are constantly exploding, emitting waves in all directions.
And to the inexperienced senses of the Earth Tribe, these waves had appeared as 'the form of Taiji.'
Woo-wooong!
Through these waves, I come to understand how this entire universe operates and how the laws are established.
At the same time, I realize the Twelve Earthly Melodies of the 3rd star of Qi Refining.
I finally understand the meaning behind engraving the twelve types of Heaven and Earth spiritual energy waves during cultivation.
'So this is...the true meaning of the 3rd star of Qi Refining...'
It is when I am marveling at this world composed of waves.
A familiar wave reaches me.
'Is this Wol-jin's wave?'
I connect my mind to that wave and simultaneously hear Wol-jin's voice.
[You've entered. Now then...try to locate the wave of the Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One.]
[...I've found it.]
I sense Jang Ik's wave.
[Connect your mind to that wave. If you understand that you, too, are a kind of wave, it should be entirely possible.]
Woong!
A wave stirs from within my soul.
'So this is the true form of the consciousness domain.'
Moving the wave of my soul, my consciousness domain, I harmonize my mind with Jang Ik's wave.
[How does it feel?]
[It feels as if...I'm sticking my arm into something foreign.]
[Imagine it as a book.]
[A book?]
[That's right...a book. Think of it as placing your finger into a part of the book.]
[I've done so.]
Wol-jin's mind guides me.
Following his lead, I move my consciousness.
[Qi (氣) is, ultimately, explosion. And explosion is the very trace of life itself. Therefore...one who approaches the essence of explosion gains the authority to peruse the traces of life—history.]
'Ah...I understand.'
In truth, even without Wol-jin's help, it's an authority I would have naturally come to understand after living a few years as a Star Shattering stage Esteemed One.
It's a sense that feels that natural to me.
Chwararararak!
As if turning the pages of a book, I move against the grain of the waves.
Dozens, hundreds of scenes flash before my eyes.
I recognize this sight well.
During regression, it's what I see each time I go against the flow of the river of time.
Retracing Jang Ik's history, I reach the scene he intends to show me.
'This is...the true sense of the Earth Tribe...!'
If the Heaven Tribe reads fate, then the Earth Tribe reads history!
Chwararararak!
I arrive at the moment in the past when Jang Ik was fighting against the being known as the Yin Ghost Esteemed One.
The Peaceful Cloud Realm where these two beings clashed comes into view.
And I flinch in surprise.
'Jang Ik...!'
Jang Ik is covered in blood, gasping for breath, while the black figure before him sits calmly atop a rock.
'Yin Ghost Esteemed One...I heard they were born with the Black Turtle True Blood, but an Earth Tribe managed to overwhelm Jang Ik in their transformed state?'
[TL: Transformed state as in human form.]
The Jang Ik of the past opens his mouth.
[Who are you? How...how are you able to suppress me in your transformed state while within this formation that suppresses the power of Immortal Cultivation? And just why are you blocking us from reaching the Lightning Sacred Sea?]
Then, the someone shrouded in darkness replies.
[When do you think an existence truly dies?]
[What?]
[It is said a True Immortal dies when they can no longer dream, and an Immortal Beast dies when they are completely forgotten by all. But both are wrong. In this world, death does not exist.]
[What on earth are you talking about!?]
[Even after dying again and again, being reborn through the Netherworld and living as a slave to fate is what we call life. What I'm saying is, in the end, we are bound in a cage where we cannot die even if we desire for it.]
[I cannot understand what you're saying. How does taking over the body of the Yin Ghost Black Turtle and blocking us have anything to do with that!?]
[True liberation...if you wish to reach the End (終命), the first thing you must overthrow is not Light, but the Underworld.]
The being in the darkness rises from their place.
Their presence causes Jang Ik to take a step back.
An foreboding wave radiates from the figure, dominating the surroundings.
[The true ultimate of the heart is something anyone can attain. Because death is ultimately the heart, we can all reach the extreme of the heart if we die. That is why the Heart Tribe is a futile, utterly useless existence. But at the same time, due to that damn Wheel, we can never truly die, so it is also a resentful existence.]
Kuuung!
They extend a hand.
A simple gesture, with no martial technique or meaning imbued—just a mere stretch of their hand.
Yet Jang Ik, in response to that movement, launches Slaughtering Immortals, Executing Immortals, Severing Immortals, and Collapsing Immortals.
He swings the four Annihilating Heavens Blade and barely manages to hold his ground.
Dudududu!
'Just what...is that?'
They're not using any spiritual power.
They're not using Qi.
Nor is it any kind of Immortal Art.
Yet this unidentified being seems to drive Jang Ik to his limit, wielding some unknown authority with nothing more than an outstretched hand.
[O futile and resentful existence...]
The being looks at Jang Ik, with an oddly sympathetic gaze, and begins to expand in size.
It's a turtle.
The Yin Ghost Esteemed One, who inherited the Immortal Beast True Blood of the legendary Yin Ghost Black Turtle, reveals their true form.
[Can you approach me?]
Puhwak!
Jang Ik slices through the foreboding wave emitted by Yin Ghost Esteemed One, leaps into the air, and merges his four podaos into one.
[Annihilating (滅) Heavens (天)!]
Jang Ik's cleaving strike that's imbued with all his strength plunges into Yin Ghost Esteemed One.
For some reason, Yin Ghost Esteemed One doesn't dodge Jang Ik's attack, allowing their shell to be split apart and die.
However, even in death, they tear a jade plaque that looks like the key to the Path of Stars from Jang Ik's belt and swallow it.
Afterwards, they collapse over the spot where the teleportation array to the Path of Stars is located, closing their eyes.
Jang Ik, still drenched in blood, falls before the Yin Ghost Esteemed One's corpse and cries out as if in agony.
[You...who are you!? I'm asking who you are! Why would you seize the body of our comrade, Yin Ghost, and block us who only wish to live!?]
They slowly close their eyes and respond.
[I am simply myself. And I did not possess your comrade's body, for Yin Ghost Esteemed One was just another personality of mine from the beginning... There is no need for you to know more. And there is no need to fear death, o slave... After all, the beings of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain are...nothing but slaves, living without truly living... Between living while...not truly alive...and death...what difference...is...there...?]
For some reason...
I get the impression that this unidentified being is 'tired.'
'Tired...of dying? Even though they just said they're another personality of Yin Ghost?'
And so, Yin Ghost Esteemed One dies, and all that remains is Jang Ik, covered head to toe in blood, howling up at the sky.
Jang Ik grits his teeth and flies out of the Peaceful Cloud Realm.
This is where Jang Ik's memories end.
'...Just what kind of being possessed Yin Ghost Esteemed One...?'
Then, as I attempt to release the senses of the Earth Tribe, I realize that I can't let go of the senses.
[...Huh?]
For some reason, my mind remains fixed in front of the corpse of the dead Yin Ghost Esteemed One.
And then,
Blink.
The supposedly dead Yin Ghost Esteemed One opens their eyes and meets mine.
[...!]
I feel a shock that seems to freeze my mind completely and gasp.
Blink—
It's because the giant turtle form disappears in front of me, and in its place appears Yin Ghost Esteemed One's transformed body, standing with their hands clasped behind their back.
Unlike when they stood before Jang Ik, they are not cloaked in a foreboding aura, allowing me to see their form clearly.
But seeing their true form only makes my whole body erupt in goosebumps.
Because their appearance...is exactly like that of Hyeon Gwi (玄龜/Black Tortoise) of the Black Scaled Fish Commanding Sect.
[You must be this generation's Golden God (金神), I assume. Usually, only they or Silver Basket can master martial arts to this extent.]
[TL: Golden God (金神) has the same Hanja as Golden Divine (金神者). Golden Divine literally means Golden God Person.]
Thump, thump, thump...
Even though I have no heart, I feel as though it is trembling, and I lower my gaze to avoid meeting Hyeon Gwi's eyes.
Ominous.
Ominous, ominous, and even more ominous.
Never before have I encountered such an ominous presence.
[I just asked, didn't I? Whether you could approach in front of me. So, how about it, Golden God? Can you come stand before me? You futile and resentful...leftover.]
In front of Hyeon Gwi who is emanating profound despair for some reason, I unknowingly shake my head.
Instinctively, I understand.
Hyeon Gwi is no different from our natural enemy (天敵).
Hyeon Gwi watches me silent and still, with his hands clasped behind him.
I cannot read any of his emotions at all.
It is a completely empty Void (空虛)!
A bottomless pit that endlessly swallows all that exists!
[Heheok...heok...heok...]
I collapse on the spot, clutching my chest.
'The...the...the authority of Regression...is...shaking...'
Instinctively, I realize.
This being is death.
And, at the same time...
Perhaps...this being is deeply connected to the very origin of us Enders.
...
[So that's it. You are a being connected to our origin, aren't you?]
With that realization, I look up at Hyeon Gwi, grinning so widely it feels like my mouth might tear.
[Hm?]
Hyeon Gwi's eyes slightly squirm.
[Let me...correct myself. I will reach in front of you. I will reach you! I can reach you!]
Overwhelmed with exhilaration, relief, and boundless joy, I stare directly at him and let out a crazed laugh.
[You, you can kill me, can't you!? Right!? Go on, kill me! I'm telling you to kill me right here and now!]
Hyeon Gwi looks at me with an empty gaze.
Then, with a faintly exasperated tone, he speaks.
[...Remarkable. No Golden God in history has dared to even breathe properly before me...given the absolute hierarchy between me and the Golden God. You are a little unique.]
He wipes his face.
At the same time, the appearance of Hyeon Gwi changes.
He transforms into the appearance of a young girl with a ponytail, clad in black martial robes.
[In order to properly surpass the Light, I had intended to steal your strength today, but I've changed my mind. I'll give you a bit more time to ripen.]
Cheok!
The girl takes a stance.
[I will show you the ultimate of Martial Arts. Watch carefully and try to reach it.]
With eyes of endless void, she begins to dance.
'That is...'
It feels as if everything in the world is vanishing.
All that remains is her, and what she is creating.
Every one of her movements flows into the next, drawing a circle.
At the same time, she melds with the circle as she dances.
In the end, all that remains in all phenomena is that single circle.
Within that circle, I can feel an unparalleled sacredness and ominousness simultaneously.
And in the next moment—
Crack—
At the final moment...the circle shatters.
What's left is nothing at all...
An endless void.
The ultimate meaninglessness (無意味) where nothing exists!
'This is...'
The ultimate of Martial Arts.
A fragment of Martial Extreme (武極).
Pasasasasasa—
At the same time, the Peaceful Cloud Realm from Jang Ik's past, which I am observing through the senses of the Earth Tribe, begins to crumble into fragments and disappears into the void.
Watching this sight, I finally manage to escape from the senses of the Earth Tribe and return to reality.
Chak, Chak, Chak!
Someone is slapping my cheek hard.
It's Jang Ik.
[Seo Eun-hyun, are you awake? Stop pretending to sleep and get up!]
[...I'm awake.]
Chak, Chak, Chak!
[I've come to my senses. Please stop hitting me.]
My head shudders as I look into the empty space with a strangely nihilistic expression.
'So that's how it is...'
Blood Yin said that I attained the Five Senses.
Nether Perception that senses the Netherworld.
Star Vein Eye that senses Source River.
Fetal Movement that senses the Flower Realm.
The basic consciousness that perceives the Astral Realm, and the derived senses for distinguishing planes and so forth...
I possess four senses in total.
Since the ability to distinguish planes and similar skills are derived from basic consciousness, they essentially count as one, and I had never understood why I was said to have five senses to perceive the five realms.
But today, I finally understand.
The sense that bestows talent upon Kim Young-hoon.
The ultimate meaning of the Heart Tribe that I attained in my pursuit of Martial Arts.
What I had conveniently called perception is, in fact, a sense that descends from the Interdimensional Void.
It should not be called perception, but Void Perception (虛覺).
Drip...
Suddenly, I feel tears welling up.
Jang Ik flinches in surprise and asks.
[What, why are you crying, you brat? Is your cheek hurting from the slaps? Look at this kid, crying like some girl from the Small Green Race!]
[Leave him be, Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One. Judging by that expression, it seems he's realized that the person he likes has no interest or meaning for him. I know that feeling well.]
Slaughtering Heaven Esteemed One Geuk Gwang makes a face of understanding for some reason, and I wipe away my tears and speak.
[...Just now, I think I met the God of Martial Arts (武神).]
[What!? Then why are you crying? Shouldn't you be happy to have met such a being?]
Jang Ik seems perplexed, but I can't hide the emptiness in my heart.
Because...
[It's because I glimpsed just how empty and horrifying the ultimate of Martial Arts truly is.]
The Martial Arts (武) I have been pursuing.
I've now realized that the ultimate pinnacle of that path is nothing more than complete emptiness.
The God of Martial Arts in this world is the being that governs the void.
And I received a direct affirmation from that Martial God that Martial Arts have no meaning.
-x-X-x-
At my words, Jang Ik narrows his eyes.
[...You, did you perhaps come into contact with...the being I encountered in my memory?]
I nod quietly.
Jang Ik, after contemplating something seriously, speaks.
[Shake it off quickly. How can you be sure that the entity you encountered in the memory is truly the Martial God?]
[...I have no choice but to be certain. What I saw at the end was...]
I feel my body trembling uncontrollably and struggle to steady my posture.
However, I fail to regain my stance.
Compared to that sacred yet ominous circle I glimpsed at the end, all the martial arts I have mastered up to this point feel utterly insignificant.
The martial arts I have trained in feel like trash, to the point where the very thought of displaying them further fills me with shame.
Jang Ik, perhaps reading my heart essence, lets out a low sigh.
[...It seems like you need a break for now.]
With that, Jang Ik grabs my head and heads towards a nearby star.
The other Esteemed Ones also follow Jang Ik.
The place Jang Ik heads towards is a star near the Lightning Sacred Sea.
It's the place Ham Jin once briefly visited and where he ended up with dozens of wives.
"Tsk. Your heart essence is shaken to the point where you can't hold a conversation. I'll need to use some shock therapy to snap you out of it..."
As he enters the planet with an atmosphere, he speaks aloud while stroking his chin. At that moment, Jin Wol-ryeong approaches and says,
"If that's all it takes, it's quite easy. Hey, Human Race Esteemed One. Mate with me."
She approaches me and gently slaps my face.
Kwarurung!
I'm driven straight into the ground, buried down to the lava layer of the star.
All around the star, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions ensue, with tsunamis rising.
"You drained fellow! Now, let me give you a proper education!"
Just as she prepares to charge at me again, Jang Ik grabs her by the hair and tosses her into the distant sky.
Flash!
From Jang Ik's body, dozens of podaos seem to shoot forth, spreading across the planet to suppress the ongoing disasters.
Kugung!
Watching this, Gyu Wol-jin lets out a sigh and stamps their foot.
The crust of the planet rises, and I emerge from the lava layer back to the surface.
"Those crazy muscle-brained lunatics."
Jang Ik shakes his head and clicks his tongue.
"Isn't there anyone with a more proper solution?"
He glares around, but all the Esteemed Ones, except for those of the Bright Cold Realm, avoid his gaze.
I speak with a weary expression.
"...It's alright, Master. I just...want to be alone for a bit."
"Hmm..."
Jang Ik seems to peer into my heart essence for a moment, then lets out a sigh and says.
"...Very well. Do as you wish. But you must return to the Bright Cold Realm. And..."
He looks at me and asks.
"We were just discussing the Path of Stars earlier, but...you. When you came here last time, didn't you use the Path of Stars?"
At Jang Ik's words, the other Esteemed Ones all open their eyes wide.
"Is that true, Esteemed One Seo?"
"That's impossible! H-How on earth did you use that path!?"
I weakly take out a jade plaque from my sleeve and briefly explain what happened in the Peaceful Cloud Realm.
"...I see. Since it's been some time since we left, the seal that Yin Ghost Esteemed One placed over the Path of Stars must have weakened."
"With the seal and the energy that the Yin Ghost Esteemed One held both dispersed...his body, which we once needed combined efforts to penetrate, was easily breached."
"This means we can all return through the Path of Stars!"
The Esteemed Ones are all filled with expressions of joy.
Then, Wi Mu-cheon of the Sea King Race laughs heartily as they accept the jade plaque from me and says.
"Thank you very much, Esteemed One Seo. If it weren't for you, our return to the Middle Realms would have been delayed by a thousand years. As you've saved us Esteemed Ones a thousand years, we will make sure you're properly compensated for that. Since we can reach the Ancient Force Realm in just a few days through the Path of Stars, we can even directly petition the Sacred Master to lift the Exile Order placed on you."
Jang Ik approaches me and says.
"Then, we'll be returning now. We'll also keep the Path of Stars activated for five hundred years at the far end. That way, even without that jade plaque, you'll be able to use the Path of Stars to reach the Ancient Force Realm during that period. I hope you can find peace of heart within that time. And..."
He turns around as if to leave, but then pauses momentarily, meeting my gaze with a grin.
"When you come back to the Bright Cold Realm after you've regained your composure, that ultimate of Martial Arts. I'm expecting you to recreate that for me."
"...Yes. I will do so."
Among the Esteemed Ones preparing to rise into the sky, I look at Black Fog Esteemed One of the True Devil Realm and speak up.
"Black Fog Esteemed One, Oh Mu."
They jolt in surprise at my call and stop in place.
"Wh-What is it, Esteemed One Seo?"
"Distinguished one was the one who grabbed and tore this Esteemed One last time we met, correct?"
That's right.
Black Fog Esteemed One Oh Mu was the one who had viciously ripped me apart and attempted to devour me when I visited the Lightning Sacred Sea with Jang Ik previously.
They avoid my gaze and clear their throat.
"I apologize for that incident back then. You see...our Black Smoke Race originates from the Blood Yin Realm's Heavenly Demons. However, we're a race that rejected Blood Yin's rule and broke away. Since we were originally Heavenly Demons, we carry an innate savagery...so when I saw Esteemed One Seo at that time, I couldn't restrain that savagery. I deeply apologize for what happened then, and...I will provide proper compensation."
"...Understood. I accept your apology. And...you are called the Star Seeking Esteemed One, I believe?"
I turn to look at Star Seeking Esteemed One Yo Un.
"I've heard you're from the Batwing Race. I know a child among the Batwing Race in the True Devil Realm, and I would appreciate it if you could look after her. Also, they have a partner from the Horn Devil Race who is set to become her husband, so if you could watch over him as well..."
[TL: Qi Wing Race was previously translated as Batwing Tribe so just gonna make it Batwing again.]
I entrust Yo Un with a request regarding Su In and Hong Yeon, and Yo Un nods silently.
"Then, we'll be off now. Take care."
The Esteemed Ones who joined the Lightning Sacred Sea expedition wave to me as they rise into the sky.
The ones remaining are Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One, Jang Ik, and Slaughtering Heaven Esteemed One, Geuk Gwang.
"What are you doing, Heaven-Collapsing?"
"...I feel a strange sense of discomfort. It's as if something sticky is clinging to my soul... Hmm...I suppose it would be better to go to the Bright Cold Realm and then investigate. I can't figure out why...I feel this filthy. If I focus a bit more, I think I might be able to identify the source, but..."
He summons his podao and glares into the void while radiating killing intent.
Geuk Gwang clicks their tongue as they watch him.
"Do it later. It would be best to have the Sacred Master examine your soul."
"...Understood. Let's get going quickly, then."
Jang Ik shakes his head at Geuk Gwang's words and follows the other Esteemed Ones.
Finally, only Geuk Gwang remains in place, looking at me with an expression that seems to convey, 'I understand everything.'
"I understand the feeling when one's purpose in life gets broken. Though I don't like you, your situation oddly resembles one I faced in the past, so I can't help but give you some advice.
"Even if your life's purpose has become meaningless, never give up. Even if the other person doesn't acknowledge you, continue to strengthen yourself and strive to reach the same vision as them.
"When you finally rise to the same vision as the other, sharing the same scene—that is when the true beginning starts. You haven't even started yet, so don't despair so soon!"
Leaning against a rock, I look up at Geuk Gwang and respond.
"...Those are good words. Thank you for the encouragement. The 'other person' you speak of...is it Sacred Master Baek Woon?"
I ask, recalling Geuk Gwang's behavior towards Baek Woon.
They nod.
"That's right. I've already been striving for tens of thousands of years to bear fruit between that person and myself. Though that person doesn't even look my way, I do not give up. Even when I reached the Grand Perfection Integration stage, even during the Star Shattering advancement ritual...
"I kept thinking that I'm in a much more advantageous position than other members of the Tall Tree Race, being truly part of that person's family, and with that determination and hope, I condensed my Origin Star. As a result, I was able to reach the rank of a Star Shattering Esteemed One. You, too, even if your goal feels meaningless, should keep looking forward and soar. Because until you reach the same vision as the other, all the rejections you've faced so far are meaningless!"
"..."
It is certainly admirable and rather comforting, but I notice something strange mixed in the words.
"...What do you mean by 'truly part of Sacred Master Baek Woon's family'?"
"Ah. My mother's grandmother, in her youth, received the pollen Sacred Master Baek Woon scattered and was pollinated. As a result, my mother's father inherited the Sacred Master's lineage and was born as their descendant. So...Sacred Master Baek Woon would be, in your Human Race's terms, my 'maternal great-grandfather.'"
"..."
A deep silence fills the space between us for a moment.
Geuk Gwang frowns as they see the look in my eyes.
"What? Why are you looking at me like that? Don't try to judge the Tall Tree Race using your Human Race kinship standards! In the first place, many of us in the Tall Tree Race don't even have gender distinctions, and our concept of parents, offspring, and ancestors is entirely different from you mammalian races!"
"..."
"No one else hears these things from me, but I shared this to console you out of special consideration, but how ridiculous. You foul-tempered Human Race. Enough. I'm leaving!"
Geuk Gwang, irritated by the look in my eyes, turns and follows the other Esteemed Ones onto the Path of Stars.
I look up at the spot where Geuk Gwang disappeared with an incredulous expression, and suddenly realize something.
"...Ah."
Geuk Gwang's words were so absurd that, in the shock of it, I seem to have partially recovered from the overwhelming shock of the ultimate of Martial Arts that Hyeon Gwi had shown me.
"...I really wasn't in the right mind either."
The Esteemed Ones who had been fighting blow for blow with me just moments ago suddenly started treating me well, and that Geuk Gwang fellow even shared a story he'd never told before to comfort me.
Sure, maybe they want to strengthen ties with someone as powerful as me, but...
I stand up and draw the Colorless Glass Sword with a grim expression and perch on the rock.
"You must be close by. Come out. Before I scatter Sub-Heart Swords all over this star."
Wriggle, wriggle...
In front of me.
A shadow beneath a tree seems to writhe, and soon, a familiar face emerges from within.
Black robe.
Black horns.
And the naturally spreading gloomy spiritual energy.
"So it's you. The one who orchestrated those Esteemed Ones to comfort me."
The figure with the face of the Black Dragon King Hyeon Eum just smiles softly with a kind expression.
"Hoho, Daoist Seo."
"I heard Hyeon Eum died at the hands of the Mad Lord and jumped to another body somewhere, but...it seems you managed to take over it, Seo Hweol."
"It's all thanks to Daoist's help. Due to Blood Yin suffering a devastating blow they could have never imagined, they had no time to pay attention to a mere clone like Hyeon Eum. Truly...I owe Daoist Seo a debt of gratitude for your completely unimaginable assistance."
"...By the way, is this Esteemed One a daoist to you? Call me senior."
"..."
I spit out Glass True Fire, surrounding the area.
This is to ensure that if he tries any tricks, I can make him experience the torment of hell through the power of the Avīci Hell Star Body.
I watch Seo Hweol with vigilance and ask.
"Even if you brainwashed the stars and infiltrated various parts of the Astral Realm...how did someone like you, who hasn't even become an Esteemed One, manage to manipulate other Esteemed Ones?"
"I understand you've hidden Seo Ran in an alternate space. If you bring him out for a moment, I can show you exactly how that was possible."
"I see. Hyeon Eum, was it?"
A Taiji (太極) appears in my vision.
The extreme of the Earth Tribe senses that Wol-jin taught me just moments ago.
Pararararak!
Like pages flipping backward, the Taiji reverses, revealing the split soul of Hyeon Eum that Seo Hweol has taken over.
I read into Hyeon Eum's past.
"I wondered why a being who was the clone of a True Immortal was nothing more than a mere Dragon King in the Integration stage...so it was because of that."
As I read into Hyeon Eum's history, I leisurely expose Seo Hweol's scheme in front of him.
"The being known as Hyeon Eum was never a single entity to begin with. Similar to the Extraordinary Pattern Law Talent...a certain conceptual being manifested part of its existence in the material world."
If the fate of the Extraordinary Pattern Law Talent manifests in the form of talent,
Then 'Hyeon Eum' is a 'collection of information' created by Blood Yin through intertwining part of the histories of the Immortal Beast Black Dragon and Lofty Dragon.
That collection of information manifested in the material realm, becoming the living beings known as the Black Dragon Race.
"And...the true origin of this conceptual entity was in the Astral Realm from the start. So that's how it is."
I realize why Seo Hweol suddenly fled to the Astral Realm.
I understand the reason he brainwashed the stars of the Astral Realm, as well as how Blood Yin was able to bind the True Persons in the Astral Realm through contracts.
I understand why They, while being in the Interdimensional Void, were able to transmit 'information about me' to the True Persons in the Astral Realm in an instant.
"It's the constellation. Blood Yin created an informational entity by gathering the histories of the Immortal Beast Black Dragon and Lofty Dragon, and then engraved that entity in the Astral Realm as a constellation. Through the constellation, They connected to the True Persons in the Astral Realm and established contracts. And by descending the power of the constellation into the Bright Cold Realm that reflects the Astral Realm's starry sky, he created the Black Dragon Race. The mechanism that moderately instills consciousness and controls the slightly superior individuals among the Black Dragon Race was 'Hyeon Eum.'"
I comprehend how Seo Hweol managed to take over Hyeon Eum's body.
"[The Fifth Seat of the Radiance Eight Immortals, Sword Spear Heavenly Lord] used Their authority to shatter a corner of the universe, dispersing part of the constellation's power and severely wounding Blood Yin. Taking advantage of that moment, you swallowed up Hyeon Eum through the stars you had brainwashed. Isn't that right, Seo Hweol?"
"Hoho...you've become a little frightening, Daoist Seo."
He smiles as he meets my eyes that are swirling with Taiji.
It seems he's already well aware of the information regarding the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, as he doesn't appear particularly shocked.
"The more I use it, the more familiar I become with it. This thing called Earth Tribe senses..."
Reading Seo Hweol's history through the Earth Tribe's senses, I click my tongue.
'If the Earth Tribe possessed these senses from the Qi Refining stage like the Heaven Tribe...perhaps the Heaven Tribe would have been at a significant disadvantage against them.'
The senses that read history.
This perception allows me to read parts of the target's history that I want.
Just as I did with Jang Ik, I can enter a scene of history that the individual permits and observe it, or, as I did with Seo Hweol just now, I can instantly read only the information I need.
However, it's not omnipotent. I can't read 'history in which I am not directly involved.'
As I've traveled through the Head Realm, Bright Cold Realm, and Ancient Force Realm, I've investigated the relationships between Seo Hweol, Blood Yin, Hyeon Eum, Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens, and more. The reason I could immediately read the hidden truth of Seo Hweol devouring Hyeon Eum is because it is deeply connected to my own actions.
'As for the past concerning Seo Hweol himself...it's hard to read.'
Realizing that I can't read the history of 'Seo Hweol' himself, I click my tongue.
Is it due to his Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens? His past is wrapped in something dark and murky, blocking me from reading entirely.
'This is probably Oh Hye-seo's authority.'
Just as Kim Yeon gained an incredibly vast consciousness domain, it seems she obtained the senses of the Earth Tribe from at least the Star Shattering stage.
'Judging by her higher level of application than mine...it might even be Earth Tribe senses that surpass the Star Shattering stage. The legend of the Noble Blood True Sea Radiance Body or whatever among the Fighting Ghost Race seems to originally lean that way as well.'
Speculating about Oh Hye-seo's authority, I look at Seo Hweol with eyes that bear the Taiji symbol.
He raises both hands with a faint smile.
"I really can't compete with Daoist Seo. As expected, I've been completely seen through. Hoho...well, it's fine. After all, Daoist Seo is the one who provided immense assistance in helping me devour Hyeon Eum."
I look at Seo Hweol with transparent eyes and ask.
"What's your purpose? Why did you guide the Esteemed Ones to wake me up?"
His goals are completely unreadable.
"I should be a harmful existence to you. If anything, if you're able to influence the Esteemed Ones to a certain extent, shouldn't you use them to press me even further?"
To understand his true meaning, I read through history and ask questions to make him reveal any gaps.
Seo Hweol responds with a smiling face.
"There's a slight correction to be made. As it has not been long since I devoured Hyeon Eum, I am not yet on par with genuine Esteemed Ones. I have only attained powerful authority over the Black Dragon Race, the Sea Dragon Race, and the Heavenly Fiends of the Blood Yin Realm. 'For now,' I can't manipulate the Esteemed Ones at will. The reason the Esteemed Ones comforted Daoist Seo was because they already had some intention to strengthen their connection with Daoist Seo to begin with."
"..."
I interpret through Seo Hweol language, while at the same time, try to read his intention through the senses of the Earth Tribe.
'Not readable.'
It's all lies.
"And...Daoist Seo is not a harmful existence to me."
"...What?"
I flinch at his words.
Because the result from reading him with the senses of the Earth Tribe and the Heart Tribe is...
Seo Hweol's statement is 'sincere.'
"Didn't Daoist Seo just say it himself? Daoist Seo is like a shield protecting me, so he isn't someone who is a threat to me."
'...This is unreadable too.'
But if I were to deduce from context, it seems he is saying that because my act of deploying the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord at Blood Yin allowed him to gain benefits like devouring Hyeon Eum from behind, hence, he considers my actions as a shield.
"...So, are you saying you're going to help me?"
"There's no reason I can't. As I see it, there are currently two things that Daoist Seo needs most. One is Daoist Seo's comrade, the Ghost Guiding Holy Mother. And the other is..."
He points up to the Lightning Sacred Sea floating in the sky.
"Trapped in the Lightning Sacred Sea, currently undergoing sexual torture through soft feet, Daoist Seo's comrade, Jeon Myeong-hoon. Aren't those the two things?"
"...!"
I flinch in surprise at his words and ask.
"...You, do you know Jeon Myeong-hoon's situation right now?"
"Hoho. I apologize to Daoist Seo, but...among Daoist Seo's comrades, there isn't a single one who hasn't been infected by me."
"...[Seventh Seat of the Radiance Eight Immortals, Great Sea Heavenly Lord]!"
"...! Kuuuuugh!"
"Kuuuugh!...!"
Seo Hweol and I both collapse, blood flowing from our seven orifices.
I get up a little earlier and glare at him.
"This is the punishment for recklessly planting Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens in my comrades. Normally, I would have stuffed you with Sub-Heart Swords and poured Glass True Fire all over you, but...today, even if it's you, I'll hold back."
I approach Seo Hweol, grip his shoulder, and press down as I question him.
[Speak. Can you help Jeon Myeong-hoon escape from the Lightning Sacred Sea?]
He looks up at me with a smile.
Now, he no longer appears to me as terrifying and immense as before.
'I can control him. At least someone like this bastard...'
In that case, accepting his help shouldn't be a problem.
Even if I have to rely on his help...
Let's get Jeon Myeong-hoon out as quickly as possible, before he is broken.
"If you grant me one request, I will help you."
[If you're going to bring up Seo Ran...]
"After rescuing the Ghost Guiding Holy Mother and Jeon Myeong-hoon...the 107th floor of the Tower of Trials within the Lightning Sacred Sea, known as the treasure vault of Yang Su-jin. Please confirm what lies beyond it."
[What did you say?]
"If Daoist ascends to the 108th floor of the Lightning Sacred Sea, I will give Daoist my full support. How does that sound?"
I remain silent for a moment.
Then, I speak.
[Fine.]
Thus, in order to save Jeon Myeong-hoon,
I join hands once more with the snake-like Seo Hweol.