"First, do you have any concrete method to extract Jeon Myeong-hoon right now?"
"The simplest method would be this."
"What is it?"
"I use my Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens to fragment your comrade's soul and rearrange it. Then, by copying that arrangement and embedding it into the soul of a suitable living being..."
"That's unnecessary. If you even think of doing such a thing to my friend's soul, I will kill you, even if I have to destroy the universe."
"Understood. I'll discard that method. Then, the second option."
Seo Hweol begins to explain his plan.
"Inside the Lightning Sacred Sea, the tens of quadrillions of Thunder Beasts within the inner section of the Tower of Trials… we'll brainwash all those Thunder Beasts."
"Brainwash...the Immortal Beast Golden Shaking Bird? Are you saying you can do that"
"It's not impossible. I assume you already guessed my purpose?"
"...Presumably, it's the brainwashing of Blood Yin."
I glare at him, deducing based on Seo Hweol's previous actions.
He's been preparing for brainwashing through countless Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens, stubbornly clinging to a body of the Sea Dragon Race derived from the split soul of Blood Yin's split soul, Ja Eum, and ultimately succeeded in replacing Hyeon Eum, Blood Yin's split soul, with himself.
'From the Sea Dragon Race to Hyeon Eum, he's been climbing the chain upward through brainwashing. In that case, the final target is obviously...Blood Yin.'
Moreover, I once read through Seo Hweol, discovering that his ultimate goal is to brainwash [someone].
"To brainwash Blood Yin, so that the leftover of the leftover of the leftover, that is akin to you, can achieve complete independence of self. That is the conclusion I've reached from observing you all this time. Am I wrong?"
"..."
Seo Hweol merely smiles faintly without responding at all to my words.
'Whether this is truly his goal or not, it's certain that this matter holds considerable importance for him.'
After smiling for a moment, he continues his explanation.
"...Well, assuming that's the case, Daoist Seo. Why do you think I haven't directly attempted to brainwash Blood Yin with my Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens, but am instead slowly crawling up from the very bottom that is the Sea Dragon Race?"
"The difference in rank is simply too overwhelming."
No matter how rotten Blood Yin may be, They are still a True Immortal.
Moreover, they once held the right hand seat of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld.
They are the leftover of Yu Hao Te, who once reached the rank of Chief Judge of the Netherworld, and partially restored a part of Yu Hao Te's authority.
Among True Immortals, They are likely quite powerful.
"It is precisely that. The difference in rank is too vast. Compared to Blood Yin's main body, I am but a mere bug. No, I'm just inorganic matter that didn't even manage to become a bug. The difference between a grain of sand and a person is immense. If a grain of sand said it would brainwash a person, do you think it'd be possible?"
"Impossible."
"Exactly. However...if a grain of sand exerts its full power, it can brainwash other grains of sand. I'm saying it can brainwash other inorganic matter. And...the bodies of living beings are ultimately made up of nothing more than blood, bones, skin, organs, and if we go deeper, things called cells and genetic material. Going even further, those too are composed of inanimate objects. While a grain of sand cannot brainwash a human, it can slowly and gradually brainwash the inorganic materials that compose the human."
He traces a drawing in the air.
It is a helical gene, cells, and various parts that constitute a human from fingernails and toenails.
"From a single grain of sand to a single unit of genetic material. From a single unit to two. From two units to five. From five units to one cell. From one cell to five cells. From five cells to fingernails, toenails, hair, skin, blood, organs, bones...all the way to the person's brain. To make the entirety of the person into oneself."
After completing his drawing of a full human figure, he clenches his fist.
Sururuk—
The drawing of the human is sucked into Seo Hweol's palm.
"That is...the method by which an existence that doesn't even qualify as a bug compared to a human can brainwash and overcome the human. By brainwashing each and every component that makes up that being from the very bottom, and making it all into my own. If you've heard this much, if it's Daoist Seo, you must have figured it out, right?"
"...Starting from the Qi Refining Thunder Beasts on the first floor of the Tower of Trials in the Lightning Sacred Sea...progressing through the second, third, and fourth floors, all the way to the Thunder Bee Queen...climbing up step by step until the very end to brainwash Golden Shaking Bird?"
"Precisely. This is the only way to rescue Daoist Seo's comrade, Jeon Myeong-hoon."
I look at him and ask.
"Up to this point, it doesn't seem like you need my help at all. But it feels like there's something that requires my assistance."
"Indeed. The only one within the Lightning Sacred Sea into whom I've embedded Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens is Daoist's comrade, Jeon Myeong-hoon. Therefore...I need to infect the Thunder Beasts on the first floor with Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens through Jeon Myeong-hoon. However, Jeon Myeong-hoon is currently being harassed and guarded by Golden Shaking Bird on the 106th floor. Infecting anything with Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens under the nose of a True Immortal-level being is unimaginable."
"What is it you need help with?"
"I know of the hidden method...no, the Immortal Art of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect. It's called Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens, correct? It's an Immortal Art that distorts the fate imposed by True Immortals by cloaking one's fate with misfortune. Please teach that to me."
After a moment of contemplation, I ask.
"As I understand it, Immortal Beasts are beings related to history. Using an Immortal Art to evade fate in front of beings connected to history doesn't seem very effective, does it?"
"Hmm...there seems to be a misunderstanding, Daoist Seo. Golden Shaking Bird is called an Immortal Beast simply because it's a Thunder Beast of True Immortal rank. In truth, it's not a genuine Immortal Beast. It was created artificially by clumping sect members and merging them together...an artificial Immortal being created through Heterodox Method that can never become a genuine Immortal Beast. Golden Shaking Bird absolutely cannot wield the power of history. Rather, given it was once the weapon of the Heaven Tribe's Golden Divine, it leans more towards fate."
"I see. However...it might be difficult for me to transmit Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens to you."
Seo Hweol looks at me with a puzzled expression and asks.
"Why so? I'm aware that mastering all the Lightning Path Methods of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect is a prerequisite. I can fulfill that condition right now through Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens..."
"That's not the problem."
I sigh, silently reciting the formula for Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens.
Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens is a cultivation method, as well as an Immortal Art, based on the Declaration of Human Rights.
But at the same time...
'Yang Su-jin...this human...'
—Non-humans shall not inherit (非人不傳).
It is also the will of Yang Su-jin himself.
The moment I even think of passing Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens to Seo Hweol, I see the formula's words coalesce before my eyes to form those words, and click my tongue.
Simultaneously, I sense Yang Su-jin's will forbidding the people of this world from knowing the Declaration of Human Rights.
'To 'never transmit it to non-humans,' how excessive.'
It's as if his will demands that not only should the beings of this world be denied enjoyment of the Declaration of Human Rights, but that they should remain utterly ignorant of its existence.
"...It seems that Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens cannot be passed on. The will of the Golden Divine stands in the way."
"...There's no helping it, then. Understood. In that case, Daoist Seo will have to personally use Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens."
"You want me to personally scatter calamity onto Jeon Myeong-hoon?"
"There's no other way. Without this method, there's no path to rescuing your companion."
"Fine. Then tell me precisely what you intend to do through Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens."
Seo Hweol explains to me the plan to blind Golden Shaking Bird using Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens, during which he would scatter Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens.
After hearing his plan, I nod.
"Very well. Let's begin immediately."
"Understood. I will prepare immediately as well."
Seo Hweol, still possessing Hyeon Eum's body, melts into the shadows and disappears, while I soar into the sky, revealing my main body.
Kugugugugugu!
As my main body emerges above the star, the eyes of the humans and various living beings residing on the star open wide in shock.
I suppress my presence to the utmost, carefully controlling to prevent the minds of the living beings from exploding from unnecessary influx of knowledge. Then, I send a voice transmission across the entire star.
[Hear me, inhabitants of this star. This Esteemed One has come from a distant other world. This Esteemed One shall bestow blessings upon you, so prepare yourselves to receive the blessings of this Esteemed One.]
As my vast will sweeps over them from the Heavenly Rain Great Star, all living beings on the star bow in unison, offering prayers directed towards me.
A few days later.
The inhabitants of the star have completely begun to revere me as the god of the star.
Through a divine message, I issue commands to the residents, and soon, at the center of the continent on the star,
A grand altar is constructed at the place richest in spirit veins.
It is an altar for Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens.
Countless incantations of curses and calamities are engraved on the altar in the language of the Bright Cold Realm.
However, I continue expanding the altar for several more months, waiting for contact from Seo Hweol.
And six months later.
At last, a message arrives from Seo Hweol.
[Please begin, Daoist. Everything is ready.]
[Very well.]
I issue a divine message to the inhabitants of the star, promising them blessings, and order them to prepare for the ritual.
Three days later, all preparations are complete.
Paaaatt!
My incarnation descends above the altar constructed by the inhabitants of the star.
The residents all bow and greet me in their respective languages, and I silently raise both hands.
Crystal Glass to Treading Sea.
Twin Flowers Reaching the Heavens.
Huarurururuk!
The Yin Soul Fire and White Orchid Flame gather in my hands.
Glass True Fire spreads across the altar, activating the formula of curses engraved on it.
A terrifying ominous fire begins to blaze on the altar.
[Are you ready, Seo Hweol?]
Then, Seo Hweol's response echoes back to me.
Tsssaaaa!
One by one, the stars near the Lightning Sacred Sea begin to lose their light.
It is as if all the stars are being swallowed by darkness.
For the past half-year, I have been preparing for Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens, while Seo Hweol has been brainwashing the surrounding stars, enveloping them through the power of Hyeon Eum to prepare for Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens.
Before long, all 28 stars near the Lightning Sacred Sea have lost their light, and those stars begin to form a formation.
The star veins twist.
The attraction force focuses on the Lightning Sacred Sea.
Huarurururururuk!
Simultaneously, all the spiritual veins on the star where I stand rush towards me, and I resonate with my main body to intensify the Glass True Fire.
[Then let us begin.]
Puhwak!
Glass True Fire surges, and my incarnation rises to the stratosphere of this star, reaching a vantage point from which I can clearly observe the Lightning Sacred Sea and easily commune with the stars that Seo Hweol has seized.
[Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens.]
[Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens.]
Seo Hweol's darkness envelops me.
At the same time, I draw the Sub-Heart Sword and begin resonating it with all the Sub-Heart Swords I have implanted in my comrades' heart essences.
[Please be mindful of the plan. When my Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens and Daoist Seo's Sub-Heart Sword reach Jeon Myeong-hoon through the Plane of Soul, Daoist Seo will divert Golden Shaking Bird's attention with the Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens and other methods. Meanwhile, I will infect the lower Thunder Beasts within the Tower of Trials with Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens.]
[I know.]
Side-by-side with Seo Hweol within the darkness, I delve into the Lightning Sacred Sea through the Plane of Soul.
In the distance, I sense the wave of Jeon Myeong-hoon.
Though that wave feels distant, as Seo Hweol and I simultaneously activate the Sub-Heart Sword and Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens, it instantaneously draws closer.
Paaatt!
At that moment, I enter the Lightning Sacred Sea.
Kurururung!
Dark clouds gathered by calamity spread around us.
Beneath the ominous clouds, Seo Hweol discreetly extends his shadow.
I consider whether I might as well be able to take Jeon Myeong-hoon's soul as I look back at him, who has allowed me to enter the Lightning Sacred Sea.
[...Jeon Myeong-hoon...]
He is bound all over, with his eyes and mouth tightly sealed by white thread-like bindings, while tiny fairy-like beings whisper incessantly in his ears as if trying to brainwash him.
Just as I reach out my hand towards Jeon Myeong-hoon,
Puhwak!
A portion of the dark clouds part, revealing a familiar figure.
It's Golden Shaking Bird.
She has fully transformed into her hummingbird form of lightning and glares at me, screeching in the language of a True Immortal.
: : How dare a wretch like you not know your place and disrupt the precious time between me and my Lord Husband (郎君)? Being able to receive the Immortal Art of Lord Husband's previous life was my Lord Husband's grace to you, so how dare you bestow misfortune to Lord Husband and use Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens? How disgusting. How laughable. Do I look so foolish as to not know how to counter Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens? : :
Her presence weighs down on me, as if saying she will no longer care about someone like me, and attempts to crush me to death.
I try my best not to look directly at her and continue to maintain Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens.
However...
'It's being pushed back. The Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens...!'
With each flap of her wings, the dark clouds of Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens, formed by gathering misfortune, dissipate.
—Are you not ready yet, Seo Hweol!?
[I need more time.]
Is it because she was the concubine and combat weapon of the Golden Divine Yang Su-jin?
Golden Shaking Bird swiftly puts an end to Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens, as if she not only knows how to counter it, but break it entirely.
At this rate, Seo Hweol, who is working to infect with Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens, will be discovered.
'I need to take drastic measures.'
I bite my lip hard.
Honestly...
If it's not an absolutely critical situation, this is a method I would never want to use.
But right now, it's truly urgent.
'If I miss this moment, Jeon Myeong-hoon will be thoroughly disciplined and brainwashed by this lunatic for a hundred thousand years, his personality completely warped!'
No matter what!
No matter what, I must buy time!
To do that, I call upon the name I'd rather never utter again.
[Zhengli!]
The first cry.
A faint attraction force forms.
It's so weak that it seems it would soon dissipate if left alone.
[Zhengli!!]
The second cry.
Golden Shaking Bird, enraged, rushes at me, and I barely fend off her attack by simultaneously using both Sumeru Sword Dance and Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens.
At the same time, the attraction force strengthens, and I can feel myself connecting with the entity beyond that force.
: : In Whose Sanctuary (聖所) Do You Dare Summon Such A Vile Presence !!?? : :
Golden Shaking Bird, as if genuinely furious, channels all her strength to utterly obliterate me.
Then, at the last moment.
[Zheng!!! Li!!!]
With all my strength, I call for Zhengli.
In the next instant,
Kwa-jijijijijijijik!!!
A being with pure and immaculate feet far beyond comparison to the likes of Golden Shaking Bird's appears between me and Golden Shaking Bird.
Paaatt!
The countless Immortal Arts and authority of lightning that Golden Shaking Bird summoned to annihilate me are instantly [erased], and she is forcibly returned from her Thunder Beast form to that of a girl, collapsing before the white-haired woman.
[Get, get away! Don't come near me! Begone! Begone I say, you accursed fiend!]
As if her very ability to speak the language of True Immortals has been stripped, Golden Shaking Bird lets out mental speech in a panicked burst, scrambling to get away from the white-haired woman while still on the ground.
The white-haired woman raises one finger to her lips.
The gesture seems to say, 'Shhh.'
"A...ah...aaaah..."
Golden Shaking Bird, who had been in a state that's half a spirit of lightning, is transformed completely to her human form with just that one gesture. Her voice, too, changes to a physical one as well.
The white-haired woman approaches Golden Shaking Bird.
Golden Shaking Bird, despite being an entity of True Immortal rank, crawls away in a pathetic, unimaginable display, desperately trying to escape from the white-haired woman.
Yet somehow, as if paralyzed, Golden Shaking Bird collapses in place. The white-haired woman approaches from behind and grasps her face, beginning to whisper something into her ear.
Then, Golden Shaking Bird begins to sob.
"D-D-Don't. Don't lie to me. It's Master. Master has returned. It is Master. Master has reincarnated. Don't lie to me. Don't liedon'tliedon'tliedon'tdon'tliedon'tlietomeeeeeee...!]
Golden Shaking Bird thrashes about as if trying to resist the whisper of the white-haired being, and finally, as if finding strength again through sheer will, she lets out a burst of mental speech.
[Leave the Lightning Sacred Sea! You hideous monster!]
Kurururung!
Yang Su-jin's ring finger shakes violently as Heavenly Lightning rumbles from all directions.
The lightning seems intent on driving the white-haired being out of this world.
Yet the white-haired figure appears entirely unaffected, spreading her arms wide with a laugh.
Dudududududu!
Her laughter alone causes the entire Lightning Sacred Sea to tremble.
Even the cry that Golden Shaking Bird used when attacking Baek Woon feels insignificant compared to this being's laughter.
'That...that is her true level...'
Then, the white-haired figure.
Zhengli finally speaks.
: : I C O N V E Y O N B E H A L F O F M Y M A S T E R T R A S H T H A T G O L D E N D I V I N E L E F T B E H I N D D O N O T P R E S U M E T O H O L D W I T H I N Y O U R G R A S P T H A T W H I C H B E L O N G S T O T H E L O R D S O M E D A Y T H E T R I B U L A T I O N (劫) S H A L L E M E R G E T H R O U G H H I M A N D E S C A P E F R O M C O N F I N E M E N T : :
[Do not prophesize! Do not impose fate! No! I can't let him go! Master is now mine. Within the Lightning Sacred Sea, I am the god! The one who dictates my master's fate is me! Scram! You filthy traitor!]
: : T H E B E T R A Y A L L I E S W I T H T H E M : :
Kugugugugugu!
With those words, Zhengli begins to transform into lightning itself, leaving behind a foreboding laugh as she is forced out of the Lightning Sacred Sea by Golden Shaking Bird.
Her figure fades away.
Then, a response arrives from Seo Hweol.
[Let's go, Daoist Seo. It is done.]
I suddenly notice Zhengli's left ring finger has two identical rings worn before leaving the Lightning Sacred Sea with Seo Hweol.
Had I stayed any longer, Golden Shaking Bird would have captured my mind and tortured me for a hundred thousand years.
Kurururung!
The dimensional barrier of the Lightning Sacred Sea ripples with immense lightning bolts across its entire surface.
Watching the lightning, I shudder at the level Zhengli just displayed.
'She's more formidable than expected. Zhengli...'
The level she demonstrated was in no way inferior to that of the South Polar Ritual Treasure Yeong Seung, and in terms of pure destructive power, she might even surpass it.
'More than that...I thought Zhengli would do something to me as well, but...unexpectedly, she just left without doing anything.'
I consider myself fortunate as I once again send an incarnation to the star where I conducted the ritual for Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens.
[You have all worked hard preparing to receive this Esteemed One's blessing. This Esteemed One bestows blessings upon this world.]
I infuse a great amount of Heaven and Earth spiritual energy, produced by my main body, into the entire star.
Then, I breathe out upon the priests and disciples who worship me, along with the workers who took part in constructing the altar.
Huuu—
Around those who receive my breath, masses of Heaven and Earth spiritual energy seem to condense into spiritual nature (靈性) before being absorbed by them.
Those who are already cultivators advance an entire realm, and those who are mere mortals are granted spiritual roots.
Those suddenly bestowed with spiritual roots look bewildered, and those who have risen in realm express immense gratitude toward me for having resolved the issue of lifespan.
For the next hundred years, this star will at least retain the level of Heaven and Earth spiritual energy comparable to Ascension Path, so an extraordinary number of individuals capable of ascending will likely emerge from it.
After taking these measures, I retrieve my incarnation and return to my main body, then envelop the entire star with the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts.
Woo-wooong!
Star Vein Eye, Fetal Movement, Nether Perception, Void Perception, and consciousness domain.
To erase the star's existence in all senses, I cut.
Paaatt!
For a moment, the star appears as if it has vanished from the universe's trajectory.
This Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts will remain in effect for at least three hundred years.
Golden Shaking Bird will neither discover this star nor realize that I have bestowed a blessing upon it.
And after three hundred years, all traces of my blessing will have disappeared by then, so even if she wants to punish it, there won't be any grounds to do so. By then, she'll likely be preoccupied spending time with Jeon Myeong-hoon and won't pay any attention to this star.
With those precautions in place, I swiftly step onto the Path of Stars.
Kurung, kurururung!
The space near the Lightning Sacred Sea trembles.
Simultaneously, I sense a massive killing intent directed at me from within.
Golden Shaking Bird, having regained her senses, is now targeting me.
Kwarururung!
A massive arm of lightning emerges from the Lightning Sacred Sea, flying toward me.
Golden Shaking Bird is beginning to exert her strength in order to capture me.
Paaaatt!
I leap onto the Path of Stars, rapidly traverse the vast cosmic space, and address my shadow.
[So, how long will it take for you to 'guide' the Golden Shaking Bird?]
I asked in advance, before proceeding with the plan.
I asked if it's truly possible to subjugate Golden Shaking Bird with Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens.
Seo Hweol said it was impossible.
Truly brainwashing a True Immortal is, by itself, unattainable.
His task is to implant Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens within Golden Shaking Bird and 'guide' her to create a 'gap' that will allow Jeon Myeong-hoon to escape.
And just to guide her in that way required such a complicated preparation process.
Seo Hweol's response arrives.
[Ten thousand years. It will take approximately nine thousand to ten thousand years.]
[...That's around the time the End approaches.]
[If it were any less, it wouldn't be easy to implant an Immortal Art that guides a True Immortal's mind.]
[...Fine.]
Ten thousand years.
An incredibly long time, but compared to the hundred thousand years proposed by Golden Shaking Bird, it's a timeframe that's passable.
If it's ten thousand years, I feel it's something that can be endured.
'Endure for just ten thousand years, Jeon Myeong-hoon.'
I will definitely rescue you.
As I flee from the arm of lightning chasing us despite leaping across thousands of light-years, I pray for Jeon Myeong-hoon's safety.
-x-X-x-
Pajijijijijik...
How many days have I spent fleeing through the Path of Stars, evading the grasp of the Golden Shaking Bird? As I travel, the strength in the arm gradually fades, and eventually it finally vanishes.
'It seems it's impossible for it to emerge directly beyond the Lightning Sacred Sea. It must have exhausted its strength trying to reach out from within its confinement.'
Paaatt!
Now, the end of the Path of Stars is in sight, and the Peaceful Cloud Realm comes into view in the distance.
A massive thigh-shaped Decaying Corpse Realm floats in the cosmic space.
'Just one more crossing from here, and I'll be in the Ancient Force Realm.'
The Deep Sea of the Ancient Force Realm might be daunting to cultivators at the Integration stage and below, but for Esteemed Ones and above, one can easily break through the depths and rise back up, relying on attraction force at a cosmic level. Even if they enter the Ancient Force Realm, they can emerge with their own power without issue.
However, instead of returning straight to the Ancient Force Realm, I exit the Peaceful Cloud Realm.
By now, I've come far enough that I could reach the Middle Realm within a few months if I chose to travel there, so there's no pressing need to rush along the Path of Stars.
Rather than that, I take a moment to carefully observe the Peaceful Cloud Realm from the outside.
'I've wondered about this before, but what exactly is this Decaying Corpse Realm?'
No, it's probably not even a Decaying Corpse Realm.
The stars that connect the Path of Stars are all just True Persons in disguise.
Therefore, this Peaceful Cloud Realm is likely also the disguise of an Entering Nirvana True Person, but why would this particular being choose to disguise themself as the Decaying Corpse Realm?
'If I awakened them to ask...the living beings inside the Peaceful Cloud Realm would probably be thrown into chaos. And honestly, I can't assume they would be a friendly presence towards me...'
Though curiosity stirs within me, I decide to leave it be for now, flying to a nearby suitable star and settling myself there. I then turn to my shadow and ask,
"Over the past few days, I couldn't ask because I was busy shaking off Golden Shaking Bird, but...didn't you also say you'd help me find Kang Min-hee, the Ghost Guiding Holy Mother?"
"Rest assured. I will help Daoist locate the Ghost Mother as well."
Seo Hweol emerges from my shadow with a faint smile.
"Tell me her location."
"Hmm...I don't know yet myself. I'm simply having 'myself' scattered across the cosmos and Hyeon Eum to search for her. But please don't worry. In about ten years, I'll be able to trace the Ghost Mother with my wife's assistance."
"What, so you haven't tried any tricks on her?"
"Has Daoist Seo forgotten what he planted in the bosom of the Ghost Mother?"
"Well...just inform me of her location once you succeed in finding her. And, Oh Hye-seo."
I look at Seo Hweol as I speak.
"I know you're acting as Seo Hweol's eyes right now. You're probably watching our conversation as well. If you find Kang Min-hee in the future, you're to retrieve every 'record' of her movements since she arrived in the Astral Realm and deliver them to me. Understood?" R
"Hmm, my wife is asking Daoist Seo, 'Who do you think you are to be giving orders?'"
"Since Seo Hweol is right in front of me, and you're connected to Seo Hweol...I can locate you at any time through Seo Hweol and launch an attack."
Huaruruk...
I speak, letting Glass True Fire rise from my body.
It's not a joke.
By using the Sub-Heart Sword and Flower Soul Filling the Heavens to pass through Seo Hweol's Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens, I can pinpoint Oh Hye-seo's location.
Using this method, I can send her the Sub-Heart Sword imbued with Glass True Fire.
"My wife says she 'accepts the terms'."
"She should have done so from the start."
I release the Glass True Fire and assume a lotus position.
I can afford to wait ten years.
'Kang Min-hee's location...is immensely important to me as well.'
Originally, I thought I'd have to fly aimlessly around the entire universe searching for her...but with this method, I'll be able to memorize her location and find her directly later on.
"Once I've found the Ghost Mother's location and gathered her movement records over the past hundred years, I'll see Daoist again. Farewell."
With those words, Seo Hweol vanishes from the spot.
I gaze into space from atop the desolate star, then attempt to connect with my comrades' Sub-Heart Swords that are linked to their souls.
The distance to the Lightning Sacred Sea is too great, so while the Sub-Heart Swords can resonate with each other, they can't maintain a connection from that far. However, near the Peaceful Cloud Realm, connecting with the Sub-Heart Swords is entirely possible.
'For now, returning to the Bright Cold Realm with my main body...would be difficult.'
I feel a sense of shame towards Yeon Wei.
'Yeon Wei might actually hang herself... No, I won't tell her that Jeon Myeong-hoon has been kidnapped...just yet.'
For now, let's just greet my comrades and update them on recent events through the Sub-Heart Sword.
Just as I think this,
"...Em?"
Peett!
Something like a flash of light flickers, and my connection through the Sub-Heart Sword is cut off.
'What was that?'
Curious, I attempt to reconnect to the Sub-Heart Sword through the Plane of Soul, and in the next instant, a flash appears and the connection is broken once more.
'What the...?'
Determined, I reconnect the Sub-Heart Sword.
'Fine. I'll establish a solid connection through the Plane of Soul.'
Paaatt!
Just as my consciousness is about to reach my comrades,
Flash!
I see it.
When I elevate my mind fully to the Plane of Soul, I finally see it!
The scene of a golden radiance flashing in the Plane of Soul and severing my very will in an instant before disappearing.
"...Hah."
I let out a small chuckle and begin concentrating my mind with all my strength.
"So that's how it is?"
Perhaps this is a blessing in disguise.
Although Jeon Myeong-hoon is doomed to endure ten thousand years of pleasure training, it seems there are those who have grown in power during that time.
"You sure are fast."
I hadn't even noticed.
It's probably because of Hyeon Gwi.
Ever since witnessing the pinnacle of martial arts shown by the Owner of the Void, my enlightenment has become scattered, which might explain my lapse in perception. But...even with that in mind, the speed is astonishingly hard to even perceive!
There's only one being with both this speed and this golden radiance.
I prepare to reconnect with my comrades.
'If I am to break through this speed and reconnect, there's only one way.'
I must pierce through.
No matter how quickly my will is cut off, I need to crush his very intent moving at that speed with enough powerful force, and pierce directly through.
Kugugugugu!
I pull my main body up momentarily to the Plane of Soul.
Then, within the Plane of Soul, I overlay my shining light with the appearance of my main body.
On the Plane of Soul, the forms of stars become one.
At the same time, boundless power begins surging from that spot.
[Here I come. This time, you won't stop me...!]
Dududududu!
The entire Plane of Soul nearby begins to shake.
I focus my consciousness directly through the Plane of Soul.
Kwaaang!
Immediately, my consciousness collides with something.
Once again, something incredibly fast attempts to sever my consciousness, but due to the difference in weight, I feel something 'breaking.'
And at that very moment, my consciousness finally reaches the Bright Cold Realm.
Chwararak!
The place where I open my eyes is the Cedar Wood Grove in the Bright Cold Realm.
Above a mountain.
On the mountain peak.
In front of me stands a familiar figure, gripping a saber and grinning.
"You're here."
The man in black martial attire.
Kim Young-hoon, wearing a bright expression, immediately readies himself.
"Come at me. Today, I'll show you who the real hyung-nim is."
I smile faintly at his words and raise both hands.
I can feel Kim Young-hoon tensing as he envelops his entire body in sharp energy.
At the edge of the imminent clash!
I spread both my hands wide and laugh.
"I surrender."
"...What?"
Kim Young-hoon frowns and asks again.
"What kind of crazy talk is this? Are you doing this because you don't understand why I'm acting this way?"
"Yes, I understand. Congratulations, Young-hoon Hyung-nim."
Through the Plane of Soul, I gaze into Kim Young-hoon's soul.
Currently, he exists within the Plane of Soul as a radiant star, with clouds gathering around him and emitting a brilliant light.
He too has reached the realm of Void Shattering.
Kim Young-hoon, brimming with sharp energy as if he's about to cut me down at any moment, shouts.
"If you know, why are you acting like this? Before I cut you down right now..."
Just as he grows excited and prepares to swing his saber,
Tadatt!
"You're here, Seo Eun-hyun!"
Someone jumps in between me and Kim Young-hoon.
"So, have you managed to control your emotions?"
It's Jang Ik.
"...I haven't managed to control them yet. Because of that, my current realm is also in an unstable state."
Beyond Jang Ik, I look at Kim Young-hoon and raise the All-Heavens Sword above my hand.
Wo-woong!
The Formless Sword compresses, and a single sword with all of the heavens' natural colors appear above my hand.
This is my sword that has reached the realm of Seated Detachment, Entering Hope.
And going further from here, this is my sword that has reached the realm of Void Shattering.
Kiiiing!
The All-Heavens Sword, compressed from the Formless Sword, compresses once again.
Taking on a form akin to a line of intent, I gaze at the All-Heavens Sword, which has materialized as the very concept of 'cutting' itself.
This is my sword.
At a glance, it appears unimpressive, merely a thin line.
But this is my sword, manifested as the very concept of 'cutting'.
"I returned from briefly visiting the Lightning Sacred Sea. Near the Lightning Sacred Sea, I encountered an incident...and had to witness something terrifying."
"Something terrifying?"
Kim Young-hoon looks puzzled, and I try to move the compressed All-Heavens Sword.
However, the thin All-Heavens Sword seems to distort in air and then, like a reed, snaps and scatters into the air.
"A terrifying martial art that denies the very meaning of Martial Arts. I had to witness the emptiness that renders everything we've trained as meaningless. Since then...I've begun to have doubts about my martial arts. Because of that, my current realm has become unstable. While I can still use the Sub-Heart Sword and the basic abilities of Void Shattering to some extent...fighting as a true martial artist is difficult."
Jang Ik supplements my explanation.
"This brat seems to have encountered some [transcendent entity] out in the distant universe. Ever since then, he's been in this state."
"I see...well, I understand for now."
It seems Kim Young-hoon and Jang Ik have already introduced themselves, as they appear quite familiar with each other.
"Well, since it's come to this, we should drink and relieve our pent-up feelings."
Kim Young-hoon smacks his lips and disappears briefly before reappearing.
In his hand is a cloth bag, inside which are a small table for drinks, a bottle of alcohol, and a side dish.
Jang Ik, Kim Young-hoon, and I sit atop the mountain and begin drinking together.
"By the way, I notice even Cedar Wood Grove uses chopsticks."
"I introduced them myself, since they can double as daggers in emergencies."
Kim Young-hoon has already distributed chopsticks and spoons to Cedar Wood Grove, and Jang Ik seems completely accustomed to chopsticks as he uses them skillfully to pick up the side dish.
The side dish looks like a pure white bellflower root salad, though it resembles stripped tree bark. Despite its appearance, it tastes incredibly good.
Moreover, with each bite, my consciousness becomes clearer, and a boundless stream of Heaven and Earth spiritual energy seems to spring forth within me, making it appear to be a remarkable elixir on its own.
'Though I'm currently in a clone state, even just transferring the spiritual energy to my main body through the Plane of Soul would be considerably beneficial...'
A spiritual elixir effective even for those at the Star Shattering stage—what on earth is this?
As I take a sip of the drink and some of the side dish, curiosity crosses my face, prompting Kim Young-hoon and Jang Ik to speak.
"The liquor is White-Red Wine. I prepared it in advance since it seems you like it."
"Oh, thank you. But what is this side dish? It's incredibly delicious."
Jang Ik picks up another bite of the side dish and explains.
"It's Sacred Master Baek Woon's body."
"..."
As I'm eagerly eating the tree bark that looks like bellflower root salad, I freeze on the spot.
"Since I went through so much in the Lightning Sacred Sea, I pestered her for a nourishing elixir for my health. Generously, she told me to cut off whatever part I wanted from her body and eat it. So, I brought some back."
"...Couldn't it have been just a polite gesture? You know, like saying, 'You've been through so much; I wish I could even cut off a part of myself to feed you' or something along those lines..."
"Not my problem. She should've chosen her words more carefully."
Feeling uneasy, I remove the mouthful of Sacred Master Baek Woon's body salad from my lips.
Jang Ik clicks his tongue and says,
"Anyway, the bodies of the Tall Tree Race are already traded in various places as spiritual elixirs. Since the Tall Tree Race is half tree by nature, cutting off parts and selling them isn't an issue. Moreover, there are a lot of cases of the Tall Tree Race themselves cutting their body to use as food for nutrients or for trading. And honestly, for any Heaven Tribe at the Core Formation stage and above, the physical body itself isn't even that important. I also got permission."
"...Yes. Well, if you put it that way..."
Though I still felt a bit uneasy...since Sacred Master Baek Woon herself granted permission, I decide to just go along and eat it.
Unlike Qi Building Pills or similar items, this is essentially like Sacred Master Baek Woon handing over her trimmed nails or toenails, so I don't feel too guilty about consuming it.
Only slightly unsettled.
While eating, a sudden curiosity strikes me, and I ask.
"By the way, which part of Sacred Master Baek Woon's body is this?"
"Heh heh, curious, are you? If you knew, neither of you would be able to put it in your mouths..."
"...Never mind."
Though the feeling of unease grows, the taste of Sacred Master Baek Woon's body is truly akin to heavenly delicacy, so I decide to keep eating without further thought.
Jang Ik and Kim Young-hoon, in particular, eat the body of Sacred Master Baek Woon enthusiastically, while I just pick at it, letting them enjoy more.
Then, when there are three pieces of Sacred Master Baek Woon's body left,
Jang Ik and Kim Young-hoon each grab a piece, quickly chewing and swallowing, while I slowly reach for the last piece.
'Its unsettling, but it's still a spiritual elixir...so it wouldn't hurt to eat it.'
Just as I pick up the last piece with my chopsticks,
Takk!!
Kim Young-hoon's chopsticks flick my chopsticks away powerfully, snatching Baek Woon's body piece at the speed of light.
"No, what is...?"
Just as I'm taken aback,
Tuung!
A green light flashes as Jang Ik's chopsticks smack Kim Young-hoon's chopsticks back.
Clatter!
Thanks to that, the last remaining piece falls back onto the plate.
Kim Young-hoon glares at Jang Ik with widened eyes.
"What are you doing?"
"What are you doing? You should know how to yield something valuable to a senior."
"Shouldn't it be the senior who yields to the junior?"
"Then why don't you yield to Seo Eun-hyun? You always go around calling each other brothers."
"Seo Eun-hyun reached this realm before me, so in cultivation terms, he's technically my senior."
"Is this brat drunk? The nonsense he's spouting is ridiculous."
I look at the two and sigh as I say,
"You each took one piece when there were three left, so this last one should be mine. I'll take it, so please stop fighting."
"What nonsense is this!? I went through the trouble of getting this from Baek Woon, so of course I should eat it!"
"Neither Senior Jang nor Seo Eun-hyun really need this, do they? I, however, want to eat it because the nature of light within this elixir aligns perfectly with my saber energy!"
Tick, tidik, tick tick tick!
We clash our chopsticks as we bicker with each other.
'Why on earth are they acting like this?'
While Sacred Master Baek Woon's fragment is indeed an incredible spiritual elixir, I didn't expect it to cause an argument.
They both seem awkward as they suddenly display a greed they normally don't show, fighting over a side dish.
Watching them, I suddenly catch a glimpse of Jang Ik and Kim Young-hoon's expressions.
Only then do I understand.
'I failed to notice because they're all good at concealing their intents and heart essences at this level.'
I chuckle as I move my chopsticks.
'I should have caught on when Kim Young-hoon brought out the drinking table. So, was this their plan all along?'
Paang!
A powerful energy wave explodes from my chopsticks, pushing the two of them back.
"Both of you should step aside. It seems I really must eat this."
"You greedy Heaven Tribe scoundrel, so you reveal your true colors!"
"Gal! A mere Deputy dares to covet the Director's side dish!"
Jang Ik and Kim Young-hoon thrust their chopsticks forward, trying to snatch my side dish.
Kim Young-hoon's chopsticks turn into golden radiance as they thrust towards me.
Jang Ik's chopsticks dye green, unleashing overwhelming oppressive force that presses down on my momentum.
Tiiing—
Kim Young-hoon's chopsticks flick the side dish caught between my chopsticks.
The side dish flies into the air, and Jang Ik springs up from his seat, leaping after it.
Simultaneously, Kim Young-hoon and I grab Jang Ik's leg with our chopsticks and slam him down to the ground.
Jang Ik quickly rises again, swinging his chopsticks.
Slashes scatter in all four directions.
Both Kim Young-hoon's and my chopsticks snap.
Yet we each create colorless and golden light chopsticks, using them to confront Jang Ik.
Jang Ik rushes at us, wielding his chopsticks in a downward slash.
Dukwang!
Even though they're just chopsticks, the force of that single strike cleaves the mountain behind us cleanly in two.
Kim Young-hoon evades, while I let it phase through before slowly reaching out with my chopsticks towards the side dish falling from above.
'If I don't use my full power...they'll both be disappointed.'
Heaven, Earth, Heart.
The Three Great Ultimates rise behind my chopsticks.
Though I've limited the energy to the Qi Refining level, the Three Great Ultimates are still the Three Great Ultimates.
An overwhelming tyrannical force that suppresses Kim Young-hoon and Jang Ik, who are both displaying energy at the same Qi Refining level, begins to surge.
I center my energy at the Qi Refining level and begin to accelerate my consciousness.
Tiiing, tiding!
As my consciousness accelerates, the surroundings darken, and the speed of our chopsticks clashing intensifies.
'Kim Young-hoon's speed now...seems to have reached some kind of transcendence.'
It's no longer just fast.
When I regain my senses, he's already moved his chopsticks.
But it's not simply a matter of surpassing space.
This is...
'Time...reversal? This crazy...'
0.1 seconds?
No, perhaps even shorter than slicing 0.1 seconds into ten billion parts.
Yet undeniably, his chopsticks briefly reversed time.
His speed transcended time itself, even if only momentarily.
Tukwang!
Kim Young-hoon's chopsticks pin me in place.
Jang Ik's chopsticks tear apart the chopsticks I formed, ripping through the space itself as he corners me.
It's just above a small plate, yet within that space, three Heart Tribe members are fiercely battling.
And at some point, this three-way duel between me, Kim Young-hoon, and Jang Ik,
Has turned into a battle between two factions—Kim Young-hoon and Jang Ik against me.
'The vision...is different!'
Heaven Path, Earth Path, Heart Path.
I elevate all three visions to the level of the Star Shattering stage.
I read their history, fully grasping the techniques and intent Jang Ik and Kim Young-hoon are preparing.
At the same time, I foresee every possible outcome and block each of their moves in advance.
'Even if the speed can momentarily transcend time...'
For someone like me, who can read both the past and the future, speed is meaningless.
Everything is read.
Tidididing!
Kim Young-hoon's speed is indeed fast enough to transcend time, if only for a fraction.
But it's useless.
With an almost omniscient sense, I begin to predict and counter every move Kim Young-hoon makes.
The tyrannical force granted by the Three Great Ultimates overpowers Jang Ik's destructive power.
The omniscience (全知) gained from the Three Realms of Heaven, Earth, and Heart suppresses Kim Young-hoon's speed.
Jang Ik and Kim Young-hoon gradually start increasing the synergy of their combined attacks.
It seems they realize they have to join forces to match me.
The storm above the plate grows more intense by the moment.
We aren't simply bickering over a side dish with our chopsticks.
Aware that my Void Shattering realm is unstable, Jang Ik and Kim Young-hoon have chosen to display their skills through a chopstick duel in a way to compete without having to use their full power for my sake.
Dancing within the movements of chopsticks—this too is undeniably a martial contest.
At some point, as I fend off their increasingly synchronized attacks, I slip into a state of ecstasy.
My chopsticks transform into the All-Heavens Sword, while theirs become the Surpassing Radiant Saber and the Four Treasures Annihilating Heavens Blade, clashing against me.
In this trance, I recall the circle that Hyeon Gwi once showed me.
'Ah...'
Can I reach that circle?
The moment when Hyeon Gwi shattered that circle without hesitation does not come to mind.
Geuk Gwang of the Tall Tree Race may be, by human standards, utterly deranged like a mad dog in heat.
But what they said isn't entirely wrong.
'I should reach that realm first before making my judgment.'
Even if the end of that path leads to Wuji shattering meaninglessly.
I, too, will need to reach that realm before I can make my judgment.
'Can I reach it?'
It feels distant.
Yet it's beautiful.
A sacred realm that all those who practice martial arts strive to attain.
'Can I reach it...?'
So distant that it's despairing, even ominous.
And yet...
'I will reach it.'
Even if that place turns out to be truly ominous.
I resolve to witness that summit with my own eyes as I make a grand movement with my hand.
Crack!
The plate shatters.
And in the end, the last side dish slips from my grasp and falls towards Kim Young-hoon and Jang Ik.
However, neither of them wear the expression of a victor.
"Is that it? That so-called Ultimate of Martial Arts you claimed to have seen?"
It seems Jang Ik saw something through me just now, as he makes an anguished expression.
I give a bitter smile.
Kim Young-hoon lets out a slightly drained laugh.
"I won the side dish, but I've lost in enlightenment."
Yet he quickly regains his composure, laughing more heartily as if delighted.
"Well, what does some side dish from a Sacred Master's body matter compared to Martial Arts? Seeing something that great is far more fitting as a side dish."
He tosses away the fried fragment of Baek Woon's body, and Jang Ik, no longer fixated on the side dish, grabs the White-Red Wine and drinks directly from the bottle.
Jang Ik asks.
"Still can't pick up the sword?"
I nod with a bitter smile.
"I might be able to contest a bit in martial arts skills like we did just now, but I still don't have the confidence to wield the sword."
If I were to hold the sword, it still feels like it will simply vanish.
The circle that Hyeon Gwi showed me was that terrifying, that sacred, and also that ominous.
"Well, so be it. There'll come a day when we can truly duel. I'll let you off for today."
Jang Ik clicks his tongue and drinks, while Kim Young-hoon closes his eyes and replays my intent earlier, his face flushed as if intoxicated by it.
And so,
Our brief martial contest under the guise of a drinking party comes to an end.
No one knows what the result would have been if we had used real swords and weapons and given our all...
But at least with chopsticks, the judgment was in my favor.
After a brief exchange of greetings with my comrades, I share information about Jeon Myeong-hoon's situation only with my fellow Enders, excluding Yeon Wei and the others.
"So, he's undergoing terrible torture at the hands of Golden Shaking Bird...?"
"Yes. However...I've formed a temporary alliance with the Seo Hweol bastard to rescue him."
"Em. Emmm...emm."
Kim Yeon looks at me with worried eyes, trying to say something.
"...Sorry. I can't understand you."
"...Emm..."
I realize that I'll need to find a way to interpret her gestures and language at some point.
After discussing Jeon Myeong-hoon's situation, Kang Min-hee's location tracking, and our future plans with my comrades, I step out of Cedar Wood Grove for a moment.
'...A lot has happened.'
I rose to the Star Shattering stage, attracted the obsession of the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, scolded Ham Jin, encountered Golden Shaking Bird, and as Jeon Myeong-hoon was kidnapped, it marked the end of the Lightning Sacred Sea expedition.
Then, I met Hyeon Gwi, who is presumed to be the Heavenly Venerable of the Void, witnessed the Ultimate of Martial Arts, and joined hands with Seo Hweol, entering a contract.
And now, I briefly exchanged moves with Kim Young-hoon who has risen to Void Shattering, and Jang Ik.
Truly...
It feels like an overwhelming number of absurd events have happened, so much so that it's difficult to summarize.
'Now...after finding Kang Min-hee, I need to find a method to reach her mind, and I also need to begin my Star Shattering cultivation.'
I can't rescue Kang Min-hee immediately.
Inside her soul, there's a hole directly connected to the deepest part of the Netherworld.
I need to either close that hole or find a way to break free from the Netherworld's influence.
Until then, she...will have to be sealed temporarily once I find her.
'For ten thousand years...while finding ways to save my comrades from the End, rescue Kang Min-hee...and rescue Jeon Myeong-hoon, let's cultivate.'
I return my consciousness to the Astral Realm.
Now, I just need to wait for news about Kang Min-hee from Seo Hweol and seal her once she's found.
A few years later.
News of Kang Min-hee comes from Seo Hweol.
"...Did I hear that wrong?"
"No, you heard correctly, Daoist Seo."
"...What...exactly happened to Kang Min-hee?"
"She died. And then, she reincarnated."
"...What is this bullshit that only you would..."
Without another word, Seo Hweol hands me a crystal orb containing a recording spell.
When I activate the crystal orb, inside, I see an infant Kang Min-hee babbling incoherently.
A hundred years and some decades since Kang Min-hee parted ways with us.
In that period of time—short if short, long if long—she has died and reincarnated.
"...First, explain. My head hurts... Please, make it understandable."
"To explain this...I must first tell you about the advancement ritual for the Sacred Vessel stage."
From Seo Hweol's mouth comes an explanation about the Sacred Vessel advancement ritual.
-x-X-x-
"The advancement ritual for the Sacred Vessel stage is like the Ship of Theseus."
"...What?"
I'm momentarily dumbfounded by the absurd phrase that suddenly popped out of Seo Hweol's mouth, but then I realize the reason and nod my head.
"Did you learn that from Oh Hye-seo?"
"Yes. I have learned many things about her homeland from her. Since Daoist Seo and your comrades are clearly the main figures of this generation, it seemed beneficial to study it, if only to communicate better with Daoist Seo."
"...Well, fine. Just keep explaining."
"By the way, is Daoist Seo familiar with the concept of the Ship of Theseus? My wife mentioned that Daoist Seo might be too stupid to know about it."
"...I know, so get to the point."
The Ship of Theseus.
You remove an old plank from a large ship and replace it with a new one.
Then, whenever other parts wear out, you repeat the process.
At the end, when every plank has been replaced with new ones, can you still call it the same ship that Theseus sailed on when he slew the Minotaur?
"The Star Shattering stage is the phase where the soul transforms into attraction force. However, from the Sacred Vessel stage onwards, attraction force reaches its peak, and the soul gradually transforms into Immortal Arts itself. Therefore, the advancement ritual from the Star Shattering stage to the Sacred Vessel stage requires replacing one's entire life with Immortal Art."
"What kind of process would make Kang Min-hee reincarnate?"
"Strictly speaking, it's not as though she actually died, crossed the Nether Crossing River, went to the Underworld, faced judgment, and reincarnated. She simply grounded all her accumulated cultivation, mind, soul, and rank into the Astral Realm and scattered them. In other words...it's the concept of clones or leftovers. However, while typical clones or leftovers are created one or two at a time, since one completely shatters oneself during the Star Vessel ritual, thousands, tens of thousands, tens of millions of clones and leftovers are created."
Seo Hweol's explanation continues.
"Let me explain about the Sacred Vessel advancement ritual. If the Star Shattering stage is the realm where one 'explodes' everything of oneself, then the Sacred Vessel stage is the realm where one 'scatters' everything. Cultivation, consciousness, authority...all of it is scattered, leaving fragmented versions of oneself closer to mortal rank in a designated area. Then, using the Immortal Art one has chosen, one begins to integrate these fragments, one by one, centering around that Immortal Art."
"Integrating the fragments around the Immortal Art?"
"The simplest example is right before your eyes."
"Ah..."
As I look at the 'Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens,' I roughly grasp the concept.
One lays down the Immortal Art they aim to attain, then shatters their body into fragments, spreading them beneath that Immortal Art.
Then, they gather those fragments one by one, merging them back together with the Immortal Art as the center.
I ask to confirm if my understanding is correct.
"You've understood well."
"Hold on, there's something I still don't quite get... Doesn't that mean that without something like your Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens, advancement to the Sacred Vessel stage is nearly impossible?" 𝘳
"Haha, there's a misunderstanding. One only becomes slightly vulnerable during the Sacred Vessel advancement, not to the point of it being impossible. Because...typically, one entrusts their personality to the Immortal Art."
"What do you mean by that?"
"For instance, suppose one scatters and spreads everything of themself beneath the Immortal Art Examination of Doubts. In that case, Examination of Doubts doesn't just remain as Examination of Doubts. The Immortal Art Examination of Doubts is also embedded with the personality of the main body, born within the area where the fragments are scattered. This Immortal Art, imbued with the main body's personality, absorbs the other fragments, gradually regaining strength, authority, and memories, and grows before finally rising to the Sacred Vessel stage."
"I understand. Then, this appearance of Kang Min-hee you showed me is..."
I look at her within the crystal orb and speak,
"...Not Kang Min-hee herself, but an 'Immortal Art' with her personality?"
"You could say so."
"..."
'It really is the Ship of Theseus.'
Entrusting one's personality to an Immortal Art, which then becomes their main body.
In that case, does an existence after the Sacred Vessel stage become entirely different from before the Sacred Vessel stage?
"...I understand for now. Thanks...for helping me find Kang Min-hee's location."
"It's nothing. And here are the requested movement records and current position of the Ghost Mother."
I take the data gathered by Seo Hweol and Oh Hye-seo, look over it, and then rise from my seat.
The maximum distance that typical late Star Shattering stage cultivators can travel in a single leap with the ground-shrinking technique is around 1.5 light-years.
Fortunately, the distance between her and me is currently about 15 light-years.
According to Gyu Wol-jin, I'm practically at the Grand Perfection Star Shattering level, so I should be able to reach her in about eight or nine days.
"Then I shall take my leave now. I need to start preparing for my wife's Star Shattering advancement soon, and above all, she gets fussy if I'm away too long. The next time we meet...will be in ten thousand years, at the Lightning Sacred Sea."
After finishing his words, Seo Hweol melts into the darkness of the universe and disappears.
I watch him for a moment, then use the ground-shrinking technique towards a distant point in the cosmos.
Flash!
I muster all my strength and leap across the vast expanse of space.
I cover an immense distance in an instant, and as a result, I find myself temporarily drained and need to take a brief rest at that spot.
I should fully recover in just one day.
In a little over a week, I should be able to reach her.
'Just wait a little longer. I'm coming to help you.'
The place I arrive at is familiar.
Mengyun Continent.
Once, during my Four-Axis stage cultivation while running the Wuji Religious Order, this was the world where I first stopped by and forged a contract.
'Since the people of this world haven't named the star itself...I suppose I'll call it Mengyun Star for convenience.'
Mengyun Star is shrouded in ghostly energy everywhere.
A few hundred years ago,
While conducting my Axis Foundation Practice, I lent my power as the Wuji Ghost King to a Mengyun Star cultivator named 'Yu Hui'.
After that, Yu Hui served me and cultivated the Ghost Path Method, supposedly becoming a well-known cultivator on Mengyun Star.
'Is it because of that? It seems that thanks to Yu Hui, the Ghost Path Method is popular across Mengyun Star.'
Perhaps Kang Min-hee chose to scatter her cultivation on this Mengyun Star for that very reason.
'Should I search for Yu Hui?'
I sweep my consciousness domain across the entire Mengyun Star, and soon I find him, secluded and facing a critical juncture as he advances from the Core Formation stage to the Nascent Soul stage.
'Hmm, I could help him, but it's probably better for him to overcome something like this on his own. Besides, it doesn't look like he's in danger of dying yet.'
I decide not to interfere with Yu Hui unnecessarily and instead survey the entire star system where the Mengyun Star is located.
'Since I'll be watching over Kang Min-hee for a long time anyway...I might as well conduct my Star Shattering stage cultivation here in this star system.'
It would be best to prepare for cultivation by finding a reasonably large planet that I could orbit around.
However, after scanning the entire star system, I realize that there's no planet large enough to bear the size of my main body.
'This...the main body being big is also a problem.'
After spending several days examining nearby neighboring star systems, I finally come to a realization.
'My body is too large...so I can't conduct Star Shattering cultivation on a typical planet. What should I do...?'
After much contemplation, I eventually extend my gaze towards the fixed star.
Fixed star.
The massive lump of light also known as a sun.
'Hmm...'
After pondering for a long while, I finally make a decision.
'I should be able to use a fixed star...right?'
I discreetly choose one of the orbits in this star system and settle my main body there.
Fortunately, my main body naturally integrates into the star system, and the star veins flowing from the fixed star don't reject me.
For now, it doesn't seem like conducting my Star Shattering cultivation here will be impossible.
I retrieve Seo Ran and Hong Fan from the alternate space and explain the situation to them.
"Hmm, I see."
"That's right. That's why I need a bit of your help, Seo Ran."
"No problem. I can lend it as much as Senior needs it."
"Thank you!"
I place Seo Ran, Hong Fan, and one of my incarnations on Seo Ran's Nether Crossing Ship and send them towards the Mengyun Star.
East of Mengyun Continent.
In a corner of Baekju City, part of the subordinate nation under the Commanding Spirit School.
In that place, where an unusually heavy yin energy flows, a ghost with disheveled hair cradles a baby and sings a lullaby.
[Hush little baby, don't say a word. The stars and moon are quiet, too. Hush little baby...]
Then, a young man emitting spirit energy appears in the place where the ghost resides.
He is a Qi Building cultivator from the Commanding Spirit School, sent to exterminate the ghosts that have been recently appearing frequently in Baekju City.
Holding a talisman, the man approaches the ghost and bursts in anger.
"Wicked ghost. Are you from an evil Ghost Path Sect? This is the territory of the subordinate nation under the Commanding Spirit School. If you don't scram immediately, I'll exterminate you!"
But the ghost pays him no mind and only hums to the baby in its arms.
The man frowns.
"...Hmm, is it a mindless minor spirit? So it's not from another Ghost Path Sect, but a naturally occurring vengeful ghost. But how could such a minor spirit enter Baekju City, where the Commanding Spirit School's barrier is active...?"
As the man draws closer to the ghost, he flinches in surprise.
"What? This child is emitting yin energy? So it's a constitution that attracts ghosts! A constitution that draws vengeful ghosts into Baekju City, which is protected by a vengeful ghost barrier...how evil!"
Kwajijijik!
The man swings his talisman, scattering the ghost.
As a result, the baby that was in the embrace of the ghost falls to the ground, crying loudly.
"Forgive me...but with such an evil constitution. Especially in the current situation where the influence of the Ghost Path Sects are growing under the Death Spirit King, Yu Hui...a being like you cannot be allowed to live. Just disappear and attain Buddhahood...!"
He raises the lightning scattering talisman.
Clench.
Someone grabs the man's wrist.
"Who are you!?"
[Do not gaze directly upon this Esteemed One.]
"Kaaaaagh!"
The Qi Building stage man's eyeballs burst, and glass-colored flames begin to burn from where his eyes once were.
No, the man's entire body begins to ignite in glass-colored flames.
"Kuaagaaagh! Hukeooook...! Guheeoook...! Kuheeoook!"
[Oh dear, you looked directly. But do not worry. This is not even this Esteemed One's Glass True Fire, just a mere shadow with less than a millionth of its full power. You will neither go mad nor suffer any aftereffects. In fact, your chances of reaching Core Formation in this lifetime have increased by seven tenths, so consider it a blessing.]
The being who finished speaking grabs the man burning with flames and hurls him towards the sky.
As the man flies through the air, the flames extinguish, and he becomes trapped inside a large glass crystal. He then falls back down, landing at his own Commanding Spirit School.
The being who threw the man away.
The man dressed in white looks at the baby who is crying loudly and gestures somewhere.
Then, the ghost that had just been scattered re-forms and gently cradles the baby, soothing it.
After a short while, the baby falls asleep again.
The man in white lowers his rank and gazes at the baby.
"...It's been a while, Kang Min-hee. Now...for a long while, I'll stay by your side."
He strokes the child's head and speaks.
"I'll find a way to save you, so...just wait a little longer."
The man in white, Seo Eun-hyun, sits next to his former lover who turned into a baby, and looks up at the sky.
In the sky of Mengyun Continent, a new star appears.
The Core Formation Esteemed Ones of the continent observe the new star, recognizing it as an ominous star symbolizing immense suffering, and predict that great calamities will soon sweep over the entire continent.
No, over the entire world.
Amidst the turbulent era on the chaotic Mengyun Star, ten years pass.
"Min-hee-ah, come eat."
It has already been ten years since I arrived on Mengyun Star.
I built a house in the mountains of a subordinate nation east of the Mengyun Continent and raised Kang Min-hee.
Dudududu—
I hear the sound of Kang Min-hee running from a distance.
"...Min-hee-ah, I told you to please not run upside down on your hands before meals."
"...Uuuu..."
With a slightly downcast expression, she jumps up while in a handstand position.
Then, ghost-like beings appear around her, supporting her, and she floats over to the dining table in their arms.
"Uu-uu, uu-uu-uu."
As soon as Kang Min-hee mumbles something, the ghosts each bring her water and wash her hands.
"Alright, let's eat."
"Uuu!"
With her small hands, she wraps up food and chews it slowly.
Over the past ten years,
I've observed Kang Min-hee and came to know something.
She is unable to speak.
And she cannot walk on her two legs.
Instead, she walks upside down on her hands or is carried by ghosts, and occasionally mutters something in an incomprehensible, strange language.
'I didn't understand at first, but I recently found out that the language she speaks is used only by the upper echelon of the Netherworld.'
While chewing her food, Min-hee mumbles something softly in her small voice.
As she mumbles, the celestial energy changes drastically.
Even though she cannot use any spiritual power, authority, or attraction force, her muttering causes the attraction force throughout the entire star system to tremble.
"...Min-hee-ah, I told you to be quiet while eating."
"Uuu..."
Kang Min-hee sighs as if annoyed that I don't understand her meaning, then puts more food in her mouth.
'...Is that her Immortal Art which forms the core of her Sacred Vessel advancement ritual?'
Only recently, by interpreting her language, have I been able to learn what her Immortal Art is.
The name of the Immortal Art is the Flawless Mantra.
It is not something Kang Min-hee originally learned, but rather, I believe it is a mantra imparted to her by the forces of the Underworld through her Ghostly Yin Transformation Immortal Root.