Immortal Cultivation is, ultimately, a bridle.
Attraction force is a chain, and fate is a bar.
However, if one wishes to escape this inverted world from which there is no escape, one must first reach the pinnacle of the bridle.
The first step towards that pinnacle is to draw a circle.
Draw a perfect circle, flawless in every aspect.
It is from there that it all begins.
This is what is called 'Flawlessness.'
―From the formula of the Flawless Mantra.
-x-X-x-
It has been twenty years since I arrived at Mengyun Star.
Kang Min-hee has finally become an adult.
"Wo-woong!"
Upside down, she calls for her ghosts and flies through the air, expressing joy.
Is it perhaps due to the instinctive drive of the Sacred Vessel stage advancement ritual?
Since the moment she could communicate with me through her 'woong,' she has been eager to explore the world.
'She's probably trying to retrieve her scattered fragments spread across Mengyun Star.'
But I did not permit it.
Among her scattered fragments, there are already numerous monsters who have reached the Heavenly Being stage, and there is the real possibility that Kang Min-hee, the core of the advancement ritual, could be killed by one of her own fragments.
If that were to happen, she would really die during the Sacred Vessel advancement ritual.
Over the past twenty years I've spent here, I cross-verified the details of the Sacred Vessel advancement ritual by sending an incarnation to Sacred Master Baek Woon, and it seems Seo Hweol's explanation is correct.
'I heard that each of the fragments desire to become the main body and wield authority for themselves... They don't want to be absorbed by Kang Min-hee—rather, they want to kill her.'
Following the advice I received over twenty years from Sacred Master Baek Woon through my incarnation, I kept Kang Min-hee confined to this mountain valley until she reached adulthood.
Could it be due to the innate influence of her Ghostly Yin Transformation Immortal Root?
Or perhaps it's a trait common to all who have reached the Star Shattering stage through the Ghost Path Method.
Since she was young, she possessed the talent for subjugating ghosts with just her gaze and thoughts.
However, there were occasional incidents where her mind nearly succumbed to being invaded by the ghosts.
Her power to subdue ghosts was not yet complete.
I promised her that once her power fully matured upon reaching adulthood, she would be allowed to travel across the Mengyun Continent, which is why she is so delighted right now. 𝙧à
'Her physical body has matured, and she's grown accustomed to her authority. There's no need to worry about her being consumed by her own abilities.'
"Very well. I grant you permission. From now on, you are free to travel the Mengyun Continent and see the world. However..."
I signal to Seo Ran, who steps forward to join us.
"From now on, you will learn cultivation methods from Teacher Seo Ran, who has learned the Ghost Path Method. Teacher Seo Ran will be your master and follow you, teaching you in the Ghost Path Method. He will also protect you in times of danger."
"Woong..."
Kang Min-hee ponders for a moment, then nods.
In fact, she seems to like Seo Ran, flying up above him and grabbing his horn, shaking it with delight.
Perhaps it's due to the strong sense of camaraderie they share, both being from Black Ghost Valley.
"Well, everything's fine, but...why is she flying upside-down?"
"...She used to walk upside-down on her hands. When I asked her to do something about the dirt getting on her hands, she settled for flying upside-down instead."
"Hmm..."
Seo Ran looks up at Kang Min-hee with a slightly taken aback expression, while I pack her belongings and hand them over to one of the ghosts under her command.
"Well then, off you go, Min-hee. I'll be waiting."
"Woong!"
Kang Min-hee, still upside down, gives me an enthusiastic farewell before descending along the valley.
Seo Ran hurriedly follows after her, while I sit on the porch and watch as she grows more distant.
'In the past, she always looked exhausted...or a bit sad. But for the past few years, she's always been bright...so it's nice to see.'
"...Hong Fan. Are you here?"
Sururuk—
Hong Fan slithers out from behind a beam like a snake and transforms into a human before standing behind me.
Now at the Grand Perfection Integration stage, Hong Fan looks as youthful as someone in his mid-to-late fifties.
He no longer looks like an old man, but rather like a slightly aged middle-aged man.
"Yes, please ask."
"How is the interpretation of the Flawless Mantra coming along?"
For the past twenty years, I've entrusted Hong Fan with the interpretation of the Flawless Mantra.
I believe it might be the key to breaking Kang Min-hee's curse.
'Perhaps Kang Min-hee's loss of rationality...is because she obtained an Immortal Art like the Flawless Mantra from the Underworld.'
It seemed that researching the Flawless Mantra is necessary to sever her curse, so I began interpreting it alongside Hong Fan for that purpose.
But in the midst of interpreting the Flawless Mantra,
Hong Fan started showing unusual reactions.
―Some...memory. It feels like I'm beginning to remember something.
―Memory? What kind of memory?
―Strangely...it feels like something from a past life. As for what this memory really is...it's unclear.
―Could it be that your past life was somehow related to the Flawless Mantra...?
―I'm not certain, but...I feel like I used to know a great deal about the Flawless Mantra.
Whenever Hong Fan would look at the Flawless Mantra, he would clutch his head, saying that something from his past life seemed to resurface, so left the interpretation entirely to him, hoping to help him awaken those memories.
After all, I can't fully comprehend an Immortal Art like the Flawless Mantra anyway with my level.
'It's probably better to leave it to Hong Fan, who claims to have known it in his past life.'
"Hmm...I feel like I'm on the verge of recalling something, but to be honest, it may take some time at this pace. Perhaps at this rate, it could even take thousands of years."
"Take your time. Your memories may be even more important, so focus on recovering those as well."
"Hoho, in truth, the only memories that are resurfacing are specifically related to the Flawless Mantra. No other memories come to mind."
"Hmm, is that so...? Very well. Then, just do as much as you can."
After encouraging Hong Fan, I inform him of my own plans.
"Now, I must also begin my cultivation. As you roam throughout this star system, keep an eye out for anything suspicious approaching."
Up until now, I have personally protected the entire star system with my main body.
Just in case Entering Nirvana True Persons or others appeared, I needed to be prepared.
Additionally, there are countless large rock fragments in the Astral Realm, so I've been using my main body to clear those that approach this star system to prevent Mengyun Star from being obliterated overnight.
Now, Hong Fan will take over that role.
"As you command."
Hong Fan immediately rises to the sky and heads toward the outskirts of the star system.
After watching him for a moment, I sit in a lotus position.
"Huuu..."
I inhale, drawing in Heaven and Earth spiritual energy.
The energy within my incarnation rapidly amplifies, reaching the 6th star of Qi Refining.
'In the past, I used to struggle to reach beyond Qi Refining 7th star...'
Woong—
Now, there's no need to align with the auspicious time to perform the Seven Stars Ritual.
This is because, by tracing the star veins connected to the main body, I can directly locate the stars corresponding to the Seven Stars Ritual and draw upon their power.
My main body acts as the altar, and the star veins as the ritual.
Thus, there's no need for the tedious steps of setting up an altar and performing the rites anymore.
Flash!
After I cross the 7th Star of Qi Refining, I continue to supply my Incarnation with Heaven and Earth spiritual energy.
In an instant, my incarnation advances to the Qi Building stage, reaching the first constellation, second constellation, third constellation, and fourth constellation of Qi Building.
At this point, merely drawing in Heaven and Earth spiritual energy from the surroundings no longer elevates my realm easily.
'It's about time...to receive directly from the main body.'
Kugugugugu!
Light flashes in the sky, and then, as if intending to envelop the entire vicinity, a beam of light pierces down into the valley.
"Huuu..."
Core Formation—Early, Mid, Late, Grand Perfection.
Nascent Soul—Early, Mid, Late, Grand Perfection.
Heavenly Being—Early, Mid, Late, Grand Perfection!
Kwajijijik...
Absorbing all the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy transmitted by the main body, my incarnation instantly leaps into the Heavenly Being stage.
A typical Heavenly Being cultivator would ascend at this point.
In the Astral Realm, it is difficult to procure enough Heaven and Earth spiritual energy to advance beyond this realm.
For a typical Heavenly Being cultivator in the Astral Realm to advance to the next stage, they would generally need to gather Heaven and Earth spiritual energy until their lifespan reaches its limit and then challenge the Four-Axis stage.
'Of course, I have no such need.'
Kwarururung!
Once again, a massive amount of Heaven and Earth spiritual energy is sent down in a single heap from the main body.
I absorb the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy with the Vast Cold Heavenly Circle and advance to the Four-Axis stage.
Kugugugugu!
Heavenly Tribulation rumbles in the sky, but as soon as the main body sends forth its will, the clouds themselves disperse.
Now, unless it's a Heavenly Tribulation of Integration stage or higher, I have no need to endure it.
'I have now reached the Four-Axis stage...no, the Earth Axis stage.'
I rise to the stratosphere of the Mengyun Star, overlook the Menyun Continent, and begin my Earth Axis cultivation.
Jjeong!
This is the benefit of forming the axis through the Five Blessings Axes, or, like me, constructing all the Earth Axes.
Within my main body.
Among the various energies that constitute the Colorless Sword Mountain Treading Sea Great Star, the energies of the Five Blessings and Six Extremes Axes and the Five Elements Axis resonate with my will, flowing into the area created within my incarnation's Nascent Soul.
Simultaneously, the axes of Five Blessings, Six Extremes, and Five Elements of my main body and incarnation resonate, further strengthening the connection between my main body and my incarnation.
'It's still not enough to call them true axes.'
It's still merely the seeds of the axes, with energy too weak to be considered genuine axes.
Over the next few years, if I imbue energy and consciousness into these axis seeds, I'll be able to make them into true axes.
This is the difference in how one establishes the axes during the Four-Axis stage.
Depending on the axes established during the Four-Axis stage, the type of axes one can form for the incarnation during the Star Shattering stage varies.
Those who form their axes with the Heterodox Axis Foundation will end up creating incarnations based on the Heterodox Axis Foundation even in the Star Shattering stage.
On the other hand, those like me who established their axes through the Twelve Earthly Branches Axes will continue to form the Twelve Earthly Branches Axes even at the Star Shattering stage.
'I didn't realize how crucial the first step would be.'
After nurturing the axis seeds for about a hundred years, I should be able to advance to the Integration stage as a complete Earth Axis cultivator.
'Good... Now...let's wait patiently.'
Looking down from the sky of the Mengyun star, I gaze at Kang Min-hee and Seo Ran as they travel across the Mengyun Continent as I slowly nurture the axis seeds.
In this manner, about a hundred years pass.
A message arrives from my comrades in the Bright Cold Realm.
Hon Won has been killed by Yeon Wei.
"...What on earth happened?"
Beside Cedar Wood Grove.
I manifest a heart essence avatar and approach her, who is imprisoned within the Human Race district's detention center.
She is not in the body of Yeon Jin, but instead inside a puppet seemingly crafted in her own appearance by Kim Yeon, her eyes gloomy as she meets mine.
Hon Won is dead.
This means that an Integration stage Grand Cultivator of the Human Race has died, and simultaneously, someone who seemed both to be and not to be Yeon Wei's pillar of dependence has perished.
And, it was Yeon Wei herself who carried out the act.
She rolls her eyes, looking at the guards behind me.
"...I would...like to speak alone."
The guards glare at her, but I dismiss them with a gesture, then separate the surrounding space from the Bright Cold Realm and ask,
"What on earth happened? No...more importantly, how did you, who lost all your cultivation through who knows what, manage to kill Hon Won...?"
"I used Hon Won's bloodline to trigger a curse that traces back through his ancestors. That curse met my own curse already within his body, amplifying and driving Hon Won's condition to its worst. Then, I took advantage of that moment to lure him into a trap and activated the trap to kill him. When I told him that the Cheon Ra or Jeon Ra woman he believed dead was still alive, he willingly followed me."
"...Why did you kill him?"
"I haven't finished explaining 'how' I killed him yet."
I gaze at Yeon Wei, whose heart essence has fallen into confusion and panic, and ask with a bitter expression.
"...Alright. Continue."
"Despite everything, how could someone like me, stripped of all my cultivation, really be able to kill Hon Won? So I revealed the truth to him. A truth he absolutely could not deny."
"A truth?"
"...Bloodline. No matter how much he feigned madness for tens of thousands of years, refusing to see the truth, bloodline cannot be hidden."
A cruel smile spreads on Yeon Wei's lips.
"Yeon Jin is, in fact, a descendant of the child of Hon Won and me."
"...!"
"There is a technique called Long Pregnancy Overflowing the Heavens (長妊滔天). It's a secret art of the Tall Tree Race that I acquired while plundering resources from them before my engagement with Hon Won. It extends the usual gestation period of ten months to a hundred years, in exchange for transforming the child quality into the physique known as the Long Heaven Body (長天之體). This physique absorbs Heaven and Earth spiritual energy a hundred times faster than that of other races. The only reason the Tall Tree Race, whose only claim to fame is being descendants of Sacred Master Baek Woon, holds influence in the Bright Cold Realm is because of this secret art."
The smile hanging on her lips deepens.
However, to me, it doesn't look like she's smiling. Rather, it looks like she's screaming.
"I wanted our child to reign over the Bright Cold Realm. But Hon Won went mad, and in the process of fighting him, I ended up using all the spiritual energy required to activate Long Pregnancy Overflowing the Heavens that I had infused into the embryo. In the end, the child born after I reduced Hon Won's cultivation was just an ordinary child. I gave them the surname Yeon and the continuation of the bloodline in secret from Hon Won...is the present Yeon Jin."
"..."
"For a thousand years before and after that period, I was the only one Hon Won was with. Perhaps because of this, when his memories became distorted, he believed he was only ever with the one named Cheon Ra. He forgot about his relationship with me. So...I revealed Yeon Jin's bloodline to him, making him remember who he truly had been with back then, in a way he could not deny."
The panic in her eyes grows even more intense.
"Isn't it astonishing? That Hon Won. The Hon Won who couldn't recover no matter how he was treated...only then did he come to his senses. Only then did he realize that something was wrong."
Drip, drip drip...
Something falls from her eyes.
Despite being a puppet body, her consciousness, laden with the intent of sorrow, resonates with the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy around her, causing blue spiritual energy to flow from the puppet's eyes.
"And then...he asked me to kill him. He said his entire life had been...a marionette puppet show. He begged to be set free...and flew into the dharma treasure I held...impaling himself and taking his own life."
"..."
"I only meant to deal a final blow to Hon Won before I died myself. But somehow, it ended with him committing suicide. I reported to the Grand Cultivator Association that I killed him. To them, Hon Won was tormented by me until the end and then killed. The Pengali Place Lord pitifully taking his own life...I didn't want to say that."
"..."
She looks up at me with gloomy eyes.
"...But I can tell Lord Divine Spirit, right? Isn't that right? O Divine Spirit, who tramples on all our hopes and toys with us."
She glares at me, growling with a voice that seems to boil from her very guts.
"It seems Lord Divine Spirit isn't aware of the wonders that the Golden Divine performed. In truth, at Shattered Heaven Peak, there is an Immortal Art that can pinpoint the location of disciples of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect and confirm their 'state of fate.' It was kept secret even from the Divine Spirit and hidden until the very end...but it seems Lord Divine Spirit didn't know that."
I let out a low groan in response to her words.
"Where is Myeong-hoon right now? And why did you cast him somewhere to leave him with a 'fate status of being tortured until his personality collapses,' while you're cultivating in the Astral Realm as if in seclusion? It's almost as if..."
Budududuk...
Yeon Wei's fingers scrape across the prison floor.
"After taking spiritual medicine...you're digesting it... Isn't that right...?"
Yeon Wei grits her teeth and glares up at me.
"Just how much...do you need to toy with us to be satisfied...just how much...!? Please tell me. Where has our founder's reincarnation, the hope of the Great Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, Jeon Myeong-hoon, gone!!??"
Heavenly King Heavenly Domain.
Inside the Palace of Radiance.
At its center, beneath the [Seat of Light], eight colossal giants of light appear.
: : Did you feel it? : :
: : Indeed. : :
All of them simultaneously look somewhere with grave expressions.
: : The Great Mountain Supreme Deity Ra Cheon (羅天) has... : :
: : In the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain's time. At the time of Gi (己)...vanished. : :
With the sudden disappearance of the Great Mountain Supreme Deity, they exchange words while communicating with someplace in an alarmed manner.
: : What should we do? : :
: : We must immediately lift the seal on the Earth Axis Heavenly Domain and observe the inner regions to determine the truth and falsity. : :
: : Is there a chance this was staged by Them? : :
: : What nonsense. Look at the Immortal Registry (仙籍). : :
: : In the Immortal Registry created by the Owner of Names...the light of the Great Mountain Supreme Deity Ra Cheon has disappeared. : :
: : Ra Cheon has died. As it stands, the death of the being known as Ra Cheon is beyond question. : :
: : Regardless, we must observe the truth. Do you even know how much prophecy is consumed to seal the Earth Axis Heavenly Domain and create a new sealing Heavenly Domain? : :
: The longer we delay, the more prophecy will be wasted. Uncovering the truth comes first. : :
: Agreed. Even if They somehow succeeded in casting off the name bestowed upon them by Hyeon Go, They would need time to adjust to the loss of the name's power. : :
: : At this moment, even if we open the gate to the Earth Axis Heavenly Domain, we can sufficiently prevent Their escape. However, we must take all necessary precautions, mobilizing the full power of the Radiance Hall as preparation. That way, whatever trick They might have employed, we can reseal Them. : :
The colossal beings of light.
The Radiance Eight Immortals.
After exchanging their views, they finally reach a conclusion.
: : All True Immortals of the Radiance Hall, assemble. We will temporarily lift the seal on the Earth Axis Heavenly Domain. : :
They vanish from the Palace of Light in an instant and reach the vicinity of a dimensional entrance beyond the Interdimensional Void.
At the entrance, enormous characters that spell 'Earth Axis (地軸)' glow with light, and anchored around those luminous characters, chains vast enough to cover the universe envelop the entire dimension.
Behind the Radiance Eight Immortals, hundreds of divine spirits begin to appear one by one.
As the Radiance Eight Immortals extend their hands forward in unison, the characters over the entrance to the Earth Axis Heavenly Domain disperse, and the entrance cracks open, ever so slightly.
Though the gap is small, the radiant light emanating from the Radiance Eight Immortals seeps into the Earth Axis Heavenly Domain, illuminating it completely.
Then, as the Radiance Eight Immortals illuminate the entire domain, they shout urgently in unison.
: : Reseal it! : :
: : Great Mountain Supreme Deity has... : :
In the next moment.
Fifth Seat of the Radiance Eight Immortals, the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord's manifested incarnation explodes within the domain.
Simultaneously, a colossal arm emerges from within the entrance to the Earth Axis Heavenly Domain.
The arm is so enormous that even the incarnations of the Radiance Eight Immortals—each one larger than a fixed star—look like mere bugs in comparison.
The arm is a mountain.
A gigantic mountain range that takes the form of an arm.
And that mountain range...
One, ten, hundred, thousand, ten thousand, hundred million, trillion, 10 quadrillion, 100 quintillion, septillion, 10 octillion, 100 nonillion, undecillion, 10 duodecillion, 100 tredecillion, quindecillion.
It is a mountain range made of corpses as many as the sands of Ganges River (恒河沙), all weeping blood and lying in death.
The Mountain God.
The Eminent Divine Spirit known as the Great Mountain Supreme Deity begins to exert Their power against the forces of Light.
[Aaaaaaaah!]
[Kuaahhh!]
[Kuuuuuaaaahhhhhhh!]
The corpses embedded in the body of the Great Mountain Supreme Deity all begin to scream in unison.
At the sound of their screams, both the Earth Axis Heavenly Domain and the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain shake violently.
The Radiance Eight Immortals glare down at the Great Mountain Supreme Deity and growl.
: : So that's it. They deceived us. No, They deceived everyone. : :
: : They have been preparing this since 40,000 years ago. : :
: : While everyone was distracted by that being's enthronement, They desecrated (凌蔑) fate with a substitute. : :
Dudududududu!
Released from the seal, the Great God draws upon Their power and looks up at the Radiance Eight Immortals.
: : Open The Way To The Audience Chamber. : :
Starting with the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, who has just regenerated their incarnation, the Radiance Eight Immortals do not respond to Their words.
Simply clasping their hands together, they bow their heads slightly towards a point higher than themselves.
: : Glory to the Radiance Supreme Deity. : :
Then, above them, the splendidly resplendent [Seat of Light] reveals itself.
In the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain, Hon Won realized the truth of Yeon Wei's sincerity and chose to rush at her, embracing death.
In the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain, the Radiance Eight Immortals mistakenly believed that the Great Mountain Supreme Deity Ra Cheon had died and opened the gate to the Earth Axis Heavenly Domain.
In the Earth Axis Heavenly Domain, the Great Mountain Supreme Deity deceived everyone, emerging from Their confinement.
Thus, the entire Heavenly Domain began to tremble.
TL Note: As many as the Ganges River sands can also mean ten sexdecillion. Bridle has the meaning of restricting the freedom of people/livestock but also protecting them.
-x-X-x-
Clank-
"O-O Esteemed One, what has happened!?"
"Just what is...?"
Covered in bruises, I step out of Yeon Wei's holding cell.
"Don't worry about it. Today's events will be kept under wraps."
I emerge from Yeon Wei's confinement room, bruised all over.
Woong-
Using my heart essence, I manipulate my heart essence avatar, restoring its bruised and damaged body back to its original state.
Just moments ago.
I released Yeon Wei and sealed both of our spiritual power, internal energy, consciousness, intent, Immortal Art, all weapons, and martial techniques, and fought with bare fists.
Yeon Wei was able to use her puppet's special abilities, so the fistfight between us was fairly intense.
Without going that far, no words would have reached her. Her panic was that severe.
After that, I spent quite some time explaining the truth to her.
Golden Shaking Bird, the matured Thunder Beast created by Golden Divine Yang Su-jin.
The connection between the Lightning Sacred Sea and Golden Shaking Bird. Her plans.
Sacred Master Baek Woon's descent, and how, through her, Golden Shaking Bird kidnapped Jeon Myeong-hoon.
And how, to rescue Jeon Myeong-hoon, I'm even working with a vile entity born from the Blood Yin Realm.
That, given just ten thousand years, I am certain I will be able to save Jeon Myeong-hoon.
I explained all of this after a long bout of exchanging punches with her.
I don't know if Yeon Wei accepted it.
I deliberately avoided checking her intent and heart essence.
For the truth I could reveal, I conveyed to her with all my sincerity.
Now, accepting it is her part.
'Hon Won...'
I hate Hon Won.
The fall of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect was partly due to that bastard.
Just thinking about Hon Won makes me want to immediately beat him to death on the spot.
However...
Killing him was, at the very least, Yeon Wei's right.
Not him recklessly rushing in and killing himself like that.
"I'm sorry, Yeon Wei."
Right now, all I can do...is just this much.
With that thought, I disperse the heart essence avatar and prepare to return my consciousness to the Astral Realm.
Kiiiing-
At that moment.
My heart essence avatar is suddenly at the White Jade Pavilion on Heavenly Lotus Mountain in the Bright Cold Realm.
I stand before Sacred Master Baek Woon's throne.
And I am not alone.
The other Esteemed Ones of the Bright Cold Realm.
Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One Jang Ik, Opening Heaven Esteemed One Wol-jin, Trampling Heaven Esteemed One Ham Rak, Slaughtering Heaven Esteemed One Geuk Gwang, Final Heaven Esteemed One Jin Wol-ryeong, Safe Heaven Esteemed One Gwi Ro. Ȓ
And recently risen to the realm of Esteemed One and acknowledged as such by the Sacred Master, 'Kim Young-hoon'.
The eight Esteemed Ones of the Bright Cold Realm have all gathered in one place.
All the Esteemed Ones, except for Jang Ik and Kim Young-hoon, prostrate themselves to the Sacred Master from where they stand.
"We pay our respects to the Sacred Master!"
Jang Ik, Kim Young-hoon, and I merely pay respects within the bounds of not being rude.
Sacred Master Baek Woon waves her hand and speaks.
"That's enough. This is not the time for empty formalities. I'll get straight to the point. First, take a deep breath and prepare yourselves for the shock of the [wisdom] I'm about to reveal."
At the Sacred Master's words, the Esteemed Ones murmur among themselves briefly before making preparations.
Kim Young-hoon looks slightly bewildered as if not sure what to expect, but Jang Ik and I each explain to him a method to prepare oneself when facing [Higher Beings].
'What on earth is she planning to show us?'
I harden my heart, using the ultimate sense of calm to clear my heart.
Baek Woon scans the room and says,
"It seems everyone is ready. In that case...I will tell you. In this world, there are beings called Governing Immortals who oversee the entire world."
"...!!!!"
"...!"
"!!!"
The Esteemed Ones gathered in the White Jade Pavilion collapse to the floor simultaneously, vomiting blood-like lava or Heaven and Earth spiritual energy.
Even I, who built up some resistance, feel my head buzzing after hearing those words after so long.
The one most affected, however, is Kim Young-hoon.
Lacking almost any resistance to the concept of such beings, he bleeds from his seven orifices, collapses to the floor trembling, and nearly faints, foaming at the mouth.
Jang Ik and I use our Sub-Heart Sword and podao to stimulate his heart essence, helping him regain a bit of senses, but it is clear that he is struggling to adapt to the shock of the [wisdom] he has just received.
She waits until we've somewhat recovered before she resumes speaking.
"And...among these Governing Immortals, the Governing Immortal known as the Mountain God and the Governing Immortal known as the Owner of Light are currently...in the midst of a confrontation. A confrontation took place a few hundred years ago as well, and back then, it ended in the Light's victory."
I recall a few hundred years ago in the world's timeline.
Around the 19th cycle of my regression, when 'the world's light dimmed for a moment, and the mountains' spirit veins trembled for a moment'.
'So that's it...! Then, the reason such a phenomenon occurred across the entire world back then...was because the Great Mountain Supreme Deity clashed with the Light!?'
At that moment.
"...!"
"This, this is..."
"My heavens...what on earth is happening...?"
It is currently daytime.
And yet, suddenly, the light across the entire world dims.
The sun loses its light, and a sky full of stars appears above.
It doesn't end there.
Chiiiiii-
The stars in the sky, too, suddenly begin to lose their light.
Dudududududu!
Along with this, the spirit vein of the Heavenly Lotus Great Mountain where we stand begins to rampage wildly, shaking violently.
Kududududu!
Earthquakes spread across the entire Bright Cold Realm.
Volcanoes erupt in various places, and anything in the form of 'piled earth' either collapses or begins to shake.
Heavenly Lotus Great Mountain nearly crumbles as well, but with Baek Woon and all of us exerting our strength, we manage to keep the mountain stable.
And a little while later.
The strange phenomenon from moments ago fades away, and the sky returns to its normal daylight state.
The trembling of the mountain ceases as well.
But I can feel it.
'The mountain's spirit vein has weakened, and the light of the sky remains dim.'
Slaughtering Heaven Esteemed One Geuk Gwang asks in a hopeful voice.
"It, it seems light has returned. Then, doesn't that mean that mountain or whatever has been defeated? Has it been sealed away again like a few hundred years ago?"
It appears that Geuk Gwang, having heard much from Sacred Master Baek Woon, seems to know quite a bit.
The other Esteemed Ones show expressions of joy at the words, but I feel a sense of unease.
'That Great Mountain Supreme Deity got sealed away this easily?'
The nightmare of that time still lingers in my mind. When They, with just a single Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra, compressed the entire universe to annihilation using a mere projection, not even Their main body.
'It makes no sense. The light is still weakened, and the mountain's spirit vein is also weakened. Could it be...?'
Cautiously, I voice my speculation.
"Could it be...that the two gods are still fighting? Both the light and the mountain's energy seem to be a bit weak..."
At my conjecture, Geuk Gwang retorts angrily.
"You faithless wretch! You dare doubt the Great Light? And yet you are the Light's devot..."
[Silence.]
Baek Woon speaks, her expression tense.
At her words, Geuk Gwang clamps their mouth shut, and all the Esteemed Ones focus their attention on Baek Woon.
Baek Woon seems to be observing something, gazing intently at the sky.
'I've heard that Sacred Masters' foresight, by drawing on the power of the Middle Realm itself, can be comparable to that of a True Immortal, but...'
It seems she might be directly observing the battlefield of the deities beyond the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain.
'Even if it's not to that extent, she might be able to calculate the celestial energy with the Middle Realm's power and read the situation on the battlefield...'
Just what is happening right now in the other Heavenly Domains?
It's when we are all gripped with anxiety.
Tremble, tremble-tremble-tremble...tremble-tremble-tremble-tremble-tremble...
Like an aspen tree, Sacred Master Baek Woon begins to tremble like mad.
Then, she shouts in a voice filled with terror.
: : Hear me, all Esteemed Ones! Hear me, all Sacred Masters! Hear me, all True Persons! Even you, Blood Yin, listen! : :
Ziiiiing!
I can feel her putting all her power into projecting her voice, making it resonate across the entire universe.
: : The Great Mountain Supreme Deity has escaped from the grasp of the Radiance Supreme Deity! They are heading somewhere! The Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain will be annihilated! Everyone prepare for destruction! : :
"...!!!"
Knowing the terror of the Great Mountain Supreme Deity, I scream as my eyes roll back in panic.
"Immediately!!! Immediately make that evacuation space or whatever it is!!! Immediately!!!"
Dududududududu!
Astral Realm.
My half-crazed main body shoves the entire Mengyun Star where Kang Min-hee is located into an alternate space created by my attraction force, then frantically prepares to ascend to the Bright Cold Realm.
[We're ascending. Seo Ran, Hong Fan, prepare yourselves!]
I surrender my body to the attraction force of the Bright Cold Realm, and quickly ascend my main body towards it.
Since piercing through the path of ascension takes quite some time, my original plan was to just head to an Astral Realm area close to the Bright Cold Realm and enter from there.
But now is not the time to worry about such things.
I smash through all the Star Shattering stage Vestiges rushing towards me and ascend to the Bright Cold Realm in an instant.
'W-Wait, Hong Fan! I left Hong Fan in the Astral...damn it, damn it, damn it!!! I'm sorry!!! Hong Fan!!!'
I realize I hadn't brought Hong Fan along, but there's no time to dwell on that now.
In an instant, I summon my comrades towards me using attraction force, and while in my Combat Technique Form, I pull them all into my embrace and shout.
"I love you! All of you! You have all been connections more than I deserve!"
For all this time, everyone has truly been undeserved connections in my life.
Sacred Master Baek Woon, with light drained from her eyes, leans lifelessly against her throne, while the Esteemed Ones who are still unable to grasp the situation are yelling frantically at her to do at least something.
And then, five faint projections appear in the White Jade Pavilion.
From each of those presences, I sense the aura of Ancient Force, aura of True Devil, aura of Nether Ghost, aura of Purple Gold.
Because I have built the Five Blessings Axes, I can perceive them clearly.
And from the final projection...
As I feel the aura from that last projection, I recoil with goosebumps.
'B-Blood Yin!!?'
I cannot forget.
The vicious True Immortal who killed me hundreds of times.
It is the presence of Blood Yin.
As I stand there in shock, the projection imbued with the aura of Ancient Force speaks.
[Everyone, thank you for your hard work. It has been a good life.]
I recognize who he is.
It's Sacred Master Hae Lin of the Ancient Force Realm.
'Blood Yin's presence and Hae Lin's voice...then these people must be...'
It seems they are the Sacred Masters from the other Middle Realms.
Baek Woon's body also glows, as if she has also sent her projection to other Middle Realms.
Baek Woon speaks.
[We're all going to die in such an absurd way, but...it was an enjoyable life in its own right. Those Tall Tree Race sapling brats trying to spread their pollen as well, was enjoyable in its own way. Of course, back when I was young and undergoing the Sacred Vessel advancement ritual, I really wanted to exterminate (滅族) them, but...somehow, I grew fond of them over time. Hae Lin, I remember helping you with your Sacred Vessel advancement as well. Yu Oh, I remember clearly when I received assistance from the distinguished one. Ban Ta, to think that the young Sacred Vessel is still holding the Sacred Master position, keke...Ja Eum! Honestly, I still have no idea what you're thinking. And...Blood Yin. To you...I have so many things to say but since we're about to die, I'll keep it to one. It's not as if you are truly unaware of who you are, so stop being so disgraceful.]
Her last words come to an end.
Ban Ta, the Sacred Master of the Purple Gold realm, opens their mouth.
[...If I had known it would come to this, I wouldn't have advanced to the Sacred Vessel stage back then. In five hundred thousand years, I don't know what happened, but not a single worthwhile successor has shown up. These parasite Purple Gold Realm Esteemed One bastards. If I had known it would come to this, regardless of whether the living creatures of the Purple Gold Realm are screwed or not, regardless of whether the Purple Gold Heavenly Lord's Vestige appears and shatters the entire Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain to pieces or not, I would have just lived doing whatever I wanted!]
For some reason, they seem to have quite a few regrets.
Then, Yu Oh opens her mouth.
[All is according to the will of the Imperial Venerable. They are at work among us.]
Her words are brief.
Just as Baek Woon is a devotee of the Light, Yu Oh seems to be a devotee of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld.
Among the Sacred Masters, the Sacred Master of the True Devil Realm, 'Ja Eum,' speaks last.
I look at Ja Eum, and now understand where the first Sea Dragon King who appeared in the Ancient Force Realm has been all this time.
'So, he became the Sacred Master of the True Devil Realm...'
Ja Eum hesitates for a moment, then looks to the sky.
[...Has that tyrannical god broken through the encirclement of Light? Given the obvious place They always targeted...it seems the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain will soon be finished. Hoho...]
He lets out a brief, hearty laugh.
Then Ja Eum turns to the projection of Blood Yin and opens his mouth.
[Hoho...Blood Yin, you pathetic Immortal. All this time you've been disgracefully trying to reclaim your honor by throwing a fit and this is all that it amounts to in the end. To use as a protective charm in case of emergency, you created Hyeon Eum as a reserve body. But then, terrified of that Black Dragon, who once couldn't even dare look at Yu Hao Te's heel, might come to intervene, you created the Sea Dragon Race to escape from the possibility of Black Dragon.
[If you were truly the former Chief Judge, you wouldn't have cared in the slightest what some Black Dragon does. The very fact that you resorted to such actions is a perfect demonstration that you're not the former Chief Judge at all.
[If you were truly Yu Hao Te, there would have been an uproar, with the Underworld rushing to receive you, with the Radiance Hall vying to invite you, and with third-party forces clamoring to welcome you. Doesn't this prove just how utterly moronic your conduct is? Please stop wallowing in the delusion of past glory and take a good look at reality.
[Were you pleased? For shedding the name given by Lofty Dragon and Sae Eum through Hyeon Eum and me, creating a reserve body for emergencies and even as a sacrificial offering in one, and even using me meticulously and frugally to put the True Devil Realm under your control? Though I am no Heavenly Immortal, I dare prophesize this. Even if the tyrannical god does not descend, your own deeds will eventually strangle around your neck. If you ever get another chance, I sincerely hope you live properly this time.
[Hoho...how refreshing. It feels like my chest has been completely cleared. Hoho...]
At the words of the True Devil Realm Sacred Mater Ja Eum, the other Sacred Masters, the Esteemed Ones of the Bright Cold Realm, Baek Woon, and myself.
All of us, even Blood Yin, stare at Ja Eum with dumbfounded expressions.
'Ja Eum that guy...wasn't he supposed to be just a fragment or puppet of Blood Yin? Who would have thought he held such a deep-seated resentment against Blood Yin, who is practically the main body...'
Then, Blood Yin's projection opens its mouth.
[...I only...wanted to witness the Imperial Venerable's workings once again, from that right hand seat. That was all.]
They, too, seem to have much more to say, but after speaking plainly, They simply dispel Their projection and vanish from the hall.
In my incarnation, I bid my final farewells to the other Esteemed Ones inside the White Jade Pavilion, and in my main body, I tightly embrace my comrades and tell them I love them without restraint.
Thus, the Great Mountain Supreme Deity descends.
And the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain meets its end...
Or so I thought.
"...Sacred Master Baek Woon."
"...What?"
"Pardon me for asking, but...when exactly are we supposed to be annihilated?"
Baek Woon, seeming slightly flustered, reads the celestial energy.
"...The celestial energy is too disrupted by the battlefield of the gods to read any further. Even I do not know. Just why...is the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain not being annihilated...?"
After trying for a while to read the celestial energy, Baek Woon lets out a deep sigh and speaks.
"...For now, there's nothing more I can discern. In a few days, the gods I serve will provide a response. At that time, I'll submit a detailed inquiry and deliver their answer."
At those words, I and the Esteemed Ones around me let out a sigh of relief.
At the very least, Sacred Master Baek Woon's statement of 'a few days' could be taken as a certified time frame.
The Interdimensional Void between the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain and the Earth Axis Heavenly Domain.
There, traces of a colossal battle remain.
The bodies of countless divine spirits are shattered, drifting in pieces throughout the Interdimensional Void, and the Radiance Eight Immortals at the center are trembling, flickering as though they might extinguish at any moment.
The Seat of Light that was once above them is nowhere to be seen.
The Radiance Eight Immortals are all trembling, as if humiliated.
: : Cunning one. : :
: : To feign directly entering the Audience Chamber, only to sharply change course. : :
: : We had no idea Their hidden power was this much. : :
: : Weren't They nearly comparable to prime Vast Cold, Obsidian, and Silver Basket? : :
: : There's no need for concern. Unlike those monsters, that one's power is consumable. : :
: : Indeed. The more They expend that Corpse Mountain Blood Sea They accumulated, the more Their strength will wane unless They have a stronger sacrifice. : :
: : Such are the limits of the Devil God's power. When the time comes, we'll capture Them. : :
: : After facing us, there's no way They'll be able to immediately find a powerful sacrifice. Let us wait for the right moment... : :
It is then.
A messenger from the Radiance Hall comes rushing towards them.
A True Person, in the form of a bird, swiftly flies over and delivers urgent news.
[O Great Gods! The Tyrannical Mountain has appeared in the Horse Ear Heavenly Domain! They are making contact with the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity!]
Upon hearing this, the Radiance Eight Immortals tremble as if struck by lightning, and release a furious roar.
: : ------! : :
Their rage-filled shout seems to reverberate across the entire Three Thousand Great Thousand Worlds.
Prison of the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity.
The Imprisonment Dimension, Horse Ear Heavenly Domain (馬耳天域).
In front of the Heavenly Domain that appears as a prison made of light, a colossal Great Mountain that seems to crush the entire universe appears.
The Great Mountain seems to be communicating with the entity inside the Horse Ear Heavenly Domain.
Cosmic voices and signals seem to pass back and forth between the inside and outside of the Heavenly Domain.
After a moment, the domineering Great Mountain bellows in anger.
: : D E F E A T E D O F T H E E R A W I L L Y O U R D E C A Y B E E T E R N A L : :
Then, a reply comes from within the Horse Ear Heavenly Domain.
Hearing the returned message, the Great Mountain Supreme Deity begins to tremble.
It is a tremor mixed with rage.
: : I N T H A T C A S E : :
Dududududu!
The entire Horse Ear Heavenly Domain begins to shake.
The Great Mountain Supreme Deity raises Their hand.
The Imprisonment Dimension that seals the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity begins to gradually compress.
: : B E C R U S H E D W I T H T H E H E A V E N L Y D O M A I N A N D P E R I S H D E F E A T E D O F F A T E : :
Dudududududu!!!
Along with the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity, the entire Horse Ear Heavenly Domain begins to crumple and be destroyed.
Then, before that Great Mountain, a white-haired woman appears.
This woman, whose face cannot be seen, is dressed neatly and wears flower-patterned shoes. She bows to the Great Mountain Supreme Deity and speaks.
[Arrogant and savage tyrant. My lord will not come to an end.]
As if the words of a bug aren't even worth hearing, the Great Mountain Supreme Deity pays her no mind, focusing entirely on obliterating the Owner of Heavenly Punishment along with the entire dimension.
[Their dream has already been passed on. Their prophecy will never end! They will not be devoured as a defeated one, like your master!!!]
In the next moment, the white-haired woman, Zhengli, is torn limb from limb.
As if thoroughly crushing a bug to death, she is tortured before the Great Mountain Supreme Deity, repeatedly dying and resurrecting by the hundred millions, until finally, her entire body is shredded into pieces.
Kwadudududuk!
And at last,
Having compressed the entire Horse Ear Heavenly Domain, the Great Mountain Supreme Deity swallows the compacted Heavenly Domain.
Booooooong!
[KUAAAAAAAAAH!]
[HUAAAAAAH!!!]
[UUUUUGH! AAAAAARGH!]
From the mountain of corpses beneath Them, lava-like blood tears burst forth, accompanied by the most agonizing screams ever heard.
At the same time, dark red lightning seems to seethe and overflow around the Great Mountain.
The Great Mountain Supreme Deity looks down upon the entirety of Mount Sumeru with an air of indifference and begins to draw forth Their power.
: : S H A L L W E B E G I N T H E S U P R E M E D E I T Y H U N T : :
The fate of the entire Three Thousand Great Thousand Worlds begins to shake.
-x-X-x-
Hearing from Sacred Master Baek Woon that the Great Mountain Supreme Deity had escaped the clutches of Light, we all prepared for annihilation.
Ten days have passed since then.
White Jade Pavilion, at the summit of Heavenly Lotus Mountain in the Bright Cold Realm.
The Esteemed Ones of the Bright Cold Realm are gathered before it, waiting.
Paaaatt!
A light descends from the sky, illuminating the White Jade Pavilion.
It is the beings who govern the light delivering a revelation to Baek Woon.
How long have we waited in front of it?
Paatt!
The light fades, and Baek Woon's voice transmission comes out from within.
[Enter.]
Paatt!
In an instant, we are back inside the White Jade Pavilion.
"Sacred Master, what on earth is going on? Is the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain facing the End?"
As I recall the nightmare of that time when the Supreme Deity of the Great Mountain wreaked havoc, I feel cold sweat trickling down my back.
Baek Woon shakes her head.
[No. I have just received a revelation. Currently, the tyrannical divine spirit is...in the distant Elephant Nose Heavenly Domain and waging war against its owner there. Not only that, but it seems They intend to wage war against the owners of other Heavenly Domains as well.]
"...!"
'Just what on earth are you doing, Great Mountain...!?'
I click my tongue in disbelief at Their outrageous behavior and continue with my question.
"Then, what will happen to us?"
[The divine spirits have given me a revelation... They say that for the tyrannical divine spirit to reach the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain again, They would only do so after finishing the wars with the owners of other Heavenly Domain first. And since the owners of Heavenly Domains are by no means insignificant...it is predicted that this will take tens of thousands of years.]
"...Tens of thousands of years..."
In that case, all that awaits us is the natural End for now.
It seems there won't be the sudden End brought about by the Great Mountain Supreme Deity.
Just then,
As those words leave Baek Woon's mouth, it feels as though the entire world has begun to rumble.
Simultaneously, shadows that I hadn't even realized were present in this place shoot up into the void and vanish.
"This is..."
Noticing the tremor that shook the world and the shadows that disappeared, I click my tongue in realization.
'Sacred Masters. True Persons. Or beings of a comparable level... Were they hiding here to hear the revelation Baek Woon received from the light? And that tremor just now...'
[...The Middle Realms are colliding.]
Baek Woon clicks her tongue regretfully, gazing off somewhere beyond the Bright Cold Realm.
[The Blood Yin Realm is on the move, colliding with the True Devil Realm with full force. It seems They are trying to force their way into the True Devil Realm. Ja Eum is desperately holding a defensive front against Blood Yin...]
As soon as we hear this, we all offer our condolences towards Ja Eum.
"To say such things right in front of Blood Yin..."
"As far as I know, the Sacred Master of the True Devil Realm was originally a lackey of the Blood Yin Realm..."
"Now I see, they weren't at the level of a lackey but a split body. But for a split body to be so independent that they would dare say such things to the main body...."
"What a pitiful person. Well, I suppose they thought the world was going to be destroyed, so they said whatever they wanted...who would have guessed it wouldn't end?"
The Esteemed Ones each click their tongues, offering their condolences to the pitiful Ja Eum, and I too click my tongue inwardly.
'He lacked caution. Or was it just bad luck? Anyone familiar with the Great Mountain's temperament wouldn't be surprised if the world ended right away...but who could have known it wouldn't? Though it's possible for an existence at the peak of True Immortality to distort the celestial energy, so one can't foresee the future...tsk.'
A split body harbors a different heart from its main body.
Not just any different heart, but a rebellious heart.
The issue isn't simply that he unleashed wild fury in front of Blood Yin.
'For Blood Yin, Ja Eum must have been both an agent of their will and a split body. They likely never imagined Ja Eum would harbor such treachery. But now that They discovered it, They have probably opened the True Devil Realm and are trying to retrieve Ja Eum.'
Honestly, until now, I've still harbored a lingering fear of Blood Yin.
Though They suffered a fatal wound from the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, They are still a True Immortal.
I've been afraid that They might descend at any moment and attempt to capture me again.
On top of that, after learning about the 'prophecy' used by True Immortals during the Star Shattering stage...
I realized that, in fact, I still haven't escaped Blood Yin's prophecy.
'The prophecy of Blood Yin that says we will meet again has not yet been broken.'
No, to be more precise, Blood Yin's prophecy isn't merely 'we will meet again within a hundred years.'
After reading and analyzing the celestial energy at the Star Shattering stage, I discovered,
The fate They assigned to me was, 'we will meet again within a hundred years, and I will experience death at Blood Yin's hands.'
The part of the prophecy stating 'we will meet again within a hundred years' has already been fulfilled.
However, the part stating 'I will experience death at Blood Yin's hands' has not yet been realized, and as long as I remain bound by this prophecy, there's still a chance that Blood Yin would pursue me.
'I originally intended to seek help through Kang Min-hee, but Kang Min-hee is currently undergoing the Sacred Vessel advancement ritual, so I won't be able to rely on that kind of assistance.'
Therefore, for a while, I planned to hole up in the Astral Realm and lay low for several thousand years.
However...
'It seems I can let go of my worries regarding Blood Yin for a while.'
Perhaps until They retrieve the Sacred Master Ja Eum from the True Devil Realm, Their focus will remain solely on him.
I breathe a sigh of relief and prepare to release Mengyun Star from the alternate space into the Middle Realm.
For the inhabitants of Mengyun Star to have suddenly ascended to the Bright Cold Realm, there is probably no greater benefit.
But then, Baek Woon's voice echoes in my ears.
[Seo Eun-hyun. I will return you and the star you brought back to its original place in the Astral Realm.]
"Pardon? Why is that?"
[There are three reasons. The first is that 'too much fate has flowed in.']
She continues her explanation.
[As the Sacred Master of the Middle Realm, I must regulate the attraction force and the environment here. If too many beings flood in all at once, there will be too much attraction force to manage across the entire Middle Realm. Normally, it wouldn't be an issue, but with all the preparations I must undertake for the End that will come in ten thousand years, I can't afford to handle such a burden.]
"Hmm..."
Kugugugugu!
The dimension of the Bright Cold Realm opens wide, and a passage leading to the Astral Realm appears before my eyes.
Baek Woon is telling me to take Mengyun Star and descend again to the Lower Realms.
[Second. While it concerns the Middle Realm, the fact that you took a star from the Astral Realm is also an issue. Though there is no immediate problem, by removing a star connected to star veins, you've caused all the stars in the Astral Realm to be shaken. Of course, from a macroscopic perspective, that level of shaking probably won't have any impact on the universe. Honestly, I don't see that kind of trembling as a major problem either. However...]
As I listen to her continuing words, I realize how serious it is to recklessly move stars, even though the situation was urgent.
[The faint vibrations connected to the star veins would be an unimaginable disaster by the standards of ordinary living beings. What seems like a minor tremor to us would feel like a catastrophe sweeping through the entire universe to beings without a spirit vein. Minor earthquakes and tidal waves will occur on countless stars, and innumerable living beings will die. Not that it matters to me...but you seem to be particularly meddlesome among the Esteemed Ones, so I'm telling you in advance to prevent you from getting entangled in Heart Demons.]
"...! Then...if I return the star to its original orbit, can the disaster be averted?"
[That's right. If you return that star to the Astral Realm, it will naturally reconnect with the star veins and reabsorb the minor tremors. Of course, the surface of that star will be completely overturned...but you should be able to protect the lifeforms from at least that much.]
"I am grateful for the advice. That said...if adjusting stars affects the entire network of star veins across the universe, then wouldn't it be problematic if Esteemed Ones destroyed stars, or ascended to the Bright Cold Realm?"
[Esteemed Ones are fine. When Esteemed Ones ascend to the Middle Realms, they can do so while remaining connected to the star veins. And as for the stars you destroy, they don't disappear entirely upon being smashed. A faint remnant of the star veins lingers, so it will gradually disappear without disrupting the workings of the universe.]
"Thank you for your guidance. However, if Sacred Master's goal was to persuade me, one piece of advice would have been enough. The fact that Sacred Master mentioned 'three points'...must mean that all three are important. What is the third?"
Wo-woong!
As I feel the Bright Cold Realm gradually pushing me back to the Astral Realm, I ask.
Paaaatt!
A projection of Baek Woon appears before my eyes.
She looks back and forth between me, who is being pushed out, and the Mengyun Star, which is gradually emerging from the alternate space.
The compressed Mengyun Star is slowly expanding, and she gently caresses it, as if softly stroking the star.
[...The last is for the sake of a junior undergoing the Sacred Vessel advancement ritual. Advancement rituals for the Sacred Vessel stage are typically avoided in the vicinity of other Sacred Vessels. The reason is that if the ritual takes place within the influence of another Sacred Vessel cultivator's attraction force, they inevitably affect each other. This child's mind will be influenced by mine, and my mind will be affected by this child's as well.]
Baek Woon withdraws her hand from caressing the Mengyun Star and continues speaking.
[...This Three Thousand Great Thousand Worlds. For those exalted ones who are True Immortals and above, this entire world that is called 'Mount Sumeru' is largely divided into two major forces. The faction symbolizing life, called 'Light,' and the faction symbolizing death, called the 'Underworld.' While there are other forces outside the two, they are all relatively minor forces. As you know, I am a Saint of Light from one of the two principal factions.]
"Not a Saintess?"
[Call it whichever you like. Honestly, among the Tall Tree Race, there are far more without a strict division of male and female, and starting from Esteemed Ones, such distinctions are practically meaningless. Regardless, I am a being faithful to the force of Light. And...the child undergoing the advancement ritual right now seems to be directly supported by the Underworld.]
"...That's true."
[That's why I'm helping.]
"...Aren't the two factions in a competitive relationship? Is it really alright to help?"
Baek Woon nods.
[I don't know how those above view it, but...this is what I think. Life and Death cannot be dismissed as a simple rivalry. They are essential to each other. Even if those above clash and, perhaps someday, their conflict reaches us and we are forced to fight... Until that time comes, I believe we can continue to give and receive. Because we are necessary to each other.]
With those words, she sends Kang Min-hee and me back to the Astral Realm where we originally were.
'A relationship of mutual necessity...'
Even if they are opposing forces, they are necessary to each other.
I realize that her words contain a profound insight.
"No, Master. Couldn't you have brought me along...?"
Hong Fan, who had been left behind at the outskirts of the star system and missed following me as I ascended, appears with a slight grumble. I apologize to him and return the Mengyun Star to its original orbit.
"...Well, I get it for now. By the way, Master."
"Hmm, what is it?"
"I have completed the interpretation of the entire formula for the Flawless Mantra, as well as the flow of its attraction force. Master should be able to grasp it now."
"Ah...! Thank you!"
I receive the formula and training method for the Flawless Mantra from Hong Fan.
However, upon looking at the training method, I find myself utterly dumbfounded, unable to even consider beginning such training.
'The ideal way to cultivate...requires reincarnating 'at least' 666 times and standing upside down while chanting the mantra for 666 lifetimes until death. Is that truly the method?'
The first time I heard about the Flawless Mantra was from Yu Oh, during an explanation about the entity called 'Obsidian.'
It was said that Obsidian had cultivated in this manner through 777 reincarnations.
'So what Kang Min-hee is practicing must be a simplified version.'
In any case, it's clear that cultivating this mantra requires living upside-down nearly the entire day.
I ponder as I cultivate my incarnation, which has achieved the Grand Perfection Earth Axis stage, having nurtured the axis seeds over the past hundred years atop my main body.
'Should I give it a try? Since the full practice is nearly impossible for me right now, I'll attempt the simplified training...'
Woong!
I invert the incarnation above my main body and have it begin chanting the Flawless Mantra.
For the first year, there is no effect whatsoever.
But as time passes, the Flawless Mantra gradually begins to shake external attraction force.
'What is this...?'
The more I train in the Flawless Mantra, the more it feels like a 'perfect fit' for me.
'Among everything I've learned so far...it's even easier to learn than devilish arts like Summoning Wind, Dragon Transformation or Great Desert to Dead Sea!'
It feels as if this mantra was prepared just for me.
I continue reciting the Flawless Mantra, immersing myself in a trance and sinking deeper into it.
I endlessly repeat the Flawless Mantra, feeling as though I am sinking into a cozy darkness, like the inside of my mother's womb.
One day, something strange happens.
As I chant the Flawless Mantra, I find myself staring into an endless, boundless darkness.
Peering into that darkness, a thought crosses my mind.
'Is this...the source of the Flawless Mantra's power...?'
Then, the darkness responds.
Yes.
'It's cozy...'
Cross over.
If you do, you will feel an even greater warmth and comfort.
'Is this...the true cultivation method for the Flawless Mantra? To cross over fully into this darkness...?'
Exactly so.
This is a cultivation method meant solely for you Enders.
Drawing a circle is a method meant only for the ordinary. You, however, need only entrust your heart to this darkness.
'Circle... I don't have to draw...that...circle...? That...terrible...circle...?'
I feel my mind sinking deeper into the darkness.
Yes.
Drawing the circle is too exhausting.
Just think of that terrifying, sacred, and ominous circle.
How exhausting it is.
Let's just entrust everything...to that comforting darkness.
I sink further into the darkness, completely letting go of my consciousness.
...
...
....
'Immortal Cultivation is repentant enlightenment.'
For some reason, I find myself muttering that formula.
'Like tiny grains of salt gathering...'
The Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra sprouts within me.
Simultaneously, I snap my eyes open.
[...Ah...]
How many years have I been cultivating the mantra in this trance-like state?
'I see.'
Using the senses of the Earth Axis, I read my history and calculate how many years have passed.
Already, it has been eight thousand years since Jeon Myeong-hoon was captured.
During that time, I have been cultivating the Flawless Mantra in a state of trance.
Around me float the Heavenly Rain Great Star, Heavenly Clearing Great Star, Heavenly Cloudiness Great Star, Heavenly Want of Connection Great Star, and Heavenly Crossing Great Star that I all unconsciously formed while cultivating the Flawless Mantra.
I have reached the late Star Shattering stage.
'I see...'
But rather than that, I am overcome with a volcanic surge of emotion at having grasped the true meaning of the Flawless Mantra.
[Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra.]
Paaaatt!
The surrounding Heaven and Earth spiritual energy converges into Yin-Yang Five Elements, forming a single point before me.
The single point turns into a pure white light that illuminates the cosmic space.
[Flawless Mantra.]
At the same time, attractive force trembles, drawing a circle of darkness around that single point.
A circle of darkness, a point of light.
Together, they form a Wheel.
'This is...'
Axle (車軸) and Wheel (車輪).
Together, they combine to create a [Completed Wheel].
'The starting point...to saving Kang Min-hee...!'
Eight thousand years.
After eight thousand years in this state of trance, I have finally obtained a starting point to rescue Kang Min-hee.
-x-X-x-
I see a path.
The path is vast and wide, and it seems that by following this path, I will surely achieve everything I desire.
But the path is hidden.
Therefore, this is not a path that can be taken carelessly by just anyone.
I reach out towards a certain wall that blocks this path.
From my hand, a point of pure white light and a circle of darkness seem to appear, before gently opening the wall that blocks the path.
The wall becomes a door through which I can enter, and I gaze at the door.
'So this is Minor Completion (小成).'
I look back.
Having reached minor completion, a brief reprieve should be granted.
But after this brief reprieve, I must enter that door, where time that has been compressed as long as eternity awaits.
'Will I be able to enter?'
I am afraid.
But if I walk this path to the conclusion, before the End, I can grasp at least the faintest starting point to achieve everything and save Jeon Myeong-hoon, Kang Min-hee, and the now-silent Kim Yeon.
I briefly look beyond the path, steeling my heart.
'Let's go.'
After a fleeting moment of reprieve, I shall return and seize everything within my grasp.
Because...
My desires are so vast.
To obtain them, I must pay the price.
And so, in this fleeting reprieve before walking the path, I raise my consciousness to see the faces I long for.
"...Er."
Wiiiiiiing!
"...Er...Ma..."
I briefly look around in a daze, then snap to my senses at the sound of a familiar voice.
"Master!!!"
[...Ah...Hong...Fan...is that you?]
My mind is a bit muddled.
I can hardly believe that I've been cultivating for eight thousand years, and I wonder how much the world has changed in that time.
Simultaneously...I remember what I have done over the past eight thousand years.
[Hmm...I feel...a bit hazy...]
I gather my scattering mind.
Reciting the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra inwardly, my scattered mind gradually seems to come together, bringing back my reason.
'For eight thousand years...Yes. I was definitely reciting the Flawless Mantra...taking one step after another into the darkness.'
It felt as though [something] beyond the darkness had spoken to me, saying that if I quickly crossed over the darkness, I could achieve great completion in the Flawless Mantra in an instant... 𝐫
'But then...why couldn't I reach great completion after eight thousand years?'
As I ponder, I let out a small exclamation.
'Ah, I see.'
At the same time I was reciting the Flawless Mantra, I repentantly enlightened myself through the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra.
While engaging in self-repentant enlightenment, I endlessly traced a circle within my heart, following the standard cultivation method of the Flawless Mantra.
At times, I seemed to hear a voice from a distant place, urging me onward...but I ignored it and continued to cultivate the Flawless Mantra in the standard way, advancing slowly yet steadily towards the darkness.
As I cultivated in the Flawless Mantra, fleeting thoughts crossed my mind that it might be better to quickly cross into the darkness to obtain the ultimate authority.
But each time that happened, the formula of the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra helped me.
Immortal Cultivation is repentant enlightenment.
Like tiny grains of salt gathering to form the sea.
Build mountains through repentant enlightenment.
Endlessly repeating that aphorism, I searched for myself over and over again within the circle.
Of course, such a process is not strictly necessary for cultivating in the Flawless Mantra.
In a way, it was an unnecessary and meaningless action.
Perhaps it was because I repeated that meaningless action countless times that it took me eight thousand years to get this far.
'But...it's fine.'
There is no need to forcibly approach that boundless darkness.
With just my own power alone, I have already...
Wiiiiing.
[Hong Fan...]
Wiiiiiiiiiing!
[Look...]
The Flawless Mantra.
Having reached minor completion.
[The Wheel is turning.]
The Wheel formed by the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra and the Flawless Mantra rotates above me.
No, to be precise, it rotates above 'us'.
By now, after eight thousand years of reciting the Flawless Mantra, I've instinctively reached the very end of the mid Shattering stage.
I've come to the realm of forming five stars.
In other words, the wheel is rotating above the star system where 'we' reside, and it is gradually growing larger.
'I can feel it...'
My mind circulates through all five worlds, reincarnating (輪回).
'I see. Back when I created the Sumeru Sword Dance, I only understood the phenomenon of my mind reaching the Immortal Domain by drawing a circle, but I couldn't comprehend the reason itself.'
But now, I feel I understand.
My mind spanning across the five worlds.
And drawing a circle in that state.
That is, in itself, one of the methods of rising to the Immortal Domain.
'The Interdimensional Void, Source River, Eastern Heaven Flower Field, and the Underworld. These four dimensions are all related to death. And the Astral Realm is a dimension related to life.'
I understand where the Nascent Soul stage cultivation and the Four-Axis stage 'Heterodox Axis Foundation' originates from.
'Everything in this world possesses a soul. Even each and every one of my cells. And while my soul, which has a ego, goes to the Underworld, my cells or keratin that have no such ego, or things like clothes or swords, return to the Source River after death. The existence known as 'me' gets broken down after entering the domain of death, and in the Eastern Heaven Flower Field, everything is rearranged and reincarnated.'
We, in fact, already possess the attraction force towards all worlds.
It's just that after death, my very existence gets disassembled, rearranged, and divided.
However...
What if I could fully span across all five worlds as myself?
'A single world alone cannot completely hold the 'complete me.' And the attraction force of the next world gradually grows stronger.'
From the Underworld to the Source River, from the Source River to the Eastern Heaven Flower Field, from the Eastern Heaven Flower Field to the Interdimensional Void, and from the Interdimensional Void back to the Underworld...
Of course, it doesn't necessarily have to follow this order, but in any case, existence itself circulates around the Astral Realm as the center, revolving through the four worlds and drawing a circle.
This is a simplified form of experiencing reincarnation.
And while undergoing this simplified experience of reincarnation within the world, my mind rises above the reincarnation.
This is precisely the principle behind elevating my consciousness to the Immortal Domain through the Sumeru Sword Dance.
"Master! Please, come to your senses! You must not turn the Wheel! That path invites unimaginable suffering. Please, Master, hear my words and wake up!"
Hong Fan's voice faintly reaches me.
[...Hong Fan.]
I smile warmly towards Hong Fan.
A smile spreads across the face of my incarnation created for the late Star Shattering stage cultivation.
'Ah...I see. So that's how it is.'
The five stars, all uniformly formed of crystal, now naturally align to form a single constellation. The Colorless Sword Mountain Treading Sea Great Star, which once was a Great Star (大星), has now transformed into a Great Star Enclosure (大星垣).
The constellation of the Colorless Sword Mountain Treading Sea Great Star.
Colorless Sword Mountain Treading Sea Great Star Enclosure.
Just as the domains of the Golden Core in the Core Formation stage are called Supreme Palace Enclosure, Purple Forbidden Enclosure, and Heavenly Market Enclosure,
I have become the master of the Colorless Sword Mountain Treading Sea Great Star Enclosure.
In short, the owner of the Colorless Sword Enclosure.
To cultivate repeatedly to become a constellation in the sky!
This, is the essence of cultivation in the Star Shattering stage.
At the same time, I gradually approach the Plane of Fate.
I realize that the domain known as 'the heavens' no longer feels distant.
'Soon...I might just reach the Plane of Fate.'
No, even now, with the All-Heavens Sword, it feels like I can interfere with the Plane of Fate far easier than before.
The problem is that I can't bring myself to hold a sword in my hand after witnessing Hyeon Gwi's dance.
"It is now! Everyone. Now that Master has somewhat regained his senses, we must awaken him fully. If not, once that Immortal Art activates..."
While I am lost in various thoughts, Hong Fan is noisily shouting something while looking at the Wheel I have raised.
Around me, the Esteemed Ones of the Bright Cold Realm...
And my comrades, who have all reached the level of Esteemed Ones before I knew it, come into view.
Kim Young-hoon has fully risen to Void Shattering, and Oh Hyun-seok, somehow or another, seems to have succeeded in containing the power of a star within himself.
And Kim Yeon... Who knows what she did, but her lifespan is at the Four-Axis level while her cultivation is at the Heavenly Being stage.
It seems she intentionally scattered her cultivation after reaching the Four-Axis stage, bringing herself back down to the Heavenly Being stage.
I don't know why she made that decision.
In any case, there are twenty-eight artificial stars floating around her in a compressed state, supplying her with power. Regardless of her cultivation realm, her actual combat strength appears to be nearly equivalent to that of two people in the Grand Perfection Star Shattering stage.
'Could it be...were they worried because I had fallen into a state of trance?'
The End is still far off.
And judging by the aura I sense, Kang Min-hee's advancement ritual to the Sacred Vessel stage has not yet concluded.
When I lower my consciousness to the Mengyun Star, I see Kang Min-hee still wandering around various parts of the star with Blood Yin, Seo Hweol, Seo Ran, and others, absorbing her fragments and raising her cultivation.
It seems she experiences bursts of madness each time she absorbs a fragment, but Seo Hweol, by grazing on Blood Yin, has prevented her from going berserk, so no problems have occurred.
One thing that's concerning is that Seo Hweol appears to be preparing something to break the Immortal Art that was cast on Seo Ran by Gwak Am and Yu Oh, but...it still seems a long way off from being broken, so it doesn't appear to be a major issue for now.
In any case, it feels good to see these beloved faces after eight thousand years.
Now, it's time to walk the path again.
[I shall now...return to...cultivation...]
"No, you must not! Master, please, you must come to your senses. I have remembered something about the Flawless Mantra. I don't know by what cause and effect Master has come to learn of its paired counterpart, but if Master continues to learn it, you might no longer be able to save your comrades. You might become unable to overcome the End! You might lose yourself entirely!"
[...Hong Fan.]
I speak to him.
[While reciting this mantra, I received a whisper from some being beyond. That being said that if I follow them, I would immediately achieve great completion in the mantra. But...I did not follow that being's whisper.]
"Master did very well. Whoever that being may be..."
[Instead.]
My incarnation sits on one of the stars of the Colorless Sword Enclosure, meeting Hong Fan's trembling gaze.
Has Hong Fan also reached the Star Shattering stage by now?
He now appears to be in his early fifties.
Perhaps when he reaches the Entering Nirvana stage, he will look like a man in his early to mid-forties.
[I proceeded through the proper method. No matter what the darkness whispered, I ignored it all...and by learning this mantra through the proper method, I have glimpsed hope.]
Hong Fan, as if unable to understand, grasps my hand and asks,
"Just what is Master saying? Hope? At this rate, Master will be consumed by that Immortal Art and perish before even being able to reach the refuge space for the End. You will die!"
[...If I cultivate deeper into this mantra, I can save Kang Min-hee. That much is certain.]
"Then what about Sir Myeong-hoon? In two thousand years, didn't Master plan to go and rescue Sir Jeon Myeong-hoon with that Seo Hweol person!?"
[Yes, we planned to use Seo Hweol's Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens to break Jeon Myeong-hoon free. But...the bastard alone isn't enough. That person is a True Immortal. And for someone like me who isn't a True Immortal to contend with a True Immortal...I need something beyond what I currently possess. Moreover, I'm still bound by Blood Yin's prophecy as well...]
Golden Shaking Bird and Blood Yin.
The unknown being who gifted Kim Yeon with a new form of Extraordinary Pattern Law Talent.
If I can't deal with them somehow, I won't be able to save my comrades.
Jeon Myeong-hoon, Kang Min-hee, Kim Yeon, and even myself.
If I am to save everyone, I must find hope here.
[With the power we possess, we can't do anything. So, we must take a gamble. Because you conveyed the mantra to me...I was able to see hope. Thank you, Hong Fan.]
"It is all my fault...I was wrong. Passing that mantra to Master recklessly without even fully recalling all my memories of it...Master. This servant, Hong Fan, beseeches you. Please do not entrust yourself to the Immortal Art. Why must Master risk your life on such an uncertain gamble!?"
[...Because...]
I smile faintly.
[Life, after all...exists for my own sake. So if it's to protect something precious to me, I can stake my life on it.]
More than anything.
Though I called it a gamble to Hong Fan...I know otherwise.
As long as I don't lose myself within this Immortal Art, I can accomplish everything before the End.
[...Therefore, do not worry. I will definitely return before the End. Thank you, Hong Fan. And thank you, everyone...]
I bid farewell once more to Hong Fan and to everyone I hadn't seen in eight thousand years, then close the eyes of my incarnation.
Now, within the depths of that darkness.
It's time to follow the path prepared by the darkness.
'No...that's not it.'
It's not the path prepared by the darkness.
The pure white mountain of salt.
And darkness.
The two combined to form the Wheel.
Therefore, this is...a path prepared by two beings.
Though my comrades and Hong Fan seem to be trying to use even the power of the Bright Cold Realm to influence my mind, waking after eight thousand years was only a brief reprieve achieved after reaching minor completion...
...
...
Now, he is both wheel and axle.
He has stepped onto the path we have created.
A precious opportunity crafted by the two Imperial Venerables, even at the cost of deceiving themselves.
It is an arrangement set up solely so that the successor can reject the temptations of the two Imperial Venerables and walk the correct path.
This is not a prophecy.
It is neither the authority of fate nor the authority of history.
It is nothing more than an impossible miracle.
Therefore, you, Black Snake (黑蛇).
For this inheritance alone, no matter what you do, you will not be able to bestow any blessings.
This time, the successor will walk alone...
Thus, within someone's earnest desire, Seo Eun-hyun once again steps onto a certain path in a state of trance.
And from this moment, Seo Eun-hyun's time begins to flow differently.
Ten thousandfold.
Within the time of life that is perceived to be ten thousand times longer, Seo Eun-hyun creates the Heavenly Outer Diagram Great Star and the Heavenly Inner Diagram Great Star, reaching the Grand Perfection Star Shattering stage.
However, such things are not what matters.
Using Kang Min-hee's Sacred Vessel advancement ritual as a medium, [someone] deep within the darkness connected to her scatters Seo Eun-hyun's mind.
Had he succumbed to the temptation of darkness, he would have ended up in the same plight as Kang Min-hee, but Seo Eun-hyun does not yield to the temptation and steadily draws a circle.
To fulfill a promise, [someone] beyond the darkness begins to reincarnate Seo Eun-hyun's mind among the seven stars.
Thus, Seo Eun-hyun's mind starts to orbit around a fixed star, drawing a Sacred Disc (聖盤).
And finally...
The Eve of the End approaches.
Translator Notes: Sacred Disc as in Sacred Vessel (they are written the same).