Summit of Glass Cedarwood Mountain.
Before the jade throne of glass, surrounded by polar lights and mist.
Two figures stand facing each other.
A man dressed in white, seated as if gazing down upon the world.
And a man in blue robes, expressionless, looking up at the one sitting on the throne.
[219,523 times. No, it's 24 now. This is the number of methods you've used to try and retrieve Seo Ran from me. Not a single one has succeeded, and even the last resort you sent in, Oh Hye-seo's main body, is now as good as in my grasp. What will you do now? What is left for you?]
The man in white.
Seo Eun-hyun speaks, looking down at the expressionless figure before him—Seo Hweol.
Seo Hweol speaks with a dry expression.
"...I understand that you care for Seo Ran. I also now know that the threats you used against me before were lies. You...cannot kill Seo Ran; isn't that right?"
[That's right.]
Seo Eun-hyun acknowledges it plainly.
[So, what will you do now?]
He chuckles.
[I am already a Sacred Master. In this domain, I am no different from a True Immortal. Do you think I will lose Seo Ran to the likes of you?]
"...If I exhaust all of 'me,' even you, a Sacred Master, would not be able to guarantee victory, no?"
[Seeing the great Seo Hweol speaking with such a long tongue, it seems you really have no cards left to play. Keke...go ahead. Consume thousands, hundreds of millions, trillions, tens of quadrillions of Seo Hweols to try and brainwash me along with this entire world. But I'll use the moment you exhaust yourself to contact Blood Yin and expose every last danger you pose.]
At Seo Eun-hyun's words, Seo Hweol lowers his gaze.
"..."
[At your current state, you might be able to impose some restrictions on Blood Yin with the groundwork you've laid. But if you exhaust everything on someone like me, only to face Blood Yin afterward? Haha, you'd be blown apart and killed by Blood Yin. No matter how much of a laughingstock he is, he is still a True Immortal.]
This is a testimony from Seo Eun-hyun, who has personally faced Blood Yin.
While it may be a slight underestimation, it is by no means an exaggerated assessment.
[Swear your loyalty to me, standing before the Black Ancient Paper, and vow it upon your main body. Then, confess your past to me. If you do, I will help you to the extent I can and help you achieve your goal. I will even assist you in washing away your sin.]
Seo Eun-hyun extends his hand toward Seo Hweol.
[Follow me, Seo Hweol. I truly detest you. You disgust me so much that I want to kill you. But...I am still willing to give you a chance. If you follow me, you will eventually be forgiven, and one day, you will be able to perfectly achieve your goal.]
From his perspective, this is an extraordinary concession.
Even though Seo Eun-hyun has only suffered greatly at Seo Hweol's hands, he can't ignore the wretched sight he had witnessed in his past life, the sight of Seo Hweol being rewritten into a blue earthworm.
Moreover, one of the processes for achieving Seo Hweol's goal is brainwashing the Head Realm, which is tied to the origin of Seo Eun-hyun and the other Enders. Through that goal, they might be able to reveal the secrets related to them.
Seo Hweol smiles.
"...I will cooperate."
[You're planning something again. Fine, struggle all you want.]
The next moment, Seo Hweol fires a beam of dense, blood energy directly towards Seo Eun-hyun's chest.
Kwang!
With that as the beginning, the portion of Seo Hweol standing before him explodes.
Red beams shoot out from Seo Hweol's entire body, dyeing the surroundings.
Snap!
However, the moment Seo Eun-hyun snaps his fingers, the beams vanish without a trace.
Seo Eun-hyun's eyes twitch.
[Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens again? Well, it's adequate as a smokescreen. And these...are these the Blood Yin Realm's devilish spells?]
Chiiii—
Seo Eun-hyun clears away the Blood Yin Realm's devilish energy attempting to corrode his surroundings, then grabs at the void.
Clench!
In the next moment, fragments of Seo Hweol's Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens, hidden in the darkness, are all pulled together by attraction force, gathering before Seo Eun-hyun.
The fragments reassemble into the form of Seo Hweol.
[Give up. You can no longer surpass me.]
Seo Hweol smiles faintly.
[Do you know why there's no average when it comes to the strength of those at the Sacred Vessel stage?]
[It's because we have no true substance.]
Seo Eun-hyun responds casually.
[We, whose personalities have become Immortal Arts itself, are now beings that should be called the 'flow' of the universe.
[Though, as far as 'flows' go, we're incredibly fragile. Of course, compared to ordinary living beings, we far exceed even natural disasters, but from a cosmic perspective, we're merely specks of dust ready to be swept away at any moment.
[Since we lack substance, we must inhabit ourselves to something to cultivate our incorporeal selves. Whether it's the Middle Realms, the Decaying Corpse Realms, the stellar systems, or even the will of a True Immortal, becoming Immortal Treasures acting on their behalf, it doesn't matter. Only by inhabiting something can we gain substance.]
As Seo Eun-hyun's explanation continues, the laws of Cedarwood Painting begin to bind Seo Hweol.
[And because we have no substance, we can connect to anything. We can connect to other Sacred Vessel Sacred Masters, and even Entering Nirvana True Persons. We can connect to Esteemed Ones or Grand Cultivators we know, and even brats at the Four-Axis stage or below that we're aware of... Even to 'places' and 'True Immortals' that we know of. If we connect to a stronger existence, we might be captured and turned into an Immortal Treasure, but...if that's not the case, we can simply borrow their power. That's why, depending on where we inhabit, the knowledge we possess, and the relationships we've built, our combat power varies so greatly that there's no consistent average.]
Seo Hweol nods at these words.
[You are outstanding. Because we can so easily connect with those we know, we can borrow power anytime, anywhere. This is something that True Persons, who possess substance, cannot achieve. Now then, let me pose a question. If 'we' can connect to others, can we also 'connect others to each other'? What do you think?]
At this, Seo Eun-hyun flinches in surprise and turns his gaze somewhere else.
[Ha! So this is the kind of scheme you have prepared. As expected of Seo Hweol!]
Seo Eun-hyun lets out a small exclamation of admiration as he looks somewhere.
That place is within Seo Eun-hyun's Colorless Sword Enclosure.
A world unfolded with an endless land stained with blood.
There, seeing Oh Hye-seo wandering around and doing something, Seo Eun-hyun grins.
She is communicating with somewhere through her abilities.
'Now that I think about it, that's how it was.'
Seo Eun-hyun's eyes gleam.
Oh Hye-seo, at first glance, appeared to have arrived at Cedarwood Painting as a 'fragment.'
However, upon closer inspection, she was revealed to be her 'main body.'
In that case, how did she manage to deceive Seo Eun-hyun at the start?
The method isn't particularly difficult.
This is because outside Cedarwood Painting, she connected herself to an existence with a presence far greater than her own.
Because there is an existence whose presence is so overwhelmingly vast compared to hers, she was mistaken for a mere fragment!
'Is she connecting to that being with the enormous presence!? Does she perhaps intend to summon an existence of the True Immortal rank!?'
And in the next moment,
The entirety of Cedarwood Painting trembles violently.
Seo Eun-hyun coughs up Heaven and Earth spiritual energy.
[Keheok!]
Kuuuuuuung!
A hazy vapor-like something instantly blankets the sky of Cedarwood Painting.
This vapor does not stop at Cedarwood Painting. It also engulfs Seo Eun-hyun's Colorless Sword Enclosure in one go.
Gritting her teeth, Oh Hye-seo shouts while staring at the vapor.
"I, human Oh Hye-seo, humbly call upon the Progenitor God, Pangu (盤古). O High Spirit Grand Dao Nine Heavens Overseeing Fate Preserving Life Celestial Great Emperor, please hear me! As I fulfilled the oath I previously swore, as the Master of Oaths and Contracts, please return my flesh to me!"
The next moment.
Oh Hye-seo's soul is forcibly extracted from the body of the Candle Dragon Race she inhabits in Cedarwood Painting.
Her soul begins rapidly flying towards some far-off place in the distant reaches of the universe.
Witnessing this scene, Seo Eun-hyun realizes what Seo Hweol and Oh Hye-seo have done.
[Did you borrow the power of the Owner of Names from the very beginning? I see. From the start, Oh Hye-seo's soul was removed from her original body and that empty shell was filled with the power of the Owner of Names! While the power of the Owner of Names occupied her body, Oh Hye-seo acted as Seo Hye, and borrowed the power of oaths to set up the plan to escape through 'retrieving' her body through a ritual worship whenever needed! Hahaha!]
Seo Eun-hyun laughs as if finding it amusing.
Indeed, even Seo Eun-hyun can not stop Oh Hye-seo from being drawn away by the power of the [Owner of Names].
However, Seo Eun-hyun grins while forming a wheel (輪) behind his head.
Kiriririk—
The wheel begins to spin.
[Impressive. Truly worthy of your reputation, Seo Hweol.]
Then, Seo Eun-hyun extends his hand.
Dududududududu!
The Colorless Sword Enclosure, which had been containing Oh Hye-seo until just moments ago, begins to transform. Borrowing the power of Cedarwood Painting, a portion of the Colorless Sword Enclosure flickers into reality.
[If only your opponent was not me, Oh Hye-seo would have very well escaped.]
Oh Hye-seo rapidly flies through the cosmic space, heading towards her main body.
Seo Hweol said this.
—[No matter how much of an extraordinary Sacred Master Seo Eun-hyun may be, he cannot completely block the power of the [Owner of Names]. Even if you are captured at the final moment, you will still be able to escape. What will you do?]
She has never trusted Seo Hweol, not even once.
She only acted for Seo Hweol when she herself determined that it is logical and reasonable, and when she calculated that there would be no harm to her.
This time was no exception. The escape plan Seo Hweol proposed, the circumstances he faced, the reward he promised, and the benefits she stood to gain from taking part—all were too enticing to refuse.
Yes.
Based on Seo Hweol's judgment and Oh Hye-seo's own verification, she should have been safe.
But...
—Oh Hye-seo! I will relay this for the last time. Fragment your soul according to my instructions and scatter it immediately! That is the only hope we have!
'Don't talk nonsense! You said it would be safe! And if I fragment my soul to the extent you're saying, who would be the main body? My very being will disappear!'
—There's no time! Hurry!
'You said I would be safe! You said...!'
However, as she leaps across hundreds of light-years, Oh Hye-seo notices 'something' chasing her soul from behind.
[Wh-What is thaaaaaat!!!]
It's an [arm]!
A sword made of glass!
A massive [arm] composed of glass, with countless swords protruding from it, leaps across hundreds of light-years to pursue her.
[S-Stay away! I said, stay away!!!]
Oh Hye-seo's soul turns pale as she summons countless forms of Immortal Beasts around her.
As much as her main body, her consciousness domain, and the level of her soul itself have all risen to a higher realm than before...
The forms of Immortal Beasts she summons also appear far more powerful and imposing than ever.
Moreover, since this cosmic space is outside Seo Eun-hyun's world, it's a situation where he should not be able to exert absolute power here.
: : O H H Y E - S E O : :
[Huaaaaahhhh!!!]
Oh Hye-seo screams in terror and sends the forms of Immortal Beasts towards the [arm] pursuing her.
But it is futile.
The forms of Immortal Beasts are all shredded apart, and the [arm] rips through the light and projection of the Glass Peacock before intensely pursuing her.
'Monster bastard, monster bastard...! Why are you chasing me!? This fucking reptilian bastard wearing a human mask since Earth...!'
When Oh Hye-seo followed Seo Hweol's instructions and possessed the body of [Seo Eun-hyun's descendant],
She was confronted with an utterly terrifying revelation.
The [descendant of Seo Eun-hyun], who had been her companion back on Earth, turned out to be a bizarre and grotesque monster called the [Candle Dragon Race].
Although Seo Eun-hyun had shown a somewhat absentminded appearance back on Earth, she had at least believed him to be of the Homo Sapiens species.
But for [Seo Eun-hyun's descendent] to be a monster who's only human in face while everything below is a snake?
From a logical standpoint, there is only one conclusion.
Seo Eun-hyun must have been a reptilian wearing a human mask and acting the entire time since Earth!
'We were all being deceived by that monster bastard! That guy was a monster from the very beginning!'
Possessing the ability to trace the origins of Immortal Beast bloodlines, Oh Hye-seo so very easily tracked the origin of the Candle Dragon Race.
And her ability identified Seo Eun-hyun as a being who is fundamentally [no different from the Candle Dragon Race].
[Stay away, you monster!!!]
The form of the Immortal Beast Supreme Tiger roars and lunges toward the [arm].
But the [arm] tears apart the form of the Supreme Tiger in an instant and resumes its pursuit of her.
Now, the distance between the [arm] and her is only ten li!
Gradually, the [arm] draws closer.
Nine li!
'A-At this rate, it's going to follow me all the way to where my main body is! No! Seo Hweol! That useless bastard! He said he wouldn't be able to chase me this far, but he was completely wrong!'
The form of the Immortal Beast Black Dragon charges at the [arm].
A massive dragon wave, imbued with the power of Taiyin, pushes Seo Eun-hyun back.
However, 999 ghostly heads seem to sprout from Seo Eun-hyun's arm, devouring all the yin energy before resuming its pursuit of Oh Hye-seo.
Eight li!
Oh Hye-seo feels her legs trembling from the horror.
Having the curiosity to uncover everything about the other person, starting from the teeth, is who Oh Hye-seo is.
So of course, she is already aware of the shape of Seo Eun-hyun and his comrades' skulls.
'Crazy bastard... Is he using his own 999 skulls as a spell? He's a madman who cut off his own head 999 times to make this happen. Completely insane.'
Seven li!
Once again, Seo Eun-hyun's [arm] draws closer.
The searing Glass True Fire flickers, emitting a powerful attraction force that pulls Oh Hye-seo towards it.
'Nonononononono!!! That Glass True Fire really hurts!!! Even the inferior flame of the Candle Dragon Race almost killed me when it touched my soul. If this is the real Glass True Fire, there's no way I can resist it!'
The heat of the Glass True Fire already stings her soul, and her mind starts to falter.
'Endure the heat of the Glass True Fire with the power of the Candle Dragon Race? No way! The master of the Candle Dragon Race is that reptilian bastard. I'd be caught right away. In that case...'
The forms of the Immortal Beasts Azure Peng and White-Winged Heavenly Pegasus wrap around Oh Hye-seo.
Her speed towards her main body begins to accelerate even further.
Seo Eun-hyun's [arm] also appears to be gradually falling behind.
But in the next moment—
Wiiiiiing!
The Three Great Ultimates rise atop the arm, narrowing the distance with Oh Hye-seo once more!
Five li!
Her mind feels like it's about to collapse from terror and the heat of the Glass True Fire.
'Seo Hweol! Seo Hweol! Seo Hweol! Do something!!!'
—I am also caught.
'Useless bastard!!!'
Cursing Seo Hweol, she frantically hurls the forms of other Immortal Beasts and self-destructs them.
Even though her origin is being damaged, the [arm] seems utterly unaffected, steadily closing the distance.
Three li!
[Seo Eun-hyun, let's talk for a moment. Actually, I knew all along that you and Kang Min-hee were dating, okay? You! You liked me, didn't you? Isn't that right?]
Two li!
She tries to tempt Seo Eun-hyun with all sorts of sweet words and flattery, but as expected, they don't work in the slightest.
The distance continues to close, leaving only one li remaining.
Oh Hye-seo grits her teeth, her heart sinking as though weeping tears of blood.
'I have to use that! I followed Seo Hweol's words and took risks all for that, but I'm about to waste it all here!?'
Feeling wronged, she bites her lips tightly in her spirit form.
Now, Seo Eun-hyun's massive [arm] is only ten zhang away from her.
She spreads her arms wide in her spirit form and shouts.
[I humbly request to the High Spirit Grand Dao Nine Heavens Overseeing Fate Preserving Life Celestial Great Emperor. I beseech, reveal thee power!!!]
In the next moment, hazy vapor rises wildly around her.
Then, a vaporous [arm], far larger than Seo Eun-hyun's [arm], manifests and clenches its fist.
Seo Eun-hyun's [arm] seems to flinch.
Oh Hye-seo smirks and shouts.
[Even if it's you, against this being's power...]
But at that very moment.
Pebeong!
Seo Eun-hyun's [arm] so very easily pierces through the arm of the [Owner of Names].
Plowing through the vapor without resistance, Seo Eun-hyun's [arm] relentlessly advances towards Oh Hye-seo.
Seeing this scene, Oh Hye-seo feels her mind freeze completely.
It feels as though the afterimage of Seo Eun-hyun fleetingly passes before her eyes.
Seo Eun-hyun was looking down at her with an arrogant gaze.
'...There's no escape...'
The gap between them has already grown too vast.
Not even Seo Hweol is of any help, and no matter how much power she wields or borrows from others, Seo Eun-hyun has already surpassed all of it.
'I...can't escape...?'
She grinds her teeth.
There is no escape.
In that case, there is only one thing she can do.
The arm of the [Owner of Names], which is pitifully being torn apart.
As if its affinity clashes with the power of the Candle Dragons,
It is being shredded by the hazy mist emanating from Seo Eun-hyun's arm, but its sheer mass buys Oh Hye-seo a sliver of time.
Oh Hye-seo watches the scene and grits her teeth.
Chwaaaa!
In the next moment, she tears apart her spirit form.
She must do as Seo Hweol instructed.
Split Soul!
At the very least, she must let her split soul escape!
Oh Hye-seo extracts every bit of power from the Owner of the Name's vapor and the other Immortal Beasts, stuffing it all into her fragment, and launches the fragment towards her original body.
Paaatt!
Perhaps because its mass has been reduced, Oh Hye-seo's fragment moves much faster and lighter, soon disappearing from her sight.
Puhwak!
Immediately after, Seo Eun-hyun's [arm] finally tears through the vapor and envelops Oh Hye-seo.
With a face really clouded with emotions, Oh Hye-seo opens her mouth.
[...You won, you monster.]
Clench!
Seo Eun-hyun's arm seizes the soul of Oh Hye-seo's main body.
Every scheme devised by Seo Hweol and Oh Hye-seo has crumbled.
Only a portion of her soul that she split and sent away, the soul of 'Seo Hye,' manages to return to her main body, leaving a faint glimmer of hope against the God of Cedarwood Painting.
-x-X-x-
At the beginning of this life,
My goals were simple: advancing in cultivation, protecting my comrades, and surviving the End.
However, as I became a Sacred Master and began reshaping the world, I gained a new perspective and witnessed new sights.
In the process, I revised my original goals.
Escaping from Blood Yin, rescuing Kang Min-hee, and neutralizing Seo Hweol.
Having achieved all three, the only remaining task is survival in the face of the End.
I decided to revise the goal of 'surviving the End.'
The Sacred Masters of the Middle Realms, including Baek Woon, became able to secure the Middle Realms from the End after regaining the [symbols].
Unlike the previous life, where the Esteemed Ones and Sacred Masters had to gather and set up a formation, simply strengthening the absoluteness of the Middle Realms will ensure their survival.
However...
What about the remaining living beings of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain?
What about the residents of my Cedarwood Painting, that lacks the absoluteness of the Middle Realms?
What about the people of the Head Realm?
What about the people of Peaceful Cloud Star?
The people of the Middle Realms may survive, but the rest of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain will perish—that is the End.
To them...
I want to give them a chance in my own way.
And at the same time, I want to save my beloved comrades.
That's why I transported Oh Hye-seo into the dream world and, while toying with her, devised a certain plan.
When my comrades heard my plan, they were all utterly shocked.
And understandably so, as my plan is outrageously unrealistic.
In particular, the Entering Nirvana True Person Yeo Hwi, whom I had captured previously, laughed so much upon hearing my plan that she practically flipped over.
Did she say that no matter how much of an incredible genius I am, such a thing is impossible?
...So I flipped her over and smacked her.
No matter what anyone says, I am determined to make my plan succeed.
Since the plan would proceed much more smoothly with Seo Hweol's help, I set aside the memories of what he had done to me and demanded his loyalty. But he seemed unwilling to lower his head to me.
With no other choice, I bound Seo Hweol and Oh Hye-seo to my world and began to carry out my plan.
Though I lost Oh Hye-seo's split soul before the plan could truly start, it doesn't matter.
Ever since I achieved the Sacred Vessel stage through the Three Great Ultimates, set my location as a Sacred Master, and broke free from the pressure imposed on me by the Owner of the Void, regaining my Martial Arts, Seo Hweol and Oh Hye-seo were no longer my match.
If Oh Hye-seo had listened to Seo Hweol from the start and scattered her soul into thousands of fragments, it would have been a bit troublesome...
But out of fear of losing her identity, she created only one fragment.
One is more than manageable for me, and I attached Seo Ran's split soul onto that body.
Oh Hye-seo probably thinks the fragment is afflicted by Seo Hweol's Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens, but that isn't the case at all.
It is merely something I arranged to help Seo Ran achieve enlightenment more easily.
Seo Hweol and Oh Hye-seo are now completely within my palm.
And so, to save my comrades and overcome the End, I devote myself entirely to executing my plan.
With an emotionless face, Seo Hweol opens his eyes in the darkness.
Inside the heart essence of Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens.
It is a space of pitch-black, sticky malice.
A place where only those who are 'Seo Hweol' can enter.
In that space, he speaks.
[Oh Hye-seo is beyond recovery.]
[That being has removed Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens from her split soul and attached Seo Ran's split soul to it.]
[It's likely meant to help Seo Ran achieve enlightenment so he can control Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens.]
[We can no longer oppose that being. Everything we have prepared up until now, all of our grand plans, have crumbled.]
[That being surpasses even Mad Lord. Even though the Mad Lord twisted 'my' history by cultivating the power of the Bright Cold Realm, he has never held me in his grasp so completely.]
[In that case, would it not be better to take that being's hand and achieve our goal?]
At one Seo Hweol's suggestion, the other Seo Hweols sink deep into their own thoughts.
[...That being is suspicious. A being who has reached the Sacred Vessel stage through the three pathways of Heaven, Earth, and Heart in less than a thousand years. A being who has already rewritten the legend of the Golden Divine. It isn't just Heaven, Earth, and Heart as well.]
[That's right. That being possesses Immortal Arts of unknown origins and connections to [Great Beings].]
[Perhaps that being descended to fulfill the prophecy of a [Great Being], either as an Immortal Treasure or backed by a True Immortal.]
[Not just perhaps. The probability of that is 99 out of 100.]
[Are we to repeat...the pain of that time?]
At the words of one Seo Hweol, the other Seo Hweols fall silent.
The phrase 'the pain of that time' seems to unsettle many of the Seo Hweols.
[...If only the main body were in its normal state, this decision would have been easier.]
[Everything started to twist since the main body was contaminated by Yu Oh's maternal nature.]
[When will we be able to recover the main body? It has been far too long since the main body was contaminated and forgot the 'vow of that time'. If another twenty or thirty thousand years pass, we may collapse entirely.]
[We must quickly recover the main body before that happens.]
[Should we join hands with that being? Should we reveal our goal and seek cooperation?]
Countless opinions are exchanged among the Seo Hweols.
And, after endless deliberation, the Seo Hweols manage to reach a conclusion.
[For now, joining hands with that being must not be done.]
[That being cherishes Seo Ran. Yet, in this state, they casually claim they will help us with our goal.]
[For our purpose to be realized, 'Seo Ran' must be annihilated. Only that will bring us closer to our goal.]
[However, that being does not know this and seeks to take us in.]
[Thus, we can neither join hands with nor pledge loyalty to that being.]
Ssssssss—
Within the dark space.
Countless red eyes open.
The red eyes gather and form the figure of a man dressed in a dark-red robe.
[In conclusion, I can never join hands with 'Seo Eun-hyun'. For what he cherishes and what I seek are in complete opposition. However, opposing him directly is impossible. In the entirety of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain, the only beings capable of defeating him in direct combat in his main body are Blood Yin and the True Immortal of the Lightning Sacred Sea, just two. Thus, I abandon the notion of directly opposing him.]
The man in the dark-red robe wears a faint smile, as though donning a mask.
With that seemingly gentle smile, he steps out of the space of darkness while quietly repeating his goal to himself.
[However...though he is certainly a powerful existence, he is definitely not a True Immortal. Therefore, instead of defeating him directly, I will avoid his gaze...and kill Seo Ran.]
The man in the dark-red robe.
Seo Hweol steps beyond the space of darkness and glances back.
The depths of Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens.
The place shrouded in the deepest darkness.
Hidden within its depths, unseen even by Oh Hye-seo, are Seo Hweol's 'childhood memories,' which reflect in his eyes.
And then, a voice whispers to him from within the darkness.
—Isn't that just a gamble? Instead, if you corrupt the Sacred Masters of the Middle Realms, borrow the absoluteness they command, and anchor your identity there, Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens could endure for at least ten millions years even if the connection with Seo Ran is severed... Why risk such a bold move so hastily?
Seo Hweol looks at the entity lurking beyond his 'childhood memories' and speaks.
[...The current Seo Eun-hyun is a being I cannot face without taking a gamble. Plan for ten million years, manipulate history, and only then take Seo Ran to achieve my goal? Do you think a being who reached the Three Great Ultimates Sacred Vessel stage in just 800 years would wait that long?]
The being behind Seo Hweol's 'childhood memories' laughs.
Kik... Kikikikikikikik...
A demeanor that suggests it has seen through all of Seo Hweol's inner thoughts.
However, Seo Hweol remains entirely unshaken.
That existence is not even a leftover—just a configuration.
It reacts solely in response to the patterns Seo Hweol exhibits, producing corresponding reactions—a mere computational response.
Of course...even the Celestial Energy Calculation Device that the Mad Lord attached to the Star Shattering stage [Her] is considered primitive compared to it, so it is undoubtedly impressive.
But even so, its essence is emptier than Seo Hweol, who possesses Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens.
There is no need to be shaken by the mocking laughter of that existence.
—Wrong. The you I know would never gamble. For you, the concept of gambling shouldn't even exist. And yet, you speak of taking a gamble? It's such a 'twisted' response. Isn't that so, Seo Hweol?
Seo Hweol emotionlessly gazes beyond the darkness.
—As expected. Like the main body Seo Ran, you have been 'contaminated.'
[That is not so. It is simply that I have matured enough and the time has come to make my own judgments without your measurements. By my own judgement, I am not contaminated. 'Contamination' only occurs in maternal or paternal natures. And having already been 'contaminated', I have previously transferred every speck of maternal nature remaining in my fragments to Seo Ran. Therefore, this is a rational decision.]
—Heh...Seo Hweol, who denies the heart yet knows nothing about it. You remain still a child, just as you were back then. Do you know you seem younger than even Seo Ran? The parental heart you speak of. Do you know that love itself is entirely different from what you think? You...are failing to understand even a fragment of my words...
[In my judgment, it is you who has been engulfed by the uncertainty of emotions. I will have to halt your operation.]
—Isn't the reason you insist on gambling because you've already, without even realizing it yourself, been engulfed by that emotionless existence? Foolish...
In the next moment, the voice vanishes at Seo Hweol's gesture.
Within the depths of his childhood memories.
There, he puts to sleep the remaining powers of Go (古; ancient).
He turns back again as he steps out of the darkness and thinks to himself.
Because there is no need to listen to the 'irrational' voice of ancient force (古力) he has possessed since birth.
'Seo Eun-hyun is currently scheming something ominous. And the scope of that ominous scheme encompasses the entirety of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain. Taking advantage of that scheme, I must avoid Seo Eun-hyun's gaze and eliminate Seo Ran.'
Seo Hweol steps out of the dark space and opens his eyes in one of his bodies, which is confined within Seo Eun-hyun's Cedarwood Painting on Glass Cedarwood Mountain.
The laws of the Cedarwood Painting bind Seo Hweol, almost entirely restricting his ability to manipulate his other fragments.
As a result, every time he operates Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens to transform the world, Seo Eun-hyun essentially monitors him.
'Oh Hye-seo used Pangu's power. Ultimately, that ancient force was completely nullified by the Candle Dragon power Seo Eun-hyun possess. However, that process allowed me to confirm something. Seo Eun-hyun's Candle Dragon power is a type of ancient force.'
[TL: Pangu is Ban Go in Korean.]
[Editor: Additionally, Pangu is written 盤古, which comprises of the characters 盤, meaning disk/vessel, same as in Sacred Vessel (聖盤), and 古, the 'ancient' in ancient force (古力). Interpret this as you will.]
Ancient Force (古力).
According to the information in Seo Hweol's mind, ancient force is essentially 'unfulfilled dreams.'
The dreams of True Immortals, left unfulfilled as they perished, remaining behind as corpses that took the form of 'power.'
Although the true method of using ancient force is known only to genuine Immortal Beasts, Seo Hweol can at least discern its origin.
'All ancient force ultimately originates from the Head Realm.'
Thus, one could say the King of Immortal Beasts is essentially chosen as the being best capable of borrowing the power of the Head Realm.
'The strength, authority, and 'dreams' of deceased True Immortals—that is ancient force. And...the being who reached the pinnacle of that power was the previous King of Immortal Beasts, Pangu. The fact that the power of Pangu was nullified by Seo Eun-hyun's Candle Dragon authority means...the Candle Dragon True Blood Seo Eun-hyun possesses is even more compatible with the essence of the Head Realm than Pangu's. In other words, through Seo Eun-hyun's Candle Dragon True Blood, I can make contact with Seo Ran even more easily than by borrowing Pangu's power.'
Seo Hweol opens his eyes and kneels toward the upper reaches of Glass Cedarwood Mountain.
Because Seo Eun-hyun dislikes his face that smiles while going 'hoho', Seo Hweol dons an expressionless mask instead of a smiling one and speaks.
"...I have thought deeply. As a result, I have judged that cooperating with you is the most rational decision. I will join your plan."
'This is a gamble.'
Seo Hweol prostrates himself before Seo Eun-hyun and declares,
"It is impossible for me to share the story of my childhood, even if I wish to. This is a restriction imposed by my main body itself. If you wish to break this restriction, you will have to give me Seo Ran, but...you wouldn't want that. In that case, there is only one option. You must rise to True Immortality and use the authority of an Immortal Beast as well as the terrifying authority of your Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections to shatter my Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens and forcibly read my past."
'Entrust everything to Seo Eun-hyun. Cooperate with him fully. And...through whatever means, gain access to the Candle Dragon authority he possesses. Then, the moment he shows an opening, through the Candle Dragon authority, an ancient force compatible with the essence of the Head Realm...contact Seo Ran...and erase him.'
To prevent Seo Eun-hyun from reading his true thoughts, Seo Hweol fills his surface thoughts with distractions, such as the recipe for flame-grilled sea cucumbers from the Purple Gold Realm, while solidifying his plan.
"I will do my utmost to assist the Sacred Master in rising to True Immortality. I swear upon my 'childhood' before the name of the High Spirit Grand Dao Nine Heavens Overseeing Fate Preserving Life Celestial Great Emperor."
'The key to this gamble lies in whether I can prevent being swallowed by that monster Seo Eun-hyun's terrifying Immortal Art called Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections and...erase Seo Ran's essence through the Candle Dragon authority. It's a gamble, but...only by doing this can I even attempt to resist that being.'
Seo Hweol fully lowers his head before Seo Eun-hyun, presenting his gamble.
There is only one chance.
He must find an opening to exploit.
Seo Eun-hyun, watching Seo Hweol swear loyalty before the Owner of Names, summons him closer and blesses him with a smile.
-x-X-x-
Shring, Shriring!
Kim Young-hoon is drenched in cold sweat in Cedar Wood Grove of the Bright Cold Realm.
Then suddenly!
Paaaatt!
In the Plane of Soul overlapped with the Bright Cold Realm, a massive sphere of light resembling the sun appears.
"Haaaaaaahht!"
Tuk-wang!
Kim Young-hoon's saber, which clearly carries no Qi, cleaves through an entire mountain within Cedar Wood Grove.
"...Ha, hahahahaha!"
Watching this scene, Kim Young-hoon laughs.
And...standing beside him, Jang Ik grins.
"Now you're become somewhat useful."
"Haha! 'Now', you say? I've reached this stage several times faster than you did, Senior Jang. Aren't you afraid? That I'll surpass you?"
"Hahaha!"
Jang Ik lets out a hearty laugh, as if hearing a funny joke.
"How could you surpass me? 'Right now.' 'In this very moment!' I am stronger than you! So what if you surpass me in the next second? At this very moment, I can sever your neck!"
Then, the greetings between Heart Tribes begin.
Kwaaang!
Jang Ik charges toward Kim Young-hoon.
Four Treasures Annihilating Heavens Blade.
Executing Immortals Annihilating Heavens.
A sharp slash strikes in an instant, flying straight towards Kim Young-hoon's face.
Kim Young-hoon bends his body so low it looks as if he's bowing, then forcefully shakes off the attack.
Boo-oong!
A golden saber deflects a green podao.
Surpassing Radiant Genesis Form.
Third Style.
Golden Blade Jade Resonance (金刃玉音).
The Golden Blade (金刃) shakes off the Jade Resonance (玉音).
Like Seo Eun-hyun's Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, Mountain Echoes Valley Responds, that shakes off a sword cry, Kim Young-hoon's saber vibrates wildly and the resonance ripples, seeping into Jang Ik's body.
Clicking his tongue, Jang Ik immediately dashes forward and strikes into Kim Young-hoon's chest.
"...Keheok!"
Kim Young-hoon vomits blood then scans his surroundings.
'This is insane...'
He finds himself knocked from the Stable Realm region all the way into the skies above the Chaos Realm regions.
Even though his protective body force was in place, his entire body is shattered. His limbs are torn off, and his internal organs are crushed into pulp.
Even at this moment, he's hurtling through the atmosphere of the Bright Cold Realm like a meteor, burning up from the frictional heat.
All this from allowing just one hit from Jang Ik.
Boo-oong!
Jang Ik leaps through space and reappears above Kim Young-hoon.
'If I take one more hit, I'll die!'
Kim Young-hoon quickly creates a martial art.
Yang-Birth Nine Revolutions Technique (陽生九轉功).
In a fleeting instant, countless golden threads gush out from Kim Young-hoon's body, crawling along his body.
They reconnect his crushed blood vessels, bones, and nerves everywhere.
His internal organs are restored.
His dismembered limbs are regenerated.
Kim Young-hoon's body is dyed in golden light.
The golden internal energy rotates within his body nine times, granting him regeneration equivalent to an Integration stage cultivator.
Four Treasures Annihilating Heavens Blade.
Slaughtering Immortals Annihilating Heavens (戮仙滅天)
At the same time, Jang Ik overlays his legs with Four Treasures Annihilating Heavens Blade and slams them down towards Kim Young-hoon.
In that instant, Kim Young-hoon quickly moves his body, gripping the Surpassing Radiant Saber and readying himself to counter.
Surpassing Radiant Genesis Form.
Golden Wing Defiles the Light!
The silhouette of a Golden-Winged Peng seems to flash before clashing with Jang Ik's strike.
Ururung!
In the next moment, from the sky to one of the wastelands in the Stable Realm...
Kim Young-hoon is driven deep into the earth, all the way underground.
"Kuaaaagh!"
Dudududu!
Jang Ik's immense will presses down on Kim Young-hoon.
The willpower imbued in the Four Treasures Annihilating Heavens Blade continues to push Kim Young-hoon further underground.
'Facing him with just strength is impossible.'
Feeling his entire body being torn apart by the energy of Slaughtering Immortals Annihilating Heavens, Kim Young-hoon grits his teeth.
'I can't allow the attack itself. Otherwise, I'll lose without question! Without letting Jang Ik see me, I have to cut him down with countless strikes!'
Boo-oong!
Then, as Kim Young-hoon steels his resolve, Jang Ik charges forward once again, unleashing his most powerful ultimate technique.
Four Treasures Annihilating Heavens Blade.
Collapsing Immortals Annihilating Heavens!
The dimension itself collapses!
Interdimensional Void.
Outside the Bright Cold Realm.
Kwaaaang!
A powerful tremor echoes out, and the dimensional barrier of the Bright Cold Realm shatters completely.
From within appears Kim Young-hoon, his entire body covered in burns and rapidly regenerating, and Jang Ik, grinning wickedly and laughing with excitement.
Kim Young-hoon begins to move.
Boo-oong!
Surpassing Radiant Genesis Form.
Fourth Style.
Golden Radiance Flint to Flash (金光石火).
Created Martial Art.
Hundred Severings!
Kim Young-hoon's body transforms into golden light.
For an instant, he transcends the light.
Jang Ik raises his podao to counter, but before he realizes it, his entire body has already been slashed apart by a hundred strikes.
Chwajwajwak!
Blood sprays from Jang Ik's body like a fountain.
But in the next moment,
Jang Ik grins.
"Passable."
"...!"
Kim Young-hoon quickly tries to react, but a technique he has never seen before erupts from Jang Ik's body.
Created Martial Art.
Blazing Radiance Slaughtering Soul (烈光屠魂).
In a flash, Jang Ik moves like a streak of light, matching Kim Young-hoon's speed and extends a single saber strike towards him.
Four Treasures Annihilating Heavens Blade.
Severing Immortals Annihilating Heavens.
Shukak!
Paaatt!
Kim Young-hoon stares at Jang Ik with a chill running down his spine, then looks at his own severed strands of hair.
Though he barely avoided the strike, the feeling that if it had landed directly, he wouldn't have even had the chance to regenerate his body is overwhelming.
He looks at Jang Ik's small body, which had been definitely slashed over a hundred times.
It's stitched back together.
Just like Kim Young-hoon's body, Jang Ik also created a martial art on the spot, manipulating the energy within his body with a suitable technique to stitch himself together.
However, unlike Kim Young-hoon, his regeneration is far from perfect. Traces of the slashes still remain on Jang Ik's body.
It is a crude martial art.
Its level of completion is not particularly high.
Yet...
Kim Young-hoon realizes something.
"...How, Senior Jang Ik...how could you have that talent...?"
"I accumulated it over time. You, on the other hand, seem to have somehow been 'born' with it. But...once you reach this stage, it's inevitable to 'accumulate' a talent of this level. Even Seo Eun-hyun, from what I've seen, seems to have accumulated this sense."
Jang Ik smirks, floating four podaos around his body.
"I believe in what I've accumulated. Am I afraid that you'll grow and surpass me? Huhu! That's a good provocation, but it won't work on me! What I've accumulated has already touched upon the ultimate realm! Come! Do you have the resolve to stand against me as I am!?"
Kim Young-hoon stares at Jang Ik for a long moment, then breaks into a grin.
"Very well. Then please show me, Senior. This 'ultimate realm' you claim to have touched upon..."
"This isn't something to show to you. As there's already someone else to whom I wish to unfold it..."
"...Then I'll make you unfold it."
Once again, the two Heart Tribe clash.
The entirety of the dimension beyond the Bright Cold Realm becomes their battlefield, as gold and green collide against each other.
In terms of weight class, Jang Ik has the upper hand.
His Fighting Spirit itself embodies overwhelming and domineering 'strength.'
In terms of speed, Kim Young-hoon is ahead.
Naturally so, as his Surpassing Radiant Saber is a martial art specialized in speed.
The space beyond the Bright Cold Realm resounds noisily.
The dimensional barrier explodes in various places, Sacred Master Baek Woon's furious roar reverberates from within, and thousands of Vestiges of the Interdimensional Void are obliterated.
Then, when their clash reaches its peak!
Collapsing Immortals Annihilating Heavens and Golden Wing Defiles the Light collide.
Kim Young-hoon sees it.
The ultimate realm that Jang Ik has reached.
The despair of that realm, known as the Third Step Before the Throne!
Jang Ik, in turn, also sees it.
The overwhelming genius of Kim Young-hoon, and...the hope that he might one day reach the Third Step Before the Throne!
Confronting this new precipice, Kim Young-hoon bares his teeth in a grin.
Confronting this new light, Jang Ik also bares his teeth and laughs.
In the next moment, their clash shatters the dimensional barrier of the Bright Cold Realm.
Shiiiiiiiii!
Kim Young-hoon and Jang Ik stand facing each other, steam rising from their entire bodies.
Having returned full circle to Cedar Wood Grove, the two look at each other and burst into laughter.
"...If you had used 'that,' I would likely have died. Why didn't you use it?"
"I told you already. It's not something to show to you."
"Huhaha! Well...for now, I'll have to be satisfied with just catching a faint glimpse of the true nature of 'that.'"
"You shameless brat. Do you think you can reach the realm I've devoted my entire life to attaining so quickly?"
"...I will probably need a thousand years."
"...Definitely a shameless brat."
Jang Ik grins and sits down casually.
However, his expression is brighter than ever.
"...What is the 'Void' you've attained?"
At Jang Ik's sudden question, Kim Young-hoon also slumps to the ground and answers.
"The Void of the moment."
Kim Young-hoon could not bring himself to sever his connections to reach Void Shattering.
Seo Eun-hyun embraced his connections and attained impermanence, but that is Seo Eun-hyun's enlightenment.
It is not something he can obtain for himself.
Thus, he found his own path.
"In the moment I face martial arts! For that moment, I chose to forget everything and embody the void!"
He cannot forget his family.
However, in those moments when his heart awakens to the desire to return to them!
In that moment of resolve, he can focus entirely on that purpose and let go.
"To forget something once and assume it is forgotten forever was my own misconception. A person's life is made up of moments. And in those countless moments, there are times when we forget something, times when we immerse ourselves and forget, and times when we remember. Thus, among the countless moments, I decided to attain the void of the moments I need most."
"Seo Eun-hyun seems to have 'gathered.' You, on the other hand, have 'disassembled.' It's an interesting choice!"
Jang Ik laughs heartily at Kim Young-hoon's words.
"At last, you have cast aside all hesitation and found the proper answer. Congratulations!"
At Jang Ik's acknowledgment, Kim Young-hoon smiles in satisfaction.
"You've reached the peak of the Second Step Before the Throne!"
This is one thousand years since Seo Eun-hyun became a Sacred Master.
Kurung, kurururung!
In a certain part of the universe.
An enormous celestial phenomenon is unfolding there.
Pajik, pajijijijijijik!
A cultivator at the Grand Perfection Integration Stage appears to be condensing their Integrated Dao Domain.
And at a certain moment—
Kwaaaaaang!
Their Integrated Dao Domain, the Great Heavenly Rain of the Charged Lightning Veil, bursts forth entirely.
[Guaaaaaaaah!]
The cultivator who detonated their Integrated Dao Domain, Jeon Myeong-hoon, grits his teeth as if overwhelmed by unbearable pain and seems to be 'contemplating' on something.
That 'something' is...
Amidst the explosion of his Integrated Dao Domain, untouched by the blast due to prearranged arrangements, a [hand].
That shriveled, scorched [hand]!
Centered around that hand, Jeon Myeong-hoon's consciousness begins to coalesce.
[So...hae...]
Around the hand of Jin So-hae, scenes start to unfold.
The scenes depict the moment Jin So-hae perished, her entire body obliterated by lightning, leaving only her hand behind.
The day the entirety of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect was utterly annihilated by lightning under the [eye] that appeared in the sky!
[So...hae...!]
Centered on the pain and fury of that day...Jeon Myeong-hoon regains his awareness.
Kwarung, kwarururung!
Inside the nebula created by Jeon Myeong-hoon's explosion due to the 'prelude phenomenon' of the Star Tribulation, preludes of Heavenly Tribulations appear.
Regaining his senses, Jeon Myeong-hoon seizes control of the prelude Heavenly Tribulations using Jin So-hae's hand as his anchor.
Kwajijijik!
The prelude Heavenly Tribulations are infused with the power of the Immortal Art, Various Omens.
Simultaneously, Jeon Myeong-hoon's physical body begins to condense.
[So...hae...!!!]
Kururururung!
Finally, Jeon Myeong-hoon succeeds in condensing the 'physical body' of a Star Shattering Esteemed One.
And immediately after—
Flash!
A vast beam of light descends from the universe.
The Heavenly Tribulation that falls upon an Esteemed One.
It is the Star Tribulation.
And towards that Star Tribulation, someone present at the scene leaps forward.
It is Hong Fan.
[Entering Heavens Beyond the Path. Void Sword!]
Paaaaaatt!
Guided by Seo Eun-hyun and Kim Young-hoon, Hong Fan, who has once again reached Entering Heavens Beyond the Path in this life, charges towards the Star Tribulation without hesitation.
Scattering Jeon Myeong-hoon's prepared blood, he resounds in mental speech.
[On the last day of the last month, where no light reaches, the Tribulation (劫) shall arise. Tribulation, come hither, so that all may partake in the feast before the light enters.]
The ritual prepared with Jeon Myeong-hoon's blood scatters, and Hong Fan's Void Sword touches the Star Tribulation.
Immediately after, Hong Fan's entire body is nearly reduced to ashes and he is blasted away.
Kwaaaang!
As Hong Fan is flung away, the Star Tribulation fuses with 'all the Star Tribulations' that are supposed to come after and converges upon Jeon Myeong-hoon.
Jeon Myeong-hoon faces the Star Tribulation.
Flash!
The expected sound of when Heavenly Tribulation collides does not occur.
Though space lacks a medium for sound to travel, the corresponding spiritual wave should reverberate. Yet even such waves of spiritual energy fail to ripple.
The Star Tribulation is merely absorbed and devoured by Jeon Myeong-hoon's Great Heavenly Rain of Charged Lightning Veil Great Star.
Kurururung!
Above Jeon Myeong-hoon's main body, Heaven and Earth spiritual energy condenses, forming a projection.
It's a phenomenon that naturally occurs as Jeon Myeong-hoon's authority surges powerfully, manifesting his combat technique form.
The main body of Jeon Myeong-hoon, the Two-Headed Six-Armed Lightning God, begins to transform.
Kwajijijijik!
As lightning condenses around Jeon Myeong-hoon's two heads and six arms, another head emerges.
The complete form of a Three-Headed Six-Armed Lightning God!
But it doesn't stop there.
On the six arms of the Three-Headed Six-Armed Lightning God, despite not being a practitioner of Heaven and Earth Dual Cultivation, a 'winged garment' of thunder and lightning forms.
[Ooooooooh!]
Kwarurururung!
As the Three-Headed Six-Armed Lightning God roars, the entire Heaven and Earth begins surging with lightning force.
Kwajijijijik!
The Lightning God with three heads and six arms extends all six of its hands, concentrating the energy of the Star Tribulation.
Then, in the center of the six hands, a certain form begins to coalesce.
Rain (雨).
It is a sphere of lightning inscribed with the character 'Rain (雨)'.
Subsequently, other spheres begin to materialize in the Lightning God's hands one by one.
Clearing (霽), Cloudiness (蒙), Want of Connection (驛), Crossing (克).
Inner Diagram (內卦) and Outer Diagram (外卦).
Holding these six symbols in his six hands, excluding the symbol Rain (雨) in the center, Jeon Myeong-hoon opens wide all of the eyes of the Three-Headed Six-Armed Lightning God, releasing a massive roar.
[Haaaaaaaaahhhhh!!!]
Kwarururururung!
With that final act, the Star Tribulation is completely absorbed into Jeon Myeong-hoon's body.
Half-closing his eyes, he finally draws his Origin Star into the projection.
[...At last, I've made it this far.]
He has finally become a Star Shattering stage Esteemed One.
He gazes at the symbols held in his hands.
These are dharma treasures forged from the power of the recent Star Tribulation.
With these, it is certain that he will be able to easily create the remaining six Origin Stars.
'Perhaps within a thousand years, I should reach the Grand Perfection Star Shattering stage and aim for advancement to the Sacred Vessel stage.'
This is the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body!
Reigning as the master of all thunder and lightning, impervious to Heavenly Tribulations, and even using them as a spiritual elixir to advance cultivation!
'Perhaps my Ender, Yang Su-jin, who is presumed to have the same ability as I do, also utilized these traits to their fullest, allowing him to reach the pinnacle of True Immortality within three thousand years.'
Jeon Myeong-hoon muses this as he approaches the figure who was observing his advancement ritual nearby.
"Ancestor, I have finally succeeded in becoming an Esteemed One."
The one who was watching over him.
Yeon Wei, with an expression of letting go a big burden from her heart, kneels before Jeon Myeong-hoon.
"Please, do not speak to me with such formality, O Esteemed One. You are now the greatest pillar of our Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect. This humble one merely took on the role of ancestor due to being born a little earlier than Esteemed One. I am but a small and insignificant being, utterly unable to match the achievements of the Esteemed One."
Jeon Myeong-hoon looks at that Yeon Wei with a complicated expression.
However, he soon shakes his head and, as if accepting his position, speaks.
"Understood, Yeon Wei. From this day forward, this Esteemed One declares himself as the Supreme of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect. Within the sect's hierarchy, unless the founder returns, no one may surpass this Esteemed One. From henceforth, the Great Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect shall once again enter its golden age!"
Yeon Wei, with an expression far more natural and relaxed than the one she had shown to Seo Eun-hyun in the past, presses her lips to the top of Jeon Myeong-hoon's foot.
"Glory to the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect!"
As if her worries about the sect's future are now largely cast aside, her face becomes greatly relaxed.
This is 1,300 years since Seo Eun-hyun became a Sacred Master.
Thus, Jeon Myeong-hoon became an Esteemed One.
Whisperwhisperwhisperwhisper...
Countless whispers echo in her ears.
Kang Min-hee slowly opens her eyes.
She, flying upside down in the sky, escapes from the whispers and looks ahead.
Before her, countless blue souls ripple and sway.
On the day she regained her sanity thanks to Seo Eun-hyun and came to fully understand her own fate (命),
Since that day, the ghosts that followed her have all transformed into these blue spirits.
"...Thank you, everyone. I've finally regained all of my memories."
She had lost her memories during the Sacred Vessel advancement ritual and became an Immortal Art.
As an Immortal Art, she originally existed without any memories, but during the advancement ritual, she was able to recover her memories thanks to the blue spirits that came to follow her.
These ghosts, having let go of all their grudges from life, now serve Kang Min-hee with complete loyalty.
Of course, once their grudges are resolved, it would be normal for them to be pulled into the Netherworld... However, for some reason, the blue spirits do not leave Kang Min-hee's side.
It is as if, by staying near her, they are unaffected by the attraction force of the Netherworld.
She begins to grasp a certain understanding of her 'true' ability.
'I'll probably only fully understand once I reach the level of True Immortality...but my true ability is likely the creation of bridles.'
Though the word 'bridles' evokes a sense of resistance, the true nature of her ability is essentially 'creation of laws.'
Creating a desired law to bind opponents, or to protect those she wishes to protect.
A power particularly specialized in protection—that is the true essence of her ability.
'If I discuss this with my comrades and deliberate on how to utilize this ability, I'll probably be able to develop it further, but...'
Regrettably, Seo Eun-hyun had repeatedly warned her that such a thing must never happen.
Thus, Kang Min-hee has kept silent about her true ability to this day.
In any case, the reason these blue spirits remain by her side instead of falling into the Netherworld is because she created a law.
By declaring herself as a 'part of the Netherworld' and establishing herself as a sanctuary where spirits could linger before being judged, she enabled the spirits to stay by her side and remain loyal to her.
'This ability is still unstable.'
That is the truth.
The law Kang Min-hee created stems from the deepest parts of her heart.
It emerged from the realm of her unconsciousness and is not something she had intentionally created.
'If I rise to True Immortality, will I be able to properly wield this ability...'
There are things she wants to do with this power.
There are things she wants to see.
But...as she has yet to reach a level where she can freely create laws, she lets out a small sigh.
'Let's grow stronger.'
Now that she has recovered her memories, the advancement ritual to the Sacred Vessel stage becomes easy.
In order to advance to Sacred Vessel, advance to Entering Nirvana, and advance to True Immortality to fully unleash her ability, she begins to move forward.
Wo-woong!
Countless spirits follow her, who is upside down.
Kang Min-hee strolls through Peaceful Cloud Star, the location chosen for her Sacred Vessel advancement ritual.
The scattered fragments of Kang Min-hee begin to be absorbed into her, centering on her identity as an Immortal Art.
At first, as she prepared for the Sacred Vessel advancement ritual, she felt resistance.
Replacing herself with Immortal Arts!?
It was such a terrifying and aversive concept.
In general, beings at the Integration stage and above perceive 'Immortal Arts' as 'an art that moves through attraction force.'
The basic Immortal Art of the Integration stage—Various Omens, and the basic Immortal Art of the Star Shattering stage—Examination of Doubts.
All of them are activated through attraction force.
Thus, becoming a Sacred Vessel felt unsettling, as though replacing oneself with the 'flow of attraction force'.
But...
Seo Eun-hyun explained it to her.
That Immortal Arts, in truth, are the power of the heart.
That they are an authority that is activated through one's heart.
'Now, I'm not afraid.'
Because of that, she can step forward without hesitation.
Immortal Arts is a branch of the heart.
To say that one replaces oneself with Immortal Arts is nothing extraordinary.
It merely means restructuring oneself around a portion of one's heart, the part of the heart one pursues the most.
In other words,
It is one's 'character'.
A sage once said:
If one aligns their heart with goodness, later, even when acting on instinct, they will behave with goodness.
If a swordsman develops and maintains a habit of honing their sword, in due time, their instinctive actions will involve honing the sword.
This is what it means when Immortal Art is said to replace one's persona.
'Perhaps being human is not solely determined by one's physical body, brain, or even spiritual form.'
Becoming completed by what one does and what one desires to become.
That is what it means to be a person.
And...
Replacing one's persona with Immortal Art signifies completing oneself based on one's desires.
Immortal Cultivation is not simply about growing stronger, living longer, acquiring superior dharma treasures, or consuming better pills.
It is about completing oneself.
It is about finding one's own path and advancing forward.
—That is what Immortal Cultivation is, Kang Min-hee. So...there's no need to be afraid. We'll cheer you on.
Those are the words Seo Eun-hyun had told her before she began her Sacred Vessel advancement.
Paaaatt!
The fragments Kang Min-hee scattered begin to coalesce around the heart she desires.
Centered on the Immortal Art she has chosen—the Flawless Mantra—they start to gather.
Immortal Cultivation is, ultimately, a bridle.
A bridle is something placed upon slaves or livestock.
Kang Min-hee obtained this mantra in the past from the [Deep and Dark Being].
And as she proceeds with her Sacred Vessel advancement ritual, she feels as though she understands the heart of the one who created this mantra.
Unending distress!
It is this distress that created this Immortal Art.
However, Kang Min-hee adds her own interpretation to this distress.
"Immortal Cultivation is ultimately a bridle. But..."
At last, she completes a full circle around Peaceful Cloud Star.
"It is also something meant to protect."
The being who created the mantra undoubtedly sought to reveal their own servitude through it, and at the same time, to make those who learned the mantra serve them like slaves.
However, for some reason, she perceives within the meaning of that action a will 'to protect'.
"Attraction force is a chain, and fate is a bar.
"Thus, until one becomes flawless, remain within this place. I, shall protect you..."
Paaaatt!
She, who completed a full circle around the planet, absorbs the final fragment.
Paaaaaaatt!
Countless blue spirits leap with joy, and Kang Min-hee's body begins to grow enormously.
Paaaatt!
Transformed into a brilliant blue spirit form, she dons a navy-blue robe, and with her body now vast enough to encompass the planet's continent, she kneels down on the spot.
Most of the humans of the Peaceful Cloud Star cannot see her, who exists only within the Plane of Soul. However, a Grand Perfection Heavenly Being cultivator half a step into the Four-Axis stage, Yu Hwi, breathes heavily and gazes at Kang Min-hee as if his eyes might burst while gaining [knowledge].
Kang Min-hee, in this state, gazes into the distant universe.
She sees Kim Young-hoon, who perfected his martial arts.
She also sees Jeon Myeong-hoon, who has advanced to Esteemed One, and Kim Yeon, who possesses the power of an Esteemed One, all protecting her as she undergoes the Sacred Vessel advancement.
Kang Min-hee, looking at the comrades, speaks softly.
[I will protect you all. From now on as well.]
Kim Yeon smiles warmly, and Jeon Myeong-hoon nods as he strokes So-hae's hand.
Kim Young-hoon laughs heartily and jokes, saying, 'Hey! What do you mean by you all!?'
Kang Min-hee's gaze moves beyond Kim Young-hoon, Kim Yeon, and Jeon Myeong-hoon, all the way to the distant Cedarwood Painting, meeting the eyes of Seo Eun-hyun who is watching over her.
Kang Min-hee and Seo Eun-hyun exchange glances and share a gentle smile.
1,900 years since Seo Eun-hyun became a Sacred Master.
Kang Min-hee fully completes her Sacred Vessel advancement.
Wo-woong!
Suddenly, a [door] opens in the void, and someone emerges.
It is Yu Oh, the Sacred Master of the Nether Ghost Realm.
Kang Min-hee lowers her head and bows to her.
[Disciple of the Black Ghost Valley greets the Palace Lord.]
[...? I am not the Palace Lord of Black Ghost Valley. To begin with, Black Ghost Valley operates under a collective leadership, governed by a council of Grand Elders, so a Palace Lord cannot exist.]
[...Pardon? But Seo Eun-hyun clearly told me so...]
Kang Min-hee looks confused, and Yu Oh also scratches her cheek in bewilderment.
[Hmm... Now that I think about it, Sacred Master Eun-hyun did say some strange things to me last time as well. Something about the back of my head. It's true I once cultivated the Ghost Path Method of Two Faces...but I achieved great completion in it over a million years ago, so my faces have long since merged... Truly strange words.]
Shaking her head as if she doesn't understand, Yu Oh extends her hand to Kang Min-hee.
[In any case. There is something I must give to the distinguished one. Please stop by the Nether Ghost Realm for a moment.]
Kang Min-hee looks at Yu Oh with a somewhat skeptical expression and asks.
[...I heard from Seo Eun-hyun, but...you're not planning to dump the position of Sacred Master of the Nether Ghost Realm on me and immediately advance, are you?]
[Ohoho. Distinguished one truly has great faith in Sacred Master Eun-hyun. It's not exactly that. At least, until the End, I still need to look after the children of the Nether Ghost Realm. Distinguished one would indeed make the most fitting successor, but it's not mandatory. I will swear it upon the one I serve. Before the End, I won't forcibly pass the position of Sacred Master onto the distinguished one.]
Hearing Yu Oh's words, Kang Min-hee's face flushes slightly.
[I apologize for misunderstanding. Then, what is it that you wish to give me...?]
[What I have to give are fragments of an Immortal Treasure and information that will provide aid in the mantra the distinguished one is cultivating.]
[Thank you for your kindness, Senior.]
After bowing to Yu Oh, Kang Min-hee conveys the situation to Seo Eun-hyun and her comrades before following Yu Oh to the Nether Ghost Realm.
Jeon Myeong-hoon and Kim Yeon exchange glances, then return to Cedarwood Painting through the dimensional gate Seo Eun-hyun has prepared.
Kwajijijijik!
The barrier that Kim Yeon and Jeon Myeong-hoon created using Seo Eun-hyun's power dissipates, and some time later...
Kwaaaang!
A dimensional gate of a Middle realm bursts apart like an explosion, and someone shouts in rage.
[Yu Ohhhhhhh!!! Did you use the attraction force of the Ghost Path to sense things in advance and take the initiative!? Have I missed it once again!? Just how long must I remain stuck with these useless, parasitic bastards!!??]
Ban Ta's voice transmission, laced with blood-tears, resounds through the now completely vacant expanse of space.
The Enders, one by one, continue to grow with the passage of time.
Kim Young-hoon, Jeon Myeong-hoon, and Kang Min-hee each raise their respective realms, and...
Oh Hyun-seok also continues to grow well.
And now, two thousand years since Seo Eun-hyun became a Sacred Master.
With eight thousand years remaining until the End.
Seo Eun-hyun and his comrades, who have been growing and cultivating throughout the universe, all gather again at Cedarwood Painting.
Then, Seo Eun-hyun begins to attempt [something].
Shortly after Seo Eun-hyun's plan begins,
All the rulers of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain sense something strange.
The most experienced ones, Baek Woon and Yu Oh, detect it first.
Baek Woon looks up at the sky, her eyes narrowing.
"...The celestial energy...? Just what is happening...!"
Yu Oh, too, trembles violently.
"This... Could it be...?"
Soon after, Ban Ta, Hae Lin, Ja Eum, and others notice the anomaly as well.
"'J-Just what on earth is happening!?"
The Entering Nirvana True Persons also sense the strangeness.
Countless True Persons communicate with one another, seeking advice and falling into confusion.
And...as expected, the Owner of the Blood Yin Realm, Blood Yin, realizes what is going on.
: : Insane lunatic. : :
Blood Yin, having identified the source of the celestial phenomenon, clicks his tongue softly.
Baek Woon trembles and mutters.
[The End...is being brought forward?]
Indeed.
The End, originally set for eight thousand years in the future, is now being brought forward.
Half the time it takes to drink a cup of tea (7-8 minutes).
It is only 'half a tea session', but without a doubt, the End is drawing closer.
Even now!
The attraction force of the Heavenly Domain continues to increase in real time, drawing the End closer by the time it takes to blink.
Although it is not an amount of time significant enough to bring alarm, it is a grave matter.
Because if the cause of this acceleration remains unidentified, the speed at which the End approaches could increase drastically!
[Find it! Find the cause!]
[Blood Yin! We must seek advice even if it's from Blood Yin!]
[Search the entire universe! If anything suspicious is found, report it to everyone immediately!]
Countless True Persons of the Entering Nirvana stage scatter their wills across the universe in a panic.
And, while the entire Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain stirs with commotion.
In the center of Cedarwood Painting, Seo Eun-hyun is reciting something.
[Immortal Cultivation is repentant enlightenment.
[Like tiny grains of salt gathering to form a sea,
[Build mountains through repentant enlightenment.
[Building a mountain of salt is...]
Wo-woong!
Around the Sacred Master Seo Eun-hyun, the power of the mantra reacts, creating salt.
Seo Eun-hyun half-opens his eyes and gazes upward at the sky.
[...perhaps the fastest way to reach the heavens.]
The celestial energy changes.
TL Notes: Festival Of The Eve (前夜祭) as in a that is held festival that is held on the eve of an event.
-x-X-x-
Kugugugugu!
The entire universe trembles.
The True Persons shake with anger as they scour every corner of the universe.
[Has there been any response from Blood Yin!?]
[No reply has come!]
[Damn it all! What in the world is it!? What is bringing forth the End!?]
[Contact the Sacred Masters immediately!]
All the Entering Nirvanas run wild, stirring the universe to uncover the reason the End is approaching faster.
And, in the Middle Realms.
Baek Woon is praying to the Radiance Hall, while Yu Oh and Hae Lin are praying to the Underworld.
Ja Eum, too, frantically tries to contact Blood Yin, but Blood Yin remains silent.
Everyone is thrown into confusion, desperately seeking answers!
However...strangely enough, the answer comes from the one least interested in the matter.
[Hmm?]
Ban Ta, who is observing Cedarwood Painting, where Seo Eun-hyun, Kang Min-hee, and many others with the potential to advance to the Sacred Vessel stage are gathered, senses something amiss.
'What on earth is this?'
As he observes Cedarwood Painting, he notices that its attraction force has become unusual.
[That... What is going on? The celestial energy of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain is converging around Cedarwood Painting?]
Kikikikikik—
As he observes the celestial energy, he senses something suspicious.
'This is...! Wait, the movement of that attraction force...!?'
As Ban Ta discerns the true nature of the celestial energy's flow, he is struck with shock.
Comparing the flow of the accelerating End and the attraction force emanating from Cedarwood Painting, he becomes completely certain of its nature and trembles.
The eyes of Ban Ta, who until now has been solely focused on the True Person advancement, are now clouded with horror.
Being over 700,000 years old, Ban Ta knows.
This is undoubtedly a flow he witnessed once before.
The terror he felt the first time he witnessed it is something Ban Ta has never forgotten even until now.
[Ph-Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra!!!]
Ban Ta's eyes roll back in shock.
Woo-woong!
The entire Purple Gold Realm vibrates.
Immediately afterward, Ban Ta lets out a shout.
: : Hear me! I, Ban Ta, have uncovered the cause of this strange phenomenon! : :
Ban Ta's voice reverberates throughout the entirety of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain.
All eyes of the True Persons and Sacred Masters are drawn to Ban Ta's voice, which sounds intensely startled.
: : It's the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra! The Sacred Master of Cedarwood Painting, Seo Eun-hyun, is [using] the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra!!! : :
After Ban Ta's desperate proclamation.
The entire universe falls silent for a moment.
Perhaps it is because it's taking a little time for the Sacred Masters and True Persons of the universe to grasp the meaning of those words.
After all, no one could understand how a mere Sacred Master could [use] the mantra that only the tyrannical Mountain God could utter.
However, after a brief moment of processing.
When everyone finally grasps the meaning of those words.
The entire Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain quakes.
————————!!!!
———!!
——————!!
————!!!!!
Bright Cold Realm, Heavenly Lotus Mountain, White Jade Pavilion.
There, Baek Woon is frantically sending transmissions to the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain.
The rulers of the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain, who usually pay little attention to Baek Woon's reports,
For today, the Radiance Hall opens an ear to Baek Woon's words.
: : Is there someone [using] the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra? : :
[Yes, there is. It is the current Sacred Master of Cedarwood Painting, Seo Eun-hyun. He was once a disciple of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect in the Bright Cold Realm. After the authority of the Owner of Heavenly Punishment led to the destruction of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, he wandered from place to place for 800 years before advancing to the Sacred Vessel stage. His origin...as I reported, is the Head Realm. I humbly request the descent of the Heavenly Lords.]
: : Impossible. The Heavenly Lords of the Radiance Hall are currently all focused on the movements of the Great Mountain Supreme Deity. : :
[But...]
: : Instead, we will request assistance from Yeong Seung and the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords as allies. As direct descent is impossible due to the Lightning Sacred Sea, have their disciples prepare the ritual for divine descent. : :
[...! Thank you. However...one of the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords' disciples, Yeo Hwi, is currently captured by the Sacred Master of Cedarwood Painting. The descent may not be perfect.]
: : As long as they are not the Vast Cold Heavenly Lord in their youth, an imperfect descent will suffice. : :
[...Yes, certainly... No matter what, he could not possibly wield the strength of the Vast Cold Heavenly Lord in their youth...]
Baek Woon nods as if understanding.
[How long will it take for the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords to descend?]
: : I do not know. : :
[Pardon!? What on earth does that mean!?]
: : They are currently in the Outer Sea (外海), trying to save their master. Contacting them is uncertain. Everything depends on fate. You should seek assistance from Yeong Seung. : :
Crackle...
The True Immortal of Radiance Hall, having finished delivering the divine oracle to Baek Woon, soon conceals their presence.
Baek Woon grits her teeth, letting out a low groan.
'Those fools who only know how to flaunt their arrogance!'
But there is nothing she can do for now.
[O great agent of calendrical methods and chronicles. Apostle of the Lord who governs the passing of time. I, Baek Woon, Sacred Master of the Bright Cold Realm and Saint of Light, humbly request your assistance.]
Woo-woong!
In an instant, Baek Woon's mind is pulled beyond the distant sky, to some unknown place.
She whispers something in prayer to Yeong Seung.
Her wish is for the current crisis to be resolved.
However, at that moment,
Pajiijijik!
[Kuuuugh!]
Baek Woon's mind abruptly returns to her body, and she opens her eyes wide in disbelief as she shouts.
[Unbelievable! What do you mean by this!? Are you saying you will not assist the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain!? Are you turning your back on Radiance Hall!? The Radiance Hall will not stand idly by!!!]
However, despite Baek Woon's cries, there is no one to answer her.
Baek Woon's expression darkens.
She sends her will to Yu Oh of the Nether Ghost Realm to inquire about the situation, but the only response she receives from Yu Oh is, 'The Underworld, too, offers no answers.'
[The South Polar Ritual Treasure...has betrayed Radiance Hall!? And the Underworld side used the Ghostly Yin Transformation Immortal Root to create the Ghost Guiding Holy Mother...and even though there is someone [using] the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra, the tyrannical Mountain God does not take action...?
[Just what in the world is going on!? How could something like this happen!?]
Letting out a deep groan, Baek Woon lets out a burst of lament.
[Great chaos...will descend upon the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain...! The chaos of forty thousand years ago will be nothing in comparison. No, this...might be comparable to the great chaos during the era of the Golden Divine...!]
Ancient Force Realm.
Sea King Hall.
Seated on the throne within, Hae Lin's eyes tremble.
[...Unbelievable. It was possible to [use] the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra? And that too by a mere Sacred Master who hasn't even lived for ten thousand years!? For a Sacred Master to wield it, one would need to chant the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra continuously for at least 330,000 years while deeply understanding Immortal Arts... Even then, that would assume direct tutelage from that being. How on earth is such a thing possible!?]
Hae Lin lets out a low groan, as if unable to comprehend it at all.
[...What should I do? Should I fulfill my duty as a Sacred Master? Or should I repay the debt as a descendant of the Immortal Beast Xiezhi? What should I do...Father?]
True Devil Realm.
Blood Sacrificial Altar.
There, Ja Eum gazes at Cedarwood Painting with an expression full of unease.
[...What madness is this, Seo Hweol? Why are you assisting him with Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens? Isn't that not our goal?]
Huarurururuk!
The power of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens ripples around Ja Eum.
[...As expected, those born of the Head Realm cannot be trusted. In the end, did you completely lose your mind...Seo Hweol? If it's come to this...am I to proceed with my plan without Seo Hweol's aid...?]
Letting out a small sigh, Ja Eum's expression turns bitter.
Astral Realm.
Around Cedarwood Painting, numerous entities begin to appear.
Quasi-Immortals!
All the Quasi-Immortals of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain leap across thousands of light-years in their main bodies and encircle Cedarwood Painting.
Among them, Jinlu Gok, a member of the same race as Seo Eun-hyun, is present as well.
Chuuuaaak!
Jinlu Gok, assuming a human form, speaks.
[I thought highly of you because we are from the same race. But what is it you are doing now? Stop this at once!!!]
However, the attraction force radiating from Cedarwood Painting remains unyielding.
It continues to distort the surrounding space, slowly but steadily bringing the entire Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain closer to the End.
Finally, the True Persons erupt in fury.
[There's no need to speak any further!]
[Cease the use of the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra!]
[How you acquired that ominous and evil mantra, avoided retribution, and are now able to wield it is unknown. However, that mantra is dangerous! Stop using that vile devilish art at once!!!]
The True Persons, who had been observing Seo Eun-hyun since the Nether Ghost Realm, speak with a mix of anger and fear in their eyes.
[He is the one who grasped the true meaning of the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique in the Nether Ghost Realm.]
[Does this mean he traced back the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique to obtain the true Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra?]
[Was what he was using until now not just an imitation of the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantras power, but the 'real' mantra?]
[Even with the recognition of the mantra's owner, it would take hundreds of thousands of years of repentant enlightenment to use the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra at the level of a Sacred Master. How could such an anomaly exist!?]
However, as the True Persons clamor among themselves—
Paaaaaatt!
Five colossal lights blossom around Cedarwood Painting.
Simultaneously, five dimensional gates open, and countless figures emerge from within.
Bright Cold Realm Sacred Master Baek Woon, accompanied by six Esteemed Ones of the Bright Cold Realm.
True Devil Realm Sacred Master Ja Eum, accompanied by three Esteemed Ones of the True Devil Realm.
Ancient Force Realm Sacred Master Hae Lin, accompanied by four Esteemed Ones of the Ancient Force Realm.
Nether Ghost Realm Sacred Master Yu Oh, accompanied by four Esteemed Ones of the Nether Ghost Realm.
Purple Gold Realm Sacred Master Ban Ta, accompanied by four Esteemed Ones of the Purple Gold Realm.
As they step forward, all of them speak to Seo Eun-hyun with stern, hardened expressions.
Yu Oh and Baek Woon step to the forefront.
[Seo Eun-hyun, listen. The Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra you are currently chanting is among the most dangerous mantras in existence. We knew you had been cultivating with it, but...we never thought you'd be able to wield and unleash its true power. We weren't even certain if it was the 'true' Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra, yet to think it was to this degree...I implore you—please stop using the 'true' Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra. You've only been cultivating with it, so you likely don't understand the full extent of its power.
[The true power of that mantra is truly terrifying. It is enough to threaten the entirety of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain! So stop it at once!]
[I have personally witnessed the power of the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra from afar.]
Yu Oh desperately tries to persuade Seo Eun-hyun.
[Using it will cause countless living beings to perish. Many will be sent to the Netherworld, unable to find rest, and instead will be absorbed by the mantra's user and suffer eternal torment. I implore Sacred Master Eun-hyun to listen. The Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra is an utterly horrifying devilish art. Please stop using it.]
And then...Seo Eun-hyun's reply is heard from within Cedarwood Painting.
[For all the countless beings who have been observing me until now to fail to realize that what I was using was the 'real' thing...how unfortunate it is. Without even being able to discern between the true and fake Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra, how can seniors simply label it as a horrifying devilish art? Depending on how I use it, could it not become the starting point to saving everyone?]
At those words, one of the True Persons shouts angrily.
[You! A brat not even 5,000 years old dares to judge us with your meager experience!? This Immortal has seen the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra once before. Do you have any idea what happens when it is unleashed!?]
Baek Woon, too, reveals her anger at Seo Eun-hyun's and speaks sharpy.
[Most of the True Persons have witnessed the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra! Just recalling that horrifying and gruesome devilish art is enough to make one shudder. You have never even seen the true face of the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra, so how can you so arrogantly claim you can control it? Save everyone? That is nothing but a path to total annihilation!]
At Baek Woon's voice, laughter can be heard from within Cedarwood Painting.
[To think you dare to speak before me of having seen the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra from afar, that it's terrifying, and question whether I understand its nature. It truly makes me laugh.]
Woo-wooong!
Above Cedarwood Painting, a massive projection of Glass Cedarwood Mountain rises.
Standing at the summit of Glass Cedarwood Mountain, Seo Eun-hyun looks down upon the True Persons, Sacred Masters, and Esteemed Ones and speaks.
[Through the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra, I intend to save everyone in the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain from the End. As for the details of how I plan to do so, I cannot reveal them since those here would be connected to True Immortals and suffer greatly if I did. However...I swear upon the Immortal Arts that constitute my essence: no one here will be harmed. Furthermore, the End will still come in 8,000 years as scheduled. At most, it might be brought forward by a week. There is nothing for anyone to worry about.]
[Stop this at once! Even mentioning the connections to True Immortals is suspicious! You! Did you receive some kind of instruction from the Mountain God? The Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra accelerating the End is not the problem. The problem is that the mantra is [properly] used during the End!]
[...Heh, think what you will...I expected opposition, but it's quite severe.]
Seo Eun-hyun smiles faintly and raises one hand.
[Move the stars, Seo Hweol!]
Dudududududu!
The True Persons and Sacred Masters glare in unison at Seo Eun-hyun and Cedarwood Painting.
Under Seo Hweol's Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens, the star veins twist, forming some kind of formation centered around Cedarwood Painting.
Kuuuuung!
At the same time, a certain [small dimension] is extracted from the Bright Cold Realm, crossing spacetime to attach itself to Cedarwood Painting!
Kwaaaaang!
It's the storage scroll of Lofty Dragon True Person, which had been lodged in the Bright Cold Realm!
[I, the rightful owner of the tears and armor of Hae Nyeong, the Clear Scale Armor, hereby declare.]
Woo-woooong!
At Seo Eun-hyun's declaration, who was granted the authority of ownership by the Nether Devil True Lord Yu Hao Te, the lake of the Clear Scale Armor, buried beneath the Melia tree, is drawn out from Lofty Dragon True Person's storage scroll and envelops the entirety of Cedarwood Painting.
Simultaneously, bright-red Karmic Fire erupts from the storage scroll of Lofty Dragon True Person, dyeing the entire universe.
The Sacred Masters and True Persons retreat in shock, escaping the range of the Karmic Fire.
Baek Woon shouts in astonishment as she watches Seo Eun-hyun burning brightly at the center of the Karmic Fire.
[Th-That...lunatic! How can he remain composed in the center of the Karmic Fire!? It's impossible for a living being to be free of sin. Did he undergo judgement in advance!?]
Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle, sizzle...
The entire cosmic space seems to be cooking under the heat of the Karmic Fire.
Wiiiiiing!
Then, just as the True Persons and Sacred Masters retreat,
One of the 28 artificial stars within Cedarwood Painting enters the storage scroll of Lofty Dragon True Person attached to the world.
[Now, Kim Yeon!]
As soon as Kim Yeon forms a hand seal, the artificial star that entered Lofty Dragon True Person's storage scroll begins to glow brightly, connecting with Seo Eun-hyun within Cedarwood Painting.
Wiiiiiing!
The artificial star resonates with Seo Eun-hyun.
Cedarwood Painting and Lofty Dragon True Person's storage scroll begin to completely fuse (融解)!
The dimension of Cedarwood Painting devours the storage scroll of Lofty Dragon True Person, becoming one and expanding even further.
Simultaneously, on the other side of the Peaceful Cloud Continent, another continent emerges.
[From now on...]
Seo Eun-hyun, relishing in his strengthened authority and the absoluteness of Cedarwood Painting, declares.
[The Artificial Middle Realm Plan shall begin!]
Thus begins the 8,000-year-long war between Seo Eun-hyun and all the beings of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain.