Dududududu!
An overwhelming distortion and fissure appear before my eyes.
The Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords are descending.
However, rather than that, I smack my lips bitterly as I witness Seo Hweol's final moments.
'It was a long connection.'
My old friend is gone, just like that.
Though I cannot pinpoint the escaped Oh Hye-seo's location with my Gang Sphere clone, I am not worried about her.
'Did Oh Hye-seo inherit Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens?'
I reabsorb my Gang Sphere clone and contemplate her future.
But...
No matter how I think about it, I cannot believe someone like Oh Hye-seo will be able to wield Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens as skillfully as Seo Hweol.
Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens...
Was such a terrifying Immortal Art because it was in Seo Hweol's hands.
Someone like Oh Hye-seo can never use it like Seo Hweol.
'I don't know the details, but it seems she fled to the Middle Realms.'
In that case, sweeping through the Middle Realms later will resolve the issue.
If it's me who has attained the Entering Nirvana stage Three Great Ultimates, such a task is not a problem.
'Now, even the entirety of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain no longer feels so vast...'
However, everything must first wait until the immediate crisis before me is resolved.
I calm my tense emotions, avoiding direct eye contact with the projections of the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords being summoned before me, and speak.
[What brings the honorable Great Immortals to descend upon the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain?]
Then, a voice answers.
: : You, Heaven-Defying One. : :
: : Did you not distort providence and defy the fated destruction? : :
: : If life has a conclusion, then so must the world have its End. : :
: : You have disregarded such principles and recklessly twisted the fate of the world, delaying the End. : :
: : How can you not realize that this is clear self-righteousness? : :
: : Destruction is an inevitability for the world's health. : :
: : Do you realize how many eons of plans have been disrupted because of your mistake? : :
At those words, I bow even deeper and speak.
[I apologize deeply, but this humble one is merely an insignificant being who knows little of the providence of the Great Beings. As the Great Beings have said, I found it too tragic for the living beings of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain to be annihilated, so I briefly delayed the End. I have spread Heaven and Earth spiritual energy throughout the entire Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain, and after making it so more living beings can ascend to the Middle Realms...I will not delay the End that arrives next. I beg for this one forgiveness.] 𝘳𝘢₦Ｏ𝖇ĚṦ
I just want to give a few more opportunities.
Of course...for those that still fail to ascend to the Middle Realms after receiving the opportunities, there is nothing more I can do.
I know that persistently distorting providence is not necessarily the right thing to do.
But...just once, can they not be given a chance?
After all, I, too, reached this position because I was given one more chance.
Therefore, I wish to give at least one opportunity to the living beings of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain, who must face sudden and unexplained death.
However, the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords growl as if enraged.
: : How arrogant. Do you think someone like you has such a right? : :
: : Because the fated destruction did not occur, the time of countless Heavenly Domains have been twisted. : :
: : The fact that time flows equally in every world and every place is due to the agreement of the Great Beings. : :
: : Therefore, we must protect the flow of that time. : :
: : Yet, because of your actions, the feet of these Lords have been tied. : :
: : If destruction does not befall the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain as scheduled, these Lords will not be able to leave to the Outer Sea... : :
: : We will eliminate you, the root of this twisted defiance against heavens, judge all those connected to you, and destroy the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain as originally intended to correct the distortion of time... : :
I bow even lower at those words.
[This humble one has done wrong. Please, punish only this humble one. Punishing the living beings of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain and those connected to me is far too cruel. Please, grant mercy and forgive this humble one...]
However, the being at the forefront of the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords speaks sternly.
: : Impossible. : :
: : We are beings entrusted with the mission to seek the Great One... : :
: : We are beings that cannot afford to have our feet tied while correcting the distortion of time... : :
: : Therefore, eliminating you, the source of this distortion, and all beings entangled in your distortion to recover the balance, is unavoidable. : :
: : You must willingly accept your rightful punishment. : :
[Will you truly not grant forgiveness...? You may punish me however you wish. And surely, the Great Beings can gather the distortions that started with me and spread to my comrades, and concentrate them back onto me and punish me alone. Would that not be possible?]
: : Why should we waste such an Immortal Art on an insignificant being like you? That would be a clear injustice and a waste. : :
: : Heaven-Defying One, if you have committed a sin then receive your punishment... : :
[...]
I exhale deeply, releasing spiritual energy, and rise from my spot.
[Very well. Then let us give this a go, Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords.]
Though I do not look directly at them, I gaze roughly towards where they stand and shroud myself entirely in the aura of the Impermanence Sword.
Seeing this, the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords stretch out their hands toward me with a tone filled with pity.
: : Have you gone mad with fear? : :
: : It cannot be helped. : :
: : Still, we will send you off without pain... : :
And so begins the clash of wills between me and the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords.
Greedy Wolf Heavenly Lord (貪狼天君).
Giant Gate Heavenly Lord (巨門天君).
Preserving Wealth Heavenly Lord (祿存天君).
Literary Melody Heavenly Lord (文曲天君).
Integrity Chastity Heavenly Lord (廉貞天君).
Martial Melody Heavenly Lord (武曲天君).
Breaking Army Heavenly Lord (破軍天君).
[TL: The titles are all derived from the stars of the Big Dipper. English equivalents are Dubhe, Merak, Phecda, Megrez, Alioth, Mizar, Alkaid respectively.]
The projections of the seven Heavenly Lords simultaneously extend their hands.
As the Literary Melody Heavenly Lord raises their hand, a nebula instantly condenses in the void, and a star is born.
: : In the name of this Lord, I prophesize. The Heaven-Defying One will be defeated by the Martial Melody Heavenly Lord. : :
When the Greedy Wolf Heavenly Lord stretches out their hand, another nebula condenses beside the first, forming another star.
: : In the name of this Lord, I prophesize. The Heaven-Defying One will be beheaded by the Breaking Army Heavenly Lord, and his soul will fall into the abyss of the Netherworld. : :
Wiiiiiing!
Twin Stars (雙星) form in an instant.
At the same time, the Twin Stars etch themselves powerfully into the planes of Qi, Soul, and Fate, forming a [scene].
In that scene, I am defeated by the being called the Martial Melody Heavenly Lord and killed by the being called the Breaking Army Heavenly Lord.
Woo-woong!
The stars emit attraction force.
As a result, the Plane of Fate distorts, and I feel my future being pulled towards that scene.
Woo-woooong!
Simultaneously, the Martial Melody Heavenly Lord and the Breaking Army Heavenly Lord step forward.
Though only projections, they stretch out their hands and swallow the newly formed stars.
The stars enter the approximate location of their dantians and begin spinning rapidly.
Immediately after, the Martial Melody Heavenly Lord begins flying towards me.
Jjeooong!
With their single punch, I am hurled away without being able to react, crashing into a fixed star within a nearby stellar system.
Kwarurururu!
The energy of the fixed star blows fiercely, and flames wrap around my body.
That is not the end.
Wiiiiing!
Attraction force distorts space centered around the Marital Melody Heavenly Lord, drawing in heaven and spiritual energy and beginning to form something.
It is an [arm].
Around the projection of the Martial Melody Heavenly Lord, terrifying [arms] begin to emerge, seemingly enveloping the entire universe.
One of the arms of the Martial Melody Heavenly Lord, composed of [arms], strikes directly at the fixed star where I am.
Kurururung!
Their arm begins striking the star I have embedded into repeatedly.
Kwaang, Kwaang, Kwaaang!
Dozens of pillars of fire rise from the fixed star.
It seems as if the star will soon shatter.
And every time I am struck by that being's blow, I feel my fate being gradually pulled toward the scene of my defeat.
'At this rate, defeat is certain.'
The attraction force grows stronger, and the inevitability of my defeat begins to increase.
Misfortune begins to engulf me, and ominous omens gradually grow in number.
'...I must destroy it.'
With my eyes gleaming, I gaze at the star of fate located roughly at the dantian of the Martial Melody Heavenly Lord.
As long as that starlight exists, I will ultimately be drawn to that fate.
Hwarurururuk!
I quickly draw the Colorless Glass Sword.
Once broken before, the Colorless Glass Sword has at some point revived within my Colorless Sword Enclosure.
However, the Colorless Glass Sword no longer holds meaning for me.
This is because there is no longer any dharma treasure that suits the Impermanence Sword.
'But Buk Hyang-hwa undoubtedly made this to help me.'
Clench!
I tightly grip the Colorless Glass Sword.
At the same time, the Colorless Glass Sword begins to shine.
For thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of years.
This is the Colorless Glass Sword that has been refined with the Glass True Fire within my domain.
There is no other dharma treasure more compatible with Crystal Glass to Treading Sea than this.
Thus, rather than it being called the Colorless Glass Sword...
It might as well be called Crystal Glass to Treading Sea itself.
Hwarurururuk!
The Colorless Glass Sword sheds its sword form and transforms into flame.
The glass flame, taking no particular form, moves freely within my hand, amplifying and absorbing all the authority of Crystal Glass to Treading Sea and myself.
The Impermanence Sword has no form.
Therefore, no dharma treasure can aid the formless Impermanence Sword.
However...
The Colorless Glass Sword, created by Buk Hyang-hwa specifically for me, was made to contain infinite transformations.
It was refined with her heart, and later received the hearts of countless others to become completed as Crystal Glass to Treading Sea.
Thus, only the Colorless Glass Sword, which inherited the will of Crystal Glass to Treading Sea, can embody the Impermanence Sword.
The Colorless Glass Sword that has become Glass True Fire itself, transforms endlessly under my will and begins to bend into thousands of curves and straight lines.
At the same time, the Severing Mountain Swordsmanship that has completely lost its form begins to unfold.
Booong!
As I grip and swing the Colorless Glass Sword, countless principles of Martial Arts I have realized unravel in a single stroke, bending into thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of millions of trajectories to form sword techniques.
Transcending Peaks, Entering Mountains, Climbing Veins, Flowing Hills, Solid Rock, Strange Stone, Deep Mountain, Hidden Valley, Mountain and River Painting, Dragon Vein, Precipice, One Hundred Eight Hundred-Million Creation Emerging Peak (百八億開闢峰).
The first part of Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, which combines fundamental sword basics, begins to deflect the arms of the Martial Melody Heavenly Lord.
However, the Martial Melody Heavenly Lord, with movements that also carry their own martial principles, writhe their hundreds of millions of arms as they crawl and pierce into my sword domain.
Yet, inside the breached sword domain, even more ruthless sword techniques await.
No...these are no longer just techniques.
Joy of Mountains and Peaks, Qi Mountain Heart Heaven, Layered Mountains, Mountain Tiger, Mountain and Valley Transformation, Echoing Valley, Mountain Echoes Valley Responds, Nine Mountains Eight Seas, Heavenly Lake, Severing Mountain.
The extremes of cutting, splitting, tearing, blocking, deflecting, absorbing, and countering—all the ultimates of [attack] are melted into something greater.
What unfolds through the Colorless Glass Sword is the very will to [cut down].
Endless Mountains Beyond Mountains.
Foolish Old Man Moves Mountains.
I incorporate two more concepts into the sword technique, gradually growing stronger.
As time passes, I absorb not only the Martial Melody Heavenly Lord's power but also the recoil from our body to slowly but surely grow stronger...!
But...
The attraction force emanating from within the Martial Melody Heavenly Lord begins to gradually pull me into the scene of defeat.
Ridiculous misfortunes and ill fates start to stack against me, and the gaps I am forced to reveal provide countless opportunities for the Martial Melody Heavenly Lord.
At last, their arms pierce into my domain once again.
The domain formed from the sword techniques derived from sincerely researching the applications of sword energy, the combination of intent, and martial principles permits the Martial Melody Heavenly Lord's movements.
However, the storm raging around me has not yet subsided.
Up until now, the place where the arms of the Martial Melody Heavenly Lord have intruded are within the domain of basic sword techniques and application of sword energy unfolded by the Colorless Glass Sword.
However...
From this point onwards, the domain I unfold is the domain of the Impermanence Sword.
Swordsmanship integrating Heaven, Earth, and Heart begins to unravel.
Paaaatt!
A pure white light bursts forth, and rays of Sea of Righteousness and Mountain of Grace erupt from my entire body.
Thousands, hundreds of millions, trillions of strands of Sea of Righteousness and Mountain of Grace become a storm blowing around me.
The storm of light begins to sweep the surroundings, tearing apart the arms of the Martial Melody Heavenly Lord's arms.
One Annihilation to the Near Shore explodes, further strengthening the storm of light.
Through Guiding to the Summit, countless fine lines within the storm of light writhe and pierce into the Martial Melody Heavenly Lord and begin exploding. From within, sword formations activate, creating a domain of Twelve Thousand Peaks that begins to shatter the arms of the Martial Melody Heavenly Lord.
Through Boundless Dao to the Other Shore, what seems like a one-time phenomenon of this storm of light instead continues to dance without end, endlessly growing stronger as it intertwines with Foolish Old Man Moves Mountains.
With Deep Mountain, Emerging Dao, the storm of light crosses the planes of Qi, Soul, and Fate, utilizing that overwhelming speed to repel the Martial Melody Heavenly Lord's body with overwhelming force.
At the same time, a brief opening appears in the Martial Melody Heavenly Lord's movements.
Using Accumulating Dust Forms a Mountain, I merge the storm of light into one.
A single Sky-Splitting strike containing all of me bursts upon the body of the Marital Melody Heavenly Lord.
The rough outline of their projection's dantian is exposed.
Through Transcending Mountain Ridge Embedment, the lower abdomen of the Martial Melody Heavenly Lord—who is thinking about me—ruptures, fully exposing the star of prophecy hidden within their dantian to the world.
Then comes the combination move of Sumeru and Kunlun.
The move of Sumeru that I had to previously draw strength through a sword dance to activate, is now in a 'state that is practically no different from constantly performing a sword dance' through the Impermanence Sword, eliminating the casting time entirely.
Thus, without any hesitation, I borrow the power of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain through Sumeru and launch the thrust of Kunlun.
Flash!
At that moment, a tiny hole appears on the star of prophecy.
But that is all. The prophetic star remains intact.
However, I leave my will within the star of prophecy using Transcending Mountain Ridge Embedment and Guiding to the Summit.
Immediately after, the will follows my intention, and the thirty-fifth move of Severing Mountain Swordsmanship—Cedarwood—activates.
From within the star of prophecy, countless manifestations of the Heart Tribe begin to burst forth.
Jang Ik's Four Treasures Annihilating Heavens Blade, Kim Young-hoon's Surpassing Radiant Creation Form, Non-Toppling Non-Standing, Endless Cold Window, Illusory Play under the Rosy Afterglow, Mountain Repelling Whip, Sudden Wind Sudden Rain, Flower Soul, Jin Ma-yeol's Fighting Step...
The countless dreams of the Heart Tribe shatter the dream of the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords head-on.
Jjeeeong!
The star of prophecy collapses, and the dream they had in that fleeting moment.
The future where I am defeated crumbles away.
Kwaaaang!
Slightly staggering from the explosion caused by Cedarwood, the Martial Melody Heavenly Lord exchanges glances with the other Heavenly Lords.
: : Truly remarkable. : :
: : It does not feel good to destroy one so exceptional with our own hands. : :
: : But the distortion must be corrected... : :
Then, the Giant Gate Heavenly Lord, the Preserving Wealth Heavenly Lord, and the Integrity Chastity Heavenly Lord each raise their hands.
: : I prophesize. The providence of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain shall perceive the price of the distortion. : :
: : I prophesize. O providence that is known to all. Thy shall pay the price for that distortion. : :
: : I prophesize. The price of distortion shall rightfully return to the Heaven-Defying One as retribution. : :
Kugugugugu!
Three stars are born, and three fates are ordained.
At the same time, across the entire Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain, the aftermath of End I deferred begins to surface.
Gugugugu!
As the price for the postponed End, the terrifying distortion of the universe begins to twist me.
The space where I stand distorts.
Simultaneously, the very spot I occupy seems on the verge of collapse.
Guk, guguk, guguguguguk!
However, I begin to gradually escape the distorted space, carrying the Impermanence Sword within me.
At that moment, the Greedy Wolf Heavenly Lord raises their hand again.
Seeing this, I can't help but be shocked.
'Insane... Could it be...?'
: : I prophesize. A future where the Heaven-Defying One is swallowed by a black hole is seen. : :
Kwadududuk!
Along with the distortion of the space I am standing in, a black hole of the universe begins to form directly behind me.
The black hole, too, is a star of prophecy, and because of that prophetic star, my body starts getting sucked into the black hole.
The gravity of the black hole begins to violently compress my body.
Of course, under normal circumstances, something like this black hole would not be an issue, but the problem is the Breaking Army Heavenly Lord.
The prophetic star inside the belly of the Breaking Army Heavenly Lord.
The prophecy that [I will be beheaded and killed by the Breaking Army Heavenly Lord] is gradually approaching.
The more I am compressed by the black star, the harder it becomes to move my body, and the Breaking Army Heavenly Lord slowly approaches me.
I grit my teeth tightly and begin to rise from my position.
Hwarururuk!
The Colorless Glass Sword blazes, engulfing my body and helping me rise.
'As expected...Severing Mountain Swordsmanship alone isn't enough.'
After using the Impermanence Sword once, I can understand.
This Impermanence Sword, which reaches complete impermanence, cannot fully unleash its power with conventional sword techniques that possess form.
I must create it.
Here and now, I must create a swordsmanship capable of fully unleashing the Impermanence Sword.
'Can I do it...?'
At some point, my Void Perception has grown and grown, reaching a level that can be compared to Kim Young-hoon.
However...
I truly do not know if my martial arts will yield a good result.
'...Right.'
But I smile and raise myself up completely.
'Let's believe in myself.'
I am a fool and a dullard.
However, as I said to Seo Hweol...I have reached this point by overcoming countless adversities, failures, and defeats.
If I am such a fool, I will be able to overcome whatever adversity comes my way.
'If I can't create it, I will fix it.'
Fix it, fix it, and fix it again—until I reach the right answer, even within failure.
Walking forward without giving up.
That is the way a dullard fights.
Wiiiiiing!
I begin to condense the forms of the Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.
The 36 techniques are undeniably powerful, and among them, the 36th move I've envisioned holds such devastating might that, if completed, I feel I could slay a True Immortal even at the Sacred Vessel stage.
However...
The techniques other than the 36th are ultimately unsuitable for wielding the Impermanence Sword.
Therefore, to properly wield the Impermanence Sword, I begin refining a sword form to properly reach the Impermanence Sword.
The first twelve moves of Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.
A Sword Art (劍藝) that was created by combining the fundamentals of the sword.
I compress them into a single form.
The middle twelve moves of Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.
A Sword Style (劍式) that reaches the pinnacle of the sword through combining the mastery of sword energy and intent.
I refine them into a single form.
Excluding the 36th, the final eleven moves of Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.
A Sword Doctrine (劍學) that integrates the three powers of Heaven, Earth, and Heart to expand the domain of the sword and elevates the very potential of the sword itself.
I birth them as a single form.
Thus, the three sword forms are created.
Kiiiiiiing!
In the next moment, I unleash the Impermanence Sword.
Chwararararak!
The first form, born from the first twelve moves of Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.
Entering Heaven.
Flash!
Countless stances and forms of the sword combine, shattering the black hole behind me.
The second form, born from the middle twelve moves of Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.
Treading Heaven.
Kiririring!
The Impermanence Sword surges wildly, combining countless sword styles.
With just a thought, destructive power erupts, shattering the three prophetic stars summoned by the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords.
: : I prophesize... : :
But they begin to prophesize once again.
As expected of True Immortals.
And not just any True Immortals, but as high-ranking ones, they display overwhelming majesty, recklessly welding prophecies that would require dozens of Entering Nirvanas countless years of painstaking effort to just cough out one.
Seven stars of fate are born again.
Seven stages leading to my defeat unfold before my eyes.
However...
The third form, created through the final moves of Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.
Punishing Heaven (罰天)!
The next moment.
The glass of the Crystal Glass to Treading Sea seems to sweep across the entire star system and the cosmic space, shattering the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords and all their prophetic stars.
This is...
The sword form that maximizes the potential of the Impermanence Sword.
[Severing Heaven Sword Form (斷天劍形).]
Let us continue.
This will be completely different from before.
-x-X-x-
The three forms included in Severing Heaven Sword Form.
The words that can describe the sword will contained in these forms are as follows:
First Form, Entering Heaven.
This is also referred to as Hand Commands.
Swordsmen refer to it as Hand Commands Sword, and the sword will of Entering Heaven can be described as freely wielding the sword within one's own hand.
Chwaaaak!
I hold the Colorless Glass Sword and begin to swing it.
Now, both the speed of my movements and the preparation time have reached the point where they can be said to be as fast as light.
Starting from Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, every sword technique I've seen from martial artists during my time in the martial world, the flying sword techniques of cultivators, the natural disasters I witnessed in Bright Cold Realm, and the principles of the universe I observed while traveling through the Astral Realm...
All of them burst forth in a single motion (一手).
Chwararararak!
At first, it seems almost like scribbles.
Lines and dots crossing each other meaninglessly, as if a child had wildly brushed a painting.
But soon, the dots and lines begin to converge around me, consuming the surroundings with countless trajectories.
This is, rather, an explosion.
Chwararararak!
The explosion of Martial Arts seems to devour the surrounding space.
A storm of countless slashes appears to consume the surrounding area in an instant.
The projections of the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords momentarily retreat.
I quickly prepare the next form.
Second Form, Treading Heaven.
This is also referred to as Eye Commands.
Since ancient times, among martial artists and flying sword cultivators, it has been referred to as a swordsmanship that freely unfolds within one's field of vision or domain of consciousness.
Paaaatt!
It is light.
No, to be precise, it is a trajectory.
Thousands, tens of thousands of light trajectories split through the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords.
Countless curves and straight lines tear through the Heavenly Lords, then scatter apart and detonate nearby planets and fixed stars.
Simultaneously, the trajectories move freely, changing form on the spot and twisting their paths.
Perhaps, with the second form of Severing Heaven Sword Form now complete, it could rival Surpassing Radiant Saber in pure speed alone.
I watch as the trajectories extend according to my will, returning, splitting, overlapping, bending, twisting, and softly connecting.
The trajectories chase after the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords like living entities, relentlessly pursuing their projections.
At the same time, the eyes of the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords shine.
: : How troublesome. : :
: : Yet...that's all. : :
: : It's time to bring this to an end. : :
: : In the name of the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords, we prophesize... : :
The Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords scatter to different positions and stretch their arms towards me.
Kugugugugugu!
Stars begin to form in the cosmic space.
At the same time, scenes are reflected within the interior of the stars.
: : Heaven-Defying One. After three breaths, you shall gaze upon us. : :
It is a simple and clear prophecy that, in approximately three seconds, I will 'gaze' upon them.
But is it because it is such a simple prophecy...
I can sense that the attraction force of this prophetic star is more powerful than any they have created so far.
However, I silently reveal the third form.
Third Form, Punishing Heaven.
This is also called Heart Commands or Heart Commands Sword, a form capable of fully drawing out the power of the Impermanence Sword.
At the same time...
'If up to Treading Heaven represents the ultimate limit that can be reached solely by pursuing Martial Arts...then Punishing Heaven requires pursuing something beyond Martial Arts.' ℞𝘢ℕO͍𝖇Εś
The Impermanence Sword is not only the manifestation of my Entering Heavens, but also my Immortal Art.
Until now, I have been wielding this Immortal Art merely as a formless sword.
However, the 'true' ability of the Impermanence Sword has not yet been revealed.
Every Immortal Art possesses its own unique ability.
As I take a single breath, it seems as if countless crystal glass sword mountains are shining around me.
The true ability of the Impermanence Sword.
It is, precisely, Retribution (應報).
Retribution.
Also known as Causality Retribution, the meaning of this concept is incredibly simple.
'You reap what you sow.'
'You receive as much as you give' is the essence of the term retribution.
I have pondered over and over about freedom.
I have contemplated how to escape the oppressive attraction force of fate.
And in doing so, my thoughts arrived at the idea of 'giving and receiving.'
To receive as much as one gives.
Isn't that the essence of true freedom?
Isn't the reason why the beings of this world are not free because they cannot receive as much as they have given, or cannot give as much as they have received?
That is my thought.
Therefore, everything must be returned in equal measure to what was given.
If I return as much as I have received, my heart will be unburdened and light.
If I receive as much as I have given, I will likewise have no worries and remain light.
Perhaps people are beings that can become free simply by maintaining the balance of giving and receiving.
Chwararararak!
In the moment that thought takes hold in my heart,
Countless sword trajectories begin to revolve around me.
The trajectories soon form a circle, and within the circle, a mandala begins to be drawn.
Upon witnessing the shape of the mandala, the expressions of the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords seem to change.
: : That is... : :
: : You...! : :
Kiririririk...
The mandala spins and settles behind my head like a halo.
I 'stare' directly at the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords.
However...nothing happens.
I do not die.
What is drawn within the mandala is the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain.
It is a mandala that symbolizes the entirety of this world.
To give and receive is, in other words, to 'form a connection.'
My Immortal Art, the Impermanence Sword, as a sword that truly pursues freedom, can 'give and receive' power not only with the planes of Qi, Soul, and Fate but also with the Interdimensional Void, the Netherworld, the Eastern Heaven Flower Field, and the Source River, all layered upon the Astral Realm.
Simply put, the Formless Sword, which once freely roamed the Three Planes, can now move beyond both the Three Planes and the Five Dimensions.
For example, I can now borrow power from the Underworld, the Source River, or the Eastern Heaven Flower Field to directly face a True Immortal 'without advancing'.
This is a feat and miracle that only I, who has thrown my life into countless deaths and understood the nature of death to its limits, can achieve.
The only Quasi-Immortal who can gaze upon a True Immortal and remain unscathed is I.
[...Have you finished what you needed to do...?]
Of course, the power I am currently borrowing from the 'Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain' is not merely power from places like the Underworld or the Source River.
I raise my hand with a meaningful smile.
The sword trajectories seem to change infinitely, altering the shape of the mandala.
The mandala begins to bloom even further.
In truth, there is no real reason to draw a mandala.
The mandala merely provides slight assistance when using Immortal Arts, and the ability to 'give and receive' can still be used solely through my Impermanence Sword.
The mandala itself holds no special significance.
However, this is a matter of courtesy.
Courtesy towards those who lend me their power and those who accept mine.
Therefore, although it serves no purpose in battle, I begin to draw the mandala while borrowing strength.
The power of the entire Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain begins to pour into me.
Kiiiiiing!
Power begins to surge wildly throughout my entire body.
Because I have shown goodwill to the entire Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain, the entire Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain is showing goodwill to me.
Although the blessing of Vast Cold, which raised my rank proportionate to goodwill, had been consumed as a one-time phenomenon, the power flooding towards me is separate from that.
The reason I do not die despite borrowing the power of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain instead of the Underworld—
It is because since I prevented the End of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain, the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain does not wish for my End either.
I...have formed a connection with this world.
: : Right now...for this one moment, I am Undying (不死). : :
Looking up at the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords, I half-open my eyes in the center of the undying power I have obtained.
'If it's this much...it's doable...'
Kugugugugu!
Behind my head, the Three Great Ultimates begins to 'rotate' fiercely.
Until now, I had merely kept it afloat, allowing it to spin lightly from time to time, but had it remain stationary in its manifested form otherwise.
The reason was simple.
'Because I have become too strong.'
If I had amplified my power too much with the strength of the Three Great Ultimates, I would have likely reached the Immortal Domain and might as well have ended up challenging the True Immortal advancement.
But as the price for postponing the End of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain, my own death has also been deferred, making me undying.
Therefore...
Even if I fully draw upon the power of the Three Great Ultimates, I will not advance.
Paaaaat!
As the Three Great Ultimates rotates, the boundaries between them vanish.
At the same time, I feel my entire body being dyed pure white.
Paaaatt!
: : ...Huuuu... : :
It feels as if my whole body is burning.
No, my entire body is already burning with something pure white.
White!
I have become [power] itself that is dyed in pure white light.
'This is...the fully drawn power of the Three Great Ultimates...in the Entering Nirvana stage!'
Feeling the explosive authority surging within me, I stare directly at the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords.
Their expressions have completely changed.
: : Have we misjudged? : :
: : It is a rather terrifying force. Though far inferior to Vast Cold during their Quasi-Immortal era...it is to the point of being reminiscent of them. : :
: : Regardless of the magnitude of power, the scale of his actions rivals that of the Golden Divine. : :
: : With that level of power, we cannot allow him to cause chaos at the scale of the Golden Divine and disrupt the providence of the entirety of Mount Sumeru. : :
: : Today, here and now, we must sever this root. : :
They sincerely glare at me and begin drawing forth their rank.
Once again, they and I clash.
: : In the name of the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords, I prophesize... : :
Once more, a star is born.
I fake charging towards the Giant Gate Heavenly Lord, who created the star, then immediately change my trajectory and charge at the Breaking Army Heavenly Lord.
The target is the star of prophecy within the Breaking Army Heavenly Lord, still locking my future into [Beheading].
I, having become [power] itself, collide with the Breaking Army Heavenly Lord.
'I see it.'
The Breaking Army Heavenly Lord instantly creates a star within their body.
In the scene shown by the star, the Breaking Army Heavenly Lord holds their ground against me without yielding.
They counter my attacks while continuously creating small planets and storing them within their body.
The planets they create bring them light fortune while imposing moderate misfortune upon me.
Though their martial prowess is far beneath mine, they calmly counter my attacks with appropriate prophecies, seizes opportunities for counterattacks, and keeps my feet tied.
'This one...is no martial artist or fighter, but a general.'
As a commander directing the battlefield, they use themself as bait to hold me down and systematically exploit my weaknesses.
Boo-woong!
In the cosmic space, the Breaking Army Heavenly Lord's palm strike crashes into my chest.
I am flung across an immense distance, but they quickly arrive before me, clenching their fist.
Ujijijik!
My entire body feels as if it's being crushed under attraction force.
They raise both palms towards my body, which has become pure white power itself, and unleash countless palm strikes.
Toong, toong, toong, toong!
Though their palm strikes do not deliver significant damage to me, they directly hit various points of my body that have been enlarged through my combat technique form, embedding planets or satellites into me.
Each one carries misfortune and prophecy that cannot be ignored, and I gradually begin to be pushed back against the Breaking Army Heavenly Lord.
'The other Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords are also a problem.'
While clashing one-on-one with the Breaking Army Heavenly Lord, I survey the surroundings.
The Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords are continuously creating stars while making prophecies aimed at me as I confront the Breaking Army Heavenly Lord.
Gradually, my shoulders grow heavy, and I feel as though my throat is being choked.
Coincidental misfortunes continue to accumulate, driving me into a corner.
Severing Heaven Sword Form.
Second Form.
Treading Heaven!
Chwararararak!
Countless curves and straight lines sweep across the vicinity.
The trajectories of those straight and curved lines undulate throughout the universe, beginning to shatter the stars.
As the stars collapse, the fates binding me also begin to crumble.
The Breaking Army Heavenly Lord's palms come flying at me once more.
I clash with the Breaking Army Heavenly Lord in close proximity with the First Form of Severing Heaven Sword Form, Entering Heaven, while continuously intercepting and destroying the prophetic stars with Treading Heaven.
'This...is the projection of a High True Immortal...!'
If I face them one-on-one, victory seems possible.
However...I cannot completely fend off the combined coordination of all seven Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords.
An absolute deadlock.
An overwhelming sense of defeat.
Victory thickens on the enemy's side.
No future remains visible to me.
'...Even so.'
I smile faintly.
'Despair is already all too familiar.'
How many times in my life have I been cornered, felt the shadow of defeat, suffered pain, and tasted despair?
The number of times in my life that I felt, 'Ah, this is the end,' is not just once or twice.
Is the despair I felt back when thugs chased me out of my soap business any different from the despair I feel now, cornered by the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords?
It is not.
Both are the same despair.
Only the scale and circumstances have changed slightly.
The weak have the despair of the weak, and the strong have the despair of the strong.
Those born strong rarely face such despair.
So they train themselves to ensure they will never fall into it.
But for those born as the weak, life itself is despair.
That is why we cultivate the heart to always stand up again even when plunged into despair.
I have always been weak.
'Therefore...'
: : I will not fall. : :
The pinnacle of the basics of the sword that I have grasped, wielded, and explored throughout my life.
The single strikes of Entering Heaven begin to reach the Breaking Army Heavenly Lord.
Pakang!
A planet forming on the Breaking Army Heavenly Lord's shoulder shatters.
One of the fortunes working in their favor falls away.
The trajectories of Treading Heaven launch upward, destroying the newly formed star of prophecy.
One of the destructive fates imposed upon me collapses.
One step.
Tukwang!
I strike the Breaking Army Heavenly Lord's pelvis, tearing into their waist.
Once again, planets are ripped away.
Minor misfortunes gradually fall off my shoulders.
Two steps.
Entering Heaven and Treading Heaven link together, relentlessly pressuring the Breaking Army Heavenly Lord.
Finally, both arms of Breaking Army Heavenly Lord's projection are severed. Though they will regenerate anyway, for a fleeting moment, a gap emerges.
Three steps.
Following Entering Heaven and Treading Heaven, the form of Punishing Heaven begins to dance within my chest.
The mandala seems to bloom, and my Impermanence Sword passes through the Interdimensional Void, the Eastern Heaven Flower Field, the Source River, and the Underworld in an instant, swiftly reaching the Astral Realm.
A single strike, imbued with the power of the five dimensions, pierces the Breaking Army Heavenly Lord's chest, slicing their upper body cleanly in half.
Kwaaaang!
Boundless starlight bursts forth from the Heavenly Lord's projection, dyeing the entire world.
'Here I go!'
Through Punishing Heaven, the authority of the Impermanence Sword begins to shine at its maximum capacity.
All those who have 'given and received hearts' with me throughout all this time.
The hearts of all those people begin to burst forth through the form of manifestation.
Retribution is not simply about giving and receiving power with the world.
Giving and receiving hearts can also...
Be a form of retribution in itself.
Green, deep crimson, sunset, white, black, light pink, sky blue...
Countless rays of colored light head towards the dantian of the cleaved Breaking Army Heavenly Lord.
Flash!
Light explodes.
And with that, it ends.
The prophecy within the Breaking Army Heavenly Lord that I would be beheaded bursts apart by my hands.
Tukuakakwang!
Along with that, the projection of the Breaking Army Heavenly Lord explodes.
Chiiiiii—
After watching the exploding projection of the Breaking Army Heavenly Lord turn into starlight and scatter, I continue to look at the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords, who are preparing their prophecy in the distance.
: : Astounding. : :
: : To endure our interference with merely the body of an Entering Nirvana...and still suppress a True Immortal. : :
: : Even if it is just a projection, to possess the potential to defeat a True Immortal one-on-one...it is a fearsome talent. : :
: : With such talent, with such a fate, and yet, you, who dare mock and distort the providence of the Heavenly Domain...we cannot overlook you any longer. : :
Wiiiing!
The light emanating from the bodies of the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords begins to intensify.
Tingle, tingle...
I feel goosebumps rising on my skin from the sheer rank they are releasing.
But it does not stop at just slightly raising their rank.
The Greedy Wolf Heavenly Lord sends a transmission somewhere.
Then, familiar figures begin to gather.
'...Damn it...so it has come to this after all.'
Cheok, choek, choek, cheok!
Following the will of the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords, 48 Entering Nirvana True Persons that are summoned by them begin to surround me.
: : Even a beast gives its all when hunting small prey. : :
: : We apologize for underestimating you. : :
: : In return, we will now use every means at our disposal to utterly crush you... : :
Chwararararak!
At the same time, I see the form of the Breaking Army Heavenly Lord, who had scattered into starlight behind me, returning.
Of course, among them, the Breaking Army Heavenly Lord seems to be in the worst condition...but everything is returning to the starting point in the end.
'Can I...really defeat them all?'
No matter how highly I evaluate myself, I am worth only one True Immortal.
But these are seven True Immortals, along with a group of Entering Nirvana True Persons capable of fulfilling the role of one and a half additional True Immortals.
In essence, it is no different from fighting nine True Immortals.
I let out a low groan and spin the Three Great Ultimates even more fiercely.
'...There's no other choice.'
Even if I despair, what cannot be done cannot be done.
Nothing will change just because I despair.
I will not give up.
Just as I never have before!
And so, Greedy Wolf, Giant Gate, Preserving Wealth, Literary Melody, Integrity Chastity, Martial Melody, and Breaking Army.
The seven True Immortals simultaneously reach out towards me.
: : In the name of the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords, we prophesize... : :
At that moment—
Paaaatt!
From somewhere.
From a faraway place, someone transmits their will to me.
'...Huh?'
That place is Lofty Dragon Star.
The Lofty Dragon Star where Seo Hweol met his conclusion.
From there, [someone] is looking at me.
And then, they speak to me.
—Think about what you have.
Chills!
I meet their gaze.
And as I see them touching the traces of Seo Hweol, I feel chills running down my entire body.
Draped in a dark-red robe and covering the entire Lofty Dragon Star with red coral, that being looks at me with chilling blood eyes and speaks.
—Heaven, Earth, Heart. Do you think that is all? Do you not have something even more precious?
'Something precious...!?'
However, separate from the fear I feel towards this being, I listen carefully to his advice.
And I immediately understand.
'He's talking about...'
Kwarurung!
It feels like lightning striking my mind.
I've never once considered using it in such a way.
But the moment I hear his words, I realize it is entirely possible.
Suppressing the tremors that rise from my chest, I quietly offer him my gratitude.
: : Thank you for your advice. : :
The projections of the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords seem puzzled, but I can't stop myself from smiling.
Why didn't I think of something so simple...?
Well, in truth, it's been less than two days since I advanced to the Entering Nirvana stage of the Three Great Ultimates.
I simply haven't had time to try various things.
Wiiiiiiing!!!
The fiercely spinning Three Great Ultimates.
Following [his] advice, I add one more thing to that Three Great Ultimates.
: : Heaven, Earth, Heart. And...Wheel (軌). : :
Above the spinning Three Great Ultimates, the Wheel overlaps.
Of course, I can still feel that the [Wheel] hasn't been completely added to the Three Great Ultimates.
When the [Wheel] is completely added to the Three Great Ultimates, I feel as if something utterly terrifying would emerge. But for now, there is only one result from adding the two.
An amplification of power through a new pathway.
Just as I once amplified power through the Mad Lord's puppet circuits, now I can achieve the same through the authority of the [Wheel].
Wiiiiiing!
Though imperfect and slightly awkward, the [Wheel] and the Three Great Ultimates overlap.
However, the moment they combine—
I explode.
The universe trembles.
This is no joke, no metaphor—but the literal description.
I can feel the entirety of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain vibrating under my power.
The expressions of the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords turn urgent, and the Entering Nirvana True Persons scatter their shocked intent as they begin to flounder around in confusion.
In this moment when Heaven, Earth, Heart, and Wheel have combined—
I realize, quite literally, that I have obtained a power akin to that of a god.
The power and senses amplified through the Three Great Ultimates and the [Wheel].
Beyond them, I faintly hear Baek Woon's voice from the distant Middle Realm.
[...Vast, Vast Cold...?]
Following her words, the Greedy Wolf Heavenly Lord speaks in a trembling voice.
: : ...Vast Cold Heavenly Lord's...return (再臨)!!! : :
: : ...This is absurd. How could such a horrifying event occur? How could you possess such power in your hands...!? : :
: : After only 500,000 years, is the world truly about to face great chaos once again!? : :
The Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords begin to exude a vicious killing intent as they erupt in rage.
I swallow my spiritual energy and look at them.
They are preparing to fight in earnest.
'Can I do this...?'
Then once again, that familiar message reaches me.
—Raise your head. What you bear is not something that one who lowers their head can dare to carry.
Lofty Dragon Star.
From there, a dark-red light begins to bloom.
I can feel it.
A being from the Interdimensional Void is descending into the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain in their true form.
—Right now, you are on equal footing with this Immortal. The likes of the imperfect projections of the Northern Dipper are nothing to you in your current state.
: : ...Why are you giving me such advice...? : :
—You do not need to know. However, for as long as you face them, I will support you... You must not bring shame to the name of what you bear.
: : ...Thank you. Yu... : :
—Blood Yin. For as long as you carry it, I am Blood Yin before you.
: : ...Thank you, Blood Yin! : :
That's right.
The one who has advised me to overlap the [Wheel] and the Three Great Ultimates is Blood Yin.
That being, also known as the Seat Holder of Vice, has begun to support me.
All the beings of the universe are trembling.
In particular, those who have lived for over 500,000 years are trembling like aspen trees, recalling the terrifying existence from 500,000 years ago.
Since that terrifying being also defeated Upper Immortals (上仙) during their Entering Nirvana era, the traces of that terrifying being can't help but be seen on Seo Eun-hyun.
Among them, the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords, along with Baek Woon and the other Sacred Masters of the Middle Realms, are literally writhing as if in a seizure.
The forms of the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords begin to change.
Until just now, they had projected themselves in their Transformation state, intending to send off Seo Eun-hyun in a somewhat gentle manner. But now, their projections begin to reveal their cosmic true forms.
As if determined to eradicate this absurd existence here and now, down to the very roots.
Yes, they are undoubtedly...afraid of Seo Eun-hyun.
In him, they see the nightmare of 500,000 years ago.
They see the potential of the Tridacna Vast Cold Heavenly King.
However, even as every ruler in the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain trembles, there is one being who does not, and instead stares calmly at Seo Eun-hyun.
It is Blood Yin, seated upon and eroding the Lofty Dragon Star, descending into the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain.
Beside Blood Yin is Ja Eum, wearing a purple robe and standing with a bright and clear expression.
[Have you finally come to your senses...!? O Blood Yin...! P-Perhaps...your neck...]
[...Silence.]
With a confused expression, Blood Yin cuts off Ja Eum's words and mutters as he gazes at the place where Seo Eun-hyun is fighting.
[There is simply...something I wish to see.]
Thus begins the battle of Seo Eun-hun, who has intertwined the four systems of power of Heaven, Earth, Heart, and Wheel to bring the potential of the Vast Cold Heavenly Lord from 500,000 years past to his hands, and the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords, who are convulsing with fear at the nightmare of that time and ready to unleash their full strength.
The entirety of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain begins to tremble.
-x-X-x-
The beginning is marked by my voice, declaring the start of the battle.
[Stars of the nations, hear me.]
Dudududu!
The star veins of the entire universe begin to twist under my will.
At the same time, starlight begins to rearrange itself around me, who radiates waves of immense power.
Though the actual constellations remain unmoved, the illusions of constellations are projected across the universe, arranged by my will like the projections of True Immortals.
A total of thirty-six projections of fixed stars are arranged around me.
Everything is aligned according to the orientation of the Six Harmonies. Six stars facing upward towards the heavenly direction, six stars facing downward towards the earthly direction.
In the four directions—east, west, south, and north—six stars are arranged in a row in each direction.
The distance between each fixed star is 100 light-years.
A spherical star vein formation with a radius of approximately seven hundred light-years centered on me takes shape.
The sheer size of the star vein formation is enough to engulf an entire tidal tail.
[I declare. This place shall be this Immortal's Sword Enclosure, forged in my name and made into a vast battlefield.]
This is one of the basic Immortal Arts of Entering Nirvana True Persons, taught to me by Yeo Hwi, called Opening Enclosure (開垣).
The effect of Opening Enclosure is to assimilate the interior of the star vein formation with one's inner Star Enclosure.
Chiiiiiing!
Within the star vein formation, boundaries of sky and ground begin to form.
At the same time, attraction force emerges on the ground, and the four directions of east, west, south, and north take shape centered on me.
Sword mountains of colorless glass sprout from the earth, filling the world.
The inside of the Colorless Sword Enclosure becomes a world with six stars underground, six stars in the sky dome, and six stars each in east, west, south, and north.
The projections of the fixed stars, forming the foundation of these stars, begin to manifest the Colorless Sword Enclosure.
Hwarururuk!
As I shoot out Star Tribulation and supply star veins to the stars I just projected, the projections of the fixed stars, which serve as the axis of the star vein formation, become even more solidified, beginning to substantially reveal the Colorless Sword Enclosure.
Those countless actions happen in a fleeting moment, and I instantly shift the battlefield to a place advantageous to me as I glance around at the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords and the Entering Nirvana True Persons.
Dududududu!
My gaze alone makes them flinch and step back slightly.
I can feel it.
Right now, I am [absolute].
There is no need to use the Immortal Speech of the True Immortals.
Just a simple mental speech, something any cultivator can use, is enough.
[Come in.]
: : ...In the name of the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords. Immortal Treasure Seven Stars Harnessing God Banner (七星借神幡), descend upon this place...! : :
Flash, flash, flash!
Seven beams of light flicker beyond the distant sky, and in an instant, seven clusters of light are summoned to this place.
Jjeooong!
They are banners.
On the surface of each banner, it seems as if one star is sealed within. While the power of an individual banner might not seem significant, the combined momentum of the seven banners is substantial.
On one side of each banner, the words Seven Stars Harnessing God (七星借神) are inscribed, and on the reverse side, Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal (北斗封仙) is written.
Clang, clang, clang!
Between the seven banners, I briefly glimpse an energy akin to chains.
I can feel it.
If I am struck by those seven banners, my power will be bound by those chain-like things.
Wo-woong!
It seems the Seven Stars Harnessing God Banners are not even ordinary Sacred Vessels, but instead operate using the split souls of the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords.
While they might not be as convenient as Sacred Vessels, the connection to the main bodies must be incredibly strong if they are activated in such a way.
However, even with such fearsome Immortal Treasures appearing—
Even with the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords abandoning their Transformation states and gradually changing into forms resembling the stars of the universe, pressing down on me—
Even with forty-eight Entering Nirvana cultivators surrounding me, growling—
I do not feel as if I will lose.
The only thing that catches my eye is...the energy emanating from the Seven Stars Harnessing God Banners they hold.
It is the [power of the seven stars] I can sense from them.
That's right. Seven Stars (七星).
That is...
An energy all too familiar to me.
[...It was you all along.]
I grit my teeth and pull up the corners of my mouth.
Truly...
I wanted to see them.
If they had tangible forms, I wanted to face them, even if just once.
To me, the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords are...
Existences with a truly, truly deep connection with me.
[Are you...the divine spirits overseeing the Qi Refining Seven Stars Ritual...?]
No, there is no need to ask.
Because the [wisdom] conveyed to me through the Seven Stars Harnessing God Banners they summoned already says as much.
That the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords are the divine entities presiding over the Seven Stars Ritual of the Qi Refining stage.
Yes.
The twenty-eight stars I had cried out to in the heavens over and over again.
The ones who govern the power associated with those twenty-eight stars are none other than the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords.
[Come. Truly, I have long...wished to compete with you...!]
Then, the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords begin to unleash their power.
Wiiiiiiing!
Their prophecy imprints itself upon the world through sheer will, and stars begin to form.
However, the Colorless Sword Enclosure has already been unfolded.
Boo-woong!
When I swing the form of Treading Heaven, countless rays of light seem to shoot sideways before piercing into the glass sword mountains and reflecting off them like mirrors, crashing into the forming stars and shattering them.
The Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords begin to move.
Wiiiiiing!
In their forms akin to stars, they start to circle around me, summoning their disciples.
Forty-eight True Persons join the battle.
They follow in the wake of the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords, spiraling around me in a circle.
Then, at some point—
Centered on the rotation of the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords, some kind of formation is laid out, and that formation is 'overlaid' on the domain of my Colorless Sword Enclosure.
It must be the Star Enclosure of one of the Entering Nirvanas.
All of Heaven and Earth becomes engulfed by a burning tree.
At the same time, a certain will emanates from the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords.
Seven Stars Harnessing God.
Kugugugugu!
The seven banners tremble violently and starlight bursts forth from them, piercing into my body like spears.
Kwaching!
But it's laughable.
The starlight shatters with a single exertion of strength that is amplified by Heaven, Earth, Heart, and Wheel.
Impermanence Sword.
Heavenly Shatter Impermanence (天碎無常).
This is the Impermanence Sword, the Ultimate Will of Crystal Glass to Treading Sea.
Naturally, Crystal Glass to Treading Sea Nine Categories Form can also be unfolded through the Impermanence Sword.
Kwarurururung!
For an instant, I enlarge my form and slam my fist into the 'overlaid' reality.
There is no loud sound.
Instead, reality itself seems to shatter like a sheet of glass, and from the point where my fist strikes, hundred millions of streaks of slashes erupt outward.
With that single strike, the groundless domain overlaid by the True Persons is erased, and my Sword Enclosure is revealed once more.
Impermanence Sword.
Sword Sea Impermanence (劍海無常).
Chwararararak!
The Colorless Glass Sword, transformed into Glass True Fire, begins to dance in response to the Impermanence Sword.
Below my feet, a mandala symbolizing Sword Sea Impermanence is drawn, and countless trajectories begin to stretch out from me as the center.
Piiing, piiing, ping, pingpingping!
The trajectories, like rays of light, are absorbed into the glass sword mountains scattered across the Sword Enclosure.
At the same time, the glass sword mountains, imbued with the trajectories, begin to reflect them in all directions like mirrors reflecting light.
Using the effect of retribution that is the inherent property of the Impermanence Sword, the trajectories are 'given and received' between the sword mountains within my Sword Enclosure.
Chwararararak!
The phenomenon of the trajectory reflecting off one sword mountain, illuminating another sword mountain, and then continuously scattering as it passes through yet another sword mountain, endlessly continues.
In an instant, the entire Sword Enclosure fills with sword trajectories under my will.
Flash!
Heaven and Earth become filled with sword trajectories.
Amidst these trajectories, I leisurely observe the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords.
Then, the Giant Gate Heavenly Lord exerts their power.
Kurururururu!
The body of the Giant Gate Heavenly Lord seems to rotate, transforming into a black hole of the universe.
Chwajajajak!
All the trajectories I released are sucked into the Giant Gate Heavenly Lord and nullified.
The Giant Gate Heavenly Lord rapidly devours my trajectories.
I smile faintly.
[What I unleashed is not something as simple as a spell.]
Immediately after, the body of the Giant Gate Heavenly Lord explodes.
Boom!
Naturally, within these trajectories, the principle of Kunlun from the Severing Mountain Swordsmanship is embedded.
The trajectories carrying the principle of Kunlun etch the principle of purity inside the Giant Gate Heavenly Lord's body. Even though they have transformed into a black hole of the universe, they cannot overcome the purity carved within them and begin to collapse.
Kurururu!
The body of the Giant Gate Heavenly Lord seems to boil, rapidly changing form as if trying to regain stability.
At the same time, the Breaking Army Heavenly Lord and the Martial Melody Heavenly Lord rush at me from behind, pressing me down with attraction force and launching an attack using the True Persons.
However, I ignore all those attacks and charge straight at the Giant Gate Heavenly Lord, extending a single sword strike.
With that, countless trajectories once again pour onto the Giant Gate Heavenly Lord.
They attempt to avoid, nullify, or deflect the trajectories...but it's futile.
[I told you. This isn't some mere Immortal Art that casually fires beams from afar!]
Some people occasionally misunderstand.
They think that when one reaches the realms of Qi Commands Sword and Heart Commands Sword, one no longer needs to move their limbs, simply nodding their head to slaughter enemies from afar.
But I can state with certainty—that is wrong.
How could one become lazier as they rise higher in realms?
A true Heart Commands Sword means that one's actions have become perfectly synchronized with the speed of their heart.
Chwararararak!
If observed closely at each trajectory piercing the Giant Gate Heavenly Lord, my forms are faintly reflected within them.
Indeed.
This is not simply a form of firing trajectories.
Just like in the case of Gang Sphere clones, I separate my heart essence clones, and through those separated heart essence clones, I move at the speed of my heart to 'directly' swing my sword at the enemy before my eyes.
The form of Entering Heaven is me moving at the speed of light, completing a predetermined sequence of movements and wielding my sword.
The form of Treading Heaven is me separating my heart essence at speeds faster than light and then having those separated heart essences carry the sword of my heart directly to strike.
That's all it is.
A martial artist who has reached a higher realm does not grow lazy.
Instead, they move even faster and with even greater clarity.
Therefore, as long as one simply considers my attack as some long-range Immortal Art, it is absolutely impossible to devour or deflect them.
The life of a swordsman is ultimately close combat.
Everything visible now is no different from me directly holding and swinging my sword.
It's just...the number of heart essence clones is astronomically high.
Kiiiiiiing!
The trajectories of light, my clones, and the Impermanence Swords begin to draw countless trajectories.
And in an instant.
Flash!
Light explodes.
Within the cradle of light formed by Entering Heaven and Treading Heaven, the projection of the Giant Gate Heavenly Lord completely collapses.
It is then.
Clang!
One of the Seven Stars Harnessing God Banners, held by the Giant Gate Heavenly Lord, flies straight towards my body.
Simultaneously, the characters written on the Seven Stars Harnessing God Banner shine.
Seven Stars Harnessing God.
Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal.
Along with that, the form of the Seven Stars Harnessing God Banner begins to glow within the starlight and transforms.
It takes the form of a flag.
Wisdom floods into my mind, and I recognize the name of this immortal treasure.
Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flag (北斗封仙旗).
Kwaaaak!
At that moment, I feel as if a heavy shackle has been placed on my body, and the Seven Stars Harnessing God Banner, now transformed into the Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flag, embeds itself into me.
'This...is a seal!'
I immediately understand what the Giant Gate Heavenly Lord has done.
'Did they set a condition for a prophecy?'
A condition-bound prophecy that if they were to die, this Seven Stars Harnessing God Flag would reveal another form and fly straight into me.
I had heard from Yeo Hwi that such condition-bound prophecies hold far stronger attraction force.
Especially if the condition is tied to the life of the Giant Gate Heavenly Lord's projection—then even more so!
But...
Regardless, I have finished off the Giant Gate Heavenly Lord.
Kwaaaang!
After utterly crushing the projection of the Giant Gate Heavenly Lord, I stretch my hand towards the approaching projection of the Greedy Wolf Heavenly Lord.
Impermanence Sword.
Ghost-Face Killing Heavenly Order (鬼面戮天常).
In an instant, the atmosphere of the entire Colorless Sword Enclosure changes.
Tattered giants formed from my corpses begin to gather and appear throughout the area, and the power of death fills the heavens.
The body of the Greedy Wolf Heavenly Lord becomes an enormous blue supergiant star.
Kwarurururur!
The massive blue supergiant star grows large enough to cover the entire Colorless Sword Enclosure, pressing down upon me.
Simultaneously, the Greedy Wolf Heavenly Lord's Seven Stars Harnessing God Banner condenses starlight and presses down on me.
Chwarurururuk!
However, I begin scattering the power of death.
[Stop him!!!!!]
[Stop the return!!! Of Vast Cold!!!]
The Entering Nirvana True Persons revolve around me, constructing countless curses, Immortal Arts, spells, and formations.
My body feels heavy, and misfortune clings to me through prophecies.
But it's only for a moment.
Wiiiiing!
Heaven, Earth, Heart, and Wheel rotate behind me, amplifying my power. I add the power of death to this amplified force and launch it towards the blue supergiant star.
Chwarurururuk!
Liquefied death energy envelops the blue supergiant star.
At the same time, the temperature of the blue supergiant star begins to drop.
Blue, blue-white, white, golden, orange, sunset, red...
The gradually cooling supergiant star is soon completely devoured by the aura of death and vanishes.
[Guaaaaaaah!]
The interference of countless Entering Nirvana True Persons weighs down on my body, and the prophecies of the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords press upon me.
But they cannot withstand overwhelming [power].
Kwarurururung!
Ignoring the curses, Immortal Arts, and everything else binding my feet to the fate of defeat, I charge directly into the collapsing center of the blue supergiant star, clad in the power of death.
Kwaaaang!
Covered in the Impermanence Sword of death energy, I pierce through the blue supergiant star and burst out to the exterior of the Colorless Sword Enclosure.
The projection of the Greedy Wolf Heavenly Lord, pierced through its center by me, perishes.
At the same time, I feel the persistent will of the Greedy Wolf Heavenly Lord clinging to me.
Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flag.
Kwaaang!
Their Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flag flies toward me and embeds itself. The second flag resonates with the first already embedded in me, and I can feel some kind of connection forming between the two flags.
Kwadududuk!
The Sealing Immortal Flags press down on me once more.
Next is the Martial Melody Heavenly Lord.
I descend towards the Martial Melody Heavenly Lord and slam their form into a nearby glass sword mountain.
Kwajangchang!
Yet, they seem entirely unscathed. Their countless [arms], having become their very being itself, unfold graceful palm and hand techniques with their hundreds of millions of arms, pressing down on me.
Though grotesque in appearance, their form reveals a certain level of insight into Martial Arts, much like the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord.
The touch of the Martial Melody Heavenly Lord feels, quite literally, like a song of Martial Arts.
However, that is all.
Impermanence Sword.
Twin Flowers.
Black-White Impermanence (黑白無常).
The power of death transforms into the power of curses and blessings.
With it, two colossal giants appear above and below the Martial Melody Heavenly Lord.
Black Impermanence.
White Impermanence.
The black and white giants draw power from the Source River, the Eastern Heaven Flower Field, the Interdimensional Void, and the Netherworld, crushing countless arms of the Martial Melody Heavenly Lord with death energy itself.
The black and white giants, imbued with the authority of death borrowed from the four dimensions.
The giants' forms begin to change.
In an instant, the giants become Taiji.
They close the distance towards the Martial Melody Heavenly Lord and crush their projection entirely, grinding it to dust.
The projection of the Martial Melody Heavenly Lord is consumed and extinguished within the Taiji.
Flash!
At the same time, another Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flag flies towards me and embeds itself.
Clang!
The connection with the two previous flags begins, and I feel my body being pressed down even further.
Giant Gate, Greedy Wolf, Martial Melody.
The projections of the three Heavenly Lords are swept away at once.
In the next moment—
Kwaaaang!
The colossal forms of the Breaking Army Heavenly Lord and the Literary Melody Heavenly Lord crash down upon me.
Strangely, the Breaking Army Heavenly Lord still remains in their Transformation state, while the Literary Melody Heavenly Lord spins wildly in the form of a neutron star, chanting countless invocations.
With every rotation, dozens of invocations burst out from within the neutron star.
Though not Immortal Arts, the countless sealing invocations spread across Heaven and Earth like curses, binding me tightly.
Impermanence Sword.
Wind-Painting Impermanence.
Kwarurururung!
The sword trajectories whirl madly.
Empowered by the strength of interstellar winds, the spiraling trajectories align with the rotation and frequency of the neutron star, finding a gap to pierce through its attraction force waves.
In an instant, my Impermanence Sword shatters the Literary Melody Heavenly Lord in one strike.
Kwaaaang!
Dozens of Entering Nirvana True Persons within its path burst apart, rendered completely incapacitated.
[Kuaaaah!]
[Run away!!!]
[Vast Cold!! If Vast Cold has not returned, how can an Entering Nirvana wield the power of an Upper Immortal...!?]
[What is this!? Just what is this!!??]
The Entering Nirvana True Persons flounder in panic.
I quickly turn around to intercept the Breaking Army Heavenly Lord, but instead, what greets me is the Literary Melody Heavenly Lord's Sealing Immortal Flag.
Kwaaang!
Four Sealing Immortal Flags are pierced into my body.
Kwajijijik!
The Preserving Wealth Heavenly Lord and the Integrity Chastity Heavenly Lord trace the shape of Taiji (太極) as they transform into nebulas and begin to spin in the sky.
Kurururung!
Between the two Heavenly Lords, who govern opposing concepts, a powerful repulsive force is generated, and Heavenly Lightning falls to the ground.
Kwaaaang!
The impact of the Heavenly Lightning shakes the entire Colorless Sword Enclosure, and the manifestation of the star vein formation begins to waver.
At the same time, from the point where the Heavenly Lightning struck, nebulae converge and form several stars that prophesize my fate.
A vision of my sequential defeat is carried within them.
Chiiiiiii—
However, I begin to release the mist of the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections from my entire body.
[With just this...you dare capture this Immortal...? Haha, ahahahaha!]
Kwaaaang!
Impermanence Sword.
Torch of Myriad Forms and Connections.
The Impermanence Sword ignites, and the Torch of Myriad Forms and Connections lights up.
At the same time, the Candle Dragon True Blood burns to its extreme, drawing gigantic power from within me.
If the power of the Heaven Tribe is attraction force, then the power of the Earth Tribe is explosion.
Overwhelming explosion.
[B E G O N E!!!]
Simultaneously, an explosion begins from within me.
Though faint, the Colorless Sword Enclosure is still the Colorless Sword Enclosure.
The entire Colorless Sword Enclosure becomes infused with the jade of Yin-Yang and Five Elements.
[Great Mountain!]
Dududududu!
The Entering Nirvana True Persons thrash about wildly.
[Huaaaaaah!!!]
[Run away!!!]
[Vast Cold!!! The Vast Cold Heavenly Lord has returned!!!]
The projections of the Preserving Wealth Heavenly Lord and the Integrity Chastity Heavenly Lord merely murmur as they look at me with conflicted expressions.
: : The sprout must be uprooted... : :
: : Are we not enough...? Such humiliation from 500,000 years ago must never happen again... : :
In the next moment.
[Splitting Emperor!]
The power of the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique bursts forth, and everything within the Colorless Sword Enclosure.
Everything existing within a radius of 700 light-years is split into seven parts in the Plane of Qi and vanishes completely.
Then, two Sealing Immortal Flags fly toward me.
Kwang, kwaang!
Clang!
A total of six Sealing Immortal Flags are embedded into my body, and six chains bind me.
Chiiiiii—
I glance around at the dimmed surroundings.
All that remains is the Breaking Army Heavenly Lord.
However, I cannot see victory for the Breaking Army Heavenly Lord.
: : ...The scale of your power is so immense that even with the sealing in progress, it takes time for the seal to fully manifest... To the point where even we, the subordinates of Time, cannot intervene... : :
[...Haha...]
At that moment, I realize what they have been doing all this time.
The subordinates of the Heavenly Venerable of Time, the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords, have been continuously casting a specific Immortal Art on me.
It is none other than the Immortal Art of Time Acceleration.
The reason they could create stars in an instant is likely related to this.
While the sealing power of the Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flags are remarkable, the sheer magnitude of the power I've amplified is so enormous that the sealing itself requires an immense amount of time.
However, even in the accelerated time, I possess such overwhelming amplified power that I am not sealed.
No, I will be sealed...but it seems it will take time to reach that point.
: : How regrettable. If only we had a little more time, this might have been a fight worth attempting... : :
The Breaking Army Heavenly Lord finishes speaking, gripping their Seven Stars Harnessing God Banner with gleaming eyes.
: : In the name of the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords, I prophesize... : :
I extend a single palm.
My palm becomes a mass of [power].
Carrying the power of the Impermanence Sword, it advances, growing so vast it seems as though it could swallow the entirety of Heaven and Earth.
The prophecy the Breaking Army Heavenly Lord was about to utter shatters completely, and my palm engulfs them, even collapsing a corner of the universe.
Kwarurururung!
It is a single palm akin to a single strike from the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord or an attack from Blood Yin with all his might.
Kururururung!
: : ...We will remember you... : :
With those final words, the projection of the Breaking Army Heavenly Lord crumbles beneath my strike.
After the Breaking Army Heavenly Lord vanishes, the prophecy of the Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flag activated with their demise as a condition, strikes me, and the seven Immortal Treasures of the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords pierce into my body, crushing me.
Kudududududuk!
A pressure beyond imagination tries to seal my authority.
However...
This power, boiling from Heaven, Earth, Heart, and Wheel, surpassing even volcanic eruptions and like the solar winds, is not so easily sealed.
If given enough time, I would eventually be sealed...
But I see no need for that and instead begin shattering the seal with the authority I still possess.
Kwaching!
With a single exertion of strength, a terrifying wave spreads across the entire universe.
With it, the countless remaining Entering Nirvana True Persons flee completely.
They must have concluded that there is no longer any chance of victory against me.
I ignore them and exert even more strength into my body.
It's then.
Kururururung!
Flinch!
I sense someone approaching me, leaping across vast light-years of distance.
A familiar presence.
A familiar foreboding, a familiar malice...
It is Ja Eum, dressed in a purple robe, and Blood Yin, dressed in a dark-red robe.
[...Blood Yin.]
I stare at him and speak with a complicated expression.
[For aiding me...I offer my gratit—]
But Blood Yin opens his mouth.
[From now on.]
His voice interrupts mine, and his eyes begin vomiting sinister light.
[Prove yourself before me.]
Kugugugugu!
Ja Eum, with a strangely happy expression, is absorbed into Blood Yin. Blood Yin then begins to gradually reveal his main body, spreading thick murderous intent towards me.
: : Are you truly the workings of the Imperial Venerable? If so, you will survive. If not, you will face demise by my hands, your soul extracted and refined into an Immortal Treasure. : :
Kugugugugugu!
I swallow hard as I see this sight.
I had thought the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords were the final and greatest obstacle left before me.
I was wrong.
The final trial of the 999th cycle is none other than Blood Yin, who now demands proof from me.
: : Prove that you are worthy of bearing the Wheel! : :