I am not a fool.
Therefore, I have naturally considered the possibility that any existence at the Sacred Vessel stage or Entering Nirvana stage would immediately begin their True Immortal advancement the moment they behold my main body.
Moreover, I have already conducted trials in advance, such as infusing [wisdom] into individuals like Yeon Jin and Gyu Ryeon or demonstrating my power in front of Baek Woon and Yeo Hwi.
These trials involved determining how much 'rank' I could reveal to individuals at certain realms of cultivation before it becomes overwhelming for them to endure.
Of course, I also took into account the possibility that Jeon Myeong-hoon and the others might have risen to the Entering Nirvana stage, which is why I understood the risk of them dying if I appeared directly before them. That is why I gave help to others and received help in return, conducting experiments to some extent.
As a result of these experiments with Yeo Hwi, Baek Woon, and others...
I determined that exposing a body at the Qi Refining 7th star level that I sent down to the lower realm would not affect my comrades even if they reached the Entering Nirvana stage. Only after reaching this conclusion did I choose to reveal myself.
: : Y O U U U !!! S E O E U N - H Y U N !!! : :
Golden Shaking Bird's eyes go mad as she charges towards me.
On the Plane of True Immortality, a [River of Bird Heads] encircles me, unleashing a relentless barrage of lightning strikes.
"Stay still for a moment."
Kwaraarung!
But this is not the lower realm where my power is constrained, but in the True Immortal Plane, where I can fully unleash my power. There is no reason for me to lose.
I seize the essence of Golden Shaking Bird in one go and forcefully seal her into her Transformation form, gripping her by the neck.
"Guk... Krrrk..."
Thud!
Hit by the Impermanence Sword, she is sealed within Du Hwa's body and glares at me with tears streaming down her face.
"You...you... You...to my master... My master..."
"Quiet down and look around. It's not entirely my fault."
Kuguguk!
I tighten my grip on Golden Shaking Bird's neck, applying even more pressure.
The whites of her eyes gradually become visible, and as Golden Shaking Bird fails to draw in spiritual energy or breathe, she begins to froth at the mouth.
Shifting my gaze away from her, I turn to the spot where Jeon Myeong-hoon began his advancement.
Kugugugugu!
The shed [flesh] of Jeon Myeong-hoon, who was forced to confront death by me, begins to swell.
Simultaneously, his flesh transforms into a Vestige and starts wailing.
[Kuaaaaa!]
The Vestige with six arms and three heads howls like mad as it loses its original form.
Normally, the Sacred Master of the Middle Realm would expel Jeon Myeong-hoon's Vestige out of the Middle Realm and into the Interdimensional Void, but the Sacred Master of this Middle Realm called the Divine Thunder Realm does not respond.
'Did they say Jeon Myeong-hoon killed them? Tch. It seems the successor Sacred Master hasn't been picked yet. Or perhaps they are in the process of reviving...'
For now, to prevent the Entering Nirvana Vestige from wreaking havoc on Middle Realm, I summon Yeo Hwi.
"Accept my command, Twin Constructing Chains. Restrain the newly born Vestige of Jeon Myeong-hoon."
Clink!
Chwarururuk!
Responding to my command, Yeo Hwi appears in the form of chains before growing huge and flying forward to restrain the distorting Entering Nirvana-level Vestige.
[Kuaaaaa!!!]
Jeon Myeong-hoon's Vestige screams, attempting to break free from the Twin Constructing Chains.
However, the chains instead absorb the power of the Vestige, converting and accumulating it at both ends.
The Immortal Art created by Yeo Hwi when she became a True Person is Twin Constructing Twin Destruction (雙造雙滅).
Consuming Heaven and Earth spiritual energy to create antimatter, which then causes mutual destruction is her Immortal Art.
The ability of the Twin Constructing Chains, which were refined by such a being, is to bind the target, absorb the [power] they exert to break free, and use it to generate both antimatter and matter.
At both ends of the Twin Constructing Chains...
The bird skull at one end begins to glow, emitting transparent Glass True Fire.
Simultaneously, the human skull at the opposite end shines, generating and storing antimatter within.
Since I refined it, the part that creates matter releases Glass True Fire, making it capable of torturing the bound opponent.
Hwarurururuk!
[Kiyaaaaah!]
Jeon Myeong-hoon's Vestige writhes in agony as the Glass True Fire engulfs it, screaming violently before losing consciousness and fainting.
Kwa-jijijijik!
As the Vestige faints, lightning bursts out around it, but the Twin Constructing Chains, having absorbed some of Golden Shaking Bird's power, also absorbs the lightning.
It restrains the opponent, devours the energy they exert in trying to break free, generates Glass True Fire and antimatter, and stores and releases them to torture the restrained target.
Additionally, by absorbing and generating lightning, it can electrocute its victim, functioning as a dharma treasure designed for binding and torturing. That is the Twin Constructing Chains.
In emergencies, the accumulated antimatter can also be used to attack the enemy, making the Twin Constructing Chains a highly versatile Immortal Treasure.
Clang, clang, clang!
The Twin Constructing Chains completely enclose and seal Jeon Myeong-hoon's fainted Vestige. Watching this, I ponder my thoughts.
'For Jeon Myeong-hoon to suddenly advance to True Immortality just by looking at me...is absurd. I'm only at the Qi Refining 7th star level. Injecting [wisdom] into an Entering Nirvana is absurd. I didn't even intentionally reveal my rank; rather, I deliberately suppressed it. There's no way this should have happened.'
More than that, I focus on Jeon Myeong-hoon's fate.
Ever since reaching the Entering Nirvana stage, observing someone's fate directly has become no longer difficult.
After observing his fate for a while, I finally understand.
'So that's it...'
An Ender can only receive misfortune from a True Immortal.
I witness the black misfortune entangled like clouds around his red fate.
"While it's true that looking at me triggered his advancement, the cause lies with you. What's the point of baring your teeth at me?"
I grip the Golden Shaking Bird's neck tighter, turning my gaze back to Jeon Myeong-hoon.
That's right.
Regardless of the circumstances, a True Immortal is still a True Immortal.
Golden Shaking Bird followed me here to be together with Jeon Myeong-hoon as a companion. That alone was treated as a 'gift' for Jeon Myeong-hoon, and that gift turned entirely into misfortune.
"Look at the cloud of misfortune. That cloud is connected to you."
"Guk... Gurk..."
"During the time of the Golden Divine, the Golden Divine was stronger than you, so receiving your help didn't cause any issues. But now, it's different. Because Jeon Myeong-hoon is weaker than you...all he can receive from you is misfortune."
The misfortune surrounding Jeon Myeong-hoon's fate originates entirely from Golden Shaking Bird.
It has no connection to me.
'So even if an Ender becomes a True Immortal, they don't spread misfortune to one another. Well, it makes sense. If they did, every opportunity obtained from previous generation of Enders would have been accompanied by catastrophic misfortune.'
"[The benefits he gained by being together with you] itself became misfortune, leading to the Jeon Myeong-hoon, who would normally remain unaffected by seeing me, 'coincidentally' see the seal of the Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flag. Through that gap, he 'coincidentally' gazed upon my true body 'coincidentally' witnessed death within it, and 'coincidentally' failed to control himself, forcing his immediate True Immortal advancement."
Wo-woong!
Reading the history within the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy, I comprehend the whole story.
"Listen carefully, Golden Shaking Bird. While I am hesitant to give the exact information...Jeon Myeong-hoon and I come from the same homeland as Yang Su-jin. All the people from there can only receive misfortune from True Immortals."
"Kurk... Gurk..."
"That misfortune grows stronger the greater the gap in cultivation. However, because of the absolute disparity between the Entering Nirvana stage and True Immortality, even minor misfortune seems to have an amplified effect. If Jeon Myeong-hoon successfully advances to True Immortality, he'll be fine. However...if you meet my other comrades in the future, do not approach recklessly or try to give them anything. Understand?"
I release Golden Shaking Bird's neck and gaze at Jeon Myeong-hoon's fate.
"For now, him seeing you caused misfortune, so it's highly likely that Jeon Myeong-hoon will fail his True Immortal advancement."
Wo-woong!
I draw the Impermanence Sword and speak.
"So, being someone from the same homeland, whose help would cause no problems...I'll be back after briefly assisting him."
Kiiiiing!
The Impermanence Sword.
What my heart symbolizes, which began as the Formless Sword, is 'freedom.'
Thus, it can move through any plane or dimension.
Wherever the Impermanence Sword can reach, I can go.
Wo-woong!
I follow Jeon Myeong-hoon's fate.
'The Interdimensional Void, the Source River, the Eastern Heaven Flower Field, the Underworld...where is it? Where...? Is it there?'
Jeon Myeong-hoon's fate is heading to the Underworld.
And from deep within the Underworld, the [Oldest One]'s will is reaching out towards Jeon Myeong-hoon.
Kiiiing!
I channel my soul into the Impermanence Sword and, sitting in a lotus position at that spot, cross the boundary of the Underworld.
Wo-woong!
The only times I entered the Underworld was when I learned the Ghost Path Method and used Nether Perception to cross the 'outskirts' of the Underworld.
And while attempting to step foot into the domain of purity, I was intercepted by the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld and immediately sent from the Interdimensional Void to the deepest depths of the Underworld.
For that reason...
This time, crossing the outskirts to the true domain of the Underworld, is essentially my first time.
Kuuuung!
As I cross the boundary of the Underworld, all light disappears.
An eternal, unblemished darkness.
In this darkness, the only way to perceive the surroundings is through scent.
In truth, not all beings possess organs like 'eyes.'
There are many beings in this world who perceive not through light, but through sound, scent, touch, and other senses.
I feel as though I have become one of those beings.
Not only scent, but sound and touch gradually become perceptible to me.
It is when all senses, except sight, are felt.
Paaatt!
I feel as if I am reaching the Nascent Soul stage.
No, to be precise, should I say the Nascent Soul stage seems to replicate this sensation?
A flashback.
As I sense the [vibrations] around me, my life flashes before my eyes.
The entirety of my life.
The entire history stored within the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections brushes through my mind.
A Taiji (太極) seems to appear before my eyes. As it spins rapidly, it forms a helix (螺旋), and through that helix, all of my regressions and history flashes past me.
But unlike during my Nascent Soul advancement, it does not pass by quickly.
Rather, like the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections, it flows past very slowly, allowing me to revisit the scenes I wish to see again.
However, instead of viewing these histories, I focus my consciousness on the center of the helix.
At the center of that helix, a [certain being] is watching me.
Woong!
As I concentrate my consciousness on the center of the helix, it transforms into a [ripple].
Something like a shimmering mirage.
An endlessly vast wave.
That vibration soon seems to manifest as heat, turning into [flames] that engulf the surroundings.
Kugugugugu!
Before I know it, I find myself in a place entirely engulfed in flames.
In front of me stands a massive giant god engulfed in flames.
The giant god wears a crown and is dressed in a judge's robe.
The seat upon which the giant god sits is a colossal Blade Mountain, but the giant god's sheer size makes even the mountain feel as small as a cushion.
On both sides of me, countless Ghost Kings, Yakshas, Rakshasas, and Asuras stand in neat rows, staring at me.
Beyond these monsters lies a seemingly endless valley of Blade Mountains, filled with countless souls wandering in agony, bleeding as they stumble through the valley of blades.
I chuckle at the strangely familiar scene and bow towards the giant god before me.
I learned this back in the Black Ghost Valley.
About the Ten Underworld Kings who govern the Underworld.
"This mere Immortal Seo Eun-hyun, greets the Killing Judge of the Underworld Ten Kings, the Blade Mountain True Lord, your Majesty Qin Guang."
Huarurururuk!
The Blade Mountain True Lord, Qin Guang, gazes at me for a moment before speaking.
[All Tribunals, leave for now.]
Paat!
At that decree, the Yakshas, Rakshasas, Asuras, and Ghost Kings surrounding me vanish in an instant.
Now, only Great King Qin Guang and I remain in this judgment hall of the flame-covered Blade Mountain.
"Does the Great King have something to say to me?"
At my words, Great King Qin Guang remains silent for a moment before speaking.
[How is it? The Underworld.]
"It is unique. And this..."
I glance at the [fire] illuminating the surroundings and murmur softly.
The sky of the Underworld is dark, and in places without flames, it is so black that one cannot see an inch ahead.
However, wherever the flames burn is bright.
"Is this not...light? I thought this would be a world of complete darkness, but it seems that's not the case."
[Nothing can escape light. That is why Radiance Hall governs life. However...nothing is absolute except for the three laws. No matter how mighty light is, it cannot escape the changes caused by differences in interpretation.]
Huarurururuk!
Flames rise above Great King Qin Guang's hand.
[The forces that symbolize Radiance Hall and life interpret light as particles. It is the perspective that everything can be explained, and nothing can escape form. However, we interpret light as waves.]
Wo-woong!
It distorts.
My vision blurs, and a shimmering haze seems to envelop the surroundings.
[Some things cannot be explained, and there are no absolutes. Form may not exist, and it does not have to be continuous. That is the wave. Thus, even if one cannot see in the Underworld, it is possible to hear, smell, touch, and taste—in other words, receive 'signals'.]
Huarurururuk!
[Waves are also heat. That is why we inevitably use fire. The Karmic Fire of the previous Chief Judge, the Speech Fire (言火) of the current Chief Judge...and even the Killing Fire (殺火) that this King wields all are born from the same principle.]
I finally understand why the Judges primarily use fire.
And I feel something strange.
"Somehow...it sounds as though the Judges of the Underworld wield the power of light."
[That is correct. Originally, the very first Seat was the Origin Essence of Light. Only one existed.]
"...!!!"
[After the very first Origin Essence, countless beings rose through the path of the heavens, 'interpreting' light in their own ways and dividing it amongst themselves... That is how the numerous Origin Essences of today came to be. Even our lord, the Imperial Venerable, is said to have been born after Radiance Hall itself, which speaks volumes about the history and power of the Radiance Hall.]
"Th-That..."
I ask with a stunned expression.
I do not know why Great King Qin Guang is telling me this, but I decide it is best to ask while I have the chance.
"Then, why is the Imperial Venerable called the [Oldest One]? According to what the Great King said, isn't the oldest existence the Radiance Supreme Deity?"
[...What is important is continuity. Suppose you plant a seed, let it sprout, and nurture it into a tree for 100 years. Then, you take the fruit from that tree, remove its seeds, plant them in the ground, burn the previous tree, and nurture the new one for another 100 years. Is the age of that tree 100 years or 200 years?]
"...I do not understand what you mean."
[The Origin Essences under the Imperial Venerable's grasp total 14. Including the one the Imperial Venerable seized control of, it is 15 in total. Those Seats have accompanied the Imperial Venerable for a long time and...have been referred to as the Imperial Venerable and the Dharma Kings who protect the Imperial Venerable. But those Dharma Kings are not all the same beings. This King, too, inherited my Seat from a predecessor.]
"...!"
[And...just like the Underworld, Radiance Hall is the same. They, too, inherit the Seats over time. Thus, while Radiance Hall may be the oldest force, the oldest entity is the Imperial Venerable.]
Great King Qin Guang speaks ambiguously while extinguishing the flame burning in their palm.
[Is it not interesting? That light can divide into everything depending on interpretation... If dividing based on interpretation, and merging again based on interpretation is the Seat of Light...have you ever considered that?]
"As my knowledge is limited, I struggle to follow what the Great King is saying. Please enlighten me."
[In the end, all things can [never] escape the gaze of light. If everything was originally light, even the Underworld, that is said to be untouched by light, cannot truly escape the domain of light. In fact, during the era when the Radiance Eight Immortals were the Radiance Ten Heavenly Lords, the Radiance Hall appeared nearly omniscient.]
"Radiance Ten Heavenly Lords?"
I tilt my head at the unfamiliar term but shudder from a chill at Great King Qing Guang's subsequent words.
[Then what do you think could be the method to transcend light? If being unable to escape no matter what means is the authority of the [First Seat]...is there not only one answer? To go back before the [First Seat].]
"Pardon...?"
[That is precisely the plan of the Imperial Venerable and the will of the Underworld. To trace back the unending history of the world and finally reach the [time before the first]. To go further back than light itself and through this, transcend the light. That is our goal.]
Kugugugugu!
Great King Qin Guang extends their hand forged of flames and blades.
[I have heard from the Imperial Venerable. You met the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord in the Head Realm and heard of the [Way of Light], did you not?]
Flinch!
I feel chills rising over my body at those words.
'Does this mean the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld...can freely observe what happens in the Head Realm?'
When I think about it, it makes sense.
The [Elder Sister] of Seoak village in the Head Realm was the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld.
And according to the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, the only beings authorized to interfere in the Head Realm are those from Radiance Hall.
Yet, the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld could so easily send an incarnation to the Head Realm and wield authority there.
'Does this mean...They are an existence somewhat outside the laws set by Radiance Hall...? Even the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord lost their memory and acted accordingly until they reached the Qi Refining 4th star in the Head Realm, but the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld can retain Their memory and have the authority to revise the history of the Head Realm even in the body of a mortal...?'
As my thoughts race, Great King Qin Guang continues to speak.
[The Way of Light oppresses all living beings with fate. They proclaim this to be 'true freedom,' but that is sheer nonsense. The [Way of Salt] mentioned by the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord—does that not fit far better with the world? Granting all beings the right to resist fate—would you not say that is true freedom?]
"..."
[The Owner of Salt Mountain, the Salt Sea Supreme Deity, was a sworn ally who shared the same will as the Imperial Venerable. Thus, if you claim to have inherited your master's legacy, join us in the aspiration of the Underworld.]
That's right.
Ultimately, Great King Qin Guang's long discourse is an offer to recruit me.
-x-X-x-
[If you have reached the Immortal Family on your own strength...surely even the Imperial Venerable will not simply taxidermize you.]
I let out a groan at the imposing presence and words of Great King Qin Guang and contemplate their proposal.
At the same time, a certain afterimage emerges in front of me.
'...I see.'
Wo-woong!
A figure appears before my eyes.
It is Yu Oh, who recently proposed the path of the Immortal Beast to me.
"Sacred Master Yu Oh telling me to walk the path of an Earth Immortal...it was the plan of you all, it seems."
[Indeed. You have the potential to become a remarkable Judge, an excellent Reaper.]
Great King Qin Guang's continued words make my body flinch.
[You currently carry a powerful misfortune. That calamity tied to the Great Mountain Supreme Deity...is the gaze of the Great Mountain Supreme Deity. If you were to declare that you will walk a path other than the path of repentant enlightenment, the Supreme Deity's retaliation will most likely strike you immediately. However, the Underworld...can protect you. No matter if it is the Great Mountain Supreme Deity, They cannot casually invade the domain of the Imperial Venerable like they could with Radiance Hall.]
I feel a bitter smile rise at their words.
'So, if I don't rise to face Them through the path of repentant enlightenment, I will immediately be killed, huh.'
[Surely you harbor the ambition to one day become an Immortal Lord. Do you intend to oppose the Great Mountain Supreme Deity with the realm of a Great Net Immortal? Yu Soo Ryeon's subordinate, lacking most of their original memories, may have optimistically claimed that there is a chance if you rely on interpretation.
[But I will tell you the truth. That is absolutely impossible. Under the principle that [Immortal Cultivation is repentant enlightenment], do you truly believe that someone like you could defeat the Great Mountain Supreme Deity's enlightenment?]
"..."
[The one who determines the direction of the Seat's interpretation is the owner of the Seat. If the Great Mountain Supreme Deity has determined Their own direction of repentant enlightenment, all beings beneath must adhere to that interpretation.]
Kugugugugu!
Gradually, Great King Qin Guang's momentum begins to press down against me.
[Join the Underworld. Uphold the Imperial Venerable's great will together with us. Transcend the Way of Light and help root the true Way of Salt into the Three Thousand Great Thousand Worlds. Do not walk the path of impossibility under the Great Mountain Supreme Deity and meet a futile end. Neither this Judge nor the other Judges...want to see someone like you, who has inherited the legacy of Salt Mountain, be wasted in vain.]
They, who have been pressing down on me with their momentum, soften their aura and extends their hand, coaxing me.
[If the Imperial Venerable intends to taxidermize you within the deepest depths of the Underworld, this Judge will plead on your behalf. You are a talent necessary for the Underworld. Please, come to us.]
Then, I ask back.
"I also believe that the Way of Salt is correct. However, I once heard this from the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord: the Way of Salt cannot distinguish between good and evil. And...the greatest evidence of that is my senior brother, the Great Mountain Supreme Deity. Am I wrong?"
[...I wonder...]
Regarding the good and evil of the Great Mountain Supreme Deity, Great King Qin Guang seems to adopt a somewhat ambiguous attitude for some reason.
However, I speak without hesitation.
"My senior brother's way is...evil and devilish. I undoubtedly support the Way of Salt. But I cannot, under any circumstances, support my senior brother, the Great Mountain Supreme Deity. For that reason, I also cannot 'fully' support the Way of Salt that embraces even the Great Mountain Supreme Deity."
[...]
"Your Majesty claims the Imperial Venerable envisions a world beyond light? It is deeply impressive. However...will the world envisioned by the Imperial Venerable be solely just? Will it not simply be a world where Supreme Deities like the Great Mountain Supreme Deity run rampant?"
[How daring.]
Kugugugugu!
Great King Qin Guang's eyes flash with ominous light as they press down on me.
However, I refuse to yield and lift my head high.
"Thank you for offering me a place in the Underworld. However...I will find my own path. This is something I cannot change. I will seek the Seat of Repentant Enlightenment."
[...And if it means your comrade will be eternally taxidermized and never to return?]
Wo-woong!
The fate of Jeon Myeong-hoon flickers before my eyes.
The red fate, like a thread of intent, stretches towards somewhere.
That red thread leads to the deepest depths of the Underworld.
It points directly to the Audience Chamber of the [Oldest One].
Jeon Myeong-hoon is currently having a private meeting with the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld.
"I see. Now I understand why you are holding me here."
Great King Qin Guang is detaining me to make their recruitment offer while ensuring that Jeon Myeong-hoon's private meeting with the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld remains undisturbed.
And...
I look at Jeon Myeong-hoon's fate—[the straight red thread]—and realize something.
'Follow one's fate, and walk the straight path.'
This is the attitude Yang Su-jin spoke of that one must adopt in the Underworld.
Through this, I grasp something.
"...Since earlier, you have been pressing me down with your overwhelming presence and showing me the scenery of the Blade Mountain, trying to suppress me...but you have not actually been able to touch me."
[...]
"It seems that Judges surprisingly cannot interfere with spirits freely. Is that not right?"
Wo-woong!
I take a step towards Great King Qin Guang.
'I now understand...what it means to walk a straight path and what it means to walk a crooked one.'
"I will retrieve my comrade and return. Please forgive my rudeness."
Step, step...
Resolving not to listen to Great King Qin Guang any further, I walk forward without hesitation.
Great King Qin Guang fades from my sight like an illusion.
At the same time, a certain [wisdom] strikes my mind.
'I see. The judgment method of the Underworld is...'
Pain.
It is making those who caused pain to others realize that pain themselves.
Like the flashback I saw earlier, sinners are shown their own flashbacks.
Within it, scenes of regret and moments of wrongdoing to others are replayed endlessly until they themselves come to repent!
Crunch, crunch, crunch...
This is the judgment method of the Underworld.
The Blade Mountain Hell I saw behind Great King Qin Guang earlier...
The wandering spirits in that Blade Mountain Hell are all trapped in the cycle of their murderous karma, punishing themselves with the blade of their own conscience until they repent.
Even those who lacked a heart in life and felt no guilt would gradually awaken to pain through endless repetition, leading them to repentance.
But...
'It has no effect on me.'
I walk through a world made of blades.
A world that seems similar to the Blade Mountain Hell.
The name of this world is the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections.
'The ones I killed, the ones I caused pain to...I remember them all."
The Glass True Fire forged from their pain endlessly scorches my heart.
I have reflected and repented countless times.
The Hell others only experience after death, I have repeatedly recreated with my own hands while alive.
Because that is my life, my cause and connection.
"Life is repentant enlightenment."
I have reached this point by constantly reflecting on myself.
Therefore, I have no intention of abandoning the path of repentant enlightenment.
This is already my life.
Thus, the Underworld cannot do anything to me.
Their role is to force unrepentant sinners to repeat their wrongs.
But I am no longer one of their sinners, for I have already repented countless times.
And to those who are not sinners, they are fair and kind above all else.
I keep walking forward.
Yang Su-jin clearly instructed me to go directly along the 'narrow and straight path'.
Perhaps it means to follow one's fate without looking back on the history of one's life.
Because, after all, to look back on the history of one's life is to acknowledge one's death.
So, it seems to mean to experience death but not accept it, and to walk into the domain of life by following one's fate.
However, I act contrary to Yang Su-jin's advice.
I do not take the narrow path.
I do not take the straight path.
Instead, I choose the winding and most circuitous path.
Countless pasts and flashbacks brush past me.
The Hells overseen by the Great Kings—Qin Guang (初江), Chu Jiang (初江), Song Di (宋帝), Wu Guan (五官), Yan Luo (閻羅), Bian Cheng (變成), Tai Shan (泰山), Ping Deng (平等), Du Shi (都市王), Wudao Zhuanlun (五道轉輪)—welcome me.
[TL: Changing the name Yama to Yan Luo. So, the full title and name would be the Yama True Lord Yan Luo.]
[Editor: These are the Ten Kings of the Underworld in Chinese mythology, each the magistrate of one of the ten courts (not in the above order though, Ping Deng and Du Shi have been swapped).]
The Hells of the Underworld are none other than the repetition of one's own sins.
'I endlessly repeated.'
I see their Hells, reflect my life upon those Hells, and let out a bitter smile.
They are all Hells I have already experienced.
They cannot judge me.
For I am already being judged.
The pain that even beings devoid of hearts are forced to feel under the hands of Rakshasas, Yakshas, and Asuras is the endless regression that is the Underworld.
Within each person's flashback and eternal regression, those who understand the pain overseen by the Underworld Ten Kings and repent for their wrongs are released—that is the law of the Underworld.
But eternal regression? I have done it countless times.
I enter the final Hell.
Crossing the world of black darkness overseen by Great King Wudao Zhuanlun, I contemplate the shadows of my life.
And so, I pass through the Darkness Hell, traversing all the Hells.
Step, step—
Thus, I finally arrive beyond all the Hells and reach the deepest place of the Underworld.
I once again arrive at the deepest depths where the [Oldest One] resides.
Kugugugugu!
Previously, I had to approach quite close to see it, but now, I can see it even from afar.
Perhaps it is designed to become visible from a distance only to those who have experienced every Hell.
[White Wheel]!
Now that I have experienced every Hell, this Wheel asks me where I wish to reincarnate.
However, I ignore the question and approach the [Wheel].
Having drawn nearer, I finally see the [red light cluster], presumed to be Jeon Myeong-hoon.
The light cluster is suppressed by the presence of the deep darkness beneath the Wheel, unable to move.
If it were Yang Su-jin, he would likely have followed his fate and simply left after seeing the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld. But Jeon Myeong-hoon doesn't seem to have the capability to withstand the presence of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld.
Kwaak!
Grasping Jeon Myeong-hoon's soul, I speak.
"It has been a while. I have come to fetch my friend. Now that I have found him, I will take my leave."
At my words, the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld—
The [Oldest One] seems to smile.
Huarurururuk!
Then, a candle scattering the light of salt appears before me, and a shadow emerges once more.
The shadow opens its mouth and speaks in a voice I can comprehend.
"To dive into the Underworld without hesitation to rescue a friend...it reminds me of the Vast Cold Heavenly Lord in their youth."
Now taking the face of Kang Min-hee, the shadow smiles and gestures towards Jeon Myeong-hoon.
"Come. Give it a try."
At those words, I look at Jeon Myeong-hoon.
The one who had been a red cluster of light has regained a somewhat human form as I grasped him.
Jeon Myeong-hoon sits on a chair of black light, his face blank as though devoid of all will.
I look between him and the shadow before speaking.
"Since you have granted permission, I will take him with me."
Woo-wooooong!
Behind me, the Three Great Ultimates emerges.
Simultaneously, the [Wheel] overlaps with the Three Great Ultimates.
"Please forgive my rudeness."
Kugugugugu!
So long as I have repented for my sins, the beings of the Underworld cannot interfere with me.
If that's the case, all that remains is...
To bring my friend back!
The immense force amplified by the Three Great Ultimates and the Wheel begins to forcibly lift Jeon Myeong-hoon from the chair.
[Arise...Jeon Myeong-hoon!]
Kwadududuk.
Jeon Myeong-hoon does not rise easily.
I realize that he is trapped in some kind of cycle of reincarnation.
Just like the Hells I recently passed through.
Jeon Myeong-hoon is endlessly repeating the past within his flashback.
But this is different from Hell.
No, that...
Is more akin to Heaven (天國).
Towards the man, endlessly repeating the days of happiness with Jin So-hae, I shout loudly.
[Arise! Jeon Myeong-hoon!]
With that, Jeon Myeong-hoon begins to rise from the chair, driven by my brute strength.
His buttocks are stuck to the chair, but I pay no mind and start tearing him away from it.
Bbududududuk!
Jeon Myeong-hoon's buttocks begin to rip away.
And finally!
Jjeoong!
With part of his buttocks ripped off, Jeon Myeong-hoon is pulled off the chair by my hand.
[KUAAAAAAAAH!!!]
Jeon Myeong-hoon's spirit sheds bloody tears, but I pay no mind and sling his spirit over my shoulder.
Turning to the shadow of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld, I speak.
[I will be taking him. Farewell. Until we meet again.]
"Hohoho..."
The Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld, wearing Kang Min-hee's face, laughs brightly.
"You are just like the Vast Cold Heavenly Lord. They, too, crudely ripped their companion free and took them away."
Wo-woong!
Before long, Jeon Myeong-hoon has returned back to his spirit form.
The chair where Jeon Myeong-hoon sat on also turns into a fragment of darkness, and attached to that darkness is what appears to be a piece of the flesh of Jeon Myeong-hoon's buttocks.
The piece of flesh seems to have been torn off and stuck there.
Soon, that piece of flesh also transforms into a form of light and shines within the darkness.
"What remains there is his lingering attachment. Keep that in mind. I will let him go for now, but as long as his attachment remains in this place, he can return here at any time."
"...I will remember."
I carry Jeon Myeong-hoon and walk forward.
The Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld and the White Wheel also disappear like illusions.
I experienced Hell, while Jeon Myeong-hoon experienced Heaven.
What is clear is that both of us have experienced the Underworld.
Paaaatt!
In the distance, I see [light].
It is the domain of life.
Hwiiiiii!
Jeon Myeong-hoon flies towards the domain of light even faster than I do.
He will now embrace life and death within the domain of light and, with a high probability, successfully advance to True Immortality.
As for me, I turn to look behind me.
Countless illusions and worldly concerns seize me.
It occurs to me that if I remain here, I too can experience the Heaven that Jeon Myeong-hoon just encountered.
As I look back, I embrace the countless illusions.
"Thank you."
All of my worldly concerns and heart demons.
All of my...connections.
"Let us go together."
All of them...I will carry on my back.
And so, with them in my embrace, I leave the domain of the Underworld.
As I exit the domain of the Underworld, a certain [wisdom] is instilled within me.
It seems to be a reward from the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld for experiencing all the Hells.
It shows me a certain scene.
'That is...'
It is a transmission sent by the Great Mountain Supreme Deity to the domain of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld.
Upon reading the transmission, I flinch in surprise.
: : T H E A L L I A N C E S H A L L B E T E R M I N A T E D : :
Three thousand years ago.
That is, the time when I faced Seo Hweol using Filling the Heavens Governing View and shattered the fates of Yeon Wei and Hon Won.
At that point in time, the Great Mountain Supreme Deity Gwak Am broke a certain alliance that had existed with the forces of the Underworld.
The truth of that time unfolds before my eyes.
-x-X-x-
A world of endless darkness.
The Underworld.
A certain will was transmitted there.
It was a will mingled with the scent of thousands, no, hundreds of millions of corpses.
: : I T I S N O W Y O U M U S T A C T : :
The Great Mountain Supreme Deity Gwak Am, was communicating with the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld.
From within the deep darkness, a certain gaze extended outward, heading somewhere.
In that place, there was a vision of Hon Won, who was granted his Immortal Title by Gwak Am, and Yeon Wei, whose fate had been toyed with by Them. The twisted history of these two unfolded, and the stars of fate marked by the Great Mountain Supreme Deity collapsed.
However, even as the stars of fate crumbled, the Great Mountain Supreme Deity appeared unconcerned.
As if the deaths of Hon Won and Yeon Wei at that moment fulfilled Their plan.
Wo-woong!
The gaze emerging from the deep darkness shifted toward a different place.
It is the place where Oh Hye-seo, who was struck by Hon Won's Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique before his death, was located.
Deep within Oh Hye-seo's soul.
After the Great Mountain Supreme Deity recognized Seo Eun-hyun's plan, They tolerated the collapse of the stars of fate and used Hon Won's Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique as a medium to transfer Their Immortal Title deep within Oh Hye-seo's spirit.
Then, in the moment she was transported to the True Devil Realm by Seo Hweol—
The Great Mountain Supreme Deity activated Their power.
Using the remnant of Yu Hao Te left in the True Devil Realm, They manipulated the Karmic Fire from Cedarwood Painting to converge.
Huarurururuk!
The Karmic Fire clung to Oh Hye-seo, who had fallen into the True Devil Realm.
On that day, Oh Hye-seo died once.
And then...
She revived from death, together with her authority.
To be precise, the Immortal Title of the Great Mountain Supreme Deity fused with her authority, forcibly resurrecting her.
Afterward, using the power of the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique, They expelled the Karmic Fire from her body. Thus, the Great Mountain Supreme Deity selected Oh Hye-seo as the new medium to entrust Their Immortal Title.
Taking advantage of the gap created when Blood Yin self-destructed and a hole was torn in the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain, the Great Mountain Supreme Deity summoned Oh Hye-seo to Their own domain.
The Karmic Fire left in the True Devil Realm was naturally returned to the Netherworld, and Oh Hye-seo, now in the grasp of the Great Mountain Supreme Deity, was utterly crushed and experienced death once again.
In that state, They contacted the Underworld.
: : W H I L E T H E E N D E R S D I V E R T T H E G A Z E O F L I G H T ... W E M U S T P R O C E E D T O T H E A U D I E N C E C H A M B E R . P L E A S E C O M E F O R T H : :
The Great Mountain Supreme Deity's message caused tension among all beings of the Underworld.
Now, the grand plan their Imperial Venerable has spoken of all this time was about to begin.
The Sal Tree Heavenly Venerable, the Liberation Supreme Deity, and others were to collaborate and launch an assault on the Head Realm.
However, at that moment,
The Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld uttered a statement no one could comprehend.
At first, the Yama True Lord Yan Luo, initially assumed they received the message incorrectly.
But to them, the commands of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld are absolute, so Yan Luo conveyed the response as they received it.
: : The Imperial Venerable states, it is not permissible. : :
: : W H A T ? : :
For a moment, there was no reply from the Great Mountain Supreme Deity's side.
Then, after a brief silence, a response filled with wrath arrived.
: : F O R T H I S M O M E N T ... I H A V E S E T T H E B O A R D S I N C E F I F T Y T H O U S A N D Y E A R S A G O . T A K I N G A D V A N T A G E O F B O N G M Y E O N G ' S A D V A N C E M E N T W I T H O U T A N Y O N E N O T I C I N G ... N OT T O M E N T I O N A L L T H E P R E P A R A T I O N S M A D E E V E N B E F O R E T H A T ... A N D N O W , W I T H O U T A N Y P R O P E R E X P L A N A T I O N ... Y O U S A Y W H A T ? : :
: : The Imperial Venerable has deemed the chances of success to be insufficient. Great Mountain Supreme Deity must— : :
: : D O Y O U N O T I N T E N D T O A V E N G E T H E G R U D G E O F M Y M A S T E R ? : :
Then, a will flowed out from the depths of the Underworld, responding personally instead of Yan Luo.
Not permissible.
And then, the overwhelming voice of the Great Mountain Supreme Deity, filled with immense wrath, resounded through the Underworld.
: : T H E N ... I T O O W I L L N O L O N G E R H O L D B A C K . I W I L L N O L O N G E R R E S P E C T Y O U , W H O H A S B E C O M E S E N I L E : :
At Their words, all the Reapers and Judges OF the Underworld ignited their flames in fury.
The entire Underworld seemed to hum with their rage.
: : T H E A L L I A N C E S H A L L B E T E R M I N A T E D : :
Kugugugugu!
With that, the Great Mountain Supreme Deity's response was cut off.
However, the being in the deepest and darkest depths watched the place where the Great Mountain Supreme Deity resides.
Earth Axis Heavenly Domain.
A devilish world, filled with pain, groans, and darkness.
There, the Great Mountain Supreme Deity raises Their hand.
In Their hand is something new.
It is none other than the Salt Mountain formed of Salt Crystals which Seo Eun-hyun had hurled away into the Interdimensional Void after sending off Baek Rin and Yuk Yo after encountering the Great Mountain Supreme Deity.
Wiiiiiing!
The light of the Salt Mountain seemed to respond to the will of the Great Mountain Supreme Deity, brightly illuminating the surroundings.
: : The shrine of the Salt Sea Supreme Deity shall open its doors and welcome the successor. : :
Flash!
In an instant, the Great Mountain Supreme Deity was sucked into the depths of the Salt Mountain within the Earth Axis Heavenly Domain.
Pasasasa!
The Salt Mountain made of Salt Crystals appeared to shine in the void before completely vanishing.
What remained in the Earth Axis Heavenly Domain were the corpses ruthlessly crushed by the Great Mountain Supreme Deity's authority,
The malicious spirits that had grown by devouring Their power,
And finally, Oh Hye-seo, who, after being crushed by the Great Mountain Supreme Deity, was now in the process of reviving by absorbing the surrounding energy.
From the depths of the darkness, the observing being quietly muttered.
: : Did They consume the relic of Their predecessor to reach the Outer Sea...? : :
With that, the vision flooding my mind ends.
'This memory is...'
It is the memory of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld!
The being has shown me where the Great Mountain Supreme Deity has disappeared to and how Oh Hye-seo, who had been far from Blood Yin at the time, ended up in the Earth Axis Heavenly Domain.
Ziiiiing!
As I finish watching the scenes of the past, I sense a will surging into my mind.
It is a deep and vast will.
—They are preparing a mantra that transcends imagination. Keep annihilation in mind.
Paaaatt!
I step back into reality.
At the same time, as I confirm the presence of Ham Jin and Yu Hwi as they pass through the outskirts of the Underworld, I completely withdraw from the Underworld.
'A mantra transcending imagination? Keep annihilation in mind?"
It is a warning from the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld.
'For now...I understand why the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld abruptly canceled the plan to invade the Audience Chamber.'
That being perceives the regressions and must know that entering the Audience Chamber in the previous cycle resulted in defeat.
Thanks to the regression, the calamity was averted, and so was the event that could have led to the annihilation of the Great Mountain Supreme Deity, Liberation Supreme Deity, and Sal Tree Heavenly Venerable.
'Knowing there is no chance of success, the long-prepared plan was suddenly abandoned. However, the Great Mountain Supreme Deity was not fully informed due to certain reasons. I was also wondering why the Great Mountain Supreme Deity, who occupies the Seat of Repentant Enlightenment and is an existence that is a superior counterpart of myself, was so persistently desiring me but...it was because the alliance was broken.'
I come to understand the truth behind several matters.
'That said...a mantra transcending imagination? Keep annihilation in mind?'
I mull over the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld's warning again.
'If the being that entered the Audience Chamber countless times and always returned alive is referring to a [mantra transcending imagination]...just what could it be? Is there a different mantra other than the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra?'
If someone like Golden Shaking Bird told me to [beware of a mantra transcending imagination], I'd have hung them upside down and beaten them instead.
But...
The words were spoken by none other than the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld, known as [the Oldest One].
'If a being who even witnessed the Vast Cold Heavenly Lord says it transcends imagination...If a being who has accumulated immeasurable experience over endless years claims it transcends imagination...'
I swallow my saliva.
At the time of the Wuji Religious Order's annihilation.
Seeing the Great Mountain Supreme Deity gently stroke the Salt Mountain after taking it from me alone made it clear there is something special about it.
Of course, I didn't know that if consumed, it could fly straight to the Outer Sea.
'That Salt Mountain is an artifact that leads to Penglai Island. In that case, is Penglai Island located somewhere in the Outer Sea? When Gwak Am and I properly forged our senior-junior brother bond last time in Penglai Island, was it just a split soul? Or does using the Salt Mountain only allow sending a part of the main body...? In any case, that's not what's important.'
What's important is that the Great Mountain Supreme Deity Gwak Am, consumed the Salt Mountain made of Salt Crystals to silently fly without a trace towards Penglai Island [with Their main body].
'If even the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld cannot observe the Outer Sea, does that mean the Radiance Hall also cannot observe the Outer Sea? And Gwak Am...in the Outer Sea that no one can observe, are They preparing an Immortal Art that the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld described as a [mantra that transcends imagination]?'
My thoughts become complicated.
It is while I am pondering over the warning given by the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld.
Kururung!
"What!?"
As I return my split soul to my main body and come to my senses, I notice thunderclouds swirling in the void.
"Th-That is...!"
Kwarururung!
From within the thunderclouds, red lightning flashes.
Then...a deafening roar shakes the entirety of the Divine Thunder Realm.
[KUUUUAAAH!!!]
Kwaaang!
The sound of thunder shakes the ground.
The thunderclouds coalesce into a spherical form.
In an instant, the thunderclouds vanish from the lower realm.
'He's risen...to the Plane of True Immortality! This means...'
I rise to the True Immortal Plane, and as expected, Golden Shaking Bird is witnessing the birth of a new domain of thunder and lightning in the True Immortal Realm.
Kururung!
As Jeon Myeong-hoon's Great Heavenly Rain of the Charged Lightning Veil transforms, it creates a strange world where lightning falls like rain.
I look at that world and smile bitterly.
Within Jeon Myeong-hoon's world, the thunderclouds seem to move endlessly, as if forming some shape.
It is a face.
The cherished faces from the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect are etched into those thunderclouds.
Pajijijijik!
At the center of the thunderclouds, I see the face of Jin So-hae engraved.
Kururung!
As red lightning appears to cascade from Jin So-hae's face, a spirit (精靈) composed of lightning itself seems to emerge beneath her visage.
The lightning spirit, clad in fluttering immortal attire made of crimson lightning, is a man with red eyes who lets his long crimson hair of lightning flow down.
The red-eyed man reaches out towards the face in the sky, but Jin So-hae's face dissipates like a fleeting cloud.
Seeing this, he wears a bitter expression, pulls out a withered hand from his chest, and presses it tenderly to his lips.
Kwarururung!
In an instant, the lightning world compresses around the man and soon takes on the exact same form as him.
Jeon Myeong-hoon has thus succeeded in fully embracing both life and death.
'What the...? The acceptance of life and death that took me three thousand years, he completes it in mere seconds?'
It's just when I stare at him, slightly dumfounded.
Jeon Myeong-hoon looks up at the [sky] of the True Immortal Realm and stares intently at one of the Ten Thrones floating above it.
Just then,
Kwarurururung!!!
A colossal lightning spear, bright enough to illuminate the True Immortal Realm that is only darkness, strikes down where Jeon Myeong-hoon stands.
'This is...!'
The Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity, Do Gon, is personally delivering the True Immortal advancement tribulation to Jeon Myeong-hoon.
Just as I once bore the gaze of the Great Mountain Supreme Deity, Jeon Myeong-hoon now bears the overwhelming attention of the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity.
A Heavenly Tribulation so fearsome that even an ordinary True Immortal would melt entirely into a prophecy if struck by it!
Kururururung!
But Jeon Myeong-hoon does not dissolve into nothingness under the Heavenly Punishment.
Instead, he becomes a thundercloud.
The [crimson thundercloud, rippling with countless faces] seems to writhe before beginning to rotate.
The rotating thundercloud consumes the Heavenly Tribulation entirely.
: : AAAAAAAAAH! : :
Kwarururung!
: : HAAAAAAAAAA!! : :
An instant that feels like an eternity.
Jeon Myeong-hoon finally endures that moment...and succeeds in devouring all of the Heavenly Tribulation.
Kururung!
After consuming every last bit of the tribulation, Jeon Myeong-hoon returns to his human form and reaches his hand toward the sky.
Kwaak!
Reaching out, he clenches his hand tightly as if grabbing hold of something.
Perhaps he has chosen his path.
I think I know what path he has chosen.
Because Jeon Myeong-hoon's gaze...
Is so firmly fixed on the Throne of the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity.
: : Ah, no! Master! You must not choose that path! : :
Golden Shaking Bird cries out as if aware of how unfathomable it is to walk the [path of a Seat Owner], but Jeon Myeong-hoon shows no sign of listening.
Soon, hazy vapour gathers around Jeon Myeong-hoon, enveloping him before dispersing.
He has been granted a name by the Naming Supreme Deity.
With that, Jeon Myeong-hoon, bestowed even an Immortal Title by the Naming Supreme Deity, successfully completes his advancement to True Immortality.
"Jeon Myeong-hoon!"
Woo-woong!
Revealing my presence in the True Immortal Realm, I send attraction force towards him in greeting.
Movement in the True Immortal Realm is exceedingly difficult.
One can move little by little, but it is almost impossible to escape being bound in place like a fixed star.
Although I managed to move from the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain to the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain, my position in the True Immortal Realm itself has barely changed.
'All that changed...is that the location in the lower realm I can descend to has shifted to the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain.'
It is a very fascinating feeling.
'This is almost like...yes. It is similar to using one of those rectangular search magic artifacts on Earth, enjoying games within it.'
While the main body remains seated and unmoving in reality, my access to Heavenly Domains changes depending on the Heavenly Domain where I—or those who revere me—move within the lower planes.
'It's a feeling I haven't experienced in a very long time...fascinating.'
I struggle to move within the True Immortal Realm, making my way toward Jeon Myeong-hoon.
How far have I come close? Perhaps his consciousness domain is slightly smaller than mine, as Jeon Myeong-hoon finally spots me and flinches.
Woo-woong!
I laugh heartily as I approach Jeon Myeong-hoon and pat him on the shoulder.
"Congratulations on your advancement to True Immortality, Jeon Myeong-hoon."
Smack!
Then, I get slapped across the face.
"Seo Eun-hyun, you crazy bastard! I almost died! Can't you be a bit more careful?"
It's been a long time since I last got slapped by Jeon Myeong-hoon, so I grab him and give him a little initiation ritual for his True Immortal advancement.
"This bastard...hitting someone like this just because you got slapped a little."
"It doesn't even hurt that much anymore, right?"
"Well, that's true."
Jeon Myeong-hoon, Gold Shaking Bird, and I briefly descended to the Lower Realm, gathering around a campfire in front of the small hut where Jeon Myeong-hoon had been staying, casually chatting.
I, through the Impermanence Sword. Gold Shaking Bird, through Du Hwa's body.
And Jeon Myeong-hoon, by temporarily overlaying himself over his Vestige to lower his plane, making this gathering possible.
"By the way, just how did you manage to accept life and death so quickly? It took me three thousand years..."
"Hmm, I just followed my fate. By following it, life and death naturally fell into place. Don't you already know from when you advanced to True Immortality?"
At Jeon Myeong-hoon's words, I clear my throat.
"Ehem... Sorry, but I don't exactly know what my fate is."
"Hm, is that so? Why don't you take a good look at your fate sometime?"
Jeon Myeong-hoon says this while gazing up at the sky.
Above us in the True Immortal Realm, Jeon Myeong-hoon's fate is shining.
A fate entirely composed of red—a red fate!
That red fate is now completely fused with Jeon Myeong-hoon's Immortal Body, becoming a part of him.
'Hmm, Jeon Myeong-hoon did say before that he realized his fate.'
Apparently, what manifests as [talent] in the Lower Realm takes the form of [fate] starting from the True Immortal Realm.
In other words, while mortals in the Lower Realm live their lives shaped by their talents, starting from True Immortals, the fate they are born with becomes their defining talent.
And in that sense...
'Then what in the world is my fate?'
I have no idea what my fate is.
While Jeon Myeong-hoon's fate is red, mine is [not visible at all].
'Damn it, I have to be able to see it to know whether I have a fate or not... Even after rising all the way to the True Immortal Realm, will I have to suffer from a lack of talent because I have no fate...?'
I let out a sigh.
Even Hong Fan, who's a centipede, knows what his fate is. Why on earth can I not even get a hint on mine?
'Someday, I'll have to consult Hong Fan and tell him I can't figure out what my fate is.'
With such trivial concerns in mind, I begin preparing to resurrect Hong Fan, Ham Jin, and Yu Hwi.
-x-X-x-
I knead the earth and send it floating upward as I ask.
Kugugugugu!
The three lumps of soil I mold rise into the sky, absorbing the surrounding dust as they transform into stars.
Those stars will now contain scenes of Hong Fan, Ham Jin, and Yu Hwi being resurrected.
"By the way, Jeon Myeong-hoon, what's your Immortal Title?"
"Heaven-Destroying One (滅天子). Among the Immortal Titles given by the Naming Supreme Deity, I chose that one."
"Pretty good. Mine is Crystal Glass Being."
It is at that moment when we exchange our [names].
Woo-woong!
I sense some kind of connection forming between us.
"Hmm, this is...?"
As Jeon Myeong-hoon and I look at each other in confusion, Golden Shaking Bird clings to Jeon Myeong-hoon's arm and laughs gleefully as she explains.
"Hehe, Master. The True Immortal Realm is originally a pitch black and endlessly vast place. Because of this, it is extremely difficult for True Immortals to encounter one another unless they descend to the Lower Realm. In the past, communication between True Immortals required being at least a Great Net Immortal or exchanging messages through Immortal Treasures in the Lower Realm. But ever since the Naming Supreme Deity's enthronement there has been a rumor that simply exchanging names allows True Immortals to communicate with one another from anywhere in the True Immortal Realm."
"Oh, thanks for the explanation."
"You're welcome, Master. Thank you for your praise. I love you, Master."
"...By the way, Seo Eun-hyun. You still haven't explained this one to me, have you?"
Jeon Myeong-hoon asks while glancing at Golden Shaking Bird clinging to his arm with the happiest expression in the world.
"...That one is..."
"I told you already! I am Master's wife from a past life!"
Looking at Golden Shaking Bird, who interrupts me with nonsense whenever I try to explain, I click my tongue.
"Hmm..."
—She's a fully matured Thunder Beast created by Yang Su-jin by melting down his subordinate sect, the Lightning Bird Golden Shaking Sect. She's at a level below True Immortal. I don't know the details, but she seems to have deeply loved Yang Su-jin. I met her in the Lightning Sacred Sea...
I use heart language in the Plane of Soul to transmit this information to Jeon Myeong-hoon so that Golden Shaking Bird cannot hear.
Jeon Myeong-hoon nods.
"...Well, I got it. By the way, in this life, I already have a Dao Companion. I can't accept you."
"That is fine, Master. You can just take me as a concubine. As long as I can stay by your side, that is my happiness."
Golden Shaking Bird nestles into Yang Su-jin's embrace and rubs her face against him as she speaks. Jeon Myeong-hoon clears his throat, seemingly uncomfortable.
"...Well, let's set aside the topic of concubines for now. In any case, you clinging to me in human form like this is uncomfortable."
"I see! I apologize! Golden Shaking Bird made a mistake! I will change forms right away!"
Patt!
Golden Shaking Bird immediately abandons her human form and shrinks using Du Hwa's body.
She takes the form of a small hummingbird.
The golden hummingbird perches on Jeon Myeong-hoon's shoulder and rubs her head against his cheek.
Perhaps finding the hummingbird form less uncomfortable, Jeon Myeong-hoon's expression softens.
"Well, good. From now on, stay like this whenever you follow me."
"Yes, Master! If you ever wish for feet, just command me to take my human form again!"
"...? W-What...? Nevermind. Got it. By the way, Seo Eun-hyun, Golden Shaking Bird. I've only recently become a True Immortal, so I'm lacking in knowledge. I need you to teach me."
At those words, Golden Shaking Bird flutters her wings excitedly and begins to explain.
"I will explain! First of all, Master, let me start with the realms of True Immortals."
The gloomy and sadistic side she showed when she was with me is nowhere to be seen. Instead, she explains knowledge regarding the True Immortal Realm to Jeon Myeong-hoon and me with a cheerful and happy expression.
There is knowledge I heard from Yu Oh, along with completely new information.
"...These are the realms of True Immortals. Above them are Governing Immortals, who have seized their Seats."
"Hold on. Then, what exactly are the Path (道/Dao) and Seats that you're referring to?"
"Hmm, to put it simply, you can think of them as laws. From the moment one becomes a True Immortal, one rises by mastering the laws and acquiring the principles of the world. At the end of the process, synchronising with the origin of the law makes one an Immortal Lord, and completely dominating it makes one a Governing Immortal."
Golden Shaking Bird explains about the Seats and the Origin Essence in a manner that closely aligns with what I heard from Yu Oh.
"There are countless laws in this world, but they all vary depending on interpretation. How one interprets a law becomes the key focus of a True Immortal's cultivation. However, there are about three absolute laws that cannot be interpreted and must be accepted as they are."
"Three absolute laws?"
At those words, Jeon Myeong-hoon flinches in surprise and speaks to Golden Shaking Bird.
"I think I know what they are. They are probably time, space, and the law of samsara, right? Seizing the Seat of these Three Supreme Laws to become a Dao Sovereign must be what Governing Immortals are. I already know a bit about the Three Supreme Laws."
Golden Shaking Bird glances at me as if unsure of what he's talking about, and I shrug in response.
"...Eh, nope."
"Wh-What?"
"What are time, space, and samsara? Space and time are fundamentally one and belong to the domain of the Heavenly Venerable of Time. As for samsara...is that from the Underworld? I'm not exactly sure what Master means, but...in any case, the three absolute laws are fate, history, and something else. Perhaps in Master's homeland, such laws are..."
"Ah, ahh, enough! I just misunderstood for a moment, so don't dig into it so seriously!"
For some reason, Jeon Myeong-hoon's face flushes red, and he snaps irritably at us.
Golden Shaking Bird, discouraged by his outburst, lowers her head and continues her explanation.
"M-My apologies, Master. Anyway...the three absolute laws are fate, history, and something else."
At her words, I grow curious and ask.
"There's something I find curious. When I asked the Reapers and those affiliated with the Underworld, they said the absolutes were 'fate, history, and death.' Why do you seem unsure about the third one?"
"Hmm, is that what the Underworld says? Honestly, I'm not sure. They say the [Three Powers] operate Mount Sumeru, but...other than fate and history, no one properly knows the identity of the third one. The Underworld says it is 'death', while Radiance Hall claims it is the 'first light'. Meanwhile, the factions of the Source River insist that the 'third law does not exist'."
"Huh...?"
The words coming out of Golden Shaking Bird's mouth are quite peculiar.
'The Underworld says death, Radiance Hall says the first light, and the Source River denies its existence entirely?'
"Even among True Immortals, opinions are divided. Rumor has it that Radiance Hall only promotes the theory of the 'first light' to promote their faction, but...even within their ranks, opinions differ on whether the third law truly exists or what it is. Some in Radiance Hall advocate the 'first light' theory, while others agree it is 'death'."
"Hmm..."
I hum softly in response.
Both the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord and Yu Oh had explained it as 'death,' so I had always assumed that was the case.
'Is there something else?'
Golden Shaking Bird flutters her wings and continues her explanation.
"To be honest, it's not treated as particularly important. It's just that the Underworld, Radiance Hall, and the Northern Heavenly Venerable all agree, saying, 'Well, there seem to be three laws,' so it's accepted as the norm. But in reality...while there are many Heaven Immortals aligned with fate and Immortal Beasts aligned with history, no True Immortal aligned with the 'third law' can be found no matter where one searches, so...wouldn't searching for it be a futile endeavor?"
"Hmm... Well, that is...true."
I click my tongue and nod.
However, Jeon Myeong-hoon doesn't seem to accept Golden Shaking Bird's words.
"Wait, what are you talking about, Seo Eun-hyun? Even in the Lower Realm, weren't there the Heaven Tribe, Earth Tribe, and Heart Tribe? Then, wouldn't the third law be something like...Martial Arts?"
"Hm, regarding that, Master in his previous life managed to partially uncover it."
Wo-woong!
Above Golden Shaking Bird's head, the shape of a Taiji appears.
"The essence of the Heart Tribe's Manifestation ultimately lies in their use of Qi. The way those of the Heart Tribe accumulate Qi is said to be a degraded version of the Heaven Tribe methods, while their movement techniques are said to be a degraded version of the Earth Tribe methods. And as for those of the Heart Tribe who reach the sixth stage of Manifestation..."
"They can only rise by mastering the methods of the Heaven and Earth Tribes."
That's right.
The idea of pure Martial Arts is, in the end, nonexistent.
Pure intent alone accomplishes nothing.
When I attained Entering Heavens and wielded Core Formation-level power with the Formless Sword, it was because I melted the Gang Sphere into the Formless Sword.
Other Heart Tribe members may reach Entering Heavens directly from Five Energies Converging to the Origin, but that's only because they pour their own life force into their Entering Heavens, enabling them to produce Core Formation-level power.
'The power of artificial souls used by Jang Ik or the 'drawing forth of power' in the realm of Tribulating Heavens taught by Tae Yeol-jeon...
In truth, all of it is simply drawing upon Qi that exists somewhere in another dimension.
The process of converting willpower in the Plane of Soul into Qi through my Formless Sword or Impermanence Sword is essentially the same principle.
'It wasn't until I reached the realm of Severing Heaven that I realized this. Before, I even believed in the existence of pure soul power, but...'
That, too, was just extracting Qi or attraction force that exists somewhere in the world through a special method.
With pure intent alone, nothing can be done.
Intent merely sets the 'direction', enabling one to draw Qi and attraction force through that direction.
"Pure Martial Arts, honestly...doesn't exist. Martial Arts is simply the result of combining the powers of Heaven and Earth, and the heart is just a directional guide. That's why...the claim that there exists nothing else beyond fate and history or that no one can tell what the third is—I can understand it to some extent."
Of course, understanding does not mean accepting it.
'The third law exists.'
Because...
Without a doubt, the domain of purity I felt was power from a domain separate from both fate and history.
However, explaining the concept of 'purity' to those who haven't trained in Martial Arts is impossible, so I merely said it that way to Jeon Myeong-hoon.
"...Is that so. Well, I get it for now. In that case..."
Jeon Myeong-hoon asks another question to Golden Shaking Bird.
"One more question. I've reached the realm of Vestige Liberation Immortal. Then, how does one advance from Vestige Liberation Immortal to Upper Immortal?"
At those words, Golden Shaking Bird flutters above us and replies.
"It's simple, Master. The realm formula for Vestige Liberation Immortal is the Radiance Ten Heavens (光明十天)!"
As she continues explaining, a bitter smile forms on both my and Jeon Myeong-hoon's faces.
"Without using Immortal Treasures or any devotees, only by relying on one's own prophecy or Immortal Art, one must create [ten fixed stars] in the Lower Realm. Then, when individuals from the Lower Realm use the light of those stars in their rituals, and all the light of the ten stars is entirely consumed in the rituals of Lower Realm inhabitants, they are engraved upon Mount Sumeru as [necessary] existences. When this happens, one will gain a starting point by Mount Sumeru to move towards the realm of Heaven Upper Immortal of the fate system or the realm of Earth Upper Immortal of the history system."
"I see. Then, do you know anything about the Heavenly Tribulation for the Upper Immortal advancement?"
In response to Jeon Myeong-hoon's question, Golden Shaking Bird perches on his shoulder and speaks with a slightly concerned tone.
Since I too know nothing about the Upper Immortal advancement Heavenly Tribulation, I listen carefully.
"Master remembers the Heavenly Tribulation for the Quasi-Immortal advancement, right? Being wrung dry by the world itself is the Quasi-Immortal advancement. Heavenly Tribulation... Only the True Immortal advancement replaces that with attracting a Supreme Deity's gaze. All of the Immortal Family's advancement tribulations follow the same pattern. It is about being wrung dry by the world. Therefore...the Heavenly Tribulation for the Upper Immortal advancement is as follows."
As Golden Shaking Bird continues to speak, I feel a chill run down my entire body.
"The world wringing dry the [light] of the stars one created—that is the Upper Immortal advancement Heavenly Tribulation. If one can endure, one advances to Upper Immortal as compensation for providing [light] to the world. But if one fails...their main body and their star of prophecy will be completely transformed into light and...eaten by the Radiance Supreme Deity. That is the Heavenly Tribulation for advancing to Upper Immortal."
Hearing this, both Jeon Myeong-hoon and I stare at the campfire in silence.
The campfire flickers, the night grows deeper, and among the three prophetic stars hovering in the sky, one shines first.
It is the star that contains the scene of Hong Fan's resurrection.
-x-X-x-