Kigigigigigik!
The world begins to turn once more.
Within the reversing flow of time, I regain my senses.
I move against the river of time, letting out a hollow smile.
'Again...have I died?'
Ten million years.
Ten million years of time.
Ten million years of connections.
All of it...has vanished once again.
The Immortal Treasures that had accompanied me through those eons, the living beings of the Crystal Glass Realm who had walked alongside me, the family of In Yeon.
They all turn to nothingness.
'I want to stop...dying.'
Regression is truly...truly...
The worst authority.
Thinking so, I raise my gaze towards the [sky], resigning myself to the next life that will inevitably come for me once more.
So far, I have identified a total of five symbols.
[White Wheel],
The Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld.
[Mountain Exuding Darkness],
The Great Mountain Supreme Deity, Gwak Am.
[Transparent Seed],
The Sal Tree Heavenly Venerable, Flower Monarch Gwan Myeong.
[Six Interconnected Stars],
The Heavenly Venerable of Time, True Ultimate Eternal Life Great Emperor Cheon Woon.
[Blackened Three Great Ultimates],
The Heavenly Venerable of the Void, True Martial Great Emperor Hyeon Mu.
I have confirmed the names and symbols of Gwak Am and the four Heavenly Venerables.
'This time...the Supreme Deities...'
I shift my gaze toward the other Seats.
More symbols catch my eye.
[Bird Trapped in a Cage],
The Liberation Supreme Deity, Bong Myeong.
An all too familiar existence.
Only then do I understand why one of the Seats gave me a [familiar feeling].
It was because I had personally encountered this existence in the past.
More symbols come into view.
[Lightning Spear],
The Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity, Do Gon.
[Black Sun],
The Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity, Hyeon Ryul.
[Taiji in the Shape of a Fetus],
The Naming Supreme Deity, Hyeon Rang.
The Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity is already familiar to me, and from both the feeling and title, the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity seems to be the [being filled with endless hunger] I had sensed before.
And the last one, the Naming Supreme Deity, Hyeon Rang.
[A being that feels like a blurry, hazy dream].
As I stare at Hyeon Rang, a strange feeling washes over me.
'What is this...?'
Woo-wooong!
'My blood...'
My Immortal Beast True Blood has now advanced to Earth Upper Immortal.
The blood of Candle Shadow!
'It's resonating...!'
The bloodlines of Pangu and Candle Shadow resonate.
As if their roots were one and the same.
Just when I realize this—
Jiiiiiing!
A symbol seems to flicker before my eyes.
Sun and Moon (日月)!
But it is not a symbol that appears from gazing at one of the Seats of the heavens.
It is merely an illusion, brought forth by the resonance of Pangu's blood and my own.
At the same time, I witness a strange vision.
It feels like a dream.
Yet, it is far too vivid to be just a dream.
At the center of the world, there is Sun and Moon (日月).
And everything in the world converges upon that Sun and Moon.
However, there are two existences that break free from within it.
One is the [Taiji in the Shape of a Fetus].
In other words, the Naming Supreme Deity, Hyeon Rang.
The other is something of seven colors.
The Naming Supreme Deity Hyeon Rang bursts out from within the space of Sun and Moon and reaches the distant sky.
The seven-colored something emerges from the space and shatters into seven fragments, scattering across the world.
And between the two, there is a commonality.
'Huh...?'
A thread.
No, should I call it a chain?
Or perhaps some kind of conduit or passage?
There is a strange connection.
Hyeon Rang is linked to the space of Sun and Moon by [one massive and powerful connecting link].
The seven fragments, on the other hand, are connected to the space of Sun and Moon by [countless thin and small connecting links].
I recognize that one of those seven fragments is [me].
And I am somewhat different from the others.
'So...many.'
Compared to the other fragments, I am connected to the space of Sun and Moon by [over a thousand connecting links].
Each individual link is thin, but when taken together, they seem even thicker and stronger than the Naming Supreme Deity's link.
'That is...'
I read the wisdom contained within the vision and come to understand what it means.
'Ender...'
As I gaze at the countless growing connecting links, I feel as if I have glimpsed one of the world's secrets.
That is the end.
Paaaaaaatt!
Finally, I leap across ten million years and finally return.
The familiar moment of advancing to True Immortality.
Kugugugugu!
Embracing life and death within the domain of purity and regaining my senses, I quickly descend to the Lower Realm.
Wooooooong!
The moment I descend, the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord appears, glances around as if surveying the surroundings, and then disappears.
It must be due to the Immortal Title of Crystal Glass Being.
Tstststst!
I take in the familiar surroundings, then read the celestial energy to discern the current point in time.
'I see.'
The current time is 2,500 years since I began my True Immortal advancement!
'Five hundred years, huh.'
Perhaps because my cultivation has risen, allowing me to regain my senses faster, I have managed to gain an additional five hundred years.
'For now...'
I reach a familiar altar on a nearby planet.
Kurururung!
As I release my presence, a black shadow crawls forth as if it had been waiting.
"Hong Fan, have you been well?"
"Ohhh, Master. Congratulations on your advancement to True Immortality."
"Yes. You've worked hard guarding this place in the meantime."
I briefly inform Hong Fan that I will finish my business in the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain before immediately moving on to another Heavenly Domain.
"Yes, understood. I shall serve as needed."
"Good. First, take my clones and make a round through the Middle Realms. After that, send down your own clone or do whatever is necessary to bring the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect from the Head Realm."
"As you command!"
Pabat!
With those words, Hong Fan vanishes from sight.
Unlike in my past life, he does not insist on annihilating the silver snake or the other living beings.
Near the altar Hong Fan created, the same living beings as before are nowhere to be seen.
'Perhaps it's because the time point is a little different.'
Thinking that, I decide to move on.
Then, it happens.
"...Hmm?"
Watching Hong Fan leap across distant spacetime, I am suddenly seized by a strange sense of discord.
"Hm...?"
Something is off.
Looking at Hong Fan, an eerie sense of dissonance and foreboding seems to rise.
'Why is this? What is the problem...?'
Something is different.
I don't know if it's simply because I woke up at a different point in time after regressing.
'Hmm...For now, I should ask Hong Fan when he returns.'
Nodding to myself, I reach out my hand to head to where I need to go.
Clang!
'For now...my cultivation is still restricted because of the six Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flags.'
In fact, now that one of them has been removed, the connection between the remaining flags have become stronger.
Because of that, the level of cultivation I can currently use in the Lower Realm...
Has actually dropped even further, reduced to the 6th star of Qi Refining.
'But I've gained far more in return.'
Clang, clang!
As I exert my will, something rises above my hand.
Something that had once been embedded in my Immortal Body.
It is one of the Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flags, which had been extracted during my previous advancement.
"Now, you are mine."
Kududuk...
I grip the Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flag and shake it.
A flag that binds its target by assimilating with them.
Perhaps due to that principle, this Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flag has now transformed into my own Immortal Treasure, imbued with my split soul.
Through my split soul within the flag, I come to understand how to wield it.
"Sealing Immortal Flag for binding and sealing. Harnessing God Banner for attacking and movement, is it?"
Wiiiiiing!
As I exert my will, the surface of the Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flag seems to flip over, altering its form.
Now transformed into the form of the Seven Stars Harnessing God Banner, the flag rests quietly in my hand, awaiting my command.
"I command the Seven Stars Harnessing God Banner in the name of its master. Compress the path of a thousand li (千里) into a single chi!"
Clang, clang!
Kuguguguk!
Chains of starlight burst forth from the Seven Stars Harnessing God Banner.
The very chains that had originally bound my body now seem to be shackling the spacetime of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain, distorting the space itself.
As spacetime warps, the distance to Cedarwood Painting is compressed.
Of course, even if it has been reduced to one ten-millionth of its original length, the distance to Cedarwood Painting still spans hundreds of light-years, so the journey remains long.
At my current level at the sixth star of Qi Refining, it would take me months to get there without Hong Fan's assistance.
But...
Woo-woooong!
Savoring the power I gained upon advancing to Upper Immortal, I take a step forward.
"Shall we...test this out."
Woo-woooong!
Both my feet begin to heat up.
A portion of my main body's power undergoes Divine Descent.
Kuguguguk!
It feels as if Taiji is condensing into both feet.
Then, in an instant—
Jjeooong!
An immense explosion erupts as I propel myself through space.
Countless stars, nebulae, fixed stars, planets, and strange cosmic expanses rush past me.
In the Minor Boundary, the Heaven Tribe and Earth Tribe each have their own methods of movement.
The Heaven Tribe uses the Flying Escape Technique, hiding their bodies within light as they soar.
The Earth Tribe uses the Gliding Technique, flying by stepping on platforms formed from Taiji.
However, once both sides reach the Middle Boundary and attain the Four-Axis stage, their methods of movement unify into one—
The ground-shrinking technique!
By folding space through attraction force, the ground-shrinking technique allows for movement faster than light itself.
No matter how much one practises the Earth Tribe's Gliding Technique, it's impossible to match the speed of the ground-shrinking technique. And since even the Earth Tribe gains attraction force upon reaching the Four-Axis stage, they too focus on mastering the ground-shrinking technique rather than continuing to train in the Gliding Technique.
This remains unchanged all the way up to the Entering Nirvana stage.
However...
True Immortal.
More precisely, starting from the realm of Upper Immortal, movement techniques begin to diverge once again.
Earth Upper Immortals.
In other words, Immortal Beasts who oversee explosions are, by themselves, explosions.
Every breath we exhale, every motion we make, every habitual movement—
Even the mere fluttering of our hair—
Everything about us is an explosion.
Thus, even when taking a single step, we are capable of generating an explosion that transcends imagination to move.
Jjeooong!
I explode.
Spacetime itself detonates, and the overwhelming force of the explosion hurls me forward.
There is no need to fold space with attraction force.
With each explosion, spacetime distorts naturally, achieving an effect similar to the ground-shrinking technique.
Kuuuuuuung!
Within the exploding space, I adjust spacetime with the Seven Stars Harnessing God Banner to ensure I do not lose my way.
After approximately 45 minutes,
Kwaaaaaang!
With the final explosion, I finally reach my destination—Cedarwood Painting.
Shiiiiii—
Heat from the explosions radiates off my entire body, and while cooling the heat, I swing the Seven Stars Harnessing God Banner.
"Open the door to Cedarwood Painting."
Kugugugugu!
Space distorts, and the dimension of Cedarwood Painting pops open.
Through the hole, I compress space once more and, in a single movement, land right in front of Yeo Hwi.
Yeo Hwi blinks at my sudden appearance before her, then shifts her gaze to the Seven Stars Harnessing God Banner in my hand.
"Huh? Uhh, uhhhhhh..."
"It's been a while, Yeo Hwi. You haven't forgotten our previous promise, have you? Become my subordinate. With your abilities, you should be worthy of being an Immortal Treasure."
"..."
Her eyes tremble violently.
More than anything else, her gaze is locked onto the Seven Stars Harnessing God Banner in my grasp, which follows my command.
"H-How in the world...?"
"Ah, well... Let's just say I managed to release one of them upon my advancement."
"..."
Perhaps it's because she is well aware of the power of the Seven Stars Harnessing God Banner as a member of the Source River, as she appears more taken aback than I've ever seen her.
After a while,
She kneels before me with a stiff expression.
"My master. In other words, according to the calculations of the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords...if one were to be caught in that seal, even the Vast Cold Heavenly Lord would take about ten million years to break free. And yet...hah. You have undone one of them in merely two thousand five hundred years. This Yeo Hwi...offers Elder my utmost loyalty."
"Hoh..."
It seems breaking the seal of the Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flag is an issue of utmost importance to Yeo Hwi.
"Very well. From now on, you shall be refined into my Immortal Treasure. Take heed."
"I obey."
Woo-woooong!
Yeo Hwi immediately withdraws from her position as the Sacred Master of Cedarwood Painting and enters my body of her own accord.
"Next is the Candle Dragon Race, then."
Wo-woong!
Using the power of the Seven Stars Harnessing God Banner, I stride toward the stellar system where the Candle Dragon Race resides.
Along the way, I suddenly feel something strange.
'This is...?'
In my past life.
At the time of my final moments, my body contained Twin Constructing Chains, Unruly Chain, and Obsidian Chain—Immortal Treasures that had been my subordinates.
Of course, they could not follow me through my regression.
However...
The flesh of those who had been somewhat assimilated with my true body had come with me.
That means...
—Master, what in the world is this...?
The body of Yeo Hwi from my past life is now facing the body of Yeo Hwi from this life.
Yeo Hwi seems taken aback.
From within me, she gazes upon another body identical to her own, one that has already been refined by me.
And at that moment—
Kiiiiiiing!
The body of Twin Constructing Chains Yeo Hwi and the body of Yeo Hwi from this life seem to be drawn towards each other. Then, in an instant, the body of Twin Constructing Chains Yeo Hwi is rapidly absorbed into this life's Yeo Hwi.
—Hii, hiyaaaaaaagh! M-Master! Something weird is being absorbed into... Hm?
Then, I unexpectedly come to realize another truth.
'Hoh?'
Clang, clang...!
Black chains surge from my body.
These dark chains swirl around me, spinning three times in the void before taking the form of Yeo Hwi.
"Wh-What in the world is this, Master?"
My eyes gleam at this unexpected gain.
Instead of the tedious process of refining Yeo Hwi, simply merging her with her past-life body has immediately transformed her into my Immortal Treasure.
And now that she has become an Immortal Treasure in this way...
She seems even more special and powerful than before.
"Power...I can feel power overflowing! Huhaha! And this authority! What is this!? I think I can connect to the Source River even more smoothly! Ahahahaha!"
A past memory surfaces.
'Back then, Buk Hyang-hwa's norigae and the one I had refined into my dharma treasure merged and were absorbed into her.'
I stroke the norigae hanging from my waist.
It seems that when I bring materials from the past world into this world, they fuse with their counterparts here, becoming stronger and gaining unique abilities.
'Hmm, wait a moment... In that case, could Ham Jin and Yu Hwi also immediately rise to the Sacred Vessel stage?'
Intrigued by the possibility, I decide that I must bring those two along in the future.
"Master, please answer me. What is this power? And that body identical to mine that I saw just now, what was that...?"
"Hmm..."
I think for a moment, considering an appropriate way to answer Yeo Hwi's question, then speak.
"I had prepared a reserve body in advance so that you could immediately undergo Immortal Treasure transformation. It is a body created from highly special materials, so you will find it quite to your liking."
"Ahahaha! Thank you, Master. It is truly to my liking. I will serve with utmost loyalty! Please climb aboard. I will take you to your destination."
With a face full of excitement, Yeo Hwi transforms into a peng, then swiftly carries me towards the headquarters of the Candle Dragon Race.
Before long, I arrive at the fixed star where the Candle Dragon Race resides.
"Kyaoooooooh!"
"Krooooooooh!"
"Kruararara!"
The Candle Dragon Race is in a frenzy.
It is only natural. My Immortal Beast True Blood now flows within them, bestowing them with immense authority.
Just as the Black Dragon Race wields the Black Dragon True Blood to command yin energy, the Peng Race manipulates spatial labyrinths with the Azure Peng True Blood, and the Peacock Race refines hypnosis techniques with the Glass Peacock True Blood,
I can sense that these Candle Dragons, through the Candle Shadow True Blood, are now capable of borrowing the authority of my Impermanence Sword.
Of course, they require my permission. But since I have no intention of denying them, I grant all of them a portion of the Impermanence Sword's power.
In addition to their existing control over Glass True Fire, they now have the Filling the Heavens Governing View imbedded within the Impermanence Sword.
Or perhaps the attribute to ignore planes to a certain extent.
'Hmm. At this level, couldn't they contend with the actual Dragon Race?'
As I ponder this, I imprint my 'will' upon the entire Candle Dragon Race.
In exchange for borrowing my authority through my Immortal Beast True Blood, I now hold the right to insert my will and commands into the entire race.
[I, the Immortal Beast Candle Shadow (燭陰), command in my name. My descendants born of my blood, do not plunder others. Cherish your connections, and let only your own existence be your lamp in life. Ceaselessly undergo repentant enlightenment, and seek the answer to life. This is...the price of borrowing the power of this Immortal.]
History revision takes place.
No, calling it a revision feels somewhat inaccurate.
I have merely altered the fundamental nature of the bloodline that connects us.
Now, they can no longer defy the command I have given them.
More precisely, should they betray my decree by cruelly plundering, oppressing, or tormenting others...
From that moment onward, they will no longer be able to borrow the power of my Immortal Beast True Blood.
Rather, my Immortal Beast True Blood will become an overwhelming Heart Demon that clings to their minds, ensuring they can never advance in cultivation again.
—O, our Progenitor God...
—O, the very origin of the Candle Dragons...
—Ohh, great and mighty one, please watch over us...!
With tears streaming down their faces, the Candle Dragons prostrate before me in unison, offering their prayers. I listen to the countless voices of their devotion and smile.
'May their future be blessed.'
Having thus blessed the Candle Dragons, I set off toward the Lightning Sacred Sea.
Kugugugugu!
The Lightning Sacred Sea.
A part of Yang Su-jin's divine body, sealing the entrance to the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain where Radiance Hall is located—his storage scroll.
Observing it, I take a seat on a nearby planet and close my eyes.
Before long, Hong Fan arrives, crossing vast spacetime.
I sense that Hong Fan has returned from the Middle Realms after settling my connections there, bringing my clones back with him.
I absorb my clones, then absorb Ham Jin and Yu Hwi into my body.
"Did you bring them safely?"
"Yes, Master. I have brought all the disciples of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect."
"Well done, Hong Fan..."
I praise Hong Fan, then prepare to enter the Lightning Sacred Sea.
"..."
However, to the uneasy sense of dissonance I've been feeling since before, I suddenly turn back to Hong Fan.
It's strange.
Something is definitely off.
But I can't pinpoint exactly what it is.
Swallowing dryly, I question Hong Fan.
"...Hong Fan."
"Yes, Master."
"There's something I'm curious about."
"Please ask."
After staring at Hon Fan for a while, I realize what has been bothering me.
Hong Fan has been leaping through spacetime with immense attraction force, traveling back and forth between the Middle Realms and the Lightning Sacred Sea.
That is what feels wrong.
"You... Didn't you...lower your cultivation to the Integration stage?"
"Haha, Master."
Hong Fan bursts into hearty laughter, as if amused by my curiosity about everything.
It is a warm, comforting laugh.
☯
"What is Master saying? With my talent, two thousand years is more than enough to recover to the Star Shattering stage."
"...Ah..."
Only then does the sense of dissonance fade, and I nod.
'Right, Hong Fan's talent has always been absurd enough to feel unnatural.'
Thinking back, wasn't it the same in the early days of my past life as well?
'He was always at the Star Shattering stage, so what exactly did I find strange?'
Even I, myself, don't know.
Feeling a little embarrassed, I shrug and step forward with Hong Fan, entering the Lightning Sacred Sea.
-x-X-x-
Huuuu...
I take a deep breath as I enter the Lightning Sacred Sea.
Only then do I fully awaken my senses.
Inside the Astral Realm of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain, a strange instinctual warning kept me from fully awakening, but now, my senses spread throughout my entire body.
I could extend my senses even further, but for now, I focus solely on the inner depths of the Lightning Sacred Sea, preparing for my encounter with Golden Shaking Bird.
"Descend me, Yeo Hwi."
"Yes, Master!"
My Immortal Treasure, Yeo Hwi, instantly becomes the vessel for my true body to descend into the Lower Realm.
The Transformation body I made in the Lower Realm is sucked into Yeo Hwi's body, and I descend my true body into my Immortal Treasure.
Unable to withstand my consciousness, Yeo Hwi's consciousness crumples.
Her body begins to shift, transforming to mirror my own.
First floor of the Lightning Sacred Sea.
There, I reveal a head made of candle flame and a body formed of mist.
The true body of the Immortal Beast, Candle Shadow, has descended onto the first floor of the Lightning Sacred Sea.
Kugugugugugu!
From over a hundred floors above, Golden Shaking Bird senses the intruder. I can feel her manipulating the entirety of the Lightning Sacred Sea to expel me.
But it's useless.
Kudududuk!
I break through the laws of the Lightning Sacred Sea head-on, rising through the floors.
My Upper Immortal senses focused on the Lightning Sacred Sea clearly reveal the intertwined weaving of fate and Yang Su-jin's authority.
I see Golden Shaking Bird adjusting the authority of the Lightning Sacred Sea.
"Hu..."
Through the Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens Technique, I can immediately persuade Golden Shaking Bird, but I want to test how far my strength has grown. So, with pure strength alone, I break through Golden Shaking Bird's interference and enter the control space of the Lightning Sacred Sea.
Jjeooooong!
The laws of the Lightning Sacred Sea fail to restrain me and shatter apart, and I finally reach the control floor.
Yang Su-jin's poppy fields emit a hazy fragrance, attempting to brainwash me, but it's useless.
Paaatt!
I sweep away Yang Su-jin's brainwashing Immortal Art with my consciousness and turn my gaze towards the figure glaring at me in fear.
It's Yang Su-jin's pet Thunder Beast, Golden Shaking Bird.
Golden Shaking Bird looks at me with frightened eyes and speaks.
"...What brings the Upper Immortal here? Judging by your form, it seems this is our first meeting. Do you perhaps have a debt with my master?"
Up until my past life, Golden Shaking Bird was at least able to somewhat match me within the Lightning Sacred Sea.
But now that I have become an Upper Immortal...
Even without using the Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens Technique, I know I can crush Golden Shaking Bird to death inside the Lightning Sacred Sea.
"Haha, no. Look."
Wo-woong!
I instantly seize control of the Lightning Sacred Sea using the Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens Technique.
Golden Shaking Bird's wary eyes soften a little.
"Ah...! Were you perhaps Master's disciple? Master did, at times, take in True Immortal disciples."
Golden Shaking Bird's reaction is amusing.
In my previous life, she at least considered me a 'newly advanced True Immortal'.
But in this life, having revealed myself in the form of an Upper Immortal, she now seems to think I'm 'someone Yang Su-jin once took in as a disciple that she did not know of'.
"Well...let's go with that."
After all, I was once a disciple of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
"By the way...have you come here aiming for Master's vault? If that is the case, even if you are my senior brother, I cannot allow it."
Golden Shaking Bird bows politely, treating me as her senior brother.
"Master's vault is only to be opened to Master's successor who inherited the Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens Technique among the mortal beings. So...please do not entertain any reckless thoughts, Senior Brother."
"Ahaha, do not worry. I, too, want the treasures of the Lightning Sacred Sea to go to the rightful heir. And the reason I came to you today is...to tell you that the rightful successor of the Lightning Sacred Sea has appeared once more."
"Pardon...?"
I explain to Golden Shaking Bird about Jeon Myeong-hoon, and her body trembles in disbelief.
"Th-This...I can't believe it. Master...Master has...resurrected?"
"Well...see for yourself. He is currently in the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain. If you ever feel like going there, just let me know."
"...Understood. I...need some time to think."
Golden Shaking Bird, seemingly overwhelmed by the sudden appearance of an Upper Immortal delivering such news, retreats into her dwelling and is lost in thought.
I release the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect into the Lightning Sacred Sea and, with my true body, take a deep breath within its depths.
"Huuuuuu..."
I have become an Upper Immortal.
The power authority of an Immortal Beast fills my entire being.
Until moments ago, I was too focused on immediate tasks to truly reflect on myself.
But now that I set my mind to it and reflect inward, I discover something rather interesting.
'Is it because I regressed to the point in time during my True Immortal advancement, overlapping the power of my Upper Immortal self with my current self?'
Right now, both [myself as a Vestige Liberation Immortal] and [myself as the Immortal Beast Candle Shadow] coexist.
'This...is good.'
It seems there is a way to advance to a Heaven Immortal.
'Currently, my authority is at the level of an Upper Immortal...but in pure weight class, it touches the peak of a Great Net Immortal.'
Of course, it's not truly identical to the peak of a Great Net Immortal.
'Even if I overlay the Wheel to the Three Great Ultimates, at best, I can only rival the authority of a peak Great Net Immortal.'
Reaching the strength of an Immortal Lord is out of the question.
'To reach the level of an Immortal Lord, I'd need to elevate both my Heaven Immortal and Immortal Beast powers to their peak, raise my Martial Arts to an equal height, and then handle the [Wheel].'
At this point, it's absurd to even dare discuss the realm of an Immortal Lord.
After reflecting on my current level, I begin refining the [sense] I've gained upon stepping into the realm of an Upper Immortal.
Wo-woong!
'I can feel it...this is insane...'
A hollow laugh escapes me uncontrollably.
Within the Astral Realm of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain, I had hesitated to use this sense due to an eerie foreboding.
But the moment I fully unleash the sense of an Immortal Beast within the Lightning Sacred Sea, a thunderous realization shakes my entire being.
I can feel the Plane of Qi.
I have become capable of perceiving this entire world.
Before, I merely caught glimpses of the Plane of Qi and, during the Entering Nirvana stage, I had only managed to seize the Plane of Qi [belonging to me].
That was the limit.
But now, having become an Upper Immortal and fully drawing on the senses of the Earth Tribe, I am overwhelmed by an indescribable mix of liberation and ecstasy, leaving my mouth agape.
I can see it.
Within this small head, I faintly perceive the Plane of Qi of this entire Sumeru Three Heavens Great Thousand Worlds (須彌三天大千世界)!
[Editor: This is a correction from the previous translation 'Three Thousand Great Thousand Worlds,' as the hanja was not given before and 天 (heaven) and 千 (thousand) are both written as 천 (cheon) in hangul.]
Though I can't grasp the finer details, I now understand the structure of this world.
'This is...'
[Inverted cone]!
That's right.
Only now do I truly understand why the True Immortals refer to the Three Heavens Great Thousand Worlds as Mount Sumeru.
This Sumeru Three Heavens Great Thousand Worlds unfolds in the [form of an inverted cone].
At the [top] of Mount Sumeru lies a circular surface.
At the [bottom] of Mount Sumeru, there is a vertex.
The curvature of all Heavenly Domains traces the shape of this inverted cone, forming the world.
Where the surface of the inverted cone exists, the powerful presence of the Eleven Existences can be felt.
'So that's how it is...'
They must be the Governing Immortals.
Though the Governing Immortals seem to be inside Mount Sumeru, the Seats they have risen to are all at the top of Mount Sumeru!
In other words, they reside at the circular surface.
Perhaps, the [above] and [below] felt within the True Immortal Realm are meant to represent this.
The positions of the Governing Immortals seen from the True Immortal Realm, within the heavenly sky, must be there.
'The Supreme Deities and Heavenly Venerables... They are beings who have transcended Mount Sumeru itself.'
Up to the realms of Great Net Immortal and Immortal Lord, all live within the inverted cone that is Mount Sumeru.
But the moment one is enthroned as a Supreme Deity, they transcend the very world of Mount Sumeru.
'Then, the Immortal Bodies of the Governing Immortals acting within the Heavenly Domains...should I think of them not as their main bodies, but as some kind of projection or incarnation?'
A question stirs within me about the existence of the Governing Immortals.
Now that I've become an Upper Immortal, I can sense the presence of the Governing Immortals dwelling across Mount Sumeru.
In the Underworld, the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld.
Within the Source River, only a faint will.
In the Eastern Heaven Flower Field, the Sal Tree Heavenly Venerable.
Within the Interdimensional Void, the presence of Hyeon Mu is felt.
In the Twin Holding Heavenly Domain, the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity.
In the Earth Boundary Heavenly Domain, the Liberation Supreme Deity.
In the Elephant Nose Heavenly Domain, the Naming Supreme Deity.
In the Horse Ear Heavenly Domain, the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity.
And in the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain, the power of light is strongly felt.
In the other Good Sight Heavenly Domain, Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain, and Earth Axis Heavenly Domain, no particular power is felt, likely because they have no rulers.
In Good Sight and Bearing Tree, light flickers faintly, while in the Earth Axis Heavenly Domain, only the aura of Corpse Mountain Blood Sea lingers.
Sensing the entirety of Mount Sumeru, my lips part.
'It's vast...'
This world is truly immense.
The space of chaos between the Heavenly Domains.
And the strange world [outside] Mount Sumeru.
All of it converges, striking my mind with a suffocating sense of overwhelming existence.
Though I perceive Mount Sumeru as a whole, it feels like I'm merely gazing at the mountain from afar.
I can only barely sense the vast presences of the Governing Immortals, unable to grasp any finer details beyond that.
What I do know is that even this [rough] sense is enough to leave me breathless at the sheer scale of this world.
Nine universes form the world, layered together with the True Immortal Realm.
All of them merge together to draw an inverted cone.
'What a spectacle.'
I feel somehow crushed beneath the sheer scale of Mount Sumeru.
Simply beholding its size, I can't help but think, 'It's beautiful.'
But...
That isn't all.
Shiver!
A foreboding.
I turn my gaze to the [bottom] of Mount Sumeru.
"Ha...hahaha..."
Why did I only sense Mount Sumeru after entering the Lightning Sacred Sea, and not within the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain?
Perhaps it was due to an instinctive sense of foreboding.
And now, I understand the source of that instinctive unease.
The [upper part] of Mount Sumeru.
That is, the lower section of the mountain, near the circular surface of the inverted cone, is where the Twin Holding, Earth Axis, Bearing Tree, Horse Ear, Good Sight, Elephant Nose, and Earth Boundary Heavenly Domains lie.
The [middle part] of Mount Sumeru.
That is, the midsection of the mountain, in the middle of the inverted cone, is where the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain resides.
The Heavenly King Heavenly Domain alone is absurdly massive.
Its size is only slightly smaller than the combined size of the other seven Heavenly Domains.
And then...
The [lower part] of Mount Sumeru.
The summit of the mountain, near the very [vertex] of the inverted cone.
There lies the smallest Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain.
The Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain that is significantly smaller even when compared to the other Heavenly Domains, seems to be the smallest because it is being [pulled inward] to the vertex of the inverted cone.
And I see something that prevents the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain from expanding.
The [vertex] of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain, the very end of Mount Sumeru.
I see what lies there.
'...I see.'
Letting out a low hum, I fully grasp the concept of [above and below] that I felt in the True Immortal Realm.
Above, in the True Immortal Realm, is the Heavenly Sky.
Where the Governing Immortals reside.
And below, in the True Immortal Realm...
A place brimming with ominous dread, where it feels like falling would mean complete annihilation.
The very edge of this Sumeru World!
'That space of Sun and Moon is...'
I now understand what the space of Sun and Moon I saw during my regression truly means.
At the vertex of Mount Sumeru, lies the Head Realm.
'So that is the point of beginning.'
This entire world converges towards the Head Realm.
'The initial stage of the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra... The creation of the inverted cone...was about drawing out the structure of Mount Sumeru itself.'
In other words, the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra doesn't merely end with compressing a Heavenly Domain.
'It is also an Immortal Art of observation that maps out this entire world!'
As my understanding of the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra deepens, a strange feeling strikes me.
"...Wait."
Come to think of it, I first discovered the starting point of the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra in the Head Realm.
By converting the constellations of the Head Realm using the spells I learned from Cheongmun Ryeong, it became the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra.
And the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra is also an Immortal Art that observes the entirety of Mount Sumeru.
Then...
'Doesn't that mean the constellations of the Head Realm are observing all of Mount Sumeru...?'
Twitch!
Suddenly feeling as if the eyes of the Head Realm are meeting mine, I hurriedly glance towards it.
"..."
But it's just my imagination.
The Head Realm still floats within the Interdimensional Void as always, its eyes rolled back.
Yet even though its eyes are turned inward, I let out another low hum.
'Whether the eyes are rolled back or not...'
Regardless, the Head Realm is observing all of Mount Sumeru.
That much is certain.
"...Hong Fan."
"Yes, Master."
"Bring Golden Shaking Bird. I...want to leave for another Heavenly Domain as soon as possible."
I no longer wish to linger in this Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain, where that ominous Head Realm exists.
Wanting to escape even a second sooner, I order Hong Fan to fetch Golden Shaking Bird.
Now, I finally understand why despite there being plenty of True Immortals in other Heavenly Domains, only Blood Yin and Golden Shaking Bird remained in the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain despite Yang Su-jin's ring finger blocking its entrance.
No True Immortal wants to set foot in this ominous edge of Mount Sumeru.
In this Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain where the Head Realm resides.
Translator Notes: Three Thousand Great Thousand Worlds -> Three Heavens Great Thousand Worlds. The Hanja was finally revealed! I translated it as Three Thousand previously because the Hanja wasn't given and I didn't want to reveal it before it was properly revealed in the story. Plus, Three Thousand Great Thousand Worlds is an actual buddhist concept and the actual meaning of the term without the change in Hanja.
-x-X-x-
"Have you made your decision, Golden Shaking Bird?"
"...Yes. Let us proceed. However, to use the Great Desolate Path, mustn't at least a True Immortal-level spirit operate it...?"
I nod.
"Don't worry about that. The original of the Great Desolate Path. This is Yeong Seung's split soul."
"If that's the case, there shouldn't be a problem..."
"But I don't intend to use it."
"...What?"
"Become the main soul of the Great Desolate Path. Then, I'll go meet him and bring him right to where you are."
At my words, distrust flickers in Golden Shaking Bird's eyes.
To be exact, she was already somewhat distrustful of me, but now that distrust has deepened even more.
However, I have no intention of backing down.
'It was the same in my past life.'
When I tried to move from the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain to the Good Sight Heavenly Domain, it took an unnecessarily long time to reach the teleportation formation zone set up by Radiance Hall.
'If I embed Golden Shaking Bird's spirit into the Great Desolate Path, I can bring Jeon Myeong-hoon here right away and show him to Golden Shaking Bird.'
That way, I'll be able to move to any Heavenly Domain in the future.
There would no longer be any need to painstakingly search for teleportation formations.
But Golden Shaking Bird glares at me and growls.
"The reason I treated the distinguished one as a senior brother is because the distinguished one learned Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens. The formula of Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens, written in a language of another world, cannot be learned unless personally taught by Master. However...this is the first time I am seeing a senior brother like you. To be honest, I can't even believe that Master has been resurrected. That is why I cannot fully trust the distinguished one's words."
"..."
"If I become the main soul of the Great Desolate Path and, as you say, Master has truly resurrected and uses me to come back, then of course, it would be an unparalleled joy. However...once I become the main soul of an Immortal Treasure, especially one as high-grade as the Great Desolate Path, breaking free with only my own strength would be extremely difficult and agonizing. Moreover, if after I undergo Immortal Treasure transformation, you refine me using Yeong Seung's split soul, then I would be completely bound as your Immortal Treasure."
"Wouldn't someone of your level be able to resist when they become an Immortal Treasure?"
"Hm. Honestly, I am not confident I could resist an Upper Immortal at the level of the distinguished one. In any case, since I have no way to resist if the distinguished one deceived me, I cannot accept the distinguished one's proposal. Does the distinguished one have any proof that you are not deceiving me?"
"Proof, huh... If I show you proof, will you comply?"
"It must be convincing proof."
"Fine. I'll show you, then."
Wo-woong!
I connect to the five taenghwa paintings that followed my spirit from the previous cycle.
'If I take out Jeon Myeong-hoon's taenghwa, it will resonate with the Jeon Myeong-hoon of this timeline. After all, this taenghwa contains a portion of his fate...Golden Shaking Bird will understand why the fate within the taenghwa resonates.'
She will immediately realize that Jeon Myeong-hoon has been resurrected.
'All I have to do is show her the Taenghwa!'
"Here. Look."
Paaaatt!
I naturally move the taenghwa paintings within my body.
And just as I try to take out Jeon Myeong-hoon's taenghwa in front of Golden Shaking Bird, opening a dimensional gate to my internal world—
Wo-woong!
"What...!?"
The five taenghwa inside my internal world.
The moment they come into contact with the energy of the [outside], they rapidly resonate, then shoot out beyond my body at a speed that transcends light.
Before long, the five taenghwa scatter in different directions as if they have their own will, passing through the outskirts of the Underworld.
I try to grab them, but the taenghwa have already passed through the deeper depths of the Underworld's outskirts, making it impossible to grab them recklessly.
If I force it, I might end up falling into the Underworld myself.
I dumbly watch the taenghwa escape.
Golden Shaking Bird failed to sense Jeon Myeong-hoon's aura as the taenghwa flashed past at a speed that transcends light.
"...? What was that just now? It passed by so fast that I couldn't tell. Can you call it back?"
"..."
I try to summon the taenghwa paintings back, but they don't budge at all.
I know exactly where they have gone.
'Damn it... They flew off to the Enders of this life.'
They've probably attached themselves to them by now.
'O Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld. Just why...did you give me something like this?'
I mutter in a low voice.
"...That... One of those that just flew off holds power related to your master. Did you sense it?"
"Didn't I say it was too fast to sense anything?"
"Argh! Regardless, I've shown you proof! Because it's a power tied to your master, it got pulled towards where your master is!"
"How is that proof!? Is it right to shove it to me as proof when I couldn't even recognize it?"
"You're the one who didn't see it, so why are you blaming me!?"
"Am I some Upper Immortal? I'm a Thunder Beast who barely managed to cling to True Immortality. What do you want me to do?"
The more I talk to Golden Shaking Bird, the more irritated I feel.
I didn't expect the taenghwa to immediately escape from me like that.
On top of that, I want to get out of this Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain, where that ominous Head Realm lies, as soon as possible.
The constant bickering with Golden Shaking Bird is giving me a headache.
I glance towards the direction of the Head Realm.
Even just looking at it feels ominous.
No, is it because my senses have deepened?
A horrifying, chilling sensation that I hadn't felt before now creeps all over my body.
'Damn it... Even though I've become a True Immortal—no. Maybe it's because I became one. Just staring at the Head Realm makes me feel like I'll go mad.'
"Listen...to me."
"Master...are you alright?"
I realize I'm suddenly glaring at Golden Shaking Bird with spiritual energy dripping from my mouth like drool.
'Damn it...'
I know it myself.
My temper is getting volatile.
'Just by expanding my senses within the Lightning Sacred Sea and perceiving the Head Realm, I'm like this... If I had spread my senses inside the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain...'
I might've truly gone mad from the Head Realm's poison.
"Listen to me. This is your final warning. If you don't...I won't hesitate to take extreme measures to escape the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain."
"Ha! Do as you please. I've made myself clear. Unless I see Master in person, I will not believe you."
"If I use Yeong Seung's split soul...I'll have to return to the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain to come back to the Lightning Sacred Sea!"
"Master's Great Desolate Path is, from the start, an Immortal Treasure meant for urgent escapes. Honestly, under normal circumstances, it wouldn't be any issue if you just use the teleportation formation created by Radiance Hall!"
"...This is going nowhere."
I want to escape.
I want to escape!
'So that's it. Those taenghwa paintings...'
The moment they left me, the madness began surging rapidly.
'Those taenghwa also served to protect my mind within the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain.'
I instinctively understand that the existence of the Head Realm isn't all that different from the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld.
'Just as gazing directly at the true body of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld requires at least the realm of a Great Net Immortal...the same must apply to the Head Realm.'
To observe the Head Realm without issue, one would need at least the realm of a Great Net Immortal.
I am certain of it.
With the senses of an Upper Immortal, I sense the True Immortals within the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain.
'The Sword Spear Heavenly Lord is currently wandering the Bright Cold Realm. If they are inside the Bright Cold Realm, it should be fine. Even if I use my power, I won't get caught.'
Kugugugugu!
The mist of Filling the Heavens Governing View surges forth.
Filling the Heavens Governing View is the history of my failures, and an Immortal Art that enforces failure.
In other words, it is a massive clump of misfortune.
The mist of Filling the Heavens Governing View condenses, forming the dark cloud of Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens.
The powerful Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens engulfs the entire Lightning Sacred Sea, taking control of it.
Golden Shaking Bird hurriedly flies to the 100th floor of the Lightning Sacred Sea, where the Great Desolate Path lies, and tightly seals just the 100th floor with Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens.
"I cannot defeat you in battle...but I can at least protect this Great Desolate Path from you. Even if it is you, I have managed the Lightning Sacred Sea for 120,000 years! There is no way you can break through the one floor I defend with Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens!!!"
"...Hahaha, do as you wish."
Kururung!
I let out a dragon's roar, my body writhing as I exit the Lightning Sacred Sea.
Inside the Lightning Sacred Sea, the Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens I had spewed out lingers, placing the entire Lightning Sacred Sea within my grasp.
Kugugugugu!
Outside the Lightning Sacred Sea, I reveal my main body.
Kugugugugu!
: : Oooooooooh! : :
With my front claws and tail, I grip the entire Lightning Sacred Sea and begin exerting force.
: : Guaaaaaaaagh!!! : :
And then,
Kuguk, Kuguguguk!
The Lightning Sacred Sea, wedged within the dimensional rift, begins to shift.
I can feel Golden Shaking Bird panicking.
"Wh-What are you doing, you lunatic!"
: : So this isn't enough, huh. : :
Behind me, the form of the Three Great Ultimates emerges.
'The Three Great Ultimates is a [bowl]...'
What I fill it with and how I wield it is solely my will.
Recalling Hyeon Mu's advice, I pour the authority of the history pathway and the Immortal Dao of Repentant Enlightenment into the Three Great Ultimates.
The Three Great Ultimates shine brilliantly, beginning to boil over.
Then, I overlay the Wheel on top of it.
Kuuung!
'Th-This is...!'
The moment I summon the Wheel, I understand.
'Something...has changed...?'
Unlike before, the Three Great Ultimates and the Wheel are no longer clumsily overlapping.
The Wheel encircles the Three Great Ultimates, absorbing the light it radiates while emitting a gentle starlight.
The Wheel absorbs so much light that, for a moment, the Three Great Ultimates appears dim.
A darkened Three Great Ultimates at the center of the Wheel!
It is the moment that symbol rises behind my head.
'This is...'
Kugugugugugu!
The entirety of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain starts to tremble.
'Damn it...'
The Sword Spear Heavenly Lord within the Middle Realm has noticed something wrong.
'I didn't think it'd be strong enough to shake the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain...'
Maybe this is my fault.
I seem to have underestimated the authority at the peak of Great Net Immortal too much.
: : Ooooooooh! : :
Sensing the anomaly in the Lightning Sacred Sea, something familiar flies towards me from afar.
I feel like I'm breaking out into cold sweat.
Sword-Guided Star Rain!
It is the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord's decisive move.
Sensing that decisive technique, I pour out all my strength, exploding the power within my body.
Kwarurururung!
My Immortal Beast True Blood explodes, granting me the full authority of an Immortal Beast.
With it comes transcendent brute strength that floods into my arm.
Kududududuk!
The ring finger of Yang Su-jin, which had been wedged into the entrance of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain, starts to move.
"Y-You're insane! S-Stop! Stop it now! What are you doing!? What in the world are you doing!?"
Golden Shaking Bird trembles violently, panicking on the 100th layer.
Golden Shaking Bird, stricken with fear at my power, trembles violently on the 100th floor and is seized by convulsions.
But I, half-consumed by madness due to the Head Realm's poison, laugh loudly and draw forth even greater strength.
And finally!
Jjeooooooong!
The Lightning Sacred Sea, which had been blocking the gap between the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain and the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain, is pulled out.
"Th-This can't be...! It's not something that can be pulled out with sheer strength... It carries Master's prophecy..."
Normally, not even Immortal Lords, let alone a Great Net Immortal, can recklessly pull out Yang Su-jin's ring finger.
This is because the prophecy of Yang Su-jin anchored the Lightning Sacred Sea to this space.
But I am different.
As long as I have the bare minimum strength, I can pull it out.
Kururung—
Because I have learned Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens.
In a way, I am also Yang Su-jin's successor.
Chiiiiii—
Pulling the Lightning Sacred Sea from the dimensional rift, I swallow Yang Su-jin's ring finger whole.
Golden Shaking Bird sobs uncontrollably, having a seizure, but the gap between our weight class has grown far too wide for her to resist.
Convinced she figured out what I intend to do, she cries out in anguish.
"Master, Master, please forgive me, Master! I...I couldn't stop this lunatic madman from offering your relic to Radiance Hall... Please forgive me, Master!"
: : ...Worry not. : :
After swallowing the entire Lightning Sacred Sea in a single gulp, I transform back into my human form and laugh.
"Yang Su-jin's remains will return to his rightful successor."
With those words, I glance back once—
—then step towards the entrance leading to the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain.
The moment my foot touches down, I feel the Sword-Guided Star Rain flying from behind exploding the entrance.
The Sword Spear Heavenly Lord must have thrown the decisive technique in shock, ironically, but now it means they will now have to rebuild the entrance themself if they wish to follow.
Chwaaaaaaak!
Countless rays of light brush past me, and before long, I reach a new Heavenly Domain.
This is the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain.
The stronghold of the Radiance Supreme Deity.
Kuoooo!
: : Who are you? How did you cross over from the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain without notice? : :
A True Immortal, seemingly at the Vestige Liberation Immortal level, glares at me, standing right in front of the teleportation formation of the new Heavenly Domain.
: : Why hasn't the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord arrived? More importantly, is there an issue with the teleportation formation on the other side? There should be some kind of respo— : :
"Enough rambling. Where's the teleportation formation that leads to the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain?"
I cut off the rambling Vestige Liberation Immortal and ask.
: : You... : :
"Hurry up and speak. This Immortal is in a hurry."
: : A suspicious bastard, I see. First, since you came from the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain, you will be subject to a 100,000-year imprisonment. As you are imprisoned for 100,000 years, we will examine to see if any poison energy leaks from you before deciding your disposition. We must assess if you are a True Immortal someone who could be a threat to Radiance Hall and— : :
"All this pointless rambling since earlier..."
I cut off the True Immortal's words once again and extend my hand.
Kwaduduk!
My will turns directly into strength, gripping the True Immortal's divine spirit body, which is several times larger than me.
Though I grasp only the void, marks spread across the entirety of the True Immortal's divine spirit body as if clenched in my hand.
"I'm asking you."
Kugugugugu!
I release my momentum, pressing down on the True Immortal.
"No?"
Facing my pressure head-on, the Vestige Liberation Immortal grits their teeth before shouting.
: : All divine spirits of Radiance Hall, hear me!!! A suspicious Upper Immortal has descended from the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain! All gather and capture this intruder! : :
"...Ha..."
I click my tongue.
"You could've just told me where the teleportation formation to the Heavenly Domain is. It would've been better for the both of us. Why insist on drinking the punishment wine?"
: : Ahaha! Someone like you dares to mock this Immortal, who is affiliated with Radiance Hall? Soon, tens, hundreds of True Immortals and Upper Immortals in Radiance Hall will gather here! : :
"Upper Immortals...? True Immortals...? Won't any Great Net Immortals, Heavenly Lords, or a Supreme Deity descend?"
: : Huhahaha! Why would we need a Great Net Immortal to capture the likes of you? Most of them are currently exploring the Outer Sea or handling other crucial missions, so the majority are away from the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain. : :
"Hoh..."
I smile.
: : Do you think someone like you can overcome sheer numbers? In the prophetic battles of True Immortals, numerical tactics are absolute! No matter how strong you are, you cannot stand against Radiance Hall. We have hundreds of True Immortals alone! We have dozens of Upper Immortals, and even the renowned Thirty-Three Heavenly Resplendent Treasure Immortals will descend! Soon, you will be bowing your head and licking my feet— : :
"Rambling, rambling. Stop your babbling. Or are you reciting some kind of rambling mantra?"
I block the True Immortal's maw with Filling the Heavens Governing View and begin exerting strength.
Kudududuk!
The massive divine spirit body of the True Immortal compresses.
Soon, the compressed divine spirit body shrinks to the size of my fist and falls onto my palm.
Kwaduk!
Clenching the divine spirit body with a strong grip, I speak.
"Even if a Supreme Deity appears, I have a move prepared. If Immortal Lords or Great Nets descend, I intended to escape using the realm of Heavenly Escape I glimpsed through Hyeon Mu in my past life, but..."
I smack my lips.
Right now, fighting multiple Immortal Lords or Great Nets would be tough.
But I am more than confident in escaping.
However...
"A Radiance Hall with none of them here, and only the likes of True Immortals and Upper Immortals..."
The divine spirit body wriggles, seeming to still ramble something, but I ignore it.
Golden Shaking Bird wails bitterly, her cries filled with resentment.
"You crazy madman...! How will you shake off the pursuit of the Upper Immortals...!? How will you withstand their prophetic bombardments!? And the Thirty-Three Heavenly Resplendent Treasure Immortals. Even Master, when he was a Great Net Immortal, had to flee with his tail tucked between his legs against their joint attack! Why in the world did you create such a mess!? Now, all of Master's relics stored in the Lightning Sacred Sea will fall into the jaws of Radiance Hall! Aigoo!"
"...Don't worry, Golden Shaking Bird."
Facing the hundreds of divine spirits descending towards me, I take a step forward.
In one hand, I hold the Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flag.
In the other, the Colorless Glass Sword.
A sly smile spreads across my face.
One reason I charged into the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain is because it'd be the fastest to pass through it with Golden Shaking Bird to meet Jeon Myeong-hoon and then move across all Heavenly Domains through the Great Desolate Path.
But that isn't the only reason.
'Ever since becoming an Upper Immortal...power has been constantly exploding within me.'
It doesn't stop there. The erupting power feeds into the Three Great Ultimates, amplifies through the Wheel, and now feels as if it could explode at any moment.
'In the beginning, I wanted to test my skill and strength by charging through the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain using Heavenly Escape.'
But now, it turns out there are no Immortal Lords in the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain.
In that case, there is no need for Heavenly Escape.
Which leaves me with only one thing left to do.
'The level of a Great Net Immortal Yang Su-jin... If it's the current me, I can fully overpower it.'
Glancing around at the True Immortals of Radiance Hall beginning to swarm towards me, I smirk.
Countless prophetic stars are born, aiming to suppress me.
But I pay no mind and step forward, drawing out my power.
Immortal Beast Authority.
History Repetition!
A figure from within Filling the Heavens Governing View rises.
It is a figure from my past life.
The connections that caused the failure of my Radiance Ten Heavens' formula.
It is the figure of In Ye.
'Now I understand.'
The true method of wielding the [Wheel]—a part of it finally bursts forth from my grasp.
Kururururung!
I change back into my main body.
A colossal dragon of mist, its head formed of candle flames, rises within the cosmic space of the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain.
I open my jaws wide, and deep within, Ye's form appears. I then begin turning the [Wheel].
In Ye's figure, brought forth through history repetition, takes physical form under the influence of the Wheel.
Simply kneading history as I please is not the end of the Wheel.
The true authority of the [Wheel] is...
After distorting history, embedding a new branch of history within the twisted history!
It is incorporating new possibilities into history!
The heart of Ye of the previous cycle now manifests in this space with the Impermanence Sword.
Using Severing Mountain Swordsmanship's Cedarwood, In Ye's heart is properly embedded within the mist of the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections.
In the next moment—
Jjeoooong!
An arrow created by In Ye pierces straight through a Vestige Liberation Immortal of Radiance Hall who had just descended, bursting them apart.
: : F R O M T H I S M O M E N T F O R T H ... : :
My authority, amplified by the Three Great Ultimates and the [Wheel], covers the entire world.
Golden Shaking Bird falls silent at the sight, while the rambling divine spirit caught in my grasp trembles in sheer terror.
I have made my decision.
I will carve through the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain head-on and boldly make my way to the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain to meet Jeon Myeong-hoon.
: : S H A L L W E B E G I N S U N L I G H T H U NT I N G ? : :
Tukwaaaang!
Shattering the Immortal Body of a second divine spirit in a single blow, I roar towards the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain.
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