I expand the senses of Earth.
The Plane of Qi within the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain enters entirely into my sensory range.
'Truly...horrifyingly vast.'
"Hey. I'm asking again. Where is the teleportation formation to the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain?"
I briefly release the mouth of the Vestige Liberation Immortal I've captured and ask the question.
"Do you think I would tell you that? No matter how powerful you are, there's no way you can get through this many divine spirits. You'll soon be hung upside down and judged! Never! Never will someone like you make me talk!"
"...Sorry, but."
As expected, they ramble on without giving me a single piece of the information I want.
But it doesn't matter.
Their history as a True Immortal spans roughly 900,000 years.
They are just a mere youngster who has only been a True Immortal for 900,000 years.
Perhaps because of that that, it's fortunate they know little about the authority of Immortal Beasts.
Immortal Beast Authority.
History Induction (歷史誘導)
Kiriririk!
The Taiji spins.
At the same time, this brat's history begins to unravel.
Sensing what I'm about to do, the Vestige Liberation Immortal starts convulsing.
They try everything to cover or block their past, but it's useless.
History Induction, one of the authorities of Immortal Beasts, allows me to read the desired information from a chosen target to gain wisdom.
Even with the senses of Earth that reads history, not all histories can be read.
Only the history of beings significantly lower in rank than oneself.
Or the history of beings 'related' to oneself.
However, Immortal Beasts are entities where history itself is power.
Therefore, through existing mediums, it is possible to read the history of beings unrelated or even higher in rank than themselves.
A method of reading the required history and acquiring information through firmly seizing a medium.
That is the authority of History Induction.
For most Immortal Beasts, the medium is usually the energy of the Plane of Qi.
Or the Immortal Dao they control.
But in my case—
'I see it!'
My medium is intent.
The moment something is 'recalled', I can use that intent as a medium to read the target's history.
It's a form of history induction that most other Immortal Beasts can't use, possible only because I have control over the Plane of Soul.
The Vestige Liberation Immortal tries to shake off my authority, but it's futile.
Like how telling someone not to think of an elephant makes them think of one first,
In trying to resist my history induction, they can't help but 'recall the information I seek.'
And through that intent, I read their history and discover the locations of the teleportation formations within the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain.
"Found it."
Kiiiiiing!
After confirming the location of the teleportation formation leading to the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain, I grab the Vestige Liberation Immortal who provided the information and hurl them with all my strength.
Kwaaang!
The Vestige Liberation Immortal collides with another True Immortal who has just descended, exploding.
From within the explosion, I release the Immortal Art Sun Shooting into the two disoriented True Immortals.
Tukwang!
Pierced through simultaneously by the Immortal Art of Sun Shooting, both True Immortals vanish.
"Out of my way."
Dududududu!
Swinging the Seven Stars Harnessing God Banner, I begin to devastate the surroundings with all my might.
"I prophesize..."
"In the name of this Immortal, I prophesize!"
"O star of prophecy!"
"Bind that being..."
Countless True Immortals vomit forth stars of prophecy.
But it's useless.
As long as they belong to Radiance Hall.
As long as they are even slightly connected to the power of light!
They cannot evade the Immortal Art of Sun Shooting.
The Immortal Art of Sunlight Hunting...
Was born to deny light itself, carrying the weight of ten million years of history.
Tukwang, tukwang, tukwang, tukwaaaaang!
If I were to give Sun Shooting another name, I would name it this without hesitation.
Radiance Denial (光明否定)!
That is the true nature and authority of Sun Shooting.
The arrows of Sun Shooting pierce straight through the stars of prophecy and go on to pierce the True Immortals behind them as well.
"Youuu!"
"We cannot stand by and watch this tyranny!"
Gradually, Upper Immortals begin to appear within the battlefield.
But they too are clad in the power of light.
Huarurururuk!
"In the name of this Immortal, I prophesize."
Scarlet flames ignite, engulfing my entire body.
'I see. Is this the prophecy of a Heaven Immortal?'
A powerful will reverberates from within the flames.
—My flames shall never part from you while within the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain.
"I prophesize..."
Light flashes.
At that moment, a spear of light, forged from radiance, shoots across distant spacetime and pierces my chest.
As it drives through my chest, I comprehend the prophecy imbued within the spear of light.
—The first strike shall pierce you without fail.
A thrown spear bound by an absolute condition!
Following this, countless Heaven Immortals begin to launch their attacks at me.
Individually, none of the attacks seem particularly threatening.
But with fate woven into each strike, imbued with absoluteness and inevitability, they become terrifying assaults.
'I see.'
I comprehend the prophecy methods of Heaven Immortals.
From Heaven Immortal onward, the form of the prophetic star changes.
They no longer carve the future they dream into a star but directly imbue their prophecies into their Immortal Arts.
This scarlet flame, endlessly burning my body, does not carry its prophecy within a star but within this very [fire].
The spear that just pierced me was the same.
'So, for Heaven Immortals, their Immortal Art itself becomes the star of prophecy.'
Of course, there are always unique ones.
"In the name of this Immortal, I prophesize..."
One Heaven Immortal with their entire body wreathed in pale flames forms a star of prophecy.
That star of prophecy grows larger and larger, then positions itself beneath me and unleashes an immense attraction force.
"The enemy of Radiance Hall shall not escape the star of prophecy I have cast within the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain."
Dududududu!
My body grows heavy.
That star of prophecy is pulling my body.
A powerful gravitational force seizes me and refuses to let go.
'As expected, the form of prophecy is most efficient in the form of a star.'
In other words, the star of prophecy is the basics, while infusing prophecy directly into Immortal Arts is a specialized application.
But I simply smile and begin to move.
Within the combined assault of countless Heaven Immortals and True Immortals, the Wheel starts to turn.
Dudududu!
: : I, revise. : :
The Immortal Art Impermanence Sword envelops my entire body.
My whole being becomes wrapped in a sharp sword.
A sword is double-edged.
This is the nature of the sword and a truth that all swordsmen must remember.
Every swordsman, in wielding their sword, must be prepared to be cut by it as well.
Kwadududuk!
My entire body is cut apart.
: : As what has been received has accumulated...so too for what will be given. : :
Chiiiiiiiik!
In that instant, the scarlet flames clinging to me, along with the countless prophecies, scatter and vanish.
Yet none of them suffer any backlash.
The wills of the Upper Immortals shake the surroundings violently.
"H-How could this...!?"
"He is using revision!"
"Through revision, he has altered the form of our attack!"
That's right.
I merely changed the form of the attack I received.
Proof of this lies in one of the scars, where the searing pain of the scarlet flame still burns endlessly.
And the reason I was able to change the form of the Upper Immortals' prophecies like this is precisely because the revision I used inflicted even greater pain upon me.
But it doesn't matter.
: : You call this...pain? : :
None of the attacks the Upper Immortals launched at me!
Not a single one properly struck me.
: : Since I have received, I shall return. As this Immortal received misfortune, I shall return it as blessings. : :
I turn around.
An Upper Immortal engulfed in pale flames.
The Upper Immortal, who has trained the basic technique known as prophetic star, flinches in shock.
: : Take today's pain and use it to accumulate yourself. : :
Retribution Execution.
Huarurururuk!
Glass True Fire bursts out from my entire body.
With it, an explosion erupts.
Kwagwagwagwang!
The entire expanse of spacetime collapses.
: : Evade!!!!! : :
: : N-No! I can't dodge this! : :
: : Wh-What is this!!?? : :
The screams of countless divine spirits echo throughout the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain.
: : -------!!!! : :
: : ----!! : :
: : !!!!! : :
The explosion surges.
Since this is rightful retribution, no one can escape.
At the same time, what I received is undeniable pain and calamity.
However, since what I give are blessings, even if it is returned thousands of times over, there is no problem.
What I've given is Glass True Fire.
There will be some pain, but there is definite enlightenment regarding the Immortal Dao of Repentant Enlightenment.
It is an undeniable [blessing].
The divine spirits convulse wildly, letting out screams of agony.
I gaze at the divine spirit cloaked in pale flames.
'This is a little surprising.'
I didn't expect there to be someone in Radiance Hall walking the same Immortal Dao of Repentant Enlightenment as me.
An Upper Immortal who accumulated their fundamental skills as a True Immortal and determines victory solely through stars of prophecy.
That must be this pale Heaven Immortal.
Kiiiiiiiing!
At that moment, the Wheel begins to spin even more frantically.
The figure of In Ye grows even larger.
In Ye, gripping the bow with imposing dignity, pulls back the bowstring.
Behind him, the countless connections add their strength.
[Shoot!]
The voice of Ham Jin from the past life resounds.
Tukwaaang!
I continue firing Sun Shooting towards the True Immortals writhing in pain from the Glass True Fire.
Tukung, tukwang! Tukwaaaaaaang!!!
True Immortals burst apart.
Upper Immortals burst apart.
I look at the pale Upper Immortal who, even in pain, endures and charges at me.
: : As expected. A peer walking the Immortal Dao of the Mountain has perseverance. : :
: : An Immortal Art that denies radiance... But if the power borrowed from Radiance Hall is severed, it is nothing! : :
Jjeooong!
For the first time, the Upper Immortal wreathed in pale flame deflects the Immortal Art of Sun Shooting.
But I reach out my hand.
Kwaduduk!
: : Guughhh! : :
: : They are true words. However... : :
I grab their face and smile.
: : Without borrowing the power of radiance, could the likes of you even think to oppose me? : :
Kwadududuk!
: : Kuaaaaaaaagh! : :
: : Do you not realize that the only reason your prophecy worked even partially was because you borrowed the power of radiance? : :
: : D O N O T B E R I D I C U L O U S ! : :
Kugugugugu!
A star of prophecy takes root within their body.
: : I prophesize. As long as what I have accumulated does not break, I can stand against this one! : :
The weight class of the pale Heaven Immortal begins to grow.
Becoming a pale giant, they try to resist me.
I smile faintly.
: : I am proud of you, fellow peer of the same Immortal Dao. : :
That is the end.
I explode.
Glass True Fire blooms like a flower, overwhelming the pale Heaven Immortal.
From within that explosion, I am born anew.
: : K U A A A A A H !!! : :
Roaring within the eruption, my colossal form, now thousands of times larger due to the explosion, reveals itself.
Having grown so immense that I can now trap an entire stellar system beneath a single foot, I spin the [Wheel] and the Three Great Ultimates to their peak.
Using the Three Great Ultimates, I Divine Descent the power of repentant enlightenment and history, using that power to its limits.
When that power is fully exhausted, I use the [Wheel] to rewrite, pulling forth the version of myself from the past when I was filled with strength, and attach it to the history of my current self.
When that power is spent again, I rewrite once more.
Thus, I draw infinite power from the past, the pinnacle of unfairness.
That is the authority of the [Wheel].
I endlessly explode, rampaging wildly.
: : OOOOOOOOOH!!! : :
With a single sweep of my tail, a quarter of the starlight in the sky crumbles down.
Once more, Upper Immortals from Radiance Hall descend.
But they cannot withstand me now that I am fully unleashing my power.
With a stomp of my forepaw, their stars of prophecy and Immortal Bodies burst apart one after another.
It isn't merely a difference in strength. It is because my body is imbued with the Immortal Art of Sun Shooting.
I tear.
I detonate.
I pop.
I cut.
I bite.
I slam down.
With each and every strike, constellations tremble, and Immortal Bodies are ripped apart.
But these are beings that will eventually revive as long as their prophecies remain.
So, without a shred of hesitation, I continue the great massacre across the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain.
Time flows on, and I carve my way through the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain, turning everything to ashes without pausing for even a moment.
One day. Two days. Three days...
And finally, on the tenth day!
: : OOOOOOOOOH!!! : :
Kwarururururung!
After crushing yet another divine spirit charging at me, I spot the teleportation formation of the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain in the distance and let out a deafening roar.
I am almost there.
It's just when I think so.
Kugugugugugu!
Beyond the teleportation formation, immense presences begin pouring out.
: : Ahaha... Are you the last ones? : :
The powerful Immortals of the Thirty-Three Exalted.
They seem to be the so-called Thirty-Three Heavenly Resplendent Treasure Immortals or whatever.
Each one is a being on the level of an Upper Immortal.
But I am not afraid.
Upper Immortals?
No matter how many gather, none can rival me as I am now.
That's what I thought.
Cheok, cheok, cheok, cheok, cheok!
: : ...Huh? : :
The Thirty-Three Exalted Upper Immortals all join their palms together.
Woo-woong!
They draw a circular formation.
Along with it, a very faint image of the [Black Snake Biting Its Tail] settles into the formation they've drawn.
'Wait... This...isn't it...?'
The moment I see it—
My mind, which has been gleefully wielding violence and authority, turns cold.
This isn't it.
This is truly dangerous.
I can't see the future.
Literally, the celestial energy is no longer readable.
It feels as if the Plane of Fate has been completely sealed off.
A pitch-black Darkness World where nothing exists!
That is the celestial energy now before my eyes.
Kiiiiiiiing!
The next moment—
[Light] shines down on me.
"...!"
First comes the Five Elements.
Lights carrying the attributes of heat, heaviness, growth, cold, and sharpness sweep across my entire body.
Next is the Five Blessings.
The blessings and misfortunes of the Five Blessings and Six Extremes become a misfortune that traps me.
'Th-This is...!'
The flow of prophecy of Radiance Hall that Blood Yin spoke of!
Prophecies that pass through Various Omens, Examination of Doubts, Eight Paths, Royal Perfection, and once again return to the Five Elements.
Those countless prophecies twist and intertwine, forming bars of radiance that imprison me.
Before I realize it, the surrounding environment has changed.
'This place is...'
A new energy.
A new constellation.
I feel a chill spread through my entire body as I understand what they've done.
: : Heavenly Domain...? : :
That's right.
Their prophecies have become the bars that imprison me, and these interwoven and tangled bars have created a Small Heavenly Domain that confines me.
Despite calling it a Heavenly Domain, its size is not that large.
It is no bigger than a single galaxy.
Yet, this is clearly a miniature Heavenly Domain, one that looks like a compressed version of the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain.
There, the beings known as the Thirty-Three Heavenly Resplendent Treasure Immortals raise the form of a [Black Snake Biting Its Tail] and all point at me without emotion.
Immortal Art.
"...!!!"
The will of the Treasure Immortals resounds.
Light-Speed Enforcement (光速強制).
"Wh-What is this...?"
My power is heavily restrained.
Soon, one of the Treasure Immortals hurls a spear of light toward me.
The spear of radiance flies towards me at literal light-speed.
But for beings at our level, the speed of light is slow, so I try to calmly dodge.
That's when it happens.
"...!"
Kwaching!
No matter how I move, I can't escape the speed of light. All I manage to do is barely twist my body and let the spear of light graze past my flesh.
'This is...I see.'
It is an Immortal Art that forces all beings within this place, that can't be determined whether it is a barrier or a Heavenly Domain, to be bound to the maximum speed of light.
From now on, within this space, I can only move at the speed of light.
Woo-woooong!
I try to unfold the ground-shrinking using attraction force, but it's as if all the attraction force within this Small Heavenly Domain belongs solely to them.
As the Treasure Immortals cast their will, the attraction force slips from my grasp.
"...So, some decent ones have shown up."
With those words, the battle begins.
Kururururung!
One of the Thirty-Three Heavenly Resplendent Treasure Immortals seems to pull in a nearby stellar system, then hurls it towards me.
A powerful attraction force pulls me toward it, but I resist with the authority of explosion, breaking free from the star system's attraction force.
The true value of the Three Great Ultimates isn't simply about unleashing brute force.
Seeing the form of the [Black Snake], my excitement fades and I collect my thoughts.
Perhaps because I've torn through the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain in a burst of madness, the frenzy has mostly subsided.
With a calm mind, I focus my will.
'Immortal Beast Form, change.'
Kuguguguk!
The Immortal Beast's true body compresses and shifts shape.
It somewhat resembles my human Transformation form.
However, my body remains massive, comparable to the size of Earth. My hair still burns like the candle flame of Glass True Fire, my white robe turns into a hazy mist that wraps around me, and from my lower back sprouts the tail of Candle Shadow.
My fingers and toes have claws growing out of them like those of a beast, exuding a fierce aura.
Now in a half-human, half-beast form, I grip the Colorless Glass Sword and channel my mind fully into it.
Immediately after.
Kwaaaaaaang!
I explode my feet, stomping off space, and charge straight at one of the Treasure Immortals closest to me, swinging the Colorless Glass Sword.
The Glass Sword, overlapped with the Impermanence Sword, changes its trajectory in a twisting, winding manner, pouncing on the Treasure Immortal.
The upper half of the Treasure Immortal's body is cleaved clean off, and I steady my stance and accelerate my consciousness.
'So, the attraction force of this world is on your side?'
It doesn't matter.
I can use explosions.
And most importantly...my Martial Arts still remain with me.
The pinnacle of Martial Arts I witnessed from Hyeon Mu in the past life.
I unfold a fragment of that peak.
In this world where time has accelerated to its limits, light fades away and only darkness remains.
Yet, within this Darkness World, I can clearly see the path I must take.
'Intent...really is an interesting thing.'
When one is a peak master, the 'optimized path' is shown through the intent of murderous intent.
But do you know what's funny?
A first-rate master at most by the standards of mortal humans, becomes a peak master by clearly seeing their own murderous intent and discovering the 'optimized path'.
The very idea is absurd.
If intent alone makes one a peak master, then what is the point of training the sword or refining Martial Arts?
Why make any effort at all?
Why not just train intent alone for hundreds, thousands of days and eventually become invincible?
'Now I finally understand.'
Intent holds neither strength nor wisdom.
What has always possessed strength and wisdom is this world.
And—
The heart, too, is without any strength or wisdom, simply transparent.
It merely transparently and purely reflects the world itself.
And what is seen back after reflecting the world is intent.
I become transparent.
I calm my entire mind, entering No-Heart.
'In my battle with Hyeon Mu, I was outmatched in every aspect.'
It wasn't a matter of my cultivation falling short.
Hyeon Mu simply reflected everything I had, emotionlessly.
Kiiiiiiiiiing!
In this world accelerated to its extremes, where only darkness remains...
There, my Colorless Glass Sword emits light.
This is a light that shines only for me.
A light accumulated solely through my own repentant enlightenment.
It sweeps away the lightless Darkness World, pushing against the opponent.
Why does my Immortal Art, the Impermanence Sword, possess the power of retribution?
I recall the reason once more.
'To reflect it all.'
Because if I can transparently reflect the entire world, and return everything that is given and taken—
That would surely be true freedom.
Shikang!
I feel it.
With this strike, one of the Thirty-Three Heavenly Resplendent Treasure Immortals is annihilated.
I sense their bewilderment.
Their distance from me grows.
Within this Heavenly Domain, they are gods.
Distance means nothing to them.
In this Small Heavenly Domain, as large as a galaxy, they instantly manipulate space and stretch the distance between me and them to the farthest ends of the domain.
In this situation, where even the ground-shrinking technique is unusable, chasing them is utterly impossible.
But I quietly close my eyes and recall the Hyeon Mu from my past life.
The sight of the sea of stars being severed by her single strike.
'Can I do it too?'
While pondering whether I can or not, the answer suddenly becomes clear.
'I see. From the very start...she was reflecting me.'
Everything she showed me in my past life was a reflection of my own potential.
Therefore, if Hyeon Mu could do it, so can I.
Step by step, I recall Hyeon Mu.
I recall my own image contained in her movements.
'I can do it.'
Holding only that to that resolve, I swing the Colorless Glass Sword.
Seokeong!
Immediately after,
I sense that most of the Thirty-Three Heavenly Resplendent Treasure Immortals, gathered at the far edge of the Heavenly Domain, are cut down by this single sword.
Everything lying along the trajectory between me and them is severed.
'I will contain it.'
This infinite power, summoned through the Three Great Ultimates and the Wheel.
I will contain it solely at the tip of the sword.
Staring at the Impermanence Sword, honed sharper than anything else, my eyes gleam.
Why must people strive and put in effort?
Why can't one become the greatest under the heavens by polishing only their heart?
'It must be...because I am alive in this world.'
As long as I live,
I must live according to the rules of this world.
A transparent mirror can reflect the sky only because it faces the sky and lies beneath it.
Every being living in this world must sweat under the light, ceaselessly and diligently building their mountain through effort.
Only by refining and polishing everything given by the heavens—heart, intent, and all—until they are smooth and clear—
Only then can something be reflected.
This is the truth of this world.
The only ones who could dream of becoming the greatest under the heavens by refining only their heart, would be none other than the dead.
Radiance Hall detests the Way of Salt.
But I know this for certain.
While there may be no good or evil in the Way of Salt that builds mountains through sweat, there is something undeniable.
That is the truth.
The Way of Salt, [the act of accumulating], is undeniably one of the fundamental components that make up this world.
No one can deny that!
'Therefore...'
You all cannot deny what I have accumulated.
The Thirty-Three Heavenly Resplendent Treasure Immortals, once slashed and left in tatters by my blade, begin healing themselves using the rules of the Small Heavenly Domain and charge at me again.
'Do not try to deny me.'
Against the Thirty-Three Heavenly Resplendent Treasure Immortals, who try to deny me—
I begin my sword dance.
Chaeng!
They enforce me to the speed of light, yet they themselves surpass it, engaging me in close combat.
A clear sword cry resounds.
I meet their strength with only a limited speed, while they continue to grow faster and faster.
But no matter how fast they become, not a single one of their attacks reaches me.
'Reflect it!'
The Immortal Art of Retribution reflects their killing intent more clearly than ever, revealing the answers to me.
As long as they hold the 'heart' to harm me,
The Retribution of the Impermanence Sword will always respond, reflecting the optimal answer.
A true ultimate countermeasure, surpassing even the 'optimal trajectory' that intent reveals by tens of thousands of times.
This is the result when the Retribution of the Impermanence Sword is applied to Martial Arts.
Their speed gradually increases.
But the ones who grow more flustered are not me, but them.
Each time they collide with me.
Each time they utter a prophecy to bind me.
Each time they dig a trap for me.
My Impermanence Sword grows stronger, clashing against them, their prophecies, and this very world.
The enlightenment of Foolish Old Man Moves Mountains is being revealed within the Impermanence Sword to its utmost limit.
And it's when the power drawn through Foolish Old Man Moves Mountains reaches a certain singularity.
Immortal Cultivation is repentant enlightenment.
Someone begins to recite the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra.
It is not me.
Yet I cannot find the one reciting it.
Like tiny grains of salt gathering to form the sea.
'Who is it?'
I see the Thirty-Three Heavenly Resplendent Treasure Immortals trembling in utter fear and confusion.
Gradually, the attraction force of this Small Heavenly Domain reaches its peak.
'The attraction force of this Small Heavenly Domain should only respond...to the will of the Thirty-Three Heavenly Resplendent Treasure Immortals.'
Build mountains through repentant enlightenment.
But someone's will is completely ignoring that and seizing control of this world.
'Ah...I see.'
I realize it within my sword dance.
Under the attraction force that has reached its peak, the Small Heavenly Domain begins to contract.
'All is one... Through Foolish Old Man Moves Mountains... Through transparent reflection...has it connected?'
I recall my master's teachings.
That Immortal Arts is ultimately about connecting to the 'one'.
[Building a mountain of salt is perhaps the fastest way to reach the heavens.]
I finally realize who is reciting this mantra.
It is my Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections.
It is my history.
The mountain of repentant enlightenment I have accumulated now opens its mouth and recites the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra in my stead.
Before I knew it, I began reflecting the entire world.
And because I reflect even myself, the history that has been reflected began to open its mouth.
What happens when a mirror that clearly reflects all things turns to reflect itself?
The mirror reflects another mirror, connecting endlessly.
Yes.
It connects infinitely.
Flash!
The Small Heavenly Domain contracts around me, who dances the sword dance of Foolish Old Man Moves Mountains.
The world narrows, grows hotter, and begins filling with light and heat.
The Thirty-Three Heavenly Resplendent Treasure Immortals fight back with desperate strength.
They attempt to manipulate the laws of the Heavenly Domain through the faint form of the [Black Snake Biting Its Tail], but it is futile.
Because the 'act of accumulating'...
Is a fundamental component of this world that no rule can alter or ignore.
I finally halt my sword dance and half-open my eyes.
The endlessly unfolding sword dance ceases, and the tip of my sword now lingers at a certain place.
It is the very spot where I had first begun my sword dance.
At last, I understand.
'...So this is it.'
The perfect circle that Hyeon Mu had once shown me!
Today,
I have succeeded in drawing that circle.
The moment I realize this,
The Small Heavenly Domain, compressed by the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra, shrinks into a single point, turning the Thirty-Three Heavenly Resplendent Treasure Immortals within into nothing but a dot at the tip of my sword.
From within that dot, the piercing screams of the Treasure Immortals echo.
Tuuung!
After hurling the compressed Treasure Immortals and their Small Heavenly Domain far into the distance with a flick of my sword, a clear laugh escapes me.
I am now completely free from the madness of the Head Realm.
And through today's events, I have fully internalized the enlightenments I gained from my past life and gathered all the fragments of my Martial Arts and authority, making them completely my own.
'Thank you.'
I offer sincere gratitude to this world that allowed me this enlightenment.
To the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain.
To Mount Sumeru.
Even to the [Black Snake Biting Its Tail], the very symbol of the Radiance Supreme Deity, that briefly quelled the madness of the Head Realm.
It is gratitude from the depths of my heart.
Thus, feeling refreshed, it's when I turn to head towards the teleportation formation leading to the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain.
Tuk!
Someone grabs my shoulder.
"Who da—"
Turning around, I see the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord.
"...Uh...hello—"
Pukwak!
I am split in half and killed.
-x-X-x-
The Fifth Seat of the Radiance Eight Immortals, the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, gazes silently at Seo Eun-hyun after slicing him in half.
The great devil who wrecked havoc upon Heavenly King Heavenly Domain, committing a grand massacre.
The Sword Spear Heavenly Lord reads the wisdom of the being who died by their hand.
Crystal Glass Being, Seo Eun-hyun.
That is the name of the one now lying in halves.
: : Oooooooo! : :
: : O Sword Spear Heavenly Lord! : :
: : O Great One! Truly, to have descended for our sake and slay that devil... : :
The divine spirits, who had either fled or hidden from Seo Eun-hyun's rampage, now emerge and begin to praise the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord.
: : Be silent. : :
But the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord cuts off all their voices with a cold tone.
: : I did not kill him. He escaped. : :
The Sword Spear Heavenly Lord radiates silver-white light as they look towards the teleportation formations at the edge of the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain.
Their appearance carries a trace of fury, causing the divine spirits to tremble in fear.
: : The moment this Immortal sought to annihilate him, he slipped into the true domain of death, shedding his shell and fleeing. : :
What remains before their eyes now is nothing more than a husk.
A pitiful remnant even less than the Vestiges that appears when advancing to True Immortality.
Yet, the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord still reaches out and condenses even this scrap into above their palm.
The remains of Seo Eun-hyun merge with the Vestige the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord possesses.
: : ...Did anyone recognize that the one who just escaped is the return of Vast Cold, whom Radiance Hall has placed a bounty upon? : :
Their words send the divine spirits into panic.
: : We do not know! : :
: : None of us could recognize him. : :
: : W-We truly did not know he was the return of Vast Cold. From what we know, that being had only just advanced to True Immortality in the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain. For the past hundred thousand years, the only one known to have practiced the formula of the Radiance Ten Heavens is the Madam Ghost Mother (鬼母娘娘) Kang Min-hee of the Twin Holding Heavenly Domain. Is the Great One saying...that Upper Immortal was him? : :
: : ...Indeed. I do not know what trickery he used, but it seems he managed to advance to Upper Immortal without anyone realizing. : :
The Sword Spear Heavenly Lord glares into the distance, their eyes narrowing.
'When an Ender enters the domain of Radiance Hall, the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain, all eight of the Radiance Eight Immortals are alerted. Yet, despite Seo Eun-hyun running rampant in the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain, I knew nothing. Moreover, even after he advanced to Upper Immortal, none of us noticed or could respond.'
A fierce light bursts from the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord's eyes.
'So that's it. It's the Immortal Title. The title Crystal Glass Being was hiding his existence from us—shielding him from our gaze! Fortunately, it is impossible for an Ender to completely hide their presence in the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain, causing his existence to be faintly revealed.'
The Immortal Title Crystal Glass Being.
As the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord reflects on this title, they recall the one who must have bestowed it.
: : Hyeon Rang... Are you not sick of this? Are you being broken again? : :
Revealing their fury, the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord turns towards the Elephant Nose Heavenly Domain.
: : If he has fled beyond the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain, that Immortal Title will make him untraceable once more. Must this era's Hyeon Rang...be discarded as well? : :
There is neither light nor darkness.
A world of nothingness that no brush nor tongue could describe.
I blanky come to my senses there.
'This place is...'
It is the domain of purity.
'Did I survive?'
Tststststststs!
Regaining consciousness within the domain of purity, I force my body to move with all my strength.
Tsaaaaaaat!
As I surface from the domain of purity, what comes into view is the interior of a teleportation formation's dimensional gate.
I am flying from the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain towards the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain.
"Huuuuu..."
I let out a sigh of relief.
I barely made it.
'If I hadn't refined Heavenly Escape even further after witnessing the Hyeon Mu of my past life...no. If I hadn't reflected on my Martial Arts after seeing her...'
I would have withered away, trapped in the Small Heavenly Domain of the Thirty-Three Heavenly Resplendent Treasure Immortals, long before the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord.
'That was dangerous.'
It was an impulsive decision that even I am shocked by.
To cross the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain unprepared.
Honestly, thinking back now, it was pure madness.
'I was out of my mind.'
Quite literally.
It's something I would have never attempted without the madness of the Head Realm.
Even if the Great Nets and Immortal Lords had left on expeditions, what if they had returned?
Even though Heavenly Escape is the ultimate technique for concealment and escape, it is honestly difficult to use consecutively.
'If the Immortal Lords and Great Net Immortals had returned, I would have to use Heavenly Escape consecutively just to flee.'
Even in hindsight, it was pure insanity.
Chwachwachwachwa!
I feel the ripple of dimensions.
At the same time, the familiar Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain appears before me.
'I'll be continuously regressing to the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain in the future. I can't keep doing this.'
I envelop the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain with my Earth Tribe senses.
Jiiiiiiing!
And perhaps having noticed me, I can sense Glass Peacock in the far distance hurtling towards me in a frenzy.
Glass Peacocks sends a voice transmission across vast spacetime.
: : An Immortal Beast I'm seeing for the first time. You are...wait!!! That mark engraved on your soul!!! What is that!? This won't do. Stay right there. Stay right there!! : :
: : ... : :
I ignore Glass Peacock and immediately move to the Middle Realm where Jeon Myeong-hoon is located.
'I'll have to quickly raise my realm to Great Net. For now, there's no other option.'
Or, perhaps, I could search for an artifact that shields the mind.
'If there's a decent Immortal Treasure, I could use that for mental protection.'
With that thought, I first vomit the Lightning Sacred Sea from inside my body and speak to Golden Shaking Bird, who is trembling violently within it.
"How about it, Golden Shaking Bird? Didn't this Immortal tell you? This Immortal truly has no intention of lying. Now...lead me to where he is."
"..."
Golden Shaking Bird meets my consciousness as though about to speak, but then shuts her mouth again.
However, she doesn't resist like before.
Perhaps she thinks that a being as strong as me has no reason to deceive someone like her.
I glance behind me.
"...Glass Peacock is closing in. Once we find Yang Su-jin's successor, be ready to activate the Great Desolate Path immediately. Unless you want all of us caught and defiled for hundreds of thousands or millions of years by Glass Peacock."
Golden Shaking Bird flinches the moment she hears the name Glass Peacock and opens her mouth.
"...If what the distinguished one says is true...I will prepare to activate the Great Desolate Path immediately. But if you're lying...I will hole myself up in the Lightning Sacred Sea for eons and watch as you get violated by Glass Peacock."
"Sure. That won't happen, so do not worry. Ah! And one more thing—when you meet him, do not face him directly."
After warning Golden Shaking Bird, I go to find Jeon Myeong-hoon.
Jeon Myeong-hoon, located in one of the Middle Realms within the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain, widens his eyes as I appear before him.
"A-Ah...Seo Eun...hyun...?"
"...It's been a while, Jeon Myeong-hoon."
I glance at Jeon Myeong-hoon.
Unlike before, Jeon Myeong-hoon doesn't immediately advance to True Immortality upon meeting me.
'...I see. The Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld...that cunning existence.'
Because...
Jeon Myeong-hoon is already a True Immortal.
Fate has twisted.
Before our meeting, Jeon Myeong-hoon seems to have fused with the taenghwa painting I brought from my past life. Gaining confidence through that power, he has long since advanced to True Immortality.
The image of the taenghwa remains vividly imprinted on Jeon Myeong-hoon's fate.
"M-M-Masteeeer!!!"
Ignoring my warning, Golden Shaking Bird bursts out from Lightning Sacred Sea and dives straight into Jeon Myeong-hoon's arms.
'...If this was before Jeon Myeong-hoon's Ture Immortal advancement, I would've punished her, but I'll let it slide.'
Fortunately, since he's already advanced, there won't be a problem even if he meets with us.
Kurururung!
I look up at the sky of the Middle Realm, now starting to darken.
"Golden Shaking Bird!"
Glass Peacock.
They are enveloping the entire Divine Thunder Realm with their true body.
It's cutting off our escape route.
Immortal Art,
Glass Avidyā Advancement Light.
Glass Peacock's signature technique unfolds.
A light that turns everyone into fools.
But I'm not foolish enough to fall for it this time.
Immortal Art,
Filling the Heavens Governing View.
Tsuuaaaaah!
A hazy mist blankets the entire Divine Thunder Realm.
The light that turns foes into fools and the mist that turns all into losers collide.
Filling the Heavens Governing View blocks Glass Peacock's Immortal Art head-on, scattering and diffusing it completely.
"Golden Shaking Bird! It's Glass Peacock!!! If you don't want to be made a complete mess, move fast!!!"
"...Understood."
Golden Shaking Bird sniffs Jeon Myeong-hoon's scent and makes a blissful smile as she sluggishly starts moving.
Her slow pace makes my blood boil, but eventually, Golden Shaking Bird returns to the Lightning Sacred Sea and reaches out her hand on the 100th floor where the Great Desolate Path lies.
Kugugugugu!
Lightning Sacred Sea's Great Desolate Path starts resonating with Golden Shaking Bird's soul.
Kururururung!
Glass Peacock's will clashes against mine.
: : Impress...ive. Is this the mark I left behind? Why don't I remember it? But...fine. This Immortal Art of Defeat. This history of failures and losses you've endured...this realm of Immortal Beasts you reached by carving through your bones...I really like it. I like it. I like it so much. : :
Paaaaatt!
Glass Avidyā Advancement Light shines even brighter, pouring down onto my Filling the Heavens Governing View.
: : What is your name, newbie? : :
: : ... : :
I keep my mouth shut, but in an instant, Glass Peacock draws out my history through some inexplicable means and uncovers my true name.
: : I see. Crystal Glass Being, Seo Eun-hyun! Immortal Beast Candle Shadow, huh? Ahahahaha! So you're Crystal Glass Being. Nice to meet you. This Immortal is Glass Peacock. My Immortal Title is Ignorant One (無明子/Avidyā Being). Remember it well. Because this Ignorant One Glass Peacock is the one who will pin you beneath me and violate you for at least five million years! : :
At the searing heat rising inside me, I bite my lip hard.
I want to grab Golden Shaking Bird by the throat right now.
Even if it's me, going head-to-head with Glass Peacock would only end up costing me.
I could win, but the longer I stay near this seductive Immortal Beast, the more I feel my mind becoming tainted. I don't want this to drag on.
'A master who taught me is still a master, regardless.'
But something that is crude and vulgar is crude and vulgar regardless.
I pour all my strength into Filling the Heavens Governing View, scattering Glass Avidyā Advancement Light.
: : Hahahahaha! You scattered (산란) my light? Soon, I'll lay eggs (산란) in you too so wait for me. Of course, if you want, I can let you lay eggs (산란) in me as well. Mmm! This feeling. This history! The depth of this refinement and study! Damn it, Crystal Glass Being! I like you! : :
"..."
Kururururung!
Glass Peacock begins to descend into the Divine Thunder Realm.
Countless living beings in the Divine Thunder Realm go into heat all at once, pairing off and mating.
...Some males with males, and females with females too.
Regardless, I can feel Glass Peacock's presence corrupting the minds of the living beings.
Glass Peacock's obsession starts to pierce through my Filling the Heavens Governing View.
I could intercept it with the Impermanence Sword, but I honestly don't want to.
After all, the being before me is the past of one who had been my master.
"Golden Shaking Bird!!! Quickly activate it before I kill you!!!"
I feel Golden Shaking Bird, now fully merged with the Great Desolate Path.
[Please just wait a little. Gathering energy takes—]
"This damned thing!"
I rage at Golden Shaking Bird's leisure and flood the Great Desolate Path with a surge of my twilight true energy.
[Ugh! Ububup! Please just! Wait a little, Elder. Ubup!]
"Activate it now!!"
Finally—
Kwaaaaaaaaang!
Glass Peacock's heat pierces through my Immortal Art of Failure.
: : I love you, Crystal Glass Being. Let us become one! : :
"Damn it all!!!"
And just before Glass Peacock lunges at me—
[Great Desolate Path, activated.]
The world becomes engulfed in lightning.
Jeon Myeong-hoon, Golden Shaking Bird, and I are transported into a world made entirely of lightning with the Lightning Sacred Sea.
Kururururung!
The entire world is thunder and lightning.
A familiar place.
It's the teleportation space of lightning created when the Great Desolate Path activates.
[Ahaha, how was it, Elder? Quite impressive—]
"Ghost-Face Killing Heavenly Order."
Kiaaaaaaaaagh!
The curses and pain I've endured rise to the level of Immortal Arts and spread across the entire Great Desolate Path.
[Kyaaaaaaaagh!!!]
Golden Shaking Bird screams, and I grit my teeth.
"You damn thing! You do this even knowing what kind of existence Glass Peacock is?"
[Kuaaaaagh! Kuhahahaak! Kuhaaaagh! Hukeok. Keok! Heok! What are you doing! Don't you know that if I lose focus, we might return to where we originally were? Did you want to be violated by Glass Peacock?]
"What kind of dogshit were you pulling? Did you not realize that Jeon Myeong-hoon, you, and I almost ended up violated into a complete mess and turned into idiots by Glass Peacock?"
I shout at Golden Shaking Bird.
Kwachijijijik!
Golden Shaking Bird creates an incarnation in the form of a small hummingbird and appears before me and Jeon Myeong-hoon, who are still trying to grasp the situation.
[First, I apologize for playing a prank on Master. However, please understand there was a reason for this prank.]
"A reason?"
Jeon Myeong-hoon asks, puzzled, while I glare at Golden Shaking Bird.
"If you can't explain it properly, expect to receive the same pain you just felt."
[Hah, there is a proper reason. First...should I call you Senior Brother Crystal Glass Being?]
"...Forget it. I don't want to hear 'Senior Brother' from you. Call me Elder."
[Understood. First, it was revenge for Elder not giving me any proper reason and pulling out the Lightning Sacred Sea then crossing the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain. Surely, Elder knows that if something had gone wrong, the Lightning Sacred Sea could have ended up being an offering to the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain?]
The mention of revenge nearly makes my eyes flip, but I control my breath and hold back.
'She's not wrong.'
From her perspective, it's like some lunatic uprooted her home and then crossed a pirate island.
'This must be retribution.'
"What is the second reason?"
[That was for the sake of my master.]
"Oh?"
I thought it was simply revenge against me, but it seems there's a proper reason.
[Whenever my master used the Great Desolate Path, he always used it like this.]
"What?"
[Whenever the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity or Their lackeys were chasing my master, he would always let them get right up to his nose before activating the Great Desolate Path to escape. It was a way of taunting them while also gathering as much information as possible before fleeing.]
"..."
[Because my master always escaped that way in his past life, I thought perhaps the present master might recall his past and gave it a try.]
So bringing Glass Peacock right up to our noses and then fleeing wasn't just for revenge—it was also to trigger Jeon Myeong-hoon's past life memories.
I let out a bitter smile.
'Well, now I feel a little bad.'
Honestly, in my view, we are completely different beings who only share the same fate as the past Enders.
But from her perspective, sharing the same fate means being the same person, which is why she says such things.
I nod.
"...Fine. I'll acknowledge it. But it's a high-risk method, and it doesn't seem to have helped Jeon Myeong-hoon much, so don't do it again."
[...]
Golden Shaking Bird stays silent at my words, and Jeon Myeong-hoon, who seems to grasp the situation, speaks up in support.
"Y-Yeah. Seo Eun-hyun is right. Don't do that again."
[Yes, Master. I have received your command.]
I introduce Golden Shaking Bird to Jeon Myeong-hoon, and we spend about a day inside the Great Desolate Path, deciding on our next destination.
The next day arrives.
After catching up with Yeo Hwi, who has separated from our fusion, Hong Fan, who has been within my body until now, and Golden Shaking Bird and Jeon Myeong-hoon, we decide to head towards the destination we set last night.
"Alright then, Golden Shaking Bird. As we decided last night, let's head to the Good Sight Heavenly Domain first."
[Yes. Then I will begin the transfer to the Good Sight Heavenly Domain.]
Golden Shaking Bird nods and begins activating the Great Desolate Path.
Kururururung!
Within the world of thunder and lightning, we begin preparing to move into the Heavenly Tribulation within the Good Sight Heavenly Domain.
Hong Fan and Yeo Hwi return inside my body, while Jeon Myeong-hoon and I sit in a lotus position and silently observe the Great Desolate Path.
[Great Desolate Path, activating! Destination: Good Sight Heavenly Domain!]
Kururururung!
Thunder roars and we set off towards the Good Sight Heavenly Domain.
That's what should have happened.
"...?"
I feel something strange and glance at the surroundings.
Jeon Myeong-hoon abruptly jumps to his feet.
His eyes begin to turn bloodshot.
"This...energy is...Golden Shaking Bird!"
"...Jeon Myeong-hoon, calm down. Golden Shaking Bird won't be able to answer."
"What?"
"...Time has fractured. Under the attraction force of a formidable existence, the world has momentarily come to a halt. A being like Golden Shaking Bird won't even be able to resist. I'm saying the only ones who are conscious here are us."
The surroundings are frozen.
The Great Desolate Path, which was about to activate.
Yeo Hwi and Hong Fan, who were chatting inside me.
Even the seething lightning around us.
Everything is at a standstill.
And inside this frozen spacetime—
Kwachijijik!
A portion of the lightning begins to surge, and from within, a figure emerges.
It's a [foot].
A pure white foot, as clean as freshly fallen snow, gently steps into this space.
A palace attire made of lightning.
A hair of white.
A strange being, their face hidden.
It is Zhengli.
"...!"
"...!"
Jeon Myeong-hoon and I simultaneously tremble, and Zhengli smiles.
[This is...surprising. I only permitted the consciousness of the Heaven-Destroying One, but your will is so immense that time-stop didn't work. What a monster you are, Seo Eun-hyun.]
"...It's been a while, Zhengli."
I greet Zhengli calmly, exuding killing intent.
But Jeon Myeong-hoon grits his teeth as red lightning sparks around him.
"...Have you come...seeking death, my nemesis...?"
[Kukuk...Someone like you? Kill me? Absurd. I, who acts on behalf of my Lord, stand equal to the Judges of the Underworld. I can crush the likes of you beneath my finger.]
Kududududuk!
Zhengli's aura covers the entire Great Desolate Path.
Jeon Myeong-hoon collapses to his knees, struggling even to breathe.
Yet, even as he kneels, he cannot suppress his fury. Red lightning seeps from his seven orifices as he slowly begins to rise again.
It looks as though he's weeping blood.
Zhengli stretches out her hand, as if intent on finishing him.
A terrifying authority of Heavenly Tribulation can be felt from the surroundings.
"...That won't do."
I summon the Wheel behind my back and take a step forward.
Jjeooong!
Zhengli's aura is nullified by my presence.
"I know I'll lose to you, but I am confident I can make you regret attacking us."
Kiiiiiiiing!
The jade of Yin-Yang and Five Elements gathers before me.
It's not my preferred method, but right now, even the Great Mountain Supreme Deity's way is necessary.
"I am prepared to sacrifice myself to force-feed you the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra. If you are set on attacking us, be ready for the price."
[...Kukuk. Damn it. I sensed it the moment the temptation failed, but you really aren't human, Seo Eun-hyun...]
Zhengli laughs as she looks at me.
Zhengli and I confront each other for a moment.
A while later.
She lets out a chuckle and steps back.
Chiiii—
Her oppressive aura fades. Jeon Myeong-hoon, as if released from his tension, collapses entirely and coughs up crimson spiritual energy.
[Even I am wary of that savage Mountain Divine Spirit's mantra, so let us end this fight here.]
"State your purpose for coming here."
[I was going to tell you anyway. Don't rush me.]
Pajijijijik!
Lightning writhes and forms a chair.
A seat made entirely of lightning, without any true substance.
Despite only having form, Zhengli sits comfortably upon it.
[My Lord speaks thus: 'I seek the strength of you Enders. Come to the Horse Ear Heavenly Domain and create a gap in the imprisonment Heavenly Domain. Do this, and this Immortal shall bestow upon you the greatest gift that I can give.']
"...!"
A sudden collaboration offer from the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity, Do Gon!
I flinch at the offer, while Jeon Myeong-hoon gasps for breath as he glares at Zhengli.
She smiles faintly and extends her hand towards us.
[Choose. Take my Lord's hand and liberate my Lord to obtain future hope. Or...be ground to dust along with Mount Sumeru by the Great Mountain Supreme Deity who is gathering Their strength...]
-x-X-x-
"With...you...?"
Badududuk...
Jeon Myeong-hoon grits his teeth.
"Join hands...? With you...?"
His face twists into an evil spirit.
"Join forces with you...? With you...!? Do you think...I could ever accept that!!??"
Kururururung!
A powerful thunderous roar bursts from within Jeon Myeong-hoon, pushing back Zhengli's presence alongside mine.
Zhengli chuckles.
"Well. I'm only here to make an offer. Whether you accept it or not is up to you. And...do you think you can escape Their plan just because you refuse? One way or another, you will end up liberating my Lord. Sooner or later. By some method or another... My Lord is merely extending a hand to offer you pitiful things a chance."
I glare at her as I listen.
"...So...you plan to resurrect through Jeon Myeong-hoon's body, is it?"
At my words, Zhengli turns her gaze towards me.
For a moment, Zhengli and I stare each other down.
"...Well, that could be one way... In any case, understand that this proposal is entirely for your sake."
She seems slightly flustered, perhaps because I saw through their plan so quickly.
Jeon Myeong-hoon snorts at her.
"Hah... Use me as a vessel for resurrection? Don't make me laugh. You think I'd allow that!? I'd kill myself first. Rather than let your Lord take my body, I'd shatter every prophecy and throw myself into the Underworld to be torn apart!"
He glares at Zhengli with bloodshot eyes, grinding his teeth.
"You want us to join hands? Fine!!! Then I'll agree. But!!! Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect! Revive every single member of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect who was annihilated by the Owner of Heavenly Punishment! Bring them all back, and I'll help you."
"Hmm..."
Zhengli seems to ponder something, while Jeon Myeong-hoon mutters in a low voice, as if reconsidering something.
"Don't even think about lying. Seo Eun-hyun! If she tries to deceive me with lies, strike her immediately. You can do that, right?"
"...Yeah."
Kiiiiing!
I activate the authority of the Impermanence Sword, locking my gaze onto Zhengli.
She clicks her tongue and lets out a sigh.
"What a bunch of nuisances. Fine. I'll tell you the truth. The living beings who returned to my Lord. In other words, the other rabble other than the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect that were in the Human Race territory where your sect resided."
She must be talking about the residents of Thunder Spirit Island.
"The ones who returned to my Lord have been reborn within Them, now living happily as spirits of lightning. Their cultivation is far beyond what it was when they were humans, and their lifespans are longer. Honestly, most prefer this than before."
"...!"
My eyes widen at this unexpected truth.
'This is...'
A part of my chest...
Feels lighter.
Of course, I don't feel completely at ease.
But it's as if one of the heavy burdens of guilt, which had been weighing down on me, washes away.
Though countless thorns still pierce my chest, it feels like at least one has been pulled out.
'...Thank goodness.'
Back in the 15th cycle.
When the entire Heavenly Human Island, the headquarters of the Human Race, was returned to the Owner of Heavenly Punishment, it hadn't been just pain and despair after all.
However, unlike me—whose heart feels somewhat lighter—Jeon Myeong-hoon's gaze grows more vicious with each word of Zhengli's explanation.
"But...your Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect didn't return to my Lord back then. Quite literally, they were completely erased by the falling Heavenly Tribulation. Ordinary living beings, when they die, pass through the outskirts and fall into the depths of the Underworld, where they are judged and then reincarnated. But the authority I used that day, borrowing my Lord's power, sealed your spirits within the Heavenly Tribulation, tormenting them while sending them straight to the depths of the Underworld, bypassing the outskirts entirely."
"..."
At first, Jeon Myeong-hoon's face heaves with anger, but now it gradually calms.
I know exactly what this means.
'When someone feels pain or hatred beyond a point, their rage condenses, and for a moment, they can seem rational.'
Right now, Jeon Myeong-hoon is condensing his fury to its utmost limit.
"Since they were thrust straight into the depths of the Underworld, they would have been judged and reincarnated right away. They are probably living somewhere on this vast Mount Sumeru, reborn according to their karma. Those who accumulated virtue as races like the Earth Tribe or Heaven Tribe. Those steeped in vice as bugs, livestock, or perhaps as monsters with the fate of Asura... Since it has been some time since then, they have probably reincarnated hundreds of times."
She shrugs.
"Sorry about that. Reviving the dead isn't hard, but finding those who have already reincarnated—especially ones who've done so hundreds of times, with their original fates and natures completely altered—and restoring their memories to present them before you...well. In my current state, that's a bit beyond me."
"..."
"If the forty-eight Great Net True Heavenly Lords under my Lord in Their heyday were still intact, it might have been worth attempting. But with my Lord imprisoned, it is impossible. The only ones who could manage to do so at this point are probably the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld or the Sal Tree Heavenly Venerable, who oversee reincarnation. But neither of them will permit it. The judgments of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld only proceed when a spirit has fully accepted its past life. Both Heavenly Venerables respect the free will of spirits that have come to terms with their lives and moved on to their next. What you are asking for is impossible. Do you understand?
"..."
The red fades from Jeon Myeong-hoon's eyes.
But I still see the endless pain within them.
Right now, he is showing the appearance of the broken Lightning Harbinger.
"...Why go to such lengths to eliminate any reason I might have to help you?"
He lets out a hollow laugh.
It's a chilling sight.
Yet Zhengli smiles.
"While bringing them back is impossible...finding them isn't."
"...What...?"
"You seem desperate to save the humans of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect. So, aside from my Lord's reward, I will make you this promise. It is a promise in my Lord's name. I will ask my Lord to find the reincarnations of the humans from the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect who perished by my hand at that time."
At that, Jeon Myeong-hoon's gaze trembles.
The chilling look in his eyes fades slightly.
"Right now, it is a bit difficult, but once the Lord escapes from imprisonment, it is possible. The Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation Method you have. Though it is an Immortal Art Yang Su-jin slightly altered, who do you think the original came from?"
Pachijijik!
A net of lightning crackles around Zhengli.
"By using Indra's Net of the Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation, you can trace the history of those who have once been with you through the principle of returning lightning strikes. Of course, you can't do it with your own power. After so many reincarnations, they have long lost their original essence. To find those who have reincarnated hundreds, thousands of times, only the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld or the Lord who fully controls Heavenly Punishment could manage such a feat."
"..."
"Help my Lord. And They will help you in return."
Zhengli extends her hand to Jeon Myeong-hoon with a gentle voice.
Just then,
Jeon Myeong-hoon's gaze sharpens once more.
"...What a joke."
"Hmm?"
"You say using Indra's Net can help me find the comrades of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect...? Then why in the world would I have to help you? Doesn't that give me even less reason to?"
"Kukuk, did you even listen? I even explained it in such detail. Don't tell me you actually believe you could use Indra's Net to the same capabilities as my..."
"Of course I can't."
Jeon Myeong-hoon twists the corner of his lips.
"But...what if Seo Eun-hyun helps me?"
"...Even so, it's just two Upper Immortals..."
"There's also Golden Shaking Bird. She also definitely mentioned that there are Thunder Beasts and disciples who followed the Golden Divine. If they help too?"
"Yang Su-jin's disciples? Thunder Beasts? None of them have reached the realm of Great Net..."
"I'm not the only one who can mobilize manpower...There's Seo Eun-hyun too. And...I'm not alone with just Seo Eun-hyun. I have comrades in other Heavenly Domains as well. Kim Young-hoon, Oh Hyun-seok, Kang Min-hee, Kim Yeon...and maybe even Oh Hye-seo. There is more than enough manpower I can call upon...! With all their strength combined, isn't it possible for us to save the people of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect on our own?"
"..."
Zhengli silently glares at Jeon Myeong-hoon.
"I hate you all. Reincarnated or whatever. Whether the rest are living well inside your Lord's belly or not. During the time of the returning. Back when we were annihilated by Heavenly Punishment. The ones who trampled the powerless us and fried us with Heavenly Punishment were you!!"
Jeon Myeong-hoon pulls out a wooden box from his chest and grips it tightly, trembling.
It is the box that holds Jin So-hae's hand.
"Even if...I manage to find the reincarnated them, what am I supposed to do? Huh? Didn't you say they reincarnated multiple times? Their essence and fate have changed multiple times? Then doesn't that mean the ones I know are all dead for good?"
"...Hey, if you use certain Immortal Arts or precious elixirs, there are ways to recover their past life memories..."
"So, you're telling me to go find those who are living peaceful lives now, force their past life memories onto them, and make them suffer the agony of their painful ends all over again!?"
Jeon Myeong-hoon grits his teeth as he speaks.
"I will not join hands with you. Let your Lord rot in confinement for ten thousand, a hundred million years. I don't care what gifts you offer."
"...You..."
"I am weaker than you. But we are stronger than you!"
Jeon Myeong-hoon's bold declaration!
I smile faintly as I watch him.
"I, too, share the same resolve. After all...you are just another one of our enemies."
At my words, Zhengli clenches both fists, her body trembling.
"You mere fledglings who have just advanced to True Immortality... How dare you defy Their will...!? You think the likes of you are stronger than my Lord...?"
It seems the words 'we are stronger than you' struck her the hardest, as crimson lightning begins to crackle around her.
Red.
It feels as if the entire Great Desolate Path is being dyed in red.
'This is...dangerous.'
Zhengli is enraged.
"Immortal Cultivation is repentant enlightenment..."
Wiiiiiiing!
I recite the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra, preparing to counter her power at any moment as I glare at her.
Jeon Myeong-hoon also holds his ground, operating the Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation Method.
: : Mere clots of blood who've just stepped into the realm of Immortals... Even if you were to ignore me...you dare claim to be stronger than my Lord with such empty words...? No matter what happens today...I will rip your tongues out. : :
Guguguguguk!
The very dimension seems to warp under the weight of her presence.
Gradually, Zhengli's form starts to change.
The Immortal Treasure of the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity, Zhengli.
She seems to be revealing her main body.
Just as I think that—
: : Uh, ugh...uuuuugh... : :
Zhengli suddenly flinches.
And immediately after,
: : ...Understood. : :
Chijijijik...
She suppresses her rage and lowers her power.
Chijik...
Finally, when her red lightning fully subsides, I feel chills running across my entire body.
'Th-This is...!'
It feels like my brain is trembling.
Though my brain has long since ceased to exist, the sheer presence radiating from the being before me feels so immense it's as if my head is burning.
'I'm gonna throw up...!'
An overwhelming presence is flooding the entire Great Desolate Path.
At the same time, I sense Zhengli's consciousness shrinking into a corner, her will vanishing.
Having descended into Yeo Hwi's body and crossed the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain not long ago, I immediately understand what is happening.
The will of the owner is descending into the body of the Immortal Treasure.
In other words...
'H-Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity...!?'
The Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity, Do Gon, is directly revealing Their will through Zhengli's body within the Great Desolate Path.
Jeon Myeong-hoon clutches his throat, gasping for breath as collapses, while I barely manage to withstand the pressure and stay on my feet.
'Even while They are imprisoned, with only a fragment of Their will... Damn it. The gap between me and a Supreme Deity is still vast.'
Kudududududuk!
I speak towards the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity as if screaming.
"It is an honour beyond measure to meet Your Majesty, the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity! If Thee has any words for us later generations, please, we will listen with utmost respect!"
: : Haha... : :
A faint chuckle.
The moment it echoes, the suffocating presence that had engulfed us vanishes, as if it had been a lie.
However, I realize that the presence hasn't disappeared but has been compressed deep inside Zhengli's body.
The claws have not been retracted, merely held back.
I can tell that at any moment, They could reveal a will as powerful as before, no even stronger, and crush us and the entire Great Desolate Path.
"This Immortal has withdrawn my presence, so cease reciting the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra, Ender."
"...!"
The entity dwelling within Zhengli's body points with a kind voice at the Yin-Yang Five Elements energy gathering in my hands.
"...I apologize. It is my minimal means of defense."
"The topic I will speak about from now on will be about Ra Cheon...of Gwak Am. If you keep reciting, They might overhear."
"..."
"I will not harm you here today. I swear it upon the name of this Immortal."
Only then do I release the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra.
Seeing this, Do Gon reclines on the chair Zhengli has created and speaks.
"I understand the grudge you bear against this Immortal. This Immortal, too, knows all too well the feeling of losing those cherished and loved to an unstoppable force. This Immortal won't ask you to set aside your grudge or forgive. When the time comes, come for your revenge."
"...?"
At this unexpected response, Jeon Myeong-hoon and I momentarily wear strange expressions.
Their casual invitation to exact revenge makes Them seem almost magnanimous, or perhaps simply incomprehensible.
"But, as always, revenge should never end with revenge alone. You must think of those who remain."
"...What do you mean by that?"
Jeon Myeong-hoon speaks as he glares at Do Gon, and Do Gon responds with a faint smile.
"It is simple. Did Zhengli not tell you when she first came to convey my will? To choose. Be annihilated by the Great Mountain Supreme Deity, or liberate me and seek an opportunity."
"What is this Great Mountain Supreme Deity planning?"
Jeon Myeong-hoon questions, not understanding, and Do Gon speaks while turning to look at me.
"You know, do you not? The terror of the Great Mountain Supreme Deity?"
"..."
"I will skip the unnecessary details and speak bluntly. I do not know exactly when. But...in the near future, all of Mount Sumeru will undoubtedly be destroyed by the hands of the Great Mountain Supreme Deity."
They turn to Jeon Myeong-hoon again and speak.
"And when that happens...all your old comrades, who have reincarnated and are now living peaceful lives, will feel the same agony as then and be annihilated. This time, there will be no chance for even reincarnation. Those struck down by the Great Mountain Supreme Deity do not reincarnate... You said you would not seek out their past lives out of concern for their current ones? Wrong. If you truly care about your old comrades...then you must stop the Great Mountain Supreme Deity as fast as possible.
"Revenge is fine, but before seeking vengeance, should you not be protecting those who are still alive? Is that not clearly more important than revenge?"
"..."
Do Gon looks at us with a relaxed demeanor and asks,
"Is there any flaw in my logic?"
Jeon Myeong-hoon's body trembles.
With great effort, he parts his lips and asks me,
"...Seo...Eun-hyun."
"I'm listening."
"...Is it...true?"
"..."
"Will the world...really be destroyed by that Great Mountain Supreme Deity? You...would know, wouldn't you? If it's you..."
"..."
A question that I, the junior brother of the Great Mountain Supreme Deity, can clearly answer.
I recall the power of the Great Mountain Supreme Deity.
And I remember that golden wave I saw in my past life.
That golden wave that crumbled all Heavenly Domains.
"...Yes. The Great Mountain Supreme Deity...can destroy the world. They have the power, and the will..."
"..."
Jeon Myeong-hoon slams his head against the ground.
"...Then...if I join hands with you...will I really be able to save them...?"
At that, Do Gon opens his mouth.
"To answer that...I will first need to explain the mantra They seek to complete... Of course, I do not know every detail, and I am only speaking on what I do know, but...I will give you solid evidence on why your comrades can be saved."
Then, Their explanation that follows is beyond imagination.
"The mantra the Great Mountain Supreme Deity seeks to complete is the Splitting Heaven Mantra (裂天眞言)."
I freeze in place as I listen to the words of the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity, Do Gon.
"To be exact, it is less of a mantra and more of a [phenomenon]. But for convenience, it is called the [Splitting Heaven Mantra]. This [phenomenon] where the heavens are torn apart...appears every time you Enders are born."
"...What?"
"The Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra of the Salt Sea Supreme Deity was an attempt to reverse the Splitting Heaven Mantra to reach the origin of Enders. And the current Great Mountain Supreme Deity's Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique is one of many attempts to reverse the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra and restore the Splitting Heaven Mantra."
Shocking truths begin to pour from the mouth of the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity Do Gon.