Kurururung!
Countless True Immortals unleash a relentless barrage of firepower at Seo Eun-hyun.
Jeon Myeong-hoon, watching the scene, takes a step back and gazes down at the stellar system.
"..."
"You're not joining in?"
Shiriririk!
Kim Young-hoon suddenly appears right behind Jeon Myeong-hoon in an instant and asks.
But Jeon Myeong-hoon clicks his tongue.
"...I already know what he's trying to do. There's no need for me to join them."
A world without Immortal Cultivation.
A world without transcendent power.
Isn't it a world all too familiar?
"He's probably trying to recreate Earth."
"For something like that, you don't seem too pleased."
Jeon Myeong-hoon nods.
"And for good reason. He does this every time..."
He furrows his brows.
"Back during the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect incident, and even during the Cedarwood Painting incident, I just let it go. At the time of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, there was too much information we weren't supposed to know... And during the Cedarwood Painting incident, we were in the middle of fighting that bastard Seo Hweol, so we couldn't risk letting information leak so easily. But this time...honestly, I don't know."
With visible dissatisfaction, he gazes at Seo Eun-hyun's Filling the Heavens Governing View, which envelops the entire stellar system and nullifies all the True Immortals' prophecies and revisions into failure.
"Why doesn't he just explain? If he had simply asked for a few ten thousand years...or at least explained that we need to advance with a civilization without Immortal Cultivation, the True Immortals wouldn't have been this furious."
With a strangely hollow expression, he stares into the void.
"Sometimes...Seo Eun-hyun feels very distant. Based on my predictions, he's probably... No, I shouldn't say this. In any case, he is someone who knows a lot of information. But maybe that's exactly why. He tells us to trust him, but he doesn't seem to believe in us who believe in him."
He clenches his fist.
"This time as well. Even if he doesn't tell the other True Immortals...couldn't he have at the very least given us, his fellow Enders, some kind of hint?"
"..."
"What do you think, Young-hoon Hyung-nim?"
"...That's definitely Seo Eun-hyun's fault. Honestly, the guy is stubborn, self-righteous, and arrogant."
Kim Young-hoon sharply criticizes Seo Eun-hyun.
"However..."
But then, he looks towards something and speaks.
"It might not be entirely his fault."
"Pardon...?"
"Maybe that stubbornness and self-righteousness...are actually his way of struggling."
"What do you mean?"
Kiiiiiiing!
Behind Kim Young-hoon, a golden mass of light emerges.
The mass is split into two.
"For the past tens of thousands of years, after attaining Brahma Nature, I also obtained Narayana Nature. Now, I stand in the realm of Twin Divinities. And having reached this point...I've started to read not just the hearts of humans, sentient beings, and organic life...but also the consciousness of the world itself."
"...?"
"Seo Eun-hyun's attitude is clearly wrong, but do you know why I've never once criticized him for it?"
"Why?"
"Because only after reading the consciousness of Kim Yeon, Seo Eun-hyun...and...certain other consciousnesses, did I begin to grasp the reason."
Kim Young-hoon shifts his eyes slightly, staring into a point in the darkness of space.
"This is something...that guy should explain himself."
Tstststststs!
The area where Kim Young-hoon's gaze lands.
Light distorts, and a familiar black-haired young man reveals himself.
Candidate of Radiance Hall's Envoy of the Final Age of Dharma, it's the Great Net Immortal Maek Jin.
"Incredible... You noticed my concealment. Is that the True Martial Great Emperor's technique?"
"Strictly speaking, 'Martial Arts' aren't exclusively hers."
"Hmm, is that so? I wouldn't know much about that. In any case, your insight and senses are remarkable. That's right. Right now, Seo Eun-hyun...is under the strong influence of [someone]."
"[Someone]'s influence...?"
It's when countless True Immortals rain down bombardments on Seo Eun-hyun.
Jjeeooong!
A cosmic storm sweeps in, striking against the barrier of Filling the Heavens Governing View that Seo Eun-hyun created.
It is as if this entire space is trying to expel Seo Eun-hyun.
Jeon Myeong-hoon's eyes widen as he watches this.
"Kim Yeon...? Wait, isn't he doing this with Kim Yeon's agreement? Even Kim Yeon is adding to the assault?"
Jeon Myeong-hoon turns to Maek Jin, feeling something off.
"Just who exactly is influencing Seo Eun-hyun, and why aren't you attacking him?"
"At first, I intended to attack him as well...but then I sensed a familiar presence. Right now, I'm holding back because I'm not exactly sure what's going on."
Maek Jin smiles as if lost for words, and looks toward the stellar system where Seo Eun-hyun is under siege.
His Filling the Heavens Governing View shrouding the area flickers with countless masses of light, resembling a nebula.
"Seo Eun-hyun is currently...possessed by [light]. He is under the influence of [light], and resisting that influence is taking up so much of his focus that he's lost the ability to explain anything to you."
"What...?"
Jeon Myeong-hoon stares at Seo Eun-hyun in disbelief.
"What kind of insane nonsense is that? That guy is possessed by light? Don't you know what he said to us ten thousand years ago when he was cultivating by compressing the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections?"
He narrows his eyes.
"He said he was creating [his own light]! On top of that, he already achieved the Radiance Ten Heavens and reached Earth Upper Immortal long ago. Why would someone who already passed the Radiance Ten Heavens and said they will walk that realm again be possessed by light again? Not to mention, the cultivation method he's practicing right now should be a light that is completely different from the normal light!"
"Hehe..."
Maek Jin laughs as if finding it incredulous.
"If it were the ordinary Radiance Ten Heavens, you'd be right. There's no reason the Supreme Deity would care about a mere Upper Immortal...and for someone who has become an Immortal Beast to be affected by the Radiance Ten Heavens would be disgraceful. But you see...that guy has now committed sacrilege against the Supreme Deity."
"What...?"
"Do you think it's even possible to create [one's own light]? The Radiance Supreme Deity is the rightful owner of all light across the Three Heavens Great Thousand Worlds and of all phenomena. And yet, some mere Upper Immortal, even if he learned a bit from the Great Mountain Supreme Deity's mantra, thinks he can create [his own light]...?"
He snickers.
"As if that's even remotely possible...! What that guy is doing right now...is stealing light. He's siphoning light from the Origin Essence of Radiance and making it his own!"
"...!!"
Jeon Myeong-hoon's eyes widen in shock at Maek Jin's words.
"Wh-What kind of... No, then why didn't you stop Seo Eun-hyun? If you're from Radiance Hall, shouldn't you have stopped him more than anyone else!"
"Don't be ridiculous. What you're saying is no different from claiming that some street urchin could break into the emperor's treasury, chisel out a fragment of the imperial jade seal, and steal it away."
His expression turns serious as he continues.
"No matter how much a mere Upper Immortal throws a crazy tantrum, it is impossible to influence the Origin Essence of Light even a little. That's why I thought it was just a joke. But now I understand... That guy...has actually succeeded in [stealing light]...!"
Jeon Myeong-hoon flinches in shock at those words, while Kim Young-hoon lets out a silent sigh and looks towards Seo Eun-hyun.
Inside the hazy Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections, countless lights shine.
"If that's the case, is Seo Eun-hyun's current self-righteousness a punishment from the Owner of Light as the price of stealing light?"
"Hahaha! As if that could be the case. If the Owner of Light were truly enraged, the Radiance Eight Immortals would have already descended upon this place. For Their will oversees the entirety of the Three Heavens Great Thousand Worlds. They know of all things.
"The fact that it hasn't happened means that They are not angry. If an emperor does not grow furious even when his imperial seal is snatched away by a street child, what do you think the reason could be?"
Upon hearing Maek Jin's next words, Kim Young-hoon's face hardens, and Jeon Myeong-hoon realizes why even Kim Yeon is attacking Seo Eun-hyun.
"There are only two possibilities. Either Seo Eun-hyun stealing a portion of light was Their will from the very beginning...or the Radiance Eight Immortals, the warehouse keepers who must safeguard the Origin Essence of Light, have completely lost their minds and just dumbly stood there watching as Seo Eun-hyun tore away their light."
With an unconcerned expression, Maek Jin crosses his arms and watches as Seo Eun-hyun and the stellar system endure an all-out assault.
Hong Fan, synchronized with the fixed star of the stellar system, warmly illuminates the planet where Seo Eun-hyun stands, while the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections and the light within it cast their glow from above.
A faint silver-white light emanates from within the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections.
"Of course, the Radiance Eight Immortals can never be infected by madness unless they remove their masks. Therefore...this is essentially the will of the Radiance Supreme Deity!"
Maek Jin laughs with a face full of hope.
"The Supreme Deity has not abandoned me...! Hahahaha!!"
At that moment, Jeon Myeong-hoon finally notices the faint voice transmissions emanating from Maek Jin, reaching the True Immortals of Radiance Hall within the Flying Immortal Alliance.
One by one, the Radiance Hall True Immortals, having received some kind of message from Maek Jin, begin to halt their attacks.
As the members of Radiance Hall stop their assault, the other True Immortals, sensing something suspicious, also gradually cease their attacks.
Jeon Myeong-hoon sees this scene and speaks to Kim Young-hoon.
"...Hyung-nim. Then, should we..."
"Are you saying that at least we should attack Seo Eun-hyun?"
"Isn't that the right move?"
"...I wonder."
However, Kim Young-hoon only crosses his arms with an ambiguous expression.
Maek Jin bursts into laughter and spreads his arms wide.
"Hahahaha! It seems that you all, in the end, seek the grace of the Radiance Supreme Deity. If I manage to escape from here, I will go through the procedures to register you all as True Immortals friendly to Radiance Hall. If any of you wish to join Radiance Hall, I'll even write you a recommendation."
"..."
"...Hyung-nim? Isn't Kim Yeon still continuing the assault?"
Kim Young-hoon remains silent.
Jeon Myeong-hoon looks at him in confusion.
Something seems off.
Even though all the other True Immortals have stopped their attacks, only Kim Yeon continues to strike.
And yet, why is Kim Young-hoon just standing still?
However, Kim Young-hoon does not answer Jeon Myeong-hoon's question. He simply gazes down with deep and contemplative eyes at the stellar system bathed in in a silver-white light.
Having attained Twin Divinities and his vision of intent and heart essence evolved to the peak, Kim Young-hoon can clearly see it.
Swaaaaaa—
It is a [will], like the seafoam of waves.
That will, undoubtedly transmitted from a distant place, seems fragile like seafoam, as if it could collapse at any moment.
Yet...that fragile will alone is enough to change Seo Eun-hyun's attitude.
That will soaks deep into Seo Eun-hyun's Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections, seeping into him.
In Kim Young-hoon's eyes, it appears almost as an illusion of a woman in a silver-white dragon robe embracing Seo Eun-hyun.
'You must be seeing this too, Kim Yeon... That's why you are the only one still attacking Seo Eun-hyun.'
Kim Young-hoon glances at Maek Jin and the True Immortals of Radiance Hall, who seem pleased.
Maek Jin firmly believes this is the divine will of the Radiance Supreme Deity.
That the Radiance Eight Immortals would not go mad and do such a crazy thing.
But to Kim Young-hoon...
The original owner of the light Seo Eun-hyun claimed as his own.
In other words, that powerful True Immortal who appears to be the original owner of the faint, silver-white light is undeniably...
'That True Immortal doesn't look sane at all.'
Mad.
The illusion of the woman tightly embracing the stellar system where Seo Eun-hyun resides...
Looks like that of a young child endlessly craving attention.
Kim Young-hoon, wary that Maek Jin might notice and scheme something, does not transmit his will to Jeon Myeong-hoon or send a heart message.
'That guy is someone who even managed to read Kim Yeon's will. That so-called Envoy of the Final Age of Dharma candidate is an unexpectedly dangerous person. For now...I should tread carefully.'
Seo Eun-hyun is currently in a tug-of-war.
Kim Young-hoon is certain of it.
It is not just a tug-of-war with the owner of that silver-white light.
Kim Young-hoon reads even the wills of the Imperial Kings subtly pervading this space.
'The will of the existence known as the Liberation Supreme Deity Bong Myeong. And the will of the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity Do Gon, whose terminal I once severed along with Jeon Myeong-hoon...'
The Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity, the Liberation Supreme Deity, the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, and Seo Eun-hyun.
All of their wills are entangled within that stellar system.
Seo Eun-hyun is locked in a tug-of-war with them all.
Kim Young-hoon looks down at the scene for a moment before stepping out of the stellar system.
"Follow me, Jeon Myeong-hoon. I will explain in a way you can understand. We must follow the will of this so-called Radiance Supreme Deity."
"Pardon...? Alright for now. Just explain what you mean."
Avoiding Maek Jin's sight, Kim Young-hoon takes Jeon Myeong-hoon out of the stellar system and beyond the fragment world controlled by Kim Yeon.
Their destination is deep within Liberation Peach Garden Village, ruled by the law of the Liberation Supreme Deity Bong Myeong.
The moment Kim Young-hoon steps into Liberation Peach Garden Village, he thrusts a golden saber towards Jeon Myeong-hoon.
"H-Hyung-nim...?"
Just as Jeon Myeong-hoon is taken aback.
Kim Young-hoon suddenly slashes through him.
"...! This, this is...!"
Jeon Myeong-hoon's eyes open wide.
The moment Kim Young-hoon's saber grazed his body,
For some reason, he became partially free from the laws governing Liberation Peach Garden Village.
Tstststststst!
In a flash, the environment shifts.
The surrounding environment shifts in an instant, and Jeon Myeong-hoon feels as though everything in Liberation Peach Garden Village has turned two-dimensional.
The world has turned into a painting.
In this world, only two figures retain their human form—Kim Young-hoon and Jeon Myeong-hoon.
Behind Kim Young-hoon, two faint lights are illuminating him.
"Ever since I obtained Twin Divinities...I had a feeling something like this would be possible."
"...!"
"What I just cut wasn't simply the law that was restricting you."
Chijijik...!
A snake made of dim light falls to the ground at Jeon Myeong-hoon's feet and writhes before dissipating into smoke.
"This is..."
"It seems to be a spell for surveillance that Maek Jin attached to you. It's not an Immortal Art, but a surveillance spell formed using the power of this Liberation Peach Garden Village. That guy may be acting as if he's cooperating with us, but he's a sly one."
Sheathing his saber, he continues.
"In any case...since Maek Jin's surveillance is now useless, I'll explain from here on. What state Seo Eun-hyun is in, and how we need to help him."
Step, step...
A woman is walking across a two-dimensional painting.
She is clad a silver-white dragon robe and wears a silver-white mianguan.
Shwikak!
She slices through the surface of the painting as she advances, constantly whispering into [something] in her hands.
Hwiiiiii—
From her shadow, silver-white strands of light faintly seep out and flow towards somewhere.
She is slowly walking towards that place.
But at that moment—
Flinch!
She halts in place and her body twitches. Then, she turns towards the opposite direction from where the strands of light are flowing.
A fierce gleam bursts forth from her eyes beneath the silver-white mask.
"...I heard it."
She clenches her bandage-wrapped hands and trembles.
"I heard...Seo Eun-hyun's name."
Sssiiik!
And the moment she hears that 'sound' and tries to move toward its source—
The will of the world strongly presses down on her.
At the same time, the drawings that had been quietly sliced apart by her until now suddenly cling to her all at once, attacking her.
Yet she only lets out a wild laugh and steps towards the origin that spoke Seo Eun-hyun's name.
"I see...Bong Myeong. You trapped me here and distorted the path to block where I was going...! But it's over. I definitely heard it...! Seo Eun-hyun's name!"
Shwikagagak!
She slices through the world itself and begins to dash towards the source where Seo Eun-hyun's name was called.
"Wait for me...! Seo Eun-hyun."
She.
The Fifth Seat of the Radiance Eight Immortals.
The mad Sword Spear Heavenly Lord caresses the white Vestige in her grasp as she soars towards the origin of the voice.
"I will definitely...absorb you. I will absorb you...take back the light I gave you, and through you as a medium, reclaim even the light that was stolen by Great Mountain and Salt Sea!"
Before she knew it.
Amidst the relentless yearning towards Seo Eun-hyun.
The Sword Spear Heavenly Lord's goal had shifted slightly from what it was at the beginning.
She no longer simply seeks to unravel the bizarre Ender authority that Seo Eun-hyun cast upon her.
Now, she harbors the desire to reclaim all the lost light through Seo Eun-hyun.
And to do so, she must become one with him.
To merge completely with Seo Eun-hyun, the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord hurriedly traverses the world of paintings.
The assault of the True Immortals has stopped.
All that remains is the will of Kim Yeon.
'It looks like Jeon Myeong-hoon and Kim Young-hoon went off to talk...'
I glance at Kim Yeon's will, tapping against my Filling the Heavens Governing View, and the silver-white lights that have become my light.
I know it too.
Because as I continue to fill the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections that is essentially myself with light, my goal gradually becomes more extreme.
However, as I cultivate the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra through the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections, I begin to understand the wills of the great beings surrounding me.
The Liberation Supreme Deity and the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity seek to use me as a chess piece.
The Liberation Supreme Deity seeks to complete Kim Yeon.
The Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity seeks to further elevate Jeon Myeong-hoon.
And the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord is desperately yearning for me.
'Between the objectives of the Liberation Supreme Deity and the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity...and the desire of the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, there is only one way for us to survive.'
That is for me to sacrifice myself.
I intend to sacrifice myself in order to achieve the evolution of civilization and to satisfy those who seek to use me as their chess piece.
'That way...my comrades...Kim Yeon will be safe...!'
This is not simply suicide.
'I have obtained my own light.'
Of course, whether this light truly belongs to me or whether someone has temporarily permitted me to possess it for some unknown purpose, I do not know.
Perhaps, even though I feel as if I created it, this light is actually something I stole from the Origin Essence of Radiance.
But one thing is certain.
'The Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld permitted the light that Master stole from Radiance Hall to settle in the deepest depths of the Underworld...! And that light seems to be something the Underworld cherishes greatly. Therefore, the Underworld values the light stolen from Radiance Hall.'
So if I offer this light I have obtained to the Underworld...
Even if I stake my life and sacrifice myself, this life will not end merely as suicide.
'Use me as much as you like. Liberation Supreme Deity. Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity...! But as the price, you will have to look after my comrades.'
If not...
'I will definitely make you understand the true terror of a regressor!'
Thus, I calmly observe a world without Immortal Cultivation that is about to 'advance'.
"Ooooooh...!"
Beyond the stellar system.
Maek Jin and the True Immortals of the Flying Immortal Alliance simultaneously let out exclamations.
Having received a hint by Maek Jin that this is the 'workings of the Radiance Supreme Deity', they remain still and watch the miracle beginning to unfold in this world.
Clankclankclankclank...!
The time within the world begins to distort.
The time within the stellar system where Seo Eun-hyun resides, starting from the fixed star in the center, gradually begins to 'accelerate' from the inside out.
The world inside Filling the Heavens Governing View starts speeding up.
Kugugugugung!
The entirety of Mount Sumeru trembles.
Numerous Imperial Kings simultaneously glare at the Earth Boundary Heavenly Domain that is enveloped by the winged garments of the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord.
The Radiance Eight Immortals roar in fury.
: : Bong Myeong!!! What are you doing!? : :
With the administrator of time, the Heavenly Venerable of Time, now gone—
The Liberation Supreme Deity Bong Myeong is recklessly manipulating the time inside the Earth Boundary Heavenly Domain.
The history of the world is about to be changed.
-x-X-x-
'Time is distorted.'
I immediately sense that something is wrong.
Time outside feels slow, while time inside seems to be passing quickly.
'I see. Bong Myeong...'
I realize that Bong Myeong's will is making time flow faster here.
A thousand years in this place would amount to nothing more than a fleeting moment outside.
I can feel it.
To twist time itself, Bong Myeong has suffered an immense loss.
Pastststs!
A vision flashes before my eyes.
It is a silver-white light.
Within that light, a seven-colored bird is being swallowed by a massive sword light.
The bird in the vision turns back and looks at me.
—I shall melt away.
Bong Myeong, barely managing to keep just one wing outside the sword light, begins to dissolve within it, turning into a world.
—Until the moment my prophecy is fulfilled, I shall melt my personality, my life, into this world.
I can feel Their resolve to risk Their own life.
—Even if I must dissolve everything...I shall make it happen. Within this oppressed fate...I shall ensure that civilization evolves...! That shall be the key to true liberation!
And so, They melt away.
Into the silver-white radiance.
Into that cold and piercing sword light...
They become the prophecy itself!
A Supreme Deity's prophecy, enacted at the cost of Their own body, personality, and life!
With that prophecy set in motion, unless civilization advances, Bong Myeong can never be revived.
However...
If the prophecy is ever fulfilled, Bong Myeong will unconditionally resurrect through its power.
'I must ultimately revive Bong Myeong, the very being who sealed us away, with my own hands.'
A powerless chess piece caught in the grand game of the Supreme Deities.
That is all our fate amounts to in the end.
'Even after becoming a True Immortal, all I can do is claim the bare minimum of my rights. Being manipulated remains the same...'
I let out a brief bitter smile but quickly compose myself.
'I can't do anything about fate.'
Even Bong Myeong, who rose to the rank of Supreme Deity, struggles about to break free from fate's oppression.
No one in this Sumeru Three Heavens Great Thousand Worlds can escape fate.
But just because I cannot flee from fate does not mean I cannot decide my own life.
Whether to accept it quietly and die under fate's rule.
Or to struggle madly against it, leaving behind my mark before my death...
That much—
I can choose for myself!
I silently observe the world where the Immortal Cultivation system has vanished.
The world remains unchanged, stuck at a medieval level.
Even after a hundred years, even after two hundred years, nothing changes.
They keep repeating the same actions, replaying the same history.
Whenever a natural disaster occurs, they are easily swept away, driven to the brink of extinction. There is no sign of civilization progressing.
Three hundred years pass.
Just then,
Jjeoeoong!
Tukwaaaaaang!!!
"...!!"
I sense an immense explosion erupting in the outside world.
'Only a fleeting moment should have passed outside. What in the world is happening?'
"That...I understand. I will do as you say, Hyung-nim."
"Good. Right now, all the forces of Radiance Hall within the Flying Immortal Alliance are merely observing Seo Eun-hyun, just as Maek Jin instructed. But those who were never originally part of Radiance Hall are merely watching the situation... The moment they find an opportunity, they will throw themselves headfirst at Seo Eun-hyun's Filling the Heavens Governing View once more!"
Jeon Myeong-hoon looks down at his hand.
"My responsibility is heavy."
"There is no one here without a heavy burden. You...will create the 'opportunity'."
"Yes. Understood."
"Then, go head in. The deeper you go, the more spacetime seems to be distorted... Inside, it might have already been several days. Centuries might have passed inside Seo Eun-hyun's Filling the Heavens Governing View."
"Haha, that's..."
At that moment, as Jeon Myeong-hoon and Kim Young-hoon are talking—
Shururuk!
Splitting through dimensions, a silver-white light appears between them.
It is a woman holding a sword, her entire body wrapped in bandages, wearing a silver mianguan and a silver dragon robe.
"Thank you."
"...!!"
"...!!"
At the woman's appearance, Kim Young-hoon and Jeon Myeong-hoon freeze in place.
"Thanks to you...I was able to pinpoint the location. You are...yes. You are Enders."
The silver-white woman.
She, the Transformation form of the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, glances at Kim Young-hoon and Jeon Myeong-hoon.
"Lead the way, Enders. Where is Seo Eun-hyun now?"
Kim Young-hoon quickly exchanges glances with Jeon Myeong-hoon.
Kwarururung!
Without hesitation, Jeon Myeong-hoon bursts forward at lightning speed towards Kim Yeon's fragment world.
Towards him, the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord extends a hand.
"A useless effort..."
From her hand, a silver-white light extends, forming a single sword light that nearly chases after Jeon Myeong-hoon's heels.
Just then,
Jjeoeoeong!
A golden saber radiance intercepts the silver-white sword light.
It is Kim Young-hoon.
"My apologies, but it seems I must be the Immortal's opponent."
"Hm... Judging by the color of your fate, you must be this era's Golden Body Heavenly King designate. You've learned quite a few tricks, but step aside. It's pointless."
Pukwak!
Her words prove true. Even though the sword light has not touched him, the divine blood formed of lightning spiritual energy spills from Jeon Myeong-hoon's body as he flees into the distance.
"I am the Fifth Seat of the Radiance Eight Immortals, the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord. I am the owner of light and the executor of fate."
The Sword Spear Heavenly Lord gazes at Kim Young-hoon with cold, stern eyes.
"Mere tricks will never defy the fate standing at the peak of the Sumeru Three Heavens Great Thousand Worlds. Look. You may have blocked my sword, but you failed to stop the prophecy, and thus, the wound has been inflicted all the same. I will say it again. Step aside. You will be torn apart and perish."
"...I certainly couldn't stop the prophecy."
Kim Young-hoon grins and takes his stance.
"But I did block the Immortal's sword. And no matter what, Myeong-hoon managed to escape inside."
He feels an overwhelming pressure.
The pressure emanating from the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord is unlike anything he felt from the True Immortals, cultivators, or True Persons he had faced before.
It feels as though he is standing before True Martial Great Emperor Hyeon Mu herself.
His opponent is a sharp sword.
A silver-white sword that cuts and shreds all phenomena, the incarnation of war and violence itself.
Perhaps, that sword may even surpass Seo Eun-hyun.
'An unrivaled, peerless swordsman.'
"For martial artists, being able to cross blades is enough. What more could we possibly need!?"
"..."
The Sword Spear Heavenly Lord looks at Kim Young-hoon for a moment before raising the sword in her hand.
"I have pitied you Enders all this time...but for at least this moment, I envy you. A weapon you can wield as your heart desires—how does it feel in your hands?"
"I will show you now."
"...Good."
Tadatt!
Paatt!
A strange space that exists between the two-dimensional and the three-dimensional, where countless landscape paintings are drawn.
Within the ancient landscape, a silver-white swordsman and a golden saber wielder collide.
Gold and silver intertwine, unleashing a storm of swords and sabers.
Jjeoeoong!
Tukwaaaaaang!!!
A massive explosion erupts, and years pass.
I simply continue to unfold Filling the Heavens Governing View, worrying about the outside world.
Just then,
Kwarururung!
"...!"
I spring to my feet.
"What the...!?"
The mist of Filling the Heavens Governing View has been pierced!
Though the mist fills back in an instant, in that fleeting moment, 'someone' slips inside.
It is a True Immortal.
Immortal Art,
Sun Shooting!
Tukwaang!
I hastily fire an arrow that extinguishes light, but the True Immortal merely brushes off the attack, barely fazed.
'What...? It's not a True Immortal from Radiance Hall!?'
[Step back at once! Do you truly wish to witness the failure of civilization's evolution!?]
I grit my teeth and shout.
[As there's now a little leeway in time, I can explain. I can explain in detail why I acted so arbitrarily. So at least hear my explanation!]
But the response I receive from the True Immortal is unexpected.
[I already know. I understand why you did this...I even understand your intention.]
[What...?]
[However, I just want to tell you that our way is not wrong either.]
With those words, the True Immortal explodes on the spot.
"Wait!!!"
Kwagwagwagwang!
An Earth Upper Immortal, who had been on the verge of becoming a Great Net Immortal, explodes and perishes.
At the same time, their life shatters into pieces, and fragments of their existence fall towards the 'Earth' I am recreating.
They melt into my Immortal Art world, where the Immortal Cultivation system has been blocked.
I widen my eyes at the sight.
It is the same as Bong Myeong.
Just as Bong Myeong melted Themself, offering Their life as the price to prophesize the evolution of civilization...
This True Immortal has done the same, melting into the world and using their life as the price for revision.
: : Living beings of this world, remember : :
Kugugugugu!
The world has been revised.
: : Remember...that once in this world, there existed myths and Immortal Cultivation... : :
That is it.
A mere revision that instills a yearning for myth and Immortal Cultivation, confirming that they once existed.
It seems trivial.
But an inexplicable ominous feeling creeps over me.
'That explosion...'
It bothers me so much for some reason.
It feels as though something has begun from that explosion.
I have the feeling that the True Immortal's suicidal attack is not an end,
But the beginning.
Chwararararak!
I unfold Filling the Heavens Governing View with even greater force, yet the unease in the corner of my heart does not fade.
'I was confident I could block the True Immortals' attacks. No matter how much they launched an all-out assault, I was sure I could hold them back.'
But...
Even I have no way to stop these acts where they wager their very lives.
The counterattack of the True Immortals has begun.
Kwaaang!
Another True Immortal breaches my Filling the Heavens Governing View.
: : I prophesize... With my personality and entire life as the offering... : :
Kugugugugu!
As the True Immortal falls towards the 'Recreated Earth' where living beings reside like a falling star, their rank diminishes.
That True Immortal, along with their prophecy, becomes a mere [fate].
Having lost their personality and becoming fate, they settle into the body of a newborn child.
I watch over the child.
The child is born as the prince of a kingdom.
I observe the prince's fate.
He has the fate of a prophet who enlightens countless beings and provides a starting point to escape the system of my Filling the Heavens Governing View.
To block that fate, I disguise myself as a seer and approach the king of the nation to deliver a proclamation.
"The prince, if left alone, will one day become a great prophet, bestowing teachings upon the masses instead of ruling from the throne. However, if he firmly holds onto the throne, he will become a ruler who governs the world."
Upon hearing this, the king, desiring to preserve his royal lineage, locks the prince away in a garden like a gilded cage and introduces him to countless pleasures.
He allows the prince to know nothing but countless beauties, mountain and sea delicacies, dazzling jewels, and all things beautiful.
Watching the prince, I feel relieved.
At this rate, the prince seems to be safely deviating from the fate set by the True Immortal.
But one day—
The prince, by accident, catches a glimpse beyond the garden the king has built.
The moment I realize this, I know I have lost.
The world outside the garden's walls.
Having seen a world writhing with all kinds of hunger and suffering, the prince is thrown into turmoil and steps out of the garden created by the king.
Breaking free from the cage with his own hands, he begins to wander the world in search of truth.
Before long, as he travels in pursuit of truth, more and more people start to follow him.
I make every effort to bring him back to the palace, but he remains steadfast, undeterred by countless temptations and failures.
And those who revere him begin to call him a prophet.
In the end, he overcomes all my interference and succeeds in becoming a prophet.
"...It's you."
At the final moment of his life, the prophet, recognizing my presence that has spread across the world, smiles faintly.
"...Yes. It's me."
Looking at him, I begin introducing myself despite no one compelling me to do so.
"I sought to advance the civilization of this world. To do so, I temporarily severed the system of Immortal Cultivation that once flowed through this land. For the world to progress, transcendental power is unnecessary. That is why I stood in your way, who tried to restore such powers."
Only after finishing my explanation do I realize that I had made excuses in front of this prophet out of shame.
But the prophet, as if unconcerned, hears my murmurs clearly despite the hundreds of millions of li between us, and responds.
"Did I seem like I was trying to restore transcendental power?"
"...Was that not the case?"
"The power I restored...is not something like that."
"...What?"
"I simply wandered in search of not power, but truth. I merely wished to reveal the truth to this world...to the people of this world. To spread that truth wide and bring benefit to many."
"..."
From a distant planet hundreds of millions of li away, I gaze at the prophet and ask,
"What is the truth you speak of?"
The prophet smiles.
It is the smile of one at the end of their life.
"The heart...that people naturally pass on...to one another. That is all. Some may call it compassion. Others may call it love. And yet others may call it hope. But one thing is certain. This heart, without a doubt...is a heart that brings warmth to the people. That is all there is to it."
After speaking these words, the prophet closes his eyes.
Watching him, I am overwhelmed by an indescribable emotion.
And then, thousands of years pass.
Kwaaaang!
The True Immortals outside continue to stake their lives, breaking through my Filling the Heavens Governing View.
They revise the history of my Filling the Heavens Governing View, or with their prophecies and Immortal Arts, create 'prophets'.
I see a True Immortal melt and dwell as fate within a child born in a manger.
That child, too, is bestowed the fate to become a great prophet.
As the child grows, he comes to understand many things.
Even without being taught, he discerns the traces of past prophets in the actions of people and comprehends their true intent.
The child grows, gathers people, takes them as disciples, and leads them.
He spreads the truths he has realized, the will of the prophets he has come to understand, to countless others.
The king of the land where the child walks finds him displeasing and orders his capture.
In the end, the child is condemned for spreading heretical wisdom and is nailed upside down to a pillar to die.
Yet even as he dies, he harbors no resentment, only embracing everyone.
In his dying state, he perceives my will that fills the world and looks towards me.
"You are the king of this world."
"...Not exactly, but close enough."
He looks at me and smiles warmly.
"O king of the world, why do you suffer so?"
"...Because there is too much resting on my shoulders."
"Is that so...? How truly...pitiful."
The moment I hear those words, I laugh.
"Well...isn't the pitiful one you, who is nailed to a pillar and dying? Your life ends here. There is no next chance. You have no certainty that another life awaits you. And yet...why are you so at peace?"
"Hahaha... O king who bears the world. All my life, I have taught my disciples who follow me that what belongs to a prophet should be returned to the prophet, and what belongs to a king should be returned to the king."
"..."
"Everything received must be returned. My disciples have always returned to you the grace they received from you. Then, O king who bears the world. What is it that causes you suffering...and why do you not return its source?"
"...!"
My eyes widen.
He is nothing more than a mere mortal being.
A fragile creature that could never reach a genuine undying existence that is me.
And yet, this being has pierced straight through my heart.
'...The source of my suffering...'
It is, ultimately, because there were those who loved me.
Throughout my life, I have received the grace of so many, the love of so many.
Had I never received any love...
Had this world treated me with only cold indifference...
I would have become a Devil King who devours the world and bring it suffering.
But because that is not the case, I now struggle to repay this world with the greatest grace I can offer.
"To give grace to life is good...but do not struggle to give away...even that which you must keep for yourself. Return only what must be returned to life. Excess in all things is never good, O king..."
With those final words, the prophet nailed to the pillar closes his eyes.
I ponder his words for a long time.
"Am I...trying to express the grace I received from the world by putting in excessive effort to the point of suffering too much?'
The words that speak of returning suffering, that excess is never good...
In the end, are telling me not to overexert myself in repaying grace.
I continue to mull over those words.
Time continues to flow.
Outside, something seems to be happening. The explosions echoing from beyond gradually grow stronger.
And the frequency of True Immortals entering increases.
The True Immortals, one by one, melt themselves into the world, embedding themselves as fate or energy into lowly humans in order to change the world.
They do not limit themselves to prophets alone.
Sometimes, they embed into mathematicians, sometimes architects, sometimes kings, and at times, even tyrants or warlords.
They all greatly change the world.
Even though the system of Immortal Cultivation is severed, they are restoring some kind of [power] to this world.
And little by little, I begin to understand what that [power] is.
'The heart...that people naturally pass on to another...'
I remember the words of the first prophet.
A heart passed from one person to another.
A heart endlessly carried forward.
A heart that gradually dispels the darkness of the world.
The name of that heart is love.
'...I see now.'
They continue to spread that heart throughout the world, bringing change.
Writing, language, and culture are slowly changing.
For now, it remains at a medieval level.
But the continuous 'changes' brought by the True Immortals are subtly altering the world.
As the sacrifices of the True Immortals accumulate, accumulate, and accumulate...
The world gradually begins to change its form
At the same time, I slowly begin to see beyond Filling the Heavens Governing View.
The more I perceive the [hearts] spreading across this world, the more transparent Filling the Heavens Governing View becomes.
'Outside...'
Outside Filling the Heavens Governing View, time moves slowly.
Countless True Immortals are gathered around Jeon Myeong-hoon, discussing something.
And Kim Yeon's will is showing them something that is occurring far beyond them.
A clash of silver and gold.
'That is...!'
It is the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord.
The Sword Spear Heavenly Lord and Kim Young-hoon are colliding.
Even in the slowed-down world outside, their movements are terrifyingly swift as they exchange dozens of blows.
And through Kim Yeon's power, all of them can see the 'intent' flowing around the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord.
'That is...'
The silver-white light of the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord is cloaked in a link pink intent.
And that intent is directed toward the center of this world.
Towards me.
'...Ah...'
Love.
The pinnacle of Radiance Hall, the ruler who dominates the world.
Everyone is now witnessing that the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord possesses love.
Only now do I understand why the True Immortals have been throwing themselves into this place.
The True Immortals of Radiance Hall still seem deeply devoted to the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, though they appear confused.
But the True Immortals unaffiliated with Radiance Hall are beyond mere confusion.
They are in utter shock, as if everything they had believed in until now has been shattered.
For them, it is incomprehensible that the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, who should rule the world with absolute fairness and justice, could have a 'heart' for an individual like me.
And those who share that sentiment are gathered around Jeon Myeong-hoon.
Jeon Myeong-hoon is saying something to them.
'So that's it, Jeon Myeong-hoon...'
I realize what kind of sermon he is delivering to the True Immortals.
He has taken out Jin So-hae's hand and gently strokes it as he preaches about the heart.
Kim Young-hoon is blocking the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord.
Kim Yeon is reflecting the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord's heart.
Jeon Myeong-hoon is preaching about the heart.
As I watch them illuminate and teach the True Immortals about the heart...
For some reason, the words of Tae Yeol-jeon—
That is, the words of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld—come to mind.
Their words that the Seven Brilliances Kings are Bodhisattvas who teach and preach the heart to the sentient beings of the world.
For some reason, I feel as if I am looking at a scene from a taenghwa.
As if three Bodhisattvas are delivering a sermon to sentient beings.
Watching the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, the pinnacle of the world, engulfed in love and attempting to enter this place,
It seems they are coming to some realization.
That the power of the 'heart', with love at its forefront, might just be the most essential power for attaining liberation in this world.
But the number of True Immortals receiving Jeon Myeong-hoon's sermon is gradually decreasing.
This is because while those listening to Jeon Myeong-hoon's teachings continue to hurl themselves into my Filling the Heavens Governing View, reducing their numbers, those from Radiance Hall are being well managed by Maek Jin.
And finally, at some point—
Only one True Immortal remains, receiving Jeon Myeong-hoon's teachings.
"...Jeon Myeong-hoon."
I recognize who that True Immortal is.
It is Golden Shaking Bird, who has regained her senses at some point within Kim Yeon's fragment world.
Golden Shaking Bird, who is the only one left behind after countless True Immortals casted themselves away, is saying something to Jeon Myeong-hoon.
I cannot tell what they are discussing.
But Golden Shaking Bird is shedding tears.
Then, she rises from her seat and begins to approach my Filling the Heavens Governing View.
"Jeon Myeong-hoon!"
Startled at the sight, I shout.
"What are you doing!?"
Golden Shaking Bird is the Great Desolate Path.
At the same time, she is one of Jeon Myeong-hoon's devoted followers.
How could he send someone like Golden Shaking Bird into this world without hesitation!?
A world where neither success nor failure is certain!
This could very well be Golden Shaking Bird's end!
Golden Shaking Bird stakes her life and breaks through Filling the Heavens Governing View.
She gradually melts into this world.
I sense the Great Desolate Path within her being released into the world.
Along with it, the will of Bong Myeong, that had been within the Great Desolate Path, further thickens the power of the heart that fills this world.
Golden Shaking Bird settles within a newborn infant.
This time, it is not merely a matter of dissolving her body, but a reincarnation.
She has chosen to abandon all her memories and authority to be born as the child of a mortal being.
If her prophecy proves true, she may be reborn as a True Immortal, but it is a reckless gamble.
"Golden Shaking Bird..."
Watching her, I am taken aback.
But as I watch her, I realize something.
'I see...'
I feel like I understand what she heard from Jeon Myeong-hoon.
'She came to know. That Jeon Myeong-hoon...isn't Yang Su-jin...'
Born into this world as a baby girl, Golden Shaking Bird grows while learning its language and culture.
As she gradually accumulates knowledge, she desires to 'create' something.
I can tell that what she creates will be the decisive proof of civilization's evolution.
The power of the heart filling the interior of this Filling the Heavens Governing View has already reached its critical point.
No matter what she creates, she will undoubtedly produce something decisive for the evolution of civilization.
"...Jeon Myeong-hoon."
I glance at her once before turning my gaze back to the sky.
Beyond that sky, the battle between gold and silver finally seems to be reaching its conclusion.
"Young-hoon Hyung-nim."
A silver-white sword light cleaves through the golden saber radiance.
Kim Young-hoon is split in half and sent flying.
And in an instant, the silver-white light enters the fragment world.
Jeon Myeong-hoon, Maek Jin, and countless True Immortals face the silver-white light.
At the same time, Kim Yeon's entire fragment world is split apart.
Even the will of Kim Yeon that had seized control of the entire world fades away.
"Kim Yeon."
Jeon Myeong-hoon is instantly shattered into hundreds of fragments.
Too fast for him to even react.
Maek Jin and the True Immortals of Radiance Hall head towards the silver-white light.
It looks as if they are trying to ask something.
And then—
Chwararak!
The silver-white sword light flashes, cutting down Maek Jin and the True Immortals alike.
Maek Jin's Immortal Body is flung towards this place.
Puhwak!
I glance back once at Golden Shaking Bird before soaring towards Maek Jin.
Taatt!
I catch hold of Maek Jin, whose upper body has been severed, and emerge from Filling the Heavens Governing View, lifting my gaze to the being staring down at me with indifference.
A god of silver and white, wrapped in bandages and wearing a silver mask.
As Kim Yeon's world crumbles, reality distorts, and the laws of this world begin to bind me.
Gradually, I revert to being a feeble spirit, capable of nothing but wielding the power of soap.
"I have come to meet you, Seo Eun-hyun."
The Silver-White God.
The Sword Spear Heavenly Lord speaks to me.
"You were engaging in something meaningless. You must have been trying to escape from Bong Myeong's world."
"..."
"I will release you. Come forth and bow before me. If you do so, this Immortal, I, shall..."
"Yang Ji-hwang."
"..."
The Sword Spear Heavenly Lord falls silent.
Then, she looks down at me.
Our eyes meet.
"...What did you just say?"
"I said Yang Ji-hwang. Ji-hwang-ah."
"...You, do you even know what that means?"
"It's your original name, isn't it?"
"...Ha, haha..."
Yang Ji-hwang begins to laugh.
"Hahaha... Ahahahahahaha!!"
Gradually, the world begins to transform into an antique landscape painting.
It takes on a form that appears to exist somewhere between two-dimensional and three-dimensional space.
In this bizarre world, the only thing maintaining its original form is the recreated Earth within my Filling the Heavens Governing View.
"So that's it. I wondered what kind of magic you had cast on me...but you used the authority of an Ender to uncover my original name. That is what caused my heart to waver."
Yang Ji-hwang mutters as if relieved.
"Well, it doesn't matter. Originally, I intended to take you with me, use you as this Immortal's plaything, and uncover the secrets of your authority. But now that I understand the principle behind the strange influence you have on my heart, there is no need for that. I will simply kill you here. For killing the existence that knows my name is the simplest solution."
A cold light flickers in her eyes.
"Die here and spit out the light you stole from this Immortal's domain."
"...You are crying, Ji-hwang-ah."
"...What?"
"You are crying...because you have to kill me."
"What are you saying?"
Yang Ji-hwang's voice trembles as if shaken.
"Crying? What nonsense you speak of. This Immortal has never shed a single tear. It is the same right now. My eyes..."
"Someone once told me. That emotions are nothing more than the trembling of the lungs. That since the lungs correspond to metal, emotions themselves are of the metal attribute."
"You're speaking nonsense."
"You're right. I think it's nonsense as well. It was just that guy's misunderstanding. But if you think about it differently...the lungs are actually the most suitable organ for expressing emotions, so it's not strange that someone might be mistaken about it."
"..."
"The vibrations inside the lungs have a significant influence in conveying emotion. So, Yang Ji-hwang, the fact that your voice is trembling, the fact that your lungs are trembling, means your heart is trembling too."
I look at the tip of her sword.
"If the lungs are the most specialized organ for expressing the heart, then the same must apply for metal. Isn't your sword, forged of iron, trembling as well? Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, Yang Ji-hwang!"
-x-X-x-
"...It seems I made a mistake."
Yang Ji-hwang begins adjusting her body.
The faint tremor she was showing ceases.
"It is just a misunderstanding. I have no hesitation in killing you."
"You can't kill me, Yang Ji-hwang."
"If I drive my sword through you, you die."
"And I won't die for you either."
I lift the Colorless Glass Sword.
"You won't die for me? You talk as if you have a choice."
"There is no choice. I will not die to you. Because..."
I glance behind me.
Inside Filling the Heavens Governing View, time still flows rapidly.
Within it, Golden Shaking Bird is fighting against difficulties to create a new invention.
After watching her for a moment, I turn back to Yang Ji-hwang.
"What's behind this back isn't just my own heart alone. I can never die, nor retreat."
"How laughable. Do you think a mere heart amounts to anything? The heart holds no power. It is nothing but an evil that always drags the situation into disorder and chaos."
"The heart is not evil."
I take my stance.
Yang Ji-hwang, as the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, also assumes her stance.
"Just as you sought me out, seeking an answer for your heart directed at me. The heart...is simply an answer."
"If this chaotic, painful thing is an answer...then ignorance is bliss."
We stare each other down before all of a sudden, we raise our swords and collide.
White light and silver-white radiance collide.
Within a fleeting instant, we exchange so many strikes that we might as well measure them in units of kalpas (劫).
A single exchange.
And with each exchange, my sword reflects what is behind me.
Every time we cross swords, the sword's surface reveals Golden Shaking Bird failing over and over again.
In this landscape world, drawn like an ancient ink painting, we continue an endless sword dance.
With her strike, the landscape scenery is cleaved away.
With my strike, something new is drawn beyond the severed scenery.
I reflect the heart of the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord transparently with the Impermanence Sword, deflecting every one of her sword strikes.
But just that alone is overwhelming.
Merely deflecting her attacks drains all my energy.
Her sword is both heavy and sharp.
Each time I block a strike, it feels as though my entire body is being gouged out.
Moreover, embedded within each of her strikes is a prophecy.
Every prophecy foretells my defeat.
'It's useless, Yang Ji-hwang.'
But my sword cleaves through hers, through those prophecies, and pierces through.
Because I can see it clearly.
In each and every one of Yang Ji-hwang's swords embedded with prophecy.
Within those sword strikes, the imagery brims with light pink and dark blue intent.
'No matter how many prophecies you make about cutting me despite not wanting to...they will all be pierced through by me!'
My sword carries Sun Shooting.
Imbued with the Immortal Art of Sun Shooting, my sword cuts through Yang Ji-hwang's swordplay,
Through the visions of prophecy soaked in her sorrowful heart.
Her sword collapses the landscape painting, while mine fills it with mist.
Gradually, I sense the will of Bong Myeong that is restricting us weakening.
But Bong Myeong's will does not disappear.
Bong Myeong's will is gathering into the recreated Earth that I have covered with Filling the Heavens Governing View.
Golden Shaking Bird continues to fail.
Once, twice, ten times, twenty times...
Before I know it, she has failed ninety times.
Yet she does not give up. She keeps inventing, pressing forward.
Ninety times.
Ninety-one times.
Ninety-two times...
.
.
.
Ninety-seven.
Ninety-eight.
Ninety-nine...!
And at last—
Kaang!
I deflect Yang Ji-hwang's sword, and Golden Shaking Bird's hundredth attempt reflects on the surface of my sword.
Blink!
I smile.
The landscape painting drawn by Bong Myeong has long since been erased, and the world is now shrouded in mist.
Yet, within this mist, where nothing is certain and no answer can be known,
A light created by human hands flickers to life.
I can feel Yang Ji-hwang's body tremble.
More precisely, it is not the mortal Yang Ji-hwang who is taken aback, but the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord.
'You've worked hard, Golden Shaking Bird.'
At the end of a hundred failures, she has finally invented the light bulb.
Chwarararararak!
Kirikkirikkirik...!
At the same time,
The form of Golden Shaking Bird's Great Desolate Path, which had melted into the recreated Earth, now envelops it.
The imitation of Yeong Seung, the Great Desolate Path, glows and begins accelerating the time within the recreated Earth.
Having invented the light bulb, Golden Shaking Bird begins to age rapidly.
However...
The world gradually begins to brighten.
Wires spread across the recreated Earth, gradually pushing back the darkness and illuminating everything.
Watching this, I finally come to a realization.
"You cannot defeat me, Sword Spear Heavenly Lord."
"What...!? That is...!!!"
"Because...the advancement of civilization...the evolution of people...happens only through the heart people pass on to one another."
Immortal Cultivation is progress.
Vast Cold's words were right.
The heart that people pass on to one another.
Love is what makes people evolve.
"If you face me as the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, you will never break through me!!"
You may be able to kill me, but you will never get past me!
Because that is...
The power of countless hearts carried on my back.
Civilization evolves.
The rules of Liberation Peach Garden Village unravel.
At the same time, I sense an overwhelming will settling into this space.
: : At last... : :
I know whose voice this is.
The Sword Spear Heavenly Lord's eyes widen.
Behind me, a seven-colored bird spreads its wings.
Bong Myeong, whose prophecy had been fulfilled at the cost of Their own life, is now reviving alongside the prophecy.
And with it, all those who had died until now are reviving with their prophecies.
The True Immortal who dwelled within the first prophet...
The True Immortal who had dwelled within the prophet who had been nailed to a pillar and died...
Golden Shaking Bird.
And Kim Young-hoon, Jeon Myeong-hoon, and Kim Yeon, who had been killed by the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, all rise again in unison.
In an instant, the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord becomes surrounded by countless True Immortals.
"It is our victory. Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, Yang Ji-hwang!"
I raise the Colorless Glass Sword.
Behind Yang Ji-hwang, light pink quince flowers bloom in full.
Entering Heavens Beyond the Path.
Full Blossom.
Pasaasasasak!
I swing my sword down, and Kim Yeon's Entering Heavens Beyond the Path unleashes a radiance filled with infinite love.
The Sword Spear Heavenly Lord stands dazed amidst it all, staring at me, the True Immortals reviving behind me, and Kim Yeon.
With the light of connections condensed over ten million years, I rose to Earth Upper Immortal.
And now, I begin to accept the light of countless hearts blooming behind me.
Just as civilization evolved through the heart passed from one person to another,
The love of the True Immortals and the countless people who exchanged hearts inside civilization begins to evolve me from within my heart.
Kim Yeon's Full Blossom channels the heart of evolution within the recreated Earth into me.
Kururururung!
As the evolution that Bong Myeong desired comes to fruition and Liberation Peach Garden Village unravels, I feel my authority and power completely returning, and notice my strength rising. ꭆâΝȎꞖЁS
The heart of people, which advanced civilization, shines across the entire Three Heavens Great Thousand Worlds, engraving light upon the world.
Kugugugugu!
I feel myself, who has risen as an Earth Upper Immortal, rise once more.
'So that's how it is.'
Hong Fan pushes my back from behind.
Propelling me strongly forward, he is flung into the recreated Earth by the recoil, yet he smiles faintly.
Simultaneously, a distortion ripples through the dimension behind me, and a pure white winged garment begins to form.
My Heaven Upper Immortal advancement ritual...is complete.
The power of a Heaven and Earth Upper Immortal surges within me, merging with Kim Yeon's strength, and cuts through the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord.
Shukagagak!
My single sword lasts only an instant, yet it moves so fast that even the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord fails to react, slicing through the mask and bandages covering her face.
Pasaasas—
"...Ah..."
As the mask falls apart, what is revealed is none other than Yang Ji-hwang's still-beautiful bare face.
She absentmindedly touches her face, and tears stream down her cheeks.
"Aha...ha...hahaha... Damn it. Damn it. Damn it...!!"
As I watch Yang Ji-hwang, who reveals her bare face before me in this life, sobbing uncontrollably, I let out a bitter smile.
Kim Yeon, too, watches the scene with a bitter smile before turning her back to me, as if willing to overlook this moment just once.
"Damn it...!!!"
I approach Yang Ji-hwang, who has suddenly collapsed in place, sobbing, and gently pat her back.
"Damn it...! What is this...!? What is this...!? You...you..."
Yang Ji-hwang, crumpled on the ground, trembles violently as she cries out.
"You...I don't...want to kill you...!"
"It's okay, Yang Ji-hwang..."
I look at her, completely dyed in light pink intent, and speak.
"That's how it's supposed to be."
"Aaaah... Uaaaaaaaagh!!"
On this day,
I become a Heaven Immortal through the heart passed from one person to another,
Bong Myeong finally obtains what They desire from within the bridle of fate,
And the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, unable to deceive her heart hidden behind her mask, completely collapses.
I embrace Yang Ji-hwang, who has found her heart, and speak with a bitter expression.
"I implore the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld..."
Chwaaaaaaaaa!
The silver-white lights I have gathered within the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections are all sucked into the Underworld.
At the same time, Bong Myeong begins to walk past me.
They are moving towards somewhere.
Kurururung!
Flash!
Simultaneously seven massive lumps of light appear in the sky.
Seven colossal gods of light.
It is the Radiance Eight Immortals, excluding Yang Ji-hwang.
: : Bong Myeong!! : :
: : Have you betrayed us!? : :
: : Did you instill madness into the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord!? : :
: : We shall bring judgement upon you... : :
However, the resurrected Bong Myeong does not show a hint of fear even in front of the Radiance Eight Immortals.
: : You cannot judge this Immortal. : :
: : What!? : :
: : Madness. Bong Myeong...you are not Great Mountain or Heavenly Punishment! : :
: : That is correct. I am not them... : :
Kugugugugugugu!!
Behind me.
From the direction of the recreated Earth, an overwhelming presence begins to emerge.
: : But...this is something I have planned ever since I first heard of his world from Yang Su-jin. : :
Kwachik, kwachijijijik!
The light of electricity, born from the invention of Golden Shaking Bird, engulfs the recreated Earth.
I realize that I can see something beyond the recreated Earth.
It is the symbol of [Black Snake Biting Its Tail].
However, the light of electricity illuminating the recreated Earth creates a gap within a part of the symbol of [Black Snake Biting Its Tail].
Kwarururururung!
At the same time, something is being summoned behind the recreated Earth.
'No, this is not summoning...'
It has not come here.
Rather, we have been teleported to where it is.
It is a Heavenly Domain.
In that Heavenly Domain, enormous characters spell out Horse Ear.
: : B O N G M Y E O N G !!! : :
The Radiance Eight Immortals begin to convulse.
Kwarururururung!!
The electric current covering the recreated Earth grows stronger and stronger.
Watching this, I finish my request to the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld.
Behind me, Kim Yeon takes my hand.
"Please...at the very least, let my comrades survive this battle of Imperial Kings..."
We are going to die now.
From now on, this place...
Will become the battlefield of Imperial Kings.
"I also implore the Liberation Supreme Deity and the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity. Even if it is not me...please, at least let my comrades escape from this battlefield..."
: : Impossible (不可). : :
However, the one who responds is not them.
The final seat of Radiance Hall, radiating black-blue light.
The Rain Dew Heavenly Lord looks down upon me.
: : O Enders... : :
Kuguguguguk!
"...You..."
Yang Ji-hwang's body moves on its own and clings tightly to me.
: : The sin of corrupting the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord. Here and now, all shall pay the price. : :
Bong Myeong seems to be trying to transfer us away, but the silver-white light emanating from Yang Ji-hwang's body seeps into me, Kim Yeon, Jeon Myeong-hoon, and Kim Young-hoon, fixing us in place.
But in the next moment,
Jjeooooooong!
From deep within the Underworld,
There, an immense [darkness] bursts forth, dragging Kim Young-hoon, Jeon Myeong-hoon, Kim Yeon, and the others, before vanishing.
At the same time, from the very depths of the Underworld,
A familiar face emerges, gripping my shoulder tightly and pulling me strongly.
It is Kang Min-hee.
But—
Clenchhhh!
Yang Ji-hwang clings to me alone.
Kang Min-hee exerts strength, but no matter what, she cannot take me away from Yang Ji-hwang.
The light of the Rain Dew Heavenly Lord is strongly pouring down upon Yang Ji-hwang.
: : Yes, Sword Spear... Fulfill your original duty. Henceforth...the battle of Imperial Kings shall begin...! : :
Kurung, kurururung, kururururung!!
I can feel it.
The recreated Earth has created a [gap] in the fate of the Radiance Supreme Deity enveloping the Horse Ear Heavenly Domain.
Jjeooooooeok!
The dimensional boundary of the Horse Ear Heavenly Domain splits apart, and from within, an overwhelming storm of thunder and lightning bursts forth.
Bong Myeong tries to shield me, but even the mere aftershock shatters Bong Myeong's protective barrier like a brittle wall of garbage.
Kugugugugugu!
As I am swallowed by the waves of lightning crashing down on me like a tsunami, I feel Yang Ji-hwang's warmth.
The world turns incandescent under the lightning.
'A lot of things have happened...'
It truly has been a turbulent life.
'To everyone...thank you...'
And so, within the conflict of Imperial Kings, I embrace the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord who has fully accepted her heart towards me, and close my eyes.
That is my 1004th return.
Kururururung!
The Great Forest Heavenly Lord and the Rain Dew Heavenly Lord show discomfort as they look at the one Ender who has just died and the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord.
: : How long until Sword Spear revives? : :
: : Within half a gak, Sword Swear will revive in the inner sanctum of Radiance Hall. For now, we just have to hold out until then. : :
: : Yet even though the one Ender has been killed, the corruption through him remains unchanged. Can we truly trust and fight alongside them? : :
: : If the contamination is too severe, there is no choice. Us seven must suppress those two... : :
The Rain Dew Heavenly Lord mutters as they watch the colossal arm of lightning emerging from the Horse Ear Heavenly Domain.
: : Even 500,000 years ago, when the Jade Pivot Forty-Eight Lightning Heavenly Great Immortals existed, They were imprisoned by us. This time, on the contrary, we will kill— : :
Kwaaaaaaaang!!!
The arm of lightning smacks the Rain Dew Heavenly Lord.
The Rain Dew Heavenly Lord is sent hurtling through the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain, Twin Holding Heavenly Domain, and the outskirts of the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain, before being flung all the way to the Outer Sea beyond Mount Sumeru.
The Radiance Eight Immortals, suddenly reduced to six in an instant, widen their eyes and glare at the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity emerging from the Horse Ear Heavenly Domain.
: : Th-That one... : :
: : They have been storing power!? In the Horse Ear Heavenly Domain!? How could that be possible... : :
Just as the Radiance Eight Immortals are about to panic,
The Great Forest Heavenly Lord hastily regains composure and shouts.
: : Do not falter! Hold formation. We just need to endure until Sword Spear and Rain Dew return. That one can never reach Great Mountain. Even if Rain Dew was flung away, they have not been torn a— : :
Immediately after,
----!!!
A colossal lightning flagpole appears and swings through the space.
The Great Forest Heavenly Lord is struck by the pole and sent flying beneath Mount Sumeru, piercing through the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain and the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain, before being embedded at the very edge of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain.
Kwaaaaaaang!
The edge of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain.
Bright Cold Realm's Heavenly Lotus Mountain.
Piercing through the dimensional barrier of the Bright Cold Realm, the giant body of the Great Forest Heavenly Lord crashes down, flattening the entire continent of the Bright Cold Realm.
All living beings in the Bright Cold Realm, except for Baek Woon, transform into a vast, dense forest, losing their personality and becoming nothing more than plants.
Kugugugugugu!
Yet before they can even experience life as plants, they are all annihilated by the shockwave of the Great Forest Heavenly Lord's fall, regardless of whether they are in the Star Shattering stage or Integration stage.
Having been flung from the Horse Ear Heavenly Domain to the far edge of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain, all the way to the Bright Cold Realm by a single attack, the Great Forest Heavenly Lord vomits divine blood from their entire body.
Kurung, kurururung!
Bong Myeong clenches the void.
The star veins of Bearing Tree, Twin Holding, and Earth Boundary Heavenly Domains simultaneously move under Their will, forming a [circuit] that begins to embed into the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity's body.
The Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity starts to rise from within Their massive seal.
: : The time to wash away the shame has arrived. : :
Kwarurururung!
: : Cry out, O Essence of Great Heavenly Punishment. : :
Kwarurururururung!!!
Three Heavens Great Thousand World.
More than half the worlds within the Inverted Cone world become engulfed in lightning and thunder.
The battlefield of true Imperial Kings begins to unfold.
Translator Notes: HP Supreme Deity unleashing their bankai.