"Master!! We must run away!! Huaaagh! This devil hag, her goal was to throw us into the jaws of the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity and kill us all along!"
Golden Shaking Bird begins to have a fit, clinging to Jeon Myeong-hoon while screaming.
Kang Min-hee bites down on her long pipe, as if her head hurts watching the scene.
"Huuu... What's that now? Is that your pet, Jeon Myeong-hoon?"
"...There's a reason we're together."
Jeon Myeong-hoon speaks while pushing the Golden Shaking Bird away.
"That one might be a bit violent, even breaking my leg and all, but still, she is my comrade. She didn't drag us in here just to kill us, so calm down."
"No! Master's leg! This devil hag dares—!"
At Jeon Myeong-hoon's words, Golden Shaking Bird seems to calm down but soon growls at Kang Min-hee with fiery eyes.
"Huuuuu..."
Kang Min-hee clicks her tongue as she exhales a stream of blue smoke.
"Calm down. You're safe as long as you stay with me."
Hwiiiiiiii—
The blue smoke she exhales swirls around us.
And I notice that her smoke draws a circle as it encircles this dark space.
'This is...'
Some power operating in this space forms a circle, protecting us.
"Flawless Mantra. It's the essence that composes the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity...and at the same time, it's also a direct channel to the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld. I'm using the Flawless Mantra to make us recognized as part of the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity. So as long as the Flawless Mantra is active, we can stay inside here as long as we want."
"...!"
She looks at me and continues.
"You could probably walk around here even without me. You've learned the Flawless Mantra, after all."
"...Seems like it."
Somehow, this darkness feels familiar.
It feels as though the darkness itself is welcoming me, and even if I step outside that circle where Kang Min-hee's power is at work, I feel like I'd be fine.
'It must be because I've learned the Flawless Mantra.'
"Anyway, Kang Min-hee."
After brushing all her hair, I tuck the comb into her hair and ask.
"You're not your main body, are you? Where's your main body?"
"That's right. I sensed you guys coming and sent a temporary clone. My main body is deeper inside the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity. In the place connected to the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld, I'm learning something special from Them."
It seems she is learning how to draw a taenghwa.
"What exactly are you learning?"
"That...I can't tell you. It's highly confidential."
"I see... In that case, can I ask one favor?"
"What kind of favor?"
"Let me meet the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld."
At my words, Kang Min-hee's eyes widen.
Jeon Myeong-hoon also looks over, eyes brimming with interest.
"There's something I need to request."
I think of Kim Yeon, trapped in Liberation Peach Garden Village.
And Kim Young-hoon, wandering in the Outer Sea.
But Kang Min-hee speaks with a hardened face.
"No."
"Why? Why not?"
"...You, judging by your winged garment...you're an Upper Immortal, aren't you?"
"That's right."
"At the level of an Upper Immortal, you can't meet Them."
A faint fear lingers in her eyes.
"They...want to capture all of us Enders. At your level, you'll definitely be caught and sealed. I absolutely cannot allow it."
"Then why...haven't you been sealed?"
"That's simply because They value my talent highly. There's no greater reason."
Kang Min-hee places a hand on her chest and continues speaking.
"They said all the strength and talent of us Enders...merely flow from something called fate. But the talent I possess, excluding my fate, still reaches a level comparable to an Ender's, which is why They are specially nurturing me as a candidate for a Judge... No such exception applies to the other Enders. Especially..."
She speaks with a bitter gaze.
"When you advanced to True Immortal...I admired your talent, Seo Eun-hyun, and asked the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld. I asked if They couldn't take you as Their disciple alongside me. But They told me this. That They 'must not take you as a disciple'..."
"..."
"It probably means you don't meet the criteria. That's why, unless you at least reach the level of Great Net Immortal, I cannot bring you before Them."
Kang Min-hee gestures toward the endlessly stretching world of darkness.
"Currently, all of us Enders are wanted by the beings called Radiance Hall. The reason I brought you all here is because the stomach of the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity is the safest place. From now on, cultivate here.
"When you want to leave, you can speak the Flawless Mantra to me or Seo Eun-hyun, and you'll be able to exit. If you're bored, you can go out to the Twin Holding Heavenly Domain and wander around. The Twin Holding Heavenly Domain is where various Earth Upper Immortals and True Immortals not affiliated with Radiance Hall gather, so there should be plenty to see. You're free here. But..."
She speaks with a resolute expression.
"Seo Eun-hyun, I cannot introduce you to the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld, like you asked. To be introduced to Them, you need to be at least Great Net Immortal, and ideally, you'd have to elevate your realm to the level of Immortal Lord. Otherwise...none of you can meet Them."
"..."
I let out a silent sigh.
I can clearly feel her concern for me.
But I have a definite reason why I must meet the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld.
"Trust me, Kang Min-hee. Even if I meet the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld, They won't try to taxidermize me."
"..."
She closes her eyes, as if unwilling to hear any more, and melts into the darkness.
"I'll be with my main body. You all stay here and rest. The power of the Flawless Mantra will protect you as long as you don't step outside that blue smoke. Well then..."
Shiriririk!...
"Hm..."
Watching her fully disappear from the space, I scratch my head.
'Well, this is quite...'
Originally, I planned to show her my Three Great Ultimates right in front of her, but now it's gotten a bit tricky.
'Then, there's no helping it.'
I sigh and decide to go find Kang Min-hee's main body.
'Anyway, if it's her current self, she should be directly communing with the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld, receiving training. If I go to where her main body is, I should be able to meet the Heavenly Venerable.'
I take out Yeo Hwi, Yu Hwi, Ham Jin, Hong Fan, Jun Jae, and those who were inside me into this space and ask.
"Hong Fan, you look after Yu Hwi, Ham Jin, Jun Jae, and the others here. They haven't woken up yet, but if they do, explain the situation to them. And Jeon Myeong-hoon, Golden Shaking Bird. I'm going to find Kang Min-hee for a bit, so wait for me for a while."
"Mm, got it. But how are you going to find her? This space inside the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity's belly...is a darkness where no attraction force or anything else can be sensed..."
"There's a way to handle that."
I speak as I fling open my internal world.
With that, five-colored light blooms from within my internal world.
Among them, the red light merges into Jeon Myeong-hoon in the blink of an eye, while the color mixed of golden, purple, and silver fly off somewhere.
The light pink light disappears on the spot as if teleporting, and the dark blue light cluster quickly shoots past into the darkness beyond.
That must be where Kang Min-hee's main body is.
Kiririk—
In the past life, the movement speed of the lights were so fast that it was hard to chase after them.
'It's a little different now.'
In an instant,
A Pure-White Three Great Ultimates rises behind me.
Triple Divinity awakens my mind.
Triple Divinity is ultimately the extreme blossoming of intent's characteristics.
Thus, the method of operating Triple Divinity is ultimately similar to consciousness.
'Acceleration.'
By the power of Triple Divinity, my mind seems to rise to a new dimension.
It feels as though a new domain of the mind is being created.
Chwararararak!
In an instant, a phenomenon occurs where the world of darkness seems to flatten into two dimensions.
Pabat!
I begin dash through the world narrowed into a two-dimensional plane.
Narayana Nature preserves my mind within this domain.
Shiriririk!
Along with it, Mahesvara Nature erases the 'distance' that has been narrowed, allowing me to chase after those lights.
For how long do I run after the cluster of lights, having entered a new dimension?
Kurururung!
I spot Kang Min-hee's main body in the distance.
The cluster of blue light enters and settles within Kang Min-hee's body.
She seems to be an Upper Immortal who has followed the Earth Upper Immortal pathway, but perhaps because she is only at the level of a True Immortal who learned the Flawless Mantra, even she cannot perceive me, who has arrived in this place in a fleeting instant.
In this world where time seems to have stopped, I gently place my hand on her shoulder and land beside the spot where she is sitting.
She is drawing a taenghwa, but I cannot see what the taenghwa depicts.
The painting itself seems to have some sort of restriction.
However, I soon lose interest in the taenghwa and instead lower my waist, kneeling, and bowing towards the presence I feel before me.
A familiar sensation.
But...
A reverence and awe entirely different from before.
'Unlike before...precisely because I've grown, I can feel just how terrifying that deep darkness is...just a little more vividly...'
I swallow hard, then open my mouth towards the presence before Kang Min-hee.
"This lowly Upper Immortal, Crystal Glass Being Seo Eun-hyun...greets the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld..."
And then,
Hwarurureuk...
In this frozen world, a familiar figure appears, holding a candle flame.
A being at times resembling Tae Yeol-jeon, at times the village girl from the mountain village, at times Kang Min-hee, and at times Kim Yeon.
'...This is insane.'
Just her very existence makes chills run down my back.
This a dimension reached by accelerating my consciousness, which has arrived at the True Immortal level, to the point of transcendence.
Even for me, moving within this dimension is burdensome, yet she moves so naturally within it.
I realize as I look at her.
'The Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld...is the strongest.'
Not a single authority related to time would work on her.
Aging through time acceleration would not work because her weight class is far too high, and time stop is meaningless as she, too, possesses the consciousness capable of entering a stopped world.
Moreover, time reversal directly deals with past, and since the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld seized control of the history pathway, it would be effortlessly blocked.
'The Sal Tree Heavenly Venerable is the same. Even though They govern birth, considering that the Reincarnation Judge is effectively under the Underworld's jurisdiction, it wouldn't be strange for Their authority domain to be taken away entirely at any time... And the Martial Arts of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld are also at a level comparable to Hyeon Mu, yet her weight class is even higher...'
No other Heavenly Venerable could reach even the tip of the Underworld Heavenly Venerable's toes.
It's just when I think so.
"Each has their own strengths. When it comes to embarking on far-reaching journeys and finding hidden coordinates, Time is a step above me. Sal Tree as well is superior to me in granting birth and fate to life. And Void, as well, I cannot be compared to."
"...!"
Having my thoughts seen through in an instant, I lower my head with a bitter smile.
"Why say such things? I am clearly of the Heavenly Venerable's..."
"If possible, I would prefer not to be called titles containing Heaven (天)."
The Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld cuts off my words with an unexpected request, and I nod.
'So that's why they all called her Imperial Venerable.'
"...Yes, Imperial Venerable. I have clearly experienced the Heart and Heaven Taenghwa Painting of the Imperial Venerable. And when recalling having crossed swords with Hyeon Mu..."
Indeed, that Heart and Heaven Taenghwa Painting carried a similar feeling to Hyeon Mu's Dance of Emptiness.
The only difference was in how delicately its power was adjusted.
"Aren't the Imperial Venerable's Martial Arts...already in the same realm as the True Martial Great Emperor Hyeon Mu?"
At my question, the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld only smiles faintly.
Then she opens her mouth.
And at her next words, I cannot help but feel great shock.
"This technique you all call 'martial discipline'...is merely a 'technique' I learned to discern Enders. I have not learned his technique to a high realm. This lowly maiden is, at best by your standards, at the realm you call Seated Detachment, Entering Hope, or perhaps the First Step Before the Throne."
"...!"
I flinch in surprise.
"L-Lowly maiden, you say? Why act like this towards me? No, more importantly...Seated Detachment, Entering Hope? But yours is clearly..."
"Through heterodox methods, I merely produced power equivalent to Severing Heaven by your standards. Unlike the versatile other Heavenly Venerables, this lowly maiden is merely...an incompetent being who focused solely on the path of history."
I am taken aback by the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld's sudden extreme self-deprecating attitude.
"...Where did he suddenly disappear to?"
Jeon Myeong-hoon sits quietly, gazing off somewhere after Seo Eun-hyun suddenly vanished.
After Seo Eun-hyun disappeared, saying he is going to find Kang Min-hee,
Jeon Myeong-hoon felt an immense power welling up within his body and is currently calming that power.
Because of the sudden surge in power, his mind temporarily awakened to the point of connecting to a strange spacetime.
"Anyway..."
Jeon Myeong-hoon looks at Hong Fan in this world where everything has stopped and where the world feels as if it has turned two-dimensional.
"That guy just now... It looked like he moved. Or was it just my imagination?"
It was probably just his imagination.
"Man, what an odd expression."
Jeon Myeong-hoon stares at Hong Fan, who is gazing fixedly at somewhere with an ambiguous expression.
"Where is he staring so intently like that with that face...?"
As he steadies his power in the stopped world, Jeon Myeong-hoon glances towards the spot Hong Fan is fixated on, looking slightly bored.
There is only darkness there.
I look at the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld, who assumes a lower posture before me, and ask.
"May I know why you are suddenly doing this to me?"
"Hoho..."
But the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld simply smiles meaningfully and lowers her head even more in her Transformation form.
'Something feels odd...'
It almost feels as though the one she is lowering herself to isn't me.
'Seeing as she's not telling me, she probably won't answer.'
"...Understood. I will not inquire about this matter. In that case, allow me to ask about one matter."
"What is it?"
"I once heard from Yang Su-jin. Strictly speaking, it was from a remnant thought of his. I heard that the Imperial Venerable...tends to capture and taxidermy beings like us up to a certain standard, but if we surpass that standard, you provide support."
"Hoo..."
"I would like to ask."
Woo-wooong!
I raise the Pure-White Three Great Ultimates as I speak.
A force that seems capable of annihilating Heaven and Earth surges from the Pure-White Three Great Ultimates.
"Do I, as I am now...meet the Imperial Venerable's standard?"
"..."
She stares at me silently for a moment.
'...Damn it...'
Just from her 'gaze', I feel as if I am falling into a bottomless pit.
"...At your current level..."
The Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld speaks after seeming to deliberate for a moment.
"You are exactly at the level of Yang Su-jin, right before his advancement to Immortal Lord."
"...! Th-That means..."
"It means you do not meet the standard."
"..."
I almost smile but instead break out into a cold sweat.
'Damn it all...'
For a moment, I even wonder if I am about to be taxidermized.
But I quickly pull myself together.
'No. The fact that she is speaking calmly with me means there is still room left.'
"If it's the level of Yang Su-jin before advancing to Immortal Lord...may I take that to mean I am almost at the threshold?"
After all, Yang Su-jin died when he was an Immortal Lord!
"Yes, well, that is correct. But rather than almost, let's say so-so. Therefore...it is because you are in an ambiguous state that I am leaving you be. If I see no further potential, I will taxidermize you immediately. But since there is still a sprout to be seen, I am allowing you time to grow."
"...So full support is still difficult for now."
"That is correct."
I bite my lip.
'...So full support is out, huh... But that's fine.'
I have something prepared precisely for a situation like this.
"In that case, even if support is not possible...would a 'transaction' be acceptable?"
"Hm... A transaction is fine. However, I wonder if you possess something that would satisfy this maiden."
"It is not an object, but...perhaps this will interest you."
Confidently, I pull out the card that I've kept.
"The true will of Radiance Hall and the Radiance Supreme Deity...and their ultimate goal. Would you care to hear it?"
"...Go ahead and recite it."
She smiles meaningfully with an oddly languid expression.
'So bargaining won't work.'
Seeing that smile, I think.
'First...let's lay out the information, then state what I want.'
The starting point to saving Kim Young-hoon, Kim Yeon, and Oh Hyun-seok lies solely with the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld!
"Then, I will speak."
Of course, there is the possibility that the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld already knows.
'Even so, what I intend to propose...should be of use even to her... And if not, she'll just tell me to stop halfway.'
With that, I begin to reveal the ultimate goal of Radiance Hall and the true will of the Radiance Supreme Deity.
-x-X-x-
"The value of Radiance Hall is freedom. The Radiance Eight Immortals teach all the True Immortals of Radiance Hall in this way."
"..."
"And...they abhor fate."
It is truly an amusing matter.
A paradox where Radiance Hall, the group representing the fate of the entire universe, the group of Heaven Immortals that have seized control of the fate pathway, abhors fate.
"To be precise, they abhor fate being toyed with by beings who possess emotions. Those that abhor those who oppress the weak with violence that cannot be resisted. That is exactly what Radiance Hall is."
That is why they claim only those who meet their standards should elevate their realms and become True Immortals.
When I first heard of their ideology from Gyeong-i, I thought:
'Isn't that too much of a suffocating method?'
If someone becoming a True Immortal, or elevating their realm, is determined solely by Radiance Hall, does that not mean everything is determined solely by them?
Is that not closer to yet another form of tyranny rather than enlightened rule?
Such thoughts crossed my mind.
However, once I came to know the true will of the Radiance Eight Immortals through Maek Jin, I came to understand.
'It was not a suffocating method... It was the way of madmen.'
"That is why...the ultimate objective of the Radiance Eight Immortals and the Radiance Supreme Deity has veered to a truly extreme direction."
In the early moments of this life.
It is not without reason that, despite the sorrowful voice of the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, I ignored her and fled.
"Let us erase the existence of all Immortal Families from this world."
Yes.
This is precisely the ultimate goal of the Radiance Eight Immortals and the Radiance Supreme Deity, of Radiance Hall.
"Let us eliminate all who can toy with fate. Even if it is not fate, let us eliminate all cultivators who, through transcendent power, can blanket the world and oppress the weak mortals. Those who begin to obtain the possibility of transcendence...let us annihilate all cultivators starting from the Four-Axis stage, as well as all True Immortals, and allow only the Radiance Eight Immortals and the Radiance Supreme Deity to rule the world."
A truth so deranged that anyone who learns of it would dismiss it as the delusions of a lunatic.
A top-secret objective the Radiance Eight Immortals never disclose even to the True Immortals belonging to Radiance Hall.
"Let us have the Radiance Eight Immortals of Radiance Hall sever their emotions and use them only as tools, establishing an ideal world-governing system where they are never swayed by emotions. And...since eternal rule is neither good for the Radiance Eight Immortals themselves nor for the world, after a set period, let us have the Radiance Eight Immortals change generations. Through the fate they bestow, let us have the Radiance Eight Immortals choose candidates among the mortals and impart to them their ideology and values. Until they become the Radiance Eight Immortals, they may not be free due to their fate, but once they have become Radiance Eight Immortals, they will be given freedom with only their emotions severed. In this way..."
The more I reflect, the more I realize how chilling this goal is.
"Everyone in this world will possess freedom. Both those who rule and the mortals who are no longer subject to having their fate toyed with by transcendents..."
It must be because I had stolen the light from the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord's domain that, in my past life, I too became extreme and blocked Immortal Cultivation.
I too had been deeply influenced by the ideology of the Radiance Eight Immortals.
And through her, I came to understand.
'The fact that I changed so drastically after taking the light of the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord means...'
The Sword Spear Heavenly Lord herself also follows and supports that ideology of her own free will.
"This is...the ultimate objective of Radiance Hall."
It is a purpose that can only be described as utterly repulsive and chilling.
The eradication of all True Immortals and all cultivators above the Four-Axis stage!
That is practically...
As if they intend to drive Immortal Cultivation entirely out of this world.
Then, listening to my words, the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld smiles subtly and speaks.
"I already knew such things."
"..."
"However, you seem to have something else hidden within. Perhaps that is the true content you intend to offer me as a transaction? Please speak."
Indeed.
There is no way the Heavenly Venerable of the Netherworld wouldn't already know this.
The reason I brought this up is not merely to convey the ultimate objective of Radiance Hall.
"...My senior brother, the Great Mountain Supreme Deity Gwak Am, is currently in Penglai Island."
I weave together the information I gained in my past life inside my mind.
Radiance Hall joined hands with Gwak Am, who seeks to annihilate the entirety of Mount Sumeru.
They must have believed that annihilating all of Mount Sumeru would assist in eradicating all cultivators in this world.
Most likely, they were hiding out in the Outer Sea, or through some other method, they ensured their successors through prophecy and were waiting for death.
I piece together the information I gathered in the previous cycle.
'Definitely...during the war of Radiance Hall, the Underworld forces did not intervene in the war and instead set off to find Penglai Island.'
There is no way the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld would have suddenly sent her Judges and Reapers to Penglai Island without reason.
Which means...
'It was to stop the Great Mountain Supreme Deity!'
This is proof that the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld does not wish for the destruction of this world!
"...The Imperial Venerable has already noticed my ability, did you not?"
"Hoho..."
"...With my ability, I can find Penglai Island before Mount Sumeru is destroyed. I promise to find Penglai Island for you! So please, assist me!"
That's right.
The price I offer for this transaction is none other than Penglai Island!
Knowing that the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld sought Penglai Island in my past life, I present the search for Penglai Island as my offer to her.
'The ultimate objective of Radiance Hall might not be much help...but this much should be enough!'
For a while, with the candle flame between us, the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld remains silent.
Then, shortly after.
She smiles meaningfully and speaks.
"I, too, have the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade. I can find the path and coordinates from the Outer Sea. So why must I borrow your ability?"
"I am aware. With the Imperial Venerable's ability, you surely have the ability to locate Penglai Island. However...the Imperial Venerable knows as well. Even if you find Penglai Island, you cannot enter it."
"..."
"Penglai Island is currently a world with a master, and that master will not open the door from within. Is that not so?"
"Hoho..."
As if my words strike directly at the mark, she smiles faintly.
"...But must you always laugh 'hoho' like that?"
"Pardon...?"
"Forgive me. I truly apologize. Anyway."
I clear my throat and continue.
'In my past life. Even though the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld possessed the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade and sent the Judges, the Splitting Heaven Mantra of the Great Mountain Supreme Deity still activated. That means...'
The only conclusion I can reach is that even though she found Penglai Island with the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade, the Great Mountain Supreme Deity sealed the door from within and refused to let her enter.
And if that is so, then surely, I can propose a deal with her.
"If it is me. If it is me, I can definitely...enter Penglai Island. Because...the Great Mountain Supreme Deity is, regardless of everything, my senior brother."
"..."
"They will open the door only for me. No matter when, I will go to Penglai Island and force open its doors. So, please...lend me your aid."
After smiling at me for a while, I feel the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld smiling.
"...It seems you have come prepared. Seeing how firmly you have constructed your argument..."
"Thank you for the compliment."
"However, what if I possess the strength to directly find Penglai Road, pierce through it in one strike, and kill the Great Mountain Supreme Deity within?"
"...!"
I grit my teeth.
The power of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld is indeed overwhelming.
So much so that there is a possibility her words are true.
Kugugugugugu!
"Answer me."
Gradually, the face of the being before me fades away.
It is no longer human.
"Kkuuuugh!"
It is darkness.
A deep and vast darkness.
'I-I feel like I'm going to be crushed...'
I fail to endure the rank exuded by the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld and gasp for breath.
'What is this...?'
Even when I first saw the Great Mountain Supreme Deity, I did not feel this level of pressure.
Not even when I first Saw Bong Myeong, nor when I first faced Black Dragon, nor even when I witnessed the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity during my mortal being days...
This is the first time I have felt such a vicious oppression.
'Hyeon Mu, Cheon Woon, Gwan Myeong...'
Even if all three Heavenly Venerables combine their strength, I feel they would be no match for this existence.
The words just spoken by the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld seem entirely true.
'I-I'll die!'
I realize that if I speak wrongly here, I will die and be taxidermized within this darkness.
But I bite down hard on my lips.
Blood seeps from my mouth.
'...I am not afraid. What I should truly fear is...'
Thinking that I have a plum in my mouth, I start to straighten my posture once again.
'Even if I die in the evening...failing to do what I must in the morning!'
Wududuk!
Under the pressure that feels like it is shattering my entire body, I raise myself up.
The faint scent of plum seems to linger in my mouth.
"Then, what is it that you desire? I implore the Imperial Venerable to give me your command. I shall fulfil what the Imperial Venerable wants. What is required of me to ask for the Imperial Venerable's aid!?"
My resonant voice echoes within the body of the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity.
Immediately after,
Paaatt!
The pressure vanishes, and before my eyes appears once more the Transformation form of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld, holding a candle.
"No matter how many times I see you, you are pleasing..."
"..."
Though the pressure is gone, I do not lower my guard as I gaze at her.
"If you were not my friend's disciple, you are the sort of person I would wish to bring under my tutelage. Hoho... Very well. I shall grant your request. It is true I possess the strength to personally resolve this situation, but it is power I must conserve, so using it now would be a significant loss."
The Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld nods lightly and rises from her seat.
"Go forth. Then, what you seek will be delivered to you. But, it will be 'this one time only.' From here on, you must seize things with your own strength."
"Yes...!"
"In return, you must uphold the promise you spoke of. Even if you must grind away lifetimes, even if you must die a hundred times over...you must stop the tyranny of your senior brother. That is all."
Having finished speaking, the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld erases her presence and disappears before my eyes.
Woo-wooong!
Now, the only one beside me is Kang Min-hee, who is gradually awakening her mind as she accepts the light of the taenghwa I received in the past life.
I recall the words of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld as I watch Kang Min-hee, then operate the Flawless Mantra to exit the body of the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity.
How long do I wander inside the belly of the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity?
Chwaaaak!
At last, I emerge from within the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity's belly.
Just then,
Kwarururururung!
With a deafening roar that feels as if the entire world is shaking, I see the sky of the Twin Holding Heavenly Domain being torn apart.
"...!!!"
Kugugugugugu!
An infinite darkness seems to fill the Twin Holding Heavenly Domain, and from within, some people fall.
It is Kim Yeon, wearing an utterly dumbfounded expression,
Oh Hyun-seok, eyes wide open in shock,
And Kim Young-hoon's body, appearing to have lost its consciousness!
I hastily catch them, and then taken aback, look up at the sky of the Twin Holding Heavenly Domain that is mending itself again.
'N-No...'
She did say she would grant me what I desired...
But I didn't expect she would immediately return my comrades like this, leaving me somewhat utterly dumbfounded.
'It's...really this easy? Really?'
It feels a bit absurd, but I bite my lip as I recall her words about it being 'this one time only'.
'It's only in this lifetime. From the next life onwards, it won't work.'
Which means...from now on, I must strive to be able to save my comrades by my own strength alone.
Sururuk...
Sensing a presence behind me, I glance back into the body of the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity.
—The Golden God of this generation...after receiving the inheritance, has immediately entered deep into the Outer Sea. However, as long as all of you are gathered together, he will be drawn by attraction force and inevitably return to your side, so do not worry.
After informing me of Kim Young-hoon's current state, the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld completely conceals her presence.
Thus, having reunited with all my comrades, I offer a deep gratitude towards the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld.
"...Thank you. O Imperial Venerable..."
I have found all of my comrades in this life.
Now...
'Cultivation! Only endless cultivation awaits!'
I resolve firmly and gaze at the sky.
"Seo, Seo Eun-hyun? Hyung-nim? Kim Yeon? This place is..."
"Haha, it's been a while, Hyun-seok Hyung-nim."
I look at Oh Hyun-seok and smile, and he seems flustered.
It is when I try to explain the situation to him.
"Master! What has happened!"
Hong Fan rushes out from within the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity's belly, and Oh Hyun-seok, upon seeing Hong Fan, opens his eyes wide, then smiles as if he finally understands.
"Ahaha! I see. I understand now. It was Master who helped us!"
"...?"
"...?"
Hong Fan and I both stand there, confused, while Oh Hyun-seok immediately bows deeply towards Hong Fan.
"I can only be grateful for Master's grace! Eun-hyun! Kim Yeon! Offer your greetings! This person is none other than the High Spirit Grand Dao Nine Heavens Overseeing Fate Preserving Life Celestial Great Emperor! Their Majesty, the Naming Supreme Deity Hyeon Rang! Master has reunited us!"
-x-X-x-
"Hyun-seok Hyung-nim..."
My eyes meet Oh Hyun-seok's.
Oh Hyun-seok glances at me, clearly signaling why I'm not quickly bowing to Hong Fan already.
But I awkwardly clear my throat and speak.
"That...do you perhaps remember...the Hong Fan who used to be with me before?"
"Mm...?"
Then Oh Hyun-seok quietly glances up at Hong Fan.
Hong Fan blinks with an utterly clueless expression.
"Huh...?"
And Oh Hyun-seok, who is staring at Hong Fan, also starts blinking and begins to look at him more closely.
"Huh...? Wait. You..."
Rubbing his eyes, Oh Hyun-seok stands up from his seat and starts to chuckle.
"This is quite surprising. You're Hong Fan?"
"Yes...that is correct?"
"Mm...my apologies. I was mistaken."
"..."
It seems Oh Hyun-seok momentarily mistook Hong Fan for the Naming Supreme Deity.
"Why in the world did you mistake Hong Fan for the Naming Supreme Deity? Hahaha!"
"Mm, well...sorry about that. The moment I suddenly fell here, I thought I saw my master in front of me. But now that I look closely, Hong Fan appears a bit older, and his appearance is subtly different."
"Mm...?"
I become intrigued by those words and ask.
"Does Hong Fan's current form resemble the Naming Supreme Deity quite a bit?"
"Hm...it seems there is some resemblance. But if you look closely, the differences stand out. I must have simply been mistaken just now."
"Mm..."
I look at Hong Fan.
Thanks to having reached the Sacred Vessel stage, Hong Fan now appears significantly younger.
He appears as a middle-aged man in his late 40s to early 50s.
Wearing a black robe and sporting a well-groomed black beard, he has the air of a refined middle-aged man.
"So that appearance is said to resemble the Naming Supreme Deity...?"
I ponder for a moment and then ask.
"Hong Fan, do you perhaps recall anything related to your past life?"
"Emm..."
If Hong Fan's Transformation form bears resemblance to the Naming Supreme Deity, there is a high chance it stems from his past life.
'Considering that Hyeon Rang was once the Immortal Beast King...yes. There is certainly a strong possibility that They might be connected to Hong Fan.'
Hong Fan scratches his head and then speaks.
"I'm...not quite sure. It feels like too distant a story. But still, for someone lowly like me to be associated with a Supreme Deity, it feels rather pleasant, haw haw."
"Mm, so nothing particular comes to mind..."
I shift my gaze away from Hong Fan with a slightly disappointed expression.
It is then,
'Hm?'
I suddenly look back at Hong Fan.
He stands there with the appearance of a middle-aged man in his late 40s, dressed in a black robe and with a well-groomed black beard.
'What is this...?'
As I look at him, I get the strange feeling that I've seen someone like that before.
'Why does this feel familiar...?'
I flip through the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections, but no such figure comes to mind.
'Is it just my imagination...?'
There is something inexplicably familiar about him.
And somehow, I get the feeling that if Hong Fan were to become just a bit younger, I might be able to grasp the answer.
"Hong Fan. Regarding you..."
"Yes, Master."
"How long do you think it'll take you to reach the Entering Nirvana stage?"
"Emm... My Sacred Vessel stage cultivation is nearing its end, so I believe I should be able to reach the Entering Nirvana stage smoothly in about a thousand years."
"Hmm, is that so? Got it."
Probably by then, I will naturally get to see Hong Fan's younger appearance, so I decide to resolve my question at that time.
"For now, welcome to the Twin Holding Heavenly Domain, Hyun-seok Hyung-nim. And...Yeon-ah."
I hug the two comrades I haven't seen in a long while.
I explain the current situation to them thoroughly, and together, we re-enter the body of the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity.
Kang Min-hee also seems to have received some notice from the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld, as she is waiting for us with Jeon Myeong-hoon.
For the first time in a truly long while, all of us gather together, and...
The six of us are finally able to talk and catch up again.
Although, strictly speaking, Kim Young-hoon is present only in body.
Inside the body of the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity, where no light reaches.
Together with my comrades, I reassess our goals.
"First, I will go over our current goals. Starting with Young-hoon Hyung-nim..."
I look at the unconscious body of Kim Young-hoon.
"Hyung-nim's goal is to return home and reunite with his family. For that, he even reached Entering Heavens. And Jeong Myeong-hoon..."
"Revenge."
Jeon Myeong-hoon clenches Jin So-hae's hand tightly, spitting the words out.
"That's all there is."
Once, he had the look of a thug.
But now, having advanced to True Immortality without cutting his hair, he has long, disheveled hair.
The eyes that used to brim with confidence are now filled with pain and gloom.
Revenge against the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity and Zhengli!
That is Jeon Myeong-hoon's purpose.
"Right. Then, Kang Min-hee, what about you?"
"...Protecting all of you. For now, that's it. But since it's a bit vague, there's also the goal my master, the Imperial Venerable, has set for me, which is to become a Judge. In other words, becoming an Immortal Lord. And personally, I want to become a Judge and embrace the pitiful souls."
It seems Kang Min-hee's goal is to become a Judge.
"What about you, Hyung-nim?"
"I..."
Oh Hyun-seok's eyes gleam.
"To go to Penglai Island, find my daughter...and return home."
He clenches his fist.
"Those who know will know, but...back on Earth, I lost a child. That child was also a daughter..."
Grinding his teeth, he continues.
"I will never...lose my family...or my child again. That is my goal."
And his next words make me flinch in surprise.
"Hye-seo...I also want to meet that child again one day and talk. Even though at some point she turned against us and showed a cruel side, she definitely had a gentle side when she was young."
I nod, then finally look towards Kim Yeon.
"Mm."
"She says she will pierce through the restriction on her word spirit, become fully liberated from the Liberation Supreme Deity someday, and speak the words she must deliver."
Hong Fan strokes his beard as he interprets Kim Yeon's words.
Kim Young-hoon's goal is to return home.
Jeon Myeong-hoon's is revenge against the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity.
Kang Min-hee's is to protect us.
Oh Hyun-seok's is to return home with his family.
Kim Yeon's is liberation from the Liberation Supreme Deity.
Then, I state my own goal.
"I am similar to everyone. I also have to return home, and there is someone I must take revenge on. And...in order for all of us to achieve our goals, there is one thing we must do."
Wo-woong!
I draw an inverted cone through the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra in the void and show my comrades a map of Mount Sumeru.
"This is Mount Sumeru, where we are."
A world shaped like an inverted cone.
Several truths of the world.
And...
"To return home...all of us must reach the Audience Chamber in the Thirty-Third Heaven, located at the vertex of Mount Sumeru. And perhaps...the one guarding the Audience Chamber, predicted to be the gatekeeper, is precisely the Head Realm we began from..."
I speak of the conclusion to which we Enders are bound by fate.
"The Emptiness Supreme Deity Myeong Woon. We must defeat Them. Anyone who wishes to return home must overcome Them."
I look around at my comrades.
"The goal of those who want to return home is the Emptiness Supreme Deity. And even for those who do not, their targets are all Supreme Deities."
Kim Young-hoon, Oh Hyun-seok, and I must face the Emptiness Supreme Deity.
Jeon Myeong-hoon, Kim Yeon, and I each must target the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity, Liberation Supreme Deity, and the Great Mountain Supreme Deity respectively.
Even in Kang Min-hee's case, since her goal is ultimately to protect us, she is inevitably bound to clash with the Supreme Deities.
In the end, all of our objectives require reaching the level of Supreme Deities.
"To do that, we must all...whether through the power we received when crossing into this world or by cultivating other powers, raise our realms."
Woong!
I bitterly look down at my hands.
'To reach Great Net Immortal...how long will it take?'
"That is why I propose this to all of you. From today onwards, no matter how much time passes, let us help one another and support each other's cultivation. And!"
I recall the past life.
With the war against Radiance Hall breaking out...
How ten million years later, all my comrades had died.
"No matter what happens...no matter what great wars sweep across the world...unless we each reach a certain realm, let us restrain ourselves and conserve our strength. Because only then...will the probability of all of us reaching the conclusion increase..."
I look at them and speak.
"Is that acceptable to you all...?"
Jeon Myeong-hoon and Kim Yeon immediately nod.
Kang Min-hee and Oh Hyun-seok seem to deliberate for a moment before speaking.
"Alright."
"Got it."
Thus, from that day, we agree to enter into a long period of cultivation.
Afterwards, I also tell them not to recklessly speak their fates, and give them a general explanation about Enders and the Seven Brilliances Kings.
Having reviewed our objectives and decided to stay cautious in this Twin Holding Heavenly Domain, our meeting comes to an end.
After the meeting.
Each comrade either heads outside the body of the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity or goes deeper in to begin cultivation.
Kang Min-hee sends her clone to assist their passage.
As I watch my comrades disappear, I suddenly turn to Hong Fan beside me.
"Ah...now that I think about it, I'm sorry, Hong Fan. You're also a comrade...but I never asked you your goal."
"Haw haw, it's fine. My goal is nothing grand like Master's or the others."
"Still, I'm sorry. Could you perhaps answer me, even if it's just once more? What is...your goal?"
"Master already knows, doesn't he? My goal and my fate...is simply to serve Master and your comrades well, to follow and watch over you all."
"I see. I'm always grateful."
I pat Hong Fan on the shoulder and leave the body of the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity with him.
Then, suddenly, I feel an odd sense of déjà vu.
Something feels...off.
"Hong Fan."
"Yes, Master."
"You...did you originally use the Flawless Mantra...?"
☯
"Hmm...it's nothing."
It seems a bit strange that Hong Fan uses the Flawless Mantra.
But thinking carefully, it was Hong Fan who extracted the Flawless Mantra from Kang Min-hee and taught it to me in the first place.
It's only natural that Hong Fan uses the Flawless Mantra.
"Yes, well, I taught it to you last time, didn't I? Haw haw haw!"
"Hahaha! That's true."
We exit the body of the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity.
In the distance, I see Oh Hyun-seok, Kim Yeon, Jeon Myeong-hoon, and Golden Shaking Bird gathered, discussing something.
"Oh, Seo Eun-hyun. We've decided to first look for a suitable place to cultivate. It seems for Kang Min-hee, the Supreme Deity's body is ideal, but for us, it's not much more than a shelter. So...for now, we've decided to explore this place with Golden Shaking Bird's guidance."
"A good idea. I'll join you."
Thus, my comrades and I decide to explore the Twin Holding Heavenly Domain.
Kurururung!
I first transform into the form of Candle Shadow, letting my comrades ride on my back, and use the power of explosion to break away from the vicinity of the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity.
"Ehem. Then, I shall begin today's tour of the Twin Holding Heavenly Domain."
Golden Shaking Bird climbs atop my head, pointing towards the Twin Holding Heavenly Domain and begins introducing it.
"First, let me explain the origin of the name, and why it is called the Twin Holding Heavenly Domain."
"Hoh, alright. Go ahead and tell us."
When Jeon Myeong-hoon asks curiously, Golden Shaking Bird twitches her ears happily and continues.
"Originally, the name of the Twin Holding Heavenly Domain was Yugaṁdhara (踰健達羅), given by a being known as the Obsidian Devil Heavenly King. Apparently, it's a transliteration of the language from their homeland, but the exact meaning is unknown. Later, Radiance Hall gave it the name Holding Twin (持雙) Heavenly Domain."
"Holding Twin Heavenly Domain... But..."
"It's been flipped."
Jeon Myeong-hoon looks puzzled, and my eyes gleam.
"That is right. Why it is called 'Twin Holding,' I'm not entirely sure...but it is said to have been influenced by beings known as the Buddhist Twin Venerables. Something about how there are two paths the Wheel has passed."
'Wheel...two paths...'
I immediately understand.
'I see. This being known as the Obsidian Devil Heavenly King...must have sought help from my master and the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld. The Axle Imperial Venerable and the Wheel Imperial Venerable. Perhaps what was completed with their help is the Immortal Art that is the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity?'
It seems plausible.
"However, as soon as Radiance Hall named it the Holding Twin Heavenly Domain, something strange happened."
"What is it?"
"By the power of the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity, the name was immediately [flipped]. It is said that even back then, there was the Naming Supreme Deity occupying the Seat of Names, but the name that was bestowed by both the Naming Supreme Deity and Radiance Hall was overturned. With it completely flipped, the Naming Supreme Deity and Radiance Hall tried to correct the name again, but..."
She shrugs her shoulders as she explains.
"In the end, the name, reversed to Twin Holding, never changed. As if the flipped ordering was its original name."
"Hmmm..."
As I listen to the story, I feel like I'm starting to understand something.
Then, it's when I look towards the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity.
"...!"
The black hole the size of five superclusters disappears,
And in its place, [someone] of equal magnitude sits in a lotus position.
That [someone] wears a dignified pitch-black dragon robe and mianguan, and all over their body, countless mouths grow, tearing apart the void and endlessly devouring the very fabric of the dimension itself.
Their face is shrouded in darkness, unseen.
However, that being is sitting in a lotus position [upside down], and somehow, I feel as though I meet their gaze.
Shiver!
A chill runs through my entire body.
Yet, nothing earth-shattering occurs.
'...Fortunately, They don't seem to want to interfere...'
Though They seem to be watching me, unlike the other Supreme Deities, They show no particular interest in us.
Perhaps because They are an innate Supreme Deity born from a mantra, Their consciousness itself feels faint.
'That is the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity...'
I click my tongue and look at the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity, then shift my gaze forward again.
"...The inversion is probably the influence of the Flawless Mantra."
I recall the appearance of the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity sitting in a lotus position, upside down.
Their actual appearance is the form of a black sphere, but what I saw must be the essence of the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity.
"The Flawless Mantra is something that can only be cultivated by flipping oneself upside down. Because the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity endlessly recites the Flawless Mantra upside down...that is probably why it flipped like that."
At my explanation, everyone nods, intrigued.
"You're very knowledgeable, Elder. And as you know, the Twin Holding Heavenly Domain is the Heavenly Domain of a Supreme Deity whose reason is faint, the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity.
"That's right."
"And because of that...those who want to be free from the subordination of other Supreme Deities, or True Immortals not affiliated with Radiance Hall, all end up coming to the Twin Holding Heavenly Domain."
Kugugugugu!
In the distance, two powerful presences are felt.
I look toward them, my eyes glinting.
'True Immortals?'
It is quite a fascinating experience.
This isn't a confined space like Liberation Peach Garden in the Earth Boundary Heavenly Domain, but an open and expansive Heavenly Domain. Yet, to encounter True Immortals here means...
"If it's elders like yourselves, you've likely not met many other True Immortals besides me. But here, in the Twin Holding Heavenly Domain, you might be able to meet and form connections with many True Immortals and...khiyaaaaagh!"
Suddenly, Golden Shaking Bird's face flushes bright red as she covers her eyes.
She looks embarrassed.
"...?"
"Why are you doing that, Golden Shaking Bird?"
We all look puzzled, and Golden Shaking Bird speaks with a flushed face.
When I glance ahead, I suddenly see the Vestige Liberation Immortals whose massive presences have been felt for a while.
They do not take their Transformation form. Instead, they have descended directly in their main bodies.
Having descended into the cosmic space in their main bodies, these True Immortals are entangled with each other.
True Immortals, rather than possessing a singular physical body, are closer to being a concept or a massive mass of energy, so their entanglement appears like two nebulae writhing and overlapping.
Kururururung!
Between the two True Immortals, a sun is being born.
Watching this, I feel utterly bewildered.
'What is it about this scene that makes her react like this...?'
And at Golden Shaking Bird's next words, my comrades and I are all left dumbfounded.
"Those lecherous bastards! In a public place, they're shamelessly showing off their bedroom arts... C-Crazy lunatics..."
"..."
"..."
We all stare blankly at the two intertwined masses of nebulae.
Within them, a sun is being born.
-x-X-x-
'Ah...'
I immediately understand.
Those True Immortals are in the middle of creating a child right in the center of the open plain, visible to everyone.
As we approach their surroundings, the two True Immortals even more intensely entangle themselves, as if deliberately showing off.
Kurururung, kurururung!
From the union of the two True Immortals, stellar winds blow, and stellar lightning spark.
The sun forming within burns ever brighter, its heat intensifying.
As if they are changing positions, the forms of the nebulae swirl and mix more vigorously, spiraling chaotically.
Jjeooooooong!
Kwarurururung!
Wiiiing!
Kwajijijijijik!
Kududududuk!
Kwang! Kwang! Kwang!
As if the True Immortals are moaning, letting out cries of union, roars and explosions that seem to split Heaven and Earth resound and spread throughout the entire universe, with spiritual energy as the medium.
...At first, I do not realize these are cries of copulation. Only after noticing the lustful intent mixed heavily within the sounds do I understand.
"...H-Huaaagh! Elder! Please! Please just move on quicky! I do not want to keep looking at those obscene perverts!"
"...Ah, a-alright..."
I am dumbfounded, so I quickly pass by them.
Jeon Myeong-hoon seems to be feeling absurd, his mouth hanging open.
"...Is that...the dual cultivation...of True Immortals?"
"Yes, Master... That is normally how it's done. Who would bother to maintain a Transformation form while doing it? The Transformation form is merely a mask recalling their time as mortals. When True Immortals copulate, they instead return to a form closer to their essence. Even so, most have a sense of decorum... They usually create a barrier inside the nebula, or cover the surroundings with a dimensional veil... But those obscene bastards...! Huu..."
Oh Hyun-seok and Kim Yeon also look stunned, seemingly dazed.
Perhaps because none of us have met other True Immortals for a long time, it seems we cannot quite comprehend such a transcendent form of union.
'...Then, was that also what Glass Peacock wanted to do with me...?'
Judging by the fact that the two obscene True Immortals just now seem to be Vestige Liberation Immortals, it seems their cultivation of the Radiance Ten Heavens is carried out in this manner as well.
"...How long does the copulation between True Immortals usually last?"
"Hmm... Normally, True Immortals copulate to fulfill their prophecies, or to create the Radiance Ten Heavens like that. Therefore, once their objective is achieved, it tends to end immediately. Moreover, when the Immortal Arts or prophecies of two True Immortals combine, the realization of the prophecy accelerates tremendously. On the fast end...about a thousand years. On the slow end, five to six thousand years is typical."
She lets out a hollow laugh and continues.
"Before that lunatic True Immortal known as the Ignorant One, the longest recorded union between True Immortals barely lasted twenty thousand years at most. Even True Immortals get exhausted when they mix their essences after all..."
"..."
Listening to her, I feel dumbfounded all over again.
'The maximum copulation period outside Glass Peacock is twenty thousand years, and the average is two to three thousand years... Then why does Glass Peacock start from tens of thousands of years as a baseline...?'
Once more, I strongly feel that had I been caught by Glass Peacock, I truly might have lost my sanity and gone mad.
Afterwards, we continue touring various parts of the Twin Holding Heavenly Domain under the guidance of Golden Shaking Bird.
And after some time.
Kurururung!
"Oh! That place looks good. Perfectly suitable for growing my strength."
"Hm, seeing how much lightning strikes there, it seems suitable for me as well."
Oh Hyun-seok and Jeon Myeong-hoon discover a place within a large nebula swirling in purple.
There, I spot a massive dimensional rift.
Beyond the rift, I can see chaos seeping in from the dimension of the sea outside the Heavenly Domain.
Kugugugung!
Oh Hyun-seok reveals his massive body boiling with chaos and flies straight into it, while Jeon Myeong-hoon also soars in alongside Golden Shaking Bird, absorbing the lightning rushing in from beyond the chaos.
Watching Oh Hyun-seok's back, I smack my lips bitterly.
'When should I...tell him about Azure Tiger Saint...?'
Oh Hyun-seok is still wearing Azure Tiger Saint's Blue Sky Armor.
I have no idea where to even begin or how much to tell him.
Currently, Oh Hyun-seok's cultivation is at the early stage of Vestige Liberation Immortal.
Roughly the same realm as Jeon Myeong-hoon.
'For now, since the realm of Vestige Liberation Immortal can destabilize the mind due to the Radiance Ten Heavens...I'll wait until he reaches Upper Immortal to tell him.'
I reaffirm that now is not yet the time, and transform into my human form.
"Yeon-ah, how about you?"
"Mmm..."
"She says she will try cultivating here while repairing that rift."
"Good. Then, since everyone seems to have taken a liking to this place...I'll cultivate here too."
In truth, ever since entering this Twin Holding Heavenly Domain and witnessing the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity for the first time,
An inexplicable confidence has been surging within me.
'For some reason...this entire Heavenly Domain feels like it's embracing me warmly.'
I have the intuition that, at least within this Heavenly Domain, I can cultivate without having to face all sorts of external difficulties like before.
Since this is the intuition of a Heaven Upper Immortal, this is practically a prophecy.
'I feel confident about the future.'
For some reason, I feel that only under the gaze of the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity will I be able to safely undergo Upper Immortal cultivation.
Thus, our place of cultivation is decided.
We call this place the Purple Lotus Realm (紫蓮界), as the shape of this violet nebula resembles a purple lotus flower, and begin our individual cultivation here.
Kururururung!
I gather up the dust inside the Purple Lotus Realm and create a suitable landmass.
"Master, is there anything I can assist with?"
"Ah, Hong Fan. For now, prioritize on reaching the Entering Nirvana stage."
"Yes, Master. I shall do so. But aside from that, if there is any other command..."
"Hmm...maybe later, boiled..."
"Hooh..."
"I'm thinking of making boiled potatoes, so bring me some potatoes. I think Kim Yeon liked potatoes, and since we'll be spending a long time here in the Purple Lotus Realm, anyway I'm thinking of making some potato dishes."
[TL Notes: Boiled in boiled potatoes is 삶, which is the same word for life. It was a pun for 'Life is…']
"...! I see. Understood, Master! I will surely carry out your command! I really like boiled potatoes as well! How fortunate!"
"Is that so? Hahahahaha!"
"Haw haw haw haw haw!!!"
Hong Fan laughs heartily and flies off towards the outer edge of the Purple Lotus Realm.
Immediately after, I scatter a barrier of Filling the Heavens Governing View around.
This place is now practically my domain.
'Of course, this alone isn't enough.'
Ururung!
History Revision activates, and the entire space revisions itself into an environment favorable to me.
Once all preparations are complete,
I steady my heart and open my mouth.
Jjeooooooeok!
Chuhwaaak!
At the same time, something massive reveals its presence from within my mouth.
Kugugugugugu!
A True Immortal, wrapped and sealed in my winged garment.
It is my Heaven Upper Immortal senior, walking the Immortal Dao of the Mountain, whom I abducted from Radiance Hall.
"Be released."
Chwararak!
Part of the winged garment loosens, and the True Immortal begins to regain consciousness.
"...This place is..."
"Greetings, Senior."
"...I cannot read the celestial energy. However, judging by the quality of the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy, perhaps this is Twin Holding Heavenly Domain."
It seems they are a seasoned True Immortal, calmly deducing their location.
"I've thought about your identity while I was sealed. You must be the one wanted by Radiance Hall, the one they call the return of Vast Cold. Am I correct?"
"Precisely."
"...Why have you kidnapped me? I heard the return of Vast Cold uses the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra. To use the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra means you have been acknowledged by the Great Mountain Supreme Deity... I see, I understand now."
The True Immortal who questions me soon appears to find the answer on their own, glaring at me.
"You intend to devour this Immortal. It's only natural that you would as a disciple of the Great Mountain Supreme Deity. Yes, you wish to devour this Immortal and reduce me to the same state as the Corpse Mountain Blood Sea of the Great Mountain Supreme Deity."
"I apologize, but I have no such intention. Rather...I have merely 'invited' Senior to receive your teachings."
"So it seems you mountain spirits call kidnapping a passerby, swallowing them, binding them tightly, and demanding knowledge an 'invitation'."
"Ahem..."
I feel my face flush slightly, but it cannot be helped.
"I apologize for the violent kidnapping. However...had I politely invited Senior at that time, claiming I wished to receive your teachings, would you have agreed?"
"I would have of course captured you immediately, confined you inside Radiance Hall, and subjected you to torture."
"You are honest."
"At our level, what use is there in speaking falsehood... So, what do you plan to do with this Immortal?"
Surprisingly, they appear composed.
"I will propose a deal. Please impart to me your experience of walking the Immortal Dao of the Mountain. In return...I shall reveal to you the true will of Radiance Hall, which the Radiance Eight Immortals and the Radiance Supreme Deity are concealing from the True Immortals of Radiance Hall."
"What guarantee do I have that what you know is the truth?"
"What if I swear before the Naming Supreme Deity?"
"Someone like you would likely know how to twist a vow made before a Supreme Deity."
"Hmm... Then what should I do to gain your trust?"
They ponder briefly before speaking.
"Swear before the Radiance Supreme Deity and the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld. The two who are the Twilight (光陰/Light and Shadow) of Mount Sumeru. And, should your words prove false...attach the condition that you will pass on the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra to me. If so, as a senior who has walked the Immortal Dao of the Mountain, I shall agree to your proposal."
"Hmmm..."
I immediately grasp their intention.
'If I vow to speak of the true will of the Radiance Supreme Deity before the Radiance Supreme Deity...the moment I utter it to keep the promise, Radiance Hall will notice.'
The Radiance Eight Immortals would descend immediately.
"Well, fine. I can do that. However, Senior will have to teach me the Immortal Dao sincerely and wholeheartedly."
Of course, there is no real issue.
All I need to do is disclose this truth in a place like the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain or the Outer Sea, then escape back to the Twin Holding Heavenly Domain using Heavenly Escape.
"And, I hope you teach me properly, with as much sincerity and wholeheartedness as possible. Should you not, I will bind you with my winged garment and throw you in front of Glass Peacock residing in the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain."
"...Very well, I shall teach you as best I can."
They flinch slightly, as though they had been planning to teach me the Immortal Dao in some weird way.
"My Immortal Art, the Impermanence Sword, can reflect your heart through the power of retribution. So, I would advise you not to harbor any deceitful thoughts."
"...Understood."
They exhale deeply and begin to shrink their body.
Chiiiiiiiik...
Before long, what appears before me is a fox demon race with a clean and attractive face with long blue hair.
Revealing their Transformation form as a Fox Race cultivator with fox ears and a blue robe, they introduce themself.
"This Immortal is the White-Faced Aiding Immortal (白面濟仙), Ho Woon. A descendant of the Immortal Beast White-Faced Golden-Furred Nine-Tailed Fox, and a Heaven Upper Immortal from the Earth Tribe."
Sway, sway...
Behind Ho Woon, nine luscious blue tails sway gently into view.
"Yes, I am the Crystal Glass Being, Seo Eun-hyun. I am from the Human Race...and a Heaven and Earth Upper Immortal."
"A Heaven and Earth Upper Immortal from the Human Race? Strange. What I saw back then...wasn't a Human Race Immortal Beast."
"That...I have some personal circumstances."
"Well, many of those from the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain tend to be nutcases anyway. If you were someone with a right mind, you wouldn't have attained Heaven and Earth Upper Immortal anyway."
"...I don't know. From my perspective, Senior Ho Woon, who reached Heaven Upper Immortal as an Earth Tribe member, seems even more insane."
At my blunt remark, Ho Woon clicks their tongue and replies.
"What of it, being a Heaven Upper Immortal from the Earth Tribe? It's a misunderstood method by many, but even as an Earth Tribe, there are many ways to learn Heaven Tribe methods."
"Are there such ways?"
"You must not know, being some backwater bumpkin from the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain. If you serve a True Immortal, you can ask them to grant you a method, or you could receive a ritual method unique to yourself, even if it doesn't suit your race. If that's not possible, you can capture a Heaven Tribe being and use a body-swapping technique, or seize their body through external incarnation or split soul techniques, then learn Heaven Tribe methods in that body."
"Hmmm..."
I might not have known the former methods, but I've heard whispers of the latter even within the Bright Cold Realm.
"However, from what I sense, the plane Senior has seized seems to be the Plane of Qi no matter how I look at it..."
"That's correct. I didn't bother learning Heaven Tribe methods."
"...Then no matter how I think about it, Senior seems to be more insane."
"What nonsense. Many True Immortals choose to set their pathway based on the plane they've seized because it's certainly strong and advantageous, but..."
"I've heard not just 'many,' but more like ninety-nine out of a hundred of True Immortals take that approach."
"Quiet, quiet! I am speaking here! Anyway, that approach is fine, but there are advantages to setting your pathway based on a plane you haven't seized. You won't be specialized, but you will be versatile. You can read history, and through prophecy, read prophecy at the level of those I can make."
"Hmmm...I suppose..."
Recalling how they deduced our location by reading the energy of the Twin Holding Heavenly Domain, I nod.
'Had they been a typical Heaven Tribe Heaven Immortal, they would have been helpless in a situation where the celestial energy is cut off by Filling the Heavens Governing View.'
"Understood. It does seem to have its advantages."
"Exactly. So I'm not the mad one. You're the only madman here."
"...You're quite honest."
"As I've said repeatedly, what's the point of hiding our inner thoughts at our level? I simply said honestly that I think you're a lunatic."
Looking at their disgruntled face, I ask a question.
"...That aside, Senior Ho Woon. Are you in a female body or a male body?"
"Does gender have any meaning to a True Immortal?"
"There is always the mortal days."
"Since my mortal days, I've practiced methods that harmonize Yin and Yang within the body...so I was never really restricted by that. This current Transformation form is also sexless. Aside from the face, there is no hole down below."
"Wasn't there a gender when you were first born?"
Ho Woon gives me a look as if he's seeing some strange creature and says,
"Why in the world do you care about that? When I was first born, I was a vixen. However, while advancing after seizing the Plane of Qi, I read my past through the Plane of Qi in the Underworld and came to know of my previous life's memories and personality. In that past life, I was male, so I don't have any particular gender identity."
"Hmmm, I see."
"Why keep asking about such things?"
"Well, you kept calling me a lunatic over and over since earlier, so I figured if you said it one more time, I'd toss you to Glass Peacock. If I mention your gender identity first, they'd like it a lot more that way."
"...I was wrong. Anything but Glass Peacock."
Ho Woon's face darkens and they lower their posture.
"Understood. I'll stop here."
"...Good. Well then...I'll be counting on you."
"Yes, I'll be counting on you as well."
Thus, from that day on, I begin receiving teachings about the Immortal Dao of the Mountain from Ho Woon.