The term Supreme Deity refers to those who wield the greatest authority under fate and history.
They live for near-eternal spans of time, and they may be sealed, but they do not easily die.
The only things that can kill them are themselves and their own fate.
And Do Gon, upon rising to become a Supreme Deity, saw their own fate.
Countless True Immortals, upon reaching True Immortality and seizing the Plane of Fate, believe they have seized fate, but that is a misunderstanding.
All True Immortals ultimately remain beneath fate. They may have grasped part of the Plane of Fate in their hands, but they can never be free from the flow of attraction force that courses through the entire world.
And the Governing Immortals, rulers of the True Immortals, who have transcended all the limits and boundaries of True Immortality, become the very flow of the great attraction force itself. Thus, they can perceive the great current flowing through the world.
For this reason, when they reach the realm of Supreme Deity, they come to know what lies at the end of that vast flow—[their own end].
Governing Immortals usually call this predestined fate (宿命).
Predestined fate symbolizes their end, but at the same time, it protects them.
For until they face the opponent of their predestined fate, Supreme Deities do not die easily.
Therefore, there are only two ways to kill a Supreme Deity: either twist the current of fate itself to kill them, or uncover the predestined fate that exists within them and kill them through it. There is no third option. And trying to kill them without uncovering their predestined fate is an act close to impossibility.
And the end Do Gon saw was just one.
Among the Heavenly Kings, they were killed by the Red Pearl Heavenly King.
It is the future and fate that the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity Do Gon saw, and it is also their predestined fate.
[Do you wish to find the way to desecrate predestined fate?]
The Great Mountain Supreme Deity appeared and asked Do Gon, who became a Supreme Deity.
Whether they wished to desecrate predestined fate.
Do Gon sought an answer from him.
[Tell me. What is the method to desecrate predestined fate?]
Seeking an answer from the Great Mountain Supreme Deity, they followed his instructions, joined hands with him, and did their utmost to defy and deceive their predestined fate.
'If I can, I will defy predestined fate and deceive it—so I may live forever.'
That was Do Gon's thought, and likely the thought shared by countless Supreme Deities besides them.
Of course, the Red Pearl Heavenly King is a being that arises endlessly, so each time an Ender appears and the Red Pearl Heavenly King awakens, Do Gon must endlessly desecrate the predestined fate again and again.
In truth, most predestined fates are of such a nature.
Even if one learns how to desecrate predestined fate and defy it once, predestined fate endlessly seeks out Supreme Deities.
Therefore, to confront predestined fate, they armed themselves with the Devilish alongside the Great Mountain Supreme Deity.
Wrapping themselves in Evil, the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity became despair itself and relentlessly tormented the Enders who could become the Red Pearl Heavenly King.
Then one day, the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity encountered someone who changed their thinking.
[Are you the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity?]
[You must be an Ender. Are you the Red Pearl Heavenly King designate?]
[Well, I don't know about that. But...there is something I wish to request of you.]
[Hoo, what is it? There will be a price, of course...]
[Bestow Heavenly Punishment upon me.]
[...What?]
[I am one who committed a great sin and came to this world... The weight of the sin I have committed is too much even for me to bear...]
That person kneeled before the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity and begged.
[Thus, I ask of you, O Owner of Heavenly Punishment. Cast your Heavenly Punishment...and lessen me of my sin...]
That was the first meeting between Vast Cold, who would later be called the Tridacna Vast Cold Heavenly King, and the Owner of Heavenly Punishment.
The Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity delivered endless Heavenly Punishment to Vast Cold, who pleaded for it themselves.
But, for some reason, even after receiving the Heavenly Punishment, they did not die.
The Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity used all their strength to kill them, yet they did not die.
No, it would be more accurate to say they could not die.
[As I thought... Even Heavenly Punishment cannot kill me...I just want it to end now...]
[What are you? Is Undying the authority you possess as an Ender?]
[No... My authority as an Ender is something else. My inability to die is not an authority, it is a curse...]
[A curse?]
[Yes, a curse gained from being stingy over a single cup of water... I thought I could wash away the curse by receiving Heavenly Punishment, but...was that impossible as well...]
Do Gon felt frustration as they looked upon Vast Cold, whom they could not kill.
That the Heavenly Punishment of the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity could not absolve for sin?
Do Gon could not accept that truth.
Thus, Do Gon searched together with Vast Cold for a way to atone for Vast Cold's sin, and to find a way to kill them by casting tribulation upon Vast Cold, they journeyed throughout Mount Sumeru.
Over time, they grew closer to Vast Cold and became their friend.
Listening to the words of the prophet from Vast Cold's homeland, as described from Vast Cold's own mouth, made Do Gon reflect deeply.
And at some point, they came to fall for Vast Cold.
Not as the opposite gender, nor as the same gender—but Do Gon fell for their character, and the enlightenment they possessed.
And finally, when Vast Cold stood at the threshold of the Heavenly Lord advancement.
Do Gon completely changed their thinking.
No...
It would be more accurate to say they finally realized what they have always known but chose to ignore.
'I did not hate the Red Pearl Heavenly Kings. In truth, I...'
Through the truth they came to realize while being together with Vast Cold, Do Gon made a resolution.
Even if it is their predestined fate to be killed by the Red Pearl Heavenly King, they will no longer desecrate fate.
Thinking so, they gathered the remnants of the past Red Pearl Heavenly Kings, whom they killed until now, and created a banner.
Then they tore away a split soul and breathed it into the banner, becoming the Immortal Treasure of the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity Do Gon.
They decided that no matter when their predestined fate comes for them, they will no longer run from it.
So, when the predestined fate arrives, they planned to hand over this banner, made from the remnants of the past Red Pearl Heavenly Kings, as payment for the sins of killing them, and then die.
However, whether due to Do Gon's own power or the strength of the Red Pearl Heavenly Kings, another personality was born within the split soul infused in the Immortal Treasure, and before long, that split soul became an entirely separate existence.
Do Gon was taken aback at first, but they named the banner 'Zhengli' and cherished it like a daughter.
Even if the predestined fate comes one day to kill them, until then, they would savor every connection they can before death.
Thinking so, they watched over Vast Cold's growth.
But fate did not leave such a Do Gon alone.
Not long after making that resolution, Radiance Hall noticed the rebellious will inside Do Gon, and in the end, Do Gon and the Jade Pivot Forty-Eight Lightning Heavenly Great Immortals, along with the four thousand True Immortals under Do Gon, were all annihilated.
The Jade Pivot Forty-Eight Lightning Heavenly Great Immortals left behind a prophecy that they will be resurrected at Do Gon's side when Do Gon regains their authority, but that is something close to impossible.
All that remained for Do Gon was Zhengli, and even Vast Cold, after wiping out Radiance Hall, challenged the Future King and had their soul extracted—cast out of the Head Realm together with the other Immortal Lords.
Do Gon had to suppress their sorrow for tens of thousands of years, together with Zhengli.
And amidst that sorrow, they began to wish for one thing.
[I just...want it to all end now.]
Having lived for tens of billions of years as a Supreme Deity, they had come to know countless pleasures and joys, as well as pain.
Now, Do Gon was exhausted.
Fate continued to whip the Supreme Deities without rest, and all they wanted now was to vanish, to close their eyes and be freed from the whip of fate.
Having become a Supreme Deity and gaining the ability to sense the presence of the Future King, they understood.
Among all the Supreme Deities, the Future King paid particular attention to Do Gon.
They didn't know why.
But one thing was certain: now that they had caught the eye of the Future King, only pain awaited them.
Fate will continue trying to strip them of everything to bring them pain.
Just as it took away their subordinates, their Heavenly Domain, and their family.
Fate will continue to try to take Do Gon's family from them.
And Do Gon no longer...
...wanted to lose their family.
[When will my...predestined fate arrive?]
They waited endlessly for their predestined fate.
They hoped that before cruel fate separates Zhengli from them, they will be the one to close their eyes first, so that at least Zhengli may have a safe life and end.
And then, hundreds of thousands of years later, he appeared.
The Golden Divine Yang Su-jin.
The moment they saw him, Do Gon knew.
Yang Su-jin was their predestined fate, the one who will finally bring an end to Do Gon's long and longer life.
Thus, they arranged for Zhengli to reincarnate as someone close to Yang Su-jin, to be by his side.
And they hoped that one day, Yang Su-jin would become their predestined fate and come to kill them.
Sure enough, just as they hoped, Yang Su-jin grew rapidly.
Possessing the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body, he absorbed Do Gon's lightning at an overwhelming rate, grew stronger, grew closer to Zhengli, and through Zhengli, inherited Do Gon's Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation Immortal Art.
Do Gon rejoiced.
At last, someone who would put an end to them and treasure Zhengli had appeared.
That is what they believed.
Until Yang Su-jin dual cultivated with Zhengli.
The day Yang Su-jin and Zhengli first joined.
They saw Yang Su-jin erupt in fury like an evil spirit of slaughter.
Through the insight of a Supreme Deity, Do Gon instantly understood what had happened.
The countless traces of the Red Pearl Heavenly Kings within Zhengli flowed into Yang Su-jin through their dual cultivation.
[Do Gon!! Speak!]
Yang Su-jin shouted.
[Did you...intend to desecrate me as well!? Just like those countless others you toyed with before!?]
[That is correct.]
And Do Gon, full of joy, went along with his rhythm.
Now, through Zhengli, the Ender's beginning, development, twist, and conclusion surely had begun.
All that remained was for Yang Su-jin, having read the traces within Zhengli, to follow and grow stronger through the course of the Ender's progression, fly at Do Gon, and kill them.
Though Zhengli would be wounded, if Do Gon protects her, she wouldn't lose her life in the Ender's progression, and after Yang Su-jin, she would no longer be entangled with the Ender and be able to live a peaceful life.
That is what they believed.
Kwarung, kwarururung!
[I...I...loved you!]
Until they realized the one Yang Su-jin truly longed for was not Zhengli, but the very origin and main body of Zhengli—the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity Do Gon.
Kwarururung—
Do Gon looks down at their chest.
Their body is restrained by Seo Eun-hyun and the Radiance Supreme Deity, and their spirit is being completely pierced and annihilated by the new predestined fate—
Jeon Myeong-hoon.
Seo Eun-hyun's power and Jeon Myeong-hoon's authority are erasing them.
'For a moment...I dreamed an old dream.'
While being erased, Do Gon gazes at Jeon Myeong-hoon.
Through a Supreme Deity's perception, they can tell.
Jeon Myeong-hoon, as he pierces through Do Gon, seems to read the memories buried deep within Do Gon's spirit.
Jeon Myeong-hoon looks back at them.
Kwarurururung!
As Do Gon vanishes, both they and Jeon Myeong-hoon arrive at a sea made of thunder and lightning.
Jeon Myeong-hoon, who both kills Do Gon and follows Do Gon's Immortal Dao, has reached the Seat of Heavenly Punishment.
[Did you read the memories?]
[...Yes.]
Jeon Myeong-hoon glares at Do Gon and speaks.
[Yang Su-jin... So that's what happened. To not kill you, he began to run away from you.]
Do Gon smiles bitterly.
[Yang Su-jin's Jin So-hae...wasn't Zhengli, but you.]
[...]
Do Gon suddenly feels as if they smell the scent of poppies.
The poppy, which shows illusions to those who consume it, was a flower Yang Su-jin especially favored.
Though Do Gon never understood it, they respected it.
When Zhengli and Yang Su-jin were together, Do Gon, whose split soul Zhengli originates from, quietly accompanied Yang Su-jin.
When Zhengli and Yang Su-jin held hands, Do Gon held that hand too.
When Yang Su-jin whispered sweet words to Zhengli, Do Gon heard those words too.
[Perhaps, I loved not only Yang Su-jin, but all the Red Pearls of the past.]
A truth they realized while with Vast Cold.
It was that they had always loved the Red Pearl Heavenly Kings.
Do Gon recalls the time when they became enthroned as a Supreme Deity.
They interpreted Heavenly Punishment as anger and made the Origin Essence of Heavenly Punishment their own.
Perhaps because they turned their own origin into anger itself, they created a fate where they could not help but be drawn to anger.
[How does it feel to have succeeded in revenge, Red Pearl?]
[...It makes me angry.]
Kururururung!
The Origin Essence of Heavenly Punishment is being dyed with Jeon Myeong-hoon's color.
As the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity steps down from the Seat of Heavenly Punishment, Jeon Myeong-hoon is ascending as the new Heavenly Lord of the Origin Essence of Heavenly Punishment.
[You are one who enjoyed everything that could be enjoyed, waited for Red Pearl in order to commit suicide, and then, unable to bear Yang Su-jin's love, made not only me and Zhengli...but all of us miserable.]
[Is that so?]
[This situation, where even if I kill you, it wouldn't mean I've defeated you...makes me so angry!]
[...]
Do Gon feels their body disintegrating.
[But...even so, not killing you would mean I can't have my revenge either...and so I am unable to do anything about it... That alone makes me so angry! So angry I could go mad!!]
Jeon Myeong-hoon shouts.
Kurururung!
The Sea of Heavenly Tribulation is now completely seized by Jeon Myeong-hoon's command and turns red.
Kwa-jijijijik!
And soon, the Sea of Heavenly Punishment begins to rise in reverse.
It begins to transform into a 'Divided Lightning Great Heavenly Rain (別雷大雨天)', identical to Jeon Myeong-hoon's inner world, where new lightning constantly fall without end.
Within the rain of lightning, Jeon Myeong-hoon speaks.
[So...say it. If there is any reason why I shouldn't now take revenge on your comrades...on your family, Zhengli and the Jade Pivot Forty-Eight Lightning Heavenly Great Immortals, then speak! Otherwise...I might thrust my spear of revenge even at your family!]
[...]
Then, Do Gon looks at Jeon Myeong-hoon and speaks.
[Take your revenge.]
[...What?]
[As much as you want, until your resentment is resolved...I said take your revenge.]
[You...]
[If that will release your knot, then I too can be at peace.]
Do Gon fades away while looking up at the sky.
[In the end, what is most hateful is the heavens, it is fate. Everything from us who are having this conversation, to me killing the Red Pearls, to you having your family massacred by me...is all the fault of fate. That is why, I want your knot to be released.]
[What do you...]
[Your fate is to rage. If you no longer rage, then perhaps you will be free from that fate.]
[...!]
As Do Gon crumbles into dust, they begin to pass on everything they have prepared to Jeon Myeong-hoon.
Kwarurururung!
Beginning with the Origin Essence of Heavenly Punishment, the authority to control all of the Jade Pivot Forty-Eight Lightning Heavenly Great Immortals, the ownership of Zhengli, and the countless powers the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity had concealed—everything begins to be transferred to Jeon Myeong-hoon.
[For you breaking free from the fate bestowed by the heavens...would be my ultimate act of vengeance against the heavens that oppressed us all...]
[...]
[We are all beings who have lived bound by the fate called anger. So then...to break free from that fate of rage, would that not be the greatest anger against the one who imposed it upon us?]
Jeon Myeong-hoon lowers his head.
There is much he wants to say.
Truly, there are so many things he wants to say.
He wants to pour out all his resentment to Do Gon.
But Do Gon simply entrusts everything to Jeon Myeong-hoon and chooses to close their eyes.
Just what should he say here?
Just what should Jeon Myeong-hoon do to truly take revenge on them?
Jeon Myeong-hoon ponders for an instant that feels like an eternity.
And at last, to Do Gon who is facing their final moment, Jeon Myeong-hoon opens his mouth.
[Then I will bring you back to life.]
[...Huh?]
[All the Jade Pivot Forty-Eight Lightning Heavenly Great Immortals who you've entrusted their lives to me for your sake...ended up being used by you. So to relieve at least their rage...I will bring you back. And...so that they can rightfully protest against you, I will reveal the whole truth.]
[...]
[You say the ultimate of revenge is breaking free from revenge? No, you can't escape the bridle of revenge. For forcing you back into that bridle...is the greatest revenge I can take. So, one day!]
Jeon Myeong-hoon shouts toward Do Gon.
[I will bring you back to life!!]
Do Gon looks at Jeon Myeong-hoon and smiles.
[...I've lost.]
They give a hollow laugh and close their eyes.
[For you...have already broken free from anger.]
Do Gon closes their eyes while looking at Jeon Myeong-hoon holding a golden shining spear.
'Are you watching, Yang Su-jin?'
They recall a person from long ago who overturned all fate in order to escape from anger.
'Your descendant...has escaped it splendidly.'
[It is...a perfect victory...for you all...]
In their eyes, countless Red Pearl Heavenly Kings, the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, and its founder, Yang Su-jin, are reflected.
'From the bridle that you and I...could not escape...'
And so, the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity Do Gon fully closes their eyes, engulfed in a mix of hope that they will one day be resurrected, hollow resignation, and defeat.
The Nine Heavens Origin Responding Thunderous Sound Universal Transformation Great Emperor.
It is the end of the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity Do Gon.
And from the end of the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity, a new Owner of Heavenly Punishment begins to be born.
-x-X-x-
'Victory, huh...'
Jeon Myeong-hoon looks at his spear as he listens to Do Gon's words.
Just as Do Gon says, Jeon Myeong-hoon is no longer consumed by anger.
To be consumed by rage now, the will of the Romance of the Golden Divine supporting him is far too steadfast.
Since he has already offered Do Gon's life to their spirits, Jeon Myeong-hoon can no longer shroud himself in anger.
To continue to be angry and suffer even after completing his revenge would only burden the hearts of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect family who accepted Do Gon's death before their spirits.
Even for the sake of the dead, he can no longer allow himself to be angry.
Pasasasasa—
Jeon Myeong-hoon looks at the arm of So-hae beginning to scatter beside the golden spear.
The arm of his ancient love, which he held in his embrace for tens of thousands of years, now completely melts into the world along with Jeon Myeong-hoon's resentment.
"...Goodbye. So-hae."
As he fully parts from his old lover, he slowly closes and opens his eyes.
"Farewell, everyone..."
He glances back for a moment, looking at the hearts of his old family who seem to be boiling behind him, then turns his gaze forward again.
It is now time to graduate from his own anger.
'...Have I won...?'
However, Jeon Myeong-hoon replays the words he spoke to Do Gon, deciding to bind himself once more to the ring of rage.
'I...have not won.'
Even if Do Gon has admitted defeat, Jeon Myeong-hoon has no thoughts of accepting victory.
[The fight is still not over.]
As the domain of Heavenly Punishment enters Jeon Myeong-hoon's grasp, it feels as if all the Heavenly Punishments of Heaven and Earth fall into his hand.
At the same time, Jeon Myeong-hoon feels his own fate resonating more clearly than ever.
[No...from the very beginning, this was a battle that could never end...!]
He feels it.
Through this battle, his fate has finally reached completion.
And perhaps because of that, once-indiscernible memories now pour into Jeon Myeong-hoon's mind, completing him.
Memories numbering over two thousand.
No matter how diligently he had trained with his spear, he now understands why the memory of practicing thrusts eighty quadrillion times is ingrained within him.
'All the versions of me across spacetime...were of one heart.'
Pachil, pachijijijik!
As his fate approaches completion, it begins to transcend all spacetime, linking him with the versions of himself that exist across different space and time.
He becomes aware of the many 'selves' across countless timelines, and begins to realize that this timeline is one spawned from Seo Eun-hyun's regression.
He fully understands now how many times Seo Eun-hyun has regressed, and how desperately and fiercely he fought to protect them all.
And at the same time...
He realizes just how pathetic he was across so many timelines.
[I...was truly a pathetic fool.]
Jeon Myeong-hoon mutters as he looks at the fading spirit fragment of Do Gon.
[Starting from suggesting that Seo Eun-hyun be thrown away as fox fodder...to becoming the Lightning Harbinger and losing my mind, wandering around mindless. Even up to the moment I killed you, I was unable to come to my senses... How truly pathetic and miserable. But...]
He grips the golden spear of lightning.
Kurururung!
As the Seat of Heavenly Punishment, where rain of lightning falls, unites with Jeon Myeong-hoon himself, it becomes one with his fate.
At the same time, Jeon Myeong-hoon's fate and Origin Essence unite, and a fundamental change begins to take shape.
At the presence of Jeon Myeong-hoon, all beings across the Sumeru Three Heavens Great Thousand World look up to the sky.
Countless True Immortals, sensing a new entity of Heavenly Venerable rank, are thrown into chaos. The Radiance Eight Immortals all look at Jeon Myeong-hoon with uneasy expressions, and the Underworld smiles gently from within the darkness.
[Because that pathetic fool is me, all of you who once incurred my wrath...will not be released so easily.]
Kwarurururung!
Flash!
From Jeon Myeong-hoon's body, resplendently brilliant red rays of light burst forth.
Those rays form a net, enveloping the entirety of the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain.
Within that net, red collars fasten around the necks of countless Jade Pivot Lightning Immortals, and even around the neck of Zhengli, who had been vanishing with Do Gon. As the collar latches on to her, she begins to revive, receiving the infinite power of Heavenly Punishment.
Kwarururung!
Within the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain, the body of the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity in the form of a wall that once covered the domain disintegrates, and in its place appears a massive Lightning God with eight arms, three heads, and nine eyes, roaring out.
That Lightning God now bears Jeon Myeong-hoon's form perfectly.
Kwajijijik!
Immediately after, Jeon Myeong-hoon returns to a human form and stretches out his hand toward somewhere.
Clench!
Something is caught in his grasp.
"Wh-What just happened...? W-Wait...you...you...!"
It is Zhengli.
Jeon Myeong-hoon lifts Zhengli by the neck with one hand and glares at her, and she begins to tremble as she feels everything about herself beginning to submit to him.
"You, you...! What have you done to the Lord!? You...!!!"
[From now on, I am your master.]
A Taiji appears in Jeon Myeong-hoon's eyes.
The Seat of Heavenly Punishment partially encompasses the domain of Taiji, and through it, Jeon Myeong-hoon rapidly reads through Zhengli's history.
As he briefly reads Zhengli's history, he tightens his grip on her neck and shouts toward the Jade Pivot Lightning Immortals.
[Listen well. The Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity Do Gon was slain by my hand. I killed Do Gon and...]
Jeon Myeong-hoon slowly closes his eyes.
[...from them, I seized your control authority, and took their Immortal Treasure, their clone, and their daughter—Zhengli.]
: : ...!!! : :
: : !!! : :
: : ...! : :
From the Jade Pivot Forty-Eight Lightning Heavenly Great Immortals, an immense wave of enraged intent bursts forth, beginning to engulf the entire Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain.
The eyes of the Lightning Immortals spin wildly as they attempt to charge at Jeon Myeong-hoon all at once, but they are caught in the power of Seo Eun-hyun's Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra, unable to move freely and only barely managing to hold themselves together.
Then Jeon Myeong-hoon speaks again.
[I bore personal resentment toward Do Gon. I killed them and stole what was dear to them to exact my revenge. Whether they had grand ideals, whether they held someone precious, whether they carried regret...I cared for none of it as I exacted my revenge. And...as such a man of vengeance, I say this to you!]
All beings within the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain simultaneously turn their gazes toward Jeon Myeong-hoon.
[You too, take revenge upon me. Rage at me. To the one who killed your master, stole what was precious to them, and shackled you with collars, direct your anger at me!]
Anger is a cycle.
And thus, grudges formed from anger never end.
Kururururung!
Zhengli's hair, gripped in Jeon Myeong-hoon's hand, turns red.
At the same time, red threads begin to spill from her reddened hair, connecting to the collars of the resurrected Jade Pivot Forty-Eight Lightning Heavenly Great Immortals within the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain.
'If anger is something that cannot be severed...then I shall accept it.'
[Follow me. Slay me with your own hands, and from my grip, rescue Zhengli, the daughter of your former master.]
Kwarurururung!
From Jeon Myeong-hoon's body, red lightning erupts, making the entire Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain rumble with thunder.
[I prophesize.]
As Jeon Myeong-hoon's words continue, his will imprints itself upon all 'lightning' across the Three Heavens Great Thousand World, becoming a prophecy.
As long as the concept of lightning exists in this world, his prophecy shall remain eternal.
[The day those who once served the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity Do Gon steal Zhengli from my hand—on that day, in some form or another, Do Gon shall be resurrected...!]
The prophecy of the Heavenly King who has grown to Heavenly Venerable rank echoes and resounds throughout the entirety of the Three Heavens Great Thousand World.
'Do Gon...your method was wrong.'
Jeon Myeong-hoon clenches his teeth, firmly denying Do Gon's will with all his strength.
'You're saying that shedding the fate of anger is the greatest revenge one can take against fate?'
What a joke.
'Escaping anger...isn't up to the heavens—it's up to us. Why can't you understand that!?'
Do Gon said this.
That from the very start, all grudges and resentment are the fault of the heavens.
In a world where fate truly exists, that statement might be accurate. But even if the heavens decree, it is still the people living in this world who carry it out with their own hands.
'The method you speak of to soothe my anger—to strip away my rage—is nothing more than entrusting my wrath to the heavens.'
He chooses not to entrust this ring of anger to the heavens.
Since it began from the hands of people, it should end by the hands of people.
'So, Do Gon. I will resurrect you.'
If Jeon Myeong-hoon bears the anger of the subordinates who once loved Do Gon, if those subordinates reclaim Zhengli from his hand and bring about Do Gon's resurrection—
If Do Gon is revived at that moment—
Then, and only then, will Jeon Myeong-hoon reveal the whole truth, and only then will he truly cast off this ring of anger.
As it is a ring started by the hands of people, it will end by the hands of people.
'I will endure the anger of your subordinates with everything I have...and I will wait. Wait for the day their anger reclaims your precious being from my hand...!'
Though he himself has escaped the ring of anger—
Jeon Myeong-hoon willingly casts upon himself the ring of anger of Do Gon's subordinates and proclaims:
[This is...]
Kwarurururung!
Feeling the red lightning kneel before him, Jeon Myeong-hoon pushes his interpretation of what he has become onto the world.
A being who takes upon himself the never-ending, endlessly circling and rolling ring of anger with his own hands.
That is Jeon Myeong-hoon.
'Heavenly Punishment is...a ring between one another.'
From now on, Heavenly Tribulation shall not merely serve as a reflection of the world's heart upon cultivators—it shall also remind them that they stand within a vast 'ring'.
It shall make one reflect on the rings of countless grudges and connections, and contemplate how to resolve them.
[...a command in the name of the Red Pearl Cycling Heavenly King, Jeon Myeong-hoon!]
Kwaaarurururung!
By Jeon Myeong-hoon's will, a new law is engraved upon the world.
The name of that law is the Red Bead Cycling Heavenly King (赤珠轉天王).
The moment that name is inscribed—
Jeon Myeong-hoon tightens his grip around Zhengli's neck.
"...What...do you plan to do...with me...!?"
[...You are mine.]
He murmurs quietly, gazing at the face-less face of Zhengli.
[You are not allowed to die without my permission. You are not allowed to leave me without my permission. You are not even allowed to suffer without my permission.]
"...!"
[Zhengli.]
Kwarurung!
At Jeon Myeong-hoon's touch, Zhengli's form begins to change.
Once in human form, she transforms again into the form of the Heavenly Lightning Banner, and the part of her Jeon Myeong-hoon holds becomes Zhengli's banner pole.
[All you can do now is to pour your anger at me—the one who stole your master and claimed you—and hope your old master's subordinates will come to rescue you.]
Woo-woooong—
A sorrowful tremor pulses from the Heavenly Lightning Banner.
Each time the sound echoes, the faces of all the Lightning Gods twist into that of evil spirits.
Kwarurururung!
[And starting today, I will make you apologize to me. For killing the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect family, I will make you show your face and apologize to me.]
Jeon Myeong-hoon recalls the memory of reading Zhengli's history, and with it, the reason why she lost her face.
A True Immortal who harbors too many resentments in their chest loses their face.
Therefore, in order to one day face Zhengli's true face and receive a proper apology...
He resolves to do everything he can to restore her face.
Jeon Myeong-hoon remembers the two rings Zhengli always wears on her ring finger.
One ring belongs to Zhengli herself.
The other belonged to Yang Su-jin.
Long ago, when Yang Su-jin felt betrayed by Heavenly Punishment and removed his ring in front of Zhengli, it was Zhengli who picked it up, placed it on her own finger, and kept it...
Regardless of whether it was fate or a design of Heavenly Punishment, it was a trace of Zhengli's feelings to accept his heart.
'I don't know how to heal pain. I'm not Seo Eun-hyun or Kim Yeon. But...I will make you pour out your resentment onto me.'
He will make it so Zhengli curses Jeon Myeong-hoon every day, pouring out all of that resentment...
So that one day, when Do Gon returns,
She will be able to face them with her own face.
'Because that is the greatest revenge that I, not the heavens...can give to you, Do Gon.'
Thus, Jeon Myeong-hoon grabs the Heavenly Lightning Banner and begins to swing it.
Just like he did long ago, when he had once wielded it as a late-stage disciple of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
[Now then, this place shall be the ground where our grudges are settled. So, all of you begone, you dogs of fate!]
Kugugugugugu!
Once again transformed into a Three-Headed, Three-Eyes, Eight-Armed Lightning God, Jeon Myeong-hoon draws upon the power of the Heavenly Lightning Banner.
Kururururung!
The entire Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain becomes engulfed in thunder and lightning, and golden lightning-tipped spears counting eighty quadrillion begin to appear around Jeon Myeong-hoon, aiming at the True Immortals of Radiance Hall.
'With this, I'll repay a little of my debt to you, Sword Spear!'
In the eyes of Jeon Myeong-hoon, who has reached Heavenly King, he can see the distrust the other Radiance Eight Immortals hold towards the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord.
To not give Radiance Hall any chance to raise the issue of that distrust, Jeon Myeong-hoon launches an all-out assault with all his strength.
: : I shall show you, the power of a Heavenly King! : :
Kwarururung!
The authorities of causality induction imbued in the lightning-tipped spears crash down upon the True Immortals of Radiance Hall like a tidal wave.
The authority of the Red Pearl Cycling Heavenly King sweeps through all of creation.
Kurururung!
Jeon Myeong-hoon begins to unleash his power.
I shudder, sensing the rank in Jeon Myeong-hoon that I never felt during Young-hoon Hyung-nim's time.
The current Jeon Myeong-hoon exudes a feeling of a Gandhara, akin to those belonging to Time and Sal Tree, and his power is virtually indistinguishable from that of the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity.
: : Form ranks! : :
Ji Hwa commands the Radiance Eight Immortals in preparation for Jeon Myeong-hoon's assault.
And I step forward, standing side by side with Jeon Myeong-hoon before those Radiance Eight Immortals.
Kugugugu!
A Lightning God of Three Heads, Three Eyes, and Eight Arms.
A Mountain God clad in a White Round Collar Robe of Sword Mountains.
With the arrival of these two divine spirits, the alert status of Radiance Hall spikes to its peak, and the Jade Pivot Forty-Eight Lightning Heavenly Great Immortals, who had been preparing to attack Jeon Myeong-hoon after his declaration, seem to realize his intention and begin roaring from all directions.
Kugugugugugu!
The form of the [Black Snake Biting Its Tail] appears.
It is the reappearance of that authority of light that had once crushed the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity in a single blow.
This time, however, the light seems to be particularly overexerting the Radiance Eight Immortals. Within the symbol of the [Black Snake Biting Its Tail], the shadows of ten beings can be seen.
'They're pushing themselves to draw out the power from the time of the Radiance Ten Heavens.'
This is the reason Jeon Myeong-hoon provoked the Jade Pivot Lightning Immortals to always follow him.
From now on, no matter what kind of battle unfolds, Jeon Myeong-hoon will always stand at the most dangerous vanguard.
The Jade Pivot Lightning Immortals will continue to follow him, but at the same time, Jeon Myeong-hoon will always charge forward ahead at enemies and other factions who are not the Jade Pivot Lightning Immortals.
That means, in the end, the Jade Pivot Lightning Immortals will have no choice but to protect him.
Jeon Myeong-hoon's prophecy as a Heavenly King is that the Jade Pivot Lightning Immortals will steal Zhengli away from him with 'their own hands'.
If Jeon Myeong-hoon falls to someone else, or Zhengli is taken by another existence, then the possibility for Do Gon's resurrection will disappear.
Thus, the Jade Pivot Lightning Immortals will become both the wild dogs aiming for Jeon Myeong-hoon's throat and the loyal hounds protecting him.
A double-edged sword in the truest sense.
In some ways, it is an incredibly reckless decision.
But as I watch him, I smile.
'You've grown, Jeon Myeong-hoon.'
Because I know that decision came from his growth.
And more than anything else...
[Seo Eun-hyun.]
Jeon Myeong-hoon's message echoes at me.
[...I'm sorry.]
"For what?"
[...The fox.]
He lets out a bitter smile, unable to meet my gaze directly. I chuckle and raise my sword.
"If you remember, that alone is more than enough compensation."
Following Kim Young-hoon and Ji Hwa, he is now the third among my 'friends'.
I now have three friends who truly know my secret.
And with that, whatever lingering resentment I had toward Jeon Myeong-hoon until now...
Even the tiniest trace of it, I can let it all go.
[Now then.]
"Yeah."
Jeon Myeong-hoon gives me a signal with his eyes, and I, having already read the situation through Indra's Net, raise my sword toward the Radiance Eight Immortals with a smile.
Since Ji Hwa is on the verge of being suspected...
I will become such an overwhelming threat that suspicion itself becomes impossible, and pressure the Radiance Eight Immortals.
'No, even if it's not for Ji Hwa...
Seven of the Radiance Eight Immortals have, for some reason, been directing an abnormal amount of mad killing intent at me from the moment I appeared here.
Through Indra's Net, their killing intent pours into me vividly.
To the point that their primary target is no longer Jeon Myeong-hoon, who has become a Heavenly King, but me, who has just arrived at Mount Sumeru.
'I don't know what's going on, but I no longer have a reason to avoid you anymore.'
[I shall show you the power of a Heavenly King.]
"I shall show you the sword of Martial Pinnacle."
We each aim our sword and spear at the symbol of Heuk Sa, sharpening our will.
Even if I die here, my half-baked Martial Pinnacle is complete. Even in my next life, I can return from the Outer Sea at any time. And...
From the moment Jeon Myeong-hoon seized the Origin Essence of Heavenly Punishment and became a Heavenly King, even with regression, he will still be the Red Pearl Cycling Heavenly King.
Even with regression, the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity can no longer revive.
'I've settled everything important.'
So...
Even if I die here, I can squeeze out every last drop of power I haven't been able to bring forth.
And thus, preparing for death with our own wills, we aim our weapons toward the Radiance Supreme Deity.
: : Sword Spear. : :
: : I know. We must give it our all...to slay Seo Eun-hyun. : :
The Sword Spear Heavenly Lord smiles bitterly as she looks at Seo Eun-hyun, now fully summoned to Mount Sumeru and drawing in [Purple Soul Filling the Heavens] from the Outer Sea with immense attraction force.
Seo Eun-hyun and Jeon Myeong-hoon only mean to stand against Radiance Hall for the sake of the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, but now, the Radiance Eight Immortals must devote their full strength into killing Seo Eun-hyun.
The will of Seo Eun-hyun, who has reached the ultimate of Martial Arts, summons [Purple Soul Filling the Heavens] to Mount Sumeru—
And if the proof of the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade that wandered the Outer Sea, Seo Eun-hyun's Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, the [White Deer Without Antlers], reaches Mount Sumeru...
Soon, a new Immortal Beast King shall be born upon the mountain.
Without knowing each other's circumstances, the battle of the Governing Immortals thus restarts with full force.
-x-X-x-
I reached Martial Pinnacle.
However, at the same time, I did not reach it.
It is a laughable contradiction.
Because [the Martial Pinnacle that cannot be reached alone is my Martial Pinnacle].
Martial Pinnacle is ultimately one's own answer toward the strongest Martial Arts.
And I answered that my Martial Arts is the ultimate of 'connection'.
That is my answer to the strongest Martial Arts.
Therefore, the Martial Pinnacle I have reached is one that absolutely cannot be reached by my strength alone, unlike Kim Young-hoon's Golden Great Thousand World.
Instead, if there is even one person by my side—
If there is even one person who gives me their heart...
Then I can definitely unfold the power of Martial Pinnacle.
Flash!
From the Radiance Supreme Deity, a terrifying waterfall of power pours forth.
And at that moment, I send a message to Jeon Myeong-hoon.
'Lend it to me, Jeon Myeong-hoon.'
: : Got it. : :
Jeon Myeong-hoon's heart divine descents into my body through the Sword God Dance.
Simultaneously, the Sword God Dance shines resplendently in red and gold radiance.
'The ultimate of Martial Arts that can never be attained by my strength alone is the Martial Arts I have reached and my answer. It is the strongest Martial Arts I have conceived.'
An ultimate of Martial Arts so fittingly called a 'half-baked Martial Pinnacle'.
A golden-red trajectory unfolds along the sword's path, and the Heavenly King's authority released by Jeon Myeong-hoon dwells in my sword.
At the same time, I fully feel the heart contained in my sword, and I feel my power spreading across the entirety of Mount Sumeru.
Kururung!
Thunder echoes from the sword.
At that moment, the trajectory of the Sword God Dance seems to expand in an instant, and it begins to resonate with all of Mount Sumeru.
Kururung!
Outside Mount Sumeru.
At some point, in addition to the existing Gandhara that are enveloping the exterior of Mount Sumeru, another [ring] coils around it.
That ring is one that shines golden-red.
Some force emanating from inside Mount Sumeru created that ring.
And soon, the ring seems to gradually shrink and flows inward into Mount Sumeru.
: : Th-The Gandhara...! : :
: : The Gandhara is descending!! : :
: : This feeling, is it the True Martial Great Emperor!? The True Martial Great Emperor is coming! : :
The True Immortals of Radiance Hall fall into confusion.
Some are thrown into disarray by the descent of the True Martial Great Emperor's Gandhara, while others rejoice, thinking they can now escape by taking advantage of the descending Hyeon Mu.
But their pitiful hopes...
Are now doomed to be in vain.
: : Wh-What...? Th-The Gandhara... Why is it going to the Mountain Spirit...? : :
The massive golden-red 'band' that has been steadily narrowing from beyond the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain spreads out centered on me.
The eyes of the holders of Triple Divinity, the Ten Thousand Laws Spiritual Lord and the Eastern Brilliance Spiritual Lord, widen in shock.
Their transmissions clearly reach my ears.
—Did you see it!? How in the world...it wasn't an illusion!?
—It's exactly the same as Hyeon Mu's Gandhara!
—Which means, that Mountain Spirit is...
Their chatter does not continue.
What continues is the golden-red hyperbola drawn by the Sword God!
: : Severing Heaven Sword Form. : :
The original Sword God Dance was a technique that borrowed the hearts of people from the history of my life.
: : Derived Profound Technique. : :
And in the end, the people in my history are none other than myself.
Therefore, the original Sword God Dance was a dance that borrowed my own strength.
And this technique, which advances one step beyond the original Sword God Dance...
: : Sword God Dance (劍神舞), Revised (改). : :
Paaaatt!
...is a technique that borrows the hearts of those who formed a connection with me.
Starting with Echoing Valley, Endless Mountains Beyond Mountains, and Foolish Old Man Moves Mountains, which utilize the opponent's power in reverse...
Passing through the move of Sumeru that divine descents the power of the world, and the move of Cedarwood that borrows the hearts of others...
The Sword God Dance that maximizes the power of 'borrowing'.
Through that Sword God Dance...
I imbue Jeon Myeong-hoon's authority into this sword!
: : Eighty Quadrillion God-Extinguishing Twin Cycling Sword (八京滅神雙轉劍). : :
Lightning condenses, and the Heavenly Tribulation boils even brighter.
Time begins to freeze, and my perception rises to Araya Consciousness, accelerating faster than anyone.
At the same time, the power of the Heavenly King divine descents into my body and my sword, and through the optimized ultimate will I unleash, power begins to amplify by hundreds of millions of times.
'With a single sword...I shall create a miracle.'
The golden-red hyperbola storms endlessly from behind me in accordance with my will, spiraling into a double helix, and I, along with that double helix, become a streaking meteor, throwing my body toward the symbol of the Radiance Supreme Deity.
Simultaneously, the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain, which is about to collapse and face the End due the contraction of the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra, starts to swell.
The power amplifying from the double helix pushes back the End and drives out the influence of the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra.
Unable to withstand that overwhelming power, all beings below Great Net among the True Immortals of the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain are either ejected outside the Heavenly Domain or suffer devastating injuries as their inner worlds are completely messed up.
And I, together with the endlessly amplifying power, accelerate even more as a Lightning God like Jeon Myeong-hoon.
It begins with Araya Consciousness.
The extent of acceleration isn't great at first, but each sweep of the double helix brings slight acceleration, and the scope of that acceleration gradually increases.
At first, one percent. Then two percent. Then three percent...
Since this is not a technique specialized in speed to begin with, and instead one where the speed rises proportionally to the Heavenly King's power amplifying within me, the acceleration range naturally remains narrow.
And then...
The rotation of the double helix at last reaches eighty quadrillion in an instant.
The moment the rotation achieves eighty quadrillion in a single burst—
I reach the same speed I once experienced in a distant past.
'This is...Undying...'
When I followed part of Kim Young-hoon's Golden Great Thousand World.
When I activated the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade.
The speed of Undying that only activated during those times finally emerge within me.
Sensing the infinite speed, I naturally thrust ahead, piercing into the all-out single strike of the Radiance Supreme Deity.
My Martial Pinnacle is half-baked as it cannot be reached alone...
But if I am not alone, then just from that alone, I am no different from a true Martial Pinnacle itself.
The sound of thunder roars.
Kwarururung!
The Heavenly Domain swells, the golden-red trajectory sweeps wildly, and the weaker True Immortals are ejected beyond the Heavenly Domain at superluminal speed.
At the same time, the being at the center of that golden-red storm shoots toward the symbol of the [Black Snake Biting Its Tail], becoming a single spear that pierces through the symbol of Heuk Sa, breaking through one corner of the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain, and ascending beyond.
The Sword God Dance that blocked the Splitting Emperor Splitting Heaven Annihilation Advancement Wu, an attack beyond even the single strike of the Underworld's main body.
That sword of the Martial Pinnacle that divine descent the innate authority of the Red Pearl Cycling King directly dismantles the symbol of the Radiance Eight Immortals, who drew forth the authority of the prime Radiance Ten Heavenly Lord, and finally comes to a stop outside the Heavenly Domain.
Even without words, everyone can tell.
The Radiance Supreme Deity Heuk Sa.
To have blocked a single strike of the Radiance Eight Immortals that raised the symbol of Heuk Sa means...
At this very moment, within the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain, at least two beings equivalent to or even beyond the Gandhara Heavenly Venerable rank have been born.
At the situation that is practically the same as Silver Basket and Obsidian appearing in the same era, all the gods of the Sumeru Three Heavens World who were watching the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain are thrown into utter chaos.
The judgment of the Radiance Eight Immortals comes swiftly.
: : The Heaven-Destroying One Jeon Myeong-hoon has awakened as the Red Pearl Cycling Heavenly King. : :
: : Having fully inherited the power and Immortal Treasure of the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity...he must, in truth, be regarded as Heavenly Venerable rank. : :
: : Seo Eun-hyun as well...though it is an impossible event, seems to have reached the same realm as the True Martial Great Emperor Hyeon Mu. Hyeon Mu, with that alone, is of Supreme Deity rank, and if the power of the Interdimensional Void and the Plane of Soul is added, they are upper Heavenly Venerable.
: : Seo Eun-hyun too, therefore, must be judged as an entity essentially of Supreme Deity rank, and the technique that he uses has been confirmed to be one that divine descents and amplifies the power of a Heavenly King. In other words...as it amplifies the power of a Heavenly King, just by that alone they are of Heavenly Venerable rank...or beyond...! : :
Radiance Eight Immortals simultaneously communicate and come to a judgement.
: : In effect, it is as if Silver Basket and Obsidian both descended in the same era. Of all times, two Heavenly Kings awakened as Heavenly Venerable rank... Elevate the threat level of Seo Eun-hyun's group to Grade Eul (乙), and avoid direct confrontation. All Radiance Eight Immortals are to move to the Outer Sea and block the advancement ritual! : :
Paaatt!
Having finished their rapid judgment, they leave Seo Eun-hyun's group under the decision of the Great Forest and Rain Dew Heavenly Lords, and instantly leave for the Outer Sea.
And then...
Clasp—
A mountain spirit clad in a white round collar robe catches up in an instant to the side of the Great Forest Heavenly Lord who has reached the edge of Mount Sumeru, grabbing their shoulder.
: : Sorry, but ever since I attained this vision...even if you hide them, your thoughts and intent are just too plainly visible. : :
: : ...! : :
From the two eyes of the Mountain Spirit Seo Eun-hyun, ominous light burst forth and presses down on the Radiance Eight Immortals.
: : Blocking the advancement ritual? Mine, at that? So it seems I was in the middle of some advancement ritual without even knowing it. : :
: : Sword Spear! Block him!!! : :
: : The will of the mountain spirit who stands in our way—we shall shoot it down ourselves!! : :
The Sword Spear Heavenly Lord begins to block Seo Eun-hyun, and the Radiance Eight Immortals begin to unleash their power.
And then...
In the hands of the Great Forest Heavenly Lord, concentrated power of the Radiance Supreme Deity, a great bowstring of light is drawn.
Seo Eun-hyun sees the direction the bowstring is aiming, his eyes gleaming ferociously.
: : I see... But that will not be allowed... : :
All the light of the world gathers at the tip of the arrow.
I read the intention and causality of where that arrow is aimed, and realize what the Great Forest Heavenly Lord is trying to shoot.
At the end of that arrow is the Flower Soul Filling the Heavens that is returning to Mount Sumeru.
And atop it are Kim Yeon and Oh Hye-seo, on their way back here.
Kaaang!
My sword clashes with the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord Ji Hwa's, and our gazes cross quickly.
: : Jeon Myeong-hoon! : :
Flash!
Jeon Myeong-hoon hurls a Lightning-Tipped Spear from the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain.
The Lightning-Tipped Spear flies toward me, pierces through my body, and embeds itself into the stomach of the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord.
Pretending to face off against the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, I use Ji Hwa's body as the bow's shaft, my will as the bowstring, nock the Lightning-Tipped Spear as the bow's arrow, and begin invoking the Immortal Art composed of my connections.
Wiiiiiiiing!
It is the Immortal Art formed from the wills of countless mortal beings.
: : Shoot down the light. : :
The bow of the Great Forest Heavenly Lord, concentrated with the power of the Radiance Supreme Deity Heuk Sa, releases its string and fires outward beyond Mount Sumeru.
And the arrow, shot using Ji Hwa's body as the shaft, flies and transcends causality and spacetime, hitting the bow of the Great Forest even faster than the previously released arrow.
: : Sunlight Hunting (Sun Shooting)! : :
Tukwang!
Peeeoong!
Far beyond the Outer Sea, the arrow of the Great Forest Heavenly Lord explodes, unleashing chaos.
The Great Forest Heavenly Lord looks as if they are about to shout something at the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, but upon realizing that Jeon Myeong-hoon and I combined our powers to unleash the Immortal Art, they look furious but unable to do anything.
The other Eight Immortals have become the body of Heuk Sa to pour strength into Great Forest,
The Sword Spear Heavenly Lord has become the tail of Heuk Sa to block me, and the Great Forest has become the head of Heuk Sa, attempting to shoot down the Flower Soul Filling the Heavens, which carries Kim Yeon and Oh Hye-seo. Thus, they cannot stop me.
Kugugugugu!
'That's...'
However, as I see from afar Immortal Treasures like the Qian-Kun Ruler and the Thirty-Three Heavenly Resplendent Treasure Pagodas that have regained their Immortal Forms to a certain extent and are flying toward me, I smirk.
: : Do they think such things can stop me? : :
Kwaaang! Kwaaaaang!
The Treasure Immortals, transformed into the Thirty-Three Heavenly Resplendent Treasure Pagodas, and the Qian-Kun Ruler all ram into me simultaneously, trying to bind me.
And Ji Hwa and I simply smile.
Pasasasasaa—
My body turns into paper flowers and begins to scatter into the void.
: : Thanks to Jeon Myeong-hoon and the other comrades, I've already come to my senses once. : :
Now, using the same method as Hyeon Mu, I can assimilate myself with the world and traverse boundless spacetime.
I fall elsewhere and once again receive Jeon Myeong-hoon's Lightning-Tipped Spear, beginning to intercept using the Immortal Art of Sunlight Hunting.
Tukwang, tukwang, tukwang!
The Immortal Art of Light that aims to hunt down Enders, is shot down one by one by the Immortal Art created by an Ender to hunt down Light.
Tukwaaang!
: : Yoouuuuu!!! : :
And finally, from the distant Outer Sea, familiar presences appear.
Kim Yeon and Oh Hye-seo have arrived, riding on Flower Soul Filling the Heavens.
The Great Forest Heavenly Lord frantically tries to intercept both me and Flower Soul Filling the Heavens, but all attacks aimed at Flower Soul Filling the Heavens are counter-intercepted by me...
And the attacks aimed at me are nullified with me turning into paper flowers and escaping.
And at last!
Kugugugugu!
The moment the [White Deer Without Antlers] sets foot upon Mount Sumeru.
Flash!
[...Huh?]
I suddenly become aware of myself having moved above the Immortal Art of Flower Soul Filling the Heavens.
I have been pulled atop Flower Soul Filling the Heavens with even a moment's perception.
'That speed just now...the speed of Undying? What in the world just...wait, no... More importantly...!'
Woo-wooooong!
I tremble as I witness the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade begin to reactivate through Flower Soul Filling the Heavens.
As the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade activates again, I am able to gain new wisdom within it.
'This is...!'
Paaaatt!
I fully become one with the Flower Soul Filling the Heavens of the White Deer, carrying Kim Yeon and Oh Hye-seo, and begin to spiral around Mount Sumeru.
The will of Hae Nyeong that had been hidden within Flower Soul Filling the Heavens and the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade all this time resounds solemnly toward me.
[Thank you.]
What is he thankful for?
But without even a moment to ponder about such things, I accept the wisdom granted by Hae Nyeong's will and grasp the situation.
Woo-wooooong!
In the opposite direction from how I wrapped around Mount Sumeru when leaving toward the Outer Sea,
Drawing a spiral different from that of the snake last time, a double helix rises from the base of Mount Sumeru to the vertex where the Head Realm lies, transforming me into a new existence.
From around me, ancient forces begin to emerge.
As I realize what I am becoming, what I am advancing toward, I smile with a trembling heart.
What is currently happening is the Immortal Beast King advancement ritual hidden by Hae Nyeong within the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade!
In other words, I am currently advancing to become the Immortal Beast King.
Kugugugugu!
: : Fine. If that's how it is, then I'll accept it. : :
As I raise the Wheel behind my head, I roar.
At the same time, as I shift my body from the form of a deer to that of a Candle Dragon, I endlessly spiral upward around Mount Sumeru, ascending to its summit.
: : S T O P H I M!!! : :
Kugugugugu!
Seo Eun-hyun's Immortal Beast King advancement ritual.
At the cry of the Radiance Eight Immortals who witness it, not only the forces of Radiance Hall, but even the Earth Immortals and True Lords from other factions begin to simultaneously rush toward Seo Eun-hyun, who wraps around Mount Sumeru.
Even some Immortal Beasts from the Underworld charge toward Seo Eun-hyun.
: : I am the one who is supposed to become the Immortal Beast King! : :
: : Savage mountain divine spirits must never be allowed to take the position of the mountain divine spirit!! : :
: : That place, meant for Lord Glass Peacock, going to someone like you! : :
All Immortal Beasts blinded by the seat of the Immortal Beast King, and all Heaven Immortals who do not welcome the existence of an Immortal Beast King—
Eighty percent of the current forces in Mount Sumeru now simultaneously move to stop the Immortal Beast King advancement ritual of the Immortal Beast Candle Dragon.
-x-X-x-
The residual traces of the [Spiraling White Snake] that unfolded with the first use of the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade still coil around Mount Sumeru.
And now, I draw a double helix, carefully avoiding overlapping with the traces of that white snake as much as possible, becoming a dragon that draws spirals.
Kugugugugu!
Is it because the Radiance Eight Immortals perhaps know that the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade is the Immortal Beast King advancement ritual?
They begin unleashing an all-out assault at me.
That's not all.
Countless prophecies of True Immortals pour down upon me.
However, I attain the speed of Undying through the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade and the power of my Martial Pinnacle, so not a single one of their prophecies can reach me.
: : Oh Hye-seo, Kim Yeon. : :
Toward the top of Flower Soul Filling the Heavens.
I speak to the two women now seated above my head.
: : Lend me your strength. : :
Kim Yeon gladly draws in the power of the Bright Cold Realm and breathes it into me.
But Oh Hye-seo only lets out a smirk.
"Why should I? Tell me, Seo Eun-hyun."
At Oh Hye-seo's words, the words 'to the Glass Peacock' rise to the tip of my tongue, but I hold them back and speak.
The direction of her hatred is clear.
She hates me.
'It's about time to address it at least once.'
Until now, Oh Hye-seo had been an obvious enemy, so there was no need to bother persuading her.
After all, I could have just compressed her with the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra or extract power from her using various other Immortal Arts when necessary.
But now, Oh Hye-seo has become one of my comrades.
Even if she doesn't like it, she is one of us.
I raise the Wheel above my head.
: : Seo Hweol was certainly killed by my hand. : :
"That's right."
: : And you resent me for that, don't you? : :
"..."
: : Even if you don't say your wish, I already know. : :
I speak to Oh Hye-seo.
: : You want Seo Hweol to be brought back to life. Using the power of my Wheel... : :
"...Yeah."
: : Sorry, but that's not possible. The Underworld will not allow it. : :
Oh Hye-seo's body trembles violently.
"...Then...what in the world..."
: : Instead, I'll show you Seo Hweol. : :
"...What...?"
: : Right now...the place I am headed to as the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade nears completion is the Akashic Records. It is the repository that holds all the history of this world. : :
The completion of the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade.
The Immortal Beast King advancement ritual is completed when the double helix engraved upon Mount Sumeru reaches the Akashic Records.
: : It's not just a cradle of information. There...the [past] actually exists. In other words...I can't reunite you with Seo Hweol, but I can let you witness the Seo Hweol of the past. : :
"...!"
: : And if it's you, then the moment you obtain the 'truth' about the past Seo Hweol, you should be able to use your authority to trace his history...and if my Wheel and your authority combine, a foundation will be created to find Seo Hweol's reincarnation. : :
To truly accept her as my comrade, I offer the best proposal I can give her.
: : Meet the Seo Hweol of the past. And lay the foundation to reunite with the Seo Hweol of the future. I can't bring your Seo Hweol back to life...but letting you meet him again...that much I can at least do. : :
"..."
For a moment, Oh Hye-seo hesitates, and Kim Yeon, who has been listening to our conversation during that moment, slaps Oh Hye-seo hard across the cheek.
Tchak!
"...!"
"Come to your senses, Hye-seo Unnie. I know your state...better than anyone. Because you're in a state just like my master, the Mad Lord."
She glares at Oh Hye-seo with fierce eyes and speaks.
"The Mad Lord lost his lover and went mad. To feel her touch just once more, he brought the past into reality. He devoted his entire life for that. And though it was only that much...even with just that, he was saved."
"..."
"To you, Seo Hweol must've been the Her to the Mad Lord. So what in the world are you hesitating for!?"
Taaak!
Kim Yeon pushes Oh Hye-seo's back hard and pours immense power into me.
Kugugugung!
At the same time, the Bright Cold Realm begins to be summoned behind her.
Kim Yeon drops from my back and merges into the Bright Cold Realm as she speaks.
"Go, Oh Hye-seo! With no regrets left behind!"
"..."
Oh Hye-seo trembles as she looks at Kim Yeon.
For some reason, there is fear in her gaze as she stares at Kim Yeon.
Though the reason is unclear, she is now afraid of Kim Yeon.
"...How can you...be like that...?"
Bududuk...
Kururung!
Kim Yeon, now one with the Bright Cold Realm, descends from the mid-point of Mount Sumeru, takes the full brunt of the True Immortals' prophecy bombardment, and grabs the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain with one hand.
Kugugugugu!
Then, she, now dwelling with the Bright Cold Realm, begins to move the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain with one hand.
The True Immortals of the Three Heavens Great Thousand World begin to scream.
: : !!!!! : :
Indescribable screams unfold throughout all of creation, and with Kim Yeon's single utterance, the flesh of the Tridacna Vast Cold Heavenly King begins to exert power on the present world.
But what is truly terrifying are Kim Yeon's next words.
: : Immortal Art, Yeon's Play. : :
The history of the Bright Cold Realm trembles, and the 'past' of a distant age is drawn into the present by Kim Yeon's power.
An Immortal Art that recreates the distant past overlays the Bright Cold Realm,
And the history from hundreds of thousands of years ago begins to play out once more.
Shiver!
I get goosebumps in shock, recalling the ominous dread and awe I once felt from the Gandhara of the Underworld.
As the past reenacts upon the body of Vast Cold...
For just a single moment,
The Tridacna Vast Cold Heavenly King,
The authority of their prime self makes a second coming upon Mount Sumeru.
Clang!!
It is a massive shackle.
At the same time, it is the pen that protects all things of all phenomena, and the power of a being who once loved the entirety of Mount Sumeru.
: : From this moment on. : :
Kim Yeon's voice, overlapping Vast Cold, resounds throughout Heaven and Earth.
: : To every being in this world, harming another is now forbidden. : :
Jjeoooooong!
I break out into a cold sweat.
Just like what Underworld once did...
Kim Yeon, bringing forth the second coming of the Tridacna Vast Cold Heavenly King's power, has temporarily restructured the law of 'everything of True Immortals bring harm to Enders'.
Unlike Bong Hwa, who had to accept the 'trials' of the Underworld, the law Kim Yeon restructured bears no such constraints.
The countless prophecies bombarded at me by the True Immortals are now all turned into blessings, accelerating me to the limit.
A power truly worthy of being called the ultimate of non-killing has been enforced upon the world.
On top of that, as the authority of the Tridacna Vast Cold Heavenly King envelops me infinitely, it begins accelerating me beyond measure.
Twin Holding Heavenly Domain.
There, Hong Fan, who has completely turned the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity into an Immortal Treasure along with the other Immortal Treasures of Seo Eun-hyun, glares sharply in one direction.
"...This power..."
Deepest depths of the Underworld.
The Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld Bong Hwa looks up at Kim Yeon with a dumbfounded expression.
"...This is..."
As she strokes a taenghwa she once drew long ago, she lets out a hearty laugh.
"An authority that...doesn't replace the Immortal Art Immortal Cultivation with a proper orthodox method like Seo Eun-hyun's, but just pushes it away with brute force... How incredible. To think the authority of Vast Cold could be reproduced even for a single second."
She recalls the deed Vast Cold once committed.
Using their seemingly infinite power, they had forcibly filled all beings of Mount Sumeru—whether they wanted it or not—with the power of love, briefly turning all beings into undying entities like True Immortals, and then violently pushed away the Immortal Art Immortal Cultivation.
For such madness, the Vast Cold Heavenly Lord incurred the hatred of Radiance Hall, and even after death, their body was designated as a special management subject, having even the name of the Vast Cold Realm restricted.
'I miss those days.'
She clicks her tongue quietly, remembering the deeds of Vast Cold that had 'once' annihilated Radiance Hall.
'Back then, when Vast Cold exchanged full moves with the Four Heavenly Venerables, and then, exhausted, turned and wiped out the entirety of the Radiance Eight Immortals who came to strike them from behind... It was at that time that I truly...thought that hope lay before our eyes.'
But the result was this.
Bong Hwa's subordinates and Vast Cold were defeated, and the destruction of the obliterated Radiance Hall became revised history, leaving behind the dust-sized remnant of the Rain Dew Heavenly Lord, who became the survivor.
'O Tridacna of the present...will you be able to rise to the heights of Vast Cold? Please...if you could follow just to the tip of their toes, I will offer all hope for the sake of you all...'
Each time she returns from the Audience Chamber, history is extracted and her memories are lost, yet through the battle of Vast Cold, one truth was confirmed.
'No matter how many monsters of Vast Cold's level are brought to the Future King...we can never win with just strength. We must...raise all seven Enders to the level of Governing Immortals. That is the only method where hope can be seen!'
With hope in her embrace, the Underworld closes her eyes.
And in the fleeting instant when the Underworld's gaze is lifted from Mount Sumeru.
From the Twin Holding Heavenly Domain, five [black chains] leap onto Seo Eun-hyun's spiral and begin chasing after him.
The chain at the very front seems to resemble a black snake.
Tremble, tremble, tremble-tremble-tremble...
The Rain Dew Heavenly Lord trembles more violently than any of the other Eight Immortals as they watch the second coming of Vast Cold through Kim Yeon's Yeon's Play.
: : Rain Dew, Rain Dew! Get a hold of yourself, Rain Dew! : :
Though Rain Dew is supposed to erase all emotion, in this one moment alone, they cannot suppress it.
A nightmare from long ago is eating away at the Rain Dew Heavenly Lord.
—In the name of Vast Cold, I declare: the representative Great Forest shall possess the compassion to watch over all.
—In the name of Vast Cold, I declare: the arbiter Great Sun shall carry warmth as bright as their name.
—In the name of Vast Cold, I declare: the vanguard Sword Spear shall possess the heart that does not simply reach out first and connect, but first gains understanding, and only then connects.
—In the name of Vast Cold, I declare: the executor Rain Dew shall...
A colossal giant god of pink light looks down upon the bug-like Radiance Eight Immortals and issues commands.
—...doubt their comrades, but also trust them with a heart as vast as the sky...
The blessings of True Immortals become calamity to Enders.
The strongest Ender Vast Cold was a being who could freely twist such laws and even flip them around in reverse.
The blessings of Enders became calamities to True Immortals.
Due to the principles of the world changed by Vast Cold at that time, the blessings Vast Cold delivered to the Radiance Eight Immortals became calamities that annihilate them.
To this day, Rain Dew still cannot understand how they survived Vast Cold's 'blessings'.
It must have been by coincidence.
But whether by coincidence or fate, they remember one thing.
: : Dodge!!! : :
Kim Yeon raises Vast Cold's arm.
The Rain Dew Heavenly Lord cries out with desperate resolve.
The Great Forest Heavenly Lord, bearing the experience of the Underworld, respects Rain Dew's words and pulls the Eight Immortals back.
: : The Tridacna Vast Cold Heavenly Lord has been reenacted!!! Do not confront under any circumstances!!! : :
Kugugugugu!
As the authority of Vast Cold rises, multiple 'Heavenly Domains' begin to 'form' from where Vast Cold's hand reaches toward.
The entire mass of Mount Sumeru increases by severalfold, and all the True Immortals positioned in the path of Vast Cold's strike are struck by the expansions of the newly created Heavenly Domains, sent flying in unison.
Then, those True Immortals touched by the Heavenly Domains created by Vast Cold's power, as if brainwashed, collapse on the spot and begin wailing like mortals.
: : How, how could I have forgotten this heart!? : :
: : Ah, O Vast Cold! Were you the true god all along!? : :
: : Ahh, O God. O God!!! :
Countless Heaven Immortals and Earth Immortals realize the 'futility of battle' and enlighten to the 'benefits of love', losing all will to fight. They begin to disperse their cultivation and share it with the mortal beings of the Lower Realm.
In an instant, the True Immortals affiliated with Radiance Hall fall to the level of the Integration stage, and every living being below the Star Shattering stage across Mount Sumeru sees their cultivation rise by two entire realms.
Thus,
The True Immortals of Radiance Hall—excluding the Thirty-Three Envoys of the Final Age of Dharma, the Thirty-Three Heavenly Resplendent Treasure Immortals, and the Eight Radiance Immortals—
Excluding a total of 74 True Immortals, all True Immortals numbering over six thousand fall to mortality.
The entire combat strength of Radiance Hall vanishes.
And they do so voluntarily at that.
Through Kim Yeon's Yeon's Play,
This is the result of the innate Ender authority of the prime Tridacna Vast Cold Heavenly King—Heaven Manifestation—being unleashed.
In the instant when countless True Immortals are annihilated,
The five chains, led by the chain in the form of a black snake, wrap around and follow Seo Eun-hyun's spiral, reaching the mid-slope of Mount Sumeru.
Dududududu!
As I gasp at the immeasurable power flooding into my entire body, I even divine descent Oh Hye-seo's heart into myself.
Kurururung!
At the same time, at my behind that has been continuing to trace a double helix across the entirety of Mount Sumeru, a dark-red curve and a light pink curve begin drawing a hyperbola along with the double helix.
Woo-wooong!
Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade.
Sword God Dance.
The authorities of Kim Yeon and Oh Hye-seo, divine descended through the Sword God Dance!
Combining all of them...
: : Reach! : :
At last, I arrive at the Middle Realm region of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain. Then, I reach at the vertex that lies above it.
I arrive right before the Head Realm.
Kurururung!
Kim Yeon's love flows into me.
The love Oh Hye-seo holds for Seo Hweol is felt within me.
As I embrace both loves inside me,
And catch sight of the [five black chains] that have chased right up behind me and flinch,
I crash into the Head Realm with full force.
Kiririririk—
'What...is this?'
The Radiance Mantra is activating.
'Am I regressing...?'
The phenomenon unfolding before my eyes resembles regression so surprisingly closely that I almost mistake it for regression.
Had I not sensed the strange movement of the Wheel adjusting the surroundings, I would have been completely convinced.
'It isn't regression...!'
Woo-woooong!
Holding Oh Hye-seo in one arm, I rise upstream against the distant flow of history.
'This is...'
And as I travel upstream through history, I can tell.
"Am I...moving through time?"
Having currently collided with the Akashic Records, and aided by the power of the Radiance Mantra and the Wheel, I am truly traveling through time into the actual past.
Kugugugugugu!
At the same time, from far away, a familiar aura begins to be felt.
We realize we have arrived at a point in time 'forty thousand years before' we fell into Mount Sumeru, and each of us wears a different expression.
Oh Hye-seo's eyes tremble, my lips tremble, and Hong Fan wipes his sweat as his breath trembles.
Woo-woooong!
As I rise through the river of history, a thought occurs to me.
'...What must be done for there to be no contradiction or paradox in time travel?'
The answer is simple.
This world just needs to be deterministic.
I, carrying the [Wheel] that is shining pure white under the influence of Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade on my back,
Together with Oh Hye-seo, arrive at the moment of Seo Hweol's first birth.
Though I have never seen it directly, nor has it yet occurred—
The moment I arrive at this place, I can understand everything.
How I and Oh Hye-seo will act from this point forward, and how everything at this point in time will be determined.
"You look like you've got a lot of thoughts on your mind, Master."
Hong Fan asks with a concerned expression and I smile bitterly as I step, together with Oh Hye-seo, into the [past of Seo Hweol] reached through the Akashic Records.
"...It's just that...I'm starting to lose grasp on how we're supposed to defeat the Future King."
If everything up until now is the Future King's fate and vision...
Then just how are we supposed to defeat him?
Thus,
We descend into the virtual world left behind by Oh Hye-seo's predecessor, Agate, and begin to observe this world.