chpater 13

Chapter 205: Shattered Heart (4)Chapter 205: Shattered Heart (4)

What is Martial Arts to me?

When I reached Beyond the Path to Heavens, I thought that to me, martial arts meant freedom.

My current Formless Sword is what I believed to be the manifestation of my heart's desire to escape the fate of regression, struggling against the shackles of fate.

But do I live only to escape regression?

'No.'

My life itself is filled with countless graces and gratitude.

Therefore, my life is not just about escaping regression, but also about living each moment fully.

Every single moment.

Every moment a person experiences is irreplaceable and will never return.

This is a truth I realized because I can travel through time.

Time never returns.

Thus, let's live a faithful life.

Then, what is a faithful life?

What is faithful Martial Arts (武) to me?

What is my faithful life, and what is true Martial Arts?

I realize that with this meager brain of mine, it is impossible to come up with an answer right now.

Pondering here won't help.

'This is a question… I must continue to ponder in the future.'

As I regenerate my body that had been sliced vertically, I gradually close my eyes.

Perhaps because I haven't fully recovered to the Nascent Soul stage, just being cut in half makes me lose consciousness and faint.

'I need to regain my cultivation as soon as possible.'

With that, I fall into sleep.

When I open my eyes, familiar faces are in sight.

Yu Hwa, and Gyu-baek.

"You're awake."

"Where is this…"

"It's the cave."

She indifferently turns her head, but I can tell from my neatly arranged clothes and wiped sweat that Gyu-baek had taken care of me while I was unconscious.

Even though she's a fragment of Gyu-ryeon, she inherited Gyu-ryeon's good nature.

As I contemplate her character, she says,

"He showed it openly. The Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One."

"...?"

"I saw your duel as well. The enlightenment that the Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One gave you, I could understand it from a distance as well. Even with a small force, one can overcome a great force. To learn to face the strong as the weak. Wasn't that the overall message?"

"Yes, that's correct."

"The Esteemed One wanted to say the same to me, it seems."

She is silent for a moment in the cave, then continues.

"...Receiving the Esteemed One's enlightenment made me realize. I was still deluding myself into thinking I was the strong Gyu-ryeon."

Her words continue.

"No, even when I was Gyu-ryeon. More specifically, since the moment I met Seo Hweol, I was no longer the strong one."

Wo-woong!

She extends her hand into the void.

A pale line connected from her pinky finger stretches somewhere into the void.

"I've just been clinging to Seo Hweol all along. Yes, from the day I met Seo Hweol, I was a weakling caught in love. I sat there, deluding myself into thinking I was strong, which is probably why the Esteemed One was reluctant to teach me. Yes…"

Drip, drip…

Gyu-baek sheds tears.

"I am just a fragment of Gyu-ryeon's broken heart. Merely her remnants. But at the same time... I've deeply inherited her love for Seo Hweol. At the same time, I've inherited her Vast Cold Beautiful Agreement. All this time, I've been shouting with my mouth that I wanted to take revenge on Seo Hweol. But...!"

She covers her face with her hands and cries out.

"At the same time, because I've inherited Gyu-ryeon's heart, I also find myself in love with Seo Hweol! It scares me so much! How I can hate Seo Hweol so much, yet at the same time be in love with him. It's terrifying! What should I do with my heart? Tell me, do you know the answer?"

Gyu-baek asks, grabbing my hand in her outcry.

Yu Hwa exits towards the entrance of the cave, diverting her gaze from us. I hold Gyu-baek's hand while listening to her outcry and ask,

"Isn't there something more important than whether you love or hate Seo Hweol?"

"…?"

"What does Seo Hweol think of Senior Gyu-ryeon? Isn't this more important?"

The relationship between people cannot be one-sided.

A relationship forms only when one person's action is reciprocated by the other.

Gyu-baek might think she can throw all kinds of actions towards Seo Hweol, but what really matters is whether Seo Hweol will reciprocate her actions.

"Thinking that Seo Hweol will surely respond to Miss Gyu-baek's actions is the thought of the strong. But as Senior Gyu-ryeon herself confirmed, Seo Hweol has no interest in Senior Gyu-ryeon."

"…"

"Miss Gyu-baek, you need to accept the fact that you are the weaker party in the relationship with Seo Hweol. Seo Hweol has no interest in you, and Miss Gyu-baek should not worry about how to react to Seo Hweol but whether Seo Hweol will even consider you."

At my words, Gyu-baek's pupils dilate.

"…What do you want me to do?"

"Miss Gyu-baek, right now… it seems like you're screaming in front of me because you're too afraid to confirm the answer you've already come up with."

I look into Gyu-baek's eyes and speak.

"Please, tell me the answer you've thought of. What answer have you come up with?"

"…You're right."

Gyu-baek bites her lip hard.

"I am... Yes. Right now, it's not important whether I love or hate Seo Hweol, but whether Seo Hweol will even consider me. You're right."

Her words continue.

"…I have decided. As you said, I'll learn the Heart Path Method. By learning the Heart Path Method, I'll meet Seo Hweol again somehow...! And I will properly confirm Seo Hweol's feelings!"

"…That's commendable."

I nod, affirming Gyu-baek's resolve.

From that day on, I began teaching martial arts to Gyu-baek.

"Extend your hand like this."

It's impossible to teach Gyu-baek internal energy methods.

Though she took on a human form, she is a byproduct of Gyu-ryeon, a being born from the life force of the Four-Axis stage Earth Tribe demon.

Her meridians and energy channels are completely different from those of humans.

She only looks human on the outside.

But resembling a human in appearance means that she can learn martial arts that require an outward form.

Under my guidance, Gyu-baek moves her limbs to gather Qi and practices the martial arts I taught her.

The martial art I taught Gyu-baek was named Dragon Form Soaring Claw (龍形飛號爪).

It's a claw technique modeled on the movement of dragons.

Wo-woong, Bo-oong, Wo-woong!

Under my guidance, Gyu-baek made significant progress in learning the Dragon Form Soaring Claw at a remarkable speed.

"Hmm, it's easy to learn. Isn't the Heart Path Method nothing special?"

"It's thanks to your talent, Miss Gyu-baek."

"Well, that must be it."

Driven by the sole desire to meet Seo Hweol again, she trained in the Dragon Form Soaring Claw like a madwoman.

Of course, there is an obvious reason why she could learn the Dragon Form Soaring Claw so quickly.

'After all, the martial art I created was based on the movements of Gyu-ryeon's true body.'

It isn't just a metaphor. It is a martial art literally created by observing the movements of Gyu-ryeon, who belonged to the Golden Dragon Race.

As such, there can't have been a martial art more suitable for Gyu-baek, a fragment of Gyu-ryeon.

It isn't about teaching her a new martial art but about reproducing her original movements through martial arts.

Besides training her in the most suitable martial art for her,

She truly trained day and night, tirelessly practicing the Dragon Form Soaring Claw.

All for the sole purpose of meeting Seo Hweol again!

Thus, 10 years passed in the lower realm.

Kugugugu!

"Krrrrr!"

"Keeeeeek!"

"Kiiiik!"

In the tranquil forest.

A loud explosion resounds, and a tree falls, scattering the animals nearby as they scream and disperse in all directions.

At the base of that tree.

There stood a woman in a robe is dusting off her hands.

"Congratulations. You've already mastered the Dragon Form Soaring Claw to the point where you can use Claw Gang (爪罡)."

She is Gyu-baek.

Gyu-baek, hearing my praise, snorts and flexes her fingers.

Boo-woong!

Golden energy sharply gathers on her fingertips, revealing Claw Gang.

But she shows no sign of happiness.

"It's only now, through rehabilitation training, that I've been able to manifest Pure Spiritual Force again. Even then, I'm far from being able to manifest it without the need for specific techniques."

"Pure Spiritual Force isn't what's important, Miss Gyu-baek."

I exclaim in admiration as I observe the dozens of intents she emits.

"What's important is that you've already reached Three Flowers Gather at the Summit."

Gyu-baek's determination is astonishing.

Even with her optimal affinity for Dragon Form Soaring Claw and my direct teaching, it is unbelievable that she reached Three Flowers Gather at the Summit in such a short period.

'As expected from a fragment of Gyu-ryeon who almost reached the Integration stage.'

Talent, as varied as it appears, ultimately finds a way to connect.

Moreover, Gyu-ryeon is a Golden Dragon who completed the Four-Axis stage through Heterodox Axis Foundation not by slaughtering lower-level cultivators, but by defeating four cultivators of the same realm to reach Grand Perfection in the Four-Axis stage.

Thus, her experience in actual combat is enormous, and Gyu-baek, inheriting that experience, is adapting to martial arts at a significant pace.

"With this momentum, you might reach Five Energies Converging to the Origin and even Ultimate Pinnacle within a few decades."

"Hmph, flattery is unnecessary. Nothing is more nonsensical than only managing to succeed in rehabilitation training over decades."

Of course, she seems to think of martial arts as just 'rehabilitation training'.

'Anyway, with this rate, maybe we can ascend within the time originally planned.'

Despite being dropped into the lower realm by Seo Hweol,

My objectives for this life still hold.

'Before the True Immortal descends to the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, ascend and steal the Heavenly Lightning Banner.'

Especially since the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect has a time limit, it is crucial to ascend as soon as possible to steal the Heavenly Lightning Banner.

'I can ascend now if I want to.'

I am wearing Yuan Yu as usual, and I have fully recovered my Nascent Soul stage cultivation.

Additionally, with the power of Taiyin contained in the Black Dragon's True Blood, I am also cultivating the Yin Spirit. I will likely finish the early Nascent Soul stage soon and challenge the middle stage.

'With the strength of my body now, I can withstand the spatial pressure even if my cultivation is below the Heavenly Being stage.'

I already know the orthodox method of ascension.

Just ride a spatial rift in the Astral Realm and fly towards the coordinates of the Bright Cold Realm.

I already know the coordinates of the Bright Cold Realm, so there is no problem.

However...

'I can't simply waste the precious opportunity to receive guidance from the Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One.'

I've recently come to understand the deficiencies in martial arts that I hadn't noticed before while receiving guidance from Jang Ik.

Yu Hwa briefly reached the third stage of Manifestation previously.

According to her, she is in the process of maturing her understanding of Last Quarter, and I am rushing towards the edge of Treading Heavens, gradually getting a feel for the realm beyond Treading Heavens.

'If I leisurely cultivate for about 600 years, I think I can reach beyond Treading Heavens.'

But there are tasks to be accomplished in this life, so I can't afford to waste time on such matters.

'It's already the 20th year of regression.'

The True Immortal of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect appears around the 70th to 80th year of regression.

So, I have about 50 years left to cultivate with ease.

'Within 50 years, I will ascend again with Yu Hwa and Gyu-baek.'

This time upon ascending, I intended to give Seo Hweol a proper hit in the face.

'Wait for me, Seo Hweol...!'

And so, time flowed like water, and finally the 70th year of regression arrived.

Chirp chirp chirp!

Gyu-baek, Yu Hwa, Jang Ik, and I arrive at a swamp teeming with monkeys.

This planet doesn't have any particularly civilized intelligent beings.

There are a few demon beasts, but since the planet itself is sparse in spiritual energy, they aren't abundant.

However, not being abundant doesn't mean they are non-existent.

The demon beast we encountered today is of such kind.

"Who dares to disturb the territory of this elder!"

A booming voice in demon beast language resounds as a giant monkey, at the Grand Perfection Qi Building stage, bursts out from within the swamp.

I look at the monkey and signal to Gyu-baek.

Gyu-baek nods and takes a deep breath.

Hooooo―

Behind her, nine spheres rise up.

Whiiiiing―

Simultaneously, the nine spheres begin to rotate behind her. In an instant, they melt into Gyu-baek's domain of consciousness.

Paaaaat!

Gyu-baek's domain of consciousness begins to transform.

Chapter 206: Shattered Heart (5)For 50 years,

Gyu-baek underwent hellish training ad nauseum.

At first, I guided her by myself. But as time passed, Jang Ik also began to guide her, and her skills started to improve dramatically.

Somehow, she managed to reach the extreme of Ultimate Pinnacle with guidance from both me and Jang Ik.

In the meantime, there was a minor incident where Jang Ik took the secret of Ultimate Pinnacle from me, but anyway, she reached Ultimate Pinnacle and was now on the verge of Beyond the Path to Heavens.

However, she ultimately failed to properly enter Beyond the Path to Heavens.

Boom!

Gyu-baek's Gang Spheres overlap with her consciousness domain, causing it to change.

Gurgling, gurgling...

Gyu-baek's unstable consciousness domain suddenly transforms into something resembling ropes or chains before collapsing.

"What is this? Are you joking?"

The owner of the territory, the monkey demon, frustratedly beats its chest watching Gyu-baek's actions.

Gyu-baek sighs for a moment before bending her fingers.

Crack!

Bright yellow Gang Qi forms at the tip of her fingers.

Shortly after, Gang Qi resembling a yellow dragon surges from Gyu-baek's entire body.

"What, what is this, Pure Spiritual Force? Were you a Qi Building stage demon? But to this body that has reached Core Formation..."

The next moment,

Gyu-baek, accelerating her consciousness with Gang Spheres, charges at the monkey demon like a bolt of lightning and attacks.

She resembles a wild beast.

The Dragon Form Soaring Claw is originally based on the movements of the Dragon Race, a divine lineage among the demon races.

Since the Dragon Form Soaring Claw was created based on Gyu-ryeon's combat style, it naturally includes her inherently wild fighting style when she fought in her true form.

Kugugugu!

Gyu-baek's Dragon Form Soaring Claw grazes the monkey demon.

It attacks like a fierce dragon, but since it is also a martial art, it applies pressure while adjusting its intensity, revealing the subtlety of martial arts and achieving great effects with little effort.

After 50 years, the Dragon Form Soaring Claw performed by her hands has significantly evolved from the original version I had created.

Gyu-baek adapted it to her style and several adjustments were made based on Jang Ik's advice.

Anyway, befitting a fragment of a quasi-Integration stage dragon, Gyu-baek quickly subdues the monkey demon.

"Kuh, keuhuk! Sp, spare me..."

The monkey demon, losing its initial ferocity, begs Gyu-baek for its life.

Gyu-baek finally retracts her Gang Qi and descends from above the monkey demon.

"How about that?"

"You've greatly improved."

To my compliment, Gyu-baek crosses her arms and snorts.

"I've told you many times, it's just rehabilitation."

"Yes, yes."

While watching her, Jang Ik approaches.

[When you charge at an opponent, widen the gap between your feet a bit more. And pay more attention to the synchronization of your intent while using Pure Spiritual Force.]

"Yes."

While Gyu-baek is receiving a lecture from Jang Ik, I approach the monkey demon and hand it a formation flag I had created.

"Look here, fellow Daoist. I heard you're the chief of the monkeys around here."

"That's... true, but?"

"Could you ask the monkeys to plant this formation flag right in the center of the swamp, where the spiritual energy is most abundant?"

The monkey demon, glancing cautiously at Gyu-baek who had beaten it, nods.

"I understand...yes."

"Good, then I'm counting on you. And, just so you know, don't try any funny business."

Kugugugu!

After exerting the pressure of my Nascent Soul spiritual energy on the monkey demon, its complexion turns pale and it nods frantically.

"Yes, how could there be any issues, senior. I will follow your orders without question!"

After entrusting the friendly monkeys with the installation of the formation, I approach Gyu-baek, who is listening to Jang Ik's nagging, and Yu Hwa.

"With today's setup, the last formation is in place. It's really time to prepare."

"Alright, I understand."

"Good."

Together with Jang Ik, we arrive at the wasteland where we first landed.

We reach the location of Gyu-ryeon's corpse.

Wo-woong!

Gyu-ryeon's corpse is as large as a mountain range, still covering the entire wasteland with its enormous size.

Gyu-baek looks at Gyu-ryeon's corpse with a complicated expression.

Even 50 years later, Gyu-ryeon's corpse still boasts its former dignity despite being dried up from being drained of blood.

The golden scales that Gyu-ryeon was proud of have not faded at all, and her claws are still as sharp as if she were alive.

However, her two horns are missing, having been torn off by Seo Hweol.

After staring at Gyu-ryeon's corpse for a while, Gyu-baek bites her lip.

"...So, when will we ascend?"

"The formations will activate simultaneously this evening. That's when we should make our move."

"...Got it."

Gyu-baek seems troubled as she looks at Gyu-ryeon's corpse.

With a complicated look, she disappears somewhere.

[It's time to say goodbye.]

"Yes, I have been greatly indebted to the Esteemed One during this time."

[It's nothing. I actually found it quite entertaining to teach you two amidst my uninteresting tasks.]

Before long, I have reached the extreme of Treading Heavens under Jang Ik's guidance and am starting to grasp the enlightenment beyond.

Yu Hwa, under Jang Ik, successfully reached the Final Moon of Last Quarter that she so desired. Gyu-baek is also gradually looking towards Beyond the Path to Heavens.

[Perhaps, Gyu-baek won't be able to reach the first step of Fighting Spirit.]

Jang Ik clicks his tongue as he looks at the spot where Gyu-baek vanished.

[Her heart essence is still too chaotic, and although she has a strong desire, it has not been integrated into any single concept.]

"...But, didn't the Esteemed One see it? The momentary change in Miss Gyu-baek's consciousness domain."

At my question, Jang Ik shakes his head as if it is absurd.

[That's not Fighting Spirit. It would be more appropriate to call it a consciousness method. No, not a consciousness method, but perhaps a ritual of the Heaven Tribe? Or should it be called a supernatural ability through ancient secret arts?]

Jang Ik continues.

[What Gyu-baek has formed is an obsession with the Vast Cold Beautiful Agreement that is still connected to her. She has not properly refined her heart essence to step into the first step of Fighting Spirit, only showing something similar to the first step of Fighting Spirit because her mind and body have merged into the ancient secret art known as the Vast Cold Beautiful Agreement.]

"...Then, does that mean she can exert Beyond the Path to Heavens in the presence of a target related to the Vast Cold Beautiful Agreement?"

[Ha, a first step of Fighting Spirit that only exerts its effect on a specific target... Such Manifestation isn't nonexistent, but she relies too much on her Vast Cold Beautiful Agreement. The Vast Cold Beautiful Agreement is an ancient secret art that was discarded because its activation condition could not be found, so if she can't activate the Vast Cold Beautiful Agreement, she can't properly activate Manifestation either. It's a useless half-baked Manifestation.]

Jang Ik clicks his tongue, seeming displeased with Gyu-baek.

Gyu-baek found the clue to Beyond the Path to Heavens.

However, the Beyond the Path to Heavens she reached is a peculiar one that heavily depends on her remaining obsession and Vast Cold Beautiful Agreement with Seo Hweol for activation.

If Seo Hweol is not present, it doesn't activate properly,

And even if it does activate, it's incomplete as the activation conditions for the Vast Cold Beautiful Agreement were lost in ancient times.

It's unusable in normal times.

In short, it is something born from Gyu-baek's bizarre obsession with Seo Hweol, difficult even to call Beyond the Path to Heavens.

'But... if Gyu-baek faces Seo Hweol alone and satisfies the conditions for Beyond the Path to Heavens...'

Limited to Seo Hweol, perhaps Gyu-baek's Beyond the Path to Heavens can become a terrifying one that Seo Hweol can never escape.

The unique Beyond the Path to Heavens Gyu-baek obtained, longing for a meeting with Seo Hweol, only affecting Seo Hweol.

That is Gyu-baek's Beyond the Path to Heavens.

'How unique...'

I think it's quite interesting, approaching Gyu-ryeon's corpse to stroke its scales.

"Now that the day of departure is approaching, may I ask the Esteemed One a few questions?"

[Ask away.]

I ask the Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One the questions I have been curious about.

"How are the Heart Tribe's realms divided? To what extent can the Heart Tribe grow?"

[There are the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Manifestations corresponding to Core Formation, Nascent Soul, and Heavenly Being respectively. Or as I say, Fighting Spirit 1st, 2nd, and 3rd steps. There are 3 steps beyond this too.]

"3 steps, you say..."

[Yes, the 1st step corresponds to the Four-Axis and Integration stages. The 2nd step to the Star Shattering and Sacred Vessel stages. Finally, the 3rd step corresponds to the Entering Nirvana stage.]

"Are these 3 steps simply the names for the stages beyond the 3rd Manifestation stage?"

[It varies. For someone like Yu Hwa, it's termed as the First, Middle, and Final Moons beyond the current realm. For me, I refer to it as Three Steps Before The Throne (御前三步).]

"...You mentioned the 3rd step corresponds to the Entering Nirvana stage. Then, do you not know the stage corresponding to the True Immortal realm?"

[Unfortunately, I do not. I was the one who conceived the concept of these 3 steps. Since it was not a concept I received through teachings from someone else, I am unaware of higher stages.]

"I see... Understood."

He looks at me with his arms crossed.

[Is there anything else you wish to ask?]

"Yes, may I inquire about one more thing?"

[Proceed.]

I take a moment of silence before carefully asking Jang Ik.

"I've heard that except for the Blood Yin Realm, all high-ranking Esteemed Ones in the Middle Realms are currently on an expedition. They are said to be searching for something in the Astral Realm, something to do with the Decaying Corpse Realm."

[That's not incorrect.]

"If it's not too presumptuous, may I ask what it is you are searching for?"

[Well, it's not a big secret, so I'll tell you.]

He speaks lightly as if it's not a significant secret. However, the continuation of Jang Ik's words surprises me.

[Currently, all the Esteemed Ones from across the realms are gathering to enter the place where the remains of the notorious Lightning Immortal, Yang Su-jin, from 120,000 years ago are located.]

"Lightning Immortal... Yang Su-jin's remains?"

[Yes. Some of Yang Su-jin's remains are scattered across the Astral Realm, and some of those drifting in the Astral Realm have transformed into the Decaying Corpse Realm.]

"Decaying Corpse Realm..."

Apparently, the Decaying Corpse Realm is like a Lower Realm created from the fragments of a True Immortal's corpse.

[40,000 years ago... Many cultivators went down to the Head Realm where he was said to have died, trying to find Yang Su-jin's remains. But upon realizing that his remains were not there, numerous high-level cultivators scoured all of the heavens and earth and finally located traces of Yang Su-jin.]

"...Why such obsession with Yang Su-jin's traces?"

[...Yang Su-jin, during his lifetime, took items of enormous value from each Middle Realm... no, borrowed them and did not return them. Those items are of immense importance to each Middle Realm, so they are trying to retrieve them from him.]

It seems he is deliberately not mentioning what those items are.

[Yang Su-jin had inserted the core treasures of the Middle Realms into his immortal treasure, and finding his remains would pave the way to reaching that immortal treasure.]

"Yang Su-jin's immortal treasure... are you referring to that?"

I suddenly think of the Heavenly Lightning Banner.

"Could it be the Heavenly Lightning Banner?"

But Jang Ik just chuckles and shakes his head.

[The Heavenly Lightning Banner is not Yang Su-jin's immortal treasure. While it's true he used it, legend has it that he forcefully took it from a distinguished entity in the True Immortal Realm.]

"..."

[I'm just thinking out loud here, but the being from whom Yang Su-jin stole the immortal treasure must be waiting with tears for the day they can reclaim it. Hahaha...]

It's a story that can't be ignored.

If what he said is true, then the True Immortal that will descend upon the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect soon might be the distinguished entity from the True Immortal Realm with a deep grudge against Yang Su-jin.

'I thought just taking the Heavenly Lightning Banner and plugging it into Hyeon Eum's mouth would solve the problem...'

Perhaps, the moment the True Immortal descends, all factions inheriting Yang Su-jin's legacy might be doomed.

I ask Jang Ik several more questions I am curious about.

Finally, time passes, and a day goes by.

Next to Gyu-ryeon's corpse, I feel the formation I had set up all over the planet begin to activate.

Wo-woong!

Gyu-baek and Yu Hwa gather towards me as well.

The sparse spiritual energy of the entire planet, flowing through the planet's dragon veins, are drawn towards us.

Though originally sparse, the concentration of spiritual energy momentarily becomes even denser than in the mainlands of the Bright Cold Realm once gathered in one place.

Kiiiiing!

I form a seal at the center of the spiritual veins and begin to open a spatial rift.

Kugugugugu!

For 50 years, a formation was created for the sole purpose of ascending to the Bright Cold Realm.

The Return to Bright Cold Realm Formation.

I control the Return to Bright Cold Realm Formation and greet Jang Ik's avatar, who is watching us from the side.

"Thank you for everything during this time."

[Yes, everyone has worked hard. Seo Eun-hyun, there's nothing particular I need to say to you. If you continue to cultivate diligently, you will reach the third step of Fighting Spirit, the third stage of Manifestation.]

Jang Ik looks over at us one by one.

[Yu Hwa, you've reached the last stage of Last Quarter, but your realm is still not stable. Right after ascending, you will be under the control of the Heaven and Earth Tribes at the Flying Immortal Platform, so be on your guard. Even if you're capable in many against one, and Seo Eun-hyun has taught you the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts, be cautious in a place bustling with Four-Axis stage cultivators. There will also be an Integration stage Grand Cultivator at the Heaven-Earth Palace… Anyway, if you use the method I taught you, even the Grand Cultivator of the Heaven-Earth Palace can't easily mess with you.]

After giving advice to Yu Hwa, he turns his gaze to Gyu-baek.

[Gyu-baek, to be honest, you were the worst of those I've taught. It's not a problem of talent, but rather your state of mind.]

"…."

[You always think of yourself as trash, but in some sense, you are indeed Honored Master Gyu-ryeon herself.]

"…That can't be…."

[Hmph. Contemplating the essence of existence to reach the realm is what the Heart Tribe does. Are you saying you can't believe the words of a Star Shattering Esteemed One from the Heart Tribe?]

"…."

[You've always thought of yourself as trash, entangled in love and hatred for that guy Seo Hweol, and your mind is a mess. But…]

Jang Ik places his hand on her shoulder and smiles.

[Leaving the Heaven, Earth, and Heart Tribes aside. As a senior, I hope you find happiness.]

Wo-woong!

Jang Ik infuses something into her heart essence.

[Now, off you all go! It was a short but enjoyable meeting!]

Wo-woong!

After activating the Return to Bright Cold Realm Formation, I bow to Jang Ik.

Yu Hwa and Gyu-baek also pay their respects in their own ways.

After paying respects to Jang Ik, I look at Gyu-ryeon's corpse.

Gyu-baek also looks at Gyu-ryeon's corpse.

Gyu-baek claimed herself to be a piece, a shattered fragment of Gyu-ryeon.

Therefore, according to her, the real Gyu-ryeon is dead. The corpse of Gyu-ryeon we see today will be the last image of Gyu-ryeon I will remember in this life.

'Rest in peace, Senior Gyu.'

Thank you for everything.

I also bow in my heart towards Gyu-ryeon.

At the same time, the Return to Bright Cold Realm Formation shines brightly, propelling us beyond space.

Paaat!

Yu Hwa, having reached the stage corresponding to Heavenly Being, begins to ascend. Gyu-baek and I stick close to her, starting to resist the spatial pressure.

Thus, 60 years after being betrayed by Seo Hweol, we begin our ascension to return.