chpater 3

Chapter 187: The Tribe of the Earth (7)Chapter 187: The Tribe of the Earth (7)

'Heart Tribe!?'

Surprised, I hastily turn around, but by now, the Sea Dragon warriors are already flying swiftly through the sky, following the trail of light sent by Gyu-ryeon, and the distance between us and Gyu-ryeon quickly widens.

"Hold on, how about asking Senior Gyu about the Heart Tribe?"

I hastily speak to the Sea Dragon warriors, but they respond indifferently.

"Didn't you hear something about the Heart Tribe or whatever being at the Core Formation stage?"

"Let's just go quickly."

"No…"

I'm about to say one or two things to the Sea Dragon warriors but then remember that it hasn't even been a year since we ascended.

'...Do they still not know how much the Heart Tribe is feared and revered in the Bright Cold Realm?'

Thinking about it, talking about the Bright Cold Realm when it hasn't even been a year since our ascension is pointless.

'No choice then. I'll have to leave them be.'

Following the orb of light sent by Gyu-ryeon, I think about the still naive Sea Dragon warriors.

'I'll leave them be, and while they suppress the rebellion... I'll meet the Heart Tribe.'

I've heard about the Heart Tribe before, but what exactly they do,

And what exactly is the Heart Path Method, is what I need to find out.

It's time to understand more about them.

'Let's meet them and find out what they're about!'

Whoosh!

How many landscapes have I passed?

Flash!

The light sent by Gyu-ryeon explodes over a massive mountain range.

"This place is…"

The explosion of light means we have reached our destination.

"The largest Long Spirit Wood Flower farm in the Dragon Race Territory...?"

The scene beyond the mountain range is breathtaking.

The vast farm in front of me, absorbing sunlight and shining brightly, seems to be spitting out white flames.

No, it isn't just a feeling. Around the flowers of the white plants in Gyu-ryeon's farm, there is indeed a flame-like white spiritual energy flickering.

Long Spirit Wood Flower.

Or also known as the Everlasting Flower, these white blossoms produce the essential cotton used in the majority of clothing worn by cultivators in the Bright Cold Realm.

For many cultivators, surpassing the Qi Building stage often results in their clothes being torn to shreds or becoming rags due to battles.

While high-level cultivators can create clothing through spells, those of lower levels have to change into spare clothes or walk around naked, which is quite inconvenient.

Hoping for intact clothing in the constantly warring Bright Cold Realm is laughably naïve.

Thus, many cultivators quietly worried about clothing, and three solutions emerged.

Learning spells to weave clothes from spiritual energy.

Wearing clothes that can restore themselves even after being torn or burnt.

Overcoming the embarrassment and walking around naked.

The third option, while humorous, was surprisingly adopted by many, including Azure Tiger Saint. But it is chosen only by those who are very confident in their abilities.

Anyway, the first option is only feasible for high-level cultivators.

The second option, enchanting clothes with restoration spells, was chosen by many, including both high and low-level cultivators.

The main material used to make such self-restoring clothes is precisely the Long Spirit Wood Flower.

Clothes made from Long Spirit Wood Flower can be regenerated by infusing a single remaining piece with spiritual energy, even if they were completely torn or burnt, making them extremely useful.

The main ingredient, the Long Spirit Wood Flower, which thrives only in areas abundant in spiritual energy, has a unique property of continuous regeneration when its cotton is harvested with spells by high-level cultivators, ensuring a never-ending supply.

Thus, cultivators who grow Long Spirit Wood Flowers often enslave weaker races as cotton slaves to manage the harvest.

Whoosh, whoosh!

As I look at the cotton field, contemplating the Long Spirit Wood Flower,

From afar, a crimson flame is engulfing the cotton field.

"Is that the rebel army?"

"None of them even seem to have reached the Qi Refining stage."

Behind the flames, an enormous presence can be felt, a truly terrifying number.

'How many are there?'

"Now, let's go down. Everyone, suppress the slaves on your own, kill all the leaders of the rebellion, and then report to Senior Gyu."

"Will do."

The Sea Dragon warrior carrying me shakes his head, dropping me off before flying away.

The Sea Dragon warriors, paying no heed to me, swiftly fly towards the numerous demon beasts to suppress them.

I watch them for a moment before looking at the slave races setting the cotton field on fire.

'The Heart Tribe is said to be here. Being at the Core Formation level must surely mean the prowess of Beyond the Path to Heavens.'

Though I'm still confused about what the Heart Tribe is, I can at least speculate after hearing from Jang Ik and witnessing his strike.

'Surely, members of the Heart Tribe can recognize each other at first sight.'

Bang, bang!

I kick off through the air, heading towards the flames.

There, the races committing arson are not just one or two.

Numerous races are mingling, setting fires.

The races of the Bright Cold Realm live exposed to the dense spiritual energy of the Bright Cold Realm, hence the majority are born with the strength of at least the Qi Refining stage.

Yet, even in the Bright Cold Realm, there are those who are weak.

Those whose natural bodies are too frail to properly absorb the dense spiritual energy of the Bright Cold Realm, unable to learn demon beast methods.

And those who could not find a sacrifice method, thus unable to learn the Heaven Tribe or Earth Tribe methods.

Such people, classified as weaker races in the Bright Cold Realm, are often captured by the Heaven and Earth Tribes to be enslaved or used as elixirs.

The numerous races currently setting fire are likely those weaker slave races working in Gyu-ryeon's farm.

Just when I think so.

Zing―

Suddenly, the tension sharply rises.

A feeling as if my neck can be sliced open at any moment!

A sense predicting murderous intent, akin to future foresight

'This is…'

Not just any killing intent.

Heart language!

It's the heart language exchanged between warriors who have reached the realm of Beyond the Path to Heavens.

Someone is speaking through heart language.

No, asking.

Who are you?

Zap, zap…

'This is…'

I smile, accepting the sensation given by the heart language.

Following that sensation, I look towards the place where this heart language is sent from.

Gyu-ryeon's information seems to be incorrect.

'Not Beyond the Path to Heavens, but Treading Heavens?'

Kugugugu!

From afar, three Sea Dragon warriors are gasping for breath.

I shout at them.

"Avoid it, there's a Heart Tribe member over there!"

However, despite clearly hearing my shout, they ignore it and spew rays of light from their mouths.

And the next moment.

Flash!

Swoosh!

A crimson stream.

A sunset-colored river wave, blocking the breath of the Sea Dragon warriors.

'Ah…'

I can feel it.

The one who blocked the attack of those three Nascent Soul stage Sea Dragon warriors is definitely in the Treading Heavens realm!

I suppress the excitement climbing up my spine, intending to run towards that direction.

However, just as I'm about to run over there.

Shriek!

Chill!

I quickly step backward, retreating with a light-footed technique at the sudden sense of ominousness invading my mind.

Kwagwagwang!

The next moment, a huge valley appears right where I was about to cross.

"…I need to complain to Senior Gyu."

Not just one Heart Tribe member, but two.

'No, maybe Senior Gyu only managed to ascertain one till now.'

Wo-woong!

From afar, a scarlet river of sunset is flowing, sweeping along three Sea Dragon warriors like a tide.

They appear as if three snakes are trapped in a sunset-colored sea.

That side is undoubtedly in the Treading Heavens realm, yet the sensation unique to the Treading Heavens realm is not something I can detect with either demon beast methods or Heaven Tribe methods.

'Detection doesn't work, huh. Seems like they don't know either...'

Step, step…

I look at a figure emerging from the cotton field, a bipedal goat with white fur.

"Are you the Core Formation stage Heart Tribe member Senior Gyu mentioned?"

The creature is definitely a Beyond the Path to Heavens level expert.

I look at what this goat demon is holding.

'A whip?'

It's a thin leather whip.

A thin whip used for lashing slaves.

However, strangely, on the forehead of this goat demon holding a whip meant for beating slaves, there is a clear mark of a slave.

The goat demon with the slave mark on their forehead has an overall gentle and rounded appearance.

The fur itself seems incredibly fluffy and soft, and the eyes exude a clear and soft temperament.

Moreover, due to its small stature, it looks quite cute at first glance.

But I swallow my saliva as I observe them.

'Underneath the fur...'

I can't count how many scars there are.

Beneath the soft and cute fur, there are marks like whip lashes densely packed like rain streaks.

A formidable opponent indeed.

I raise my tension and ask,

"Are you from the Heart Tribe?"

"..."

"Is the Heart Path Method what you practice?"

"..."

"Your Heart Tribe..."

And then.

Meeeeeeh―

The creature cries out and lashes the whip.

Kwagwagwang!

"!"

Again, a valley forms where the whip strikes.

'Ah, I see. Am I an idiot?'

I realize as I watch the Heart Tribe member cry out.

The demon language I am using is a universal language among demons, but now that I think about it, these Heart Tribe members wouldn't have the Earth Tribe's vision, naturally not learning the demon language.

[Hey, I asked if you were from the Heart Tribe.]

I once again speak to it using mental language, which operates on consciousness.

[Can you tell me what the Heart Path Method is? How does your Heart Tribe distinguish levels of attainment? What enlightenment have you achieved?]

Finally, I got a proper response from them.

[You've been babbling to yourself all this time. Are you trying to compete with words?]

"...Ha."

I wonder why.

Despite being insulted by an opponent of a lower realm than myself, I don't feel bad at all.

Instead, I grab the air with a bright smile.

[My apologies.]

No more words are needed.

Bo-oong!

Tearing through the air, I surge the Formless Sword throughout my body, not drawing upon demon beast methods.

Nor do I awaken the Nascent Soul, forcibly sealing the ability to perceive planes.

After sealing all Heaven and Earth Tribe methods,

I charge at them while maintaining a pure state of Treading Heavens.

'Indeed, is the Heart Path Method a martial art?'

Today, I shall find the answer.

My attack collides with that of the goat.

Kugugugu!

The scarlet river swallows the Sea Dragon warriors.

The three warriors gasp for breath as they face their opponent.

They can't identify who it is.

The techniques being used are also unknown.

Even the main body's location can't be detected.

Yet the perceived size of the consciousness feels infinitely small!

'What is this, who is this person...'

The eldest among the Sea Dragon warriors, the veteran.

Jeon Gyeok summons the storm, filling the surrounding sky as he clenches his teeth.

Kurung, Kururung!

Dark clouds infuse the Sea Dragon warriors with strength.

Normally, they would become immortal warriors who do not tire until their energy runs out, but facing this entity,

They feel like they are barely clinging to life with these techniques.

"Ugh, so you're the leader of the rebellion! I haven't heard of a Nascent Soul stage rebel force..."

Jeon Gyeok throws out any statement to probe the opponent.

But the opponent does not react.

He tries various offers and questions to probe the opponent but is met with silence.

Jeon Gyeok starts to grow anxious.

'If this continues, our energy will be completely depleted. Senior Gyu hasn't arrived yet, and to end like this...'

Just then.

[Hmmm, the owner of this domain, the Four-Axis stage Earth Tribe member, hasn't shown up?]

Jeon Gyeok brightens up upon hearing the opponent murmur.

'Right, they may do well against opponents of the same realm, but it seems they lack confidence when facing higher-level cultivators.'

Jeon Gyeok shouts with a feigned stern expression.

"We are just the vanguard. Within half an hour, Elder Gyu-ryeon of the True Dragon Alliance will arrive. We may not be able to defeat you, but we can hold you off until then."

Jeon Gyeok signals to the other Sea Dragon Race warriors to draw up their energy as if to bind the presence before them within a barrier immediately.

'Having done this much, surely they'll be flustered and try to retreat. That's when we will temporarily retreat and ask for help from Senior Gyu...'

"Everyone, surround that..."

And then.

The owner of the scarlet river chuckles.

[Such bravado. I take it the Four-Axis monster isn't coming?]

"Haha, if you want to believe that..."

[Did you think I wouldn't notice you rolling your eyes and exchanging opinions? Keke… You've been anxious from the start, indeed… The Four-Axis hasn't shown up.]

"...The Four-Axis hasn't arrived, but."

Jeon Gyeok quickly thinks of a way out.

"We are warriors of the Sea Dragon Race. We came prepared to die to suppress you... the Heart Tribe. If our situation becomes dire, we have techniques prepared to self-destruct..."

[That's a lie.]

"…Foolish as it may be, even if we don't self-destruct, the human ally that came with us is closely related to us. If he exerts his full strength, he can unleash power at the Heavenly Being stage. If we find ourselves in danger, he will…"

[That also seems like a lie.]

"So suspicious. But no matter how much you doubt, it doesn't change the truth. However, think about it. A senior of the Four-Axis stage is on her way here, we came prepared with a self-destruction technique, and in fact, having that human ally means we actually have an advantage over you. Moreover, we were ordered to capture those who started the rebellion alive, so we were only fighting moderately. Being distant relatives of the Black Dragon Race, we can draw a considerable amount of power from the ancestral blood of the Black Dragon…"

[My goodness, everything except the words 'capture alive' and 'distant relatives of the Black Dragon Race' is a lie. You aren't Sea Dragons but Bragging Dragons, did you introduce yourselves incorrectly?]

"..."

Jeon Gyeok glares at his opponent.

'What in the world?'

It feels like his heart is being read.

He knows nothing about his opponent, but the opponent seems to be reading him in real-time, an eerie discomfort..

[You seem displeased. Getting more afraid, aren't you?]

"..."

Not just Jeon Gyeok, but the other Sea Dragon warriors who share his thoughts turn pale.

It's clear.

The entity before them can easily read their innermost thoughts.

That discomfort and fear.

Jeon Gyeok had seen such a being only once before.

'Mad Lord, Jo Yeon...'

A lunatic who had controlled two Four-Axis stage puppets from the Lower Realm.

The sensation of having one's soul pierced through was something he had only felt in the presence of that person.

Of course, Jeon Gyeok did not believe the mad old man could read his thoughts, but there was something in common between the uncomfortable feeling given by the Mad Lord's transparent eyes and this current discomfort.

[The problem with you Heaven and Earth Tribes is this. Always, when facing the threat of death, you desperately do anything to survive. It's not necessarily bad, but wouldn't it be normal to have one or two who stick to their convictions? Have I only been dealing with small fries?]

"You are..."

[Enough, shut up. I'm not interested in playing with you fools anymore, and that guy over there seems somewhat interesting.]

The scarlet river seems to laugh with a giggle.

Jeon Gyeok tries to say something, but the next moment.

He clenches his teeth as he sees the scarlet wave rushing at him without a word.

"Damn it, are you determined to see this through to the end!"

[Hahaha, you think you can last till the end with me? Seeing that you don't know much about the Heart Tribe, you must have only recently ascended... Remember this well. The Heart Tribe... if you want to catch them, you must dig a good trap and not confront them with excessive force. With the power of your Heaven and Earth Tribes, it will never be easy.]

Peeee―

At that moment, Jeon Gyeok hears a ringing in his ears.

It's the sound of singing.

'This, this is...!'

As soon as he recognizes the song, Jeon Gyeok feels the strength draining from his body.

Not just a sensation, but his life force and spiritual energy are actually being siphoned away.

'Ah, no...'

What?

To die like this?

So absurdly?

Jeon Gyeok blankly watches as life force drains out of his body.

Life is not under control.

Qi is not under his control, scattering absurdly easily.

'To die so easily...'

[Your mistake was first and foremost, not knowing about the Heart Tribe. And… that I'm someone who has seen your Heaven and Earth Tribes so annoyingly often. That's about it. Farewell.]

Thwoong!

With the sound like a string being snapped, Jeon Gyeok loses consciousness.

With that, Jeon Gyeok died.

As simply and vainly as one would swat a bug.

The three warriors of the Sea Dragon Race died like this.

And the owner of the scarlet river turns their gaze elsewhere.

Where a loud explosion is occuring.

Kwagwang, Kwagwagwang!

The earth trembles, dust clouds rise, and a long whip flies in all directions.

As the whip extends,

An invisible formless sword swings like a whip.

Seo Eun-hyun charges at the goat, raising both arms and exerting force on his lower abdomen, back, and shoulders.

For an instant, his muscles seem to swell, and the Formless Sword strikes down towards the goat.

The goat is no easy opponent.

The goat swings the whip from lower right to upper left.

In that moment, the ghost infuses Qi into the whip with a twist of the wrist.

Simultaneously, the weight of the whip changes, shaking off Seo Eun-hyun's Formless Sword.

Chwack!

As the goat twists its wrist again, the weight of the whip becomes as light as a feather, and the whip quickly retracts at an astonishing speed.

Spat!

Seo Eun-hyun swings his sword, and the goat swings their whip.

A whip that changes weight, a sword that changes shape.

Their exchange appears evenly matched at a glance.

Pshht, Pshht, Pshht!

But beneath the goat's white fur, cuts are gradually grazing it.

The goat's wrists, thumb, index finger, pinkie...

Ribcage, solar plexus, navel...

Instep, heel, calf...

Shwoosh, Shwoosh!

These are the wounds on the goat's body from Seo Eun-hyun's two movements.

The goat understands,

Their opponent is going easy on them.

No, more accurately, they are being guided.

Initially, it seemed like he was cautiously pressing the goat, testing something as if to gauge the goat's strength.

But at some point, there were several occasions when he could have split the goat's head open but chose to spare him.

Unlike the goat, whose body is already reddened in places, Seo Eun-hyun's clothes are not even scratched, completely unscathed.

'The proficiency of each technique, every one of them is terrifying.'

The goat thinks as they look at Seo Eun-hyun.

'Every single one, even the simplest techniques when embedded in the changing sword, leads to a myriad of transformations, and every stroke of myriad transformations is based on extremely proficient fundamentals, reaching the level of a lethal strike.'

Moreover, the sword wielded by this person is invisible.

Though perceivable by consciousness, being invisible to the naked eye is a tremendous disadvantage.

I can't even properly grasp what's changing right now because it's transparent.'

This won't do.

'I must decide the battle with a decisive technique.'

The goat's momentum changes.

'Pouring everything I have... I shall liberate my race...!'

The next moment.

The goat's whip soars high into the sky.

Now, with a weight heavier than Mount Tai, it prepares to fall.

Seo Eun-hyun, sensing the goat's intent, readies himself.

One can be guessed.

What both are about to use are the techniques they each call their ultimate.

'No matter the outcome, I will give my all in a gesture of respect!'

And when their techniques are about to clash.

Thwoong!

With a clear sound, the goat slumps to the ground.

[Heuk...!]

Strength drains from them.

A feeling of powerlessness envelops their entire body, feeling as if they can do nothing.

Between them, the scarlet river flows.

[Hello, sorry to interrupt your fun. But you see, we're out of time. The prediction that a Four-Axis stage cultivator will come directly has dropped, and we've only caught these runts... Anyway, as promised, since a Four-Axis stage did not appear, I will allow your entire race to enter the Heart Tribe Territory, as promised.]

[...! Yes! Thank you!]

I feel my whole body become lethargic and my life force drain away as I watch the babbling scarlet river before me.

'It's dangerous.'

I'm sleepy.

So sleepy and exhausted. This must be her manifestation of the Treading Heavens ability.

[Hey, friend, won't you stop fighting too? Looking at you, you're from the Human Race, and you've been learning demon beast methods under the Demon Race... And it seems like you've reached the second stage of Manifestation like us. ...Honestly, I don't have much confidence in winning against you. But if you could overlook just my friend and his race's departure, I would be truly grateful.]

So, she's asking to be let go because she doesn't think she can win against me?

Had this been before, I would have scoffed at such nonsense.

But, looking up at the sky, I chuckle softly.

If attacked, great calamity.

If not attacked, smooth sailing.

'The last trick she's hiding might be quite frightening.'

I quietly calm my inner thoughts and nod.

"Do as you wish."

[Ahahaha, thank you truly. Then, by any chance, is there anything you'd like to ask? As a token of permitting our departure, I'll answer something you're curious about.]

I immediately asked her.

"What is the Heart Path Method?"

Today, I will finally learn about the Heart Path Method.

The owner of the scarlet river replies.

[Pu, Pukukukuk... Kahahahaha!]

With a fierce laugh.

As if it's the funniest thing in the world.

And then her words follow.

[Look here, friend. The Heart Path Method doesn't exist in this world.]

Chapter 188: The Tribe of the Earth (8)Chapter 188: The Tribe of the Earth (8)

What does that mean?

I look at her momentarily confused.

[Ahahaha!]

Suddenly, her voice, which had been that of a delicate woman, changes into a deep male voice.

[Such talk of the Heart Path Method is just a term forcibly applied by the Heaven Tribe and Earth Tribe to try to understand us... It's impossible for us to have such a systematic structure like methods. Don't you know? If you've reached the second stage of Manifestation, you should realize that everyone in this world possesses different possibilities, right?]

"…."

They're right.

I narrow my eyes, pondering the words of this person, whose gender I can't discern.

"So... the Heart Path Method, no... what does the Heart Tribe call this 'realm'? Although heart essences differ, isn't the process of reaching this 'realm' the same? Is 'Manifestation' just the end of it?"

[Hmm… I do feel like telling you... ]

Once again, their voice changes to that of a child.

[Could it be jealousy? To obtain our power while studying under the Earth Tribe with a body of the Heaven Tribe. If one fully masters the three talents of Heaven, Earth, and Heart, imagine the kind of monster that would be born.]

Sarararak…

The scarlet river flows around me.

I realize that this river's existence is not actual water but the heart essence of this being.

'There's no substance?'

Yet, I'm startled by this bizarre river.

Treading Heavens must ultimately be the state of becoming one with the heart essence one has manifested.

Yet, this river, while emanating an aura similar to the Treading Heavens realm, seems to have no substantial body to be its source.

'What is this?'

When I peer into the being with my hidden thoughts,

[Haha, to think there's such a transparent hell of agony...]

The next moment, the river's voice changes back to that of an old man.

[Neither the Heaven Tribe nor the Earth Tribe, and not even among us, have I seen such an extreme heart essence... Indeed, if only I could know which direction this monster of the three talents will take, I could decide how to deal with you...]

The river wraps around me, its voice flowing out.

It feels as if the Heart Tribe being is standing with hands clasped behind his back, looking at me while circling around.

However, as I watch him, I invoke the Formless Sword.

Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.

Mountain Echoes Valleys Responds

Ting!

A clear sword cry strikes the mind.

The vibration resonates from the plane of Qi to the plane of Soul, awakening the spirit.

"…I seem to encounter a lot of beings who love brainwashing, especially after coming to the Earth Tribe."

[Oh no, you've caught on already. But what was that? Did your energy transform into consciousness? Did you move across planes?]

"…."

I do not respond to his nonsense, focusing instead on surveying my surroundings.

"…!"

Suddenly, the slaves who were setting fire to the cotton plantation have all disappeared.

It seems I had moved far while my attention was distracted on this being.

'Was I trapped in an illusion? Me?'

I grit my teeth and glare at the river.

"What were you trying to do to me? Brainwash me for what purpose?"

[Ah, just in case there's any misunderstanding, the power of my Manifestation isn't brainwashing. It's deep sleep. The immersion into a dream is the enlightenment I've achieved. I just wanted to put you to sleep soundly, then tie you up nicely and send you to the highest council of the Heart Tribe.]

"…."

What is this person?

I open my mouth in disbelief, yet I am on high alert mentally.

"So after all this, you're asking me not to interfere with you?"

[Don't take it too hard. We, the Heart Tribe, can't trust anyone. The Heaven Tribe and Earth Tribe have been so eager to kidnap us and turn us into pills that we've had to become cunning to deal with them.

But since I've opened up to you like this, please forgive me for that. Now that I know your strength, I won't attempt to kidnap you anymore.]

"…."

Their true intentions are unreadable.

Perhaps due to being in the same realm, this being is also able to protect their deep heart essence from me.

"…How did you deal with those Sea Dragon warriors?"

I glance at the unconscious Sea Dragon warriors.

[I put them to sleep. However, they seem to mistake my process of deep sleep for the process of death, so if they are not awakened within an hour or two, their souls will truly mistake it for death and die.]

Terrifying.

And utterly bizarre.

But more than that, I glare at the being before.

"You're stalling for time. What are you aiming for?"

Even though the heart essence is unreadable, I can tell that this being is wrapping me up in needless words to waste time.

They must certainly be trying to delay.

[Oh, you've caught on already. It's nothing significant. I am a special envoy sent by the Heart Tribe's highest council, tasked with infiltrating the Heaven and Earth Tribes, helping the weak slave races among them to give birth to members of the Heart Tribe.

Once a Heart Tribe member is born, I guide them along with their race to the territory of the Heart Tribe. In the process, if I encounter any Masters of the Four-Axis stage from the Heaven or Earth Tribes, I also have the task of killing them.]

"…!?"

I look at this being's energy.

"Are you waiting for Gyu-ryeon, the owner of this domain?"

[It would be nice if that were the case… If the owner of the domain doesn't show up, I guess I'll just focus on leading the races to escape.]

To kill a Four-Axis stage cultivator.

That seems to be the 'ace' up their sleeves.

'That's why it foretold great misfortune if I attacked him.'

A rash move would have been a death sentence.

Apparently, the reason this being is leaving me alone for now is simply because I also fall under the category of 'Heart Tribe.'

Just then.

The goat standing beside us suddenly looks in one direction.

[Here it comes.]

A subtle anger is present in the goat's eyes.

Kugugugu!

From afar, a boar, its body dyed red, is flying towards us.

White steam billows from the nose of the boar, who possesses the energy of the Nascent Soul stage.

[The administrator of the Long Spirit Cotton Plantation… The bastard who tormented and oppressed us on behalf of the lord, Gyu-ryeon.]

Crack…

The whip in the goat's hand thrashes as if alive.

[Yes, let's have a go at it. I'll help out if it looks like you're losing.]

[Yes, elder. But who exactly is this person?]

[Hmm, I don't know myself. That's why I'm holding him here while we talk. But it seems he doesn't intend to antagonize us deliberately, so it would be refreshing to resolve our grievances and then return.]

[Yes!]

The goat firmly responds, gripping the whip and flying towards the boar with void steps.

'Walking on air.'

I asked the river,

"Can you explain exactly what the Heart Tribe is?"

The river responds in a young woman's voice,

[What kind of question is that? It naturaly refers to those who have integrated their heart essence.]

"Integrated their heart essence?"

[Yes, those who have unified their external and internal heart essences into one complete heart essence. Those who can 'manifest' such a heart essence are collectively called the Heart Tribe.]

"Then, those who can reach this 'Manifestation' through consciousness methods are also Heart Tribe? It sounds like mastering consciousness methods alone can lead one to become Heart Tribe..."

[Ahaha, reach the Heart Tribe by mastering consciousness methods?]

The river laughs as if they found the idea amusing.

[Listen here, friend. Integrating the external and internal heart essences is something that can only be achieved through unimaginable pain and pressure. Simply enlarging and refining the consciousness with consciousness methods is meaningless.

To become Heart Tribe, to manifest heart essence, one needs a [longing] beyond imagination. The Esteemed One of the Heart Tribe longed for overwhelming power to save their own race, that newcomer longed for the 'weight' of the responsibility to save his race, and I longed for 'sleep.' And looking briefly at your manifestation, it seems you longed for 'escaping something.' Isn't that right?]

"…."

[If you don't deeply long for something, no matter how much you master consciousness methods, you'll never achieve manifestation. If someone who has mastered consciousness methods integrates their external and internal heart essence to reach manifestation, it means they're longing for something beyond imagination.

Yes, a longing that surpasses imagination. An endless thirst. A relentless fanaticism towards something. Only by preparing to throw everything away and push oneself into the realm of pain and pressure, can one become 'us'.]

Wo-woong!

The being intentionally shows me their intent.

It's a sign of affection.

[You are definitely of the Heaven Tribe, and at the same time of the Earth Tribe, but the reason I don't dislike you is because you have continuously longed for your own beliefs to the extent that you've reached the second stage of Manifestation.

Such a transparent hell of agony, it's definitely the heart essence of a madman. But even if it is the heart essence of a madman, hasn't it reached that realm precisely because it was never let go of and was always pursued?]

"…Right."

Kwang, kwangkwang!

I nod my head, watching the fight between the goat wielding the whip and the boar turning the surroundings into a sea of flames.

The boar is at the Nascent Soul stage after all, and the goat is merely at the threshold of Treading Heavens.

However, the goat is evenly matched with the boar.

'It might be because the boar is at the very early stages of Nascent Soul, but it seems like the goat knows all the techniques the boar uses.'

On the other hand, the boar is unable to properly grasp even one of the goat's whip movements.

[That kid's name is Baek Nyeong. He is a slave who rose to the position of overseer on this cotton plantation for his race.]

The river continues.

[He stepped forward to whip his own kind, but from the day he held the whip, he practiced countless times, pondering how to 'softly' pretend to hit his kin. He mastered the art of loading and unloading weight on the whip, whipping himself to control the weight of the whip to the extreme. Pushing the control of weight to the utmost limit is how he achieved his Manifestation.]

Kwakwakwang!

The goat, Baek Nyeong, made the boar scream and tumble down with a lash of his whip.

Whoong!

Kugugugu!

Once again, the whip is swung, and a valley in the shape of a whip appears where it passes.

[That demon beast administrator of the Earth Tribe forced Baek Nyeong to whip his own family. Baek Nyeong insisted on waiting to kill that guy himself, playing around while waiting for the lord.]

Kwakwang, kwang, kwaaaaang!

Baek Nyeong, with eyes rolled back, continues to wield his whip.

The attack, optimized for [Weight] at the threshold of Treading Heavens, makes the flame-spewing wild boar gradually lose consciousness and seem to die.

'A realm specialized in attack power.'

I exclaim at the sight of his Beyond the Path To Heavens.

Even if the boar is at the very early stages of Nascent Soul and Baek Nyeong knows all of its techniques, there's still a gap between a Nascent Soul stage and Beyond the Path to Heavens.

Yet, to push the opponent to the brink of death like this, Baek Nyeong must have focused solely on attacking, as if ignoring defense and willing to die in the process.

How heavy can a delicate whip become?

Kwaaaaaang!

[Sa, save me....]

The boar flies up, dodging Baek Nyeong's whip.

Baek Nyeong, with eyes rolled back, attempts to pursue the boar, and the river's owner cheers for Baek Nyeong as if excited.

I, too, knowing the certain enmity between Baek Nyeong and the wild boar, do not rashly intervene.

Just then.

Pukkak, puhwak!

"…!?"

Far away, the bodies of the three Sea Dragon warriors, who had been put to sleep by the river's owner, begin to convulse violently.

And the river's owner shudders at the sight.

Simultaneously.

Pukkak!

Puhwahaaaak!

Blood spurts from the heart region of the Sea Dragon warriors, and an enormous amount of heaven and earth spiritual energy begins to converge there.

Gooooo….

The heaven and earth spiritual energy condenses into a blue light in the air, forming the shape of a giant azure dragon.

It's the form of Seo Hweol.

I can feel the owner of the river being shocked.

[What… using their own race as a sacrifice… Baek Nyeong! Come back, we're retreating!]

The form of Seo Hweol that had descended upon the scene surveys the surroundings.

I can feel it.

The figure in front of me was summoned using the lives of three Sea Dragon Race warriors as a sacrifice.

Since the lives of three Nascent Soul stage warriors were offered as a sacrifice, even if for a brief moment.

This figure is identical to Seo Hweol's true body.

Kugugugu!

An immense pressure weighs down on my entire body.

Seo Hweol's head turns towards me, wrapped in the crimson river.

[Hmm, to think that the rebels in Senior Gyu's territory could be this dangerous. These children weren't sent to die among the rebels…]

'Wasn't it you who killed them?'

I am momentarily dumbfounded, but Seo Hweol looks around with interest.

His gaze lands on Baek Nyeong and the crimson river.

[Indeed, are you the Heart Tribe, whose fame has spread far and wide in the Bright Cold Realm?]

The crimson river, annoyed, whirls up into the air, buzzing.

[Damn it. The worst-case scenario, a Four-Axis cultivator getting involved. Even if I sacrifice my life to kill you, it wouldn't harm your true body, would it?]

[That's right. Originally, it was a means to descend in case of the worst situation, but it's a bit disappointing to have to descend because of you folks.]

[Well then, what does the esteemed Four-Axis cultivator plan to do with us now? Just so you know, I have received a not so insignificant technique from the Heart Tribe's highest council, so if I put my life on the line, I can at least eliminate your form.]

[A pitiful threat.]

Ssssss!

The dragon form of Seo Hweol recondenses into a human form.

The human form of Seo Hweol smiles benevolently.

[But personally, I have no intention of doing anything to you. It's sad that a rebellion has occurred in Gyu senior's farm... and our precious Sea Dragon warriors being massacred by the heart tribe, is an unavoidable incident.]

[…Wait, weren't you the one who killed your own warriors?]

The crimson river looks at Seo Hweol in incomprehension.

Currently, Seo Hweol, not being his true self but projecting his form based on the life force of the Sea Dragon warriors, made it difficult to read his heart essence and understand him.

[Our Sea Dragon warriors fought valiantly against the Heart Tribe, sacrificing their souls, and all died gloriously in battle. I tried to project my avatar from afar to help, but it was too late as they had all already perished.]

[…Madman.]

[Thus, in memory of them, I sought to uncover the secrets of the Heart Tribe….]

Kugugugu!

From Seo Hweol's hand, a strong gravitational force begins to emerge.

That force is directed towards Baek Nyeong.

Baek Nyeong starts to be sucked in by the gravitational pull exerted by Seo Hweol.

[Wait, what are you doing!]

[By capturing the leader of the enemy, perhaps the warriors of my race who died unjustly can find some peace in the afterlife.]

Paaaat!

Above Seo Hweol's hand, space warps, revealing a spatial rift.

Beyond that spatial rift surely lays the Sea Dragon Palace!

[Originally, this wasn't intended for such purposes but to retrieve Seo Eun-hyun, a member of our race, in case of danger… but given the situation, it's unavoidable. Still, being able to capture the Heart Tribe, which had been so famously rumored in the Bright Cold Realm….]

[Put your hand down right now!]

Kugugugu!

The crimson river, revealing its fury, flies towards Seo Hweol.

The entire body of the crimson river turns green for a moment.

And within that green light, I can make out the shape of a brilliant podao.

'That is…'

That is the trump card they kept hidden!

A strike from the Esteemed One!

However, Seo Hweol, raises his other hand unconcerned towards the dead bodies of the Sea Dragon warriors lying at his feet.

Crack!

The bodies of the Sea Dragon warriors are lifted by spiritual energy, blocking the crimson river.

The crimson river hesitates for a moment, shocked not by the corpses but by Seo Hweol's attitude of using his own race as shields without any emotion, but then pushes through.

Crack!

The charge of the crimson river shattered the bodies of the Sea Dragon warriors.

However, Seo Hweol, undeterred, continues to emit a strong gravitational force from his hand.

Chrararak!

And in the moment when the river hesitated,

In the moment when the bodies were shattered,

Those moments combine to create an opening, and Seo Hweol uses it to suck Baek Nyeong into the spatial rift that had formed above his hand.

[Noooooo!]

Chrararak!

The river charges towards Seo Hweol's form, but Seo Hweol's form merely disperses into the air.

Seo Hweol's bright voice echoes through the void and then fades away.

[Thank you for the wonderful gift. Thanks to you, the heroes of my race who died unjustly will also be able to rest in peace.]

Sssss….

The spatial rift created by Seo Hweol disappears as well, and the crimson river, having not managed to unleash the strike of the Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One, swirls around in dismay.

[….]

I reflect on Seo Hweol taking Baek Nyeong through the spatial rift, remembering his words about using it to take me if I were in danger.

'Was Seo Hweol originally prepared to sacrifice his own warriors to forcefully bring me to the Sea Dragon Palace if things went awry?'

Of course, it might not have been the case.

He could have just said that but intended to do something to Gyu-ryeon through the Sea Dragon warriors or steal something from Gyu-ryeon's domain.

But if the original target he intended to take was indeed me,

'He must have realized our value through Oh Hye-seo…!'

Kim Yeon, a mortal with a Four-Axis stage consciousness. Jeon Myeong-hoon, said to have the same constitution as Yang Su-jin. Oh Hyun-seok, expected to reach Heavenly Being stage combat power within 100 years. Kang Min-hee, expected to reach the Star Shattering stage within 500 years...

The value we hold, discovered by Seo Hweol and the three Heavenly Being stage cultivators, must have been immense.

'That's why he was prepared to take me away, even by sacrificing three Nascent Soul stage warriors of his own race….'

But then, a thought strikes me.

'But now, hasn't the means to kidnap me disappeared? Was Baek Nyeong considered more valuable than me in Seo Hweol's eyes?'

At that moment.

A chill runs down my spine as I consider a possibility.

'Seo Hweol… openly stated in front of me that he was prepared to sacrifice three Nascent Soul stages to take me away.'

That means he values me higher than three Nascent Soul stages.

That also means he has realized the value of Oh Hye-seo, who is similar to me.

And by observing my actions and words over the past 10 months, he figured out that I am trying to find the whereabouts of my colleague, Oh Hye-seo.

'He already realized the value of Oh Hye-seo and me, predicting that I would eventually come back to him to find Oh Hye-seo anyway…!?'

Understanding that I cherish my colleagues over the 10 months.

He informs me that he has discovered the value of my colleague and me.

Thus, due to my nature, I will inevitably return.

'…A method even more certain than directly capturing me through a spatial rift.'

No, if I had been thoroughly brainwashed by Seo Hweol over the 10 months,

I would have already sworn my allegiance to Seo Hweol, shedding tears of gratitude for the situation where he sacrificed three Nascent Soul stages to save me when I was in danger.

I shudder at Seo Hweol's cunning, and the crimson river, disheartened by what happened to Baek Nyeong, circles around before flying off towards where the other enslaved races had escaped.

[…Had circumstances been better, we could have talked more, but given how things have turned out, let's meet again someday.]

Paaaat!

With those words, the crimson river disappears into the distance.

I stand dumbfounded in the cotton plantation, watching the boar that is healing from the injuries inflicted by Baek Nyeong.

The boar looks confused, staring at the spot where Seo Hweol vanished.

"...Hey."

I approach the boar.

"Can you contact the lord of this domain, Senior Gyu?"

"Um? Oh, yes, but…"

"Please send a message. I regret to inform Senior that the suppression of the rebellion has failed."

"I…understand."

The wild boar looks at the place where Seo Hweol disappeared with a puzzled expression and absentmindedly nods.

"...That technique. I feel like I've seen it somewhere before…"

"...?"

"No, never mind. I'll contact the lord. Damn it…"

Thus.

The brief yet intense encounter with the Heart Tribe came to an end.

"Well, if that's how things turned out, there's nothing we can do."

Gyu-ryeon sighs as she looks at me and the boar, Hong Guk.

We decided to keep quiet about Seo Hweol directly killing his own race and descending.

Regarding the annihilation of all the Sea Dragon warriors, Hong Guk wasn't sure if he had seen Seo Hweol kill his kin properly and said so. I also agreed, though for different reasons.

For me, it was due to my relationship with Seo Hweol. But whether Hong Guk genuinely didn't see it properly or had another reason, I don't know.

Anyway, with Gyu-ryeon's sigh, the incident came to a temporary close.

Following the agreement with Gyu-ryeon, I decided to begin the refinement of the Immortal Beast True Blood.

Deep within Gyu-ryeon's domain.

There, a ritual circle drawn with Gyu-ryeon's dragon blood is set up, and I enter its center to sit in a lotus position.

In front of me is a jade bottle containing a drop of the Black Dragon's True Blood.

"Then, let's start refining the Immortal Beast True Blood now."

Perhaps due to the guilt of having caused the death of Seo Hweol's subordinates and the rebellion,

Gyu-ryeon forms hand seals a bit listlessly.

A crimson, blood-colored light rises around us.

Kududuguk!

The jade bottle in front of me resonates with the light, shaking violently, and I see the drop of the Black Dragon blood flying towards me.

The next moment.

'…Huh?'

I find myself engulfed in pitch-black darkness.

In the darkness, I can sense a massive dragon looking at me.

'I see, this is the remnant will contained in the Black Dragon's True Blood…'

I need to overcome this remnant will to refine the Immortal Beast True Blood.

'Now, to suppress the remnant will….'

The next moment.

[Why does someone who has lived less than half a century possess over 2000 years of history?]

The massive dragon in the darkness speaks to me.

[How dare you attempt to deceive history in front of an Immortal Beast. By the name of the Black Dragon that governs Taiyin (Supreme/Great Yin), I command you, mortal, to recount your true history.]

The refinement of the Immortal Beast True Blood has begun.

However, I have never once heard from Gyu-ryeon that the Immortal Beast itself will directly speak during the refinement of the True Blood.