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Chapter 391: Drink (3)

Chapter 391: Drink (3)

Chuaa!

A corner at the edge of the Wi Jeong Sea Domain.

Someone pierces through the Dome Sky and enters the sea domain.

It's a golden Peng bird.

From within the Peng bird, Seo Eun-hyun and Kim Young-hoon emerge.

Splash, splash!

It's the Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion avatars of Seo Eun-hyun and Kim Young-hoon who were left behind in the Cherry Blossom Dragon Sea Domain. After escaping the sea domain, Seo Eun-hyun shakes his body.

While crossing the sea domain, they had been caught momentarily inside a dimensional fragment filled with mucus, so the avatars' body is covered with sticky mucus lumps.

"Pt, ptui!"

Seo Eun-hyun and Kim Young-hoon spit out the mucus as they look around, nodding to each other when their eyes meet.

Paaatt!

Following Kim Young-hoon, they fly for a while and land on an island in the sea domain.

In other words, they reach Sacred Orchid Island, where the Wuji Religious Order initially entered the Ancient Force Realm.

Tadatt!

"By the way, why here of all places?"

"Well, I heard that Sacred Orchid Island is originally a gathering place for pirates and scammers, so it's preferred."

"Tsk, that pirate bastard."

Kim Young-hoon clicks his tongue and sits on the dock at Sacred Orchid Island.

Seo Eun-hyun stands behind him for a moment, gazing up at the sky.

Soon, it will be noon, the time when the light of the sea domain will be at its brightest.

It's nearly the promised time.

And just when it hits noon,

Kim Young-hoon, who is sitting on the dock, opens his eyes and looks into the air.

"Have you arrived, Jin Ma-yeol?"

Soon after, the void distorts, and the pirate captain of the Fighting Demon Pirate Gang, Jin Ma-yeol, appears.

While the main body trains at the top of Salt Mountain for the goal set in a hundred years, I decided to handle various matters at the sea surface with the Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion avatar used to hold back Yuk Rin.

Among the various matters, the main operation is this:

The 'Baek Rin Rescue Plan.'

Currently, one of the Wuji Religious Order's Guardian Ghost Kings, Baek Rin, was dragged along with Yuk Yo while trying to protect her, so he has to be rescued before escaping to the Bright Cold Realm.

And just as we were struggling to rescue him, we met someone with similar goals to ours.

It was Jin Ma-yeol, captain of the Fighting Demon Pirate Gang, who claimed to have been betrayed by Yuk Rin.

We decided to temporarily join hands for our mutual purposes and today is the day we planned to meet Jin Ma-yeol on Sacred Orchid Island for discussions.

"...So, you're saying you need our help?"

Facing Jin Ma-yeol, we drink tea in the cave residence of Chi Lou (七婁), the Island Lord of Sacred Orchid Island, a Four-Axis stage cultivator, and the subordinate of Jin Ma-yeol.

"I have brought refreshments. Please enjoy them to your satisfaction."

Though Chi Lou is a Four-Axis stage demon beast possessing the true blood of the Lustrous Glaze Peacock, she politely serves us tea and snacks in the presence of us, at the Integration level.

Jin Ma-yeol doesn't even glance at Chi Lou and says,

"That's right. As I mentioned before, our Fighting Demon Pirate Gang are the innocent victims here. We were merely pawns used and abandoned by Yuk Rin. Therefore, we seek revenge against Yuk Rin, and in the process, we intend to repair and reinforce the Salt Bones Ship, as well as steal some of the Salt Crystal chunks Yuk Rin took. Help us with this."

"Hmm..."

I sip the tea while reading Jin Ma-yeol's words and intent.

'Claiming to be innocent victims is a blatant lie...however, seeking revenge on Yuk Rin and obtaining Salt Crystal chunks is true.'

In other words, his reason for collaborating with us is legitimate.

However...

"Isn't there more you haven't told us?"

"...."

I smile coldly and mention the events of that day.

"When you were attacked by Yuk Rin, we were only hiding. We saw the whole situation unfold. Jin Ma-yeol. If you truly want to join hands with us, confess what you really want."

When Jin Ma-yeol was facing Yuk Rin, he mentioned Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, which Kim Young-hoon and I had observed from our hiding place.

He appears to pause in silence for a moment before speaking.

"...Do you want the Purple Soul Filling the Heavens?"

"No. I too have the formula for Purple Soul Filling the Heavens. I got it from Yuk Rin. I'm telling you to clearly state your true purpose."

He clicks his tongue and frowns.

"...I guess you haven't cultivated the Purple Soul Filling the Heavens."

"That's right, I'm currently occupied with more urgent matters, so I'm just analyzing the formula."

"That's why you're asking such questions. Ha! Telling me to speak the truth...What a joke. If you had practiced Purple Soul Filling the Heavens even once, you would have realized what I truly desire."

He speaks with a grim smile.

"Purple Soul Filling the Heavens is...a method we cannot cultivate."

"What?"

"You must have found the Purple Soul Jade Seal when your Wuji Religious Order raided one of our pirate gang's secret docks last time, no?"

"...Yes."

"As you might have guessed, I acquired Purple Soul Filling the Heavens through the Purple Soul Jade Seal."

"Hmm...strange."

I looked at him with doubtful eyes and speak.

"Our side has a fellow named Seo Ran, who is a half-human, half-dragon hybrid. His dragon lineage is that of the Sea Dragon Race, even of the royal line at that! Yet, even Seo Ran can't even dream of something like Purple Soul Filling the Heavens. How did you manage to obtain it?"

"Ah, oh dear...it seems our Wuji Religious Order's Cult Leader is not well-informed about the Fighting Ghost Race?"

He smirks and taps the table with his fingers.

And suddenly,

Pasaak!

"...!"

Jin Ma-yeol's hand appears to be covered in scales, and his left arm transformed into that of the Sea Dragon Race, covered in blue scales.

"Our Fighting Ghost Race is part of the Heaven Tribe, but was also an old and prestigious race known as the pinnacle of the Earth Tribe before we discovered ritual methods. Depending on the number of horns we are born with, we can mimic the physical characteristics of other races, even those born with the bloodline of Immortal Beast True Blood!"

Chwarararak!

Jin Ma-yeol's eyes shine with the seven-colored light of the Lustrous Glaze Peacock.

His hair transforms into that of an unknown sea creature covered in barnacles.

His right arm ablazes with fire, becoming that of a Demon Ape.

His cheeks and forehead are adorned with tiger-like patterns, and his body undergoes various changes.

"We are such a race. Of course, obtaining Immortal Beast True Blood or fully transforming into a particular race is impossible, but being able to manifest and utilize even a portion of the physical traits of countless Immortal Beasts is an incredibly advantageous trait for survival. Moreover...combining all these traits..."

Wuduk, wududuk!

The various features on Jin Ma-yeol's body seem to gather into his right arm.

After a while, with a grotesque sound, Jin Ma-yeol's right arm transforms grotesquely.

As if blood, flesh, and bone are being inverted, the characteristics of the Sea Dragon Race and four other unknown races seem to mix together, transforming his right arm into a sharp grotesque sword.

"Because our race's Combat Dance (鬪舞) can maximize our combat power, the Fighting Ghost Race has always been a species at the pinnacle of life."

A voice filled with pride about his own race, the Fighting Ghost Race.

However, hearing that seemingly arrogant explanation, I flinch and ask one question.

"...By any chance, do you know about a talent that allows you to replicate and freely manipulate all Immortal Beast abilities?"

"Ah...there is indeed such a myth in the Fighting Ghost Race. The myth of the body known as the Noble Blood True Sea Radiance Body (貴血眞海光身)! A legendary body that supposedly allows one to freely harness and wield the powers of all Immortal Beast bloodlines simply by 'perceiving' them. Of course, it's completely absurd, so scholars of the Fighting Ghost Race say it's a metaphor for a state that our race can aspire to.'

"...I see. Thank you."

"Are you interested in the myths of the Fighting Ghost Race? Our myths and legends have been passed down in the form of our Combat Dance or methods, so by learning the Fighting Ghost Race's exclusive methods, one will naturally come to know of them. The Fighting Ghost Race methods good for the Human Race to learn are probably ones such as the Fighting Demon True Sea Radiance, Six Chains Forest Technique, or Fighting Demon Ghost Treasure..."

He displays pride in the Fighting Ghost Race while introducing me to various methods.

"...Well, thank you for introducing me to such great methods. Your Fighting Ghost Race truly seems to be an excellent race."

"Haha, don't mention it."

"So then, shall we continue with what we were discussing?"

"Sounds good. Anyway...the reason I was able to obtain the secret art of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens from the Purple Soul Jade Seal is because I once encountered Yuk Rin's main body, who possessed the body of Yuk Ung, and managed to steal the traits of the Sea Dragon Race."

Tsutsutsut—

He wriggles his left arm, glaring at the undulating scales of the Sea Dragon.

"The reason your hybrid Sea Dragon companion couldn't obtain anything from the Purple Soul Jade Seal is probably just because his cultivation is too low. If he reaches at least the Four-Axis stage, he'll likely be able to obtain Purple Soul Filling the Heavens from it."

"Thanks for the useful information. So...what do you mean you can't learn Purple Soul Filling the Heavens right now?"

Jin Ma-yeol's face becomes filled with rising anger.

He reverts his grotesque sword-turned hand back to its original state and grits his teeth with a look of humiliation.

"...At first, even after acquiring Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, I couldn't learn it. So back then, I thought it was a secret art that only a pure Sea Dragon Race could master, and sought to obtain the Dragon Form Disguise Method. I thought if I could obtain the Dragon Form Disguise Method and take the form of a Sea Dragon, I could learn the secret art. However..."

Killing intent radiates from Jin Ma-yeol.

Sacred Orchid Island Lord Chi Lou, who is waiting beside us, silently bows her head in front of Jin Ma-yeol.

With a grim expression, Jin Ma-yeol presses down hard on Chi Lou's head with his hand.

"Princess Yuk Yo...that wretched brat stole my Dragon Form Disguise Method! To make matters worse, Yuk Rin broke the official contract with me and even breached our unofficial agreement in the Penglai Island expedition, attacking me and taking away all my spare lives!"

I glance at the woman called Chi Lou.

Her face is being severely crushed by Jin Ma-yeol.

"If this damned thing hadn't hidden Yuk Yo, I would have found the brat long ago, retrieved the Dragon Form Disguise Method, activated it, and learned that even taking the form of a Sea Dragon wouldn't have allowed me to obtain Purple Soul Filling the Heavens. I wouldn't have wasted my precious spare lives on such a worthless endeavor! Damn it...damn it...!"

He glares at Sacred Orchid Island Lord Chi Lou, as if he will kill her, then releases his hand from her head, grinding his teeth.

"...Anyway, I realized I couldn't learn Purple Soul Filling the Heavens even with the form of a Sea Dragon. Even if you have the formula, you too probably can't learn Purple Soul Filling the Heavens."

"Is that so...that's unfortunate. In short, what you want is a method to learn Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, right?"

"That's right."

Jin Ma-yeol nods.

"And that method...I can only assume it is somehow related to Princess Yuk Yo."

"Yuk Yo?"

"Yes. As you can tell from her title 'Sacred Orchid Princess,' Sacred Orchid Island is officially Yuk Yo's territory. Of course, the real ruler is this Sacred Orchid Island Lord bastard, but...anyway, why do you think Yuk Yo hid in Sacred Orchid Island, and Chi Lou, who claimed to be my subordinate, betrayed me and hid Yuk Yo? Why do you think that heartless Yuk Rin who has no blood or tears took the Salt Crystal lump and bothered to take along trash like Yuk Yo from Penglai Island?"

"...Do you think Yuk Yo holds the secret to Purple Soul Filling the Heavens?"

"Well, I don't necessarily think it's to Purple Soul Filling the Heavens. It could be a secret related to the Sea Dragon Race, or it could be the formula for the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade that Yuk Rin is desperately hiding. But it doesn't matter which! Even if it's not Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, obtaining Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade will suffice. Either way, Yuk Yo has that much value. Kidnapping Yuk Yo again and trading her with Yuk Rin to obtain the complete formula for Purple Soul Filling the Heavens—that is my desire!"

I look at Jin Ma-yeol for a moment.

There is no falsehood in his words, and there is nothing more he is hiding.

'Of course, there is the ambition for monopolizing Yuk Rin's treasure and a desire for revenge but...'

That is all.

Kim Young-hoon and I have a brief discussion and then make our decision.

'Considering that Baek Rin's soul plaque hasn't been extinguished in the Wuji Religious Order, Baek Rin is alive. And if Baek Rin is alive, it's highly likely he is currently with Yuk Yo.'

"Very well. We will join hands with you, Jin Ma-yeol."

"Haha, I look forward to working with you, Devilish Cult Master."

"I look forward to working with you too, pirate."

Thus, the Devilish Cult Master and the Fighting Ghost Race Pirate Captain form an alliance to stab the back of the Wi Jeong Sea Domain's Governing Dragon Palace Lord and kidnap his daughter.

'Wait for us, Baek Rin. We will rescue you together with Yuk Yo.'

I think of Baek Rin, who began to change as he spent time with Yuk Yo.

Though it seems Baek Rin himself is unaware, he is currently in love with Yuk Yo.

"...Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, huh...?"

I organize the information obtained from the Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion avatar on top of Salt Mountain and recite the formula for Purple Soul Filling the Heavens.

'I've been neglecting it a bit due to researching the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique and the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade, but I should look into this as well.'

After all, it's also an opportunity to uncover the flaws in Seo Hweol's Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens.

I unfold the formula for Purple Soul Filling the Heavens.

The Purple Soul Filling the Heavens has various formulas and mantras, but the most crucial formula consists of three sentences.

They are as follows:

—Purple is the most suitable color to hide in the darkness.

—Carry on life in the darkness where light can never reach.

—By continuing the inherited life, we shall all finally reach liberation.

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Chapter 392: Drink (4)

Wo-woong!

As soon as I operate Purple Soul Filling the Heavens' formula, the Nascent Soul within me trembles.

Then, my Nascent Soul seems to tinge with purple for a moment before transforming into something alien.

'What is this...?'

I can feel it.

Right now, my Nascent Soul has taken a form 'most suitable for seizing another's body.'

'Is Purple Soul Filling the Heavens a secret art for seizing someone's body...?'

I frown as I explore Purple Soul Filling the Heavens further.

And just as I am about to continue operating the formula, it happens.

Wo-woong—

Pachichit!

"...!"

My Nascent Soul, which has turned purple, suddenly convulses and releases spiritual power.

Soon after, the Nascent Soul, which has released all the spiritual power stained by the purple of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, returns to its original state.

The properties of the Nascent Soul altered by Purple Soul Filling the Heavens has reverted.

'What the...?'

However, I focus on a different phenomenon rather than the release of the secret art.

'The formula of the secret art. It resisted as if alive when I tried to activate it.'

It's a very bizarre occurrence.

'Is this why Jin Ma-yeol said we cannot obtain Purple Soul Filling the Heavens?'

To activate a technique, one must infuse spiritual energy into the formula and trigger it.

However, when spiritual energy is infused into the formula of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, it acts as if it's alive, disobeying my command and then dispersing.

'Formulas cannot be alive. Even if you infuse spiritual energy into them, they're just a mass of spiritual energy, not a soul. But something that isn't a soul moves as if it's alive?'

Interestingly, I know of something similar.

'It's like a deep-sea monster.'

In the depths of Ancient Force Realm's Deep Sea.

Monsters born from the amalgamation of various memories and histories of a perished world.

That is the deep-sea monster of the Ancient Force Realm.

'Is this why Jin Ma-yeol put so much effort into mimicking the body of the Sea Dragon Race and transforming into a Sea Dragon using the Dragon Form Disguise Method?'

The Sea Dragon Race is a race that can find the path in the Deep Sea of the Ancient Force Realm.

He likely hoped that for the formula of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, which is akin to a deep-sea monster born from the memories of the Deep Sea, the Sea Dragon Race could potentially find a way to control it.

However, after experiencing the formula, I shake my head.

'Can the Sea Dragon Race really control a method no different from a deep-sea monster?'

Honestly speaking, it seems highly unlikely.

'But Yuk Rin is using it. That's why Jin Ma-yeol is trying to approach Yuk Rin to ask about how to use Purple Soul Filling the Heavens.'

This would mean that Purple Soul Filling the Heavens is related to the Sea Dragon Race for now.

'The Purple Soul Jade Seal of Ja Eum...'

Purple Soul Filling the Heavens.

Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens.

Sea Dragon King Seo Hweol.

Possessing the body of a Sea Dragon, Yuk Rin.

Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade.

Yuk Yo.

Penglai Island and Salt Crystal.

Ancient Force Realm.

...

'All of these feel like they're connected in some way.'

Yet, I can't grasp exactly what criteria connects them.

It's exceedingly frustrating.

While pondering like this, unable to find an answer, I decide to move my Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion avatar.

It's then,

"...Wait."

I suddenly stop trying to move the Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion avatar and recall the formula of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens.

"Wait, wait, wait...!"

Something, something seems to come to mind.

Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion avatar.

And the Purple Soul Filling the Heavens formula.

And the incident of Yuk Rin's clone using Purple Soul Filling the Heavens to hide in the Plane of Soul, evading the eyes of both Kim Young-hoon and myself!

That's it!

Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, just like the single strike of Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion, is entirely within the Plane of Soul!

Wo-wooong!

I focus my consciousness and chant the formula of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, dyeing my Nascent Soul.

Immediately after, I infuse my Nascent Soul into the All-Heavens Sword and swing it towards the void!

Single strike of Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion!

Chuaaat!

The Nascent Soul, through the formula of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens and the single strike of Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion, begins to rise to the Plane of Soul.

Bo-ooong!

'I can see it.'

Upon rising to the Plane of Soul, I can see it clearly.

The structure of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens!

'It binds Qi to follow the soul.'

Qi carries history.

In other words, Qi is information.

Seeing from the Plane of Soul, it's comprehendible.

Wo-woong—

'The formula of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens gathers Qi on its own and accumulates data internally, functioning similarly to a human soul.'

And the artificially created quasi-soul moves like a deep-sea monster, attempting to escape my control.

Kuguguk!

Together with my Nascent Soul and the Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion avatar, I seize this deep-sea monster-like data entity on the Plane of Soul.

Kugugugugugu!

The data entity generated by the formula of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens struggles madly, wriggling to escape from me and the avatar's grasp.

However, while it might not have been possible with just my Nascent Soul, combined with my realm of Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion, the data entity is eventually subdued by us.

Kuaduduk!

I concentrate my consciousness and clutch the barely subdued data entity tightly.

And upon reopening my eyes, I find myself with a Purple Soul Filling the Heavens that seems somewhat out of my control but still more or less obedient.

'Ha...that Jin Ma-yeol guy.'

If Jin Ma-yeol were to know of this fact, his eyes would probably flip.

'For someone who has reached Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion, the structure makes it incredibly easy to learn Purple Soul Filling the Heavens. But...'

Of course, I am still merely holding the reins of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens and haven't completely mastered it.

To be honest, Purple Soul Filling the Heavens is so violently rampant that I wonder if it's impossible to control it entirely.

It feels like I'm just forcibly making it move crudely with the power of Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion from the Plane of Soul.

'If you don't possess the power to reach the Plane of Soul, is it even possible to learn it?'

I operate Purple Soul Filling the Heavens and move the purple-tinged Nascent Soul in the void with my eyes closed.

Wo-woong—

The Nascent Soul in the void smoothly melts into the darkness and suddenly appears ten zhang away.

"...I see!"

Only now do I understand the principle that allowed Seo Hweol to infuse Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens into my 'shadow' last time.

Purple Soul Filling the Heavens is capable of moving through darkness in a form similar to the heart language of the Heart Tribe.

Assuming Purple Soul Filling the Heavens and Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens share the same root, Seo Hweol must have hidden Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens in the darkness and attached it to my shadow like heart language.

'And as soon as I sat on the throne of the Penglai Kingdom, Yuk Rin could invade my mind using the same principle.'

Most likely, Yuk Rin had hidden his Purple Soul Filling the Heavens clone in the shadow of the Penglai Kingdom's imperial throne.

And when I sat on the throne, the moment my shadow and the throne's shadow became one, he invaded my mind.

'He didn't just walk out from behind the throne looking sly for no reason.'

Suruk, suruk, sururuk...

Penglai Island is currently submerged in the depths of the Deep Sea, so it's quite dark around.

Thanks to this, I am able to experiment with a movement technique using the Nascent Soul activating Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, appearing and disappearing like teleportation across Penglai Island.

'Within the darkness, a secret art that allows movement anywhere in a form similar to the heart language of the Heart Tribe.'

This is part of the power of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens.

'I think I've understood one more principle of Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens.'

In the deep darkness of Seo Hweol's heart essence.

It is clear why Seo Hweol's heart essences, which must be located far apart in distant places, could communicate over vast space-time and exchange Five Blessings Axes.

This is because, like Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens also has the ability to move anywhere within the darkness in the form of heart language.

After retrieving my Nascent Soul back to myself, I activate Purple Soul Filling the Heavens again.

Surururu—

My physical body does not completely disappear as it's not in the Plane of Soul, but I manage to hide myself instantly as if melting into the darkness.

'And in this state.'

I swing the All-Heavens Sword towards the void.

Bo-oong!

Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts!

In the darkness where no gazes can reach.

Within that space, I unleash Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts, severing even the perception of those belonging to the darkness.

"...Heh, hehahahahahah!"

I laugh.

It isn't laughter without reason.

With Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, I have managed to enter the same darkness as Seo Hweol.

If we can both stand in the same darkness, then all that is left is to identify each other within that darkness!

And I have Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts!

"Hahahahaha!!!"

Seo Hweol,

Now, even if you find your eyes, I am not afraid!

I have gained an important weapon to face him.

It is an incredibly valuable experience.

Pasaak—

Of course, if there is a downside, it's that the Purple Soul Filling the Heavens struggles frantically like mad, requiring a considerable amount of mental strength to restrain it.

'Using Purple Soul Filling the Heavens might restrict my martial arts a bit.'

Perhaps the number of times I can unleash the single strike of Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion would decrease.

'But when facing Seo Hweol, there's nothing as effective as this.'

I briefly experiment with Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, taking it a step further from moving through the darkness.

Purple Soul Filling the Heavens is a method that gathers energy in the Plane of Qi, forming a data entity with that energy, and elevating it to the Plane of Soul.

And thanks to this data entity elevated to the Plane of Soul, the color of my Nascent Soul turns purple.

'And if I gather and mold this data entity...'

Woo-woong!

Kugugugu!

Around the Nascent Soul activating Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, something like a purple mist appears

The purple mist growls fiercely like a wild beast, struggling to break free from my control.

"Stay still."

I control the mist with the power of Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion and launch a single strike beyond the barrier of Penglai Island to send an avatar outside.

Kugugugu!

Through the avatar, I tear through several dimensions of the Deep Sea.

Kuang, flash!

With every exertion of the avatar's power, dimensions begin to collapse one by one.

Dimensions with deep mountains and secluded valleys reminiscent of Peach Blossom Gardens, dimensions with fire prisons and blazing flames, dimensions where pitch-black oil flows, and dimensions filled with toxic gas.

Kugung, kugugung!

How many dimensions similar to the domains of Integration stage cultivators did I push through?

Kururung!

Within a dimensional fragment, I sense something resonating throughout the entire Deep Sea.

Shortly after, the space above the dimension I am smashing with the avatar shatters, and a bizarre creature resembling a catfish roars.

[Biiiiiii-]

It's a deep-sea monster.

I send data entities of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens that I control through the Plane of Soul to the avatar.

Kugugugu!

A purple mist arises around the avatar.

[Biiiiiiiiii—]

"Be quiet."

Tadak!

In an instant, I fly through the void and slice the deep-sea monster in half, then unleash the power of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens that's roaring like mad towards it.

Chwaak!

The mist of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, as if it had been waiting, breaks free from my control and swiftly envelops the corpse of the deep-sea monster.

'I can feel it.'

The purple mist begins to dismantle the information of the deep-sea monster.

The boundless information and historical knowledge that made up the deep-sea monster starts being reconstructed within the purple mist.

And in the next moment,

Pasasasasa—

As the purple mist subsides, the deep-sea monster in the form of a catfish, somehow shrouded in purple, glares at me from within.

The wound I had inflicted is gone.

[Kaeeeeeeeeeek!]

Kugugugu!

It charges at me once more.

As I roughly counterattack the creature, I realize.

'It's gotten stronger than before.'

Purple Soul Filling the Heavens had entered its body, taken over the deep-sea monster, discarded its bad parts, and compacted the good parts, resulting in its evolution.

After a brief confrontation with the creature, I split it in half once again.

Kuuuung!

Where the deep-sea monster fell, an ancient stone the size of a fist remains, and the purple mist seems to drift in the void before adhering to the ancient stone as if absorbed.

'This is...'

Then, the formula of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens begins to emerge over the ancient stone.

Wo-woong—

I shudder as I read the formula of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens that rose above the ancient stone.

The formula has changed.

I recite the changed formula and activate it once more.

And I realize.

'Purple Soul Filling the Heavens has evolved!'

Of course, it isn't a massive evolution; it's merely an additional line about 'how to deal with slashes,' but evolution is still evolution.

A method that disassembles and absorbs the soul and information of the opponent to evolve.

'So, this is Purple Soul Filling the Heavens.'

Originally, it isn't a mist but rather a method where my Nascent Soul is completely assimilated with Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, allowing me to erode and devour my opponent to evolve.

However, I have not yet fully assimilated my Nascent Soul with Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, so I can't erode opponents yet.

'With this, I've somewhat grasped Purple Soul Filling the Heavens.'

"It's a pity I can't evolve by eroding the opponent, but that's not what I wanted in the first place. More importantly, being able to move freely in the darkness means...I can quickly find Daoist Baek Rin."

Smiling faintly, I try to transfer the newly acquired power of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens to the avatar on the sea surface.

And then, I shudder.

"...Wait."

Suddenly, a thought crosses my mind.

Purple Soul Filling the Heavens is a secret art that disassembles and absorbs the opponent to erode and evolve.

And Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens is a secret art that disassembles oneself to infect the opponent.

If that's the case, can't I absorb Seo Hweol's Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens configurations with Purple Soul Filling the Heavens?