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Chapter 389: Drink (1)Chapter 388: Salt (6)
'Is he insane?'
Yuk Rin thinks.
He can feel it.
Down below, what Seo Eun-hyun is emanating is undoubtedly the power of Penglai.
The power of Penglai is of unknown origin, a legendary strength even within the Ancient Force Realm.
When the power of Penglai rages, the sea of the Ancient Force Realm would resonate and amplify the power of Penglai.
But that's all.
'Foolish!'
[The Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade is the pinnacle of the Ancient Force Realm! No matter how powerful the power of Penglai is, it cannot prevail!]
It isn't mere overconfidence.
Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade is a divine method that exerts stronger power the purer the salt one obtains and gathers.
And what brings the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade's power to its peak is precisely the Salt Crystal.
This precious Salt Crystal in his hand is not just a chunk or two but an entire palace.
'At this moment, I am supreme!'
An almost infinite power surges from the Salt Crystal Palace, adding to Yuk Rin's Dragon Wave.
However,
'...What?'
The Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade.
It starts to be pushed back.
[What!!!!!?]
Yuk Rin's eyes widen in disbelief.
A voice comes from below.
[Like tiny grains of salt gathering to form the sea...]
It's the charcoal monster.
The voice comes from Seo Eun-hyun's mouth.
It's almost like a whisper.
No, it is indeed a whisper.
It's merely a whisper Seo Eun-hyun unconsciously utters while activating his method.
However, the Ancient Force Realm is resonating and amplifying that whisper itself.
Seo Eun-hyun's whisper seems to spread throughout the entire sea domain they are in.
[Build mountains through repentant enlightenment.]
Kugugugugu!
[Impossible! Don't spout nonsense! Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade, how can the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade be pushed back!!??]
[Building a mountain of salt is perhaps the fastest way to reach the heavens...]
He's being pushed back.
Yuk Rin's Dragon Wave is being repelled.
Of course, Yuk Rin sending out the Dragon Wave of Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade is for purposes other than defeating them, and his intention has been faithfully reflected thus far.
Penglai Island, the Deep Sea Island anchored in the depths of the Deep Sea, is gradually sinking even further below.
And as daylight approaches, the path to Penglai Island is gradually closing.
Regardless, the victor is Yuk Rin.
However, Yuk Rin can't accept this.
'The Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade that I devoted my entire life to obtaining...even with the pure body of a Sea Dragon, the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade, and a massive chunk of Salt Crystals, am I being pushed back solely by the power of Penglai? A peculiar power, not renowned for its strength, and yet the pinnacle of the Ancient Force Realm is being pushed back by such power!?'
Chiiii—
Dark-red devilish energy begins to emanate from his body.
Yuk Rin's life force begins to rampage.
[Absolutely unacceptable! I will win! My Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade must possess invincible power!!!]
'Even if I have to sacrifice my lifespan, I will definitely win!'
Burning the life of the Sea Dragon's bloodline he has painstakingly acquired, he lets out a Dragon Wave with a scream.
The Dragon Wave imbued with the power of Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade grows even thicker.
And then...
[What...?]
Seo Eun-hyun's light begins to shine even brighter.
Kugugugugu!
For a moment, the entire Ancient Force Realm vibrates.
The center of the Ancient Force Realm.
The highest mountain in the Xiezhi Worship Region, Sea King Mountain.
A pained groan echoes from the Sea King Hall at the mountain's peak, resonating throughout the entire Xiezhi Worship Region and Dao Departure Region.
"Sacred Master!!!"
"O Sacred Master! What is the problem!!!"
"Sacred Master Hae Lin!"
The Integration stage Demon Kings who serve Sacred Master Hae Lin of the Ancient Force Realm rush to the front of the Sea King Hall, crying out to Hae Lin.
The center of the Sea King Hall.
Above the dragon throne adorned with coral.
There, Hae Lin is trembling all over, blood pouring from his eyes.
"Phe…..E..Man…tra...!"
Splut!
He vomits a mouthful of blood and pants heavily.
"He obtained that...! I see, the reason those beings of the Nether Ghost Realm all fainted at once was because of that! That's why they desperately threw that into the Ancient Force Realm...!"
Bududuk...
He bites his lip tightly.
Hae Lin, trembling all over, shows a terrified expression.
"It wasn't merely...obtaining the legacy of that being...? To unfold it means...haha...that means..."
Hae Lin, with empty eyes, leans against the dragon throne and lets out a bitter laugh.
"...This life is now soon to end...how futile it is..."
The light grows brighter.
I discover a new aspect of this divine power that reverses the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique.
"Combine!!!"
"We will also add our strength!"
"Hold on, Seo Eun-hyun!"
Oh Hyun-seok, Kim Young-hoon, Jeon Myeong-hoon, Kim Yeon, Buk Hyang-hwa...
And the entire Wuji Religious Order.
All of them add their strength.
And that power enters within the Inverted Cone Mountain, naturally merging and further enlarging the size of the inverted cone.
As the inverted cone grows larger, it pushes back the Dragon Wave of the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade.
If this continues, we can push back Yuk Rin and achieve victory!
'Everyone is together!'
We absolutely cannot lose!!!
"HAAAAAAAAAA!!!"
The Dragon Wave of the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade, opposing all our combined strength, gradually thins, and finally!
The Dragon Wave disappears!
"HAAAA! HAA...ah...?"
I see a [hand] emerging from behind Yuk Rin.
It's a hand covered in scales.
Kuguguguguk!
And just like that.
Our power, which was about to soar into the sky after crushing the remnants of the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade, is completely suppressed by the hand.
Kwadududuk!
When Twilight Domain entered Penglai Island, it remained floating inside the barrier of Penglai Island.
This is because even if we all fall asleep, the floating formation remains activated.
However, rendering the floating formation meaningless, the Twilight Domain plummets, crashing onto the land of Penglai Island.
Under the merciless attraction force, we all kneel, and the divine power that reverses the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique shatters and vanishes.
At the same time, Penglai Island sinks deeper into the Deep Sea due to the attraction force of the hand.
I look at the sky with a dumbfounded face.
The path through the Deep Sea that we used to enter is completely closed.
All that is visible around is the endless Deep Sea and the countless dimensional fragments within it.
No...there is one more thing.
It's a massive flow of misfortune that envelops me to the point of despair.
Kwang!
I strike Penglai Island as if to crush the ground.
"...Heavens above..."
Due to the sudden appearance of a hand, the entire Wuji Religious Order and Penglai Island are trapped within the depths of the Deep Sea.
Yuk Rin stares blankly at the sea.
[...Was that Sacred Master Hae Lin?]
It was a close call.
If it hadn't been for the sudden strike by Sacred Master Hae Lin, he couldn't have predicted what would have happened with the power of Penglai rising from below.
Though they don't seem to be dead, the entire Wuji Religious Order is trapped in the Deep Sea.
There is no way to escape.
[Thank you for your help, Sacred Master...]
Yuk Rin bows deeply in the direction where the Sacred Master's hand had appeared.
There is no reply from Hae Lin. The hand vanished as suddenly as it had appeared.
"Hahaha...! Congratulations, Governing Dragon Palace Lord. Not only have you regained your position, you have also achieved your long-held wish. As promised, please share a part of the Salt Crystal with us."
Jin Ma-yeol, who helped Yuk Rin raise the Salt Crystal Palace, appears and speaks to him.
Yuk Rin looks at Jin Ma-yeol for a moment and then opens his mouth.
[Activate. Purple Soul Filling the Heavens...!]
Chuaaakk!
It happens in an instant.
Jin Ma-yeol's pupils seem to be dyed purple.
However, even as Jin Ma-yeol is being eroded by Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, he swings his arm.
Booong—
Shikwang!
A huge wound appears on Yuk Rin's body, exhausted from using Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade.
With a face full of ecstasy, Jin Ma-yeol grabs a handful of Yuk Rin's blood and throws it somewhere, while Yuk Rin smacks Jin Ma-yeol with his forepaw.
Kwaaaang!
Jin Ma-yeol's entire body explodes.
Yuk Rin's attack continues.
No matter how exhausted he is, the attacks are from a Grand Perfection Integration stage to an early Integration stage opponent.
Before long, Jin Ma-yeol's domain explodes, and all his body parts are torn apart, leaving only his head intact.
Yet, Jin Ma-yeol laughs.
"Heh, hehehahaha! Hahahaha! As expected, you were hiding Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, Governing Dragon Palace Lord! But I must thank you. Thanks to you, I've learned how to use Purple Soul Filling the Heavens! I've obtained your blood...so all that remains is...only..."
Jin Ma-yeol's head speaks as it loses its vitality.
"Unaging and Undying..."
Yuk Rin looks at the spot where Jin Ma-yeol disappeared with an expressionless face, then with an irritated expression, exerts attraction force on the Salt Crystal Palace.
Kuguguk...
Yuk Yo is dragged out.
The Purple Soul Filling the Heavens that Yuk Rin cast on Jin Ma-yeol transferred to Yuk Yo.
[Is it a curse? That damn Jin Ma-yeol...he succeeded in kidnapping Yuk Yo last time and turned her into a cursed doll in that short period.]
Yuk Rin clicks his tongue and withdraws the secret art embedded in Yuk Yo's mind.
From his perspective, devouring Yuk Yo will only be a loss.
After roughly throwing Yuk Yo inside the Salt Crystal Palace, he sneers slyly.
[Stupid fool...What good is it to obtain Purple Soul Filling the Heavens? What good is it to take my blood and learn the Dragon Form Disguise Method? You'll never be able to learn it anyway...hehahaha.]
Yuk Rin's gaze turns towards the end of Cherry Blossom Dragon Sea Domain.
There, the Salt Bones Ship is submerging beneath the sea surface.
Jin Ma-yeol, who has likely revived, is probably inside.
[Bothersome fellow. But with this, he has likely lost his last chance at revival. He thought he could achieve Unaging and Undying with Purple Soul Filling the Heavens and bet his life on it, but what expression will he make when he realizes it's all just an illusion...I'm curious.]
Yuk Rin chuckles.
From the Betrayal King Jin Wei to the terrifying Wuji Religious Order and the devilish cult leader.
And Jin Ma-yeol, who always intended to backstab from the start.
Having defeated all of them, Yuk Rin is the ultimate victor.
Yet, even though Yuk Rin defeated the rivals who threatened him.
Even though he obtained the long-desired Salt Crystal Palace.
His laughter diminishes.
The sound of chuckling soon turns to silence, and the Cherry Blossom Dragon Sea Domain, where the majority of living beings have perished as the battle's aftermath, is enveloped in silence.
Although victorious, Yuk Rin cannot find joy.
'Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade...was pushed back.'
This realization scratches the pride of Yuk Rin, who has always believed the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade to be invincible.
Bududuk...
After grinding his teeth for a while, Yuk Rin takes the Salt Crystal Palace and heads towards Governing Dragon Island.
While giving the return order to Wi Yun and organizing various plans for the future, Yuk Rin decides on the first task to undertake.
'Refine the palace of Penglai Kingdom and completely turn it into my natal dharma treasure. Then integrate it with my domain to make it a Refining Void Dharma Treasure (煉虛法寶). Based on that, if I can achieve great completion in Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade...I will truly reach the pinnacle.'
However, despite comforting himself, the darkness does not leave Yuk Rin's face.
Sea King Hall.
At its center, Hae Lin trembles with blood dripping from his eyes.
"...Though it was a rather rough method...I assisted that being's successor according to your will. This is the best I can do. Now, I will strive to seek a way to survive. Please protect your descendant, Grandfather Hae Nyeong..."
Translator Notes: Mantras also mean True Words. Subscriptions for RToC are now available.
Chuaaaaaa—
A sound reminiscent of waves, the sound of dimensions flowing, can be heard.
I look around with vacant eyes.
After Yuk Rin uprooted the Salt Crystal Palace, the illusion formation collapsed.
And, for some reason, the various ritual worship scriptures and treasures I was aiming for were all inside that palace, making them impossible to find.
In other words, the Axis of Love of Virtue is beyond reach.
Of course, due to what Yuk Rin said at the end, I suspect there might be a trap involved in obtaining treasures from the palace, but being denied even the chance to confirm the trap is quite disheartening.
"..."
We look at the sky with empty eyes, and then, after organizing the Twilight Domain and the followers that have fallen on one side of Penglai Island, we gather in one place.
Or rather, not everyone gathers.
There's also missing persons.
Wei Shi-hon reports a missing person in a gloomy voice.
"The Thirteenth Guardian Ghost King, my friend, Baek Rin...has disappeared."
"At the last moment, I believe he was seen flying towards Princess Yuk Yo inside the palace. Since the palace itself was taken by Yuk Rin, perhaps Baek Rin is now...captured by Yuk Rin."
Baek Rin has gone missing.
From what was said, it seems he got caught by Yuk Rin while trying to rescue Yuk Yo.
I let out a deep sigh.
The journey to Penglai Island has cost us too much.
In addition to the missing persons, we try to discuss the details of the incident.
Shaaaaaaa—
The meeting room is silent.
Yeon Wei, Jeon Myeong-hoon, Oh Hyun-seok and the others seem dispirited by the unpleasant and gloomy dreams they had on Penglai Island.
Or, some are so dumbfounded or frustrated by the current situation that they can't even open their mouths...
It seems like no one is in the mood to open their mouths.
However, I force myself to speak.
We can't just sit down and wallow in our gloom.
Perhaps Yeon Wei knows this too, as she and I exchange opinions.
"What are we going to do now?"
"...For now, we have to try to escape."
"Do you have any plans?"
"Young-hoon Hyung-nim and I left avatars at the sea surface. They're Heart Tribe avatars that can communicate with us in real-time."
Yeon Wei strokes her chin as if pondering before asking.
"Not escaping with it immediately means there's a problem, right?"
"Yes. First...the Heart Tribe avatars itself have exhausted a lot of energy in the battle with Yuk Rin. Currently, they're hiding for fear of being discovered by Yuk Rin and aren't in a state to do anything. Moreover, even if we use attraction force on both sides to pull us up..."
"We've come in too deep."
"Yes. The attraction force won't reach."
The Deep Sea of the Ancient Force Realm is a collection of dimensions.
Even though it seems like we haven't actually descended that far, between the sea surface and our current position is not seawater but 'dimensions.'
To escape, we have to extend attraction force through countless dimensions...
Only those in the Star Shattering stage can emit such attraction force.
Yeon Wei looks at Kim Young-hoon and speaks.
"I heard the Surpassing Radiant Divine Demon is currently...communicating with the Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One, no? Can't we get some help from the Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One?"
Kim Young-hoon shakes his head awkwardly.
"I apologize, but what I'm doing right now is 'communing' with the enlightenment of that Esteemed One, not 'communicating.' In terms of communication, perhaps Seo Eun-hyun might be better."
Yeon Wei's gaze shifts back to me.
However, I also shake my head.
"To help us, an avatar of the Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One would have to come here personally. But from what I know, it will take the Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One more than several hundred years to get here."
"Several hundred years...hmm, that's worth waiting for."
She nods.
However, my expression is dark.
'In just a hundred years or so from now, Kang Min-hee will go berserk...'
Furthermore, the day when Seo Hweol regains his 'eye' is also only a few hundred years away.
Being trapped here until then is the worst choice possible.
"There's no way to get out a bit faster...is there?"
"If we create a Thunder Beast, it might be possible right away."
"...No, thank you."
"Yeah, I don't like that idea either. So, is there another method?"
"..."
I sigh.
There's no method that comes to mind immediately.
"...For now, since things have come to this, I will try to contact the Grand Cultivator Association."
Even if we are stuck in the Deep Sea and unable to rise to the surface, there might be a way to somehow escape the Ancient Force Realm entirely.
"Contacting the Grand Cultivator Association to have us all escape to the Bright Cold Realm might be a solution."
Yeon Wei nods, saying it's a good idea, and then asks us if anyone has gained anything from Penglai Island.
"Even though we're trapped now, according to Seo Eun-hyun, there's hope since the Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One might come in a few hundred years. In that case, rather than despairing and sitting down, we should see if we've gained anything from Penglai Island. Has anyone gained anything from investigating Penglai Island?"
Everyone shakes their heads at her words.
Seo Ran clicks his tongue and speaks.
"I thought there might be some secret on the Salt Mountain of Penglai Island, but it's just a real salt mountain. A literal lump of salt, nothing more."
"Hm...So it's not a special mineral like Salt Crystals? Then what about the ritual worship scriptures we primarily aimed for when we came here?"
I let out a deep sigh and say,
"From what I can see, those ritual worship scriptures are..."
It's then.
Kim Yeon, with a bitter expression, pulls something from her bosom.
It's a copy of the Ritual Worship Scripture of Love of Virtue.
"When the formation broke, Hyang-hwa and I hurried to the library to gather the ritual worship scriptures, but for some reason, the only one left in my hands is this Ritual Worship Scripture of Love of Virtue. The rest of the scriptures disappeared like smoke."
"...!"
I widen my eyes at the Ritual Worship Scripture of Love of Virtue, and Yeon Wei sighs with regret.
"Ah...it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to arm all our order's leaders with the Five Blessings Axes!"
"There's nothing we can do. At least the Cult Leader can build the Five Blessings Axes, so we should take comfort in that."
Kim Yeon floats the Ritual Worship Scripture of Love of Virtue towards me, and I catch it.
Although the Ritual Worship Scripture of Love of Virtue has clearly entered my hands through Kim Yeon, I can't shake off a lingering unease.
This is due to what Yuk Rin's clone said to me after escaping from Purple Soul Filling the Heavens.
—I advise you to go and quickly gather the ritual worship scriptures you wanted. Once the barrier breaks, the scriptures will remain in this illusory world forever, never to be obtained again...!
Surprisingly, that was a lie.
And when I think about which part of that statement is false, it seems the whole thing is a lie from start to finish.
'The bastard was certain that even if I went to the library to gather the scriptures, I would never be able to obtain them.'
Yet Kim Yeon has acquired a ritual worship scripture.
Is there some secret to this?
'I should observe the Ritual Worship Scripture of Love of Virtue Kim Yeon obtained for now, rather than hastily practicing it.'
After publicly commending Kim Yeon, I tuck the Ritual Worship Scripture of Love of Virtue into my bosom.
We continue to discuss a few escape methods before adjourning the meeting and returning to our respective places.
I return to the basement of the Wuji Religious Hall and try to activate the Flying Immortal Formation.
'There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with the Flying Immortal Formation connecting to the lower realms.'
After fiddling with the Flying Immortal Formation for a while, I wrack my brain while pondering over the Grand Cultivator Association.
'Will they really let me return?'
It'd be fortunate if they don't throw a party celebrating the confinement of the Heart Tribe spy.
"Here is the Supervisory Mirror, Master."
I receive the Supervisory Mirror from Hong Fan.
It's a Supervisory Mirror I obtained along with a Salt Crystal at Yuk Rin's palace when I conquered Governing Dragon Island.
I infuse spiritual power into the Supervisory Mirror.
As the spiritual power flows in, the Supervisory Mirror begins to emit light.
A tool that can re-establish contact with a world with which one has formed connections in - that is the Supervisory Mirror.
Wiiiiiing—
The Supervisory Mirror shines brilliantly, projecting a multitude of light clusters inside.
The moment I sense the aura emanating from these light clusters, I immediately know which worlds they symbolize.
'This is the Nether Ghost Realm, this is the Lightning Sacred Sea, this is Ham Jin's world, and these are the Astral Realms where I had sent my consciousness while building the Axes...'
Among them, a familiar light catches my eye.
I reach out toward that light.
Woo-woong—
A familiar, clear sky is reflected beyond the Supervisory Mirror.
'Bright Cold Realm!'
It's a familiar scene from the Bright Cold Realm.
The name of the world, Bright Cold (光寒), appears above the Supervisory Mirror.
I spend some time manipulating the Supervisory Mirror, learning to infuse my consciousness and adjust it to observe specific locations.
Woo-woong—
After manipulating the Supervisory Mirror for a while, I am able to project the Heavenly Cauldron Mountain of the Human Race Grand Alliance.
Wiiiiiiiiing—
The Supervisory Mirror flickers as it quickly shows the front of Jun Jae's cave residence at the edge of Heavenly Cauldron Mountain.
From inside his cave residence, a heavy voice emerges.
[Which Daoist is spying on this Alliance Leader?]
I infuse my consciousness into the Supervisory Mirror and greet him warmly.
"Daoist Jun, it's me! Seo Eun-hyun!"
[...?]
I laugh heartily and briefly explain the situation to him.
I tell him that due to some complicated matters, I ended up in the Ancient Force Realm and request the Grand Cultivator Association to provide coordinates and attraction force to pull us back.
After listening to my explanation, Jun Jae seems to mutter in a low voice before speaking.
"Hmm, I understand, Grand Cultivator Seo. Please wait a little while. I will contact you again soon."
"Haha, I'm really grateful, Daoist! I won't forget this!"
However, I'm not entirely in a good mood.
'I can't tell what he's thinking.'
Since intent isn't reflected in the scene seen through the Supervisory Mirror, I can't be sure if Jun Jae's words are genuine or if he's secretly cheering.
After expressing my gratitude to Jun Jae, and just as I am about to make a few more requests, the screen suddenly distorts, and the connection with the Bright Cold Realm is severed.
"...This is..."
I immediately realize what happened.
Jun Jae had shaken the space with attraction force, abruptly severing the connection of the Supervisory Mirror.
"...This..."
I am so dumbfounded that I clench my teeth.
Jun Jae is the head of the Grand Cultivator Association.
His will is the will of the Grand Cultivator Association.
I realize that the Grand Cultivator Association has not even the slightest intention to rescue me, and I grind my teeth.
'Damn it...what am I supposed to do now that it's come to this!?'
Although the Supervisory Mirror is operated through consciousness, it only transmits a few voices and scenes, so I can't send a Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion avatar through it.
I grab my throbbing head and contemplate for a long time.
While doing so, I feel a peculiar energy above the Supervisory Mirror and turn my gaze toward it.
'This is...?'
For some reason, a familiar aura is shining from above the Supervisory Mirror.
'Of course, it would be familiar since it only shows places I've been to...but it's strange. This is like...'
The light seems to resonate subtly with the Ancient Force Realm.
From within the light, I can faintly hear the sound of waves.
Woo-woong—
For some reason, one of my axes, the Health Axis, vibrates and resonates intensely.
I forget my irritation about the Grand Cultivator Association ignoring me and reach out to the light as if entranced.
And then.
Woo-woong!
"...!"
I can see a very familiar scene.
Huarurururu—
A burning world.
The endlessly burning monsters within, the remnants of collapsed civilizations scattered around.
Rivers and basins that were once thought to be full of water.
And the name of the great world embracing it all.
The scroll of Lofty Dragon, Envoy of Health and Care appears above the Supervisory Mirror.
"The storage scroll of Lofty Dragon!"
Clench!
I grab the Supervisory Mirror and shout.
Tremble, tremble!
I feel a shiver run through my body from an inexplicable sense of anticipation.
Once one reaches a realm that can handle attraction force, a cultivator's intuition is akin to foresight.
I infuse the Supervisory Mirror with consciousness, wearing a dumbfounded expression.
Woo-woong!
The screen of the Supervisory Mirror appears to distort, and then the Supervisory Mirror enters the altar of the Care Layer.
In other words, it goes up the altar connecting with the Xiezhi Worship Layer.
Wiiiiiing—
I feel the vibration of the Health Axis resonating with the aura of the storage scroll of Lofty Dragon reach its peak.
In my memory,
Seo Hweol's actions come to mind.
I lift the Health Axis above my hand as Seo Hweol did, and twist the attraction force as Seo Hweol had done.
Flash!
The power of Health is reflected in the Supervisory Mirror.
"Health Axis, Release."
Kuung, Click!
Simultaneously, the sound of a latch or lock being opened spreads out from above the Supervisory Mirror, echoing throughout Penglai Island.Chapter 390: SpoilerChapter 390: Drink (2)
I gaze entranced at the scenery beyond the Supervisory Mirror.
'This, this is...'
Wo-woong—
As I reach out my hand beyond the Supervisory Mirror, it feels as if my consciousness is being drawn towards the altar of the Care Layer inside the storage scroll of Lofty Dragon True Person.
Tsutsutut—
And after some time, when I open my eyes, I realize I am standing on the altar of the Care Layer with a 'Dream Body'.
"...Hah, hahahah!"
I let out a hollow laugh at the unexpected situation.
Without hesitation, I aim a Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion single strike into the air to form an avatar.
Wiiiiiing—
Pasak!
No, to be precise, I try to form one.
However, due to a strange force within the storage scroll, the clone tries to form before crumbling away.
'There seems to be some inherent restriction within this otherworld.'
In that case, there's nothing to be done.
I reach out my hand into the air, attempting to emit attraction force.
Wo-woong—
However, both attraction force and other abilities cannot be properly exerted with the Dream Body.
'My power has weakened to about one ten-thousandth.'
Of course, even this much is equivalent to the power of Qi Refining or Qi Building, but that's all.
After contemplating for a moment, I recall the characteristics of the Dream Body and, using the power of Qi Building, gather the surrounding water energy to form water, freeze it, and create an ice puppet.
Then, I overlay my Dream Body onto the body of the ice puppet.
Tsutsutut—
It's possession.
While inside the ice puppet body, I try to exert my power.
'It's a bit easier to use my power now.'
The Dream Body is a result of temporarily refining my consciousness to have the traits of a Ghost King.
It's essentially a consciousness entity that exists only in the outskirts of the Nether Ghost Realm, so to manifest power in reality, possessing an entity in the present world is the best method.
Kuguguk—
Borrowing the body of the ice puppet, I try to exert attraction force.
'It works, the space is warping!'
Now, by using the body of this ice puppet as a coordinate, I just need to create attraction force between the storage scroll of Lofty Dragon True Person and the Deep Sea of the Ancient Force Realm to escape!
Just then,
Pasasak—
"..."
The puppet's body crumbles instantly.
Apparently, something as fragile as ice can't withstand my power for long.
'This is a bit troublesome.'
Clicking my tongue, I try various methods, such as growing trees using wood attribute spells or creating earth golems using earth attribute spells.
However, the results are all the same.
'Damn it. The main body's power has grown too strong, resulting in the puppets often breaking when emitting attraction force.'
There's only one solution.
'I need to create a General Seo.'
But there's a problem.
In this storage scroll, there are surprisingly no materials available.
That's because everything that could be used as material had been burned away in the blazing storage scroll.
There are some stone buildings that don't burn easily, but that's all. Even if I make a puppet from such material, the best result would only be equivalent to around the Grand Perfection Nascent Soul level.
'Can a Nascent Soul level puppet bridge the space between the far distant Ancient Force Realm and this storage scroll and let us escape?'
No matter how I think about it, it's impossible.
However, as I ponder for a moment, one thought comes to mind.
'...In about a hundred years, they will come.'
In about a hundred years, it will be around the 500th year since I regressed.
And around that time, two cultivators of the Four-Axis stage from the Heaven Tribe and one from the Earth Tribe will enter the storage scroll.
'The Tall Tree Race, Paired Wings Race, and...the Blood Shark Race's Gyo Yeom.'
My eyes brighten as I recall them.
'I will...seize their bodies!'
If I possess one of them, I can properly use attraction force to use this storage scroll as coordinates and pull the Twilight Domain into the Bright Cold Realm.
I recall Gyo Yeom, who had his limbs severed and died at Seo Hweol's hands in my previous life.
'In any case, even without Seo Hweol, Gyo Yeom is fated to die at the hands of the Tall Tree Race and the Paired Wings Race.'
Gyo Yeom's actions to find the Heavenly Lotus Fruit to cure his wife's illness left a strong impression on me.
'I hope he can live in this life if possible.'
I make my decision.
'In the expedition team that will come to the storage scroll in about a hundred years, I will help Gyo Yeom and give him the Heavenly Lotus Fruit he desires, and with his help, return to the Bright Cold Realm...!'
Clench!
I clench my fist with even my main body and smile.
I thought there was no hope.
But hope appeared!
"Until the storage scroll expedition team arrives, I should gather the treasures within the storage scroll."
Gyo Yeom will hardly be inclined to trust a stranger like me at first glance.
Therefore, to receive his help, it will be ideal to have the treasures in the storage scroll in my possession to offer him for a deal.
At the end of the day, a contract is something that can only be made if I have something to offer.
"Don't pluck the Heavenly Lotus Fruit in advance."
"Ah, thanks for the advice."
It is said that the Heavenly Lotus Fruit has the trait of immediately being absorbed upon touching an illusion.
In short, if I picked it ahead of time thinking I was gathering treasures, it would be absorbed into my Dream Body and I wouldn't be able to offer it to Gyo Yeom in a transaction.
I nod and look around the interior of the storage scroll.
Only I am inside the storage scroll.
In other words, all the treasures within this storage scroll are solely mine!
I smile, shifting my main consciousness back to my main body.
I see hope.
Now, within decades, the possibility of returning to the Bright Cold Realm has emerged.
I return with satisfaction and convey this joyous news to everyone.
"That's very good! So all we have to do now is wait?"
"As long as nothing particularly disruptive occurs...that is."
In the conference room.
I continue speaking with a bitter smile to Yeon Wei.
"But as I have mentioned before, it is true that some kind of misfortune is surrounding us."
I look up at the sky.
Even if Gyo Yeom were to pull us out, and despite being trapped in the Deep Sea, the attraction force of misfortune still clings to me.
That misfortune is tightly coiled around Penglai Island.
When I speak seriously, Yeon Wei also asks with a hardened face.
"...Saying you see misfortune even in the Ancient Force Realm...wasn't a joke?"
"I always speak the truth."
"Ancestor, it seems you need to learn to trust your juniors."
Jeon Myeong-hoon says with a smirk, and Yeon Wei clicks her tongue and shakes her head.
"I don't believe anything unless I've seen it myself. I've never heard of such a thing being possible. It might be possible if it were a Sacred Vessel stage that can extend their consciousness or sight beyond the Middle Realms, but...that's absolutely impossible."
"Huh...was the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect turning to ashes overnight something possible?"
"..."
At Jeon Myeong-hoon's gloomy words, Yeon Wei is rendered speechless, her expression becoming somber.
"Well...I understand for now. So, you're saying that some higher existence has marked you, and because of the attraction force of that misfortune, everyone here, including the Wuji Religious Order, could be trapped on Penglai Island?"
"That's about right."
Yeon Wei seems to contemplate for a moment before speaking.
"Then you should leave Penglai Island."
"...!"
"What the...!?"
Her words suddenly cause an uproar in the conference room.
"Strategist Yeon Wei! Do you know that going outside Penglai Island means becoming lost in the Deep Sea!"
"I'm speaking with that understanding. Once we receive the coordinates from those Four-Axis cultivators who enter that storage scroll or whatever otherworld, Seo Eun-hyun staying in the Ancient Force Realm while we escape first seems to be the best course of action."
At her words, Kim Yeon, Oh Hyun-seok, Kim Young-hoon, and even Jeon Myeong-hoon show fierce expressions.
However, Yeon Wei glares at everyone unperturbed and growls.
"Did I speak incorrectly? Seo Eun-hyun is the leader and the person in charge of this group. If the leader is the problem causing the group to be stuck, then the person who must take responsibility should do so. Just like when I received the Sacred Master's command and annihilated the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect in the Middle Realm 40,000 years ago with my own hands to save at least the main sect in the Lower Realm and bore the stigma of being a monster!"
Kuang!
Yeon Wei slams the table with bloodshot eyes.
"If you've taken on the position of leader and elder of the group, it's only right that you act accordingly!"
Kugugugugu!
With her words, a chilling killing intent begins to fill the conference room.
Jeon Myeong-hoon's eyes twitch as he speaks.
"...If that is the case, then instead of Seo Eun-hyun, a Four-Axis without even the Integrated Dao Domain, I, at the Integration stage, will remain."
At that, Yeon Wei's eyes flip.
"What kind of nonsense is that!? Didn't you hear Seo Eun-hyun's words? He claimed that only he is entangled with misfortune!"
"By combining my Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation Method and Seo Eun-hyun's Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens Technique, it will be possible for me to take on Seo Eun-hyun's misfortune through a sacrificial offering. After all...Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation and Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens are techniques based on someone's sacrifice, so it's not an impossible idea."
"Don't speak such nonsense! You are the current highest Elder of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect! Seo fellow and I are outsiders, stripped of the Jin surname by the Founder's Command! But you are also Jin Myeong-hoon! If you stay here, what will become of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect in the Lower Realm?"
However, after uttering her words, Yeon Wei glances around as if startled by her own words.
The killing intent has intensified.
Kugugugugu!
At the center of the Twilight Domain.
The entire Wuji Religious Hall is being violently shaken by the killing intent of the beings gathered there.
Jeon Myeong-hoon speaks softly.
"...So it seems the Ancestor's words mean that although I, Jin Myeong-hoon, born with the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body, must not stay, Seo Eun-hyun, who is already an outsider, can remain. Seo Eun-hyun...is he not someone who has been with the Ancestor all along, and a comrade who contributed to the survival of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect!? Wasn't it thanks to the Wuji Religious Order established by Seo Eun-hyun that we could save the disciples of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect in the Nether Ghost Realm!?"
Yeon Wei's pupils seem to shake at Jeon Myeong-hoon's retort. However, she grits her teeth and instead shouts at Jeon Myeong-hoon.
"What nonsense are you spewing!? Have you become engrossed in playing this cult leader and religious order act that you've forgotten the essence? This ridiculous pseudo-religious cult is just a means to accumulate the Five Blessings Axes, and you are a disciple of the great Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect! Even if Seo Eun-hyun and I are expelled, we should have a sense of belonging to the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect! What's with this cult leader game? What's with this absurd pseudo-religious cult act?"
"Why does the Ancestor not trust Seo Eun-hyun? Have you forgotten that he worked together with Senior to save the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect? In the end, Seo Eun-hyun's words were proven right! I heard about Senior's actions even in the Ancient Force Realm. I heard about Senior's past while interrogating Yuk Rin with the Ascetic Lightning Curse Banner! Why can't Senior trust in human loyalty and always resort to betrayal? We are the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, not the Betrayal Heavenly Thunder Sect!!!'
At Jeon Myeong-hoon's heated words, Yeon Wei momentarily has a dazed expression on her face.
With her voice choked and her chest trembling, she bites her lip.
"...Yes! It's about Seo Eun-hyun and I! And sealing the Heavenly Lightning Banner was my claim! It wasn't Seo's! Why can't I trust him? Want me to tell you my honest feelings?"
Yeon Wei's voice is trembling.
Left with only bitterness in her emotional struggle with Jeon Myeong-hoon, she grinds her teeth and shouts.
"How can I possibly trust that guy!!?? It's understandable for someone like you with the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body to progress rapidly in cultivation, but what about him!? He ascended from Ascension Path alone with a mortal body and within 500 years, with ordinary Five Elements Spiritual Roots, reached the Five Blessings Four-Axis stage!? Do you think that even makes sense?"
"Why not!? With talent..."
"Such talent is only possible with a Heavenly Golden Thunder Body! A Ghostly Yin Transformation Immortal Root! I'm saying that it's impossible without such mythical qualities! He's not even like that Oh fellow with a Unique Holy Body. His talent isn't good, and his understanding doesn't even seem exceptional. Yet, he's learned Heaven and Earth Dual Cultivation and the Heart Path Method! On top of that, he's learned Hon Won's Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique! All within 500 years! Even the Black Dragon King Hyeon Eum, who advanced at a similar speed, did so with the support of the Dragon Race and countless opportunities. But what about him! I've heard he resisted the temptation of the unsealed Heavenly Lightning Banner with a clear mind. Do you think that's possible? It's a power that no mortal mind can withstand, yet he thrives after being exposed to such transcendent power? Now, there's a possible explanation for everything I said. It's that he's not human!"
Yeon Wei points at me and shouts.
"Without a Heavenly Golden Thunder Body, he mastered lightning attribute methods faster than Jeon Myeong-hoon. Without a Ghostly Yin Transformation Immortal Root, he possesses insane talent in the Ghost Path Methods. Not only has he learned all Five Elements methods and even demon beast methods along with the Heart Path Method, he even has remarkable insights into consciousness methods. And what about that Mysterious Bizarre Gu secret art similar to what those Blood Yin Realm spies use! Moreover, he resisted the power of the transcendent Heavenly Lightning Banner with a clear mind? For that to be possible, he must be an entity hiding his cultivation and wearing human skin, pretending to be human. I'm saying he must be a True Immortal!"
With Yeon Wei's words, the conference room falls silent.
She looks at me with gloomy eyes and speaks to Jeon Myeong-hoon.
"...Did you ask why I always betray? Because if I don't betray, I might be betrayed instead! Always! If you can't determine right now whether that guy is human or a monster, it wouldn't be surprising if one day he reveals himself as a transcendent's incarnation and exterminates us all. If that's the case, isn't it rational to separate him from us here?!"
"..."
"...Life never goes as you wish...never. The very essence of evil is the bastard called life itself. This world is...yes. It's a world filled with the Six Extremes. Dreaming for something or hoping for blessings is a luxury in itself. You must never hope for anything. You must always prepare for the worst and be ready to survive. That's...what I'm saying."
She is hurling harsh words at me, yet ironically, I am the only one in this room who genuinely empathizes with her.
The followers like the Guardian Ghost Kings who are loyal to me seem ready to tear Yeon Wei apart at any moment, and none of the executives of the order are giving Yeon Wei a kind glance.
With a bitter smile, I speak.
"...So what is the reason for saying all that in front of me? If I were a transcendent like a True Immortal, it would be nothing to drag your soul and torture it for a thousand years, wouldn't it?"
Yeon Wei flinches but doesn't respond to my words.
"...Jeon Myeong-hoon. Briefly return the strategist's main consciousness to the Lower Realm."
"Alright."
Jeon Myeong-hoon immediately approaches Yeon Wei, strikes her at the back of her neck to make her unconscious, and sends Yeon Wei's consciousness down to the Lower Realm.
Yeon Jin, who awakes after Yeon Wei faints, seems unable to grasp the situation and just shivers in the tense atmosphere.
I smile gently and say,
"Don't hate her too much. She is only worried about all of our safety in her own way..."
Yeon Wei feigns malice, but in reality, her intentions are always rooted in goodness.
'It's just...she was influenced by the dream she had on Penglai Island, which seems to have made her emotions flare up a bit.'
There's no need for Jeon Myeong-hoon or Yeon Wei to push each other excessively like that.
However, whatever it is, the dream she had on Penglai Island seems to be the problem.
"For now, let's adjourn today's meeting here. Now that there's hope of leaving the Ancient Force Realm in about a hundred years, everyone should keep that in mind."
I adjourn the meeting and rise from my seat.
Step, step...
After leaving the conference room, I walk towards the Salt Mountain on Penglai Island.
The Penglai Island, without the illusion formation, is desolate.
In the illusion, Penglai Kingdom flourished around Salt Mountain, but outside the illusion, only hinges can be seen around it.
Thud!
I climb to the top of Salt Mountain, where the Salt Crystal Palace once stood, and sit down, gazing at the upper part of Penglai Island.
The misfortune that is entwining me does not enter inside Penglai Island.
Of course, it will surely have a terrifying effect when we go outside. But at least it can't enter here.
'Within Penglai Island, all contracts and oaths are nullified.'
It's the explanation given by Yuk Rin and Yuk Yo.
Perhaps that misfortune, too, falls into a similar category as contracts and oaths.
Furthermore, the reason I told everyone there's hope of leaving despite still being entangled in misfortune is because of Penglai Island.
The fact that some power on Penglai Island is blocking the misfortune means that if we can just find that power, we can avoid the misfortune and go to the Bright Cold Realm.
'And the source of that power is...most likely this Salt Mountain.'
Everyone believes the true source is the Salt Crystal Palace.
After all, this Salt Mountain is merely a large chunk of rock salt.
However, the formation of Penglai Island still functions.
Even though the illusion formation broke when the palace and Salt Mountain separated, a certain force blocking external contracts, oaths, and misfortune remains.
In other words,
'If the power of this Salt Mountain is harnessed, there's a high probability that everyone can leave.'
I adjourned the meeting for now because the atmosphere was too bad today.
I plan to inform everyone of this fact during a later meeting when Yeon Wei returns with a cool head.
Wo-woong—
Sitting at the top of Salt Mountain, I close my eyes, operating the Purple Soul Filling the Heavens obtained from Yuk Rin, the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade obtained from Lofty Dragon True Person's storage scroll, and the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique and its reversed secret art.
Why did Yeon Wei, other than the dream on Penglai Island and because of Jeon Myeong-hoon, fail to control her emotions and reveal uncomfortable truths despite the possibility of me being the incarnation of a True Immortal?
It's simple.
Even though she said with her own mouth that nothing in this world should be hoped for, she is hoping.
Hoping that I, who has been with her for so long, is actually human.
Tststststst—
White grains begin to swirl and shine around me.
Everytime I recite the formula of the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique and its reversed method, the entire Salt Mountain begins to glow little by little.
The time left is about a hundred years.
Within that time, I will obtain the power of Salt Mountain and definitely overcome the misfortune to return to the Bright Cold Realm.