"If the Grand Prince orders, we shall follow."
Elders at the Nascent Soul stage bow and pay their respects to Seo Hweol.
After arriving in the Bright Cold Realm, Seo Hweol descended from the rank of Noble King and was granted permission to use the title of Grand Prince and henceforth he was referred to as such.
"However, is the Grand Prince certain that the beings you seek are indeed ones born with a specific fate?"
"Indeed."
Seo Hweol nods gently to the elder's question.
"It will not be easy to find those born with such a specific fate. If such a specific fate exists, then they must exist. However, they might not have been born yet, or they could have already grown old and died."
"It matters not. Even if it's just records of such individuals, send them to me. By gathering these records and discovering the pattern of their reincarnation, someday I might be able to predict where they will be born and go there."
"Yes... However, at the very least, it will take 300 years. I hope the Grand Prince will take this into consideration.”
"Is there a choice?"I am lost in thought, listening to Seo Hweol's story.
'What Seo Hweol is talking about is definitely...'
The children I know of.
Bearing the name of cause and connection, born close to each other as different genders.
Fated to fall in love and die at the very same moment.
I have seen such individuals.
'Why is he seeking such beings...'
The more I know about Seo Hweol, the more I feel like I am sinking into a quagmire.
It's been like this since the Head Realm.
Setting aside him being at the Heavenly Being stage, a realm I seemingly couldn't fathom to reach, he always seemed to have plans beyond my imagination, acting accordingly to them.
What can it be?
What are Seo Hweol's desires?
"...I must increase my cultivation as soon as possible."
Anyway, once I reach the Nascent Soul stage, I should be able to find a way to survive even in front of Seo Hweol, who is at the Four-Axis stage.
To converse with him on equal footing, I must at least reach that state.
Wriggle, wriggle...
I look at the glass box stored in my room.
Inside is the wriggling centipede that had followed me from the Head Realm.
A connection bestowed upon me by the Serving Command Seal.
'When I first met it, it was an egg laid by the mother centipede I saw in that village.'
In my past life, when I first started living by the Azure Heaven Creation Sect's way.
I raised it using the books regarding demon beasts I obtained from the West Spirit Gate elder.
I made Insect Feeding Pills that were said to be beneficial for demon beasts and did not spare support to ensure it adapted well to the spiritual energy in the Bright Cold Realm.
My efforts were not in vain, as the centipede lived well until I was dispatched to the Devil Realm.
However, perhaps due to its lifespan as a centipede, it died of old age just before that.
"...This time, it's the Demon Race Territory."
I wonder if it can live a bit longer here, awakening as a demon beast.
While looking at the centipede, I suddenly think about 'names.'
'By the way, have I not yet named this fellow even now?'
I feel a bit sorry thinking about it.
Even if not in this life, in the cycle where I was with the Mad Lord, it had been of significant help to me.
To think it lived for several years without a name made me feel guilty.
"What would be a good name for you..."
Names carry fate.
As Seo Hweol told me, in the ancient tales of the Vast Cold Realm, a good name brings a good fate.
'It would be best to give it a good name...'
After some thought, I decide to name the centipede during the upcoming Earth Tribe Naming Project.
'If it's such a grand plan, it should be able to give it a good name.'
Moreover, the Earth Tribe Naming Project involves reading fate and assigning names to the Earth Tribe according to it.
If it gets named there, the centipede will receive a name perfectly suited to its fate.
'Just wait until it's implemented in a few months.'
I feed the wriggling centipede, pondering.
The centipede seems to have no particular thoughts.
The Earth Tribe Naming Project.
A task to collect and manage the names of all Earth Tribe members, and for those without names, to provide them with one.
Since names contain fate, the plan is to manage these names and indirectly observe the overall fate of the Earth Tribe by watching the trends of the names.
This plan, carried out by Seo Hweol and others, is finally implemented today, just under 2 years after the regression.
The Nascent Soul elders Seo Hweol sent to the True Dragon Alliance periodically sent him names that met the conditions he had requested.
Of course, while the names were correct, hardly anyone met Seo Hweol's specific conditions.
'It seems that the whole Earth Tribe Naming Project is just an excuse, and finding the owners of the names is Seo Hweol's real purpose.'
Given Seo Hweol's personality, he probably has little interest in philanthropic tasks like understanding the fate of the Earth Tribe.
He merely pushes for this because it provides an opportunity to compile the names and 'records' of the Earth Tribe spread across the world into one place.
His true intention is merely to find the owners of those names.
"Good morning to the Grand Prince."
I head to Seo Hweol's office to offer my morning greetings.
"Oh, what brings you here?"
Seo Hweol seems to be concocting elixirs, having set up an alchemy furnace in the center of his office.
The faint smell of blood suggests Demon Cores are involved in the process.
"...I heard that the Earth Tribe Naming Project has been proclaimed and implemented across the entire Earth Tribe Territory."
"Haha, indeed."
Seo Hweol smiles slightly and stirs the contents within the alchemy furnace.
"It seems all 13 major races are satisfied as well. My proposal must have sounded appealing."
"...Indeed."
To those opposing the naming project,
Seo Hweol proposed a plan to capture minor races and demon beasts from the mountains and rivers, turn them into resources, and provide them to the opposition.
With his proposal, the opposition unanimously agreed to the naming project, and it was implemented to everyone's satisfaction.
'Except for the minor races sacrificed by Seo Hweol's proposal.'
Although the process is revolting, I am not yet at a level where I can do anything about it.
"...I was hoping to have my close friend's name given during the naming project."
"Oh? A friend of yours? Does your friend not have a name?"
"Yes, my friend still doesn't have a name. But they are quite precious to me, so I want to give them a good name."
"Haha, understood. I'll make sure to ask my naming officer to take good care of it. So, who is this friend?"
I take out a glass box from my storage scroll and show Seo Hweol the centipede.
Seo Hweol looks at the centipede with an amused expression.
"Is this little one your friend?"
"Yes."
"Hmm..."
I notice Seo Hweol's intent slightly wavering.
Lately, it had been difficult to read Seo Hweol's intent, but it occasionally shows in such ways.
Seo Hweol seems to be regretting something.
'He must be disappointed because he thought of using the centipede as a hostage, but now that he realizes it's just a pet, he sees no value in it.'
The likelihood of him feeling regretful for such a reason is almost certain.
After a moment of observing the centipede, Seo Hweol smiles and says,
"Such a cute friend, take good care of it. Then, I'll continue with my elixir refining."
Seo Hweol throws two Demon Cores, one imbued with yin energy and the other with yang energy, into the alchemy furnace.
"By the way, are you not interested in alchemy? Although our demon beast alchemy differs from that of the Human Race, alchemy is an inseparable part of the cultivation path, and it would be good to learn."
"...I appreciate the thought, but I am too busy with my own cultivation to spare any attention for alchemy."
"Is that so?... But delve into alchemy, and the deeper you go, the more enjoyable it becomes. The enlightenment from alchemy is also connected to the enlightenment from cultivation."
Wo-woong!
When Seo Hweol adds the two Demon Cores into the furnace, a Taiji symbol appears inside.
"The foundation and essence of the demon beast methods we cultivate are the circulation and rotation of Yin and Yang, harmony. But I've realized something through alchemy since the lower realms."
Seo Hweol takes out a green jade bottle from his storage scroll, pouring its contents into the alchemy furnace where the Taiji symbol is swirling.
"This is called Green Standing Acid. It has the property of preventing the mixing of Yin and Yang energies."
Wo-woong!
As Seo Hweol sprinkles the Green Standing Acid into the furnace, the Taiji symbol, which had been swirling, no longer merges and separates instead.
"However, what's fascinating is that Yin and Yang inherently seek to become one. Even if you add an elixir that separates them, the energies of Yin and Yang strive to mix."
Wo-woong!
True to his words, the energies of Yin and Yang within the furnace begin to rotate on their own, seeking to intertwine.
"And, Yin and Yang rotate most violently when they are together yet unable to mix."
"..."
"By separating the flow of Yin and Yang and maintaining a delicate balance where they almost meet but don't, Yin and Yang will rotate endlessly, generating nearly infinite power. What do you think? Though I discovered this through alchemy, it could also apply to our demon beast methods, couldn't it?"
"...Indeed, its a remarkable discovery. Thank you for sharing your precious knowledge."
"Haha, sorry for holding you up. You may go now."
What exactly does he want to say?
After bidding farewell to Seo Hweol, I leave his office.
Seo Hweol watches the endlessly rotating Taiji inside the alchemy furnace in his office.
"Originally, Qi is Soul, and Soul is Fate. Therefore, if Qi and Fate are ultimately connected..."
He smiles, looking in the direction Seo Eun-hyun had left.
"Preventing those fated to meet from meeting can also create an enormous gravitational force of fate."
Wo-woong!
At the same time, a spatial rift appears beside Seo Hweol, and a figure dressed in white, similar to Seo Eun-hyun, appears.
"Um... Sir Seo Hweol. I'm having trouble understanding the intricacies of the Summoning Wind, True Blood Transformation..."
"Come here. I have prepared an elixir especially for you."
Crackle, sizzle…
As the woman in white steps through the spatial rift into Seo Hweol's office, the flow of Yin and Yang within the entire space accelerates, causing all the delicately installed spiritual energy circuits and magic artifacts to lose their light.
The Mad Lord's circuits installed by Seo Eun-hyun also momentarily cease to function.
Seeing this, she bows her head, seemingly embarrassed.
"I'm really sorry, Sir Seo Hweol. I always seem to fail to control my power..."
"Not at all. Blinding unnecessary eyes is rather favorable."
"...?"
"Come here. Don't worry. I promised to help you meet your companions again, to return to your original home. I have promised you that."
Seo Hweol extends his hand to her with a gentle expression.
"The efforts you put into meeting your companions again is truly admirable. Keep striving."
Boo-woong!
Holding the glass box, I head to Serving Command Ark of the True Dragon Alliance.
The top floor of Serving Command Ark seems busy as always today.
I find the administrative department on the top floor where the naming project is being implemented.
"Did you say you came to be given a name?"
A demon beast resembling a stag beetle asks me politely, seeing me reveal my Black Dragon bloodline with stag horns and scales.
"Yes. But it's not for me, it's for my friend."
"Your friend is..."
I show him the glass box.
"This creature here. You might think it's silly to bring a pet for naming... but this little one once saved my life. I want to give it a proper name and, if possible, help it awaken as a demon beast."
"Ah... I see."
The stag beetle demon beast looks at the centipede for a moment and then nods.
"Well, if that's the case, I have no reason to stop you. Especially since the Dragon Race views our Insect Race favorably, I'm grateful."
'Is the centipede considered part of the Insect Race?'
"...Well, anyway, I owe it a great debt."
Hearing my words, the stag beetle carefully takes the glass box with the centipede.
"We will speak to our naming officer and arrange for a name to be given. And your friend... you wish to awaken it as a demon beast, correct?"
"Yes."
"Then, after giving it a name, seek help from other centipede demon beasts. If they are of the same species, you might receive some assistance. If you wish, I can introduce you to some acquaintances I know..."
"Oh, that would be greatly appreciated."
"It would be my honor."
The deer beetle demon beast bows, expressing gratitude.
Shortly thereafter, the naming officer of the Earth Tribe returns the glass box containing the centipede with a paper bearing its suitable name.
'I wonder what its name will be...'
Curious about the new name of the centipede, I unfold the paper given by the naming officer.
The name of the centipede was Hong Fan (Great Plan).
"That name is the most fitting for its fate. Although not as much as the Heaven Tribe, our Earth Tribe's naming officers are trained to lightly read fate through the flow of spiritual energy and cast divinations. A name given by such a naming officer will surely be the most suitable for it. The meaning of the name Hong Fan is..."
The naming officer, a polite deer demon beast, carefully explains the meaning of the name written on the paper.
"Thank you. I appreciate you giving it such a fine name."
After expressing my gratitude, I leave the administrative area.
'Hong Fan...'
I look at the centipede, pondering.
'Why does this name feel so familiar?'
I can't help but think I had heard this name before.
'Well, I'll figure it out later.'
For now, I need to meet the centipede demons that the stag beetle demon had introduced.
The 13 major tribes that make up the Earth Tribe True Dragon Alliance included the Dragon Race, Peng Race, Peacock Race, Tiger Race, Fox Race, Horse Race, Monkey Race, Turtle Race, Phoenix Race, Shark Race, Ox Race, Hungry Ghost Race, and Insect Race.
Among them, the Dragon Race is considered the most noble, while the Insect Race is seen as the most humble.
Originally, the 12 races are descendants of Immortal Beasts with true bloodlines, while the Insect Race simply refers to a collective of all insect-type demon beasts spread throughout the Earth Tribe, so it's natural.
And now, I am headed to meet the Centipede Race considered to be among the weaker factions within the Insect Race.
Boo-woong!
I quickly arrive at the location of the Centipede Race through a teleportation array leading to the Insect Tribe area.
The Centipede Race resides in a particularly deep valley within the Insect Race Territory.
After meeting and chatting with the centipede demons introduced by the stag beetle demon, I successfully obtained a few techniques to awaken Hong Fan.
"Sacrificial Name Spirit Stele Great Method (祭名碑神大法), is it...?"
After understanding the flow of spiritual energy running through the centipede's body and inflating the centipede's body with spiritual energy until it's on the verge of exploding,
A ritual is performed to strongly imprint its name in the centipede's consciousness, awakening its spiritual nature.
"Originally, this is a method used by the Heaven Tribe to create their pet demon beasts, but as a noble with the true blood of an Immortal Beast, you should be able to achieve the same effect through the ritual."
Hearing the centipede demon's explanation, I nod.
'If it's originally a secret technique exclusive to the Heaven Tribe, then it's even better.'
Using the Sacrificial Name Spirit Stele Great Method, I won't need to follow Seo Hweol to the Earth Tribe in the next life. I can awaken Hong Fan elsewhere, which is actually preferable.
I pay the Centipede Race for the Sacrificial Name Spirit Stele Great Method and return to the Sea Dragon Palace.
'I'm sorry for not taking care of you until now.'
Looking at Hong Fan, who received a new name, I prepare the great method along with Yuan Yu.
'Let's go on together from now on.'
A ritual formation is laid out in the room.
After deploying a soundproofing spell, I place the centipede in the center of the formation and activate the ritual.
The Sacrificial Name Spirit Stele Great Method is activated.
Wo-woong!
Spiritual energy flows into Hong Fan's body, causing it to wriggle.
I adjust the influx of spiritual energy to suit its body and manipulate the formation.
"Hong Fan, come forth!"
Koong!
As I call its name, the ritual activates, and the spiritual energy inside Hong Fan begins to tremble.
Calling its name three times initiates the ritual to awaken the spiritual nature of an insect demon beast devoid of intelligence.
"Hong Fan, come forth!"
Calling its name again, the spiritual energy within Hong Fan explodes and begins to transform.
The explosion of spiritual energy turns into pure life force, strengthening Hong Fan's body, and the energy inside begins to settle and rotate.
"Hong Fan, come forth!"
Koong!
This time, an explosion loud enough for me to hear bursts forth from Hong Fan's body.
It seems to writhe in pain, but enduring the pain, it finally allows the flow of spiritual energy to settle within its body.
After calling its name three times, Hong Fan finally awakens its spiritual nature and ascends to the ranks of demon beasts.
Giruk, Giruruk…
Hong Fan makes strange noises, looking around.
An aura equivalent to the initial stage of Qi Refining emanates from it.
Even if demon beasts possess spiritual nature, unless they are of a special lineage born from Immortal Beasts, they hardly have any intelligence until they reach the Qi Building stage.
Until reaching that stage, Hong Fan won't be much different from the centipede I knew before.
I approach Hong Fan, look into its eyes, and say,
"Let's get along well from now on."
A heavenly fate brought to me by the Serving Command Seal.
I wonder what help Hong Fan will provide me in the future.
'No, it doesn't matter if it can't help.'
Whether it helps or not.
After all, it's a connection that found its way to me.
I will do my best to assist this little guy.
Recalling the teachings of Azure Tiger Saint, I gently stroke the carapace on Hong Fan's head.
“In this treacherous ice field of the Dragon Race's intrigues, stay with me."
There will be many difficult and painful challenges ahead while under Seo Hweol's command.
There was no one on my side in this Sea Dragon Palace, but now that I have Hong Fan, I have at least one ally.
'From now on, let's persevere together.''
It's only been 2 years under Seo Hweol.
Just 2 years, but feeling his benevolent gaze made it seem like 200 years had passed.
However, to achieve my objectives in this life, including exploring the true intentions of the Dragon Race, checking on Oh Hye-seo's situation, and somehow accomplishing the theft of the Heavenly Lightning Banner, I must keep enduring.
'I will endure and surely fulfill all my objectives.'
With determination, I look out the window of the Sea Dragon Palace with the newly spiritually awakened Hong Fan.
Thus, 5 years pass.
Kurung, kururung!
I inhale the gathering dark clouds filled with the energy of Taiyin, half-opening my eyes.
'Finally...'
Over these 5 years,
I reached the stage of Core Formation Grand Perfection through human cultivation methods and also approached the extreme limit of Core Formation in the demon beast methods.
'Now, it's time to properly return to the Nascent Soul stage.'
7 years since regression.
Well, 17 years if I include the time [He] tested me, but in terms of the flow of time, it's been 7 years.
After 7 years, I stand at the threshold of the Nascent Soul stage, thanks to the power of the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections.
'Once I reach Nascent Soul, I'll be able to move a bit more freely under Seo Hweol.'
I will also be able to formally train in Nascent Soul methods.
'Then shall I... return to the Nascent Soul stage?'
***
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