For 50 years,
Gyu-baek underwent hellish training ad nauseum.
At first, I guided her by myself. But as time passed, Jang Ik also began to guide her, and her skills started to improve dramatically.
Somehow, she managed to reach the extreme of Ultimate Pinnacle with guidance from both me and Jang Ik.
In the meantime, there was a minor incident where Jang Ik took the secret of Ultimate Pinnacle from me, but anyway, she reached Ultimate Pinnacle and was now on the verge of Beyond the Path to Heavens.
However, she ultimately failed to properly enter Beyond the Path to Heavens.
Boom!
Gyu-baek's Gang Spheres overlap with her consciousness domain, causing it to change.
Gurgling, gurgling...
Gyu-baek's unstable consciousness domain suddenly transforms into something resembling ropes or chains before collapsing."What is this? Are you joking?"
The owner of the territory, the monkey demon, frustratedly beats its chest watching Gyu-baek's actions.
Gyu-baek sighs for a moment before bending her fingers.
Crack!
Bright yellow Gang Qi forms at the tip of her fingers.
Shortly after, Gang Qi resembling a yellow dragon surges from Gyu-baek's entire body.
"What, what is this, Pure Spiritual Force? Were you a Qi Building stage demon? But to this body that has reached Core Formation..."
The next moment,
Gyu-baek, accelerating her consciousness with Gang Spheres, charges at the monkey demon like a bolt of lightning and attacks.
She resembles a wild beast.
The Dragon Form Soaring Claw is originally based on the movements of the Dragon Race, a divine lineage among the demon races.
Since the Dragon Form Soaring Claw was created based on Gyu-ryeon's combat style, it naturally includes her inherently wild fighting style when she fought in her true form.
Kugugugu!
Gyu-baek's Dragon Form Soaring Claw grazes the monkey demon.
It attacks like a fierce dragon, but since it is also a martial art, it applies pressure while adjusting its intensity, revealing the subtlety of martial arts and achieving great effects with little effort.
After 50 years, the Dragon Form Soaring Claw performed by her hands has significantly evolved from the original version I had created.
Gyu-baek adapted it to her style and several adjustments were made based on Jang Ik's advice.
Anyway, befitting a fragment of a quasi-Integration stage dragon, Gyu-baek quickly subdues the monkey demon.
"Kuh, keuhuk! Sp, spare me..."
The monkey demon, losing its initial ferocity, begs Gyu-baek for its life.
Gyu-baek finally retracts her Gang Qi and descends from above the monkey demon.
"How about that?"
"You've greatly improved."
To my compliment, Gyu-baek crosses her arms and snorts.
"I've told you many times, it's just rehabilitation."
"Yes, yes."
While watching her, Jang Ik approaches.
[When you charge at an opponent, widen the gap between your feet a bit more. And pay more attention to the synchronization of your intent while using Pure Spiritual Force.]
"Yes."
While Gyu-baek is receiving a lecture from Jang Ik, I approach the monkey demon and hand it a formation flag I had created.
"Look here, fellow Daoist. I heard you're the chief of the monkeys around here."
"That's... true, but?"
"Could you ask the monkeys to plant this formation flag right in the center of the swamp, where the spiritual energy is most abundant?"
The monkey demon, glancing cautiously at Gyu-baek who had beaten it, nods.
"I understand...yes."
"Good, then I'm counting on you. And, just so you know, don't try any funny business."
Kugugugu!
After exerting the pressure of my Nascent Soul spiritual energy on the monkey demon, its complexion turns pale and it nods frantically.
"Yes, how could there be any issues, senior. I will follow your orders without question!"
After entrusting the friendly monkeys with the installation of the formation, I approach Gyu-baek, who is listening to Jang Ik's nagging, and Yu Hwa.
"With today's setup, the last formation is in place. It's really time to prepare."
"Alright, I understand."
"Good."
Together with Jang Ik, we arrive at the wasteland where we first landed.
We reach the location of Gyu-ryeon's corpse.
Wo-woong!
Gyu-ryeon's corpse is as large as a mountain range, still covering the entire wasteland with its enormous size.
Gyu-baek looks at Gyu-ryeon's corpse with a complicated expression.
Even 50 years later, Gyu-ryeon's corpse still boasts its former dignity despite being dried up from being drained of blood.
The golden scales that Gyu-ryeon was proud of have not faded at all, and her claws are still as sharp as if she were alive.
However, her two horns are missing, having been torn off by Seo Hweol.
After staring at Gyu-ryeon's corpse for a while, Gyu-baek bites her lip.
"...So, when will we ascend?"
"The formations will activate simultaneously this evening. That's when we should make our move."
"...Got it."
Gyu-baek seems troubled as she looks at Gyu-ryeon's corpse.
With a complicated look, she disappears somewhere.
[It's time to say goodbye.]
"Yes, I have been greatly indebted to the Esteemed One during this time."
[It's nothing. I actually found it quite entertaining to teach you two amidst my uninteresting tasks.]
Before long, I have reached the extreme of Treading Heavens under Jang Ik's guidance and am starting to grasp the enlightenment beyond.
Yu Hwa, under Jang Ik, successfully reached the Final Moon of Last Quarter that she so desired. Gyu-baek is also gradually looking towards Beyond the Path to Heavens.
[Perhaps, Gyu-baek won't be able to reach the first step of Fighting Spirit.]
Jang Ik clicks his tongue as he looks at the spot where Gyu-baek vanished.
[Her heart essence is still too chaotic, and although she has a strong desire, it has not been integrated into any single concept.]
"...But, didn't the Esteemed One see it? The momentary change in Miss Gyu-baek's consciousness domain."
At my question, Jang Ik shakes his head as if it is absurd.
[That's not Fighting Spirit. It would be more appropriate to call it a consciousness method. No, not a consciousness method, but perhaps a ritual of the Heaven Tribe? Or should it be called a supernatural ability through ancient secret arts?]
Jang Ik continues.
[What Gyu-baek has formed is an obsession with the Vast Cold Beautiful Agreement that is still connected to her. She has not properly refined her heart essence to step into the first step of Fighting Spirit, only showing something similar to the first step of Fighting Spirit because her mind and body have merged into the ancient secret art known as the Vast Cold Beautiful Agreement.]
"...Then, does that mean she can exert Beyond the Path to Heavens in the presence of a target related to the Vast Cold Beautiful Agreement?"
[Ha, a first step of Fighting Spirit that only exerts its effect on a specific target... Such Manifestation isn't nonexistent, but she relies too much on her Vast Cold Beautiful Agreement. The Vast Cold Beautiful Agreement is an ancient secret art that was discarded because its activation condition could not be found, so if she can't activate the Vast Cold Beautiful Agreement, she can't properly activate Manifestation either. It's a useless half-baked Manifestation.]
Jang Ik clicks his tongue, seeming displeased with Gyu-baek.
Gyu-baek found the clue to Beyond the Path to Heavens.
However, the Beyond the Path to Heavens she reached is a peculiar one that heavily depends on her remaining obsession and Vast Cold Beautiful Agreement with Seo Hweol for activation.
If Seo Hweol is not present, it doesn't activate properly,
And even if it does activate, it's incomplete as the activation conditions for the Vast Cold Beautiful Agreement were lost in ancient times.
It's unusable in normal times.
In short, it is something born from Gyu-baek's bizarre obsession with Seo Hweol, difficult even to call Beyond the Path to Heavens.
'But... if Gyu-baek faces Seo Hweol alone and satisfies the conditions for Beyond the Path to Heavens...'
Limited to Seo Hweol, perhaps Gyu-baek's Beyond the Path to Heavens can become a terrifying one that Seo Hweol can never escape.
The unique Beyond the Path to Heavens Gyu-baek obtained, longing for a meeting with Seo Hweol, only affecting Seo Hweol.
That is Gyu-baek's Beyond the Path to Heavens.
'How unique...'
I think it's quite interesting, approaching Gyu-ryeon's corpse to stroke its scales.
"Now that the day of departure is approaching, may I ask the Esteemed One a few questions?"
[Ask away.]
I ask the Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One the questions I have been curious about.
"How are the Heart Tribe's realms divided? To what extent can the Heart Tribe grow?"
[There are the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Manifestations corresponding to Core Formation, Nascent Soul, and Heavenly Being respectively. Or as I say, Fighting Spirit 1st, 2nd, and 3rd steps. There are 3 steps beyond this too.]
"3 steps, you say..."
[Yes, the 1st step corresponds to the Four-Axis and Integration stages. The 2nd step to the Star Shattering and Sacred Vessel stages. Finally, the 3rd step corresponds to the Entering Nirvana stage.]
"Are these 3 steps simply the names for the stages beyond the 3rd Manifestation stage?"
[It varies. For someone like Yu Hwa, it's termed as the First, Middle, and Final Moons beyond the current realm. For me, I refer to it as Three Steps Before The Throne (御前三步).]
"...You mentioned the 3rd step corresponds to the Entering Nirvana stage. Then, do you not know the stage corresponding to the True Immortal realm?"
[Unfortunately, I do not. I was the one who conceived the concept of these 3 steps. Since it was not a concept I received through teachings from someone else, I am unaware of higher stages.]
"I see... Understood."
He looks at me with his arms crossed.
[Is there anything else you wish to ask?]
"Yes, may I inquire about one more thing?"
[Proceed.]
I take a moment of silence before carefully asking Jang Ik.
"I've heard that except for the Blood Yin Realm, all high-ranking Esteemed Ones in the Middle Realms are currently on an expedition. They are said to be searching for something in the Astral Realm, something to do with the Decaying Corpse Realm."
[That's not incorrect.]
"If it's not too presumptuous, may I ask what it is you are searching for?"
[Well, it's not a big secret, so I'll tell you.]
He speaks lightly as if it's not a significant secret. However, the continuation of Jang Ik's words surprises me.
[Currently, all the Esteemed Ones from across the realms are gathering to enter the place where the remains of the notorious Lightning Immortal, Yang Su-jin, from 120,000 years ago are located.]
"Lightning Immortal... Yang Su-jin's remains?"
[Yes. Some of Yang Su-jin's remains are scattered across the Astral Realm, and some of those drifting in the Astral Realm have transformed into the Decaying Corpse Realm.]
"Decaying Corpse Realm..."
Apparently, the Decaying Corpse Realm is like a Lower Realm created from the fragments of a True Immortal's corpse.
[40,000 years ago... Many cultivators went down to the Head Realm where he was said to have died, trying to find Yang Su-jin's remains. But upon realizing that his remains were not there, numerous high-level cultivators scoured all of the heavens and earth and finally located traces of Yang Su-jin.]
"...Why such obsession with Yang Su-jin's traces?"
[...Yang Su-jin, during his lifetime, took items of enormous value from each Middle Realm... no, borrowed them and did not return them. Those items are of immense importance to each Middle Realm, so they are trying to retrieve them from him.]
It seems he is deliberately not mentioning what those items are.
[Yang Su-jin had inserted the core treasures of the Middle Realms into his immortal treasure, and finding his remains would pave the way to reaching that immortal treasure.]
"Yang Su-jin's immortal treasure... are you referring to that?"
I suddenly think of the Heavenly Lightning Banner.
"Could it be the Heavenly Lightning Banner?"
But Jang Ik just chuckles and shakes his head.
[The Heavenly Lightning Banner is not Yang Su-jin's immortal treasure. While it's true he used it, legend has it that he forcefully took it from a distinguished entity in the True Immortal Realm.]
"..."
[I'm just thinking out loud here, but the being from whom Yang Su-jin stole the immortal treasure must be waiting with tears for the day they can reclaim it. Hahaha...]
It's a story that can't be ignored.
If what he said is true, then the True Immortal that will descend upon the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect soon might be the distinguished entity from the True Immortal Realm with a deep grudge against Yang Su-jin.
'I thought just taking the Heavenly Lightning Banner and plugging it into Hyeon Eum's mouth would solve the problem...'
Perhaps, the moment the True Immortal descends, all factions inheriting Yang Su-jin's legacy might be doomed.
I ask Jang Ik several more questions I am curious about.
Finally, time passes, and a day goes by.
Next to Gyu-ryeon's corpse, I feel the formation I had set up all over the planet begin to activate.
Wo-woong!
Gyu-baek and Yu Hwa gather towards me as well.
The sparse spiritual energy of the entire planet, flowing through the planet's dragon veins, are drawn towards us.
Though originally sparse, the concentration of spiritual energy momentarily becomes even denser than in the mainlands of the Bright Cold Realm once gathered in one place.
Kiiiiing!
I form a seal at the center of the spiritual veins and begin to open a spatial rift.
Kugugugugu!
For 50 years, a formation was created for the sole purpose of ascending to the Bright Cold Realm.
The Return to Bright Cold Realm Formation.
I control the Return to Bright Cold Realm Formation and greet Jang Ik's avatar, who is watching us from the side.
"Thank you for everything during this time."
[Yes, everyone has worked hard. Seo Eun-hyun, there's nothing particular I need to say to you. If you continue to cultivate diligently, you will reach the third step of Fighting Spirit, the third stage of Manifestation.]
Jang Ik looks over at us one by one.
[Yu Hwa, you've reached the last stage of Last Quarter, but your realm is still not stable. Right after ascending, you will be under the control of the Heaven and Earth Tribes at the Flying Immortal Platform, so be on your guard. Even if you're capable in many against one, and Seo Eun-hyun has taught you the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts, be cautious in a place bustling with Four-Axis stage cultivators. There will also be an Integration stage Grand Cultivator at the Heaven-Earth Palace… Anyway, if you use the method I taught you, even the Grand Cultivator of the Heaven-Earth Palace can't easily mess with you.]
After giving advice to Yu Hwa, he turns his gaze to Gyu-baek.
[Gyu-baek, to be honest, you were the worst of those I've taught. It's not a problem of talent, but rather your state of mind.]
"…."
[You always think of yourself as trash, but in some sense, you are indeed Honored Master Gyu-ryeon herself.]
"…That can't be…."
[Hmph. Contemplating the essence of existence to reach the realm is what the Heart Tribe does. Are you saying you can't believe the words of a Star Shattering Esteemed One from the Heart Tribe?]
"…."
[You've always thought of yourself as trash, entangled in love and hatred for that guy Seo Hweol, and your mind is a mess. But…]
Jang Ik places his hand on her shoulder and smiles.
[Leaving the Heaven, Earth, and Heart Tribes aside. As a senior, I hope you find happiness.]
Wo-woong!
Jang Ik infuses something into her heart essence.
[Now, off you all go! It was a short but enjoyable meeting!]
Wo-woong!
After activating the Return to Bright Cold Realm Formation, I bow to Jang Ik.
Yu Hwa and Gyu-baek also pay their respects in their own ways.
After paying respects to Jang Ik, I look at Gyu-ryeon's corpse.
Gyu-baek also looks at Gyu-ryeon's corpse.
Gyu-baek claimed herself to be a piece, a shattered fragment of Gyu-ryeon.
Therefore, according to her, the real Gyu-ryeon is dead. The corpse of Gyu-ryeon we see today will be the last image of Gyu-ryeon I will remember in this life.
'Rest in peace, Senior Gyu.'
Thank you for everything.
I also bow in my heart towards Gyu-ryeon.
At the same time, the Return to Bright Cold Realm Formation shines brightly, propelling us beyond space.
Paaat!
Yu Hwa, having reached the stage corresponding to Heavenly Being, begins to ascend. Gyu-baek and I stick close to her, starting to resist the spatial pressure.
Thus, 60 years after being betrayed by Seo Hweol, we begin our ascension to return.
***
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