Editor: Z0Rel
"Speak."
Crackle, crackling...!
Is it due to the pain that my emotions became agitated?
Tsstsstsst!
One by one, around me, black curses begin to flow out.
"Speak...!"
Tsuuuu!
Eventually, the curses begin to overflow around me like a river."Speak!"
Kugugugu!
A waterfall of curse spells is drawn out around me.
Then, the full load of the curse spells is blown towards Zhengli.
Since an immortal treasure's mental structure is different from humans, the pain isn't as clearly inflicted as it would be on humans.
If a curse inflicts 100 units of pain on a typical life form, it would only inflict about 0.01 units of pain on an immortal treasure.
Hence, using about 10,000 curse spells should be sufficient to transfer pain to an immortal treasure.
Kwagwagwagwa!
Countless curse spells pour in like a waterfall to within the Heavenly Lightning Banner.
[...!]
I can feel the Heavenly Lightning Banner suffering.
"Speak, what were you trying to do?"
After struggling with the pain for a while, Zhengli finally opens her mouth.
[Curious...?]
From inside the Heavenly Lightning Banner, I feel a gaze staring at me somewhere.
Along with it, I see again something like a thread of Zhengli's 'intent' extending far away.
"What are you doing!!!"
Swoooosh―
Rain made of curses fall over the entire Thunder Tribute Hall.
The black curses begin to rot and corrode the floor of the hall.
[Madman... I was momentarily startled, but... you are foolish. If you had embraced me and felt pleasure calling my name, you could have returned to the owner in peace….]
Simultaneously, something flies from where her 'intent' is connected.
Kwarurung!
From outside the Thunder Tribute Hall, an enormous energy begins to surge.
Zzirit, zzirit!
Static electricity flows through the air.
'Jeon Myeong-hoon... has he reached the Nascent Soul stage?'
But something is off.
The flow of energy around is too violently turbulent, more than it would be from just him attaining a Nascent Soul.
'Something happened?'
I glare at the Heavenly Lightning Banner.
[The curse spells used at the level of mortals are annoying, but by raising my consciousness to the plane of Fate and changing my mental structure, there's no pain. Your torture is useless.]
"You...!"
[And....]
Before long, Zhengli transforms back into a human form.
Suddenly, the staff of the Heavenly Lightning Banner I am holding becomes Zhengli's ankle.
She holds something transparent that arrived from the direction where Jeon Myeong-hoon is.
[Finally, we have come this far.]
Zzeung!
She strikes down towards the void with the transparent something.
At that moment, I see an 'intent' with my fourth sense.
The 'intent,' tangled like chains, is connected to various parts of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect. As she strikes down with the transparent thing, the chains are severed just like that.
Pang!
Sssshhhh―
Simultaneously, an indescribably bizarre energy begins to emanate from her, incomparable to before.
[Ahaha, now only a single layer remains. The last chain cannot be unlocked unless one is of the level of Yang Su-jin's true body... But still, it may be possible for but a speck of my authority to be accessible once more…]
Ttak!
With a sinister smile, she flicks her finger.
[Your effort is admirable, but, my child, you can't stop me. It's already too late.]
Along with that.
Ziiiiing!
A strange power of lightning bursts forth around her.
Kugugugugu!
'What is this...!'
The power continues to expand its range, soon covering the entire Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect and then spreading widely enough to cover the entire Thunder Spirit Island.
At the same time.
Crackling!
"...!"
The currents in my brain move oddly, and all sorts of emotions begin to swell.
"You…!"
While removing my testicles, I also cut out and removed a part of my soul that governs lust.
Of course, having reached the Nascent Soul stage, my soul contains considerable energy and it will regenerate over time.
Because of that, I was able to escape from Zhengli's influence, but 'despite that,' it's still difficult to easily soothe the desire to hold the Heavenly Lightning Banner from within.
I look at her, my complexion turning pale.
"Damn it!"
Even I, who had temporarily removed lust, feels desire boiling up.
Then, what about others who do not possess mental strength like mine?
Kugugugugu!
As expected.
Kwaang!
The door of Thunder Tribute Hall shatters, and Jin Byuk-ho and the other grand elders enter with somewhat excited faces.
Jin Byuk-ho gasps for breath and says with a somewhat flushed face.
"What are you doing now, Elder Jin Eun-hyun? Coming to the Thunder Tribute Hall and holding the Heavenly Lightning Banner? To touch the Heavenly Lightning Banner, one must at least be the sect leader…?"
"…I'm sorry. There was something I needed to find out by looking at the Heavenly Lightning Banner."
"Oh, is that so? Well, I understand for now. I also have something to try with the Heavenly Lightning Banner, so let me hold it for a moment."
Jin Byuk-ho extends his hand towards me.
"…."
"…Elder Jin Eun-hyun?"
I speak with an awkward smile.
"I'm sorry, Supreme Sect Master. Could you give me a little more time?"
"…What are you saying… Elder Jin Eun-hyun. The Heavenly Lightning Banner is a divine object that originally can only be touched by those who hold the position of sect leader! You, still a potential next sect leader, should not touch it! Hand it over to me now!"
Jin Byuk-ho suddenly bursts into anger, his eyes bloodshot as he yells at me.
Normally, even if I have the Heavenly Lightning Banner, he would never have shouted at me like this.
He knows I'm the perfect genius, even more outstanding than the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body, and considers me the future of the sect.
Even if I had touched the Heavenly Lightning Banner, he would have admonished me politely, not yell with such rage.
I smile bitterly at Jin Byuk-ho.
"You're enchanted by this bewitching object."
"What are you saying! If you talk nonsense and disobey one more time, I'll lock you in the Punishment Lightning Cave for 10 years of wall-facing! For the last time, hand over the Heavenly Lightning Banner!"
Crackle, crackling!
The electrical signals in my brain tangle, stimulating the desire to possess the Heavenly Lightning Banner even more.
I want to embrace the Heavenly Lightning Banner.
I want to touch it.
I want to lick it, handle it, and try striking lightning with it.
I want to wield the power of the Heavenly Lightning Banner.
Surely, Jin Byuk-ho and the grand elders who have just arrived feel the same.
However, I read the intent of the Heavenly Lightning Banner.
And its 'intent.'
'After enchanting the people of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, she intends to teach them her name.'
I suppress my desire and grip the Heavenly Lightning Banner even tighter.
She quietly returns to the form of a flag in my grasp, as if to see how I will withstand it.
Jin Hwi shouts.
"Jin Eun-hyun! The elders of the sect are commanding you! Hand over the Heavenly Lightning Banner to us right away!"
"Hold on, what is this black darkish energy?"
Jin Jin-chan frowns as he looks at my curse spells.
"This is... it seems like something I saw in the Black Ghost Valley before...?"
"Jin Eun-hyun, you! What have you learned!?"
"Jin Eun-hyun!!! Hand over the Heavenly Lightning Banner first!"
The grand elders shout at me chaotically, and I bow once to them on the spot.
"…I'm sorry."
"What is this..."
"From now on."
While bowing to them, I slowly raise my curse spells.
Whenever True Immortals are involved, things get this complicated.
"It seems I, this foolish and unworthy disciple, must betray the sect."
Kwagwagwagwa!
A storm of curse spells erupt from me towards the grand elders.
"Ha, such curse spells. What do you think they can do to us who have risen to the Heavenly Being stage... Aaaaah!"
"Aaaah!"
"Ke, keooogh!"
Most of the grand elders trying to withstand my curses with their bare bodies end up foaming at the mouth, rolling their eyes back, and fainting on the spot.
The pain inflicted by my curses are less than one thousandth of the pain from ingesting the poison that amplifies senses sixty thousand times, but that alone is enough to make the Heavenly Being stage grand elders faint, and even Jin Byuk-ho collapses to the floor, unable to regain his senses momentarily.
[How cruel, Eun-hyun. Do you intend to betray your sect?]
I hear the Heavenly Lightning Banner mocking me.
[All who cultivate the Lightning Path Method cannot escape my enchantment... Do you intend to fight against the entire Thunder Spirit Island? Uhuhu... Do you truly have the will to do that, Eun-hyun? Let me go. Pass me on to another.]
She whispers to me in a soft, subtle voice, calling my name.
I desire to heed her request immediately.
But I speak in a stern voice.
"Shut up."
[....]
Step, step...
Passing by the fainted grand elders, this time, the elders with half-rolled eyes surround me.
"Elder Jin Eun-hyun!"
"What is this!?"
"What have you done to the grand elders... No, more importantly, give us the Heavenly Lightning Banner now! It's a divine object you shouldn't be holding!"
"Never mind the Heavenly Lightning Banner for now, what about these dark curse spells..."
"It's a technique from the Black Ghost Valley! I've seen it before!"
The elders look at me with eyes filled with horror.
"You, you, you! You ultimately choose to betray our sect and side with the Black Ghost Valley!?"
"What wickedness...! Seize the Heavenly Lightning Banner from that traitor!"
"Defend the sect's divine object with your life!"
Is it because Zhengli's enchantment had disrupted their logical thinking circuits?
Without even considering listening to me, they charge at me with crazed eyes.
I smile bitterly and raise one hand.
Kugugugugu!
Perhaps because I had removed my testicles and a part of my soul.
The pain is still vivid, and I generate curse spells based on that pain.
In an instant, countless curses pour out, enough to rot the Thunder Tribute Hall, and the fog of curses cover the summit of Thunder Cloud Peak.
"Huaaaaaah!"
"Kwaaaah! K, kwaaaah!"
"Ah, it hurts! It hurts so much...!!!"
Most of the elders can't bear my pain and faint as well.
There are no external injuries, and most of them will wake up fine after some sleep.
I glare at Zhengli and spit gravely.
"I will... make sure you pay the price."
[Ahaha... How terrifying.]
"...Truthfully, you're scared, aren't you?"
[....]
"Remember this well. The sin of forcing me to betray my sect with my own hands will not be easily forgiven..."
I give Zhengli, who tries to avoid my madness-filled gaze, one last look and descend from Thunder Cloud Peak.
At the same time, I feel the sound of a massive whirlwind from afar.
Kugugugugu!
"Huh..."
A giant red lightning bolt soars from the ground to the sky, creating a pillar of light.
Kwajijijizik!
A tingling sensation of lightning energy touches me.
'That seems a bit… dangerous.'
I chuckle at the monstrous lightning energy I feel.
[With my help, he has successfully obtained the Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation.]
"What?"
I'm taken aback and glare at Zhengli.
However, she ignores my gaze and speaks to Jeon Myeong-hoon, who is emitting a pillar of red lightning.
[Come here, Myeong-hoon. Since you've obtained the Heavenly Lightning thanks to my assistance, help me.]
She begins to sing.
[There's a wicked traitor who betrayed his sect.
[Having hidden his true intentions for decades within the sect,
[Attacking the grand elders and the Supreme Sect Master,
[Trying to steal the sect's divine object...
[Come quickly and exterminate that wicked traitor, restoring the justice of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect...]
"You...!"
Roar!
Her voice reaches Jeon Myeong-hoon.
Though I try to block it, her 'voice' is directed at Jeon Myeong-hoon in some metaphysical way, making it impossible for me to intercept.
I have no choice but to quickly take out two sound transmission talismans.
The talismans are connected to Yeon Jin and Hong Su-ryeong respectively.
"Hong Su-ryeong, Yeon Wei! Please keep your promise, today is the day I spoke of!"
Soon, I receive a somewhat surprised but affirmative response from Hong Su-ryeong.
Yeon Jin also sends an affirmative response.
Right after their replies.
Kwarururung!
A red lightning bolt rushes towards me.
Kwaang!
I'm unable to dodge the attack from Jeon Myeong-hoon within the red lightning and get hit, flying off to one side of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect's peak.
Kwaang!
One of the peaks explodes. I get up from beneath the collapsed peak, glaring at Jeon Myeong-hoon who struck me.
"...You've grown quite a bit."
"Seo Eun-hyun."
From within, Jeon Myeong-hoon, who had completely transformed into a lightning giant, asks bitterly.
"What are you doing right now?"
"...I can't explain to you."
"Explain it."
"Just trust me for a moment. Stay away from me for a bit. If you get close to the Heavenly Lightning Banner..."
Kwarung!
Instantly, lightning flashes. The next moment, Jeon Myeong-hoon's attack is flying towards my head.
Paang!
I draw my wooden sword and deflect Jeon Myeong-hoon's strike.
"Just listen to me for a moment..."
Kwang, kwang, kwarurung!
"Just a moment..."
Kwarurung!
"Just a second..."
Flash!
Kwaang!
Countless flashes of lightning strike as Jeon Myeong-hoon attacks me.
I realize his condition is also quite strange.
"What have you done to Jeon Myeong-hoon...!?"
It's odd.
If the technique Jeon Myeong-hoon learned is truly the Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation, then it should be Yang Su-jin's technique.
Yet, even after mastering Yang Su-jin's technique, Jeon Myeong-hoon seems to be completely enchanted by Zhengli without any resistance.
'Is there no basic resistance function in the Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation, unlike in the Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens?'
[Curious, Eun-hyun?]
As I wonder, Zhengli begins to whisper in a bewitching voice next to me.
[I guided him and taught him the original technique mastered by the Golden Deity, Yang Su-jin, called the Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation Technique.]
"..."
[And Yang Su-jin's original technique was directly taught to that traitor by my Lord in his younger days...]
"…!"
[As the servant of my owner, I'm merely guiding 'disciple' Jeon Myeong-hoon, so don't worry too much about your colleague. There won't be any problem. Instead, worry about yourself, Eun-hyun....]
Zhengli mockingly says to me.
Before I knew it, I'd already exchanged countless blows with Jeon Myeong-hoon and rose above the clouds in the sky.
'This won't be easy.'
I send a signal to something I have kept hidden.
[The Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation is the pinnacle of the Lightning Path Method, directly created by the Owner of Heavenly Tribulation... Uhuhu, even Jeon Myeong-hoon, who has just entered the early Nascent Soul stage, possesses enough power to end a Grand Perfection Heavenly Being...]
The next moment.
Kugugugugu!
Whoosh!
From below the clouds, a dark figure soars up, blocking Jeon Myeong-hoon.
Kwaak!
The thing that catches the rampaging Jeon Myeong-hoon opens its mouth, shining with a fierce light.
"Go, General Seo."
It's the True Origin General Seo, the Four-Axis stage puppet I had continuously crafted and hidden within the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect for decades.
***
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