Editor: Z0Rel
Woong, woong...
The weather was foul.
Dark clouds gathered all around, obstructing the view of the sky.
Glimpsing through the gaps in the clouds, I read the celestial energy and could tell that many were tracking me through my celestial energy.
'This will be troublesome.'
Of course, that was all there was to it, and I felt no particular thrill otherwise.
The Integration stage Grand Cultivators weren't specifically chasing me.
At most, they considered me to be at the Grand Perfection of the Nascent Soul stage, and at best, the Heavenly Being stage, only sending pursuers at the early stages of the Four-Axis stage after me, so escaping was no issue.Rather, the problem at the moment was something else.
'It's slowly coming into view....'
I frowned, gazing at the 'entrance to the Devil Realm' ahead.
The war with the True Devil Realm was about to start.
Due to the minor butterfly effects caused by my regression, the timing of the war with the True Devil Realm had changed slightly from my previous life, but the war itself definitely happened.
At this point, the Human Race had begun to invade and occupy the True Devil Realm by breaking through its entrance.
I observed the two Four-Axis cultivators guarding the entrance to the True Devil Realm.
Under the orders of Penglai Palace's Lord Hon Won, I had been declared wanted by the entire Human Race, and it was certain that if I tried to pass there, I would be stopped by the two Four-Axis cultivators.
Nevertheless, I had to break through those two.
'Because Yeon Wei is beyond there....'
The moment to show Yeon Jin to Hon Won through contact.
At that time, Yeon Jin and Yeon Wei were just before entering the True Devil Realm, and right after Hun Won recognized Yeon Wei, the invasion of the True Devil Realm began, and they fled into it.
I heard on my way here that Yeon Jin had already become elusive in the True Devil Realm after crossing over.
'Once I get to the True Devil Realm, I should be able to find out her location through the linked communication artifact.'
After Yeon Jin crossed over to the True Devil Realm, the communication artifact couldn't bridge the interdimensional distance, but once I also cross over, I should be able to locate her through the artifact.
'The problem is breaking through those two to get to the entrance of the True Devil Realm...'
In fact, two Four-Axis cultivators weren't an issue.
I was confident enough to handle one each with General Seo, allowing us to break through.
The issue was exposing my power.
'If it becomes known that I have the power equivalent to at least two mid-Four-Axis cultivators, the bounty on me will skyrocket, and from a situation where Heavenly Being stage cultivators were already following me, Four-Axis cultivators might swarm me....'
Of course, as my rampages in the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect and my confrontations with Hon Wei spread, Four-Axis cultivators will gradually flock to me, but that is supposed to happen 'gradually.' I have to avoid such an annoying situation from happening so soon.
'Information that Yeon Wei had gone to the True Devil Realm has likely already been relayed to the Penglai Palace through the Human Race Grand Alliance, and the Penglai Palace, sharing information with the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, will start chasing after me. There's a high chance they will come after me into the True Devil Realm.'
I need to hurry before Penglai Palace and the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect begin their pursuit.
'How do I get past those two to the entrance of the Devil Realm?'
Using the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts is problematic because the two Four-Axis cultivators are covering the dimensional gate with something similar to an Axis Foundation Barrier by linking their Axes.
Simply using the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts wouldn't be enough to deceive them inside the barrier.
'What should I do?'
It's then.
[Master, do you intend to pass through those Four-Axis cultivators?]
"Ah, Hong Fan."
I hear Hong Fan speaking to me inside my Peach Garden Painting, a type of storage scroll for living beings.
"Yes, do you have any methods?"
[Hmm... It seems you wish to pass through that barrier without revealing yourself... Is that correct?]
"That's right."
[Then, I might be able to help.]
"Oh? How so?"
Swoosh!
Hong Fan emerges from the Peach Garden Painting.
"Previously, while examining the human experimentation records of Grand Elder Hong, I discovered that the Axis Foundation barrier of Four-Axis cultivators is greatly influenced by the consciousness domain."
"Hmm, that makes sense."
"And according to Grand Elder Hong's human experimentation findings... The part of the human that has the greatest influence on the consciousness domain is the human brain, especially the frontal lobe."
"...Yes, that's true, but..."
"If I use a poison I've formulated, it can severely damage the frontal lobe of humans momentarily. For Four-Axis cultivators, it's a poison they can recover from after a few breaths, but without immunity, it will certainly work once."
"Ho..."
I stroke my chin, pondering.
"Then, the process of administering the poison is crucial."
"Indeed. Since the opponents are Four-Axis seniors, if they notice the poisoning process and block the poison itself, there's no solution."
"Alright, I'll administer the poison."
"Do you have a plan?"
"Yes, first..."
I discuss with Hong Fan, devise a plan to administer the poison, and soon, we proceed with the execution.
Swoosh!
"Good day, seniors."
I brazenly approach the Four-Axis cultivators first.
"Are you heading to the True Devil Realm? Have you received a pass from the Human Race Grand Alliance... Wait a moment, you, aren't you the one wanted by Penglai Palace?"
"Yes, that's correct."
Confidently admitting, I smile brightly.
The first stage of the plan.
First, I openly reveal my face, which is wanted by Penglai Palace, to attract their attention.
'Second.'
I mix Hong Fan's poison with the White Orchid Blessing Incantation, conceal it with the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts, and scatter it towards the Four-Axis cultivators whose attention is focused on me.
"What, what have you done to us!"
The Four-Axis stage cultivators were focused on me, but as soon as they realized my spell wrapped in the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts had entered inside their barrier, they immediately noticed and became wary.
'Third.'
However, they notice my White Orchid Blessing Incantation but can't immediately expel it.
Essentially, the vast majority of living beings instinctively reject 'curses' but accept 'blessings' without resistance.
This is a natural instinct of the living.
Just like when Hon Wei used the Mount Tai Splitting Emperor Technique against me, I found it difficult to resist because her Yin and Yang Five Elements binding spell took the form of a 'blessing.'
As the saying goes, one cannot spit on a smiling face.
A blessing is one of the hardest techniques to shake off.
"This is, a blessing...?"
"I'm getting stronger and... urk!"
And that is precisely the most terrifying poison.
Taking advantage of the gap, Hong Fan's poison flows into the two cultivators.
As Hong Fan said, for Four-Axis cultivators brimming with vitality, it's a poison they can detoxify in a few breaths.
But that is enough.
Woong!
A shock is delivered to their frontal lobes, their consciousness domain wavers, and soon the Axis Foundation Barrier they had jointly erected begins to shake.
An instant.
A truly fleeting moment that a typical Nascent Soul cultivator could never catch, but that is enough for me.
Woosh!
I accelerate my thoughts to the extreme, use the Flying Escape Technique and the demon beast's Gliding Technique, and rush through the gap in the barrier.
While the two Four-Axis cultivators are still disoriented, I manage to pass through the dimensional gate, successfully crossing over.
'It's done!'
Without using force, with only the power at the Nascent Soul or, at best, the Heavenly Being stage, I succeeded in breaking through the barrier of the Four-Axis stage.
This greatly reduces the chance of my power being exposed and Four-Axis cultivators swarming after me.
"It worked..."
I smile contentedly, looking back at the dimensional gate behind me.
I see signs of the Four-Axis cultivators trying to follow through the dimensional gate, but before they can cross into the Devil Realm, I use the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts to erase my presence and leave the Human Race's occupied territory in the Devil Realm.
"Well done, Hong Fan."
I smile, pleased with our collaboration.
Even though I had eluded the two Four-Axis seniors, they will likely perceive it as a 'trivial trick' like poison, not as my actual skill, so my true power will not be exposed just yet.
"I'm glad I could be of help to you in this way, Master."
"Haha, you've always been a help to me."
I praise Hong Fan and take out the communication artifact.
Now, it's time to meet Yeon Wei again.
Devil Realm.
Polluted Yin Valley.
The place is sticky with impure devilish energy gathering to form a swamp, making it a notorious gathering place for the filthier races of the Devil Realm.
Because of this, not only the True Devil Realm itself but also invaders from other dimensions tend to leave the Polluted Yin Valley alone.
In short, Polluted Yin Valley is a kind of landfill in the Devil Realm that goes unnoticed.
Whoosh!
Using the Flying Escape Technique, I arrive above Polluted Yin Valley and survey the surroundings.
After waiting for a while, a signal comes from afar.
It's Yeon Wei's signal.
Whoosh!
I immediately follow her signal using the Flying Escape Technique.
Soon,
Among the countless valleys in Polluted Yin Valley, at the top of one that is inconspicuous and filled with yin energy, I arrive and find a crevice leading inside.
Upon entering the crevice, the surrounding environment begins to change drastically.
It's a formation.
Sssssss!
As I step in, the formation seems to morph, and then a path opens up right before me.
I follow the path and soon arrive at a Peach Garden that is refreshingly clean and emitting pure spiritual energy, completely out of place with Polluted Yin Valley just moments before.
"You've come."
I see a pavilion in one part of the Peach Garden.
There, Yeon Wei, using Yeon Jin's body, is sitting in meditation, waiting for me.
Yeon Wei shudders as she sees me holding the Heavenly Lightning Banner.
"What madness... Why is the seal of the Heavenly Lightning Banner undone except for one layer!?"
"I'm not sure myself, but it seems like the Heavenly Lightning Banner somehow managed to undo its own seals."
Yeon Wei's face twists in frustration.
She mutters quietly.
"Is it going to happen again, like 40,000 years ago...?"
"...? What do you mean?"
"...Never mind. Originally, only Yeon Jin and my well-being mattered... but now that I've seen the state of the Heavenly Lightning Banner, it can't be helped. Initially, I was planning to abandon you and live leisurely in the depths of the Devil Realm... but I'll make an exception and help you."
"Excuse me...?"
Swoosh―
With a wave of her hand, some kind of formation that had enveloped the entire Peach Garden is lifted.
Realizing what she had plotted, I'm dumbfounded and with my mouth agape in astonishment.
The formation she just dismantled is of the sealing type.
Meaning, she originally planned to lure me here, seal me, and escape with Yeon Jin's body.
"What the... I already thought it was strange when you boldly claimed to be able to handle the Grand Cultivator... Are you playing with me?"
"Sorry about that. But in the end, I've decided to cooperate with you, so isn't that all that matters?"
I frown at her nonchalant attitude.
"Truly non-caring... Anyway, I trusted your bold claim and presented Yeon Jin, but didn't we end up being noticed by the Grand Cultivator?"
Indeed.
Even though I have my naive moments, I'm not foolish enough to reveal Yeon Jin in front of Hon Won after hearing that Yeon Wei had consumed Hon Won's true love.
It all happened because Yeon Wei confidently assured me that she would be hiding deep within Yeon Jin's soul, and if they only communicated through a transforming image talisman, the Grand Cultivator would never notice.
I trusted Yeon Wei's assertion that she knew more about the Grand Cultivator Hon Won than I did, so I facilitated the meeting between Yeon Jin and Hon Won through the talisman based on her confident promise.
But this is the result.
Yeon Wei clicks her tongue and says,
"Sorry. But I swear on my Nascent Soul, I didn't deceive you regarding Hon Won. I had no idea that guy would develop such a skill. I never expected him to have opened such a powerful spiritual eye that he didn't have before..."
"A spiritual eye?"
I press my throbbing head and ask.
"You didn't anticipate at all he would develop such a mystical ability?"
"That's right. The last time I met him was 500 years ago at the Human Race Grand Alliance meeting. I participated as a quasi-Integration stage Grand Cultivator, and back then, he definitely didn't have such an ability."
"How do you know that? Did you check?"
"Yes. When we met 500 years ago, he tried to tear off my limbs, so I gouged out his eyeballs in return. When I checked them, there was nothing special about his eyes."
"..."
"Do you think it makes sense that he acquired an unbelievable spiritual eye ability that could recognize me hiding in Yeon Jin's soul from thousands of Li away through a projection, within 500 years? Naturally, I thought it would be fine because it's beyond common sense."
I feel a headache coming on from their relationship.
"If your relationship with him is that bad, how have you not been killed by him by now? And, isn't there a chance he'll leave Heaven-Earth Palace to chase after you personally?"
"Heh, that'll never happen. I guarantee it."
Yeon Wei speaks with a mischievous smile.
"When facing Hon Won 40,000 years ago, I sacrificed my cultivation to curse him. I completely twisted and knotted the Taiji energy within his body with my Taiji Quaking Lightning Body, driving him to the brink of death. Thanks to that, I successfully reduced him from the mid Integration stage to the Four-Axis stage. The reason he sits as the Palace Lord of Heaven-Earth Palace is that only the special energy of the Heaven-Earth Palace can solve his problem. Until he fully recovers from that fatal injury and restores the twisted Taiji power, he will never leave the central region of the Heaven-Earth Palace."
"...That's a relief."
Fortunately, it seems there will be no direct pursuit from Hon Won.
I sigh.
"Anyway, with the situation tangled up like this, we can't return to the Head Realm through the Flying Immortal Platform as originally planned. I was going to seek Hon Wei's help, but that's no longer an option."
"Hmm, should we look for a Void Spirit Pond in the Devil Realm then?"
"I know the location of a Void Spirit Pond."
"Oh?"
Hearing my words, Yeon Wei looks pleasantly surprised.
"Well, then, that's very fortunate. We just have to go to the Void Spirit Pond and then descend to the Head Realm. As long as the location of the Void Spirit Pond isn't something like the master bedroom of a True Devil Realm Grand Cultivator..."
"Fortunately, it's a place we can go to... but there's a problem."
"What's the problem?"
"We don't have a Heavenly Being stage cultivator."
Hearing my words, Yeon Wei asks in confusion.
"Why don't you just ascend to the Heavenly Being stage? If you lack the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy, can't you sneak into a nearby Human Race occupied area and ascend to the Heavenly Being stage there?"
"...I have something to say about that."
I sigh and continue.
"I believe I've met all the conditions to rise to the Heavenly Being stage. I've heard and understood all the enlightenment of the Heavenly Being stage from the grand elders of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, and I've trained the 'heart' one must hold when entering."
"Then what's the problem?"
"I can't ascend to the Heavenly Being stage."
Yeon Wei looks perplexed, not understanding what I mean.
"That is... even though I've met all the conditions to breakthrough, I just can't make the breakthrough to the Heavenly Being stage."
I have digested all the enlightenment connecting the microcosm within me to nature outside.
I was also taught the formulas for how to breakthrough, and thoroughly coated my spirit with madness to protect my mind from the wild currents of nature.
But when I actually tried to ascend to the Heavenly Being stage, there was no response at all.
No matter how much Heaven and Earth spiritual energy I gathered, the spiritual energy inside and outside my body did not mix.
It wasn't like the Seven Stars Ritual where the heavens were obstructing me. I just 'couldn't' transition to the Heavenly Being stage.
Even when I tried to connect my inner microcosm to the outer nature with the gathered spiritual energy, there was no response.
"Do you know anything about this situation?"
I ask Yeon Wei, wondering if she might know something about such a case.
After pondering for a while, Yeon Wei suddenly trembles and looks at me.
"...I have a guess. It's something I've only heard about in ancient stories..."
"...!"
I eagerly listen to her words.
In the current situation, rising to the Heavenly Being stage will be the most definite solution.
However, her following words are beyond my imagination.
"You are... already a Heavenly Being. At the Grand Perfection of the Heavenly Being stage, no less."
"...What?"
***
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