Light fades away, and I realize that my body is in shambles.
'Damn, I feel like I'm going to die.'
However, I feel as if my spirits are soaring.
I can tell.
Seo Hweol has truly suffered significant damage from me.
Although he's someone who never speaks the truth, it's true that his plans have been greatly delayed.
Since he sacrificed the Five Blessings Axes he cherished so much, he will be running around to retrieve them again.Given the damage inflicted on him by the Karmic Fire, he won't be able to show his face or act openly for a long time.
Cough, cough!
I collapse to the ground, vomiting blood.
In the distance, I can sense the presence of several Spirit Scale Race members.
It seems they are coming to investigate as the presence of the monsters has faded.
I don't have the strength to even move a finger.
The Spirit Scale Race isn't particularly friendly with the Human Race, so it would be quite troublesome if they capture me.
Of course, I have means to escape even in my weakened state, but I continue to stay down.
Kuarurung!
Red Lightning flashes as Jeon Myeong-hoon clicks his tongue in irritation.
"This bastard… can't you at least say something before you act?"
The Karmic Fire attached to Seo Hweol through me has already gone out within Jeon Myeong-hoon.
The Karmic Fire is originally meant to burn only me, it was only due to the peculiar situation of Seo Hweol trying to take over 'my' very existence that it burned others. Hence, it isn't strange that the fire has already been extinguished within Jeon Myeong-hoon.
Hong Fan, who has flown in with Jeon Myeong-hoon, helps me up.
"We'll head to the Human Race territory first, but we should perform some emergency treatment before that."
"What emergency treatment? A good night's sleep will fix everything."
"If you rely solely on your vitality just because you've reached the Four-Axis stage, you'll end up in trouble."
Hong Fan takes out some poison liquids from his storage scroll and mixes something on the spot before pouring it into my mouth.
Instantly, I feel life force surging through my body, and accelerated regeneration.
As expected from Hong Fan, who reached the pinnacle in dealing with medicinal poisons, the efficacy of his concoction is remarkable.
"Now that the treatment is done, let's get out of here. It's risky to stay in another race's territory for too long."
Jeon Myeong-hoon grabs both Hong Fan and me by our necks and uses the Flying Escape Technique.
Kuarururung!
We are enveloped in a streak of red lightning, flying towards the Human Race territory.
A week passes like that.
We arrive at the Human Race territory and officially register our 're-ascension' at Temporal Fate Island. Jeon Myeong-hoon, using his authority as Grand Elder of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, officially lifts my bounty.
Then, we head towards Thunder Spirit Island.
Kuarurung!
In my past life, I was assimilated by Seo Hweol and lived in Seo Li's body, so I couldn't find it.
Together with Jeon Myeong-hoon, I head to the ruins of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect on Thunder Spirit Island, to the place where Hong Su-ryeong had died.
Though the funeral was held in the Lower Realm, her remains are actually here.
Stomp, stomp...
Perhaps it's because I returned her to the soil with the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation.
There's no body at the place where Hong Su-ryeong had died.
I brush the soil where she had died.
This soil is her remains.
Jeon Myeong-hoon went to find Jin So-hae's cave residence, and Hong Fan gave us some space for privacy.
Creak—
Using a wood-attribute spell, I create a wooden shovel and slowly dig into the ground, burying the soil infused with her body.
I then create a small mound and sit in front of it, pouring a drink.
"It's been a while. I'm back."
Drip...
Come to think of it, this is something I should have done immediately upon returning in my past life.
But because of Seo Hweol, I didn't even think about it and passed it by.
"Is it comfortable there?"
There's no response.
"I hope the Death God is kind to others, even if he is harsh with us."
I wish for your peace after death.
Rambling might seem pathetic and unsightly.
But maybe such pathetic things are necessary in the life of humans.
I ramble and complain for a while in front of her grave.
A ghost's resentment accumulates because it cannot be conveyed to the living.
Perhaps it's because I am also a ghost who can't die even after death.
Just rambling to Hong Su-ryeong like this makes me feel a bit lighter.
Evening comes.
I finally finish my rambles.
"...Anyway, a lot has happened."
There's no response.
But even though I feel sadness, my heart is at peace.
Since the regression point was fixed, my connection with Hong Su-ryeong did not vanish beyond time.
It didn't disappear into nothingness.
I bid farewell to Hong Su-ryeong and leave the place of her mound.
'Hyang-hwa...'
What if the regression point had been fixed after her death?
Though she wouldn't be alive and moving, the 'Buk Hyang-hwa' that shared a connection with me wouldn't disappear.
Suddenly, I remember the feelings Seo Li left me with in my past life, the emotions he felt for me.
―Even if his body becomes soil, his soul will regress and endlessly repeat life.
―Even if his body remains here, his soul will move to another time, and he will no longer be able to reminisce about those connections that remember him.
―Only the records stored in the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections will comfort Seo Eun-hyun, warmly but sorrowfully.
Rustle—
Suddenly, the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections unfold around me naturally.
It's full of cherished memories.
To others, it might look like empty mist, but to me, they are irreplaceable pillars of my heart.
Suruk—
I reach out to the past figures inside the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections, those who laughed and chatted, cried and shed tears, and bled and raged.
My hand passes through them so emptily.
After all, they are just records.
"..."
I stared at them for a moment.
And then I see an annoying gaze inside the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections.
It's Seo Hweol.
Regardless of what happened, he is also in here.
―Haha...it must be frustrating for Daoist Seo to have created such a terrifying technique and not be able to use it properly, only to suffer from me.
Looking at him, then around the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections, I set my goal for this life.
'This life...'
"The Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections...shall I uncover its secrets?"
How did Buk Hyang-hwa connect to my Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections?
Is she still inside it somewhere?
What exactly is the relationship between it and my immortal beast bloodline?
Can the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections counter Seo Hweol's Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens?
There might be a possibility to track his main body through counter-assimilation, so understanding the secrets of the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections is crucial.
And above all,
Sararak—
I smile bitterly as I look at my hand, which emptily passes through the scenes in the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections.
The memory of watching the sunset with Kang Min-hee at Namsan, which Seo Li wanted to remember so much, brushes past me.
I will delve deeper into the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections.
Simply watching it is too sorrowful.
Just as Seo Li thought.
The Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections is so warm yet also so lonely.
To better feel this warmth, even if it's just a little.
The primary goal of this life will be to find a way to manifest the power of the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections externally.
It's a goal connected to the issue of my immortal beast bloodline, countering Seo Hweol's Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens, and the matter of Buk Hyang-hwa entering the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections.
As of now, it is the most important issue.
'Save Kim Yeon as well, and Kang Min-hee, and Oh Hyun-seok.'
Now, my power is not so lacking.
Do I not have at least the qualifications to save those who I want to save?
Saving them is not even a goal.
Saving them a matter of course (當然) and doesn't even need to be set as a goal.
I rise into the sky and look down towards the direction of Jeon Myeong-hoon.
He is gazing at the sky with a sentimental expression, gently caressing the wooden box with Jin So-hae's hand in front of her cave residence.
"Hong Fan."
"Yes, Master."
I speak to Hong Fan, who is waiting.
"I'll be heading to Heavenly Human Island for a while. Tell Jeon Myeong-hoon that I've gone to Heavenly Human Island to obtain the Grand Cultivator qualification, and give him this method."
"Yes, I understand."
I take out a jade slip from my storage scroll, record the formula for the Six Extremes Yin Thunder Body, and hand it to Hong Fan.
"I'll be back in a few days, so make sure he reaches Great Achievement by then."
"Hmm, it appears to be quite a high-level method..."
"If it's a Lightning Path Method, there's nothing the current Jeon Myeong-hoon can't learn."
Considering that there are things Jeon Myeong-hoon must accomplish with the Six Extremes Yin Thunder Body, it's better for him to learn it in advance.
After giving a few more instructions to Hong Fan, I prepare to head to Heavenly Human Island.
Chaaaaa—
Then, I feel goosebumps all over my body once again.
'What is it?'
Looking up at the sky, the evening sunset glow seems to brighten alongside the distant rising moonlight.
As the light grows brighter, the sensation fades.
It's definitely the same feeling I had before meeting Seo Hweol.
'Is Seo Hweol up to something again? Or is it something else...?'
Keeping my guard up, I continue towards Heavenly Human Island.
Earth Tribe, True Dragon Alliance.
Hyeon Eum's cave residence.
Hyeon Eum, who has transformed into his true form and is meditating, suddenly opens his eyes wide.
A subtle blood light (血光) emanates from Hyeon Eum's eyes.
[The main body is communicating...? What's going on...?]
Wo-woong—
Hyeon Eum seems to gaze towards somewhere momentarily.
Then, upon recognizing the signal coming from a distant place, his eyes narrow sharply.
[What…?! Those beings are going to war...? To prevent that from descending upon the Sun and Moon Domain...?]
Fear fills Hyeon Eum's eyes.
Chwarararak—
Instantly transforming from his dragon form into his human form, Hyeon Eum clenches his trembling fists.
His hands are already drenched in cold sweat.
"Those ominous beings fighting each other...it's good news. E-Even if one side wins, the other won't be able to exert their power for a while...It's a good thing."
He tries to calm his trembling voice, forcing himself to imagine a positive outcome as if trying to overcome his fear.
At that moment, Hyeon Eum, who seems to be communicating with a distant place, suddenly shivers and looks at the void.
"Wait, main body, what do you mean by that! What do you mean by laying low for a while...didn't you say you found traces of Authority!? Wait, don't cut off communication! Main body! At least give me some instructions..."
But Hyeon Eum stops moving his hand that was waving towards the void.
After a while, he clenches his fists tightly.
"Damn it...! They said they found traces of Authority and now they want to lay low to avoid the fallout...?"
Seemingly enraged, Hyeon Eum suddenly finches as the moonlight of the deepening night streams into his cave residence, stepping back as if avoiding the light.
His hands are trembling like an aspen leaf.
Recalling some unpleasant memories, Hyeon Eum grits his teeth.
"...Th-That's right. Perhaps lying low for a while is a good idea. Ho, hoho..."
He hides himself in the darkness, breathing heavily.
Heavenly Lotus Mountain.
At the top, above the white jade pavilion.
Surrounded by white light, Sacred Master Baek Woon is looking at the sky with a shocked expression.
[This is insane...they're clashing at the borders...? Ha, it's fortunate to have become a Sacred Master. The True Persons of the Astral Realm must be screaming in agony by now...]
Sacred Master Baek Woon, whose hands are trembling, takes a deep breath and forces a bitter smile.
[This isn't the time to feel relieved. If that tyrant descends, this entire Heavenly Domain will turn into the Asura Path...I must pray for their victory.]
Hyeon Eum and Sacred Master Baek Woon.
Other Sacred Vessel Sacred Masters of the Middle Realms.
True Persons of the Astral Realm.
Those who know of the true myths are reading the celestial energy, sensing the movements of unfathomable colossal beings, and trembling in fear.
Using the Flying Escape Technique to reach Heavenly Human Island, I suddenly turn my gaze downward, just below Heavenly Human Island.
'Below there is the Grand Nirvana Temple.'
I debated whether to enter the Grand Cultivator Association then see her, but decided to visit the Grand Nirvana Temple first.
'First, sparring with her and receiving guidance on the First Step Before the Throne, then stabilizing my realm, and then being properly recognized as a Grand Cultivator would be the best course of action, right?"
Furthermore, due to preventing Seo Hweol's self-destruction, my Heaven Tribe cultivation decreased, leaving me at the mid Heavenly Being stage.
If possible, it wouldn't be bad to reach Grand Perfection Heavenly Being using the newly obtained formula for the Grand Perfection stage by Seo Li.
'Now that I'm free from Seo Hweol, I can finally understand.'
Yang Su-jin had said that if one blesses In and Yeon, they would receive the blessing of the strongest Ender. But why did I not know of it and only receive the blessing of 'Heavenly Circle's Formula' through Seo Li's body?
The reason is simple.
The strongest Ender had blessed 'Seo Eun-hyun,' not 'Seo Hweol.'
At that time, Seo Li was much less assimilated by Seo Hweol compared to me, and when he obtained the formula, he hadn't fully differentiated into Seo Li but still recognized himself as 'Seo Eun-hyun,' thus allowing him to obtain it.
Everything is all because of Seo Hweol.
'Thinking about it this way makes me angry again.'
But it doesn't matter.
Seo Hweol should be infuriated as well, having lost the Five Blessings Axes because of me.
I arrive at the valley where the Grand Nirvana Temple is located.
Out of respect for her, I decide to land at the entrance of the valley and walk rather than entering the temple directly.
I also retract my consciousness into my body, not wanting to be disrespectful by scouting ahead.
It's a sign of respect for a martial artist who has reached such a high realm.
As I walk through the valley, I feel something strange.
'...Why are the Taenghwa paintings...gone?'
Previously, Tae Yeol-jeon had painted Taenghwas across the entire valley.
But now, the valley looks clean.
Feeling a sense of strangeness, I walk through the valley.
And when I arrive at the site of the Grand Nirvana Temple.
I feel a chill down my spine.
The temple still exists.
But it appears neglected, dilapidated, and crumbling in places.
Thorn bushes have grown all around, and the main gate of the temple is on the verge of collapse.
It looks like a haunted house.
'What, what happened here...?'
I can't hide my dismay as I enter the Grand Nirvana Temple.
The main hall, the Grand Nirvana Hall, is on the verge of collapse due to complete neglect, and piles of garbage are scattered everywhere.
I venture inside the Grand Nirvana Hall.
The interior of the hall where rituals are held for Buddhism is completely rotten, and the roof had caved in from the lack of maintenance.
The room where Tae Yeol-jeon had served tea to me and Kim Yeon is utterly ruined and in a complete wreck.
The once abundant artistic Taenghwa paintings are nowhere to be found.
At that moment, I suddenly notice a presence somewhere.
As I step out of the Grand Nirvana Hall, I hear someone yawning from inside the monks' quarters.
I walk to the monks' quarters with hurried steps.
Upon closer inspection, I see that the monks' quarters are somewhat maintained and show signs of habitation.
"...Is anyone there?"
Before entering, I call out towards the presence I feel inside.
Bang!
Suddenly, the door to the monks' quarters opens.
Flinch!
A woman with jet-black hair is scratching her belly and rubbing her eyes inside.
Her hair is disheveled, and it seems she hasn't washed in quite a while as it emits a strange smell.
The aura of a Nascent Soul cultivator emanates from her, likely at the mid Nascent Soul stage.
"Uhm, who are you?"
She looks at me with a sullen face and then flinches.
"Oop, it's a senior. Uh, um, please excuse this junior for her unkempt appearance."
She seems to gauge my cultivation level, and upon sensing my Heavenly Being stage spiritual energy, she hurriedly tidies her disheveled hair and hastily straightens her clothes.
"P-Please, come in...no, this room is a bit...I'll lead you to the guest room."
As if flustered, she hastily moves to guide me to an adjacent room next to the monks' quarters.
I stare at her with a stern expression.
When I glance into the room she came out of, I see a tremendous mess.
It's the exact opposite of where the tidy Tae Yeol-jeon used to stay.
Even the guest room she leads me to seems quite messy, judging by the sounds of frantic cleaning coming from inside for quite some time.
After a while, she invites me in.
"S-senior, everything is ready. Please, come in."
I enter, scrutinizing her face with a stern expression.
She lowers her eyes fearfully at my stern gaze.
Usually, I would have shown some consideration for a lower-level cultivator, but I'm not in the mood for that now.
I sit down and look around.
"...Where's the tea?"
"Eh, pardon? Ah...please forgive me, Senior. There used to be a tea that my master used to brew...but due to my neglect, it all rotted away 500 years ago..."
"...There are no Taenghwa paintings in the room."
"Oh...I apologize. As I haven't received teachings from my master...ah...actually, I think I have been taught but...as I never practiced it even once, I forgot...haha."
"..."
I look sternly at this woman who bears the same face as Tae Yeol-jeon.
She has the same face, but everything about her is different.
"What is your name?"
"Pardon? Oh...I don't really have a name. I was abandoned here at the Grand Nirvana Temple when I was young, and my master, who was the head monk, took me in and raised me. Master told me to find my parents when I reached the Nascent Soul stage and didn't give me a Dharma name...but when I reached the Nascent Soul stage and saw my life's flashbacks, I realized my parents didn't name me either and just abandoned me...haha...my master used to call me things like 'rascal-like thing,' 'dirty thing,' or 'lazy thing'..."
"..."
"Uh...senior, please call me whatever you like."
She scratches her head awkwardly as she speaks.
I fail to soften my stern expression, and she cringes further at my stern gaze.
"Take this one move."
Bo-oong—
I draw the All-Heavens Sword and launch an attack at her at the plane of Soul.
But she doesn't even recognize the All-Heavens Sword, staring blankly at me.
Suruk—
The sword strike from the All-Heavens Sword passes right through her.
If she were Tae Yeol-jeon, she would have gladly accepted the strike.
But this woman doesn't even perceive it.
"...Who are you?"
I glare at her and I ask.
Could the sudden chill I felt when the moonlight brightened earlier be because of this?
Terrified by my glare, her head hits the ground as she trembles.
"Hi, Hieek...spare me, Senior. Even though living is meaningless, I don't want to die yet...! I think dying would hurt too much...could you please spare even a bit of mercy?
"..."
Her past is exactly as I had heard from Tae Yeol-jeon.
But why is the woman in front of me not the Grand Cultivator of the First Step Before the Throne, but someone uninterested in Taenghwa paintings, who has not even shaved her head as a nun should? Where has her proud demeanor and her simple, unrestrained spirit gone?
Is the woman in front of me the strange one?
Or was the previous being known as Tae Yeol-jeon in the last cycle an existence somehow 'possessed' by something?
Rather than feeling pity for this woman, I am filled with an unknown fear, raising my vigilance to the maximum and ready to end my life at any moment.
Glaring at the woman before me, I ask.
"I have a question. What...method have you learned?"
***
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