Tststststststs—
As the power of the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique fades, the nearby sea domain comes back into view.
It's a direct hit.
The one called Jin Ma-yeol is obliterated into nothingness.
However, I can't shake off the lingering sense of discomfort.
'That guy...'
He escaped.
Though his physical body is destroyed, I felt him flying away through the Plane of Soul to resurrect somewhere else.
In hindsight, it's always been like this.
The day I first arrived in the Ancient Force Realm.That day, after battling Kim Young-hoon, I used the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique, and all the cultivators at the Four-Axis and Integration stage within its range were annihilated.
Even Jin Ma-yeol, who was within the range!
However, that guy resurrected again.
Although he doesn't seem like he would resurrect seven times like Yuan Li, he is quite the troublesome opponent.
Kugugugu!
In the distance, I see the Salt Bones Ship, from which Kim Yeon and Buk Hyang-hwa had escaped, submerging back into the depths of the sea of the Ancient Force Realm.
Zirururururu—
A strange sound is coming from the keel of the distant Salt Bones Ship.
Perhaps it's because the Salt Bones Ship has its entire keel made from the rare and precious Salt Crystals, which is causing it to react to the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique.
Bo-woong!
I launch a slash towards the submerging Salt Bones Ship, and before it's completely submerged, its bow is cleanly sliced off.
'Salt Crystals, huh...'
Salt Crystals are also related to the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique.
'Well, I expected it since the character 'Salt (鹽)' was used.'
The reason Salt Crystal is called what it is is not only because of its pure white appearance, but also because it tastes salty when licked.
In essence, Salt Crystal is a mineral very similar to salt.
'Is it a battleship that can freely dive into the depths of the Deep Sea of the Ancient Force Realm through the use of Salt Crystals...?'
No wonder the Fighting Demon Pirate Gang is such a notorious group.
After briefly watching the spot where the Fighting Demon Pirate Gang disappears, I turn my gaze to Kim Yeon and Buk Hyang-hwa.
"How are their conditions?"
Hong Fan, now in human form, is stroking his beard with a gentle expression.
"Fortunately, they've overcome the critical juncture. Especially since the Conqueror King's Nascent Soul was held together by the consciousness of the Mysterious Bizarre Ghost King, even though her Nascent Soul was injured, there's no major issue."
I approach Buk Hyang-hwa and Kim Yeon.
Kim Yeon, as expected, seems quite exhausted. As the tension eased, she fell asleep while holding Buk Hyang-hwa tightly, tears streaming down his face.
"Haha, Lady Kim Yeon won't let go of the Conqueror King."
Hong Fan laughs heartily, pointing at the two of them.
I return to human form, smiling at the sight of the two.
"...Let's go back."
Thus, the incident involving the kidnapping of the followers by the pirate gang comes to an end.
I wish it could have really ended there.
After sending the remaining followers to the Wuji Religious Order in the Black Domain, I look up at the 'sky' with a cold gaze.
"...I can read the celestial energy."
Yes.
The Ancient Force Realm is a world where there is no sky, making it impossible to read celestial energy.
But for some reason, I can now see the celestial energy.
Celestial energy is actually the flow of attraction force emitted by stars!
And, I can feel the flow of attraction force from the sky directed 'towards me.'
'Is it a calamity (災厄)?'
It isn't normal celestial energy.
Normal celestial energy should allow one to read the future.
However, this celestial energy only allows me to feel a single pull of attraction.
It's the celestial energy of misfortune!
And it's very strange and suspicious that suddenly, in a world where celestial energy can't be seen, I can see just this one.
Having navigated through numerous misfortunes and disasters, I can tell.
"Someone...has bestowed this!"
This celestial energy is clearly artificial.
Upon reaching the Four-Axis stage, one can see a wider variety of celestial energy in different types, natures, and ranges.
And definitely, among the celestial energy I saw in the 'night' of the Nether Ghost Realm, there was no such misfortune.
In short, I can only conclude that this misfortune was 'bestowed' upon me after I came to the Ancient Force Realm.
'Thinking back, it was indeed strange.'
How the first guide we caught in the Ancient Force Realm is a scammer, the palace lord I sought for an alliance only desires to stab us in the back, and after sending my consciousness to the Lower Realms to build the Health Axis, the main body got split in two and confronted a True Person. Even when I returned, my comrades had been kidnapped, and upon rescuing them, they were on the verge of death.
Though I've faced such misfortune in life more than a few times, the frequency this time is too high.
It's clearly bad luck.
I glare at the sky.
I still have no clue who has bestowed this misfortune upon me.
However, if someone can impose such a fate, it's certainly not a being of insignificant power, and I can't help but think they do not harbor goodwill towards me.
'Of course...'
There's the possibility it's [a being that can only bestow misfortune].
'This is driving me crazy. This world is really...'
I sigh.
But there's nothing I can do right now.
Even misfortune can't last forever.
'I'll wait until the misfortune passes!'
After glaring at the sky one last time, I return to the Black Sea Domain.
Perhaps because of all that happened, or the shocking truth I have discovered, my shoulders feel inexplicably stiff.
Upon returning to the Black Sea Domain, I received a report from Baek Rin, who recovered the fastest among the four."...Thus, we were able to escape from the Salt Bones Ship and be rescued by the Cult Leader and company."
"Thank you for the detailed explanation."
After receiving the report, I ponder one thing Baek Rin mentioned that caught my attention.
'Yuk Yo is a descendant of the Sea Dragon Race...'
Although Baek Rin suggests it's likely a lie, I believe that part to be true.
'When considering the reports from Buk Hyang-hwa, Kim Yeon, and Kim Young-hoon, who faced Yuk Yo's dragon form, they noted it was quite similar to the Sea Dragon Race except for the color. Moreover...when I asked Seo Ran why he slept with Yuk Yo, he mentioned there was a faint sense of familiarity despite the influence of the aphrodisiac.'
Putting it all together, while it's true that Yuk Yo deceived Baek Rin, the part about being of Sea Dragon lineage is likely true.
Kuuung!
After briefly expanding the space underground in the Wuji Religious Hall, I take out the statue of the Sea Dragon Race that I have brought from the Deep Sea.
It appeared dark in the Deep Sea, but when taken out in the dark basement, it shines quite brightly.
'Well, it's made of ancient stone after all.'
I spent some time investigating the Sea Dragon statue by infusing it with spiritual energy and consciousness.
Even when I infused it with the energy of an immortal beast, the statue of the Sea Dragon showed no reaction.
It's purely a statue carved from ancient stone.
After observing the statue for a while, I call Seo Ran and Song Jin.
Not long after, they come down to the basement, and I show them the statue.
"This is the Sea Dragon statue I found when rescuing Buk Hyang-hwa and Kim Yeon. Have you ever seen something similar before?"
Seo Ran stares at the statue intently for a moment before exclaiming,
"Ah, I've seen it before!"
"You have?"
"Yes. While reading the history books of the Sea Dragon Race in the Sea Dragon Palace, there was an illustration exactly like this. The Sea Dragon Race, or rather most of the Dragon Races including the Sea Dragon Race, are descendants of the Entering Nirvana True Dragon whose remains are left in the Bright Cold Realm. According to the history books, one of the True Dragon's bloodlines mixed with the Black Dragon's bloodline, leading to the birth of the Black Dragon Race. Some members of this race crossed into the Ancient Force Realm and mutated into the Sea Dragon Race, marking the beginning. After that, the Sea Dragon Race born in the Ancient Force Realm descended and spread its lineage in numerous Lower Realms for some reason."
"...!"
I think I understand the meaning of 'Lofty Dragon, Ancient Force, Beneath Myriad Realms.'
'It means that the seed of the Sea Dragon, born from Lofty Dragon True Person, blossomed in the Ancient Force Realm and scattered into the countless Lower Realms.'
However, there is something strange.
'But why is there 'Blood Yin' before Lofty Dragon?'
No matter how much I think about it, 'Blood Yin' doesn't seem to have any relation to the Dragon Race.
At that moment, Seo Ran speaks with an excited expression.
"This...this is truly...a historical treasure of immense value to the Sea Dragon Race! To think I'd see a treasure mentioned in the history books in real life..."
"What is it that makes you so excited?"
"This is the jade seal (imperial seal) of the first Sea Dragon King, Ja Eum (Purple Yin)! Even the jade seals currently scattered throughout the world...in other words, even the one Grandfather Seo Hweol holds as a symbol of the Sea Dragon King's authority in the Head Realm, are just replicas of this Purple Soul Jade Seal (紫魂玉璽)! How incredible!"
With an incredibly excited expression, Seo Ran clings to the Sea Dragon statue called Purple Soul Jade Seal as if he would lick it.
Watching him, I suddenly have a question and ask,
"So, the first Sea Dragon King doesn't have the (瑞/Seo; Lit. Auspicious) surname?"
"Ah, yes. The first Sea Dragon King used the surname Ja (紫/Purple). However, since all of his descendants, the Sea Dragon Race, carry his blood, it doesn't matter much. The royal authority of the Sea Dragon Race is determined by whether or not they inherit the Sea Authority Jade Seal, the imitation of the Purple Soul Jade Seal."
I'm startled by those words and look alternately at Seo Ran and the Purple Soul Jade Seal.
"Then, since you have obtained the first Sea Dragon King's jade seal..."
"Ah, that's not the case."
Seo Ran shakes his head with a bitter smile.
"Regrettably, the only way to be recognized as the owner of the jade seal and gain kingship is to inherit it directly from the previous owner. Only the person recognized by the jade seal can know the secret history and purpose of the Sea Dragon Race hidden within the seal...as I wasn't recognized by the previous owner, the Purple Soul Jade Seal is just a treasure of historical value for me."
"Is that so...?"
"That's regrettable."
Song Jin and I sigh almost simultaneously.
If Seo Ran became the Sea Dragon King, it might have influenced the Sea Dragon Race that is currently being consumed by Seo Hweol's Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens.
Perhaps, we might have also understood why Seo Hweol continues to take on the form of a Sea Dragon.
"May I study it a bit more...?"
"Hmm...Do as you wish. And regarding Yuk Yo..."
I convey the information I received from Baek Rin to Seo Ran.
"You mean Yuk Yo might also be a descendant of the Sea Dragon Race?"
"That's right. So when Yuk Yo wakes up, ask her whatever you need to."
"Understood."
"Wait, Seo Ran."
At that moment, Song Jin asks Seo Ran with a puzzled expression.
"Isn't that carp called Yuk Yo a scammer? Didn't the Cult Leader say Baek Rin told him that the carp scammed until the end? Can you really get a proper answer from that fish?"
"Ah, it's fine. I can interrogate her with Shi Ho."
"Because that carp is afraid of Shi Ho?"
"There's that too and..."
Song Jin looks a bit surprised at Seo Ran's next words.
"Shi Ho is also a martial artist of Five Energies Converging to the Origin. By looking at intent, she can discern lies, so there will be no lies."
"That fox!? Since when?"
I burst into laughter at Song Jin's reaction.
"What, Seo Ran knew, but you didn't?"
"Ah...I apologize for not knowing."
Shi Ho, interestingly enough, got hit by Kim Young-hoon so many times that she somehow learned martial arts and reached Five Energies Converging to the Origin.
Since the Demon Race and Five Energies Converging to the Origin go well together, Shi Ho's combat power must have significantly increased.
"Well, in any case, as long as that fox can distinguish between truth and lies, it should be fine. Let's go."
"Yes, Master. Then, Cult Leader, we will take our leave."
"Go ahead."
Seo Ran and Song Jin leave with the Sea Dragon statue, the Purple Soul Jade Seal.
I restore the space to its original state and fall into thought.
'The term that's written at the end, Black Yin's Strategy.'
It's undoubtedly the name of the Black Dragon King, Hyeon Eum.
'Hyeon Eum, Ja Eum.'
And Blood Yin (Hyeol Eum).
Anyone who isn't a fool will find it worth considering what kind of connection there might be between the three.
Various miscellaneous thoughts cross my mind, but they are all just delusions without any solid basis.
What is the relationship between Blood Yin, Hyeon Eum, and Ja Eum?
What exactly is Seo Hweol up to?
I fall into complex thoughts and then shake my head to clear my mind.
'Enough. There's nothing I can do right now.'
This world is one where insidious and treacherous traps and calamities lay hidden.
However, one of the few advantages of this world is that one can continue to become stronger.
'Let's elevate my realm.'
Continue to build the Health Axis and grow.
I recall the words of the Mad Lord.
He said only a stronger power can overcome fate.
'Gaining greater power and status will be advantageous in uncovering Seo Hweol's secrets.'
I swing my arm to create a Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion avatar, while my main body lies down on the cult leader's seat, extending my consciousness into the Flying Immortal Formation.
The urgent matter is to build the Health Axis as soon as possible.
I leave my main body to build the Health Axis while the Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion avatar heads to the Wuji Religious Order's Poison Research Hall.Most followers of the Wuji Religious Order are ghostly creatures, so there's little need for a medical hall. Thus, no such place exists.
Therefore, the place where Buk Hyang-hwa and others are receiving treatment is the Poison Research Hall, where Hong Fan studies poisons.
Since poison can be used as medicine with the right ratio adjustments, this is possible.
When I enter the room where Buk Hyang-hwa is resting, I find Kim Yeon dozing off while nursing her.
'They've gotten quite close.'
When they first met, they growled at each other like they were ready to tear each other apart.
But now, even while sleeping, they hold hands.
I fetch a blanket nearby and cover the sleeping Kim Yeon with it, then check Buk Hyang-hwa's condition.
Fortunately, thanks to the medicine Hong Fan administered, her Nascent Soul has significantly improved.
After infusing a bit of vital energy into both of them, I quietly leave the room.
As I exit, Kim Young-hoon is waiting for me with his arms crossed.
"What brings you here?"
"I have something to tell you."
"Perfect timing. I have something to ask you too."
"What is it?"
I ask Kim Young-hoon the question I received from Jang Ik.
"If you had to cut something that is impossible to cut, what would you do?"
"Something impossible to cut...like what?"
"For example, something like a planet."
After thinking for a moment, Kim Young-hoon replies.
"I can't cut a planet, but I can cut something similar."
"Pardon?"
He grins widely and says,
"Well...I'll explain that a bit later. But more importantly, what do you think? After seeing that pirate, don't you have a better grasp of what Martial Arts (武) is?"
***
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