Chuaa!
A corner at the edge of the Wi Jeong Sea Domain.
Someone pierces through the Dome Sky and enters the sea domain.
It's a golden Peng bird.
From within the Peng bird, Seo Eun-hyun and Kim Young-hoon emerge.
Splash, splash!
It's the Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion avatars of Seo Eun-hyun and Kim Young-hoon who were left behind in the Cherry Blossom Dragon Sea Domain. After escaping the sea domain, Seo Eun-hyun shakes his body.
While crossing the sea domain, they had been caught momentarily inside a dimensional fragment filled with mucus, so the avatars' body is covered with sticky mucus lumps.
"Pt, ptui!"
Seo Eun-hyun and Kim Young-hoon spit out the mucus as they look around, nodding to each other when their eyes meet.Paaatt!
Following Kim Young-hoon, they fly for a while and land on an island in the sea domain.
In other words, they reach Sacred Orchid Island, where the Wuji Religious Order initially entered the Ancient Force Realm.
Tadatt!
"By the way, why here of all places?"
"Well, I heard that Sacred Orchid Island is originally a gathering place for pirates and scammers, so it's preferred."
"Tsk, that pirate bastard."
Kim Young-hoon clicks his tongue and sits on the dock at Sacred Orchid Island.
Seo Eun-hyun stands behind him for a moment, gazing up at the sky.
Soon, it will be noon, the time when the light of the sea domain will be at its brightest.
It's nearly the promised time.
And just when it hits noon,
Kim Young-hoon, who is sitting on the dock, opens his eyes and looks into the air.
"Have you arrived, Jin Ma-yeol?"
Soon after, the void distorts, and the pirate captain of the Fighting Demon Pirate Gang, Jin Ma-yeol, appears.
While the main body trains at the top of Salt Mountain for the goal set in a hundred years, I decided to handle various matters at the sea surface with the Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion avatar used to hold back Yuk Rin.
Among the various matters, the main operation is this:
The 'Baek Rin Rescue Plan.'
Currently, one of the Wuji Religious Order's Guardian Ghost Kings, Baek Rin, was dragged along with Yuk Yo while trying to protect her, so he has to be rescued before escaping to the Bright Cold Realm.
And just as we were struggling to rescue him, we met someone with similar goals to ours.
It was Jin Ma-yeol, captain of the Fighting Demon Pirate Gang, who claimed to have been betrayed by Yuk Rin.
We decided to temporarily join hands for our mutual purposes and today is the day we planned to meet Jin Ma-yeol on Sacred Orchid Island for discussions.
"...So, you're saying you need our help?"
Facing Jin Ma-yeol, we drink tea in the cave residence of Chi Lou (七婁), the Island Lord of Sacred Orchid Island, a Four-Axis stage cultivator, and the subordinate of Jin Ma-yeol.
"I have brought refreshments. Please enjoy them to your satisfaction."
Though Chi Lou is a Four-Axis stage demon beast possessing the true blood of the Lustrous Glaze Peacock, she politely serves us tea and snacks in the presence of us, at the Integration level.
Jin Ma-yeol doesn't even glance at Chi Lou and says,
"That's right. As I mentioned before, our Fighting Demon Pirate Gang are the innocent victims here. We were merely pawns used and abandoned by Yuk Rin. Therefore, we seek revenge against Yuk Rin, and in the process, we intend to repair and reinforce the Salt Bones Ship, as well as steal some of the Salt Crystal chunks Yuk Rin took. Help us with this."
"Hmm..."
I sip the tea while reading Jin Ma-yeol's words and intent.
'Claiming to be innocent victims is a blatant lie...however, seeking revenge on Yuk Rin and obtaining Salt Crystal chunks is true.'
In other words, his reason for collaborating with us is legitimate.
However...
"Isn't there more you haven't told us?"
"...."
I smile coldly and mention the events of that day.
"When you were attacked by Yuk Rin, we were only hiding. We saw the whole situation unfold. Jin Ma-yeol. If you truly want to join hands with us, confess what you really want."
When Jin Ma-yeol was facing Yuk Rin, he mentioned Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, which Kim Young-hoon and I had observed from our hiding place.
He appears to pause in silence for a moment before speaking.
"...Do you want the Purple Soul Filling the Heavens?"
"No. I too have the formula for Purple Soul Filling the Heavens. I got it from Yuk Rin. I'm telling you to clearly state your true purpose."
He clicks his tongue and frowns.
"...I guess you haven't cultivated the Purple Soul Filling the Heavens."
"That's right, I'm currently occupied with more urgent matters, so I'm just analyzing the formula."
"That's why you're asking such questions. Ha! Telling me to speak the truth...What a joke. If you had practiced Purple Soul Filling the Heavens even once, you would have realized what I truly desire."
He speaks with a grim smile.
"Purple Soul Filling the Heavens is...a method we cannot cultivate."
"What?"
"You must have found the Purple Soul Jade Seal when your Wuji Religious Order raided one of our pirate gang's secret docks last time, no?"
"...Yes."
"As you might have guessed, I acquired Purple Soul Filling the Heavens through the Purple Soul Jade Seal."
"Hmm...strange."
I looked at him with doubtful eyes and speak.
"Our side has a fellow named Seo Ran, who is a half-human, half-dragon hybrid. His dragon lineage is that of the Sea Dragon Race, even of the royal line at that! Yet, even Seo Ran can't even dream of something like Purple Soul Filling the Heavens. How did you manage to obtain it?"
"Ah, oh dear...it seems our Wuji Religious Order's Cult Leader is not well-informed about the Fighting Ghost Race?"
He smirks and taps the table with his fingers.
And suddenly,
Pasaak!
"...!"
Jin Ma-yeol's hand appears to be covered in scales, and his left arm transformed into that of the Sea Dragon Race, covered in blue scales.
"Our Fighting Ghost Race is part of the Heaven Tribe, but was also an old and prestigious race known as the pinnacle of the Earth Tribe before we discovered ritual methods. Depending on the number of horns we are born with, we can mimic the physical characteristics of other races, even those born with the bloodline of Immortal Beast True Blood!"
Chwarararak!
Jin Ma-yeol's eyes shine with the seven-colored light of the Lustrous Glaze Peacock.
His hair transforms into that of an unknown sea creature covered in barnacles.
His right arm ablazes with fire, becoming that of a Demon Ape.
His cheeks and forehead are adorned with tiger-like patterns, and his body undergoes various changes.
"We are such a race. Of course, obtaining Immortal Beast True Blood or fully transforming into a particular race is impossible, but being able to manifest and utilize even a portion of the physical traits of countless Immortal Beasts is an incredibly advantageous trait for survival. Moreover...combining all these traits..."
Wuduk, wududuk!
The various features on Jin Ma-yeol's body seem to gather into his right arm.
After a while, with a grotesque sound, Jin Ma-yeol's right arm transforms grotesquely.
As if blood, flesh, and bone are being inverted, the characteristics of the Sea Dragon Race and four other unknown races seem to mix together, transforming his right arm into a sharp grotesque sword.
"Because our race's Combat Dance (鬪舞) can maximize our combat power, the Fighting Ghost Race has always been a species at the pinnacle of life."
A voice filled with pride about his own race, the Fighting Ghost Race.
However, hearing that seemingly arrogant explanation, I flinch and ask one question.
"...By any chance, do you know about a talent that allows you to replicate and freely manipulate all Immortal Beast abilities?"
"Ah...there is indeed such a myth in the Fighting Ghost Race. The myth of the body known as the Noble Blood True Sea Radiance Body (貴血眞海光身)! A legendary body that supposedly allows one to freely harness and wield the powers of all Immortal Beast bloodlines simply by 'perceiving' them. Of course, it's completely absurd, so scholars of the Fighting Ghost Race say it's a metaphor for a state that our race can aspire to.'
"...I see. Thank you."
"Are you interested in the myths of the Fighting Ghost Race? Our myths and legends have been passed down in the form of our Combat Dance or methods, so by learning the Fighting Ghost Race's exclusive methods, one will naturally come to know of them. The Fighting Ghost Race methods good for the Human Race to learn are probably ones such as the Fighting Demon True Sea Radiance, Six Chains Forest Technique, or Fighting Demon Ghost Treasure..."
He displays pride in the Fighting Ghost Race while introducing me to various methods.
"...Well, thank you for introducing me to such great methods. Your Fighting Ghost Race truly seems to be an excellent race."
"Haha, don't mention it."
"So then, shall we continue with what we were discussing?"
"Sounds good. Anyway...the reason I was able to obtain the secret art of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens from the Purple Soul Jade Seal is because I once encountered Yuk Rin's main body, who possessed the body of Yuk Ung, and managed to steal the traits of the Sea Dragon Race."
Tsutsutsut—
He wriggles his left arm, glaring at the undulating scales of the Sea Dragon.
"The reason your hybrid Sea Dragon companion couldn't obtain anything from the Purple Soul Jade Seal is probably just because his cultivation is too low. If he reaches at least the Four-Axis stage, he'll likely be able to obtain Purple Soul Filling the Heavens from it."
"Thanks for the useful information. So...what do you mean you can't learn Purple Soul Filling the Heavens right now?"
Jin Ma-yeol's face becomes filled with rising anger.
He reverts his grotesque sword-turned hand back to its original state and grits his teeth with a look of humiliation.
"...At first, even after acquiring Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, I couldn't learn it. So back then, I thought it was a secret art that only a pure Sea Dragon Race could master, and sought to obtain the Dragon Form Disguise Method. I thought if I could obtain the Dragon Form Disguise Method and take the form of a Sea Dragon, I could learn the secret art. However..."
Killing intent radiates from Jin Ma-yeol.
Sacred Orchid Island Lord Chi Lou, who is waiting beside us, silently bows her head in front of Jin Ma-yeol.
With a grim expression, Jin Ma-yeol presses down hard on Chi Lou's head with his hand.
"Princess Yuk Yo...that wretched brat stole my Dragon Form Disguise Method! To make matters worse, Yuk Rin broke the official contract with me and even breached our unofficial agreement in the Penglai Island expedition, attacking me and taking away all my spare lives!"
I glance at the woman called Chi Lou.
Her face is being severely crushed by Jin Ma-yeol.
"If this damned thing hadn't hidden Yuk Yo, I would have found the brat long ago, retrieved the Dragon Form Disguise Method, activated it, and learned that even taking the form of a Sea Dragon wouldn't have allowed me to obtain Purple Soul Filling the Heavens. I wouldn't have wasted my precious spare lives on such a worthless endeavor! Damn it...damn it...!"
He glares at Sacred Orchid Island Lord Chi Lou, as if he will kill her, then releases his hand from her head, grinding his teeth.
"...Anyway, I realized I couldn't learn Purple Soul Filling the Heavens even with the form of a Sea Dragon. Even if you have the formula, you too probably can't learn Purple Soul Filling the Heavens."
"Is that so...that's unfortunate. In short, what you want is a method to learn Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, right?"
"That's right."
Jin Ma-yeol nods.
"And that method...I can only assume it is somehow related to Princess Yuk Yo."
"Yuk Yo?"
"Yes. As you can tell from her title 'Sacred Orchid Princess,' Sacred Orchid Island is officially Yuk Yo's territory. Of course, the real ruler is this Sacred Orchid Island Lord bastard, but...anyway, why do you think Yuk Yo hid in Sacred Orchid Island, and Chi Lou, who claimed to be my subordinate, betrayed me and hid Yuk Yo? Why do you think that heartless Yuk Rin who has no blood or tears took the Salt Crystal lump and bothered to take along trash like Yuk Yo from Penglai Island?"
"...Do you think Yuk Yo holds the secret to Purple Soul Filling the Heavens?"
"Well, I don't necessarily think it's to Purple Soul Filling the Heavens. It could be a secret related to the Sea Dragon Race, or it could be the formula for the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade that Yuk Rin is desperately hiding. But it doesn't matter which! Even if it's not Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, obtaining Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade will suffice. Either way, Yuk Yo has that much value. Kidnapping Yuk Yo again and trading her with Yuk Rin to obtain the complete formula for Purple Soul Filling the Heavens—that is my desire!"
I look at Jin Ma-yeol for a moment.
There is no falsehood in his words, and there is nothing more he is hiding.
'Of course, there is the ambition for monopolizing Yuk Rin's treasure and a desire for revenge but...'
That is all.
Kim Young-hoon and I have a brief discussion and then make our decision.
'Considering that Baek Rin's soul plaque hasn't been extinguished in the Wuji Religious Order, Baek Rin is alive. And if Baek Rin is alive, it's highly likely he is currently with Yuk Yo.'
"Very well. We will join hands with you, Jin Ma-yeol."
"Haha, I look forward to working with you, Devilish Cult Master."
"I look forward to working with you too, pirate."
Thus, the Devilish Cult Master and the Fighting Ghost Race Pirate Captain form an alliance to stab the back of the Wi Jeong Sea Domain's Governing Dragon Palace Lord and kidnap his daughter.
'Wait for us, Baek Rin. We will rescue you together with Yuk Yo.'
I think of Baek Rin, who began to change as he spent time with Yuk Yo.
Though it seems Baek Rin himself is unaware, he is currently in love with Yuk Yo.
"...Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, huh...?"
I organize the information obtained from the Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion avatar on top of Salt Mountain and recite the formula for Purple Soul Filling the Heavens.
'I've been neglecting it a bit due to researching the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique and the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade, but I should look into this as well.'
After all, it's also an opportunity to uncover the flaws in Seo Hweol's Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens.
I unfold the formula for Purple Soul Filling the Heavens.
The Purple Soul Filling the Heavens has various formulas and mantras, but the most crucial formula consists of three sentences.
They are as follows:
—Purple is the most suitable color to hide in the darkness.
—Carry on life in the darkness where light can never reach.
—By continuing the inherited life, we shall all finally reach liberation.