'This is...'
No doubt about it.
—Why even bother preparing the ascension blessing for maggots? So they can feast harder on high-quality corpses?
The highest floor of Serving Command Palace.
The script written in the corner of the hidden floor's library, which appears when controlling the formation of Serving Command Palace, is the same ancient language as this text, and in the same handwriting.
It means the same person wrote it.
'It's the answer to the self-question from back then.'
—I've thought about it deeply. The reason that being gave such excessive gifts to the maggots. It wasn't to assist such maggots in achieving ascension. It was, without a doubt, to liberate Ancient Force.
After reading the phrases once more, I extract several pieces of information.
First,The author of this text harbors great resentment and malice towards cultivators.
'The sentence treats all cultivators as maggots and simultaneously seems to deny the ascension of cultivators.'
It's as if they are denying the existence of those ranked lower than themselves.
'Though, they themselves were probably just a low-ranking cultivator in the past.'
It makes me wonder if they were born with an excellent Immortal Beast True Blood, or perhaps had high-ranking parents.
Second,
The Serving Command Seal is a 'gift' someone deliberately placed in the Head Realm.
"The Heavenly Craftsman who created the Serving Command Seal...who exactly is that person?"
What the text refers to is nine times out of ten the 'Serving Command Seal,' and the fact that it's placed in the Head Realm strongly suggests it was made by the 'Heavenly Craftsman' who created the 'original' of the 'immortal treasure replica' Nether Crossing Ship.
'But it's strange. I feel an odd sense of familiarity for some reason towards this being called the Heavenly Craftsman.'
Did I perhaps meet them at some point?
'Maybe it's because of Buk Hyang-hwa.'
I don't know why, but I have a baseless delusion that the Heavenly Craftsman would somehow be favorable towards me.
Anyway, third,
The writer of this text mentioned that the purpose of the Serving Command Seal is to liberate something called 'Ancient Force (古力).'
'Indeed, the Serving Command Palace is also called the Liberation Palace.'
There was much debate in the Head Realm about why the Serving Command Palace is called the Liberation Palace and why it holds the 'power of liberation.'
Some said it's to liberate ancient souls in the Head Realm, others said it's to unleash forgotten treasures, and some believed it's to dissolve a certain formation.
Of course, no one knows which of these is true.
'When the battle with Yuan Li began, Serving Command Palace certainly liberated him with the power of liberation.'
Serving Command Palace definitely possesses the power of liberation and is itself an [immortal treasure] that can move fate.
'Thinking back, it is a bit terrifying.'
Is it because I already met her, the immortal treasure Heavenly Lightning Banner?
Thinking about it again, one can say the Serving Command Seal is also considered a type of immortal treasure.
Could it have also been a 'living thing'?
Moreover, unlike Zhengli, the Serving Command Seal is an immortal treasure with [no seal whatsoever].
Recalling this, I feel a sudden chill run down my spine.
It was truly a frightening matter when reflected on.
'...Indeed, I must be cautious when descending to the Head Realm.'
If the Serving Command Seal is truly alive,
It would mean that in the Head Realm, where even Zhengli was so terrified of and sealed in, the Serving Command Seal remained [of its own will].
I shake my head and shift my thoughts.
Thinking too long about [those things] is detrimental to my health.
'Anyway, the Serving Command Palace was created to liberate Ancient Force...or so the writer of this text believes.'
Then, what exactly is this Ancient Force being referred to here?
If I think simply, it would be related to the Ancient Force Realm.
However, I believe there is something more hidden in this word called Ancient Force.
Ancient Force.
What exactly does it symbolize?
'The Ancient Force Realm resonated with the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique.'
This world is related to Salt Mountain.
'And Cheongmun Ryeong definitely turned into a salt pillar from observing the heavens from the Lower Realm.'
The Head Realm is also related to Salt Mountain.
Then, could this Ancient Force also be related to the Owner of Salt Mountain?
I ponder as I rack my brain.
Of course, since I know too little at this point, I can't say anything with certainty.
For now, these are the three pieces of information I managed to deduce while reading the text.
'I'll have an opportunity to learn more about this later.'
After examining the text, I turn my gaze to the mural.
'This mural is...'
It closely matches the characters inscribed on the Purple Soul Jade Seal.
'Blood Yin, Lofty Dragon, Ancient Force, Myriad Realms Beneath. Ah...I see.'
I understand as I look at the shadowy mass fighting a dragon in the mural.
That is the same mass I saw in the painting in the Xiezhi Worship Layer of Lofty Dragon True Person's storage scroll.
I feel a certain 'sensation' from that drawing, and it's evident that the drawing itself is slowly converting the surrounding Heaven and Earth spiritual energy into devilish energy.
Now, I finally understand why Blood Yin is engraved on the top of the Purple Soul Jade Seal.
'Blood Yin Realm!'
The space unfolded by Seo Hweol and formed from twisting the outskirts of the Netherworld, called the Blood Yin Ghost Valley Labyrinth.
Inside that space, Seo Hweol had opened the entrance to the Blood Yin Realm.
The aura felt at the entrance of the Blood Yin Realm is the same as the aura I'm feeling from the drawing.
'Hundreds of thousands of years ago, there was a great war shortly after the creation of the Vast Cold Realm.'
In that great war, Lofty Dragon True Person fought 'a certain entity from the Devil Realm,' and at the end of the battle against that being, the Serving Command Axe was lodged in their neck, resulting in death.
The body of Lofty Dragon True Person, which still remains to this day, became the territory of the True Dragon Alliance.
In any case, after that incident, the name of the Vast Cold Realm changed from Vast Cold to Bright Cold, and as far as I know, it was around that time the Blood Yin Realm separated from the True Devil Realm.
Furthermore, the 'dark red mass' separated from the 'certain entity from the Devil Realm’ that fought against Lofty Dragon True Person, depicted in this mural, emits a 'similar aura to the Blood Yin Realm.'
'And to build the Love of Virtue Axis, one must go to the Blood Yin Realm, not the True Devil Realm.'
Considering all these points.
I come to one conclusion.
'The Blood Yin Realm itself is alive.'
Not just alive, but practically no different from the belly of [some entity].
It is a much more sinister and ominous place than the Nether Ghost Realm, where True Persons engage in observations, or the Ancient Force Realm, which is no different from a corpse disposal site.
'...It's truly fortunate that I managed to obtain the Love of Virtue Axis in advance.'
I sigh with a small sense of relief as I organize the contents of the mural.
The Blood Yin Realm, as a certain living entity, reached out to the remains of Lofty Dragon True Person and created the [black mass].
Immediately, I think of Hyeon Eum, the Black Dragon King.
'After all, the term 'Black Yin's Strategy' is blatantly revealed on the Purple Soul Jade Seal.'
Moreover, Hyeon Eum united with the body of a Blood Yin Realm's Esteemed One very naturally and freely wielded the power known as Vice.
'Thus, this mural, considered to record the history of the Sea Dragon Race...'
Explains the origin of the Sea Dragon Race, starting from the Blood Yin Realm.
The first Sea Dragon King, Ja Eum (Purple Yin), is undoubtedly a being derived from the Black Dragon King Hyeon Eum.
The reason Seo Hweol has been using devilish arts related to the Blood Yin Realm until now,
The preparations he made to ascend Yuan Li, whom he infected with Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens, to the Blood Yin Realm,
And the relationship between the Black Dragon King and Seo Hweol.
The relationship between the Black Dragon King and Blood Yin.
'The Sea Dragon Race is a race born from Blood Yin.'
I recall the term 'Seed Dispersion' that is on the Purple Soul Jade Seal.
On the mural, from the world that seems to represent the Ancient Force Realm, I see small seeds seemingly falling into worlds that resemble stars: thigh, ring finger, and [head].
'Head...'
I stroke the mural.
Why is the name of the Head Realm, 'Head' Realm?
I had a rough idea.
That the Head Realm is a Decaying Corpse Realm made from someone's head.
In that case, the illustration on this mural must surely be the Head Realm.
And the seeds scattered on this Head Realm.
"...Is it you?"
I ask as I glare at the drawing in the mural.
For some reason, it feels like I hear a whispering 'hoho' coming from that tiny dot-like picture.
"Are you the bastard?"
Of course, it's just my imagination; the mural makes no sound.
After staring at the mural for a while, I record it with a recording spell, then turn to Yuk Yo.
She seems to have finally collected herself and clears her throat.
"...I greet the Cult Leader."
"Why were you so absorbed in the mural?"
"Ah...I was just surprised because it resembles a painting I saw in the library when I was young."
"If it's a picture you saw in a library as a child..."
"In the library within Penglai Kingdom."
At her words, I look at the mural.
"This mural was in the library?"
"Not exactly the mural, but that part."
"...?"
Yuk Yo points to the [black something fighting with Lofty Dragon] at the start of the mural.
The [black thing] at the start of the mural is just beginning the fight with Lofty Dragon True Person.
I look at it for a moment, then ask, unable to understand.
"...Honestly, isn't it just a rough ink smudge on the wall? I can sense some devilish energy leaking out, but there's no Qi in Penglai Kingdom, so you probably wouldn't have felt it...how did you recognize it?"
However, Yuk Yo looks at me with a puzzled expression and says,
"...Ink smudge? Does Cult Leader not see that grand appearance (相)?"
"...?"
I widen my eyes, even drawing a bit of the power of the Three Great Ultimates from my main body to observe, but no matter how I look at it, it's just an ink smudge.
"...I don't see it. Are you seeing something?"
I wonder if there is something only visible to Yuk Yo, who was born in Penglai Island.
She nods.
"...Since the Cult Leader can't see it, I will explain. That drawing is one of the dharma forms depicted in the Western Heaven Taenghwa, a painting located in the palace library of Penglai Kingdom."
"Hmm, is that so?"
"Yes. To explain the Western Heaven Taenghwa, it's a type of mandala (曼茶羅) that depicts an entity called the Wheel Imperial Venerable (車輪帝尊) at the center, protected by 14 Dharma Kings (法王). Just as there are 13 Guardian Ghost Kings in the order, the Wheel Imperial Venerable also has 14 Dharma Kings protecting them. The dharma form depicted in that mural is very similar to the appearance of the Accumulating Virtue Dharma King (積德法王), who is the right seat of the Wheel Imperial Venerable. Although it looks a bit more...menacing."
"What is this Wheel Imperial Venerable?"
"In the Penglai Kingdom's state religion, Axis Wheel Path (軸輪道), they are one of the two Great Buddha Venerables (大佛尊) who are worshiped. The Great Buddha Venerables are referred to as the Axle Imperial Venerable (車軸帝尊) and the Wheel Imperial Venerable (車輪帝尊), and in Penglai Kingdom, the Axle Imperial Venerable is revered as the highest, and is worshiped as the Guardian Imperial Venerable. The Wheel Imperial Venerable is also a splendid Great Buddha Venerable, but they aren't particularly popular. However, there are a few temples within Penglai Kingdom that solely worship the Wheel Imperial Venerable."
Yuk Yo finishes her explanation while gazing nostalgically at the ink-smeared mural depicting the [black thing].
"Hmm..."
To my eyes and to Baek Rin's eyes, it merely appears as ink smeared on a wall, but it seems like something is visible to her.
Just in case, I point at the [black-red thing] that breaks away from the [black thing].
I suspect it to be the Blood Yin Realm.
Yuk Yo looks at it for a moment and then tilts her head.
"Hmm...well. It just looks like black-red mist to me. I can't tell."
"Is that so...? I understand."
Anyway, it seems important and possibly connects to the secrets of the Sea Dragon Race, so I plan to show it to Seo Ran.
After carefully recording the mural, I walk along the path where the mural is drawn.
At the end of the path is something that appears to be a statue of a Sea Dragon Race.
'This is...'
As soon as I see the Sea Dragon statue, I furrow my brows deeply.
Thick devilish energy clings to the statue, and a foul stench of blood emanates from it.
The most disturbing thing is,
'It has a similar spell flow to what Seo Hweol used.'
The statue exudes a flow of devilish energy strikingly similar to the devilish art Seo Hweol used, known as Blood Sacrifice Ritual: Blood Yin Returning Home.
Recalling what I know about Blood Sacrifice Ritual: Blood Yin Returning Home used by Seo Hweol, I try to infer the nature of this spell.
'There's a high chance that Blood Sacrifice Ritual: Blood Yin Returning Home is a devilish art that creates an attraction force with the Blood Yin Realm.'
It seems likely that this Sea Dragon statue was also created by Yuk Rin to harness the power of the Blood Yin Realm.
Kuaduduk!
I immediately shatter the statue.
Ururururu—
And when the statue is destroyed, the wall behind it crumbles.
It seems there was a hidden secret passage.
"Baek Rin, does it look like there's something behind?"
"I apologize, Cult Leader. My consciousness gets bounced back when I try to peer inside. If I force it...it feels like the devilish energy invades my mind so..."
"That's fine. Just protect your consciousness."
That information is enough.
'It's a place important enough for Yuk Rin to have set up a careful barrier.'
In that case, there's a high probability that the royal palace of Penglai Island, which Yuk Rin stole, is inside there.
In other words, the area ahead is Yuk Rin's treasure vault.
"Well then...shall we take a look at Yuk Rin's treasure vault?"
I smile faintly and step forward to go inside.
Or so I intended.
Piiiing!
Wuduk.
I stop in my tracks.
A very thin sword energy brushed past my cheek from behind.
"...Ah, right. You were here, now that I think about it..."
There stands Jin Ma-yeol, smirking with one hand transformed into a grotesque sword.
"What situation is this, Devilish Cult Leader? Surely, we agreed that the Deep Sea Island was to be explored by my Fighting Demon Pirate Gang?"
"I just found a teleportation array connecting from Governing Dragon Island to the Deep Sea Island and came in."
"Ah, I see. Wonderful. Now that you've rescued your subordinate and Princess Yuk Yo, go back and return to the sea domain."
"Sorry, but there's something inside that I need to check."
"My Fighting Demon Pirate Gang will investigate thoroughly and let you know what's inside. Go back up."
"Wasn't your purpose to get Princess Yuk Yo this time? Why don't you go back up instead?"
"Surely we agreed beforehand that the Deep Sea Island would be investigated by us. Keep your promise, Devilish Cult Leader."
I glare at Jin Ma-yeol, and he glares back at me.
"...So, your goal from the start wasn't Yuk Yo but the treasure inside the Deep Sea Island?"
"Both. Is that a problem?"
"Rather than a problem..."
I glance at the mural depicting the secret history of the Sea Dragon Race and speak.
"There's something inside I need to investigate."
"I told you I'll investigate and inform you. Leave."
"Sorry, but it's something I absolutely need to do, you see."
Jin Ma-yeol and I glare at each other.
And in the next moment.
Paatt!
In a fleeting instant, Jin Ma-yeol swings his grotesque sword.
The grotesque sword is aimed directly at Baek Rin's head, and the sword is enveloped in his domain, capable of cutting through Baek Rin's Heavenly Circle and Earthly Bearings.
Kwaang!
I kick Yuk Yo and Baek Rin, sending them flying toward the teleportation array.
"Get out, Baek Rin! Yuk Rin's body was cut like sashimi by me so he won't be able to move for a while!"
In the blink of an eye, the grotesque sword moves again, targeting me.
I deflect his grotesque sword with the All-Heavens Sword and glare at Jin Ma-yeol.
"Are you planning to take me on? Your Fighting Dance is beneath mine."
Jin Ma-yeol smirks at my words.
"Your main body is truly fearsome, but I can easily handle a mere avatar of yours that can only use Fighting Dance. And..."
Dudududu!
"Huhehehe!"
"Huhahaha!"
The pirates of the Fighting Demon Pirate Gang surround Yuk Yo and Baek Rin as they try to use the teleportation array.
I glare at them as I speak.
"If you kill my subordinates, the contract written on the Black Ancient Paper will punish you."
Jin Ma-yeol grins.
"That's true. But isn't it strange?"
"What?"
"According to the contract terms, when I attacked you, the 'retribution' from the Black Ancient Paper should have descended upon me immediately. But here I am, unharmed. Do you know what this means?"
"..."
"It's the power of Penglai Island! Because Yuk Rin brought the palace of Penglai Island here, some of Penglai Island's rules are now applied even to this Deep Sea Island! In other words, within here, contracts are partially nullified,if not completely. Shall we test how far it applies?"
At his words, the pirates at the Four-Axis stage laugh as they press Baek Rin with attraction force.
"...Fine. I'll leave."
I grit my teeth slightly and step back.
However, Jin Ma-yeol bursts into laughter and says,
"Why be like that? Aren't you curious about what's inside?"
"..."
"Hmm, this isn't fun. This won't do."
He looks at me with a lustful gaze as he licks his lips.
"Let's make a bet."
"What?"
"It's beneficial for you as well. If you win the bet against me, I'll give you the position of captain of the Fighting Demon Pirate Gang. Furthermore, all the treasures inside will be yours. You can investigate whatever you want inside. But if you lose, your subordinate's life is forfeit. Yuk Yo will also be mine. I will take the treasure inside, and you devilish cultists will be forever stuck in Penglai Island within the deep reaches of the Deep Sea. How does that sound? Tempting, isn't it?"
As he gives a signal with his eyes, the cultivators of the Fighting Demon Pirate Gang threaten Baek Rin with menacing spells.
He calls it a bet, but it's practically a threat.
I close my eyes.
"What kind of bet?"
"It's simple. Inside, there will likely be the Salt Crystal Palace that Yuk Rin took. Whoever takes hold of that palace first is the winner! Any method is allowed!"
His eyes are filled with lust.
I can tell,
Having caught an opportunity, he reveals an intent to want to fight me to fulfill his lustful desires.
He has no chance against my main body, but for the Fighting Ghost Race, battling a strong opponent is the greatest pleasure. He intends to feel that pleasure by fighting my avatar.
It's unbearably unpleasant.
However, after glancing at Baek Rin, I look at him again.
"...Fine."
"Hahaha! As expected, how bold!"
He licks his lips again with his tongue.
I remain silent, quietly gazing at the entrance to Yuk Rin's treasure vault, and meet Jin Ma-yeol's eyes again.
"Let's start."
"Good, Cult Leader!"
For a moment, we lock eyes.
And in the next moment.
Tadatt!
Unable to say who went first, Jin Ma-yeol and I fly straight behind the statue.
We race into Yuk Rin's treasure vault.
Thus begins the treasure hunt with Jin Ma-yeol, with the life of my subordinate at stake.