Paaaat!
A streak of white light pierces through the void, accompanied by the sound tearing through the air.
Kugugugugu!
Within the white light, a powerful pressure of spiritual energy and a massive gust of wind erupts, causing numerous demon beasts and spirit beasts to flee in terror as soon as they feel its presence.
Kurung, urrrrrrrng!
Suddenly, dark clouds seem to flow toward the white light and are drawn into it.
The white light is Seo Eun-hyun, and what entered him are the clouds of Heavenly Tribulation.
However, despite the bizarre and terrifying event, Seo Eun-hyun merely twitches his eyes slightly without any change in expression as he flies swiftly toward the Human Race territory.
Kurung, Kurururung!
Inside my domain, Seo Ran is currently completing his advancement to the Four-Axis stage.Perhaps the Sea Orchid Fruit I previously obtained from the storage scroll of Lofty Dragon True Person proved to be quite helpful. After consuming the fruit, Seo Ran achieved a tremendous rise in his cultivation and became able to attempt advancing from half-step into the Four-Axis stage to the complete Four-Axis stage.
Of course, due to time being the essence in our current situation, we decided to proceed with the advancement while I am carrying him within me.
Naturally, this meant that the Heavenly Tribulation would rage within my domain, potentially causing damage. Fortunately, Jeon Myeong-hoon is able to minimize the impact of the Heavenly Thunder, preventing any major issues.
Woo-woong!
I move rapidly through the air, absorbing the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy of the Bright Cold Realm.
"Hoo..."
For 190,000 years, I slowly raised my cultivation realm.
Although I had advanced my realm within the dense Heaven and Earth spiritual energy right after the beginning of creation, I nonetheless acquired a considerable amount of insight into the realm that an Integration stage cultivator should possess. Therefore, I was able to elevate my realm from the very beginning of the Integration stage to the early stage in an instant.
Of course, progressing through the middle and late stages to reach Grand Perfection will require considerable time.
The formula for the Integration stage is divided into six major aspects.
Rain (雨), Sun (陽), Heat (燠), Cold (寒), Wind (風), and Time (時).
These aspects represent cloudiness (雨), clearness (陽), warmth (燠), coldness (寒), and wind (風), symbolizing the changes of the seasons (時).
Cultivation in the Integration stage involves unifying Heaven, Earth and the Four Directions—the Six Harmonies (六合)—within one's Integrated Dao Domain.
By integrating each of these Six Harmonies, one can gain a divine power, and these divine powers are named after the six aspects mentioned above.
Collectively, they are referred to as Various Omens (庶徵), a process of mastering one's domain more perfectly and harmonizing within it.
In the case of Jeon Myeong-hoon's Integrated Dao Domain, the Charged Lightning Veil of the Great 'Heavenly Rain' (雨天), he most 'strongly' awakened the divine power of Rain (雨), hence the name.
Most Integration stage Grand Cultivators typically awaken their divine powers in the order of Rain (雨), Sun (陽), Heat (燠), Cold (寒), Wind (風), and Time (時).
However, I am different.
Woo-woong!
I can feel day and night circulating within my domain.
Day and night, also known as Twilight (光陰/Light and Shade), are other terms representing the passage of time.
When I first gazed upon the Immortal Treasure of Time, Yeong Seung, my body had scattered into Twilight as if I had become one with time itself.
Regardless, the crucial point is this:
Time.
I awakened the divine power of Time first, rather than Rain.
I have some guesses as to why I awakened the divine power of Time first.
'Vast Cold Heavenly Circle...'
Woo-woong—
The formula of the Vast Cold Heavenly Circle rotates, awakening the divine power of Time.
Wiiiiiing—
As Twilight rotates according to the formula of the Vast Cold Heavenly Circle, the last of the six divine powers is awakened.
'Since I've awakened Time instead of Rain, I'll have to gain enlightenment of the divine powers in the opposite direction compared to other cultivators.'
In the previous cycle, at the beginning of creation, I awakened Wind after Time, rather than Sun following Rain.
Wind (風).
Kugugugugugu!
Normally, I would move quietly, but in order to obtain the divine power of Wind, the next divine power after Time, I advance while scattering storms around me with the sound of tearing through the air.
How long have I been flying through the air?
Paaaang!
Within the wind, I notice a familiar region appearing in the distance.
Swiftwind Domain.
Whiooooooo!
Swiftwind Domain, where wind, darkness, and yin energy gather abundantly, has not transformed into something akin to a part of the Nether Ghost Realm this time, as Kang Min-hee did not emerge from here in this cycle.
'The Kang Min-hee of present is...very likely to emerge around the Human Race territory.'
Using the ground-shrinking technique, Flying Escape Technique, Gliding Technique, and Sword Flight, I quickly pass through Swiftwind Domain, heading toward the Human Race territory.
At the same time, I slightly open my domain to absorb a portion of the wind from the Swiftwind Domain into it.
Paaat!
A few days later.
In the distance, the Human Race territory, the Sky Island Archipelago, comes into view.
'She hasn't awakened yet.'
Kang Min-hee, the Ghost Guiding Holy Mother, will inevitably awaken at this point and devastate the surroundings.
Last time, she awakened in Swiftwind Domain and wreaked havoc, but this time, there was no cause for her to awaken there.
In other words, she is likely to awaken at the Black Ghost Valley's Human Race branch and lay waste to the surrounding area.
'I can't even imagine how many humans will die.'
Flying with a sharp gaze, I quickly ponder through the situation.
'I don't know when Kang Min-hee will awaken. It wouldn't be strange if she woke up right now.'
Therefore, before she awakens,
I need to evacuate the Human Race.
To a place out of reach of Kang Min-hee's influence, who is at the Star Shattering stage...
At Temporal Fate Island, located at the very outskirts of the Human Race territory, I notice that a barrier has been activated, likely in response to sensing my rapid approach to that direction.
The entire Human Race territory is shrouded in clouds, making its presence faint.
If I were a mindless monster or a Grand Cultivator visiting the Human Race territory for the first time, I might not have noticed its existence and simply flown past.
This is the barrier grand formation activated through the dragon vein of the entire Human Race territory, also known as the 'Concealment Grand Formation,' hiding and protecting the territory by making it invisible to powerful beings flying nearby.
Kwaaaang!
However, I accurately sense a gap in the Concealment Grand Formation and smash through one of its corners, entering the Human Race territory.
Simultaneously,
Flash, flash, flash!
Multiple orbs of light float around me.
The orbs twist in the air and transform into human figures.
They are the projections of the Grand Cultivators of the Human Race Grand Alliance.
Jun Jae, Gol Maek, Gae Jin, Eung Yeon, Wi Ryeong-seon, and Wi Su.
These are the six Integration stage Grand Cultivators of the current Human Race Grand Alliance, excluding Hon Won.
They seem to flinch in surprise as they look at me.
"It's been a while, everyone from the Grand Cultivator Association."
[...Hah, haha...so it was you, Cultivator Seo.]
Jun Jae seems to be breaking out in a slight cold sweat, but then he smiles.
However, I see his heart essence wildly fluctuating.
[You managed to escape from the Ancient Force Realm I see. We were actually planning to extract you soon, but you managed to get out on your own...moreover you reached the Integration stage while in the Ancient Force Realm? Haha, it seems you've truly earned the right to be called a Grand Cultivator now. Perhaps we should hold a celebration...]
"Thank you for your kind words, but there's no time for that."
I awkwardly smile, cutting off Jun Jae's attempt to avoid my wrath.
"There is a high possibility that a Star Shattering stage entity is going to attack the Human Race Grand Alliance. We need to relocate the entire Human Race to another place immediately. If not, the entire Human Race territory will be completely destroyed today."
At my words, they all look up at the sky.
Ironically, the celestial energy is clear.
But it's the truth.
This is simply a matter in which an extremely high-ranking entity, such as the Chief Judge of the Netherworld, is involved, so they can't read the celestial energy.
"It seems that due to the involvement of a high-ranking entity, the celestial energy cannot be read at this moment. But you all know it too. That we were unable to read the celestial energy concerning [a certain entity] that revealed itself on Thunder Spirit Island..."
At my words, they seem to exchange opinions via voice transmission and then nod.
[Indeed...I understand what you're saying. However, relocating the Human Race territory is a matter that requires great caution. Even if it's the word of Grand Cultivator Seo, we must gather all the Grand Cultivators in their main bodies, perform collective foresight, submit a petition to the Sacred Master, and only after receiving a reply confirming the danger should we...]
"I apologize, but there's no time for that. We must relocate the Human Race territory immediately, even if it's just one day earlier."
[...To be honest, I find it hard to believe. But since you are a Grand Cultivator, I'm considering the procedures for your sake, so please bear with us. If this matter was so urgent that it required immediate attention upon your arrival, why didn't you notify us in advance?]
Jun Jae seems to be sternly reprimanding me, but I suppress the rising irritation and calmly open my mouth to speak.
"First, calm down and listen to what I have to say. I tried to inform you about this matter in advance. But Alliance Head Jun Jae, you cut off my contact right away and even prevented me from reaching out to the Human Race Grand Alliance!"
At my words, Jun Jae's mouth opens and closes before he awkwardly coughs.
[Th-That was...I'm sorry. I was in the middle of training my newly acquired lightning divine power, and the lightning within me acted up, causing me to accidentally cut off Cultivator Seo's connection. But to immediately evacuate based on Cultivator Seo's claim that a terrifying entity is descending, to be honest...]
And at that moment.
Kua-jijijijik!
A streak of red lightning seems to emerge from within me, followed by a terrifying voice that reverberates through the area.
[Don't spout dogshit. The lightning...is whispering that your words are lies...]
Kururung!
From within my domain, thunder roars as Jeon Myeong-hoon growls.
He grinds his teeth and emerges from within my domain.
Thud!
Jeon Myeong-hoon's upper body crawls out from behind me, his blood-red lightning-filled eyes glaring at Jun Jae and the projections of the Grand Cultivator Association.
[These dog bastards are mocking us. The lightning is clearly whispering to me that you cut off the contact in a hurry, fearing Seo Eun-hyun might return. Lying is one thing but...seeing you trash sitting on your hands while Seo Eun-hyun is kindly running around to save your worthless lives makes my already rotten five viscera and six bowels twist. I can't stand it any longer...]
Barely containing the lightning, he threatens the Grand Cultivator Alliance.
[Seo Eun-hyun is politely explaining the situation to you, yet it seems your stomachs are too bloated and your butts are too heavy to move. I'm warning you, stop with the disgusting lies and excuses, and follow his instructions. If you don't, I'll tear you limb from limb and scatter your remains throughout the Human Race territory.]
At Jeon Myeong-hoon's murderous words, the expressions of the Grand Cultivator Association also darken.
[And who is this bastard? It looks like you've reached the Integration stage, but it seems you're acting without knowing your place just because we're kind to Cultivator Seo. Cultivator Seo proved his strength back in the Four-Axis stage, but do you think we're afraid of some nobody like you who crawled out of nowhere? Besides, it seems your main cultivation method involves lightning divine power, but each and every one of us gained lightning divine powers and enlightenment in lightning in general, so we're not particularly afraid of your lightning. Behave yourself!]
At those words, Jeon Myeong-hoon falls silent.
Then, I see the veins bulging across his body.
[Seo Eun-hyun.]
"...What?"
Red lightning crackles in all four directions around him as he opens his mouth.
[Let's just kill them all.]
I understand what Jeon Myeong-hoon is implying, knowing that he has been communicating his thoughts to our comrades via voice transmission.
In any case, there's no way to drive out the Human Race from this area through persuasion alone.
Therefore, with force, we will combine our strengths and expel the entire Human Race from this area.
That, Jeon Myeong-hoon is saying, is the fastest and easiest way.
Normally, I would have opposed it.
Even if it took some time, I would have calmly explained the reasons, shown the evidence, and led them slowly.
But right now.
With my comrades massacred by the Owner of Great Mountain, and knowing that Kang Min-hee will soon descend,
I realize that I can't afford to waste time.
I close my eyes briefly, opening them with an exhale.
Huuuuu—
Then, black ghostly energy and curses begin to emanate from around me.
[...Alright.]
Wuduk, wududuk, wuduk!
Nineteen heads sprout from my shoulders, and I become the Ghost King with twenty heads.
The projections of the Grand Cultivators vanish, and six spatial rifts begin to form in their place.
The Human Race's Grand Cultivators are gathering.
The power I sense beyond the rifts are strong, as if they have significantly recovered from their injuries, and there is a subtle presence of lightning power, likely the knowledge and divine power they gained from facing the Owner of Heavenly Punishment.
Bulge, writhe!
My comrades emerge from within my domain.
From behind me, the true form of Hong Fan, Seo Ran, and Shi Ho spring forth, followed by a gigantic Wei Shi-hon and a devilized Eum Wa.
At the same time, from my shoulders, Jeon Myeong-hoon in his Two-Head Six-Armed Lightning God form and the Starlight Giant Oh Hyun-seok, who has now reached the pinnacle of the Azure Spirit Starlight Quintessence Great Method, emerge.
From my chest, Buk Hyang-hwa and her puppet, created by modifying the dharma treasures and materials from Lofty Dragon's storage scroll, along with Kim Yeon, appear.
Woo-woong!
I draw the Colorless Glass Sword from my domain and hold it in my hand.
From the Integration stage onwards, one can directly retrieve items from their domain, so I can summon things from anywhere I desire without having to retrieve dharma treasures from my mouth.
Kua-jijijijijik!
I can sense the clones of Wi Ryeong-seon sending voice transmissions across the Human Race territory.
I see sects loyal to the Grand Cultivators flying in from various places.
Even most of the Six Major Sects of the Human Race are heading this way.
[Even now, if you withdraw your dharma treasures and divine powers and peacefully come with us to Heavenly Human Island, I will overlook your earlier rudeness! Seo Eun-hyun! If you don't want to fight the entire Human Race, then even now...]
[The entire Human Race, huh...]
Wooo-wooong!
The Three Great Ultimates rise behind me.
Now that I have entered the Integration stage, the Three Great Ultimates I summon exude a far more distinct and domineering aura than before.
It is no longer like an active volcano, but more like watching the volcano erupt in real-time.
Now, the Three Great Ultimates behind me are no longer just mere forms.
As the Three Great Ultimates rotate, they begin generating tangible physical force.
Kugugugugugu!
A whirlwind begins to blow around me due to the power of the Three Great Ultimates.
From the forty gleams in my eyes, curses ignite and radiate.
Under the influence of the curses, parts of my body begin to bulge and writhe as monsters begin to emerge from me.
I let out a small chuckle.
Of course, it's a small laugh, but with so many mouths, and perhaps because of the wind, my laughter sounds like the wailing of a cacophony of ghosts.
No, this is indeed the wailing of ghosts.
Buried within my chest are the grudges of the dead followers, having turned into ghosts.
In order for such a horrific massacre to never happen again,
Amidst the ghostly wails, I open my mouth with hardened eyes.
[From now on, I will drive the entire Human Race out of this area.]
Whether she awakens in the Swiftwind Domain or in the Black Ghost Valley's Human Race branch, it doesn't matter.
Kang Min-hee will attack the Human Race first no matter what.
After all, the souls that follow her the most are none other than those of the Human Race.
Therefore, whether through persuasion or force, I must drive the Human Race out of here and force them to evacuate.
[Come at me, Human Race bastards.]
And so, the clash between me and the entire Human Race begins.