"My title?"
It seems they are referring to a title similar to that of Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One Jang Ik, a sobriquet for an Esteemed One,
'So, the rumor that the title of an Esteemed One is bestowed by the Sacred Master is true.'
There's a widespread story in the Bright Cold Realm that the title of an Esteemed One is granted by the Sacred Master.
There are countless stories about 'why' the Sacred Master grants the title, but nothing is definite.
"My title...what is it?"
"You'll know soon enough...ah, we're here."
Just as I'm about to ask more about my title, Kim Yeon and I arrive at a house located in Cedar Wood Grove, where Buk Hyang-hwa resides.
The Cedar Wood Grove of the Heart Tribe is a dense forest of cedar trees that seem to pierce the sky.
Unlike ordinary tall cedars found elsewhere, the trees here are abnormally strong and thick. Most of the Heart Tribe selects one of these massive trees, hollowing out its interior to live within.Humans, now treated as 'guests' of the Heart Tribe, also mostly reside in such places.
As we step inside the cedar house, we see Buk Hyang-hwa busily working with her hands.
A radiant pattern shines on her face.
Below her hands, a design is drawn, depicting the positions of numerous constellations.
"What are you doing?"
Feeling an odd sense of familiarity and unease, I ask.
Buk Hyang-hwa shows me the design in more detail in response to my question.
"Ah, you've finished your seclusion. Esteemed One."
"...You can drop the 'Esteemed One.' Just call me what you did before."
"Emm…still, you've been officially recognized by the Sacred Master..."
"...Please, I don't want to be addressed like that by my comrades."
"...Understood. If that's what you wish...by the way, you were asking what I was doing, right? Look at this. These are constellations of the Head Realm."
"...!"
I flinch in surprise as I speak.
"What do you...do you not know what happened to Cheongmun Ryeong who was exploring the constellations of the Head Realm?"
"Ah, don't worry. This is only a part of the constellations from the Head Realm."
"A part?"
"Yes. The constellations that match the ones I observed in the Deep Sea of the Ancient Force Realm. I only drew those."
"The Deep Sea of the Ancient Force Realm?"
"Yes. For some reason, my norigae is connected to Daoist Seo's Colorless Glass Sword. And both my norigae and the Colorless Glass Sword, for reasons unknown, hold the power of Ancient Force. Therefore, to unravel the secret of the norigae, I believe we need to approach the mystery of the Ancient Force Realm."
"...."
I don't know what to say to her.
'The secret of the norigae is ultimately tied to the point of intersection of the powers of several different timelines due to my regression.'
But I can't reveal that.
No matter what, a past timeline cannot be returned to, nor can it be interacted with.
Therefore, her efforts are ultimately futile.
But I can't say that it like that.
Instead, I ask her another question.
"Is there any proof that the Colorless Glass Sword and the norigae specifically possess the power of Ancient Force?"
The Colorless Glass Sword undoubtedly contains the records of my 'previous cycles.'
However, how can 'my previous cycles' be related to the power of Ancient Force, the power of a perished world?
'Is there concrete evidence that my previous cycles are treated as a ruined world?'
As I ask this, Buk Hyang-hwa hands me something.
"If you've completed your seclusion, you should take this."
"Hmm?"
I take the strange scroll she hands me, and I'm startled.
'Why is this...?'
It looks like a simple scroll, but in reality, it's a clump of Qi.
It's so thick with energy that it feels almost tangible.
Kim Yeon beside me explains the scroll.
"The Sacred Master bestowed an Esteemed One's title, right? It's written there."
"Ah...!"
I try to unroll the scroll after hearing those words.
However, unexpectedly, the scroll doesn't budge at all. Kim Yeon continues explaining.
"The Sacred Master's incarnation said that the scroll can only be opened by breaking it with the single strike of an Esteemed One. Once you accept the contents, you'll be officially declared as an Esteemed One of the Bright Cold Realms, proclaimed to the entire Middle Realm."
"Ah, I see."
So my title as an Esteemed One hasn't been made public yet.
'If it's an Esteemed One's single strike...it must refer to a power strong enough to cut a star.'
I nod and take hold of the scroll.
But with my eyes on the scroll, I ask Buk Hyang-hwa another question.
"So, how will you answer my question regarding this scroll and the power of the Ancient Force Realm?"
Pointing at the scroll, Buk Hyang-hwa replies.
"The black scroll...haven't you seen something like it before?"
"Seen it before...hm?"
I frown at her words.
This is clearly a highly condensed mass of Qi, to the point of materializing. I've never seen a clump of Qi in the form of a scroll before.
However, I suddenly remember having encountered this type of energy before.
"Black Ancient Paper!"
"Correct. It's the Black Ancient Paper we saw in the Ancient Force Realm. I kept the scroll imbued with the same energy as the Black Ancient Paper for a while and studied it. Through that, I discovered a 'commonality' in things imbued with the power of Ancient (古)."
"A commonality?"
"Yes. Everything that contains the power of Ancient (古) is related to one thing—'dreams'."
"Dreams?"
"Yes. But I'm not referring to the dreams one has while sleeping...I'm referring to hopes (所望)."
Buk Hyang-hwa continues her explanation.
"When I combined my research on the 'pseudo Black Ancient Paper' scroll with my norigae, and the research data I gathered when Daoist Seo allowed me to study the Colorless Glass Sword, I found that certain constellations from the Head Realm, or even some Deep Sea constellations from the Ancient Force Realm, share similarities with the flow of spiritual energy imbued with this power of Ancient (古). As I studied those constellations, I came to a hypothesis—that by connecting to certain constellations, one can tap into the mind of the power of Ancient (古), much like how Senior Cheongmun Ryeong harnessed the power of constellations to unfold some secret art."
"What...!?"
I exclaim in shock, raising my voice.
"Stop immediately! Do you want to turn into a pillar of salt?"
"...I cannot stop."
"What do you—!?"
"Because, if the power of Ancient truly comes from someone's hope! Then the power of hope imbued in my norigae must be my mother's!"
"..."
"Esteemed One...no, Daoist Seo. May I ask you something? 600 years ago, when we first met, you gave me this norigae, did you not?"
"...Yes, I did."
Buk Hyang-hwa's gaze becomes more serious.
"Do you know who created this norigae?"
"...Miss' mother, of course."
"That's right. Which means, it's highly likely that the hope within this norigae is my mother's. Ever since I was a child...I've longed for my mother. That's why I kept this norigae, her keepsake, and followed her last wishes by living in Cheon-saek City. Therefore, if this norigae contains my mother's hope...I must find out what it is!"
"...The hope contained in that norigae...may not necessarily be your mother's."
I sense Kim Yeon looking at me with a slightly shocked expression.
Buk Hyang-hwa, as expected, looks at me with a sudden expression of surprise before asking me a question.
"Then...whose hope is in this norigae?"
"..."
I let out an awkward laugh and sigh.
"...It's nothing. It might very well be the hope left by Miss's mother. I will go check my title in the scroll."
With that, I hurriedly leave Buk Hyang-hwa's workshop, almost as if fleeing.
'Ah...'
Throb, throb...
My heart pounds painfully in my chest.
If the norigae holds someone's hope, then whose desire could it be?
I know all too well.
The hope contained in this norigae, belongs to her from the 10th cycle, and to me from that time as well.
I wipe my face.
Looking into a nearby puddle, I see that my face has grown noticeably somber, and my intent is oozing with vivid sorrow.
'...It's blue.'
I've always thought the intent of sorrow was dark blue.
But now I see, the 'dark' mixed in with dark blue seems to be another color that accompanies sorrow.
[TL/N: Dark as in black.]
'Is it...obsession?'
Through a process of elimination, I guess the nature of the black intent.
While naming the realm of Void Shattering, I determined my attitude toward Buk Hyang-hwa and casted off my obsessions.
Afterward, while flowing with the intent of sorrow, the dark blue became a pure blue.
Having reached Five Energies Converging to the Origin, I am able to see all intent, but even now, the world of intent seems boundless.
I suddenly turn to look behind me.
Behind me, Kim Yeon is looking at me.
She is looking at me with an oddly calm expression.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. And you?"
"...I'm okay."
"...I see. I'll check my title and visit the Sacred Master. Regarding the Black Ancient Paper and Ancient Force, she will probably know more."
We smile at each other, sharing lies that are obvious to us both.
I am not alright, and Kim Yeon, having sensed my strange emotions, also seems to have some unsettled intent. But I can't explain it, and she doesn't press me to explain either.
I fly up into the sky above the Heart Tribe Territory and glance at Kim Yeon below.
'Something is changing.'
From the moment she met Buk Hyang-hwa, no. To be precise, from the moment she became closer to her, something has been changing with Kim Yeon.
The anxious mind I saw in the Nether Ghost Realm seemed to heal a bit after meeting her, so I thought it was a positive change and left it alone.
'Is it changing for the better?'
I don't know.
No, honestly, whether it changes for better or worse, it's arrogant of me to even evaluate whether it's 'good' or not.
'I just hope she doesn't fall into madness from Heart Demons...'
I hope Kim Yeon grows properly, and as I rise to the point where the Heart Tribe territory becomes as small as a dot, I unfurl the scroll into the sky.
'Now then. Let's see what title the Sacred Master has bestowed upon me.'
Paaatt!
I use the 31st move of Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, Accumulating Dust Forms a Mountain directly on the scroll.
Flash!
A single strike powerful enough to cleave through a planet launches towards the scroll.
The scroll, which wouldn't budge an inch under ordinary power, explodes into light as it meets the first strike of Accumulating Dust Forms a Mountain.
At the same time,
Kugugugugu!
An enormous explosion erupts, and the surrounding space-time begins to distort.
'This, this is...!'
I realize what's happening now, and I am shocked.
'This crazy...!'
The celestial energy of the entire Bright Cold Realm is starting to converge on this spot.
The will of Sacred Master Baek Woon begins to manifest in this place.
She is borrowing the power of the Bright Cold Realm, performing a miracle that would be impossible for an ordinary Sacred Vessel.
As the scroll explodes, a cloud of dust made up of countless particles spew out.
And with the twisting of space-time and the concentration of celestial energy,
The power of the Bright Cold Realm begins to compress the dust cloud.
Oooooo—
From its center, an unknown stirring can be felt, and something begins to appear in the sky above the Heart Tribe territory.
'S-Star...!'
That, is a planet.
The dust cloud, having swallowed my previous strike, is now forming a planet imbued with my energy.
The planet begins to absorb the dust cloud, forming an attraction force.
Simultaneously, beyond the attraction force, Sacred Master Baek Woon's will imprints itself into my mind.
[In blessing of Seo Eun-hyun of the Human Race, who has newly stepped into the realm of Esteemed Ones, I bestow upon thee a new governing territory (領地) and dharma tool (法具). This shall become your symbol from henceforth, serving as the mark symbolizing your connection with the Bright Cold Realm.]
Kugugugugu!
I stand in awe as I watch the star forming before me, and at the same time, I know its name.
[The star's name is Within Heavens (在天). It is named in honor of you, an Esteemed One of the Heart Tribe who has transcended the Plane of Qi and reached the Plane of Soul. Welcoming your arrival at a new sky, I hereby grant upon thee the title of Within Heavens Esteemed One of the Bright Cold Realm.]
Kuuooooooo—
I can instinctively sense it.
If I connect my attraction force to that Within Heavens Star, I will immediately be recognized as the Within Heavens Esteemed One and truly become an Esteemed One of the Bright Cold Realm.
Since attaining Void Shattering, my attraction force has grown stronger than before.
Perhaps those who reach Void Shattering, the Second Step Before the Throne, gain some degree of control over attraction force, much like the Heaven and Earth Tribes.
However, I only stare at the star in front of me without connecting my attraction force to it.
For some reason, I don't like it.
Within Heavens (在天) means 'to leave this world and reach the other world.'
It's a symbol representing me,who can now fully rise from the Plane of Qi to the Plane of Soul.
With a dark expression, I shout.
"...O Sacred Master, may I have a word?"
Since the entire Bright Cold Realm is practically Baek Woon's domain, I shout towards the sky, assuming she must be watching.
"I do not desire this title nor this star. Please take them back."
It happens in the next moment.
Kuuung!
My mind is transported, just like before, to the summit of Heavenly Lotus Mountain, where Sacred Master Baek Woon resides.
I've arrived inside the White Jade Pavilion.
"It has been a while, Sacred Master."
I offer my respects to Sacred Master Baek Woon, and she looks slightly surprised.
[Hmm, I only summoned your mind...]
"As you know, for the Heart Tribe, the flesh and the soul have become one and the same. Even if only my mind is summoned, I can always come as my main body."
Facing the Sacred Master, I realize she is somewhat uncomfortable.
'Is she reluctant to meet an Esteemed Ones in person? I suppose, considering she's of the Heaven Tribe, it might be a bit uncomfortable for her to meet me, a Heart Tribe, in my main body.'
[Jang Ik couldn't do that. He could not freely cross between the Plane of Qi and the Plane of Soul like you can...]
"Ah..."
It seems even Jang Ik couldn't immediately manifest his main body just because his mind was summoned.
This must be something I'm able to do thanks to the ability of my All-Heavens Sword.
'I thought all Esteemed Ones of the Heart Tribe could do this, but I guess not.'
I nod calmly and then deliver my request to the Sacred Master.
"Once again, I humbly request, Sacred Master. Please take back my title."
I make my plea while feeling the pull of attraction in the distance.
As soon as my main body moved closer to the Sacred Master, the Within Heavens Star above the Heart Tribe territory began moving towards me.
'Is the star actually using the ground-shrinking technique to come?'
The star itself is bending space with attraction force as it heads in my direction.
It will probably reach here soon.
Sacred Master Baek Woon asks curiously.
[Why do you reject it? The Within Heavens Star bestowed upon you, much like the Heaven-Collapsing Star I granted Jang Ik, is inscribed with the spell of ground-shrinking. It will enable you, as a Heart Tribe, to traverse boundless spacetime just like the Star Shattering Esteemed Ones of the Heaven and Earth Tribes.]
"...I apologize. But even if it is something so grand, I cannot accept it."
[Why not?]
"That is..."
I respond, feeling the boundless vision granted by the realm of Void Shattering.
"I was able to reach this realm thanks to my connections. As such...I wish for the name by which others call me to contain the meaning of those connections."
This is not a realm granted by pleading with the heavens.
This is a realm reached by accumulating connections.
The will that has settled in my heart ever since the day I attained Ultimate Pinnacle.
'How many times did I cry out to the heavens?'
The heavens did not answer me.
'How many times did I ask the heavens for help?'
The heavens only brought me calamity and suffering.
'Heavens above...'
I, despise the heavens.
I deny the empty heavens that have taken from me, again and again.
It's not simply saying that I hate my fate.
The 'heavens' also mean True Immortals.
Even now, the hatred and anger toward the Owner of Great Mountain, who has taken everything from me, have not subsided.
In such a state, I have not even the slightest thought of accepting a title related to Immortality, Fate, or Heavens.
Therefore, I think that Heavens should not be part of my title.
Barely suppressing the instinctive disgust rising within me towards the name, I respectfully request to Sacred Master Baek Woon.
"I deeply implore you, Sacred Master, for your mercy to change my title to something else!"
Just hearing the name Within Heavens makes an overwhelming sense of revulsion rise from some unknown place.
Baek Woon shows a slightly troubled expression at my words, then speaks.
[That name was not something I chose, but rather came from a name divination (名占). It is the best name for you, the one that will offer the greatest support to your fate.]
Name divination (名占).
It's a form of fortune-telling to determine the most suitable name. The same name divination was used by the Earth Tribe's name diviners to give Hong Fan his name. Sacred Master Baek Woon must have used the same method to determine my title.
Shaking my head, I respond.
"I'm fine without the greatest support. Please give me another name."
[Hmm, very well.]
Baek Woon nods and uses celestial energy to present another name before me.
[How about this one? It was one of the names from the name divination. It has weaker attraction force than Within Heavens, so I kept it as a second option...if it's the 'connections' you are talking about, this name would suit you better.]
The name that appears before me is Heavenly Ladder (天梯).
A name meaning ladder of heavens.
[A connection is like a rope or ladder that guides each other. This name has the meaning of an Esteemed One who has ascended to this realm through the ladder bestowed upon by the heavens.]
I stare at the characters that means ladder of heavens for a moment, then shake my head.
"They are not connections bestowed by the heavens."
[Hmm?]
"We simply met."
This name doesn't sit well with me either.
If my connections are something bestowed by the heavens, doesn't that mean the heavens can take it away as well?
If even the dying Buk Hyang-hwa is a connection granted by the heavens, doesn't that mean her dying right now is also the will of the heavens?
The name Heavenly Ladder gives me an unpleasant feeling, as if all the connections I'll make from now on will leave me through the ladder of heavens.
Baek Woon lets out a quiet hum and waves her hand.
The characters for Heavenly Ladder disappear from my sight, and a new word appears in front of me.
[As you seem to dislike names including Heaven, I'll leave it out. Most of the Esteemed Ones from the Bright Cold Realm were quite pleased when their names contained a reference to the heavens. You are somewhat peculiar.]
The next word that appears is Aurora (極光).
[The light that arises from the extreme polar regions of the stars in the Astral Realm is called Aurora (極光/ Polar Light). Most of those from the Decaying Corpse Realm don't know what it is, but once they see it, they can never forget its beauty. Once a connection is made, it becomes an unforgettable beauty. Hence, how about the name Aurora?]
I gaze at the word for a moment.
It's a good name.
But...
—Be wary of light.
Suddenly, the words of those who warned me many times flash through my mind.
The term 'Twilight,' (Gwang-eum/Gwang meaning light) like in the case of the Twilight Domain of the Wuji Religious Order, isn't necessarily limited to the concept of 'light,' and it wasn't a name for me, but for the land we inhabited, so it was fine.
However, the name given by Sacred Master Baek Woon carries 'power'.
If I accept this name, I can clearly feel that the star and blessing of the name Aurora will support my fate.
Such power will become attached to my title.
Recalling the warnings about light, I shake my head again.
"Could you please remove the word 'light' (光)?"
At my words, Baek Woon finally lets out a sigh.
[Why are your demands so many? That, I cannot do.]
"Pardon?"
At Baek Woon's next words, my body flinches.
[Every Esteemed One from the Bright Cold Realm [must] have a character symbolizing either Heaven (天) or Light (光) in their name. I cannot fulfill your request.]
She speaks with a stern expression.
[Just accept your name now. Within Heavens, Heavenly Ladder, Aurora—they are all excellent names that will provide you the greatest benefit!]
Kugugugu!
Baek Woon's imposing aura begins to press down on me.
I think about the names for a moment, then speak.
"...In that case, I will not accept a title."
If the title of an Esteemed One must be tied to heavenly assistance, I don't need it.
After all, I already know that the heavens are not favorable toward us.
"I will live out my fate through my own strength. There's no need for the Sacred Master to bestow me a name."
Sacred Mater Baek Woon seems taken aback by my words and shouts.
[What!? That cannot do. Every Esteemed One must be granted a title by the Sacred Master! That is the Law (法) of the Middle Realm!]
Kugugugugugu!
An overwhelming pressure crushes down on me, as if the entire Bright Cold Realm is trying to squish and mangle me.
I look at the Sacred Master for a moment.
Then, I draw my sword and point it at her.
"I refuse."