Chapter 470: 701st Cycle's First Day. And...
Life after the 701st death.
I collect myself quickly and assess the situation.
'I failed to advance.'
But it's fine.
I gained more important information.
'I need to get Hong Fan's help, Hong Fan's assistance.'
I swiftly organize the memories that just resurfaced.
After the 15th cycle, during the 16th cycle, I truly witnessed the genius of Hong Fan, one of which was his 'martial arts.'I taught Hong Fan martial arts.
Moreover, he mastered any martial art almost instantly.
After he entered the Transformation Stage, when he could shift into a human form and unfold martial arts, his genius became even more apparent.
Hong Fan had an aptitude for all weapons, and whichever weapon he wielded, he used it with the most optimal movements.
It was to the point that I couldn't help but be reminded of Kim Young-hoon during the 16th cycle.
'Now that I think about it, that wasn't something you'd simply call 'talent'.'
Rather, it was less of talent and more like someone at a higher level who had temporarily lost their memory and was gradually regaining their senses.
It was something I could easily recognize because I had done the same thing multiple times myself.
It's probably...
Something related to Hong Fan's past life.
In any case.
Not long after I taught him martial arts, Hong Fan's martial prowess advanced rapidly.
I recall the moment he crossed the Ultimate Pinnacle and reached Entering Heavens Beyond the Path.
I remember it clearly.
Hong Fan, with threads tied to the tips of his ten fingers, attached unique weapons to the ends of each thread.
Sword, spear, shield, bow, whip-staff, ring, iron whip, halberd, dagger...
Surrounding those ten weapons were dozens of other weapons.
From bizarre weapons like the tiger hook, nine-section whip, iron fan, and judge pen, to war weapons like the moon blade (Korean polearm), podao, and long spear, an innumerable number of weapons lay beside Hong Fan.
Then, after that scene, he revealed his Gang Sphere.
Nine Gang Spheres began to spin behind Hong Fan.
His Gang Spheres, filled with different deadly poisons, were no different from poison pellets—just brushing against them would kill most living beings.
The pitch-black spheres devoured the surrounding light.
At the same time, the poison rose to an even higher dimension from the Plane of Qi, transforming into something metaphysical.
—This is my Martial Art.
—Impressive. To integrate the martial flow of ten thousand weapons through poison.
I remember that conversation.
—It's a splendid Martial Art.
—No, my Martial Art is not splendid at all. It is not that kind of Martial Arts.
—What? Why? How can such an incredible Martial Art not be considered good?
Hong Fan said to me.
—First of all, my Martial Art was not created to compete with others.
—Then what is that Martial Art for?
—This Martial Art was created so that I would not have to compete with others.
Tstststst...
Hong Fan's black Gang Spheres merged into his Entering Heavens Beyond the Path, and before I knew it, the pitch-black aura started to engulf the surroundings.
The black mist he exuded seemed to devour the surrounding weapons and erode the nearby space.
As I watched even the light being endlessly sucked into the darkness, I asked him a question.
What is the true meaning of his Martial Art?
He answered.
—To survive.
—To survive?
—Yes. It exists for survival. This Martial Art is the crystallization of doing whatever it takes to survive. Killing my enemies, killing anything that threatens me, killing, killing, and killing again... If I can't kill, I run. If I can't run, even if I have to steal from others, doing whatever I can to survive—that is this Entering Heavens Beyond the Path.
In the darkness, Hong Fan took his stance.
—What does Master think is the most necessary thing for survival?
—What is it?
—Learning.
—Learning?
—Yes. I will show you.
I saw Hong Fan's dance that day. It was a dance filled with endless possibilities.
What was the reason poison was born in this world?
It was to survive.
Poison that inflicts pain to make sure the enemy can never hunt me, poison that paralyzes the prey to make them easier to kill and consume, poison that kills the charging opponent instantly...
Poison exists to protect oneself and to survive.
Poison is pain.
And pain, in the end, is the teacher of life.
I exchanged blows with Hong Fan.
Then, Hong Fan's Entering Heavens Beyond the Path quickly 'learned' my Formless Sword, connected it into his own Martial Art, and used that connection to gain a momentary advantage over me.
—So, that's it. The essence of your Martial Art is...the unification of Martial Flow.
The me of that time who was at Treading Heavens could instantly grasp the true meaning of Hong Fan's Martial Art.
The true meaning of Hong Fan's Martial Art is precisely unification!
It's about connecting his own Martial Art with the opponent's and unifying their Martial Flow.
And in that unified state, he could read the opponent's flow, distort it, control it according to his will, and ultimately reverse it!
That is the ability of Hong Fan's Entering Heavens Beyond the Path.
So why do I need Hong Fan's Entering Heavens Beyond the Path at this very moment?
'Heavenly Tribulation.'
I look beyond the Interdimensional Void and gaze at the bright Star Tribulations.
The reason Blood Yin didn't block my first Heavenly Tribulation wasn't just to watch my performance, but also because the first tribulation struck so quickly that there wasn't time to block it properly.
Therefore, when I face the Star Shattering Heavenly Tribulation, I am bound to take the 'first tribulation' head-on, no matter what.
To connect Martial Arts and unify them means, in other words, to connect hearts and unify them for a brief moment.
And...
'The hearts of the Heart Tribe are the same as Heavenly Tribulations.'
In other words.
Through Hong Fan's Entering Heavens Beyond the Path, I can 'unify' the unavoidable 'first tribulation' and 'all the Heavenly Tribulations that follow subsequently.'
"Jeon Myeong-hoon! Hong Fan!!!"
I throw my remaining comrades into the True Devil Realm, leaving only the two of them behind as I prepare for the Star Shattering advancement ritual.
Blood Yin, watching my advancement preparations, grants me a momentary reprieve, and I shout toward the two of them.
"From this moment on, I need your help!"
Integrated Dao Domain.
Colorless Sword Mountain Treading Sea!
After activating my Integrated Dao Domain, I begin to make it explode as I speak.
—Unite my Heavenly Tribulations!
After sending my heart language to the two of them, I quickly begin my Star Shattering advancement.
'There's no other way right now.'
I look at Hong Fan.
I know that Hong Fan had taught martial arts to Kim Yeon and has occasionally been training his own martial arts as well.
With his talent, at the very least, he should be close to the enlightenment of Entering Heavens Beyond the Path.
So, I can only hope...
For this one time, I desperately pray to the heavens that he can attain Entering Heavens Beyond the Path!
'Heavens above...'
If you are a sapient being, I hate you.
But if I continue to die here, won't this world come to a halt?
For the sake of the flow of this world.
And for the sake of a true genius like Hong Fan, not a dullard like me...I desperately pray that Hong Fan reaches Entering Heavens Beyond the Path.
So...
"You must reach it, Hong Fan!"
Kwakwakwakwang!
Amidst the explosion, I shout towards Hong Fan.
Hong Fan's heart essence, even compared to all other beings, is alien.
It's so alien that I can't even tell if he's reached Entering Heavens Beyond the Path.
An endless Darkness World where not even a trace of light can penetrate!
However, unlike the tainted and chaotic darkness of people like Jo Yeon or Seo Hweol, it is calm and serene, like the darkness of an endless night sky.
It almost seems like the heart essence of someone peacefully asleep.
All I see is darkness.
Thus, I cannot determine if he has reached Entering Heavens Beyond the Path, and all I can do is pray.
Kwarurururung!
Once again, I transform into a nebula and continue my advancement into the Star Shattering stage.
Jeon Myeong-hoon is struggling between life and death just from defending himself from the aftermath of my advancement, and Hong Fan is hiding behind Jeon Myeong-hoon and seems to be analyzing the true meaning of my words, explaining it to him.
'If Jeon Myeong-hoon and Hong Fan combine their powers, and I exert a bit of strength, I can face the Star Shattering Heavenly Tribulation by taking just one combined tribulation and end it all at once!'
If that happens, I will have the opportunity to fully enter the Star Shattering stage and attempt the method that Great Mountain told me.
Kurung, kurururung!
Maybe it's because I've done this before.
I find the Star Shattering stage advancement ritual relatively easy to handle.
Once again, I gather my consciousness within the nebula and from the center, draw forth clouds with my Immortal Art.
Then...
'Hm?'
I sense something strange during the advancement.
'Wait, something's odd.'
Something is different from the advancement ritual of the previous cycle.
I realize the reason right away.
'Ah...I see.'
The nebula that is erupting from my body is twice that of the previous cycle.
Even if I die, I can maintain my cultivation realm when regressing thanks to Void Shattering.
Then what happened this time after returning again, after my star-formed body was torn apart by the Heavenly Tribulation in the previous cycle?
It's simple.
'I did not fully reach the Star Shattering stage. However, after I self-destructed, my body became a nebula, then reformed into the shape of a star, and was once again torn apart by the Heavenly Tribulation. Thus, what remained was merely...the gigantic cloud of dust left after the star was pulverized by the Heavenly Tribulation.'
Those dust particles moved to the Plane of Soul through the realm of Void Shattering, and they accompanied my return.
In other words, the nebula formed from my remains in the previous cycle followed me into this one.
Kugugugu!
'Hm, there isn't much change.'
I think as I absorb the nebula.
Though the nebula has doubled in size, the mass of the star has only slightly increased. It hasn't grown exponentially in size or anything of the sort.
It does seem like the attraction force has become a bit stronger than before, but that's about it.
'Of course, if the nebula continues to accumulate every time I advance, theoretically, if I die about ten billion times, I might be able to become a True Immortal.'
However, as I feel the 'death' piling up deep within my soul, I realize that I cannot proceed in this way.
'That method won't work.'
Even now, I've died far too many times.
Though I feel safe for now, a creeping sense of unease seizes my mind, warning me that if I die too many times, I'll be dragged straight to the Netherworld.
'I need to escape quickly at the appropriate time!'
Kururung!
As I proceed with the advancement ritual with the doubled nebula, I finally succeed in fully solidifying the form of the star.
Kurung, kurururung!
Then, familiar starlight twinkles in the sky.
The Star Tribulation is about to begin.
I focus my consciousness on Hong Fan and Jeon Myeong-hoon.
[Hong Fan, I know you've been practicing martial arts. I also have a rough idea of where the pinnacle of your martial arts will lead, as I've reached the realm of Void Shattering. Right now, I need your strength. Please, lend me your power!]
Hong Fan and Jeon Myeong-hoon both begin forming hand seals with determined expressions.
Integrated Dao Domain.
Great Heavenly Rain of the Charged Lightning Veil.
Darkness World.
Two Integrated Dao Domains unfold before me.
It seems Hong Fan had already grasped the meaning behind my words at some point and shared it with Jeon Myeong-hoon.
"I will show you, Master. This is..."
Wiiiiiing!
The inside of his Integrated Dao Domain begins to rotate.
At the same time, Hong Fan's will unfolds throughout the world.
'It's the same.'
Hong Fan's Entering Heavens Beyond the Path from the past life heads towards the Star Tribulation about to fall on me, and...
Waduk.
Hong Fan explodes and dies.
It's Blood Yin.
: : Would I let you interrupt the play (劇)? : :
"Ah..."
The Star Tribulation plunges toward me.
Jeon Myeong-hoon, despite Hong Fan's death, doesn't run away. Perhaps he resolved to carry out the plan they discussed together. He ignites his true origin.
Kwa-jijijik!
But it's useless.
Jeon Myeong-hoon's true body is far too insufficient to handle the overwhelmingly cosmic Heavenly Tribulations of the stars. At best, he only manages to combine a mere several million or so Heavenly Tribulations into one.
Even if he is loved by Heavenly Punishment, that's the limit.
I endure the several million Heavenly Tribulations that have merged into one with all my strength.
As I endure, I look at Jeon Myeong-hoon, who has completely exhausted his energy, turned pale, and died.
"Jeon Myeong-hoon...Hong Fan..."
Jeon Myeong-hoon is smiling.
I don't know why he's smiling.
Maybe he's in the middle of reuniting with Jin So-hae, who has already died.
I can't see where their souls have gone, and all that remains is the smile the two left behind.
: : As a senior, I shall help my junior. : :
Blood Yin mocks me again, blocking the Heavenly Tribulations and strengthening me.
With the Heavenly Tribulation being blocked by Them, and in this moment of brief respite,
I compress the body of the star.
Then, I overlay my incarnation on top of the body of the star.
Tstststst...
The body of the human Seo Eun-hyun returns.
Looking up at Blood Yin with the body of the human Seo Eun-hyun, I open my mouth.
"Are you enjoying this?"
Surung—
I draw the Colorless Glass Sword.
I begin to burn my true origin.
Burning all of my lifespan and true origin, I pour everything into the sword.
Doing something this insane in the middle of a Heavenly Tribulation inevitably results in death, but it doesn't matter.
I'm going to die anyway.
There isn't even enough time to grieve for Hong Fan and Jeon Myeong-hoon's deaths.
Therefore, in this short window, I must do what I can.
"I will escape from your grasp."
I directly explode the body that has taken the form of a star.
Becoming the explosion itself, I charge towards Blood Yin.
[Even if I die a hundred times, a thousand times, ten thousand times over!]
Blood Yin's single strike flashes in my mind.
My hope of escaping through Hong Fan was trampled mercilessly.
What am I supposed to do?
After dying nearly 700 times, I know that bowing down, begging, and groveling pitifully doesn't work.
The answer has always been to face it head-on.
Swallowing my sorrow and rage, I fly towards Blood Yin, unleashing a single sword strike containing all of my pain.
The single strike of True Immortal Blood Yin that crushed and killed Hong Fan.
A True Immortal's single strike!
If I can block that strike just once, hope will appear.
'The goal is set.'
No matter how many times I die and come back, I must be able to block Blood Yin's single strike.
If I can block a True Immortal's strike, I will be able to see the hope of escaping through Hong Fan and Jeon Myeong-hoon!
Therefore...
I will keep dying.
I will die over and over, and constantly fail.
And by piling up the mountain of failure, I will definitely break free from this horrific cycle of regression!
[Definitely!]
Blood Yin dismissively flicks away everything I throw at Them.
I am sent flying back, struck by the amplified torrent of Heavenly Tribulation caused by Blood Yin.
In the agony of the Heavenly Tribulations, I suppress my fury and resolve to escape from this cycle no matter what must be done.
I vow this.
That is my 702nd return.
...
...
...
....
......
The first moment of the 985th cycle.
At last, I managed to grasp a clue.
'The form has taken shape.'
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, the thirty-third move.
The form of the technique, which I named Sumeru, flickers before my eyes.
This will be the key to blocking the single strike of a True Immortal.