'Ban Ta Castle...'
I heard that the Sacred Master of the Purple Gold Realm resides in a place called Ban Ta Castle.
It seems he is inviting me to congratulate me on reaching the Sacred Vessel stage.
'It'd be good to go at least once.'
As I briefly deliberate while looking at the oddly glimmering eyes of Ban Ta, I suddenly recall something.
"Ah, Sacred Master. Please wait a moment."
I try to withdraw my hand from Ban Ta's handshake.
For some reason, he seems to have a habit of holding handshakes for a long time, gripping tightly and reluctant to let go. However, when I pull out the split soul of Blood Yin that I am holding in one hand, he finally lets go.
"That is...""It's the split soul of Blood Yin."
The very thing embedded in the Heavenly Lotus Fruit.
'Just now, through Kang Min-hee, I briefly gazed into the Underworld. Thanks to that...I successfully fulfilled every fate that Blood Yin bestowed in a simplified manner.'
Thus, the absolute nature of Blood Yin's fate has now been fulfilled.
Only one task remains.
Wo-woong!
I raise the split soul of Blood Yin, concentrating attraction force.
'I can feel it...'
Wo-woong—
In a far-off corner of the universe, there is a [star].
It is a star connected to the split soul of Blood Yin through attraction force.
That star is also connected to me through attraction force.
I quickly announce before the star.
"I, Seo Eun-hyun, have [reunited with Blood Yin within a hundred years and experienced death due to Blood Yin]."
A simplified Seven Stars Ritual.
However, unlike the Seven Stars Ritual, which seeks approval from the heavens to continue cultivation, this is an act proclaiming to the heavens that I have fulfilled my fate.
That star is a star created by Blood Yin.
Just as the Entering Nirvana True Persons collectively created a star and imposed fate upon me, Blood Yin also created a star and endowed me with that prophecy.
Deeeeng—
With the echo of a brahma bell reverberating from the depths of the universe, I perceive that I have at last succeeded in breaking free from the star's attraction force.
'I've deceived fate!'
Paaaat!
Along with that, I crush the split soul of Blood Yin, which is no longer needed.
"I hope we never meet again, Blood Yin."
Thinking of the main body connected to this split soul, I let out a single remark towards Blood Yin's split soul.
'A powerful curse or misfortune of True Immortal level could be unleashed, so I should prepare.'
But it doesn't matter.
'Fate of the same kind develop resistance, so I no longer need to suffer under the absoluteness as before!'
In other words, the fate of Blood Yin seeking reunion with me is much harder to realize.
Still, I must remain cautious, as Blood Yin can directly invoke misfortune on me.
It's at that moment.
'...?'
The split soul of Blood Yin unexpectedly disperses into the void without any resistance.
Somehow, I feel Blood Yin's gaze through the dissipating split soul.
For some reason, within that gaze, I feel no anger mixed in.
'Why? Shouldn't he be flying into a rage?'
Perhaps my confrontation with the Yama True Lord unexpectedly worked to my benefit.
The Interdimensional Void.
In that void beyond the Astral Realm, Blood Yin is burning in flames.
Scarlet flames engulf his entire body, delivering a pain that affects even True Immortals.
However, Blood Yin does not resist the pain. He remains still, quietly experiencing the torment.
The scarlet flames.
Different from the Karmic Fire he had once wielded, these flames were given to him just moments ago by the Yama True Lord when he briefly glimpsed the Underworld while following Seo Eun-hyun.
Yet, rather than seething with anger at Yama True Lord's actions or writhing in agony, Blood Yin seems to be lost in thought.
: : Could this Immortal have been mistaken? : :
He gazes at a section of the Interdimensional Void.
It is the place where the Bright Cold Realm resides.
: : Could it be that he wasn't a spy of Light? How could that be? If he wasn't a spy of Light, how did he fulfill the summoning conditions for the Radiance Eight Immortals? : :
Blood Yin murmurs bitterly.
: : Without a devout faith in Light, the conditions could never be satisfied. How...did the Imperial Venerable know of this, or did they not...? Is all I can do only to silently hold my breath in the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain while that insidious Light takes action? : :
After mumbling to himself for a while, Blood Yin lets out a small sigh and surrenders his body to the pain of the scarlet flames.
Blood Yin resolves to lay low for some time within the grand scheme of the giants.
However, he decides to continue to observe Seo Eun-hyun.
Blood Yin.
The Light he knows of is a being so insidious it defies imagination.
It might very well be a plot to reach the depths of the Underworld through Seo Eun-hyun...
Blood Yin's gaze lingers until the split soul completely dissipates, then it disconnects.
Yet I believe that Blood Yin is still watching me.
Though it doesn't show in the celestial energy, the actions of True Immortals are inherently beyond the comprehension of mortal eyes, so such readings are meaningless.
'...Anyway. For now, I've fended off Blood Yin's devilish grasp.'
Of course, I'm still a little concerned about the remaining Entering Nirvana True Persons, but...I could retreat into a Middle Realm or seek help from those like Jinlu Gok in the Path of Stars to solve the problem.
Now, what remains is...
The End.
And the events that will unfold after 'Hon Won' dies.
'The chain reactions caused by Hon Won's death, which I learned about when I became the Annihilation Flower of the Sal Tree Heavenly Venerable. To prevent those...Hon Won cannot be allowed to die.'
And finally...
'Seo Hweol.'
I must confirm and suppress Seo Hweol's movements.
I recall the Seo Hweol, who had become a 'blue earthworm' at the end of my previous life.
Has Seo Hweol in this life also become a 'blue earthworm'?
'He'll probably be fine this time around.'
The final moments of my past life.
The reversal of the White Wheel shown by the [Oldest One]!
'When that reversal began, my regression started, and the three seats shrouded in darkness began to radiate light once more.'
In a sense, the fact that the Great Mountain Supreme Deity and the other Governing Immortals safely returned alive through regression could also be interpreted as part of the [Oldest One]'s arrangement.
Because of that, I believe Seo Hweol has also returned due to the reversal of the wheel.
'The goals of this life are survival through the End, the absolute prevention of the chain reaction starting from Hon Won's death, and the complete control of Seo Hweol. I'll think of it like this for now.'
On top of that, it would be ideal to raise my cultivation realm as much as possible.
'I must begin the Sacred Vessel stage cultivation...and as for the Entering Nirvana stage advancement ritual...if luck permits, I might be able to achieve it within this lifetime.'
The Entering Nirvana stage advancement is relatively lenient, so even someone as untalented as me doesn't need to worry about failing to reach that stage.
The real problem is the True Immortal advancement ritual.
'Well, advancing to True Immortal is still a somewhat distant goal for now, so let's put it aside for the moment...'
In any case, I decide to set my goal in this life to also reach the pinnacle of Void Shattering and achieve the Grand Perfection Sacred Vessel stage.
Having set all of my goals for this life, I turn to Ban Ta and say,
"The urgent matters are over now."
"Oh, then..."
"And, I have something to give you."
"Something to give me?"
I rummage through my domain and retrieve an item I had stored there in my past life.
As soon as he confirms it, Ban Ta's eyes widen in astonishment.
Wo-woong!
In my past life, I hadn't had the chance to examine it properly, but looking at it again now, it's incredibly beautiful.
It's a purple stele about the size of a single sheet of paper.
However, it gives the impression that it was heavily compressed from something far larger and, once released, its size would easily expand to span ten li, perhaps even a hundred li.
Large characters are engraved on the purple stele, and I recognized that they are names written in ancient language.
Radiance Hall (光明殿).
Fallen Guiding Envoy of the Final Age of Dharma (墮導末法使者).
Seat Holder of Wealth (富裕座主).
Purple Gold Heavenly Lord (紫金天君).
Heuk Am (黑庵/Black Hermitage).
'Radiance Hall...'
From the various accounts I had heard, it seems that the Purple Gold Heavenly Lord was secretly an infiltrator planted by the Underworld in the forces of Light.
Hence, why their position was also recorded to belong to Radiance Hall.
Woo-woong!
As soon as I look at the name, my head begins to spin, and I glimpse what seems to be a small hermitage shimmering before my eyes.
Beyond the hermitage, I can faintly make out a figure cloaked in shadows.
Paatt!
However, the vision does not go beyond that.
'A black hermitage...could this be related to the essence of the Purple Gold Heavenly Lord?'
Shaking my head, I dispel the influence of the Purple Gold Heavenly Lord and promptly take out other items.
Familiar names appear before me.
Chief Judge of the Netherworld.
Seat Holder of Good and Evil, Nether Devil True Lord Yu Hao Te.
Deputy Judge of the Netherworld.
Seat Holder of Health, Ancient Force True Lord Hae Nyeong.
Reincarnation Judge of the Netherworld.
Seat Holder of Longevity, Nether Ghost True Lord Yu Su Ryeon.
And finally...
Seat Holder of End (終命座主).
Vast Cold Heavenly Lord (廣寒天君).
These are the true names and positions of the legendary Five Blessings Immortals (五福仙).
I can feel the immense waves of power emanating from these inscriptions.
'These are...the [symbols] of the five Middle Realms...'
As I stare blankly at the symbols for some time, I suddenly realize the nature of these steles.
The power radiating from those 'names' are so overwhelming that I didn't notice it at first, but the material of these steles is something I am very familiar with.
'Salt Crystals!'
To my astonishment, all of these steels are made of Salt Crystals.
Wo-woong!
However, unlike ordinary Salt Crystals, which return to the Ancient Force Realm when used, these Salt Crystals seem to be directly connected to their respective Middle Realms, allowing them to return there.
'These aren't just ordinary Salt Crystals.'
Generally, the energy of the Ancient Force Realm condenses into ancient stones, which then gather and transform into Supervisory Jades.
These Supervisory Jades, when compressed by the thousands, further transform into Salt Crystals.
However, the [symbols] of each Middle Realm are not mere Salt Crystals. They exude a wave of Salt Crystal energy, as if they are composed of hundreds of millions of such Salt Crystals combined.
'With this...it wouldn't just allow me to descend my consciousness to the Lower Realms or reflect the places I've been through like the Supervisory Mirror...I could open and close [gates] to any of the Middle Realms at anytime, anywhere.'
After staring at the [symbols] for a moment, I focus on the [symbol] of the Purple Gold Realm.
Using attraction force, I move the stele inscribed with the true name of the Purple Gold Heavenly Lord towards Ban Ta.
"As the End will soon come, this junior, Seo, presents the symbol of the Purple Gold Realm to senior Ban Ta."
Ban Ta, who had been staring blankly at the symbol of the Purple Gold Realm for a moment, runs his hand over the stele.
Then, with a trembling voice, he says,
"You are...truly...remarkable."
"It's too high of a praise."
"This is no exaggeration... You are truly remarkable, unlike the parasites of the Purple Gold Realm... Hu, huhahahaha... You have a sense of responsibility, and your face has a likeable appearance that will garner favor from the masses well. You are perfect for governance."
"I am ashamed. As a junior, I am far from qualified to be a leader."
I shake my head, and Ban Ta looks at me with widely flickering eyes for some reason.
"Far from qualified, you say? You're even modest. How could there be someone this perfect... Heh heh... As a senior...I am truly...satisfied!"
With wildly flickering eyes, he approached me and grabs my hand with both of his.
"Truly...I want to invite you. If you were to visit Ban Ta Castle, I'd even be willing to rename it 'Eun-hyun Castle' for the day of your visit."
"I deeply appreciate your kindness, but..."
"Will you come now?"
"I have a matter I need to attend to."
After asking for Ban Ta's understanding, I manage to slip away from his strangely firmer grip and head towards Kang Min-hee.
I temporarily left her behind in a nebula while fighting the Entering Nirvana Quasi-Immortal.
Taatt!
At a distant corner of a nebula.
There, I reunite with her as she sits among spirits that have turned light blue, waiting for me.
Her hair has turned blue, and she wears a robe mixed with blue and black.
Unlike before, when her hair had been disheveled, it is now neatly arranged, reaching down to her waist. Though her face shows a hint of fatigue, she looks much cleaner than before.
Kang Min-hee's gaze meets mine.
"I told you not to come, didn't I? I said you could die... Anyway, you never listen."
"Well, I didn't die, didn't I? In the end."
"Next time, I won't let you pull a stunt like this. Got it?"
I chuckle and nod my head.
"Do as you please, Daoist Kang. And..."
At my following words, Kang Min-hee lets out a faint smile.
"Welcome back, Kang Min-hee."
"...Yes, Seo Eun-hyun."
I approach Kang Min-hee and hug her once.
After 999 lives.
I have finally succeeded in rescuing Kang Min-hee from the Ghost Guiding Holy Mother.
"...That's enough."
Kang Min-hee, who is hugged by me for a moment, pushes me away before clearing her throat as she avoids my gaze.
"All the other comrades have been gathered, right? Where are the others?"
"They're inside me."
"...What?"
"It was a dangerous situation. If they had stayed where they were, they would have all withered away and died. So, without a choice...I temporarily relocated them. It was a bit abrupt, but I think they'll understand."
"What do you...?"
"I'm not trying to make excuses, but...I received a prophecy from some immense being. And to escape that fate and prophecy, I had no choice but to make this decision. To be honest...I think the others are more comfortable being inside me."
I explain the situation to Kang Min-hee in detail.
After a while, Kang Min-hee fully understands the situation, and perhaps having initially misunderstood something, she slaps my shoulder, saying, 'You scared me, you glutton!'
"Haha, so, you want to meet them?"
"...Yeah. It's been a while...I should see their faces. So much has happened since then..."
"Alright. Then..."
I open the Colorless Sword Enclosure and move Kang Min-hee inside, then send an incarnation into the enclosure.
From the perspective of my comrades, they were suddenly abducted from the world of Penglai Island into the world inside my body, only to see Kang Min-hee a few days laters.
Everyone except Jeon Myeong-hoon looks very surprised.
"No, what!? You've reached the Sacred Vessel stage?"
Starting with Oh Hyun-seok.
"You...your presence has sharpened significantly. What did you see!?"
Kim Young-hoon, stirred by the presence I gained from obtaining Kunlun.
"Mmm! Mmm-mm-mmm!"
Kim Yeon, still incomprehensible as ever.
"...Don't worry. I've always trusted you. But...suddenly reaching the Sacred Vessel stage... I'm a bit overwhelmed wondering just what you've been doing, but...I'm sure you handled it well."
Jeon Myeong-hoon, giving a trusting smile.
There is no one who isn't surprised.
Kang Min-hee also seems shocked by the state of our comrades.
"...Director...Kim Young-hoon? What on earth happened to your hair...?"
"Hm? Hahahaha! Uhahahaha! It's good to see you, Deputy Kang!"
"Kim Yeon...? What's going on with you?"
"Mmm...mmm-mm-mmm mmm."
"..."
Kim Young-hoon's hair has undergone a drastic transformation, and Kim Yeon has become mute.
But what surprises Kang Min-hee the most is something else.
"It's been a while, Kang Min-hee."
"You're..."
It's Jeon Myeong-hoon.
He approaches Kang Min-hee while stroking So-hae's hand, and calmly offers both a greeting and an apology.
"I'm sorry for the past. I've done many things that wronged you. There are some things I can't say here, but...if it's you, I trust you know what I mean. Back then, I was too young to distinguish right from wrong. I don't expect forgiveness. I just hope that, as comrades facing this world together from now on, we won't have to feel uncomfortable."
"..."
Hearing this, Kang Min-hee stares at Jeon Myeong-hoon, her mouth slightly agape, and rubs her eyes.
"...You're not possessed by a ghost, are you? Just...happened to you, Jeon Myeong-hoon?"
"...It's a long story. I'll tell you later."
He gives a bitter smile as he continues to stroke Jin Seo-hae's hand.
Kang Min-hee also gives a bitter smile.
"...It seems everyone...has been through a lot."
She, together with the other comrades, as if overwhelmed with emotions after reuniting after so long, holds the hands of Kim Yeon and Jeon Myeong-hoon and lowers her head briefly.
"...Still, I'm glad everyone is safe."
We all hug Kang Min-hee tightly.
"There must be a lot to talk about. Let's go inside and share a conversation for a bit."
Snap!
I create a house out of crystal within the Colorless Sword Enclosure and send my comrades inside.
There is much to discuss, starting from our entry to Penglai Island.
Seo Ran and Shi Ho enter...and I prepare to send in Hong Fan last.
At that moment, Hong Fan approaches me with a question.
"Master."
"Oh, what is it, Hong Fan?"
"You've acquired a new Immortal Art."
"Hm...! You've noticed?"
In real time, the only instances when I used the Immortal Art of the [Wheel] were once briefly in front of Blood Yin, once for a moment before the True Persons, and once again in front of the Yama True Lord.
For him to notice that I acquired a new Immortal Art based on those brief displays, it truly feels like Hong Fan.
"That's right, I've obtained a new Immortal Art."
"Who is the one who passed on that Immortal Art?"
For some reason, Hong Fan is wearing an expression almost devoid of emotion, with a rather businesslike and emotionless face.
However, because I'm unsure how to respond, I clear my throat.
'I can't exactly say I acquired it while helping Kang Min-hee's Sacred Vessel advancement ritual in a past cycle...'
Clearing my throat again, I reply,
"Em, it's a bit difficult to explain, so... You know how there are things that one shouldn't even mention."
"...I am curious about this Immortal Art as well. Would it be possible for Master to teach it to me?"
"Hmm... That might be a little difficult."
I can feel it.
If I were to recklessly pass on this Wheel Immortal Art, there's a high chance it would provoke interference from either the Yama True Lord or the Underworld.
Just as the Great Mountain Supreme Deity descended at the end of a previous cycle because I recklessly used the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique...
I have a familiar feeling with this Wheel.
What's certain is that I mustn't carelessly spread it.
"..."
At my response, Hong Fan looks at me for a moment.
"It gives me...a yearning feeling. For some reason, this Immortal Art truly...feels yearnful..."
The gaze in Hong Fan's eyes as he says this is, how should I say it...
It resembles his gaze when he first saw Tae Yeol-jeon as a nun.