Bright Cold Realm, Cedar Wood Grove.
Among the Human Race residing there, the leaders of their faction, the Grand Cultivator Association, have gathered.
The head of the Grand Cultivator Association, Jun Jae, clears his throat.
"As this is not a regular meeting of the Grand Cultivator Association, I apologize for urgently convening everyone. However, I believe you all understand why I have called this urgent meeting."
At his words, all the members of the Grand Cultivator Association nod their heads.
Except for one person.
The one who does not nod.
Hon Won raises his head with a grim expression and speaks.
"...It's so obvious. Isn't it because of that 'new Sacred Master' that's doing so well?"At Hon Won's words, the other members of the Grand Cultivator Association clear their throats and avert their gazes from him.
Only Jun Jae and Gol Maek meet Hon Won's gaze and awkwardly open their mouths to speak.
"Cultivator Hon, as you might know...our Bright Cold Realm Human Race Sacred Master, Seo Eun-hyun...he has given us a command."
When the news spread that there was someone from the Grand Cultivator Association of the Bright Cold Realm who surpassed the level of Esteemed One and reached the realm of Sacred Master...
The Grand Cultivator Association held a great celebration.
No, in truth, they had already celebrated greatly after moving to Cedar Wood Grove, when Baek Woon officially acknowledged Seo Eun-hyun as an Esteemed One.
Although Seo Eun-hyun became an Esteemed One through the Heart Tribe and not the Heaven-Earth Tribes, the inherent nature of Humans is simple. If someone is on their side, they are a dignified 'warrior,' and if not, they are a 'vile Heart Tribe spy.'
The minor mistake of previously dismissing Seo Eun-hyun as a multi-headed monster was completely forgotten, and they wholeheartedly rejoiced at the birth of an Esteemed One.
So, how did they react when they heard from Baek Woon that Seo Eun-hyun has become a Sacred Vessel Sacred Master?
An enormous festival erupted across the entire Human Race region.
On that joyous day, the Human Race did not shun the Heart Tribe but celebrated together with them.
At the level of an Esteemed One, Seo Eun-hyun might have been considered a 'venerable senior,' but now, as a Sacred Master of the Sacred Vessel stage, Seo Eun-hyun is at the level of being worshiped as a 'Sage God' among the Humans Race.
Throughout the Human Race residential region in Cedar Wood Grove, statues and monuments venerating Seo Eun-hyun are being erected everywhere.
And...
Seo Eun-hyun, who is being venerated as a 'Sage God' among the Human Race, issued a command to them a few days ago.
—Bring Hon Won, the Palace Lord of Penglai Palace and member of the Grand Cultivator Association, to Cedarwood Painting alive at all costs.
Ordinarily, a Sacred Master from another Middle Realm or stellar system cannot arbitrarily impose their will on a different realm with a Sacred Master present.
However, the fact that Seo Eun-hyun's will has reverberated across the Bright Cold Realm that Baek Woon governs means...
It already carries Baek Woon's consent.
This in turn means that Baek Woon also agrees with Seo Eun-hyun's command to 'bring Hon Won to Cedarwood Painting alive.'
Hon Won glares at the other cultivators of the Grand Cultivator Association with gloomy eyes and speaks.
"Why can't you speak plainly? 'Please put on the shackles we've prepared in advance, step quietly into the prison, and kindly become a sacrificial offering for the new Sacred Master.' Just speak comfortably, without wasting any more time!"
At those words, Jun Jae's face flushes slightly.
"Ahem, why are you saying it like that, Cultivator Hon? What we're trying to say is...well, that our Human Race Sacred Vessel Sacred Master wishes to share a brief conversation with you, Cultivator Hon. So, we're simply suggesting that you accompany us to Cedarwood Painting which is a Lower Realm. Although it is a small realm, you could receive the Sacred Master's teachings, and someone like the Sacred Master could generate Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy with ease so cultivation won't be an issue... In fact, couldn't it also benefit you, Cultivator? So...for the journey to the Sacred Master, we've prepared a specially crafted palanquin for you to ride in, and—"
"There's no need to talk around in circles, is there, Cultivator Hon?"
Interrupting Jun Jae's roundabout words meant to avoid offending Hon Won, Gol Maek speaks coldly.
"In truth, Cultivator Hon is correct. Put on the shackles, step into the prison, and head to Cedarwood Painting. Become the sacrificial offering."
"..."
"It's shameful to admit, but the truth is that our Grand Cultivator Association once briefly opposed Sacred Master Eun-hyun. Because of that, we are all trembling in fear. We have no idea when the Sacred Master's wrath might descend upon us. Who could have possibly known that, like the legendary Yang Su-jin, they would rise to the Sacred Vessel stage after a few hundred years?"
As soon as Gol Maek begins to speak, Wi Su and Wi Ryeong-seon clear their throats and chime in.
"...At the time, we acted out of ignorance, but now we constantly live in fear of retaliation. To be honest, once someone reaches the level of Esteemed One, unless they belong to the Earth Tribe, they feel no particular attachment to their own race. They simply help their own race because they are familiar faces. For beings who have transcended the limits of lifeforms, our life and death mean nothing."
"It wouldn't even be strange if they crushed the entire Human Race like bugs at any moment. On top of that, all of us here have gone against the Sacred Master's will at some point. And...especially you, Cultivator Hon. I've heard that you created an ill-connection with Sacred Master Eun-hyun even before they reached the Nascent Soul stage."
Jun Jae looks around at the others, then sighs and speaks.
"...Since everyone is pressing the matter, I'll speak plainly. Cultivator Hon. Among all of us, you are the one who has the strongest enmity with that person. Therefore, for the peace of the Human Race, you must make the sacrifice and go to the Sacred Master. If, by chance, they are really helping you, it will be great. But if they choose to kill you to resolve their grudge with the Human Race, then as a member of the Grand Cultivator Association, it is even more appropriate for you to bear that burden."
"..."
"Make the sacrifice for us, Cultivator Hon"
Hon Won remains silent for a while, then begins to slowly speak.
"...I wonder if you all would have spoken like this to me 40,000 years ago. Back in my prime, none of you would have even dared to sit in the same room as me..."
Hon Won glares at the Grand Cultivator Association with murderous eyes.
Excluding Jun Jae and Gol Maek, the other members all lower their gazes to avoid meeting his eyes.
Looking at Jun Jae and Gol Maek, Hon Won speaks with a sneer.
"Gol Maek, I hear you became the teacher of one of Sacred Master Eun-hyun's acquaintances? Thanks to that, life must be quite good for you. Even if the Human Race perishes, you seem confident that you alone will survive. Knowing you're safe, you dare talk about sacrifice in front of me?"
Hon Won's momentum rises.
Gol Maek, clad in bone armor, channels energy from the bones of demon beasts to resist Hon Won's presence.
Hon Won's gaze shifts to Jun Jae.
"Jun Jae. You're no different. Because of your bloodline from the Elephant Nose Heavenly Domain, you likely hold a trump card to present to the Sacred Master to ensure you won't die. And yet, you dare to speak to me about sacrifice? Hah...pathetic worms."
Gradually, Hon Won's aura grows stronger.
Jun Jae glares at him with a hardened expression.
"...If you choose to respond like this, we'll have no choice but to resort to force. Please understand."
As Jun Jae begins to rise from his seat, Gol Maek, along with Wi Su, Wi Ryeong-seon, and the other Grand Cultivators, also begin to rise.
And then, just as a clash is about to erupt within the Grand Cultivator Association—
"...Enough."
Hon Won suddenly lets out a deep sigh and releases his aura, lowering his head in his seat.
"In the end, even Sacred Master Baek Woon must have agreed to send me to Cedarwood Painting. Do as you please. Even if I were to shake you all off and flee, Sacred Master Baek Woon would simply send Esteemed Ones after me, or perhaps act personally. That person always seeks harmony with rulers. There's nothing I can do!"
Jun Jae approaches Hon Won, relaxing his momentum, and laughs heartily.
"Good choice! We will all...ensure that Penglai Palace is well preserved. As for the position of Palace Lord, we'll make sure it is passed on to the descendant you mentioned..."
"Leave the position of Palace Lord vacant. There's a person it's reserved for. It's not my descendant, so don't bother looking."
"...Understood. Then..."
Thus, Hon Won calmly accepts the shackles handed to him by Jun Jae and the Grand Cultivators. Bound in what the Grand Cultivator Association insists on calling a 'palanquin,' which is nothing more than a prison, Hon Won is transported to Cedarwood Painting.
When Hon Won arrives at Cederwood Painting, the first thing he sees is a familiar face.
"...Why are you here?"
"I've been chosen as the one to oversee you. From now on, you'll have to follow my orders."
"You dare...?"
Hon Won stretches out his hand toward the figure before him, his face filled with rage.
But nothing emerges from his hand.
The woman before him, as if mocking him, speaks.
"The Sacred Master has forbidden your cultivation. From the moment you first breathed the air of Cedarwood Painting, from the moment you first saw its light, you've become unable to escape from the Sacred Master's grasp. So don't bother resisting for no reason and come with me. Hon Won. Here, you are no different from a mere mortal."
Hon Won clenches his teeth to the point that blood seeps from his gums.
The woman reflected in his eyes.
Yeon Wei, with a mocking expression, gestures casually and effortlessly drags Hon Won outside.
"...Let me meet Sacred Master Eun-hyun. Jin Wei."
"That person is too busy to meet with the likes of you. From now on, live obediently as a farmer here. Spend your days reminiscing about your disgraceful time as a Grand Cultivator! And!"
Without turning back to look at him, she adds.
"In Cedarwood Painting, your death has also been forbidden. Even though your cultivation has been sealed, your lifespan remains the same. So...for hundreds of thousands of years, live clinging to the dirt, doing menial tasks."
Having finished her words, she flicks her fingers, sending Hon Won flying to some location within the Peaceful Cloud Continent.
"Wait, Wei...! Wei...!"
Hon Won tries to say something, but Yeon Wei does not listen.
Moments later.
She looks back at the spot where Hon Won had been.
Only the 'palanquin' that had carried him remains.
"...'Wei,' huh ...It's been a long time since I've heard that. Foolish man..."
With a melancholy voice, she brushes her face with her hand.
"To remember that nickname and nothing else..."
Having sent Hon Won away, Yeon Wei turns and flies into the sky.
Before long, 1,200 years have passed since Seo Eun-hyun became the Sacred Master.
Above the skies of Cedarwood Painting,
Among the 28 artificial stars, countless comrades have gathered at the one representing the Ladle (斗) star.
"...It seems the Human Race will prosper."
Yeon Wei observes Seo Eun-hyun's comrades from a distance and mutters softly.
Kang Min-hee, who has reached the Grand Perfection Star Shattering stage, is said to be challenging the Sacred Vessel advancement ritual today.
"Indeed. If it's Esteemed One Kang, there's a high chance of success in advancing to the Sacred Vessel stage. Moreover...Great Master Young-hoon is not far from reaching the Sacred Vessel level as a Heart Tribe."
"Yes. On top of that, Jeon Myeong-hoon will soon challenge the Star Shattering stage. He will likely succeed as well... If Sacred Master Eun-hyun assists, that will make four Human Race practitioners at the Sacred Vessel stage. It's a true blessing for the Human Race."
"There's also Great Master Kim Yeon... Following a unique cultivation path, she has already become an existence comparable to the Star Shattering stage. Soon, she might also reach the Sacred Vessel level."
"In the past thousand years of peace within the Middle Realms, numerous Sacred Vessel-level cultivators have emerged... It seems that the Human Race is now on the verge of seizing dominance over the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain."
Yeon Wei speaks with an oddly dark expression.
"...Yes. Everyone will go on to live in this shining world."
"Senior Yeon Wei, you speak as though you won't get to see this shining world yourself. Is it because of your lifespan? If it's Sacred Master Eun-hyun, surely he could extend your lifespan sufficiently?"
"...Well, I'm not sure about that."
Yeon Wei looks up at the sky, her face clouded with complex emotions.
'Seo Eun-hyun is not a human, but a True Immortal. Or perhaps a monster carrying the will of a True Immortal.'
She knows even thinking such thoughts are dangerous.
Sacred Masters of the Sacred Vessel stage sometimes read the thoughts of the living beings in their world.
However...
She lets go of that worry somewhat.
The fact that she has thought this thousands, tens of thousands, even hundred of millions of times without incident means her dissatisfaction is being ignored.
At any rate, this is what she believes.
'And, most likely, that person is connected to the higher existence who drove Hon Won mad.'
Having lived 40,000 years as an old monster of the Human Race is the one known as Yeon Wei.
She can infer at least that much.
There's the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra that Seo Eun-hyun occasionally uses.
There's also the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique, that's 'unknown when he acquired it', and the fact that he wields that technique with even more mastery than Hon Won.
This is something she heard from Hon Won himself.
Hon Won and his Penglai Palace are essentially a kind of priestly lineage that serves an ancient entity known as the 'Mountain God'.
The 'Mountain God' bestowed the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique upon Penglai Palace and occasionally delivered revelations to guide them.
According to Hon Won, while the Mountain God is not a well-known divine spirit like the chief god of the Giant Race, they are still a rather powerful deity among the divine spirits.
And this means that other divine spirits cannot interfere with the priestly lineage that serves the 'Mountain God'.
'Which means, the entity hidden behind the guise of Seo Eun-hyun is either the Mountain God or a divine spirit closely related to them.'
And if that's the case, there is no way this being couldn't heal the mental illness rooted in Hon Won's mind.
Yet, they captured Hon Won and left him neglected, allowing only Yeon Wei to monitor him occasionally.
This means...
The being using the name Seo Eun-hyun is merely enjoying the suffering of Hon Won and Yeon Wei as entertainment.
In reality, Seo Eun-hyun would be startled when he reads her imagination from time to time, but as far as Yeon Wei is concerned, her assumptions fit all too well.
And if that assumption is true,
Yeon Wei sees no point in requesting a lifespan extension from Seo Eun-hyun.
'...What would I even accomplish by living longer? In the end, I'll just be continually toyed with by a True Immortal... Even this thought is probably being read. I should just...watch Hon Won's final moments as much as I can, then, after Yeon Jin reaches the Four-Axis stage, pass on the Five Blessings Axes through a forbidden technique and close my eyes...'
This is the future Yeon Wei currently wishes for the most.
"...For the past thousand years, Cedarwood Painting has also been at peace with no incidents. The Candle Dragon Race under your rule is thriving, there are no disputes among the humans, and devilish cultivators who possess disposition like me are nowhere to be seen... All races are at peace. There's no reason for me to continue living any longer. So you shouldn't worry either. Whatever troubles or concerns you have...they won't seem like a big deal in hindsight."
Yeon Wei offers advice imbued with her life experience to Seo Ran, who seems to have his own worries.
And...
Listening to her words, Seo Ran has a somewhat ambiguous expression.
"...A time of peace, huh..."
"Sacred Master, you are truly indifferent..."
Shi Ho grits his teeth as he glares at the being before him.
Blood-red energy sweeps across the battlefield.
The corpse mountain and sea river made from humans are being absorbed into a single entity.
That entity has the upper body of a human, the lower body of a snake, and their face is obscured by a black mask created by a devilish spell.
"No matter how much you claim this is for helping Seo Ran...how can you allow such hell to unfold...?"
Though Shi Ho consumed humans once or twice in his past, he has never engaged in unnecessary massacres in all his years.
But the being before him is different.
As an ancestor of the Candle Dragon Race, they leaped into the human world under the pretense of protecting their race, committing endless massacres to the point where there seems to be no solution, and incited war and chaos—an inherent great devil!
That is the being before him.
"Seo Hye! Stop this at once! Don't you know that if Seo Ran sees what you're doing, it will only make him sad?"
"Ahahahaha, Mister Shi Ho. Sorry, but to be honest, while I've thought about seducing Seo Ran, I never really cared about winning his heart. I've only thought about mating with him once and being done with it. Whether Seo Ran is saddened or not, if this draws his attention toward me, wouldn't that be even better?"
"...You lunatic."
Shi Ho reveals his true form.
Shi Ho's body, now grown large enough to cover a mountain range, glares down at Seo Hye and growls.
[Do you intend to challenge me? Arrogant thing! You, merely at the Grand Perfection Heavenly Being level, act as though you're worth something!]
Seo Hye, wearing a black mask, looks up at Shi Ho and cackles.
"How laughable. Don't bother flaunting your size. After all, in the Decaying Corpse Realm where we live, whether you're at the Four-Axis stage or Integration stage, you cannot overcome the realm's pressure and unleash power beyond the Heavenly Being stage. Of course, you might be more adept at celestial energy guidance and attraction force than I am, but that's it! You can't beat me."
[Arrogant wench. Let's see if you can still spout such words after I rip your arms off and devour them.]
"Hoho...You just said Seo Ran would be saddened by what I've done, didn't you? Allow me to return the sentiment. You can't kill me. Because Seo Ran would be sad. But I can kill you. After all, what I desire doesn't necessarily have to be Seo Ran."
[You...!]
Shi Ho growls, drawing forth a pure white aura.
His power reverberates across the entire Peaceful Cloud Continent, making the land hum.
Seo Hye looks up at that Shi Ho and smiles.
"How foolish. If you truly wanted to defeat me, you should have joined forces with Seo Ran. Not when Seo Ran and the other strong ones have risen to the twenty-eight constellations!"
She gazes beyond Shi Ho, towards the higher sky.
Not long ago, Seo Ran had temporarily departed to the distant sky.
He mentioned needing to greet Kang Min-hee, a venerable senior of his sect.
[Are you not afraid of the Sacred Master? You dare harm this many living beings and reveal such rebellion towards me, who is not only the Sacred Master's comrade but who also practically raised you?]
At those words, Seo Hye sneers as she absorbs the blood on the battlefield.
Gradually, a crimson whirlwind rises around her body.
[I certainly do fear a Sacred Vessel stage Sacred Master. After all, they are practically a god within their realm... However, that only applies to the mid Sacred Vessel stage and higher! A mere early Sacred Vessel stage is overwhelmed by the flood of information they must process while overseeing their realm and is little more than a non-sentient deity!]
Shi Ho glares at her and growls.
[You... How do you know such things?]
Seo Hye smiles faintly and responds.
[Memories of my past life... No, the memories of my 'original self'...are returning.]
Chwararararak!
The blood light around Seo Hye clumps together, and the forms of countless Immortal Beasts begin to emerge.
[Arise, Myriad Spirits Earth Immortal Apparition.]
Simultaneously, the forms of numerous Immortal Beasts begin descending onto the land in their crimson appearances.
[Now that I've recovered my original memories, a bug like you can no longer stand against me. You mutt.]
[Arrogant thing!]
In the next moment, two mighty beings of the Demon Race emanating murderous intent—Seo Hye and Shi Ho—clash in a two-sided mountain range of the Peaceful Cloud Continent.
Earthquakes and tidal waves sweep across the entire continent as blood light and white radiance clash.
Tadatt!
The two-sided mountain range of the Peaceful Cloud Continent.
Yeon Wei descends upon the area.
"As Esteemed One Kang has begun her Sacred Vessel advancement ritual, I will now tell you. My life will soon come to an end. Though I could request an extension from the Sacred Master, know that I have decided to live out my remaining years as dictated by fate. And...since I will soon depart, I ask that you take over my duties."
Seo Ran and Shi Ho nod, agreeing to her request.
"My mission from the Sacred Master...is to monitor Hon Won, a former Integration stage Grand Cultivator. As the Sacred Master deemed this task significant, you must treat it as such."
"Understood. But...where is he?"
Yeon Wei gestures to them, descending into the two-sided mountain range and walking towards a certain village.
Arriving at a large manor in the village, she forms a hand seal and performs a simple concealment spell.
Paaatt!
The three figures vanish from the perception of mortals.
Yeon Wei enters the large manor and points to a man seated on the floor, smoking a pipe with a stiff expression.
"That is Hon Won. The Sacred Master sealed his cultivation and consciousness domain, turning him into a mortal. Even suicide has been forbidden, leaving him unable to die. He has since lived for centuries among mortals, engaging in trivial games of accumulating mortal wealth."
"How unfortunate. He was once a Grand Cultivator..."
"Unfortunate!? When Jeon Myeong-hoon tried to rip Hon Won apart and kill him, the Sacred Master and I persuaded him to leave him in this state instead. That man played a significant role in the destruction of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect of the Bright Cold Realm. Do you even know how many times Jeon Myeong-hoon, after learning the full truth and consumed by guilt, tried to storm Penglai Palace?"
Yeon Wei sighs and points at Hon Won.
"Stopping him with all my strength if he ever attempts suicide or if someone else tries to kill him is the task I have carried. That is the mission I was assigned. Once I die...it will be your task."
"Yes, understood. But...it seems that man is looking at us?"
Seo Ran glances at Hon Won, who appears to be staring in their direction.
Yeon Wei shakes her head.
"You're mistaken. Look at his focus. He's watching the servants behind us as they work. As he's become a mortal, he cannot see through our concealment spell."
"I see..."
Seo Ran glances at Hon Won, who stares lifelessly into the distance, and smiles bitterly for some reason.
"...Elder Yeon Wei."
"Mm? What is it?"
"I've heard that you were once close with Grand Cultivator Hon in the past. If...if Grand Cultivator Hon Won were to come to his senses and repent, would you be able to accept him?"
"Are you asking if a person can be fixed?"
Yeon Wei smiles bitterly and shakes her head.
"People cannot be fixed. Even if Hon Won were to regain his senses...forty thousand years. It has been forty thousand years of accumulated resentment. Even if a person can be fixed, you cannot fix what they have done. I...I will not take him back."
At those words, Seo Ran lets out a bitter smile.
"A person...cannot be fixed, huh...?"
The two-sided mountain range.
No, the place that was once 'called' the two-sided mountain range.
Now it has become a flat plain, and there, soaked in blood and licking the blood that stained her body, stands Seo Hye.
She tastes the blood and smiles.
"You crossdressing mutt. You've got a knack for running away, don't you? Next time I catch you, I won't let you off so easily..."
It's at that moment.
Seo Hye flinches and looks up at the sky.
From above descends Seo Ran, wearing a bitter smile.
Seo Hye sneers and raises a handful of fur that she ripped during her fight with Shi Ho.
"Hello there~ Seo Ran. Long time no see. I just finished ripping apart a ton of that cross-dressing fox Shi Ho's guts. If the curse lodged deep inside him isn't dispelled soon, his Nascent Soul will rot away and turn into a puddle of blood. You'd better hurry and save him."
"..."
But Seo Ran, looking calm and strangely sorrowful, only looks down at Seo Hye.
"...It seems I'll have to seal you."
"Ha! It's true that I'm at my weakest right now."
She smiles faintly.
Around Seo Hye, streams of blood flow towards her and are absorbed into her body.
"But...Seo Ran. Do you think that's a wise decision? No matter how weakened I am from fighting Shi Ho...someone like you has never been a match for me. Unless you bring monstrous freaks like Kang Min-hee or Seo Eun-hyun, or the Other Heavenly Rejected, you won't stand a chance."
Crunch, crackle...
Finally, Seo Hye's mask shatters into pieces.
She smiles faintly and reveals her face once more.
Her face has subtly changed from the one belonging to the Candle Dragon Race she previously bore.
That's right.
It is...
Oh Hye-seo's face.
An innocent, pure, and clear face.
Her radiant smile is so beautiful that it could shake the hearts of anyone who sees it, regardless of who they are.
"Since it wouldn't be fun to capture you here...I'll give you a chance, Seo Ran. Go on, run away. Run away and save Shi Ho. I'll recover my strength and come hunt you down... Hurry, go on."
But Seo Ran silently mutters something in the direction Shi Ho had fled, sending a voice transmission, before assuming a battle stance.
The next moment, Seo Ran clashes with Seo Hye, who has regained Oh Hye-seo's memories.
The battle is decided quickly.
Seo Ran is unable to endure the overwhelming power of the countless Immortal Beasts controlled by Oh Hye-seo and is defeated.
Then, drenched in sticky blood, Seo Hye approaches the restrained Seo Ran and licks the blood trickling down his face.
"The blood of a half-human, half-dragon is quite good, Seo Ran. Now then... It's all over, Seo Hweol. I have succeeded in touching your soul. Hurry and return now, to your original form."
With a mocking grin, she grips Seo Ran's head.
"Of course... Now that I have your main body, you'll have to receive some brainwashing from the light of the Glass Peacock.”
"...So, you reincarnated here for Seo Hweol's plan, targeting me, Seo Hye?"
"Hoho, you could say that. Now, sleep peacefully. It's fortunate I didn't have to resort to drastic measures. Well then..."
"Seo Hye."
"...I am Oh Hye-seo, Seo Ran."
"I loved you."
"Ahaha, are you trying to make me laugh until the end?"
"As a parent...I loved you, Seo Hye... And even now, I still love you. Elder Yeon Wei said that people cannot be fixed, but...you were my family. That alone...I cannot deny."
"...?"
"In the past, even now... And perhaps, if I cannot let go, even in the future... As your parent...I will love you. Thank you for being my family until now, Seo Hye."
Seo Ran smiles faintly, meeting Seo Hye's eyes.
Oh Hye-seo looks at that Seo Ran with an expression of incomprehension.
Paaaatt!
Something black bursts out from Oh Hye-seo's body and enters Seo Ran's body, while a seven-colored light emanating from her makes his eyes glaze over.
But in the next moment—
Thud—
Seo Ran dies.
"...?"
The resurrection of Seo Hweol that she anticipated doesn't happen.
"...What? Why did he die? Seo Hweol. Seo Hweol...?"
She calls out to Seo Hweol in confusion, but the dead Seo Ran gives no response.
As if Seo Ran already leapt into the Netherworld through the Ghost Path Method he learned, she cannot find a trace of Seo Ran's soul even when she searches for it.
As Oh Hye-seo's expression becomes increasingly filled with incomprehension, she shakes Seo Ran's corpse.
"Seo Hweol. Seo Hweol...! Say something. Seo Hweol...! I...This is your main body, you know. Don't tell me you...offered me up as a sacrifice to Seo Eun-hyun's jaws? Answer me, Seo Hweol...!"
Yeon Wei, stepping out of Hon Won's house, sees Seo Ran suddenly shedding tears.
Then, all of a sudden, Shi Ho is startled and turns furious, glaring at Seo Ran who collapsed on the spot.
"Seo Ran!!! How could you do something like this without even telling me!!??"
"...I'm sorry, Shi Ho. I'm sorry..."
Yeon Wei, unable to understand, asks the suddenly crying Seo Ran.
"...Why are you crying all of a sudden?"
Seo Ran, with a sorrowful expression, answers through his tears.
"...Elder said that people cannot be fixed. It seems you were right. Even until the end, I couldn't change her."
"...?"
"I guess...I just wanted to believe. To believe that there was such a possibility...I mean. Elder's words are correct. Even if someone is fixed, the karma of their actions remains. Unless all of that karma can be undone...she will probably always remain as she is."
"...What are you even saying? Just what..."
"...I apologize for rambling. I will...explain it properly."
With a sorrowful expression, Seo Ran thus proceeds to tell Yeon Wei everything.
The constellations created during the Star Shattering stage completely assimilate with the cultivator's heart essence when they reach the Sacred Vessel stage.
And to assimilate with the heart essence means, in a way, to make the world one has built until now into one's 'dream.'
Amidst the torrent of overwhelming information, I slowly open my eyes.
In my eyes, two worlds are reflected.
One is the real Cedarwood Painting that I rule over, enjoying an era of peace.
And...
The other is the one created within my Colorless Sword Enclosure, a 'dream world'.
The dream world is filled with a crimson light.
In that world, Oh Hye-seo's main body who killed Seo Ran, the one chance to leave the dream world...now roams the desolate land where all living beings have perished, pathetically searching for Seo Hweol.
From the moment Oh Hye-seo reincarnated into Seo Hye's body, resolved to kill her first intelligent being, and just before she accomplished that murder—
The worlds diverged.
My 'dream' and the real Cedarwood Painting.
Everything in the world filled with Seo Hye's unleashed malevolence is, in truth, a fabrication of my imagination.
Every character in that world, except for Shi Ho and Seo Ran, were fundamentally no different from the Heart Demons within my heart essence.
Oh Hye-seo may have thought she cleverly infiltrated under the 'guise of a fragment' following Seo Hweol's will, scheming her malicious plans, but...
She has never once escaped my grasp from the beginning.
The fact that she came as her main body rather than a fragment was something I discerned from the start, and as soon as she exhibited unusual behavior, I isolated her immediately within my dream.
I erased all the living beings within my dream world, condemning her to wander forever through the desolate, blood-soaked wasteland.
Her original cultivation realm is the Integration stage.
The chance given to her is now over.
Oh Hye-seo will wander that wasteland for tens of thousands of years, until she ages and dies of old age.
[...Is that all?]
I ask, turning to Seo Hweol, who is watching Oh Hye-seo's actions alongside me with a hardened expression.