Chapter 547: Sealing Immortal (封仙) (2)
I sense the Immortal Title of Crystal Glass Being within me shortly after Sword Spear Heavenly Lord disappears.
'The Immortal Title of Crystal Glass Being...'
This Immortal Title shines from within me, masking and concealing my presence.
'If I use Heavenly Escape, I might escape the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord's gaze... But Heavenly Escape requires reaching the domain of purity, and using it is practically a life-or-death gamble, consuming an immense amount of energy... To avoid the gaze of light, the title of the Crystal Glass Being is just right.'
I let out a sigh of relief and look around at the surrounding altar.
'By the way, this altar...'
While wondering, I inject spiritual energy and consciousness into the future to discern what kind of altar it is.
Just then,Puhwak!
Something dark wriggles from beneath the altar and crawls upward.
"Master!"
"...!"
My face brightens at the sight of a long-missed familiar face.
Paaat!
The dark something emits light and transforms instantly into a human form.
It's Hong Fan, who has recovered his cultivation to the Grand Perfection Integration stage.
"Haw haw! I knew you would return."
"It's good to see you, Hong Fan! By the way, did you create this altar?"
"Yes, I did. I resonated it with Master's energy and prepared it to make it more comfortable for Master's descent into the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain in the future.”
"Hmm, a function to make it more comfortable to descend...?"
"Yes. From what I remember from my past life, lower-level True Immortals who have just reached the True Immortal Realm cannot descend to lower dimensional planes at will. To interfere with lower dimensional planes, an appropriate medium is required. Therefore, I created this altar using Master's aura."
Hearing Hong Fan's explanation, I feel slightly puzzled.
'What's this? Descending to the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain was incredibly easy for me...'
At that moment, I realize that I possess the authority of the Impermanence Sword.
'I see. The authority to freely traverse planes... That must have allowed me to descend directly from the True Immortal Realm to the lower plane.'
Judging from Hong Fan's knowledge from his past life, it seems True Immortals cannot easily descend to lower planes.
"Hmm, well, thank you. But what are you looking at, Hong Fan?"
"Ah... It's currently a bit difficult for me to perceive Master. Honestly, if Master hadn't settled on the altar, I might not have even noticed."
"Ah... Is that so? Wait a moment."
It seems that due to the difference in our rank, Hong Fan cannot properly perceive me.
'If Hong Fan is to perceive me properly...'
While pondering what to do, a bright light seems to flash in my mind and I immediately separate a portion of energy from the Immortal Title of Crystal Glass Being and infuse it into Hong Fan.
Woo-woong!
Simultaneously, the energy of the Crystal Glass Being attaches itself to Hong Fan's eyes like tinted lenses, allowing him to perceive me without being overwhelmed by the difference in our rank.
Only then does Hong Fan 'see' me and smile brightly.
"Ah! Now I can finally see you properly, Master."
"Good, that's a relief. I was worried for a moment that you might not be able to see me at all, but I guess that concern was unnecessary."
"Haw haw, as if I could ever lose sight of you, Master. If this method hadn't worked, I would have found another way. I will never lose sight of Master, so please do not worry."
"Reliable as always."
I laugh heartily and begin to share with Hong Fan, who I haven't seen in a long time, the events I experienced during my True Immortal advancement.
"By the way, during my advancement to True Immortality, I realized my fate."
"Pardon...? Is that true? Congratulations! What is this Fate?"
With a face full of awe, Hong Fan claps his hands and asks me, and I nod as I speak.
A story about my ordinary life on Earth.
"That was my fate. And...regarding that..."
I look at Hong Fan.
"You mentioned that you realized your fate at a very young age; isn't that right?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"What exactly is your fate?"
"To assist, follow, and watch over Master and his comrades, ensuring they walk the right path. That is my fate."
"Hmm, I see..."
I nod and ask.
"By any chance, have you still not recovered all of your past-life's memories?"
"Unfortunately, no... However, something did surface after Master advanced to True Immortality, though it's only fragments of information. Proper memories of my past life are still..."
"I see... There's something I felt when I realized my fate. Realizing one's fate is one of the conditions for becoming a True Immortal."
That must be why those among my comrades who have 'realized their fate' rapidly see their talents rise and their authority grow stronger.
"And...for an ordinary mortal being to realize their fate, it requires an incredible hardship."
Ordinary living beings usually need to spend considerable time in the Entering Nirvana stage, enduring intense training and refining their Immortal Arts before they can realize their fate.
Even among us Enders, those who realized their fate usually did so only after enduring immense suffering and trials.
But Hong Fan instinctively realized the reason he was born into this world at a very young age and, with overwhelming talent, followed us and assisted us.
Seeing that, perhaps Hong Fan...
"You might have already reached the stage of Vestige Liberation Immortal in your past life. Perhaps you were already beyond the Entering Nirvana stage even back then."
"..."
Hong Fan remains silent for a while after hearing my words, then opens his mouth.
"...Ohhh... Thank you...very much. I think it will be a great help in regaining my memories."
"Haha, no need to thank me. It's me who would benefit if you recover your memories, so focus on recovering them as soon as possible."
"Haw haw, I understand. By the way...hearing Master's words makes me even more curious about the enlightenment Master gained during the True Immortal advancement. Could Master share more of your realizations with me?"
"Hmm...I also realized something about life."
"Oh...That must be a tremendous realization. What is life?"
"Life is..."
I look at Hong Fan, who eagerly awaits my teaching, and share the answer I have come up with.
"Life."
"..."
Hong Fan looks up at the sky briefly at my words, then back at me.
It seems my joke wasn't very amusing, judging by his slightly baffled expression.
"Ahem, sorry. That was a joke. In truth, what I realized about life is...'I don't really know.' I mean...how much could I possibly understand about life? Now, let me tell you my proper enlightenments from advancing to True Immortality."
I pass on the phenomena and enlightenments I experienced during my True Immortal advancement to Hong Fan.
After carefully listening to my enlightenment, Hong Fan expresses his deep gratitude.
"Thank you, Master. This will serve as a great milestone for my future advancement."
"It's me who is proud to have you under my command. Grow strong and become a great strength for us."
At my praise, Hong Fan smiles faintly and bows to me.
"I shall accept the command (命; fate/life)."
"Good, good. By the way..."
I ask Hong Fan a question.
"How much time has passed since [then]?"
Having caught up with Hong Fan who I haven't seen in so long, it's now time to discuss more constructive matters.
How much time has passed since my battle with Blood Yin?
"Three thousand years. Three thousand years have passed."
"Three thousand years..."
A time that could be considered long if long, or short if short.
'Has enough time passed for one Yang Su-jin to reach a conclusion?'
"What is the current situation in the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain?"
"Hmm, I am not entirely sure, but several True Immortals from the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain are roaming the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain with their main bodies. It looks like they are searching for Master or other things. Also, Cedarwood Painting is currently being overseen by one of the disciples of the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords, Sacred Master Yeo Hwi, who reduced her cultivation to the Sacred Vessel stage and took on the Sacred Master position."
"Oh...good. What about the other Entering Nirvana True Persons?"
"Most of them are currently in a dormant state, recovering their bodies."
"Have there been no other brats who advanced to True Immortality besides me?"
"There seems to be no one."
"Tsk, even though I personally assisted them in their True Immortal advancement, they still failed. How pitiful."
Clicking my tongue, I extended my hand towards Hong Fan.
"Come inside. For now, I must observe the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain."
"Yes, but Master must be cautious not to be detected by the True Immortals of the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain."
"I understand. Don't worry about that. Now then..."
Sururuk...
After tucking Hong Fan into my sleeve, I prepare to use the ground-shrinking technique to leap towards Cedarwood Painting.
"Let's go."
Paatt!
In the next moment.
"...?"
I have moved just one step.
[Master, have we arrived at Cedarwood Painting?]
"Hmm, I haven't used the ground-shrinking technique yet. Wait a moment."
After finishing my words, I attempt to use the ground-shrinking technique again.
Step—
But it's the same.
"...?"
The ground-shrinking technique does not activate.
"No, what is this...?"
Frowning, I begin to draw out attraction force to properly use the ground-shrinking technique.
"I'm going!"
And then!
Clang!
Crash!
I leap from where I stand, only to be thrown down by some strong force tightly binding me.
"Kugh, this is..."
I can understand falling because my body still isn't accustomed to the Plane of Qi.
However, the ground-shrinking technique not activating like this seems to have another cause.
'Something's strange...?'
I firmly adjust my posture and grip the void with my hand again.
I try to twist spacetime with attraction force, but instead of space distorting, all I hear is the faint sound of dust blowing in the wind.
'Attraction force...is not wavering...?'
Wududuk...
"Hong Fan. Something is strange."
I flick Hong Fan out from my sleeve and ask a question.
Hong Fan seems to recall something as he listens to me and informs me.
"Master. Before Master advanced to True Immortality...I remember there were certain banners embedded in Master's body."
"...I have a guess."
At Hong Fan's words, I begin drawing out attraction force with all my strength.
It's at that moment.
Clang, Clang!
Translucent chains of starlight appear over my body.
And between those chains, faint shapes of banners begin to emerge.
On the surface of the flags, the words Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal (北斗封仙) are inscribed.
"Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flag...!"
Wududuk...
The Immortal Treasures of the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords are still embedded in me.
'It's fine. If it's only this much... If I unleash the power of the Three Great Ultimates...!'
I attempt to unleash the power of the Three Great Ultimates and summon their form.
Clang!
However, the moment I try to release my energy, the power of the Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flag constricts me even more tightly.
'What's this? The power of the seal has become even stronger than before!? This...this is...'
I understand what is happening.
The authority of the Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flag has partially fused with me who has advanced to True Immortality, and its restraining power is now even stronger than during the Entering Nirvana stage.
'This, this is...! Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords, those bastards...!!!'
In the Plane of True Immortals, my power remains intact.
However, upon descending into the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain, my power is instead severely restricted.
In short, I can now barely exert my authority in the lower realms.
Wooong!
I inspect the authority remaining within me.
"..."
Qi Refining 7th star.
Except for strength equivalent to the 7th star of Qi Refining, I can't use any other power.
"...It seems I won't be able to use the ground-shrinking technique, Hong Fan."
"Ah, in that case..."
"I will set up a summoning formation at the place I am heading. Use that as a coordinate to follow me. Instead of the ground-shrinking technique, I'll have to move through planes."
Feeling a surge of discomfort, I quickly move to the True Immortal Plane using the ability of the Impermanence Sword.
Then, from the True Immortal Plane, I observe the lower planes, slightly adjust my position towards my intended coordinates, and descend.
Paaat!
The place I arrive at through the True Immortal Plane is Cedarwood Painting.
In a corner of Cedarwood Painting, I set up a summoning formation for Hong Fan and sweep the area with my consciousness domain.
Fortunately, although my power is sealed, my consciousness domain remains unaffected.
However, using the Impermanence Sword to descend the power of my consciousness domain to a lower plane and exceed the strength of the Qi Refining 7th star is impossible.
'This is so inconvenient I'm going mad. Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords, those bastards...'
Grinding my teeth, I wait briefly for Hong Fan.
Soon, light emerges from the summoning formation, and Hong Fan is summoned.
"Hong Fan, let's head to Glass Cedarwood Mountain in Cedarwood Painting. Use the ground-shrinking technique in my stead."
"Understood."
Paaatt!
In an instant, Hong Fan and I stand at the center of Cedarwood Painting.
We have arrived at Glass Cedarwood Mountain.
There, we see a familiar face.
"Yeo Hwi. I'm here."
She, who has been managing the authority seat in my stead, has her eyes light up upon seeing me.
"Ah, it has been a while, Cultivator Seo. No, now you're my senior. I made a mistake, Senior Seo. Congratulations on advancing to True Immortality."
"I heard you've been managing Cedarwood Painting in my place. Even at the cost of lowering your realm..."
"Hehe, fortunately because I took this position, Radiance Hall did not sweep away Cedarwood Painting. After all...I am [a True Person under the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords who was captured by the wicked devil Seo Eun-hyun, who sought to destroy the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain]. At least nominally, that is."
"I am deeply grateful to you. So, is the vow you made back then still valid?"
Yeo Hwi once made an oath after hearing about my Filling the Heavens Governing View and my plan.
That if my plan succeeds and I grow into an existence worthy of serving, she would become my follower even if she has to lower her realm.
'With my power bound in the lower realms, I am in desperate need of someone's help right now. If I can secure Yeo Hwi as my follower, she will be an immense assistance.'
She is a True Person who had indeed stood on my side during the great war.
Because of that, she is quite a reliable talent, and I plan to borrow her strength to overcome the difficulties ahead.
However, Yeo Hwi looks at me with a peculiar meaningful gaze and speaks.
"By the way, Senior Seo..."
"Hmm?"
"You still have the Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flag planted."
"Ah, that's right. You said you were a disciple of the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords... Do you happen to know a way to release the Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flag?"
"Hoho, I don't. But what I do know is that the Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flag is an Immortal Treasure with clear strengths and weaknesses. After their master and lord was defeated by the Vast Cold Heavenly Lord, the Immortal Treasure created by the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords while weeping is the Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flag, also known as the Seven Stars Harnessing God Banner. It is an Immortal Treasure that seals the power of a mighty being, fuses with them, and suppresses them with an even stronger seal as that being grows stronger."
"Hmm..."
"I don't know the exact way to release it either. However, it's said that by connecting with the Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flag and communing with it, one might discover the method to remove it. What I am not entirely sure, the method the Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flag reveals is said to be incredibly demanding. However, in exchange for the demanding release method and the sealed being's power being restricted to the Qi Refining 7th star...once sealed, the being becomes nearly impossible to detect with the authorities of the Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords or any other beings related to time."
"..."
"Moreover, in exchange for the seal of the Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flag being powerful, it supposedly grants special enlightenment to the sealed being each time a layer is undone... Though that's just a rumor, so I don't know if it's true."
I nod as I take in the information from Yeo Hui.
Then, I ask her a question.
"Why is your speech getting shorter and shorter?"
[TL: Meaning why is she getting more informal.]
"Hohoho... Compared to three thousand years ago, you seem pathetically weak. Do I really have any reason to respect you as my senior?"
"..."
"Back then, I was thinking of siding with you...but if the seal of the Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flag has become this strong, the story changes... While beings tied to time cannot find you, you coming right up to me in the dimension I oversee as a Sacred Master changes things again... It rather seems more beneficial to capture and offer you to the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, who is currently searching for you... Tell me, am I wrong?"
Kugugugugu!
Yeo Hwi's presence begins to grow.
[With your current pathetic level of power which barely reaches the 7th star of Qi Refining, do you dare think you can resist me...? Ahaha... Now then. Shall I repay the humiliation of that day...?]
Her face changes into that of a goblin, her arms unfolding while morphing into bird-like wings as she starts to draw upon the authority of Cedarwood Painting.
She is a Sacred Master who was once a True Person like Baek Woon.
As long as she remains within Cedarwood Painting, she is effectively a True Immortal.
And I...
Am simply a True Immortal.
: : For managing Cedarwood Painting, I had intended to make you my vassal. But it seems even that grace is unnecessary. What an insolent thing. : :
Dududududu!
I cannot use my authority in the lower realm because of the Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flag.
However, the story is different for my true body, located in the True Immortal Realm.
: : I prophesize. : :
At some point, Hong Fan seized Kim Yeon's artificial stars remaining within Cedarwood Painting and dragged them outside.
And upon the artificial stars Hong Fan pulled outside, the [scene] I envision is embedded.
: : Cedarwood Painting Sacred Master, Yeo Hwi, will be refined within this Immortal's body and become an Immortal Treasure, serving for countless ages. : :
Yeo Hwi's fate obeys the prophecy I have spoken and begins to be pulled towards it.
At the same time, I raise the artificial star imbued with my prophecy to the True Immortal Plane with the Impermanence Sword and absorb it into my body.
If Yeo Hwi wants to break this prophecy, she must escape from Cedarwood Painting, advance to True Immortality, rise to the True Immortal Plane, and enter my body.