Chapter 560: Earth Immortal (1)
I am not a fool.
Therefore, I have naturally considered the possibility that any existence at the Sacred Vessel stage or Entering Nirvana stage would immediately begin their True Immortal advancement the moment they behold my main body.
Moreover, I have already conducted trials in advance, such as infusing [wisdom] into individuals like Yeon Jin and Gyu Ryeon or demonstrating my power in front of Baek Woon and Yeo Hwi.
These trials involved determining how much 'rank' I could reveal to individuals at certain realms of cultivation before it becomes overwhelming for them to endure.
Of course, I also took into account the possibility that Jeon Myeong-hoon and the others might have risen to the Entering Nirvana stage, which is why I understood the risk of them dying if I appeared directly before them. That is why I gave help to others and received help in return, conducting experiments to some extent.
As a result of these experiments with Yeo Hwi, Baek Woon, and others...
I determined that exposing a body at the Qi Refining 7th star level that I sent down to the lower realm would not affect my comrades even if they reached the Entering Nirvana stage. Only after reaching this conclusion did I choose to reveal myself.
: : Y O U U U !!! S E O E U N - H Y U N !!! : :Golden Shaking Bird's eyes go mad as she charges towards me.
On the Plane of True Immortality, a [River of Bird Heads] encircles me, unleashing a relentless barrage of lightning strikes.
"Stay still for a moment."
Kwaraarung!
But this is not the lower realm where my power is constrained, but in the True Immortal Plane, where I can fully unleash my power. There is no reason for me to lose.
I seize the essence of Golden Shaking Bird in one go and forcefully seal her into her Transformation form, gripping her by the neck.
"Guk... Krrrk..."
Thud!
Hit by the Impermanence Sword, she is sealed within Du Hwa's body and glares at me with tears streaming down her face.
"You...you... You...to my master... My master..."
"Quiet down and look around. It's not entirely my fault."
Kuguguk!
I tighten my grip on Golden Shaking Bird's neck, applying even more pressure.
The whites of her eyes gradually become visible, and as Golden Shaking Bird fails to draw in spiritual energy or breathe, she begins to froth at the mouth.
Shifting my gaze away from her, I turn to the spot where Jeon Myeong-hoon began his advancement.
Kugugugugu!
The shed [flesh] of Jeon Myeong-hoon, who was forced to confront death by me, begins to swell.
Simultaneously, his flesh transforms into a Vestige and starts wailing.
[Kuaaaaa!]
The Vestige with six arms and three heads howls like mad as it loses its original form.
Normally, the Sacred Master of the Middle Realm would expel Jeon Myeong-hoon's Vestige out of the Middle Realm and into the Interdimensional Void, but the Sacred Master of this Middle Realm called the Divine Thunder Realm does not respond.
'Did they say Jeon Myeong-hoon killed them? Tch. It seems the successor Sacred Master hasn't been picked yet. Or perhaps they are in the process of reviving...'
For now, to prevent the Entering Nirvana Vestige from wreaking havoc on Middle Realm, I summon Yeo Hwi.
"Accept my command, Twin Constructing Chains. Restrain the newly born Vestige of Jeon Myeong-hoon."
Clink!
Chwarururuk!
Responding to my command, Yeo Hwi appears in the form of chains before growing huge and flying forward to restrain the distorting Entering Nirvana-level Vestige.
[Kuaaaaa!!!]
Jeon Myeong-hoon's Vestige screams, attempting to break free from the Twin Constructing Chains.
However, the chains instead absorb the power of the Vestige, converting and accumulating it at both ends.
The Immortal Art created by Yeo Hwi when she became a True Person is Twin Constructing Twin Destruction (雙造雙滅).
Consuming Heaven and Earth spiritual energy to create antimatter, which then causes mutual destruction is her Immortal Art.
The ability of the Twin Constructing Chains, which were refined by such a being, is to bind the target, absorb the [power] they exert to break free, and use it to generate both antimatter and matter.
At both ends of the Twin Constructing Chains...
The bird skull at one end begins to glow, emitting transparent Glass True Fire.
Simultaneously, the human skull at the opposite end shines, generating and storing antimatter within.
Since I refined it, the part that creates matter releases Glass True Fire, making it capable of torturing the bound opponent.
Hwarurururuk!
[Kiyaaaaah!]
Jeon Myeong-hoon's Vestige writhes in agony as the Glass True Fire engulfs it, screaming violently before losing consciousness and fainting.
Kwa-jijijijik!
As the Vestige faints, lightning bursts out around it, but the Twin Constructing Chains, having absorbed some of Golden Shaking Bird's power, also absorbs the lightning.
It restrains the opponent, devours the energy they exert in trying to break free, generates Glass True Fire and antimatter, and stores and releases them to torture the restrained target.
Additionally, by absorbing and generating lightning, it can electrocute its victim, functioning as a dharma treasure designed for binding and torturing. That is the Twin Constructing Chains.
In emergencies, the accumulated antimatter can also be used to attack the enemy, making the Twin Constructing Chains a highly versatile Immortal Treasure.
Clang, clang, clang!
The Twin Constructing Chains completely enclose and seal Jeon Myeong-hoon's fainted Vestige. Watching this, I ponder my thoughts.
'For Jeon Myeong-hoon to suddenly advance to True Immortality just by looking at me...is absurd. I'm only at the Qi Refining 7th star level. Injecting [wisdom] into an Entering Nirvana is absurd. I didn't even intentionally reveal my rank; rather, I deliberately suppressed it. There's no way this should have happened.'
More than that, I focus on Jeon Myeong-hoon's fate.
Ever since reaching the Entering Nirvana stage, observing someone's fate directly has become no longer difficult.
After observing his fate for a while, I finally understand.
'So that's it...'
An Ender can only receive misfortune from a True Immortal.
I witness the black misfortune entangled like clouds around his red fate.
"While it's true that looking at me triggered his advancement, the cause lies with you. What's the point of baring your teeth at me?"
I grip the Golden Shaking Bird's neck tighter, turning my gaze back to Jeon Myeong-hoon.
That's right.
Regardless of the circumstances, a True Immortal is still a True Immortal.
Golden Shaking Bird followed me here to be together with Jeon Myeong-hoon as a companion. That alone was treated as a 'gift' for Jeon Myeong-hoon, and that gift turned entirely into misfortune.
"Look at the cloud of misfortune. That cloud is connected to you."
"Guk... Gurk..."
"During the time of the Golden Divine, the Golden Divine was stronger than you, so receiving your help didn't cause any issues. But now, it's different. Because Jeon Myeong-hoon is weaker than you...all he can receive from you is misfortune."
The misfortune surrounding Jeon Myeong-hoon's fate originates entirely from Golden Shaking Bird.
It has no connection to me.
'So even if an Ender becomes a True Immortal, they don't spread misfortune to one another. Well, it makes sense. If they did, every opportunity obtained from previous generation of Enders would have been accompanied by catastrophic misfortune.'
"[The benefits he gained by being together with you] itself became misfortune, leading to the Jeon Myeong-hoon, who would normally remain unaffected by seeing me, 'coincidentally' see the seal of the Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flag. Through that gap, he 'coincidentally' gazed upon my true body 'coincidentally' witnessed death within it, and 'coincidentally' failed to control himself, forcing his immediate True Immortal advancement."
Wo-woong!
Reading the history within the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy, I comprehend the whole story.
"Listen carefully, Golden Shaking Bird. While I am hesitant to give the exact information...Jeon Myeong-hoon and I come from the same homeland as Yang Su-jin. All the people from there can only receive misfortune from True Immortals."
"Kurk... Gurk..."
"That misfortune grows stronger the greater the gap in cultivation. However, because of the absolute disparity between the Entering Nirvana stage and True Immortality, even minor misfortune seems to have an amplified effect. If Jeon Myeong-hoon successfully advances to True Immortality, he'll be fine. However...if you meet my other comrades in the future, do not approach recklessly or try to give them anything. Understand?"
I release Golden Shaking Bird's neck and gaze at Jeon Myeong-hoon's fate.
"For now, him seeing you caused misfortune, so it's highly likely that Jeon Myeong-hoon will fail his True Immortal advancement."
Wo-woong!
I draw the Impermanence Sword and speak.
"So, being someone from the same homeland, whose help would cause no problems...I'll be back after briefly assisting him."
Kiiiiing!
The Impermanence Sword.
What my heart symbolizes, which began as the Formless Sword, is 'freedom.'
Thus, it can move through any plane or dimension.
Wherever the Impermanence Sword can reach, I can go.
Wo-woong!
I follow Jeon Myeong-hoon's fate.
'The Interdimensional Void, the Source River, the Eastern Heaven Flower Field, the Underworld...where is it? Where...? Is it there?'
Jeon Myeong-hoon's fate is heading to the Underworld.
And from deep within the Underworld, the [Oldest One]'s will is reaching out towards Jeon Myeong-hoon.
Kiiiing!
I channel my soul into the Impermanence Sword and, sitting in a lotus position at that spot, cross the boundary of the Underworld.
Wo-woong!
The only times I entered the Underworld was when I learned the Ghost Path Method and used Nether Perception to cross the 'outskirts' of the Underworld.
And while attempting to step foot into the domain of purity, I was intercepted by the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld and immediately sent from the Interdimensional Void to the deepest depths of the Underworld.
For that reason...
This time, crossing the outskirts to the true domain of the Underworld, is essentially my first time.
Kuuuung!
As I cross the boundary of the Underworld, all light disappears.
An eternal, unblemished darkness.
In this darkness, the only way to perceive the surroundings is through scent.
In truth, not all beings possess organs like 'eyes.'
There are many beings in this world who perceive not through light, but through sound, scent, touch, and other senses.
I feel as though I have become one of those beings.
Not only scent, but sound and touch gradually become perceptible to me.
It is when all senses, except sight, are felt.
Paaatt!
I feel as if I am reaching the Nascent Soul stage.
No, to be precise, should I say the Nascent Soul stage seems to replicate this sensation?
A flashback.
As I sense the [vibrations] around me, my life flashes before my eyes.
The entirety of my life.
The entire history stored within the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections brushes through my mind.
A Taiji (太極) seems to appear before my eyes. As it spins rapidly, it forms a helix (螺旋), and through that helix, all of my regressions and history flashes past me.
But unlike during my Nascent Soul advancement, it does not pass by quickly.
Rather, like the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections, it flows past very slowly, allowing me to revisit the scenes I wish to see again.
However, instead of viewing these histories, I focus my consciousness on the center of the helix.
At the center of that helix, a [certain being] is watching me.
Woong!
As I concentrate my consciousness on the center of the helix, it transforms into a [ripple].
Something like a shimmering mirage.
An endlessly vast wave.
That vibration soon seems to manifest as heat, turning into [flames] that engulf the surroundings.
Kugugugugu!
Before I know it, I find myself in a place entirely engulfed in flames.
In front of me stands a massive giant god engulfed in flames.
The giant god wears a crown and is dressed in a judge's robe.
The seat upon which the giant god sits is a colossal Blade Mountain, but the giant god's sheer size makes even the mountain feel as small as a cushion.
On both sides of me, countless Ghost Kings, Yakshas, Rakshasas, and Asuras stand in neat rows, staring at me.
Beyond these monsters lies a seemingly endless valley of Blade Mountains, filled with countless souls wandering in agony, bleeding as they stumble through the valley of blades.
I chuckle at the strangely familiar scene and bow towards the giant god before me.
I learned this back in the Black Ghost Valley.
About the Ten Underworld Kings who govern the Underworld.
"This mere Immortal Seo Eun-hyun, greets the Killing Judge of the Underworld Ten Kings, the Blade Mountain True Lord, your Majesty Qin Guang.”
Huarurururuk!
The Blade Mountain True Lord, Qin Guang, gazes at me for a moment before speaking.
[All Tribunals, leave for now.]
Paat!
At that decree, the Yakshas, Rakshasas, Asuras, and Ghost Kings surrounding me vanish in an instant.
Now, only Great King Qin Guang and I remain in this judgment hall of the flame-covered Blade Mountain.
"Does the Great King have something to say to me?"
At my words, Great King Qin Guang remains silent for a moment before speaking.
[How is it? The Underworld.]
"It is unique. And this..."
I glance at the [fire] illuminating the surroundings and murmur softly.
The sky of the Underworld is dark, and in places without flames, it is so black that one cannot see an inch ahead.
However, wherever the flames burn is bright.
"Is this not...light? I thought this would be a world of complete darkness, but it seems that's not the case."
[Nothing can escape light. That is why Radiance Hall governs life. However...nothing is absolute except for the three laws. No matter how mighty light is, it cannot escape the changes caused by differences in interpretation.]
Huarurururuk!
Flames rise above Great King Qin Guang's hand.
[The forces that symbolize Radiance Hall and life interpret light as particles. It is the perspective that everything can be explained, and nothing can escape form. However, we interpret light as waves.]
Wo-woong!
It distorts.
My vision blurs, and a shimmering haze seems to envelop the surroundings.
[Some things cannot be explained, and there are no absolutes. Form may not exist, and it does not have to be continuous. That is the wave. Thus, even if one cannot see in the Underworld, it is possible to hear, smell, touch, and taste—in other words, receive 'signals'.]
Huarurururuk!
[Waves are also heat. That is why we inevitably use fire. The Karmic Fire of the previous Chief Judge, the Speech Fire (言火) of the current Chief Judge...and even the Killing Fire (殺火) that this King wields all are born from the same principle.]
I finally understand why the Judges primarily use fire.
And I feel something strange.
"Somehow...it sounds as though the Judges of the Underworld wield the power of light."
[That is correct. Originally, the very first Seat was the Origin Essence of Light. Only one existed.]
"...!!!"
[After the very first Origin Essence, countless beings rose through the path of the heavens, 'interpreting' light in their own ways and dividing it amongst themselves... That is how the numerous Origin Essences of today came to be. Even our lord, the Imperial Venerable, is said to have been born after Radiance Hall itself, which speaks volumes about the history and power of the Radiance Hall.]
"Th-That..."
I ask with a stunned expression.
I do not know why Great King Qin Guang is telling me this, but I decide it is best to ask while I have the chance.
"Then, why is the Imperial Venerable called the [Oldest One]? According to what the Great King said, isn't the oldest existence the Radiance Supreme Deity?"
[...What is important is continuity. Suppose you plant a seed, let it sprout, and nurture it into a tree for 100 years. Then, you take the fruit from that tree, remove its seeds, plant them in the ground, burn the previous tree, and nurture the new one for another 100 years. Is the age of that tree 100 years or 200 years?]
"...I do not understand what you mean."
[The Origin Essences under the Imperial Venerable's grasp total 14. Including the one the Imperial Venerable seized control of, it is 15 in total. Those Seats have accompanied the Imperial Venerable for a long time and...have been referred to as the Imperial Venerable and the Dharma Kings who protect the Imperial Venerable. But those Dharma Kings are not all the same beings. This King, too, inherited my Seat from a predecessor.]
"...!"
[And...just like the Underworld, Radiance Hall is the same. They, too, inherit the Seats over time. Thus, while Radiance Hall may be the oldest force, the oldest entity is the Imperial Venerable.]
Great King Qin Guang speaks ambiguously while extinguishing the flame burning in their palm.
[Is it not interesting? That light can divide into everything depending on interpretation... If dividing based on interpretation, and merging again based on interpretation is the Seat of Light...have you ever considered that?]
"As my knowledge is limited, I struggle to follow what the Great King is saying. Please enlighten me."
[In the end, all things can [never] escape the gaze of light. If everything was originally light, even the Underworld, that is said to be untouched by light, cannot truly escape the domain of light. In fact, during the era when the Radiance Eight Immortals were the Radiance Ten Heavenly Lords, the Radiance Hall appeared nearly omniscient.]
"Radiance Ten Heavenly Lords?"
I tilt my head at the unfamiliar term but shudder from a chill at Great King Qing Guang's subsequent words.
[Then what do you think could be the method to transcend light? If being unable to escape no matter what means is the authority of the [First Seat]...is there not only one answer? To go back before the [First Seat].]
"Pardon...?"
[That is precisely the plan of the Imperial Venerable and the will of the Underworld. To trace back the unending history of the world and finally reach the [time before the first]. To go further back than light itself and through this, transcend the light. That is our goal.]
Kugugugugu!
Great King Qin Guang extends their hand forged of flames and blades.
[I have heard from the Imperial Venerable. You met the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord in the Head Realm and heard of the [Way of Light], did you not?]
Flinch!
I feel chills rising over my body at those words.
'Does this mean the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld...can freely observe what happens in the Head Realm?'
When I think about it, it makes sense.
The [Elder Sister] of Seoak village in the Head Realm was the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld.
And according to the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, the only beings authorized to interfere in the Head Realm are those from Radiance Hall.
Yet, the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld could so easily send an incarnation to the Head Realm and wield authority there.
'Does this mean...They are an existence somewhat outside the laws set by Radiance Hall...? Even the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord lost their memory and acted accordingly until they reached the Qi Refining 4th star in the Head Realm, but the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld can retain Their memory and have the authority to revise the history of the Head Realm even in the body of a mortal...?'
As my thoughts race, Great King Qin Guang continues to speak.
[The Way of Light oppresses all living beings with fate. They proclaim this to be 'true freedom,' but that is sheer nonsense. The [Way of Salt] mentioned by the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord—does that not fit far better with the world? Granting all beings the right to resist fate—would you not say that is true freedom?]
"..."
[The Owner of Salt Mountain, the Salt Sea Supreme Deity, was a sworn ally who shared the same will as the Imperial Venerable. Thus, if you claim to have inherited your master's legacy, join us in the aspiration of the Underworld.]
That's right.
Ultimately, Great King Qin Guang's long discourse is an offer to recruit me.