Chapter 589: Mount Sumeru (2)
"Have you made your decision, Golden Shaking Bird?"
"...Yes. Let us proceed. However, to use the Great Desolate Path, mustn't at least a True Immortal-level spirit operate it...?"
I nod.
"Don't worry about that. The original of the Great Desolate Path. This is Yeong Seung's split soul."
"If that's the case, there shouldn't be a problem..."
"But I don't intend to use it."
"...What?"
"Become the main soul of the Great Desolate Path. Then, I'll go meet him and bring him right to where you are."At my words, distrust flickers in Golden Shaking Bird's eyes.
To be exact, she was already somewhat distrustful of me, but now that distrust has deepened even more.
However, I have no intention of backing down.
'It was the same in my past life.'
When I tried to move from the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain to the Good Sight Heavenly Domain, it took an unnecessarily long time to reach the teleportation formation zone set up by Radiance Hall.
'If I embed Golden Shaking Bird's spirit into the Great Desolate Path, I can bring Jeon Myeong-hoon here right away and show him to Golden Shaking Bird.'
That way, I'll be able to move to any Heavenly Domain in the future.
There would no longer be any need to painstakingly search for teleportation formations.
But Golden Shaking Bird glares at me and growls.
"The reason I treated the distinguished one as a senior brother is because the distinguished one learned Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens. The formula of Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens, written in a language of another world, cannot be learned unless personally taught by Master. However...this is the first time I am seeing a senior brother like you. To be honest, I can't even believe that Master has been resurrected. That is why I cannot fully trust the distinguished one's words."
"..."
"If I become the main soul of the Great Desolate Path and, as you say, Master has truly resurrected and uses me to come back, then of course, it would be an unparalleled joy. However...once I become the main soul of an Immortal Treasure, especially one as high-grade as the Great Desolate Path, breaking free with only my own strength would be extremely difficult and agonizing. Moreover, if after I undergo Immortal Treasure transformation, you refine me using Yeong Seung's split soul, then I would be completely bound as your Immortal Treasure."
"Wouldn't someone of your level be able to resist when they become an Immortal Treasure?"
"Hm. Honestly, I am not confident I could resist an Upper Immortal at the level of the distinguished one. In any case, since I have no way to resist if the distinguished one deceived me, I cannot accept the distinguished one's proposal. Does the distinguished one have any proof that you are not deceiving me?"
"Proof, huh... If I show you proof, will you comply?"
"It must be convincing proof."
"Fine. I'll show you, then."
Wo-woong!
I connect to the five taenghwa paintings that followed my spirit from the previous cycle.
'If I take out Jeon Myeong-hoon's taenghwa, it will resonate with the Jeon Myeong-hoon of this timeline. After all, this taenghwa contains a portion of his fate...Golden Shaking Bird will understand why the fate within the taenghwa resonates.'
She will immediately realize that Jeon Myeong-hoon has been resurrected.
'All I have to do is show her the Taenghwa!'
"Here. Look."
Paaaatt!
I naturally move the taenghwa paintings within my body.
And just as I try to take out Jeon Myeong-hoon's taenghwa in front of Golden Shaking Bird, opening a dimensional gate to my internal world—
Wo-woong!
"What...!?"
The five taenghwa inside my internal world.
The moment they come into contact with the energy of the [outside], they rapidly resonate, then shoot out beyond my body at a speed that transcends light.
Before long, the five taenghwa scatter in different directions as if they have their own will, passing through the outskirts of the Underworld.
I try to grab them, but the taenghwa have already passed through the deeper depths of the Underworld's outskirts, making it impossible to grab them recklessly.
If I force it, I might end up falling into the Underworld myself.
I dumbly watch the taenghwa escape.
Golden Shaking Bird failed to sense Jeon Myeong-hoon's aura as the taenghwa flashed past at a speed that transcends light.
"...? What was that just now? It passed by so fast that I couldn't tell. Can you call it back?"
"..."
I try to summon the taenghwa paintings back, but they don't budge at all.
I know exactly where they have gone.
'Damn it... They flew off to the Enders of this life.'
They've probably attached themselves to them by now.
'O Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld. Just why...did you give me something like this?'
I mutter in a low voice.
"...That... One of those that just flew off holds power related to your master. Did you sense it?"
"Didn't I say it was too fast to sense anything?"
"Argh! Regardless, I've shown you proof! Because it's a power tied to your master, it got pulled towards where your master is!"
"How is that proof!? Is it right to shove it to me as proof when I couldn't even recognize it?"
"You're the one who didn't see it, so why are you blaming me!?"
"Am I some Upper Immortal? I'm a Thunder Beast who barely managed to cling to True Immortality. What do you want me to do?"
The more I talk to Golden Shaking Bird, the more irritated I feel.
I didn't expect the taenghwa to immediately escape from me like that.
On top of that, I want to get out of this Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain, where that ominous Head Realm lies, as soon as possible.
The constant bickering with Golden Shaking Bird is giving me a headache.
I glance towards the direction of the Head Realm.
Even just looking at it feels ominous.
No, is it because my senses have deepened?
A horrifying, chilling sensation that I hadn't felt before now creeps all over my body.
'Damn it... Even though I've become a True Immortal—no. Maybe it's because I became one. Just staring at the Head Realm makes me feel like I'll go mad.'
"Listen...to me."
"Master...are you alright?"
I realize I'm suddenly glaring at Golden Shaking Bird with spiritual energy dripping from my mouth like drool.
'Damn it...'
I know it myself.
My temper is getting volatile.
'Just by expanding my senses within the Lightning Sacred Sea and perceiving the Head Realm, I'm like this... If I had spread my senses inside the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain...'
I might've truly gone mad from the Head Realm's poison.
"Listen to me. This is your final warning. If you don't...I won't hesitate to take extreme measures to escape the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain."
"Ha! Do as you please. I've made myself clear. Unless I see Master in person, I will not believe you."
"If I use Yeong Seung's split soul...I'll have to return to the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain to come back to the Lightning Sacred Sea!"
"Master's Great Desolate Path is, from the start, an Immortal Treasure meant for urgent escapes. Honestly, under normal circumstances, it wouldn't be any issue if you just use the teleportation formation created by Radiance Hall!"
"...This is going nowhere."
I want to escape.
I want to escape!
'So that's it. Those taenghwa paintings...'
The moment they left me, the madness began surging rapidly.
'Those taenghwa also served to protect my mind within the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain.'
I instinctively understand that the existence of the Head Realm isn't all that different from the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld.
'Just as gazing directly at the true body of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld requires at least the realm of a Great Net Immortal...the same must apply to the Head Realm.'
To observe the Head Realm without issue, one would need at least the realm of a Great Net Immortal.
I am certain of it.
With the senses of an Upper Immortal, I sense the True Immortals within the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain.
'The Sword Spear Heavenly Lord is currently wandering the Bright Cold Realm. If they are inside the Bright Cold Realm, it should be fine. Even if I use my power, I won't get caught.'
Kugugugugu!
The mist of Filling the Heavens Governing View surges forth.
Filling the Heavens Governing View is the history of my failures, and an Immortal Art that enforces failure.
In other words, it is a massive clump of misfortune.
The mist of Filling the Heavens Governing View condenses, forming the dark cloud of Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens.
The powerful Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens engulfs the entire Lightning Sacred Sea, taking control of it.
Golden Shaking Bird hurriedly flies to the 100th floor of the Lightning Sacred Sea, where the Great Desolate Path lies, and tightly seals just the 100th floor with Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens.
"I cannot defeat you in battle...but I can at least protect this Great Desolate Path from you. Even if it is you, I have managed the Lightning Sacred Sea for 120,000 years! There is no way you can break through the one floor I defend with Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens!!!"
"...Hahaha, do as you wish."
Kururung!
I let out a dragon's roar, my body writhing as I exit the Lightning Sacred Sea.
Inside the Lightning Sacred Sea, the Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens I had spewed out lingers, placing the entire Lightning Sacred Sea within my grasp.
Kugugugugu!
Outside the Lightning Sacred Sea, I reveal my main body.
Kugugugugu!
: : Oooooooooh! : :
With my front claws and tail, I grip the entire Lightning Sacred Sea and begin exerting force.
: : Guaaaaaaaagh!!! : :
And then,
Kuguk, Kuguguguk!
The Lightning Sacred Sea, wedged within the dimensional rift, begins to shift.
I can feel Golden Shaking Bird panicking.
"Wh-What are you doing, you lunatic!"
: : So this isn't enough, huh. : :
Behind me, the form of the Three Great Ultimates emerges.
'The Three Great Ultimates is a [bowl]...'
What I fill it with and how I wield it is solely my will.
Recalling Hyeon Mu's advice, I pour the authority of the history pathway and the Immortal Dao of Repentant Enlightenment into the Three Great Ultimates.
The Three Great Ultimates shine brilliantly, beginning to boil over.
Then, I overlay the Wheel on top of it.
Kuuung!
'Th-This is...!'
The moment I summon the Wheel, I understand.
'Something...has changed...?'
Unlike before, the Three Great Ultimates and the Wheel are no longer clumsily overlapping.
The Wheel encircles the Three Great Ultimates, absorbing the light it radiates while emitting a gentle starlight.
The Wheel absorbs so much light that, for a moment, the Three Great Ultimates appears dim.
A darkened Three Great Ultimates at the center of the Wheel!
It is the moment that symbol rises behind my head.
'This is...'
Kugugugugugu!
The entirety of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain starts to tremble.
'Damn it...'
The Sword Spear Heavenly Lord within the Middle Realm has noticed something wrong.
'I didn't think it'd be strong enough to shake the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain...'
Maybe this is my fault.
I seem to have underestimated the authority at the peak of Great Net Immortal too much.
: : Ooooooooh! : :
Sensing the anomaly in the Lightning Sacred Sea, something familiar flies towards me from afar.
I feel like I'm breaking out into cold sweat.
Sword-Guided Star Rain!
It is the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord's decisive move.
Sensing that decisive technique, I pour out all my strength, exploding the power within my body.
Kwarurururung!
My Immortal Beast True Blood explodes, granting me the full authority of an Immortal Beast.
With it comes transcendent brute strength that floods into my arm.
Kududududuk!
The ring finger of Yang Su-jin, which had been wedged into the entrance of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain, starts to move.
"Y-You're insane! S-Stop! Stop it now! What are you doing!? What in the world are you doing!?"
Golden Shaking Bird trembles violently, panicking on the 100th layer.
Golden Shaking Bird, stricken with fear at my power, trembles violently on the 100th floor and is seized by convulsions.
But I, half-consumed by madness due to the Head Realm's poison, laugh loudly and draw forth even greater strength.
And finally!
Jjeooooooong!
The Lightning Sacred Sea, which had been blocking the gap between the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain and the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain, is pulled out.
"Th-This can't be...! It's not something that can be pulled out with sheer strength... It carries Master's prophecy..."
Normally, not even Immortal Lords, let alone a Great Net Immortal, can recklessly pull out Yang Su-jin's ring finger.
This is because the prophecy of Yang Su-jin anchored the Lightning Sacred Sea to this space.
But I am different.
As long as I have the bare minimum strength, I can pull it out.
Kururung—
Because I have learned Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens.
In a way, I am also Yang Su-jin's successor.
Chiiiiii—
Pulling the Lightning Sacred Sea from the dimensional rift, I swallow Yang Su-jin's ring finger whole.
Golden Shaking Bird sobs uncontrollably, having a seizure, but the gap between our weight class has grown far too wide for her to resist.
Convinced she figured out what I intend to do, she cries out in anguish.
"Master, Master, please forgive me, Master! I...I couldn't stop this lunatic madman from offering your relic to Radiance Hall... Please forgive me, Master!"
: : ...Worry not. : :
After swallowing the entire Lightning Sacred Sea in a single gulp, I transform back into my human form and laugh.
"Yang Su-jin's remains will return to his rightful successor."
With those words, I glance back once—
—then step towards the entrance leading to the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain.
The moment my foot touches down, I feel the Sword-Guided Star Rain flying from behind exploding the entrance.
The Sword Spear Heavenly Lord must have thrown the decisive technique in shock, ironically, but now it means they will now have to rebuild the entrance themself if they wish to follow.
Chwaaaaaaak!
Countless rays of light brush past me, and before long, I reach a new Heavenly Domain.
This is the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain.
The stronghold of the Radiance Supreme Deity.
Kuoooo!
: : Who are you? How did you cross over from the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain without notice? : :
A True Immortal, seemingly at the Vestige Liberation Immortal level, glares at me, standing right in front of the teleportation formation of the new Heavenly Domain.
: : Why hasn't the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord arrived? More importantly, is there an issue with the teleportation formation on the other side? There should be some kind of respo— : :
"Enough rambling. Where's the teleportation formation that leads to the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain?"
I cut off the rambling Vestige Liberation Immortal and ask.
: : You... : :
"Hurry up and speak. This Immortal is in a hurry."
: : A suspicious bastard, I see. First, since you came from the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain, you will be subject to a 100,000-year imprisonment. As you are imprisoned for 100,000 years, we will examine to see if any poison energy leaks from you before deciding your disposition. We must assess if you are a True Immortal someone who could be a threat to Radiance Hall and— : :
"All this pointless rambling since earlier..."
I cut off the True Immortal's words once again and extend my hand.
Kwaduduk!
My will turns directly into strength, gripping the True Immortal's divine spirit body, which is several times larger than me.
Though I grasp only the void, marks spread across the entirety of the True Immortal's divine spirit body as if clenched in my hand.
"I'm asking you."
Kugugugugu!
I release my momentum, pressing down on the True Immortal.
"No?"
Facing my pressure head-on, the Vestige Liberation Immortal grits their teeth before shouting.
: : All divine spirits of Radiance Hall, hear me!!! A suspicious Upper Immortal has descended from the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain! All gather and capture this intruder! : :
"...Ha..."
I click my tongue.
"You could've just told me where the teleportation formation to the Heavenly Domain is. It would've been better for the both of us. Why insist on drinking the punishment wine?"
: : Ahaha! Someone like you dares to mock this Immortal, who is affiliated with Radiance Hall? Soon, tens, hundreds of True Immortals and Upper Immortals in Radiance Hall will gather here! : :
"Upper Immortals...? True Immortals...? Won't any Great Net Immortals, Heavenly Lords, or a Supreme Deity descend?"
: : Huhahaha! Why would we need a Great Net Immortal to capture the likes of you? Most of them are currently exploring the Outer Sea or handling other crucial missions, so the majority are away from the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain. : :
"Hoh..."
I smile.
: : Do you think someone like you can overcome sheer numbers? In the prophetic battles of True Immortals, numerical tactics are absolute! No matter how strong you are, you cannot stand against Radiance Hall. We have hundreds of True Immortals alone! We have dozens of Upper Immortals, and even the renowned Thirty-Three Heavenly Resplendent Treasure Immortals will descend! Soon, you will be bowing your head and licking my feet— : :
"Rambling, rambling. Stop your babbling. Or are you reciting some kind of rambling mantra?"
I block the True Immortal's maw with Filling the Heavens Governing View and begin exerting strength.
Kudududuk!
The massive divine spirit body of the True Immortal compresses.
Soon, the compressed divine spirit body shrinks to the size of my fist and falls onto my palm.
Kwaduk!
Clenching the divine spirit body with a strong grip, I speak.
"Even if a Supreme Deity appears, I have a move prepared. If Immortal Lords or Great Nets descend, I intended to escape using the realm of Heavenly Escape I glimpsed through Hyeon Mu in my past life, but..."
I smack my lips.
Right now, fighting multiple Immortal Lords or Great Nets would be tough.
But I am more than confident in escaping.
However...
"A Radiance Hall with none of them here, and only the likes of True Immortals and Upper Immortals..."
The divine spirit body wriggles, seeming to still ramble something, but I ignore it.
Golden Shaking Bird wails bitterly, her cries filled with resentment.
"You crazy madman...! How will you shake off the pursuit of the Upper Immortals...!? How will you withstand their prophetic bombardments!? And the Thirty-Three Heavenly Resplendent Treasure Immortals. Even Master, when he was a Great Net Immortal, had to flee with his tail tucked between his legs against their joint attack! Why in the world did you create such a mess!? Now, all of Master's relics stored in the Lightning Sacred Sea will fall into the jaws of Radiance Hall! Aigoo!"
"...Don't worry, Golden Shaking Bird."
Facing the hundreds of divine spirits descending towards me, I take a step forward.
In one hand, I hold the Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flag.
In the other, the Colorless Glass Sword.
A sly smile spreads across my face.
One reason I charged into the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain is because it'd be the fastest to pass through it with Golden Shaking Bird to meet Jeon Myeong-hoon and then move across all Heavenly Domains through the Great Desolate Path.
But that isn't the only reason.
'Ever since becoming an Upper Immortal...power has been constantly exploding within me.'
It doesn't stop there. The erupting power feeds into the Three Great Ultimates, amplifies through the Wheel, and now feels as if it could explode at any moment.
'In the beginning, I wanted to test my skill and strength by charging through the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain using Heavenly Escape.'
But now, it turns out there are no Immortal Lords in the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain.
In that case, there is no need for Heavenly Escape.
Which leaves me with only one thing left to do.
'The level of a Great Net Immortal Yang Su-jin... If it's the current me, I can fully overpower it.'
Glancing around at the True Immortals of Radiance Hall beginning to swarm towards me, I smirk.
Countless prophetic stars are born, aiming to suppress me.
But I pay no mind and step forward, drawing out my power.
Immortal Beast Authority.
History Repetition!
A figure from within Filling the Heavens Governing View rises.
It is a figure from my past life.
The connections that caused the failure of my Radiance Ten Heavens' formula.
It is the figure of In Ye.
'Now I understand.'
The true method of wielding the [Wheel]—a part of it finally bursts forth from my grasp.
Kururururung!
I change back into my main body.
A colossal dragon of mist, its head formed of candle flames, rises within the cosmic space of the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain.
I open my jaws wide, and deep within, Ye's form appears. I then begin turning the [Wheel].
In Ye's figure, brought forth through history repetition, takes physical form under the influence of the Wheel.
Simply kneading history as I please is not the end of the Wheel.
The true authority of the [Wheel] is...
After distorting history, embedding a new branch of history within the twisted history!
It is incorporating new possibilities into history!
The heart of Ye of the previous cycle now manifests in this space with the Impermanence Sword.
Using Severing Mountain Swordsmanship's Cedarwood, In Ye's heart is properly embedded within the mist of the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections.
In the next moment—
Jjeoooong!
An arrow created by In Ye pierces straight through a Vestige Liberation Immortal of Radiance Hall who had just descended, bursting them apart.
: : F R O M T H I S M O M E N T F O R T H ... : :
My authority, amplified by the Three Great Ultimates and the [Wheel], covers the entire world.
Golden Shaking Bird falls silent at the sight, while the rambling divine spirit caught in my grasp trembles in sheer terror.
I have made my decision.
I will carve through the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain head-on and boldly make my way to the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain to meet Jeon Myeong-hoon.
: : S H A L L W E B E G I N S U N L I G H T H U NT I N G ? : :
Tukwaaaang!
Shattering the Immortal Body of a second divine spirit in a single blow, I roar towards the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain.