Chapter 605: Crumbling Cage (1)
Kwadududuk!
With a strange sound, the fragment world becomes completely engulfed by Kim Yeon's will.
At the same time, countless mechanical devices attached to the fragment world fully melt into the world itself.
Wo-woong!
Kim Yeon's gaze can be felt from all directions.
It is the same feeling as when entering another True Immortal's body.
'No, it's even more than that.'
Her control over the space is far more overwhelming than that of ordinary True Immortals.'At this level...isn't it closer to the world control of an Immortal Lord!?'
No...
It seems to surpass even a Great Net Immortal.
At this level, within this world alone, Kim Yeon could very well be called a god.
As soon as the True Immortals realize Kim Yeon has taken control of the world, they cheer with jubilant cries and create a small stellar system within the temporarily formed space.
Then, they adjust the temperature and environment of one of the orbiting planets to form a foundation where life can sprout.
Before long, life is born, and spirits settle into their bodies.
'That is...'
The souls of other beings from Liberation Peach Garden Village.
"Although this fragment world has been temporarily separated from Liberation Peach Garden Village by the power of the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity...it is still ultimately a world within Liberation Peach Garden Village. And because the inside of Liberation Peach Garden Village is not properly connected to the Western Heaven Flower Field...if we want to create life and implant spirits into them, we have no choice but to draw in the spirits of Liberation Peach Garden Village."
Maek Jin, pulling spirits from outside the fragment world in Liberation Peach Garden Village to reincarnate them here, continues explaining.
"Anyway, Kim Yeon has taken control of this place and altered the rules of the world. Now, the seeds of civilization's evolution have been sown. We just need to birth life and watch them grow. You should also help bring life into existence."
"...Alright. I will."
From that day forward, the members of the Flying Immortal Alliance and I settle on various planets within the fragment world's stellar system, laying the groundwork for life to emerge.
"I shall create the sea."
"I will make oil spring forth from underground."
"I will establish the atmospheric environment."
"I'll be the one to bring down lightning."
We each settle into different domains of the planet and begin harmonizing the world.
"What will you do?"
"I...hmm..."
After thinking for a moment, I respond.
"I will make the sea salty."
I decide to create salt and add a salty taste to the ocean.
Since continuously using the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra accumulates salt in the surroundings, it is also perfect for my cultivation.
From that day on, I take my place in the middle of this planet's sea and start scattering salt through the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra.
Kiiiiing!
The Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections compresses into a single point and then expands again.
With each repetition of this process, salt forms in the surroundings and spreads into the sea, making it saltier, while streaks of light gradually begin to be created.
Unlike me, the other True Immortals do not stop after creating the environment.
They breathe wisdom into the living beings, guide them, and at times, even torment them.
Thus, the living beings gradually develop intelligence to the level we recognize and begin forming communities.
"Hey, Crystal Glass Being. Are you not going to guide the Human Race?"
In this current world, Jeon Myeong-hoon has created humanity.
He guides them, is worshipped as their god, and teaches them cultivation methods.
"Shouldn't you be guiding your race to lay the foundation for civilization's progress as soon as possible?"
"...Don't worry."
I respond to the True Immortal who comes to scold me.
"I am doing something as well. Just wait a little. My results tend to appear more slowly..."
"Hmm...well, alright. But don't just sit around making salt all day."
The True Immortal nods and returns to guide their race and advance their civilization.
However, I do not particularly pay attention to the True Immortal's words.
'From the moment light was infused into the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections...I felt Kim Yeon's will and knew what I had to do.'
My cultivation with the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra through the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections is also a foundation that will help the progress of civilization in the future.
I continue creating strands of light as I cultivate with the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra and the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections.
As a result, I begin to see things within the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections that I had never seen before.
'The light...'
Light dwells within the characters inside the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections.
Swaaaaaa—
I gaze upon the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections.
Amidst the endlessly unfolding mist, countless figures from my memories stand.
Near their hearts, the small clusters of light that I have birthed are embedded inside.
'Ah...'
As I witness this, I feel as if 'souls are dwelling' within the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections.
The figures within the canvas seem to grow more vibrant and lively as the light takes root within them.
Pasasa—
As I reach out my hand towards the Cheongmun Ryeong within the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections, he crumbles into mist.
However...
I widen my eyes at the sight.
'He crumbled...'
Previously, whenever I touched the figures in the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections, my hand would simply 'pass' through.
Just like my Formless Sword.
Since they exist in the past, it is only natural that I, existing in the present, could not touch them.
The collapsed illusion of Cheongmun Ryeong regathers itself.
I tremble as I watch.
'Perhaps...'
What if I fill all of their bodies, this Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections that I have created, with this light that belongs solely to me?
Before, I passed through them, but now, they crumble.
A definite 'effect' has arisen.
'Perhaps if I completely fill the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections with light...'
Would I be able to perfectly recreate the single moment that exists in the past?
'Perhaps I will be able to relive that moment...perfectly...'
That thought takes root in me.
At that realization, I cultivate the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra with even greater resolve.
Gradually, the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections fills with more and more light, and time continues to flow quickly like a rushing river.
Ten thousand years.
Countless cultivation sects are born into the world, and under the decree of the True Immortals, they endlessly compete and strive for evolution.
Twenty thousand years.
The competition among the cultivation sects intensifies.
The cultivation sects established by each race fiercely compete under the orders of the True Immortals.
Thirty thousand years.
The True Immortals seem to be growing anxious.
Even amidst the madness of this frenzied competition...
There are no signs of a new civilization emerging.
Forty thousand years...
More and more True Immortals begin to seek me out.
Because I, who has been evaluated as possessing exceptional talent, enough to wield Immortal Arts within Liberation Peach Garden Village alongside Kim Yeon...
Still have not done anything for civilization.
However, I simply repeat the same words of 'You will understand later' to the True Immortals who come to me and send them away.
And then, a hundred thousand years have passed,
The Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections, which accumulates an additional ten percent of light with every explosion, has already become filled with brilliant light before I realized it.
'It was faster than I expected.'
Creating a mass of light equivalent to ten fixed stars was, honestly, quite easy.
But I do not stop there.
Even after forming ten stars' worth of light, I continue to create more.
As a result...
I finally manage to imbue every figure within the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections with a single fixed star's worth of light within their chest.
Sururuk...
I reach out and touch the being before me.
It is the appearance of In Ye from my past life.
I place my hand on Ye's shoulder and gaze at the countless figures standing behind him.
Now, inside the chests of the figures within the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections that have reached an immeasurable number,
I have instilled light on the level of a fixed star in all of them.
As a result...
All the beings within my Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections have gained 'substance'.
Of course, to others besides me, they still appear as mere mist mixed with rays of light.
But the 'light' within their chests remains visible to others, making my Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections resemble a hazy nebula.
And...
On the day marking the hundred-thousandth year since coming to Liberation Peach Garden Village...
Jeon Myeong-hoon flies to my side.
"Seo Eun-hyun. I have reached Great Net Immortal."
"Congratulations."
"...I heard that you are cultivating the Radiance Ten Heavens to become a Heaven Upper Immortal. But why in the world have you still not become one?"
"..."
"Hurry up and raise your realm. You have to quickly raise your realm so we can raise our chances of leaving this place. And from what I can tell, you already possess enough light to complete the cultivation of the Radiance Ten Heavens..."
"..."
I let out a bitter smile.
For one hundred thousand years, I have clung to the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections, cultivating the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra.
And as a result, I have come to understand.
"...I'm sorry, Jeon Myeong-hoon..."
I simply cannot...
Offer up the light that has settled within my Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections to Mount Sumeru, to the Radiance Supreme Deity.
Because this light...
Is breathing life into the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections.
"I trust you, Seo Eun-hyun. But...isn't this taking too long?"
He speaks as he glares at me.
"A hundred thousand years! Why have you been clinging to that alone for so long? At least give me an explanation, Seo Eun-hyun!"
"...I'm sorry. But...trust me."
I look up at Jeon Myeong-hoon and say,
"I am not simply wasting time. Just give me a few ten thousands of years...and I will be able to show the results."
"A few ten thousands of years...?"
"Yes, just a few ten thousands of years more...!"
"..."
At my words, he lets out what seems to be a sigh, then turns around and flies away.
"...Do as you please. Hong Fan has recently challenged the Sacred Vessel advancement. He seems to be cultivating as the Sacred Master of this stellar system... Hong Fan, as well as your subordinates Ham Jin and Yu Hwi, have all already reached the Sacred Vessel stage. They are all growing quickly...so I hope you will too."
With a voice tinged with slight dissatisfaction, he offers his advice before vanishing into lightning.
I understand why he is acting this way.
'He's getting anxious.'
For me, a hundred thousand years is no more than a few months in concept.
But for Jeon Myeong-hoon, a hundred thousand years likely feels like several decades.
'During all that time...there have been no signs of a new civilization emerging, and you must have thought I am pathetically rummaging through the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections... Isn't that right, Jeon Myeong-hoon?'
But he's wrong.
As I watch my Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections become enveloped in light, I smile fainty.
"That's not entirely true. Watch...I will definitely show how I excellently support Kim Yeon's plan...!"
The time is drawing near.
The power of the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections has almost reached its singularity.
So...I will show you.
Having reached Severing Heaven, exchanged a bout with Hyeon Mu, and grasped a portion of Triple Divinity...
My vision has expanded to unlike before, reaching a breadth and depth that surpasses imagination.
'To the point I even partially broke through the speech restriction placed upon Kim Yeon...and can discern some of her intentions...!'
Maek Jin once said this.
Those who wield light, like the Envoys of the Final Age of Dharma and their candidates, possess very sensitive senses, capable of communicating even with beings like Kim Yeon who cannot communicate.
Paaaaatt!
The more I create my own [light], the more I feel it.
The will of Kim Yeon, which blankets this entire world, can be felt faintly through the light.
With the senses gained from Triple Divinity intertwined with the [light] I have created, I gradually became able to read a portion of her will.
'I see it.'
I catch a glimpse of what she wants to create.
'I can see...what Kim Yeon wants to create as the proof of civilization...!'
At present, through the efforts of numerous True Immortals, various races have been born into this world, forming civilizations and living their lives.
With the prophecies and revisions of each True Immortal, they are aiding these numerous races to reach new heights of civilizations.
Countless True Immortals tirelessly race about, dedicating themselves to fostering these races.
Only I have sat still for a hundred thousand years, merely making salt.
I have practically accomplished nothing.
Jeon Myeong-hoon knows this as well, which is why he came to reprimand me with bitter words.
'But I was not doing nothing.'
I was merely...
Waiting for the right time.
'No one can survive without light and salt.'
For living beings, light and salt are the essence of life itself.
And I...have simply been waiting and waiting for the day when every living being in this world consumes the salt I have created, engraving the power of my salt into their very bloodlines.
'The time has come.'
Wiiiiiiiiing!
The Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections, infused with light and given substance, is now power and an Immortal Art with substance in itself.
"...I command my history."
Gazing at the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections unfolding around me, I issue my decree.
Following my will, the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections begins to spread across the entire world.
Hwiwoooooooo!
'Originally, this was something I started merely for the sake of my Heaven Upper Immortal cultivation, but...'
I realize that I will have to reach Heaven Upper Immortal in a way different from what I had originally planned.
'Simply offering up light is something I cannot allow.'
This is light that breathes life into my Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections.
I cannot simply hand over even a single ray of it to Mount Sumeru.
Therefore...
I decide to embrace this light and carry it forward.
"O Filling the Heavens Governing View, cover my history."
Woo-woooong!
The Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections that spreads from me embeds itself into the entire world before merging with it.
True Immortals from all over contact me.
—Have you finally decided to act, Crystal Glass Being?
—Your butt sure is heavy.
—In any case, welcome. Let us evolve civilization together.
Filling the Heavens Governing View is an Immortal Art based on the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections.
Therefore, now that the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections has been strengthened to its peak,
Filling the Heavens Governing View has also reached its pinnacle.
At this very moment, as Filling the Heavens Governing View settles into this world...
True Immortals from all around scream at me in frenzy.
: : Crystal Glass Being!!!! : :
: : You lunatic bastard!!! What are you doing!!?? : :
: : S E O E U N - H Y U N!!! : :
Yet even as I listen to their cries, I calmly half-open my eyes.
"...From today onwards, no one will be able to Cultivate Immortality (修仙)."
I feel Hong Fan, who has become the sun as the Sacred Master of this stellar system, looking down upon me.
"In this world, cultivators will also cease to exist."
From now on, all attempts at Immortal Cultivation in this world will fail.
Because I will make it so.
Because...
"You are all mistaken."
: : Whaaaaat!!?? : :
"Civilization does not evolve through someone's interference."
I glance up at the sky and smile faintly at the True Immortals who are appalled.
"A world without cultivators. A world without the intervention of Immortals... That is the kind of world where civilization can truly progress."
In this moment, as I oppose Bong Myeong and resolve to break free from Them—
I ironically come to understand Them.
The reason why Liberation Peach Garden Village forbade transcendent power beyond the Four-Axis stage.
The reason why we, who were once True Immortals, were reduced to the level of spirits.
It was all because only in a world without transcendent power can true evolution take place.
'This is what you wanted too, right, Kim Yeon...?'
But perhaps because Bong Myeong had never experienced a world completely devoid of transcendent power,
Their approach was somewhat lacking.
"From this moment on,"
I look calmly at the wrathful True Immortals and speak.
"I will recreate Earth in this world."
Not a single speck of light that I have created will be given to Mount Sumeru.
Instead, I will nurture this light.
This light will become bright, and even brighter...
Until it becomes a light so brilliant that even without offering it to Mount Sumeru or the Radiance Supreme Deity, it will illuminate them on its own.
If I can grow this light to such an extent, then naturally, I will have given grace to Mount Sumeru.
And naturally, I will become a Heaven Upper Immortal.
"Believe in me. I am undoubtedly right."
Because from now on, I will make it so.
From that day onward, I completely block the Immortal Cultivation system, earning myself a reputation as a madman who obstructs evolution in the eyes of the True Immortals...
And thus begins the all-out offensive from countless True Immortals against me.