Chapter 649: Owner of Wisdom (3)
[...Pardon?]
[...Hoho...It is a joke.]
Though she says it is a joke, I cannot help but tremble at the expression that rises on the face of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld, and at the waves of Triple Divinity surging throughout this entire space.
The Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld is angry.
[...The only one sensitive enough to feel that would be Hyeon Mu. Is it Hyeon Mu who told you?]
[...Yes.]
[I see. Regarding that...I can tell you. However...right now, your vessel is already full.]The Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld, who had been angry for a while, relaxes her expression and calms her mood as she speaks again.
[Because of the story you heard from me just a few days ago, your insides are already in a mess with ancient force and Salt Crystal. If your internal Middle Realm suffers any more intense pressure, you will not be able to endure.]
[Emm...]
Indeed, that is true.
[There are a few ways to resolve this. First, you could abandon your own Immortal Dao and revert your cultivation back to the Vestige Liberation Immortal level.
[Second, you could endure my trial, slowly digest that wisdom, and grow slightly.
[Third, you could obtain an appropriate medium capable of receiving that wisdom.
[Among these, I recommend the first.]
[...Pardon?]
[If you abandon your Immortal Dao and reset your realm to Vestige Liberation Immortal, your pure willpower and vessel would remain, but the unnecessary power of your Immortal Dao would be drained away, allowing you to better accept my wisdom. Would you do so?]
[...What is the Imperial Venerable saying?]
I look up at the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld and speak firmly.
[This is the Immortal Dao I have chosen. No matter if you are the Imperial Venerable, even you cannot command me to abandon the Immortal Dao my master once walked! This Immortal Dao is not some useless Immortal Dao!]
[It is indeed a useless Immortal Dao.]
[...!]
At those words, I nearly lose control and shout in anger at the Underworld, but her cold voice that follows quickly pulls me back to reason.
[At least, within the Immortal Dao seized by the Great Mountain Supreme Deity, you cannot advance any further, so it is entirely worthless. You have already proven that you can reach Heaven-Earth Great Net on your own...so if you choose to change your Immortal Dao, I will personally support you and help you regain the realm of Heaven-Earth Great Net.
[In fact, I happen to have in my possession the Origin Essence of an Immortal Dao that suits you perfectly. Here, look. This is the Origin Essence of Abyss (深淵).]
Kugugugugu!
The left arm of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld.
Something rises above it.
It is a deep darkness.
No, more precisely, it is a [door] leading toward that darkness.
[I hold in my hand the medium leading to the Origin Essence of Abyss. I will give this to you. With this, as you match closest with the power of the Origin Essence of Abyss, you will be able to instantly recover your realm of Heaven-Earth Great Net, and even rise to the position of Heaven-Earth Immortal Lord, that is, Origin Lord (元君).]
[You have tested my heart again and again. Even last time, looking into my heart, I have not forgotten that you said you would grant me an Immortal Seat. However, for this matter, there is no need for any test. Please withdraw the offer.]
[...This time, it is not a test.]
The voice of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld is serious.
[Do you truly believe you can fight and defeat the Great Mountain Supreme Deity at the level of a Great Net Immortal? Do not speak madness. Even if you have grown considerably, you would still lose in pure strength against Bong Myeong, the weakest among the current Supreme Deities, and die with your limbs torn apart.]
[Th-That's...]
[The gap between a Supreme Deity and an Immortal Lord is not simply a difference of a single realm. To put it in terms you can understand, it would be like the difference between the early Integration stage and mid to late Star Shattering stage.]
[...!!]
[Yet here you are, at the early Four-Axis stage, talking about defeating the Great Mountain Supreme Deity, who stands at the Grand Perfection Star Shattering stage, no—if the Splitting Heaven Mantra is completed, who stands at the Entering Nirvana stage—and taking Their seat. It is sheer insanity.]
The gaze of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld sinks into solemn seriousness.
[As the close friend of your master, I offer this advice to you, who is my friend's disciple, with sincerity. Even if you fully complete your Great Net Immortal cultivation and reach its very peak...in terms of the Middle Boundary comparison, that would only be the level of the Grand Perfection Four-Axis stage. Of course, considering your overall strength that exceeds your realm, you would be placed somewhere between late and Grand Perfection Integration stage.
[But even so, Gwak Am can be said to be at the Sacred Vessel or Entering Nirvana level. Do you have confidence to kill an Entering Nirvana True Person as a Grand Perfection Integration stage?]
[...If I were to reach the Ultimate of Martial Arts...the end of Manifestation that Hyeon Mu and Kim Young-hoon achieved...would there not be hope?]
At my words, the eyes of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld shift even further into disappointment.
[In the long history of the Sumeru Three Heavens Great Thousand World...since the moment I first opened my eyes and rose to this position, living until now, I have seen only two who reached the seventh realm. Only the Northern Heavenly Venerable Hyeon Mu and that fellow Kim Young-hoon.]
[The Imperial Venerable...knows of my ability. If I pour in the time...if I put in the effort...]
[My friend Salt Sea lived through a span of time far beyond your imagination.]
At the words that follow from the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld, I cannot help but be shocked.
[But even that Salt Sea...only achieved the conditions to Divine Descent the power of the domain of purity through mantras and enlightenment. In pure martial prowess, he never surpassed that of Hyeon Mu. Kim Young-hoon as well only broke through for but a single moment by imposing an impossible restriction upon himself. In overall skill, he fell short of Hyeon Mu.]
The fierce gaze of the Underworld pierces into me.
[I feel pity for Hyeon Mu, and she certainly falls behind me in terms of weight class...but in terms of the enlightenment of Martial Arts Hyeon Mu attained, even I dare not evaluate. In the long history of Mount Sumeru, only two have taken seven steps.
[The ultimate of Martial Arts is not something that can be reached just by pouring in time, nor by mere effort, nor even by putting your entire soul into it. That is Martial Pinnacle (武極).]
[...]
[If the seventh realm were something one could reach just by pouring in time, why have none of the mighty ones of Dragon Flower, who have long since gained Triple Divinity, succeeded to attain that realm?
[The utmost limit you can reach is no more than attaining complete Triple Divinity.]
[...How can you be so certain?]
[It is not certainty, but statistics.]
At those cold words, I lower my head.
[If you fully obtain Triple Divinity, you will surely become stronger. Reaching the peak of Great Net Immortal and with the complete Triple Divinity, you might even hold your own in a one-on-one against Bong Myeong or the Radiance Eight Immortals. You could even tear apart a prime Golden Divine in a single breath.
[But that is all. The name Supreme Deity is not something that beings of such rank can even dare to discuss.]
[...]
[The reason each of the Radiance Eight Immortals stands at the level of Supreme Deity is simply because the Seat of Radiance they carry upon their backs is beyond comprehension. Yet the Immortal Dao of the Mountain that you walk, though powerful, is nothing more than that.
[It is no different from ordinary Seats. And yet, you, who have not even gained such a Seat of the Mountain, dare claim you will defeat a Supreme Deity of the same path while only at the level of a Great Net Immortal?]
Kugugugugung!
Shiver!
I feel my heart shrink tightly, and I cough up a mouthful of blood.
[Abandon such arrogant thoughts! Even with Heaven-Earth Great Net, Triple Divinity, Three Great Ultimates, and the Wheel—even if you were to call upon the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity with the Flawless Mantra—you would still be torn to shreds and killed after just three strikes from the Great Mountain Supreme Deity. You are looking down on Gwak Am.]
The Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld rebukes me sternly, showing me harsh reality.
[The Great Mountain Supreme Deity who consumes the Corpse Mountain Blood Sea is a being with the possibility to kill Heavenly Venerables even if they were to drag their Gandharas into Mount Sumeru. They are stronger than my projection. None of the Governing Immortals, including the current Radiance Eight Immortals, have managed to analyze the true nature of the Corpse Mountain Blood Sea, so a proper judgement cannot be made...but that Corpse Mountain Blood Sea is not some mere sacrificial offering.]
[...!]
At those words, my mind goes blank, and I realize just how arrogantly I had accepted the Great Mountain's challenge.
[If the Splitting Heaven Mantra is completed, even the mere precursor phenomena would destroy Mount Sumeru. If the true purpose of the Great Mountain Supreme Deity was not challenging the Audience Chamber but dominating the world, They are a being who could eradicate everything of Mount Sumeru except for myself and take over the position of Radiance Hall.
[If the Splitting Heaven Mantra is completed, even if I bring my Gandhara with me, I cannot guarantee victory. Yet you dare so arrogantly talk of defeating the Great Mountain Supreme Deity at the mere level of Heaven-Earth Great Net?]
At the rebuke of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld, I cannot say a single word.
However...
[The Great Mountain Supreme Deity is not a being you are meant to defeat. Their method may be extreme, but rather, we must cooperate with Them. You, and all the Enders including yourself, must grow to the level of Heavenly King. I, all the Governing Immortals, you, and the Great Mountain Supreme Deity must join forces together to challenge the Audience Chamber.]
As the words of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld continue, I grit my teeth.
[Only that is the path with hope.]
And then, I rise from my seat.
[O Great Imperial Venerable.]
I endure the presence of the Underworld and open my mouth.
[For the realistic, bitter piece of advice, I thank you.]
I express my gratitude to the Underworld, and at the same time, I look up at her.
[However, though it may be presumptuous, I still cannot accept that proposal.]
[Then show me the possibility that you can defeat the Great Mountain Supreme Deity before my eyes. If you do not show me a way to overcome reality, you will have to accept my counsel.]
[Because!!]
The Underworld's counsel is certainly realistic.
However...
Even so, I cannot accept it.
[Before my master's spirit...that is the oath I made together with Gwak Am!]
[...]
[The lingering thought of Yang Su-jin once told me. That among the Governing Immortals, there is only one who can be trusted. Though it may be presumptuous, I dare say that I cannot even trust the Imperial Venerable. However...to such a me, there is one Governing Immortal whom I alone can truly trust.]
The Underworld looks down at me indifferently.
[The Salt Sea Supreme Deity. My master is precisely that person I can trust. I do not know who Yang Su-jin referred to among the Governing Immortals. However, the one person I myself have chosen to trust, the only one I believe in, is my master. Therefore...I cannot dare to break the oath I made before that person's spirit.]
That is not all.
The oath I swore before the Wuji Religious Order, I still cannot forget it even now.
[This alone... This oath that I will fight and defeat Gwak Am, my Senior Brother and sworn mortal enemy, under Their Immortal Dao—this much, I cannot yield even to the Imperial Venerable!]
I declare my will confidently before the Underworld.
Then, the Underworld lets out a sigh.
[Each and every disciple of Salt Sea have fine aspirations, but they always chase after ideals alone like him. On top of that, their stubbornness is all at an abnormal level...]
[...]
[But my words are not wrong either. You must show me a possibility. Present a realistic alternative before my eyes.]
[What alternative do you desire!?]
[This place is the deepest depths of the Underworld, the deep recess of my Gandhara. Here, I can exert the full power of my true self. If you withstand my earnest single strike, drawn from the power of my Gandhara, I will respect your way and will not pressure you further to switch to another Immortal Dao.]
At those words, I hesitate for a moment.
I still remember the power of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld's projection that shattered the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain with a single strike.
'Can I endure it?'
But the hesitation does not last long.
[I will endure it!]
No matter if it is the Underworld, this oath I swore before my master's spirit...
I will never.
Ever break it.
'I will not give up.'
Even if I die in the evening...
I will keep the oath I remembered in the morning.
'Because that is the Dao I uphold in this world!'
Seeing my will, a gentle smile rises at the corner of the Underworld's lips.
[Good. Take your stance.]
'This may be...the last moment of this life.'
I steel my resolve and draw the Impermanence Sword.
Behind me, the Wheel and the Pure-White Three Great Ultimates, and all my powers begin to rise.
'I will endure it no matter what!'
[Then receive it.]
'Immortal Cultivation is...'
With that, the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld raises one arm.
[Repentant enlightenment!]
And in the next moment—
*
'...Ah...'
I realize that I am dead.
All my prophecies, my revisions, and every power within my body have ground to dust and vanished.
I did not even perceive the attack.
'Damn it...'
This is the difference between myself and the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld.
Eternal annihilation comes from a single strike that I cannot even perceive.
'However...'
Even so, I feel no regret.
Because through this, I have come to understand the true nature of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld.
The Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld is not particularly a being who pursues goodness.
Rather, if it means being freed from the Owner of Fate, she is a being who will not hesitate to use any means necessary.
As an ancient existence, she may pity mortal beings and possess a heart of great compassion, but that is all.
'From my next life onward, should I seek out someone else instead of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld...and cultivate alone?'
She is clearly a being who walks a different path than I do.
Therefore, though I acknowledge her path, I decide not to walk it together with her.
Instead, I reaffirm my oath even more firmly—to tread my own Immortal Dao, and to defeat Gwak Am under Their Immortal Dao.
Kigigigik!
My mind pulls away from the world as the world itself tries to reverse.
'No matter what...thank you for the teaching, O Imperial Venerable.'
Whenever it may be, dying by taking the Imperial Venerable's earnest strike will surely become a help to me!
I offer my gratitude to the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld within my heart, and I head toward my next life.
This is my 1006th return...
: : The reversal of time is forbidden. : :
Clang!
[...Huh?]
When I come to my senses, I realize that I have returned to the very moment when I just drew the Impermanence Sword, the Wheel, and the Three Great Ultimates.
[...Uhhh?]
Before my eyes, the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld is drawing forth the power of her Gandhara, looking down at me.
: : I, the Heavenly Venerable of History, act in the name of Bong Hwa. : :
In the next moment, I look up at the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld in genuine confusion.
: : The death of Seo Eun-hyun is hereby forbidden under my workings. : :
: : The authority of the End (終命) is hereby forbidden under my workings. : :
: : All forms of miracles that violate history are hereby forbidden under my workings. : :
The domain of purity.
Even my regression, which lies deeper than the single strike of Hyeon Mu, is now forbidden under the workings of the Underworld.
: : You shall not meet your next life. I do not permit it. : :
[...]
: : I will not allow the foolish act of chasing only distant ideals while ignoring reality. For that is precisely why Salt Sea died, and Gwak Am fell into corruption. : : :
Why is it...
I read not just pressure, but also regret in the eyes of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld.
: : Until you give up on your own, I will respect your decision. But here and now, show me the possibility. Until then, you will never be able to escape into the utopia you foolishly dream of with that tiny head of yours. : :
It is only then that I dare to realize.
The being before my eyes is, aside from the Future King, the strongest of the Sumeru Three Heavens Great Thousand World.
Even regression cannot dare to activate unless this being permits it.
'Ahhh...'
: : Unless I allow it, you are undying. Therefore, endure it. Show me the possibility. Create a miracle! If you continue to spout foolish dreams without even managing to do that, then for the memory of Salt Sea, I will not forgive you! : :
The power of Gandhara begins to gather again above the hand of the Underworld.
A distant and vast despair.
Feeling this, I once again face death before the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld.
Regression tries to activate, but it is canceled again, and I am revived.
I can tell.
This is a moment far more distant and despairing than the situation when Hyeon Mu threatened me, or when I was caught by Yeong Seung, or when the regression point shifted to before Blood Yin.
Because time will never reverse unless the Underworld allows it.
But why is it?
A smile is forming on my lips.
Perhaps...
I am simply grateful that I have been given a chance.
'Even in my very first life...what I truly wished for was just a chance.'
Yes.
What I want is...
Perhaps my greatest desire is simply an opportunity.
Even if it is only once, to receive just one more chance.
That is my greatest desire.
Therefore...
Even in the face of absolute despair, I may be smiling just because I have been given that chance.
And so, with a smile full of madness, I continue to die again and again beneath the single strike of the Underworld.
Once.
Just once is enough.
I will, without fail, endure the single strike of the Underworld and be acknowledged!
Within the ordeal that brings countless experiences of death, as I feel the wisdom the Underworld instills into me begin to take root...
I begin to endlessly repeat this eternal moment of death.