Kugugugugu!
All of Heaven and Earth is black.
But it is not simply black.
Black, yellow, and all of the heavens' natural colors divide Heaven and Earth into three parts as they revolve, and that sight makes Wol Ah feel as if she has entered into an illusory world of the Three Great Ultimates.
'Keok...keheoek...'
Wol Ah cannot even properly breathe.
She once thought she endured the gaze of a Heaven Immortal.
She believed she could, before long, reach even those transcendent beings like True Immortals.
It was a dull delusion.
'What is this...this despair...?'
The pressure of the existence before her, surpassing even the universe, makes Wol Ah unable to let out even a voice.
And what is even more frightening is...
'Even this...is not their true power...!?'
Her deduction and interpretation of the existence before her, arising from her own talent.
It instantly tells her that the existence before her is not their main body.
It is not even an incarnation, nor a clone, nor a projection.
It is literally nothing more than a 'tiny speck' manifesting before her through [some trigger].
She looks at the Sword Mountain before her.
That Sword Mountain takes on a form, yet is not clear.
Even the power it contains cannot be fathomed.
And yet, this is only the power of a mere speck of the Mountain Divine Spirit!
Her body trembles.
'A-Am I going to be killed?'
Nothing else comes to mind.
Only the thought of how despairing this existence before her is floods her mind.
Just then, the existence before her asks again.
: : Do you not...desire power? : :
"Haak...!"
Power!
Only at that single word does she barely come back to her senses.
No, rather than regaining her senses, it might be that she is drawn by the fundamental magic that word carries.
Only by being lured in by that magic does she barely regain her senses.
"I, I don't need it...! Disappear!"
Words spoken half-instinctively.
If the existence before her truly were the projection or incarnation of the Mountain Divine Spirit, she would never have been able to utter such words.
The only reason she can do so now is...
'The being before me is absolutely not real...!'
Her absolute talent, stemming from her very fate, strongly denies the reality of the existence before her.
And along with Wol Ah's denial, she finally exhales a breath of relief while watching the remnant image of the Mountain Divine Spirit gradually fade away.
'It, it's disappearing. As expected, it is an existence that cannot truly affect...'
But just as she is about to feel relief, something sharp brushes against Wol Ah's cheek.
Shiver!
It is a hand.
A hand of glass, from which glass swords jut out!
The hand that bursts forth from the remnant image of the Sword Mountain slightly scratches Wol Ah's cheek, drawing a drop of blood.
As if to read her petty thought and declare, 'I can exert influence whenever I wish'.
Sururuk—
Even as the hand of glass fades, it slides down to her chest and pierces through.
Sssuk—
The hand passes straight through her clothes, her skin, her muscles, her ribs, and reaches her heart.
Thump, thump...
She feels it.
At any moment, just as that hand scratched her cheek, it can scratch her heart and burst it apart.
Because she is at the Heavenly Being stage, wounds like that no longer have meaning to her, but if it is an existence that can crush her heart, then it can do anything else as well.
And as Wol Ah's heartbeat grows maddeningly loud, at last the vision completely vanishes, and only the [voice] flows into her ear as it fades away.
: : When you desire power, call for me...I shall aid you... : :
At last, the vision disappears.
Amid the sound of her pounding heartbeat, Wol Ah prays to the 'God of Light' in whom all the living beings of the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain believe in.
"Amitayus Buddha (無量壽佛)...Amitayus Buddha..."
Murmuring the regnal name of the 'God of Light' that is spread widely among mortals, Wol Ah checks the wound left on her cheek and the single drop of blood.
That drop of blood is instantly swept away by her cold sweat and vanishes, and even the wound is healed by the regeneration of a cultivator at the Heavenly Being stage.
But the shock she just received is not so easily healed.
What she must do is simple.
Because she is a human overflowing with talent, she knows well what she must do.
If something incomprehensible lies before her, she must first gain the [wisdom] to comprehend it.
That is the teaching that all who follow the God of Light, the Amitayus Buddha, must engrave upon themselves.
Wol Ah quickly goes to the Radiance Spirit Sect's Scripture Pavilion.
The Scripture Pavilion's texts, even for her, normally require contribution points to access, but books that are not concerning methods, spells, or formations—such as histories or works of basic knowledge—do not require contribution points.
Wol Ah frantically searches for books containing information on the 'Mountain Divine Spirit.'
Fortunately, or unfortunately, there are many such books to be found.
Though Wol Ah does not know it, in the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain, the beings called 'Mountain Divine Spirits' are nothing less than archenemies, receiving the hatred of all the True Immortals of the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain.
In fact, some groups within Radiance Hall even hold a 'regular hatred session' toward the Mountain Divine Spirits.
Because of this, to make sure that everyone of the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain becomes familiar with the enemies known as the Mountain Divine Spirits, Radiance Hall widely spread knowledge of the Mountain Divine Spirits even in the myths and tales of mortals.
Especially their negative aspects are described in detail.
'Th-This is a Mountain Divine Spirit...?'
Wol Ah trembles as she examines the countless negative legends, myths, and observation records about the Mountain Divine Spirits stored in the Scripture Pavilion.
There are mainly three famous Mountain Divine Spirits, and Wol Ah steadies her pounding breath as she looks at a collection of tales containing illustrations of them.
The first Mountain Divine Spirit is the father of all Mountain Spirits, the thief who stole precious treasures from the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain, and became the friend of the 'God of Darkness,' who governs the Underworld after death.
'The God of Salt Mountain.'
The illustration shows a vast mountain made of countless red salts, and because the background is in darkness, it looks incredibly grotesque.
Fortunately, or unfortunately, it seems that the God of Salt Mountain has already been annihilated by the Gods of Light.
'Good, so not all such savage Mountain Divine Spirits are still alive.'
Turning to the section on the second Mountain Divine Spirit, Wol Ah shudders again.
Though it is not a direct depiction of the true form but merely an illustration passed down, her body trembles.
'Madness...'
The second Mountain Divine Spirit, the God of Great Mountain.
The illustration depicts a horrifying mountain made of blood and corpses...and things so revolting that it is difficult to even look at.
Just seeing the illustration makes her stomach churn, and strangely her eyes begin to ache, so she quickly reads the description of the illustration.
'It is a divine rank that still exists, and it is said to be preparing for war against the God of Light in order to one day destroy the entire world...?'
Wol Ah feels overwhelming dread toward the Mountain Divine Spirit of Great Mountain, and she hastily flips to the next page.
Just seeing it brings terror.
However, when she sees the illustration depicting the third Mountain Divine Spirit, she feels her breath catch.
"This, this is..."
Sword Mountain.
Countless evil spirits and rakshasas are impaled on that Sword Mountain, screaming, and just looking at it makes the nape of one's neck chill, as if sharp sword energies are infused into that mountain.
There is no doubt.
This third Mountain Divine Spirit is the Devil God who came to her.
She slowly reads through the information about the third Mountain Divine Spirit.
—Third Mountain Divine Spirit.
—Sword Mountain.
—A terrifying Devil God who clashed with the Owner of Light many times, and who brought down four divinities equal in rank to the Owner of Light.
—As befitting a savage Mountain Divine Spirit, they are seeking to kill the second Mountain Divine Spirit, Great Mountain. They too are preparing for war against the Owner of Light, while also being close with the God of Death and Lord of Darkness, the Divinity of the Underworld.
—Unlike Great Mountain, who exists alone, countless evil spirits and rakshasas follow them.
Though currently missing, there is the Golden Bird, faster than anything in this world.
The Red Vajra, always filled with rage.
The Blue Ghost King, always shedding tears.
The Giant God of Chaos, who killed their own master, devoured their flesh, and became a god.
The Witch of Destruction, who controls innumerable puppets and spews infinite power.
And the vile opportunistic spirit who once served Great Mountain but betrayed their master and joined Sword Mountain instead.
—This Mountain Divine Spirit not only brought down four divinities equal to the Owner of Light, but also captured and killed a benevolent god, split them into five, and turned them into dharma treasures, which they carried around. These are said to be black chains that each symbolize one of the Five Desires.
—It is said that those who catch their eye are eternally tortured in the wicked glass-coloured flames of hell, as much as the Mountain Divine Spirit desires.
Jiiiiiing—
Even though it is not direct, Wol Ah indirectly receives information about a Governing Immortal, and she feels a nosebleed coming. However, gripped by fear, she cannot put the book down.
The fallen God of Salt Mountain, or the God of Great Mountain who supposedly travels alone while destroying the universe—she feels little toward them.
But the God of Sword Mountain who directly spoke to her, and this collection of myths containing the most terrifying information...
Wol Ah feels as if her mind is going numb from the fear of this fearsome Mountain Divine Spirit of Sword Mountain.
A True Immortal notices when someone mentions or thinks of them.
It is because an attraction force forms between the one who thinks of the True Immortal and the True Immortal themselves.
If it is a famous True Immortal, they often do not care about such attraction force and ignore it, but I am not like that.
'Hmm...'
Though I am indeed famous, my main body remains hidden, so I have no choice but to keep a close watch on those who think of me.
And now, I smile as I see a familiar face among those who have formed an attraction force with me.
'You've walked well into it.'
Wol Ah, who lacks knowledge about True Immortals, is steadily forming an attraction force with me.
At first, it is I who deliberately approached and faintly implanted my essence into her Heart Demon, but afterwards it is Wol Ah who keeps recalling me, and thus the attraction between us is growing stronger.
'This is why it's impossible for mortal beings to resist True Immortals.'
Quite literally, just by recognizing them, an attraction force is formed, and the more one thinks of a True Immortal, the more they grant that True Immortal a foothold to approach.
Not only a single human being, but if I wished, I could dye an entire Middle Realm with thoughts of me, and destroy it utterly without the need of Immortal Arts or any special authority.
Just by connecting attraction force and revealing my presence.
'I have wronged you.'
As I dye Wol Ah, I inwardly apologize to her.
'Truly...I am sorry.'
I am using her.
The gap between True Immortals and mortal beings that I once lamented—now, I am using that very gap to affect her life.
From now on, she will become my arrangement.
No, everything around her, everything that happens in her vicinity...
It will all be dyed by me, and divine providence will be distorted.
Step, step...
Through my clone Seo Gyeong, I arrive at the Radiance Spirit Sect.
The Radiance Spirit Sect is filled with those overflowing with talent.
And that, paradoxically, becomes the reason why the ones brimming with talent constantly compare themselves to each other and fall into inferiority complexes.
Wol Ah falling into inferiority after seeing me is not unusual.
In this place called the Radiance Spirit Sect, such a phenomenon happens so endlessly that even the power of history repetition has settled to some degree.
'If perhaps ten million more years pass, this repetition of inferiority will accumulate enough to become an Immortal Art, and an innate Sacred Vessel like Seo Hweol may be born.'
If such a being is born, that too will be a disaster.
'Therefore...forgive me, but I will use you.'
I apologize to Wol Ah, to the Radiance Spirit Sect, and to everyone in this stellar system.
'Even if I must use you...I will prevent such a tragedy.'
Step, step...
I approach a disciple in one dark valley of the Radiance Spirit Sect, where he is violating sect rules by practicing a forbidden art.
"Uuugh...Wol Ah, Lady Wol Ah. Lady Wol Ah is mine, mine... I cannot let anyone else touch her. Wol Ah, Lady Wol Ah is mine..."
"..."
I frown as I look around.
Though less than Yuan Li, he too has slaughtered countless mortals, using their corpses to produce devilish energy and cultivate devilish arts.
'Disgusting.'
I want to rip out his spirit immediately and bring retribution upon him for what he has done, but...
I glance upward at the sky.
'...Those Heavenly King Heavenly Domain bastards.'
If I use my strength here, they will notice instantly, burn away this clone, and interrogate Esteemed One Baek Geom, who has taken me in as a disciple.
That existence, infused with the soul of Sword Spear, will fall under suspicion.
Not only Ji Hwa, but Baek Geom, whose status was forcibly taken after Sword Spear suddenly possessed them, would see their life fall into ruin.
Even such a bug, in this place, I cannot punish with excessive strength.
Suruk—
With movements imperceptible to anyone, I use Heavenly Escape to momentarily cut off surveillance of the nearby space.
'Killing this bug alone is no difficulty.'
I look at the corpses scattered in the surroundings and decide what to do with him.
'But in this Radiance Spirit Sect, on this planet, there exists history repetition that amplifies the feelings of inferiority of the geniuses that were gathered in one place to foster talent.'
Even if I kill this one, the ring of misfortune will not end.
The ring of suffering that Radiance Hall knows of yet ignores.
'So...I will make good use of trash like you.'
I read this one's fate.
There are many like him in the Radiance Spirit Sect.
Thinking themselves superior, living arrogantly in their hometowns, only to come to the Radiance Spirit Sect and realize they are frogs in a well. Falling into inferiority, they sink into forbidden arts or devilish arts and become devilish cultivators.
Such individuals are nothing but 'supporting characters,' used by Radiance Hall to raise the geniuses they desire.
'If I end such beings now, Radiance Hall will immediately notice that a fate has disappeared. But making them move according to my will within their fixed fate...that, even they will not notice.'
I slightly alter his fate.
Leaving behind the stench of corpses, I begin to reinterpret his fate so that this wretch's life, driven mad by inferiority, seized by inner demons, lusting after Wol Ah who is kind to everyone, and dying miserably, may at least hold some meaning.
"Senior Brother...do you need power?"
His fate is to fall into the Devilish Path and be destroyed.
But instead of falling into lowly Devilry that harms countless lives, would not I, whom Radiance Hall itself designates as an enemy, be a far better Devilry?
Twitch, twitch...
[Kwerruk? Kwerruk?]
I draw out a speck, just a tiny remnant, of a Heart Demon remaining within me, and begin to release it through my hand.
A mere lump of base instinct, not even able to take a form like mine.
Burning in Glass True Fire and weeping blood tears, the Heart Demon that emerges outside sees one tormented by lowly inferiority, and its eyes shine.
The Heart Demon of I, who reached Great Net Immortal, already possesses substance itself, and this pitiful being who beholds the charcoal-lump monster weeping black blood tears stretches a hand out to me.
"P-Power...?"
"Yes, Senior Brother. Power. True power and enlightenment, on a level utterly different from the lowly devilish energy you gain by killing pitiful mortals..."
Were this not the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain, I could even have rewritten his fate anew.
For I now hold that much authority.
But as long as this place lies within the domain of Radiance Hall, all I can do is...
Bend his fate slightly more toward the path of non-killing.
Intoxicated by my presence and by the power I offer, he clasps my hand, and as I bestow power upon him, my eyes gleam.
'In a den of snakes...I too have no choice but to become a snake.'
I too will use whatever means necessary to poison and kill Radiance Hall from within.
I too will become a snake.