"Hmm...this place is..."
When I regain my senses, what I see is a stone cave, and in front of it, Wol Ryeong is fighting a Half-Human, Half-Spider Race.
The two draw a circle about three zhang wide, and inside that circle they duel, but it looks like Wol Ryeong is being utterly overpowered.
'Damn it, I briefly shut down my consciousness in the clone and came back, and this is what I get.'
Leaving behind an arrangement is an act that is exhausting beyond imagination.
In real time, I must align the flows of fate numbering in the tens of thousands, hundreds of millions, trillions, along with the measures of misfortune and fortune, and within it I must secretly intervene in such a subtle way that no one can notice, weaving fate together.
Because of that, ever since entering Seo Gyeong's body, I periodically retrieve my consciousness back into the main body and use it to govern the causality of the world.
'As long as I succeed, the arrangement I leave behind will be so powerful that this suffering won't even matter.'
But for now, it still feels like a distant effort.
On top of that, at times, variables like this also occur.
'This place...is it the Heart Tribe territory? That is...Yu Hwa!? No, no. That is...a descendant of Yu Hwa.'
As I watch Wol Ryeong fighting the Half-Human Half-Spider Race woman who appears to be Yu Hwa's descendant, I narrow my eyes.
'Hyeon Mu...did that one leave a trace in my arrangement?'
If that is the case, even if I leave behind an arrangement, Hyeon Mu may one day be able to interfere with it to some extent.
I can cleanse it, but to do so would require an unimaginable amount of time and effort.
'And with only 110,000 years remaining, when it is already uncertain if I can leave behind an arrangement within that time, I can't afford to waste it on erasing Hyeon Mu's trace.'
Though Hyeon Mu's intentions are bothersome, I decide to let it go.
'Anyway, the Heart Tribe, huh...'
I watch the techniques of the Half-Human, Have-Spider Race Heart Warrior pushing Wol Ryeong back.
"First Quarter, Flowing Sunset."
Dwoong, doong—
The strings of the zither bounce, creating a beautiful melody.
Wol Ryeong fails to withstand the power of the Half-Human, Half-Spider Race Yu Jin who announces the name of the technique openly and presses her.
'What in the world is this?'
It is neither a demon beast method nor Heaven Tribe methods.
'But...it is close. Like...clothing made just for me.'
Surprisingly, even with her talent, she cannot analyze the power of that strange method system.
But her essence tells her clearly that her talent and that method system are strikingly close.
'Above all...'
Kaang, kang, kaaang!
Excitement gleams in Wol Ryeong's eyes.
'It's fun!'
Ever since the appearance of that ponytail girl, holding a sword has become impossible.
Every time she grips a sword, the terrifying memories of defeat at that girl's hands resurface, making it impossible for her to hold a sword again.
That is why, instead of a sword, she holds a halberd (戟). As Wol Ryeong wields it, sweating as she faces Yu Jin, she finds pleasure in the principles of weapon use.
"First Quarter, Dusk Waterfall."
A waterfall of darkness pours onto her, amplifying her drowsiness to an extreme.
Wol Ryeong trembles, sinking into the desire to collapse and sleep soundly right there, but it is only for a moment.
Shukak!
Wol Ryeong perceives the Plane of Soul, and beyond that plane.
From within the Void inside, she cuts through Yu Jin's 'grains'.
And for how long does she continue to do so?
"First Quarter, secret art. Yu Hwa (油畵/Oil Painting)."
The sound waves of Yu Jin's zither crash over her, and for an instant, Wol Ryeong feels as though the whole world is engulfed in an oil painting, the boundaries of reality blurring.
Then, at some moment—
"Heok!"
Wol Ryeong opens her eyes to Seo Gyeong's hand shaking her shoulder.
"Th-This place is..."
"Ryeong-ah, you lost. While you were asleep from being struck by Daoist Yu Jin's secret art, your citizenship in the Heart Tribe territory got registered too."
"..."
She looks around.
She is above a large bed.
Mu Geom and Bi Hwa are at the side, glancing about nervously, while Seo Gyeong is handing her a small wooden badge in the shape of a podao.
Wol Ryeong accepts the tablet and checks it.
'This is...'
The badge is infused with her own energy.
It seems Yu Jin made the energy she collected during their fight infuse into it.
'Quite the skill.'
"...Where is this, Gyeong-ah?"
"This is Daoist Yu's house. To explain first..."
Just as Seo Gyeong is about to explain, the door of the bedroom she is lying in opens, and Yu Jin enters.
"Have you come to your senses, Daoist Wol? I apologize for suddenly requesting a duel as a greeting. However, in the Heart Tribe territory, such things are part of daily life, so I wanted to let you know in advance so you wouldn't be too shocked. By the way, during the duel, you never once used Blooming (開花). Was it something you wished to keep secret?"
"Blooming...?"
"It refers to blooming the paper flower. It means obtaining one's own Heart Dao. In the past, it was called Last Quarter First Stage, Fighting Spirit First Stage, Fighting Dance First Step, Entering Heavens, One Wheel, Red Lotus, and many different names. I do not know by what name Daoist Wol has called it, but here in the Heart Tribe territory, it is unified under the term Heart Dao Blooming (心道開花)."
Yu Jin kindly explains about what 'Heart Dao Blooming' is.
"Heart Dao Blooming is divided into early, middle, and late stages, and within each there are many realms. The early stage, the introductory stage of Heart Dao Blooming, is simply the stage of learning internal methods and diligently practicing the martial arts one wishes to master.
"The middle stage is the stage of entering into Heart Dao Blooming, and in truth this is the most well-known part of the system.
"When you bloom a single paper flower containing your life compressed within your chest, that is the realm of Blooming."
At her explanation, Wol Ryeong, though flustered, commits the information about those realms to memory.
The realms of the middle stage of Heart Dao Blooming are as follows:
Blooming (開花), blooming a single paper flower in the spirit, corresponding to the Core Formation stage in the Immortal Cultivation system.
Life Flower (生華), blooming at least three to as many as nine paper flowers, achieving the foundation of the Three Power, corresponding to the Nascent Soul stage.
Flower Bed (華壇), blooming at least ten to as many as fifty flowers, corresponding to the Heavenly Being stage.
Flower Garden (華園), blooming at least one hundred to as many as one thousand flowers, corresponding to the Four-Axis stage.
Flower Mountain (華山), blooming countless paper flowers to cover at least one mountain, corresponding to the Integration stage.
Flower Sea (華海), blooming enough paper flowers to fill an entire continent, creating a sea of flowers, corresponding to the Star Shattering stage.
Seven Brilliances (七華), gathering the paper flowers into a single 'star,' corresponding to the Sacred Vessel stage to True Immortality.
In total, these seven realms make up the middle stage of Heart Dao Blooming, the part that can be called the flower of the Heart Dao Blooming system.
"As for the late stage, I only know that those who reach it are called Flower Immortal (華仙) and Brilliance King (華王). Beyond that, I do not know."
"Brilliance King...? Heart Dao Blooming...?"
All of this is a system and realms Wol Ryeong has never once heard of until now.
She has heard of Heaven Immortals, she has heard of Earth Immortals, but the name 'Flower Immortal' is something she is hearing for the first time.
And on top of that, what in the world is a Brilliance King?
'There might have been something similar in the Buddhist Family Methods system...but I only glanced at that side, so I don't know.'
However, one thing is certain.
Thump, thump...
'It looks...fun.'
She trembles at the pounding in her chest she feels for the first time in her life.
"Of course, in this way the 'common stage names' are set...but from the beginning, the Heart Tribe has an extremely strong individualistic tendency, so most of them create their own stage names. For example, even in our Yu Clan, the stage names of 'First Quarter' and 'Last Quarter' that our 9th generation grandmother created still remain."
"Ninth-generation grandmother...?"
At those words, Seo Gyeong looks puzzled, and Yu Jin smiles faintly as she speaks.
"She is someone you could call the progenitor of our family. There is a grave and portrait in the backyard, would you like to see it?"
Perhaps her knowledge about the longevity of Heaven Tribe cultivators is shallow, as Yu Jin treats Seo Gyeong like a child and points kindly to the backyard, and Seo Gyeong, as if curious about something, asks Yu Jin.
"...I wonder, may I ask what kind of life the ninth-generation grandmother lived?"
"Oh my, it would be an honor. Then let us do so. Daoist Wol, get up. Let's hear about it while taking a walk in the backyard."
And so, Wol Ryeong listens to Yu Jin's explanation about the Yu Clan's ninth-generation grandmother, Yu Hwa, as they tour the backyard of Yu Jin's home.
Seo Gyeong stands before Yu Hwa's grave, sweeps the grass growing on it, and Yu Jin speaks of Yu Hwa's accomplishments.
"Hundreds of thousands of years ago, in the ancient era...surprisingly, it is said that the system of Heart Dao Blooming was not yet established at that time. Because of this, there were countless people who did not even know properly about 'martial arts,' and at that time there were very many who could not even practice the early stage of Heart Dao Blooming, let alone the middle stage. Of course, that did not mean they could cultivate Heavenly Path methods, nor, with their weak bodies, could they cultivate Earth Path methods either."
"...I see. Mortal Race (凡族), huh."
Wol Ryeong mutters quietly.
She, too, once learned this when she was in the cultivator clan.
If humans who cannot cultivate are called mortals (凡人), then all races unable to practice the Immortal Cultivation system are collectively called the Mortal Race.
"...In those days, rather than such a refined term, they were called 'slave races'. From the beginning, to the cultivators of the Heaven-Earth Tribes, races that could not cultivate the Heaven-Earth Tribe methods were not considered equals, but literally 'livestock' or 'slaves'."
"...Blatant, indeed."
"A disgraceful history. In any case...the one who took those enslaved slave races away from under the Heaven and Earth Tribes and migrated them into the Heart Tribe territory was our ninth-generation grandmother Yu Hwa. As the Special Operative Liberation Envoy of the Heart Tribe, she truly...saved countless races and taught many disciples... She also kidnapped many men, devoured them, and laid many eggs."
Seeming delighted to talk about her ancestor, Yu Jin even brings out genealogies and biographies from her house, puts on glasses (靉靆), and continues her explanation with fervor.
Through the story of Yu Hwa, Wol Ryeong learns information about the beings of the Heart Tribe and their history, and she also comes to know of the new cultivation system called [Heart Dao Blooming].
Seo Gyeong, perhaps simply fascinated by the story itself, is absorbed in listening.
For some time, they listen to the tale of Yu Hwa, the Special Operative Liberation Envoy of the Heart Tribe.
The tale of Yu Hwa overcoming countless hardships to rescue the Goat Race from under the rule of the Sea Dragon Race.
The tale of how a disciple she takes in from the Goat Race betrays her, and after countless trials, she fights that disciple, kills the disciple, and gains enlightenment.
And after that, how she continues to serve as a Special Operative Envoy, raising her stage higher and higher, until finally she rises to the position of highest officer of the Heart Tribe, biting off the heads of many men, laying many eggs, and at last meeting a meaningful end in the arms of her children and descendants. As they hear the story, before long, they find themselves bowing in silent prayer toward the existence called Yu Hwa.
"Though our progenitor passed away...her will continues to be passed down in our clan. Because of that, her descendants have always taken key positions in the Martial Alliance, and we have thrown ourselves away like grass and weed for the cause."
Wiping the tears from her glasses, Yu Jin ends her story in the midst of emotions she stirred herself.
"Was it a good story to hear?"
"...Yes. I was able to gain much information."
"...I truly gained great consolation. Thank you."
Wol Ryeong and Seo Gyeong each give thanks to Yu Jin.
Wol Ryeong, in particular, feels curious about the incident at the end of the story.
It is not about Yu Hwa, but about one of the Heart Tribe masters who comes to visit during Yu Hwa's final moments.
"By the way, the one who is both an Esteemed One of the Earth Tribe and Heart Tribe... What kind of existence is this Trampling Heaven Esteemed One Ham Rak?"
"Ah, you must be speaking of the Alliance Leader. He is one of the three heads who, together with the three Heart Tribe Esteemed Ones, protect the Heart Tribe. Are you curious about him as well?"
"...Not only about him, I am curious about the three Heart Tribe Esteemed Ones as well."
At Wol Ryeong's words, Yu Jin smiles faintly and is about to speak.
Just then, her words are drowned out by a booming voice resounding from the sky.
[Hey!!! Yu Jiiiiin!!!]
It is like a meteor.
A giant meteor crashes into Yu Jin's backyard, and in an instant, not only her backyard but even her house becomes a wreck.
Kwarururung!
"...My house..."
Before Yu Jin's pupils can even shake, a muscular woman emerges through the rising dust cloud, laughing heartily as she scatters the dust away.
"What's this, are these the fledglings who just ascended?"
"...Esteemed One...Jin Wol-ryeong."
The one who appears is a royal of the Fighting Ghost Race with seven horns, the Star Shattering Esteemed One with the title Final Heaven.
It is Jin Wol-ryeong.
"What was it, the sect said to be famous in the other Heavenly Domain? The Radiance Spirit Sect? I got word from that sect. They said some of their sect disciples just ascended and asked for some help. Since it's a sect backed by True Immortals, it's quite difficult to ignore. So, I'll be taking these ones."
Wol Ryeong looks flustered at the sudden appearance of a giant from the Fighting Ghost Race, and Yu Jin furrows her brow as well.
"Never mind that you smashed my house, this person has already received an identity tablet in the Heart Tribe territory. To suddenly take her away like that is against procedure."
"Hah, what procedure do you lot have? For your kind, the strongest is all that matters."
"If you wish to ignore procedure..."
Yu Jin's narrowed eyes suddenly gleam with madness, and she pulls her zither to her side.
"...You must defeat me, the one in charge of ascenders."
"Oho. Indeed, your 'greetings' are fiery, just how I like it. Then, let's..."
Kugugugugu!
Power that distorts Heaven and Earth concentrates in Jin Wol-ryeong's hand.
Just then,
"...Huh?"
Jin Wol-ryeong's gaze falls upon Seo Gyeong.
"...!?"
Jin Wol-ryeong's pupils contract sharply, and she hastily grabs Seo Gyeong's shoulder, lifting him up as she shouts.
"You, you...you! What relationship do you have with that existence!?"
At Jin Wol-ryeong's interrogation, who knows Seo Eun-hyun's original face, Seo Gyeong only shows a puzzled expression.
Inwardly, he thinks this has become troublesome, but soon—
Seo Gyeong realizes he is in a situation more troublesome than meeting someone who knows his face.
'Damn it.'
Surung—
Wol Ryeong summons a radiance halberd and points it at Jin Wol-ryeong's neck.
"Will. You. Not. Let. Go?"
The gazes of Jin Wol-ryeong and Wol Ryeong collide.