Kugugugugu!
The attraction force grows stronger.
It's the attraction force of misfortune.
The power of misfortune, touched by the Mountain God, slowly pulls us down as if trying to drag us into a quagmire.
Kugugugugu!
After just escaping the Ancient Force Realm and entering the Interdinsional Void, I can feel terrifying Vestiges gathering ahead of us.
'This is insane...'
The entire Interdinsional Void is filled with Vestiges at the Four-Axis stage.
Not a single Heavenly Being Vestige is in sight.
Even Vestiges at the Integration stage are swarming by the thousands.
But that isn't the real problem.
Kuung—
Far in the distance,
Sensing the presence of three beings from afar, I begin to sweat coldly.
Truly overwhelming auras!
While the powers held by the Mountain God, the God of Light, the Heavenly Venerable of Ti, or Yeong Seung are terrifying because of their sheer magnitude that I can't even comprehend,
The presences erging from afar are even more overwhelming precisely because their magnitude is comprehensible.
I can never defeat those beings.
Kuung—
The presence of three entities.
They are, in fact, three Vestiges at the Esteed One-level.
Kuung—
Though they haven't even revealed themselves, their re presence is terrifying.
The Vestiges in the Interdinsional Void are the corpses or husks of True Persons.
Their vulnerability to Heavenly Tribulation is precisely because of this.
They are symbols of defying the heavens, but at the sa ti, they are entire worlds in themselves.
When the entities ant to receive Heavenly Tribulation and those ant to inflict it beco one and the sa, Heavenly Tribulation that enters the bodies of the Vestiges will amplify uncontrollably, ultimately causing them to explode and perish.
But I can sense it.
When thinking of how the Esteed Ones who erged after the creation of the Heavenly Domain are responsible for generating Heaven and Earth spiritual energy and spitting out cosmic nebulae, it's likely that even if Heavenly Tribulation is to amplify within the bodies of the Esteed One-level Vestiges, they will be able to withstand it for a long ti by continually producing Heaven and Earth spiritual energy and nebulae.
They could just spit out Heaven and Earth spiritual energy or nebulae as much as they are damaged by the Heavenly Tribulation.
'Damn it...'
At this rate, isn't it still the sa situation even when we managed to expel the Mountain God?
While I'm confident that I can break through and escape the thousands of Integration-level Vestiges, I know I can't handle those.
Not against them!
As I stand with a stunned expression, feeling the presence of the Esteed One-level Vestiges.
Kwaa-jik, kwa-jijijik!
A hole is torn open in my Integrated Dao Domain, and from inside, a giant body of lightning and thunder bursts forth.
Jeon Myeong-hoon erges from within.
"Jeon Myeong-hoon..."
His eyes are gloomy.
Not as much as mine, but his face clearly shows considerable pain.
But despite groaning in agony, he opens his mouth.
[I've co this far always believing in you.]
"..."
[Ever since that day, no matter how many tis. No matter what you said. No matter how suspicious it seed.]
"...I..."
[And I still trust you.]
Red light flows from his eyes.
[So, [this ti too], lead us.]
"..."
The red light becos red lightning, pulsing under Jeon Myeong-hoon's face as if dripping down.
It looks as if crimson tears of lightning are streaming down.
[No matter how many tis, no matter how many tis we've failed, haven't you always led us in the end?]
He stands before .
As his Integrated Dao Domain unfolds, Kim Young-hoon, Oh Hyun-seok, Kim Yeon, Buk Hyang-hwa—all those who can fight imdiately—erge.
[Find the answer! Right now!]
With those words, my comrades turn their backs to and begin to protect .
As if to buy ti to think.
Watching them, I clench my fists.
'He's right.'
I have to co up with an answer.
Whether it's returning to the Ancient Force Realm, descending to the Lower Realms, or doing whatever it takes, I have to find the answer!
Saying there's no answer is just an excuse.
I have to do whatever it takes!
Woo-woong—
And as I wrack my brain with a desperate will, sothing begins to enter the views of my eyes.
"...That..."
It's a Star Vein.
"..."
Currently, there are a total of three threads of star veins in the Interdinsional Void around us.
They are star veins emanating from the Star Shattering-level Vestiges.
The Esteed One-level Vestiges are connected by these star veins.
But isn't that strange?
Three beings at the Star Shattering stage.
Yet, there are also three threads connecting them.
It's not like the star veins of the three Star Shattering creatures are forming a triangle.
Like constellations, the star veins of the Vestiges are connected to sowhere.
First Vestige to second Vestige to third Vestige.
In that manner.
And the third Vestige is connected by a star vein to 'sowhere.'
For a star vein to be connected ans that there is a star at the other end.
'Seeing that the Esteed Ones are connected by star veins, it seems that the Esteed Ones are treated as stars.'
In other words, there might be one more Star Shattering Vestige here, or perhaps even a Vestige of a higher level.
However, after scrutinizing the end of that star vein for a while, I realize the identity of the final star vein connected to the Esteed Ones.
'Ah...I see.'
Crunch—
I let out a hollow laugh.
It's such an obvious thing when I think about it.
I should have realized it from the mont I was bestowed misfortune.
I want to sit down right here and now, and cry out of sheer frustration and disbelief.
But I can't afford to do that.
I need to calm my mind and body, and though I should spend a long ti preparing before taking on this challenge, there's no ti.
I have to go up now right now and cut it down.
Failure ans annihilation.
I speak to my comrades.
"Imdiately, right now! We're going to the Esteed One-level Vestige down below!"
[What?]
Jeon Myeong-hoon looks at as if I lost my mind.
But after eting my gaze, he seems to ponder for a mont before nodding his head.
[...Understood. But that can't possibly be the end of it, right?]
"Right, I'll explain the detailed plan."
I quickly send a heart ssage to my comrades, explaining my plan.
"After moving to the very lowest Esteed One, following my lead, we'll use the star veins...you can think of them as attraction force. We'll use the attraction force between the Esteed Ones to gradually move upward to the next Esteed one right above. Then, from the very last Esteed One, we'll have to leap even higher beyond!"
There's no ti to fully explain the exact details of the plan, nor do they yet understand our ultimate objective.
But my comrades nod in agreent, their eyes shining with determination.
"Escaping between the Esteed Ones...it might be possible, even if just for a mont. But the problem is that we likely only have enough power to do it once..."
[Don't worry about that.]
Jeon Myeong-hoon's eyes glint as he extends six arms toward Kim Young-hoon.
In an instant, Kim Young-hoon is surrounded by six massive hands, but as Jeon Myeong-hoon's red lightning flows into him, sothing begins to change.
Kwa-jijijik!
The Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation transforms into Golden Divine Heavenly Lightning.
[I don't know the reason, but my Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation thod reacts and changes when I use it on you. I confird this back in the Head Realm as well.]
"...Indeed, this golden lightning...is perfectly suited for my use."
Kim Young-soon seems amazed as he feels the golden lightning for a mont, then begins to compress it within his saber.
[If the two of us combine our strengths, moving between the Esteed Ones won't be an issue. But the problem is reaching them. We can't afford to waste any power until then.]
In response to Jeon Myeong-hoon's words, Buk Hyang-hwa shouts and sends a voice transmission inside my domain.
A mont later,
Kugugugugu!
Seo Ran, who had been hiding inside my Integrated Dao Domain, erges with the Nether Crossing Ship.
"There's so much I want to ask...but this is urgent, so I'll follow for now!"
Seo Ran speaks hurriedly, quickly transferring command of the Nether Crossing Ship to Buk Hyang-hwa.
Buk Hyang-hwa speaks to Oh Hyun-seok and Kim Yeon.
"I'll need the two of you to assist ! Soul Extinguishing Ghost King, please replenish power in the Nether Crossing Ship's power space with Sir Seo Ran's help. When I make the Nether Crossing Ship go berserk, Mysterious Bizarre Ghost King will need to control it. With the Nether Crossing Ship's strength we will surely make it to the front of the Esteed One!"
We quickly exchange opinions and set off.
Kugugugugu!
Oh Hyun-seok becos the power source for the Nether Crossing Ship, activating it, while Seo Ran, using the owner's authority, unlocks the ship's functions.
Through this authority, Buk Hyang-hwa pushes the Nether Crossing Ship into a berserk state, while Shi Ho protects Seo Ran and Buk Hyang-hwa on the deck.
anwhile, Kim Yeon's consciousness threads seep into every part of the Nether Crossing Ship.
The Nether Crossing Ship, which has risen to the Four-Axis stage through going berserk, begins to rise even further in level as it cos under Kim Yeon's control.
Originally, the Nether Crossing Ship isn't exactly a combat dharma treasure.
Back during the Black Ghost Valley era, I heard from a Ghost King that the true purpose of the Nether Crossing Ship is the collection and storage of souls,
And their transmission to the Netherworld.
The Nether Crossing Ship can use its transmission function to temporarily shift the ship itself to the outskirts of the Interdinsional Void or the Netherworld, and then perform spatial movent.
Kugugugugu!
As ghostly energy seems to engulf the surroundings of the Nether Crossing Ship, we instantly enter a very shallow area of the outskirts of the Netherworld.
A place close to reality.
Is it because it's such a shallow area?
The surroundings only beca slightly hazy, with the Vestiges remaining around as they were.
But I know all too well.
Why are ghosts such terrifying beings?
Because they are unfair existences whose attacks can reach you, but your attacks pass right through them.
Hoo-woong, hoo-woong—
The Four-Axis Vestiges launch attacks at us, but in our semi-transparent state, we evade all of them.
Kim Young-hoon, Jeon Myeong-hoon, and I conserve our strength for the right mont, while Kim Yeon pilots the Nether Crossing Ship quickly towards the Esteed Ones.
Kugugugugu!
Grand Cultivator-level Vestiges co flying at us.
Each and every single of their strikes carry the power of a dinsion, so even in the outskirts of the Netherworld, they have a certain mass as they fly toward us.
And then, Kim Yeon moves her hand.
Flash, flash!
The main cannon of the Nether Crossing Ship fires.
The main cannon of the Nether Crossing Ship, amplified significantly by the ghostly energy of the couple Wei Shi-hon and Eum Wa, fly forth, piercing through the Vestiges.
Our attacks land with amplified force, while theirs barely affect us.
Wo-woooong!
"We're going!"
Kim Yeon aggressively steers the Nether Crossing Ship, rapidly charging toward the Esteed One-level Vestige.
Wo-woong—
In the distance, the Esteed One-level Vestige can be seen.
I know instinctively.
Regardless of whether we are in the outskirts of the Netherworld, it would be of no use against an Esteed One-level Vestige.
But that doesn't matter.
We have already arrived!
Paaaatt!
I expand my domain, pulling Kim Young-hoon and Jeon Myeong-hoon, and put the entire Nether Crossing Ship within my domain. I then join forces with them.
[Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation!]
Kwazi-jijijik!
Red lightning cycles and touches Kim Young-hoon, transforming into golden lightning, with the words Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder appearing on his back.
It's a situation similar to what happened in the Head Realm.
The Esteed One raises a gigantic arm in front of us.
"Go!!!"
I shout, and Kim Young-hoon raises his saber.
The next mont, we see a golden bird ford from thunder and lightning.
The golden bird carries and instantly dodges the Esteed One's hand.
I open my Star Vein Eye and guide the golden bird towards the path of the Esteed One's star vein.
Pa-jijijik!
Through the star vein, the golden bird flies towards the next Esteed One.
A Vestige resembling a snake opens its mouth wide.
The golden bird forms a trail of thunder and lightning, evading the snake-like Vestige in the void. Once again, under my guidance, it flies towards the final Esteed One.
Woo-woong!
I heighten the perception of the Star Vein Eye even further.
The star vein is peculiar.
The more I traverse the star vein, the closer I get to its essence, the more my consciousness ascends to a certain world.
I have a rough idea of what it is.
Just as cultivating the Ghost Path thod gradually draws one's consciousness closer to the outskirts of the Netherworld.
The more I perceive the star vein and traverse its path, the closer my consciousness cos to the 'domain of the Heavenly Venerable of Ti.'
[Next!]
I draw forth the power of my domain and shout in ntal speech.
Finally, Kim Young-hoon and Jeon Myeong-hoon escape the grasp of the last Esteed One and follow the star vein connected to an unknown place.
As the star vein and my consciousness assimilate, my consciousness and vision elevate to a world of a higher plane.
'Ah...'
I can see it.
Far in the distance.
A star connected to the Esteed Ones.
Kugugugugu!
That star is emitting an attraction force.
The identity of that attraction is misfortune (厄運).
Tststststss!
It's that.
That is the identity of the misfortune that slowly started to manifest in the Ancient Force Realm and tornted .
The unknown misfortune that is constantly chasing after .
'Now that I think about it, when the Wuji Religious Order entered the Ancient Force Realm, there was an enormous shockwave that spread and vibrated throughout the entire world.'
It's a ridiculous occurrence.
The combined mass of the Wuji Religious Order, the Twilight Domain, Jeon Myeong-hoon, and I amounted to at most five or six Integration stage cultivators, so how could the entire Middle Realm shake just because of that?
It makes no sense at all.
The shockwave that swept across the entire Ancient Force Realm wasn't caused by us.
It was caused by that [star] that followed us into the Ancient Force Realm.
The reason I saw attraction force in the Ancient Force Realm, which has no sky, is obvious.
A star entered the Ancient Force Realm.
Those in the Lower Boundary use curse dolls when casting a curse.
Beings in the Greater Boundary use stars when bestowing misfortune.
In that case, who gifted that star?
Who granted that misfortune?
It's clear at first sight.
The Malice (惡意) of fifty-so beings emanating from the star.
It's the malice of the Quasi-Immortals from the Nether Ghost Realm who had peeked on the Phenona Extinguishing Mantra.
On top of that, the malice of the Owner of Great Mountain is added to it, creating a powerful mass of misfortune which has been bringing misfortune upon from a higher plane.
Surung—
Kim Young-hoon and Jeon Myeong-hoon beca my foundation.
They don't seem to understand what I am trying to do since they lack the Star Vein Eye, but I can tell they trust .
That is enough.
I compose my will.
Then, squeezing out every last bit of my lifelong will and energy, I prepare the martial technique that partly severed the authority of Yeong Seung.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.
The Thirty-first Move.
Accumulating Dust Forms a Mountain!
Starting with a horizontal slash, a vertical cut, and a thrust, all the techniques of my Heaven, Earth, Heart, and Puppet converge into one.
The Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections, which contains my history, shines purely as a hazy mist settles on my sword.
But I can tell.
This won't be enough.
I don't unleash Accumulating Dust Forms a Mountain. Instead, I hold it in my hand, focusing my soul.
Kiiiiing—
'More.'
Kiiiiing!
'More!'
Paaaatt!
"More!!!"
I compress it.
I compress the All-Heavens Sword, ford by compressing the Formless Sword, crazily compressing it with the weight of my entire history.
The All-Heavens Sword begins to thin.
What lies before is a star, but at the sa ti, it's a concept.
To cut through a concept, what I wield must also transform into a concept.
Kiiiiing!
The All-Heavens Sword gradually begins to thin.
I recall a mory from long ago.
It's from when I was very young.
The ti I fought against a 3rd star Qi Refining cultivator in the royal palace and gained enlightennt on Sword Silk.
Sword energy is assimilated into Will (意)
In doing so, energy is compressed like a thread in the sa way intent is.
I compress the All-Heavens Sword in my hand with my Will (意).
The pressure required is on a completely different level from compressing sword energy.
Like the thread of intent, I transform and manifest my sword.
Swordsmanship consists of three fundantal actions.
Slashing, thrusting, and blocking.
Slashing forms a line, thrusting forms a point, and blocking forms a surface.
And the most optimal form to perform these three actions is sothing else entirely.
I close my eyes, then half-open them.
Sothing is in my hand.
It's sothing extrely thin but stronger than anything else in the world.
It's a form that closely resembles the thread of intent that a martial artist first sees when they begin to enter the world of martial arts.
This is no longer a sword.
Its na is...
"Immortal cultivation is repentant enlightennt."
I feel the gaze of the Owner of Great Mountain watching from [Above].
But it doesn't matter.
I have already found my purpose. External pressure doesn't scare .
On the contrary, I will sever Their gaze right here and now!
The line-turned All-Heavens Sword begins to blaze white.
"Like tiny grains of salt gathering to form a sea...build mountains through repentant enlightennt."
Tstststststsst!
I raise the All-Heavens Sword.
In the world of star veins, the All-Heavens Sword shines brighter than anything else.
"Building a mountain of salt is perhaps the fastest way to reach the heavens..."
Learning this mantra, everyone was annihilated.
I can still feel it.
This mantra is the power that calls upon Great Mountain.
Through the Phenona Extinguishing Mantra, I can feel the gaze of the Owner of Great Mountain growing stronger, and an attraction force between us begins to form.
If this continues, I will beco nothing more than a puppet dancing and dying under the Owner of Great Mountain for the rest of my life, just like Hon Won.
"Each to one another holding hands, with everyone at sea, drink salt, and with the wind, soar."
The attraction force between Great Mountain and I grows stronger.
If this continued, Great Mountain might descend once more.
However, at this point, I twist the mantra.
"Like combining all intents turn them colorless..."
Kiiiing—
The proper sequence of the Phenona Extinguishing Mantra is twisted, causing the attraction force to skew greatly.
The white hue of the All-Heavens Sword remains, but most of the tyrannical energy (覇氣) felt from the sword evaporates.
I don't care.
I never intended to rely on soone else's power anyway.
What I have built up from the beginning is more than enough.
Instead, I infer the mantra's formula and focus my intent even further.
The white light seems to shine closer to colorlessness.
Taatt!
I leap from the golden bird that is supporting , raising the All-Heavens Sword even higher.
'Is it still lacking?'
I can't know for sure.
Can I cut down a star?
If I lted the star over decades with curses, perhaps it might be possible. But to cut it in a single strike, no matter how strong I am, is a daunting task.
The distance is...ambiguous.
If only, just a little closer, I can definitely cut it down!
And then, at that mont.
Ta-aht!
Hong Fan, who has erged from my domain, pushes from behind.
"Please show , Master."
"..."
I smile.
"Embrace all connections and beco impermanence."
Twisting the Phenona Extinguishing Mantra, I swing what is in my hand.
"That is,"
I can feel it.
Great Mountain is eager to descend and crush at any mont.
But I will sever it here.
Great Mountain's gaze.
The misfortune left to us.
Even whatever fate that may co in the future.
I see my masters flash before my eyes.
And I embrace their words into my chest and speak them aloud.
Before my eyes, I see a pure giant who sacrificed himself, singing of goodwill.
—Believing thus, reach for the star.
"The way to reach the star."
The Phenona Extinguishing Mantra twists.
Simultaneously, the star in front of splits apart.
The power of Great Mountain that placed so attraction force and gaze upon is completely erased by the twisted Phenona Extinguishing Mantra that nullifies attraction force.
Salt Mountain leaves my embrace.
Though it's a natal dharma treasure I refined over countless years, I have no intention of holding onto it.
How can I rely on such an external object?
What I have built up is already within .
The misfortune that surrounded us has now disappeared.
Even the gaze of Great Mountain was severed along with our single strike.
Now, all that remains is to carve our way forward.
Thud!
With my domain, soul, and body all in tatters, I vomit blood while supported by Kim Young-hoon, Jeon Myeong-hoon, and Hong Fan.
"I-Is it done, Seo Eun-hyun!?"
Jeon Myeong-hoon asks urgently.
I smile faintly.
"...It will be."
"No, damn it...The Esteed One-level Vestiges are still perfectly intact! And what about those thousands of Integration-level Vestiges!? Damn it! Just what did you do!"
"So...how...it will..."
I can barely speak.
My whole body feels shattered.
But we will be able to escape.
The misfortune that surrounded us is gone.
Kugugugung!
I see the star of misfortune that I have cut down explode before my eyes.
As the misfortune dissipates, the wind from the explosion blows forth.
It's the fair wind of fate.
And then,
Paaat!
From within my domain, Yuk Yo erges.
She glances at and my comrades, then bows her head.
"...Thank you for everything."
Recognizing her intention, I ask.
"Will you be alright?"
"...For , that place is ho."
After bowing to us, she quickly flies towards the Salt Mountain.
As she reaches the Salt Mountain, it shines brightly.
At the sa ti, the previously miniaturized Salt Mountain and Salt Crystal Palace beco huge once again.
She reaches the summit of the Salt Mountain.
"...Will you be alright?"
I ask once more.
This ti, it's directed not at Yuk Yo, but at Baek Rin.
Baek Rin, who has erged from my domain, gives a faint smile.
"...Please take good care of Shi-hon and Eum Wa."
"I will. Go."
"I am eternally grateful for your Majesty's grace"
With those final words, Baek Rin quickly flies over to stand beside Yuk Yo.
Baek Rin is a beloved presence.
Not only by Shi-hon and Eum Wa, but also by the followers.
By the forr disciples of the White Vein Gate who beca followers.
But now, they are no more.
So, he is rely following the one he loves even more among those who remain.
I understand Baek Rin's resolve.
Even if the world he is heading towards is an illusion, he believe his feelings for Yuk Yo are real.
Baek Rin takes Yuk Yo's hand in front of the palace and looks back at us.
Then, the two demon spirits, who are smiling at each other.
No, the two people, enter the palace.
In that final mont.
In my eyes, the two appear not as a ghost reduced to bones and a demon who lived indulgently, but a tidy young man and a pure princess.
Flash!
The two cross into another world, and the fair winds of fate blow us away as the Penglai Island's formation activates.
[Kiyaaaaaa!]
[Kigeggegegek!]
[Kwengeeeee!]
The Esteed One-level Vestiges and Grand Cultivator-level Vestiges are all sucked into the formation and disappear.
They no longer pursue us.
In a world that may be an illusion or may be real, they will live on forever.
"I will...never forget you all..."
Seeing my friends who are once again leaving us, but did not et an entirely tragic end, I smile with tears.
With the fair winds of fate, and until we finally reached the Bright Cold Realm,
I laughed and cried, filled with loss, joy, and emotions that words could never dare express.
Thus, I finally placed a period on our long pilgrimage through the Middle Realms.
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