Chương 371: At The Sea (1)

Ancient Force Realm.

Wuji Religious Order.

In the underground headquarters of the Wuji Religious Hall, the high-ranking members of the Wuji Religious Order have gathered, wearing serious expressions.

"So... Seo Eun-hyun, who descended his consciousness to the Lower Realms to build the Health Axis, suddenly had his abdomen split open and vomited blood, is that correct?"

"Yes. And since then, Master has been in a comatose state."

Splurt!

Kurururururu...

Seo Eun-hyun, connected to the Flying Immortal Formation while seated on the cult leader's seat, fails to open his eyes. Occasionally, blood will boil up and spew from his seven orifices.

Jeon Myeong-hoon gives a bewildered look to Hong Fan, who has been with Seo Eun-hyun and Hong Fan nods and hands over the records documenting the incident the entire time.

"Please take a look at this first."

After examining the past scenes through Hong Fan's Demon Ability, Jeon Myeong-hoon asks with an even more serious expression.

"Just what in the world is going on here?"

"In my opinion..."

It's at that moment.

Yeon Wei, who is examining the records shown by Hong Fan, speaks with a grave expression.

"This, this can't be...!"

"Ah, Ancestor. Do you know something?"

"Yes. Fortunately, it's something I'm familiar with."

She looks at Seo Eun-hyun's condition with a darkened face and speaks.

"A sudden coma with symptoms of boiling blood. It is highly likely that he has been cursed by a deep-sea monster from the Ancient Force Ream with a Deep Sea Curse (沈海呪)!"

"Deep Sea Curse...?"

"Yes. Occasionally, some deep-sea monsters of the Ancient Force Realm cast very bizarre curses. When afflicted by such a curse, one falls into a coma and exhibits bizarre symptoms. I've seen the Cherry Blossom Dragon Palace Lord, who chased me around in the past, also fall into a frequent coma and suffer from a fever due to a mild Deep Sea Curse."

At Yeon Wei's words, Buk Hyang-hwa asks with a slightly puzzled expression.

"Ah, but from what I heard, scales like flower petals appear on the body when afflicted with a Deep Sea Curse..."

"Nonsense! I arrived at the Ancient Force Realm 40, 000 years ago and gathered all sorts of news and information. What you know is just a peculiarity of some specific Deep Sea Curses!"

With that, Buk Hyang-hwa nods and steps back.

'Yeon Wei-nim has certainly lived much longer than I have, so she must know more.'

Ignoring Buk Hyang-hwa's question, Yeon Wei speaks to Kim Young-hoon with a serious face.

"Hey, Heart Tribe. Make a wound on Seo Eun-hyun's body."

"Well, alright."

Bo-oong!

A golden light flashes, and a small wound appears on Seo Eun-hyun's cheek, causing blood to flow.

Yeon Wei takes a drop of that blood and floats it in the air.

Wo-woong!

Seo Eun-hyun's blood, lifted into the air by Yeon Wei's telekinesis spell, begins to boil as if alive and emits a hazy mist.

"Look at this. Such a reaction only occurs with the true blood of Immortal Beasts. But since this kid isn't of the Immortal Beast lineage and is purely human, this phenomenon indicates that he has absorbed some power of history from the depths of a deep-sea monster."

With a solemn face, Yeon Wei bursts Seo Eun-hyun's blood.

Paaatt!

As the blood droplet explodes in the air, it emits a pitch-black and eerie energy.

"And this evil and bizarre energy! It definitely resembles the ungraspable nature of deep-sea monsters! Seo Eun-hyun must definitely have been cursed by a Deep Sea Monster!"

However, Hong Fan speaks with a puzzled expression.

"Hmm... but Strategist Yeon Wei-nim. To me, this energy seems similar to the 'devotees' of the Nether Ghost Realm's True Persons...?"

"What...?"

"I think, rather than being inflicted by a Deep Sea Curse, Master might have directly encountered a passing True Person while descending his consciousness to the Lower Worlds."

"Silence! You fool! Would my insight, honed over countless years, be more accurate, or would your less-than-500-year-old insight be more accurate?"

At Yeon Wei's words, Hong Fan steps back while tilting his head.

She crosses her arms, clicks her tongue in dissatisfaction, and speaks.

"Anyway, the Cherry Blossom Dragon Palace Lord, who was afflicted by a Deep Sea Curse back then, only suffered from a fever and occasionally woke from a coma. But Seo Eun-hyun's blood is boiling, and he shows no signs of waking up. He must be afflicted by a much stronger Deep Sea Curse."

"I-Is there a cure?"

Kim Yeon asks with concern, and Yeon Wei nods with an air of confidence.

"Of course! The Deep Sea Curse may be terrifying, but it is a curse that can be treated. It can be cured using ancient stones."

"Ancient stones?"

"Yes. You can transfer the curse of a deep-sea monster into the ancient stones. When treating the Cherry Blossom Dragon Palace Lord, who was afflicted by the Deep Sea Curse 40, 000 years ago, I heard that about one million ancient stones were needed. Seo Eun-hyun's symptoms seem five to six times worse so... roughly ten million ancient stones... should be needed."

Upon hearing this, Buk Hyang-hwa, Seo Ran, and many others' eyes widen as if they are about to pop out.

"Ten, ten million ancient stones...?"

"Isn't even one million ancient stones the ten-year budget of a single sea domain palace...?"

Seeing their reactions, Yeon Wei speaks.

"Well, is it not at least fortunate that the curse can be treated with ancient stones? Since we have obtained four sea domains, we should be able to gather several million ancient stones immediately, no?"

Seo Ran speaks while flustered.

"Currently... from the four sea domains, we can gather about four million ancient stones. Ancient stones... given their high value are traded at a ratio of one ancient stone to one hundred spirit stones."

"Hmm... Then we still need about six million more."

Yeon Wei racks her brain with a serious expression, while Hong Fan sighs as he looks at Seo Eun-hyun.

"... I don't think this is it... Master being cursed...?"

"What? What did you say, Hong Fan?"

"... It's nothing."

"Good. Then let's all work together to gather the missing six million ancient stones!"

Thus, except for Hong Fan, Yeon Wei and everyone else began their efforts to gather the ancient stones needed to save Seo Eun-hyun.

It's hot.

No, should I say it's warm?

It's the comforting feeling of being in my mother's amniotic fluid.

'Wait, what?'

"Heok!"

Splash!

When I come to my senses, I find myself in water.

'Water?'

As I become increasingly aware, I realize I am half-submerged in a place that seems to be a hot spring covered with steam.

"This, this is...?"

Just moments ago, I was fighting Jang Ik and being chased by an Entering Nirvana True Person.

But where am I now?

I try to extend my consciousness to survey the surroundings out of bewilderment.

However, I soon realize that my consciousness cannot extend.

'What's this? Is the water blocking my consciousness? No... it's the space itself that's blocking it.'

On guard, I raise my body from the hot spring.

But as I do so I feel a sense of unease and look down at the floor submerged up to my knees.

"What...!?"

There is no floor.

Splash!

As soon as I realize there is no 'floor,' whatever I have been 'standing on' disappears, and I sink back into the hot spring below.

Splash, splosh!

Eventually resurfacing, I try to gather my energy to perform Ladder to Heaven, but I suddenly feel something strange again.

[TL/N: Ladder to Heaven (上天梯): A martial arts technique in 'The Return of the Condor Heroes' where one steps on one's own foot to jump or leap higher into the air.]

'There's no qi!?'

That's right.

Strangely, there is no qi in this hot spring-like place.

No, even when I try to release the qi within my body, it won't come out.

'This space itself is distorted.'

Surely, this is not an ordinary space but some place within a formation or a restriction.

Paaatt!

Feeling the flow of steam and air around me with my skin, I control my physical body to an extreme degree and rise into the air by stepping on the air.

'I need to survey my surroundings.'

How high do I ascend for exploration?

"What?"

Although I ascended into the 'sky,' for some reason, the 'hot spring' I have just left appears right above me.

Splash!

And I fall back into the hot spring I have just escaped from.

'Just what is this damn thing?'

Feeling a surge of frustration, I realize that either the space is distorted or my sense of direction is messed up.

I decide to keep my eyes open underwater and try going down.

For how long do I hold my breath and swim down the hot spring?

Splash!

"..."

I stick my head out over the hot spring, seeing the same scenery as before.

'Stay calm.'

Though I am startled by this bizarre situation, I take a deep breath, trying to stay calm without falling into panic.

'If there is no qi (氣), then what moves this space? If neither qi (氣) nor consciousness (識) can move, then what constitutes this place...?'

As I ponder, I recall when I stepped on the air to rise into the void.

"Attraction force."

Yes, that is it.

Qi and consciousness cannot be used and do not function in this space.

However, attraction force certainly exists.

Even if something has warped and twisted the space, 'existence' remains.

'If attraction force exists, then fate also exists.'

I close my eyes and ponder.

The All-Heavens Sword is a sword that transcends planes.

If only attraction force exists in this space, then at least fate must also inevitably exist.

And the fact that 'I exist here' definitely means that 'my sword also exists'.

Because the All-Heavens Sword is essentially me.

Which means, Tsutsutsut!

Sharp energy arises from my entire body, starting to slice through the hot spring water around me.

Chwaaaaa!

In an instant, every single water droplet around me bursts and transforms into steam.

Wiiiiing—

'I see, this is...'

Feeling the All-Heavens Sword completely transformed into attraction force, my eyes brighten.

Empowered by the characteristics of this space, the All-Heavens Sword has risen to the Plane of Fate!

Kukuguguk!

Using the All-Heavens Sword, I slash through this space, cutting the attraction force that governs this place!

Chwaaaak!

I swing my sword toward the void.

In the next moment, the hot spring world that envelops me seems to be engulfed in mist, and I find myself someplace else.

'This is...?'

Chwaaaak!

Hot water.

Steam covering the surroundings.

Another hot spring.

But.

[Hey, how long has it been since you opened your eyes and you're already out of the bubble?] [Insane, this one.] [It's a bit of a waste to have him for dinner tonight.] Kugugugung!

From various places, I hear immense [voices] that seem to shake Heaven and Earth.

Keheok!

Splurt!

As soon as I hear those voices, blood spurts from my seven orifices, and I feel as if my internal organs are shaken.

The one saving grace is...

Woo-woong!

'I-I can use qi!'

In this other hot spring, I can draw upon qi and consciousness, and I quickly channel energy to heal my body.

Unlike the previous hot spring, this one has many visible rocks and reefs, and a definite 'floor' that allows me to climb up.

I climb onto a nearby rock and look around.

Kugugugugu!

'Wh-what is that!?'

However, as soon as I try to extend my consciousness, I hurriedly retract it and lower my eyes.

Beyond the hot spring's mist, gargantuan shadows resembling enormous giants flicker and loom.

Recalling how my internal organs had shaken the moment I heard their voices, I guess at their identities.

Swallowing hard, I respectfully bow on the rock toward the shadows beyond the mist.

"... This humble Human Race cultivator, a certain Seo, greets the Esteemed Ones."

As I offer my greetings towards their direction, a chuckling sound echoes from beyond the mist.

Splurt!

Puhkwak!

It's as if the entire space is vibrating.

Even though it's just the sound of laughter, it strikes my entire body like a full-force attack from an Integration stage Grand Cultivator.

[Ah, oh dear. He's dying.] [Come to think of it, we were speaking in our usual manner. Haha...] [You should understand. Since living in the Astral Realm, we often have to convey our thoughts to those across the vast space, so we tend to always speak a bit loudly.]

"... Thank you for your consideration."

'Is this speaking a bit loudly?'

I find it a somewhat absurd, but I continue to keep my head bowed.

Then it happens.

[By the way, you look quite tender and chewy for a Human Race. Can I taste just one arm, no, perhaps just your left side?] Twitch!

One of the Esteemed Ones asks in a subtle voice, drooling from beyond the mist.

I look up at them with eyes full of tension.

Malice (惡意).

While there is the sentiment of 'looks delicious,' this Esteemed One seems to harbor some grudge against the Human Race, sending malice my way.

But how am I supposed to respond to this?

As I remain silent, unable to respond, a shadow beyond the mist clicks their tongue in annoyance and says, [Since you didn't answer, I will take one of your legs as punishment.] Waduk, wadududuk!

Then, my leg starts to get torn away.

"...!!!"

An attraction force close to cosmic power is tearing at my leg like it's a bug!

However, gritting my teeth, I wrap the All-Heavens Sword around my leg and shift planes to escape the attraction force's influence.

The shadow speaks in a tone of both interest and displeasure.

[Impressive. A mere Grand Cultivator escaping from my grasp? Let's see how long you can endure...] The next moment.

Kugugugugu!

My entire body begins to feel as if it's being crushed.

The Esteemed One's attraction force focuses on me.

'Wh-what is this...!?'

It's literally a force capable of compressing an entire continent into the size of a fist.

I realize I have less than a second before I will be crushed into Seo Eun-hyun dough and grit my teeth to endure.

Wiiiing!

The halo of the Three Great Ultimates appears behind my head, pushing back against the Esteemed One's power.

However, the Esteemed One only seems amused, applying even more pressure to crush me.

'I-I'm going to die...'

Just when I think I can't hold out any longer.

Chwaak!

The hot spring water nearby splits, and something green rises into the air.

It's the Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One, Jang Ik.

He wipes the water off his head and shakes his body, then looks at me.

"Hah, you've already regained your senses and emerged? Quite impressive. But anyway... what are you doing?"

He looks towards the voice that has been toying with me, his eyes burning with green light.

The voice seems to flinch at the sight of Jang Ik, then laughs and says, [The food you brought looks so delicious, I thought I'd have a taste first. If you share a little, I'll also offer a suitable compensation.] At those words, Jang Ik climbs onto a nearby reef and says with a stern face.

"Let go immediately. He's my disciple."

[Hoh, he's your disciple. My apologies.]

"... You know now, so why aren't you letting go?"

However, despite Jang Ik declaring me as his disciple, the Esteemed One across merely chuckles.

[If he's your disciple, let's test him as such. After all, to survive here, one must have a certain level of skill, no?]

"I've already tested him. And it seems he escaped from the bubble with his own power. That much is sufficient. Let him go."

[Hmm. Well, everything's fine but your tone bothers me. Considering your disciple is in my grasp...] The next moment.

Jang Ik disappears from the spot.

The attraction force holding me vanishes, and a terrifying scream echoes from beyond the mist.

[KKEEUUUUAAAAHHH!!!!!!] Flash!

Green light flickers where the shadow is.

[HUKEUUUAHH! KUUAAAAAH!!!] The Esteemed One who had bound me screams in agony, thrashing about.

The entire space vibrates and trembles.

Soon after, the voice subsides, and Jang Ik reappears beside me.

The Esteemed Ones who have been chatting around us collectively fall silent all of a sudden.

"No one will mess with you from now on, so don't worry. That Esteemed One is from the True Devil Realm and has harbored a grudge against the Human Race since before they became an Esteemed One, so they act like that whenever they see humans."

"..."

"Well... discussing here isn't appropriate. Shall we move to another place?"

Boo-wong!

As Jang Ik waves his hand towards the void, the space is cut, and we are instantly moved to a different location.

It's a place filled with endless darkness.

Crackle, Crackling!

And in the darkness, Jang Ik lights a fire.

"You must have many questions. Since you must be taken aback, ask them slowly."

"... First of all, where are we?"

"This is the outskirts of the Lightning Sacred Sea. The outskirts are intertwined with countless barriers and dimensions set up by the Golden Deity, resulting in numerous overlapping dimensions."

"The Lightning Sacred Sea..."

Regardless of what happened, it seems I've arrived at my intended destination.

"... Do you know where Ham Jin is?"

"You mean that boy who came as your incarnation? I left him on a planet where he can survive near the Lightning Sacred Sea. A Human Race at the Qi Building level shouldn't get beaten to death easily."

"... Thank you."

"You're a peculiar one. Is he important to you?"

"Among all the connections I've made until now, which one isn't important?"

"A wise answer to a foolish question."

Jang Ik laughs heartily as he slices through the void.

Brilliant golden light pours through the cut, and Jang Ik reaches beyond the light and takes something out.

'An apple?'

It's a golden apple that shimmers with a golden light.

He tosses the golden apple into the campfire and asks while roasting it.

"Do you have any other questions?"

"Will you take me as your disciple?"

"Did you not already agree?"

"Pardon?"

Confused, I retrace my memory and recall that during our escape from the True Person's hand, I inadvertently accepted his proposal.

"You are my 23rd disciple. Congratulations. Hahaha!"

"... That was... something I said when I wasn't quite in my right mind..."

"Are you saying you accepted while in a state of mental weakness? From what I saw back then, the emotion you expressed was one of strong desire."

"..."

"Anyway, since I've already accepted you as my disciple, you are my disciple. Know that."

He waves his hand dismissively, as if he won't accept any objections.

However, I shake my head and say,

"There is a more outstanding genius than me. You should take that person as your disciple instead."

"Then I can take that person as a disciple, and you as a disciple too. What are you saying? Just introduce them to me later."

"... Understood."

Surprisingly, it's settled easily.

'In any case, I've created a link to introduce Kim Young-hoon to Jang Ik... that's good enough.'

"Is there anything else you're curious about?"

"... Why are you asking me to ask what I'm curious about?"

"To empty."

"Pardon?"

"I'm trying to satisfy your curiosity as much as possible to empty your cluttered heart. That way, it will be easier to train you."

"Hmm..."

I have an instinctive feeling that Jang Ik's training will be extremely harsh and arduous.

But I can't refuse.

'Since it's come to this, I should ask everything I can.'

I start with what I am most curious about.

"I've heard that the reason the Esteemed Ones have come to the Lightning Sacred Sea is to retrieve very important things for the Middle Realms. What exactly are these important things for the Middle Realms?"

"They are [Names]."

"Names...?"

"That's right. Each Middle Realm, including Bright Cold, True Devil, Ancient Force, Purple Gold, Nether Ghost, and Blood Yin, has a 'true name'. A long time ago, the Golden Deity stole jade plaques imbued with the power of those true names and embedded them in their immortal treasure. That's why we are here to retrieve them."

"What happens if you find these names...?"

"If we find the names, the dimensional barriers of the Middle Realms will become much thicker, there's a significant ritualistic meaning, and the attraction force will so-and-so and become much better. I don't know all the details... but one thing is important."

I am startled by Jang Ik's next words.

"If the jade plaques inscribed with the true names of the Middle Realms are retrieved, the chances of the living beings in the Middle Realms avoiding the End increase exponentially!"

"...!"

The End!

It's a term I've heard intermittently before.

I swallow nervously and carefully ask,

"What is this... End?"

"It's self-explanatory from the name. The world will be destroyed. This Heavenly Domain, in other words, our Astral Realm, the six Middle Realms, and the Decaying Corpse Realms connected to those Middle Realms. All worlds will perish."

"Then..."

"I understand the timing is about 10, 000 years from now."

"... Pardon?"

I stare blankly at Jang Ik, losing my focus.

He repeats calmly, as if it's nothing new.

"In 10, 000 years, the world will end."