Chương 486: Empty One (3)

"First, do you have any concrete method to extract Jeon Myeong-hoon right now?"

"The simplest method would be this."

"What is it?"

"I use my Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens to fragment your comrade's soul and rearrange it. Then, by copying that arrangement and embedding it into the soul of a suitable living being..."

"That's unnecessary. If you even think of doing such a thing to my friend's soul, I will kill you, even if I have to destroy the universe."

"Understood. I'll discard that method. Then, the second option."

Seo Hweol begins to explain his plan.

"Inside the Lightning Sacred Sea, the tens of quadrillions of Thunder Beasts within the inner section of the Tower of Trials… we'll brainwash all those Thunder Beasts."

"Brainwash... the Immortal Beast Golden Shaking Bird? Are you saying you can do that"

"It's not impossible. I assume you already guessed my purpose?"

"... Presumably, it's the brainwashing of Blood Yin."

I glare at him, deducing based on Seo Hweol's previous actions.

He's been preparing for brainwashing through countless Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens, stubbornly clinging to a body of the Sea Dragon Race derived from the split soul of Blood Yin's split soul, Ja Eum, and ultimately succeeded in replacing Hyeon Eum, Blood Yin's split soul, with himself.

'From the Sea Dragon Race to Hyeon Eum, he's been climbing the chain upward through brainwashing. In that case, the final target is obviously... Blood Yin.'

Moreover, I once read through Seo Hweol, discovering that his ultimate goal is to brainwash [someone].

"To brainwash Blood Yin, so that the leftover of the leftover of the leftover, that is akin to you, can achieve complete independence of self. That is the conclusion I've reached from observing you all this time. Am I wrong?"

"..."

Seo Hweol merely smiles faintly without responding at all to my words.

'Whether this is truly his goal or not, it's certain that this matter holds considerable importance for him.'

After smiling for a moment, he continues his explanation.

"... Well, assuming that's the case, Daoist Seo. Why do you think I haven't directly attempted to brainwash Blood Yin with my Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens, but am instead slowly crawling up from the very bottom that is the Sea Dragon Race?"

"The difference in rank is simply too overwhelming."

No matter how rotten Blood Yin may be, They are still a True Immortal.

Moreover, they once held the right hand seat of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld.

They are the leftover of Yu Hao Te, who once reached the rank of Chief Judge of the Netherworld, and partially restored a part of Yu Hao Te's authority.

Among True Immortals, They are likely quite powerful.

"It is precisely that. The difference in rank is too vast. Compared to Blood Yin's main body, I am but a mere bug. No, I'm just inorganic matter that didn't even manage to become a bug. The difference between a grain of sand and a person is immense. If a grain of sand said it would brainwash a person, do you think it'd be possible?"

"Impossible."

"Exactly. However... if a grain of sand exerts its full power, it can brainwash other grains of sand. I'm saying it can brainwash other inorganic matter. And... the bodies of living beings are ultimately made up of nothing more than blood, bones, skin, organs, and if we go deeper, things called cells and genetic material. Going even further, those too are composed of inanimate objects.

While a grain of sand cannot brainwash a human, it can slowly and gradually brainwash the inorganic materials that compose the human."

He traces a drawing in the air.

It is a helical gene, cells, and various parts that constitute a human from fingernails and toenails.

"From a single grain of sand to a single unit of genetic material. From a single unit to two. From two units to five. From five units to one cell. From one cell to five cells. From five cells to fingernails, toenails, hair, skin, blood, organs, bones... all the way to the person's brain. To make the entirety of the person into oneself."

After completing his drawing of a full human figure, he clenches his fist.

Sururuk— The drawing of the human is sucked into Seo Hweol's palm.

"That is... the method by which an existence that doesn't even qualify as a bug compared to a human can brainwash and overcome the human. By brainwashing each and every component that makes up that being from the very bottom, and making it all into my own. If you've heard this much, if it's Daoist Seo, you must have figured it out, right?"

"... Starting from the Qi Refining Thunder Beasts on the first floor of the Tower of Trials in the Lightning Sacred Sea... progressing through the second, third, and fourth floors, all the way to the Thunder Bee Queen... climbing up step by step until the very end to brainwash Golden Shaking Bird?"

"Precisely. This is the only way to rescue Daoist Seo's comrade, Jeon Myeong-hoon."

I look at him and ask.

"Up to this point, it doesn't seem like you need my help at all. But it feels like there's something that requires my assistance."

"Indeed. The only one within the Lightning Sacred Sea into whom I've embedded Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens is Daoist's comrade, Jeon Myeong-hoon. Therefore... I need to infect the Thunder Beasts on the first floor with Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens through Jeon Myeong-hoon. However, Jeon Myeong-hoon is currently being harassed and guarded by Golden Shaking Bird on the 106th floor. Infecting anything with Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens under the nose of a True Immortal-level being is unimaginable."

"What is it you need help with?"

"I know of the hidden method... no, the Immortal Art of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect. It's called Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens, correct? It's an Immortal Art that distorts the fate imposed by True Immortals by cloaking one's fate with misfortune. Please teach that to me."

After a moment of contemplation, I ask.

"As I understand it, Immortal Beasts are beings related to history. Using an Immortal Art to evade fate in front of beings connected to history doesn't seem very effective, does it?"

"Hmm... there seems to be a misunderstanding, Daoist Seo. Golden Shaking Bird is called an Immortal Beast simply because it's a Thunder Beast of True Immortal rank. In truth, it's not a genuine Immortal Beast. It was created artificially by clumping sect members and merging them together... an artificial Immortal being created through Heterodox Method that can never become a genuine Immortal Beast. Golden Shaking Bird absolutely cannot wield the power of history.

Rather, given it was once the weapon of the Heaven Tribe's Golden Divine, it leans more towards fate."

"I see. However... it might be difficult for me to transmit Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens to you."

Seo Hweol looks at me with a puzzled expression and asks.

"Why so? I'm aware that mastering all the Lightning Path Methods of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect is a prerequisite. I can fulfill that condition right now through Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens..."

"That's not the problem."

I sigh, silently reciting the formula for Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens.

Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens is a cultivation method, as well as an Immortal Art, based on the Declaration of Human Rights.

But at the same time...

'Yang Su-jin... this human...'

—Non-humans shall not inherit (非人不傳).

It is also the will of Yang Su-jin himself.

The moment I even think of passing Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens to Seo Hweol, I see the formula's words coalesce before my eyes to form those words, and click my tongue.

Simultaneously, I sense Yang Su-jin's will forbidding the people of this world from knowing the Declaration of Human Rights.

'To 'never transmit it to non-humans,' how excessive.'

It's as if his will demands that not only should the beings of this world be denied enjoyment of the Declaration of Human Rights, but that they should remain utterly ignorant of its existence.

"... It seems that Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens cannot be passed on. The will of the Golden Divine stands in the way."

"... There's no helping it, then. Understood. In that case, Daoist Seo will have to personally use Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens."

"You want me to personally scatter calamity onto Jeon Myeong-hoon?"

"There's no other way. Without this method, there's no path to rescuing your companion."

"Fine. Then tell me precisely what you intend to do through Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens."

Seo Hweol explains to me the plan to blind Golden Shaking Bird using Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens, during which he would scatter Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens.

After hearing his plan, I nod.

"Very well. Let's begin immediately."

"Understood. I will prepare immediately as well."

Seo Hweol, still possessing Hyeon Eum's body, melts into the shadows and disappears, while I soar into the sky, revealing my main body.

Kugugugugugu!

As my main body emerges above the star, the eyes of the humans and various living beings residing on the star open wide in shock.

I suppress my presence to the utmost, carefully controlling to prevent the minds of the living beings from exploding from unnecessary influx of knowledge. Then, I send a voice transmission across the entire star.

[Hear me, inhabitants of this star. This Esteemed One has come from a distant other world. This Esteemed One shall bestow blessings upon you, so prepare yourselves to receive the blessings of this Esteemed One.] As my vast will sweeps over them from the Heavenly Rain Great Star, all living beings on the star bow in unison, offering prayers directed towards me.

A few days later.

The inhabitants of the star have completely begun to revere me as the god of the star.

Through a divine message, I issue commands to the residents, and soon, at the center of the continent on the star, A grand altar is constructed at the place richest in spirit veins.

It is an altar for Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens.

Countless incantations of curses and calamities are engraved on the altar in the language of the Bright Cold Realm.

However, I continue expanding the altar for several more months, waiting for contact from Seo Hweol.

And six months later.

At last, a message arrives from Seo Hweol.

[Please begin, Daoist. Everything is ready.] [Very well.] I issue a divine message to the inhabitants of the star, promising them blessings, and order them to prepare for the ritual.

Three days later, all preparations are complete.

Paaaatt!

My incarnation descends above the altar constructed by the inhabitants of the star.

The residents all bow and greet me in their respective languages, and I silently raise both hands.

Crystal Glass to Treading Sea.

Twin Flowers Reaching the Heavens.

Huarurururuk!

The Yin Soul Fire and White Orchid Flame gather in my hands.

Glass True Fire spreads across the altar, activating the formula of curses engraved on it.

A terrifying ominous fire begins to blaze on the altar.

[Are you ready, Seo Hweol?] Then, Seo Hweol's response echoes back to me.

Tsssaaaa!

One by one, the stars near the Lightning Sacred Sea begin to lose their light.

It is as if all the stars are being swallowed by darkness.

For the past half-year, I have been preparing for Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens, while Seo Hweol has been brainwashing the surrounding stars, enveloping them through the power of Hyeon Eum to prepare for Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens.

Before long, all 28 stars near the Lightning Sacred Sea have lost their light, and those stars begin to form a formation.

The star veins twist.

The attraction force focuses on the Lightning Sacred Sea.

Huarurururururuk!

Simultaneously, all the spiritual veins on the star where I stand rush towards me, and I resonate with my main body to intensify the Glass True Fire.

[Then let us begin.] Puhwak!

Glass True Fire surges, and my incarnation rises to the stratosphere of this star, reaching a vantage point from which I can clearly observe the Lightning Sacred Sea and easily commune with the stars that Seo Hweol has seized.

[Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens.] [Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens.] Seo Hweol's darkness envelops me.

At the same time, I draw the Sub-Heart Sword and begin resonating it with all the Sub-Heart Swords I have implanted in my comrades' heart essences.

[Please be mindful of the plan. When my Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens and Daoist Seo's Sub-Heart Sword reach Jeon Myeong-hoon through the Plane of Soul, Daoist Seo will divert Golden Shaking Bird's attention with the Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens and other methods. Meanwhile, I will infect the lower Thunder Beasts within the Tower of Trials with Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens.] [I know.] Side-by-side with Seo Hweol within the darkness, I delve into the Lightning Sacred Sea through the Plane of Soul.

In the distance, I sense the wave of Jeon Myeong-hoon.

Though that wave feels distant, as Seo Hweol and I simultaneously activate the Sub-Heart Sword and Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens, it instantaneously draws closer.

Paaatt!

At that moment, I enter the Lightning Sacred Sea.

Kurururung!

Dark clouds gathered by calamity spread around us.

Beneath the ominous clouds, Seo Hweol discreetly extends his shadow.

I consider whether I might as well be able to take Jeon Myeong-hoon's soul as I look back at him, who has allowed me to enter the Lightning Sacred Sea.

[... Jeon Myeong-hoon...] He is bound all over, with his eyes and mouth tightly sealed by white thread-like bindings, while tiny fairy-like beings whisper incessantly in his ears as if trying to brainwash him.

Just as I reach out my hand towards Jeon Myeong-hoon, Puhwak!

A portion of the dark clouds part, revealing a familiar figure.

It's Golden Shaking Bird.

She has fully transformed into her hummingbird form of lightning and glares at me, screeching in the language of a True Immortal.

:: How dare a wretch like you not know your place and disrupt the precious time between me and my Lord Husband (郎君)? Being able to receive the Immortal Art of Lord Husband's previous life was my Lord Husband's grace to you, so how dare you bestow misfortune to Lord Husband and use Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens? How disgusting. How laughable. Do I look so foolish as to not know how to counter Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens?

:: Her presence weighs down on me, as if saying she will no longer care about someone like me, and attempts to crush me to death.

I try my best not to look directly at her and continue to maintain Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens.

However...

'It's being pushed back. The Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens...!'

With each flap of her wings, the dark clouds of Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens, formed by gathering misfortune, dissipate.

—Are you not ready yet, Seo Hweol!?

[I need more time.] Is it because she was the concubine and combat weapon of the Golden Divine Yang Su-jin?

Golden Shaking Bird swiftly puts an end to Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens, as if she not only knows how to counter it, but break it entirely.

At this rate, Seo Hweol, who is working to infect with Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens, will be discovered.

'I need to take drastic measures.'

I bite my lip hard.

Honestly...

If it's not an absolutely critical situation, this is a method I would never want to use.

But right now, it's truly urgent.

'If I miss this moment, Jeon Myeong-hoon will be thoroughly disciplined and brainwashed by this lunatic for a hundred thousand years, his personality completely warped!'

No matter what!

No matter what, I must buy time!

To do that, I call upon the name I'd rather never utter again.

[Zhengli!] The first cry.

A faint attraction force forms.

It's so weak that it seems it would soon dissipate if left alone.

[Zhengli!!] The second cry.

Golden Shaking Bird, enraged, rushes at me, and I barely fend off her attack by simultaneously using both Sumeru Sword Dance and Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens.

At the same time, the attraction force strengthens, and I can feel myself connecting with the entity beyond that force.

:: In Whose Sanctuary (聖所) Do You Dare Summon Such A Vile Presence!!??:: Golden Shaking Bird, as if genuinely furious, channels all her strength to utterly obliterate me.

Then, at the last moment.

[Zheng!!! Li!!!] With all my strength, I call for Zhengli.

In the next instant, Kwa-jijijijijijijik!!!

A being with pure and immaculate feet far beyond comparison to the likes of Golden Shaking Bird's appears between me and Golden Shaking Bird.

Paaatt!

The countless Immortal Arts and authority of lightning that Golden Shaking Bird summoned to annihilate me are instantly [erased], and she is forcibly returned from her Thunder Beast form to that of a girl, collapsing before the white-haired woman.

[Get, get away! Don't come near me! Begone! Begone I say, you accursed fiend!] As if her very ability to speak the language of True Immortals has been stripped, Golden Shaking Bird lets out mental speech in a panicked burst, scrambling to get away from the white-haired woman while still on the ground.

The white-haired woman raises one finger to her lips.

The gesture seems to say, 'Shhh.'

"A... ah... aaaah..."

Golden Shaking Bird, who had been in a state that's half a spirit of lightning, is transformed completely to her human form with just that one gesture. Her voice, too, changes to a physical one as well.

The white-haired woman approaches Golden Shaking Bird.

Golden Shaking Bird, despite being an entity of True Immortal rank, crawls away in a pathetic, unimaginable display, desperately trying to escape from the white-haired woman.

Yet somehow, as if paralyzed, Golden Shaking Bird collapses in place. The white-haired woman approaches from behind and grasps her face, beginning to whisper something into her ear.

Then, Golden Shaking Bird begins to sob.

"D-D-Don't. Don't lie to me. It's Master. Master has returned. It is Master. Master has reincarnated. Don't lie to me. Don't liedon'tliedon'tliedon'tdon'tliedon'tlietomeeeeeee...!] Golden Shaking Bird thrashes about as if trying to resist the whisper of the white-haired being, and finally, as if finding strength again through sheer will, she lets out a burst of mental speech.

[Leave the Lightning Sacred Sea! You hideous monster!] Kurururung!

Yang Su-jin's ring finger shakes violently as Heavenly Lightning rumbles from all directions.

The lightning seems intent on driving the white-haired being out of this world.

Yet the white-haired figure appears entirely unaffected, spreading her arms wide with a laugh.

Dudududududu!

Her laughter alone causes the entire Lightning Sacred Sea to tremble.

Even the cry that Golden Shaking Bird used when attacking Baek Woon feels insignificant compared to this being's laughter.

'That... that is her true level...'

Then, the white-haired figure.

Zhengli finally speaks.

:: I C O N V E Y O N B E H A L F O F M Y M A S T E R T R A S H T H A T G O L D E N D I V I N E L E F T B E H I N D D O N O T P R E S U M E T O H O L D W I T H I N Y O U R G R A S P T H A T W H I C H B E L O N G S T O T H E L O R D S O M E D A Y T H E T R I B U L A T I O N (劫) S H A L L E M E R G E T H R O U G H H I M A N D E S C A P E F R O M C O N F I N E M E N T:: [Do not prophesize! Do not impose fate! No! I can't let him go! Master is now mine. Within the Lightning Sacred Sea, I am the god! The one who dictates my master's fate is me! Scram! You filthy traitor!]:: T H E B E T R A Y A L L I E S W I T H T H E M:: Kugugugugugu!

With those words, Zhengli begins to transform into lightning itself, leaving behind a foreboding laugh as she is forced out of the Lightning Sacred Sea by Golden Shaking Bird.

Her figure fades away.

Then, a response arrives from Seo Hweol.

[Let's go, Daoist Seo. It is done.] I suddenly notice Zhengli's left ring finger has two identical rings worn before leaving the Lightning Sacred Sea with Seo Hweol.

Had I stayed any longer, Golden Shaking Bird would have captured my mind and tortured me for a hundred thousand years.

Kurururung!

The dimensional barrier of the Lightning Sacred Sea ripples with immense lightning bolts across its entire surface.

Watching the lightning, I shudder at the level Zhengli just displayed.

'She's more formidable than expected. Zhengli...'

The level she demonstrated was in no way inferior to that of the South Polar Ritual Treasure Yeong Seung, and in terms of pure destructive power, she might even surpass it.

'More than that... I thought Zhengli would do something to me as well, but... unexpectedly, she just left without doing anything.'

I consider myself fortunate as I once again send an incarnation to the star where I conducted the ritual for Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens.

[You have all worked hard preparing to receive this Esteemed One's blessing. This Esteemed One bestows blessings upon this world.] I infuse a great amount of Heaven and Earth spiritual energy, produced by my main body, into the entire star.

Then, I breathe out upon the priests and disciples who worship me, along with the workers who took part in constructing the altar.

Huuu— Around those who receive my breath, masses of Heaven and Earth spiritual energy seem to condense into spiritual nature (靈性) before being absorbed by them.

Those who are already cultivators advance an entire realm, and those who are mere mortals are granted spiritual roots.

Those suddenly bestowed with spiritual roots look bewildered, and those who have risen in realm express immense gratitude toward me for having resolved the issue of lifespan.

For the next hundred years, this star will at least retain the level of Heaven and Earth spiritual energy comparable to Ascension Path, so an extraordinary number of individuals capable of ascending will likely emerge from it.

After taking these measures, I retrieve my incarnation and return to my main body, then envelop the entire star with the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts.

Woo-wooong!

Star Vein Eye, Fetal Movement, Nether Perception, Void Perception, and consciousness domain.

To erase the star's existence in all senses, I cut.

Paaatt!

For a moment, the star appears as if it has vanished from the universe's trajectory.

This Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts will remain in effect for at least three hundred years.

Golden Shaking Bird will neither discover this star nor realize that I have bestowed a blessing upon it.

And after three hundred years, all traces of my blessing will have disappeared by then, so even if she wants to punish it, there won't be any grounds to do so. By then, she'll likely be preoccupied spending time with Jeon Myeong-hoon and won't pay any attention to this star.

With those precautions in place, I swiftly step onto the Path of Stars.

Kurung, kurururung!

The space near the Lightning Sacred Sea trembles.

Simultaneously, I sense a massive killing intent directed at me from within.

Golden Shaking Bird, having regained her senses, is now targeting me.

Kwarururung!

A massive arm of lightning emerges from the Lightning Sacred Sea, flying toward me.

Golden Shaking Bird is beginning to exert her strength in order to capture me.

Paaaatt!

I leap onto the Path of Stars, rapidly traverse the vast cosmic space, and address my shadow.

[So, how long will it take for you to 'guide' the Golden Shaking Bird?] I asked in advance, before proceeding with the plan.

I asked if it's truly possible to subjugate Golden Shaking Bird with Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens.

Seo Hweol said it was impossible.

Truly brainwashing a True Immortal is, by itself, unattainable.

His task is to implant Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens within Golden Shaking Bird and 'guide' her to create a 'gap' that will allow Jeon Myeong-hoon to escape.

And just to guide her in that way required such a complicated preparation process.

Seo Hweol's response arrives.

[Ten thousand years. It will take approximately nine thousand to ten thousand years.] [... That's around the time the End approaches.] [If it were any less, it wouldn't be easy to implant an Immortal Art that guides a True Immortal's mind.] [... Fine.] Ten thousand years.

An incredibly long time, but compared to the hundred thousand years proposed by Golden Shaking Bird, it's a timeframe that's passable.

If it's ten thousand years, I feel it's something that can be endured.

'Endure for just ten thousand years, Jeon Myeong-hoon.'

I will definitely rescue you.

As I flee from the arm of lightning chasing us despite leaping across thousands of light-years, I pray for Jeon Myeong-hoon's safety.