Chương 504: Yearned-for Reunion (2)

"...?"

What's going on?

"By any chance, have you remembered your past life?"

"... That's... not it, but it feels like something is about to... emerge..."

His expression shows he is feeling somewhat nostalgic.

Perhaps this [Wheel] is really connected to Hong Fan's past life.

'Should I tell Hong Fan...?'

Maybe letting Hong Fan know could help.

But after some deliberation, I shake my head.

"... I'm sorry. But this... I can't tell you."

The memory of that incident with the Wuji Religious Order still lingers in my mind.

I cannot carelessly reveal anything.

Especially matters concerning those of higher rank.

"... I see. I understand."

Hong Fan maintains that nostalgic expression for a moment before breaking into a wide smile.

"... I apologize. What I originally wanted to say was... it's nothing significant, but I just wanted to offer my congratulations. It seems I ended up unnecessarily troubling Master... Anyway, congratulations on obtaining a new power, Master!"

"Haha, thank you!"

Well, that makes sense.

Starting from the matter with Blood Yin to everything else, it must have all felt sudden and overwhelming from the perspectives of others.

I explain the matter regarding Blood Yin, the pursuit of the True Person, our circumstances regarding surviving the End, and my goals within the line of not revealing my regression. Along with that, we step into the crystal pavilion.

I send an incarnation to reconnect with my comrades, and after sending them to the Middle Realm, I decide to summon the Esteemed Ones again.

'I'll have to become a Sacred Master of a Middle Realm soon...'

Living as a Sacred Master in a star system isn't bad, but the issue is there's too high a risk of abduction compared to the Middle Realms.

'I'll first return to Ban Ta and make a brief stop at Ban Ta Castle before traveling to other Middle Realms to return the symbols of their Middle Realms... then slowly consider which Middle Realm's Sacred Master I will become. And if possible, I'll make sure Jeon Myeong-hoon doesn't end up near the Lightning Sacred Sea in this life...'

Organizing my plans, I seal the unconscious Quasi-Immortal within my body and prepare to use the ground-shrinking technique to return to Ban Ta.

It's then, Wo-woong!

The space distorts, and two Sacred Beings kneel gracefully in a humble manner before me.

Bowing their heads deeply, they speak.

"We offer our gratitude to benefactor. We are sworn sisters who were held captive by the vile Quasi-Immortal Yeo Hwi (戾熙), Sacred Vessel Sacred Masters Ha Woon (Cutting River) and Jeok Ru (Red Flood Dragon). Thank you for saving us from that licentious enemy."

I immediately recognize who they are.

"Immortal Treasure Cutting River Fan and Immortal Treasure Red Flood Dragon Plaque... so you were Sacred Beings."

"Yes. I was captured 120, 000 years ago, and my sworn sister Jeok Ru was captured 40, 000 years ago. After being refined into Immortal Treasures by that Quasi-Immortal, we suffered a long, exhausting, and painful existence without being able to put up any meaningful resistance. Thanks to benefactor capturing that depraved foe, we were able to become free. We offer our deep gratitude once more."

Smiling brightly as if genuinely happy just thinking about it, they bow to me once again.

"Enough with the gratitude. I simply happened to defeat her in the course of confronting her."

"Huhu, you are even humble. In any case, instead of just giving our thanks, we wish to repay benefactor. Please accept this. It's a jade slip containing the cultivation formula for the Sacred Vessel stage, the advancement ritual for the Entering Nirvana stage, and the cultivation formula for the Entering Nirvana stage."

Ha Woon hands me the jade slip containing the formulas I need.

"Ah, thank you. However, I could have received this jade slip from Sacred Master Ban Ta who is waiting over there..."

The moment I say the words 'Ban Ta,' it happens.

The two Sacred Vessel Sacred Beings glance at each other, then exchange a meaningful smile.

"... Later on, Sacred Master Ban Ta will also give you the same formulas. No, not just Sacred Master Ban Ta, but the other Middle Realm Sacred Masters as well. When that happens, compare their formulas with ours. You will be able to immediately sense something strange. You must not recklessly cultivate the formulas given by the Sacred Masters. You will lose your ability to choose."

Following Ha Woon, the woman in the red robe, known as Jeok Ru, speaks.

"And... regarding that prison called the Purple Gold Realm... No, that impoverished place, I strongly recommend that you never go there. Even if you're invited! If you happen to be invited and still go, under no circumstances should you eat the food of the Purple Gold Realm. If Sacred Master Ban Ta invites benefactor, ignore the invitation, and if benefactor didn't ignore it, do not follow him. Even if benefactor do follow him, you must never eat the food of the Purple Gold Realm. And...

lastly, even if benefactor does eat the food of the Purple Gold Realm, never, under any circumstances, accept Ban Ta's final proposal."

"Final proposal?"

"Yes. If benefactor were to consume the food of the Purple Gold Realm, Sacred Master Ban Ta will without fail rename his residence using benefactor's name, calling it 'So-and-So Castle'. Whatever happens, you must never accept that proposal."

"Haha, these are quite interesting warnings. Understood, I'll keep it in mind."

I nod, committing their warnings to memory.

'From my previous life, it was well-known that Ban Ta was eager to find a successor Sacred Master.'

Judging by their words, Ban Ta seems to have frequently invited Sacred Vessels in an attempt to make them his successor.

'I'll have to be cautious with him as well.'

I decide to be slightly more vigilant regarding Ban Ta.

Before leaving, the sworn sisters Ha Woon and Jeok Ru hand me a drop of their blood.

Wo-woong— It isn't actual blood but rather a collection of information imbued with their energy.

It seems to be a portion of the Immortal Beast seed they possess.

"Please keep these drops of blood, and when you ever need help, call upon our names."

"Once in the future, we will lend you the strength of Unnie's Immortal Art, Cutting River (㓼河), and my Immortal Art, Ominous Dragon (凶龍)."

"Of course, you can also call us through the blood simply to share a cup of tea."

"We wish to maintain a good relationship with benefactor in the future, so please accept them."

After storing their blood droplets in my inner world, I nod.

"I will remember the goodwill of the Sacred Beings."

At my words, the sisters Ha Woon and Jeok Ru, having said their part, disappear beyond the space.

I prepare to use the ground-shrinking technique to return to the star system where Ban Ta is.

It is then, Kugugugung!

"...!"

An immense pressure that feels like it's crushing my entire body freezes me in place.

'Th-This is...!'

Overwhelming pressure is pushing down on me.

From approximately four sources!

Those pressures press against me from different directions, and I can discern what they are.

'True Persons!'

Kugugugugu!

Beyond the nebula, two True Persons resembling fish and two True Persons resembling human-faced birds appear.

[Release Yeo Hwi.] [We are her friends. No matter what kind of entity you have as your backing... facing all four of us at once will be difficult.] [Even if you were lucky enough to defeat a Quasi-Immortal, do you think you can handle us...?] [Before we tear you to shreds, hand over my Yeo Hwi.] It seems they are True Persons particularly close to the one I took hostage.

I let out mental speech, posing a question.

[Are the others not coming?] [The others are not coming, feeling reluctant about you.] [They suspect that there might be a terrifying existence backing you. Or perhaps you yourself are a candidate for a True Immortal's Immortal Treasure.] [But we, too, have means at our disposal.] [We do not fear you. Hand over Yeo Hwi.] Kuguguguk!

It feels as though my body is crumpling.

I notice their intention.

'They don't particularly have thoughts of letting me live and leave.'

Whether I hand over the True Person or not, it's the same.

I can feel that they have come to eradicate me, leaving no roots unpulled.

'Four True Persons. Can I face them...?'

No, I can't.

I have to focus on escaping.

And if it's escaping, I think I can manage at least that.

'First, starting with the [Oldest One]...'

I begin to clear my throat, preparing to call upon the names of the beings I know.

While it's dangerous for me too, I'll be able to deal a truly devastating hit to these True Persons!

Just as I am about to utter the names of the True Immortals, Woo-woong!

Someone blocks my front.

[...?] It's a familiar back.

A wooden figure clad in white robes.

Sacred Master Baek Woon has appeared before me.

Baek Woon turns to face me and speaks.

[You've done it. You really managed to take out the [symbols] from the Golden Divine's treasure vault!] Then, others appear to my left and right.

A woman with black hair, wearing black robes.

Sacred Master Yu Oh.

A handsome man with blue skin covered in scattered blue scales and wearing an open-front garment.

Sacred Master Hae Lin.

And behind me, a male Sea Dragon Race whose face resembles one that makes me feel unpleasant.

Sacred Master Ja Eum.

[Just earlier, I felt the aura of the [symbols].] [The distinguished one must have them, correct? Please hand them over.] [We will be able to withstand the End.] However, at their words, the True Persons erupt in fury.

[How dare mere Sacred Masters!?] [What do you think you can do, sending clones to a place that isn't even the Middle Realms!?] [Scram! We have business with him!] Dududududu!

The roars of the True Persons cause a corner of the universe to tremble.

At their shouts, the clones of the Sacred Masterr shake as if they are about to disappear.

I endure the sensation of my insides churning by the vibrations of their roars.

Then, Baek Woon suddenly shouts loudly.

[Hand it over now! If you give me the [symbol], I will help you immediately!] [Gal! You dare to mock us? Will you not get lost at once...!] I observe the reactions of both the True Persons and the Sacred Masters.

With swift judgment, I take out the steles and throw them to each of the Middle Realm Sacred Masters.

Baek Woon receives the stele of the 'Seat Holder of End, Vast Cold Heavenly Lord.'

Hae Lin receives the stele of the 'Seat Holder of Health, Ancient Force True Lord.'

Ja Eum receives the stele of the 'Seat Holder of Good and Evil, Nether Devil True Lord.'

Yu Oh receives the stele of the 'Seat Holder of Longevity, Nether Ghost True Lord.'

And, from a far distance, Ban Ta rushes to this place with a stern expression.

He also carries the stele of the 'Seat Holder of Wealth, Purple Gold Heavenly Lord.'

Woooo-woooong!

Five beams of light hum and gather at the scene.

Sacred Master of the Bright Cold Realm, Baek Woon.

Sacred Master of the Nether Ghost Realm, Yu Oh.

Sacred Master of the Ancient Force Realm, Hae Lin.

Sacred Master of the True Devil Realm, Ja Eum.

Sacred Master of the Purple Gold Realm, Ban Ta.

The Sacred Masters of the five Middle Realms smile faintly and infuse their consciousnesses into the steles.

The True Persons let out roars filled with fury, and the clones of the Sacred Masters standing beside the steles all vanish in unison.

But in the next moment— Paaatt, paaatt, paaatt, paaatt, paaatt!

Centered on the steles, five massive dimensional gates open.

Beyond the dimensional gates, Heavenly Lotus Mountain, Black Palace, Sea King Hall, Ban Ta Castle, and Blood Sacrificial Altar.

The residences of the five Sacred Masters appear, and the five Sacred Masters step through the gates simultaneously.

Baek Woon begins walking forward.

Thud, thud, thuuud!

With every step she takes, Baek Woon grows larger.

At first, she is about the same size as me, but with each step, she grows to the size of a moon, a planet, and then a fixed star, until she stands eye-to-eye with the True Persons.

Woo-woong!

The dimensional gate opened with the [symbol] of the Bright Cold Realm.

From that gate, the ferocious energy of the Bright Cold Realm is empowering Baek Woon.

Baek Woon looks down at the True Persons with an ominous expression.

[B-Baek Woon! Are you protecting that Sacred Vessel in front of us? That one has captured our friend, Yeo Hwi. If you just hand him over...] In the next moment.

Kwaaaang!

Without listening to further words, Baek Woon strikes one of the True Persons at the Entering Nirvana stage, 'crumpling' their form completely.

[You dare not call me senior? You impudent brat!] Behind Baek Woon, the Sacred Masters of each Middle Realm begin drawing upon the power of the Middle Realms and step forward to block the way in front of me.

The faces of the True Persons, who were full of confidence at first, change drastically in an instant.

The Sacred Masters of the Middle Realms, having obtained the [symbols], begin to properly use their strength.

Kugugugugugu!

Darkness surges and churns around Yu Oh.

At the same time, the dark figure of a giant flickers faintly behind her.

Just as Baek Woon and Geuk Gwang learned a method of borrowing the power of the Radiance Eight Immortals, She seems to have learned a method that borrows the power of a Reaper of the Netherworld.

Clank!

The projection of a Reaper opens the mouth of the gourd used to collect the souls of the dead.

Hwioooooooo!

It's like a black hole in the universe!

The space where the Entering Nirvana True Persons are begins to shift as a whole, pulling the True Persons into the hole.

[Hear us, stars of the nations (列邦)! We declare: During the Time of Great Yin, the place where we reside shall be free from the Netherworld's interference!] The star veins writhe.

Then, during the time corresponding to 'night' on one planet, the Netherworld that overlaps with this Astral Realm temporarily detaches itself from this world.

For the duration of one night, no one in this vicinity will die.

However, Hae Lin's voice resounds.

[I will make you beg for death.] Dudududududuk!

His body grows larger.

Simultaneously, from the dimensional gate of the Ancient Force Realm, a waterfall-like 'Deep Sea' is unleashed into the cosmic space.

The True Persons can be seen frantically communicating across the distant Astral Realm.

Judging by their frantic communication with other the True Persons, it seems they are requesting for reinforcements.

However, the connection they sent to the other side of the Astral Realm is forcibly severed.

The True Persons on the other side have chosen to ignore them.

The Deep Sea begins to move centering on Hae Lin, and wraps around his body like armor.

Watching this, I can't help but think of the Clear Scale Armor.

Finally, the Deep Sea completely envelops Hae Lin and takes shape.

It becomes a colossal sea in the form of a Xiezhi, more massive than anyone else present.

The Xiezhi slams its forepaw down.

In that single strike, imbued with the authority of the Ancient Force Realm, the nearby space of the Astral Realm is entirely shattered, causing a corner of the universe to collapse.

'Crazy... This is practically...'

... Comparable to the single strike from the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord.

Chhiiiiiii— But immediately after, Hae Lin sends the Deep Sea armor back to the Ancient Force Realm, wearing a visibly exhausted expression.

For even Hae Lin, who can endlessly draw upon the power of the Ancient Force Realm, to be this drained means the technique consumes an unimaginable amount of energy.

Even so, to unleash power comparable to the single strike of a True Immortal!

'This is the true power of the Middle Realm Sacred Masters...!'

Next, Ja Eum steps forward.

Ja Eum, making an unpleasant smile, forms a hand seal and summons something from the corner of the universe, which has collapsed into an entrance to the Interdimensional Void.

Devilish Spell.

Blood Yin Ghost Valley Labyrinth.

Devilish spell.

Blood Sacrifice Consuming Style: Blood Yin Returning Home.

The surroundings transform into the outskirts of the Netherworld that has been eroded by the authority of the Blood Yin.

At the same time, the Entering Nirvana True Persons are suddenly connected to Blood Yin through attraction force and start being dragged into the Blood Yin Realm.

[—————!] [————!!!] [!!!!!!!!!!!!!!] The True Persons scream madly and shout towards the other side of the attraction force, narrowly managing to escape Ja Eum's authority.

[How dare you!!??] The True Persons glare at Ja Eum, trembling with rage.

But at the last moment, Ban Ta steps forward.

[Die. You scum worse than parasites.] Clench!

The energy of the Purple Gold Realm begins to be endlessly supplied to Ban Ta.

At the same time, something falls from a distant place.

It is a totem pole (장승/長栍).

[TL: Jangseung, aka 장승, is basically a guardian totem pole traditionally placed at the edges of villages to mark boundaries and fend off demons.] Each and every purple totem pole is large enough to pierce through a fixed star, descending from beyond the cosmic space and embedding themselves into the bodies of the True Persons.

Jeong, jeong, jeong, jeong!

The True Persons, overwhelmed by pain, begin to flee.

Towards the scattering True Persons, Sacred Master Baek Woon steps forward once more.

The nebulas of the universe converge.

At the core of the nebulas, light and heat begin to surge and churn. That light, under Baek Woon's will and the power of the Bright Cold Realm, starts to be refined.

The light takes the form of a halberd.

The gigantic Baek Woon, now grasping the resplendent Light Halberd (光戟) forged from the gathered nebula, hurls it without hesitation.

Chills!

From that spear of light, I recall a scene from my past life.

The scene of the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord's sword of light flying across the universe.

Jjjeoong!

The Light Halberd collapses a corner of the universe, and the True Persons, sensing this, flee even more frantically.

Chiiiii— Baek Woon's right arm burns away, but she remains unfazed, slicing off her right arm entirely with an indifferent expression. She then shouts loudly.

:: Hear me, Entering Nirvanas. This Seo Eun-hyun before you is the Great Hero of the Middle Realms, who reclaimed the symbols of the five Middle Realms from the bird of the tyrannical Golden Divine. Henceforth, any being who dares oppress the Great Hero of the Bright Cold Realm shall face me, Baek Woon, personally!:: Her voice reverberates across the entirety of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain.

'These are... Sacred Masters who have gained the ability to wield their power even within the Astral Realm...!'

In truth, Sacred Masters capable of drawing power from the corpses of the Middle Realms are no different from True Immortals.

I gaze up at the Sacred Masters in awe of their power.

Paaatt!

Soon, the Sacred Masters return to their original forms.

Baek Woon taps my collarbone lightly with her left arm, praising me.

[You are a Great Hero. To accomplish in such a short period of time what no Esteemed One could achieve... Thanks to you, we have regained the strength to endure the End. As a senior of the Bright Cold Realm, I am deeply proud of you.] Hae Lin approaches with a pleased expression.

[I don't know if you remember. Last time, I issued an exile order because you learned the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra. I believed it would benefit you more to cultivate hidden in the depths of the Deep Sea rather than staying in the sea domains of the Ancient Force Realm. That's why I expelled you from the sea domain with that exile order. There was no malice behind it. By the way... after you left, Yuk Rin completely lost his mind. Attempting to challenge the realm of Esteemed Ones, he fell into madness, mistaking himself for Yuk Ung. In the process... he destroyed an entire sea domain and is now sealed. Would you mind 'briefly' stopping by the Ancient Force Realm to check on him?] He mentions Yuk Rin's situation and suggests I visit the Ancient Force Realm.

[Thank you for the suggestion. Ah, by the way...] I approach Yu Oh, who is standing among the Sacred Masters.

[It's been a while, Sacred Master Yu Oh.] [...?] [Hmm, now that I look at it, it's not 'that face'. Last time, I had a brief chat with the back of Sacred Master Yu Oh's head. By any chance, did the back of your head tell you anything?] [...???] Yu Oh's expression begins to take on something peculiar, and I can't figure out what she is thinking, leaving me pondering how to continue the conversation.

At that moment, Ja Eum approaches me with a faint smile.

[Hoho. When I first heard about you from Baek Woon, I thought you were just a cheeky Heart Tribe Esteemed One. But now, you've become a respectable Daoist...] [... Sacred Master Ja Eum... The title of Daoist is still a little burdensome.] To be precise, hearing the term Daoist directed at me from that face is very unsettling.

'It looks... far too much like Seo Hweol.'

At my reaction, Ja Eum chuckles and nods his head.

[Understood, Cultivator Seo. Then perhaps we'll discuss titles again once we're better acquainted. By the way, Cultivator Seo.] [Yes?] [I am reminded of when Cultivator Seo was below the Heavenly Being stage. Was it just a few hundred years ago...? I recall when Cultivator Seo brought the Heavenly Lightning Banner to the True Devil Realm and attempted to send it below the Void Spirit Pond.] [Ah, yes...] To me, it's something from hundreds of thousands of years ago.

Back in the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect days, such an event had indeed occurred.

[Incidentally, I do have something to say regarding that. Because of Cultivator Seo bringing the Heavenly Lightning Banner back then, there were changes in the flow of attraction force... which in turn altered the fate and ecology of the living beings in that area. I believe Cultivator Seo should visit the True Devil Realm to check on it.] [Hmm...!] The region where the Void Spirit Pond is located is, of course, the area where Su In and Hong Yeon reside.

'There were changes in the area where those two live?'

It definitely seems like something I need to confirm.

[Indeed, that is partly my responsibility. I should go and take a look.] [Exactly. Since we're on the topic, why don't we briefly go take a look right now?] Wo-woong!

Ja Eum casually uses the power of the [symbol] to open an interdimensional gate connecting to the True Devil Realm, then grabs me and casually pushes me inside.

Before I know it, I find myself stepping into the True Devil Realm alongside him.

Just as I'm about to cross into the True Devil Realm— Kwaching!

The entrance to the True Devil Realm is violently warped.

Baek Woon, Hae Lin, Yu Oh, and Ban Ta. The other Sacred Masters each strike the entrance with their respective attraction forces.

Among them, Ban Ta, in particular, has a twisted expression resembling an evil spirit.

[What do you think you're doing, Sacred Master Ja Eum?] Ban Ta growls as he approaches Ja Eum.

Ja Eum, smiling faintly, replies, [Hoho, Sacred Master Ban Ta. Why are you so worked up? This is just...] Then, Kwak!

Ban Ta kicks Ja Eum squarely in the shin.

With his face fully distorted, he glares at Ja Eum and speaks.

[Is this the time to be laughing, Ja Eum?] The smile from Ja Eum's face disappears as he meets Ban Ta's eyes.

[I don't see what the issue is, Ban Ta.] [Are you saying this, not knowing my situation? No, ignorance would be preferable. Because if you knew and still acted this way, I'd want to invade the True Devil Realm!] Kudududuk!

Ban Ta grabs Ja Eum by the shoulder and presses him down.

Ja Eum furrows his brows as if trying to resist, but his waist bends slightly under Ban Ta's pressure.

Ban Ta, with his face twisted like an evil spirit, glares at the other Sacred Masters.

[Seniors Baek Woon and Yu Oh. And Hae Lin. What's going on with you? Are you mocking me right now? Don't you well understand what I'm feeling right now!!!] At those words, Baek Woon sneers and responds.

[What's the issue, Ban Ta? I have no intention of doing anything in particular. I only meant to briefly invite him to White Jade Pavilion for some commendation, since he's a native of our Bright Cold Realm.] Hae Lin laughs at Baek Woon's remark.

[A native of the Bright Cold Realm, you say? How amusing, Senior Baek Woon. Seo Eun-hyun attained significant enlightenment in the Ancient Force Realm. Wouldn't that make his origin the Ancient Force Realm, where he acquired the greatest enlightenment?] Yu Oh also joins the conversation all of a sudden.

[My apologies for interrupting, but if we're going by that logic, he could also be considered a native of our Nether Ghost Realm. Just look at the power of death brimming in his soul. And everyone here saw him fleeing from Blood Yin. That strike at Blood Yin's hand was definitely the thick power of death! He is undoubtedly a native of our Nether Ghost Realm. I must speak of this matter further.] [Hoho. Rather, the one who should be speaking about this is me. He is our True Devil Realm's...] And then.

Ban Ta, seething with rage, roars at them.

[Fine, you dog bastards! After all the years I've waited, are you telling me none of you are willing to yield even a little? Greedy fools! In that case, I have no choice but to settle this with strength!] Ban Ta forms hand seals.

Once again, totem poles descend from beyond the universe.

At the same time, the other Sacred Masters also begin drawing upon their authorities.

Chuk, chuk, chuk, chuk, chuk!

The five Sacred Masters of the Middle Realms take combat stances, encircling me in the center as they suddenly prepare to fight.