Chương 565: Earth Immortal (6)

Ziiiing!

Escape routes lost.

Escape routes lost.

Escape routes lost.

The voice of Glass Peacock resonates as if echoing through countless galaxies.

At the same time, Golden Shaking Bird cries out in panic.

"H-History revision! Quickly! Hurry up and make a prophecy! Put the star of prophecy into my stomach, and make a prophecy! For the time being, I'll offer part of my Immortal Body to Master!"

Wo-woong!

Golden Shaking Bird transforms into a human form and places her hand on her chest.

Kwaduduk!

She then uses Du Hwa's body as a medium to extract a portion of her main body from the True Immortal Realm and hands it over to Jeon Myeong-hoon.

It throbs like a beating heart, and it appears to be an immense sacrifice for Golden Shaking Bird, as her face disappears entirely.

Shiiiiiii!

The face of Du Hwa's physical body melts away and disappears completely. Meanwhile, Golden Shaking Bird's main body in the True Immortal Realm convulses madly in pain.

"Golden Shaking Bird!"

"Q-Quick... Hurry...!"

Jeon Myeong-hoon looks at Golden Shaking Bird, grits his teeth, and accepts the piece of her Immortal Body that she handed over, absorbing it directly.

Sururuk!

The portion of the Golden Shaking Bird's Immortal Body enters Jeon Myeong-hoon's mouth, and he immediately opens his mouth to speak.

"In the name of this Immortal, I prophesize."

A small sphere manifests above Jeon Myeong-hoon's hand.

The sphere begins to absorb surrounding dust, gradually grows larger and begins to project a scene.

"By riding the interstellar wind, we shall escape from Glass Peacock."

The faceless Golden Shaking Bird embraces the star created by Jeon Myeong-hoon and stores it within her body.

I, too, utter a prophecy.

Ziiing— A sharp pain spreads through my chest, radiating throughout my entire body.

"In the name of this Immortal, I prophesize. All pursuers in this galaxy will, at minimum, lose their targets at least once."

When using prophecy, there is always a limit to its scope.

If the range of the prophecy is too broad, it will shatter before it can affect the entire scope, or it may become invalid.

When that happens, the star of prophecy collapses, and the one who uttered the prophecy suffers immense backlash.

Thus, when using a prophecy on a particular target, it's crucial to define the target precisely and attach specific conditions to increase the success rate.

However, there are instances when exceptions occur.

When a single being possesses an overwhelming influence and presence that surpasses an entire multitude.

'Glass Peacock... their presence and authority exceeds that of every living being in this galaxy combined.'

In such cases, it is far more effective to direct the prophecy not at the individual but at the fate tied to the entire galaxy.

Rather than making a prophecy involving a single Glass Peacock, it is far less likely to fail to make a prophecy that loosely applies to the galaxy where Glass Peacock currently resides.

'When prophesying about a being with greater presence than myself, the prophecy must target not the being but the places or objects associated with them.'

This is one of the pieces of wisdom imparted by Blood Yin.

Bearing the pain, I create a prophetic star and hand it to Golden Shaking Bird. She accepts it, stores it within her body, and then makes her own prophecy, sealing the stars within her so that no other being can interfere.

"Now! Go!"

☯ I slap her back, turning away from the pursuer and looking towards the distant universe.

Kugugugugu!

Thus, we manage to escape from Yeo Hwi by riding on Glass Peacock.

Glass Peacock soars upon the interstellar wind, and Yeo Hwi, bound by the prophecy that pursuers would lose track of their targets 'at least once', fails to pursue us. From afar, all she can manage to do is struggle desperately to follow us.

It seems as though Yeo Hwi is screaming something, but Glass Peacock, riding the interstellar wind, moves so fast that even the mental speech of someone at the Sacred Vessel stage like Yeo Hwi is barely audible.

'Why, though?'

I suddenly feel a strange sense of unease.

The expression on Yeo Hwi's face when she lost track of us earlier.

It was unmistakably...

'A face filled with terror. As if she had witnessed something incomprehensible...'

Something is strange.

'What could possibly frighten Yeo Hwi, who is supported by an unfathomable True Immortal? Was losing us truly that unbearable?'

I turn to Golden Shaking Bird.

"That was a close call. To encounter someone like that the moment we arrived in Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain. By the way, why is your face gone?"

Chiiiiii!

Golden Shaking Bird's face is gradually reappearing.

"No matter how much I wear the shell of a demon beast, the essence of a True Immortal is formless. As such, when subjected to great pain, even the concept of a 'face' is erased."

"Hmm, is that so? But why specifically the face?"

At my question, Glass Peacock responds.

:: Because the face is essential for communication.::

"Communication? What do you mean?"

:: We have no need for forms. Yet, we assume them nonetheless because it makes communicating with others much easier. Don't certain beings in the lower realm, when subjected to immense shock or pain, lose the ability to speak? Similarly, the faces or forms of True Immortals temporarily return to formlessness under great pain... rendering communication impossible.::

"Hmm... communication, huh. Can't it be done with just the will?"

:: It would be ideal if it could. But not even True Immortals can achieve that with ordinary willpower. Taking on a form and communicating is the proper way to fully harness the aid of light and to properly walk one's Dao. Do you know why Golden Shaking Bird tore off a piece of her Immortal Body to give to him?::

"Hmm, yeah. Blood Yin taught me. Or rather, he infused the wisdom into me."

Manipulating fate requires a price.

To guide fate as one desires, one must possess the corresponding amount of fortune (blessing).

Since from True Immortals onwards, one's fate is their talent, the fortune one is born with sets the basic limit for how many prophecies they can utter.

While advancing one's realm may allow them to exceed these basic limits, every True Immortal has an inherent cap on their prophetic ability.

Upon reaching the Earth Axis stage, one learns that the concept of 'extremity' signifies a state of 'being without blessings'.

Every True Immortal who overuses prophecy beyond their limits eventually falls into extremity, rendering them incapable of affecting any fate.

'But there's a way to replenish it.'

A remarkably simple method.

And that is to [steal].

'By interfering with the fate of mortal beings and seizing the good fortune that resides within their fates, one can absorb it into their own fate.'

Doing so might cause those mortal beings to live harder, more unfortunate lives, but it grants the True Immortal another opportunity to make a prophecy.

Of course, this exchange of fortune isn't limited to True Immortals and mortal beings. It is also possible between True Immortals themselves.

"Golden Shaking Bird likely tore off a piece of her fortune from her Immortal Body because she didn't want Jeon Myeong-hoon to recklessly deplete the fortune he was born with. Her loyalty runs deep. That pain caused her to temporarily lose her face, no?"

:: You understand well. Did you say this wisdom came from Blood Yin?::

"Yeah. Before my True Immortal advancement, he infused me with wisdom, urging me to oppose the [snakes]. It contained the basics of prophecy and general knowledge about True Immortals."

:: Ha, how petty. He gave you plenty of teachings to oppose Radiance Hall, where Heaven Immortals are abundant, yet not a single precaution against the Underworld that is teeming with Earth Immortals. Isn't that why you are completely unprepared against history revision?::

"Hmm..."

It is certainly true.

'Perhaps he taught me that way so the Underworld would find it easier to suppress me if I ever clashed with them.'

It seems to have been Blood Yin's form of loyalty in his own way.

"Well, I can't really blame him for that. Anyway..."

I turn around to see if Yeo Hwi is following, then ask Glass Peacock.

"There doesn't seem to be any pursuit. How far are we going?"

:: We are heading to a place where neither other True Immortals, the Netherworld, nor the Radiance Hall can interfere. Once there, no one else will be able to reach us.::

"I see. So it's to ensure that Yeo Hwi can't find us?"

::...:: Glass Peacock only flies forward with a silent smile.

I nod, calming the pain in my chest.

"That works too... For now, let's go there and rest until this chest pain subsides. After that, we will assess the situation and see if Yeo Hwi is pursuing us."

:: Do not worry. I can suppress that Yeo Hwi as well. After dropping you off in a safe zone and sealing it so no one can intrude, I will go capture Yeo Hwi.::

"How reliable. I'll leave it to you, Glass Peacock."

:: By the way, what do you mean by 'chest pain'?::

"Hmm, do you know something about it?"

I explain my chest pain to Glass Peacock.

The faint pain in my chest that always appears when I use prophecies.

After listening to my explanation, Glass Peacock briefly laughs as if in disbelief.

:: A madman... That's truly the epitome of Salt. Well, good. It gives me something to savor.::

"Huh? What do you mean? Savor what?"

:: It's nothing. I'll do something nice, so don't worry. I'll make sure you don't even think about the pain.::

"I'll be very grateful."

I express my gratitude to Glass Peacock as we enter one of the black holes located in the far reaches of the Astral Realm.

Kigigigik!

Glass Peacock seems to manipulate the interior of the black hole momentarily with the power of light, creating a small dimensional space inside. Then, they set us down in that space.

:: No one will be able to contact or find you here. It's extremely difficult to locate this place from the outside, so it's a safe zone. Wait here briefly. I will seal this place and then go capture that one.::

"Alright, I'm counting on you, Glass Peacock."

:: Also, the planes are slightly distorted here, so even if you don't have Immortal Treasures or incarnations, you can manifest your true body. Open up your true selves completely and be ready to accept me the moment I return.::

"Hmm? Why would we need to do that?"

:: What do you mean, why? Wasn't I originally within you?::

"Hmm, that's true."

I recall the memory of refining Glass Peacock alongside Golden Shaking Bird.

It's only natural for Glass Peacock to enter either my body or Golden Shaking Bird's body.

:: I'll also enter that one's body, so be prepared.::

"Hmm, even Jeon Myeong-hoon's? Well... you worked hard, so I suppose I'll let you enter him for a while."

:: Indeed. All of you, open yourselves fully and wait for me.:: With that, Glass Peacock leaves us inside the dimensional space within the black hole. They seal the black hole with a powerful barrier and star vein formation, ensuring no one can interfere, before flying off to capture Yeo Hwi.

Huarurururuk!

Pajijijik!

Golden Shaking Bird, Jeon Myeong-hoon, and I obediently reveal our main bodies, opening the worlds inside us to allow Glass Peacock to become one with us when they return.

And that's when it happens.

Chijijijijik!

"... Kuurgh!"

I clutch my head as an intense headache pounds my skull.

'Th-This is...'

The Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections is writhing madly.

'Wh-Why is this happening? Is there something strange going on?'

It's not just the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections.

[Something] else is also making my headache.

I think deeply amidst the pain.

'If the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections is trembling, it means something about the current situation is abnormal. What's wrong? Have I been affected by some authority related to history?'

As I sense that something is amiss, I quickly lay out my memories in sequence and compare them to the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections.

Ziiing!

Certain memories cause excruciating pain when they touch the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections, while others show no response.

'I see. The memories that are intact are the normal ones. They haven't undergone distortion... All the memories from before my regression—specifically, before my True Immortal advancement—are completely intact. They haven't been distorted... But the ones that aren't are...'

Ziiiiiing!

'The Cedarwood Painting... Yeo Hwi!!'

That's it.

Something is wrong.

All the memories from when I went to Cedarwood Painting after advancing to True Immortality, and met Yeo Hwi are the ones causing pain through the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections.

'Let's retrace those memories.'

I try to use the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections to verify the truth, but for some reason, it doesn't function properly. Even for me, its master, there are parts that appear hazy.

'I met Yeo Hwi at Cedarwood Painting, and at that time, I happened to meet the Immortal Beast Glass Peacock, who came looking for Yeo Hwi.'

Glass Peacock introduced themself as one of Yeo Hwi's patrons and said they would follow Yeo Hwi since they were supporting her.

At that time, Glass Peacock was in a split soul state, and they even helped me when Yeo Hwi rebelled against me.'

Later, in order to use the Lightning Sacred Sea's Great Desolate Path in the split soul state, Glass Peacock followed Golden Shaking Bird's proposal, mixed with the Immortal Treasure Yeo Hwi was being refined into and temporarily entered my body, synchronizing with me.

'They continued to stay with us even after crossing over to the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain... And when we attempted to travel from the Divine Thunder Realm to the Astral Realm...'

The issue arose after that.

At some point, Yeo Hwi started saying it was difficult to fly, so Glass Peacock swapped and carried us for a while.

Then, while traveling through the Interdimensional Void towards the Astral Realm, Yeo Hwi's gaze seemed to have met something in one of the Middle Realms within the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain Void.

Afterward, Yeo Hwi began undergoing a strange erosion, seemingly chasing us to use us for some kind of resurrection ritual of a certain True Immortal.

'It must be one of the subordinates of the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity whose prophecy has not yet ended. That subordinate likely eroded Yeo Hwi, causing her to chase us, and we fled on Glass Peacock. Looking at it this far, nothing seems strange.'

So why is the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections reacting so strangely?

I clutch my head, deep in thought.

'And it's not just the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections. [Something else] is also tearing through my mind. What is this...?'

It is an uncanny pain.

'This pain... It feels somehow familiar. Haven't I experienced this kind of pain before? This pain... Pain...'

I ponder for a while.

'What is this strange sense of discord? I met Yeo Hwi and Glass Peacock at Cedarwood Painting, entrusted Golden Shaking Bird with the refinement, entered the Head Realm and met Gyeong-i... Wait, the Head Realm. Head Realm...'

I snap my eyes wide open.

While the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections causes rejection and pain in all memories after Cedarwood Painting, the memories of [what happened in the Head Realm] do not cause pain, and the Canvas operates normally.

'The Head Realm... There's something in the Head Realm. Something that holds a clue to solving this situation... The Head Realm... Head Realm...!'

Suddenly, I recall that moment.

The time in the Head Realm when I reached the 8th star of the Qi Refining stage and partially broke free from the restrictions of the Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flag.

Back then, I momentarily entered a state of unity of the self and external world (物我一體) and saw the Head Realm's Sun and Moon...

Sun and Moon...

At that time...

...

Ziiiiiiiiiiing!!!!!

"Kuaaaaaaaagh!"

I scream as I finally realize the identity of the [something else] tearing through my mind alongside the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections.

The memory of the Sun and Moon (日月) resonates with that something, dispelling the fog from my mind.

The something causing pain alongside the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections is... Formless Poison.

"Khuaaagh! Kuaaaagh!"

I scream from the pain inflicted by the Formless Poison, clutching my head while laughing.

"Ha, hahahaha! Hahahahaha!"

As my mind clears, the contents hidden within the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections are revealed.

I...

Met Glass Peacock...

In the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain...

For the first time.

"Escape routes... lost... I see. It wasn't a path..."

Losing the very [reason to escape] itself.

That was Glass Peacock's history revision.