Chương 629: Royal Authority (5)

The reason I feel that I've truly achieved Great Completion in the Flawless Mantra isn't just for any particular reason.

Pasasasasa...

It's because the power of the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity, which had forcibly repeated my cultivation of the Flawless Mantra through the power of history induction until now, completely releases me.

At the same time, I realize the true identity of the Immortal Beast Supreme Tiger.

'I see, Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity...'

The Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity is neither a Heaven Immortal nor an Earth Immortal.

They are simply a mass that formed amidst the devouring of all things by the power of the mantra and rose to the position of Supreme Deity, and thus they are both and neither at the same time.

And...

It is foretold that mental fragmentation would befall a Heaven-Earth Upper Immortal.

The Immortal Beast Supreme Tiger turns out to be one of the fragmented mental bodies of the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity.

However, perhaps because the powers on both sides were not divided equally, the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity holds overwhelming power, while the side that feels more like a living being is Supreme Tiger.

In essence, power resides in the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity, while life resides in Supreme Tiger.

'Did the lingering thought of the Obsidian Devil Heavenly King reach out to me through Supreme Tiger...?'

That is the only conclusion I can reach.

And as I sense the will dwelling within the lingering thought of the Obsidian Devil Heavenly King, I spread my arms.

'I see...'

With the 999th cycle, my cultivation of the Flawless Mantra has come to an end.

And after facing my 999th death and awakening once more in my main body...

I can say that I've ultimately undergone my 1000th reincarnation.

'500 times of Yin Pitch, 500 times of Yang Pitch.'

The perfect harmony of Yang Pitch and Yin Pitch resonates from within me.

Having more than enough to distribute twelve each to both sides of Heaven-Earth Upper Immortal, I feel immensely reassured.

'Now, what remains is...'

At this point, where I have reached the peak of Heaven-Earth Upper Immortal, all that is left is to carry out the advancement ritual to become a Great Net Immortal.

'Becoming a Great Net Immortal... But...'

I look around.

'Where is everyone...?'

It's when I'm scanning the various parts of the White Magnolia Realm.

"... Master..."

"...! Oh, isn't this Hong Fan! It feels like it's been a very long time since I last saw you!"

Hong Fan looks no different from before.

Even his realm remains at the Entering Nirvana stage.

"Well... since I've been cultivating the Flawless Mantra, I haven't been able to keep accurate track of time. By any chance, do you know how many years it's been since I started cultivating the Flawless..."

It's just when I'm about to continue speaking.

Pakang!

A refreshing sensation flows through my body as something is pulled out.

'This is...!'

It is the Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flag.

"...!"

I open my eyes wide at the sight of the Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flag being drawn out from my body.

After one was forcibly extracted when I became the Immortal Beast Candle Shadow, there were six. Now, one of its seals is undone again.

Only five seals remain in the Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flag.

Startled, I reach out my hand toward the extracted Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flag, and soon I realize the reason it was released.

'I see, the condition has been met...'

Though it can be forcibly extracted, originally, as Yeo Hwi once explained, the proper way is to connect to the Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flag and fulfill the conditions each one demands.

And the release condition for this one is...

'A thousand or more reincarnations...'

I click my tongue at this insane condition.

'Now that I think about it, up until now it has only imposed minor restrictions on me and nothing too fundamental, so I've left it alone... but it's about time I start figuring out the release conditions.'

I breathe consciousness into the Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flags and uncover the release conditions for the five remaining flags.

The release conditions for the five Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flags are as follows: First flag, destroy and recreate a Heavenly Domain while below the realm of Immortal Lord.

Second, withstand each of the Radiance Eight Immortals' single strikes at least once in order.

Third, obtain a clue to the coordinates in the Outer Sea where the Heavenly Venerable of Time resides.

Fourth, challenge one of the Heavenly Venerables and their specialty and win.

Fifth, while in the realm of a Great Net Immortal, battle and defeat three Supreme Deities.

"..."

All of them are utterly insane release conditions.

'Well, come to think of it, these are Immortal Treasures created to seal the Vast Cold Heavenly Lord.'

Especially the third to fifth conditions feel hopeless.

'No. Since the third could possibly be resolved with help from Yeong Seung, Hyeon Mu, or the Heavenly Venerables of the Underworld... in reality, the truly difficult ones are the fourth and fifth.'

At least the fifth Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flag does not require battling all three Supreme Deities simultaneously. As long as I find and challenge appropriate Supreme Deities one by one as a Great Net Immortal, it's not entirely hopeless.

Kkiriririk...

It's when I'm organizing my thoughts.

The recently extracted Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flag, as if rewarding me for its removal, begins to bestow new wisdom upon me.

"... Hmm?"

As I read this wisdom, a strange feeling creeps over me.

'Is this... a method to cross the Outer Sea...? I see. The Northern Dipper Seven Heavenly Lords... If I succeed in unlocking the Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flags, they intend for me to find the Heavenly Venerable of Time, so they are giving me knowledge related to the Outer Sea.'

In any case, since the wisdom of crossing the Outer Sea itself isn't bad at all, I accept the knowledge and then read the flow of passed time through the Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flag.

And without needing to ask Hong Fan, I come to know how many years have passed since I began cultivating the Flawless Mantra.

"... This is insane. Seventy million years... Has it really been seventy million years, Hong Fan...?"

"... Yes, Master."

At those words, I let out a silent sigh.

'Now I've fully surpassed the mental age of a hundred million.'

"First of all, do you know where the others are now?"

"The other elders... have currently gone over to the Elephant Nose Heavenly Domain. And Elder Kang Min-hee seems to be active in a deepest depths of the Underworld."

"Kang Min-hee is expected... but the Elephant Nose Heavenly Domain...? Kim Yeon and Jeon Myeong-hoon too...?"

"Yes."

"Even if Hyun-seok Hyung-nim went off to investigate regarding Azure Tiger Saint... why did the others go there?"

"I'm not exactly sure myself. However, I was told that once Master's cultivation of the Flawless Mantra is complete, I should pass on a message."

"Hmm?"

I accept something like a spirit stone from Hong Fan.

At the same time, messages left by my comrades flow into my mind.

"..."

I come to understand the situation.

'I see...'

Near the end of my Flawless Mantra cultivation, while I was repeatedly reincarnating as an animal...

They received a message from Oh Hyun-seok.

The content of the message is none other than this: His master, the owner of the Elephant Nose Heavenly Domain.

The Naming Supreme Deity Hyeon Rang discovered signs in the Outer Sea that Kim Young-hoon is attempting to return.

And for Kim Young-hoon to return from the Outer Sea, the help of his fellow Enders is required, so Kim Yeon and Jeon Myeong-hoon temporarily head to the Elephant Nose Heavenly Domain to assist in Kim Young-hoon's return.

'The Naming Supreme Deity Hyeon Rang... Why do They keep helping us...?'

Is it perhaps because I suffered at the hands of the Liberation Supreme Deity?

I don't feel entirely comfortable about Their goodwill.

'Well, whatever. Since it's come to this, I might as well go see the others and find out more about the Naming Supreme Deity. It's also been a while since I've seen Young-hoon Hyung-nim.'

With that thought, I look toward Hong Fan.

"By the way Hong Fan... why have you maintained the Entering Nirvana stage for seventy million years...?"

"Ah, well... it is nothing special. It's simply that at the present time, among Master's Immortal Treasures, there are no longer any mortal beings. In order for Master to freely exert influence in the Lower Realm, I believed it would be best to have at least one mortal Immortal Treasure, so I kept my realm as is."

"What? Then that means..."

"Haha, yes. Please see for yourself!"

Hong Fan points toward the sky of the White Magnolia Realm, filled with a hazy, white chaos.

Where his hand points, familiar figures at an entirely unfamiliar realm are engaged in battle against incoming True Immortals from beyond.

Yeo Hwi, Ham Jin, Yu Hwi!

My Immortal Treasures...

During the long years I've been cultivating the Flawless Mantra, they've all succeeded in reaching the realm of Upper Immortal!

Attached to each of their bodies are my Immortal Crowns, passed down by Jeon Myeong-hoon, Oh Hyun-seok, and Kim Yeon.

Drawing on the power of my Immortal Crowns, they are blocking the massive army of True Immortals attempting to invade the inner parts of the White Magnolia Realm.

"Ham Jin! Yu Hwi! Yeo Hwi!"

I shout loudly to my familiar Immortal Treasures and subordinates, and their faces brighten as they look at me.

"Master!"

"Master!"

"Teacher!"

Hwiiiiiii!

I fly over and land beside them.

"Have you all been well? Hahaha, goodness... You've all reached Upper Immortal."

"Haha, seventy million years is... a long time, after all. Even cowardly Yeo Hwi managed to reach Upper Immortal after begging Elder Kang Min-hee and making sure she wouldn't die."

Perhaps from being together so long, it seems Yu Hwi now speaks casually with Yeo Hwi.

Yeo Hwi coughs as if embarrassed, and respectfully greets me.

"Hmm, it has been a while, Master. I heard Master has been cultivating a powerful mantra. According to Yu Hwi, it's called the Flawless Mantra... but the only mantra I know is the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra."

She then scans me up and down with meaningful eyes.

"That being said... Master... you are still an Upper Immortal? Of course, compared to us who have only just reached it, Master's cultivation as an Upper Immortal is already complete..."

'Ah, this Yeo Hwi... She probably thinks my realm is lower than expected, and she doesn't understand the true power of the Flawless Mantra, so she's doubtful.'

Clicking my tongue inwardly, I consider that maybe it's better to string her up and beat her harshly whenever I think of her to keep her loyalty in check.

"I'll be undergoing the Great Net Immortal advancement ritual soon anyway, so don't worry. More importantly, Ham Jin, you..."

I smile gently as I look at Ham Jin, who bows respectfully to me.

Among my Immortal Treasures, Ham Jin is the one whose growth stands out the most.

"You've grown splendidly."

"Thank you, Teacher."

"Haha, what kind of teacher am I, abandoning his students for seventy million years? Still, it's good to see you've all grown safely. So, all of you chose the Heaven Upper Immortal path?"

"Yes, the power of fate is the most intuitive and powerful, after all. I recommended it."

Hong Fan walks up beside me and laughs heartily.

Then, suddenly turning serious, he speaks.

"That aside, Master. Why... did you suddenly destroy the Colorless Glass Sword and the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections? It was frightening. As I understand it, they were practically Master's Immortal Treasure and Immortal Art... Are you alright?"

"Ah, I didn't really explain that properly. But don't worry. The Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections... has not disappeared."

Woo-woooong!

I smile as I look at my Immortal Crowns attached to my Immortal Treasures.

"It simply took on a different form, becoming another sword, and another Immortal Art. And through it... I will never lose my memories, so there's nothing to worry about."

"..."

However, Hong Fan doesn't look convinced.

"Still, next time... I would appreciate at least a word of explanation. That Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections... was it not basically you yourself, Master? As I understand it, my own form was also recorded within it..."

"Yeah, you are right. I'm sorry. I didn't think it through enough. I should've realized you'd be shocked and explained things properly..."

"... No, it's fine. What's done is done..."

"Don't worry too much, Hong Fan."

I smile faintly and take out the norigae from my waist.

"Even though its form has changed, and the essence of the Immortal Art now resides within my heart... it's not as though it can't be restored."

Paaaaaatt!

The norigae, turned white and into Salt Crystal, emits light and scatters power throughout the White Magnolia Realm's nebula, which had been eroded by the power of my Colorless Glass Sword and the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections.

"Retrieve the power of the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections. Flower Soul Filling the Heavens."

Hwaaaaaaak!

Flower Soul Filling the Heavens embeds into the norigae as its medium.

At the same time, infused with my power and will, the norigae flies to the center of the white nebula and begins to draw it in.

Because Flower Soul Filling the Heavens is the most effective when it comes to spells that infuse 'will' and heart, I deliberately choose to use it.

Chwarararak!

Simultaneously, my winged garment unfolds and blocks the beings beyond the nebula.

Kugugugugugu!

"Anyway, we've nearly finished all business here in the Twin Holding Heavenly Domain. Now... let's wrap things up and head to the Elephant Nose Heavenly Domain."

I begin absorbing the entire White Magnolia Realm, filled with memories, into the norigae imbued with the power of ancient force.

The White Magnolia Realm, which contains the entirety of the Colorless Glass Sword and the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections, starts to converge around the norigae.

As the nebula fades, I spot hundreds, even thousands of True Immortals who had been attempting to enter from the outside.

The most noticeable among them is the Immortal Beast Supreme Tiger, who radiates a familiar will toward me.

Next is the half-human, half-horse giant god boasting cosmic muscles, the main body of White-Winged Heavenly Pegasus.

Lastly, there is the Great Yin True Lord Black Dragon, who shares an ill-connection with me, and above their head, the projection of Oh Hye-seo.

Kugugugugu!

I feel the power of Flower Soul Filling the Heavens, which had condensed the entire nebula behind me, returning to me.

Centered on the norigae, Flower Soul Filling the Heavens, looking like clouds of clumped white nebula, appear imbued with the power of both the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections and the Colorless Glass Sword.

I calmly extend my hand toward the compressed clumps of nebula to retrieve the norigae.

Just then, Hwaaaaaak!

"...!"

My history, Flower Soul Filling the Heavens, and the remnants of the Canvas of Myriad Forms and the Colorless Glass Sword begin to resonate as they meet.

At the same time, I feel Flower Soul Filling the Heavens completely fusing with the nebula.

'This is...!'

I realize what change is occurring within Flower Soul Filling the Heavens.

As my history in the White Magnolia Realm is newly passed on to Flower Soul Filling the Heavens, Flower Soul Filling the Heavens is evolving.

Its form changes, and I feel it fully embed itself into the norigae.

Soon after, the appearance of Flower Soul Filling the Heavens is something familiar.

It has taken the form of my 999th reincarnation of the Flawless Mantra.

Its form has changed to that of the Deer King from that time.

[White Deer Without Antlers] That is the newly transformed form of Flower Soul Filling the Heavens.