Chương 667: Witness of Eternity (2)

Clang!

The Heavenly Venerable of Time swings his left arm once.

All the surrounding chaos of the Outer Sea halts.

[Time separation. Targeted zone, ultra-acceleration.] Kkiriririk— Not only the chaos, but also the faintly undulating disgrace of the Heavenly Venerables within it— Even Kim Yeon as well—are all frozen.

'It's not that everything is frozen.'

Only the Heavenly Venerable of Time is ultra-accelerated.

However, because my consciousness has risen to Araya Consciousness, my consciousness is able to keep up with the overwhelming acceleration that makes time seem to have frozen.

The Heavenly Venerable of Time seems to realize this too, and lets out a silent sigh as he swiftly performs three consecutive hand seals.

[Targeted zone, re-acceleration. Targeted zone, ultra-deceleration. Time segmentation.] The Heavenly Venerable of Time accelerates again, while I am decelerated, and time fractures once more into segmented zones.

But it is pointless.

Tuk, tududududuk!

The principles of time binding me begin snapping one by one.

[I am a sword.] Before I know it, I've reached the later stage of Great Net Immortal and gained the ability to interfere with Indra's Net, allowing me to strike directly at principles.

And the fact that I can touch the principles means I can attempt things 'beyond' mere 'touch'.

[A sword can be bound by nothing but its sheath.] Tukdududuk!

The expression of the Heavenly Venerable of Time stiffens.

At the same time, his figure begins to distort.

Behind him, a Taiji of starlight ripples, and his human form incarnation begins to melt into the Taiji.

The principles of Indra's Net are severed by the Impermanence Sword.

Among the principles being severed, the principles of 'time' are included as well.

Kwarurururung— Simultaneously, an overwhelming force begins to explode from within my body.

However, that erupting force does not disperse; it lingers around me.

It is my attraction force and explosion that have reached the level of Heaven-Earth Great Net.

'Vague prophecies or revisions alone are not enough to face a Heavenly Venerable.'

I condense all prophecies and revisions into a single point.

:: I, prophesize. The Martial Arts I have accumulated cannot be violated by any Absolute. The Martial Arts I have accumulated can be spoken of by no authority other than myself. These simultaneously are my revision...:: Kiiiiing— The power of prophecy and revision wraps around my Impermanence Sword and myself, like a scaled armor.

As much as it is narrow in scope, within that narrow range, it exerts power close to an 'absolute'.

Perhaps realizing this, the Heavenly Venerable of Time conveys a will of annoyance.

[Is this some tactic akin to Hyeon Mu's? How needlessly bothersome. Why do you resist? Great Net Immortal... no, even those at the level of True Immortal already understand that life and death hold no meaning...] [...] [Don't tell me... is it because you were about to copulate with that Ender and couldn't? In that case, the problem will be solved when that Ender awakens as a Heavenly King. Then, that one will naturally remember the promise made at this time... Why are you so obsessed with the present? Do you not realize I am offering you goodwill?] The Heavenly Venerable of Time questions me with genuine incomprehension.

[All I can do as a projection is simply bring you to death in an instant, activating the mantra of Heuk Sa. It hasn't been long since I fixed your regression point. This is all the goodwill I can offer you at this point in time. Do you really believe... you can endure endlessly drifting through this Outer Sea, keeping your sanity intact?] His voice somehow sounds as if he pities me.

[With nothing but pity for you, I try to grant you death now so you may begin anew... And yet you still, bound by desire and obstinacy of mortality, insist on continuing this life...? Even knowing you have near-infinite chances...?] [... It is not obstinacy.] With cold eyes, I release attraction force and begin to take control of the surrounding chaos.

The formula of the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade gradually teaches me how to maintain balance in this Outer Sea.

[It is simply my way.] Pasasasasa— The Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra and the formula of Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade begin to resonate.

The power of the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra compresses the surrounding chaos and begins refining it, while the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade consumes the compressed shards of chaos, spreading a spiraling vortex outward from those consumed fragments.

'It feels like I'm standing on solid ground.'

The resonance between the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade and the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra instills in me an overwhelming sense of stability.

[Can you truly endure it? No matter what you think, this world is always more cruel than that. Are you really saying you can return to Mount Sumeru with your mind intact, sailing through the endless Outer Sea, even without my 'help'?] Kurururung— Before my eyes, the Taiji of starlight ripple and swell in size.

'Is this... the Heavenly Venerable of Time?'

In an instant, the surroundings begin transforming into a world of countless star veins resembling the Source River.

The star veins entangle and intertwine, forming something like a great river.

Above that river, countless scenes drift by.

Chwaaaaaa— I feel as though I am about to be swept away by the waves of countless history observed by the Heavenly Venerable of Time, but I take my stance and take a step forward.

The First Form of Severing Heaven Sword Form, compressing the 1st to 12th moves of Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.

Entering Heaven.

The Second Form of Severing Heaven Sword Form, compressing the 13th to 24th moves of Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.

Treading Heaven.

The Third Form of Severing Heaven Sword Form, compressing the 25th to 36th moves of Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.

Punishing Heaven.

With every form that unfolds, the profoundness of Foolish Old Man Moves Mountains seeps in, and I grow steadily stronger.

At the same time, I begin to gradually accelerate.

Now, as the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra resonates with the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade and provides utmost stability— Now is the best time to test the thirty-sixth move of Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.

Because the thirty-sixth move of Severing Mountain Swordsmanship is, unlike the other moves, fundamentally rooted in the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra.

Shwiriririk— Shwik— From the first move of Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, Transcending Peaks, to the final ultimate technique— All the principles of martial arts I've learned and unleashed begin to circle my Impermanence Sword, biting each other's tail.

At the same time, the Severing Heaven Sword Form, which until now lacked proper form, finally begins to take its 'shape.'

It is mist.

Shwiririk— Severing Heaven Sword Form, which seems to create trajectories of starlight every time it unfolds, has the starlight weave and tangle, changing form into something like a 'river' as it confronts the Source River.

Shikagak!

Kang— Kagagagagagak!

Each time the Impermanence Sword is swung, it clashes with the torrents of the Source River, causing explosive roars to erupt.

And as those roars begin to grow louder, they transform into something eerie.

Kagagak!

Kakakak!

Kukaaaaagh!

Kaaaaaaaagh!

It sounds as if something is screaming.

And finally— Kuoohhhhhh!

The screech of friction of the Severing Heaven Sword Form turns into a massive dragon's roar, echoing throughout the entire Source River, and the form of the Severing Heaven Sword Form with the thirty-six moves of Severing Mountain Swordsmanship added reveals itself.

It is a Candle Dragon.

The enormous form of the Immortal Beast Candle Shadow begins to appear with each sword trajectory, growing ever larger.

It expands by drawing in and reversing the power of the Source River itself.

I perform a sword dance within the endless torrents of the Source River, before the authority of the Heavenly Venerable of Time. When the power of the sword dance reaches its peak, I finally unleash the essence of the Severing Heaven Sword Form, the final ultimate technique of the Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.

The form of the Candle Dragon coiled at the tip of the sword roars, and I swing my sword with all my strength alongside that dragon's cry.

Shukwak!

That is the end.

Jjeoooook!

The Source River splits, and the rules created in this space by the Heavenly Venerable of Time also shatter, revealing the pure chaos of the Outer Sea and the disgrace of the Heavenly Venerables.

Even that revealed chaos of the Outer Sea seems to fracture endlessly, and an enormous path seems to unfold before my eyes.

The thirty-sixth move of the Severing Mountain Swordsmanship applies the principle of the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra to the domain of Martial Arts, bringing about an End (終末) with a single sword strike.

Of course, there are still many aspects that need refinement, and the technique is unfinished... but its sheer power seems enough to momentarily repel even a Heavenly Venerable's authority.

Pussshhhh— Steam-like vapors seep out from all over my body.

'I thought my body had grown strong enough to withstand the recoil to some degree, so I tried it out, but...'

Even having reached the late stage of Heaven-Earth Great Net, my body still feels dangerously overheated after using it.

Had I used it at the realm of True Immortal or Upper Immortal, my Immortal Body would not have been able to endure the backlash and would have suffered fatal damage.

If I had used it during the Entering Nirvana stage or Sacred Vessel stage, it would have been nothing more than a self-destructive technique.

'Still, now it's only a matter of overheating. If I take a little more time and completely control the leaking force... by then, it should be usable.'

I steady my twilight true energy and gaze upon the halved sea of chaos.

Tststststs— Then, a phenomenon as if time itself is reversing unfolds before my eyes, and the Heavenly Venerable of Time appears, entirely unscathed.

But that appearance is only superficial. In truth, he must be in considerable pain, since I have even cut through the principle.

[... Your power is worthy of recognition. But... no matter how great your power may be, time is something not easily endured. More precisely, the solitude of time akin to eternity... Even this conversation I am having with you now is only possible because you are still near the disgrace of the Heavenly Venerables. Once you leave and that medium disappears, communication will be impossible. That being the case, you must drift forever through the Outer Sea with only that Ender at your side... Can you truly endure such an outcome?] [...] [I am the only one who can kill you. Was it Kim Yeon? That child who has cultivated using the cultivation system of Primordial Origin is certainly strong and would likely win more than lose against other True Immortals, but in terms of pure weight class, the Immortal Cultivation system of Heuk Sa is far superior. That is why that child cannot kill you. And judging by your attitude, you don't seem inclined to kill yourself either.] The Heavenly Venerable of Time asks with a solemn face.

[I will ask one last time. Can you truly accept eternally drifting in the Outer Sea?] [... Whether the voyage in the Outer Sea is eternal or not... that is something no one can know, is it not? This is, after all, a chaos where all possibilities exist. Perhaps I may reach Mount Sumeru in a single instant.] [... Wrong. While this is indeed a chaos where all possibilities exist... that is precisely what makes it terrifying. The Outer Sea overflows with positive possibilities, but it overflows just as much with negative ones...] [... It does not matter. Possibilities are just that—possibilities...] I turn my Transformation form body and speak.

[What I have accumulated is not inferior to infinite possibilities. So no matter how difficult the journey back from the Outer Sea may be, I will never collapse.] [... Foolish. I have certainly... given you a chance.] The Heavenly Venerable of Time sighs, turning away as if sincerely regretful.

[Do as you please. After all, mountain spirits have always been stubborn, so I figured this might happen. And...] Wo-woong!

The projection of the Heavenly Venerable of Time melts into the void and resonates with the split soul of Yeong Seung within me.

[If you need my help, use that split soul as a sacrifice. Then, just once, I will send my projection to kill you. Now then, experience for yourself... what the true pain of eternity feels like.] Finishing his words, the Heavenly Venerable of Time looks back at me with regretful eyes and completely dissipates.

I gaze at the place where he disappears.

Kugugugu— Moments later, the extreme acceleration affecting me releases, and the frozen world resumes.

Kim Yeon blinks.

She seems unaware that anything happened.

[... It's nothing. Just... the Heavenly Venerable of Time being nosy.] I take Kim Yeon's hand, climb once more onto Flower Soul Filling the Heavens, and kick off the Salt Crystal made from the disgrace of the Heavenly Venerables.

Kwaaaang!

Just like that, we kick off the disgrace of the Heavenly Venerables and begin our return journey to the distant Mount Sumeru.

'No matter how long it takes... both Kim Yeon and I can endure it.'

As I push through the endless chaos, I think this to myself.

It isn't simply because we can rely on each other.

Hwarururuk— The spell of Celestial Lord Incense Burning.

It is because I can burn my split soul to communicate with my comrades in Mount Sumeru.

"Yeon-ah. For now... I'm going to use the Celestial Lord Incense Burning spell. Help me."

My comrades should have already prepared the conditions for Celestial Lord Incense Burning to activate through my split soul.

I take out the Heavenly Black Flag and the Earthly Yellow Banner given to me by Jeon Myeong-hoon, cover the surroundings, close my eyes, and sit in a lotus position.

Immortal Art.

Celestial Lord Incense Burning.

'Activate.'

Paaaatt!

Like so, my consciousness begins to get sucked toward the faraway Mount Sumeru.

Mount Sumeru, Twin Holding Heavenly Domain, Kali Realm.

In a certain region of the Human Race territory— There, a mother lights an oil lamp before bedtime and tells a fairy tale to her children.

"Long, long ago, in a time far away, there lived a swordsman who cried out 'Heavens above!' at the world."

The children, with sparkling eyes, listen to their mother's story and gaze at the shadows cast by the flame of the oil lamp.

"The swordsman had no talent at all. So little, in fact, that no matter how much he swung his sword throughout his life, his realm never rose. And so, the swordsman swung his sword his whole life, shouting at the heavens—asking why he was given no talent. And then one day!"

The mother, mending her children's clothes with needle and thread, continues the fairy tale about the swordsman.

The children are drawn into the fairy tale their mother tells, imagining and picturing the story's protagonist as they immerse themselves in the tale.

Elsewhere in the Kali Realm.

In a detached palace of a Human Race imperial family, a court lady reads a fairy tale to the crown prince.

"Once upon a time, in a time long, long past, there was a White Immortal. This White Immortal entered a sect that wielded golden lightning. Why? Because that sect, due to the sins of their ancestor, was fated to be destroyed by another powerful Lightning Immortal. The White Immortal joined that sect to save it from the destruction of the Lightning Immortal."

As the court lady reads from the fairy tale book, the crown prince's eyes light up, and he begins to think about the fairy tale's protagonist.

As he imagines the protagonist and immerses himself in the story, the crown prince draws the image of the main character in his mind.

Not only in the Kali Realm, but also far off in other dimensions— For example, even in a corner of the Bright Cold Realm, which had been transferred to the Earth Boundary Heavenly Domain, the same is happening.

Not only the Human Race but, even among the intelligent Heaven Tribe, stories and tales of the 'talentless swordsman' and the 'White Immortal' begin to suddenly become popular.

Countless humans and Heaven Tribe members read the tales and stories, picturing the protagonist in their minds.

Then, at some point, that protagonist embeds himself into their entire lives, deep within their unconsciousness.

Throughout numerous Heavenly Domains, except for the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain, the stories repeat again and again, and the protagonist becomes imprinted deep into the unconsciousness of countless living beings.

Then, at a certain moment— The flow of those unconscious minds causes a ripple in the Plane of Soul.

The ripple formed in the Plane of Soul affects the Plane of Qi and the Plane of Fate, and gradually a certain energy begins to naturally arise throughout the entire world.

That energy is none other than the story's protagonist— The one known as the 'talentless swordsman' and the 'White Immortal,' Seo Eun-hyun's innate true energy.

It is twilight true energy.

The heart toward the protagonist that sparks like candlelight in the hearts of those who read the tales subtly influences the Planes of Qi and Fate, causing them to faintly produce twilight true energy.

This is the result of Seo Eun-hyun's comrades, at his request, refining his split soul and spreading it throughout the world in the form of stories.

And then, at a certain moment, Within the trickling stream of twilight true energy naturally generated by the spell of Celestial Lord Incense Burning, a certain 'consciousness' opens its eyes.

It is...

The 'consciousness' of Seo Eun-hyun, who, out in the Outer Sea, has just activated the Celestial Lord Incense Burning spell.

Shiririk— Shiririririk— Inner Sea of Mount Sumeru.

In the abyss where the energies of numerous Heavenly Domains flow, collide, are destroyed, and once more amplify— From somewhere in those deep depths, twilight true energy begins to gather.

And from the place where twilight true energy converges, something opens its eyes.

That which awakens instinctively manipulates attraction force, forming an alternate space around itself and sends a signal to its 'comrades'.

Soon, the comrades will come rushing.

Inside the alternate space.

Within a world thick with the noise of countless 'stories', the something that opened its eyes— Seo Eun-hyun, hearing the endless whispers from all directions, slowly begins to form his clone.

Shurururuk— Perhaps due to the lack of twilight true energy, Seo Eun-hyun takes the form of a small child, and looks around while slowly regaining consciousness.

"... So noisy. On top of... that... even the sense of time... is weird..."

Blinking as if in a daze, he sits down and rubs his eyes.

"When will... my comrades... arrive...?"

It happens then.

Someone hugs Seo Eun-hyun from behind, sits him on their lap, and speaks.

"Hello, Seo Eun-hyun. It seems you've learned the Celestial Lord Incense Burning spell well."

"Mm, seems like... it. Since my consciousness... arrived from... the Outer Sea..."

The one with silver hair gently strokes the child-form Seo Eun-hyun, smiling.

"I see. By the way, Seo Eun-hyun, you've really accomplished countless feats, haven't you? Normally, even experienced Great Immortals only produce a single story's worth when they use Celestial Lord Incense Burning. But your stories aren't just one or two. They are so many and diverse, they've spread to all Heavenly Domains except the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain and the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain."

"Mmm... but... who are you...?"

"Don't think too hard right now. At this moment, you are a lump of information formed from the stories of countless living beings. It's only because so many beings have imagined you and etched you deep into their unconsciousness that you're able to communicate with Mount Sumeru from the Outer Sea. But as a lump of information, the more you think about complicated thoughts, the slower your will gets delivered. That means you'll stay in this dazed state even longer."

"Mmm..."

"Just stay in my arms for a bit. I have something to find anyway..."

The figure gently covers Seo Eun-hyun's eyes with slender, jade white hands.

"Celestial Lord Incense Burning is an Immortal Art where one takes the parts of their life that forms their identity and scatter them as stories. Then, by using those who read and imprinted those stories into their unconsciousness as coordinates and mediums, one communicates with distant worlds. And that means... by reading those stories, one can glimpse into the past of the True Immortal they wish to understand..."

Covering the eyes of Seo Eun-hyun, the figure embraces him and begins to search through the countless 'stories' flowing in the alternate space around the information entity that is Seo Eun-hyun.

Held within that being's arms, Seo Eun-hyun frowns at the scent of iron dust wafting from somewhere, but relaxes again at the warmth radiating from the being's body.

"Just... stay like this for a little while. If what you did through your Ender authority had enough impact to influence me... then surely, it was an event that influenced your identity. It must be within the stories of Celestial Lord Incense Burning."

Thus...

The one holding Seo Eun-hyun in their arms— The Fifth Seat of the Radiance Eight Immortals, the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, breathes in the subtle scent of Seo Eun-hyun's clone and begins to search for the story within Celestial Lord Incense Burning that relates to herself.