Chương 748: Light and Salt (4)

Mu Geom's meaning is simple.

A contest of momentum.

The Radiance Spirit Sect, a great sect that far surpasses the entire Human Race of the Vast Cold Realm, and a backwater Middle Realm village head who is an Integration stage Grand Cultivator.

Things proceed far more smoothly once the superiority between the two is decided.

It is clearly such a calculation.

At Mu Geom's arrogant attitude, Gol Maek smiles faintly and speaks.

"This is really... my apologies. I did not consider the hearts of our Radiance Spirit Sect's late-stage prodigies and tried to do things too much in the Vast Cold Realm's way."

The expression of the white-haired, red-eyed woman softens gently, and those who see that gaze feel their hearts grow warm without realizing it.

Seeing that, Seo Gyeong clicks his tongue and quietly marvels, Wol Ryeong, not knowing why, raises her guard to the extreme, and Mu Geom and Bi Hwa become even more overbearing.

"Right, even if other Heavenly Domains have laws of their own, we are disciples of the Radiance Spirit Sect who came receiving a sacred mission. Therefore, this is not a mutual exchange of help in the form of a deal; you must unconditionally cooperate with us. We have come to subjugate the Evil God's fanatics, so know that this is an important duty that determines the course of the entire universe!"

At Mu Geom's shout, the eyes of the Grand Cultivators in the hall each become filled with their own meanings, and Wol Ryeong glares at Mu Geom without realizing it.

"... Senior Brother, no matter what, isn't it right to respect the ways of the Vast Cold Realm?"

"Haha, Wol Ryeong. It seems you do not know well, but for cultivators in such a remote, backwater Middle Realm, the teachings of us immortal talents are what matter."

"Teachings, you say!"

At that one word, Gol Maek lets out a cry of admiration and shouts.

"Yes, now that I think of it, I forget to ask the upper prodigies of the Heavenly Sect supported by the Heaven Immortals to give teachings. For cultivators of a backwater, small realm like us, if you could perhaps bestow teachings, it would truly be an honor of ten thousand generations. Might you perhaps deign to grant us teachings?"

At Gol Maek's words, Mu Geom laughs even more heartily and says,

"If you desire a sermon, then as much as you like. From the basics of my Radiance Spirit Sect's teachings..."

"Hahaha, a sermon, you say? Cultivators like us from a small realm are dull of ear and cannot receive teachings by such things. We are ignorant folk. Therefore, rather than a sermon... I hope you would give teachings through something else."

"Through what...?"

"A friendly spar."

"..."

At Gol Maek's words, Mu Geom laughs awkwardly and takes a step back.

"... I am sorry, but I am still only at the mid Integration stage, so against a Quasi-Star Shattering stage cultivator like the Grand Cultivator Association Leader, there is no need to..."

"Haha, I too know my realm; would I make such a shameless request. What I want is simply... if fellow Daoist could give their teachings to the ordinary Grand Cultivators of the Grand Cultivator Association."

"Ahem, if it is only to that extent..."

Bududuk...

At Mu Geom's words, Wol Ryeong glares at him fiercely, but no matter what, she cannot publicly outright deny the words of Mu Geom, who is nominally her senior brother.

'To think I am in the same group as this guy...'

Seeing the latent strength of the Integration stage Grand Cultivators seated in the Grand Cultivator Association, she sighs inwardly.

And then, Seo Gyeong's tiny hand lightly tugs Wol Ryeong's hand, and Seo Gyeong speaks.

"... It's okay, Ryeong-ah. They say misfortune turns to blessing. Good things will happen."

Seo Gyeong stares fixedly at the old and frail Grand Cultivator called 'Hon Jin,' then smiles faintly.

At those words, Wol Ryeong looks at him with slightly surprised eyes.

'Seo Gyeong's realm is still only at the early Four-Axis stage... how in the world...? I see. Regardless of realm, he has the discernment to have endured as Master's disciple.'

While reevaluating Seo Gyeong inwardly, she also changes her mind.

'Right, Seo Gyeong's words are right. Misfortune turns to blessing. Perhaps it is a chance to suppress Senior Brother and Senior Sister's momentum right before the subjugation without dirtying my hands.'

With meaningful eyes, Wol Ryeong looks at the old monsters of the Grand Cultivator Association sitting before her, and the Integration stage Grand Cultivator from the Mountains and Rivers Origin, the person named Do Ryeok, rises from their seat with a sneer.

"... I will face you. Come forward, young master of the Radiance Spirit Sect."

At those words, Mu Geom also sneers and steps forward from his seat.

"Haha, it is always the ones without real skill who keep their noses high."

Do Ryeok's red hair shoots up to the sky, and the aura of blazing heat spreads around them, Seeing this, Seo Gyeong speaks to Mu Geom.

"... Senior Brother Mu Geom, please be careful. They still are someone who stands at the peak of the Human Race territory in the Vast Cold Realm."

"Haha, can you still not tell when you look at that Wi Jin-nambuk or whatever the name is? These are people who waste thousands, tens of thousands of years just to step into the Integration stage. How could dullards not chosen by the heavens and fate ever stand against genuine Immortal talents?"

At Mu Geom's words overflowing with confidence, Seo Gyeong does not bother to dissuade him further and steps back, while Do Ryeok and Mu Geom walk toward one another.

Ttak— Right after, when Gol Maek snaps her fingers, the mountain peak where the Grand Cultivator Association is gathered instantly shifts into an alternate space.

"This is..."

Mu Geom, unable to notice the change contained in that one move, is taken aback, and Bi Hwa also looks around flustered.

Only Wol Ryeong, among the Integration stage disciples of the Radiance Spirit Sect, perceives the principle behind the change.

'She flipped the surface of the dimension and transformed it into an alternate space. A level capable of touching the laws of the Vast Cold Realm itself. At that level, she could soon advance to the Star Shattering stage... why does she remain at Quasi-Star Shattering stage...?'

A strange two-dimensional otherworld where Heaven and Earth do not exist, and gigantic go stones float densely across the void.

Mu Geom and Do Ryeok stand facing each other atop one of those massive go stones.

Wo-woong!

Perhaps those go stones boast some special function as all the Radiance Spirit Sect disciples who step onto them realize that their power has returned.

"Hoh, so this lets us ignore the adaptation period and display our original power temporarily? I give my thanks, Grand Cultivator Association Leader."

Mu Geom pays his respects in his own way to Gol Maek, who reveals her realm at the Quasi-Star Shattering stage without restraint.

Meanwhile, the other Integration stage cultivators each move onto nearby giant go stones, and Wol Ryeong lifts Seo Gyeong by the waist onto another stone and speaks.

"Who do you think will win, Seo Gyeong?"

"I think it will be a draw. With my low realm, how could I possibly measure the strength of senior brothers and sisters, much less those of the Grand Cultivator Association of the Vast Cold Realm?"

"Haha, a draw, you say...?"

At Seo Gyeong's words, all the Integration stage cultivators who hear that voice smirk.

Each of them seems to think that one side will clearly and decisively overwhelm the other.

Wol Ryeong shakes her head.

To her eyes, it is clear.

'... Senior Brother Mu Geom will lose. Overwhelmingly.'

In terms of realm, Mu Geom and Do Ryeok are equal, both at the mid Integration stage.

On top of that, Mu Geom is a prodigy of the Radiance Spirit Sect, having received the Radiance Spirit Sect's Refining Void Dharma Treasure, artifacts, spiritual medicines, and unique divine powers in abundance, making him a troublesome opponent. Within the sect, he is an extraordinary prodigy who boasts certain victory against cultivators of the same realm, and even gains slight advantage over late Integration stage cultivators.

Yet, in Wol Ryeong's eyes, she sees something contained within Do Ryeok.

'What should I call that? Killing intent? Madness?'

It is the venom of a human who roamed the harsh Human Race territory of the Vast Cold Realm Human Race without a sect, accumulating evil.

Something that instantly bridges a mere gap in realm.

The moment she saw it, she instantly knew Mu Geom will lose.

"Now then. For the 'teachings' of the Great Radiance Spirit Sect's late-stage genius, I declare the friendly spar... to begin."

Gol Maek's proclamation rings out, and as soon as it ends, Mu Geom joins his palms together and shouts.

"Integrated Dao Domain."

Kugugugung!

At the same time, Mu Geom's true body begins to reveal itself.

From the Four-Axis stage onward, depending on the method the cultivators practice, their true bodies transform, and this is called 'Immortal Transformation'.

Mu Geom's Immortal Transformation is the form of a fox whose whole body is covered in sharp swords.

Those scales are thick and sharp like those of a pangolin, and unknown sharp energy scrapes fiercely at the surroundings.

And that is not all.

Centered on Mu Geom, a dimensional veil spreads and covers the surroundings.

Mu Geom's Integrated Dao Domain, Cold Dao Swordless Cage (寒道無劍之樊), encloses the area in a cage of ice.

[TL/N: Mu Geom's name can mean Swordless.] Kakang, kagagagang!

Cold winds blow in all directions, creating a snowy field, scattering snow blossoms, and throughout the snowy field where snow blossoms scatter, cold energy clusters and forges swords of ice.

Those ice swords (氷劍) are so transparent they look like glass, appearing endlessly close to colorlessness.

[Behold, I am the blood descendant of the Snow Mountain Heaven Immortal...!] Seo Gyeong listens to Mu Geom's roar and smirks.

"Ah... I see."

[Transparent Winter Sword Barrier (透明冬劍結界). Deploy!] Thousands of colorless ice swords draw a sword formation and bare their fangs at Do Ryeok.

The deployment of that entire domain and the sword formation are completed within two seconds—worthy of being called a divine skill.

The storm of the sword formation looks as though it will devour Do Ryeok whole.

And at that storm, Do Ryeok takes a step forward and lets out a hollow laugh.

"What is this retard?"

Kwajik— He takes a single step.

At the same time, to everyone watching their duel in Gol Maek's alternate dimensions, the flow of attraction force engraves a single name.

Immortal Art (仙術).

Sunlight (陽).

The Integration stage realm formula, the power of the basic Immortal Art Various Omens concentrates on Do Ryeok.

At the same time, an immense power of Extreme Yang begins to spread out centered on Do Ryeok.

Huarurururuk!

It is instantaneous.

Do Ryeok rapidly uses the ground-shrinking technique to arrive in front of Mu Geom, and with nothing more than a single kick from a body suffused with the energy of Extreme Yang, he flings Mu Geom away. It all happens truly in a fleeting instant.

Kkwaaaang!

The sword scales that sprout all over Mu Geom's body shatter in an instant, and there is not even a wound on Do Ryeok's leg.

Even though he does not even undergo Immortal Transformation, Do Ryeok does not have so much as a brush mark, and he laughs as if he finds it absurd.

"I don't perfectly embody the formula of Sunlight either, but I at least have the basics... What are you even? Shouldn't you at least show the effort to internalize the formula of Cold?"

Kwaduduk— Grabbing Mu Geom's immortalized body with bare hands, he directly swings Mu Geom's body.

Hwoong—

"No matter how young you are, still, did they not say True Immortals are behind you? They say your sect has Star Shattering Esteemed Ones and even Sacred Vessels."

Kwaaaang!

Kwajijik!

He simply hurls Mu Geom's body, and one of the arms of the flung Mu Geom directly tears off.

Chijijik— And at the torn spot, the energy of Extreme Yang settles, making it so the wound cannot even heal.

"Hey, young master, try saying something. I am also four thousand years old so I am not far from you in age, but I can do at least this much. Yet you, who they say cultivated after entering a great sect, did you focus only on decorating your domain without internalizing the formula?"

Huarurururuk!

The power of Extreme Yang spewing from Do Ryeok starts to gradually melt the entirety of Mu Geom's Integrated Dao Domain.

The whole world begins to burn, and Do Ryeok, without even unfolding a domain, speaks as if it's absurd.

"With this much difference in skill, what teaching... Heh heh, you are insane. I hear you took on a subjugation mission suited to your level but... that cult subjugation or whatever, it's actually insanely easy and you lot are just trying to take credit, aren't you? What a funny bunch."

Kwajijijik!

With his left hand turned into flame, Do Ryeok grabs Mu Geom by the collar and, cracking his joints, raises his right hand.

"Now then, young master. Still, as a senior in life, shall I show you what happens if you wag your tongue the wrong—" It's just when Do Ryeok is about to stretch his right hand toward Mu Geom's heart.

Kwaching—

"...!?"

Mu Geom's collapsing Integrated Dao Domain and Do Ryeok's power of Extreme Yang simultaneously break apart, and someone slips between them and seizes Do Ryeok's wrist.

"Heh heh, let us stop here, Daoist Do."

"... Yes, Elder Hon Jin."

It is Hon Jin, the Penglai Palace Lord.

Hon Jin coughs and separates the two Integration stage cultivators, and Wol Ryeong's eyes gleam.

'That one called Do Ryeok tried to kill Senior Brother Mu Geom.'

Though it was a hidden killing intent, Wol Ryeong could perceive it.

It was so hidden of a killing intent that, on the Grand Cultivator Association's side as well, except for Gol Maek and about one person, no one noticed.

'And that one called Hon Jin... noticed the killing intent and intervened to stop it.'

Cough, cough-cough!

Hon Jin, as if it was hard to block Do Ryeok's strike, coughs blood and returns to his seat, but Wol Ryeong, looking at Hon Jin's back, grows tense.

'And moreover, even if the Integrated Dao Domain was collapsing, to smash it in a single moment like this... that one seems to be the strongest after Gol Maek.'

After setting up a barrier of attraction force around them, Wol Ryeong quietly speaks to Seo Gyeong.

"Seo Gyeong, I think that old man seems to be the strongest after Gol Maek. What about you?"

"Mm? Well... I don't think so."

"Right, on the surface he may look weak. But... there is something inside him, a power that cannot be disregarded."

"..."

Wol Ryeong glares at the existence called Hon Jin, and Seo Gyeong, watching Hon Jin together with her, only gives a smile of unknown meaning without saying anything.

After a while, Do Ryeok withdraws from the arena, and Bi Hwa descends from her seat with a face that looks unwell.

The next one to step forward is a Grand Cultivator named Heo Nam-gwon.

"Greetings, young lady. I am Heo Nam-gwon, who manages the Vast Cold Realm branch of a minor sect called the Black Ghost Valley. I humbly hope to receive the Radiance Spirit Sect's profound teachings."

Heo Nam-gwon bows politely to Bi Hwa, and Bi Hwa accepts the greeting with an awkward smile.

"... Even in my hometown, even in the Heroic Spirit Realm, and in other stellar realms, there is always a Black Ghost Valley, a Black Ghost Palace, a Ghost Bone Sect... Please do not say such things. I know your sect is a secret grand sect rooted throughout the Heavenly Domains. If it reveals all its strength, it would be comparable even to the Radiance Spirit Sect."

Pff— Seo Gyeong suddenly bursts into laughter, and Wol Ryeong looks at him in puzzlement for a moment before dismissing it and turns back to gaze down at the two.

"Who do you think will win this time?"

"I think one side will forfeit."

Indeed, on Bi Hwa's face, after seeing Mu Geom's miserable defeat, shows deep concern.

But Wol Ryeong instead shakes her head.

'This time, Bi Hwa will still win.'

The one called Heo Nam-gwon is at the very beginning of the Integration stage, and does not look that strong.

Moreover, he does not carry the poison of someone like Do Ryeok.

'And furthermore, the Black Ghost Valley... That secret sect mainly cultivates Ghost Path Methods, which are perfectly countered by Bi Hwa's methods.'

After a while, their duel begins.

Bi Hwa is a cultivator of Sacred Dao Methods (聖道功法), which hold the power of blessing, purification, and healing, and from the beginning she overwhelms Heo Nam-gwon, who reveals the power of Ghost Path Methods.

Gradually, Bi Hwa presses Heo Nam-gwon and seizes the momentum, and at last, just when she is about to land a decisive blow against them.

Shiver— From Heo Nam-gwon, who is wielding Ghost Path Methods, a chilling aura that no one can ignore spreads.

From that terrifying, spine-chilling aura, everyone present realizes that Heo Nam-gwon has a hidden trump card.

Even Bi Hwa's eyes show signs of defeat.

Wol Ryeong, seeing the flower blooming inside Heo Nam-gwon, is reminded of one thing.

'A flower?'

It is some black flower that exudes the aura of a curse.

But in that instant,

"Hm... I will concede."

Heo Nam-gwon, as if pondering something, stops the blooming of the black flower and surrenders.

"What, what is this? Are you mocking me?"

"No, Lady Bi. My secret art is incomplete, so it would be dissolved by your blessings."

But Wol Ryeong realizes he is lying.

'It is the opposite.'

If Heo Nam-gwon had used that curse in flower form, it would not have been Bi Hwa's blessing that melts his curse, but Bi Hwa who is killed by that curse.

'So he went easy because he can't control the killing move. Cultivator Heo forfeited, but in truth it is Bi Hwa's defeat...'

And suddenly, Wol Ryeong notices something strange.

'Somehow... everything goes exactly as Seo Gyeong says. Is it just my imagination?'

It is a strange feeling.

And with Heo Nam-gwon's defeat, Wol Ryeong's turn arrives.

"Hm, I shall..."

More than anyone present, Wol Ryeong wants to cross moves at least with Gol Maek and tries to name Gol Maek as her opponent.

But just then, Hon Jin steps forward.

And as if waiting, Seo Gyeong flies to the front of Hon Jin.

"What, Seo Gyeong!? What are you doing, the opponent is at the Integration stage!"

"Ah, sorry Ryeong-ah. But still, I am also a disciple of the Radiance Spirit Sect, so shouldn't I at least show my face?"

"Seo Gyeong! Even if he looks the weakest, that one is..."

"Mm? When did I ever say that?"

"What?"

But before Wol Ryeong can stop him, Hon Jin chuckles.

"Heh heh, it is fine. Do not mind this old man. Anyway, if it is a late-stage disciple of the Great Radiance Spirit Sect, then against an old man like me... cough, cough...!"

While speaking, Hon Jin coughs up blood.

Though he stopped the fight between Do Ryeok and Mu Geom, no matter how one looks at him, he is an old man on the verge of death.

In some sense, it even seems fitting for him to spar with Seo Gyeong, who is at the Four-Axis stage.

But Wol Ryeong feels anxious.

'That man is the one most dangerous after Gol Maek!'

But to drag Seo Gyeong back by force, when he has already resolved himself, would be to disgrace not only Seo Gyeong's face but also the face of the one called Hon Jin.

She does not know what Seo Gyeong is thinking, but she decides, helplessly, to respect his will.

'... Well, perhaps it will be good for Seo Gyeong to experience defeat at least once outside.'

Whether Bi Hwa knows her worries or not, Bi Hwa speaks in a carefree tone.

"Certainly... though he is an Integration stage Grand Cultivator, he seems to have even gone senile, and may be a good opponent for Seo Gyeong."

"What? Senile?"

But she soon understands Bi Hwa's words.

"So you are a True Immortal wearing a human mask."

Because at Hon Jin's very first words, the strategist of the Grand Cultivator Association, Wi Jin-nambuk, apologizes to the disciples of the Radiance Spirit Sect.

"... From his youth, the Penglai Palace Lord poured much of his vitality into raising Penglai Palace... Now, as a consequence, he is in a slight state of dementia. We ask for your understanding."

'Hm, dementia...?'

At those words, Wol Ryeong eases her heart a little.

'He certainly looks that way. If so, then I don't have to worry too much about Seo Gyeong getting badly hurt.'

Thus, though he is at the late Integration stage, Hon Jin whose vitality has declined and senility has set in, and Seo Gyeong, who has the lowest cultivation among the Radiance Spirit Sect's party, enter into a friendly spar that none in the arena watch with much interest.

Hon Jin knows.

He cannot forget.

Ever since he came to Penglai Palace and learned the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique, the being who continued to aid his cultivation through the connection with that technique is...

The very existence before his eyes.

"Truly... I have wished to meet you."

Before him, the existence in the form of a boy does not speak aloud, but shapes his lips to convey something to him.

Reading the lip movements, Hon Jin smiles brightly and reaches his hand out toward his long-time friend.

The moves of those who inherit the lineage of the Mountain God collide in one place within the Vast Cold Realm.