Chapter 354: Devilish Cult (7)
Kugugugugug!
Under the dark sky of the Nether Ghost Realm.
At the northern end of the Stable Realm, bordering the Chaos Realm.
In that vicinity, a colossal cloud of dust rises.
"Chief Law Protector, another Grand Cultivator level Ghost King has arrived."
"Yeah, I see."
Jeon Myeong-hoon, standing at the edge of the Twilight Domain with his arms crossed, receives reports from the ghostly creatures, gazing at the distant dust cloud rising.
"They're releasing an incredible killing intent."
He speaks calmly, sitting down and caressing the hand of Jin So-hae.
Her hand, fried and devoid of moisture, is still preserved exactly as it had been, thanks to Jeon Myeong-hoon's special preservation treatment.
Watching the nonchalant Jeon Myeong-hoon, Oh Hyun-seok and Kim Yeon approach from behind.
"By the way, Myeong-hoon, is this okay? Including the Grand Cultivator-level Ghost King who just arrived, there are now 30 Integration stage ghost cultivators."
It's true.
Six months have passed since they established themselves in the area where the True Person's devotee resided.
During the time Seo Eun-hyun was in seclusion, forces from all over the Nether Ghost have gathered.
It looks as if the entire Nether Ghost Realm is amassing forces to wage a full-scale war against the Wuji Religious Order.
"There's no need to worry from now on. It seems the Four Great Factions of the Nether Ghost Realm are preparing for a full-scale war, and in a few months, there might be hundreds of Integration stage cultivators gathered."
Seeing him laugh heartily, Oh Hyun-seok's worried expression deepens.
"Hmm, how about calling that Yeon Wei person back now? Are you sure this is alright?"
"Well...our ancestor is knowledgeable in many areas, but sometimes she can be quite careless. Sometimes it's better to trust Seo Eun-hyun over the ancestor."
"What if he makes a wrong decision?"
"Even if it seems like a mistake, it's better to trust him."
He clenches Jin So-hae's hand tightly as he mutters.
"If I had only trusted my colleague's words back then...perhaps So-hae might not have died...!"
Seeing this, Oh Hyun-seok looks a bit sympathetic.
"...Alright. I will trust him too."
At that moment.
Flash!
Bo-oong!
From the camp of the Four Major Factions Alliance, a spear of light shoots towards the Twilight Domain.
The spear of light, imbued with the energy of Vanquishing Evil and Upholding Righteousness, burns through the ghostly energy of the Nether Ghost Realm as it flies towards them.
Oh Hyun-seok takes a step forward upon seeing this.
"Hah, they're finally starting to pick a fight."
A purple aura begins to rise from his entire body when suddenly,
Kim Yeon steps past Oh Hyun-seok and moves forward.
Wo-woong!
With her pink robe fluttering, she takes her stance.
Jeon Myeong-hoon looks at Kim Yeon with a slightly startled expression and asks cautiously.
"Hey, Kim Yeon, you okay?"
But Kim Yeon does not answer.
Instead, she chews her lips anxiously and mutters with unstable eyes.
"No...I can't forgive this. Seo Eun-hyun is mine. I can't forgive anyone who tries to harm Seo Eun-hyun...!"
Chuarak!
She stomps her foot and soars into the sky, raising her left hand towards the spear of light.
Kuang!
The spear of light, imbued with the energy of Vanquishing Evil and Upholding Righteousness, bounces into the sky and spins around.
Kim Yeon shifts her stance in midair, pulling back her right hand imbued with overwhelming strength.
As the spear falls downwards, it reaches Kim Yeon's eye level.
She then precisely swings her pulled-back right hand towards the hilt of the spear.
Kuaang!
A pinkish wave ripples through the air, and the spear of light is shot back towards its origin.
Kugwagwagwagwang!
The light of Vanquishing Evil and Upholding Righteousness explodes from the direction of the Nether Ghost Realm alliance's camp, spreading an atmosphere of chaos.
Tak!
After demonstrating this series of martial prowess, Kim Yeon lands back on the ground, biting her lips as she glares towards the enemy camp.
But no further attacks follow.
Jeon Myeong-hoon looks at Kim Yeon with uneasy eyes.
'The cycle of her madness is shortening.'
There had been previous instances of Kim Yeon's madness flaring up.
However, it always seemed to subside when Seo Eun-hyun was nearby, so it had never been a major problem.
But now that Seo Eun-hyun is in seclusion.
Kim Yeon's condition has rapidly deteriorated.
Jeon Myeong-hoon observes Kim Yeon.
Having nearly gone mad himself after losing Jin So-hae, he understands.
Kim Yeon is in a very dangerous state.
But he can't understand why.
'Just why is her madness acting up? There were no issues on Earth...'
It wasn't as if she lost a lover like he did, nor had she absorbed numerous ghosts like Kang Min-hee, nor is she undergoing intense training like Seo Eun-hyun or Oh Hyun-seok.
Though the time when she was captured by the Mad Lord was tough, she had said it wasn't that difficult thanks to Seo Eun-hyun's remote support and comfort.
'It's strange.'
To him, Kim Yeon's madness appears very out of place.
It's as if someone implanted the madness.
But Jeon Myeong-hoon doesn't delve too deeply.
'If there was a problem, Seo Eun-hyun would have taken action.'
The fact that Seo Eun-hyun went into seclusion while leaving Kim Yeon unattended indicated that he believed she could overcome it on her own.
'Since Seo Eun-hyun trusts Kim Yeon, I should trust her too.'
Jeon Myeong-hoon caresses Jin So-hae's hand and closes his eyes.
'Right, So-hae?'
He trusts his colleagues.
Even if they seem unstable on the surface, trusting them means leaving the results to them.
He trusts Seo Eun-hyun, Kim Yeon, and Oh Hyun-seok. He trusts the Guardian Ghost Kings and also the Wuji Religious Order.
'So, instead of worrying about Kim Yeon, my job is to protect the order with all my strength until Seo Eun-hyun's seclusion ends.'
A faint red lightning flows from his eyes.
"...As the Chief Law Protector of the Wuji Religious Order, I, Jeon Myeong-hoon, command you. Do not intercept attacks like the one just now, Kim Yeon. Instead, leave them to the Right Law Protector Oh Hyun-seok. Kim Yeon, you are responsible for mobilizing puppets to block large-scale offensives and counter major attacks."
Jeon Myeong-hoon gently places Jin So-hae's hand back into the wooden box and puts it inside his robe before standing up.
"Creating confusion and poisoning the enemy's camp is Hong Fan's role. Intercepting long-range attacks is Oh Hyun-seok's, large-scale offensives are Kim Yeon's, and I will handle the Grand Cultivator-level Ghost Kings who attack directly. Remember your roles well from this point on!"
Kim Yeon stares at Jeon Myeong-hoon for a moment, then nods, seemingly accepting it even within her madness.
And several days pass.
Kugugugugu-
From all across the Nether Ghost Realm, more and more Grand Cultivator-level Ghost Kings begin gathering at the opposing camp.
As their numbers increase, so does the frequency of attacks towards the Twilight Domain.
Kuang!
Oh Hyun-seok, transformed into a giant of stars, swings away a green talisman with Azure Wing Heavenly Shatter, clicking his tongue.
"My hands are numb. Is this the strike of an Integration stage cultivator?"
His face is deeply troubled.
"Are you really sure we can handle this? There seems to be more than 50 Integration stage cultivators now..."
"It's fine. If I use 'that,' I have the confidence to hold them off for a moment."
"Y-Yeah...you have 'that,' don't you?"
But even as Jeon Myeong-hoon speaks, his expression does not look good.
'Finish your seclusion quickly, Seo Eun-hyun.'
In a short-term battle, Jeon Myeong-hoon can unleash power comparable to that of 50 Integration Grand Cultivators using a special method.
But this method poses significant risks even for Jeon Myeong-hoon.
Moreover, if the Grand Cultivators continue to gather, even Jeon Myeong-hoon will run out of options.
'I will protect and trust you, Seo Eun-hyun! So please...hurry...!'
All he can do is trust and wait for Seo Eun-hyun.
Jeon Myeong-hoon contemplates his cultivation at the Grand Perfection Four-Axis stage, gazing tensely at the opposing camp.
Kugugugu!
Inside a dark secret chamber.
Deep within, a boy who has reached the 14th star of Qi Refining, the stage of Infinite Spiritual Cloud, is circulating spiritual clouds around him.
And suddenly!
The boy half-opens his eyes and inhales the spiritual clouds swirling around him.
Simultaneously.
Kurrurung!
A sound like thunder rumbles from within his dantian, and a spiritual cloud forms inside him.
Wo-woong!
A faint but pure spiritual force flows within the boy's body.
The boy, Ham Jin, brightens up.
"F-Finally...!"
He can't hide his delight as he watches the pure spiritual force emanating from his body.
"I've reached the Qi Building stage!"
Reading the celestial energy and seeing that his lifespan has increased by 300 years, he is overjoyed.
'Finally! I've also reached the rank of a true Demi-God!'
It's then,
A man dressed in white in front of him chuckles and clicks his tongue."
"You've only just barely reached the Qi Building stage. Manage your achievement well and stabilize your realm. It will be a while before you can surpass your Core Formation stage master."
"Yes...! It will indeed take some time to become a Sage God from a Demi-God."
"...Right...well, the Core Formation stage is not an easy realm. Anyway, your 'work' should speed up now."
"Yes, I can feel that the 'Silica Earth Great Wall Secrets' has become even more active."
Ham Jin operates the formula of the 'Silica Earth Great Wall Secrets' he has learned from the great being around a year ago.
Wiiiiing—
The light of the dragon vein converges in the dark sealed room.
He heard that this was originally a method for the Qi Building stage, but the man in white before him has modified it so it can be learned from the Qi Refining stage.
When Ham Jin uses this method, he feels as if he can grasp the dragon veins within the valley vividly.
'During the Qi Refining stage, I could barely sense the position of a single dragon vein, but now I can vaguely discern the locations of dozens, even hundreds of dragon veins!'
He smiles.
For the past year, he has been twisting the directions of the dragon veins all over Split Turtle Valley, avoiding the eyes of his master Yeom Gok.
The dragon veins in various parts of Split Turtle Valley have become entangled before he knew it, beginning to form the formation that the great being initially demanded.
Now that Ham Jin has reached the Qi Building stage, it will be much easier to complete the formation.
"Anyway, once I modify the formation a little more and the Great One activates it..."
"Yes, you will be free from your master."
"Finally...thank you for everything up until now. I would like to express my gratitude in advance. It's thanks to you that I've reached the Qi Building stage, Sir Fighting Ghost."
"Haha, it's because you followed diligently."
Ham Jin offers a heartfelt thanks to the existence bestowed upon him by the Wuji Ghost King, the 'Infinite Fighting Ghost.'
He recalls the events from a year ago.
The words of the great being, the Wuji Ghost King, echoes in his mind.
[I will teach you a method, but it will be difficult for you to comprehend. Therefore, I will assign you a helper to interpret this method for you.]
After encountering the Wuji Ghost King in the world of consciousness, Ham Jin saw a 'new entity' when he woke up.
A mysterious man dressed in white.
He told Ham Jin to call him 'Infinite Fighting Ghost' and introduced himself as the helper assigned by the Wuji Ghost King.
The term 'Ghost (鬼)' is not just an empty word.
He can only be seen by Ham Jin, and no one else in the Split Turtle Valley, including his master, are aware of Fighting Ghost's presence.
Over the past year, Infinite Fighting Ghost had meticulously taught Ham Jin the method and sometimes guided the flow of his energy, helping him refine his realm.
Thanks to this, Ham Jin has been able to reach the Qi Building stage in such a ridiculously short period.
"But, Sir Fighting Ghost, why didn't the Wuji Ghost King personally teach me the method and instead send you?"
Ham Jin asks as he opens the door to the dark chamber.
Fighting Ghost smiles.
"Didn't I tell you before? The King is spreading their consciousness across many worlds and granting the wishes of many beings, so they don't have much leisure."
"I see...well, if the Wuji Ghost King had taught me personally...it might have been a bit terrifying."
"Haha, you might have been scared to death."
Fighting Ghost teases Ham Jin with a kind face, and Ham Jin also smiles faintly.
However, he soon erases the smile from his face.
Not long after leaving the secret chamber, his master, Yeom Gok, rushes up to him with an excited expression and begins to touch his body.
"Really! Truly! This is real! Hahaha, to reach this realm in such a short time. You are indeed my favorite disciple! Ah, excellent! Such a vibrant body overflowing with pure spiritual force!"
Yeom Gok is so excited that he almost drools as he scrutinizes Ham Jin's body.
Ham Jin glances at Infinite Fighting Ghost beside him.
Yeom Gok is entirely unaware of Fighting Ghost, and Fighting Ghost nods at Ham Jin while speaking.
"It's another test. Remain still."
Ham Jin nods.
Since Infinite Fighting Ghost had started hovering around Ham Jin, he has always informed Ham Jin about Yeom Gok's intentions whenever Yeom Gok tried to do something to him.
"He pretends to like you, but he is quite wary of you. He is highly suspicious of you reaching the Qi Building stage without any Qi Building pills in such a short time."
Ham Jin swallows hard.
At that moment.
Yeom Gok laughs heartily and pats Ham Jin on the shoulder.
"With my disciple growing so robustly, I have no regrets! Now that it's come to this, I'll pass everything onto you three days from now!"
"...!"
Ham Jin's eyes tremble at his words.
'That, that means...'
It means that now that Ham Jin's body is sufficiently mature, Yeom Gok plans to seize it.
Ham Jin is terrified, but under the eyes of Fighting Ghost watching over him, he manages to show no reaction.
"For Master to pass on everything to me, it is a great honor!"
"...Yes. It pleases me that you are pleased."
Yeom Gok looks at Ham Jin with a meaningful gaze and smiles.
"In three days, I will invite all the Sage Gods of Yuhwa and pass on my natal dharma treasure, the Black Tomb Seal (黑陵印), to you. I will declare you as my successor in front of them, so be mindful of your conduct and make no mistakes on that day."
After patting Ham Jin on the shoulder, Yeom Gok turns around and leaves Ham Jin's cave residence.
"...Sir Fighting Ghost, wh-what should I do? He plans to seize my body in three days...!? No, besides that..."
Ham Jin asks in confusion.
"The Three Sage Gods of Yuhwa are known to be on bad terms, but he's inviting them to declare me as his successor...? What does this mean?"
Fighting Ghost chuckles at this.
"Perhaps, for some reason, those three Core Formation individuals have formed an alliance."
"What!?"
Ham Jin's face turns pale.
For Ham Jin, who has hoped to escape from his master's grasp by taking advantage of the bad relations among the three Sage Gods, this is a terrifying revelation.
But Fighting Ghost smiles nonchalantly.
"Do not worry. It seems that what those three at the Core Formation stage want might be the same as what the Wuji Ghost King desires. Judging by the talk about the dharma treasure...it seems they intend to use the dharma treasure to open a path underground... In that case, you might not need to adjust the formation further."
"Pardon...?"
"Do not worry. Through my abilities, I have already uncovered your master's plans, even the parts you do not know. He intends to use a body-triggering spell to quickly open a 'path' to the underground. After that, he plans to quickly take over your body."
"...!"
Ham Jin bites his lip as he listens to Infinite Fighting Ghost.
"...Sir Fighting Ghost, can I survive?"
It isn't that he doesn't trust the Wuji Ghost King who sent him, but Infinite Fighting Ghost is a being with barely enough energy to be in the Qi Gathering stage.
And though the Wuji Ghost King is a Great One, they reside in a distant otherworld, while his master is right in front of him.
"My, my master, the Black Tomb Old Monster Yeom Gok...is a Sage God! Said to never die until his Golden Core is shattered, a God of the Human World!"
"...."
'Hm, I didn't expect the critical moment to come so quickly...'
Ham Jin, consumed by anxiety, grinds his teeth.
"Sir Infinite Fighting Ghost, please tell me. Can I really overcome that Sage God...?"
Infinite Fighting Ghost looks at him, seeming to want to persuade him for a moment, then sighs.
"...Do not worry. Have no doubt and believe. I will show you a new future. You will one day reach a realm where those Core Formation individuals are nothing to you."
"B-but..."
Woo-woong―
"...!"
However, before Ham Jin can ask further,
Infinite Fighting Ghost turns into a gust of wind and disappears from Ham Jin's sight.
His voice echoes in the ears of the anxious Ham Jin.
―Do not worry. I have already entered the realm, and I have enough power to save you alone...
A cryptic statement.
But Ham Jin, feeling the confident tone of that voice, can only bite his lip and wait in belief.
Kugugugugu!
Nether Ghost Realm.
Twilight Domain.
At the forefront, the Law Protectors and Guardian Ghost King of the Wuji Religious Order stand in formation, watching the other side.
The ground is shaking.
The stars are emitting ominous light, and sinister glows visible to the naked eye are spilling from the opposing camp.
Oh Hyun-seok swallows hard, and Kim Yeon reveals an ominous insanity.
At the center stands Jeon Myeong-hoon, his eyes gleaming.
"Ninety-six Integration stage cultivators...and seven devotees corrupted by True Persons..."
In the distance, seven Ghost Kings, each with multiple heads and resembling Seo Eun-hyun, float in the air.
Jeon Myeong-hoon can sense it instinctively.
"Everyone, be alert. They are all here now."
Even though all the factions of the Nether Ghost Realm designated them as public enemies, not all of their forces can come.
They need manpower to guard and manage their own domains, so each faction probably sent as many as they could within their limits.
Seeing no more Integration Ghost Kings gathering, this seems to be all of them.
But even so, there are 108 Integration Grand Cultivators.
'Seo Eun-hyun could barely perish together with about ten Grand Cultivators. Can I...protect the Twilight Domain from them...?'
Jeon Myeong-hoon shakes his head.
There is no room for doubt.
He has to protect at all costs.
At that moment, Kim Yeon's eyes flicker.
"They're coming."
Jeon Myeong-hoon's eyes flash at those words.
It's exactly as she said.
Those who had been launching spells from afar until now begin to move towards them.
The faces of everyone present, including Jeon Myeong-hoon, are filled with tension.
But despite the tension, Jeon Myeong-hoon grits his teeth and moves forwards.
'Protect me, So-hae.'
Koong, koong, koong, kwa-jijijik!
With each step he takes, his stature seems to grow larger, and before long, Jeon Myeong-hoon transforms into a Six-Armed Giant.
The four axes built through the Five Elements Axes tremble within Jeon Myeong-hoon.
[Attack!]
And from afar, the seven 'devotees,'
The True Persons' Corrupted Bodies begin to exert their power.
Kiyaaaaaaaaaa―
Aaaaaaaaah―
The Ghost Kings resembling Seo Eun-hyun with multiple heads simultaneously open their mouths, unleashing numerous beams of light towards the Twilight Domain.
Some charge in with their own bodies, while others pull out Ghost Kings from their mouths and throw them forwards.
And Jeon Myeong-hoon, with his eyes shining, brings his six hands towards his dantian.
Wiiiiiing―
Behind his head, a circular halo appears.
From his dantian, four axes emerge.
Heavenly Circle and Earthly Bearings!
[I will begin Heaven and Earth Unity!]
Kwa-jijijijik!
As lightning flashes, Jeon Myeong-hoon's Heavenly Circle and Earthly Bearings unite.
Simultaneously,
Kwarurururung!
An enormous Heavenly Tribulation pours down towards Jeon Myeong-hoon like a waterfall from the sky.
The Ghost Kings of the Four Great Factions wear incredulous expressions at the sight.
"This lunatic...I've heard he handles lightning divine powers, but he's advancing right before a fight? Is he insane?"
"He must have a death wish. Everyone, attack!"
The Ghost Kings, without revealing their emotions, launch their attacks towards Jeon Myeong-hoon.
And then,
Kwarurururung!
The Heavenly Tribulation curves, redirecting from Jeon Myeong-hoon towards those attacking him.
Kwaaaang!
Even the devotees who have been corrupted by the True Persons flinch and halt at the overwhelming aura of the Heavenly Tribulation.
And, from the center of the Heavenly Tribulation storm, Jeon Myeong-hoon smiles.
[My apologies, but I become strongest when facing the Heavenly Tribulation.]
Kwa-jijijijik!
The Heavenly Tribulation is imbued with colors.
From blue and gold.
The Dual-Colored Heavenly Tribulation begins to turn red.
The sky turns crimson.
[This is my elixir and dharma treasure.]
Kwa-jijijijik!
The Heavenly Tribulation which is crashing down towards Jeon Myeong-hoon condenses calmly in his hand, transforming into a spear of lightning.
[In other words, it shall be by my will.]
Kwarurururung!
The spear of lightning pierces through the clouds and soars into the sky.
It appears almost like a sacred light connecting Heaven and Earth.
As it ascends, continuing until it seems it will reach the stars, Jeon Myeong-hoon grips the elongated spear of lightning and grins.
[Come at me. You shall never set foot in the Twilight Domain!]
Kwa-jijijijik!
Jeon Myeong-hoon swings the spear of lightning.
The Heavenly Tribulation spear, boasting a colossal length, is swung towards the Ghost Kings.
In the darkness.
I open my eyes to the voices of countless beings.
What is the true name of the Four-Axis stage?
'It's so simple.'
If it's called Heavenly Circle and Earthly Bearings,
Why is the stage after Heavenly Being called Four-Axis?
Shouldn't the stage following Heavenly Being include the name Earth (地)?
Earth Axis (地軸).
Yes, the first stage of the Middle Boundary should be called Earth Axis, not Four-Axis!
The Earth Axis stage.
"Then...shall I properly enter the Earth Axis stage?"
Finally.
I have gathered the lifespan of 10,000 years.
All that remains is to obtain the true Longevity Axis!
I begin preparations for the Longevity Axis ritual, while Jeon Myeong-hoon enters Heaven and Earth Unity.
The conclusion of all the events in the Nether Ghost Realm is now imminent.