Chapter 479: Sacred Sea (4)
I look up at the ceiling for a moment, rubbing my face with my hand.
'...No matter how I explain it, she won't believe me anymore.'
She has reached a conclusion all on her own.
Even if I were to cruelly torture her, saying, 'Say that I am Seo Eun-hyun, not a True Immortal!'
Or if I were to gently persuade her, saying, 'I am not True Immortal.'
On the surface, she might seem convinced, but deep down, she would still believe I am a True Immortal and treat me as such.
'What should I do?'
I am Seo Eun-hyun.
I am not some True Immortal; I am simply Seo Eun-hyun.
How exactly am I supposed to prove myself?
"...I am."
Raising Yeon Wei, who looks as if she's about to lick my feet, I say,
"Seo Eun-hyun. I am not a True Immortal."
"..."
Yeon Wei listens to my words with utmost respect.
"No matter how you think of me...well, to be honest, if you don't know me, you wouldn't understand. I admit it. I may look like a True Immortal at times. But regardless of what you think, I am not a True Immortal."
"Howe..."
"But."
I cut off her words and speak firmly.
"If you believe me to be a True Immortal...then think of me that way. After all, I, too, aim to become a True Immortal someday, and if that day ever comes, I won't forget the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect."
At my words, her eyes light up.
"Thank...thank you! Thank you so much!"
She bows down and continues to kiss my feet.
Unable to forcibly stop her, I can only clear my throat and step back.
"Please stop. And...I would appreciate it if you treated me as you used to..."
"As you command!"
Thud!
She answers, bowing her head with enough force to make a thud, and then steps back.
Watching Yeon Wei's display, I sit in a lotus position in Jeon Myeong-hoon's quarters for a moment.
Crack, crackle...
Gradually, I feel it.
My consciousness is once again reversing back to the Lightning Sacred Sea, and this brief moment of Divine Descent is about to end.
I speak into the void.
"Are you watching, Jeon Myeong-hoon?"
And immediately, a reply comes.
—Yeah.
"When did you wake up?"
—From the very beginning. It's just that until now, I couldn't react inside you because the presence of your soul was so overwhelming... Should I say I was flattened? Something like that. When you raised your consciousness to the Immortal Domain using my body to block the Sacred Master's attack, the intensity of the stimulus was so strong that I had no choice but to awaken forcefully. But thanks to you, I got to experience the Immortal Realm early... it wasn't bad.
"...What do you think about Yeon Wei's behavior?"
—What do you mean, what do I think? Just accept it. Our ancestor, after all, despite how often she misses the mark, does put in the effort in her own way.
"The problem is that she misses the mark far too often."
—That is true.
I check on the awakened Jeon Myeong-hoon within me to see if he's alright, and he surprisingly doesn't seem to have any major issues.
It seems that anyone who has mastered the Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation Method can maintain their consciousness and resist even during a Divine Descent.
In this case, however, my consciousness is so overwhelming that Jeon Myeong-hoon's consciousness was flattened without a chance to resist.
—So then, what's the problem? Yeon Wei swore to follow you faithfully, didn't she?
"I just...want her to treat me as me."
Jeon Myeong-hoon bursts into laughter inside me at that.
—Hahaha! How funny. What does it even mean to treat you as 'you'?
"Well, that is..."
—Are you asking to be treated as 'human Seo Eun-hyun'? Give it up. That's impossible. Being treated like a human...honestly, even reaching the Qi Building stage is enough to begin shedding that part. The moment one enters the path of Immortal Cultivation and surpasses the Qi Building stage, we are no longer humans but rather 'cultivators who resemble humans'.
"...Still, as a fellow sect member..."
—I get what you're trying to say, but that's impossible too. This isn't just an issue of being a cultivator or the realm...it's because the 'subject is you'.
"Just what about me?"
—Do you want me to be blunt?
Pajijik!
As my presence starts being drawn back into the Lightning Sacred Sea, Jeon Myeong-hoon seems to regain some energy.
He creates a clone with lightning in front of his body and speaks through it.
[You, you know...have been acting strange lately.]
"...That's because of the Star Shattering stage. In Star Shattering, the heart gradually transforms into attraction force..."
I explain to him about the realm of Star Shattering, and after listening, Jeon Myeong-hoon nods immediately.
[It's clear now. What I'm about to say has nothing to do with that kind of attraction force in the Star Shattering stage. Just Seo Eun-hyun, it's about your fundamental state.]
"My fundamental state?"
[That's right. I'm talking about you... Honestly, as time goes by, you're paying more attention to your shoulders.]
"..."
[It's not because your shoulders are an erogenous zone or because you've learned some technique that makes them more sensitive, right?]
"...Of course not."
[The reason your shoulders have been getting more sensitive and why you keep focusing on them...in my perspective, it's because you're carrying too much weight on them.]
"What?"
[...When I look at you, you know...]
He reaches toward my chest, pulling out the hand of So-hae from within and gently strokes it.
[Sometimes, it seems like you're excessively abusing yourself. It feels like, because of the burdens you carry on your back, you're being crushed by the weight and dying a little each day.]
"..."
[Fortunately...in the world of Penglai Island, that world resembling the Head Realm, after you spoke with the reincarnation of Buk Hyang-hwa, you seem to have stopped some of that self-punishment.]
"That's true."
I heard from Baek Ran about 'how to forgive myself.'
Simultaneously, I extinguished the flames of abuse that had been tormenting me, capturing the starting point of my Immortal Art and completing Crystal Glass to Treading Sea.
"Back then...I forgave myself a lot."
[Yes. Since then, your complexion has improved significantly. But...]
He strokes Sohae's hand and looks at me.
[Even if you've forgiven yourself, it seems you're still driving yourself too hard.]
"...What?"
[It's exactly as I said. There's too much weighing on your shoulders. I'm saying you try to take responsibility for everything all by yourself.]
He speaks with a serious expression.
[Of course, I understand. Honestly, the Enders you mentioned? It's because among us Enders, you're the most capable. It's a good attitude to have. But because you put too much burden on your shoulders and push yourself too hard, at some point, it seems like you stopped caring about others' opinions and perspectives.]
"..."
[Ancestor Yeon Wei's attitude also reflects this. Haven't you been judging her solely from your own perspective? It's not necessarily a bad thing. After all, the majority of our fates rest on your shoulders. But...sometimes, listen to the views and perspectives of those weaker than you. I don't mean to pay attention or be considerate of the weak.]
He places Jin So-hae's hand down momentarily, then rises from his seat and puts his hand on my shoulder.
I don't brush it off.
[It's not about paying attention to the weak...just trust us a little more. I will always believe in you and follow you. But...also remember that we, too, have our own perspectives, views, and the heart to be of help to you. That person has also found a solution that she believes will benefit us most, based on her own judgment.]
"...I'll think about it."
Pajijijk!
It seems the duration of Divine Descent has reached its end.
My consciousness scatters directly from inside Jeon Myeong-hoon's body.
Pasasasasa!
The sound of murmuring echoes from all directions.
'This is...'
I immediately recognize what they are.
They are voices.
The voices of those who have 'learned the Lightning Path Method.'
Pajik, Pajijijik...
I savor the sensation of lightning swirling inside my mind, identifying their identities.
'I see. These are...all those who were taught by Yang Su-jin!'
Those who learned the wisdom of lightning from Yang Su-jin and inherited his teachings.
However, the majority are Qi Building stage and below.
'I see. That time...'
The day the Owner of Heavenly Punishment sought out Zhengli and erased the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
The Owner of Heavenly Punishment not only wiped out the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect but almost all those who had received Yang Su-jin's teachings.
The ones who survived were the extreme cases.
Jeon Myeong-hoon, with the highest talent among them.
Or unaffected by the Owner of Heavenly Punishment's power due to their powerful strength, the fewentitiesinthevastandevenmoreimmenseUpperWorld.
'Kugh...'
It seems a few of Yang Su-jin's disciples who are presumed to be True Immortals also survived.
I erase their presence from my mind and survey others.
Aside from the True Immortals, the majority are below the Qi Building stage.
They were likely deemed unworthy of being killed directly by the Owner of Heavenly Punishment.
In other words...
The vast majority of Yang Su-jin's disciples remaining in this world are either at the Qi Building stage or True Immortals.
'The Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect in the Head Realm is unique.'
According to Yeon Wei's occasional reports, it seems that in the Head Realm's Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, a few Nascent Soul cultivators have emerged, completely seizing dominance over the continent.
With the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect controlling the Head Realm, it's likely that within a few years, they will gather the continent's resources and produce someone who will reach the Heavenly Being stage.
'I see. So in the Lightning Sacred Sea, if someone who is thought to continue the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect's, or in essence, Yang Su-jin's legacy, enters, they are given the chance to observe Yang Su-jin's connections in the Lightning Sacred Sea.'
I fully condense my consciousness and examine my surroundings.
My surroundings are dark.
I sense the attraction force around me shifting as some phenomenon approaches.
While waiting for it to draw near, I reflect on my conversation with Jeon Myeong-hoon.
Compared to when we first came to Ascension Path, he really has changed a lot.
'...Yes, I've definitely been thinking too much from my own perspective lately.'
Perhaps it's because I've experienced death too many times in such a short span.
At times, I even confuse my own death with that of my comrades, and once, thinking that since I can endure the titles of True Immortals, an Entering Nirvana True Person naturally would be able to do so as well, I recklessly dropped the titles and names of True Immortals like a bomb on Jinlu Gok, who had given me grace.
The distinction between self (我) and others (他) has grown blurred through so many deaths.
Because of that, I think I've become confused about the difference between 'the me I see' and 'the me others see.'
While I simply see myself as myself, I might actually appear as an unfathomable monster from the perspective of someone ordinary like Yeon Wei—something I had overlooked.
Tstststss—
I compress the Heavenly Rain Great Star and insert it into my incarnation body, taking on a human form.
Clench...
I hold my head and make a bitter expression.
'That's...something I don't want.'
Yeon Wei's relationship with me isn't deep enough for her attitude to wound me greatly.
But...
If I look at it objectively, this incident is no different from what happened with Cheongmun Ryeong.
The incident of someone who was once my master in a past life beginning to address me as Senior or Daoist from the next life.
Starting from Buk Hyang-hwa and Cheongmun Ryeong, how many of my precious ones have called me senior or elder?
As time flows, I naturally grow stronger, but others can only live in time that is separate from my own.
I bury my face in my hands.
Regression is indeed a powerful authority.
But...
At the same time, it's also an incredibly dreadful curse.
Because as long as I have this ability, I must live forever in fear of becoming 'someone too high' in the eyes of those dear to me...
'My strongest hope is simply life.'
It's something I've thought about continuously since the early cycles in the Head Realm.
What I desire most is life.
A 'single, proper life' where I fear death and, even if I die, time does not rewind, and my connections don't disappear.
If my life were to be built on desire, then someday, I might find myself muttering something unfunny like, 'Life is essentially life.'
As much as that...
For me, whose meaning of life diminishes with each reversal of time, life has become something that I desperately crave for.
Desperately craving for life, I have to pour all my strength into giving meaning to each life.
For that reason, I want at least my comrades to see me as I am.
Because even if time reverses, at least they stay by my side.
But countless connections, starting with Cheongmun Ryeong and Buk Hyang-hwa, and now even Yeon Wei...those who once stood beside me are beginning to look at me with fear.
In this situation, what am I supposed to do?
—It's not about paying attention to the weak...just trust us a little more. I will always believe in you and follow you. But...also remember that we, too, have our own perspectives, views, and the heart to be of help to you. That person has also found a solution that she believes will benefit us most, based on her own judgment.
"...Are you asking me to trust you, Jeon Myeong-hoon?"
I recall Jeon Myeong-hoon's words.
And as I think of those who stay beside me even within my backward flow of my time, I pull myself from my gloomy heart essence.
"Yes. I suppose there's no other choice."
I dislike it when the reactions of those beside me change.
I just want them to treat me as I am.
But that's impossible unless I go as far as brainwashing them.
'As I grow stronger, naturally, their thoughts and perspectives towards me have no choice but to change...'
I have always told Jeon Myeong-hoon to trust and follow me.
When I think about it, rather than just dragging them along by saying, 'this time, too,' and ending it there, perhaps I should have trusted them better.
Even if I find it unsatisfactory, their views and thoughts about me,
I decide to 'trust' their attitude towards me.
Because...
They, too, are trusting me in their own way.
Kurung, kururung!
Thunder roars, and before my eyes, a massive creature resembling a hummingbird appears.
A hummingbird the size of the moon, its entire body composed of lightning.
"...!"
The moment I see it, I feel as if my main body is about to burst apart, and I sense lightning striking throughout the atmosphere of my main body.
[Wh-Who is the distinguished one?]
Wiiiiiiiiiiing!
The hummingbird flaps its wings at a speed surpassing lightning, watching me for a moment.
Then it shrinks to the size of my palm, and, standing in front of me, it begins cutting through the darkness.
It seems to be telling me to follow.
I follow the hummingbird, tearing through the space of darkness.
After a while.
I emerge from the darkness, arriving at a place resembling a Peach Blossom Spring.
A world where all kinds of rare and beautiful flowers are in full bloom, where wine springs forth like water everywhere, and flowers and trees emit beautiful sounds of music.
The hummingbird leads me to a pavilion at the center of this world.
In front of the pavilion, there is a small pond, and in that pond stands a hundred-storey stone pagoda densely covered with carvings like sesame seeds.
The pagoda has many layers, but its overall size is only about the height of an adult man.
'What is that pagoda?'
Feeling a strange flow emanating from the pagoda, I follow the hummingbird into the pavilion.
Just then,
"...!"
The hummingbird that had guided me here now transforms into a small human girl with platinum blonde hair.
She is dressed in a robe made of golden lightning, standing with her pristinely white and clean bare feet, offering her greetings from above the within the pavilion.
Suruk—
She opens her mouth in front of me.
However, without uttering a sound, she only moves her lips.
Since I know how to read lips, I can understand her meaning even without hearing her voice.
—Welcome to the inner depths of the Lightning Sacred Sea, the management space, Young Master.
"...And who is the distinguished one?"
—I am the attendant concubine and pet of the Golden Divine, Immortal Beast Golden Shaking Bird (金振鳥). As for my true name and title...as Young Master cannot withstand my rank and hearing it could drive Young Master mad, I will not reveal it at this time.
I look at Golden Shaking Bird, feeling tense.
"Why have you brought me here?"
—It is because Young Master has rightfully inherited the legacy of the Golden Divine. The Golden Divine instructed that if someone who has completed the Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens Technique appears, this management space of the Lightning Sacred Sea should be gifted to them.
Hearing this, I speak with a joyful expression.
"Oh...In that case, since I'm here, I'd like to take with me the [Symbols of the Five Middle Realms] that are said to be in the Lightning Sacred Sea..."
However, Golden Shaking Bird chuckles at my words and covers her mouth.
—I apologize for my rudeness, however...you cannot take them from here.
"What? Why not?"
—Because...the Lightning Sacred Sea is merely the [passage] leading to the space where the [Symbols of the Five Middle Realms] are located. It is not the place where they actually reside. The Golden Divine's treasure vault is located separately. The very purpose of the Lightning Sacred Sea's existence is merely to serve as a pathway to escape anywhere within Mount Sumeru, should those like Young Master arrive one day.
"Mount Sumeru?"
—Those who attain the rank of Immortality often refer to the Three Thousand Great Thousand Worlds as Mount Sumeru. There is no need to know right now.
"Hmm, understood. In any case...the true power of the Lightning Sacred Sea is to function as an emergency passageway?"
—That is correct.
"Good. Then, through that power, I'd like to transfer the living beings of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain to another domain when the End occurs here."
Chuckle.
Once again, Golden Shaking Bird laughs and shakes her head.
—I apologize, but that is impossible. As the Lightning Sacred Sea is a labyrinth the Golden Divine created to escape from the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity, only someone acknowledged by the Golden Divine who can wield the Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens Technique like Young Master is able to use it.
"What...?"
—Of course, if the Golden Divine were to revive, sufficiently master the Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation Method, and return, these usage conditions could be changed...but that is probably impossible.
She looks somewhere with a somewhat bittersweet and longing expression.
It seems she misses Yang Su-jin quite deeply.
Hearing her words, I smile inwardly to myself.
'I'll just bring Jeon Myeong-hoon back here later.'
If it's him, he could surely change Golden Shaking Bird's mind.
'Well then, for now, I've settled the fundamental issue regarding the Lightning Sacred Sea...I should handle the remaining matters.'
Even if I were to transport the living beings of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain's Astral Realm to another domain, I still need to find the Symbols of the Five Middle Realms.
I speak to Golden Shaking Bird.
"Then, for now, open the path to Yang Su-jin's treasure vault. I need to acquire the divine artifacts of the Five Middle Realms."
At this, Golden Shaking Bird shakes her head wildly with a slightly unnerved expression.
—That, too, is impossible.
"...Why are there so many restrictions?"
—I am truly sorry. However, if the Golden Divine's treasure vault...were to be improperly handled by someone who has risen to the Immortal Seat, they could end up like the Heavenly Lightning Banner, trapped in a place of misfortune... It's too frightening to meddle with.
"..."
—Therefore, instead of me opening the door, it would be...more suitable for Young Master to overcome the trial and enter the treasure vault.
"...Understood. So then, how do I go about receiving this 'trial'?"
In response to my question, Golden Shaking Bird points outside the pavilion, towards the pond.
—The stone pagoda in that pond. That pagoda is called the Tower of Trials, and within it are trials ranging from the Qi Refining stage up to the Entering Nirvana stage. If you break through the pagoda and reach the topmost level, not only will you naturally gain access to the Golden Divine's treasure vault, but you will also be able to control the Lightning Sacred Sea even more powerfully.
"Hm...understood. I shall proceed as suggested."
I observe Golden Shaking Bird for a moment, and since she doesn't seem to harbor any malice, I decide to follow her words.
—The Tower of Trials resets all progress once one enters and exits. However, since Young Master is here, I will make a special effort to ensure that progress can be saved from the last level reached, instead of starting from the beginning.
"Good. Then open the door so I can enter the Tower of Trials."
I approach the pond and speak.
And at that moment, Golden Shaking Bird gives me a hard push on the waist with her pristine white foot from behind.
—You just need to step right in.
Splash!
Without a chance to resist, I'm shoved by her foot and fall into the pond.
'Urk!'
Recalling the feel of Golden Shaking Bird's foot just now, a thought suddenly comes to mind.
'Did Yang Su-jin capture Zhengli...because of her soft feet?'
Somehow, the thought that only True Immortal rank beings with clean feet are around Yang Su-jin crosses my mind.
Chwaaaaa!
With such thoughts in mind, I sink deeper into the water.
Splash!
Emerging from the water, I look around my surroundings.
'This place...'
It's the same hot spring-like world I visited last time.
"Hmm!"
Wududuk!
I manipulate attraction force to pierce a hole in the world.
Then, I move on to the next world beyond the hot spring world.
The next world is a place where the light is extremely dim, almost completely shrouded in darkness. As I sweep through with the consciousness of the Star Shattering stage, I find it's a world where fruits and flowers made of protein bloom.
It seems this is where Jang Ik had picked up that meat apple.
Simultaneously upon entering this world, a marker enters the rage of my attraction force.
[First Floor.]
'It seems the hot spring world was like a waiting area, and this is where the Tower of Trials actually begins.'
However, there doesn't seem to be anything like a trial here.
'The Star Shattering expedition team must have already cleared this trial.'
Most likely, the expedition team is stationed on the upper floors.
Kurururung!
Once again, I manipulate attraction force and break through to the next floor.
Second floor, third floor, fourth floor...
Twenty-seventh floor, twenty-eighth floor, twenty-ninth floor, thirtieth floor...
Fortieth floor, fiftieth floor, sixtieth floor, eightieth floor...!
Finally, when I reach the ninety-fifth floor,
Kugugugugu!
I find myself in a place resembling outer space and survey my surroundings.
As I try to pierce through the space with attraction force, a counterforce appears, restoring the space.
'This must be an uncleared floor. Then the expedition team should be here.'
I extend my consciousness domain and begin to explore into the distant reaches.
Then, beyond the cosmic space, I see a colossal entity being pursued by several beings.
Kwa-jijijijik!
It's a beetle the size of a satellite.
The beetle, scattering golden lightning, flies toward me, thrusting its mandibles in my direction.
It seems intent on splitting me apart.
But in the next moment.
The Three Great Ultimates rise behind my back.
Wiiiiing!
The Three Great Ultimates begin to spin, and I reach out towards the lightning beetle.
Kwa-jijik!
The beetle's mandibles are caught in my hand.
I tighten my grip on the beetle, and after a moment, it bursts apart and dies.
Kwaang!
In the place where the beetle exploded and died, a small golden fragment remains.
I reach out and grab the golden fragment.
Simultaneously, I become aware through my attraction force that 'I can now proceed to the next floor.
It seems this creature was the master of this floor.
And it's when I've caught the floor's master.
Flash!
A group of Esteemed Ones with vast presences assembles around me.
There are a total of 21 of them.
Among them, I smile slightly when glancing at a green-hued figure before turning to observe the rest of the Esteemed Ones.
[Greetings, seniors. This unworthy junior is Seo Eun-hyun, a Star Shattering Esteemed One who has recently emerged from the Bright Cold Realm and a practitioner of the Human Race. I have come here under the guidance of the Sacred Master to assist in the conquest of the Lightning Sacred Sea. I hope you will allow me to be of assistance.]
Then, amidst my polite greeting, an unexpected voice shouts in fury.
[You filthy thing. Are you that Human Race madman!?]
[Pardon...?]
I turn my head, and there, a Star Shattering stage Esteemed One who appears to be from the Tall Tree Race is glaring at me with a face flushed red.
[You've come well! You son of a scoundrel! You dare to defile my Sacred Master! I'll rip your main body to shreds and scatter it across Heaven and Earth!]
[...There seems to be a misunderstanding, Daoist. And besides, why is Sacred Master Baek Woon 'your' Sacred Master?]
[Silence! I have nothing to explain to a molester like you! Esteemed Ones of the Bright Cold Realm, let us all attack this vile menace!]
At his words, several Esteemed Ones from the Bright Cold Realm surround me.
[Look here, Daoists. Why are you all following the words of this Tall Tree Race Daoist? There's no point in exhausting ourselves here in pointless conflict. How about moving on and tackling the next floor quickly?
However, an Esteemed One of the Yellow Dragon Race speaks, their eyes gleaming.
[There's no use denying it, evil breed. Everyone here has already heard that you tortured the Sacred Master and provided the opportunity for the Owner of the Blood Yin Realm to descend upon the Bright Cold Realm. You are no better than a traitor to the Bright Cold Realm!]
Standing beside them, a Fighting Ghost Race Esteemed One flexes their muscles and grins.
[Torturing the Sacred Master? Just how powerful are you? And on top of that, a member of the Heart Tribe!!! I'm already looking forward to how exciting it will be when we fight...]
[TL: A reminder that excited can also mean aroused.]
It seems they are divided.
Those who simply want to fight me, and those who resent me for allegedly torturing the Sacred Master and enabling the descent of Blood Yin.
But it doesn't end there.
[Heh heh. I don't like allying with those from the Bright Cold Realm...but if it means I can legally beat down on a Human Race, I'm more than willing to join anytime.]
The Esteemed Ones from the True Devil Realm also join in, encircling me.
[Our Ancient Force Realm has business with him as well. We need to find out why he's been issued an [Exile Order] from Sacred Master Hae Lin. After assisting with the capture, we will handle the interrogation.]
The Esteemed Ones of the Ancient Force Realm surround me for an absurd reason.
Adding to that, the Esteemed Ones of the Bright Cold Realm address the remaining Esteemed Ones who are standing back and just watching.
[Look here, Purple Gold Realm Daoists and Mountains and Rivers Daoists! If you assist us in capturing this one, we will make it worth your while! Please lend us your aid!]
Purple Gold Realm Esteemed Ones and Mountains and Rivers Esteemed Ones also surround me.
[TL: Mountains and Rivers as in miscellaneous factions, hermits, etc. I might have translated it as Independent or Hermit in the past, but I'll be using Mountains and Rivers from now on.]
I observe the Esteemed Ones encircling me.
Five from the Bright Cold Realm.
Three from the True Devil Realm.
Four from the Ancient Force Realm.
Four from the Purple Gold Realm.
Four Mountains and Rivers Esteemed Ones roaming the Astral Realm.
A total of twenty Esteemed Ones have encircled me.
As I observe the Esteemed Ones around me, I notice the only one who hasn't joined the ranks of the attackers.
I look at Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One Jang Ik and say,
[This disciple Seo Eun-hyun has seen Master.]
[Good.]
[But, will Master not be joining in the joint attack?]
The Esteemed Ones' eyes widen when I address Jang Ik as my master, and they all start watching him warily.
However, Jang Ik lays down in the cosmic space and closes his eyes as if he has no interest.
[Anyway, I heard you either killed or put into a comatose state all my top disciples.]
[...]
[For now, wait. I'm drained from clearing this floor, so know that I'll face you when I'm in my best condition. I'm going to sleep for a bit. All of you, handle things as you see fit until I wake up.]
After saying this, Jang Ik adjusts the surrounding environment, ensuring that no one can approach his vicinity, and falls asleep just like that.
With looks of relief, the Esteemed Ones collectively let out sighs of relief.
[It's a relief that Heaven-Collapsing hasn't betrayed us.]
[So he isn't on your side either, human wretch.]
[Blame your fate.]
They begin tightening their encirclement.
And I smirk.
[Oh dear, that's the wrong answer.]
[Wrong answer?]
I speak to the one who seems to represent them—the Yellow Dragon Race Esteemed One.
[It's not that Jang Ik didn't betray you. Rather, he should have joined forces with you to pressure me.]
[Ha, looks like you're relying on something because he's your master...]
[Alright, that's enough. Let's cut the chit-chat...why don't you come at me?]
To be honest, even I am somewhat curious about the extent of my own abilities.
Since reaching the Star Shattering stage, all my opponents have been beings like Blood Yin, the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, Sacred Master Baek Woon who merged with the Bright Cold Realm, and the Entering Nirvana Quasi-Immortal Jinlu Gok—each of them far above my level.
'I need an objective assessment of my strength.'
In that sense, the twenty Star Shattering stage Esteemed Ones have shown up at just the right time.
Among the Esteemed Ones who seem incredulous at my declaration, one Esteemed One from the Purple Gold Realm lets out an enraged shout and charges at me.
[Arrogant fool!]
The Colorless Glass Sword bursts forth from within my body.
Wududuk!
With the power of Crystal Glass to Treading Sea, my right hand holding the Colorless Glass Sword transforms into Glass True Fire, merging with the Colorless Glass Sword.
The Three Great Ultimates appear, and I, merged with the sword, raise it and slash.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.
Ascending Vein.
Tukwang!
The energy of the Three Great Ultimates flows into the sword, sending the Purple Gold Realm Esteemed One tearing through the space and up to the next floor.
Kwang, Kwang, Kwang!
Even after piercing through the next floor, the Purple Gold Realm Esteemed One continues to break through the subsequent floors above.
The 96th, 97th, 98th, and 99th floors are pierced through all at once.
From these four floors, powerful presences surge down upon the 95th floor.
The owners of those presences all express their anger at me for recklessly punching holes through their floors.
Hwarururururuk!
Enveloping myself in Glass True Fire, I take out my main body and begin transforming it.
Crystal Glass to Treading Sea.
Full Release (全開).
Origin Star (本源星) Combat Technique Form (鬪法形) Open.
My Origin Star changes, taking on a combat-optimized form.
The Glass True Fire envelops the entirety of my Origin Star.
I distort attraction force and place Hong Fan and Seo Ran, who are within the Origin Star, into a suitable alternate space, then transform my body.
Hwarururuk!
The Glass True Fire blazes across the entire Origin Star, reshaping its form.
As the Origin Star compresses, I assume the appearance of 'Human Seo Eun-hyun.'
Glass True Fire blankets my entire body, transforming into the robes of immortals, with parts of the flames trailing down my back to form winged garments.
As my consciousness accelerates, part of it reaches the Immortal Domain.
From within the flames of glass, I look down upon the Esteemed Ones with arrogance and speak.
: : C O M E A T M E. : :