Chapter 480: Esteemed One's Power
Ziiing!
As the will emanates from the realm of Immortal Domain, the Esteemed Ones all shudder where they stand as though struck by a powerful shock.
However.
[Gal (喝)!]
At the thunderous roar of the Yellow Dragon Race Esteemed One, everyone quickly regains their senses.
[It seems you indeed have the skill to torture the Sacred Master. But it's still not enough.]
Huarururuk!
In the expanse of space, the body of a Yellow Dragon ignites in flames.
Simultaneously, I can see six stars within them.
'So, they completed the Heavenly Inner Diagram Great Star... They're in the late Star Shattering stage.'
In the Star Shattering stage, the number of stars naturally divides the ream into early, middle, and late.
If only the Heavenly Rain Great Star is created, it's the early stage.
Heavenly Rain, Heavenly Clearing, Heavenly Cloudiness, Heavenly Want of Connection, and Heavenly Crossing.
Up to five stars is the middle stage.
Beyond that, if one succeeds in attaching oneself to a larger planet for cultivation and gain enlightenment on attraction force, then successfully create the Heavenly Inner Diagram Great Star, one reaches the late stage.
Finally, upon creating the seventh star, the Heavenly Outer Diagram Great Star, by drawing in the energy of the entire universe through attraction force, one reaches the Grand Perfection Star Shattering stage.
Kugugugugu!
The six stars of the Yellow Dragon are linked to each other, exchanging star veins and amplifying their power.
Then, at the peak of that power!
Flash!
A Dragon Wave erupts from their mouth.
In an instant, the cosmic space lights up.
In the midst of this intense heat and light, I am momentarily reminded of the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra of the Great Mountain Supreme Deity.
[Very...good...]
Heaven above and heaven below are filled solely with the golden Dragon Wave.
From within it, I surge forth Glass True Fire and smile brightly.
[Even if I go a little rough, it won't break them...]
Kugugugugu!
The Bright Cold Realm's Yellow Dragon Race Esteemed One.
As Gyu Wol-jin spews a Dragon Wave from their mouth, they furrow their brows.
'I did expect this much because they said he's a madman who tortured the Sacred Master, but...truly terrifying indeed.'
Dudududududu!
Beyond the Dragon Wave, they catch sight of a monstrosity slowly breaking through and click their tongue inwardly.
'From what I heard, he joined hands with the Golden Divine's successor to exploit the Sacred Master's injury so...I thought he was merely someone who targeted others' weaknesses, but...no. This man is a veteran of many battles who has cut through brutal battlefields, overcoming opponents stronger than himself to make it this far.'
Grasping the essence of Seo Eun-hyun at a glance, Wol-jin signals to the other Esteemed Ones.
Recognizing Wol-jin's signal, the Esteemed Ones adopt serious expressions and begin to draw upon their full power.
[He's a monster. Everyone, do not let your guard down.]
[Crush him with your full power!]
As everyone are individuals capable of foreseeing the future and discerning the wisdom of time and space, none gathered here underestimate Seo Eun-hyun.
Three Esteemed Ones from the Purple Gold Realm advance to the next floor.
The 99th, 98th, 97th, and 96th floors have already been breached, and the monstrous beings of each floor are currently emitting murderous intent toward Seo Eun-hyun.
[It would be nice if the Daoists of the Nether Ghost Realm were here.]
[It can't be helped. They all suddenly fell into madness and fled somewhere.]
[There's no time to lament those who are absent.]
They each ascend a floor, beginning to guide the minds of the floor masters who radiate killing intent towards Seo Eun-hyun.
The masters of each floor start to fix their gazes on Seo Eun-hyun.
Wuduk!
From within Wol-jin's Dragon Wave, a hand emerges.
It is a hand made of flames of glass.
Wudududuk!
As the hand breaks through the Dragon Wave, it gradually tears it apart, creating an exit pathway.
Finally, when he tears out from Wol-jin's Dragon Wave.
Flash!
Wol-jin stops emitting the Dragon Wave and quickly retreats.
The spot he vacated from is filled by the Esteemed Ones of the Ancient Force Realm.
Four Esteemed Ones of the Ancient Force Realm.
Sea Sinking Esteemed One, Wi Mu-cheon.
Red Tide Esteemed One, Gyo Wi.
Salt Sea Esteemed One, Yuk Jeung.
Great Pulse Esteemed One, Sa Ha.
They are the Esteemed Ones of the Sea King Race that is Hae Lin's collateral bloodline, the Red Shark Race, the Sea Dragon Race, and the Iron Crab Race respectively.
[So, you're the one they say brought Blood Yin, that bastard, and wrecked the Bright Cold Realm?]
Kwaang!
Salt Sea Esteemed One, Yuk Jeung.
The Esteemed One of the Sea Dragon Race descends toward Seo Eun-hyun in a half-human, half-dragon form and speaks.
Seo Eun-hyun raises one arm to block Yuk Jeung's foot and looks up at him.
Yuk Jeung grins widely and says,
[I couldn't care less about the Exile Order or whatever from Sacred Master Hae Lin, but just the fact that you aided that retarded immortal Blood Yin is reason enough to be your enemy!]
Demon Ability.
Three Hundred Million Jin Deep Sea Star (三億斤深海星).
Kugugugugu!
Droplet by droplet, a massive sphere of water forms around Seo Eun-hyun, each drop containing a weight of three hundred million jin.
At first, the water sphere seems to evaporate as it contacts the Glass True Fire, but it quickly grows in size, soon reaching a planetary scale.
Seo Eun-hyun is caught in the center of the planet-sized sea, feeling immense attraction forces compressing his body and the crushing pressure of the water from all sides.
[Perish!]
Pasasasasasa!
Pure white light bursts forth from various points within the sea of the Three Hundred Million Jin Deep Sea Star.
The salt in the sea emits light, transforming into a form of power on the Plane of Qi.
[Salt Sea Flooding the Heavens Esoteric Method (鹽海滔天密言).]
There is a legend in the Ancient Force Realm.
When the legendary divine skill, Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade, is mastered, it is said to grant supremacy of the Ancient Force Realm in one's hand.
Yuk Jeung once exterminated an esoteric cult in the Ancient Force Realm and killed its Chief Law Protector, obtaining a technique from the Law Protector's corpse.
That technique became their Innate True Method and is also derived from a portion of Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade's formula.
It is the peerless divine skill, Salt Sea Flooding the Heavens Esoteric Method.
[Behold, this is the pinnacle of esoteric methods honed over tens of thousands of years to kill Blood Yin and Ja Eum: Salt Sea Flooding the Heavens Esoteric Method!]
Kwarururung!
The entirety of the summoned Three Hundred Million Jin Deep Sea Star shines pure white and explodes.
The floor in the form of cosmic space quakes, piercing holes into the very fabric of space.
Wol-jin shouts at Yuk Jeung.
[Yuk Jeung! What are you doing, making a hole in the Tower of Trials!?]
[Huhaha! Who cares!? Now's not the time to worry about that trivial stuff!]
Then, in the midst of the pure white light exploded by Yuk Jeung's Salt Sea Flooding the Heavens Esoteric Words, a shadow begins to shimmer.
Shiiiiii—
As the light fades, a round crystal rests at the center of the explosion, as if sitting like an egg.
Crack!
In the next moment, the crystal shatters, and Seo Eun-hyun bursts forth from within.
[Not bad. If what you learned was at the level of Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade, it could have been dangerous.]
Then, he smirks.
[So, is it my turn now?]
Huarurururuk!
The Glass True Fire on Seo Eun-hyun's entire body flares up even more fiercely.
He appears completely unaffected by Yuk Jeung's recent attack!
[Launch a full assault! Don't give him any opportunities!]
Wi Mu-cheon from the Sea King Race cries out.
At the same time, the Esteemed Ones of the Ancient Force Realm pour their most powerful attacks towards Seo Eun-hyun once more.
Seo Eun-hyun forms hand seals.
Crystal Glass to Treading Sea Star.
Sword Sea Star Body (劍海星體)
Chwarararak!
The Glass True Fire blazing on his body transforms.
Each fire fragment of the Glass True Fire turns into a sword, whirling wildly around him.
At the same time, Seo Eun-hyun's hand begins to transform.
Huarurururuk!
His hand transforms completely into Glass True Fire and 'merges' perfectly with the Colorless Glass Sword that emerges from the void.
The next instant,
Taaatt!
The attraction force in the area twists violently, and Seo Eun-hyun leaps towards the Esteemed Ones of the Ancient Force Realm.
Outside the Lightning Sacred Sea.
There, everything remains calm, appearing just as it would under normal circumstances.
And, the four colossal beings surrounding the Lightning Sacred Sea each let out a sigh.
They are the Esteemed Ones of the Nether Ghost Realm.
[You all felt it too, didn't you?]
[I felt it. A Reaper of the Netherworld has undergone Divine Descent upon the Lightning Sacred Sea.]
[Hey, Black Ghost Palace brat! Say something! At our level, everyone knows your lot are just lackeys of the Underworld! So just why did a Reaper suddenly descend upon the Lightning Sacred Sea?]
[How would I know!? And you call us lackeys of the Underworld, but we're only the bottom of the bunch! We've never even glimpsed the real [Ship of the Underworld]. All we managed to do is glimpse the shadows to barely replicate the Nether Crossing Ship! If a Reaper suddenly descends, just what am I supposed to do about it!?]
Feeling the [terrifying aura of death] that had just descended upon the Lightning Sacred Sea, they bicker among themselves.
And just then,
Something begins to register in their foresight.
[H-Huuaaaaaa!]
[Reaper! It's a Reaper. A Reaper is descending!]
[Kiyaaaaa, run!]
[I, I can't die yet! Please forgive me. Please forgive me...!]
Seeing the scenes that unfold in their foresight, they all tremble in terror and leap to various parts of the universe, disappearing entirely.
And immediately after they flee,
Kwaaang!
The dimensional barrier of the Lightning Sacred Sea explodes apart as a colossal slash erupts outward.
From within that slash, twenty Esteemed Ones emerge, glancing inside with expressions of horror.
[Why are you all acting like this? Didn't you say you would capture me? Come then, try capturing me. I'm not running away!]
Dududududu!
Something strides forward from within.
At the same time, the fabric of space begins to tremble.
And, the three Esteemed Ones of the True Devil Realm watching him.
Black Fog Esteemed One, Oh Mu.
Violent Cliff Esteemed One, Tae Cheok.
Star Seeking Esteemed One, Yo Un.
The Black Smoke Race, whose body transforms into dark smoke.
The Dark Ape Race, descendants of the Immortal Beast Mountain-Destroying Demon Ape.
The Batwing Race, who have bat wings.
The three Esteemed Ones begin to use their devilish arts.
Tsssaaah!
A mist of curses spreads around, starting to bind Seo Eun-hyun.
Violent Cliff Esteemed One Tae Cheok charges at Seo Eun-hyun and throws a punch, while Star Seeking Esteemed One Yo Un, in the form of a young girl, opens her mouth wide behind him.
Then, Seo Eun-hyun releases his Glass True Fire.
Crystal Glass to Treading Sea Star.
Heavenly Shatter Star Body (天碎星體)
A pair of wings appears behind the Glass True Fire.
The wings forged from flames of glass seem to reflect both the vast sky and the starry night alternatively.
The pair of wings seems to absorb into Seo Eun-hyun's arms, and he extends his hand towards Violent Cliff Esteemed One Tae Cheok.
Jjeoong!
[What...!?]
Violent Cliff Esteemed One's eyes widen in shock.
In the next moment, he lets out a crazed scream and pulls back from Seo Eun-hyun.
A glass-colored flame clings to his hand.
Seo Eun-hyun reaches out his hand towards Star Seeking Esteemed One, who is opening her mouth to swallow him.
Crystal Glass to Treading Sea Star.
Twin Flowers Reaching the Heavens.
Yin Soul Flame.
Huarurururuk!
The dark Glass True Fire enters the mouth of Star Seeking Esteemed One, and shortly after, she immediately closes her mouth and struggles in agony.
The following instant, Seo Eun-hyun watches the black smoke covering him and lets out a sneer.
[This thing dares to scatter curses in the presence of this Esteemed One?]
Black Fog Esteemed One meets Seo Eun-hyun's gaze.
They hurriedly read the celestial energy and calculate the optimal future.
Then, they are stunned with shock.
In every future they see, the only outcome is themself, screaming like mad in agony.
[I'll teach you properly.]
Kugugugugu!
The Glass True Fire begins rotating around Seo Eun-hyun.
Crystal Glass to Treading Sea.
Avīci Hell Star Body (無間星體)
[...!!!!!!]
The Glass True Fire turns black.
Simultaneously, the now darkened Glass True Fire envelops Seo Eun-hyun's entire body.
Black Fog Esteemed One, having stared at the dyed-black Seo Eun-hyun, feels their eyeballs explode.
[Huaaaahhh!!!]
They are struck with terror and flee.
For an Esteemed One to simply look at a curse and have their eyes explode...
This means that the being before them, at least in terms of curses, might be an entity infinitely close to a True Immortal.
[You can't escape.]
Crystal Glass to Treading Sea.
Avīci Hell Star Body.
Sword Sea Star Body.
Seo Eun-hyun's hand once again merges with the Colorless Glass Sword.
He swings the Colorless Glass Sword, now ablaze with Black Flame (黑炎).
Sub-Heart Sword.
Transcending Mountain Ridge Embedment.
The curse of the Avīci Hell Star Body, channeled through the inescapable Transcending Mountain Ridge Embedment, lodges together directly into the Black Fog Esteemed One.
The fleeing Black Fog Esteemed one lets out a terrifying scream, loud enough to echo throughout the entire nearby star system, before turning into a star on the spot.
Having endured too much pain in a short period, their mind momentarily fell apart.
[No matter what, I can't let you go easily.]
Huarururk!
His body shifts from Black Flame back to ordinary glass-colored flames.
Simultaneously, Seo Eun-hyun extends both hands towards the other Esteemed Ones who are charging at him ferociously.
Crystal Glass to Treading Sea.
Mysterious Bizarre Star Body (奇怪星體)
Thousands of strands of Glass True Fire spread out in all four directions from Seo Eun-hyun's body.
[Don't block it! Evade!]
Under the lead of Wol-jin, the Esteemed Ones of the Bright Cold Realm all evade, but the two remaining Esteemed Ones from the True Devil Realm, and the Ancient Force Realm Blood Shark Race Esteemed One Gyo Wi, get hit by the flame.
In that instant, Glass True Fire begins inscribing circuits onto their bodies.
[Kuaaaaargh!]
[Hukuaaaaah!]
Combining the spell of the Mysterious Bizarre Gu and the circuits of the Mad Lord, a technique that instantly turns those struck into puppets for manipulation hits the three Esteemed Ones.
Star Seeking Esteemed One, Violent Cliff Esteemed One, and Red Tide Esteemed One.
The three Esteemed Ones scream as they instantly fall under the control of Seo Eun-hyun and charge towards the other Esteemed Ones.
The Esteemed Ones of the Ancient Force Realm and the Bright Cold Realm.
And, the Esteemed Ones of the Purple Gold Realm, who had gone to control the monsters of the upper floors, now reveal themselves.
The master of the 96th floor.
A Thunder Corpse (雷尸) at the Grand Perfection Star Shattering stage charges at Seo Eun-hyun under the control of a Purple Gold Realm Esteemed One.
The master of the 97th floor, a Thunder Peng (雷鵬) at the Sacred Vessel level, flaps its wings, scattering a storm imbued with lightning, while the master of the 98th floor, a Thunder Bear (雷熊), begins gathering nearby nebulae, preparing for a supernova explosion.
Crystal Glass to Treading Sea.
Wind-Painting Star Body (風塗星體).
Interstellar wind begins to blow.
Summoning Wind Dragon Transformation, Great Desert to Dead Sea, and others.
The authority of Wind-Painting Star Body, which combines methods that manipulate wind and attraction force, controls the interstellar wind through attraction force.
Kugugugugu!
A tornado arises in the universe.
Glass True Fire mixes with the interstellar wind, scattering everywhere.
The Thunder Beasts of the Tower of Trials, struck by the Glass True Fire, all begin to howl in rage.
Not only are their spells disrupted by the interstellar wind, but the Glass True Fire brings a stinging pain to their bodies that seems almost unbearable.
Then, Seo Eun-hyun forms a hand seal.
Crystal Glass to Treading Sea.
Avīci Hell Star Body.
The Glass True Fire covering their bodies all at once transforms into a black-colored fire, imbued with 'all of Seo Eun-hyun's pain'.
As soon as the Thunder Beasts are struck by the black-colored flames, they scream, losing their minds from the pain and start fleeing far from the Lightning Sacred Sea.
When the energy of the Lightning Sacred Sea breaks, the Thunder Beasts disintegrate in unison.
Seo Eun-hyun smirks as he looks at the remaining Esteemed Ones.
Now, only five Esteemed Ones from the Bright Cold Realm remain in place.
Of the Yellow Dragon Race, Opening Heaven Esteemed One, Wol-jin.
Of the Horned Ox Race, Flattening Heaven Esteemed One, Ham Rak.
Of the Rotting Owl Race, Safe Heaven Esteemed One, Gwi Ro.
Of the Tall Tree Race, Slaughtering Heaven Esteemed One, Geuk Gwang.
Of the Fighting Ghost Race, Final Heaven Esteemed One, Jin Wol-ryeong.
Then, Geuk Gwang of the Tall Tree Race draws a silver-blue sword from their waist and shouts,
[I am a devotee of the Great Light.]
Paaatt!
A silver-white light surrounds them.
[Have you ever heard of this name?]
At Geuk Gwang's cry, the other Bright Cold Realm Esteemed Ones immediately seal their hearing.
[The Fifth Seat of the Radiance Eight Immortals, Sword Spear Heavenly Lord!]
Invoking the name of a True Immortal, Geuk Gwang pours all the silver-white light into their sword.
Using the name of a True Immortal as an attack, they enlarge the silver-blue sword.
Wo-woong!
The silver-blue giant sword appears in the cosmic space.
[O Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, please grant strength to your devotee!]
The divine light of the sword seems to illuminate the entire universe.
'No matter how strong that one is, how could he stand unscathed before the name of a divine spirit? No, even if he somehow remains unharmed, how could he ever stand against the might of the divine spirit itself?'
With a majestic and unshaken manner, they pray for the protection of the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, the divine spirit they serve.
[O Divine Spirit, please bestow your protection upon me!]
Like a priest offering a sacrifice, they extend both arms towards the divine light.
In the next moment.
The divine light of the sword begins to converge upon Seo Eun-hyun.