Миний нэр бол (2)

'Damn it, what's Seo Li?'

After Heo Gwak asked for my name, I blurted out in a panic.

But after thinking about it for a moment, it seems like there could not be a worse name.

Worried that Heo Gwak might know Yuan Li, I avoided using the surname Yuan.

So I said the first thing that came to mind, and the worst name possible came out.

'Damn it. It's too late to change it now.'

Whether Heo Gwak knows what I am thinking or not, he laughs heartily and says,

"Seo Li! The Seo family has always been full of talented individuals. I once tried to recruit a member of the Seo family to the sect, but failed. Truly... that person was the incarnation of talent.""Haha... Is that so?"

I awkwardly laugh, thinking I know who he is talking about.

"Well, anyway, thanks to the newly installed Flying Immortal Platform, we will continue to expand our recruitment of talents. For now... you follow this child."

Wo-woong-wo-woong-wo-woong―

As Heo Gwak waves his sleeve, a pitch-black ghost flies out from within.

"Take this one to the Entrance Hall."

Wo-woong―

The ghost nods as if it understands and starts flying off somewhere.

"Then I'll see you later. Follow him."

"Yes, senior."

After seeing off Heo Gwak, I follow the ghost he released.

'Is this the interior of Black Ghost Valley…?'

It's my first time at Black Ghost Valley, and it feels intriguing.

A vast valley.

Inside, through narrow paths that number by the dozens, hundreds, even thousands, the ghost manages to find the right path to guide me.

After following the ghost for a while,

"Hmm?"

I arrive in front of a small pavilion marked 'Entrance Hall.'

The ghost growls lightly as if telling me to follow, and I enter the building ahead.

"Hah."

Inside, I'm startled by a bizarre sight.

In front of a black wooden desk within the Entrance Hall, sits a pristine white skeleton busy at work.

Grand Perfection Nascent Soul stage.

No, the skeleton seems a bit beyond the Nascent Soul stage, almost stepping into the Heavenly Being stage.

Although slightly shocked, I  speak to the skeleton remembering the first time I met Song Jin.

"I'm..."

However, before I can start talking, the ghost that guided me flies next to the skeleton's skull and seems to whisper something to it.

The language they use is neither the language of the Demon Race nor the common language of the Bright Cold Realm's Heaven Tribe.

They don't even use vocal cords to begin with, so I can't understand their language.

After they exchange a few words among themselves, they both look at me.

The skeleton gestures towards me.

Soon, it speaks familiar words in the common language of the Heaven Tribe.

"So, you came up through the 13th Flying Immortal Platform?"

"Yes, that's correct."

"The 13th Flying Immortal Platform is newly created, so it's not fully developed yet. Normally, when an ascender comes up through a Flying Immortal Platform, we immediately trace the attraction to find out where the ascender came from, but the 13th Flying Immortal Platform doesn't have that feature yet. That's why I have to ask you directly."

The skeleton's eye sockets light up with ghost fire as he questions me.

"Which Lower Realm are you from?"

Seeing his ghost fire, I realize that this is some sort of consciousness method.

'It's similar to the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon.'

It's a method that can see the color of intent.

'There really are all sorts of methods.'

Thinking it's fascinating, I control my intent and answer.

"They call it the Astral Realm... a small star within it."

"What's the name of the star?"

"It's called Earth."

"You're also from Earth?"

It nods as it writes something on a paper, and I, thinking of Kang Min-hee, ask it.

"Are there others from Earth besides me?"

However, at my question, the skeleton chuckles and says,

"If you ask the ascenders from the Astral Realm where they're from, seven out of ten will say they're from Earth. Those who name their star 'round land (地球/Earth)' aren't just one or two. Do you think there are only one or two Earths in the Astral Realm?"

"Ah...."

It's an issue I hadn't even considered, so I'm momentarily dumbfounded.

"Anyway, it seems true enough, so let's move on. Once again, what is your name?"

"Seo Li… is my name."

"Right, Seo Li. And your gender?"

"I am…."

Fwoosh!

I, along with Jeon Myeong-hoon and Hong Fan, fly for several days and finally arrive in the Human Race territory.

"Are we going directly to Heavenly Human Island?"

To Jeon Myeong-hoon's question, I shake my head.

"I'm going, but you can't. You should first head to Thunder Spirit Island with Hong Fan and Yeon Jin... If there's anything to salvage from the remains of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, take care of it."

"You're going alone?"

"Yes. It's easier to escape alone if needed."

Jeon Myeong-hoon nods.

"Okay, then let's meet later. If you escape, where should we meet?"

"Come to the Light Spirit Pond in the Cold Spirit Race territory. We'll see each other there."

After setting our plan, we part ways.

I fly quickly and reach Heavenly Human Island.

Because it's the main headquarters of the Human Race Grand Alliance, it has a stronger barrier than any other Sky Island, and because the Integration Stage Grand Cultivators are seriously injured, the barrier is even more fortified than usual.

There are even checkpoints that weren't usually there.

"Passing Heavenly Being Daoist! To enter Heavenly Human Island, you need a pass and a reason for entry…."

I glance at the Grand Perfection Heavenly Being cultivator at the checkpoint and, without responding, hold the Colorless Glass Sword and conjure the Three Great Ultimates behind me.

Bo-oong!

Kwaang!

Instantly, I blow a hole right through the barrier.

I bypass the stuttering Heavenly Being cultivator and head to a place on Heavenly Human Island.

Heavenly Human Island's Heavenly Cauldron Mountain.

Usually, seven Grand Cultivators of the Human Race reside there.

'There are nine Grand Cultivators of the Human Race.'

Grand Perfection Integration stage Black Dragon King from the allied Black Dragon Race, Hyeon Eum.

Early Integration stage Palace Lord of Penglai Palace and Heaven-Earth Palace, Hon Won.

Grand Perfection Integration stage leader of the Human Race Grand Alliance, Jun Je.

Early Integration stage responsible for overseeing the entire Human Race, Wi Ryeong-seon.

Mid Integration stage and master of the Entering Truth Gate, Gae Jin.

Mid Integration stage and master of the Heavenly Lotus Sect, Eung Yeon.

Early Integration stage and Chief Military Strategist of the Human Race Grand Alliance, Wi Su.

Late Integration stage hermit cultivator, Gol Maek.

Integration stage cultivator shrouded in secrecy, Tae Yeol-jeon

These nine are the pillars holding up the Human Race Grand Alliance.

However, Tae Yeol-jeon, known only as an Integration stage cultivator, hardly attends the council of Grand Cultivators, and the Black Dragon King doesn't participate in actual Human Race meetings since he is only treated as an ally.

Therefore, it's accurate to say that the Human Race Grand Alliance is practically run by the seven, centered around the leader Jun Je, military strategist Wi Su, and overseer Wi Ryeong-seon, along with Hon Won, Gol Maek, Eung Yeon, and Gae Jin.

I increase my speed as I fly towards Heavenly Cauldron Mountain to meet them.

Far off, the Heavenly Cauldron Mountain where spiritual energy gathers shining with pure-white catches my eye.

The residence of Integration stage cultivators.

But as I try to enter Heavenly Cauldron Mountain, something is off.

'…?'

No matter how much I fly, the distance to Heavenly Cauldron Mountain doesn't seem to get any closer.

'This…'

I realize I am passing the same place again.

'Am I going in circles?'

It isn't that my sense of direction is off.

My senses are fine.

That leads to only one explanation.

'The space is warped.'

The space, warped like a barrier, is preventing undesirables from entering.

The way to cross such a space is simple.

Those at the Four-Axis stage or above can use Axis techniques to fold space and move through it.

However, though my power is at the Integration stage, the capabilities I can use are limited to the Heavenly Being stage

My current abilities are insufficient to straighten the warped space.

What should be done then?

'If all I have is strength, then using strength is the way to go.'

It's simple logic.

Kugugugu…

I put strength into my hand holding the Colorless Glass Sword.

Lifting the Colorless Glass Sword with all my might, I bring it crashing down.

The bent space is caught in my senses.

The plane is terribly distorted.

Kududuguk!

Just like that, the space rips open, and the twisted space carves a path.

Calmly, I enter the interior following the flow of the dragon vein that reaches deep inside Heavenly Cauldron Mountain.

And when I arrive in front of Heavenly Cauldron Mountain,

Pabababat!

Faint projections block my path.

A total of six projections.

All the Grand Cultivators except Hon Won, who resides in Heaven-Earth Palace, and the enigmatic Grand Cultivator Tae Yeol-jeon, send their projections

A familiar face speaks to me.

It's Wi Ryeong-seon.

"How dare you step foot into Heavenly Cauldron Mountain, the sacred site of the Human Race Grand Alliance, so carelessly."

I smirk and reply,

"I wish to receive a cave residence on Heavenly Cauldron Mountain and came to ask for permission from the Grand Cultivators of Heavenly Cauldron Mountain."

Their eyebrows twitch at my words.

"You know the conditions for receiving a cave residence on Heavenly Cauldron Mountain, correct?"

"Yes. Either you are a Grand Cultivator at the Integration stage, or you represent a super-large force equivalent to the Six Great Sects of the Human Race. I am aware it's one of the two."

"You know well. You are not a Grand Cultivator, just a Heavenly Being stage cultivator."

"Hmm…"

I grin.

"I do not seek a cave residence as a Grand Cultivator."

"Then what is it exactly?"

"Can't a super-large force take a cave residence on its own?"

"...You mean to say you have the backing of a force equivalent to the Five Great Sects of the Human Race?"

"No."

"Then?"

"I, as an individual, am equivalent to the Five Great Sects."

Stunned by my audacious statement, the Grand Cultivators are momentarily speechless.

Wi Ryeong-seon speaks again.

"You are arrogant."

"Is that so?"

"Do you know that Hon Won has reissued a bounty on you? A substantial bounty has been placed by Penglai Palace, and your crimes are clearly listed. One of the charges is your unauthorized escape from the Flying Immortal Platform."

"Well. I had already registered my name under the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect at Temporal Fate Island before. Why should I be bound by the Flying Immortal Platform then?"

"That's the procedure. Even if you ascend again after descending to the Lower Realm, the procedure is necessary. And you descended to the Lower Realm without even notifying the Grand Alliance, acting on your own initiative. That alone is a crime, and you even went so far as to hide the Void Spirit Pond in the True Devil Realm for years, obstructing the conquest of the True Devil Realm. This is a grave offense."

"Is that so?"

"The fact that you entered Heavenly Mountain today, where there is a Grand Cultivator meeting, without permission... You have too many charges. Even speaking with you like this is a mercy."

I smile slightly at Wi Ryeong-seon's threatening words.

After entering Tribulating Heavens.

Even though it's just a projection, I can somewhat see his intent.

Reading the intents of the other Grand Cultivators besides Wi Ryeong-seon, I can understand why they are treating me this way.

'That's how it is.'

Feeling even more confident about their intents, I speak to Wi Ryeong-seon,

"Then, no need for further mercy, let's see about my punishment."

"What...?"

"Punishment, let's see you impose it."

At my words, Wi Ryeong-seon stares at me quietly.

And our standoff continues for a while.

None of them dare to attack me first.

'It seems they all suffered quite a bit from the Owner of Heavenly Punishment.'

Normally, it should have been their real bodies coming down, not just threatening me with projections.

Just then.

The leader of the Human Race Grand Alliance and head of the Grand Cultivator meeting.

The Grand Perfection Integration stage Grand Cultivator known as Jun Je steps forward.

"Inspector Wi Ryeong-seon, you are to arrest Seo Eun-hyun. Once Seo Eun-hyun is captured, a trial will be held immediately to determine the punishment."

Upon hearing this, Wi Ryeong-seon's expression hardens, and he vanishes from the spot abruptly.

'Hoo…'

Shortly after Wi Ryeong-seon's projection disappears, the space split, and a man wearing a featureless white mask appears from beyond the space.

'Wi Ryeong-seon, the true body!'

Kugugugu!

An immense pressure bears down on me.

Simultaneously, the projections of the other five Grand Cultivators soar into the air and each stretch out their hands somewhere.

The space around suddenly 'expands'.

The stage is set for a showdown between me and Wi Ryeong-seon.

I can feel his gaze from behind the faceless mask.

I provoke Wi Ryeong-seon.

"The energy I feel from you seems to be at the Four-Axis stage. Are you in a lot of pain? Do your joints ache?"

Wi Ryeong-seon, who had been staring at me, grins.

"Indeed, I sustained critical injuries after directly facing the entity that descended upon Thunder Spirit Island last time. My condition is still far from good."

'Admitting it so readily?'

As I express surprise, Wi Ryeong-seon continues speaking.

"Despite that, do you know why I had to step forward among us?"

"Please enlighten me."

At my words, Wi Ryeong-seon reaches towards the sky.

Simultaneously, I feel a surge of energy from beyond the sky and instinctively step back.

Kugugugu!

From afar.

From a very distant place, enormous energy is being emitted and transmitted in this direction.

Paaaaatt!

Hundreds of beams of light strike down from the sky.

I trace back the closest beam that falls to determine its origin.

'Wi Ryeong-seon's avatar!'

Grand Cultivator Wi Ryeong-seon dispatched his avatars across various areas of the Human Race to monitor the overall situation.

Moreover, since Heavenly Human Island is incredibly large, about three of his avatars besides his main body were dispatched there.

Those three avatars are currently merging into the dragon veins of Heavenly Human Island, transferring the power of the island's dragon veins to the main body of Wi Ryeong-seon.

The identities of the other beams are likely the same.

The avatars of Wi Ryeong-seon dispatched to other Sky Islands are melting their respective dragon veins and transferring that power to him.

Kugugugu!

I marvel in astonishment as I watch Wi Ryeong-seon receiving the power of all the Human Race's Sky Islands' dragon veins.

His aura, which was merely at the Four-Axis level, is rapidly increasing.

[If it's this much… In a short-term battle, I can reach my peak condition.]

The next moment.

Bo-oong!

Enveloped in the Flying Escape Technique, he charges at me with a seven-colored fan in one hand.

[I'll straighten out your crooked head.]

Ruarururururu!

Flames engulf everything.

The seven-colored flames spread in all directions, instantly turning the expanded space into a sea of seven-colored fire.

And I summon the Three Great Ultimates.

[A worthy opponent indeed.]

The next moment.

Kwaang!

My Colorless Glass Sword has already pierced through Wi Ryeong-seon's throat.

[...!]

As if not understanding what just happened, he looks shockingly surprised.

I observe him continually recharging his energy, my eyes shining with anticipation.

[Give it your all.]

[Ah, agh... Ahgeuk...!]

Kuaaaang!

Flinging him aside as if swatting a fly, I bare my teeth in a grin.

[I might accidentally kill you.]

[You, you…! That power…!]

Kwaang!

Kicking off the void, I charge at Wi Ryeong-seon like a predator in a frozen world.

I wonder if he had gambled his way up to the position of an Integration stage Grand Cultivator.

Using the Flying Escape Technique, he begins to move nimbly in the frozen world.

But he is too slow.

Bo-oong!

Flash!

With my Colorless Glass Sword overlaid with the Formless Sword, I slice through his upper body. I then steady my stance and thrust one hundred and six penetrating sword strikes towards him again.

Yet, he can't even react.

[Th-this... Your power, the power of the Heart Tribe...!]

Heaven, Earth, Heart, Mad Lord (괴).

These four pillars of power supply me with a volcanic force.

I amplify this power through General Seo's circuits, relentlessly pushing him back.

[Argh...!]

Soon losing even the leisure to speak, Wi Ryeong-seon focuses solely on following my attacks with his eyes as we exchange blows.

At that moment,

Whoosh!

Wi Ryeong-seon, having gathered his energy, casts the Flying Escape Technique even faster and suddenly moves from in front of me to a distance far away.

I instantly extend the Formless Sword towards him, now 2,000 li away.

The Formless Sword rushes like lightning, but the transfer of power is somewhat diminished by the distance.

And Wi Ryeong-seon, having withstood my strike, begins to form hand seals.

'The real battle begins now.'

[You damned Heart Tribe spy! Die!!!]

Simultaneously, countless clones spring from Wi Ryeong-seon's shadow.

Each one is at the level of a Heavenly Being stage, densely surrounding him.

'Ho, even if it's a kind of spell technique and meant for short-term use..."

These unstable clones won't last long.

However, the moment the number of Heavenly Being stage clones surpass 300 million,

I can't help but burst into hollow laughter.

Kugugugu!

The clones disperse in all directions, forming hand seals.

'He's trying to set up a formation.'

Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.

Layered Mountains.

Kugugugu!

The Formless Sword spreads across Heaven and Earth, turning into a massive thorn bush that could envelop the world.

Each thorn and bush possess the force to split mountain ranges, literally capable of grinding through layers of mountains.

The clones of Wi Ryeong-seon begin to burst one by one under the onslaught of the Formless Sword.

But that is not the end.

I draw all 3,000 Colorless Glass Swords and spread them out in the air.

The Formless Sword is imbued within the Colorless Glass Swords.

Wi Ryeong-seon's clones begin to form more clones.

And those clones again begin to produce more clones.

And the clones gather to form their own formations.

In the formations, their power is amplified.

Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.

Three Thousand Lights Emerging Peak.

Kugugugu!

3,000 Colorless Glass Swords.

From those Colorless Glass Swords, 3,000 strands of Formless Sword Energy spread.

9 million streaks of Sword Energy sweep forward.

The clones struck by the Sword Energy burst all at once.

Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.

Bouldered Cliff.

The 9 million strands of Sword Energy, converging and clumped together, shake and thrash wildly in all directions.

Storms of Sword Energy erupt here and there, sweeping away Wi Ryeong-seon's clones.

Whoosh!

One of his clones fly towards me and reaches out its hand.

I simply burst the avatar with a slash of Sword Energy.

That's when it happens.

Pabat!

[…!]

The clone and Wi Ryeong-seon's true body swaps places.

Wi Ryeong-seon's true body swing the seven-colored fan at me.

Ruarurururu!

Flames hotter than lava melt the earth as they rush towards me.

I quickly dash towards him, swinging my hand.

But once again, Wi Ryeong-seon switches places with a clone.

'Annoying.'

If this continues, it'll be an endless game of tag.

'I'll sweep them all away.'

Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.

Severing Mountain!

Kugugugu!

3,000 Colorless Glass Swords, guided by my will, each begin to unfold the Severing Mountain Swordsmanship imbued with the Formless Sword.

3,000 Severing Mountains fill the heavens and the earth, crashing in every direction.

As light flickers, Wi Ryeong-seon's clones are obliterated in an instant.

That is when.

Kuuuuuu!

I notice the energies amplified by the formation created from Wi Ryeong-seon's clones converging into one point.

[There!]

That's where the main body is!

Just as I'm about to unleash my attack in that direction.

Kuuuuuu!

Wi Ryeong-seon begins to expand his domain from there.

[...!]

His domain quickly envelops me, and I suddenly find myself in a world filled with colorful masks.

Flash!

Suddenly, a mask next to me transforms into Wi Ryeong-seon and charges at me.

Kugugugu!

The seven-colored fan he holds seems to sear red, then swiftly turns yellow, white, and blue.

A bright blue flame engulfs me.

This flame is incomparably more powerful than the previous flames.

Baring my teeth, I reach out my hand.

Crack!

I break through the flames and approach Wi Ryeong-seon, grabbing him as he shows a startled expression.

[I was wondering... when you'd deploy your domain.]

[What...?]

[For Four-Axis cultivators, the Heavenly Circle and Earthly Bearings need to be split in order to die… but you Grand Cultivators die only when the 'domain' born from the united Heavenly Circle and Earthly Bearings is destroyed. So...]

I fling my sword towards the flustered Wi Ryeong-seon.

He switches places with a clone, but my sword bursts through the clone and digs into his domain.

Kwaaaaang!

Just as the Head Realm's dimensional barrier crumbled under my sword, Wi Ryeong-seon's domain crumbles under my strike.

'The Four-Axis stage's Four-Axis Canopy felt soft like cutting through water...'

But the domain of the Integration stage is definitely different.

A dimensional barrier in itself!

[Impressive.]

I tear through Wi Ryeong-seon's dimensional barrier while laughing.

Intent floats around inside his domain, revealing his emotions.

The domain is filled with the intent of pain.

[You!!!]

Wi Ryeong-seon's clones all charge at me simultaneously.

Outside the domain, they are of the Heavenly Being stage, but inside, each is of the early Four-Axis stage. Moreover, each is using the Flying Escape Technique at the Integration level as they rush towards me.

But...!

[Too slow.]

Kwaang, Kwaang!

Wi Ryeong-seon's domain crumbles under one strike of my sword.

[Compared to Kim Young-hoon...]

Kwaang!

The domain is torn apart by a second strike.

[Compared to Hon Won...]

Jjeong!

With the third strike, countless clones explode, and a hole is blown through the domain as if it's a dimensional barrier itself.

Continuously, repeatedly delivering strikes to the domain itself.

I cleave away the countless clones and gradually head towards Wi Ryeong-seon's main body.

He continues to switch places with his clones while fleeing far within the domain.

And from afar, he shoots blue flames at me, but I am gradually closing in on him.

Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.

Foolish Old Man Moves Mountains!

Kwaang!

The slash explodes massively, shattering Wi Ryeong-seon's rushing clones all at once, and his domain is tattered everywhere.

I reach an extreme speed in an instant and charge towards Wi Ryeong-seon.

He switches places with a clone again.

It's confusing to read intent within the domain.

With the vision of the Heart Tribe alone, it would be impossible to recognize where he is.

However, through the perception I acquired from Kim Young-hoon, I determine where he is 'trying to switch.'

Paaat!

As soon as he starts to switch with another clone, I change direction and arrive in front of Wi Ryeong-seon.

I strike down with my sword.

Kwaang!

An explosion scatters, and the Wi Ryeong-seon's entire domain trembles.

Behind his half-destroyed mask, he meets my eyes with a pale, shocked expression.

Kuuk, Kukukuku!

He is barely holding off my Colorless Glass Sword with his seven-colored fan.

However, my sword is gradually digging into his dharma treasure.

[Well then.]

I extend seven pairs of wings from behind.

[Take care.]

As the energy of Azure Wing Heavenly Shatter is being loaded into my Colorless Glass Sword, ready to split his dharma treasure and Wi Ryeong-seon himself in two,

Whoosh!

"Stop right there."

Someone places a hand on my shoulder.

Grand Perfection Integration stage.

It's Jun Je, the Head of the Human Race Grand Alliance.

"…!"

I'm startled by the touch on my flesh.

The Grand Alliance Leader brought his true body.

'I didn't notice.'

As I break out in a cold sweat, he claps his hands.

Clap, clap!

At the sound of his clapping, Wi Ryeong-seon immediately retracts his domain and takes back his dharma treasure into his mouth.

"Right. Congratulations. You have proven your qualifications."

I too reabsorb the Colorless Glass Swords back into my mouth and step back.

"...Next time, please be careful with the shoulder."

"Haha, understood. Anyway, does anyone doubt Seo Eun-hyun's capabilities now?"

Suddenly, the Integration stage Grand Cultivators, not just projections but their main bodies, are watching from around.

"None here."

"I am satisfied."

"The future of the Human Race looks bright."

"Mastering the Heart Tribe's techniques to this extent, it will be very beneficial for the study of the Heart Path Method."

Everyone gives me positive evaluations.

I smile, realizing the intent I had read earlier was correct.

They had been testing me from the start.

Jun Je looks at Wi Ryeong-seon and asks.

"Grand Cultivator Wi Ryeong-seon, what do you think?"

Wi Ryeong-seon, dusting off his body, replies..

"Exceptional. This child will be the new future of the Human Race."

Jun Je laughs heartily.

"Congratulations. Except for Hon Won and Tae Yeol-jeon who are not present, more than half of the Grand Cultivators of the Human Race Grand Alliance have recognized you."

His words confirm that I have finally been acknowledged by them.

"Congratulations on passing the test safely. You've worked hard up until now. Only good things will await you in the future."

I respectfully bow.

"From now on, we look forward to your support, Grand Cultivator Seo."