Chương 252: Heavenly Tribulation (4)

Flash!

Kwagwagwagwang!

A flash of light bursts from General Seo's mouth, and Jeon Myeong-hoon's head is blown off by General Seo's cannon.

However, Jeon Myeong-hoon instantly regenerates his head and charges back towards General Seo like a madman.

"Seo Eun-hyun!!!"

Kwarururung!

Jeon Myeong-hoon rushes at me with completely crazed eyes.

It's clear.

He is being manipulated by Zhengli.

More than half of the emotions he is exhibiting are being influenced by Zhengli.

But…

That means.

The other half is also sincere.

Jeon Myeong-hoon is genuinely angry with me to some extent.

"... I'm sorry."

I apologize to Jeon Myeong-hoon.

And to the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, which had become like family, bowing my head along with my apology.

"I'm truly sorry."

Kwagwagwang!

Lightning flashes, and General Seo is repelled by Jeon Myeong-hoon.

Due to his anger, Jeon Myeong-hoon is becoming endlessly stronger, and while initially he was only at a level enough to face a Grand Perfection Heavenly Being, he is gradually becoming as powerful as General Seo.

'No, that's not it.'

It isn't simply due to anger that he is becoming so powerful.

Jeon Myeong-hoon is currently triggering his latent potential.

Being at the Nascent Soul stage and having a lifespan of over a thousand years, he is pushing himself to the limit to chase me down, even at the expense of a bit of his lifespan.

"Seo Eun-hyun!!!"

"..."

I look at him charging at me with crazed eyes and say,

"... Go ahead, be angry."

Since things have come to this, it might be a good thing to make Jeon Myeong-hoon even angrier, to further steepen his growth curve.

"Be angry and even more angry, so that someday…"

I draw the wooden sword I had used to train Jeon Myeong-hoon and face him.

Giant lightning claws appear over Jeon Myeong-hoon's hands, and upon contact, my whole body starts to tingle.

"Huaaaaaaah!!!"

Kwajik, kwajijijik!

Jeon Myeong-hoon's strength has become so formidable that it's on a completely different level from the strength I had faced before.

"Hold this, Yuan Yu."

Handing over the Heavenly Lightning Banner to Yuan Yu for a moment, I infuse power into my wooden sword.

[You dare to betray the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect!]

"... With your strength, punish the traitor, and reseal the Heavenly Lightning Banner."

If that happens, it's also something I wouldn't mind.

Grow, Jeon Myeong-hoon.

Use this anger as fuel to become even stronger and ascend to a higher level.

Crack, creak!

The wooden sword in contact with Jeon Myeong-hoon begins to crack.

Creak!

Eventually.

Pakang!

Jeon Myeong-hoon finally succeeds in smashing the wooden sword I had used to beat him, and with overwhelming strength, he charges at me.

Flash!

The extent of his power has grown so vast in an instant that even I am taken aback and one of my arms is blown off by Jeon Myeong-hoon's body slam.

Jeon Myeong-hoon doesn't stop there. He flies towards Yuan Yu.

Boom!

He kicks Yuan Yu, causing an explosion, and successfully seizes the Heavenly Lightning Banner that Yuan Yu was holding.

"Ugh...! Hah, huh..."

He gasps for breath.

It appears that his sudden increase in power wasn't due to a simple growth, but rather a combination of his latent potential activating and extreme anger, momentarily exceeding the limits of power he can produce.

Perhaps it was a moment of glimpsing into the next realm without realizing it.

I look at Jeon Myeong-hoon and Zhengli, whom he has momentarily snatched from me.

Zhengli seems quite flustered for some reason.

Yet, even in her confusion, she does not stop manipulating Jeon Myeong-hoon.

I can see her endlessly whispering to him.

To call out her name.

Endlessly, endlessly.

And then, Jeon Myeong-hoon opens his mouth.

"Z…"

Boom!

In an instant.

Jeon Myeong-hoon's head explodes.

It's because I kicked his head in the blink of an eye.

"Chase after the power you just demonstrated. Then, someday, you'll be able to defeat me."

Swoosh— I draw out one of the 3, 000 Colorless Glass Swords.

"Anyway, since you've broken my wooden sword today, I can no longer treat you as a mere novice."

At the end of the 15th cycle, each of my Colorless Glass Swords had been strengthened to the level of a high-quality iron sword by consuming elixirs.

Since I skipped the 16th cycle entirely, I don't remember it, but the hardness of the Colorless Glass Swords had become even stronger from being refined by elixirs during the 16th cycle.

In the first hundred years, they were enhanced from the quality of a good iron sword to the level of a top-grade steel sword.

In the next hundred years, they were enhanced from steel swords to the level of famous swords.

And in the following hundred years, from famous swords to the level of treasure swords.

The 3, 000 Colorless Glass Swords were enhanced to the extreme limit a mortal could achieve with a sword over 300 years.

In the next hundred years, they were enhanced from treasure swords to the lowest grade of magic artifacts used by cultivators. In the last hundred years, they were enhanced from the lowest grade to a lower grade magic artifact.

Furthermore, having been refined again by spirit pills during my time with the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, the Colorless Glass Swords had reached the level of mid-to-low grade magic artifacts at the current point in time.

Previously, if I needed a strength of 10 to wield a sword, I had to use about 7 or 8 of that strength just to prevent the Colorless Glass Swords from breaking.

The previous Colorless Glass Swords were, literally, as fragile as glass.

But now, they have surpassed ordinary swords and reached the strength level of cultivators' magic artifacts.

Now, when wielding a Colorless Glass Sword, I only need to use about 3 or 4 of that strength to enhance the sword.

Whoong!

I swing the Colorless Glass Sword.

A single slash.

And with that one cut, Jeon Myeong-hoon's torso is divided into upper and lower halves, and dozens of peaks of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect behind him are also cut in one fell swoop.

In an instant.

I enter the gap in time.

Accelerating my consciousness and entering the seemingly frozen world, I wield the Colorless Glass Sword.

I stab, stab, and stab again.

And then.

Pah!

I pass right by Jeon Myeong-hoon, snatching back the Heavenly Lightning Banner he was holding.

The next moment.

Boom, boom, boom!

Jeon Myeong-hoon's entire body begins to disintegrate into dust due to the slashes.

"Ugh, ughhh!"

He tries to muster strength to resist the onslaught of slashes affecting his body, but resistance is futile.

The strike just now is different from the ones where I merely trained him with a wooden sword.

I wielded my natal dharma treasure, executing the sword technique with all my sincerity.

"Huaaaaa!"

Boom!

Eventually, Jeon Myeong-hoon's physical body completely crumbles, leaving only his Golden Core intact.

Unless he's a devilish cultivator that learned devilish arts, regenerating from just a Golden Core will take days.

"Take care, Jeon Myeong-hoon."

I take out the Five Elements Blood Curse Banner.

A single red flag is held in my hand.

Puk!

I embed the flag right into his Nascent Soul, deep within his Golden Core.

"...!!!"

"I've placed a restriction in your mind."

Since I won't be able to monitor him in real-time after leaving the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, this is a necessary measure.

"From now on, every time you attempt to say the name of the Heavenly Lightning Banner, the Five Elements Blood Curse Banner will activate."

Even to me, this seems like a somewhat cruel measure.

But it's necessary.

The day Jeon Myeong-hoon utters its name, everything will end.

"If you want to remove the restriction... become stronger and come find me. I'll be waiting."

His Golden Core, with the Five Elements Blood Curse Banner embedded in it, fall downwards.

Going forward, the Five Elements Blood Curse Banner will lie dormant within Jeon Myeong-hoon's consciousness, activating to inflict severe pain on him if he breaks the restriction I mentioned.

'I'm sorry.'

After apologizing to the falling Jeon Myeong-hoon, I retrieve the battered General Seo and fly off.

General Seo, created in the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, had been modified several times compared to the original, applying the techniques of the Azure Heaven Creation Sect and those of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.

Therefore, beyond its most basic current form, there's a second form that can use the power of the Azure Heaven Creation Sect and a third form that can also use the power of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.

There is even a fourth form prepared, which can regenerate while using devilish arts through merging with Yuan Yu.

However, seeing Jeon Myeong-hoon's condition, I decided to face him with my own strength.

"The Heavenly Lightning Banner seems flustered."

I chuckle at the still visibly shaken Heavenly Lightning Banner.

"Is it because Jeon Myeong-hoon is starting to break free from your control?"

[... How could the Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation, created by my owner...]

"I don't know much about what happened between Yang Su-jin and your owner, but…"

Certainly, at first, Jeon Myeong-hoon moved as controlled by Zhengli.

However, at some point, his actions began to deviate from Zhengli's will.

While he initially attacked due to being guided by Zhengli, he gradually started to attack me of his own will.

That is all.

What Zhengli first taught Jeon Myeong-hoon was the Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation Technique, created by the Owner of Heavenly Punishment.

Yet, Jeon Myeong-hoon, filled with rage to the brim, continued to 'evolve' the Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation Method in a 'different direction' while using it.

"From what I see, the Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation Method used by Yang Su-jin doesn't seem to be learned from your owner."

Both Yang Su-jin and Jeon Myeong-hoon.

It's almost certain the two, born under the same fate, initially learned their techniques from the Owner of Heavenly Punishment.

But, they both evolved the Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation to 'make it their own.'

Perhaps that is the 'real' Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation Method that Yang Su-jin intended to pass down to his descendants.

[... That's impossible... How could...] Seeing her panic, I smirk bitterly.

"You seem very flustered. But it's not over yet."

[What...?]

"You will be sealed. I have prepared an ally for this. You will be sent back to the lower realms to be sealed again."

[...!] At those words, Zhengli's consciousness shakes wildly.

At the same time, she begins to plead with me.

[Eun-hyun-ah, what are you saying? Are you saying you'll throw me into that dreadful place?]

"..."

[Please reconsider. That place won't do. Please! Rather, throw me into the deepest part of the Netherworld, please, not there!]

"..."

[I can't go there. I don't want to be in that ominous and dreadful world anymore. Please, please! That place is too terrifying. No, it's not good for you either. I sincerely advise you. It's a world that the vast majority of True Immortals avoid. Why do you think True Immortals don't seek it out? Since ancient times, there have been rumors in the True Immortal Realm that a horrific and hideous being resides there. It's not just a rumor!] She seems terrified out of her mind.

[Even the renowned Judge of the Netherworld, who was powerful enough to threaten my owner, even my owner's closest friend, even the Immortal Lord of the Netherworld who oversees the lifespan of mortals, even the being who was once to be consecrated as the King of Immortal Beasts, even the mastermind behind various incidents in various parts of the True Immortal Realm, all met a miserable end related to that world! Mortal, please do not make a foolish choice. Although hateful as he is, even the fearsome Golden Deity Yang Su-jin disappeared after sealing me in that world!!! I beg you. Please, please do not leave me in that terrifying place!]

"..."

I glance at the Heavenly Lightning Banner.

"... I'm sorry it's come to this."

No matter how much she tries to change my mind, it's useless.

I have already decided to seal the Heavenly Lightning Banner there.

Her begging like this only proves that sealing Zhengli there will ensure that the Owner of Heavenly Punishment will never come looking for her.

"I have people I must protect as well."

The vivid image of the day when Thunder Spirit Island and Heavenly Human Island vanished still lingers in my mind.

It's inevitable.

To save the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, which has become my family.

Ignoring Zhengli's screams that resemble pleas, I send a message to Hon Wei and head to the place we promised to meet.

Now, not much time is left to change the fate of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.

Paaat!

I left Thunder Spirit Island and headed towards Temporal Fate Island.

Taht!

Temporal Fate Island is still rocky.

Originally, Temporal Fate Island is an island that's not used for much other than being crammed in a corner to manage the life register. Hence, there aren't many people living there.

How many days have I waited on Temporal Fate Island?

Paaat!

Hon Wei's dull light appears, and she flies in using the Flying Escape Technique.

"It's been a while. Thunder Spirit Island is in an uproar thanks to your betrayal."

"... Is that so?"

I reply indifferently and stand up.

"Please keep your promise."

"Well, alright. Have you gathered the people?"

"Yes."

"I've also spoken to my father. The Palace Lord of Penglai Palace has recognized you as the new sect leader of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect and will support you. I will connect you to my father, so show the proper respect."

"Understood."

She takes out a small flask from her storage bag.

Chalak!

She removes the lid and sprinkles the liquid, which forms a water mirror in the air.

Wooong!

The water mirror vibrates and soon reflects a distant landscape.

Inside the Heaven-Earth Palace.

In one of the inner spaces, shrouded in a whirlwind of dust, a figure is seen.

Sitting in a lotus position amidst the dust storm, the figure's gaze meets mine.

"I, the unworthy cultivator Jin Eun-hyun, greet the great Palace Lord of Penglai Palace and the Grand Guardian of the Heaven-Earth Palace, Integration stage Grand Cultivator Hon Won."

[….] Hon Won simply looks at me without saying much.

Then, Hon Wei, kneeling beside me, begins to present her petition to Hon Won.

"Palace Lord, this is the person I mentioned before. Please, I beseech the Palace Lord to recognize and support the activities of the new Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect with your authority."

[How many disciples does this new Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect have?] Upon his daughter's request, Hon won opens his mouth to ask.

Hon Won gestures towards me.

I connect Yeon Jin and Hong Su-ryeong through a transforming image talisman.

The talisman floats in the air, connecting them to the water mirror created by Hon Won.

Hong Su-ryeong is currently tied up in her cave residence, undergoing self-imposed training to ascend to the Four-Axis stage.

She briefly meets my gaze and then bows her head towards the Grand Cultivator Hon Won.

"I, Hong Su-ryeong, a grand elder of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect at the Heavenly Being stage, support the new Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect."

Upon her words, Hon Won nods and looks away.

Yuan Yu steps forward.

I make Yuan Yu speak.

"I, Yuan Yu, an elder of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect at the Nascent Soul stage, support the new Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect."

[….] Hon Won seems to glance at Yuan Yu for a moment and then nods.

'Did he notice?'

However, it seems he lets it be without much concern despite noticing.

His interest appears minimal.

Lastly, Hon Won's gaze shifts to the water mirror connected to Yeon Jin.

Yeon Jin is currently participating in the expedition to the Devil Realm, waiting at the entrance to the realm.

"Uh, greetings, Sir Grand Cultivator! Oh, is that not right? I greet Sir Grand Cultivator!"

[….]

"I, um... that is, Yeon Jin, a disciple of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, support the new Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect."

[….] Hon Won silently observes Yeon Jin.

I step forward and speak.

"These individuals wish for the new Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, so we ask the Palace Lord to recognize us…"

And then.

[You.] Suddenly, a surge of red intent flares up around Hon Won.

'What…?'

The gaze of the figure sitting cross-legged within the dust storm turns menacing.

He glares at Yeon Jin.

[You, this monster…! You're still alive!!! You are truly a vile, resilient, and filthy life!!!] As Hon Won rages, his will is transmitted through a communication technique, causing the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy to violently fluctuate.

'What's happening…!'

[I command Hon Wei, the Law Enforcer of Penglai Palace! I absolutely do not acknowledge this so-called new Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect or whatever it is that this filthy monster supports! I hate traitors who betray their sect the most!!! Immediately! Bring those traitors before me! Mobilize all of Penglai Palace's power if necessary!]

"This…!"

I quickly stand up. The next moment, Hon Wei with a changed gaze strikes at me.

[I, as the Palace Lord of Penglai Palace, command! Issue a bounty for these traitors across the entire Human Race!!!]