Chương 260: Heavenly Tribulation (12)

After Seo Eun-hyun was sealed, the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, which had been in turmoil due to the absence of the Heavenly Lightning Banner, quickly found stability over the next few years.

Jeon Myeong-hoon stabilized his realm after reaching the Heavenly Being stage and found a way to eliminate the Five Elements Blood Curse Banner. Jin Byuk-ho once again built the Thunder Tribute Hall and sealed the Heavenly Lightning Banner there.

Moreover, the current sect leader, Jin Rin, began preparing to pass on the sect leader position to his son, Jin Jin-chan, and Jin Hwi personally took on the responsibility of managing the seal of the 'criminal Seo Eun-hyun.'

The Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect is at peace.

And in the now peaceful Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, the love between Jin So-hae and Jeon Myeong-hoon, symbolizing the peace and prosperity of the sect, finally reached its climax.

"Do, do you want to hold a wedding ceremony again?"

Jin So-hae, her face flushed red, asks Jeon Myeong-hoon with a puzzled look.

Jeon Myeong-hoon takes her hand and says,

"Yes. When we first became Dao Companions, it was very modest. Now that I have also received the Jin surname and have been confirmed as the next sect leader... I somewhat regret not having a proper Dao Companion ceremony back then."

"Uh, um..."

"This time, I want to marry you not as the partner arranged by the sect, but by my own will, So-hae."

Hearing this, Jin So-hae's face turns even redder.

"It may take a few years to stabilize my realm fully since I ascended to the Heavenly Being stage too hastily fighting Seo Eun-hyun, but I'd like to have a proper wedding ceremony with you once everything is stable."

"... Promise me."

"Hm?"

With her face flushed, she locks eyes with Jeon Myeong-hoon and says,

"Nobody expected Seo Eun-hyun to suddenly betray the sect, right? So... Jeon Myeong-hoon. No, Jin Myeong-hoon. Promise me, you will never betray the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect."

Jeon Myeong-hoon listens to her words and nods seriously.

"I will never betray my family."

"... Okay."

"I will promise. Here..."

He extends his hand to Jin So-hae.

Jeon Myeong-hoon whispers to her,

"This is the pledging sign used in my hometown to make promises. It's a sign formed by two people together..."

The two intertwine their pinkies and touch their thumbs together at one of the peaks of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.

"I promise, So-hae. I will never betray the sect."

After finishing his words, Jeon Myeong-hoon slowly brings his face closer to Jin So-hae's.

Moments later, the two separate.

Jin So-hae, seeming to be in a much better mood, hold hands with Jeon Myeong-hoon and looks down at the panoramic view of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, asking,

"So, why did you just come back from the True Devil Realm?"

"Huh?"

"After sealing Seo Eun-hyun in the True Devil Realm, you could have divided the territory he had occupied into the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect's jurisdiction, right?"

"Well, Penglai Palace made quite a fuss about it."

"Penglai Palace?"

"Yes, they said that since they had offered the highest bounty and dispatched the most people to subdue Seo Eun-hyun, they should have the majority of the rights to the territories acquired from capturing him."

"Aha... They even took the Four-Axis puppet, so greedy, really."

"Well, that too..."

He recalls Penglai Palace's 1st Law Enforcer, Hon Ryang, who said,

"Penglai Palace's 1st Law Enforcer Hon Ryang got severely beaten by the formation Jin Wei had set up. So, they made a huge fuss, insisting they needed to take over that territory to study the formations deployed in that area."

"Formation?"

"Yes. It's a formation that utilizes the dragon vein, said to have been deployed by Seo Eun-hyun and his group. The purpose of laying out the formation is unknown, but Penglai Palace said they would share their findings after analyzing the formation later."

"So, the formation hasn't been dismantled yet?"

At Jin So-hae's question, Jeon Myeong-hoon nods.

"Yes. Apparently, it's not a dangerous formation like the Realm Annihilation Heavenly Void Formation or the Bright Flame Formation, so there's no need to dismantle it."

"Hmm... that should be fine then."

Jin So-hae nods and looks at Jeon Myeong-hoon.

"By the way, how's the restraint on your mind?"

"We are currently looking for an experienced restraint lifter from all directions. Since it's a restraint that's deeply ingrained in the mind, it seems it needs to be handled very carefully."

"Well, now that Seo Eun-hyun is sealed, there's no one to activate the restraint so it's okay to take your time."

She smiles lightly, and Jeon Myeong-hoon nods.

"Yeah, we can take our time. There's no rush anymore..."

Jeon Myeong-hoon looks up at the sky with a leisurely heart.

Lately, the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect has been dominated by an atmosphere of leisure, peace, and optimism.

Everyone's tension had eased.

The relationship with Penglai Palace had significantly improved after the joint operation to subdue Seo Eun-hyun, and they had recovered the Heavenly Lightning Banner and sealed the traitor of the sect.

The control over Thunder Spirit Island is becoming more solid, and the scale of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect is gradually increasing.

Thus, the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect prospers in peace and leisure.

... And so, 8 years pass.

Wo-woong!

Inside a cave residence, a figure clad in a golden robe sitting in a meditative posture stands up.

Around him, the consciousness domain that had been fluctuating compresses and then, at one moment, completely settles down.

Jeon Myeong-hoon clad in a golden robe, half-opens his eyes and stands up.

"Finally, I have completely stabilized my cultivation in the Heavenly Being realm."

With his mind now fully tempered, he is no longer swept away by the nature of Heaven and Earth.

Jeon Myeong-hoon's madness is to the "Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect" itself.

Protecting and guarding the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, like his family, is the heart he had chosen.

Step, step...

Jeon Myeong-hoon, stepping out of his cave residence, looks down at the still-thriving Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect and smiles.

"Now, let's go see So-hae."

Having fully risen to the Heavenly Being stage, it's time to report his cultivation to the elders of the sect and receive the position of Grand Elder.

Jeon Myeong-hoon is likely to be given the Heavenly Lightning Command Belt, made with the power of the Heavenly Lightning Banner.

Using the power of the Heavenly Being stage, he floats in the air and looks down as he heads towards the Golden Thunder Hall.

Below, Qi Refining disciples are lined up holding flag magic artifacts, practicing the Lightning Path Method.

Nearby, Qi Building disciples hold orange flags, and Core Formation disciples are also carrying flag dharma treasures.

Disciples met along the way greet Jeon Myeong-hoon.

A peaceful and leisurely atmosphere is swirling around the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.

Some disciples with a bit of free time are preparing ink and paper everywhere to draw flags.

Finally arriving at Jin So-hae's cave residence, Jeon Myeong-hoon calls out to her.

"So-hae!"

"Ah, Myeong-hoon?"

Jin So-hae, surprised, pops out from within the cave residence.

She looks at Jeon Myeong-hoon with joy, smiling brightly, and runs into his embrace.

"Come in! Have you finally stabilized in the Heavenly Being realm?"

"Yes. Now, I'm about to formally receive the position of Grand Elder."

"Congratulations, you're now going to be a Grand Elder of the Golden Lightning."

"Haha, I'm going to see the Supreme Sect Master first to receive the Golden Lightning Belt."

"Ah, the belt. Right."

Jin So-hae shakes her head and says,

"While you were in seclusion, there was a discussion about the belt regulations, and it seems they will change within a month... You came out at a somewhat awkward time?"

"What's changing?"

"From now on, instead of belts, those at the elder level and above will be given flag dharma treasures. Even the elders who received belts last time will be replaced with flag dharma treasures."

"Flags?"

Jeon Myeong-hoon thinks of the scenes he had passed by upon hearing her words.

"Now that I think about it, on my way here, I saw a lot of flags all over the place. Is there a connection?"

"Well, it seems that after you recovered the Heavenly Lightning Banner, your popularity rose, and the desire for flag magic artifacts and flag dharma treasures increased significantly within the sect as they reminisced about you returning with the Heavenly Lightning Banner."

"Ah..."

'No wonder, I thought the sect had developed a flag fetish over the past 8 years.'

He enters the cave residence with Jin So-hae while having such frivolous thoughts.

And as Jeon Myeong-hoon enters Jin So-hae's cave residence, he looks around.

For some reason, the interior of Jin So-hae's cave residence is also filled with countless flags.

Jeon Myeong-hoon stares blankly at those flags for a while.

At the Golden Thunder Hall.

Jin Byuk-ho's laughter can be heard.

"Have you finally properly reached the Heavenly Being stage! Haha, congratulations! But first..."

Jin Byuk-ho, looking at Jeon Myeong-hoon who had completely stabilized his Heavenly Being stage cultivation, laughs heartily. Then, as if remembering something, pulls out a golden belt from his storage bag.

"Starting from a month later, just for your information, a new flag called the Golden Banner will be awarded to those at the elder level and above."

"Yes, I heard from So-hae. Recently, the desire for flags has increased within the sect, hasn't it?"

He looks around.

The Golden Thunder Hall, too, is filled with an excessive number of flags everywhere.

"Yes, that's right. Well, originally, among the sect's methods, aren't there many that form Thunder Banners."

"That's true. However, for me..."

Jeon Myeong-hoon frowns and rubs his head.

Seeing him, Jin Byuk-ho laughs heartily.

"It seems you're bothered by the restraint Seo Eun-hyun placed on you. Don't worry. Recently, the esteemed Sea Dragon King, known throughout the Head Realm for his benevolence and righteous justice, heard about the restraint placed on you and decided to visit to dissolve it. He will visit in about half a year, so just hang in there a little longer."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, and... a month later, when you receive the Thunder Banner, we will formally appoint you as a Grand Elder."

"I have something to say about that."

"What is it?"

"After being recognized as a Grand Elder... I want to hold a wedding ceremony with So-hae once again."

"Oh..."

Jeon Myeong-hoon explains the reason to Jin Byuk-ho, who laughs heartily and permits the remarriage of Jeon Myeong-hoon and Jin So-hae, who will be responsible for the future of the sect.

Thus, a month passes again.

The ceremony for Jeon Myeong-hoon's appointment as a Grand Elder and the award ceremony for the new Thunder Banner to the Elders and Grand Elders was scheduled to be held on a grand scale.

Jeon Myeong-hoon is at the top of Thunder Cloud Peak.

He stands in front of the Thunder Tribute Hall, watching Jin Byuk-ho come out of the hall with the Heavenly Lightning Banner.

"This award ceremony will begin with me, and then all the Grand Elders of the sect will swing the Heavenly Lightning Banner once as an offering to the heavens. You will also swing the Heavenly Lightning Banner at the last turn before receiving your Thunder Banner. Be prepared for that."

"Understood."

All the Elders and Grand Elders had gathered on Thunder Cloud Peak, along with those receiving the Thunder Banner.

Their Dao Companions freely chose the best spots to sit at the open area of Thunder Cloud Peak.

Jeon Myeong-hoon and Jin So-hae also approach a flat rock that appears nice to sit on.

"Let's sit here."

Jin So-hae, fiddling with a flag dharma treasure she had recently made, chooses the spot.

Jeon Myeong-hoon nods and sits down.

The two hold hands, looking forward to the wedding ceremony that will follow the award ceremony.

Soon after all the Grand Elders had taken their seats, Jin Byuk-ho's speech begins.

During Jin Byuk-ho's speech, Jin So-hae suddenly looks at Jeon Myeong-hoon.

"... Myeong-hoon."

"Hm?"

She gazes at Jeon Myeong-hoon for a long while before breaking into a broad smile.

"Today, of all days, you look especially handsome."

"What's with that all of a sudden?"

Jeon Myeong-hoon chuckles.

Jin So-hae, with a look full of affection, tightly grasps Jeon Myeong-hoon's hand and says,

"I love you."

"I feel the same way."

Jeon Myeong-hoon smiles warmly as he holds Jin So-hae's hand in return.

And then, finally, Jin Byuk-ho's speech concludes.

"Now, we will proceed with the awarding of the Thunder Banners to all the Grand Elders and Elders! We shall start with the Grand Elders!"

Vice-Sect Leader Jin Hwi flies beside Jin Byuk-ho and takes out a storage scroll.

As he unfolds the scroll, countless golden Thunder Banners pour out from inside, floating up above the heads of each Grand Elder.

"Now, after all Grand Elders have wielded the Heavenly Lightning Banner once, they will be awarded their Thunder Banners! With that, let's begin the Thunder Banner awarding ceremony!"

Bo-oong!

Jin Byuk-ho swings the Heavenly Lightning Banner, invoking the Heavenly Lightning.

Kurung!

Simultaneously, the golden Thunder Banners floating above the Grand Elders' heads vibrate, drawing the lightning.

Kwajijijik!

The Thunder Banner above the head of a Grand Elder sitting directly below Jin Byuk-ho catches the lightning and spreads it around.

Pajijijik!

The lightning from the first Thunder Banner connects to the closest one.

The lightning from the second Thunder Banner links to the next.

Thus, according to the seating arrangement of the Grand Elders, the lightning moves, connecting Thunder Banner to Thunder Banner.

From above, Jin Byuk-ho, suddenly with a curious face, looks at this scene and ponders,

'That looks almost like... some kind of character.'

"Do you see it, Vice-Sect Leader?"

"Yes, I see it. It's fascinating. Despite the Grand Elders choosing their seats freely, it's as if... they are forming characters."

"Haha, truly a curious occurrence. Perhaps the heavens are giving some kind of revelation to the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect. Let's see what character it is."

Jin Byuk-ho laughed heartily as he read the 'accidentally' formed characters below.

"Zheng (Govern)... Li (Encourage)."

Sect Leader Jin Rin looks proudly at the Thunder Banner.

His son, Jin Jin-chan, is also looking forward to his upcoming appointment as sect leader.

Jeon Myeong-hoon and Jin So-hae lean on each other's shoulders, holding hands.

The Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, harboring dreams of hope and prosperity, thus looks up.

At the sky.

The sky... splits open.

Blink.

In the darkness.

I continuously wield the Colorless Glass Sword in the deep, profound darkness.

Supposedly, to reach beyond Treading Heavens, I had given myself this reason.

But in reality, it's a means to suppress the heart demon incessantly sprouting within me.

How many times, over and over, have I swung my sword?

At some point, while swinging my sword enough to forget the flow of time, Pa-aaaat!

Suddenly, the darkness is lifted.

"...!"

'The seal is...'

"Being released?"

Pa-aaaat!

Immediately upon my release, what I see is Hong Su-ryeong, covered in blood from head to toe.

And from [above], I feel the 'gaze' of an unfathomable presence!!!

"... I see."

I ask Hong Su-ryeong,

"Has the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect been annihilated?"

She smirks at my question.

"No, the annihilation is underway. If you go outside... you must not look at the sky."

I ask her,

"Have you come to take me and escape?"

"No. Follow me."

I follow her out.

The place I had been sealed is inside a place called the Sealing Spirit Hall next to vice-sect leader Jin Hwi's cave residence.

As soon as we step outside, the gaze of the tremendous being...

Pukwak!

Wo-woong!

I utilize the Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens Technique and see Hong Su-ryeong harming herself to maintain her sanity in front of me.

"Krgh, hehe... I guess I'll go mad after all. Do you understand, Seo Eun-hyun? Our Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect will soon perish."

"..."

"Before the annihilation, I came out from Punishment Lightning Cave to see you."

I realize she wants something.

"We are about to die. So..."

Bo-oong, bo-oong, bo-oong, bo-oong!

Sixteen flying sword dharma treasures float around her.

Simultaneously, as she spreads her hand, nine round orbs float above it.

"That is...!"

"I want to have one final duel with you."

"..."

"Will you accept?"

Feeling an indescribable emotion, I draw out the Colorless Glass Sword without saying a word.

Words are unnecessary.

Both of us, holding our swords, prepare the starting form of our martial arts, decorating our final duel with the brink of annihilation.