Chương 386: Salt (4)

"What...!?"

Without even a moment to realize the familiar name of the technique, something unpleasant starts to invade my body.

Gurgle, gurgle!

Soon, I feel all the colors before my eyes change to a purple hue.

[I definitely told you, Cult Leader. All I need are two things from Penglai Island...] Kekekeke...

A sinister laugh echoes in my ears.

[One of them is your body!] Wriggle, wriggle...

An illusionary fragrance that feels as if it can pierce my nose assaults me.

In front of me, I see a constantly flickering Primordial Chaos (混元) that I have seen somewhere before.

An endlessly mixing, transforming, and evolving double helix of Taiji turns purple and enters my mental world.

The figure of Yuk Rin appears.

He is smiling viciously, showing a triumphant expression.

[Now, hand over your body! Give me your cultivation, your memories, and your enlightenment! You are already mine!!!]

'... This...'

I frown as I observed the secret art called Purple Soul Filling the Heavens trying to take over my body and mind.

Even at first glance, it's a terrifying secret art.

Even I, who had been trained by Cheongmun Ryeong to learn any method, find it difficult to follow the changes of this technique with my eyes.

I can barely guess the nature of this method.

'A secret art that seizes the opponent's body, disassembles their memories, soul, abilities, and bloodline, absorbing only the advantageous parts, and automatically expelling what cannot be handled...? In theory, as long as one's soul endures, they can evolve endlessly into a perfect being...'

But, That is all.

'Compared to Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens which bears the name of an Immortal Art...'

It's laughably lukewarm.

Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens infects stealthily and swiftly, so much so that the opponent might not even realize they are being contaminated.

In contrast, Purple Soul Filling the Heavens is slow to the point of making one yawn at its rate of corruption.

It's such a vast disparity in completion that just comparing it to Seo Hweol's Immortal Art is an insult to Seo Hweol.

However, I smile.

One thing is certain.

[It shares the same root... as Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens.] It's clear.

I rather grin widely, looking at Yuk Rin who is laughing without knowing anything in my heart essence.

[Finally...! I have found a clue to Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens!] Yuk Rin seems pleased, thinking he is about to seize my body, but he's mistaken.

Instead, I have grasped a clue to Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens from Yuk Rin.

I move within my mental world.

On Penglai Island, I can't use qi or other mystical powers.

I can't even use my consciousness, but my heart essence is my own heart so it's not affected.

[You said you want my body? If you want it, come and take it.] [What...?] The next moment, I invite Yuk Rin's mind into my heart essence.

Since reaching the realm of Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion, it became possible not only to read an opponent's heart essence, but also to invite someone with whom I had a close exchange of intent.

In the following moment.

[Kuaaaaaaaargh...!!] I can feel Yuk Rin's entire body writhing and screaming in pain as he is torn apart in my Sword Mountain.

However, it seems he didn't obtain the position of an Integration stage Dragon King through sheer luck, as he grits his teeth and glares at me.

With my hands clasped behind my back, I turn away and slowly climb up the mountain.

Pukwak, pukwak!

The swords pierce through my entire body as well, but I pay no heed and calmly and leisurely climb the mountain.

[If you want to take over my body, try to catch up. Then I'll face you.] Yuk Rin's pupils tremble uncontrollably.

At first, he thought it was just a Sword Mountain made of glass.

But he can feel it.

The more he draws forth Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, the more he climbs the Sword Mountain, the closer the essence of this heart essence world flows into his mind.

Due to Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, the surface of this world is peeled away, and the 'true nature' of Seo Eun-hyun's heart essence is imprinted in Yuk Rin's brain.

Huarururu— Sparks flares up everywhere.

The smell of sulfur fills the air, and the sky is covered in dark smoke.

[Heok... hahk...!] He gasps for breath in the acrid-smelling atmosphere, gritting his teeth.

[Befitting... of a cult leader from the Nether Ghost Realm... I thought you were a madman or a monster corrupted by a True Person...] Drip... drip...

Blood drips from his entire body.

He trembles as he takes a step forward.

Pukwak!

His entire body is impaled by swords.

Yuk Rin grits his teeth and looks up at the existence climbing the mountain.

[Isn't this... more insane than I had expected?] Drip... splat, splat...

Blood flows from that existence.

And that blood flows down the mountain, soaking the sword-filled ground that Yuk Rin is standing on.

With his whole body shivering, he looks down.

There are countless corpses lined up.

They are all the corpses of one person.

Devilish Cult Leader Seo Eun-hyun.

Each of Seo Eun-hyun's corpses died with a pained and resentful expression.

Yuk Rin shivers in fear.

[Just what... are you?] Beneath his feet lies what are undoubtedly Seo Eun-hyuns.

He feels it.

Since Purple Soul Filling the Heavens is a secret art capable of disassembling the opponent's memories and history, it's excellent at revealing the opponent's essence.

He definitely feels it.

These numerous 'Seo Eun-hyuns' lying on the ground are the 'real' Seo Eun-hyun.

But if that is the case, why are the 'real' ones dead and scattered on the ground, and what is 'that thing' climbing up the mountain?

'That thing' emits a faint light, making it look like a small cluster of light climbing the gloomy Sword Mountain world.

[... I cannot give up...!] Yuk Rin's eyes burn with determination.

[Monster who has cultivated the power of Penglai... the power of Penglai is mine...!] Enduring the agony of being impaled by countless swords, he chases after 'that thing' ahead of him.

At a certain moment, the shape of 'that thing' becomes clear in Yuk Rin's sight.

What he had thought was enveloped in light, Is a charcoal lump in the shape of a human.

Chiiiiiiiii— Burning in smoldering flames, Shedding ash and charcoal dust from its body, And yet, with a bizarre smile, its face seems at peace.

Yes, it's a ghost.

Yuk Rin gasps for breath.

Through interactions with Jin Ma-yeol of the Fighting Demon Pirate Gang, he has learned about the concept of the heart essence world.

And he knows that the heart essence world reveals the essence of its master without any filter.

So then, with a body reduced to charcoal, climbing up the mountain while being pierced by countless swords, what exactly is 'that thing'?

That thing is a deceased.

At the same time, a monster.

An insane madman even more deranged than Yuk Rin, who considers himself a greed-driven monster.

Yuk Rin thinks,

'That Devilish Cult Leader... must be killed. No, I must at least seal it.'

Instinctively, he can tell.

Though outwardly pretending to be a human quite well, Yuk Rin feels that this charcoal monster is the most dangerous being in the Ancient Force Realm at present.

With each step on the Sword Mountain, even an Integration stage Demon King like Yuk Rin feels a pain as if his mind is being torn apart.

However, Yuk Rin continues to follow the charcoal monster while gritting his teeth.

'I must eliminate that thing. I must eliminate it!'

From his intuition, an overwhelming terror he has never felt before surges up.

That thing must be stopped.

If not, only death awaits!

Finally, half-crazed from his pursuit of the charcoal lump, Yuk Rin reaches out to the charcoal monster.

And then, he realizes he was wrong.

[KUAAAAAAAH!!!] It happens the moment his fingertips brushes the charcoal figure.

Yuk Rin screams in agony as if his entire body is burning.

The pain is unending!

The embers emanating from the charcoal does not cling to him.

It's a flame meant solely for burning the charcoal lump.

However, Yuk Rin also realizes.

If he were to dismantle Seo Eun-hyun and absorb him with Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, that flame will transfer to him as well.

Having entered this world to devour Seo Eun-hyun and finally touching that scorching charcoal figure, he is now sharing the pain with it.

At last, he understands.

[What are you...?] The charcoal lump turns to look at him.

Instinctively, he knows.

[What are you...? You monster...! How can any living being endure such pain? Even Esteemed Ones would not easily overcome your suffering, I'm asking what is that flame!? How is it possible to endure within that hellfire!] This lump of charcoal is not of the Human Race.

No, it doesn't seem to be any ordinary mortal being.

It isn't even a devotee of a True Person!

If it had been given the fate of a mortal being, there is no way it could endure such pain with a clear mind!

The charcoal figure looks at Yuk Rin, and Yuk Rin, who had initially intended to dismantle and absorb the charcoal figure into the Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, steps back.

[Go, go away. Go away, you monster...! Kuaaaaahhh!] Yuk Rin, forgetting the swords impaling his entire body, begins to run away from the charcoal figure.

It's excruciating.

The problem isn't being pierced by swords, but the burning pain obtained from touching the charcoal figure once seems to scorch his very soul.

No, it is more painful than any fire-based demon ability he has ever experienced in his life!

He needs to get away!

He needs to get away from that monster for the pain to disappear!

He runs down the mountain.

[I, I must escape...! I must get out of here!] Half-crazed with pain, Yuk Rin descends to the base of the mountain.

As he reaches the base, he seems to see the edge of the heart essence.

With flipped eyes, he throws himself in order to exit the heart essence world.

And then, Thud!

[...!] At the bottom of the mountain, amidst the swords, are the corpses of Seo Eun-hyun.

Those corpses rise in unison and grab Yuk Rin.

Yuk Rin screams as he sees the corpses weeping bloody tears.

[Let, let go... let go of meeeee!!! I said let go! Hu-huaaaaaahhhh! Right now!! Let go!!!] Yuk Rin looks back.

It's coming down.

The charcoal monster is descending the mountain of swords and approaching him.

Even though he tries to use Purple Soul Filling the Heavens to shake off the corpses' hands, they do not let go.

-Justjustthethegripgripstrength...

-IsisStarStarShatteringShatteringstagestage...

-Heldheldaaswordswordallallmymylifelife...

-Neverneverletletgogo...

A literal Hellscape!

Yuk Rin struggles in agony, gritting his teeth, and explodes his mental body.

To escape, this is the only way!

Kuaang!

His mental body bursts apart, and Seo Eun-hyuns' grip has no choice but to let go.

The charcoal monster just stares silently at the scene.

I open my eyes.

Back in reality, before my eyes.

Yuk Rin has returned to his own body, clutching his head and gasping for breath.

"Purple Soul Filling the Heavens... thank you. Thanks to you, I've acquired an interesting secret art."

Due to him self-destructing his mental body within my heart essence and escaping, I was able to obtain the formula for Purple Soul Filling the Heavens from the fragments of the explosion.

I can examine it slowly later.

He looks up at me and grits his teeth.

"You... just what are you?"

"Hmm?"

"How can... charcoal... charc... that, that burning... kuaaagh!"

Yuk Rin seems to have seen something within my heart essence, grimacing and groaning in pain.

'Did he briefly touch the Karmic Fire?'

I don't know why he is talking about charcoal all of a sudden.

It seems he is in so much pain that he's hallucinating.

"You're overexaggerating."

I smile faintly, get up from the throne, and kick Yuk Rin.

Recently, the Karmic Fire has been losing its vigor and is about to die out.

Only a few embers remain, but is he really making such a fuss over touching those few embers?

'In any case, it's a fire that only burns me. Unless someone completely devours me, they won't spread.'

However, perhaps this guy is still unable to escape the shock from the pain of the Karmic Fire. He is unable to control his body properly and is trembling violently.

Wearing the jade seal and crown, I approach Yuk Rin and stomp on his neck.

"Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, huh... it was quite an impressive trick, but having seen its superior counterpart, it felt insignificant."

I question Yuk Rin, who is trembling in pain.

"So, what is your real purpose? Tell me your true objective."

Yuk Rin, shuddering in pain and coughing, begins to laugh.

"Ha, hahaha... ahahaha...! Purpose...?"

"..."

As I peer into his heart essence, trying to guess his objective, I flinch.

Wo-woong— Strength is returning to my body.

To be precise, my body is being connected to my 'main body' that is sleeping 'outside' this formation!

Tsutsutsutsu— As I rose to the throne and fulfilled the formation's objective, those who have lost their memories are starting to recover them one by one, and like me, are beginning to regain their powers.

I stomp harder on Yuk Rin's neck.

He's trying to do something!

"You... what are you plotting?"

"Wrong... question... you monster."

He looks up at me, enduring the pain with a sneering smile.

"It has already begun!"

Cherry Blossom Dragon Sea Domain.

Directly beneath the Dome Sky of the sea domain where all light has vanished, Wi Yun is emanating dark red devilish energy and is forming hand seals in the air.

She joins her hands together and reach towards the sky.

At that moment.

Kururururung!

A gigantic formation seems to unfold in the air, and above the center of Cherry Blossom Dragon Sea Domain, a mirage of Cherry Blossom Dragon Island appears.

The Deep Sea Island, hidden beneath Governing Dragon Island.

From the center of that mirage, the figure of a gigantic Sea Dragon arises.

From the actual Cherry Blossom Dragon Island, using Wi Yun and the Cherry Blossom Dragon Sea Domain itself as a medium, the Sea Dragon's mirage transmits power and projects its body there.

Kugugugugu!

As the Sea Dragon swiftly flies past the half-insane Wi Yun, intoxicated by devilish energy, it stops at a spot in Cherry Blossom Dragon Sea Domain.

A corner of the sea domain where the sea has split apart.

The projected form of the Sea Dragon rises above it.

The Governing Dragon Palace Lord, who has taken over the body of the former Cherry Blossom Dragon Palace Lord Yuk Ung.

Yuk Rin's main body begins to exert its power.

Kugugugugu!

As he clenches his hand, the split sea of the Ancient Force Realm begins to 'close' very slowly.

Yuk Rin, at the bottom of the split sea.

Communicating with his clone on Penglai Island, his eyes brighten.

[Is that so...? It's fine. It would have been best to also obtain the devilish cult leader who cultivated Penglai's power, but there's no need to be greedy. Just obtaining what I truly desire is enough...] Yuk Rin's eyes slit vertically as he looks down at Penglai Island below.

As morning approaches, light gradually returns to the world.

Penglai Island shines brightly as the formation takes effect, and the palace made of Salt Crystals at the summit of Salt Mountain at the center of Penglai Island shines brightly as well.

[The divine method that even the Grand Perfection Integration stage Cherry Blossom Dragon Palace Lord Yuk Ung in his prime could only achieve minor achievement in, Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade (鹽海歸露玉)! The authority to control the hegemony of Ancient Force will finally be perfected today!] Yuk Rin's main body projects its attraction force towards the palace made of Salt Crystals.

Kududududuk!

The palace connected to Salt Mountain starts to be uprooted.