Chương 499: 999th Cycle's First Day

When I come to my senses, what I see is not the familiar scene from before.

Not the river of scenes, nor the ten thrones beneath the black sky, but simply an infinite and boundless darkness.

The deepest and most colossal existence.

The endless darkness itself that is presumed to be the [Oldest One].

'Ah... so I've been taxidermized after all.'

In the end, it seems that regressing right in front of this existence is meaningless.

It appears that my authority of regression will come to an end on this very day.

Until now, it has been a good life.

It's when I think so.

Wo-woong!

From the boundless darkness, a light bursts forth.

The light is pure and white, like salt.

I have seen that light before.

It's the same light I had seen on Penglai Island.

'The light of... Salt Mountain?'

When I regain my composure, the light has formed a [Wheel] before my eyes.

A wheel far more radiant, beautiful, immense, and sacred than my own—a wheel of pure white brilliance.

And as soon as I come to my senses, the Wheel begins to reverse.

Kiiiiiing!

'...!'

At the same time, I sense a deep sigh laced with lamentation erupt from the depths of the darkness.

Simultaneously, I sense something [twisted] being reversed and returning to its normal state within the wheel's reversal.

It feels as though my Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections has eased a little.

And just when the wheel halts its reversal, and my Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections feels significantly lighter, I suddenly realize that I am moving farther away from the [Oldest One].

'This is...!'

Kiiiiiing!

Once again, the familiar 'river of scenes' rushes past me, and far in the distance, the black sky emerges with the illuminating ten thrones.

The [Oldest One]...

Has let me go.

From a great distance, I seem to hear a voice.

We will meet again.

That definitely seems to be the meaning behind the voice.

As I fail to understand the will of the [Oldest One] who is letting me go, all I can do is nod.

Hwiiiiii!

The process of reversing through history is quite long.

After all, retracing 200, 000 years in a single leap naturally requires some time.

Taking advantage of this gap, I look up at the [sky] that has now become a little familiar.

The [ten thrones] within it.

'No... seven?'

Among them, only [seven thrones] are shining.

It is then.

Sururuk...

The light flickers for a moment, then [three] more thrones brighten once again...

The number of thrones have become [ten]!

'Due to the regression... the thrones are returning...'

It is at that moment.

Is it because my realm has risen?

Or is it because something unusual has occurred with the thrones returning?

I begin to see something new.

From those [ten] thrones, I can perceive 'something.'

'Those are... symbols?'

They are symbols.

Among the symbols I had seen before in Yeong Seung's ring, some of them are now visible, emitting light from the thrones.

However, I cannot perceive them clearly, and I can only recognize the symbol of the [Mountain Exuding Darkness].

That mountain symbol, naturally, belongs to the Great Mountain Supreme Deity.

Since it is a symbol tied to the connection between me and my senior brother, I recognize it instantly...

As I confirm the Great Mountain Supreme Deity's symbol, I sense the familiar moment of regression approaching.

'This time's moment of regression... where will it be...?'

In the past, regression was always fixed upon reaching the Head Realm.

If so, will it be fixed this time as well...?

As I contemplate this question, I welcome the new 999th cycle of regression.

Light envelops me.

Wo-woong!

I come to my senses.

And I immediately grasp the current situation.

"... So it's [here]..."

Is this fortune, or is this misfortune?

:: Die.:: I find myself in an all-too-familiar regression point.

I am standing right before Blood Yin.

I see the authority of the Blood Yin surging toward me.

However...

Unlike before, Blood Yin no longer appears as despair itself.

'I've been through far too many terrifying things for that to be the case.'

Huuu...

Exhaling death energy from my entire body, I rapidly accelerate my mind.

Though the body I inhabit is at the Integration stage, I have definitely restored all of my original authority at the time of my death.

And ever since reaching Void Shattering, my authority has begun to accumulate with each regression.

Thus... I am now in the Sacred Vessel stage.

:: Silence and be respectful (靜肅).:: With my mind accelerating after rising to Sacred Vessel, I utter a single phrase, and Blood Yin flinches.

:: I have come, sent by the Imperial Venerable. Former Chief Judge, respectfully uphold propriety!:: Kiiiiiing!

Behind my head, a [Wheel] emerges.

At the same time, liquefied death energy undulates around me.

With a solemn gaze, I glare directly at Blood Yin.

Even though True Immortals are, without a doubt, True Immortals, and staring directly at one means enduring overwhelming pain... I have already witnessed true death.

Therefore, I can bear the fear and pain of gazing at a True Immortal for a moment.

Under my stern rebuke, Blood Yin flinches and shudders before halting on the spot.

Then, immediately after.

Paaaaatt!

Blood Yin reveals a form They have not shown even once throughout the entirety of the previous 900 cycles.

'...!'

Blood Yin's form shrinks.

The massive lump of blood mist that was Blood Yin shrinks to a size comparable to mine as They transform.

Sururuk...

Transforming into a human form, Blood Yin, now concealing Their presence, locks eyes with me.

I can't help but be surprised the moment I see Their appearance.

They somewhat resemble Seo Hweol, but at the same time, there is a lingering impression of Yu Hao Te.

With eyes that look slightly fierce but a countenance that could appear exceptionally kind if he smiles, an overall soft impression.

"Does the distinguished one have proof that he is the envoy of the Imperial Venerable?"

He sharply questions me.

However, I respond without faltering.

"I was sent by the Imperial Venerable. Verify it for yourself. Do you not possess the eyes that judge all Vice?"

"..."

This is no jest, but the simple truth.

I have returned to this time point because the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld granted me permission to regress and [sent me back].

Wo-woong!

For a moment, red energy flashes in Blood Yin's eyes.

Then, letting out a low groan, he kneels on one knee before me.

Kwaching!

Simultaneously, the surrounding space begins to be rewritten.

With Blood Yin's will, a small dimension forms within the Interdimensional Void, and both he and I—along with my comrades—are relocated to a space resembling a reception chamber adorned with gemstones radiating dark-red light.

"To the one sent by the Imperial Venerable, this... Blood Yin... pays his respects... I apologize for being unable to welcome thee under the name of Yu Hao Te."

Though he usually refers to himself as Yu Hao Te, it seems he still has some conscience that compels him to properly introduce himself as Blood Yin as he recognizes me as a fellow Reaper.

I survey my surroundings.

'So he created a small dimension on the spot. I could think of it as a simple reception chamber but... it's a type of barrier meant to prevent me from escaping in case of emergency.'

I cannot let my guard down.

"I convey the words of the Imperial Venerable. You, the former Chief Judge, are to immediately abolish the clone called Hyeon Eum."

"May I ask the reason...?"

"It is the doing of the Imperial Venerable! Do you not trust this?"

For a moment, Blood Yin raises his head and looks at me.

My legs feel like trembling under that crimson gaze.

This isn't fear but a sort of instinct.

An instinct born of the overwhelming disparity in rank between a Sacred Vessel and a True Immortal.

"... Understood."

Snap!

Blood Yin snaps his fingers on the spot.

Simultaneously, an illusion appears before my eyes.

This isn't an ordinary illusion. It's practically a dimensional passage connected almost directly to the Astral Realm.

Out of the 2, 401 stars, 2, 400 simultaneously lose their light and crumble into fragments.

The constellation known as Hyeon Eum no longer exists.

All that remains is a single planet.

"What is the reason for leaving one behind?"

"It is because I trust in the Imperial Venerable."

"If you truly have faith, then sever it without hesitation!"

Then, Blood Yin glares at me.

"... As expected... this wretched bug has deceived this Immortal..."

Upon hearing those words, I gather my comrades and immediately detonate my Integration stage body without hesitation.

Kwaaaang!

Right here, on the spot, I initiate the advancement ritual for the Star Shattering stage!

Kwa-jijijik!

Under the self-destruction of a Grand Perfection Integration stage, the small dimension tears apart.

Kururung!

Nebulae spread outward, and I feel Blood Yin once again in his true form glaring at me.

:: Do not expect to die peacefully... How dare you impersonate an envoy of the Imperial Venerable and destroy this Immortal's clone? Spy of Light!!!:: Kugugugugu!

An immense pressure crashes down on me.

It seems I've made some sort of mistake in front of Blood Yin.

'Is leaving a single star intact something the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld would have normally allowed? Or... was there some gap shown in our brief conversation?'

I quickly condense my Origin Star.

'In the previous life, I reached the Sacred Vessel stage of the Heaven Tribe, and also underwent the advancement ritual for the Earth Tribe Sacred Vessel stage.'

What remains now is to complete the Earth Tribe advancement ritual perfectly with this Origin Star and face both the Star Shattering and Sacred Vessel Heavenly Tribulations simultaneously!

If I succeed, I will truly reach the Three Great Ultimates of the Sacred Vessel stage.

[A spy of Light, you say? What a strange claim.]:: You summoned the Radiance Eight Immortals yet dare to speak lies! Immediately...:: Blood Yin uses some kind of transcendent authority.

However, I silently turn the Wheel.

[I declare: Your authority shall be rewritten.] I've endured that single strike Blood Yin used to subdue me many times before.

I've come to understand it to this extent.

Pasasasa!

Blood Yin's attack truly transforms into a wave, merely sweeping over me.

I can sense Blood Yin's astonishment.

However, I still feel a powerful distrust lingering in the depths of his consciousness.

Because of some mistake during our conversation, it seems he won't believe me no matter what trick I pull.

'If that's the case... I'll have to proceed as originally planned.'

This is actually better.

In the first place, bluffing in front of Blood Yin was nothing more than a gamble, thinking, 'Would he believe me if I do this?'

'On the contrary, just having him kneel before me and smash Hyeon Eum to that extent is already a gain.'

Seizing the moment when Blood Yin is taken aback, I quickly move from the Interdimensional Void to the Astral Realm.

From behind, I hear the sound of Blood Yin's enraged roar.

But I begin to manipulate the attraction force of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain.

Wiiiiiiing!

The laws surrounding me rotate like a wheel.

At the same time, the dimensions thicken, sealing tightly so that Blood Yin cannot enter.

Kugugugugu!

:: ———————!:: From beyond, I can feel Blood Yin trembling in fury, attempting to break through to the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain.

And finally— Kwachiiing!

A section of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain collapses, and an enormous, colossal red arm bursts through.

Simultaneously, the universe is rewritten.

Under Blood Yin's will, the universe changes in various places.

However...

I see it.

How Blood Yin manipulates this world and how the universe obeys his commands.

'I can escape. I'm sure of it!'

Wherever Blood Yin sends his will to form a barrier, I send mine to dismantle it.

When he sends his authority, I reverse it. When he sends a curse, I reflect it. When he uses attraction force, I respond with repulsive force.

Blood Yin's single arm and I are competing on nearly equal footing.

However...

It's not enough.

'If this drags out, I'll definitely lose.'

Even now, Blood Yin is so enraged that he's not in his right mind, which is the only reason I'm managing to exchange moves with him.

It's not enough with just this.

'More, an even stronger decisive move...!'

Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.

Thirty-third Move.

Sumeru!

The Sumeru Sword Dance draws a circle around me, beginning to borrow the power of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain.

'Once again, the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord might obsess over me.'

Therefore, this time, I block even the possibility of such an outcome at its root!

Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.

Thirty-fourth Move.

Kunlun!

The move of Sumeru and the move of Kunlun unite.

I transform Sumeru's final decisive stroke into a thrust, spreading the thick death energy of me and the entire world.

Then...

Stepping beyond the Underworld, I unleash a single thrust that reaches true death!

Kiiiiiiing!

For an instant, my body transcends the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain.

And... Blood Yin's true body.

I can perceive beyond it all.

Paaatt!

A thrust faster and more precise than anything else!

Puhwak!

Immediately after— The world freezes.

It feels as though the vibrations of the entire world have subsided.

At the same time...

I hear the scream of Blood Yin, who now has a small hole in one of his hands.

:: ——————!:: I immediately turn around and leap across dozens of light-years using the ground-shrinking technique.

The one and only means to desecrate Blood Yin's fate which I couldn't use in my previous life due to the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord's interference!

In this life, I will use it!