Chương 594: Mount Sumeru (7)

"Dual... dual cultivation?"

I am left speechless for a moment and stare at Jeon Myeong-hoon.

He also seems dumbfounded, looking at me with vacant eyes.

He doesn't know much about the Heavenly Venerable of the Void, but at least he seems to understand that they are some kind of incredible existence.

Yet, such an existence suddenly brings up something like dual cultivation out of nowhere, leaving even him bewildered.

'What in the world is this person thinking?'

I try to read Hyeon Mu's intent, but as expected, not a single thought leaks out, likely because they are a being who has transcended Severing Heaven.

Even when I attempt to reflect Hyeon Mu's heart through the Impermanence Sword, all that appears is endless emptiness.

Nothing is reflected.

For a brief moment of merely one second, my mind spins rapidly, overheating as I attempt to grasp the meaning behind Hyeon Mu's words.

How long do I contemplate Hyeon Mu's intentions?

In the end, unable to find an answer, I decide to confront the situation honestly.

"... Hm, I apologize, but I believe that dual cultivation should be done between those who share a mutual sentiment."

"Mm?"

Hyeon Mu looks at me as if she does not understand.

"That is strange. Do you not have feelings for me?"

Seeing her smile meaningfully, I feel a headache coming on.

"Yes...! I do have feelings. But... that feeling is not one of wanting to dual cultivate. It is the heart of a martial artist who wishes to challenge the limits of Martial Arts."

"Martial artist? So, you are saying that dual cultivation with me is not an act of testing the realm of Martial Arts?"

"Yes? I mean... hmm... I do not understand how it can be interpreted that way."

Hyeon Mu clicks her tongue and speaks.

"Are you not seeking guidance from Kim Young-hoon?"

"... That is correct."

"In any case, if you two wish to meet him, one of you must inevitably dual cultivate with me. But that fool over there would never survive my intense dual cultivation, so... Seo Eun-hyun, you must be the one to do it with me."

A headache creeps up as I question her.

"... No, I do not understand why dual cultivation with the Heavenly Venerable is necessary to meet Kim Young-hoon. If he is connected to a spacetime of emptiness or within the domain of purity, could you not simply guide us there through a technique that immerses us into the domain of purity?"

"That is also true... However, his current location is a rather special one. The technique you use to reach the domain of purity..."

"It is called Heavenly Escape."

"Right, that Heavenly Escape. If you were to train it yourself to reach Kim Young-hoon, you would need to train for at least tens of millions of years. Will you spend that time training, or will you dual cultivate with me and reach that space immediately?"

"... So, you are saying that dual cultivation is necessary to access that specific spacetime."

"That is correct. And only someone at your level can endure it, which is why I am making the offer to you."

"Kkuum..."

Hyeon Mu's expression is serious.

She does not seem to be joking.

'There would be no reason for an existence of her level to lie to me or make fun of me... But dual cultivation? Dual cultivation, of all things...'

It's when I spend some time in thought.

Hyeon Mu clicks her tongue and speaks.

"You seem to have many thoughts. Could it be that you lack confidence in dual cultivation?"

"Pardon? N-No, that is not the case, but..."

"Enough. If you lack confidence, just watch from the sidelines and gain enlightenment. I will do it with this one instead..."

Hyeon Mu approaches Jeon Myeong-hoon, and I, dumbfounded, watch the two.

Then, it happens.

Jeon Myeong-hoon pulls Jin So-hae's hand from his embrace and shouts.

"Gal (喝)! I do not know which noble being you are, but! The only person in this world I will ever dual cultivate with is only one, my true love... So-hae! Please, do not trample on my heart!"

"..."

At those words, the Heavenly Venerable of Void looks at Jeon Myeong-hoon and begins reading his intent and lingering thoughts.

And after a short while...

Hyeon Mu presses her temple with her index finger as if she has a headache.

"... Ah, I see. I was wondering why we were not understanding each other... The meaning of the word was different. Damn it. Because you have completely sealed your intent, I could not interpret your meaning properly."

"P-Pardon?"

For some reason, Hyeon Mu looks at me with somewhat disdainful eyes and speaks.

"Just what do you think dual cultivation is?"

"P-Pardon? Well... Mixing yin and yang, is it not something like that?"

At my response, Hyeon Mu clicks her tongue and speaks.

"... Tsk. What a filthy-minded fool. Did you only ever think of dual cultivation in that way?"

"N-No..."

"Dual cultivation (雙修) refers to any cultivation method where two or more cultivators give and receive what they need to improve. Bedroom arts and Yin-Yang unity techniques are just one aspect of it. Well, I suppose a young one like you, who has only recently become True Immortal, would still be ignorant and have shallow knowledge..."

"..."

"The dual cultivation I am referring to is..."

After carefully listening to Hyeon Mu's explanation of her method of dual cultivation, I finally realize I have misunderstood.

"... I see. I apologize for showing such vulgar behavior..."

"I heard your Immortal Title is Crystal Glass Being. Are you trying to become a disciple of Glass Peacock or something?"

"..."

"... Enough. So, will you do it or not? If you dual cultivate with me, you will be able to reach Kim Young-hoon's location in approximately 100 years."

"... I will do it."

Since it is that kind of dual cultivation, there is no reason to refuse.

"Good. Then follow me. From now on... let us find a suitable place to dual cultivate."

Jeon Myeong-hoon and I follow Hyeon Mu as we move towards the inner core of a suitable planet and settle there.

Thus begins my dual cultivation with Hyeon Mu, spanning nearly one hundred years.

Tuuung— Beneath the surface of a planet in the Good Sight Heavenly Domain.

There, I am engaging in dual cultivation with Hyeon Mu.

"Haaa..."

Contrary to expectations, dual cultivation with Hyeon Mu is surprisingly enjoyable.

"Ugh..."

Blood trickles from my mouth.

"Focus."

For a brief moment when my consciousness wavers, a sharp sword energy slices through my inner body.

Inside my internal world that is the Colorless Sword Enclosure, earthquakes and tsunamis rage, carving out a massive valley.

All from a single strand of sword energy sweeping through my body.

Tuuuuug— It is silent.

Within that silence, I unravel my consciousness.

The consciousness domain I unfold collides with the planet's core, producing a faint sound like raindrops.

It is much like the horn of a drifting boat.

The way of dual cultivation between me and Hyeon Mu is the most enjoyable dual cultivation I have ever known.

Deep underground, we sit facing each other in the lotus position, drawing perfect circles with our consciousness domains.

Behind Hyeon Mu's head, a faint circle takes shape, while behind mine, a brilliant and thick circle emerges.

In the end, intent is the power that emerges when reflecting another by making oneself a mirror.

And the circle we have drawn is nothing short of the pinnacle of intent.

We are reflecting each other.

Hyeon Mu reflects me, and I reflect Hyeon Mu.

Through this mutual reflection, our minds are gradually refined beyond the infinitely connecting world of intent.

This is Hyeon Mu's way of dual cultivation.

Tuuuuung—

"Ugh!"

The planet's heartbeat resounds.

Once more, I focus my mind.

Pssht— My inner world quakes once again.

It is the phenomenon of being cut by my own sword energy, reflected by Hyeon Mu.

The interior of my body is in a rather dire state.

Because of my sword energy that is constantly being reflected back at me, I am ceaselessly being cut.

Regardless of whether I transcend planes or not, since it is ultimately my own, I alone have no choice but to suffer fatal wounds from my sword energy.

Hyeon Mu, on the other hand, seems completely unaffected, as if she has absolute control over herself.

However...

Even though I am being wounded by myself, it is of no concern to me.

I simply smile faintly and continue focusing on the dual cultivation.

"Do you enjoy it? Dual cultivation?"

"It is the best."

Hyeon Mu gazes at me with dull and empty eyes.

The hollowness that dwells within her is truly formidable.

'She is terrifying.'

I am reflected in her.

But we are mirrors that infinitely reflect one another.

Thus, though I see myself reflected, [the Hyeon Mu reflected in me is also reflected back to me], allowing me to directly perceive her essence.

And the more I stare into her essence, the more my fear of her awakens.

Tingle!

Facing her, I am strongly reminded of the 16th cycle.

I do not know why.

'In the 16th cycle... I was mostly with Hong Fan... But perhaps... she really is connected to Hong Fan in some way.'

With that thought, I calmly explore the essence of both myself and her, refining my mind.

A year passes like that.

Kigigigik!

Through dual cultivation with her, I discover something.

It is the essence of myself.

I am a dragon of mist, with a head formed of the flames of Glass True Fire.

The essence as the Immortal Beast Candle Shadow.

At the same time, I realize that there is yet another essence within me.

'This is the essence I possess as a Vestige Liberation Immortal.'

The essences I possess as a True Immortal are reflected one by one.

Woo-woong!

Other things are reflected as well.

The essences of the Northern Dipper Sealing Immortal Flag, Yeo Hwi, and my other Immortal Treasures.

The essences of the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra, the Flawless Mantra, and the Impermanence Sword are also reflected.

But no matter what, the [Wheel] refuses to be reflected.

Whenever it seems like it will appear, it scatters.

Watching this, I somehow feel as if the [Wheel] itself does not permit someone like me to perceive its essence.

I feel unworthy.

'Do I at least need to reach the realm of Great Net...?'

As I scan through my essences as an Immortal, I suddenly sense something strange.

'This is...'

A feeling as if I am connected to something.

'This is...'

Something flows into my mind.

It is an image of a huge mountain.

Turned upside down, pulling everything towards its inverted peak.

The name of that mountain is Mount Sumeru.

'Ah...'

As I reflect upon myself, I realize.

'So that's how it is.'

The character for Immortal (仙) is similar to that of Earth.

A person (亻: the human radical) who dwells in a mountain (山) is an Immortal (仙).

Those who directly receive the grace of the mountain all belong to the Immortal Family.

I think I roughly understand why those at the Entering Nirvana stage onward are called beings of the Immortal Family (仙家).

'The reason why beings at the Entering Nirvana stage essentially gain eternal longevity... is because they receive the grace of Mount Sumeru starting from that stage.'

Everything in the world has a predetermined fate (命).

However, from the Entering Nirvana stage onward, unless one is killed, they essentially gain an eternal lifespan.

The reason is that their fate becomes partially assimilated with the world known as Mount Sumeru.

Since their fate is one with the world, they can extend their lifespan as they wish, living on indefinitely.

These are the ones known as the Immortal Family (仙家).

'And among them, those who can directly perceive the True Immortal Realm... must be True Immortals.'

I gather my newfound understanding and smile.

'Dual cultivation with Hyeon Mu is truly... the best.'

And so, another nine years pass.

Ten years have passed.

'What is that?'

Through ten years of dual cultivation with Hyeon Mu, I can feel my consciousness becoming increasingly delicate and precise.

Through this refinement, I suddenly see something strange while looking at Hyeon Mu.

In the first year, I attained wisdom regarding myself and the Immortal Family.

Now, in the tenth year, something else comes into view.

I recognize what it is.

'Hyeon Mu's... main body...?'

Squirm... Squirm...

It is...

Emptiness.

It also resembles a massive turtle.

But after years of gazing into Hyeon Mu's main body, I have come to understand that it is no mere turtle.

'Three Great Ultimates...?'

Squirm... Squirm...

It is a [Blackened Three Great Ultimates].

The Blackened Three Great Ultimates, composed of countless minuscule, writhing somethings ceaselessly merging together, resemble the shell of a turtle when viewed from afar.

'Is that Hyeon Mu's true identity?'

Rather than an actual turtle, it appears that the something conglomerated in the form of a Blackened Three Great Ultimates merely resembles a turtle's shell from a distance, which is maybe why Yin Ghost Black Turtle is known to take the form of a turtle.

'No. Perhaps, as an Immortal Beast, Yin Ghost Black Turtle really is a turtle.'

However, Hyeon Mu's main body seems to be more than just a simple turtle.

I peer deeper into Hyeon Mu's main body, seeking to uncover her identity.

How much time passes like this?

After decades of dual cultivation, I finally gaze directly upon Hyeon Mu's main body.

It is a [snake].

That snake is emptiness.

Hyeon Mu's domain, the Interdimensional Void!

Every single Interdimensional Void scattered across all the Heavenly Domains is, in truth, a [snake].

[A Three Great Ultimates composed by the intertwining of dozens of black snakes]!!!

That is the true identity and main body of Hyeon Mu.

One of the snakes of emptiness slithers right up to my nose, flicking its tongue as I stare into it.

:: A R E Y O U L O O K I N G?::

"Yes."

:: W H A T D O Y O U T H I N K?::

"You are beautiful."

Without the slightest hesitation, I voice my honest thoughts.

To the eyes of mortal beings, it would be a grotesque and terrifying identity.

But rather than the form, I perceive the wisdom imbued within it.

'Truly... beautiful.'

Yes, it is quite literally wisdom.

Every one of those snakes is wisdom itself.

The wisdoms intertwine, coiling and entangling into the form of the Three Great Ultimates.

And that Three Great Ultimates, forming the entirety of the Interdimensional Void, becomes a passage of death that leads to the domain of purity.

At the same time, it is a [bowl].

I understand what this bowl is meant to contain.

'That is... Triple Divinity (三神性)...?'

Creation, Preservation, and Destruction.

These are the three steps I must take to reach Hyeon Mu.

At the same time, they are also the properties of intent and heart essence.

'... I see.'

In the past.

When I learned that Hyeon Mu's realm as a Heaven Immortal and Earth Immortal had only reached that of a Great Net Immortal.

There was a time I secretly scoffed at Hyeon Mu.

For a being that is a Heavenly Venerable to only be at that level!

But now, I finally understand.

Drip...

The realization moves me to tears.

'From the very beginning... From the moment she attained Triple Divinity and took the seventh step... the realms of Heaven and Earth Immortals already became meaningless.'

She must have raised those realms merely as a hobby.

Hyeon Mu reached the level of a Heavenly Venerable solely through the realm of Martial Arts.

Lost in ecstasy, I remain fixed on Hyeon Mu's main body, unaware of the passage of time.

The writhing of dozens of snakes, in each of their movements, contain the realm of Heavenly Martial Arts (天武).

As I immerse myself in comprehending that high realm, a sudden enlightenment dawns upon me.

Wisdom flows into my mind.

Not an overwhelming, unfathomable wisdom—just a simple, humble insight.

However, even that small wisdom delivers overwhelming shock to me.

—Northern Heavenly Venerable, True Martial Great Emperor, Hyeon Mu.

—Governing Realm.

—Great Net Immortal.

And...

—Five Energies Converging to the Origin.

—Three Flowers Gather at the Summit.

—Pinnacle.

Hyeon Mu is the God who governs the realm of Martial Arts.

Paaaaaaatt!

The moment I realize this, my consciousness refines itself at an incredible speed, seemingly expanding infinitely.

It's when I myself have no control over this strange phenomenon.

'This is...'

I suddenly perceive that I have connected to a strange world.

Kugugugugugu!

Something in the shape of an [inverted cone] seems to appear before my eyes.

My sense of depth is distorted so it fluctuates between growing larger and smaller.

The surroundings are equally strange.

A world where everything is in chaos!

Within this world, I see a golden Peng soaring through the chaos.

Tststststststs— It's when I stand there dazed.

A hissing sound reaches my ears, and a black snake slithers towards me from somewhere.

It comes to my side, rises up, and then, exuding darkness, transforms into the figure of Hyeon Mu.

"You succeeded exactly at the hundred-year mark."

She looks at me and asks,

"Did you enjoy dual cultivation with me?"

"... Yes. It was truly a precious experience of dual cultivation."

I bow deeply to her in respect, and Hyeon Mu smiles with hollow eyes.

"I'm glad it was of help. Keep growing, steadily..."

After speaking, she points towards the golden Peng flying in the distance.

"That is Kim Young-hoon. He has temporarily lost himself and is now striving to reclaim who he is."

Wo-woong!

In this world of chaos, I feel like I understand why Kim Young-hoon has lost himself.

This world is strange.

Even a brief loss of focus feels as though I will lose myself completely.

Everything here is abnormal.

Depth perception, senses, energy...

"This world... Where exactly is this?"

And from Hyeon Mu's following explanation, I can't help but be stunned.

"The Outer Sea (外海). Or also known as the Great Salt Sea (大鹹海)... Well, the simplest explanation for you would be..."

She grins and gestures as if introducing the world of chaos around us.

"The world [outside Mount Sumeru]."

"... Pardon...?"

At her words, I blankly stare at both Hyeon Mu and this vast, bizarre sea of chaos.