Chương 608: Crumbling Cage (4)

"... It seems I made a mistake."

Yang Ji-hwang begins adjusting her body.

The faint tremor she was showing ceases.

"It is just a misunderstanding. I have no hesitation in killing you."

"You can't kill me, Yang Ji-hwang."

"If I drive my sword through you, you die."

"And I won't die for you either."

I lift the Colorless Glass Sword.

"You won't die for me? You talk as if you have a choice."

"There is no choice. I will not die to you. Because..."

I glance behind me.

Inside Filling the Heavens Governing View, time still flows rapidly.

Within it, Golden Shaking Bird is fighting against difficulties to create a new invention.

After watching her for a moment, I turn back to Yang Ji-hwang.

"What's behind this back isn't just my own heart alone. I can never die, nor retreat."

"How laughable. Do you think a mere heart amounts to anything? The heart holds no power. It is nothing but an evil that always drags the situation into disorder and chaos."

"The heart is not evil."

I take my stance.

Yang Ji-hwang, as the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, also assumes her stance.

"Just as you sought me out, seeking an answer for your heart directed at me. The heart... is simply an answer."

"If this chaotic, painful thing is an answer... then ignorance is bliss."

We stare each other down before all of a sudden, we raise our swords and collide.

White light and silver-white radiance collide.

Within a fleeting instant, we exchange so many strikes that we might as well measure them in units of kalpas (劫).

A single exchange.

And with each exchange, my sword reflects what is behind me.

Every time we cross swords, the sword's surface reveals Golden Shaking Bird failing over and over again.

In this landscape world, drawn like an ancient ink painting, we continue an endless sword dance.

With her strike, the landscape scenery is cleaved away.

With my strike, something new is drawn beyond the severed scenery.

I reflect the heart of the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord transparently with the Impermanence Sword, deflecting every one of her sword strikes.

But just that alone is overwhelming.

Merely deflecting her attacks drains all my energy.

Her sword is both heavy and sharp.

Each time I block a strike, it feels as though my entire body is being gouged out.

Moreover, embedded within each of her strikes is a prophecy.

Every prophecy foretells my defeat.

'It's useless, Yang Ji-hwang.'

But my sword cleaves through hers, through those prophecies, and pierces through.

Because I can see it clearly.

In each and every one of Yang Ji-hwang's swords embedded with prophecy.

Within those sword strikes, the imagery brims with light pink and dark blue intent.

'No matter how many prophecies you make about cutting me despite not wanting to... they will all be pierced through by me!'

My sword carries Sun Shooting.

Imbued with the Immortal Art of Sun Shooting, my sword cuts through Yang Ji-hwang's swordplay, Through the visions of prophecy soaked in her sorrowful heart.

Her sword collapses the landscape painting, while mine fills it with mist.

Gradually, I sense the will of Bong Myeong that is restricting us weakening.

But Bong Myeong's will does not disappear.

Bong Myeong's will is gathering into the recreated Earth that I have covered with Filling the Heavens Governing View.

Golden Shaking Bird continues to fail.

Once, twice, ten times, twenty times...

Before I know it, she has failed ninety times.

Yet she does not give up. She keeps inventing, pressing forward.

Ninety times.

Ninety-one times.

Ninety-two times...

.

.

.

Ninety-seven.

Ninety-eight.

Ninety-nine...!

And at last— Kaang!

I deflect Yang Ji-hwang's sword, and Golden Shaking Bird's hundredth attempt reflects on the surface of my sword.

Blink!

I smile.

The landscape painting drawn by Bong Myeong has long since been erased, and the world is now shrouded in mist.

Yet, within this mist, where nothing is certain and no answer can be known, A light created by human hands flickers to life.

I can feel Yang Ji-hwang's body tremble.

More precisely, it is not the mortal Yang Ji-hwang who is taken aback, but the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord.

'You've worked hard, Golden Shaking Bird.'

At the end of a hundred failures, she has finally invented the light bulb.

Chwarararararak!

Kirikkirikkirik...!

At the same time, The form of Golden Shaking Bird's Great Desolate Path, which had melted into the recreated Earth, now envelops it.

The imitation of Yeong Seung, the Great Desolate Path, glows and begins accelerating the time within the recreated Earth.

Having invented the light bulb, Golden Shaking Bird begins to age rapidly.

However...

The world gradually begins to brighten.

Wires spread across the recreated Earth, gradually pushing back the darkness and illuminating everything.

Watching this, I finally come to a realization.

"You cannot defeat me, Sword Spear Heavenly Lord."

"What...!? That is...!!!"

"Because... the advancement of civilization... the evolution of people... happens only through the heart people pass on to one another."

Immortal Cultivation is progress.

Vast Cold's words were right.

The heart that people pass on to one another.

Love is what makes people evolve.

"If you face me as the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, you will never break through me!!"

You may be able to kill me, but you will never get past me!

Because that is...

The power of countless hearts carried on my back.

Civilization evolves.

The rules of Liberation Peach Garden Village unravel.

At the same time, I sense an overwhelming will settling into this space.

:: At last...:: I know whose voice this is.

The Sword Spear Heavenly Lord's eyes widen.

Behind me, a seven-colored bird spreads its wings.

Bong Myeong, whose prophecy had been fulfilled at the cost of Their own life, is now reviving alongside the prophecy.

And with it, all those who had died until now are reviving with their prophecies.

The True Immortal who dwelled within the first prophet...

The True Immortal who had dwelled within the prophet who had been nailed to a pillar and died...

Golden Shaking Bird.

And Kim Young-hoon, Jeon Myeong-hoon, and Kim Yeon, who had been killed by the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, all rise again in unison.

In an instant, the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord becomes surrounded by countless True Immortals.

"It is our victory. Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, Yang Ji-hwang!"

I raise the Colorless Glass Sword.

Behind Yang Ji-hwang, light pink quince flowers bloom in full.

Entering Heavens Beyond the Path.

Full Blossom.

Pasaasasasak!

I swing my sword down, and Kim Yeon's Entering Heavens Beyond the Path unleashes a radiance filled with infinite love.

The Sword Spear Heavenly Lord stands dazed amidst it all, staring at me, the True Immortals reviving behind me, and Kim Yeon.

With the light of connections condensed over ten million years, I rose to Earth Upper Immortal.

And now, I begin to accept the light of countless hearts blooming behind me.

Just as civilization evolved through the heart passed from one person to another, The love of the True Immortals and the countless people who exchanged hearts inside civilization begins to evolve me from within my heart.

Kim Yeon's Full Blossom channels the heart of evolution within the recreated Earth into me.

Kururururung!

As the evolution that Bong Myeong desired comes to fruition and Liberation Peach Garden Village unravels, I feel my authority and power completely returning, and notice my strength rising.

The heart of people, which advanced civilization, shines across the entire Three Heavens Great Thousand Worlds, engraving light upon the world.

Kugugugugu!

I feel myself, who has risen as an Earth Upper Immortal, rise once more.

'So that's how it is.'

Hong Fan pushes my back from behind.

Propelling me strongly forward, he is flung into the recreated Earth by the recoil, yet he smiles faintly.

Simultaneously, a distortion ripples through the dimension behind me, and a pure white winged garment begins to form.

My Heaven Upper Immortal advancement ritual... is complete.

The power of a Heaven and Earth Upper Immortal surges within me, merging with Kim Yeon's strength, and cuts through the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord.

Shukagagak!

My single sword lasts only an instant, yet it moves so fast that even the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord fails to react, slicing through the mask and bandages covering her face.

Pasaasas—

"... Ah..."

As the mask falls apart, what is revealed is none other than Yang Ji-hwang's still-beautiful bare face.

She absentmindedly touches her face, and tears stream down her cheeks.

"Aha... ha... hahaha... Damn it. Damn it. Damn it...!!"

As I watch Yang Ji-hwang, who reveals her bare face before me in this life, sobbing uncontrollably, I let out a bitter smile.

Kim Yeon, too, watches the scene with a bitter smile before turning her back to me, as if willing to overlook this moment just once.

"Damn it...!!!"

I approach Yang Ji-hwang, who has suddenly collapsed in place, sobbing, and gently pat her back.

"Damn it...! What is this...!? What is this...!? You... you..."

Yang Ji-hwang, crumpled on the ground, trembles violently as she cries out.

"You... I don't... want to kill you...!"

"It's okay, Yang Ji-hwang..."

I look at her, completely dyed in light pink intent, and speak.

"That's how it's supposed to be."

"Aaaah... Uaaaaaaaagh!!"

On this day, I become a Heaven Immortal through the heart passed from one person to another, Bong Myeong finally obtains what They desire from within the bridle of fate, And the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, unable to deceive her heart hidden behind her mask, completely collapses.

I embrace Yang Ji-hwang, who has found her heart, and speak with a bitter expression.

"I implore the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld..."

Chwaaaaaaaaa!

The silver-white lights I have gathered within the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections are all sucked into the Underworld.

At the same time, Bong Myeong begins to walk past me.

They are moving towards somewhere.

Kurururung!

Flash!

Simultaneously seven massive lumps of light appear in the sky.

Seven colossal gods of light.

It is the Radiance Eight Immortals, excluding Yang Ji-hwang.

:: Bong Myeong!!:::: Have you betrayed us!?:::: Did you instill madness into the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord!?:::: We shall bring judgement upon you...:: However, the resurrected Bong Myeong does not show a hint of fear even in front of the Radiance Eight Immortals.

:: You cannot judge this Immortal.:::: What!?:::: Madness. Bong Myeong... you are not Great Mountain or Heavenly Punishment!:::: That is correct. I am not them...:: Kugugugugugugu!!

Behind me.

From the direction of the recreated Earth, an overwhelming presence begins to emerge.

:: But... this is something I have planned ever since I first heard of his world from Yang Su-jin.:: Kwachik, kwachijijijik!

The light of electricity, born from the invention of Golden Shaking Bird, engulfs the recreated Earth.

I realize that I can see something beyond the recreated Earth.

It is the symbol of [Black Snake Biting Its Tail].

However, the light of electricity illuminating the recreated Earth creates a gap within a part of the symbol of [Black Snake Biting Its Tail].

Kwarururururung!

At the same time, something is being summoned behind the recreated Earth.

'No, this is not summoning...'

It has not come here.

Rather, we have been teleported to where it is.

It is a Heavenly Domain.

In that Heavenly Domain, enormous characters spell out Horse Ear.

:: B O N G M Y E O N G!!!:: The Radiance Eight Immortals begin to convulse.

Kwarururururung!!

The electric current covering the recreated Earth grows stronger and stronger.

Watching this, I finish my request to the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld.

Behind me, Kim Yeon takes my hand.

"Please... at the very least, let my comrades survive this battle of Imperial Kings..."

We are going to die now.

From now on, this place...

Will become the battlefield of Imperial Kings.

"I also implore the Liberation Supreme Deity and the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity. Even if it is not me... please, at least let my comrades escape from this battlefield..."

:: Impossible (不可).:: However, the one who responds is not them.

The final seat of Radiance Hall, radiating black-blue light.

The Rain Dew Heavenly Lord looks down upon me.

:: O Enders...:: Kuguguguguk!

"... You..."

Yang Ji-hwang's body moves on its own and clings tightly to me.

:: The sin of corrupting the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord. Here and now, all shall pay the price.:: Bong Myeong seems to be trying to transfer us away, but the silver-white light emanating from Yang Ji-hwang's body seeps into me, Kim Yeon, Jeon Myeong-hoon, and Kim Young-hoon, fixing us in place.

But in the next moment, Jjeooooooong!

From deep within the Underworld, There, an immense [darkness] bursts forth, dragging Kim Young-hoon, Jeon Myeong-hoon, Kim Yeon, and the others, before vanishing.

At the same time, from the very depths of the Underworld, A familiar face emerges, gripping my shoulder tightly and pulling me strongly.

It is Kang Min-hee.

But— Clenchhhh!

Yang Ji-hwang clings to me alone.

Kang Min-hee exerts strength, but no matter what, she cannot take me away from Yang Ji-hwang.

The light of the Rain Dew Heavenly Lord is strongly pouring down upon Yang Ji-hwang.

:: Yes, Sword Spear... Fulfill your original duty. Henceforth... the battle of Imperial Kings shall begin...!:: Kurung, kurururung, kururururung!!

I can feel it.

The recreated Earth has created a [gap] in the fate of the Radiance Supreme Deity enveloping the Horse Ear Heavenly Domain.

Jjeooooooeok!

The dimensional boundary of the Horse Ear Heavenly Domain splits apart, and from within, an overwhelming storm of thunder and lightning bursts forth.

Bong Myeong tries to shield me, but even the mere aftershock shatters Bong Myeong's protective barrier like a brittle wall of garbage.

Kugugugugugu!

As I am swallowed by the waves of lightning crashing down on me like a tsunami, I feel Yang Ji-hwang's warmth.

The world turns incandescent under the lightning.

'A lot of things have happened...'

It truly has been a turbulent life.

'To everyone... thank you...'

And so, within the conflict of Imperial Kings, I embrace the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord who has fully accepted her heart towards me, and close my eyes.

That is my 1004th return.

Kururururung!

The Great Forest Heavenly Lord and the Rain Dew Heavenly Lord show discomfort as they look at the one Ender who has just died and the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord.

:: How long until Sword Spear revives?:::: Within half a gak, Sword Swear will revive in the inner sanctum of Radiance Hall. For now, we just have to hold out until then.:::: Yet even though the one Ender has been killed, the corruption through him remains unchanged. Can we truly trust and fight alongside them?:::: If the contamination is too severe, there is no choice. Us seven must suppress those two...

:: The Rain Dew Heavenly Lord mutters as they watch the colossal arm of lightning emerging from the Horse Ear Heavenly Domain.

:: Even 500, 000 years ago, when the Jade Pivot Forty-Eight Lightning Heavenly Great Immortals existed, They were imprisoned by us. This time, on the contrary, we will kill—:: Kwaaaaaaaang!!!

The arm of lightning smacks the Rain Dew Heavenly Lord.

The Rain Dew Heavenly Lord is sent hurtling through the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain, Twin Holding Heavenly Domain, and the outskirts of the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain, before being flung all the way to the Outer Sea beyond Mount Sumeru.

The Radiance Eight Immortals, suddenly reduced to six in an instant, widen their eyes and glare at the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity emerging from the Horse Ear Heavenly Domain.

:: Th-That one...:::: They have been storing power!? In the Horse Ear Heavenly Domain!? How could that be possible...:: Just as the Radiance Eight Immortals are about to panic, The Great Forest Heavenly Lord hastily regains composure and shouts.

:: Do not falter! Hold formation. We just need to endure until Sword Spear and Rain Dew return. That one can never reach Great Mountain. Even if Rain Dew was flung away, they have not been torn a—:: Immediately after, ----!!!

A colossal lightning flagpole appears and swings through the space.

The Great Forest Heavenly Lord is struck by the pole and sent flying beneath Mount Sumeru, piercing through the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain and the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain, before being embedded at the very edge of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain.

Kwaaaaaaang!

The edge of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain.

Bright Cold Realm's Heavenly Lotus Mountain.

Piercing through the dimensional barrier of the Bright Cold Realm, the giant body of the Great Forest Heavenly Lord crashes down, flattening the entire continent of the Bright Cold Realm.

All living beings in the Bright Cold Realm, except for Baek Woon, transform into a vast, dense forest, losing their personality and becoming nothing more than plants.

Kugugugugugu!

Yet before they can even experience life as plants, they are all annihilated by the shockwave of the Great Forest Heavenly Lord's fall, regardless of whether they are in the Star Shattering stage or Integration stage.

Having been flung from the Horse Ear Heavenly Domain to the far edge of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain, all the way to the Bright Cold Realm by a single attack, the Great Forest Heavenly Lord vomits divine blood from their entire body.

Kurung, kurururung!

Bong Myeong clenches the void.

The star veins of Bearing Tree, Twin Holding, and Earth Boundary Heavenly Domains simultaneously move under Their will, forming a [circuit] that begins to embed into the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity's body.

The Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity starts to rise from within Their massive seal.

:: The time to wash away the shame has arrived.:: Kwarurururung!

:: Cry out, O Essence of Great Heavenly Punishment.:: Kwarurururururung!!!

Three Heavens Great Thousand World.

More than half the worlds within the Inverted Cone world become engulfed in lightning and thunder.

The battlefield of true Imperial Kings begins to unfold.