Chương 663: Arranged Path

Pabat!

I find myself outside the Bright Cold Realm in an instant.

The moment I emerge, Jeon Myeong-hoon activates the Great Desolate Path and shifts the entire Bright Cold Realm somewhere else in an instant.

He has moved it to the Earth Boundary Heavenly Domain, where Kim Yeon had planned to be.

Huarurururuk!

I hand my split soul to Kang Min-hee.

"I'll leave the Celestial Lord Incense Burning technique to you."

"... Leave it to me. I'll scatter it across every Heavenly Domain so you can definitely return... I will make it so you can always stay in contact."

"Thank you."

She accepts my split soul and places it in her bosom.

"And... Yeon-ah."

I turn my head to say something to Kim Yeon.

But in that moment, Kim Yeon is gone.

"...?"

I understand where she has disappeared to.

She's flown to the Earth Boundary Heavenly Domain, resonating with the power of the Bright Cold Realm that's been sent there.

'Maybe it's because she's not used to farewells yet...'

Guessing her feelings, I turn my gaze elsewhere.

Kwarururung!

The Great Desolate Path and Jeon Myeong-hoon appear before me again, and he hands me something.

"Take it, Seo Eun-hyun."

"This is...?"

They are two flags.

Each flag is embroidered with the characters Heavenly Black (天玄) and Earthly Yellow (地黃).

"Ah...!"

They appear to be the Immortal Treasures that Golden Shaking Bird used once before.

Heavenly Black Banner, Earthly Yellow Banner.

"I asked Golden Shaking Bird... She said they are among the ancient Immortal Treasures obtained from the Bright Cold Realm. I heard that Baek Woon once possessed them but Yang Su-jin robbed them from her."

"..."

"They are said to draw upon a portion of the power of fate and history. Baek Woon apparently used these to rename the Bright Cold Realm."

"Hm...!"

"When I heard that the Celestial Lord Incense Burning Immortal Art draws upon the power of fate and history, these came to mind. With these, you'll be able to communicate with Mount Sumeru even better using that technique."

"... Thank you."

I accept the Heavenly Black Banner and Earthly Yellow Banner and smile.

Jeon Myeong-hoon watches me and strikes my shoulder with his fist.

"Seo Eun-hyun."

"Mm?"

"... Don't die."

"... You're saying the obvious."

A red light flickers in both his eyes.

"I hope this... is your last life."

"Mm...?"

"If we could... avenge the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect in this life... that would be nice."

"..."

"So... make sure you come back alive."

Through Araya Consciousness, I can read Jeon Myeong-hoon's heart.

—Don't push it to the next cycle... Come back. Regressor Seo Eun-hyun.

"...!"

I detect his true thoughts and flinch in surprise, and Jeon Myeong-hoon grins.

"The 'culture' I built up on Earth counts for something, doesn't it? I started noticing when your cultivation kept suddenly spiking out of nowhere."

"..."

"So, come back, get revenge with me... and someday... explain everything you've seen and experienced."

"... I... will."

At some point, Jeon Myeong-hoon had figured it out.

'Regression' is a power that appears in countless media on Earth after all.

And if it's someone like Jeon Myeong-hoon, who consumed a lot of such stories... it's not surprising he could figure it out.

"Then I'm off. Come back soon. I'll... be waiting for your return."

Kwarurung!

Finishing his words, Jeon Myeong-hoon rides the Great Desolate Path and vanishes to somewhere in an instant.

I watch the scene for a moment, then slowly begin preparing to activate the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade.

Kugugugugu!

A massive attraction force forms around me, starting to shift the constellations of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain.

"Now then... shall we begin."

Paaatt!

As I move my will, I am instantly transported to the Ancient Force Realm.

The Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade is an Immortal Art created so that the Ancient Force True Lord Hae Nyeong could always unfold it around themself.

Therefore, the starting point can only be their physical body.

"It's been a while, Hae Lin."

"Sacred Master Hae Lin greets the Great Immortal."

"No need for excessive courtesy."

I wave off Hae Lin's greeting and reply.

"I never told you this, but... somehow, I happened to obtain the original version of the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade."

"Hmm, it seems it was received from the Underworld."

I originally received it directly from Hae Lin, but I can't say that, so I nod.

"Let's go with that. In any case, right now... I intend to activate the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade to reach the 'disgrace of the Heavenly Venerables' your ancestor hid in the Outer Sea."

"... You're saying you need my help."

"That's right. Help me."

"... Understood."

Hae Lin nods.

"That, too, must be the will of the Imperial Venerable. I, Hae Lin," With a solemn face, he kneels before me and declares,

"In accordance with the will of my ancestor, I shall obey the command of Great Immortal Seo Eun-hyun, who has received the will of the Imperial Venerable, and aid in the activation of the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade!"

Kugugugugu!

Along with Hae Lin's oath, the entire Ancient Force Realm begins to respond.

Countless ancient forces hidden within the realm begin to tremble.

Wo-woong!

I transmit my Immortal Treasures inside me toward Kang Min-hee.

"Master. Are you truly sure you do not need me to come along?"

Hong Fan asks me.

Even setting aside the possibility that Hong Fan, presumed to be the first Radiance Supreme Deity, could regain his memory upon seeing the disgrace of the Heavenly Venerables, the immediate issue is that it would be too difficult for him to withstand the pressure of the Outer Sea in his current state.

"Hong Fan. If you go with me to the Outer Sea now, you will undoubtedly be unable to endure the pressure of the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade and explode. I can't guarantee I'll be able to protect you."

"Even so..."

"As I told you before, you have a more important mission."

It is to cooperate with the other Immortal Treasures to refine the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity.

'Strictly speaking, the Obsidian Devil Heavenly King who currently holds the Ender authority is Hong Fan... so it's best for him to be present for the refinement of the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity.'

Moreover, if Yu Hwi and Kang Min-hee, who have learned the Flawless Mantra, assist, then the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity could truly become the Immortal Treasure perfectly suited to me.

'If I want to defeat the Great Mountain Supreme Deity, I now have to use everything I can.'

In the past, I subconsciously thought external artifacts were of no use, so I never considered needing dharma treasures or Immortal Treasures.

But now, things are different.

'I've reached every realm I can rise to.'

I seized Triple Divinity, reached the limit of the Immortal Dao and engraved my domain onto the True Immortal Realm, and rose to the late stage of Great Net Immortal, even piercing through the [gate] that leads directly to Gwak Am.

Unless I abandon the Immortal Dao I've accumulated until now and walk a different Immortal Dao, there is no further realm for me to rise to.

'The realm known as the ultimate of Martial Arts... As the Underworld stated, I won't be able to reach it so easily. In that case, there's only one way left.'

In the end, I must borrow the power of a divine external artifact.

'If I succeed in making the Supreme Deity into an Immortal Treasure, the odds of defeating Great Mountain may rise by even ten percent. It's something that must be done.'

"... If you insist, then I understand."

"Thank you for understanding, Hong Fan."

"It is nothing. I only regret that I will not be able to continue watching over you, Master."

"Do not worry. Through Celestial Lord Incense Burning, we will still be able to communicate."

"... Understood. Until the day we meet again... farewell."

"Good."

With those words, Hong Fan is transported to Kang Min-hee's side.

Woo-woong!

I can feel Kang Min-hee's ability being applied over the entirety of Mount Sumeru.

Many divine spirits sense this and turn their gazes toward her.

Kugugugung!

As Kang Min-hee's ability spreads throughout Mount Sumeru, it begins to stabilize the [path] through which the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade will pass.

'Thank you, Kang Min-hee!'

I express my gratitude to Kang Min-hee and everyone else, and at last, I begin to activate the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade.

The formula of the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade links with the formula of Flower Soul Filling the Heavens, and before my eyes appears a [White Deer Without Antlers].

The deer's form suddenly changes of its own accord and begins resonating with the surrounding ancient force.

Kugugugugu!

Ancient Force Realm.

In that place where countless ancient forces boil over, my Flower Soul Filling the Heavens resonates with the ancient force and transforms into a gigantic being in an instant.

Hae Lin, who was assisting in the activation of the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade, prostrates on the spot and bows toward the figure of the being.

It is a phantom of a Xiezhi whose entire body's scales reflect the traces of the 'Deep Sea'.

I recognize it instantly.

This is the lingering will of the former Deputy Judge of the Netherworld, the Ancient Force True Lord Hae Nyeong.

[Do you seek the truth, and thus head toward the Salt Sea, O junior?]

"Yes."

[That truth is more grotesque and terrifying than any truth I have ever uncovered. Can you truly endure the horror of that truth? Can you withstand the weight of any truth, no matter how heavy?] Kugugugugu!

Hae Nyeong's lingering will glares at me and speaks.

I look into Hae Nyeong's lingering will and smile.

"I am... the disciple of the Great Salt Sea Supreme Deity. And... the junior brother of the Great Mountain Supreme Deity Gwak Am."

At my words, Hae Nyeong's lingering will widen its eyes as if surprised.

"As the disciple of the one who came closest to the Heavenly Venerable of Purity, I make this request. Grant me... the right to approach the secret history of the Heavenly Venerables!"

[... You are that person's disciple.] Paaaatt!

The lingering will of Hae Nyeong takes on a Transformation form.

They have a bright navy-blue ponytail, and the appearance of a sturdy, bronze-skinned man.

His physique is nearly the same as Gwak Am's Transformation form, and overall, he has the appearance of a handsome and dignified man.

[To have activated the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade as that person's disciple... means you have either received the Imperial Venerable's permission or the acknowledgement of my descendant. Either way, you are a trustworthy being. In that case... one who has gained trust. I, the former Deputy Judge of the Netherworld, the Seat Holder of Health, the Ancient Force True Lord, Hae Nyeong, shall guide you to the Salt Sea!] Kugugugugu!

As he says those words, he approaches me and overlaps with the position where I am standing.

His lingering will momentarily unifies with me through the power of Flower Soul Filling the Heavens.

I feel Hae Nyeong's heart within my chest.

An endless curiosity like the Great Sea, driven by the desire to uncover every hidden secret in this world. And the turbulent, storm-like heart of a scholar who bears the historical duty to reveal the truth.

[Activate Purple Soul Filling the Heavens and walk the 'path'. The teachings of the Salt Sea Supreme Deity will assist the activation of the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade.] The Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade, true to its name, appears to have been created from the teachings passed down by the Salt Sea Supreme Deity.

And so, to take the first step toward the disgrace of the Heavenly Venerables, I activate the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade.

Kuuuuuung!

Hae Lin opens the dimensional gate of the Ancient Force Realm.

At the same time, the power of the Ancient Force Realm pushes me strongly into the Astral Realm of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain, and I begin to soar in that direction through its power.

Paaaatt!

I change into my main body and take the first step, carried by the power surging from the Ancient Force Realm.

The first step lands on Cedarwood Painting.

It is the thigh of a former Golden Body.

Jjeoeeong!

Before my eyes, the [Path of Stars] begins to unfold.

As I start to deploy the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade, I understand why Lofty Dragon True Person once created the 'Path of Stars'.

'Hae Nyeong's arrangement... I see now, Imperial Venerable. When you said you too could use the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade, it was merely to test me.'

It was not simply an emergency route for living beings to evacuate during the End someday, but a foothold prepared for a descendant who would one day carry out Hae Nyeong's will and activate the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade.

That is the true identity of the [Path of Stars] spread out within the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain.

And unless one expends the [Path of Stars], the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade does not activate at all.

Would the Underworld have had the Tribunal 'suffer' wandering the Outer Sea in search of Penglai Island during the Sunlight Hunting cycle for no reason?

With the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade, one could lock coordinates and quickly determine Penglai Island's position.

Back then, the Underworld was merely testing me.

The Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade, which allows free directional control in the Outer Sea, must go through such a complex process before it can be used.

'Now, let's go!'

Kwaaaang!

The power of the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade reacts with Cedarwood Painting and begins to accelerate me.

Paaatt!

Beyond Cedarwood Painting, the [Path of Stars] formed by Entering Nirvana True Persons draws a spiral and begins to receive me.

Puhwak!

Thus, I activate the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade as I step one by one on the Entering Nirvana True Persons, and those True Persons I tread upon begin their True Immortal advancement, having fulfilled the duty they've awaited over countless years as part of the [Path of Stars].

Even Jinlu Gok makes contact with me and accelerates me forward, and through that brief contact, he uses my wisdom to begin his True Immortal advancement.

Puhwak, puhwak, puhwak, puhwak!

Along with the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade, Hae Nyeong's arrangement embedded in the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain activates.

The summit of Mount Sumeru, the Thirty-Third Heaven, the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain.

From the tip of the inverted cone, a pure white beam of light spirals upward to the lower part of Mount Sumeru.

That is, it begins rising toward the [Above].

It looks just like...

[A spiraling white snake soaring upward].

As the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade, embodying the symbol of the Salt Sea Supreme Deity 'Ryeong,' truly activates, the symbol of the [spiraling snake] begins to coil around Mount Sumeru.