Chương 791: Primordial Chaos (1)

Chwaaaaa— The textures and weaves of countless nets come into my eyes.

I see and feel the grains of innumerable nets and think,

'Amazing.'

Though I don't know how, Yang Su-jin somehow weaved the net itself and applied it to the seal.

'He manipulated the net through Heavenly Tribulation.'

I cannot even get a sense of how.

Even I can only barely hang onto the very edge of the principle that forms the net, and can do no more than faintly disturb the power of that principle.

'This is a True Immortal...!'

If one is a True Immortal, can one just freely manipulate rules themselves like this?

Marveling at Yang Su-jin's immense abilities, I go around Ascension Path and pick apart the power of the seal that blankets the entirety of Ascension Path.

Back when I was only at the Qi Refining and Qi Building levels, even looking around Ascension Path took ages...

But now that I have reached the early Nascent Soul stage of Heaven and Earth Dual Cultivation, I can circle Ascension Path in half a day.

Because I look around faster than I expect, I use the Earth Escape Technique to peer down beneath the ground.

Before, I only looked around the surface of Ascension Path, or I looked up from below Ascension Path from the Heaven-Treading Desert. But now, I can survey the Sky Island's 'underside' using the Earth Escape Technique.

Tudududududu!

Moving under the soil through the Earth Escape Technique and circling once around the lower part of Ascension Path, I come to know something about the overall structure of Ascension Path.

It is something I uncover for the first time through my 16 regressions.

'Ascension Path is like... the shape of a brazier.'

A three-legged brazier shape.

That is Ascension Path.

'Is Yang Su-jin's Ascension Gate the lid's handle part of the brazier...?'

Thinking about it, that's right.

'The Black Castle.'

Yang Su-jin's Black Castle was originally under the Ascension Gate, and, torn away by 'something', only the bottom part remains with Ascension Path.

The upper part fell away to the Heaven-Treading Desert and became the Black Castle.

'If Ascension Path really is some kind of brazier, then the Black Castle itself is the lid's handle.'

"Hmm..."

After I circle Ascension Path once and then spend about seven days and nights observing the seals even more, I go again to the upper side of Ascension Path.

I head to where the bottom portion of the Black Castle remains.

The base part is in the northwest direction of Ascension Path, and farther northwest is where the Black Fortress is located in the Treading Heaven Desert.

I sit on the very northwestern edge of Ascension Path and think,

'The sealing art cast on Ascension Path is too high-level.'

There is nothing I can even poke or prod with the divine power of Cutting Principle.

'I cannot undo this seal as I am now.'

No matter how much I cultivate Cutting Principle, it's the same.

'Rather, finding a proper method to interfere with the seal will be faster... and...'

With a very high probability, the method to interfere with the seal likely remains in the Black Castle.

Wo-woong!

I unfold the Flying Escape Technique and fly toward where the Black Castle is.

Hwoooong!

In the distance I faintly sense the familiar Black Castle and the puke-inducing smell of blood.

Much of it is washed away by the desert's sandstorms, and before I ascended, I entrusted the vengeful souls to Seo Ran and Song Jin, so much is diluted, but...

It is still a disgusting smell.

Step— Landing atop Yuan Li's Black Castle, I head instead.

'As expected, Seo Ran and Song Jin only took the vengeful spirits and cultivation resources, leaving things like old books or jade slips behind.'

If it's something in Yuan Li's fortress castle, it's either an ancient secret record or a manual of devilish arts.

But Song Jin is the librarian of the Black Ghost Valley's library with hundreds of thousands of years of history.

In Song Jin's eyes, they are no different from junk not worth the trouble to take, so they were left behind.

In Yuan Li's library within the Black Castle, I rapidly read through the books and jade slips he left.

Sure enough, there are several secret records hidden regarding Ascension Path.

"Sta-, Star Shattering stage cultivator...?"

While investigating the secrets about Ascension Path, Yuan Li, and the Black Castle, I read the history of a clan called the Yuan Clan and come to know an unexpected fact.

Yuan Li was the sole descendant of the 'Yuan Clan' that was exterminated by a great clan called the 'Jo Clan'.

Of course, I already know the Jo Clan is the lineage the Mad Lord came from, so it is not surprising.

But what is even more shocking is about the being called the progenitor of the Yuan Clan.

"One of the Star Shattering stage Esteemed Ones from the Blood Yin Realm who descended from the Upper Realm... tore off the Black Castle, and, by coupling with the clan that originally managed Yang Su-jin's shrine that is the Black Castle... gave birth to the Yuan Clan...?"

Yuan Li and the Yuan Clan seemed to have regarded that Star Shattering stage Esteemed One from the Blood Yin Realm as their de facto progenitor.

"So... is that why he raised such chaos to return to his homeland, the Blood Yin Realm?"

In a way, the origin of the Heaven-Treading Desert massacre started from that Star Shattering stage Esteemed One.

'Why on earth did an Esteemed One of the Upper Realm descend to the Head Realm?'

What on earth exists in this Head Realm?

Above all, if it's a Star Shattering stage Esteemed One, there should be some traces, but they left no trace behind, and I have never sensed their existence throughout all the regressions until now.

Perhaps...

Somewhere in this Head Realm, that Star Shattering Esteemed One might still be alive.

It is a very frightening thought.

Gulping, I read the secret records about the Yuan Clan, and then go further back than the Yuan Clan.

I read the records of the lineage that managed Yang Su-jin's shrine.

And suddenly, while reading the record book, I realize something.

"Central Spirit Holy Kingdom...?"

A familiar word appears.

I remember reading it long ago in the royal library of Shengzi.

'Long ago, the place where the Treading Heaven Desert is located was not a desert, but a very prosperous and abundant land. In that land there existed a tremendous empire that dominated the whole continent of the Head Realm in that era... That country was called the Central Spirit Holy Kingdom.'

But after the era of Yang Su-jin, that Central Spirit Holy Kingdom seemed to have gradually declined.

I am able to find the reason for it in the record book of the lineage that managed the shrine, kept by the Yuan Clan.

"Just before the progenitor ascended. That one destroyed the Central Spirit Holy Kingdom."

—According to the records, the progenitor called the Central Spirit Holy Kingdom a country of evil people that took as its state religion a wicked cult that believes in a snake.

—That person gathered all the dragon veins of the Central Spirit Holy Palace, robbed the vitality of the land where the cultists of the wicked Holy Kingdom lived, and sealed it into the land of the shrine that establishes that person's accomplishments.

—Thus, by that one's feats, under the Ascension Gate, the land of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect where that one's shrine was built took its place in the heavens as a Sky Island.

—It is called the Flying Ascension Island, and by placing the main hall of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect here, it facilitated the taking of tolls from those who seek to ascend, allowing the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect to establish itself as a top sect that remains through all ages—how is this not the grace of the progenitor!?

"..."

In summary, using religion as the reason, Yang Su-jin plundered all the dragon veins of a perfectly thriving nation and made one island.

He made it into the Ascension Path that floats in the sky.

'Because Yang Su-jin robbed the dragon veins, the area where the Central Spirit Holy Kingdom was located turned entirely into the Heaven-Treading Desert...'

Afterwards, the Central Spirit Holy Kingdom did not completely perish, and they struggled by any means to restore the dragon veins in the land that became a desert, but even that was utterly cut off and destroyed by the Star Shattering stage Esteemed One who descended from the Upper Realm forty thousand years ago.

'Did he have a grudge against the Central Spirit Holy Kingdom? Even so... under the pretext of believing in one religion, to wipe out an entire country...'

I glance at a book on Yuan Li's library shelf titled [Great Famine of a Destroyed Nation] and sigh.

Skimming it with consciousness, it is a book that details how many people, after the Central Spirit Holy Kingdom's fall, suffered famine and died because the dragon veins suddenly disappeared.

Truly, the more I hear of Yang Su-jin's deeds, the more I doubt whether this person is really a human.

'Is this truly not the conduct of one who does not regard people as people? This is...'

It is cruelty that could only come from regarding humans as something other than human.

Clicking my tongue at Yang Su-jin's outrageous conduct, I close the books.

"At least I found a lead..."

The caretakers of the shrine only knew that Yang Su-jin simply gathered the dragon veins of the Central Spirit Holy Kingdom into one and made Ascension Path, but they did not know 'what' was sealed.

But what is clear is that the dragons of the Central Spirit Holy Kingdom were gathered, the nation was destroyed, and something was sealed.

'It's too strange to say it is merely to support the Ascension Gate.'

Why was it the Central Spirit Holy Kingdom of all places?

Could it not have been Byeokra, Shengzi, Yanguo, the Great Northern Grasslands, or perhaps the Eastern Tribal States?

'There is something in the Central Spirit Holy Kingdom.'

"Hong Fan. I have a favor to ask."

At my words, Hong Fan appears behind me in an instant and bows his head.

The gigantic centipede politely opens his mouth.

"Please give the command."

"Gather materials concerning the Central Spirit Holy Kingdom."

Since his work sense is in any case better than mine, he will gather information faster than if I go around myself.

In addition, if I needlessly stir up the Head Realm as I go around, the chances of meeting old connections will be high.

At least now, while I cultivate the Star Extinguishing True Chapter, I do not want to meet old connections.

"Understood. Then... may I first advance to the Nascent Soul stage and then receive the command?"

"Of course."

Hong Fan cautiously asks me whether he may reach the Nascent Soul stage, and I nod.

Over the past few days, as I went around inspecting the seal on Ascension Path that Yang Su-jin set up, the gloom of having my realm caught up to by Hong Fan also eased a little.

Perhaps, regardless of realm, the act of exploring something mysterious itself blew away such a Heart Demon.

"To confess honestly... I was a little depressed that I can't keep up with your realm rising. I suppose... it is fair to say I felt a little jealous."

"Is that so?"

"No, perhaps besides being jealous of you... I was also a little afraid. The curse of Heavenly Punishment upon me... began from a True Immortal. Even now, frankly, I have such thoughts that you might be a True Immortal toying with me... and I am a little afraid."

"..."

"But... as I went around Ascension Path and washed away stray thoughts, I could find my original intention again."

I smile toward Hong Fan.

"Even if you are toying with me, so what? Even if you are such a vast existence that I cannot possibly oppose you and you are toying with my entire life... I decided to think of you as a friend."

At my words, Hong Fan's eyes become something unreadable.

"If I... truly am a wicked existence that toys with you, Master, then what are you going to do?"

"If you are such an existence, I absolutely cannot resist. Then is it not meaningless to discuss it?"

"I cannot... understand. Like the True Immortal of Heavenly Punishment who made Master's body like that, if I give Master an indelible wound, what are you intending to do?"

"That is a matter for that time. Right now, you are helping me, are you not?"

"That... is true."

"For what intention you help me, I do not know. But right now, you claim yourself as my subordinate and stand as my comrade. In that case, I treat you as a friend."

"Then, if I later betray and toy with Master, what will you do?"

"Hahaha, what use is there in talking about something that has not happen. I can think about it when the time comes."

"... You are a little irresponsible."

Hong Fan twitches his antennae, as if something about my attitude bothers him.

"Do you mean even when hope that comes in the future is to turn into despair, you will just let go?"

"I am not letting go. I am being faithful to the present."

"... Is that not ultimately an attitude that there is no tomorrow?"

"Is there any need to abandon the friend of now for the fear of tomorrow?"

"That is sophistry. Be prepared. What does Master know about me. That kind of complacency that does not prepare for tomorrow, that does not think of the future, is what brings misfortune. It is what dulls hope!"

Is it that something about my attitude is unpleasant?

Hong Fan raises his antennae stiffly, seeming to show irritation.

"Fine. Then since it is your sincere advice, I will prepare."

"... Do you truly understand my words, or are you just pretending to listen to me?"

"I am not pretending to listen to you. My friend is now earnestly offering sincere advice, so I am accepting it as well."

"..."

As if something does not sit right with him.

Letting out a vaguely unpleasant intent, he stares at me for a moment.

But in the end, he sighs and nods.

"Anyway, Master is saying that from now on, you will not be seized by Heart Demons, and you will not care whether I raise my realm or not? Understood. As for Master's thoughts, as one lives, there is plenty of room to change. Then, starting today I will earnestly raise my realm and assist Master."

Having finished speaking, he goes out of the archives, and I, seeing such a Hong Fan, think of something.

'He is very negative about not thinking of the future...'

Considering that countless insects live only for this one day, Hong Fan is a very alien centipede.

'Well, since memories of his previous life are coming to mind, it is only natural...'

Anyway, the important part was ultimately the words, 'I choose to trust Hong Fan'.

But seeing that at the word 'future', his mood was scratched and he showed an unpleasant tone, it seems he has some bad memory about 'not preparing for the future'.

'Perhaps... in this life, as I investigate Ascension Path, I should also try to learn about Hong Fan.'

In this life, just the two of us, Hong Fan and I, will have to be together for hundreds of years.

In the meantime, it would be good to learn about his previous life and his true intent.

Thus, the next day arrives.

Hong Fan immediately challenges the Nascent Soul stage advancement, and with the Three Spirits Art he raises all three bodies to the Nascent Soul stage.

Until now, it seems he deliberately held himself back, reading the mood because his master was depressed.

Clack, clack...

Entering the Nascent Soul stage and finishing his molting, Hong Fan succeeds in Transformation and comes to obtain a human body.

"Ohhh, Hong Fan... is that your Transformation form?"

"Mmm..."

Hong Fan's first Transformation form is the appearance of a robust middle-aged man.

His hair is black mixed with a few gray strands, and his body is that of a middle-aged man so robust that he stands at least a head taller than me.

At the same time, the black robe he condenses by exuding poison energy makes him look like an Emperor.

"Yes. Since a great many memories of my previous life returned, it seems the Transformation form was determined by the appearance of my past life."

In his voice there is an overbearing aura, seeming to have a wondrous power that naturally makes the listener look up to him.

'Sure enough, he really was a True Immortal in his previous life.'

If, with just a Transformation form at the early Nascent Soul level, he carries such dignity and imposing majesty, then surely in his previous life he was a True Immortal.

With such an imposing bearing that just looking makes one naturally want to bow and prostrate, I almost prostrate before him without realizing it.

But before that happens, Hong Fan goes down on one knee before me and bows his head.

"I speak again, but my fate is to attend and assist at Master's side so that you walk the right path. Under the heavens, I pledge loyalty to thee... so please treat me as before, no matter what my realm is. Under these heavens, I swear that I will care for you with utmost sincerity and devotion."

"... Thank you."

I accept once more the vow of loyalty that Hong Fan offers and reach out my hand as I raise him up.

"As long as you stay by my side, I will treat you as a friend. Barring anomalies, until this life ends... I will trust you."

"... Thank you."

At my words, Hong Fan wears a faint smile, and naturally takes the hand I extend for a handshake.

Though I have not taught him a handshake, it seems he does it by intuition.

Thus, after reaching the Nascent Soul stage, Hong Fan begins to move in earnest for my sake.

Through the Three Spirits Art, Hong Fan brings even the external clones all to the Nascent Soul stage.

Then he stations two of the three clones he made with the Three Spirits Art in other places, and keeps only himself, the main body, and one body at my side to attend me.

"First, I will leave one Three Spirits Art clone for the purpose Master mentioned, to travel all over the Head Realm and collect information."

"Oho, good. Of course you will handle it well on your own, but... what about the rest...? What do you plan to do? Would it not be better to invest the rest in information gathering as well?"

"I will send the other clone up to the Upper Realm. Through the clone raised to the Upper Realm, I judged it better to gather the trends and information of the Upper Realm to find even one method to undo Master's curse, or to find a way to slow the progress of Master's curse, or to find such an elixir or artifact."

"Hoh, good."

Following Hong Fan's counsel, I did come to the Head Realm where the Heavenly Punishment curse progresses more slowly, but I am also curious about the situation of the Bright Cold Realm, so it is welcome news.

"For the last clone, I will leave it by my side for now so that, should Master need it, I can trigger its cultivation to help. Is this acceptable?"

"Hm, I see. Thank you for the consideration. Then I leave it to you."

"I will not disappoint Master."

From that day, after I said I will not worry and will trust him, he displays his skill without reserve.

The clone chosen to sent up to the Upper Realm reaches the Heavenly Being stage in three days and he has it ascend, and the clone to gather information in the Head Realm learns within three days a method called the 'Blood Insect Demon-Devil Great Method' which Hong Fan says he once obtained in his past life, transforming its whole body into tens of thousands of tiny insects and departs the Heaven-Treading Desert.

Since those countless insects, once they accumulate sufficient energy, can divide as much as desired and can also parasitize the desired target, it seems to be an art optimized for information gathering.

Thus, seven days and nights after Hong Fan departs to gather information.

He quickly compiles high-quality information and hands it to me.

"Information on the Central Spirit Holy Kingdom..."

It is excellent.

I acquired considerable knowledge from the royal library of Shengzi and the Cheongmun Clan's archives, but Hong Fan brings countless pieces of information even I do not know of.

The Northern Great Grasslands and the Eastern Tribal states.

And from the homelands where high-ranking Demon Races like the Sea Dragon Race dwell, he brings numerous records, compiles them, and delivers to me the information I want.

Since it's no different from the fast information processing I once exercised through the information-search divine power of a communication magic artifact on Earth, I can sit comfortably in one place and compile myriad pieces of information.

'The imperial palace of the Central Spirit Holy Kingdom. At its center, there was a divine treasure handed down through generations in the Holy Kingdom... huh.'

The Central Spirit Holy Kingdom called it by the name Heavenly Void Furnace, and it seems it was regarded as a divine object symbolizing the Supreme Deity who governs the heavenly country.

Throb— The Supreme Deity who governs the heavenly country.

For some reason, the moment I see that expression, the [Ender's Tale] I saw before comes to mind and my head starts to ache.

'Is it the same being as the one that appears in the Ender's Tale?'

Perhaps it is not a mere myth or legend but an actually existing True Immortal.

"Hong Fan, what do you think about the being called the 'Supreme Deity who governs the heavenly country' that appears in the Central Spirit Holy Kingdom's legend?"

"Haw haw haw, I don't know what kind of guy it is, but I don't like it from the name alone."

"Is there anything that comes to mind?"

"No, not particularly..."

"I understand."

Seeing that Hong Fan shows no reaction, perhaps it is not a True Immortal that actually exists.

Or it could simply be a being with no acquaintance with Hong Fan.

'First, the Heavenly Void Furnace is a divine object that symbolizes the Supreme Deity who governs the heavenly country, and is the precious treasure of that being.'

I recall the three great divine artifacts of the Head Realm.

If it bears the name divine artifact, then it should at least be at a level connected to a True Immortal.

'The Immortal Treasure Heavenly Lightning Banner of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect. The imitation Immortal Treasure Nether Crossing Ship of Black Ghost Valley. The Azure Sky Armor of the Azure Heaven Creation Sect that is said to have reached the level of an Immortal Treasure.'

With high probability, this Heavenly Void Furnace too is an item related to a True Immortal.

I look at the illustration about the divine artifact called the Heavenly Void Furnace that Hong Fan has investigated.

What appears in the illustration is a brazier with three legs.

My suspicion nearly turns into certainty.

'What is sealed in Ascension Path... with high probability is the Heavenly Void Furnace.'

Why did Yang Su-jin seal this Heavenly Void Furnace?

I read through the materials Hong Fan has researched and learn the Heavenly Void Furnace.

The uses of the divine artifact called the Heavenly Void Furnace are largely twofold.

The first is for ritual use. When at times a messenger of light descends from the heavens to give an oracle, they insert incense fire into the Heavenly Void Furnace to conduct the rite and pray for prosperity for the Central Spirit Holy Kingdom.

The second is for cultivation, going into the Heavenly Void Furnace for a short while to meditate and then coming out.

The Heavenly Void Furnace is apparently large enough for a person to enter, and if one goes inside and meditates for about a day and then comes out, the cultivation blocks open up, or the cultivation of divine powers and methods whose progress has been slow advances sharply.

As a side effect there is the drawback that the consciousness is slightly damaged, but if there is a way to restore consciousness by learning a consciousness method, it is at a level where there is no problem.

'If I read only up to here, there seems to be no great reason to seal the Heavenly Void Furnace...'

Why, then, did Yang Su-jin go so far as to seal the Heavenly Void Furnace?

'If I dig into the seal of the Heavenly Void Furnace first, I should also be able to meet Yang Su-jin's lingering thought. When that time comes, I'll ask directly.'

Through the records of the Central Spirit Holy Kingdom, I learn that the Central Spirit Holy Kingdom virtually worshipped the Heavenly Void Furnace as almost a God, and that they did not light incense to the Heavenly Void Furnace in order to perform a rite to the heavens through the Heavenly Void Furnace...

But they performed the ritual targeting the Heavenly Void Furnace itself.

According to the records, because the Heavenly Void Furnace is a divine artifact with immense spiritual nature, if one performs a ritual to the Heavenly Void Furnace, a certain response comes, and one can be granted a certain fortune, almost like the Liberation Seal.

However, because it is a ritual method from 120, 000 years ago, it has almost fallen out of use in the present, and Hong Fan barely managed to obtain it.

'If I try to receive a response by conducting a ritual at such close range to a divine artifact with strong spiritual nature, the power of the seal will naturally block it.'

In this stabilized state of the Ascension Path's seal, no matter how much I use the divine power of the Star Extinguishing True Chapter, breaking the seal is unreasonable, but if the sealed target responds from inside, the seal too will show a certain gap.

'If I drive Cutting Principle into that gap, then the lingering thought left by Yang Su-jin will come out from the desire to not have the seal be broken.'

If it turns out that way, I can meet Yang Su-jin's lingering thought, show my present state, and seek an answer.

And perhaps I can borrow the power of the Heavenly Void Furnace to cultivate the Star Extinguishing True Chapter.

'A divine artifact that, just by going in and meditating a little, allows breakthroughs in cultivation?'

To someone like me with no talent, it is nothing short of an immense treasure.

Since I have already learned the Wonderfully Mysterious Heart Canon, even the side effect is at a level of no problem.

In a day or two, I can recover something like a slight damage to consciousness with the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon.

"Hong Fan, through the ritual that appears here, I will try to connect to the thing called the Heavenly Void Furnace. Prepare the rite."

"Yes, Master."

Through Hong Fan, I obtain the items used for the ritual, seize the auspicious timing, and begin offering the ritual to the Heavenly Void Furnace.

As Hong Fan and I wave flags and carry out the ritual, the celestial energy gradually surges, and Ascension Path begins to respond.

'For the celestial energy to surge just from performing a ritual. Is it truly an immense divine artifact?'

Wo-woong!

And after a while, I feel the net of the seal ripple from deep within.

The Heavenly Void Furnace responds, and it seems as if Yang Su-jin's seal strives to block that response.

However, I aim for that gap and use divine power toward the seal deep within.

"Cutting Principle."

Shikagak!

The consciousness domain narrows, turns into a solid line, and flies out as a slashing strike.

The slashing strike of consciousness becomes a blade that cuts principle, slicing away a portion of the seal formula's principle.

And at that moment, Tsuaaaaaat!

As I thought, the lingering intent of Yang Su-jin, which I anticipated to also exist in the seal of the Heavenly Void Furnace, begins to connect to my mind that is conducting the rite.

Kurururung!

The whole world is thunder and lightning.

But it is a little different from the lingering thought that is at Shattered Heaven Peak.

It is a world of thunder and lightning, yet beyond that world, Ascension Path faintly shows through.

It looks as if the world of thunder and lightning is faintly overlaid upon Ascension Path.

Kwajijijik— Within the lightning, a familiar will takes form.

A human figure formed of red lightning.

Golden Divine Yang Su-jin!

[O later generation. Surely that my lingering thought has responded means that you are an Ender after me.] As expected, his lingering intent appears, and I answer with courtesy.

"Yes, Golden Divine. Because there is something I wish to ask you, I touched the seal you set under the name Ascension Path."

[Ha... You have received a powerful gift, later generation. State what you wish to ask me.]

"That is... huh?"

At the words 'later generation', I suddenly feel the presence of someone, and I hurriedly turn around.

"...?"

"Uh..."

Hong Fan has entered the space of Yang Su-jin together with me.

It is a different place from the space at Shattered Heaven Peak, but I am a little flustered because I thought it is a space that only an Ender can enter.

"How...?"

"... Just... since Master's spirit was being dragged in, I came in together..."

"Ah..."

I suddenly remember that Hong Fan is a True Immortal.

'Can a being at the level of True Immortality also enter a place like this easily?'

"I will stay quiet so as not to disturb you, Master. Please, carry on with your matter."

"Ah, understood."

With a slightly forced expression, I take my gaze off Hong Fan and look again at Yang Su-jin's lingering thought.

"...?"

At that moment, I feel a strange sense of incongruity.

'What is this, something is...'

It seems entranced.

I don't know the reason, but the senses that have become extremely keen while cultivating the Star Extinguishing True Chapter inform me of some intuition through the 'net.'

Yang Su-jin's lingering thought, right now, is entranced by something.

'Is it Hong Fan...? No. No... Yang Su-jin is a being who reached the peak of True Immortality. He is a being who overcame even Heavenly Tribulation.'

But Hong Fan still has an aspect that receives a strong influence from Heavenly Tribulation.

Therefore, no matter how strong a True Immortal Hong Fan is, I expect he ranks below Yang Su-jin.

And more than anything, even if Hong Fan is a powerhouse on par with Yang Su-jin, the current Hong Fan is a being who has lost most of his memory and power, with a maximum that is only at the Heavenly Being stage.

Though it is only a lingering thought, Yang Su-jin's will that affects fate should be stronger.

'Above all... that is just something like an image that Yang Su-jin left behind.'

It is only that he was a True Immortal that some will remain even in an image.

How could something left as a record be bewitched?

'I must be overly sensitive.'

I shake my head and shake off the thoughts that rise in my mind.

For some reason, it looked as if a Taiji passed before my eyes, but it must be because I entered Yang Su-jin's subspace.

"O Golden Divine! I received a curse that a True Immortal of Heavenly Punishment laid upon my spirit! I wish to ask how I should perform curse-unbinding to remove this curse!"

[...] At my question, Yang Su-jin's lingering thought opens its mouth.

For some reason, it is stiffer than the lingering thought at Shattered Heaven Peak, and it answers while giving off a strangely puppet-like feeling.

[Use the Heavenly Sky Furnace (天空爐).]

'Heavenly Sky (天空)?'

It seems Yang Su-jin refers to it as Heavenly Sky Furnace (天空爐), not Heavenly Void Furnace (天公爐).

No, perhaps the name attached by the humans of the Central Spirit Holy Kingdom and the name perceived by Yang Su-jin who is True Immortal rank being different is only natural.

"O Golden Divine... whether you thought the Heavenly Sky Furnace was dangerous or had some reason to seal it... is there not a reason you sealed it? Then is it acceptable for me to use it?"

[... The reason I sealed the Heavenly Sky Furnace is... only to minimize Light from interfering with the Head Realm. It is not completely sealed. If the Fourth Seat of the Eight Immortals properly performs the ritual, even my seal is useless.] Jiiiiiing— When I receive information about the existences called [Eight Immortals], I feel as if my head is about to burst.

It seems to be some group of True Immortals that oppose Yang Su-jin.

[Therefore, O later generation. Through the Heavenly Sky Furnace, increase your cultivation and strengthen your divine powers and authority. If you do so, surely your problem shall also be resolved...] Tststststss— As with the afterimage at Shattered Heaven Peak, the afterimage in Ascension Path also begins to grow faint, as if its time has come.

[I grant you the authority to ignore my seal and access the Heavenly Sky Furnace...] Tsuaaaat!

Before Yang Su-jin's afterimage finally vanishes, it reaches its hand toward me and bestows some blessing.

Receiving its blessing, I return to reality, and I think about the sense of incongruity I felt throughout my conversation with Yang Su-jin.

'Why? That is surely Yang Su-jin's afterimage. But...'

Why is it?

I felt as if I was not conversing with Yang Su-jin, but a puppet.

As if someone wore Yang Su-jin's shell instead of Yang Su-jin himself and gave me the answers—an unsettling feeling.

"... Hong Fan. Did you perhaps feel something from the afterimage of the Golden Divine Yang Su-jin?"

"Mm... As I still have not recover my realm, I do not know well. As Master knows, my Innate True Method, Darkness World, is characterized by weak stability and senses... It seems my realm is too low to feel delicate senses like Master."

"Mm..."

Hong Fan's words are also right.

'Is it just a needless worry?'

I try thinking it over, but in the end, I arrive at the conclusion that there is nothing I can know by worrying right now.

"If it is hard to reach a conclusion, how about first trying as the Golden Divine suggested? If it seems like a trap, I will enter the Heavenly Void Furnace first and try meditating once. If there is no problem for me, there will be none for Master either."

"Hong Fan...!"

I feel moved by Hong Fan's attitude to sacrifice himself for me, but I soon shake my head.

"No. I cannot put you up as a sacrifice."

"However..."

"Enough! It is what I decided. Do not make me repeat my words."

Leaving behind Hong Fan, who shows his concern, I use the Earth Escape Technique and immediately begin to burrow toward the center of Ascension Path.

Woo-woong— The seals that Yang Su-jin made through dragon veins and principle seem as though they will block me, but the power Yang Su-jin directly granted cancels those seals, and I am able to break through them in an instant.

And after a while, Deep in the center of Ascension Path, I arrive at a certain cave that is on the inside.

"This place is..."

It is a cave that seems to have formed naturally, but I can tell its form was thoroughly made to seal something at the cave's center.

I walk toward the center of the cave, and at last, I can see what is sealed in the middle.

"This is..."

The divine artifact that Yang Su-jin called the Heavenly Sky Furnace.

The true nature of the buoyant force that keeps the entirety of Ascension Path floating in the sky.

Woo-woong!

I slowly approach that mysterious three-legged brazier floating in the void.

The legs of the brazier are rusted, so it is hard to see in detail, but one is black.

One is yellow.

One is a color close to white mixed with all of Heaven's natural colors.

Wo-woong— As I look at the strange engraved embossed patterns on the surface of the brazier, I feel a certain [wisdom] enter my mind.

—When the Three Powers become one, that is the very Origin of Omnipotence.

—Divide Omnipotence to become three, and that is the very Absolute of the Three Kings.

Those patterns are some kind of ancient script.

And it seems that even if one does not know how to read this ancient script, it conveys its implied meaning directly to the reader in the form of [wisdom].

'Origin of Omnipotence? What is that supposed to mean?'

It does feel like a wisdom that looks impressive, but perhaps it is too high in level.

Or perhaps it only sounds impressive...

I do not receive the kind of shock I do when I face True Immortals.

'Well, it is probably nothing that great. Even if it really is great, I have the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections, so if I record it there, I won't forget it and can look into it later.'

Leaving behind the formula that gives a strange sense of déjà vu as if I have seen it somewhere, I examine the Heavenly Void Furnace closely.

A brazier large enough for a person to enter.

'Do I just go in and meditate for a day?'

I carefully probe the inside of the Heavenly Void Furnace with my consciousness, and the moment I realize there is nothing inside, I carefully step in.

'After meditating for a day, blocked cultivation or divine powers will become a little stronger, is it...?'

It certainly is a brazier with powerful spiritual nature, but that spiritual nature is firmly fixed to the Heavenly Void Furnace and does not seem likely to flow into me in particular.

"Hong Fan, are you out there?"

I call Hong Fan, and Hong Fan answers from outside the Heavenly Void Furnace.

"Yes, Master. I followed and am outside."

"If anything suspicious appears, wake me immediately."

"Yes, understood. As much as it is called a divine artifact, if anything strange happens, I will pull Master out immediately."

"How reassuring you are."

Smiling faintly, I close my eyes and sit in a lotus position, passing the time.

I do not know how long I spend clearing my consciousness and calming my heart.

I start to feel a little bored, and I also feel tired.

Nothing happens, and I am so bored that I even doze off now and then.

Thus, a day passes.

"... Hong Fan, are you there?"

"Yes, Master."

"Was there anything unusual outside?"

"No."

I come out of the Heavenly Void Furnace and approach Hong Fan, who is standing guard as my law protector outside.

"Hmm... let us go out for now."

To check whether there is anything strange or not, I come out with Hong Fan to the surface of Ascension Path.

And when I read the celestial energy of the sky to check the time...

A day truly has passed without anything happening.

'Time is not particularly twisted... there is no earthshaking change... and the spiritual nature of the Heavenly Void Furnace has not flowed in... Rather...'

I observe a corner of my consciousness.

A portion of my consciousness was torn away, to the point that it must be restored.

'It was torn away by quite a large margin.'

The degree of damage to my consciousness is more severe than I expected, to the point it seems I must operate the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon and recuperate for at least a month.

'My cultivation doesn't seem to have increased in particular either... Did my consciousness just get torn and that's it? What on earth is this...?'

Just when I am clicking my tongue inwardly at the Heavenly Void Furnace and am about to operate the formula of the Star Extinguishing True Chapter to observe the 'net'...

"... Huh?"

Only then do I feel a change.

"Hm? Master, is there some change?"

"Uh, uhhhhh..."

Shiver!

Goosebumps start to rise.

"What on earth is this...?"

I went into the Heavenly Void Furnace and meditated for a day.

After coming out, I immediately try using the divine power of Cutting Principle and realize something.

The cultivation divine power of the Star Extinguishing True Chapter's first layer, Cutting Principle.

A divine power that cuts principle.

The cultivation progress of Cutting Principle has advanced as much as if I cultivated for a year.

Only then do I realize how terrifying a divine artifact the Heavenly Void Furnace is.

'Regardless of the rank of the method, if I simply go inside and meditate for a day... in exchange for consuming consciousness, it simply advances a year's worth of cultivation.'

The common cultivation methods or the Five Surpassing Paths to Cultivation sold in the marketplace.

Even the Immortal Arts of a True Immortal.

As long as I spend about a day, this divine artifact pierces through a year's worth of cultivation progress equally for everything.

That is the ability of the artifact called the Heavenly Void Furnace.

The moment I realize that, I feel my chest swell with hope.

'If, if it is this divine artifact.'

It is possible.

Within this lifetime, it is possible to sever the very connection with the True Immortal of Heavenly Punishment and completely escape the curse of lightning transformation!

Present.

Kugugugu!

I look at the Heavenly Void Furnace, which, by Hyeon Mu's command, is gradually regaining its size and exerting its authority, and I let out a bitter smile.

As I view the memories of the 16th cycle, only now do I understand that devilish monster's curse.

At the time I didn't understand immediately, but only now, having ascended to True Immortality and risen to become a Governing Immortal...

Just by reviewing the memories, I come to understand all the truths that were hidden.

The true ability of the Heavenly Void Furnace is distortion of time and deletion of memory.

It invites the target who enters the Heavenly Void Furnace into its inner world of Primordial Chaos and makes them spend one hundred million years, then, after erasing the memories of those one hundred million years, returns their existence to reality and throws them a pitiful amount of cultivation progress as the price for one hundred million years of ascetic suffering.

That is this devilish monster's power.

In the 16th cycle.

In reality, I lived around five hundred years and died.

But I, who was sucked into the Heavenly Void Furnace, suffered for an unimaginably eternal span of time.

Vividly recalling the nightmare of the 16th cycle...

I begin to devise a dispelling formula to break the authority of the Heavenly Void Furnace.