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00506 암천향(暗天鄕) ————————————————————————=

Han Baek-ryeong looked puzzled by my request. I had sensed the state of the Fire Dragon Incarnate beforehand and knew she was in a state of gasa to protect herself from the Sea God’s power, so I handed her Huaying.

‘The Fire Dragon Incarnate imbued in Huaying won’t harm Han Baek-ryeong, right?’

As Han Baek-ryeong held Huaying, she stared blankly at the sword and said,

“The avatar of the Fire Dragon. Are you asking me to know what the Fire Spirit is?”

“I’ve heard it’s the power to command the mighty flames.”

“……”

Han Baek-ryeong sighed for some reason and continued,

“The sect master said you utilize Thunder God Lineage martial arts, is that correct?”

“Yes. How did the sect master know that?”

“She found out from someone hidden in Luoyang.”

I felt uncomfortable. Who was digging into my past?

‘Could it be him?’

I had my suspicions, but it wasn’t important right now, so I focused on Han Baek-ryeong’s words.

“If you inherited the teachings of the Thunder God Lineage, this will make it easier to explain. The Fire Spirit is an unfinished secret technique aiming to reach the Ultimate Martial Arts, just like the Thunder Spirit, which was created by Lee Cheong-un, the former Dharma Guardian of the Thunder God Lineage.”

“……!!”

“You might not know the Thunder Spirit, as it is highly confidential.”

“I believe I’ve heard of it once.”

I expected as much, but hearing it directly from Han Baek-ryeong felt different.

A technique similar yet distinct from the Thunder Spirit!

“… Lee Cheong-un’s Thunder Spirit is a secret technique that transforms oneself into the Thunder Spirit and synchronizes to become lightning itself. Similarly, I have tirelessly tried to transform my human body into the Flame Spirit over the years.”

“Was there a problem?”

“I confirmed there was a difference in talent between Lee Cheong-un and myself. Moreover, the historical disparity…”

She continued, her expression becoming sad.

“Lee Cheong-un possesses unparalleled martial talent and had developed the secret techniques from his ancestors. Therefore, he had little difficulty forming and maintaining the Thunder Spirit. Meanwhile, I began studying from my generation and lacked the talent, rendering the Fire Spirit an absurd technique.”

“Absurd technique?”

“Take a look.”

Suddenly, a massive flame erupted from Han Baek-ryeong’s body, and her form became translucent, creating enormous wings of flame. The flames shimmered brilliantly, transforming her body as if she were a spirit.

That was the Fire Spirit!

Han Baek-ryeong stayed in that form for a moment before returning to her human shape. Amazingly, despite emitting such tremendous flames, her clothes showed no signs of damage.

“As you can see, maintaining the Fire Spirit is a brief moment. However… during that brief time of operating the Fire Spirit, nearly half of the Heavenly Spirit Pill was consumed.”

“……!! Really?!”

“Yes. The energy that has been consumed would take at least one meal to recover, even for the Heavenly Spirit Pill. It consumed an extraordinary amount of internal power in the mere span of ten breaths.”

“……”

“The Thunder Spirit, unlike the Fire Spirit, also consumes a massive amount of internal power, but if one possesses the Heavenly Spirit Pill, the loss is negligible enough to be used freely. The Fire Spirit consumes more than ten times the internal power at once, making it nearly impossible to utilize.”

This was shocking.

Then the Fire Spirit was nearly impossible to use even for the possessor of the Heavenly Spirit Pill? I finally understood why Han Baek-ryeong had not hastily used the Fire Spirit she possessed. It was a technique that consumed so much internal power that even infinite internal power would struggle to bear the loss.

‘… In my 19th rebirth, I forcibly used the power of the altar and immortality to activate the Fire Spirit.’

Perhaps, if I hadn’t done that, I wouldn’t have been able to stop Lee Cheong-un, who had reached the level of the Thunder Spirit. Lee Cheong-un could disable a Dharma Guardian with a single strike as he attacked the brain, so only by reaching the same domain could I compete.

As I pondered this, Han Baek-ryeong continued,

“When we defeated the Demon Sorcerer in Luoyang, I hastily used the Fire Spirit to assist, but I cannot guarantee it would yield the same power again.”

“Why? If it’s because the Heavenly Spirit Pill has not yet recovered due to using the Fire Spirit, then we could wait a moment…”

“That’s not the issue.”

Han Baek-ryeong shook her head.

“My power has been weakening for some time now. The infinite internal power of the Heavenly Spirit Pill, its capacity itself has been decreasing. Comparing to when I first saw you, I think my current power is only about 70%.”

“……”

“I don’t think this phenomenon affects only me. It seems the sect master and the other Dharma Guardians are the same. They also questioned me about the weakening powers of the Primordial Spirit and the Heavenly Spirit Pill. I couldn’t answer them as I didn’t know the reason.”

I could easily guess that reason.

‘It’s because I defeated the Sea God.’

The Heavenly Spirit Pill is a contract to draw power from ‘Father’ through the Sea God as a medium. The same goes for the Primordial Spirit. However, since I defeated the Sea God in this life and left him in a dying state, the contract weakened, and the Primordial Spirit and the Heavenly Spirit Pill also began to weaken gradually.

The weakening of the Heavenly Spirit Pill is due to the Sea God dying.

If the Sea God were to completely die, wouldn’t the contract with the Heavenly Spirit Pill also become void?

As I pondered heavily, I spoke to Han Baek-ryeong.

“… Even so, we cannot afford not to try. Please lend me your strength. If the Fire Dragon Incarnate doesn’t awaken, we won’t be able to face future strong opponents.”

“It seems I have no choice. I already explained the conditions, so if the Incarnate doesn’t awaken, please don’t blame me…”

“Of course. Then let’s take a break before we start.”

After roughly half a moment of sufficient rest, Han Baek-ryeong began to intensely draw upon the Fire Spirit and ignited Huaying.

Kuuuuuu

This was not the typical sound of flames burning objects. It was as if the power of the Fire Spirit Han Baek-ryeong drew upon was being sucked into Huaying’s sword blade, as if there were an invisible hole. Considering that the flames she emitted could burn dozens of miles, this absorption was incomprehensible.

‘Is this truly the Flame’s Seven Luminaries?!’

There isn’t much time to raise the Fire Spirit. Feeling anxious, I approached Han Baek-ryeong to send my internal power to her back but suddenly froze.

“Huh!”

I was horrified to discover that nearly 80% of my internal power had been sucked away in an instant. How much internal power was being expended in this moment?! The problem was that even after consuming that much of my internal power, there was no sign of recovery for Han Baek-ryeong’s Fire Spirit, indicating she was consuming a level of internal power no human could possibly discuss.

Kuuuuuu…!!

Yet there was change. For a brief moment, Huaying, which had been absorbing the power like an abyss, stopped absorbing the energy and began to react to the flames. When Han Baek-ryeong finally finished using the Fire Spirit and staggered, I hurried to support her.

“Are you alright?”

“Haah… haah…”

Han Baek-ryeong was dripping with sweat all over her body. She opened her eyes slightly and said,

“My promise… must… protect the Fire Spirit…”

“I understand. Please rest for a moment.”

Once Han Baek-ryeong fainted, I checked her condition with pulse diagnosis. Even though she had nearly exhausted the Heavenly Spirit Pill, I realized she had a substantial amount of internal power, so she didn’t risk losing her life. Additionally, because the Rebirth of Flesh was not about the presence of internal power but a permanent change in her body, there was no need to worry about dying from sudden aging.

I approached Huaying and picked it up.

Ziiiiing –

Suddenly, Huaying emitted an orange glow. It radiated a strong energy as if it had resurrected. Moments later, a divine energy began to flow from the blade, and the Fire Dragon Incarnate manifested before my eyes.

[O, Protector. Did you restore me?]

“Yes. Are you alright now?”

[… Not yet. I might have pushed away the Sea God’s power, but I’m still unable to engage in battle.]

The heavy tone of the Fire Dragon Incarnate certainly indicated fatigue. It had just barely found vitality after falling into a gasa state due to the Sea God’s power, as if it had only just propped itself up from the sickbed in human terms. Forcing the Fire Dragon Incarnate into battle in this state would be unwise. I spoke to the Fire Dragon Incarnate.

“I will help you recover your strength better.”

[No. More importantly, I wish to speak to the being that resides within you, Protector.]

“Are you referring to Grand Master Jang Sam-bong?”

[Yes. Send out the Avatar of Immortality.]

Pa-at

Soon after, Jang Sam-bong descended into my body. The Fire Dragon Incarnate spoke to Jang Sam-bong.

[I’ve heard news from the Celestial Realm even while I was asleep. You are the Avatar who has started working together with Yeodong-bin and the Apostle?]

With a show of respect, Jang Sam-bong replied,

[Jang Sam-bong greets the Fire Dragon Incarnate, the Avatar of Shenglong. Do you have anything to say to him…]

[The way things are, our Protector will inevitably have to battle King Mi-hu.]

[……]

[However, even with my full power, Mi-hu King will be difficult to handle. You must absolutely provide great assistance.]

After a moment of thought, Jang Sam-bong replied,

[Originally, that being is said to be the strongest of the Avatars. As such, they hold great weight even in the Celestial Realm, so don’t act rashly. Do you have any reason to believe that Mi-hu King will aim his blade at us?]

[The Protector is currently trying to negotiate or defeat the Demon King. Regardless of the outcome, Mi-hu King is also aiming for the Demon King’s head, so a clash is unavoidable.]

[Hmm…]

With a look of dismay, Jang Sam-bong responded,

[Fire Dragon Incarnate, that information is a Celestial Secret. You must never leak it with your status.]

[If you are an Apostle of the Three Sovereigns, that principle won’t apply.]

[… That is too arbitrary an interpretation.]

It appeared Jang Sam-bong favored acting according to the principles of the Celestial Realm. Despite already being aware of what the Fire Dragon Incarnate had said about Mi-hu King, he had not spoken it to me separately. Jang Sam-bong murmured and then stated,

[We are all the protectors of the Celestial Realm. If we were to have a confrontation with Mi-hu King, the Three Pure Ones will make a ruling, so I cannot hastily conclude that we will fight.]

[Jang Sam-bong. Are you saying such things even though you know the current state of the Earth?]

[……]

[Currently is a more chaotic era than the Mandang era. Consider carefully what defines justice.]

[I will make my own judgment, so just understand that.]

Pa-at!

And then, the Fire Dragon Incarnate entered Huaying. It seemed more important to quickly recover its strength than to continue arguing with Jang Sam-bong. When Jang Sam-bong’s possession was lifted, I strongly protested to him.

[Grand Master Jang! Did you hide from me that Mi-hu King is active while targeting the Demon King?!]

[Yes.]

I was astounded.

The information that the Avatar Mi-hu King is still moving on Earth while aiming for the Demon King is top-tier information. If that is the case, I would have to significantly alter all my plans and perhaps face a life-threatening crisis.

‘Perhaps the Fire Dragon Incarnate learned this because he is the Avatar of Shenglong.’

If the Fire Dragon Incarnate didn’t indirectly inform me, I probably would still be oblivious.

[Why? You and I are bound together by destiny…]

[But you are also an Apostle of the Three Sovereigns. The Three Pure Ones of the Celestial Realm have specifically commanded me not to leak any excessive Celestial secrets to you.]

[……!!]

[Please understand, Protector.]

Did the Three Pure Ones order him to directly keep watch over me?

So unlike Yeodong-bin, Jang Sam-bong’s passive behavior wasn’t due to his personality but a mandate from the higher-ups of the Celestial Realm?

I didn’t comprehend and asked,

[What is going on… Were the Three Sovereigns not allies with the Celestial Realm?]

[Protector… This is a very complex issue. The Three Sovereigns are magnificent beings who care for humanity, but they were once Great Evils, and their perspective on humanity differs from that of the Celestial Realm. Thus, the Celestial Realm cannot blindly trust them and has maintained a certain distance from the Three Sovereigns for a long time. Therefore, I cannot fully share information with you, who has become an Apostle of the Three Sovereigns.]

[……]

[Please understand that this is not my intention…]

Jang Sam-bong’s voice darkened, and it seemed he too was frustrated with the Celestial Realm’s orders. I felt a surge of emotions but realized arguing with Jang Sam-bong would yield nothing. I should be angry at those who gave the orders.

I clenched my teeth and spoke aloud,

“… I will forget it. So how is Mi-hu King targeting the Demon King?”

[Huh… You want me to provide you with information instead?]

“Correct. If you truly see me as the Protector.”

[I have no choice.]

Jang Sam-bong continued,

[After disposing of the sorcerer who leaked Celestial secrets, Mi-hu King was accumulating information while hiding in human cities. He is skilled in transformation techniques and can alter his appearance into various forms, so he is likely hiding somewhere even now. In the near future, he will strike at the Demon King’s base.]

“Although Mi-hu King is powerful, I’ve heard that the Demon King surpasses the Great Immortal. How can he possibly succeed alone?”

[Mi-hu King is special. He encompasses all the divine demons from the Mythological Age and is exceptional. Thus, in the worst-case scenario, the Celestial Realm believes that Mi-hu King could at least seal the Demon King.]

“……”

That was an astonishing level of trust.

No matter how strong the strongest Avatar may be, it is being said that Mi-hu King is such a powerful being?

I asked as I couldn’t grasp it,

“Then why has the Heavenly Sovereign decreed?”

“It’s not solely because of the Demon King.”

“What do you mean?”

[The Sea God’s fall caused great fluctuations in the law of Cause and Effect, and the possibility of the Great Being, ‘Old Ruler,’ or an Apostle appearing in the Central Plains has risen immensely. Beings of tremendous strength may emerge, making the Celestial Realm unable to avoid decreeing the Heavenly Sovereign.]

That makes sense.

Considering the power encountered with the Avatar of the Old Ruler that appeared in the White Lotus Sect, if even more powerful Apostles or Avatars emerge, the Central Plains would surely descend into chaos and massacre day after day. I spoke to Jang Sam-bong,

“From now on, do not conceal information from me. This is a request as the Protector.”

[Ha ha… Understood.]

Pa-at

Before I returned to my base after dropping off Han Baek-ryeong at the Han Clan, I sought out the traitor Sangwan Hyuk. Realizing that he was nowhere to be found, I made a face like I had bitten into a bug.

“Just as I thought, that little rascal…”

No doubt about it.

The sect master must have been informed by Sangwan Hyuk about my studying the Thunder God Lineage martial arts and the situation where I was linked with the Fire Spirit in Luoyang. If one can gather information using the sacrificial magic, that’s entirely possible. Furthermore, after sensing the sudden disappearance of the White Lotus Sect leader and the higher-ups, it wouldn’t be surprising if he hid out of suspicion.

I thought that might be the case, but to think he would stab me in the back after helping to release the Soul Exchange Technique!

‘Damn it, if I had known, I would have turned him into my puppet using the Soul Exchange Technique…’

Reflected on how I had been hindered by the White Lotus Sect due to that rascal made me feel resentful, and I considered killing everyone involved in this traitorous act, but I forcefully suppressed the urge. It’s not right to take out my anger on those who had nothing to do with Sangwan Hyuk’s crimes. For now, I returned to Jangryeong Valley.

I then recounted everything that had happened to Mangnyang and the others. Mangnyang appeared troubled as he spoke.

“This is problematic. We need to liberate Xuyou immediately, but I didn’t expect a variable like Mi-hu King to interfere…”

“Should we search for Mi-hu King?”

“……”

Mangnyang thought for a moment and then shook his head.

“No, we don’t have time for that now. Whether Mi-hu King strikes the Demon King or not, we need to liberate Xuyou and gain strength.”

Pa-at!

Soon after, Mangnyang, Cheon Woo-jin, and I arrived at the Heavenly Altar of Songshan. The Zen Master of the Shaolin Temple greeted us as if he had been waiting.

“Welcome.”

“We’ve come to liberate the Seven Luminaries, so ensure no one approaches the altar.”

“Of course.”

The Zen Master promised boldly.

“With Bin-seung, and the priests, along with the Eighteen Arhats and the Four Great Protectors, no one will carelessly step onto the threshold of the Shaolin Temple.”

Then, at the Heavenly Altar, Mangnyang and Cheon Woo-jin finished setting up the flags and completed the preparations for the Offering Ceremony.

Wuuuuung!!

A moment later, as the Offering Ceremony began, I felt a vast presence descending upon Songshan.

The size of that presence was immense, emitting an overwhelming aura that almost made me hold my breath even before it appeared. Cheon Woo-jin, who faced that aura, exclaimed in shock,

“Gah… This is… could it be…?”

“Cheon Woo-jin, is there a problem?!”

“N-No…”

“We’ve placed the offering on the altar using Xuyou as a medium! Naturally, Jeon Wook would be the one to appear…”

Indeed, it was far easier for us to summon Jeon Wook, my direct superior, the Apostle, by placing Xuyou on the altar. Therefore, we assumed the one to appear during the Offering Ceremony would certainly be Jeon Wook. But judging by Cheon Woo-jin’s reaction, it didn’t seem that way.

Cheon Woo-jin yelled,

“The spells… they can’t be used! This is absurd…”

“……?!”

“Something nonsensical is happening at this Heavenly Altar…”

Kugung!!

Suddenly, everything seemed to come to a halt.

And the light in the world vanished completely, transforming into a perfect darkness, as if even the traces of life itself were fading into nothingness. I could feel neither Mangnyang’s nor Cheon Woo-jin’s auras, nor even the Zen Master or anyone else’s.

It was similar to the scene when receiving the Blessing of the Sky, but different in a way.

This darkness possessed a kind of unsettling madness, gnawing away at the mind as if it came from a treacherous abyss.

I felt a despair that could not be described infiltrating my mind from this air of darkness, and I took a deep breath.

‘This darkness itself is a mental attack…’

What on earth was happening?

Just as I was bewildered, something began to slowly reveal itself from the darkness.

Oooooo –

Only then did I realize.

This place is not the human realm.

The moment the Offering Ceremony unfolded, a colossal being forcibly dragged me into another dimension.

I was trapped in the darkest depths of a dimension from the center of the universe, originally filled with starlight. I recognized what situation I was in and felt a surge of terror rise within me.

The darkness writhed.

Is that a snake… no, a dragon?

A grotesque yet terrifying shadow possessed a might that seemed ready to consume even the shining stars, filling my view. It was so immense that a single scale could rival the size of a continent, and one movement could seem like the end of the world. I had never seen something so gigantic in my life.

That was a Great Being.

And its [essence].

It felt similar to when I witnessed the towering shadow of Jeon Wook.

Uooooo

The writhing darkness erupted with a light cry.

I became the dust of the universe.

[Power Manifestation.]

Pa-at

“……”

I soon realized I was seated in Jangryeong Valley again. And in front of me, Mangnyang and Cheon Woo-jin, having finished their preparations, were gazing at me dumbfounded. As I suddenly broke out in a cold sweat and sat down, they looked alarmed.

“Baek Woong, what’s wrong?!”

“Ughhh…”

I felt tears welling up. I held my head.

“… Let’s postpone the liberation of Xuyou. I only have one power left.”

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