Translator: TranslatingNovice

Editors: BlueMangoAde

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Chapter 481: Bound God (1)

Paaaat!

A space of light.

Seo Eun-hyun feels as though he might be overwhelmed as he stares at the massive being standing before him.

‘This is...the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord...?’

Before his eyes is a giant.

No, it isn’t just any giant.

A silver-white monster.

A colossal god dressed in ancient immortal robes, wearing a mianguan (crown) on its head and a mask of silver-white on its face!

As Seo Eun-hyun gazes at this being, he feels as if he is staring at a ‘blade clothed in human skin.’

The being, whose face is obscured, looks down at Seo Eun-hyun.

From this being emanates an endless sense of despair!

An aura of overwhelming power and awe!

‘I can’t...endure this...’

Seo Eun-hyun's entire body trembles as though his mind is melting like wax.

'No...It can’t end here!'

Yet, he does not crumble.

In this encounter that feels eternal, he clings to his consciousness until the end, maintaining his composure as he performs a respectful gesture.

[Greetings...to the...great one...]

It’s when Seo Eun-hyun shows his respect.

The colossal being speaks.

: : As expected. I want to make you mine even at this very moment. : :

The being continues.

: : I want to chew you up. To bite and tear you apart. I want to steal that sword will and gaze upon it in ecstasy. I want to grind you into pieces and see what emerges. I want to pulverize your entire body into powder and drink it while watching if you still pursue the sword. I want to know how far your sword can reach. I want to strangle you until you cry helplessly and drop the sword from your hands. I want to embed my sword all over your body and impart my swordsmanship to you. I want to give you hope that your sword can surpass mine and then watch as that hope shatters. I want to shatter your sword into pieces before your very eyes and force you to eat it. I want to break, snap, and crush your sword and give you terror to the point that you can never look at the sword again. At the same time...: :

A voice dripping with obsession, almost sadistic in its intensity.

At last, Seo Eun-hyun, unable to bear it any longer, looks up at the being before him.

Kwaduduk!

Blades of all kinds sprout from Seo Eun-hyun’s body and begin to devour him.

But he doesn’t falter; he stares directly at the being.

Even if it means suffering from confronting this great being, it’s a determination to say what must be said.

[My apologies, but.]

Interrupting the being’s words, he utters a low, forceful declaration.

[The sword is already myself. Therefore, unless you break me, you cannot break my sword. And...as I am not composed of just myself, you will never be able to break just me!]

At those words, the silver-white being brings its massive face closer to Seo Eun-hyun, filled with sadistic delight.

Seo Eun-hyun feels the pressure of something akin to a galactic cluster approaching right in front of him.

: : Then, how about tearing apart what is precious to you and crushing it before your eyes, repeating this a hundred billion times? : :

[Do you even know what is precious to me...?]

Wuduk, Wududuk!

Seo Eun-hyun is being swallowed by the blades.

Swords, spears, arrows, and countless other war weapons grow from his entire body, devouring him.

Yet, even as his very being is consumed, even as excruciating pain floods his entire body, he does not retreat and shouts firmly.

: : What is it? : :

[It is everything.]

: : Everything? : :

[Yes. Every moment I have lived, am living, and will live. Each and every single moment is what is most precious to me.]

He briefly closes his eyes.

Perhaps Geuk Gwang of the Tall Tree Race played a trick, for he found himself dropped into this space.

However, he is not particularly afraid.

It is not because the being before him reveals some sadistic fascination with him.

Through encounters with Great Mountain, Yeong Seung, and Blood Yin, has already experienced dreadful and extreme pain and despair.

For that reason, when it comes to 'pain,' he is no longer afraid of anything in all phenomena.

'What’s truly frightening is not that...What’s frightening is...'

It is when the deepest, most fundamental part of his heart gets broken.

It is when the very existence of the ‘preciousness of life itself’ that has sustained the being known as Seo Eun-hyun get shattered.

‘It is when my heart breaks.’

As long as his heart does not break, there is nothing to fear.

Thinking this, Seo Eun-hyun opens his mouth.

[I am most grateful for life and consider it the most precious. Therefore, you cannot destroy what is precious to me. Because...even you are included in what is precious to me.]

At his words, the silver-white colossal god pauses and looks at him.

: : How arrogant. : :

Seo Eun-hyun only smiles in silence.

: : Arrogant, arrogant, and even more arrogant. Have you perhaps inherited traces from those arrogant mountains? Indeed...it seems I must pin you beneath me, pierce your body with swords, and watch as you wail for my urge to be satisfied...Yet, even so...still...: :

Sururuk—

The silver-white colossal god dissolves into pure white light and disappears.

Seo Eun-hyun feels something like the soft touch of slender jade-like fingers stroking him from behind.

Pasasasa—

The swords sprouting from his body melt away in an instant.

: : I want to see your sword surpass mine. : :

Shwaaaa—

With those words, the silver-white monster.

The will of the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord vanishes from the space.

At the same time, Seo Eun-hyun feels the entire world of light, composed of divine sword radiance, seep into his body.

When he comes to his senses, he is once again facing the Esteemed Ones.

Slaughtering Heaven Esteemed One, Geuk Gwang, is staring at him with an astonished expression.

Seo Eun-hyun glances around briefly.

‘Is this the blessing of the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord?’

In that instant, he realizes what kind of divine powers he can manifest through his sword when he thrusts it.

As long as this blessing is with him, he will be able to display all divine powers through his sword.

Even the only two weaknesses of Crystal Glass to Treading Sea would no longer hold any meaning to him.

‘The extreme of a sword cultivator.’

He knows now that if he moves his sword now, the path to the utmost limit as a sword cultivator will open.

He could summon rain and wind with the sword, cause earthquakes and tsunamis, and bring down meteor showers to destroy civilizations.

With a single sword, he could annihilate the universe, and with a single sword, recreate it.

It is possible to encapsulate all phenomena within the sword.

Seo Eun-hyun contemplates.

‘Then, is this the extreme of the sword, or the extreme of spells in the form of a sword?’

When Seo Eun-hyun extends his arm, divine radiance naturally condenses, forming a silver-white sword in his hand.

The sword looks far nobler and more sacred than the silver-blue sword held by Geuk Gwang.

[Why, why, why...!]

Geuk Gwang trembles with an expression that says he might collapse at any moment.

[I, I was the first...I was the first to serve that being...'That' is a blessing I have yet to receive...Why is it you...]

And in the next moment.

Seo Eun-hyun closes his eyes briefly and then opens them, as if finally making up his mind.

He breaks the silver-white sword floating above his hand in one swift motion.

[Wh-what, what, what...what have you done!!!]

Geuk Gwang’s eyes roll back halfway, and Seo Eun-hyun, with a determined expression, disperses the light completely as he speaks.

[I have no need for power thrown to me by others.]

Everything has been built by his own efforts.

Even though his martial arts were created by Kim Young-hoon, it was he who mastered it with his own two hands through blood, sweat, and toil.

Even though someone had assisted him with cultivation methods, it was he who ultimately mastered it.

Even if there had been help from predecessors, it was always he who ultimately mastered it on his own.

[I have understood the extreme of a sword cultivator well. Someday, I will reach it with ‘my own power.’]

Seo Eun-hyun shouts as he looks at the shattered fragments of the sword before him.

[Thank you for showing me the path. I do not need the blessing. I will reach that place with my strength alone, and that is enough!]

Wo-woong!

The shards of the silver-white sword tremble in place before scattering into the void.

Seo Eun-hyun feels as if a powerful heartbeat, full of exhilaration, echoes in his ears, but he no longer listens.

What matters now are those standing before him.

[Come at me.]

With that, Geuk Gwang draws their sword and charges.

[I Will Kill You!!!]

Sap stream down from their eyes.

From the front is Slaughtering Heaven Esteemed One, Geuk Gwang.

From behind, Final Heaven Esteemed One, Jin Wol-ryeong, advances.

Paaaatt!

A vast radiance descends behind Geuk Gwang.

Seo Eun-hyun feels as though eight enormous giants are dwelling within that halo of light.

‘Does the technique itself draws upon the Radiance Eight Immortals...!'

Seo Eun-hyun perceives his back.

Final Heaven Esteemed One Jin Wol-ryeong forms a hand seal.

Origin Star.

Combat Technique Form!

Kugugugugu!

Seo Eun-hyun’s eyes widen.

For a moment, it seems as if Jin Wol-ryeong’s Origin Star manifests before compressing and taking the form of Jin Wol-ryeong, like Seo Eun-hyun.

But what surprises Seo Eun-hyun is not that.

'Winged garments!? Heaven and Earth Dual Cultivation!'

Jin Wol-ryeong, like Seo Eun-hyun, dons ‘winged garments.’

The ‘rings’ of Star Shattering Origin Stars, when compressed into the Combat Technique Form, transform into ‘winged garments.’

In other words, Jin Wol-ryeong of the Fighting Ghost Race is also a maniac who has exploded their completed Origin Star once more to achieve Heaven and Earth Dual Cultivation, just like Seo Eun-hyun!

[Fighting Step second stage.]

One of Jin Wol-ryeong’s arms shifts as if transforming into a tentacle before morphing into a bone-laden thorn bush that lunges at Seo Eun-hyun.

From the front is the charging Geuk Gwang, borrowing the power of the Radiance Eight Immortals. From behind is Jin Wol-ryeong, a mid Star Shattering stage Heaven and Earth Dual Cultivation practitioner, rushing forward.

From below, Safe Heaven Esteemed One Gwi Ro of the Rotting Owl Race attempts to swallow Seo Eun-hyun with their unique corrosion technique. From above, Trampling Heaven Esteemed One Ham Rak continuously absorbs Heaven and Earth spiritual energy, amplifying their own Qi.

And in the far distance, Opening Heaven Esteemed One Wol-jin seems to be gathering strength for a powerful strike.

‘Indeed, the Bright Cold Realm Esteemed Ones are formidable.’

Though surpassed in numbers compared to the Esteemed Ones of the Blood Yin Realm, in terms of quality, each one is powerful enough to overwhelm those from the Blood Yin Realm.

[You are the best among them.]

Seo Eun-hyun begins to exert his power.

Crystal Glass to Treading Sea.

Sword Sea Star Body.

The Colorless Glass Sword merges with his body.

Wuduk, Wudududuk!

From various parts of Seo Eun-hyun’s body, Colorless Glass Swords emerge.

Full Body Sword Draw (全身拔劍)!

Three thousand Colorless Glass Swords erupt forth, shooting forward like arrows.

[All-Heavens.]

Seo Eun-hyun’s hand appears to distort for a moment.

Simultaneously, his hand fused with the Colorless Glass Sword morphs in an eerie manner, becoming a gigantic slash that sweeps the surroundings.

The Glass True Fire dances in the void.

The flames of glass transform into sword slashes, cutting through everything in their path.

A world of an instant.

Geuk Gwang is sliced apart along with their sword.

Safe Heaven Esteemed One Gwi Ro launches the corrosion technique at Seo Eun-hyun, but it burns away in the Glass True Fire, forcing them to morph into an owl the size of a satellite and retreat.

But by then, both their wings have already been severed by All-Heavens.

The only ones who manage to respond to Seo Eun-hyun are Jin Wol-ryeong, the Heaven and Earth Dual Cultivation practitioner who has reached the second stage of Fighting Step,

And Trampling Heaven Esteemed one Ham Rak of the Horned Ox Race.

[More, more...! Make me happier! More, more, more...! Huuugh!]

Seo Eun-hyun grabs Jin Wol-ryeong's horn and scatters sword slashes across her entire body.

Perhaps it’s due to the Fighting Ghost Race's innate nature to become aroused during battle, she faces Seo Eun-hyun with a face filled with ecstasy.

But that too is only an instant.

Soon, she is flung away, her entire body slashed apart after being unable to block more than a single slash from Seo Eun-hyun.

‘These insane muscle-bound Fighting Ghost Race bastards...’

Seo Eun-hyun realizes that there are places where his sword slashes did not cut properly due to her massive muscles, and he clicks his tongue.

‘That woman will recover soon enough. That leaves these two.’

Opening Heaven Esteemed One, Gyu Wol-jin.

Trampling Heaven Esteemed One, Ham Rak.

They are cultivators from the Yellow Dragon Race and Horned Ox Race, respectively. Interestingly, both belong to the Earth Tribe.

Among them, Seo Eun-hyun's eyes fixate on the Esteemed One of the Horned Ox Race, Ham Rak.

[A martial artist at Tribulating Heavens, I see.]

Ham Rak, whose upper body resembles an ox and lower body a human, lets out a snort and greets Seo Eun-hyun respectfully.

[So that’s what you call the Third Realm of Non-Toppling (不顚). I shall learn a thing or two from a senior who has entered the Second Realm of Non-Standing (不立) like Senior Jang Ik!]

[So you call Three Heavens Beyond the Path as Three Realms of Non-Toppling, and Three Flowers Wuji as Three Realms of Non-Standing, huh. Interesting.]

[Huhu. To not fall down, and at the end, to not rise up. Isn't it interesting? Since Senior practices Land and Will Dual Cultivation like me, and is even a Heaven and Earth Dual Cultivation practitioner, you would know even better. That when one becomes a Star Shattering Esteemed One, one ultimately loses Manifestation.]

Seo Eun-hyun, looking intrigued, asks him.

[Then how do you maintain your Manifestation?]

[If not falling is Non-Toppling, and not rising is Non-Standing...I have chosen not to rise but also not to fall.]

Seo Eun-hyun looks at him with eyes of pity.

To not rise but also not fall.

In other words, they are willing to remain forever in place, never progressing beyond that stage, in exchange for maintaining Manifestation.

It is not just about Manifestation.

They have also stopped cultivating the Earth Tribe Methods.

The choice to completely forgo advancement and stay eternally in place for the sake of sustaining the two realms.

That is the path Ham Rak has chosen.

[...Are you fine with that?]

[Huhu, you have the same eyes as Senior Jang Ik. But it’s fine. This, too, will have its own path, after all. Now, enough with the idle chatter!]

Kugugugugugu!

Seven stars are felt within Ham Rak’s body.

Seo Eun-hyun smirks.

‘A Tribulating Heavens at the Grand Perfection Star Shattering stage...good.’

Pasasasasasasa!

He suppresses the Glass True Fire of the Crystal Glass to Treading Sea.

Instead, he faces Ham Rak holding only the Colorless Glass Sword.

The two martial artists clash within the sea of stars.

Manifestation.

Non-Toppling, Non-Standing (不顚不立).

Ham Rak’s Manifestation that [Absolutely Does Not Change] meets Seo Eun-hyun’s All-Heavens Sword that [Changes Into Everything].

Flash!

In the next moment.

Ham Rak’s body splits apart.

At the same time, Seo Eun-hyun's chest caves in, and his entire right waist and ribs are torn away.

Neither being bleeds, as both have surpassed the limits of life.

In the place that is split and broken, only starlight shimmers faintly.

But in the next moment, Ham Rak smiles.

[So, that is...the higher stage...Thank you. Thank you...! Senior!]

With those words, they collapse unconscious.

[Guaaaaahhhh!]

Jin Wol-ryeong, having recovered, charges at Seo Eun-hyun again.

And Wol-jin, who has been gathering energy, finally rises.

Dududududu.

Behind Wol-jin, the form of a giant dragon appears.

As soon as Seo Eun-hyun sees the dragon form, his mind wavers as if it’s breaking, and he feels blood trickling from his seven orifices.

‘That’s...!’

[Huha, play with me more!]

He slashes through the persistently clinging Jin Wol-ryeong again and burns his sword into flames through the Avīci Hell Star Body.

Finally, Jin Wol-ryeong loses consciousness from the pain.

Seo Eun-hyun kicks Jin Wol-ryeong into space, focusing on the momentum building from Wol-jin.

‘Lofty Dragon...!’

The form of Lofty Dragon rises behind Wol-jin.

Wol-jin is drawing forth the power of their Immortal Beast bloodline to the fullest, invoking the power of their ancestor.

The direct bloodline of Lofty Dragon.

That is Wol-jin.

Goooooo!

The cosmic space quivers.

The next moment, Seo Eun-hyun is struck by the tail of Lofty Dragon’s form and is hurled far away, all the way to a distant star away from the Lightning Sacred Sea.

‘Kugh...!’

Wol-jin closes the distance instantly using the ground-shrinking technique.

Jjeoook!

The form of Lofty Dragon behind Wol-jin opens its mouth.

Kwaaaang!

The illusion of Lofty Dragon, vast enough to join together dozens of planets, directly bites down on the planet Seo Eun-hyun crashed into.

The planet he slammed into shatters, and Seo Eun-hyun, caught between Lofty Dragon's upper and lower teeth, holds on to resist being crushed.

‘I tried to dodge, but couldn’t...This feeling. It’s [Certain Hit].’

His eyes glimmer.

‘I’m starting to grasp the principle of [Certain Strike]. Is it bestowing the fortune of ‘definitely being struck’ on the opponent...’

Guguguguguguk!

Caught between Lofty Dragon's teeth and enduring to avoid being crushed, he activates Avīci Hell Star Body.

Glass True Fire dyes black and surges into the interior of Lofty Dragon’s illusion.

However, Seo Eun-hyun clicks his tongue.

There’s no reaction.

‘Because it's an illusion from the past...present pain doesn’t affect it. Damn it...I thought the weaknesses of the Crystal Glass to Treading Sea were only two, but it turns out there’s a third.’

So far, he has identified three weaknesses of Crystal Glass to Treading Sea.

The third, just now discovered, is the ‘illusion of the past.’

The advantage of the Glass True Fire that transmits Seo Eun-hyun’s pain is nullified completely.

The second is ‘attacks that use the heart, like those from the Heart Tribe or complete Immortal Arts.’

In the Plane of Soul, the power of Seo Eun-hyun’s attacks are halved, and if it is a complete Immortal Art that uses only the heart without relying on attraction force, it can shatter the pain inflicted by the Crystal Glass to Treading Sea head-on and even critically injure Seo Eun-hyun.

The first is ‘salt.’

Salt, which symbolizes ‘repentant enlightenment’ in the higher planes, can completely extinguish and destroy the pain of the Glass True Fire. Therefore, in the Plane of Qi, salt itself has a property that disperses the formula of the Crystal Glass to Treading Sea, weakening the flames of the Glass True Fire.

‘It's fortunate I took down the Sea Dragon who was using that Salt Sea Esoteric Method or whatever...’

Seo Eun-hyun breathes a sigh of relief and begins to subdue the Crystal Glass to Treading Sea within the mouth of Lofty Dragon trying to crush him.

As Crystal Glass to Treading Sea subsides, Seo Eun-hyun’s ‘heart’ begins to stir.

Dudududududu!

Immortal Arts activate.

The Immortal Art Various Omens trigger the forces of Rain, Sunlight, Heat, Cold, Wind, and Time, causing ‘Twilight’ to whirl around him.

The attraction force distorts spacetime, accelerating the flow of time around Lofty Dragon.

Seo Eun-hyun smirks while looking at Wol-jin.

[You can’t sustain your ancestor’s dharma form indefinitely, can you?]

Wol-jin’s opens their eyes wide.

[Human...just how deep is your understanding of Immortal Arts...!]

They look at Seo Eun-hyun in ridiculous disbelief, biting down on their teeth.

[Fine. Then I’ll end this in one blow! Go!]

Lofty Dragon's dharma form.

A vast energy wave is felt from deep within its maw.

Seo Eun-hyun's expression changes for the first time.

[...This is quite serious.]

Kwaaang!

Seo Eun-hyun narrowly escapes from Lofty Dragon’s mouth, cold sweat dripping as he grips the Colorless Glass Sword.

Kiiiiing!

He draws a circle.

Simultaneously, Seo Eun-hyun’s mind once again soars into the Immortal Domain.

‘I have to block this. This is...dangerous.’

This is Lofty Dragon who was once a Great Net Immortal.

Even though they descended into the Entering Nirvana stage, even though they are only manifested as an illusion through the power of their descendant’s' bloodline, their full-out single strike surpasses the casual single strike of Blood Yin, who swung as if to swat away a bug.

The Sumeru Sword Dance, borrowing the power of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain, bursts forth from Seo Eun-hyun’s sword as Lofty Dragon's dragon wave engulfs him.

The next moment.

The universe briefly brightens.

Chiiiiii—

I stare at my trembling body.

‘Ah...this isn’t the 999th cycle.’

I thought I was going to die.

At the same time, I reflect on myself for having tried to deal with the Esteemed Ones with such an an arrogant mindset.

“Keheok...heok...”

I vomit lava from my mouth.

Having become a star, my body no longer expels blood but instead spews lava or Heaven and Earth spiritual energy.

“Heheok...heok...”

Just now, I truly thought the world was ending.

The Heaven and Earth spiritual energy that filled my entire body and the Glass True Fire of Crystal Glass to Treading Sea are now reduced to mere specks.

Fortunately, the production of Heaven and Earth spiritual energy from my Origin Star is slowly recovering my body, but it seems it will be a long time before I am fully restored.

However, I smile faintly.

Ssssss—

The dharma form of Lofty Dragon True Person that had unleashed the dragon wave dissipates.

Now, all that remains is...

Wol-jin, utterly exhausted from summoning the dharma form of Lofty Dragon.

‘No...the other Esteemed Ones are also gradually recovering.’

This is an Esteemed One.

No matter how severe the injuries, they recover almost instantly through the self-production of Heaven and Earth spiritual energy.

To counter this kind of monstrous regenerative ability, one must either kill them outright or use attacks through Immortal Arts.

I look at Wol-jin and ask.

“Are you still willing to try, Daoist Gyu?”

Wol-jin returns to their human form with a darkened expression.

“How could that be? It is our defeat.”

“Haha, why so? Right now, my power is completely drained, and it looks like Daoist Gyu and your comrades have almost fully recovered.”

“We have realized that your capability in Immortal Arts is so high to the point that it treats us as nothing in comparison. Even if your energy has waned, challenging you would only make us fools. Moreover...you are also a practitioner at the fifth stage of Manifestation. Not just a grandmaster of Immortal Arts, but the fifth stage of Manifestation...We do not have the confidence to defeat the distinguished one...Indeed. Torturing the Sacred Master was not through trickery, but through your own power...”

‘It was a trick at that time though...’

I decide to remain silent.

If I say that I had just reached Void Shattering then and that my Heaven and Earth cultivation was only at the Integration stage, they wouldn’t believe me.

‘If I say I reached Star Shattering within that brief period of time, they might think I’m mocking them...’

“Besides...it seems the distinguished one still has things hidden, right?”

At that, I simply give a meaningful smile.

Indeed, I have yet to reveal the artificial stars of the Mad Lord and 3 forms of Crystal Glass to Treading Sea, which means I can still crush them at any time if I bring those out.

‘I was going to educate them thoroughly...but if they’re taking this submissive an attitude, there’s no helping it.’

“...Then, how do fellow Daoists plan to deal with your business with this one?”

“We will make compensation for the unfortunate incident earlier. Moreover, it seems your cultivation method doesn’t have much to do with the Blood Yin Realm...and judging by the expression of the Trampling Heaven Esteemed One who is also of the Heart Tribe, you don’t seem to be that much of an evil breed either. As for your character...we’ll observe a bit more.”

“Hmmm...”

I stroke my chin and ask.

“That doesn’t seem to be everything. Is there more?”

“...This is why the Heart Tribe.”

“I can still read a bit of Daoist’s intent since your will has not fully materialized into attraction force yet.”

Wol-jin bursts into boisterous laughter and speaks.

“When one reaches the Star Shattering stage, within the Origin Star, the Great Nature begins to circulate. However, no matter how much the Great Nature circulates, to ‘produce’ Heaven and Earth spiritual energy, the size of the Great Nature must be immense, and there must be many Great Natures capable of ‘interacting’ with each other. In other words...”

His next words make me flinch.

“In the early Star Shattering stage, it is absolutely impossible to produce Heaven and Earth spiritual energy. Producing Heaven and Earth spiritual energy with only one star? It’s nonsense. For all Esteemed Ones, the ‘minimum’ is the mid Star Shattering stage, and on average, it’s the late Star Shattering stage. In other words, when five to six Origin Stars are formed can one ‘produce’ Heaven and Earth spiritual energy. That’s why this Esteemed One thought the distinguished one was at the late or Grand Perfection Star Shattering stage at first.”

“...”

“But for an early Star Shattering stage...to produce power equivalent to Grand Perfection with only one star. And that too with Heaven and Earth Dual Cultivation! This Esteemed One has never encountered an existence like the distinguished one before. With your level... you will surely reach the rank of True Immortal someday. If we aren’t going to kill the distinguished one here and now, we would rather not offend a future Great Immortal (大仙).”

I feel my face flush and wave my hand.

“You flatter me too much. But thank you, nonetheless.”

“Haha, there’s no need for modesty. Anyway...this Esteemed One will go back to find my comrades and return to the Lightning Sacred Sea. Huuuu...we’ll have to start the conquest from the first floor of the Lightning Sacred Sea again.”

They let out a deep sigh, and I chuckle heartily and speak.

“Don’t worry. You’ll likely be able to continue from the floor you conquered. Since the master of the 98th floor was killed, you can start from the 99th floor.”

“What? What do you mean?”

“I met a being called the Golden Shaking Bird...”

I relay the information about Golden Shaking Bird.

Soon after having heard my explanation, Wol-jin adopts a contemplative expression.

“A being capable of overriding the authority of the Tower of Trials to that extent...? Hmm...I’ll need to revisit some ancient texts I once found before.”

“Do as you please. As for me...I still have an unfinished duel, so I’ll be on my way.”

“Ah...with the Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One...Do as you wish. This Esteemed One needs to find the Daoists of the Nether Ghost Realm, so...”

They gesture for me to go to do as I please, and I re-enter the depths of the Lightning Sacred Sea.

Inside the Lightning Sacred Sea.

Within the spatial barrier where Jang Ik is sleeping.

I knock on the spatial barrier and shout.

“Master, please wake up.”

Thud, thud, thud, thud!

But there’s no response from inside.

“Master!”

I sigh and draw my sword.

“I know you’re pretending to sleep. Please wake up.”

Kukwagwagwang!

The moment I raise my sword as such and strike down on the barrier, my head is severed.