Translator: TranslatingNovice

Editors: Z0Rel, BlueMangoAde

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Chapter 523: Seo Hweol's Origin (本) (4)

Seo Hweol's Plan 1.

The first plan involves using Yuan Yu.

For some reason, Seo Eun-hyun seems to feel a certain longing when looking at Yuan Yu, and because of this, he still hasn't completely discarded Yuan Yu's Blood Body.

He merely embedded it deep within his Colorless Sword Enclosure.

Seo Hweol took advantage of that point.

From the moment Oh Hye-seo reincarnated into the body of the Candle Dragon Race, Seo Hweol gradually shaped Oh Hye-seo—essentially 'Seo Hye'—to resemble Yuan Li as Seo Hweol remembers him, and made it resonate with Yuan Yu's Blood Body embedded within Seo Eun-hyun's Colorless Sword Enclosure.

At that time, Seo Hye and Yuan Yu were learning compatible methods, and through Seo Hye, it was possible to harmonize with the spiritual energy waves emitted by Yuan Yu, thereby activating the secret art within Yuan Yu.

Devilish Spell Tainted Soul Sacred Blood (濁魂聖血).

Borrowing the power of the Blood Yin Realm, this spell combines the Blood Yin Realm's devilish energy with Seo Hweol's Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens to transform the area where Tainted Soul Holy Sacred is activated into a dimensional gate.

He modified it into a method called Summoning Wind, Sacred Blood Transformation and had Oh Hye-seo learn it. Seo Hweol even slightly lowered its difficulty and power to make Yuan Li learn it as well.

However, because Seo Eun-hyun did not cultivate Yuan Yu's Blood Body through Summoning Wind, Sacred Blood Transformation, it created a tricky situation. Nevertheless, it doesn't matter.

After all, the very spell constituting Yuan Yu's Blood Body originates from the Blood Yin Realm, making its degree of resonance with the Blood Yin Realm no different from having learned Summoning Wind, Sacred Blood Transformation.

Thus, Seo Hweol's original plan was to resonate Seo Hye and Yuan Yu's blood devilish energy to activate Tainted Soul Sacred Blood within their bodies.

If successful, Seo Eun-hyun's heart essence world—specifically, the interior of the Colorless Sword Enclosure—would be immediately pierced by a dimensional gate directly connecting to the Blood Yin Realm. Seo Eun-hyun would then be captured by Blood Yin and reduced to his Immortal Treasure.

No matter how much he uses his Three Great Ultimates or whatever to exert Entering Nirvana-level power, resisting when a dimensional gate connecting to a True Immortal is opened would be impossible.

However, Seo Hweol believes that the success rate of this plan is not high.

The biggest issue is the changed attitude of Blood Yin.

Blood Yin, who should have normally charged forward with frenzied madness at the mere sight of the Karmic Fire, instead observed calmly as Seo Eun-hyun revealed both the Karmic Fire and Clear Scale Armor.

This is far from a normal situation.

Thus, Seo Hweol calculated a low success rate for Plan 1 due to Blood Yin's change in attitude.

On top of that, with Oh Hye-seo being captured by Seo Eun-hyun, the plan to activate Tainted Soul Sacred Blood through Yuan Yu's Blood Body also became difficult.

However...

An opportunity arose. Seo Eun-hyun showed an opening.

Moreover, if paired with this new plan, the success rate of the first plan would significantly increase.

'I've made contact with Oh Hye-seo.'

Seo Hweol whispers into the mind of Oh Hye-seo, who has wandered endlessly in the same space for thousands of years, trapped inside Seo Eun-hyun's Colorless Sword Enclosure.

[First, it was wise of you not to call my name carelessly.]

"Ah... Aaaah... Uaaah..."

Of course, the reason Oh Hye-seo didn't call Seo Hweol's name is simply because, after wandering for thousands of years in solitude, she momentarily forgot human language. But to Seo Hweol, such details are irrelevant.

[Seo Eun-hyun doesn't seem to have noticed. He likely interprets your outburst as part of your erratic behavior. For now...just follow my instructions. If you do, we can finally gain freedom and drag that Seo Eun-hyun, who is soaring high in the sky, down into the mud.]

At Seo Hweol's whisper, Oh Hye-seo nods tearfully.

Wo-woong—

After quickly conveying several instructions to Oh Hye-seo, Seo Hweol cuts off.

'The Blood Body of Yuan Li, which I prepared for activating Tainted Soul Sacred Blood, can only be used for communication for now. But it doesn't matter.'

Having already made contact with Oh Hye-seo, he left behind Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens in her heart essence.

He can now communicate with her whenever needed.

Though there is a risk of being detected while communicating within Seo Eun-hyun's heart essence, it doesn't matter.

'I have polluted myself.'

In doing so, Seo Hweol even defiled himself while offering a 'prayer' to Yeon Wei, and Seo Ran did the same, also offering a 'prayer' to Yeon Wei.

Though Seo Hweol denies the heart, he broke his vow and acknowledged his emotions, offering a prayer filled with the heart of benevolence to Yeon Wei.

Because of this, Seo Hweol's Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens embedded itself in Yeon Wei not as a 'configuration' but in the form of a 'heart.'

The extent of the shock and pain Seo Hweol experienced in this process was irrelevant.

What matters is...

Seo Hweol's 'heart' is embedded in Yeon Wei,

And Seo Ran's 'heart' is also embedded in Yeon Wei in the exact same way.

The hearts of Seo Hweol and Seo Ran,

At long last, have come together.

Inside Yeon Wei!

And so...Seo Hweol waits for the moment when the heart is amplified to the peak, needing only to make contact with Yeon Wei once again.

If Seo Hweol and Seo Ran's hearts and prayers, now embedded in Yeon Wei, make contact, then Seo Hweol and Seo Ran will finally be able to reconnect!

So, when will that moment of the 'heart's peak amplification' arrive?

The answer is simple.

It is when living beings face death.

Seo Hweol does not yet understand the great enlightenment that the heart is ultimately death.

However, through experiential learning, he has learned that when the death of a living being approaches, its emotions are amplified to their peak.

'It doesn't necessarily have to be their own death. The death of someone close to them is enough to amplify a living being's emotions. Therefore...'

Seo Hweol smiles faintly.

'Yeon Wei's descendant. Yeon Jin, was it? That would do nicely.'

Let's bring Yeon Jin before Yeon Wei's eyes and kill him.

If that happens, Yeon Wei's emotions will undoubtedly amplify to its peak.

That moment will be Seo Hweol's opportunity to connect with Seo Ran.

Though most of Seo Eun-hyun's comrades are said to be staying in Cedarwood Painting, a few remain outside.

A chief example is Yeon Jin.

Yeon Jin is diligently cultivating the Lightning Path Method in the Human Race district of Cedarwood Grove in the Bright Cold Realm.

This decision was not Seo Eun-hyun's but Yeon Jin's own will.

Yeon Jin believes it is necessary to remain in the Bright Cold Realm, observe the situation, and ensure there is a place for Seo Eun-hyun's group to return to if Seo Eun-hyun is defeated.

Pajijijijil!

Having already reached the Four-Axis stage, Yeon Jin changes genders using the Taiji Quaking Lightning Body and generates lightning as he surveys Cedar Wood Grove.

'Cedar Wood Grove and its Human Race district are so peaceful, yet the outside of the Bright Cold Realm is said to be a warzone.'

To be honest, it's hard for him to believe.

No, even Seo Eun-hyun was just a senior in the Nascent Soul stage at a similar level to himself a few thousand years ago.

Yet before he realized it, Seo Eun-hyun became a Sacred Master and is now waging war across the entire universe.

In such a situation, the only thing Yeon Jin can do is his best to prevent public opinion about Seo Eun-hyun from worsening within the Human Race territory.

Of course, it isn't so much that Yeon Jin is trying his best but rather that Seo Hweol is working desperately to conceal Yeon Jin's existence from Baek Woon.

Otherwise, Yeon Jin would have long been captured by Baek Woon and used as a hostage.

Whether Yeon Jin knows this or not, he adjusts his black-and-white hair and prepares to resume his Taiji Quaking Lightning Body cultivation.

It is at that moment.

"It has been a while, Daoist Yeon Jin."

Before Yeon Jin's eyes, Seo Hweol appears with a hoho.

Yeon Jin bows his waist to greet Seo Hweol.

"Ah, Sir Sea Dragon King. It has been a while."

As far as Yeon Jin knows, Seo Eun-hyun and Yeon Wei don't hold a favorable opinion of Seo Hweol.

However, from Yeon Jin's perspective, Seo Hweol is one of Seo Eun-hyun's loyal followers who takes care of Seo Eun-hyun's affairs, so Yeon Jin doesn't harbor much ill will towards him.

Or rather...it would be more accurate to say that Seo Hweol 'adjusted' things to ensure that Yeon Jin doesn't feel any hostility toward him.

Seo Hweol smiles faintly and extends a hand toward Yeon Jin.

"That aside, Daoist Yeon Jin. Have you heard that Daoist Yeon Wei's body is unwell?"

"Ah, yes. I heard about it thanks to the letter Sir Sea Dragon King delivered. I was already thinking of visiting the ancestor...but with the war between the Bright Cold Realm and Cedarwood Painting, it doesn't seem possible right now. Huuu..."

Seo Hweol shakes his head at Yeon Jin's words.

"Hoho, that is not necessarily the case, Daoist Yeon. While it is true that there is war, it is entirely possible to enter Cedarwood Painting by passing through other realms that are unaffected by the conflict. For example, the Nether Ghost Realm or the Blood Yin Realm."

"Ah...! So there was a way like that. Come to think of it, the Nether Ghost Realm was also once the headquarters of the Wuji Religious Order."

Yeon Jin nods as he rises from his seat.

"In that case, is it possible to leave immediately? If the ancestor doesn't have much time left, it would be best to depart as soon as possible."

"As expected of Daoist Yeon Jin. Such deep filial piety. In that case, come with this king... We will pass through the Blood Yin Realm to directly enter Cedarwood Painting"

"That sounds excellent, elder Sea Dragon King!"

Wo-woong!

At Yeon Jin's words, Seo Hweol guides him into a secluded area of Cedar Wood Grove and begins forming hand seals.

Chiaaaaaaa—

Ominous blood devilish energy begins to radiate from the surroundings, and the space around them begins to distort.

Seo Hweol is faintly opening an entrance to the Blood Yin Realm using his authority.

"Blood Sacrifice Consuming Style..."

Wo-woong!

A crimson circle gradually appears before Seo Hweol and Yeon Jin's eyes.

Seo Hweol sharpens his vertical pupils with a piercing gaze.

'The gate to the Blood Yin Realm...I'll open it in Seo Eun-hyun's heart essence using Oh Hye-seo and Yuan Li's Blood Body. Then, using the opportunity when Seo Eun-hyun falls into chaos, I will take Yeon Jin to Yeon Wei... If I kill her descendent before her eyes, my plan will be completely...'

It is at that moment.

Yeon Jin's chattering voice pierces Seo Hweol's ears.

"Haha. By the way, with this, I'll have visited all six Middle Realms except the Purple Gold Realm. I'm curious to see how it will differ from the True Devil Realm."

Seo Hweol, aiming to gain Yeon Jin's favor, smiles kindly and speaks.

"Your experiences are truly broad, Daoist Yeon Jin. Come to think of it, didn't Daoist Yeon Jin once...undertake an adventure with Daoist Yeon Wei, traveling from the Bright Cold Realm to the Nether Ghost Realm, then to the Ancient Force Realm, and back to the Bright Cold Realm?"

"Yes. And before the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect fell...I also traveled to the True Devil Realm with Ancestor Yeon Wei."

"This king knows of that story as well. I've heard that, while evading pursuit from the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect in the True Devil Realm, you and Daoist Yeon Wei installed a massive formation in one of the Void Spirit Ponds there?"

"Haha, it was the ancestor who set up the formation, so I don't know much about that. Instead, I just...played with the local kids in the area."

"Hoho, Daoist Yeon Jin is truly kind-hearted. To think you even cared for the children like that."

Yeon Jin, as if embarrassed, twirls his hair around his finger and speaks.

"Rather than me being kind, it's more that Sacred Master Seo Eun-hyun has deep emotions. Back then, when he was at the Nascent Soul stage, he instructed me to consider the surrounding Devil Races even as we established the formation near the Void Spirit Pond and to build friendly ties with them. He even entrusted me with gathering the Devil Race children and playing with them. It was a bit tiring to play with the Devil Race children at that time, but thinking back now, it's also a fond memory."

"Children do seem to have a way of clearing the heart, whether they're of the Heaven Tribe or the Earth Tribe."

"That's true. Although, among the Devil Race children, there were some mischievous ones who were already getting into romance and driving me crazy. I haven't even experienced romance yet myself! Ahaha, come to think of it, those kids were especially memorable."

As Seo Hweol opens the entrance to the Blood Yin Realm, he asks.

"I see. What were those children like to leave such an impression?"

"Well, ever since they were young, they were running around saying they'd get married when they grew up. At the time, they were just little children from the Batwing Race and the Horned Devil Race. But since both of those races are part of a rather famous lineage of devils, known for requiring five thousand years to reach adulthood and their breeding cycles, I told them, 'If you truly want to unite as one, it's going to take quite a bit of time.' But then Su In and Hong Yeon, those two rascals..."

"..."

Yeon Jin, who was excitedly chattering beside Seo Hweol for a while, suddenly looks down at his own body, now transformed into a female form.

Yeon Jin sucks in a sharp breath and bites his lip.

'Are you crazy, Yeon Jin? No matter how charming the Sea Dragon King is, what are you doing transforming into a woman right in front of him!?'

Yeon Jin, grappling with serious concerns about his gender identity, looks up at Seo Hweol.

Indeed, Seo Hweol is charming.

To the point where just standing there silently is enough to steal one's heart.

Of course...

Yeon Jin doesn't realize that it's due to Seo Hweol's Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens.

He has no idea that because Seo Hweol thinks, [If Yeon Jin has a good enough impression of me to open up completely and entrust everything to me, he'll become useful], he has fallen for Seo Hweol without even realising it.

But while Yeon Jin cannot comprehend the domain of such Immortal Arts, he can at least sense that something about Seo Hweol is changing.

"By the way, Elder Sea Dragon King, are you feeling unwell by any chance?"

At Yeon Jin's question, Seo Hweol erases the entrance to the Blood Yin Realm.

"Uh, huh? Elder Seo Hweol? Weren't we supposed to pass through the Blood Yin Realm—uaak!"

Clench!!!

Yeon Jin suddenly lets out a high-pitched scream as Seo Hweol's hands grip both of Yeon Jin's shoulders with force.

Seo Hweol locks eyes with Yeon Jin, his vertically slit pupils meeting his, and wears the brightest smile he's ever shown.

"Indeed, I understand Daoist Yeon Jin's kindness well. To play with Devil Race children, with whom you barely know, to such an extent... This surname Seo can't help but be deeply impressed by your virtuous character."

"Uh, um... By the way, perhaps it's because you're from the Earth Tribe, but your grip strength is rather painful...Could you please let go?"

"...I understand. By the way...could you remind me once more where that Void Spirit Pond was, the one where you performed such noble deeds?"

"Uh, that, that is..."

As Seo Hweol's face suddenly draws closer, Yeon Jin's cheeks flush red.

Soon, with his eyes completely losing their focus Yeon Jin divulges everything to Seo Hweol.

And, some time later.

"Hoho...Sir Sea Dragon King. If your face gets so close, it's embarrassing."

"Hoho...is that so? I understand."

Seo Hweol releases Yeon Jin, who suddenly begins echoing his own laugh, and looks up at the sky.

"...At last..."

Seo Hweol's hand trembles violently.

Yeon Jin, too, laughs with a hoho and looks up at the sky alongside Seo Hweol.

"I've found it..."

All the Seo Hweols in the universe smile radiantly, their bodies trembling as if in ecstasy.

"Even after scouring the Bright Cold Realm for thousands of years and finding nothing...it turns out you found it first and smuggled it to the True Devil Realm through Hyeon Eum. Blood Yin...!"

Seo Hweol laughs with bloodshot eyes.

"I've finally found it...! The split soul of Vast Cold!"

Seo Hweol clenches his fist while staring at the sky, his body quaking.

"The heavens are aiding me... It's done now."

Seo Hweol pushes Yeon Jin aside and melts into the darkness, disappearing from the spot.

'There's no need for cumbersome plans like opening the gate to the Blood Yin Realm. The power of Vast Cold is now in my hands. There's no longer any need to hold back my strength. I just...need to proceed.'

Finishing his thoughts, Seo Hweol moves through the darkness, heading towards an unknown destination.

Normally, Seo Hweol would have taken Yeon Jin along for efficiency, even if it wasn't strictly necessary. Yet, he deliberately leaves Yeon Jin behind.

Without realizing how strange he has become, Seo Hweol inexplicably smiles arrogantly as he vanishes.

Yeon Wei opens her eyes.

Deep into the night.

She senses someone entering her chamber.

"...Who is it?"

"It is I, Daoist Yeon Wei."

"Hm... The Sacred Master has warned me that if you ever come to see me alone, it would be because you're scheming some vile plot. I was told not to engage with you. Leave."

Yeon Wei responds without even glancing at Seo Hweol.

However, Seo Hweol pays no attention to Yeon Wei's reaction and begins to speak.

"It seems the Sacred Master has already informed you about my Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens."

"..."

"In that case, you must also know that I could reach out to your descendant, Daoist Yeon Jin, at any time."

"Ha! Is it because you don't understand the true identity of the Sacred Master? You're quite bold."

At the mention of Yeon Jin, Yeon Wei rises from her bed and looks at Seo Hweol.

"Do you even know what kind of being the Sacred Master is? Even if that person wears the guise of a Sacred Master, they are an entity above the heavens. Or, at the very least, they are someone who carries out the will of such beings. Someone like you has gone against such a being. Do you understand what that means?"

Yeon Wei glares at Seo Hweol with a grim expression.

"On the scales of Fate, the lives of the likes of us can be toyed with whenever at will. Do you think you're threatening me right now? You're mistaken. As long as that being despises you, everything you do and every future you aim for are already within their grasp."

"Hoho, how terrifying. However...that person is not an entity of True Immortal rank as you believe him to be. I know this with absolute certainty."

Seo Hweol narrows his vertically slit pupils as he steps closer to Yeon Wei.

"I am someone who has glimpsed the dream of a True Immortal. I know how those beings dream. And Seo Eun-hyun...is absolutely not dreaming as a True Immortal does. Therefore, while he may be 'connected' to a True Immortal rank existence, he is absolutely not a True Immortal himself. In the first place...! This Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain, unlike a proper Heavenly Domain, only has three True Immortals...!"

Clench!

Seo Hweol's grip brutally seizes Yeon Wei's jaw.

However, Yeon Wei does not panic and instead looks directly at Seo Hweol.

"This is merely a puppet prepared by the Sacred Master. Though crafted to perfectly resemble a mortal, it is no more than a backup vessel. My true soul resides in the shrine within the Head Realm..."

"The location does not matter. After all, as long as there is attraction force, anything I desire will fall into my hands."

It's only around this point that Yeon Wei senses something amiss.

'What is this? Seo Hweol is acting so suspiciously, yet why hasn't the Sacred Master reacted at all?'

"You're having such obvious thoughts, Daoist Yeon Wei."

'He read my mind!?'

Yeon Wei flinches in surprise, her body shrinking.

Seo Hweol gently smiles and strokes Yeon Wei's head.

"The Sacred Master is likely quite preoccupied right now. Because the Oh Hye-seo who was quiet all this time has suddenly gone mad. Although Oh Hye-seo's abilities and authority are nothing extraordinary, when applied creatively, there's nothing for her to fear."

"Mm, mmph!"

"You want to call Jeon Myeong-hoon? Hoho, it's useless. Unless it's someone of Seo Eun-hyun's caliber, none of his comrades...unless the Mad Lord were to resurrect, can stop me. No, even if the Mad Lord were to come back to life now, I would still win."

Seo Hweol pulls something from his sleeve while still gripping Yeon Wei's jaw.

It is someone's head.

Despite being cleanly decapitated, the head is alive.

With its eyes gouged out, it belongs to a Devil Race.

The head of a woman of the Batwing Race, despite being severed, wails mournfully, calling out a name in the language of the Devil Realm,

Seo Hweol crushes the head without hesitation, extracting the soul within and forcing it into Yeon Wei's head.

Wo-woong!

The soul absorbed through Yeon Wei's baihui point flows through her upper dantian, then emits all its spiritual energy through the area between her eyebrows.

Yeon Wei groans as she feels her head somehow clearing along with the sensation of her upper dantian burning.

"I once visited the Serving Command Palace with the Mad Lord. While the Mad Lord planned for the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, I planned for something different."

Wo-woong!

Reason fades from Yeon Wei's eyes, and in her drunk-like state, she begins to pitifully call out for someone.

"Ho, Hon Won. Where did you go, Hon Won...!?"

Still wearing his gentle smile, Seo Hweol clasps a hand behind his back, grabs Yeon Wei by her hair, drags her out of bed, and waves his hand.

Kwaaaang!

And in front of Seo Hweol stands Kim Yeon with a hardened face, leading Jeon Myeong-hoon, Kang Min-hee, Kim Young-hoon, Oh Hyun-seok, and others.

Jeon Myeong-hoon glares at Seo Hweol with a reddened face and speaks.

"I'll count to ten. Release Yeon Wei immediately within that time."

"Hoho... There's no need to rush so urgently. Why not chat with me for a moment—"

"Ten. I've counted. I'll kill you, Seo Hweol."

Immediately after, Jeon Myeong-hoon charges at Seo Hweol.

That's when it happens.

Wo-woong!

Kwarururung!

A bolt of lightning powerful enough to shatter a planet descends, but Jeon Myeong-hoon's eyes widen in shock.

'Distortion!?'

Space distorts due to attraction force.

Jeon Myeong-hoon's single strike, twisted under the influence of attraction force, fails to reach Seo Hweol and veers off in the wrong direction.

Seo Hweol, still holding Yeon Wei's hair, spreads his arms wide and laughs.

"If you don't want to chat with me, then it can't be helped."

"How...how can someone like you wield this level of attraction force!?"

As Jeon Myeong-hoon watches Seo Hweol drag Yeon Wei by her hair towards an unknown destination, his eyes become bloodshot.

This can't be happening.

'There's no way his Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens can handle this level of attraction force. Unless he's completely brainwashed Cedarwood Painting and put it within this grasp, it's impossible! How could someone without Immortal Arts specializing in attraction force do such a thing...!?'

[Seo Hweol! Stop immediately!!!]

Kurururung!

Jeon Myeong-hoon transforms into the Three-Headed Six-Armed Lightning God and shouts at Seo Hweol.

However, his voice does not reach Seo Hweol.

Peaceful Cloud Continent.

Two-sided mountain range.

Inside a large manor, one of Seo Hweol's clones smiles faintly.

"How surprising, Hon Won. To think you'd pretend to be forbidden from cultivating by the Sacred Master while secretly practicing Immortal Arts... Well, I suppose it makes sense. Sunlight, Rain, Heat, Cold, Wind, and Time—the Immortal Art of Various Omens is something Integration stage cultivators should naturally learn. So you've been diligently practicing all along?"

However, Hon Won, who hears Seo Hweol's words, does not respond.

It's because he is bloodied and battered, his topknot tightly seized by Seo Hweol.

Hon Won's tongue has already been ripped out by Seo Hweol, leaving him unable to speak.

"Hoho. If you don't wish to respond, it can't be helped. No matter. I will assist you."

Wo-woong!

Seo Hweol looks at the miserable Hon Won with a gentle smile and then pulls a head from his sleeve.

It is the head of a male from the Horned Devil Race.

This head, too, has its eyes gouged out and mournfully calls out to someone in the language of the Devil Race.

Crunch!

Wo-woong!

Seo Hweol crushes the Devil Race head without hesitation, extracting the soul within and infusing it into Hon Won's baihui point.

And in the next moment.

Hon Won's eyes snap wide open.

Shortly thereafter, tears of blood stream down his face as he cries out.

"Ch-ch-ch...Cheon Ra (天羅)...!"

Kwarururung!

Deafening roars erupt from various points on Seo Hweol's face as his body begins to shatter apart.

Simultaneously, from the cracks on his face, something resembling black pus oozes profusely.

A clear indication of being shaken.

Yet, Seo Hweol remains unconcerned, smiling as he grabs Hon Won's topknot and drags him outside.

Dududududu!

The shout earlier affected not only Seo Hweol.

'The entire world is shaking. Is it because of the original owner of the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra? Hoho...'

Gik, gigigik, gigigigik!

At the same time, an immense attraction force begins to form around Hon Won.

It seems to be an attraction force meant to merge with [someone] far away.

Seo Hweol looks up at the sky with a faint smile.

"...From the Star Shattering stage and onwards—that is, the stage where one gradually approaches the principles of True Immortals—the heart begins to transform into attraction force. However...this means that for True Immortals, attraction force is essentially the heart. When one thinks about how Immortal Arts activated by attraction force and those activated by the heart are fundamentally the same, it's a simple principle."

Gigigigik!

Hon Won and the someone far away.

The attraction force with Yeon Wei begins to grow stronger.

"In short, being able to control attraction force means being able to move the hearts of True Immortals. The world is ultimately nothing more than a dream woven by True Immortals. We are merely their toys, clowns performing on their stage. Therefore, our own hearts are ultimately meaningless. The only thing that holds meaning is...the heart of the being that dreams."

Seo Hweol, his face somehow bloodshot, looks up at the sky.

Indeed.

This is not just a soliloquy.

He is speaking to Seo Eun-hyun, who is no different from the entire world itself.

"Attraction force is essentially the heart. Therefore, if I obtain the ultimate attraction force, all the hearts in the world will fall into my grasp!"

In the next moment! Seo Hweol stretches out his hand.

All the Seo Hweols hidden throughout Cedarwood Painting form hand seals in unison.

Gigigigigik!

The names of In and Yeon imprinted upon Yeon Wei and Hon Won's minds wail and strive to merge with each other.

Simultaneously, an overwhelming attraction force arises within Cedarwood Painting, and at the moment when that attraction force reaches its peak—

Paaaatt!

Seo Hweol disappears from Cedarwood Painting.

And the place where Seo Hweol reappears is none other than the Colorless Sword Enclosure.

It is the place where Oh Hye-seo, acting under Seo Hweol's orders, rampages madly.

Kurururung!

"Ah, ahahaha! You're here, you're here, Seo Hweol?"

As soon as she sees Seo Hweol, Oh Hye-seo throws herself into the arms of one of his clones.

Seo Hweol pats Oh Hye-seo's head and looks towards the direction she came from.

There stands a massive altar.

The altar is engraved with countless carvings of Immortal Beasts, and the eyes of the Immortal Beasts all glow simultaneously.

And...at the very top of all the Immortal Beasts are two figures.

One is an [Immortal Beast shrouded in deep darkness], and the other is an [Immortal Beast in human form]. Among them, the figure of the [Immortal Beast in human form] is moving under the influence of Oh Hye-seo's authority.

"Is the ritual preparation complete, Hye-seo?"

"Yes, yes, Seo Hweol. I did everything as you said. I sacrificed my lifespan and offered it to the High Spirit Grand Dao Nine Heavens Overseeing Fate Preserving Life Celestial Great Emperor. That being, that being, as the covenantor and arbiter, promised to hide the fate here. Did you, did you bring them?"

Seo Hweol smiles faintly.

One of Seo Hweol's clones is holding Yeon Wei by her hair.

Another drags Hon Won by his topknot.

And...yet another of Seo Hweol's clones is gripping Seo Ran by his nape and bringing him to this very spot.

"Finally...we have succeeded, Hye-seo."

By targeting the moment when the attraction force of In and Yeon reaches its peak, Seo Hweol connected to Seo Ran through the 'hearts of himself and Seo Ran' imprinted within Yeon Wei, finally capturing Seo Ran.

Oh Hye-seo, with a face brimming with joy, clings to Seo Hweol's embrace and weeps.

"Th-Then we can leave now, right, Seo Hweol? Now we can finally leave and really escape from the belly of this Seo Eun-hyun, right? Seo Hweol?"

"I can't make any guarantees, but I will make it so. Now then..."

Clench!

Seo Hweol grips Seo Ran's head and laughs.

"Disappear. Fake."

Charararararak!

At that exact moment, all of the Seo Hweols, except for the ones holding Yeon Wei and Hon Won, are sucked into Seo Ran's body.

However, even as Seo Hweol's elaborate plans near completion, Oh Hye-seo cannot bring herself to be happy.

'Seo Hweol, you said it was all coming together. But why...?'

Why...

'Why is that Seo Ran able to remain so composed, even with you standing before him?'

Seo Ran is showing no signs of fear whatsoever.

Instead, he is smiling warmly.

And then—

Urururung!

"Hic!"

The Colorless Sword Enclosure shakes violently, and Seo Eun-hyun's figure appears before Oh Hye-seo.

It is Seo Eun-hyun wielding the Colorless Glass Sword, with Seo Eun-hyun draped in winged garments standing behind.

With a hardened expression, Seo Eun-hyun speaks.

"You will never succeed, Seo Hweol."