Chapter 256 - Heavenly Tribulation (8)

What on earth does that mean?

Me, at the Heavenly Being stage?

At the Grand Perfection of the Heavenly Being stage no less?

"... I don't quite understand..."

"First, think about the essence of cultivation you undertake at the Heavenly Being stage. The essence of the Heavenly Being stage is to gradually grow the seed of madness you created upon reaching the Heavenly Being stage, turning your Nascent Soul itself into a seed of madness. You know this much, right?"

"Yes, that's right."

The Heavenly Being stage is the realm where mental cultivation is considered most important among all the realms I have traversed so far.

"And when you reach the Grand Perfection of the Heavenly Being stage, the ultimate point of the madness you've pursued fills the inside of your Nascent Soul. There are cases, however, where this has happened even before reaching the Heavenly Being stage. Where one's Nascent Soul is already filled with madness in the Nascent Soul stage due to being too deeply insane."

"..."

"The Heavenly Being stage, if thought of symbolically, can be easily understood by thinking of the Taiji of the Four Symbols (i.e. the Yin-Yang symbol). Taiyin, Taiyang, Lesser Yin, and Lesser Yang compose the Taiji of the Four Symbols, right?"

"That's correct."

Her explanation continues.

"In other words, the process of rising to the Heavenly Being stage can be easily understood as having the center of Taiyang with Lesser Yin within it. Or, conversely, the center of Taiyin with Lesser Yang within."

Wo-woong!

She floats the Taiji of the Four Symbols in the air with both hands.

Inside the diagram of the Taiji, there is a smaller Taiji with energy of colors opposite to each of the Taiji's colors.

"If the larger part is considered the nature of Heaven and Earth, the smaller part is the seed of madness that is gathered when ascending to the Heavenly Being stage. You have to connect the microcosm inside your body with the nature of Heaven and Earth and accept the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy into the microcosm to ascend to the Heavenly Being stage. You have to fill yourself, the vessel, with the water called Heaven and Earth spiritual energy. But at the center of the vessel is the seed of madness. This is the cause of the situation you are currently in."

Wo-woong!

She is at the center of the Taiji, where the Taiyang and Taiyin are located.

She begins to expand the areas of Lesser Yin and Lesser Yang.

The small circle that is at the center of the Taiji grows and grows until it becomes larger than the Taiji itself.

"The vessel that is you is already so full of madness that there's no room for the spiritual power of Heaven and Earth to enter."

"..."

"Only in such cases, when madness is already too full, is it said that you cannot 'simply' ascend to the Heavenly Being stage from the Grand Perfection Nascent Soul stage."

"... Then, the meaning of the Grand Perfection Heavenly Being stage is..."

"After properly aligning the ratio of Heaven and Earth spiritual energy to madness to achieve Heaven and Man Unity."

Wo-woong!

Yeon Wei again manipulates the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy inside her hands to create the Taiji of the Four Symbols.

The Taiji of the Four Symbols rotates, gradually increasing in size.

The spinning enlarged Taiji soon has a Lesser Yin and Lesser Yang larger than the original Taiji itself.

"The size of the madness you grow by matching the ratio of the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy to madness, and the current size of the madness you possess are similar, or perhaps even larger."

"..."

"Having a mind that is already equivalent or superior to the Grand Perfection Heavenly Being stage while at the Grand Perfection Nascent Soul stage, it seems you've really lived a tumultuous life... Tsk, tsk."

She clicks her tongue, looking at me as if I'm pitiable.

"... Then, what should I do?"

Ignoring her gaze, I ask how I can reach the Heavenly Being stage.

"It's simple, is it not? The problem arises because you're trying to elevate your realm to the early Heavenly Being stage while being at the Grand Perfection Heavenly Being level. Just gather significantly more Heaven and Earth spiritual energy than you think."

"... Ha."

I let out a hollow laugh.

"So, you mean to say that I have to gather Heaven and Earth spiritual energy in a ratio that matches the amount of madness I already possess in order to ascend to the Heavenly Being stage?"

"That's right. It's such a unique case that I've only heard of it in legends. Yours is the first time I'm seeing it firsthand."

"..."

At her words, I can't help but inwardly click my tongue.

People say it's hard to be objective about oneself, but I have a rough idea of how mad I am.

'I need to gather enough Heaven and Earth spiritual energy to match my madness in order to breakthrough?'

Until now, I thought madness wouldn't be an issue when rising to the Heavenly Being stage since I know very well how mad I am.

But now, that madness is instead holding me back.

'If I have to gather Heaven and Earth spiritual energy to match my madness...'

Just how much will that entail?

Days pass.

Eventually, I calculated that to gather the insane amount of Heaven and Earth spiritual energy that is required, I will have to kill at least two or three cultivators at the Grand Perfection Four-Axis stage and extract their cultivation to even come close to managing the insane amount.

How could my madness be measured so accurately?

It's simple.

My madness is my life.

And the traces of my life are endlessly recorded through the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections.

In other words, the number of characters that appear in the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections is the size of my madness.

'It's impossible.'

A being at the Four-Axis stage is already akin to a small nature of Heaven and Earth.

I'm in a situation where reaching the Heavenly Being stage is impossible without swallowing that nature of Heaven and Earth whole. However, even if I use formations to draw in the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy, it will easily take at least 600 years.

Therefore, since I can't breakthrough to the Heavenly Being stage right now, the plan has to change.

'I'll find a cultivator at the Heavenly Being stage and descend to the Head Realm.'

Then, where can I find a friendly cultivator at the Heavenly Being stage to help me?

The answer is really simple.

"In the end, it seems you, senior, will have to use your power."

"Hmm. How?"

I look at Yeon Wei and throw a piece of flesh from my pocket into the air.

Plop!

The piece of flesh bursts in mid-air, transforming into Yuan Yu.

Yeon Wei frowns at the sight of Yuan Yu.

"Did you make a puppet learn the Taiji Quaking Lightning Body...?"

"That's right."

"Hmm, so you're telling me to go in there and take you down to the Head Realm.

I nod.

But Yeon Wei shakes her head.

"It's impossible in a short period. Why else would I, instead of being in someone else's body, cling to the body of my descendant Yeon Jin?"

"I've never switched bodies, so I wouldn't know."

"It's because the wavelengths don't match. Why do you think devilish cultivators who switch bodies use puppets made of their own bloodline or their descendants? It's because their descendants have a soul wavelength similar to their own, making it easier for their soul to enter."

Her explanation continues.

"That puppet was originally made based on someone else's bloodline, so the wavelength doesn't match, and it's even less compatible with me since it practiced devilish arts beforehand. It might be possible to enter it temporarily and exert some power, but to properly wield Heavenly Being-level abilities inside, the wavelength has to match even closer with mine."

As I listen to her explanation, I realize something.

"You said it's impossible 'in a short period.' Does that mean there's a way to match the wavelengths 'in the long term'?"

"Yeah, well... If I go inside and continuously synchronize my soul and wavelength with it, it might eventually be possible."

I ask, my eyes sparkling.

"Is there a way to shorten that process of synchronization?"

"There is. But it requires an enormous amount of life force. To force the wavelengths to match instantly with my Four-Axis level consciousness, the body I inhabit might instantly lose its vitality and die."

"If that's the case..."

"By the way, don't even say that the puppet is strong in life force because it learned devilish arts. Even the puppet's life force is insufficient, and one of the reasons the wavelengths don't match is precisely because of those devilish arts. Further increasing the devilish arts to replenish the puppet's vitality would only cause more repulsion in our wavelengths."

"No, that's not what I mean."

"Hmm?"

"There's a way to amplify this Blood Body's vitality purely, without resorting to devilish arts."

"Oh? Are you planning to share your own life force?"

"There's a better way."

I explain the method I know, and after listening to my explanation, she seems to consider it for a moment before nodding.

"Not bad. But even if we don't match the wavelengths through orthodox methods according to your way, it will still take a considerable amount of time. Moreover, it's a conspicuous method, so it's highly likely to be discovered by the Human Race, and it will attract all sorts of riffraff trying to capture you."

"How long do you estimate it will take?"

"At least 10 years. We will need 10 years. Are you confident you can last that long?"

"If I reveal my full abilities, it's entirely possible."

"What kind of confidence is that?"

Doubtful of my confidence, I show her the ace I have been hiding.

Sssshh—

As I clearly reveal the energy of the Formless Sword, Yeon Wei looks at me with a disgusted expression.

"Heart Tribe...!? Damn it. So that's how it is. I wondered how a mere Grand Perfection Nascent Soul stage youth could possess such madness... It's because you're from the Heart Tribe. No, more importantly, if it's discovered that you're from the Heart Tribe, it's certain that Four-Axis stage cultivators will come after you in droves!"

"It's okay. I'm confident I won't be caught."

Swoosh!

I cut through the air, disappearing in front of Yeon Wei.

Even she, with the consciousness of a Four-Axis cultivator, seems to have trouble finding me.

"... Well, fine. Heart Tribe or whatever, since it's hard to sense your existence at all, let's assume you won't be discovered as a member of the Heart Tribe. But still, you're saying you can last for as long as 10 years? When cultivators at the Four-Axis stage might come after you?"

I smirk.

"It's entirely possible."

"How?"

Without saying a word, I show her General Seo.

After seeing the power of General Seo, Yeon Wei is silent for a moment before nodding.

"Alright. Let's give it a try."

She stands up with a determined expression.

"To prevent a repeat of what happened 40,000 years ago, I'll return the Heavenly Lightning Banner. No matter what."

Thus begins the plan between Yeon Wei and me.

Kugugugung!

I use earth-burrowing spells to dig through the ground, descending underground.

Finally, I arrive at a crystal cave where a transparent lake is located.

Above the pristine crystal cave.

There, Yeon Wei and I arrive and float in the air, looking down below.

"Is this the Void Spirit Pond of the Devil Realm?"

"Yes, you can start from this vicinity."

"Alright. Anyway, I feel sorry for Jin-ah."

After she felt the seriousness of the current state of the Heavenly Lightning Banner and decided to properly help me, she chose to inhabit Yeon Jin's body for a while.

Ideally, I wanted to implant the Five Elements Blood Curse Banner or the Mysterious Bizarre Gu into Yeon Wei, who had tried to stab me in the back. But, since she swore on her Nascent Soul to help me until we properly resolve the Heavenly Lightning Banner, I decided to trust her one last time, considering my past life's friendship with Yeon Jin.

"Then, let's get started."

I take out the Vast Cold Jade I had stolen from the Human Race-occupied territory.

Then, I begin to insert the Vast Cold Jade into the location where the devil vein is situated.

Kugugugugu!

The Vast Cold Jade erodes the land of the Devil Realm, contaminating the land filled with devilish energy with spiritual energy.

In an instant, the devilish energy of the area is transformed into spiritual energy.

Yeon Wei sits near the Void Spirit Pond, near where the dragon vein converges, and begins to learn the Silica Earth Great Wall Practice I had taught her.

Then, I place Yuan Yu right in front of Yeon Wei and have Yuan Yu also learn the Silica Earth Great Wall Practice.

Gradually, as she masters the intricacies of the Silica Earth Great Wall Practice and seizes control of the nearby dragon vein, she starts to alter it using the formations she knows of.

She begins to deploy multiple layers of formations, including the one used to conceal the base of Polluted Yin Valley, to hide her presence.

The area that was once under the occupation of the Human Race in a previous life begins to be obscured by Yeon Wei's formations.

"Now, explain again the structure of the formation you mentioned."

"Yes, I will inform you about the Longevity Formation (長生陣)."

Longevity Formation.

Together with Cheongmun Ryeong, this formation was created to cultivate and grow the Longevity Tree, drawing nearby dragon veins to accumulate and convert into vitality.

I modified part of the formation, adapting the part that applies to trees to apply to both 'Yeon Wei' and 'Yuan Yu.'

"It's done."

In this way, if we accumulate Heaven and Earth spiritual energy for just 10 years, Yeon Wei will be able to forcibly synchronize the wavelengths when she takes over Yuan Yu's body, providing enough vitality for Yuan Yu's body to withstand it.

Thus, the plan is for Yeon Wei to enter Yuan Yu's body and exhibit the powers of the Heavenly Being stage to take me to the Head Realm where we will seal the Heavenly Lightning Banner.

'Given the current pace of the Human Race invasion force, it should take three years for them to bring their troops to this Void Spirit Pond.'

But three years is too short.

Regrettably for the Human Race, it is only right that it should take them longer to break through to this place.

'I will hold back the Human Race as much as possible.'

I will mobilize everything I can do to ensure they come much slower.

Click, click, click.

I spend my time making wooden figurines, modifying them into puppets on the spot.

'At least 3 years.'

During that period, I will create a legion of Nascent Soul stage puppets.

Creating too many mass-produced General Seos with the Mad Lord's circuits will cause a mental erosion similar to the effect of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress's circuit.

Therefore, even though I initially didn't create more than a certain number of mass-produced General Seos, now is not the time to worry about such limitations.

'For at least a period of three years, I must prepare for war.'

Along with the war, I contemplate ways to extend that three-year period.

With that firm resolution, I continue my preparations.

And so, five and a half years pass.

Creeeak...

Inside a hidden dark room.

The door to the secret room opens, and a woman dressed in golden robes enters the secret room.

"Jeon Myeong-hoon, I've finally found you."

Jin So-hae, with a face showing delight, speaks towards the darkness.

"It was difficult because of the recent incident involving the Mad Lord's Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress waging war with the Earth Tribe's True Dragon Alliance, but in the end, we succeeded in catching the tail of Seo Eun-hyun!"

The next moment.

Step, step...

A man in golden robes walks out from the darkness.

"Is that true, So-hae?"

"Yes. Contrary to the intelligence department's prediction that he was involved with the Mad Lord's rampage to hunt down all the Dragon Races, he is actually in the True Devil Realm. There is much more solid evidence compared to the ambiguous traces of Seo Eun-hyun found on the Mad Lord's side."

"The True Devil Realm...!"

The man in golden robes, Jeon Myeong-hoon, receives the letters handed by Jin So-hae and skims through them.

"... I see. He clashed with the advancing Human Race Army?"

"Yes."

"... It's time, So-hae."

Jeon Myeong-hoon's eyes sparkle.

"It's time to catch that traitor."

Crackle!

Jeon Myeong-hoon clenches his fist tightly.

Red lightning bursts forth from him.

Jin So-hae looks at Jeon Myeong-hoon with awe.

In the past five years.

Jeon Myeong-hoon had successfully risen to the Grand Perfection of the Nascent Soul stage.