Chapter 281 - 18th Cycles First Day

Rustle—

I open my eyes and gather my thoughts.

"Seo Eun-hyun."

'Did I die again this time…?'

"Seo Eun-hyun."

It was a good life.

"Seo Eun-hyun!"

Although it was painful...

"Hey, Seo Eun-hyun!!!"

And then.

I.

Feel.

Something.

Strange.

'…Huh?'

"... Jeon Myeong-hoon?"

I look at Jeon Myeong-hoon who is beside me.

Hong Fan.

Yeon Jin.

"... Where is this?"

My eyes waver.

The place is under a strange night sky filled with constellations I had never seen before.

At the center of that night sea, there is a small island floating, and the sky is gradually filling with Heavenly Tribulation and starting to collapse.

"…Huh???"

My eyes widen in panic.

"What?????"

"Eh? What are you saying, Seo Eun-hyun?"

"Master, are you feeling unwell? Please, tell us."

Jeon Myeong-hoon and Hong Fan look at me with worried eyes.

In my confusion, I clutch my head.

'Has the regression point... been fixed... again???'

It's an utterly baffling situation.

Traveling between dimensions.

Ascending from a lower realm to the upper realm had all been done before.

But even then, there had never been an instance of regression fixing itself.

But this time, it was fixed.

'Why???'

My head feels like it is going to burst from confusion.

And this place is….

'The stomach of that bizarre life form?'

Why on earth had it fixed here of all places?

'No, maybe that's actually better.'

I quickly cool my head.

Everything is too confusing, and I want to contemplate my feelings.

However, there is the imminent danger of Hon Won right before us.

Kugugugu!

The world is collapsing rapidly.

And we are about to enter the Bright Cold Realm, riding the flow of attraction.

This path will lead us to confront Hon Won once again.

It isn't bad that the regression had been fixed right before Hon Won.

I ponder as we are about to enter the Bright Cold Realm

There are three attractions pulling me. The attraction of the Flying Immortal Platform. The attraction of the Nether Crossing Ship. The attraction of the immortal beast blood.'

At the Flying Immortal Platform, Hon Won resides.

However, I know nothing about the Nether Crossing Ship and the immortal beast blood.

'First, I won't follow the immortal beast blood.'

Since it involves immortal beasts, I decide to be cautious because I don't know what could happen.

The memory of being overwhelmed by the Lustrous Glaze Peacock's light belonging to Oh Hye-seo makes me extra wary.

I look towards the pull led by the Nether Crossing Ship.

'Is this related to the Nether Ghost Realm or Black Ghost Valley?'

Either way, I'm wary.

After a moment of contemplation, I decide to follow the attraction of the Flying Immortal Platform.

'It's fine. I know too little about the other two places. According to Jin Wei's words, if we can just escape the Heaven-Earth central territory, Hon Won won't follow. So, let's try the Flying Immortal Platform with a high chance of escaping first.'

I take a piece of flesh from my pocket and throw it towards the place led by the attraction of the Nether Crossing Ship.

Wo-woong!

It's Yuan Yu.

I insert a Mysterious Bizarre Gu into Yuan Yu's flesh, and later, when it enters another place through that attraction, I plan to find out its location.

'Well, that's all the preparation I can do for now.'

I look at Jeon Myeong-hoon, Hong Fan, and Yeon Jin and say,

"When we enter the Bright Cold Realm, we'll escape the Heaven-Earth central territory with all our might. Got it?"

"Huh? Why?"

"Just do as I say. There's a high chance that Hon Won will flip out and chase after us."

"Hmm, is it because of your bounty?"

"It's not about my bounty… It's because of his mental illness. Anyway, if Jin Wei's words are true, he won't follow beyond the Heaven-Earth central territory, so we must escape quickly."

"Hmm, maybe it would be better if we enter your Peach Garden Painting and you escape alone."

I had already unfolded the Peach Garden Painting, capable of containing spiritual beings and people, and prepared for the impact of the dimensional barrier.

Kwaaaang!

We leap through the dimensional barrier, and as soon as Jeon Myeong-hoon lands on the Flying Immortal Platform, he grabs Hong Fan and Yeon Jin and plunges into the Peach Garden Painting I had spread out.

After folding the Peach Garden Painting, before the Four-Axis stage inspectors can even spot us,

I quickly activate the Three Great Ultimates and entered a paused world.

In that very state, I roll my foot.

Paaaang!

Frantically, I break away from the Heaven-Earth Palace like mad.

Gyu-baek had once shown me a sky route that allows me to successfully escape the boundary of the Heaven-Earth Palace.

'Just 50,000 more li and I'll be out of the Heaven-Earth central territory.'

I quickly passed the 10,000 li mark, then the 20,000 li, and the 30,000 li mark.

And finally, when I am just 10,000 li away from surpassing 40,000 li,

Kugugugu!

'No, Hon Won is coming!'

I feel a chilling killing intent from behind and speed up even more.

That's when it happens.

Wo-woong!

"...!?"

Suddenly, the distance in front of me,

That is, the [distance] between the end of the Heaven-Earth territory and me begins 'stretching.'

At the same time, I see Hon Won chasing after me from behind.

Step, step, step

Hon Won is not using the Flying Escape Technique.

With every step he takes, space itself is folding.

He is using the shrinking earth technique to chase after me.

'That's Integration stage…'

I only possess the combat power of the Integration stage.

But I don't possess the 'abilities' of an Integration stage cultivator.

It's said that one can freely twist space starting from the Integration stage, and it seems he is trying to bind me in this way.

Bo-woong!

I raise the Colorless Glass Sword towards the twisting space in front of me.

And with that stance, I slash down!

Bo-woong, Kwaaaang!

The distorted space tears open entirely, revealing the void.

I enter the void and madly dash towards the end of the Heaven-Earth territory.

Kugugugu!

From behind, a giant palm-shaped energy wave bearing the form of Yin and Yang is flying towards me.

I don't confront it head-on but use all my strength to dodge his strike and almost reach the very end of the Heaven-Earth territory!

'Now!!!'

That's when it happens.

Bo-woong!

An ominous sensation licks my back.

I can't ignore that sinister aura and turn back.

And I'm startled.

Woo-woong!

Centered on Hon Won, a spherical dimensional barrier formed and is engulfing the area, chasing after me.

'Damn it!'

Hon Won is deploying his domain.

I intuitively realize that if I am caught in that domain, escaping the Heaven-Earth territory will be meaningless, further intensifying my consciousness acceleration.

My head feels like it's about to burst!

My overheated upper dantian might explode at any moment!

But I don't stop. Instead, I ignite all the energy in my body and increase my speed even further.

Kugugugu!

But his domain, eerily similar to the dimensional barrier, almost reaches my toes.

'Faster!'

And at that moment!

Paaaaat!

I finally feel that I have escaped the Heaven-Earth territory.

'The nature of the dragon vein has changed!'

Mortals divide their territories by land.

However, cultivators divide their territories based on the qualities of the dragon veins and separate the areas accordingly.

And finally, I have left the dragon vein zone flowing with the unique energy of the Heaven-Earth central territory!

'Now, I've escaped Hon Won's grasp!'

I turn around with a victorious smile.

As expected, according to the Golden Guard, Hon Won's territory did not extend beyond the Heaven-Earth Boundary but was trembling within it.

Just as Jin Wei had said, Hon Won's domain does not cross over the Heaven-Earth territory and is wavering inside

'Now that I have escaped from Hon Won…'

That's when I feel it.

Wo-woong!

I see Hon Won's domain shrinking.

"...!"

His domain shrinks smaller and smaller, reducing to the size of Hon Won's body.

And the shrunken domain of Hon Won perfectly fits his body shape, as if clothed upon him.

Feeling an ominous dread, I don't stop but maintain my speed.

And, Hon Won, 'wearing' his domain on his body, steps out of the Heaven-Earth territory with a stern expression!

'Jin Wei, that useless human!'

Not coming out, what do you mean not coming out!

He's perfectly coming out!!!

Paaatt!

Hon Won begins chasing me using the Flying Escape Technique.

Being the Flying Escape Technique of an Integration stage Grand Cultivator, his speed is rapidly catching up to me, who activated the Three Great Ultimates.

Moreover, the Flying Escape Technique is inherently meant for long-distance travel, so the gap between us as I flee in a straight line is closing fast.

'Just a bit more, hold on just a bit!'

I squeeze out every bit of energy from my body to escape from him.

I cross countless mountains and rivers, pass through bizarre swamps, and overcome snowy mountains and lava regions.

Hon Won relentlessly chases me like a madman for about half a day, and soon, the distance between him and me had shrunk to within 10 li.

'Damn, damn, damn!!!'

And at that moment, when I feel threatened for my life.

Paaaatt!

Suddenly, Hon Won stops right there.

'Is, is he not chasing any more!?'

However, I clench my teeth when I see the black and white Demon-Immortal energy swirling in his hands.

'He's going to attack!'

Kugugugu!

The Yin and Yang energy of Heaven and Earth swirl all around.

And the energy of the Five Elements block the Five Directions.

[Mount Tai!]

"Huaaaaaaaa!!!"

With all my might, I swing the Colorless Glass Sword towards the Yin Yang Five Elements binding.

[Splitting Emperor!]

Kwooooooong!

Heaven and Earth brightly light up.

And just by a hair's breadth, I manage to puncture a hole through the Yin Yang Five Elements prison and narrowly escape the attack range of the Mount Tai Splitting Emperor Technique.

The attack range was significantly reduced due to being outside the Heaven-Earth territory, and the durability of the Yin Yang Five Elements barrier considerably weakened, making it possible.

Paaaatt!

I continue to flee madly, and I notice that Hon Won no longer pursues me after launching that attack.

'Th-thank goodness…'

It seems the attack he had launched was one out of desperation, thinking he could no longer catch me.

Cough, cough cough!

Drip, drip drip….

Integration stage Grand Cultivator Hon Won frowns as he sees the blood flowing from his mouth.

"Jin Wei… If it weren't for that monster…"

Chiiii―

The Yin and Yang energies within the blood he spilled are widely entangled and twisting.

"It seems I need to return to the Heaven-Earth territory. My energies are starting to tangle again. And… Hon Won's eyes follow the direction Seo Eun-hyun had escaped to.

"I need to issue the bounty again."

Crunch!

Hon Won grasps the void, pulling it towards him.

At the same time, the coordinates he had planted in the Heaven-Earth Palace resonate with him, beginning to warp space.

Kuguguguk!

Boom!

Space crumples, creating a spatial gate between where Hon Won stands and the Heaven-Earth Palace.

Hon Won returns to the Heaven-Earth Palace and absorbs the energies of the central territory, shouting out loud.

His voice vibrates the spiritual energy of Heaven and Earth, echoing throughout the Heaven-Earth Palace..

"Inspectors of the Four-Axis stage in the Heaven-Earth Palace, hear me. Cease all your current tasks, enter the spatial gate I created, and capture the fugitive who refused to register their identity and fled from the Heaven-Earth Palace. He is extremely dangerous. If he resists, it's permissible to take his life!"

Upon his command, 15 of the 36 Four-Axis stage inspectors at the Heaven-Earth Palace begin to move to capture Seo Eun-hyun.

Hon Won ponders to himself.

'Even if he escaped from me, an Integration stage Grand Cultivator, the cultivation I felt from him was that of the Heavenly Being stage. Having drained so much energy, surely he won't be able to defeat this many Four-Axis stage cultivators. He might have been able to escape from me who has limited mobility by risking his life, but unless a cultivator of the same caliber appears, he won't be able to block a force of this level…'

Even fleeing will not be easy.

Since fleeing from him would have already drained a lot of his energy.

Hon Won settles into a meditative pose and begins circulating his energy, expecting Seo Eun-hyun to be dragged before him soon.

Paaaatt!

How long have I been fleeing?

By now, I have gotten so far that not even a trace of Hon Won, let alone Hon Won himself, can be seen.

Only now can I finally breathe a sigh of relief.

'Huuu… finally…'

I stop and take a deep breath.

'I've successfully escaped.'

But now that I escaped the crisis, the confusion I have been suppressing spreads like wildfire in my chest.

'Why… why did the regression point fix itself?'

I ponder, recalling the commonalities between the previous and current fixed points of regression.

'Head Realm.'

That is it.

The fixation of the regression point occurred right after ascending from the Head Realm both times.

If such events had occurred twice, I can't help but think there must be some connection between the fixation of the regression point and the Head Realm.

Thinking about the fixed regression point brings all sorts of emotions boiling up in my chest again.

'... Ah, I see.'

Trickle…

Jin Hwi, Hong Su-ryeong, and other precious ones,

Jin Byuk-ho, Jin Jin-chan, Jin So-hae, and others who could have been saved.

Now, I can never meet them again.

No matter if they are different from those in my past lives.

No matter if I perceive them as different people.

Perhaps I unconsciously identified them as the same.

I shed tears over the fact that I can never see them again.

'Thank you.'

Still, I have no regrets.

I have indeed done everything I could.

And the fact that time has been fixed means that all my actions so far aren't just passing into the void of time.

Deep in my heart, I convey my mourning, sorrow, and apologies to those who had already died, and at the same time, I express deep gratitude to those I had saved.

As I contemplate with my eyes closed, it happens.

Kugugugu!

With the sound of air tearing apart, about a dozen cultivators fly to my surroundings and encircle me.

"You, scoundrel! In the world you lived in, you might have strutted around as a Heavenly Being stage cultivator and everyone stepped back, but how dare you create such chaos in the Bright Cold Realm!"

"Come along quietly tied up. If you resist, we will subdue you by force!"

"It seems you somehow wriggled forth everything and fled from Lord Grand Cultivator, but the Heaven-Earth Palace Lord deliberately didn't chase after you because leaving the Heaven-Earth territory would severely worsen his condition"

I chuckle at their noisy ranting.

"…I've set my goal."

"Huh?"

"What did he say?"

I cross my arms thoughtfully, sort out my emotions, and clarify my goals.

'My goal in this life is... to obtain the Mount Tai Splitting Emperor Technique. And... Now that I have stabilized Jeon Myeong-hoon, it's time to save Hyun-seok Hyung-nim by protecting Azure Tiger Saint.'

Azure Tiger Saint will ultimately die at the hands of the Blood Yin Realm's Esteemed One.

So, what should I do to prevent Azure Tiger Saint from dying?

Just ensure Azure Tiger Saint does not encounter the Blood Yin Esteemed One.

'The war between the True Devil Realm and the Human Race will soon end.'

The Grand Cultivators of the True Devil Realm will start counterattacking, and the Human Race will be disastrously defeated.

Oh Hyun-seok is currently in the True Devil Realm, so it should be feasible to call him back to the Bright Cold Realm.

'Moreover, in this life, let's try to survive for a long time and watch over Kang Min-hee's condition, Kim Yeon's mental health, and Seo Hweol's schemes as much as possible.'

Mount Tai Splitting Emperor Technique,

Preventing the mental collapse of Oh Hyun-seok through the survival of Azure Tiger Saint,

And long-term survival are the goals of this life.

I look up at the 15 Four-Axis stage inspectors pressing around me and smirk.

"And... to summon Oh Hyun-seok, I'll need the power of the Human Race Grand Alliance... To exercise power within the Human Race Grand Alliance, first..."

I pull out the Colorless Glass Sword from my mouth while grinning.

"I'll need some fame, right?"

Currently, with the Grand Cultivators of the Heaven Tribe laying low due to the aftermath of the Owner of Heavenly Punishment.

Showing Grand Cultivator-level power now, the Grand Alliance will surely want to enlist me, regardless of my past enmities with Hon Won.

"This arrogant fool. Lord Grand Cultivator said it's okay to kill if he resists…"

Kwaang!

A Four-Axis stage cultivator fires a light bullet from his fingertip towards me.

Though it appears weak, it's a forceful blow that would fatally tire and kill a typical Heavenly Being stage cultivator!

And towards him, I swing the Colorless Glass Sword.

Kwaaang!

Space splits, and along with the light bullet, the Four-Axis stage cultivator who fired it, Is cleaved in half without even a chance to react.