Chapter 494 - Eve of the End (終末前夜) (5)

Ziiiing!

I extend my consciousness domain and lower my gaze.

My consciousness domain has expanded to an immense size.

'This entire star system...feels as though it fits in the palm of my hand.'

Everything within a radius of 0.6 light-years enters my mind.

Within this range, I am omniscient.

'Though I only did the advancement ritual using the Heaven Tribe Method and haven't yet achieved Heaven and Earth Dual Cultivation, at this level, I probably wouldn't easily lose to anyone.'

Wo-woong!

Behind me, instead of the Three Great Ultimates, a Wheel emerges.

It is a wheel with eight spokes.

I can sense it.

The cultivation of the Sacred Vessel stage will require me to fully materialize these eight spokes.

The cultivation of the eight types of fates that Baek Woon spoke of.

That is the cultivation of the Sacred Vessel stage, and it seems this goal is represented by these spokes.

'I should ask other Sacred Vessels for more details.'

With that thought, I look downward.

I can see the people of Mengyun Star all looking shocked.

After all, with the disappearance of seven stars, it's only natural for them to be alarmed.

However, among all the confusion, the most startled must surely be...

'The Candle Dragon Race.'

The Candle Dragon Race have all been relocated to Mengyun Star.

Although there are minor differences among the Candle Dragon Race who had lived on the seven stars, they all ultimately originate from me, so the differences aren't significant.

The race that had evolved while living in the hell that was my world, that is the Candle Dragon Race.

Although they initially express some dissatisfaction about the slightly lower levels of Heaven and Earth spiritual energy, they quickly settle into Mengyun Star's heaven-like environment, each finding a spot to lie down in contentment.

'But this is strange.'

I feel a hint of puzzlement as I observe the Candle Dragon Race.

'Is it normal for a completely unheard-of race to emerge during the Sacred Vessel advancement ritual?'

I decide to ask someone more knowledgeable about this phenomenon later. For now, I store a sample of the Candle Dragon Race's bloodline genes in my world and move on to find someone else.

It is Kang Min-hee.

Finding her is easy.

She is still floating upside down alongside Seo Ran, absorbing her scattered fragments.

'It seems she's almost completed her advancement as well.'

But perhaps due to her connection to the Underworld through the Flawless Mantra...

The more Kang Min-hee finds her essence, the more she seems to lose her former self.

Once bright and cheerful, the more she absorbs the fragments, the more she seems to lose her human appearance. She is changing to resemble the Ghost Guiding Holy Mother and is visibly losing her rationality.

Seo Ran, who once protected Kang Min-hee, is now being dragged around by her.

I frown slightly as I glance at Seo Ran.

[... Now that I think about it...]

Two thousand years ago.

I had briefly opened my eyes.

At that time, when I swept through Kang Min-hee's surroundings with my consciousness domain, I had seen her accompanied by Blood Yin, Seo Hweol, and Seo Ran.

Back then, I was too out of my mind to give it much thought, but in retrospect, it was absurd.

'I can overlook Blood Yin, but... Seo Hweol, that bastard...'

I have no idea when he managed to blend in with Kang Min-hee.

Snap!

I snap my fingers and Seo Ran appears before me in an instant.

Kang Min-hee looks startled below, but this isn't the time to pay attention to that.

[Ah! S-Senior?]

[Stay still for a moment.]

I place a hand on Seo Ran's shoulder with my eyes gleaming.

Wo-woong!

The Wheel rises behind me.

I incorporate Seo Ran's consciousness domain into the rotation of my consciousness.

[Senior! Ugh! My consciousness feels like it's about to scatter!]

[Don't worry. I'm just pulling out something vile.]

After some time.

From within Seo Ran's consciousness, dark and dirty things begin pouring out like a swarm of bugs.

[Come out at once, snake-scorpion bastard!]

Finally, all the black things within Seo Ran's consciousness burst forth.

Wududuk!

I clench my hand and attraction force condenses, causing all the black things that came from Seo Ran to explode except one.

Everything my gaze touches burns away, leaving no trace behind.

Squirm, squirm...

After some time.

The final black fragment writhes, taking on a human shape.

I hastily transfer Seo Ran into my world and glare at the bastard.

[What do you think you're doing, Seo Hweol?]

[Nothing much. Just struggling, that's all.]

[... You...]

I glare at Seo Hweol.

His entire body, for who knows what reason, has taken on a faint reddish hue compared to when he absorbed Hyeon Eum.

Unlike Hyeon Eum, who had been covered entirely in a black robe, Seo Hweol is now cloaked in a dark red robe.

[I devoured Blood Yin's clone. It was fortunate. If Blood Yin hadn't been busy subjugating Ja Eum, I wouldn't have gotten the chance. Now, I've crawled right up to Blood Yin's doorstep. I should thank Daoist Seo.]

[... There's no way you've only done such things to Blood Yin. Since you've meddled in Kang Min-hee's advancement ritual, didn't you do something to her as well!?]

[My apologies, but I'm not bold enough to attempt such things to the Ghost Guiding Holy Mother. Who knows what might happen if I were to again peek [beyond] within her? Hoho...]

I glare at him as I speak.

[What are you planning to do with Seo Ran?]

[... Ten thousand years have passed. That much time is more than enough to extend my dominion across the corners of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain. In truth, the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain has been practically vacant thanks to Golden Divine's Lightning Sacred Sea sealing it off. It's no different from an empty house.]

[Don't dodge the question!]

[In any case, what I want to say is... I've nearly gained complete control of the Lightning Sacred Sea. I've reached the point where I could create opportunities at will for your comrade, Jeon Myeong-hoon, to leave. And...with that level of control over the Lightning Sacred Sea, I can accomplish other things as well. For example, I could prevent True Immortals from other Heavenly Domains from interfering here at greater degree or...]

[You...!]

Huarurururuk!

Black flames spill from my entire body as I approach him.

[Do you want to taste real fire? Is that why you're changing the topic with me in front of you?]

[In short, the one who has been preventing Daoist Seo from being abducted during his advancement all this time was none other than me. If you wish, I could slightly release the Lightning Sacred Sea's sealing authority.]

It is then.

Chwaaaak!

A terrifying light bursts from my left shoulder, beginning to pull me.

'Th-This, what in the world...?'

A distant place.

Beyond the Heavenly Domain!

From there, I see eight colossal giants of light.

Among them, the illusion of the fifth seat beckoning me flickers before my eyes.

'I-I'm being dragged in!'

: : So you have finally risen. Come here. You are to become the Immortal Treasure of this Immortal... : :

From the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain, [that being] is calling for me!

I'm horrified, knowing that if I lose my focus, I'll be dragged away entirely.

It's at that moment.

Snap!

When Seo Hweol snaps his fingers, I freeze in place on the spot.

[... Ha. So you were blocking this?]

[One could say so. There's no need for concern. As long as I'm in control of the Lightning Sacred Sea, Daoist Seo won't have to worry about being dragged off immediately. Of course...]

He points upward with his finger.

[It would be wise to avoid entering the Bright Cold Realm. If you were to go there, even with my block in place, you'd be pulled straight into the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain.]

[What?]

[Think about the name of the Bright Cold Realm.]

[...]

It was once the world of 'Vast Cold (廣寒),' but now it is the world of 'Bright Cold (光寒; lit. light + cold).'

It is the world of light.

'Baek Woon is already a universally acknowledged Saint of Light. It wouldn't be surprising if I were dragged away through Baek Woon.'

[... Fine. I'll delay questioning you until a little later.]

In any case, avoiding the End is the priority for now.

I'll rescue Jeon Myeong-hoon, enter Yang Su-jin's treasure vault, and retrieve the symbols of the Middle Realm.

After returning the symbols, I'll head to the Purple Gold Realm, where they desperately seek a successor. If I go there, they would certainly accept me.

[For now, we will depart for the Lightning Sacred Sea with my comrades! Tell me where they are.]

[Hoho. If Daoist Seo is searching for his comrades...they are all currently with the refuge space.]

[Refuge space?]

[That's right. It is a refuge space centered around Sacred Master Baek Woon. Fortunately, Daoist Seo's comrades who hail from his homeland have all reached the Star Shattering stage or its equivalent, allowing them to enter the space alongside Sacred Master Baek Woon to escape the End.]

[... You're saying I can't call for them right now?]

[It's entirely possible. However, the refuge space operates on the principle that each individual within anchors themselves to the formation as its axis, creating their own domain within the space. If they were to leave now, it would likely be difficult for them to reenter once the End begins.]

[...]

I deliberate for a long time.

The fact that all my comrades from my homeland have reached the Star Shattering stage likely means that Kim Yeon has also reached a similar level, or a realm comparable to it.

There's no need to worry about my comrades.

[... Then, does that mean only you and I will go?]

[One could say so.]

Seo Hweol shrugs his shoulders as if it doesn't matter.

[Please do not worry about me. My wife is safely within that space as well. In case of an emergency, she will survive and scatter me in the new world.]

[... You plague-like bastard.]

[Hoho, thank you for the compliment. And there's no need to worry about the Ghost Mother down below either.]

[I already know that.]

Even if the End occurs, Kang Min-hee will be protected by the Underworld faction.

I can feel that as she advances to the Sacred Vessel stage, she is transforming to become the [vessel] of some existence.

She is likely becoming the vessel for one of the exalted Reapers of the Underworld.

'In that sense, there's no need to worry about Kang Min-hee's life for now.'

The Reapers of the Underworld will protect her.

[Because of that, Daoist Seo doesn't need to worry about anything. Daoist Seo just needs to come with me, rescue Jeon Myeong-hoon from the Lightning Sacred Sea, and enter the 108th floor of the Lightning Sacred Sea.]

[... Understood.]

I try to look for Hong Fan but realize he isn't here, so I nod in acknowledgment.

Hong Fan is likely also preparing his own domain within Sacred Master Baek Woon's refuge space.

I head toward the Path of Stars and close my eyes, envisioning the jade plaque that serves as the key to the Path of Stars.

The Esteemed Ones of ten thousand years ago were helpless without the key to the Path of Stars, but I don't face such limitations.

Paaatt!

The jade plaque from that time manifests above my hand.

My heart essence has now become a complete world, and I am able to bring anything from within that world into reality.

Heart essence is ultimately my heart.

It can be transformed in accordance with my thoughts and the will I express.

Therefore, if I imagine the jade plaque, I can manifest it whenever I want.

[Open, Path of Stars.]

Wo-woong!

I step on the Path of Stars in the direction of the Peaceful Cloud Realm, heading towards the Lightning Sacred Sea.

I will rescue Jeon Myeong-hoon and survive from within the End.

And I will completely free Kang Min-hee from the Underworld's attraction force.

I will, without fail...!

How long have I been traveling the Path of Stars with Seo Hweol?

At some point along the way, I pause atop a planet.

[Wait. I have some matters on this planet.]

[Then please, attend to it. I'll be waiting here.]

With those words, he disperses into the darkness and hides.

I turn my gaze to the ground below and speak.

[It's been a while, Senior Jinlu. Have you been well all this time?]

The one I have come to meet is Jinlu Gok, the Human Race Entering Nirvana Quasi-Immortal.

[I have come because I have something I wish to ask you.]

But no answer comes.

I click my tongue and reveal the Wheel behind my back.

[Please lend me your ear for a moment. And please stop pretending to sleep.]

Dududududu...!

As I begin to draw out my power, I can feel the entire star trembling.

Perhaps the voice of a Sacred Vessel can't be ignored, as I can feel Jinlu Gok making his presence known in irritation.

[... Damn it. Why are you bothering this Immortal so much?]

[Junior Seo Eun-hyun has come with a question. As a senior of the same Human Race, I ask for your guidance.]

[The End is not far off, and yet you're truly making this bothersome! If you're looking for a way to avoid the End, I have nothing to say other than to head to the Middle Realm and join the formation led by Baek Woon. Well...not that it would matter if that [Arrogant God] crawls over to the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain to bring about the true End. There's no answer to that.]

Jinlu Gok speaks in an annoyed tone, facing me in just his planet state without even forming an incarnation.

However, I shake my head.

[That's not it. Senior, do you perhaps...know anything in detail about the advancement ritual for the Sacred Vessel stage?]

I have come to Jinlu Gok regarding my curiosity about both my situation and the situation of the Candle Dragon Race.

If it's Jinlu Gok who held a position similar to being a disciple of Lofty Dragon, I thought he might know.

After a moment of contemplation, Jinlu Gok opens his mouth.

[Creating a species while advancing to the Sacred Vessel stage is rare, but not unheard of. Back when this Immortal served as the high priest of Lofty Dragon, I once saw such a method described in an ancient tome they gave me.]

[Ah...! Is that so?]

His explanation continues.

But the more I listen to his words, the more I can't help but let out low sighs.

[... In this way, those who occasionally advance to the Sacred Vessel stage by creating a species end up creating a race that they themselves belong to.]

[... Is it truly impossible to create a race that has no relation to oneself?]

[From what I know, that's impossible. In the case of the Human Race...depending on the cultivation method, there can be variations 'racially'. For instance, a Yellow Human Race cultivator advancing to the Sacred Vessel stage might create a White Human Race or Black Human Race. However, I've never read in any ancient tome about something like a 'Candle Dragon' emerging from the body of a Human Race cultivator.]

[...]

'Why on earth did they emerge in the first place?'

At the time of my advancement to the Sacred Vessel stage, my reasoning had been clouded, so I hadn't noticed anything strange at the time. But now that I think about it, it's incredibly bizarre.

[To begin with, are you even human?]

[Pardon?]

[For an ordinary human, even if they advanced in such a manner, a human should have emerged as an intelligent entity. But that's not the case for you. Something entirely different emerged. This means that some 'strange' information is embedded in the blueprint of your life. Generally, creating a race this way is influenced by your life's original blueprint. Do you, by any chance, originally possess some kind of Immortal Beast True Blood or anything like that?]

After hesitating for a moment, I raise my hand in front of him.

Chiiiiiii—

A faint, hazy mist flickers over my hand.

[This is the only Immortal Beast True Blood I possess. Moreover, this is not even a true bloodline but 'Immortal Beast talent' or 'seed' that one obtains by living more than ten times the lifespan of their race.]

[Hmm...]

Paatt!

When I manifest the seed of the Immortal Beast True Blood I've awakened and let it float above my hand, he, who up until now has only shown me an attitude of being bothered, immediately forms an incarnation and begins inspecting the seed.

[... It's true that the seed of an Immortal Beast is something inevitably acquired by those at the Four-Axis stage and above, but yours is a little unusual.]

[In what way is it unusual?]

[... It's too much!]

[Pardon?]

[How old are you, exactly?]

[... Roughly...hmm...about 10,800 years old.]

Jinlu Gok looks at me with a dumbfounded expression before clicking his tongue.

[A 10,800-year-old Sacred Vessel...what a monstrous brat. Are you the reincarnation of Yang Su-jin? In any case, here's what's strange about your bloodline. Clearly, you are only 10,800 years old, but the depth of history accumulated in this energy is...hundreds of thousands—no, millions, tens of millions of years! Does that even make sense?]

I clear my throat and inform him that I cultivated using a certain Immortal Art that created a perceived sense of time equivalent to twenty million years.

Upon hearing this, Jinlu Gok strokes his chin thoughtfully, then shakes his head.

[If you used an Immortal Art that prolongs perceived time...then I suppose this amount of time is understandable. But even so, it's still strange. Are you really human? If you used an Immortal Art that extends perceived time, then what emerged should still be human. So why in the world would something like that Candle Dragon Race emerge...?]

With an expression that says he can't understand it at all, he prods at the energy of the Immortal Beast True Blood.

As he continues to observe the energy, his eyes suddenly light up as though he's discovered something.

[This... I see. There's something abnormal.]

[What do you mean by abnormal?]

[A transformation has occurred.]

[A transformation? What kind of transformation?]

His eyes gleam as he carefully examines the energy of the Immortal Beast True Blood.

[Nearly...900 times...no. About a thousand transformations have been made to your true blood. I don't know what happened, but your true blood bears traces of cycles of time, life, and death being imposed upon it. About a thousand times... As a result, it seems your true blood has transformed from being human to something as far removed as the Candle Dragon Race.]

[...]

[Does anything come to mind?]

I let out a low groan.

Immortal Beast True Blood is a type of 'information' in the form of blood.

It is something that infuses the history of the subject into Heaven and Earth spiritual energy, granting power.

My Immortal Beast True Blood has undergone at least 998 mutations due to regression, and as a result, it seems I have transformed from the Human Race into the Candle Dragon Race bloodline.

[... I do have some guesses, but... I will study it more thoroughly later. That is, if I survive the End.]

[Do as you please. Then, there's nothing else you need to ask, right?]

[No. Thank—]

[Then get lost! There are too many beings entangled with you, so I have no desire to face you!]

Paatt!

Before I realize it, I find myself transported to the next planet under Jinlu Gok's yell.

It seems Jinlu Gok forcibly activated the Path of Stars to send me away.

I smirk and quickly proceed along the Path of Stars, heading toward the Lightning Sacred Sea.

'Later, if the opportunity arises, I'll need to study the bloodline factors of the Candle Dragon Race stored in my world.'

It's clear that the Candle Dragon Race is undoubtedly connected to my regressions.

Kwarururung!

As I arrive at the Lightning Sacred Sea, I slightly furrow my brows.

'What in the world...?'

The Lightning Sacred Sea, until recently, had just been a ring finger-shaped dimension enveloped in a dimensional barrier.

But now, true to its name, the entire ring finger-shaped dimension is ablaze with lightning fire.

Kwa-jijijijijik!

Multi-coloured and multi-shaped lightning rages like crazy, burning across every corner of the Lightning Sacred Sea.

[... Seo Hweol. Do you know why the Lightning Sacred Sea is in this state?]

Sururuk—

Emerging from the darkness, Seo Hweol, cloaked in a dark-red robe, shakes his head with a puzzled expression.

[That, I'm not sure about either. My guess is that Golden Shaking Bird is doing something through the one called Jeon Myeong-hoon.]

[Is it some kind of ritual through the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body?]

[Given the situation, it seems best for Daoist Seo to enter alone. Please leave Seo Ran to me. I'll take good care of him while Daoist Seo is gone.]

[Don't spout nonsense. Either way, if I fail this time, Seo Ran will die because the End will come. If I don't fail, Seo Ran staying with me is...better than leaving him with you.]

[Hoho...how dependable.]

'As expected, it's better for Seo Ran to be with me.'

If I were to interpret Seo Hweol language, it would mean that keeping Seo Ran with me is more of a loss to him.

'After rescuing Jeon Myeong-hoon and Kang Min-hee, I'll have to find out why he's so obsessed with Seo Ran.'

[Now then, we shall enter the Lightning Sacred Sea. Use all your power to create an opening.]

[Understood. Then, I wish for a safe return...]

Leaving Seo Hweol behind, I enter the Lightning Sacred Sea.

Inside, I witness an uncanny sight.

'That's...!'

A sudden chill runs through my entire body, and I instinctively try to leave the Lightning Sacred Sea.

Kwarururng!

But for some reason, red lightning erupts and seals off the exit to the outside.

'Seo Hweol...did you scheme something again...?!'

Biting my lips tightly, I glare at the upper levels of the Lightning Sacred Sea.

'It doesn't matter. No matter what schemes you've laid, I have every confidence I can break through! As long as I reach the 100th floor, I can leave again. Let's clear the way to the 100th floor quickly!'

On the first floor of the Tower of Trials.

I turn my gaze to the hundreds of millions of Qi Gathering stage Thunder Beasts.

The Thunder Beasts are all kneeling, hands clasped together and assumed in a posture as if they are praying to someone.

The sight inexplicably reminds me of a past nightmare, but I shake my head.

'Seo Hweol must be controlling the Thunder Beasts through Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens.'

There's no way the Thunder Beasts of Yang Su-jin, the enemy of the Owner of Heavenly Punishment, would suddenly be praying to the Owner of Heavenly Punishment.

It must be because they have been infected by Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens as per Seo Hweol's plan.

'Whatever schemes you're plotting, they won't work, Seo Hweol!'

Remaining as wary of Seo Hweol as possible, I move upward to rescue Jeon Myeong-hoon.

Watching Seo Eun-hyun enter the Lightning Sacred Sea, Seo Hweol chuckles softly.

[... As you interpret my words in reverse, for today, I've spoken plainly. Truly...for you to help me this much, I find you utterly dependable, Daoist Seo...]

Gazing at the Lightning Sacred Sea for a moment, Seo Hweol briefly erases the smile from his lips.

With a now expressionless face, he extends his hand towards it.

As if there's something he longs for in front of him...

[... It's been long.]

With a face stripped of all emotion, he utters a faint exclamation and opens his mouth.

[Long, and even longer... The moment Seo Ran crosses the 107th floor... I will, at last...awaken from this dream.]

Woo-woong!

Seo Hweol turns his back to the Lightning Sacred Sea and gazes at the entire universe.

Though his vision is gone, he senses the entire cosmos by borrowing the senses of Oh Hye-seo. With both hands outstretched, he speaks.

[Now...]

The entire universe begins to change.

The stars in the sky tremble, and the attraction force grows stronger.

As the attraction force reaches its peak, the universe begins to contract.

The world is soon filled with light and heat as everything starts compressing into a single point.

[The End begins.]

Seo Hweol smiles faintly once more.

Wearing a mask-like smile he begins to disperse.

Simultaneously, all the stars and nebulae of the universe begin resonating with him.

The End has begun.

And as Seo Eun-hyun begins climbing the Lightning Sacred Sea to rescue Jeon Myeong-hoon and search for the symbols of the Middle Realms,

Within Jeon Myeong-hoon's body, the Heavenly Tribulations he has consumed thus far are raging, as if preparing to meet their true master.

As chaos begins to break out across all the Middle Realms,

Hong Fan, who had been staying in Baek Woon's refuge space along with Seo Eun-hyun's comrades, abandons the place and heads towards somewhere beyond the Middle Realm.

In the Bright Cold Realm, all the inhabitants collectively fall into madness.

In the Purple Gold Realm, a rebellion erupts outside Ban Ta Castle.

In the Ancient Force Realm, the Demon Race each begin preparing for their final moments.

In the Nether Ghost Realm, the Black Ghost Valley sets sail their hidden 5,000 Nether Crossing Ships, readying to retrieve the souls of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain.

And...

At the outskirts of the True Devil Realm, Star Seeking Esteemed One Yu On, who had received a request from Seo Eun-hyun, wears a mask-like smile and raises something in both hands.

It is Su In and Hong Yeon—the heads of the children Seo Eun-hyun had asked her to protect.

The Sea Dragon King and the Sacred Master of the True Devil Realm, Ja Eum, now stripped of ego by Blood Yin, smiles.

The Black Dragon King and an entity of one of the concepts of a constellation within the Astral Realm, Hyeon Eum's incarnation, smiles.

The Heavenly Fiends of the Blood Yin Realm all wear identical smiles with their hands clasped behind their backs as they look up at the sky of the Blood Yin Realm.

Across the entirety of the Astral Realm, all living beings simultaneously clasp their hands behind their backs and begin smiling in the same direction.

The direction they are looking toward is none other than where the Blood Yin Realm lies.

With the advent of the End, Seo Hweol's great plan, the culmination of his life's dedication, begins.