1239——————==

Soul of the Evil God (사신지혼)

I was at a loss for what to do in this situation. Charging straight into the Five Demon Gate to blast through that door guarded by Yeol seemed the simplest way to meet Zhuge Sa at Ten Thousand Ghosts Palace, but that would also crank up the danger to eleven.

‘What should I do?’

While I contemplated, Asura chimed in.

“Baek Woong, how about we start by scouting the area?”

“Scouting?”

Asura nodded, arms crossed.

“Yeol is an opponent I can’t guarantee a win against, even if I give it my all. In fact, his rank is a lot higher. Officially, he’s the gatekeeper of the Five Demon Gate, but he’s been a loyal subordinate of Jeon Wook since the Mythological Age. If he really puts his heart into it, it’d be overwhelming.”

“Are you saying he’s stronger than the Sea God?”

“If he unleashes all of his potential, maybe…. Not to mention, we’re right in front of the Ten Thousand Ghosts Palace. Even if we take Yeol down, all it would do is grab Jeon Wook’s attention right away.”

Asura murmured fearfully, glancing at the screen showing the Five Demon Gate.

“If the Zhu Rong, ranked number two in Ten Thousand Ghosts Palace, comes flying out, you and I would be toast against his fire whip. You know that, even against the Eight Parts of the Divine, he wouldn’t be losing.”

“…….”

That was spot on. From what I’d seen in the memory of the World Tree battle, Zhu Rong’s strength was beyond terrifying. Officially just second in rank at Ten Thousand Ghosts Palace, he possessed the power of the Old Ruler and right now, I had absolutely no way to handle that. With the supreme rankings being so elevated, it’s no wonder the most trusted subordinates of Jeon Wook are above the Sea God.

Besides, in my previous life, he even came to assassinate the weakened Fuxi at the end of the Celestial Tower. Trying to take down a weakened Fuxi with Nüwa standing guard showed just how high his divine status truly was.

Asura continued.

“First, let’s find the Lord of Mount Penglai, Lee Heung-pae, and get his treasure.”

“Sounds like a plan. Let’s go.”

I thought Asura had a good point and commanded the Ark.

“Let’s head to the daoist hall where Lee Heung-pae is trapped.”

[Starting movement.]

Whoosh!

Soon, the massive Ark flew through the skies. A while later, it arrived right above the daoist hall where Lee Heung-pae was confined, and when I looked down at the screen, I saw Sea God Clan members swarming around.

“Hmm… Were there this many?”

It definitely seemed there were far more than the last time I was here, prompting me to scratch my head. Asura remarked.

“Of course. The power of the Sea God has only grown stronger in this life, not weaker. Naturally, his entourage would be just as strong and full of life.”

“I see.”

“Honestly, it’s shocking that there are only this many. It probably has something to do with you driving away the Sea God once before.”

“Hmmm.”

Asura and I debated whether to wipe out the Sea God members right there, but looking at the sheer number made me think twice. Just observing the horde on screen, there were easily at least 5,000 to 6,000 of them, and based on past experiences, when the fighting starts, that could swell to ten times more. The idea of suddenly launching a massacre against the Sea God Clan made me hesitant.

“… Ark, is there any chance you could use your attack functions to deal with those monsters down there?”

I hesitated to ask the Ark, and a voice responded.

[Main cannon is available. A photon cannon can be fired in a 2 km radius.]

“I don’t want to demolish the buildings; can you just drive them away without harming any humans or immortals?”

[In that case, I recommend activating the Abyssal Eliminator for the user.]

“Do it.”

Not knowing what it was but deciding to give it a try, I commanded. Moments later, a whirring sound came from the Ark, along with the opening of the cannon doors. A wide silvery net was released, covering the area around the daoist hall.

Thwap!

The silvery nets enveloping the area a dozen miles around began ensnaring the Sea God Clan members, dragging them to the ground, and those trapped within started heaving up something dark and murky. I was shocked at the sight.

“What are they barfing up?”

[The Abyssal Eliminator can forcibly expel the internal chaos of external species. Weaker chaotic races can be eliminated with just the Abyssal Eliminator while it can weaken stronger species.]

“Whoa…!!”

After struggling and spitting out the thick darkness for a while, the Sea God Clan members began to slow their movements. Moments later, the smallest and weakest among them transformed into vapor and started to vanish.

Asura, intrigued, stroked his chin and commented.

“They’re able to develop a weapon by studying properties opposite to chaos. While it’s not powerful per se, it’s a remarkably efficient weapon.”

“Seems like the ground suppression is coming to an end; let’s head down.”

Whir!

Asura and I landed and entered the daoist hall where Lee Heung-pae was confined. When Lee Heung-pae’s treasure, the Half Yellow Pearl, reacted and unleashed a giant thunder, Asura immediately focused his energy and invoked the Ultimate Technique.

Nirvana of the Absolute!

BAM!

[O-oh! I didn’t expect a being this strong to show up…]

As his treasure attack was annihilated by the Nirvana of the Absolute, I could feel Lee Heung-pae’s desperate scream resonate, but I replied calmly.

“Lee Heung-pae, I did not come to harm you. I am Baek Woong, the Apostle of Shao Hao Jin Tian. Look at this proof.”

[……!!]

Seeing the evidence of my status, Lee Heung-pae seemed taken aback. Then he asked.

“Could it be… Shao Hao Jin Tian sent you to save this Mount Penglai?”

“That’s one way to see it.”

[This is unbelievable…. Such a miraculous event…. Ho ho….]

Then Asura, feeling excited, interjected.

“This guy fought and beat the Sea God one-on-one. I can vouch for it with my name on the line.”

[……!!]

Lee Heung-pae looked utterly shocked.

I continued, “Lee Heung-pae. I promise to rescue all the immortals from Mount Penglai and take them to the Celestial Realm. In return, will you give me your treasure, the Half Yellow Pearl?”

[Alright…. If you do that, I will gladly give it to you…. Thank you so much.]

Whoosh!

I easily obtained the Half Yellow Pearl from Lee Heung-pae. Then I asked him, “I’m sorry, but are there any more spiritual pills or treasures I can find in Mount Penglai? I need strength as I’m heading to Ten Thousand Ghosts Palace soon….”

Lee Heung-pae opened his mouth.

[What would I possibly hide from a benefactor? When the moon rises over Mount Penglai, look for the nearest mountain known as Qilin Mountain. My companion’s treasure, the Opening Heaven Pearl, lies there. When the moon rises, where just a single beam of moonlight shines at the mountain’s peak, dig down, for the Opening Heaven Pearl will be beneath it….]

“… Whoa!!”

[Then…. I will take my leave now…. Please do take down the Sea God….]

WHOOOSH!

With that, Lee Heung-pae disappeared. I wished for his rest and told Asura, “Let’s collect the immortals.”

“How annoying…”

Asura complained, but he still helped me rescue the pitiful immortals from the daoist hall and transfer them to the Ark. After we got them all, I asked the Ark, “Ark! I want to heal these people; do you have any treatment facilities?”

[I will activate the incubator.]

“The incubator?”

[It’s a facility to heal those infected by chaos. I plan to send everyone to section B-207; please allow drone operation.]

“I grant permission.”

As soon as I said this, a small machine flew up, beginning to move the immortals systematically. Asura, watching this unfold, remarked with interest.

“Everything seems so advanced. This ship is specialized for fighting chaotic species.”

“Seems like it’s a vessel made in the final days… Now that we’ve got the Half Yellow Pearl, maybe I can use this treasure as a power source.”

Asura looked surprised. “You really intend to use it as fuel? A treasure like the Half Yellow Pearl must be considered a rare top-tier treasure. You could use it yourself.”

“Hmmm.”

“If you just inject divine power, no matter how the treasure is used, it should activate. Especially if it’s an emission type treasure like the Half Yellow Pearl; it should be even easier.”

I pondered over Asura’s words. Surely, I’d seen the power of the Half Yellow Pearl allow Cheon Woo-jin to wipe out an entire mountain in mere moments, so it made sense. However, I shook my head, saying, “No. I get the feeling this ship is going to be crucial in this life. I’d rather use it to enhance the Ark than rely solely on my own strength.”

“Do as you wish…”

“Alright, then.”

I dropped the Half Yellow Pearl into the energy impeller of the control room, declaring, “Absorb the power of the treasure, the Half Yellow Pearl!”

[Following the user’s command. Power synchronization in progress….]

Vroom!

In the next moment, the spirit of the National Seal appeared before me again. It said, [Apostle! Normally, such fusion isn’t possible, but I will merge the traits of the Half Yellow Pearl with this ship.]

“Wait? What do you mean…?”

[However, complete power fusion will take time, so please be patient.]

BAM!

A short time later, there was a brilliant light throughout the Ark, and a voice announced,

[New programs have been installed in the Yi Seong-gye ship. We are attempting to transform the quantum circuit. The ship’s remodeling is starting.]

Kugugugu…

With a thunderous sound, the entire vessel changed shape. After a while, the voice continued.

[Installation partially complete. The user can still normally access the ship’s functions during installation.]

I looked at the National Seal floating in the Ether of the energy impeller along with the Half Yellow Pearl. It seemed the spirit of the National Seal was acting as a medium to fuse the treasure’s power with this Ark. That meant if I obtained more treasures and inserted them into the impeller, I could keep reinforcing the Ark.

“Awesome. Now let’s head to Qilin Mountain!”

[Location of Qilin Mountain has been found. Moving now.]

WHOOSH!

With that, the Ark began flying at a much faster speed, arriving shortly at the summit of Qilin Mountain.

‘Now, we just need to wait here until night to get the Opening Heaven Pearl.’

And once I merged the Opening Heaven Pearl with the Ark, it would grow even stronger.

‘The only way to go into the Ten Thousand Ghosts Palace is with this reinforced Ark.’

I could devise a strategy in my mind. After all, rescuing Zhuge Sa was no small task, so I had to give it my all. With some time to spare, I wondered what I should do.

‘Should I practice martial arts?’

Asura, who was nearby, suggested, “Baek Woong, let’s spar a bit. When you have time to kill, practicing martial arts is the best.”

“……”

Hmm… Why does my line of thought seem so similar to Asura’s? Why do I feel our thought processes align so closely?

I asked the Ark, “Ark! Is there a place in this ship where I can train martial arts?”

[I will guide you to the location of the Combat Training Room using drones.]

Asura and I followed the drone to the Combat Training Room. Upon entering the Combat Training Room, I was stunned by the vast, endless white space.

“Why is it so huge in here?”

[This is a space manipulated for training. Would you like to load dummy data for combat practice?]

“Dummy data?”

[Avatars will be summoned based on the class.]

While I was confused, Asura, following closely behind, brusquely said.

“I don’t care, just summon the strongest ones. Set them to the maximum strength.”

I gaped, turning to look at Asura. “Asura!!”

“Why? To train properly, they need to be strong. If I can fight tough opponents in this white space, I’ll surely improve my martial arts skills.”

[Settings complete. Summoning master class avatars now.]

Vroom!

Moments later, two figures appeared in the white space. They were a man and a woman; one seemed to be a martial artist who primarily used fist techniques while the other was a beautiful woman wielding a whip.

I stared at these strangers, realizing I’d never seen them before.

‘Who are they?’

As I was pondering, the man in a black cloak with spiked gloves fixed his sharp gaze on me and declared, “Welcome to the challenge, warrior of the Human Alliance. As you may know, I am Yi Hon, the Fist Saint.”

To which the whip-wielding woman beside him added, “Welcome to the challenge. I am Ha Seorin, the Heavenly Gate Master of the Korean Empire.”

Kugugugu

Feeling an overwhelming aura emanating from both of them, I momentarily hesitated. It was as if I was facing a Dharma Guardian unleashing their full power. Unsurprisingly, Yi Hon, self-identified as the Fist Saint, seemed a touch puzzled.

“Is the setting definitely at the final enhancement stage, level 10?”

“Uh?”

“Did you really challenge a master class amplified to 100 times physical ability and infinite internal power?”

“…….”

What on earth? They’ve been enhanced to that degree?!

My skin prickled at the thought of my physical abilities being boosted by 100 times; I turned to Asura and said, “Hey, I think maybe I should save this for later.”

“Hehe. No worries. I’ll take these two on one against them. I can handle this without using the Demon King’s power!”

“Alright. I’ll be rooting for you!”

BAM!

I slammed the door of the Combat Training Room shut behind me. Outside, I started observing the ongoing situation via the monitor the drone provided.

BOOM!

Inside, the sound of explosions erupted. After about two hundred seconds, Yi Hon grabbed Asura’s arm and started to twist it while Ha Seorin wrapped her whip around Asura’s neck, pulling tightly.

[Argh!! These bastards….]

Yi Hon and Ha Seorin’s eyes blazed.

[Get that guy!]

[Pin him down and beat him up.]

Thud thud

[Here we go.]

Ha Seorin’s spinning kick impacted Asura’s head. It looked somewhat similar to the kicking techniques of the Twelve Joules.

Thud

Asura desperately countered with his Nirvana of the Absolute, but both masters were too fast and strong; he couldn’t inflict any significant wounds.

Thud

[Ugh!]

Yi Hon landed a solid hit to Asura’s solar plexus, causing him to cough blood.

[Gahhh.]

“……”

After a while, seeing Asura’s defeat appear on the monitor, I swung the door open.

Creeeak

I pulled out the battered Asura, but strangely, the moment we left, all signs of injury simply vanished as if they had never existed.

‘So injuries only apply inside there.’

Just like that, it was truly a Combat Training Room.

Asura stood up and muttered, “Damn. If I transformed into the Demon King, I would’ve won without a hitch.”

I retorted bluntly, “You sure would. But that defeats the whole purpose of training. Didn’t you once dismiss me for repeating the same words?”

“…….”

“To hone martial skills, we need to lower the enhancement level a bit.”

Scratching my head, I looked back at the training avatars still standing inside.

“It definitely wouldn’t serve for training to enhance the absolute peak to such a degree.”

Without a doubt, those two were the last two masters of the Absolute Realm that Ha Eun-cheon had mentioned.