1353——————==

Soul of the Evil God

I walked steadily over to the altar where Yeodong-bin was, holding onto the iron sword.

‘As expected, no remarkable spirit or power granted… It’s just an ordinary rusty iron sword.’

It’s nothing but a decorative weapon, even less useful than a well-forged iron sword. But you know what? Even this shabby weapon can become as good as a legendary sword with the right intent. So the quality of the weapon isn’t all that important. What really matters is that it’s always available wherever I go.

‘I didn’t care about this before, but it’s starting to bug me a bit…’

Master Mangnyang and Cheon Woo-jin mentioned that there’s an iron sword in a non-existent world.

What does this iron sword even mean?

As I was pondering this, Daji spoke up.

“I won’t ask what you came for anymore. Instead, let’s go to the Realm of the Lunar Eclipse with the Maiden.”

“……”

“Anyway, the Maiden has helped gather the Seven Luminaries as you requested. So I won’t accept any further refusals.”

Oh right.

Daji is using me to get to this Lunar Eclipse thing, isn’t she?

‘I didn’t know it earlier, so I pretended to be knowledgeable, and now I’m in trouble…’

If she’s this persistent about coming one-on-one, trying to wiggle out won’t end well. The problem is, I still don’t know what this ‘Realm of the Lunar Eclipse’ really is or why Daji wants to go there.

At this point, I can’t keep dodging questions. And facing someone like Daji, who’s used to bending others to her will, I might end up dead here.

‘…Let me stall for a bit.’

I thought it might be better to find clues throughout the conversation rather than answer immediately. So I glanced at Daji and said, “Daji. Your goal is ultimately to escape to another world, right?”

“Why are you suddenly changing the subject?”

“Getting you to the Lunar Eclipse is something I must prepare for as Fuxi’s disciple. And if you’re trying to steal something from the Lunar Eclipse, it’s even more pressing. Surely I can ask this much?”

“Hmm… Yes. My goal is to leave this world and go to another outer universe.”

Daji answered straightforwardly and continued.

“You probably have a guess of how I’ll escape. As I mentioned before, I’m going to leap straight to where the Dharma Technique is. I can feel this world is rushing too fast; we cannot delay any longer.”

“……”

Dharma Technique…

‘Right, that’s it. She said before that she’ll use the Lunar Eclipse to go to the place with the Dharma Technique. If that’s the case…’

If I can go to the Lunar Eclipse with Daji, wouldn’t I get a free location for the Dharma Technique?! If that location is the same as the one in the original world, I could gain a tremendous advantage!

But at the same time, another thought crossed my mind.

‘Wait a minute… If it’s just about finding the Dharma Technique…’

If I obtain the Dharma Fragment located at the Altar of Heavenly Darkness in the White Lotus Sect, wouldn’t that guarantee me one Dharma Fragment?

Should I tell Daji about this?

Since Daji’s intermediate goal is also the Dharma Fragment, we could skip heading to the Lunar Eclipse.

I pondered briefly, but then thought otherwise.

‘Hmm… Daji isn’t my ally, and there’s no need for her to willingly hand me a Dharma Fragment. I have no idea how she’ll react to me having one.’

It might actually be better to keep that information about the Dharma Fragment from the White Lotus Sect until I can leverage it later.

I remained silent, and Daji began to look irritated.

“The Maiden agreed to all your requests, and you’re gonna act all ungrateful? I’m ashamed to bear the title of Fuxi’s disciple!”

“Hold on a second. Actually, I need to confess something.”

“What kind of confession?”

Now’s the time to handle this well…!!

There’s no way I can slip out of Daji’s persecution with usual methods!

I carefully spoke while scheming in my mind.

“I’m Fuxi’s disciple, but I can’t use sorcery. So it’ll be tough to take you to the Lunar Eclipse.”

“……?”

Daji looked bewildered at my words. Then she replied, “You can’t use sorcery being the disciple of Fuxi, the god of sorcery and creation? You expect the Maiden to believe that!”

“To be precise, it’s like this. Hunyuan Zhishun!”

Boom!

A moment later, I used a little divine power to display the Hunyuan Zhishun defensive technique around myself.

“Wait. What is that?”

Looking at me with confusion, Daji said in a sad tone.

“As you can see, I can only forcibly deploy this basic technique with the help of divine power. I can’t use any mid-level techniques at all. Luckily, by traversing the entire world and collecting artifacts, I can only use divine power to forcibly activate this technique.”

“What…?”

“I have no talent for sorcery. So no matter how much I learn, I can’t properly use one, which is why I couldn’t bravely claim to be Fuxi’s disciple.”

“……”

“Since I can’t even use sorcery, I’ve been honing my martial arts for thousands of years.”

“Stop talking nonsense…”

Daji looked really puzzled. But it seemed like she couldn’t outright deny my words either, as she felt some suspicion. This would make sense because Daji, being a Great Demon and Demon King, must’ve realized the manner in which I just activated that sorcery wasn’t the way a traditional sorcerer would do it, but rather how a demon would.

Daji appeared sharp enough to catch lies but chose not to jump to conclusions. After all, what I said about having no talent in sorcery and using divine power to forcibly deploy spells was all true.

Feeling that my words had hit their mark to some extent, I continued.

“You know, with such pathetic sorcery skills, even if I know where the Lunar Eclipse is, I wouldn’t be able to cast a spell to head there. I’d need to use divine arts at the very least, wouldn’t I?”

“…That’s true.”

“Rather than me, you should find another divine arts user. However, when I visited Mount Kunlun in the Celestial Realm recently, I noticed that there were no ancient gods left who could use divine arts. You won’t be able to achieve your goal like this.”

Daji seemed dazed for a moment before she spoke with a fierce expression.

“Let’s say what you said is true. Then you, knowing this fact, used the Maiden to find the Seven Luminaries?”

“Weren’t you already coming here to threaten me with brute force? Did you think there was any trust between us? I figured if I didn’t agree to your proposal, you’d just attack us and wipe us out.”

“Indeed… I’ll tear you apart and fix the Maiden’s mistake right now.”

“Hissss!”

As Daji began to gather her strength, I realized that now was my chance and swiftly interjected before she could build up more.

“But I can teach you how to cross into the outer universe in exchange for my life.”

She froze.

Daji’s expression hardened at my words. Then, with a tone layered with suspicion and anger, she said, “You… you’re really toying with the Maiden.”

“Why would I want to mess with her? I’ve been trying to be as honest as possible since earlier. I even staked my [name]!”

“……”

That’s right. There’s a valid reason Daji can’t just ignore what I said.

It’s because she fully understands the significance of putting my [name] on the line. By using the credibility attached to my [name], she had no choice but to hear me out.

I continued speaking.

“Whatever path I take, as long as I reach the goal, it doesn’t matter, right? Anyway, I had no intention of staying in this world that is on the brink of destruction. I planned to escape this world by fulfilling the mission that Fuxi entrusted me with.”

“What method is that?”

“Before that, make me a promise. I won’t ask you to help me, but at least for today, you swear not to attack me. If you don’t promise that, I won’t open my mouth.”

“…I promise.”

Once I got Daji’s promise, I finally felt the flow of the conversation tilting in my favor. I could feel my heart racing with nervousness, but I managed to maintain my composure and said.

“My mission is to assassinate Emperor Gong Sun Xuanwen to decipher the signs of the apocalypse mentioned in Fuxi’s [prophecy]! That’s why I’ve gathered all the Six Needs and when they unite, as the Three Sovereigns converge, I’ll be ready to assassinate the Emperor.”

“……!!”

As Daji suddenly grasped the importance of my confidential information, I pressed on eagerly.

originally, I thought that once the assassination succeeded, I’d adapt to the situation and plan my escape. But since you’ve approached me like this, I have no choice but to share how to cross into the outer universe with you. It’s more annoying if you impede me!”

“Hmmm… Is that so?”

Daji’s fury seemed to dissipate as she cooled down. It looked as though she was deep in thought before she spoke again.

“Fine. If you just tell me that method, I’ll overlook how you’ve manipulated the Maiden. Hurry up and explain.”

“No. I can’t say it just like this.”

“What do you mean?”

I feigned an expression of genuine annoyance.

“I won’t ask you to assist in the assassination, but I can’t just spill everything without getting something in return. At the very least, you need to tell me what your plan concerning the Lunar Eclipse was, and what principle would guide you to where the Dharma Technique is. I barely understand any of it myself.”

“……”

“Anyway, I know other methods to reach the outer universe too. We’re just exchanging what we know.”

“Indeed… I understand.”

Daji nodded and replied.

“I’ll agree to your proposal. Let’s exchange our information.”

“Good call.”

I replied with a blank face while silently celebrating in my mind.

‘Yes! I successfully pulled this off!’

If I had mismanaged the flow of the conversation even slightly, I would’ve had to fight Daji for my life right then and there. Given that I had already broken my promise to Daji, this would have made the fight even harder, but the fact that I managed to dodge it all with my wits felt so rewarding.

Daji said, “But you must speak first. The Maiden isn’t a fool, so what if you listen to my story and run away without saying yours?”

“True. To get to the outer universe, first, you need to enlist the help of Nailatop.”

“Nailatop?”

I explained to Daji that Nailatop is a wanderer who can traverse the outer universe and possesses the ability to take us elsewhere. Although Daji showed skepticism upon hearing about Nailatop, I raised my wrist, inferring the clock I had.

“Using this clock’s teleportation power, I can take you right to Nailatop’s location. If you can pay him a sufficient price, you could cross into the outer universe. I swear on my name that this is the truth.”

“Oh…!!”

“Though, being quite fickle, I can’t guarantee he’ll comply with your request.”

One of the reasons I could share this information without hesitation was thanks to Nailatop’s whimsical nature.

That guy’s so unpredictable he might just kidnap me to the outer universe, so I can’t see him helping Daji without a second thought.

“Hehe. That’s some good info you’ve got. Hence, I will share some of my own as well.”

Daji then raised her delicate hand and pointed to the sky, saying, “The Realm of the Lunar Eclipse and the Realm of the Sun are other dimensions where Nüwa and Fuxi sealed some of their powers down when they descended from the divine seat eons ago. I aim to acquire the primordial powers of Yin and Yang, which are even older than their powers.”

“Primordial powers?”

What the hell? That’s new to me.

I cocked my head in confusion and asked, “I don’t understand. Fuxi and Nüwa have never mentioned that to me. And why would they intentionally seal their powers away? If they’re losing to the Emperor, they should’ve reclaimed their sealed powers instead of holding back.”

“Because that power wasn’t sealed willingly by them.”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t know the details, but I’ve heard that when the existence known as the Void Record sent them from the divine seat, it ordered them to leave behind some of their powers. However, that power is merely a primordial shell, similar to the remnants of an egg, so it’s like a thorn in their side.”

“……”

“Fuxi and Nüwa could have retrieved that power if they truly wanted to, but if they absorbed powers with completely different attributes from their own, it would risk fracturing their identities. Hence, they just disregarded the Lunar Eclipse and Solar Dimensions as nonexistent.”

Huh, that could be a possibility.

No matter how exalted a god they are, mistakenly absorbing overwhelming power can lead to a change in identity. Nüwa and Fuxi are quite unlikely to pursue such power since they are already strong enough without it.

“It’s strange. Why only Fuxi and Nüwa…?”

“They aren’t the only ones. Everyone connected to the divine seat has reportedly had their primordial powers sealed.”

“……”

So does that mean the Emperor or Evil Gods also have separate dimensional realms?

This is the first time I’m hearing about this.

‘So, the exalted gods who descended from the divine seat were forced to have parts of their powers sealed by the Void Record?’

And that those powers are incredibly difficult to reclaim by one’s own will!

I tried to wrap my head around that statement and said, “So you intend to absorb the primordial powers that even Nüwa and Fuxi struggle with? Even so, what’s the principle behind absorbing the power of Yin?”

“Well, the primordial powers have nothing to do with the Dharma Techniques. The location of the Dharma Technique is so annoying that I’ll need the power of Yin to withstand penetrating to obtain the Dharma Technique. Also, the locations of the Lunar and Solar realms are very close to that place.”

“Where is the position of the Dharma Technique?”

“It seems that I won’t have any reason to reveal that to you, hehehe.”

“……”

Damn, she’s hiding the really important information…

Daji muttered as if disappointed. “I knew these fundamentals since I’m the Yin Embodiment of Nüwa, but only the ones who are gone knew the precise locations of the Lunar and Solar realms. I had hoped as Fuxi’s disciple, you might know the locations of those dimensions… How disappointing.”

“Hmm…”

“In any case, take me to Nailatop.”

Just as I was about to agree to that, another thought struck me.

‘Would a weirdo like Nailatop even let Daji in?’

If that unpredictable nut decides to randomly banish Daji to another galaxy, who knows what will happen. I mean, if a Demon King suddenly teleports onto my ship, I would feel the same way.

‘If Daji somehow vanishes unexpectedly, I’d lose my chance to figure out the Dharma Technique’s location…’

After carefully pondering, I said, “Daji, can you wait a week? I’ll ask Nailatop about that. He might get prickly and try to wipe you out.”

“You aren’t trying to trick me again, are you?”

“Why would I do that, having come all this way? I’d prefer you to disappear from my sight as soon as possible.”

“Hehe, you’re a tough guy. If that’s what you want, I’ll wait.”

“Come back here in a week.”

“Understood.”

Boom!

Daji’s divine form vanished in an instant. Only then did I finally relax and let out a sigh.

“Phew.”

I managed to convince Daji to leave, but I get this feeling that obtaining a new Dharma position will be tough too. Why does it have to be that two of the Three Sovereigns need to unlock powers sealed since the primordial time to even challenge the Dharma Technique?

‘Sigh. If only there was a prophet around, I wouldn’t have to struggle like this to trade questions…’

As I grumbled inwardly, I suddenly realized something.

“Hmm?”

I hurried to Astana and shouted once more.

“Prophet! It’s a deal!!”

Just an empty echo echoed back to me.

I turned to Mephistopheles and said, “Mephistopheles. Can we go to another star? I’ll input the coordinates…”

[Not possible.]

“Damn. Got it.”

I used the Apostle’s Power and shouted, “Jeon Wook, come forth!!”

Whoosh!

A minor fragment of apostolic power allowed me to summon Jeon Wook’s avatar whenever I wanted for a chat!

The human-shaped avatar donning the ceremonial attire of a King appeared before me.

[Baek Woong. Have you done what you were to do?]

“Yes! But um… I have a question.”

[What is it?]

“Do you happen to know the prophet or his clan?”

Upon hearing this, Jeon Wook’s avatar responded with evident irritation.

[Who’s that idiot?]

“……”

Right, of course.

If the Three Sovereigns wouldn’t know, then it must not exist at all.

‘What on earth…?’

There’s no prophet in the outer universe.

None at all so far.

Back in the time of Dharma, we just didn’t have the leisure to search, but this outer universe is different. Almost the same historical events as our world are unfolding and yet, in this critical state of impending doom, there isn’t a single so-called prophet whispering about the end.

“`

 

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