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“This is way more chaotic than I anticipated.”

First, I stuffed the replica of Zhuge Yulong that the White Lotus Sect had in the Wooden Armor, then I rode the Four Great Spirits to the Heavenly Altar on Mount Hua with the Sect Leader.

Upon arrival, the Prophet waiting at the altar gave the Sect Leader a look of curiosity, and the Sect Leader returned the gaze, equally puzzled.

The Prophet spoke, “Shall we begin the Offering Ceremony now…?“

The Sect Leader replied, looking somewhat troubled, “The Great Race, huh…“

For reasons unknown, it seemed the Sect Leader quickly figured out that the Prophet was no ordinary human, even after witnessing his human form transformation.

“To convince the Three Sovereigns, sufficient compensation must be provided,” the Prophet stated seriously.

“Don’t worry, I’ve brought plenty,” the Sect Leader assured confidently.

Moments later, I presented our offerings to the Prophet. He inspected each item closely, looking contemplative.

“…The Demon Sorcerer Grimoire. It’s quite brimming with power. It should suffice, but… we need a solid argument. We must be able to convincingly explain why the Heavenly Ladder should not be lowered.”

After glancing at me, the Prophet warned, “If two people shout their own claims haphazardly, things could really get complicated… One person should speak, or ensure the arguments are in sync.“

“Got it,” I replied.

The Prophet continued, “The Demon Beast Bracelet is technically mine, but we can pretend I’m offering it.”

His reasoning was spot on. I turned to the Sect Leader, suggesting, “How about a promise from you to fully withdraw from Luoyang?”

The Sect Leader hesitated, considering my words.

“…Will that really work?” he asked.

“Well, uh…” I trailed off, unsure. Previously, when I used the statue of Jeon Wook as a medium, he appeared without question. Likewise, when I utilized the Moon Sovereign as a medium, Nüwa, the creator goddess, descended. But this time, I had no clue who would show up.

The Prophet interjected, “One thing’s for sure: Emperor Gong Sun Xuanwen will not be summoned… at least, not with the medium we have.“

“What makes you so certain?” I inquired.

Throughout eternity, the Emperor has been the least present of the Three Sovereigns… that’s simply the way it is.

The Prophet waved his hand dismissively, “Given the current state, I’d wager Nüwa or Shao Hao Jin Tian has the highest chances of being summoned…”

“Why’s that?” I asked, puzzled.

“It’s too much work to explain… just go with it,” he shrugged.

The Sect Leader’s expression matched my confusion. However, it dawned on me that the Prophet was intentionally keeping certain information under wraps.

‘It’s because I hold the National Seal!’ I realized. The maker of the National Seal is the Three Sovereigns, Shao Hao Jin Tian. So even if I wasn’t using it directly as an offering, my participation increases the odds of him showing up.

Of course, since I also possess the Moon Sovereign, there is still a chance for Nüwa to manifest, but she might refuse, given her apparent discontent with the mortal realm.

Yet if the Prophet disclosed this, the Sect Leader would inevitably question how I came to possess the National Seal. The Prophet must have been aware of this; it was why he kept his comments vague. I felt gratitude towards him, but there was also a nagging voice from Zhuge Sa in my mind.

[Just remember, that favor wasn’t out of kindness. You’re merely paying back for the Sacred Relic. Keep in mind, everything you do is being tallied.]

“Damn it, who doesn’t know that?” I mumbled internally.

The Sect Leader thought for a moment before saying, “It would be nice if Nüwa showed up. If Shao Hao Jin Tian were summoned, it could result in the entire Three Sovereigns agreeing just by swaying him, right?”

The Prophet countered, “You’re asking about the position of Shao Hao Jin Tian among the Three Sovereigns…”

“Exactly! If I persuade him and he’s low-ranked, it would all be pointless,” I pointed out.

“Shao Hao was the Western Supreme Ruler… and the king of birds… so he’s higher than Yao and Shun. But he can’t possibly overshadow the Three Sovereigns,” the Prophet clarified.

“What a pain,” the Sect Leader sighed.

“So, is summoning the Three Sovereigns out of the question? Either Nüwa, Fuxi, or the Yan Emperor…” he mused.

Then the Prophet chuckled, “If only we had the Seven Luminaries, we could guarantee the summon… though, would that even be meaningful? Especially with Fuxi in his current state, communication with him might be sketchy… and Nüwa is undoubtedly fuming about the mortal realm, so if summoned, we could all be in serious danger.“

[

What’s this about Fuxi? Is he even relevant right now?]

While the Sect Leader and I stood bewildered, the Prophet continued, “You needn’t worry… the Three Sovereigns generally respect each other’s wishes… since they are all formidable beings. If you can persuade just one with rational discussion, it can be deemed a success…“

“Got it,” the Sect Leader nodded with understanding as he turned to me. “Baek Woong, let’s commence. But I have a request…”

“Sure?”

“Could you offer the Moon Sovereign?”

As I expected, that question surfaced. From the Sect Leader’s viewpoint, it made sense to offer the Moon Sovereign to improve our chances of summoning the Three Sovereigns. However, for me, that was simply unacceptable.

“I’m sorry, but as the Prophet pointed out, if Nüwa is summoned and decides to wipe us out, that would be the worst-case scenario. Moreover, if we sacrifice the Moon Sovereign and it ends in failure, there’s no future for us.”

“I meant to use it solely as a medium, not as an offering.”

Firmly, I responded, “The entity attempting to eradicate the human realm is precisely Nüwa. No matter how I look at it, risking our necks to make an aggressive move against a tiger is catastrophic.”

“… I understand,” the Sect Leader conceded, sounding defeated.

“Then I will handle the remaining variables smoothly,” he concluded.

This would be the third Offering Ceremony, with the fate of the world hanging in the balance!

I steeled my resolve and stared at the Heavenly Altar as the Sect Leader focused his mind. The atmosphere deepened, getting heavy with anticipation when the Prophet interjected.

“Why are you two acting like this? I’m the one doing all the work…”

“……”

Then, the Prophet began presenting the offerings at the altar as time passed.

Soon, azure spirit energy streamed from the altar, slowly taking shape into a dark sphere.

This ominous sphere briefly performed a dance in the air, tracing the Eight Trigrams.

The Trigrams gradually descended to the Heavenly Altar, while dark clouds swirled menacingly above. The clouds thickened to the point of blocking out all sunlight, plunging everything into total darkness.

Just when it seemed the world was consumed by shadows—

Swoooosh!

Suddenly, the sky exploded with brilliant colors! The kind of vibrant light you’d only associate with a rainbow—so bright and pure that it pierced through the clouds, illuminating the ground below. It was as though the sun had never existed, and the Spirit Energy undulated ecstatic beneath the spectacle.

In an instant, something took flight from all corners of the sky, resembling a sudden explosion. Too close to be birds from this realm, these creatures seemed otherworldly. The fact that they had wings didn’t make them birds at all, and up close, they’d look entirely different.

Screech!

When the count of these creatures surpassed a hundred, they began to group together in the air, forming a strange shape, within which a rainbow began to descend from the ominous clouds.

As I watched the unfolding events, a strange sense of discomfort washed over me.

The scene before me resembled a mythological tableau! Yet, amidst the chaos of colors, instead of awe, I felt the eeriness of something unnatural emerging, as if a contradiction that should never have existed was writhing beneath my feet.

Why was I feeling this way?

Moments later, from beyond the rainbow, a glowing white figure began to take on a human shape. Clad in the traditional garb of ancient kings and official robes, this figure was surrounded solely by birds, lacking any human garments, looking bizarre, as though clothed in clouds.

The figure’s attire fluttered, giving the impression of being alive, and as it settled amidst the flock, the hundred birds burst forth in a dazzling display of colors, dividing and multiplying as they set off into the sky.

Once the skies were tinged with vibrant hues, the sovereign directed his gaze downwards to the mortal realm.

“I am Shao Hao,” he announced.

The Three Sovereigns, Shao Hao Jin Tian, spoke with a voice filled with indifference.

“What business do you have summoning me this far?”

Far? His phrasing felt off. Sure, compared to the mortal realm, the Celestial Realm is on a different level, but that’s just a metaphorical distance. A deity of his caliber could traverse realms as easily as breathing. Even mystics and demon sorcerers could navigate through realms with minimal knowledge about dimensions, as I had heard Zhuge Sa say.

‘Did he mean he’s from a distant world?’ I wondered, tilting my head.

At that moment, the Prophet stepped forward, responding to Shao Hao, “Long time no see… How is the esteemed Huang’a faring?”

As he spoke, the cloudy figure of Shao Hao flinched, expanding several times in size.

He shot a quick glance at us, and I felt a shiver crawl up my spine.

“The King of Zhu Rong, are you keeping diligent watch over Chiyou’s seal?”

‘What?!’

This was unbelievable! The Three Sovereigns, Shao Hao Jin Tian, actually recognized the Prophet! It suggested that he lived during the same era as this divine being! When talk of Chiyou’s seal cropped up, I couldn’t help but feel my nerves spike.

The Prophet nonchalantly replied, “That’s our clan’s concern, so don’t worry about it. We’re managing just fine.”

Such a disrespectful tone when addressing a Sovereign!

“Continue then,” Shao Hao replied, seemingly unfazed by the tone. It was clear that the Sovereign regarded the Prophet as a member of the royal court, acknowledging him to a degree. The Prophet was far more influential than I had imagined.

After gathering his breath, the Prophet added, “The reason we called you today is to request the cessation of the plan to lower the Heavenly Ladder, due to a human’s wishes who is the master of the Moon Sovereign. I implore you to make a wise decision.”

“The Heavenly Ladder…”

Upon hearing the Prophet’s words, Shao Hao Jin Tian returned to his original size. Now forming a throne-like cloud, he perched upon it, petting one of the birds beside him as he overlooked the mortal realm.

“Just take it up with Jeon Wook… I’m not connected to the ladder that was cut, so what’s it to me…”

His annoyance was palpable. I couldn’t help but think of the earlier, aloof demeanor of the Three Sovereign, Jeon Wook.

‘He looks the same.’

He truly seemed indifferent to mortal concerns! Even matters regarding Heaven and the Heavenly Ladder, which directly impacted the rise and fall of human civilization, seemed to bore him. I feared he might genuinely believe the downfall of humanity was none of his concern. Yet, with such an attitude, no amount of persuasion from our end would yield results!

While I was getting anxious, the Sect Leader confidently stepped forward, calling out, “Oh Sovereign Shao Hao! I am Dokgo Uncheon, the Sect Leader of the White Lotus Sect.”

At that moment, I sensed Shao Hao’s gaze drift towards the Sect Leader. He continued without skipping a beat.

“The Celestial Realm considers my residence in Luoyang as a potential threat to the Battle Ground, thus I beg you to heed my solemn pledge to withdraw all White Lotus Sect forces from Luoyang, vowing never to approach once more. Additionally, we present our offerings and sincere intentions; please consider them.”

Shao Hao remained silent. Perhaps not even moving a muscle.

This silence didn’t feel like contemplative thought; it felt closer to outright bewilderment.

‘Great… now what do I do…’

In that awkward silence, I quickly retrieved the heart of the Portrait Immortal and presented it, along with the other treasures, to the Prophet. He, in turn, magically offered them to Shao Hao.

Swooooosh—

With all the treasures vanishing in an instant, a light burst forth from Shao Hao’s form. It seemed to indicate he found the offerings to his liking. With a slightly tipsy tone, he remarked from his throne, “Though I accepted the offerings, everything feels bothersome…”

“……”

“Keep it up, mortals!”

Then, out of nowhere, the sky erupted into a kaleidoscope of colors once again, sparkling and bursting out with multiple flashes.

Winking lights danced from above the sky, shining so bright it hurt my eyes. This dazzling light persisted, leaving us dumbfounded as we stared at this spectacle.

Is this… Shao Hao’s form of encouragement? A heartfelt gift?

Soon, as the flashes dwindled, the Prophet spoke, sounding thoroughly baffled, “Are you not going to lend us a hand…?“

Shao Hao extended a cloud-like hand towards the ground, responding, “Nüwa has grown weary of humanity. Why would I breach her mandate for the likes of you? Though, having received your offerings, I may be inclined to consider your treatment…“

In other words, it wasn’t completely fruitless, but in Shao Hao’s eyes, there was little motivation to help humanity. Despite saying he’d consider it, his demeanor suggested otherwise.

‘What… what kind of jerk is this?!’

I was flabbergasted. To eat his fill and then act this way! If he hadn’t received anything, I could understand the coldness—but to be nonchalant after devouring everything? I was agitated and boggled at this treatment of the legendary deity!

A bit of camaraderie wouldn’t hurt on his part!

‘Given this attitude, there’s no point in offering more…!!’

While I could push to offer more of the Moon Sovereign or the National Seal in hopes of swaying Shao Hao, if he regarded mortals with such contempt, he’d likely disregard any further sincerity.

The thought of it made my mind swirl! Thus, I blurted out, “Shao Hao!!”

In an instant, all eyes turned toward me. I felt pressure from their stares, but my fury overshadowed my discomfort, compelling me to shout, “Please, spare us! We’re on the brink of human extinction!”

He hesitated for a moment.

Shao Hao’s gaze locked onto me, a strange sensation of chaos and darkness swirled around me, suggesting he was indeed focused on me.

Shao Hao finally spoke, “If humanity is to perish, I will create anew.”

“…What?”

“It’s not a big deal, so stop making a fuss…”

Shao Hao’s perspective struck me as ridiculously inhumane, rendering me speechless.

‘What kind of madman talks like that?’ Perishing and being remade was the sort of viewpoint reserved for clay figures, and I couldn’t think of any response suitable for it.

At that moment, the Sect Leader interjected. “You’ve received our offerings, so would you grant us a small request?”

“A request?”

“I wish for the Heavenly Altar of Mount Tai to recover more swiftly.”

“Understood.”

With that simple response, it felt as though the resplendent brightness dissipated in a blink—Shao Hao, along with all the luminance adorning the skies, vanished just as quickly. The Sect Leader looked back at me, appearing somewhat disheartened. “It seems there is little more we can do…”

Then the Prophet, observing the lad, rose from his seat. “I have fulfilled your request… given that the cost of the Sacred Relics is nearly exhausted, I shall take my leave.”

“Hold on!”

“What now?”

“If Cheon Woo-jin hastens the recovery of the Heavenly Altar, we could perform another Offering Ceremony within the time we have left, right?”

This was my last ray of hope! The Sect Leader had realized Shao Hao’s unhelpful nature early on, so I proposed using this last glimmer to our advantage in hope of coaxing their assistance once more.

Yet, the Prophet shook his head. “That won’t work…”

“Why not?!”

“Can you not sense the imbalance occasioned by summoning the Three Sovereigns? The Offering Ceremony inherently functions to preserve reality against the overwhelming presence of the Three Sovereigns. I might have conducted this ceremony clumsily, but we barely managed to hold it, and the world’s balance has wavered. An imminent calamity looms over the mortal realm.”

“……!!”

“To put it bluntly, it’s a precarious situation. I’m unsure of Cheon Woo-jin’s capabilities, but should an accident occur during the ceremony, I cannot be held responsible.”

In that moment, I comprehended the disastrous implications should we proceed with any further ceremonies under the Prophet’s guidance. While he could perform the ceremony, without Cheon Woo-jin’s expertise, we would likely send the world into disorder. It was only logical, considering the Prophet was an otherworldly being attempting to oversee a human ritual.

Just then, I narrowed my eyes at the Prophet. “You jerk! You should have warned us about this beforehand! Because of you, we’ve blown our chances for multiple ceremonies!”

Indeed, if we had skipped this particular ceremony, we could have set up two or three more once Cheon Woo-jin returned! Yet here we were, having squandered our opportunity because the Prophet forced things and ruptured the balance!

“You little…”

The Prophet smirked as if finding humor in my frustration. “You never asked… All I did was what was required of me, and now I’m done…”

Then, in a flash, he vanished.

The voice of Zhuge Sa teased from within my mind, “[Looks like he’ll be avoiding contact with us again… That was a severe hit, wasn’t it?]”

“……”

Caught unawares by the Prophet’s betrayal, I stood beneath the Sect Leader’s dissatisfied gaze. “Alright, Baek Woong. What’s done is done.”

The Sect Leader turned his eyes towards the sky. “At this point, we have no option but to go to total war.”

 

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