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As I continued my sparring with Jin So-cheong and the Sword Demon, I could definitely feel the application of the Seven Great Techniques and Eight Immortals Divine Art improving.

‘This is an experience I can’t gain from training alone.’

Sure, my personal mastery of each technique might deepen through solo practice, but connecting those techniques together was nearly impossible. Fortunately, Jin So-cheong and the Sword Demon were just as skilled in the techniques as I was, making sparring with them a significant opportunity.

After a long night of relentless training, I suddenly felt a noticeable improvement in my movements. Perhaps Jin So-cheong sensed it too, as she momentarily lowered her spear and said,

“Baek Woong. If the three of us combine our efforts now, holding our ground against the Master of the White Lotus Sect wouldn’t be impossible. You’ve achieved that level of martial prowess.”

“The Master of the White Lotus Sect?”

“That is, if he doesn’t unleash Heart of Heaven’s Abundance first…”

Jin So-cheong, trailing off slightly, continued,

“Baek Woong. This is the end of our martial training for now. It’s about time we made a choice regarding the use of the reversal power.”

“……”

“I agree.”

From a distance, Zhuge Sa, watching the training, stepped forward with a serious expression.

“The remaining strong foes are all demigods. So, we can’t eliminate them just with the reversal power! We’ll have to use it to save someone instead.”

“Hmm…”

“Up to now, we’ve seen no major changes, so I’ve let it slide, but it’s time to resurrect an ally.”

Just as Zhuge Sa mentioned, it was indeed time to gain an advantage by bringing someone back to life. The Heavenly Sovereign was only about fifteen days away now, and any further delay could mean we’d end up with nothing. I responded to him.

“What if I can eliminate the Celestial Sage using the reversal power?”

“That’s probably possible. But do you understand what it means to kill the Celestial Sage with the reversal power? It means that the Old Ruler would declare war on the Celestial Realm and the Three Sovereigns. The Celestial Realm would never sit idly by after losing such a formidable force like the Celestial Sage. By that time, chaos would ensue, rendering all strategies futile.”

“……”

“Do you really think the biggest rival in this life will be that monkey?”

“What do you mean?”

“The situation has already escalated beyond that level. By the end of this life, there might be ‘something’ that even the Celestial Sage can’t handle.”

“Hmm. But…”

“There are several strategies we could consider. First, I’d like to hear your thoughts.”

Before I knew it, not just Zhuge Sa, but other companions had gathered closely around us. I pondered for a while before saying,

“No… I won’t revive anyone!”

“What?”

“I just have this feeling. It seems like bringing in more companions right now would be a strategic blunder…”

“Is that your gut feeling again?”

Zhuge Sa grumbled a bit but then said,

“Alright. Then we’ll quietly await the day the Heavenly Sovereign descends. Is that acceptable?”

“Yeah. I want to see what this Heavenly Sovereign is all about.”

Despite having faced the threat of the Heavenly Sovereign many times, I had never truly felt what it was like. Now that things were ensued like this, I was curious to discover what it really entailed. Zhuge Sa, smirking slightly, said,

“Follow me. If that’s your decision, there’s something I need to show you.”

I followed Zhuge Sa, and in the depths of his research facility, I discovered something dark and swirling.

“Crystal Stele.”

“It’s operational. We’ve conducted a lot of research with it.”

As Zhuge Sa murmured this, he approached the Crystal Stele and reached inside. Then, he began to chant an incantation.

Woosh!

Suddenly, a liquid surged out from the Crystal Stele, twisting in mid-air before transforming into a faintly glowing gold. I was taken aback and shouted,

“What the heck? Is that real gold?”

“Yeah. This is the true usage of alchemy that lives up to its name. The Crystal Stele can produce gold, and it does so without any need for equivalent exchange. The alchemical formula of Thoth slumbering within the Crystal Stele surpasses the material laws of the human world. It could create hundreds of gold bars from just a handful of water.”

“……”

“Of course, in the realm of demons, gold isn’t that significant. Alchemists prioritize something even more than the riches of the human world, and that is reaching the Divine Position. The goal is to produce superior offerings through research on the Crystal Stele and alchemy, which, when presented to the Old Ruler, will grant us even more powerful magical abilities.”

“I see…”

I began to understand. Up till now, I had also received better blessings and treasures for offering superior tributes to the Celestial Realm, Prophets, and the Three Sovereigns, right? For demon sorcerers, the only difference was that their target was the Old Ruler. I turned to Zhuge Sa and asked,

“So? Why did you bring me here?”

“……”

Zhuge Sa cautiously said,

“Baek Woong. Let’s offer the Portrait Immortal produced here as a sacrifice and broker a deal with the Old Ruler.”

“What?!”

“The position of the avatar of Chi You can be obtained through a deal with God. If we report that position to Jeon Wook, he might acknowledge that contribution and postpone the Heavenly Sovereign’s descent. I believe this is the best strategy at this point.”

“Why the Old Ruler of all people? Can’t we ask a Prophet instead?”

Zhuge Sa sounded frustrated.

“Do you even think about asking that guy? He’d try to take everything we’ve got. The Old Ruler is a better option with potential.”

I hesitated.

“But I’m Jeon Wook’s Apostle right now. It’s obvious he wouldn’t approve of brokering a deal with the Old Ruler.”

“Of course he wouldn’t. But shouldn’t it be more important for you to complete your mission, even if the means are not favorable? I think Jeon Wook is the type of ruler who values practical benefits over principled conduct.”

“……”

“It’s obvious that Mengnyang would staunchly oppose this talk, so I brought you here. What’s your opinion?”

I recalled my past encounters with Jeon Wook.

[What I’ve commanded you, as my Apostles, is to bring Chi You to me within ten years. Are you telling me to directly confront them?]

[So what?]

[I have no intention of involving myself in my descendants’ affairs. Especially if it concerns happenings in the Western Regions, I want to stay out. If it obstructs your mission, feel free to eliminate Peng Zuo.]

[Do show me some more competent results.]

I had mentioned that Chi You was on the Moon of Dark Heaven Village, only to leave red in the face due to the ridicule I’d received. Looking back, it was a clear reflection of Jeon Wook’s nature as a ruler. Just as Zhuge Sa had said, he was a lord who expected results from his subordinates, unbothered by the means they used to achieve them.

‘There’s some logic to it.’

It’s an efficient strategy. But something nagged at me.

“What if he knows nothing? What if he just takes the offering and leaves?”

“Well, there’s nothing we can do then. But isn’t it better than standing around practicing martial arts until the Heavenly Sovereign’s arrival? If nothing happens and you’re caught off guard, then you’d have to start investigating Chi You from scratch.”

“Ugh…”

“What will you do?”

After a moment of contemplation, I nodded.

“I’ll do it.”

“Good. The being we are about to call is the one said to have destroyed the Old Continent with water-based powers. Despite the appearance, it’s a powerful Old Ruler, so tread carefully.”

“Ugh… Why summon such a dangerous being?”

“Because they’re powerful enough to give us the information we seek!”

“… understood.”

Woosh!

Finally, I placed the Portrait Immortal and offering on the altar while observing Zhuge Sa perform the ceremony for the human sacrifice to the Old Ruler. He then let out a thunderous chant of dark energy.

Boom!

Suddenly, an ominous darkness seemed to ripple in the void. Through the swirling shadows, a colossal water lizard figure started to form. Zhuge Sa muttered incantations in the language of demon sorcerers and knelt, while the water lizard seemed to steal glances at me.

And in the next moment, the mouth of the water lizard opened.

“Come here.”

Time froze.

I realized I was standing on a snow-white land with the shimmering lake stretching to the horizon, facing the water lizard, which quietly regarded me. This space felt like another otherworld created by divine power instead of Heart Command Technique, halting time and space.

Nearby, hundreds of snake-men, whom I had encountered once before, stood in formation as if serving their lord.

The being slowly spoke,

“The destruction of this world approaches. Sooner than expected. You are the harbinger of that destruction, and naturally, I find you intriguing, just like others.”

“What do you mean? Who are these others?”

“To maintain your sanity with my true form before you… merely being the Apostle of the Three Sovereigns doesn’t explain it, heh heh.”

The water lizard chuckled in intrigue, seemingly aware of my identity as an Apostle.

It spoke again.

“The tribute offered by demon sorcerers is hardly of interest to me. I was considering terminating you but thought better because you exist. If you were to broker a deal with me, I could give you what you desire.”

“A deal?”

The water lizard flicked its tongue briefly before continuing,

“Offer me the Seven Luminaries.”

“……!!”

“Then I shall grant you the powers of my Apostle and teach you the hiding spots of Chi You. You will become the king of the Serpent Men.”

So, this being was aiming for the Seven Luminaries after all!

Having been warned before the ritual started by Zhuge Sa, I clenched my teeth and said,

“I can’t do that. I will protect the Seven Luminaries as the Apostle of the Three Sovereigns.”

I had no choice. I had to refuse, even if it meant dying here and restarting.

If the Seven Luminaries fell into his hands, the Old Ruler and the entirety of the Celestial Realm would become my enemies. If the world continued after my rebirth, my companions would certainly endure eternal agony in the Celestial Realm.

I assumed he would kill me immediately, but unexpectedly, he continued to tempt me with a subtle voice.

“You have quite the greed… then what about this? I will grant you the gifts of immortality, celestial beauty, the ability to absorb souls, and the power to manipulate water.”

Now that was tempting. If I accepted all the conditions proposed by the water lizard, I could become a being surpassing even the emperor of this world. But that only emphasized how precious the Seven Luminaries truly were, so I firmly replied,

“Just kill me. I will never accept.”

“The ultimate vitality I will bestow.”

“… I will not accept.”

Then, the water lizard seemed somewhat furious.

“You dare refuse the offer from one of the Masked Ones?”

“Masked Ones? What do you even mean?”

I wasn’t sure what it meant, but I calmly replied,

“The ‘Eternal Fetus’ that appeared in the White Lotus Sect also craved the Seven Luminaries.”

“……”

“I don’t know what the Seven Luminaries mean to you, but if I’m dead either way, I would rather die while holding my ground.”

“Hmm…”

The water lizard suddenly became calm, as if pondering something. After a long while, it finally spoke.

“Interesting. You truly seem willing to stand against me, even if it means dying. Can a mere human possess such mental fortitude? And I can’t read your thoughts…”

Then it began to swish its tail as it continued,

“I shall spare you this time since you haven’t mocked me while carrying Jeon Wook’s reputation. However, you will never obtain the information you seek.”

“Are you cursing me? If you want to kill me, then just do it quickly.”

“It is the truth. Because Chi You…”

Just as the Old Ruler seemed about to say something, its crimson pupils gleamed with intensity.

“First, I will accept the tribute as agreed and give back the equivalent value.”

“Thank you.”

“Apostle, remember this well.”

I felt the chilling command of the Old Ruler’s fearsome power spreading through the air, as if the entire world was being swallowed by water.

“Your master possesses a powerful authority rivaling ours yet can never be the leading role in the Revelation. After the Revelation, your master will not be able to protect you. After the end, you will regret turning down my offer today.”

Pop!

I was abruptly pulled back to reality. I heard Zhuge Sa, who had been kneeling, saying joyfully,

“I found out information on one of the avatars of Chi You!”

“Huh?”

“I devoured all the Portrait Immortals, though.”

I glanced over at the altar. True to his words, the Portrait Immortal had horrifyingly transformed into blood fragments. I quickly averted my gaze, unable to bear the sight any longer.

“What kind of beings are they?”

“The Gin Nara. They reside on Mount Tai.”

“Is that for real?! Then…”

Zhuge Sa looked skyward and declared,

“This means we know what we need to do now.”

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