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BooOoOom!!!

As I clung to the demon creature, everything around me started shimmering violently, and my sight transformed into a chaotic storm of light. Before I knew it, that light dissolved into a space void of brightness. I recalled hearing from Zhuge Sa that this phenomena occurs when you surpass the speed of light, and since I had utilized this creature before, I was somewhat familiar with it.

After a brief moment, the movements of the demon creature came to a halt, and I found myself stepping onto ground densely filled with star-like crystals. I was wary, wondering if I was still within the confines of the wall, but I didn’t sense any demonic presence nearby.

I summoned the spirit of the National Seal and ordered it to explore the terrain around.

[Exploring… Current Location: Northern region of the Dark Heaven Village, Bronze Star Area.]

“Bronze Star?” I echoed, a bit baffled.

“You mean you actually know the terrain of the Dark Heaven Village?”

[I have data about the Dark Heaven Village provided directly by Shao Hao Jin Tian, the creator of the National Seal. However, since it’s information from thousands of years ago, there may be discrepancies with the current state.]

Shao Hao Jin Tian! The legendary figure among the Three Sovereigns and the one who crafted the National Seal! Hearing that name again felt strangely comforting amidst wandering in this otherworldly realm.

“If you have any maps or additional info, share it all!”

[Displaying map.]

Whoosh!

Shortly after, a giant map that looked like ancient parchment floated before me in the air. A vast continent encompassed the area, dotted with lakes and plateaus. Surprisingly, the cardinal directions were clearly defined, and civilization seemed present in many regions. When I heard about a grand city, I was a bit shocked and asked the spirit.

“A city? Do otherworldly races live there?”

[There exists a Dream City ruled by the King of Wonder. The inhabitants of this place are known as the Dream Inhabitants, which cannot be labeled simply as humans or otherworldly beings.]

“Are they like immortals?”

[Details aren’t recorded. However, they are said to be non-hostile to humans.]

“Show me what they look like.”

As I gazed at the data presented by the National Seal, I was taken aback. While there were indeed some otherworldly beings, the majority resembled ‘humans.’ It was certainly unusual for a race that looked like humans to thrive in this place known for driving even the great immortals mad.

‘This place truly defies understanding…’ I muttered to myself as I spoke to the National Seal.

“Got it. Let’s head in for a bit.”

Although I had more questions, I first had to finalize our negotiation. After allowing the spirit of the National Seal to enter, I summoned Cheon Gong-pyo from the Ruyi Staff. The spirit floated in with an air of arrogance.

[Why have you called me?]

“Don’t play dumb. You’re surely waiting for me to find Tydaht in the Dark Heaven Village, right?”

[Why do you think that?]

“You showed a huge reaction when I mentioned Tydaht, and now you’re silently building power while lying low. Do you think I’m an idiot?!”

As I growled, Cheon Gong-pyo smirked mischievously.

[Well, you’re not that foolish after all.]

“Are you planning to pull something when I find Tydaht?”

[Ha ha, even if I were, I wouldn’t tell you.]

“Let’s get serious.” I sighed and spoke to Cheon Gong-pyo.

“This isn’t a place I can survive alone. Even if the seal was lifted, you, bound to the Ruyi Staff, can’t either. We need to cooperate to have any chance of survival.”

It was a guess, but even with the seal lifted, Cheon Gong-pyo still seemed bound to the Ruyi Staff. If she could have escaped alone after breaking through the wall with the Ruyi Staff, she would have done so, and her uneasiness around my suggestion felt telling. Additionally, her existing condition, without a physical form, indicated her powers weren’t complete.

[What are you suggesting?]

“Let’s share information and form an alliance. I’ll give you information in exchange for what you know. Otherwise, getting to the palace where Tydaht is while avoiding the [Old Ruler] wandering around here is impossible.”

[…]

Cheon Gong-pyo crossed her arms, seemingly mulling it over.

Then, without warning, she spoke.

[I want to hear first why you, a human, are gathering the Seven Luminaries.]

“Does that mean you’re considering my proposal?”

[I’ll listen and then decide.]

It seemed we had reached a tipping point in our negotiations. I figured this was the moment to convince her.

“The reason I’m gathering the Seven Luminaries is that I believe I can defeat the evil god only by doing so. I heard legends that collecting them and freeing them would grant me power equal to that of a god.”

[You believed that? So you don’t think that’s the case anymore?]

Nodding, I replied.

“Once I gather a certain number of Luminaries, the Three Sovereigns will intervene. Even possessing the power equivalent to that of a Great Immortal is useless then. It’s quite desperate, but my companions suggested something else.”

[What’s that suggestion?]

“To lure Emperor Gong Sun Xuanwen into the game as bait.”

Cheon Gong-pyo gasped in surprise at my words. My suggestion seemed to take her aback, and her expression flared with astonishment before she asked.

[What do you mean by that?]

“I no longer believe that I can simply collect the Luminaries to take down the god. However, I’ve confirmed that the approach the Three Sovereigns take toward the end is a peculiar bond that cannot be broken by human strength. Although I don’t know much about the Celestial Realm, it feels like they’ve fallen into their clutches.”

[That’s true.]

Calmly, I recounted the stories Zhuge Sa and Mangnyang had shared with me.

“Given that, the only option left is to gain the support of Emperor Gong Sun Xuanwen, who could potentially break the authority of the other Three Sovereigns while being friendly to humans.”

[…]

“The Emperor is definitely a being on a different level than ordinary [Old Rulers].”

[…]

“If we play our cards right, the Emperor might delay the apocalypse or spare mankind. To do this, we first need to gather the Luminaries and meet with him.”

[You’re being overly optimistic.]

“I’ve heard that if I can gather the Luminaries without releasing them, I could pave the way towards the Sun by reaching the Six Needs. Right now, that’s the goal I’m working towards, while simultaneously seeking a way to the Divine Temple. This is why I came to the Dark Heaven Village to find Tydaht.”

This was essentially all the core information I had laid out. In fact, this plan was devised after days of discussions between Mangnyang and Zhuge Sa once they got access to my memories, and I intended to look for the most effective and quickest reincarnation route to gather the Six Needs without hastily releasing the Luminaries.

[Sounds plausible…]

Cheon Gong-pyo eyed me cautiously.

[Hah, it’s hard to believe. After the Fengshen War, humans were rendered powerless and reduced to mere insects, yet somehow they managed to glean these secrets about the gods?]

“Huh? Power?”

[… Fine, I’ll acknowledge your right to negotiate with me, the Lord of the Grove, Baek Woong.]

Cheon Gong-pyo slowly continued.

[Let me reintroduce myself. I am Cheon Gong-pyo, the Lord of the Grove, and the master of the Sabre Sword and Absolute Teachings. When I was human, I went by He Yu.]

Cheon Gong-pyo! His fame was virtually legendary among Daoists. During the historical upheaval of the early Silver Age, two massive divine factions clashed; one composed of demon immortals and the other of human immortals, leading to the infamous incidents recorded in the Investiture of the Gods, culminating in the victory of the human immortals, which saw the demon immortals sealed away on Golden Crow Island.

Moreover, Cheon Gong-pyo was known as the legendary Chancellor who orchestrated the Investiture of the Gods, the disciple of Tai Gong-mang, and had a significant blessing and guidance from Taishang Laojun; he was even someone other immortals revered with respect. It was said that he opposed the Investiture plan from beginning to end before ultimately being sealed away.

I expressed my astonishment.

“So it turns out you’re the Lord of the Grove? I never heard that before! In the legends…”

[I told you. The tales of the Investiture of the Gods are distorted.]

Cheon Gong-pyo responded curtly.

[Is this place safe?]

“Just a moment ago, the spirit of the National Seal said the Bronze Star Area is a safe location with many zebras, devoid of fierce otherworldly beings.”

[I see. Then how about I share some old tales…]

Cheon Gong-pyo floated onto a nearby shimmering crystal rock, her golden eyes gazing at me as her blue hair danced in the air.

[Back in ancient times, when I was still human as He Yu, I was once offered the throne by Emperor Yao but refused. Later, I ascended to become a disciple of the Primordial Heaven Master and inherited the teachings of Taishang Laojun, earning the name Cheon Gong-pyo.]

“……?!”

I gasped, astonished.

“You mean the legendary scholar He Yu who washed his ears in refusing the throne was really you?”

[It seems that’s the only part of the tale that hasn’t been distorted.]

Cheon Gong-pyo smirked.

[So you think I directly interacted with the Three Sovereigns…]

She grinned, “Indeed.”]

“……!!”

The very person who once received an offer for the throne from the Three Sovereigns! My heart raced at the thought. The Three Sovereigns I had envisioned were immensely powerful, so what could that encounter have been like? Observing my face filled with anticipation, Cheon Gong-pyo spoke.

[But let me tell you, that story isn’t as beautiful as you’d imagine. The reason Emperor Yao offered me the throne wasn’t out of virtue or humility.]

“What do you mean?”

[Emperor Yao was the embodiment of Yao and Shun. However, as he ruled the human realm, he grew bored and needed a new vessel to switch into.]

What could she possibly mean? Back then, I would have thought she was speaking nonsense. But now, having gained some insight into mythical beings and the truth about the Three Sovereigns, I started to grasp the implications of her words, my expression stiffening.

“So, human He Yu was chosen as the new vessel of the Three Sovereigns, Yao and Shun.”

Cheon Gong-pyo nodded as she continued.

[The reason was due to my naturally powerful abilities and supernatural talents. Naturally, I refused, but it was hard to brush off the persistent demands of the Three Sovereigns. Fearing that I might suffer in the Underworld after death, I resolved to enter the Celestial Realm, seeking the protection of the highest-ranking Primordial Heaven Master, Taishang Laojun, and the Three Pure Ones.]

“……”

As I pondered, I finally spoke.

“Could it be that the pure emperor of the human world was also involved?”

[As you suspect. By becoming a high-ranking figure in the Celestial Realm, I merely ‘made’ the new puppet, Shun, to avoid being targeted by the Three Sovereigns. While history books record it as ‘Shun Yang’, it was merely a replacement for the vessel.]

Cheon Gong-pyo laughed bitterly.

[Both Yao and Shun are embryos of the Three Sovereigns in fact, the same entity. The true form of Yao and Shun is a demon god whose name cannot even be pronounced, and discovering it drives ordinary humans to madness. All humans are merely puppets ruled eternally by the renamed deities.]

“But even so, wasn’t that era one of tranquility?”

[Yes, indeed. But at the same time, it was the peak of human sacrifices, made without hesitation or aversion. It was common to see thousands required daily for sacrificial offerings or massacres.]

“……!!”

[A peaceful age merely indicates that humans flourished under divine grace, but it merely implies the least resistance to the hellish human sacrifices. They were nothing more than livestock enjoying their time.]

This was a shocking truth.

The era of slaughtering livestock without resistance! Who knew that all the Central Plains people reminiscing wistfully about the ‘perfect paradise’ of the Yao and Shun era were revering the peak of human sacrifices?! However, having chased after ancient secrets and encountered countless evil forces in this bizarre journey, I could empathize with this grim reality.

As I fell silent, Cheon Gong-pyo began speaking again.

[The reason the Three Pure Ones accepted me as their disciple and successor was twofold. One intention was to have a counterweight against the Three Sovereigns. Even though they are Three Pure Ones, they can’t match the power of the Sovereigns, but they did try to rein them in out of consideration for humans.]

“And the second reason?”

[My extraordinary talent… it was my inherently powerful ‘ability’ that caught their eye. Should I become their disciple, I could become the mightiest Great Immortal ever.]

I tilted my head, not at all concerned about her boasting.

“You’ve mentioned abilities repeatedly; what exactly does that entail? You mean you have capabilities like Xiang Yu, using the power of constellations?”

[Not at all. What he uses is fundamentally the power of the [Old Ruler]. Mine is completely different.]

Suddenly, Cheon Gong-pyo brandished the Sabre Sword and split it into four. The four swords floated in the air as she spoke arrogantly.

[As you can see, the Sabre Sword consists of four treasures. But normally, only the likes of a Great Immortal can employ all four treasures at once. Few, like the Renowned Heavenly Mysterious Woman, can operate them simultaneously. Thus, in the history of the world, I am the only one able to wield the Sabre Sword.]

“What is this? Are you showing off your power?”

[This is my inherent ability. I possess near-infinite mental endurance and the capability to utilize all techniques and treasures without any energy loss. Plus, I can instantly grasp all techniques just by looking at them.]

“……?!”

What now?!

As my jaw dropped in disbelief, Cheon Gong-pyo continued.

[Though sealed away in the Celestial Realm now – I am the pinnacle of the chaos talent that has existed within humans since antiquity. Occasionally, humans who can pure outshine the Great Immortals have been born throughout history. It is I, Cheon Gong-pyo, who possesses the strongest chaos talent of the Silver Age.]

 

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