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“`

암천향(暗天鄕)

The Final Seal!

I had already suspected as much. The power I used to break the seal of Cheon Gong-pyo released about 80% of it, but the remaining 20% was firmly bound by a ‘true seal’ set by Taishang Laojun, who is one of the three celestial beings.

It was obvious that the reason Cheon Gong-pyo had to follow my commands, despite acting like he wanted to kill me, was because of that seal. He bragged that it would naturally unravel over time, but if that were the case, he wouldn’t need to comply with me.

‘I can’t let you go!’

The energy required to break that seal would undoubtedly exceed at least twenty years of Spirit Power. Plus, there was no guarantee that Cheon Gong-pyo would help me if I released it. The odds were overwhelmingly high that he’d just ditch me and return to the real world, leaving me to deal with the six Dharma Guardians alone. After running all the calculations in my head, I declared emphatically,

“Absolutely not! Who would benefit from that?”

I had already consumed quite a bit of Spirit Power. I had essentially burned through most of the Spirit Power I gained this round just to attempt to break Cheon Gong-pyo’s seal, which felt like losing a lifetime. If I spent an additional twenty years of Spirit Power on top of that, I’d be kicking myself for wasting all my progress. Honestly, I’d rather commit suicide and start over in my next life.

Unlike the disposable spells from the vengeful spirits, Spirit Power accumulates as you live. In that sense, it’s far more valuable, and I couldn’t afford to squander it any further.

When I firmly refused, Cheon Gong-pyo replied.

[Well, then what do you plan to do in this situation?]

“……”

[By the way, I won’t be using the Ruyi Staff’s mystical ability until you agree to my request.]

Should I just kill myself?

Even in a safe spot thirty to forty li away, considering the godlike powers of the Dharma Guardians, it was only a matter of time before they caught up to me. That said, I didn’t have a solid way to escape either.

‘But then again, something feels a bit off about just killing myself…’

It’s a big achievement to pinpoint the true location of Tydaht, but is there any benefit to dying like this?

At the very least, I should make an attempt to return to the real world, right?

As I hesitated, Cheon Gong-pyo said,

[I promise. If you release my seal, I’ll fend off those guys for you. So…]

“I can’t trust your promise.”

[What?]

“Let’s focus on doing our best first, okay?”

I reluctantly decided to use my last resort. I figured, having come this far, it might be worth it.

‘Never thought I’d use it for escaping rather than fighting.’

I then took out Zhuge Bu from my wooden armor and commanded,

“Zhuge Bu! Use the Immortal Summoning technique and share your life force with me!”

“Got it.”

Woosh

As Zhuge Bu cast the technique, a white circle appeared above our foreheads and slowly seeped into our bodies. At the same time, I felt my energy dip drastically, as if my body had become significantly heavier, and it seemed Zhuge Bu felt the same way.

Watching us from the side, Cheon Gong-pyo grinned.

[Interesting idea. Did this spell come from the Grand Sorcerers of the future? But I wonder how far the human body can withstand such weight.]

“Shut up a bit…”

[The caster and recipient need to both reach the level of a master for this to work.]

It appeared that he figured out the true nature of this spell in one shot thanks to his chaotic ability. Despite the overwhelming burden on my body that felt like my head would break apart, I forced my body to summon strength.

Creak

My joints were creaking painfully, but gradually vitality returned to my body. It was a sign that I was starting to adapt to the Immortal Summoning technique.

‘But I can only use one portion of it.’

However, that was enough.

I targeted the key acupoint on Zhuge Bu’s body to draw out his power significantly and stabilize myself. After taking a deep breath and glaring intensely, I pulled out the Gold Needle from my robe.

Boom

The worst-kept secret technique of the Hua Clan, passed down only to clan leaders and direct descendants, was about to unfold.

“I’m about to perform Great Destruction!”

The Apocalyptic Light!

Kugugugung!!

In the next moment, I used all of my internal power to elevate both my body and Zhuge Bu off the ground, opening all eight gates of the Eight Gates technique. My own body, as well as Zhuge Bu’s, was in a state where the gates were opened due to the Great Destruction technique, resulting in an explosive surge in physical ability. I felt an almost divine power coursing through me.

‘Damn, I’m at least a dozen times stronger than before.’

The effectiveness of the Great Destruction technique varies based on the user’s base abilities. Since I had gotten much stronger than when I was at the peak expert level, the effects of the Great Destruction technique were all the more pronounced. Drawing on all my strength, I shouted.

“Follow me!!”

Crash

It was the moment I slammed my feet into the ground. I realized I was running at a speed greater than when I extended the Ruyi Staff to its maximum.

With one step, I leaped over three mountain peaks. I had long since broken the speed of sound and had reached a point far surpassing dozens of times that speed. At this rate of acceleration, my movements alone could summon a storm.

Boom

I could feel Zhuge Bu chasing after me. I raced wildly, using the Great Destruction technique, thinking,

‘What do I do when I get to the sea?’

I’ll figure that out later.

For now, I decided to just keep running. I was determined to do my best in the current situation.

“Waaaaah!!”

Boom

Whenever I spotted a small hill or cliff along the way, I barreled through with a Body Slam. Still, my strength was superior and I smashed right through the cliff, ruthlessly charging ahead.

Crashb

As I ran, the sound of explosions echoed continuously. As I accelerated to a speed utterly impossible for any living being, I felt my strength draining away. But just as my gates were about to start closing, the spell activated.

Life Force Sharing!

At that moment, the energy that had been within Zhuge Bu flowed into me, helping me maintain the state of Great Destruction. I was still feeling invigorated as I raced like a maniac.

How long had I been running?

I soon realized I had sprinted thousands of li and had ended up somewhere. It took just a moment, and I felt the Grand Spell starting to release, causing me to slump down as if I were fainting.

Thud

‘A beach…’

Thank goodness I hadn’t crossed the sea.

Still, using the Great Destruction technique like that meant I had crossed the entirety of this Dark Heaven Village, right?

As I felt my gates slowly and steadily shutting, I gasped for breath. Zhuge Bu was resting beside me when Cheon Gong-pyo remarked with interest,

[Indeed. So you applied the technique of restricted immortality and Life Force Sharing to maintain a super-enhanced magic that would ordinarily lead to your death? Truly a creative idea.]

“……”

[The significance of that spell lies in prolonging the duration of the enhancement.]

“I get it, you’re smart, now let me rest…”

I sighed. Cheon Gong-pyo was right on the money with his analysis.

Yes.

A temporary immortality technique!

And Life Force Sharing!

By using these two high-level techniques together, it had become possible to transform what was originally a mere life-saving spell with a duration of half-moon into a true lethal move. The Immortal Summoning technique was a high-tier spell that grants momentary immortality for a single portion of time, which had boosted the duration of the Great Destruction, sharing vitality with the peak expert Zhuge Bu to lower the risk of burnout and enhance stability further. Sharing the life source of two individuals significantly reduced the drain rate on the Great Destruction technique.

Of course, activating these two high-tier spells simultaneously is something only a master sorcerer can do, so there was no way I could perform this alone. However, I solved this dilemma by using Zhuge Bu as a puppet for me to cast the spell instead.

The creator of this technique was Zhuge Sa. He had felt it was a waste to confine the Great Destruction technique to just self-destruction and yearned to complete it through alternative methods. As a result, a bizarre fusion spell based on the concept of [a puppet-like Zhuge Bu] was born.

Thus, I succeeded in extending the duration of the Great Destruction from half-moon to a full portion, and meanwhile, I had created another fatal technique to counter powerful adversaries in emergencies.

‘Initially, I intended to use this to assassinate the Master of the White Lotus Sect… But I ended up using it for escape.’

What Zhuge Sa had envisioned was for both Zhuge Bu and I to simultaneously use the Great Destruction to amplify our strength, while I pressured the master from the front, and Zhuge Bu would perform a joint attack.

Originally, if it was just the two of us going at it against the Master, victory would be virtually impossible; however, if we amplified our total power with the Great Destruction by at least tenfold, it would change the game. With that level of strength, taking down the initial Master would be a walk in the park. Even if a Dharma Guardian were nearby, I had confidence I could take them out as well.

There was also a reason we had to go just the two of us. Since using the Great Destruction technique prevents one from using techniques effectively and significantly raises the odds of being thrown off balance by sheer force, it would be difficult to differentiate friend from foe. It would more likely just create unnecessary hindrances.

Yet, through how twisted the situation had become, I was forced to utilize this exquisite technique merely for fleeing from the Dharma Guardians. Even still, having crossed the continent after running for a full portion was quite an achievement.

While I was resting, Cheon Gong-pyo said in a curious tone,

[That puppeteer over there doesn’t seem too important, huh?]

“What do you mean?”

[While that technique looks complete on the surface, it has a significant drawback for the caster. The moment you cast that spell, your lifespan must have dropped by at least twenty years.]

“……”

I chose not to respond. But it was a spot-on remark.

‘The real reason I can’t ask my comrades to use the combined technique of extending the Great Destruction…’

Even though extending the Great Destruction technique using two high-tier spells seemed perfect at first glance, it wasn’t so simple. Sharing the life force to maintain immortality and then opening the gates with the Great Destruction drains the caster’s life force significantly. As a result, as Cheon Gong-pyo just observed, Zhuge Bu’s life appeared to be reduced by twenty years, which was something only those cursed with dark magic would endure to utilize.

Yes – this is not a standard technique, it’s dark art.

Therefore, there was an inherent contradiction in entrusting this burden to someone I didn’t even consider a comrade. I couldn’t bring myself to ask Mangnyang or Cheon Woo-jin to cast this spell for me. They might agree, but asking them to expend their one and only life for this was something I couldn’t even utter.

[So that guy’s just someone you hate enough to want to kill, huh?]

Cheon Gong-pyo’s remark struck a nerve.

Was Zhuge Bu really that wrong? I couldn’t definitively answer that.

In a way, I was using Zhuge Bu for my convenience as well, but after hesitating, I replied,

“… This guy sided with the unjust, knowing full well that ordinary people are suffering. He didn’t give a thought for others’ feelings. He indirectly aided in human sacrifices.”

[Sounds quite like an excuse. Heh… Does that give you a reason to control him like a puppet? Seems a different issue.]

“……”

[Isn’t it just great evil oppressing minor evils?]

I growled.

“Don’t speak out of turn just because you’re open-mouthed. There are circumstances.”

Cheon Gong-pyo laughed.

[In the end, you too only judge good and evil by your own standards. Why not just accept the principle of the survival of the fittest more honestly?]

“Are you calling me a hypocrite?”

[If everyone could accept your so-called righteousness, then I’d be wrong…]

“Damn it.”

I shook my head. Arguing with Cheon Gong-pyo would just complicate my thoughts.

‘This isn’t the time for this debate.’

I could tell he merely wanted to torment me with words. Having experienced something similar during the Zhuge Sa period, I quickly regained my composure.

“Cheon Gong-pyo, let’s strike a deal.”

[What kind of deal?]

“I can’t release the final seal with Spirit Power. This power is precious to me, and I won’t use it anymore. But if we can return to the real world, there might be a way to release it…”

[So you want me to work with you until then?]

“Exactly.”

Cheon Gong-pyo snorted.

[Hmph! This time, I can’t trust you. What if you use me to get back to the real world and then seal me away with a stronger seal?]

“……”

[I won’t abandon the initial condition. If you don’t break the seal, I won’t help you at all.]

Then it happened.

Whoosh!!

The Spirit Body of Fire Dragon Incarnate appeared from the Fire Dragon Sword. She crossed her arms and said,

[Master of the White Lotus Sect, Cheon Gong-pyo. If you stubbornly refuse, we’ll end up captured by the Dharma Guardians and become Chi You’s slaves. It’s not like you don’t know that.]

Cheon Gong-pyo seemed displeased with Fire Dragon Incarnate’s words, his eyebrows twitching.

[Don’t act all high and mighty. Are you really worried about that?]

[Why are you being so obstinate when there’s a way for all of us to survive?]

[Heh! Then why don’t you pledge to uphold that promise with your existence on the line?]

Cheon Gong-pyo sneered disdainfully.

[You can’t make that kind of promise and expect us to trust you? You’re ridiculous.]

[What’s your proposal?]

[Release my seal. That’s what I’ve been saying from the beginning.]

The atmosphere was tense.

It seemed Cheon Gong-pyo wouldn’t budge an inch regarding the seal.

However, if I used my power against his seal, the chance of betrayal was high, leaving me in a dilemma.

After pondering for a while, I made up my mind and said,

“Fine. I’ll give up on the seal and all that.”

[What?!]

I pulled out Xuyou from my wooden armor and declared,

“This is Dark Heaven Village; I’ll offer this to the ‘Old Ruler’ nearby and ask to be sent back to the real world. It’s the easiest way, right?”

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