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“Crap!”

I tried to use the National Seal’s clairvoyance out of habit, but then it hit me—it’s been destroyed. Without any other options, I wanted to reach for the Fire Eye Golden Spirit ability, but unfortunately, it couldn’t let me see such a long distance. A battle was raging hundreds of miles away.

Now that I couldn’t spy on the clash between Cheon Gong-pyo and the Eight Parts of the Divine, I felt a nagging anxiety creeping in.

“Damn… what should I do?”

If I could definitively see which side would win or lose, my mind would be made up. After all, if it goes south, there’s always the option of a quick suicide and hopping into the next reincarnation. But in this situation, where it was uncertain if Cheon Gong-pyo would win or lose, deciding my course of action became quite the pickle.

As I pondered, I turned to Fire Dragon Incarnate.

“Fire Dragon Incarnate, please use the Sword Flying Technique to take me to where Cheon Gong-pyo is fighting.”

[No can do.]

“What?”

[Even if we joined forces, the levels are just too different. There’s a high chance we’d just be weighing down Cheon Gong-pyo without contributing anything.]

“……”

Fire Dragon Incarnate seemed to dislike Cheon Gong-pyo, but he was objectively assessing the power levels. If even he said it would be futile to go, I had to reconsider. Just then, Fire Dragon Incarnate offered a piece of advice.

[I didn’t mention this when Cheon Gong-pyo was around, but there is another way for you to escape Dark Heaven Village.]

“Really?!”

Surprised by the unexpected words, I shouted, and Fire Dragon Incarnate nodded.

[While that guy is fighting, you could offer Xuyou to the Ruler and just make a break for it. But honestly, it would be a shame to waste Xuyou.]

“What method are we talking about?”

[Think carefully about the fragment of the Great Immortal that exists within you.]

After a moment’s thought, I replied, “Yeodong-bin, and there’s a connection with the Incarnate.”

[There’s one more.]

“You mean the Heavenly Mysterious Woman’s Immortal Sword Technique?”

[Exactly.]

Suddenly, Fire Dragon Incarnate conjured an image of a dragon-shaped seal above her hand. As the scarlet dragon emblem flickered, she continued speaking.

[The power I regained when I recovered as a Dragon King… the seal of the Shenglong.]

“A new ability?”

[This is a power I was born with. It just faded because I spent too long in the Celestial Realm.]

Lightly tossing back her hair, Fire Dragon Incarnate explained.

[This ability belongs to a class of techniques that manipulate the law of cause and effect. It can restore or enhance the fragments of your connections, summoned without constraints. Additionally, if used offensively, I could mark the Great Immortal in the Celestial Realm with a seal and instantly annihilate them.]

“Are you serious? That’s an incredible power!”

[It’s likely that Shenglong gave me this ability with the purpose of making me oversee the Celestial Realm. But it’s limited to the Celestial Realm, so I can’t use it against substitutive entities like the Three Sovereigns, and once used, it cannot be activated again for ten years. That’s why I couldn’t use it on Cheon Gong-pyo.]

I couldn’t help but be amazed. The ability to restore the fragment of a connection! And to enhance it without constraints—ranked amongst my past life experiences, it was an astounding power. If used wisely, it could mean borrowing the infinite power of the Great Immortal.

Moreover, if she were inclined, Fire Dragon Incarnate could instantly eliminate any one of the Great Immortal in the Celestial Realm with that ability. I was feeling the weight of just how powerful she was as the avatar of Shenglong.

‘Well, Cheon Gong-pyo probably doesn’t count since he’s not part of the Celestial Realm…’

Fire Dragon Incarnate continued speaking.

[I believe we can summon the Heavenly Mysterious Woman with this power, and use her strength to escape Dark Heaven Village.]

“You mean summon the Heavenly Mysterious Woman?!”

[She’s the best sorcerer in the Celestial Realm, almost on par with the Three Pure Ones. Even if Dark Heaven Village is the devil’s realm, there might just be a way.]

“Hmm…”

That indeed sounded plausible.

Calling the Heavenly Mysterious Woman into Dark Heaven Village seemed nearly impossible due to the barriers that the Old Ruler had erected, but with Shenglong’s power, it might bypass that restriction. And if summoned without constraints, who knows what the Heavenly Mysterious Woman could accomplish? The reason I was positively responding to Fire Dragon Incarnate’s suggestion was that I had previously witnessed her divine status with my own eyes.

Corpse Dissolution Technique!

The Corpse Dissolution Technique deployed by the Heavenly Mysterious Woman had once shattered a defense laid out by one of the Twelve Great Celestial Sages in a single blow, proving strong enough to hold her ground against hundreds of Great Immortals and overlay techniques. Excluding the top-tier Great Immortals like the Three Pure Ones and the Queen Mother of the West, she was undoubtedly the best sorcerer in the Celestial Realm.

It was definitely better than offering Xuyou to the Old Ruler. Deep in thought, I finally spoke.

“Alright, let’s go with that method…”

In that instant, a massive heatwave erupted from the eastern sky, turning the world before me bright white in an instant. I quickly realized that the flames were spilling out like a liquid from hundreds of miles away, with destructive light rushing towards this spot.

“Ahhh!”

I mobilized my Peak Expert senses and swiftly bolted away from the spot, feeling the echoes of destruction rush over me like waves.

Bang!

Even as I broke through several sound barriers while activating the Soul Removal Technique, the destructive light was still hot on my heels. The remnants of destruction were just as swift as the Soul Removal Technique, and such an explosive force was not something you see every day. It was only after a sprint that I narrowly escaped the blast radius, tumbling to the ground.

Thud…

“What the heck?!”

Could that mean a clash erupted that could wipe out hundreds of miles in an instant? Fire Dragon Incarnate crossed her arms and remarked.

[Seems like Cheon Gong-pyo is in a tussle with the Thief Gang over the Sabre Sword.]

Feeling flabbergasted, I glanced back and saw the sky ablaze with blue and red hues intertwined. Evil screams and groans began breaking out from everywhere, and upon hearing the ominous cries, I realized.

Grrrhh –

Uwaaaahhh–!!

The haunting screams of dark deities echoed all around.

The Old Rulers of Dark Heaven Village were enraged!

Until now, those guys I’d been leveling mountains with my Great Destruction had merely treated their existence as a light-hearted diversion, but this clash felt like a whole different game. The power of the Sabre Sword had made ‘Daji’s fiery breath’ look like child’s play, and the terrain was already in ruins enough to be flattened.

Predicting the tragedy that would soon ensue, I trembled as I spoke, “Damn… things are getting tougher.”

Cheon Gong-pyo, the Thief Gang, and the Old Rulers would soon be entangled in a mud-slinging contest.

Of course, being sucked into that would surely result in my gruesome demise.

[Baek Woong. There’s no time, hurry and make your choice.]

I grit my teeth.

“At this point, the option to offer Xuyou is off the table. It can’t be helped.”

With Cheon Gong-pyo raising everyone’s bloodlust, there was no way I’d have the opportunity to offer Xuyou to the enraged Old Ruler. If they’ve got the temperament to squash a bug that just spoke, I’d be lucky to escape unscathed. After receiving the seal of the Shenglong from Fire Dragon Incarnate, I awakened the Immortal Sword within me.

“Come forth, Heavenly Mysterious Woman!!”

Whooooosh – !!

I felt the Immortal Sword resonate as it called upon far-reaching connections. The Heavenly Mysterious Woman’s power began surging toward me across the colossal dimensional distance, and for a brief moment, I saw the gigantic apparition of a spider before my eyes.

However, upon seeing the seal of Shenglong hovering above my hand, the spider conveyed its intentions to me in an emotionless voice.

[Pass.]

As the apparition of the spider slowly faded, I realized that the gigantic barrier blocking Dark Heaven Village and reality had also lifted. I could feel the connection with the Heavenly Mysterious Woman now established, and she was being summoned into this place.

Could it be that the spider I’d just seen was the Old Ruler obstructing the entrance to Dark Heaven Village?

Crack!

Moments later, the Heavenly Mysterious Woman appeared before me. After being summoned, she glanced between me and Fire Dragon Incarnate, then spoke to Fire Dragon Incarnate.

[Fire Dragon Incarnate, why did you use the Dragon King’s powers for a mere human?]

[This isn’t the time for such talks. We both know this is Dark Heaven Village, so please return me and our benefactor to reality.]

[…You are looking to escape this place.]

She sighed.

[It won’t be easy. The Old Rulers here are gearing up with their unique barriers, and the magical forces are raging like a storm, making it difficult for me to use my magic.]

[Are you saying there’s no method?]

[Like you, my strength has been in decline since my fight with Chi You. No matter how much the barrier guardian opens the path, I can’t wield the magic of that level right now.]

Could it be that not even the Heavenly Mysterious Woman could do it? In an instant, I felt darkness enshrouding me.

‘Damn… are we really talking about suicide here?’

It seemed absurd to end it all in such a futile manner, especially when I hadn’t even uncovered the secrets of Absolute Teachings from Cheon Gong-pyo yet. That would be a waste, especially after I consumed the Spirit Power from my last two lives. As the option of suicide loomed closer, my desire to survive intensified, and my mind raced.

Suddenly, another plan came to mind, and I shouted to the Heavenly Mysterious Woman.

“Heavenly Mysterious Woman! Does that mean if you have enough power, you can cast magic?”

[…Curiosity of a human. That’s somewhat true, but what exactly are you getting at?]

Hearing her question, I quickly pulled out Xuyou from my wooden armor and presented it to her.

“I will offer this Xuyou to you! Please use that power to rescue Cheon Gong-pyo and drive away the Eight Parts of the Divine!”

[……!!]

Both the Heavenly Mysterious Woman and Fire Dragon Incarnate looked surprised by my declaration.

The Heavenly Mysterious Woman responded, bewildered.

[Are you serious? Are you truly saying you’ll offer Xuyou to me?]

“Absolutely. If I offer this Xuyou, can you restore your power to its prime? “

[… It is possible, but what you’re saying about not wanting to return and instead rescuing Cheon Gong-pyo—wait, is it true that Cheon Gong-pyo is in this Dark Heaven Village?]

Realizing the confusion in her words, I nodded firmly.

“Yes. You don’t need to perform the return spell; just help rescue Cheon Gong-pyo. The enemy is six Thief Gang members. Is it possible?”

[……]

The Heavenly Mysterious Woman hesitated, and I sensed the need to nudge her.

Clearly, the power I could get via Xuyou was impressive, but being reluctant to save the one who had once been an enemy of the Celestial Realm’s leadership was understandable. I recalled the knowledge and experiences I had amassed through my past lives and continued.

“Heavenly Mysterious Woman, I am aware of that fact.”

[What do you mean?]

“When Xiang Yu ascended to the Celestial Realm, the left seat of the Four Mystic Beasts was entirely vacant, and it was the Queen Mother of the West who assassinated the Three Pure Ones.”

[……]

Silence.

The Heavenly Mysterious Woman froze completely, while Fire Dragon Incarnate appeared astonished. Seeing their reactions, I continued unrestrained.

“Additionally, I know about the shadowy figure who stripped Fuxi of his mask, who is linked to the purest nature of the Three Pure Ones.”

[How do you know this…]

“Because I liberated Cheon Gong-pyo from the Ruyi Staff and heard the last will of Taishang Laojun.”

I recounted all the suspicious events I knew regarding the Celestial Realm to the Heavenly Mysterious Woman. As I spoke, I watched her expression harden further, and I earnestly pleaded.

“Heavenly Mysterious Woman! Neither Taishang Laojun nor Primordial Heaven Master wished for Cheon Gong-pyo to perish in vain. Though the Eight Parts of the Divine are closing in and presently fighting, we must return to reality to rectify the chaos of the Celestial Realm and oppose the Queen Mother of the West. You do know that Cheon Gong-pyo has the potential to take her down, right?”

[……]

“Please, lend me your strength.”

[Understood.]

The expression of the Heavenly Mysterious Woman shifted dramatically. With a fierce, determined look she extended her hand towards me.

[Baek Woong, I accept your offering. And as you requested, I will save Cheon Gong-pyo.]

“Thank you!”

Swoosh!

Moments later, the Xuyou held in my hand was absorbed into the Heavenly Mysterious Woman’s grip, causing her ethereal form to glow brightly. I could feel her spirit descending upon me, rapidly claiming control over my body.

Now infused with the heavenly essence of the Heavenly Mysterious Woman, she glanced toward the edges of the sky, still holding both Xuyou and the Fire Dragon Sword in her hands, before vanishing in a flash.

BOOM!!

As a massive pressure enveloped me, I realized I was floating somewhere in the void. This void was filled with sizzling streams of light, and I could tell the energy had become dense enough to warp the dimensions.

Upon appearing, the Heavenly Mysterious Woman pointed at the Thief Gang members.

Corpse Dissolution Technique!

Break!

The Thief Gang member, who resembled a bizarre serpent-like creature, froze in place as the Heavenly Mysterious Woman unleashed her Corpse Dissolution Technique. He was shocked and attempted to dispel the technique with his own sorcery, but she merely chuckled coldly.

Crack!

[Aahhh!!!]

The Thief Gang member screamed, but the next moment, his very form shattered due to the force of the Heavenly Mysterious Woman’s spell. Injured beyond recognition, he fell to the ground as the nearby Gin Nara rushed to support him. Meanwhile, the Eight Parts of the Divine’s Cheon Woo-jin glared at the Heavenly Mysterious Woman.

[Heavenly Mysterious Woman! Do you dare to obstruct us?]

[Dare? Heh. Such insolence, coming from the lackey of Chi You!]

She erupted with laughter.

[When I was assisting the Emperor against Chi You, I was too busy concealing my presence, yet you dare bark at the War God!]

[Guhk.]

As her laughter echoed, the Eight Parts of the Divine collectively recoiled, realizing her immense power threatened them just with mere presence.

Turning to Cheon Gong-pyo, the Heavenly Mysterious Woman asked,

[Cheon Gong-pyo, can you use the Spirit Summoning Technique?]

[… Why are you helping me?]

Cheon Gong-pyo appeared to be quite exhausted. Just a short while had passed, yet he bore numerous injuries from the clash against the Eight Parts of the Divine. The Heavenly Mysterious Woman fixed him with an icy gaze and spoke.

[There’s no time to continue this pointless fight. We need to conclude this before the other Old Rulers arrive.]

[Sounds fun. I never even considered casting Corpse Dissolution and Spirit Summoning together.]

Muttering to himself, Cheon Gong-pyo summoned his Sabre Sword into the air.

[Let’s go.]

Whooosh!

In that moment, grotesque black masses and monsters began climbing up from below. Some of them seemed to be the Old Rulers, accompanied by ominous magic flying in all directions.

And in the next moment—Cheon Gong-pyo and the Heavenly Mysterious Woman activated their magic simultaneously.

Nullify!

I felt my body being drawn into an immense void of emptiness. As I struggled to regain my bearings and my vision drifted in my own turmoil, the Heavenly Mysterious Woman, piloting the situation, said,

[Pull yourself together.]

[What happened?]

[The dimensional stabilizer has collapsed, and we’ve entered the void. You need to focus to find a way out.]

Void?

Confused, I looked around, witnessing fragments of chaos and clusters of shadows floating aimlessly.

[What’s that?]

[Those are the rulers who were caught up in the earlier magic.]

[Huh?]

Did I just hear that wrong?

My bewilderment prompted a follow-up question, and the Heavenly Mysterious Woman replied.

[The Spirit Summoning Technique and Corpse Dissolution Technique, both ultimate spells representative of Absolute Teachings and Heavenly Admonishment—and both were unleashed simultaneously, which means any Old Ruler caught unprepared would merely be ripped apart.]

[……!!]

[Those individuals were the lowest-tier rulers, incapable of enduring it. They will remain lost in this void for countless eons, only to resurrect after millennia have passed.]

I could only gape in shock at this spectacle I saw for the first time in my life.

To tear apart an Old Ruler with mere magic!

‘No way.’

I suddenly remembered a conversation I had with Cheon Woo-jin in the past.

[Cheon Woo-jin, I’ve got a question.]

[What is it?]

[If the realm of magic reaches its ultimate peak, can it affect the Gods?]

[Hmmm, you’re asking that question… I’d say yes.]

[Are you serious?]

[Magic, in essence, draws from divine power. Since it comes from the Eight Trigrams given by Fuxi, it’s one of the authorities of the Three Sovereigns. Thus, you could call sorcerers a different type of divine priestess from Demon Sorcerers.]

Cheon Woo-jin had explained this back then.

[I also believe there are instances of people subduing true Gods. The Great Immortals used magic, and long ago, they bound a powerful deity together.]

[Really? Who was it?]

[That’s just a rumor roaming around the Celestial Realm, so I can’t tell for sure. However, it’s clear that when magic reaches its peak, even gods can be pierced.]

When I first heard Cheon Woo-jin’s words, I thought there might still be hope with magic.

But that wasn’t just talk or a legend. I was witnessing with my own eyes that the Corpse Dissolution Technique of the Legendary Heavenly Mysterious Woman, who once fought against Chi You, and the Spirit Summoning Technique of Cheon Gong-pyo—the two strongest magics—all working together to show that even an Old Ruler could be caught!

 

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