947——————==

True Martial Home

After declaring the True Martial Home, Master Dharma called his four disciples and said.

[You shall lead the believers to the haven ahead.]

” ……”

Upon hearing that, the eldest disciple, Hye Ga, quietly gestured with one hand, while the other three disciples flinched significantly. However, it seemed they all steeled themselves and responded loudly.

“Understood, Master!!”

Tydah!

They used the Light Body Technique they learned from me to approach the believers. I glanced at them and then turned to Master Dharma.

“What do you mean by leading them to the haven?”

[This world is about to perish. However, destruction is akin to death, and it is always followed by terrible suffering… Therefore, I wish to ease the despair and pain for the believers who trust and follow me.]

“… No way!”

I was taken aback.

Whooooosh!

Light began to flow from the bodies of the kneeling believers in prayer. The disciples standing before them began to chant spells.

Thud!

Thud!

People started to lose their lives and collapse here and there. The believers, while dying, held hands, smiling faintly. The image of hundreds and thousands of people, young and old alike, dying was beyond anything I had ever imagined.

Turning to Master Dharma, I shouted.

“Master!! Surely you can’t be…”

[… I have inscribed my curse onto the believers. When the spell activates, they die peacefully without pain, and their souls become mine… That is the contract between the White Lotus Sect and I as its leader.]

Ssss…

I could visibly see the life force and souls flowing out of the deceased, being absorbed into Master Dharma’s body. As he absorbed the souls, it felt as if he was growing larger, transforming into a giant. I stared at Master Dharma intently and said.

“If a soul is absorbed by another being, it can never find rest. Do you really think that simply relieving their earthly pains fulfills your responsibility?”

As an expert in the Soul Exchange Technique, I can confidently say this. In the underworld, there is no place for souls to rest. If another being absorbs or controls the soul, the vessel will surely crack, causing the soul to suffer. Sure, the physical pain will vanish the moment one becomes a soul, but indescribable emotional gloom and anxiety will invariably overshadow the spirit.

In the long term, it was no different from heading to hell. Hence, the Soul Exchange Technique is considered evil arts, and those who practice it are dubbed demons in the Martial Arts world.

Upon hearing my words, Master Dharma replied bitterly.

[In any case… the end doesn’t take long… It’s merely a minimal consideration…]

” ……”

I could sense Master Dharma’s intentions. He thought it better for the living, enduring the revelation of doom and overwhelming despair, to perish without knowing while the world comes to an end. And in a way, he was right.

Though Master Dharma’s actions were undeniably demonic, a minimal conscience for humanity lay beneath. I couldn’t bring myself to condemn him.

While I remained silent, the four disciples finished their tasks and approached me. Huang Wu, sounding somewhat frightened, spoke to Master Dharma.

“M-Master.”

[Huang Wu… What troubles you?]

“I too… please just kill me.”

Huang Wu trembled as his teeth chattered. His pupils darted around like he was in an earthquake; he looked anxious. It was evident that merely witnessing the revelation of doom in the sky had enveloped him in terrifying fear.

“I was always half-on-the-fence about your words… The truth is, I became your disciple out of envy for your supernatural powers and abilities…”

[Is that so…]

“But… I’m far too scared right now. I’ve no more greed for mortal riches, so please let me go in peace!!”

[ ……]

Master Dharma gazed silently at Huang Wu, then turned to the other three disciples.

[Do you all share the same thought…?]

At that, Princess Ayuta and Seong Jin, who had hesitated, nodded as well.

“Yes.”

“I want to be at peace.”

They too seemed unable to conceal their tremendous fear. According to my teachings, they were a very strong-willed bunch, yet they were barely avoiding madness. The despair already gripping this world was beyond what humans could endure.

The exception, however, was Hye Ga. With eyes calm as a still lake, he exhibited none of the turmoil; his gaze had already accepted death. As someone who had died numerous times, I could do nothing but marvel at the sight of Hye Ga’s unwavering eyes.

‘In the world… how can someone who has never tasted death feel not a ounce of fear towards it? To accumulate such cultivation in just one lifetime!’

His gaze reflected not reckless arrogance or bravery battling death; I knew instinctively as someone who had reincarnated many times. Hye Ga’s eyes brimmed with patience, wisdom, and enlightenment, a true pioneer who realized that life and death are one and the same.

When Master Dharma’s eyes met Hye Ga’s, he wore an expression of proud satisfaction.

[… I am proud to have you as a disciple…]

“Amitabha.”

Looking at his disciples, Master Dharma spoke.

[Forgive me, my disciples… Because you are my direct disciples… there is something we need to do before the apocalypse… I ask you to endure just a little longer through this despair and fear you are experiencing…]

“Master, what is it that we must do?”

[You shall make a pact with the spirits of this world and command them.]

” ……?”

Everyone wore puzzled expressions. They clearly thought Master Dharma was speaking nonsense. However, to clarify his statement, he waved his hand in the air, and at that moment, marks appeared on the foreheads of the four disciples.

Chiiiiiing!!

A smell of burning flesh wafted through the air, reminiscent of a hot brand. However, the disciples receiving the marks did not express significant pain; they merely winced as the marks were finished.

[Awakened spirits of the Primordial Age, who have existed since the world’s dawn… call upon their powers and make them yours… Their attributes will be Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind.]

Kiiiiiing!

As the marks glowed, the disciples concentrated, and soon after, primordial powers of nature began to flow into them. The raw powers of nature swirled around their bodies, and they began to stabilize and master them one by one.

Whiiiiiing!

Seong Jin appeared to handle the Air attribute, summoning winds in his hands. Fascinated, he looked at his palm, and soon the other disciples began to manipulate the elemental energies as well. Master Dharma, having granted them tremendous power, instructed them.

[Surround us… Until the spell’s creation is complete, you shall guard me as pillars.]

“Understood!”

[Take these weapons with you…]

It seemed Master Dharma was also handing them fake Four Great Spirit Deities’ weapons. They had no remarkable abilities, but it appeared he meant for them to infuse the natural powers into these weapons for combat.

Perhaps because they had swiftly acquired powers beyond human bounds, all their previous anxiety and fear seemed to evaporate. The four disciples dispersed to take up defensive positions around the altar, and Master Dharma turned to me.

[Baek Woong, your role is the most crucial…]

“What should I do?”

[… Hmm, not the right time yet… I’ll tell you soon… For now, keep an eye on the surroundings.]

“First, explain what’s happening. I know the omens are appearing, but are the [Old Rulers] really coming to eliminate us?”

Master Dharma shook his head.

[… The ‘omen’ signifies… that the Great Seer has given ‘consent’ alongside the [Father] for the destruction of the universe… In other words, the reason the [Old Rulers] reveal themselves in the void and constellations are aflame is… because the [Old Rulers] are bewildered… Why? Because the universe will soon perish, and they have no clue who is behind it…]

“Ah, I see.”

I understood the situation through Master Dharma’s explanation.

So, the ‘omen’ indicated that the universe’s destruction is not far off! Based on my past lives, the [Old Rulers] were undoubtedly afraid of their own annihilation due to the universe’s destruction; hence it was natural for them to panic at the ‘omen.’

“Did the [Old Rulers] burn constellations to find out who wanted the universe’s destruction after seeing the ‘omen’?”

[Exactly… they would seek to identify the perpetrator and eliminate the sorcerer to prevent the universe’s destruction… Moreover, the [Old Rulers] have begun to realize that a sorcerer exists in this world, and they will likely take action soon…]

“Hmm.”

I frowned.

“What will happen if those ruling bastards don’t search for us specifically and just blow up the planet?”

[No… they wouldn’t do that carelessly…]

“Why?”

[If the sorcerer behind the universe’s destruction is not at a mortal level, they would certainly suspect… At the very least, a demon sorcerer capable of accessing the Void Record… Knowing how strong I am, the [Old Rulers] would quickly figure out that blowing up this planet, Earth, would drive me into deeper dimensions, making me difficult to find… In reality, I can jump through time and space…]

“Hmm.”

Indeed, Master Dharma is dependable.

It’s amazing to see someone with powers rivaling the Three Sovereigns being so trustworthy.

[Right now, they are… keeping a keen eye on this planet… Searching through everything suspicious, from the tiniest bug to major events across continents… And once I begin the creation of the spell, the battle will commence…]

So that’s the situation.

I nodded and then said.

“Wait a minute… what if we just stall and don’t create the spell?”

[The [Old Rulers] would lose patience and shatter the world… It wouldn’t benefit us at all to delay.]

“Ugh… I see. In that case, let’s create this spell.”

[ ……]

“Why?”

As Master Dharma stared silently at me, I asked back. It seemed he was about to unfold some grand spell, yet he stood there and merely looked at me. Then Master Dharma spoke.

[I once promised to return the Four Great Spirit Deities’ weapons to you… But I didn’t mention how I’d do it… Are you not going to ask me how…?]

With a light-hearted reply to Master Dharma’s question, I said.

“I don’t mind if you don’t tell me. Since we’ve come this far, I’ll stick with you till the end.”

[ ……]

Master Dharma fell silent before speaking.

[If this True Martial Home concludes perfectly… it might be that you will not be able to begin your life anew…]

“… What?”

What on earth is Master Dharma saying?

His words seemed to touch upon my greatest fear. No, in all honesty, it was nearly something I had suspected!

‘No way…’

Does he know I have Rebirth Ability?

I panicked but did my best to keep my expression unchanged. Noticing my lack of reaction, Master Dharma gazed at me intently and finally said.

[You… are prepared, huh… yet not entirely…]

” ……”

With a smile, Master Dharma slowly walked forward.

Step by step.

I could not take my eyes off his movements.

Climbing to the top of the largest altar set up in the Central Hall of the White Lotus Sect, he extended both hands to the sky and proclaimed.

[O foolish and blind Father! Beginning and end of the universe! I am truly grateful for your response to my audacious wish. I foresee that the destruction of this world is not my desire, but solely your sacred intent. How could a foolish and weak human possibly comprehend the mysteries of the universe and understand the will of the gods?

Yet still, this creature hopes. With this life and soul, I beseech. I wish for this world to not face any more reincarnations, seeking to end the endless chaos wrought by sentient beings, and fervently wish for the perfect destruction of the universe!!]

Sssssssss!

Master Dharma’s fingertips began to melt away. Ignoring his transforming hands into a mass of dark mist, he let out a blood-curdling scream.

[Three Thousand Worlds, perish!! I, Dharma, shall prove destruction with the non-birth mother’s technique!!]

Whoooooooosh!!

In that moment, it seemed like a massive flame erupted from the disciples’ formations. An odd light of chaos ignited above Master Dharma’s head, growing larger and beginning to absorb the chaos of this world.

Thump!

Thump!!

‘Huh… Huh… What’s happening…?’

The moment I laid eyes on this light, I felt my heart racing rapidly. I couldn’t understand why, but it seemed I had seen that light before. As the chaotic light gradually refined, it began to take the shape of a massive tome.

Chiiiisk!

Bam!!

Just like Thunder God boiling over, the chaos flashed in the air, and fragments were created, sticking to the edges of the tome. The size of the fragments appeared to be about 10% of the tome, and it seemed that if all these fragments adhered together, the technique of the non-birth mother would be complete.

Whooooosh!

Even amidst this, Master Dharma continued to dissolve. One hand had completely vanished below the elbow, and the other hand was gone up to the palm. The remains of his body surrounded in chaotic mist appeared to be melting away to forge the technique.

‘Wait a minute…’

As I observed the scene, an odd realization struck me. So I shouted.

“Dharma!! You didn’t tell me what I should do!!”

However, Master Dharma showed no sign of responding, focused on some incredible concentration.

Damn it!

It was crystal clear that I had to protect him until he finished this ordeal, but did it really mean facing the [Old Rulers] barehanded? No matter how much I had ascended to the Absolute Realm, it was completely impossible! Especially considering the [Old Rulers], who are aiming for the universe’s destruction, rushing in like a swarm, it’s suicidal!

Just then.

Kwahhhhhh!!

With a sound that could shatter the heavens and earth, a wave of darkness fell from the sky, covering this entire place. As the wave swept through, the pillars created by the disciples’ elemental powers turned into a barrier, seemingly withstanding that wave.

I looked at Seong Jin. Seong Jin, who had been controlling the wind’s powers from the north, had lost his human form and transformed entirely into a mass of air like a wind spirit.

The wind spirit occupying Seong Jin’s body shouted to Master Dharma.

[What is the meaning of this… to bind our ancient gods with magic and confine them within a human body!! Sorcerer, return us to our original forms immediately!]