999——————==

Soul of the Evil God

The king of the race…!!

‘ And the king of the top-tier otherworldly race!’

I couldn’t help but tighten my guard at Yeodong-bin’s words. I’ve heard that the already powerful otherworldly beings, especially the “Descendants of the Evil God,” rank among the most dangerous and formidable. Plus, in a survival-of-the-fittest society like their kind, the king is undoubtedly the strongest among them. More so, the sheer fact that they have the right to mimic the form of the Evil God suggests they are a force to be reckoned with.

‘ Just how strong could he be?’

Suddenly, I realized that even contemplating this was problematic. A true master should be able to sense a opponent’s strength the moment they face each other. Once the formidable presence falls within their perception, they prepare their countermeasures.

However— the fact that I can’t even gauge that strength means there’s such a vast difference in our levels that I can’t assess their capabilities with my current strength. Thanks to my encounters with numerous transcendent beings, this was a realization I grasped quickly.

” ……”

I finally understood the situation. This is not the time to be fighting.

There’s no way I can win.

I’m just not strong enough to go head-to-head with such a monster!

Even attempting to engage in a fight is utterly ridiculous.

‘Damn it! Where did it all go wrong…’

Feeling overwhelmed, I calmly stated, “Yeodong-bin, it seems impossible to win against that thing. We should fall back for now.”

[I’m thinking the same. But that does not align with our intentions.]

“What?”

[It’s all up to that being’s will.]

As Yeodong-bin spoke, he fixated his gaze on the otherworldly king standing before us. He was on high alert, yet there was a hint of resignation in his demeanor. I sensed from the absolute realm that Yeodong-bin’s mood suggested the situation was more dire than I assumed.

‘ This is Yeodong-bin, who didn’t even flinch before the Sea God or the Demon King…’

Could it be that such a heavyweight has appeared, one he didn’t even anticipate?

Perhaps Yeodong-bin can gauge the opponent’s capabilities to some extent, unlike me.

After a moment, the one known as “The One Who Turns the Stars” spoke to me.

[Your warrior spirit seems to have waned. That’s a good sign.]

” … What is your goal?”

[The objective of eradicating you remains unchanged. However, in fulfilling this goal, I intend to arrange matters in favor of my lord.]

Sssssssss

One of the five commands summoned by “The One Who Turns the Stars” began to emit irregular smoke. After a brief pause, that command slowly ascended skyward according to “The One Who Turns the Stars”‘ will.

[Echo of distant stars… twist the heavens!]

Bboom!!

With a sound akin to skin tearing, the command burst apart right there, and simultaneously, reality itself appeared to rend apart before my eyes.

Sssssssss

Crack!

‘ ……?!’

What was visible before me twisted and melted like breaking glass, and dazzling green light flickered. The dark smoke swirling like a tempest filled the view, making it difficult to even see my palm in front of my face. I hastily mobilized my protection energy technique, but in that instant, I was left in shock.

‘ My qi isn’t moving!’

Fortunately, it seemed like the smoke wasn’t doing me any harm, but I realized at that moment that the transcendent qi I had conjured up through the “Great Destruction” was entirely beyond my control. The flow of qi should have operated according to my will, yet it was blocked by an unknown force, leaving me feeling as though I had been flung into the dark barehanded.

This isn’t just a time stop.

It felt like I was being subjected to the vast “flow” of this world.

And after a moment, the tearing reality of the heavens became tainted with chaos, as the escaped smoke began to coalesce, creating something. I stood dumbfounded, gazing at the black orb forming far above.

That… is it a black star?

‘ No, it’s not a star… is it the moon?!’

Ku-gugugugu!!

Yes, the dark point that converged into the void suddenly expanded massively, becoming huge like a small moon. It looked about half the size of the moon hanging in the sky, no doubt serving as the “moon” in this peculiar setup.

[Star of Renown! Become a twin star and be my eyes!]

Ki-ki-ki-ki

The second command flew skyward, transforming into a white star that paired with the black moon. As I witnessed the being that conjured two celestial entities in the blink of an eye, an odd feeling washed over me.

‘ What… what is happening? This guy isn’t trying to fight us, but is doing something else entirely.’

I had no idea what was going on.

Paff

Then all eight immortals arrived at our location using spatial transfer techniques, among them, the Eight Immortal Jang Gwa-ro looked up at the black star and white star floating in the sky, gasping in shock.

[ A… amazing!! The laws of the world are twisting! What a terrifying event…!]

” Jang Gwa-ro! What does that mean? Are those two stars causing something?”

[ Could it be that those twin stars are the magic cast by that being?]

” It seems that way, but…”

[ Ohhhhh… Those stars are absorbing the flow of the world. Each star is an otherworldly domain, and the movements of the Seven Luminaries are becoming affected by the otherworldly realms, twisting further and further…]

” ……”

[ If this continues, an incredible calamity will befall us…!!]

The Seven Luminaries!

I couldn’t grasp the finer details, but I realized the purpose behind those two summoned stars was related to the Seven Luminaries.

‘Damn it… I can’t let this happen. I have no choice but to intervene.’

With gritted teeth, I shouted at “The One Who Turns the Stars,” who was just about to conjure the third command.

” Hey!! I won’t catch the Sea God! So just stop!”

[ ……]

” Your goal is to protect the Sea God! I’ll give up and retreat, so just cancel all those incantations already.”

Intuition kicked in.

I had a gut feeling that what that being was attempting was more dangerous than capturing the Sea God!

If I didn’t stop it here, things would go badly.

“The One Who Turns the Stars” suddenly let out a laugh.

[ Hahahahaha…….]

Fwuuuur

The tentacles dangling beneath his chin twisted momentarily. Then, he replied.

[ You… truly are arrogant. How audacious to command a king who occupies a position in the cosmic hierarchy as a mere mortal… Normally, if a princeling made such absurd demands, I would repay their insolence with despair without a single word.]

” … What?”

[ However.]

Soooo

He bowed forward as if in respect.

[ But because it is you… indeed because it is you, I shall listen to your words. It is only a tribute to your grotesque absurdity and arrogance.]

What is this? Why the sudden politeness?!

I felt strange at his bizarre manner of speaking, but I steadily lowered my sword while responding.

” Good. I’ll step back, so just let me down gently.”

[ Hmmm… The awakened creation spell cannot be undone. I was intending to unleash five great calamities upon this world, yet here I must settle for two, so would you be satisfied, foolish mortal?]

” Creation spell…?”

What even is that?

I could only tilt my head, having never heard of it even in Zhuge Sa’s magical lectures. Looking over, it seemed the eight immortals were equally puzzled. But one thing was clear: the being itself boasted of having unleashed calamity, and the thought he was making a mockery of me soured my expression.

” Don’t mess with people! Clean up your own mess!”

[ Hmmm… You cause me contemplation. Your arrogance is testing my patience.]

” What…”

It was then.

Kuuuu!

Woooooooh!!!

The Sea God, temporarily frozen in shock, roared back to life, accompanying a surge of mighty qi from its body. We hurriedly cast our defensive barriers to prepare against the Sea God’s fury. Unlike before, now we could tap into our qi, allowing us to block the Sea God’s roar without much trouble.

‘ Was he dazed from my body slam earlier, and only just waking up now?!’

As if adding insult to injury, now I had to face that monster plus the Sea God!

” ……”

Should I just give up on this life? Can I start over?

No matter how I thought about it, the notion of victory in this situation felt impossible…

‘ Rather than enduring torture at the hands of that monster with magic sealing me away, death might be the better option…’

While I calmly contemplated painless ways to self-terminate, a voice echoed in my head.

[ Can you hear me?]

Huh?

[ Worthless being. Taking a risk, I’ve decided to speak to you… Answer quickly.]

[ Y-yes!]

There was no way I could stay silent. It was an abrupt voice ringing in my head, yet the owner of that voice was someone I knew all too well. And that being spoke to me.

[ I will specially make you my disciple. That monster is a threat, and should be dealt with here, so accept without delay.]

[ Disciple?]

[ Do you intend to defy me? The law of cause and effect is already tied to you; if you agree, it’s done.]

[ W-wait a moment…]

What the hell is going on? As the situation spiraled into chaos, I struggled to make sense of it all. But one thing was for sure: receiving help from this voice would be akin to gaining an army; perhaps I’d obtain the power to take down that monster resembling an eight-scaled fish before my eyes.

However, if that were to happen, my plans of acting freely until uniting the world would be dashed, and I’d likely become a puppet in this voice’s journey. Plus, with my goal of collecting Dharma techniques, I couldn’t allow myself to be led around by that being.

What to do?

‘ Is it letting the calamity of the twin stars go, or taking the plunge and dealing with it…?’

As I pondered, something unexpectedly unfolded before my eyes.

[ Ugh… filthy creature! Just a gatekeeper.]

Wiying

The Sea God’s roar expressed strong displeasure, and “The One Who Turns the Stars” lifted the third command before him, chanting the incantation.

[ Power of the Yellow Insects, devour the impudent one.]

Bzzz!!

Simultaneously, the third command activated, summoning a massive swarm of giant insects from thin air, numbering in the billions. The swarm, all yellow in color, were no ordinary bugs but appeared to be otherworldly beings each with a unique form. The swarm quickly enveloped the Sea God, sticking tightly as if there were no gaps.

Craack!

Sssssss

Splat!!

The Sea God’s form began to shrink. The yellow swarm was devouring the Sea God at an astonishing speed. Yet, the Sea God showed no signs of resistance, merely unleashing another sad cry.

Wooooooh!

But that roar didn’t dislodge a single insect, and it appeared as though the swarm was immune to the Sea God’s magic.

Sssssss

Zzzz

In the span of about ten breaths, over half of the Sea God’s body was consumed. Ultimately, the head, gigantic like a hill, splashed down into the sea.

SPLASH

” ……”

I was utterly at a loss for words as the Sea God fell so easily. Why in the world would that creature want to kill a supposed ally like the Sea God? And could he actually take it down with just one spell?

‘ Did he just kill it because he felt displeased?’

Then I suddenly came to my senses.

‘ The Sea God’s core!’

Without the Sea God’s core, I wouldn’t be able to transfer the contract with the Primordial Spirit to another god! If that core had been completely devoured by insects, I was facing a crisis where the very premise of the Sea God hunt might vanish unexpectedly, prompting me to hastily speak.

” J-just, fine! I’ll give up on the calamity of the twin stars. But if the Sea God’s core is still around, we’ll be taking it!”

[ The core, huh… Maybe, my magic already consumed everything.]

” ……”

This is… damn…

Seriously, how far will this mischief go? What the heck is this?

Is sheer strength all that matters?!

‘ Damn you!’

I felt like I was about to lose my mind, already halfway out of the big picture and about to suffer great losses.

‘ It can’t be! If it goes this way, Zhuge Bu could end up dead, and the White Lotus Sect would be utterly incapacitated!’

‘ I need to land a hit on that bastard… while ensuring I don’t incur any more losses…!!’

With fire in my eyes, I desperately ran calculations through my mind. Moments later, I resolved myself and replied to the being occupying my thoughts.

[ Great Being! You must agree to one condition of mine.]

[ How dare you lay out conditions? The insolence…]

[ If you don’t accept, I will sever this connection right now.]

[ … State your terms.]

[ My goal is to gather the Dharma techniques scattered across the world. You must provide absolute cooperation until I’ve collected them all, and you can never betray me.]

That much of a condition was imperative.

[ ……]

[ If you accept this condition… ]

[ Very well. I shall agree to your condition.]

Surprisingly, the being accepted my condition without hesitation. It seemed he thought gathering Dharma techniques was a fool’s errand and deemed it more pressing to keep “The One Who Turns the Stars” at bay instead.

‘ I was ready to give up and self-terminate if turned down… but my intentions must have reached him.’

A sincere approach during negotiations means the other party often has to relent. In this regard, being a reincarnate has placed me in an extremely favorable position.

[ Alright.]

[ I appoint you as my disciple.]

Huuuh

As that happened, the Spirit Power resonating within me connected my soul to the great deity. I could sense the great being descending as I felt the divine power swelling within me. As the being integrated into my body, I felt my senses reach the heights, while my consciousness sunk deep within.

Whoa…

[ Not too shabby for a mortal’s body.]

Finally, once the divine descent was complete, the being took control of my body and spoke, moving its hands.

[ Immortals! Convey this to the Queen Mother of the West: unite against the disturbances of the Evil God. Be clear?]

[ ……]

[ It is the Queen Mother’s role to deal with this calamity of the twin stars.]

The Eight Immortals seemed baffled, unable to grasp the changes occurring around them. They looked taken aback by how suddenly my speech had changed and how I was espousing divine words. However, surprisingly, it was Yeodong-bin who first comprehended the situation, saying:

[ Understood, Great Sovereign of the Three Sovereigns.]

Paff!!

The eight immortals vanished into the celestial realm all at once. And there I was, facing “The One Who Turns the Stars.”

Silence.

Then, “The One Who Turns the Stars” said:

[ Inhabitants of this world! My lord commands, and I have descended here to accelerate the end by invoking five calamities. Those strands of cause and effect will come to fruition through the Evil God’s commands. What cause and effect do you possess to intervene in my lord’s grand ambitions?]

Surprisingly, the being that had taken over my body responded without resorting to violence and spoke politely.

[ This one is my disciple. Is it so strange for a disciple to descend into my body? From the throne of the otherworld. ]

[ I plea for my lord’s mercy. I would rather be the blade of your salvation than spill the needless blood of the sovereign.]

[ Hehehe… So presumptuous for a mere king of the lowborn.]

Swoosh

The presence occupying my being burst into laughter, extending its hand wide. At the same moment, it distorted the cause and sent a guaranteed dark lance racing from its fingertips towards “The One Who Turns the Stars.” This lance was unavoidable. Should it hit, even the Eight Divine Generals would fall dreadfully.

Puff!

However, the shadow lance was blocked by the peculiar starry barrier of “The One Who Turns the Stars.” Whatever it was, it was evidently an exceptional level of magic. Calmly, “The One Who Turns the Stars” began chanting the fourth command.

[ Let your sorrows echo… billions of sighs.]

Fiiiiiing

Simultaneously, an unfathomable number of light beams from the heavens came rushing down at an incomprehensible speed. Thanks to my divine senses, I could perceive even the speed of light in a mere moment, but it was undeniably an immensely powerful assault.

[ I refuse!]

Then, I too shouted back in response, chanting sacred words in defiance against “The One Who Turns the Stars” fourth command. The divine power carried within my words neutralized the billions of light beams that were shooting toward me.

Kugugug…

Boom!!

The being within me dove into action and unleashed One Palm, demonstrating strength a hundred times greater than the “Great Destruction” spell I had conjured. The earth trembled, and a colossal tidal wave ensued. With that direct attack, “The One Who Turns the Stars” raised his hand in defense.

Kwoooooo!

[ You’re rather hasty…]

[ Is that so? I’d say I’m less hasty than you, who suddenly summoned calamity.]

As Jeon Wook retracted his fist, “The One Who Turns the Stars” respectfully bowed.

[ Such flattery… Simply behold my heart, which violently desires your demise.]

Kugugugu…

‘ To withstand that!’

I was secretly astonished.

The Sovereign of the Three Sovereigns, Jeon Wook, could physically block that power directly! Does the entity’s body hold such incredible power?! I was taken aback since I had never seen a bout as tense since Jeon Wook’s descent.

[ Disciple, there is no need to be astonished.]

From Jeon Wook’s subsequent words, I instinctively sensed that this life would not be an easy one.

[ That being is also a “Old Ruler.”]