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“The Demon Rebirth Contract – Quite the whirlwind!”

Called the Rebirth of the Multitude of Demons, this was the contract formed by Zhuge Sa with his master, Demon King Simon Magus, as he let go of his attachment to the human world. Achieving an extraordinary level as a Demon Sorcerer and mastering the Soul Exchange Technique, Zhuge Sa grasped the secrets of the hidden world and the way the Old Rulers treated humans, realizing that continuing to live as a ‘human’ was utterly meaningless.

No matter how trashy this world might be, sneering at it while being a bug is pointless. To properly digest one’s madness, one should at least be in a position to enjoy tormenting the weak.

So, Zhuge Sa decided to reincarnate as a distinct entity referred to as a demon among demons. This reincarnation was a different kind of demonic magic technique, allowing him to transform his soul and body into a separate race known as a demon while retaining his memories and experiences. The minimum conditions for undergoing this reincarnation rite were of significantly high standards, categorizing it as a high-level technique.

Demon, classified as an Otherworldly Race, had become an artificial entity created by a sorcerer infusing all their wisdom and skills, and could only be made by a fallen being who had colluded with the Old Rulers. Thus, it lacked the tentacles and rudimentary traits typical of an otherworldly being, leaving only magical power and strength, hence Zhuge Sa’s affinity for this neatness led him to choose to become a demon.

However, the strength of the product upon reincarnating as a demon was highly influenced by the skill level of the sorcerer performing the rite. Even if Zhuge Sa performed the reincarnation himself, he would still be capped at a certain strength due to the relatively short training period. Despite being a prodigy unmatched in demon arts, he didn’t want to waste time training in the human world and thus formed a contract for demon reincarnation with the world’s strongest sorcerer, Simon Magus.

Contemplating these factors, Zhuge Sa slowly responded to Simon Magus, who, being his apostate sorcery instructor and a powerful Demon King, naturally commanded some respect.

“You haven’t forgotten the terms of the contract, right? It said I could reincarnate whenever I wanted.”

“Of course, I haven’t forgotten. Spending 99 days arguing with you over the terms of our contract was a rather novel experience for me. And that was the one clause you absolutely refused to concede on.”

“Yet, you come all the way to the British Empire now and wish to reincarnate me? That doesn’t really seem like the behavior of a wise Landlord Demon King.”

“Indeed.”

In the past, Zhuge Sa had meticulously secured his own benefits while negotiating the reincarnation contract with Simon Magus. He had mobilized every ounce of knowledge, wisdom, and cunning to ensure that he didn’t leave room for even a single loophole in the contract, achieving a flawless magical contract that Simon Magus couldn’t even nitpick.

Two things were especially emphasized by Zhuge Sa:

[Zhuge Sa reincarnates whenever he desires]

[Retains the human soul]

As long as these conditions were upheld, Zhuge Sa was certainly not at a disadvantage to Simon Magus; instead, he was equal. Although their relationship was nominally that of master and disciple, they were both sorcerers capable of stabbing each other in the back at any time, thus necessitating such a contractual relationship.

“Hoh…”

At that, Simon Magus began to change his form slowly, moving away from his wallflower state.

Screech…

After some peculiar sounds, he transformed from a beautiful cold beauty into the polished appearance of a middle-aged white man. Upon witnessing this change, Zhuge Sa chuckled.

“Haha… Why the sudden change in appearance? Did memories of the time you lost to Peter, the disciple of the Guardian of the West in Samaria, come flooding back?”

“I spent decades in a female form in the Central Plains, gambling — and it wasn’t that much fun. I’ve just grown tired of that body.”

Simon Magus replied with a chuckle.

“That Peter had received all sorts of blessings and boons to the extent that he was practically an apostle of cosmic order, so I don’t feel ashamed for losing to him. It just means I was impressive during my prime when forces of order were exhausted trying to thwart me!”

“Hmm, the stench of mold that’s accumulated over thousands of years wafts from your mouth. Get to the point already.”

“The point?”

“Surely, you didn’t come all this way just to say something that would violate the contract without any thought. Shall we begin?”

At Zhuge Sa’s insistence, Simon Magus leisurely replied.

“Let’s do that.”

It was akin to two sorcerers risking their fates in a battle of wits. Conversations between sorcerers ultimately involved risking their souls or precious things, infusing the atmosphere with immense tension. Simon Magus spoke up.

“Surely your claim is correct; the contract is flawless. However, circumstances have changed.”

“Changing circumstances don’t alter the contract.”

“There’s only one situation where that can happen: mutual agreement. We can amend it upon agreement, yes?”

“I’d rather not agree.”

With a taunting tone, Zhuge Sa spoke, causing Simon Magus to chuckle.

“If I joined the Eight Parts of the Divine right now…?”

“……”

“Well, that might complicate things…”

For the first time, Zhuge Sa felt a hint of trembling inside. Though he didn’t show it outwardly, he could tell that the anticipated moment had indeed arrived.

‘Is this really what’s happening?’ The unexpected wasn’t entirely unexpected. Zhuge Sa, being a genius, had predicted this situation from the moment Baek Woong disappeared. The cunning and treacherous actions of Demon King Simon Magus were somewhat predictable. Therefore, Zhuge Sa felt a need to conquer the world to imprint the ‘power’ of the allied forces onto Simon Magus before he could stir any trouble.

‘…But in the end, my strategy prioritizing humanity may have delayed the world’s conquest. Consequently, Simon Magus now leisurely reads the situation and begins to act freely. How troublesome.’

Zhuge Sa inwardly regretted not having Baek Woong around. If he could apply Baek Woong’s abilities, he could easily restrain and annihilate someone like Simon. However, without a reincarnator present, all he could rely on was wisdom and nerve.

Concealing all his thoughts completely, Zhuge Sa smiled and chimed in.

“In any case, compared to the Eight Parts of the Divine, our forces are weaker. No matter how highly I regard my master, we’re still not at the level of two from the Eight Parts of the Divine. There’s no perceived need to change the contract.”

“Oh, you’re quite confident. Well, if a mere human empire can defeat the Divine Avatar Arjuna, a powerful avatar of ancient gods, it’s no surprise you’d feel that way.”

Simon Magus conjured a chair with magic and plopped down.

“However, your weakness has been exposed. You don’t think this threat will stop here, do you, my beloved disciple?”

“Do I have weaknesses? First time hearing that.”

“Hehe… If you really have doubts, I will never reveal myself fully. It’s only because I’m confident that I can overpower you with this contract that I came here.”

A sinister glint flashed in Simon Magus’s eyes.

“Zhuge Sa. You’ve grown weak. Because you now have something to protect…”

“……”

“When you had nothing to protect, you were a flawless sorcerer. The greatest genius among sorcerers in the Landlord Doctrine, even I frequently marveled at your talent. Your madness surpassed that of any otherworldly being and was regulated by your superior mental strength and intelligence… I was left wondering why you were born human.”

“So, you’re saying I’m not that now.”

“That’s right. You aren’t. You’ve acquired humanity now.”

Simon Magus glanced briefly at the battle unfolding outside the terrace, where the Master of the White Lotus Sect and Peng Zuo clashed. He continued leisurely,

“If you refuse this request, I will join the battle against that Peng Zuo over there. And I shall unleash a curse, infused with my magic, upon that Master of the White Lotus Sect.”

“……!!”

“Even if you have enough preparation to withstand my magical attack this time, it doesn’t matter. I already confirmed that you’re without the strength to capture and seal me. I will torment you to the end, utilizing my abilities, my team of Zoroastrian sorcerers, and summoned demon beasts. Depending on the situation, I might even team up with the Eight Parts of the Divine to smash Luoyang.”

That was a genuine show of force.

Zhuge Sa felt a tinge of displeasure. He somewhat expected Simon Magus would say something like this, but hearing it in person felt utterly distasteful. The reason for this distaste was due to Simon unambiguously probing into his previous weakness.

Simon Magus leaned forward, his white teeth gleaming in a smile.

“Your weakness is the Great Bear Empire. You’ve unwittingly acquired an enormous flaw, Zhuge Sa, the sorcerer who once dismissed his own flesh as trivial!”

Indeed.

Protecting the Great Bear Empire had become Zhuge Sa’s weakness!

This weakness emerged because of Baek Woong’s disappearance. Had Baek Woong been around, Zhuge Sa would have freely plotted schemes regardless of the fate of the Great Bear Empire. All that mattered was that Baek Woong remained alive.

However, now that Baek Woong was gone, Zhuge Sa had an obligation to preserve the Great Bear Empire until Baek Woong could return. He had to maintain as much human resources as possible for Baek Woong for the sake of reducing his reincarnation cycles.

If Zhuge Sa were to sacrifice the Great Bear Empire as part of his scheming, it was obvious that the united strength of his reincarnation comrades under its protection would collapse as well. Human strength was akin to the strength of unity, so in that case, his reincarnation comrades would be rendered incredibly weak. The unification power of the empire allowed them to maneuver easily while managing it. If that ever happened, the demon factions would hunt and kill Zhuge Sa’s reincarnation comrades one by one.

Zhuge Sa spoke nonchalantly.

“My master isn’t one to merely make threats and end it. I fully understand that. Naturally, it makes sense to accept that proposition. But let me ask one thing.”

“Speak your mind.”

“Is your drive for pushing me toward quick demon reincarnation to gain favor with Krishna?”

“…Haha, you’re fast on the uptake.”

Simon Magus grinned in delight.

“Exactly. Though Krishna has lost the powerful avatar known as Arjuna, making it so he can no longer intervene in this world, his ‘eyes’ encompass the entirety of Hindu believers and all who bear faith in him. Those beings can always observe this world. And now that I’ve become aware that his will obstructs you, if I move in accordance with his intentions, Krishna would surely treat me favorably, yes?”

“That’s a rather self-centered perspective. Being a divine being and cunning, Krishna wouldn’t necessarily move solely according to your will.”

“Of course, but you know that relationships forged through necessity and vested interests can sometimes surpass blood ties. Given Krishna’s attitude lately, there’s a high chance that he might collaborate with me.”

“……”

“Haha! I’ve finally found my lifeline. And what’s more, acquiring you as my demon just enhances the opportunity I can’t pass up, my beloved disciple.”

A nauseating creature…

Zhuge Sa, as was often the case, was consumed by a desire to piece Simon Magus into a thousand parts. Yet, he maintained a composed exterior, swiftly rummaging through his thoughts.

‘It’s quicker than expected, but I have no choice but to act preemptively.’

From here on, the situation would spiral into chaos that even Zhuge Sa couldn’t predict.

Though he had prepared plans to oppose Simon Magus well in advance, they were all riddled with uncertainty. It was by no means a standard scheme. In truth, this was more of a gamble and an adventure than a plan.

Though he intended to gradually kick things off starting a hundred years from now, with Simon pressing the matter directly, there was no other choice. With that thought, Zhuge Sa wore a subtle smile.

“Well then, I suppose I have no choice. Let’s truly begin, Master…”

“Alright. Then bring forth the magic contract. We’ll amend it by mutual agreement… huh?”

In that instant.

Swish!

Zhuge Sa retrieved a grimoire from his robe and opened it. From within its pages, a pair of black eyes glimmered open. At the same moment, tentacles surged forth from the grimoire, ensnaring Simon Magus in dark tendrils.

Swish!

Simon Magus, bound by the writhing black tentacles, looked startled.

“That’s the Nameless Ritual Book! The Nameless Ritual Book has awakened… no way.”

“Ah, but that’s the case.”

Zhuge Sa replied.

“The Nameless Ritual Book has awakened its ‘eyes’, and has now become a living entity.”

“……!!”

Simon Magus widened his eyes.

‘Impossible… even I, a sorcerer who made a contract with the realm, have hardly achieved something like this in my lifetime.’

Though Baek Woong was mostly missing with the treasures, certain artifacts like the Crystal Stele and the Nameless Ritual Book were still intact on the surface. Through ongoing research, Zhuge Sa succeeded in awakening the sorcerer.

This was an astounding achievement for a sorcerer!

For a fledgling sorcerer who hadn’t even lived seventy years to accomplish something that would typically take millennia!

With the awakened Nameless Ritual Book gripped tightly in one hand, Zhuge Sa’s eyes began to darken. The sign of impending corruption, resulting from a sorcerer absorbing an overwhelming amount of magical power, was evident in the darkness swirling within his eyes.

Grrr…

Zhuge Sa’s entire body began to morph into an aberrant form. Thick black veins bulged unseemly across his frame, flooding with malevolence.

The forces of the hidden world surged violently.

Ooooo—

Voices of the fallen Old Rulers from the distant Star Realm echoed through, craving for his transformation.

They sang in blessing for the birth of a new magic beyond mere humans.

Zhuge Sa laughed, disregarding the entire appeal.

[This fight is going to last a while, Master. Hehe, hehehe…]

“What do you mean?”

Even while bound in tentacles, Simon Magus appeared relaxed. He didn’t realize just how powerful Zhuge Sa had become, so he still held a sense of confidence in overcoming him.

And that would prove to be his grave mistake.

Zhuge Sa recognized his transformation into a demon, his voice resonating with a demonic timbre as he laughed.

[Soul Exchange Technique.]

Rumble!

[Gggrrgh….]

Peng Zuo was struck by the complete chaos of the Master of the White Lotus Sect’s ominous strike and became immobile. A full half-day passed while the two titans of chaos clashed before a verdict was announced.

It was a resounding victory for the Master of the White Lotus Sect!

Though the battle dragged on, the Master of the White Lotus Sect had hardly taken any damage in return. The power of chaos had intensified far beyond previous norms, rendering Peng Zuo’s sheer offensive might insufficient to annihilate the Master of the White Lotus Sect. Even if he had been directly struck by the treasured Qingyun Sword, he could withstand it with the defensive barrier and recover easily through his super regeneration.

This was why the Master of the White Lotus Sect remained ever-cautious, focusing solely on the lethal [Blessing of the Old Rulers], which was the only thing that could land a hit, extending the battle.

SSSSZZZ!

Rapidly, magical energy drained from the fallen Peng Zuo’s form.

Peng Zuo had sustained a magical armor blessed by the blessing of the old rulers, but upon defeat, that protective layer disappeared altogether. The Old Ruler who had lent him power seemed to have lost interest, retracting their blessing while draining the magic away.

Finalizing the saga, the Master of the White Lotus Sect pointed a finger at Peng Zuo.

[This is the end.]

Whoosh!

With just a single gesture, Peng Zuo’s body seemed to shatter as gaping holes tore through him. However, the Eight Trigrams Garment that adorned Peng Zuo like a second skin shielded him in that critical moment, and the Divine Five-Colored Cloud appeared, teleporting him away in an instant.

Swish!

[What!]

The Master of the White Lotus Sect was taken aback. He thought he had obliterated his opponent, yet in a sudden twist arising from the ancient treasures, he had lost him at the last moment!

‘No, it’s not just the treasure. Someone must have facilitated Peng Zuo’s escape… There’s no other way he could’ve survived from my magic.’

A forceful rescue!

Realizing this truth, the Master of the White Lotus Sect quickly diverted his attention to the terrace of the British Empire’s official residence.

‘Could it be that the powerful force I sensed nearby has intervened?’

During the battle, the Master of the White Lotus Sect had felt Simon Magus’s magic emerging nearby and had kept it in mind. Although he didn’t know Simon’s exact identity, his instincts made it clear that this was someone to be cautious of.

Swoosh!

Maintaining his chaotic form, he hurried towards the terrace. Upon arriving, he mumbled.

[No one’s here. Where has Zhuge Sa gone?]

Simon Magus and Zhuge Sa.

The two sorcerers who had just been squabbling had completely vanished.

The Master of the White Lotus Sect felt the lingering remnant of powerful magic, but it was merely a trace, and he was clueless about the whereabouts of its owner.

Amid his uncertainty, he called out to Mangnyang nearby, who promptly arrived.

“Master. It seems that uncle has initiated the [Plan]. Perhaps the Demon King, Simon Magus, appeared and pressured him for the demon reincarnation.”

In a moment, Mengnyang grasped the situation swiftly. This was because Zhuge Sa had previously shared his plan to oppose Simon Magus exclusively with him. Nobody else was designated to explain the circumstances should Zhuge Sa suddenly go missing.

[What do you mean?]

“Let me elaborate.”

As Mengnyang briefed the Master of the White Lotus Sect on Zhuge Sa’s strategies, he recoiled in disbelief.

[……!! You mean to say he has really gambled on that? This madness…]

“All we can do now is hope for the best.”

Mangnyang muttered bitterly.

“…And now that all sorcerers have been wiped out, it would be wise to retreat.”

[What do you mean? We’ve just hit the British Empire, and conquered it; it signifies the end of the world conquest.]

“Look to the heavens.”

Blazing out!

High above in the sky, a massive summoning circle loomed. Upon sighting it, the Master of the White Lotus Sect realized that while the formation was still in the passive preparation phase, something would likely emerge from it soon. And once he sensed the immense magical force and scope within the circle, he quickly deduced what would soon emerge.

[The Eight Parts of the Divine…!!]

“The summoning may be sluggish, but it surely seems like they intend to intervene in this matter.”

[Do they really hold sufficient cause and effect? Even a Demon King should find it challenging to act without the watchful eyes of other ‘Rulers’, even when resisting the Law of Cause and Effect!]

“Under normal circumstances, yes. Even without the Three Sovereigns, it’s not entirely the Eight Parts of the Divine’s dominion. Yet, if the Eight Parts of the Divine and Krishna were to join forces…”

With grit, Mangnyang persisted.

“…Krishna, who captured soul offerings and mortal lives in our recent grand battle in Europe, has amassed enough cause and effect for this endeavor. If Krishna supports the Eight Parts of the Divine, it could surely unfold.”

The Master of the White Lotus Sect came to recognize the truth in Mangnyang’s words. He decided to set aside lamentations in favor of tackling realistic problems.

[Hmm… To complete the summoning, it would take at least two moments of time. Just how far should we retreat?]

Two moments seemed lengthy; the underlying problem, however, lay in the inability to disrupt the summoning. That formation had utilized the power of the Eight Parts of the Divine, so it couldn’t be shattered merely through brute force. The Master of the White Lotus Sect understood this from the onset. With two moments confirming the calling of the Eight Parts of the Divine, there would be no means to effectively deal with it.

“For now, let’s use the Transference Gate to withdraw all troops to the mainland. I’ll also instruct Zhuge Bu for a swift retreat. This way, we can recall all forces stationed across Europe within three days.”

[As for the Eight Parts of the Divine, they could traverse the European continent within a moment’s notice. Holding out for three days would be challenging.]

“That’s something I’ll figure out.”

[What exactly are you planning?]

“Now that the breach from the Celestial Realm is nearly complete, no celestial beings can be summoned any longer….”

Crinkle!

Mangnyang pulled out a grand scroll from within his robe and unfurled it.

“However, if I employ this Sealing Treasure given by the Heavenly Mysterious Woman, I can at least hinder the Eight Parts of the Divine for a single occasion.”

[…….]

“What do you mean by such a look?”

[You didn’t use the summoning right during the Arjuna battle, nor your Sealing Treasure this time either. Even if it’s a single chance, aren’t you hoarding it too much?]

Indeed.

Mangnyang had been granted the Blessing of the Sealing Treasure that allowed him to summon the Divine Being known as Tai Gong-mang back in the ceremony. As he had received it alongside Baek Woong, he could utilize it, yet he hadn’t once employed it. It was perplexing, as Mangnyang’s hesitation indicated an inability to demonstrate it even when the opportunity to seize Arjuna had arisen.

At that thought, Mengnyang replied.

“The Heavenly Mysterious Woman imprinted foresight upon me. When the time arises to use the divine invocation, that foresight will activate.”

[Unbelievable. Are you saying a threat grander than Arjuna or the Eight Parts of the Divine will soon roll upon reality? If such occurs, it would be beyond our capacity to handle.]

“But it is destined to happen. As the embodiment of the elemental spirits of this world, the Heavenly Mysterious Woman’s foresight surely wouldn’t be trifled with…”

[…….]

“Trust me for now.”

[How grim. To watch as comrades continuously die before my eyes.]

The Master of the White Lotus Sect turned away, letting out an unusual sigh.

[There hasn’t been a time I felt such helplessness…]

“……”

[If only Baek Woong were here…]

The moment that crossed Mangnyang’s mind, he felt an impulsive urge to retort.

“I don’t think so; just so you know.”

Thud, thud!

Dark clouds began to roll in, and raindrops started to plummet sporadically. Mangnyang felt like weeping as the rain mingled with his tears, yet he clenched his teeth, quelling the desire to crumble under despair. Instead, he spoke resolutely to the Master of the White Lotus Sect.

“Retreat. This is my responsibility.”

[I implore you.]

Finally, the Master of the White Lotus Sect guided the remaining forces back through the Transference Gate, leaving Mangnyang isolated in the quietly desolate headquarters of the British Empire.

Alone, Mangnyang unraveled the scroll, the Sealing Treasure, as he began to chant the incantation.

“Corpse Dissolution Technique.”

Then, the column of ancient rituals known as the Divine Pillar, a gift from the Heavenly Mysterious Woman to save the Celestial Realm, emerged.

Whush!

Numerous Oracle Bone Scripts manifested in the sky, forming a colossal circular formation that quickly enveloped the summoning circle of the Eight Parts of the Divine hovering in the heavens.

This too was a one-time use blessing, yet thanks to Baek Woong’s generous assist following the downfall of the Celestial Being, the Heavenly Mysterious Woman had relaxed the restrictions of the Sealing Blood Pillar, thus permitting its usage.

Originally, in the paradise of the Celestial Realm, ancient powers were sealed along with the Blood Pillar. Yet, since the borders separating the human realm with the Celestial Realm expanded, the necessity of such seals became obsolete. The Three Sovereigns also no longer served as a counterbalance, thereby granting the freedom to dismantle said boundaries. Thus, both the Blood Pillar and the Sealing Treasure emerged unsealed.

Under normal circumstances, such treasures couldn’t surface unless the Three Sovereigns and Dread God perished; yet the unique chain of events had allowed for their emergence.

“Right. The Sealing Treasure is a sign of affection and a weapon to thwart the crisis given to us by the Heavenly Mysterious Woman. I never wished for it to be utilized unless we faced such grave danger.”

However, if the Eight Parts of the Divine passed through unhindered, millions of inhabitants of the Great Bear Empire would be annihilated out in distant Europe.

Mangnyang had realized that every trial since Baek Woong’s disappearance had become overwhelmingly arduous for the mortals. Still, his resolve firmed as he chanted one last time.

Sealing Treasure

Three Hundred Sixty-Five Immortals

Release!

Then, mere moments later, a colossal engagement unfolded in the British Empire, resulting in extreme injuries among almost all of the Eight Parts of the Divine, forcing them into hiding. In the aftermath, the Sealing Treasure was ultimately torn apart and vanished, along with the summoning of three hundred sixty-five Immortals.

Swish!

“Snap back to reality!!”

After a few days, Zhuge Bu discovered the half-dead Mangnyang and the blood-soaked Zhuge Hyun drifting at sea as if they were just remnants. It was nothing short of a miracle that he survived, yet Mangnyang lay in a near-state of suspended animation. Furthermore, he had lost an arm and a leg, making survival seem impossible.

“Cough.”

Regardless, Zhuge Bu produced a flexible stone from his robe and stuffed it into Mangnyang’s mouth.

Swoosh!

Light surged from Mangnyang’s body as his lost limbs regenerated, and his form began restoring at an accelerated pace. The incredible recovery could hardly be deemed mere herbs of the human realm.

Moments later, Mangnyang regained consciousness and muttered.

“You used the Philosopher’s Stone completed by the research lab, didn’t you? It’s a rarity that would take the empire’s decade of budget just to create a single one, and you used it to save me after going through all the trouble.”

“Don’t speak that way.”

Zhuge Bu continued in a trembling voice.

“Even having used the Philosopher’s Stone, your body has been reconfigured to be closer to an immortal due to mastering the Corpse Dissolution Technique. Consequently, the effects of the Philosopher’s Stone’s gift of immortality have been halved, and your life remains in jeopardy. You’ll need to recuperate without moving for at least twenty years.”

“Twenty years… that’s quite long.”

“You’re correct in that we’ve pulled all forces back from Europe. History will record it merely as a temporary siege.”

“……”

Mangnyang muttered bleakly.

“I suppose there won’t be a chance to stretch further into Europe. The conquest is over, giving way to a new war.”

“Think about that when the time comes. With you having thwarted the Eight Parts of the Divine, you’ve bought us a few extra decades.”

Receiving comfort from Zhuge Bu, Mangnyang smiled softly.

“Brother, you’re acting like my older sibling all of a sudden.”

“…You’ve always been a fool. When else would it be different?”

Zhuge Bu grouched as he hefted Mangnyang onto his back. The two traveled together in silence, returning to Luoyang through the Transference Gate.

Swish!

History does not detail this brief incursion and rule. The tales of the Great Bear Empire vanquishing the bizarre sorcerers and otherworldly beings were too extravagant, and the sheer withdrawal of millions of troops in mere days baffled comprehension. It remained one of history’s mysteries, with knowledge reserved solely for the highest authorities of the Great Bear Empire, and Baek Woong’s companions.

In the aftermath, the Great Bear Empire pulled back not only from Europe but also from South and Tianzhu continents. Even with the weakened forces of the Eight Parts of the Divine, there was no guarantee of sustaining power against the vast distances from the mainland. The Great Bear Empire ensured nominal tributes from kingdoms south of Nanman while reducing direct influence, concentrating solely on its defenses.

Thus, decades flowed past.

From that point onward, the Eight Parts of the Divine regained their strengths and began orchestrating chaos with the aid of monsters. With connections to the Celestial Realm severed for ages, the barriers grew negligible. From the central plains, monsters emerged in droves, bringing amplified disarray.

At the moment this disturbance unfolded –

Baek Woong’s reincarnated comrades found themselves deep within the southern continent, approaching the Sealing Place of the Fire Spirit!

During the solar eclipse!

Seizing upon the opportunity, Baek Woong’s allies, guided by the sage Lakang native to the Southern Barbarian continent, infiltrated the Fire Spirit territory, which was maintained through shallow management, thus standing immutable irrespective of the Three Sovereigns or Celestial issues.

Gnawing!

[As expected, the old fellow is nowhere to be found. Where did he go?]

Next to him, Zhuge Yulong responded.

“Though unsure, with the dissolution of Jeon Wook and the demise or weakening of his subordinate being Zhu Rong, it is apparent that any curses binding him have also dissolved. He should have significantly regained his strength now, likely dealing with the Yan Emperor’s affairs.”

[But that’s strange.]

The Master pondered as he inspected the Fire Spirit he secured with help from Han Baek-ryeong.

[Why hasn’t he taken the Fire Spirit with him?]

“……”

This was unexpected. While it was plausible that the old man would be absent, the thought of him leaving behind the Fire Spirit – with his power returning and break the previous curse – was astonishing.

The old man was not one to avoid avarice toward the Seven Luminaries. In fact, he had previously been one to actively seize and utilize such treasures, making this lack of action all the more peculiar.

After pondering the cause, Zhuge Yulong muttered.

“There’s only one possible reason: the Guardian’s restrictions.”

[What do you mean?]

“Guardians are incapable of tampering with the treasures they safeguard. This means that condensing restrictions have remained intact.”

[That’s absurd. Jeon Wook has disappeared outright. If he vanished, how could the restraints remain in place?]

“……”

After a moment, Zhuge Yulong spoke again.

“Let’s take the Fire Spirit and head back. We also need to organize things given we’ve procured the Earth Spirit.”

 

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