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00406 Celestial Realm ————————————————————————=

I can’t just watch as the Taiping army marches on. If I’m going to gather information, I need to at least find out who’s pulling their strings and the extent of the Taiping’s power. I carefully observed the wave-like advance from the hill, but it was impossible to identify who the commander was.

‘They look too much like a pack of dogs; there’s no visible chain of command…’

In a standard army, at least some minimal markings distinguish the commander from the grunts to make commanding easier during a chaotic battle. But that rabid group just charged like crazy dogs, with no colors or distinctions at all. They were mostly simple farmers, intermixed with soldiers, but there was no semblance of order to be seen.

However, I refused to give up and kept watching. Then, something caught my eye.

‘Is that…?’

I spotted a large yellow flag fluttering among the madmen advancing forward. Glancing over at Dokgo Jun beside me, he nodded in agreement.

[ I think so too. We need to target that flag.]

“Then…”

KABOOM!!

Dokgo Jun straightaway shot forward, launching a massive Water Dragon ahead. The Water Dragon flew like a cannon, sweeping across a fan-shaped area in an instant, and the army’s advance seemed to come to a halt.

An overwhelming silence swept over us!

I could feel the hundreds of thousands of transparent killing intents trying to envelop us. But Dokgo Jun was unfazed; he summoned nine more Water Dragons and launched them ahead.

KABOOM, KABOOM, KABOOM!

This explosion was even stronger than the last, as if a portion of the plain had collapsed all at once. Dokgo Jun turned to me.

[ I’ll draw their attention, so go ahead.]

“Are you sure?”

[ Worrying about the Dharma Guardian of the Su Shin Sect is absurd.]

He was right.

“If things go south, then you run!”

I shouted a warning and sprinted ahead. As I dashed towards the aftermath of destruction caused by Dokgo Jun’s Water Dragons, I stumbled upon horrific corpses scattered everywhere. Yet, amidst the carnage, the yellow flag continued to flap vigorously.

The figure holding the flag was a grotesque entity. It had the shape of a doll, but unlike the other madmen, its eyes glowed with a dark aura, and its body seemed to transform into a misty white smoke. Perhaps it had withstood the Water Dragon’s assault, as it stood there unscathed.

The flag bearer regarded me. At that moment, a shiver ran down my spine.

A skeleton!

‘What in the world?!’

On closer inspection, I saw it was a gaunt skeleton. Its flesh had long decayed, leaving nothing but bones, surrounded by a faint aura like mist. The skeleton abruptly stood up, rattling as if it were alive, and waved its flag, shouting:

[ The Azure Sky is dead, the Yellow Heaven shall rise!]

The next moment, I found myself once again in disbelief.

Thud, thud, thud!

“……!!”

The corpses of the madmen, torn and twisted by the Water Dragon, began to rise unsteadily. Those without limbs were exuding an aura like the skeleton before me, somehow getting back on their feet. A grotesque phenomenon, where the dead rise as skeletons, unfolded before my eyes.

At that moment, Zhuge Sa spoke.

[ It’s certainly the Taiping Sorcery.]

[ What?!]

I retorted at Zhuge Sa.

[ That’s impossible! Mangnyang said the Taiping Sorcery was nothing but a falsehood.]

[ That’s true. But the Taiping Sorcery is undoubtedly a real technique. It just hasn’t been passed down in a convenient form like a spellbook.]

Zhuge Sa chuckled.

[ It’s a sorcery that creates the wheel of life and death, a forbidden technique of the Golden Heaven. Much like the Heavenly Secret Technique you possess, it’s exclusively for the Great Immortal.]

Kugugugu…

The resurrected beings rolled their eyes, trying to acclimatize themselves to their bodies. I quickly realized that hundreds of enemies were cropping up around me, which sent a shiver down my spine.

“Um…”

What do I do now?

Then Zhuge Sa said.

[ What are you pondering? Just hold onto the Soul Exchange Technique for later when you can cook up some soup!]

[ Will that even work?]

[ You dense fool! In the Central Plains, no one is more knowledgeable about the Soul Exchange Technique than me. Why doubt my words?]

I hesitated for a moment before unleashing the Soul Exchange Technique, creating an updraft of Bai around my body. My ability to control Bai was exacerbated to an extreme, and thanks to the bracelet and the National Seal, my spirit energy surged. My body formed a barrier, circulating Bai like a massive wheel, causing the resurrected corpses around me to collapse and die again.

Thud!

Every one of those within a twenty-zhang radius of me had their technique undone. As I moved forward, I couldn’t help but feel intrigued.

[ How is this possible?]

[ It’s simple, you dolt! Taiping Sorcery uses fake souls to reanimate bodies. Since the connection between the entity and its soul is weaker than the living, unraveling it with the Soul Exchange Technique is infinitely easier.]

[ Can’t we do that with living beings?]

[ To separate a living person’s soul and body, you’d need tens of times that amount of spirit energy.]

I continued conversing with Zhuge Sa as I walked ahead, but the flag-waving skeleton looked increasingly uneasy. Eventually, as my Soul Exchange Technique reached him, he crumbled into dust with a soft sound. I drew closer and picked up the huge yellow flag that the skeleton had been carrying.

And then…

[ Who are you? A servant of the heretical sect?]

SWISH!

With a sound like a blade cutting through air, someone appeared. I grimaced at the sight of them.

‘No way…’

Sure enough, that figure recognized me first. It was because we had already crossed paths once before.

[ Aren’t you the human who offered the Water Element to the Seven Luminaries? Why are you using heretical sorcery to obstruct the Celestial Realm’s affair?]

Indeed.

The being standing in a ghostly form was none other than the Southern Flower Immortal, someone I had met during the tribute of the Water Element, and I had seen it ten or so times even in my past life! Dressed in the unique attire of an immortal, they stared at me with an unmistakably hostile gaze.

Why is the Great Immortal here? My mind spun with various thoughts, but knowing this being was a Great Immortal, I had to be cautious and offered a respectful bow.

“O Southern Flower Immortal, I must ask: Why are you intervening in the affairs of the human world with such overwhelming sorcery?”

[ As I said, it is an affair of the Celestial Realm. In the name of the Celestial Realm, we shall root out all tainted humans, leaving none of the White Lotus Sect’s subordinates behind!]

The Southern Flower Immortal’s words were resolute. And it was upon realizing that my bad premonition was coming to fruition that I clenched my teeth.

‘Things are going downhill!’

The Celestial Realm’s goal is to strike the White Lotus Sect!

If so, before facing the Twelve Joules, I would first have to confront this mighty divine presence known as the Celestial Realm. Moreover, having witnessed the terrifying sorcerous capabilities of the Great Immortal right before my eyes, I wouldn’t dare to think about attacking the Southern Flower Immortal. One wrong move could lead to me being crushed here. I had to act cautiously.

So, I carefully asked,

“Why do you aim for Luoyang when the White Lotus Sect is based in Shingang? Isn’t your compass a bit off?”

[ In Luoyang lies a powerful treasure hidden. To eliminate the White Lotus Sect Leader, we must possess it.]

“A treasure? What kind of treasure?”

[ I have no reason to tell you that.]

The Southern Flower Immortal retorted with eyes brimming with killing intent.

[ Now you must explain why you’re obstructing us with heretical sorcery. Speak your intentions clearly!]

“……”

[ I received word that you have become the master of the Seven Luminaries. The Celestial Realm granted you that power, so you must adhere to our will.]

The Southern Flower Immortal seemed to know I had become the master of the Seven Luminaries. After all, the results of the Offering Ceremony would have been reported to the Celestial Realm. It seemed they didn’t attack me immediately because there was a possibility I wasn’t an enemy and thus initiated a conversation.

While I was deep in thought, Zhuge Sa interjected.

[ Why are you contemplating? In times like this, you must go in big.]

[ I don’t think I’d handle the consequences well.]

[ The Celestial Realm is casting spells on hundreds of thousands; what are you worried about in handling the aftermath? It’s already chaotic, so just do as you like.]

That was a valid point. I pondered before finally speaking.

“O Southern Flower Immortal, in truth, I infiltrated the White Lotus Sect under Master Mangnyang’s orders.”

[ What?]

“Today, I came to this place under the command of the White Lotus Sect Leader to gather information, but that is merely on the surface. The real goal is to uncover his secrets. I apologize for misleading you.”

[ Hrmm…]

The Southern Flower Immortal displayed a grim expression.

[ Where’s the evidence that what you’re saying is true?]

“Just ask Master Mangnyang directly.”

[ ……]

Seeing the Southern Flower Immortal at a loss made me find it amusing. They had nearly been torn apart by Zhuge Mangnyang in the past, so they wouldn’t dare to ask anything too recklessly. Their pride was undoubtedly playing a big role here. With that, the Southern Flower Immortal couldn’t readily label me an enemy and attack.

I subtly spoke to the Southern Flower Immortal.

“By the way, no matter how much you’re from the Celestial Realm, don’t you think interfering so greatly in the human realm will affect the Law of Cause and Effect? Turning hundreds of thousands into madmen is too much, isn’t it?”

The Southern Flower Immortal seemed incredibly irritated to be questioned by a mere human, bellowing in response.

[ That’s none of your concern! All of this is the responsibility of the Jade Emperor!]

“……!!”

The Jade Emperor?!

Hearing that the direct backer of this operation was the Jade Emperor, I held my breath.

‘It wasn’t the Queen Mother?’

The orders came from the Jade Emperor, one of the highest ranks among the Taoist deities! I had expected such a hardline approach was likely from the Queen Mother, so this revelation surprised me. Not only that, but the Southern Flower Immortal, bubbling with fury, continued,

[ If you are indeed the master of the Seven Luminaries, then assist us without hesitation! Otherwise, you too will be treated as a heretical traitor and exterminated alongside the rest!]

“Understood. I must help, of course. Can’t you see that I’ve come here?”

[ Hmph.]

“However, before that, could you enlighten me on what you plan to do in Luoyang?”

When I answered meekly, the Southern Flower Immortal seemed somewhat more relaxed and answered.

[ The White Lotus Sect Leader’s power is estimated to vastly exceed that of an average immortal. Even I cannot guarantee victory against him. Therefore, I plan to summon a powerful combat immortal to take him down.]

“Can’t the Queen Mother just descend like when she granted you the Seven Luminaries?”

[ Do not speak of such recklessness. That is a highly confidential matter of the Celestial Realm!]

“My sincerest apologies.”

[ The Queen Mother cannot interfere with earthly matters of the realm. No more questions on this matter.]

“……”

I thought hard.

‘So, the treasure they seek in Luoyang is a medium to summon that powerful combat immortal?’

Could such a single treasure topple the formidable White Lotus Sect Leader?

Just for that, they’d raise an army of hundreds of thousands and sweep through Luoyang?

I felt utterly baffled. I cautiously asked,

“If you could tell me the name of this treasure, I’d scout Luoyang for it.”

[ There’s no need for that. Once Luoyang is captured, the seal will be immediately broken.]

“Hm… What if the White Lotus Sect Leader suddenly attacks?”

[ My disciples, Yuqi and Zhang Jiao, are present, so he won’t have a moment to act.]

With that, the Southern Flower Immortal conversed with me.

[ Now then, hand over the White Lotus Sect’s intelligence.]

I smiled charmingly and replied,

“First, I’ll take a look in Luoyang to see if the treasure is actually there.”

The Southern Flower Immortal’s expression twisted in disbelief.

[ What?!]

“Then I’ll see you next time, Southern Flower Immortal.”

I immediately leaped onto the Four Great Spirits and dashed away. I arrived where Dokgo Jun was currently summoning Water Dragons and smashing through the opposing forces; he seemed somewhat irritated at the endless tide of foes. Seeing me, he greeted me warmly.

[ Baek Woong, you’re here.]

“Let’s go.”

I quickly rode the Four Great Spirits back to the White Lotus Sect. Upon finding the White Lotus Sect Leader, I shared the information I had uncovered this time. The leader listened in silence before finally speaking.

[ I see… well done, Deputy Sect Leader.]

“Thank you.”

The Sect Leader crossed his arms, looking troubled.

[ So… the enemies consist of hundreds of thousands of immortal soldiers… along with one Great Immortal, and at least two more immortal-level beings.]

“……”

The room fell into a hushed silence.

The enemy’s strength was far greater than expected. After contemplating for a while, the Sect Leader turned to me and said,

[ Baek Woong. We still have a few days before they reach Luoyang.]

“Yes.”

[ Before that, go investigate and find out exactly what treasure they are targeting in Luoyang.]

“What if I can’t find out?”

The leader emitted a chilling glare.

[ Then I shall have no choice but to dispose of the Southern Flower Immortal myself!]