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“I can’t just sit back and watch as the Celestial Realm marches forward.”

It means I needed to gather intel, like who’s pulling the strings behind their forces and just how powerful the Celestial Realm’s abilities really were. From the hill, I observed their wave-like advance, but it was impossible to pinpoint who the commander was.

“It’s like they’re a pack of wild dogs, there’s no hierarchy in sight…”

In typical armies, there’s at least some basic sign to separate the commander from the grunts. That way, orders can still be given amid the chaos. But this mad horde just rushed about like crazed dogs with no distinguishable uniforms. Most were just common farmers, with a few soldiers mixed in, but there was no visible command structure.

Yet, I didn’t throw in the towel and kept observing until something caught my eye.

“Wait, what’s that…?”

Among the rampaging lunatics, a large yellow flag was fluttering. I glanced sideways at Dokgo Jun, and he nodded in agreement.

[We should aim for that flag.]

“Then…”

Kaboom!

As soon as I finished my sentence, Dokgo Jun bolted forward and unleashed a massive water dragon. The dragon soared like cannon fire, sweeping through a wide area, and when it struck, it felt like the advance of their army stalled momentarily.

Then came a profound silence!

I could feel the chilling intent of hundreds of thousands of transparent killing intentions barreling toward me. But Dokgo Jun remained unfazed and summoned nine more dragons to launch forward.

Kaboom, kaboom, kaboom!

This explosion felt even stronger than the last, as a section of the plain seemed to collapse all at once. Dokgo Jun turned to me and said,

[I’ll keep their attention, you go ahead.]

“Are you sure about that?”

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

That’s fair enough.

“If things go south, make sure to run!”

I called out a warning and dashed forward. As I activated the Soul Removal Technique and surged through the devastation wrought by Dokgo Jun’s dragons, all I could see were the gruesomely scattered corpses. Yet, right at the center, the yellow flag continued to flutter boldly.

And the one holding that flag was a bizarre existence. It was certainly humanoid, but unlike the other madmen, it glowed with a fierce light, its form transforming into something wispy and gray, like smoke. Somehow, this smoke-like figure stood unscathed after enduring the dragon’s attack.

The flag bearer locked eyes with me, and in that instant, I felt a chill run down my spine.

A skull!

“W-What the hell?”

Upon closer inspection, it was indeed a gaunt, skeletal figure. Its flesh had long decayed, leaving nothing but brittle bones, wrapped in a faint spirit energy that resembled mist. The skeleton, reminiscent of something alive, rattled as it raised its flag and shouted,

[The Azure Sky is Dead, the Yellow Sky must Rise!]

And then, the next moment, something utterly absurd happened.

Thud, thud, thud!

“…!!”

Corpses that had been torn apart by the dragons began to stagger upright. Those without limbs were still trying to rise, emitting spirit energy like the skull before me. Right in front of me, this grotesque phenomenon was unfolding as the dead became skeletons, reanimating before my eyes.

At that moment, Zhuge Sa spoke up.

[This must be the Taeping Sorcery.]

[What?!]

I questioned Zhuge Sa.

[No way! Mangnyang said Taeping Sorcery was just a bunch of hogwash.]

[That’s true. But Taeping Sorcery is definitely a viable sorcery. It’s just not passed down in a convenient form like the sorcery book.]

Zhuge Sa chuckled and continued,

[A forbidden technique of the Golden Heaven that governs life and death. It’s a specialized sorcery for the Great Immortal, just like your Heavenly Secret Technique.]

The reanimated beings began rolling their eyes, trying to adjust to their bodies. I quickly realized hundreds of enemies were surrounding me, and I let out a soft sigh.

“Umm…”

What should I do now?

Then Zhuge Sa remarked,

[What else? Just hold off and boil some broth with the Soul Exchange Technique!]

[Will that even work?]

[You dimwit. No one knows the Soul Exchange Technique better than me in the Central Plains, so do you doubt my words?]

After some thought, I enacted the Soul Exchange Technique, conjuring a swirling air of spirit energy around me. With my ability to manipulate the spirits heightened and thanks to the bracelet and the National Seal, my spirit energy was at an all-time high. As my body formed a massive barrier that flowed the spirit energy, the reanimated corpses surrounding me began falling back to the ground one by one.

Thud!

None within twenty paces of me were spared from this sorcery release. As I walked forward, I felt a sense of wonder,

[How is this even possible?]

[You blockhead. Taeping Sorcery temporarily attaches a fake soul to resurrect the corpse. This connection to the fake soul is weaker than a real one, meaning unleashing the Soul Exchange Technique to break it is much easier.]

[Couldn’t we do this to living beings?]

[To do that to a living person, you’d need an insane amount of spirit energy, like dozens of times more than for the dead.]

As I conversed with Zhuge Sa, I noticed the flag-bearing skeleton figure fidgeting nervously. Eventually, as the influence of my Soul Exchange Technique reached it, the skeletal figure fell apart with a crumbling sound, scattering into nothingness.

I approached closer and picked up the massive yellow flag that the skeleton had held.

Then suddenly,

[And who might you be? An underling of the heretical sect?]

With a whooshing sound, someone appeared. I frowned at their figure.

‘No way…’

And sure enough, they recognized me first because we already had an acquaintance.

[Aren’t you the one who offered the spirit of Xuyou? Why are you using heretical sorcery to interfere in the affairs of the Celestial Realm?]

That’s right.

The pale existence before me was none other than the Southern Flower Immortal! Clad in the distinct robes of an immortal, their sharp gaze was filled with undeniable hostility toward me.

Why on earth was the Great Immortal here? My mind raced with various thoughts, but since they were definitely a powerful figure, I respectfully offered them my martial authority.

“Southern Flower Immortal, I must ask: why involve yourself so deeply in human affairs with such powerful sorcery?”

[As stated, this is a Celestial Realm matter. Under the decree of the Celestial Realm, we shall eradicate the corrupted humans, leaving not a single member of the White Lotus Sect alive!]

The determination in the Southern Flower Immortal’s words hit hard. I realized the grim reality was unfolding before me.

‘This is turning into a disaster!’

The objective of the Celestial Realm was to strike down the White Lotus Sect!

Which meant, before battling the Twelve Joules, I had to contend with a mighty divine being from the Celestial Realm. Given the immense sorcery prowess I had just witnessed from the Great Immortal, I was hesitant to even think about confronting them. One wrong move and I could end up crushed underfoot right here.

I needed to tread carefully.

“The White Lotus Sect is in the Heavenly Stronghold, so why target Luoyang? Aren’t you misdirected?”

[There’s a powerful treasure hidden in Luoyang. Securing it is the only way to guarantee the eradication of the master of the White Lotus Sect.]

“Treasure? What kind of treasure?”

[I have no reason to tell you that.]

The Southern Flower Immortal stared at me with eyes full of cold killing intent.

[Now, you must explain why you’re obstructing our divine operations with heretical sorcery! Lay your intentions bare!]

“……”

[I’ve heard you became the master of the Seven Luminaries. The granting of the Seven Luminaries was decreed by the Celestial Realm, so you must abide by our will.]

The Southern Flower Immortal seemed to be aware I was recognized as the master of the Seven Luminaries. After all, news of the Offering Ceremony’s results wouldn’t be kept from the Celestial Realm. It appeared they didn’t attack me at once because they saw me as unlikely to be an enemy.

As I contemplated my next move, Zhuge Sa interjected.

[What are you mulling over? Just act bold in a situation like this!]

[That seems risky though.]

[We’re already in chaos with millions strung along, what’s the risk in standing your ground then? Now that things have turned to such mayhem, you might as well do what you want.]

That was some sound advice. After considering it deeply, I finally spoke up.

“Southern Flower Immortal, the truth is, I’m here on a mission from Master Mangnyang to infiltrate the White Lotus Sect.”

[What?]

[Today, I came here at the behest of the Master of the White Lotus Sect, but that was only the surface intention, the real mission was to gather intel. I apologize for any misinterpretation.]

[Mmm…]

The Southern Flower Immortal wore a highly uncomfortable expression.

[Where’s your evidence that backs your story?]

[You could just ask Master Mangnyang directly.]

[……]

Seeing the Southern Flower Immortal flounder left me feeling amused. After all, given their prior near-death experience at the hands of Master Mangnyang, they wouldn’t dare ask anything too boldly. Their pride would certainly be at stake. Thus, they found themselves unable to designate me as an enemy and attack on a whim.

I decided to slyly press on.

“But regardless of the Celestial Realm, won’t your interference here have consequences? Turning hundreds of thousands into madmen seems a bit extreme, doesn’t it?”

The Southern Flower Immortal seemed irritable at being pressed by a human, so they yelled,

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

“……!!”

The Jade Emperor?!

Hearing that name, I felt a chill run through me.

‘So it wasn’t the Queen Mother after all.’

The one giving the orders was none other than the Jade Emperor, a figure among the highest ranking within Taoism! I had assumed that such extreme measures would be attributed to the Queen Mother, so this revelation was entirely unexpected. Not stopping there, the Southern Flower Immortal continued, unable to contain their anger.

[If you are indeed the master of the Seven Luminaries, then you must assist us without hesitation! If not, you shall be treated as a traitor of the Celestial Realm and face annihilation alongside the others.]

“Understood. I will absolutely help. Can’t you see that’s why I’m here?”

[Hmm…]

“But before that, could you enlighten me on what you intend to do by attacking Luoyang?”

As I replied submissively, the Southern Flower Immortal appeared slightly calmer.

[We assess that the power of the Master of the White Lotus Sect greatly exceeds the capabilities of ordinary immortals. For that reason, I cannot guarantee victory against them. Thus, I plan to summon a powerful dueling immortal to eliminate them.]

“Couldn’t the Queen Mother just descend like she did when granting the Seven Luminaries?”

[Don’t speak of that recklessly. That matter is a highly classified secret of the Celestial Realm!]

“I apologize for that.”

[The Queen Mother cannot casually involve herself in earthly matters. Don’t ask again.]

My mind began to whirl.

‘So then, the treasure they seek in Luoyang is a medium for summoning a powerful dueling immortal?’

Could such a single treasure be the key to defeating the remarkably powerful Master of the White Lotus Sect? Was all this commotion really just to sweep Luoyang clean for that one trophy?

It left me feeling perplexed. Tentatively, I asked,

“If you would just reveal the name of that treasure, I could investigate and acquire it in Luoyang.”

[There’s no need for that. Once we seize Luoyang, the seal will be lifted immediately.]

“Hmm… But what if the Master of the White Lotus Sect suddenly attacks?”

[My disciples, Yu Ji and Zhang Jiao, will be present, so they won’t stand a chance.]

After that exchange, the Southern Flower Immortal urged me,

[Now, present me with the information regarding the White Lotus Sect.]

Without missing a beat, I smiled back.

“First off, let me check if that treasure actually exists in Luoyang.”

The Southern Flower Immortal’s expression twisted with anger.

[What did you just say?!]

“Let’s meet again, Southern Flower Immortal.”

Without hesitation, I hopped on my spirit steed and sped off. When I landed, Dokgo Jun was busy summoning dragons and smashing through the enemy ranks, looking rather inflamed despite the endless horde of enemies.

Seeing me, he smiled in relief.

[Baek Woong, you made it.]

“Let’s go.”

I finally rode back to the White Lotus Sect on my spirit steed. Upon sharing the intel I had gathered with the Master of the White Lotus Sect, he fell silent for a moment before speaking.

[I see… Good job, Deputy Sect Leader.]

“Thank you.”

He then folded his arms, looking quite troubled.

[So, the enemy consists of a legion of hundreds of thousands of immortals… And there’s a Great Immortal plus at least two other immortal-level beings involved.]

“……”

The atmosphere around us sank into silence.

The sheer magnitude of the enemy’s power far exceeded what we had anticipated. After some contemplation, the Master said to me,

[Baek Woong, there’s still some time left before the enemy reaches Luoyang.]

“Yes.”

[Before then, I need you to gather as much information as possible on the treasure they are targeting in Luoyang.]

“What if I can’t find out?”

His eyes gleamed with a terrifying intensity.

[Then, I’ll have no choice but to eliminate the Southern Flower Immortal myself!]

 

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