Chapter 666
“Dark Heaven Village, huh? Sounds like a talent for chaos!”
It felt like I was hearing a story for the first time, but something suddenly clicked in my mind.
It reminded me of a conversation I had with Mangnyang long ago.
“Listening to the secrets of the Three Sovereigns from Jeon Wook, connecting heaven and earth again is our ultimate goal. If we can achieve that, we’ll challenge the Celestial Realm directly and gain various powers that were forbidden to humans!”
“Forbidden powers for humans?”
“You wouldn’t know. Jeon Wook severed the connection between heaven and earth, causing a significant regression in human martial arts. Various powers that early humans could use naturally have been sealed in the Celestial Realm. If we can unseal them, we can become even stronger.”
Mangnyang mentioned this back in his 16th life after obtaining the Three Sovereigns’ Inner Gate. He claimed there were forbidden powers for humans, and if they were unlocked, we would all become stronger. I remembered tirelessly searching for the Offering Ceremony following Mangnyang’s advice to connect heaven and earth, though he seemed to have only vague information about those powers.
But perhaps… the “powers” that Mangnyang mentioned back then might be the same as the “talent for chaos” that Cheon Gong-pyo just spoke of?
Curious, I asked Cheon Gong-pyo, “Hey Cheon Gong-pyo! I heard from a Taoist who gained the Three Sovereigns’ Inner Gate that when Jeon Wook severed the connection between heaven and earth, some powers were sealed. Is that it?”
Cheon Gong-pyo looked at me, evidently surprised.
“You really have a lot of information, huh? Are you really human? You seem to know way more than a Great Immortal from the Celestial Realm…”
“I just went on a lot of adventures, that’s all.”
“It must be the same thing.”
“But Jeon Wook ruled during the era of the Seven Greats long before your time in the Ten Great Yu Shun era, so it doesn’t add up.”
Cheon Gong-pyo shot back, “What a dimwit, asking sharp questions in the wrong places…“
“The powers that Jeon Wook sealed off, including the power of immortality, were indeed several. Back then, due to the presence of a too powerful being being resurrected, many powers still remained with humans. That changed after the Fengshen War, where those powers were completely sealed.”
“So Jeon Wook took them during the first sealing?”
“It would’ve been nice if there was indeed power of immortality, huh.”
Cheon Gong-pyo muttered, sounding a bit disappointed. I couldn’t help but inquire, “Immortality? What’s that about?”
“I don’t know the details, but there was a legend of a gifted human that once threatened a god. I probably learned that Jeon Wook took it out of caution from the Oracle Bone Script.”
“Hmm. So who was this gifted person?”
“I have no idea. It’s not recorded in literature, only passed down through oral tradition.”
Cheon Gong-pyo seemed to be at a loss as well. After all, when Jeon Wook severed the connection between heaven and earth, it was thousands of years ago, and even Cheon Gong-pyo, being an ancient immortal, couldn’t know for sure. Humans at that time had barely reached a primitive tribal society; of course, there wouldn’t be a proper record of such ancient events.
I was still curious and pressed on. “So why did the Fengshen Plan and the Sect War happen? Why did you oppose it?”
“The target was the Great Destruction. The Three Sovereigns were behind it, and I alone could challenge the Celestial Sect… riding the White Whale.”
As Cheon Gong-pyo started to explain, her face suddenly stiffened. “Are you planning to talk about this for a hundred or a thousand years here?”
“Huh?”
“Dimwit, look beyond the horizon.”
At her irritated command, I turned to where her finger was pointing, looking out past the peaceful fields that seemed to ripple with golden reeds. When I tilted my head, Cheon Gong-pyo seemed genuinely annoyed and shot back, “You didn’t notice the killing intent of an evil being that revealed itself a hundred and forty miles away, huh?“
“…….”
“From the strength of it, it must be an [Old Ruler]. If you’re not careful, you might end up fighting it, so hurry up and hide or leave this place.”
What the heck! No matter how skilled I am, how could I sense a killing intent from a hundred and forty miles away?!
I wanted to curse but had no choice. Cheon Gong-pyo set her standards on the level of at least a Great Immortal, being the former leader of the Celestial Sect herself. Though she looked human, she was an otherworldly being, an intermediary between gods and humans, so my abilities were bound to fall short.
“Got it.”
Crack!
I called upon the National Seal to see if there was a hostile presence near the Bronze Star and explore the terrain around. After checking, I headed towards a canyon that seemed safe, passing through the Grand Manjangan Cliff three times before reaching a rainbow river’s bank, where the National Seal informed me it was safe.
“… Is this really safe?”
This wasn’t a joke; the river truly shimmered rainbow colors. No matter how unique the water seemed, it should only range from red to black, but here, seven colors intertwined, making it impossible to see the water’s depth. No matter how I looked at it, it screamed danger, but the spirit of the National Seal replied.
“If a human drinks that water, they die instantly, but swimming or touching it is fine. I deem this the safest and most favorable spot in Dark Heaven Village. There won’t be any parasites, curses, or attacks from the tentacles of the abyss here.”
“…….”
Stunned, I struggled to find words when Cheon Gong-pyo said, “Seems like we’ve shared enough information. How about we go look for Tydaht now?“
“Aren’t you being too obvious? You want Tydaht for yourself, don’t you? You sure you’re okay with me knowing everything?”
I teased, and Cheon Gong-pyo chuckled.
“I knew you were coming to Dark Heaven Village with the intent to die. Even if you die, I’ll bring Tydaht into reality, so don’t worry and go on and die.”
“You think it’s funny? I’ll survive if I can!”
I scoffed and commanded the National Seal, “Find the Palace of Empress Wu Zetian where Tydaht is located!”
[Searching…]
The National Seal seemed to take a while searching, then unexpectedly reported, “Warning! A divine status is attempting to forcibly connect to the National Seal. It can be terminated under administrator rights immediately.”
“……?!”
Crackle crackle!
The spirit of the National Seal unleashed lightning until suddenly falling silent.
[Automatic protection function activated. First intrusion was blocked, but it is recommended to cut the connection immediately.]
“Wha-what?! What’s going on?”
I was momentarily flustered but quickly gathered my wits and cut off the National Seal connection. I hastily shoved the National Seal into the Wooden Armor. Cheon Gong-pyo, who had been watching the whole scene, asked, “Why are you in a panic?“
“You said a divine existence was connecting to the National Seal and to cut it off fast…”
“Hmm.”
Cheon Gong-pyo pondered a moment before saying, “That Wooden Armor isn’t an ordinary magical tool to hold important possessions?”
“So what?”
“Then I wouldn’t put the National Seal there.”
“Why?”
“If a divine existence forcibly reconnects with the cut National Seal, don’t you think it could break out of that trivial magical tool?”
“……”
Her logic was sound. I felt a chill run down my spine as I started to sweat.
‘What should I do?’
I managed to stop the National Seal’s activation, but there was no guarantee that a divine being wouldn’t attempt to inhabit it again. Stowing it in the Wooden Armor might not work either. But could I throw away the National Seal, a powerful ally that’s crucial for my search?
If I let go of the National Seal, I wouldn’t be able to head to the Palace of Empress Wu Zetian where Tydaht is. I would have to journey through this treacherous Dark Heaven Village unarmed, obviously leading to my demise! Plus, considering the value of the spirit energy the National Seal provides, there was no way I could abandon it.
I bit my lip and made the decision.
“Damn it…!!”
No matter how precious the tool, surviving takes priority!
I quickly pulled out the National Seal and reconnected. Then, in a desperate situation, I shouted out, “National Seal! Transfer all your spirit energy to me and self-destruct!”
[… Command acknowledged.]
Crackle!
As I returned to reality, a blue spirit energy swirled around my body, and I instantly felt a surge of immense power. Even though it was merely the modest energy I’d received from the National Seal, it was better than nothing.
I launched the National Seal, charged with lightning, far into the sky. Once it flew off and became less visible, I hastily called my magical creature and shouted, “Head to the east end!”
I had heard there was a fantastical city near the eastern edge, so as long as I made it there, I would be fine!
Boom!
As I took off into the light, I could see a divine being’s silhouette appearing behind the exploding National Seal. It was literally a life-or-death moment, and I felt my heart racing heavily.
Crackle!
Had I arrived at the eastern end? When I collected my thoughts again, I found myself at a shore with dark blue sea water lapping about. This place didn’t seem normal either; the atmosphere was thick with chaotic energy, and monstrous beasts lurked about. But still, facing an uncertain divine being was better than this extreme scenario, so I sighed in relief.
“Phew.”
Though I saved my life, losing the National Seal was a painful hit. I felt like my odds of surviving in this place dropped by 20%.
‘Why is a divine being…?’
I couldn’t understand.
But if I had to guess, it was likely that my effort to search for Tydaht at the Palace of Empress Wu Zetian triggered it. Otherwise, why would it act after I gave that order?
‘Was there a command originally stored in the National Seal? Or was it that [Old Ruler] guarding Empress Wu Zetian?’
Whichever it was, it was a headache. It made reaching Tydaht’s location comfortably now impossible. Without this life, even in the next life, establishing a route to the National Seal wouldn’t be feasible.
But now wasn’t the time to be lost in thought. I had to keep moving, gathering information about Dark Heaven Village while I still had breath left…
Just then.
Woooooosh!
Clouds swirled in the void, beginning to shape something. Immediately, I could sense that this was the descent of a divine being because the strength of divine and magical powers was palpable.
Without needing to be told, I knew.
This being was coming for me.
“……”
It seemed there was no escaping. I had just summoned my magical creature, so casual summoning was off the table, and I’d need a sufficient offering to appease it for a re-summon. Yet, trying to flee wouldn’t work either; before a divine being, I’d barely be a joke. This ability flying at lightning speed coming right after was clearly way above my skill level.
‘Is fighting the only option…?’
If I chose to fight, what were my chances?
I had no clue. Luckily, having just absorbed the dormant spirit energy from the National Seal gave me a significant boost in all abilities, but it wouldn’t last long. Plus, I was in a state where Yeodong-bin couldn’t descend, relying solely on the power of Fire Dragon Incarnate to fight. But if it’s a being at the level of the Demon King or around that of a Sea God, I would definitely lose if that was all I had.
But still, I had to survive.
I clenched my teeth and raised the Fire Dragon Sword, speaking to Cheon Gong-pyo who was by the Ruyi Staff, “I need your strength.”
[…]
“I want to live.”
I couldn’t just die like this.
I had to find a way to break through with Cheon Gong-pyo’s assistance.
Cheon Gong-pyo gazed at the swirling clouds and then said, “You cannot win this alone. That being is incredibly strong. But why are you so desperate to live?”
“Of course I want to live; is that even a question…?”
Cheon Gong-pyo countered, “Staying in Dark Heaven Village will only lead you to excruciating pain and increase your chances of death. That being in front of you seems willing to cleanly end you. I don’t understand why you’re so fixated on surviving since you’re practically ready to die anyway.”
I realized what Cheon Gong-pyo was questioning. Then I smirked and said, “You mean to say, since I’m about to die, why even bother living?”
“Exactly.”
“Well, it just so happens that I’m a Reborn Person.”
[…]
Cheon Gong-pyo’s face became comically bewildered.
“When I die, I restart, so for me…”
Flash!
As I awakened the Fire Dragon Incarnate, I could feel it awakening within my sword. I grit my teeth and shouted, “When it matters most, the manner of death is crucial!!”
I could only grovel if I died without trying to struggle!
Thunder rumbled…
At that moment, the clouds before me finally took form, transforming into a human-like figure. To my surprise, the entity clearly looked like a ‘human’ and specifically a ‘man’ with a somewhat sleepy expression and a variety of armaments strapped to his back.
But I had seen the face of this being before.
He looked at me with sleepy eyes and said, “You’re the famous one who scratched the divine nerves of Celestials, aren’t you?”
“Who are you?”
He glanced up towards the sky and mumbled, “I never thought I’d come to Dark Heaven Village to assassinate a human.”
No need to ask; I already knew. After all, I recognized that face and had it etched in my memory. I just pretended not to know.
If he was indeed the being I suspected – I was about to die here without a doubt.
Even with everyone in my past life having grown stronger, it’d not be enough against someone like him; there was no way I could win this engagement as I was now.
Crackle!
“Baek Woong, prepare yourself.”
The man slowly drew out a rusty sword from his waist with sleepy eyes and said, “I am Asura from the Eight Parts of the Divine. By the order of Lord Chi You, I’ve come to retrieve the soul of the one who dared to invade the realm of taboos.”
