756——————==

Dark Heaven Village

As soon as the light of Chi You flowed, the Yacha, standing in formation around, suddenly opened their mouths to utter something.

———.

The sound was a language of the otherworldly beings, highly encrypted and inaudible to human hearing. Yet, within my mind, I understood what they were “saying.”

‘Chinese characters…?’

The only reason I could think that was because within the swirling chaos, words created a flow, and that flow visualized the characters. Humans couldn’t even perceive the language of that chaos, but the characters combined to form a “power” as a language spirit.

Woo woo woo

And the resonance begins!

The resonance of the language emitted by hundreds of thousands of Yacha gradually spread out. It grew stronger, eventually wrapping the entire Luoyang Castle in immense power.

Crackle!

Crackle!

I suddenly saw a white, round barrier covering Luoyang through my own eyes. Jeon Wook muttered upon witnessing it.

[The battle ground has been revealed.]

That was the final barrier directly guarded by Master Mangnyang!

It seemed to have emerged in response to the Yacha’s resonance. Chi You spoke while looking at the Three Sovereigns surrounding him.

[You, Three Sovereigns, feared Master Mangnyang’s wrath and dared not touch the battle ground. But finally, I will accomplish this feat.]

[What good does it do to be beaten down by us?]

Jeon Wook scoffed, extending his hand.

At that moment, an enormous amount of spirit power transformed into a spear, and that dark spear shot straight at Chi You’s body, impaling him.

Whoosh!

However, it was strange.

Chi You simply smiled and calmly pulled the spear of spirit power out of his chest, while Jeon Wook’s expression hardened slightly. Jeon Wook said.

[You’re just digging your own grave, you fool!]

Woo ooo ooo

In that instant, the ghosts being summoned from the Ten Thousand Ghosts Palace intensified their summoning speed. Upon seeing this, I could deduce what was happening.

‘He used the power of chaos directly! Has the confusion of cause and effect accelerated as a result?’

That meant Chi You had borrowed the immense power of the god backing him without hesitation, which at the same time only gave more justification for the Three Sovereigns to intervene. Despite it not being very good for him, Chi You remained utterly relaxed.

Crack!

Chi You broke the hidden weapon he held in his hand and said.

[Are Yu Shun and Shao Hao scared? They aren’t coming down.]

[Four against one is overkill for someone like you.]

[Disappointing… heh heh.]

Having said something significant, Chi You suddenly reached out toward the sky.

[O void, summon forth the light!]

Boom –

At that moment, as Chi You acted, Jeon Wook, sharing sensations with me, felt something. It was the scene of immense destruction occurring from another world, pouring into this one.

Thud thud thud

Flying through the vast expanse of the universe, massive celestial bodies soared. I confirmed this with my eyes and felt a chill run down my spine.

‘A meteor shower!’

And there were thousands of them!

The scale and number were incomparable to when I called upon the great luck. Among them were celestial bodies as big as continents, hinting that a collision would trigger an immediate cosmic calamity. Chi You had summoned the meteor shower drifting in space near the stars with his powers.

Jeogok spoke, sounding displeased.

[This punk… does he intend to engage us in a battle of powers? Is he out of his mind?]

[If you’re scared, don’t proceed… ]

Boom boom!

A collision occurred!

Flash!

It felt like flames erupted right before my eyes, and with white light engulfing the world all at once, it was evident that thousands of meteors were simultaneously falling, causing firestorms visible even from heavenly realms. Alongside this, the oceans of the ancient middle kingdom seemed to dry up, and the world was engulfed in destruction as the atmosphere dispersed and the polar ice caps melted in an instant.

Goo gooo gooo

Is this really how the world is going to end?

Just as I was genuinely contemplating that for a mere moment, Jeon Wook stepped into the void of emptiness, asserting his power.

[ I, Jeon Wook, decree that this shall not have happened.]

Swirly swirl!!

In what felt like a lie, the catastrophic events were sucked away, and the situation restored to what it was moments ago. Eventually, Chi You began reciting the incantation to break the world once more.

[O chaos, I call forth the rotating brilliance!]

Flash!

This time, the world was engulfed in light more direct and rapid than the meteor shower. This blinding light had such overwhelming power that I felt my physical body torn apart in an instant. Once again, it seemed like the world was facing destruction, but this time, Jeogok nervously exerted his powers.

[ I, Jeogok, decree that this shall not have happened. And I declare to all, please refrain from causing the disaster of world destruction for the time being! And we wish to monitor Chi You’s cycle.]

Woo ooo ooo

Again, time rewound, restoring the space-time. However, this wasn’t the same scenario as before.

Sssss

In the void of emptiness, numerous dark phantoms appeared out of nowhere. I was puzzled about what those dark phantoms were and asked Jeon Wook.

“Jeon Wook, what are those…?”

[Those are the [Old Rulers] residing on this star.]

” ……!!”

What?!

As I was astonished, the dark phantoms seemed to engage in some peculiar language or divine speech among themselves, communicating with the two Sovereigns. Shortly after, it seemed they reached a consensus, and the world began returning to static.

Swoosh

The situation looked similar to before, yet Chi You showed no intent to wield the power of world destruction. As Chi You stood in silence with his arms hanging down, Jeon Wook stared at him, evidently frustrated, and said.

[Are you daring to take the chance in front of a caterpillar? If cause and effect don’t matter to you, then anyone can obliterate the world in one strike. However, even if you heed cause and effect, since we are all involved in chaos, we can manipulate the [Small Cycle], leading to mere repetition of unending destruction and restoration. Unless someone can surpass both the [Old Rulers] and the Three Sovereigns simultaneously, no one can destroy the world in one blow.]

Jeogok echoed Jeon Wook’s words.

[Everyone has now agreed. Chi You, we strip you of all powers related to your [Cycle]! You can no longer revert your [Small Cycle]. This is the will of all the rulers of this star.]

Boom!!

At that moment, hundreds of curse words were etched onto ‘Jin’s’ body like tattoos. Each one was undoubtedly a curse of restraint from the [Old Rulers]. This would prevent Chi You from recklessly using the power of world destruction anymore.

Chi You suddenly spoke.

[Even after all this provocation, they still don’t come down… Has Yu Shun completely lost interest in the human world, and Shao Hao never cared from the start?]

[Hehe, what’s the plan if they do come down? Would you prefer to be beaten four against one than two against one?]

[That’s precisely it. But since it’s come to this, shall we slowly start?]

Boom

Chi You suddenly charged at the giant in white, Jeogok. I could see Chi You, infused with the Portrait Immortal, lunging, and between the two divine beings, countless cause and effects, spells, and powers were swirling around. It was likely because Jeon Wook had descended upon me, allowing me to see it.

Bam!!

[No…?]

It was unbelievable. Chi You’s body pierced straight through Jeogok’s head, landing a hit. Not stopping there, Chi You brandished Jin’s arms, unleashing the vacuum blade that sliced away a massive pair of wings on Jeogok’s back.

Jeogok seemed to recover with ease, but at that moment, Chi You was throwing something at Jeogok’s chest from behind.

It was the moment when that “something” pierced Jeogok’s chest.

Twist –

Jeogok, hit by that strike, lost balance and staggered, kneeling on one knee. The main body of the Three Sovereigns kneeled?! Although it was hard to believe, I quickly comprehended the situation from the pained groans Jeogok emitted.

[Ugh… how can you disrupt my chaos?]

[It’s because the Portrait Immortal is my apostle, haha!!]

In truth, what Chi You threw was a mere steel spear. However, the power of the Earth Spirit was immensely magnified, possessing the trait to scatter chaos, turning it into a weapon capable of killing the Three Sovereigns, nearly unique in the world. With his current ability to harness the Taoist’s destructive power, Chi You had a real chance at eliminating the Three Sovereigns.

‘So that’s why he joined up with Jin!!’

I couldn’t grasp why Chi You kept Jin close and even took him as an apostle until now it all clicked. Chi You had strategically chosen Jin, the Portrait Immortal, as his weapon to eradicate the Three Sovereigns.

Chi You then began to chant.

[Come, those who bless me!! O Coming Chaos! Bestow upon me the great artifact!]

Woo ooo

At that moment, something shimmered between Chi You’s hands suspended in the air. It was a brilliantly golden box surrounded by silver streams, looking divine, almost too holy for chaos. But I knew that object all too well, and a moment of shock struck me.

‘That… that’s? Why is that appearing?’

The Golden Box!!

A formidable demonic artifact obtained during the offering ceremony by Zhuge Sa in the past!

It turned out I wasn’t the only one taken aback; even wounded Jeogok and Jeon Wook looked visibly tense. Jeon Wook seemed quite surprised as he whispered.

[How can you summon that? You must have exhausted a considerable amount of cause and effect! There’s no way you still have enough left for that! And ‘that’ would never bestow the Golden Box!]

[That would indeed be the case… However, I offered the Philosopher’s Stone and presented the ancient guardians bound to this body for over seventeen hundred years in servitude, making it possible.]

[……]

[Lol, looks like you’re surprised. I have received favor from that being over millennia without a reason, you know? Then prepare to be even more shocked…]

Swoosh

As Chi You reached for the lid of the Golden Box, Jeon Wook shouted furiously.

[Madman, stop that!! You don’t mean to reveal what’s inside to the world!?]

[Try to control the small cycle and prevent me. Of course, you know that as long as I hold this box, your cycle manipulation will be futile.]

[Do you truly want the world to perish?]

[Isn’t that what you all want?]

Jeon Wook seemed thoroughly distressed. He then quietly opened his mouth.

[… What is it you truly desire? Speak!]

[Hmm…]

[Opening that box would be a suicidal act on your part. First, tell me what you wish.]

As I listened to Jeon Wook’s words within, I was genuinely surprised.

‘Did Jeon Wook pull back?!’

This was truly unexpected!

Jeon Wook, by nature, was a tyrant who did not play nice or negotiate and was already inclined to disregard Chi You. Yet for some reason, the moment Chi You summoned the Golden Box, Jeon Wook’s attitude dramatically shifted. That says a lot about the immense power hidden within that Golden Box.

Chi You suddenly noted, somewhat hollowly.

[If I had known it would come to this, I should have trusted Zhuge Yulong from the start… I could have saved decades; he was astonishingly capable for a human.]

Huh?

Why would Zhuge Yulong appear?

As I was bewildered, Chi You continued.

[What I desire is the liberation of the Seven Luminaries. You all should retreat and await the final hour.]

[What a ridiculous statement! Do you think we would actually do that?]

[You’d lose nothing. After all, the predetermined end would only come sooner; you might even shed your masks in the end, wouldn’t you?]

[There’s no guarantee of that.]

Jeon Wook ground his teeth and proclaimed.

[The Emperor wants to keep the mask on us! Thus, even if the Seven Luminaries are liberated, we must do it ourselves and seek out that being. We must know his true intent.]

[What a greedy wish. Then I see no room for negotiation left, so I shall just open the box.]

[… You damn punk… there’s no retreat for you now.]

Jeon Wook and Jeogok showed determination once more, ready to fight strongly.

[Then… destruction awaits.]

In that instant, Chi You slowly opened the box, and radiant light burst forth from within.

—————————————————————————————————=

Where am I?

In my fading memories, I heard someone’s voice.

[… Father, are you really planning to offer our entire tribe in human sacrifice?]

As the crackling memories gradually brightened, I saw the face of a woman. I realized that the owner of that face was Yacha from the Eight Parts of the Divine, and I was startled. She wore ancient clothing. The ‘father’ she called replied.

[It must be done. After all, this world is doomed, and the Three Sovereigns will only toy with human civilization until the end…]

[Father. The ones wishing to perform the human sacrifice are all beings of our blood. They are our brothers, relatives, and kin.]

[Are you averse to sacrificing even your own mother?]

[……]

[You are smart and talented; thus, follow me into eternity to come. We’ve already discussed this with her, so it wouldn’t be an issue.]

Yacha crumpled down in despair.

[There might be another way… If we ask those great giants to watch over us.]

[They may look similar to us, but they’re ultimately otherworldly. In such a manner, we can’t be saved. In the end, we must strengthen ourselves as the otherworldly beings. Moreover, we need a new god of humanity.]

The ‘father’ countered decisively.

[Emperor Gong Sun Xuanwen has promised me. If we perform this human sacrifice, he will make me his apostle, and furthermore, teach me ways to become a god… For me, Chi You, this is the only method.]

That speaker was Chi You?

I realized this was Chi You’s memory. And I could hear Chi You speaking with eyes gleaming.

[As the priest of the Summer, I have grasped humanity’s first opportunity… After decades of studying the demon path, I cannot miss this chance.]

[Father, in the future, deep, and deep karma will flow for unfathomable years.]

[… Yes, as you said, I will become a powerful evil.]

Chi You looked up at the void.

[To the gods, my malice will seem laughable. Just a mere evil bug.]

[Father…]

[But who cares about that? I’ll be the king of bugs.]

Drip drip

Tears of blood flowed from Chi You’s eyes. Simultaneously, the terrible mental anguish and confusion that human Chi You felt flooded into my mind. He let out a blood-curdling scream.

[I will go to any lengths to achieve my will. And someday, as the king of bugs, I will trample the heavens as a heavenly demon!!]

Boom!

The memory shattered abruptly, and I noticed my mind bouncing around the violently shaking space.

‘Ugh, I’m dizzy…’

I felt lost. Just how long would this shaking continue?

More than anything, I had no clue about the situation outside. And judging by how Chi You’s memory had just intermingled before me, it seemed highly evident that he had sustained a significant blow.

After a while, I regained my senses and coughed as I stood up.

“Ugh, cough, cough…”

Where am I?

I quickly looked down at my body. I realized I wasn’t in Daji’s form but back in my original body. And the surrounding area was a wasteland, with none of my companions in sight—no Celestial Sage, no Gong Gong, no Cheon Woo-jin.

‘What’s going on? I didn’t even unseal the Seal of the Supreme King, yet I’ve returned to my original body?’

What on earth happened?

Where did Daji’s soul go?

And where was Jeon Wook, who had descended upon me?

As I grew desperate in confusion, I suddenly remembered that, just in case, I had handed Cheon Woo-jin the wooden armor containing the Oyo among the Seven Luminaries.

“Cheon Woo-jin!! Where are you!!”

I shouted, unleashing the Lion’s Roar. But there was not a peep from him in this vast wasteland. Overcome with bewilderment about what to do next, I scratched my head and trudged forward.

“……”

Step by step

I genuinely had no idea what was happening. I had inferred that the moment Chi You opened the Golden Box, that light erupted, and there was an intense battle with the Three Sovereigns. But what had transpired after that?

“Ugh!”

Just then, I halted in my tracks due to a presence blocking my way.

And that being calmly sat, gazing at me before speaking.

[You’ve awakened.]

“Master Mangnyang?!”

I was taken aback. Why is this cat here?!

“So, is this a dream?”

[No. It’s reality. Luoyang Castle.]

“…But don’t you usually only appear in dreams?”

At my question, Master Mangnyang responded.

[It’s an emergency.]

“An emergency?”

[Because of the artifact bestowed by the ‘Coming Chaos,’ the battle ground I was maintaining nearly shattered. Thankfully, I mixed reality and dreams at the last moment to avert it.]

” ……”

[To be precise, this place has become a border between reality and dreams.]

Sssss

Suddenly, the ruined surrounding landscape of Luoyang transformed back into the bustling streets it once knew, except no humans were present. Master Mangnyang, manipulating reality, spoke again.

[Chi You requested me to mediate. Do you accept?]

“What kind of sudden request is that?”

[Just now, as the battle ground was on the brink of destruction, Chi You’s entire race, along with the bodies and powers of the Three Sovereigns and their followers, would have perished. This was due to the opening of the Golden Box. Meanwhile, the badly wounded Sovereign retreated to his palace, but Chi You survived.]

” ……”

[However, it seems that his apostle betrayed him. So he wishes to speak with you through me.]

“Why would I listen to that jerk? No way!!”

I straightforwardly rejected, but Master Mangnyang replied.

[You might want to reconsider. Why? Because right now, he’s inside your head.]

“…What?”

In an instant, the memory of Chi You I had just viewed resurfaced.

A chill ran through me as I spoke with a trembling voice.

“…Wait, are you telling me that Chi You bastard… has conceptualized and entered my head again?”

[Exactly. If this life doesn’t go well, he is likely to try to pass through the Great Cycle once again.]

“Not again!!”

I cried out.

‘No way! If he reincarnates this time, there won’t be a way to stop him!’

The Divine Status becomes stronger when surpassing the Great Cycle. This meant the next Chi You would become an existence beyond the Three Sovereigns! But how can I capture a being who has already fully conceptualized? Feeling utterly bewildered, I trembled as Master Mangnyang raised a hand.

Woo ooo

At that moment, Chi You’s figure appeared.

As I glared at Chi You, he spoke.

[Reborn person. Are you still thinking of using the Heavenly Secret to go for the next round?]

“It’s none of your business, you bastard!!”

[It’s very much my concern… Because gathering the Seven Luminaries to this extent is extremely challenging… Isn’t it a pity to waste it?]

“What are you getting at?”

[Think carefully… I’ve greatly weakened the power of the Three Sovereigns by thoroughly repelling Jeon Wook and Jeogok… now, even if I liberated the Seven Luminaries, no one would have a say against it… But if you challenge the final trial alone, it undoubtedly won’t be manageable.]

[So?]

[Let’s join forces… You will be my companion in overcoming the trial of the Seven Luminaries. I will also protect you from Qin Shi Huang, who seeks to grasp it.]

” ……”

I felt utterly shocked, my lips twisted in disbelief. I then asked him.

“So you really want to become the king of bugs and a heavenly demon?”

[It seems you’ve glimpsed my memory… Indeed.]

“That’s not saving humanity; that’s deluding yourself into thinking you’re saving it.”

[It’s not my intention to engage in ideals with you… I formed an absolute conclusion thousands of years ago.]

“Oh really?”

I felt deeply conflicted. I couldn’t fathom how much complications this jerk had caused, making an alliance with him was utterly out of the question. But dismissing him would mean he’d conceptualize again and would be in my next life, and I wouldn’t be able to handle him then. I felt incredibly irritated, akin to being trapped again.

‘Oh damn…’

Right now, I had no comrades to help. I suddenly glanced at Master Mangnyang.

“Where are all my companions?”

[I have secured them to my village as a refuge.]

“That’s a relief. Can you step aside, letting me deal with Chi You for a bit?”

[What are you planning to do?]

“I’m going to have an earnest chat with Chi You.”

[Okay.]

Whoosh

The black cat vanished. I strode purposefully towards Chi You.

“Hey, you bastard. Do you really want the Rebirth Ability and the Seven Luminaries that much?”

[Of course… But by now, you don’t even have to offer them to me… Whatever you do in this life is already in my palm… Hahaha.]

” ……”

[Feel free to kill yourself if you wish… I’ll enjoy watching you.]

As Chi You unleashed his chaotic laugh, I sighed.

“Fine, I’ll give it to you. I will.”

[You mean it, right…]

“But on one condition—can you tell me what this Heavenly Secret actually does? I’ve been dying to know all this time.”

I felt half resigned. Cautiously, I pulled out the Heavenly Secret I had kept in my possession. While I had put other treasures into the wooden armor and handed them to Cheon Woo-jin, I kept this one on me.

I swiftly tossed the Heavenly Secret to Chi You, and he caught it.

[Hmm… I’ve looked at this for fifty years but could not discern its nature… I tried mapping it onto thousands of tribal languages, but I couldn’t figure out where it came from… What is it saying… ]

At that moment, Chi You made a bizarre sound.

[Huh? I can read it…]

Huh?

What does that mean?

So now, even after taking it from me for fifty years and being unable to read it, he can finally decipher it? I was puzzled, staring at Chi You, who soon began to tremble.

[Oh… oh oh oh… oh oh oh!!]

Swoooooo

Swoooooo

A dense darkness began to seep out of the Heavenly Secret, enveloping Chi You, but oddly enough, he seemed oblivious to that fact.

[No… this can’t be… But even if so… then I… so this is… the concept of being a Reborn Person…!?]

Chi You’s reaction, steeped in turmoil, was a stark contrast to the former flute-playing sorcerer. Unlike the sorcerer, engulfed in despair and retreating at first glance, Chi You looked horrified yet determined to keep reading until the end.

‘What? Does the sorcerer actually know the true nature of the Heavenly Secret better?’

An immense curiosity surged within me, and I said to Chi You.

“Chi You!! What does it say? Enlighten me as well.”

[… This is… a gigantic… trap… Words of absurdity… I never thought I would get ensnared like this…]

Chi You’s voice trembled with despair.

[…] 5.67 billion years…]

Swoooooo!!

In that instant, an immense darkness rushed out from the Heavenly Secret and swallowed Chi You whole. He gasped and screamed.

[Ugh?! W-wait a minute…]

Chomp!

Chomp!

The Heavenly Secret seemed to make munching sounds as it wriggled on the ground. I was filled with dread, momentarily unable to move. The demise of a being that rose to the rank of the [Old Rulers] took but an instant.

Silence.

” ……”

Shaking, I picked up the Heavenly Secret.

And I thought.

It’s dangerous to haphazardly investigate the Heavenly Secret.

“`

 

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