948——————==

True Martial Home

With that shout, the Wind Spirit rapidly expanded its body, suddenly transforming into a giant over five Zhang tall. It seemed like the spirit was about to leap into the air but then fell back down as if bound to the ground. As the Wind Spirit stood up, another spirit nearby spoke.

[ The sorcerer’s power is too strong… This ritual has layered contracts from the Great Beings, and it cannot be undone in a short time.]

Whoosh!

The one who spoke was the Flame Spirit. It seemed to be the spirit symbolizing fire among the four elements, and the Flame Spirit that possessed Princess Ayuta had also lost her human form. Flames, reminiscent of natural power, flickered mysteriously from its form.

Suddenly, the Wind Spirit’s gaze turned toward me.

[ Who is that? Is he the sorcerer’s underling?]

[ Let’s capture him.]

Whooosh!!

The two spirits reached out toward me. It wasn’t that fast, and I thought I could easily dodge their attack, but in an instant, I realized I was caught in their grasp.

” ……?!”

Cause manipulation?!

There’s no doubt about it. There’s no way I could have dodged with mere speed. But it felt like everything happened under the premise that I was [captured], and this kind of power could only come from the divine beings’ ability to manipulate cause and effect. If I had used the Apostle’s arm, perhaps I could have fought back, but I never expected to be caught in cause manipulation.

Flames erupted from the Flame Spirit’s hand that held me, but I wasn’t burned; it only felt warm. The Flame Spirit looked down at me with emotionless eyes and said.

[ Sorcerer’s underling. Why do you dare to confine us, the primordial spirits, in a human body? Speak clearly.]

” … I’m not an underling of the sorcerer! I think you’ve misunderstood something.”

[ Then what’s the reason for your presence here? Tell us everything you know.]

” Understood. But please release this restraint first.”

I calmly replied for the moment. I knew the beings in front of me were powerful, but since they didn’t try to kill me out of the blue, they weren’t completely bent on pure evil. If we could communicate, it was better to resolve things through dialogue.

Swoosh!

As the spirits released their grip, I landed back on the ground, and two other spirits slowly approached. They seemed to be the Earth and Water Spirits. At that moment, I realized all four of my disciples were to be the [vessels] for the spirits’ descent.

‘Dharma… what on earth do you want?!’

I was equally clueless about this situation. However, knowing it would be pointless to panic, I slowly opened my mouth.

” Great Spirits, if you claim to be the primordial spirits, what kind of beings are you? I need to know who has summoned you in order to explain this situation.”

[ Are you questioning our dignity? That’s meaningless…]

The Wind Spirit murmured as if incredulous.

[ Normally, it should be impossible for a mortal to communicate with us. Yet, you seem to understand our intentions, and you can even read memories upside down. What on earth are you?]

” … I’m human. Just currently an Apostle of Dharma.”

[ Explain the situation first. That’s more important.]

” Yes.”

I helplessly began to explain to the four spirits about Dharma’s True Martial Home, how he summoned the spirits, and what was currently happening. After hearing everything, the Water Spirit remarked.

[ I see… Are you trying to awaken [Father]’s dream?]

” A dream?”

What dream are you talking about all of a sudden?

It seemed like an out-of-the-blue term when the world is supposedly coming to an end.

[ ……]

The Water Spirit didn’t respond to my words, but the other spirits nearby showed signs of confusion.

[ Can humans really do such a thing?]

[ That’s preposterous. Even the rulers are mere weak bugs compared to Him, so how could a mere mortal even think of touching such a realm…]

[ However, to attempt to measure the will of the omniscient one might be blasphemy.]

[ Surely the Omniscient wouldn’t… Hmm.]

They seemed to hesitate in their conversation before suddenly looking up at the sky and reaching out.

[ Stop!]

Boom!

In the next moment, the massive dark energies falling from the void clashed with the spirits’ powers and were nullified. The Water Spirit spoke with displeasure.

[ I see your scheme. The [Old Rulers] will disrupt this ritual to prevent the destruction of the universe, so are you asking us to stop them?]

” ……”

[ I won’t join your shallow plans. Even if the universe faces destruction, it is not the time for that. Our ancient god has no reason to lend strength to what is not in accordance with destiny.]

” Then.”

I shouted desperately.

” You intend to be consumed here as you are?!”

[ ……]

” The [Old Rulers] will do everything they can to avoid being consumed by True Martial Home. It doesn’t matter whether you are ancient gods or not; they will try to eliminate everything. And Dharma has placed you in human bodies to ensure you cannot escape! Ultimately, don’t you have to help us?!”

The Flame Spirit crossed its arms and replied.

[ Human, are you foolish?]

” Huh?”

[ Once this ritual ends, the world will perish regardless. It’s just a matter of whether it happens a little earlier or a little later. You, who do not understand this obvious truth, might be the true lunatic. Being consumed by the [Old Rulers] is somewhat unpleasant, but we are essentially part of the universe’s providence, and we will surely be reborn someday.]

Gah…!!

So that’s it!

I finally realized this was a completely insane situation with no chances for negotiation.

‘ What… what should I do?!’

In other situations, I could negotiate with powerful upper beings by flaunting benefits, and I had approached the spirits with that experience and confidence. But now there was a bizarre condition that if the plan succeeded, the world would end, making it nearly impossible to gain the cooperation of other beings.

In reality, it’s normal for beings who genuinely wish for their own annihilation to not exist. In general, the White Lotus Sect, which pursues the world’s destruction, is the true evil.

But I cannot give up. I racked my brain and spoke.

” Why do you think humans desire the world’s destruction so much?”

[ That’s none of our business.]

” The great ancient gods might think so. However, for mortals, including humans, being playthings of evil gods for tens of thousands or even billions of years means they remain enslaved even in death. Who would want to live miserably as slaves? They would rather wish for everything to perish instead.”

[ We understand the reason, but that doesn’t provide justification for the universe’s destruction.]

I was dazed by the unexpected reply.

” … It doesn’t justify it?”

[ What do you think is the reason for suffering to exist for mortals? Have you ever pondered the reasons for the pains of body and mind?]

The Flame Spirit continued its words.

[ That is the will of the universe. You are meant to continue the instinct to live through pain and stimulation. Life is a part of the universe and flows as the will of the omniscient great being. Surely, you did not think your existence was of free will? Your fates and the law of cause and effect… Your life’s suffering is commanded by the will of the universe, and you exist by conforming to it.]

” ……”

[ Just by existing, you are noble. Our ancient gods find satisfaction in your perseverance through pain and suffering. However… we do not show greater sympathy, nor do we agree that the universe must perish for the sake of your eternal rest. After all, that’s the providence of the universe.]

” Are you saying you merely watch as mortals endure eternal pain?”

[ Our ancient gods do intervene when the evil rulers cross the line. However, we are neither the punisher of the [Old Rulers] nor the ones to guide them. They are merely another manifestation of us.]

No way…

I never expected this perspective to exist.

‘ So this is the viewpoint of beings called ancient gods…?’

Zhuge Sa had said that in the universe, there are ancient gods on par with or even more powerful than the [Old Rulers], and they sometimes extend a hand of salvation to mortals. Moreover, unlike the [Old Rulers], they are not inherently evil but tend toward moderation.

But Zhuge Sa had also shown no signs of expecting those ancient gods to save humanity, and I had always found his thoughts strange. I thought ancient gods were benevolent beings and could provide assistance if needed.

‘ These beings are moderate… leaning toward indifference. Moderation is not goodness.’

Now, I finally understood Zhuge Sa’s perspective. If the [Old Rulers] viewed humans as mere bugs or toys to play with, the ancient gods merely regarded such humans with pity but remained largely indifferent. The so-called salvation from the ancient gods would be nothing more than capricious sympathy and transient affection. It would be impossible to ask such beings to save humanity.

It was then.

[ Ughhh… Th-this is…]

Suddenly, the Wind Spirit let out a pained sound. The other spirits also seemed to tremble with discomfort. Among them, the Earth Spirit shouted.

[ This is unbelievable…!! The Omniscient has… bestowed us a task! What nonsense is this…]

[ Are we really supposed to assist in the world’s destruction?]

[ To think we who govern the properties of the entire universe would have to engage in such madness…]

They were in chaos for a while, but soon regained their composure.

[ There’s no helping it!]

[ If that is the will of the gods…]

The spirits each moved to their respective cardinal points and maintained the four pillars of the barrier in silence.

Boom!

The Earth Spirit first unleashed its power. With a single hand, it deflected an incoming attack from the [Old Rulers] and said.

[ Material of the universe. Reject the command of the [Ruler]!]

Sizzle!

The moment the command finished, the phenomenon of the constellations burning in the sky vanished. The stars that reacted to the magic of the [Old Rulers] had stopped burning and ceased emitting magical energy. This was possible because the Earth Spirit held dominion over all material in the universe. The meteor showers that had been pouring upon the world began to defy the laws of gravity and return to the universe.

Next, the Water Spirit reached out.

[ Flow of the universe. I prohibit the magic and sorcery of the [Rulers]!]

Splash!!

It was as if the world froze for a moment. The Water Spirit had halted the flow of energy throughout the universe, forcing the [Old Rulers] to be unable to cast their spells.

Next was the Fire Spirit.

[ Heat of the universe. Burn away the area of interference that the [Rulers] have extended into this world!!]

Crackle!!

Kieeek!

The instant the command burst forth, I saw some of the illusions of the [Old Rulers] etched in the air burst into flames and vanish. It seemed that the divine heat, which transcended matter, burned the weaker [Old Rulers] and erased the areas tainted by their magical power.

Finally, the Wind Spirit clasped its hands and shouted.

[ Wind of the universe, send away the evil cause and effect affecting this world!]

Swishhh!

With the last command, the sky suddenly cleared up. The world that had been covered in darkness transformed into clarity.

I felt shivers run down my spine as I observed this entire process.

‘ So… strong…!!’

Though I wondered how powerful spirits could be, they were [Ancient Gods], handling the elemental forces of the universe. Hence, they possessed the powers of upper-tier [Old Rulers], and by combining their strengths, they could repel the interference of hundreds of [Old Rulers] at once! I couldn’t believe the powers of the ancient gods I had only heard of were genuinely this powerful.

Zzt!!

At that moment, a second fragment clung to the book with a sound of lightning striking. This meant that 20% of the book was complete, and at that same moment, Dharma let out an inexplicable sound.

[ Oooooo….]

Dharma had completely lost both arms and was engulfed in chaos up to his shoulders. His face was also marred by writhing chaos, appearing grotesque beyond belief. Yet, despite suffering immense pain, Dharma had no intention of giving up.

‘Dharma! Is he planning to offer himself as a sacrifice?!’

While I was internally aghast at his determination,

Gugugugugu…

Suddenly, something massive began to take shape in the skies. As the dark form emerged from the depths, morphing into a concrete figure that surged into reality, it looked as if a nightmare was stepping forth.

The spirits appeared somewhat shocked by this uninvited guest’s appearance.

[ I never imagined a being of such stature would directly breach the abyss… ]

[ Indeed, it seems this ritual holds a high possibility of destroying the world… ]

Sssss…

Its head resembled that of a cephalopod, with two enormous pairs of wings unfurling behind, causing the world to shudder. It seemed as if it had appeared from the far reaches of space, yet it felt as though it stood right before me, evoking horrifying imaginations. A dragon, ethereal from the realm of nightmares, began to point its clawed hands in my direction.

Seeing that, I understood that the real trial was just beginning.

The Evil God had personally intervened.