HBWnovel Chapter 556: World Of Sun And Moon (7)
Chapter 556: World Of Sun And Moon (7)
Chapter 556: World Of Sun And Moon (7)
After returning my true soul to my main body, I inform Gold Shaking Bird, Hong Fan, and Yeo Hwi of our destination.
"First, I'll confirm old connections in each of the Middle Realms, and then head straight to the Lightning Sacred Sea."
"...As you wish."
"I have no objections. Huhu..."
Hong Fan still seems a bit curt, perhaps harboring lingering resentment over my earlier reckless actions. On the other hand, Gold Shaking Bird appears inexplicably overjoyed.
Yeo Hwi, having seemingly been refined into an Immortal Treasure by Gold Shaking Bird, rests quietly within my body, only letting out soft sounds of 'Hwi, hwi, hwi...'
It seems none of them have faced significant problems over the last forty-nine years.
I quickly send split souls to four of the five Middle Realms, excluding the Purple Gold Realm.
Ancient Force Realm, Sea King Hall.
I see a familiar face there.
"It has been a while, Sacred Master Hae Lin."
"..."
Hae Lin locks eyes with my split soul and lets out a deep sigh.
"You've now come as a senior. It feels like just yesterday I was chasing after you to appoint you as my successor."
"Haha, even so. I still remember the grace you showed me when I was chanting the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra in complete ignorance and concealed me in the Deep Sea to evade the eyes and ears of the savage Mountain Divine Spirit."
"Ahem..."
When I bring up the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra, he clears his throat awkwardly, seemingly embarrassed.
"Back then...I thought you only intended to destroy the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain. Please allow me to apologize for my misunderstanding."
"There's no need. If it had been me, and I saw a madman recklessly chanting a mantra capable of destroying the universe without any explanation, I would have likely lashed out and tried to kill them as well."
At the time, the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra was used to borrow the attraction force of the universe's End to scatter Filling the Heavens Governing View across the world.
However, explaining its principles would have required explaining the wisdom of the Great Mountain Supreme Deity and the Salt Sea Supreme Deity, so I refrained from doing so.
'Of course, it also served as a smokescreen to distract the five Sacred Masters of the Middle Realms. While they were preoccupied, I set up the true starting point for properly activating Filling the Heavens Governing View without even Seo Hweol noticing.'
In any case, the incident back then was largely my fault.
Hae Lin, however, still looks regretful and forms a hand seal.
Kururururung!
"...This is..."
From within the Sea King Hall, a torrent of blue water surges inward.
Recognizing its identity, I click my tongue.
"Clear Scale Armor?"
Indeed.
It is the Clear Scale Armor that I enveloped over Cedarwood Painting when I advanced to True Immortality.
"The Karmic Fire and the Seat of Vice left behind by Blood Yin were reclaimed by the Underworld. However, the Clear Scale Armor wasn't retrieved. Since I couldn't let it fall over to Radiance Hall or the Source River, I've been managing it instead. Please accept it."
"Such generosity...I gratefully accept it."
"In addition, I will share a portion of the power of ancient force as well."
Wo-woong!
Hae Lin divides a portion of the Deep Sea of the Ancient Force Realm and gives it to me.
As I look at the whirlpool of countless dimensions within the Deep Sea, I let out a small sigh.
'From a True Immortal's perspective, this is truly...profane.'
The Ancient Force Realm is, quite literally, a world made up of the corpses of countless True Immortals.
Heaven Immortals who failed in their prophecies, forgotten Immortal Beasts erased from history. The deaths of countless True Immortals overflow in the form of the Deep Sea.
At the same time, I see dimensions whose nature is completely indiscernible flickering within the sea.
'Are these...fragments of Heavenly Domains?'
Among the fragments in the Deep Sea, some appear to be pieces that can only be described as remnants of 'Heavenly Domains'.
'What on earth is ancient force...?'
"Ancient Force originates entirely from the Head Realm."
Hae Lin explains further.
"The Head Realm...I don't know much about it myself, but I've heard it's a place that devours and stores countless [worlds] and [realities]. Why such a phenomenon occurs, and what its true nature is...only the truly exalted ones would know.
"But one thing is certain. All beings who control the Plane of Qi and walk the pathway of history...when they observe the threads of history, they inevitably perceive threads of [lost] history among them. And when they connect with those [lost histories] through their unique powers, what they gain is ancient force."
"..."
"Through that ancient force, some Immortal Beasts gain special authorities, some uncover unknown truths, and some are said to acquire Seats that were lost long ago. However, the crucial point is this... Anyone who obtains ancient force is said to be able to discern its origin. And the origin of all ancient force is the Head Realm..."
As I listen to Hae Lin's words, I once again recall the ominous nature of the Head Realm.
"In this world, there are many [forgotten histories] and [disappeared truths]. And all those who gather ancient force are, in essence, beings who [excavate the truths of forgotten history]."
Wo-woong!
They are all doing well currently.
I secretly repair the puppet bodies of the followers who had fled, and later happen to meet a rather memorable connection.
"...You are..."
"I greet the great being."
It is Yu Hwi, who had ascended to the Nether Ghost Realm at some point.
Having reached great completion in the Ghost Immortal Kui Devilish Secrets that I taught him, he has fully transformed his Nascent Soul into a Ghost King and has splendidly ascended to the Nether Ghost Realm.
The one who was once my follower has now become a powerful cultivator at the mid Four-Axis stage, becoming a renowned figure in the Nether Ghost Realm.
He is one of the few remaining followers of the Wuji Religious Order.
That is who Yu Hwi is, so I smile warmly as I look at him.
Unlike Ham Jin, who fell into corruption, Yu Hwi has grown admirably.
"You've grown well. Unlike some other kids."
"Haha, is the Great One talking about Ham Jin?"
"...You know him?"
"I have met him. He is currently wandering the Astral Realm in training. He has already turned over a new leaf. And...he is already stronger than me."
"...I see."
Thousands of years ago.
Before my battle with Seo Hweol, I already placed Filling the Heavens Governing View to its maximum on Ham Jin and assigned him a task.
At the time, he had been infected by both Filling the Heavens Governing View and Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens.
—If you can completely rid yourself of both my Filling the Heavens Governing View and the Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens within you, then return to me.
That is what I said before kicking him out to the Astral Realm.
If I hadn't given him a mission of such high difficulty, he would have continued to fall into corruption and live a debauched life.
In any case...
'If he has grown stronger and turned over a new leaf as Yeo Hwi says...then it must mean he understood the meaning behind the task I gave him and gained enlightenment.'
It seems worthwhile to test Ham Jin one more time and perhaps bring him along in the future.
I turn to Yu Hwi and ask him a question.
"I am planning to embark on a distant journey. Do you have any thoughts of following me?"
"It would be an honor! Please allow me to accompany the Great One!"
"To follow me...even if you have to die once?"
"Yes!"
"...Very well."
After explaining some of my plans to Yu Hwi, I head to the Black Palace of the Nether Ghost Realm.
There, Yu Oh is waiting for me.
"It's been a while, Sacred Master Yu Oh. It's been a long time since I came to the Nether Ghost Realm. The night sky is remarkably clear today."
"It is all thanks to Senior, who either beat those Entering Nirvana True Persons into unconsciousness or forced them to advance. Currently the number of True Persons of the Source River faction are...about twenty-eight? The rest were pushed into advancing and were unable to accept death, falling into the Underworld. It is said they are being judged. The remaining True Persons are currently in hibernation for a long, long time, recovering from their fatal injuries."
"If you wish, I will assist the remaining True Persons in their True Immortal advancement as well."
"Hoho, there is no need for that. In any case, the night sky of the Nether Ghost Realm will remain clear for a while... That alone is enough."
After sharing some light conversation, we gradually shift to discussing the true matter at hand.
"By the way, there is something I must ask, Sacred Master Yu Oh."
"What is it?"
"Who is...the distinguished one exactly?"
I voice the question I've been harboring for some time.
According to rumors, she is said to be a fragment or split soul of the Reincarnation Judge Yu Soo Ryeon.
From what I've experienced, she is not simply a vessel for the [Oldest One].
Above all, the one who possesses the powerful presence of being Seo Ran's mother is her.
'Though it was said that the split soul is Seo Ran's mother, and she isn't truly Seo Ran's mother...'
If that is the case, just why did she send a split soul to the Head Realm in the first place?
"What is your true identity? Why did you send a split soul to the Head Realm? After the death of the Reincarnation Judge...why does someone of your caliber, who could have gone to the Underworld to become a Reaper, remain here to be a Sacred Master... May I ask about this?"
At my question, Yu Oh smiles meaningfully.
"...Originally, I would have no reason to tell you even if you reached True Immortality, but...I sense the workings of the Imperial Venerable in the distinguished one's death. Have you met the Imperial Venerable?"
"If you mean the [Oldest One], then yes. Before my advancement to True Immortality."
"...I see. In that case, your presence before me must also be by Their will. As you are deemed worthy, I shall tell you."
As she reveals her identity, I feel as though my eyes might pop out of their sockets.
"I am both the split soul and the former Immortal Treasure of the Reincarnation Judge, Yu Soo Ryeon. At the same time...I am also an aspect of her elder brother, the Chief Judge Yu Hao Te's Seat of Good and Evil. I am the incarnation of the Seat of Good."