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Chapter 395: Drink (7)

Yuk Yo, with her eyes rolled back, scatters the many dharma treasures she has stolen and swallows elixir pills.

"Heok, heok..."

Kugugugu!

A dark crimson devilish fire tries to engulf Yuk Yo, and she clenches her teeth while avoiding the fire.

'Fortunately, her accuracy is low since she's not in her right mind.'

Although Wi Yun possesses the power of the early Heavenly Being stage, she is merely a puppet moving without a sane mind.

Luckily, this is what's keeping Yuk Yo alive until now, but she senses something strange.

'Would Father really leave someone so mentally unstable right next to the Black Ancient Plaque?'

No matter how much she thinks about it, it's odd.

The Yuk Rin she knows would never do such a thing.

'It's strange. No matter how much I think about it, it's strange.'

If the Yuk Rin she knows wouldn't do such a thing, there is only one explanation.

'There's a high chance something happened to Father.'

Perhaps he has entered the initial stages of Qi Deviation.

If not, he might have fractured his mind while trying to possess Yuk Ung's body.

Whatever it is, this is not the behavior of the Yuk Rin she knows.

'Come to think of it, he's been more lenient with me ever since he returned from Penglai Island.'

In the past, if she was caught attempting to run away, she would be punished by having her spiritual power sealed and hanging off the cliff of Governing Dragon Island for half a year.

He had an attitude that didn't care if she died, but this time, he simply locked her in prison for a mere hundred years, which is considerably more lenient.

Of course, an ordinary person would die if they were locked in an underground prison without food for over a hundred years. But even if rotten, she is still a Nascent Soul stage of the Demon Race, so she could survive.

She can tell.

'It started right after returning from Penglai Island. What's the reason? Because he went to Penglai Island? Or because he started cultivating in the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade in earnest? Or maybe just because the biggest obstacles, the Conqueror King and the devilish cult, were trapped in Penglai Island?'

Kugugugu!

A giant skeletal-shaped dharma form is forming above Wi Yun's head.

'Crazy...what kind of devilish art is that now?'

Yuk Yo breaks out in a cold sweat and raises the magic artifacts she had stolen from Governing Dragon Palace.

It's then,

Woo-woong—

"What? Are you crazy?"

Yuk Yo glares fiercely at Baek Rin, who is buzzing at her waist.

Mumble, mumble, mumble...

Wi Yun gathers the power of her devilish art and recites a dharma formula. Seeing this, Baek Rin buzzes his skull even louder.

"It's not that I don't believe you..."

With anxious eyes, Yuk Yo looks back and forth between Baek Rin and Wi Yun's skeletal dharma form, then squeezes her eyes shut and grabs Baek Rin's skull.

"Fine, I get it!"

Bo-oong!

Wi Yun begins to move the skeletal dharma form.

At the same time, Yuk Yo throws Baek Rin's skull at the dharma form!

Baek Rin's skull strikes the hand of Wi Yun's skeletal dharma form and shatters into dust.

"Ah..."

Yuk Yo stands there, her mouth agape in disbelief.

So very absurdly, Baek Rin has died.

"No..."

Is it because Baek Rin died so abruptly?

She can't even feel sadness at the current situation.

[Kiyaaaaaaaaah!]

Wi Yun's skeletal dharma form screams, engulfed by her devilish fire.

Seemingly trying to attack her, the dark crimson skeletal dharma form gathers devilish fire in both hands and emits ghost fire from its eye sockets.

And just as realization hits Yuk Yo and despair and sorrow registers on her face,

Tsutsutsutsu—

Wi Yun's skeletal dharma form.

The fingertips of its hands start turning pure white.

[Uh...huh?]

Wi Yun looks up at the skeletal dharma form with eyes that have turned pitch black, seemingly confused.

For some reason, the dharma form seems to be gradually defying her command.

[Uhh...gughhh!]

Wi Yun infuses even more devilish energy into the dharma form, but although the dharma form grows larger, the speed at which it turns white does not change.

And then, finally,

Chuaaak!

The skeletal dharma form's form turns completely white,

And the now white skeletal dharma form's body appears to burn with blue.

In an instant.

Flash!

The dharma form shines with a white brilliance, and from within, twenty-eight translucent black spikes are ejected.

Yuk Yo realizes what they are and her eyes widen.

The twenty-eight restrictions that blocked Baek Rin's Heavenly Circle and sealed his spiritual power!

'Those being ejected means...'

Kugugugu!

Moments later, an overwhelming pressure descends upon the chamber.

Yuk Yo and Wi Yun simultaneously fall to their knees, but Yuk Yo's eyes brighten.

Within the white brilliance, bone dust seems to coalesce, giving birth to a person's silhouette.

Tsutsutsu—

As the white light fades, the silhouette inside opens its mouth.

It's a ghost cultivator with a body made entirely of white bones, wearing a long white robe.

[Thirteenth Guardian Ghost King of the Wuji Religious Order, Baek Rin. I have been resurrected to protect Sacred Orchid Princess Yuk Yo.]

"You're...really late."

Baek Rin withdraws the pressure directed at Yuk Yo and points his finger at Wi Yun.

Wi Yun, still seemingly unable to grasp the situation, explodes and dies when Baek Rin points at her with his fingertip.

Baek Rin extends his hand towards where Wi Yun had been.

Shortly after, Wi Yun's bones and a strand of her soul rises to rest on Baek Rin's palm.

"What will you do with that?"

[Refine it to a ghostly creature...]

"Ah, are you going to use it as your dharma treasure?"

[No...I plan to grant her citizenship in the Twilight Domain and let her live a new life.]

Baek Rin chuckles as he speaks.

[I didn't kill her out of hatred. Her body was completely saturated with blood devilish energy, so I had no choice. I also heard that a girl fell and died due to a subordinate's mistake during the early conquest of Governing Dragon Island, and it seems to have been this child. I intend to return her to her parents.]

"Ah...if it's a soul soaked in devilish energy, refining it would make quite the powerful dharma treasure. It's a shame."

Baek Rin looks at Yuk Yo and asks her in response to her comment.

[Didn't Princess say it's nothing but an illusion anyway? Why covet an illusion?]

"That's because it's just an illusion anyway. What does it matter if a non-human in an illusion is refined into a dharma treasure?"

[Please do not say such things.]

At Baek Rin's gaze, Yuk Yo lowers her eyes and speaks.

"...If you swear to follow me, I won't say it again."

Baek Rin looks at Yuk Yo for a moment, then without answering her, silently releases Yuk Yo's restrictions.

Clink, clink, clink!

Three spikes, similar to the ones embedded in Baek Rin's Heavenly Circle, are pulled out from Yuk Yo's body.

Yuk Yo regains her cultivation and immediately flicks her hand to scatter the prohibitions on the Black Ancient Plaque before taking it from the altar.

"It's done! Finally!"

A sense of joy wells up in her eyes.

The name 'Yuk Ung' on the Black Ancient Plaque appears to be shining auspiciously for some reason.

With trembling hands, she picks up the Black Ancient Plaque and places it in her bosom.

Watching this scene, Baek Rin sends a mental speech, asking curiously.

"Why not just put it in the storage scroll? If it's the Governing Dragon Palace Lord, he must have surely placed a tracking spell without us knowing. No, since he possesses Yuk Ung's body, he would be able to detect the name plaque even without a tracking spell."

"No, items like the Black Ancient Plaque or the Black Ancient Paper are quite fragile and easy to crumble. They are, after all, replicas of the 'real Black Ancient Plaque'."

"Hmm...even as a replica, for a material that presides over the contracts of Integration stage cultivators to be this fragile..."

Baek Rin looks at the black plaque with an interested expression and then turns his head.

"Well then. Let's get out of here."

Then, just as she and Baek Rin are about to exit the secret chamber,

Kugugugu!

From above the altar where the Black Ancient Plaque was placed,

A loud noise erupts and a teleportation array appears.

Simultaneously, the attraction force of the entire secret chamber they are in seems to distort, and the chamber itself transforms into the shape of a water droplet, isolated from the surrounding dimension.

Yuk Yo lets out a hollow laugh as if she has realized something.

"Hah...removing the Black Ancient Plaque from the altar causes the nearby area to transform into a 'middle zone'...my father didn't just have someone else guard the Black Ancient Plaque for no reason."

"Hmm..."

Baek Rin attempts to distort the void through attraction force to create an opening in the droplet.

However, beyond the void, only the dark scenery of the Deep Sea is visible.

"It's useless. This middle zone itself has detached from Governing Dragon Island and fallen right into the depths of the Deep Sea...if we leave here, we'll immediately become lost in the sea."

Looking at her. Baek Rin asks.

"Did Princess Yuk Yo not say she could find her way in the Deep Sea?"

Yuk Yo lowers her head, looking embarrassed.

"...That...back then, I lied to shift Jin Ma-yeol's pursuit onto Sir Baek Rin. It's impossible with my Sea Dragon True Blood. Maybe if it were someone on Sir Seo Ran's level..."

Baek Rin nods and says,

"In that case...the only options left are to return the Black Ancient Plaque or..."

Their gazes turn towards the teleportation array above the altar.

"We have no choice but to board that teleportation array and reach the opposite end connected to this middle zone."

"..."

"Princess?"

However, Baek Rin is puzzled to see Yuk Yo's dark expression.

"The place connected to that teleportation array...I have a feeling I know where it leads."

"Where is it?"

"It's probably to Cherry Blossom Dragon Island...but Cherry Blossom Dragon Island is a Deep Sea Island. It's impossible to get out anyway."

"This..."

Yuk Yo, with a gloomy expression, places the Black Ancient Plaque back onto the altar.

Then, the space within the chamber, which had turned droplet-shaped, returns inside Governing Dragon Island.

"There's no other choice. Let's reunite with the Cult Leader and the others first, and then maybe we can try retrieving it again."

After saying this to Yuk Yo, he walks towards the chamber door.

Yuk Yo, looking regretful, can't bring herself to let go of the Black Ancient Plaque.

And as Baek Rin opens the chamber door,

Creeeeak—

Yuk Yo and Baek Rin are met by Yuk Rin's main body outside the chamber door, wearing an expression as fierce as an evil spirit.

Kung!

Baek Rin hastily closes the door, and Yuk Yo, sweating coldly, retrieves the Black Ancient Plaque from the altar again.

Immediately, the chamber they are in reverts to the middle zone settled in the depths of the Deep Sea.

Baek Rin speaks in a low voice.

"That person just now..."

"Yes, that was Father's main body."

What they saw was Yuk Rin's main body.

More precisely, it was Yuk Rin's main body at the mid Integration stage before possessing the physical body of Yuk Ung.

Of course, to Yuk Rin, who has taken over the body of Yuk Ung at the Grand Perfection Integration stage, it is no different from a clone, but even that clone is at the mid Integration stage.

Baek Rin can't possibly contend against it.

Baek Rin lets out a low groan and looks at the teleportation array.

"...In the end, it seems we have no other choice."

"...It seems so."

Shortly after, Baek Rin and Yuk Yo tightly shut their eyes and step onto the teleportation array.

The light from the teleportation array engulfs them, and they disappear from atop the formation.

The Deep Sea Island beneath Governing Dragon Island.

They have gone to Cherry Blossom Dragon Island.

"Damn, damn, damn, damn...!"

In front of the secret chamber.

There, Yuk Rin's clone, with bloodshot eyes, is drawing a formation in front of him with his own blood.

It's a teleportation array.

"No, no! How dare they try to escape? I cannot allow this! Yuk Yo must be in my hands. Yuk Yo must be in my hands. Yuk Yo must be in my hands!!!"

Yuk Rin, who seems mentally unstable for some reason, shouts Yuk Yo's name as he infuses spiritual power into the teleportation array.

Pasaak!

The blood of the teleportation array seems to ignite, and the formation activates.

It's the teleportation array leading to the middle zone where Yuk Yo and Baek Rin had just been.

And just as Yuk Rin, with blood-red eyes, is about to step onto the teleportation array,

"Where do you think you're going, Governing Dragon Palace Lord?"

A man dressed in white, holding emptiness in his hand, asks Yuk Rin from behind with a sly smile.

Yuk Rin grits his teeth and glares at him with eyes congested with blood.

"This devilish cult leader bastard...! Do not interfere with me...! I must regain Yuk Yo, I must regain Yuk Yo!!!"

Yuk Rin has gone mad.

I can only think of it that way.

'Is it because he learned Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade? Or is there some other reason?'

In any case, his heart essence is bizarrely twisted, and his intent, filled with obsession and possessiveness, is being emitted madly.

Evidently, that obsession is directed towards Yuk Yo.

'This is not a typical mental illness. Nor is it a normal Heart Demon.'

I know well because I've experienced mental illness and Qi Deviation myself.

If a mental illness is manifesting in him, it should be an obsession with salt related to the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade he learned or schizotypal personality disorder due to Purple Soul Filling the Heavens

Previously indifferent, yet suddenly having such possessiveness over a daughter he was willing to kill if disobedient is strange.

'Did some external entity intervene?'

I can't think of it in any other way.

But why Yuk Yo?

That, too, I can't understand.

"What's with that teleportation array? It looks like it's related to a middle zone."

"Sh-Shut up! If you interfere, I'll kill you, devilish cult leader bastard!"

"Foolish, this is just an avatar. How pitiful. To think that the once dignified Dragon King who trapped the entire Wuji Religious Order a hundred years ago has become such a deranged old man."

I click my tongue as I watch Yuk Rin, who has bloodshot eyes, gradually transform into his dragon form.

"And, it seems you're mistaken. The one I found difficult to deal with using my avatar was your main body, not someone like you."

"This bastard. You dare, to me..."

Kuang!

I land a single strike of Seated Detachment, Standing Oblivion directly into his jaws, and as he hesitates, I strike him several more times.

Kwagwagwagwang!

Yuk Rin's body is torn into several pieces and flung outside of Governing Dragon Palace.

'What a pity.'

I click my tongue as I step onto the teleportation array Yuk Rin created and activate it.

Paaatt!

Crossing over the middle zone, I finally reach the other side and frown.

"...Is this also Deep Sea Island?"

Honestly, being stuck on Penglai Island, I am getting a little sick of Deep Sea Islands.

"This must be Cherry Blossom Dragon Island. In any case, that means..."

Jin Ma-yeol will probably soon enter this place.

Initially, Yuk Rin was Kim Young-hoon's responsibility.

Governing Dragon Island was mine.

And Cherry Blossom Dragon Island was meant to be attacked by Jin Ma-yeol's Salt Bones Ship.

It's entirely possible for Jin Ma-yeol's Salt Bones Ship, which can roam the Deep Sea, to enter here.

'Tsk, it would've been nice if the Salt Bones Ship could have descended to Penglai Island as well.'

Unfortunately, the depths into which Penglai Island was plunged is too deep for the Salt Bones Ship to enter recklessly.

Clearing my mind of unnecessary thoughts, I look around and quickly find Yuk Yo.

And alongside her, Baek Rin.

"Baek Rin, Yuk Yo!"

"Ah...Cult Leader."

Baek Rin turns to me and expresses an intent of relief.

However, despite hearing that I have arrived, Yuk Yo just stares blankly somewhere.

"...? Baek Rin, what is Yuk Yo looking at?"

With an avatar, I can't exert consciousness on the level of my main body, so I can't immediately discern what they are looking at.

I approach Yuk Yo and look at what she is observing.

It's a mural.

And when I see the drawing on the mural, my eyes contract sharply.

Because at the bottom of the mural, there are letters written in a very familiar handwriting, in very familiar characters.

—I've thought about it deeply. The reason that being gave such excessive gifts to the maggots. It wasn't to assist such maggots in achieving ascension. It was, without a doubt, to liberate Ancient Force.

The hidden library on the top floor of Serving Command Palace.

The letters are written in exactly the same handwriting as the ones written on the corner of that library.

Chapter 396: With The Wind (1)

'This is...'

No doubt about it.

—Why even bother preparing the ascension blessing for maggots? So they can feast harder on high-quality corpses?

The highest floor of Serving Command Palace.

The script written in the corner of the hidden floor's library, which appears when controlling the formation of Serving Command Palace, is the same ancient language as this text, and in the same handwriting.

It means the same person wrote it.

'It's the answer to the self-question from back then.'

—I've thought about it deeply. The reason that being gave such excessive gifts to the maggots. It wasn't to assist such maggots in achieving ascension. It was, without a doubt, to liberate Ancient Force.

After reading the phrases once more, I extract several pieces of information.

First,

The author of this text harbors great resentment and malice towards cultivators.

'The sentence treats all cultivators as maggots and simultaneously seems to deny the ascension of cultivators.'

It's as if they are denying the existence of those ranked lower than themselves.

'Though, they themselves were probably just a low-ranking cultivator in the past.'

It makes me wonder if they were born with an excellent Immortal Beast True Blood, or perhaps had high-ranking parents.

Second,

The Serving Command Seal is a 'gift' someone deliberately placed in the Head Realm.

"The Heavenly Craftsman who created the Serving Command Seal...who exactly is that person?"

What the text refers to is nine times out of ten the 'Serving Command Seal,' and the fact that it's placed in the Head Realm strongly suggests it was made by the 'Heavenly Craftsman' who created the 'original' of the 'immortal treasure replica' Nether Crossing Ship.

'But it's strange. I feel an odd sense of familiarity for some reason towards this being called the Heavenly Craftsman.'

Did I perhaps meet them at some point?

'Maybe it's because of Buk Hyang-hwa.'

I don't know why, but I have a baseless delusion that the Heavenly Craftsman would somehow be favorable towards me.

Anyway, third,

The writer of this text mentioned that the purpose of the Serving Command Seal is to liberate something called 'Ancient Force (古力).'

'Indeed, the Serving Command Palace is also called the Liberation Palace.'

There was much debate in the Head Realm about why the Serving Command Palace is called the Liberation Palace and why it holds the 'power of liberation.'

Some said it's to liberate ancient souls in the Head Realm, others said it's to unleash forgotten treasures, and some believed it's to dissolve a certain formation.

Of course, no one knows which of these is true.

'When the battle with Yuan Li began, Serving Command Palace certainly liberated him with the power of liberation.'

Serving Command Palace definitely possesses the power of liberation and is itself an [immortal treasure] that can move fate.

'Thinking back, it is a bit terrifying.'

Is it because I already met her, the immortal treasure Heavenly Lightning Banner?

Thinking about it again, one can say the Serving Command Seal is also considered a type of immortal treasure.

Could it have also been a 'living thing'?

Moreover, unlike Zhengli, the Serving Command Seal is an immortal treasure with [no seal whatsoever].

Recalling this, I feel a sudden chill run down my spine.

It was truly a frightening matter when reflected on.

'...Indeed, I must be cautious when descending to the Head Realm.'

If the Serving Command Seal is truly alive,

It would mean that in the Head Realm, where even Zhengli was so terrified of and sealed in, the Serving Command Seal remained [of its own will].

I shake my head and shift my thoughts.

Thinking too long about [those things] is detrimental to my health.

'Anyway, the Serving Command Palace was created to liberate Ancient Force...or so the writer of this text believes.'

Then, what exactly is this Ancient Force being referred to here?

If I think simply, it would be related to the Ancient Force Realm.

However, I believe there is something more hidden in this word called Ancient Force.

Ancient Force.

What exactly does it symbolize?

'The Ancient Force Realm resonated with the Great Mountain Splitting Emperor Technique.'

This world is related to Salt Mountain.

'And Cheongmun Ryeong definitely turned into a salt pillar from observing the heavens from the Lower Realm.'

The Head Realm is also related to Salt Mountain.

Then, could this Ancient Force also be related to the Owner of Salt Mountain?

I ponder as I rack my brain.

Of course, since I know too little at this point, I can't say anything with certainty.

For now, these are the three pieces of information I managed to deduce while reading the text.

'I'll have an opportunity to learn more about this later.'

After examining the text, I turn my gaze to the mural.

'This mural is...'

It closely matches the characters inscribed on the Purple Soul Jade Seal.

'Blood Yin, Lofty Dragon, Ancient Force, Myriad Realms Beneath. Ah...I see.'

I understand as I look at the shadowy mass fighting a dragon in the mural.

That is the same mass I saw in the painting in the Xiezhi Worship Layer of Lofty Dragon True Person's storage scroll.

I feel a certain 'sensation' from that drawing, and it's evident that the drawing itself is slowly converting the surrounding Heaven and Earth spiritual energy into devilish energy.

Now, I finally understand why Blood Yin is engraved on the top of the Purple Soul Jade Seal.

'Blood Yin Realm!'

The space unfolded by Seo Hweol and formed from twisting the outskirts of the Netherworld, called the Blood Yin Ghost Valley Labyrinth.

Inside that space, Seo Hweol had opened the entrance to the Blood Yin Realm.

The aura felt at the entrance of the Blood Yin Realm is the same as the aura I'm feeling from the drawing.

'Hundreds of thousands of years ago, there was a great war shortly after the creation of the Vast Cold Realm.'

In that great war, Lofty Dragon True Person fought 'a certain entity from the Devil Realm,' and at the end of the battle against that being, the Serving Command Axe was lodged in their neck, resulting in death.

The body of Lofty Dragon True Person, which still remains to this day, became the territory of the True Dragon Alliance.

In any case, after that incident, the name of the Vast Cold Realm changed from Vast Cold to Bright Cold, and as far as I know, it was around that time the Blood Yin Realm separated from the True Devil Realm.

Furthermore, the 'dark red mass' separated from the 'certain entity from the Devil Realm' that fought against Lofty Dragon True Person, depicted in this mural, emits a 'similar aura to the Blood Yin Realm.'

'And to build the Love of Virtue Axis, one must go to the Blood Yin Realm, not the True Devil Realm.'

Considering all these points.

I come to one conclusion.

'The Blood Yin Realm itself is alive.'

Not just alive, but practically no different from the belly of [some entity].

It is a much more sinister and ominous place than the Nether Ghost Realm, where True Persons engage in observations, or the Ancient Force Realm, which is no different from a corpse disposal site.

'...It's truly fortunate that I managed to obtain the Love of Virtue Axis in advance.'

I sigh with a small sense of relief as I organize the contents of the mural.

The Blood Yin Realm, as a certain living entity, reached out to the remains of Lofty Dragon True Person and created the [black mass].

Immediately, I think of Hyeon Eum, the Black Dragon King.

'After all, the term 'Black Yin's Strategy' is blatantly revealed on the Purple Soul Jade Seal.'

Moreover, Hyeon Eum united with the body of a Blood Yin Realm's Esteemed One very naturally and freely wielded the power known as Vice.

'Thus, this mural, considered to record the history of the Sea Dragon Race...'

Explains the origin of the Sea Dragon Race, starting from the Blood Yin Realm.

The first Sea Dragon King, Ja Eum (Purple Yin), is undoubtedly a being derived from the Black Dragon King Hyeon Eum.

The reason Seo Hweol has been using devilish arts related to the Blood Yin Realm until now,

The preparations he made to ascend Yuan Li, whom he infected with Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens, to the Blood Yin Realm,

And the relationship between the Black Dragon King and Seo Hweol.

The relationship between the Black Dragon King and Blood Yin.

'The Sea Dragon Race is a race born from Blood Yin.'

I recall the term 'Seed Dispersion' that is on the Purple Soul Jade Seal.

On the mural, from the world that seems to represent the Ancient Force Realm, I see small seeds seemingly falling into worlds that resemble stars: thigh, ring finger, and [head].

'Head...'

I stroke the mural.

Why is the name of the Head Realm, 'Head' Realm?

I had a rough idea.

That the Head Realm is a Decaying Corpse Realm made from someone's head.

In that case, the illustration on this mural must surely be the Head Realm.

And the seeds scattered on this Head Realm.

"...Is it you?"

I ask as I glare at the drawing in the mural.

For some reason, it feels like I hear a whispering 'hoho' coming from that tiny dot-like picture.

"Are you the bastard?"

Of course, it's just my imagination; the mural makes no sound.

After staring at the mural for a while, I record it with a recording spell, then turn to Yuk Yo.

She seems to have finally collected herself and clears her throat.

"...I greet the Cult Leader."

"Why were you so absorbed in the mural?"

"Ah...I was just surprised because it resembles a painting I saw in the library when I was young."

"If it's a picture you saw in a library as a child..."

"In the library within Penglai Kingdom."

At her words, I look at the mural.

"This mural was in the library?"

"Not exactly the mural, but that part."

"...?"

Yuk Yo points to the [black something fighting with Lofty Dragon] at the start of the mural.

The [black thing] at the start of the mural is just beginning the fight with Lofty Dragon True Person.

I look at it for a moment, then ask, unable to understand.

"...Honestly, isn't it just a rough ink smudge on the wall? I can sense some devilish energy leaking out, but there's no Qi in Penglai Kingdom, so you probably wouldn't have felt it...how did you recognize it?"

However, Yuk Yo looks at me with a puzzled expression and says,

"...Ink smudge? Does Cult Leader not see that grand appearance (相)?"

"...?"

I widen my eyes, even drawing a bit of the power of the Three Great Ultimates from my main body to observe, but no matter how I look at it, it's just an ink smudge.

"...I don't see it. Are you seeing something?"

I wonder if there is something only visible to Yuk Yo, who was born in Penglai Island.

She nods.

"...Since the Cult Leader can't see it, I will explain. That drawing is one of the dharma forms depicted in the Western Heaven Taenghwa, a painting located in the palace library of Penglai Kingdom."

"Hmm, is that so?"

"Yes. To explain the Western Heaven Taenghwa, it's a type of mandala (曼茶羅) that depicts an entity called the Wheel Imperial Venerable (車輪帝尊) at the center, protected by 14 Dharma Kings (法王). Just as there are 13 Guardian Ghost Kings in the order, the Wheel Imperial Venerable also has 14 Dharma Kings protecting them. The dharma form depicted in that mural is very similar to the appearance of the Accumulating Virtue Dharma King (積德法王), who is the right seat of the Wheel Imperial Venerable. Although it looks a bit more...menacing."

"What is this Wheel Imperial Venerable?"

"In the Penglai Kingdom's state religion, Axis Wheel Path (軸輪道), they are one of the two Great Buddha Venerables (大佛尊) who are worshiped. The Great Buddha Venerables are referred to as the Axle Imperial Venerable (車軸帝尊) and the Wheel Imperial Venerable (車輪帝尊), and in Penglai Kingdom, the Axle Imperial Venerable is revered as the highest, and is worshiped as the Guardian Imperial Venerable. The Wheel Imperial Venerable is also a splendid Great Buddha Venerable, but they aren't particularly popular. However, there are a few temples within Penglai Kingdom that solely worship the Wheel Imperial Venerable."

Yuk Yo finishes her explanation while gazing nostalgically at the ink-smeared mural depicting the [black thing].

"Hmm..."

To my eyes and to Baek Rin's eyes, it merely appears as ink smeared on a wall, but it seems like something is visible to her.

Just in case, I point at the [black-red thing] that breaks away from the [black thing].

I suspect it to be the Blood Yin Realm.

Yuk Yo looks at it for a moment and then tilts her head.

"Hmm...well. It just looks like black-red mist to me. I can't tell."

"Is that so...? I understand."

Anyway, it seems important and possibly connects to the secrets of the Sea Dragon Race, so I plan to show it to Seo Ran.

After carefully recording the mural, I walk along the path where the mural is drawn.

At the end of the path is something that appears to be a statue of a Sea Dragon Race.

'This is...'

As soon as I see the Sea Dragon statue, I furrow my brows deeply.

Thick devilish energy clings to the statue, and a foul stench of blood emanates from it.

The most disturbing thing is,

'It has a similar spell flow to what Seo Hweol used.'

The statue exudes a flow of devilish energy strikingly similar to the devilish art Seo Hweol used, known as Blood Sacrifice Ritual: Blood Yin Returning Home.

Recalling what I know about Blood Sacrifice Ritual: Blood Yin Returning Home used by Seo Hweol, I try to infer the nature of this spell.

'There's a high chance that Blood Sacrifice Ritual: Blood Yin Returning Home is a devilish art that creates an attraction force with the Blood Yin Realm.'

It seems likely that this Sea Dragon statue was also created by Yuk Rin to harness the power of the Blood Yin Realm.

Kuaduduk!

I immediately shatter the statue.

Ururururu—

And when the statue is destroyed, the wall behind it crumbles.

It seems there was a hidden secret passage.

"Baek Rin, does it look like there's something behind?"

"I apologize, Cult Leader. My consciousness gets bounced back when I try to peer inside. If I force it...it feels like the devilish energy invades my mind so..."

"That's fine. Just protect your consciousness."

That information is enough.

'It's a place important enough for Yuk Rin to have set up a careful barrier.'

In that case, there's a high probability that the royal palace of Penglai Island, which Yuk Rin stole, is inside there.

In other words, the area ahead is Yuk Rin's treasure vault.

"Well then...shall we take a look at Yuk Rin's treasure vault?"

I smile faintly and step forward to go inside.

Or so I intended.

Piiiing!

Wuduk.

I stop in my tracks.

A very thin sword energy brushed past my cheek from behind.

"...Ah, right. You were here, now that I think about it..."

There stands Jin Ma-yeol, smirking with one hand transformed into a grotesque sword.

"What situation is this, Devilish Cult Leader? Surely, we agreed that the Deep Sea Island was to be explored by my Fighting Demon Pirate Gang?"

"I just found a teleportation array connecting from Governing Dragon Island to the Deep Sea Island and came in."

"Ah, I see. Wonderful. Now that you've rescued your subordinate and Princess Yuk Yo, go back and return to the sea domain."

"Sorry, but there's something inside that I need to check."

"My Fighting Demon Pirate Gang will investigate thoroughly and let you know what's inside. Go back up."

"Wasn't your purpose to get Princess Yuk Yo this time? Why don't you go back up instead?"

"Surely we agreed beforehand that the Deep Sea Island would be investigated by us. Keep your promise, Devilish Cult Leader."

I glare at Jin Ma-yeol, and he glares back at me.

"...So, your goal from the start wasn't Yuk Yo but the treasure inside the Deep Sea Island?"

"Both. Is that a problem?"

"Rather than a problem..."

I glance at the mural depicting the secret history of the Sea Dragon Race and speak.

"There's something inside I need to investigate."

"I told you I'll investigate and inform you. Leave."

"Sorry, but it's something I absolutely need to do, you see."

Jin Ma-yeol and I glare at each other.

And in the next moment.

Paatt!

In a fleeting instant, Jin Ma-yeol swings his grotesque sword.

The grotesque sword is aimed directly at Baek Rin's head, and the sword is enveloped in his domain, capable of cutting through Baek Rin's Heavenly Circle and Earthly Bearings.

Kwaang!

I kick Yuk Yo and Baek Rin, sending them flying toward the teleportation array.

"Get out, Baek Rin! Yuk Rin's body was cut like sashimi by me so he won't be able to move for a while!"

In the blink of an eye, the grotesque sword moves again, targeting me.

I deflect his grotesque sword with the All-Heavens Sword and glare at Jin Ma-yeol.

"Are you planning to take me on? Your Fighting Dance is beneath mine."

Jin Ma-yeol smirks at my words.

"Your main body is truly fearsome, but I can easily handle a mere avatar of yours that can only use Fighting Dance. And..."

Dudududu!

"Huhehehe!"

"Huhahaha!"

The pirates of the Fighting Demon Pirate Gang surround Yuk Yo and Baek Rin as they try to use the teleportation array.

I glare at them as I speak.

"If you kill my subordinates, the contract written on the Black Ancient Paper will punish you."

Jin Ma-yeol grins.

"That's true. But isn't it strange?"

"What?"

"According to the contract terms, when I attacked you, the 'retribution' from the Black Ancient Paper should have descended upon me immediately. But here I am, unharmed. Do you know what this means?"

"..."

"It's the power of Penglai Island! Because Yuk Rin brought the palace of Penglai Island here, some of Penglai Island's rules are now applied even to this Deep Sea Island! In other words, within here, contracts are partially nullified,if not completely. Shall we test how far it applies?"

At his words, the pirates at the Four-Axis stage laugh as they press Baek Rin with attraction force.

"...Fine. I'll leave."

I grit my teeth slightly and step back.

However, Jin Ma-yeol bursts into laughter and says,

"Why be like that? Aren't you curious about what's inside?"

"..."

"Hmm, this isn't fun. This won't do."

He looks at me with a lustful gaze as he licks his lips.

"Let's make a bet."

"What?"

"It's beneficial for you as well. If you win the bet against me, I'll give you the position of captain of the Fighting Demon Pirate Gang. Furthermore, all the treasures inside will be yours. You can investigate whatever you want inside. But if you lose, your subordinate's life is forfeit. Yuk Yo will also be mine. I will take the treasure inside, and you devilish cultists will be forever stuck in Penglai Island within the deep reaches of the Deep Sea. How does that sound? Tempting, isn't it?"

As he gives a signal with his eyes, the cultivators of the Fighting Demon Pirate Gang threaten Baek Rin with menacing spells.

He calls it a bet, but it's practically a threat.

I close my eyes.

"What kind of bet?"

"It's simple. Inside, there will likely be the Salt Crystal Palace that Yuk Rin took. Whoever takes hold of that palace first is the winner! Any method is allowed!"

His eyes are filled with lust.

I can tell,

Having caught an opportunity, he reveals an intent to want to fight me to fulfill his lustful desires.

He has no chance against my main body, but for the Fighting Ghost Race, battling a strong opponent is the greatest pleasure. He intends to feel that pleasure by fighting my avatar.

It's unbearably unpleasant.

However, after glancing at Baek Rin, I look at him again.

"...Fine."

"Hahaha! As expected, how bold!"

He licks his lips again with his tongue.

I remain silent, quietly gazing at the entrance to Yuk Rin's treasure vault, and meet Jin Ma-yeol's eyes again.

"Let's start."

"Good, Cult Leader!"

For a moment, we lock eyes.

And in the next moment.

Tadatt!

Unable to say who went first, Jin Ma-yeol and I fly straight behind the statue.

We race into Yuk Rin's treasure vault.

Thus begins the treasure hunt with Jin Ma-yeol, with the life of my subordinate at stake.