NOVEL NEXT Chapter 632
Dark Heaven Village
Yeodong-bin paused for a moment, then firmly responded to her question.
“You’re wrong!”
He didn’t hesitate. Instead, his sword qi surged forcefully, and he continued,
“You’re merely trying to realize your utopia without caring for others, enveloping yourself in delusions while mocking the world. Do you have any idea how many humans have perished because you’ve allied with evil beings, summoning monsters and otherworldly races? Even if you were to become a god, there’s no guarantee that present humanity would be saved.”
“……”
“Empress Wu, our conversation is over. I intend to save this world right now.”
“Is that so….”
“Well then, farewell.”
Swish!
With a soundless strike, Yeodong-bin’s blade severed Empress Wu’s neck. So swift and precise was his strike that her head slowly fell away, her expression devoid of pain. When her head hit the ground, Yeodong-bin checked for signs of her resurrection as an otherworldly being, but there were none. It was merely the body of a pure human.
‘Empress Wu didn’t transform into an otherworldly being after all…’
But why?
For a moment, questions arose in his mind, but he quickly suppressed them. He had little time to ponder. Instead, Yeodong-bin picked up her remains and made his way out of the underground.
However, just as he was about to step into the courtyard of the Imperial Palace…
“So, you’ve killed Empress Wu, Yeodong-bin.”
One woman stood in front of the main gate of the palace, blocking his path. Yeodong-bin glared at the stunning figure holding a massive scythe.
“Sang Gwanwna.”
“Unlike before, you show no hesitation. I feel a stronger conviction from you. Has there been a change in your heart?”
“If you knew I would strike down Empress Wu, why didn’t you stop me?”
In response to Yeodong-bin’s question, Sang Gwanwna chuckled softly.
“Well… I suppose it’s no concern of mine.”
“……”
Yeodong-bin decided not to think any further. He believed that overthinking would only pull him into his opponent’s flow. As he raised his resolve again, Sang Gwanwna brandished her scythe in response.
Kugugung!!
Thus commenced a duel between Yeodong-bin and Sang Gwanwna. Although Sang Gwanwna’s skills far surpassed Yeodong-bin’s, he stood firm, fighting her head-on without being overwhelmed. Realizing this, Sang Gwanwna expressed her surprise.
“Have you grown stronger in such a short time? What fortuitous encounter have you had?”
“Ridiculous.”
Yeodong-bin shouted as he glared at her.
“Do not think you can wield this era as you please, Sang Gwanwna!!”
Puff!
The power of Yeodong-bin’s Six Intent Saintly Heaven Technique suddenly shifted its trajectory, turning into a meteor shower that crashed into Sang Gwanwna. Although she summoned a transparent shield to block the attack, as Yeodong-bin’s sword aura intensified, her shield was pierced, sending her arm flying.
“……!!”
At that moment, their faces displayed contrasting reactions. This strike hitting its mark indicated that Yeodong-bin had finally matched or even surpassed Sang Gwanwna’s strength. Both recognized this fact, leading to a collision of joy and despair.
‘I can do this!’
Yeodong-bin gained a surge of confidence and channeled even more power into the Fire Dragon Sword.
If all the chaos in this era was orchestrated by Sang Gwanwna – then if he could just take her down, all disasters would cease!
Just as Yeodong-bin thought this, channeling the Fire Dragon Incarnate and harmonizing with his soul for a stronger push…
Crack!
The skin of Sang Gwanwna’s arms, hardened like ice, began to flake away like scales. Her eyes brimmed with horrifying malice, distorting the space around her as she emanated a completely different aura. Despite maintaining the resolute power of unity between his sword and body, Yeodong-bin found himself momentarily stilled by the intensity of Sang Gwanwna’s presence.
GooOOO
A deep voice emerged from Sang Gwanwna’s lips.
“Could it be… that with merely the human’s karma… you made it here in such a short time…? Then… I can no longer confront you in this form…”
Yeodong-bin felt himself shrink as the words continued. He realized that Sang Gwanwna was about to shed her human guise and transform into ‘something else’.
“……!!”
With countless combat experiences under his belt, Yeodong-bin recognized that the moment Sang Gwanwna transformed, she would become dozens of times stronger than she currently was. Most transforming otherworldly beings had done so. If that occurred, given his current capabilities, he would be utterly incapable of resisting and would face a horrific demise.
He gritted his teeth in disbelief.
‘It’s impossible! Until now, I’ve been strong enough to toy with all the experts in Jianghu… to stand toe-to-toe with the Absolute Realm… but to grow even stronger than this…?!’
This was different.
[Good… Yeodong-bin…]
Sang Gwanwna’s form was undergoing a dramatic transformation. She was distorting, shifting into ‘something’ as the space around them twisted, releasing vast amounts of lethal energy.
[In honor of you… I shall reveal my true form and face you in myth….]
Just then…
Crackle!!
[Ugh…!!]
Suddenly, her body was enveloped by an immense electric pulse, and a colossal barrier began to spin around her. Trapped within the formation, Sang Gwanwna struggled against the massive beastly hands that seemed to swarm around her, but the formation held firm. While she emitted a blood-curdling scream one would expect at the end of the world, a figure emerged from afar.
“You shouldn’t be acting so recklessly alone.”
Who was it?
Yeodong-bin looked up at ‘that being’ hovering above the walls of the Imperial Palace. Clad in ancient robes and text, it was clearly a monk. Furthermore, its appearance was extraordinarily handsome and regal, suggesting that it was the very being who had thwarted Sang Gwanwna’s myths.
The figure binding Sang Gwanwna with its spell spoke with a smirk.
“If you reveal your true form here, the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, who have gained the Law of Cause and Effect, will come after you. Did you really think you could just kill Yeodong-bin and escape? With Ji Gong and Yao Shun laying down barriers throughout the Central Plains, you won’t be able to handle the aftereffects.”
“……”
“You’d best retreat quietly. After all, our plan is nearing its conclusion, and the Eight Immortals cannot be stopped.”
[I see….]
Ssssss
Moments later, they vanished. Yeodong-bin remained there, staring blankly until he suddenly realized that his hands were trembling. The fear was unwelcome; it had surged because his sense of the Absolute Realm had predicted how strong Sang Gwanwna’s true form would be. He clenched his teeth, overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness.
“…Ugh…!!”
Yeodong-bin was already akin to the strongest in the realm. Yet, even he would be treated like a child when confronting an existence from beyond, an ‘outer’ entity. The immense contradiction and absurdity of power left him mired in despair.
If the gap in power was this vast – what had all the thousands of battles he faced for life been for?
Just how strong must I become?
Will becoming stronger even allow me to defeat Sang Gwanwna in her true form?
Amidst his lamentations, Yeodong-bin’s heart suddenly raced.
Thump!!
“……?!”
When Yeodong-bin snapped back to focus, he found himself once again in that infinite spiral space. He searched for his master’s soul, but it seemed the Fire Dragon Incarnate was not invited to this realm; he felt no aura.
‘This is the realm of the Martial God…’
It seemed he was summoned here in a moment when time appeared to stand still. But why had the Martial God called him again?
As he pondered, suddenly, symbols appeared written in the void.
Upon acceptance, the letters faded moments later. Yeodong-bin froze for a moment but then, with acute understanding, grasped their meaning.
Countless spirals floated, alongside various weapons –
By extending his hand towards the spiral, it seemed to beckon him to endure the horrific feelings that were reminiscent of traversing heaven and hell once more.
But why?
What exactly did the Martial God wish to convey to Yeodong-bin?
What could he gain from this action?
Though his heart was troubled, he realized that to escape this space, he had no choice but to follow the Martial God’s guidance. Believing that such a magnificent being would not harm him easily, he reluctantly reached out and touched the spiral.
Kugugugung
“Ugh… ugh…!!”
Yeodong-bin was overwhelmed by the intense ups and downs reminiscent of oscillating between heaven and hell, making it hard to gather himself. Despite reaching the Absolute Realm and wielding formidable mental strength, he could barely withstand the onslaught. However, unlike before, he sensed the chaos gradually beginning to settle.
UuUu….
Once again, he emerged empty-handed, left with a nauseating feeling. Yet, in that moment, he felt something pass through his mind as he lay prone.
‘This is…?’
He had a sense of clarity.
He thought he could now classify the knots of the Six Intent Saintly Heaven Technique that had previously seemed incomprehensible!
Ordinarily, such comprehension could only be attained after decades of cultivating in the Celestial Realm, but now it felt within his grasp. Yeodong-bin instinctively sensed that he had become significantly stronger than just before he reached for the spiral.
In an instant, a desire emerged within Yeodong-bin.
‘The more spirals I take in, the stronger I become? If that’s the case…’
Then I will absorb as many as I can to grow stronger!
Thoughts raced, and Yeodong-bin reached for another spiral, but in the next moment, he fainted.
“You’re awake.”
When Yeodong-bin came to, he found the Jade Dragon Xenon before him.
“I brought you back, passed out alongside the masters of the White Lotus Sect before the Imperial Palace.”
“Hmm….”
“Currently, with Empress Wu assassinated, the situation in Luoyang is in chaos. Did you have a hand in this?”
“……”
“Anyway, as promised, I’ve decided to ally with the White Lotus Sect, entrusting the entire Han Clan to them. Moreover, I shall become a new disciple of the Fire Spirit Techniques and live henceforth as a member of the White Lotus Sect.”
The Jade Dragon Xenon continued speaking.
“I cannot predict how the world will unfold….”
Yeodong-bin agreed with his words.
He thought he had prevented the calamity by slaying Empress Wu, yet Sang Gwanwna and her allies remained unscathed. He believed that his destiny to fight had not changed one bit.
‘It’s not over…’
And indeed, Yeodong-bin’s intuition proved correct.
One year later, amidst the chaos in Luoyang, the Tang Empire collapsed. Coincidentally, the Chancellor of the Secretary, Sang Gwanwna, also went missing, leaving only the incompetent officials behind, who became prey to surrounding warlords. The divided regional lords and warlords raised armies to usher in a new era of chaos, and two years later, the Tang Empire was completely destroyed.
The Tang Empire split and divided into the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, with the Five Dynasties occupying the Central Plains and the Ten Kingdoms governing the border territories. Countless smaller nations emerged, and wars persisted without end. The era of turmoil had begun.
Yeodong-bin was reproached for Empress Wu’s treason and was briefly taken to the Celestial Realm, but he was soon released. A single interrogation was all that ensued, and even that was half-hearted at best. While he was puzzled, the Fire Dragon Incarnate spoke.
[It seems even the Celestial Realm was hoping for the downfall of the Tang Empire. Therefore, they plan to keep you around for their purposes without punishing you.]
“What do you mean…?”
[It appears that what Sang Gwanwna said holds truth. The Celestial Realm isn’t exactly a righteous place….]
Yeodong-bin felt fatigued with the affairs of the world.
What was the point of all this now?
The monsters and otherworldly beings had nearly vanished from the world, and human lives were beginning to return to normal. However, the human world suffered from countless wars and massacres, and there was little he could do in those grim settings. His main duty had been to vanquish the monsters and otherworldly beings, and he could no longer meddle in human politics.
In the quiet of the mountainous regions, Yeodong-bin spoke with a nihilistic tone.
“Master. I no longer wish to become an immortal. Please teach me how to reach the Divine Temple.”
[I’m sorry. Even I don’t know that.]
“……”
[All I know is that I would revert back to Shenglong after I perish. I have no knowledge of what the Divine Temple is like or how to reach it.]
Just then, as they spoke,
Kugugugung….
“Wait?”
The ground trembled ominously. Yeodong-bin felt the earth’s veins shaking strangely as he looked around, soon gathering with the Eight Immortals to investigate the cause of the disturbance. Shortly thereafter, Jang Gwa-ro returned, pale as a ghost, after receiving orders from the Celestial Realm.
“…The Celestial Realm commands that we do nothing and wait.”
“What? What do you mean?”
Zhongli Quan exclaimed in disbelief.
“Currently, the emperor of the Central Plains, along with the neighboring peninsula and island nations, and the Great Ocean, all feel the tremors through the veins. If the energy erupts at any moment, we’re told to remain still?”
“……”
“Did you mishear that, Jang-senpai? Are you starting to develop dementia in your old age?”
“I’m serious. The Celestial Realm instructed us Eight Immortals not to act and simply to wait.”
“…This makes no sense.”
Zhongli Quan and all the Eight Immortals gathered were dumbfounded. If things continued like this, a colossal natural disaster would undoubtedly strike, a calamity unprecedented in history. They repeatedly sought clarification from the Celestial Realm, yet the only response was that they would be granted passage to ascend to the Celestial Realm, asking them to come up.
Clearly, all the Eight Immortals were entirely qualified and experienced enough to ascend and become immortals.
However, the world seemed on the brink of annihilation, and yet they were told to ascend and become immortals?
It was utterly incomprehensible, and while they were all in turmoil,
Pach!
Yeodong-bin bolted towards Master Mangnyang. Upon meeting him, he inquired,
“Master Mangnyang, what on earth is happening now?”
Master Mangnyang sent forth a Fire Spirit to appear before him.
And replied nonchalantly.
[As foretold, the final calamity is resurrecting. For now, this is just a forewarning.]
“……”
[They’ve played their cards well. The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors were caught off guard and are now thoroughly ensnared.]
Master Mangnyang mused.
[You seem to have more questions?]
“Why does the Celestial Realm tell us not to intervene?”
[Because there’s no point in intervening. What could a bunch of lesser deities like you accomplish in this time?]
His dark eyes bore into Yeodong-bin.
[Do not interfere further. The foreseen era of destruction is swiftly approaching.]
[The final calamity will first cleanse this world, turning it into a lifeless barren land. It will likely devour the very foundation of the planet itself. And given its nature to consume all the Law of Cause and Effect, the time granted to the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors will be severely diminished. At least over a thousand years less.]
“What?!”
Yeodong-bin’s body stiffened at the continued remarks of Master Mangnyang.
[Soon, the [Old Ruler] will descend, and the evil spirits will reveal themselves to the world. Originally, this was a ploy to advance the established time of destruction by over a thousand years. The Celestial Realm and the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors have been wonderfully outmaneuvered.]