NOVEL NEXT Chapter 784
Dark Heaven Village
Holding the Sun Sovereign in my hand, I felt an overwhelming surge of emotions.
“I can’t believe I died twenty-four times just to get this…”
No, I should have died even more. It wouldn’t be strange if I had died a hundred times before finally overcoming the trials of the Seven Luminaries to achieve the Sun Sovereign. The difficulty of those trials was beyond normal levels, and gathering them was ridiculously hard. And the biggest reason I made it this far was actually due to Changhil.
The king’s fortune that Changhil possessed.
That must have combined with my own luck to lead me here. Even though Changhil was consumed by Heavenly Secret and disappeared, it still helped me through the tough parts. Of course, I didn’t feel any gratitude towards that guy, but it was true that my experiences in this life were filled with ups and downs.
“……”
I was relieved to discover that the Sun Sovereign was the treasure of the Divine Spirit, but now what should I do?
Clutching the Sun Sovereign in my hand, I stared up at the vast sky from the empty trial ground. As I waited there for a moment, the chaotic ocean surrounding the central trial area suddenly began to dissipate.
Kugugugugu!!
It took about a meal’s time for the ocean to completely vanish and the original flat land to reappear. I calmly observed the situation until then.
“The ocean is completely gone. Should I call them now?”
With the king’s power, I called out to my companions!
Once I confirmed that the area was safe, I attempted to summon them. However, even though I concentrated my will to use my ability, my companions did not appear, and the surroundings were engulfed in silence. Confused, I focused my mind again.
But they still didn’t show up.
“What the… is going on?”
Could it be that the king’s power, which only applied in this space, has disappeared because the trial is over?
That was the only conclusion I could think of at the moment. I stood there dumbfounded, feeling ridiculous.
“Getting the Sun Sovereign is great, but are they just going to leave me hanging like this?”
However, as the divine dragon said, going to the Divine Temple and getting the Sun Sovereign were separate matters, so I decided to think differently. Just in case, I carefully examined the pearl of the Sun Sovereign.
‘…There are no characters.’
There were no engravings of “The First Character” or oracle bone script like Changhil had mentioned. It made sense since the pearl held by the divine dragon was definitely different from the other six luminaries, meaning Changhil couldn’t meddle with the Sun Sovereign.
And was this Pear of the Sun Sovereign in a freed state?
What abilities did it possess?
Since I thought that finding a way out of this space was urgent, I raised the Sun Sovereign and shouted.
“Sun Sovereign! Please send me back to the surface!”
…….
There was no response. It seemed that the Sun Sovereign didn’t have any divine abilities for spatial movement. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of despair. How could the so-called ultimate Sun Sovereign be so pathetic and bland?
It was at that moment.
Kugugugugu…!!
The entire space trembled, like an earthquake shaking the flatland. As I looked around, I realized the ground was trembling with such force that scars appeared, creating cliffs. In a hurry, I decided to climb up to the enormous tree in the center.
“Ah, no way?”
Before climbing the tree, I had the thought, so I examined the base of the tree.
I could see that seven jewels were embedded in the pillar at regular intervals, shimmering with beautiful light. Each jewel was a different color.
I had investigated this before the trial began, but it only just clicked for me now. At the same time, I had a hunch, and after searching, I found the white jewel that seemed to symbolize the Moon Sovereign, and right next to it, a red jewel that appeared to represent the Flame Sovereign. If the Seven Luminaries circulated, then the jewel next to the white one would probably symbolize the Sun Sovereign.
“Is the yellow one the Sun Sovereign…?”
I placed the Sun Sovereign against the yellow jewel.
Wiying -?
Suddenly, the jewel sparkled brightly, radiating light all the way to the horizon. Seeing that made my whole body weaken, and I stumbled back.
“……!!”
I’m doomed!
That thought flashed through my mind.
“The seven jewels at the base of the tree correspond to the Seven Luminaries. After the trial, I need to place each luminary in front of the respective jewels to illuminate them!”
And once all the seven jewels shone toward the horizon, something significant would undoubtedly happen. However, I had already offered the six luminaries to Master Mangnyang for the Blessing of the Divine.
In other words… while I got the Sun Sovereign, I now had no way to illuminate the remaining six jewels.
Because I lacked the six luminaries.
I had passed all the trials, but the way to move on to the final stage had vanished!
“Ughhh!!”
What a ridiculous situation!
So even after finishing the trial, I had to have all seven luminaries in hand?
Of course, I didn’t know what would happen if all seven jewels were illuminated, but being stuck in this virtual world with just the Sun Sovereign would be a lot worse. No, there must be some significance in the jewels being stuck there! It drove me crazy to think that the path was blocked not because of a lack of power but because of a lack of keys.
Damn it!
What on earth should I do?
If I could call my advisors, I would have summoned them to discuss it right away, but as it stood, I couldn’t even do that. I felt suffocated in this dilemma where there were no enemies. But quickly regaining my composure, I decided to climb that tree with determination.
Tydaht
Once I reached the top of the tree, I could clearly see the entire space shaking and collapsing due to earthquakes and fissures. The chaotic sea had disappeared, but deep below this land was an endless abyss, so if I fell just once, there would be no chance for survival. It seemed this area near the tree wouldn’t collapse easily, but it was just a matter of time, so I desperately brainstormed ways to stay alive.
“Ugh… if there was one way that came to mind, it would be to offer the Sun Sovereign to the divine being to safely escape from here…”
But would that even be meaningful?
After going through all this trouble to obtain the Sun Sovereign, would handing it over without knowing its true abilities and identity even make sense? I realized I couldn’t choose such a path, and even if I did, it would be meaningless. Of course, witnessing the aftermath of this chaos would contribute to my experience points, but ultimately it would just be a continuation of despair.
I pondered what methods existed to escape this space. No matter how extraordinary my martial arts or physical strength were, if the world itself collapsed, survival would be impossible, and I thought hard. However, it seemed the only way to survive was to use the Sun Sovereign.
I raised the Sun Sovereign towards the heavens and shouted.
“O Great Emperor! I offer the Sun Sovereign, so please save this world!!”
Initially, I had planned to find a way to the Divine Temple and somehow offer the Sun Sovereign, but given this situation, I was determined to push through forcefully.
Wuwuung!!
However, the unexpected figure that appeared in front of me was wearing the ancient crown. I was shocked because I had seen this figure before. As soon as I recognized him, I exclaimed.
“Y- Yan Emperor Shennong!!”
Without a doubt, it was the Yan Emperor Shennong!?
When he was resurrected, his image of burning the world and smiting all kinds of evil beings was vividly etched in my mind, so I couldn’t mistake him. However, I was caught off guard that he would actually reveal himself in front of me now.
Shennong spoke as soon as he appeared.
[The balance of the world has already collapsed.]
With an air of authority, Shennong continued to speak slowly.
[Nüwa has lost half her strength to the fox deity and is holed up in her own realm, which means she won’t show her face for at least thousands of years. We have now lost control of the world.]
The term “we” was something I could easily guess.
It referred to the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, who had previously safeguarded the world from impending doom! It meant that the dominance they maintained had shattered. Indeed, both Jeon Wook and Jeogok were sealed, along with the Sovereign Nüwa.
“……”
When Shennong saw that I wasn’t saying anything, he raised a hand made of flames and reached out to me.
[There is no need to give the Sun Sovereign to the Emperor. That is mine.]
“O great Yan Emperor Shennong! I came here out of fear that humanity would perish in the impending doom and revelations that will come five hundred years later. If I give you the Sun Sovereign, would you be able to prevent or delay that doom?”
I hesitated, wondering if perhaps Shennong, as one of the Three Sovereigns, might be powerful enough to fulfill my deepest wish.
However, Shennong answered firmly.
[No. I cannot prevent or delay the doom and revelations. While it would have been possible when the Three Sovereigns were fully intact, it’s no longer feasible. Moreover, without Fuxi, it’s entirely impossible to even try.]
“……!!”
[However, I will say that if you give me the Sun Sovereign, ‘escape’ is indeed possible.]
“Escape… what do you mean?”
Shennong, with arms crossed, continued.
[I will gather humanity under my banner and leave for a new star realm alongside the giants. It won’t be difficult since we originally had the ability to traverse dimensions, and this is the greatest favor I can offer you.]
“A star realm…!!”
[After the migration, I promise to care for humanity without oppressing them.]
“……”
Was there such a choice?
I was taken aback by an unexpected proposal. Until now, I had only considered options to eliminate or postpone the prophesized doom, but to think I could uproot humanity entirely! I was confused but realized that this proposal was incredibly realistic.
It was impossible to resolve all calamities on earth anyway. Even the Three Sovereigns couldn’t defeat all the Old Rulers. Therefore, wouldn’t it be better for the Old Rulers, waiting for doom and revelations, to abandon this planet and flee to somewhere else?
‘Besides, the Yan Emperor is relatively benevolent towards humans…’
If he becomes the new sovereign for humanity and protects them, perhaps that would be the best outcome.
I found myself greatly tempted by Yan Emperor Shennong’s proposal.
Zzzzzt!
[…&@#&%]
[*%&%*%….]
Just then, bizarre monsters or apparitions of tentacles appeared next to me, seemingly trying to say something, but Shennong waved his hand, and all the apparitions vanished.
“What was that just now?”
[The other rulers living on that star have desires to obtain the Sun Sovereign as well. They are all connecting their wishes in this space to negotiate with you. If you obtain the Sun Sovereign, you can greatly amplify your own power and gain massive cosmic laws.]
“Hmm….”
[However, with the covenant of the Seven Luminaries in place, our Three Sovereigns will inherently have priority.]
I guess it makes sense that forming a connection with Shennong was better than negotiating with a mysterious other-dimensional tentacle monster or demon-like Old Ruler. My heart was leaning towards Shennong, but I didn’t hastily accept his offer and asked.
“O great Shennong! Please answer this one question for me.”
[You may ask your question.]
“What are the true abilities of this Sun Sovereign, and how do I use it? And do you know how to get to the Divine Temple?”
Shennong responded.
[I don’t know! Unlike the other six luminaries, the Sun Sovereign is the Emperor’s most closely guarded secret, so I have no knowledge of it. If I had known the way to the Divine Temple, I would have gone there first to behead that fool.]
“……”
[Make your choice.]
Though he spoke of choice, it really meant to choose him.
I pondered deeply and finally spoke.
“If I hand over the Sun Sovereign, will you resurrect Chiyou and wage war against the Emperor again?”
[I have no intention of doing that.]
“Excuse me?”
[I realized this during the war. This is not simply a personal vendetta but a universal scheme, and I was merely caught in the Emperor’s plot. Though I could seek revenge, I’m tired now and wish to leave this planet.]
“The Emperor’s scheme…?”
[You wish to know too much without even offering the Sun Sovereign. There isn’t much time left to waste.]
Kugugugugu!!
He was right. The destruction of this space had peaked as we were talking. The ground was riddled with abysses, and it seemed the sole reason this tree was still standing was thanks to the jewel of the Sun Sovereign. If I didn’t illuminate the jewels of the Seven Luminaries within the time limit, this space would undoubtedly collapse.
‘Escape… would that be acceptable?’
I found myself genuinely considering accepting Shennong’s proposal. After coming this far, waiting for the Emperor to show up would yield nothing. Perhaps it wasn’t a bad outcome to watch as Shennong suggested, uprooting all humanity to migrate. Moments later, I nodded, deciding to speak to Shennong.
“Alright. I will give you the Sun Sovereign…”
Wuwuung
“Uck…”
Just then, I felt a ringing in my ears, and before I knew it, I staggered back.
I heard Shennong’s furious voice.
[Are you trying to sneak away after coming this far…!!]
In an instant, Shennong’s figure vanished from my sight.
Everything spun, making me feel dizzy.
As my vision blurred, melting away in waves, I realized I was somewhere standing still.