Chapter 308: Absurd Rumors

===================
Translated by Frog in the Well

Read it only at Nineheavens.org
===================

Fairy Yeongwol.

A woman who would cause anyone, regardless of age or gender, to let out an exclamation of admiration walked in a straight posture, looking just like a painting.

Literally a celestial fairy from heaven.

Her pure white palace robe, whiter than snow, and the red silk sash wrapping her shoulders swayed in accordance with her steps.

Her appearance was so noble and lofty that she stood out alone in the battlefield, which was otherwise filled only with the sound of clashing metal.

Jin So-myeong, who had his gaze stolen in spite of himself for a brief moment, snapped back to his senses with a start.

‘This works out perfectly.’

His chances of victory rose distinctly.

Although it was slightly regrettable that she appeared just as he was about to try fighting the Asura Unity stage Dao Sovereign one-on-one, it was an exceptionally great situation otherwise.

A golden opportunity to end the war.

If they combined strength with Fairy Yeongwol and killed the Myeolsim Dao Sovereign, the Asuras, having lost an Unity stage Dao Sovereign, would have no choice but to abandon the invasion.

“For someone who is in name an Unity stage Dao Sovereign to oppress a junior.”

“…”

“If you Asuras act in that manner, our human race will not sit still either.”

Fairy Yeongwol, who had completely withdrawn the smile that had been on her lips before he knew it, spoke coldly, and the Myeolsim Dao Sovereign narrowed his eyes.

The instant the two Dao Sovereigns stared at each other, the Heaven and Earth Origin Qi ran wild at will.

Crack…

The atmospheric temperature lowered rapidly, causing ice flowers to bloom all around, and dark blue smoke appearing silently blazed like flames, melting the gradually spreading ice flowers.

In the war of nerves where fire and ice sought to swallow each other, he heightened his senses.

A rare opportunity that arrived by chance. Just as he was about to unleash the Moon-Deducing Dao Scripture to sever the Myeolsim Dao Sovereign’s windpipe, -Stop.

He froze at the calm voice resounding in his head.

As he turned his gaze toward Fairy Yeongwol, she shook her head minutely and continued her transmission.

-Now is not the time. Calm your fighting spirit and withdraw.

-Not the time? What do you mean by that?

Was there any need to weigh the pros and cons in such a golden opportunity?

They only needed to kill him first and think later.

-I have a plan, but I cannot tell you now. Still, one thing I can guarantee is that it is all for the sake of the human race.

Jin So-myeong, who remained silent, eventually took a step back.

This was because, in Fairy Yeongwol’s calm tone, he realized there was some circumstance he was unaware of.

Until he retrieved the lightning swords he had driven into the earth to unleash the Limitless Sword Heaven, the Myeolsim Dao Sovereign also merely watched silently and did not rashly attack.

Within the tense atmosphere as if they were pointing swords at each other’s throats, putting aside his regret, he returned to Cheonbi City together with Fairy Yeongwol.

***

Meanwhile, Cheonbi City was in a state of uproar.

An ordinary day like any other.

Suddenly, Jin So-myeong visited, and in less than half a day, a massive commotion arose at the Asura station.

Just what in the world had happened?

Since it was a place difficult to approach rashly, they observed from afar, and the sight of Asuras at the station fleeing in panic was witnessed.

Why did those venomous ones who fought to the end even if they died flee?

Could Jin So-myeong have invaded the station single-handedly?

It was a bizarre event to the extent of making one have such an absurd imagination.

“Select those proficient in concealment spells and eye techniques to properly examine what is happening at the station. Also, contact neighboring cities to tell them to pay attention to their defense.”

“Yes!”

The Supreme Elder of the Dark Soul Demonic Sect, who could be called the person-in-charge of Cheonbi City, narrowed his eyes.

Just as he was highly tense, suspecting if the sudden commotion might be a trap of the Asuras, the Unity stage Dao Sovereign. Fairy Yeongwol had also descended upon Cheonbi City.

Was today some special day?

Appearing through the teleportation array, she vanished abruptly without a single word of greeting, and returned once more after an interval that was neither long nor short.

“I pay respects to the Dao Sovereign!”

The Supreme Elder, who was bowing with all his sincerity to welcome the pillar of the human race, Fairy Yeongwol, froze.

This was because Jin So-myeong was right beside Fairy Yeongwol, who appeared while rending space.

‘Why is that man…’

He was bewildered enough for his eyes to widen, but he did not rashly show it.

As he focused on Fairy Yeongwol, she, who received the greeting, opened her mouth.

“Since the station of the Asuras confronting Cheonbi City has collapsed completely, mobilize your subordinates to seize the Red Jade Mountain.”

The Supreme Elder, listening respectfully, flinched.

Red Jade Mountain was a spiritual mountain near Cheonbi City, a place where Void Refinement-grade spiritual objects were produced periodically.

It was a land so highly useful that listing them all individually was difficult, and it could be said to be the core reason why Cheonbi City confronted the Asuras.

Yet today, the station was reportedly collapsed.

Since the Asuras, who had fought fiercely while repeatedly advancing and retreating for five years, had suddenly collapsed, he could not help but be astonished.

“…Since it is exceptionally important, I shall ask despite risking impoliteness. Did the Dao Sovereign perhaps take action personally?”

If that were the case, it was not a good thing.

For the Asura Unity stage experts would retaliate in the exact same manner.

Since it was information he absolutely had to know as the person-in-charge of the city, he asked, but Fairy Yeongwol, wearing a bitter smile for a brief instant, shook her head.

“It was not me, but Junior Jin who did it.”

“Pardon?”

What in the world was that?

He turned his gaze in spite of himself, but Jin So-myeong had no particular reaction as if he were lost in deep thought.

“You do not need to worry about the Asura Dao Sovereigns retaliating. They will not break the rules merely because of the Red Jade Mountain.”

Did this mean that Jin So-myeong, who visited today, smashed the Asuras whom the entirety of Cheonbi City had failed to settle a victory against despite fighting for five years, all by himself…?

In a mere few hours?

Suddenly, cold sweat flowed down in streams.

“…I understand.”

The Supreme Elder, who parted his lips, bowed his head.

Although there was much he wished to ask, questioning an Unity stage Dao Sovereign on this and that was a highly irreverent act.

It was right to follow as ordered for now, and investigate personally later.

“Also, we need a place to converse for a moment, is there a suitable spot?”

“Of course. I will guide you personally.”

The Supreme Elder, who was checking Jin So-myeong in spite of himself, hurried toward the Cheonbi City reception room.

*

“I shall serve refreshments if you happen to need them.”

“It is fine, so tend to your work.”

“Yes. Then please rest comfortably.”

The Dark Soul Demonic Sect Supreme Elder, whose head looked complicated, departed after bowing respectfully, and only Jin So-myeong and Fairy Yeongwol remained in the reception room.

“Because the situation was hectic, we are finally exchanging proper greetings now. Hearing the rumors about you, I had certainly wished to meet you.”

“I am also pleased to meet you, Senior.”

“Hmm, by the way, I would like to speak a bit comfortably, but I do not know if that is alright with you.”

At the words spoken with a bright smile, Jin So-myeong nodded.

“It is fine, so please speak comfortably.”

“Thank you.”

Although Fairy Yeongwol looked like a young woman in her early twenties judging by her appearance, her actual age exceeded ten thousand years.

She was not at an age where he would feel uncomfortable just because she spoke informally.

Furthermore, was the opponent not an existence who had supported the human race for a long time? There was a need to maintain a minimum of politeness.

As the smiling Fairy Yeongwol flicked her sleeve, refreshments were laid out on the empty table.

Steam rose in wisps from the tea water bearing a faint golden glow, but mysteriously, it was not hot and rather a chilling coldness was felt.

“This… looks like tea water brewed from a Rank 7 spiritual object.”

Since it did not look ordinary at a glance, he examined it with the Lightning Insight Spell-Breaking Eye, and surprisingly, it was estimated to be a Rank 7 spiritual object.

“It is a tea made from Snow Flower Tree Honey that I personally raised and harvested. Seeing as you seem to have cultivated centered on lightning Qi, digesting this tea will be of help.”

“I will drink it gratefully.”

“Be careful since it is slightly cold.”

He took a sip, and the high-class sweet taste unique to honey harmonized with the floral scent, making his mind and body exhausted from combat feel relaxed.

The sweetness pleasing his tongue was brief.

Crack.

His meridians froze due to the coldness that spread within his stomach.

It was a matter where he might suffer a severe internal injury if he dealt with it incorrectly, but… to have his meridians damaged was something far too familiar.

He gathered the coldness clinging to his meridians, guided it to his dantian, and solved it simply by swallowing it with the Chaos Origin Wheel.

‘Not bad. It will be useful for cultivating the Primordial One Qi.’

It seemed a significant amount of dharma power would accumulate if he digested it properly.

As he was savoring the tea made of Snow Flower Tree Honey, she, whose eyes shone with an unusual color, wore a gentle smile.

“Indeed… Those who have achieved realms at a young age are bound to have unstable foundations, but you are different. Your base is exceptionally solid.”

Admiring, she pulled out a fruit resembling a cherry.

“It is nice to see you drink so well. Would you like to try this too?”

It was a Rank 7 spiritual fruit called Snow Pomegranate Fruit, and the texture, which crunched like thin ice, and the savory juice pleased the tongue.

As he ate what she provided one after another, his dantian and meridians were filled with coldness. Even the Chaos Origin Wheel, which could bear vast energy, reached its limit.

No matter how good something was, it became harmful if excessive. Just as he felt he should decline gradually, “Ah, it was so fascinating to see you eat well that I was excessive. If you happen to feel an internal injury might occur, let me know. I shall help you.”

“Up to this point is fine.”

“It is a truly sturdy physical body. Is it because you mastered body tempering…?”

Looking as if it were fascinating, she withdrew her playfulness and changed her tone.

“In my heart, I wish to share a long talk with you, but there is nothing to gain from my location being continuously exposed to the Asuras, so I shall speak of important matters first.”

“Understood.”

“You must have been curious since earlier. Since I told you to withdraw in such a favorable situation.”

“Yes. You said you have a plan, and I am curious what plan it could possibly be that you gave up such a great situation.”

If they had fought two-on-one, in nine cases out of ten, they would have been able to kill the Myeolsim Dao Sovereign.

To speak honestly, he was still not convinced even now.

“I am sorry, but I cannot tell you in detail.”

“Hmm.”

He was curious, but since it was not something that would happen by throwing a tantrum, he had no choice but to nod.

In fact, looking at it, this was the first time he had met Fairy Yeongwol.

Even if she did not tell him the secret, it was not a strange thing.

“You might feel disappointed, but it cannot be helped. This is not because I do not trust you. It is unrelated to trust. Rather… it is a matter concerning the realm.”

“The realm?”

“Sometimes, there is knowledge that is better not to know. Once you reach the Unity stage, I shall tell you everything, so please endure for just a bit.”

“…I understand.”

Fairy Yeongwol, who had withdrawn her serious expression before knew it, smiled brightly.

“I do not know how these words will sound to you, but in truth, I think it is a waste itself for someone possessing outstanding talent like Junior Jin to pay attention to the war.”

“A waste?”

“I only wish you would focus strictly on rising to the Unity stage in a quiet place.”

For that is the path for both you and the human race.

Leaving her final words, she smiled and left the reception room.

Left alone, Jin So-myeong chewed over Fairy Yeongwol’s words.

‘How should I put it. It feels as if our perspectives are different…’

A subtle difference is felt in what we look at and what we pursue.

Is there something more important to the current human race than the war with the Asuras?

Jin So-myeong, who was lost in silent thought, shook off his seat and rose.

At any rate, the action to be taken now was clear.

He had obtained many realizations while fighting the Asura Unity stage Dao Sovereign.

Improvements regarding the array, clues to raise the body tempering realm on the verge of the wall, and so forth.

If he managed his large and small realizations well, he would be able to leap one step forward.

He retrieved the True Blood he had scattered near Cheonbi City and returned to the Infinite Void Temple.

***

The Stone Heart Realm and the Green Garden Realm.

In all territories occupied by the human race simultaneously, a truly bizarre rumor began to spread.

“Who did what in Cheonbi City?”

“They say Senior Jin cut down three Asuras who had risen to the late Void Refinement stage in a single slash.”

“Three late Void Refinement stage powerhouses in a single slash…? Does that make sense?”

“There is also talk that he slew four, but at any rate, that is not the important part. At that time, Senior Jin visited the Asura station alone, and then, Asura Unity stage Dao Sovereigns…”

The reaction shown by those who first encountered the rumor was consistently identical.

They would listen seriously at first, only to burst into a smirk in spite of themselves.

For indeed… it could not be helped since only absurd stories popped out the more they heard.