Chapter 313: A Sense of Incongruity
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Translated by Frog in the Well
Read it only at Nineheavens.org
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***
A certain main hall.
The Asura Dao Sovereigns, excluding the injured Gongya Dao Sovereign, gathered in one place, and all of their expressions were dark.
“Of all times, to think he used the Heart-Shattering Blood Glyph at a period like this… Tsk.”
“He should have rather avoided the place. Did he surely not even have a gap to unfold an escape art?”
To exchange merely a few Unity stage cultivators for an Unity stage cultivator. Although he was not dead but merely injured, it was a loss just the same.
It was truly like a bolt from the blue.
At a single combat that broke out suddenly, the future of the Asura Race plummeted.
“Let us forget what is already in the past. Now the paths remaining to us are two.”
Either we push hard during the remaining ten years before Fairy Yeongwol recovers to end the war in a swift decisive battle,
or we retreat for now and look forward to four thousand years later.
It was those two, but whichever method they chose, it was troublesome just the same.
At that moment when a frustrating silence flowed.
Avici Dao Sovereign struck the table to focus the gazes.
“Is it certain that Yeongwol suffered injuries? The possibility of a disguise?”
“It is not a disguise. Before coming here, I met with Fellow Daoist Gong, and he said it was certain he inflicted injuries on Yeongwol. He said no matter what spiritual elixir or miraculous medicine she consumes, she will have to concentrate on recovery for ten years.”
“A blessing in disguise.”
Avici Dao Sovereign, who pondered for a moment, opened his mouth.
“Regardless of which of the two methods we use, there is a matter we must handle first.”
“…Do you mean the matter of killing Jin So-myeong?”
“Correct.”
It was a tone firm enough that it would not be strange if a backlash arose, yet no one denied it.
Even Myeolsim Dao Sovereign actively agreed.
“I agree. Having met him directly, I understand why you guarded against him so much. That man Jin So-myeong has already surpassed the Unity stage level. We must not give him any more time and kill him immediately.”
If they gave a time of four thousand years to someone with an outstanding talent like Jin So-myeong…
it was terrifying.
If they failed to kill Jin So-myeong at this opportunity, regardless of the war result, the Asura Race would perish.
“Rather, it turned out well. Since it is the worst situation anyway, we three can just go together and kill him.”
At the words of Avici Dao Sovereign to even fight an all-out war, Myeolsim Dao Sovereign, who was stroking his chin, nodded his head.
“That would not be bad either. Since there is no need to care about tacit rules or the like at this point.”
At the attitude of killing him by choosing no means or methods, Cheonra Dao Sovereign, who had not faced Jin So-myeong, frowned, but did not oppose.
She could not go against the general trend either, and because she agreed with the opinion that they must kill Jin So-myeong.
“Good. Has it been grasped where Jin So-myeong is?”
“We are in the process of verification. The human Dao Sovereigns played a trick.”
“A trick?”
“Those taking the appearance of Jin So-myeong are being spotted in various places of the Stone Heart Realm and the Green Garden Realm. They probably disguised themselves with transformation spells.”
“What a tiresome thing to do…”
“It does not matter. Since it is merely a simple stalling of time anyway. At the latest, we will be able to find him in five years.”
At the tone filled with confidence, Myeolsim Dao Sovereign, who had recently faced Jin So-myeong, said with a serious expression.
“Jin So-myeong uses lightning Qi and swords as his main forces. This is the Golden Thunder Subduing Array Token, which contains the ability to suppress lightning Qi and sword Qi…”
***
A primeval forest where giant trees that seemed to have lived for easily several tens of thousands of years stretched endlessly.
The abundantly grown green leaves fluttered in the wind, and the appearance was like a surging ocean.
The sea of trees dyed in deep green.
In that place overflowing with vitality, the Taixu Sacred Venerable sat cross-legged, but his outward appearance was different from the past.
Although it was identical in the point that he was an old man with not much lifespan remaining…
he was far more gaunt. His wrinkles had visibly increased, and even age spots bloomed on his skin.
Even a person who did not possess a single bit of medical knowledge would realize upon looking at the Taixu Sacred Venerable’s current appearance.
Ah, this old man will die before long.
That he is living and breathing right now is itself a miracle.
Indeed…
However, marvelously, a painful expression could not be found on the Taixu Sacred Venerable’s face.
It was quiet like a deep lake. As if becoming a part of great nature, he did not make a single movement while sitting cross-legged.
Although it was a wondrous appearance, the tranquility could not last long.
The tightly closed eyelids trembled, and the Taixu Sacred Venerable, who opened his eyes with difficulty, raised his head.
Looking at the night sky filled with starlight, he sighed.
“Was it noticed already… it is faster than expected.”
The star that shone clearly until not long ago became so dim that it would not be seen unless one concentrated.
Did it lose its light?
Or was it covered by something unidentified?
Whichever it was, it was not an auspicious thing.
Looking up at the night sky with a stiffened face was also brief.
Smiling with a chuckle, the Taixu Sacred Venerable murmured with a light expression.
“Yes… what is there to hesitate at this point.”
With his gaunt hand that trembled thinly due to lacking strength, he tightly gripped the wooden Dharma treasure that lay in his bosom.
The Dharma treasure inscribed with the two characters Silent Life. The worn-out, humble wooden plaque.
***
Two and a half years later.
【Jin So-myeong】
【Lifespan】: 288 / 9502
【Realm】: Void Refinement 7th Layer
【Supreme Great Ability】: 1.22 Trillion / 1.6 Trillion
【Magic Power Amplification】: +197%
【Divine Ability】: <Secret Realm of the Mind>, <Myriad Flows Restoration>
Jin So-myeong, who had confined himself to his cave dwelling as if in closed-door cultivation to concentrate only on cultivation, opened his eyes.
Late Void Refinement stage.
As he broke through the minor realm, his Supreme Great Ability, magic power, and Divine Sense all became twice as strong.
The Supreme Great Ability broke through the trillion unit,
and his Divine Sense, which was originally at the Unity stage-level, became able to scan a radius of 24,000 kilometers.
Because there was no comparison target, it was difficult to be certain, but it was anticipated to be at least at the mid Unity stage-level.
The magic power accumulated in his dantian also had a large result.
Even calculating purely by physical weight, he surpassed the Void Refinement stage level.
This was because countless fortuitous opportunities had piled up step by step, being amplified easily four or five times.
‘At this rate… even if I clash head-on with an Unity stage Dao Sovereign, I will not be pushed back one-sidedly.’
As he closed his eyes and concentrated, the Dharma Domain extending in all directions dominated a whopping 20,000 kilometers.
Thanks to copying and consuming the Void Wilderness Grass, which was the spiritual herb for tempering the Dharma Domain, his Dharma Domain became strongly reinforced.
Compared with his Divine Sense, he became able to dominate approximately eighty percent of the range.
Judging by the trend of the Dharma Domain growing stronger, it would perfectly coincide with his Divine Sense once only about ten years passed in the future.
‘This is sufficient.’
All the growths that could be achieved within a short period were achieved.
Since the Unity stage that had been far away became close enough to catch in his hand, what remained now was to make a choice.
Whether to leave the human territory for the Northern Mang Xuan or not.
The time to decide arrived.
“…Huu.”
As he pondered whether to leave or not, a sigh escaped unconsciously.
Even though quite some time had passed, his head was still complicated.
In fact, if calculated coldly, there was no need to even ponder. It was right to simply leave for the Northern Mang Xuan.
Was the Northern Mang Xuan not a land incomparably wider than the territory occupied by the human race?
All kinds of precious cultivation resources would be scattered as common as dirt.
But…
He did not feel inclined readily. He felt uncomfortable as if he had left something out.
Why?
He repeated the question that popped up countless times over the past few years, but a clear answer did not come out.
It was frustrating.
Although what was a gain and what was a loss was obvious, he could not know what on earth weighed on his mind to make him hesitate.
After remaining silent for a long time, he tried to imagine.
‘What if I leave for the Northern Mang Xuan right now?’
Leaving aside the problem regarding the Grand Ascension stage as it was like a disaster that could not be resolved immediately, he concentrated on the problem right in front of his eyes.
First, one certain point.
The war with the Asuras was also not completely resolved.
If he left right now, Gwang-myeong Dao Sovereign would have to face three Asura Dao Sovereigns alone until Fairy Yeongwol recovered.
The Taixu Sacred Venerable would be at his limit merely by holding the Insect-Armor Race in check, so it could not be helped.
‘Can he face three alone?’
If two pressed Gwang-myeong Dao Sovereign and the remaining one swept through the human race… it was difficult to even imagine how many people would be slaughtered.
What should he do to prevent that?
It seemed he could leave cleanly if he fought a bout with the Asura Dao Sovereign and at least inflicted injuries, but doing so, the information regarding the Grand Ascension stage weighed on his mind.
Pondering further, he paused.
‘Am I worrying about the human race right now?’
Who am I to do so?
As he listened to the words “the sword of humanity,” had he before he knew it become bound to it?
Only a sigh came out due to the frustration.
He had merely cultivated because becoming strong was enjoyable, yet before he knew it, a heavy burden was placed on his shoulders…
Jin So-myeong, who observed his mind as if in meditation, brushed himself off and stood up.
‘Let us move for now.’
Because information was lacking, it was difficult to make a judgment. In times like this, it was of no use to think alone.
‘I must visit the Taixu Sacred Venerable and seek advice.’
He intended to investigate concretely how strong the authority of the Grand Ascension stage was, while also sharing the talk about the Heavenly Lifespan Life-Prolonging Stone.
Honestly, it was unbelievable. How wide was the upper realm?
No matter how Grand Ascension stage they were, it did not seem like they could perfectly dominate the entire world.
As much as it was an absurd power, there would certainly be restrictions and gaps.
Even a stone as large as a face looks giant like a cliff when brought and looked at right in front of one’s eyes.
Since information was bound to look different depending on the perspective, there was no need to react oversensitively by jumping to conclusions.
Leaving his cave dwelling, Jin So-myeong visited Jeok Song, who was the Elder of the Infinite Void Temple.
“You wish to visit the Sacred Venerable?”
“Yes.”
After exchanging greetings, he brought up his business, but Jeok Song, who harbored a bitter smile, shook his head.
“I am sorry, but it will probably be difficult.”
“…Please at least contact him. Because it is a considerably important matter.”
Jeok Song, who hesitated as if in difficulty, let out a sigh.
“This is a secret, but since it is Fellow Daoist Jin, I will tell you. Right now, the Sacred Venerable is in a state where movement is uncomfortable.”
“Pardon?”
“While leaving for the Green Garden Realm to block the Insect-Armor Race, he gave me a hint. That unless it is a truly urgent situation, something related to the life or death of the human race, he will not be able to step forward.”
“Is that so…?”
It was a truly strange thing. Because he had certainly met with the Taixu Sacred Venerable two years ago.
Had he come secretly while hiding it even from Jeok Song?
“Since I do not know, I will send word, but please do not anticipate too much.”
“…Thank you for your concern.”
Watching Jeok Song pull out a Voice Transmission Talisman to contact somewhere, he narrowed his eyes.
Something felt uncomfortable.
He slowly retraced the conversation shared with the Taixu Sacred Venerable two years ago again, and a subtle sense of incongruity was felt.
After pondering for quite a long time, he could realize what had weighed on his mind.
‘How on earth did he know the information related to the Grand Ascension stage?’
Of course he could know.
Was he not an Unity stage Dao Sovereign who had supported the human race for long years? Knowing the secrets about the Grand Ascension stage was not a strange thing.
However, the kind of information was the problem. Some information is difficult to know unless it is the party concerned.
Right before being targeted by the Grand Ascension stage?
It meant he grasped in advance before their interest and gaze reached, but was that possible?
Rather, if they had already been targeted certainly, it would be easy to notice. Since they would have suffered actual threats.
But right before being targeted?
Thinking about it again, it was strange. Did someone perhaps visit and give a warning?
‘…He might have found out through divination. Though it will not be easy.’
It was not clear.
Because he felt doubts increasing the more he thought, his heart to talk with the Taixu Sacred Venerable grew increasingly larger.
He said to Jeok Song, who used the Voice Transmission Talisman and was waiting for a response.
“If the Sacred Venerable finds it difficult to move, please tell him that it does not matter even if I visit all the way to the Green Garden Realm.”
“Understood. Since I do not know when a response will arrive, go back and rest for now.”
“Yes. Then…”
The moment he was about to return to his cave dwelling after exchanging farewells.
First, before all senses including his five senses, his instinct reacted.
With a creepy shiver running down his spine, he looked at the sky, and his gaze met the three Asura Dao Sovereigns who popped out of the Wild Wind of the Nine Heavens.
And,
what appeared by piercing the Wild Wind of the Nine Heavens was not just the Asura Dao Sovereigns.
Dark blue flames in the shape of a fist, an invisible shockwave approaching silently, a silver vortex emitting sharp Qi…
The moment he saw the Unity stage-level blows plunging into the absolute center of the capital where hundreds of millions of people lived.
all worries and conflicts vanished.
Clang…!
He merely drew his sword, and kicked off the ground toward the enemy.