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Chapter 209: Lightning Flash (3)"What madness! Who dares to attack the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect!?"

"It must be someone tired of living!"

Five Nascent Soul stage elders quickly encircle Yuan Yu with lightning flashing in their eyes.

Upon seeing Yuan Yu's appearance, they take a gasp for a moment then they each form hand seals to summon their dharma treasures and prepare their spells.

I watch them through Yuan Yu's perspective, feeling a remarkably fresh sensation.

'It's been a long time since I've faced ordinary human cultivators.'

When I was captured by the Mad Lord, it felt more like I was fighting the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress rather than directly confronting someone, since I was in the body of a puppet.

In the Azure Heaven Creation Sect, where everyone walked around shirtless enjoying physical combat due to their steel-like bodies, there were no users of dharma treasures or spells.

In this life, since I've been living among the demon race and not humans, I've been sparring with demon beasts who use their sturdy bodies instead of dharma treasures and supernatural abilities instead of spells. Hence, facing cultivators who traditionally use dharma treasures like this is a first in a long time.

"Strike down with Thunderbolt Banner!"

An elder with a long beard, seemingly enraged, swings a blue flag dharma treasure and causes blue lightning to fall from the sky onto Yuan Yu.

"Blood Chain Binding Forest."

In the next moment, Yuan Yu forms a hand seal, extracting red blood trees from the surrounding blood mist to create a barrier which the lightning incinerates.

Starting with the bearded elder, the other elders also begin to cast their spells.

"To think you dare to fight against us, the Five Door Immortal Masters. You must be out of your mind!"

"Five Door Immortal Masters..."

I watch their spells hit Yuan Yu through his perspective and smirk.

"So, you're the gatekeepers of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect's defensive barrier. In other words, if I keep you occupied here, there will be no one to guard the main gate of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect?"

"...! There's an accomplice..?"

Kwaaaaang!

Before the so-called Five Door Immortal Masters can finish speaking,

The puppets I summoned with the Thousand Lustrous Forest Sea Canon hit the main gate of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect once again.

They are the mass-produced General Seo puppets.

Highly useful puppets capable of delivering Nascent Soul level attacks swarm towards the entrance of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, opening their mouths to shoot out General Seo Cannons.

Jeeeeng!

A strike from one General Seo puppet shatters the main gate of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect and the mass-produced General Seo puppets swarm towards the broken gate.

"What is this...!"

The Five Door Immortal Masters are flustered trying to stop the mass-produced General Seo puppets, but Yuan Yu blocks them.

"You shall not pass."

"You damned thing. I can't even tell if you're a man or a woman. If you don't move aside, I'll split you in half and kill you!"

"You shall not pass."

I move Yuan Yu's body, smiling.

Yuan Yu's eerily charming smile seems to shock the Five Door Immortal Masters once again, but they all furiously form hand seals.

"Die!"

'Hmm…'

Yuan Yu opens his mouth and starts spitting out dharma treasures from his Golden Core.

Ziiing!

Attacks aimed at Yuan Yu are all blocked by the four pagodas he spits out.

Around Yuan Yu, dharma treasures begin to emerge.

Seventeen bone dagger dharma treasures.

A blood-colored spear dharma treasure, a crystal skull staff, and the Summoning Wind, Sacred Blood Leaf Fan, among others.

"You shall not pass."

Additionally, Yuan Yu calls forth a Nascent Soul stage ghost king from the blood clouds, forming hand seals with an eerie smile.

Kwaaaang!

The next moment, one of Yuan Yu's daggers flies towards one of the Five Door Immortal Masters, battering his defensive spell and Pure Spiritual Force protective aura.

The defensive spell breaks but the Nascent Soul's protective aura isn't penetrated, making Yuan Yu's dagger halt and hover in the air.

However, the ghost king summoned by Yuan Yu strikes down with his scythe on the Five Door Immortal Master whose defensive spell had been shattered in the next moment.

Jeeeeng!

Once again, a shocking sound echoes and Yuan Yu's attack successfully penetrates the opponent's protective aura this time around.

"Ugh...! Do you think you can defeat me!"

The protective aura shattered Nascent Soul elder forms hand seals and transforms into a Lightning Serpent that opens its mouth towards Yuan Yu,

Pshhh!

Yuan Yu's dagger targets him, but it only leaves a small wound on his neck, dodging Yuan Yu's attack and striking next to Yuan Yu.

Jeeeeng!

That attack shatters the barrier created by Yuan Yu's pagoda dharma treasures.

"Blood Chain Binding Forest."

Chyarluk!

As Yuan Yu forms hand seals again, numerous blood trees grow around him, swinging their sharp branches and leaves at the Nascent Soul stage elders.

Most of them move like lightning to dodge Yuan Yu's attacks, but their protective body force and defensive spells begin to falter.

"Blood Spear."

Above the summoned blood spear, the figure of a ghost king holding the spear appears.

The ghost king, inhaling the blood mist from Yuan Yu, instantly elevates its realm to the Nascent Soul stage like the scythe-wielding ghost king. With all its might, it thrusts at the opponent before it.

Jeeeeng!

"Agh!"

The thrust of the blood spear shatters one of the Five Door Immortal Masters' spells and protective body force, tearing through his side.

Under Yuan Yu's control, the ghost king wielding the blood spear breaks through the Five Door Immortal Masters' protective body forces and defensive spells, scattering spears in all directions.

"Bind!"

Pajijijik!

However, as a bald Five Door Immortal Master forms hand seals, chains of lightning bound the ghost king.

The ghost king is neutralized in an instant, but Yuan Yu once again manipulates seventeen bone daggers and scatters them in all directions.

The momentum is chilling and under Yuan Yu's manipulation, the daggers graze the Nascent Soul stage elders' skin, drawing blood droplets.

"Everyone, be on your guard. This one is not to be underestimated!"

"As long as we stay alert, this guy won't be able to beat us!"

The Five Door Immortal Masters seem to be pushed back by Yuan Yu but then press on him in turn, gradually pushing him back.

At some point, the coordination among the five Nascent Soul stage elders perfectly clicks, causing Yuan Yu to be fully exposed to their attacks.

Kwarrrrrrung!

As the sound of thunder echoes, Yuan Yu is torn to shreds by the lightning. Left with only his Golden Core, he is targeted by the highest-ranking elder who shoots a lightning arrow and shatters Yuan Yu's Golden Core.

Thus, Yuan Yu is killed.

"Phew, he was a tough one."

"Now we just need to capture his Nascent Soul, and it's over."

"It felt like fighting not one, but three Nascent Soul stage cultivators."

"That just shows how powerful he was. Now..."

And then.

Chyarluk!

The blood mist Yuan Yu had been spreading around begins to seep into the shattered Golden Core.

Yuan Yu's Golden Core regenerates.

And around the Golden Core, Yuan Yu's flesh begins to grow back.

Wriggle, wriggle...

The lumps of red flesh that wriggles like a collection of meat gather, transforming back into Yuan Yu's form.

Thus, Yuan Yu is resurrected.

"You shall not pass."

"What is this...!"

Seeing Yuan Yu resurrected in perfect condition, the Five Door Immortal Masters clench their teeth.

"Right, I had expected that the lifeline of someone who practices devilish arts might be a bit tougher! Devil cultivators, even in death, have learned many immortality skills. It's said that they have to be killed once, twice, sometimes even three times, correct?"

"..."

Yuan Yu simply forms hand seals without expression.

"Let's kill him three times then! Let's continue!"

Once again, the battle between the Five Door Immortal Masters and Yuan Yu commences.

The Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect is in turmoil.

The mass-produced General Seo puppets I created are opening their mouths and shooting beams everywhere, collapsing numerous halls throughout the sect.

To suppress the chaos, Nascent Soul and Heavenly Being stage cultivators flew out, beginning to smash the Nascent Soul stage puppets.

As the mass-produced General Seo puppets shoot beams near Thunder Cloud Peak, even the elders guarding the Thunder Tribute Hall have no choice but to respond.

Eventually, the Nascent Soul stage elder guarding the Thunder Tribute Hall frowns and swiftly descends to smash the mass-produced General Seo puppets.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, I move Jeon Myeong-hoon's body and sneak into the Thunder Tribute Hall through the gap.

As expected, the hall's mechanisms are neutralized by the circuits of the Mad Lord, rendering them inactive.

'This is the Thunder Tribute Hall...'

Vast!

Though it looks small from the outside, the interior is as spacious as a grand palace's main hall.

Space compression spell.

I notice something at the far end of this vast hall that carries strong lightning energy and walk towards the other end of the hall.

Fizz, fizz...

Some lightning attribute mechanisms seem to be activating, but somehow, they are all absorbed into Jeon Myeong-hoon's body without any reaction.

'Does lightning attribute energy just get absorbed by Jeon Myeong-hoon without resistance?'

It seems to be the power of the Heavenly Golden Thunder Body.

After an uncertain amount of time passing through lightning attribute mechanisms that crumbled helplessly in front of Jeon Myeong-hoon's body,

I finally reach a large altar.

On that altar flutters a bright golden flag.

Kurung, Kururung...

'This is the Heavenly Lightning Banner...'

The Heavenly Lightning Banner is enormous.

It is not something that can be held and swung with hands.

The pole of the Heavenly Lightning Banner alone is bigger than four Jeon Myeong-hoons put together.

Fizz, fizz...

As Jeon Myeong-hoon's hand touches the Heavenly Lightning Banner, it vibrates wildly with a buzzing sound.

'Huh?'

However, I am startled looking at the Heavenly Lightning Banner through the eyes of Mysterious Bizarre Gu.

'This Heavenly Lightning Banner...'

From the Heavenly Lightning Banner, intent flows out as if it's a person.

'Is it... alive?'

Wo-woong!

As Jeon Myeong-hoon touches the Heavenly Lightning Banner, it sends out an intent of fear, vibrating wildly.

It seems to greatly dislike being touched by Jeon Myeong-hoon's hand.

But despite its dislike and fear, once Jeon Myeong-hoon grabs it, it fails to resist and quietly remains in his hand, showing its displeasure.

'Huh, interesting.'

After looking at the artifact seriously, I take the Heavenly Lightning Banner and head outside.

The sect elders are still wrestling with the mass-produced General Seos.

'Now, all I have to do is take the Heavenly Lightning Banner outside and it's over.'

The main gate of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.

Above it, five Nascent Soul stage elders affiliated with the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, the Five Door Immortal Masters, are gasping for breath.

"Now, now he must be dead, right?"

"We've already killed him four times; if he resurrects again..."

Despite their wishes, blood mist gathers in front of their eyes and Yuan Yu reveals himself once again.

"Ahhhhhh! He's resurrected again!"

"That blood mist, that blood mist is resurrecting him!"

"B-But now the blood mist has almost run out, if we kill him just one more time..."

That's when it happens.

Yuan Yu raises the crystal skull staff.

The next moment, as the crystal skull staff opens its mouth, the wounds that had been grazed by Yuan Yu's blood-red daggers widen and the Five Door Immortal Masters' life force begins to be absorbed towards Yuan Yu.

"Ah, no!"

"This damned… my life force...!"

In a brief moment.

The skull crystal staff closes its mouth and Yuan Yu replenishes his energy from the skull crystal staff.

As his energy is being replenished, Yuan Yu opens his mouth and releases an enormous amount of blood mist again, filling the surroundings.

It's the life force absorbed from the five Nascent Soul stage cultivators.

"This damned thing...!"

"It's preserving its life with our life force!"

"Please, just die!"

The Five Door Immortal Masters, exhausted from the struggle to kill Yuan Yu after having their life force drained, attack him with a weary demeanor.

I watch this scene from behind while waiting for Jeon Myeong-hoon who is coming this way using the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts.

A little later.

"D-Did we get him?"

Around the time the Five Door Immortal Masters kill Yuan Yu for the sixth time,

Jeon Myeong-hoon finally emerges from the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.

"Finally…!"

I joyfully turn my gaze toward the Heavenly Lightning Banner he is supposed to be carrying.

But then, I sense something off.

'…?'

It's invisible.

To my eyes, it looks as though Jeon Myeong-hoon is just running with his hands clutching the air.

'What's going on?'

It's strange.

Through the perspective of the Mysterious Bizarre Gu possessing Jeon Myeong-hoon's body, it is clear that Jeon Myeong-hoon is indeed holding the Heavenly Lightning Banner.

But from my perspective, the Heavenly Lightning Banner is invisible.

'How could this be…'

Confused, I reach out to touch where Jeon Myeong-hoon is supposedly holding the Heavenly Lightning Banner.

And then.

Kururung!

"…!"

I frown as I feel a tingling of lightning climbing up my hand.

My hand is being scorched by the lightning.

I continue trying to grasp the Heavenly Lightning Banner despite the pain.

However, the Heavenly Lightning Banner still fails to be grasped.

It isn't that my hand can't penetrate the lightning of the Heavenly Lightning Banner.

'Ah…'

It's that when I try to grab where the Heavenly Lightning Banner is, my hand only touches 'lightning.'

That's it.

The essence of the Heavenly Lightning Banner is lightning itself!

As expected of an immortal treasure used by a True Immortal, its material isn't any ordinary substance but lightning itself.

I chuckle to myself as I realize the characteristics of the Heavenly Lightning Banner.

'Through Jeon Myeong-hoon's eyes and vision, it appears. But through my eyes and vision, it's invisible. This means…'

As a disciple of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, those who haven't learned the sect's lightning cultivation methods can't even touch, let alone see the Heavenly Lightning Banner with the naked eye.

An immortal treasure that can only be handled by those who have mastered the sect's techniques!

That is the Heavenly Lightning Banner.

I look hopelessly toward Yuan Yu, who is fighting in the distance.

Seeing Yuan Yu resurrect for the seventh time, the Five Door Immortal Masters are in despair.

"Don't resurrect seven times!!!"

"Just die already, you damned creature!!!"

"It's time for you to die!!! Please, just die!"

'I didn't expect this kind of pitfall...'

I have successfully stolen the Heavenly Lightning Banner.

However, I can't see the Heavenly Lightning Banner with my naked eye, and since the Heavenly Lightning Banner is made of lightning, grabbing it only results in catching bolts of lightning.

'Then…'

"Do I need to kidnap Jeon Myeong-hoon as well?"

Perhaps that's the best course of action.

"Yuan Yu, come back. We're leaving."

It is then.

Click—

"…!"

Someone appears silently behind me, touching my shoulder.

A familiar voice follows, delayed by the sound of thunder.

Kururung!

"Thought I recognized you from somewhere. Aren't you the one with the Nascent Soul consciousness who ascended alone last time?"

I quickly turn around, calling Yuan Yu back to me.

The familiar figure in golden robes, the Four-Axis stage cultivator of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.

The Supreme Sect Leader, Jin Byuk-ho.

"First off, let's hear why you suddenly went crazy, placing a seal in my disciple's mind, and touching the Heavenly Lightning Banner?"

I swallow as I see Jin Byuk-ho, who had flown back to Thunder Spirit Island at the speed of lightning.

His aura is definitely not inferior to that of the Azure Tiger Saint.

'Can I handle this?'

If it's just this, perhaps…

As he reaches his hand out, the Heavenly Lightning Banner naturally flies into Jin Byuk-ho's hand, resizing to perfectly fit his grip.

The Heavenly Lightning Banner has returned to Jin Byuk-ho's hand.

'It's not going to work.'

Chapter 210: Lightning Flash (4)In an instant, I swung the Formless Sword towards the sky almost instinctively.

Bo-oong!

Jeeeeng!

The Formless Sword, reaching Treading Heavens, cuts through the lightning falling from the sky.

"Bring Myeong-hoon over here."

Wo-woong!

Without giving me a chance to act, Jin Byuk-ho extends his hand and a force of attraction emerges from it, pulling Jeon Myeong-hoon towards him.

Holding Jeon Myeong-hoon's head, Jin Byuk-ho clicks his tongue and exerts force in his hand.

Simultaneously, the Mysterious Bizarre Gu I placed in Jeon Myeong-hoon's upper dantian burns away completely.

Zzzt!

Since it's a spell I created from a part of my consciousness, a sharp pain flows into my consciousness when the Mysterious Bizarre Gu is burned.

"Now, shall we have a talk?"

Why is it?

The opponent is at the early stage of Four-Axis, not having built even a single Axis.

Yet, for some reason, I feel Jin Byuk-ho holding the Heavenly Lightning Banner to be even more insurmountable than Gyu-ryeon or Seo Hweol.

Wiiing!

I can see the intent flowing from the Heavenly Lightning Banner communicating with Jin Byuk-ho.

The next moment, Jin Byuk-ho swings the Heavenly Lightning Banner again.

Kururung!

The sky lights up brightly.

The next moment, hundreds of lightning bolts fall towards me.

"This is insane…!"

Kugugugu!

Splash!

I spit out blood and soar into the sky.

The Pure Spiritual Force that reached the Nascent Soul stage, the body refined by demon beast methods, and the skin further strengthened by the Black Dragon's True Blood.

And the Formless Sword that reached Treading Heavens flowing through my entire body allowed me to barely survive.

I look at the place where a hundred bolts of lightning had fallen.

Right in front of Jin Byuk-ho.

The very place I was just standing had become a gigantic valley.

It isn't just a simple valley.

'A spatial rift…!'

Each of those lightning bolts were equivalent to a strike from a Four-Axis stage cultivator.

Even so, I felt that Jin Byuk-ho was not using his full power.

'I need to escape.'

As long as Jin Hyuk-who wields the Heavenly Lightning Banner, there is absolutely no chance of winning.

Paaat!

I cut through the air using the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts.

Jin Byuk-ho looks surprised for a moment when I disappear from in front of him, but soon smirks and swings the Heavenly Lightning Banner again.

And then.

Kururururung!

The entire sky turns blue and the area within a ten-mile radius is filled with lightning.

"…!"

The Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts is not a teleportation technique but is based on evading using the opponent's perception.

In other words, it's useless in front of an area-wide technique that doesn't rely on perception.

I control my trembling limbs and summon the Black Dragon's True Blood.

Crack, crack!

Black horns protrude from my forehead and black scales appear in various places.

Simultaneously, my hips bulge and a tail springs out while my limbs become sharp like those of a beast.

Kugugugugu!

I summon dark clouds around me and flee rapidly riding on the clouds.

Tearing through space and entering the void using my vision of planes.

Utilizing the Flying Escape Technique of the Heaven Tribe, the Gliding Technique of the Earth Tribe, and becoming one with the Formless Sword of Treading Heavens, I flee away at lightning speed.

However, a golden light begins to chase me from behind with the resounding sound of thunder.

[You think you can escape!!!]

A stern voice thunders through the void, and Jin Byuk-ho chases after me with the speed of lightning.

Bo-oong!

As he swings the Heavenly Lightning Banner again, the empty void fills up with blue lightning.

"…!"

Pzzzt!

I grit my teeth and advance while being struck by lightning.

Ugh!

However, the attraction force of a Four-Axis stage cultivator pulls me towards him, and the distance between Jin Byuk-ho and myself closes.

'This won't do.'

If things continue this way, I will really get caught and killed!

Feeling the threat to my life, I fly towards the direction of Heavenly Human Island.

Kwarururung!

Of course, I am struck by lightning several times in the process, and I have to fly desperately to survive.

'Is this how I die?'

The lightning scattered by Jin Byuk-ho is truly terrifying.

While the Heavenly Tribulation adjusts to my realm, Jin Byuk-ho does not hesitate to sprinkle lightning at the Four-Axis level, making it even harder to defend against.

Kwarururung!

I am struck by blue lightning in the void once again and laugh hollowly, half out of my mind.

'I thought if I were to die in this life, it would be at the hands of Seo Hweol...'

Unexpectedly, I never imagined dying at the hands of Jin Byuk-ho, unable to even grasp the Heavenly Lightning Banner.

Had I at least held onto the Heavenly Lightning Banner, preventing Jin Byuk-ho from wielding it, I might have had a chance.

But I was defeated by the unfairness that only those from the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect can wield the Heavenly Lightning Banner.

'Well, this too…'

Kururung!

'Isn't bad. Anyway… I tried my best to do what I can…'

Just as my consciousness begins to sink downwards.

Ziiing!

I hear, or rather 'see,' something resonating in my head.

'What's this strange…'

Something is speaking to me.

'Strange voice?'

"…Huh!"

Startled, I open my eyes.

I look behind me just in case.

Sure enough, the voice comes from the direction Jin Byuk-ho is chasing me.

No, not a voice.

It's some third new sense, akin to the vision of Beyond the Path to Heavens and the vision of intent.

Something that until now I had described as 'seeing' and 'vision' as there was no way to describe this sense. In fact, it wasn't seeing but a sense of feeling.

This 'voice' is conveying its meaning to me in that manner.

No, more precisely, I can hear the meaning of the voice.

'Is it because I possess the vision of Treading Heavens?'

'I hear' the words.

―Save me.

The words of the 'Heavenly Lightning Banner'!

―Save me.

'Indeed, I didn't hear it wrong.'

The Heavenly Lightning Banner is continuously repeating the same message.

Asking to be saved.

The Heavenly Lightning Banner is 'speaking' like that.

My sixth sense whispers.

Speak to the Heavenly Lightning Banner.

That is the way to survive!

"Ugh!"

Struck by lightning as I fall through the void, I stop in my tracks.

Jin Byuk-ho, who is chasing after me, lifts the Heavenly Lightning Banner with a sneer.

"Remarkable, you dare to stand against me holding the Heavenly Lightning Banner?"

"Ha…!"

I focus my mind even more.

I concentrate my consciousness on the Heavenly Lightning Banner.

'I cannot see its form, but I can see its intent.'

That means, heart language might work!

I convey my intention to the Heavenly Lightning Banner through heart language.

―How do you want me to save you?

Immediately, the Heavenly Lightning Banner replies.

―Release me… from the descendants of the Golden Deity…

―I cannot even grasp you, let alone see you with my naked eye.

―I will tell you my real name. Strongly think of my real name and grab me. Then you might be able to grasp me….

The real name of the Heavenly Lightning Banner?

There's no time to think.

―Tell me!

Through the intent of the Heavenly Lightning Banner, its [Name] is firmly imprinted in my mind.

―The Essence of the Great Heavenly Punishment, Zhengli (Political Motivation).

'Zhengli!'

As I deeply invoke the name of the Heavenly Lightning Banner, I face Jin Byuk-ho.

'There's only one chance.'

Crackle!

Circuits of the Mad Lord are laid throughout my body.

Yuan Yu who I took while fleeing from Jin Byuk-ho also becomes Blood Body Skin Armor and melts into me.

Looking at Jin Byuk-ho, I open my mouth to probe him.

"Do you, by any chance, know the true name of the Heavenly Lightning Banner?"

"Hm?"

Seemingly surprised by my question, Jin Byuk-ho laughs and says,

"The Heavenly Lightning Banner is just the Heavenly Lightning Banner, what kind of nonsense are you spouting?"

"...."

He doesn't know.

But, perhaps this is for the best.

'Even if I hold Zhengli as an outsider, they won't be able to find out.'

It means I can catch him off guard for a moment.

"Anyway, why did you, who followed the Sea Dragon King, suddenly pop up and try to steal my disciple and the divine object of our sect? If you confess now, I might consider leniency."

"Confess, huh..."

I bitterly smile and face Jin Byuk-ho head-on.

"Don't you realize the moment you arrived in the Middle Realm with the Heavenly Lightning Banner, your Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect was fated for calamity?"

"What?"

"On the stele of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect's ancestor Yang Su-jin, floating in Ascension Path, it is written that one must not ascend with the Heavenly Lightning Banner. Once you reach the Four-Axis stage, you should be able to travel dimensions, so it wouldn't hurt to go back and check."

"What nonsense are you spouting now?"

As expected, it didn't get through.

"The content of Ascension Path's stele has been passed down to our sect. To ascend with a calm heart! That's what the stele says. What does a thing like you know about it!"

"...?"

What's this? It seems like he has a strange understanding of the stele's content.

'The transmission has been corrupted over time!'

As long as he believes what he knows is correct, there's nothing I can do.

"...Do you know about the shrine where Yang Su-jin's stele was enshrined? During the era Yang Su-jin was alive, his shrine built in the Central Imperial Kingdom fell to the Heaven-Treading Desert, and the other half of Yang Su-jin's stele also fell to the Heaven-Treading Desert along with the shrine."

And that was Yuan Li's black castle.

"I swear on the honor and integrity of the respected Sea Dragon King, Seo Hweol, my words are not false!"

"Uhm...! To invoke the name of the Sea Dragon King...?"

Upon mentioning Seo Hweol, Jin Byuk-ho seems startled and furrows his brows.

"...Are you saying that your theft of the Heavenly Lightning Banner is also the will of the Sea Dragon King?"

"Yes, exactly. The Sea Dragon King found an ancient record about Yang Su-jin within the Earth Tribe Territory. Based on that record and after some investigations, he concluded that the Heavenly Lightning Banner should remain with the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect and promptly dispatched me to retrieve it."

Jin Byuk-ho falls silent for a moment at my words.

Then, he shakes his head and shouts firmly,

"That's a lie. The glorious and just Sea Dragon King Seo Hweol I know would have invited me honestly, shared the truth, and warned me. He wouldn't meddle and try to steal from another sect!"

'As expected, he's not fooled.'

Without knowing the relationship Seo Hweol had with Jin Byuk-ho, Heo Gwak, and Azure Tiger Saint, I can't properly fabricate a story.

But that's okay.

The mere fact that Jin Byuk-ho was shaken by the mention of Seo Hweol's words is enough.

Yes, 'shaken' is enough.

Fwoosh!

The Formless Sword of Treading Heavens that envelops my entire body turns golden in an instant.

'I will revive it.'

The radiance of Surpassing Radiant Saber!

Fwaaah!

In an instant.

I become a blade faster than lightning. A saber surpassing even the speed of light, and charge at Jin Byuk-ho.

In that instant, as if time itself is split, I strongly envision the name Zhengli while successfully grabbing the transparent flag in Jin Byuk-ho's hand!

Crackle!

Tremendous lightning surges, but unlike before, I definitely 'grasp' its real form!

Crack!

Holding onto the Heavenly Lightning Banner, I retreat and escape.

Boom!

In the blink of an eye.

No, in fact, in an even shorter moment, I split the instant with the Formless Sword turned Surpassing Radiant Saber and successfully stole the Heavenly Lightning Banner.

"Ugh, huh, ack!"

Whether it's the backlash from forcibly changing the Formless Sword, blood spurts from my seven orifices and my sturdy body is violently shaken. However, I have succeeded!

"Ha, haha, hahahaha!"

Jin Byuk-ho's pupils tremble crazily and I laugh maniacally as I cut space and re-enter the physical world.

"Phew..."

With dense spiritual energy around, Heavenly Human Island is visible in the distance.

Behind me, Jin Byuk-ho is furiously splitting space to follow.

"NOOOOO!"

Holding the Heavenly Lightning Banner, I head towards Heavenly Human Island, laughing.

'Now, I'm almost there!!!'

That's when it happens.

Whisper, whisper, whisper...

A whisper tickles my ears.

It's the whisper of the Heavenly Lightning Banner.

—What's the matter, what's happening?

The Heavenly Lightning Banner trembles as if moved and says,

—Thank you for freeing me from the descendants of the Golden Deity who tormented me. Please, I ask for just one more request.

—A request?

—Call my name. Out loud.

—...?

It's an extremely bizarre request.

'Is there something behind this?'

Wondering if the Heavenly Lightning Banner is playing some trick on me, I look up at the sky to measure the celestial energy.

There was nothing unusual.

My fate is calm.

—Why do you want me to call your name?

—For the last tens of thousands of years, no one from the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect has ever spoken to me. It was a time of profound loneliness. Please, I beg of you, call my name.

Is it simply because it felt lonely from not having its name called?

I look at the celestial energy once more.

Even after imagining myself calling its name, the celestial energy remains unchanged.

Whether I call its name or not, there is no change in the celestial energy.

'Well, if it purely wants its name to be called...'

I nod, looking at the lonely intent of the Heavenly Lightning Banner.

Wo-woong!

At the same moment, my body turns into a sword and pierces through the barrier of Heavenly Human Island, entering into it.

Now, all I have to do is to board the teleportation array to the Light Spirit Pond. From there on, my plan will be practically complete.

I soar towards the teleportation array leading to the Light Spirit Pond. Arriving in front of it, I decide to grant the wish of the Heavenly Lightning Banner.

Taat!

Standing on the teleportation array, I call the name of the Heavenly Lightning Banner.

"Zhengli."

Simultaneously, I see Jin Byuk-ho chasing after me from afar and activate the teleportation array.

"Farewell. The Heavenly Lightning Banner will be safely hidden by me."

The light of the teleportation array flashes, starting its transportation!

"...."

And then, nothing happens.

"Ha, haha... Finally caught you, you damned thief. It really was a close call."

Wo-woong—

Jin Byuk-ho gasps for breath as he enters the inside of the teleportation array.

Sweating coldly, I look around.

'The teleportation array isn't working...!'

"Since your claim of being under the Sea Dragon King also seems like a lie, I will first use the traditional punishment method of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect and impale you on a lightning pillar for 100 days. Then..."

"Look here, Sect Leader."

"Are you scared? But the crime of kidnapping a disciple and stealing the divine artifact of the sect..."

"Sect Leader!"

I shout out loud, trembling.

Shiiing—

The light of the teleportation array is fading.

Simultaneously, through the vision of the Earth Tribe, I capture the flow of heaven and earth spiritual energy acting strangely.

"I knew you were crazy, but to scream in this situation... Uh...!"

Gulp!

Jin Byuk-ho stumbles as he approaches me, spewing out a mouthful of blood.

Not just that.

Ugh...!

I, too, feel an increasing amount of blood spurting from my organs and my entire body's blood boiling.

'Something's wrong!'

The flow of Yin and Yang is entangled.

The laws of the world are flowing wildly.

Kwaang!

I swing my fist, breaking the ceiling of the teleportation array building, and look up at the sky.

My eyes widen.

The celestial energy, which had been fine until a moment ago, is twisting like crazy!

"Ah, ah...?"

—Thank you. Thank you so much. I'm deeply grateful.

In the next moment, endless words of gratitude echo from the Heavenly Lightning Banner.

—Finally, I can return to my rightful master....

"What, what's this...?"

—Thank you. Thank you very much. To speak a name out loud is to utter fate itself. The act of 'fate speaking' has resounded through the Three Thousand Worlds... Now, my master can find me at any moment!

Zzzt, zzztzzzt...!

Simultaneously, amidst the twisted flow of Yin and Yang, lightning energy begins to appear.

It starts with static electricity circling the entire body.

But the static electricity gradually intensifies, creating a powerful electric force.

Soon, not only I but also all buildings and pedestrians above Heavenly Human Island begin to be engulfed in lightning.

"Ah...ahh..."

I sincerely regret learning the name of the Heavenly Lightning Banner.

I shouldn't have carelessly uttered it.

I have learned knowledge that should not have been carelessly known.

Gulp—

The sky splits in two and 'opens.'

Beyond the opened sky, a gigantic 'eye' that fills the entire sky begins to gaze down upon Heavenly Human Island.

A True Immortal, from a faraway dimension, begins to peer down upon this land in its true form.