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Chapter 193: Betrayal (1)Chapter 193: Betrayal (1)

How should I do it?

How can I gracefully decline Seo Hweol's proposal?

'Ordinary excuses won't work.'

This isn't the first time I've used Gyu-ryeon under the pretense of gaining her favor, and now Seo Hweol is leveraging her to pressure me. Making any flimsy excuse will be a betrayal not just to Seo Hweol but to Gyu-ryeon as well.

'But running away by force is also not an option.'

Even if I reveal all my abilities of the Heaven, Earth, and Heart Tribe, my power barely compares to the early Four-Axis stage.

Using the Sea of Righteousness and Mountain of Grace and the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections might increase my strength, but only to a certain extent.

'It's impossible to shake off Seo Hweol and Gyu-ryeon.'

So, what should I do?

Tsk, tsk, tsk....

I accelerated my thoughts, frantically pondering in my head.

'If I agree to accept the blood, there's a high probability Seo Hweol will offer to assist in the process right here. With Gyu-ryeon in front of him, it's difficult for him to employ any schemes. Being at the Four-Axis stage, it will be difficult for him to employ any tricks through spells either.''

It's a dilemma.

In this situation, I'm being coerced into accepting Seo Hweol's blood, and I can't find any reason to refuse.

'Honestly, Seo Hweol's true blood is more troublesome than that of the Black Dragon.'

The Black Dragon's status is so high that it seems unlikely to do anything to me.

The problem is not knowing what Seo Hweol might have done with the droplet of blood he is offering.

'Stop playing tricks.'

I curse Seo Hweol in my head and finally make a decision.

"Thank you."

There is no answer.

Honestly, a few somewhat disgraceful methods did come to mind, but those are not only low and demeaning but also have a low chance of success.

'If it has come to this, I'll face it head-on.'

"Alright, then let's start the process right now."

'I knew that'd be the case.'

Since it's come to this, I'll just use the realm of Treading Heavens to swiftly cut off the blood entering my body!

'After all, through Baek Nyeong, Seo Hweol must already know that I am from the Heart Tribe.'

Yet he has not mentioned it until now, which means he must have deemed me useful in some way.

'Even if I fend off the droplets of blood using Treading Heavens...'

The words that come out of Seo Hweol are beyond imagination.

"Oh, by the way. The process will be assisted by Senior Gyu."

"...!?"

Tap, tap.

He pats my shoulder in a friendly manner and says,

"Compared to me, who is only at the early Four-Axis stage, it's more fitting for Senior Gyu, who is at the Grand Perfection of the Four-Axis stage, to assist you in the process. It's more suitable for a genius like you."

"Yes, yes. If I assist, it will surely be done properly...."

"...."

I am properly trapped.

In this situation, it's impossible to discreetly use Treading Heavens to eliminate Seo Hweol's true blood from within my body in front of Gyu-ryeon.

'Of course, it's much less troublesome than if Seo Hweol were to directly assist in the process....'

The troublesome part is Seo Hweol's blood itself.

"Now, take a seat. I will assist you."

"...Yes."

I hesitate for a moment before sitting cross-legged.

Gyu-ryeon spreads her fingers, and a spell formation similar to the one used last time for refining the Black Dragon's True Blood is engraved on the ground around us.

"Your body already flows with the Black Dragon's True Blood, and Lord Seo's blood also belongs to a branch of the Black Dragon's lineage, so no extensive preparation like last time is needed. It will also be easier than before."

"...Yes."

"Let's begin then."

I sigh inwardly, staring at the jade bottle in front of me for a moment, then close my eyes tight. I swallow Seo Hweol's True Blood contained in the bottle.

Gulp!

And then.

Zzzing!

As Seo Hweol's True Blood enters my body, I feel as if a gigantic sea dragon is engulfing me.

Wo-woong!

Gyu-ryeon summon a golden energy, guiding Seo Hweol's True Blood circulating within my body.

I grit my teeth, pondering how to suppress this True Blood.

It's during that moment.

Kurung, Kururung!

Inside my body, it feels as if dark clouds are gathering, and the dormant energy of the Black Dragon's True Blood begins to push out the Sea Dragon's True Blood.

However, Seo Hweol's blood, possibly due to being a branch lineage of the Black Dragon's True Blood, naturally tries to mix with it.

I hear Gyu-ryeon's voice in my ears.

"Do not forcibly mix the Black Dragon's True Blood with the Sea Dragon's True Blood. Just let them overlap naturally. Over time, they will slowly blend together, and forcing them could cause a rampage...."

Hearing her voice, I clench my teeth internally.

'That's it!'

Wo-woong!

Gyu-ryeon seems to guide the power of the bloodlines well with her golden energy, but I slyly attempted to forcibly unify the Sea Dragon and Black Dragon True Bloods.

At the same time, both True Bloods begin to rampage, causing the energy in my entire body to boil.

"Wait, Seo Eun-hyun! What are you doing, it's dangerous! Stop!"

Gyu-ryeon hastily places her hand on my back and infuses golden energy while shouting.

However, I ignore her and focus on pressing down to unify the two True Bloods.

My blood feels like it's boiling to the point of vaporization, but I don't care.

'Through this, I'll erase whatever trickery Seo Hweol has put into his blood!'

And just as I am forcefully integrating the two energies.

Chalak, Chalaralak!

The Black Dragon's True Blood begins to devour Seo Hweol's blood.

Perhaps because they are of the same main lineage,

As soon as the Black Dragon's True Blood touches Seo Hweol's blood, it feels like ink spreading in water, dyeing Seo Hweol's blood and erasing its influence.

'Good, let's keep going like this!'

However, I somehow feel the Black Dragon's True Blood that devoured Seo Hweol's blood becoming even stronger.

'What, why is the power continuously increasing....'

Bubble, bubble, bubble!

At the same time, I realize that the energy boiling throughout my body had been completely eroded by the power of the Black Dragon's True Blood.

Gush!

Blood bursts from my mouth, and tears of blood stream down from my seven orifices.

'Ah, this can't be happening....'

I'm going to die if it continues like this.

The amplifying power of the Black Dragon is too much for my body to handle, and I'm about to be crushed!

It's then I realize I had fallen into a trap of choosing between two evils that Seo Hweol had set.

'If I continue to let the Black Dragon's True Blood devour Seo Hweol's blood, I will die. If I stop, I can live by accepting Seo Hweol's blood into my body. But to keep blood that Seo Hweol might have tampered with inside me?'

It's no different than living with a knife swallowed in my stomach.

I ponder at the moment of choice.

The contemplation is brief.

'Even if it kills me, do you think I would willingly be manipulated by that filthy Seo Hweol?'

The danger of this bastard is beyond imagination.

There is a possibility that by accepting Seo Hweol's blood as it is, I might become his puppet without even realizing it.

I allow the Black Dragon's True Blood to consume Seo Hweol's blood completely.

The next moment, I feel the illusion of Seo Hweol within my mental world.

It's his remnant thoughts.

Seo Hweol's remnant thoughts are being devoured and crumbled by the Black Dragon's energy.

'As expected, he tampered with something.'

After all, it would have been more suspicious if he hadn't tampered with anything.

Kugugugu!

But perhaps as a consequence of feeding Seo Hweol's blood to the Black Dragon's blood,

The Black Dragon's blood exudes an enormous amount of Yin energy, and I clench my teeth, feeling like my body is on the verge of explosion.

'Although Gyu-ryeon is assisting my refinement and I can't use the techniques of the Heart Tribe, I can still use techniques unknown to her but known to Seo Hweol!'

Tsk, tsk, tsk!

I place my hand behind my back and begin to draw a 'circuit' within me, accepting Gyu-ryeon's golden energy trying to suppress the Black Dragon's power.

Crack, crunch, crunch!

Originally, the circuit was meant for a puppet, causing excruciating pain as if my body is being crushed, but I grit my teeth and continue to engrave the circuit.

Engraving circuits throughout my body is something I had done occasionally in my past life, temporarily creating circuits with the Formless Sword.

This time, I went a step further!

Whiii!

Above the 'Golden Core'.

On it, where the Starry Sky Map and Taiji are engraved, avoiding the already drawn constellations, a delicate circuit is engraved on the Golden Core.

Kigigigik!

"Krrrrrrgh!"

A cultivator above the Core Formation stage does not die unless their Golden Core is completely destroyed.

However, this also means that for those at the Core Formation stage, the Golden Core is their greatest weakness.

I am guiding the amplifying power of the Black Dragon into this weakness, into a circuit used for puppets, not the living.

Kugugugu!

The energy of Taiyin circulates through the Mad Lord's circuit.

But the power is so dominantly tyrannical that I tremble, feeling as though my Golden Core will shatter.

'No, for the original me, it definitely would have shattered.'

Currently, my Golden Core and Nascent Soul are larger, wider, and more robust than those of other cultivators, as they were fused with the methods of the Heaven and Earth Tribes.

Therefore, I can barely withstand the power of Taiyin coming through the Mad Lord's circuit and the energy it carries.

How much of that terrifying and immense energy of the Black Dragon have I absorbed?

Finally, somehow, I am able to control the expanding power of the Black Dragon that seemed about to explode my body.

"...Phew."

It's when I open my eyes, sweating coldly.

Slap!

A sharp palm strikes my cheek.

"You foolish thing! Didn't I tell you not to forcibly merge them!? Didn't you realize that just now, not only your Golden Core but also your newly condensed Nascent Soul were about to explode and kill you!?"

"...I'm sorry."

Gyu-ryeon looks down at me with an angry expression and says,

"Did you think you could do anything just because you're treated as a genius? Did you think you were so great that you could ignore the words of a Four-Axis stage senior?"

Kugugugu!

An immense pressure presses down on me.

She is truly angry.

Having only seen her kind and shy side until now, I had forgotten.

"Kkuk...!"

'This is a Four-Axis cultivator...'

She is on a completely different level from me, who has not even reached the Heavenly Being stage yet.

Just her anger makes the gravity intensify and crushes my body.

The spiritual energy and life force throughout my body feel like they are about to explode.

Just then.

"Let's stop here. I will apologize for Seo Eun-hyun's mistake."

"..."

Wo-woong....

Seo Hweol calms Gyu-ryeon down, easing her intensity.

"It seems you've managed to control the Black Dragon's power well by leveraging your genius. But still, it was too reckless. And to proceed ignoring the words of Senior Gyu, a Four-Axis stage senior...."

Seo Hweol approaches me with a gentle expression, places his hand on my shoulder, and looks me in the eye.

"The relationship between you, me, and Senior Gyu isn't so distant that we can't overlook this. However, paying attention to the words of a senior in the cultivation world is certainly necessary."

Ssshhh....

Looking into Seo Hweol's eyes, I feel a chill.

His eyes are slit vertically, glaring at me for the first time in a while.

Although his tone is gentle, I find Seo Hweol's smiling gaze more chilling than Gyu-ryeon's anger.

He is emitting a level of doubt towards me that has never been present before.

'Damn...'

Seo Hweol, glaring at me with his slit eyes, makes no effort to hide his suspicion.

'I've become openly suspicious now.'

Until now, even though my actions were suspicious, I hadn't directly acted against Seo Hweol's intentions.

However, completely devouring Seo Hweol's blood with the Black Dragon's True Blood and scattering Seo Hweol's remnant thoughts was a direct defiance of Seo Hweol's will.

Of course, he seems to prefer coaxing me gently in front of Gyu-ryeon rather than admitting he had tampered with his blood.

Reading the evident intent from Seo Hweol, I realize.

'To Seo Hweol, I am now a target to be completely eliminated.'

Seven years.

It all happened in just seven years.

'No, it's still okay.'

If it's Seo Hweol, he will try to use me to the fullest before eliminating me.

'At least until he returns from gathering materials for Axis Foundation Practice, my life won't end.'

And by then...

'I should be able to hastily prepare General Seo no matter what!'

It is sufficient time to find strength to stand against Seo Hweol!

Seo Hweol, looking at me with his vertical pupils, continues his lecture in a somewhat gentle voice.

I nod my head as if deeply moved by his words, showing a look of admiration towards Seo Hweol.

Seo Hweol, too, nods his head as if he finds me commendable in any case.

In front of Gyu-ryeon, we continue our uninteresting play, each harboring our own hidden blades.

"...Well, despite various unpleasant incidents, today's plan will proceed as scheduled."

Gyu-ryeon glances at us sharply and then flies up into the sky.

Seo Hweol rises into the air with her, saying,

"Come along."

"Excuse me? What's the occasion...?"

"Before departing on this journey, Senior Gyu suggested we deepen our friendship by going to the Immortal Demon Tower to enjoy a performance. You, among other key figures of the Sea Dragon Race, will also attend this farewell party of mine."

"Ah... Yes, I understand."

Hearing Seo Hweol's words, I fly up to follow them.

As we move towards the Immortal Demon Tower, Seo Hweol teaches me how to communicate through the blood in front of Gyu-ryeon. Even though it was devoured by the Black Dragon's True Blood, it seems communication through his blood is still possible.

'Fortunately, I managed to eliminate the residual thoughts Seo Hweol intended to implant in my body through his blood.'

The method of communication through shared bloodline is also known to Gyu-ryeon, so it seems there will be no problem.

Some elders and seniors from the Sea Dragon Race join us midway, and we head towards the Serving Command Ark, the heart of the True Dragon Alliance.

Soon after, we arrive at a place called the Immortal Demon Tower.

The Immortal Demon Tower serves as a tavern for the demon race, selling immortal wine. Like mortals in the lower realms visiting taverns, the demon race occasionally visits the Immortal Demon Tower to drink immortal wine.

However, the immortal liquor they drink has effects such as increasing cultivation or enhancing the connection with one's dharma treasure, similar to White-Red Wine, making the taverns in the Bright Cold Realm more akin to shops for magic artifacts, elixirs, or cultivation manuals than the mere taverns in the lower realms.

Of course, it is still a tavern for enjoying refined pleasures. Therefore, the taverns in the Bright Cold Realm prepare performances to delight the eyes and ears of the distinguished high-level cultivators who visit.

'This is the Immortal Demon Tower...'

The Immortal Demon Tower that Gyu-ryeon leads us to is a building made from the shell of a giant turtle.

It was said that a monkey demon with the bloodline of the Mountain-Destroying Demon Ape and a turtle demon with the bloodline of the Yin Ghost Black Turtle became friends, drinking and enjoying themselves. When the turtle demon died, the monkey demon, in sorrow, made a tavern out of its shell, naming it the Immortal Demon Tower.

'...A tavern made from the body of a dear friend.'

I can't quite grasp the sentiment of the monkey demon.

Nonetheless, I enter the tavern along with Gyu-ryeon without giving it much thought.

Apart from Gyu-ryeon and the members of the Sea Dragon Race, there is no one else in the tavern.

"I've rented out the entire Immortal Demon Tower for today to bid farewell to Grand Prince Seo, so everyone, please feel free to enjoy the immortal wine to your heart's content."

Gyu-ryeon leads Seo Hweol upstairs, leaving the Sea Dragon Race elders and seniors to disperse throughout the tavern.

Being tactful, I do not follow Gyu-ryeon but sit near the entrance of the tavern.

The Immortal Demon Tower has four floors, with Seo Hweol and Gyu-ryeon sitting alone on the fourth floor, the Sea Dragon Race Heavenly Being stage elders on the third floor, and the Nascent Soul stage elders, including myself, on the first and second floors.

In the center of the first floor is a large stage, where performers seem to be preparing to show something.

Everyone at the Immortal Demon Tower orders the immortal wine they wish from the attendants.

I myself ordered the familiar White-Red Wine.

As everyone placed their orders, the lights throughout the tavern suddenly goes out.

'The performance is starting, it seems.'

I sip my White-Red Wine and look up at the stage.

Wo-woong!

For some reason, a strong prohibition is activated throughout the Immortal Demon Tower, restricting our consciousness.

This causes a brief commotion among the Sea Dragon Race elders and seniors.

"Everyone, do not worry. It is customary for the Immortal Demon Tower to restrict consciousness before a performance to ensure its quality. Neither Grand Prince Seo nor I are extending our consciousness either, so please do not be alarmed."

With that, the commotion settles down, and soon after, the performance at the Immortal Demon Tower begins.

Flash!

Lights illuminate the center of the stage, and several beautiful dancers and musicians enter.

The dancers resemble humans, and the musicians have a variety of appearances.

A monkey musician holds a pipa,

A musician with a human upper body and spider lower half holds a zither,

A musician with a fish face but human lower body plays the flute, and a musician that looked like a clam with arms and legs holds a drum.

Shortly after, the dancers begin their performance, and the musicians play their instruments.

Honestly, I am quite surprised by the quality of the sound.

'Unexpectedly excellent.'

The monkey playing the pipa expresses emotions through his music with a solemn expression.

The spider woman creates beautiful tones on the zither without opening her eyes.

The fish demon continuously blows the flute without stopping for breath, showing remarkable skill.

And the clam... plays the drum well.

Possibly because they are all demon beasts, each infuses their spiritual energy into their music, creating even more beautiful waves.

Not just I but also the elders and seniors of the Sea Dragon Race are amazed by the symphonic vibrations created by the musicians' tones.

The vibrations harmonize with the flow of yin and yang, eliciting awe from everyone.

Truly, it's an incredible display of art.

The dancers, too, flutter their delicate garments in tune with the music, captivating everyone from the Sea Dragon Race who have visited the Immortal Demon Tower.

'The standard is remarkably high.'

I sincerely admire the musicians as I listen to the music.

Listening to the tones, I am able to somewhat calm the tension that had built up due to Seo Hweol.

Glancing up at the fourth floor where Seo Hweol and Gyu-ryeon are, I notice that Gyu-ryeon had done something to block not only consciousness but also the flow of spiritual energy from entering.

'...I don't need to worry about that. Whatever they do inside, it's between Gyu-ryeon and Seo Hweol.'

I focus solely on the music, tuning out everything else.

Listening to the music, I feel as though I can discern the skill levels among the musicians.

'The spider woman playing the zither with her eyes closed seems to be the most skilled.'

Following her is the monkey playing the pipa with a craftsman's expression, and then the fish-headed flutist.

The clam is... trying its best.

'The entire performance is harmonized to the sound of the zither.'

Gradually, the music centered around the zither heads towards its climax.

Finally, as the tones reach their peak and the emotions contained within explode,

Flash!

The lights in the tavern turn back on, and all the restrictions on consciousness are lifted.

"Ah...!"

As the oppressive restriction on consciousness is lifted, all members of the Sea Dragon Race let out a gasp.

'An excellent production.'

By lifting the restriction on consciousness right as the performance reaches its climax, it seems to double the impact of the relief felt.

Finally, the performance ends.

I feel an inexplicable drowsiness wash over me.

"An excellent performance indeed."

"It's clear why Senior Gyu suggested we come. Even if they are below the Qi Building stage, these musicians truly deserve to be called masters."

As the performance concludes, everyone appears somewhat drowsy, yawning and covering their mouths.

At the same time, they lavishly praise the performers on stage.

After the musicians and dancers exit the stage, the Immortal Demon Tower announces a break, turning on the lights and offering more immortal liquor.

However, I approach one of the monkey servers bringing White-Red Wine and ask,

"The performance was very impressive. How might one meet the musicians?"

The server, who appears to be below the Qi Refining stage, is flattered by my question and responds.

"Ah! The musicians are all resting in the dressing room on the third basement floor of the Immortal Demon Tower. If you wish, I can guide you there."

"Please do."

I hand a pouch of spirit stones to the monkey server, who then leads me to the third basement floor of the Immortal Demon Tower.

"Quite spacious."

Indeed, the basement of the Immortal Demon Tower is vast.

It seems space compression techniques were used, as the space seems to expand majestically the further we descend.

To my comment, the monkey server chuckles and explains,

"Ah, we sometimes hold auctions in the basement of the Immortal Demon Tower. Many of the demon guests who attend are quite large, so we've compressed space to accommodate them without discomfort."

"Interesting..."

"We've arrived. This is the musicians' dressing room."

"Thank you for guiding me."

After handing a pouch of spirit stones to the monkey demon, I enter the third basement floor.

"It's quite spacious."

The space is indeed vast. Given that auctions are also held here, various protective and isolating formations are laid out throughout the area.

Upon entering the musicians' dressing room, the musicians who were chatting stopped and greeted me in unison.

"Ah, what brings you here, senior?"

The pipa-playing monkey, who seems to be the leader, approaches me and asks. I smile and reply.

"Thank you for the wonderful performance. I wanted to personally show my gratitude, so I came to interrupt your rest."

"Ah...! It's an honor that a member of the Dragon Race thinks so highly of us..."

The monkey's expression is one of flattered delight, and I hand him a pouch filled with ten thousand spirit stones.

"I've put ten thousand spirit stones in here. Share it among yourselves."

"Thank you, senior...!"

"And..."

I look at the spider woman.

"Everyone else, please step outside for a moment. Your skill with the zither moved me greatly. I'd like a moment alone to talk with you..."

The monkey seems to understand my intention and nods.

"Understood! Everyone, please step outside! Yu Hwa (Oil Painting), you take good care of the Dragon Race senior!"

The monkey leads the other musicians outside.

Though not loud, the chatter of the musicians can be heard from outside.

"That Dragon Race senior has quite unique tastes..."

Flash!

I lay down the Mad Lord's circuit on the prohibition, isolating the inside of the dressing room from the outside.

The noise from outside is blocked, and any sound from inside will not carry outside either.

Wo-woong!

A barrier activated, isolating the interior from the exterior.

Simultaneously, I draw out my Formless Sword and charge at the spider woman, aiming for her throat.

The next moment.

Twang!

As she strums her zither, a crimson river appears before me, flowing and blocking my Formless Sword.

"As expected... it's you."

I smile wryly as I look at her.

"It's been a while, Heart Tribe noble."

I recognized her by her tone.

She's the one from the Heart Tribe who had manipulated the crimson river heart essence last time.

'Really... Kim Young-hoon has led me to develop some bad habits.'

Flash!

I distance myself from the surrounding crimson river and lift my Formless Sword.

'Seeing a master whose skill has reached the level of art makes one's blood boil….'

It's been too long since I properly dueled in martial arts.

I'm not even sure if what the Heart Tribe uses can be considered martial arts.

But upon facing a master of the same realm from the Heart Tribe.

Upon encountering someone who can infuse their music with both Qi and heart essence, elevating it to the realm of art.

I can't help but feel my blood boil uncontrollably.

"Let's have a match."

I raise my sword and take the Starting Form stance.

Thwug!

In the next moment,

She once again plucks the zither, the crimson river flowing and striking my body hard.

I am flung backward, landing with my upper body crashing onto the drum that the clam had been playing.

Chapter 194: Betrayal (2)Chapter 194: Betrayal (2)

"Hmm..."

Rustling…

I extract my upper body from the shattered drum and dust myself off.

"Indeed, quite a formidable force."

It wasn't the crimson river that had repelled me.

As soon as I touched the crimson river, it was not my body, but rather the Pure Spiritual Force flowing within me that automatically reacted and repelled me.

In other words, the crimson river merely touched my body.

The fact that I was flung and crashed was entirely thanks to the power flowing within me.

"Hmm, it seems you're in the same situation."

The spider woman.

Yu Hwa, as she is called, raises her arm while keeping her eyes closed.

There is a sword scar left by my Formless Sword on her arm, from which blood is flowing.

"I didn't expect you to penetrate my defense just like that."

"I didn't know my internal spiritual power could move according to someone else's will... How did you do it?"

"Do you really think I'd willingly teach you my technique? Try to figure it out on your own. I'll do my best to understand the ability of that sword as well."

"Oh, you recognized it as a sword?"

How did she recognize the Formless Sword, which has no shape?

"Even if it has no form, the intent is so clear, how could I not know what you're wielding?"

"It was a foolish question I see."

I attack her with the Formless Sword again.

But every time the crimson river touches my body, I am repelled this way and that.

It's as if my body is not my own.

Wo-woong!

Feeling as if I am floating, I try to approach her, but the problem is the crimson river.

Wo-woong, bang, bang, bang, bang!

As the Formless Sword whirls around, the dressing room turns into a mess, but I focus solely on getting closer to her.

After exchanging blows with her for who knows how long.

"Wait..."

Suddenly, she smiles and says.

"Perhaps this is a good time to stop?"

"Hm?"

She detaches her hands from the zither and raises them.

"There's no need for us to continue fighting."

"What are you talking about? When martial artists meet..."

Suddenly, it dawns on me that I'm unsure whether Yu Hwa is a martial artist or not.

"I understand what you want. There are many like you within the Heart Tribe Territory. Those who wish to prove themselves by comparing their Manifestations with others, or simply those who genuinely enjoy sparring. Our Esteemed One also has such tastes."

"...Then why refuse to fight?"

"Because I am not of that kind of Heart Tribe. While I am interested in your sword, I am more suited for infiltration, espionage, and inciting rebellion."

"Hmm..."

"Instead of this meaningless act, how about we exchange information more constructively?"

I look at her and smile.

"Is 'fabrication' also one of your specialties?"

"Excuse me?"

Wo-woong!

Holding the Formless Sword in a reverse grip, I swing it towards my head.

The Formless Sword grazes my skull, cutting out strange sound waves affecting my mind from the plane of Soul.

Shuk!

I feel something break, bringing my consciousness back to 'reality.'

The situation is not much different from before.

I am confronting her.

But from the moment I was repelled into the drum, shattering it, to the traces of our exchange of blows, all have disappeared.

"Quite an impressive illusion technique."

The feeling that my body is not my own, the sensation of floating.

It's all because it wasn't real, happening in my dream.

"Fighting in an illusion was interesting... but since you openly tried to extract information without wanting to fight me, I came out."

She suggested exchanging information, but there's no guarantee that the information exchanged in the illusion is real.

She still speaks calmly, with her eyes closed, turning her head towards me.

"Strictly speaking, what I showed you was not an illusion. I put you to sleep and made you dream, guiding the dream in the direction you desired."

I retort.

"In the process, you meddled a bit, asking questions you were curious about."

"I won't deny it."

"Your way of speaking has changed quite a bit since we last met."

"As a Heart Tribe intelligence agent, would I use a manner of speech that easily identifies me? I've practiced changing both my voice and manner of speech as needed."

"Changing the tone at will, is that your Treading Heavens... no, your second stage of Manifestation?"

Wo-woong!

Shuk!

I swiftly launch a Formless Sword attack at her hand as she subtly reaches for the zither, causing a wound. It seems she was attempting to engage me in conversation while stealthily using the zither to put me to sleep with her scheming.

She looks at the wound on her arm and laughs.

"It's not easy to share, especially when I can't quite tell if you're from the Heaven Tribe or the Earth Tribe, or one of ours."

"Figures... Well, forget that. Are you really not going to fight me? It'd be advantageous for your side to obtain my information, wouldn't it?"

"That's true."

However, she smiles subtly.

"But, do you suggest we go all out when there are two Four-Axis stage Earth Tribe members just a few floors above us? We'd surely get caught. There's no benefit in sparring right now."

I catch her drift.

"If there's a benefit for you, you'd spar with me?"

"If that's the case, I see no reason why not."

"Alright, tell me what you want."

"You're currently staying at the palace of the Sea Dragon Race, correct?"

"Yes."

"In the palace of the Sea Dragon Race, I'm aware that a member of the White Goat Race, Baek Nyeong, whom I had previously rescued and attempted to escape to the Heart Tribe Territory, is being imprisoned. If you promise to help me rescue him, I see no reason why I can't spar with you."

"...Hmm..."

Imprisoned...

Should that be described as imprisoned?

Noticing my serious expression while I conceal my heart essence with the Treading Heavens realm, she misunderstands it for something else and clicks her tongue.

"Perhaps I've asked too much of you. If you truly feel a sense of belonging to the Sea Dragon Race..."

"No, that's not it."

I think of the White Goat Race who have become the ruling class near the Cloud Heart Lake and their leader, Baek Nyeong, feeling a mix of emotions.

"...Seo Hweol will be leaving the True Dragon Alliance in a day or two for his Axis Foundation Practice. I'll arrange a time for you and Baek Nyeong to meet after that."

"Ah...!"

"However... Hmm. I'm not sure about helping with the rescue. I'll ensure you can enter and exit the dwelling of the White Goat Race near Cloud Heart Lake by holding off the Sea Dragon Race patrol, but escaping with him will be up to you."

"Thank you. That will be a great help."

I smile brightly at her enthusiastic response and then ask out of curiosity,

"What if I'm lying? We're both at the Treading Heavens... no, the second stage of Manifestation, so I should be able to lie too, right?"

"Hehe... Have you never sparred with someone of the same realm from the Heart Tribe?"

"...No."

"Well, that's even better. I can teach you."

"...?"

As she touches the zither, she says,

"Let's control our power while sparring. As I mentioned, with two Four-Axis stage Earth Tribe members above us... and a barrier set up in the dressing room, not to mention the Immortal Demon Tower's restrictions suppressing our consciousness, we can easily get caught if we're not careful. Let's keep our power at the early stage of Qi Refining and compete using only our Manifestations."

"Fine."

A pure competition of capabilities and enlightenment is something I welcome.

The next moment.

Thwoong!

Her zither sounds, and my sword surge through the air.

However, just as I'm about to adopt a stance and employ a technique, I struggle to keep my body from collapsing.

'Sleepy!'

A drowsiness demon attacks me.

'With this level of sleepiness even when restricting our power to the Qi Refining stage…'

If we were to fight without restraining our power, fully employing Treading Heavens, I would have fallen into a dream without even realizing it, just like before.

Thump, thwoong, thump!

But her performance is just beginning.

As her zither plays and melodies emerge, my entire body's strength disperses, and my eyelids feel unbearably heavy.

"Ugh!"

Thump!

I force myself up and glare at her.

Wo-woong!

Gradually, a faint light of the crimson river begins to swirl around her.

"This is my Last Quarter (Moon phase), Illusory Play under the Rosy Afterglow. Please enjoy."

It isn't the crimson river.

It's the evening glow.

The time when those who have finished their day start to prepare for bed, the sunset!

Teeing!

I exert all my strength, barely managing to fend off the sleepiness using Mountain Echoes Valley Responds.

The Formless Sword transforms into vibrations, striking my soul across planes, bringing me back to my senses.

But the clarity is fleeting.

As her performance continues, I realize I am succumbing to sleepiness again.

"A fearsome technique."

Even using only Qi Refining stage power, she brought me to the brink of unconsciousness with sleepiness.

Even a Heavenly Being stage cultivator, if caught off guard by her determined performance, would end up sprawled on the floor, asleep.

Moving even a single finger became difficult.

'This is especially lethal for me.'

I'm sleepy.

I want to rest right now.

If I were to lay down and sleep right now, it feels like I can finally sleep peacefully for the first time in ages.

'After joining Seo Hweol 7 years ago... I haven't slept properly even once.'

Not just that.

In my previous life, when I was a governor in the Devil Realm.

Before that, when I was beaten all over at the Azure Heaven Creation Sect.

Even before that, when I was captured by the Mad Lord and underwent modification, enduring for a thousand years.

I never really rested.

'No, was there ever a time I properly rested before that?'

Excluding the times when I relaxed my heart with Hyang-hwa, it's hard to remember when I last truly rested.

I want to rest.

I really want to sleep deeply.

The Heavenly Treading realm manifested by Yuhwa is stirring up an intrinsic desire I've had all this time.

'Maybe it's okay to rest a bit.'

But then.

Smirk...

"Resting is something..."

Crack!

I drive the Formless Sword into my shoulder.

A jolt of pain snaps my eyes open.

"I can do after death."

I hold the Formless Sword with a grin.

"If I gain enlightenment in the morning, I'm content with death in the evening. Endure, Seo Eun-hyun! Are you going to miss this great opportunity? I'll let you rest in death, so open your eyes!

I scream, twisting the Formless Sword embedded in my shoulder.

Ssh, ssh!

Tremendous pain radiates from my shoulder.

But with bloodshot eyes, I twist and pulled out the Formless Sword, aiming it at Yu Hwa.

"Good. Shall we continue?"

"...Let's do so."

In the next moment, I dart towards her, slashing down with the Formless Sword.

For a moment, the sword takes on a shape similar to an axe and strikes her.

Yet, her crimson afterglow river effectively blocks my Formless Sword again.

But.

'She can't block it.'

Swoosh!

My Formless Sword pierces through the afterglow, charging towards her.

Wo-woong!

She, holding the zither, leaps back like a grasshopper, and I change stance right after swinging down.

Along with my stance, the Formless Sword elongates, transforming into a spear-like form.

'Shoot!'

In the next moment.

The colorless spear in my hand fires off like a cannonball, embedding three gusts of wind around her.

Thwoong, thud, thwoong!

Yet, she continues to strum the zither.

The afterglow swirl around her, dissipating the Formless Sword strikes.

'That's...'

I am astonished to realize the principle behind her defense.

'She's treating my Formless Sword as a living entity and [putting it to sleep]?'

It isn't merely dispersing.

My Formless Sword is falling asleep as it touches her afterglow.

Gradually, the energy of the Formless Sword I hold is dropping below the Qi Refining stage.

If this continues, it will become less effective than simple sword energy.

'Interesting.'

Memories of a long time ago surface.

When I had not yet reached the pinnacle realm and followed Kim Young-hoon around.

Kim Young-hoon wandered through various factions in Yanguo, challenging their banners.

The result was naturally a hundred victories in a hundred battles.

Among the factions he challenged, there was one that specialized in Sound Arts.

Back then, Kim Young-hoon definitely said that defeating the leader of that Sound Arts faction was the most challenging, describing them as the trickiest opponent.

Those memories vividly came back.

[Phew, it was the most not easy opponent.]

[So even the words 'not easy' come out of your mouth, Hyung-nim.]

[Well, it's because Sound Art masters are hard to come by. Those who are mediocre in Sound Arts are as good as useless, but when someone who has mastered Sound Arts to the level of Three Flowers Gather at the Summit and has our vision uses it, it becomes incredibly formidable.]

[I don't understand what you mean by 'our vision.']

[Ah, right. I was meaning to tell you about this.]

I remember the advice Kim Young-hoon had given me.

[Sound Arts, after all, are about sound. But how does mere sound harm the opponent? It's like the poison you study.]

[Poison, you say?]

[Yes, poison. From the moment you first hear the opponent's melody, their Qi begins to mix with the sound entering your body. When the opponent's sound waves resonate with the ones inside you, your body starts to break down according to the resonance frequency.]

[Terrifying.]

[Yes, so ultimately, if you meet a master who uses sound-based martial arts, you should suppress and kill them before they can shoot their sound waves. If you fail and allow the opponent to shoot their sound waves...]

[You'll need to find a way to detoxify.]

[A physician-like approach, indeed. Well, since I compared it to poison... But my solution is a bit different.]

Waves of sunset rush towards me.

What Yu Hwa is using is no different from sound-based martial arts.

No, it could be said to be an evolved version of sound-based martial arts, evolved by several stages.

Perhaps from the moment I first heard her sound at the Immortan Demon Tower today,

I was under the influence of her poison.

The poison of her 'wanting to sleep' heart essence.

'Preemptive strike is no longer possible, and what she has infused into me is her heart essence itself, so detoxification won't work.'

Then, there's only one method left.

[Make the poison your own. If you perfectly control the Qi throughout your body, you can also control the vibrations within. While sparring with the opponent, continuously circulate and move the Qi, altering the vibration itself to be different from what the opponent has infused!]

I begin to accelerate my thoughts through the Formless Sword connected to my body.

Time slows down, while I accelerate.

Kwang, kwang, kwang!

Cutting horizontally with Transcending Peaks.

Then, accelerating again to thrust into her side with Flowing Ridge.

All blocked.

But then, accelerating once more, I cut down from above with Dragon Vein

Kugugugu!

As I cut down, my Formless Sword is blocked again by her sunset-colored river.

Touching that river, the force itself will "dissolve," making permeation impossible.

But the next moment.

Pssht!

A small wound appears on her cheek.

Even though it was "dissolved," my Formless Sword that permeated her river caused a wound on Yu Hwa's face.

Chalak!

The next moment, a crimson wave rushes towards me, forcing me to retreat.

I'm sleepy.

I feel like I will fall asleep at any moment.

This is both my heart essence and the poison she subtly infused into me through her Treading Heavens.

Then, make this poison my own!

'It's not sleepiness, but facing a limit.'

And if you face a limit.

You can also surpass it!

Boong, boong, boong boong boong!

Gradually, the speed at which I swing my Formless Sword begins to increase.

'Every time I endure sleepiness, a limit comes.'

Yu Hwa also plays her instrument, continuously attacking me with her river.

'Every time I face a limit and overcome sleepiness, I break through the limit.'

My inner heart essence transforms, changing from sleepiness to a leap in spirit.

'Therefore, every time I overcome sleepiness, I become stronger!'

It doesn't literally increase my spiritual power or teach me unknown sword techniques.

But isn't martial arts about defining oneself?

Then.

'I am indeed growing!'

Although I am restraining my power to Qi Refining, my speed gradually increases.

I find ways to more perfectly control and maximize the application of force.

Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, Joy of Mountains and Peaks!

The Formless Sword Energy shoots out, crisscrossing like a Go board toward the opponent.

Yu Hwa plucks her instrument again, and the sunset-colored waves surge, blocking my Formless Sword.

My move seems to dissolve, but that's not the end.

Pssht, pssht!

Streaks of blood appear on Yu Hwa's body.

Gradually, the 'sleepiness' heart essence she plays is no longer consumed by my Formless Ssword.

For I am transforming her sleepiness into an 'opportunity for growth' within me, fighting against her.

'If this continues, I will win!'

When I think so.

Ssss....

"It's been a while since I've fought a fellow from the same realm... It seems it won't work."

A deep smile leaks from Yu Hwa's lips.

It's pleasure.

The emotion of finding it too enjoyable to exchange moves with me!

"Perhaps I can be a bit rougher?"

The next moment.

Countless white spider webs spew out from her rear.

Her spider legs attached to her lower body moves, weaving and throwing spider webs in all directions.

Soon, the entire waiting room is engulfed in spider webs.

And then.

Twung!

When she plucks one of the spider webs with her spider legs.

Ziiing!

"…!!!"

The spider webs she had spread around the waiting room vibrate all at once.

The entire space around starts to fill with a sunset glow.

'Ugh...!'

Even as I try to distort her heart essence within my own, new poison continually seeps in from outside.

'Damn...!'

I'm sleepy.

Insanely sleepy.

'Everything before me is becoming blurry.'

Before I know it, I'm drifting in and out of consciousness, teetering on the boundary between dreams and reality.

Yet, even so, my body faithfully swings the Formless Sword as it has always done.

At the same time, I see the waiting room before me disappear, transforming into a mystically eerie mountainous ravine.

'At the boundary between dreams and reality, is it trying to suppress my mind through dreams?'

Swoosh!

The fog in the mystical mountainous ravine seems alive as it envelops me.

Simultaneously, in reality, the river engulfs me.

Though I am in a dazed state, I manage to split my focus, cutting through the fog in the mountainous ravine, then use my half-conscious body to dodge the sunset glow.

Her massive counterattack follows.

Before me, the profound ravine suddenly becomes a sea surrounding me, and waves crash over me.

Then, before I know it, I am swallowed by a sandstorm above the scorching desert.

However, in reality, my body constantly moves around, and contrary to myself in the heart essence, I keep landing different attacks on her.

Forced to fight in different environments, with my mind split between them.

'How formidable.'

With the right compatibility, it's a technique capable of assassinating a Heavenly Being stage cultivator in a one-on-one fight.

Of course, with a surprise attack, compatibility wouldn't matter, and a fatal blow could be dealt regardless.

Juggling my view between reality and the illusory I continue to exchange blows with her, enduring the sleepiness.

'The crimson river is the physical manifestation of her melody.'

Touching that river puts my 'power' to sleep, and the heart essence of sleepiness is infused into my body, eventually putting me to sleep.

Although I barely managed to distort the heart essence to the parallel state of dream and reality, a direct hit would undoubtedly knock me out.

'The river itself possesses physical force, and while not strong in force, the terrifying part is falling asleep upon contact... By laying down her strings like spider webs everywhere, she ensures her tune can be played from any location...'

The entire waiting room was filled with a sunset glow

I have to find a crack within the sunset glow to sneak through and exploit her openings, while she bombards me from all directions.

'This is fun.'

However, each of the crimson rays she fires is optimized to read each other's intent and heart essence, shooting in the best path possible.

My Formless Sword is no different, and exchanging moves with her, I gradually feel exhilarated.

Our exchange of blows intensify.

And then, I can feel a golden intent emanating from her.

Joy

Fun

And at some point.

In the world of dreams, I find myself in a world filled with crimson rivers.

'This place is...'

Swoosh...

Every time I dip my foot into the river, overwhelming fatigue assaults my mind.

―I'm tired.

―I want to rest....

―Please, just a little...

'This is...'

When cultivators of the same Treading Heavens clash, it seems they not only exchange intents but also share each other's heart essence.

Navigating through Yu Hwa's heart essence, I feel her fatigue.

Fatigue.

That is the essence of the enlightenment she has reached.

'This is...'

Not just the vision of Treading Heavens but also with the vision of the Earth Tribe, the flow of Yin and Yang within this heart essence shows me fleeting scenes.

It's Yu Hwa's life.

She was born into a species known as half-human half-spider.

Her race was famous for producing webs and creating pleasant sounds by plucking their webs.

Of course, they had no other abilities and, congenitally unable to withstand the violent flow of spiritual power, couldn't learn demon beast methods.

Thus, her race was treated as slaves and sold across the Bright Cold Realm.

Yu Hwa was sold from place to place, learning to play the instrument, forced to play without a moment's rest.

Her skill at playing was indeed excellent, and for her owners, having her perform was directly equivalent to wealth.

They never allowed her to rest.

If she was tired, they gave her spirit fluids to eliminate fatigue, and if she showed any laziness, they threatened to grind her up into medicine, forcing her to perform incessantly for five years.

Yu Hwa began to go mad.

Who could endlessly draw upon their talent, playing without rest, and not grow tired?

―I want to sleep.

Not just dozing off while being transported to another venue but to properly, deeply sleep.

She hoped, and hoped, and hoped again.

The rest she longed for did not come easily.

If she were to fall asleep during a performance, her owner would immediately grind her up into medicine.

Since they forced spirit fluids on her to eliminate fatigue, excuses of being tired were not accepted.

But having not slept for years, she felt like she would lose her mind if she did not sleep, and thus, she found a solution.

The solution she found was to immerse herself in something else.

She immersed herself in her music, pouring all her madness about wanting to sleep into playing her instrument.

Her playing skills eventually grew to be unparalleled among her half-spider peers.

She craved more perfect performances, more perfect tones.

Then, one day, she discovered how to imbue her music with Qi.

And then, another day.

She realized while playing music that she could see the colors of emotion in the sound. From that day, she could see the intent of the guests who came to listen to her play.

Again, one day, she saw countless colors of emotions merge into one, forming a single field of consciousness.

From then, she realized her music had a direction.

And to reach that direction, she continued to practice, even if it meant her hands and feet bled.

Finally.

On the day when her playing reached perfection, adding perfection to perfection and ultimately reaching the pinnacle of understanding.

She succeeded in combining the basic Qi she had with the intent flowing from her playing, achieving what she had longed for years.

She wanted to sleep.

Her performance, which actualized the 'rest' she had never properly obtained in her lifetime, put all the guests who came that day, her owner, and even herself to sleep.

While asleep, she continued to play and killed the malicious brothel owner who never gave her a moment's rest.

Thus, she awakened as a member of the Heart Tribe.

Later, she fled to the territory of the Heart Tribe and joined them.

That is her story.

Boom!

In a flash!

I open my eyes.

My Formless Sword is already at Yu Hwa's throat, and her instrument is split into two.

"You've lived a tumultuous life."

Only now can I understand why she had agreed to spar with me.

When members of the same Heart Tribe spar with others of the same realm, it's possible to see the opponent's heart essence and the essence embedded within that heart essence.

After receiving a promise from me to meet Baek Nyeong, she sparred with me to see if I am trustworthy.

Whether I was lying or not.

'It wasn't about whether to accept the spar or not. From the moment she saw me, the spar was inevitable.'

Quite an audacious woman.

As I look down at her, she chuckles.

"It seems you, too, have lived a life no less eventful than mine. Really... I thought I was going to die entering your heart essence."

"My heart essence is indeed not easy."

Certainly.

The reason I was able to emerge from her dream and heart essence and defeat her is because she had entered my heart essence as well.

Entering my transparent hell of agony and feeling like her entire body is being pierced must have distracted her.

"How curious."

I say, looking at her with her eyes closed.

I had thought she was just closing her eyes, but having briefly read her heart essence and memories, I became certain.

"Have you been sleeping all this time, not just closing your eyes?"

Yes.

She wasn't just closing her eyes; she has been sleeping all along.

From the day she became a Heart Tribe, she has never woken up from her sleep.

Continuously sleeping, she controls her body through her dreams —a remarkable yet peculiar being.

"Oh, deep sleep is really important. If you never slept properly in your childhood, it's only natural to keep sleeping to make up for it, right?"

"No, that's not the issue... Never mind."

How is it possible to control one's body in a dream while sleeping?

"By the way... You've read my memories, haven't you? I felt the sticky gaze of the Earth Tribe scanning through my head..."

"Sorry about that. The vision isn't something I can control."

"Well, it's okay. Although your heart essence is that of a madman, I clearly felt that you are not a wicked person. Just your transparent Last Quarter alone."

"Last Quarter... what's that?"

"It means Manifestation. Heart Tribe members, when meeting each other, try to maintain some uniformity by calling it Manifestation 1, 2, 3 stages, etc. But honestly, every Heart Tribe member calls 'Manifestation' by a different term. I prefer to call it Last Quarter"

'I see...'

It's similar to my Treading Heavens.

Then she asks me with her eyes still closed.

"So, what do you think of me as a being?"

"Ah..."

That's right.

I look at her, organizing my thoughts.

This time, using both the vision of the Heart Tribe and the Earth Tribe simultaneously, I discovered something new.

The Treading Heavens vision that reads the opponent's heart essence.

And the Earth Tribe's vision that reads the trajectory of spiritual energy.

When these two visions combine, it was like seeing the flashbacks of my life through the trajectory of Yin and Yang when I reached the Nascent Soul stage.

I realized that I could briefly see another's life.

"It was a life full of hardships."

I continue, looking at Yu Hwa.

"After all the hardships, you obtained what you wished for, so it's also a life to be celebrated."

At my words, she beams.

"Thank you for the compliment."

And what she says next takes me by surprise.

"After my current mission ends,

If you wish, I will formally invite you to the Heart Tribe Territory and make you a member of the Heart Tribe."