Chapter 124: What You Trampled On / The Path You Have Tread (12)
Thanks to the Mysterious Flame Jade liquor, my initial encounter with a dharma treasure felt intuitively simple, as if mastery came effortlessly.
Woo-woong!
The battle began.
The Colorless Glass Swords began to move.
Kwang, kwang, kwang!
The Colorless Glass Swords plunge straight into the earth, furiously excavating the terrain around them.
Since it’s a fragile dharma treasure made of glass, its strength is extremely poor.
However, once overlaid with the Formless Sword, it boasts the same strength and tenacity as the Formless Sword.
[Argh...!]
Yuan Li dodges the Colorless Glass Swords, glaring at me, and also glances at Manli Min-lap, who is gathering energy for the main cannon of the Nether Crossing Ship in the distance.
He also takes a long look at Byeok Cheon-gi, who is gathering energy in the talisman and preparing for an attack.
"...?"
I’m momentarily puzzled, but focus my mind and move the Colorless Glass Swords.
Chalalalalak!
Three thousand Colorless Glass Swords move at my will.
A storm of glass began to rage.
Yuan Li counters with his seventeen bone daggers, the crystal skull staff, the blood-leaf fan, and the blood-red spear dharma treasure from within his body.
A ghost king leaps out of the blood-red spear, grabs the spear, and swings it around.
The seventeen dagger dharma treasures also seem to have their own will, dispersing attacks in his vicinity. Each time Yuan Li unleashes a blood wind with the leaf fan, the surroundings shake violently.
However.
Kwagwagwagwa!
The storm of three thousand glass swords devours everything, approaching Yuan Li.
Despite their seemingly erratic flight, not a single glass sword strikes another, their movement being orderly.
The dharma treasure of Colorless Glass Sword is three thousand swords as one set.
Unified as one, overlaying them with the Formless Sword endows them with the complete implementation of the Formless Sword's freedom of trajectory and orbits.
And that’s not the end.
"Colorless Glass Sword, first form."
There are three forms to the Colorless Glass Sword, and their abilities change depending on the form.
"Color."
The first form, Color, of the Colorless Glass Swords is to interconnect the spiritual energy circuits engraved on each of the three thousand glass swords.
Chalalalak!
Three thousand glass swords disperse.
The spiritual energy circuits engraved on the glass swords begin to interconnect.
Interestingly, each Colorless Glass Sword has a single spiritual energy circuit, but the design of these circuits are subtly different according to the rules set by Buk Hyang-hwa.
Therefore, each glass sword emits different colors when interconnected due to these subtle differences.
Paah!
The Colorless Glass Swords, drifting in every direction, start to radiate a spectrum of colors.
The whole world seems to be covered in a kaleidoscope of brilliance.
It’s not just a change in color, but the temperament of each glass sword itself changes
All three thousand swords project distinct temperaments.
And the range of changes that these temperaments undergo within the storm of three thousand glass swords is,
Infinite!
They echo the limitless freedom of the Formless Sword!
One temperament, when in a different position, becomes a completely different tool.
A single glass sword continuously changes its position according to my manipulation and strikes relentlessly.
This continuously changing glass sword is three thousand in number.
[Argh, this bastard...!]
Yuan Li unleashes a blood wind with his blood-colored leaf fan, blocking the glass swords.
But I manipulate the glass swords even more precisely.
Infinite change is in my hands.
The Formless Sword only gains freedom of trajectory, not of temperament.
However, by obtaining the Colorless Glass Swords, the Formless Sword reaches a more complete realm of freedom.
Chalalalak!
Sharp temperament, soft temperament, a moderate temperament between the two, hard temperament, flowing temperament...
The energy of those innumerable temperaments all move according to my will, dying the surroundings in a brilliance of colors.
Those changes devour Yuan li’s blood storm, gradually swallowing him up.
[Hmph, don't make me laugh!]
Yuan Li scoffs, infusing energy into his dagger dharma treasures.
The seventeen bone daggers rotate crazily around him, scattering bright red streaks.
The bright red streaks seem to completely engulf him.
But I just smile.
It’s laughable.
Shoong!
Among the numerous changes, my vision accurately finds a gap.
No matter how tightly the streaks surround him, there is always enough room to penetrate.
The Colorful Glass Swords rush towards him.
Kuwa Kwang Kwang!
The streaks repel the glass swords.
However.
[Argh…!]
Paang!
Suddenly, the barrier of steaks is broken, and Yuan Li is exposed from within.
His body is already embedded with dozens of glass swords.
The Color form of the Colorless Glass Sword initially gleams with numerous colors when activated, but thereafter, it can revert to colorless at the user's will. Yet, the qualities created when the swords bore color do not disappear.
This means it is possible to confuse the enemy's vision with transparent Colorless Glass Swords and then strike.
I channel the Formless Sword housed in the Colorless Glass Sword into Yuan Li's body.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, Layered Mountains, Qi Mountain Heart Sky!
Swoosh!
The Formless Sword, flowing into his body, expands massively with thorns.
[Aaargh…!]
Yuan Li briefly screams, trying to regenerate his body.
However, the curse spells I sent with the Colorless Glass Sword mingle inside him, preventing proper regeneration and causing decay.
"Die."
Swish!
Three thousand Colorless Glass Swords again rush towards him, now defenseless.
[Kughaaaah!]
And then.
Kugugugugu!
The two blood cloud ghost kings who had fled earlier from the heavenly lightning and the bizarre ghost beast combined from seven demon souls.
The combined power of these three entities, now reduced in cultivation due to the Serving Command Palace’s restraint, but still at the Core Formation level, defends against the storm of glass.
Swish!
Yuan Li regenerates his body in the given time.
[Good, quite impressive.]
He sneers.
[To push me this far, I give my respects. I too will properly fight now.]
He then reaches into his storage artifact, pulls something out, and throws it into the air.
Squirm.
My brows twitch upon seeing it.
Crack…
I grind my teeth, veins bulging on my forehead.
I recognize that familiar aura.
It’s Kim Young-hoon's Inner Core.
His remains, not found in Kim Young-hoon's body, were unsurprisingly taken by Yuan Li.
[This Demon Core’s owner was truly impressive. I don’t understand why the Heavenly Being seniors didn’t take such a monster with such growth potential... In the midst of that battle he was growing in real-time, and at the brink of death… even my heart skipped a beat.]
Whirr!
Strange incantations, possibly engraved by Yuan Li, are etched onto Kim Young-hoon's Inner Core.
The incantations glow red, emitting a strange attraction.
[To understand the source of his talent, I dissected his body… but couldn’t find anything. No unique spiritual roots, no unique physique… Eventually wondering if it was an issue of personality, I tried to extract and refine his soul, but couldn’t find the soul either.
Out of frustration, I extracted and refined his Demon Core instead… and discovered something interesting.]
Squirm, squirm….
The bizarre ghost beast.
The two blood cloud ghost kings.
The three ghosts are drawn to the Inner Core’s attraction, beginning to merge around it.
[Harmonizing Power! This Demon Core can mix and circulate completely different forces in its vicinity. It possesses overwhelming harmonizing power, able to assimilate any energy. So...]
Around Kim Young-hoon's Inner Core, the bizarre ghost beast and the ghost kings merge, transforming into a three-headed Asura.
Yuan Li forms a seal, and his spear, leaf fan, and crystal skull staff fly into the six arms of the Asura.
Rumble!
The ghost kings and the bizarre ghost beast initially showed the cultivation that was dropped from early Nascent Soul to early Core Formation. But now, their cultivation increases from mid to late Core Formation as they merge.
And then.
Pop, pop, pop!
Seventeen bone dagger dharma treasures..
Yuan Li embeds sixteen of these daggers into various parts of the Asura.
As for the last remaining dagger,
Yuan Li cut off three of his fingers, feeding them one by one into the Asura's mouth.
Yuan Li's self-amputated fingers do not regenerate, and the Asura's cultivation surges even more after consuming them.
Kugugugu!
Core Formation Grand Perfection!
The Asura's power reaches just short of Nascent Soul.
[With his Demon Core, I’ve created this excellent result. You, his friend, have learned a similar strange method despite appearing different. You must have a similar Demon Core, right? I’ll extract it and make good use of yours too…!]
Yuan Li manipulates the Asura from behind, shouting.
[Bring it on!]
"Colorless Glass Sword, Second Form. Natural."
I release the second form of the Colorless Glass Sword while looking at him.
The Colorless Glass Sword, Second Form, Natural, has a simple effect.
The Colorless Glass Swords become more strongly interconnected, creating a perfect link of energy.
The three thousand Glass Swords, in their connected state, begin to circulate energy among themselves.
This circulation seamlessly incorporates my Formless Sword, allowing it to flow in unison with them
Thus, they achieve a more profound interconnectedness, facilitating a unified energy circulation.
That is the second form of the Colorless Glass Sword, Natural.
The greatest advantage of "Natural" is, of course, the ability to instantly circulate the Formless Sword to the desired location in accordance with the circulating energy, concentrating or dispersing the power of the Formless Sword.
The Colorless Glass Swords line up in a row.
The Formless Sword housed within the glass swords focus its energy at the tip of the lined-up swords due to the circulation of "Natural."
Clang!
Driven by sword control, the glass swords pierce directly into the Asura.
It's uncertain whether the Asura feels pain or not, as it shows no expression while gripping and swinging its spear.
However, the glass swords quickly disperse and reposition themselves, and once again under my control, they begin flying around the Asura, inflicting wounds on its body.
Numerous changes occur.
The Asura swings the blood-colored leaf fan on one side, the blood-colored spear on another, and the crystal skull staff on yet another, scattering various spells.
Explosions resonate, distorting the area in all directions.
But I continue on, controlling the storm of glass to pressurize the Asura.
"Colorless Glass Sword. First Form. Second Form. Combine."
And thus, the true strength of the Colorless Glass Sword begins to emerge.
First Form, Color.
Second Form, Natural.
When both forms are activated simultaneously,
The terror of the Colorless Glass Sword is fully revealed.
The interconnected Glass Swords activate their spiritual energy circuits, shining in various colors.
Then, in that state, the energy of the Glass Swords begin to circulate.
Flash!
The different temperaments within the Glass Swords begin to circulate, swapping places between each sword.
A sword that once emitted black turns white.
The Colorless Glass Swords, each originally having their unique hue, begin to continuously share and change colors without pause.
A cascade of colors dance, forming a luminous tempest that envelopes the Asura.
The infinite trajectory of the Formless Sword merges with the endless shifts of temperaments of the Colorless Glass Sword.
Together, they display an array of transformations beyond words.
The blood-colored Asura is but a small moth trapped in a storm.
Flick, flick!
Gradually, more wounds appear on the surface of the Asura.
The storm of glass seems wildly chaotic, but each sword follows the group of swords.
Sizzle!
The wounds on the Asura's body multiplies, soon covering it entirely.
Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.
Twenty-Second Move.
Ultimate Technique.
Three thousand Colorless Glass Swords begin to enact a sword technique while revolving around the Asura.
"Severing Mountain!"
The ultimate technique of Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, channeled through the three thousand Colorless Glass Swords, converges into a singular, devastating strike.
As the Colorless Glass Swords unleash Severing Mountain, the Formless Sword housed within them amplifies the transformative power in Severing Mountain, grinding the Asura from all angles.
Flash!
A burst of light erupts, and the Asura explodes completely.
I rush forward, snatching Kim Young-hoon's Inner Core from the center of the Asura, then control the Colorless Glass Swords.
"Disperse!"
Swish!
The Glass Swords scatter in all directions, clearing a path, and at the end of the path stands Yuan Li.
"Fire!"
At that moment, the Nether Crossing Ship's main cannon, which had been gathering energy, fires.
Yuan Li tries to dodge, but I form a seal.
Kududuk!
While distracted, I had stealthily placed a cluster of curses behind him.
The curses, like tentacles, envelop his body, preventing him from escaping.
It isn't just me.
Countless Core Formation cultivators, now at Qi Building stage, under the command of Cheongmun Jung-jin, coordinate to bind Yuan Li with various spells.
Dozens, hundreds of spells, not just curses, tightly bound him.
Cheongmun Jung-jin shouts.
"Byeok Clan head, now! Use it now!"
Byeok Cheon-gi also throws the talisman infused with spiritual power towards Yuan Li.
The talisman emits light as it flies towards Yuan Li.
Yuan Li, reduced to a mere early Core Formation stage, is hit squarely by the main cannon of the Nether Crossing Ship.
Flash!!!
Light erupts in all directions.
We all stare at the center of the explosion.
Manli Min-lap, too, focuses on the center without making any remarks like ‘We've killed him this time.’
And then.
Shhhh...
The light subsides.
Silently, we look at the spot where Yuan Li had been.
The dust settles.
At the spot where the light and dust clears, Yuan Li still stands.
But on the faces of all the cultivators present, there is a glimmer of hope.
No more spiritual pressure can be felt from Yuan Li.
Not a single trace of spiritual energy.
"Finally…."
It’s when Cheongmun Jung-jin sighs in relief.
Creeaak
The gates of the Serving Command Palace begin to open.
"Eh? Who is it? Didn't I say not to open the gates of Serving Command Palace until the operation is completely finished?!"
Cheongmun Jung-jin frowns, looking towards the entrance of the Serving Command Palace.
The ones opening the gate are Five Eastern Lords.
I notice something strange.
The color of their intent is odd.
Just then.
[Excellent.]
Yuan Li raises both arms.
[Excellent, excellent, so very excellent. You all fought so magnificently, I am moved by your resolve. I pay my respects to this First War. I, Bloodwood Practitioner Yuan Li, recognize your valor.]
As the gates of Serving Command Palace open, the Core Formation cultivators inadvertently look up at the sky outside the gate.
The dark clouds have disappeared, and the celestial energy is still ominous.
"Close it! Close the gates of Serving Command Palace!"
Cheongmun Jung-jin urgently shouts, but the five lords who opened the gates just cross their arms.
And then.
Rumble!
The tribal chiefs of the Northern Grasslands gather, and suddenly, the Blue Sky Heavenly Net begins to collapse.
The four tribal chiefs who have been the mainstay of the formation suddenly break off their spiritual connection and cross their arms.
I quickly read their intent.
Until now, I had no time to read detailed intent due to the battle with Yuan Li.
Right now, the intent of those cultivators begin to change, different from the others.
It’s a golden hue, the intent of joy.
"What is this! Are you betraying us!?"
Cheongmun Jung-jin, enraged, summons a blue glow from his body.
"Cultivators of the Northern Grasslands and Eastern States, please suppress these traitors! The three Western Countries, along with the western cultivators will handle the old monster…."
And then.
Swish!
Green ghost-like figures block our path.
Black chains of light wrap around me, Cheongmun Jung-jin, and the cultivators from Shengzi, Yanguo, and Byeokra.
Jinlu Yeon-cheon approaches the chained Cheongmun Jung-jin, caressing his neck with a seductive voice.
"Ah, Orabeoni. Everything went according to plan. Sir Bloodwood has won."
Makli Hwang-cheon, manipulating the jiangshi, approaches the chained clan head of the Jin Clan, kicks him down, and tramples on him.
And Byeok Cheon-gi stands beside Yuan Li with a triumphant expression.
"B-Bye-Byeok Clan head...!!!?"
Cheongmun Jung-jin’s eyes, seeing one of the three most important people in the war against Yuan Li, Byeok Cheon-gi, standing beside Yuan Li, bulge with rage.
Byeok Cheon-gi chuckles and speaks.
"How is it, Lord Bloodwood? The effects of the Heaven-Sealing Talisman are quite useful, aren't they?"
[Good. This is truly the defensive power of the Heavenly Being stage. Not a single strand of spiritual energy is leaking from the whole body, quite an amusing feeling.]
Indeed.
What Byeok Cheon-gi threw to Bloodwood Practitioner at the last moment was not a Heaven-Striking Talisman that delivers a blow of Heavenly Being level,, but a Heaven-Sealing Talisman that provides Heavenly Being level defense.
And then.
Swish!
Outside the Serving Command Palace.
From Yuan Li's black castle, the same crimson river that had come earlier enters through the gates of Serving Command Palace.
Swish!
As Yuan Li absorbs the crimson river, his spiritual power begins to rise again. Seemingly displeased, he moves his hand.
[To make me use so much of my precious Long Source True Power…. The Long Source True Power I've gathered for hundreds of years…. Well, it doesn't matter. There won't be many chances to extract so much life force from Core Formation cultivators like today.]
"Haha, Sir Bloodwood. There's only about a moment left until Serving Command Palace’s restraint releases."
Byeok Cheon-gi looks around us with a flattering expression and continues.
"Please show us the defensive and offensive power of the Heavenly Being stage."
[I will do so.]
Crack, crack!
I break the black chains with my Formless Sword and unleash my Formless Sword and Colorless Glass Sword at him.
Boom!
But.
Ping, ping!
The glass swords and Formless Sword are all repelled by the strange energy surrounding Yuan Li, which prevents even a single strand of spiritual energy from leaking.
Yuan Li laughs.
[I'll remember you especially. Such an unyielding fellow. But it's useless. As long as the Heaven-Sealing Talisman is activated, I can use the defensive power of a Heavenly Being until my Nascent Soul power returns. And….]
He speaks to Byeok Cheon-gi.
[Hand over the Heaven-Striking Talisman. Today, right here, let's demonstrate the power of Heavenly Being.]
"Yes, Lord Bloodwood."
I clench my teeth.
Crunch!
So hard that I feel like my gums will bleed.
-Three cultivator clans in the west of the Treading-Heaven Desert have sworn allegiance to me. Four tribes of the Northern Grasslands have prostrated before me.The five lords of the Eastern States have declared they will follow me.
In my past life, Yuan Li said so.
I thought Yuan Li only subdued them by implanting the Five Elements Blood Curse Banner after the first battle.
But it wasn't so.
Yuan Li, even before the battle.
Over 200 years ago, the three cultivator clans in the West of the Treading-Heaven Desert.
The four tribes of the Northern Grasslands.
The five lords of the Eastern States.
He had them under his control all along.
Jinlu Yeon-cheon strokes Cheongmun Jung-jin’s body, who is tightly bound by the secret dharma treasure of the Jinlu clan due to the sudden betrayal.
"Ah, Orabeoni. Finally, this day has come. The day I take you as mine. I've been waiting for so long. We can obtain the lineage of the great Cheongmun Sunwoo, Azure Tiger Saint’s lineage. Finally, the two clans can truly become one. Byeokra will be handed over to the Byeok Clan and the Cheungmun Clan will move to Shengzi. The remnants of the other six clans will be taken by Lord Bloodwood, so I'll give all their lands to you, Orabeoni.
For how long the Jinlu Clan was forced to shamefully share with these scums in an alliance, you know, don't you? Orabeoni, now, Shengzi is ours. Together, we'll monopolize its resources and reach the Nascent Soul stage together."
Cheongmun Jung-jin spits on Jinlu Yeon-cheon's face with a twisted expression akin to a malevolent ghost.
"You've crawled under the enemy who killed my family, Jinlu Yeon-cheon!"
"Mhm, mhm…"
Jinlu Yeon-cheon wipes the spit from her face, licks it, and embraces Cheongmun Jung-jin.
"Don't worry. I'll make you think of nothing else but me. Just live in our clan's underground for a few months, and you'll think of no one but me."
"This…"
Jinlu Yeon-cheon embraces Cheongmun Jung-jin, while Makli Hwang-cheon is stepping on Jin Yeo-woon's head.
"Finally... Finally, I have triumphed in the long competition against the Jin Clan in my generation."
Makli Hwang-cheon tramples on Jin Yeo-woon's head with a joyous expression.
"Ancestors, this Makli Hwang-cheon has toppled the Jin Clan in my generation. I will recapture Yanguo and lead the golden age of the Makli Clan...!"
"You, bastard...! Ke, keuk...!"
Jin Yeo-woon grits his teeth and looks up at Makli Hwang-cheon, who mockingly shoves a shoe into his mouth.
"You should get used to calling me master now."
"Ugh, ugh...!"
Additionally, Byeok Cheon-gi is flattering the Bloodwood Practitioner, promising to help him rule Byeokra.
Traitors of the East.
Traitors of the North are also seen stomping on their other competitors restrained by the Jinlu Clan's chains.
"You bastard..!"
Manli Min-lap, who fought alongside them, had his main cannon of the Nether Crossing Ship taken by one of the other Eastern lords.
Unlike Manli Min-lap, the traitor brought the main cannon of the Nether Crossing Ship to Yuan Li.
[We'll do the reward distribution later. Bring the Heaven-Striking Talisman quickly. We need to wipe these fools out and collapse the entire Serving Command Palace to obtain the Serving Command Seal….]
When Yuan Li urges Byeok Cheon-gi, he nods and shouts to the other Byeok Clan Core Formation cultivators.
"Bring the Heaven-Striking Talisman!"
The Heaven-Striking Talisman is among a Byeok Clan Core Formation cultivator who recently entered the stage.
It’s Byeok Mun-seong.
Just as I’m about to attack with the Formless Sword to prevent him from bringing the Heaven-Striking Talisman, I sense something off.
Byeok Mun-seong takes out the Heaven-Striking Talisman from a storage artifact.
Woong!
And he activates the talisman.
"Hm?"
[What are you doing? No need to activate it. How much can you do with your Qi Building cultivation….]
And then.
Byeok Mun-seong shouts.
"I'm sick of it! Clan head!"
With those words.
The young Core Formation cultivators of the Byeok Clan, centered on Byeok Mun-seong, form a formation.
"1000 years ago, we were a subordinate clan to the Jo Clan. 200 years ago, a subordinate force to the Righteous Path Alliance. Now, we are joining under the Nascent Soul old monster? Why can't the Byeok Clan stand alone, rather than sharing Byeokra with the Cheongmun and Gongmyo clans?"
"Wh-what?"
[Hmm….]
Byeok Mun-seong yells.
"Look, clan head! If only you hadn't betrayed us, that old monster would have fallen just now. We could have led our clan to victory in the war, not needing to be under anyone, standing proudly as a single force, leading honor and victory!"
"Have you lost your mind?"
"No, I have not. It's not just me, but the other descendants as well. We all believe the same. Where is the guarantee that after this war is over, that old monster won't boil the hunting dogs? Why, clan leader, are you supporting the victory of the old monster!"
Byeok Cheon-gi's face contorts.
Byeok Mun-seong shouts.
"We've made a different choice for the future of our clan. The operation was in progress until just before the old monster's death. Without that damned Heaven-Sealing Talisman, we could have hunted the old monster! It's you, clan leader, who needs to come to your senses!"
"You, you're out of your mind! Come to your senses! If you do so now, it can be passed off as a mere deviation! The power Lord Bloodwood is hiding isn't all you’ve seen!"
Byeok Cheong-gi continues.
"Ri-right. Haven't you been getting along well with the descendants of the Jin and Gongmyo clans recently? Now that both clans are the losers, you can do as you please with them. Calm down and…"
"The one I favored."
Byeok Mun-seong speaks with a voice as if he’s spitting each word out, activating the Heaven-Striking Talisman.
"Is not them."
Flash!
Heaven-Striking Talisman.
A strike that releases the power of a Heavenly Being, shoots towards Yuan Li wrapped in the Heaven-Sealing Talisman.
Kuguguguguang!
One side of Serving Command Palace is torn away.
A whirlwind rages, and it looks as if the light between heaven and earth is converging towards Yuan Li.
Within the radiance between heaven and earth, I see the Heaven-Sealing Talisman wrapped around Yuan Li being stripped away.
Ta-datt!
The Colorless Glass Swords come together.
I exchange glances with Byeok Mun-seong as I pass by him.
In this strike, I pour everything.
"Colorless Glass Sword, final form."
The last form of the Colorless Glass Sword.
Beyond Color and Natural
Finally reaching the ultimate.
Three thousand Colorless Glass Swords merge into one.
The spiritual energy circuits etched into each sword converge within a single blade, forming myriad spiritual energy circuits within the Colorless Glass Sword.
The more circuits, the greater the power, even if the quality of materials is poor.
Colorless Glass Sword.
Third Form.
"All Heavens."
The Colorless Glass Sword, shining in All of Heavens’ Natural Colors, stabs into Yuan Li's dantian.
