For a moment, our gazes clash.
The next moment.
Zzzzzap!
It seems as if lightning sparks in the air, and our consciousness clashes between us.
"Suddenly attacking a junior with your consciousness... That's frightening."
"Hmph... A youngster daring to directly block a consciousness attack of a peak Four-Axis stage and still pretending to be so delicate..."
I resist the sudden consciousness attack from Yeon Wei with a faint smile.
To put it coldly, her being only left with her consciousness means she is something I can now easily suppress at my level.
Thanks to Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens, the attributes of the Lightning Path Method have all disappeared. However, it only became attribute-less, and the other powers are unaffected.
She seems to have noticed this through the surprise attack just now and does not act recklessly anymore, sitting down demurely and sipping her tea.
"So. Why and how did such a fragile junior like you find and summon me, a traitor of the sect, without even informing your Supreme Sect Master Jin Byuk-ho?"
Until now, I haven't properly conversed with her or asked her anything due to focusing on finding a way to lift the curse of lightning transformation and observing Jeon Myeong-hoon.
But now that the primary task has been resolved, I feel at liberty to ask.
"I have some questions and sought to inquire. Rest assured, I shall keep absolute silence to the Supreme Sect Master."
"Can you guarantee the safety of Yeon Jin and myself?"
"Indeed. I swear upon my Nascent Soul that I will keep your identities secret."
Yeon Wei seems slightly skeptical at my earnest response, but she has no choice in her current situation.
I slowly start asking my questions.
"Firstly, I heard that while you held the position of a sect leader of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, you never rose above that rank. However, you were said to have had deep connections with those who had. Might you know anything about the Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens Technique?"
Her reaction comes immediately.
"...What?"
Yeon Wei's pupils constrict.
"What are you talking about? Why are you asking about that ridiculous legend?"
'She knows.'
With a triumphant smile, I continue.
"You are aware, then. To share my achievements with you, Senior... I have successfully acquired the Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens Technique. As a result..."
I release colorless spiritual power while speaking.
"Like this, I have lost all the powers of the Lightning Path Method."
"!"
Yeon Wei's pupils shake wildly.
"You, you've actually mastered it?"
"Yes. What I am curious about is whether in your generation, there were legends regarding or a proper transmission of the Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens Technique. How was it passed down 40,000 years ago?"
For a moment, she looks at me dumbfounded.
Her intent seems to be filled with the question, 'Could it really be possible?'
"...To think mastering it was possible... Well, assuming it is... Hmm..."
She seems flustered and unable to continue for a moment.
After regaining her composure, she nods.
"Well, fine. In my generation, there was indeed an inheritance regarding the Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens Technique. There were also internal regulations regarding it within the sect."
"...! Please, enlighten this junior about the inheritance and internal regulations."
Yeon Wei looks at me with an incomprehensible gaze for a moment and then begin to explain
"...Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens is fundamentally a technique that defies the heavens. In other words, it's a miraculous ability that threatens the heavens."
'So that's why it's called Tribulating Heaven…'
"According to what was passed down, Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens is said to possess the power to overcome crises when the sect is in dire straits. I don't know the details, but… the method to fully master Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens is quite unique and still vivid in my memory."
"How does one fully master it?"
The words that follow give me a feeling of great irony.
"In the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, there's something called the Ancestral Command. To put it frankly, the sect master executes the orders on behalf of the founding ancestor through the Ancestral Command. Anything ordained by the Ancestral Command must be absolutely obeyed, and the Ancestral Command itself is transmitted as something very sacred and is thus rarely used. It's mainly used when the sect is in a state of emergency or when expelling a traitor who has committed a capital crime against the sect."
A bitter smile forms on Yeon Wei's lips.
"I was expelled through the Ancestral Command. A disciple expelled through the Ancestral Command cannot be reinstated, and this is absolute. From what I know, achieving greatness in Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens requires being expelled by such an Ancestral Command."
"...??"
"Being expelled by the Ancestral Command as a disciple of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect completes a certain ritual of the Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens, allowing one who has mastered it to use its powers freely.
"...I see."
Listening to her explanation and recalling the truths Yang Su-jin had told me, I can uncover the bitter truth about the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
From the beginning, the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect was nothing but a long-term plan for Yang Su-jin.
'First, master the Red Lightning Heavenly Tribulation Method. Then, nullify one's own power through the Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens Technique. Create a sect, become the founder, and finally expel oneself, thereby nullifying one's fate and obtaining the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Decree to acquire a different fate.'
A sect that exists solely for the secret art of a single Ender.
That is the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
"That's roughly the information I received about Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens. In addition, there are four internal rules regarding the technique within the sect."
The internal regulations regarding Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens she mentions are as follows:
First, one who has mastered Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens must never disclose the technique to the Heavenly Lightning Banner.
Second, one must not hold the Heavenly Lightning Banner when using Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens
Third, be cautious about openly using Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens in front of high-ranking entities, as it may provoke their wrath.
Fourth, Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens is not an auspicious ritual but one that invites calamity, so be mindful.
These are the internal rules regarding Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens as transmitted within the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.
'The matter regarding the Heavenly Lightning Banner… I can understand.'
If the Owner of Heavenly Punishment learns about the Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens Technique through the Heavenly Lightning Banner, it could be troublesome.
The third rule makes sense as well.
From Yang Su-jin's perspective, 'high-ranking entities' would mean those at the True Immortal level and above. Using such a technique in front of a True Immortal could indeed provoke them.
However, the last rule.
The idea that Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens invites calamity is confusing.
'What does it mean by a ritual that invites calamity? Is it meant to be taken literally?'
I ponder over the Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens Technique.
It seems that using Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens inherently comes with backlash. Perhaps that is what it means.
'It's likely a warning about the repercussions of using Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens.'
I organize the information in my head.
"...Thank you for the information."
"Well, I have to answer if a sect junior asks."
"Haha. There are a few more things I'd like to ask, if I may."
"What is it?"
"It's about the Heavenly Lightning Banner."
When I mention the Heavenly Lightning Banner, Yeon Wei's expression darkens.
"The Heavenly Lightning Banner, by all means, is not some sacred object."
"Yes, I am aware."
"It should be called a malicious object, an inauspicious thing, and continuing to worship it will surely... Huh?"
She blinks in surprise when I readily acknowledge the ominous nature of the Heavenly Lightning Banner.
"I am well aware of the malevolence of the Heavenly Lightning Banner. Therefore... I plan to steal the Heavenly Lightning Banner unnoticed and seal it back in the Head Realm."
"!"
At my words, Yeon Wei's expression brightens.
"Good! That's exactly it! Hahaha, a malicious object of the sect rightfully belongs where it should be sealed! She rightly deserves to be sealed!"
"Hmm?"
I ask, noticing she seems to be very familiar with the Heavenly Lightning Banner.
"It seems you know quite a bit about the Heavenly Lightning Banner?"
"Of course, I know. Back in my days, there was a ritual held every year to summon the spirit within the Heavenly Lightning Banner and transmit its voice to the sect."
She smirks as she speaks.
"Such a pretty talker it was. Really, the moment she was summoned, she would incessantly spew vile curses and slander about the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect and the founding ancestor without taking a breath.... If that's what the Heavenly Lightning Banner is, how could it not be called a malicious object? And how could anyone dare to worship such a thing as a sacred artifact?"
"...So, there was an incident like that"
I nod.
"Anyway, that's why one of my goals is to steal the Heavenly Lightning Banner someday and seal it in the Head Realm. Would you be able to help me with that in the future?"
"Well... even if I wanted to help, I'm currently clinging to Yeon Jin's body, barely keeping alive. So it seems difficult."
"There's no need for you to help directly."
After all, what I need is something else.
"Since it must be sealed in the Head Realm, please tell me how to descend to the Head Realm."
It's about how exactly we can return to that place we had ascended from.
She speaks as if it is nothing.
"It's easy to go to that world we ascended from. You just need to reach the Heavenly Being stage."
"Excuse me?"
"When you reach the Heavenly Being stage, you'll naturally know how to get there. How exactly you need to go. Well, if you want to go before reaching the Heavenly Being stage, you'll need another method.... If there's a being in the Head Realm acting the same way as you, or a being with the same will as you trying the same thing, the homogeneity between you can draw you together."
"So, if there's an attraction of fate, I can descend to the Head Realm again?"
"Right. If there's such an attraction of fate, you don't necessarily need to be at the Heavenly Being stage. Entering any Void Spirit Pond or Flying Immortal Platform can take you down to the Head Realm."
"...Hmm, I'll keep that in mind."
'I must reach the Heavenly Being stage as soon as possible.'
I steel my heart and finally ask what I am most curious about.
"Could you tell me what happened to the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect 40,000 years ago?"
"No."
"...?"
I'm taken aback by her firm rejection, not expecting such a resolute refusal.
However, seeing her intent tumultuously stirring, I nod.
'This must be a taboo topic for her.'
Let's slowly find out about that matter.
"Well, if that's the case, I guess I've learned roughly what I wanted to know for today. Thank you for your cooperation."
"Hmm... You really won't hand me and Yeon Jin over to Jin Byuk-ho?"
"Didn't I swear upon my Nascent Soul?"
A cultivator swearing upon their Nascent Soul carries significant enforceability, a method sometimes used when cultivators make promises to each other.
"I've seen too many extraordinary fellows breaking their oaths sworn upon their Nascent Souls in my lifetime."
"How could I, a junior, break a promise made to my senior?"
"Keke... Strictly speaking, I'm not your senior. I'm a disciple who was abolished by the Ancestral Command. Honestly, even if you capture me and hand me over to Jin Byuk-ho right now, it wouldn't be a problem according the internal rules."
"I see..."
However, I shake my head.
"But then, wouldn't Yeon Jin, your descendant, be unfairly implicated by association? It's not just for you, senior, but also for the sake of the new disciple, Yeon Jin."
"...Thanks."
Yeon Wei bows her head to me in gratitude.
After that, she seems to think our conversation is over and disappears into Yeon Jin's consciousness.
A little while later, Yeon Jin comes to his senses and regains control of his body.
"Ah! Elder, did you have a conversation with my ancestor?"
"Yes. Don't worry about being discovered by Supreme Sect Master Jin Byuk-ho; I'll ensure your safety."
"...! Thank you, Elder!"
I watch Yeon Jin express his gratitude and then dismiss him.
Yeon Jin bows to me and slowly leaves my cave residence.
'Heavenly Being stage. I must reach the Heavenly Being stage.'
If I reach the Heavenly Being stage, even if Jin Byuk-ho holds the Heavenly Lightning Banner, I might stand a chance.
Then, I can confidently descend to the Head Realm with the Heavenly Lightning Banner and seal it.
'The condition for fully mastering the Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens is being expelled by the sect?'
My gaze inadvertently shifts to the skull containing the Six Extremes Yin Thunder Spirit given to me by Heo Gwak.
'...Black Ghost Valley.'
