A Regressor's Tale of Cultivation - Chapter 268
“Finally…”
“The Water Realm…”
Yeon Wi and I sank to the ground almost at the same moment.
Sarak, sarak…
Shattered Heaven Peak summit.
We were there, once again touching the ground of the Water Realm we had not stepped on in so long.
To me it was a place of longing, but for Yeon Wi—since it was her true birthplace—it felt strangely alien.
“Even in my lifetime I never imagined I would set foot on this land again… Hehe, it’s so unreal.”
“Is that so…?”
“This place… is the Water Realm.”
Jeon Myeong-hoon gazed around him with dazed eyes.
For him, memories of the Water Realm ended the moment we left Deungsunhyang, so his confusion was only natural.
Yet a thread of hope still flickered in his gaze.
The three of us sat for a little while, chewing on the faintest spark of hope.
Tuck, tuck—
I brushed the dust from my clothes and rose.
“Get up. You all know it isn’t over yet.”
“…Cold-blooded wretch.”
“Damn it…”
Yeon Wi and Jeon Myeong-hoon rose while grumbling the words like they were chewing on gravel.
We looked up at the sky.
The heavens themselves were warning us.
The tribulation had not yet ended.
That was correct.
The tribulation sent down by the Lord of Heaven’s Punishment had followed us even into the Water Realm.
Yet we managed to smile.
The Water Realm was clearly a special place, because the number and power of the predetermined tribulation had decreased dramatically.
The original tribulation’s might could have easily overpowered a Void Shattering cultivator’s single strike.
This time, even the combined force of the entire tribulation appeared to be no more than Integration Grand Completion level.
Furthermore, it would take time for the tribulation to chase us here, and it would only begin falling three shijin later.
In other words, we had bought three shijin of precious time.
“Senior Yeon Wi, as you can see, we have three shijin remaining. And the remaining tribulation power, even if combined, is no more than Integration Grand Completion… If a tribulation of that caliber strikes the Water Realm directly, the entire realm will be shattered.”
I spoke with absolute certainty, eyes locked on her.
“Is there truly no way to stop it?”
“…Only the barest thread of possibility exists.”
“What is it?!?”
“The Consoling Lightning Festival.”
“What?”
I asked in confusion.
“The Consoling Lightning Festival is a traditional festival held by the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, is it not?”
“Hmph, even the Consoling Lightning Festival was severed four thousand years ago? And the culprits are still carrying on that lineage? What a strange turn of events.”
Yeon Wi clicked her tongue in disbelief.
“Even so, how exactly do the culprits continue the festival?”
“It is held once a year in the Seongje Kingdom on the day when lightning strikes hardest. It is called ‘the ceremony to console the thunder and lightning.’”
“Ah, that’s it.”
“What?”
“The culprits may have performed the rite without understanding its meaning, but if one embeds spiritual power within it, it changes everything. The Consoling Lightning Festival was originally meant to console the thunder. It was used to weaken the power of heavenly tribulations, helping cultivators rise in their realm.”
Yeon Wi continued her explanation.
“In short, the Consoling Lightning Festival possesses the effect of ‘weakening heavenly tribulation.’ That means we can disperse the Integration Grand Completion-level power and then block the remnants.”
She turned to Jeon Myeong-hoon.
“First, bring out the disciples of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect. Even the Ha-roe disciples have mastered the Brain Lightning Method. The more people who participate in a ceremony, the better.”
Jeon Myeong-hoon nodded and clasped his hands together.
Crackle!
When he brought his palms together, lightning crackled between his fingers, and a hall of lightning materialized within the bolts.
Jeon Myeong-hoon summoned the hall and lifted it into the air. The massive hall ballooned outward.
From within the swollen hall, the Ha-roe disciples of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect emerged, their faces darkening as they breathed the thick spiritual energy of the Water Realm.
Of course, leaving the overwhelmingly dense Gwanghan Realm behind and coming here had left them uneasy.
But they had no time to settle their minds.
Yeon Wi continued her orders.
“All of you, do you know the Consoling Lightning Festival?”
Yeon Wi wore the robes of Yuan’s original body, not the Golden Divine sect’s golden robes, and the disciples looked bewildered by her unfamiliar appearance.
Yet Yeon Wi scowled and stamped her foot.
Rumble!
A massive Taiji symbol swirled across the sky, and thunder shook the heavens.
“I asked if you know the Consoling Lightning Festival!”
One of the disciples with the highest distribution answered.
“Yes! Before I became a cultivator, I performed the festival with the culprits.”
“How many among you actually know the Consoling Lightning Festival?”
All the disciples who were not from the Gwanghan Realm mainland raised their hands.
Roughly thirty thousand in total.
Yeon Wi ordered a few to perform the ritual directly and watched each one.
Watching them, she nodded.
“All of you, from now on you will perform the Consoling Lightning Festival in the sky. Do you understand?”
“Yes, yes?”
“Go to the spot I designate and set up formations. Perform the ritual exactly as you always have!”
“Yes!”
The disciples moved with perfect synchronization toward the designated location.
Yeon Wi began drawing something on the ground of Shattered Heaven Peak.
It was the Three Talents: Heaven, Earth, and Man.
“When I signal, both of you climb onto the formations.”
“What kind of formation is this?”
“Seo Eun-hyun, you will be the Earth.”
“Eh?”
“Jeon Myeong-hoon, you will be the Heaven. I will stand at the Man position, mixing the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy to assist the ritual.”
As she spoke, her hands never stopped moving, weaving the formation while circulating Heaven-Earth spiritual energy.
The veins of the formation aligned perfectly with the direction the disciples had been sent in, sealing the Consoling Lightning Festival inside a single massive array.
‘Truly masterful formation skill…’
As expected of a creature who had lived four thousand years.
Yeon Wi continued installing the formation while explaining.
“This Taiji formation will allow the two of you to exchange power, enabling you to combine your strength in an instant and produce even greater force. Seo Eun-hyun, quickly include Jeon Myeong-hoon and me as sacrificial offerings.”
“Eh?”
“You’re pretending not to understand? It is said that Jeon Myeong-hoon’s Heavenly Thunder Golden Body can absorb lightning tribulations. I once even applied to become a sect leader—I’m supposed to know such things.”
“Ah, I understand that Jeon Myeong-hoon does, but why does Senior Yeon Wi—”
“Listen carefully. From now on, we will channel Jeon Myeong-hoon’s thunder—his spiritual power—through this Taiji formation to direct spiritual attacks into your body. Do you understand, Seo Eun-hyun?”
“Is that even possible?”
I asked in surprise.
She spoke casually.
The reason was obvious and solid.
“It is possible. Because it is me, it is possible.”
I asked with lingering doubt.
“If that happens, could I perhaps reach the Heavenly Person stage…?”
“No. It is impossible.”
“…”
“The Taiji formation has very low efficiency. I placed you in the Earth position only to relieve Jeon Myeong-hoon’s burden and disperse the tribulation as much as possible. We cannot absorb each other’s power in the intended way, so we have no choice.”
“Yes… I understand.”
It seemed spiritual power transmission was only about one ten-thousandth efficient.
Even so, receiving even that little power would still be helpful, so I accepted without hesitation.
“Then let’s set up the formation.”
“Very well. Stand facing each other.”
I stood facing Jeon Myeong-hoon.
Yeon Wi began adding more formations beneath our feet.
“This formation will connect the two of you.”
We looked at each other.
We hated each other, yet we had grown together and finally understood one another.
No words were spoken, yet I could hear his voice as clearly as if he were right beside me.
Both of us, doing our very best in the roles assigned to us.
When we stared at each other like that…
“Hmph, is that so? I have nothing else to teach you, young lady.”
“I cannot help you with the formation…”
“Hwaaaaack!”
And then…
In an instant.
I rubbed my eyes.
Before I knew it, the clouds stretching from far to the east had split in half.
A young man in black robes with long flowing hair stood with his hand on Yeon Wi’s shoulder.
His golden-brown eyes gleamed as he removed his hand and spoke.
My voice escaped before I could stop it.
“Young-hoon Hyung!!!”
“Ah, Seo Dae-ri. Former Chief Jeon. It has been a long time.”
“…Eh?”
I was excited, but Kim Young-hoon addressed us by rank.
Only then did I realize in my memories that he had hardly known me in this life.
‘Ah… so that’s how it is.’
Kim Young-hoon Hyung was the one I was glad to see, yet at the same time his unfamiliarity left a faint ache in my chest.
Jeon Myeong-hoon tilted his head in confusion.
“What nonsense, Seo Eun-hyun. Is this man Chief Kim Young-hoon…?”
“Oh, Jeon Myeong-hoon. How have you been?”
“…”
Jeon Myeong-hoon shuddered upon hearing the title, remembering that it was the tone he always heard from Chief Kim Young-hoon in the morning greetings.
“Ah, no… Chief Kim… how…”
“Hahaha, that is not important. How have you all been?”
I laughed heartily while watching Kim Young-hoon greet us with open arms.
I smiled faintly at him.
‘How have you been?’
How had I been?
Countless loops of memory flashed by.
The loops I had run without rest…
Each life had been an absolute hell, yet I had never felt I wasted a single moment.
I had clearly…
“…Yes, I have been well.”
I had been well.
Kim Young-hoon grinned and reached for his waist.
“Good. Then you all seem to have grown stronger here. When a man meets a worthy opponent, he should surely settle matters with steel.”
Jeon Myeong-hoon could not understand this transformed Kim Young-hoon.
Yet I understood his competitive spirit and let out a wry smile.
“Forgive me, Hyung. That will not do.”
Of course my own blood was boiling.
When would another such opportunity arise in the next life?
I stared at the cloud trail Kim Young-hoon must have cut.
Far to the east, endless tracks stretched.
Not only that, the flow of spiritual energy itself had been severed, extending from the farthest east all the way to my consciousness.
In short, Kim Young-hoon had reached us so fast he had not even sensed me or Yeon Wi, who possessed Four Pillars, standing outside the tens of li of my consciousness.
I could not even estimate how much he had grown. I wanted nothing more than to fight him right now.
But there was no time.
I explained our situation to him as best I could.
“Hmph… so that’s it.”
A while later.
Kim Young-hoon nodded after listening.
“Then the thunder that is the tribulation has fallen from the sky? I heard rumors about such things while beating up those spiritual beast bastards… but that means even a lightning of that intensity is strong enough to make someone like you afraid?”
“Yes.”
“…Good. Then I will help.”
Kim Young-hoon cheerfully agreed to help and rested his hand on his sword sheath, sitting down nearby.
“When it falls, I will speak.”
After speaking, Kim Young-hoon closed his eyes.
I swallowed hard while watching him.
And Yeon Wi, watching Kim Young-hoon, wore a terrifying expression as if she had understood something and desperately avoided meeting his gaze.
No matter what, since he was helping us, cooperation was necessary—but she clearly had no desire to be near Kim Young-hoon.
“And what about that sacrificial rite? Such nonsense.”
Kim Young-hoon pointed at me dividing the sacrifice between Yeon Wi and Jeon Myeong-hoon.
“I will divide mine too. Place it on me.”
“Eh?”
I exclaimed in surprise.
“This… could be fatal. Besides, Hyung is not related to the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect in any way.”
At that, Kim Young-hoon laughed.
“The Golden… whatever sect has nothing to do with it. But aren’t we colleagues?”
“…”
“…”
“We all worked so hard together to make soap. Since we’ve met again, colleagues should share life and death!”
Kim Young-hoon looked at Jeon Myeong-hoon, then at me.
Jeon Myeong-hoon looked momentarily dazed, and I smiled, thinking how similar the ‘Kim Young-hoon’ I knew was to the one I had just seen.
“…Yes. Very well.”
Finally.
We waited for the right moment while staring at the sky.
Time passed, and the three shijin ended.
At last.
Kureung, kururung!
An immense wave of energy began gathering in the sky.
That was the entire sinister fortune and calamity I had summoned.
A power so terrifying it could destroy this world.
And Yeon Wi opened her mouth and shouted.
[All disciples of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect!]
Her voice echoed across the land.
[Begin the Consoling Lightning Festival!]
Shattered Heaven Peak and the great mountain range outside it.
The rite of the Consoling Lightning Festival began.
Kugugugu!
At the same time, Yeon Wi activated the formations laid at every site where the ritual was performed.
Spiritual energy surged with the Consoling Lightning Festival’s power, and the energy rushed back toward Shattered Heaven Peak.
Kugugugugugu!!!
The power rushing to the peak passed through Jeon Myeong-hoon at the Heaven position, then through me at the Earth position.
Then through me to Yeon Wi at the Man position.
[I present to the heavens: From ancient times, we humans have always been weak and have always sought the heavens’ mercy. We are swept away by storms, scream in the face of wildfires, drown in tsunamis, are swallowed by blizzards, and fear heavenly punishment. The insignificant bodies standing beneath the sky today are no different. We are rightly afraid of and revere the heavens—we are weak humans.
Please, using our human bodies and positions, I, this insignificant human, present this plea. For the sake of our children, release your wrath and grant mercy!]
The moment the words ended, Yeon Wi sent the gathered Consoling Lightning Festival power upward.
Fwaaaat!
The moment the formless energy touched the thunder, the intensity of the lightning decreased in a strange way.
“It’s working. As long as the Consoling Lightning Festival continues, the tribulation’s power will keep decreasing. The only thing left…”
We all nodded.
“Is to block it!”
Flash!
From the sky, a pillar of light fell.
Kwarurung!
The next instant.
Kim Young-hoon stepped forward, drew his sword, and looked at me.
“I wanted to show you this in a direct duel… but, well, I’ll show you first.”
Chik!
He assumed a stance.
“The realm beyond Path-Crossing Heaven!”
I smiled and nodded.
“Please, show me.”
What name did you give it?
The next instant.
I learned the name he had given it.
“Wol-do.”
Tsu tsu tsu tsu!
Kim Young-hoon’s entire body was enveloped in golden light.
In that moment, he became golden light itself.
His martial will, the Path-Crossing Heaven he had reached, and the realm beyond it where he infused his martial heart.
Kim Young-hoon had already reached that realm.
He kicked off Shattered Heaven Peak and soared toward the sky, shouting.
“Shattered Heaven!”
In an instant he erased even that and flew into the sky. The name he had struck with his blade slicing the tribulation’s edge was.
Wol-do Shattered Heaven.
That was the realm beyond Path-Crossing Heaven that he had defined.
His own three-stage realization.
[Because I reached this realm from Shattered Heaven Peak, I call it Shattered Heaven.]
Kim Young-hoon’s faint inner voice echoed in my mind.
‘Is that so.’
[You seem to have ascended to Shattered Heaven as well.]
Kim Young-hoon said with joy.
[Since we are both here, even if we cannot spar together, let us cut the tribulation and confirm our realization together.]
I smiled faintly and replied through inner voice.
[I am sorry. However, I…]
Chik!
I assumed a stance and raised the Invisible Sword.
[I have not reached Wol-do Shattered Heaven.]
[Hm?]
Kureung, kururung!
The thunder’s roar clearly came from my body, which had lost the entire Brain Lightning Method.
And the Invisible Sword merged with my sword master’s power.
That power was connected to my strength as a Heavenly Tribulation cultivator.
Heaven-Earth inner voice wove itself tightly together.
Kim Young-hoon’s Wol-do Shattered Heaven was pure martial will.
But this was not simply pure martial arts.
It rightfully deserved a different name.
Tsu tsu tsu tsu!
I infused my heart into the Invisible Sword and finally spoke the name of the final realm beginning with Wol-do.
“Wol-do Geop-cheon.”
Taat!
Chuck!
My single sword flew higher than Kim Young-hoon’s and erased the tribulation.
Previously I could barely chase his footsteps.
But the moment I obtained the Invisible Sword, our paths diverged.
So the path we now walked naturally had to be different.
He swung Shattered Heaven, I swung Geop-cheon, and in the heart of the tribulation we danced with our backs turned to each other, preventing the end of the world.