The Luminescent Madness of the Demonic Dao Saint (7)
A streak of light shot out from the dragon form, plunging straight into the bottom of the abyss.
The shape of the dragon dissolved like spray, enveloping us entirely in a misty curtain.
**Blood Demon Devouring Technique—Blood Soul Sealing Return.**
With Seohul’s blood vow sealed, the pull from the Blood Soul Realm became overwhelmingly strong, dragging us all in.
Even Seohul himself seemed about to be pulled under, but when Oh Hye-seo reached out and slapped a black dragon form over his body, the force vanished.
Then she opened her mouth wide once more and unleashed a torrent of black breath straight down.
Kwaaaaa—!
**[Oh Hye-seo…! How did you…!?]**
The star giant, Oh Hyun-seok, could not contain his fury at the betrayal. He roared and tried to shoot straight up.
Kugugugu—!
Violet miasma erupted from his entire body. The star giant had become a colossal being shrouded in swirling purple vapor.
Through the mist, his eyes burned with terrifying rage.
**[Can family betray family!?]**
Oh Hye-seo covered her mouth with one hand, desperately swallowing her laughter as she answered.
“Oh my, family? You’re blood-related? What family is that? Aha, your face is priceless. As expected of a clan full of righteous energy. The Oh family… heh heh.”
**[Your father really raised you with love! Yet you say such things…!]**
“Aha, how could that be, Uncle Hyun-seok? ‘Father’ was nothing more than self-satisfaction. The one who really watched him the most was me, so why does Uncle pretend he knows better? No, if you want to play family games, should I call you Senior-in-law?”
Oh Hye-seo giggled and stretched her palm toward him.
Kugugugu—!
The colossal black dragon crashed down upon him. Oh Hyun-seok could not hold on and plummeted toward the abyss.
Kim Yeon reached out again with her consciousness, binding him. Only then did he avoid falling straight into the Blood Soul Realm.
“Very well, then who shall we drop next…”
Just as Oh Hye-seo began scanning the abyss for her next target, a flash of lightning struck.
Kwororong!
“Kyahaaaaak!”
Six lightning-flagged pins slammed into Oh Hye-seo’s arms, legs, nape, and waist.
Kwaaajijik!
Dark clouds gathered in the white void, turning the flags into lightning rods that summoned thunder.
Kwaajijijik!
Lightning crashed down relentlessly. Oh Hye-seo screamed as she tried to escape, but the flags on her body flared and pinned her in place.
Jeon Myeong-hoon, who had the arms of the Six Pillars, crawled up from below with a ferocious glare.
**[Carelessness is a sin, Senior Oh.]**
Kung, kung, kung, kung!
Jeon Myeong-hoon used his six arms to climb agilely while murmuring.
**[When I play poker with Senior Oh during work hours, I always lose… This time I’ll finally win.]**
Boom!
Jeon Myeong-hoon’s hand finally broke free of the force and emerged from the abyss.
And he locked eyes with Seohul standing above him.
**[If you come up, I’ll tear you apart. Wait and see.]**
Seohul merely smiled faintly and stroked his chin.
“Hmm, at first I thought you were Yang Do-woo’s revival vessel. Turns out not. If it were Yang Do-woo, he wouldn’t have tried to stab Hye-seo with a spell and then fry her with lightning. He would have directly offered Hye-seo’s soul in a human offering and used Blood Soul power to strike back.”
**[What?]**
Jeon Myeong-hoon looked utterly astonished by such a twisted scheme.
Seohul continued softly, “Therefore, the correct way to think of you is as nothing more than Yang Do-woo’s pet, not his revival vessel.”
**[This brat is talking nonsense…]**
At that moment, five blood-red flags rose above Seohul’s head.
“Go, Five Elements Blood Curse Flag.”
**[…!]**
Jeon Myeong-hoon instinctively recoiled at the sight of the blood-red flags—the torture technique he himself had once suffered.
But he grinned viciously and opened his mouth.
Kwororong!
Lightning erupted, shattering all five flags into dust.
**[Ha, a mere little spell like this…]**
Seohul, however, had already used the Five Elements Blood Curse Flag to lock Jeon Myeong-hoon’s gaze, then reached Oh Hye-seo and yanked out every thunderbolt flag embedded in her body.
“Hah… I thought I was dead. You’ve grown so much, Senior Jeon. You were just a useless parasite who did nothing but loaf around the company?”
**[You…]**
“The same trick won’t work twice.”
Oh Hye-seo raised the Tai Chi between her palms.
The white void trembled violently. The hand that had escaped the abyss warped, the very space itself split apart, and Jeon Myeong-hoon fell downward.
Kugugugu—!
Immediately after, a beam of glass-prism light pierced straight into Jeon Myeong-hoon’s skull.
Jeon Myeong-hoon fell with a dazed expression. Kim Yeon strained with all her might to catch him.
Oh Hye-seo had already dropped him and now surveyed the remaining figures still clinging to the abyss.
Kim Yeon, Hong Beom, and Kang Min-hee.
Of the three, Kim Yeon held onto Oh Hyun-seok and Jeon Myeong-hoon with all her consciousness while Hong Beom clung to her, stubbornly refusing to let go.
The only one capable of launching a counterattack was Kang Min-hee.
And Oh Hye-seo felt cold sweat trickle down her spine as she stared at the black sphere churning violently below.
“…I knew it would be dangerous, but this thing is the most troublesome.”
“Heh heh… that fellow is quite interesting too. Is that the Ghost Dao Sound Painting Seal Core…? No, it’s a fellow with a Dao even more ridiculous than the Ghost Dao Sound Painting Seal Core.”
Seohul, watching the surging aura of Kang Min-hee from below, revealed eyes like a reptile.
“If I had known, I would have brought Senior Hye-seo instead. A little regret there, heh heh…”
“I can assure you, if it were Min-hee, you might have been the one eaten.”
“Heh heh, neither Goe-gun nor any clan could ever do something so impossible. Anyway…”
Both Seohul and Oh Hye-seo raised their tension, staring furiously at the maddened Kang Min-hee whose power exploded wildly in the abyss.
Kang Min-hee’s aura surged higher. The power she had once possessed in the early stages of Four Pillars had now reached the middle, late, and even Integration Grand Completion stages!
She was absorbing countless Underworld Heavenly Venerables in real time and stacking them into a massive aura chain.
Kugugugugu—!
Above the white void, the black clouds summoned by Jeon Myeong-hoon had not dissipated. They grew thicker, condensing as they absorbed heaven and earth vital energy from within.
Thunder roared.
But before the thunder could strike, a black torrent of ghost qi surged out from the abyss and reversed upward.
Kwororor—!
The ghost qi pierced the sky itself.
The thunder struck the air and shattered without ever reaching the ground, scattering in all directions.
Seohul’s expression flickered. Oh Hye-seo’s face turned grave.
“What kind of mad…”
“…I see. The Blood Soul Ghost Valley Abyss supports that being. Even though it carries Blood Soul power, this is the periphery of the Underworld Realm…”
Seohul’s vertical pupils glowed blood-red.
“Such an absurd talent. The possibility of reaching Star Shattering…”
He stroked his chin, then smiled with an even more dazzling face.
“That being… it would be best to claim him myself. It would be a waste to use him as Blood Soul fodder.”
Swoooosh—
At the same instant, thick darkness spread outward from Seohul.
**[I will consume ten ‘me’.**
Kiiiiing—
Ten eyes appeared from within the darkness, staring directly at Kang Min-hee. She screamed.
**[Aaaaaaah!]**
Seohul sent a bloody light-filled gaze and laughed.
**[Humbly accept it. Unless you are a mythical existence or something already broken, you cannot resist me.]**
* * *
Seohul dove into Kang Min-hee’s consciousness.
He smiled faintly.
‘Her consciousness is no different from a small Underworld Realm. She must have kept a few ghosts stored here… Yet the ghosts are not thrashing around. This is absurd.’
Seohul gradually delved deeper into her thoughts and smiled.
‘I have obtained an existence possessing ancient talent. The power to stabilize ghosts is terrifying, but it is not a troublesome ability like that of Senior Hye-seo…’
Seohul, who had been observing her consciousness, suddenly noticed something at the center of the ghosts.
‘Hm?’
The ghosts were worshipping it.
‘That must be…’
A chill ran down his spine.
Seohul guessed what it was.
Yet even without confirming its true form, he hurriedly tried to exit Oh Hye-seo’s consciousness.
He did not want to become entangled with ‘that.’
But it was already too late.
‘That’ had noticed Seohul.
‘That’ was the **[Hole]**.
Inside Kang Min-hee’s consciousness existed a **[Hole]** connected to somewhere.
: : You dared to peek at the Emperor Venerable? : :
A vast will flooded her consciousness. The sunset-colored depths instantly turned pitch black.
Seohul desperately struggled to break free from her madness.
The oldest and darkest. The deepest and greatest fissure.
That being showed no reaction whatsoever.
But the one standing to its right stepped through the hole and unleashed fury in an attempt to punish Seohul.
* * *
Boom—!
“Eh?”
Oh Hye-seo stared at her side in confusion.
In an instant, the skull of the man who had tried to cast a spell on Kang Min-hee exploded.
The headless soul of Seohul twisted for a moment before dissolving into a wisp of darkness and flowing downward.
Zzt, zzt!
Oh Hye-seo tried to react but, as if her mind had frozen, she collapsed to the ground.
It was not only her. Everyone present lost their color.
Kim Yeon clutched her stomach as if about to vomit. Hong Beom bloodshot his eyes and stared up at Kang Min-hee.
Oh Hyun-seok, Jeon Myeong-hoon, and Seo Eun-hyun—now free of Oh Hye-seo’s control—looked terrified and unable to react properly.
No, even Jeon Myeong-hoon ground his teeth while trembling in fear.
It felt exactly the same.
‘Heaven’s punishment… the same feeling as back then…’
[Aaaaaaah!]
Kang Min-hee clutched her head and screamed.
A colossal being was trying to burst out from within her and exert power on this world.
The ghosts beside her began screaming before merging into one.
The merged giant aura king possessed the aura of Integration Grand Completion.
Yet it showed no arrogance. Instead, in a state of terror, it slashed open its own belly.
Shwaaak!
A black flag emerged from its split belly.
The aura king, still split, cried with streaming tears and a trembling voice.
**[Chief Judge of the Underworld! Offer it!]**
Waving the flag, the ghostly horde beneath it screamed in unison, trembling with fear.
**[Chief Judge of the Underworld! Offer it!]**
Kugugugugu—!
Kang Min-hee’s shape began to change. From human form, sharp ghost flames erupted from her eyes.
Her hair spread in all directions and flared.
Behind her, a colossal shadow settled upon her.
The colossal being stared down at the entrance of the Blood Soul Realm at the very bottom of the abyss, still channeling power toward Seo Eun-hyun’s group.
: : You are the filth of the previous generation. Do not imitate the noble and live according to your own name. Because of your actions, the noble predecessor has been slandered for so long that even if the Emperor Venerable must bear the blame, I will exterminate you. If you understand, hold your breath and close your filthy mouth. : :
The will of the colossal being made the entrance of the Blood Soul Realm shrink violently and close.
Then the colossal being looked up at the sky and spoke.
Crossing the Blood Soul Ghost Valley Abyss created by Seohul, it seemed to gaze at the distant, boundless void beyond.
: : The mountain is about to be defeated. The Emperor’s throne is being sealed again. The gods have begun to move, and a new mythical age is dawning. : :
The black being looked down at Kang Min-hee and spoke.
: : Since you’ve been caught by the bug, it’s better to awaken early. Emperor Venerable, if I delay, the light will notice. So I shall act immediately. : :
The shadow finished speaking and withdrew back into Kang Min-hee’s consciousness.
[Aaaaaaah!]
Kang Min-hee howled.
The colossal being, which had been trying to return through her consciousness, suddenly turned its gaze to the two suspicious figures.
Behind Oh Hye-seo, who had half-lost consciousness, Seohul was dragging her out.
And below Kang Min-hee, Seo Eun-hyun had regained his senses and was sharpening the sword across his soul.
Seo Eun-hyun was flying at an unprecedented speed.
The All-Heaven Sword in his grip sliced through the darkness as he closed in on Kang Min-hee.
He severed the aura of the colossal being.
At the same time, he bloomed the flower of curse and raised it to the level of soul.
**Myeonsin Gyeoncheon!**
And then, after Seohul had dragged Oh Hye-seo out, he scattered tens of thousands of eyeballs inside the Blood Soul Ghost Valley Abyss.
**Takhon Mancheon!**
Kikigik—
The Blood Soul Ghost Valley Abyss moved under **Takhon Mancheon**, trying to seal Kang Min-hee.
**Myeonsin Gyeoncheon** had become the blade that would cut the remnant of the colossal being dwelling inside her.
The colossal being returned to the place it had descended and stared at Seohul’s **Takhon Mancheon** with solemn eyes.
: : You who have deep sins, by daring to look directly upon the Holy Face, your eyes shall be sealed in darkness for a thousand years. You will not be able to see beyond darkness for a thousand years. : :
Tens of thousands of eyeballs—
No, hundreds of millions of eyeballs behind them—simultaneously closed, swallowing the light.
**Ilwol Cheonyeok.**
Everyone who had once met Seohul in the entire region felt a strange sensation and touched their heads.
They all felt something rampaging inside their skulls, but soon the parasitic creature in their brains fell asleep.
They briefly thought it strange, but since it was a good phenomenon, they let it pass.
Inside the Blood Soul Ghost Valley Abyss.
The colossal being looked at Seo Eun-hyun.
: : You who know righteousness. I wish to bestow a blessing upon you, but the Emperor Venerable deems it useless, so I shall take only the calamity you have caused. Do not forget the heart that considers bonds and the resolve to repent for sins. : :
Kwadadeudeuk!
**Myeonsin Gyeoncheon** Seo Eun-hyun had unleashed was instantly shattered as if the being were exerting power. Seo Eun-hyun was covered in blood.
The colossal being, having completed its work, returned completely through Kang Min-hee’s consciousness.
And a completely reborn Kang Min-hee howled.
But Seo Eun-hyun did not stop.
Despite **Myeonsin Gyeoncheon** being shattered and his entire body shattered, he still flew toward Kang Min-hee.
Flash!
As light swirled, Seo Eun-hyun drove the All-Heaven Sword straight into Kang Min-hee’s chest.
* * *
**[Please… please…!]**
I gritted my teeth and stared at Kang Min-hee.
I did not want this life to end like this.
But above all, I did not want my precious people to be ruined by the will of these colossal beings.
“Kang Min-hee, please…! Come to your senses…!”
And.
The light of reason returned to Kang Min-hee’s eyes.
[Seo, Eun, Hyun…]
Paaaat!
In an instant, Kang Min-hee’s voice flowed into my brain.
“What? What is that… No! Do not allow it! I can resist fate!”
Kang Min-hee’s mouth moved.
She looked as if she were smiling sadly for a moment.
Kwaauuung—
The force pulled, and the **[hole]** that had been open toward the Blood Soul Realm closed again.
Kang Min-hee pushed me away.
[…Thank you.]
She smiled at me and moved toward the center of the Blood Soul Ghost Valley Abyss that Seohul had created.
She was about to be sealed.
Ironically, by our joint effort with Seohul, she would willingly enter the center of the Blood Soul Ghost Valley Abyss and calm herself alone for hundreds of years.
And according to the message she had left for me, she would obey the order given to her by the God of Death.
“Kang Min-hee!!!”
I rushed toward her with murderous intent, but she was swallowed into the abyss by another force she had created.
Kim Yeon, Jeon Myeong-hoon, Oh Hyun-seok, Hong Beom, and everyone else fell through the new entrance Kang Min-hee had created.
I gradually watched the reawakening light fade from Kang Min-hee’s eyes and was pulled into the darkness.
* * *
“…”
When I opened my eyes, I realized I was floating on a dark river.
‘This place…?’
I staggered to my feet.
Oddly, this river did not sink into my body. I could stand on it as if it were solid ground.
My feet were submerged only slightly.
As I looked around curiously, I suddenly noticed Jeon Myeong-hoon, Oh Hyun-seok, and Kim Yeon trapped at the bottom of the river.
“Master! You’re awake!”
“…! Hong Beom…!?”
I suddenly looked toward Hong Beom standing on the riverbank and was startled.
Hong Beom was being consumed by a giant carnivorous plant on the riverbank.
“Master, please save the others first. I’ll be right out! Use the force to lift them!”
“…Understood.”
I hurriedly pulled the companions sinking to the river bottom out of the water.
After that, I dragged them to the bank and checked their condition.
Whether fortunate or unfortunate, no major injuries.
“Speaking of which, where exactly is this…?”
I severed the carnivorous plant trying to devour Hong Beom and sliced it apart, then looked around.
The air was filled not with heaven and earth vital energy but with dark ghost qi.
It was different from the Demon Realm too.
The surroundings were silent, giving the feeling of a shortcut.
Hong Beom returned to human form and shook off the slime on his body.
“Master, first let’s extract Yeon-jin.”
“Yeon-jin?”
“Yes. Contact Ancestor Yeon-wi and ask where we are. Ancestor Yeon-wi has vast experience and age, so she should know.”
“Good idea.”
I summoned the Dao Origin Plate and called Yeon-jin out.
The moment Yeon-jin emerged from the Dao Origin Plate, he shouted in alarm.
“What! Senior, everything is fine, but why are you bringing me out now?! Honestly, I forgot!?”
“Um… sorry.”
Now that I thought about it, since crossing into the Gwanghan Realm, I had completely forgotten about Yeon-jin and not summoned him from the Dao Origin Plate.
I realized the truth and apologized profusely to him.
“Ugh, really. If Ancestor’s words hadn’t reached me, I would have been lazing around the Geumsin Cheonroemun… kuhk!”
Yeon-jin, who had been muttering, suddenly vomited blood.
“…! Yeon-jin!?”
I rushed over in shock.
At that moment, Yeon-jin’s eyes rolled back. He immediately crossed his legs into the lotus position and began expelling the ghost qi around him.
I realized that when Yeon-jin’s life was in danger, the ‘she’ inside him had awakened.
“You damn brat! You said you wouldn’t win against the Gwanghan Realm!? Why are you here!”
“Yeon-wi…”
I explained the situation while watching Yeon-wi’s anger.
“So you fell here because you got caught up in a complicated incident in the Gwanghan Realm?”
“Correct. Do you know where this is?”
Yeon-wi touched her head as if having a headache.
“…You didn’t guess? This place is the Myeonggwi Realm.”
I let out a sigh as my earlier guess turned out to be correct.
We had fallen into the Myeonggwi Realm.