The Summoning of the Ancients
The universe trembled with a thunderous roar.
All beings in the heavens trembled in fury as they scoured every corner of the cosmos.
[Is there any answer from Hyeol-eum?]
[No reply has come!]
[This damned! What exactly is it! What is pushing the apocalypse forward!?]
[Send word to the Saintesses!]
All Fissure Openers were raging, tearing apart the universe to uncover the reason the End was advancing.
And in the vicinity of the Middle World.
There, Baek-woon was praying to the Gwangmyeong Palace, while Yu-o and Haeryeong prayed from the Underworld.
Baek-woon had also contacted Hyeol-eum frantically, but he had given no answer.
All were in confusion, desperately seeking answers!
However… for some reason, the answer came from an entity with no interest in such matters.
[Eh?]
Seo Eun-hyun, Kang Min-hee, and Baek-won—who had been observing Samokdo, where countless beings with the potential to reach the Star Plate were gathering—felt something strange.
‘What the hell is this?’
While observing Samokdo, he sensed that its spiritual energy was growing odd.
[What is this…? Is the heavenly qi of Ilwol Cheonyeok concentrating around Samokdo?]
Ki-ki-ki-gig-
He observed the heavenly qi and felt something suspicious.
‘This is…! Wait, the movement of that spiritual energy…!?’
And Baek-won, who had caught the source of the heavenly qi flow, was stunned.
He compared the advanced flow of the End with the spiritual energy emanating from Samokdo, completely confirmed its identity, and shuddered.
The look of fear that had entered his eyes—eyes that had only ever cared about the advancement of the True Immortal realm before—came from the fact that this was unmistakably the flow he had seen long ago.
He could not forget the terror he had felt the first time he witnessed it.
[Th-that’s the… Dharma-Destroying True Word!!!]
Baek-won’s eyes rolled back.
Uuuuuung!
The entire Purple Gold Realm vibrated.
Soon after, Baek-won shouted.
: : Listen well! I, Baek-won, have uncovered the cause of this anomaly! : :
The voice of Baek-won echoed across the entirety of Ilwol Cheonyeok.
The gazes of all True Immortals and Saintesses turned toward Baek-won, shocked by his tone.
: : It is the Dharma-Destroying True Word! The Saintess of Samokdo, Seo Eun-hyun, is using [the Dharma-Destroying True Word]!!! : :
After Baek-won’s desperate cry.
The entire universe fell into a momentary silence.
Perhaps the True Immortals and Saintesses of the universe would need a little time to understand the meaning of those words.
No one could comprehend that an individual Saintess could wield an incantation that even the tyrannical mountain god alone could unleash.
However, after a short while for understanding, at last, when all grasped the meaning.
The entirety of Ilwol Cheonyeok vibrated.
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* * *
Gwanghan Realm, Cheonryeonsan, Baekokru.
There, Baek-woon sent frantic communications to the Gwangmyeong Palace in Cheonwang Cheonyeok.
And the ruler of the Gwangmyeong Palace, who had rarely paid heed to Baek-woon’s reports, listened to her today.
: : Is there anyone using the Dharma-Destroying True Word? : :
[There is. Seo Eun-hyun, the current Saintess of Samokdo. The one who was once the Gatekeeper of Geumsin Cheonroe Moon in Gwanghan Realm, who wandered after the Gatekeeper of Geumsin Cheonroe Moon fell to the power of the Lord of Heavenly Punishment, and who has only recently become a Saintess after eight hundred years. His origin… as I reported, Sugye. I humbly request the descent of the Heavenly Lords, O Heavenly Monarchs.]
: : Impossible. All the Heavenly Lords of the current Gwangmyeong Palace are concentrated in the direction of Taesansangje. : :
[Haona…]
: : In his stead. I request support as an ally from Ling-seung and the Seven Northern Dipper Lords. Due to the Thunder Star Sea, direct descent is impossible. Prepare the ritual of divine descent for their disciples: : :
[…! I thank you. However… one of the disciples of the Seven Northern Dipper Lords, Yeo-hui, is currently held captive by the Saintess of Samokdo. The descent may not be perfect.]
: : Even an imperfect descent would be sufficient if the one of old was not the Cold Lunar Heavenly King. : :
[…Yes, indeed… no matter how great, it would be insufficient compared to the strength of the one of old…]
Baek-woon nodded in understanding.
[How long will it take for the descent of the Seven Northern Dipper Lords?]
: : Unknown. : :
[Eh!? What do you mean by that!?]
: : They are in the Outer Sea seeking their Lord. The ability to contact them is uncertain. It depends entirely on fate. You must seek help from Ling-seung. : :
Chiji-ji-jik…
The True Immortal who had bestowed the oracle upon Baek-woon from the Gwangmyeong Palace soon concealed his presence.
Baek-woon sighed and gritted her teeth.
‘Those prideful brats who can only act arrogant!’
But as for her, there was nothing she could do at the moment.
[I am the proxy of the great calendar and the Heavenly Scripture, the apostle of the Lord who governs time. I, Baek-woon, the Saintess of Gwanghan Realm and the Saint of Light, humbly request your aid.]
Uuuuung!
Baek-woon’s consciousness was instantly pulled toward some distant sky beyond the heavens.
She prayed to Ling-seung and whispered something.
She hoped he would resolve the current situation.
However, at that moment.
Paji-ji-jik!
[Guuuuuug!]
Baek-woon’s consciousness returned to her true self, and she shouted with wide eyes, unable to believe it.
[This is impossible! What are you saying!? You refuse to help Ilwol Cheonyeok!? Are you abandoning the Gwangmyeong Palace!? The Gwangmyeong Palace will not allow this matter to be neglected!!!]
However, no one answered Baek-woon’s shouts.
Baek-woon’s complexion darkened.
She sent her will to Yu-o of the Myeonggwi Realm, but the only reply from Yu-o was that the Underworld also had no answers.
[Has the South Pole Lord betrayed the Gwangmyeong Palace…? And the Underworld side has descended the Ghost Dao Reverent Line to create the Ghost Dao Holy Mother… yet even though there is a user of the Dharma-Destroying True Word, the tyrannical mountain god does not punish them…?
What the hell is going on!? How can such a thing happen!?]
With a deep sigh, Baek-woon let out a lament.
[Ilwol Cheonyeok… is about to be engulfed in a great chaos…! The turmoil from forty thousand years ago is incomparable. This must be compared to the great chaos of the time of the Gatekeepers…!]
* * *
Goryeok Realm
Hae Wangjeon
Inside, Haeryeong’s eyes trembled in the dragon hall.
[…This is impossible. It is possible for one to use the Dharma-Destroying True Word. And a Saintess who has only been a Saintess for a mere ten thousand years!? To use it at the level of a Saint, one would need to constantly chant the Dharma-Destroying True Word for at least thirty-three thousand years while striving to understand the technique… and even then, that is assuming I directly taught it to him. How is something like this possible!?]
Haeryeong sighed in disbelief, unable to understand it.
[…What should I do. Is it the duty of a Saintess? Or the debt of repayment as the descendant of the early Haetae? What should I do, Father.]
* * *
Jinma Realm
Hyeolje Dan
There, Ja-eun stared at Samokdo with a grave face.
[…What madness are you committing, Seohul? Why are you helping him with the Purple Soul Filling the Heavens. Wasn’t our goal something else?]
Hwaruruk!
The power of the Purple Soul Filling the Heavens swirled around Ja-eun.
[…As expected, those born in Sugye should not be trusted. Have they finally gone mad…? Seohul. Then… I will have to proceed with my plan without Seohul’s help…]
With a small sigh, Ja-eun wore a bitter expression.
* * *
Star Realm.
Countless beings began to appear around the area where Samokdo was located.
Quasi-Immortals!
All the Quasi-Immortals existing in Ilwol Cheonyeok had leapt across thousands of light-years in their true forms to surround Samokdo.
Among them was Jinrugok, a race like Seo Eun-hyun.
Tsu-aat!
Jinrugok transformed into a human form and said.
[Since you are of the same race, I thought you were on our side. What are you doing now! Stop immediately!!!]
However, the spiritual energy emanating from Samokdo remained immovable.
It continued to distort the surrounding space, slowly advancing the End of the entire Ilwol Cheonyeok.
And the True Immortals finally erupted in rage.
[I will not listen any longer!]
[Stop using the Dharma-Destroying True Word!]
[I do not know how you obtained this vicious incantation without punishment, but it is dangerous! Immediately stop the use of that wicked demonic technique!!!]
The True Immortals who had watched Seo Eun-hyun from the Myeonggwi Realm spoke with eyes filled with anger and fear.
[One who has comprehended the true meaning of Taesan Yeolje Gong from the Myeonggwi Realm.]
[Through him, you obtained the real Dharma-Destroying True Word by reversing Taesan Yeolje Gong.]
[What you have been using until now is not a fake mimicking the power of the Dharma-Destroying True Word, but the ‘real’ one.]
[How… even if it is ‘real,’ how can you use it at the level of a Saintess!? Even if you have received recognition from the owner of the incantation, would not a Saintess need to chant the Dharma-Destroying True Word for hundreds of thousands of years to use it? How is such a monstrosity possible!?]
However, while the True Immortals were arguing,
Pa-aa-at!
Five enormous lights bloomed around Samokdo.
At the same time, five dimensional gates opened, and countless beings erupted from them.
Baek-woon, the Saintess of Gwanghan Realm.
Following her, six Venerable Ones of Gwanghan Realm.
Ja-eun, the Saintess of Jinma Realm.
Following her, three Venerable Ones of Jinma Realm.
Haeryeong, the Saintess of Goryeok Realm.
Following her, four Venerable Ones of Goryeok Realm.
Yu-o, the Saintess of Myeonggwi Realm.
Following her, four Venerable Ones of Myeonggwi Realm.
Baek-won, the Saintess of Purple Gold Realm.
Following her, four Venerable Ones of Purple Gold Realm.
As they advanced, they stood before Seo Eun-hyun with solemn faces and spoke.
Yu-o and Baek-woon stepped forward.
[Seo Eun-hyun, listen. The Dharma-Destroying True Word you are chanting now is one of the extremely dangerous incantations. I knew you were training it, but I never thought you could actually unleash its true power. I doubted it was the ‘real’ one. But it was really like this… I am telling you, please stop using the ‘real’ Dharma-Destroying True Word. Since you have only been training it, you do not know its true power.
The true power of that incantation is truly terrifying. It can threaten the entire Ilwol Cheonyeok! So, stop it immediately!]
[I have seen the power of that Dharma-Destroying True Word from afar long ago.]
Yu-o was desperately trying to persuade Seo Eun-hyun.
[If you use it, countless beings will die. Many will not even find rest in the Underworld and will be absorbed by the user of the Dharma-Destroying True Word, suffering eternal torment. I humbly ask the Saintess Eun-hyun to listen. The Dharma-Destroying True Word is truly a horrifying demonic technique. Please stop using the Dharma-Destroying True Word.]
And… only then did Seo Eun-hyun’s answer come from inside Samokdo.
[Many among those who have been observing me for so long probably did not think that what I was using was the ‘real’ one… It is a pity. Even without distinguishing between the real and fake Dharma-Destroying True Words, how could the seniors have concluded that the Dharma-Destroying True Word is only a horrifying demonic technique? Could it not have been a starting point to save everyone by using it?]
At those words, one of the Fissure Openers True Immortals shouted.
[You brat! Do you dare to judge us with only a few thousand years of experience on the front line!? I have seen the Dharma-Destroying True Word once. Can you imagine what happens when the Dharma-Destroying True Word is unleashed!?]
Baek-woon also showed irritation at Seo Eun-hyun’s words and muttered.
[Most True Immortals have seen the Dharma-Destroying True Word at least once! That horrifying and vicious demonic technique sends chills even at the thought of it. You claim to control the Dharma-Destroying True Word without even having seen its true form? Save everyone? That is the path to destroying everyone!]
From inside Samokdo, a laugh was heard.
[Listening to you say that you saw the Dharma-Destroying True Word from afar in front of me, that it is scary, that you know its essence… it makes me laugh.]
Uuuung!
Over Samokdo, the projection of the giant glass-like Yurisan Mountain rose.
And Seo Eun-hyun looked down at the True Immortals, Saintesses, and Venerable Ones from the peak of Yurisan Mountain with a cold smile.
[I plan to save everyone in Ilwol Cheonyeok from the End using the Dharma-Destroying True Word. To explain in detail, I cannot say much because those here would suffer great harm from connection with the True Immortal realm, but… on the oath of the techniques I have built my essence with, I swear that none of you here will suffer any harm. And the End will come on time eight thousand years from now. Even if accelerated, at most by about a week. You have nothing to worry about.]
[Stop it immediately! The fact that it is connected to the True Immortal realm is already suspicious. Did you receive an order from the mountain god!? The problem is not that it is accelerating the End, but that it will be used [properly] in the End!!!]
[…Hah, think whatever you want… I expected resistance, but it is fierce.]
Seo Eun-hyun smiled faintly and raised one hand.
[Move the stars, Seohul!]
Ddu-ddd-ddd-ddd!
The True Immortals and Saintesses all began to glare at Seo Eun-hyun and Samokdo.
And by Seohul’s Purple Soul Filling the Heavens, the spiritual veins twisted and a formation formed around Samokdo.
Kuuuung!
At the same time, a certain [miniature dimension] was extracted from Gwanghan Realm and jumped across space and time to stick to Samokdo!
Kwa-aa-ang!
It was Jeungryong Jinin’s Pocket Dimension that had been embedded in Gwanghan Realm!
[I, Haengyeong’s tears and armor, as the true master of the Clear Scale Armor, declare!]
Uuuuung!
With Seo Eun-hyun’s proclamation that had received the owner’s authority from Myeongma Jin-gun Yu Ho-deok, the lake of the Clear Scale Armor lying under the mulgu-sun tree in Jeungryong Jinin’s Pocket Dimension was sucked out and enveloped the entirety of Samokdo.
At the same time, crimson hellfire spewed from Jeungryong Jinin’s Pocket Dimension and dyed the entire universe.
The Saintesses and True Immortals all retreated in shock from the range of the hellfire.
Baek-woon, in astonishment, shouted while looking at Seo Eun-hyun blazing brightly at the center of the hellfire.
[Th-that… you madman! How can you be so calm at the center of the hellfire!? It is impossible for there to be no sin toward the spirits, so did you go to receive judgment in advance!?]
Jiji-jiji-jiji…
The entire space seemed to be drying in the heat of the hellfire.
Wii-ing!
And when the True Immortals and Saintesses had retreated back.
One of the twenty-eight artificial stars in Samokdo entered Jeungryong Jinin’s Pocket Dimension attached to Samokdo.
[Now, Kim Yeon!]
With Kim Yeon sealing the deal, the artificial star that had entered Jeungryong Jinin’s Pocket Dimension shone brightly and connected with Seo Eun-hyun in Samokdo.
Wii-ing!
The artificial star and Seo Eun-hyun resonated.
And Samokdo and Jeungryong Jinin’s Pocket Dimension began to completely melt!
Samokdo’s dimension swallowed Jeungryong Jinin’s Pocket Dimension, becoming one and even wider.
At the same time, on the other side of the Pyeongun Continent, another continent was born anew.
[From now on…]
Seo Eun-hyun proclaimed while enjoying his greatly strengthened authority and the absolute nature of Samokdo.
[I will implement the artificial Middle World plan!]
Thus began the war between Seo Eun-hyun and all the people of Ilwol Cheonyeok that would continue for about eight thousand years.