A Regressor’s Tale of Cultivation

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Chapter 695: Spiraling Dragon

I reached Martial Pinnacle.

However, at the same time, I did not reach it.

It is a laughable contradiction.

Because [the Martial Pinnacle that cannot be reached alone is my Martial Pinnacle].

Martial Pinnacle is ultimately one’s own answer toward the strongest Martial Arts.

And I answered that my Martial Arts is the ultimate of ‘connection’.

Therefore, the Martial Pinnacle I have reached is one that absolutely cannot be reached by my strength alone, unlike Kim Young-hoon’s Golden Great Thousand World.

Instead, if there is even one person by my side—

If there is even one person who gives me their heart…

Then I can definitely unfold the power of Martial Pinnacle.

Flash!

From the Radiance Supreme Deity, a terrifying waterfall of power pours forth.

And at that moment, I send a message to Jeon Myeong-hoon.

‘Lend it to me, Jeon Myeong-hoon.’

: : Got it. : :

Jeon Myeong-hoon’s heart divine descents into my body through the Sword God Dance.

Simultaneously, the Sword God Dance shines resplendently in red and gold radiance.

‘The ultimate of Martial Arts that can never be attained by my strength alone is the Martial Arts I have reached and my answer. It is the strongest Martial Arts I have conceived.’

An ultimate of Martial Arts so fittingly called a ‘half-baked Martial Pinnacle’.

A golden-red trajectory unfolds along the sword’s path, and the Heavenly King’s authority released by Jeon Myeong-hoon dwells in my sword.

At the same time, I fully feel the heart contained in my sword, and I feel my power spreading across the entirety of Mount Sumeru.

Kururung!

Thunder echoes from the sword.

At that moment, the trajectory of the Sword God Dance seems to expand in an instant, and it begins to resonate with all of Mount Sumeru.

Kururung!

Outside Mount Sumeru.

At some point, in addition to the existing Gandhara that are enveloping the exterior of Mount Sumeru, another [ring] coils around it.

That ring is one that shines golden-red.

Some force emanating from inside Mount Sumeru created that ring.

And soon, the ring seems to gradually shrink and flows inward into Mount Sumeru.

: : Th-The Gandhara…! : :

: : The Gandhara is descending!! : :

: : This feeling, is it the True Martial Great Emperor!? The True Martial Great Emperor is coming! : :

The True Immortals of Radiance Hall fall into confusion.

Some are thrown into disarray by the descent of the True Martial Great Emperor’s Gandhara, while others rejoice, thinking they can now escape by taking advantage of the descending Hyeon Mu.

But their pitiful hopes…

Are now doomed to be in vain.

: : Wh-What…? Th-The Gandhara… Why is it going to the Mountain Spirit…? : :

The massive golden-red ‘band’ that has been steadily narrowing from beyond the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain spreads out centered on me.

The eyes of the holders of Triple Divinity, the Ten Thousand Laws Spiritual Lord and the Eastern Brilliance Spiritual Lord, widen in shock.

Their transmissions clearly reach my ears.

—Did you see it!? How in the world…it wasn’t an illusion!?

—It’s exactly the same as Hyeon Mu’s Gandhara!

—Which means, that Mountain Spirit is…

Their chatter does not continue.

What continues is the golden-red hyperbola drawn by the Sword God!

: : Severing Heaven Sword Form. : :

The original Sword God Dance was a technique that borrowed the hearts of people from the history of my life.

: : Derived Profound Technique. : :

And in the end, the people in my history are none other than myself.

Therefore, the original Sword God Dance was a dance that borrowed my own strength.

And this technique, which advances one step beyond the original Sword God Dance…

: : Sword God Dance (劍神舞), Revised (改). : :

Paaaatt!

…is a technique that borrows the hearts of those who formed a connection with me.

Starting with Echoing Valley, Endless Mountains Beyond Mountains, and Foolish Old Man Moves Mountains, which utilize the opponent’s power in reverse…

Passing through the move of Sumeru that divine descents the power of the world, and the move of Cedarwood that borrows the hearts of others…

The Sword God Dance that maximizes the power of ‘borrowing’.

Through that Sword God Dance…

I imbue Jeon Myeong-hoon’s authority into this sword!

: : Eighty Quadrillion God-Extinguishing Twin Cycling Sword (八京滅神雙轉劍). : :

Lightning condenses, and the Heavenly Tribulation boils even brighter.

Time begins to freeze, and my perception rises to Araya Consciousness, accelerating faster than anyone.

At the same time, the power of the Heavenly King divine descents into my body and my sword, and through the optimized ultimate will I unleash, power begins to amplify by hundreds of millions of times.

‘With a single sword…I shall create a miracle.’

The golden-red hyperbola storms endlessly from behind me in accordance with my will, spiraling into a double helix, and I, along with that double helix, become a streaking meteor, throwing my body toward the symbol of the Radiance Supreme Deity.

Simultaneously, the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain, which is about to collapse and face the End due the contraction of the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra, starts to swell.

The power amplifying from the double helix pushes back the End and drives out the influence of the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra.

Unable to withstand that overwhelming power, all beings below Great Net among the True Immortals of the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain are either ejected outside the Heavenly Domain or suffer devastating injuries as their inner worlds are completely messed up.

And I, together with the endlessly amplifying power, accelerate even more as a Lightning God like Jeon Myeong-hoon.

It begins with Araya Consciousness.

The extent of acceleration isn’t great at first, but each sweep of the double helix brings slight acceleration, and the scope of that acceleration gradually increases.

At first, one percent. Then two percent. Then three percent…

Since this is not a technique specialized in speed to begin with, and instead one where the speed rises proportionally to the Heavenly King’s power amplifying within me, the acceleration range naturally remains narrow.

And then…

The rotation of the double helix at last reaches eighty quadrillion in an instant.

The moment the rotation achieves eighty quadrillion in a single burst—

I reach the same speed I once experienced in a distant past.

‘This is…Undying…’

When I followed part of Kim Young-hoon’s Golden Great Thousand World.

When I activated the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade.

The speed of Undying that only activated during those times finally emerge within me.

Sensing the infinite speed, I naturally thrust ahead, piercing into the all-out single strike of the Radiance Supreme Deity.

My Martial Pinnacle is half-baked as it cannot be reached alone…

But if I am not alone, then just from that alone, I am no different from a true Martial Pinnacle itself.

The sound of thunder roars.

Kwarururung!

The Heavenly Domain swells, the golden-red trajectory sweeps wildly, and the weaker True Immortals are ejected beyond the Heavenly Domain at superluminal speed.

At the same time, the being at the center of that golden-red storm shoots toward the symbol of the [Black Snake Biting Its Tail], becoming a single spear that pierces through the symbol of Heuk Sa, breaking through one corner of the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain, and ascending beyond.

The Sword God Dance that blocked the Splitting Emperor Splitting Heaven Annihilation Advancement Wu, an attack beyond even the single strike of the Underworld’s main body.

That sword of the Martial Pinnacle that divine descent the innate authority of the Red Pearl Cycling King directly dismantles the symbol of the Radiance Eight Immortals, who drew forth the authority of the prime Radiance Ten Heavenly Lord, and finally comes to a stop outside the Heavenly Domain.

Even without words, everyone can tell.

The Radiance Supreme Deity Heuk Sa.

To have blocked a single strike of the Radiance Eight Immortals that raised the symbol of Heuk Sa means…

At this very moment, within the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain, at least two beings equivalent to or even beyond the Gandhara Heavenly Venerable rank have been born.

At the situation that is practically the same as Silver Basket and Obsidian appearing in the same era, all the gods of the Sumeru Three Heavens World who were watching the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain are thrown into utter chaos.

The judgment of the Radiance Eight Immortals comes swiftly.

: : The Heaven-Destroying One Jeon Myeong-hoon has awakened as the Red Pearl Cycling Heavenly King. : :

: : Having fully inherited the power and Immortal Treasure of the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity…he must, in truth, be regarded as Heavenly Venerable rank. : :

: : Seo Eun-hyun as well…though it is an impossible event, seems to have reached the same realm as the True Martial Great Emperor Hyeon Mu. Hyeon Mu, with that alone, is of Supreme Deity rank, and if the power of the Interdimensional Void and the Plane of Soul is added, they are upper Heavenly Venerable.

: : Seo Eun-hyun too, therefore, must be judged as an entity essentially of Supreme Deity rank, and the technique that he uses has been confirmed to be one that divine descents and amplifies the power of a Heavenly King. In other words…as it amplifies the power of a Heavenly King, just by that alone they are of Heavenly Venerable rank…or beyond…! : :

Radiance Eight Immortals simultaneously communicate and come to a judgement.

: : In effect, it is as if Silver Basket and Obsidian both descended in the same era. Of all times, two Heavenly Kings awakened as Heavenly Venerable rank… Elevate the threat level of Seo Eun-hyun’s group to Grade Eul (乙), and avoid direct confrontation. All Radiance Eight Immortals are to move to the Outer Sea and block the advancement ritual! : :

Paaatt!

Having finished their rapid judgment, they leave Seo Eun-hyun’s group under the decision of the Great Forest and Rain Dew Heavenly Lords, and instantly leave for the Outer Sea.

And then…

Clasp—

A mountain spirit clad in a white round collar robe catches up in an instant to the side of the Great Forest Heavenly Lord who has reached the edge of Mount Sumeru, grabbing their shoulder.

: : Sorry, but ever since I attained this vision…even if you hide them, your thoughts and intent are just too plainly visible. : :

: : …! : :

From the two eyes of the Mountain Spirit Seo Eun-hyun, ominous light burst forth and presses down on the Radiance Eight Immortals.

: : Blocking the advancement ritual? Mine, at that? So it seems I was in the middle of some advancement ritual without even knowing it. : :

: : Sword Spear! Block him!!! : :

: : The will of the mountain spirit who stands in our way—we shall shoot it down ourselves!! : :

The Sword Spear Heavenly Lord begins to block Seo Eun-hyun, and the Radiance Eight Immortals begin to unleash their power.

And then…

In the hands of the Great Forest Heavenly Lord, concentrated power of the Radiance Supreme Deity, a great bowstring of light is drawn.

Seo Eun-hyun sees the direction the bowstring is aiming, his eyes gleaming ferociously.

: : I see… But that will not be allowed… : :

All the light of the world gathers at the tip of the arrow.

I read the intention and causality of where that arrow is aimed, and realize what the Great Forest Heavenly Lord is trying to shoot.

At the end of that arrow is the Flower Soul Filling the Heavens that is returning to Mount Sumeru.

And atop it are Kim Yeon and Oh Hye-seo, on their way back here.

Kaaang!

My sword clashes with the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord Ji Hwa’s, and our gazes cross quickly.

: : Jeon Myeong-hoon! : :

Flash!

Jeon Myeong-hoon hurls a Lightning-Tipped Spear from the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain.

The Lightning-Tipped Spear flies toward me, pierces through my body, and embeds itself into the stomach of the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord.

Pretending to face off against the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, I use Ji Hwa’s body as the bow’s shaft, my will as the bowstring, nock the Lightning-Tipped Spear as the bow’s arrow, and begin invoking the Immortal Art composed of my connections.

Wiiiiiiiing!

It is the Immortal Art formed from the wills of countless mortal beings.

: : Shoot down the light. : :

The bow of the Great Forest Heavenly Lord, concentrated with the power of the Radiance Supreme Deity Heuk Sa, releases its string and fires outward beyond Mount Sumeru.

And the arrow, shot using Ji Hwa’s body as the shaft, flies and transcends causality and spacetime, hitting the bow of the Great Forest even faster than the previously released arrow.

: : Sunlight Hunting (Sun Shooting)! : :

Tukwang!

Peeeoong!

Far beyond the Outer Sea, the arrow of the Great Forest Heavenly Lord explodes, unleashing chaos.

The Great Forest Heavenly Lord looks as if they are about to shout something at the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, but upon realizing that Jeon Myeong-hoon and I combined our powers to unleash the Immortal Art, they look furious but unable to do anything.

The other Eight Immortals have become the body of Heuk Sa to pour strength into Great Forest,

The Sword Spear Heavenly Lord has become the tail of Heuk Sa to block me, and the Great Forest has become the head of Heuk Sa, attempting to shoot down the Flower Soul Filling the Heavens, which carries Kim Yeon and Oh Hye-seo. Thus, they cannot stop me.

Kugugugugu!

‘That’s…’

However, as I see from afar Immortal Treasures like the Qian-Kun Ruler and the Thirty-Three Heavenly Resplendent Treasure Pagodas that have regained their Immortal Forms to a certain extent and are flying toward me, I smirk.

: : Do they think such things can stop me? : :

Kwaaang! Kwaaaaang!

The Treasure Immortals, transformed into the Thirty-Three Heavenly Resplendent Treasure Pagodas, and the Qian-Kun Ruler all ram into me simultaneously, trying to bind me.

And Ji Hwa and I simply smile.

Pasasasasaa—

My body turns into paper flowers and begins to scatter into the void.

: : Thanks to Jeon Myeong-hoon and the other comrades, I’ve already come to my senses once. : :

Now, using the same method as Hyeon Mu, I can assimilate myself with the world and traverse boundless spacetime.

I fall elsewhere and once again receive Jeon Myeong-hoon’s Lightning-Tipped Spear, beginning to intercept using the Immortal Art of Sunlight Hunting.

Tukwang, tukwang, tukwang!

The Immortal Art of Light that aims to hunt down Enders, is shot down one by one by the Immortal Art created by an Ender to hunt down Light.

Tukwaaang!

: : Yoouuuuu!!! : :

And finally, from the distant Outer Sea, familiar presences appear.

Kim Yeon and Oh Hye-seo have arrived, riding on Flower Soul Filling the Heavens.

The Great Forest Heavenly Lord frantically tries to intercept both me and Flower Soul Filling the Heavens, but all attacks aimed at Flower Soul Filling the Heavens are counter-intercepted by me…

And the attacks aimed at me are nullified with me turning into paper flowers and escaping.

And at last!

Kugugugugu!

The moment the [White Deer Without Antlers] sets foot upon Mount Sumeru.

Flash!

[…Huh?]

I suddenly become aware of myself having moved above the Immortal Art of Flower Soul Filling the Heavens.

I have been pulled atop Flower Soul Filling the Heavens with even a moment’s perception.

‘That speed just now…the speed of Undying? What in the world just…wait, no… More importantly…!’

Woo-wooooong!

I tremble as I witness the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade begin to reactivate through Flower Soul Filling the Heavens.

As the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade activates again, I am able to gain new wisdom within it.

‘This is…!’

Paaaatt!

I fully become one with the Flower Soul Filling the Heavens of the White Deer, carrying Kim Yeon and Oh Hye-seo, and begin to spiral around Mount Sumeru.

The will of Hae Nyeong that had been hidden within Flower Soul Filling the Heavens and the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade all this time resounds solemnly toward me.

[Thank you.]

What is he thankful for?

But without even a moment to ponder about such things, I accept the wisdom granted by Hae Nyeong’s will and grasp the situation.

Woo-wooooong!

In the opposite direction from how I wrapped around Mount Sumeru when leaving toward the Outer Sea,

Drawing a spiral different from that of the snake last time, a double helix rises from the base of Mount Sumeru to the vertex where the Head Realm lies, transforming me into a new existence.

From around me, ancient forces begin to emerge.

As I realize what I am becoming, what I am advancing toward, I smile with a trembling heart.

What is currently happening is the Immortal Beast King advancement ritual hidden by Hae Nyeong within the Salt Sea Returning Dew Jade!

In other words, I am currently advancing to become the Immortal Beast King.

Kugugugugu!

: : Fine. If that’s how it is, then I’ll accept it. : :

As I raise the Wheel behind my head, I roar.

At the same time, as I shift my body from the form of a deer to that of a Candle Dragon, I endlessly spiral upward around Mount Sumeru, ascending to its summit.

: : S T O P  H I M!!! : :

Kugugugugu!

Seo Eun-hyun’s Immortal Beast King advancement ritual.

At the cry of the Radiance Eight Immortals who witness it, not only the forces of Radiance Hall, but even the Earth Immortals and True Lords from other factions begin to simultaneously rush toward Seo Eun-hyun, who wraps around Mount Sumeru.

Even some Immortal Beasts from the Underworld charge toward Seo Eun-hyun.

: : I am the one who is supposed to become the Immortal Beast King! : :

: : Savage mountain divine spirits must never be allowed to take the position of the mountain divine spirit!! : :

: : That place, meant for Lord Glass Peacock, going to someone like you! : :

All Immortal Beasts blinded by the seat of the Immortal Beast King, and all Heaven Immortals who do not welcome the existence of an Immortal Beast King—

Eighty percent of the current forces in Mount Sumeru now simultaneously move to stop the Immortal Beast King advancement ritual of the Immortal Beast Candle Dragon.