A Regressor’s Tale of Cultivation

, Resnut

Kwa kwa kwa kwa!

The dragon's form becomes a streak of light and emits divine energy into the pit below.

The form of the Sea Dragon scatters like a spray of water and covers Seo Eun-hyun and his party.

[Blood Sacrifice Ritual - Blood Yin Returning Home.]

As Seo Hweol forms hand seals, the attraction force from the Blood Yin Realm pulling Seo Eun-hyun's group intensifies overwhelmingly.

Seo Hweol also seems to be affected by the force, but when Oh Hye-seo reaches out and shrouds Seo Hweol's body with the form of the Black Dragon, the effect disappears.

Afterward, she unleashes the form of the Black Dragon again, opening its mouth to spew a black breath downward.

Kwa kwa kwa kwa!

[Oh Hye-seo...! How could you...!?]

Oh Hyun-seok, the giant of stars, feels particularly betrayed and tries to rise upward frantically.

Kugugugugu!

Purple primordial chaos boils from Oh Hyun-seok's entire body.

The giant of stars Oh Hyun-seok transforms into a colossal figure covered in purple steam.

Within the purple steam, Oh Hyun-seok's fierce eyes glimmer ominously.

[How can you betray your own family!?]

Oh Hye-seo covers her mouth with her hand.

Suppressing her laughter with all her might, she retorts.

"Oh my, family? We're not even related by blood, so what family? Ah, that expression is so funny. As expected of such a sentimental clan. The Oh Clan...kuku."

[Your father raised you with genuine affection! How can you say such things...!?]

"Ahaha, that couldn't possibly be true, Hyun-seok Orabeoni. 'Father' was just satisfying his own ego. I observed 'Father' more closely, so why are you acting like you know better? Or do you want to play family? Shall I call you by your proper title, Youngest Uncle (季父)?"

Oh Hye-seo laughs out loud and extends her palm towards Oh Hyun-seok.

Kugugugugu!

The massive form of the Black Dragon pours down towards Oh Hyun-seok, who ultimately fails to withstand it and falls into the pit below.

Kim Yeon extends her consciousness again to bind Oh Hyun-seok, preventing him from falling into the Blood Yin Realm.

"Well then, who shall we drop ne—"

As Oh Hye-seo looks down, selecting her next target,

Flash!

Kwarururung!

"Kyaaa!"

Six flags made of lightning fly, piercing Oh Hye-seo's arms, legs, the back of her head, and her waist.

Kwajijik!

Black clouds form in the white space, and the flags embedded in Oh Hye-seo act as lightning rods, calling forth bolts of lightning.

Kwajijijik!

Lightning furiously rains down.

Oh Hye-seo screams and tries to escape, but the flags embedded in her body flickers and press her down.

Jeon Myeong-hoon, wielding six arms, climbs up from below with a fierce gleam in his eyes.

[You're quite careless, Deputy Oh.]

Thud, thud, thud, thud!

Jeon Myeong-hoon uses his six arms to swiftly rise up as he murmurs.

[I think I always lost when playing poker with Deputy Oh during work hours...it's my first win.]

Kuang!

Jeon Myeong-hoon finally overcomes the attraction force and emerges from the pit.

He then locks eyes with Seo Hweol standing above him.

[I'll tear you apart when I get up there. Wait for it.]

However, Seo Hweol smiles faintly and strokes his chin.

"Hmmm, at first I thought you were Daoist Yang's resurrection, but it seems not. If you were Daoist Yang, instead of stabbing Miss Hye-seo with spells and frying her with lightning, you would have immediately sacrificed Miss Hye-seo's soul to borrow the power of Blood Yin and counterattack me directly."

[What?]

Jeon Myeong-hoon is momentarily stunned by such a vile method and wears a bewildered expression.

Seo Hweol smiles gently.

"Thus, it's more accurate to consider you not Daoist Yang's resurrection, but merely Daoist Seo's pet."

[What bullshit is this bastard spouting...?]

At that moment, five blood-red flags rise above Seo Hweol's head.

"Go, Five Elements Blood Curse Banner."

[...!]

Jeon Myeong-hoon instinctively feels fear at the sight of the blood-red flags.

He had experienced this torturous spell several times from Seo Eun-hyun!

But he grins wickedly and opens his mouth.

Kwarurung!

Lightning bursts forth and turns Seo Hweol's Five Elements Blood Curse Banner to dust.

[Ha, with just this paltry technique...]

However, while Seo Hweol had distracted him with the Five Elements Blood Curse Banner, he approached Oh Hye-seo and pulled out all the lightning flags embedded in her body.

"Ha...I thought I was going to die. You've grown a lot, Section Chief Jeon. You used to be a useless burden who did nothing but slack off at work, and now you can do this?"

[You...!]

"I won't fall for the same trick twice."

Oh Hye-seo forms a Taiji between her hands.

The white space quivers as Jeon Myeong-hoon's hand, which had emerged from the pit, appears to warp, causing the space itself to split and Jeon Myeong-hoon to fall downwards.

Kugugugu!

Immediately, the light of the Lustrous Glaze Peacock strikes Jeon Myeong-hoon's head directly.

Jeon Myeong-hoon, with a dazed expression, falls downward, and Kim Yeon desperately holds him as well.

After dropping Jeon Myeong-hoon, Oh Hye-seo looks down at those still holding on.

Kim Yeon, Hong Fan, Kang Min-hee.

Among them, Kim Yeon is holding onto Seo Eun-hyun, Oh Hyun-seok, and Jeon Myeong-hoon to prevent them from falling, and Hong Fan is supporting the struggling Kim Yeon.

Thus, the only one capable of counterattacking is Kang Min-hee.

And Oh Hye-seo, looking at the black sphere bubbling up from below, breaks out in a cold sweat.

"...I expected this, but that damn thing is the trickiest."

"Hoho...that person is quite an interesting Daoist. Is that the Ghostly Yin Transformation Immortal Root...? No, even without it, she's a Daoist who possesses absurdly high talent."

Seo Hweol reveals his reptilian eyes as he observes Kang Min-hee's ominously surging aura from below.

"If I had known this, I would have brought that cultivator instead of Miss Hye-seo. I slightly regret it. Hoho..."

"I guarantee it. If it were Miss Min-hee, you might have been devoured instead."

"Hoho, impossible. She’s not even the Mad Lord or the Heart Tribe. Anyway…”

Both Seo Hweol and Oh Hye-seo raise their tension, glaring at the crazily intensifying aura of Kang Min-hee in the pit.

Kang Min-hee's aura is growing.

Her strength, initially at the early Four-Axis stage, grows to the mid, late, and reaches the Grand Perfection!

Kang Min-hee is absorbing Nascent Soul stage Ghost Kings in real-time, building an Axis made of Ghost Kings.

Kugugugu!

Above the white space.

The black clouds Jeon Myeong-hoon had summoned do not dissipate but condense further, gathering Heaven and Earth spiritual energy within.

Heavenly Tribulation stirs.

However, before the Heavenly Tribulation can properly strike,

Kwarururu!

A torrent of black ghostly energy surges out of the pit.

Kwarururu!

The ghostly energy pierces the sky.

Before the Heavenly Tribulation can strike, it shatters and scatters in the sky.

Seo Hweol's expression twitches, and Oh Hye-seo's face turns serious.

"What kind of insane...?"

"...I see. The Blood Yin Ghost Labyrinth is supporting that cultivator. Even with the power of Blood Yin, this is the outer edge of the Netherworld..."

Seo Hweol's vertical pupils glow red.

"Such indescribable talent. The possibility of reaching the Star Shattering stage..."

Seo Hweol strokes his chin and then smiles brightly.

"That cultivator...it seems it would be best to capture her. It's too wasteful to throw her as food to Blood Yin."

Chwaaa―

A dense darkness spreads out from Seo Hweol.

[Consume ten of 'myself.']

Kiiiiing―

At the same time, ten 'eyes' appear in the darkness, staring directly at Kang Min-hee. She screams.

[Aaaaah!]

Seo Hweol laughs with eyes swirling in blood-colored light.

[Just accept it peacefully. Unless you're a mythical being or someone already broken, you cannot resist me.]

Seo Hweol dives into Kang Min-hee's heart essence.

He smiles faintly.

'Her heart essence is no different from a small Netherworld. How many ghosts are stored here...yet the ghosts are not going berserk and remain calm. It's unbelievable.'

Seo Hweol gradually peers deeper into Kang Min-hee's inner self and laughs.

'I've captured a being with talent of the ages within my grasp. While the power to stabilize ghosts is terrifying, unlike Miss Hye-seo, it's not an annoying ability...'

As Seo Hweol examines Kang Min-hee's heart essence, he suddenly notices something at the center of the ghosts.

'Hmm?'

The ghosts are worshipping it.

The overwhelming pressure emanating from that something is what keeps the ghosts calmly obedient to Kang Min-hee.

'Could it be...?'

Chills.

Seo Hweol has a guess on what that 'something' is.

And, although he merely 'guesses' without confirming its true form, he hastily tries to escape from her mind.

As if he doesn't want to get entangled with that 'something.'

However, it's already too late.

The entity beyond the 'something' has noticed Seo Hweol.

The 'something' is a [hole].

Within Kang Min-hee's heart essence, there exists a 'hole' connecting to 'somewhere.'

: : How dare you peek at the Imperial Venerable (帝尊)? : :

A gigantic will fills Kang Min-hee's heart essence.

Her heart essence, previously filled with the colors of sunset, is instantly engulfed in darkness.

Seo Hweol's face grows serious as he frantically struggles to escape from Kang Min-hee's mind.

The oldest and darkest one.

The deepest and greatest one.

That entity itself shows no reaction.

But the one seated at its right hand bares its rage across the hole to punish Seo Hweol.

Boom!

"...Huh?"

Oh Hye-seo dumbfoundedly looks beside her.

It happened in an instant.

The head of Seo Hweol, who had tried to cast a spell on Kang Min-hee, exploded.

Seo Hweol's soul staggers momentarily before dissolving into a handful of darkness and flowing down.

Tingling.

Oh Hye-seo tries to react but suddenly feels her head stiffen and collapses on the spot.

It isn't just Oh Hye-seo.

None of those present have a good complexion.

Kim Yeon looks as if she is about to vomit, and Hong Fan looks up at Kang Min-hee with bloodshot eyes.

Seo Eun-hyun, Jeon Myeong-hoon, and Oh Hyun-seok, freed from Oh Hye-seo's tricks, are also paralyzed with fear, unable to react properly.

No, Jeon Myeong-hoon clenches his teeth despite his horror.

It's a familiar feeling.

'Heavenly Punishment...it's similar...to that time...!'

[AAAAAAAAAAAAGH!]

Kang Min-hee screams, clutching her head.

A massive entity is trying to emerge from within her and exert their power onto this world.

The ghosts beside Kang Min-hee wail and merge into one.

The unified gigantic Ghost King exudes the aura of the Grand Perfection Integration stage.

However, instead of showing arrogance, the Ghost King slits its own belly in a state of terror.

Chwaaaak!

From the Ghost King's slit belly, a pitch-black banner emerges.

With its belly split open, the Ghost King, trembling and shedding tears of fear, shouts in a shaking voice.

[The Chief Judge has arrived!]

As the Ghost King waves the banner and shouts, the group of ghosts under its command also tremble in fear and bellow in unison.

[The Chief Judge has arrived!]

Kugugugu!

Kang Min-hee's form begins to change.

Surpassing her human form, blue ghost fire erupts from her eyes.

Kang Min-hee's hair flares out in all directions, undulating.

Behind her,

A massive shadow envelops Kang Min-hee.

The colossal entity, from below the pit, gazes at the entrance of the Blood Yin Realm, still exerting attraction force on Kang Min-hee and Seo Eun-hyun's group.

: : Leftover of the predecessor. Live as befits your name and stop mimicking the noble one. If your actions continue to disgrace the noble predecessor, even if I must endure the Imperial Venerable's reproach, I will annihilate you. If you understand, hold your breath and shut your filthy mouth. : :

The entrance to the Blood Yin Realm abruptly contracts and closes at the will of the colossal entity.

The gigantic existence then looks up at the sky and mutters.

Beyond the Blood Yin Ghost Valley Labyrinth created by Seo Hweol, the entity seems to gaze into a distant dimension far beyond.

: : Is the Mountain about to be defeated? Once again, an Imperial Throne is being confined. As the gods begin to move, it heralds the return of the era of myths. : :

The pitch-black entity looks down at Kang Min-hee and mutters.

 : Since the insect has already noticed, it's best to hasten the awakening. O Imperial Venerable, if we delay, the Light will notice. Let us proceed immediately. : :

Finishing its words, the shadow bows and seeps back within Kang Min-hee.

[AAAAAAAAH!]

Kang Min-hee wails.

The colossal entity which is about to return through Kang Min-hee's heart essence, suddenly shifts its gaze to two suspicious beings.

Behind the Oh Hye-seo who is half out of her mind is Seo Hweol, pulling her away.

And below Kang Min-hee, regaining his composure and honing a sword at the Plane of Soul, is Seo Eun-hyun.

Seo Eun-hyun is soaring at a fierce speed.

Holding the sword of all of the heavens' natural colors, he approaches Kang Min-hee, slicing through the darkness.

He cleaves the presence of the gigantic existence.

At the same time, he blooms a flower of curses while attempting to elevate the curse to the Plane of Fate.

Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens!

After extracting Oh Hye-seo, Seo Hweol then casts thousands of eyes into the Blood Yin Ghost Valley Labyrinth.

Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens!

Gigigigigik―

Driven by Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens, the Blood Yin Ghost Valley Labyrinth attempts to confine Kang Min-hee.

Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens becomes the blade to sever the remnants of the enormous entity within Kang Min-hee.

The enormous entity returns to where it had descended and glares sternly at Seo Hweol's Tainted Soul Filling the Heavens.

: : Sinner, for the crime of daring to behold the sacred visage (聖顔), I seal the eyes of your mask for a thousand years. For a thousand years, you shall chase nothing but darkness with those eyes. : :

Tens of thousands, no, hundreds of millions of eyeballs behind them are simultaneously obscured by darkness.

Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain.

Within the entire domain, everyone who had ever met Seo Hweol suddenly feel an odd sensation and touch their heads.

They all feel something rampaging inside their heads but soon feel as if a parasite in their brains have fallen asleep.

They all find it peculiar for a moment but, since it is ultimately a good thing, they move on.

Inside the Blood Yin Ghost Valley Labyrinth.

The colossal entity looks at Seo Eun-hyun.

: : You, who knows righteousness. Though I wish to bless you, the Imperial Venerable deems it to be pointless, so I shall only take the calamity you brought upon yourself. Do not forget the heart that thinks of friends and the resolve to repent for your sins. : :

Kwadududuk!

The Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens spread by Seo Eun-hyun shatters all at once as the entity exerts their power, leaving Seo Eun-hyun covered in blood.

Having completed their task, the gigantic existence fully returns through Kang Min-hee's heart essence.

And Kang Min-hee, now awakened as a completely new being, roars.

But Seo Eun-hyun does not stop.

Despite the Extinguishing Divine Tribulating Heavens being shattered, and his entire body being crushed.

He relentlessly flies toward Kang Min-hee.

Flash!

As if light is swirling, Seo Eun-hyun finally plunges the All-Heavens Sword into Kang Min-hee's chest.

'Please, please...!'

I clench my teeth and look at Kang Min-hee.

I don't want this life to end this way.

But more than that, I hate seeing my precious people getting destroyed by the whims of such colossal existences.

"Kang Min-hee, please...! Get a hold of yourself...!"

And then.

It seems as though rationality is returning to Kang Min-hee's eyes.

[Seo, Eun, Hyun...]

Paaaatt!

In an instant, Kang Min-hee's message flows into my mind.

"What? What do you...no! Don't allow it! Fate is something you can resist!"

Kang Min-hee's lips twitch.

She seems to smile sadly for a moment.

Kuuuuung—

As the attraction force distorts, the 'pit' leading to the Blood Yin Realm reopens.

Kang Min-hee pushes me away.

[...Thank you.]

With a smile, she moves towards the center of the Blood Yin Ghost Valley Labyrinth.

She is to be sealed.

Ironically, due to the collaboration between Seo Hweol and me, she is willingly sealing herself in the center of the Blood Yin Ghost Valley Labyrinth for hundreds of years, calming herself alone.

And, as she had conveyed to me, she will follow the fate given to her by the Death God.

"Kang Min-hee!!!"

I scream, trying to reach her, but I am helplessly sucked in by another 'attraction force' she created.

Not just me, but Kim Yeon, Jeon Myeong-hoon, Oh Hyun-seok, and Hong Fan are all drawn into the new entrance Kang Min-hee has created.

I am dragged into the darkness, watching Kang Min-hee gradually lose her sanity again.

"..."

When I open my eyes, I realize I am floating on a pitch-black river.

'This is...'

Staggering, I stand up.

Strangely, this river doesn't cause my body to sink, and I can stand on it as if it is flat ground.

Though my feet sink a little, it's very slight.

As I look around with puzzled eyes, I suddenly notice Jeon Myeong-hoon, Oh Hyun-seok, and Kim Yeon submerged below the river.

"Master, you're awake!"

"...! Hong Fan...!?"

I'm startled as I see Hong Fan by the riverside.

Hong Fan's body is being devoured by a giant carnivorous plant-like creature on the riverside.

"Master, first rescue your companions. I will get out quickly! You can pull them up using attraction force!"

"...Got it."

I hurriedly pull up my colleagues who are submerged at the riverbed.

Then, dragging them to the riverside, I check their condition.

Fortunately or unfortunately, none of them have any serious issues.

"...But, where exactly is this...?"

I slice through the carnivorous plant that's trying to consume Hong Fan and split it apart while looking around.

The air is filled not with Heaven and Earth spiritual energy but with pitch-black thick ghostly energy.

It's different from the True Devil Realm.

The eerie silence makes it feel like the 'side path.'

Hong Fan reverts to his human form and shakes off the mucus covering his body.

"Master, let's bring Yeon Jin out first."

"Yeon Jin?"

"Yes, it would be good to ask Yeon Wei-nim where we are. Yeon Wei-nim has a lot of experience and a lot of age, so there's a lot she knows."

"Good idea."

I take out the Peach Garden Painting and bring out Yeon Jin.

As soon as Yeon Jin emerges, he shouts.

"Seriously! Senior, everything's good, but why did you take so long to bring me out? Honestly, you forgot about me, didn't you!?"

"Um...sorry."

Thinking back, I realize I had forgotten to take Yeon Jin out of the Peach Garden Painting since crossing into the Bright Cold Realm.

Feeling immensely guilty, I apologize to Yeon Jin.

"Ugh, really. If it weren't for the ancestor's words, I would have been playing around at the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect...geogh! Kueegh"

Yeon Jin, who was grumbling, suddenly begins vomiting blood.

"...! Yeon Jin!?"

Startled, I hurriedly approach him.

At that moment, Yeon Jin's eyes roll back, and he quickly sits cross-legged, expelling the ghostly energy around him.

Seeing Yeon Jin's life in danger, I realize that 'she' inside him has opened her eyes.

"You reckless fools, didn't you say you were ascending to the Bright Cold Realm!? Why have you come here!?"

"Yeon Wei..."

Looking at Yeon Wei losing her temper, I briefly explain the situation.

"So, you got caught up in a complicated incident in the Bright Cold Realm and ended up here?"

"That's right. Do you know where we are?"

Yeon Wei rubs her forehead as if she has a headache.

"...Didn't you already guess from the abundance of ghostly energy? This is...the Nether Ghost Realm."

Realizing my suspicions are correct to some extent, I let out a sigh.

We have fallen into the Nether Ghost Realm.

***

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