Chapter 331: Axis (5)

"B-Buddhist family methods...! Senior may not have heard of it before...uh, what was it...it's a method system based on beings known as the Seven Brilliances Kings, but it's not a very popular cultivation system, so it's almost obsolete now."

"..."

It seems that the existence of Buddhist Family Methods has not completely disappeared.

'Well, there were temples in the Lower Realm too.'

I stare at her for a moment.

"...Fine. Let's stop here."

I sigh, suppressing my killing intent.

It would be impossible for her, Tae Yeol-jeon, to be acting while deceiving even her own heart essence.

Unlike the previous life's Tae Yeol-jeon's heart essence, hers is chaotic and desolate, like the abandoned temple.

"You, what do you think of the Heart Tribe? For example...the Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One Jang Ik..."

"Oh, you mean the leader of those spies?"

"..."

No matter how you look at it, she isn't Tae Yeol-jeon.

As I sigh from a headache, I realize I feel a sense of déjà vu from this room.

'Ah, that's right...'

It's too messy and unmaintained for me to recognize at first.

However, this is the room I had come to rest in briefly when I felt dizzy in front of Tae Yeol-jeon in the previous cycle.

Previously, there had been Taenghwa paintings all over this room, but now there are none to be found.

While looking around, I find the fairy tale book I had seen before.

'This fairy tale book is still here...'

It's a children's book based on the theme of "Sincerity Moves the Heaven."

Everything symbolizing Tae Yeol-jeon, like the Taenghwas, have disappeared, but it appears that Buddhist Family Methods and such fairy tales still remain.

Of course, the book itself seems to have been neglected for a long time.

It's worn out in many places and has traces of insects having gnawed at it.

The table of contents is familiar.

A fairy tale that spread from the Head Realm.

There are fairy tales that have spread, slightly changed here and there, throughout the Head Realm and even in the Bright Cold Realm.

Even when I asked Su In and Hong Yeon before, they said it was in the True Devil Realm too, showing that places where people live are all the same.

They are fundamentally fairy tales with the lesson that "Sincerity Moves the Heaven."

'I miss my master.'

These were the fairy tales I found in the library when I sought a way to overcome the Seven Star Ritual with Cheongmun Ryeong.

They are very nostalgic...

'...Wait.'

Looking at this fairy tale and the current situation where Tae Yeol-jeon disappeared, I remember [something similar in the past] that had happened before.

'Wasn't there a similar incident in the past?'

Chaaaaa—

A chill runs down my spine.

But for some reason, I can't clearly remember 'what' it is.

'What is it?'

'Something similar' happened before.

But I can't recall what it is.

Seeing the fairy tale book triggered the memory, so it must be related to this book...

"...Hey."

"Y-Yes, Senior!"

I ask this woman from Grand Nirvana Temple

"Do you know anything about this fairy tale?"

"Ah...well, aren't they common fairy tales? I once learned the common language of the Bright Cold Realm from my master and read them for fun. They should be in the deep libraries of other sects as well, not just our temple. Actually, they might even be found in ordinary households."

"Hmmm..."

I frown, trying to recall the memory that keeps surfacing in my mind.

I feel like I'm about to remember something.

Fairy tale book.

The vanished Tae Yeol-jeon.

This strange sense of incongruity.

"...This fairy tale. Is it supposed to end at [Chapter 7]? Shouldn't there be a [Chapter 8]?"

"Pardon?"

Finally, as I'm flipping through the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections, I remember the source of this incongruity.

I have definitely seen a fairy tale book before that went up to [Chapter 8], not 7.

The first story was definitely not something about a carp or whatever!

There is a [missing] fairy tale from this list!

That fairy tale is important!

She scratches her head and says,

"Um...I apologize, I'm not really sure. Well, different regions might have their own contents tailored to their own region?"

"...Hmm..."

Come to think of it, that is true.

The environments of the Bright Cold Realm and the Head Realm are fundamentally different so what am I even trying to find?

Yet, I can't shake off this bizarre feeling.

Something is off.

But I don't know what it is.

'I can't remember [it]!'

Thump, thump, thump...

My heart is pounding.

I'm shivering.

Just 'what' exactly did I forget?

Thump, thump, thump...

For some reason, I feel a pain in my heart.

'...This is dangerous.'

I feel chills down my spine.

I feel a strong sense that it will be better for my well-being not to think any further.

It's different from the time I mentioned the titles of Governing Immortals to harm Seo Hweol. An ominous sense of doom coming from deep with my soul dominates me.

If I'm not careful, something terrible will happen.

Let's not dig any deeper.

'Maybe, when I reach a higher realm, I'll remember.'

I decide to bury the unremembered memory for now.

"...Alright. Then, I'll be on my way now."

After bidding her off, I leave Grand Nirvana Temple with a hardened face.

"...I see."

I understand the subtle reaction Hon Won had when he heard that I will be joining the Grand Cultivator Association.

'In this cycle, Tae Yeol-jeon doesn't exist.'

Her joining the Grand Cultivator Association and setting a precedent for the Heart Tribe to join has disappeared.

'...Damn it.'

I understand why Hon Won let me go so easily.

It wasn't just because he lacked the confidence to face me.

'...Although nothing was said in Temporal Fate Island, when I enter Heavenly Human Island, the Grand Cultivators will likely try to capture me.'

I don't know why, but history itself has been twisted.

I have no idea how such a thing is possible.

I'm just bewildered.

I calm my trembling heart.

'There's nothing I can do about it anyway.'

Even if I know that history has been bizarrely twisted, what can I do about it?

'For now, let's just do what I can.'

It becomes even clearer to me that I need to hone the power of the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections.

When history twists like this.

If I forget about such truths, how terrifying would that be?

I need to solidify my own history even more.

'There's no change in the plan.'

I will go to the Grand Cultivator Association and be recognized as a Grand Cultivator.

Even though the existence of Tae Yeol-jeon has disappeared and history has changed, the 'power' I possess hasn't vanished.

I leave the Grand Nirvana Temple, head up the valley, and settle on a spot.

'Let's restore my Heaven Tribe cultivation.'

After reaching the Four-Axis stage, I will reconnect the Axis of Wealth and advance to the mid stage.

Then, when I enter the Grand Cultivator Association with the genuine Three Great Ultimates and declare myself a Grand Cultivator, who will dare to stop me?

The precedent is gone?

I'll just create a new one.

I sit down and gather Heaven and Earth spiritual energy with my attraction force.

Kwarurururung!

As overwhelming celestial energy gathers, to the extent of rumbling thunder, my cultivation that had fallen to the mid Heavenly Being stage begins to rise.

Kurururung―

After facing the Heavenly Tribulation for the late Heavenly Being stage again, I prepare my rise to Grand Perfection Heavenly Being.

It's time to use the Heavenly Circle's formula.

The new Heavenly Circle's formula is as follows:

In Spring, All Things Are Born (春則萬物始生).

In Summer, All Things Are Grown (夏則萬物長養).

In Autumn, All Things Are Matured (秋則萬物成熟).

In Winter, All Things Are Conserved (冬則萬物閉藏).

None Are Beyond The Merits Of The Four Seasons (無非四時之功也).

Spring gives birth to all things.

Summer nurtures all things.

Autumn matures all things.

Winter puts all things to rest again.

This is the merit of the Four Seasons (四時).

The cycle of Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter (春夏秋冬) completes the Heavenly Circle.

It is long yet simple at the same time.

However, I feel that this formula fits the Heavenly Circle better than the original Acceptance at Fate's End.

Wiiing―

The power of the Heavenly Being cycles within me.

Although Acceptance at Fate's End harmonizes well with the power of the Four-Axis, the formula received as a gift of connection (In and Yeon) feels complete in the Heavenly Being stage itself.

Although it might not harmonize well with the Four-Axis stage, within the same level of the Heavenly Being stage, this formula is stronger!

Woooo-woong―

I feel the halo of the Heavenly Circle behind my Nascent Soul becoming more distinct.

'This is...'

Zzt!

While contemplating the halo of the Heavenly Circle, I feel as if thunder has struck my entire body from the top of my head.

"This is...!"

Guguguguk―

A sound like something scratching resonates as the fiercely spinning halo of the Heavenly Circle seems to separate from the world itself.

I knew this feeling.

"An Axis...?"

Wiiiiiing!

At the same time, the attraction force from my Nascent Soul becomes even stronger.

Indeed, it's another Axis.

What is an Axis?

An Axis is a kind of Nascent Soul.

However, unlike the Nascent Soul created during the Nascent Soul stage, which imprints one's very self, an Axis is a Nascent Soul imprinted with a specific attribute.

In other words, it is a Nascent Soul that maximizes an attribute rather than a personality.

The method to obtain an Axis through the Heterodox Axis Foundation is to kill a cultivator of the same realm, crush their Nascent Soul, and compress it into an Axis.

Since the Nascent Soul is spiritual power that's on the Plane of Soul, and not the soul itself, when separated from the soul and compressed within the body, there's no risk of the body being stolen.

One Four-Axis cultivator, a hundred Heavenly Being cultivators, or ten thousand Nascent Soul cultivators can be used to create an Axis, but even a hundred billion Core Formation cultivators can't create an axis for this very reason.

The standard method to obtain an Orthodox Axis Foundation is to gather a large amount of an attribute's energy, perform a ritual at the Plane of Qi, and, just like creating a Nascent Soul, elevate it to the Plane of Soul and then connect it to one's own Nascent Soul.

Hence, an Axis has no definite form.

It can be a surface, a point, or a three-dimensional object. That is the Axis.

If a person's Nascent Soul takes the shape of a person, what shape should the Nascent Soul of the nature of Heaven and Earth take?

The Five Blessings are a given, and since the Five Elements indeed have no fixed form, every race, every method, and every way of thought has a different way of storing an Axis.

The Demon Race might store it in the form of the five viscera and six bowels while the Heaven Tribe might store it in the form of dharma treasures.

Of course, as the name 'Axis' suggests, many store it in the form of a pillar, but it isn't absolute.

The important thing is that while an Axis is a type of Nascent Soul, it is a Nascent Soul imprinted with an attribute rather than a personality, meaning it can be controlled with the main Nascent Soul created during the Nascent Soul stage.

But now, my main Nascent Soul has become an Axis.

It's an exceedingly bizarre occurrence.

But this strange contradiction makes my head ache.

'Why didn't Seo Li notice this?'

He must have cultivated this formula for hundreds of years before me, yet among the insights Seo Li passed down, there's no mention that the main Nascent Soul becomes akin to an Axis through the new Heavenly Circle formula.

In other words, Seo Li was unaware that the main Nascent Soul will transform into an Axis.

While thinking about the differences between myself and Seo Li, something flashes through my mind.

'Heart (心).'

That's right.

Seo Li was considerably less adept at handling heart essence compared to me.

Although I don't know the exact reason, I feel that this new formula of the Heavenly Circle is significantly related to the heart.

'Ah, I see.'

Wiiiing―

The Great Desert to Dead Sea responds so naturally.

'Seo Li didn't know it himself, but he was unconsciously applying this formula to the Great Desert to Dead Sea.'

The spiritual energy of Heaven and Earth is a given, but theoretically, it could also seize the spiritual energy of others. That is the Great Desert to Dead Sea.

Though I would never use it in such a way due to my personality, even excluding that, the technique that ravenously devours Heaven and Earth spiritual energy to the point of desertifying an area is exactly the Great Desert to Dead Sea.

But if such a convenient devilish art is possible, why haven't other races or sects developed such a devilish art sooner?

Seo Li had unconsciously applied this formula to create the Great Desert to Dead Sea.

As a formula that creates an Axis out of the Nascent Soul, it allows for wielding a vast amount of attraction force, even more so than others of the same realm. It unconsciously uses the attraction force to voraciously absorb Heaven and Earth spiritual energy and directly infuse it into the Nascent Soul.

As I observe the Nascent Soul emitting attraction force within me, I fall into thought.

'The reason the Axis has attraction force is because it itself is a kind of 'symbol,' and thus part of nature."

Of course, all objects have attraction force, but the reason an Axis has a stronger attraction force is that creating a Nascent Soul as a 'symbol' maximizes the attraction force within the 'symbol.'

Then there arises a problem here.

What exactly does this new Axis symbolize?

Kuguguguk―

I feel the attraction force emanating from my Nascent Soul.

'A formula that allows wielding the power of the Four-Axis stage within the Heavenly Being stage...'

However, it doesn't harmonize with other Four-Axis stage formulas.

It's an extremely peculiar matter.

'I'll have to investigate this more closely while accumulating more Axes.'

After seven days and nights.

I perform a ritual with the Great Desert to Dead Sea and elevate my Heaven Tribe cultivation to the Four-Axis stage.

Kururung―

Having withstood the Heavenly Tribulation, my entire body radiates an immense attraction force, and my eyes gleam.

The attraction force obtained with the new formula of the Heavenly Circle,

The attraction force gained upon reaching the Four-Axis stage,

And the attraction force acquired through the Axis of Wealth following my regression.

Additionally, the power exuding from the perfectly harmonized Three Great Ultimates.

It's clearly at the late Integration level.

"Now...shall I go reclaim the position of a Grand Cultivator?"

No precedent is needed.

No permission is required.

If there is no Tae Yeol-jeon, then I will become the first Grand Cultivator of the Heart Tribe.

I prepare everything and ascend to Heavenly Human Island.

Tadatt!

Heavenly Human Island is thriving as usual.

The voices of bustling cultivators reverberate everywhere, and the markets are bustling with activity.

It's when I ascend to the outskirts of Heavenly Human Island, to the marketplace.

Zzzt―

A tingling killing intent pierces my whole body.

Step.

I take a step forward and naturally draw my Colorless Glass Sword.

My consciousness accelerates so very naturally.

Heaven and Earth slows down.

'Three in front, two behind, one on the left.'

My consciousness quickly sweeps the surroundings.

Passersby passing by me.

A dharma treasure vendor selling a compass-shaped dharma treasure to customers.

An artist under a canopy, painting and receiving money while avoiding the sunlight.

Hyeon Gwi, walking around with a snack in his mouth, chatting with other members of the Mystical Scaled Fish Commanding Sect as if on a mission.

Seeing Hyeon Gwi startles me a bit, but it appears like a coincidence, so I set him aside for now.

These people are within a two-zhang radius of me.

Up to five zhang away, there are children running around, a group of cultivators examining flying sword magic artifacts, a body cultivator promoting body refining methods, and a flock of low-level spirit beasts resembling pigeons fluttering their wings as they take flight.

In a fleeting moment, in a brief instant where even calling it feeting is insufficient, I imprint everything within a five-zhang radius into my mind.

But it isn't enough.

The range of a martial artist expands even further.

Ten zhang.

An old man carrying a flower basket, looking around.

A man testing a chariot-shaped dharma treasure, a child reading a method book while holding an apple in one hand, a couple holding hands and laughing happily, an old woman at the Core Formation stage with a resigned expression as if she has little time left.

I calculate even the trajectory of every dust particle they kick up into my sword path.

Twenty zhang.

Thirty zhang, forty zhang, one hundred zhang!

Chwaaaak!

With a speed that seems to match light, I gradually read every movement within my domain while grasping the Starting Form.

A world where time slows down due to acceleration.

The world seems to darken.

Within that, my eyes gleam fiercely.

And then.

Flash!

The leader of the Human Race Grand Alliance, a Grand Perfection Integration stage Grand Cultivator, and head of the Grand Cultivator Association, Jun Jae, using the Flying Escape Technique, dashes towards me like a streak of light in the frozen world.

[Got you, Heart Tribe spy!]

I move my sword with a bitter smile.

All six Grand Cultivators of the Human Race Grand Alliance, excluding Hon Won, come at me.

The Grand Cultivator Battle (太修戰) has begun.

Translator Notes: All 7 fairy tales have roots in Korean/Chinese folk tales. For example, the goblin's hat (in the appearance of a tanggeon) is from a traditional Korean folk tale of a poor man who got a goblin's hat that allowed his body and other objects that would identify him to become invisible. The man would then use the invisibility to steal from others to gain wealth.