Chapter 373: At The Sea (3)

In the meantime, I realize that Ham Jin's cultivation has significantly advanced.

"Ham Jin, you've already reached the late Qi Building stage."

Taat!

I arrive in the middle zone of another star and ask,

[Ah, actually...I briefly watched the person called Jang Ik and the Wuji Ghost King sparring in the Astral Realm. Although I fainted halfway through for some reason...thanks to that, I had an epiphany and gained new enlightenments, obtained a new divine ability, and my cultivation rose.]

"You've gained quite an opportunity. Congratulations. What's the new divine power?"

In response, Ham Jin moves his body to form a hand seal and draws spiritual power from his dantian to his fingertips.

'This is...?'

The spiritual power of Ham Jin's Silica Earth Great Wall Secrets turns into a dark ink-like light.

It's a darkness that has a similar quality to the darkness of outer space.

As Ham Jin swings his fingertip, the ink light turns into an ink-colored blade, an Ink Blade (墨刃), which flies across the star and slices through a small mountain.

Kugugugugu!

"....!"

A definite Core Formation level strike!

"...Impressive. Did you create this by observing the Heaven-Collapsing Esteemed One cleaving stars?"

[Yes. Thank you for the compliment!]

Judging by its form, it seems to be a divine power created from the epiphany gained by watching Jang Ik's strike.

'Indeed, even at the Qi Building stage, observing a Star Shattering stage strike could provide enough enlightenment to create a divine ability.'

Of course, using this one technique drains all of Ham Jin's spiritual power, but since Silica Earth Great Wall Secrets is a method where spiritual power continuously surges as long as the dragon vein is controlled, it isn't a major drawback.

Once he reaches the Core Formation stage, he will likely be able to use it continuously, making it a lifesaving trump card for Ham Jin.

Wo-woong!

I ask another question as we move through the middle zone again.

"What's the name of this technique?"

[I named it Black Blade Slash (黑刃斬)! It's fitting since it's black, and it represents my resolve to cut down the Black Tomb Old Devil who tried to take over my body. The Black Tomb Old Devil was a great fate that threatened me, so I named it with the determination to cut down my fate!]

"Black Blade Slash...an excellent name."

I nod and immediately create a method to refine Black Blade Slash and make it a technique one can cultivate with, combining Silica Earth Great Wall Secrets to form Black Blade Maturing Secrets (黑刃長成訣).

Over the course of several days and nights, we cross numerous middle zones and finally return to Ham Jin's world.

Kuuung!

"Whew..."

I emerge from Ham Jin's body, congratulating the exhausted Ham Jin.

"Thank you. I've gained a lot thanks to your cooperation."

"No, I am the one who received an excessively great opportunity!"

"I will grant you a spirit fruit to extend your lifespan later. Let's meet in the Upper Realms someday."

Paaatt!

As I reclaim my consciousness, I smile at Ham Jin, who bows deeply as I return to the Ancient Force Realm.

Ham Jin watches Seo Eun-hyun disappear into the void and looks at his fingertips.

Tststst!

For a moment, his nails turn black, and then a sharp Black Blade forms on his hand.

'Black Blade Maturing Secrets...to bestow such an excellent method. How can I ever repay this grace?'

Ham Jin ponders and finally makes up his mind.

'Yes, that person told me to meet him in the Upper Realms. Someday, I will ascend! I will become a Heavenly Being beyond even what my master could aspire for, and ascend to the Upper Realms! I will become someone who can assist the great Wuji Ghost King! I will properly join the Wuji Religious Order!'

He finally sets a goal for his life.

It is to ascend and repay the grace he received from the Wuji Ghost King by standing by his side!

Boooong!

When Ham Jin swings his hand, a sharp black blade shoots out from his hand and cuts through a nearby cliff.

"I will refine this Black Blade countless times and definitely reach him!"

Thus, it won't be long before Ham Jin, who trains in the Black Blade Maturing Secrets, becomes a Core Formation Sage God and earns the title of Black Blade King (黑刃王).

The legend of Black Blade King Ham Jin has just begun.

Blink—

I open my eyes.

'Since I've been focusing my primary consciousness entirely on my avatar while fighting Jang Ik, my main body was in a comatose state.'

My comrades must have been greatly alarmed.

'I need to explain properly...hmm!'

Clink, clink!

For some reason, my body and limbs are bound to a chair, and my mouth is gagged.

Moreover, wax-like candles are placed on my hands, knees, and head, with melted wax dripping down. In front of me, Yeon Wei is dressed like a shaman and is performing a ritual with a mountain of ancient stones piled up around her.

"Heot...! Look, look...! The cult leader has awakened!"

She stops the ritual, wipes her sweat, and approaches me.

"Are you alright? What kind of deep-sea monster's Deep Sea Curse did you get hit with?"

[Deep Sea Curse...?]

Since my mouth is gagged, I ask with mental speech, and Yeon Wei explains about the Deep Sea Curse.

She says they have been gathering ancient stones and materials from the sea domains to treat the Deep Sea Curse and save me.

I feel grateful but can't help but feel absurd and laugh wryly.

[Heh heh...I'm sorry, but I wasn't afflicted by a Deep Sea Curse. I was temporarily mentally bound in the Lower Realms due to a complicated incident. The reason my blood was boiling was because I awakened an immortal beast talent, and the reason for the blood splattering from my seven orifices was probably because I directly faced a True Person's true body.]

Yeon Wei is silent for a moment after hearing my words, then in a fit of rage, strikes my head with the bell she is holding.

"You bastard! Judging by your words, you're not the cult leader but an evil spirit possessing the cult leader's body! Come out of that body immediately, evil spirit!"

Jingle, jingle!

I sigh as I get hit several times by the bell, which exerts force on my spiritual body.

Wuduk, wududuk!

The chains binding my body are torn apart, and the gag on my mouth shatters.

"This, this bastard...keck!?"

Clench!

After I subdue Yeon Wei by grabbing her face and lifting her up, I shake her brain with a palm strike, causing her to faint.

Her eyes flip as she passes out on the floor. I then summon Hong Fan.

Paaatt!

Hong Fan pierces through space and appears before me, bowing.

"Master, have you returned? Was it indeed Lady Yeon Wei's method that was effective?"

"Hmm..."

After explaining the truth to Hong Fan, I ask him a question.

"Was there any trouble while I was in a comatose state?"

Hong Fan's face turns pale.

I sense something has happened.

"...Let's go to the conference room."

Wuji Religious Hall Conference Room.

There, I receive an unbelievable report.

"...So, while the leaders went to gather ancient stones and left the headquarters, the remaining members, Yuk Yo, Baek Rin, and...Buk Hyang-hwa and Kim Yeon, were kidnapped by the Fighting Demon Pirate Gang...?"

Bududukk—

Hong Fan speaks with a hardened face.

"To be precise...when Yuk Yo and Baek Rin were kidnapped, the two kings rushed to retrieve them but ended up getting captured as well. That's why Lady Yeon Wei tried to wake Master up early..."

"...Where are they now?"

"The Fighting Demon Pirate Gang's Salt Bones Ship has a peculiar ability to dive into the Deep Sea of the Ancient Force Realm. Currently, it's said...to be roaming around the Deep Sea of the Ancient Force Realm."

"...Do they tend to abuse their hostages?"

Kim Young-hoon shakes his head at my question.

"Probably not. More than 90% of the Fighting Demon Pirate Gang are from the Fighting Ghost Race, and the remaining 10% are from the Demon Race, having nothing to do with humans. The Fighting Ghost Race...they look similar to the Human Race but their reproduction method is extremely unique."

"Reproduction method...?"

"Yes. They...charge at their preferred partners and fight while mating. Their offspring are insane creatures who go into heat and feel extreme pleasure during combat. Because of this, they generally ignore and neglect those they capture as prisoners since they can't fight."

Hearing this, Jeon Myeong-hoon shudders, a look of repulsion on his face.

"...So when that bastard fought me..."

"Enough chit-chat."

Huuu—

My breath turns into frost, causing the meeting room to start icing over.

"From now on, we will find and rescue our cult members."

Focusing intently with eyes as cold as ice, I begin to track Kim Yeon's location.

Since Kim Yeon is connected through the Mysterious Bizarre Gu and the Wonderfully Mysterious Innate Heart Canon, I can find her location if given some time.

'Just hold on a little longer.'

Clenching my teeth, I think of Buk Hyang-hwa and Kim Yeon.

The depths of the Ancient Force Realm's Deep Sea.

Within the hull of the Salt Bones Ship.

Two women are arguing inside a prison cell within the ship.

"No, you shouldn't have rushed in recklessly!"

"It's you who should have at least run and reported it! What were you thinking?"

Buk Hyang-hwa and Kim Yeon are confined in adjacent cells, their limbs bound as they argue.

"Are you telling me to abandon our followers and run away?"

"Your loyalty is admirable! Now we're both stuck here together, what good is that?"

After arguing for a while, the two, exhausted and panting, sigh deeply.

"What a mess this is..."

"Tell me about it..."

After some time, the cell next to the one where they are held opens, and Yuk Yo is thrown in.

The Fighting Ghost Race warriors who threw Yuk Yo then toss Baek Rin into the cell next to hers, laughing as they move away.

Kim Yeon looks at Yuk Yo.

Although the Fighting Ghost Race doesn't usually abuse their prisoners, it seems Yuk Yo was often dragged in front of Jin Ma-yeol and mistreated.

"...Haah...we need to escape quickly."

At Kim Yeon's words, Buk Hyang-hwa chuckles dryly.

"How do you plan to escape? Even if we get out of here, the Salt Bones Ship is submerged in the Deep Sea so we can't get outside."

"Didn't I manage to control your Buk Hyang Fleet? I think I can control this ship too."

"Wake up. My Buk Hyang Ship was half-controlled by a puppet mechanism, making it possible to take control. The Salt Bones Ship, on the other hand, is entirely a manually operated dharma treasure. You won't even have the opportunity to seize control."

Hearing this, Kim Yeon suddenly asks Buk Hyang-hwa a question.

"Then...why not modify this Salt Bones Ship into your Buk Hyang Ship?"

"What?"

"Last time, I saw you quickly modify the ship I had seized and took it back, right? Can't you modify this ship to control it as well?"

"It's possible...but how would we do that? We're both tied up like this."

"Hmm..."

Kim Yeon smirks and moves her arm a few times.

Then, all of a sudden.

Clang, clang, clang!

The chains binding her arms snap.

Seeing this, Buk Hyang-hwa's eyes widen in astonishment.

"B-Breaking the dharma treasure that suppresses spiritual power...with brute strength...?"

"Spiritual power is suppressed, but my internal energy isn't."

Kim Yeon says with a gentle smile.

"Of course, I can't win against those Fighting Ghost Race bastards in a head-on fight, so a frontal assault is impossible. I'll free you too, so you need to modify this ship as quickly as possible to escape. Got it?"

Wududul!

Bending the bars and moving into Buk Hyang-hwa's cell, Kim Yeon releases her cuffs.

Buk Hyang-hwa looks at her for a moment in a daze before smiling.

"Alright, Unnie."

Jin Ma-yeol, the captain of the Fighting Demon Pirate Gang, is staring outside with a cold expression from his captain's cabin.

Due to the heavy spatial compression, the interior of the Salt Bones Ship is extremely vast, akin to a Nether Crossing Ship, making his captain's cabin the size of a small city.

Kuuung!

Jin Ma-yeol looks out through the window of the captain's cabin.

"Even a day earlier...I need to obtain it as soon as possible. But Yuk Yo, that fish-headed bitch..."

Gritting his teeth, he glares at the scenery outside.

He is staring down at the gigantic Sea Dragon statue deep within the depths of the Deep Sea.

"The secret art of Purple Soul Filling the Heavens (紫魂滿天) is within reach..."

A strange excitement fills Jin Ma-yeol's eyes as he gazes at the Sea Dragon statue.

"Yes...let's wait just a bit longer. Then...I will achieve the state of Unaging and Undying (不老不死) with this mortal body!"