A Regressor’s Tale of Cultivation

[Wheel]—what exactly is it?

Wiiiiing!

As I move, I float the [Wheel] and begin to contemplate its essence.

"M-Master! Why are you suddenly using that!?"

Hong Fan sees my Immortal Art and is startled, his eyes widening.

"Hmm...I'm just trying to explore the principles behind this Immortal Art. Is there a problem?"

"Uuurgh...I apologize. Somehow...just looking at that Wheel stirs unpleasant feelings within me. It's enough to give me a headache. It feels like there's a chilling malice festering inside me."

I am slightly surprised when I see the look in Hong Fan's eyes.

He is exuding an intense malice directed at someone.

It's a feeling deeper than anger or hatred, no...

It's something so powerful that it can hardly be called an emotion, but rather malice itself in its purest form.

'What on earth is this...?'

Thinking that Hong Fan might break down if this continues, I put the Wheel away for now.

"Understood. I'll study it later. More importantly...that malice, who is it directed toward?"

"...I am not sure. It seems to be tied to a connection from a past life... But what is certain is that it is aimed at the [Founder of the Wheel]."

"The Founder of the Wheel? That means...the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld?"

But at my words, Hong Fan shakes his head frantically.

"N-No. Not that side. Definitely, definitely, definitely not."

As soon as I mention the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld, Hong Fan abruptly erases the malice from his expression and clears his throat awkwardly.

"It seems I still cannot fully recall. I apologize. But if I keep looking at that Wheel...it feels like my mind will shatter... It is an outrageous request as your subordinate, but please, do not show that Immortal Art in front of me. I am really...truly sorry."

"Hmm, alright. I understand."

I nod, deciding to research the Wheel slowly at a later time.

Then, to divert Hong Fan's attention—

I first ask him to head to the Head Realm and retrieve the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.

'Since Hong Fan is currently at the Integration stage, he should be able to withstand it. Starting with the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect...I should meet the other connections once more before moving on.'

Afterward, I greet my connections in each Middle Realm through split souls.

'I'd like to enter the Head Realm again, but...'

It's dangerous.

As Hong Fan mentioned in the last cycle, making others worry too much isn't a good idea.

I organize my connections in the Middle Realms, then receive the Clear Scale Armor and a portion of ancient force from Hae Lin again before heading to the Lightning Sacred Sea.

At the Lightning Sacred Sea, I explain things in advance to Golden Shaking Bird, form an alliance with the promise of arranging a meeting with Jeon Myeong-hoon, and—

Together with Golden Shaking Bird, I return from the Lightning Sacred Sea and take Yeo Hwi as my subordinate again.

This time, there's no betrayal, so I personally handle Yeo Hwi's refinement.

Then, along with the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect and the now re-ascended Hong Fan, I find Ham Jin and Yu Hwi and kill them.

Afterward, I quietly sense the beings connected to my bloodline.

Wooo-woooong!

They are beings now scattered across the universe.

Those who have inherited my bloodline—the Candle Dragon Race.

The Candle Dragon Race has been passed down through generations and generations, and now they're born with innate power at the Qi Building level.

However, even that seems to have its limits.

The 'realm' can no longer be passed down beyond that point.

The Candle Dragon Race settled within a galactic cluster, flourishing their culture and living relatively happy lives.

The only issue is that the Human Race frequently invades to hunt them as ingredients for dharma treasures or pills. However, the Candle Dragon Race doesn't just sit back and take it.

Occasionally, Human Race cultivators at the Four-Axis stage from the Upper Realm come to cause trouble, but gathering three or four Candle Dragons at the Heavenly Being stage is enough to defeat even those Upper Realm cultivators, so there's no major problem in preserving the race.

Interestingly, the Candle Dragon Race hardly ascends.

Wherever they go, the Candle Dragon Race alters the surrounding environment to resemble their homeland.

While it's an optimized environment for the Candle Dragon Race, for other races—no matter how strong—it's nothing short of hell...

Because of this habit of turning their surroundings into a living hell even after ascending to the Middle Realm, most of them end up being driven out.

It wouldn't be an issue in the Chaos Realm, but the Candle Dragon Race dislikes the Chaos Realm due to its scarce Heaven and Earth spiritual energy.

Thus, they have no choice but to settle on a stellar system within the Astral Realm, where they continue to flourish.

If a Candle Dragon reaches the Heavenly Being stage or beyond, they seem to elevate their realm through an ancient cultivation method of entering the interior of a fixed star to absorb its Heaven and Earth spiritual energy.

Currently, the highest realm among the Candle Dragon Race is at the Grand Perfection Four-Axis stage, seemingly on the verge of reaching the Integration stage.

While that one is in meditation, I put them to sleep, appear in their dream, and teach them the Immortal Art of the Integration stage, Various Omens, as well as enlightenment into the Examination of Doubts of the Star Shattering stage. Afterward, I exit from their dream.

The Candle Dragon who receives my teachings is overjoyed, vowing to reach the Integration stage without fail. Watching them, I bestow my good fortune for their future path.

Some time later, Hong Fan ascends once again from the Head Realm, having collectively ascended the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect, and returns with me to the Lightning Sacred Sea.

Kugugugugugu!

Just like in the previous life, the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect settles on the first floor of the Lightning Sacred Sea,

From now on, the disciples of the Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect will absorb the Heaven and Earth lightning energy here to grow.

"Did your trip to the Head Realm go well?"

"Yes, Master. Here is the situation of those Master wanted to check on."

Hong Fan casts an illusion within the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy, transmitting the information to me through the vision.

As expected, the Head Realm remains unchanged from before.

The people living there are all doing well, just like last time.

I nod, then suddenly ask him a question.

"By the way, Hong Fan. I asked you to keep an eye out for a man or woman wrapped in bandages with a mask covering their face... Did you find anyone like that?"

"Ah, yes. I searched the entire Head Realm because of Master's request...but no such being exists in the Head Realm."

"Hmm..."

I furrow my brows.

'What is this? Is this because of the time discrepancy?'

"Haha. Well, if the existence is as Master described, that person might have been just an ordinary mortal. Perhaps Master misjudged the timing, and they've already died and been buried in the dirt, don't you think?"

"Emm..."

I let out a low hum, unsure how to explain 'Gyeong-i' to Hong Fan.

"...Well, it's fine for now. Maybe it was just my misunderstanding..."

Considering the shift in timeline, I start to think that the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord might have gone somewhere else first.

"Alright. Let's put that aside and depart. To the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain!"

"Yes, Master."

With that, I refine Yeo Hwi, assimilating her with myself, then temporarily kill Hong Fan, Ham Jin, and Yu Hwi to send them to the outskirts of the Underworld.

Then, together with Golden Shaking Bird, I head towards the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain.

Wiiiiiiing!

The Great Desolate Path shines, guiding us to the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain.

"Let's go! To the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain!"

Kwajijijijik!

And amidst the golden lightning, the Heavenly Domain transfer begins.

Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain, Astral Realm.

The planet where Seo Eun-hyun first descended, the one where the altar stood.

In front of that planet, a giant god of light radiating silver-white light appears.

: : Hmm, it's not easily visible. Must I really go to the Head Realm? : :

Radiance Eight Immortals, Fifth Seat.

It is the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord.

The Sword Spear Heavenly Lord takes out Seo Eun-hyun's Vestige and grips it tightly.

: : According to the foresight derived from the Vestige, it should've been here... Did something go wrong...? : :

The Sword Spear Heavenly Lord stays still for a moment, then reveals a hint of anger as if irritated by something.

: : Does this mean I have to go all the way to the Head Realm to find out? Must I bear such risks? Damn it...Seo Eun-hyun. You bastard...! : :

Kurururung!

At the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord's fury, the stars in the vicinity crumble and are sucked into them.

The planet where the altar once stood also turns to dust, and even the souls of the insignificant beings within are wholly swallowed by the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord.

: : Why is this happening...!? Why does thinking of him stir me like this!? Is it the authority of the Ender of this era? Regardless, such bothersome things... : :

As if displeased despite having devoured several planets at once, the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord clutches their chest at the strange emotion surging within.

: : I must go to the Head Realm. There...if I peer into the Heavenly Void Furnace (天空爐), I should be able to find Seo Eun-hyun... : :

Wiiiiiing!

The Sword Spear Heavenly Lord transforms into light and heads toward the Head Realm, thinking.

: : Seo Eun-hyun must be found. The Ender who possesses the Phenomena Extinguishing Mantra...I must find him and... : :

Kugugugugu!

Beyond the silver-white mask, the eyes of the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord blaze.

: : I must attain the clue to find the Seats of Radiance, Mu (戊) and Gi (己), stolen by the Mountain Gods. If I capture him, Radiance Hall will regain the honor it held in the distant past when it was the era of the Radiance Ten Heavens...! : :

[Editor: 戊 and 己 are two of the Ten Heavenly Stems (天干), the fifth and sixth respectively.]

Sword Spear Heavenly Lord.

A being originally named Ji-hwang (地黃).

Born with the sole purpose of restoring the lost Seats of the Radiance Ten Heavens—Castle Wall Heavenly Lord (城垣天君) and Field Garden Heavenly Lord (田園天君)—speeds up even more towards the Head Realm while thinking of Seo Eun-hyun, who holds the key to fulfilling her life's wish.

'Strange. Why didn't Hong Fan meet Yang Ji-hwang?'

I ponder this while recalling the true name of Gyeong-i, which I came to know of in my past life.

'Is it a matter of timelines? That's the most likely scenario. No, perhaps...'

I think of Hong Fan, whom I temporarily killed for the purpose of the Heavenly Domain transfer, and ask Golden Shaking Bird.

"Golden Shaking Bird. By the way, do you know the Immortal Titles and symbols of the Eleven Governings?"

"Yes, of course. The Immortal Titles and symbols of the Governing Immortals are common knowledge among True Immortals. Would you like me to tell you? Starting with the Supreme Deities, the most famous is the Radiance Supreme Deity Heuk Sa. Their symbol is the [Black Snake Biting its Tail]..."

"I never said I didn't know."

"Ahh..."

Radiance Supreme Deity Heuk Sa.

I already knew the names and symbols of the Governing Immortals, including Theirs, thanks to the basic knowledge of the True Immortal Realm that Blood Yin imparted to me.

However, Blood Yin apparently didn't know their real names, as he referred to Gwak Am as Ra Cheon (羅天).

Of course, that wasn't important.

What concerns me right now is Hong Fan.

'Hong Fan has always been unusually connected to the black snake... He has shown ties to the Underworld, and he seems to be gradually recalling memories of his past life. There were also mentions suggesting he was [a very ancient being] in his past life. Moreover, he's oddly eager to associate with the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld, even blushing when seeing Them. Considering all this along with the information about the Supreme Deity of Raindance Hall, the Radiance Supreme Deity Heuk Sa...'

A single conclusion forms in my mind.

'Hong Fan was a Reaper of the Underworld in his past life, one of the Immortal Beasts affiliated with the Underworld.'

Normally, that [ancient feeling] is something typically sensed from Immortal Beasts.

And since most Immortal Beasts are affiliated with the Underworld, Hong Fan likely was as well.

Moreover, the fact that he blushes in front of the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld and recalls past-life memories strengthens this inference.

'He wouldn't have been affiliated with Radiance Hall. Probably not...'

Logically speaking, the Underworld governs reincarnation and rebirth, so would they be crazy and leave a chance for a True Immortal affiliated with Radiance Hall to recover their memories in the next life?

'Yet, the fact that he's frequently connected to the black snake. Perhaps that means...'

I recall the Middle Realms of the Interdimensional Void in the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain from my past life.

The Middle Realms of the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain, the corpses of True Immortals who served under the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity were arranged in the shape of a [Snake Biting Its Tail].

In other words, they are stretched out in the symbolic form of Radiance Hall.

'True Immortals affiliated with Radiance Hall leave the mark of a [Snake Biting Its Tail] on those who resist, or form such marks with their corpses. Alternatively, they assign such a fate, causing the mark to form naturally.'

Considering these facts, Hong Fan is highly likely to be a former Reaper now entangled in the fate of Radiance Hall.

'A Reaper or an Immortal Beast who fiercely resisted Radiance Hall in a past life, was annihilated, and then reincarnated. That's most likely who Hong Fan is.'

A pitiful soul, branded with the mark of Radiance Hall upon his very fate.

'Of course, there's one more other possibility...'

But I choose not to dwell on that possibility for now.

If it turns out to be true, I may never be able to forgive myself.

'At any rate, Hong Fan's failure to meet the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord might not be a mere coincidence or a matter of timelines. It could be a matter of fate.'

I form a theory while contemplating the relationship between Hong Fan and the Heavenly Lords of Radiance Hall.

Hong Fan died resisting Radiance Hall in his past life.

If we assume it wasn't a coincidence that he couldn't meet Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, then this fate was imposed by Radiance Hall, which branded Hong Fan with the fate of the black snake.

Thus, from Radiance Hall's perspective, Hong Fan was deemed to not meet any Heavenly Lords affiliated with them.

In other words, Hong Fan himself is an existence that poses an enormous threat to the forces of light.

'That seems plausible.'

Just looking at Hong Fan's Integrated Dao Domain, [Darkness World], reveals a 'power that devours light'.

'Yang Su-jin once said that our existence is always watched over by the light in ways we can't even imagine.'

A truly terrifying thought.

However, if my theory is correct...

'The day Hong Fan regains his memories, we might be able to break free from those constraints to some extent.'

And perhaps...

'Yang Ji-hwang. Maybe her as well...'

At some point, I find myself hoping that I can rescue Sword Spear Heavenly Lord from Radiance Hall.

Considering that Hong Fan will eventually regain his memories, it might just be possible.

With those thoughts, I arrive at the Bearing Tree Heavenly Domain.

Kurung, kururururung!

I burst out from the golden lightning that is a Heavenly Tribulation.

This time, I carefully control my rank to prevent any unnecessary casualties.

But then, I sense something strange.

"Hmm?"

Kwarururung!

'The one struck by the Heavenly Tribulation...is already dead...!'

It seems we've emerged amidst the remnants of the Heavenly Tribulation after the creature had already died.

Golden Shaking Bird grumbles, claiming I bring misfortune or some nonsense like that, so I smack her once and look around the dead demon beast's surroundings.

And then I see a familiar face.

"Hrk... Hic..."

'...Again...huh.'

A Demon Race around the Core Formation stage.

A female of the Blood Shark Race, seemingly yet to advance to the Nascent Soul stage.

That's right.

[This time as well], I have encountered Du Hwa.

'...Interesting.'

I smirk and glance up at the sky.

Is this the aftereffect of history repetition, or...

'Could it be that even True Immortals cannot truly escape fate?'

Either way, it's an intriguing hypothesis.

And what's even more nerve-wracking here is...

No matter which theory is correct...

'Does this mean I'll 'definitely' meet Glass Peacock again!?'

It means I'm bound to encounter Glass Peacock once more.