Reincarnated Swordmaster

Chapter Title: Heavenly Realm

Pfft

I headed straight to the White Lotus Cult's headquarters. I requested an audience at the Cult Leader's hall. The elders from the Council of Elders muttered among themselves for about half an incense stick's time before escorting me to the Cult Leader.

The Cult Leader was not seated on his dais. He stood silently in the garden, lost in thought. No Dharma Protectors were visible nearby. As I stared intently at the Cult Leader's figure, the elder experts withdrew outside.

It was quite some time before the Cult Leader addressed me.

"Baek Woong. What brings you here?"

I knew the real contest was beginning now. No matter who he was—the Cult Leader—my choice from this point on would be unexpected, and thus his reaction unpredictable. But I had felt the need to take a gamble in this life, so I hadn't run away and had come here instead.

I opened my mouth.

"Cult Leader. I cannot accept the Heavenly Spirit Pill."

The Cult Leader tilted his head slightly and spoke.

"If you wish to refine the Three Treasures Absolute Arts further before taking the Heavenly Spirit Pill, then do so. I myself thought it premature anyway."

As expected, the Cult Leader didn't fully grasp my current state. That was because I had sealed away Moon Yo's power and hidden it. Just as when I had previously unleashed Water Yo and Dark Night, the Seven Desires Divine Tools could conceal their power at the user's will. If one could wield the power only when needed, even the Cult Leader wouldn't know I had become Moon Yo's master.

'No... he might have noticed but chosen not to say.'

Even so, the water was already spilled. I had no choice but to press on.

I replied.

"No. Even if I perfectly mastered the Three Treasures Absolute Arts and reached a whole new realm, I am saying I will not take the Heavenly Spirit Pill."

"Why?"

"......"

"You know the Heavenly Spirit Pill grants infinite internal energy. You've been eyeing that

"Why?"

"......"

"You know the Heavenly Spirit Pill grants infinite internal energy. You've been eyeing that power covetously since the moment you joined the cult. So what reason do you have for abandoning it now?"

There was no trace of emotion in the Cult Leader's probing—neither anger nor bewilderment, not even the slightest inflection in his tone. It didn't feel inhuman; rather, it was utterly natural.

"I've learned that the Heavenly Spirit Pill is the power of a god."

"......"

"And that it's far from normal, with severe side effects to match. How could I possibly take it?"

My throat stung as I spoke.

I was acutely aware that the Cult Leader could slit my throat in an instant, so tension was inevitable. He wasn't the type to slaughter on a whim, but who knew when his mood might shift. As I swallowed hard, the Cult Leader blew gently on the dandelion he held in his hand, sending its seeds drifting away.

The dandelion fluff scattered into the sky. After watching it for a moment, the Cult Leader spoke.

"Then why did you come here?"

"What do you mean..."

"You know I could take your life at any moment, don't you? With the convenient Four-Faced Buddha Statue for travel, you could simply leave the White Lotus Cult. So why return here?"

I answered simply.

What do you mean...

"You know I could take your life at any moment, don't you? With the convenient Four-Faced Buddha Statue for travel, you could simply leave the White Lotus Cult. So why return here?"

I answered simply.

"Because you possess the ability to summon your Dharma Protectors to your side."

In a past life, before fighting Dagger Ghost, I had witnessed the Cult Leader summon a Dharma Protector nearby. With that power, I—as a current Dharma Protector—was effectively in the palm of his hand.

"You've figured that out too."

The Cult Leader responded calmly, without denial. His composure unnerved me, but I continued.

"Cult Leader. If I said I wanted to leave the White Lotus Cult, would you allow it?"

"I cannot."

"Why not?"

"You are currently one of our White Lotus Cult's most vital assets. I believe we cannot win the war against the Twelve Laws Lords without you. At the very least, I cannot permit you to leave until the Twelve Laws Lords are defeated."

I sensed a formidable wall in the Cult Leader's matter-of-fact reply. Even though I had uncovered all his traps, his response was essentially, "So what?" It was a reaction only possible for an absolute being like him. I instinctively knew my words would be dismissed outright if I didn't act, so I gritted my teeth.

It was time to play my trump card.

Steel ing myself, I spoke.

for an absolute being like him, I instinctively knew my work would be finished if I didn't act, so I gritted my teeth.

It was time to play my trump card.

Steel ing myself, I spoke.

"I have one question. Why do you push humans into the crucible of living hell?"

"......"

"Those who possess the Heavenly Spirit Pill suffer eternally in the grip of vile evil gods after death. Are you saying you feel no guilt whatsoever while using them?"

The White Lotus Cult Leader pondered my question for a moment before slowly replying.

"Baek Woong. Do you know what happens to a person after death?"

What sort of out-of-left-field question was this?

But caution was essential here, so I shook my head.

"I don't know."

"Even death is no salvation. The human soul is merely a plaything for the [Ancient Overlords] in potential."

With that preamble, the Cult Leader continued.

"In any case... it would be the same. As long as the world's order is shaped by the [Ancient Overlords]' designs, everything ends in ruin and misery. Our founder, Daruma, knew this from the start and wandered the world ceaselessly in asceticism, seeking a way to liberate all sentient beings... and thus created the Dharma Teachings."

"......"

"Baek Woong. You may think the Wusheng Laomu we revere in the White Lotus Cult is a

the start and wandered the world ceaselessly in asceticism, seeking a way to liberate all sentient beings... and thus created the Dharma Teachings."

"......"

"Baek Woong. You may think the Wusheng Laomu we revere in the White Lotus Cult is a fictional entity, but she truly exists. Daruma's chosen path was to borrow her power to realize the Pure Land Where the Vacuum Descends, saving all sentient beings. I merely seek to fulfill her will."

"I don't quite follow what you're saying."

"It's all the same story..."

Swish

Suddenly, the dandelion seeds the Cult Leader held reformed into a perfect sphere. It was as if the seeds, scattered by the wind, had reversed time. As I stared in astonishment at the White Lotus Cult Leader, he said.

"If we fail to realize the Pure Land Where the Vacuum Descends and Maitreya does not descend, then in five hundred years, Luruye and the baleful gods will annihilate all mortals anyway. If the Dharma Protectors give their all for that purpose, I believe we can achieve the best possible outcome. I am always grateful to the Dharma Protectors."

"That's nonsense. Who would willingly sacrifice themselves? Especially an eternal torment of the soul?"

Forgetting that the White Lotus Cult Leader could strike me down at any moment, I lashed out in anger.

"Don't force sacrifices on others. Are you saying that as Cult Leader, you shove Heavenly Spirit Pill bearers into eternal agony and offer such petty excuses?"

The Golden Guards from my past life came to mind. Under the pretext of serving the nation, they lined their pockets while massacring countless innocents, creating living hells. They were

"Don't force sacrifices on others. Are you saying that as Cult Leader, you shove Heavenly Spirit Pill bearers into eternal agony and offer such petty excuses?"

The Golden Guards from my past life came to mind. Under the pretext of serving the nation, they lined their pockets while massacring countless innocents, creating living hells. They were scum who wouldn't sacrifice themselves but plunged others into suffering.

"I suppose it could appear that way. It was indeed my failing not to mention the price of the Heavenly Spirit Pill."

The Cult Leader replied calmly.

"However, if it's sacrifice, I bear it too. No... I carry an even greater burden."

"What..."

"The price of the Primordial Spirit God is no less than that of the Heavenly Spirit Pill. One could say it's several times greater. Yet I had to shoulder it to unite the Four Great Demonic Schools and gain immense power. Even if it means eternal torment after death..."

Muttering thus, the Cult Leader looked at me and said.

"Baek Woong. If we succeed in realizing the Pure Land Where the Vacuum Descends, everything will be redeemed. Even the worst prices of the Primordial Spirit God or Heavenly Spirit Pill will be nullified. Because at that time, all worlds will complete one cycle, and even the [Ancient Overlords] will vanish."

"......!!"

W-what did he just say?!

I nearly forgot my plan in my shock at the Cult Leader's words. Because the true nature of the White Lotus Cult's ultimate goal—the Pure Land Where the Vacuum Descends—which he had revealed himself, was utterly unexpected.

The annihilation of the [Ancient Overlords]!

Even Zhuge Sa, who had been quietly observing from within me, stammered in surprise.

"S-surely not... I suspected, but they truly intend that method..."

"Zhuge Sa. Do you know something?"

"Damn it!"

Unhappy with something, Zhuge Sa cursed and fell silent. Meanwhile, the Cult Leader's words continued.

"This is no fabrication."

"To realize the Pure Land Where the Vacuum Descends, must we gather all of Wusheng Laomu's Dharma Teachings?"

"Indeed. But no human power can discover where they are scattered. That's why we seek the power of gods. Gods would know their locations."

"......"

"Baek Woong. I may seem mad now. But I believe my path is the only best option."

In that moment, I strangely felt the figure of the White Lotus Cult Leader, Dugun Uncheon, overlap with that of the Vermilion Bird, Zhuge Yuryong.

Why would two utterly dissimilar men overlap like that?

"Doubt no more and follow me."

There was earnestness in the Cult Leader's persuasion. My resolve shook fiercely. Even knowing everything and coming here prepared, I felt this way—small wonder the White Lotus Cult members revered him as a god.

But I steadied my heart and said to the Cult Leader.

"I cannot."

"Will you become my enemy?"

"No. Our relationship will simply change from here on."

I sensed the Cult Leader staring fixedly at me. At the same time, I summoned Moon Yo and drew forth its power.

Chiriing

With a clear ring, Moon Yo's moon shadow formed beside me. As Moon Yo's power surged, an overwhelming force enveloped me— incomparable to before. The Cult Leader flinched, sensing my power's amplification.

"This power..."

"Cult Leader. I have become Moon Yo's master. And I've gained a few more powers besides."

With Moon Yo's Three Divine Tools floating around me, I once more drew on the power of the Demon Subduing Bracelet and the Imperial Seal of All Nations. My spiritual power amplified in layers, propelling me momentarily to an unprecedented realm. My essence remained the same, but the power I could wield far surpassed that of a Dharma Protector.

Cult Leader. I have become Moon Yo's master. And I've gained a few more powers besides.

With Moon Yo's Three Divine Tools floating around me, I once more drew on the power of the Demon Subduing Bracelet and the Imperial Seal of All Nations. My spiritual power amplified in layers, propelling me momentarily to an unprecedented realm. My essence remained the same, but the power I could wield far surpassed that of a Dharma Protector.

Aware of this, the Cult Leader raised his own aura against me.

Rumble...

Our immense auras clashed and neutralized each other in an instant. Yet I felt pushed back. Sensing the Cult Leader's true power, a bone-chilling terror gripped me momentarily.

'Crazy...'

How had he accumulated such strength! Moon Yo alone eclipsed what an ordinary human could gather in a lifetime, and now combined with the Imperial Seal and bracelet. I was confident I could easily defeat any Dharma Protector in this state. Yet the Cult Leader not only surpassed my power effortlessly but held over eighty percent dominance.

Hovering in the air, the Cult Leader mocked me. The aura roiling around him already dwarfed a Dharma Protector's full might. Each ripple contained enough force to sweep away hundreds of feet.

"You don't seem quite up to defeating me."

"Th-that's... true."

Sweating coldly, I forced a smile.

"But... if I go all out in desperation... even you wouldn't emerge unscathed..."

"What makes you think that?"

"I can unleash the Eight Gates of Life and Death using the Great Luo Annihilation Forbidden Art."

"......!!"

The Cult Leader flinched for the first time. My face felt like it would crumple under his pressure from my strained grin, but I pressed on with a forced smile.

"Of course, unleashing the eight gates in this state would burst my body in one second flat... but could you fully block that strike, Cult Leader?"

The Cult Leader pondered my question deeply before replying curtly.

"It would be impossible."

Great Luo Annihilation!

It was the final forbidden needle of the Radiant God's Fire Seed Hundred Eight Needles secret art, passed down only to the family head and direct descendants—the most vile ultimate technique of the Fire Clan. Used by physicians when no life could be saved, sacrificing oneself to save those around; in truth, it opened the Eight Gates of Life and Death in the body, maximizing all abilities in a suicidal frenzy.

Its effect surpassed any martial art in the world. In the past, at peak expert level, I had unleashed the eight gates with Great Luo Annihilation to tear apart the Wind God Style Dharma Protector, Dragon Wing Heaven. Now, dozens of times stronger, with Moon Yo and treasures added, it would grant monstrous power in an instant.

It was suicide, and the sheer force would likely limit full exertion to less than a second.

Yet that single strike, pregnant with such potential—its might was acknowledged as something

Protector, Dragon Wing Heaven. Now, dozens of times stronger, with Moon Yo and treasures added, it would grant monstrous power in an instant.

It was suicide, and the sheer force would likely limit full exertion to less than a second.

Yet that single strike, pregnant with such potential—its might was acknowledged as something even the White Lotus Cult Leader could not withstand.

I gritted my teeth and glared at the Cult Leader.

"I cannot follow a Cult Leader who toys with people using the Heavenly Spirit Pill and dooms countless to suffering. But it's also true that I must cooperate with you as you are now. Thus, I propose a temporary alliance here and now."

"An alliance?"

I nodded.

"I will stand with you until you defeat the Twelve Laws Lords. Until then, I'll aid you with all my power. But afterward, let me leave the White Lotus Cult without interference, for my convictions."

"......"

After a silence, the Cult Leader spoke.

"Must you oppose me? I've never treated you unjustly."

I replied firmly.

"This is to protect my soul. Now that I know the truth of the Heavenly Spirit Pill."

"Even if I don't force the transplant?"

"If I hadn't taken this stance, would you have listened? You'd have shoved it in under the pretext of the cult's needs."

"I see... so that's how it was..."

Sighing, the Cult Leader said.

"Very well. I accept the alliance. On my name, I vow no harm to you until the Twelve Laws Lords fall. Nor will I force the Heavenly Spirit Pill."

"Thank you."

Hoo

The Cult Leader blew on the dandelion seeds again, scattering them. Watching the scene for a moment, he spoke.

"Baek Woong. I like you. Your advice and protests always felt fresh because you're detached even from your own death. I thought you'd understand my greater cause..."

"......"

"I hope you change your mind."

The Cult Leader's form vanished soundlessly. He clearly had no desire to speak further today. It was unlike the usual White Lotus Cult Leader, who shamelessly pried for information on everything.

'I've cleared one hurdle.'

The reason he accepted my proposal despite his overwhelming superiority—

With the supreme foe, the Twelve Laws Lords, still at large, he couldn't afford to expend power defeating me. My odds of winning against him were near zero, but if I resolved to suicide and

'I've cleared one hurdle.'

The reason he accepted my proposal despite his overwhelming superiority—

With the supreme foe, the Twelve Laws Lords, still at large, he couldn't afford to expend power defeating me. My odds of winning against him were near zero, but if I resolved to suicide and land one blow with Great Luo Annihilation, I could inflict severe wounds. I had forcibly created an equal footing through power.

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