A Regressor’s Tale of Cultivation Chapter 325: Farewell (7)

Editors: Z0Rel, BlueMangoAde, Resnut

Join the Discord for chapter updates and important news!

Chapter 325: Farewell (7)

As he approaches the ghost with a body length of about 30 meters, blue eyes sprout from its body.

Upon meeting those eyes, Seo Li feels his body stiffen.

[Kurrrgh...]

Seo Li's body freezes, unable to move any further.

It's the Great Desert to Dead Sea he has mastered.

The entirety of the Ghost Path Method within his body solidifies, forbidding any movement.

However, it's different from the last time when he met this entity's gaze and was dragged into its domain to encounter Kang Min-hee.

Seo Li grits his teeth and shouts.

[Kang Min-hee! Kang Min-hee!]

But the ghostly entity shows no reaction.

It simply stares at Seo Li with its completely transformed piercing blue eye, doing nothing else.

Seo Li clenches his teeth.

Chuaruru—

Ghostly energy moves, sealing off the path Seo Li had come through.

Now, only Seo Li and Kang Min-hee remain in this space.

But Seo Li gradually realizes that his body is moving on its own against his will, trying to expel him from the space.

'No, no!'

He can't move.

The ghostly energy moves on its own accord.

[Kang Min-hee! Get a hold of yourself! I'm here! I'm...]

Suddenly, the speaking Seo Li is startled.

The me that Kang Min-hee knows is the me that's 'Seo Eun-hyun's clone.'

In other words, the one she needs to be facing might not be me but Seo Eun-hyun.

I am Seo Li.

Not Seo Eun-hyun.

[I...]

I don't know by what right I have to be calling Kang Min-hee, so I briefly fall silent.

[...Damn it.]

I grit my teeth.

And then,

Wududuk—

Forcefully,

Using all the circuits of the Mad Lord and all my willpower,

Forcefully, forcefully!

Kudududuk!

I move one of my arms and tear off one of the heads attached to my shoulder.

Kuadududuk!

[Kuuuuughh!]

It's painful.

But Seo Eun-hyun wouldn't even bat an eye.

The torn head is condensed into a Gang Sphere and thrown into the void.

Then I tear out another.

Kuadududuk!

[Aaaaraaagh!]

It hurts.

But Seo Eun-hyun wouldn't even twitch.

Budududuk!

"Kuaaaargh!"

How many heads have I torn out? Before I knew it, my Ghost King Transformation had significantly loosened, and my voice had returned to its human form.

However, simultaneously, the ghostly energy in my body is gradually decreasing.

I condensed the very essence of my Ghost Path Method into Gang Spheres and released them into the void.

Kuaduduk!

I tear out the last head.

And I completely return to my human form.

However, as a human, I am only at the Heavenly Being stage at best.

Having also temporarily extracted other techniques like the Six Extremes Yin Thunder Body, I am in a severely weakened state.

"Keugh, kugh..."

I gasp for breath, expelling 'Seo Eun-hyun's' death from my body.

Of course, I feel like my heart might burst and kill me at any moment.

Not just from the pain, but from the pressure emitted by Kang Min-hee, who is at the Star Shattering stage!

It feels like I am about to be crushed by that terrifying power.

But!

"...I am...Seo Li...!"

At this moment.

I become complete as myself.

And I am no longer affected by the ghostly energy!

I muster all my remaining strength and reach out to Kang Min-hee.

Kuadududuk!

My body feels like it's being crushed and torn apart.

But it doesn't matter.

'I can reach her.'

With every step forward, my body breaks down.

The darkness enveloping Kang Min-hee is pierced bit by bit by the power gathered in one hand.

But in exchange, I have to give up everything.

Yet I move forward.

'I can reach her.'

Looking back, 'I' was born the moment I didn't convey Kang Min-hee's words to Seo Eun-hyun.

'I' came into existence because of her.

Even though her heart might have been directed at Seo Eun-hyun, not me.

Even though I might have been just a bystander.

Even though it might not have been a heart originally meant for me.

Her feelings reached me, and I was born.

Therefore, Kang Min-hee,

I must,

Return my heart to you.

Kuadududuk!

Even the flesh of Yuan Yu's body begins to rot, unable to withstand the death energy pervading the space.

'Kang Min-hee...'

I like you.

It isn't because of Seo Eun-hyun's memories.

The moment with her, when we were together even if brief.

Combing her hair.

Trying to kill me because of a misunderstanding.

All those brief moments together...

They were truly wonderful.

Step, step...

As I approach her, I feel that the 30m tall figure I see of her is not her true form.

Inside the ghostly body composed of ghostly energy, I feel 'her' presence.

Without caring that my flesh is freezing solid, I enter the ghost body made of ghostly energy, taking steps towards the center where she lies.

'Ah...'

I can't withstand this.

I can feel it.

Even if the original Yuan Li came back and resurrected seventy times, he wouldn't be able to go any further.

My body starts to freeze and crumble into powder.

Maybe just as Jeon Myeong-hoon is loved by lightning,

Kang Min-hee might be loved by all the ghosts and spirits of the world.

I might be a ghost born from Seo Eun-hyun's deluded thoughts (妄念).

Kuaduduk—

My whole body begins to scatter into the aura of death.

'No...'

Even if I am to die, I want to reach her.

And then.

Clench!

A warm hand grabs my shoulder from behind.

"You fool. Why did you abandon the Ghost King's body and face this with your bare body?"

It's Seo Eun-hyun.

Somehow, he had thrown the Nether Crossing Ship outside, saved everyone in Black Ghost Valley, torn apart the sealed space, and reached here.

'It's...warm...'

Why is that?

As Seo Eun-hyun grabs my shoulder, I feel my body, which seemed about to freeze in the ghostly energy, start to thaw.

'Is it that?'

For a moment, I see the flame burning inside Seo Eun-hyun.

It's a fire that scorches Seo Eun-hyun's soul.

"Though I can't hurt others with the Karmic Fire, it seems to have a warming effect."

He explains with a faint smile, attributing it to the effect of the Karmic Fire.

He too seems exhausted, spitting blood from the effort of coming this far.

'The pain of Karmic Fire...must be unimaginable...'

How can he stand so calmly?

He smiles as he holds my shoulder.

"Go forward, Seo Li."

"Wouldn't it be better if you went? Maybe..."

"Do you think Kang Min-hee needs me?"

"..."

"Maybe so."

Seo Eun-hyun nods calmly.

But his next words make me clench my fists.

"But I think you need Kang Min-hee."

"What do you mean...?"

"Did you forget I'm a cunning Heart Tribe spy? Don't think you can deceive my eyes. Look ahead and walk. If there's something you desperately want to convey, you do it yourself!"

At Seo Eun-hyeon's sharp words, my mind feels like it snaps into place.

"...Yeah."

I look ahead.

From behind, Seo Eun-hyun's voice echoes.

"Form the Gang Sphere."

Wo-woong!

I form a Gang Sphere on my hand.

I can't use Entering Heavens Beyond the Path, but I can manage Ultimate Pinnacle.

"Divide the Gang Sphere into nine."

"What's the point of..."

"Just do as I say!"

I obediently divide the Gang Sphere.

"Circulate the Gang Spheres."

I think I understood what he's trying to do.

He might be trying to help me reach Entering Heavens.

But it's a ridiculous idea.

'I haven't been able to use Entering Heavens for hundreds of years.'

"...The path of the sword you walked isn't mine."

When I thought I was Seo Eun-hyun, I believed I could use the Formless Sword with his memories.

But knowing I am Seo Li, I realized it clearly.

These aren't my experiences, nor my insights.

Therefore, I can't use the Formless Sword.

Even if I try to infuse my insights into the Gang Sphere, it's impossible.

However, Seo Eun-hyun's next words go beyond my imagination.

"For the past 500 years, what have you done?"

"What?"

"I asked what you've been doing for 500 years."

"...Didn't you observe it through heart essence?"

"Just answer."

"...I cultivated through the Great Desert to Dead Sea, through the Black Blood Tears Flower, and through the Six Extremes Yin Thunder Body."

"Then you should know what you like best, right?"

"..."

"When I fought Tae Yeol-jeon, you were also connected to me. Have you forgotten how she reached Entering Heavens?"

That's right.

Tae Yeol-jeon reached Entering Heavens by sublimating her insights from the Buddhist Family Methods she practiced.

But could I do it too?

Could I do it with the cultivation methods I practiced?

Could I really...?

...

...

"Seo Eun-hyun, do you know?"

"What?"

I look back at Seo Eun-hyun and smile.

Really, he's annoyingly similar to Kim Young-hoon.

Why can't he just tell me straightforwardly?

"You're really...an annoying guy. Can't you just tell me directly?"

"It's only meaningful if you figure it out yourself."

Seo Eun-hyun receives my smile with a laugh.

He's the one who's been observing me through heart essence for 500 years.

He is a grandmaster of martial arts and the original owner of my talents.

Seo Eun-hyun is not a madman, and there is no reason for him to suddenly force an awakening on me.

Which means...

"I've already said it's within you. Swing it."

"Come to think of it, that's plagiarized from Young-hoon hyung-nim."

It's already within me.

At the moment of realization, I move forward, believing in myself.

'Ah...'

This is, [Me].

The result of abandoning all Ghost Path Methods, forsaking the death that isn't mine, believing in what I have cultivated, and becoming whole as 'me', is this.

My own Manifestation.

The Gang Spheres cycle at my fingertips.

They draw a circle.

Within that circle, I see my own Three Great Ultimates.

The Great Desert to Dead Sea, the Black Blood Tears Flower, the Six Extremes Yin Thunder Body that I have all practiced.

'Entering Heavens Beyond the Path.'

At my fingertips, a flower begins to bloom.

"Fallen Flowers Cannot Return to Branches (落花難上枝)."

What emerges from my hand is neither the White Orchid Blessing Incantation nor the Black Blood Tears Flower, but something black.

Using the enlightenment of martial arts from Seo Eun-hyun's memories, I dissolve devilish arts and curses to create my own Entering Heavens.

What initially had the form of the White Orchid Blessing Incantation gradually changes shape and transforms into a different flower.

Black Lily (黑百合).

What appears to be a single Black Lily blooming, quivers and spreads in all directions.

The black lily petals envelop my surroundings. 

Step.

I become able to take another step.

Absorbing pain while straddling the Plane of Soul and Plane of Qi and transforming it into pure energy that scatters upon the ground – this is my Entering Heavens.

Through Fallen Flowers Cannot Return to Branches, I scatter the pain and sorrow filled in this darkness and move forward.

And, I feel Seo Eun-hyun smiling behind me.

"Let's go."

He stands not behind, but beside me.

"It's impressive."

Seo Eun-hyun draws his sword of light from the void.

"I said I reforged the Formless Sword. Can you now hear its name?"

Wo-woong―

I can hear it.

In my ears, which have completely entered a new Entering Heavens, I hear the hum of the Formless Sword.

"Since it resembles its owner, your Entering Heavens also seems to like plagiarism."

"Plagiarism? It's a name she gifted me."

I burst into a hearty laugh at Seo Eun-hyun's words.

Chualalalak!

The black lily petals gather to form a Flower Sword in front of me.

Just like when we first entered the sphere, we each hold the Flower Sword and the Formless Sword.

'No, that's not the Formless Sword now.'

I utter the name the Formless Sword conveyed directly to me.

"All Heavens Sword is the final form of the Colorless Glass Sword."

"Since the Colorless Glass Sword was created to contain the Formless Sword, it's not strange to attach its form to the Formless Sword's name."

"Try coming up with a cool name like Young-hoon hyung-nim."

After a brief exchange of banter, we assume our stances without anyone needing to say more.

Seo Eun-hyun's intent echoes, and his absolute technique engraves itself into my mind.

Severing Mountain Swordsmanship.

Thirtieth Move.

Deep Mountain, Emerging Dao (山深然後道).

—I will rip through. Strike and enter.

A faint forest scent seems to spread.

It feels like entering a deep mountain.

Through Seo Eun-hyun's consciousness, I understand what the thirtieth move of the Severing Mountain Swordsmanship he has newly attained is about.

In an instant, Seo Eun-hyun's All Heavens Sword becomes completely transparent.

He has risen to the much deeper and higher Plane of Soul.

The basic technique of the sword is a downward slash.

Lifting the sword high and then slashing downwards.

Using precise muscle movements, raising the sword high, and accelerating it downwards with gravity to strike the opponent.

It looks very simple, but in reality, it is an immensely powerful technique.

And, I can feel it.

Seo Eun-hyun's All Heavens Sword advancing to a much higher plane than 'can be seen.'

The sword moves.

From a higher plane, the sword slashes downward and descends lower.

From a high position to a low position.

From a high plane to a low plane.

As the sword tip lowers, it accelerates, and as the plane lowers, the cultivation of the Heaven and Earth Tribe is added to the sword.

And finally, his sword descends completely to the material plane.

Shukak!

The last moment is beyond the speed my eyes can follow.

For just a moment, it seems as if his downward slash surpasses the Surpassing Radiant Saber's speed, but is that just an illusion?

And when his downward slash finishes.

Chwaaak!

I witness Kang Min-hee's darkness, having reached the Star Shattering stage, split open like a valley.

A path to Kang Min-hee opens.

Tadat!

Without hesitation, I charge towards her with the Flower Sword.

Holding the sword made of black petals, I concentrate.

The center of the ghostly energy forming the eight-foot ghost monster.

I see her, completely blackened, crouching.

.

Fallen Flowers Cannot Return to Branches.

Application technique.

Spring Before Flowers Fall (花落以前春).

Kwaak!

The Flower Sword made of black lily petals pierce Kang Min-hee's body.

At the same time, the Flower Sword starts to reverse and turn pure white.

The white lily petals push away the darkness that envelops Kang Min-hee.

Originally, Fallen Flowers Cannot Return to Branches absorbs pain and scatters it by converting it into energy.

The reversed Spring Before Flowers Fall absorbs my power and conveys my emotions to the opponent.

Though it seems similar to the Record of Transcending Cultivation and Exhausting Martial Arts's ultimate technique, Endless Paths Within Paths, it's a technique several levels higher!

Towards the immense sorrow enveloping Kang Min-hee, I burn everything.

My cultivation.

My life.

My soul!

Kwadudududuk!

A pillar of light seems to penetrate Kang Min-hee.

Reaching.

Reaching.

Kugugugugu―

An immense repulsive force rebounds from Kang Min-hee.

As if telling me not to approach.

It's an overwhelming repulsive force.

It feels as if it will tear the space apart.

But, I can't lose.

'Please, please...!'

Just for a moment, reach!

Seo Eun-hyun comes up behind me and pushes my back.

Together, we thrust the light.

And, the light explodes.

Shuaaaaaaa—

It's raining.

I look around what became the ruins of the Swiftwind Domain.

Nothing remains.

Everything has been ground down by Kang Min-hee's power, turning into a desert like the Dead Earth Domain.

It was originally a place with only valleys and mountain peaks, but now there is truly nothing left.

"...Are you satisfied, Seo Li?"

I sit cross-legged, gazing at Seo Li who lays beside me.

No, saying he is lying down isn't accurate.

Seo Li's body is entirely torn into pieces and scattered somewhere, with only his head remaining.

Only his head is left, barely clinging to life thanks to the tenacious vitality of Yuan Yu.

Seo Li's attack, which burned everything he had, succeeded.

I close my eyes and recall the situation just moments ago.

My All Heavens Sword overlapped with Seo Li's Fallen Flowers Cannot Return to Branches, creating an immense piercing force in an instant.

We narrowly succeeded in embedding Seo Li's Spring Before Flowers Fall into her.

Seo Li's heart was conveyed.

But regardless, she has reached the Star Shattering stage.

Kang Min-hee has already become the Ghost Guiding Holy Mother.

Kang Min-hee opens her eyes.

In her eyes, burning with blue ghost fire, blue tears are streaming down.

Kang Min-hee.

No, the Ghost Guiding Holy Mother swings her arm at us.

That is the end.

The overwhelming difference in power crushes any will to resist.

With that, we are thrown away, and the Ghost Guiding Holy Mother screams a terrifying ghostly wail and flies off somewhere.

'Kang Min-hee...'

But I know.

Seo Li's feelings have been conveyed.

And for a very brief moment, she regained her sanity.

[Seo Eun-hyun...]

Kang Min-hee called my name as she looked at me, then lo