A Regressor’s Tale of Cultivation Chapter 807 Chapter 803: A Regressor's Tale of Cultivation

If Hong Fan Gu Ju divides his unified form into three distinct aspects to suppress the Enders, he becomes utterly vulnerable should an entity equal to or greater than himself launch an assault during that interval.

Beings like Creator Gods who forge entire worlds.

Or supreme divinities on par with Creator Gods who command Divine Arts.

While Hong Fan can manage threats from lesser ranks even while split into three aspects, an offensive at the level of Divine Arts poses a lethal risk.

Naturally, Hong Fan Gu Ju remains certain of his ability to react; he has established numerous safeguards so that, in such a crisis, he can instantly retaliate or stall for time to reintegrate into his complete body.

The Future King's Three Heavenly Treasures are the primary examples of these defenses.

Through these artifacts, he ensured that during his periods of incompleteness, they could manifest the Future King’s three Great Mantras—Immortal Cultivation, Radiance, and Splitting Heaven—acting in his stead to repel external divinities.

The mantra of Immortal Cultivation is wielded by the Sumeru Three Heavens Great Thousand World.

The mantra of Radiance is channeled by the Heavenly Void Furnace.

The mantra of Splitting Heaven is unleashed by the First Light.

Utilizing the Three Heavenly Treasures, he arranged for them to buy him necessary time should any outside force strike the Gestation World.

From the moment of their inception, Hong Fan designed and evolved these three mantras specifically to counter the personified gods of the Three Daos, should they ever manifest to oppose him.

The power that rejects connection to achieve perfection in isolation, ultimately reaching the formula of Primordial Chaos to defy the illogical and erratic Miracle.

Immortal Cultivation.

The power that perpetually rewinds the timeline to recreate it, warping and inverting history so that the darkness of Heuk Sa can consume and suppress the brilliance of explosions.

Radiance.

The power that stands in direct defiance of the condensing nature of attraction, cleaving and isolating all things so that the light of a suicidal resolve can shred the celestial darkness.

Splitting Heaven.

Just as the Three Absolutes merge to form the Creator God’s omnipotent will and authority,

The synthesis of the mantras of Immortal Cultivation, Radiance, and Splitting Heaven—each crafted to negate the Three Absolutes of Miracle, History, and Fate—serves as a fundamental counter-measure against omnipotence.

With these three mantras, he can withstand a Creator God; when unified, they achieve a power equivalent to the ultimate technique [Hope].

Consequently, even if the countenances of Hong Fan Gu Ju are divided and his primary power is hindered, as long as the mechanisms for the three Great Mantras are triggered...

He possesses a defensive network capable of neutralizing at least one blow from otherworldly great divinities or Creator Gods, providing the window needed to restore his full form.

These assets also assist him in resolving complications that arise when his various aspects occasionally blunder while handling the Enders.

For instance, to settle the issue of the Ender Seo Eun-hyun seizing his physical form and to reclaim the Radiance Mantra, he could lure him into the Heavenly Void Furnace to effortlessly swap the Radiance Mantra back for Seo Eun-hyun's Absolute Fragment.

While recovering the Radiance Mantra isn't difficult once he regains his senses, it is a process that demands time.

Thus, by casting Seo Eun-hyun into the Heavenly Void Furnace to secure an immediate opportunity to retrieve the Radiance Mantra, Hong Fan Gu Ju believed he had navigated the danger.

'It was a perilous moment when Seo Eun-hyun stole my authority and my memories and logic were temporarily scattered.'

Had a great divinity from another realm or an external Creator God attacked during that lapse, it would have been uncertain if the Radiance Mantra would have functioned correctly among the three.

Even if all three Great Mantras activated successfully, they can only mitigate a single strike.

From the second attack onward, the main body must intervene directly, or the adversary would decipher the defense and find a path to invade Mount Sumeru.

If Hong Fan, stripped of his reason and memory, had been seized or struck by an external entity in that state, the consequences would have been catastrophic.

The sheer number of wild variables is staggering to contemplate.

Even if he were abducted or suffered a mortal wound, he would eventually return or seek vengeance after recovering, yet the loss of time would be immense—and in that gap, Miracle could have spawned its own variables.

Yang Hwe might have sensed his instability, rushed to the Audience Chamber to ascend as the Life Supreme Deity, and fled to some unreachable world.

Her escape wouldn't even be the worst-case scenario.

If she used the power of life to resurrect the Salt Sea Supreme Deity before fleeing, Hong Fan Gu Ju might have emerged from his recovery only to face Salt Sea, the newly crowned true Owner of Miracles.

That duration leading up to the 15th cycle, when Seo Eun-hyun briefly usurped his self, was a window that could have birthed endless disasters.

By a stroke of immense luck, no major catastrophe occurred before Hong Fan Gu Ju reclaimed his consciousness and identity.

It was likely due to the Gestation World—where Mount Sumeru is located—being notorious among otherworldly beings as a Devil Lair that he remained undisturbed.

And...

Since the most critical point had passed, he assumed everything would proceed smoothly from then on.

Or so he believed.

'Ah...'

The Peak of Life-Saving Arts: Formless.

The instant he takes a direct hit, Hong Fan realizes with sharp clarity what a true miracle entails.

'O Miracle. I truly... despise you.'

Tsuaaaaaaah!

A verdant light pierces deep into Hong Fan's chest, utilizing the power of Life-Saving to begin rending his heart asunder.

The Present.

"In the name of Life, I command."

Bong Hwa reaches into the Heavenly Void Furnace.

Witnessing this, I momentarily forget about rescuing my allies and simply stare at her figure.

"Live."

Kuuuuung!

The power of Life erupts.

Though countless forces, histories, and the laws of explosions are invoked...

The end result is singular.

They are restored to life.

"Death is a certainty, so this is merely a fleeting resurrection."

Kuung!

A brilliance of pure white appears.

"I am aware."

Under the circumstances, their voices are clipped and carry a sense of urgency.

Yet, the bond between them seems remarkably close.

Cheok, cheok!

I recognize the pure white being standing before us.

Their face is hidden from view.

Only their back, which resembles a Salt Mountain, is visible.

These two entities position themselves between me and the Future King, standing as resolute as immovable Guardian Kings to shield me.

Both are fully aware they are no match for the Future King, yet...

I can feel their iron will to ensure my path forward, even if it costs them their very existence.

I feel the urge to sprint toward them.

I want to run, look upon that face, and bow in respect.

To meet them in their true form...

For this is both the first and the final opportunity.

This individual is the one who partially seized Miracle and attained the status of the Heavenly Venerable of Miracles.

Thus, unless a successor to Miracle is born, they cannot truly die even if slain.

However, that implies...

If I proceed, that person will now, in truth...

Be vanished forever.

If I don't act now, I will truly never see him again.

What choice should I make?

Squeeze...

I grip my fist with intensity.

Turning my head, I look toward Kim Yeon, who meets my gaze.

She offers a smile.

In the next heartbeat, she transforms into a single blade and streaks toward me.

Wiiiiing!

Jjeoong!

She and my other allies fly toward me, embedding themselves within my being as individual swords.

I sense the gaze of Silver Basket.

Eyes that seem baffled by my actions.

No, I can feel that they fail to understand not just me, but all of us.

'I understand now.'

To them, this is incomprehensible.

Why would we, who have all reached the status of transcendents with such power, choose to sacrifice ourselves?

Why do we not simply pick the battles where victory is certain?

Why must we gamble everything on this single moment?

They cannot grasp the reason.

Perhaps it is because they were born as undying transcendents.

Born with a status that views even the Swallowing Heaven Supreme Deity as a mere mortal, they cannot comprehend beings like us.

I am not the outlier.

In reality, every mortal exists this way.

They live their entire lives pouring every ounce of their strength into their existence.

And when they eventually fall, they bequeath everything to those who follow.

This endless chain of inheritance is the very core of life.

It is a grief and a gift that only mortal souls can perceive.

This is the will of mortality.

The martial heart of Kim Young-hoon.

The resolve of Jeon Myeong-hoon.

The protective heart of Kang Min-hee.

The determination of Oh Hyun-seok.

The loving heart of Kim Yeon.

This is a light known only to those who understand that mortality links together and passes forward.

I look away from Silver Basket and turn my eyes to the heavens.

"The Formless Poison... runs deep, so incredibly deep."

Formless Poison.

It is the very toxin Hong Fan has utilized whenever he attempted to assist me in the past.

That's it.

He perceived the Peak of Life-Saving Arts: Formless, which I instilled in him during the 16th cycle, as a poison...

And it is the power he desperately tried to return to me as a form of grace to purge it from himself.

"It is difficult to gain a human form, and more difficult still to attain the Dao..."

Watching the green radiance continue to permeate his body, I softly recite the lesson I once learned from him.

"Following the human heart, one searches for the root of the Dao..."

My entire frame begins to glow.

"If this body fails to reach transcendence in this lifetime...

"When shall I have another chance to transcend this state of being?"

Dudududu-

Simultaneously, the crushing pressure directed at me intensifies.

It is Hong Fan, bearing down on me as he witnesses the advancement ritual I am attempting.

As if he simply cannot permit me to succeed.

Yet, I am indifferent to Hong Fan's efforts.

Recalling my genuine thanks to him, I merely voice the truth he needs to hear.

"Heavens Above. That is not a poison. I am aware that since the sixteenth cycle, you have tried to purge it and return it to me... but it isn't something I forced into you. It is merely something that has always resided within you.

"Just as the Heavens are absolute and undeniable in this world, the heart is not something you can reject simply because you wish to.

"It is merely... the awakening of what was already inside you."

The moment those words leave my lips,

The green light in Hong Fan's chest flares to its limit, and Silver Basket begins to react.

Hong Fan intensifies his pressure on me for stirring his heart, but Salt Sea and Bong Hwa block his power.

In the following instant, just as he prepares to strike us down with Hope,

Kugugugugu!

The window of opportunity opens.

Perhaps Silver Basket gained some insight from watching me.

:: Will you prevent the birth of the Owner of Miracles, or... will you stop the components of the [Absolute of Hope] you are forging from shattering into pieces!!! ::

They manifest their Divine Art, instantly hurling the souls of countless Enders out beyond the reaches of Mount Sumeru.

To myriad otherworlds, back to their origins...

The Enders are sent home.

Granted, some are wicked or twisted enough to be a concern, but I cannot address that now.

By waking the numerous Enders and returning them to their worlds...

Silver Basket provides us a chance.

Wo-woong!

The Future King seizes Silver Basket and briefly looks toward the exterior of the Audience Chamber.

In that pause, I extend my hand to Oh Hye-seo.

She falters.

A moment of doubt as to whether she truly earns a place as our comrade.

She...

Is plagued by such internal conflict.

But the next second, I grip my fist and pull her toward me.

Because regardless of her self-doubt...

No matter the sins she committed against us.

'We have accepted her apology.'

She offered her apology before we even set foot in the Audience Chamber.

And during the Great Mountain Battle, she apologized to me with total sincerity.

Even if my forgiveness isn't absolute.

She will simply have to atone for her actions from this point forward.

Alongside us!

As the penalty for exposing her fate to the Future King, she is held by an attraction force more powerful than any other.

Yet, Oh Hye-seo looks at my outstretched hand and resolves her internal struggle.

She takes a step.

Toward our side.

One step. Two steps. And upon taking the third...

Master reaches out his hand.

The radiance of Salt Mountain wraps her in pure white.

Is she receiving some silent message from Master?

She seems to sense something within that white light, and tears begin to stream down her face.

Immediately, Bong Hwa extends her hand, enveloping her in golden flames.

The combined light of Salt Mountain and Life refines her, momentarily severing the Future King's attraction force that binds her.

In that instant, she too transforms into a sword and merges with my body.

Thus, at the moment all six Enders become unified with me.

Kuguguguung!

My eyes lock with Hong Fan's.

I see Silver Basket's actions and, with the clarity of a Supreme Deity, I grasp their significance.

I realize Hong Fan is temporarily hindered by his own Divine Art, and I know he will soon return.

Kuuung!

He, who instantly obliterated Obsidian's home and claimed Obsidian's spirit, now turns his attention to the place Vast Cold has retreated to.

Earth.

Our...

Home.

He looks at me.

And as he stares at us, he aims the Emptiness Sword toward Earth.

The fragment of desire remains within him, making a standard advancement impossible in this state.

But in this exact moment, when all Enders have merged with me and our hearts are perfectly linked.

I finally understand what Master bestowed upon Oh Hye-seo.

Its name is shame.

It is the sting that forces one to look inward...

And the momentum that allows one to move forward afterward.

It is what Gwak Am once lost, and the salt that the Salt Sea uses for purification.

And ironically, it is a pain that contains the answers of both Salt Sea and Vast Cold.

-Pain cannot be ignored. But...

Oh Hye-seo, having found her shame, reflects upon herself.

And all the comrades share her shame with her... reaching out so she can advance.

-You might be able to deny the origin of the pain. So move forward. Occasionally look back, and do not fully reject what was merely painful. The world is certainly pain... but because of that pain, there are things you can cherish.

16th cycle.

Pain.

Hong Fan Gu Ju suffers the agony of watching his own history—no different from his soul and flesh—dissolve before him, and he stares at the human transmitting everything he has gathered.

Only a strike on the level of a Creator God or a great divinity can reach Hong Fan while he is split and incomplete.

Conversely, such an attack can severely impact the fragmented Future King.

Until now, he believed such entities existed only in the outside world.

Tsuaaaaatt!

He thought the only ones capable of such an assault were external beings beyond his reach.

'You... Seo Eun-hyun. What exactly are you?'

Without a trace of doubt, he burns through every bit of history and memory he accumulated over eons within the Heavenly Void Furnace.

That process is inherently agonizing.

Yet, he is bearing the pain.

Even though he narrowly escaped the Heavenly Void Furnace and located his main body, he does not use that power for himself; instead, he sacrifices it all, pouring it toward Hong Fan.

Countless green lights flood into Hong Fan's chest.

The being who lived for trillions of years inside the Heavenly Void Furnace, observing Hong Fan's tale and tempering his heart solely to offer comfort to Hong Fan...

Sacrifices every memory and history to land a single blow against Hong Fan.

And that, specifically regarding the entity known as Hong Fan...

Is indistinguishable from a strike by a great divinity.

He believed he could counter any external threat as he pleased.

But the blade striking from within was something even the Future King could not foresee, and he le