A Regressor’s Tale of Cultivation Chapter 839 Chapter 836: Side Story - Mythical Relic (1)

Chapter 836: Side Story - Mythical Relic (1)

Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain.

This distant ancient Heavenly Domain, renowned as the battleground for Governing Immortals during the Mythic Age, holds that title.

Yet, despite its legendary status, few True Immortals actually reside here.

The reason lies in the fact that the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain remains unclaimed, lacking sufficient fate and blessings to sustain True Immortals, and any reckless outburst from them could cause the entire domain to crumble easily.

Thus, what populates the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain are merely a handful of True Immortals and Immortal Lords,

Along with several Middle Realms formed from the remains of Great Immortals.

Though its reputation sounds grand, this is actually a barren realm, almost too shameful to label as a Heavenly Domain.

Such a confined and desolate place defines the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain.

And it is exactly because of this limited space

That the Sacred Masters governing the Middle Realms, along with the sparse True Immortals, perceive the fierce clash of supreme powers raging in a single spot within the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain even more vividly.

Innumerable True Immortals and Sacred Masters tremble in fear at the eruption of Upper Immortal-level entities battling fiercely in one area of the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain.

***

Hwioooo—

The entirety of Avīci quakes under the assault of a cosmic gale.

Vast clouds of dust surge into Avīci, coalescing into vibrant clusters of radiance.

Within the nebula brimming with those luminous formations, a spherical entity wrapped in obsidian chains confronts Ban Ta, who embodies a violet Three Great Ultimates.

Though the duel appears balanced at first, the momentum slowly tilts in favor of Ban Ta.

Nevertheless, Ban Ta's face remains stern and troubled.

'The wielder of the Obsidian Chains...proves incredibly tough. If just a fragment of soul wields this power, then the primary form must rival the Chief Judge of the Underworld, the terrifying icon from my youth...!'

He understands all too well the vast disparity between him and the Owner of the Obsidian Chains.

Should the true form arrive, even at his utmost strength, Ban Ta would need to retreat.

Kwagwagwagwang!

The fragmented soul of the Owner of the Obsidian Chains, restricted to Upper Immortal prowess for brief engagements.

As the fight prolongs, their reserves deplete swiftly, allowing Ban Ta to gain the upper hand.

The Owner of the Obsidian Chains utters a resentful tsk.

: : Impressive indeed. Had you aimed to shatter this Lord's incarnation, victory would have come swiftly, but instead, you press this Lord so relentlessly with pure, unyielding techniques... Were there even a hint of cunning or concession in you, this Lord would have fallen long ago... : :

"Hmph...!"

: : This Lord always commends your integrity... Yet you must concede the point. This realm isn't shaped by virtue alone... True progress demands the harmony of benevolence and malice. : :

"Enough of your Taiji philosophy. Do you presume to lecture me? I achieved the Sacred Vessel stage long before your lineage's founding ancestor's distant forebears even existed!"

: : ...Is that meant as bragging? : :

Bbududuk!

Ban Ta's cheeks flush crimson at the True Immortal's retort, his teeth grinding in frustration.

"Are you mocking me?"

: : Mockery is deserved. Isn't it your avarice at play? Haven't you spurned the Lord's benevolence repeatedly, diverting that favor to other pursuits? : :

"...You cannot comprehend. Across eons vast enough to deem my birth era the Mythic Age, this steadfast heart that lingered unchanging, witnessing the fates of True Immortals...its isolation and anguish..."

Ban Ta gazes somberly at the chained orb.

"Doesn't your Lord's doctrine state that pain endured brings equivalent recompense? Isn't that the very law your Lord established? I seek only what rightfully comes to me...so why deny even that?"

Kugugugu!

A palm infused with violet glow launches from Ban Ta toward the chained sphere.

Yet, myriad chains erupting from the sphere shred the attack apart in mere moments.

: : My Lord could yet extract you and claim the Sacred Master position outright. But since He refrains, there must be just cause. Ancient Sacred Vessel, recognize this: the divine perceive, heed, and sense far beyond your conceptions. : :

Chwararararak.

The chains dismantling Ban Ta's strike swiftly ensnare his entire form.

Bound completely, Ban Ta grits his teeth fiercely.

"And those 'far beyond' you mention—is it that Taiji principle? You call me overly ambitious? Spare me the ridicule."

: : You resemble an imoogi, burdened by excessive wish-fulfilling pearls, unable to rise under their load. : :

"Are my aspirations so grand? Very well, continue decrying my greed. You deem me an imoogi grounded by too many pearls? So be it—I shan't ascend. I'll amass more pearls, endlessly, and haul the heavens to my feet!"

Kiiiiiiing!

Ban Ta's violet Three Great Ultimates commences its whirl.

"The Dao I uphold, I shall never forsake lightly!"

Jjeok, jjeojeok!

The Chain Owner recoils in astonishment, eyeing Ban Ta intently.

The restraints on Ban Ta yield, then shatter explosively.

: : Vast Cold Heavenly Circle...!? Wait, you...you've altered the Vast Cold wisdom on your own? : :

Only now does the Owner of the Chains grasp the essence behind Ban Ta's Three Great Ultimates formation, their gaze widening in shock.

: : Not the conventional Heaven, Earth, and Heart equilibrium...Ah, I understand. That Three Great Ultimates. Heaven and Earth. And...! : :

Chwaaaaaah!

Ban Ta assumes his posture,

And myriad palms emerge from his Three Great Ultimates.

Ban Ta's Innate Ultimate Technique.

Thousand-Hand Sacred Observer Ban Ta (千手觀聖般陀).

Tududududududu!

One Palm.

From the torrent of palm imprints, a single strike disintegrates one chain.

Without pause for the Chain Owner's surprise, Ban Ta's palms cascade like a storm, pulverizing everything.

Tukwagwagwagwang!

Chaos engulfs a section of Avīci.

All chains invoked by the Owner of Obsidian Chains disintegrate simultaneously.

And precisely as Ban Ta closes in, delivering the decisive palm.

Jjeooooeong!

Ban Ta's resolve expels the True Immortal's influence from Lee Seo-ah's form.

"To overcome me, you'd need at least the Owner of the Antimatter Sea, or the Owner of Black Blades—direct heir to the Owner of Myriad Stars—or the Wuji Star Lord! Vanish, Owner of Obsidian Chains. You hold no power over me!"

: : You...the moment to decide hastily approaches. This might be your final slumber...Curb your desires and select the Lord... : :

The Owner of Obsidian Chains departs Lee Seo-ah's body, whispering faintly.

: : The Lord has bestowed upon you greater favor than your devotion warranted... This opportunity marks the end... Soon, the dual divine progenitors who fragmented to birth the Yin-Yang Family shall awaken. Before encountering Glass Peacock once more, reflect deeply...

Tstststst...

Ban Ta observes Lee Seo-ah, now limp and senseless after the Owner of Obsidian Chains' complete withdrawal.

He propels her body through Avīci with a kick, directing it toward the safer Purple Gold Realm, then sighs in annoyance.

"...Glass Peacock..."

The deity known as the Ignorant One, who blended with the Immortal Beast Blue Bird, dispersing across Heaven and Earth to forge the Yin-Yang Family's path.

Meanwhile...

—Ahahahaha, rumors reached me of someone lingering 10 billion years in the Sacred Vessel stage, perishing from age, then resurrecting, so curiosity drew me here...but you're a relic of bygone ways. Intriguing, yet your aura repulses me now, barring embrace. One day, upon attaining True Immortality, I shall claim you then.

Bbudududuk...

That featherbrained entity demeaned him, declared him foul, abandoned him, and departed.

"Glass Peacock..."

Ban Ta grasps the implication of Glass Peacock's "you stink" remark.

It alludes to his rigid nature, and Glass Peacock probably sought to jolt him from his rigid views with bold words, granting insight.

Even aware of this, Ban Ta harbors unforgiving resentment toward Glass Peacock.

"Indeed. I realize it well...I know you lot deem my path erroneous...! But...I refuse to alter it. For this is the truth!"

He stands resolute in his conviction.

Though this rigidity bars him from bequeathing the Purple Gold Realm and traps him in the Sacred Vessel stage, he refuses to deem himself mistaken.

"My Dao must forge ahead somehow. Who has the right to impose their judgments on me!?"

Ban Ta bellows, detecting the resurgence of Glass Peacock and Blue Bird's essence.

"Awaken if you dare, Glass Peacock. Should I triumph this round, even you won't trail behind me..."

He glances toward the Purple Gold Realm, his eyes sweeping over the Manas Domain and Araya domain there with conflicted emotions.

Under the jeers of myriad True Immortals, 20 billion years have elapsed since he severed the Manas Domain from himself and breached the Araya domain.

"...I err not. Certainly...I am correct..."

Ban Ta dissolves his violet Three Great Ultimates and withdraws to the Purple Gold Realm, his expression laden with bitterness.

Ban Ta's demeanor appears wearier still.

"The repercussions from rousing amid the dormancy for New Fates prove severe... This instance...this time, I must...prevail..."

Eyes brimming with contemplation, Ban Ta quells the recoil from clashing with a True Immortal and heads back to Ban Ta Castle in the Purple Gold Realm.

***

Kwagwagwang!

In a remote dimension afar,

The Nether Crossing Ship, commanded by Ahn Geum, relentlessly batters the dimensional barrier of that realm.

Simultaneously, Makli Hyun-ah's Heavenly Tribulation reaches its climactic phase.

Kurururung!

The thunderheads, unleashing torrents of dark precipitation, now descend steadily upon Makli Hyun-ah.

Makli Hyun-ah endures a jolt as though an ebony firmament crashes upon him, channeling every ounce of power through the Confucian Family Method to [negate] this uncanny event.

Each time Makli Hyun-ah deploys his negation divine ability, the obsidian droplets and overarching sky dim progressively and dissipate.

Finally, the whole [Black Sky] drenching him in black rain compresses and plummets toward Makli Hyun-ah.

Kwagwagwang!

Makli Hyun-ah counters that anomalous force and turbulent essence with utmost effort, ultimately enduring the full Heavenly Tribulation.

"Heok...heok..."

Concurrently, Ahn Geum's Nether Crossing Ship rends the dimensional shroud of yet another Middle Realm and penetrates within.

Shioooooo—

Leveraging the societal influence he has garnered, Makli Hyun-ah ascends to the Four-Axis stage and exhales deeply.

Woo-wooong—

Makli Hyun-ah lifts his hand, inspecting it closely.

This sensation...

Tsuaaaat!

The transition from Lower Realm (Lower Boundary) to Middle Realm (Middle Boundary) equates to a dimensional threshold, or sometimes the realm's perimeter.

The true leap from the Heavenly Being stage in the Lower Boundary to the Middle Realm occurs exactly at the Four-Axis stage.

From the Four-Axis stage onward, the Heaven Tribe morphs into diverse, peculiar forms based on their practiced methods, evolving toward minor divinity.

The Earth Tribe, namely the Demon Race, integrates more deeply with their dharma forms, advancing toward their envisioned ideal shapes.

This fundamental shift in Heaven and Earth tribes is termed Immortalization or Ascending Metamorphosis.

Thus, groups like the Hundred Schools, lacking specific realm designations such as Four-Axis, Integration, Star Shattering, Sacred Vessel, and Entering Nirvana from the Immortal Family Method, often group their stages from here as the 'Ascending Metamorphosis stage'.

The Four-Axis stage represents Ascending Metamorphosis 1st tribulation. Integration marks the 2nd. Star Shattering the 3rd.

Sacred Vessel is the 4th tribulation of Ascending Metamorphosis, continuing similarly.

Upon completing the four tribulations of Ascending Metamorphosis, the Hundred Schools arrive at the equivalent of Entering Nirvana, dubbed the Ascending Immortal stage or Ascending Heaven stage.

"Finally, the 1st tribulation of Ascending Metamorphosis..."

A milestone separating Lower and Middle Boundaries, a phase where one's very being undergoes profound transformation,

And Makli Hyun-ah's Confucian Family Method alters him at his core.

Tsuaaaat!

Makli Hyun-ah notices that easing his control slightly causes his hand to merge into the Nether Crossing Ship as a painted image.

It resembles an item tucked into a storage scroll, rendered pictorial,

Yet the essence differs fundamentally.

A storage scroll functions by forging an internal pocket dimension within the scroll, merging it with an illusory barrier, flattening entrants into two-dimensional depictions.

In contrast, Makli Hyun-ah's form genuinely flattens into a second-dimensional plane.

"Fascinating..."

That's merely the beginning.

As Makli Hyun-ah focuses, his corporeal frame, shifting to pictorial state, further disperses into elements like 'letters' or 'symbols'.

Tsuaaaat!

With an odd sensation, Makli Hyun-ah reconstitutes his body from scattered letters and symbols into a picture, then detaches his arm, now adhered as an image to the Nether Crossing Ship.

Makli Hyun-ah's arm reverts to normalcy.

'The Confucian Family Method's path to ascension involves regarding even oneself as aberrant forces and chaotic essences right up to the end, banishing them from one's domain. Indeed...I have become the very aberrant forces and chaotic essences within a system that repudiates such anomalies.'

Makli Hyun-ah's practice deems his own existence as aberrant forces and chaotic essences, perpetually striving to confine and eject that presence.

Through this, Makli Hyun-ah gains the ability to confine himself into shapes like a 'doll', a picture, or a 'canon'.

Dismantling and reshaping his essence becomes straightforward.

Such is the Ascending Metamorphosis of the Confucian Family Method.

Makli Hyun-ah senses the profound intent embedded in the Confucian Family Method, rooted in the Mountain Divine Spirit.

'A force that imparts will not through brutality, strife, or coercion, but via canon...is this the essence of the Confucian Family Method?'

Makli Hyun-ah contemplates his fresh divine prowess.

The Confucian Family Method's capacities for 'sealing' and 'suppression' have advanced to allow self-imprisonment into lower dimensions and form alteration.

Naturally, as both sealer and sealed, he can undo the bindings at will, restoring his true shape.

'Delving deeper into the Confucian Family Method reveals ever more intrigue.'

Tsuaat.

Makli Hyun-ah briefly transforms into letter form and tests mobility.

Swiftly reverting from letters, he materializes beside Ahn Geum.

Ahn Ge