A Regressor’s Tale of Cultivation Chapter 498: Bugs

Chapter 498: Bugs

'Who was this again...?'

I stare blankly at the old man holding a flower basket, who has appeared beside me at some point, unable to comprehend who he is.

The whole world is covered in darkness.

Seo Ran, who stands before me, is crumbling away into the shadows.

It's not just Seo Ran.

The ominous flower blooming from my chest is deconstructing even myself.

The ominous flower is devouring me.

And then...

As I become one with the Annihilation Flower, I finally understand.

The beings who have transcended the limits and boundaries of True Immortals.

Regarding the plans of the Governing Immortals!

I can feel the world being annihilated.

However, this annihilation is not the same as the [End] that just occurred moments ago.

If the typical [End] is when the universe's attraction force reaches its peaks, causing everything to contract and compress into light and heat...

Then the annihilation brought about by this [Annihilation Flower] is truly nothing but pure, black darkness!

It's not a proper End, but rather an act of simply 'overlaying' the concept of [Death] on the world!

'Ah...everything...has ended...'

I understand.

Now, as everything in my body is absorbed by the Annihilation Flower and its roots, I become annihilation (滅亡) itself and come to understand.

The plan laid out by the being before my eyes.

And...the plan laid out by [those who are with Him].

Kiiiiiiing!

Everything in the Head Realm disappears.

The Great Sea, the Heaven-Treading Desert, the West, the East, the North—everything.

All that remains is pitch-black darkness and...

The Sun and Moon hanging far off in the sky!

'Is that...the true form of the Head Realm's...Sun and Moon?'

It is exactly as described in the diary of the Sea Dragon Race astronomer, Jeon Hyang.

The Sun and Moon of the Head Realm are fixed in place.

It was merely that, when the Head Realm's world was intact, the flow of Yin and Yang in the Heaven and Earth spiritual energy created an optical illusion, making it seem as if day and night alternated.

The Sun and Moon of the Head Realm...merely exist in a position that seems to overlook the entire Head Realm from a slightly southern direction.

'Ah...I see.'

I recall how Seo Hweol's brainwashing waves pierced through the sky at the [southern end] of the Head Realm and 'escaped.'

The place Seo Hweol escaped to...

Is the [Forehead (眉間)].

The flower basket old man beside me lets out a small exclamation.

"How astonishing. I thought it was merely the desperate struggle of a bug...and yet, it worked? Ha, hahahahaha!"

The desperate struggle of a bug.

Seo Hweol escaping through the forehead.

And...

That feeling of 'the mind clearing' at the last moment.

The spell cast over the Sea Dragon Palace that 'clears the mind'...

'Ah...I see now.'

Finally, I understand what Seo Hweol's true purpose is.

It's not about brainwashing the Head Realm.

The Head Realm is not a [being] that someone like Seo Hweol can brainwash.

As I gaze at the Sun and Moon before me, I become even more certain.

When Seo Hweol seized control of the entire Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain, there was only one thing he sought to obtain while manipulating the entire world.

To awaken the Head Realm.

I recall the phenomenon from just a moment ago when the world turned white.

I thought it was simply the aftermath of the End.

But...it isn't.

The power of annihilation granted to me by the Annihilation Flower whispers the truth.

That phenomenon just now isn't something as simple as the 'End.'

It is merely...

The process of the Head Realm 'awakening.'

If the Head Realm is a 'living' being, then this living entity currently exerts no influence and is merely in the state of existing.

Such a state is often referred to as 'dreaming' by many beings.

Seo Hweol temporarily cleared the Head Realm's mind in an attempt to 'awaken' the being that the main bodies of the five Middle Realms desperately sought to reach.

And...

When a dreaming existence wakes up, the beings within the dream ultimately disappear.

The scenery of the world turning white just moments ago.

The fact that I was able to fully 'absorb' the Candle Dragon Race as I advanced to the Sacred Vessel stage.

And finally...the claims Seo Hweol made in the diary of Jeon Hyang.

His claims that only through ascension can we have dignity.

Yes, perhaps...

Because beings within a dream can only attain dignity when stepping outside the dream, Seo Hweol may have chosen to lead everyone into collective ascension.

It's when I am lost in thought, contemplating such notions.

The flower basket old man opens his eyes wide.

Staring beyond the darkness.

He appears astonished as he looks at the forehead of the Sun and Moon.

"The bug...has come [face-to-face]...!"

'Seo Hweol...is doing something...with the awakened Head Realm...'

Is he now facing something absolute?

If so, then...

What is it that he is seeing?

Afterward, I see a resplendent radiance at the southern end of the world.

Thunk—

That is the end.

'...Huh?'

I feel something strange.

It's bright.

The sky is blue, and the earth is green.

From far away, the scent of the sea drifts toward me.

'...This is...nice...'

Though my body has been obliterated by the Annihilation Flower, I can still feel senses.

For some reason, a drowsy feeling washes over me, making me want to fall asleep.

'...But, something is strange...'

Why am I suddenly in a place like this?

'I dove into the Lightning Sacred Sea to save Jeon Myeong-hoon...ended up in the Head Realm and...Seo Ran and Seo Hweol...'

Suddenly, I realize something strange.

'...Who was Seo Hweol again?'

Tingle—

For some reason, the Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections shakes violently.

I ponder for a while about the name 'Seo Hweol,' which just came to mind, and finally, I understand.

'Seo Hweol...is just a type of blue earthworm. Why did I come looking for something like that?'

It's strange.

The Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections is shaking violently like mad.

But I can't understand.

For some reason, the thought of 'blue earthworm' refuses to leave my mind.

Blue earthworm.

A medicinal ingredient collectively referred to as 'Seo Hweol.'

A meager, insignificant worm ground and added when cultivators in the Qi Refining stage concoct pills, occasionally referred to as 'Seo Hweol.'

No, no, that's not right...

This is my misunderstanding.

'Seo Hweol' is simply a nickname I gave to one of those 'blue earthworms.'

'...Why did I give a nickname to a worm?'

I can't remember.

From the very beginning, I can't even recall the origin of the name 'Seo Hweol.'

I have no idea what logic led me to even give such a name.

What is certain is that 'Seo Hweol' is a [nonexistent] term.

'Right now...instead of wasting time on something so unimportant, I need to focus on the suddenly thrashing Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections...this flower basket old man, and...myself, who has become an Annihilation Flower.'

Then, I notice the old man with the flower basket trembling violently beside me.

He is staring at the sky as if overcome with chills.

'...? What...?'

Just then.

He suddenly yells out in a roar.

[Remember!]

Ziiiiing!

His roar stays stuck in my mind.

Along with it, together with a shock as if struck in the back of the head, I feel [something] terrifying rising in my head.

The Canvas of Myriad Forms and Connections stabilizes.

And...

With his single word, I recall everything I had [forgotten] up until now!

The name of the True Immortal whom I met on the lowest floor of the Serving Command Ark in the past, Bong Myeong!

The Black Dragon I encountered through the Black Dragon True Blood, the name Yu Hao Te revealed by the Black Dragon, and the moment of that encounter!

And...

In my 19th cycle, [the flower basket old man who had ridden on my shoulder the entire time throughout]!

Everything about the [Sal Tree Heavenly Venerable] comes flooding back!

And...

Ziiiiiiiing!

Kwarururung!

I come to know who 'Seo Hweol' is.

'Ah...ahhh...'

A brutal, wrenching pain feels as though it is tearing through my brain.

I tremble in horror at the sensation of having learned something I [should not know]!

Just now!

At that very moment!

The existence of [Seo Hweol] had vanished from the world!

It was carved out of history entirely, rewritten (改變) into nothing more than a nickname for 'blue earthworms!'

A dreadful truth that I would have remained oblivious had the Sal Tree Heavenly Venerable not revealed it to me!

Seo Hweol...

Has been excised because he came to know something he [should not have known].

Without anyone being able to perceive it, in just a single moment!

The Sal Tree Heavenly Venerable opens his mouth.

"Despite detonating all the power accumulated in the Annihilation Flower over a hundred million years...the door still remains closed. Making their way into this Audience Chamber with nothing but their innate authority. Salt Sea, Vast Cold... Those two, just what..."

A tone that seems to be lamenting about something.

But I, suffering from the agony of retaining memories of an [erased existence], find it difficult to interpret the meaning of his words.

Kugugugugu!

Then, while I fail to regain my senses...

The Sal Tree Heavenly Venerable lifts me, who has become the Annihilation Flower.

"I have come to understand that my strength alone cannot suffice. And...as you said, I know that light is insidious."

Still gazing towards the southern end, he turns his head to the right and speaks to someone.

I think I know who that someone is.

"That being is meticulous beyond imagination. Perhaps even all of our actions are part of their prophecy. However...this time will be different. This time, we are not attempting to defy the heavens (逆天)."

The Sal Tree Heavenly Venerable is transcending spacetime with the entity possessing Jeon Myeong-hoon to converse. 

"The prophecy of Great Mountain has already brought you to this place. Cooperate. As the chaos has already begun."

Kurung, kurururung!

With every word he speaks, the ominous energy (凶氣) flowing from my Annihilation Flower-turned body dyes the surroundings.

As if it will annihilate the world all over again.

"The Radiance Eight Immortals cannot come here. Never mind the Lightning Sacred Sea...because the role of the Annihilation Flower does not end with simply knocking on the doors of the Audience Chamber!"

Heavenly King Heavenly Domain.

Or rather...

In the place that 'used to be' the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain, eight giants of light with despondent demeanours stand trembling in humiliation as they look upon the collapsed domain.

: : O  H E A V E N L Y  V E N E R A B L E S ! : :

: : W A S  T H A T  A L L  O F  Y O U !!?? : :.

The eight giants collectively glare beyond the ruins of the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain at the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain, now being recreated after the End.

There, the single move unleashed by the Sal Tree Heavenly Venerable blankets the Head Realm in annihilation, using that annihilation as a coordinate to open a direct 'path' towards the [existence connected to the Annihilation Flower].

The Radiance Eight Immortals, who had been preparing to stop the Great Mountain Supreme Deity in the Heavenly King Heavenly Domain, collectively grit their teeth in anger and tremble in fury.

[Seo Eun-hyun, who has become the Annihilation Flower].

And the existence connected to him.

The Owner of Mountain, who had been watching the closing act of the Supreme Deity Hunt, begins to properly exert Their strength.

Eastern End of the Head Realm.

In a place where a small hole has formed in the dimensional barrier from the activation of the Annihilation Flower, someone enters.

"Kugh..."

It is Hong Fan, who has lowered his cultivation to the Integration stage and entered.

Stepping onto the easternmost land, Hong Fan, perhaps unaccustomed to his senses being constrained to the Integration stage,

Perhaps unaccustomed after traversing such a vast boundary,

He clutches his head and staggers in place for a moment.

During this time, Hong Fan accidentally steps on and crushes a blue earthworm that had just crawled out from underground.

"Hmm...!"

Regaining his composure, Hong Fan lifts the foot that had squashed the blue earthworm.

The blue worm lies crushed and dead.

Seeing this, Hong Fan kneels down for a moment, as if feeling regret.

"Ah...! I am sorry, little bug. It was not my intention... But alas...you could have just stayed buried in your burrow and lived. Why did you stick your head out of it? Pitiful child..."

As if sympathetic, Hong Fan buries the crushed blue earthworm back into the earth and builds a small mound over it.

"If there is a next life, then please, do not stick your head out of the burrow. You might get stepped on and die. Even if you do come out...quickly retreat back inside. So that no one steps on you..."

After briefly praying for the blue earthworm's rebirth in paradise (極樂), Hong Fan regains his balance and looks towards a distant place.

The place from which an overwhelming power of annihilation emanates.

Step—

Hong Fan, with a hardened expression, uses the ground-shrinking technique towards the power of annihilation. 

"The path has already been laid."

Kugugugugu!

Once again, the Head Realm faces annihilation. 

Simultaneously, I sense a significant change in the attraction force emanating from the Sal Tree Heavenly Venerable.

The Heavenly Venerable's attraction force shifts the axis of spacetime.

Throughout the world, I can feel the fabric of time and space being wildly distorted.

At the same time, I catch a faint glimpse of Yeong Seung (令升) flickering beyond the sky.

Yeong Seung, empowered by the authority of the Sal Tree Heavenly Venerable, activates something.

"Please come! Western Heaven (西天), Great Mountain (太山), Liberation (解放)!"

At that exact moment, beyond the distorted flow of time, the 'path' connected to the Annihilation Flower is revealed.

Beyond the annihilating Head Realm, [someone]s begin to emerge.

'Ah...so that's what it is...'

The figure of the flower basket old man begins to gradually distort and twist.

From my perspective, only a few seconds have passed, but perhaps due to the time-space distortion caused by the Sal Tree Heavenly Venerable and Yeong Seung...

The entities emerging from the rift seem to have already spent thousands, tens of thousands of years.

Countless Reapers appear, and from the dark and deep recesses, the [Oldest One] descends.

The monster that has accumulated power and authority through countless mountains of corpses and seas of blood—[the one connected to me], the Great Mountain Supreme Deity emerges.

And behind them, though the figure is not clearly visible, [a somewhat familiar being] makes their entrance.

From the old man who has been holding me until now, flowers of various shapes and colors bloom from his eyes, nose, mouth, and ears.

He begins transforming into a colossal bizarre god (怪神), composed entirely of a flower field.

: : The Snake is coming. : :

The voice of the old one echoes.

I feel my entire soul being crushed under the weight of their presence.

The very existence and mass of these entities distorts reality itself.

The Sal Tree Heavenly Venerable releases me on the spot. 

As if summoning these great entities to this place is the end of my role.

The great beings summoned here no longer pay attention to me.

Among them, the Owner of the Great Mountain seems to briefly glance at me, but as if deciding it is not important right now, They divert their gaze.

However, I am struck by a powerful shockwave just from that gaze, and I am sent flying far into the distance.

In an instant, I am flung beyond the Head Realm and into the newly created Astral Realm as I watch their backs.

At the forefront, the bizarre god of the flower field speaks.

: : At last, the moment has arrived to break open the door. In order to save Time... : :

With those words, the great beings begin to exert their power.

Under their authority, the entirety of the newly created Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain, no, even beyond the Sun and Moon Heavenly Domain, trembles under their overwhelming authority.

Wiiiiing—

For some reason, the [Oldest One] seems to slightly glance back at me.

From within a darkness so deep that even perceiving is difficult, the [Oldest One] does 'something' to me.

I immediately understand what they have done.

They have forbidden (禁) my death!

'...I see.'

While I am uncertain about the others, I can tell that at least this being is clearly aware of my regression.

And so, under their authority, the world twists, and a blinding light illuminates everything.

That's the end.

Hwiiiiiiii—

I, now reduced to a single flower petal drained of all power, drift endlessly through the universe, unable to die.

The first year is bearable.

But...two years pass, then three, then ten.

In this state as a flower petal, I am utterly incapable of doing anything.

Complete powerlessness (無力)!

However, I can feel my authority gradually returning.

At the outskirts of the Underworld, my authority as a Sacred Vessel Sacred Master begins to return.

In this form as a single flower petal, if I can just connect to the outskirts of the Netherworld after recovering all my authority, I can regain my strength.

But...

I have no way to do so.

A hundred years have passed.

I decide to carry out the Sacred Vessel advancement ritual for the Earth Tribe by splitting my consciousness right now.

After all, Immortal Arts are activated by the heart alone.

Reciting the Flawless Mantra, I think of bein