A Regressor’s Tale of Cultivation Chapter 689: Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity (1)

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Chapter 689: Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity (1)

: : The Essence of Great Heavenly Punishment reads the sins of the Nations (列邦). : :

Kwarurung!

The Heavenly Lightning Banner begins to ring, releasing lightning in all directions.

Lightning dances.

Then, it quickly becomes a net that blankets the entire Heavenly Domain, takes root across the entirety of Mount Sumeru, and begins resisting the entire Immortal Cultivation System.

The Sword Spear Heavenly Lord watches them, continuing to gauge the power of the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity.

The highest number of regressions the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord has seen is around a thousand.

But in reality, Seo Eun-hyun has completed his 2010th cycle, and because of that, the number of timelines the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity can draw Heavenly Tribulations from have increased by two thousand times compared to before.

Supreme Deities are beings with infinite power.

No matter how much power they expend, it continues to fill back up without depleting, and even if they scatter prophecies infinitely, their blessings never run out, so there is no pain or suffering to endure.

That is the power and authority of Supreme Deities.

However, even if the power is infinite, the body that draws it out has limits.

If there is a bucket endlessly spewing water, the force that endlessly gushes forth is the Origin Essence, and the bucket drawing that water are the Supreme Deities.

If the water flows endlessly, the bucket will eventually wear down unless maintained.

'And for Supreme Deities, their body is the very attribute they govern.'

In other words, the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity before their eyes is the entirety of all the Heavenly Tribulations occurring throughout the entire world, the personification of Heavenly Tribulation itself.

'Heavenly Tribulation is both the weapon and the flesh of the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity.'

If lightning is a spear, then for the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity, who originally wielded just one, it is as if two thousand more have suddenly been added.

'Even if the number of spears increases, the body and consciousness wielding them remain singular, and since it's not a situation where they can lend the spears to their subordinates, their effective combat power against us doesn't change much...but...'

The issue is that the number of spears has drastically increased.

If before they used them carefully, worried they might wear down, now there is no need for such restraint.

Whether the spears break or shatter, they can be swung with full force without consequence.

The same goes for the body.

Before, they might have drawn water carefully out of concern that the bucket would wear down, but now, regardless of the bucket's condition, they can endlessly pour out water.

After all, they have over 2000 buckets now.

'Maybe I miscalculated.'

It is not just one or two thousand times the output.

'I must think of it as the total usable power itself having increased two thousandfold...'

And when considering that the power is not merely used for combat, but across multiple areas and sectors, then the total force of the Supreme Deities could be said to have risen not merely by a thousand or two thousand times, but perhaps tens of thousands.

Purely by numbers, it is an overwhelming figure.

But the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, along with the Radiance Eight Immortals, don't particularly feel fear.

For that's only when you calculate 'just' the Dao of the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity.

She calmly thinks as she transmits her analysis of the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity's power and strategy to Jeon Myeong-hoon in real time.

'Listen carefully, Jeon Myeong-hoon. To put it in Earth terms, the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity is like the Qing Dynasty during the Opium War.'

And Radiance Hall and the Radiance Eight Immortals could be likened to all the major powers of that time.

Even if the Qing dynasty's silver reserves increased two thousand-fold, if it directly collided with the great powers, the undeveloped Qing would be defeated.

The issue wasn't simply the economic strength derived from silver, but the overwhelming difference between powers that had studied the principles of the world for centuries, advancing themselves through science, administration, and military, versus a decadent and corrupt Qing steeped in opium.

The same holds true for the Radiance Eight Immortals.

Including the Immortal Cultivation System they control, the power they draw upon as the Radiance Supreme Deity Heuk Sa is truly absolute.

Even if the Supreme Deities become thousands of times stronger, it is a rank they cannot bridge.

From the beginning, the reason the Radiance Hall has split power with the Underworld and ruled Mount Sumeru for what feels like eternity is precisely that.

'We didn't crush the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity in one blow, but in a long war, we win anyway.'

But the issue lies in the strengthened weight class of the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity.

Even if the Qing Dynasty's silver reserves multiply by two thousand, it cannot defeat the great powers—but if it uses that silver well, it can still deal a critical blow to them.

'Right now, the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity, when judged by weight class 'alone', should be considered equivalent to the Vast Cold Heavenly Lord.'

: : We will use attraction force. : :

: : Agreed. : :

The Envoys of the Final Age of Dharma and the Radiance Eight Immortals raise their right arms simultaneously while maintaining the circular formation.

: : In the name of Radiance Hall, we prophesize. : :

Heaven and Earth, and Heavens Above.

Their prophecy is embedded in the [light] that exists in all things of the world.

'However...even if the weight class rises to Vast Cold's level, we cannot lose. For fate supports us.'

Silver Basket, Obsidian, Vast Cold.

And even when facing many formidable enemies, like Salt Sea and the Underworld, though they have been driven to the brink of annihilation many times, the Radiance Hall never truly perished.

There is only one reason.

'As long as the Immortal Cultivation System is in use, as long as they step upon the fate we have designed and advance through it, they can never defy our fate.'

In the true battles of Supreme Deities, unless one reaches the level of the Great Mountain Supreme Deity, weight class alone has little meaning.

'As long as the power of fate and history exists—

'All weight class and magnitudes of power lie beneath it...'

Therefore, when looking only at the domain of the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity, it has increased by two thousandfold.

But when calculating everything, including their power of fate, the increase amounts to no more than 'tens of times' at best.

After all, from the start, the true power of the Supreme Deities was never solely made up of the Origin Essence and the Immortal Dao, but their Immortal Arts, prophecy, and the power of history revision.

If the total power of Supreme Deities is defined as ten parts,

The influence of fate, history, and Immortal Arts accounts for five parts. The power of Origin Essence influences at most one part.

The remaining four parts vary depending on the factions that follow the Supreme Deity, their allies, and the surrounding environment.

The power of Origin Essence is only a 'portion' of what they possess.

'Therefore, from now on, the Radiance Eight Immortals will use fate and the Immortal Cultivation System to suppress the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity. The direct combat will be entrusted to the Envoys of the Final Age of Dharma and the Three Immortal Treasures, while we focus on adjusting the world. The Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity, too, will oppose us by exercising their influence within the Immortal Cultivation System and engaging the Envoys in battle, so openings are bound to appear.'

A question comes from Jeon Myeong-hoon.

—Got it. But what if we can't find an opening?

'Figure that much yourself. You're not a child, do I have to spoon-feed you even that?'

—...Understood.

'Of course, the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity will have hidden cards. And with your current weight class, even if you all stab into an opening, it may not be enough to inflict shock. They are a powerful Supreme Deity in their own right, after all. But I know the authority you Enders possess rivals fate and history, that it is a power of the [Absolute].

—...

'The authority of you all is sharp enough to become the dagger that pierces the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity. And...if you succeed in summoning Seo Eun-hyun, you will be able to leave a critical wound through the dagger you thrust. If that happens, you will surely be able to repay your resentment.'

—...Got it.

A determined resolve comes from Jeon Myeong-hoon, and the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord senses that conviction and grips her sword.

—I shall become the finest dagger, and strike the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity.

Jeon Myeong-hoon understands his role.

The Sword Spear Heavenly Lord grips her sword and, together with the other Eight Immortals, begins their prophecy.

'Even if their weight class reaches that of Vast Cold, the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity can never become Vast Cold.'

The reason the Vast Cold Heavenly Lord drove the Radiance Hall to the brink of annihilation,

Is the weight class they accumulated through the Immortal Cultivation System,

The uniqueness of their authority as an Ender,

And the Immortal Dao they cultivated. It is because the Dao and Origin Essence of Acceptance at Fate's End specialized in drawing the power of the Absolute of Fate.

'A mere Supreme Deity without the uniqueness of an Ender, only able to draw meager power from the Absolute...'

...is nothing more than a single meal for the Radiance Supreme Deity.

In battles between True Immortals, no matter how powerful individuals may be, an individual can never overcome a faction.

The power of prophecy and history, regardless of the difference in realms, always favors the side with greater numbers.

Unless one is like the Radiance Eight Immortals who control the Immortal Cultivation System and are unknowingly supported by the Future King, or are exceptional cases like the Vast Cold Heavenly Lord, the Salt Sea Supreme Deity, or the Heavenly Venerable of the Underworld, individuals can never defeat a faction.

Seo Eun-hyun, too, has fought many True Immortals and achieved success, but it is always because he used the Retribution of the Impermanence Sword to force the fate he suffered onto his opponent, or he simply caused chaos while fleeing.

Even the Great Mountain Supreme Deity, known as the greatest Devil God, gathers the fates of many through the Corpse Mountain Blood Sea, becoming practically a faction in of himself.

'Sleep quietly, O Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity... You, who have lost all your forces, can never become the central figure of this era, as long as a being like Seo Eun-hyun exists among the Enders of this age...'

Wiiiiiiiing!

A massive radiance bursts forth around them.

That radiance begins to spread throughout the world, swallowing the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity.

Each and every 'ray of light' in that radiance is a prophecy.

Every single action of the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity is now forcibly dictated by the prophecies of the Radiance Eight Immortals, fired at the speed of light.

Following the light-speed prophecies, the body and movements of the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity gradually begin to freeze.

: : Envoys of the Final Age of Dharma, abolish the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity! : :

The command of the Great Forest Heavenly Lord is declared, and countless Heavenly Lords and True Lords fly toward the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity and begin a full-scale assault.

Then, a single utterance echoes from the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity.

: : O Essence of Great Heavenly Punishment, begin judging the sinners of the Nations. : :

Woo-woooong!

The banner surface of the Heavenly Lightning Banner begins to expand.

The banner expands to the point of covering the entire Heavenly Domain, connecting to various points throughout Mount Sumeru and shining brightly.

Soon, all beings see 'something'.

It is a colossal net.

That net is covered in thunder and lightning, and it appears to cover all of Mount Sumeru.

The name of the net is Indra's Net.

A net of principles that only those at the level of Heavenly Venerables can perceive is now, through the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity, made briefly perceivable even to mortal beings.

The Heavenly Lightning Banner.

Zhengli's laughter begins to echo.

: : Immortal Cultivation is the process of taking control of one's own fate. : :

With her laughter, the Envoys of the Final Age of Dharma begin to be pushed back.

An overwhelming resistance force surges from the center of the Heavenly Lightning Banner.

: : To hold fate not in Heaven's hands, but in one's own—that is Immortal Cultivation. Therefore, it is Heaven-Defying, and that is why Heaven brings down Tribulation. Thus, Heavenly Punishment is Heaven's wrath. : :

Wiiiiiiing!

The lengthened banner surface encircles the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity in a circle.

Soon, from the Heavenly Lightning Banner that traces that circular formation, an immense power of circulation is born.

Lightning is but an instant.

A person's life is also but an instant.

The accumulation of those instants creates a cycle.

Therefore, Immortal Cultivation, which attempts to transcend the instant and become eternal, is a heretical act that seeks to escape the cycle.

Therefore, Heaven bestows instant upon those who have left the cycle, to return them to it.

That is the true nature of Heavenly Tribulation.

A power that makes humans who try to become gods re-live the life of a human.

: : O Arrogant Owners of Light. Even if you have ceased to be a person, can you truly ignore your origin? We were all, from the beginning, nothing more than dust. : :

Kwarurururung!

From the Heavenly Lightning Banner that draws a circle, terrifying lightning bursts forth.

That lightning shatters countless prophecies and begins piercing a hole into the Heavenly Domain created by the Thirty-Three Heavenly Resplendent Treasure Immortals.

: : To cry, to laugh, to rage, to grieve—a life wrapped in countless emotions, to live foolishly and to end foolishly. That is the fate we are given. A short but shining life that seeks brightness despite ignorance. Like a bolt of lightning, such is our existence. And yet, you, who ignore that truth, believing only your freedom is truth, and try to fix the shape of freedom as solely your own... : :

Kurung, kurururung!

The lightning bursting from the center of the circle begins to carry light of many colors.

Had Seo Eun-hyun seen it, he would likely think it resembles the lightning shown by the lingering thought of Yang Su-jin.

: : I ask you this. Do you speak of eternity because you have truly escaped the instant? : :

Urururung!

: : Even if you seize fate, control the Immortal Cultivation System, and suppress every being in the Three Heavens Great Thousand World so they may pursue freedom within that suppression—do you truly believe that such aspirations, and the authority born from those aspirations...are genuine light? : :

Then, light begins to explode from the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity, who is enclosed within the banner surface of the Heavenly Lightning Banner.

Jeon Myeong-hoon and the Enders inexplicably feel a sense of longing as they see that light, and the many True Immortals gathered here begin to fall into confusion at the sight.

It is a light they have never once imagined.

Only the Sword Spear Heavenly Lord swallows bitterness upon seeing it.

: : Nothing in all of phenomena is eternal. Not even I, nor the Lord. Even if we become True Immortals, there is no such thing as eternity! Only the truth that 'nothing is forever' is eternal. We merely live a little longer than others. We too are just fleeting instants. Therefore, O Radiance Supreme Deity. : :

Jjeojeojuk—

The Rain Dew Heavenly Lord trembles and shouts.

: : Do Gon!! : :

Jjeojeojeojeojuk—

As the symbol of the [Black Snake Biting Its Tail] splits and dissolves in an instant—

The prophecy waterfall of the Radiance Eight Immortals fractures, and the Heavenly Domain of the Thirty-Three Heavenly Resplendent Treasure Pagodas begins to split apart.

: : This time, you cannot hide behind the mask. You must face yourself as is. : :

: : Youuuuuuu!! : :

At the same time, the Radiance Seven Immortals, realizing what has occurred, begin to erupt in rage.

: : D I D  Y O U  S T E A L  T H E  L I G H T !!?? : :

The new light of civilization acquired by the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity.

It is not merely a symbol or attribute.

It is a power torn directly from the Origin Essence of Radiance itself, and a fragment of its possibility.

: : With this...I too may approach a little closer to you. : :

Do Gon murmurs softly.

: : Life is progress. : :

Then, immense power begins to erupt from Do Gon.

The Sword Spear Heavenly Lord suddenly recalls a distant past, the moment she first inherited her position among the Radiance Eight Immortals.

Just before the death of her predecessor, the Fifth Seat 'Ryeong', when the Vast Cold Heavenly Lord went on a rampage.

She now suddenly feels the same atmosphere as when the Vast Cold Heavenly Lord had raged.

'They are...nearing the Vast Cold Heavenly Lord...!'

But it is different from the Vast Cold Heavenly Lord.

Whereas the power used back then by the Vast Cold Heavenly Lord against Radiance Hall was simply the wielding of their own strength—

What the Heavenly Punishment Supreme Deity now appears to be using feels as if they are burning themselves.

'What...!?'

: : Three Immortal Treasures, retreat! : :

The Sword Spear Heavenly Lord, seeing an ominou