Blinking, I open my eyes.

'Damn it, dying right after ascension, what a mess...'

As Im rubbing my throbbing head, I pause.

'Wait.'

Something is off.

"...What?"

I look around. This isn't the familiar forest.

This place...

"Make your choice. We'll soon scatter according to the guidance of the Bright Cold Realm's seniors. Which faction will you join?"

"...What?"

Staring at Seo Hweol in front of me, my eyes widen as I survey my surroundings.

This is atop the Flying Immortal Platform, where I had just died.

"Wait, wait..."

Then it became clear.

My point of return has been fixed to this place.

"...Look here."

"Ah!"

I flinch at Seo Hweol's question.

Cautiously observing the wooden man's reactions, I don't scatter my Formless Sword recklessly, instead concealing my energy within my body as I look around.

Now that my point of return has unexpectedly moved itself,

Golden Divine Heavenly Thunder Sect.

Black Ghost Valley.

Azure Heaven Creation Sect.

The demon tribes heading towards the True Dragon Alliance.

And various others like the Righteous and Devil Path Alliances...

I have to choose among them.

On the first day of my 13th return.

'Choose?'

I press my temples, looking around.

Who should I choose?

'I don't even understand the current situation...'

The sudden fixation of my return point is overwhelming.

This fixation means...

'Everything I did during the short time since I started my return... is all permanent.'

The norigae I gave to Hyang-hwa.

The relationship between Song Jin and Seo Ran.

The Longevity Fruit I prepared for Kim Young-hoon.

The death of Yuan Li and the disappearance of the Makli Clan...

Whether good or bad, my actions are permanent.

This means...

'Everything I've done so far...'

A feeling of indescribable emotion wells up in my chest.

'It wasn't meaningless...'

Even though I may not know when I will die, I have always given my best in everything I've done.

Even if the lives were meaningless, the results of my actions, to which I've given my all, have now become meaningful as time has become fixed.

I reflect on my actions and accomplishments in the lower realm.

'Ah, really...'

What a relief.

That's what I thought when...

"Hmm, seems like you're deep in thought."

Says Seo Hweol, stroking his chin and slowing his pace.

"It looks like we need to leave now. Honestly, I'm quite interested in you..."

It isn't just Seo Hweol.

Other demon tribe leaders, the kings of the Holy Peng and Mighty Tiger tribes, also look interested, implying that I look to be a useful talent.

However, the eyes of the dragon behind them show dissatisfaction.

[What's so important about this left-over trash? It's a long journey from the central lands to the Earth Tribe's territory. We must depart quickly.]

"It seems the elder is in a hurry. We should go now."

"...Yes, take care, Sir Dragon King."

"Ha, Dragon King you say. I appreciate the words, but from now on, don't call me 'king.' The real Middle Boundary demon kings might get angry."

He chuckles, patting my shoulder, and turns to join Gyu-ryeon.

I courteously see off Seo Hweol, having no intention of joining him at the moment.

If I had gathered more information through several lives, maybe...

Of course, if it wasnt the True Dragon Alliance but the Sea Dragon Tribe in the lower realm, I would have refused immediately, now or later.

As Seo Hweol prepares to leave...

[Since you're a human, come with us. Whichever faction you choose, it won't be hard to settle in.]

The green-armored wooden man speaks, watching the situation with arms crossed.

However,

[You don't want to choose anyone, do you?]

Mad Lord Jo Yeon, from a distance, speaks up with his eyes glowing.

Kugugugu!

He absorbs the spiritual energy of the Bright Cold Realm, having already reached the Grand Perfection of Heavenly Being, just a step away from Four-Axis, demonstrating a presence akin to it.

His not immediate advancement to Four-Axis, like the three Heavenly Beings and Seo Hweol, due to not using the Heavenly Lightning Banner, proved his near Four-Axis strength as he spoke to me.

[If you wont choose anyone, come with me. What are you, really? Im so curious I could die. How can a person have such a heart essence? Ah, so interesting. I'll take you as my disciple, so follow me. Follow me. Follow me. Follow me. Let's head to the Light Spirit Pond together.]

His eyes, brimming with madness, stares at me, and I involuntarily step back.

Then, the green-armored wooden man frowns and speaks.

[I recognize your tremendous talent, but first, as you are a human, you must go to the Human Territory to receive your identity plaque. Where are you even saying youre planning to go? Both of you, just follow for now.]

At that moment, Mad Lord Jo Yeon laughs wildly, shaking his head.

[No, I dont want to. I need to gather materials to complete [Her].That's why I ascended to the upper realm. I need nothing else. I will find the Light Spirit Pond in the Bright Cold Realm to circulate blood in [Her] body.]

[How dare you Do you not understand? I don't care why you came to the upper realm. First, you need to go to the Human Territory and]

Suddenly, Mad Lord Jo Yeon begins shaking his head violently.

[Dont want to! DontWantToDontWantToDontWantToDontWantTo! Dont order me. Im heading to the Light Spirit Pond right now! I must go there to complete [Her]! Dont stop me! Dont stop me!]

At Mad Lord Jo Yeon's behavior, Seo Hweol, as well as the three newly ascended Four-Axis cultivators, begin to look tense.

They each protect their factions with a barrier, retreating step by step.

I also feel a chill down my spine at his behavior.

That person, he always acts like that before doing something crazy

-Whyrunningwhyrunningwhyrunningwhyrunningwhyrunning? -I'mofferingtoevolveyouintosomethinggreater? -Youyouyouyouyuyouyouyou

Recalling that horrific memory, I feel a chill enveloping my body.

The green-armored wooden mans face distorts, angered by Mad Lord Jo Yeon's attitude.

[Have you ever seen such a madman? In the lower realm, you may have been indulged as a Heavenly Being, but this is the Bright Cold Realm. How dare this bastard cause a scene here?]

Rumble!

Spiritual energy of heaven and earth gathers in the wooden man's hand.

[I'll properly teach you a lesson. Come, try acting crazy. I'll get rid of you.]

And then...

Snap.

Mad Lord Jo Yeon suddenly stops and stares at the wooden man with glittering eyes.

"Get rid... of me?"

Mad Lord Jo Yeon brings his hands to his mouth.

Crunch, crunch, snap!

[Get rid of me? GetRidGetRidGetRidGetRidGetRidGetRid? Nononononononono. Ahhh. [She] said something! Everyone quiet! Quiet! Ahh, thats right! Did you hear? [She] gave me her opinion!]

Mad Lord Jo Yeon, his eyes filled with insanity, continues talking while chewing his fingers till they bleed.

[As a celebration of my ascension to the Bright Cold Realm, let's see how effective Four-Axis materials are!]

[You... lunatic!]

The wooden man makes his move.

Seo Hweol, along with the elder from the True Dragon Alliance, hurriedly flee.

The three newly ascended Four-Axis cultivators protect their factions with barriers.

Having not chosen any faction, no one particularly helps me.

Then, Mad Lord Jo Yeon clashes with the Four-Axis cultivator.

Flash!

Zzzing!

Their collision causes the spiritual energy to surge, shaking the nearby space.

Kugugugu

"Krghhh!"

'Damn it! If it wasn't for the Blood Body Skin Armor, I would have died!'

Thanks to the regenerative power of the Blood Body Skin Armor, I barely survived.

Pinned down by their pressure, I can barely lift my head to watch their battle in the sky.

And then...

That day, I witnessed the full [power] of Mad Lord Jo Yeon for the first time.

Koooooooogh!

Mad Lord Jo Yeon opens a box.

Whoosh!

From inside the box, a massive fortress emerges.

The fortress resembles three Serving Command Palaces combined.

A cylindrical pillar trio formed a triangle in Mad Lord Jo Yeon's fortress.

From atop the fortress, Mad Lord Jo Yeon's voice thunders.

[Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, open your gates!]

Kugugugugu!

The gates of Mad Lord Jo Yeon's fortress opens, and the sky begins to be enveloped.

'That..that is..?'

I gape in astonishment, and so do the other Four-Axis cultivators of the Bright Cold Realm, their eyes wide with shock as they stare at Mad Lord Jo Yeon.

Whoom!

Bee puppets, spider puppets, mantis puppets... animal puppets human puppets

They all fill the sky.

Mad Lord Jo Yeon's voice resounds from beyond them.

[Qi Building puppets, 190 million. Core Formation puppets, 165,600. Nascent Soul puppets, 4203. Heavenly Being puppets, 63. Four-Axis stage, 2.]

The collective power of two authentic Four-Axis beings.

And the combined strength of all other puppets filling the sky...

The total combined power is...

'Four, Four-Axis...'

The power equivalent to four Four-Axis cultivators!

My mouth falls open in awe, and I look below at the three Heavenly Beings, now Four-Axis cultivators, calmly deploying barriers below.

Kugugugugu!

Mad Lord Jo Yeon skillfully manipulates his puppets, aggressively pushing against the green-armored wooden man.

Other Four-Axis cultivators, who have been stunned, fly up to help the green-armored wooden man.

I look below at the Black Ghost Valley with a stunned expression.

Only today do I realize how astonishing and incredible the Black Ghost Valley is.

To wage war against such a monstrous entity and survive by sacrificing only a third of their forces is truly a testament to their immense power.

Kuguang Kuguang Guang Guang!

For several moments, the Four-Axis cultivators dazzlingly engage in battle amidst numerous Qi Building puppets.

And then.

Kwoooong!

The puppets are suddenly blasted away in a circle, creating a gap among the sea of puppets.

Through that gap, the wooden man in green armor is seen falling, blood-like liquid flowing from its body.

Simultaneously.

Poof!

The Mad Lord's Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress descends from the sky, capturing the green-armored wooden man.

And then, the Mad Lord's puppets are instantly sucked back into his fortress, which in turn is drawn back into his box.

Paaaat!

Behind the Mad Lord, something brilliantly white is embracing him.

'Is that, [Her]!?'

Im astonished while I look at [something].

It seems to resemble a human form, but the radiance emanating from [Her] and the eye-watering difficulty in focusing on [Her] makes it hard to observe.

Just then.

[You brat!]

The Mad Lord, along with [Her], flies towards me.

Paaat!

No, 'flies' isn't the right word.

They simply transcended space and instantly reached in front of me.

Kwaaaak!

[Her] grasp of the void causes the heaven and earth spiritual energy to seize me up.

At the same time, Kim Yeon, who has been foaming at the mouth and unconscious, is also lifted into the air.

[Let's go! We've got a Four-Axis material now!]

'Damn it!'

Vrooooom!

I draw my Formless Sword, frantically resisting, but Im unable to move against the strength of [Her], a Four-Axis level being.

[This is exciting! Hehe! Two worthy disciples and one Four-Axis level material, and a successful ascension into the Bright Cold Realm. The day we dance together isn't far off! Aaaaaah!]

Paaaatt!

The Mad Lord, with [Her], flies away, and I, captured by [Her], am dragged along.

Behind me, the distance quickly grows, and I can hear the Four-Axis cultivators screaming in rage as if they had gone mad.

Kugugugugu!

Their angry roars cause the earth to shake and tremble like an earthquake.

These entities, whose mere existences surpassed natural disasters and became celestial phenomenons.

Such Four-Axis cultivators were toyed with and are now trembling in rage by a single Mad Lord.

[Chase that madman...!]

[Put a bounty on that scum in the entire Bright Cold Realm!]

[You lunatic! The entire Heaven Tribe will hunt you down!]

In this chaotic situation, being captured by the Mad Lord, I clench my teeth.

'Damn it!'

Because I didn't choose a faction in time, I ended up being captured by the Mad Lord!

Paaaatt!

I, along with the Mad Lord, [Her], and Team Leader Kim, swiftly fly to an unknown destination!