350 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

A deep rumble filled the space. A dark aura emanated profusely from the person before her. Wi Seol Ah involuntarily shivered as she faced that ominous presence. How could something be so foreboding? And what could this force be that pushes back against such aura? Wi Seol Ah questioned the white energy that ceaselessly radiated from her own body. Could one be ignorant of what they wield? Perhaps it was because she was not the one truly utilizing this power. [What are you doing now?] Though she appeared to be using the strength herself. Currently, Wi Seol Ah was merely an observer. From the moment that unidentifiable figure emerged. The control of her body had shifted to someone else. Swiish! Swiishhhh! Flashes of light repeatedly blazed. Whenever the blade wrapped in white energy sliced through the air, the energy left behind a distinct trail. The impact of those traces was so potent that it created an illusion of a distorted dimension. She felt the movement of her body. Even though she lost control, Wi Seol Ah could sense how her legs moved, the motion of her hands. She could perceive what she was staring at. How her opponent moved. How the sword path unfolded. She could see every detailed movement. It differed from the sword forms her grandfather had taught her. ‘Similar, yet different...’ The structure was clearly the Moonlit Sword Dance. Her body's flow matched, and accordingly, the sword path mirrored her grandfather's Moonlit Sword Dance. Yet, the sword emerging from her fingertips felt subtly different. She pondered where she'd sensed this before. ‘...This is.’ The thought resurfaced. The peculiar sword path taught by the Huashan sect. The bizarre sword she swung under her guidance. The shape she felt then bore some resemblance to this. So, what was this aura? It was similar to the golden aura from mystical arts, yet different. Judging by the flow of energy, it seemed similar. But the aura felt deeper. And much warmer. -Focus and feel. A voice echoed in Wi Seol Ah’s ears. Finally, she recalled the situation she was in. She had been mesmerized by the sword's swing and the beautiful unfolding aura, forgetting momentarily. [Sister...!] -I didn’t want to show you like this. Even as words were spoken, the sword continued its movement. The swirling dark aura seemed endless. At first, it felt overwhelming, yet the despairing amount of energy left her speechless, but the woman did not stop. -Are you scared? A flash. The sword slashed, and light glimmered momentarily. The pouring dark aura hesitated. Though brief, the woman took another step forward. -Do you remember the mention of grasping the essence of the Moonlit Sword? She remembered. The essence of the Moonlit Sword wasn't rooted in the moon, she had been told. Bringing this up now meant. Was this power the essence of the Moonlit Sword? -No. She denied. -Don’t be seduced by this power and lose your way; the essence is something you must discover yourself. The white aura that surrounded her as she turned seemed to resemble wings at a glance. A strength she herself could certainly not showcase. Wi Seol Ah looked at the entity emitting the black aura beyond her vision. The face was identical to her own. How could that be? Only questions filled her mind. With an expressionless face, only the amethyst eyes shone. A mere flick of a hand continued to unleash an oppressive aura that dominated the surroundings. Though the sword's tip sliced through the air, deflecting the energy once more. This time, it couldn't contain it all, scattering it around. Had she reached her limits? Observing this, Wi Seol Ah spoke. [Sister.... Please, return it.] Despite making a promise not to take it recklessly. It was happening again, as per her own will. The sword's swing and the gathering energy inspired awe, yet. It was a different matter altogether. -Sorry. She offered an apology. -I know you don't like having your body taken over.... But right now.... She believed it was necessary. This time, it couldn't be helped, she thought. [That's not it.] Wi Seol Ah, as if denying it, voiced her retort. [If it continues.... You said it would be the last time. You'd disappear if it goes beyond this.] -...! [It shouldn't happen, right?] Her words made the woman inwardly take a small breath of surprise. It was an unexpected response. -...Are you worried about me? [Is that wrong?] It was a conversation they'd had sometime before. She had mentioned only having limited strength left, reaching the limits of borrowing Wi Seol Ah’s body. She had said she might only manage it once more. That time was now. And. It was what she, the woman, desired. Should it serve him, she wouldn't hesitate. If she were to disappear, she'd face unimaginably severe consequences due to the sins accumulated against her soul throughout her existence. Yet, she didn't care. She couldn’t return what he’d done for her, nor reveal her own existence. But if she could rescue him and ensure his future, it was more than worthwhile. She never imagined Wi Seol Ah would be the one worrying about her. [If it continues.... Sister will disappear, right? Even then, is it okay?] Unable to see him again. That question, even as she wielded the sword, brought a slight smile to the woman’s lips. -You're very different from me. Significantly contrasting from herself. She found it pleasing. -That’s enough. If their paths had crossed differently. If anything during that time had been different. She might have ended up like her. -It’s my wish for you to be happy. May it be so. Though she couldn’t, she hoped the same for Wi Seol Ah. To live the life she couldn’t experience. She earnestly hoped for it. [Sister...?] -I have a request. She cautiously spoke. -Please, don’t hate Grandfather too much. He had his reasons. At least you.... Please, don’t hate him. [What do you mean?] Wi Seol Ah, taken aback, murmured. The energy surged more fiercely. At last, Wi Seol Ah began to faintly perceive it. The energy the woman wielded wasn't solely from her danjeon. It reached far deeper, into depths she couldn't even begin to touch if she attempted it herself. Where was she drawing this power from? And what would become of her sister after using it? Gradually, the sword gained strength. The process was so delicate and flawless. The accumulation of energy left not a single gap. A testament to a perfect application. Her opponent seemed to notice this energy, tilting her head slightly. She didn't show alarm but rather an expression of intrigue. Was she merely curious about what would happen next? [Sister...! Sto...!] The woman recalled. What would happen to her after using this power? She understood that she would face a punishment corresponding to her accumulated karma. Yet she remained ignorant of what that punishment would entail. Above all. Would this be enough to erase that entity? ‘Impossible.’ It was impossible. She knew too well that such an entity couldn't be dealt with so easily. ‘She’ shared her identity with Wi Seol Ah, making her more acutely aware. However. ‘Even if it causes minimal harm.’ Time must be bought. She could at least secure more time for him than they had now. The essence placed within the sword wasn’t just energy. Unable to touch the innate qi of her body. She pledged her existence and karma. Housing her soul within was a more accurate statement. The act of unleashing it all in a single strike. The culmination of her endurance. Rumble- “…!” The woman abandoned the energy she had meticulously gathered, compelled to turn her head. The direction was towards where he sat, slumped. It was the same for the Heavenly Demon. Even she, who had maintained an unchanged expression, suddenly widened her eyes to look at something. And then suddenly. “…What…ugh.” A groan slipped out from someone’s lips, triggering an immediate reaction from Wi Seol Ah. Surprisingly, the source of the groan was the Heavenly Demon herself. ****************** The demonic energy constricting my body. Unlike restricting my movements or causing my body to decay. What I was feeling now was a slightly different kind of pain. Was it resonance? As if to reaffirm that the master of all demons is the Heavenly Demon. The demonic energy entwined within me reacted to the Heavenly Demon before my eyes. Was that all? The energy inside me started thrashing about violently, seemingly eager to return to the Heavenly Demon. If I didn’t expel it, it threatened to explode my body in a protest. Even with a body that has reached the peak, containing the demonic energy means becoming something insignificant before the Heavenly Demon. So, what must be done? Wi Seol Ah was engaged in a standoff and fight against the Heavenly Demon. Behind me, Paejon was in no state to intervene. If the Heukya Gungju regained her strength, both Wi Seol Ah and I would face dire circumstances. This implied Wi Seol Ah might be killed. It wasn't about worrying who would stop the Heavenly Demon afterward. I simply disliked the thought. Her dying. More than my dying. I had to escape somehow. So how does one overcome this situation? The answer is quite simple. If the demonic energy is striving to return to the Heavenly Demon. I should fully integrate it into my being so that it loses the will to return. Not merely confining it to a corner of my danjeon, but fully merging it with my body. This meant turning my body into a demon. From the moment I harbored the demonic energy, I loathed this transformation. Even using the energy, I made efforts against it. Now, it signified my willingness to shatter that resolve and walk towards it myself. I released the strength that contained the errant energy. Rumble. Immediately, I sensed the demonic energy madly surging within. Pain ensued. Inside, it felt as if someone were thrashing with a blade. Despite the pain, I amplified the demonic energy further. Shriek! The illusion of something screaming from within arose. It felt like the demonic energy emitted a beastly howl. Guiding it through my meridians. Not to the danjeon. The destination was my heart. [Growl!] A voice echoed in my ears. The beast, which I had called upon relentlessly without avail, finally emerged, crawling reluctantly. I thought I might resent its late arrival. But that wasn’t it. 'Is it you?' I questioned the beast. 'Preventing the demonic energy from returning?' [Growl....] Even with the demonic energy housed within my danjeon until now. Without encountering pain. Without succumbing to demonic transformation. 'You were stopping it, weren’t you?' I considered the purification effect of the ever-burning lotus flame technique. But remembering my previous life yielded a different perspective. At the point where I became a demon under the Heavenly Demon’s grip in my past life. Unlike others, I wasn’t overtaken by madness. I believed it was merely due to unique circumstances. However, the World Tree claimed the beast had existed within me since my past life. If that were true, might it have been the beast holding back my transformation? The creature within me hadn’t newly awakened but had always been there, undetected. Even now. Despite my elevated state diminishing its appearances. It may have been preventing my demonic energy from running rampant. Such thoughts crossed my mind. Was this purification also its doing? That remained uncertain. One thing I somewhat believed was. 'You don’t wish for me to become a demon.' [Growl....] 'Is that right?' This creature didn’t wish for my demonic transformation. I didn’t know if that was genuinely true, but it was my belief. Yet. 'Sorry, but that won’t be possible.' Even if it wasn’t what the creature desired. In the end, it seemed I had to proceed. Perhaps I delayed it for far too long. Wanting to utilize everything at my disposal to achieve my goal. It might have been postponed simply due to the aversion to demonhood from the memories of my past life. For becoming such meant. Irreversibly changing. And thus, I hesitated. The demonic energy surged through every fiber of my being with even greater force. With the oppressive force lifted, it now rampaged as though it owned this world. I redirected the cascading flow of energy towards my heart. It penetrated swiftly, tunneling into my core. While not all the energy obeyed, most of it congregated around my heart, causing my veins to bulge. Pain unlike any I had ever endured overwhelmed me, incomparable to my past life. Back then, the Heavenly Demon had seared her mark onto my soul, transforming me into a demon. Now, I was willingly embracing this transformation. Perhaps that was the reason. One thing remained uncertain. All I could do was endure. Eyes bulging, I met the gaze of the Heavenly Demon. If I became a demon now, I might withstand the change temporarily, but eventually, I'd fall back under her dominion. ‘That would just be repeating the past.’ That’d be no different than my previous life. So, I opted for a slightly different approach. I had been ruminating on it endlessly. Since the moment I realized the Demonic Devourer Art clung to me even through reincarnation. As I ascended in cultivation, gaining the ability to create demons, it became clear. It seemed like I was being pushed to usurp the Heavenly Demon's role, gaining abilities she once wielded as my strength grew. The thought was nauseating. The notion that my current tribulations might stem from another's will. Yet here she was, the Heavenly Demon, breathing right before me. ‘Could such thoughts be wrong?’ I couldn’t offer myself any decisive answer. Perhaps it was due to the way every circumstance pointed towards it. I began to think it might just be possible. Is this demonic energy truly rooted in the Heavenly Demon? This energy, drawn from demonic beasts, how could it belong to her? Is it because she's the master of all demons? Even among the demons, how many truly exist now? Shriek! The demonic energy coiled around my heart continued to thrash. As if determined to return to the Heavenly Demon. ‘No, that’s not how it’s going to go.’ I had to change my thinking. Not that it's returning to her, but that it's found a better vessel and is migrating. ‘You’ve been fed and sheltered by me all this time. How dare you.’ The thought was infuriating. The Heavenly Demon claimed the power as hers. But no, that’s not quite right. I hold it, so it's my power now. Having been thrust upon me without my asking for it. I won’t return it. Return it? Not when it’s my strength now. I won’t relinquish anything of what I possess. The energy continued to rage. Rejecting the connection with the Heavenly Demon fiercely. I yanked it hard. The excruciating pain surged, as if about to explode, but I didn’t care. ‘Shut up and listen.’ If the world demands something of me. Just this once, I’d oblige. ‘Don’t mistake me for a fool.’ Thinking it owns part of my space. And because the Heavenly Demon appears, it thinks it can just return there? Not happening. I tightly seized the frenzied energy and shoved it into my heart. I could feel its continued violence within. Should I falter, there was a real possibility of my heart bursting, but. Backing out now was beyond foolish. Meticulously tightening its grip, I wove the energy compactly. In the past, my body wouldn’t have been able to withstand this. But with a body that had reached the peak, it barely held on. It was as if. It had waited until I ascended to this state. To dismiss it as delusion seemed absurd, yet the circumstances and timing dovetailed perfectly. If this were all preordained, what in the world could this unknown entity desire of me? ‘Could it possibly mean to make me a Heavenly Demon?’ The thought was laughable. Knowing full well the crazed existence that was the Heavenly Demon. To call me a Heavenly Demon in comparison was terrifying. A mere impossibility. Nevertheless, an intriguing sensation emerged. As the energy stockpiled within my heart, a transparent line connected to my body became visible. It linked to the Heavenly Demon. Our dealings in this life hadn’t stretched long, yet what did this connection signify? Was it a symbol of the demonic energy in my body connecting me to the Heavenly Demon? The mystery lasted merely a second. Whether the line was merely illusionary. Why it even existed. Whether it genuinely tied me to the Heavenly Demon. Regardless, I reached out. Grasping the connection, I severed it. Snip. The line unraveled effortlessly. “…!” The Heavenly Demon turned her eyes towards me. Had she sensed the connection breaking? Rumble! The instant the line snapped, the energy I had bound within my heart surged. Unlike before, there was warmth accompanying the previous agony. It soaked into the danjeon first. Merging with the qi I once nurtured. Instead of consuming the qi as it did before. This time, it blended slowly. The resultant energy fusing with my own qi soared to the middle danjeon. Effortlessly. It was remarkably smooth and natural. Filling the withered remnants, the demonic energy, once entrenched, now chartered a singular course. The upper danjeon. In its frozen and mysterious state after my resolve, the energy directed itself there. Its movement resembled a tidal wave. In a fleeting moment, it moved far too swiftly. Yet I could sense every movement of the demonic energy. With such a pronounced presence, how could it escape notice? The energy crested in my upper danjeon. Heat filled my eyes. “Hah….” The agony faded long ago. And I exhaled with an unknown joy. There was no time to revel in it. Rising anew, I faced the Heavenly Demon. Her unmistakable violet eyes trained on me. Now, rather than fear or terror, an inexplicable comradeship was felt. Fumph. Facing her, I summoned flames at my fingertips. Not crafted from my qi, but from the newly harnessed demonic energy. As such, a dark flame tinged with violet manifested. “Ah, damn it.” I uttered a curse at the sight. I loathed becoming a demon for just this reason. In the end, having once again infused my body with this damnable flame, it was impossible not to curse. Putting aside the fact that I had become a demon and the Heavenly Demon looming before me. Staring at the flame, I made one clear resolution. If I don't intend to die here. At the very least, let me not end up with a ridiculous moniker like in my past life. Ironically, that was now my top priority.