1171 - Childhood Friend of the Zenith

A crimson egg. It was quite large for an egg, and it was something I had encountered in my previous life. “So this place and Vigo are connected.” I hadn't expected that the path of that tree would be linked to the location of this egg. “What is exactly going on here?” Was it intentional? Did Blood Demon know what it was? I had no way of knowing. “Does this phenomenon occur in the original world too?” If it happened here, I was curious if the same would be true where I originally came from. Of course, I’d only know if I went back, so it was impossible to ascertain at this moment. Step by step. I approached the egg. Finding this was the original purpose of my journey. “It’s the same.” It was just as I remembered from the first time. Back then, I had to break through an unknown barrier to get here. “It feels relatively easier now.” Using the entity known as Vigo to get here was unexpected, but it saved me some trouble. "Or at least I thought so." I narrowed my eyes. As I got closer, a sensation pulsed through my chest. Thud-! Thud-! The distinct thumping sound, like a heartbeat, sent waves of sensation through my body emanating from the egg. “Different.” The feeling was different. It was significantly distinct from the first time. Only upon feeling this did I realize. “It’s not the same as back then.” Was it due to changing realms? Or had my very nature transformed? If not, then— “...Is it because I've acquired a sort of dignity, as Gu Seongyeol mentioned?" The dignity to become a master. In other words, the role that Guga currently holds. Perhaps because I have assumed a role akin to the current master of the Central Plains. I didn’t know for sure. “What exactly are you?” The existence of the egg itself was a mystery. All I knew was that Guga protected and safeguarded it. Why it appeared here was beyond my understanding. That’s why I sought to find out. Why, I wasn't entirely sure. “But perhaps now I can understand it.” Maybe not before, but as I stood here now, I felt capable of unraveling it. It was an instinct. In truth, such hunches usually proved accurate. Swish. I reached out. My hand extended towards the egg. “...” I hesitated for a moment. Memories of the past surfaced. “What did it say back then?” At that time, Kkurung— No, the Abyss prevented me from touching the egg. Had it said it wasn’t time yet? When I asked what it was… The Abyss replied to me: -A seed. It had said this wasn't an egg but a seed. “...” This enormous thing was a seed. I hadn’t grasped it back then, but hearing it now felt strangely significant. “The tree and the master are closely intertwined.” My mother’s sacred tree was like that, and the aura of the Blood Demon too stemmed from a tree. Even the trace of Wu-A that I once perceived turned out to be a tree. “There’s something about the tree. And this is its seed.” How could these not be connected? It was an obvious linkage for anyone not entirely naive. “Could this then be a seedling of the tree?” If I were to connect the dots, it was the only conclusion. “Hmmm.” I tilted my head. Pondering didn't take long. Thud. I laid my hand on the seed. “…” Hmm? “What’s this?” Nothing happened. “What gives?” I expected something to occur. But nothing, not even the slightest tremor. It was rather anticlimactic. “What on earth.” The Abyss had cautioned against touching it, hinting at dire consequences. Yet, nothing seemed amiss. I felt oddly disappointed as I was about to withdraw my hand when— Suction. “...What?” This time, my hand wouldn’t detach from the egg. It felt as though something sticky had adhered it in place. “...Ha.” Ah, there we go. I thought it was getting off too easy. Crunch. I applied force, trying to pry my hand free, but it barely budged, as if mocking my efforts. It was maddening. I had exerted enough force; the egg should have come loose, but it was as heavy and immovable as stone. “Is that how it’s going to be?” Was it challenging me to see this through to the end? I ignited my energy fully. Whoosh—!! The instant my energy coursed through my meridians, Sssssss— “...!” The egg finally reacted. As I stirred my energy, it began to absorb it at a rapid pace. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Absorbing my energy? It was swallowing it at an astonishing rate, and the problem was— “I can’t stop the flow of energy.” Once I initiated it, the energy continued uncontrollably, perhaps due to its voracious absorption. “This is unbelievable.” A wry smile crept across my lips. This was a first. “I’ve absorbed energy before.” But having my own energy siphoned off—this was a fresh experience. How much would it take? “At this pace...” If the speed kept increasing, it wouldn't be long. A tiny fraction more. The egg's appetite was insatiable; it might drain all my energy soon. The energy loss made it difficult to exert power, and I couldn’t pull my hand away from the egg. “It’s a complete disaster.” It was a crisis, plain and simple. What should I do if this continued? If my energy were completely drained... “Even the innate true energy could be at risk.” If no energy remained, surely it would reach there too. “Hmm.” Narrowing my eyes, I gazed at the egg. It was a crisis, no doubt, but— “Something.” It didn’t feel particularly dangerous. It was just unsettling. Why did this feel unpleasant? I couldn’t quite pin down the emotion. It was merely irritating. This egg, devouring my energy, was the cause. So, I— Whoosh—!! Screeeech— “Hmm.” I focused on my heart. Mado Thousand Absorption Technique activated. The energy the egg was consuming began to reverse flow. What it was swallowing pushed back toward me. “You wanted a challenge, right?” You think you’re the only one who can consume? I’m a master in this area too. Whoosh—!! Channeling all my strength, I unleashed the Mado Thousand Absorption Technique. The energy that was being drained surged back into my heart. The egg trembled slightly, seemingly startled. I chuckled softly. “Let’s see how you like this.” As if prompted, the egg’s absorption intensified. To match, I amplified the power of the Mado Thousand Absorption Technique, increasing its strength with each pull. Before long, I found myself absorbing energy far more efficiently than the egg was capable of. Creak—!! The egg seemed to react with more intensity. Its vibrations became violent, as if it was in a fit of rage. "And so?" What's your plan now? "What can you do?" Other than shake itself, it seemed powerless. "Why did you have to provoke me?" I was just planning to check things quietly and leave. Why agitate and provoke me without reason? I continued to absorb and absorb. I consumed the energy, drawing it into myself. The energy kept accumulating. The egg contained far more power than I had anticipated. Such vast energy stored within—it was astounding. Moreover, "For what purpose was it stored?" I was intensely curious about the purpose behind holding such immense energy. What's it intended for? With this level of energy... "It would easily surpass a hundred-level beast." It was beyond anything I'd absorbed before, even surpassing the energy from absorbing the White Marble of Behemoth. The energy was filling my vast vessel completely. "Hmm." It was reaching a point where it might overflow. Crrrreaaaak. "Is that so?" The egg, seemingly unwilling to let this opportunity slip by, started to quiver again, eager to devour my energy once more once it seeped out. "Hilarious." Crrrreeeaaaak—!!! As I absorbed the power, I turned the gears. The created gears sparked against each other, consuming the energy. The utilized energy transformed into presence, spreading in all directions. Rrrrrrrk—!!! The very air distorted from the overwhelming volume of energy flowing. I drew out energy to the utmost. I needed to use as much energy as I was absorbing. I had been struggling to hide my presence before, but this wasn’t the time to concern myself with such things. "Damn it." It was deep and vast; the more energy I drew from the egg, the more endless it seemed. Thankfully, "I'm quite adept at both consuming and using energy." I could utilize as much as I consumed. I was equally proficient at releasing energy as I was at swallowing it. Since even Guyeomhwarin was insufficient, I invoked chaos. The Heavenly Demon Divine Art. It magnified my presence by mobilizing the energy. Crrrreeeeak—!!! The fierce energy thrashed and screeched violently, rupturing the very space and gradually sinking into its surroundings. Even though I was wielding it, it was a terrifying force. Originally, it would not have been efficient to exert it this way. "Trying this out too." With an inexhaustible supply from my egg-shaped partner, I was testing its limits. "How long will this sustain?" The endurance of the egg wasn’t the issue. The real concern was... "The energy ripple will reach over there." The presence I created here would spread across the entire warfront. Once that happened, my position would inevitably be revealed. "Then things will get complicated." It would be ideal if it ended sooner rather than later. "But this thing is stubborn." Just how far could it endure? That was the question. "Let’s see." As I endlessly unleashed the Heavenly Demon Divine Art and absorbed energy, Crrrr— Finally, the egg ceased absorbing my energy. Simultaneously. Shaa—!!!! "Huh?" Suddenly, a radiant light burst from the egg. A brilliant crimson light, as dazzling as it was surprising. * * * Creak. Creak. The chains extended tensely. A man standing before a massive door gripped them tightly in his hands. His grip was so firm, as if the chains must never be unleashed, veins stood out on his hands. “...” For a while, he continued to hold the chains with a furrowed brow. Rumble—!!!! The chains, straining as if they might snap, suddenly calmed. Sensing this, the man released the chains from his tight grasp. “Hmm.” A low voice resonated in the darkened space. “It seems something's happened.” An old man, with glowing red eyes, remarked. Seeing how the chains that must not stir had reacted so violently. “It’s burning.” He identified the problem immediately. And then, “I must see it for myself.” To understand the cause of the fissure. To verify the scorching, he lit up his crimson eyes. The location of his concern—the warfront—was in Shanxi.