Chapter 95: Lotus (3)

Chapter 95: Lotus (3)/translatingnovice Rumble... Unexpectedly, Song Jin doesnt rush into an attack but observes me instead. [What are you? I've never heard of a human possessing a Demon Core, nor such bizarre techniques... It seems you know something about me.] A clear defensive stance! 'It seems he can't fully sense me because I entered quietly without smashing the barrier as I did in my past life.' Compared to when he had absorbed all the ghostly energy of the Nether Crossing Ship and displayed Core Formation peak level prowess in my previous life, he currently hasn't absorbed the ships ghostly energy, so only a mid Core Formation stage aura is present. "How could I not have heard of the infamous Black Ghost Valley? Let alone a Heavenly Being cultivator leading it!" [Heh, you mustve heard the Mad Lord killed me, are you mocking me?] Rumble! Song Jin gathers enough ghostly energy. He launches an attack. Screaach! Thousands of white bone skeletons rise like a tidal wave around me and surge towards me. I extend my Formless Sword. Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, Layered Mountains, Mountain and Valley Transformation. The Formless Sword spreads in all directions in the shape of thorny terrain, completely dominating the surrounding space. Then the sword undergoes another transformation. Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, Severing Vein Saber Method, Fist Technique, Leg Technique, Foot Technique, Ground Technique, Spear Technique... A mix of numerous martial art changes. Every field I researched together with Kim Young-hoon in my past life. Over 200 years, I had further developed and refined my Formless Sword, using hundreds of transformations per second to push Song Jin back. His spells break apart, completely overwhelmed by my Formless Sword. The first clash. And in this first encounter, Song Jin is overwhelmingly outmatched. Kuuaaaaaa! Song Jin's body absorbs the ghostly energy around him, transforming into a huge monster ghost. The form I had seen last time. However, this time he seems to maintain his sanity, calmly observing his surroundings. Severing Mountain Swordsmanship, Dragon Vein, Qi Mountain Heart Heaven, Cliff Edge. Swoosh! The Formless Sword moves even faster, grows larger, and reaches a speed that is unmatchable. The entire body of the monster ghost is slashed in an instant, and Song Jin, reverting from his monster ghost form, casts a new spell. Rumbling! Blue ghost fire gathers in his hands. However. Severing Vein Saber Method, Mountain Wind! Whizz! The ultra-fast thrust hits the weak spot of the ghost fire before he can react, causing it to explode right in his hands. [Argh...] Three clashes. That alone makes the difference in our strengths clear. The Formless Sword, honed and refined over 200 years, has reached an extreme level of proficiency. Compared to the Formless Sword when I first faced Song Jin, it has undergone a change as vast as the difference between heaven and earth. Had he been in his prime, a living Heavenly Being, it would have been entirely different. But at this point, he can't defeat me. Song Jin grits his teeth, looking at me as he realizes he can't win. But instead of further pressuring him, I decide to change the topic a bit. "Hmm... I too have seen the Mad Lord." I recall the battle between the Mad Lord and Seo Hweol in the clouds unseen. Seo Hweol, who covered the entire Ascension Path with water with a single gesture. And the Mad Lord, who consistently overpowered him and the Sea Dragon Tribe. "Honestly, just surviving a battle with such a monster and leaving behind a remnant soul is nothing to be ashamed of." [...] Song Jin falls silent at my words. His intent is mixed with shame, anger, depression, and lamentation. [...You're right. In that war, the Mad Lord suddenly decided to attack us, and he rushed in unprepared. He destroyed a third of our main forces just like that. If he had fully prepared for war against us, Black Ghost Valley's 500,000 years of history would have ended that day.] "......" Song Jin sighs. [So why... Why has a strong one like you invaded the Nether Crossing Ship, and why are you after it? This ship is in ruins, and you dont seem to need its ghostly energy for your cultivation...] "Hmm..." I think about making up an excuse but decide to tell the truth. [...You came looking for that half-dragon's belongings?] At his words, Seo Ran, who is hiding behind me, flinches. Song Jin's eyes blaze with even more intense blue ghost fire. Suddenly, I see the ghostly body forming a new face over Song Jin's skull. Ghostly energy converges into his skull, creating a face. Its the face of a middle-aged man I have seen before. Song Jins face, materialized from the dark ghostly substance, is shedding blue tears. [Right now, I want to kill you on the spot, but...] He glances at me and grumbles. [Be thankful for that unique individual sent by Seo Hweol. I'm terrified of dying meaninglessly, failing to protect the Nether Crossing Ship... So I'll leave you be for now...] "......" Seo Ran silently listens to his words, then suddenly bows to Song Jin. "Please, tell me about my mother." [What...] "I have lived my life despised even by the Sea Dragon Tribe, considered a half-breed. Even the Sea Dragon King left me behind, saying I couldn't accompany him in this battle of life and death. Please, senior. Elder. I want to know what kind of person my mother was. I implore you... tell me about my mother." [This boy now...] Kugugugugu! Dark blue ghostly energy fills the cabin. But I reveal my Formless Sword and disperse the ghostly energy, causing Song Jin to glare at me. "What's so difficult about telling a story?" I look into his heart essence and intent, asking. "It seems you really want to tell her story, but you're hesitating." Though he appears as a ghostly figure, his heart image is a clear sea with a red-sailed boat. He is clearly a good person. His true feelings exposed, Song Jin clenches his teeth and shiveres for a moment, then drops his arms. Whoosh... The ghostly energy subsides again. [...Seo Hweol sent a fearsome man.] Thud! Song Jin staggers and then sits down on a bed in the cabin. Hes silent for a while, and so is Seo Ran, both looking at each other. A moment of silence lingers in the cabin. I read Song Jin's heart and step outside the cabin. He no longer has any intention of harming Seo Ran. Shortly after, I hear Song Jin talking to Seo Ran inside the cabin. Initially, his voice is slow and heavy, reluctant.. But gradually, Song Jin's speech quickens and he becomes more expressive. Seo Ran responds to him, and they begin to share stories. '...This is an unexpected sight.' Seo Ran and Song Jin sitting side by side, engrossed in conversation. I ponder for a moment, lifting my Formless Sword. Once you break free from fate, more and new things approach you. Unspoken words and misunderstood connections. Meeting anew and shaping a new future. I glance back at the cabin once more, reading the intent flowing from within, and walk onto the deck of the Nether Crossing Ship. Black Ghost Valley's formation hidden in the Black Wind Sea. The center of the cylindrical well-shaped formation. There, an open sky is visible. Night has fallen. Stars twinkle faintly beyond the clouds. "Let's become stronger." Stronger and even more stronger. To grow strong enough to break free from all attractions of fate, to create a new future and new connections. That is my resolve. Seo Ran and Song Jin talk through the night and continue their conversation until the sun sets. And once more, they talk well through the night until dawn. Days pass like this. The nature of their conversation and emotional exchange is unknown to me. However. [I have decided to take this boy as my disciple.] Connections beyond fate sometimes give birth to miracles beyond imagination. Song Jin decided to take Seo Ran as his disciple. Translator Notes: Wholesome. *** Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried Link to donations in the discord!