Chapter 142: Madman (2)

Chapter 142: Madman (2)

Click, click, click...

The mechanical devices around me begin to operate.

I look around for any possibility of escape.

'I should give up on talking more to this madman.'

The answer is clear - I am to be modified regardless.

'Should I suicide?'

But then...

I remember Kim Yeon, who has just been captured by the bee puppet.

'If I die like this, will Team Leader Kim be left alone with this madman and undergo the same modifications...?'

I haven't fully realized the insanity of this lunatic until our face-to-face encounter, but now it is clear.

I can't leave Kim Yeon alone with the Mad Lord.

'Suicide... let's not think about that now.'

So, is escape possible?

'If I use the Formless Sword to cut the circuits of the surrounding puppets and escape...'

But that too seems impossible.

It might have worked against Yuan Li, whos at the Nascent Soul stage, but not against this Mad Lord, a Heavenly Being at Grand Perfection, and his Four-Axis level puppets.

Im in the lion's den.

'Damn it.'

While Im contemplating,

Kuaguagua!

Numerous puppet arms descend from the ceiling towards my position.

In shock, I evade the puppet arms with a defensive maneuver.

[Hmm? You dodged?]

The Mad Lord's eyes shimmers as I evaded.

Shit...'

I feel a sense of hopelessness.

If things continue this way, I might not only have an arm modified, but my entire body might be forcibly changed. Fear grips me.

I look at the Mad Lord and force a smile.

"I'll go willingly."

[Oh, sure. That's a good decision. Lie down. I'll attach something new and pretty to you.]

"."

I grit my teeth and lay down on the operating table.

'I wonder if this madman will use anesthesia.'

I have little hope in this lawless era.

Im accustomed to the pain of having an arm torn off without anesthesia, but Im worried about Kim Yeon.

'If she gets modified, I should make some anesthesia for her.'

As expected.

The Mad Lord approached, and the puppet arms descended from the ceiling.

[Lets see, open your mouth.]

He says, inserting his hand into my mouth to open it and peers inside.

[Hoho, hoho, hoho Good, good. I had a hunch from seeing your body movements, but youre a martial artist, arent you?

"Uhh, uh."

[Yes, yes. I understand. I dont know if you heard the rumors, but I have a reputation for treating martial artists well. Seeing your teeth, youre an incredible one who reached the Five Energies Converging to the Origin. Very good. You are immensely talented, so I will treat you well. Now, it's going to shock a bit, so bear with it for a moment.]

"?"

Pijjiijijiiit!

Suddenly, Im enveloped in a massive electric shock.

I clench my teeth and endure the shock.

'He's using lightning as anesthesia?'

After a while,

I remain conscious amidst being electrocuted.

The shock subsides, and the Mad Lord looks at me.

[Hmm? What, you didn't faint? I even used lightning to anesthetize you. You have impressive mental strength!]

'Is using lightning as anesthesia normal?'

While Im dumbfounded, the Mad Lord grins.

[With such strong mental fortitude, you can probably endure being modified while conscious.]

Click!

Simultaneously, a gag is forced into my mouth, and my limbs are restrained.

'This damned thing! If the anesthesia didn't work, shouldn't he have tried again?'

Then, the puppet arms and devices converge on my left arm.

Hiss...

"."

[Perfect! It turned out truly excellent! Bravo! Not even twitching during the modification, I have obtained a truly great disciple!]

I sigh and stand up from the operating table.

'I'm worried about Team Leader Kim Yeon.'

Its only because its me that I didn't flinch and endured this insane modification.

For a normal person, no, even for a typical Core Formation or Nascent Soul cultivator, the pain felt from the recent modification is not something to easily dismiss.

Click, click...

I lift my left arm.

For a sudden modification by this madman, the new arm truthfully seems quite useful.

Inside the arm, numerous spiritual energy circuits are tightly packed, and the arm moves smoothly according to my will.

When I infuse consciousness into it, the sensations in the arm feel quite real.

Its more than adequate as a prosthetic, and I can sense many embedded functions.

[Now, now. Firstly, the basic energy source is designed to absorb energy from the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortresss energy source when inside. When outside, it will draw on your energy, using it as its energy source. Have a test of its performance.]

Click, click, click!

In one corner of the Mad Lord's workshop, several target-like objects suddenly sprung up.

The puppet arm given by the Mad Lord transmitted instructions on how to operate it through my consciousness when I infused it with my consciousness.

Click!

When I extend my left hand and concentrate my consciousness, energy gathers in my palm.

And then.

Boom!

A bright white beam shoots out, instantly turning three targets into ash.

'Never thought I'd shoot beams from my hand.'

Wo-woong!

When I slightly curl my fingers, spiritual energy gathers at the tips, forming bright white nails made of Pure Spiritual Force.

Whoosh, woosh!

As I swing my hand, the nails extend at will, slicing through the targets.

Keeng, click click!

When I clench my fist, various parts of the arm open, revealing nozzles.

Boom!

Spiritual energy bursts forth from the nozzles, and I fly forward with my fist, smashing another target to pieces.

It seems like it will be useful for enhancing the power of my punches.

Just from this demonstration, it appears that an ordinary first-rate martial artist with just this arm can rival a Qi Refining cultivator at the 10th or 11th star.

Of course

'All of these functions can be performed with the Formless Sword.'

In my case, with such a high cultivation level, these abilities feel somewhat superfluous.

These functions feel more like additional capabilities, and the true power of the puppet arm must be something else.

'Harmony It perfectly harmonizes with my body, which has reached the Five Energies Converging to the Origin. There's no discrepancy, and the flow of vital force (Qi) and blood is natural.'

The natural movement and feeling, as well as the balance of the arm, seems to be its real advantages.

And, the real reason the Mad Lord made this arm is evidently

[What are you doing? Try pulling that out, will you?]

Wo-woong!

The Formless Sword emerges through the left arm.

[Hoho! It comes out even through that arm!]

He seemed curious if the Formless Sword, formed through heart essence, could be emitted through the puppet arm.

'Aside from being attached to my body, it's no different from a dharma treasure.'

The Formless Sword always had the ability to be used in conjunction with a dharma treasure.

Its no different than overlaying the Formless Sword onto a glass sword.

The Mad Lord seems to have some inspiration, licking his lips while muttering to himself as he looks at my arm.

Then, with sparkling eyes, he suddenly shakes his head.

[Hmm, hmm. Alright, that's enough. You can go now.]

Wo-woong!

A bee puppet for transportation appears in the room.

[This fellow will guide you to your new quarters. For now, rest for today. I'll start instructing you tomorrow.]

The Mad Lord doesn't wait for my response. He approaches the Four-Axis wooden man and begins to work like a lunatic.

Wo-woong!

I fly off with the bee puppet to somewhere else.

Whoosh!

I land in a grand estate located deep within the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, having flown through space.

The estate is decorated just like a real one, with lush grass, trees, and small animals and insects.

Servants are moving around, cleaning and maintaining the estate.

But I feel a chill.

'Not a single living thing.'

The grass and trees are intricately made puppets, as are the insects, small animals, and the servants.

Click, click

As I look around, the servant puppets approach and bow to me.

"Are you going to guide me?"

Click, click

A servant puppet nods, and I follow it deeper into the estate.

It shows me my quarters and various places around the estate.

'It feels desolate.'

Though the puppets are kind, this lifeless place is suffocating.

As I look around,

'Hmm?'

I sense a faint trace of life energy in the distance.

'This energy is'

I leap towards the source of the energy.

Its in an estate next to where I was.

In a corner of the estate, Team Leader Kim Yeon is sitting on a rock, dressed in new clothes, looking dazed.

Wearing a pale pink attire, her face is filled with confusion and fear as she watches the servant puppets working.

Swoosh!

I land beside her.

"Ah, Deputy Seo?"

"Ah!"

I look down at my puppet arms.

With her normal mind, she won't be able to withstand the modification surgery.

This is even if shes knocked out with electricity before the surgery,

If the Mad Lord, after finishing the Four-Axis puppet, learns that she is still at the 7th Star of Qi Refining due to Heavenly Rejection, he will likely modify her arms as well.

'I might not be able to completely prevent the Mad Lord from modifying her, but I'll do my best to... delay it.'

I make this resolve while looking at the terrified Kim Yeon.

A month passes.

Kugugu!

I have reached Qi Building.

Familiar Pure Spiritual Force flows within my body.

Kururung!

After splitting the Heavenly Lightning falling towards me and scattering the dark clouds,

I continue to absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and practice my methods.

The next cultivation method to practice after the Five Surpassing Paths to Cultivation.

Yin Soul Ghost Incantation.

Patsususus....

Yin Soul Ghost Incantation is not a method where cultivation rises 'when feeling pain,' but 'when understanding pain.'

Since the key is 'understanding,' I managed to reach the peak of early Qi Building just a day after entering Qi Building.

Kugugugu!

Dark curse scripts circle around my entire body.

And with this, I should be able to help Kim Yeon.

'The day after tomorrow is Kim Yeon's Seven Stars Ritual.'

I intend to assist her Seven Stars Ritual through the Yin Soul Ghost Incantation.

"Manipulate the puppets?"

"Yes."

I speak, looking at the puppets.

"You might feel the madness, but try infusing your consciousness into them."

"...Okay."

Kim Yeon, after seeing my firm gaze, nods and extends her consciousness towards the puppets.

Wo-woong!

The residents of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress.

The numerous Qi Refining and Qi Building puppets there begin to move.

And then,

"Ugh, ugh..."

Kim Yeon holds her head, enduring the madness of the Mad Lord with pain.

I hold her shoulder and try to align my heart essence as closely as possible with hers.

Then,

"Team Leader Kim, I will overlay my consciousness on yours. Please try to match the frequency of your consciousness with the structure of the Wonderfully Mysterious Heart Canon."

"Yes, yes...!"

Wo-woong!

Team Leader Kim Yeon's consciousness and mine align for a moment.

At that instant, the madness of the puppets of the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, which she is manipulating through her consciousness, begins to flood in.

Kwaddeuk!

Sticky madness.

This madness is unpleasant not just because it causes mental fragmentation.

Wriggle, wriggle...

The madness pushes aside the original personality of the manipulator, gradually taking over the flesh, and tries to dominate the consciousness of the puppeteer.

But this time, it chose the wrong opponent.

Uddeuk!

I take all the pain Kim Yeon is experiencing and transfer it to myself, using curses to make myself a voodoo doll.

Pisit, pisit!

Blood vessels burst in various parts of my head, and blood trickles from my nose.

'This level of pain is..'

Kkuk!

I clench my fist, overwhelming the madness that is trying to devour my mind.

'Nothing at all!'

Kugeuk!

In this state, I look at Kim Yeon and speak.

Or rather, theres no need to say anything.

Our consciousnesses are connected at this moment.

[Can you now manipulate the puppets?]

[Yes...]

She grimaces a bit, then extends her hands.

Kugugu!

The puppets line up in an orderly fashion, moving in all directions according to her will.

Hundreds of Qi Building stage puppets begin to heed Kim Yeon's commands.

[Still at this level, I see.]

[Yes, I'm not used to it yet.]

[Anyway, this makes it possible for you to try.]

I speak to Kim Yeon through heart language.

[Shall we try the Seven Stars Ritual now?]

Cheolkeok Cheolkeok Cheolkeok...

Atop the valley.

The altar for the Seven Stars Ritual.

Surrounding it, a legion of puppets assume their positions, ready to unleash their respective spells towards the sky.

The Seven Stars Ritual in the Bright Cold Realm is no different from the previous world.

The only difference is that the ritual has to be conducted towards completely different stars than the twenty-eight stars of the previous world.

However, the names invoked during the ritual remain the same.

According to a cultivator the Mad Lord kidnapped months ago, the names of the stars and constellations used in the cultivation world's rituals are fixed across dimensions.

Instead of performing the ritual looking at the actual stars, its done according to the 'energy' of the stars. Therefore, if a star in another realm has similar 'energy', its referred to by the same name as in the previous realm.

Kurung, Kurung...

Dark clouds begin to gather in the sky.

Kim Yeon finishes the ritual and stretches her hands towards the sky.

Then, hundreds of Qi Building stage puppets that are manipulated by her emit light simultaneously.

Kwagwang, Kwagwagwang!

Hundreds of attacks from the Qi Building stage puppets tear the clouds in the sky apart.

And since its she, herself who moves the puppets to tear the sky, it seems the heavens recognize it as her action.

Paaaat!

I can feel Kim Yeon successfully rising to the 7th Star of Qi Refining.

[Ah, ah Eun-hyun Oppa.]

Through her intent, I can feel a deep sense of relief and an indescribable surge of emotion.

[Thank you]

Having overcome the critical stage of Qi Refining, Kim Yeon wipes her eyes and looks back at me.

Seeing her appearance, I smile bitterly, disconnecting our consciousness connection.

"Congratulations, Team Leader Kim."

I know her feelings better than ever.

But I absolutely can't accept those feelings.

"Now you won't have to worry about being modified due to the stagnation in your cultivation."

"Yes, it's all thanks to you, Eun-hyun Oppa. But, aren't we going to stop using 'Team Leader' and 'Deputy' titles? Haha."

Kim Yeon slowly descends from the altar.

"We're not in the company anymore."

"...What should I call you then?"

"No, more than that, why do you still speak formally to me, Eun-hyun Oppa? You used to speak informally at the company."

"..."

'Did I?'

That was 900 years ago.

I hardly remember.

"Speak informally. After performing the Seven Stars Ritual, I realized..."

She speaks with a deep sense of relief.

"We, the remaining people, should be close to each other."

But I know that what she is saying isn't just about being friendly.

That intent, I know it all too well.

"In fact, I..."

Just then.

[Oh, have you been well?]

Suddenly!

The Mad Lord bursts through space, sticking his head out.

Flash!

He looks into the empty air with glittering eyes.

Kim Yeon seems not to understand, but I sense his gaze and feel a chill run down my spine.

The Mad Lord is observing the color of Kim Yeon's intent.

[Oh, ohohoh... Ohoh!]

The Mad Lord, looking at her intent, lets out a suspicious exclamation.

Since its difficult trying to understand the intentions of a madman, Im always tense.

I swallow and ask the Mad Lord.

"...Have you come out already, Master...? I thought you would stay for another month..."

[Ah! The Four-Axis puppet was completed earlier than expected!]

Chaak!

The Mad Lord, having torn through space, flicks his hand.

Kooooo!

The Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress below begins to rise slowly.

[And, the spy puppet I sent out found the location of the Light Spirit Pond, full of materials for injecting into [Her] body. However, it turns out the Bright Cold Realm's race occupying the Light Spirit Pond is quite formidable. They are called the Cold Spirit Race, and they even have Integration stage cultivators of the Cold Spirit Race living there, making them a tricky opponent.]

"...What are you going to do?"

The Mad Lord spreads his arms wide, his eyes bloodshot with madness, and shouts.

[What do you mean what am I going to do? War, of course! Cold Spirit Race or whatever race, I will conquer them all and whatever stands in my way I will conquer them too! If the world opposes me, I will conquer the world! Hehehehe!! World conquest! World conquest! Now, let's go. The method of creating Four-Axis puppets is now stabilized, so from now on, we go to war with the Cold Spirit Race!]

Kugugugugu!

From within the Wonderfully Mysterious Fortress, the true and undeniable power of the Four-Axis erupts forth in three bursts.

Simultaneously, over the past half year, having undergone Heavenly Tribulation and risen to Four-Axis, the Mad Lord's momentum envelops heaven and earth.

Translator Notes: Donated chapter by Dragonk105. Thanks for the support!

***

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