TBISF 17

Chapter: 17

 Even a Vast Mystic Realm Has an End

The world is changing. I am afraid, so afraid.

After the elders of the Twelve Sects left for the demon clan’s Mystic Realm, this has happened. It must be related to them.

But no one could have predicted this. So we urgently called the participants of the Grand Unity Festival and decided to escape the Mystic Realm.

However, Ganghyeon and Hwang Indeok have already passed the hundred-li barrier, so there is no way to contact them quickly.

I hope desperately that the children receive this message, but would they not know it is a vain hope?

They are truly the genius of our Cheonroe Sect, the future of our sect. We had hoped to nurture them carefully and raise them greatly. What a pity.

But plans often go awry in the capital. I accept this and shed tears of sorrow.

Yet perhaps the uncertainties of the capital will lead the children here. If that happens, I earnestly ask you: protect them and find the Cheonroe Sect.

You are already recorded in the Cheonroe Sect. If you come and complete the spiritual farewell ceremony, you can immediately become disciples of the main sect.

Even my words, as just an outer sect disciple, are made with care. I ask that you reflect deeply, considering the affection I have for you.

Now, as the tower collapses and everyone leaves the Mystic Realm, Hyeongak appeals to the laws of heaven and earth for the safe return of Ganghyeon and Hwang Indeok…

“Is that what it says?”

“Yeah.”

“I didn’t know Hyeongak-senior thought so highly of us.”

“That’s not all. It’s amazing that our names are already on the Cheonroe Sect’s disciple list. Main sect disciples, even.”

“Haha. That’s probably because of me. I said I’d fit perfectly in Cheonroe Sect.”

“Maybe you just don’t realize how dull your head is. Your talent is great, but your mind doesn’t match it.”

“Hahaha. Ganghyeon, I don’t get hurt by that. I know I’m smarter than the other kids. You’re the special one.”

“Haha. The Cheonroe Sect recognizes you, so your pride must be through the roof?”

“But honestly, I think the Cheonroe people are dumb. How could they put you under me?”

“That’s because the core technique of Cheonroe Sect needs my talent. And since you’re Indeok, you know me. Others wouldn’t know me properly.”

“Scary guy. To fool seniors far above your level…”

“It’s not fooling them. I just didn’t show everything.”

Ganghyeon responded and stored Hyeongak’s jade slip in the dusk pavilion.

The slip contained Hyeongak’s message, but there was more hidden deep inside.

Even Ganghyeon’s advanced senses couldn’t read it yet. He planned to check it later when his realm was higher.

“Now, shouldn’t we find a way to leave the Mystic Realm?”

At that moment, Indeok stepped outside the main hall and muttered:

“Hmm, we should figure out how to leave since we’re still inside. But there’s no need to rush.”

“Again with that. So because our training is enough, there’s no hurry?”

“There’s no guarantee the outside environment is better than here.”

“That’s all thanks to Yang Wonchil-senior.”

Indeok raised his hands to the sky, showing respect to the deceased Yang Wonchil. Ganghyeon smiled quietly.

This behavior was a result of Ganghyeon training Indeok to act politely and avoid causing trouble.

‘Repeated training really does have its effects,’ Ganghyeon thought with satisfaction.

The two went down to the inner courtyard of the estate. They carefully traced the remnants of the outer hall.

“Staying here doesn’t feel right, does it?”

“It’s been ruined for a long time, but it still draws attention. No need to cause trouble.”

Ganghyeon agreed but opposed leaving immediately.

“Before leaving, let’s tidy the traces of the formations and barriers. There’s much to gain if we study them.”

“Got it. Even remnants of high-level formations are precious treasures, right?”

“Exactly. I’ll take this half, you take that half.”

“I handle it myself?”

“If I have to check everything, why move together?”

“Alright, I’ll go first.”

Indeok hurried away, and Ganghyeon started collecting the formation and barrier remnants in the ruined tower.

“Finally, we’ve reached the end of the Mystic Realm.”

A year after discovering the ruined tower, Ganghyeon and Indeok saw the edge of the Mystic Realm.

It was only one direction—they had no idea how vast the opposite side might be.

“From now, we should stay here and check if any space rifts appear.”

“Three years?”

“Yes. If none appear in that time, we’ll move and check elsewhere.”

“I hope we find one quickly, even if we don’t leave immediately.”

“That’s true. Discovering it reduces the pressure of escaping.”

To enter the Mystic Realm, special formations and barriers are needed.

Another way is to jump through space rifts connecting the Mystic Realm to the real world.

The Mystic Realm is independent but periodically links with the real world. Without these links, its energy would collapse.

Some Mystic Realms open connections rarely, some often.

The one used for the Grand Unity Festival was a small Mystic Realm, connecting only a few times every ten years.

But now…

“Senior Hyeongak said this Mystic Realm has merged with another demon Mystic Realm. We don’t know how often space rifts will appear. But if none open within three years, we should search elsewhere.”

The larger the Mystic Realm, the more often it likely connects to the real world.

‘Like a big body needing more frequent breaths,’ Ganghyeon thought. He hoped larger size meant faster discovery of rifts.

“Ruuurrr! Kkawaak! Hahaha!”

Indeok unleashed red lightning, destroying the surroundings and laughing wildly.

He used Lightning Flash Technique – Lightning Explosion Form, the most powerful attack of the Lightning Flash technique. Normally, it can’t be used without protective layers.

But Indeok combined Lightning Flash Technique and Diamond Body Technique, making his body strong enough to withstand the energy.

He had reached the later stage of the technique and could use Lightning Explosion freely.

“Now I won’t get beaten easily anywhere.”

Ganghyeon felt more at ease.

“Didn’t you feel something strange just now?”

Indeok, sensing danger with instinct, stopped laughing and looked at Ganghyeon.

“It’s nothing. Enjoy yourself,” he said. Ganghyeon pretended not to notice.

“Ganghyeon.”

Indeok called brightly, raising red lightning around his fist.

“Want to try it?”

“Lightning Explosion?”

“Yes. I think you could handle it lightly.”

“Are you serious? You’re about to use the most destructive, final secret technique on your friend?”

“But our realms are different. You’re mid-stage, I’m late stage. You can handle it.”

“Mid-stage? I haven’t even tried it yet!”

Ganghyeon was shocked, but Indeok was calm.

“Trant already exceeded mid-stage, right?”

“Yes, but it’s still my servant. My level limits it.”

“Still…”

“Do you want to trouble Trant for your own testing?”

“Oh… I just wanted to try Lightning Explosion properly.”

“You don’t need to test it. Few can stop it at this stage. Use it close-range, not far.”

“I know. I’m bad at long-range spells.”

“But your physical attacks are top-tier.”

“Top?”

“Yes, the best!”

“Ah, hahaha.”

Indeok smiled, scratching his head. Ganghyeon gave a thumbs-up.

After three three-year periods of watching the Mystic Realm boundaries, they finally discovered a space rift.

They recorded its energy waves in their formation. From then on, whenever the rift appeared, they could know its direction and distance.

“Now we can jump through the space rift anytime and leave the Mystic Realm.”

The rift is unstable, but Ganghyeon’s old tree shell and Indeok’s Diamond Body Technique can handle the danger.

“And we can’t touch Trant recklessly yet.”

Ganghyeon revealed to Indeok:

“I’m exploring beyond the space rift using Trant’s roots.”

“Beyond the rift?”

“Yes. To see where it connects.”

“Really?”

“It keeps failing, but we’re making progress.”

“You were doing that without me?”

“Yes. You were guarding the east, so no help was needed. Thanks to you, I could focus on training.”

“Ah, so I handle the outside, and you handle the inside. Hahaha.”

“Stop calling it that! Creepy! I’ll kill you!”

“Sorry, I realized it sounded weird too.”

“Being in our mid-twenties really makes hormones run wild. We need to leave soon. Staying here is dangerous.”

“Dangerous? Are you talking to me? I like pretty girls too!”

“Right, that one… Ah, I remember.”

“Ganghyeon, I hate you!”

Ganghyeon shook his head, watching Indeok walk away.

“Once Trant finishes confirming, we should leave. Though we can return anytime.”

He looked into the Mystic Realm, still sensing the energy waves of six beasts colliding.

“What kind of monsters are they?”

He clicked his tongue and disappeared into the east again, ready to check Trant’s results.