After defeating Jeokhye, I examined the spells surrounding the entire Jeokwagak.
If a power like Jeokhye could withstand such spells at full strength, then the creator of this magic must be an important figure.
Based on the essence of the spells, I identified similar locations within the Main Temple and finally reached the place where the master of the magic resides.
At the top of the Main Temple mountain.
The several houses at the very summit are antique yet not luxurious.
It felt like gazing upon a smaller Small House, with a wide garden, an open pond, and a crane wandering freely about, bringing a sense of peace to my mind.
The number of servants is small, and the master of this place doesn’t seem to flaunt any power.
Truly a place where a Celestial Being might live.
“You are…”
He saw me holding Jeokhye and immediately showed a very startled expression as he took her inside in a hurry.
Left alone, I’m currently viewing this place called Green Dragon Valley, guided by a servant here…
“It’s beautiful.”
The surrounding natural scenery, the house and garden infused with green light.
While the green might seem excessive, it harmonizes quite well with the surrounding landscape, suggesting some delicate tuning.
It feels like gazing at a painting.
[It is indeed beautiful]
[It seems healing somehow, haha]
[For real, haha]
[Let’s smash it]
[Are we not killing the frog?]
[That old man seemed like a Celestial Being earlier]
Boing!
A green fish about 10 cm long jumped out from the pond and then dove back beneath the water surface.
Even ornamental fish here possess the strength of level 70.
‘I can feel that power even from the fish.’
The crane that glared at me earlier, and most creatures living here seem to derive strength from their master.
“Deungsunja-nim, the elder is looking for you.”
“Got it.”
I followed the servant who had been trailing me and arrived at the largest main building here.
Outside, it was also a house with green tones, but the inside was made of ordinary wood, providing relief to the eyes.
Sunlight streamed in through the wooden window, illuminating a small table.
The table had a position for sitting cross-legged, and the master of this place was already seated at one side.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“It’s fine. Thanks to you, my eyes had a little pleasure.”
I too sat down and lifted the teacup placed on the table.
It smells nice.
“This is tea brewed from the green jade leaves exclusively harvested in the Main Temple. I wonder if it suits your taste.”
“It’s delicious!”
Slurp.
It looked like green tea, but it’s closer to warm peach tea than green tea.
It’s closer to a warm peach tea.
It’s tastier than I expected.
[Hahaha]
[Hoororororok]
[Lily drinking tea]
[The old man looks unique]
[It’s so green?]
[Reminds me of an elf]
‘Hmm…’
The elder of the Main Temple, Nokju.
He governs a part of the Main Temple separated from the original world and is the master of Jeokhye, with green hair and eyes just like his hair.
Other than his long beard and elderly appearance, his clothing is nothing special, but there is one special thing about him…
[He has horns]
On Nokju’s head are antlers like those of a deer.
But he wouldn’t be a deer, right?
Since Jeokhye was a red frog, there’s a high chance that this one before me is also not human, but he doesn’t look like a deer.
Rather…
Clatter.
“What is your race?”
“A race… such things are meaningless. We have transcended the laws and principles of this world through ascension, so the original form has faded.”
“But Jeokhye transformed, right?”
“That girl is still inexperienced. It hasn’t been long since she achieved ascension, so she hasn’t attained perfect enlightenment yet.”
“Hmm…”
“Still, if I had to say…”
Clatter.
This time, Nokju sets down his teacup.
Just setting down the teacup sends waves throughout the entire main hall.
“I am a Dragon.”
“A dragon?”
“Yes. More precisely, I was a dragon.”
[Oh]
[He said he’s a dragon]
[Let’s go dragon hunting~]
[No wonder he looks like a dragon]
[Let’s kill it]
[Lily is here too, right?]
[Dragony dragon]
“Long ago, I was a wandering Imugi by the river. Thanks to holding the Orb of Confusion for a millennium, it became a wish-granting jewel, and through ascension, I became a true dragon.”
Hoororok.
“But I did not settle there.”
A dragon, known as the king of nearly all life forms.
Having become a dragon, he looked not for satisfaction at that place but turned his gaze towards higher skies.
Having spent more time than he spent holding the wish-granting jewel, he finally ascended to become a being akin to a celestial being…
However.
“There was indeed sky above the sky. This time, a truly high sky.”
“That’s how it goes.”
Even the upper celestial beings capable of manipulating a world, including the Demon Race, were swept away in vain by the battle between the Eight Seats and the Demon King.
A truly funny story, but what’s even funnier is that they too have a sky.
‘A vast sky of the Celestial and Demon Gods.’
“The important thing is what you can do in your current position. If you just despair because there’s a sky, nothing will change.”
“That’s true. We must move forward.”
“We have to move forward.”
“Mm.”
“I saw your performance. As you already know, I was the one who cast the spell on Jeokwagak.”
“The magic was impressive. It was enough to block my attacks.”
Even my Holy could defend itself two or three times against Nokju’s magic, which was quite solid.
“Jeokhye might seem laughable, but she’s strong enough to be ranked among the top three in the Heavenly Realm. In terms of instantaneous power, she doesn’t rank lower than that.”
“She’s usable, for sure.”
As the Blood Fight Lord said, it’s true that she’s stronger than the Three Lords.
Duke Huangyeol belongs to the Celestial Race, so even if he can’t win by race, he should be able to defeat Spirit Lord or former Magic Lord.
He might even have a good match against Yena, who uses the Roar of the Dagger.
“How would you rank Nokju?”
“I haven’t separated any positions specifically… but you could say he’s in the top tier.”
“Which means he’s within the top five?”
“That’s right. The rulers of each world tend to maintain their positions, so it’s rare for one to seek superiority over the others. You can consider them equal.”
So, he’s in the top five…
It’s certainly a fact that he’s strong, but I have some doubts.
“Uh, this might be a bit awkward to say…”
“Feel free to speak.”
“Is it really okay? It’s a question that could be a bit uncomfortable.”
“Yes. You have already passed the test of the Main Temple. You’re recognized as a chosen one, so even if it’s somewhat rude, it’s fine—”
“I feel like the Celestial Being is much stronger.”
I’ve never met the rulers of other worlds, but there’s one I have seen. The Marble Giant of Ertarn.
When I descended from Drak’s Sky Island, I witnessed the ‘Marble Giant.’
Before the fourth phase, just standing in front of it was daunting, and I could barely catch my breath after casting the Saintess’s path. The presence of the Celestial Being was extraordinary.
Moreover, it was at a higher level than the transcendent Kraken, which is why I dedicated myself to the fourth phase.
“I could only face the Celestial Being if I reach the fourth phase.”
But the Nokju in front of me… it’s true he’s strong, but he can’t compare to the Celestial Being.
[Oh!]
[Lolololol]
[Are we really comparing this…?]
[Ah, lol, but still, he’s tied for first place.]
[Isn’t it because they don’t rank?]
[??: Since it’s not decided, they’re the same, anyways.]
[What a ridiculous comparison.]
[Stop the Card Cup!]
[Equal?]
[Lolololololol]
[Lily: Is this really on the same level as the Celestial Being…?]
[Lily, oh Lily…]
Cough!
“…I didn’t say that we ranked them. Besides, among the rulers of the worlds, many do not engage, making it even more impossible to determine a ranking.”
“So, then, the fifth…”
“Three… no, he’d be around the fourth position.”
I see.
No wonder it felt odd when you said they were the same. Now I understand.
Slurp.
“…Above all, the Celestial Being is a rather special existence.”
“?”
“The extremes of humans, Bloodsuckers, Raccoons. And we were all one living entity. But the Celestial Being is a bit different.”
“What’s different?”
“The Celestial Being is not a living creature.”
A natural being.
Just as lesser beings become transcendent through seasons of training and endurance.
Nature, too, gains wisdom and power through special occasions after living for eons.
“He was a massive rock. He lived for an unimaginable time compared to us, gained intelligence, and obtained power like the World itself.”
“Like the World Tree?”
“The World Tree? What’s that?”
“There’s a huge tree. It has intelligence and power.”
A massive tree nurturing countless races, including elves, beneath its branches.
It’s been scorched once by demons but grew back in just a few months.
There was a near disaster during a surprise trolling by the Sword Saint, but thankfully, it was successfully subdued early, maintaining its intact form.
Nokju nods as if he roughly understands.
“Probably right. So, it’s somewhat an outlier.”
“An existence like the World Tree…”
Then the Marble Giant is also one of the ‘conceptual races’.
A phenomenon, possessing powers akin to those of a god.
It might even be a bit trickier than a Kraken.
[LMAO]
[Don’t compare, Lily]
[Let’s smash it]
[If it’s not a living creature, it should be killable LOL]
[Anyway, it’s not a living creature, so it’s not a comparison target~]
[Being around rank 5 seems strong, right?]
“By the way, I have something I’m curious about…”
“Go ahead.”
“The moment I first saw you, I sensed your bloodline was extraordinary. I felt a difference compared to ordinary humans or the diverse races of the realms.”
“Is that so?”
“I haven’t seen it myself, but I’ve heard from Raccoons. The White Light and the Power of Purification. Could your lineage possibly—”
“I’m human.”
I am human.
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