Call Of The Spear [EN]: Chapter 289

Nangseon Gihwandam – 288

A Thousand Years Later.

South of Yongjeon and Honghae, there was a land called Cheongja.

Crossing Cheongja southward, there were several large islands near the sea, the largest of which was named Ojo Island (五條島) [Five-Striped Island, named for its shape].

“Is this the place?”

“It is certain.”

A middle-aged man and a youth with a snake’s tail were floating above Ojo Island. They were Jiseon and Yeongwon, carefully examining Ojo Island with doubtful expressions.

“Is this really the place, this insignificant island?”

“According to the rumors, this is believed to be the correct location.”

The island was named Ojo Island because small islands were connected to the large central island like branches.

However, Ojo Island was an ordinary island without even a single sacred mountain, inhabited by ordinary people.

Perhaps due to its geographical location, there were few inhabitants, and it was often used as a place of exile for ordinary criminals due to the strong waves.

“For some reason, many Taoists have started appearing in such a desolate place. They must have heard the same rumors we did and started gathering.”

From some point on, those who came to Ojo Island were all scholars or beautiful women like goddesses, so the ordinary people couldn’t dare to speak to them and only hesitated.

They didn’t pay any attention to the ordinary people who glanced at them, quietly coming to Ojo Island and disappearing somewhere.

Their strange behavior continued incessantly for several years.

The ordinary people didn’t know why, but a very interesting rumor was spreading in the Taoist world, so many Taoists were flocking to Ojo Island.

“According to the rumors circulating in the Taoist world, the ascension of that person is not far off.”

“That’s why we came here. This place doesn’t have strong spiritual energy, but the harmony of heaven and earth is well-balanced, and therefore the spatial structure is also stable. I don’t know how they found this place, but witnessing that person’s ascension will be enlightening, so we can’t miss this opportunity.”

The rumors circulating in the Taoist world were like that.

The head of the Baek San Sect [White Mountain Sect].

The ascension of Celestial Master Cheonbeom was approaching, and the location had been decided.

“But… we don’t know if that’s true or not.”

“That is true.”

Originally, ascensions were generally performed in secret.

The ascension itself is not easily achieved, but if someone interferes with that great act, even a single mistake could ruin thousands of years of hard work, so isn’t it natural?

“But it’s Celestial Master Cheon of the Baek San Sect. If it’s him… he could do something like this.”

“That’s also true.”

His reputation is by no means light.

Who in the Taoist world would dare to interfere with Cheonbeom’s ascension?

Unless they didn’t value their lives, how could they dare to do such a thing?

“And when I looked around this place, the central island of Ojo Island already had a powerful barrier, making it impossible to approach. Who could have created a barrier that even we Jiseons [Earth Immortals] can’t easily breach? There’s no one but him.”

“That’s right. Seeing that there are other Jiseon here besides us… it seems we’ve come to the right place.”

“Yes, and they don’t seem to be trying to hide it much. There were quite a few people wearing Baek San Sect attire among the Taoists gathering here.”

The past thousand years.

The world had changed a lot.

New sects were established and disappeared again.

For several hundred years, Seondo [Taoist Immortal Way] flourished, but there were also times when Mado [Demonic Path] flourished, and there were years when the power of the Siphaemancheok [Ten Thousand Overlords] was full.

But there was something that remained unchanged even in such rise and fall.

It was the Baek San Sect.

The morning sun rising and setting is a natural phenomenon, but only the Baek San Sect remained steadfast even after a thousand years.

The greatest sect under heaven.

That much was still unchanged.

“Celestial Master Cheon is very fortunate. The one who ascended to the position of the 2nd Sect Leader is not only outstanding in his qualities and character but is already aiming for the Taeseon Realm [Grand Celestial Realm], isn’t he?”

“That’s what they say.”

“But I’m a little curious. Celestial Master Cheon also has a son, so why did he hand over the position of Sect Leader to Huna who doesn’t share a drop of blood with him?”

“Don’t you know?”

“You seem to know something.”

“Celestial Master Cheon also has a daughter—”

It was then.

“Were you all here?”

Suddenly, a pleasant woman’s voice like a nightingale was heard.

“Oh, aren’t you Seonja So [Fairy So]?”

Two unknown Jiseon cupped their fists and bowed to the female immortal, who was a woman with a youthful appearance and a charming side.

“I didn’t expect Seonja So to be here as well. One of the Jiseon’s auras in Ojo Island was Seonja.”

Seonja So smiled brightly and replied with a smile, and the Jiseon were convinced that the rumors were not false at her appearance.

She was the woman whom Celestial Master Cheon cherished like a younger sister and was a Jiseon.

Somang.

Her presence here meant.

Cheonbeom was here.

“The fact that Seonja So is here means…”

“Will you follow me? The others are already inside Ojo Island’s barrier.”

“Oh, then the other Jiseon of the Taoist world are also….”

“They are already in place. You will probably be the last ones.”

“We will follow you.”

If they could witness the ascension of the great Taoist master Cheonbeom of the Taoist world, how could they not follow?

Having lived through experiences, they couldn’t completely erase a speck of doubt, but there was no reason for the great Taoist master of the greatest sect under heaven to plot a scheme with the Jiseon.

His power had already been recognized as unmatched since the Battle of Manjeon a thousand years ago.

He had already reached the level of a god back then….

‘There were many stories that he postponed his ascension for his wives.’

After killing the public enemy of the Taoist world, he wandered around the world with his wives, showing rare affection.

“Then shall we go?”

“Ah, yes!”

Gulp.

Following behind Somang, they soon faced the massive barrier of Ojo Island.

As soon as they took a step, Somang teleported them all.

The Jiseon were inwardly surprised by her divine power, but they maintained their composure as if nothing had happened.

Anyone could teleport their own body, but it was not easy for anyone to invade the sphere of influence of the same level, especially the Jiseon, and teleport.

The Jiseon who were with Somang had goosebumps on their spines because their lives could have been at stake with that one teleportation.

Contrary to her pretty and cute appearance, her divine power was fierce.

The barrier was a powerful barrier made up of characters that even Jiseon and Yeongwon [Eternal Ones], who had reached the end of the sky, could not understand. The urge to explore it arose for a moment.

For a moment, a powerful fire energy tried to flash from the barrier, and they stopped their hands in surprise.

“It’s dangerous to touch it carelessly. Cheon Oraboni’s [Cheon, my older brother’s] Bongak Cheonghwa [Divine Flame of Azure Purity] might burn so hot that even your soul will be destroyed in an instant.”

Somang, who said that, brought her hand to the front of the barrier as if telling them to step aside and moved her lips.

Soon, several unknown golden letters floated up, and the area began to be flooded with golden characters.

‘Just how great is this barrier that it emits such intense energy!’

It was a difficult and powerful barrier that they could not dare to imitate.

The air was fluctuating due to the influence of the barrier, and strong waves were being emitted, but strangely, the mountains and fields were peaceful, and the ordinary people in the distance were not even aware of it.

It was a divine power close to the miraculous.

‘Just comprehending this barrier feels like enlightenment….’

It was then.

“Open sesame!”

“…….”

Cheojeojeok [Clang-clang].

With clanking noises, a crack suddenly appeared in the air, and the barrier made of golden letters opened in half.

It was a precious sight, but her appearance was full of a bit of foolishness.

“That is….”

“Ah, Oraboni said that saying this is the standard way to unlock his barrier. He’s so persistent in strange things.”

It seemed like she was trying to make fun of him, but she didn’t seem to realize it yet.

“Ah, let’s go.”

As they entered the opened barrier, they saw huge pillars and formations soaring high into the sky in a magnificent space.

And outside the formation were the disciples of the Baek San Sect meditating in a seated position.

The number of Baek San Sect disciples wearing white clothes far exceeded ten thousand, and the sight alone was truly spectacular.

Looking down from the sky, it looked as beautiful as if countless snowflakes had bloomed between the formations.

All of this was solely for the ascension of the great Taoist master of the Baek San Sect.

“Ah, they’re over there.”

Passing by the place where the disciples were, many faces were seen at a round table located on a mountainside.

They were all those who had reached Jiseon or Yeongwon.

Most of them had ties with Cheonbeom and had good relationships, and there were also those who were known for their good reputation and character.

“Aren’t you Grand Master Tal-ui [Masked Grandmaster]?”

“Have we met before? Nice to meet you.”

It was Jangcheon, the Grand Master Tal-ui.

Not only that, but also a woman with green hair called the Grand Master of Choksan [Green Mountain].

Chokman was also together.

Not only them, but most of the Jiseon and Yeongwon who secretly lived in seclusion in the Taoist world were gathered here.

Even though there were less than ten of them, it was enough to turn the human world upside down.

“I heard that you reached Jiseon at a young age. As expected of someone who has risen to the position of Grand Master Tal-ui. You’re not even two thousand years old yet, are you?”

“I’m over two thousand years old. You must have confused me with Cheon, that friend.”

“Ah, I’m sorry. I misspoke.”

“It’s okay. It can happen.”

Even so, it was a very rapid achievement.

In that way, the Jiseon had a place to introduce themselves to each other.

They exchanged their enlightenment and treasures, fearing that they would miss this opportunity, and strengthened their personal connections.

Since they were people who didn’t come out well and only devoted themselves to cultivation, this opportunity was no different from a miracle.

When else would the Jiseon in the world gather in one place?

Unless something really serious happened, this kind of thing rarely happened.

Those who have reached Jiseon are those who would never bow their heads wherever they go, so wouldn’t that be even more so?

The reason why they all gathered was also.

It was possible because of Cheonbeom.

“Isn’t it all because of Celestial Master Cheon? When else would those of us who only devote ourselves to cultivation and ascension have the opportunity to see each other like this?”

“That’s true. The Yuksa [Six Arts practitioners] may not, but Taoists have a limit to their lifespan even if their cultivation is fast, so they have no choice but to be impatient.”

It was then.

“Speak of the devil. The main character has appeared.”

Seonja So, who had been listening quietly, got up from her seat and looked outside the pavilion.

Then the Jiseon all rose from their seats and paid their respects, and a man with two women appeared in the hazy mist with unhesitating steps.

The black-haired man with sharp red eyes was the great Taoist master of the Baek San Sect.

It was Cheonbeom.

After a thousand years, he possessed an even purer energy than before.

It also gave the feeling of facing a great mountain.

He had a calm face as if he was in a good mood, but that was why the Jiseon who faced him had no choice but to be nervous. Until Somang spoke, they had not felt Cheonbeom’s presence at all.

That was, of course, the same now.

He was in front of them, but for some reason, they couldn’t feel his presence.

They couldn’t feel even a bit of energy, but strangely, they felt intimidated as if they were facing a great mountain, so how could they explain this feeling?

It was an indescribable energy.

“These are my wives. Say hello.”

Whether he knew their hearts or not, Cheonbeom introduced the women following him in turn.

The woman with her white hair neatly tied up with a hairpin was Choa, the Hyeongcheon Seonnyeo [Ice Sky Fairy], called the owner of the Ice Palace.

She was Cheonbeom’s first wife and had reached Jiseon hundreds of years ago.

And the woman next to her with the same red eyes as Cheonbeom was Yoho, the Gungbiho [Crimson-Eyed Fox], who had taken over the position of Ilgwi [First Ghost] in Siphaemancheokgwi [Ten Thousand Overlords of the Ghost Realm].

She was still in the Yeonggeop Realm [Spirit Transformation Realm], but as a spiritual beast, she was also a strong candidate to enter Yeongwon in thousands of years.

After introducing all of his wives, Cheonbeom sat at the round table and opened his mouth.

“There are acquaintances I have called here, and there are those who have come knowingly through rumors. But the reason you have come is all my will.”

His words were no different from saying that he had deliberately spread the rumors.

“Then….”

“In fifteen days, at Jeongsi [noon], I will ascend. The reason I called you is to entrust you with the task of protecting my ascension.”

Ascension protection!

“May I ask one question?”

“Ask, Jangcheon.”

“Isn’t there no need to do this?”

That was also true.

If he was the one who spread the rumors, it meant that he intended to gather not only the Jiseon but also many practitioners of the Taoist world.

Why not just do it secretly instead of making things complicated?

But he didn’t.

“I want more people to see my ascension than now.”