1. The Cracking of the World
Atop the Skyfire Pagoda, the Murim Alliance Leader stood still, gazing into the fractured heavens.
Lightning no longer struck the clouds.
It curled away, avoiding the space where ⟡ had etched itself into the sky like a brand of fate.
Spiritual readings were disintegrating. Compass tools spun wild. Even the most powerful sect leaders couldn't identify what kind of aura was leaking from the Realm of Life.
But they all knew one thing:
"That... is not supposed to be open."
Behind the Alliance Leader, the Five Kings gathered. Faces cold. Each one visibly shook.
Then the scroll was unraveled.
The Top 20 cultivators—those ranked by divine merit, war feats, and spiritual legacy—were listed in gold ink.
From them, seven would be chosen.
2. The Chosen 🥇 #2: Baek Dohyun — "The White Blade of the East"
Spirit-Body Synchronization complete.
His sword technique erases thoughts from the minds of anyone watching it.
Speaks once every year. Still hasn't used this year's word.
Chosen by unanimous vote.
🥉 #3: Shi Min-Jae — "The One Who Laughed at Heaven"
Laughed mid-tribulation and somehow redirected lightning back into the sky.
Known to fight blindfolded to "give others a chance."
Currently retired but walked in after sensing ⟡ and said: "Let me end something."
🕊️ #5: Eun Seo-Ra — "Heir of the Lotus Funeral Sect"
Master of the Spirit Bloom Reversal Technique—resurrected her own master just to slap him.
Carries a coffin on her back. No one knows who or what is inside.
Says the Realm of Life has been whispering to her since she was nine.
🧊 #8: Park Yul — "Coldroot Devil"
Lost his Life Dantian but replaced it with an artificial Frost Core.
Cultivation style is pure cold—freezes time in short bursts.
When told he was selected, said: "I've been bored anyway."
🪷 #9: Jin Haru — "Mind Lotus Monk"
Chose pacifism after reaching peak Mind Core refinement.
But still ranked Top 10 because his mere presence calms cursed beings.
Agreed to come only if "no one dies unless I say so."
🐍 #14: Yoo A-Reum — "Venom Saint"
Specializes in corrupt Qi absorption.
Rejected Evolutionary Realm to stay in the mortal plane "because chaos is more fun."
Keeps smiling. Nobody likes that.
☄️ #17: Kang In-Woo — "The Comet Fist"
Breakthroughs only during meteor showers.
Punches with compressed spatial density.
Once shattered an entire sky barrier. Voted in by the Five Kings as a trump card.
The Leader of the Murim Alliance closed the scroll.
"These seven will enter the Realm of Life."
"They will not interfere unless necessary."
"But if Lee Haneul and Lee Haeun lose control—"
The wind stilled.
"—they are authorized to end them."
3. Entering the Gate
A dimensional rift was forged using the combined energy of the Five Kings and the Realm-Key inherited from the Nameless Era.
The gate opened slowly—silver light leaking through like blood from a divine wound.
All seven cultivators stood before it in silence.
Only Park Yul spoke:
"Feels like death in there."
"I missed this."
One by one, they stepped through.
4. Unseen Eyes
Deep within the Realm of Life, the Eye still hung above the twins—watching, waiting, whispering.
But now?
It blinked once.
"THE SCRIPT... IS BREAKING."
Then it looked away from the brothers—and directly at the incoming seven.
"SEVEN INSTRUMENTS OF RESTRAINT."
"THERE WILL BE... CONSEQUENCES."
And reality started folding again.