Volume One: The Nature of the Devil Does Not Change
Arc: The Great Gang War
While Ikalates and Scarlet King were flying through the sky at tremendous speed toward the Sky-Grasping Sect, Scarlet King suddenly heard a voice echo inside his mind:
"Oh, oh… it seems the great Demon of Rebirth is keeping a little girl under his protection."
Scarlet King responded internally, his thoughts sharp and cold:
"You're the Author, aren't you?
And I saved this child for benefit—not out of compassion. Don't expect sympathy from me."
The Author laughed lightly.
"Hahaha… I know that. I can know everything. I know your intentions toward the girl."
Scarlet King answered icily:
"You fool…"
But the Author continued:
"Hah, I'm joking. I can't know anything about you.
Even the Existential Emperor is confused because of you.
I cannot know or control anything that originated within the Five Eternal Dimensions—
which transcend and stand above all story, narrative, and framework.
Well… anyway. See you later."
The voice gradually faded from Scarlet King's mind.
He continued flying behind Ikalates at extreme speed,
tearing through the air until the sound barrier itself ruptured behind them.
Suddenly, the Sky-Grasping Sect appeared on the horizon.
Ikalates grabbed Scarlet King and accelerated even further.
They descended before the sect's massive gate,
which bore the emblem of a golden hand from which a green tree sprouted.
The dark wood of the gate gleamed beneath sunlight that had just broken through the clouds,
as though the rain had polished it moments before.
Pink trees surrounded the area—inside and outside the sect alike.
Ikalates spoke calmly:
"Do you know what they call this mountain?"
Scarlet King glanced at the ground and replied indifferently:
"Why?"
Ikalates stepped closer to the gate.
"They call it the Pink Mountain, because of the countless pink trees.
Their color comes from the endless wars and bloodshed that once soaked this land.
The soil became saturated with blood until even the roots changed.
And every spring, the blossoms bloom in a shade that reminds us of what lies buried beneath."
Ikalates raised his voice:
"Open the gates!"
Guards appeared atop the sect walls and called down:
"Who goes there?"
Ikalates placed a hand on his waist and answered:
"I'm Ikalates—one of the sect's trainees."
The guards exchanged glances and sighed.
"Oh… it's Ikalates, ranked sixty-sixth on the Sect Power Board."
The gates began to open slowly,
the heavy wood grinding against stone with a deep, echoing rumble.
Scarlet King and Ikalates stepped inside.
The four mountains were connected by medium-sized dark wooden bridges.
Houses lined the slopes.
Training grounds and combat arenas rang with the clash of steel.
Male and female disciples walked along the bridges,
occasionally pausing to look down at the scenery below.
Guards patrolled with disciplined precision.
The qi here was noticeably denser—
concentrated by the abundance of cultivators and their proximity to the heavens.
Ikalates leaned closer and whispered into Scarlet King's ear, gesturing subtly toward a girl:
"That's Xiao Mo—the one we saved in the Cosmic Cave.
She's the First Elder's daughter. Beautiful… but violent.
She also has a younger sister named Xiao Ling."
Scarlet King showed no interest.
He gave a faint shrug and said:
"Take me to your house.
I need to change my clothes and heal."
Ikalates nodded.
"Follow me."
Scarlet King walked behind him,
noticing Xiao Mo staring at him with a frozen, unreadable expression.
He narrowed his eyes slightly,
then dismissed her presence and fixed his gaze on Ikalates' back.
[Ten Minutes Later — In Front of Ikalates' House]
They stood before a modest grassy house made of black wood,
decorated with faint pink carvings.
Square front windows glowed with warm yellow light.
Scarlet King and Ikalates stepped inside.
The interior was simple:
a small kitchen,
a bedroom,
and a modest sitting area.
Scarlet King sat down in a meditation posture on the floor.
His expression was lifeless and detached.
"I'll heal myself…
then we'll continue our discussion, Ikalates."