Chapter 22

With a clenched jaw, Jeongyeonshin extended his hand toward Yuhyeon, who was charging forward.

A strange energy wave swirled around his left hand. In the next moment, the eyes of the Huashan Sect’s experts, including Tianzhu, widened.

Swish!

An invisible wave of energy erupted from his left hand.

It bloomed like a cluster of flowers in full bloom.

The force of the energy striking another force created yet another wave of energy, almost resembling a higher-level martial art of the Falling Shadow Palm that didn't even exist.

The advanced martial art that emerged instantly was of a different level, making it difficult to find any connection with the previous techniques.

Puh-puh-puh!

The second move, Jinbi, delivered a powerful shock, just as formidable as the first.

It was as if the dust on Yuhyeon’s martial robe was being shaken off.

“Kuh, hah!”

Yuhyeon, unable to even draw his sword, crumpled to the ground. A light cloud of dust rose like a mist.

Jeongyeonshin, lowering his hand, fell into thought.

'The Nine Sects’ martial arts are highly refined. They embody the history of the prestigious orthodox schools.'

It was an excellent inspiration. He hadn’t expected such a type of energy manipulation.

'This could be the third move here.'

Jeongyeonshin nodded to himself. It didn’t seem to need any further refinement.

The third move of the Shihua Wujiguan, Quanhua (Fist Flower), was named.

"......"

The arena was filled with silence. The young master, known as the Hidden Dragon in the world, had been confronted.

The youngest disciple of the Huashan Sect’s most promising elder had been defeated in just three moves.

Jeongyeonshin thought it was natural.

The levels were different from the start.

If he were to face a Purple Warrior of the Ruhuang Sect, not just a Ruhuang Sect disciple but one of the top White Warriors, at least a high-level expert on the verge of becoming a Plum Blossom Swordsman would be needed.

The Purple Warrior of the Ruhuang Sect was said to be on par with the leaders of the Nine Sects.

Jeongyeonshin compared his situation to Yuhyeon’s.

How much cultivation would that guy need to reach the rank of a Huashan Sect elder?

The five years or so left for Jeongyeonshin would be woefully insufficient. There was an insurmountable difference in their standards of life.

"......Bring him."

Tianzhu, with a solemn expression, gave the order, and one of the Huashan Sect’s martial artists carried Yuhyeon away.

The gazes of the onlookers, sweeping over Jeongyeonshin, were filled with shock.

Finally, the spectators began to stir.

"What, what’s going on here?"

"Wasn’t it supposed to be three moves? How could a Huashan genius......"

"Three moves to defeat! Who is that boy?"

Tianzhu spoke as the murmurs continued.

"The Ruhuang Sect was raising a dragon. How many more will they oppress the martial world in the future?"

"Their ambition is too great. They won’t move unless the common people are affected."

"A plausible pretext remains unchanged."

Tianzhu, shaking his head, looked at Jeongyeonshin.

"Jeongyeonshin, was it?"

"Yes."

"Your martial arts are impressive. There’s no way you could have a connection to Huashan Sect’s martial arts. I didn’t know such martial arts existed in the world. It must have been a great stimulation for the lazy elder disciple. If you ever have to leave the Ruhuang Sect, remember that Huashan will treat you as a distinguished guest."

"Jianjie! What a ridiculous statement. You’ve crossed the line."

Majin stepped forward, pulling Jeongyeonshin back.

"I admit my greed. I’ve shown a disgraceful act. It’s because a talent as brilliant as this is right in front of me."

The faces of the Huashan Sect’s experts showed surprise at Tianzhu’s straightforward admission.

Some also looked convinced.

Jeongyeonshin just stood there, unmoving.

-It seems you’re struggling.

It was Baek Mireu’s telepathic message. He nodded slightly.

He had almost exhausted all his energy. The burden on his dantian was significant.

The Shihua Wujiguan required a high proportion of energy to create powerful energy waves.

It meant that he could generate energy waves in all postures.

While it was not limited by posture, the amount of internal energy consumed was also a burden.

At least for now, it seemed difficult to use it as his main martial art.

'I’ll have to return to the sword in actual combat.'

He organized his thoughts and booked a room at the inn.

The Huashan Sect’s experts, who followed him, looked at him with changed expressions.

Their eyes were as if they were seeing a miraculous creature.

He felt no particular emotion. Their lives were on a different timeline.

As soon as he booked the room, Baek Mireu burst in and dragged Qingming by the back of the neck to sit down.

"You need to open your Zhongdantian as soon as possible. If your internal energy is insufficient, you need to compensate with endurance."

Baek Mireu said, sitting in a formal position. Qingming, who followed, sprawled out, half-lying.

"Zhongdantian, you mean?"

"You didn’t know its function. It has an effect that even the Shangdantian, which stores divine energy in the head, can’t provide. When you open the Zhongdantian, you’ll feel your internal energy becoming more solid. The Shaolin’s Jin Gang Bu Dong Gong is a representative martial art that cultivates the Zhongdantian."

"Internal energy becomes more solid?"

Repeating it absentmindedly, Qingming interjected.

"It means efficiency improves. Have you heard stories of experts who didn’t tire even after fighting for seven days and nights? They cultivated the Zhongdantian. The flow of energy becomes more stable, and you can perform powerful moves several times. Even if you receive a powerful blow, your internal energy flow won’t easily be disrupted."

"That’s why Qingming could exchange swords with Nangong Yijian. Otherwise, it wouldn’t make sense. No matter how strong his martial arts are."

Baek Mireu pointed at Qingming, who yawned lazily. Qingming, smiling brightly, nodded slightly.

Glancing at him, Jeongyeonshin turned his gaze.

"Zhongdantian. How do I open it?"

"It will open naturally if you cultivate the Xiadantian for a long time. It’s better to focus on circulating energy in the upper body."

"Is there no faster way? Sister."

It was a slip of the tongue. He needed to quickly acquire all means to become stronger.

His mind was anxious about martial arts and achievements, leading to the casual use of the term.

He was startled even by his own words.

"Sister......?"

Baek Mireu’s cold eyes softened. Her cheeks turned slightly red.

Her lips seemed to tremble for a moment. It was an unbelievable sight. From that series of sword techniques?

She quickly recovered her composure with a long breath, as befitting a high-level expert.

At that moment, Jeongyeonshin couldn’t help but wonder if Baek Mireu had a deceased younger brother.

He also realized that he didn’t know the lives of any of the martial artists in Magwangyi.

'I still don’t know anyone.'

Baek Mireu cleared her throat.

"First, you need to retain a powerful energy inside your body......"

The explanation continued. The problem ultimately was energy.

The Xiadantian opens naturally through prolonged cultivation, and the Zhongdantian is no different.

Crude methods would only be harmful, she said.

It was a different matter, but Jeongyeonshin had opened his Shangdantian from birth. Damn constitution.

Swallowing a sigh, he went down to the first floor. He decided to think about the Zhongdantian later.

'Focus on accumulating achievements. You can still become strong without it.'

The inn was bustling. The smell of food filled the air, and it was hard to find an empty seat.

Xian was a place where all kinds of martial artists gathered. It was a peculiar city where commoners who went out were unusually fearless.

Rumors of the Huashan Sect’s martial competition seemed to have spread, making it even more crowded.

"That boy is a swordsman!"

"He defeated the Huashan Hidden Dragon in three moves?"

"They look the same age. How is that possible?"

"I saw it with my own eyes!"

As Jeongyeonshin came down, murmurs arose from all around. They seemed to be people who had witnessed the competition.

"Jianye will gain fame soon. There will be chaos when his identity is revealed."

"It’s natural. He’s the future of the Ruhuang Sect."

It was Qingming and Baek Mireu. He found their words embarrassing.

Praise tied to seniority had no real meaning.

It was the first time he had received an evaluation of his martial arts in the world, but Jeongyeonshin let all the words pass by one ear as he looked for Majin.

The seats where Majin and Hyeonwon Chang were sitting were conspicuously empty.

The terrifying scars