After the first test ended, there was a brief waiting period.
I stared blankly at the sky, enduring the tedious time.
"No stars yet."
The sun was gradually setting, but the stars had yet to appear.
I consistently circulated my internal energy while observing the flow of the sky.
Careful not to let it brush harshly against my meridians,
I had to guide it to my upper danjeon.
As I drew up the energy,
Tap, tap.
The thin strands of energy, like threads, reached out
And gently knocked on the gate of my upper danjeon.
It was a very faint and delicate energy.
It wouldn't be able to pierce or break down the wall.
But the important thing was that it touched.
"You dragged it out so long, but somehow you reached it."
The fact that I made contact
Meant that I had somehow opened a pathway.
Now, I just needed to polish and refine this path.
"But the problem is, it takes an awfully long time."
Unlike the past, my body isn't overflowing with energy like a waterfall.
Thanks to Noya's teachings, I've come to realize how crucial compression and control will be in the future.
By gradually adding substance to this thin thread,
It will require tremendous effort to penetrate the firmly blocked wall.
There might be a way to break through all at once through enlightenment.
"...But at this point, knowing what I know, that won't work."
At least until I reach the Hwagyeong (Flower Realm), I won't have any sudden realizations.
If not that,
"Maybe I should consume the White Magic Stone."
The White Magic Stone buried deep underground.
If I find and swallow it, I might forcibly reach it.
But I wanted to consume it when I've fully reached the Hwagyeong.
That way, I can absorb it completely without wasting any energy.
"Ugh..."
As I continued to circulate my energy,
I heard a groan of intense pain from below.
"Can't you be quiet?"
"...I'm trying... to be as quiet... as possible."
"Oh? Talking back, are we?"
At his words, I redirected the energy heading to my upper danjeon and put weight on my body.
"Argh!"
Then Gu Jeol-yeop, who was acting as my chair, screamed
And thud!
He collapsed straight to the ground.
Even as I felt that, my mouth didn't stop.
"Seriously, why can't you even endure this?"
Gu Jeol-yeop made a somewhat aggrieved expression.
But I wasn't done yet.
"With such lack of grit, no wonder you almost failed."
At my pointed remark, Gu Jeol-yeop's face twisted.
As expected.
"After all the effort I put into making you a person? What? You almost messed up because you tripped?"
"...Ugh..."
"Why does this idiot keep losing his focus in real combat? If that's the case, drop your family name. I'm so embarrassed I can't even show my face."
"I'm actually older than you..."
"Oh, is that so? Then please act your age, Great Swordsman Yeol-hyeop."
"...Ugh."
Having nothing to say, Gu Jeol-yeop hung his head low.
This crazy guy, seriously.
Watching from behind made me so angry I couldn't hold back.
"You almost dispersed your energy because you missed a step?"
You only get one chance to attack the pillar.
It's okay to pour all your techniques into that one chance.
You can resolve it with a single sword strike or blow.
They count all that as one attempt.
However,
The flow of energy surrounding your body must not be interrupted.
That's the standard they're looking at.
"This idiot almost broke his flow because his footwork got messed up."
Just like during the last martial arts tournament,
He tends to lose his mind in real combat, always messing up when it counts.
It's fortunate he didn't withdraw his energy and managed to swing his sword to make even a small scratch.
"If you had failed there, I would've beaten you instead of the pillar."
At the thought of what happened to the pillar I struck, Gu Jeol-yeop's face turned pale in an instant.
At the very least,
"Even Gu Yeon-seo passed without any issues."
She didn't stand out compared to others,
Nor did she show exceptional skills,
But she passed.
I glanced over at Gu Yeon-seo, who was a bit farther away.
Her blank stare was the same as ever,
But her outline was gradually becoming clearer.
"Looks like she's not following the sword path."
That's a relief.
If she had tried to follow the Sword Sovereign's sword path,
It would be absurd for a member of the Gu family to follow Mount Hua's sword techniques.
I hope she only follows the Sword Sovereign's spirit.
I don't know if that'll go well.
"As for the others... I'm sure they did fine on their own."
I couldn't move recklessly,
So I didn't know how they did.
Probably the same over there.
Still, I wasn't worried.
Even without me,
They would've managed just fine.
But,
"Wi Seol-ah..."
Why is Wi Seol-ah here?
Moreover,
"She broke through the wall?"
The moment I met Wi Seol-ah after a long time,
I realized she had reached the peak level.
In just a year or two, Wi Seol-ah, who knew nothing about martial arts, had broken through the wall.
Her level was frighteningly talented.
Even more,
"Is this also inevitable?"
I wondered if the flow of Wi Seol-ah eventually taking up the sword was something I couldn't change.
Even though I had altered many things,
In the end, nothing changed regarding Wi Seol-ah.
No matter how much I struggle, is this the best I can do?
Such thoughts crossed my mind.
"Damn it."
As I tried to shift my thoughts,
I let out a hollow laugh.
Seeing this, Gu Jeol-yeop made a strange face, so I increased the weight pressing down on him.
"Argh!"
There are countless things in the world that are inevitable.
"But I still have to change what I can."
It's already too late to give up.
"There must be a reason I came back."
Reversing time and returning.
To dismiss it as merely a 'miracle' doesn't sit well with the tangled circumstances.
I've been feeling it lately.
As if someone intentionally sent me back.
"..."
It would be nice if it were just a delusion,
But as always,
My bad premonitions never miss.
I've had a life with incredibly bad luck.
"Um, Young Master... Could you please get up now..."
"I'm in a bad mood, so stay quiet."
"Yes..."
The things I hoped wouldn't change have changed,
But the things I wish would change remain the same.
"Life's really screwing with me."
As if life's difficulty level wasn't already insanely high.
I keep pushing forward, but there's no reward.
What do you want from me?
Asking the heavens won't give me an answer.
If I ask someone else, they'll think I'm crazy.
As always, I can only seek the answer myself.
And the answer I found was always the same.
Even if it doesn't work, I have no choice but to try.
First,
"Wi Seol-ah and Jang Sun-yeon."
I had to struggle with the most pressing matters.
My gaze turned toward where Group 1 was.
"They haven't gotten engaged yet."
In my previous life, Wi Seol-ah got engaged around the age of twenty.
It was also shortly after I became a demonic being.
So it's not too late to prevent it.
The problem is,
"Is there an issue if I stop the engagement?"
What authority do I have to stop that engagement?
And if I do, will it harm Wi Seol-ah or me?
"Not immediately."
There might be, but any issues that come up can be resolved.
Other than that,
I didn't think there were any major problems.
Even knowing that, I hesitated.
"Why did the Sword Master go to the Zhang family?"
In my previous life,
And in this life,
I don't know why the Sword Master went to the Zhang family.
If it's because the current Alliance Leader is from the Zhang family,
And the Sword Master, being the previous Alliance Leader, sought refuge there,
That could be one reason.
"But I think there's something else."
There must be a reason why the Sword Master left the Gu family for the Zhang family.
I need to know that.
To ensure she isn't harmed.
Only then can I kill Jang Sun-yeon without hesitation.
As I was thinking that,
"The second test will begin soon, please prepare."
An instructor's shout came from afar.
It seemed the long waiting time was finally over.
I was a bit disappointed since I wanted to torment Gu Jeol-yeop a bit more.
Information about the second test came through.
As soon as I heard it, I frowned.
And so, back to the present.
I had no words as I looked at the woman in a battle stance before me.
The second test was a spar with an instructor.
Why is the content so haphazard and annoying?
Considering the long wait for something trivial,
It's likely a hastily prepared test.
"There must have been too many who passed."
An obvious reason came to mind.
Due to the excessive number of passers,
They probably chose this method to filter out more candidates.
"It's a method that just makes the instructors suffer; why bother with this hassle?"
If it were me, I'd just watch and fail those who seemed lacking.
I guess they didn't want to be criticized for being unfair.
But a spar with an instructor?
It's probably not a ridiculous standard where you have to win.
If they set such a standard, the high-ranking members of the families and sects would be furious.
So while the standard might be set low,
It shouldn't be easy.
"I understand that, but..."
"Yes?"
"But isn't my opponent a bit odd?"
Fine, whatever.
I just have to do it.
But why is my opponent this person?
I looked at my opponent with great displeasure.
One of the most beloved heroines in the current martial world.
An individual who inherited the title of Sword Sovereign most 'purely' through generations.
Plum Blossom Sword Sovereign So Yi.
She was my opponent.
"So, why?"
It's possible for the Sword Sovereign to appear in the test since she's an instructor.
But the prior notice said she wouldn't participate in this test.
"Then how are you standing before me?"
"You must have heard false rumors. I'm also an instructor, so why wouldn't I?"
She spoke calmly as if she wasn't the Sword Sovereign.
My eyes narrowed naturally.
"...Are you not lying on Mount Hua's honor?"
I asked, squinting.
For a moment, I saw her shoulders tremble.
"...How could a mere warrior like me stake Mount Hua's honor? That's too much."
"Avoiding the question?"
"..."
It's a lie.
So she did come out.
It seems she couldn't lie while staking Mount Hua's honor.
So,
She said she wouldn't come out but stood here to face me.
"Why?"
"..."
The Sword Sovereign didn't answer.
Seeing her even avoid my gaze, it seemed she had no intention of answering.
She just
Raised her sword.
Then she said to me,
"Gu Yangcheon of Group 2... Let's begin the test."
"...It's too late to speak with authority now."
In the end, she meant for me to come at her.
It seemed other matches had already begun.
I thought maybe I could take it easy.
"If I slack off, she probably won't let me pass."
If passing is up to the instructor,
It's obvious why the Sword Sovereign is stubbornly facing me.
She's telling me not to take it lightly.
"Hmm..."
The stance the Sword Sovereign took
Was nothing special.
She just pointed her sword at me.
But the unwavering tip of her sword,
Her gracefully observing gaze,
And her calmly standing body.
Even though her posture and eyes seemed unremarkable,
They felt unusually heavy.
Because she had reached the complete 'Hwagyeong' I envisioned.
I've only faced a handful of Hwagyeong-level warriors.
Recalling the assassin from the Hwangbo family I met recently,
"There's no comparison."
His level was too low to compare.
Moreover, while I could kill him by using demonic energy and exploiting his carelessness,
I couldn't do that with the Sword Sovereign.
Just as not all peak-level warriors are the same,
It's even more so with those at the Hwagyeong.
Thinking of the countless levels within that realm makes it easier to grasp.
But for now, I had to focus solely on the Sword Sovereign before me.
"Sword Sovereign..."
Sword Sovereign (劍后).
That name is enough.
In this world,
Just having that title means she's the greatest among female sword masters of this era.
She might seem relatively humble now since she's acting as an instructor here,
But that's just her choice.
The path of martial arts she walked hasn't diminished.
"May I ask you something first?"
"Speak."
"You'll go easy on me, right?"
"..."
At my question, the Sword Sovereign smiled slightly and said,
"We'll see."
"Damn it."
She has no intention of doing so.
Hearing her answer, I nodded in acknowledgment.
Thud.
I stepped on the ground and immediately leaped, digging into her space.
I saw the surprised look on the Sword Sovereign's face.
Without hesitation, I filled my fist with energy and swung.
Whoosh!
At that moment, flames burst out around me.
Like a storm, wind mixed with my energy whipped around.
The blazing flames, imbued with my will, rushed toward the Sword Sovereign.
In that brief moment,
Swish.
...
...
Amid the flames, small plum blossom petals began to mix.
Crack!
Behind the plains leading to the forest,
While Group 1's test was ongoing,
Everyone turned their gaze toward the distant commotion.
It was quite strange for dozens of people to stop and look in one direction.
Even the instructors conducting the test were the same.
Since they were all martial artists,
They wouldn't turn their gaze just because of a loud noise.
The heat they felt and the mixed energies
Instinctively pierced the martial artists' senses, making them look.
Who could it be?
Who is exuding such intense fighting spirit that it reaches this far?
The energy they felt was suffocatingly eerie.
"Cough, cough..."
Those of lower levels struggled, repeatedly coughing.
Because of that, the second test, which had just begun, was momentarily halted.
They couldn't focus under these circumstances.
Watching this, Tang So-yeol seemed somewhat excited.
"Why are you so happy?"
The one who asked was Peng Ah-hui, who was also participating in this entry exam.
Being a member of the Peng family,
She couldn't avoid coming to the Shinryong Pavilion this time.
From her perspective, her older brother had caused numerous incidents at the pavilion.
She didn't want to come, knowing she'd be compared.
But she came, knowing that complaining wouldn't change her family's stance.
"Look at everyone's expressions. How can I not be happy?"
"Why are you happy about that, So-yeol?"
"How can I not be? It was so annoying, feeling like everyone was looking down on us."
Peng Ah-hui just sighed at Tang So-yeol's words.
Is it that enjoyable?
Thinking that,
Peng Ah-hui also couldn't help but look in the direction of the sharp energy flow.
"...Is that really being caused by him?"
Seeing Tang So-yeol's reaction,
It was clear that this response was due to her 'former' fiancé.
"That's an unbelievable level."
Even feeling the energy, she couldn't believe it.
This was already
"Beyond the level of an advanced disciple..."
It's only been a few years.
The scoundrel who used to curse her with a ghostly face after being beaten.
From surpassing advanced disciples to becoming a master.
Only in a few years.
Others might not know, but for a martial artist, that's a short time.
In that short period,
It's hard enough to overcome one stage.
It's a time where mastering even one basic technique completely is challenging.
Gu Yangcheon had surpassed all that and was heading somewhere.
Probably to a place so high she couldn't even look up to.
"Changing every time I see him is a bit unfair."
She chuckled at that thought.
She didn't regret breaking off the engagement,
But maybe she felt a bit of lingering attachment.
If he was like this from the beginning, it would've been nice.
Then maybe she wouldn't have broken off the engagement.
Of course, if his personality was the same,
She would've broken it off regardless of talent.
But the way he appeared now?
"Sigh."
She erased such pointless thoughts.
Peng Ah-hui asked Tang So-yeol, who was still excited,
"I get that you're happy, but where did that sister go?"
"Hmm? Who? Ah, Sister Bi-ah?"
She suddenly wondered where her current fiancée had gone.
"Right? I told her not to wander off... Where did she go? If she walks around alone, she'll get lost..."
"How could she get lost when this place isn't that big?"
"...You don't understand, Ah-hui. That sister really can."
""
She thought it was a joke.
But Tang So-yeol's expression looked genuinely worried.
No matter how bad someone's sense of direction is,
Could they really get lost in a place with so many people?
Peng Ah-hui shook her head at Tang So-yeol and looked around.
The tests that were being fervently conducted had momentarily stopped.
Bang! Boom!
Everyone was focused solely on the continuous explosions.
So it was surprising.
"I thought he didn't like things like this."
Gu Yangcheon, who seemed to dislike drawing attention,
Had done something to draw everyone's attention.
It was quite unexpected.
As if he was trying to show someone.
"Um?"
In that moment,
Peng Ah-hui's gaze landed on someone.
A handsome young man.
His appearance naturally drew attention,
But that wasn't why Peng Ah-hui was looking at him.
"That person..."
She knew who he was.
Most people around here were heirs from famous families that Peng Ah-hui knew.
But he was different.
"Jang Sun-yeon."
She remembered him by name rather than his title, 'Divine Star'.
Somehow, the nickname didn't resonate with her.
The same was true for Gu Yangcheon.
In her view, Gu Yangcheon fit better with nicknames like 'Mad Dog' or 'Wild Dog' than 'True Dragon'.
She wasn't sure why Jang Sun-yeon didn't suit 'Divine Star' either.
"What is it?"
Peng Ah-hui wondered why her gaze lingered on Jang Sun-yeon.
Like everyone else, he was looking in the direction of the sound.
But there was definitely something different.
Why her gaze lingered on him more than others.
What could it be?
"Ah."
It didn't take long for her to realize why.
While countless people here were filled with admiration and surprise,
"Why is he..."
Jang Sun-yeon's eyes,
Even to Peng Ah-hui, were clearly filled with
Self-deprecation, inferiority,
And feelings of inadequacy.
As the only son of the Alliance Leader,
With a handsome appearance resembling a falling sword and talent,
Known for his gentle nature.
Why was he making such an expression?
Peng Ah-hui held such doubts,
But before long,
Swish.
Jang Sun-yeon turned his head and went somewhere, making it impossible to see his face anymore.
Having already passed the test, he seemed unconcerned.
And Peng Ah-hui, who had been secretly watching him,
"Something feels off..."
Felt an inexplicable unease.