The stifling heat remained.
Whatever was happening beyond,
There was no need to see.
The thick and oppressive heat and hostility were more than enough.
Even though it was a cold winter night,
The chill of frost was barely perceptible.
Crunch.
Leaves crunched underfoot.
Leaving behind the intense heat,
Wi Seol-Ah walked a little further.
She moved toward a place where the moonlight was more visible. It seemed necessary.
"Is it really okay not to watch?"
She ignored the voice that reached her ears.
Though it sounded filled with concern,
Now wasn't the time for that.
She hadn't gone far.
Since she was moving during the temporary suspension of the second test,
She needed to return soon.
After walking a bit, she was fortunate to arrive at a place where the moonlight shone brightly.
Just as she settled,
"How unexpected."
The one who had been following her finally spoke.
She knew.
She knew he was following her.
"I thought you'd be watching what he's doing."
"…"
"You don't seem curious."
For some reason, cracks appeared on the smiling man's face.
A low, vile emotion could be felt.
Seeing that, Wi Seol-Ah didn't say anything.
She didn't want to engage in conversation.
"After ignoring my request and even leaving ahead of me."
"I'm not obligated to comply with your requests."
At Wi Seol-Ah's sharp words, Jang Seon-Yeon chuckled.
"It's always like this, but I still don't understand."
"What don't you understand?"
"Why you hate me so much."
Despite Jang Seon-Yeon's words, Wi Seol-Ah's face remained expressionless.
"I've done nothing to you. Why do you dislike me so?"
"For now."
"…Ah."
At such a firm response,
Jang Seon-Yeon could only smile bitterly.
"How can you be so sure? Are you certain I'll do something?"
"Isn't that right?"
Wi Seol-Ah's voice was calm.
As if saying, "You will definitely do something."
Her unwavering conviction left Jang Seon-Yeon speechless.
"…That's too much."
"You didn't deny it."
"If I deny it, would you believe me?"
"No."
He chuckled.
Lately, he couldn't shake certain thoughts from his mind.
"Things are twisted."
Exactly that.
The path that had been smoothly laid out
Felt twisted somewhere along the way.
"Since when?"
When did things start to go awry?
His thoughts and plans should have been perfect.
He was confident he had the talent to back them up.
"But..."
Not only the people around him,
But even that woman.
He felt things were becoming increasingly tangled.
Countless young talents and admirers showed him admiration and expectation,
But those he truly sought recognition from did not. Why was there such a disparity?
Even as he pondered,
Jang Seon-Yeon knew the answer.
"Because of that guy."
He recalled a face in his mind.
When he first saw him, he hadn't paid much attention.
He remembered how, while many showed interest and looked at him,
One gaze was different.
Malice.
At that time, the guy's eyes were full of malice.
He didn't even try to hide it.
The gaze was filled with contempt.
It was the first time someone had looked at him that way.
Jang Seon-Yeon couldn't forget that moment.
"Why?"
He couldn't understand.
At least, he hadn't done anything yet to deserve such a look from him.
Even if he had,
He would have ensured it wasn't noticeable.
Just pure malice.
Jang Seon-Yeon wasn't accustomed to such a gaze,
But he didn't think deeply about it.
He thought, "He must be jealous of me."
A gaze from someone coveting what they couldn't have.
"Ha."
Recalling that, Jang Seon-Yeon sighed inwardly.
He felt foolish for thinking that.
"Jealous? Would that guy be jealous of me?"
Impossible.
The stage was set for him to shine,
But the attention was taken by someone else.
**The True Dragon (眞龍).**
Just thinking about it made his stomach churn,
And his heart race.
Why?
Why did someone like that have to be in the same generation as him?
It was a bitter, teeth-grinding thought that always came to him before sleep.
He never thought he'd be the one harboring such self-deprecating thoughts.
That guy, true to his title,
Was a dragon hiding among writhing snakes.
When that massive presence stirred,
The carefully maintained spectacle of snakes crumbled.
That was the impact of his appearance at that time.
Even if he tried to shift the narrative and called himself the **Divine Star**,
How long could that last?
Jang Seon-Yeon already knew.
Moreover,
If he's showing such a spectacle from afar now...
"Is he trying to show off to me?"
Thinking of his intention, Jang Seon-Yeon gritted his teeth.
The reason he's exuding such overwhelming presence
Is to flaunt it before him.
Jang Seon-Yeon was convinced.
*"You hate me too, don't you?"*
That's what Gu Yangcheon had said when he asked why he disliked him.
The rough tone and mocking expression made him angry just thinking about it.
But on the other hand, he wondered.
"How did he know?"
Somehow,
Gu Yangcheon acted as if he saw right through him.
They hadn't even met or heard of each other before the Dragon-Phoenix Meeting.
"I don't like him."
How could he?
The guy who stole all the attention he desired.
Moreover,
"The fact that he has the talent to back it up is what I hate the most."
As much as he didn't want to admit it,
Gu Yangcheon was on a different level from other young talents.
Like a star shining alone, bestowed by the heavens.
A star?
Ridiculous.
Even among the so-called "Generation of Meteors," geniuses each called stars,
He was in a different orbit.
Therefore, even more so,
"He must be eliminated."
He had to be removed.
He always had to be the brightest star.
Though the **Sword Dragon** and **Hidden Dragon**, who were gaining attention, also bothered him,
They weren't as much as Gu Yangcheon.
Feeling stifled inside, Jang Seon-Yeon looked at the woman in front of him.
Her appearance was hidden under a veil, but
She was truly a beautiful woman.
She hadn't been so when he first saw her,
But as time passed, she seemed to shine more.
Rather than the faint moonlight,
Her appearance suited the midday sun.
Ironically,
Her swordsmanship was created while gazing at the black moon.
She was becoming more beautiful by the day.
Her background was extremely advantageous for Jang Seon-Yeon.
The sole disciple of the **Sword Saint**.
Moreover, she was exceptionally talented.
"No matter how outstanding Gu Yangcheon is,
Is he greater than this woman who broke through the barrier in just a year or two?"
"I believe you haven't forgotten."
At Jang Seon-Yeon's words, Wi Seol-Ah bit her lip slightly.
"When I achieve the highest position here, you agreed to become mine."
It was a wager, or rather, a promise they made before coming here.
She countered,
"...Did you forget the opposite agreement?"
"Oh, that?"
At Wi Seol-Ah's words, Jang Seon-Yeon smiled faintly.
At the emotion behind that smile, Wi Seol-Ah frowned.
"If I fail to do so, I'll grant your request."
What was it again?
She wanted him to ask his father
To allow her to enter the **Demonic Realm of Taecheon**.
Moreover, she desired one of the treasures owned by the Jang family.
"May I ask you something?"
Wi Seol-Ah seemed not to be listening,
But Jang Seon-Yeon continued regardless.
"What is it about him that you like so much?"
"What?"
At the mention of Gu Yangcheon from Jang Seon-Yeon's mouth,
Wi Seol-Ah's voice and gaze turned icy cold.
Of course, that wouldn't stop Jang Seon-Yeon from speaking.
"I know you served as a maid in his household. Are those memories so precious? It couldn't have been more than a year."
"What do you know to speak so carelessly?"
"I don't know, so I'm asking. You seem quite angry."
Even the sight of her gritting her teeth in anger was beautiful.
"I heard he's even engaged to another woman."
"If you developed feelings while serving as a maid, I could understand. But do you think there's a place for you beside him now?"
At Jang Seon-Yeon's words,
Wi Seol-Ah's reaction was intense.
It had always been this way.
Wi Seol-Ah was particularly sensitive when it came to that guy.
Does she like him that much?
Does she yearn for him so?
Though it annoyed him,
Her reactions made it an easy way to provoke her.
"You..."
"Perhaps the reason you accepted my offer is because you think he will prevent me from rising."
She probably thought it was a convenient story for her.
Gu Yangcheon said he was going to the Divine Dragon Pavilion.
Moreover, even Wi Seol-Ah herself would be heading there.
She might have thought she could easily break such a promise.
"You still don't understand."
If someone is too high for you to reach,
You just have to pull them down.
She didn't seem to understand this simple logic.
"Your head must be full of flowers."
The world isn't so peaceful.
Unfortunately, she still seemed to live in peace.
"If I provoke her more, she might even draw her sword."
She seemed to be suppressing her emotions,
But Jang Seon-Yeon could tell.
Wi Seol-Ah was at her limit.
If he said just one more thing,
Could she hold back?
Jang Seon-Yeon was curious.
"Just watch. When he eventually breaks and bows to me—"
Clang.
At the chilling sensation, Jang Seon-Yeon immediately gathered his energy.
As expected, if things continued like this...
Tap.
"...Huh?"
Contrary to his expectation that Wi Seol-Ah would immediately draw her sword,
Jang Seon-Yeon had to freeze at the unfolding situation.
Someone had suddenly appeared between him and Wi Seol-Ah.
Like a ghost.
He hadn't noticed any sign of someone approaching until they stood there.
Wi Seol-Ah was equally surprised.
In the silence mixed with astonishment,
A gentle breeze blew.
"...Sister?"
Wi Seol-Ah's voice flowed with the wind.
As Wi Seol-Ah whispered,
The one who intervened turned her gaze toward her.
Platinum hair bathed in moonlight,
A deep blue martial robe,
And a subtle aura of lightning.
'...That woman is.'
Jang Seon-Yeon immediately recognized who it was.
Even though she wore a veil,
A woman with such an appearance was deeply etched in his mind.
**The Sword Dancer...**
She was the woman who had defeated him with her sword at the Dragon-Phoenix Meeting.
Namgung Bi-Ah, the Sword Dancer, turned her head at Wi Seol-Ah's call.
Then, she lightly waved her hand and said to Wi Seol-Ah,
"...Hello."
Her calm voice matched the atmosphere.
Looking at her, Wi Seol-Ah was visibly surprised.
"Why are you here...?"
"...I was looking for you. I'm glad I found you."
"For me...?"
"Yes..."
At Namgung Bi-Ah's words, Wi Seol-Ah's eyes trembled.
Watching her,
Namgung Bi-Ah slowly opened her lips.
"I haven't greeted you yet..."
After explaining why she was looking for her,
She spoke to Wi Seol-Ah again.
"It's been a while."
"...Yes, it has."
"Have you been well...?"
Her previously calm voice
Now sounded somewhat gentle, as if she was genuinely glad.
But Wi Seol-Ah
Couldn't answer when asked if she had been well.
She parted her lips but remained silent.
Seeing this, as Namgung Bi-Ah was about to take a step toward Wi Seol-Ah,
"Sword Dancer."
Jang Seon-Yeon called out to Namgung Bi-Ah.
"...It's nice to see you again, but I haven't finished my conversation with her."
Unlike usual, Jang Seon-Yeon's voice was pressed coldly.
Facing multiple unfavorable situations made it difficult to control his emotions.
"So, if you could talk later—"
"Who?"
"...Pardon?"
Namgung Bi-Ah slowly turned her head to look at Jang Seon-Yeon and spoke.
Jang Seon-Yeon momentarily lost his words.
He thought he must have misheard.
"What did you just say..."
"Who are you?"
But as if he had heard correctly,
Namgung Bi-Ah repeated the same words.
She tilted her head and asked Jang Seon-Yeon,
"Who are you?"
At this, Jang Seon-Yeon suppressed his rising anger and forced a smile.
That couldn't be.
"Please don't joke, Sword Dancer."
The woman who had swung her sword at him so fiercely at the Martial Arts Tournament.
She doesn't remember me? That was absurd.
"It's impossible for you not to remember me..."
"Don't come closer."
At that, Namgung Bi-Ah gestured, drawing a line for him not to approach.
Though her expression was hidden by the veil,
Her voice sounded strained.
Wondering what on earth was happening,
As Jang Seon-Yeon's expression began to waver,
"...You smell. Don't come any closer."
At Namgung Bi-Ah's firm words,
Jang Seon-Yeon's composure finally shattered.
**Whoosh!**
The surroundings were filled with flames.
Massive streams of crimson fire,
As if they had a will of their own, were turning the area into chaos.
**Boom!**
"Argh!"
One of the young talents nearby was swept by the wind pressure, lifted into the air,
And rolled onto the ground. Many others were in similar situations.
The instructors couldn't do much and were busy trying to manage the situation.
**Crackle!**
The passing heat consumed an ancient tree,
And with a **whoosh**, the tree engulfed in flames turned to ashes.
Looking at the area engulfed in flames,
It was truly like a scene from hell.
"Incredible."
Watching from afar, feeling the heat, Bi Eojin expressed his satisfaction.
"His ability to control energy is remarkable."
Even though massive flames were raging around,
Only occasionally did something burn.
He wasn't truly igniting the surroundings.
This meant that even while unleashing such power,
He was controlling it almost perfectly.
"At such a young age?"
Wow.
Thinking of the owner of these wild flames,
The Martial Lord couldn't help but smile.
It was far beyond his expectations.
"Ah!"
As the heat leaked and flowed toward them,
Bi Bi, who had been watching nearby, was startled and hid behind Bi Eojin.
Sensing this, Bi Eojin quietly spread a Qi barrier.
"...Wow..."
Perhaps because the heat had lessened a bit,
Bi Bi watched the flames with sparkling eyes.
"Isn't it amazing? How can he do that?"
"Fascinating, isn't it?"
"Of course!"
No matter how outstanding a young talent is,
They are still part of the younger generation.
The opponent was none other than the **Sword Sovereign**.
In such a situation, the intense and dense flames made it impossible to see what was happening inside.
"Amazing...!"
Bi Bi's eyes sparkled.
She thought only her brother could do such things.
Are all the Six Dragons and Three Peaks like this?
One might feel disheartened by the difference in talent,
But Bi Bi was simply amazed.
"I didn't expect the Sword Sovereign to be pushed back."
"Who's being pushed back?"
At Bi Bi's words, Bi Eojin interrupted.
"Well, the Sword Sovereign can't do anything right now. Isn't that being pushed back?"
"Can't do anything..."
Hmm.
At Bi Bi's words, Bi Eojin stroked his clean-shaven chin, showing an ambiguous reaction.
When he reacted like this,
It usually meant he either heard something odd or found it bothersome to correct.
"Hmph..."
Not liking his reaction,
As Bi Bi grumbled and tried to tickle Bi Eojin's side,
**Swish.**
"Huh?"
The loud noises of destruction suddenly quieted,
And from somewhere, a petal flew and gently landed on Bi Bi's nose.
"Oh?"
As she tried to touch it, the petal shimmered slightly and turned into powder, disappearing into the air.
Seeing that, Bi Bi hurriedly tried to tell Bi Eojin,
"Brother, just now..."
"Watch carefully. It's an interesting moment."
Bi Eojin reacted as if he expected this.
Bi Bi pouted at his words,
But as he said, she turned her gaze back to the center of the flames.
She still couldn't see anything,
But even Bi Bi began to notice slight differences.
"Huh?"
Amidst the wild flames,
Petals began to mix in.
"This is..."
What kind of petals are these?
Bi Bi pondered for a moment,
But soon realized.
They were plum blossom petals.
Countless plum petals rode the flames and began to surround the area.
Seeing that, Bi Eojin thought,
"Not bad, but a bit rough."
His formidable energy
And his ability to control it were incredibly outstanding,
But there was something lacking in close combat.
The reason it seemed like the Sword Sovereign was being pushed back was simple.
She was merely dodging.
She was lightly using footwork to widen the distance.
Avoiding all those wild flames.
Soon,
**Whoosh!**
The plum petals were swept by the wind, forming a whirlwind,
Sweeping away all the surrounding flames and sending them soaring into the sky,
Subduing all the flames.
"Oh-ho."
Bi Eojin admired the sight.
The numerous flames disappeared without a trace in an instant.
"Has she changed?"
Bi Eojin felt curious as he looked at the Sword Sovereign.
If it were the Sword Sovereign of old,
She would have taken a gentler approach.
Her way of dealing with juniors was quite aggressive.
Unlike her.
This seemed to indicate that
The Sword Sovereign also had expectations for that boy.
As if saying, "Show me more."
"This much is not enough."
It was an act conveying such intentions.
She seemed to have high expectations.
Even he was somewhat satisfied with what he had just seen.
"She must have become more capricious with age."
If he had said this in front of the Sword Sovereign,
She might have drawn her sword regardless of his title.
But since he thought it internally, it didn't matter.
Bi Eojin smiled happily and looked past the Sword Sovereign to another.
"So now, what will you do?"
All the flames he had been surrounding himself with had disappeared.
The heat remained,
But Gu Yangcheon, the owner of the flames,
Was glaring at the Sword Sovereign with a deep frown.
He probably knew.
That the current situation was testing him.
Not the entrance exam,
But that he was on the Sword Sovereign's personal test.
"How will you show yourself?"
His deeply furrowed brow facing the world's Sword Sovereign
Made it seem like he was very displeased.
Judging from his expression,
He seemed to say, "Isn't this enough?"
But the Sword Sovereign's face was as expectant as at the beginning.
"Sigh."
Seeing that, Gu Yangcheon finally sighed.
Moreover, his expression changed as if he had given up,
Making Bi Eojin feel a bit regretful.
Not because he was disappointed that Gu Yangcheon gave up at this level,
But because
"He intends to hide."
He seemed to have more to show but didn't intend to reveal it.
That was a bit regrettable.
"Still, if it's this much, he's the right one..."
Regret was regret,
Just as Bi Eojin was confirming his thought that Gu Yangcheon was suitable,
"I trust the Sword Sovereign will handle the aftermath perfectly."
"...Huh? What do you mean by that?"
"I'll be counting on you."
As Gu Yangcheon spoke incomprehensible words,
**Whoosh!**
"...!"
Bi Eojin and the Sword Sovereign's eyes widened simultaneously.
As Gu Yangcheon opened his palm and closed his eyes,
The surrounding air changed.
"Flame Orb."
The night sky inverted.