Plum Blossom Pill is the secret elixir of the Mount Hua Sect. It is said that Taoist sorcerers take decades to refine a single pill.
Now that he'd experienced it, he understood. Its power is not inferior to its reputation.
Wooong—
A force resembling melted plum blossoms circulated within Jung Yeonshin's body.
From the curved bone acupoint below the navel to the celestial acupoint between the collarbones, the trajectory drew a large circle in the upper body, encompassing the jade hall acupoint near the solar plexus.
It was the region of the middle dantian, which was constantly stimulated.
'It's working.'
He felt the activation of his ability. He recognized a noticeable change.
As the energy of the Plum Blossom Pill merged with the true energy of the Jung Clan Movement Arts, circulating through the middle dantian, it became denser.
This must be the endurance Baek Miryeo mentioned.
'It's not completely open.'
It felt only half-opened. It seemed he would need to break through with the true energy he had internalized.
Even so, this was more than an overwhelming success.
It is said that a martial artist who has refined their middle dantian will never waver in their internal energy under any circumstances.
Without further cultivating his true energy, he had already set foot firmly into the realm of masters. It was an enormous shortcut.
Feeling satisfied, Jung Yeonshin moved his hand.
He placed his palm on the center of Yoo Hyun's back and began channeling the circulating energy of the Plum Blossom Pill into him.
"You've already…"
The voice of Cheon Joo rang out. Strengthening his outpour of energy, Jung Yeonshin spoke.
"Yoo Hyun, wake up."
Even while speaking during energy circulation, his flow did not waver.
This was a characteristic of the Jung Clan Movement Arts, which allowed core energy refinement while in motion, as well as his innate mastery over core energy.
Cheon Joo fell silent, perhaps closing his mouth.
"I said, wake up."
With those words, he firmly pressed the back of Yoo Hyun's neck with his left hand. He had struck a pressure point.
Silencing him was easy.
While relentlessly channeling energy, he stimulated the young Taoist's inner body. It was impossible for his consciousness not to awaken.
"This is the energy of the Plum Blossom Pill. Use the Violet Dawn Sacred Arts to control it."
Detecting a strong pulse, Jung Yeonshin spoke.
Yoo Hyun's turbulent emotions were felt through his fingertips. After transferring all the energy, Jung Yeonshin withdrew his hand.
This was what they called Energy Transfer Technique—the act of transmitting internal energy to another.
It was known to naturally accompany extreme physical exhaustion.
But Jung Yeonshin was different. Perhaps because he had greatly opened his center core energy, he felt overflowing strength throughout his body.
Straightening himself, he stepped back. Ma Jin, who had been about to assist him, awkwardly withdrew his hand.
"What are you doing?"
"Nothing."
The three of them waited in silence for Yoo Hyun to finish his breathing exercise.
When Yoo Hyun finally stood up, Cheon Joo's eyes widened as he grasped his wrist to check his pulse.
Jung Yeonshin had completely dissolved the Plum Blossom Pill's energy and injected it into Yoo Hyun without a trace of loss.
A top-level master like Cheon Joo of Mount Hua Sect would undoubtedly notice it.
"This core energy…"
Cheon Joo was speechless for a moment. After several breaths, he let out a sigh.
"You transferred this much refined energy completely? Such a thing in this world…"
His gaze, filled with shock and admiration, turned to Jung Yeonshin.
"You are truly a great man!"
"I trusted you would leave it to me."
"Even so…"
His expression remained unable to hide his emotions. Yoo Hyun also looked at Jung Yeonshin with similar eyes.
He had always felt admiration, but now he looked at him as if venerating an elder martial brother.
"You have saved Mount Hua's future. Treating the Mount Hua Sect with such grace and honor, there will surely be a reward."
Cheon Joo spoke without hiding his reverence. Even his tone had changed.
The courteous manner of Mount Hua Sect leader addressing him felt strangely out of place.
Jung Yeonshin had only intended to pass on the cumbersome energy to expedite becoming the leader of the Divine Sword Squad.
"Of course, we're not measuring your kindness with material rewards. It's just a gesture, so please accept it. Didn't you say Yoo Hyun would visit Desolate Fortress? I'll make sure he brings it with him."
"Thank you."
Jung Yeonshin responded with a bow. He then glanced briefly at Ma Jin.
"Is the mission complete?"
"Yes, you've done it all."
"What do you mean?"
Chung Myung had recovered Tugwi's left hand, forcing it to return on its own.
The Blood Flame Cult, which must have been formidable, was crushed by the Radiant Demon Squad and the Mount Hua Sect.
Jung Yeonshin merely placed the spoon on the bowl, yet inadvertently concluded all incidents.
The root of the conflict, Plum Blossom Pill, had returned to the disciple of Mount Hua Sect Leader. It couldn't have been tidier.
The mission was over before reinforcements even arrived from headquarters.
Receiving profound gratitude from Mount Hua's masters, he left them with promises to meet again.
Perhaps they had sensed the transformation in Jung Yeonshin's energy due to the opening of his center core energy.
Chung Myung smiled, and Baek Miryeo shook her head as they began their journey back.
Their return felt more like leisurely sightseeing in Jianghu, as Heon Wonchang had hoped. Such was the scale of their accomplishment.
Radiant Demon Squad also returned relaxedly under Ma Jin's approval. It had been a long journey.
As they entered Yangyang, the fortress of Desolate Fortress came into view, both familiar and strange.
During that time, Jung Yeonshin had focused on honing his martial arts to prepare for even greater achievements in the next mission.
* * *
Originally, he had intended to request martial arts lessons from the Lord of Desolate Fortress upon his return. But things had changed.
Now, he possessed the Radiance Sword Style and Splendid Wings Step, which he hadn't even imagined gaining.
There was still room for improvement. He didn't know what techniques he might need in the future, so he decided to wait patiently.
"Are you heading to the training grounds again? Aren't you tired from the journey?"
It was Heon Wonchang, whom he met in the Radiant Demon Squad's hall.
His face was shadowed, likely from indulging too much at the tavern. Jung Yeonshin pushed his chin away.
"I'm fine."
Jung Yeonshin had not touched a drop of alcohol, focusing solely on internal cultivation.
Now, with his center core energy partially opened, he felt an infinite supply of energy.
Leaving Heon Wonchang, who shook his head in disbelief, Jung Yeonshin headed to the training grounds.
He heard murmurs and praise from countless seniors along the way.
"Amazing! They say he accomplished an unbelievable feat."
"Is it true he beheaded the Blood Fiend Demon Sword?"
"I heard he used the Sequential Battle."
"The Sequential Battle? The white robes of Desolate Fortress Fortress defeated the Elder of the Tyrant Sword Tribe. Who would downplay that?"
"That blue long robe suits you well. I can give you mine if you need it."
The impact was incomparable to when he had killed the Blood Master Swordsman.
The echoes of his actions were overwhelming. Even seniors came knocking on his door.
It was said that the Elder of the Thirteen Heavens was a master beyond the reach of even Desolate Fortress's Blue Robes.
No matter how he had killed him, it was bound to create a massive stir.
"They said he even saved the life of Mount Hua's Sect Leader's disciple."
"How many masters from the Nine Great Sects have you befriended in just two missions?"
"From Zhongnan to Mount Hua, I'll have to request Lightning Genius for the mission when we head to Shaanxi."
Even responding to each person was exhausting.
Who would have thought the first fatigue he'd feel after greatly activating his middle dantian would come from his mouth?
In the end, he forced a smile and passed through the Grand Training Hall.
He entered the secluded Small Training Hall, reflecting on the martial arts he had gained during the mission.
He pondered whether he could infuse even more power into the flow of the Radiance Sword Style, and how to take the second step of the Splendid Wings Step.
He couldn't stop devising new moves for the Infinite Blossom Fist Strike either.
'I can't grasp it right now.'
Inspiration didn't strike immediately. It seemed he needed to broaden his horizons.
'I heard there's just the right place.'
Jung Yeonshin turned and set off at once.
* * *
The land used by the Seventeen Divisions of the Divine Sword Squad at Desolate Fortress Fortress was incredibly vast.
It had to accommodate not only the warriors of each division but also their servants and attendants.
Radiant Demon Squad's Radiant Demon Arts differed from Heavenly Squad's Heavenly Sword Techniques.
The seventeen martial divisions under the Divine Sword Squad were each likened to independent martial sects.
Their numbers were comparable to medium-sized sects, but their martial power was on an entirely different scale.
With such a vast area and distinct martial arts, it was difficult to foster exchanges if left alone.
'We must meet and form an ocean, rather than remain stagnant ponds.'
Ma Jin's words came to mind.
Desolate Fortress was an innovative gathering of martial arts. The imperial family had shattered the unspoken rule of non-interference in martial arts to create it.
The Ming Empire made every effort to sharpen its sword, leading to a series of radical transformations.
"And who might you be?"
The middle-aged scholar who now addressed Jung Yeonshin was seated in such a space.
Behind him, the neatly arranged training grounds were truly a spectacle, even featuring small steps for spectators.
Scattered martial artists sat in clusters, all fixated on the central area. Following their gaze, Jung Yeonshin witnessed unfamiliar martial arts for the first time.
Clang! Boom!
It was a scene of white and blue-robed martial artists from different divisions exchanging blows.
This was an arena where all warriors of the Divine Sword Squad could spar freely—a place where the martial arts of the Seventeen Divisions intersected.
"Is this Martial Arena?"
"Yes. The young swordsman in the blue long robe... You must be the Lightning Genius. I am Do Yu-won of the General Affairs Bureau."
"I'm Jung Yeonshin from the Radiant Demon Squad."
The two exchanged formal bows.
Do Yu-won spoke, his expression carrying a subtle goodwill.
"I've heard much about the Lightning Genius of the Radiant Demon Squad. All news in Desolate Fortress flows to the General Affairs Bureau. It's our job to classify the achievements you've made. They're truly impressive."
The sharp-faced Do Yu-won softened with a smile, appearing unexpectedly kind.
"To build a name as a hero at such a young age… Seeing you brings me joy. Let me share something with you."
"What is it…?"
"If you complete even one more minor mission, you will advance to blue rank. Your achievements are so significant that you've already earned many points. The formal exam is only a formality."
"Ah."
Jung Yeonshin's brief exclamation came from the heart.
He was certainly making progress.
He had known his contributions across three missions, including the Zhongnan Sect incident, were substantial.
However, hearing it directly from an official of the General Affairs Bureau was different.
This man managed personnel within Desolate Fortress—someone even more influential than Ma Jin.
"Congratulations in advance."
Do Yu-won smiled slightly.
"In any case, you've come to the right place. It makes managing today's matches worthwhile. After all, how often does one get to watch duels between young masters?"
"Young masters, you say?"
Without realizing it, Jung Yeonshin's tone grew more respectful.
Even he could sense the stark difference in his attitude compared to how he treated his clumsy uncle, Ma Jin.
Radiant Demon Squad's leader? Now that he was facing him, he understood. Those in charge of appointments were like kings.
"Perhaps you didn't know. Over there, the successor of the Desolate Fortress is training."
Following Do Yu-won's gesture, Jung Yeonshin spotted a familiar figure.
An impressive young man whose appearance reminded him of Chung Myung's younger days.
He was the grandson of Ma Yeonjeok.
Now, he wore the white martial robe marked with the character 'Desolate' from Desolate Fortress.
Memories surfaced of borrowing his help to create the Infinite Blossom Fist Strike.
He had effectively used that experience to advance even further. Gratitude arose once more.
'It was an excellent martial art.'
While Jung Yeonshin reflected, Do Yu-won continued speaking.
"The praises for the Desolate Fortress are numerous. He has won match after match here at Martial Arena against other white-robed warriors. Isn't it even more astonishing that it's been less than a month since he passed the Desolate Fortress Trials? It stirred quite a commotion around the fortress."
"I see."
Jung Yeonshin nodded just as the young man in the distance met his gaze.