Chapter 99
Chapter 99
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: Trial of the Plum Blossom Seven Pavilions
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Before they knew it, winter had passed and spring had arrived.
The new lives that had been hiding in the solidly frozen ground, waiting for their moment, poked their heads out as if on cue under the pouring sunlight, sprouting vibrant green buds.
Along with that.
Croak— Croak—
Cheonhwi glanced at the frog awakening from hibernation before turning his gaze forward.
It had been three months since Zhuge Seonghyeon and his group arrived.
During the changing seasons, not only Geonwon Cave but the Plum Blossom Seven Pavilions had transformed as well.
"Now it finally looks the part."
Cheonhwi's eyes fixed on the Plum Blossom Seven Pavilions.
[Plum Blossom Seven Pavilions]
It was something he had carved into the wall with his sword on the first day.
'Strange, isn't it? I didn't infuse any internal energy.'
Was it that his casual sword swing naturally carried internal energy?
Or had the Plum Blossom Divine Art become so familiar to his hands and feet?
The inscription held a mystical allure that could captivate anyone who laid eyes on it.
'Did the Plum Blossom Divine Art have this kind of quality?'
As he stroked his chin and glared at the inscription.
"Young hero!"
With a shout, Zhuge Seonghyeon emerged from the entrance, his face beaming with joy.
"Just as you said, the formation activated when we moved accordingly."
Zhuge Seonghyeon's eyes, fixed on Cheonhwi, were filled with deep trust.
It was only natural.
They had struggled for days without being able to activate the formation, and his single comment had resolved everything.
“So then, is it finished?”
“The First Hall is complete.”
At that moment, the entrance grew noisy.
“Oh my.”
“It’s finally done.”
Members of the Zhuge Family streamed out, brushing dust from themselves.
As expected of the Zhuge Family.
Cheonhwi had thought that even completing one hall would take at least half a year.
There were countless mechanisms and formations to install, none of them simple.
Yet it was finished far sooner than expected.
So there really was a reason for that confidence on the first day.
“Then we’ll need someone to test whether the hall activates properly.”
“Haha. Testing is fine, but…”
Zhuge Seonghyeon half-lidded his eyes.
“Not just anyone will be able to do it.”
Oh, confident, are we?
“Then how strong do they need to be?”
“At the very least, someone at the Peak Realm.”
Zhuge Seonghyeon answered without hesitation.
Heh. Even Mount Hua Sect Taoists wouldn’t pass this easily.
“Hmm. At least Peak Realm?”
The moment he heard that, the faces of the two men and women who attended him flashed through Cheonhwi’s mind.
“Alright. Bring them.”
About half an hour later—
“You called for us?”
“Did you summon us?”
Cheonhwi looked at Jeokgeom and Seollan, then narrowed his eyes as he noticed the group trailing behind them.
It was Seongsu Divine Physician and Princess Sohui’s party.
“Why are they here?”
At Cheonhwi’s tone—treating them like uninvited guests—Jeokgeom laughed awkwardly.
“Haha, well… that is…”
As Jeokgeom glanced at Seongsu Divine Physician—
“I forced my way here.”
Seongsu Divine Physician stepped forward.
“I was curious what you’ve been so busy with lately.”
With arms crossed and chin raised, he alternated his gaze between Cheonhwi and Geonwondong, stroking his beard irritably.
Hmph. I wondered what he was doing—turns out it was this bizarre thing.
After creating the Aromatic Shadow Pill, Seongsu Divine Physician had voluntarily stayed near the Medical Hall Leader, caring for second-generation disciples and growing closer to Cheonhwi.
Yet suddenly, Cheonhwi stopped appearing at Peach Grove Plain altogether.
“What is this supposed to be?”
Cheonhwi replied casually, his face full of irritation.
“It’s a trial gate.”
“A trial… gate?”
Seeing the confusion on Seongsu Divine Physician’s face, Cheonhwi seized the moment.
“Well, this works out. There might be injured people.”
His gaze turned to Jeokgeom and Seollan.
The two shivered for reasons they couldn’t explain.
Senior Brother?
>Junior Sister?
As they exchanged uneasy looks—
No matter how many times I see this, it’s unbelievable.
Zhuge Seonghyeon’s expression grew complicated as he looked at the gathered group.
Who were these people?
The grumpy old man wandering the world freely was Seongsu Divine Physician, the greatest physician under heaven.
Beside him stood a noble beauty, a young girl, and a young man—all members of the imperial family.
Moreover, the beauty was Princess Sohui, daughter of the Qinghae Province Lord, bearing imperial blood.
People who have nothing to do with the Jianghu, all gathered at Mount Hua Sect…
And at the center of it all was Cheonhwi.
No—not just the center.
Even Seongsu Divine Physician and imperial royalty are watching Young Hero Cheonhwi’s reactions… though maybe I’m not one to talk.
A hollow laugh escaped him.
When you thought about it, wasn’t he the most out-of-place person here?
Have I lost my mind?
Meanwhile, Cheonhwi spoke after watching Zhuge Seonghyeon laugh helplessly.
“Let’s test it.”
“Y-Yes!”
Startled, Zhuge Seonghyeon cautiously asked,
“But among them, who will enter the gate—”
“Jeokgeom. Seollan.”
Before he even finished speaking, Cheonhwi beckoned with his finger.
The two hurried over.
“You want to get stronger, right?”
An abrupt question.
“Yes.”
“Well… yes.”
“If you want to get stronger, go in.”
“Will we become stronger if we go in?”
“When have I ever lied?”
Jeokgeom and Seollan looked at each other.
Then, with resolute expressions, they stepped toward the entrance together.
Step— Step—
The moment the darkness of the cave swallowed their bodies—
Grrrrk—
Geonwondong began to tremble as if struck by a weak earthquake, and a mysterious energy poured out.
“Ohhh, fascinating.”
“Waaah!”
“So this is a formation…”
Seongsu Divine Physician and Princess Sohui’s group reacted in various ways.
Good. It worked properly.
A good result.
The Ten Thousand Calamities Samsara Path installed at the entrance seems fine.
The Ten Thousand Calamities Samsara Path was a no-return formation—one could enter but never exit—and had been a key element since planning the Plum Blossom Seven Halls.
“You left it active for several days, correct?”
“If they fail the trial, they’ll be trapped for at least ten days.”
That should be sufficient.
One of the main reasons for creating the Plum Blossom Seven Halls was to replace real combat.
Escaping at will?
That would defeat the entire purpose.
So he ensured they couldn’t leave for up to ten days unless they cleared the trial.
“But I am a bit worried.”
Zhuge Seonghyeon scratched the back of his head.
“In a cave where day and night are indistinguishable… their minds might deteriorate.”
At first, he had only felt joy upon completion, but now concerns surfaced.
“Especially since new mechanisms activate the closer one gets to the end.”
The Plum Blossom Seven Halls was hell on earth.
Seven layers of mechanisms and formations—most martial artists would likely lose their minds.
“They just need to pass it.”
Cheonhwi remained calm, knowing full well the danger.
If anything, he felt slightly regretful.
I wanted to make it like the Heavenly Demon Ten Trials.
The original Heavenly Demon Ten Trials had only two choices.
Pass—or die.
Compared to that, the Plum Blossom Seven Halls was a gentler, inferior version.
But it couldn’t be helped.
The Sect Leader would never allow it, and Mount Hua Sect was too small to afford such losses.
It may lack intensity, but they’ll still grow.
And—
There was another advantage.
Unlike the Heavenly Demon Ten Trials, which few dared challenge more than once, this had no mortal risk.
Meaning anyone with willpower could challenge it repeatedly.
Perfect for a sect seeking strength.
Then—
“Hm?”
Zhuge Seonghyeon suddenly frowned.
“That mechanism shouldn’t activate yet…”
Something was wrong.
“Third Young Master!”
Someone shouted urgently.
A Zhuge Family member ran over, face pale.
“What—what happened?”
“It’s—the mechanisms are going berserk!”
“What?!”
Zhuge Seonghyeon rushed over.
His face hardened as he watched the chaotic mechanisms.
“Damn it!”
“They activated all at once! The two inside are in danger!”
His shoulders slumped.
If something went wrong, they could starve or be killed.
And then—
“What is it?”
Cheonhwi’s voice came from behind.
After hearing the explanation, he spoke calmly.
“Alright. We’ll talk about responsibility later.”
He turned and walked toward the entrance.
“W-Where are you going?!”
“To save them.”
“You can’t go in alone!”
Too late.
Crack!
Cheonhwi clenched his fist—
BOOM!
The cave shattered open.
Everyone stared in shock.
Step—
Cheonhwi entered.
“Screeeam!”
“Senior Brother! This way!”
Cheonhwi lightly tapped the ground.