Chapter 56
Chapter 56
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 56
Chapter Title: Library Committee Chair (1)
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Samadhi True Fire.
The flames rising from the Supreme Elderly Lord's Bagua Furnace, capable of melting even the concept of immortality itself.
However, its true essence did not lie in burning and melting existences away.
'As far as I know, it's called the alchemical flame.'
Thus, the essence of the Bagua Furnace and Samadhi True Fire was not death. It was closer to a new beginning, a purification.
Hence, it could be called the ultimate Yang Energy.
Though merely a fragment, Bi-hyeong had mimicked the Samadhi True Fire, gradually infusing its unique properties into his lower dantian Taoist power, bit by bit.
Whoosh!
The flames within his internal meridians surged fiercely.
The blaze, which had shone like a bright sun, began to fade to white little by little.
Yet the power contained within those flames felt oppressively intense, like a crouching tiger.
That energy traveled up his arm and soon heated the connected spear shaft red-hot.
'...It's melting.'
The yin energy permeating the metal structure, the interior that had been frozen solid.
That yin energy, which had been melting away bit by bit, suddenly halted its progress with a drop.
'There's still energy left?'
As he delved deeper to find the reason, he realized it immediately.
The fact that his Weapon-Spirit Unity was insufficient.
'The connected part is just one arm's length. Meaning I can't probe the Ruyi Spear that deeply.'
Fine.
Just knowing the method was enough to get his bearings.
'Roughly thirty percent of the total yin energy melted away.'
Thirty percent with one arm's length.
The moment he achieved perfect Weapon-Spirit Unity, he felt he could melt away all the yin energy.
It was the moment Bi-hyeong tried to open his eyes in satisfaction.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ You have mimicked the fundamental power of a higher-ranked figure through inheritance. Though not in its complete form, you have accomplished the impossible at this stage! Achievement: 'Quite the Talent' acquired! Bloodline Ability, 'Mimicry' proficiency surges dramatically! Mimicry grade elevated to A! '...Huh.'
Staring at the messages for a fleeting moment, Bi-hyeong gazed silently at the Ruyi Spear in his hand.
'Sorry for whacking you for real.'
This thing was a total good luck charm!
'Made it to 4th tier, got an achievement, and even upgraded Mimicry!'
The epitome of a giving tree... no, Sun Wukong and his Ruyi Jingu Bang.
With a beaming smile, Bi-hyeong withdrew from the mental realm of his lower dantian.
He was eager to inspect his newly upgraded self and test out that power.
Opening his eyes, Bi-hyeong faced the cadets staring at him in shock.
...Whoa, check out those bulging eyes. Careful, or they'll pop out.
"Just now... you leveled up, right?"
The cadets, who had been frozen in astonishment, began pointing at Bi-hyeong with trembling eyes, opening their mouths one by one.
"You rose in hierarchy... right?"
But their tone wasn't simple confirmation; it was as if they hoped someone would deny what their own eyes had seen.
Of course they couldn't believe it.
'Even I've never heard of a first-year reaching 4th tier.'
An unprecedented feat no veteran had achieved.
And he had pulled it off.
'Now I can properly call myself mid-tier.'
Entry-level mid-tier, that is.
Even as that happened, the Class A cadets were doubting their own eyes.
"There was this flash of light, and your lotus position floated up a bit... Isn't that the sign of a hierarchy up?"
"...Yeah. Matches what I've heard."
"Whoa... What the heck is the top student's deal? He jumps into the intimacy realm right after class starts, and now he's even rising in hierarchy?"
"Feels like... he's a different species from us."
Bi-hyeong winced at the last mutterer.
Oof, that stings. Use your blinker next time.
'Well, even I think it's fast.'
Just two weeks into regular classes, and he'd hit 4th tier.
An unparalleled achievement in the academy's entire history.
But it wasn't due to his own superior talent.
'Thanks to various fortuitous encounters and peak racial bonuses.'
What could he do?
To those not traveling with him, it just looked like talent.
He decided to stick with the prodigy concept to the end.
...Which meant he'd have to up the training volume to avoid backing down from this spot.
As he swallowed a sigh and tried to stand,
"Oh? What's this? Top cadet, you some kind of bean sprout? Feels like you're growing taller every day."
The instructor, descending from the rooftop while picking his ear, lit up.
"Already 4th tier... Even the Fighting Immortal Maiden, youngest and fastest to 9th tier, was slower than you."
It was faster growth than expected.
The instructor looked at Bi-hyeong, who had achieved astonishing growth, and the Class A cadets burning with enthusiasm at his back.
'Well now? Their eyes haven't dimmed.'
They were following his advice from before.
Amazed by the top student, but not getting impatient.
The right virtuous cycle.
'I like it. Should suggest ways for them to grow too.'
And also,
'A stage where our monster top student can fully showcase his strengthened power.'
Well, nothing set in stone yet—just a plan in his head.
Shaking off his thoughts, the instructor approached Bi-hyeong.
"You focused Weapon-Spirit Unity on one arm?"
"Yes."
"Huh. Heard of Hand-Sword Unity, but this is a first."
"...Did I do something wrong?"
Bi-hyeong's reaction seemed cautious.
The instructor nodded at him.
"Something wrong? Obviously not."
"What part..."
"Your reaction's wrong. After pulling that off, you should be bragging, like 'Behold the grandmaster!'"
Only then did Bi-hyeong realize the instructor was joking.
"Looks like nothing's off."
"Yep. Nothing off. Actually impressive."
Grinning, the instructor pointed at Bi-hyeong's shoulder, then sequentially to his upper and lower body.
"Now aim to extend that sensation from your arm to your upper body, and eventually your lower body. That'll be full Weapon-Spirit Unity."
Easier said than done—Bi-hyeong expected it to be incredibly tough.
'Just one arm already tires my spirit.'
Not even usable in combat yet.
Expand the unity from here?
He could confidently say it was impossible right now.
As if reading his mind, the instructor chuckled.
"Look at you. Knew it before, but you're a sly fox, aren't you?"
"...Why again."
Seeing Bi-hyeong's grumpy tone, the instructor's eyes curved as he laughed heartily.
"Weapon-Spirit Unity isn't just talent. You need time to understand the weapon. And if the weapon's high-grade? Time multiplies exponentially."
On the contrary,
"You should be proud of unifying even one arm with such a weapon."
Not even the rising stars dominating the world could do it.
"So prioritize understanding the weapon's heart. Unity follows as a byproduct. Get that order wrong, and instead of unity, it'll devour you."
Don't rush.
Bi-hyeong nodded at the roundabout advice.
'Right. Still early in the storyline.'
After so many events that didn't feel like early storyline, he'd forgotten that obvious fact.
Look.
The next main storyline wasn't even set yet.
"Thanks for the advice."
Bi-hyeong bowed his head, and the instructor laughed boisterously.
"Class ends here today. Don't forget review, and no rushing. Got it?"
"...Yes!"
With Class A's resounding reply,
the second week of regular classes, Tuesday, came to a close.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After class, back at the dorm, the hundred ghosts surged from Bi-hyeong's shadow.
"A solid class. Especially learning about that spear and gaining some control over it. Congratulations from the heart, Boss."
Duok-i bowed first, and the other hundred ghosts cheered loudly in agreement.
Man, this makes me feel like a real gangster.
"Cut it out. Still a long way to go."
"Even after achievement, your thirst for more endures. A good thing."
His competitive spirit with himself burned high, unmarred by others' failures.
Duok-i nodded in satisfaction and asked,
"Shall we spar after so long?"
"Oh? Was just thinking that. Need to check the new gains."
How much output would 4th tier have?
What level was his current strength?
He needed to verify his new acquisitions.
"Then, right now..."
As Duok-i stepped forward,
Ding.
Text message alert.
Bi-hyeong pulled out his phone and checked the screen. A text from an unknown number.
[Bi-hyeong cadet. Library Committee Chair just stopped by. Wants me to relay a message... but it's annoying. Mind if I give her your number?]
It was from the instructor.
Seeing the content, Bi-hyeong tilted his head in puzzlement.
'Library Committee Chair? Why her?'
Puzzling, but convenient timing too.
He had questions from dealing with Yu Kyung-su before.
Time to resolve them.
Bi-hyeong replied it was fine.
And along with it.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ The next Main Storyline, 'Act 1, Chapter 3', is beginning to bud! The stalled time of the storyline was finally moving again.