Chapter 22
Translator: penny
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Sea Severing Peak Direct Disciple: Yong Yoo (1)
The day before the exam, Do Mun-hyang came rushing to me with a frantic look on her face and revealed that the examiner would be Mun Yoo.
She also said that the examiner is informed of the examinee in advance, so Mun Yoo already knew his opponent would be me.
Of course, I had already known this would happen. In the original story, not long after becoming a Direct Disciple, Mun Yoo had the lowest cultivation realm among them, so he served as the examiner for the Direct Disciple exam.
Even knowing this, I chose to go through with it.
Why?
Because I planned to kill Mun Yoo.
Mun Yoo probably planned to kill me too.
In other words, what I was about to unleash tomorrow wouldn't be a friendly Dao Debate where we laugh and test each other's skills—it would be a desperate battle to the death.
I chugged every last drop of my Nectar Spirit Liquor until my belly was bursting, staying up all night without a wink of sleep to gather as much auspicious spiritual power as I could.
Right before the exam began, I cultivated right up to the very last precarious moment, maximizing my spiritual power, then rode the bronze vessel to the main hall of Peak Lord Pavilion.
When I arrived at the main hall of Peak Lord Pavilion, six people were waiting for me.
First was Elder Geum So-ryeo of Sea Severing Peak, seated in the place of honor.
Next to her master, looking at me with worry, was Hyang Mae.
The man in the blue robe with a buzz cut so short it looked like something out of the military had to be Han Chun-oh at Foundation Establishment Perfection.
Teasing him from beside was Doo Hye, who had reached Core Formation before Han Chun-oh. She ignored me completely, focusing only on teasing him.
And waiting in the examiner's seat was Mun Yoo, clad in a golden robe and gripping an ornate sword that screamed "treasure" at first glance.
...That's Mun Yoo, right? Why does his face look so twisted? It didn't used to be like that.
Finally, I turned to the man exuding a massive aura second only to Geum So-ryeo—a giant standing eight feet tall.
'That's Yeom Suk, huh. Every time his character description came up, it was always "towering like Mount Tai, shoulders broad as the sea"—now I get why.'
Yeom Suk.
The strongest Direct Disciple of Sea Severing Peak, who had proudly reached Core Formation Perfection at an age under two hundred, when others his age were still struggling to break through from Foundation Establishment to Core Formation.
'No Oh Soo-un or Wi Ja-seok?'
I calmly recalled the two absent Direct Disciples as I approached Geum So-ryeo and knelt.
"Disciple Yong Yoo, here at Master's summons to take the Direct Disciple exam."
"Good. Come forward."
The moment I knelt, the gazes of everyone around poured down on me like crushing weights. Mun Yoo's in particular was savagely sharp—no need for divine sense to tell.
"As you know, Yong Yoo, the Direct Disciple exam proceeds in whatever manner the examinee desires. You may Dao Debate, discuss the Dao, or compete in the Hundred Arts of Cultivation. Tell us your preferred method."
"This disciple may lack in all other talents, but I am confident in my Dao Combat aptitude. I request to be examined via Dao Debate."
"Spells? Delayed techniques?"
"Test me with spells, delayed techniques, treasures—use everything at your disposal."
Mun Yoo's golden robe and sword treasure were both extraordinary, but for my plan to succeed, I needed to show off my own treasure and talk my way through this.
"Very well. We accept your proposal: clash in Dao Debate using everything at your disposal."
The others scattered to the sidelines, leaving only Mun Yoo and me in the center of the hall.
I noticed Mun Yoo's blatant glare and the way his grip whitened his knuckles, veins bulging on his hand clutching the sword.
This bastard plans to kill me too.
The thought made me smirk involuntarily. Whew. Good thing the face cloth hides it. Mun Yoo had no idea, just seething in rage.
That said... Unlike the original, Mun Yoo had grown rapidly centered on Karmic Force. Even the fortuitous encounter Geum So-ryeo prepared for him was skewed heavily toward Karmic Force, altering things a bit.
'Mun Yoo shows strong sword cultivator traits in the mortal world. After his non-victory, he gains his signature divine ability and shifts toward spell cultivator traits—but at least in the mortal world, he's a sword guy.'
First attack: definitely the sword. He'd wrap it in Karmic Force for a powerful strike. His style was to overwhelm with a first-move Karmic Force attack far stronger than his realm suggested, catching the enemy off guard.
As my thoughts reached that point, Geum So-ryeo conjured a single water droplet.
"Begin the Dao Debate the instant this droplet falls."
With that, she tossed the droplet upward. I reached for the Vast Bounty Gourd Bottle, spreading my divine sense to watch it.
The droplet rose high, then fell slowly, shattering on the ground...
And with it, a massive black aura enveloped Mun Yoo's right arm and sword, surging toward me in a single explosive slash.
I didn't fall behind, swiftly uncorking the Vast Bounty Gourd Bottle and forming hand seals.
Kwaaaaang!!!
A black gale of sword wind ravaged the entire hall, each gust like razor blades carving deep scars into the floors and walls.
'Not wind. Mun Yoo must've shaped his Karmic Force like wind.'
My Water Shield Box held at first, but after taking hit after hit from dozens of Karmic Force strands, it shattered.
Even reinforced with the gourd's water aura, it couldn't hold.
The instant my Water Shield Box broke, Mun Yoo swung his sword wrapped in razor-sharp Karmic Force.
I countered by sending out my Refined Flying Sword laced with golden blade light, buying time as I formed seals for the Harmonizing Art, then chained into Blazing Palm Seal.
'Harmonized Blazing Palm Seal.'
!!!!
The moment Harmonized Blazing Palm Seal erupted, all sound vanished, the world filling with auspicious light and vicious heat.
I could see the other Direct Disciples—save Geum So-ryeo and Yeom Suk—defending against the aftermath in their own ways.
But what about Mun Yoo?
"Kuh...!!"
Mun Yoo, who had once been roasted like suckling pig from a single Blazing Palm Seal, proved how much stronger he'd become by enduring on one knee.
Curse script floated on his golden robe, suggesting he'd blocked with a defensive treasure.
Or spirit tool? Up close, parts of the script were damaged—if I kept attacking, destroying the script would strip the robe's power.
Mun Yoo dodged my pursuing Refined Flying Sword with a movement art, slipping behind me to swing. I blocked again with Water Shield Box.
Kuwoong!
The Karmic Force-blackened blade cleaved more than halfway through the Water Shield Box, then Mun Yoo detonated a Karmic Force bomb inside.
Chiiiiiik!!
I countered by blasting auspicious spiritual power to neutralize the Karmic Force, skipping Harmonizing Art seals to unleash Water Essence Bullet Art.
Kang! Kang!
Each bullet struck, curse script rising from the golden robe and shattering. As Mun Yoo recalled his sword and retreated, I pressed with my Refined Flying Sword while using Water Escape Art to reposition.
"Whoa... These kids are scary. How are all these Foundation Establishment punks pulling Core Formation-level power?"
One Direct Disciple grumbled mid-fight. I reformed Water Shield Box—not around me, but around Mun Yoo.
Kuwoong!
Mun Yoo, charging in, slammed into the water wall and staggered. For him, I chained Harmonizing Art seals into Water Essence Bullet Art.
'Harmonized Water Essence Bullet.'
Vast Bounty Gourd Bottle left uncorked, nectar endlessly overflowing.
The nectar pooling on the hall floor surged at my spiritual power's command, coalescing. I hurled a Harmonized Water Essence Bullet bigger than a man's head at Mun Yoo.
I watched warily in case Geum So-ryeo intervened, but thankfully, she didn't.
Was she permitting fratricide, or did she trust Mun Yoo to handle it?
The latter.
Mun Yoo saw the incoming bullet, shed his golden robe, and threw it at my Refined Flying Sword. The robe wrapped and bound it instantly.
Free of my sword, Mun Yoo took a deep breath, then unleashed not just Karmic Force but the Meritorious Force he'd held back until now.
Karmic and Meritorious Force.
The two opposing powers gathered in his sword, birthing a colossal new strength.
Feeling it sent chills down my spine like ice picks. Mun Yoo swung his light-and-dark-wreathed blade, cleaving the Harmonized Water Essence Bullet—and me—together.
....
'...Ah, blacked out for a sec.'
Next instant, seeing myself embedded in the hall wall, I realized I'd lost consciousness briefly.
A quick divine sense scan: bruises from the impact, but no major damage. Lucky.
"Impossible!!!"
Mun Yoo screamed at my unscathed form.
"Kuh...! Urgh!!"
He collapsed, writhing. I watched him desperately wrap himself in Meritorious Force.
As expected...
Combining Karmic and Meritorious Force yields such power, so why not use it? Because his Meritorious Force was too scant compared to Karmic Force—expending it left him unable to suppress the overflowing karma.
I glanced at the Vast Bounty Gourd Bottle before me.
Before Mun Yoo's attack hit, I'd instinctively thrust it forward. It had absorbed most of the blast, saving my life.
"Hoo."
"This... This can't be possible!"
"It is."
"No way! How did you, Yong Yoo, get your hands on such a powerful treasure?! ...You! Are you a spy from the Demonic Sects? Nothing else makes sense! How could someone who's never left the sect obtain a gourd treasure that powerful!!"
Unable to move while suppressing his Karmic Force, Mun Yoo desperately grasped at straws to slander me.
I snorted at him and pulled out the line I'd prepared for such a moment.
"I do have backing."
"...As I thought!"
"Who gave me the treasure? Founder Patriarch Geum Yang-pyeong."
At the name Geum Yang-pyeong, everyone's eyes bulged. Geum So-ryeo especially shattered her stoic expression, her pupils trembling as she stared at me.
"I discovered a secret chamber the Founder Patriarch prepared during his Soul Harmony Realm days. That's where I got the treasure."
"Is that true?!"
Geum So-ryeo shot to her feet, shouting.
Stunned by her passionate reaction, the Direct Disciples gawked at her. I nodded confidently.
"You wouldn't dare invoke the Founder's name lightly to deceive us, would you? If so, severe punishment awaits!"
"Yes. I can prove it."
I pointed boldly at the golden robe.
"The treasure that robe is holding is the Refined Flying Sword, personally forged by the Founder Patriarch. Master can verify it with a close look."
"...Mun Yoo! Release the treasure!"
At Geum So-ryeo's firm command, Mun Yoo grimaced but relented, the golden robe loosening. My freed Refined Flying Sword returned to me.
I slowly untied the scabbard from my sleeve, sheathed the sword, and offered it to Geum So-ryeo. She took it and examined it.
"...."
It didn't take long.
Scanning with divine sense, she nodded and looked at me.
"All treasures and spirit tools left by the Founder bear his unique refinement habit. It's so pronounced it sometimes hampers performance, but records say he complained it was too ingrained to fix after a lifetime."
"I see."
"Indeed. This sword... Refined Flying Sword, was it? It strongly bears that habit. No one could imitate it deliberately, so you truly found the Founder's fortuitous encounter."
Geum So-ryeo gazed at me with affection unlike before, a soft smile on her lips.
"Yong Yoo."
Even her tone had softened. I flashed a triumphant smile.
Perfect.
To deal with Mun Yoo, I needed justification above all—and strong backing afterward to protect me.
So I'd brought up Geum Yang-pyeong to win Geum So-ryeo's favor, ensuring her protection.
I'd worried if the natural moment would come, planning to brag about the treasure post-victory if not. Luckily, Mun Yoo gave me the perfect opening.
Now just continue the exam and kill Mun Yoo...
"You pass the exam."
"Pardon?"
Wait, what?
"Your combat prowess so far is proof enough, and with ties to the Founder? No need for more. Dedicate yourself to cultivation as my Direct Disciple from now on."
Geum So-ryeo handed back the Refined Flying Sword, stroking my head benevolently.
Uh. Uh? This isn't how it's supposed to go! Nooo?
"More pressing matters first."
"Pressing matters... you say?"
What? Like killing Mun Yoo?
"Yes. A Soul Harmony Realm secret chamber can only be that one. Records say the Founder established High Heaven Sect there right after reaching Integration Realm. That chamber is our sect's origin and holiest site. Now, lead me there. No—we must summon the other elders and officers too!"
Geum So-ryeo, visibly thrilled, grabbed me and shot outside. Dazed, I glanced at Mun Yoo receding rapidly behind.
....
This is insane!!!
"When did you find the chamber? We'll make that day a High Heaven Sect holiday! You deserve a grand reward too!"
Oblivious to my thoughts, Geum So-ryeo chattered excitedly.