Chapter 52
Translator: penny
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: Dao Tournament (10)
All the spectators watching the Dao Tournament erupted in cheers upon seeing Yong Yoo defeat Yeom Suk and claim victory.
A heroic spirit that confronted the enemy head-on despite the vast gap in realms!
A beauty that naturally captivated gazes and stole hearts!
A strength that transcended even the walls of the great realms!
The unprecedented title of the only Foundation Establishment Realm winner in the history of the Dao Tournament!
Without a doubt, after this day, the entire Orthodox Cultivation World would be abuzz with Yong Yoo's name.
Amid that crowd, Do Mun-hyang—who had watched Yong Yoo's Dao Debate alongside A-han—clutched her chest, which felt like it might burst from anxiety.
"Haaah."
"Master."
"...Thank goodness. Yoo Lang won."
Ever since gaining some fame within Sea Severing Peak during her battle with Pyeong Yu-ran, Do Mun-hyang had been constantly worried only about Yong Yoo.
Pyeong Yu-ran. Yeom Suk.
How could she not worry about her Dao Companion facing that brutal schedule of consecutive battles against Core Formation Realm Perfections?
Yet, astonishingly, Yong Yoo had easily dispatched Pyeong Yu-ran and then held his own evenly against Yeom Suk.
Considering Yeom Suk was far stronger than a typical Core Formation Realm Perfection, it was truly remarkable.
In the semifinals, Je Sang-woo had faced Yeom Suk and been defeated pathetically by just a few talismans, unable to recover from the loss and kneeling before Pyeong Yu-ran in the third-place match.
Before the Dao Debate began, she had prayed for Yong Yoo. When she saw Yeom Suk's spells and clone technique, she had been so shocked she closed her eyes.
When Yeom Suk grew that massive tree, she prayed to the heavens, and when Heaven-Shaking Earthly Water and Blazing Great Heaven Sword appeared afterward, she despaired.
When Yong Yoo countered with Four Images Earthly Flame Spear, she and the Young Master Yoo Adoration Squad cheered until their throats were raw. Every moment of Yong Yoo bravely charging on Little White shook her heart.
She wanted to shout that this man was her Dao Companion right then and there. She worried that even her own breathing might distract him. She hoped above all that Yong Yoo would win and seize a shining future.
A-han felt the same.
Her kind master, who was indifferent yet always considerate in his actions.
What started as a light infatuation from his gentle demeanor and stunning looks had fully shifted to Yong Yoo when he declared he would be her solid backer.
So when Yong Yoo suddenly announced his entry into the Dao Tournament, A-han simply trusted him and did everything she could for her master.
Seeing the formation device she made shine in the final moments filled her with such pride and joy that she burst into tears, resolving to study formations even harder from now on.
Right now, both women's hearts overflowed with overwhelming joy and affection for Yong Yoo.
"It's really a relief. Really."
"As expected of Master. So cool."
"Yeah. Right."
And above all, a burning passion welled up for their Dao Companion and master, who had become a young hero through such a magnificent fight.
She wanted to rush out, embrace Yong Yoo, and kiss him passionately, but she couldn't.
This moment belonged solely to Yong Yoo.
It was fine. They were closer to him than anyone else, and if they showed this fervor, Yong Yoo would always accept and embrace them.
Suddenly, Do Mun-hyang noticed the Young Master Yoo Adoration Squad cheering for Yong Yoo and craving his attention.
Though she was part of that group herself, an irresistible sense of superiority welled up that she couldn't suppress.
'I... I need to become a Dao Companion Yoo Lang can be proud of too.'
At the same time, Do Mun-hyang wanted to become a proud Dao Companion who could give Yong Yoo this same sense of superiority and pride.
'I need to train even harder from now on.'
Just as A-han resolved to study formations more diligently to help Yong Yoo, Do Mun-hyang decided to train harder for him too.
Usually, falling in love or getting distracted slows cultivation progress, but for them, it spurred them to accelerate instead.
Winning the Dao Tournament didn't mean it was simply over.
After the fainted Yeom Suk was carried away and the Dao Debate arena was cleared, I was called up to the platform where the elders stood as the winner and received praise from each one.
"We're proud of you."
Especially Geum So-ryeo, who patted and stroked my shoulder while gazing at me with warm eyes. She had never shown such physical affection as a master before, so it left me a bit flustered.
Once the elders' praises ended, I received various prizes as the Dao Tournament champion.
First, a new identity token was issued to me. My original token, which had various markings, now bore an additional emblem of the Dao Tournament winner.
"From now on, the sect will provide monthly additional stipends and cultivation resources for the Dao Tournament champion."
It wasn't just decorating the winner's token impressively; rewards and prizes were disbursed monthly through the token itself.
Ha. High Heaven Sect really has resources to spare. Not a one-time payout, but ongoing?
"This is the ceremonial robe bestowed upon the champion. It's the exact same as the one Gold Yang-pyeong favored. Wear it with pride."
Next, they gave me a ceremonial robe. Made in the exact image of the one Gold Yang-pyeong wore, it held great significance for High Heaven Sect members.
"Thank you. I'll treasure it."
I draped the robe over myself, its blue fabric accented with black patterns.
I initially thought it was just a robe, but after wearing it, I changed my mind. It was made from some special material.
They weren't going to explain these details?
After receiving a few prizes as the winner, I finally got the most important reward last.
What I received at the end was a special jade token made of golden jade.
"This is the access pass to the Supreme Ancient Secret Pavilion. Keep it safe. In a few days, when your body is in perfect condition, we'll send you inside."
"Thank you. I'll keep it safe."
I stood with the elders until the Dao Tournament closing ceremony ended, savoring the glory as the champion.
Now, the two characters 'Yong Yoo' and my face, along with my new moniker 'Unyielding Immortal', would be known throughout the entire Orthodox Cultivation World.
Honestly, I wanted to grab Hyang Mae and A-han, get thoroughly drunk, and celebrate, but winning such a major tournament made that difficult.
After the ceremony, the elders dragged me around the festival, introducing me to dignitaries from other sects. They offered blessings, cultivation advice, or gifts.
However, as High Heaven Sect's Heaven's Pride, my growth wasn't exactly welcome to them, so most gifts were superficial—polite gestures that didn't aid cultivation much upon closer inspection.
The High Heaven Sect elders knew this but deliberately paraded me around anyway.
"Now everyone has seen your face clearly, so if something happens outside the sect, they can't claim ignorance as an excuse."
That was the purpose of the High Heaven Sect elders introducing me to the other sect elders—to warn them in advance against any schemes later.
Some even tried excuses to avoid meeting me, but High Heaven Sect ignored them and forced the encounters to introduce me.
Only after showing my face to everyone was I released from the elders and able to enter the treatment hall.
"Wow, the treatment hall is nice."
I'd never been to one myself, but Yong Yoo's memories included a few visits.
Present Music Peak mainly accepted disciples talented in skills rather than cultivation aptitude, making it financially affluent, so its treatment hall was quite luxurious. The one on the main peak was even more opulent.
Upon entering the treatment hall—where countless formations intertwined so complexly I couldn't count them—I felt ambient spirit energy absorb into my body on its own, restoring my vitality and healing wounds without effort.
A few days? No, what's a few days? One day here and I'd be fully recovered.
Typical treatment halls set up a good environment and left cultivators to recover alone in small rooms. But here, in a vast space the size of a separate annex, dozens of slaves swarmed to attend to my every need.
Thanks to the slaves, with my body cleaned and hair neatly groomed, I released Little White, who had been resting in the spirit root.
Little White emerged grumpy about being let out while tired, but after I smacked its rear once, it looked around, seemed pleased, and settled in a suitable spot to lie down.
Likewise, I threw myself onto the spacious bed—big enough for ten people—and closed my eyes.
"Ah... if Do Mun-hyang, A-han, or Master come while I'm sleeping, just let them in."
With those words, my consciousness sank into deep sleep.
Truly. What an exhausting day.
After Yong Yoo fell asleep, members of the Young Master Yoo Adoration Squad qualified to enter the main peak surrounded the treatment hall.
They claimed to be waiting to see the Unyielding Immortal Young Master Yoo, but their positioning was meticulously calculated to completely block external access.
Occasional visitors hoping to see Yong Yoo retreated, intimidated by the subtle pressure from the group, but two people ignored it entirely and approached the treatment hall.
"Who are they?"
"One looks like Do Mun-hyang. You know, from this tournament..."
"Ah. The redhead next to her? That hair color is usually dyed so low-class artisans can't escape."
As whispers spread around, the two revealed their identities to the guardian disciples and entered the treatment hall with ease.
"......"
"......"
And the two who entered the treatment hall did not emerge until late into the night, when the sun began to rise.