The Clash of Two Squads
Bukjin didn't hesitate for a moment, drawing his bowstring taut. With a tremendous roar, the string was released. A massive Dragon-Slaying Arrow, thundering like lightning, shot straight for Jo Pacheon's face.
Shwaak—!
Jo Pacheon was greatly startled. He quickly turned his head, narrowly dodging the arrow. The Dragon-Slaying Arrow flew so fast that the friction with the air generated intense heat, singeing a few strands of Jo Pacheon's hair, which then broke off and fell. The faint smell of burning hair wafted through the air.
Thwack—!
The Dragon-Slaying Arrow, having grazed Jo Pacheon, severed a rope tied to the mast before embedding itself in the deck railing, causing the battleship to shudder violently.
Whoosh—!
The arrow vibrated for a long time where it was lodged in the railing. With the rope to the mast severed, the huge sail, emblazoned with the characters "Baekun Lake," plummeted down. The sail of a battleship was its face, so to speak. For the sail to fall with a single arrow shot was an extremely ominous sign. This was Bukjin's blatant provocation.
Jo Pacheon, touching his singed hair, lowered his gaze to the fallen sail. Immense rage swelled within his heart.
"Im Bukjin. How dare you launch a sneak attack?"
Lightning sparked in his eyes. Just then, Bukjin, on the opposite ship, crooked a finger at Jo Pacheon.
"Stop with the useless talk and just come over here so we can fight."
Bukjin's voice carried on the wind.
Jo Pacheon's figure shot rapidly into the air, then darted towards Bukjin like a bolt of lightning. Im Yeok and the others, thinking their leader had easily fallen for the provocation, were about to say something when they saw Bukjin's four squad members, whom they considered trash, leap across the ships and rush towards them.
"Looks like they're eager to die."
Im Yeok sneered. He and his comrades quickly drew their swords and met Bukjin's squad members in battle. Im Yeok charged at Mi Yeo-yeon with his sword.
Having consumed the alcohol given by Jo Pacheon, which boosted his cultivation and granted him several new martial arts, Im Yeok was confident that even if Mi Yeo-yeon was a renowned powerhouse in the Academic & Martial Arts Competition, she would be no match for him now.
Mi Yeo-yeon's eyes flashed. She swung the rapier in her hand, unleashing sword light like starlight. With a single strike, Mi Yeo-yeon created ten sword shadows.
Clang—!
Two swords clashed. Im Yeok felt a powerful shock run through his hand and was pushed back. The force contained within his opponent's sword far exceeded his imagination.
"How can this be?" Im Yeok cried out in disbelief.
Mi Yeo-yeon's eyebrows twitched slightly. The power of Im Yeok's single strike just now was stronger than his usual performance. However, she didn't pay it much mind. Since Bukjin was boosting his squad members' abilities through the Magic Camera technique, she figured Jo Pacheon, as a disciple of Baekun City, must also have some secret method to enhance his own squad's strength. Regardless, this battle had to be won. For Bukjin, and for Mi Yeo-yeon herself.
Mi Yeo-yeon's body trembled faintly, and wind-attribute Hyeongi erupted powerfully from within her, enveloping her entire form. The translucent wind-attribute Hyeongi created small whirlwinds around her body, gradually forming blades of wind.
As evening fell, strong winds blew across the sea. This was an excellent combat environment for Mi Yeo-yeon, who had awakened her wind attribute. Empowered by the wind, Mi Yeo-yeon's sword technique and movement technique merged perfectly. Mi Yeo-yeon moved lightly and swiftly, like a wind spirit, attacking Im Yeok.
Im Yeok took a deep breath. A moment later, with a boom—!, dark crimson flames erupted around his body and began to spread. His fire-attribute Hyeongi blazed fiercely, enveloping his entire form, as if a shield of fire had unfurled. The flames emanating from his body flowed along his sword.
"Die."
Im Yeok gathered all his strength and struck again. This time, he didn't let his guard down for a moment, pouring all his skill into his sword.
Clang—! Clang—! Clang—!
Longswords clashed, producing continuous ringing sounds. Dazzling sparks erupted repeatedly under the setting sun. Im Yeok and Mi Yeo-yeon's figures moved and flashed continuously within the tightly woven sword light. Both were the second strongest students in their respective squads. Their swordsmanship was incredibly powerful, and the longswords in their hands moved with profound agility, rapidly slashing, thrusting, and parrying.
Their battle was a classic duel between swordsmen. There was no doubt that Bukjin's combat style, as shown so far, was extremely powerful. However, it always involved overwhelming opponents with immense physical strength or deep Hyeongi cultivation. Bukjin had rarely displayed a combat style that utilized true swordsmanship, the pinnacle of well-honed technique.
Citizens, students, officials, and teachers in the harbor viewing area cheered as they watched Im Yeok and Mi Yeo-yeon's battle. The fight displayed by Im Yeok and Mi Yeo-yeon perfectly matched their imagination of a master swordsman's battle.
Elsewhere.
Han Bul-bu was blocking Dong Bang-jeon.
"Hahahaha! Aren't you just that tail-wagging lackey who follows Im Bukjin around? Do you dare point your sword at me?" Dong Bang-jeon laughed maniacally, completely disregarding Han Bul-bu.
Han Bul-bu didn't respond. He simply drew his sword and began to unleash his Bansan Sword Technique.
Seeing this, Dong Bang-jeon scoffed at Han Bul-bu.
"That day, Senior Brother Jo was merely toying with you, attacking you slowly. In truth, he could have shattered your defense with a single powerful strike. Surely you don't believe your defensive sword technique is truly invincible, do you?"
Han Bul-bu raised his head and looked at Dong Bang-jeon. Steel-like resolve gleamed in his eyes. Han Bul-bu's expression was utterly cold and calm, like a massive mountain that would never waver or move. Han Bul-bu stood firm, his mind completely unshaken. As the two remained silent, the sound of the sea wind grew fiercer.
When Han Bul-bu offered no reply, Dong Bang-jeon slowly began to grow angry. Dong Bang-jeon felt like a clown, ignored no matter what he said to Han Bul-bu.
Clang—!
Dong Bang-jeon drew his longsword. He swung his sword at Han Bul-bu with all his might.
"All bluster and no substance! Face my wrath!" Dong Bang-jeon roared.
Boom—!
Dong Bang-jeon's single strike powerfully slammed into Han Bul-bu's sword. Dong Bang-jeon intended to defeat Han Bul-bu in a head-on confrontation. He planned to utterly crush Han Bul-bu's arrogance and inflict utter despair upon him.
Swords clashed, and a resonant clang echoed. Sparks flew between the blades under the crimson sunset. But Han Bul-bu didn't weakly recoil as Dong Bang-jeon had imagined. Instead, a massive rebound force surged back like a flood, striking Dong Bang-jeon's body hard. Dong Bang-jeon flew backward, his face a mask of disbelief. As he flew, Dong Bang-jeon spat out a mouthful of blood and crashed hard onto the deck. Dong Bang-jeon was greatly shocked. He immediately got up, looked at Han Bul-bu, and said,
"You, you... How can you be so strong?"
Han Bul-bu still offered no reply. He tapped his chest with the flat of his longsword and advanced towards Dong Bang-jeon. Dong Bang-jeon felt an oppressive sensation, as if a colossal mountain was slowly approaching to crush him. Dong Bang-jeon was somehow afraid.
Elsewhere.
Ak Hong-hyang was unleashing her Glass Sword Heart, blocking Mo U-chon. Mo U-chon's previously displayed skill was only at the 1st Grade Martial Warrior Rank, having just awakened his Hyeongi attribute. After receiving help from Jo Pacheon, Mo U-chon had broken through a realm and reached the 2nd Grade Martial Warrior Rank.
However, this level of skill increase was nothing compared to Bukjin's Wi-Fi function. Ak Hong-hyang, thanks to Bukjin's ability, had reached the peak of the 2nd Grade Martial Warrior Rank and had even comprehended the ultimate secret of the Glass Sword Heart. Her sword, having grasped the essence of sword Qi, was incredibly sharp, and her physical strength had become incomparably powerful, nearing the strength of five men.
The two exchanged dozens of moves, and Ak Hong-hyang's sword pierced Mo U-chon's shoulder.
"Aargh...!" Mo U-chon screamed and dropped his sword.
At the same time.
Screams echoed from another part of the deck. There, Jeong Seok, a member of Jo Pacheon's squad, was struggling immensely against Baek Geum-un, who was performing a sword dance with her greatsword. Every time Jeong Seok's sword clashed with Baek Geum-un's, it chipped, threatening to break at any moment. Jeong Seok couldn't fathom how such terrifying monstrous strength could emanate from Baek Geum-un's small frame. Baek Geum-un, wielding a greatsword larger than her own body and performing a sword dance like a spinning windmill, seemed unreal.
Baek Geum-un's sword techniques were ordinary, but they contained an overwhelming monstrous strength. After exchanging a few blows, Jeong Seok quickly lost his fighting spirit. The once arrogant Jeong Seok was now completely disheartened. His skill was inferior to Mo U-chon's. Jeong Seok's level could only be described as having just awakened his Hyeongi attribute.
Baek Geum-un, on the other hand, had reached the initial stage of the 2nd Grade Martial Warrior Rank through Bukjin's Wi-Fi function, and her physical strength had reached the level of four men. Therefore, in terms of both Hyeongi cultivation and physical strength, she completely overwhelmed Jeong Seok.
Mo U-chon and Jeong Seok were the weakest members of the Baekun squad. Despite the short duration of their engagement, both were already on the verge of defeat. Dong Bang-jeon was struggling desperately against Han Bul-bu. However, in front of the consistently silent Han Bul-bu, Dong Bang-jeon's defeat was only a matter of time. Im Yeok, considered the second strongest in the Baekun squad, possessed strong inherent cultivation, and his skill had further increased after consuming the forbidden medicine given by Jo Pacheon. Thus, he was somewhat evenly matched against Mi Yeo-yeon. However, Im Yeok was already experiencing a great shock and intense pressure in his heart.