Chapter 180
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 180
Chapter Title: Clash with the White Flower Immortal
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The figure was a middle-aged beauty clad in pristine white martial robes.
Eung Cheon-ri immediately cupped his fists toward her.
“Master, I greet you.”
“……!”
Seol Hwa-un’s eyes sharpened.
‘Then this must be the White Flower Immortal?’
Her actual age had to be at least in the seventies. Yet her appearance made her seem no older than her mid-forties at most.
‘Incredible inner energy!’
Little was known about the martial arts of the other Four Immortals besides the Hwa-un Sword Immortal, but it was clear they lived up to the name of the Hwasan Five Immortals.
‘This is the power of the Nine Great Sects. Four experts like this…’
The White Flower Immortal chided Eung Cheon-ri.
“How long has it been since we last met? Don’t bow so often, you old disciple.”
“If I’m old, then Master, you’re…”
“Outrageous! How dare you mention a lady’s age so carelessly.”
“…….”
As if nothing had happened, the White Flower Immortal turned to Seol Hwa-un with a faint smile.
“You must be the North Heaven Dragon. A pleasure.”
Seol Hwa-un cupped his fists in a formal bow.
“I greet the White Flower Immortal. I am Seol Hwa-un.”
The White Flower Immortal furrowed her brow.
“Hwa-un, is it? It brings someone unpleasant to mind.”
“…….”
“Hmm, never mind. In any case, thank you for accepting the invitation.”
She glanced at Eung Cheon-ri before continuing.
“You’ve experienced the Cold Heaven Cold Moon Art through my disciple, haven’t you? What did you think?”
“It was an excellent yin cold technique. It served as a fine reference in many ways.”
“Is that so? He’s lacking in most things, but his attainment in the Cold Heaven Cold Moon Art is at least decent.”
It was an ambiguous remark, but the person in question took it as praise, and Eung Cheon-ri’s face brightened a little.
“He has no talent for other martial arts.”
But her follow-up words quickly deflated him again.
The White Flower Immortal’s eyes gleamed.
“Be honest. With your Ice White Divine Art, could you handle that boy’s Cold Heaven Cold Moon Art?”
“Since Elder Eung didn’t go all out, I’m not entirely sure.”
The White Flower Immortal smiled.
“Really? Still, your tone brims with confidence.”
As she extended her hand, the moisture in the air gathered around her.
Tssst!
The condensed moisture formed into a thin, elongated sword of ice.
“……!”
It was the mark of a yin cold technique master on the verge of its pinnacle.
“A plain technique comparison would be dull, so shall we have a match?”
“Gladly.”
And just like that, the duel between the two was decided.
Seol Hwa-un immediately assumed his stance, but unexpectedly, the White Flower Immortal struck first.
Shuaak!
A vivid sword aura coated the ice sword she swung.
“……!”
He had been astonished that she could form an ice sword, but overlaying it with sword aura was beyond expectation.
‘She’s a swordsman of remarkable caliber!’
Seol Hwa-un thrust out his fist without delay.
Shuuk!
Fist aura clashed against sword aura, unleashing a thunderous explosion.
Boom!!
With the fierce blast, the two’s duel truly began.
Eung Cheon-ri, who had wisely retreated to a safe distance early on, shook his head.
“A spar right off the bat. The young North Heaven Dragon aside, even Master hasn’t changed with age.”
The pair swiftly shifted positions, probing for openings. Each time, fists met ice sword.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
The White Flower Immortal’s ice sword was swift and sharp. Her sword strikes, slipping into the tiniest gaps, were worthy of admiration.
‘But this level won’t push me back.’
Seol Hwa-un’s fist strikes gradually gained speed, and the White Flower Immortal’s sword kept pace.
Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwang!
In the blink of an eye, fist and sword clashed six times. Yet neither yielded an inch, pressing the assault relentlessly.
The White Flower Immortal smiled as she spoke.
“Now, let’s play for real.”
Paaah!
The sword aura on her ice sword thickened, soon taking definite form.
A sword gang over three feet long shot forth.
‘Even a sword gang!’
Seol Hwa-un wrapped fist gangs around both his fists in response.
Kwa-bang!
Crack!
The power was on another level entirely. Each clash between them unleashed massive shockwaves, cracking the sturdy stone floor.
Eung Cheon-ri’s jaw dropped.
“Master aside… was the North Heaven Dragon always this strong?”
Just then, another voice rang out.
“Impressive, indeed.”
“And he’s not even twenty yet.”
“Calling him the top latecomer hardly does him justice. He makes even Seong-gyun look shabby by comparison.”
Three figures had appeared beside him unnoticed.
The Flower Moon Immortal, Plum Flower Immortal, and Hwasan Fighting Immortal—the Hwasan Five Immortals minus the Hwa-un Sword Immortal.
“Martial uncle, you’ve come.”
The one with the iciest demeanor among them, the Hwasan Fighting Immortal, spoke.
“Skip the greetings. Watch the duel.”
“Yes.”
Eung Cheon-ri meekly turned his head.
Meanwhile, even amid the duel, a smile played on Seol Hwa-un’s lips.
‘It’s been ages since I’ve properly warmed up like this.’
Having only sparred with latecomers a few times lately, Seol Hwa-un finally unleashed his skills to his heart’s content.
Shushu-shushu!
Kwa-kwa-kwa-bang!
The White Flower Immortal’s swordsmanship was truly astonishing. She ranked among the top swordsmen Seol Hwa-un had ever faced.
‘She’s not inferior even to the Sword Demon.’
Fist gang and sword gang collided once more.
Kwaaaang!
Rustle.
With the massive explosion, the ice sword finally shattered into pieces, unable to withstand the repeated impacts.
“…….”
The White Flower Immortal smacked her lips.
“Tch, what a shame.”
“You can make another ice sword anytime, can’t you?”
She chuckled at Seol Hwa-un’s words.
“True enough. But the mood’s spoiled now. I’ve seen plenty of your skill anyway.”
“…….”
“Let’s call it here for today and make introductions.”
She pointed to the other three Immortals.
“These are my martial brothers. They’re called the Hwasan Five Immortals, but… aside from one, they’re all about the same.”
“Hmph!”
The Hwasan Fighting Immortal approached first. He was a sturdy, muscular middle-aged man.
“Pleased to meet you, North Heaven Dragon. Your fist art’s not bad. Spar with me sometime.”
Seol Hwa-un instantly recognized him as a fist master.
“I’d be honored. Pleased to meet you. I’m Seol Hwa-un.”
He too frowned upon hearing the name.
“Of all names, Hwa-un…”
It seemed they all disliked the name ‘Hwa-un.’
Next, he exchanged greetings with the Flower Moon Immortal and Plum Flower Immortal.
The Flower Moon Immortal had a slender build and appeared to be a palm technique expert, while the Plum Flower Immortal was a classic swordsman.
Once the introductions ended, the White Flower Immortal asked.
“Now, your impressions? How was experiencing my Cold Heaven Cold Moon Art in actual combat?”
Seol Hwa-un replied earnestly.
“It was efficient and, unusually for a yin art, remarkably fluid. What surprised me most was how seamlessly it blended with Hwasan’s sword techniques.”
“You’re too kind. But it has weaknesses too, right? A yin art’s raw power is inherently lacking.”
Seol Hwa-un nodded.
“Compared to the Ice White Divine Art, yes. But that’s relative; I don’t think its power is lacking on its own.”
“Heh, then I’ll share as well. Your Ice White Divine Art was astounding. It lives up to the name of the world’s greatest yin art.”
“…….”
“Still, while pure, it’s too ferocious. If your attainment deepens further, issues might arise.”
Lately, as his Ice White Divine Art progressed, Seol Hwa-un had indeed sensed a drop in stability.
That was why he had gladly accepted the White Flower Immortal’s invitation.
She continued.
“Shall we discuss that in more detail?”
With that, she plopped down on the ground.
“Gladly.”
Seol Hwa-un sat cross-legged before her.
Soon, a deep discussion on yin cold techniques unfolded, with the other three Immortals joining in with their insights.
Though both the Ice White Divine Art and Cold Heaven Cold Moon Art were yin cold techniques, their approaches subtly diverged.
Seol Hwa-un asked.
“Why does the Cold Heaven Cold Moon Art integrate so naturally with Hwasan’s martial arts?”
The Ice White Divine Art, including the Ice Extreme Heart Formula, formed the foundation of the North Sea Ice Palace and came first.
Various techniques were then developed to suit this core art.
In contrast, the Cold Heaven Cold Moon Art was an divine technique created by Hwasan’s sixth-generation founder, Gwak Gi-seung, at a time when Hwasan already had numerous martial arts.
The White Flower Immortal spoke.
“It might be hard to grasp if you think in terms of the North Sea Ice Palace, where the Ice White Divine Art is foundational.”
“…….”
“You’re wondering how the later-created Cold Heaven Cold Moon Art allows wielding other techniques without conflict?”
“Yes.”
“For one, the Cold Heaven Cold Moon Art was designed with our sect’s martial arts in mind. It was made to accommodate any technique.”
“Even so, tailoring a divine technique to existing martial arts couldn’t have been easy. Especially a finicky yin cold technique.”
She smiled faintly.
“Sharp as ever. There’s another reason, a bit complex, but simply put, it operates like other techniques.”
Seol Hwa-un’s eyes widened.
“Is that possible?”
“Of course. The Cold Heaven Cold Moon Art’s fluidity makes it so. It’s tough at first, but achievable with deeper mastery.”
“Hmm…”
She went on.
“I believe your Ice White Divine Art can achieve the same.”
“Really?”
“The Cold Heaven Cold Moon Art has a formula called ‘Yin-Yang Transformation Distinction.’ What if we applied it to the Ice White Divine Art…?”
Her explanation continued, and Seol Hwa-un listened intently, asking questions about uncertainties. It was an immense lesson for him.
“…Thank you so much.”
“It’s not free. You’ll have to teach me the principles behind your Ice White Divine Art’s ferocity in return.”
“Of course.”
Sharing core principles rather than specific formulas posed no issue.
The other three Immortals chimed in, and the conversation stretched on until evening approached.
Watching the sunset, the White Flower Immortal said.
“Hmm, let’s end here for today. A most enlightening talk.”
“It helped me greatly as well.”
For Seol Hwa-un, it was a tremendous gain.
‘No one in the palace could have taught me this.’
As he rose, a sudden question occurred to him.
“By the way, where is the other one, the Hwa-un Sword Immortal?”
“……!”
At his words, the bodies of the Hwasan Four Immortals stiffened instantly.