What Did You Say? Wanna Have a Go?
Bamboo forest.
Yeop Hyeon remained seated in the lotus position, his sword intent spread out in all directions. In his current state, he could perceive every object around him more clearly than with his physical eyes.
Having eyes no longer felt like an inconvenience at all.
After another long stretch of time passed like this, Yeop Hyeon withdrew his sword intent and rose to his feet.
"Hoo…."
With a deep exhalation, he felt as if he might float away on the breeze.
It was a lightness he'd never experienced before.
Sword Eyes!
This, too, could be seen as a form of sword path conviction.
In truth, every technique passed down by the Heavenly Maiden was a kind of sword path conviction.
Yeop Hyeon extended his hand, and the Spirit Water Sword flew into his palm before vanishing. A faint vibration emanated from his body—likely the sword responding to him.
His fusion with the Spirit Water Sword had now reached perfection.
He could draw out the sword's full inherent power.
Once he broke through to the Penetrating Nether Realm soon, even Divine Fusion Realm experts wouldn't stand a chance against him—An Ranxiu and a few other geniuses aside.
An Ranxiu!
Her name brought a slight curl to Yeop Hyeon's lips.
Both An Ranxiu and Yeop Ryeong were in Jungto Sinju.
When he headed there, he'd meet plenty of other skilled and talented martial artists beyond those two.
Any man worth his salt should set his ambitions on the world, protect those he cared for, and stand side by side with the one he loved most.
'Stand side by side with the one he loved most…'
Yeop Hyeon chuckled awkwardly in the empty woods and stored the Spirit Water Sword away.
At that moment, something occurred to him, and he entered the Gyeok Ok Tower. Inside lay the massive sword of the Sword Emperor he'd slain not long ago.
The blade stretched four chi in length, as wide as two palms, pitch-black with a crimson sheen rippling through it. What stood out was the iron chain attached to the hilt—likely for wrapping around the hand to prevent it from slipping free.
This blunt-looking greatsword was at least mid-grade Mingjie, a full tier above the Spirit Water Sword.
After examining it for a while, Yeop Hyeon gripped it with one hand. Shockingly, he couldn't lift it!
He summoned his profound qi, but the sword clung to the ground like it was glued there.
His face twisted in a scowl as he grabbed it with both hands, pouring out every ounce of strength he had nursing at his mother's breast. He managed to lift it slightly off the ground, but it crashed back down moments later.
'Heavy!'
Yeop Hyeon's expression turned grave. The sword was far heavier than he'd imagined!
He fell into silent contemplation.
'Should I just absorb it?'
Absorbing the greatsword would catapult his cultivation straight to the Penetrating Nether Realm and upgrade the Spirit Water Sword to top-grade Mingjie. But doing so would erase the greatsword forever.
It was too heavy to wield now, but there was no guarantee he couldn't handle it later.
As if struck by inspiration, Yeop Hyeon pulled the greatsword out of the Gyeok Ok Tower.
He wrapped the chain around his wrist and gripped the hilt with both hands. Bending his knees slightly, the character '土' (Earth) emerged on his forehead.
Dochik!
That's right—he had the power of the Dochik!
In an instant, the ground beneath his feet trembled, and boundless earthen might surged endlessly into his body!
With a ferocious grimace, Yeop Hyeon channeled the earth's power. The greatsword slowly lifted from the ground, veins bulging on his arms like they might burst.
Suddenly, he spun and dashed off. Each step sent the earth rumbling violently.
Just as he reached the base of a small hill, he ran into Mu Yun Qi, who was descending from it.
Mu Yun Qi grinned foolishly.
"Brother Yeop, perfect timing! I just broke through to the Penetrating Nether Realm! Come on, let's have a spar—"
In a flash, Yeop Hyeon leaped skyward and swung the greatsword straight at the hill ahead.
The small hill shattered outright, and the ground for fifty zhang around them cracked like a turtle's shell. At the same time, the entire Canglan Mountain quaked as if struck by an earthquake.
Mu Yun Qi swallowed dryly, his face a mask of bewilderment.
Yeop Hyeon whipped his head toward him.
"What did you say? Wanna have a go?"
Mu Yun Qi cleared his throat awkwardly and sidled up, brushing the dust off Yeop Hyeon's shoulder as he spoke.
"Brother Yeop, misunderstanding! My admiration for you runs deeper than rivers, overflowing like floodwaters. Your heroic bearing and presence are unparalleled in the mortal world, a crane among chickens—and especially that lofty martial prowess of yours, untouchable by any. You're the man among men, the stud among stallions, the once-in-a-millennium prodigy heaven and earth revere…."
"Hold up!"
Yeop Hyeon thrust out a hand, clamping Mu Yun Qi's mouth shut.
Mu Yun Qi eyed him warily, suspicion in his gaze. Who knew when a fist might fly?
The feared blow never came. Yeop Hyeon merely patted his shoulder lightly.
"Everything you just said—was it all sincere?"
Mu Yun Qi nodded vigorously.
"Yes, sir! Straight from this burning heart of mine!"
"Mm, alright then… recite it two more times!"
"…."
Yeop Hyeon made him repeat it over and over until boredom set in, then turned away.
Mu Yun Qi promptly collapsed, dry-heaving.
"How can someone have skin that thick… urk…."
Once he'd recovered, Mu Yun Qi shot to his feet, steeling his resolve.
"Today's humiliation—I'll repay it tenfold someday!"
With a wild yell, he vanished up the mountain path.
Meanwhile, Yeop Hyeon returned to the bamboo forest and entered the Gyeok Ok Tower. Feeling the greatsword's weight, his lips curved upward.
He'd decided not to absorb it.
Borrowing the earth's power, he could wield it freely now.
Moreover, using this greatsword unleashed an aura he'd never had before.
Pure霸道—overbearing dominance.
If he channeled earthen might through it to unleash One Sword Determines Life and Death, the results would be tremendous.
"Gotta name you, huh? Let's see… you're big and black, so Daheuk—Great Black Sword!"
Satisfied with his naming, Yeop Hyeon grinned like an idiot.
He pondered his own strength. He wasn't at Penetrating Nether yet, but breaking through was as easy as slurping cold porridge if he wanted.
And he had money to burn!
Beyond One Sword Determines Life and Death, his trump cards included Sword Eyes—which could unleash devastating power at the right moment—plus the Dochik's might. Used well, it could amplify that technique's destructive force immensely.
Sword momentum, sword intent, sword presence, earthen power, and One Sword Determines Life and Death.
These five were his strongest weapons now.
And the Gyeok Ok Tower—he planned to leave it alone for the foreseeable future.
Each stimulation brought excruciating agony.
Exiting the tower, Yeop Hyeon looked skyward. Amid the clouds in the distance, a figure flickered.
A woman in pristine white robes that suited her perfectly.
An Ranxiu!
'How far has she progressed?'
'And how much closer have I gotten to her?'
A faint smile bloomed on Yeop Hyeon's face.
"Ranxiu… just wait a little longer…."
He withdrew his gaze and vanished into the bamboo grove.
In the kitchen. When Yeop Hyeon entered, Ji An Zhi was still splitting logs.
She looked up at him, her mouth stuffed full of steamed buns.
Yeop Hyeon chuckled.
"Come with me down the mountain—let's buy some stuff."
Ji An Zhi sheathed her knife wordlessly and followed him down.
Dawn had broken, leaving two shichen until Canglan Academy's new student recruitment.
Yeop Hyeon and Ji An Zhi strolled slowly along the broad road.
At Chwiseonru, a woman named Xiao Gu greeted Yeop Hyeon. Spotting his status at a glance, her demeanor turned exceedingly cautious.
Yeop Hyeon pointed at Ji An Zhi.
"We'd like to buy some clothes!"
Xiao Gu eyed them both.
"Young Master Yeop, Lady Ji—please follow me."
She led them to a room. Soon after, she brought outfits for Ji An Zhi to try. Moments later, Ji An Zhi emerged in one: a turquoise jacket and a green skirt swirling with flowers and mist. It fit her slender frame perfectly—not too tight, not too loose—softening her cold demeanor into something more delicate and approachable.
Yeop Hyeon smiled.
"Like it?"
"Yeah. It's good."
"Glad you like it!"
He turned to Xiao Gu beside her.
"Bring some men's clothes too. A few sets for my build, hmm… and a few larger sizes for bigger frames."
These were for Mu Yun Qi and Bai Ze. They couldn't show up to such an important event stinking in sweaty training robes. Men didn't fuss much over style or color anyway.
Ji An Zhi, being a woman, got to pick her own.
"Right away!"
As Xiao Gu turned to fetch them, Ji An Zhi stopped her.
"Oh, and—"
Xiao Gu looked back.
"Wrap up everything I just saw!"
Xiao Gu blinked in surprise, then bowed.
"Yes, ma'am!"
Once she left, Ji An Zhi sat beside Yeop Hyeon, munching fruit from the table. She chewed, gazing at his face.
"What? Got something on it?"
Yeop Hyeon caught her intent and cleared his throat lightly.
"Ahem. I know you've been through hell collecting the students' bodies from Cang Mountain. From now on, revenge for Dean Ji and fulfilling his last words—that's on me. You just focus on training."
Ji An Zhi stared silently. He continued.
"I'll issue gold plaques for you three. Plenty of money inside, so don't be too hard on yourself. Especially you—you're a pretty girl… Start buying clothes now and then."
Saying it lifted a weight off his chest. They'd been dirt poor for so long.
He knew Ji An Zhi had never owned more than two outfits, and those were threadbare. No means for decent clothes, let alone cultivation resources?
Reaching her level in such conditions was nothing short of miraculous.
Ji An Zhi bit into an apple without a word.
Then Xiao Gu returned, hauling a large box.
Yeop Hyeon tossed it into the Gyeok Ok Tower and reached for payment. Xiao Gu waved her hands.
"Young Master Yeop, Chwiseonru cannot accept payment from you. Please, accept this as our sincerity!"
Yeop Hyeon shook his head with a laugh.
"Haha, no can do. Business is business, even between friends. Here—should cover it. Refuse, and I won't shop here again."
He pressed a pouch into her hand. Before she could react, he led Ji An Zhi out.
Imperial City streets. Yeop Hyeon and Ji An Zhi walked shoulder to shoulder. A chicken leg had appeared in her hand from who-knows-where. They headed to Canglan Academy in companionable silence.