Not in a Hurry – He's Destined for Greatness
Yeop Hyeon was greatly startled.
The Heavenly Maiden had already warned him. The entity on the second floor was anything but friendly.
It wouldn't be easy to persuade this one with words. If they crossed paths, it likely wouldn't even give Yeop Hyeon a chance to speak.
"Heavenly Maiden?"
Yeop Hyeon backed away slowly, scanning his surroundings.
"Heavenly Maiden, where are you?"
There was no response from the Heavenly Maiden.
Yeop Hyeon prepared to flee.
At that moment, the entire Gyeok Ok Tower shuddered violently. The noise from the door leading to the second floor suddenly fell silent.
Yeop Hyeon's voice grew urgent.
"Heavenly Maiden? Did you just intervene?"
Right then, a single sheet of paper fluttered down from between the second-floor stairs toward Yeop Hyeon.
Yeop Hyeon hesitated before picking it up.
On the paper was a drawing of a smiling face. Clear claw marks resembling those of a cat were stamped boldly beside it.
"……."
Another sheet of paper drifted down from the gap in the second-floor door. This one bore a frowning face, with equally vivid claw marks.
The next paper showed a crying face, accompanied by the claw marks.
Yeop Hyeon shouted toward the door.
"Are you telling me to let you out?"
In response, a low humming sound echoed from the ceiling.
Yeop Hyeon gave a wry smile.
"This isn't a good time…."
Silence returned for a moment.
Boom!
The first and second floors of the Gyeok Ok Tower shook violently, sending Yeop Hyeon's body flying through the air from the impact.
Thud!
Yeop Hyeon slammed hard into the wall, letting out a scream from the excruciating pain.
As he clutched his limbs and collapsed, a strand of malevolent energy emanated from the first floor.
Yeop Hyeon's face paled, and he hurriedly fled the tower. Just as the eerie energy pursued him, spilling out beyond the tower, a sword at the tower's pinnacle vibrated.
Boom!
With a resounding crash, the malevolent energy vanished. The Gyeok Ok Tower fell silent once more in an instant.
Seeing the tower regain its calm, Yeop Hyeon let out a deep sigh of relief.
He didn't dare reenter and returned directly to the real world.
Taking a deep breath, Yeop Hyeon shouted,
"I need to find the Dochik!"
Only now did Yeop Hyeon truly grasp the horrifying reality of the Gyeok Ok Tower. The second floor, third floor, fourth….
How many monsters were imprisoned within this tower, exactly!
I must find the Dochik, no matter what!
After catching his breath for a moment, Yeop Hyeon washed up and returned to his quarters. That's when he spotted a girl huddled on the stone steps in front of the main gate.
It was Yeop Ryeong.
She was always like this. No matter how late Yeop Hyeon returned, Yeop Ryeong would wait for him at the gate.
Up close, he saw she had fallen asleep with her head buried in her knees. Yeop Hyeon carefully scooped her up in his arms.
Even in her sleep, Yeop Ryeong nestled into his embrace and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Oppa……."
Smiling softly, Yeop Hyeon carried Yeop Ryeong inside to her room. After tucking her in, he stepped out.
Right then, Ji Yuan Zhang appeared at the entrance.
"Follow me!"
Yeop Hyeon silently trailed after Ji Yuan Zhang as he headed outside.
As Ji Yuan Zhang gulped down harsh liquor while walking, he spoke up.
"The matter with Cangmu Academy has been settled for now, but you need to be even more cautious when heading down the mountain from here on. Their rage has reached its peak, but it's being suppressed by higher-ups in Cangmu Academy. Of course, they haven't given up. They're waiting for Fen Jue and Bei Chen right now."
"Aren't they at Cangmu Academy?"
"No. Cangmu Academy crushes opponents with overwhelming force the moment they act. If they were there, it would've been them coming after you, not the Three Great Prodigies."
Ji Yuan Zhang continued.
"As long as I'm here, Cangmu Academy won't dare touch you. But unexpected variables always arise. So if you go out, avoid mingling with them as much as possible."
Yeop Hyeon nodded.
"Understood."
Ji Yuan Zhang halted and said,
"You only have two weeks left before heading to Yangjie Mountain."
"You knew?"
Ji Yuan Zhang nodded in response.
"Only two or three people have been granted qualification to enter the eastern region from Jiang Kingdom. An Ranxiu handing hers to you is an enormous favor."
Yeop Hyeon fell silent.
Ji Yuan Zhang hesitated for a moment before speaking again.
"Kid, you're no ordinary person, but that girl An Ranxiu is even less so. She refused entry to Cangmu Academy, and yet that arrogant bunch couldn't even utter a word against her. You get how extraordinary she is, right?"
Yeop Hyeon chuckled lightly.
"What are you trying to say?"
"What I want to say is something you already know deep down!"
"Are you worried I'll get hurt if I get too close to her?"
Ji Yuan Zhang nodded.
"I know she harbors no ill will toward you. But who knows what the people behind her are thinking. Keep your distance as much as possible. Or wait until your strength reaches an absolute realm before seeking her out. It'll be best for both of you."
Yeop Hyeon shook his head slightly.
"Our relationship is just friendship—nothing more."
"Fool! Even if you think that, do others see it the same way? You think the world only speaks reason?"
Yeop Hyeon's eyes gleamed.
"If her people try to stop me, I'll fight them. I'll make sure no one dares stand in my way!"
"Your courage is admirable, but that's as far as it goes!"
"Then what? Should I go to Miss An right now and say, 'Your family scares me, so let's not see each other anymore'?"
Ji Yuan Zhang stared straight into Yeop Hyeon's eyes.
"Do you really see her only as a friend? No other feelings at all?"
Yeop Hyeon blinked innocently.
"I don't know what you mean."
Ji Yuan Zhang let out a low sigh and stood shoulder to shoulder with him.
"It's your choice, so I won't say more. When you reach Yangjie Mountain, watch out for three things.
First, Cangmu Academy, naturally. Their two monsters and the Three Great Prodigies might show up too. If they do, don't confront them. Run, no matter what.
Second, the Tang Kingdom's martial artists. Relations between Tang Kingdom and our Jiang Kingdom are like those between Cangmu Academy and Canglan Academy—itching to kill each other. Stay wary of them. Got it?"
Ji Yuan Zhang cleared his throat and continued.
"Third and last, martial artists from other countries. In the world of martial artists, killing and taking is commonplace. As you know, they climb higher by stepping on others' corpses.
I know you've fought countless battles already. But the world ahead will be even crueler—never forget that!"
Yeop Hyeon nodded.
"I'll keep it in mind!"
Breathing heavily, Ji Yuan Zhang took another swig of liquor before pressing on.
"The time left for the fire spirit inside your little sister is running short. The Sword Lord's Cave Mansion you're heading to is in a volcanic region. If you get the chance, seek out fire-attribute treasures. The stronger the fire energy, the better."
Yeop Hyeon cupped his fists toward Ji Yuan Zhang.
"Please take good care of my sister!"
"Don't worry. This place is safe."
As Ji Yuan Zhang turned to leave, he suddenly stopped.
"Before you go, push your fist momentum realm to the limit. True fist momentum unleashes its aura before the fist even extends. Don't rush the battle intent.
To become a martial grandmaster, one major step remains. It can't be rushed—martial arts flow naturally like water, not forced hastily."
Yeop Hyeon bowed deeply in respect.
"I'll heed your teachings!"
"Then go back and train more. Mastering fist momentum to the extreme will greatly help you at Yangjie City!"
Yeop Hyeon cupped his fists once more and turned away.
Watching his retreating figure, Ji Yuan Zhang muttered,
"Not in a hurry, huh. He's destined for greatness……."
Ji Yuan Zhang downed the rest of his liquor and walked off.
The back mountain.
The mountain where Yeop Hyeon returned was soon filled with the sounds of his punches once more. Explosive booms echoed across the peaks.
Bai Ze was immersed in training too, still struggling to climb the waterfall. Mu Yun Qi dashed madly through the dense forest, but this time not one but two demon wolves chased him.
Asceticism!
After the Cangmu Academy students' ambush, the trio threw themselves into even more rigorous training.
Those terrifyingly skilled martial artists they'd witnessed were all future opponents they themselves would face.
They weren't afraid of death. They just couldn't stand losing. The previous battle had wounded their pride as martial artists.
So, mad training was the only answer!
The three devoted themselves solely to cultivation, except for mealtimes. Especially Bai Ze and Mu Yun Qi, who hadn't even gotten to use their full strength against their last foes before being thoroughly crushed—they gritted their teeth and trained harder. For them, brimming with self-confidence and stubborn pride, allowing such a humiliation again was unforgivable.
Two weeks later.
The fruits of their asceticism began to show.
Mu Yun Qi could now counter with flying daggers even while fleeing from two demon wolves. Bai Ze climbed the waterfall without relying on his iron chains. Needless to say, his body was far stronger than before, and his overall prowess had undergone massive change.
And Yeop Hyeon.
Before a small mountain, Yeop Hyeon stood with his eyes closed. Motionless, he resembled a statue.
How much time passed? His eyes snapped open, and he clenched his right fist.
Boom!
A tremendous formless energy surged from within him.
The sound shook the entire mountain.
Rumble!
A massive boulder several zhang wide was utterly pulverized.
This was fist momentum!
At that moment, Yeop Hyeon's fist suddenly slammed toward the ground beneath his feet.
Boom!
A deafening roar shook the mountain as the earth cracked in a radius of over ten zhang around him. Stone fragments shot outward like arrows in all directions.
Yeop Hyeon slowly rose and gazed at his fist. Excitement burned in his eyes.
"Incredible!"
Then, something extraordinary began happening on the mountain.
Crack!
With the sound of a stone falling, Yeop Hyeon's figure retreated straight to a cliff several zhang away.
Boom!
The cliff trembled, and countless stone fragments rained down toward Yeop Hyeon.
A moment later, Yeop Hyeon slowly climbed back up the cliff.
At that time, a small claw mark—not there before—appeared on his right cheek.