Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Heavenly Martial Body
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After the turmoil from recovering the ancestor's manual and the emergence of the Malevolent Spirits had finally subsided...
The Starpoint Sect was plunged into chaos once more.
"What!? There were intruders in Starpoint Mountain!?"
"Cough, cough... Yes. While training, I spotted suspicious traces and followed them... Ugh, in the deepest part of Starpoint Mountain, there were these weirdos hunting the Human-Faced Tree...!"
"...I understand the situation. Get treatment first."
The report from Initiate Disciple Baek Hyun, who had returned covered in severe wounds all over his body, was truly shocking.
The intruders, whose existence they had only suspected might exist in Starpoint Mountain, were real.
The intruders had methodically and systematically hunted the spiritual beasts of Starpoint Mountain, and even attacked a Starpoint Sect disciple who witnessed them.
At this astonishing news, the investigation teams scouring the entire Starpoint Mountain belatedly converged on the deepest areas. Soon enough, Baek Hyun's words were proven true.
Not only had all the powerful spiritual beasts that had long ruled the deepest parts vanished, but traces of numerous battles were also discovered.
Among them, the most outrageous was the intense explosion marks found in the territory of the Human-Faced Tree, the strongest spiritual beast in Starpoint Mountain.
In that shocking scene, where only the Human-Faced Tree's corpse—devoid of its inner core—stood alone, the Starpoint Sect disciples in charge of the investigation couldn't contain their rage.
"These bastards... They dared to use Thunderclap Bombs in Starpoint Mountain!"
"...It looks just like when the elders use the Four Sun Blazing. Judging by the blast radius, they must have used a considerable amount."
"Didn't they say they were spotted by some lay disciple here? They were probably trying to erase all traces of themselves."
The damage from the explosion resembled the Shoot the Sun Sword Art's Four Sun Blazing, but no one thought it could actually be that technique.
There weren't many in the Starpoint Sect who could wield Four Sun Blazing at such power anyway.
And all of them were senior elders who had devoted decades to the sect.
Moreover, it was confirmed that those elders were either away on important missions or handling various duties at the main headquarters.
In the end, the Starpoint Sect could only conclude that the intruders had used Thunderclap Bombs.
"According to the disciple who spotted the intruders, they called us heretics of the Starpoint Sect. They said anyone who doesn't serve their self-proclaimed emperor is no different from a heretic."
"Using Thunderclap Bombs, which are banned by the court... This isn't something we can dismiss as mere martial world affair."
"This might not be our problem alone. Shouldn't we share information about them with the Martial Alliance and notify the court as well?"
"...That would be best. Let's suggest it to the Sect Leader."
While the Starpoint Sect disciples were busily discussing the intruders...
The instructors of Azure Cloud Pavilion were holding a meeting centered on Baek Hyun.
"...I never imagined that child would get caught up in another incident."
"How long has it been since he nearly died to the Malevolent Spirits? Now he runs into intruders... He's not even in the public eye yet, but the accidents just won't stop."
"It feels like heaven itself is testing him. I wonder if we can protect him properly until the mountain entry exam..."
Consecutive incidents occurring even within the Starpoint Sect, which they had considered safe.
The Azure Cloud Pavilion instructors couldn't help but feel uneasy.
Originally, they had planned to leave Baek Hyun in the safe nest of Starpoint Mountain and guide him from a somewhat observational distance.
After all, applying the same standards to a phoenix as to ordinary birds might end up clipping its wings.
That was why they hadn't stopped him, even knowing he ventured into the depths of Starpoint Mountain every day.
When they first learned of it, they had debated whether to intervene, but despite his astonishing talent, Baek Hyun never acted arrogantly.
He only took risks within his limits.
He never approached areas with truly dangerous spiritual beasts.
And he always returned to Azure Cloud Pavilion at a reasonable hour to show his face.
Far from sustaining major injuries, he came back every day without so much as a tear in his clothes, achieving tremendous growth. So the instructors felt at ease leaving him be.
At least within the nest of Starpoint Mountain, they judged he wouldn't be in danger.
However, dangers they hadn't even imagined were now emerging one after another in that nest.
Malevolent Spirits that were hostile to all living things.
And intruders with unusual ideologies.
The Azure Cloud Pavilion instructors had no choice but to seriously consider whether they should continue allowing Baek Hyun such free movement.
"...No helping it. Order Baek Hyun to confinement in Heartless Cave for a month."
'!!'
At First-Generation Disciple Hyun-gang's words, everyone's eyes widened in the room.
Given the severity of the incident, they had expected some restriction on Baek Hyun's freedom, but no one had anticipated such a harsh measure.
"Senior Brother, we do need to restrict Baek Hyun's movements, but Heartless Cave? It's too much for a child that young!"
"He's right. Besides, didn't he earn merit by recovering the ancestor's manual? And discovering the intruders this time was thanks to him too. Punishing him isn't right!"
Heartless Cave was a harsh place created by the Starpoint Sect for secluded training, where one had to cultivate in a pitch-black sealed chamber, surviving only on water and Hardened Grain Pills.
The Second-Generation Disciples strongly opposed sending the still-young Baek Hyun there for a whole month, but...
"Lately, the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace's movements have been suspicious."
They could only fall silent at Hyun-gang's follow-up words.
"They're more aggressive than before—openly hostile, even. They've been sporadically attacking our lay clans and their businesses, stirring up conflicts.
We can't rule out the possibility of them invading Starpoint Mountain. In such a situation, leaving Baek Hyun free... Well, I don't even want to imagine what could happen."
Silence hung over the room for a moment.
As Hyun-gang said, the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace was no longer hiding their hostility toward the Starpoint Sect, unlike before when there had been faint exchanges.
So far, only the lay clans had suffered, but it was hard to dismiss the chance of them directly targeting the sect headquarters.
As Hyun-gang suggested, isolating Baek Hyun for the time being and observing the situation was the safest choice for his protection.
"But... that will disrupt his training. Forced seclusion he doesn't want will surely have a negative impact."
"I was worried about that too, but no need to fret. As a reward for recovering the manual, the Sect Leader and elders granted him access to the Scripture Depository."
"A-access to the Scripture Depository!?"
The Scripture Depository housed all of the Starpoint Sect's manuals—a sacred site accessible only to First-Generation Disciples and above.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it contained all the sect's martial knowledge and insights. That place could more than compensate for any setbacks from confinement for Baek Hyun.
"Additionally, upon officially becoming a Core Disciple, he'll receive support and authority equivalent to a Second-Generation Disciple."
"Pardon? Oh, right... The Sect Leader and elders still don't know Baek Hyun has the Solar Body."
"Yes, they offered it as motivation, but for him, it's a confirmed reward."
The authority and support a newly initiated Third-Generation Disciple receives from the sect is worlds apart from that of a Second-Generation Disciple.
Third-Generation Disciples are barely allowed outings and receive scant benefits or support.
But Second-Generation Disciples and above can freely venture into the secular world, receiving stipends for dignity, spirit medicine support, access to lay-operated facilities, and numerous other perks.
"So... He'll be able to use the Scripture Depository from now on, and if he becomes a Core Disciple, he'll get Second-Generation-level authority right away?"
Thus, upon hearing the rewards from Hyun-gang, Baek Hyun couldn't help but smile brightly.
Outing privileges from the sect were something he desperately needed, regardless of the rest.
With those, he could properly leave Yunnan Province and act, and even contact and collaborate with the possessor who sent him the letter.
Just being able to go into the secular world opened up countless possibilities.
Access to the Scripture Depository wasn't bad either.
The manuals there held little meaning for him since he already knew all the Starpoint Sect's martial arts formulations.
But it provided an alibi for learning them.
Now he could use the sect's advanced martial arts—even those Initiate Disciples weren't taught—in front of others.
Plus, new martial arts unknown to him might have been added during the remake, making the access a worthwhile reward in its own right.
"Good. However, chasing the intruders alone without seeking help from other senior brothers was reckless. Reflect on that during your month of confinement in Heartless Cave."
"Mm... Understood. But may I visit the Scripture Depository first before entering Heartless Cave?"
"Permission granted."
Baek Hyun suppressed the smile rising on his face and left the room.
Scouting Starpoint Mountain for spirit medicines no longer held meaning for him anyway.
They had no effect even if he consumed them, and he had plenty of money from the inner cores left by the intruders' beast hunts.
What he lacked now was only deeper insight into martial arts.
He had planned to catch up on overdue training anyway, so the confinement didn't bother him much.
'About a year and a half until the mountain entry exam.'
That would be a major turning point.
His movements would be unrestricted then, and story-wise, the exam was likely the gateway to the main plot.
By then, the shadowy forces would probably begin their major activities.
And he'd be able to meet the possessor who sent him the letter.
'Until then, might as well train until I'm sick of it.'
Baek Hyun smiled as he gazed at the rising sun.
In a corner of the library, where beautiful moonlight cascaded down.
Amid stacks of books piled like mountains, a girl more beautiful than the moonlight itself was reading.
Her hair was white and pure like dazzling snowflakes. Whenever the breeze brushed by, the snowy locks flowed like silver waves. Each strand absorbed the moonlight, shimmering faintly—as if a celestial fairy had descended to the mortal world.
Her jade-green eyes blinked with an otherworldly beauty. More stunning than any gem, they made onlookers hold their breath unconsciously. When those eyes moved calmly even once, it felt as if the entire world submerged in their flow.
Even in her immature, unripe form, her presence was enough to shake the hearts of all men in the world.
The girl seated under the moonlight was a picture in herself.
-Swish
Into that beautiful painting, a small shadow appeared.
Without the slightest sign or presence, the shadow materialized there, politely bowing to the girl before her and kneeling on one knee.
Concerned that his presence might disturb her, he carefully spoke.
"Miss, I have completed all the orders you issued."
"Good work. No particular issues?"
At the shadow's words, the girl praised him with a clear, bell-like voice without lifting her eyes from the book.
The shadow felt a rush of accomplishment and thrill from her single sentence, replying swiftly.
"Yes, everything is proceeding smoothly. However... A reply arrived from the place where you sent the personal letter, Miss."
-Halt
At that moment, the girl's fingers, turning pages once per breath, stopped.
Only then did her eyes turn to the shadow.
The shadow had already produced the letter's reply and was offering it to her reverently.
"From which region?"
"It's a reply to the letter you sent via the Heavenly Fragrance Merchant Group in Yunnan Province."
Her pale, slender fingers like white jade took the bundle of paper from the shadow.
With the same indifferent expression as before, the girl slowly unfolded the crumpled paper.
As the tightly folded sheets fully opened, and her eyes finally scanned the contents...
She burst into laughter.
A pure, innocent laugh she had never shown to anyone before.
The shadow had no idea why she was smiling so brightly at that incomprehensible scribble.
But he had no desire to find out.
"It seems you received a satisfactory reply."
"Heehee, more than satisfactory. Who would've thought the most reliable one would hit the jackpot..."
At her radiant smile, like the moon reflected on a riverbank trembling, the shadow—even as a woman—felt her heart race.
"I should retire for the night. You too, So-wol, go rest."
"Yes, good night, Miss."
The girl slung her beloved sword, draped nearby, over her arm and left the library.
Then, as if remembering something, she issued an order to the shadow.
"Oh, and replace all these manuals here with new ones."
"These are the finest available on the market... Was there no martial art to your liking?"
"No, it's not that."
I've mastered them all, so I don't need them anymore.
With those words, the girl resumed walking.
An absurd declaration that she no longer needed them after mastering hundreds of martial arts manuals—something anyone would dismiss as bravado.
Yet the shadow didn't doubt her words for a second.
She was the only being in the world capable of such an impossible feat.
Heavenly Martial Body.
That was what people called ones like her.