Chapter 62
Chapter 62
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Second Meeting
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About two months had passed since the Starpoint Sect group departed from Starpoint and headed toward Hubei Province.
Baek Hyun had successfully summarized and organized most of the memorization notes he brought with him, reducing their volume to about one-third of the original.
This was the result of pouring all his time into整理 those notes without even sleeping, thanks to the traits of his Solar Heavenly Spirit Body.
Though it was merely reorganizing the content, the process of reviewing and sorting through the memorization notes allowed his martial insights to grow once more.
The massive tower he had built advanced one step closer to 'completion'.
Around the time when most of the substantial stack of memorization notes he brought had been burned away and replaced with new books...
The Starpoint Sect disciples finally arrived in Hubei Province, where the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly was to be held.
"Ooh, so this is Hubei Province!"
Baek Hyun stuck his head out of the carriage and absentmindedly took in the new scenery around him.
In truth, no matter how prosperous the city, it couldn't evoke much excitement from Baek Hyun, who had lived in the 21st century.
-Groan... I hear this Dragon-Phoenix Assembly is going to be historic. Who do you think will win?
-The Nangong Clan seems the safest bet, don't they? The Nangong Clan always wins the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly anyway.
-Fresh hot meat buns here! Try one before you go!!
The unique atmosphere deeply ingrained throughout Hubei Province stimulated Baek Hyun's wuxia DNA.
Thanks to its central location in the Central Plains, Hubei Province had always been treated as a key strategic point.
Unlike the somewhat exotic feel of Yunnan Province, Hubei exuded a highly familiar vibe, exactly like the classic image of a wuxia street scene.
Even though this was his first time actually visiting.
"With the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly just days away, there are so many people. I've never seen such a huge crowd before."
Baek Hyun pulled his head back inside and spoke.
In truth, it was the kind of crowd he could see frequently before possession.
But in this world with low population density, such a dense throng of people was truly rare.
"Not just Hubei Province, but people from nearby provinces have all flocked here. Those with means probably traveled like us over several months, and merchants have gathered in droves to do business with them."
In the original world, nothing was more entertaining than watching a fight.
Even neighborhood kids brawling was exciting, but if the fighters were young martial artists—one-in-a-lifetime spectacles—how much more thrilling would it be?
In this world with few entertainments, the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly was the ultimate must-see event.
"Looks like we've arrived, so let's get off."
How much longer did they push through the dense crowds after entering Hubei Province?
The secular merchants traveling with Starpoint separated to their pre-booked lodgings.
Only when they escaped the masses and reached a quieter area did the Starpoint disciples finally face the end of their long journey.
"Uh... Is this our lodging?"
"Yes, doesn't it suit your taste?"
Baek Hyun said no more and held his tongue.
The lodging prepared in Hubei Province was a moderately sized mansion, slightly poorer in facilities than expected.
It wasn't unlivable, but having stayed in top-tier comfort as a True Mountain Disciple, it would take some time to adjust.
"You can be honest. Truth be told, I don't like that lodging either."
"...Pardon?"
"Even if Hubei Province has no major plot points in the main story, for Starpoint—one of the Nine Great Righteous Sects—having just that one building as our lodging is hardly pleasing."
That's why I've come all this way.
To spread the main story's influence across the entire world.
Mok Seon stared piercingly at the lodging ahead with resolute eyes and continued.
"Let's head in first. But no need to get used to it. It'll change tomorrow."
Baek Hyun felt an inexplicable sense of reassurance from Mok Seon's confident tone.
It was like watching a capable entrepreneur starting from scratch on bare ground.
He never imagined feeling such an alien sensation in the wuxia world, from a Starpoint elder no less.
Just as Baek Hyun, entranced, picked up his luggage to enter the lodging...
"Are you disciples of Starpoint Sect?"
With a pure, clear aura free of any impurities, a group of Taoist priests approached and greeted the Starpoint disciples.
The crowns on their heads.
The pine tree emblem on their robes.
Those unmistakable features let everyone present instantly recognize their identity.
Wudang Sect.
Alongside Shaolin Temple, they were the 'Taishan Beidou' of the righteous factions, the pinnacle of Daoist sects called the 'World's Greatest Sword Sect'.
They were also one of the co-hosts of this Dragon-Phoenix Assembly.
Thus, it wasn't strange for the hosts to welcome Starpoint Sect.
Yet Baek Hyun and even Mok Seon couldn't hide their surprise.
Leading the approaching Taoists was an elderly priest with an endlessly gentle demeanor.
Like a vast river mistaken for the sea.
A martial artist approaching like gentle ripples, softly emanating an overwhelming presence just from sight.
One of the Ten Great Masters of the World.
Tai Chi Mysterious Sword, Cloud Crane.
The current Wudang Sect Leader.
"You've had a long journey; well done. As Wudang's Sect Leader, I welcome Starpoint's disciples."
"...We are honored that the Sect Leader himself has come to greet us."
"How could we skimp on hospitality for esteemed guests? I apologize for not welcoming you immediately upon arrival in Hubei."
Despite being the World's Greatest Sword Sect Leader and one of the Ten Great Masters, Cloud Crane bowed humbly, showing respect to the Starpoint disciples.
Baek Hyun felt slight tension from the unexpected encounter with a big shot but observed the Taoist closely.
Possessing lofty status, fame, and top-ten worldly prowess, yet unhesitant to lower his head.
Respect for others permeated every action and word.
Rice bends as it ripens, they say.
He vividly felt why such a saying existed in this moment.
'Overwhelming not just in strength and status, but in character too.'
Humans naturally rebel against even the strongest if disrespected.
But when such a powerhouse bows first, rebellion vanishes; one is truly overwhelmed.
Unconsciously acknowledging the other's superiority.
The epitome of softness conquering hardness.
As expected of Wudang's Sect Leader; the wonders of Tai Chi were evident in every gesture.
That demeanor was likely why Wudang had long been called the righteous factions' Taishan Beidou.
"With the Shaolin monks as the last, all other sects and clans under the Martial Alliance have arrived in Hubei.
With the pillars of the righteous factions gathered—a rare occurrence—the Alliance Leader is considering a grand Martial Alliance conference.
For the peace and prosperity of the martial world, we hope Starpoint attends."
"Understood. We'll attend upon notice."
Baek Hyun bowed politely while perking his ears to eavesdrop on Cloud Crane and Mok Seon's conversation.
Alliance Leader naturally meant the Martial Alliance Leader.
Based on their lukewarm response to the Wheel Demon Temple, Starpoint suspected the Martial Alliance was heavily infiltrated by them too.
That's why they hadn't reported the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace incident in detail.
And now, the Alliance Leader wanted to convene the righteous factions...
It might just be formalities, but something important could happen at that meeting.
"Also, just days ago, the Zhuge Clan's daughter emerged from closed-door training, gathering not just leaders but all the late-generation talents for the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly.
I hear the young ones are holding their own gatherings to build bonds... Starpoint just arrived, so it might be awkward for your disciple. I'll instruct mine accordingly to avoid discomfort."
With that, Cloud Crane stepped aside, calling forward a boy waiting right behind him.
"This is my disciple, Azure Cloud. He hasn't debuted in the jianghu yet, so no nickname, but by my humble judgment, he's one to lead the martial world in the future."
Only then did Baek Hyun's gaze shift from Cloud Crane to the introduced boy.
Among the similarly aged Taoists present, this boy stood out with his particularly small stature and youthful face.
His compact height—maybe five cheok—and proportionally short limbs didn't look suited for combat at all.
But Baek Hyun knew.
PvP-obsessed top rankers sometimes deliberately made characters short to minimize hitboxes.
This gave huge advantages in fights, so single-digit rankers he often faced made theirs childlike and tiny.
Exactly like that.
"Huh?"
"Uh?"
Almost simultaneously with Baek Hyun sensing something off.
The boy, who had been staring blankly into space with a bored expression, turned his gaze to Baek Hyun.
And then.
"Eh?"
"Uh-eh?"
With another clumsy exclamation, the two boys' eyes scanned each other repeatedly.
As if verifying if the info they grasped was real.
But after a moment of silence in that place.
The two boys had no choice but to be certain.
"...Sun Wrapper?"
"...Wudang Beetle?"
It was the second encounter with another possessor.