Chapter 329
Swish.
Dan-pa stepped forward and respectfully pressed his palms together in prayer.
The Vajrayana path of Esoteric Buddhism pursues enlightenment through ascetic practice, differing from Central Plains Buddhism in that it does not ground itself in compassion.
As if to prove this, the monks of Potala Palace in Tibet are infamous for their cruel and savage hand techniques.
However, the lamas of Guangyang Temple are quite moderate by contrast, following the Mahayana tradition.
Thus, Dan-pa bowed his head very politely as he spoke.
"Then this humble monk must reluctantly—"
KWAOOO!
In that instant, a gale-force wind and a tidal wave of fist energy crashed toward his face.
So Ok-rim had suddenly unleashed a powerful One Fist strike.
"Ugh!"
Dan-pa had no preparatory movements—he never expected her to unleash such overwhelming force so abruptly. He couldn't even muster his Mahayana Dharma-Flow Art in time.
THWACK!
With the sound of splitting leather, Dan-pa's face took the full brunt of the blow, and he toppled over like a felled log.
THUD.
As Dan-pa collapsed in a sprawled spread-eagle shape, the lamas hurriedly scooped him up and carried him back into the temple.
Da-gil, who had been staring blankly at the scene, wore an utterly flabbergasted expression as he spoke.
"Where in the world is it written that you strike before the match even begins?"
"He pressed his palms together. That's a Starting Stance."
"What kind of Starting Stance is that?! That was him showing you courtesy!"
So Ok-rim averted her gaze from Da-gil's protest and puckered her lips like a duck's bill.
"In a real fight, who does that?"
Though she muttered it under her breath, there was no way Da-gil—with his profound internal power—could have missed it.
Steam might as well have been rising from his head in fury, but given his status and position, he couldn't afford to nitpick with a young female lay devotee. Suppressing his rage, he raised his voice.
"Dan-jeung! You step forward now."
This time, a tall and extremely skinny Vajra monk came forth.
He was a practitioner of the Swallow Escape Art, which shared similarities with the slippery, evasive movements of the Mud Loach Art.
Knowing that So Ok-rim primarily relied on fist techniques, Da-gil had sent out Dan-jeung—someone who could effortlessly deflect any attack.
Swish.
Having witnessed Dan-pa getting struck while paying respects, Dan-jeung stepped forward without any formalities.
But then, So Ok-rim's eyes widened in shock as she stared not at him—but at something behind him.
"...!"
Her face was filled with horror, her pupils trembling violently.
Dan-jeung, puzzled, instinctively turned to look behind him.
KWAOOO!
In that moment, So Ok-rim's One Fist came crashing toward him once more.
'Hmph. A cheap trick.'
The deception she used was something only children use when playing pranks.
Dan-jeung's Swallow Escape Art allowed him to effortlessly redirect any external force, no matter the situation.
That was why he had confidently turned around.
KWAOOO!
But this time, the fist energy came in two waves.
The first wave arced in a wide semicircle, crashing toward his back.
And just as his body naturally flowed with the redirecting motion—another surge of fist energy slammed into his lower abdomen.
"Ugh!"
A gasp identical to Dan-pa's burst from Dan-jeung's lips.
This was the subtle principle of the Hundred Blossoms Restraining Defense—first sealing the opponent's movement, then landing the decisive strike.
THWACK!
Dan-jeung's knees buckled, his eyes rolling back as a thick groan escaped him.
"Ghhhk—!"
So Ok-rim's One Fist contained a powerful Silk-Winding Force.
It felt as though his internal organs were being twisted and tangled in unbearable agony.
RUMBLE.
Eventually, Dan-jeung too was carried away by several lamas.
"To resort to such petty trickery!"
Da-gil roared in fury.
"Is this the handiwork of Central Plains martial arts?!"
"If he was dumb enough to look behind him mid-fight, that's his fault..."
"What did you say?!"
Hearing So Ok-rim's grumble, Da-gil bellowed in outrage.
"You dare say that after using such underhanded tactics?!"
So Ok-rim nonchalantly rubbed her nose and muttered again under her breath.
"Then don't fall for such 'petty tricks' next time."
Da-gil's face flushed crimson.
So Ok-rim had an exceptional talent for infuriating people.
With just a few words, she could make even a venerable monk—who had spent decades cultivating inner peace—see steam rise from the top of his head.
"Fine!"
Finally, his composure shattered, Da-gil stepped forward, his gaunt frame trembling.
"Then this old monk shall face you himself!"
His disciples immediately rushed to stop him.
"You mustn't!"
"Do not interfere."
When Da-gil remained unmoved, even Da-won—his junior martial brother and the master of the Discipline Court—pleaded with him.
"Absolutely not!"
"It's fine. This girl is merely skilled in deception."
Da-gil strode forward confidently.
"Our temple's disciples are too pure and naive to counter her. I must be the one to face her."
"Even so, you cannot! Your safety is the temple's safety!"
"What if she tricks you into defeat? Above all else, we must retrieve the Guanyin Statue, must we not?"
"...Understood."
At Da-gil's firm words, Da-won reluctantly stepped aside.
"For the final bout, this old monk shall test your skills. Show me everything you've got."
As Da-gil advanced, So Ok-rim made an awkward face and clicked her tongue.
"Send another disciple. How could I possibly throw a punch at an old man?"
"Though this old monk's body may be bent, I still have the strength to evade your tricks."
Da-gil emphasized the word "trick" as he spoke.
At that, one of So Ok-rim's eyebrows twitched.
"It's not a trick—it's strategy. If I use my full strength, won't the monks get hurt?"
"Hohoho. Only those with shallow foundations resort to such strategies."
"Sigh."
So Ok-rim rubbed her fists together and said,
"And what if something goes wrong? Won't all the monks here gang up on me?"
Though smaller in scale compared to the Potala Palace,
Guangyang Temple housed at least three thousand lama monks. If they truly decided to attack, even she wouldn't escape unscathed.
"Hohoho. No need to worry."
Da-gil spoke with unwavering confidence.
"Even if this old body is shattered to pieces, we will never hold you accountable."
"You promise?"
"Of course."
"Hmm."
So Ok-rim turned away briefly, lost in thought, then nodded.
"Fine."
She turned back, raising her right hand toward the heavens and lowering her left toward the earth.
Whoooosh!
A violent current of air swirled between her palms as waves of true qi began churning into a vortex.
Goooooo—
The vortex condensed into a blinding point of light, as if sucking in all the air in the world.
That radiant core seemed to hold the power of annihilation—enough to wipe out all existence and reduce heaven and earth to nothingness.
"Th-that stance—!"
Da-gil's eyes bulged at the sight of that terrifying Starting Stance.
In that instant, the dying words of Great Master Cho-hyo—the former abbot of Guangyang Temple, who had been brutally defeated by the Star Emperor four hundred years ago—flashed through his mind.
—If you ever witness a fist technique that splits heaven and earth with violent currents, flee immediately.
For that is the Star Emperor's Destruction Fist Form—the Galaxy Severance.
"The Star Emperor's... Galaxy Severance?"
Da-gil had always wondered—
Just how devastating must a technique be to earn a name like "Severing the Silver River in Two"?
And now, he finally had his answer.
FWOOOOOOSH!
As that colossal point of light surged forth, Da-gil's vision turned white.
And then—
The entire world was swallowed in blinding radiance.
Three figures raced frantically away from Sera Utse Mountain, where Guangyang Temple stood, fleeing toward Namok Forest.
They were Bu Eun-seol, Seo Jin-ha, and So Ok-rim.
Nestled in Bu Eun-seol's embrace was a small mirror shimmering with silver light—
The Great Vow Mirror, one of Guangyang Temple's treasures.
True to its reputation as the temple that had produced the Living Buddha of Tibet, the Panchen Lama,
Guangyang Temple had honored its word after even Da-gil's defeat.
—This temple will never forget this disgrace!
But the memory of Da-won's anguished cry as he handed over the mirror, along with the furious glares of the three thousand disciples, weighed heavily on their hearts.
Thanks to his mastery of the Mahayana Dharma-Flow Art, Da-gil had survived So Ok-rim's single punch.
However, his clothes had been reduced to powder, and he collapsed unconscious, babbling deliriously from the shock to his head.
—I'm dead! I must be dead!
To think that the abbot of Guangyang Temple had been stripped naked before his disciples, raving like a madman after a single strike—
It was a humiliation the temple would never live down.
'So she truly has inherited the Star Emperor's martial arts.'
Da-gil's final cry—"The Star Emperor's Galaxy Severance?"—confirmed it beyond doubt.
So Ok-rim was undeniably his descendant.
'And that fist technique...'
Bu Eun-seol glanced at So Ok-rim, sprinting close beside Seo Jin-ha.
Her fist technique not only allowed her to shift authority freely, much like the Seven Forms of the Fist Demon, but its sheer power surpassed it by three or fourfold.
'If I obtained the lost latter three forms, could I stand against it?'
Bu Eun-seol shook his head.
No Fist Palm Finger Art he knew could counter So Ok-rim's technique.
To withstand her strikes, he would need to unleash supreme martial arts like the Willful True Binding or the Thirteenfold Qi Induction.
'She's truly formidable.'
Among all the Rising Talents of the Younger Generation Bu Eun-seol had encountered, Cheon-geom had possessed the most outstanding martial arts.
But So Ok-rim's Martial Arts True Scripture surpassed even Cheon-geom's level.
'Is she my destined rival?'
Bu Eun-seol could sense it—
So Ok-rim's martial prowess stood on equal footing with his own... and she had the strength to be a true rival.
The Divine Calculator had spoken of a destined partner.
Perhaps it didn't mean a lover—but a fated adversary?
Tap.
Just then, So Ok-rim, who had been leading the way, halted her Lightness Art.
"This is Gorap Mountain."
Bu Eun-seol looked up at the towering peak, its summit lost in the clouds.
They had finally arrived at Gorap Mountain, home of the Cloud Sea Wall Spirit Palace.
"I'll take the lead from here."
Bu Eun-seol immediately activated his Lightness Art.
Whoosh.
As they ascended, the surroundings grew thick with mist until visibility was nearly lost.
The temperature plummeted, and patches of snow became visible.
How far had they climbed?
At some point, the terrain leveled out, revealing countless branching paths.
"We should use it here."
At Seo Jin-ha's words, Bu Eun-seol stopped using his Lightness Skill and retrieved the Great Vow Mirror from his robes.
When he channeled his internal power into it—
Flash!
A brilliant light erupted, dispersing the fog.
'This way.'
With Empty Mind Spirit Perception activated, Bu Eun-seol accurately identified the path among the many forked trails—the one bearing traces of human passage.
After walking along the path for some time, they finally caught sight of a small fortress dyed in pure white.
Perched atop the high mountain ridge, the white fortress resembled nothing so much as a towering crane standing tall.
"This is the Cloud Sea Azure Spirit Palace."
Bu Eun-seol drew a deep breath.
At the end of their long journey, they had finally arrived at their destination—the place where Seo Jin-ha's internal power would be restored.
'It's been quite the arduous journey.'
Had Bu Eun-seol sought an easier path, he could have asked the Lord of Hell Blood Citadel to restore Seo Jin-ha's power.
After all, following the Hell Blood Citadel's expression of gratitude, Gongya Geuk had formally pledged his support, even if only in name.
But Bu Eun-seol no longer wished for Seo Jin-ha to train in Poison Arts.
No matter how harmless they claimed it to be, poison arts were still poison arts. Unlike ordinary internal energy methods, they carried too many hindrances.
"Then you should discard them without hesitation."
That was what Bu Eun-seol had said when Gyo Jung-hak, the Pill King Hall Lord, declared Seo Jin-ha's power nearly impossible to restore.
If Hell Blood Citadel's Poison Arts couldn't repair the damage, then he intended to impart an even greater internal energy method—one that would restore Seo Jin-ha's power without requiring years of training.
Creak.
As they stood before the gates, the closed doors swung open on their own.
Then, a small girl clad in snow-white robes stepped forward.
She stared intently at the Great Vow Mirror in Bu Eun-seol's hand before nodding slightly.
"Follow me."
Though her lips didn't move, her voice rang clear.
Bu Eun-seol gave a faint nod in return.
'She's opened her Upper Dantian.'
That this young girl had unlocked her Upper Dantian to the point of freely manipulating her bodily functions...
Just as Blood Vajra had said, the Cloud Sea Azure Spirit Palace was undoubtedly the most exceptional among the foreign sects that cultivated internal energy through the Upper Dantian.
"Places like this usually forbid outsiders, don't they? How curious."
Even the normally reckless So Ok-rim couldn't hide her astonishment as she stepped forward.
The sight of the beautiful Blue Spirit Palace, standing atop the dizzying heights of the snowy mountain, evoked images of a palace straight out of a fairy tale.
It seemed less like a place where people lived and more like a dwelling for spirits carved from ice.
Strangely, despite entering the palace's central hall, the cold was no different from the outside.
Inside the Great Hall, a high staircase came into view, flanked by two stone thrones. Beyond them, a small door stood.
This was likely where the palace master received guests who entered the palace.
While Bu Eun-seol and So Ok-rim stood unfazed, Seo Jin-ha—deprived of his internal power—shivered uncontrollably from the chill.
Just as Bu Eun-seol noticed and prepared to channel his internal energy into him—
"Cold, aren't you? Hold my hand."
So Ok-rim abruptly seized Seo Jin-ha's wrist.
"No, I'm fine."
Seo Jin-ha tried to pull away, but a warm current of energy had already begun flowing into his body.
'Her internal energy is monstrous.'
To transmit such overwhelming power in an instant, simply by grasping his Pulse Gate...
Only now did Seo Jin-ha understand why Bu Eun-seol had called her strong.
'Hm?'
But then, So Ok-rim's expression shifted subtly as she continued channeling energy.
'He said I'd feel something if I touched my destined partner...'
"Is there no way to tell apart from appearance?"
When So Ok-rim had asked, the Divine Calculator had replied:
"You'll know once you make physical contact."
So Ok-rim tilted her head in confusion.
Even as she held Seo Jin-ha's wrist, she felt nothing.
'Does it require... deeper physical contact?'
Just as she entertained that absurd thought—
Creak.
The door behind the altar opened, and two children stepped out.
They gazed down at Bu Eun-seol's group with solemn expressions before slowly taking their seats upon the thrones.
"It's rare for guests to visit the Main Palace."
This time, the girl spoke aloud.
Both children had strikingly delicate features, their pupils a vivid blue.
Though their eyes were clear, they lacked the youthful impulsiveness expected at their age. Instead, they exuded the composed dignity of those who held high authority.
'Rejuvenation.'
When one's internal energy reached its peak, they attained Rejuvenation.
But that was merely an expression of their realm.
It meant regaining the appearance of youth—not actually becoming a child.
"Wandering martial artist Seol-so pays his respects to the two of you."
While Seo Jin-ha and So Ok-rim hesitated, Bu Eun-seol stepped forward respectfully, clasping his hands in greeting.
"Are the two of you the palace masters?"
At his polite inquiry, the seated girl let out a soft chuckle.
"You truly have no prejudices."
Her voice was gentle as she continued,
"No matter how much we sit here and exude majesty, no one ever believes we're the palace masters."
Baring her white teeth in a slight smile, she added,
"This lady is the palace master, Hwa-mi. And this is my husband, the Retired Palace Master, A-min."
There was no such surname as "A" in this world.
Yet Bu Eun-seol simply clasped his hands once more.
"I see. Seol-so greets Palace Master Hwa-mi and Retired Palace Master A-min."
At this, Seo Jin-ha—who had been standing dumbfounded—finally caught on and hurriedly bowed as well.
"Seo Jin-ha."
"So Ok-rim... uh..."
So Ok-rim, still unconvinced they were the palace masters, answered reluctantly.
"Hmm."
But the gazes of Palace Master Hwa-mi and A-min remained fixed on Bu Eun-seol.
He hadn't shown the slightest surprise at their youthful appearances, maintaining nothing but respect throughout. It seemed to have earned him a sliver of their favor.
"This palace does not involve itself in worldly affairs. How did you find your way here?"
Bu Eun-seol answered Palace Master Hwa-mi's question plainly.
"I seek the teachings of the Myriad Transformations Dharma Wheel."
"The Myriad Transformations Dharma Wheel?"
Palace Master Hwa-mi's expression turned incredulous.
To arrive at a sect unknown to the world and immediately demand the transmission of its foundational internal energy method—was this man out of his mind?