Chapter 95: Strength Evaluation (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 95: Strength Evaluation (2)
A vibrant internal energy surged through Namgung Jun's meridians.
Two types of internal energy filled them with majestic force, but it was the Spear King Azure Aura that held dominance. This was his first time primarily utilizing the Spear King Azure Aura instead of the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Formula.
Yet, his control over the energy felt incredibly natural.
An indigo Sword Qi shimmered around his blade, extending and retracting with a life of its own.
Namgung Jun looked back on his three months of intensive training.
‘Encapsulating so many different, deeply mastered martial principles into a single strike was no easy task.’
While instructing the Heavenly Sword Hall in the depths of the Great Derivation Sword Technique, Namgung Jun had found himself delving into it once more.
Even as he looked past mere mastery toward ultimate achievement, the principles contained within the Great Derivation Sword Technique remained unfathomably vast.
Every time he gained a new realization, a wider horizon of martial insight revealed itself.
At the same time, a certainty began to take root. The starting point for the new martial path he had chosen in this life was, without a doubt, the Great Derivation Sword Technique.
Despite possessing the memories of his past life as the Sword Emperor, the path of the sword was still long and distant. It was so vast that it could not be taken in at a single glance, its end nowhere in sight.
Indeed, did an end even exist?
‘Like an autumn sky that stretches endlessly without boundaries.’
Namgung Jun transformed the mental block that had momentarily stood before him like a wall, turning it into a koan—a source of martial insight.
‘If the path is so wide and distant that it has no end, then my sword shall be the same.’
Namgung Jun fully unleashed the martial insights he had accumulated over the past three months.
It wasn't an established sword technique. It had no proper mnemonics, forms, or stances—it was purely a raw mass of insight. To utilize this insight properly, deeper study and greater realization were required.
However, if he could channel that insight into a single strike, it would be more than enough to serve as an ultimate technique unleashed in an instant.
"Vast and Empty Sky."
Namgung Jun softly muttered the name of this realization, which was still nothing more than an incomplete fragment.
As the Eternal Righteous Sword sliced through the air as if drawing a horizon, countless blue sword strikes soared upward.
In an instant, a tempest of blue Sword Qi burst outward, centered on Namgung Jun and the Azure Heaven Flag. Its range expanded in all directions, easily swallowing up the flagbearers who were clashing all over the field.
"Ugh!"
"What in the world is this?!"
The sudden, raging torrent of sword strikes was impossibly vast.
The startled flagbearers made their decisions in a split second, channeling their internal energy. With no room to retreat, they had no choice but to unleash their own ultimate techniques.
Though it was a technique they had never seen, the moment they faced it, they knew instinctively that trying to conserve their strength would result in a devastating blow.
Across the training ground, waves of qi with distinct characteristics vibrated through the air.
The Rhythmic Fan Technique of the Divine Mechanism Hall.
The Dark Waters Twin Dance of the Nether-Fathoming Hall.
The Heaven's Mandate Trembling Vengeance Stance of the Mokryun Hall.
From every direction, the ultimate arts of the Ten Halls erupted, each asserting its presence.
Yet, they could not push back the endlessly spreading army of blue sword strikes. It was all they could do to hold their ground and avoid being swept away.
Craaaash!
The face of the Martial Conquest Hall's flagbearer, who was executing an ultimate technique from the Martial Conquest Grand Selection Formula, contorted. The straight blade he used to cleave through the blue sword strikes shook violently, looking as if it might snap at any moment.
‘What on earth is this?’
The nature of the descending sword strikes was pure chaos. Heavy sword, swift sword, soft sword, illusion sword—strikes infused with every kind of principle imaginable rained down at random, greedily expanding their domain.
‘The Martial Conquest Grand Selection Formula is being pushed back?’
As the Martial Conquest Hall's flagbearer channeled his internal energy once more, his expression filled with utter bewilderment.
The only martial art that could compare in raw power to the Martial Conquest Grand Selection Formula in a head-on clash was the Crushing Hall's Majestic Shattering Assault Axe.
Yet, looking around, he saw that the Crushing Hall's flagbearer, who had unleashed the supreme technique of the Majestic Shattering Assault Axe, was also being pushed back helplessly.
‘At a glance, it looks like the Great Derivation Sword Technique, but what stance is this?’
The Martial Conquest Hall flagbearer's thoughts were cut short. Unable to hold out any longer, he was blown away by the sword strikes battering his entire body.
The waves of Sword Qi from Namgung Jun's attack slowly dissipated, and silence fell over the Grand Training Ground.
The state of the flagbearers was a sorry sight. Most were on their knees or staggering; the worst off were left rolling on the ground.
Only Namgung Jun remained standing, perfectly unscathed.
Namgung Jun caught his ragged breath and sheathed his sword. Turning around, he grasped the Azure Heaven Flag with both hands.
"Time is up."
Man Hun, who had been staring intently at Namgung Jun with wide eyes, belatedly nodded.
"...Indeed! I confirm that the Heavenly Sword Hall's flagbearer, Namgung Jun, has secured the Azure Heaven Flag!"
Even after Man Hun's declaration, the Grand Training Ground remained silent. It wasn't that they didn't acknowledge Namgung Jun's victory; rather, they were still captivated by the shocking final sword art he had displayed.
Unable to contain her curiosity, Jegal Mu-ran, the Divine Mechanism Hall Master, finally spoke on behalf of the association members.
"Namgung Jun. Was that final attack a single supreme technique? Or is it another sword technique entirely?"
At Jegal Mu-ran's question, everyone's eyes focused on Namgung Jun. The other martial artists were equally curious. To be a single supreme technique, its scale was too massive. To be a sword technique, it contained too many raw, unrefined strikes.
Namgung Jun toyed with his scabbard, pondered for a moment, and replied, "I merely expressed the realization and koan I attained through my sword. It is currently neither a supreme technique nor a sword technique."
Though it sounded like an ambiguous answer, the Hall Masters and other high-ranking members of the Azure Heaven Association gasped inwardly.
‘To have such a concrete martial insight!’
‘If he refines it, it will indeed become a new sword technique, just as the Divine Mechanism Hall Master said.’
‘I cannot even begin to imagine what kind of sword technique will be born.’
Meanwhile, the flagbearers caught their breath and slowly stood up. Staring blankly at Namgung Jun, they looked at each other's disheveled states and began to laugh, one by one.
The sight of each other in such a mess was comical, made even more so by the fact that they had all been bested by a junior far younger than themselves.
"I've learned a valuable lesson. That was quite an unexpected turn of events."
"Once you refine it, show it to us again. I won't be sitting idle either; I'll be honing my skills."
"It was a good match."
As the nine flagbearers cupped their fists in respect, Namgung Jun returned the courtesy.
Through the Flagbearer Battle, Namgung Jun's name was firmly established among the Ten Halls.
* * *
As soon as the Flagbearer Battle ended, the individual matches began.
One First Cloud, and two each from the Second and Third Clouds—a total of five Clouds were selected from each hall to participate.
The format was a series of martial duels. In a round-robin style, each hall would face every other hall sequentially, earning victory points for each win. Since every victory mattered for the final tally, the duels were fought with fierce intensity.
"Whoaaa!"
"Unbelievable! The duel has been completely overturned!"
Hearing the cheers from afar, Namgung Jun turned his head. It appeared that the Resounding Voice Hall, which had been at a disadvantage, had pulled off a comeback victory against the Divine Mechanism Hall.
‘The individual matches are nearing their end.’
The sequential duels were almost all wrapped up. Once the duel currently taking place on the stage concluded, the individual matches would officially end.
Namgung Jun focused his attention back on the duel before him.
Boom!
Before his eyes, a duel between the Heavenly Sword Hall and the Martial Conquest Hall was underway.
It was the fifth and final duel. Man Ye-won and Heo Il had already secured victories, but with two other swordsmen having lost, the outcome hinged entirely on this last match.
A large crowd of Clouds from other halls had gathered near the stage where the Heavenly Sword Hall and the Martial Conquest Hall clashed.
"To think the Heavenly Sword Hall has grown this strong."
"This is the first time I've seen the Martial Conquest Hall on the defensive."
"Between this and the Flagbearer Battle just now... the Three Powerhouses might actually change this time."
Various voices buzzed from all sides, but the martial artists of the Heavenly Sword Hall and the Martial Conquest Hall, entirely focused on the duel, kept their mouths shut.
Clang!
The stage shook as another thunderous roar erupted. It was the aftermath of Gong Jun-am's heavy sword slamming down against the broadsword of the Martial Conquest Hall martial artist.
After clashing with all their might, both martial artists retreated simultaneously.
"Phew."
Exhaling a sigh, the Martial Conquest Hall martial artist drove his broadsword into the stage.
"I lost. Far from breaking through your defense, my palms have split open."
Blood dripped from the hands of the Martial Conquest Hall martial artist, who had let go of his broadsword.
At that, Gong Jun-am also retrieved his heavy sword and cupped his fists.
"Senior Jang. It was a good duel."
"Wall-Repelling Sword. How did you become this strong? You were always strong, but not to this extent."
"It is thanks to our hall's flagbearer. I have learned a great deal."
At Gong Jun-am's plain words, the gaze of the Martial Conquest Hall martial artist, as well as the rest of the crowd, turned toward Namgung Jun.
"I see."
The Martial Conquest Hall martial artist nodded and stepped down from the stage first.
The referee, who had been watching the duel, waved his hand.
"Heavenly Sword Hall wins! You have earned three victory points!"
At the referee's declaration, the members of the Heavenly Sword Hall erupted in cheers.
No other hall had managed to defeat the Martial Conquest Hall in these individual matches. The Mokryun Hall and the Flying Swiftness Hall had managed to drag their matches into close contests, but they ultimately suffered defeat after losing the final duel.
The Heavenly Sword Hall, which was not even one of the Three Powerhouses, had handed the Martial Conquest Hall its first defeat. Many in the crowd celebrated the Heavenly Sword Hall's stellar performance as if it were their own victory.
"My disciple. You have trained the hall members well."
"We still have the group battle left."
"Still, it's clear to see. The Heavenly Sword Hall's skills have skyrocketed. Perhaps my disciple is more suited for the position of Hall Master than this master of yours?"
As Namgung Jun shook his head slightly, the five swordsmen of the Heavenly Sword Hall who had finished their individual matches walked over.
"Namgung Jun! How was I? I defeated the Second Clouds of every single hall in this individual match."
"I ran out of alcohol halfway through... It almost turned into a disaster. My hands are still shaking."
Listening to Man Ye-won and Heo Il, Namgung Jun turned his head to look at Gong Jun-am.
"Senior Gong. You did well."
"Mm. It was nothing."
"Your achievement in the heavy sword has risen. It was clearly visible."
Gong Jun-am merely gave a low nod.
While Namgung Jun was encouraging the five swordsmen, the group battle began.
The group battle was exactly what it sounded like: a clash between the full memberships of each hall, excluding only the Hall Masters.
"Jun, I'll be watching."
"Don't worry."
As Lee Se-ha stepped back, Namgung Jun surveyed the swordsmen of the Heavenly Sword Hall.
"Let's go."
Led by Namgung Jun, the Heavenly Sword Hall stepped into the center of the Grand Training Ground. On the opposite side, their first opponent was waiting.
‘The Resounding Voice Hall.’
The Clouds of the Resounding Voice Hall each held a different musical instrument. The woman at the center of their formation waved at Namgung Jun. She was the flagbearer he had clashed with just moments ago.
"Junior Namgung. It won't be so easy this time."
"Is that so?"
Namgung Jun did not offer much of a reply.
Watching the two halls face off, the observing Clouds began to chatter.
"The Heavenly Sword Hall has been on a roll, but I don't know about this one."
"The Resounding Voice Hall, fighting from within their sonic formation, is considered one of the most powerful among the Ten Halls in a group battle. Even the Crushing Hall and the Martial Conquest Hall would have to yield to them."
"How the Heavenly Sword Hall matches up against the Resounding Voice Hall is the key to this group battle."
As the Clouds of the Ten Halls watched the confrontation with interest, Namgung Jun spoke in a low voice.
"Deploy the formation."
The moment the Great Derivation Sword Formation was deployed, waves of sound-attribute qi erupted simultaneously from the Resounding Voice Hall.
"Junior Namgung, the Resounding Voice Hall has never failed to claim final victory in the group battles."
Layer upon layer of overlapping sonic Qi Waves began to test the Great Derivation Sword Formation.