Chapter 19
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 19
The day after the entrance examinations finally came to a close.
A total of sixty-seven successful applicants gathered at the testing grounds. The air thrummed with a relaxed, expectant energy—a stark contrast to the suffocating tension of the previous day.
Eight were mortals slated to serve as Outer Gate affiliates, while the remaining fifty-nine were cultivators poised to become Inner Gate disciples.
They had assembled for the initiation ceremony: the final step of the entrance examination.
Standing before the orderly ranks and files of applicants, the top five performers took their rightful places in the very front row.
First Place: Ise.
Second Place: Hae Un-chan.
Third Place: Hong Won-seo.
Fourth Place: Seol Ryeong.
Fifth Place: Pi Ga-ram.
With the sole exception of third-place Hong Won-seo—a retainer from Hong Mi-hui’s family, the Flame Flower Hong Clan—the entire top five consisted of Ise’s team members.
This was undoubtedly the result of their spectacular performance and overwhelming victory in the final exam. Seol Ryeong’s comeback had been especially dramatic, leaping all the way from eleventh place straight to fourth.
"I really didn't expect to be standing up here with you guys," Hae Un-chan teased lightheartedly.
Ise chuckled softly and fired back, "Given how many Dharma Artifacts you burned through, the artifact crafter who made them basically bought that rank for you."
"What? Wielding Dharma Artifacts is a skill too, you know! Do you think just anyone can utilize that many artifacts perfectly in the heat of battle?"
"Hmm, is that so..."
Seol Ryeong grumbled and nudged Pi Ga-ram, urging him to chime in.
"I thought I was going to be fourth," Pi Ga-ram pointed out dryly.
At his blunt comment, Seol Ryeong pouted heavily, grumbling under her breath that there was just no getting through to him.
"We will now begin the initiation ceremony."
The noisy chatter instantly died down as Kang I-tae and Hong Mi-hui stepped onto the platform.
Formal, ritualistic procedures commenced. After a short while, a group of cultivators brought out a massive cauldron, easily the size of a full-grown human. Brimming with auspicious energy, it was clearly a Dharma Artifact—or more accurately, something akin to a sacred treasure.
"Step forward one by one, offer a drop of your blood, and swear the oath," Kang I-tae announced. "This is a Soul Binding Contract that will engrave your allegiance to the Great Martial Dao. First Place, step forward."
Ise walked up and stood before the cauldron. Drawing his small axe, he made a shallow cut on his palm and let a single drop of blood fall into the vessel. A faint ripple of spiritual energy immediately pulsed through the air.
The vow consisted of two absolute pledges:
First: Do not commit any act that betrays the Great Martial Dao.
Second: Do not share, record, or pass down the secret cultivation arts of the Great Martial Dao to outsiders.
"What happens if someone breaks it?" Ise asked, merely seeking clarification.
Kang I-tae directed a flat, unreadable gaze toward him. "Nothing will happen immediately."
"..."
"However, once the Great Martial Dao learns of your transgression, we will send someone to exact punishment."
"What defines betrayal?"
"That depends on your own mindset."
It was an ambiguous answer. Did it mean that even if an action ultimately harmed the Great Martial Dao, it wouldn't violate the oath as long as it was genuinely done for the sake of the sect?
Ise had a myriad of other questions, but he swallowed them and stepped back for the sake of those waiting in line behind him.
Soon, the Soul Binding ceremony for all the disciples concluded, and the distribution of special rewards for the top-ranking applicants began.
First was a private audience with a Core Formation Stage Great Cultivator, a privilege granted exclusively to the first and second-place performers.
Without hesitation, Ise chose Hall Master Hae Il of the Azure Dragon Hall.
"Hall Master Hae Il is always extremely busy with both public and private affairs, so there is no telling when your lesson will actually occur. Do you still choose him?"
"Yes. I will accommodate his schedule, whenever it may be."
"Very well. I shall pass the word along."
Next was Hae Un-chan’s choice. He too had wished to be instructed by his ancestor, Great Cultivator Hae Il, but since Ise had taken the slot, that was no longer an option. Instead, he opted to receive personal instruction from Hall Master Asan of the White Tiger Hall.
"Cultivator Kang, do you mind if I have a quick word with the kids?"
Kang I-tae glanced at Hong Mi-hui, who had suddenly stepped forward, and nodded his consent.
Considering she had bothered to attend the initiation ceremony—an event she usually never visited—he had already suspected she had some ulterior motive.
She approached the top five performers, her eyes holding their characteristic alluring gleam.
"Why did you choose to become cultivators? Is there a specific wish you want to fulfill?"
Facing Hong Mi-hui’s direct gaze, Ise found himself unable to answer the sudden question immediately.
Hong Mi-hui chuckled softly. "You may speak honestly. There will be neither reward nor penalty for your answer. I’m simply asking so I can forge Dharma Artifacts perfectly tailored to your inclinations and goals."
Even so, Ise hesitated. His primary objective was revenge, but now that he had officially set foot upon the path of immortal cultivation, he was unsure whether it was appropriate to voice such an impure intent.
As Ise’s silence stretched on, Hong Mi-hui turned to Hae Un-chan beside him. "It seems our top performer has a lot on his mind. You answer first."
"I want to become a Core Formation Stage Great Cultivator and explore beyond the Eastern Continent, traveling across the entire mainland. Ultimately, my dream is to draw a map of the entire world."
"A world map, is it..." At his unfiltered, earnest answer, Hong Mi-hui nodded with amused interest. "And what about the descendant of our clan?"
Hong Won-seo answered without a shred of hesitation. "The revival of our clan, and ascension to the Heavenly Realm."
"Oho. Quite grand ambitions!"
It was an answer equivalent to declaring he would become a Soul Transformation Stage Immortal. Hong Mi-hui burst out laughing, gently swaying her fan. Next, her gaze shifted to Pi Ga-ram.
"Nothing in particular."
"It doesn’t have to be related to immortal cultivation."
"If I had to choose... I want to gain enough power to reach the truth."
"The truth... That is a somewhat dangerous statement, isn’t it?"
It was an answer that raised eyebrows, but Hong Mi-hui let it pass without further comment.
Meanwhile, Seol Ryeong, who had been flinching nervously ever since Hong Mi-hui stood before them, blurted out her answer before she could even be asked.
"I want to become the greatest shaman, just like you, Senior!!"
"Oh my, how adorable. Your eyes are quite beautiful. You possess eyes that pierce the heavens."
"Gasp! How did you know...?"
"Now, how did I know? With your talent, you’d be more than worthy of becoming the next Hall Master of the Vermilion Bird Hall. Hurry up and grow strong so you can come to big sister, alright?"
Seol Ryeong trembled intensely with delight, practically dying of joy right where she stood.
Smiling at their answers, Hong Mi-hui finally posed the question to Ise once more.
Inspired by his companions’ simple and honest answers, he finally replied without pretense.
"To be honest, my initial goal was revenge. But now that I have joined a sect to walk the path of immortal cultivation, I wondered if it was right to live as a cultivator while harboring such impure thoughts."
As if perfectly understanding why he had hesitated, Hong Mi-hui replied, "Cultivating the Dao does not mean you must discard the goal you started with. On the contrary, as long as that goal does not stray from the Dao Principles, it serves as proper motivation."
Ise mulled over her words for a moment before adding, "I want to become strong. Revenge comes first, but that is merely a narrow goal... Ultimately, I want the power to be free."
"The power to be free? What kind of power is that?"
"I want the freedom to never lose anything again. Be it my possessions, my people, or my convictions."
It was the first time he had voiced it aloud, but it was a thought that had lingered in his mind for years—ever since he lost his family in Subu Village, all the way through his desperate fight against Aseongyongma.
It was not a grand, noble ambition like 'protecting others.' It was closer to a fierce, personal resolve: 'I will not lose anything.'
"That’s a good goal." Hong Mi-hui looked at the five applicants with an intrigued expression, lightly fanning herself. "Normally, I would craft standard-issue Dharma Artifacts as a special reward... But for you five, I will give my all to forge items worthy of being called sacred treasures."
At her words, the faces of the top five disciples lit up with joy, while envious groans erupted from the rest of the crowd.
A few more rituals followed, bringing the event to its conclusion.
Kang I-tae delivered his closing remarks. "For one year, you will cultivate here as initiate disciples, carrying out missions to accumulate contribution points and gather resources. If you manage to survive and return safely to the Main Mountain a year from now, you may greet me with proper respect."
A thunderous roar of cheers and applause broke out across the grounds.
Now, I can finally start cultivating. Ise could not suppress his excitement; this was the moment he had so eagerly awaited.
"Lastly, we will end the entrance exam by reciting the Ten Commandments of Ghost Exorcism in unison. Everyone, well done."
The powerful voices of the applicants resounded loudly throughout the testing grounds.
First Rule: Do not charge toward an unknown enemy.
Second Rule: Protect your body first before attacking the opponent.
Third Rule: Judge calmly, regardless of the situation.
Fourth Rule: Know your quarry’s information, but do not blindly trust it.
Fifth Rule: Begin the hunt only when victory is already assured.
Sixth Rule: Hunt with all your strength, no matter how weak the demon ghost may be.
Seventh Rule: Deal a decisive finishing blow to a fallen enemy.
Eighth Rule: Even if you think you dealt the finishing blow, check once more.
Ninth Rule: Do not feel ashamed of joint attacks or retreats.
Tenth Rule: When retreating, abandon everything except your life and run.
*
By the time the ceremony ended, dusk was settling over the land.
A tilted crescent moon hung in the sky, suspended as if caught by a fine strand of silk.
Ise's assigned dormitory was a private room slightly larger than the one he had used as an applicant. Though the size wasn’t dramatically different, the entrance itself was distinct.
Ise took hold of the doorknob. The moment he did, the metal and his spiritual energy traded pulses of light, resonating with each other. It was a type of formation barrier, designed to restrict entry to anyone other than the designated occupant of the room.
The furnishings inside were of refined quality. There was even a sturdy safe fitted with a heavy lock. A warning notice was attached to it, advising extreme caution—if the key were lost, forcing it open would be nearly impossible.
While he was unpacking his belongings and familiarizing himself with the room, a sudden knock sounded at the door.
Opening it, he found a cultivator about his own age smiling brightly at him.
Extending a hand, the young man introduced himself. "I’m Park Gang-seo. I joined the sect two years ago. My mission for this year is to help you adjust. Let’s get along."
"Ah..." Ise shook his hand.
He was a Qi Refining Stage cultivator whose realm wasn't much different from Ise's own. The young man before him didn't seem particularly reliable, certainly not enough to take responsibility for teaching someone else.
Did they say resource investments are concentrated on cultivators who survive through self-reliance?
Ise realized once more that the Great Martial Dao considered spending time and effort on Qi Refining Stage cultivators to be a complete waste.
Wiping away his inner thoughts, he replied politely. "I look forward to working with you. How should I address you? Senior? Fellow Daoist Park?"
"Just feel free to call me Brother or Sir Park Gang-seo. Calling me 'Senior' feels awkward since we're both in the Qi Refining Stage, and 'Fellow Daoist' feels a bit too distant."
"Understood, Sir Gang-seo."
"Right then, little brother. First off, my role is to introduce you to life at the Training Center and answer your questions whenever you have any. I’ll also serve as your escort when we go out on official missions once every half-year. I’m sure you have plenty to ask, but I’ll explain more later. For now, I have to go greet the other initiate disciples too."
He patted Ise's shoulder lightly and turned to leave.