Chapter 55

Contest (3)

The contest had reached its final stages.

As all of the participants were rising talents selected to represent their respective halls, none of them were lacking in skill.

As a result, the competition had been fiercely contested from beginning to end.

Among them, however, two swordsmen had distinguished themselves above all others.

Namgung Jun and Baekri Cheong.

The two young martial artists had won every match they had fought so far.

There were several other contestants with impressive records, but none could rival the undefeated performances of Namgung Jun and Baekri Cheong.

“I never expected Namgung Jun and Baekri Cheong to achieve such overwhelming win rates.”

“What's especially surprising is that Baekri Cheong defeated the other elite disciples of the Ultimate Martial Hall. His rate of growth is extraordinary.”

“If we're talking purely about attainment, Namgung Jun is the truly unbelievable one. I've never heard of accomplishments like his.”

The veterans in the spectator stands watched the arena with gleaming eyes.

Depending on the outcome of the upcoming match, the contest itself could effectively come to an end.

I absolutely have to win this match.

Samyeop of the Flying God Hall stared at Namgung Jun with determination.

If Namgung Jun won this bout as well, he and Baekri Cheong would remain tied for first place.

In that case, neither Jang Munhyeok nor Samyeop himself would be able to catch up, even if they won every remaining match.

Since only two representatives would be selected through the contest, the spots would effectively belong to Namgung Jun and Baekri Cheong.

To preserve even the slightest chance of advancement, Samyeop had to win.

I can't confront him head-on. I'll drag out the fight and use my advantage in stamina and internal energy.

Samyeop moved tirelessly.

Each time his feet gently pushed against the ground, his figure blurred.

The Flying God Hall specialized in movement arts:

Footwork, body techniques, lightness skills—in short, movement techniques.

As one of the hall's foremost young talents, Samyeop's footwork was unquestionably exceptional.

Namgung Jun's movement skills were impressive for someone his age, but not enough to compare with his own.

After escaping Namgung Jun's range with a single maneuver, Samyeop became convinced.

In terms of movement techniques, I clearly have the advantage.

Namgung Jun's swordsmanship was terrifyingly refined for his age.

Facing it directly would be difficult.

Therefore, Samyeop intended to exploit his specialty to the fullest.

It seems he neglected his movement training in favor of swordsmanship. Or perhaps his innate talent for the sword is simply absurd.

As Samyeop carefully observed him, his pupils suddenly widened.

The space before him was instantly filled with blue sword light.

Ssswiiik!

The lightning-fast sword of the Thirteen Lightning Sword Strikes surged forward like a thunderbolt, reaching his chin in an instant.

Its speed was so overwhelming that every hair on his body stood on end.

Yet Samyeop barely managed to twist his upper body aside.

“Damn it!”

The strike had been so fast that the curse escaped involuntarily.

He was startled—but also exhilarated.

Part of him wanted to praise himself for successfully reacting to such a terrifying quick sword.

That thought lasted only a moment.

Namgung Jun's blade was already closing the distance again, aimed directly at him.

Samyeop immediately retreated and kicked through empty air.

The force generated by his footwork caused the surrounding atmosphere to ripple.

A retreating step meant for evasion instantly became a kicking technique meant for attack.

Baaang!

With a booming sound like a giant drum exploding, a massive leg-force shot forward in the shape of a translucent pillar.

An all-in-one movement art combining offense and defense.

The Flying God Hall's Skywave Surging Body Art.

As Samyeop finally unleashed the hall's signature technique, every kick compressed the surrounding air and generated violent gusts.

His feet repeatedly struck empty space, creating fierce ripples throughout the atmosphere.

Movement and attack became one.

Dozens of leg gusts poured forth simultaneously.

It was as though a miniature storm had been born from his legs.

Whoooong!

Circling around the arena, Samyeop continuously unleashed the ultimate techniques of the Skywave Surging Body Art.

The leg gusts swept in from every direction.

Namgung Jun found himself pinned in the center of the stage.

Dozens of attacks crashed toward him within a single breath.

Yet his defense remained unshakable.

The sword wind flowing from Namgung Jun's blade revealed razor-sharp fangs, shredding every incoming gust.

Despite enduring the Skywave Surging Body Art head-on, only his hair and sleeves fluttered violently.

Nothing more.

Seeing this, anxiety began to creep into Samyeop's heart.

He forcibly shook it away.

I can never let him close the distance.

No matter how formidable Namgung Jun's swordsmanship was, he could not maintain such an ironclad defense forever.

Internal energy and stamina both had limits.

Samyeop would simply wait until those limits appeared.

With that thought, he continued kicking through the air.

Step.

For the first time, the boy who had remained rooted in place and focused solely on defense took a step forward.

So he's finally run out of patience and decided to move.

Namgung Jun had begun advancing.

Yet nothing changed.

Compared to Samyeop, Namgung Jun's movement techniques were vastly inferior.

He had no way of closing the distance.

Nevertheless, Namgung Jun continued walking forward steadily.

As this loose pursuit continued, Samyeop suddenly sensed something strange.

“Hm?”

The movement of Namgung Jun's body, which had seemed to consist of nothing more than ordinary steps, became oddly different.

Heavy waves of aura erupted from his entire body.

The surrounding atmosphere trembled and rippled.

Centered on Namgung Jun, powerful shockwaves layered themselves vertically one atop another.

The phenomenon resembled a translucent pillar rising into the sky.

“This...”

Samyeop's eyes widened as he studied the aura.

The principles behind the vibrations compressing and shaking the air felt extremely familiar.

There's no mistake.

The principles of the Skywave Surging Body Art had somehow been incorporated into Namgung Jun's aura.

He's imitating it just by watching?

It was impossible.

Absolutely impossible.

From the flow of aura alone, it should have been impossible.

One needed to know the cultivation formula, the martial intent behind the technique, and the pathways through which the energy circulated.

Stealing a martial art simply by watching it was impossible.

At least, according to everything Samyeop knew.

But Namgung Jun's perspective was different.

Something like this should work.

He was not stealing the Skywave Surging Body Art.

He was merely observing the principles hidden within its aura control and footwork, using them as inspiration.

As for the framework and substance needed to complete it, he could simply reconstruct them using the martial arts of Namcheon Palace and the mysteries of the movement techniques he had recently encountered in the Hall of Martial Excellence.

Build the aura thick and solid, then expand the domain outward.

Whoooong!

The endlessly shifting flow of aura gradually converged into a single direction.

It became steadfast.

Unyielding.

Wrapped in that transformed aura, Namgung Jun's movements also began to change.

His body moved as straight and upright as a massive support beam.

Breaking through dozens of leg gusts head-on, he advanced without hesitation.

“What?!”

Unlike before, when he had changed direction repeatedly, Namgung Jun now advanced in a perfectly straight line.

Yet it did not appear reckless.

Instead, it felt as though an enormous pillar were toppling toward him.

A crushing pressure bore down upon Samyeop.

Samyeop explosively unleashed his internal energy, pushing his speed to its absolute limit.

Yet instead of growing farther away, Namgung Jun's face only became larger as he drew closer.

At the same time, the blue light filling Namgung Jun's eyes deepened and shone with increasing brilliance.

The new principles and insights he had developed were stimulating his martial intent.

A way of moving forward steadfastly under any circumstances.

A powerful movement capable of extending one's sword despite any interference.

Having organized the core principles and insights of the new movement art, Namgung Jun wove them into a single doctrine.

The pillar that connects heaven and earth.

Repeating the doctrine endlessly within his mind, the boy envisioned the intent behind the new movement art.

To advance without stopping, one must possess an unwavering center.

Pababababang!

Even as the ultimate techniques of the Skywave Surging Body Art battered his entire body, Namgung Jun's advance did not stop.

Instead, it became even more imposing.

I make this humble body into a pillar that supports the blue heavens. Thus, no storm shall ever shake me.

The autumn sky his disciples had protected in his previous life.

To preserve that blue sky filled with righteous chivalry, he himself would become the pillar that upheld it.

Kuuung!

The proper intent settled into the newly created martial art.

A heavy impact erupted from beneath Namgung Jun's feet, as though a massive pillar had been driven deep into the earth.

Nothing could halt his advance.

The distance between them closed instantly.

For the first time, the engagement was dictated entirely by Namgung Jun.

And with no obstacles remaining, the Thirteen Lightning Sword Strikes flowed forth smoothly.

"..."

Unlike before, Samyeop failed to react.

Before he realized it, a blade wrapped in lightning rested against his throat.

For the first time, the feet that had moved ceaselessly throughout the match came to a stop.

“I lost.”

“Thank you.”

As Namgung Jun withdrew his sword, Samyeop finally released the breath he had been holding and asked,

“Thank you?”

“I gained inspiration from your movements, Senior.”

“You mean that movement technique that crushed the Skywave Surging Body Art head-on?”

Namgung Jun quietly nodded.

Recalling the Thirteen Lightning Sword Strikes and the Heavenly Wind Sword Art that Namgung Jun had supposedly created himself, Samyeop asked,

“Don't tell me you created a new movement art?”

“I did.”

“What is its name?”

Though the question came from Samyeop, everyone watching—including Jegal Muran—was focused on Namgung Jun.

Namgung Jun closed his eyes briefly.

His body had become a pillar supporting the heavens—Heavenly Pillar

And because it must continue advancing steadfastly without faltering—Resolute Advance 

“Movement Art. Heavenly Pillar Resolute Advance Body Art .”

Samyeop let out a sigh that mixed admiration with disappointment.

“Heavenly Pillar Resolute Advance Body Art... A type of movement art I've never seen before.”

To be selected as one of the junior disciples who would attend the Songshan Assembly, he absolutely needed to win this match.

He had failed.

Which meant the opportunity had slipped through his fingers.

But strangely enough, I don't mind.

Perhaps because he had witnessed the birth of a completely new movement art from mere inches away.

His mind tingled with inspiration.

If he could seize this thread of enlightenment, his mastery of the Skywave Surging Body Art would likely increase dramatically.

More than anything, he wanted to return to the Flying God Hall immediately and immerse himself in training.

“Through this victory, Namgung Jun has tied Baekri Cheong for first place.”

Hall Master Jegal Muran had already stepped onto the arena.

“Even if Baekri Cheong and Namgung Jun were to lose all of their remaining matches, they would still remain tied for first. Therefore, the contest concludes today. Baekri Cheong and Namgung Jun have been selected as the junior disciples who will participate in the Songshan Assembly.”

Despite Jegal Muran's declaration, the spectators showed little reaction.

Instead, many wore dissatisfied expressions.

When the Hall Master of the Divine Mechanism Hall looked around in confusion, Namgung Jun suddenly spoke.

“Hall Master. Although the contest has already been decided, I would still like to test myself against Young Hero Baekri.”

Only then did Jegal Muran realize what the spectators truly wanted.

“A match that serves no practical purpose...”

Smiling bitterly, she turned toward Baekri Cheong, who had been waiting nearby.

“Baekri Cheong. Are you willing to have one more match, as Namgung Jun requests?”

“I would be honored.”

The moment he answered, Baekri Cheong leapt into the air and landed atop the arena.

The two swordsmen stood facing one another.

The days when neither of them wore cloud emblems on their sleeves, when they had competed against one another, still felt vivid.

Now they met again as holders of the Two Clouds rank.

The feeling was naturally different.

Would Baekri Cheong maintain his superiority?

Or had Namgung Jun finally caught up and changed the balance between them?

Without speaking, the two swordsmen continued measuring one another.

“Begin!”

At Jegal Muran's command, both swordsmen drew their swords simultaneously.

JJEEEEOOOONG!