Chapter 94

Power Evaluation (1)

The spirited and energetic shout of the Seonghong Hall Master echoed across the arena.

Then a cutting remark sliced through his overly excited laughter.

"Shut up already. Unless you're tired of living."

The Hall Master of Mukryun Hall, the Sword Demon, spat out the words as though grinding them between his teeth.

Killing intent practically overflowed from him, as if he might draw his sword at any moment.

"Hahaha! Excellent! Sword Demon! Shall we raise the excitement together?!"

Rather than backing down, the Seonghong Hall Master raised his voice even higher.

In response, the Sword Demon moved a hand toward his scabbard.

The two Hall Masters were just about to clash—

"Looks like everyone is here."

Atop the platform erected at the edge of the Grand Training Grounds stood the Changcheon Society Leader with his hands clasped behind his back.

Naturally, Chief Strategist Yun Gyeong-jong stood beside Ha Hu-seon, guarding his right side, while behind them stood the pavilion masters of the Ink Fragrance Division along with the elders, including the Head Elder.

Namgung Jun lifted his gaze toward the Society Leader and the Chief Strategist.

The Sword Lord and the Chief Strategist were the two pillars who assisted the Changcheon Society Leader.

Since the power evaluation was one of the Society's rare major events, their attendance was only natural.

The Sword Lord is still in secluded cultivation, then.

As Namgung Jun's thoughts lingered on the empty position to the Society Leader's left, the Hall Masters simultaneously knelt on one knee.

"We pay our respects to the Changcheon Society Leader!"

As the ten Hall Masters spoke in unison, the remaining members immediately followed suit.

"We pay our respects to the Changcheon Society Leader!"

The Society Leader nodded and looked down upon the Grand Training Grounds, where ten banners stood in a circle.

"Every time I see it, I think the same thing. What a magnificent sight. Don't you agree?"

At Ha Hu-seon's words, Namgung Jun slightly raised his head and looked at the banners.

Perhaps because he was kneeling, lowering his perspective, the ten banners standing around the arena seemed like a miniature fortress wall.

Moreover, the two characters emblazoned upon each banner carried tremendous weight.

Ten martial divisions, each possessing different martial arts and specialties.

If they were to move as a single force on the battlefield, it was difficult to imagine just how formidable their combined power would be.

"You are another wall that supports the Changcheon Society."

Ha Hu-seon's gaze swept across the ten banners.

"I hope the wall known as the Ten Halls grows broader and higher without end, until it finally drives back the Sun Moon Demonic Cult. May this power evaluation serve as another step toward that day."

With those brief words, Ha Hu-seon waved his left hand.

Yun Gyeong-jong, standing behind him, slowly opened his mouth.

"The power evaluation shall begin!"

His clear, ringing voice, infused with internal energy, announced the start of the event.

The first event was the Standard-Bearers' Match.

A contest exactly as its name implied.

The standard-bearers responsible for each hall's banner would take the stage.

A standard-bearer was the hall's second-in-command, capable of acting in place of the Hall Master during emergencies.

In other words, they were also candidates to become the next Hall Master.

"So the second-in-command of every hall is facing off right from the start."

Although she wasn't participating herself, Man Ye-won looked visibly nervous.

Heo Il shook his head.

"You should loosen up a little. If you stay this tense, you'll make mistakes when it's actually our turn."

Yet despite his words, he seemed concerned about Namgung Jun and turned to Gong Jun-am.

"What do you think, Senior Gong? How do you see this standard-bearers' match unfolding?"

"From what I can tell, the other halls haven't changed their lineups. I can't say exactly how things will go, but one thing is certain."

Gong Jun-am spoke with absolute confidence.

"We won't be the ones falling behind."

At that very moment, a massive banner descended from above.

KUUUNG!

It was three times larger than the banners of the Ten Halls.

A blue banner bearing the characters Changcheon.

The Head Elder, Man Hun, who had personally driven the banner deep into the stone ground, spoke.

"The allotted time is one gak—fifteen minutes. The hall whose standard-bearer possesses the banner at the end will receive the highest score. Additional points will be awarded based on the elders' individual evaluations."

The elders, including the Head Elder, all watched with sharp, gleaming eyes.

Their observation techniques, backed by experience and profound internal cultivation, made their intentions clear.

Not a single movement by the standard-bearers would escape their notice.

Snapping his fingers, Man Hun said,

"Begin."

Snap!

Yet despite the signal, none of the standard-bearers moved immediately.

Simply seizing the banner wasn't enough.

They had to protect it from the other competitors for the entire fifteen minutes.

A strategic approach was essential.

Especially when all nine opponents were formidable in their own right.

Step.

As everyone cautiously observed one another, a lone youth began walking forward.

The Rising Star Sword. He's younger than I expected.

So that's the foremost young talent of the righteous path.

He's become even stronger since the last time I saw him.

The standard-bearers of the Ten Halls refrained from moving recklessly and instead watched Namgung Jun.

Before long, he stepped onto the base of the Changcheon Banner planted at the center of the arena.

Shhhk!

The Eternal Truth Sword, drawn low, traced a large circle around the banner.

"Since none of my seniors seem inclined to make the first move, this junior shall step forward first."

Namgung Jun loosely lowered the tip of his sword.

"I seek guidance from my seniors."

His tone was respectful.

But the challenge hidden beneath those words was unmistakable.

Several standard-bearers laughed.

"The junior's spirit is impressive."

"We can't stand around forever. Time is passing even now."

"Hmm."

One after another, the standard-bearers released the pressure they had been restraining.

Amidst this, the standard-bearer of Flying Divine Hall asked,

"What is the meaning of the circle you've drawn on the ground?"

"No one shall be permitted to enter it."

Namgung Jun's gentle warning immediately made the expressions of the standard-bearers more serious.

Watching their reactions, he added, ...

"Since it's not often that all of us can gather in one place, it would be best to exchange greetings quickly."

"The Heavenly Sword Hall's standard-bearer speaks the truth!"

KUUUUGUGUGUNG!

The first to charge forward was the standard-bearer of Iron Tower Hall.

He came with explosive momentum, each step shattering the stone slabs beneath his feet.

Stone fragments flew in every direction as the Iron Tower Hall standard-bearer barreled forward.

Namgung Jun met the incoming fist head-on, bringing his sword down in a direct slash.

BOOM!

The sheer force of the collision shook the surrounding ground.

With only a single exchange, the Iron Tower Hall standard-bearer immediately understood how much Namgung Jun's external cultivation had advanced.

"Excellent! You haven't neglected your body cultivation."

"It is a precious lesson taught by Iron Tower Hall. How could I treat it lightly?"

Smiling faintly, Namgung Jun tightened his grip on the hilt.

BOOM!

Channeling sword force into his blade, he knocked the Iron Tower Hall standard-bearer aside and immediately twisted his waist, thrusting his sword long and low toward the left.

"Oh my."

"I'm fairly certain I warned you."

While Namgung Jun and the Iron Tower Hall standard-bearer exchanged blows, a middle-aged man had slipped toward the banner.

Using the Flying Divine Hall's signature movement technique, he attempted to seize the banner in a single motion.

Namgung Jun stopped him before he could.

"Your footwork is quite impressive."

"You flatter me."

Rather than testing himself directly against Namgung Jun, the Flying Divine Hall standard-bearer retreated.

It was a smooth and lightning-fast withdrawal.

"I wonder how long you'll be able to uphold that threat of preventing anyone from crossing your circle."

The Flying Divine Hall standard-bearer casually surveyed the battlefield.

KWAKAKANG!

The clash among the Ten Hall standard-bearers wasn't limited to the area around the banner.

The standard-bearer of Guangshi Hall stood atop his own hall's banner, drawing a bowstring.

Meanwhile, the standard-bearer of Cheongmyeong Hall slowly circled the battlefield, his presence growing fainter and fainter.

"Come!"

"Your power has grown even further."

The standard-bearers of Geukmu Hall and Jongpa Hall paid little attention to the banner, instead colliding violently with one another and sending shockwaves in all directions.

It seemed they were confident that the banner would eventually be theirs.

Rather than rushing for it, they were eliminating their most dangerous rivals first.

"What a splendid sight."

Watching the standard-bearers become entangled in battle, the Seonghong Hall standard-bearer lifted his right foot and rested it upon his left thigh, taking the stance of a standing crane.

He then laid an ancient zither across his thigh and immediately began plucking its seven strings.

Taegong Hall Zither Art.

Each vibrating string released sound waves infused with internal energy that swept across the battlefield.

It was a perfectly timed ambush.

The Seonghong Hall standard-bearer had recognized that the other nine standard-bearers were too entangled to evade easily.

The expressions of the combatants twisted slightly.

Should they ignore the sound technique and continue fighting?

Should they retreat temporarily?

Or should they join forces and eliminate the Seonghong Hall standard-bearer first?

Many strategic options existed.

Yet none could be chosen lightly.

Every standard-bearer was already preparing responses to their opponents' potential choices.

The melodies of the seven-stringed zither, the ringing of colliding weapons, and the occasional thunderous stomp of martial footwork intertwined together.

The sounds of the Ten Hall standard-bearers battling one another filled the Grand Training Grounds.

CRACK!

Smashing aside the twin swords of the Cheongmyeong Hall standard-bearer, who had secretly attacked from his left rear flank, Namgung Jun spun through the air and unleashed a sweeping barrage of sword strikes.

The chaotic sword shadows of the Rainfall Sword Art forced back the standard-bearers of Mukryun Hall and Singi Hall.

Arrows immediately rained through the opening.

Namgung Jun raised his sword high and countered with the Thirteen Flashing Thunder Sword Strikes.

Even amidst the chaotic melee, he protected the banner flawlessly.

One standard-bearer after another charged him.

Yet not a single one managed to step inside the circular boundary he had drawn.

The situation remained unchanged.

At that moment alone, he was facing four standard-bearers simultaneously.

Considering the intermittent sound-wave attacks and long-range archery support striking from afar, it would not be an exaggeration to say he was holding off half of the participants by himself.

"Remarkable. To think he has grown this much."

BOOM!

Man Hun, who had personally crossed swords with Namgung Jun before, found himself deeply moved.

The surrounding elders felt much the same.

"I had heard the rumors, but... to this extent?"

"A new Four Clouds member may be born before long."

"Who cares about the Four Clouds? That child may one day carry the future of the entire Society."

Listening to the elders' praise, Ha Hu-seon nodded.

He is handling the Azure King's Dominating Momentum Skill with great proficiency.

Ha Hu-seon accurately sensed the constant changes in Namgung Jun's qi.

Depending on the situation, the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art and the Azure King's Dominating Momentum alternated seamlessly, supporting his martial prowess.

"He truly stands out like a tiger among beasts."

The standard-bearers of the other halls were undoubtedly fierce predators in their own right.

Yet even among them, Namgung Jun's martial presence stood out unmistakably.

All ten standard-bearers gathered here were beasts.

But only Namgung Jun possessed the commanding presence worthy of being called a tiger.

After driving back the standard-bearers before him with the Heavenly Wind Sword Art, Namgung Jun surveyed the battlefield at a glance.

Even the standard-bearers of Geukmu Hall and Jongpa Hall, who had been busy fighting one another, were now charging toward the banner.

Time was running short.

Only two competitors remained at range—the standard-bearers of Seonghong Hall and Guangshi Hall.

Everyone else was now converging on the banner.

"Seniors. It's about time we brought this to a close."

Holding his sword upright before him, Namgung Jun released a solemn wave of qi.

Crackle!

The energies of the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Art and the Azure King's Dominating Momentum merged together and circulated throughout his body.

His aura continued to rise.

At the same time, a massive sword aura surged along the blade.

The other standard-bearers instantly realized what was coming.

Something enormous.

THUD!

Planting their feet firmly, the standard-bearers halted and prepared their strongest techniques and defensive arts.

Just then, Namgung Jun leapt into the air.

His sword swept out in a grand arc.

The entire Grand Training Grounds began to be engulfed in azure light.