Chapter 355: Passing Through the Absolute Formation (1)

Only upon reaching Jungeuk Peak did I understand why so many people had stopped.

A strange scene was unfolding there.

Some were sitting cross-legged, channeling their qi with blood staining their chests, while others lay sprawled out on the ground entirely.

They were all people who had suffered internal injuries trying to pass through the formation spread over Jungeuk Peak.

Seeing masters retreat with internal wounds, the rest didn’t even dare to attempt the challenge and only stared at Jungeuk Peak.

Those who had been reduced to spectators still looked expectant as they watched people continue to arrive.

“Wow! That’s Jeong Hang from Shaolin Temple and Cheong Mong from the Mount Hua Sect!”

A young monk and a refined youth in a Daoist robe approached slowly.

Even among the prodigies, those from Shaolin Temple, Wudang Sect, Mount Hua Sect, and Emei Sect drew special attention.

It was because they displayed a level of mastery that was a whole dimension above the rest.

“It’s Myung Ok Sunja!”

When a beautiful Buddhist nun appeared, the crowd stirred.

In truth, half the people here had come less to challenge the formation than to catch a glimpse of prodigies from prestigious orthodox sects.

“Oh! Even Wun Mang from Wudang came! Now everyone really is here.”

“How could it be otherwise? That unprecedented gathering at Shaolin Temple drew them all.”

When martial artists ventured into the world, they usually wore their sect’s martial uniform, so their origins could be recognized at a glance.

Even among the Nine Great Sects, unless it was Shaolin Temple, Wudang Sect, Mount Hua Sect, or Emei Sect, few drew the crowd’s interest.

When the prodigies of the Four Great Sects arrived, the rest of the sects’ prodigies received little attention.

That was why Seo Seong of Qingcheng Sect, Mak Yun of Kunlun Sect, Go Jin of Zhongnan Sect, and Mok Yang of Diancang Sect looked somewhat grim.

Go Jin bit down hard.

‘Hmph, I’ll pass through the formation and knock those arrogant noses down a peg.’

But the sense of exclusion felt by the great clans’ prodigies was even greater.

When mixed among the Nine Great Sects, the geniuses of the clans rarely drew attention.

All the geniuses of the Twelve Great Clans of Murim had gathered at Jungeuk Peak.

Namgung Suyong, Seomoon Yuon, Peng Giok, Jaegal Yeongcheon, Hwangbo Mak, Wi Jiman, and Dang Cheolgi arrived late.

Everyone pricked up their ears at the murmuring of one martial artist.

It was because his words stirred their competitive spirit.

“This time, the difference in martial skill will be clear. I’m curious to see who will pass the formation. The rankings will be firmly set.”

The prodigies who heard this steeled their resolve.

But some, thinking that failing in the formation would only tarnish their reputations, made excuses and descended the mountain.

Among them were those well-known throughout Murim.

Just then, someone shouted.

“Whoa! It’s the Heavenly Central Sword Hero Yong Hwarin!”

The shouter was someone who had once been taken hostage by Blood Demon Castle.

Through the mouths of those former hostages, Yong Hwarin’s feats had spread far and wide.

“Will the Heavenly Central Sword Hero pass the formation of the Three Swords Beyond the Heavens?”

“A master I know evaluated him as being on par with Jeong Hang of Shaolin and Wun Mang of Wudang. He guaranteed Yong Hwarin would pass.”

“Really? That’s amazing. Those three will definitely get through the formation.”

Yong Hwarin was unmoved by the chatter around him.

If anything, it was Jong Seok who reacted hotly.

“Hmph, how dare they lump my brother in with them? He could match their Sect Leaders themselves.”

Mo Biyoung cautioned him.

“Young Master Jong, watch your words. That could cause unnecessary trouble.”

Jong Seok flinched at Mo Biyoung’s sharp rebuke.

“Yong Sohyeop.”

At the familiar voice, I turned.

“Oh, isn’t this Sohyeop Pung?”

The one calling me was none other than Pung Imso, the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Swordmaster of Mount Hua Sect.

Behind him, I saw Ho Cheongun and Ho Maeok.

“It’s been a while.”

“Have you been well?”

“Thanks to you, I’ve made great progress.”

“That’s good to hear.”

As we exchanged warm greetings, a handsome Daoist stepped up behind Pung Imso.

“Is this the person you spoke of, junior brother?”

“Yes, senior brother. This is Yong Hwarin Sohyeop, the Heavenly Central Sword Hero.”

It was my first time meeting Cheong Mong of Mount Hua Sect.

But seeing his clear eyes and spirit, I inwardly nodded.

‘Indeed, a prodigy worthy of Mount Hua’s pride.’

From appearance alone, Cheong Mong could rival Wudang’s Wun Mang.

His bone structure and physique were perfect for martial arts training—so much so that it was visible at a glance.

In contrast, Wun Mang was more ordinary in appearance.

However, the energy in his eyes made it clear what kind of person he was.

As the one groomed to be Wudang’s next Sect Leader, he certainly wasn’t someone they would take as a disciple lightly.

I was enjoying a feast for the eyes.

Seeing these outstanding young heroes stirred my own heroic spirit.

It was then that—

Several people shouted loudly.

“The successors of the Three Demonic Heavens are here!”

As they said, Soyonghwa of Dark Echo Valley and San Bi of Holy Heaven Sect walked in with unhurried steps, overwhelming the crowd.

And then, porters carrying a palanquin appeared.

“That’s Moon Wu, the Young Valley Lord of Blood Demon Castle.”

“Whoa, all the successors of the Three Demonic Heavens really are here. Does that mean all the prodigies of both orthodox and unorthodox factions have gathered?”

“They’ve got some nerve. What if orthodox martial artists attack them?”

“They say that in all the past debates of the Three Supreme Swords, there’s never been a killing. Everyone respects the Three Supreme Swords enough to avoid any disgraceful incidents. This time will be the same, so don’t worry.”

People’s tension was plain to see as the successors of the Three Demonic Heavens appeared.

“So, we meet here.”

Soyonghwa approached me with a smile laced with killing intent.

“Have you been well?”

“How brazen. Because of you, I’ve been suffering from insomnia. The first humiliation of my life, and I can’t forget it.”

“That’s unfortunate.”

Soyonghwa glared and sneered.

“If you’ve already gotten what you came for, you didn’t need to come here. Why did you?”

At his mocking, San Bi chimed in from behind.

“You know the Young Valley Lord? The Heavenly Central Sword Hero has more enemies than I thought.”

“You know him too, Young Cult Leader?”

“Hahaha, I once crossed swords with him.”

“Really? That’s surprising. You certainly keep busy, making enemies everywhere you go.”

“To see you both here brings back memories.”

When I replied nonchalantly, the two of them glared at me as if they wanted to kill me.

“Who is this man, that you both wear such regretful expressions for being unable to kill him?”

A young man asked from atop the palanquin carried on the shoulders of strong porters.

“That man is the Heavenly Central Sword Hero, Yong Hwarin.”

“Ah! I’ve heard the name. Judging by your gritted teeth, it seems you have unpleasant memories with him?”

“Young Valley Lord Moon, it would be best if you stayed clear of him. Nothing good comes from being involved.”

Moon Wu looked at me with an intrigued expression.

“Our Castle also owes him a great debt. One day, I intend to collect that debt from him.”

“You should be careful.”

Judging by the way those two snarled at me, it seemed neither of them had managed to gain the upper hand against me.

‘So it’s true he defeated many of our Castle’s masters. But you… you will die by my hand.’

Moon Wu smiled faintly at me.

Seeing that the successors of the Nine Great Sects and the Three Demonic Heavens were now looking at me with less-than-friendly eyes, I slipped away from their gaze and headed toward where the formation was set.

The formation installed at Jungeuk Peak had only one living path in and out.

Because of that, all the martial artists had set up camp at that spot.

“Ah! The Heavenly Central Sword Hero is challenging it!”

The crowd erupted in shouts and murmurs.

Some even began making bets on how long it would take me to emerge from the formation.

“No matter how great the Heavenly Central Sword Hero is, he won’t last more than one shichen.”

“What are you talking about? He’ll last at least half a shichen.”

“No, I think he’ll pass through entirely.”

“I’ll wager five silver taels that he won’t pass.”

Actual silver was being traded over the bets.

But none of their voices reached my ears.

With the qi of my completed inner and outer cultivation, I was already examining the structure of the formation.

‘This formation fuses three different formations together.’

I was more knowledgeable in formations than even the geniuses of the Jaegal Clan.

As a child, whenever I was ill, I would study formations.

Focusing my mind allowed me to momentarily ease the pain.

Studying formations became the best way to lessen my suffering, so I spent most of my time reciting poetry and deciphering how to break formations.

And now, that study was showing its worth.

‘Never thought my studies from my previous life would come in handy like this.’

It didn’t take me long to discern the formations in use.

Great Heaven Net of Heaven and Earth (乾坤天羅大陣)

Linked Heaven-and-Earth Lock Formation (連環坤鎖陣)

Secret Bamboo Forest of Heaven Formation (密天竹林陣)

‘Never expected to see this formation here—it has already vanished from formation manuals. I only saw it in a rare book my father painstakingly acquired. And here, these three formations have been fused into one. Remarkable.’

I nodded to myself.

‘So, each of the Three Supreme Swords must have set one formation, and then combined them. Can I pass this as well?’

Looking around, I saw that those who knew about formations were frantically writing and erasing breaking methods on the ground.

Now that I understood it, I saw that the life path and death path within the formation were constantly shifting.

If not for the killing intent having been weakened, being trapped in here would mean certain death.

A thought occurred to me.

‘Strictly speaking, a formation is the flow of qi. If you can see the changing paths of life and death, you can find the life path and enter.’

I began to think that with my Qi-Vision Realm, I might be able to pass through.

‘I could read text without actually seeing the letters, simply by observing the flow of qi. If I can read this formation’s life path, passing it will be no trouble.’

After long years of study, I had realized that a formation was nothing more than a flow of qi.

That gave me the conviction that only someone who could truly see the flow of qi could pass.

‘Perhaps the Three Supreme Swords designed this so that no one below the Qi-Vision Realm could pass. And that if someone did reach that realm, they would let them through without interference. After all, only someone at that level could truly understand their duel.’

I had grasped the intent of the Three Supreme Swords just by looking at the formation.

Just as I was about to step toward the entrance, Jeong Hang of Shaolin Temple came forward.

“Would you mind if this humble monk went first?”

He wanted to be the first to pass the formation.

I nodded.

“Go ahead.”

I had no attachment to the order of entry, so I yielded to him.

Jeong Hang stood at the entrance for a moment, studying the formation, then nodded.

“I think I see it.”

He spoke, and then unleashed a lion’s roar.

“Uwooooooooh!”

It was no ordinary lion’s roar—it was the Brahma Heaven Roar (梵天吼).

This was Shaolin Temple’s most famed and powerful lion’s roar for subduing demons.

I saw the currents forming the formation tremble, revealing the life path within.

With my Qi-Vision Realm, I could see the flow of qi clearly.

‘As expected, he is a prodigy worthy of Shaolin. To think of using a lion’s roar to shake the formation’s qi and reveal the life path… That’s not something just anyone could come up with. I myself had been at a loss. In terms of innate talent alone, Jeong Hang surpasses me.’

As Jeong Hang stepped into the formation after unleashing his roar, the watching martial artists all shouted at once.

“Wow! As expected of Shaolin’s Jeong Hang!”

They assumed he had roared simply to boost his morale, and cheered.

There were likely few here who actually saw the formation’s currents shake.

When the cheers died down, Go Jin of the Zhongnan Sect strode confidently forward.

Seeing what Jeong Hang had done, he believed he could do it too.

Go Jin thought:

‘So you find the life path with a lion’s roar.’

The Zhongnan Sect also had a lion’s roar technique.

It wasn’t well known in Murim, but he was confident it was no weaker than Jeong Hang’s Brahma Heaven Roar.

The Ten-Thousand Wave Roar (萬波吼) was one of the Zhongnan Sect’s secret techniques.

“Aaaaaaaaah!”

Indeed, the Ten-Thousand Wave Roar was formidable.

The formation shook, and the life path appeared.

But I shook my head as I watched him step inside.

‘Simply shaking the formation to reveal the life path isn’t enough. You have to be at the Qi-Vision Realm, able to see the flow of qi, to pass through.’

Sure enough, the moment Go Jin took his first step inside, he let out a strangled cry and his body trembled violently.

The force of the formation was pushing him back.

At that moment, he should have found the life path again and changed direction.

But he simply pushed forward, and was naturally forced back by the formation’s pressure.

When he tried to endure it by force, blood spilled from his mouth.

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