Chapter 314: Intensive Training (2)

“Na Hee-yeon.”

Na Hee-yeon lifted her head.

It had been about 15 days since she started staying at this place, the Tranquil Manor.

During that time, she and the other successors had lived ascetically, rolling through hardships every day.

Unlike their glamorous appearances during their activities in the martial world, they were all dirtied and ragged, resembling Noh Shik in appearance.

“Yes.”

But today was different.

The successors, including her, were neatly dressed in clean clothes. They had groomed themselves properly and ate a normal breakfast.

“What process did you go through to reach the Supreme Peak?” Yi-gang asked.

Na Hee-yeon was the first among them to reach the Supreme Peak.

While the other successors were all nearing the Supreme Peak in skill, there was still a noticeable gap between her and the others.

“When the Ren and Du meridians connected, Qi of five colors mixed with my breath.”

This referred to her piercing through the Life-and-Death Gateway with her Qi and experiencing the phenomenon of the five energies converging to the origin.

“When did you reach the Supreme Peak?”

“A year ago.”

It was around the same time as Yi-gang.

In that regard, Na Hee-yeon’s talent could also be considered extraordinary.

“No, I’m not asking about the timing. I’m asking about the circumstances.”

“It was on the cliff of Putuo Temple.”

“On a cliff?”

“A cliff overlooking the Southern Sea.”

In the past, she wouldn’t have answered such questions so readily.

However, Na Hee-yeon had come to respect Yi-gang at some point.

Even if he wasn’t her master, at least as an instructor.

“Explain in more detail.”

“It was dawn, amidst a raging storm. The winds and waves were so fierce that house-sized waves were crashing against the cliff. I was seated in a lotus position on that cliff.”

Practicing deep breathing and Qi circulation was something that should be done in a safe place.

It was never something to be done on a stormy cliff.

“Why did you do that?”

“I wanted to throw myself into the sea and die,” Na Hee-yeon confessed calmly.

The other successors flinched in shock.

Yi-gang calmly asked, “Why?”

“…Because I lost.”

For a martial artist of Na Hee-yeon’s caliber to decide on death after a single defeat…

It was clear that the duel wasn’t just a friendly sparring match.

However, Na Hee-yeon didn’t elaborate on the details, and Yi-gang didn’t press further.

“Then, did you gain any enlightenment just before you were about to throw yourself off?”

“…No.”

Yi-gang was asking for the exact moment she reached the Supreme Peak, and also, how she managed to break through that barrier.

Na Hee-yeon hesitated for a moment before speaking, “My master raised her sword and tried to kill me.”

Everyone except Yi-gang gasped in shock, their mouths wide open.

Putuo’s Priestess was renowned for her compassion and gentleness.

Was it possible that such an Absolute master had tried to personally kill her most cherished disciple?

“She said that if I were going to kill myself, she’d do it for me first…”

“Seeing as you’re still alive, I guess she didn’t go through with it.”

“I came close to dying. And then… I wanted to live. When I begged her to spare me, she lowered her sword.”

The atmosphere became solemn and heavy.

Na Hee-yeon’s calm words somehow made the harshness of the situation even more palpable.

“And at that moment, I gained enlightenment. My master stood by me in the storm, protecting me.”

“That was when your vessel broke.”

At the mention of her “vessel breaking,” Na Hee-yeon looked puzzled.

Yi-gang spoke in a low voice, “The Sword Emperor, who has now ascended as an immortal, once told me this: raising one’s level means breaking one’s own vessel.”

The legendary martial artist, the Sword Emperor, who became an immortal—it was now confirmed that Yi-gang had been taught by him.

The other successors listened intently, their eyes full of interest in Yi-gang’s words.

“If a martial artist is like a vessel holding water, they must break that vessel and forge a bigger one.”

The Sword Emperor had said that advancing from the Peak to the Supreme Peak was as monumental as moving from a pond to a lake.

“The reason you four haven’t reached the Supreme Peak is similar.”

Yi-gang glanced at the other four successors, excluding Na Hee-yeon.

“You haven’t filled your vessel to the brim, and you haven’t broken it. To become a Supreme Peak master, you must overcome both of these hurdles.”

Yi-gang’s explanation seemed abstract at first.

But the successors listening didn’t feel that way.

In truth, advice from high-level masters was usually far more vague and difficult to understand than this.

What Jeong Myung heard from the high monks of Shaolin was along the lines of, “With great faith, great resentment, and great doubt, you will suddenly awaken to your path in an instant.”

In contrast, So Woon’s father told him, “If you keep fighting, killing, and getting killed repeatedly, a thunderous realization will strike you.” Compared to that, Yi-gang’s explanation was quite kind and detailed.

“First, you will fill the insufficient water in your vessel with elixir.”

In front of each successor, there was a spiritual pill prepared for them.

In front of Jeong Myung and Na Hee-yeon was a Small Recovery Pill.

In front of Noh Shik was the Dragon-Taming Illusion Pill from the Beggars’ Gang.

Each successor had been provided with an elixir tailored to them.

“You know that the method of consuming an elixir is important, right? I’ll help you with that. I’ve consumed more elixirs than any of you.”

Yi-gang’s tone sounded incredibly reassuring.

For a moment, Noh Shik wondered if consuming a lot of elixirs was something to be proud of, but he kept his thoughts to himself.

This was because Ha-jun and So Woon beside him started clapping.

“Quiet… And next, I will shatter your vessels.”

How exactly would he shatter their vessels?

If breaking one’s vessel was an easy task, there would already be countless Supreme Peak masters.

“First, while consuming the elixir, you will create cracks in your vessels.”

It was a cryptic statement.

“And then, for the remainder of the time, you will beat those vessels to the point of breaking.”

Beating their vessels to the point of breaking sounded more like Yi-gang was going to beat the successors to their limits.

And unfortunately, their suspicions were correct.

“Perhaps trying to cut you down, like Putuo’s Priestess did, would also be a valid method.”

Only by truly crossing the line between life and death could one break through the Supreme Peak barrier.

“Of course, it’s not a gamble with a high success rate. If even one or two of you among the four reach the Supreme Peak, it would be akin to a miracle.”

As Yi-gang said, it would be nothing short of a great achievement.

At that moment, Noh Shik asked an important question, “What do you mean by creating cracks in the vessel while consuming the elixir?”

The concept of repeatedly engaging in practical duels to break the vessel was understandable.

But what did it mean to create cracks in the vessel while consuming an elixir?

Yi-gang finally explained the purpose of the gold and silver needles he had prepared.

“I will use my medical skills to do just that.”

“Ah, I see.”

Although Noh Shik accepted it, his expression remained slightly uneasy.

However, not everyone reacted the same way.

Baek Ha-jun, who had been quietly clapping along, suddenly sprang to his feet.

“No way…!”

His mouth fell open, and his eyes bulged in astonishment.

Ha-jun had just realized something.

At Mount Kunlun, Yi-gang had undergone an extreme treatment from Dam Hyun to pierce through the Life-and-Death Gateway.

“Hundred Refined Great Technique!”

Ha-jun had witnessed firsthand just how cruel that technique was.

The recipient of the procedure would experience heightened sensations throughout their body while enduring excruciating pain.

“Hyung, are you planning to assist us?”

“…Yes.”

“Like how Master Dam Hyun helped you?”

“Something similar.”

At that time, Dam Hyun had assisted Yi-gang with the procedure.

He shared Yi-gang’s pain and used his Innate True Qi to ensure Yi-gang didn’t lose his sanity or life.

As a result, Dam Hyun’s body became severely weakened, and he lost most of his internal energy.

It was likely that his lifespan had also been shortened.

For Ha-jun, it was something he absolutely couldn’t accept.

“Absolutely not!”

His response was filled with near fury.

Until now, Ha-jun had been the one to follow Yi-gang’s orders without a single complaint.

When Ha-jun expressed such intense opposition, the other successors all looked at him with astonished expressions.

Yi-gang’s expression hardened coldly.

“Baek Ha-jun. Are you speaking informally to me?”

“…Ah, no. I mean, you can’t do this.”

Ha-jun momentarily faltered but still expressed his opposition clearly.

“Even so, you can’t sacrifice yourself for us….”

“Calm down.”

“Losing your internal energy and weakening your body—isn’t that what will happen?”

Everyone was startled at the mention of sacrifice.

Was Yi-gang really planning to deplete his internal energy and health to help them?

“It’s true that it’s based on the Hundred Refined Great Technique, but it’s different. This is a revised version called the Thousand Refined Great Technique.”

“Thousand…?”

“As you can see, instead of silver needles, I’m using one hundred gold needles.”

“…”

It was true.

When Dam Hyun performed the Hundred Refined Great Technique, he only used silver needles.

“Senior Brother Dam Hyun improved the technique based on his past experience, making it less burdensome for the user while still effective.”

Dam Hyun might have been eccentric in some ways, but he was undoubtedly a genius.

“And to reduce the strain on my body, I’ve also prepared my share of elixir.”

Yi-gang prepared his own elixir separately.

Noh Shik and Na Hee-yeon, who had inwardly criticized him for this, now felt profound guilt.

“In that case…”

Ha-jun sat down, still looking uneasy.

“Well, the recipient will still experience pain regardless…”

Yi-gang’s muttering was so quiet that even the successors couldn’t hear it properly.

“We’ve wasted enough time. Jeong Myung, come with me.”

Jeong Myung took the Small Recovery Pill and followed Yi-gang into the hall.

Inside, an incense burner emitting violet smoke was lit.

Jeong Myung, maintaining a calm expression, followed Yi-gang.

When Yi-gang and Jeong Myung closed the door and disappeared, the other successors quickly approached Ha-jun to ask.

“What is that Hundred… no, Thousand Refined Great Technique?”

“What is it that can supposedly break through the Supreme Peak barrier?”

It was natural for them to react this way, as they had never heard of such a thing existing.

“Brother broke through the Life-and-Death Gateway using that. Originally, it’s a great technique with severe side effects… but it’s good to know that it’s been fixed.”

Ha-jun’s expression showed immense relief.

The thought of Yi-gang sacrificing his own health for the successors was something he didn’t even want to imagine.

Noh Shik was impressed.

“Breaking through the Life-and-Death Gateway without any side effects… If that’s possible, it’s truly incredible.”

“It’s not that there are absolutely no side effects…”

“Then what are they?”

“Well, it’s just… a little—no, extremely painful.”

“Ah….”

Noh Shik made a slightly displeased face but nodded in understanding.

If it allowed him to break through the Life-and-Death Gateway, a little pain was no big deal—or so he thought.

Ha-jun faintly muttered, “They say you could lose your mind or even die from the pain, though.”

“…What?”

“You should, uh, go to the bathroom beforehand. It’s probably for the best.”

Noh Shik’s expression froze.

Jeong Myung who had just entered was the calmest among the five successors.

No matter how tough or painful the training, Jeong Myung had never let out even a single groan.

If anyone could endure the Thousand Refined Great Technique without issue, it would be him—or so they thought.

“AAAHHHHH! AAAAAAARGH!”

A piercing scream erupted from inside the hall.

“Please, AAAAHHH!”

It was an unimaginable scream, one that couldn’t possibly belong to the calm and composed Jeong Myung.

Everyone except Ha-jun turned pale.

Zhengzhou, Dengfeng County, Henan Province.

Located beneath Mount Song, where Shaolin Temple resided, this was no small village.

In that city, a unique structure had been erected.

A circular arena, ten zhang in diameter, was surrounded by tiered seating.

In one word, it could be described as a colosseum.

This violent-looking structure had been built right under the nose of Shaolin.

And all of it was for a single day.

The clash between the successors of the orthodox sects and the unorthodox sects.

Finally, the day of that decisive battle had arrived.

It had already been a month since the successors entered Tranquil Manor.

“The time has finally come.”

It was still the pre-dawn hours.

The Divine Monk looked at Tranquil Manor, where the successors were likely preparing for their battle.

“…I leave it in your hands.”

Placing his hopes on the young warriors, he muttered those words to himself.

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