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Scene: The Hometown of Hanam

The bustling center of activity is none other than Hanam, home to the main sect of the Martial Alliance and the Shaolin of the Gu Sect.

With a large crowd of people and martial artists, it’s deemed one of the safest areas in the realm.

As the heart of the righteous faction, it’s a symbol of peace in Hanam.

Every day, a countless number of people pass through, but today, the crowd feels especially dense.

Standing at the entrance, a martial artist lets out a sigh.

“…There are too many people.”

His senior, beside him, gives him a light shove on the shoulder.

“What can we do? It’s that time of year again.”

“Still, I can’t help but wonder why I got stuck working today.”

Exhaustion is evident on his face; he hasn’t had a moment’s rest since early morning.

“It’s not like this is our first rodeo. We go through this every year, don’t we?”

“…This is way beyond the usual, though.”

“Fair point.”

The senior nods, glancing at the mass of people ahead.

Indeed, the entrance exam for the Martial Alliance held every year was set to attract an overwhelming crowd.

So many converge upon Hanam, but this year stands out, and there’s a reason for that.

“It’s all because of Shin Ryong.”

Recent news sweeping across Hanam and the Central Plains has stirred excitement.

Shin Ryong—a peak talent among late-stage geniuses.

Directly appointed by the Martial Alliance, they say he will lead the Central Plains into a new era.

Historically, each generation has had their Shin Ryong, so this birth wouldn’t normally be a big deal. Yet—

“…This time feels different.”

This Shin Ryong isn’t just another late-stage talent.

Typically, such a being would be from one of the established great clans or the Gu Sect, but who would have guessed such a figure would arise from a quiet minor clan?

“It’s undeniable they have a name, but to think they haven’t made much noise until now!”

“I can’t say I’ve heard of them either. Mount Shan Clan? I’d never even known it existed.”

“Right? The clan is based in Shanxi.”

This Shin Ryong hails from a place so obscure; most people have hardly heard of it.

Sure, it’s a notable clan that is officially part of the righteous faction, yet they’ve rarely participated in events like the Dragon Meeting in the past.

“Out of the blue, a Shin Ryong comes from there?”

An unfamiliar clan suddenly has a genius known for defeating the genius titans in the city, dominating the Dragon Meeting is stirring a buzz.

As expected, people are intrigued by this sudden rise of a prodigy, especially since he’s acknowledged as exceedingly stronger than his peers.

And so, here we are.

“Settle down! Please form an orderly line!”

“Don’t push! Jostling won’t speed up your entry!”

The members of the Alliance shout hoarsely, trying to manage the throng of applicants.

Most of these people have come to take the entrance exam, and it’s safe to say, the excitement is largely fueled by Shin Ryong.

Since his appearance, curiosity ignited, and he joined the Blue Dragon as the youngest Deputy Lord—it only took him a few short years.

It was an impressive feat that resonated throughout the martial community, causing a surge of aspiring martial artists to flock to join the Alliance.

“Agh, bloody hell!”

With gritted teeth, one member yells into the fray, but nothing changes anyway.

“Next…!!”

They continue to accept one applicant after another.

With the triviality of this work, they might as well go hunt demon beasts instead.

As one applicant finally steps up.

“Next.”

Someone approached the Alliance member, naturally pulling out a letter of introduction.

The member asks,

“…What’s your name?”

“Baek Yangcheon.”

Hearing the name, the member checks the letter.

‘Guangdong Baek Clan.’

He’s familiar with that clan; not very renowned but part of the righteous sect.

The letter appears valid.

But…

‘Did the Baek Clan have a late-stage talent?’

That part escapes him; perhaps he’s an illegitimate child.

Nodding, the gatekeeper looks up only to be taken aback.

“…!”

He involuntarily recoils at the sight.

‘…What the heck?’

The young man looks strikingly fierce.

His skin is pale and he’s physically well-built—as intimidating as one could get.

“Uh… um…?”

The surprised member collects himself.

“…What brings you here?”

The fierce-looking youth replies,

“Oh.”

Baek Yangcheon.

No,

“I’m here for the entrance exam of the Martial Alliance.”

Gu Yangcheon speaks.

*

Navigating through the crowd, he steps inside.

As he walks through the bustling area, he slowly releases his power.

Swooosh—

Something stirs and fades away.

The illusion created by his power dissipates.

He crafted a fake identity to enter—Baek Yangcheon.

With his abilities, hiding his identity had been easy.

‘But the question is—’

If this is the right move?

‘…Should I really go through with this?’

He ponders whether entering the Alliance’s entrance exam is the best course of action in this unfamiliar territory.

A fleeting thought crosses his mind,

‘No.’

He shakes his head; it isn’t like he has other options.

‘The timing and circumstances are screaming for it.’

He knows what he must do in this world.

The answer is crystal clear.

‘Meeting him.’

Here and now, in this era, he must meet his father—Gu Cheolun, the current Shin Ryong.

Even the thought of failing to meet him on the day of the entrance exam brings anticipation.

As he walks on, he comes upon an impressive building, unchanged, yet still recognizable.

“Are you here for the entrance exam?”

“Indeed.”

He hands over the letter using his power once more.

“Enter.”

He gets let in without issue. Inside is packed with martial artists.

‘All of them are martial artists, huh?’

All who seek entrance to the main sect are martial artists.

‘Well, since this is the peak of the Martial Alliance’s era, there’s nothing odd about thick crowds.’

‘Hmmm.’

Glancing around, he notices the token in his hand showing his number for the exam.

It looks like the process has remained unchanged over time.

As time passes, an announcement rings through the air,

“The exam will begin shortly!”

A sudden change erupts as the martial artists get energized, the atmosphere shifts.

He can’t help but smile at the familiarity of this energy; this is what it felt like to compete.

It’s been a while since he’s felt this charged up to fight.

‘…What will the exam entail?’

The entrance examination for the Alliance—back in his day, there wasn’t much of an exam.

Needless to say, as a late-stage talent from the Gu Clan, he was automatically given a position.

‘So this era does involve examinations.’

Perhaps back then, they went through the actual process of selecting new members through testing.

‘What will they have in store?’

Although he has his reservations, he’s also intrigued and follows the flow of the crowd.

Eventually, he reaches the Sparring Stage.

‘Ah, this place.’

He recognizes it as the stage where significant events like the Dragon Meeting used to take place.

As he stands reminiscing,

“…Hold on, that person.”

“…Whoa!”

A murmur ripples through the audience.

All attention shifts toward the Sparring Stage.

Following their gaze, he squints.

‘Huh?’

There stands someone on the stage.

He narrows his eyes; they react as if it’s a noteworthy individual.

‘Who is that?’

To him, it’s unfamiliar.

An elderly man of remarkable stature stands there, his build rivaling even that of the strongest.

He appears to be feigning indifference, yet radiates an awe-inspiring presence.

‘…What is that?’

The aura is no joke. Was this person a martial artist as well?

‘How could I not recognize such a powerful being?’

He conceals his abilities, but even faintly he can sense it.

“Thank you for your hard work in arriving here.”

This individual is a force, one of the strongest he knows.

He squints closer, realizing a shocking fact.

Thud.

His heart skips a beat.

The martial energy within him reacts.

This is—that profound resonance.

It’s the Breaking Heaven Technique!

His energy surges as the resonance pulses through him, and he opens his eyes wide.

‘Wait, what?!’

Could it be?

Gazing cautiously, he meets the old man’s gaze.

“Oh, I just happened to pass by and thought I’d raise my reputation a bit.”

The old man speaks in a rather nonchalant manner.

“They call me Pejon Bi Ju.”

The elder’s true identity is that of Pejon—before the Rejuvenation Technique.

 

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