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Chapter 8: The Clash of Powers

ZZZzzzzzh…

Sizzling sounds echoed in the air.

From the void, something was tearing apart, a bizarre energy radiating outwards, affecting everything around.

It felt as if the energy itself was screaming.

CRACK-!

As Gu Yangcheong took a step forward, the energy thickened.

Was it killing intent or fierce Qi? Whatever the nature of that power, it was incredibly rough and wild.

I could barely breathe.

Just the brushing of that energy against my skin felt like it could tear me apart.

It was too alien to be the energy exuded by a human.

“Hoho.”

Watching from the pavilion, Maehwa Seon Dohwa couldn’t hide her smirk of amusement.

“…That child…”

A sound penetrated the pavilion, shocking everyone.

It seemed something had begun to crack somewhere.

Fortunately, a barrier had been erected immediately around us.

A familiar energy washed over me. Maehwa Seon turned her gaze towards it.

“Good job.”

“…”

The owner of the energy barrier was none other than the Sword Sovereign.

He stood beside the Clan Leader, controlling the energy.

Gu Gu Gu Gung-!

Beyond the barrier, vibrations resonated.

Right below the Three Eminent Beings, the Sword Sovereign’s barrier, ranked among the top in the teen martial masters, was quivering from the energy.

‘…This is strange.’

Maehwa Seon stared with keen eyes at the sparring stage.

What was this overwhelming Qi?

‘I expected it to be the eye of the storm.’

The worth of the child had been confirmed long ago.

But that tiny spark, now roaring, would undoubtedly turn into a raging fire soon enough, Maehwa Seon was assured.

‘It has transformed from an eye into the storm itself.’

This was utterly unexpected.

Maehwa Seon glanced at her hand.

Her fingertips trembled slightly, and a thin layer of cold sweat was forming on her palm.

Her body was on edge.

That little child’s Qi was rising uncontrollably, heating her up.

“Hohoho…”

How on earth did that child gain such power?

Maehwa Seon looked beyond the sparring stage, spotting someone keeping watch from a distance.

‘Did you shape this?’

A gentle-looking young man with black hair, now called Two Dragons, yet remembered by Maehwa Seon under a different name.

‘Or perhaps… it is the flame that the child has forged on his own.’

No one could answer that question.

He was a child with an odd feeling from the very first sight.

With eyes dulled at such a young age, he harbored a blood-stained sword in his heart.

How could he wield such a sword? It seemed about to snap any moment, rusty and dull.

‘It’s sharp now.’

That sword felt far sharper than before.

And,

‘It’s not the same sword as back then.’

Something had drastically changed.

Feeling the power, Maehwa Seon took a deep breath.

Swoosh.

Wrapping herself in a thin layer of Taoist Qi, she began to feel a little at ease.

The overwhelming momentum still persisted, the energy relentless and continuously emerging.

The scenery transformed.

With the energy pouring out, the scene altered drastically.

Maehwa Seon surveyed her surroundings.

Everyone wore expressions of disbelief mixed with cold sweat, staring only at the sparring stage.

This wasn’t on par with Two Dragons’ time.

Back then, she felt the wall of a martial artist.

But now,

‘It felt like there wasn’t even a wall to sense.’

Something utterly bizarre present, that was the only thing she could express.

Gu Yangcheong was embodying it.

Especially the figure at the center, who was breathlessly watching the sparring stage.

Maehwa Seon frowned at his face.

The expression of Geomseon in that tense aura was emotionless.

Was he maintaining his composure despite witnessing this? To others, it might look unremarkable,

‘Geomseon.’

But Maehwa Seon understood.

That expression was far from tranquil.

What thoughts could provoke such a face?

Just as she questioned,

WHAMMMMMM!

“…!”

“Hooh!”

The explosion that burst out drew reactions from everyone nearby.

Within the energy enveloping the surroundings, something shot out, piercing the air.

What on earth was that?

Although it was a sudden occurrence, the identity became instantly clear.

Boom-! Crash-!

Impacts kept erupting, as if trying to dispel the energy.

Within it resonated a distinct aura of the unknown.

“AAAHHHH-!”

It was Shin Ryong!

*

CRACKLE-!

Energy poured forth.

‘Huff… puff.’

In the center of the pressure pouring around, was the feeling of emotions trying to crush down on everyone.

Facing the cascading calamity, Shin Ryong moved his body as best as he could.

‘What is this?’

Boom-!

Instinctively, he released the Hundred Steps Divine Power as energy exploded.

‘What the hell is this?’

Bang-! Bang-! He kept swinging his fists.

The energy continued to drain his Lower Dantian, but this was not the time to be concerned about that.

‘I’m scared.’

Fear welled up to his throat.

The power radiating from him was instigating terror.

How could he overcome this?

Under the pressure, nothing could come to mind.

Maybe I should run away now? That was his true desire.

Pat-pat.

“…Huff.”

He heard footsteps approaching.

Shin Ryong froze in place.

Pat-pat.

Where is that sound coming from?

Where… from where?!

“You little brat, what are you doing that you can’t think straight?”

“…!”

Right next to him.

At the sound from his left ear, Shin Ryong flinched.

Crack-!

“Ugh…”

The impact hit from the right.

Whoosh! Crashing-!!

The sensation of bones shattering plummeted through him as his body was sent flying.

A rapid takeoff.

As pain clouded his senses, Shin Ryong released his energy.

<CRASH-!!!>

He forced his feet against the ground, creating a friction.

KKKKRACK-!!!

Finally, his flying body came to a halt.

“Haah… haah…”

When he regained his senses, he found himself at the edge of the sparring stage.

He had flown that far from the center.

Gritting his teeth,

“Ugh…!!”

Shin Ryong curled up, clutching his right side where the impact was felt most.

Cracks formed in his bones, and wounds blossomed on his chest.

Drip.

He felt the blood trickle from the opening wound.

It was immense pain.

As he bit down hard to endure it,

“You did pretty well there.”

A familiar voice popped up beside Shin Ryong again.

“Though struck by the chaotic energy, I wrapped strong energy around you as a precaution. That just saved your life.”

The voice explained the recent combination move.

Yet, Shin Ryong was already moving.

“Had you not been engulfed by that chaos from the start, you could have focused your energy to reduce the damage. What’s the use of leveling up when lacking experience?”

The Hundred Steps Divine Power.

The essence of Shaolin erupted once more.

At a close distance, it would definitely be able to inflict damage.

Shin Ryong thought that,

Crack-!

Before he could reach out with a full extension of his arm, something pierced through his punch.

It was Gu Yangcheong’s fist.

He was meeting Shin Ryong’s punch with his own.

‘No way…!’

The Hundred Steps Divine Power was one of Shaolin’s most aggressive martial techniques.

It gathered energy and explosively unleashed it, so to retaliate at such close range could easily lead to a broken fist.

Was he trying to cause his own death? Shin Ryong briefly suspected.

Stupidly-! Boom–!!

“Agh…!”

It was Shin Ryong’s fist that got shot back instead.

He felt a tremendous impact in his wrist.

It was clear. His right fist could no longer be used due to the injury from earlier.

“The Hundred Steps Divine Power… strong technique indeed. But do you know? It doesn’t enhance the fist itself.”

Thud-!

“Cough!”

A knee slammed into his solar plexus.

As Shin Ryong spat blood, it erupted forth.

“The main strength of the technique comes from the energy clashing and bursting at the fingertips. It actually makes hand-to-hand combat easier. Do you know why?”

WHAM-! His face got slapped, turning his head.

“The trick is to shatter the attack before it fully bursts.”

This was utterly nonsense.

How could he even notice that sensation in the brief moment before it detonated?

Let alone, if they failed and the energy burst out, it’s the opponent who would suffer.

Ignoring that with the thought of countering was not a viable tactic.

While he wished he could point out those criticisms,

“If you turn left, you have to expect to rebound from that impact. Don’t push against it. Are you an idiot?”

Thud-!

His joint buckled from the hit.

“You tried to resist instead of bending the joint that was struck. Do you think some enlightened being would be there to lift your fallen posture?”

Before his knee could touch the ground, Gu Yangcheong’s palm slapped Shin Ryong’s chin upwards.

“Guuuuu…!”

With that, his gaze shot skywards.

WHOOOSH-!

The sound of flames erupted.

“If you can’t conduct yourself properly, you’re done for.”

The chilling warning rang out.

Shin Ryong lowered his head to look at Gu Yangcheong.

A blue sphere was forming above his palm.

Oh, that’s incredibly dangerous…

Whoosh-!

“Amitabha—”

BOOM—!!!

Heat exploded, and flames erupted in all directions.

“KYAAAA-!!”

“AAAAH!”

A tremendous wave of screams resounded from the audience.

Fortunately, there were no casualties.

The softly swirling plum blossom leaves wrapped around them to create a barrier.

Pitter-patter.

As the thick smoke began to dissipate.

Instead of scattering, it was swiftly swept away by Gu Yangcheong’s gestures, extinguishing on the sparring stage about to burn.

The heat lingered, still burning fiercely on the stage.

And at the core of it all.

“Huff… haah…”

Shin Ryong was breathing heavily, still wrapped in Hwang Ah Gangram.

 

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