Chapter 144

The next day. Yeon Woo Jin handed out pouches to the students gathered at Baekyak House, each pouch containing pills tailored to their individual constitutions. Inside each pouch were not one, but ten pills. Yeon Woo Jin spoke. “From now on, you’ll be cultivating on your own. Doesn’t matter whether I’m here or not, right?” “So suddenly? What is this? There are pills inside?” “Those pills were specially crafted by me for each of your constitutions. Take one every time you ascend a stage, and circulate your Qi. They’ll replenish your internal energy in accordance with your cultivation level.” Jang Woon asked. “You going somewhere?” “I’m going to train—seriously this time.” For a moment, the students stared blankly at Yeon Woo Jin. “Train seriously,” he said. “You all know it. That my cultivation level is low right now. And I’m still your lord, after all—shouldn’t I be stronger {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} than you?” Even now, at the Apex-Level, he was absurdly powerful, nearly godlike. Just how much stronger was he planning to become? “You’d better not slack off while I’m gone. If I come back and I’m not satisfied, you’ll regret it.” He grinned as he said it, and the students swallowed hard. **** Time passed, and a new year arrived. The students gathered at Baekyak House had shed the youthful faces they had when they first entered the High Division. Now, they had fully grown into accomplished warriors. Yeon Woo Jin watched over their training. The pills he had given them had effects that were truly extraordinary. They were the kind of rare fortune one might encounter only once in a lifetime—and he had given them ten each. When taken after ascending a level, the pills swiftly filled the body with internal energy suited to that new realm. Building on that, they trained again, and their progress soared. Jang Woon, Sunwoo Baek, Jo Deok, and Bang Woon had all reached the level of Hwagyeong. Jang Man Woon and Gong Yacheon reached Extreme Apex, Twelve Stars. Heo Wook and Go Seung reached Extreme Apex, Eleven Stars. Shin Dowoon, now the top of the intermediate class, had reached Extreme Apex, Ten Stars. Though the students had grown, they stared at Yeon Woo Jin with stiff expressions. It wasn’t their own growth that mattered. What mattered was whether Yeon Woo Jin was pleased. Looking around at all of them, Yeon Woo Jin smiled in satisfaction. “Good. Seems like you all followed my instructions well.” Hearing his approval, they all let out a breath of relief. Once the tension broke, their attention shifted elsewhere. To Yeon Woo Jin’s cultivation. Just how far had he risen in the past half year? They were all curious, but none dared to ask. “What, are you curious about my cultivation level?” Yeon Woo Jin scratched their itch for them. “I only managed to reach Fifth Star of Hwagyeong.” Half a year to go from Apex to Hwagyeong. He really was a monster. To reach Hwagyeong Fifth Star at nineteen was already unthinkable—and he sounded disappointed. “You were probably all expecting me to show up as Mythic Realm. Sorry for falling short.” Falling short? Couldn’t he see that they were all standing there, mouths agape in shock? Even at Apex-Level, he had been terrifyingly powerful thanks to his mysterious psychic powers. And now? With his advancement to Hwagyeong, Yeon Woo Jin’s psychic powers had awakened. They had always been broken—but now they were awakened. Their potency had doubled. Before, he had to concentrate to use them. Now, all he had to do was will it, and it would be done. Above all, the strength amplified through the Transcendence Gates had grown incomparably. Now, opening just three gates produced a power comparable to the eight he’d needed before. Even so, Yeon Woo Jin was disappointed—because it felt like he was right on the verge of surpassing even that. ‘Will this thirst disappear once I reach Mythic Realm?’ It felt like something was still missing. ‘Maybe it’s because I advanced too many stages all at once. I should focus for now on fully making those insights my own.’ **** A new semester began at Baekyeong. As expected from the one division that had unified all of Mushincheon’s High Divisions, the new students this time were incredible. Among them were even some sent from Jungcheon. Children of the retainers of the Hyukryeon and Jangson clans. As the children of warriors representing great houses, they possessed exceptional martial skill and talent. The leader of the students sent from Jungcheon was named Won Gwang. “So this is Baekyeong?” “I see why it’s famous. Look at that—every top-ranked student from the Intermediate Division is gathered here.” “You’re right. That over there is Jin Cheon Yeong from the Heavenly Talisman Sect.” “And over there—that’s Heukwol from Hoyun Gate.” “Won’t be easy to dominate this place.” “No, it’s better this way. The more of them are full of themselves, thinking they’re the best, the easier it is to incite them. The upperclassmen will make moves just to show off to the new blood.” “And when that happens, we’ll escalate things to the point where they’ll have no choice but to act.” “Remember, our goal isn’t to take over Baekyeong. It’s to force a clash between Baekyeong and Jungcheon.” “Let’s first see if the upperclassmen are really as powerful as the rumors say.” With sharp eyes, Won Gwang and his group looked toward the building housing the senior students. **** The first day of the semester. As always, tension filled each classroom as students sized one another up. It was the first day, so no one clashed outright yet. They were just waiting for an excuse. Then the door opened, and students in intermediate-class uniforms entered. From the podium, the representative of the intermediate students spoke. “If anyone here thinks they’re going to be the top of this class, raise your hand.” Three students raised their hands. The intermediate student smirked. “You three. Come with me.” “Where to?” “Why drag it out? We’re deciding the rankings for all new students today.” They had been waiting for an excuse—and the upperclassmen had kindly provided one. “If that’s the reason, we’re happy to comply!” The three sprang from their seats and confidently followed. Outside, other students from other classes were emerging as well. As their gazes locked, sharp tension flared. Won Gwang and his group, sent under Jungcheon’s orders, also stepped forward. They had to see for themselves who would become top among the new blood. And if they could get a read on the strength of the intermediate and senior students at the same time, all the better. As he followed, Won Gwang smirked. “They’re surprisingly systematic.” “Yeah. It’s definitely different from the Intermediate Division.” “This is better. The kids don’t have to wait. The seniors don’t have to run around asking who’s the strongest in each class. They can recruit on the spot.” “We’ll have to be recruited too, right?” “Of course. That’s the most important thing.” “Then I guess we’ll have to show a bit of strength—to get noticed.” “It’s not like we’re going to become the top first-years anyway. Let’s not stand out too much.” “Got it.” Following the intermediate students, they arrived at a fairly large training ground. The seniors were already seated. “Is that them? The ones who unified all of Mushincheon’s High Divisions?” “The one in the center must be Sunwoo Baek.” “To his right, that’s Jang Woon.” “And to his left, Bang Woon?” Famous figures sat beside them, row after row. Seeing them in person, the difference was undeniable. Standing before them, facing the first-years, was a familiar figure. Shin Dowoon. “Move quickly. Don’t keep the seniors waiting.” That the Young Lord of the Shin Clan—known for its arrogance—was standing here this disciplined? When Shin Dowoon joined Baekyeong, rumors spread even in Jungcheon. Some said he’d run to an ordinary High Division out of fear of Jungcheon. Others said he planned to act like a king among lesser students. But reality showed him standing straight, serving his seniors with respect. And not just any clan—the Shin Clan, ranked seventh among Mushincheon’s martial families. And their Young Lord. Won Gwang whispered to his companions. “See that? He’s watching the senior students’ reactions—that Young Lord of the Shin Clan.” “If he’s being that cautious, it means he was genuinely overpowered.” “Hard to believe.” “This might actually be easier to provoke than we thought. If we spread the word that even someone who should’ve entered Jungcheon was subdued, we can shift public opinion to suggest Jungcheon is well within reach.” “That’s a good idea.” They were in the middle of plotting how to steer Baekyeong’s internal discourse when Shin Dowoon’s voice rang out. “Welcome to Baekyeong. You all probably know why I gathered you here, so I won’t bother explaining.” The new students gave their full attention. “You see that training ground? Go decide who’s the strongest among the first-years there. If you don’t want to fight, or if you’re afraid, feel free to step back.” Not a single one of them retreated. On the contrary—they were brimming with battle spirit, eager to step onto the field. “We’ll start by determining the top student of each class.” At Shin Dowoon’s words, the students began to group together by class. “What’s the order?” “That’s up to you. We’re just giving you the justification to fight.” As Shin Dowoon finished speaking, the students looked at each other, gauging intent—then began to move. The intermediate and senior students watched closely, observing their every movement. **** “Huff, huff...!” As the sun began to set, the final victor was determined. Seong Seak, from Snowy Mountain Sect, became the top first-year student. Won Gwang and his group, who had been watching, looked visibly shaken. Seong Seak aside, every student who had become their class’s top fighter was strong enough to enter Jungcheon without question. In short, the kinds of people who should have entered Jungcheon had come to Baekyeong instead. Won Gwang and his companions muttered. “There must be barely anyone entering Jungcheon this year.” “Even in normal years, it’s not a crowded place—this year there might be no one at all.” “Baekyeong is stirring their ambitions. Honestly, even I... might’ve chosen this place over Jungcheon.” Where Jungcheon felt stifling, Baekyeong gave the impression of being free—a place where one could boldly pursue one’s path. Something about it made it feel like Baekyeong might someday replace Jungcheon entirely. Just look at the people here. Not one of them is weak. Won Gwang shook his head. It’s only a temporary phenomenon. Once they suffer crushing defeat at the hands of Jungcheon, they’ll be scrambling to transfer back in. He was irritated at the thought that mighty Jungcheon was being looked down upon. He vowed that Baekyeong would one day be humiliated by Jungcheon—utterly and without mercy. “Do you all accept the results?” Shin Dowoon asked. One student shot his hand up. “Can we challenge the rankings again at any time?” Shin Dowoon smirked. “Of course. If you grow stronger and defeat Seong Seak, the current top, then you’ll take his place.” “Very well! I accept—for now.” Ah, the boldness of new recruits. He had been like that too, hadn’t he? Memories of his own reckless younger days flashed through his mind. He shuddered just thinking about it. Shin Dowoon shook his head, brushing off the memory, and continued. “From this moment forward, you’re the core of Baekyeong’s first-year class. Starting tomorrow, you’ll be training and living with us.” “Is that mandatory?” “It is.” “What if we refuse?” “Then beat me. I’ll give you your freedom.” How could anyone possibly defeat the Young Lord of the Shin Clan? The student lowered his head. “Then I take that to mean there are no objections. Today was just the first day—dismissed. From tomorrow on, gather here after classes. Not a single one absent.” “Yes, sir...” The responses lacked energy. Shin Dowoon smirked. That level of resistance, he could tolerate. Starting tomorrow, they’d know what hell looked like. Meanwhile, Won Gwang and his group huddled together. “No wonder they’re strong. Everything’s so systematic and disciplined.” “Exactly. There was a reason they sorted out the class hierarchy on day one.” “They said they’re going to be training together from tomorrow. What now?” “What do you mean, ‘what’? We’re joining in, obviously.” “What kind of training do you think it is?” “We’ll find out tomorrow.” **** The next day. One by one, the students began to gather at the training grounds. Not a single one looked enthusiastic. Everyone wore a face of annoyed reluctance. “Ugh, come on! Just training at home was already enough.” “Now I have to come all the way to the academy just to train more?” “What kind of insane training are they planning to run that they had to summon us here?” “If I’d known it would be like this, I wouldn’t have come here. Should’ve picked a different High Division.” “It’s probably just torture dressed up as training. We all know how this works.” “If it really is that kind of crap, I’m transferring out immediately.”