Yet, through the transparent water, splendid pavilions resembling a grand palace could clearly be seen.
As the door opened, a scene entirely different from what was visible outside unfolded before them. A narrow, dark path stretched out before the two men.
Step, step.
At the same time, the sound of footsteps echoed from the opposite direction, accompanied by a slender shadow approaching. With each step the shadow took, as if torches were being lit, bright light poured down from the ceiling.
"Welcome to our Pavilion." In the illuminated corridor stood a graceful woman dressed in pale pink attire. "I am Mira Yeong, in charge of the Hyebong Pavilion of this establishment."
Her tone and demeanor were impeccably polite, but her pupils were dilated, and a subtle hostility lingered in her gaze. Bu Eunseol immediately discerned that she was not only extremely tense but also that intricate mechanisms were installed beneath her feet.
'If I make a reckless move or something goes wrong with my identity... the mechanisms laid around this corridor will activate in an instant.'
"I am—" Just as Hyeok Sojin clasped his hands together and began to speak,
"I know who you are." Mira Yeong responded with a smile. "The successor of Heaven and Earth Severing Sect, Young Master Hyeok, and the warrior of Nangyang, Young Master Bu."
Despite her revealing their identities, Bu Eunseol showed no sign of surprise. If the righteous sects had the Open Sect, the demonic path had the Affectionate Blossom Sect, a faction that controlled the flow of information across the world.
"Do the two of you intend to enter our Pavilion?" Mira Yeong asked.
Bu Eunseol nodded.
"Indeed."
"To enter our Pavilion, you must pass a test. This applies even to the successors of the Ten Demonic Sects, without exception."
"I understand." In truth, around Bu Eunseol’s neck hung a necklace given to him by Dan So-ok.
If he were to reveal it, he could likely gain immediate entry into the Affectionate Blossom Sect. Yet, Bu Eunseol nodded without even considering taking out the necklace.
"Then let us begin."
"I advise you to reconsider." Mira Yeong cautiously spoke, her gaze fixed on Bu Eunseol’s calm expression. "Though we call it a test, in reality, it is a mechanism and means to completely repel intruders."
"Are you saying you’d prefer we not enter at all?" Hyeok Sojin interjected.
Mira Yeong nodded.
"Precisely." She let out a deep breath and continued. "For centuries, our Pavilion has endured endless invasions from outsiders. Thus, only a man with an unshakable heart can earn the right to enter."
"I understand," Bu Eunseol said, nodding.
Affectionate Blossom Sect was a place filled with immeasurable wealth and captivating beauties. If someone without an unshakable heart were to barge in, they would likely harbor dark intentions to overthrow or dominate the Pavilion.
"If one passes the test, can anyone enter Affectionate Blossom Sect?" Bu Eunseol asked sharply. "Or is it limited to those of the demonic path?"
Mira Yeong gave a subtle smile.
"It matters not whether one is from the righteous or demonic path. As long as you pass our Pavilion’s test, anyone may enter."
'They must have ties to the righteous factions as well,' Bu Eunseol thought, nodding slightly as he understood her meaning. It made sense in a way.
Affectionate Blossom Sect was a place with far too much to protect. If someone could be of aid, it didn’t matter whether they were from the demonic or righteous path.
"Will you still take the test?" Mira Yeong asked.
"Yes," Bu Eunseol replied without hesitation.
Hyeok Sojin, with an arrogant expression, also nodded.
"I may not know much else, but when it comes to an unshakable heart, I’m quite confident. Gambling is my only interest, after all."
"Very well," Mira Yeong said calmly. "Then we shall begin the test—"
Clank.
At that moment, the sound of a mechanism activating rang out, and a tall, middle-aged woman approached from behind Mira Yeong.
She was Du Yakrang, the master of Samidong, responsible for all the mechanisms and formations of the Affectionate Blossom Sect.
"Master Du," Mira Yeong said, bowing respectfully upon seeing her.
Du Yakrang, her expression stern, gazed at Bu Eunseol and Hyeok Sojin before speaking in a low voice.
"Mira Yeong, you may leave."
"Pardon?"
"I, the Master of Samidong, will oversee the test." Mira Yeong’s face showed confusion.
Du Yakrang’s role as the Master of Samidong was to activate mechanisms to block powerful intruders, not to oversee tests.
"Master, these two are—"
"I know. They are successors of the Ten Demonic Sects."
"But—"
"This is the decision of the Pavilion Lord." At those words, Mira Yeong let out a soft "Ah" before bowing and quickly retreating.
"I shall take my leave." Watching this unfold, Bu Eunseol and Hyeok Sojin simultaneously narrowed their eyes.
"I know. They too are successors of the Ten Demonic Sects." From Du Yakrang’s single statement, they could infer the entire situation.
'Another successor of the Ten Demonic Sects has already come here.' Moreover, judging by her mention of the Pavilion Lord’s decision, it was clear that one of the other successors had visited Affectionate Blossom Sect , proposed something, and the Pavilion Lord had accepted it.
"I am Du Yakrang, Master of Samidong," she said coldly, looking at Bu Eunseol and Hyeok Sojin. "The test to enter our Pavilion requires you to risk your life. I advise you to turn back immediately."
Her eyes narrowed as she continued.
"I have no desire to hear that our Pavilion killed successors of the Ten Demonic Sects." Her intention was clear: she didn’t want to let them in at all and was telling them to leave.
"No matter," Bu Eunseol replied.
"Most say such things before they die," Du Yakrang said. "But when death comes, they wail in despair and regret."
"Indeed. I hope you, Master Du, will not come to such a fate," Bu Eunseol responded calmly.
Du Yakrang’s arrogant smile vanished, her expression hardening.
"Then let us begin." She lightly stepped on a silver stone beneath her feet.
With a thud, the ceiling opened, and clear water began pouring into the corridor.
Rumble.
But something astonishing happened. The transparent water filled only half of the corridor, stopping midway.
Upon closer inspection, the transparent stones that had previously pushed back the water before they entered were now tightly packed, glowing faintly along the corridor’s walls. Using those mysterious stones, the water was confined to the middle of the passage.
"Wait a moment. Is that...?" Hyeok Sojin pointed at the clear water filling the corridor.
Unlike ordinary water, it looked viscous, almost like honey, even to the naked eye.
"Could that be the Immeasurable Heavenly King Water?"
The Immeasurable Heavenly King Water.
Also known as heavy water, this mysterious liquid was so dense that a single drop weighed as much as hundreds of pounds of iron. A mere bucketful of it was heavier than a house-sized boulder.
"To think they’ve gathered such a vast amount of this exorbitantly expensive Immeasurable Heavenly King Water," Hyeok Sojin marveled.
The water’s unique properties made it extraordinarily rare and costly. To fill an entire corridor with such a valuable liquid?
"Truly, the wealth of Affectionate Blossom Sect lives up to its reputation," Hyeok Sojin said, awestruck.
Du Yakrang responded, "This gate is called the Immeasurable Heavenly Water Gate. All you need to do is pass through the corridor filled with this water."
"You mean we have to go in there?" Hyeok Sojin asked, his jaw dropping in disbelief.
With that amount of Immeasurable Heavenly King Water, even someone who had mastered body-hardening techniques like Iron Skin or Arhat Qigong would be crushed or burst apart the moment they stepped inside.
"This isn’t a gate—it’s a death trap meant to kill any outsider who tries to enter," Hyeok Sojin said.
Du Yakrang gave a cold smile.
"If you don’t like it, give up. I won’t force you." But Bu Eunseol, who had been standing silently, spoke up.
"If I pass this test, can I enter Affectionate Blossom Sect ?" Du Yakrang’s thin lips moved as she met his unwavering gaze.
"Of course not."
"There are more tests, then," Bu Eunseol said, nodding. "Must both of us pass the test, or is it enough for one of us to succeed?"
"Heh heh heh. Why would both of you need to pass?" Du Yakrang said with a cold smile. "If one of you passes, that will suffice."
On the surface, it seemed like a concession, but in truth, it meant she didn’t want to kill both successors of the Ten Demonic Sects.
"However, you may not help each other. If one of you receives or gives aid, the test is failed, and you must leave immediately."
Bu Eunseol nodded lightly and said, "Then I will take this test."
"Do as you please." As Bu Eunseol stepped toward the area filled with Immeasurable Heavenly King Water, Hyeok Sojin blocked his path.
"Wait a moment." Hyeok Sojin’s expression was serious as he spoke. "No matter how great your inner energy is, this is reckless."
Bu Eunseol’s gaze was cold as he replied, "I never permitted you to address me so familiarly."
"Is that really the issue right now?" Hyeok Sojin’s usual arrogance was replaced by a heavy, serious demeanor. "That amount of Immeasurable Heavenly King Water cannot be withstood with just two cycles of inner energy."
In truth, Bu Eunseol’s inner energy exceeded three cycles. However, because he had always suppressed his true strength in their encounters, Hyeok Sojin had misjudged his level of power.
"You must have realized it too, haven’t you? Another successor, like us, has already been here."
"And?"
"And? They started with talk of an unshakable heart, but now they’ve changed the test. They’re clearly determined to eliminate us."
Bu Eunseol replied calmly, "How can one gain the support of the Ten Demonic Sects without risking their life?"
"Brother Bu—"
"If I were to stop here, I would never have left the Demonic Arena in the first place." With those words, Bu Eunseol stepped into the transparent wall filled with Immeasurable Heavenly King Water.
The martial world is such a place.
Be it fame or power, to obtain what one desires, one must risk their life. If it could be achieved otherwise, the martial world would never have been called the Jianghu.
Step, step.
Bu Eunseol walked slowly but resolutely into the area filled with Immeasurable Heavenly King Water.
Zing.
As Du Yakrang adjusted the mechanism, the transparent stones began to rotate, and the Immeasurable Heavenly King Water, previously suspended in midair, filled the entire middle of the corridor.
Boom.
At that moment, with a low rumble, Bu Eunseol’s waist buckled under the weight of the water. Even the heavy sword on his back began to bend like a bow.
Tremble.
The pressure was immense.
It was as if the heavens and earth had flipped, and the entire world was pressing down on him.
Hum.
Bu Eunseol immediately unleashed his Ban-Geuk Method. A faint light began emanating from his body, accompanied by a low vibration.
"What is that...?" Du Yakrang’s eyes widened as she watched.
A subtle glow began to shimmer around Bu Eunseol’s body, pushing back the transparent Immeasurable Heavenly King Water.
Boom.
As Bu Eunseol took a step forward, the entire cave trembled. The faint glow emanating from his body gradually took shape, forming a perfect circle.
"Could his inner energy exceed three cycles?" Du Yakrang muttered, her expression one of disbelief.
The circular glow enveloping Bu Eunseol was the manifestation of his formidable inner energy. To envelop one’s entire body in such tangible inner energy required at least three cycles of power, a feat barely achievable even at that level.
"This is absurd..." Du Yakrang’s jaw dropped.
The sight of Bu Eunseol fully manifesting his inner energy within the transparent Immeasurable Heavenly King Water was a display of power impossible for someone at the entry level of the supreme realm.
'At his age, has his inner energy surpassed the supreme realm?'
Boom, boom.
Meanwhile, Bu Eunseol continued to move forward, step by step.
"This isn’t just two cycles—it’s over three cycles?" Hyeok Sojin, watching the scene, also widened his eyes in shock. "All this time, in our inner energy contests, he was holding back?"
In their previous clashes, Bu Eunseol’s exerted force, calculated as reactive force, seemed to be around 120 years’ worth. In reality, he possessed over 180 years’ worth of inner energy.
"No matter how you look at it, it’s impossible to amass that level of inner energy at his age. Could it be... Reverse Aging?"
Hyeok Sojin, who had been muttering, shook his head.
"No, that can’t be. Isn’t he one of the Ten Demonic Warriors?"
If Bu Eunseol had undergone Reverse Aging, the great demonic warriors lurking in Majeon would have surely noticed.
"But to possess such inner energy, three conditions must align."
To achieve earth-shattering inner energy at such a young age, three things were required.
First, one had to undergo a bone-washing ceremony before the Ren and Du meridians were blocked.
Second, one had to master a pure and exceptional inner energy technique perfectly suited to their body, maintaining the pristine state of their qi and blood as in infancy.
Third, once a certain amount of qi was accumulated, a supreme master with over four cycles of inner energy had to open the Heaven-and-Earth Dual Intersection for them.
As the successor of Heaven and Earth Severing Sect, Hyeok Sojin had received all three of these. Yet, he could not possess such formidable inner energy for one simple reason: his youth.
Inner energy does not increase limitlessly, no matter how diligently one trains. It requires harmonizing True Yin and True Yang over a long period to gradually increase one’s inner energy level. Even with exceptional talent, a bone-washing ceremony, and a supreme inner energy technique, reaching three cycles of inner energy typically takes around thirty years.
Yet Bu Eunseol, barely past his early twenties, possessed three cycles of inner energy.
Boom, boom.
By now, Bu Eunseol had crossed about two-thirds of the corridor filled with Immeasurable Heavenly King Water. Unlike at the start, his steps were no longer heavy; they grew lighter, as if he were taking a leisurely stroll.
'Something’s strange.' Bu Eunseol himself felt something unusual.
Initially, even exerting his full inner energy allowed him to take only a single step. But then, something astonishing happened.
Hum.
Red glowing spots began to appear on Bu Eunseol’s skin, gradually taking on a faint golden hue. At the same time, the crushing pressure on his body began to lessen.
Crack.
At that moment, Bu Eunseol’s skin cracked like brittle pastry, revealing translucent skin beneath.
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