Twinkle, twinkle.
The bead had moved beyond merely emitting a faint glow from its surface; it was now shooting out an intense beam of light, as if pointing straight in a specific direction.
‘This bead possesses a different efficacy than the one the Martial Venerable gave me.’
If the Martial Venerable’s bead—which couldn’t be dismantled—had created a gate to pass through the endlessly overlapping formations, then this bead was pointing toward the location where the formation was deployed while simultaneously indicating the direction of the solution.
In other words, though they might look similar on the outside, their functions were entirely different.
Kwa-woooo!
As he moved forward through the mist following the direction of the beam of light, the scenery before his eyes shifted second by second.
‘I have entered the formation.’
The interior of the formation was constantly changing like a living creature, shifting the Gate of Life at every moment.
‘If one possessed such a bead, they could perfectly hide their original location.’
What if there was a mystical object that could reveal the Gate of Life within a formation that changed this rapidly? Unless one possessed this bead or was an insider, entering the designated secret location would be nearly impossible.
Step.
Finally, when the bead stopped pointing, a space where a cluster of pure white light spread out appeared in the distance. However, upon closer inspection, it was not a cluster of light, but rather a rift in space caused by too many overlapping formations.
Bu Eunseol could not hide his surprise as he saw hundreds of lights blinking repeatedly within the gap of the rift.
‘There are this many?’
While these were not Absolute Boundaries that could perfectly separate spaces, weren't they exercising a power no less than that because of the countless complex formations installed in an overlapping state?
‘A hundred and eighty-one overlaps.’
In short, there were 32,761 formations laid out before his eyes. Such a formation could never be solved by a human mind. If he hadn't obtained the bead from the Hyega, he wouldn't have been able to even step foot in here in the first place.
Ki-im.
As he pierced through the numerous overlapping formations using the power of the bead, a brilliant light poured out before him. And finally, when he passed through that light:
‘This is...’
An unexpected landscape unfolded before him.
It was a place like a landscape painting. Lush ancient trees surrounded him on all sides, and stone walls thickly covered in green moss stretched along the mountain. The stream of water falling from a distant waterfall sparkled golden, reflecting the sunlight.
‘Even the air is different.’
It felt inexplicably clear and refreshing; with every step he took, a faint fragrance lingered at his toes. The wind swept down the mountain, swaying the bamboo forest, and the faint cry of a crane could be heard from somewhere.
It was truly a Peach Blossom Spring. Just looking at it made him feel as if his very bones were being washed clean.
‘I must hide the sword.’
However, seeing the beautiful scenery actually gave Bu Eunseol a sense of crisis.
Judging by the formation alone, they must possess a mysterious power greater than any abyss force he had encountered so far, including those from the Three Realms. Although the Demon-Killer Sword took the form of an ordinary iron sword, what if they decided to check the condition of his weapon?
Since they might discover something strange, he absolutely had to hide it.
Swish.
When he used his internal power, the Demon-Killer Sword soared into the air and then plunged deep into the ground, scabbard and all.
Woooong.
Bu Eunseol used his internal energy to perfectly erase the traces of the burial.
‘Since I buried the sword so close to the valley, if a need arises, I can just pull it out and use it in an instant.’
He then walked further inside for a long time.
“Welcome.”
From the opposite side, a woman approached with a light, graceful step. With her long hair brushed down and wearing fluttering clothes like wing-garments, she looked exactly like a celestial maiden descended from heaven.
“Welcome to the Valley of Immortals, Young Master.”
The woman bowed her head and offered a polite greeting.
“My name is Yeonju, and I will be in charge of your reception from now on.”
Bu Eunseol returned the greeting with utmost politeness.
“I am Jeong Cheong.”
Jeong Cheong was a double identity Bu Eunseol had created back when he worked as Number Eighteen in the Majeon. He was a successor of a mysterious sect called the Yangyo Gate and was a person who actually existed. However, he was a villain who had raped and murdered many women, eventually dying at Bu Eunseol's hands in a nameless valley.
In other words, because it was a perfectly laundered identity, even if a giant information organization decided to investigate, he could hold out for at least three months.
“So you are Young Master Jeong.”
Yeonju bowed politely and spoke in a modest voice.
“Please show me the Spirit Jade.”
‘Spirit Jade? Is she talking about the bead?’
After a moment of thought at Yeonju's words, Bu Eunseol held out the bead he was holding. She held the bead up to the sunlight and then nodded.
“Please demonstrate the martial arts you learned from the secret manual.”
“Martial arts... you say?”
“That is correct. It is a procedure for entering this valley, so I ask for the Young Master's understanding.”
Yeonju pointed to a massive ancient tree in front of them. It seemed she wanted him to display his martial arts there.
Bu Eunseol maintained a calm expression but inwardly swallowed hard.
This was an unexpected situation.
‘They certainly said they lured people by spreading some of the martial arts of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars.’
The problem was that the woman named Yeonju had inspected the bead very carefully.
This meant there was a high probability that the bead and the martial arts given as bait were specific. If he used just any martial art of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars, his identity might be exposed immediately.
‘It can’t be helped.’
He had no choice.
There were only two types of martial arts from the Eight Emperors and Three Stars that Bu Eunseol could imitate. One was the Flame Emperor’s Energy, which was similar to the Yeolha Great True Energy, and the other was the Glacial Great Emperor’s Energy, which was similar to the Heavenly Glacial Secret.
Aside from those, he couldn't even dare to imitate the fist techniques of the Celestial Emperor used by So Okrim, the saber techniques of the Blade Emperor used by the Head of the Pang Clan, the Blood Emperor’s Energy of the freak in the coffin, or the Poison Emperor’s martial arts used by the Heavenly Emperor.
‘Most men use Yang-type energy, so there’s a high probability they didn't spread Yin-type secret manuals.’
After thinking deeply, Bu Eunseol bit his lip.
‘No, rather than making a judgment on my own, I should try to obtain at least a minimal clue.’
Bu Eunseol not only possessed the insight to see through a person’s mind but was also quite skilled in speech. Having finished his thoughts, he deliberately put on an embarrassed expression and spoke playfully.
“I am ashamed. My talent is lacking, so I have not been able to master it perfectly.”
Then he bowed his head.
“Furthermore, before coming here, I mismanaged my internal energy, resulting in a loss of power.”
His appearance perfectly mimicked that of a young man with low self-esteem, laying out all sorts of excuses in advance because he expected poor test results.
“It is fine. We are not looking for the depth of your power, but rather how skillfully the Young Master can reverse the flow of energy.”
‘Reversal.’
Reversing internal energy was generally a technique used when performing soft and Yin-type power.
In other words, what she wanted was a martial art that emitted Extreme Yin Energy.
‘It’s a gamble anyway.’
Among the martial arts of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars, there were others besides the Glacial Great Emperor that used Dark Yin Energy, but the only one he could imitate was the Glacial Great Emperor’s. He had no choice.
‘I just hope it’s the Glacial Great Emperor’s martial art.’
Woooong.
Forming a finger-sword with his index and middle fingers, Bu Eunseol simultaneously drew upon the Heavenly Glacial Secret of the North Sea Ice Palace and the Ice Essence Snow Blossom Qi of the Snow Blossom Sect.
To imitate the Glacial Great Emperor’s Energy—which had no distance restrictions and was no less powerful than the Heavenly Glacial Secret—he had to perform these two martial arts at the same time.
‘They surely wouldn't have given out the perfect original manual, so I must follow it clumsily.’
Swish!
He instantly swung his finger-sword toward the giant tree. Even though the sword energy he created passed through, the shape of the tree remained intact.
Slice.
Then, Yeonju drew a sword and cut the tree.
“I see.”
She nodded as she inspected the cross-section of the cut wood. The Extreme Yin Energy had completely transformed the wood tissue, and ice crystals were embedded inside. To anyone's eyes, it was the trace of someone who had clumsily learned a portion of the Glacial Great Emperor’s martial arts.
“You are far too humble.”
Even though Bu Eunseol had imitated the Glacial Great Emperor’s Ice Arts extremely clumsily, she let out an exclamation of admiration and nodded.
“This should be at the fourth-stage level.”
The wariness in Yeonju’s eyes had turned affectionate. She had judged Bu Eunseol’s identity to be certain.
“Before long, a new Glacial Great Emperor will appear in the martial world.”
After tossing out somewhat excessive praise, she smiled and reached out.
“Please, come this way.”
As he followed Yeonju inside, he saw pavilions and halls built along the mountain terrain. Unlike the style of the Central Plains, the buildings colored in white looked like clouds shrouded in mist, and plaques that looked to be hundreds of years old hung under each hall.
A wide and flat martial arts training ground was located in the center, and a grand library could be seen next to it. Beautiful trees and plants were planted along every path, and petals scattered whenever the wind blew.
“This is where you will stay.”
She guided Bu Eunseol to a hall with a plaque that read Grand Hospitality. The elegant hall located halfway up the mountain was made of red wood, and the exterior walls were engraved with sophisticated carvings of dragons and clouds.
Upon opening the door and entering, the room was clean and decorated with luxurious furnishings. In the center was a table exquisitely crafted from rosewood, upon which sat a small tea set and a kettle for brewing tea.
Going deep into the room, there was a small window at the very end, only large enough for a human head to fit through.
Click.
Opening the window revealed mountain peaks hidden in the mist, and a small table and silk cushions were placed in front of the window.
It was a consideration to allow one to sit here, drink tea, and enjoy the surrounding scenery.
“The banquet will be held soon. Please rest and recover from your journey in the meantime.”
Once she left, Bu Eunseol’s eyes flashed as he looked out the window.
‘Something is different.’
Even though they had thrown out an irresistible bait like the martial arts of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars, they were providing a comfortable residence as if trying to win over talented individuals to subordinate them, much like a great manor led by a famous righteous sect.
‘This isn't good.’
On the surface, it absolutely didn't seem like they were throwing him into a pit of evil or plotting something bad. However, these were the people who, under the name of the Three Realms, provided mysterious beads and the martial arts of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars to an unspecified number of young people. That fact alone made it certain that they were gathering young people with extremely foul intentions.
He remained lost in deep thought for a long time while looking out the window.
“The banquet has begun.”
As time passed, Yeonju entered quietly and guided Bu Eunseol again.
“When can I learn the rest of the martial arts?”
Bu Eunseol was clearly showing the image of an impatient young man who wanted to master the martial arts of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars as soon as possible.
“Do not worry.”
As she walked ahead, Yeonju replied calmly.
“Once today’s banquet is over, we will soon select the talents to master the martial arts.”
“You mean you’re selecting them?”
When Bu Eunseol put on a disappointed expression, Yeonju smiled and said, “Such martial arts are like divine objects. If they fall into the hands of an ordinary person, they will instead ruin the body.”
Her tone was not only extremely polite but also logical. Bu Eunseol walked silently with an expression of having no choice.
As they ascended to a high, flat terrain, the view suddenly opened up, revealing a breathtaking vista. A large stake with the words "Immortal Terrace" carved into it was visible, and the ground was paved with white stone that looked like polished jade. Upon reaching it, a magnificent scenery unfolded.
In the center, under pillars made from whole ebony trees, was a large pavilion where one could escape the sunlight. Silk covered all sides of the pavilion to enhance the atmosphere, and a large table was piled high with rare alcohol and delicacies from land and sea.
“Then, please enjoy the banquet, Young Master Jeong.”
Yeonju bowed and quietly descended from the Immortal Terrace. Perhaps because he had arrived somewhat late, many young people were watching Bu Eunseol as he stepped onto the terrace.
‘First, I must not be suspected.’
Intentionally putting on an awkward expression, Bu Eunseol met their eyes one by one with a sheepish look. Then, he entered the pavilion and began to eat and drink with the other young people.
There were roughly thirty young people gathered here. However, the scale of the banquet hall was too large, and the amount of food prepared was enough for three hundred people to eat and drink all night and still have leftovers.
‘They specifically provide decent lodging and treat us to good wine and food... I see.’
Just as Bu Eunseol’s mind was falling deeper into a labyrinth:
Step, step.
A person climbed onto the platform built in front of the banquet hall. It was a woman who looked to be in her thirties, wearing a flowing white robe and a floral crown on her head.
“I am Gakyung, the Head of the Sohwa Pavilion of this valley.”
The woman identifying herself as Gakyung spoke to the young people gathered at the Immortal Terrace.
“The reason this valley has invited you all like this is because you possess outstanding martial arts and talent that can look down upon the world.”
Gakyung looked around and said, “In this valley, we are selecting successors to master all the martial arts of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars and lead the martial world, as well as heroes to assist them.”
Instantly, intense heat radiated from the eyes of the young people.
Mastering even one of the martial arts of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars would allow one to dominate the world, but they were saying they would let them master all of them?
“The Valley Lord was originally supposed to arrive, but the schedule has been pushed back by a day due to various matters.”
She bowed politely and said, “Please rest comfortably for just one day and enjoy the banquet. And when the Valley Lord arrives tomorrow, we will immediately select the successors.”
Since they had put forward the name of the Three Realms, the leader should naturally be a Lord of a Realm, not a Valley Lord, and they should have explained for what purpose they were doing this.
However, she gave no explanation regarding this, and the young people did not harbor any doubts either. These people said they were generously passing down martial arts that dominate the world simply because their talents were outstanding.
And since they had been selected as successor candidates, they couldn't ask for anything more.
“Why on earth are you bestowing such a favor?”
But then, a young man wearing a scimitar, sitting in a corner of the banquet hall, questioned Gakyung.
“With this much power and wealth, you wouldn't need to choose outsiders as successors.”
The man’s words were logical and hit the core.
If they possessed all the martial arts of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars and had this much wealth, why would they need to spread mysterious beads and parts of those martial arts in the world to find successors from the outside?
They could just find and raise outstanding successors themselves.
“This valley is under constant check,” Gakyung said calmly. “We tried to raise successors secretly, but in the end, they were all killed.”
Since successors within the valley were being killed off, drawing in peerless geniuses from the outside was a natural method.
“I see.”
The man with the scimitar nodded. Though there was a slightly bitter aftertaste, it was a reason he could accept.
“Then, please enjoy the banquet comfortably. I will see you again tomorrow.”
The banquet continued for a long time.
After Gakyung’s explanation, the young people gathered here all let down their guard and rejoiced, thinking they had gained immense luck. Furthermore, they praised those in the Valley of Immortals—or the Three Realms—saying they were doing an extremely righteous thing.
They enjoyed the wine and food to their heart's content and bonded, vowing to have a fair competition for the succession.
Bu Eunseol also stayed until the end, pretending to mingle with them while maintaining a happy and hopeful expression. If there was a watchful eye, or if he alone didn't fit in and left the seat early, he might stand out.
“Then, see you tomorrow!”
Finally, the banquet ended.
After returning to his quarters, Bu Eunseol fell into deep thought. On the surface, the Valley of Immortals—which claimed to be the Three Realms—seemed righteous and vibrant. The treatment was not bad, and their plan was ideal.
If he hadn't known properly about the Three Realms through So Okrim and Hyega, he would never have thought they had other ulterior motives.
‘Something is definitely strange.’
It is not that rare for a mysterious force or sect that does not appear in the martial world to recruit an outside figure as a successor. However, the Valley of Immortals was too excessive.
The treatment was excessive, and the martial arts they promised to pass down were also excessive. It wasn't enough that they treated young people who were total strangers like royal envoys; they were even going to pass down the martial arts of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars, which the Martial Alliance would consider treasures.
‘Could it be the Returning to One Realm?’
In the past, the Returning to One Realm had once gathered outstanding experts with the characteristics of the Hundred and Eight Stars using a demon sword as bait. But he soon shook his head.
‘Even if they intended to create puppets in large quantities, they wouldn't gather peerless geniuses in this manner.’
Because Bu Eunseol had always moved and managed allied forces, he knew very well how giant sects operated. No matter how outstanding a talent is, it takes time and money to raise them to a certain level. But these people were giving them luxurious treatment as if they were entertaining the Grandmasters of the world from the very start.
“In the end, it means there is a short-term goal.”
If not, there would be no reason to spend wealth like this to win the favor of young people in such a short time. However, the young people gathered here were not feeling at all that these things were abnormal.
‘There isn't even a need to assign lodgings separately like this.’
The successor hadn't even been decided yet.
Normally, they would have had the young people stay together. Even if they had money to burn, assigning separate halls to each person like this was far too much hospitality.
Peep, peep.
Soon it became the third watch of the night, when even the sound of insects began to fade.
As he looked out the window, Bu Eunseol suddenly felt a sense of wonder. All martial artists have strong breathing and good physical strength. These were all energetic young men, and they were in a situation where they couldn't hide their excitement because of the joy of being able to receive the essence of the Eight Emperors and Three Stars' martial arts.
Surely some would have come out to talk or would be noisy while drinking the wine brought from the banquet hall.
But the interior was so silent that even the sound of a needle dropping wouldn't be heard.
‘This makes no sense.’
No matter how drunk or exhausted they were from the journey, there was no way not a single young martial artist would wake up and instead sleep as soundly as a baby who had eaten its fill. Clearly, something had happened.
‘Monitoring the surroundings of the hall secretly... I see.’
Furthermore, he felt secret gazes around the hall. Although they were not visible, people from the Valley of Immortals were definitely monitoring this area.
‘Come to think of it, the size of the window isn't normal either.’
A normal window is made large enough for a person to get their body through. But the window of this hall was so small that only a single head could fit.
‘It’s no constraint for me, though.’
Using the Wind-Cloud Divine Qi, he could pass through a space as small as a palm in an instant.
Shoook.
Having slipped out through the window, he used his stealth technique to hide his form.
‘It seems they’ve placed them far apart so they can't observe each other's status.’
The Valley of Immortals had assigned separate halls, and the distance between them was very wide. Therefore, unless one moved for a long time to go to another hall, they couldn't grasp the situation of the other young people.
‘Not just a specific person, but everyone.’
He tried to find the place where the monitoring eyes inside were gathered, but... the warriors of the Valley of Immortals were monitoring every single one of the young people who had entered the halls without exception.
‘I have no choice but to check them one by one.’
Tsu-tsu-tsut.
Performing his Stealth Flight Technique, he first entered the nearest hall as if soaking into it.
‘Are they really asleep?’
As he looked inside, Bu Eunseol could not hide his absurdity. The man lying on the bed was indeed fast asleep. He was so deeply asleep that even if Bu Eunseol released his presence and put his face right up to him, he wouldn't wake up—he was collapsed as if he had fainted.
‘This is...’
Looking around, Bu Eunseol realized anew that a thick and sweet fragrance was lingering in the room. This unique fragrance filling the interior of the quarters was none other than what was constantly spreading from the sleeping man's breath.
‘Spirit medicine?’
What was spreading from their mouths was the smell of spirit medicine.
In an instant, Bu Eunseol remembered that the wine he drank today had a fragrant smell like herbs.
Because he had repeated the process of marrow-cleansing and his internal energy level had reached the limit, no matter what great spirit medicine he consumed, it had no effect on his body.
Also, because he had reached the realm of the Poison Saint, light poisons were neutralized so instantly that he wouldn't even notice them.
Paradoxically, because his internal energy and poison arts were so deep, his body had become one that could not sense faint spirit medicines or poisons.
‘They wouldn't have fed it to us with good intentions.’
No matter how small the amount, if they had put spirit medicine in the wine, they should have announced it in advance. If one does not properly circulate their energy after consuming spirit medicine, its efficacy does not dissolve properly and settles in the dormant blood points or fine vessels; then, one falls into a deep sleep as if they had taken a sedative, sleeping as if they had fainted. Just like right now.
‘If so...’
Moving secretly with his light-footwork, he checked the other halls as well. As expected, the situation was the same.
The young men were sleeping as if dead, to the point where they couldn't sense any presence even when Bu Eunseol approached and put his face right up to them.
But then, something strange happened. Deep inside the Valley of Immortals, people dressed in black were moving back and forth carrying large vats on their heads.
‘What is that again?’
They were called vats, but they were large enough for a person to fit inside. There would be no reason to cook at this hour of dawn, and even if they were cooking, there would be no need for vats that large.
Furthermore, weren't those people not cooks, but the warriors of this Valley of Immortals who claimed to be the Three Realms? Why on earth were they wandering around with giant vats in the middle of the night?
Even at this point, Bu Eunseol did not know.
That in this Valley of Immortals... he would end up fighting with his life on the line against the Lord of the Returning to One Realm while suffering from a fatal wound.
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