Chapter 165
Upon reaching the Absolute Realm, the seven wanderers began to train so fervently to adapt to it that people started assuming they isolated themselves to train. It would take at least ten days for them to fully adapt to their newly achieved martial realm.
Meanwhile, Loyal Heart Alliance Council delegates visited Baek Cheon-Sang, their leader, in dissatisfaction when they received news that Baek Mu-Gun gave the seven wanderers two Heavenly Medicine Pills each and guided them into the Absolute Realm. They were unhappy with the preferential treatment that the seven wanderers were receiving just because they were tied by a contract.
Byeok Sword Manor Patriarch Byeok Cheol-Seong, Wind Saber Sect Patriarch Tae Gong-Pyo, Clear Sun Sect Patriarch Shim Seok-Gun, Draconic Tiger Gang Patriarch Yong Gun-Seong, Sea Palace Sect Patriarch Nam Go-San, and Jiuhua Sect Patriarch Lee Geom-Hwan disagreed were the ones against the Baek Sword Sects decision.
Alliance Leader! How could you let this happen? Gong-Pyo said as the sixs representative. Displeasure was evident in his voice.
What do you mean? Cheon-Sang frowned when Gong-Pyo asked so abruptly and didnt even bother to explain himself.
I heard that the Baek Sword Sect supplied seven wanderers two Heavenly Medicine Pills and helped them reach the Absolute Realm even though they are new hires.
What about it? Cheon-Sang nonchalantly asked.
Do you really not see whats wrong with that? How could you prioritize them over us? Those people will leave as soon as their contract is over, while we are all members of the Loyal Heart Alliance. We are your comrades-in-arms until the very end. Isnt it only natural to prioritize us?
I agree. We are also extremely saddened by this matter. The other delegates nodded in agreement.
You all seem to be misunderstanding something. Well find ourselves in a predicament if you think that we have to put you all first at all times just because the Baek Sword Sect is the leader of the Loyal Heart Alliance. As the alliance leader, we will certainly spare no effort in growing and developing our alliance. However, the great cause of murim takes precedence over that, Cheon-Sang said firmly.
The great cause of murim?
Yes. The Baek Sword Sect did not establish the Loyal Heart Alliance for personal gains. We did it to gain the power to protect murim and ourselves from all threats, like the Nine Celestial Demons Sect.
Giving the seven wanderers Heavenly Medicine Pills and helping them with their martial arts advancement is for the great cause of murim?
That is correct. Murim would ultimately benefit from it the most if the seven wanderers do their best in the fight against the Nine Celestial Demons Sect in exchange for helping them become Absolute-Realm masters, Cheon-Sang explained.
I get what you are trying to say, Alliance Leader. However, would it not have created the same results if we were the ones who received help in becoming Absolute-Realm masters? No, if we were the ones who advanced into the Absolute Realm, we wouldnt have just helped murims great cause but also strengthened the Loyal Heart Alliance. Wouldnt that have been better? Gong-Pyo refuted Cheon-Sangs remarks.
We chose them because they were more likely to succeed. If you all had a higher chance of reaching the Absolute Realm than the seven wanderers, then we would have helped you all instead.
Cheon-Sangs cutting remarks rendered the delegates speechless. They were also well aware that their skills were inferior to the seven wanderers.
Allow me to use this moment to make something clear as well. The Baek Sword Sect is helping you all out of goodwill, not because we are required to. We provided all of you with Heavenly Medicine Pills and improved your martial arts without asking for anything in return. To be honest, there would have been nothing wrong with it if we gave all the pills to our martial artists instead of distributing them to any of you. However, we chose to do the latter for the sake of the Loyal Heart Alliance. If none of you appreciate our kind gestures and instead take them for granted, then I cant help but wonder if it is still meaningful for the Baek Sword Sect to give so much to the Loyal Heart Alliance.
The six delegates still couldnt say anything due to how right Cheon-Sang was. They felt so ashamed of themselves that they could not bring themselves to raise their heads.
Cheon-Sang sighed, then softly said, I would like nothing more than to witness all of you, the Loyal Heart Alliances pillars, become Absolute-Realm masters. However, rushing things would not accomplish that. You are all still lacking. For now, focus on developing your skills. For as long as you make steady efforts, I will spare no effort in supporting you.
We misunderstood your intentions, Alliance Leader. As you said, we should devote ourselves to advancing our martial realm instead of complaining, Gong-Pyo said apologetically.
We will always be grateful for the Baek Sword Sects generosity. We certainly do not take it for granted, so please dont misunderstand our motives, Cheol-Seong added.
The other delegates were no different. After hearing Cheon-Sangs remarks, they realized that they were being too greedy.
Do not worry. There will be no misunderstanding over this matter. Think of this moment as the calm before the storm, so I hope we take this opportunity to further strengthen the bond of the Loyal Heart Alliance.
Although the six delegates did not get what they wanted, they no longer felt dissatisfied. They left the White Sword Pavilion determined to work hard to reach the Absolute Realm instead of relying on the Baek Sword Sect.
Not long after, Mu-Gun heard about the situation from Cheon-Sang. It did not surprise Mu-Gun, though, having already predicted it to happen when he decided to give the Heavenly Medicine Pills to the seven wanderers. He did not pay too much attention to it or the six delegates either since it all worked out well. It was better to have them express their dissatisfaction than do things and scheme behind his back. He would have done something if they kept protesting and still felt dissatisfied, but since that was not the case, he saw no need to take action.
The next morning, Mu-Gun visited the three Sword Immortals.
Welcome, they greeted Mu-Gun warmly.
Are there any inconveniences during your stay here?
Inconveniences? Compared to living in the headquarters, we are living a life of luxury here. Our like-minded friends are here as well, so we never feel lonely, Taichi Sword Immortal Tae Heo said as he waved his hands.
Tae Heo meant what he said. Qiankun Hands Seok Gang, Daybreak Swordmaster Geom Woo-Saeng, and the Four Peerless Wanderers, who were from the same era as the three Sword Immortals, were at the Baek Sword Sect right now, so the three Sword Immortals were never bored. Compared to living in seclusion in their headquarters, this was a luxurious life.
Thats a relief. Is it really okay for you three to stay here for so long, though? Mu-Gun asked out of concern.
It had been well over a month since the three Sword Immortals came to the Baek Sword Sect to protect Mu-Gun, the Thunder Gods successor, from the threat of the Nine Celestial Demons Sect. However, the Nine Celestial Demons Sect had shown no signs of planning to attack the Baek Sword Sect yet. Hence, Mu-Gun could not help but worry about whether the three Sword Immortals could stay at the Baek Sword Sect for so long.
Do you want us to leave as soon as possible, Young Patriarch Baek? Clear Wind Sword Immortal Young Ho-Jung asked in disappointment.
Of course not. If possible, I would like the three of you to stay here forever. However, I worry that Im keeping you all here even though you have your own matters to attend to.
No need to worry about that. We told our sects that we would be gone for quite a while before we left the headquarters. Old people like us do not matter much now anyway, Ho-Jung said as if it was no big deal.
If your respective headquarters hear about this, they would be mortified, Mu-Gun said.
Let them be. We plan to stay here until the Nine Celestial Demons Sect is no longer a threat.
Mu-Gun could not ask for more.
Understood. If you are uncomfortable or need anything, please feel free to let me know, Mu-Gun said appreciatively.
We are very well taken care of here. You should cross swords with us every now and then, though, Taiyi Sword Immortal Woon Jong-Hak commented.
A wall was blocking the three Sword Immortals from advancing to the Supreme Realm, and they were expecting to find a way to break through it from Mu-Gun, the Thunder Gods successor. In fact, that was also one of the reasons why they came to the Baek Sword Sect.
Alright. I will come by again as soon as I have time, Mu-Gun replied. He would also benefit from sparring with such outstanding martial artists anyway.
Not long after, he left the residence of the three Sword Immortals and headed to the training hall. When he arrived, he found Namgung Hyun-Ah, dressed in white martial attire, focused on her martial arts training. Mu-Gun erased his presence to avoid breaking her concentration as he watched her.
Hyun-Ahs talent was definitely remarkable. Even though it had only been four months since Mu-Gun had taught her the Cold Moon Sects martial art, she could already use it as smoothly as flowing water. She was not simply skilfully executing the techniques but also naturally imbuing the Cold Moon Glacier Cultivation Methods qi into them.
Considering her current skills, she has probably reached the Peak Realm now.
Before learning the Cold Moon Sects martial arts, Hyun-Ah was just in the First-Rate Realm, which meant she reached the Peak Realm in just four months. Although her outstanding talent played a major role in achieving that feat, it was also because of how sophisticated the Cold Moon Sects martial art was. That was why martial artists desired Ascension-Realm martial arts so much. Even with similar levels of talent and under the same conditions, one could grow faster than the other if they were practicing an Ascension-Realm martial art. Of course, no matter how amazing the martial art was, it was useless if they did not have the talent to absorb it.
Oh! When did you get here? Hyun-Ah asked, finally noticing Mu-Gun.
Ive been here for quite some time now.
You should have told me.
You were so focused that I decided to just stand by and watch.
What do you think, dear husband? Hyun-Ah asked.
You are doing better than I thought.
Really?
If you keep going at this rate, you may be able to reach the Upper Peak Realm within a year at the earliest, Mu-Gun replied.
I dont think thats possible.
No, it definitely is for as long as you have enough internal energy to support it.
Really? Hyun-Ah asked in disbelief.
There is usually a martial art that suits each person. I think thats what the Cold Moon Sects martial art is for you. For as long as you keep making steady efforts, you should be able to achieve the Upper Peak Realm in a year.
Didnt you say that I need to have enough internal energy to support it first? Considering the Cold Moon Sects martial arts are based on ice qi, it will be difficult to build my internal energy with ordinary spiritual pills.
Focus on martial arts training for now. I will solve that problem even if it means having to bring the Myriad Ice Essence, the Beihai Ice Palaces treasure, over, Mu-Gun reassured Hyun-Ah.
Youll steal the treasure of the Beihai Ice Palace just to increase my internal energy? Does that make sense to you? Hyun-Ah asked.
Its just an example. Anyway, Ill handle it, so just focus on your martial arts training, dear.
Got it.
Well then, keep training. Mu-Gun bid farewell to Hyun-Ah.
Youre leaving already?
Did I forget to do anything?
Not really. I am just upset that you only stayed for a bit, Hyun-Ah said dejectedly.
Do you want to spar or something, then?
Can we go outside and get some fresh air instead? It has been a long time since I went out with you, dear husband. Hyun-Ah suggested.
I dont see why not, Mu-Gun readily accepted. Are you fine with wearing that outside, though?
Mu-Gun felt as if he had been neglecting his wives too much, so he decided to accept Hyun-Ahs request. He wanted to spend some quality time with her anyway, considering it had been a long time since he last did.
Ill obviously change first. I also have to wash up.
That would take four hours.
I will be done in two hours. Hyun-Ah pouted.
Okay. I will go to your residence in two hours, then.
What will you do while waiting?
Training, Mu-Gun replied.
I see. Ill go get ready now. Hyun-Ah excitedly left the training hall.
Is that something to be so happy about?
Mu-Gun smiled when Hyun-Ah became so excited that she seemed like a child. However, he also felt sorry that he could not be with her more often even though she loved spending time with him so much. He simply had so many things to do. Still, he thought that he should spend more time with his wives from now on.
When Hyun-Ah left the training hall, leaving Mu-Gun alone, he began to practice his martial arts. He unbuckled the Flying Golden Shield on his back, then focused on creating a mental picture. After he telepathically linked with the Flying Golden Shield, the Flying Golden Shield began to violently rotate and rise into the air.
Mu-Gun was not using the Flying Golden Shield Scripture right now. The Flying Golden Shield Scripture allowed the user to imbue their qi into the Flying Golden Shield and control it through the string attached to the user and the shield. However, Mu-Gun was controlling the Flying Golden Shield through telepathy right now.
Golden Thunder God qi covered the fiercely rotating Flying Golden Shield, took its shape, and materialized another shield in the form of a Shield Aura.
The Shield Aura moved so slowly that it was still visible at first, but the longer Mu-Gun controlled it, the faster it became. Eventually, it became so fast that it became hard to track with the naked eye.
Nobody could have survived being inside the training hall, which was painted gold by the afterimages that the Shield Aura left in its tracks. Its fearsome movements were made possible through Sword-Qi Link, which only Supreme-Realm masters could use.. The Sword-Qi Link allowed the user to control their sword with qi. Since Mu-Gun was using it on a shield, it would be more accurate to call it the Shield-Qi Link.
Having reached the Supreme Realm in his previous life, Mu-Gun already knew how to use the Sword-Qi Link. His cultivation method had simply been too weak to activate it, which prevented him from using it until now. Absorbing the Three-Headed Centipedes beast core and strengthening his cultivation method made it possible for him to use the Sword-Qi Link again.
Combined with the training he had done the past few months, he could now use the Sword-Qi Link as skillfully as he did during his previous life. In other words, Mu-Gun had gone past the Absolute Realm and reached the Supreme Realm. Being able to use the Sword-Qi Link was not the only difference between the Absolute Realm and the Supreme Realm. The power of ones martial arts also grew as their martial realm rose.
That applied to the Heavenly Descent Thunder God Sword Art as well. Case in point, the power and speed of its first technique, the Thunder Sword Cannon, doubled when Mu-Guns martial realm rose to another level. Now, even Absolute-Realm masters would fail to defend against it if it came from thirty feet away. Even activating protective vajra qi would prove useless. Mu-Guns improved Thunder Sword Cannon would just tear through their protective vajra qi and keep going.
Mu-Gun did not really have to use it, though. After all, he could just attack with the Flying Golden Shield, which was also extremely difficult to block.
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