Yeoplang, standing before An Ransu, brought his fists together in a formal salute and spoke.
"I greet you, Miss An!"
An Ransu's gaze swept over Yeoplang. Her eyebrows shot up.
'This is the one who summoned the Heaven and Earth Phenomenon as a Celestial Reborn?'
The so-called Celestial Reborn referred to someone who had cultivated martial arts to a certain realm, exhausted their lifespan, and then reincarnated. However, to those truly favored by the heavens, the existence of a Celestial Reborn was nothing more than an object of contempt. It was because only the incompetent would resort to being reborn so pathetically.
The reason she had come all the way to Cheongseong in search of Yeoplang was not because he was a Celestial Reborn, but because he was said to have summoned a Heaven and Earth Phenomenon. Now that she was looking at Yeoplang directly, she could not hide her disappointment.
Yeoplang was also concealing his realm. Even so, his realm was not solid. His strength was not weak, but it was far below An Ransu's level.
On the other hand, Yeophyeon, standing beside him, possessed a foundation nearly as solid as An Ransu's own. Moreover, he was a swordsman who had reached a hidden realm. In her eyes, Yeophyeon appeared to be the far more outstanding martial artist.
'Then is the one who summoned the Heaven and Earth Phenomenon not Yeoplang, but Yeophyeon?'
Ignoring Yeoplang, An Ransu spoke to Yeophyeon.
"In two days, I will come to find you."
After leaving those words behind, An Ransu departed. At her words, the people in the hall were left dumbfounded. Yeoplang was equally stunned. The Great Elder, coming to his senses, hurried after An Ransu and asked politely,
"Miss An, are you leaving like this without even sparring with Yeoplang?"
An Ransu mounted her horse without even looking at the Great Elder.
"He is not qualified."
Everyone of the Yeop family could only stare at An Ransu's retreating figure like mutes who had swallowed honey. Yeoplang's face darkened. It was the first time he had ever been treated with such disdain.
Unable to endure it, Yeoplang rushed forward. The Great Elder tried to stop him, but it was already too late. An Ransu halted her horse and pointed the icy tip of her spear at Yeoplang. Under the fierce pressure emanating from the spear tip, Yeoplang's body froze in place.
With a shocked expression, Yeoplang looked at An Ransu. It was clearly spear intent.
When Yeoplang could no longer move, An Ransu withdrew her spear.
"Full of nothing but pointless arrogance. As expected, someone who has reincarnated cannot help it…."
She glanced at Yeophyeon and Yeopryeong and let out a sigh.
"The so-called high-ranking members of the Yeop family are truly foolish beyond measure!"
An Ransu lashed her horse again and left the grounds. Watching her figure fade into the distance, Yeoplang's face twisted into an ugly grimace.
Yeophyeon took Yeopryeong and returned to his residence. He had not the slightest interest in Yeoplang or the Great Elder. His mind was filled only with cultivation, Yeopryeong, the spar that would take place in two days, and the plan to take Yeopryeong to the Imperial City afterward.
"Brother, wasn't that older sister just now really pretty?"
"Yes. She was the prettiest woman after you."
He was not lying. Just like Yeophyeon, who possessed handsome features, his younger sister's beauty was also gradually blossoming. Yeophyeon had no doubt that before long, Yeopryeong would become the greatest beauty of a powerful nation. Yeopryeong wore a happy expression.
Yeophyeon returned to the Gyeokok Pagoda.
"Heavenly Maiden, a woman instantly recognized my realm. Did you not say that I was the first to cultivate the hidden realm?"
After a brief silence, the Heavenly Maiden's voice was heard.
[Your hidden realm is different from that of others.]
"How is it different?"
[Others merely pass through it lightly, but you must endure the pain of death to reach the hidden realm.]
"Why must it be so?"
[Because you cultivate not only your bones and internal organs, but your entire four limbs as well. Do you understand?]
Yeophyeon no longer argued after hearing the Heavenly Maiden's explanation.
"What did you think of that woman?"
He was referring to An Ransu.
[She was not bad. That said, you are not inferior to her. Especially your younger sister, who can be said to be far superior to her.]
"My younger sister?"
Yeophyeon asked in puzzlement.
"What do you mean by that?"
[There is no need to concern yourself with it. More importantly, since you have already learned basic swordsmanship, it is time to learn sword techniques.]
Yeophyeon asked urgently,
"What sword techniques?"
Sword techniques were exceedingly rare. Over many long years, only a dozen or so martial techniques existed within the Yeop family, and none of them could be considered high grade. The ranks of martial techniques were divided into Heaven Rank, Earth Rank, Spirit Rank, Profound Rank, Human Rank, and Mortal Rank.
Even the best martial technique in the Yeop family was only a low-grade Human Rank, and only the clan head was qualified to cultivate it. The best martial technique in all of Cheongseong was likewise only a low-grade Spirit Rank, kept in the City Lord's Manor.
Martial techniques were even rarer than pills. Rarer still were sword techniques. Sword techniques were difficult to find even across all of Cheongseong. The Heavenly Maiden's voice sounded again.
[Choose one from the two sword techniques I possess. One is an excellent sword technique with extreme killing power. However, once you reach a certain realm, you may encounter its limits. The other is an evolutionary sword technique. It has no limits in rank or realm. The stronger you become, the stronger the sword technique becomes, allowing it to be used forever. However, its drawback is that the weaker your killing intent and belief in the sword path become, the weaker its power will be. Conversely, if your killing intent and conviction grow stronger, its power can increase without limit.]
Yeophyeon asked in a solemn voice,
"Heavenly Maiden, is it possible to cultivate both sword techniques?"
[No. Greed will bring you no benefit. Even if you try, it will not be as good as cultivating a single pure sword technique. In the future, once you have perfectly mastered one sword technique, you may switch to another. At present, your understanding of the sword path is far too shallow to digest more than one sword technique. This is true of all sword techniques, but especially those I possess, which are extremely special. One sword technique, one attitude, one life, and one sword path ideology. Remember this.]
Yeophyeon swept his gaze around and asked,
"Are you also a swordsman, Heavenly Maiden?"
[You ask too many questions. Choose. Which will you cultivate?]
Yeophyeon gave a wry smile.
"I will choose the second sword technique."
[You have good courage. But remember this. Without strength to back it up, such courage is useless.]
"I will remember it."
[The sword technique I will pass on to you is One Sword Decides Life and Death. Once this sword is unleashed, life and death will inevitably be decided. The cultivation method of this sword technique is different from others. One Sword Decides Life and Death can be considered a kind of belief. Therefore, whether cultivation succeeds or fails depends on how well you can achieve harmony.]
When the Heavenly Maiden finished speaking, the circulation of the sword technique was imprinted into Yeophyeon's mind. Yeophyeon hurriedly drew his sword and unleashed sword energy according to the circulation method.
But something was strange. No matter how he swung the sword, there was no effect at all. Only a sense of suffocation welled up in his chest. Yeophyeon could not understand it.
"Heavenly Maiden, what is this…."
[The cultivation of this sword technique is divided into a total of six stages. You have not even unlocked the first key yet, so you cannot unleash the sword technique. It all depends on how quickly you achieve harmony with the sword.]
To Yeophyeon, the Heavenly Maiden's explanation sounded like a riddle. He had no idea how he was supposed to unlock this so-called key. The Heavenly Maiden spoke again.
[A swordsman must decide the opponent's life and death the moment the sword is drawn. I will say it again. The foundation of sword techniques lies in killing intent and belief in the sword path. If you engrave this deeply into your mind, then one day, together with a fortuitous opportunity, you will naturally come to an understanding.]
Yeophyeon continued his cultivation. Sparring like a madman with shadows, he greatly improved his speed, strength, and reaction time. Having discovered the hidden realm and become a swordsman, his combat power was several times stronger than before. Though his realm was only Sixth Grade Qi Transformation, ordinary martial artists of the Imperial Qi Realm were absolutely no match for him.
Time flew by like an arrow, and before long, the day of the life-and-death duel arrived.
Because of Yeoplang's rising fame, news of the life-and-death duel spread throughout all of Cheongseong. Yeophyeon was also a well-known figure within Cheongseong. Although he now seemed to be suppressed by Yeoplang, it was thanks to Yeophyeon that the Yeop family had managed to hold on until now. He was the one who had made the greatest contributions within the Yeop family.
However, two tigers cannot live on the same mountain. As cruel as it was, the Yeop family had to choose between Yeoplang and Yeophyeon.
For the life-and-death showdown between the two, the Yeop family invited all the major powers of Cheongseong. For their convenience, the venue was decided outside the Yeop family grounds.
For today, the Yeop family had set up a massive martial stage dozens of zhang wide and long. A few sharp-eyed individuals quickly saw through the Yeop family's intentions. This was meant to further elevate Yeoplang's name and momentum, as he was currently at the height of his fame.
Until now, Yeoplang had rarely appeared in public. Using today's occasion, people would firmly remember his face and his strength. The crowd was ecstatic over the Yeop family's arrangement.
Everyone wanted to know just how strong a so-called Celestial Reborn really was. To watch today's duel, most of Cheongseong's residents flocked over. The outskirts of the Yeop residence were packed shoulder to shoulder.
The Yeop family's elders and Yeoplang had gathered in the ancestral hall. Yeoplang was dressed in a black robe. The inside of the robe was lined with gold thread, making it difficult for ordinary blades to leave a wound. Hanging from his waist was a blue jade pendant called Concentrating Spirit Jade. When carried on the body, it kept one's mind constantly alert and was a rare treasure. Moreover, within this Concentrating Spirit Jade was pure spiritual energy that replenished Yeoplang's qi, as he was already at the Imperial Qi Realm. It was an item that could truly add wings to a tiger.
The Yeop family spared no expense in supporting Yeoplang. To them, Yeoplang was worth that much.
Facing the ancestral tablets, the Great Elder offered a salute and spoke.
"O heavens, ancestors, please look upon us. A Celestial Reborn has been born in our Yeop family. From today onward, our Yeop family will shine brilliantly before the world."
Everyone in the hall bowed together toward the tablets. The Great Elder then turned to Yeoplang.
"Yeoplang, today is the day you make your first appearance before the public. Do not consider Yeophyeon's situation. Display your strength to your heart's content!"
At the Great Elder's words, the other elders nodded. It would be better to quickly remove Yeophyeon, who had become like a thorn in their mouths. Yeoplang showed a faint smile.
"Of course, I will show no mercy."
The Great Elder nodded.
"Not only forces from Yeomseong, but also various factions from Naseong have come to watch. Today's duel is an excellent opportunity to make your name known. Once you kill Yeophyeon, your reputation among those forces will naturally rise. If that happens, people from the Mountain Above or even Changmok Academy may take interest in you. Remember this."
"I will remember it."
The Great Elder patted Yeoplang on the shoulder.
"A Celestial Reborn, one who carries memories of a previous life. I do not know who you were in your past life, but now you are of Yeop family blood. Am I right?"
Yeoplang replied with a smile,
"Of course. Both my soul and my blood belong to the Yeop family."
The corners of Yeoplang's lips slowly rose. In truth, he had a different goal from the Yeop family.
"Then that is settled. Let us go."