Chapter 13

Bu Eunseol was able to leave the Intermediate Pavilion in a month.
Lightning Strike Pairs.
It had taken Bu Eunseol a full month to master the Heavenly Lightning Martial Art and the Purification of the Killing Blade.
Compared to the nearly impossible-to-cultivate beast dao he had mastered in just a few days, that was a lot of time.
“It was really hard.
As he walked toward his superior, Bu Eunseol felt overwhelmed for the first time.
For a month, he hadn’t just learned how to use a sword. He learned the theory of orthodox martial arts that he hadn’t learned before.
In one month, he had to fill his head with the essence of Ascension Martial Arts, which had taken years of slow cultivation. …….
The painful and agonizing process is hard to describe.
Dakkak.
After opening the door to the superior’s office, Bu Eunseol wore a strange expression.
Surprisingly, the upper hall looked more like a literary academy than an official residence.
Inside the semicircle-shaped room was a high dais, with a table and chairs underneath.
Atop the dais stood an elderly man with graying hair, Dan Tianyang, the head of the upper hall.
“It’s called Bu Eunsun.”
After making eye contact with Dan Tianyang, Bu Eunsul respectfully clasped her hands together.
“I’ve been cultivating under Sect Leader Chen Yunguang, and today I’ve been promoted to the upper echelon.”
“I’ve heard of him. A martial artist of considerable skill.”
Dan Tianyang smiled and pointed to an empty seat.
“Come on, sit down. We’re just about to begin.”
As Bu Eunsul sat down, she could feel the cold gazes of the other practitioners around her.
“Different.
Bu Eun-sul could feel it.
Gone were the stares of disdain that had followed her for so long, and now she could only feel curiosity, awe, or even jealousy.
And that was because he had killed Wall Han in a single blow.
“For this?
Bu Eunseol felt disgust rising in her stomach.
Wiping a corpse was looked down upon, and a Martial Artist slashing a man’s throat was revered and praised?
Bu Eun-sul, who was only practicing martial arts for revenge, could not understand this cruel and heartless world.
“Then let us begin today’s study.”
After glancing at Bu Eunseol, Dan Tianyang stood on the platform and spoke in a low voice.
“Since there’s a new student here, I’ll once again explain the Hua Wu Sword’s lyrical conclusion and the Seven Principles of the Seven Sects, such as the power of one-body nourishment, standing uprightness, the power of the body’s center, the power of the body’s belly, and the power of the body’s one-step unseen entrance. …….”
The Hua Wu Sword’s mantra of destroying everything with a rain of fire was no different than any other school of swordsmanship.
In other words, it was interpreted as a sign of their emphasis on the basics.
“I see.
Bu Eunsun’s eyes narrowed as she listened intently to Dan Tianyang’s lecture.
If she hadn’t learned the Theory of Martialism and the Ascension Sword Technique at the Intermediate Pavilion, she would never have been able to understand these texts.
The lecture continued for about half an hour.
“That’s it for today’s interpretation.”
After closing his book, Dan Tianyang walked down from the podium with a sluggish gait.
“The five of you who were pointed out to me by Nobu the other day. And you, who came in this time, please follow me.”
Seeing Bu Eunseol’s puzzled expression, Dan Tianyang spoke in a gentle voice.
“There’s no need to be nervous. We’re going to the sword training center.”
They walked out the door and saw the training grounds paved with bluestone slabs.
The sun is warm, and a cool spring breeze is blowing in from somewhere.
It’s peaceful.
If only Bu Eun-sul hadn’t gone through the Jayguan Gate, if only she hadn’t fought for her life against Wall Hanseong at the Intermediate Hall…….
Even Bu Eunseol might have been intoxicated by the calm and peaceful atmosphere of the upper hall.
‘Sooner or later, they’ll ask for blood again.
I can guarantee it.
All this peace will be short-lived once the process is complete.
“Come closer, you too.”
Finding Bu Eunseol standing behind him, deep in thought, Dan Tianyang beckoned.
“The time for learning is limited. Let go of your thoughts.”
Dan Tianyang looked as if he had seen into Bu Eunseol’s mind.
“I’m sorry.”
Bu Eunseol bowed her head, and Dan Tianyang smiled wryly.
“There’s no need to apologize to Old Man.”
In a huge training hall that must have been three hundred square kilometers, the six practitioners, including Bu Eunseol, gathered in a circle, with Dan Tianyang standing in the center, his back slouching.
“Today, we’re going to talk about the Swordless Victory Sword.”
Dan Tianyang held up a small branch tucked into his waistband.
Suddenly, a momentum reminiscent of a gigantic mountain rose up from behind his skinny, stooped figure.
“Sect Leader Chen said that you’ve just learned swordsmanship…… no, martial arts.”
Dan Tianyang’s gaze was still fixed on Bu Eunsul.
“Is it true?”
Bu Eunseol nodded without hesitation.
“That’s right.”
At that moment, the gazes of the practitioners standing around changed.
The one who had killed the Sura Sword Gate’s disciple Wall Han Sheng in a single blow had just learned martial arts?
Kukung.
At that moment, their expressions completely changed.
-Unbelievable!
But they had to believe it.
If they lied in front of their superior, the elder of the Huayu Sword Gate, Dan Tianyang, they wouldn’t be able to have any enemies in the Martial Forest, let alone the Ten Demon Warriors.
“Trouble.
Feeling the gazes pouring in from all directions, Bu Eunseol’s brow curled slightly.
-I mustn’t draw attention to myself.
After passing through the Death’s Jay Gate, Bu Eunseol had realized that one must never attract the attention of other practitioners.
To be the center of attention was to be the object of vigilance.
“Hmph. I see.”
Regardless of whether or not the other practitioners changed their gazes, Dan Tianyang continued to speak to Bu Eunsul.
“Then, do you know anything about the Martial Spirit Sword Sect?”
“I don’t know.”
“I see, then I’ll explain it to you easily.”
Smiling broadly, Dan Tianyang glanced at the branches and spoke casually.
“The Swordless Victory Sword is literally the ability to defeat a sword-wielder without a sword. In short, it is a state in which one’s swordplay is unrestricted by the presence or absence of a sword.”
As he spoke of profound swordsmanship, Dan Tianyang’s voice gradually grew stronger.
“In order to reach the realm of the Swordless Beast, the boundary between arm and sword must be erased. Can anyone guess what this means?”
Dan Tianyang turned his gaze away from Bu Eunsul and looked at the other practitioners around him.
However, no one spoke up. The majority of the Magical Sword Sect emphasized practical combat, and there was no place for discussions about the philosophy of swordsmanship or the cultivation of martial arts.
“Isn’t it similar to the Swordsman’s Day or the Divine Sword Day?”
After a long silence, the boy with the iron sword on his back spoke up, and Dan Tianyang smiled faintly.
“It’s a little different. The Swordmaster’s Day is about wielding a sword as freely as a flesh-and-blood hand, while the Divine Swordmaster’s Day is about the body itself becoming a sword.”
Dan Tianyang’s gaze once again fixed on Bu Eunsul.
“Can you guess what it means to have no boundaries between arm and sword?”
Bu Eunseol was silent.
But Dan Tianyang waited patiently and persistently for her answer.
“I think it means…….”
After a long silence, Bu Eun-sul slowly opened her mouth.
“Isn’t it about controlling the boundary between existence and nothingness?”
It was a confusing answer.
But after hearing her answer, Dan Tianyang revealed a meaningful smile.
“You are indeed new to the sword arts.”
Hearing this, the entire group of practitioners sneered.
-He pretended to be a great expert and then tried to make up for it with a…… plausible answer.
-Seeing Sect Leader Dan speak like that, it seems like he’s really just a beginner?
Listening to the voices of the practitioners, Dan Tianyang looked at Bu Eunsun and spoke in a voice that could almost be heard.
“Otherwise, how could you possibly fathom the enlightenment of a Sect Swordsman who has been through life and death for decades?”
At that moment, the practitioners’ eyes swayed like waves.
It seemed that what Bu Eunsul had said made perfect sense, didn’t it?
“I only dared to guess.”
“Hmph, that could be true.”
With a satisfied smile on his face, Dan Tianyang spoke in a low voice towards Bu Eunseol.
“Don’t you wonder why Old Man is so insistent on asking you questions?”
“That’s right.”
“While you were in the Intermediate Pavilion, all of the practitioners here have mastered the Hua Wu Sword, the most elementary of the local swords. And now they’ve entered the sword theory.”
Walking closer to Bu Eunseol, he spoke in a cold voice, unlike before.
“But since you’re in the middle of it, Nobu is in trouble. Do you understand what I mean?”
Bu Eun-sul nodded.
Until now, he had been fortunate enough to receive one-on-one instruction from Qin Wushuang and Tian Yunguang.
However, the superior officer had selected those who were truly capable of mastering the Fire Sword, and there could be no exceptions.
“If you can’t immediately understand and keep up with what I’m asking you right now, then Old Man will send you away.”
Dantian Yang’s sharp eyes looked at the five trainees behind Bu Eunsun.
“The same goes for you guys. You’ve come to the upper echelons, but you haven’t mastered the main sword techniques.”
A silence hung heavy as lead in the vast training hall.
“If you don’t immediately understand and realize the sword theory that Master Lu preaches today, you will have to leave this hall immediately.”
Bu Eunseol finally realized why Dan Tianyang had called the five practitioners and himself aside.
“He wants to make sure I’m worthy of being in the Upper Hall.
The Hua Wu Sword Gate, also known as the First Sword Gate.
The process of learning this sword art was not easy.
“Since you seem to have a certain understanding of the principles of the Martial Art of Sword Sealing, I’ll ask you first…….”
Flash!
A flash of light flashed, and Dan Tianyang suddenly pressed a branch against Bu Eunsul’s forehead.
“If the old man was wielding a longsword, your forehead would have been pierced by the tip of the sword.”
He withdrew his hand again, then turned to Bu Eun-sul.
“If you were attacked unexpectedly like this, and you didn’t have a sword in your hand, how would you perform the sword method?”
“If there is no sword in my hand…….”
“I must warn you, this is a hypothetical question and answer. If you give a frivolous answer, you’d be better off not answering at all.”
A sigh escaped from Bu Eunseol’s mouth.
After exchanging sword discussions, it seemed like it was easier to survive the fierce battles and competitions.
Suddenly, he met Dan Tianyang’s piercing eyes.
‘If this is the real thing…….
Even without a sword, Dan Tianyang could easily pierce his head with that slender branch.
‘I don’t have a sword. I don’t have a sword…….’
Bu Eunsul nodded, suddenly realizing something.
“You said that the other party is definitely carrying a sword.”
He looked confidently into Dan Tianyang’s eyes.
“I’ll use the other party’s sword, that’s the Swordless Spirit Sword I can do now.”
Sigh.
With a lightning-like movement, Bu Eunsul reached out for the branch that Dan Tianyang was holding.
“You’re jumping to conclusions.”
Laughing, Dan Tianyang lightly slapped Feng Xue’er’s wrist with the Shattering Void Technique.
“?”
However, Dan Tianyang’s surprise was not complete.
Predicting his move, Bu Eunsul dived back into his arms.
“……!”
Dan Tianyang opened his mouth, but no voice came out.
As an elder of the Huayu Sword Gate, his skill was as high as the difference between heaven and earth compared to Bu Eunsul.
Even so, he was able to close the distance and sneak in, thanks to his snow flurries, which could predict herbivores with just a wave of his hand.
And the frighteningly sharp skills of the beasts.
“Hehe…….”
After opening his mouth for a long time, Dantian Yang burst out into a hearty laugh.
“Hehehehe!”
He pointed at Bu Eunsul’s face as if he had found something funny,
“You pass.”
He patted Bu Eunseol’s shoulder and nodded.