As Mu-hui steadied his breathing, the violet twilight that shimmered from his shoulders to his toes gradually faded, merging into the darkness.

Opening his eyes, Mu-hui felt an overwhelming flood of information through his heightened senses.

The subtle currents in the air, the tiniest scratches on the stone walls, the distant rustle of leaves in a flower field beyond the cave.

While the senses of a martial arts master were impressive, those who transcended to the realm of the extraordinary could perceive the world with such sensitivity and breadth that it was as if they had become one with nature itself.

Mu-hui adjusted the density of his perception, and the overwhelming influx of information began to recede.

With his senses perfectly attuned, Mu-hui slowly clenched his fist. Even in this simple motion, he could feel so much.

“It’s completely different now.”

His body had undergone a transformation, expelling impurities and renewing itself.

He had surpassed the pinnacle, reaching a transcendent state.

A direct communion with nature.

Breathing with the technique of the Purple Haze Divine Art, Mu-hui observed his inner self.

His muscles, trained in the Iron Mountain Fist and the martial arts of the Mount Hua Sect, were now in their optimal form. His meridians, broader and stronger than before, seemed unbreakable.

“This is true transformation.”

A metamorphosis he had never experienced in his past life.

Such transformation wasn’t merely about reaching a new level or gaining enlightenment. It required a confluence of conditions, making it a rare opportunity.

Feeling the profound change in his body since consuming the elixir, Mu-hui stood up. It seemed some time had passed since he took the elixir, as the cave was now empty.

Mu-hui approached the wall where the Six Harmonies Sword Master had left his inscriptions. He bowed deeply to the engraved words.

“I have absorbed the insights left by the founder. I will ensure they are passed down to Mount Hua.”

After bowing, Mu-hui drew his plum blossom sword and pointed it at the wall. With a gentle push, the sword’s tip sank into the stone as if it were soft clay.

The sword moved gracefully, carving into the wall with precision, as sunlight filtered through the cave’s openings, casting a delicate dance of light.

Mu-hui carefully inscribed each character into the stone, leaving behind the insights he had gained.

The principles of the Great Void and the Six Harmonies.

Mu-hui left his first mark in the valley of the Mount Hua Sword Saint.

For over a century, the Mount Hua Sect had failed to produce a Sword Saint. Even the miraculous appearance of a sage in later years left no mark in the valley.

Finally, the long-stagnant valley of the Mount Hua Sword Saint began to see the passage of time once more.

***

“Who would have thought seven days and nights had passed?”

The disciples and elders training at the Plum Blossom Pavilion were startled by Mu-hui’s sudden appearance. He had vanished without a word for seven days and nights.

Having heard from Hyun-baek that the elders, including Baek-yu, were worried, Mu-hui headed straight to the main hall.

The main hall was in the midst of an elders’ meeting, but upon hearing of Mu-hui’s arrival, the doors were promptly opened.

“Greetings to the sect leader and the elders.”

As Mu-hui respectfully greeted them, the elders began speaking one after another.

“Is everything alright?”

“We were worried when you suddenly disappeared.”

Though they couldn’t pinpoint it, the elders, including Baek-yu, instinctively sensed that something about Mu-hui had changed.

“You have something to say, don’t you?”

“Yes, I do.”

At Baek-yu’s prompting, Mu-hui nodded.

Baek-yu gestured for Mu-hui to take a seat. Seated at the end of the elders’ meeting, Mu-hui addressed them.

“I have developed a new martial art based on the Purple Haze Heart Technique.”

Baek-yu momentarily held his breath, and the elders widened their eyes, staring at Mu-hui. The hall fell silent, as if they were questioning their own hearing.

“A new martial art?”

The head of the Plum Blossom Pavilion, Baek-soon, spoke with a trembling voice.

Mu-hui recounted the process of creating the Purple Haze Divine Art, mentioning the valley of the Mount Hua Sword Saint and the inscriptions left by the Six Harmonies Sword Master.

The elders, their eyes bright with interest, leaned forward, eager not to miss a single word of Mu-hui’s tale.

“The insights of the founder…”

“The elixir Mu-hui consumed must have been extraordinary.”

“A martial art born from the convergence of life and death insights…”

The elders occasionally expressed their admiration as they listened. The convergence of opportunities had opened a new horizon in martial arts, making it a story of great interest to any martial artist.

After finishing his story, Mu-hui stood and demonstrated the Purple Haze Divine Art. As he channeled his inner energy, a violet twilight rose behind him.

“Oh!”

The shimmering aura deepened, cascading down to Mu-hui’s feet.

Though the visible waves of the aura were breathtakingly beautiful, the elders focused on the texture of the energy that permeated the air.

Baek-yu, in particular, compared it directly by channeling his own energy into his right hand.

While Baek-yu’s energy was a deep indigo, Mu-hui’s aura radiated with a soft violet hue, interwoven with various colors, exuding a noble brilliance.

It didn’t feel muddled; rather, it seemed as if a piece of the sky at sunset had been captured, pure and sublime.

Even when comparing the visible aspects, the level of inner energy was incomparable; Baek-yu’s energy paled in comparison to Mu-hui’s divine aura.

“Haha…”

Baek-yu could only chuckle, seeing the highest internal energy of the Mount Hua Sect fade in the presence of the Purple Haze Divine Art.

Draped in the aura like a cloak, Mu-hui spoke confidently.

“I have named this martial art the Purple Haze Divine Art.”

The elders, murmuring the name, could not contain their excitement.

“The Purple Haze Divine Art!”

“It surpasses the Purple Haze Heart Technique, deserving the title of ‘divine art.'”

“To witness the emergence of a divine art in our time!”

As the elders discussed the Purple Haze Divine Art among themselves, Mu-hui quietly spoke up.

“Sect Leader.”

“Yes?”

As the elders paused and turned their attention to him, Mu-hui calmly continued.

“Please allow other disciples to learn the Purple Haze Heart Technique.”

The elders then looked to Baek-yu. Baek-yu, maintaining his gaze on Mu-hui, asked,

“With the creation of the Purple Haze Divine Art, do you intend to replace the Purple Haze Heart Technique with it?”

Mu-hui nodded.

The Purple Haze Heart Technique was traditionally passed down orally, only to the sect leader and their chosen successor.

With the advent of the superior Purple Haze Divine Art, there was no longer a need to restrict the Purple Haze Heart Technique to a select few.

“Explain your reasoning in more detail.”

“Yes, you must have thought this through.”

Though a young disciple was proposing a change to a long-standing tradition, the elders of Mount Hua were willing to listen patiently to his perspective.

“I propose that the Purple Haze Divine Art be learned by the sect leader, their successor, and the foremost sword master of Mount Hua. It is only fitting that the highest martial artists of the sect learn its supreme techniques.”

This was Mu-hui’s first thought upon creating the Purple Haze Divine Art, recalling the sage of his past life.

The sage, known as the Mount Hua Sword Saint, had never learned the Purple Haze Heart Technique, only mastering the Celestial Heart Technique.

This was due to the old tradition that restricted the Purple Haze Heart Technique to the sect leader and their successor.

“If the sage had learned the Purple Haze Heart Technique, his mastery would have reached even greater heights.”

Having practiced both the Celestial Heart Technique and the Purple Haze Heart Technique, Mu-hui was certain of their differences.

“And I propose that the Purple Haze Heart Technique be taught to the twenty-four Plum Blossom Sword Masters.”

The Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Art was not exclusive to the Plum Blossom Sword Masters. Anyone with the requisite martial skill could learn it.

Mu-hui intended to make the Purple Haze Heart Technique exclusive to the Plum Blossom Sword Masters.

This would not only include the Celestial Silk Robe and the Iron Plum Blossom Sword but also provide a powerful incentive for becoming a Plum Blossom Sword Master.

A Plum Blossom Sword Master who mastered the Purple Haze Heart Technique and could manifest the violet plum blossom would truly represent the martial prowess of Mount Hua.

“This would significantly enhance the martial strength of the Mount Hua Sect.”

The elders pondered carefully, not immediately voicing their opinions. Mu-hui added,

“Tradition and custom are important, but I believe they should evolve with the times and circumstances.”

For Mu-hui, it was simply a matter of lifting the restrictions on martial arts, but for the elders, it was a significant reform, altering traditions that had persisted for centuries.

Understanding this difference in perspective, Mu-hui patiently awaited Baek-yu and the elders’ response.

As a heavy silence filled the hall, as if the elders were collectively meditating, Baek-soon finally spoke.

“I am in favor. With the Purple Haze Divine Art, there’s no need to keep the Purple Haze Heart Technique restricted. Especially since it’s only for the Plum Blossom Sword Masters.”

The head of the Fire Pavilion, Baek-jin, nodded in agreement.

“The sect leader also lamented that the sage couldn’t learn the Purple Haze Heart Technique.”

“Martial arts evolve over generations, and so should the Mount Hua Sect.”

Baek-san of the Treasury Pavilion also agreed, and while some elders remained silent, none voiced opposition.

Having listened to the elders’ opinions, Baek-yu finally spoke.

“We will return to the earth soon enough, and the results of this change will be known to future disciples. Our role is merely to decide whether to open the floodgates of change.”

Baek-yu continued, fixing his gaze on Mu-hui.

“As elders, our greatest virtue is to trust our young disciples. As Muhui suggested, we will change the tradition of the text.”

“Thank you, Master.”

Muhui stood and clasped his hands together, but Baekyu shook his head.

“No, it’s I who should be thanking you. The gifts you’ve given to Mount Hua are countless. We are so proud of you. Now I can face our ancestors with honor when I pass.”

The elders, including Baekyu, beamed at Muhui with pride, while Muhui simply bowed his head.

***

In the training hall of Maehwagak, twenty-four disciples sat in meditation.

After the elders approved the proposal for the Jahasim Technique, these chosen disciples, known as the Plum Blossom Swordsmen, began their training.

Following Muhui’s guidance, they were channeling their energy through the Jahasim Technique.

“Some are already showing progress, even though they’ve just started.”

Muhui smiled as he watched the Plum Blossom Swordsmen, dressed in black uniforms with pristine white robes.

The silk robes, entrusted to Im Suryun, had finally arrived at Mount Hua. The craftsmanship was so exquisite they could be considered treasures.

Like the Mount Hua uniforms, the sleeves of the silk robes were embroidered with plum blossoms. Although the Plum Blossom Swords were still being crafted, there was no cause for concern.

Muhui also wore a silk robe, but his was distinct from the others.

While the Plum Blossom Swordsmen’s robes were adorned with red plum blossoms, Muhui’s robe featured elegant purple blossoms.

The red blossoms symbolized the Plum Blossom Swordsmen, while the purple ones signified the leader, the Plum Blossom Sword Master.

The position of Plum Blossom Sword Master was reserved for the greatest swordsman of Mount Hua, and with Baeksoon passing the title to Muhui, he had ascended to this role.

Muhui extended his senses, effortlessly assessing the energy flow of the Plum Blossom Swordsmen without needing to check their pulses.

“Everything’s going smoothly.”

Given their selection, it seemed none of them struggled with the Jahasim Technique.

“Senior Brother!”

Muhui quickly erected a barrier around the Plum Blossom Swordsmen and glared at the disciple who had shouted.

“What’s all this fuss about?”

The disciple hesitated, glancing at the meditating swordsmen, but his urgency remained.

“Senior Brother! A hidden cave has been discovered in Shaanxi, and martial artists are flocking there.”

“A hidden cave?”

Muhui scoffed at the mention.

Occasionally, rumors of a hidden cave or tomb of a legendary master would surface, causing chaos in the martial world, regardless of their truth.

“Ignore it. Whatever techniques it holds, our focus should remain on Mount Hua’s teachings.”

“But the problem is, that cave might contain Mount Hua’s techniques!”

Muhui frowned, turning his attention from the swordsmen to the disciple.

“What are you talking about?”

“They say the cave belonged to Master Hyeonjo and Senior Sword Demon.”

Muhui was at a loss for words.

A hidden cave?

Did Hyeonjo and I create a hidden cave in a past life?

“What nonsense is this?”