Sunju, feeling the intensity of Muhui’s prayer, narrowed her eyes slightly before bursting into laughter.

“There’s definitely something different about you, Muhui.”

Her fingers, which had been flicking the tassel of her sword, now pointed towards the sword’s edge.

“These twins are quite amusing.”

Muhui watched Sunju’s eyes gleam as he gripped his plum blossom sword. Unlike her sister Sunmi, who exuded a calm chill, Sunju radiated a suffocating heat.

It wasn’t just a desire to win or a fighting spirit; there was a deeper resolve driving her.

What is she aiming for?

“Here I come!”

Despite her cheerful shout, Sunju’s sword aimed straight for Muhui’s crown. Muhui found it intriguing.

Throughout the duel, it was always the disciples of the Mount Hua Sect who initiated the attacks. Their martial arts training heavily influenced their approach.

The disciples of the Zhongnan Sect preferred to solidify their position rather than launch the first strike.

Yet, Sunju was the only one who leaped forward, her sword descending first.

Muhui deflected Sunju’s sword outward with the back of his hand.

Clang!

The clash of blade and hand produced a metallic sound.

The force behind Sunju’s sword was substantial, prompting Muhui to draw upon more of his inner strength.

With just one exchange, Muhui realized:

“She’s different from the other Zhongnan disciples.”

A smile deepened on Muhui’s lips.

“Oh? How curious!”

Despite her technique being easily thwarted, Sunju didn’t panic. She retrieved her sword with ease.

Ting!

With her fingers poised, Sunju unleashed three gusts of wind to keep Muhui at bay.

Muhui enveloped the winds with his hand shadow technique and immediately thrust his plum blossom sword towards Sunju’s forehead.

Sunju parried Muhui’s sword and began to expand the range of her “Thirty-Six Swords of the World” technique with calm precision.

“She’s adept at both offense and defense.”

Muhui’s eyes twitched as he swung his sword horizontally, targeting Sunju’s shoulder.

Sunju leaned back slightly, drawing a short arc with her sword to deflect the attack.

As she extended her waist forward, her sword gained momentum.

Swish!

A golden line traced a straight path, followed by two, then five more sword strikes in rapid succession.

In one breath, eight directions were struck with golden sword energy, as if forbidding existence in the path of her sword.

Sunju’s “Thirty-Six Swords of the World” began to dominate the area.

The technique was grand, and the power behind her sword was not to be underestimated.

The relentless flow of her strikes resembled the continuous flow of a great river, akin to the “Unending Stream” technique of the Wudang Sect.

Yet, it was balanced, without leaning towards any particular style, embodying the true middle path of swordsmanship.

“Impressive.”

Amidst the dazzling golden sword paths, Muhui fearlessly charged in.

Unlike Sunju’s sword, Muhui’s moved with extreme speed, his plum blossom sword barely visible as it sliced through the air.

The golden canvas of the “Thirty-Six Swords of the World” began to show red and white dots.

These quickly spread like branches in all directions.

Muhui’s wrist flicked violently.

Plum Blossom Flowing Through Heaven

With each tremor of the plum blossom sword, dozens of changes occurred at its tip.

The technique twisted and disrupted Sunju’s sword flow, filling the gaps with plum blossom sword energy.

The wildly swirling plum blossom energy was gradually eating away at Sunju’s space. Sunju’s eyes accurately perceived the changes.

“The changes happen in an instant. I can’t give him any room to swing his sword.”

Even as the petals enveloped her, Sunju didn’t retreat.

Instead, she advanced with the “Northern Dipper River Step,” calmly severing each of the plum blossom sword techniques.

Despite Muhui’s swift dismantling of her sword flow, Sunju extended her sword with tranquility.

Her burning eyes captured every movement of Muhui.

Clang!

Even as their swords clashed fiercely, Muhui and Sunju maintained eye contact. Each time, Sunju offered a playful smile.

“This guy…”

As the plum blossom energy poured down like petals caught in the wind, Sunju stepped back, cutting her sword short.

Despite the overwhelming pressure of the plum blossom energy, Sunju maintained her fiery gaze and composure.

Swish!

Sunju wielded her sword with neither haste nor slowness, exerting just the right amount of force to steadily control the battlefield.

As if she were still the center of the world.

Clang!

Muhui and Sunju’s swords collided relentlessly.

Muhui’s sword invaded while Sunju’s sought to block. An unending exchange of offense and defense.

Clang!

The usual act of creating distance to catch one’s breath was unnecessary for these two swordsmen. Instead, they used that time to extend their swords once more.

“Wow…”

“The two swords just won’t separate.”

The spectators, the senior disciples, watched in awe as the two swords seemed inseparable, as if they were fused together.

Each unpredictable variation of the plum blossom sword was followed by a trail of plum blossom energy.

The red and white petals filled the vision.

So breathtakingly beautiful that Sunju was even more determined to block every attack.

As if preordained, Muhui relentlessly pressed Sunju.

Using the “Phantom Step,” Muhui slipped out of Sunju’s sight in an instant.

Centered around the upright plum blossom sword, the swirling plum blossom energy poured down on Sunju’s head.

Cold Plum Flash

Not merely descending, the plum blossom energy’s trajectory varied as if swept by the wind.

Dozens of beams of light shot forth from the plum blossom energy.

“Beautiful, Muhui.”

A scene so overwhelming that even a seasoned master might give up trying to block it. Sunju smiled and once again unleashed the “Thirty-Six Swords of the World.”

In her unwavering stance, one could glimpse the image of a sage who persistently pursued the path of the Dao.

Heavenward Gaze

Leaping from her position, Sunju spread her sword wide, releasing a thick golden sword energy. The dense sword flow seemed to raise a vast wall in the air.

The descending Cold Plum Flash and the rising Heavenward Gaze clashed in midair.

Boom!

The impact sent both Muhui and Sunju flying back.

Clang!

As if by agreement, they each launched themselves at the other, exchanging sword strikes.

The two swords clashed violently in midair, pushing against each other.

Muhui swiftly executed the “Plum Blossom Mountain Water,” prompting Sunju to quickly extend her left hand in response.

Yet, witnessing the dazzling changes of the “Plum Blossom Mountain Water,” Sunju wisely chose to create distance.

Watching her, Muhui nodded.

“Good judgment.”

Muhui immediately closed the gap, unleashing both the “Plum Blossom Sword Technique” and “Plum Blossom Mountain Water” simultaneously.

Like an endless storm of mountain petals, Muhui’s relentless assault filled the space.

Despite the overwhelming storm of red and white sword energy and the forceful winds, the fire in Sunju’s eyes did not waver.

Instead, it grew in intensity and size.

“Muhui, you’re the strongest I’ve seen among the younger generation.”

Sunju’s lips curled into a smile.

Like a small boat navigating through turbulent waves, Sunju continued to advance, relying on the sails and oars named “Thirty-Six Swords of the World.”

Clang!

Muhui deflected Sunju’s thrust aimed at his chest and took a step forward. Sunju’s domain shrank accordingly.

They had already exchanged over seventy moves.

Sunju extended her sword to block the path Muhui had opened. In response, the plum blossom sword flashed and shot forward.

Clang!

As they exchanged blows, Muhui became certain of one thing about Sunju.

“The Zhongnan Sect will produce a Sword Queen.”

A title that hadn’t appeared in the martial world for nearly two hundred years. The perfect candidate stood before Muhui.

If it weren’t for Muhui, Sunju would undoubtedly be the star of this Six Harmonies Sword Meeting.

“Sunju, wouldn’t you like to see the plum blossoms bloom from my sword?”

Sunju’s red lips curved gently.

“I would love to see it. What kind of plum blossoms will you create, Muhui?”

As if on cue, Muhui’s plum blossom sword accelerated, and Sunju swept her sword horizontally.

Whoosh!

The plum blossom sword rang with a clear note.

Moving slowly, yet leaving a trail of red and white afterimages in its wake.

As the disciples’ eyes focused on Muhui’s plum blossom sword, only Sunju drew upon her inner strength to its peak, bringing her sword to mid-level.

“It’s not moving slowly. My eyes just can’t keep up.”

Sunju’s heart raced.

Seeing the subtle movements of the plum blossom sword, she realized.

Muhui still had several hidden moves up his sleeve.

“What lies beyond that?”

The desire to see that sword manifested in Sunju’s sword as a brilliant golden sword energy.

Demonstrating the mastery of a mature peak, Sunju’s sword energy formed a distinct shape, exuding a deep, rich hue.

The sword that had been thrusting straight ahead suddenly fanned out to the sides, forming a semicircle.

Seonju’s swordplay, which struck out in twelve directions in a single move, continued without pause.

The golden sword strikes filled all twelve directions, relentlessly pressing toward Muhwi.

The eyes of the disciples from the Mount Hua Sect widened in astonishment.

“Is that even possible…?”

“Someone our age wielding a sword like that…”

The overwhelming flow, like the mighty Yangtze River, seemed impossible to resist, even for the senior disciples.

The majestic waves of the world sought to engulf Muhwi.

The unstoppable surge of sword energy flowed powerfully, covering all twelve directions, making it impossible for anything to intrude.

“Hmph.”

Muhwi watched Seonju, who had masterfully executed a technique from the Thirty-Six Swords of the World, a feat difficult for someone so young, and a smile played on his lips.

Instead of retreating, Muhwi stepped forward confidently. His sleeves, embroidered with plum blossoms, fluttered vigorously from bottom to top.

Swish!

The plum blossom sword sliced through the center of the mighty wave without hesitation. For the first time, Seonju was taken aback.

“He’s seeing through and cutting the flow of my technique.”

Muhwi’s sword strikes split the waves of the world, allowing red and white light to seep through.

Swirl!

Above the golden waves, petals spun, and a single plum blossom bloomed. This was just the beginning.

Like ink spreading on white paper, countless radiant plum blossoms began to bloom and spread over the golden sword energy.

Amidst this, red and white sword petals scattered like butterflies.

As Seonju hurriedly extended his sword to strengthen his grip, his vision was already filled with plum blossoms.

“Ah…”

A refreshing fragrance lingered at the tip of his nose.

Seonju, unable to think of executing his sword technique, was completely captivated by the vibrant plum blossoms.

Plum Shadows Fill the Sky (梅影滿天)

The waves that had filled the martial stage had quieted, now covered by a field of plum blossoms.

Seonju didn’t blink, as if he didn’t want to miss even a moment of the crimson spectacle before him.

“Is that child really a second-generation disciple?”

“Hahaha, I’m just as surprised.”

Not only the third and second-generation disciples but also the elders and first-generation disciples watching from the high seats were astonished.

“How…?”

Baekyu’s grip tightened on the armrest of his chair.

Mastering the Plum Blossom Sword Technique didn’t automatically mean one could make plum blossoms bloom.

Yet Muhwi had effortlessly made dozens of plum blossoms bloom.

Considering the time Muhwi had spent mastering the Plum Blossom Sword Technique, it was truly astonishing, beyond mere talent.

“It’s surprising enough for a late-stage disciple to create a single plum blossom, but to bloom so many? What on earth has the Mount Hua Sect nurtured?”

Hongseon, equally shocked, asked Baekyu, but Baekyu had no words to offer.

***

“Your duel has taught not only the disciples but also us a great deal. Therefore, it’s only right that you receive the elixirs.”

At Baekyu’s words, all the disciples who participated in the Six Harmonies Sword Gathering nodded in agreement.

Muhwi and Seonju each received their elixirs.

Muhwi looked at the Sa-dok-dan in his hand and smiled.

“You can take the In-hyung-sam later, but the Sa-dok-dan is dangerous due to its poison, so it’s better to take it while we’re here.”

At Hongseon’s suggestion, Muhwi nodded.

He could handle the energy flow on his own without any issues, but there was no need to refuse Hongseon’s kindness.

“Then I’ll take it right away.”

Sitting cross-legged, Muhwi opened the wooden box and swallowed the Sa-dok-dan.

As the Sa-dok-dan dissolved into his bloodstream, the potent poison quickly spread throughout his meridians.

However, the internal energy of the Cheonham Heart Technique surged from his dantian, seizing the poison by its roots.

The poison, unable to move under the pressure of the Cheonham Heart Technique, began circulating through his entire body, gradually weakening and merging with the internal energy.

“What is this?”

Muhwi’s eyebrows twitched as he meditated.

Even while meditating, Muhwi had a habit from his past life of extending his senses as widely as possible.

This was to quickly respond to any unforeseen variables, as one becomes vulnerable during meditation.

Despite the elders of Mount Hua and Zhongnan standing guard, he instinctively extended his senses and detected an unfamiliar presence.

It wasn’t just Muhwi.

Baekyu and Hongseon, eyes snapping open, turned their heads, followed by the elders, who sensed the anomaly in turn.

A red flag appeared between the trees.

Two swordsmen cut down the trees on either side with a single stroke, and the flag bearer planted the flag firmly into the ground.

Thud!

As the wind blew, the red flag fluttered, embroidered with the character for “Dominion” in black thread.

The flag of the Conqueror was flying over the Six Mountains.

End