Visitors to the Wudang Sect, regardless of their martial arts prowess or social status, would respectfully disarm themselves at the Sword Relinquishing Ground. In the ruthless world of martial arts, known as the “Mountain of Swords and Forest of Blades,” it was unthinkable to part with one’s weapon. Thus, laying down one’s arms at the Sword Relinquishing Ground was not merely a gesture of respect but a testament to the trust in the Wudang Sect’s promise of safety.

“I challenge the Sword Relinquishing Ground.”

The young disciple from the Huashan Sect standing before them was different. His eyes brimmed with confidence, so intense that it was almost unsettling.

‘Who is this guy? He looks about my age.’

The Wudang disciple guarding the gate asked, slightly dazed, “Do you understand the consequences if you fail the challenge?”

“I do.”

Mu Hui looked up at the pine tree, where various weapons hung, some appearing worn with age. They belonged to those who had failed the challenge. If he lost, his weapon would remain there forever.

“Your sword is of great importance, especially to you,” the Wudang disciple added, glancing at the plum blossom sword tied to Mu Hui’s red sash.

Mu Hui nodded slightly, acknowledging the concern. “Thank you for your worry and consideration.”

That was all Mu Hui said, confirming his intent to proceed with the challenge.

“What should we do… Should we inform the elders?”

“I’ve never encountered this situation before…”

It was rare for an outsider to challenge the Sword Relinquishing Ground, leaving the Wudang disciples in a fluster.

Observing the commotion, Unbaek spoke calmly, “Go tell Inho to prepare.”

“Yes!”

Inho was the leader of the Seven Swords of Wudang. At Unbaek’s command, the disciple hurried inside.

“Come with me.”

Unbaek led Mu Hui down a path behind the pine tree, soon revealing a small pavilion and pond. The area was paved with stones, ready for a duel at any moment.

“The Sword Pavilion.”

Mu Hui read the three characters on the plaque and realized that this pavilion and pond were part of the Sword Relinquishing Ground.

“It’s been a long time since someone challenged the Sword Relinquishing Ground. It’s quite exciting, even for me. Thirty years, perhaps?”

“Who challenged it back then?”

Unbaek’s voice lowered slightly. “The Conqueror.”

Mu Hui’s eyes widened. He had never heard of the Conqueror ascending Wudang Mountain. Such a story would be known to all martial artists, yet it was not.

“A secret, then.”

“Yes, an untold tale. The Conqueror ascended quietly, and the only master who met him was sworn to secrecy.”

The Conqueror had apparently defeated the Seven Swords of Wudang of that time and met the Sword Immortal. Mu Hui was curious for more details, but Unbaek seemed disinclined to share further, so he refrained from pressing.

“Take your time to prepare until the Seven Swords arrive. If you need more time, just say so.”

“I’m fine.”

From the moment Mu Hui arrived at the Wudang Sect and gazed at the Sword Relinquishing Ground, he had been regulating his breathing, slow and deep. He was ready to face the Seven Swords at any moment.

After a short while, seven swordsmen of the Wudang Sect appeared at the Sword Relinquishing Ground. Their presence was as gentle as the clouds in the sky, lacking the oppressive aura typical of masters. Yet, within that calmness, Mu Hui sensed a grandeur capable of unleashing storms and lightning.

“Elder Unbaek.”

“Yes, come forward.”

The Seven Swords of Wudang, having paid their respects to Unbaek, turned their bright eyes to Mu Hui, their gaze filled with curiosity and expectation.

‘What is this?’

Mu Hui had not expected a friendly reception, as his actions could be seen as a challenge to the Wudang Sect’s authority. Yet, the Seven Swords looked at him with warmth and anticipation.

Unbaek explained, “This is the first time they’ve received a challenge since becoming the Seven Swords. That’s why they’re so eager.”

“Ah.”

As Mu Hui bowed, Inho, representing the Seven Swords, returned the gesture.

“I’ve heard of your reputation. How would you like to proceed? You can face each of us in succession, or challenge the Seven Star Sword Formation.”

Inho seemed eager to begin, diving straight into the matter. While facing each member in succession might seem more daunting, the true essence of the Seven Swords lay in their formation. Their combined strength was most potent when they united in the Seven Star Sword Formation.

“I’ll challenge the Seven Star Sword Formation.”

Mu Hui’s decision was met with nods of approval from the Seven Swords.

“Do you need any preparations?”

“No, let’s begin.”

“Excellent.”

As Mu Hui reached for his plum blossom sword, the Seven Swords began to move. Positioned like the Big Dipper, they drew their swords simultaneously, altering the atmosphere around them.

The Seven Star Sword Formation transformed the gentle aura into a tempest, as if the white clouds had turned into thunderous storm clouds. As the formation unfolded, Mu Hui leaped forward.

With his body extending, the purple aura of the Plum Blossom Sword stretched out, painting the air in shades of violet.

There was no need for a preliminary exchange to gauge each other’s skills. Three plum blossoms bloomed at the tip of Mu Hui’s sword, prompting the formation to react with three swords emerging to intercept.

The Song Moon Swords traced large and small circles, redirecting the plum blossoms away from their intended path, like water flowing around a rock.

The defensive stance of the formation quickly turned offensive. Four blue sword auras surged towards Mu Hui from different directions.

The Seven Swords moved with fluidity, their positions shifting up and down, creating a disorienting spectacle for Mu Hui.

Boom!

As Mu Hui spun and sliced through the incoming sword energy, the Song Moon Swords aimed for his shoulder, waist, and feet, encircling him in a distorted formation.

The timing of their attacks was impeccable, with palm strikes and finger winds weaving into Mu Hui’s swordplay.

Mu Hui scattered his purple sword aura, deploying the Plum Blossom Mountain technique.

‘Impressive.’

‘Does Huashan have such martial arts?’

The Seven Swords watched as Mu Hui effortlessly deflected their attacks, their eyes narrowing in admiration.

Meanwhile, the Plum Blossom Sword danced through the air, deflecting a strike aimed at his shoulder and countering with a slash at the waist of the swordsman at Tianxuan. Blue light erupted from all directions.

The swordsmen at Tianchu and Tianji suppressed the blooming plum blossoms, while those at Yuheng and Yaoguang unleashed sword winds and energy, pushing Mu Hui back.

“Hmm.”

Even as he retreated, Mu Hui thrust his sword up and down, unleashing a flurry of petals that rained down on the Seven Swords. The Song Moon Swords extended in the formation of the Big Dipper.

Whoosh!

The Seven Star Sword Formation rippled, dispersing the incoming purple sword aura with ease. The sight of the violet petals scattering in a grand circle was truly a spectacle.

As Mu Hui attempted to penetrate the formation again, it expanded, maintaining distance while continuing its relentless assault.

‘So this is the famed seamless flow.’

The Seven Star Sword Formation constantly shifted, launching attacks from all seven directions. The density of their assault was such that even a seasoned master would struggle to defend, let alone counterattack.

Typically, when multiple fighters combine their efforts, spatial constraints limit their effectiveness. Yet, the Seven Star Sword Formation faced no such limitations.

‘Two restrict the space, three lead the main attack, and the remaining two support or adjust the formation.’

Mu Hui gradually understood the formation, discerning its intricate workings.

Pushing off the ground, Mu Hui surged forward.

Swoosh!

Three streams of blue sword energy, like flowing water, surged towards Mu Hui.

The seamless flow of the Wudang Sect’s techniques was not only due to the smooth connection of their moves but also their unique internal energy method, which allowed their sword energy to extend without interruption.

Following the arc traced by the Song Moon Swords, the blue sword energy flowed like a river, sweeping away the scattered purple sword aura.

The air was filled with countless arcs and circles. The Taechung Sword Qi and the Seven Star Sword Formation were closing in, pressing down on Muhwi.

“Is it just my imagination, or does he seem relaxed even while moving so tirelessly?”

“He seems to be on the defensive, yet he maintains his swordsmanship flawlessly.”

“He’s capable of taking on the Sword of the Advancing Thunder all by himself.”

The Wudang Seven Swords watched in awe as Muhwi held his ground against the relentless assault of the Seven Star Sword Formation.

Muhwi, too, was impressed.

“There’s a reason this is called an absolute formation in the martial world. I’ve learned a lot. My own sword formation still has much to improve compared to the Seven Star Sword Formation.”

The Taechung Sword Qi curved from four directions, weaving like a net. The blue sword light spread out, and the Plum Blossom Sword vibrated, splitting into dozens of branches.

Clang! Clang!

In the midst of the entangled swords, two swordsmen leaped off the shoulders of their comrades, aiming to strike Muhwi from above.

But Muhwi, who had been reading the flow of the Seven Star Sword Formation, seized the moment.

Thud!

With a light step, Muhwi soared into the air.

“I’ll finish these two here.”

As he ascended, his right arm extended downward, drawing a sharp line through the air.

Swoosh!

The two swordsmen hastily drew circles in response, but the purple light pierced through, splitting their incomplete circles.

“Ugh!”

“Cough!”

A single swift strike bloomed into a cascade of plum blossoms, engulfing the two swordsmen in an instant.

The plum blossoms filled the air, leaving no room to evade or block.

“Inhyun! Ingak!”

Inho shouted from below, but the two swordsmen, their robes torn, were already plummeting to the ground.

Though the two had momentarily left the Seven Star Sword Formation, it did not falter.

Five streams of Taechung Sword Qi surged toward the descending Muhwi from all directions.

Without exchanging a word, the five swordsmen executed the same technique.

Taechung Manho.

The five streams merged into one, creating a powerful flow.

“It’s like a blue dragon ascending to the heavens.”

The brilliant blue wave filled the view, like facing a cascading waterfall. Yet Muhwi did not retreat, thrusting his Plum Blossom Sword forward.

As the sharp intent filled Muhwi’s eyes, the purple light of the Plum Blossom Sword began to transform.

Rip!

The seemingly endless Taechung Sword Qi split into two.

The purple light of the Zaha Sword Qi began to spread through the center of the blue stream, causing the Wudang Seven Swords to widen their eyes in shock.

This wasn’t a matter of superior internal energy. Muhwi had precisely read the flow of the Taechung Sword Qi and exploited its weaknesses.

“This can’t be!”

Inho exclaimed in disbelief.

A single plum blossom rose above the Taechung Sword Qi.

Each time the plum blossom descended against the Taechung Sword Qi, it tore it apart, scattering it into dozens of fragments.

Plum Blossom Falling.

Indeed, the martial arts of the Wudang Sect were unyielding.

The Taechung Sword Qi tried to reassemble, but the petals of the Zaha Sword Qi, like a spring breeze, continuously disrupted it.

Each time Muhwi found a weak point in the Taechung Sword Qi, the Plum Blossom Sword trembled delicately, unleashing its strikes.

Thus, the grand flow of the Taechung Manho, crafted by the Wudang Seven Swords, was abruptly severed.

When Muhwi landed, having shattered the Taechung Manho head-on, the relentless assault of the Seven Star Sword Formation finally ceased.

“Ahem.”

Perhaps due to the backlash of having their ultimate technique broken, the Wudang Seven Swords were all internally injured.

Inho looked at the two disciples who had been struck by Muhwi in midair and asked, “How are the disciples?”

“They’re fine. They’ve sustained internal injuries, but there are hardly any external wounds. Their robes were just torn.”

“I see.”

Inho took in the sight of the plum blossoms that had filled the air. The deadly intent contained within them was not something that would end with just this.

Having anticipated that Muhwi had held back, Inho nodded, confirming his thoughts.

“We concede defeat. What do the other disciples think?”

They could continue fighting if they wished.

But Inho saw no point in it.

Continuing further would only make the Wudang Seven Swords seem obstinate.

“Muhwi saw through and exploited the upper and middle coordinated attacks using the Jeweonjong. It was our mistake.”

“Honestly, I didn’t expect him to break through the fivefold Taechung Manho at once. Continuing the Seven Star Sword Formation in our current state, with all of us injured, offers no chance of victory.”

Listening to his disciples’ opinions, Inho nodded. The Wudang Seven Swords gathered together and sheathed their swords.

“Muhwi, we, the Wudang Seven Swords, acknowledge our defeat.”

As the Wudang Seven Swords all saluted, Muhwi returned the gesture.

“Thank you for the lesson.”

Watching the Wudang Seven Swords and Muhwi exchange salutes, Unbaek stroked his beard with interest.

“I might be witnessing the birth of a new legend in the martial world.”

If word spread that the Wudang Seven Swords, representing the Wudang Sect, had been bested by a young disciple, the martial world would be abuzz.

It was an event with significant repercussions.

“Indeed, he is a child worthy of being called by Master Yuil.”

***

“How fascinating.”

Sword Saint Yuil gazed at the scenery of Mount Wudang beyond the cliff, gently stroking the Songmun Ancient Sword resting on his knee.

Having sensed the presence of a child from the Mount Hua Sect entering Mount Wudang, Yuil had been aware of every moment of the contest between the Wudang Seven Swords and the child from Mount Hua.

Reading the sequence of their exchanges as clearly as if he were watching, Yuil smiled to himself.

And now, the child from Mount Hua who had bested the Wudang Seven Swords was drawing closer to him.