As Mu-sang’s right arm extended with the Plum Blossom Sword, it moved up and down, creating a dizzying flurry of sword strokes that were difficult to follow.

Swish!

The Plum Blossom Sword of Mu-sang sliced through the horizontal gust of sword wind into five pieces, continuing its path through the air with ease.

The swordplay undulated like a salmon swimming upstream, then split into dozens of sword shadows.

“Gasp!”

“Where do you think you’re going?”

The late-stage disciple who had launched the sword wind at Mu-sang was shocked and quickly tried to dodge, but Mu-sang’s wrist had already twisted slightly.

The sword shadows curved gracefully, encircling the late-stage disciple as if they were alive.

“Enough!”

As the referee intervened, Mu-sang withdrew the Plum Blossom Sword as if he had been waiting for the signal.

“The winner! Mu-sang of the Mount Hua Sect!”

Mu-sang didn’t celebrate his victory with any show of excitement. Instead, he approached his opponent and offered a respectful bow.

“It was a good match.”

“Thank you for holding back.”

After exchanging courtesies, Mu-sang descended from the stage, his lips and shoulders twitching slightly with restrained excitement.

‘So far, so good.’

The Tianlong Tournament, the first event of the newly formed Martial Alliance, had begun. The tournament was significant not only because it was the first hosted by the alliance of righteous sects but also because the number of participants exceeded expectations, likely due to the generous prizes.

The preliminaries had spanned two days, and today marked the start of the main event.

“Petals are flying everywhere.”

“Some are even blooming into plum blossoms. Must be the Plum Blossom Swordplay of Mount Hua.”

“They say the sword aura of Mount Hua smells like plum blossoms. Could it be true?”

Many spectators were captivated by the disciples of the Mount Hua Sect. It was no surprise, given the sect’s dazzling sword techniques and the plum blossom-like sword aura that spread in all directions.

Moreover, the number of Mount Hua disciples on the stage was noticeably higher than those from other prestigious sects, making it hard to turn one’s head without seeing at least one.

“Oh, was it Mu-jin? He defeated a disciple from Qingcheng and now one from the Kongtong Sect.”

“The Plum Blossom Swordplay isn’t the only impressive thing about Mount Hua. I’m more interested in the other disciples without famous titles.”

The martial experts around nodded in agreement. The Mount Hua disciples were not only strong in the Plum Blossom Swordplay but also in other techniques, earning recognition from seasoned martial artists.

As proof, the Mount Hua disciples were the most numerous among those who had advanced to the later stages of the tournament.

“Patriarch, we should be on guard.”

“Indeed. With Mount Hua rising like this, it’s concerning. What are our own disciples doing?”

The head of the Wudang Sect, Yunzhong, and the head of the Namgung family, Namgung Heo, exchanged light-hearted remarks, while Baek Yu simply stroked his beard with a smile.

‘Have I ever felt this proud since becoming the head?’

If he focused his senses, he could hear the audience talking mostly about Mount Hua. Everywhere he looked, petals fluttered, and the sight of his disciples’ sleeves adorned with plum blossoms filled him with pride.

‘I knew the children were working hard, but comparing them to the late-stage disciples of other sects, the difference is clear.’

The main event had started in the morning, and now the sun was at its zenith. Yet, none of the second-generation disciples had been eliminated from the matches.

“Impressive.”

Moreover, all the second-generation disciples wielded the Plum Blossom Sword, making them even more admirable.

‘You’ve really put in the effort, Mu-hwi.’

Baek Yu glanced over to where Mu-hwi was stationed, near the stage, instructing the late-stage disciples. It seemed he was reviewing the matches with them, offering guidance.

Watching with satisfaction, Baek Yu suddenly noticed Mu-hwi turning his head sharply, prompting him to follow his gaze.

Swish!

At the end of Mu-hwi and Baek Yu’s line of sight, a blue sword aura was surging. It was like the waves of a vast ocean, relentless and powerful.

“Ugh.”

Mu-ryun’s sword, which had been drawing countless sword shadows, was overwhelmed by the tide of blue aura. The petals floating in the air were gradually swept away and disappeared.

Thud!

Mu-ryun barely managed to block the incoming sword strike amidst the blue aura, but he lost his balance and rolled across the stage.

He tried to get up quickly, but a sword was already glinting under his chin, reflecting the sunlight.

“The winner! Seong-hui of the Hae-nam Sword School!”

Mu-hwi took in the sight of Seong-hui, who had easily defeated Mu-ryun. Perhaps sensing Mu-hwi’s gaze, Seong-hui ignored the fallen Mu-ryun and looked up.

Even amidst the crowd, Seong-hui’s eyes were fixed directly on Mu-hwi. They seemed calm at first glance, but beneath the surface, a fierce storm was brewing.

After glancing between Mu-hwi and Mu-ryun, Seong-hui turned and left the stage.

“They say he’s been taking down disciples from the Nine Schools. His skills are impressive.”

Mu-hwi murmured as he watched Seong-hui’s retreating figure. Seong-hui possessed the skills to challenge the Nine Schools.

He had even defeated a disciple from the Shaolin Sect. Now, the remaining opponents in his path were from the Kunlun, Zhongnan, and Mount Hua Sects. It seemed Seong-hui intended to complete his challenge against the Nine Schools at this tournament.

“That sword technique he just used is the Southern Sea Blue Wave Sword of the Hae-nam Sword School.”

Mu-jin, standing nearby, watched Seong-hui’s back with wary eyes.

“Though it’s from long ago, the school once produced the greatest swordsman in the world. It’s comparable to the martial arts of the Nine Schools.”

“Being a left-handed swordsman and having techniques different from the central plains’ swordsmanship, it seems.”

“The form and execution of the techniques differ from those of the central plains. Inexperienced late-stage disciples might struggle to adapt to its unfamiliarity.”

The disciples around Mu-hwi and Mu-jin listened intently, their expressions serious. The ease with which Seong-hui’s Southern Sea Blue Wave Sword had overwhelmed Mount Hua’s techniques was shocking.

Boom!

A sudden explosion echoed.

“What was that?”

The thunderous sound, as if lightning had struck from the sky, drew the attention of even the late-stage disciples engaged in other matches.

The source of the explosion was the clash between a fist and a sword.

Woo Tae-gang and Mu-cheol were locked in a power struggle, neither willing to back down as they pushed against each other with fist and sword.

Crack!

Woo Tae-gang’s fist, wrapped in the Iron Mountain Fist technique, scraped against the Plum Blossom Sword, trying to push it back without being cut.

“You’ve really gotten stronger, Mu-cheol. What kind of training did you do?”

Woo Tae-gang blinked his large, cow-like eyes as he asked. When they had met at the Flower Soul Gate, Mu-cheol had struggled to withstand even the first punch of the Iron Mountain Fist, being pushed back several steps.

But now, he was holding his ground, not retreating a single step against Woo Tae-gang’s punches.

Woo Tae-gang was genuinely impressed by how much Mu-cheol had closed the gap between them.

Thud!

Mu-cheol, silently pushing back the fist, spun the Plum Blossom Sword in a wide arc, while Woo Tae-gang exhaled deeply, pulling his fist close to his side.

Woo Tae-gang’s usually gentle eyes narrowed slightly, exuding a dense fighting spirit.

For the first time in this tournament, Woo Tae-gang recognized Mu-cheol as an opponent worthy of his full strength.

Bang! Boom!

The Iron Mountain Fist and the Iron Plum Blossom Sword clashed head-on. Both men shared a common trait: they didn’t know how to retreat.

The impact of their strikes shattered the stage floor, sending debris flying, while the sword strikes carved long grooves into the stage.

With each collision of fist and sword, the stage crumbled amidst loud explosions.

The intense match drew the attention of the audience and the martial experts in the VIP seats.

“Is it because they’re young? They’re really going at it.”

“Haha, we won’t be able to use that stage for the next match.”

“The Mount Hua disciple holding his own against the Fist King’s student is impressive.”

Yellow energy gathered around Woo Tae-gang’s fists, while Mu-cheol’s Plum Blossom Sword glowed red.

Woo Tae-gang tried to close the distance, just as he had against Dokgo Yul, while Mu-cheol used the ever-changing techniques of the Iron Plum Blossom Sword to block him.

Thud!

A punch landed on Mu-cheol’s chest, and a sword strike hit Woo Tae-gang’s shoulder. The exchange of blows halted momentarily.

But Mu-cheol merely wiped the blood from his lips, and Woo Tae-gang endured the internal shock through the Iron Mountain Fist technique.

The two men, glaring at each other, silently stepped forward again.

Whoosh!

‘It’s completely different from before. At the Flower Soul Gate, it felt like he was just putting all his strength into Mount Hua’s sword techniques.’

The heavy sound of air being sliced restricted Woo Tae-gang’s movements as Mu-cheol’s Plum Blossom Sword came at him.

The Plum Blossom Sword, despite being a heavy sword, poured down in a variety of sword paths, limiting Woo Tae-gang’s options.

Twisting his shoulder back to narrowly avoid a downward strike, Woo Tae-gang’s thigh muscles bulged.

Mucheol, not missing a beat, quickly stepped back, his feet landing on the hidden markers with precision.

The intense exchange of blows was abruptly interrupted, transforming the duel into a high-stakes chase.

Though Mucheol’s movements were fluid and free, the space of the arena was limited.

In contrast, U Taegang, well-versed in such pursuits, suddenly accelerated with explosive speed, gradually closing the gap between them.

Mucheol sensed the disruption in the rhythm of their duel and consciously steadied his breathing.

Yet, U Taegang’s massive hands, as large as a cauldron lid, were drawing ever closer.

“This won’t be enough.”

The Iron Plum Sword Technique, a harmonious blend of the powerful middle sword and the versatile Six Harmonies, was Mucheol’s creation. He had succeeded in wielding both elements simultaneously, but he struggled to unify them into a single, seamless strike.

When he unleashed the full might of the middle sword, his techniques became simplistic. Conversely, when he needed to adapt, he had to ease his strength, diminishing the sword’s power.

With a whoosh, U Taegang’s fist tore through the air, filling Mucheol’s vision.

In the optimal range that Mucheol had inadvertently allowed, U Taegang’s strike would unleash its full force.

Mucheol, his weight shifted backward in an attempt to widen the distance, was clearly at a disadvantage to block it effectively.

“Mucheol, you’re ready.”

Muwi, arms crossed, watched Mucheol retreat. Mucheol had prepared himself to walk the path toward mastering the Iron Plum Sword Technique.

All that remained was to take that first step.

The middle sword and the volcanic sword—these two identities were encapsulated in the Iron Plum Sword Technique.

To master it, Mucheol needed to perfectly integrate these identities into his swordplay. Alternating between them was insufficient.

As Muwi’s gaze fell on Mucheol’s plum blossom sword, a change was occurring. The internal energy of the Heavenly Heart Technique, layered upon the blade, began to unravel like threads.

Despite this, Mucheol’s sword strikes retained their full power, unfaltering.

The energy, once layered and now dispersing, scattered like petals in the wind.

These petals, thicker and larger than those of a typical plum blossom technique, resembled shards of metal more than flowers.

With a clatter, the petals of the Iron Plum Sword Technique rained down on U Taegang, producing a metallic sound as they struck his body.

For a moment, U Taegang’s advance halted.

He had seen countless plum blossom techniques from other disciples of the Volcano Sect, but never had he witnessed Mucheol unleash such petals.

Instinct warned him of danger, yet U Taegang bent his knees and charged forward, undeterred.

With a thunderous crash, U Taegang launched himself like an arrow, his entire body coiled and his explosive power concentrated into a single punch.

Before him, a plum blossom bloomed.

But this blossom was unlike any other from the Volcano Sect.

It was a massive flower, as if five blossoms had been combined into one.

It lacked the brilliance and radiance of other blossoms.

Yet its thick petals, layered like a fortress, were unyielding.

“The Iron Plum Blossom. Another blossom blooms on the volcano.”

A blossom only Mucheol could bring forth.

Muwi smiled as he watched Mucheol’s Iron Plum.

Even as U Taegang’s full-force punch landed, the Iron Plum, standing at the center of the arena, did not waver.

Just like Mucheol, who had persevered on his journey to master the Iron Plum Sword Technique.

“Mucheol, you’re ready.” End

“Will you take the challenge? I look forward to it.”