The energy of the Purple Mist filled his entire being.

Just a few insights into the ancient techniques had significantly altered the flow of his internal energy.

Even though this was his fifth duel, Mu-hui felt vitality surging through his body.

It seemed the power of the Taihe Wuling Technique had taken root within him.

“But it’s still unstable.”

He hadn’t fully integrated the Taihe Wuling Technique into his body. The depth of the two techniques was too profound to be unified by a mere moment of enlightenment.

It felt as if the wall that had completely separated the Purple Mist Technique and the Taihe Wuling Technique had crumbled.

While they no longer clashed, he could sense that balance and harmony were not yet fully achieved.

As if to prove this, the purple aura that had been shimmering around Mu-hui was gradually fading.

Yet, even this was a significant leap forward.

Until now, he hadn’t even found a direction, but now a new path had been discovered.

“Something’s changed, hasn’t it?”

The Ice King of the Blue Sound murmured, eyeing Mu-hui’s entire body with curiosity.

Even as the purple aura dissipated, Mu-hui’s purple eyes still shone with presence.

“The fifth technique, huh…”

The Ice King of the Blue Sound spoke, half-hidden by the blue mist emanating from his body.

“Honestly, I didn’t expect you to withstand this well. It’s not something you can handle just by matching your internal energy to the peak level.”

Even if one’s internal energy was at the peak, the techniques being unleashed were touching upon transcendence.

Before they exchanged blows, the Ice King of the Blue Sound had thought that if Mu-hui could withstand even two techniques, he could be called the greatest of the younger generation.

Yet here Mu-hui was, confidently demanding the fifth technique.

“I’ve only done the orthodox sects a favor by underestimating him.”

It was a mistake not to have accurately gauged Mu-hui’s capabilities. The Ice King of the Blue Sound chuckled at himself and took a step forward.

“Let’s finish this.”

As he brought his palms together in a gesture of prayer, the cold air swirling around him vanished in an instant.

Mu-hui realized that the vast amount of cold air had concentrated in the Ice King of the Blue Sound’s joined hands.

When the palms slightly parted, a small blue orb emitting an ominous light was revealed.

Seeing this, Mu-hui’s Plum Blossom Sword split into dozens of strands, and as the purple light flared, a crack appeared in the blue orb.

Swoosh!

The Blue Snow of the Ultimate Winter.

A blue snowstorm accompanied by the chill of winter engulfed the arena.

The ground of the arena froze instantly, and the ice grew in size.

In a moment, the arena transformed into a snowy field.

The Blue Snow that froze everything in its path descended, but warmth surrounded Mu-hui.

Buzz!

Drawing upon his newfound understanding, he operated the Purple Mist Technique to its fullest, and the purple aura re-emerged to protect his entire body.

In an instant, a space of about fifteen meters around the Ice King of the Blue Sound was covered in blue ice.

But the winter of the Ice King was not short-lived, and he maintained his stance.

Whoosh!

With the sound of a fierce wind, the snowstorm surged again, layering upon itself two or three times over.

Mu-hui did not employ the defensive technique of the Plum Blossom Sword Art.

He realized that simply blocking would not resolve this ultimate technique.

“Are you just showing off your internal energy?”

Mu-hui chuckled, taking in the blue spectacle before him.

Though he spoke lightly, the ultimate technique unleashed by the Ice King of the Blue Sound was far from simple.

It was not just a massive release of cold energy; it was a complex interplay of various subtle techniques.

Buzz!

As Mu-hui unleashed the Purple Mist Technique to its fullest, the Plum Blossom Sword also resonated, enveloped in a purple sword aura.

Mu-hui extended the Plum Blossom Sword, shimmering with a purple sunset.

The Blue Snow of the Ultimate Winter did not merely surge from the front.

It enveloped the surroundings as if true winter had descended, and Mu-hui was no exception.

He sliced through the blue snowstorm coming from the front and twisted his body to shatter the blue ice attacking from behind.

Each time, the cold that pricked his skin dulled his body, but the Plum Blossom Sword did not falter.

Cutting through in all directions, Mu-hui gradually dispelled the winter. As he did so, he advanced step by step.

Front, back, left, right. Upper and lower.

The Plum Blossom Sword began to fill every direction, every point and line.

The lines became branches, and the points became flowers. Around Mu-hui, plum trees began to sprout in the snowy field of the Ice King of the Blue Sound.

The rapid strikes of the sword path displayed endless transformations, bewildering the oncoming snowstorm.

The petals of the Purple Mist Sword pushed back the snowstorm, and the plum blossoms that bloomed from the sword’s edge shattered the ice, releasing their fragrance.

Mu-hui’s entire body accelerated as he unleashed dozens of sword strikes in an instant.

By the time only a few masters, including Kang Ho-baek and Ma Yeon-ho, could clearly see Mu-hui’s movements, the Plum Blossom Sword had filled the domain of the Blue Snow of the Ultimate Winter with hundreds of strikes, and plum blossoms bloomed in succession.

Plum Blossom in Full Bloom.

The dense blue snow receded, and sunlight seeped through, illuminating the blooming plum blossoms even more brilliantly.

“As the snowstorm clears, a field of flowers appears.”

“Senior Brother’s sword fragrance is truly rich. It’s as if the entire plaza is filled with its scent.”

Mu-jin murmured in awe, his voice slightly trembling, and Mu-hwa whispered as he looked around.

Mu-cheol simply stared at Mu-hui’s back with widened eyes.

The other disciples were equally amazed.

Some were captivated by the plum blossoms Mu-hui had conjured, while others flared their nostrils at the lingering fragrance.

“Do you think we can do that too?”

“Someday, perhaps. We may lack talent, but we can make up for it with time.”

When Mu-ho asked with a dazed expression, Mu-san nodded in agreement.

Listening to Mu-ho and Mu-san’s conversation, Mu-sang spoke with his mouth slightly open.

“Senior Brother has cut through winter.”

While the disciples of the Mount Hua Sect marveled, Mu-hui, who had been advancing endlessly with the Plum Blossom in Full Bloom, came to a stop.

At the center of the arena, where Mu-hui had advanced from the edge, an ice pillar stood tall.

The pillar had been created by the Ice King of the Blue Sound before the duel began. Atop it lay a wooden box he had placed there.

Mu-hui shattered the ice around him and grabbed the box.

“The reward for withstanding five techniques. I’ll take it.”

As Mu-hui spoke confidently, meeting his gaze, the Ice King of the Blue Sound lowered his clasped hands with a wry smile.

“The last technique wasn’t just withstood; it was dismantled.”

The Ice King of the Blue Sound acknowledged Mu-hui’s victory.

The audience in the grand plaza, who had been silently listening to their exchange, rose in unison, erupting in thunderous cheers.

Though the Heavenly Martial Tournament had been nominally changed to a competition format, it was essentially the first clash between the Martial Alliance and the Demonic Sect.

In this first clash, the Martial Alliance emerged victorious, with the Mount Hua Sword Demon displaying overwhelming prowess, elevating the status of the Martial Alliance in an instant.

“A young master who withstood five techniques from a transcendent master…”

“The martial world will be shaken once more.”

“Haha! If I hadn’t seen it myself, even I wouldn’t have believed it.”

In the eyes of the martial world elders, Mu-hui was already marked as the pillar of the orthodox martial world’s future.

The Ice King of the Blue Sound, watching Mu-hui examine the elixir inside the box, asked.

“The sword technique you showed this time. It didn’t seem like the Mount Hua Sect’s Three Great Plum Blossom Sword Arts. What was it?”

Having experienced the Mount Hua Sect’s supreme arts—Radiant, Seven Absolutes, and Three Edges—the Ice King of the Blue Sound was filled with curiosity.

“The Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Art.”

At Mu-hui’s response, the Ice King of the Blue Sound nodded, murmuring to himself.

“The Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Art… So there was a reason for the Mount Hua Sect’s resurgence.”

The name of the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Art was firmly etched in the Ice King of the Blue Sound’s mind.

Thanks to him, the name of the sword art would soon be known to the Demonic Sect as well.

With the conclusion of the Heavenly Martial Tournament, the existence of the Twenty-Four Plum Blossom Sword Art became known throughout the martial world.

The referee, who had been standing far from the clash of the two masters, finally ascended the arena and shouted.

“The winner is Mu-hui of the Martial Alliance! Thus, the victory of this competition goes to the Martial Alliance!”

Following the conclusion of the Heavenly Dragon Tournament and the Heavenly Martial Tournament, the award ceremony commenced immediately.

The thirty-two young masters who had excelled in the Heavenly Dragon Tournament were rewarded with elixirs according to their rankings.

Of course, Mu-hui also received the Great Elixir for his victory in the Heavenly Martial Tournament.

“The Great Elixir.”

An unparalleled elixir, incomparable to any he had consumed in his past life.

The thought of obtaining the Great Elixir made the corners of Mu-hui’s mouth twitch.

“Is it pleasing?”

Watching the young masters holding their boxes of elixirs with beaming smiles, Kang Ho-baek also smiled.

“Young ones.”

“Yes!”

“Yes, Leader.”

When Kang Ho-baek called, the young masters responded in unison.

“Even for the Martial Alliance, distributing so many elixirs at once is no easy feat.”

Kang Ho-baek looked at each young master standing on the podium, starting with Mu-hui.

“The various martial sects have been generous with their elixirs, but do you know why?” Kang Ho-baek asked, his voice carrying a weight that silenced the young disciples.

None of them could answer, so they remained silent.

“If the Martial Alliance had been formed solely for practical gain, such generosity would have been impossible. But because it was founded on cooperation, it was possible. You all will lead the future of the Martial Alliance.”

Kang Ho-baek glanced briefly at Mu-hwi, adding, “Perhaps the future leader of the Martial Alliance is among us right now.”

He looked back at the young disciples, his gaze steady. “We offered these elixirs not for you, but for the next generation of martial artists. I hope you will take them and continue the spirit of righteousness. In doing so, our cooperation will carry on into the future.”

His words were more like a quiet soliloquy than a command, yet the disciples listened intently, absorbing the meaning behind them.

“We will remember, Master,” Mu-hwi said, bowing respectfully. The other disciples followed suit, echoing his words.

“We will remember.”

Kang Ho-baek smiled, returning their gesture with a bow of his own.

***

Despite the setting sun, the main grounds of the Martial Alliance were brightly lit by torches scattered throughout. Celebrations were in full swing, with the sounds of pouring drinks and laughter filling the air.

The grand banquet, known as the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering, was underway, a festive conclusion to the day’s events. Young men and women wandered the halls, seeking companionship in the spirit of the occasion.

Though the Hwasan Sect was known for its Daoist roots, it embraced worldly pleasures and did not restrict relationships between men and women. As a result, disciples mingled freely, enjoying the festivities to their hearts’ content.

Meanwhile, Mu-hwi sat alone in a pavilion, reflecting on the day’s martial arts competition and the fleeting insights it had brought him. He was deep in meditation when he sensed a presence nearby, accompanied by a delicate fragrance.

“How long are you going to meditate? I’ve been waiting since before sunset,” Seon-ju said with a playful pout.

Mu-hwi merely sighed in response. Seon-ju was dressed not in her usual navy robe of the Jongnam Sect, but in a white gown reminiscent of magnolias. She had clearly taken care with her appearance, a faint scent of powder lingering around her.

Mu-hwi looked up at the starry sky and said, “You must have waited a while. You should have gone ahead and enjoyed yourself.”

“Hmph,” Seon-ju huffed, making it clear his response was not what she wanted to hear.

Realizing his mistake, Mu-hwi chuckled wryly and stood up. “Shall we see what this Dragon and Phoenix Gathering is all about?”

At last, Seon-ju smiled, her red lips curving into a grin. “I heard they’ve brought in famous street food from Wuhuan and there’s even a Peking opera. Let’s go see!”

“Alright.”

Together, Mu-hwi and Seon-ju left the pavilion, heading towards the heart of the festivities.