Chapter 20: I Dominated the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly (5)

“The third test is the measurement of internal energy. The test will be conducted with this Internal Energy Measuring Orb here.”

As soon as Manbakja's words fell, joy and sorrow crossed the faces of the Dragons and Phoenixes. This was because all the Dragons and Phoenixes already knew the level of their own internal energy.

Joy was on the faces of those with unique backgrounds even in the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly, a stage for the heirs of prestigious clans, while sorrow was on the faces of the Dragons and Phoenixes from relatively humble clans.

To have participated in the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly meant that all were up-and-coming prodigies who had reached the Peak realm before reaching the age of thirty.

Although it was said to be under thirty, the majority were around the age of twenty. This was because of the perception in the Jianghu Murim that it was a shame to compete in the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly at an age approaching thirty.

Since almost all orthodox martial arts forbade creating a Qi center before the age of ten, it meant that most of them had only been generating their Qi center and operating their mind cultivation art for about ten years.

Nevertheless, they had all obtained internal energy in units of Gapja.

This was because they were all heirs of clans that were something, so they had all learned their own sublime mind cultivation arts.

The fact that can be inferred from here is that there would not be much difference in the pure amount of accumulated energy among everyone here.

This was because no matter how much orthodox martial arts had been improved and developed, it was impossible to accumulate internal energy that far exceeded one Gapja in just ten years.

That is, unless one had learned a heaven-defying demonic art or a peerless evil art like the Star-Sucking Technique.

Therefore, what determined the amount of internal energy the Dragons and Phoenixes possessed at this point was, in the end, spiritual medicines.

Those who had consumed valuable spiritual medicines would boast of profound internal energy, while those who had difficulty obtaining various spiritual medicines would inevitably have relatively insufficient internal energy.

In the end, it was not difficult to conclude that the power of the background a Dragon or Phoenix possessed was proportional to the internal energy they had.

I agreed that measuring internal energy was a valid means to judge the level of martial arts, since there were circumstances where a martial arts duel could not be held.

But I also had to agree that the amount of internal energy for an up-and-coming prodigy under thirty was proportional to the ability of their clan, so it was truly a sample of absurdity.

But what could be done?

The Jianghu Murim was itself proof of an unreasonable world.

It was the nature of the Jianghu Murim that even those who lamented being from a humble clan here were the object of absurdity to someone else.

Upon reaching the third test of internal energy measurement, a sense of resignation called calmness settled on the faces of many of the Dragons and Phoenixes.

Nevertheless, no Dragon or Phoenix gave up on the third test.

Just in case. What if. Am I not different?

It could be said that it was the same reason why countless people became addicted to gambling, as they stubbornly denied what they knew and held onto hope.

Anyway, the conclusion of the long-winded speech was this.

If the second test was a test of equipment power, the third test could be said to be a test of spiritual medicine power.

It also meant that for me, who had learned the Healing Sage’s Mind Cultivation Art and consumed the supreme spiritual medicines, the Immaculate Pomegranate and the Vermilion Fruit, this test was as good as won.

***

“What should we do?”

One of the curious up-and-coming prodigies raised his hand and asked Manbakja.

Since it was the first time in his life seeing a device called the Internal Energy Measuring Orb, it was a natural reaction.

“You just need to place your palm on the Internal Energy Measuring Orb and release your internal energy. If there's a trick, try to perform it with the same mechanism as manifesting sword qi.”

At Manbakja's word 'trick', the ears of several Dragons and Phoenixes perked up.

This was because the amount of accumulated internal energy and the amount of internal energy that could be released were quite different.

If the accumulation of energy was the time spent operating the mind cultivation art and the spiritual medicine's spiritual medicine, wasn't the release of internal energy a part that could change depending on enlightenment, the strength and purity of the blood vessels, and the characteristics of the martial art?

A determined will once again appeared on the faces of the Dragons and Phoenixes who had become calm.

Manbakja, who confirmed that sight, smiled. Manbakja must have been aiming for this.

“Amitabha. Would it be alright if this humble monk took the test first?”

The one who stepped forward first was an up-and-coming prodigy from Shaolin.

Despite his sect, Shaolin, hosting this Dragon and Phoenix Assembly, he had not shown any particular distinction, so he must have finally seized the opportunity.

Naturally, information about that up-and-coming prodigy came to mind.

Great Strength Vajra Unso.

At the time of the Great War of Righteousness and Evil, he had become a pillar of the righteous faction that stood firmly against the Demonic Cult as one of the Four Great Vajras.

I remembered him as a much more imposing and reliable figure than now. It was a completely different appearance from his current childish one, so that must be growth.

And the information from the Beggar's Gang that came to mind at the same time was the fact that that friend had received a great grace from his sect in his childhood and had taken Shaolin's Great Cycle Pill.

Unso carefully raised his hand and asked Manbakja.

“Would it be alright to use palm strength?”

“It would be fine.”

“Thank you.”

Unso, who had bowed his head, took a horse stance in front of the Internal Energy Measuring Orb.

At the same time, interest arose on the faces of many of the up-and-coming prodigies. They had noticed what that stance meant.

Although the horse stance was called the foundation of all martial arts, there were surprisingly not many martial arts that used the horse stance as their ready stance.

If one were to pick the most famous among them, it would be a peerless art that was considered one of the most difficult even among the seventy-two ultimate arts of Shaolin.

“Amitabha-!”

Hundred-Step Divine Fist. Its other name was Arhat Divine Fist.

A great force was released from Unso's palm. It was a fierce momentum as if it would crush the Internal Energy Measuring Orb to dust, but.

Tsztsztsz.

The Internal Energy Measuring Orb swallowed Unso's internal energy as if it were a heaven-defying master using the ultimate Star-Sucking Technique.

“Keuuk!”

It was after seven breaths had passed that Unso's palm, which had been wrestling for a long time as if he were having an internal energy duel with the Internal Energy Measuring Orb, was released.

As if he was not as satisfied as he had thought, Unso's expression was not very good.

And, a strange thing happened.

Wuuung.

Half of the Internal Energy Measuring Orb began to glow like a night-luminescent pearl.

“Hoo. Excellent. Did you eat a Great Cycle Pill or something?”

“Amitabha.”

Unso quickly hid his expression and put his palms together. There was no martial artist in the Jianghu who would reveal their secrets so readily.

Manbakja's gaze turned to the numerous up-and-coming prodigies.

“The test will proceed in this way. Isn't it easy?”

Even with the power of the Great Cycle Pill, the Internal Energy Measuring Orb was only half full.

It was by no means an easy test.

***

“Kraaaak!”

The screams of the up-and-coming prodigies continuously echoed in the test venue.

“Hahaha! Amazing!”

It was accompanied by Manbakja's cheers.

The up-and-coming prodigies who had finished the Internal Energy Measuring Orb test were falling down in heaps, unable to overcome their exhaustion. It looked as if their internal energy had been stolen, not measured.

“Kraaaak!”

Another victim appeared.

“Hahahaha! You've lit up a third of it! You're amazing too!”

Manbakja was delighted again.

Seeing this scene, I knew why he was a person who belonged to the top of the extraordinary and eccentric individuals.

The up-and-coming prodigies, who had thought that Unso had only lit up half, had no choice but to change their minds.

This was because among the up-and-coming prodigies who had confidently appeared after Unso, no one had lit up more than a third. Considering the efficacy of the Great Cycle Pill, a priceless treasure of a pill, it could be said to be a natural result.

“Hak of the Dancheon Clan. Come out.”

As Dancheon Hak's turn finally approached, the interest of the numerous up-and-coming prodigies was focused.

Since he had achieved remarkable results in the first and second tests, this level of interest could be said to be a natural result.

Dancheon Hak stood in front of the Internal Energy Measuring Orb with quiet steps.

At some point, he was no longer conscious of me. He was showing the spirit of a martial artist who was solely focused on himself and polishing himself.

Needless to say, Dancheon Hak, as the heir of a prestigious clan, had consumed many spiritual medicines since he was young.

Although it was not to the level of eating spiritual medicines like meals, it was to the level of eating them like health food supplements. It was thanks to his mother Baek Yeo-hae's wealth, ability, and utmost devotion.

Dancheon Hak carefully brought his palm to the Internal Energy Measuring Orb.

“Kraaaak!”

It was a scream not much different from the up-and-coming prodigies who had placed their hands on the measuring orb.

But there was a difference.

“Kraaaaaak!”

Unlike the other up-and-coming prodigies, his scream did not easily stop.

Far surpassing Unso, who had endured for seven breaths, Dancheon Hak endured for ten breaths.

“Heok. Heok. Heok.”

He was breathing more steeply and roughly than when he had taken the movement art test.

The Internal Energy Measuring Orb glowed.

It was an amount slightly less than a third. It could be said to be a representation that showed the current position of the Dancheon Clan as it was.

This was because although it was a prestigious martial clan that dominated Anhui, it was lacking when compared to the Five Great Clans or the Nine Sects One Gang.

But even so, satisfaction was present on Manbakja's face.

“Excellent.”

The fact that the word excellent, not amazing, had come out for the first time since Unso was the proof.

“Thank you.”

Dancheon Hak bowed his head and retreated.

Even though he was more tired than the other up-and-coming prodigies, perhaps because of his lofty pride, he did not show the appearance of collapsing from exhaustion.

And, his eyes fell on me.

“Wanderer Lee Chun-baek, come out.”

“I will forfeit.”

Amidst the astonishment of all the Dragons and Phoenixes.

“Hmm. I see.”

Manbakja did not ask for a reason.

As his name Manbakja suggested, I didn't know if it was because he knew something, or if he was just indifferent.

At any rate.

“Myeong of the Dancheon Clan. Come out.”

It was my turn.

***

Everyone's attention was focused on me.

Since I had won both the first and second tests, the level of interest was greater than for Dancheon Hak.

In fact, since the two people who were receiving the most attention at the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly had come from the Dancheon Clan, it was truly a great fortune for the clan.

“Hoo-”

There was no tension.

Since I had achieved outstanding results in the previous two tests, as long as I was not below the standard in the third test, the title of Dragon was as good as won.

The standard referred to the Peak realm, so in fact, I had already achieved it.

So I pondered.

How much would I show?

How much would I reveal?

The deliberation was not long.

What was the reason to hide it?

Didn't I participate in the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly to show myself and prove my worth?

I brought my palm to the Internal Energy Measuring Orb.

A tingling sensation.

Unlike all the Dragons and Phoenixes who had screamed, it didn't hurt that much.

“Hmm?”

Manbakja looked at me with curiosity, as if he found it strange that I wasn't screaming.

Without paying him any mind, I activated the Dancheon Mind Art. I could feel my internal energy circulating rapidly through the Ren and Du Meridians.

Normally, the Ren and Du Meridians were something that were opened around the time one reached the State of Harmony, but for me, who had achieved the First Stage: Body Reformation, it could be said that I was an exception. Naturally, the release of my internal energy could not be anything but extraordinary.

Tsztsztsz.

The Internal Energy Measuring Orb roughly accepted my internal energy.

Kuooh.

As if responding to it, I poured out my internal energy even more fiercely. It did not take much time for the internal energy that had filled my Qi center to be depleted.

I couldn't count exactly because I was concentrating, but it seemed to be about ten breaths.

And at that moment, something that even I had not expected happened.

As the internal energy in my Qi center was depleted, the energies of the Immaculate Pomegranate that had been sleeping in my entire body's meridians rose up.

Tsztsztsz.

Kuooh.

My internal energy and the Internal Energy Measuring Orb clashed fiercely once again.

Even though I hadn't removed my palm, the Internal Energy Measuring Orb began to shine with a bright light like a night-luminescent pearl.

Manbakja's eyes were not just wide, but his mouth was agape.

And how many breaths had passed?

Jjeojeok.

A crack appeared on the Internal Energy Measuring Orb, and then the light disappeared.

“…….”

Manbakja, who had been adding some kind of cheer every time the up-and-coming prodigies' tests ended, did not open his mouth in the end.

“May I go down?”

Since I was in the middle of a test, I wouldn't have to compensate for it, right? I thought.

Manbakja stopped me as I was about to move.

“You.”

And after choosing his words for a moment.

“What in the world are you?”

I knew what his question intended.

However.

“It's a secret.”

Where in the Jianghu Murim was there a martial artist who would reveal their secrets?

After sending a refreshing smile, empowered by the Vermilion Fruit, to Manbakja, I retreated.

While the gazes of all the up-and-coming prodigies were focused on me, only Namgung Tan was not looking at me.

Dancheon Hak was looking at me with a strange gaze, the meaning of which I could not understand.

Dragon and Phoenix.

To them, who were once my idols, I declared in my heart.

I am the future best under the heavens, Dancheon Myeong.