Childhood Friend of the Zenith

Chapter 713

Crash!

The sharp friction split the aura into fragments. It was as if the materialized energy was scattering like shards of glass.

Screeech—!!

As protective Qi clashed against protective Qi, the air rang with harsh, grinding noise.

Neither side yielded, their strikes fierce and unrelenting yet paradoxically refined in their precision.

Boom! Boom, boom!

Despite the explosion of tremendous energy, not a single bit was wasted.

Every motion had meaning. Even what seemed casually discarded bore intent.

Screeech—

A sword’s tip tore through the opponent’s Qi barrier, unleashing a golden flash that briefly bathed the surroundings in light.

Vision blurred.

Yu Yeon spun immediately.

Whirl—!

Though his sight was obscured, his instincts were alive.

By a hair’s breadth, the sword’s tip grazed his shoulder. Using the momentum, he swung his fist without delay.

Boom! Pressure built up in his dantian as he condensed his Qi into his fist.

Hundred Step Divine Fist.

The Shaolin Sect’s ultimate technique erupted into the air.

Crash! Crash! Crash!

“!”

Close.

Too close to evade. Wi Seol-ah frowned, her golden eyes narrowing as she adjusted her grip on her sword.

If escape was impossible and blocking was futile, she had to redirect.

Wi Seol-ah recalled the protective Qi surrounding her body, focusing it instead onto her blade.

Screeeeech—!!!

Divine Fist slightly grazed the side of Wi Seol-ah’s sword, deflecting skyward.

Boom!

The upward surge felt as though it could pierce the heavens.

The overwhelming display captured the attention of the spectators, but on the stage, the two combatants immediately resumed their stances.

In the blink of an eye, both had reactivated their protective Qi, and bursts of light exploded relentlessly.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

To the untrained eye, only faint afterimages and deafening crashes remained.

Even in such an incomprehensible battle, it was clear to all:

These two fighters were on an extraordinary level.

“This is unbelievable.”

“I can’t even follow what’s happening.”

“…What in the world is going on?”

The martial artists in the crowd were visibly shocked.

At best, the fighters were still in their early twenties, barely entering the later stages of their martial journeys.

For such young combatants to duel at this caliber was beyond reason.

The intensity of the fight rivaled that of a deathmatch between masters of the highest order.

“To think I’d gain insight from watching children fight.”

It was absurd.

As the martial artists murmured in confusion:

“Contact the trade group immediately.”

“We must secure an alliance with the successor of the Sword Sovereign.”

The news of Wi Seol-ah, the granddaughter of the legendary Sword Sovereign, and her prowess, began to spread rapidly.

Those who had dismissed her as merely an apprentice or a beneficiary of nepotism reevaluated.

This was no ordinary skill.

Perhaps—

“The Sword Sovereign has returned…”

The legacy of the Storm Sword, who once ruled an era and left a whirlwind of awe in his wake, seemed to reappear.

Such a presence inevitably drew all eyes.

Of course—

“Haa…”

“…”

The two engaged in the duel remained indifferent to the commotion around them.

Hiss—

As the fierce battle reached a brief pause, the two fighters created some distance.

The air shimmered with heat, and fragments of the shattered stage turned to dust, cloaking the area in a veil of debris.

Shoulders rose and fell.

The rapid exchange of techniques had left them breathless.

“Haa… Huff…”

Wi Seol-ah calmed her breathing, Qi circulating to steady her body. With furrowed brows, she gazed at her opponent.

Yu Yeon, known as the Divine Dragon and a beacon of hope for Shaolin, met her gaze.

Seeing this, Wi Seol-ah let out a faint sigh.

I’m falling behind.

She was being pushed back—an objective assessment.

Wi Seol-ah could feel her strength waning. Her sword felt heavier, and sweat drenched her hair, sticking to her face.

Her breathing grew shallow, and her throat felt dry. Despite the exhausting exchange, her stamina had significantly depleted.

Meanwhile, Yu Yeon was in relatively better condition.

Though his breathing was uneven, it wasn’t severe. His aura remained calm, like a serene lake.

Seeing this, Wi Seol-ah glanced down at her sword.

Hummm—

The blade resonated faintly. Within the vibration, she sensed something amiss.

The earlier deflection of the Divine Fist had left her sword reverberating unusually.

It wasn’t a critical injury, but it had taken a toll.

‘…’

A tingling sensation spread through her hand, though she didn’t show it. Raising her head, Wi Seol-ah fixed her gaze on Yu Yeon.

Only then did the reality of the situation hit her.

He’s strong.

Far stronger than she had anticipated.

It felt like standing before an immovable wall. Even if she struck it dozens of times, it might not falter.

But—

So what?

Wi Seol-ah’s expression remained unchanged.

That didn’t change anything.

If dozens of strikes weren’t enough, she’d strike hundreds of times. If that still failed, she’d keep swinging until the wall crumbled.

That had been her resolve from the beginning.

Hummmm—!

The resonating blade’s vibration intensified.

She might lose.

But it didn’t matter.

Just a little more.

Wi Seol-ah’s gaze grew distant.

A strange sensation overtook her. The strength anchoring her body seemed to unravel, and the resonance of her sword deepened.

Yu Yeon’s expression subtly tightened as he observed her.

What is this?

Despite his clear advantage, something felt off.

Even as he dominated, it didn’t feel like victory.

What was this unsettling feeling?

He didn’t know.

Yu Yeon raised his fist.

If he didn’t understand, he’d find out now.

With that thought, the two moved simultaneously, and the stage erupted once more.

Boom! Rumble!

Thunderous roars filled the arena.

The blows were far stronger and faster than before.

Yu Yeon aligned his stance, sensing the flow of Qi. The increased speed wasn’t his doing.

She’s accelerated.

Wi Seol-ah had intensified her movements, forcing Yu Yeon to match her pace.

Why?

Her exhausted body was nearing its limit. Why was she pushing herself like this?

As he dodged her strikes, Yu Yeon pondered.

Shing—

“…!”

Feeling an ominous presence behind him, Yu Yeon kicked off the ground.

Whoosh—

A sword narrowly missed the spot where he had stood.

Yu Yeon’s eyes widened.

It wasn’t just any sword.

Sword Control.

Or rather, something in the form of controlled swords.

Radiant golden energy floated in the air like dancing flames.

What was this?

Yu Yeon felt a brief wave of confusion.

Shing—!

“…Tsk!”

To his surprise, it wasn’t just one sword.

Two more followed.

A total of three swords lunged at him in midair. Positioned in an unfavorable spot, Yu Yeon quickly extended his hand.

Divine Fist. He launched the technique into the air, using the recoil to propel himself backward.

Crash!

He narrowly avoided the controlled swords and landed on the ground. However, the swords relentlessly pursued him.

Trailing golden streaks, the swords moved with unwavering precision. Someone in the audience whispered softly.

“…Moonlit Blade Control.”

“It’s truly the Sword Sovereign’s technique!”

Moonlit Blade Control.

A martial art derived from the Moonlit Heart Technique, the hallmark of the Sword Sovereign.

Its graceful, flowing swordplay and multitude of controlled swords defined the Sovereign’s legacy.

Wi Seol-ah was now demonstrating it.

While the Sword Sovereign in his prime had wielded forty swords, Wi Seol-ah managed only three.

Yet even that sight was enough to excite the audience.

“She truly is the successor of the Sword Sovereign.”

“To think she could push the Divine Dragon to this extent. Could she already be at the Hwagyeong level?”

“If not Hwagyeong, then what? This skill clearly surpasses the level of a Peak Martial Artist.”

“A Hwagyeong at that age? What is with this generation…?!”

Shing—

The agile controlled swords struck again. Yu Yeon evaded them, his eyes fixed on Wi Seol-ah.

She moved her hands subtly, her expression showing faint strain.

Yu Yeon realized:

She can’t move while controlling the swords.

His judgment was swift. He stomped the ground. There wasn’t time to hesitate.

This time, instead of retreating, he charged directly at her.

Shing! Two controlled swords chased after him, while the third lunged from the front.

Yu Yeon reached out.

Grab!

He seized the sword in front.

Slice—! Qi ripped into his hand, tearing his palm.

Pain flashed, but he ignored it.

Snap! He gripped the sword tightly, shattering it as he pushed forward.

The controlled swords couldn’t keep up with his speed.

In an instant, Yu Yeon appeared right in front of Wi Seol-ah.

At that moment—

Sreung.

“…!?”

Wi Seol-ah moved her sword as if she had been waiting for this. Expanding her senses, she confirmed what was happening.

The controlled swords were still advancing.

It was only then that he realized—

‘A feint…!’

The entire setup had been a ploy to lure him into this position.

Yu Yeon realized this too late.

Slash!

“Gah!”

Wi Seol-ah’s sword slashed across Yu Yeon’s torso. Blood splattered into the air.

He quickly retreated, creating distance.

Drip. Drip.

Blood trickled down his chest, staining his clothes as he grimaced in pain.

Fortunately, the wound wasn’t too deep.

“Huff…!”

Wrapping his body in Qi, he staunched the bleeding.

A referee approached with widened eyes upon seeing his injury, but Yu Yeon calmly declared:

“…I can continue. I’m fine.”

“…”

Hearing this, the referee stepped back again.

Hummm.

The controlled swords hovered in the air, circling around Wi Seol-ah. Between the two floating swords, a surge of energy gathered, forming a third sword.

The destroyed sword had been recreated.

‘…This is tough.’

The speed had increased, and the presence of the controlled swords made it difficult to approach her. Had she been hiding her true strength?

Yu Yeon glanced at Wi Seol-ah with weary eyes.

‘…What’s going on?’

Then, he noticed something strange.

Her eyes appeared slightly unfocused, as if her gaze was clouded.

‘Could it be…?’

Yu Yeon realized Wi Seol-ah’s current state.

Muahji-gyeong — the State of Selflessness.

It signified that a martial artist had reached enlightenment. It seemed that Wi Seol-ah had entered such a state during their duel.

‘Did she achieve enlightenment in the midst of battle?’

It was absurd.

How could someone gain enlightenment in the middle of a fight like this?

‘If mishandled, she could suffer Qi deviation.’

Even so, she was attempting enlightenment mid-fight, knowing the risks.

‘…Does she think I’ll give her the time for this?’

Did she believe Yu Yeon would allow her this chance?

No, Yu Yeon didn’t think so.

To her, it didn’t matter. She seemed to be fighting without concern for anything else, even while in State of Selflessness.

“…”

Clench.

He didn’t feel outright insulted, but it didn’t sit well with him either.

The bleeding had stopped.

Facing the vacant-eyed Wi Seol-ah, Yu Yeon adjusted his stance.

“Haaa…”

Steadying his breath, he exuded a different kind of energy.

The Shaolin Sect’s supreme technique, Tendon Transformation Art, rapidly circulated Qi through his body. A faint yellow mist began to emanate from Yu Yeon, gradually solidifying into an armor-like form.

Tendon Transformation Art’s Ultimate Technique:

Yellow Radiant Armor.

The pinnacle of Shaolin techniques manifested through Yu Yeon’s body.

“…Haah…”

“No way…!”

The audience, particularly the older generation, reacted with astonishment upon witnessing Yu Yeon’s transformation.

It had been decades—since the generation before the current Shaolin Sect’s leader, Cheonan—since anyone had successfully executed this technique.

The energy armor, said to rival the legendary Diamond Invulnerability, and the golden Qi-enveloped fists, capable of crushing mountains with a single strike, were now on full display.

Crack. Crack.

The ground beneath Yu Yeon’s feet fractured, as if crushed under immense weight.

The overwhelming display of power sent shivers through the audience.

But Yu Yeon knew.

‘I have to finish this.’

This power wasn’t entirely his to wield.

Yellow Radiant Armor was a technique beyond his current capabilities.

Having only reached the Hwagyeong, he could barely imitate it.

Even maintaining it strained his body to the brink of collapse.

‘At most, I have ten seconds.’

Beyond that, his dantian would empty, his body would give out, and he’d likely lose consciousness.

It was a dangerous gamble.

Yet Yu Yeon had used it anyway.

‘I must end this.’

Dragging the fight out was meaningless—and terrifying.

‘Even now, she’s growing stronger.’

Wi Seol-ah was already stronger than when the duel began. The longer this went on, the more monstrous she would become.

‘Unbelievable.’

Yu Yeon steadied his breathing, adopting a stance. Wi Seol-ah, her eyes calm, moved her hand.

“…Hm?”

Yu Yeon’s eyes widened as he observed.

Wi Seol-ah’s movement dispersed the controlled swords around her.

The golden energy of the swords scattered into the air before coalescing back into her blade.

“…!”

The energy coated the sword, giving it a radiant hue. The surrounding air shimmered with golden light, almost blinding in its brilliance.

Shwaaah!

Even as he squinted against the light, Yu Yeon thought:

‘So, this is it.’

Even in Selflessness, she was sending a message.

This time, she was matching him on his terms.

Amid the burning battle spirit, a strange gratitude and unfamiliar emotion stirred within him.

For the first time, he faced a true rival.

It was an extraordinary feeling for Yu Yeon.

Strangely, he felt a sense of peace.

Was it an illusion?

The energy flowing through his Yellow Radiant Armor seemed to grow stronger. Perhaps this time, he could reach the place he sought.

With that faint thought—

“…”

“…”

The two moved simultaneously. Yu Yeon drove his palm downward, not toward his opponent but the ground.

Nyorae Sinjang (Buddha’s Palm).

Boom!

The stage shattered under the immense impact, and—

Whoooosh!

A massive energy wave gathered in the air, descending upon Wi Seol-ah.

A giant palm-shaped force loomed, large enough to cover the entire stage.

As it fell, Wi Seol-ah moved gracefully.

Sreeung.

With precise and delicate motion, her sword carved an arc in the air, leaving a radiant trail.

Crescent Moon Arc Slash.

Whooooosh—!

The massive crescent of energy born from her sword soared upward, aiming to cleave the Buddha’s Palm.

The two forces collided—

Boom!

A low hum echoed, followed by an earth-shaking explosion.

The impact was so immense it seemed the stage and even the spectator stands might be destroyed.

“…What in the world?!”

The referee urgently scanned the audience, but—

“…Huh?”

To everyone’s surprise, the shockwave didn’t reach the stands.

A blue barrier had formed at some point, shielding the audience from the blast.

What was that?

The referee couldn’t tell, and just as silently as it had appeared, the barrier faded away.

Shhh.

As the dust settled on the stage, silence fell over the audience.

The stillness began when Yu Yeon invoked Yellow Radiant Armor and persisted now.

Gradually, the dust cleared.

Ssshh…

On the stage stood Yu Yeon and Wi Seol-ah.

Was it not over?

The audience held their breath as they watched.

“Cough.”

Someone spat blood.

It was Yu Yeon.

Drip. Drip.

Blood dripped to the ground as Yu Yeon clutched his chest, dropping to one knee.

“Huff… Huff…”

His ragged breathing made it clear he was at his limit.

The referee rushed toward him, and it seemed as though Yu Yeon had lost.

“The winner is—!”

The referee was about to declare Wi Seol-ah victorious when—

Thud.

A movement came from Wi Seol-ah’s side. The referee turned to see her collapse to the stage, unconscious.

Clang.

Her sword fell to the ground, and the only one left standing on the stage was Yu Yeon.

“…Ah…”

The referee froze, momentarily at a loss. Finally, he regained his composure and shouted:

“In match 209, the winner is Yu Yeon!”

The declaration resounded as a massive cheer erupted from the audience.

“Woooahhhh!”

Amid the deafening cheers, Yu Yeon nodded weakly, exhaustion written across his face.

He had won.

He had triumphed.

Even as the pain in his chest blurred his mind, he felt the heat of victory.

Even if he collapsed now, it would be fine.

Suppressing a smile, Yu Yeon steadied his breathing when—

Hummm.

“…?”

Wi Seol-ah’s body began to float. Was he hallucinating from blood loss?

He doubted it.

Wi Seol-ah was indeed rising slowly into the air.

She floated gently toward someone, leaving the medics who had been rushing to her side in stunned silence.

When she finally landed, it was into the arms of a man.

Yu Yeon’s eyes widened as he recognized him.

So Yeomra.

So Yeomra, standing at the edge of the stage, cradled Wi Seol-ah in his arms, gently stroking her hair.

After a moment of quiet observation, So Yeomra turned his gaze to Yu Yeon.

Those unreadable eyes—calm yet chilling, detached yet intense—met Yu Yeon’s.

Even as the crowd cheered around him, Yu Yeon could hear nothing.

Then—

“Sorry.”

So Yeomra’s voice echoed directly into his mind.

“I apologize. You’re the real deal.”

What did he mean?

Yu Yeon couldn’t even ask. He was too drained to form words, let alone respond.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

With that, So Yeomra turned, carrying Wi Seol-ah away.

“…Ah.”

Yu Yeon watched as his body finally gave out, and he collapsed unconscious.

Historians would later say that this moment marked the beginning.

The start of an era where the meteoric stars of Murim blossomed, and Zhongyuan began its transformation.

This was the day that many would remember.