Chapter 115
Baek-Cheong bowed her head politely toward the Outer Sect Elder on the Stone Platform.
Following that, she gathered the scattered Five Elements Golems, stored them inside her Storage Platform, and even retrieved the Ilseong Sword.
Where the talismans had been scattered, Talismanic Remnants flickered faintly before fading, and where the Ice Dragons had swept through, the chill was gradually dissipating.
“Should I have controlled my strength a bit more…”
It was pitiful to see the Outer Sect Disciples supporting the fallen cultivators as they exited.
Intending to lower her power a bit more next time, she straightened her robes and stepped down from the Stone Platform.
The Outer Sect Elder took a Seat to the side and offered a small smile.
“Take a moment to prepare yourself for the next preliminary round.”
“Yes, understood.”
Baek-Cheong replied politely and briefly turned her gaze to look around the inside of the Open Ground.
The other groups were still in the middle of their preliminary rounds.
“Because I finished early.”
She hadn’t yet figured out how to approach the matches in the main tournament.
It seemed it would be helpful to observe the skills of the Qi Condensation Stage cultivators.
“Should I go take a look?”
After getting the Outer Sect Elder’s understanding, Baek-Cheong slipped through the crowd.
As she approached the Stone Platforms of the other groups, the chaotic sounds of Qi Condensation Cultivators clashing with their spells poured out all at once.
“Oh, look at that. The skills of the Hosan Seo Clan’s Scion are quite fierce.”
“That’s Qi Condensation Group B. I heard that Stone Platform is quite brutal right now.”
Baek-Cheong quietly slipped in among the cultivators as they noisily exchanged words.
On the Stone Platform, Seo Ju-A, wearing a dark brown robe, had taken her place right in the center.
“A monstrous Talent.”
Seo Ju-A fiercely swung her arm, which was adorned with dangling golden jade bracelets.
Earth-Attribute Spiritual Energy poured out all at once from around her palm, and through Thick Earth Shatter, dirt surged up from all directions, pressuring five cultivators.
The cultivators barely managed to bring up their Protective Dharma Tools to hold on, but they collapsed one after another before the fierce might of the spell.
Not long after, only Seo Ju-A remained on the Stone Platform, triumphantly fluttering her Robe Hem.
“As expected of a Scion of the Hosan Seo Clan!”
“By the looks of it, she must have polished a High-Grade Spell to partial completion!”
Brief exclamations of Admiration passed among the cultivators.
An Earth-attribute spell of the 1st-Grade High-Tier that had reached minor completion was at a level that would stand out even among average Qi Condensation Stage 8th-Level cultivators.
“Not bad.”
Baek-Cheong observed carefully before giving a small nod.
She was worthy of being called one of the top prodigies among those in the Qi Condensation Stage, and she had every right to be brimming with confidence.
However, it was at the level of achieving merely minor completion in a single 1st-Grade High-Tier Spell.
‘Still, she’s not at the level to throw a challenge at me…’
Tilting her head, she walked toward the next Stone Platform.
Besides Qi Condensation Group B, there were groups like C, D, and E scattered all over.
In each group, about one cultivator with exceptional aptitude was distinguishing himself or herself.
In Qi Condensation Group C, a cultivator wearing the robe of the Biun Sect overwhelmed the other cultivators by unleashing a Water-Attribute Spell, and on another Stone Platform, someone who appeared to be a Rogue Cultivator stood out by simultaneously deploying a Fire-Attribute Spell and a Sword Art.
“Did I go too far?”
It was a sight to see everyone going all out, aiming to advance to the main tournament, but compared to her, they were severely lacking.
As she assessed the level of the cultivators, a faint sense of reflection washed over her.
Since she had unleashed a multi-Deployment of Ice Dragon Shatter, Five Elements Golems, and even bundles of 1st-Grade Talismans, there was no way anyone at the Qi Condensation Stage could possibly withstand it.
“A Basic Technique might be enough.”
Baek-Cheong turned her steps back to her own group with a smile on her lips.
It seemed there would be no need to bring out Ice Dragon Shatter, the Five Elements Golems, or the talismans for the next match.
.
.
.
Before long, the preliminary rounds for the other groups also ended.
A hundred Qi Condensation Cultivators who had passed the preliminaries gathered in the Open Ground. As if the chaff had been filtered out, all of them had strong momentum, and there were also cultivators who gave off an extraordinary presence.
While they were gathering, the Outer Sect Elder stepped onto the Stone Platform set up in the center.
“First, I will inform you of the format for the next preliminary round. From this round onward, it will be a one-on-one test of skill. The participation plaques will directly determine the order, so those whose plaques light up brightly may step onto the Stone Platform in turn.”
At the Outer Sect Elder’s words, the cultivators became slightly agitated.
Since a one-on-one meant they had to duel single-handedly, the method of eliminating a strong opponent through a Combined Attack like last time would not work.
Then, as the Outer Sect Elder lightly tapped his jade plaque, the participation plaques held by the hundred cultivators began to emit a faint light simultaneously.
Each cultivator checked his or her own participation plaque, unable to take his or her eyes off it.
“Uh, um… when is Fellow Daoist Baek-Cheong’s turn?”
“P-please, anyone but Fellow Daoist Baek-Cheong…”
Tension flowed among the Qi Condensation Cultivators.
As their turns approached, the majority of the Qi Condensation Cultivators were desperately praying not to face Baek-Cheong.
Because the sight she had shown in the first preliminary was so intense, no one wanted to face Baek-Cheong single-handedly.
‘Let’s see.’
Meanwhile, Baek-Cheong looked around to see if there was any cultivator worthy of being called an opponent.
However, the cultivators who met her gaze all hurriedly bowed their heads or averted their eyes.
“Huh?”
Only then did she notice the cultivators' reactions toward her.
“Look at this!”
A smile unconsciously spread across her lips.
The way everyone was avoiding her so as not to be eliminated in the preliminaries was comical.
‘They’re trembling in fear.’
Baek-Cheong slowly looked around at the cultivators as if she found it amusing.
Then, Seo Ju-A’s figure caught her eye.
As soon as Seo Ju-A noticed Baek-Cheong’s gaze, she flinched for a moment, then hurriedly smoothed her robe collar and stiffly raised her head.
“This Lady intended to show Fellow Daoist Baek-Cheong a thing or two, but unfortunately, it seems This Lady’s opponent has already been decided, so This Lady will have to promise to take the next opportunity!”
Her articulate voice was brimming with confidence, but for some reason, one of her feet could be seen stealthily shifting backward.
And as soon as she finished speaking, she gave a short hand gesture to her maidservants, blocking off the line of sight.
‘She’s really something else.’
Baek-Cheong let out a chuckle, finding it absurd.
Just then, the participation plaque in her hand emitted a bright light.
“Who will I be up against?”
She observed her opponent as the opponent stepped onto the designated Stone Platform.
From the opposite side, a cultivator wearing the robe of the Biun Sect was slowly stepping up.
Unlike the robes of an Outer Sect Disciple, his robes had many cloud patterns, making him appear to be an Inner Sect Disciple.
“Not bad…”
The Inner Sect Disciple drew the 1st-Grade High-Tier longsword that had been sheathed at his side.
Spiritual energy was stockpiled in the sword, making it seem like he would wield it as a Flying Sword, while spiritual energy lingered in his other hand to simultaneously unleash a Hand Seal.
The Outer Sect Elder lightly tapped his jade plaque, sending a short signal.
“Prepare yourselves. This Official will send the signal shortly.”
Baek-Cheong hesitated for a moment over whether to take out the Ilseong Sword from inside her Storage Platform.
She instinctively moved to draw the sword but stealthily stopped.
‘That won’t do.’
Even if she handled it as a Flying Sword, the Sword Intent of the Falling Star Style would naturally imbue it.
If she swung it just like that, it was obvious that any ordinary protective means would not be able to withstand it.
There was a high probability that the opponent would suffer severe injuries, at least to the point of being crippled.
“It would be troublesome to kill someone at the Martial Arts Competition.”
Although her Eldest Brother had only told her not to get hurt, she needed to control her strength tactfully.
Moreover, if she inflicted a severe injury on an Inner Sect Disciple at an event hosted by the Biun Sect, she would lose face.
‘Let’s leave the sword out of this.’
Then, she naturally withdrew her intention to take out the Five Elements Golems and talismans.
Unleashing five golems and bundles of talismans like in the last preliminary would be excessive.
“A Basic Technique should be enough.”
She had learned over 200 types of 1st-Grade Basic Techniques - that is, 1st Tier Low-Grade Spells - and achieved major completion in all of them.
Above all, for spells that had reached major completion, there was no need to even prepare a Hand Seal or an Incantation.
Since instantaneous casting was possible purely through will, she could easily deploy it while other cultivators were forming Hand Seals and chanting Incantations.
‘Because he shouldn’t get hurt.’
While Baek-Cheong carefully gathered her spiritual energy, the Outer Sect Elder sent the signal.
“Begin!”
At the Outer Sect Elder’s shout, the Inner Sect Disciple stepped forward and immediately swung the longsword in his hand.
The longsword left his hand, becoming a Flying Sword, and surged straight toward Baek-Cheong.
Then, a Hand Seal was formed in his other hand, and the Cloud Mist Art trailed behind.
“A Combined Attack combining a Flying Sword and the Cloud Mist Art.”
The skill displayed by the Inner Sect Disciple was at a level that only cultivators with aptitude among those in the Qi Condensation Stage could unleash.
Even if it wasn’t at the level of wielding a Flying Sword freely, a Combined Attack deployed alongside a Hand Seal would be something most Qi Condensation Cultivators could only barely block.
However,
“Is this really it?”
Baek-Cheong had looked forward to it for once, but she felt a sense of disappointment.
And scattering spiritual energy around her, she unleashed various spells all at once.
Large Flame Projectiles appeared on both sides and instantly scattered the cloud mist; a powerful stream of water, unbelievably powerful for a Water Stream Art, poured out and offset the Flying Sword; an Earth wall surged up from the front due to the Earth Wall Art, and then, imbued with the Vajra Art, the Earth wall became as hard as steel and pressured the Inner Sect Disciple’s flanks from the left and right.
Finally, as she deployed the Whirlwind Art, a fierce tornado appeared and flew toward the Inner Sect Disciple.
“What is…?!”
The Inner Sect Disciple couldn’t help but be startled as multiple spells suddenly poured down on him.
Just as he was hurriedly forming a Hand Seal again, he realized something and froze.
The Fellow Daoist, who was even younger than him, was deploying a Multi-layered Technique without any Hand Seals or Incantations.
“Major completion in all of them…?”
The Inner Sect Disciple barely managed to gather his wits and tried to deploy a Protective Technique/Spell, but his reaction was too late.
The Water Stream Art, which still had power left after offsetting the Flying Sword, struck fiercely; the Earth walls imbued with the Vajra Art crushed him from the left and right; and from below, the Whirlwind Art raged as a fierce tornado, breaking his stance.
On top of that, as the cloud mist disappeared, the Flame Projectiles flew in, landing a direct hit.
“This makes no sense…!”
The Inner Sect Disciple ultimately couldn’t hold on and collapsed with an agonizing scream.
The Flying Sword was rolling on the Stone Platform with its spiritual energy scattered, and its owner was helplessly defeated without even being able to bring up a Protective Technique/Spell.
“Should I just use Ice Dragon Shatter?”
Seeing her opponent collapse, Baek-Cheong withdrew the Five Elements Shield she had deployed right at the start.
Because she had deliberately used only Basic Techniques to match his level, the efficiency was not good.
“What is this…”
“He’s a Senior Disciple Brother who was highly anticipated in Our Sect, known as a Talent who would achieve the Golden Core…”
“Even if they are Basic Techniques, how many is she handling at the same time…?”
“She didn’t even use Hand Seals or Incantations, so it’s obvious she reached major completion, but is that even possible?”
Meanwhile, the expressions of the cultivators watching from the outside were stiffening.
There wasn’t an overwhelming spectacle like the first time, but even what she showed this time was extraordinary.
From the start, there were no dregs here who couldn’t even recognize a Multi-layered Technique and the major completion of multiple spells.
Seo Ju-A was also blinking from afar, staring at the Stone Platform with her mouth wide open.
‘T-that’s whom This Lady decided to compete with…?’
Seo Ju-A gave a small gulp and stealthily took a step back.
The Outer Sect Elder also was speechless at the astonishing sight for a long time, merely staring at Baek-Cheong.
He barely managed to gather his wits and tapped his jade plaque.
“Victor, Baek-Cheong of the Yeonha Baek Clan.”
Baek-Cheong politely bowed her head and adjusted her Attire.
And as she stepped down from the Stone Platform, she looked at the cultivators who were staring at her.
‘I wonder who’s next?’
As if they had noticed her inner thoughts, the cultivators flinched and simultaneously avoided her gaze.
To increase their chances of advancing to the main tournament even a little, avoiding Baek-Cheong was absolutely essential.