The morning mist parted as my sword cut through the air.
Master's blade met mine with a sharp clang, deflecting my strike to the left. I immediately pivoted, using the momentum to spin into a low sweep—he stepped back half a pace. My sword redirected upward in a rising slash—he sidestepped. I channeled Sword Intent into a thrust—
His sword tapped my wrist, and my weapon went flying.
"You're dead again," Master said calmly. "That's 6,247 times."
I collapsed onto my back, chest heaving. Ten weeks. Ten weeks of morning combat sessions, and I still hadn't landed a single clean hit.
But.
『 PROGRESS REPORT 』
Day 70/90 Complete
Current Stats:
Combat Power: 340 → 4,780 (FOURTEEN-FOLD INCREASE!)
Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Stage 4 → Golden Core Stage 2
Sword Mastery: Lv. 82 → Lv. 97 (Near Perfection!)
Sword Intent: Intermediate → Advanced Stage
New Skill Unlocked: Transcendent Footwork (Lv. 34)
New Skill Unlocked: Heavenly Sword Forms - First Through Fifth (Mastered)
Combat Results:
Times Defeated: 6,247
Times You Made Master Take a Full Step: 47
Times You Made Master Use Both Hands: 3
Times You Hit Master: 0
Master's Satisfaction: 89%
Achievements Unlocked:
"Unbreakable Will"
"Sword Prodigy"
"The One Who Endures"
"Golden Core Before 15" (Unprecedented!)
I'd broken through to Golden Core Realm. At fourteen years old.
The system had gone berserk when it happened, showering me with notifications about "youngest Golden Core cultivator in recorded history" and "heaven-defying talent confirmed." Master had simply nodded and said, "About time. Now you're durable enough for the real training."
That was Week 5. Everything before that was apparently just warmup.
"Get up," Master said, offering his hand. "We have a visitors again."
I groaned but took his hand, letting him pull me upright. "Is it Alliance members?"
"No. This time it's worse." His expression was grim. "It's multiple sects. And they're not being subtle about it."
My danger sense flared as I followed Master's gaze down the mountain path. Through the trees, I could see colorful banners—crimson, azure, emerald, gold. At least four different groups, all heading up the mountain.
"How did so many find us?"
"I think someone leaked our location."
Master's jaw tightened.
"That Namgung girl was respectful, but she also reported back to the Alliance. Word spread from there. Now every major sect wants to see the 'Sword Saint's mysterious disciple' for themselves."
[DING!]
『 EVENT TRIGGERED 』
『 "The Sect Recruitment Rush" 』
Multiple major sects have arrived to evaluate you!
Participating Factions:
Heavenly Sword Sect (Orthodox, Rank A)
Crimson Phoenix Palace (Orthodox, Rank A)
Azure Cloud Sect (Orthodox, Rank B+)
Golden Lion Merchant Guild (Neutral, Rank A)
Warning: Your responses will affect future relationships with these factions!
"Master, what do I do?"
"Be polite. Be humble. And for heaven's sake, don't demonstrate your full abilities." He handed me a clean robe. "Change. First impressions matter."
Five minutes later, we stood at the entrance to our mountain cottage. The four groups had arrived simultaneously—clearly none of them wanted the others to have a head start.
The Heavenly Sword Sect's delegation was led by a stern-faced elder with a magnificent white beard. The Crimson Phoenix Palace sent a beautiful woman in flowing red robes whose mere presence radiated heat. The Azure Cloud Sect's representative was a jovial middle-aged man who looked more like a merchant than a cultivator. And the Golden Lion Merchant Guild brought a sharp-eyed young man dressed in expensive golden silk.
All of them were staring at me.
"Sword Saint Baek," the Heavenly Sword Elder spoke first, bowing respectfully. "I am Elder Hwang of the Heavenly Sword Sect. We've heard remarkable rumors about your disciple and wished to extend an invitation to our sect."
"Elder Hwang," Master replied with a slight nod. "I wasn't aware the Heavenly Sword Sect had taken to recruiting disciples who already have masters."
"Ah, we merely wished to offer opportunities for mutual growth—"
"He means they want to steal you," the Crimson Phoenix Palace woman interrupted bluntly. "At least we're honest about it. I'm Palace Mistress Hwa Rin. Young man, how would you like to join the Crimson Phoenix Palace? We specialize in fire-attribute techniques, and I sense you have exceptional yang energy."
[Heaven's Eye Activated]
[Palace Mistress Hwa Rin]
Cultivation: Nascent Soul Stage 6
Talent: SS Rank
Personality: Direct, Competitive, Values Strength
Intention: Genuine interest in recruitment
[Elder Hwang]
Cultivation: Nascent Soul Stage 4
Talent: S Rank
Personality: Traditional, Righteous, Politically Savvy
Intention: Seeking talented disciples to restore sect prestige
"Now, now, let's not overwhelm the boy," the Azure Cloud Sect representative chuckled. "I'm Elder Mo. We may not be as prestigious as these other sects, but we value talent and provide individualized attention. Plus, our pension benefits are excellent!"
The Golden Lion Guild representative finally spoke, his voice smooth as silk. "Young Master So, I'm Zhao Ming of the Golden Lion Merchant Guild. Unlike these sects focused on honor and glory, we're interested in practical matters. Join us, and you'll have access to resources beyond your imagination—rare pills, legendary techniques, and wealth to spare."
Master's expression darkened. "My disciple is not for sale."
"Everything has a price, Sword Saint," Zhao Ming replied easily. "We're simply offering the best one."
The tension in the air thickened. My danger sense was screaming—not from immediate threat, but from the political minefield I was standing in. One wrong word could make powerful enemies.
『 DECISION POINT 』
How do you respond?
Choice A: Refuse all offers politely (Maintains independence but may offend proud sects)
Choice B: Show interest in one sect (Secures backing but creates rivals)
Choice C: Deflect diplomatically
Choice D: Let Master handle it
I took a breath, remembering Master's lessons about combat—sometimes the best move is the one your opponent doesn't expect.
"Honored Elders, Palace Mistress, Guild Master," I bowed respectfully to each. "I'm deeply grateful for your interest. However, I'm in the middle of crucial training under my master. In twenty days, I'll be attending the Recruitment Festival. Perhaps we could continue these discussions there, where I might have the chance to properly demonstrate my abilities?"
『 CHOICE C+: Enhanced Diplomatic Deflection 』
『 Relationship Changes: 』
All Factions: Respect +20%
All Factions: Interest +30%
Master: Satisfaction +10% (Proud of your handling)
Elder Hwang's stern expression softened slightly. "A reasonable response. The Festival will indeed be a better venue for such discussions."
"Clever boy," Palace Mistress Hwa Rin smiled. "I like that."
Elder Mo laughed heartily. "See? I told you he'd be sharp! That's the Azure Cloud way—diplomacy over conflict!"
Only Zhao Ming looked displeased, but he quickly schooled his expression. "Very well. We'll see you at the Festival, Young Master So."
As the groups began to depart, Elder Hwang paused and looked at Master. "Sword Saint, regardless of where young So Dam-ho ends up, you've done well in training him. The Jianghu needs more disciples like this."
Master's expression was unreadable. "We'll see if the Jianghu deserves him."
After they'd all left, Master turned to me. "You handled that better than I expected."
"I just bought us twenty more days of peace."
"No, you bought yourself twenty more days of hell." His grin was vicious. "Because now I know you'll definitely be attending that Festival. Which means we're accelerating your training."
My stomach dropped. "Accelerating? Master, we're already training twelve hours a day!"
"Then we'll make it sixteen. You wanted to hit me once? Time to get serious." He drew his sword. "From today until the Festival, I'm going to stop holding back quite so much."
"You were HOLDING BACK?!"
"Of course. If I used my full speed from the start, you'd never improve. But now..." His aura expanded, and suddenly the air itself felt heavy. "Now you're strong enough to survive what comes next."
『 WARNING 』
『 Training Difficulty Increased: HELL → ABSOLUTE HELL 』
『 Master's True Training Mode: ACTIVATED 』
『 Survive the next 20 days to unlock: ??? 』
Day 85/90
I was going to die.
Master had become a demon.
The "holding back" he'd mentioned? Apparently, he'd been using maybe 5% of his speed and strength. Now he was using 10%.
That 5% difference was like comparing a house cat to a tiger.
"MOVE!" Master's sword came at me like lightning. I barely managed to activate Transcendent Footwork, my body blurring as I dodged—
His follow-up strike caught me in the ribs anyway, sending me skidding across the training ground.
"Too slow! Your footwork is sloppy when you're tired! AGAIN!"
I forced myself up, coughing blood. My healing pills were running low, and my body was a tapestry of bruises. But I was also improving at a terrifying rate.
『 REAL-TIME COMBAT ANALYSIS 』
Current Combat Power: 6,890 (Up from 4,780 five days ago!)
Master's Assessment: "Finally starting to look like a real swordsman"
Breakthrough Imminent: Sword Mastery approaching Lv. 100
I channeled every ounce of qi into my sword, letting Sword Intent surge through the blade. This time, when I attacked, it wasn't a simple strike—it was a combination. Five moves flowing into one another, each covering the weakness of the last.
First Form: Mountain Splitter - overhead slash to force Master's guard up
Second Form: River Flow - instant redirect into horizontal sweep
Third Form: Cloud Piercer - feint thrust, pull back at last second
Fourth Form: Wind Slicer - true attack from unexpected angle
Fifth Form: Heaven's Judgment - full power downward strike
Master's eyes widened—just slightly—as he was forced to actually parry instead of simply deflecting. His sword met mine with tremendous force, and the shockwave kicked up dust around us.
"Better! That sequence had actual rhythm!" He pushed my blade aside and immediately counterattacked.
But I'd been studying his counter patterns for ten weeks. The moment he pushed, I used the momentum to spin past his guard, my sword arcing toward his exposed side—
His free hand caught my wrist. "Close. But against someone with combat experience, feints only work if you commit to them fully."
I tried to pull away. His grip was iron.
"Do you know why you still haven't hit me, Dam-ho?"
"Because you're a Transcendent Realm master and I'm barely Golden Core?"
"No. It's because you're still fighting like you're in training."
He released my wrist and stepped back.
"In real combat, perfection gets you killed. Your opponent won't wait for you to execute the perfect form. They'll exploit the half-second you spend making sure your stance is correct."
He sheathed his sword suddenly. "For the final five days, we're changing training methods. No more technique practice. Instead, we're going to fight. Reall fight. I'll still hold back enough not to kill you, but I won't be correcting your forms anymore. You'll have to adapt in real-time."
"Master, I don't understand—"
"You will. Let's start now." His hand went to his sword hilt. "Defend yourself."
He drew and attacked in one motion.
I barely got my sword up in time. The force of his strike drove me back three steps. He pressed forward relentlessly—no pauses, no corrections, just pure combat.
This is different! He's not giving me time to think!
My body moved on instinct, techniques flowing together not because I chose them, but because they were the only moves that made sense. Sloppy transitions, imperfect stances, but—
I'm lasting longer.
Without trying to be perfect, I was moving faster, reacting quicker. My Sword Intent wasn't constrained to specific forms—it flowed naturally with my movements.
Master's attacks intensified. I was being driven back, losing ground, bleeding from a dozen cuts. But I wasn't stopping. Couldn't stop.
And then I saw it.
A gap in his defense. Tiny. Barely there. Created when he over-extended on a horizontal slash.
That's it. That's the opening!
But I couldn't reach it with my current position. I needed to—
My body moved before my mind finished the thought. Transcendent Footwork activated, but not the way I'd learned it. I modified it mid-motion, sacrificing grace for speed, adding a burst of qi to propel myself forward—
My sword tip touched Master's shoulder.
For one eternal second, everything froze.
Then Master's face split into a genuine smile. "Finally."
[DING! DING! DING!]
『 QUEST COMPLETE!!! 』
『 "Land One Hit on Master" - ACHIEVED! 』
Rewards:
Permission to attend Recruitment Festival: GRANTED
Master's Recognition: EARNED
Cultivation Boost: +3 Stages → Golden Core Stage 5!
Legendary Technique Unlocked: "Heavenly Demon Sword Arts - First Three Forms"
Title Acquired: "One Who Strikes the Untouchable"
Hidden Reward: Master's True Legacy Item (Will be received before Festival)
『 SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT 』
『 You have exceeded all expectations! 』
『 Master's Final Assessment: 95% Satisfaction 』
『 "He's ready. More than ready. The Jianghu won't know what hit them." 』
I stared at my sword, still touching Master's shoulder, unable to believe it.
"I... I actually..."
"You did." Master gently pushed my sword aside. "Took you long enough. I was starting to worry you wouldn't make it before the Festival."
"But I was so sloppy! That technique was half-formed, my stance was wrong—"
"And that's exactly why it worked." He placed a hand on my shoulder. "You stopped trying to be perfect and started trying to win. That's the difference between a student and a warrior."
Tears stung my eyes. Ten weeks of hell, over 6,000 defeats, countless injuries—all worth it for this one moment.
Master's expression softened. "You've grown, Dam-ho. Not just in strength, but in wisdom. I think... I think you're ready to face the Jianghu."
"Master, I—"
"Don't get emotional on me. We still have five days left, and I'm going to use them to teach you the real secret techniques." His grin returned. "The ones I haven't even shown you yet."
My eyes widened. "There's MORE?!"
"Did you really think a Transcendent Realm master only had that much to teach?" He laughed at my expression. "Boy, you've only scratched the surface of the Heavenly Sword Arts. The real techniques? Those are what made me the Sword Saint."
He walked toward the cottage, gesturing for me to follow. "For the next five days, I'm going to teach you three techniques. They're forbidden arts, technically—too dangerous for most disciples. But you've proven you have the control and wisdom to use them properly."
"Forbidden arts?"
Master pulled out a scroll from a hidden compartment in his room. The paper was ancient, and the characters seemed to pulse with residual qi.
"First: Heavenly Demon Sword - Abyss Cutter. A technique that can sever anything, even space itself. But if you mess up, it'll sever your own meridians.
Second: Heavenly Demon Movement - Phantom Step. A footwork technique that lets you exist in multiple positions simultaneously for a split second. Side effect: without proper qi control, you'll tear your body apart.
Third: Heavenly Demon Spirit - Boundless Will. A mental technique that lets you resist any form of mental attack or pressure. But if your will isn't strong enough, your consciousness will shatter."
He set the scroll on the table. "These three techniques are what let me defeat the Demon Lord. They're also what nearly killed me seven times during my peak years."
"And you're going to teach them to me in five days?"
"Normally? Impossible. Each technique takes years to master." He smiled mysteriously. "But you're not normal, are you? With your talent, you'll probably grasp the basics in two days and be complaining they're not challenging enough by day four."
『 NEW QUEST CHAIN UNLOCKED 』
『 "Master the Forbidden Arts" 』
Part 1: Learn Abyss Cutter (0/1)
Part 2: Learn Phantom Step (0/1)
Part 3: Learn Boundless Will (0/1)
Time Limit: 5 days
Difficulty: SSS+
Reward: Complete Heavenly Demon Sword Arts, ???, Master's Ultimate Legacy
Failure Penalty: Severe injury, Crippled meridians, or Death
Master's Warning: "Don't die. I'll be very disappointed if you die."
I looked at the scroll, then at Master's confident expression.
Five days. Three forbidden techniques. Each capable of killing me if I messed up.
I grinned. "Let's start now."
Master laughed—a real, booming laugh. "That's my disciple! Come on, we'll start with Abyss Cutter. Try not to cut the mountain in half on your first attempt."
"Is that... is that something I could actually do?"
"With this technique? Absolutely. That's why we're starting at the edge of the cliff."
Day 90/90 - Final Day Before the Festival
I stood at the edge of the training ground, Master beside me, watching the sunrise.
Three months of hell had ended.
『 FINAL STATUS REPORT 』
Name: So Dam-ho
Age: 14
Cultivation: Golden Core Stage 5 (Top 0.001% for his age)
Combat Power: 12,470 (Can fight Nascent Soul Stage 1-2 cultivators)
Mastered Techniques:
Heavenly Demon Sword Arts: Forms 1-5 (Lv. 100/100) PERFECTED
Abyss Cutter (Lv. 67) - Forbidden Art
Phantom Step (Lv. 71) - Forbidden Art
Boundless Will (Lv. 83) - Forbidden Art
Transcendent Footwork (Lv. 88)
Sword Intent: Advanced Stage (Peak)
Titles:
Sword Saint's Successor
One Who Strikes the Untouchable
The Unbreakable Will
Heaven-Defying Prodigy
Master's Final Assessment: "I've taught him everything I safely can. The rest, he'll have to learn from the Jianghu itself. May the heavens protect those who stand against him."
"So," Master said quietly, "are you ready?"
I tested the sword at my hip—a proper blade now, forged from meteorite iron, a gift from Master for completing the training. "I'm terrified."
"Good. That fear will keeps you alive." He handed me a small box. "This is my final gift. Don't open it until you truly need it. You'll know when."
"Master, what is it?"
"Insurance. Let's just say, if you're ever in mortal danger, open the box. But only if you're truly about to die. It's... powerful. Too powerful for casual use."
I tucked the box safely into my robe. "I promise."
Master placed both hands on my shoulders, looking me in the eyes.
"Dam-ho. You're about to enter a world of scheming politicians, arrogant young masters, and people who'll want to use you for your talent. Trust your instincts. Don't let anyone make you compromise your principles. And remember—you're not just my disciple. You're your own person. Make your own choices."
"I will, Master."
"Also," his expression turned serious, "at the Festival, there will be people far stronger than you. Don't be arrogant. Don't pick fights. And for heaven's sake, if you meet someone from the Demon Cult, run."
"The Demon Cult?"
"A story for another time. Just... be careful." He released my shoulders and stepped back. "Now go. The Festival starts tomorrow. You'll need to register today."
"Master, aren't you coming with me?"
"No. This is your journey, not mine. I'll be watching from here." He smiled softly. "Make me proud, Dam-ho."
I bowed deeply—a full formal bow, the kind reserved for the most respected masters. "Thank you, Master. For everything."
When I straightened, Master had already turned away, walking back toward the cottage.
I took one last look at the mountain that had been my home and hell for three months, then began my descent.
The Jianghu awaited.