"The strongest Monstrous Being? Do you think this is some Dragon-Phoenix Gathering or what?"
Having heard the question about who was the strongest, So-un furrowed his brows with an exasperated expression.
It was only natural, in a way. They were in the middle of a serious safety lecture, and he'd gotten a somewhat playful question.
"S-Sorry! I shouldn't have asked something so foolish...!"
"Sigh... The ancient text from the Sage Era, the Classic of Mountains and Seas, records the hierarchy among the Ten Great Ferocious Beasts. If you're interested, look it up in the library, and don't make such rash remarks again."
"Yes, sir!!"
So-un gave a brief answer to the question and resumed the lecture on Monstrous Beings.
Baek Hyun resolved to read that Classic of Mountains and Seas someday, while recalling the Monstrous Beings he'd encountered in the pre-remake game.
The strongest Monstrous Being, huh... Come to think of it, there were guys in a similar position even before the remake.
The pinnacle, the absolute worst of calamities in their very existence. The so-called Four Great Cataclysms.
They bore the grandiose title of "living natural disasters," and truly possessed immense martial prowess and influence as powerful hidden bosses.
Even so, only two of them ever appeared directly in the game.
One was in the Tianzhu Kingdom, and the other beneath the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains. Those bastards were ridiculously strong.
The remaining two Cataclysms were left as mere MacGuffins.
In this world where Monstrous Being content had been greatly expanded, it felt like he might actually encounter the other two Cataclysms in reality.
Well... he had no desire to meet those foul-tempered things.
"Monstrous Beings are entities you must never approach lightly. In some ways, they're far more dangerous than any unorthodox sect or demonic cult. So don't even think of venturing deep into the mountains where Spiritual Beasts dwell out of curiosity. Even for training, stick close to the sect grounds. Understood?"
"""Yes, Senior Brother!!"""
Mount Starpoint was a vast mountain serving as home to countless flora and fauna, including Monstrous Beings that had absorbed the mystical energies of nature.
These powerful Spiritual Beasts didn't encroach on Starpoint Sect territory but ruled like kings in their own domains.
The depths of Mount Starpoint were akin to kingdoms governed by such Spiritual Beasts.
A place far too dangerous for young Initiate Disciples with low martial skill.
Come to think of it, it's about time to move my training spot there.
Yet it was also a place teeming with all sorts of spirit herbs beneficial for cultivation.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The next day, Baek Hyun headed out of the sect for training as usual.
The difference this time was that he wasn't merely avoiding people's eyes.
Definitely, even the air here feels different.
Baek Hyun took a deep breath at the boundary leading into the depths of Mount Starpoint.
Unlike the fresh grassy scent near Starpoint Sect, the thick, heavy air seemed to burrow into his lungs.
A subtle unease prickled from his instincts.
For the first time since possessing this body, a proper tension crawled up his spine.
I've gotten pretty strong, but I could really die here.
Yet he had no intention of backing down.
The game remake had changed many things, but the characteristics of Mount Starpoint's depths remained the same.
The sect's inner regions were a honey-like early-game training spot without equal.
No matter how much he'd sworn not to rush, a gamer couldn't just pass by a mill like a sparrow ignores grain.
Training here longer would diminish the efficiency.
The moment to harvest this dangerous yet alluring honey at its sweetest was now.
Plus, there might even be some hidden pieces lurking around.
Sects on the level of the Nine Great Righteous Sects often had all sorts of hidden opportunities—or "serendipitous encounters"—scattered right near their grounds, no need to go far.
A cave where some renowned senior secretly trained, or martial manuals left by ascended ancestors for their descendants.
It's no wonder they say connections are everything.
Just belonging to the same sect exponentially increased the odds of encountering such fortunes.
-Tatatak, tak!!
Baek Hyun no longer hesitated and plunged into the depths of Mount Starpoint.
Unlike before, when he'd run barefoot without lightness skill or mount, his movements were now as swift and agile as a hawk on the hunt.
Starpoint Sect's most basic lightness skill.
Azure Hawk Seven Forms.
He was no longer just a turtle with exceptional stamina.
Since it's my first time today, maybe just a light stroll.
Baek Hyun darted through the dense trees at tremendous speed, his sharp reflexes scanning every inch around him.
Less than five minutes into exploring the depths...
Oh, found one already!
His eyes caught a spirit herb emanating mystical energy.
Judging by its appearance, it was undoubtedly an 80-year-old wild ginseng, mid-to-low grade among spirit herbs.
The moment Baek Hyun sped toward it and reached out...
-Keurheong!!
A massive tiger hidden in the underbrush lunged at him in an instant.
Far larger and faster than any ordinary tiger, it thrust its sharp fangs toward Baek Hyun's nape in the blink of an eye.
But...
-Kyaaeaek!!
As if he'd anticipated it, Baek Hyun abruptly changed direction and soared into the air.
It was the subtlety of Azure Hawk Seven Forms: expelling internal energy from his entire body like a jet engine to simulate flight.
A reflexive, innate reaction speed.
Backed by the overwhelming speed of Starpoint Sect martial arts.
These two elements made Baek Hyun a flawless, all-capable warrior, adaptable to any situation.
So the 80-year-old ginseng was bait for that tiger, after all.
Looking down at the tiger that had tried to pounce on him, Baek Hyun quickly assessed it.
A build and speed surpassing even Siberian tigers, plus the intelligence to use ginseng as bait rather than consume it.
This tiger was undoubtedly a Spiritual Beast.
But far too low-class to be called a Monstrous Being.
Proof was in its hasty ambush without proper timing.
A more opportune moment, and even he might've lost a strand of hair. But it hadn't waited.
It lacked the experience and restraint of a mature Spiritual Beast.
One form should end it.
Having calculated the optimal path to fell it instantly, Baek Hyun spun mid-air and drew his wooden sword from his waist.
A crude, blunt practice sword without a proper edge.
Yet in a warrior's hand, it became a lethal weapon sufficient to end a life.
-Hwaruruk!!
Pure Solar Qi, compressed to its limit, enveloped Baek Hyun's body and wooden sword.
A young hawk leisurely gliding in the sky extended its talons to claim its prey.
Azure Hawk Seven Forms was Starpoint Sect's lightness skill, but also an excellent combat technique adaptable to battle.
For a warrior, speed was killing power.
It replicated the hawk's—nature's fastest hunter—prey capture with a human body.
And simultaneously unfolded Starpoint Sect's first practical sword art.
Gale Swift Sword.
-Chachachachachak-!!
Baek Hyun's form dove at tremendous speed, slashing the tiger viciously.
Gale Swift Sword was a beginner sword art designed for disciples lacking proficiency.
Thus, it included not just simple, easily blocked thrusts, but numerous slashing motions with variations.
-Kuh... heurgh...!
"Don't play dead. I cut deep, but it's not fatal. The Solar Qi will leave a scar, but your life won't be in danger."
Even with slashes included, the core was thrusts, so without incorporating them, it couldn't deliver a finishing blow.
Thus, Baek Hyun deliberately used only slashes to subdue the tiger.
It didn't seem to have an inner core, and the situation wasn't life-threatening enough to kill.
It had tried to eat him, but that was just hunting to satiate hunger.
Had any other animal approached, it would've hunted that instead.
Compared to true Malevolent Spirits, this was mere aggressive playfulness.
Come to think of it, this is my first time swinging a sword in real combat.
He'd sparred with fellow Initiate Disciples occasionally, but this was the first time facing a foe intent on killing him.
Yet why?
He'd thought it'd be nerve-wracking, chilling... but his mind was as serene as ever.
No guilt despite slicing living flesh—only thoughts of improvements and potential developments from the moves.
A bizarre sensation, as if his mind were honed to a blade's edge.
Unfamiliar, but not unpleasant.
Probably thanks to mastering the Clear Mind Heart Method.
Starpoint Sect warriors needed composure anywhere, anytime.
A single emotional lapse could send them to the Yellow Springs.
The foundational heart method was designed for constant calm.
Mastering Clear Mind Heart Method and advancing was the right choice.
"Now, shall we try this ginseng?"
After briefly reviewing the fight, Baek Hyun carefully unearthed the buried ginseng, not harming a single root.
-Crunch
He brushed off the soil from the roots and popped it into his mouth without hesitation.
Hmm, tastes like red ginseng candy. Super sweet.
The more he chewed, the more intense energy writhed, trying to escape his mouth.
Baek Hyun sat cross-legged, focusing to properly absorb the spirit herb's power.
-Gulp
Finally swallowing the well-chewed ginseng, the Sun nestled in his heart blazed fiercer, like oil poured on flames.
Ramping up to refine the sudden influx of vast energy into Solar Qi.
A refreshing sensation spread, like soaking in a warm hot spring.
Fatigue vanished, overflowing with vitality!
My realm... advanced.
Baek Hyun clenched his fist, brimming with energy, celebrating the breakthrough.
Internal energy had been his only shortfall; replenishing it naturally elevated his realm.
He'd finally surpassed third-rate, entering second-rate.
Considering Initiate Disciples of the Nine Great Righteous Sects typically took two years of average training to reach second-rate, this was absurdly fast.
Well, my actual combat power left third-rate behind long ago.
He knew he far outclassed ordinary third-rates.
What third-rate could instantly subdue a powerful tiger on the verge of Spiritual Beast status?
Ordinary third-rates would struggle against a normal tiger.
So his practical combat strength exceeded his nominal realm...
Without ever going all-out, he didn't know his exact limits.
Maybe I'll find them deeper in here?
Baek Hyun stepped further into the depths of Mount Starpoint.