Chapter 96 : Combat Strength Evaluation (3)
Chapter 96: Combat Strength Evaluation (3)
Standing at the forefront of the Great Expansion Sword Formation, Namgung Jun looked ahead.
'The Seonghong Hall's Symphony Resonance Formation.'
Just as various instruments combined to form a melody and create a single musical composition, Sound Arts possessed the unique characteristic of increasing in power as the number of practitioners grew.
The Symphony Resonance Formation was a battle formation that elevated this characteristic of Sound Arts to its absolute limit.
In particular, the complete Symphony Resonance Formation, deployed by the entirety of the Seonghong Hall rather than by individual squads, was often said to rival the strongest among the Ten Halls in group battles.
The guqin, xiao flute, bamboo clappers, cymbals, octagonal drum, and various other instruments began sounding at once.
The distinct sounds produced by each instrument merged into one before even half a breath had passed.
The Five Tones and Six Pitches harmonized, creating an overwhelming wave of Sound Arts Qi that shook the very air.
Rooooooar!
For an instant, it felt as though his ears had gone deaf before the pressure of a fragment of a hurricane crashed down upon them.
The entire Great Expansion Sword Formation was shoved backward in an instant.
It was as though the surrounding atmosphere itself had united to push the Heavenly Sword Hall away.
If they were careless, not only would they fail to close the distance, but they would instead be bombarded from afar by the waves of Sound Arts.
What they needed was the very first sword strike capable of breaking through the dozens of overlapping waves of Sound Arts surging like an ocean.
'That is my role.'
A thick azure sword wind surged up along the Eternal Justice Sword.
Perhaps because the Sound Arts had completely seized control of the surrounding atmosphere.
The sword wind of the Heavenly Wind Sword Art appeared as fragile as a candle flame before a storm.
But only for a moment.
The sword wind steadily expanded before firmly wrapping itself around the Eternal Justice Sword.
'Even the air is heavy.'
The muscles in Namgung Jun's forearm bulged, veins standing out sharply as he swung the Eternal Justice Sword.
Crack!
The blade carved heavily through the air both horizontally and vertically, producing one explosive sound after another.
It repeatedly crushed and shattered the invisible wall-like waves of Sound Arts pressing toward them.
'Ho? Alone? Breaking through the Symphony Resonance Formation's Sound Arts? Even with the support of the Great Expansion Sword Formation, that should have been difficult.'
Watching Namgung Jun's movements, curiosity flickered in the Seonghong Hall Master's eyes.
Boom!
Stepping forward with a powerful stomp, Namgung Jun consecutively unleashed the three techniques of the Heavenly Wind Sword Art.
At last, he temporarily severed the waves of Sound Arts and opened a path leading directly to the Seonghong Hall.
Having opened a route for the Great Expansion Sword Formation, Namgung Jun shouted.
“Heavy Momentum!”
At his command, the Heavenly Sword Hall stomped forward as one.
Boom!
As every swordsman struck the ground simultaneously, the waves of Sound Arts surrounding the Great Expansion Sword Formation were violently pushed back.
The crushing pressure weighing down upon their bodies weakened.
The Heavenly Sword Hall immediately charged forward.
As the Great Expansion Sword Formation rapidly closed the distance, the Seonghong Hall's standard-bearer's lips moved rapidly.
Along with the transmission of commands through Voice Transmission, the melody of the Seonghong Hall changed.
The previously tranquil tune gradually became urgent and swift, while sharp notes that made one's ears twitch appeared with increasing frequency.
Countless blades of wind swept toward the front of the Great Expansion Sword Formation.
The sharpened waves of Sound Arts flashed from every direction, dazzling the eyes.
Yet the Great Expansion Sword Formation never retreated.
Its formation shifted once more as swift sword techniques burst forth ferociously.
Namgung Jun had likewise altered the command structure of the Great Expansion Sword Formation through Voice Transmission.
Alternating between spoken commands and Voice Transmission, Namgung Jun directed the formation.
His purpose was to confuse the opposing Seonghong Hall.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Standing at the front and deflecting dozens of waves of Sound Arts, Namgung Jun shouted.
“Condense your internal energy Qi even further!”
Alternating waves of Sound Arts carrying crushing pressure and razor-sharp killing intent were troublesome enough.
Even worse were the continuous sound waves aimed at inflicting internal injuries upon the Heavenly Sword Hall swordsmen.
The unified Qi created through the principles of the Great Expansion Sword Formation protected the Heavenly Sword Hall.
However, if the formation's execution faltered even slightly, the enemy would immediately exploit that fleeting opening.
It was a question of endurance versus breakthrough.
'The previous Great Expansion Sword Formation would have either collapsed or been forced back.'
Feeling the distinct waves of Sound Arts climbing up his greatsword, Gong Jun-am became certain.
'The current us can absolutely break through the Symphony Resonance Formation.'
The Great Expansion Sword Formation became a single sword, tearing apart the waves of Sound Arts as it pierced straight through the Grand Training Ground.
The Seonghong Hall flinched and appeared ready to widen the distance while moving.
But the Great Expansion Sword Formation was faster.
Since the Seonghong Hall was maintaining a large-scale Sound Arts formation, its movement speed was inevitably limited.
The closer they drew, the greater the oppressive pressure became.
With eyes wide open, Gong Jun-am roared.
“Haaaah!”
Beginning with Gong Jun-am's shout, the Heavenly Sword Hall swordsmen charging behind him also raised their voices one after another.
The moment their united voices grew louder than the melody of the Symphony Resonance Formation—
The overwhelming Qi of the Great Expansion Sword Formation smashed head-on through the Symphony Resonance Formation's Qi.
It was like crashing waves shattering against an enormous cliff.
Booooom!
An explosive sound like a gigantic drum bursting apart echoed across the battlefield.
It was proof that the Sound Arts Qi had failed to fully manifest.
'Gah!'
'What is this?!'
'Since when did the Heavenly Sword Hall become this strong?'
The Symphony Resonance Formation was not a battle formation that could be broken merely by closing the distance.
The closer an enemy approached, the stronger the influence of the Sound Arts became.
Furthermore, it contained countless techniques capable of blasting approaching enemies back to a distance.
The reason the Seonghong Hall had gradually widened the gap was not because they truly felt threatened.
Rather, they intended to provoke the Heavenly Sword Hall into becoming impatient and recklessly rushing in.
Just as they were about to unleash the Symphony Resonance Formation's supreme technique to force the Heavenly Sword Hall to its knees—
The Great Expansion Sword Formation's Qi suddenly surged explosively, completely disrupting their melody.
While the Seonghong Hall stood stunned by this unprecedented situation, countless raindrop-like sword strikes poured from the sword of Namgung Jun at the very front.
Crack! Crack!
The chaotic techniques of the Drizzling Rain Sword Art split apart more than a dozen instruments.
The melody abruptly ceased.
Immediately afterward, the Heavenly Sword Hall swordsmen leaped into action, weaving through the battlefield as they charged into the Seonghong Hall's ranks.
The Seonghong Hall fought back in close combat.
But they were gradually being overwhelmed.
At this point, it was impossible for them to redeploy the Symphony Resonance Formation.
Even if they did, it would harm their own allies.
The Seonghong Hall standard-bearer, who had been directing the Symphony Resonance Formation, lowered the xiao flute from his lips.
“We've lost.”
As the outcome became clear, Lee Se-ha raised her chin as though it had been obvious from the beginning.
Watching from afar, the Seonghong Hall Master called out loudly.
“Heavenly Sword Hall Master. It seems your Great Expansion Sword Formation has changed. Am I right?”
“My disciple improved it.”
The Seonghong Hall Master stared at Namgung Jun in astonishment.
“So it was the Rising Star Sword again?”
The other Hall Masters listening nearby also joined the conversation.
“From what I could tell, Namgung Jun properly adapted the external training methods he learned from my Hall. It made me rather proud.”
“There are many martial artists who become stronger alone, but few who make those around them stronger as well. Namgung Jun possesses the qualities of one destined to stand above other martial artists.”
Despite the praise from the Iron Tower Hall Master Dan Jung-se and the Martial Extremity Hall Master Ha Mu-jung, Lee Se-ha's gaze remained fixed on Namgung Jun.
“Of course. Whose disciple do you think he is?”
Lee Se-ha casually stretched before speaking.
“Now all that's left is for me to fulfill my role as Hall Master.”
At Lee Se-ha's quiet remark, the expressions of the other Hall Masters also became more serious.
The Standard-Bearer Battle, Individual Battles, and Group Battles had all been important.
However, the event carrying the greatest weight was naturally the Hall Master Battle.
Compared to it, even the individual quantitative evaluations and merit bonus points afterward carried relatively little influence.
Even while the Group Battle continued, the Hall Masters quietly sharpened their Qi.
Seemingly convinced that the Heavenly Sword Hall would ultimately win the Group Battle, Lee Se-ha no longer watched.
Instead, she sat cross-legged and closed her eyes.
And Lee Se-ha's faith was never misplaced.
---
The Hall Master Battle.
The ten Hall Masters competed in a randomly drawn single-elimination tournament.
Before long, the tournament had reached its final stage.
Only the championship match remained.
The Martial Extremity Hall Master had defeated the Ink Wheel Hall Master.
The Heavenly Sword Hall Master had overcome the Sect Hall Master.
At last, only the Heavenly Sword Hall Master and the Martial Extremity Hall Master remained.
“Hm.”
Unfolding his crossed arms, Martial Extremity Hall Master Ha Mu-jung slowly spoke.
“I heard that during the previous Combat Strength Evaluation, you lost to the Sect Hall Master. You've properly taken your revenge this time.”
“I don't intend to stop at revenge alone. Since I've come this far, I intend to claim the honor of being the strongest among the Ten Halls.”
“A fine spirit. But it will not be easy.”
The Hall Masters required no referee.
The moment they moved their hands and feet, the match began.
Ha Mu-jung and Lee Se-ha.
The two swordsmen simultaneously drew their swords before charging straight at each other.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Between the ringing cries of colliding steel, thunderous explosions erupted one after another.
The floor of the Grand Training Ground shattered as clouds of dust erupted like waterfalls.
“So the Heavenly Sword Hall Master's strength has increased this much.”
“To be honest, even during the last Combat Strength Evaluation, she nearly ranked among the top three. She simply had poor matchups. It seems she has grown even stronger now.”
“Come to think of it, Lee Se-ha is still of the younger generation. It wouldn't be strange for her progress to be this rapid.”
The Hall Masters watched the duel with keen interest.
Boom!
Alternating between the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Sword Art and the Layered Wall of Distant Clouds Stance, Lee Se-ha opposed the Martial Extremity Supreme Battle Art.
She diverted the overwhelmingly powerful frontal strikes with the Layered Wall of Distant Clouds Stance before exploiting openings using the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Sword Art.
Because the Hall Masters were fighting with their full strength, even the One-Cloud and Two-Cloud disciples struggled to properly follow the battle.
All they could perceive were flashes of light and shadows darting across the arena.
“Namgung Jun. Is Hall Master winning?”
After squinting with all her might, Man Ye-won finally asked.
Without taking his eyes off Lee Se-ha, Namgung Jun answered.
“For now, Master is at a disadvantage.”
The Martial Extremity Hall Master had always been the strongest Hall Master among the Ten Halls.
Even for Lee Se-ha, he was not someone she could challenge easily.
'Honestly, reaching this point alone is already remarkable.'
But the disciple knew.
His master would never be satisfied with merely this much.
'I wonder if she gained some realization during her secluded training.'
Namgung Jun could not take his eyes off Lee Se-ha.
Slash!
As Lee Se-ha blocked the sword strike sweeping horizontally toward her shoulder, her hips trembled ever so slightly.
That was how overwhelming the Martial Extremity Supreme Battle Art truly was.
'But the difference isn't overwhelming.'
Lee Se-ha stared at Ha Mu-jung, whose imposing aura exploded continuously.
Adjusting her grip on her sword, she stepped forward directly.
'A frontal clash? I expected her to continue defending with the Layered Wall of Distant Clouds Stance while waiting for an opening.'
The corners of Ha Mu-jung's lips slowly rose.
A junior had challenged him to a contest of strength head-on.
Refusing would have been discourteous.
Boom!
Ha Mu-jung's eyes widened the instant their swords collided.
Only now did he realize how much Lee Se-ha had changed.
Her physique had become remarkably solid.
Just as the Iron Tower Hall Master had mentioned, she had apparently trained in their external training methods as well.
'More importantly...'
Ha Mu-jung focused on the dozens of lightning bolts filling his vision.
He had experienced the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Sword Art dozens of times before.
Yet the techniques she displayed now were vastly different from before.
'Did she reconstruct the techniques? Did she gain some enlightenment?'
The power and sharpness of the Heavenly Thunder True Yang Sword Art had risen dramatically.
“Heavenly Sword Hall Master. Your Heavenly Thunder True Yang Sword Art has changed. Did you gain new enlightenment?”
“I did. Though the beginning of that enlightenment came thanks to my disciple.”
Thinking of Namgung Jun, Ha Mu-jung smiled.
“Now I'm beginning to envy you.”
After exchanging more than thirty blows, the Martial Extremity Hall Master and the Heavenly Sword Hall Master simultaneously retreated before exhaling deeply.
Whoooosh!
A violent gale erupted around the two supreme experts.
It was the prelude to their supreme techniques.
“Huh? Those two!”
Startled, Man Hun rose to stop them.
But Ha Hu-seon raised a hand.
“Let them continue. I don't believe either intends to push things so far that they'll seriously injure the other.”
Just as Man Hun was about to sit back down—
The flashes drawn by the two supreme experts crossed the Grand Training Ground from opposite directions.
“A technique I've never seen before.”
“It was a supreme technique I completed during this secluded training. What do you think?”
“Excellent.”
Even after exchanging their supreme techniques, neither Hall Master showed the slightest disorder in their bearing.
Just as they prepared to clash once more after observing one another—
“Enough.”
Ha Hu-seon raised his hand.
“The two of you are perfectly matched. Continuing this duel would only result in unnecessary injuries. It is best to stop here.”
At the Changcheon Society Master's command, both Hall Masters immediately sheathed their swords and offered respectful salutes.
“The Ink Fragrance Division will take this draw into proper consideration when calculating the results. Both of you displayed outstanding performances.”
Under Ha Hu-seon's praise, the two Hall Masters stepped back.
Every event of the Combat Strength Evaluation had now concluded.
Ha Hu-seon accepted the sheet of paper handed to him by Yun Gyeong-jong.
After reviewing its contents, he finally spoke.
“I shall now announce the results of this Combat Strength Evaluation.”
Silence settled over the Grand Training Ground.