Chapter 72
The Mistress of the North Sea Ice Palace, Lee Seol-hwa, was known in the North Sea as the epitome of composure and calm.
Ever since she had met Jaseong, she had been unable to contain her astonishment.
But there was still more to come that would leave her surprised.
"You... said you heard the voice of the Thousand-year Ice Crystal...?"
A short while later, Jaseong explained the strange phenomenon he had just experienced to Lee Seol-hwa and Lee Rin. Upon hearing this, the mother and daughter opened their eyes so wide, they couldn't possibly get any bigger.
'An outsider being acknowledged by the Thousand-year Ice Crystal...?!'
'This has never happened before. In all the history of the North Sea Ice Palace...'
Even the voices of the Thousand-year Ice Crystal had only been heard a few times during the lifetimes of successive palace mistresses.
For Jaseong to have heard such a voice, it was only natural that Lee Seol-hwa could not keep her composure.
Jaseong, too, was wrapped in a sense of awe.
'... My internal energy and energy channels have been completely purified. Now, I can draw forth even greater pure strength... More than anything, my blocked minor meridians have been opened, making energy circulation even smoother. Is this truly the power of the Thousand-year Ice Crystal...?'
While undergoing the Ice Palace's trial, Jaseong had unexpectedly received a fateful encounter and grown even stronger.
To him, the power of the Thousand-year Ice Crystal was simply incredible.
Now, he turned his gaze to the palace mistress, Lee Seol-hwa.
"Palace Mistress. Does this mean the trial is over?"
"... Yes. The trial is finished."
"In that case...."
"Hao Sect Ansun Branch Leader, Jaseong. I recognize you as an honored guest of our North Sea Ice Palace."
"......!"
"You are the most precious guest in our palace, and the swordsmen of the North Sea will become your protectors."
"......!!"
Jaseong clenched his fist inwardly.
He felt searing pain in his cheek from biting down so hard, but a joyful, broad smile slowly crept onto his lips.
He had finally obtained what he sought—an alliance with the North Sea Ice Palace.
'... And I've also gained the title of "the palace's most precious guest"... Doesn't that mean I'm recognized as more important than even the Lord of Black Blood Hall, Do Unjang?'
It was only natural.
Even the Lord of Black Blood Hall, Do Unjang, had been unable to complete the Heavenly Ice Spirit Essence trial to the end.
Halfway through, he had raised his hand and begged Lee Seol-hwa to drive away the cold for him.
But here was the far younger leader of the Hao Sect, who, with far less internal power, had passed the trial completely.
On top of that, he had been recognized by the Thousand-year Ice Crystal.
Of course, he deserved to be treated more highly than any other honored guest.
'Lee Rin and the Ansun branch members would faint if they heard this.'
Thus, in just one day, Jaseong had gained two rewards: the purifying power of the Thousand-year Ice Crystal for his energy channels, and a powerful new external force, the North Sea Ice Palace.
Yet, astonishingly, the rewards he would receive from the palace mistress were not over.
* * *
That night. Jade Pavilion (翠玉樓) near the Murim Alliance, where Jaseong was staying.
There, Lee Seol-hwa visited him again.
"Remove your human-skin mask,"
Lee Seol-hwa said abruptly.
"It isn't right for the palace to receive as a guest someone whose face we do not know, is it?"
At her words, Jaseong silently took off the human-skin mask. In that instant, Lee Seol-hwa's eyes quivered subtly.
"... So that's why that kid Lee Rin so stubbornly insisted on staying in the martial world."
"Pardon?"
"Ahem, nevermind. More importantly, I heard from your nursemaid, Han Soweol."
"?"
"Back in Guangxi Province's black market, the Fire Dragon Grass you sought was snatched away by Lee Rin's protectors, correct?"
"......!"
"It is unthinkable for a guest of the North Sea Ice Palace to have his possessions taken by us. So, I have brought it to give you as a gift."
Lee Seol-hwa opened a wooden case she had brought. The room was instantly filled with both heat and chill.
Inside the case were the Fire Dragon Grass, shining red, and the Silver Spirit Flower, glimmering silver.
'To think I'd get my hands on these too...!'
Jaseong's eyes flashed.
The Fire Dragon Grass and Silver Spirit Flower had been snatched from him at the black market in Guangxi when Han Soweol had offered a higher price.
They were essential ingredients for Heaven Evading Alchemy.
With just these, Jaseong could create Celestial Cloud Pill, an elixir that far surpassed the Shaolin's Minor Rejuvenation Pill in boosting internal power, and Meridian-Clearing Powder, an elixir that could clear blocked meridians and smooth energy channel circulation.
'Yet another chance to become stronger has been granted.'
His chest pounded with excitement. Watching him, Lee Seol-hwa spoke again.
"But, why were you seeking the Fire Dragon Grass and Silver Spirit Flower?"
"I intended to make elixirs."
"Elixirs?"
"Yes."
"Hm, those two are exceptionally difficult medicines to handle. Even the famous physicians of the Central Plains can't properly process them. Recruiting an alchemist capable of doing so would take quite some time, I would expect."
"......."
"So, why not come with me to the North Sea Ice Palace? We have a physician well-versed in alchemy residing there."
Though her offer was thoughtful, Jaseong shook his head.
"Though I appreciate the thought, I have already prepared a way to turn the Fire Dragon Grass and Silver Spirit Flower into elixirs."
"You already found an alchemist? Who is it?"
"It's me."
"... Pardon?"
Jaseong brought out the herbal ingredients Hyang-I had gathered for him.
Taking the Fire Dragon Grass and Silver Spirit Flower, he carried them to a spare room.
There, he began Heaven Evading Alchemy.
Whoosh―
Inside the Heaven Evading vessel, the ingredients melted into the energy of the heavens.
The Fire Dragon Grass melted, emitting a lava-like red glow, while the Silver Spirit Flower scattered softly like silver mist.
Finally, three elixirs were completed. On the table sat two Celestial Cloud Pill and one Meridian-Clearing Powder.
'Thanks to the larger size of the Silver Spirit Flower, I made two Celestial Cloud Pill from just one.'
Celestial Cloud Pill took the form of golden, shining beads.
Meridian-Clearing Powder, in contrast, was a gentle white powder that, upon touching the fingertips, gave off a subtle energy that softly stimulated the energy channels.
Jaseong brought them to the adjoining room where Lee Seol-hwa and Lee Rin waited.
Again, the mother and daughter could only stare in disbelief.
"... Great hero, what is this?"
"Elixirs I just made with the Fire Dragon Grass and Silver Spirit Flower."
"You made these yourself?"
"... You have a talent for alchemy as well? I can hardly believe it."
Lee Seol-hwa, who thought there could be no more surprises, once again found herself exclaiming in wonder.
Jaseong calmly continued, "Lee Rin. One of these is yours."
"Gasp...! Really, great hero?"
A bright smile blossomed on Lee Rin's lips.
Her eyes sparkled as she accepted the elixir, her expression as though she'd struck it rich.
Watching her, Lee Seol-hwa smiled warmly.
"Take it here and now. I will stand guard for you,"
Lee Seol-hwa said.
Jaseong nodded. Together with Lee Rin, he consumed a Celestial Cloud Pill each.
The Meridian-Clearing Powder he reserved for Gu Janghu.
As Meridian-Clearing Powder cleared blocked and minor meridians, it would resolve the stagnation Gu Janghu's internal energy was currently facing.
Fwoooosh!
The moment he took the Celestial Cloud Pill, a blazing energy erupted throughout Jaseong's body.
Like a volcano erupting, overwhelming heat ignited his energy channels and dantian.
'This is the effect of Celestial Cloud Pill, an elixir crafted with Celestial Realm alchemy...!'
It was a moment where he realized for himself it was indeed superior to Shaolin's Minor Rejuvenation Pill.
Sweat drops beaded on his forehead, his breath steamed hotly as it parted the air.
Lee Rin's face, too, turned flushed as she caught her breath.
At that moment, Lee Seol-hwa quietly sat behind the two. She then performed Ice-Soul Ki Manipulation Art(氷魂操氣功), the North Sea Ice Palace's internal martial art to assist the absorption of elixirs, gently supporting Jaseong's and Lee Rin's intake.
SSHHAAA—
With Lee Seol-hwa's cool internal energy, Jaseong's agitated energy channels were soothed.
The rampaging power of the Celestial Cloud Pill was tamed, like a wild horse now moving diligently with discipline, lining itself up step by step in Jaseong's dantian, all thanks to her incredible true ki control worthy of a Four Heavenly Kings beyond the Wall.
After some time had passed, Jaseong slowly opened his eyes.
Whoooom—
Powerful golden true ki flickered in Jaseong's eyes.
* * *
'My internal power has increased tremendously... Just how strong have I become now?'
Jaseong's pupils trembled faintly with delight. Beside him, Lee Rin gazed about as if she were seeing a new world.
Observing the two, Lee Seol-hwa said,
"You two are no longer what you once were. Your internal energy has now exceeded a full 60-year cycle."
"......!"
"......!!"
A full 60-year cycle. In today's martial world, where martial arts are so advanced, this was still a well-known but rarely attained realm.
In reality, there were few who possessed a full 60-year cycle's worth of internal energy.
Across both the Righteous and Evil Factions, those who had attained this were seen as pillars of their factions.
Above all, possessing a full 60-year cycle's internal energy was one of the main criteria for distinguishing peak-level experts.
In other words, Jaseong had now met one of the requirements for entering the realm of the peak experts.
'... At long last, a 60-year cycle. I have taken another step toward those enemies. Now, I should even be able to use the ninth gate of the Celestial Gate Opening Art.'
Of course, Lee Rin, as the young mistress of the palace, had consumed all sorts of elixirs since childhood, and her internal power had already exceeded a 60-year cycle even before taking the Celestial Cloud Pill.
Now, after consumption, she possessed an incredible one and a half 60-year cycle.
Among her peers among the rising stars of the Central Plains, it would be hard to find a match for her now. She was a force to be reckoned with.
'With this energy...now I can wander the martial world at the great hero's side!'
Looking into Lee Rin's shining eyes, Lee Seol-hwa also mused inwardly with satisfaction.
'Perhaps soon, Lee Rin will reach the zenith of the Ice White Divine Art. Still, to produce such tremendous elixirs from Fire Dragon Grass and Silver Spirit Flower... What master could this young man have learned alchemy from to acquire such skills?'
Lee Seol-hwa, lost in thought, gazed again at Jaseong.
Afterwards, Jaseong stood up to test his newly increased internal energy. The place was the deserted sandbar along the Zhang River outside the inn. The fine sand shimmered faintly under the moonlight.
Splash, splash—
The sound of the Zhang River's waters echoed quietly. Listening to its lull, Jaseong slowly drew his sword.
'Heaven Evading Flash Sword, first form: Heaven Evading Flash Radiance (천둔일섬광휘)'
In an instant, Jaseong's sword unleashed a colossal horizontal beam of light with a resounding KWAANG!!!
'Heaven Evading Flash Sword, third form: Hundred Descending Calamities (천락백괴).'
Then, with a mighty KA-BANG, an incredible spectacle followed as if a hundred bolts of lightning struck.
'Heaven Evading Flash Sword, sixth form: Ten Thousand Thunders (萬電雷震).'
Jaseong's sword transformed into crackling lightning, crashing through the air with a scorching, searing brilliance—a truly formidable display of Speed Sword Technique.
Jaseong spent some time testing the new power of the Heaven Evading Flash Sword, a delighted smile forming on his lips the whole while.
'Now that I possess a 60-year cycle of internal energy, my cultivation power has truly skyrocketed... And with my energy further refined and minor meridians opened by the power of the Thousand-year Ice Crystal, even my energy control has become much faster...'
Sheathing his sword, Jaseong smiled contentedly.
He considered testing the Celestial Gate Opening Art next, but changed his mind.
That was a secret trump card—best saved for leisurely practice back at his own main training yard in Ansun.
It was then, just as Jaseong finished putting away his sword—
"Great hero, you really do think about martial arts day and night, don't you? Hehe."
Behind him, Lee Rin's voice sounded. Turning, he saw that she was carrying Jiannanchun, purchased from the inn.
"On a night like this, rather than training martial arts, we should share a celebratory drink."
Jaseong chuckled and nodded.
Together, he and Lee Rin sat on the Zhang River's sandbar, looking at the stars and sharing Jiannanchun.
The nighttime Zhang River was truly stunning. Countless stars formed a milky way in the sky, a magnificent sight, and above the river, the milky way's reflection glimmered, as if a celestial river had descended to the world.
"Congratulations, great hero. You've finally achieved what you wanted."
"Thank you. It's all thanks to you, Lee Rin."
"It was your internal power and resolve that endured the Heavenly Ice Spirit Essence trial. And... I must also thank you."
"For what?"
"Because of you, I get to keep traveling the martial world."
"Hm?"
"My mother has given me permission to roam the martial world at your side. Hehe."
A bright smile bloomed on Lee Rin's face, her cheeks tinged red from the wine, looking as radiant as a flower in bloom.
Seeing her beautiful smile, a gentle smile also formed on Jaseong's lips.
'In the end, everything has gone as I hoped. I've allied with the North Sea Ice Palace and can continue traveling with Lee Rin...'
But just then—
An overwhelming presence was suddenly felt.
Next, huge waves surged upon the peaceful Zhang River, distorting the milky way that had shimmered on its surface.
"Great hero, look...!"
Someone was crossing the Zhang River. Not on a ferry, but simply walking over the water.
Crossing the Water on Duckweed — the art of walking on water, the consummate lightness skill of walking upon floating duckweed.
Astonishingly, that powerful expert was approaching Jaseong and Lee Rin.
Both, shaken from their tipsiness, stood up, tense.
"Who is that?"
"... It's not mother; though the presence is just as formidable, mother is still at the inn...."
As Jaseong and Lee Rin muttered, the master completely crossed the Zhang River.
When they finally identified the expert who suddenly appeared before them, both Jaseong's and Lee Rin's eyes widened in shock.