At that moment, not only Bu Eunseol’s group but even Namgung Sea found their gazes fixed on the Young Palace Master’s enchanting eyes, as if spellbound.
“Let’s proceed,” the Young Palace Master said.
Snapping out of her daze, Namgung Sea nodded.
***
The Purple Mist Cave of the Divine Maiden Palace.
A vast underground cavern within the main palace, it was originally used to store the sect’s secret manuals passed down through generations. However, as moisture accumulated over time, the cave was sealed off—until the Palace Master reinstated it by installing the Twenty-Four Heavenly General Formations.
Step, step.
After descending a long underground passage, a massive iron gate came into view. Namgung Sea touched several carvings on the gate, and with a grinding sound, it slowly opened.
“What is this place?” Namgung Un asked, his eyes widening as he peered inside.
The stone chamber was illuminated by torches, its floor etched with intricate lines resembling a giant chessboard. Standing within were twenty-four enormous statues, each over eight feet tall.
“What are these?” Namgung Un asked.
Namgung Sea replied in a low voice, “These are the Twenty-Four Heavenly General Formations. If you can pass through these twenty-four generals to reach the opposite chamber, you pass the test.”
As a prodigy of the Southern Palace, Namgung Un had some mastery in not only swordsmanship but also formations. Observing the positions of the statues, his expression grew serious. He noticed traces of bewildering arrays designed to disrupt the mind, as well as hidden traps.
“This… it’s truly a life-or-death formation,” he said.
“You can still give up,” the Young Palace Master said, her veiled face calm. “This formation cannot be passed alone. At least two masters well-versed in formations are needed to break it.”
“I’ll try anyway,” Namgung Un said, taking a deep breath.
He lacked martial world experience, but his swordsmanship and knowledge of formations were far from deficient.
“May I go first?” he asked, grinning at Bu Eunseol.
His plan was to scout the formation, even if he failed, to provide Bu Eunseol with useful information.
Not just a reckless fool after all, Bu Eunseol thought, recognizing Namgung Un’s consideration. He nodded. “Go ahead.”
“Here I go!” Namgung Un declared, drawing his Golden Needle Sword and stepping cautiously into the Twenty-Four Heavenly General Formations.
“Hmm.” The moment he entered, his face contorted. An unsettling sensation invaded his mind, as if something foul was burrowing into his thoughts.
Whoosh!
A nearby statue swung a massive greatsword. These weren’t mere statues but mechanical constructs that moved like living beings.
“Ugh!” Distracted by the mental intrusion, Namgung Un’s dodge was slightly delayed.
Slash!
The greatsword grazed his back, narrowly missing a fatal strike. That was close, he thought, exhaling in relief. He surveyed the surrounding statues.
The Young Palace Master was right.
Dozens of layered formations guarded the path, with the statues firmly blocking the life gate. Each movement caused the formation to shift like a constellation, disorienting him.
Impossible. Unable to find a way to break the formation, he gathered his energy and poured it into his Golden Needle Sword.
If I can’t break the formation, I’ll destroy the statues with my swordsmanship!
Hum! As his energy flowed into the blade, a low hum resonated.
“Hah!” Namgung Un shouted, striking at the towering statue before him.
Boom! But the strike felt like hitting a boulder, pushing the statue back only a single step.
“What?” Even a technique capable of shattering a bronze figure should have worked. Yet it only moved the statue slightly?
It withstood the Southern Palace’s swordsmanship?
In truth, the statue didn’t break because Namgung Un, affected by the formation’s illusions, had missed his target. Unaware of this, he shouted in frustration, “The Southern Palace’s sword can destroy anything!”
Doubling his energy, he unleashed the Sky-So-aring Sword again.
Bang! Boom!
Dust and debris rose from the chamber floor, but despite his full effort, the statues stood unmoved.
“Get a grip! Your sword isn’t even hitting them!” Black Leopard shouted from a distance.
Namgung Sea shook her head. “It’s no use. Once inside the formation, he can’t hear anything.”
“Damn it!” Namgung Un cursed, thrusting his Golden Needle Sword into the floor and biting his lip.
This sword should be able to shatter iron statues. It must be the formation’s influence. After a moment’s thought, he switched to a basic sword technique, striking a statue again.
Boom!
The statue stood firm, unmoved.
Even a light strike makes that sound? Realizing his sword hadn’t touched the statue, Namgung Un’s eyes flashed. I don’t need to fight the statues. I just need to reach the other side.
Regaining his composure, he felt strength surge within him. Changing tactics, he used his footwork to weave through the statues’ attacks.
Whoosh!
But this approach was no easier. The twenty-four statues’ attacks were precise and relentless, and the floor’s formations constantly shifted. Dodging while advancing was grueling; each step took ages.
Damn it! Damn it!
Even after more than an hour, Namgung Un hadn’t crossed half the formation. Worse, his stamina and energy were depleting.
The illusions make it impossible to predict where the greatswords will strike. His once-sharp senses dulled, and the ever-shifting floor made standing still dizzying and nauseating.
Whoosh! Pop! Dodging a greatsword from above, another grazed his shoulder, exploiting a gap.
“Ugh!” Once his stance faltered, his footwork tangled. After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, his body was bloodied.
“Stop!” the Young Palace Master cried, pulling out a small token with a pained voice. “Stop the formation!”
“Understood,” Namgung Sea said, taking the token and rushing to insert it into a slot on the chamber wall.
With a rumble, the spinning floor halted, and the statues’ greatswords slowly stopped.
“Huff, huff.” Namgung Un stood in the middle, gasping for breath. If the formation hadn’t stopped, his body would have been torn apart in moments.
“Sir, are you alright?” Black Leopard asked, rushing to support him.
Namgung Un waved him off. “I’m fine. No need to worry.” But his steps wobbled, and his face was deathly pale.
As he emerged, Namgung Sea said coldly, “You reckless fool.” Glancing at the token embedded in the wall, she added quietly to Namgung Un, “You owe your life to the Young Palace Master’s mercy.”
Namgung Un, freeing himself from Black Leopard’s support, clasped his hands with effort. “Thank you for your kindness. Haha.”
“No need,” the Young Palace Master said, bowing lightly.
Namgung Un staggered again. Namgung Sea instructed the maids behind the Young Palace Master, “Take him to the Medicine Hall.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
As Black Leopard tried to help, Namgung Un waved him off. “Stay with Seolso. Don’t worry about me.” Turning to Bu Eunseol with an embarrassed expression, he said, “I failed due to my lack of skill, but I hope you succeed, Seolso.”
Despite his carefree demeanor, Namgung Un was warm-hearted and passionate. Recognizing this, Bu Eunseol nodded lightly. “Rest well.” He then walked slowly into the stone chamber.
“Young master, don’t push yourself too hard,” Black Leopard said worriedly.
Bu Eunseol nodded. “I understand.”
Step.
As Bu Eunseol entered the Twenty-Four Heavenly General Formations, an unsettling wave of emotions flooded his mind—long-forgotten anger and regret.
This feels bad.
A martial master’s spirit was typically unshakable, yet merely stepping into the formation stirred discomfort. The Divine Maiden Palace’s formations were extraordinary.
Step.
As Bu Eunseol moved forward, a whoosh sounded, and a greatsword grazed his cheek.
It was a scene reminiscent of Namgung Un’s entry.
So that’s how it is. Recalling Namgung Un’s experience, Bu Eunseol’s eyes sharpened. A master of the Sky-So-aring Sword couldn’t properly dodge the statues’ attacks. This isn’t a simple illusion.
The greatswords, over two feet wide, should have produced deafening gusts when swung like chopsticks. Yet, they only emitted a faint whoosh. His senses were clearly affected by the formation.
Beast Way…
Raising the usually restrained senses of the Beast Way, Bu Eunseol’s pupils dilated.
Whoosh!
His Void-Shattering Mind’s Eye activated, allowing him to clearly perceive the statues’ positions and the floor’s movements.
The statues aren’t attacking.
According to the Beast Way’s senses, while the floor moved chaotically, the greatsword-wielding statues were fixed in place. The formation’s illusions lured him toward them.
Just break through.
Step. Another step forward, and three greatswords lunged at him.
Don’t rely on sight. The Twenty-Four Heavenly General Formations created subtle illusions, distorting not only direction but also distance. Closing his eyes, Bu Eunseol used the Beast Way’s senses to dodge the greatswords.
Pop, pop!
Even so, faint scratches appeared on his body.
“This is what a true formation feels like,” he muttered.
Bu Eunseol had faced and easily broken many formations before, as they were operated by humans with varying skills, builds, and traits. But these statues moved in perfect unison—identical in form, motion, and force.
Coupled with the shifting floor, Bu Eunseol couldn’t find a single flaw in the formation.
Whoosh!
Taking another step, six greatswords blocked his retreat, targeting vital points on his chest and back.
Pop, pop!
Each dodge left more scratches on his body.
“To evade properly, I need to fully break the formation and move in sync with its shifts.” Even with the Beast Way’s senses, the unpredictable floor made perfect evasion impossible.
“Interesting,” Bu Eunseol said, a smile creeping onto his face.
Facing an unknown enemy was, to him, a thrill. Even if he could break the formation, he would have chosen to confront the statues head-on.
“I should learn formations someday.” He had once dismissed formations as trivial tricks, but the Twenty-Four Heavenly General Formations shattered that prejudice.
To think statues in a formation could employ such intricate techniques. His curiosity piqued, Bu Eunseol summoned his inner power and thrust out both palms, unleashing a powerful strike.
Boom!
A strange phenomenon occurred. The iron statues were pushed back significantly.
“What?” Namgung Sea’s eyes widened as she watched.
Bu Eunseol hadn’t used a palm technique but pure inner power, employing the Reverse-Extreme Technique.
